My name’s Diana Barry. I live in Regina, Saskatchewan, and I’m mostly
making this blog because my best friend Anne says I should be more active online. She has a video blog on YouTube which a lot of people watch, but I’m not
really as comfortable in front of the camera. She loves talking, so the whole filming thing is fun for her. I’ve been
on her vlog a few times- the first time we just hung out, the second time I got
embarrassingly drunk. It was all a huge mistake, but as you can probably guess,
that’s put me off video blogging a little.
I think it’s so weird how your life just becomes permanently published on
the Internet. I don’t know how I’m going to feel in 10 or 20 or 30 years about
having pictures on tumblr or Tweets that my kids could read, much less video
footage. I guess it’ll be a really cool way of remembering what it was like to
be a teenager, but it’ll also be strange to see how I’ve changed.
I guess I should say a few things about myself, just to introduce myself
to people?
I’m a pretty practical person, at least in comparison to Anne, who is so
imaginative and creative! I like to be very organized and get my school work
done on time, do chores around the house, babysit my sister May, listen to music...
Right, I should talk about my family.
It’s just me, my sister May (she’s 13), and my mom and dad. My mom was
totally preppy in high school and college, she was in the debates club and the
school band. She went to university and got her degree in music and was all set
to take over the symphony world until she met my dad, who was finishing his
engineering degree. They got married right after graduation (it was so cute and
romantic and ahhhhhhhh- I mean, from the pictures. Not like I was there, oops)
and then had me and moved to Regina. Dad still works as a chemical engineer.
He’s really cheerful and funny, and pretty laidback. Mom decided to quit music
so she could raise me and May. She’s very strict about a lot of things because
she wants me to do well in school and extra curriculars. But I think they
balance out pretty well, my parents were practically made for each other! Mom
is driven and highly organized (you
should see our garage- all of the Christmas lights are stored by size, wattage,
and colour), and Dad’s hardworking but really patient and supportive.
I wouldn’t say I’m the most creative person, I mean, I like writing and
music and stuff. I just find some creative pursuits so exhausting. I
could go paint watercolours or practice ballet for five hours, but I’d much
rather relax with a book. I really like the arts and things, don’t get me
wrong! I just think of them as hobbies more than lifestyles.
I think I’m most creative when it comes to fashion. I try to keep it
classy most of the time with my clothes, and I really like staying on top of
trends. I don’t spend a ton of time shopping, though, because I’m usually
pretty busy. I like to look online and plan out my purchases in advance, so
that I don’t have to worry a lot about hunting through sales racks at H&M
or Forever 21. I always have a game plan for what kind of clothes I’m going to
buy- I really like finding pieces which are fashionable but still versatile,
because then I can switch up my outfits conveniently!
So, my family, fashion, what
else?
Right, music. I really love
music. I don’t really have one specific favourite genre, I listen to pretty
much anything as long as I like it. I listen to a ton of Top 40, don’t judge me, Anne! When I’m studying I like to listen to film soundtracks, they’re very inspiring.
Especially the superhero movie ones. My mom really encourages me to listen to
classical music, which I find helpful especially when I’m working on a new
piece. I play piano and flute, and most of the music for that is classical, so
hearing the songs first helps me get a feel for their mood and dynamics.
I also really like reading books.
Not long ones, because I get impatient with all the drawn out, unnecessary details.
I like fantasy novels and romances, my favourite right now has got to be “I
Capture the Castle”. Not really a fantasy, I guess, more history. I read some
Jane Austen books because her love stories are just perfect. And her men? Swoon. My mom isn’t really a fan of "excessive
reading", as she says, which is frustrating. Because doesn’t every other parent
in the history of FOREVER want their kid to read more books? I’m not the best
daughter, oh well. She always tells me to go outside and stuff, and get fresh
air. I respond to that by reading in the garden. Haha.
I also watch a TON of
TV shows. Okay, I have to admit, this is sort of a problem. I’m addicted to
Once Upon a Time. My cousin showed me the first episode ages ago and I was just completely hooked. (See what I did there?
Haha I’m trying to be punny, I know Anne will make fun of this later) I really
love Belle. I ship Gremma. Forever. Anyway, that’s that. I also watch Downton
Abbey, my mom and sister are obsessed with
it. I love Matthew Crawley so much. I also started watching Reign, which I
really like because it helps me make connections to a lot of the stuff I’ve
read about in history class and other books. Oh, and my dad is a total Doctor
Who geek. In a good way. So sometimes I watch that with him, but it’s a bit too
science-y for my preferences. I think that’s about it.
I guess that’s kind
of a good start, for now? I wrote way more
than I intended, oops. I don’t really know what to write for the next one, so
maybe if you like this blog just comment or tweet me suggestions? Maybe I’ll
talk about music more? Or is that too much? Anyway, hope you like it! (And
Anne, you can get off my back now. I made a blog! Just kidding, love yah!
<3)
