My Passion: Horseback Riding

Horses have always been something I've been fascinated with, every since I was just four years old you can find pictures of me playing with stuffed horses or "pretending" to be a horse myself. When I was 7 my family moved to the country, a small town with as little as 7,000 people, and a town Rode as well. This country town was a safe haven for me and my family after a few harsh years in the city, and the divorce of my parents. We lived right behind the rodeo grounds, and I can remember how every year I would get so excited about seeing the horses right in my own backyard.

 On my 10th Birthday after nearly 2 years of my horse obsession, my mom surprised me with a horse lesson on my birthday. I literally freaked out when she told me, I actually screamed and remember myself hugging my mom multiple times with happiness. My very first time on a horse didn't cure my horse obsession, it made it worse and when I say worse I mean better. I began taking riding lessons weekly on a 12 year old Appaloosa gelding named Danni. I honestly would get so excited the night before I had a riding lesson, that some nights I couldn't go to sleep.

My room was filled with horse posters, horse books, horse magazines and even a 4 level shelf of 20 breyer horses. Yeah, I was horse crazy. Riding was one thing I felt that I was truly good at, and it was something that inspired and made me happy. That's probably why I love it so much today, because it stills inspired me after five years. I went to horse camp when I was 11 still riding Danni, and met two of my best friends there.

 Later on, I moved to the city once again and still began riding at another, more improved stable located in the country ride. At the previous stable I wasen't treated or taught right, and it wasen't a healthy way of teaching. At this new stable I didn't get yelled at, or called "stuipd" because I needed help. At my old stable I was told that "its always the riders fault not the horse," and I wasen't really told what I was doing wrong in a constructive, helpful way. This new stable was wonderful, and my trainer was helpful in teaching me to become a better rider, working together as a team with my horse.

Today, nearly 3 years have passed since I started riding at Dream Ridge Stable and I'm happy to annoucne that I'm fulfilling my dream of leasing my very first horse this September. It's something I've always wanted to do, and now with money, and generous rides to and from the stable from my mom and grandma I'm able to do it.

Horse back riding is something that will always be apart of me. It inspires me, and simply makes me feel free as a bird in the sky. One of my favorite sayings by Juli Carlson says it all "When riding a horse, we leave our fear, troubles, and sadness behind on the ground." To work with such incredible, smart, and beatiful creatures is such a blessing and joy to me. So remember when you want to feel free as a bird, and leave all of your troubles behind you, ride a horse, believe me it works.


Thanks for reading and happy trails!

Sabryna D.

Riding a pony at the fair when I was 6.

   The first time I ever rode Danni on my 10th Birthday!
      (I'm furthest to the right)                                  

Horse Camp 2009 when I was 11. (I'm the one furthest to the right)                                              

Danni and I at horse camp:)

 Riding Danni on my 11th birthday.

 

Albany and I at Dream Ridge Stable 2012.

Me and Albany at a costume contest in November 2012.

 

Albany, I, my sister, my mom and her friend at the costume contest.

Albany and I in November 2012 after a long day of riding:)

A Gils Shopping Day at the Mall

Today was honestly a really fun day, filled with laughter and most definitely lots of shopping with my friend Katelyn and my sister Tabitha. Katelyn picked us up at 2:00pm and we headed to mall just 10 minutes away, I had $100 in my wallet and was happy to get started on some fun shopping. When we got to the mall, we all grabbed some Panda Express and shared a 3 entree bowl. Then we hit some of our favorite stores like Forever 21, where I got a super cute pair of dark skinny jeans, for only $10.80! I also got some cute post, cross earrings at Forever 21 too for $2 and a light blue t-shirt with silver sequins on it for $17. I'll post pictures of the stuff I bought under this post. Katelyn and me decided to go to Claire's where our goal was to search our One Direction stuff...and boy did we find tons of 1D items everywhere...basically a whole isle of One Direction stuff. Let's just say me and Katelyn were in One Direction heaven! We must have looked like hilarious Directioners freaking out over One Direction posters, bracelets, pillow cases, and dolls (which I was shocked to see that Zayne's doll didn't look like him at all, oh what a disappointment.) I got a big One Direction poster and some badges to put on my luggage bag. Then we went to Sephora for a quick makeup stop, and I got some peachy colored lip gloss and some nude/brown color eye shadow with a gift card I had. Finally, we had a surprisingly hilarious time in Barnes and Noble, while browsing through the bookshelfs a very strange and monotone version of "Little Things," by One Direction came on. Katelyn began to mouth the words in a very dramatic, and hilarious way and I luckily caught it on tape while laughing!On our way out we grabbed some tasty Starbucks drinks, I got a Grande Caramel Frappicino (my ultimate favorite!) Overall, I had a really fun day with great friends and its continues to be a great night because Katelyn is spending the night and we continue to have fun! Plus I'm really happy with what I bought too!

Love, Sabryna

In the mall we went into this pet shop and got to hold cute cuddly kittens.

So fluffy!

This is the Niall doll we found in Claire's!

Having fun trying on many funky glasses at Claire's.

 

Describes Tabitha...period.

I love this necklace!

 

Here's the isle me and Katelyn found full of One Direction stuff!

Getting starbucks drinks!

 

Tabitha with the adorable little Tabby cat.

My Favorite Youtubers

Hello everyone,
I hope you all are having a truly fun Summer, filled with laughter, friends and family. My summer has been good so far, I recently went on a 4 day vacation to Sunriver, OR and I stayed at my grandparents vacation home. I enjoyed canoeing down the Deshutes River, eating some yummy food, relaxing in the hot-tub and taking some amazing pictures of the scenery and wildlife in Sunriver.

While I was in Sunriver, I also had lots of fun watching some of my absolute favorite Youtubers on their Youtube Channels. Recently this June, I become more aware of what and how big YouTube truly is. Just like many Youtubers state, "Youtube is like a huge friendly community, like a family." Where other Youtubers decide to make videos with other Youtubers, and they collaborate together, and go to events like VidCom. It's actually a really neat online community, and recently I've become quiet obessed with it and I've joined it as well! Yep, I'm officially a Youtuber! My channel is Sabryna Damm, and I upload daily video logs and videos about places I've traveled to. I actually am having tons of fun with editing and filming videos, most definitely one of my new hobbies.

Some of my top favorite Youtubers include Connor Franta, JC Caylen, Marcus Butler, JacksGap, O2L channel and Ricky Dillon. These youtubers ares sure to make you laugh, and relate with their video topics. I honestly love the quality of their videos, and they are just the best! Most definitely check them out.

I hope you've enjoyed reading this post.

Thanks, Sabryna

Vanilla Parfait a Tasty and Healthy Treat

                                                   
How to make a yogurt parfait, a healthy yet delicious treat for any occasion and anyone!

Ingredients:

One cup of Low fat Vanilla Yogurt

Five fresh strawberries

 ½ cup of blue berries (if desired)

 ½ cup of So Delicious Dairy Free Cultured Coconut Milk Beverage         

Strawberry

2 tablespoons of Marebly Natural Trail Mix Crunch

Items needed:

1.     Tablespoon

2.     Spoon

3.     A clear glass cup or wine glass

 

 

Step #1. Gather all of you ingredients and cooking essentials

Step #2. Put ¼ cup of low fat vanilla yogurt into the glass container

Step #3.  Put 2 tablespoons of So Delicious Dairy Free Cultured Coconut Milk Beverage Strawberry into the glass container

Step #4. Cut up the 5 fresh strawberries

Step #5. Then place half of the cut up strawberries neatly on top of the strawberry beverage in the glass container
  
                                             

Step #6. Place 1/4 cup of blue berries in the glass container (if desired)

Step #7. Now put ¼ cup of low fat vanilla yogurt on top of the strawberries

                                                

Step #8. Place a few cut up strawberries on the outside perimeter of the glass container on top of the vanilla yogurt

 
                                            

Step #9. Put two tablespoons of Marebly Organic Trail Mix in the center of the glass container

                                                 

Step #10. Now time to sit back and enjoy your tasty, yet healthy vanilla yogurt parfait!

                                               

 

A little bit about me, Sabryna J. Damm

Hello fellow internet users, my name is Sabryna J. Damm I'm the host and blogger of this blog "The Life and Thoughts of a Teenage Sophomore." I decided I should share a little about myself before I begin my journey of writing posts about my daily life.

I'll be a Sophomore at Oregon Virtual Academy (commonly known as ORVA) in the fall of 2013, and I'm very eager to start my 2nd year at this outstanding school that I truly enjoy. Yes, I actually do enjoy school...no joke! Without it I believe I would be quite bored, and wouldn't known what to do with myself! Anyways, I'm an English Honors Student, Student of the Month for March 2013 and I'm a straight A's student. Please excuse me if I sound like I'm bragging, but I honestly worked hard to be where I'm at now...and it feels good! Some of my personal hobbies include: writing, swimming, water sports, traveling, working out at the gym, horseback riding, spending time with my family + friends, watching "Dancing with the Stars," and photography.

This blog will obtain posts about my life in general, along with my daily thoughts and activities. You'll see posts about yummy recipes, to what I did for fun over the weekend...and much more! Anyways, I hope all of you reading this stayed tuned for upcoming blog posts, and I hope you enjoy reading them.

Thanks, and happy trails!

Sabryna D.