Dear Scratch Writing Camp, Hey there all my fellow mangoes out there! Maddie here, still your ever-enthusiastic fangirling cowgirl author from the land down under. As the chill of the Aussie winter wraps around us, I'm bundled up and brimming with excitement to dive into this session of SWC with you all. My cabin, Folklore, stands tall and proud, and we're ready to cheer on our sister cabin, Solarpunk, as we embark on this adventure together! (hey there Horror and Script, our friendies!) (and I’m sorry, Gothic, Poetry, Sci-Fi and Fantasy, you are going DOWN this sesh! (though I still love you guys and would be more than happy to hand you some friendly mangoes)) Non-Fi, Mystery, Bi-Fi, Thriller and Dystopian, I am super excited to be friends with you guys! When I'm not cozied up indoors, you can find me indulging in my myriad of hobbies. Whether it's belting out tunes, crafting new songs, twirling in dance, grappling in jiu-jitsu, soaring with the air force cadets, or exploring the great outdoors on my bike, I'm always on the move. And let's not forget the simple joys of a good run, a leisurely walk, getting lost in music, or diving into the worlds created by reading and writing. It's true, I'm a bit of a shocker with my love for the written word! Life as a 15-year-old Christian homeschooler in Australia is never dull, especially with a treasure trove of besties and a passion for volunteering at a riding camp during the school holidays. Horses have a special place in my heart, and nothing beats the connection you feel while riding. I’m the youngest child in the family, with a much older brother named Kenzie, you can go say hi on @madkenz! He’s a great sibling and I love playing on our PS or Minecraft with him, or playing with our dog together, or pillow fights, or nerf fights! (at this point, literally anything lol) But let's talk geek for a moment. My mind is a playground for all things random, from music to an array of fandoms that would take an eternity to list. LOTR, HP, WoF, KOTLC, BTTF—you name it, I'm probably geeking out over it. And the music! For King + Country, Taylor Swift, Denvah, Guy Sebastian, Dean Lewis, Imagine Dragons, Jenna Davis, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Kevin Quinn—I have wayyyy too many playlists for each of them haha Musicals are my guilty pleasure, with ‘A Week Away’ currently topping my charts. And yes, I solemnly swear that I will watch High School Musical soon—it's a promise! Now, let's whisk into the kitchen where my baking adventures come to life. From cookies to cakes, muffins to divine desserts, my culinary creations are a testament to my sweet tooth. And who could resist my signature ‘maple-berry’ dessert? It's a symphony of raspberries, maple syrup, chocolate mousse, ice cream, and a sprinkle of magic—all in a mug! Carnelian, that mesmerizing shade of red, captures my heart every time. But my love for color doesn't stop there—blue, white, turquoise, black, navy, orange, and select greens also paint my world vibrant. And while key lime might not make the cut, the spectrum of hues in my life is as diverse as the flavors in my kitchen. Back at my Aussie abode, my three budgies—Buddy, Oliver, and Dinky—fill the air with their chirps and charm. And let's not forget Solomon, my cavoodle companion, who's always by my side. Pet-sitting has become more than a job; it's a journey through the animal world!. Dogs, cats, horses, ponies, lizards, birds—I cherish every moment with these creatures. Snakes, though? Well, they're an occasional part of the gig, but let's just say they're not my favorite! (yes, I’m an aussie, doesn’t mean I have to like snakes bleugh)
As for Taylor Swift, I may not be a swiftie, but I'm a fan through and through. Being sorted into Folklore was like a dream come true, and now I'm streaming her album nonstop. Go team Folklore! And to my fellow TS enthusiasts, here's a little nod: our cabin is destined to be ‘the 1’! I can't wait to meet each and every one of you. So come on over, say hi, and let's get to know each other. And remember, if you're ever in need of some free mangoes, just give me a shout—I'll be there with a HUGE basket! I'm here to add a splash of color to our already vibrant tapestry of cabins, the entirety of Scratch Writing Camp! Now, if you thought my hobbies were diverse, just wait until you hear about my wardrobe—it's like a kaleidoscope of style and self-expression! On any given day, you might catch me sporting a classic Top-Gun t-shirt paired with the comfiest jeans, or perhaps I'll be decked out in jewelry that I've lovingly crafted with my own hands. My collection is as unique as the songs I write, each piece telling its own story. And let's not forget the quintessential cowgirl flair - hats, flannels, and an array of other random treasures that make up my daily ensemble. I'm probably one of the most chaotic, random, and fangirly individuals you'll ever encounter! So, my dear friends, buckle up and grab a handful of mangoes because we're about to embark on a wild ride! With every twist and turn, I'll be right there with you, sharing laughs, stories, and maybe even a few fashion tips along the way. As I weave these new threads into our ‘megathread’ (see what I did there?), let's celebrate the quirks that make us unique. From the melodies that move us to the outfits that define us, every aspect of our lives is a piece of the puzzle that is us – and remember me fondly as Maddie, the cowgirl author with a heart as big as her imagination. So here's to the chaos, the creativity, and the mangoes that fuel our journey. Let's make this session of SWC one for the books! Yours lovingly, Maddie @maddie-mangoes (https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/768651/?page=6#post-8036910)