Something about me... I like to read. I used to read all the time but in college it just didn't happen. Once in awhile of course but not nearly as much as I would have liked. Last year I tried to break the busyness by reading all of the Chronicles of Narnia books. I've always wanted to say I've read them all, they're small and an easy read (that's because they're children books... I have no shame!) so why not! I got my reading fix in for the year, I was able to cross something off my bucket-list and I got to enter the world of Narnia seven times!
My preferred form of reading is fiction. I like to escape to other worlds, other adventures, other mysteries, etc. Once in awhile I get intrigued by a biography but I have yet to actually read one. Maybe that will be my book list next year... THIS YEAR'S book list is an assortment of recommendations, gifts, books that I have started and need to finish (yup... I used to have to only read ONE book at a time but in college with limited time I ventured into the world of "I'll read what I'm in the mood for... mmmk? ok!" and would jump around from book to book. Some kept my attention longer and were finished but others came and went with interest but I don't like NOT finishing things) and books that I have gotten that I want to say I have read.
So here is my reading list for the year. Feel free to join in! I'll blog about each book after I have read them. My plan is to finish each book every 3-4 weeks. Now if you are not the fan of reading any of these books but you are just DYING to have a book discussion with me, I suppose I could read Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss and we could discuss why he would not eat them in a box with a fox :)
Big Cherry Holler by Adriana Trigiani (recommended by my aunt: this is at the top of the list because she lent me this book to read when our families got together for thanksgiving... in 2009!)
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger (also recommended by my aunt and needs to be returned ASAP)
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss (given to me by a favorite friend, co-worker and roommie, Dione. She gave it to me because it "has a lot of heart and human emotion." I started it when she gave it to me but it was kind of depressing so I lost motivation but then a bunch of people that worked with me read it and loved it; so I've decided to get back into it plus I wanted to finish anyways for Dione.)
The Work and the Glory Vol. 7 No Unhallowed Hand (I started reading the Work and the Glories my senior year of high school. I have loved them. I think I learn better with fiction characters who you get attached to but have realistic events happen to them. I know the Work and the Glory isn't factual but it has been nice to get personaly attached to my church's history and understand where it began, grew and moved. I got through the first ones way fast but I have been on the 7th book for about 3 years (oops!), I'm not even sure who I borrowed it from (BIGGER OOPS). It's just that they have developed SO MANY characters now that the story is moving a lot slower because they have to cover everyone's story but I still want to be able to say that I have read the whole series eventually but it is at least time to finish this one.)
Peter and the Shadow Thieves by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (another children's book... heck yeah! This is the second book in a series about how Peter Pan becomes Peter Pan. I LOVED the first one and am excited for this one. I kind of have a romantic connection to the Peter Pan story. I grew up playing "Peter Pan" in the backyard of my friend's (from the diaper days) backyard. To this day we talk about not growing up, finding some fairy dust and going to Neverland)
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (When I read the Princess Diaries books the grandmother (who unlike in the movie is pretty scary, strict and mean) makes the princess read Jane Eyre because she says that royalty, especially princesses, should read Jane Eyre. Ha, well I like to imagine myself as royal so why not ;) That is what first put my mind to it but as I have gotten older I just thought it would be neat to read a classic)
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (So, about 5-10 years ago my dad said he would give 50 bucks to each of his children who read this book... haha clearly the $50 was an incentive to me because I still haven't read it. But I've decided it's good to read something that makes you reflect once in awhile and gives you ideas to improve in your life... so I'm finally going to read my dad's recommendation and hey! now I get to buy 50 Jr. Bacon Cheese Burgers)
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (I've never seen the movie or play... I KNOW... SHOCKER! But I think it is another classic that would be cool to read. Plus I asked for the book for Christmas in 2009... it's time to read it)
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas (Love Love Love the movie... I've heard the book is way different but I still want to read the book because I'm an avid believer that is better to read the book then just see the movie... even though I LOVE my movies)
Utopia by Sir Thomas More (This is the book that Danielle reads in Ever After, over and over again and I love that movie so I wanted to read the book... see what she's talking so passionately about)
The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas (Another classic I think would be able to say I've read and it's another one given to me for Christmas in 2009 and I'm thinking before I can ask for more books I need to read those ones)
Twenty Years After by Alexander Dumas (The sequel to The Three Musketeers... who knew?!)
Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark (Not a mystery or murder mystery... for realsies. Just a love story about Martha and George Washington recommended by some lovable friends at USU. I visited DC this year and loved it and loved my visit to Mount Vernon and loved learning about George Washington.)
IF THERE IS TIME....
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins (Recommended to me by my cousin and his awesome wife... I promised them I would read it ASAP! But then I realized my stack of books already waiting ever so patiently to be read.... so if I don't make it to them in 2011... then HELLO 2012!)
1.02.2011
1.01.2011
Gyms
So I have this dilemma... obviously it is not huge... people are starving in the world and I'm worried about this:
See when I moved home from Logan I also left the university's fieldhouse; I now no longer have a place to work out... not that I went that often. If I ever had the choice between the gym and well anything... I did anything. But I still liked having the choice. I do like the occasional run but I do better at it on a treadmill and if I'm going to find a treadmill I might as well make a workout session out of it and do the whole sha-bang: treadmill, glider thing, bike, stretch. The treadmill was always may preference; 1) because it looked over the basketball courts and I loved watching the guys play basketball (whisper: especially shirts and skins, hahaha), and 2) because I just love running. There is something melodic about it and when those endorphins kick in welp it is the best natural high.
My other preferred form of working out is in a group: yoga, pilates, kick-boxing, DANCING, etc. I like the socialization of it and I like having someone there to push me. Plus, when it comes to dancing, I love it. There is something about dance... it's where I come alive and it's an awesome workout!
So... the dilemma.... where do I go now to work out. Yeah, I could just do it at home but that never works out. I've looked into places with punch cards for classes; RDT-an adult professional modern dance company but they teach all sorts of dance classes as well, The Sports Mall-yoga, pilates, zumba, aerobics, spinning, etc and if I get a membership there then I also have workout equipment, A Lady in my ward has a yoga studio with a few other classes like zumba but it is bit pricy, Golds Gym- my cousin's wife, whom I really like, goes there often so I would have a buddy to go with....
(Side note: I haven't tried zumba yet but I feel like it's the new thing! But I also feel like it attracts soccer moms/ Draper moms in their need to fulfill their trendy ways... so do I wait for them to give up after two weeks of realizing they don't have what it takes and let the fad fade and then jump into the tail end of zumba existence?)
So... where do I go? AND now I've waited so long to decide and now it's the new year and all these people have new years resolutions to loose weight and so they're all buying gym memberships... I don't want to be grouped with them! So now I have to wait for mid-February/ early-March to buy my pass (that's usually by the time all those "I'm going to loose weight this year" people stop going to the gym).
WHERE and WHEN? Ha... that is what my dilemma is... pretty much when I actually care I'll just pick one and start going... right now I'm going to continue to love my body, eat amazing food and gain some winter insulation!
See when I moved home from Logan I also left the university's fieldhouse; I now no longer have a place to work out... not that I went that often. If I ever had the choice between the gym and well anything... I did anything. But I still liked having the choice. I do like the occasional run but I do better at it on a treadmill and if I'm going to find a treadmill I might as well make a workout session out of it and do the whole sha-bang: treadmill, glider thing, bike, stretch. The treadmill was always may preference; 1) because it looked over the basketball courts and I loved watching the guys play basketball (whisper: especially shirts and skins, hahaha), and 2) because I just love running. There is something melodic about it and when those endorphins kick in welp it is the best natural high.
My other preferred form of working out is in a group: yoga, pilates, kick-boxing, DANCING, etc. I like the socialization of it and I like having someone there to push me. Plus, when it comes to dancing, I love it. There is something about dance... it's where I come alive and it's an awesome workout!
So... the dilemma.... where do I go now to work out. Yeah, I could just do it at home but that never works out. I've looked into places with punch cards for classes; RDT-an adult professional modern dance company but they teach all sorts of dance classes as well, The Sports Mall-yoga, pilates, zumba, aerobics, spinning, etc and if I get a membership there then I also have workout equipment, A Lady in my ward has a yoga studio with a few other classes like zumba but it is bit pricy, Golds Gym- my cousin's wife, whom I really like, goes there often so I would have a buddy to go with....
(Side note: I haven't tried zumba yet but I feel like it's the new thing! But I also feel like it attracts soccer moms/ Draper moms in their need to fulfill their trendy ways... so do I wait for them to give up after two weeks of realizing they don't have what it takes and let the fad fade and then jump into the tail end of zumba existence?)
So... where do I go? AND now I've waited so long to decide and now it's the new year and all these people have new years resolutions to loose weight and so they're all buying gym memberships... I don't want to be grouped with them! So now I have to wait for mid-February/ early-March to buy my pass (that's usually by the time all those "I'm going to loose weight this year" people stop going to the gym).
WHERE and WHEN? Ha... that is what my dilemma is... pretty much when I actually care I'll just pick one and start going... right now I'm going to continue to love my body, eat amazing food and gain some winter insulation!
12.31.2010
Comments: Awaiting Moderation
Hey does anyone know how to edit the comments setting for a blog... I just don't read "computer" even though blogspot puts it in simple terms.
Does anyone know how to make it so that anyone can comment but they still have to type in the funky letters and I don't have to approve them in my Comments Section under Awaiting Moderation?
Does anyone know how to make it so that anyone can comment but they still have to type in the funky letters and I don't have to approve them in my Comments Section under Awaiting Moderation?
12.13.2010
Pick Up Lines
Oh pick up lines.... when not used on you by a serious seeker of love, they can be really stupid, funny, cheesy, hilarious, lame-o, etc. In reality, pick up lines are funny when used on a spouse or someone you are currently dating or a friend with a funny bone in them or if you want to spice things up you DO say them to a complete stranger with full intentions of creeping them out or making them laugh.
Well I went ahead and picked some awesome and not so awesome ones out for my lovely readers (I think there is like two maybe three of you).
Top Ten Great (Great as in actually good or just funny) Pick Up Lines
10. Hey, don't I know you? Yeah, you're the girl/guy with the beautiful smile.
9. Hi. My name is {name}. I'm running for president in 2012. And I could sure use your vote. Here...write down your number and I'll call you to discuss my platform.
8. Good evening. May a thorn sit down amongst the roses?
7. Baby did you fart, 'cause you blow me away!
6. (Close hand with nothing inside and give it to her) It's my breath from when you took it away (open palm while saying this).
5. Run up to a girl and while gasping for breath say, “Phew! Ok, I’m here! What were your other two wishes?”
4. Does Levi's pay you for wearing those and looking that good?
3. Excuse me, I'd like to have kids someday, and I wanted to know how your parents created such a beautiful creature.
2. Hey, Laura! (Big hug). I haven't seen you forEVER!! (huge kiss) Wow, you've really changed! (I'm not Laura) What? Oh my goodness, you even changed your name!
1. Ask a woman for the time. "10:30? So today is January 10,1999, at 10:30 PM, thanks I just wanted to be able to remember the exact moment that I met you."
Top Ten +1 Lame/Typical Pick Up Lines
11. Hey, I lost my phone number ... Can I have yours?
10. Hey, come here often? You could, with me.
9. Are you a parking ticket? (What?) You got fine written all over you.
8. Are you a tamale? 'Cause you're hot.
7. Can i get your picture to prove to all my friends that angels really do exist?
6. Do you have room in your life for another friend?
5. Do you know karate? 'Cause your body is really kickin'.
4. Does your watch have a second hand? I want to know how long it took for me to fall in love with you.
3. Ever since I met you, you've lived in my heart without paying any rent.
2. Hello. Cupid called. He says to tell you that he needs my heart back.
1. Excuse me miss, I don't mean to stare, but um I think you're really Beautiful"
Happy Picking Up!
Well I went ahead and picked some awesome and not so awesome ones out for my lovely readers (I think there is like two maybe three of you).
Top Ten Great (Great as in actually good or just funny) Pick Up Lines
10. Hey, don't I know you? Yeah, you're the girl/guy with the beautiful smile.
9. Hi. My name is {name}. I'm running for president in 2012. And I could sure use your vote. Here...write down your number and I'll call you to discuss my platform.
8. Good evening. May a thorn sit down amongst the roses?
7. Baby did you fart, 'cause you blow me away!
6. (Close hand with nothing inside and give it to her) It's my breath from when you took it away (open palm while saying this).
5. Run up to a girl and while gasping for breath say, “Phew! Ok, I’m here! What were your other two wishes?”
4. Does Levi's pay you for wearing those and looking that good?
3. Excuse me, I'd like to have kids someday, and I wanted to know how your parents created such a beautiful creature.
2. Hey, Laura! (Big hug). I haven't seen you forEVER!! (huge kiss) Wow, you've really changed! (I'm not Laura) What? Oh my goodness, you even changed your name!
1. Ask a woman for the time. "10:30? So today is January 10,1999, at 10:30 PM, thanks I just wanted to be able to remember the exact moment that I met you."
Top Ten +1 Lame/Typical Pick Up Lines
11. Hey, I lost my phone number ... Can I have yours?
10. Hey, come here often? You could, with me.
9. Are you a parking ticket? (What?) You got fine written all over you.
8. Are you a tamale? 'Cause you're hot.
7. Can i get your picture to prove to all my friends that angels really do exist?
6. Do you have room in your life for another friend?
5. Do you know karate? 'Cause your body is really kickin'.
4. Does your watch have a second hand? I want to know how long it took for me to fall in love with you.
3. Ever since I met you, you've lived in my heart without paying any rent.
2. Hello. Cupid called. He says to tell you that he needs my heart back.
1. Excuse me miss, I don't mean to stare, but um I think you're really Beautiful"
Happy Picking Up!
12.12.2010
Disguises
Friday night my mom was watching my brother's girls and when I heard the garage door go up I said, "Grandpa's home!" They all ran to the door to wait for him and then in a panic one said, "What if he decides to chase us?!" and they all scattered to get away. One ran around and came back to me and said, "Amy! Let's go hide in your room!" the others came to me with the same idea but we were too late... Grandpa came in! As soon as he came in the house they all screamed and once again scattered! Well, my dad looked shocked but I said, "They think you are going to chase them." He quickly caught on and they all started running around the house.
At one point I had them hiding in the linen closet and then I left them there... haha!
Eventually the girls made it to my room and they wanted to stay there all night... umm no... haha... I'm not THAT cool of an aunt. SO... instead I said, "I know! Let's dress up in disguises so you can still go play downstairs but grandpa won't recognize you!" They were in! First I had them dress up in Murray High attire and then Aggie attire... but this was only because I wanted pictures of them in those things... totally for me!
Future Spartans... Just like their Mom and Dad and Aunts and Uncles
Anna's "Senior Photo"
Lilly's "Senior Photo"
Addie's "Senior Photo"
Future "Tough Guy" Aggies! (I serisously can't help myself... you have to plant the seed early... yeah know!) They'll be on the front row at basketball games for sure!
Then we dressed up in our disguises! (while we were getting ready I snuck out and told my parents that the next time they saw all of us... they "wouldn't recognize us... ok!") When we were all set and ready to go we went to the kitchen where my parents were and I said, "Hey Mom and Dad! These are my friends from college!"
Me, "Letisha the Movie Star," "Moique aka Mo the Artist" and "Jo, the tough guy"
A better image of Jo's original outfit
That is how I spent my Friday night... no regrets!
At one point I had them hiding in the linen closet and then I left them there... haha!
Eventually the girls made it to my room and they wanted to stay there all night... umm no... haha... I'm not THAT cool of an aunt. SO... instead I said, "I know! Let's dress up in disguises so you can still go play downstairs but grandpa won't recognize you!" They were in! First I had them dress up in Murray High attire and then Aggie attire... but this was only because I wanted pictures of them in those things... totally for me!
Future Spartans... Just like their Mom and Dad and Aunts and Uncles
Anna's "Senior Photo"
Lilly's "Senior Photo"
Addie's "Senior Photo"
Future "Tough Guy" Aggies! (I serisously can't help myself... you have to plant the seed early... yeah know!) They'll be on the front row at basketball games for sure!
Then we dressed up in our disguises! (while we were getting ready I snuck out and told my parents that the next time they saw all of us... they "wouldn't recognize us... ok!") When we were all set and ready to go we went to the kitchen where my parents were and I said, "Hey Mom and Dad! These are my friends from college!"
Me, "Letisha the Movie Star," "Moique aka Mo the Artist" and "Jo, the tough guy"
A better image of Jo's original outfit
That is how I spent my Friday night... no regrets!
12.10.2010
Mushy Mind
I have started a new job and it's hard and fun and I'm scared and excited! Today however... I had to up date spreadsheets in Excel and it wasn't awful but because it was so monotonous and simple my mind was slowly going into a coma! Ok, not really... obviously.
Basically since I have started the job my mind has had to learn new things and I can feel it working as I figure things out and processes it in my own way. It is kind of like my last semester of college. See I only needed four credits to graduate but I decided, what the hey (side note: Does anyone say "What the hey?!" anymore these days?) I'll take a full schedule. So I took classes outside my major of things that I thought would just be fun to learn about: Piano, Interior Design, Snowboarding, Sociology, Personal Finance and African Dance (I wanted to take a history class and a literature class but they were full... bummer). I loved it because it was outside of my major and so it was like waking up other parts of my brain plus it was just fun to learn things... for fun!
Unlike today... oh no. Seriously as I would typing it was as if............................
.......................(long giant mind numbing distract pause).................................
........................................................................................................................
...........................................oh... Oh! Sorry, what was I saying...
Anyways pretty much I feel sorry for people who work in a lab or only do data entry or sit at a toll booth all day. My mind would turn to... hmmm analogies.... mush, oatmeal, mud, mulch, the scum between my toes! Oh wait that last one is from a different speech. My apologies!
Anyways... total randomness but...Yup, that's it... BYE
Basically since I have started the job my mind has had to learn new things and I can feel it working as I figure things out and processes it in my own way. It is kind of like my last semester of college. See I only needed four credits to graduate but I decided, what the hey (side note: Does anyone say "What the hey?!" anymore these days?) I'll take a full schedule. So I took classes outside my major of things that I thought would just be fun to learn about: Piano, Interior Design, Snowboarding, Sociology, Personal Finance and African Dance (I wanted to take a history class and a literature class but they were full... bummer). I loved it because it was outside of my major and so it was like waking up other parts of my brain plus it was just fun to learn things... for fun!
Unlike today... oh no. Seriously as I would typing it was as if............................
.......................(long giant mind numbing distract pause).................................
........................................................................................................................
...........................................oh... Oh! Sorry, what was I saying...
Anyways pretty much I feel sorry for people who work in a lab or only do data entry or sit at a toll booth all day. My mind would turn to... hmmm analogies.... mush, oatmeal, mud, mulch, the scum between my toes! Oh wait that last one is from a different speech. My apologies!
Anyways... total randomness but...Yup, that's it... BYE
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)