I have started a new blog... well... sub blog? 2nd generation blog? sister blog?... whatever, I started a new blog. Last year I blogged about all of the travels I took after I graduated from college and before I started working. It was a lot of fun sharing my experiences and adventures but I didn't love it on my blog... it felt... too much. My blog is pretty random and simple: I blog about small things that I find funny or interesting. I blog about a book I read or the 89 cent hamburger at MickeyD's I crave every 6-9 months or pick-up lines I find ridiculous/entertaining.
Again the travel posts were fun to write and I want to write about more of my travels but they just felt to be too abundant , like it was crowding the simplicity and light-heartedness of my purposefully aimless blog. Ergo my solution: start a travel blog! A blog just to post about my travels, things I've learned, things I would or would not do again and other fun travel things I might find like neat links, etc. I would not consider myself a travel expert at all, nope. This will just be a place to write about what I did, experiences I had and any fun stories. And I will still be updating "Oh Hey There by Amy" with the usual randomness of me.
So feel free to check it out: http://postcardsfromamy.blogspot.com/
1.25.2013
1.12.2013
2013 Reading List
(First things first! I know this is a LONG post so I understand if you don't want to read the entire thing... no feelings hurt BUT I do ask for book recommendations at the end of the post and would love to at least get those. So if anything... jump to the end)
Ok, in 2011 I posted a list of books I was going to read during the year and failed miserably on actually reading them but I wasn't going to give up. I mean, let's be honest, how many of us actually have the time to read that we actually wished we had. So I tried again for 2012 ( 2012 Reading List) and I did a bit better. I didn't write a review for each one like I intended to do, so I am writing them now and they are found below.
Books I read in 2012 (Wahoo to me and a nice pat on the back!) and my reviews of them:
Hunger Games Trilogy
(Spoiler Alert: If you have not read the books and want to... do not read my review) I really enjoyed these books. Being a teen reading level they were a quick easy read and the chapters were short, so it wasn't as daunting to read a chapter before bed each night AND since the chapters were short I wouldn't put off reading and I would usually end up reading for a good amount of time. The story kept my interest and I usually couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. The last book had a lot of build to the ending and then it quickly ended. I would have liked at least an extra chapter or two to help with wrapping up the story. Funny story while reading these books. I hadn't finished the first book when the movie came out but all of my friends were going to go to the movie and I didn't want to miss it with them. As we were driving to the theater I was reading in the car but still didn't finish in time. I had read up to the point right before the weird attach dogs in the arena showed up... so in the story when Katnis and Peta have "won" and then it gets announced that the Capital has changed the rules again and that only one person can win, I gasped (REALLY loud) out loud and my friend leaned over and said, "I take it, you didn't get this far in the book." We had a good laugh about it.
Matched
This book reminded me a lot of The Giver and a controlled society but with a more girly take. I read Matched in one weekend because I was intrigued by the story. I wouldn't say I LOVED the book but it kept my attention and kept me curious. I am reading the sequel right now, Crossed, and am starting to get a little bored with it but I still want to finish the series just to see how everything works out.
The Noticer
I read another book by the author of this book and loved it and that is what drew me to The Noticer. This is a fictional book about a man who goes around to people who are depressed, in poverty, struggling in a marriage, have a failing business and lost the desire to have dreams in life and this man shows these people perspective and how by having perspective in life can help you better your situation. I like the other book I read by this author a little bit better, The Traveler's Gift, but I still enjoyed this one. Here a few quotes from the book that I liked:
"A true friend holds you to a higher standard. A true friend brings out the best in you."
"Most people spend so much time fearing the things that are never going to happen or can't be controlled that they have no energy to deal with the few things they can actually handle."
"Wisdom can be gathered in your downtime. Wisdom that can change the very course of your life will come from the people you are around, the books you read, and the things you listen to or watch on radio or television."
"If you want to become a person that others want to be around, you must always hold your life to the very highest standard."
Mount Vernon Love Story
A fictional book by Marry Higgins Clark (who knew) but based on factual things. It is a book about George and Martha Washington and their love story mixed in with historical stepping stones in George Washington's involvement in our country. It took me awhile to really get into this book but once I did I enjoyed it.
Peter and the Shadow Thieves
A book in a series about how Peter Pan becomes Peter Pan and his adventures. These books are written for children in elementary but I still enjoy them. This book was actually a little creepy for me because shadow thieves actually stole your shadow and when they did they stole your soul as well and... well... it really creeped me out. In the book it was like being in one of those nightmares where you are trying to run as fast as you can to get away but it only feels as if you are stuck in quicksand and can't get away AND THEN your shadow was taken.
The Work and The Glory: No Unhallowed Hand
I have liked all of these books. It's kind of fun to read about my church's history paralleled to a fictional family. I know these books are 100% accurate to history but it kind of helps put it into a more understandable timeline for myself. I'm not jumping to start the next book in the series but I may start listening to it on tape.
Harry Potter
Speaking of books on tape. I LOVE listening to Harry Potter on tape. The narrator is so talented and captivating. I used to listen to listen to all of the books on tape during the summer because they are so much fun and great background noise when working on projects or driving. In 2012 I listened to the first 2 books while driving to work whenever I needed a change from music or talk radio.
It was fun making more time to read this past year and want to continue to do so. Below are the books I hope to read this year... let's see how I do. As always... you are invited to join me if you would like.
First I want to read all the books I have started and have not finished:
The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas
Twenty Years After by Alexander Dumas
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Ok, in 2011 I posted a list of books I was going to read during the year and failed miserably on actually reading them but I wasn't going to give up. I mean, let's be honest, how many of us actually have the time to read that we actually wished we had. So I tried again for 2012 ( 2012 Reading List) and I did a bit better. I didn't write a review for each one like I intended to do, so I am writing them now and they are found below.
Books I read in 2012 (Wahoo to me and a nice pat on the back!) and my reviews of them:
Hunger Games Trilogy
(Spoiler Alert: If you have not read the books and want to... do not read my review) I really enjoyed these books. Being a teen reading level they were a quick easy read and the chapters were short, so it wasn't as daunting to read a chapter before bed each night AND since the chapters were short I wouldn't put off reading and I would usually end up reading for a good amount of time. The story kept my interest and I usually couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. The last book had a lot of build to the ending and then it quickly ended. I would have liked at least an extra chapter or two to help with wrapping up the story. Funny story while reading these books. I hadn't finished the first book when the movie came out but all of my friends were going to go to the movie and I didn't want to miss it with them. As we were driving to the theater I was reading in the car but still didn't finish in time. I had read up to the point right before the weird attach dogs in the arena showed up... so in the story when Katnis and Peta have "won" and then it gets announced that the Capital has changed the rules again and that only one person can win, I gasped (REALLY loud) out loud and my friend leaned over and said, "I take it, you didn't get this far in the book." We had a good laugh about it.
Matched
This book reminded me a lot of The Giver and a controlled society but with a more girly take. I read Matched in one weekend because I was intrigued by the story. I wouldn't say I LOVED the book but it kept my attention and kept me curious. I am reading the sequel right now, Crossed, and am starting to get a little bored with it but I still want to finish the series just to see how everything works out.
The Noticer
I read another book by the author of this book and loved it and that is what drew me to The Noticer. This is a fictional book about a man who goes around to people who are depressed, in poverty, struggling in a marriage, have a failing business and lost the desire to have dreams in life and this man shows these people perspective and how by having perspective in life can help you better your situation. I like the other book I read by this author a little bit better, The Traveler's Gift, but I still enjoyed this one. Here a few quotes from the book that I liked:
"A true friend holds you to a higher standard. A true friend brings out the best in you."
"Most people spend so much time fearing the things that are never going to happen or can't be controlled that they have no energy to deal with the few things they can actually handle."
"Wisdom can be gathered in your downtime. Wisdom that can change the very course of your life will come from the people you are around, the books you read, and the things you listen to or watch on radio or television."
"If you want to become a person that others want to be around, you must always hold your life to the very highest standard."
Mount Vernon Love Story
A fictional book by Marry Higgins Clark (who knew) but based on factual things. It is a book about George and Martha Washington and their love story mixed in with historical stepping stones in George Washington's involvement in our country. It took me awhile to really get into this book but once I did I enjoyed it.
Peter and the Shadow Thieves
A book in a series about how Peter Pan becomes Peter Pan and his adventures. These books are written for children in elementary but I still enjoy them. This book was actually a little creepy for me because shadow thieves actually stole your shadow and when they did they stole your soul as well and... well... it really creeped me out. In the book it was like being in one of those nightmares where you are trying to run as fast as you can to get away but it only feels as if you are stuck in quicksand and can't get away AND THEN your shadow was taken.
The Work and The Glory: No Unhallowed Hand
I have liked all of these books. It's kind of fun to read about my church's history paralleled to a fictional family. I know these books are 100% accurate to history but it kind of helps put it into a more understandable timeline for myself. I'm not jumping to start the next book in the series but I may start listening to it on tape.
Harry Potter
Speaking of books on tape. I LOVE listening to Harry Potter on tape. The narrator is so talented and captivating. I used to listen to listen to all of the books on tape during the summer because they are so much fun and great background noise when working on projects or driving. In 2012 I listened to the first 2 books while driving to work whenever I needed a change from music or talk radio.
It was fun making more time to read this past year and want to continue to do so. Below are the books I hope to read this year... let's see how I do. As always... you are invited to join me if you would like.
First I want to read all the books I have started and have not finished:
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
Then I'm going to jump into the rest of these books: beginning to end!
Utopia by Sir Thomas More
Peter and the Secret of Rundoon by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas
Twenty Years After by Alexander Dumas
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
I do also want to read a fun and light book this year... any recommendations?
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
I do also want to read a fun and light book this year... any recommendations?
1.01.2013
She IS a spy!
One day I came home from work and my sister's three kids were sitting at our kitchen table eating dinner with my mom. Walking in while wearing my work clothes my niece asked, "Aunt Amy, where have you been?" I told her I had been at work. She then asked where I worked. I said, "I work at a law firm.." but then I paused and had a moment in my head. I thought ahead and realized her next question would be something like "what is a law firm", "what do you do there", "what is a lawyer", etc. and knowing her age and the ages of her siblings I knew it would be pretty difficult to explain those things so... back to the real life conversation. "I work at a law firm, no! I'm a Secret Agent so I can't tell you where I work."
After my nieces and nephew had finished their dinner I took them on a walk to go feed some ducks bread. As we were walking they had a lot of questions about my job as a Secret Agent; that we later established that I was specifically a professional spy. On the walk I was wearing TOMs shoes and I even convinced them that my shoe was actually a phone. We had a lot of fun talking about it and I had a lot of fun being creative and imaginative with this.
A few weeks later I was talking with my brother-in-law and he was telling me how much fun his kids were having just knowing that their Aunt was a professional spy. He loved the whole thing. He asked me, "How on earth though did you make your shoe look like a phone?" I told him that I didn't, I just told them it was a phone and they believed it. (Maybe I shouldn't be abusing their trust in me)
About a month later my sister's kids were back at our house for a few days while my sister and her husband took a trip to celebrate their anniversary. The first morning they were there I ran downstairs to grab some breakfast before heading out for work. I was wearing pin stripe power pants, a white button-up "church" shirt tucked into my pants with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows and aviators sunglasses. As soon as my oldest niece saw me she gasped and whispered to her sister, it total awe, "She IS a spy!"
Oh! By the way... Happy New Year!
After my nieces and nephew had finished their dinner I took them on a walk to go feed some ducks bread. As we were walking they had a lot of questions about my job as a Secret Agent; that we later established that I was specifically a professional spy. On the walk I was wearing TOMs shoes and I even convinced them that my shoe was actually a phone. We had a lot of fun talking about it and I had a lot of fun being creative and imaginative with this.
A few weeks later I was talking with my brother-in-law and he was telling me how much fun his kids were having just knowing that their Aunt was a professional spy. He loved the whole thing. He asked me, "How on earth though did you make your shoe look like a phone?" I told him that I didn't, I just told them it was a phone and they believed it. (Maybe I shouldn't be abusing their trust in me)
About a month later my sister's kids were back at our house for a few days while my sister and her husband took a trip to celebrate their anniversary. The first morning they were there I ran downstairs to grab some breakfast before heading out for work. I was wearing pin stripe power pants, a white button-up "church" shirt tucked into my pants with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows and aviators sunglasses. As soon as my oldest niece saw me she gasped and whispered to her sister, it total awe, "She IS a spy!"
Oh! By the way... Happy New Year!
12.06.2012
First Date?!
The other day my younger brother asked me if I remember my first date ever. I chuckled to myself, said, "yes." and then asked, "Why?"
He had been on a date and the girl had asked him who his first date ever was with, what they did, etc. For the life of him he could not remember and he felt terrible. He felt like you should remember your first date ever.
Well, I thought it was a fun question so I started randomly asking people I knew if they remembered their first date. One day at work I asked one of my friends about her first date. We laughed about the awkwardness of it and everything funny and not so funny that comes with a first date. She then asked me about my first date ever.
It was the day after I had turned 16.
It was awkward.
It was a group date.
We had pizza and salad
and then rode TRAX downtown to an Off Broadway Theater and saw some show that was a spoof on Dracula
But the best part... My date was a twin and to this day, I have NO idea which twin I was on the date with.
After I told my friend this she laughed so hard! It was the best reaction. I've never realized how hilarious it was that I had no idea who I was on the date with.
aaaaaaaand that is a nut shell of my first date ever.
So I don't usually do this but I would love to get some comments on your first date and the story behind it... so don't be shy!
He had been on a date and the girl had asked him who his first date ever was with, what they did, etc. For the life of him he could not remember and he felt terrible. He felt like you should remember your first date ever.
Well, I thought it was a fun question so I started randomly asking people I knew if they remembered their first date. One day at work I asked one of my friends about her first date. We laughed about the awkwardness of it and everything funny and not so funny that comes with a first date. She then asked me about my first date ever.
It was the day after I had turned 16.
It was awkward.
It was a group date.
We had pizza and salad
and then rode TRAX downtown to an Off Broadway Theater and saw some show that was a spoof on Dracula
But the best part... My date was a twin and to this day, I have NO idea which twin I was on the date with.
After I told my friend this she laughed so hard! It was the best reaction. I've never realized how hilarious it was that I had no idea who I was on the date with.
aaaaaaaand that is a nut shell of my first date ever.
So I don't usually do this but I would love to get some comments on your first date and the story behind it... so don't be shy!
8.27.2012
You've Never Met a Mere Mortal
A few months ago I was asked to talk in church and my topic was the "Worth of Souls." When the member of the bishopric asked me to speak and gave me my topic he said that there were a lot of people in the ward having a hard time realizing that they are important, etc. I thought this was so sad but at the same time I didn't have a hard time believing it. We live in a world where we sometimes get caught up in comparing ourselves to others and if we don't match up we feel like failures and unimportant.
For my talk I summarized the children's story, You Are Special. (One of my favorites)
One of my favorite conversions in the book is the following: (P.S. The puppet's name is Punichillo but while I gave the talk I called him Ted because that was a lot easier to say over and over again, haha)
Barnes and Noble Book Summary
I also took several pieces from President Uchtdorf's talk in general conference entitled, You Matter to Him
Check it out: You Matter to Him
NOW! To the actual reason for writing this post:
Below is a quote by C.S. Lewis that I really like and I wanted to put in my talk but it didn't end up having a place in my talk so I thought I would just share it here: It is C.S. Lewis' reminder that every single person you encounter on the street, in the classroom, at the workplace or at home is immortal, in a very real sense.
“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”
I just think it is a cool way of saying that we are all important but also a reminder that if we treat each other like the person they have the potential to become... then we can lift everyone to become those types of people.
For my talk I summarized the children's story, You Are Special. (One of my favorites)
One of my favorite conversions in the book is the following: (P.S. The puppet's name is Punichillo but while I gave the talk I called him Ted because that was a lot easier to say over and over again, haha)
“You know my
name?” said Ted
“Of course I do.
I made you.” (This is the woodcarver talking)
The Woodcarver
then picked up Ted and said, “Hmm, it looks like you have a lot of blue dots.”
Ted hangs his
head and says “I didn’t mean to. I really tried hard.”
The Woodcarver
replies; “Oh, you don’t have to defend yourself to me, I don’t care what the
other puppets think.”
You Don’t?
No and you
shouldn’t either. Who are they to give stars or dots; they’re puppets, just
like you. All that matters is what I think and I think you are special.
Me, Special?
Why? I can’t walk fast, I can’t jump high and my paint is peeling.
The woodcarver
replies, “Because you are mine, That’s why you matter to me.”
They continue to
talk more about if Ted decides that what the Woodcarver thinks is more
important than what the other puppets think then the stickers will no longer stay
on. The stickers will only stick if you let them.
As Ted leaves the woodshop the Woodcarver says, Remember, you are
special because I made you. And I don’t make mistakes
I also took several pieces from President Uchtdorf's talk in general conference entitled, You Matter to Him
Check it out: You Matter to Him
NOW! To the actual reason for writing this post:
Below is a quote by C.S. Lewis that I really like and I wanted to put in my talk but it didn't end up having a place in my talk so I thought I would just share it here: It is C.S. Lewis' reminder that every single person you encounter on the street, in the classroom, at the workplace or at home is immortal, in a very real sense.
“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”
I just think it is a cool way of saying that we are all important but also a reminder that if we treat each other like the person they have the potential to become... then we can lift everyone to become those types of people.
8.22.2012
Overheard at Work: Part Two
From my last post related to this I have gotten a new position at work and I sit somewhere differently. I am now out in the open but yet still sit pretty much secluded from other people on my floor (they must be scared of me or something). Well, I still hear funny things and some have even been said to me, since starting in my new spot, and I think it's time to share the next set of Overheard at Work. It's nothing fantastic... but I'm sharing anyways.
Gross, I can't believe you actually know where that file is of the top of your head.
Umm, this guy emailed to see if I would help out with this service thing but I hate this guy.
Hey! What happened to your 29 hours?!
Oh! Sorry, Yeah, I've moved it down to 2.9 hours.
Nobody sees the great and powerful OZ!
He's probably told you I am the most important person here.
I'm up to my armpits in alligators.
Link to the original Overheard at Work: Overheard at Work
Gross, I can't believe you actually know where that file is of the top of your head.
Umm, this guy emailed to see if I would help out with this service thing but I hate this guy.
Hey! What happened to your 29 hours?!
Oh! Sorry, Yeah, I've moved it down to 2.9 hours.
Nobody sees the great and powerful OZ!
He's probably told you I am the most important person here.
I'm up to my armpits in alligators.
Link to the original Overheard at Work: Overheard at Work
8.07.2012
Fall Travels 8 or 8: Cancun
I went to Cancun with my parents and my grandpa which was a lot of fun.
The resort was great! Our room was right outside from the ocean! We just walked right out into greatness and paradise.
On the days we stayed at the hotel we would go to the beach in the morning and read/sleep, build things in the sand or play in the water.
After lunch we’d go to the pool and swim around. I also taught everyone an easy card game so we’d play that as well.
While we were there it was turtle egg hatching season (or however you would describe that) and so the resort we stayed at would help with releasing them back into the water and we got to help. So every night when we would go release them in the water; my mom and I would name our turtles and then let them go. They were so tiny, cute and really cool!
The days we went to visit the ruins were long but so neat as well! They were pretty places and neat to learn the history. The tour guides were the neatest people and it was very humbling being around them. I really am so lucky and have so much.
It was a fun trip and I can't wait to go again
The resort was great! Our room was right outside from the ocean! We just walked right out into greatness and paradise.
This was my mom's reaction to realizing we could walk right out of our bedrooms to the grass and eventually onto the beach.
The little lizard I found on my night stand
On the days we stayed at the hotel we would go to the beach in the morning and read/sleep, build things in the sand or play in the water.
Me reading
After lunch we’d go to the pool and swim around. I also taught everyone an easy card game so we’d play that as well.
While we were there it was turtle egg hatching season (or however you would describe that) and so the resort we stayed at would help with releasing them back into the water and we got to help. So every night when we would go release them in the water; my mom and I would name our turtles and then let them go. They were so tiny, cute and really cool!
The days we went to visit the ruins were long but so neat as well! They were pretty places and neat to learn the history. The tour guides were the neatest people and it was very humbling being around them. I really am so lucky and have so much.
It was a fun trip and I can't wait to go again
Well this concludes my All You Can Jet Through Jet Blue and my Other Fall 2010 Travels Bloggings. It took me long enough! Thanks for letting me share. It was such a fun two months and I feel so lucky I was able to do it.
You Can Jet/Fall 2010 Travels Blog Post Series
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