Life Goals

So, I've had a lot of time over the last year to think about things I'd like to accomplish this year or in the next 10 years. And I've tried to think of out of the box ideas, or things I'd normally think were impossible to accomplish for me. Well here's a small list of things I'm contemplating doing over the next couple of years.

1) Learn how to do professional photography. I don't want to make it into a business, but something I can turn into a hobby -- and at the very least take some decent photos.

2) Write a book. Yep, I have had several stories bouncing around in my head the last 15 years and they need to be written down. If you've ever seen me lost in my own little world -- I have been.

3) Buy a house. Why do I need to wait for a man? I think I can buy my own house. I really want to be out of the apartment scene and have my own place. Can't wait for the day when I have my own garage and can paint walls whatever color I want.4) Agility training for my dachshund -- winning some awards. Portia might be a handful sometimes, but she's a brilliant handful. I think when I get my schedule figured out for next year and I'm going to see if I can train her further. Or become a breeder? I could be the crazy doxie lady :)

5) Back-packing through Europe. Or at least traveling through Europe. Or any other continent. I want to see Ireland, Scotland, England, Italy, France, Morocco, Turkey, Greece and so many other countries.

6) Get my Masters. In what? I have no clue, but I've missed the academic world and need to go back.

7) Take a vacation and spent time in Montana on a ranch. Don't know why that sounds appealing, but it does.

Favorite New Author: Sarah J. Maas

I am in love with Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. Not just because she has a same amazing first name as me -- but she wrote a book I wish I had wrote myself, if I wrote books that is.

It has everything. A believable heroine who just happens to be an assassin. Fights to the death. Romance. Magic. Secrets. Wonderful world-building. Mystery. Suspense. And humor :)

Maas also released four -- yes FOUR -- prequel novellas prior to the release of Throne of Glass. I read the novellas after reading the actual novel, and they were great in giving more insight into the main character Celaena and why she is the way she is.

In August of 2008, I was given a book by a friend to read. No one really knew it or had read it. It was called The Hunger Games. I stayed up all night and finished it. And then read it again the next day. I did some research online later and found out it had just been released that month and the sequel would follow in a year. A YEAR. So I read it on a off all year, like I would watch a favorite movie until the next book came out.

I have the same feeling about Throne of Glass. So excited to have found this author and book. Sad I'm going to have to wait a year for the next one. Oh well. That's life. But if you're a nerd like me and still love YA novels, you should check this one out. You won't be disappointed!

Raising a Puppy without Losing My Sanity

Portia enjoying a nap on my couch.

I have been learning a lot about myself in the last couple of weeks. What has been the catalyst, you might ask? A 10 week old Dachshund puppy.

I have wanted a dog of mine own for several years. I grew up with a Jack Russell and a Dachshund, and both family pets have since pasted. I've been on my own for a while, and then moved out of my home state a couple years ago for a better job.

So on my trip back home to celebrate my birthday with my family this year, my mother took me to a Dachshund breeder after she picked me up from the airport. My first mistake was thinking that I would just "look" and get puppy therapy. There were three to choose from, and I was having the hardest time deciding (because once I laid eyes on them, I wasn't there to just "look" anymore). But I settled on a wild boar colored, wire-haired little lady that I named Portia. (I'm a Shakespeare nerd and The Merchant of Venice is one of my favorite plays, and Portia is also a character from The Hunger Games -- it was meant to be)

I am a task oriented person and I love the logistics of making decisions. Picking out puppy things, figuring out schedules, and deciding how I was going to train Portia to be the perfect puppy. As much as I've loved watching Dog Whisperer and reading Cesar Millan's books on raising puppies -- I am no dog whisper, or at least I shouldn't expect myself to have the same results.

I have learned that I need to have realistic expectations that Portia is a puppy -- and training her is not going to happen over night. And she is learning too, and with learning comes making mistakes -- so I need to learn not to sweat the small stuff.

Also animals are really good a reflected the attitude and energy of their humans. So when I'm frustrated or excited, I get that back from Portia in spades. And I'm realizing that I worry and get frustrated more than I thought I did and need to work on being more calm and assertive (or at least projecting it, even if I'm not feeling it).

And lastly I need to enjoy the moments. The sweet ones, the awkward ones, and priceless ones -- that I miss when I'm consumed with tasks and not focused on the Portia and enjoying her puppyhood.

So here's to being flexible and taking a lesson from Portia and relaxing. (See image above)

Spring Reading List

Here is my current reading list for Spring 2012. I have a love hate relationship with books in a series. I love it when an amazing and talented author writes them. I hate it that I can read them in a few hours and then have to wait 1-2 years to find out what happens next. I guess there are worse things in life :)

Below is a list of books I've enjoyed this year so far. Most are YA, a few are Science Fiction, and others are Urban Fantasy.

1) Fair Game by Patricia Briggs, third in her Alpha and Omega Series.

2) Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi.

3) Across the Universe, and A Million Suns by Beth Revis

4) Cinder by Marissa Meyer

5) Delirium, and Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

6) Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine

7) Anew: The Archers of Avalon by Chelsea Fine

8) Sisterhood Everlasting: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

9) Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Yep I'm a Little Obessed

It all started in the mid to late '90s. I was browsing the young adult section of Barnes & Noble, reading the plot summaries on the backs of several books, when I stumbled upon the Night World Series by L.J Smith. I took the first book home intrigued, and came back a week later for the rest.

And then I was enlightened by the lovely Internet that L.J Smith had several (like 4 or 5) other series. Which led me to The Vampire Diaries and the world of Elena, Stefan, and Damon. It had everything: a love triangle, romance, historical fiction, action, suspense, and horror, all melded into a great plot, with 3-dimensional main and secondary characters.

Now a decade + later it's a hit TV series. I was a little nervous about how the writers and producers were going to pull it off. They've done a brilliant job, it's not word for word the same story as the novels (which was probably a good thing) but they've made it their own and enhanced the story so much. This show is one of my guilty pleasures :) The Vampire Diaries starts up again Jan 27th at 7:00 Central. You should check it out.

And rumor has it the CW is looking to the turn L.J Smith's The Secret Circle series into a show. Yes, more please!

Modern Re-telling of a Favorite

One of my favorite stories is Beauty and the Beast. I still shed a tear every time I see the Disney version. Beastly is a modern re-telling of Beauty and the Beast, based on the novel by the same name and written by Alex Flinn.

Here is the Amazon.com plot summary:

A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.

You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.

Looks like this could be really interesting, or really corny. I hope it's the former, instead of the latter. Now I just need to read the book...

Book Review

I've decided to start blogging again. We'll see where this goes. I don't know how frequently I'll be writing, but I'd like to do some books reviews and maybe showcase recipes I'm attempting (or burning).

My first books review is of a classic childhood favorite of mine. The Blue Sword by Robin McKinely, is a novel that I read at least once or twice a year. It's set in a land that's almost a reflection of a North Africa, occupied by a nation similar to the former British Empire. The story follows the adventures of Harriet, or Harry as her friends call her, as she is kidnapped by the local nomads and the plans that they have in store for her.

The novel reminds me of the Black Stallion Returns, Aladdin, and A Thousand And One Arabian Nights. When I read the Blue Sword, I can smell the spices in the market place, imagine wind blowing sand in my face, and want to be the heroine galloping across the desert on her faithful steed. The book was a Newbery Honor Book probably around the time I was born, a well deserved award then and now.

Give it a try. I think you'll like it.

Alive & Kicking

So yeah, things have been a little hectic around my neck of the woods. New position at work, new apartment, new students, new co-workers, and a new hair cut.

Haven't had a chance to write much, and I've missed blogging but for some reason I just haven't been motivated to write. Maybe I need to change that. It's easy to be consumed by everything that's going on around me, and to forget the things I love to do in the meantime.

But I'm alive and kicking -and that's really all that matters. Maybe I'll come up with something to write about next week :) Until then, make good decisions!