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Back on track...
Sometimes all it takes is a little rest and relaxation to get back on track. Over mid-Winter Break R and I took our honeymoon. We went on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. While there we snorkled, and parasailed. We sat in the sun and soaked it in (hey, living in Washington that vitamin D was in desperate need). Part of my relaxation routine was hitting the gym on board. There is something about being able to watch the water float by while I walked/ran on the treadmill got all my creative muscles firing. I had more ideas race through my head in those 40 min. sessions than I've experienced in good long while. I couldn't wait to come home and get to work. And I did. I began working on a middle grade novel that my mind has played with since last October. It's on the backburner for a few weeks now, while I finish up report cards and my new Board entries, but the fire and the passion for the writing are still there. And that's all I need to get back on track. Labels: random musings, vacation
What I'm reading...
 It's the end of Spring Break, and I've used my time very, very wisely. I spent it reading, of course. I looked at this last week as a time to fill the well.And to possibly test myself on how much reading I can still do in a week.
Now it's Sunday night, and I've finished 4 books and started a 5th. The were all fantastic reads, but my favorite still has to be The Girl Who Chased the Moon, by Sarah Addison Allen. She has such a magical (no pun intended) way of writing. There's something about knowing I had a full week all to myself (sort of), with nothing pressing to worry about. With Boards basically done, there was nothing dangling over my head any more. It's such a fabulous feeling. I wish I could bottle it up and partake of it any time the well felt dry. Sadly, that's not an option.
Instead I'll soon dive back into my novel writing, and the Great Agent Hunt. Between the two, the well should slosh around just fine I think.
What about you? How did you spend the weekend? Labels: books, vacation
In honor of Spring Break
My district is finally on Spring Break, which means I'm finally getting my much needed "vacation." Not that I'm going anywhere, really. But the break came sneaking in and bringing with it sun, sun, and more sun! After months of the rain, sunshine and almost 70 degree weather is downright tropical for me. So is it any wonder I broke out the bicycle this afternoon? Of course not. Mom and I have another ride planned for tomorrow, and I hope the ride is smoother now that I've already done one. In honor of Spring Break, good books, and a chance (finally!) to relax for a few days, I'm offering another contest. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me your favorite thing about Spring, and you'll be entered to win a copy of Julia Harper's For the Love of Pete. Contest runs through Thursday night at midnight and the winner will be announced Friday morning.Make sure to check back on Friday, not just for the winner, but also to hear about how I fit 14 people into my tiny apartment for the first night Passover Seder.Labels: biking, books, contests, sun, vacation
Relax...
Take a load off. Put up your feet. Not. Somehow, my Spring Break is rapidly filling up with more events than I can even keep track of. As a matter of fact, you know it's a bad sign when The Boy runs through a list of 3 nights in a row with activities, and follows it with "So, is there anything else for the weekend?"I don't know how it happened. In fact, I've been pretty darn proud of myself lately, as far as my scheduling goes. Sure, I'm not completely on top of things. Not sure if I ever will be, if you want the truth. But somehow I've managed to out-do even my usual scheduling this weekend and into next week. So, here's to staying sane, catching up on sleep, and hopefully getting some writing done. It's a special talent, but it's my talent. Labels: random musings, vacation
The closer we get
 to Spring Break, the more I'm reminded of how badly I need a vacation. Not whining here (well, okay, not tooooo much whining), but the last significant break we had was December. That's 3 months of go, go, go! So I'm ready for my break in a couple of weeks...not that I'm going anywhere. I'm sticking around town for multiple reasons. But it left me thinking, if I were going somewhere, where would I go? The choices are endless, and considering the amount of snow we've had I'm ready for tropical. Maui. Florida Keys. Puerto Vallerta. A cruise. What about you? Where would you go if you had a week off? Labels: random musings, vacation
At a loss...
Sadly, I'm at a loss for what to write about today. Do I tell you about the movie marathon Serena and I had on Tuesday night (The Simpson's Movie, Martian Child, and Becoming Jane)? Do I tell you about all the lovely books I bought last night, when all I went into the store for was a magazine picture for the new haircut I want (didn't find a picture, still don't know what I want)? Do I tell you all that books are the new crack? I mean seriously, did I need to buy five books, just because if I bought four the 5th was free? Did I even need one, considering the number waiting to be read (library books, people! And books borrowed from friends)? No, I didn't. But still I stock-piled my arms up with the latest and greatest (almost all of which I've actually been waiting for...but what's so new about that?). On the upside, I was finally able to track down the latest Jill Shalvis (highly ellusive), which makes me happy. I could tell you about how I changed acupuncturists. Wanna know why? Really? You do? Okay, I'll tell you. I changed acupuncturists because it creeped me out that when I responded well to the treatments, the man told me it must be because Jesus loved me.
Yup. You read that correctly. Needless to say it was one straw too many (The Christian rock music playing in the office didn't help), so I switched to a new guy. One who offers me tea when I walk in. One who only sticks me once or twice in the wrist, instead of six or seven times.
One who doesn't cause pain.
I know!! I can tell you about how well the writing is going. I'm ever so close to page 50. I can practically taste it! But don't take my word for it. Stay tuned for the updated progress meter (currently being built, so show some patience people!), to prove just how far I've come.
Or I could just tell you that I have three wonderful, joyous (tax filled) days of break left and I plan to enjoy each and every one of them.
Yeah. I think I'll tell you about that... Labels: books, life, vacation, writing
Entertaining myself...
A big part of winter break is finding ways to relax, while still being entertained. When you're single? You usually end up entertaining yourself. Books, movies, bad Lifetime T.V. You name it, I've tried it...and succeeded. So here we go, my round up of movies watched and books read (and yes, I promise to only recommend the good ones).Books: -Savor Me Slowly by Gena Showalter. The latest in her alien huntresses series. I loved this book. It's a perfect set up love v. duty. High action, high romance. And aliens! -The Warrior by Kinley MacGregor. I may have already talked on this one, but definitely a good book. The latest in her Brotherhood of the Sword series, this is Lochlan's book. She also leaves us with a glimpse as to their fallen brother's true fate. Hmmm...me wonders if she's planning to entwine her series with this one. -Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan. Allison is a new writer on the scene. Her first trilogy came out last year, and she's followed up with a fabulous new trilogy. My only problem? Remember what happened in the first, to remember how characters were linked in book two. I love a good mystery, and a good serial killer book, and Allison provides both. I'd rank her right up there with Lisa Gardner and Tami Hoag. There have been others...but these are definitely the top three. Now, on to movies!-Waitress. Mmmmm...me loves Nathan Fillion. You all know that. I was worried about my love, though, when he's introduced as a married doctor. Ooh, boy. That can't end well, can it? But it did. In true Chick Lit, Chick Flick style we get to see the ups and downs of taking back your life. Not to mention pie! Who doesn't love pie? It's a good thing I ate before watching this movie, or I would have been starving!-Juno. Teenage pregnancy...'nuff said, right? Wrong. This is a funny, poignant look at what happens when cynical and sarcastic Juno finds herself pregnant and in need of a family for her baby. The actress did a wonderful job portraying a confused girl trying to find her way through life. I laughed through the whole movie.-Charlie Wilson's War. Saw this the other night, and I'm very glad I went. The movie is based on the true story of Charlie Wilson, congressman from Texas, who took it upon himself (after some prodding) to provide our covert operations enough funding to help end Russian occupation of Afghanistan. It shows the lengths this man was willing to go, not to mention the amount of money he raised, to support the Afghanis during the mid-1980's. It also shows the results of those efforts, and the beginnings of our current situation. Yes, I recognize some aspects were likely glamorized. This is Hollywood after all. But the movie leaves definite food for thought here. As for other movies watched...well, let's be honest. I'm almost embarrassed by them. The were cheesy, schmaltzy, and tearjerkers. And I watched them all the way through. Next up is Gods in Alabama, a book recommended by Shannon, and hopefully either PS I Love You, or Atonement. Hmmm...I've still got time, right?Labels: books, movies, vacation
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