January Reads

One of my goals for this year is to read a young adult book, a children's chapter book, and an adult book each month. I have found myself loving this goal, and it has been a long time since I've really allowed myself to give in to reading, to immerse myself in books.

My least favorite book in January was Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson. I think, in my mind I had built this book up to be more than what it is. I'm not really sure what to make of it. I suppose it is fairly interesting because it is a true story and it seems so impossible to me. Throughout the book Thompson and his "attorney" are chasing the American Dream, or at least, they claim they are. The story follows their drug induced trip to Las Vegas and basically the only constant is their desire to find the American Dream. The plot was difficult to follow, and I guess I shouldn't have been surprised as Thompson is under the influence of some drug basically the whole time. I can't tell if having experience with recreational drug use would allow me to connect to the story more or not. In either case, I decided it was not worth finding out. I don't even know what to say about this book. It's pretty amazing that this man was able to basically stay awake for 80 hours and on drugs and get away with so much. Yeah, it was the beginning of the 70s but still, it seems pretty far fetched and amazing it actually happened. I have yet to watch the movie, I assume it has a bit more structure because it is a film, but I guess I'll find out.

I read two children's chapter books during January: The Book of Three by Alexander Lloyd and Battle of the Ampere by Richard Paul Evans. The Book of Three is the first in the Black Cauldron series. I loved the animated movie as a child (fascinated with death and scary things) and at a friends strong recommendation I decided to give the series a whirl. It was okay. I've read worse children's chapter books and I have also read better. I haven't moved on to the second book, and I am not sure that I will. I dislike not finishing series so I may just to finish but I am not in a rush to move on. It seemed as though Lloyd could have added much more detail in the book, and I wished he had. Characters were introduced with little back story or much description on who/what they are. For example, when the bard (or I guess the fake bard) was introduced I didn't really get a feel for what a bard even is, or does. Something with music I assume? I realize that because there are more books in the series the plot will continue and maybe more will come to light, but I really wish there had been more substance to the story. It was a good adventure story, unlikely people becoming friends, and unlikely hero etc.

Battle of the Ampere is the third book in the Michael Vey series by Richard Paul Evans. The first book was great. It follows Michael Vey and his friends who have been exposed to some sort of energy at birth that has given him and his friends (save for a few) some special abilities. The Elgen corporation that created the machine that gave the kids the abilities is attempting to use their powers to eventually "rule the world". Some of the children with abilities have teamed up with the Elgen and Michael and his friends are fighting against them. In this third installment Michael and his friends attempt to bring down the leader of the Elgen. With all odds against them there seems to be no chance of their success but near the end it appears as if they might pull off this incredible feat. As far as children's series go, it's not bad. It's a decent adventure story, unlikely heroes (they are only, like 15 years old) and who doesn't love super powers? The main character also has Tourette syndrome and I always appreciate an underdog coming out on top. As far as other series go, I think I enjoy the Missing series by Margaret Peterson Haddix, but it is still pretty enjoyable.

The young adult book I chose for this month was The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han. It is also a series of three books, I've finished them all by now, but only read the first one for January. It is a pretty typical young adult book, definitely geared towards girls. The story follows 'Belly' (Isabelle) who visits a summer house on the beach each year with family friends. The other family has two boys close in age and she has always been in love with the older boy, Conrad. This summer she is in her teens and blossoms. Throughout the summer she is determined to grab the attention of Conrad. At moments she seems to have succeeded, but has also gotten the attention of the younger brother Jeremiah. It ends with somewhat of a cliffhanger, propelling you to read the second. This ya book was…okay. It wasn't a trashy ya novel but it wasn't anything amazing. I enjoyed it, and felt it was exactly what I needed right then. I would never pick it as a must read, but for a somewhat innocent romance novel it fit the bill perfectly.

That's my round up for January. Next month I will try to post my books sooner, with pictures, and with my review skills more honed. Honestly, I could write a five page essay on these books easily, but I struggle when it comes to reviews. Making it succinct, but with enough substance. I will also try to rate them for age groups. This is also something I am trying to become better at, knowing what age is appropriate for the material as well as reading level. Any suggestions for future reads? Goodreads is really helping me out. I am surprised at how much I enjoy looking up its recommendations for me.

Goals for the Year

Here, finally, are my goals for the new year:

-Read 3 books each month (minimum) -one adult, one young adult, and one children's (chapter) book (with a blog review/update each month of the books)
-Cook 2 to 3 dinner meals each week (with enough for leftovers the next days lunch or dinner)
- Find physical activity that I love and pursue it frequently (every other day). Attend barre classes every other day with the additional workout (strength training or run) on the weekend, for at least the next few months
-Have a full time job with benefits by my birthday
-Complete at least one cross stitch this year, have it framed
-Complete at least one painting this year
-Complete at least one drawing this year

Addendum: Right now I love barre classes, and feel they are doing great things for me. However, I really am just on the search for physical activity I thoroughly enjoy and after 6 months I may be all barred out, you know? Right now though, I am really enjoying them.

Before, when I've come up with new year's resolutions they tend to be big projects, but I always come away disappointed that I wasn't able to live up to all my expectations. I feel like these are truly attainable but also good achievements for myself. Before my last semester's art class it had been years since I had drawn or painted, so I think one of each this year will be a good, attainable and achievable goal. I am really excited about the reading goal, now that I'm out of school I can finally finish books I have started and dig into my long list of books I want to read, like, finally tackling Anna Karenina.

So far I have read all but my young adult book for the month and read two children's chapter books; made a delicious beef stroganoff last week and yesterday I made some amazingly simple and delicious almost paleo chili last night (recipe coming up).

My Second Half

Me and my nephew right after crossing the finish line

This past Saturday I ran my second half marathon. It was cold and pouring rain pretty much the entire time, but I enjoyed myself, and I'm a lot more proud of myself this time around than I am with my first one. Even though I didn't PR I still feel pretty good about how I finished and I'm definitely not giving up on the running this time 'round!

My times for both were 2 hours 49 minutes and 36 seconds, yeah, down to the second. Not great times, I'd really like to try for 2 hours next year (yup, I'm gonna do it again). However, despite the same times there were some definite differences between the two races. For my first race, in 2010, I had trained a bit differently. I used the same training plan from The Running Company's website for both races, however for the first one I didn't really do any cross training at all (besides walking home from the U every other day, which is over 1 mile, but I don't know that I'd consider that adequate cross training), and I really didn't push myself at all during my runs or during the race. And although I only started major cross training a few weeks before the race the second time around I can say that it has made a huge difference.

I've never ran any other races, not even a 5k, so I'm not sure how to compare, but in my opinion running a race is at least 50% mental if not more. And, I think for my first half I just wasn't in it. I dunno, but when I compare the two it seems like I should have ran my first race much quicker because I was about 18 pounds lighter and had done more running, especially outdoor running. Honestly, this time around I wasn't great about keeping my running schedule. I had a hard time motivating myself to get out of bed early on Monday mornings. And, I didn't do very many long runs outside this winter (and treadmill running is very different than running outside, even if you're running on flat sidewalk).

During my first race I walked, a lot and I didn't push myself very hard. I really didn't. When I got tired I stopped to walk, and I walked at every water station. I probably walked just under half of that race. Whereas this time around I walked maybe 1/5 of the time. I still walked at every water station (I just can't drink and run at the same time) and I walked up the two small hills at Sugar House Park and 2 more time for about 2 minutes. I'm really disappointed that I didn't push myself harder the first time around. This time, the longest run I had done was on a treadmill and was only 10.5 miles, and I hadn't done as many runs either. But, I was able to push myself to run almost that whole time, and while I may have been running really slowly I was still running and in cold temps and in the pouring rain. I was seriously soaked to the bone and it took me about 5 hours to warm up after I stopped running (including a 40 minute boiling hot shower). This second race has really taught me a lesson. I mean it. I have never pushed myself so hard before, so close the absolute limit, and I liked it. I couldn't believe what I was capable of doing. At one moment during the race I stopped to walk and after about 10 seconds I thought to myself, why am I walking? Yeah, I'm tired but I wasn't about to fall on the ground and die, so I started running again and it was a great feeling.

So, all in all, I'm really happy that I was able to push myself so much more this time and even though it sounds like a horrible thing (and some moments were not fun, like the first half of the last mile when I thought I wasn't sure it would ever end), it was a really fun experience and the spectators are really awesome. Not that there are very many, but they are hilarious and can really lift your spirits. This year my older sister ran it as well, and while we didn't run together the whole time I am so impressed and inspired by her. I can't say that I ever thought she'd run a half marathon, but she did! She is also participating in the Wasatch Ragnar which totally freaks me out, but I couldn't be more excited for her.

Return

I'm back. Here, again. It seems as though I can't let go of this blogging thing, which I think says something. It's been almost a year since my last post about a bug in my ear. A lot has changed and then, also not a lot has changed.

I've thought about how to revive this blog, what I'd need to do to bring everyone or anyone or myself up to speed but you know what? I don't have to. This is my space. And I do what I want. I don't need to write some long post about the ups and downs of the last year, I'm interested in the now, the present and the future. And despite my being poor, living at home and still in school, life is relatively great.

Recap of a few things from the past year (cause I can't leave it behind completely):
-moved back home. a good and bad decision.
-graduation is nigh. as in, next december.
-made some new friends this summer who have made more of a difference in my life than they'll ever know.
-along those lines ^ I have realized that I have some of the most amazing friends. Never before have I needed the support of those around me more than this year and they really stepped up and helped me through everything.
-went on a fantastic, fabulous trip to san fran (just barely, a few weeks ago).

 
Just a conglomeration of a few major moments, but there have been others, and even more thoughts and ideas that have happened. 
A few photos to show you that I didn't die and then rise from the dead:

 Halloween at work. Can you guess my costume?

 Another Halloween costume. I used my friend's (the clown) costume her mother made. It was fantastic.

New Years Eve 2012 (or do people say New Years Eve 2013? It was this past New Years regardless)

In summation, I'm back. I am excited to be back and I'm excited to share what's going on in my life, cause it's pretty good and ain't nobody gonna take that away from me. 

-Not pictured is Boyf. he still exists. My next post about San Fran will have some pictures of him, never fear.

Mmmmmm....Breakfast....

errrr....I mean.......uh....

Okay, I have this problem where I sleep in till the last possible moment (meaning I shower at night most often) and I often don't give myself any time for breakfast.

I'm trying this new thing where I take better care of myself (eating better, exercising all those things we're supposed to do for ourselves) and my goal is to eat breakfast everyday (because apparently breakfast matters).

This week's breakfast menu is.....(drum roll)......OATMEAL!!!!! Yay. I think that there is nothing grosser than plain, mushy oatmeal. However, I truly think it's delicious when you can add a little cream, or brown sugar or fresh berries. So far (today) it's going great. Also, my breakfast plan for Sunday is yummy german pancakes (that is my reward for eating breakfast everyday this week).

I'm really striving to love myself and take better care of me. It has taken a while to realize that no one can really love me the way I love myself. And in doing so I feel as though you are better able to take care of yourself. So here I am, working on that. I'll let you know how the week-long oatmeal breakfasts turn out.