Cheers

I'm not typically a resolution kind of girl. I feel like resolutions are just something people say because we're expected to as part of our society so I don't make them. Most people I know try to make resolutions year after year. Then year after year 'fail' to meet those resolutions and fill themselves with regret and self-loath. That feeling of failure compounds and whatever it was they resolved to do becomes a point of contention, deep frustration and a source of negative energy. I believe that the idea of New Year's resolutions set people up for failure. However, I don't mean to imply that setting and obtaining goals is a bad thing. In fact, for some using the societal pull of a New Year's resolution can be quite a helpful tool for keeping them on track. I just know more folks who have considered themselves 'failures' after slipping up on a New Year's resolution. And I won't even get into the distorted meaning of the word 'failure' and all it implies--right now.

I do have objectives that I look forward to each year. These objectives are things I would like to achieve but I don't base my self-worth on whether or not I meet them. My objectives must be concrete. Abstracts are not conducive to success. I will propose to lose xx pounds rather than to lose weight. Or I will work on patience when I am tired rather than I will be a better mom. It is easier for me to get my mind and spirit on board if I have specific direction.

So for 2009 my objectives are as follows:

*I will continue to be a non-smoker. Sadly, this is getting more and more difficult each day but I have had continued success since October 5, 2007. I know I can do this.

*I will continue to maintain good grades in school but I will increase my study time for each class by 2 hours a week.

*I will continue to have a healthy body by eating pure foods and exercising vigorously at least 3 times a week.

*I will begin working on a project I have been wanting to complete for years. Sorry, I am leaving this one intentionally vague here because I'm not ready to discuss this one quite yet.

2009 will be a fantastic year.

Happy New Year to you all.

May 2009 bring you compassion, health, happiness and prosperity.

Cheers

Happy Holidays

I hope everyone had a great holiday season!

We have been busy visiting family and friends.

I do not have much of an update. Though I am considering a major change. I just have to think on it a little more before I make a final decision. Though next semester's schedule is based a little on this new major. I need to think on it a little more before I start talking about it.

Happy Holidays

Girls' Night Out

I am going to see Twilight tonight! Yay! I am going with two good friends to finally see the movie. We're going to Fork and Screen. Should be a great time!!

Girls' Night Out

JigZone.com

I love puzzles and I love this site. I used to play on the JigZone site but kept forgetting about it. Then I found it as an application on Facebook and now play it there! My favorite is the 70 piece bulb cut!

JigZone.com

Listen to This 12/19

As far as collaborations go this pairing ranks up there with the best like Aerosmith and Run DMC.



Jack White and Alicia Keys
Another Way to Die

Listen to This 12/19

Read This 12/19

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a shame it is that Stephenie Meyer had to put this companion novel on hold due to someone's dishonesty. This version of Twilight is through Edward's eyes allowing us to experience his intense attraction to Bella. Stephenie Meyer writes in intricate detail the internal war Edward constantly battles. Even in this rough draft of Midnight Sun Meyer paints an elaborate picture invoking intense feeling and description.



Hopefully she'll finish this some day. I would love to have a completed version to add to the saga I give to my kids.


View all my reviews.

Read This 12/19

Read This 12/16

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
What an ending! I was so pleased with the final book in the Twilight Saga. Stephenie Meyer tied every plot, every character, every detail together in one grand finale. This was dramatic while remaining heartfelt and true to the original spirit of Twilight.



I cannot wait to give this to my daughter to read. When she's just a bit older, she will love this story. The Twilight Saga is a great addition to the young adult fantasy fiction genre.


View all my reviews.

Read This 12/16

Listen To This 12/13

Gomez--How We Operate

Makes me think of Edward and Bella...

Listen To This 12/13

Clocks

1. Put your iTunes or MP3 player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer

YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Give It to Me~~Timbaland


WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
No Such Thing~~John Mayer


WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
For You I Will (Confidence)~~Teddy Geiger


WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Smooth Criminal~~Alien Ant Farm (now that's funny!)


WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
My Immortal~~Evanescence


WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
How You Remind Me~~Nickelback


WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Falling In Love At a Coffee Shop~~Landon Pigg


WHAT IS 2+2?
Realize~~Colbie Caillat


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
In the End~~Linkin Park


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Sex and Candy~~Marcy Playground


WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Over My Head (Cable Car)~~The Fray


WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Numb~~Linkin Park


WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed)~~Panic At the Disco


WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Helena~~My Chemical Romance


WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
I Tried~~Bone Thugs-N-Harmony


WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Jesus Walks~~Kanye West


WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Steady as She Goes~~The Raconteurs


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
I Don't Wanna Be~~Gavin DeGraw


WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Better Than Me~~Hinder


HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Yellow~~Coldplay


WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Waiting on the World to Change~~John Mayer


WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
But It's Better If You Do~~Panic At the Disco


WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Come Again~~Sting and Edin Karamazov


WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Your Love is a Lie~~Simple Plan


WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Say~~John Mayer


IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
La Tortura~~Shakira and Alehandro Sanz


WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Bring Me to Life~~Evanescence


WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Clocks~~Coldplay

Clocks

Read This 12/13

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Eclipse is a riveting addition to the Twilight Saga. Stephenie Meyer's writing is thorough and exciting moving the action in the story along at a quick pace.



I cannot wait to move on to Breaking Dawn!


View all my reviews.

Read This 12/13

So long Fall 2008 Semester

I am officially finished with the Fall 2008 semester! All of my assignments are handed in and my finals are done. Whew!

I am glad to have this semester behind me. I am a bit upset with myself. I am positive I did not do well enough this semester to keep my perfect 4.0 GPA. BUT I'm trying not to be too hard on myself because I know that it is next to impossible to keep a perfect score. I had a good 39 credit hours with my 4.0, that's impressive...to me at least. =)

So while I wait for my final grades I can be thankful I am finally through this awful semester! YAY!

Ok, I'll still be bummed when I see my GPA as anything less than 4.0 but such is life...

So long Fall 2008 Semester

Read This 12/09

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
New Moon is not as good as Twilight but I am glad I read it. Without spilling some of the plot I cannot say why it was not as good of a story so I won't try. I did like the story, just not as much.



And that is all I'll say on this one--anything more will be too much.


View all my reviews.

Read This 12/09

The Sheffard and his Pie

Today A asked me what we were having for dinner. I said, "Sheppard's pie". She said, "Oh I love Sheffard's pie!"

So all day A told everyone who would listen that we were having "Sheffard's" pie for dinner.

J asked her before dinner what we were going to have and she proudly announced, "Sheffard's pie". J said, "Do you mean Sheppard's pie?" She said, "No, Sheffard's Pie".

She watched us saute the onions, garlic, mushrooms, and green bell peppers. She handed dad potatoes to peel. She watched us brown the ground beef. She stood on the chair chattering all about "Sheffard's" pie as we put it in the crust, topped it with the mashed potatoes with the rest of the veggies and stuck it in the oven.

She sat down at the table and we put her Sheppard's pie in front of her and she said, "Hey, this isn't Sheffard's pie!"

J said, "What is Sheffard's pie supposed to be?"

A answered, "Chocolate!"

Of course...

The Sheffard and his Pie

Listen to This 12/3

I just love the holiday season so I can listen to The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Their non-holiday music rocks, too! (Don't worry, I'll post some of that, too!)

In the meantime...



Here is Wizards in Winter set, of course, to a fantastic light display! (Though I don't think I'd want to be their neighbor!)

Enjoy!

Listen to This 12/3

My first 'C'

I had a paper to write in Human Development. I chose my topic and wrote a perfectly APA cited paper. I was horribly distracted but I thought I did well. Turns out well was just okay as I scored 75/100. After reading my professor's comments, I see where I went wrong. I confused two different topics making my conclusions not work. It was a 'C' paper.

I've never scored that low on any paper before. Ever.

Ouch.

I must do better.

My first 'C'