Daily Dose - Weekly Inspiration

"To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing." – Unknown

Daily Dose - Weekly Inspiration

I don't always have major problems worth venting about in my inspirational messages, and I certainly don't always know what to say to others to be inspirational. A combination of this and my attempt to survive summer has inspired me to change my weekly Daily Dose slightly. If I don't have something witty to say or something I feel I need to share, I am going to instead post an inspirational quote by someone else to go with my weekly picture finds. Let's try it:

"The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it." - Unknown

Review (Book) - The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha

"In this adaptation of his blog www.1000awesomethings.com, Pasricha celebrates the simple pleasures of everyday living. Focusing on both tangible pleasures and simple experiences, Pasricha provides a contemporary take on everyday inspiration that skips the typical Chicken Soup for the Soul fare: "When you push the button for the elevator and it's already there," ("Ding!"); "When the boss goes out of town" ("Who's up for a three-hour lunch?"); "Peeling that thin plastic film off new electronics" ("Welcome to the world, remote control"). Other items get more substantial discussions, including the other side of the pillow, old playground equipment, hotel lobby bathrooms, the last day of school, and the five-second rule. Though tongue-in-cheek, Pasricha emerges a committed but inviting optimist, combating life's unending stream of bad news by identifying opportunities to "share a universal high five with humanity." Readers looking for simple, unsentimental pick-me-ups should find this happy browsing." - Publishers Weekly

Oh.
My.
Gosh.
I LOVE this book!
Seriously, if I could marry a book instead of a person, this would be "the one".

Allow me to start off with a confession - what with my crazy summer I was barely able to read any of this book. I understand...you're probably confused already...how could I possibly want to marry a book without reading it all? Well, the book is just THAT awesome! Though, I did make it a point to read all of the "awesome things" on the list (Pasricha explains why everything on the list is awesome, which is what I missed; yet, I feel all of the things on the list are awesome enough that we as readers shouldn't need a list as to why each thing is awesome, we should all have our own reasons why they are awesome). 

I will be honest, Pasricha's writing style may not be for everyone - ocassionally witty, sarcastic, and just downright silly. I may just be as in love with the book as I am because I feel I have the same inner voice as he does, (if I weren't trying to keep my blog more professional, my blog would probably sound very similar to The Book of Awesome) but you should at least give it a try. I guarantee you'll smile.

The Book of Awesome is refreshing and inspirational - I challenge you to pick up the book, at least flip through some of it, and create your own list of awesome things. If you do, I would love to hear what's on your list. In case you're wondering, this is what topped my list:

• Watching a groom's face when he first sees his bride walking down the aisle towards him

While I didn't catch anything super inappropriate for kids, I didn't read the entire book so I don't want to give any official "stamp of approval" [for kids]...maybe you can use it for your personal collection on a day you need a pick-me-up from dealing with misbehaving kids.

My Rating:

Stylish Blogger & Sunshine Awards

I was quite shocked and certainly honored when I found out my blog received two awards this past weekend!

I would like to thank Lady Scribbles at Lady Scribble's Book Lounge for the Stylish Blogger Award:

Upon receiving this award I am supposed to list five random things about myself and pass the award on to five other bloggers. I will pass this award on to five other blogs whose layouts I love.

Random things:

1. 
   
   I have only recently realized how to truly accept the phrase "life goes on", especially when relating to things that have deadlines. For instance, I would always get stressed about school/homework, but then I realized that the due date is going to come whether I'm ready for it or not, and, the next morning the sun will (most likely) rise. If I fail a class (I haven't yet, thank God), life is full of second chances.
2. 
   
   I make awesome omelettes out of anything leftover in the refrigerator.
3. 
   
   I prefer Star Wars over Star Trek any day.
4. 
   
   I used to have an imaginary friend named Tion.
5. 
   
   I stopped watching Buffy two episodes before the Season Two finale because I found it way too depressing for that time in my life. Now that I've lived it, I'm ready to see how it ends.

Stylish bloggers:

Linna at 21 Pages

Kate at I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read!

Kat at Literary Enchantment

Natalie at Mindful Musings

Kristi at The Story Siren

I also received the Sunshine Award from Trini at A Book Lovers Review

To accept this award, I just have to link back to the person who gave it to me and pass it on to twelve other bloggers. I will pass this on to the twelve blogs I follow whose writers I find most cheerful/friendly.

1,000 Awesome Things

Abby at Abby (the) Librarian

Kristen at Bookworming in the 21st Century

Darcy at Just a Night Owl

Alee at Love Is...

Marie at Make and Takes

Cindy at Princess Bookie

Alaine at Queen of Happy Endings

Alyssa at Teens Read and Write

Okay, yes, I was supposed to pass the award on to twelve bloggers but nine struck me as ones I needed to pass this award on to, so I'd feel bad if I had to choose only three more and not others, so I made it nine.

Random fact number 6: Nine is my number, anyway.

Review[ish] (Movie) - A Walk to Remember

This is a different type of movie review - more like a coherent list of why I love this movie. If you have any thoughts [on the movie], feel free to share. I tried to keep it as spoiler-free as possible.


Last weekend I was asked what my favorite movie was. I thought about it for a moment and decided that it hasn't changed in the past ?? years; it is still A Walk to Remember. So when I was asked why it was my favorite movie, I felt bad that I couldn't really give a reason. To fix this, I sat down with a notepad last Monday to watch the movie for the first time in a long time to take notes. I thought being distracted by note-taking would prevent me from coming to tears, but who was I kidding?


Reasons why A Walk to Remember is my favorite movie:

• Because I love the soundtrack - especially “Someday We'll Know”.
• Because I love the quotes – especially "It's like the wind. I can't see it but I feel it." And whose response to “I love you” would be "I told you not to fall in love with me”? I’ve watched the movie so many times I start reciting the lines before they’re said and either start laughing like an idiot or crying before the sad part even happens.
• Because I love the characters -

Jamie is my hero/role model. She doesn't care what people think about her, she is faithful, strong emotionally and physically, at peace with dying, helpful, forgiving, smart, modest but still pretty, and it was her character that inspired Landon to want to change, and taught her own father lessons. She had a bucket list before [the movie] The Bucket List made it “cool” to have one. The comeback "He's too busy looking for your brain" is DEFINITELY something I would say. It would probably take both hands and feet to be able to count how many times I've heard the line "It's the quiet ones you gotta watch out for" about myself. She also makes passengers wear their seatbelts…go ahead and ask me how I almost threw someone out the windshield of my car who wouldn’t put on their seatbelt. Haha


Landon has the “bad boy” rep, but shows that chivalry is not dead. He could have had the girl who invited him over when her parents weren't home, but instead he chose the "good girl". He’s willing to defend a girl with his fist if he has to, asks her dad permission to date his daughter, and does everything for her – he helps her accomplish as much of her “bucket list” as possible, while totally respecting her modesty (i.e. the graveyard scene & when her sweater falls off her shoulder), and he doesn’t leave.

• Because I love being connected to the story enough to feel the emotions. For some reason, I’ve always loved the frantic look Jamie gives Landon after he suggests she wants to be with him too. I could feel the line "I'm scared of not being with you." tug at my heartstrings. And he knew how to hug/hold her like he meant it.
• Because I love the situations Landon and Jamie are put in together. I wish somebody would make me dance with them, even if we stepped on each others’ feet.
• Because the last scene of the movie still leaves my face drenched.
• Because I love love.

Random tidbits about me and this movie:

• I saw this movie at least twice before I realized what the "WALK" to remember was.
• It's the only book/movie adaptation where I cried more reading the book than the movie, and considering the first time I watched this movie in its entirety I sat directly in front of the TV with a box of tissues, I definitely didn't think that was possible.
• I've never cared enough about any other movie to make a list of why I like it so much.

I made a bucket list after watching this movie -

• Complete an 8-second ride
• Conquer Summit Plummet
• Cross the Med
• Find all the Hidden Mickeys in Walt Disney World
• Hug a sea lion
• Indulge in some sort of all-inclusive vacation
• Learn to read music
• Run a marathon
• See the Cliffs of Moher (in person)
• Skydive
• Stand at the top of the Eiffel Tower
• Stay in a castle
• Swim with Sharks
• Take an ABD vacation
• Visit all the Disney Parks around the world

Some "impressive" feats I have already accomplished -

• Backpacked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim
• Kissed a stingray
• Scored a championship goal
• Swam with dolphins
• Won the Amazing [Cozumel] Race

Bloggiesta Wrap Up

I feel rather loser-ish that I only spent two and a half hours on my blog this weekend, but I somehow managed to pass 200 followers and get two awards, so that made me feel a little better.

This was my original to-do list (major kudos to anyone who actually managed to finish their list):

• Participate in the Book Blogger Hop at Crazy for Books
• Visit the other blogs participating in Bloggiesta!
• Attempt to make some sort of block scheduling for my time
• Finish Geography & Ancient Greece homework
• Write paper on gender in Greek Classics
• Bake cookies
• Participate in as many mini-challenges as possible
• Finish blogging about my Cincinnati trip (Technically, I got this done this afternoon, though, so I did not count this towards Bloggiesta! time)
• Catch up on "Top Ten Picks" from Jill at Random Ramblings
• Catch up on MizB's Friday Finds (Should Be Reading)
• Catch up on everything else I've had almost ready, but never wrote down
• NOT PULL MY HAIR OUT OVER THIS LIST!

I did manage to get my blog in at the "Hop" - though I don't consider it full participation unless I actually visit the other blogs and do a post. I also managed to visit all the other Bloggiesta! blogs that signed up before me and commented on most of them! I baked a bunch of cookies for the bake sale with some awesome company, and I only have about 450 words left to go on my paper. Oh, and my hair is still in tact.

Since I've reflected on my Bloggiesta! to-do list, I would like to also reflect on my 2010 New Years resolutions I made for the last Bloggiesta!

Blog-related resolutions:

• Update my blog MUCH more often than last year. Last year I started my blog in January, had one post in January, one in June, one in September, one in October, then in November and December I finally kept up with my blog. I'm a full time student, have a full time job, and drive to the other side of the state at least two weekends a month, so it certainly won't be Bloggiesta! every weekend, but I want to try to update at the very least once a week. (Well, things change, I don't have a reason to drive to the other side of the state anymore so I guess I have less of an excuse for missing posts, but I think I've only missed one or two weeks - for the most part, I've at least been able to get up a Daily Dose)
• Complete the two reading challenges I've signed up for and determine whether or not I'd be able to handle more next year. (Somewhere along the lines I picked up a third reading challenge. I wouldn't expect to have finished them by June, and I'm making it really difficult on myself to consider the challenges "complete" at all, since in order to count them towards the book count, I'm making myself review the books. On the other hand, since I will definitely not be taking summer classes next year, I think I'll be able to handle two or three challenges next year, as long as I can stay motivated to blog at the same time.) 
• Get 50 followers. (202 followers and it's only June!? You guys are AWESOME!)

Non-blog-related resolutions:

• Clear out my e-mail. (I have successfully knocked my work and personal Inboxes down to 2-6 e-mails each)
• Put at least $12,000 in my CD. (This wound up as an epic fail...)
• Take a class on effective communication. (I'll have to attempt this in the second half of the year - all of the ones I have looked at have not fit in with my work schedule)
• Convince my parents to put up our Christmas village. (I have a completely valid excuse for this one - It's not Christmastime yet.)
• Buy more long-sleeved shirts. The past week and a half have made me realize that even in South Florida, apparently having only five on hand just aren't going to cut it. (I think I actually wound up getting rid of some - oops. I still have time, though!)

This week I finish my Gender & Society in Ancient Greece class, so hopefully next week I'll have a little extra time for blogging. Thank you for bearing with me - you guys are great!

Daily Dose - Weekly Inspiration

Saturday nights I volunteer at my church as a "teacher" in one of the preschool rooms. (Just another reason I didn't have much time to participate in Bloggiesta! this weekend) This past Saturday on my way in to "God's Town" (that place alone can be photographed for "inspiration" - it's like a mini Disney World Main Street shoved in a church) where the kids' rooms are, I walked past one of the fourteen other people who are on my mission "team" for Peru* and he asked "did you get the e-mail? We are supposed to be flying Spirit Air". Of course I pull out my handy-dandy iPhone to get the e-mail, and basically this is the content. If the pilots are still on strike on the 26th, we will not be going to Peru. I ask you all for your prayers that this not just be the devil trying to thwart our efforts to go help the children of Peru and spread the love of Jesus and grow in Him ourselves.

So, I dedicate these airplane pictures to pilots everywhere.** I think $200,000+ is a little steep, but, hey, what do I know? I'm just a librarian. Please come off of strike so we can go to Peru!

*Want to see my original post mentioning Peru and what I/we will be doing there? Click here.  
**I did look for helicopter pictures and couldn't find any with cutesy text that I wanted to use. If by some rare chance you are a helicopter pilot, I didn't purposely leave you out. I tried.

Bloggiesta! Is Back!

I learned something today! Bloggiesta! is NOT just in January, as I stated in my last Bloggiesta! introduction. 

I'm guessing (?) Bloggiesta! is a bi-annual event for bloggers to help motivate...well...blogging! Hosted by the lovely Natasha at Maw Books Blog. Guess when Bloggiesta! is? This weekend! - June 11th - 13th. (For more information and/or to sign up click here.) I actually didn't miss the first day this time around - Hooray!

The mascot of Bloggiesta! is Pedro, which stands for Plan, Edit, Develop, Review, Organize.

All the other bloggers I've seen participating so far have put a "to-do" list in their introduction post. I'm warning you now, full time work + summer classes + church + somewhat of a social life = a very boring list.

• 
  
  Participate in the Book Blogger Hop at Crazy for Books
• 
  
  Visit the other blogs participating in Bloggiesta!
• 
  
  Attempt to make some sort of block scheduling for my time
• 
  
  Finish Geography & Ancient Greece homework
• 
  
  Write paper on gender in Greek Classics
• 
  
  Bake cookies (Recipe can be found here - I modify it slightly; ask if you want the "secret")
• 
  
  Participate in as many mini-challenges as possible
• 
  
  Finish blogging about my Cincinnati trip
• 
  
  Catch up on "Top Ten Picks" from Jill at Random Ramblings
• 
  
  Catch up on MizB's Friday Finds (Should Be Reading)
• 
  
  Catch up on everything else I've had almost ready, but never wrote down
• 
  
  NOT PULL MY HAIR OUT OVER THIS LIST!

Daily Dose - Weekly Inspiration

I have to write a paper that is much longer than I'm used to by the 15th - Topic: gender in Ancient Greek literature. Please forgive the lack of posting I'm sure will occur as a result of this, and enjoy the "school" pictures I found on We Heart It. I've posted an extra picture because I'm assuming I'll need extra motivation...

What do you do to motivate yourself to write things you have to, rather than just things you want to?