Thursday, May 23, 2013

The Latest Three

I told you.
I told you I had another latest three coming your way.
And here it is!
These past few books were just a lot of fun to read.
Good precursors to my forthcoming summer reading list.
I'd like to mention that I will also be going on a re-reading kick,
as I promised myself long ago,
so I'm excited to be bringing some books your way
--some that some of you might already be familiar with--
with a newer and more developed opinion of them.
You see, I'm not big on re-reading things.
I've only re-read the first Harry Potter book and parts of the third because they're my favorite.
So this will be a fun adventure for me, I should think.
But until then...
Here's The Latest Three.



Heart of a Samurai, Margi Preus
A fun MG to read, for sure. I think this story is the kind that anyone of any age could enjoy, as the main character has to deal with universal challenges like separateness, race prejudice, new cultures, and growing up. Also becoming a man. Becoming a samurai (though that's not till the very end). You know, things we all have to go through at some point or another. This book won't likely be a favorite I call to mind, but whenever I look upon it I'l remember how nice it was to read it, how well researched it was, and how it made me see the ordinary through the eyes of a young man who just wants to see the world and become a samurai, like we all do.

Poison, Bridget Zinn
Another super fun book to read! I heard of this one because of the late author's story: she passed before she got to see the book release, but knew it was going to be all the same. I'd definitely call this a younger YA read, but as I read a lot of younger books anyway this was just fun, which seems to be the theme for today. I just really enjoyed it and the only big thing I'd have to say about it is that I wish the author could have been able to give us a prequel to it. It seems there's a lot of story to be explored there. I loved the characters so much, I think that idea would be a favorable one.

The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern
I know there's been a lot of hype around this book and though you've probably been told a thousand times, I want to be that 1,001st person that tells you all that hype is well deserved. This book has me written all over it. Mystique, which I think is a different and far more gooder thing than the word 'mystery.' Luxurious attention to detail. Coattails...how can you go wrong? And magic, lots and lots of magic. Plus that ending, bittersweet is what I'd call it and how sweetly bitter it is...if you get what I mean. Plus I love when writers find a way to make storytelling a central part of the storytelling in their story...if you also get what I mean. Long story short, I loved this book and it's going on the list of favorite reads of 2013, right up there with Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

I'm Back!

In the many moons since I last saw you guys
I have accomplished many things that before then had only been the stuff of dreams
Well, now those things have become a reality.
I've since finished school at my little junior college in Modesto and moved my butt on down to Camarillo,
which is about an hour away from Santa Barbara,
which is where I will finish up my jc education
until I can transfer to another fun school in the SoCal area.
The minor detail of exactly where I'll be transferring to is still up for trial,
but as they say,
details, details...
Anyway, I'm looking forward to a long summer of...
pool side time
June gloom (the typical SoCal fog that always appears around June)
getting a job
...somehow
being away from family and friends :(
being away from my adorable doggies, double :(
planning yummy things to eat for my grandpa, R2, and  his wife, The Biologist, whom I now live with
my own rooooooom!!!
beach time (it's 20 minutes away!)
day trips with the Biologist to Santa Barbara and Ojai...maybe even LA
Disneyland!
trips to our cabin
finding a way to figure out this college thing on my own
lots and lots of READING!!!
lots and lots of WRITING!!!
a new project that does not involve writing--more on that later
skyping with parents, a little strange but I'll get used to it
getting all my best friends' butts out here to visit
convincing Henry, The Biologist's cat, to love me
and most excitedly...COMIC CON!!!

But for now here are a few pics
Oh!
And a latest three is also coming your way!

 Me and my cousin, Missa, on my moving day!

My Artistic Director, Rene Daveluy, and my Ballet Mistress and teacher, Leslie Larson after my last performance with Central West Ballet. Two beautiful people I will never forget.


Here's to a big change!
Here's to a leap of faith!
Here's to everything in the world that has blessed and shaped me into the person I am today!!!