Book Review: The Happiness Project

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I have recommended The Happiness Project by Gretchin Rubin to every person I have spoken to, while reading it and now after. The entire book is very uplifting and shows that not everyone is perfect and we all have our flaws and set backs. 

During and after reading this book, I found myself reflecting on my own life: my marriage, my family, my friends and myself. I found myself with a strong desire to clean out my closet, to think/take a deep breath before I react, to give people some slack and not to keep score. All of these things are hard to keep on track with and easy to forget. But since I have made myself aware of them, I am more conscious and can make a conscious effort in resolving them and making myself happier.

Here are a few excerpts that I really enjoyed:

"It's easier to complain than to laugh, easier to yell than to joke around, easier to be demanding than to be satisfied."

"The days are long, but the years are short"

Go out and rent this book, or buy it. 

It is amazing and totally worth it.

Book Review: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

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I have been really enjoying listening to Audiobooks. I am so glad that I "discovered" them, they make commuting and work go by so much quicker! Since I am listening while at work, I have realized that I need to listen to fun and easy audiobooks so I can concentrate on my work while retaining the words in the book.

My only experience with Mindy Kaling is from when she played Kelly Kapoor on the office. I enjoyed her character and after reading Tina & Ellen's books, I felt that Mindy's book was the most logical next step  (see what I did there? first name basis...still).

Just like the other audiobook, Mindy is the narrator. She is witty, hilarious and sweet all at the same time. I definitely recommend this audiobook.

I will leave you with the following excerpts from her book: 

"I don't know how to do drugs because no one showed me"

*amen to this! haha

"And going to town on all of the "kid friendly" snacks in the house. Kid friendly food is the best, because kid friendly simply means: total garbage. I ate frozen chicken nuggets shaped like animals, fruit chews shaped like fruit, and fruits shaped like cubes in syrup. I discovered that kids hate for any food to resemble the form it originally was in nature. They are on to something, because that processed garbage was insanely delicious. I spent some excellent Saturday nights watching Monique strutting on stage at the Apollo while I ate a handful of children's chewable vitamins and wrapped myself in my boss's cashmere kimono."

*true story about babysitting! any and all babysitters out there know that it is an unspoken rule that you get to eat the families food...! ha

Book Review: State of Wonder

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It took me two tries to get into this book. It starts out a little slow, but once you get through the initial character development stages this book is one you don't want to/ can't put down. State of Wonder written by Ann Patchett is about a team of doctors who work to develop pharmaceutical drugs. The story takes place in the Brazilian Amazon and introduces the reader to different cultures and local tribes. The plots takes lot of interesting twists throughout the book and will leave you wanting more.

Enjoy!

Book Review: Unbroken

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A friend recommend this book to me. I finally checked out the audio book and had a hard time listening to anything else. I didn't know what to expect, but this book was amazing. Unbroken is a true story about Olympic Athlete and WWII veteran Louis Zamperini. This book is about Zamperini's experiences while being imprisoned for over 2 years in a Japanese POW camp and how he reintegrated himself into civilian society after he was released.

This book is well written and captivating. You won't want to put the book down.

Book Review - Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

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 I was looking for something to read and went to Oprah's book club site and this was the book that was featured. I checked it out and was not able to put it down. 

Wild is Cheryl Strayed personal memoir of hiking through California and Oregon from the Mojave Dessert to the boarder of Oregon & Washington on 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The PCT is 2,663 miles in its entirety running from the California/Mexico Boarder all the way to the Washington/Canada Boarder. As I turned the pages I was enchanted by her struggle in her personal life as well as her trials and tribulations on the trail itself. I commend her for taking the leap, selling all of her possessions (except what she needed on the trail), going into the unknown of the wilderness with all that she owned on her back and making the journey of a lifetime. From the people she met to the places she had to sleep and the hard work her body endured to survive is more than inspiring.

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A couple of summers ago, Rich and his friend from high school hiked the John Muir Trail (JMT) which is a section of the PCT in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, starting in (or ending in) Yosemite and ending (or starting at) the summit of Mount Whitney (the highest summit in the contiguous United States). So reading this memoir and remembering Rich's stories made me want to hike the PCT! If she can do it, I can do it!

Book Review: Seriously...I'm Kidding

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So I am indifferent about Ellen. I think that she is inspiring and funny, but I don't love love love her nor do I have to watch her show or read her books. I had just finished Bossypants by Tina Fey and loved it, so I immediately went to amazon, search for Bossypants and went to the "suggestions" for other titles sections and found Ellen's book at the top of the list. I went to my Library's emedia site and luckily the title was available!

Ellen's book was much shorter than Tina's book (see what I did there? I am best friends with both comedians - so I used their first names only). Even though it was shorter, it sure didn't lack in character and comedy. I was laughing almost the entire book - sorry coworkers...I promise I'm not weird!

Ellen is charismatic, intelligent, funny and sarcastic which all comes out through her narrative. The only way I can describe this book is that it is...kind of...a spoof...on self help? maybe? Its funny and totally worth the couple of hours it will take to listen. After reading the book, same as Bossypants, I now wish I didn't have a job and could sit at home and watched Ellen's show. Or, maybe the less extreme, get a DVR.

One of the lines that really tickled my funny bone: "His name was John or Joe, or Wisconsin. I don't know, everyone has weird names these days."

Now, I am allowed to find this funny because I have a weird name. HA!

Book Review - Bossypants

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I was recommended this book so I checked it out from the library. Unfortunately, our library didn't have an e-edition, so I rented the audio book. And to my surprise, it was narrated by Tina Fey! Seriously, if I could roll on the floor laughing I would have. Listening to the audio book had me constantly laughing, contemplating life and wanting, real bad, to watch some 30 Rick episodes.

I can't speak for reading the book, but I definitely can recommend the audio book! Go rent it from the library and enjoy every last minute!

Here is a little excerpt of a popular part of the book. A prayer for her daughter.

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"THE MOTHER'S PRAYER FOR ITS DAUGHTER"

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it's the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach's eye, not the the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, 

May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half

And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her

When crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the nearby subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called "Hell Drop," "Tower of Torture," or "The Death Spiral Rock N' Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith," and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance.

Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes

And not have to wear high heels.

What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I'm asking You because if I knew, I'd be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen.

Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, 

For Childhood is short -- a Tiger Flower blooming

Magenta for one day -- 

And Adulthood is long and Dry-Humping in Cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever, 

That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers

And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, 

Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, 

For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, 

That I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 a.m., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back.

"My mother did this for me once," she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby's neck.

"My mother did this for me." And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental note to call me. And she will forget.

But I'll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Amen."

Book Review: Half of a Yellow Sun

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Let me start out by saying that I love to read. I love novels. I love fiction and nonfiction. Rich had to read this book for one of his classes and when he was finished he recommended that I read it. 

The book takes place in the 1960s and is written from 3 different character perspectives: Ugwu - a houseboy, Olanna - the significant other of a political figure/professor & Richard - a British writer. The novel portrays each of their lives and how they interconnect during the Nigerian-Biafran War and definitely keeps the pages turning.

2013 Book List

Last year I read a lot of books between the summer and winter.

I love to read, so I wanted to keep it going.

I enlisted my facebook friends to help me put a list of books together.

Then I searched them, read the reviews & previews and created a list for myself.

I have already read one of the books on my list.

The Art of Racing in the Rain.

I absolutely loved it!

1 The Art of Racing in the Rain Garth Stein

2 Redeeming Love Francine Rivers

3 The Psycopath Test John Ronson

4 11/22/1963 Stephen King

5 Gone Girl Gillian Flynn

6 State of Wonder Ann Patchett

7 Dear Life Alice Munro

8 The Outlander Series Diana Gabaldon

9 The Last Song Nicholas Sparks

10 Book Thief Markus Zusak 

11 Delirium: The Politics of Sex in America Nancy L. Cohen

12 Under the Dome Stephen King

13 The Tiger’s Wife Téa Obreht 

14 Unbroken Laura Hillenbrand

15 No Reservations Anthony Bourdain

16 Women Charles Bukowski

17 Persuasion Jane Austen

18 Good Omens Terry Pratchett

19 Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro

20 What it is like to go to war Karl Marlantes

21 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/20/best-articles-2012-women-required-reading_n_2166577.html

22 Life of Pi Yann Martel

My library card will get some good mileage out of it by the end of 2013!

Wish me luck!

I am a reading machine!!

A machine I tell you!

This summer I read:

Half the Sky

Awesome book!
Read it.

It will empower you to be a better woman and to change the world!

I promise!

House of Stone

I heard about this book on NPR.

It took me a while to get in to the book, so it took me longer to read.

I liked that there were two different points of views.

This is a true story - and it is very captivating

A Thousand Splendid Suns

I could NOT put this book down!
I loved The Kite Runner and thought this book would be great also - and it totally was!
Again, I really liked the two different perspectives that Hosseini provided his readers.
This book also started many conversations with my husband about marital roles etc
Must read!

Water for Elephants

The Orphan Master's Son

I hate to admit this...I had to return The Orphan Master's Son...I just could not get in to it...

I didn't finish it and I hardly ever do that!

I picked up The Favored Daughter instead

I am super in to this book!

I heard the segment on NPR and picked it up

(Listen here)

I have been very interested in women's rights books, as you can tell from the majority of the books above!

Enjoy my reading list!
I love to read. I love reading and getting out of my every day life and escaping to a great book or story, or even another life!

Weekend Fun in the Sun

I am here on this beautiful Monday for a weekend update :-)

I finished What the Dog Saw and moved on to Half the Sky. This is my first Los Angeles Public Library book, which I am very excited about! 

I have only read a few pages but I am already plotting my take over of the world :-)

On Saturday, I went to the Beverly Hills Art Show with one of my great friends. 

We walked through the booths and drank wine and bellinis :-)

We enjoyed the sunshine and the company!

There was a live band as we walked through the gardens!

I love new friends! Especially this one! 

She had never walked on Rodeo drive, so we decided to take a small detour and on our walk, we stumbled upon this gem..

Yes please!

On Sunday, Rich and I took the Metro downtown to the finish line for the Tour de California.

There was so much energy and excitement among all of the views as well as the cyclists!

The sun was shining, and it was the most beautiful day to be out cheering on these athletes!

So cool! We were so close!

Having a ball :-)

In my awesome iPhotography skills, I was able to (by chance) capture the leader of the race!

There was a man wearing an "Uncle Sam" costume carrying a flag - so patriotic :-)

Sunday night we were able to see the solar eclipse! Can you believe how beautiful, awesome and amazing Nature can be? It is absolutely unreal!

Did anyone else get to see the Solar Eclipse? How did you view it?!

Overall, I had a super weekend and I hope you all did as well!

Happy Monday and cheers to an awesome week, leading in to a long weekend!

Oh, and my anniversary weekend!

Woohoo!

Book Review and a New Book

 Happy Happy December to Everyone!

I wish you all warm thoughts of hot chocolate, warm blankets, blazing fires, and someone snuggly!

Right before my vacation I finished my book, Cutting for Stone.

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I thought this book was awesome!

Abraham Verghese really makes his readers feel like they are in the story too.

There was so much detail that you could smell what the characters were smelling, taste what they were tasting, and feel the emotions they were feeling.

It was truly a great book and there are some pretty edge of your seat twists!

I definitely recommend it!

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Now I am moving on to another book.

So far it reminds me a little of The Alchemist.

This book was recently given to me in an effort to help me learn not to take things so personally.

The Four Agreements written by Don Miguel Ruiz is a book that "offer(s) a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love" {the back cover :-D}. 

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 After that little snippet, I am sure you are all thinking "Man, this girl is craz-Y! What is with her and her weird books!?" 

Yeah I know, I am pretty much preaching to the choir...

I just love these kinds of books.

The books that are

Inspiring

Uplifting

Happy

Guiding

Thought Provoking

I truly believe that the more of these that I read, the more I will learn about life, love, who I am and why I am the way that I am.

What are the Four Agreements, you might ask

1. Be impeccable with your word

2. Don't take anything personally

3. Don't make assumptions

4. Always do your best

These seem easy..huh?!

More to come on what I learn! 

I hope you all enjoy your Hump Day! 

The Alchemist

After The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest I started reading The Alchemist written by Paulo Coelho. I got this book as a graduation gift, I must admit: I cannot remember who from ALWAYS write a note on the inside cover of a gifted book>. I began reading this book without really knowing what to expect and to be completely honest, it has really changed my outlook on a lot of things...

This book is about realizing what you true dreams are, your Personal Legend, and one boy's (Santiago) quest to finding his. Santiago's Personal Legend had him meeting new people, encountering good and bad omens and traveling across the desserts of Egypt all in search of a 'treasure' that he saw in a dream.

From friendship, hard work, love and spirituality, Santiago's story is compelling, captivating and inspiring of the heart, the mind and the soul!

I will absolutely recommend this book, 100%. It was a quick and easy read (I was done with it in about 6 BART rides (i.e. 3 interrupted hours)

Here is a quote to get you all out to the local bookstore and pick up a copy for yourself!

"When you really want something, the universe always conspires in your favor."

Didn't you just get the chills!!

READ THIS BOOK!

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest

Another book review...

I just finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsoson. This was the final book (as for now) in the trilogy. I am hoping for more to come..so keep your fingers crossed!

I liked this book. I thought that it was great, entertaining, and it kept me turning the pages.

To be honest, I felt like the book was a little slow at times and I felt like it was almost anti-climactic.

My favorite of the three (I can say that now, because I have read them all) would have to be the second one: The Girl Who Played with Fire. It really was the middle book and I was in to the entire book!

Even though it was slow, I would recommend this set of books to anyone and everyone! I thought they were great and I can't wait to see the film in subtitles as well as the American versions when they come to theaters (I think by the end of the year??)

Now I have moved on to a completely different genre. I have started reading The Alchemist. I got it as a graduation gift and I started reading it yesterday and I am already 1/2 way through the book. It is a quick and easy read--That being said, the book is very uplifting and powerful. I may have to read it twice!

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Tip Top Tuesday

I hope that everyone is having a Tip Top Tuesday!

FRIEND always brightens my day with a cheerful "I hope you are having a Tip Top Tuesday!" So I thought that I would spread the love!

I wanted to share what makes this Tuesday a Tip Top one!

(1) Planning to walk to BART and then getting an unexpected ride with a neighbor!
(2) Arriving to BART, running to catch the train, and making it!
(3) Reading "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and I can't put it down!
(4) Writing Rich motomail and sending him e-postcards with pictures from our engagement session!
(5) Eating yogurt covered pretzels!
(6) Getting a second interview for a job I want!
(7) Seeing a great friend tonight before she moves away!

and last and of course not least...

(8) Getting to check one more day off of the calendar for when my Sweeter comes home--for good!!!

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Books Books Books

I love to read! I like to take public transportation [silly, I know!] so I get the time to read!

At the beginning of the summer, I finished Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell.
I liked it, but I felt that it was a little repetitive and was boring and dry at times. Even though I thought that it was boring and dry, I took a lot from it and would recommend reading it to anyone who is interested in getting into the marketing field.
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After Blink, I read The Tipping Point, also by Malcolm Gladwell.

I really enjoyed this book, more than Blink. I thought that this book was more practical than Blink and I felt like I was able to relate better to the content of the book. Of the two books, I would DEFINITELY recommend The Tipping Point!

Malcolm Gladwell is a very smart man who knows how to convey his point in his writing and really knows how to capture his audience.

Neither book is a real page turner, it is based on real life experiences of why people do what they do, how they do it, and what the repercussions are of their actions as well as describing snap judgments and how it is important to do while being very difficult. They, both, were quite good, and I am looking forward to reading Malcolm Gladwell's third book, Outliers.

Both Blink and The Tipping Point came highly recommended to me by a few of my friends as well as a professor of mine from college. I have gone on more than a handful of interviews since I have graduated and I have be able to bring up both books in all of my interviews! It has worked in my favor every time because my interviewer has always heard or has read the books!
[A+ for me!]
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After The Tipping Point, I read Beach Road, written by James Patterson.

Beach Road was a quick and easy read. I was recommended this book by a family friend. It is a murder mystery and I was entertained, but a little disappointed. I thought the book was a little boring, but the ending of the story made the entire read worth it! There was a crazy twist at the end that I was REALLY not expecting! And usually, I am good about guessing endings! It was very unexpected! The book is about 350 pages and if you are looking for a story that is quick, maybe you are going on a little vacation, I would recommend this one!
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Now I am reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson. I am not far into it [I am just getting the hang of the authors writing style]. I like it so far, and I have heard great things about it! I am excited to really get into it!

Blink, Tipping Point, Beach Road