30 day photo challenge: Grand finale!

It's been so much fun doing this photo challenge.  It made me pay closer attention to what was going on around me.  Plus, it gave me a chance to pretend I have photography skills (gotta love how Instagram and Hipstamatic make every picture 10x prettier).  And of course,  I just loved the theme of the challenge.    

Gratitude.  

Sometimes I get so caught up in the things making me unhappy (*ahem* work) - it's easy to forget the many little (and big) things in my life that I do appreciate.  

To see all my pictures, check out my flickr page. 

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The lovely blog, Positively Present, will be doing another photo challenge for the month of December. So make sure to check out her blog if you're interested in participating! 

Latest Read: Shatter Me

Here are the basics ...
Book: Shatter Me (#1)
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Blog: http://stiryourtea.blogspot.com/
Category: Young Adult - Science Fiction 


(For the record, I'm not a fan of the cover.  At all.)

My thoughts ...
One sentence summary:  Juliette hasn't touched anyone in 264 days because she's been locked up for a murder she didn't mean to commit. 

The good:  I love how the story is told.   Juliette's mind is teetering on the edge - from loneliness, lack of human contact, love and compassion.  Her touch has been fatal her whole life and as a result, everyone has shunned her including her own parents.  The author writes Juliette's thoughts in a stream of conscious manner - using text with strikethroughs and extremely descriptive prose (which I admit can get a little over the top at times). This may turn some people off but I enjoyed her unique take on Juliette's perspective.  

The bad:  The chemistry between the two main characters was definitely hot hot hot (the author sometimes repeats Juliette's thoughts like that) but they were a little too quick to fall in love.  Then again, when you've never been able to touch someone without killing them and have to run from the government - I guess emotions tend to run a little high.  

Do I recommend?:  Definitely.  It's officially been described a cross between The Hunger Games and the X-Men and I think that's pretty accurate.  I enjoyed it a lot and if you like dystopian society fiction, mixed in with a little science fiction, this should be on your list.

Happy reading!

30 day photo challenge: days 22-27

Day 22: Clothing

It might not seem like much, just hanging on my door, but I love this dress.  

Day 23: In Your Closet

A tiny peek into my closet (yes, I know there's a lot in there.) 

Day 24: Gratitude

Sitting around the table, being with my family,
seeing all the food - can't help but feel grateful and loved.

Day 25: Artwork

I got this from Urban Outfitters a couple years and
it's been hanging up in my room ever since. 

Day 26: Transportation

My car! I love my Honda Fit.  Everyone who sees me
driving it says it's such a "Rachel car."  

Day 27: Daily Routine

Every morning I.. prop the mirror against my desk,
sit on that pillow, do my makeup and blow dry my hair.  

See my other pictures here. 

Learn more about the photo challenge here. 

Latest Read: Clockwork Angel

Here are the basics ...
Book: Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices #1) 
Author: Cassandra Clare
Blog: http://cassandraclare.tumblr.com/
Category: Young Adult - Fantasy 

My thoughts ...

One sentence summary: Sixteen-year-old Tessa is sent to London to be with her brother, completely unaware of what she's about to discover about herself and a world she never knew existed.  

The good:  This is the prequel to Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments (TMI), which also happens to be one of my favorite YA series.  It's hard to talk about this book without mentioning the other.  TMI introduced readers to a world about Shadowhunters (warriors with Angel blood in them, that protected humans), Downworlders (vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches & warlocks) and all the people caught in the crossfire.  Clockwork Angel is the backstory to all of that.  While I still find TMI to be the more compelling series, I really enjoyed this as well.  Plus, Tessa was a great protagonist to get behind.  The author always writes her heroines to be intelligent, strong and feisty and Tessa was no exception.

The bad: I felt like not enough questions were answered.  Granted, it's the first book in a series so that could be why many things were left open-ended.  But I wanted to know more about the Infernal Devices (which are never directly addressed) and the history of the characters (specifically Will, one of the shadowhunters and Tessa).  

Do I recommend?:  If you're a fan of The Mortal Instruments, you will definitely enjoy this series too. The author just has a way with creating magical worlds filled with so much detail, great characters and of course, the love triangle that gets everyone choosing a team.  (For the record, I'm liking Will!)

Happy reading!

Thanksgiving, according to my iPhone

Makayla (isn't she adorable?). Red velvet chocolate chip cookies.

Delicious food. Auntie Helen grabbing some turkey.

Me & the boys playing Jenga. Made stuffing for the first time.
My god-daughter Mariel. The cousins.

What I'm Thankful For

(Picture courtesy of MadeByGirl)

I'm not going to get all mushy or anything but here's a random list of things I'm thankful for (in no particular order):

my lovable crazy family

amazing friends

books that you can't put down once you start

anything red velvet-y

opportunities to travel

shopping, shopping, shopping

my 5 month old betta fish, Jace (the longest I've kept a fish alive!)

roadtrips

new experiences

blogging & writing again

my growing collection of gadgets

finding a new song or band to love

days off from work

having a job (although I could use a different one...)

a warm bed

pizza from Singa's

perfectly made coffee

good conversation

much-needed hugs

.. and many, many more! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

Latest Read: Room

Here are the basics ...
Book: Room
Author: Emma Donoghue
Website: http://www.emmadonoghue.com/
Category: Fiction 

My thoughts ...

One sentence summary: Five-year-old Jack and his Ma live in one room - an 11x11 space where they are held prisoner by a man they refer to as Old Nick. 

The good:  The perspective of the entire book, which you as the reader know is a tragedy, is told in Jack's voice.  And he doesn't know his life is a tragedy.  For him, their room is a safe haven and all he's ever known.  It's a really interesting and eventually moving way to tell this story (once you get used to his narrating style).  

The bad: Jack as the narrator is what makes the book stand out.  But at the same time, it's what made the book really difficult for me to get into.  I had trouble getting through the first 40 pages or so (hence the lack of reviews lately) because I had to get used to his voice. You have to make sense of his thought process and how he views the world.  I also felt the detail of his daily life went on a little too long in the beginning. Looking back, it was probably necessary to describe.  But at the time, I kept waiting for things to pick up (which they did).  

Do I recommend?: If you're looking to read something out of your comfort zone; one that will really make you think - then yes, I do recommend it. 

Happy reading!

30 day photo challenge: days 17-21

Day 17: Memories

So many wonderful memories from my trip to London and Paris.

Day 18: Something New

I just got this necklace from Anthropologie over a week ago and
I've been wearing practically every day since.   

Day 19: Best Friend

I'm extremely lucky (and grateful) to have not one but THREE amazing best friends.  

Day 20: Seasonal

I'm more of a warm weather gal but my favorite thing about the cooler seasons 

is.. getting to wear boots :)

Day 21: Where You Sleep

View from my bed

See my other pictures here. 

Learn more about the photo challenge here. 

30 day photo challenge: days 14-16

Day 14: Movement

My little betta fish, Jace, swimming in his tank.  

Day 15: Technology

One of my favorite little gadgets is this Hello Kitty speaker.

Day 16: Animals

I was looking at Petfinder and came across this cutie.  

When I move out, I am definitely getting a dog. I will be very grateful

when that moment comes :)

See my other pictures here. 

Learn more about the photo challenge here. 

Life lately, according to my iPhone

coffee. cheese pizza from Singa's (my favorite pizza place since.. I could even eat pizza).
pancakes from Raymond's in Montclair, mine & Mary Ann's breakfast spot.

Sunday morning football with friends.

(Not-so-quietly) ranting

In the last year or so, I've had so many people tell me that:

I'm "so" quiet,
I have to be more vocal,
I should step out of my comfort zone, or
my personality type needs to be pushed in social situations..

I'm seriously starting to develop a complex.  Oh wait, I think already have.

I'm not saying that the things I've mentioned above don't have any truth to it.  They do.  I can be quiet and stubborn about knowing what's comfortable for me.  But lately I feel like people see these as negative traits about my personality when up until the couple of years or so, I've been pretty comfortable with who I am.  And now.. not so much.  I just get the impression that I'm being told what's wrong with me.  Who cares if I'm not the life of the party or if I'm not always the first person to start a conversation or that I have a soft-spoken nature.  I'm honest and I stand up for myself (and others) when it counts.  I know what's right for me.  I don't need anyone trying to tell me what to do - I own my decisions, my mistakes and who I am.

I've just been thinking about all of this for the last few days and it's bothering me more than I'd like to admit (so naturally, I'm spilling my feelings on my very public blog!).  Of course, I have my moments where I envy people that seem to always say the right thing.  But I'm probably never going to be like that and I don't want to not like me because of it.  When I do step out of my comfort zone, it'll be because I want to.  I want to take a risk or I've met a person who makes me want to open up.  Is that so wrong?

I don't know.  Maybe the reason why I'm so quiet these days is because I'm not sure if anyone is really listening to begin with.

30 day photo challenge: days 11-13

Day 11: Something Old

This is my stuffed animal, Comet, that I've had since I was 10 (and I still keep near my bed).

Day 12: Hands

A blurry, close-up look of my manicure.

Day 13: Written Words

A page from Anne of Green Gables, one of my favorite books.

See my other pictures here. 

Learn more about the photo challenge here. 

30 day photo challenge: days 8-10

Day 8: Favorite color

Purple!

Day 9: Inspiring Person

I've always looked to the people in my life for inspiration and I am lucky to be surrounded by a lot of amazing people.  But for this one, I decided to go with my older cousin, Ate Jannique.  I've seen her at work with her colleagues and patients - she's just so warm, bubbly and great at what she does (nursing). I wish that people I worked with looked at me with the same regard.

Day 10: Nature

A little bit of nature amidst all the concrete and cars.

See my other pictures here. 

Learn more about the photo challenge here. 

Currently Listening To {Work Mix}

I love creating playlists and finding songs to fit my current mood.  But I also love sharing music with people (which Amy & Roger's Epic Detour reminded me of), so here you go!

Beirut - Postcards from Italy

Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out

Rihanna - We Found Love

Birdy - Skinny Love

The Civil Wars - Poison & Wine

Young the Giant - I Got 

Jessie J - Domino

Florence + The Machine - Remain Nameless

Bon Iver - Perth 

College feat. Electric Youth - A Real Hero 

Amy Winehouse - Valerie (Acoustic) 

James Vincent McMorrow - We Don't Eat

Zee Avi - Concrete Wall

Vampire Weekend - I Stand Corrected

PS.  The video above will play all the songs in the playlist.

Latest Read: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

Here are the basics ...
Book: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
Author: Morgan Matson
Blog: http://www.morganmatson.com/MorganMatson/home.html
Category: Young Adult 

My thoughts ...

One sentence summary: Amy's life is falling apart and when her mother decides to move their family from California to Connecticut - she makes Amy drive across the country with childhood friend, Roger. 

The good: I loved the story and the way it was told.  Here's a girl who's lost so much and when her mother forces her to drive across the country with a childhood friend she barely remembers, the last thing she expects is to enjoy it much less find herself along the way.  It was both a physical and emotional journey that I thought the author captured beautifully. Plus the book includes pictures, scraps from the road (receipts, postcards) and best of all, playlists! (I'm listening to one now via YouTube.) It's a very straightforward plot but one that I really enjoyed.

The bad: No bad things to say. Maybe only that I wish I had the physical copy of the book since I think the scrapbook aspects of the book don't translate as well via my Nook.  But otherwise, nothing but praise for this one. 

Do I recommend?: Definitely. The more I read about the characters, the more I wanted them to find closure and happiness.  They're just these two people who've lost their way and are trying to find it and I think that's something everyone can relate to on some level.  


I normally don't do this but there was this one passage that really resonated with me when I read it: 

“Tomorrow will be better.” 

“But what if it’s not?” I asked. 

“Then you say it again tomorrow. Because it might be. You never know, right? At some point, tomorrow will be better.” 

Happy reading!

30 Day Photo Challenge: Days 5-7

Day 5: Morning Sky

It was beautiful and sunny this past Saturday morning. 

Day 6: Books

I love, love, love to read.

Day 7: Something Funny

I had a hard time finding a picture for this topic today.  Then I thought - Loren and I almost always find something funny to chat about during work.  So I took a picture of our IM :)  

See my other pictures here. 

Learn more about the photo challenge here. 

30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

I love taking photos on my iPhone and when I saw this photo challenge on Positively Present yesterday, I thought it would be a fun thing to participate in.  The idea is to take a photo each day based on the list above and to focus mostly on what you're grateful for.  (Read more about it here if you wanna join!)

I'm starting a few days late so I took the first four pictures today to catch up.

Day 1: Favorite Food

I love french fries - regular or sweet potato - I could probably eat these every day!

Day 2: Smile

The unexpected coffee cover made me smile this morning.  It's the little things!

Day 3: Happiness

Being with my bestest friends (Loren, we missed you!) 

Day 4: Leaves

Dinner with the cousins before Ate Jannique leaves for the Philippines. I had so much fun sitting around, laughing and talking. I love my family. 

Latest Read: Tiger's Voyage

Here are the basics ...
Books: Tiger's Voyage (Book #3 of Tiger's Curse series)
Author: Colleen Houck
Blog: http://www.tigerscursebook.com/blog
Category: Young Adult - Fantasy 

Note: This is the third book in the series, so if you haven't read the previous books - you might not want to read this.  But I'll try to keep things spoiler-free!

My thoughts ...

One sentence summary: Kelsey is still on her quest to break the 300-year-old Indian curse that's been placed upon Ren and Kishan (who are princes and brothers).  

The good: I read a lot of fantasy books and this series goes in a very unique direction.  Instead of employing the usual vampires / werewolves / faeries / angels mythology (which I enjoy too!), this story incorporates a lot of culture.  Particularly, Indian and Chinese culture.  There's also a lot of "classic" fairytale elements with the princes, a curse and going on a quest.  And of course the love triangle! Although I did find it more frustrating than enjoyable in this novel (but still well-written).

The bad:  Both Ren and Kishan are good guys that happen to be in love with the same girl - Kelsey.  They're also supposed to be very good-looking which the author reminds us of on every other page.  I mean she's a 17 year old girl on a magical quest to help them break this curse.  I get it - there's a lot of romantic moments, she's young, they're hot, whatever.  But do I really need to hear about their bronze chests all the time?  No.  I also don't like that Kelsey often says she's not pretty enough or good enough.  Her character is strong, smart, feisty and generous.  There's a lot to like about her.  But I hate the inferiority complex.

Do I recommend?: Yes.  I recommend the whole series. There are just some things to overlook (like what I mentioned in "the bad") but there's definitely a lot more good.  The whole series is a pageturner and I couldn't wait to find out what happened.  Of course I thought the series was a trilogy and it turns out I was wrong.  I'm gonna have to wait until summer 2012 for Book 4! 

Happy reading!

Latest Read: Matched

Here are the basics ...
Books: Matched (Book #1 of Matched Trilogy)
Author: Ally Condie
Blog: http://www.allysoncondie.com/
Category: Young Adult

My thoughts ...

One sentence summary: Cassia has grown up trusting the Society to make every decision for her - what to read, what to watch, what to believe and even who to marry - but that's all about to change.

The good: It was a really interesting premise and the author went into a lot of detail about the world she created.  What the society dictated, how people followed this new way of life and how certain people.. didn't.  And it was the people who didn't, the ones who found a way make their own choices that I think kept the story going.  

The bad:  The problem was, I just didn't care for the heroine.  Cassia felt really flat to me.  Even the story, despite all the detail, felt a little flat.  The people in Cassia's life - the two guys who would ultimately form the "love triangle" and her family - they were a lot more interesting to read about than she was.  Again the story had that prologue feeling.  That it was the beginning of something that might eventually get better.  

Do I recommend?: I'd have to say no on this one.  I didn't really like it and the story didn't pick up until the last 30 pages or so.  But the sequel does come out today so I might read it just to see it through to the end.  

Happy reading!