Sunday, October 23, 2011

The End



  1. Which hour was most daunting for you? 21-24
  2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Green Angel and Green Witch by Alice Hoffman. Quick to read and beautifully written!
  3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? More cheerleaders! Same as every year. The do really well the first 6-8 hours (which I was unable to participate in due to work) but after that their comments are few and far between.
  4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? Everything ran pretty smoothly.
  5. How many books did you read? Four and 1/2
  6. What were the names of the books you read? L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad, Green Angel and Green Witch by Alice Hoffman, Gilmore Girls "I Do, Don't I?" by Catherine Clark, Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors
  7. Which book did you enjoy most? Green Angel
  8. Which did you enjoy least? Gilmore Girls, ONLY because I have already seen every episode a million times so I wasn't reading anything new and it wasn't peaking my interest.
  9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? CHEER MORE!!!! I got maybe one or two cheers and that's it.
  10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? Without  a doubt, reader!
TIME FOR BED!!!!!! My boyfriend just got out of work so I get to enjoy a "goodnight" phone call from him in a few minutes! It was fun RATing with you all! Until next time! BOOKS = LOVE

One more hour

I can't believe its 7am already! Only one more hour to go. I definitely dozed off but the brownie sugar rush helped immensely for about 20 minutes! So the book I'm reading now is frustrating me. The main character is a junior in high school so she is what? 17? She's in one of those situations where she needs to do something but has no idea how, and then the opportunity presents itself and for some FRUSTRATINGLY unseen reason, she is not putting two and two together. Come on Suzanne Selfors... your character can not be THAT STUPID! Don't get me wrong, its a good book... it's just that, in real life, anybody in her situation would have figured it out by now. 


When is my last spurt of energy going to kick in? I've been dead tired for hours now and I don't see myself perking up for this next stretch. Just 60 more minutes Ash and then you can sleep until the cows come home. 



Currently Reading: Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors
Books Finished: 4
Gilmore Girls "I Do, Don't I?" by someone Clark
Green Witch by Alice Hoffman
Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
Pages Read: 104
Total Pages: 743
Hours Reading: Too many!
Snacks Consumed: Brownie

Boyfriend called for a few minutes while at work to make sure I was awake and reading. I pretended I was bright eyed and bushy tailed but he could see through my facade. You know who couldn't see through it? My mom... know why? She is dozing too!!!! Haha 

Ok my somewhat crazy ranting is over and back to my book for the last hour. For everyone out there who is still reading... great job and keep it up! We're almost done! 

Drastic Times

Okay, drastic sleepy times calls for drastic scary measures... if you are finding yourself falling asleep like I am... watch this video and turn the volume up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYX1O_W1eqA

or you can watch this music video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YxaaGgTQYM


Currently Reading: Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors
Books Finished: 4
Gilmore Girls "I Do, Don't I?" by someone Clark
Green Witch by Alice Hoffman
Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
Pages Read: 35
Total Pages: 639
Hours Reading: I lost count!
Snacks Consumed: Coffee

Hour 20!

Oh no! Its Hour 20! Only 4 more to go!!! That is so sad, but at the same time, I want to sleep sooooo badly right now!

Finished Gilmore Girls, laughed the whole way through and vowed to start watching the dvds that David bought me all the way through, for the third time.


Currently Reading: Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors
Books Finished: 4
Gilmore Girls "I Do, Don't I?" by someone Clark
Green Witch by Alice Hoffman
Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
Pages Read: 85
Total Pages: 604
Hours Reading: I lost count!
Snacks Consumed: Homemade Nachos!


I'm starting to get sleepy. My eyelids are getting heavy. HELP ME! Only 4 and a half more hours to go!

Hours late and later

It's 1 something in the morning and I am WIRED!! What is going on? Why am I not tired? Hey, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining... just confused! I'm usually in bed by 10pm every night. Mom on the other hand,.. her book keeps drooping and her eyelids keep fluttering but she swears she is not falling asleep... we need a pick me up! Any suggestions?


Currently Reading: Gilmore Girls "I Do, Don't I?" by someone Clark

Books Finished: Green Witch by Alice Hoffman
Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
Pages Read: 94
Total Pages: 519
Hours Reading: a lot
Snacks Consumed: Oreos and Milk!

















That's for Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic
While I adore the show, Gilmore Girls, I'm not loving the book... only because it is exactly the same as the show. Watching the same episode over and over makes for good entertainment... but reading an episode that you've already seen a million times is kind of repetitive and redundant, that's repetitive and redundant. (Anyone who does not share my addiction for the show wont get that last part). However it makes for quick easy reading, and the dialogue is still hilarious. Pretty sure my loud bursts of laughter is what's keeping mom awake at this point. That and I seem to have a habit of making noise with my book while I read. Whether its flipping pages under my fingernail or tapping the spine... I can't help myself! 

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Hours 15 & 16


I can't believe its almost midnight already! Where did the time go?!?! I'm barely tired. I slid into a laying position while on the couch and my mom frantically texted a fellow RAT friend (Jen@Random) to send me a wake up text. She sent me this picture....

Because my mom threatened to toothpick my eyes open if I fell asleep like I did last RAT. So nice of them huh? Way to gang up on me guys! JK you know I love you both!

So anyway, here is my progress


Currently Reading: Green Witch by Alice Hoffman (one chapter left)
Books Finished: Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
Pages Read: 123
Total Pages: 425
Hours Reading: 6ish I'm having a hard time keeping track of this... apparently telling time is getting more difficult as the night progresses.

The Green Witch is not moving me quite as emotionally as the Green Angel did. No tears anyway. But there are so many profound quotes that I have been writing down for further contemplation when my brain can function during normal waking hours. Hard to say which book I enjoyed more... I give Green Witch 5 (hundred) stars too!

OMG my mom just brought out the OREOS!!!! Be still my taste buds! 

Hours 13 &14

Finished another book. Green Angel which moved me to tears. When I finished the last page and closed the book I just sat a moment in silence, taking in the depth of what I had just read. My mom asked me what I thought and I couldn't even answer her. It's not what she says, it's what you know she is feeling and what she understands. Must read. 5 (hundred) stars.


Currently Reading: Green Witch by Alice Hoffman
Books Finished: Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
Pages Read: 84
Total Pages: 302
Hours Reading: 4.5
I took a 15 minute break to talk to my boyfriend before he went to work. (He works overnight, poor thing) He wishes us all luck as we forge ahead into the night! Here's a picture of his cuteness... the gotee is new, I like!



Mid-Event Survey: 


  1. What are you reading right now? I just finished Green Angel and will be starting Green Witch, both by Alice Hoffman
  2. How many books have you read so far? Two, but in all fairness I've only been reading for about 5 hours!
  3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?  Gilmore Girls just because I am hopelessly addicted to that show, but I can't wait to read all of my books!
  4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? I attempted to get two days off but they only gave me one so I started 8 hours late :(
  5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? I dreamed about reading while I worked.
  6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? I'm saddened at the lack of comments. It seems that the cheerleaders are getting fewer and far between every RAT.
  7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Nope! I love it!
  8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? I don't know if I would do anything differently other than not work. I have learned from mistakes from previous RATs so I'm doing pretty good so far!
  9. Are you getting tired yet? Nope.  I yawned a few times but remedied that with some coffee and now I'm wired and rearing to go!
  10. 10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? Readers, read a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat so you can't possibly fall asleep, or read with a friend or a family member. I do the RAT with my mom at her house and we keep each other awake... especially with those EXTRA LOUD SNEEZES I keep hearing from the computer room  right now as she blogs. 
That's all for now... happy reading!

Halfway point!

We're on hour 12 already! So sad how time flies when your nose is deep in the pages of another world. Finished L.A. Candy and all I can say about it, without giving anything away, is this: dirty, rotten, skanky, fame seeking, lying, manipulating, whore! There... got it out of my system! Read the book, it's worth it!

On to my next book, Green Angel, suggested to me by my mother. This book is beautiful inside and out! The exquisite cover is just as enchanting as the poetic story that unfolds between it.



Currently Reading: Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
Books Finished: L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
Pages Read: 62
Total Pages: 218
Hours Reading: 3.5
Snacks Consumed: Cheese & Crackers and Coffee
  

Hours 10 & 11


Love love love the wake up video for hour 10. I love black eyed peas and secretly aspire to marry Will.I.Am someday!

Currently Reading: L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
Pages Read: 68

Total Pages: 125
Snacks Consumed: Trail mix
Hours Reading: 2.5



I'm getting a headache and keep yawing! What am I going to do when it gets well into the night?!?! Mom please don't toothpick my eyes! I saw oreos on my mom's list of snacks... I wonder when we will be breaking those out... soon I hope! 


Mini Challenge: Book Trailer hosted by Quirky Girls Read

This is a book I am dying to read!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m8F8MDN1J6N6S/ref=ent_fb_link

See you in a few!

Summing up hour 9 (hour 1 for me)

Ok... so I won't be posting every two hours... what can I say, I'm addicted! :)

Currently Reading: L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
Pages Read: 57
Snacks Consumed: Sushi!
Hours Reading: 1

Loving this book so far. It's about two girls who get asked to star in a reality show about their lives. It really brings to light how much reality is actually involved with reality shows. Considering the author Lauren Conrad is L.C. from reality shows Laguna Beach and The Hills, I'm assuming this is a representation of what her film career was like.

It begins!



I am going to do two hours at a time this year so I don't spend too much time blogging when I should be reading. Since I started 8 hours late (due to work), I don't have time to waste!

Here is a picture of the books I will be reading... (starting with L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad)



Here is the snack I will be munching...



Here is the company I will be enjoying...

I will get back to you in two hours!

Friday, October 21, 2011

RAT TOMORROW!

Tomorrow!!! It's finally here! I have my stack of books ready (picture will come tomorrow)! The only problem... I didn't get Saturday off from work... = ( but I did get sunday, so I'll just have to start at 4pm instead of 8am. Sorry everyone, I will be there with you in spirit! At least I will be participating for the overnight stretch to keep my mom awake! We do the read-a-thon together at her house every year! Comfy clothes, yummy snacks and each other for company, with book in hand we are ready to READ READ READ! See you all tomorrow!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

READ-A-THON!!

It's coming! It's coming! It's coming!!! (My mother must be so relieved that I get this excited about a weekend that you stay up all night... reading. You raised me right mama!) 

So the RAT starts Saturday, October 22nd! Sign up by clicking the pic below if you haven't already!


I even asked for the weekend off so I can participate fully! I already have a few books picked out, along with the mountain of books my mom picks out for me! She always overestimates my reading abilities! I'll be posting a picture of my stack of books once I get them all rounded up! Until then... SIGN UP AND STACK THOSE BOOKS BABY!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen


Annabel Greene is the girl who has everything. At least that’s who she plays in the commercial for Kopf’s Department Store: top student, popular cheerleader, dazzling prom queen surrounded by friends. In real life, though, Annabel is the girl who has nothing: no best friend since her friendship with mean-but-exciting Sophie has ended  with malicious rumors flying, no peace at home while her older sister’s eating disorder preoccupies the family, and no ability to tell anyone what’s on her mind.
And then she meets Owen Armstrong - intense, obsessed with music, and determined to always tell the truth, no matter what the consequences. Can a girl who hates confrontation find a way to connect with a guy who thrives on it? And can Annabel find the courage to tell what really happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends? 


At first glance this book is just another teen saga of the ins and outs of high school drama. However, as the story unfolds you soon begin to suspect that what Annabel is withholding from everyone around her is something entirely too life altering for anyone to have to deal with in high school let alone adulthood. With a perfect balance of a troubled home and a horrifying school life, Annabel represents a great number of teens who find it easier to withdraw and suffer silently rather than expose themselves and admit what they are dealing with.
Only a few pages into the book I found myself sympathizing with Annabel, cheering her on to find the courage to face the world she calls home. When Owen entered the scene, I instantly fell in love with him. I sat at the edge of my seat, wondering if their friendship would evolve into more. Would Owen influence Annabel to tell the truth and face confrontation? Would he find out what she went through and be there to support her or would he abandon her when she needs him most, as did everyone else she knew? Most importantly, would the world accept Annabel’s story as truth if she chooses to tell it?
I recommend this book for any girl from adolescence to adulthood. The only aspect of Sarah Dessen’s writing that I did not particularly care for, is when that moment you were waiting so anxiously for finally presented itself, she skipped to the next day and retold the events of the day before as a memory or an afterthought instead of allowing us to live it, in the moment, juicy detail after juicy detail. Other than that, this book was a keeper for me!

Friday, June 10, 2011

Awarded!

Aww! My friend over at At Random awarded my blog! Thanks girl!

How the Award works:

  • Thank and link to the person who nominated you.
  • Share seven random facts about yourself.
  • Pass the award along to 15 deserving blog buddies.
  • Contact those buddies to congratulate them.

7 Random Facts:

1. I work with elderly people with Alzheimer's and Dementia at an assisted living home. I absolutely love the job and I've gotten so attached to so many of the residents! The stories they share with me and the moments we have together brings tears to my eyes and a smile to my lips every day! No matter how bad of a day I could possibly be having, one "I love you" from a resident will make it all worth it in the end!

2. I have three guppy fish in a 2 gallon tank. Their names are Troy Polamalu, Miles Austin, and Chad Ochocinco (David named the last two) if you haven't figured it out, they are all football players. Troy's colors are black and yellow = Steelers (My team) Miles' colors are blue and white = Cowboys (David's team). And David thought it would be funny to have the third fish, Ochocinco, who's colors are orange and yellow, be from the Steeler's rivalry team = Bangles. I guess since he bought the fish for me, I had to let him have his way... We also bought them a little football to sit on the bottom of the tank and they LOVE it! They are always gathered near it or chasing each other around it. They're quite adorable as far as fish go. I also have a Beta fish that my ex-boyfriend bought me, which David lovingly refers to as the step-child. His name is aurora. 

3. I have the constellation Cassiopeia in freckles on my left thigh! The Queen Cassiopeia, is from Greek Mythology. She was the wife of king Cepheus of Ethiopia and was beautiful but also arrogant and vain which eventually led to her downfall. Her name in Greek is Κασσιόπη, which means "she whose words excel". That's always the first constellation I look for in the sky!

4. I have an earring and flip flop addiction! In my oppinion, they are both two things you can never have enough of! As far as earrings go, the bigger and flashier, the better! I must have at least one pair of flip flops in every color, but preferably two in each color (one casual and one dressy!)

5. I am a Christian and God is not just an aspect of my life but rather the compass by which I live! I grew up going to church, sunday school and youth group. I went to a Christian school, Bible college for Youth Ministry, and also interned with a youth group for a year as an assistant leader, and now I am going to a fabulous church about 5 minutes from my house! I am involved with the sound ministry (running the sound board during church), the worship team (singing the praise and worship songs before the service), a private Bible study (about 5 or 6 women, we each take turns every week leading the study) and the youth group. 

6. The only way I remember what my real hair color is, is by looking at the roots when they start to grow in. Ever since about 8th grade, I've been dying my hair. Red, blond, different shades of brown, and just recently dark dark dark brown (almost black). I think my next color is going to be the closest I can find to my natural color so I can see what God intended me to look like. (maybe)

7. My mom is my best friend. She always has been. We never went through that 'angsty teenager who hates her mom' stage. Sure, we've fought, but I have always been close to her. She is my inspiration in life, she is the voice in my head when I don't know what to do. She is what I aspire to be. If I could be half the woman my mom is, I would be satisfied. Everything I am, I owe to her. Like I said today when she told me I owe her for a favor she is doing for me, "Mom, I owe my whole life to you." She even taught me how to book blog, check out hers Wall to Wall Books! Mom I love you!

My awarded 15 bloggers

Sunday, May 29, 2011

So You Think You Can Dance


Summer is here and with it comes the greatest dance competition on television to date! So You Think You Can Dance season 8! The long awaited, 2 hour season premier showcased auditions in Atlanta and San Francisco. If you’re new to the show here’s how it works: contestants dance before judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy (who returned after last season’s hiatus while dealing with cancer) and guest judges/choreographers such as Lil’C, Tyce Dioro and Toni Redpath. If the dancer is bad they are cut,. If the judges see potential but are not sure if the contestant has what it takes, they move on to the choreography round where the contestant is challenged with a style of dance outside their comfort zone. If the contestant has unquestionable talent and technique they immediately get a ticket to Las Vegas where hundreds of dancers will be judged and cut again and again until there are only 20.

The night seemed to be off to a good start. In fact, after sending ten contestants in a row straight to Vegas, Nigel Lithgoe, executive producer, said the turnout was "obnoxiously incredible." However, as all good things do, their luck came to an end. After several bad… very, very bad… auditions Tyce Dioro had to resort to “cup humor” to distract him from the lack of talent, with reactions such as, “That was one big hot cup of vomit” and “That was a grande' cup of not so good.” It seems that Tyce, though good looking, only has one unit with which to measure talent. There’s cups, and then there’s… cups.

(I may have a small crush on him) Okay... so it's not so small! But come on! Can you blame me?

Lil’C, hip-hop choreographer, is known for his philosophical prose that often times generate a good laugh but sometimes leave everyone in bewilderment. For example, when Melanie Moore took the stage she brought a whole new meaning to the word “flawless.” She danced like an angel with moves that made me gasp in awe. Or as Lil’C put it, “I think that Zeus himself would invite you to come dance on Olympus.” Melanie certainly deserved such a high level of praise, I will be rooting for her in Las Vegas.

One thing I really like about this show is that it’s not dance style specific. Contestants can enter the competition with a solo piece ranging from ballroom to street dancing. In fact, during the middle of the show it seemed that the judges favored the street dancers who got sent straight to Las Vegas, over some of the seemingly more talented contestants who for some reason had to prove their worth in choreography first. With auditions for hip-hop, contemporary, krunk and street dancing you see moves you didn’t think the body could endure. One contestant slid across the entire length of the stage on his head! OUCH!

One thing is for sure, it was two hours of pure enjoyment for my mother and I. I have been waiting a whole year for this show to begin again and boy was it worth the wait! I can’t imagine what is in store for us this season! Keep watching, and if you don’t… START! Once the show is past the initial auditions and gets down the the choreography for the 20 finalists, they will move in ways that will make you laugh one minute and cry the next. Each dancer dancing with such a passion that brings the story behind the choreography to live. Here are some links to some of my personal favorite dances from previous years.


Dreaming with a Broken Heart - Twitch and Kherington

Mercy - Katee and Twitch

The Garden - Mark and Courtney

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Gossip Girl by Cecily con Ziegesar


“Sex and the City for the younger set.” - Teen People

“Deliciously catty and immediately engrossing.” - Kirkus

“A nasty, guilty pleasure. The book has the effect of gossip itself - once you enter, its hard to extract yourself.” - Publishers Weekly

Before starting Gossip Girl, I had just finished re-watching (for the third time) Gilmore Girls seasons 1-7  on DVD. The show revolves around single mother Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel). Having committed the unforgivable sin of getting pregnant at 16, Lorelai flees home, leaving behind a life of unmet upper-class expectations. She was running from the silver-spoon in mouth concept only to find herself entering her daughter into a world of just that through private school and Friday night dinners with her eternally disapproving grandparents . The plot is focused on Lorelai and Rory’s struggle to prove that you don’t have to come from wealth to make a difference and  their fight against trust fund kids, cotillions, etiquette classes, and all things privileged.

Gossip Girl, however, derives its plot from the very life that Lorelai and Rory fought so hard to rebel against. Set in New York City, main characters Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen embrace their privileged teen hood, and their endless supply of daddy’s money, with no morals behind their frivolous lifestyle. At first I despised the self entitled “poor little rich kids” and their following of admirers who wished to be them but never would. I found myself reading page after page only to be able to say I finished it and also to further criticize the fantasy of throwing caution to the wind, consequences be damned. However, as I got deeper into the book and allowed my heart to soften for the characters and their background stories, I found myself turning the pages with an ease that soon turned into an addiction.

Blair Waldorf is shallow and her boyfriend Nate, though hot, would rather get stoned than pay attention to her never ending list of needs.  Throughout the course of their relationship, Blair has held onto her virginity, not for a sense of purity but as a tease to keep Nate intrigued. Blair finally decides tonight is the night only to find out that her former best friend (Nate’s secret lover)  has returned to NYC after getting kicked out of boarding school in New Hampshire.  Blair’s newfound hatred for Serena only deepens as the two battle for Nate’s affection. Rumors run wild of exactly why Serena got kicked out and her reputation is ruined as she unsuccessfully tries to meld back into her old clique. Expensive booze and illegal drugs come easy to minors and are overlooked by the adults as long as no one makes a scene. Sex is just as common a past time as shopping for designer clothes, or in Blair’s case shop lifting. Do these teen’s scandalous life choices come back to bite them? Will Nate stay with Blair and allow her to consummate the relationship or will he return to his true love Serena,? Or maybe there is someone else in the cards for him.

I recommend this book but only if you are in the mood for mindless entertainment. No offense to Cecily von Ziegesar, but if you are looking for a thought provoker this series is not for you. If you are the type of person that will judge the characters, get frustrated when they choose their own selfish desires despite better judgment, and secretly hope that they all grow a conscience and donate money to world peace, then please don’t even glance at the cover much less read what’s inside. However, if you are looking for a book that allows you to let go and enter into a life that, though stereotypical, will inevitably take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, dirty language and thoroughly scandalous gossip, then by all means read on!