Paper Towns

So, like, I'm pretty much super-student.

I have a busy ass schedule. I'm a full time student, I work two jobs, I volunteer a few hours a week, AND I DRIVE ALL OVER THE DAMN PLACE TO GET EVERYWHERE.

Those are things I have to do. The following are things I still miraculously find time to do:

-Go to the gym three days a week (like, OMG, that's impressive considering RUNNING SUCKS)
-Do all the assigned (yet completely unnecessary) textbook readings for my classes that "ain't nobody got time for"
-Go to most of the not-required-of-me Speech tournaments to support those angsty teens (and basically live vicariously through them when they earn lots of shiny ribbons/medals/trophies)
-READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For fun!

I have just finished my fifth book of 2013, Paper Towns by John Green, and I am so totally on track for my goal of 30 this year.

It was pretty good and John Green-ish. I mean, it was more teenagery than TFiOS, which annoyed me at times. In fact, a lot of the middle was annoying basically because I feel like he was making gooshy themes/lessons superobvious and spoon feeding them to me. I do not want to be spoon fed those types of things while I'm reading. I just want the feel them, you know?

But. BUT. The ending, as always in John Green style, was wonderful. I actually enjoy reading about teen characters that aren't sucky and bratty all the time because, guys, they exist in real life.

Anyway, the moral of the story is that I pretty much rock at balancing my life, but one area of my life that is a GHOST TOWN at the moment (like, I won't even use the word lacking because it's nonexistent) is my social life. NO SOCIAL LIFE WHATSOEVER. That needs to change because I have a feeling that the older I get, the more difficult this will be. I think I am already an old lady at heart.

#4... Strong start!

I am proud to report that, upon the end of month #1, I've plowed through book #4. Although I still have many months to stay on this track, I'm glad I've found time for leisure reading. Which is no small feat considering the fact that I'm two weeks into my LAST semester at the University of Minnesota.

Anyway, the fourth book I've read in 2013 is one that most people have read for school, but I never did.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

It was pretty good. I didn't realize how long Christopher McCandless spent "living off the land." Pretty impressive and I could/would never do it. I hate nature. Also the cold. It wasn't amazing or my favorite book of all time by no means, but it was definitely worth reading.

Other things I have impressively accomplished in the past two weeks:

1. Actually completing all the assigned textbook readings on schedule. The classes in my major are notorious for useless required textbooks that never actually help you when it comes to the tests. The professors literally say that they will not test you on the information in the textbook and that all questions will be based solely on lecture. Is this a motivator for taking the time to read the textbooks? No way. I still don't think it's necessary. But I guess I decided that it can't actually HURT and that one extra repetition of the intake of information might actually cause a small boost when it comes to testing time. And let's face it, I don't always give lectures my undivided attention anyway. We'll see if I follow through.

2. Discovering my own speech coaching strategies. No matter how involved you've been with high school speech/debate, there's always a learning curve involved when you start coaching. It takes a couple years to figure out what works for you and what makes the kids better. I've come to a place where every practice seems really productive and it's showing in their performances, which is cool to see.

3. Getting a gym membership and GOING TO THE GYM. This is probably my best recent accomplishment. I went three days in a row this week! I hate running... hate it. But I've actually come to enjoy going to the gym because it's the one part of the day that I get to have "me time." Also, I'm totally doing the Color Run, so I clearly need to get in shape.

#3

After finally having finished and submitted my graduate school applications, I finished my third book this year.

Considering the awesomeness that is TFiOS, Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan was completely mediocre.

Cool writing style, as always, relatively cool characters, and it has it's cool moments.

But.

The story was BORING. And the ending was ridiculously cheesy. A ton of Will Graysons telling Tiny they appreciate him? Come on! Unlike some other Green titles, this one was just WAY too young adult.

You've done better, Mr. Green.

Books and Brothers

So it's halfway through January and I've already finished book #2, so it's looking pretty promising thus far. I just love having the time to read, and it helps that this one was good.

I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, by the way. It was actually amazing. I would probably give it like 4.5 stars. Which is a lot for me. It might be in my top ten. What was really interesting, was that it kind of reminded me of a deeper, modern-day Catcher in the Rye.

The kid, Charlie, is so likable, lovable actually, I would say. He likes a lot of cool books and movies, and loves listening to records and making mixed tapes for people. He hangs out with a lot of cool, really great people. Not to mention he has a really mature view of the world. I love when I read a book and feel like I would be friends with the protagonist if he/she was real.

Also, there were a few shockers. And it ended absolutely beautifully. Now I have to see the movie, which, undoubtedly, will pale in comparison to the book, since I read the book first and everything.

My weekend was nice, not just because of the awesome book. My brother and I are fighting less and less frequently and he's turning into a pretty cool kid (though he certainly has his teenagery, douchey moments). The thing though, is that he doesn't read. He's very uncool like that. Also, he never wants to hang out with me, which is normally fine, but sometimes isn't.

This weekend, my brother asked me two things:

"What book should I read?" and

"Do you wanna go ice skating with me?"

Okay, so he asked about the book because he had to read something for his English class, but it was fun finding a book he'd enjoy. I told him to read The Fault in Our Stars which is one of the greatest books of all time, in my opinion.

He started reading it, while I was reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and it was kind of a cool moment. He was apparently 17 pages in and he said, "I'm kind of interested in this book," which made me smile and which is also when he asked if I wanted to go ice skating with him. It was nice that he wanted to do something with me so we went and it was fun. Yay, brothers. :)

The Casual Vacancy

The first book of 2013 is hereby completed!

This morning, I finished The Casual Vacancy by the brilliant J.K. Rowling. This was the first ebook I purchased on my new Kindle Fire HD that I got for Christmas and I bought it with high hopes.

I'm really disappointed that it didn't meet my expectations or live up to the legendary Harry Potter series. It's possible that, had it been written by another author, I would have been more impressed. But, because of everyone's high expectations, I kind of feel indifferent about it.

It was alright. A million characters and tons of plots and storylines to keep track of. It was hard to get through the first half. The second half was much better, but I still did not mind putting it down... 

Three stars. Sorry, Jo.

In other news: CAN I BE DONE WITH GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATIONS YET? MY GOSH.

Locks of Love

Today I crossed off a very fun/big/important item on my bucket list: "donate hair to Locks of Love."

Which meant I had to say goodbye to a lot... a LOT... of hair! I was kind of terrified. But not terrified enough to not do it, which was good. And the lady who cut it was so nice! It really was a fun experience.

Before:

It's already weird looking at these photos and seeing
how much hair I had!

.... HAIR EVERYWHERE.

During:

I love this picture! The best part was the
ceremonious cutting of the ponytail. :)

After:

Hopefully this means taming "the beast"
will be less of a chore...

This photo is Awkward Town, USA and bad,
but there you have it: short hair and stuff. AND CURLS.

This was really an awesome experience and I'm glad I did it! Yay for Locks of Love and crossing off bucket list items!

Best and Worst Books of 2012

I forgot that, a year ago, I had the intentions of making a best/worst book list at year's end. So here we have it.

I'll start with the worst, so that we can end on a high note.

WORST BOOKS OF 2012*

5. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

I had to put this one on the 5 worst list mostly because of its lack of content. Like I originally said, the first chapter was great, but it just wasn't funny past that. Also, it just dragged on and got boring to read.

4. Becoming Sister Wives by Kody, Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn Brown

I also had to include this one on the naughty list merely because the writing sucked. I mean, it's to be expected: these people are not writers. Also, I got a lot out of it, but it didn't reveal much more than is revealed on their TLC show.

3. Mockingjay- Suzanne Collins

This was a really disappointing end to the series. The story was comparatively boring and the world of Panem continued to be under-described. Ms. Collins, take a page out of Jo's book (pun intended).

2. The Girl Who Played with Fire- Stieg Larsson

I was NOT a fan of the second book in this series. In fact, I was so much not a fan, that I refuse to read the third one. Just too much going on, I guess. And too many mundane details.

1. The Pilot's Wife- Anita Shreve

This one was BY FAR the WORST book of the year, perhaps the worst I've ever read. Cheesy, boring, shallow, terrible writing, etc. If I happen to notice another book by this yahoo, I will laugh. Out loud.

BEST BOOKS OF 2012*

5. The Catcher in the Rye- J.D. Salinger

This one kept me laughing and kept me reading, even though nothing super compelling happened. It was thought-provoking, however, so it deserves 5th place!

4. Expecting Adam- Martha Beck

Reading this one was kind of a spiritual experience and also made me rethink what we're taught when we're part of a university. I generally believe I have a good quality education, but Beck sheds light on what really matters and that there's more to life than what you learn from professors.

3. Fahrenheit 451- Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 is brilliant. Bradbury was one smart dude. He predicted, sometimes metaphorically and sometimes literally, many major flaws with today's society. My mind was blown. Round of applause for Mr. Ray Bradbury, may he rest in peace.

2. Sarah's Key- Tatiana de Rosnay

This story is beautiful and it was beautifully written. First of all, I didn't even know about this part of World War II. Second, it totally tugged on my heartstrings, always a plus. I don't think this one is very well known, but I highly recommend it. 

1. The Fault in Our Stars- John Green

Okay, I'm pretty sure I read this masterpiece in two settings and sobbed intermittently. John Green is one awesome dude. What's even better is that he doesn't underestimate a teenager's ability to take in deep subject matter, and he doesn't limit his readership (many adults love it too!). Very very powerful read and I recommend it to anybody and everybody. Congratulations, Mr. Green-- your novel has rightly earned 1st place in best books of 2012!

*Note: I am not including books I'd already read prior to 2012, for obvious reasons.