For Love of a Book: Part One

I have always (okay, maybe not always) loved reading, and my

old love has made a recent resurgence.

I had a couple bumps along the reading road lately

(to be described in detail at a later time)

and then I stumbled upon this classic sitting

unassumingly on my bookcase and it has been like a safe haven in the

windy sea of literature. I know.

Dramatic.

But I am in looooove.

And, okay, I haven't even finished it yet, though I will soon,

but I've seen enough BBC renditions of this baby

to know I will be like how it ends.

I almost can't wait to get to work so I can read a few more chapters

before my little charge wakes up.

It's Monday. But never fear,

there's only a few more days until next Saturday.

Happy weeks to all!

Have you made any booky friends lately?

<

Saturday Snipets: Almost

Turns out I don't really have snipets today, just snipet - singular. And that is this:

I was planning on sharing that I had decided to get to work on my Charles Dickens collection by reading A Tale of Two Cities. You would have been so proud. Alas, I am in about 4 1/2 chapters and I pysically cannot stand to read another word. I was going to move through it like a trooper, because I felt a tremendous amount of guilt. But no more. I'm telling myself I'll come back to it someday. And those great classic novels are still sneering at me from my bookshelf. But life is too short for reading boring, British books. Sorry Charles, it's nothing personal.

Go ahead...judge me, it's worth it :)

Snipets: All About June Edition

In light of the recent negligence, here's a mid-week snipet, full of little known facts about me! I know, I can hear the excitement from here.....

1. I arrange my groceries a very certain order on the conveyor belt at the cash register so that they are bagged in a particular way. You know, like snacks, etc. Here's the thing - they NEVER ring it up in the order I put it in! I know.....I'm a little bit of a control freak.

2. I constantly find myself in what I call the "fridge catch-22" it goes something like this: I have this serious phobia of spoiled food, coupled with an out of control gag relax which results in a problem when cleaning out old food from the fridge. The catch comes when I delay the process for fear of spoiled smells, and then I let it sit there until it becomes a self-fulfilled prophecy of disgust! I currently have a tupperware of old spaghetti and a pyrex of tomato soup in my fridge, and - don't judge me - I don't remember when I put them in there. I just can't bring myself to open them!

3. I've never read a single Charles Dickens book. I'm sure this doesn't sound like a huge deal to most of you, but, until recently, I was a pompous English major. Plus, I own like five. They're just sitting there on the shelf, staring at me, judging me.

Well, I'm sure you're just dying for more, but I have to go to work. Have good rest of the week, and I promise to be back to report on my recent national travels!

Saturday Snipets

This is the first time I can remember that I don't really feel like blogging, but I promised a Saturday series, and by golly, I am going to deliver ;)

1. Today was my 4-year-old nephew's birthday party. I just have one question: are little boys born with some intrinsic video-gaming gene? Because, let me tell you, and trust me when I tell you I am not underrating my ability - he pretty much beat me to a pulp on Mario Brothers......and he can't even count higher than 10. Am I just that bad at video games? Anyway, I would like to think there is something more to this phenomenon than simply my inability.

2. You are talking to (er.......reading from?) a new woman. As of Friday, I am free from all obligations scholastic! I am thrill to be able to spend my summer reading, and cooking, and writing without worrying about turning in homework on time!

3. Speaking of summer reading, any suggestions? It occurred to be the other day that my personal library is not as large as I like to think, so I will be getting my first library card in 5 years (gulp) and making good use of it. I already have a few things in mind, but....what do you think?

Well, I am sorry, but that is all I have right now. More next week, I am sure :)

Yes, I Know It's The 12th

Though I'm not a general believer in New Year's resolutions I am a firm believer in self-improvement. Sometimes self-imprvement is like stepping into a vat of ice water, but hey, it's good for you (the improvement, not the ice water) And so, as ambitious as this list has gotten, here are a few thoughts for my new year.....

1. Get my wedding album developed - It's been almost a year for goodness sake

2. Develop an organization/cleaning schedule, and stick to it - No matter how tired I am after work

3. Pick 12 deserving books from my over-crowded shelves and actually read them

4. Write to my Meme every-other Friday

5. Purge my wardrobe and other formerly-beloved things that could use a better home - As well as recirculate and put to god use the things I can't live without

6. Have a Yard Sale - That stuff's got to go somewhere

7. Set up my guestroom and put it to proper use at least once this year - It is currently serving as the scary room full of misplaced junk that you see on shows like "Clean House"

8. Become an expert on Irish history and culture - For a third generation immigrant, obsessed about her roots, I know embarrassingly little about the beautiful county I (partially) came from

9. Cook or Bake one new thing a week - Topping the list are homemade pasta, chocolate mouse, and pork chops

10. Lose 5 pounds - or tone it but it's got to go somewhere, by exercising portion control and..just exercising

11. Put things away when I am done with them - sounds elementary, I know, but when your parents tell you it's an important habit to get into before you grow up, they are not kidding!

12. Master the art of extreme couponing

13. Decrease my sugar intake - Possibly the hardest since I'm such a sweet tooth, but I'm starting small, with my morning coffee

14. Drink more water and start drinking green tea - my skin needs a little more love

15. Become a better student and a better teacher by remaining organized - as well as getting of my you-know-what and getting stuff done

16. Get my rings cleaned once every six months

And possibly the most important...

17. Talk less and listen more!

Sure, I've lost almost two weeks headstart, but better late than never. Wish me luck!