Engine 2 March

Starting tomorrow will be the next resolution - Engine 2 March. I will be attempting the Engine 2 Diet 28-day Challenge. It sounds pretty intense. Here's a link to the site for you curious folk: Engine 2

Here's the run down:
Week 1 - Cut dairy and white processed foods from diet
Week 2 - Cut meat (this includes egg)
Week 3 - Cut all oils
Week 4 - Tough it out

So by the third week I won't be able to eat dairy, meat or oil....and the book also mentions to cut caffeine...sigh. One thing's for sure, though - I will definitely be healthier and most likely smaller by the end of the month. Wish me luck!

Was I really the last?

This month I switched all my bills to online banking. Was that the sound of your jaw hitting the floor? I know, I'm practically the last of my generation. I kind of like getting mail (even if it's a bill) and writing checks (even if it's money our of my pocket) and buying stamps (even if they're the most expensive piece of sticky paper on the planet). Call me old fashioned, but that whole process, although much more tedious, isn't something I mind doing. For the sake of efficiency, though, I will join the rest of the world. It's sometimes easier to move forward than backwards...God save the company that screws up my first online payment...

Get Organized! February....or not...

Ugh...so I'll just come out and say it....this month's resolution - Get Organized! February - big, big fail. I got most of my personal paperwork in order but I am a total slob when it comes to continuous cleaning. My kitchen looked pretty good most of the time but every day before work I would throw clothes around and create huge shirt piles. And the stuff! I have a lot of....well, stuff. Books, clothes, trinkets....point is, February was not a successful resolution. I haven't thought of penalties or re-do's or if I should just resign it to history, but I'll think about it. March is Engine 2 March. Be ready.

Need (Need Series #1) by Carrie Jones

 

• ISBN-13: 9781599904535
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
• Publication date: 12/8/2009
• Pages: 336
• Series:Need Series, #1

 

Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She cou...moreSummary

Summary

Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you'd have to fear.

 

Review

I kind of knew what I was getting in to when I checked this book out - paranormal romance YA style - and there were some major pros and cons. To start with, the plot was pretty unoriginal; after a tragic event, a girl moves to a desolate area to cope and falls in love with a guy of a different fantastical species. Oh, and there's a protagonist hot guy and stuck up girl to throw in the mix. I've been into fey lately, so that was a plus - check out Patricia Briggs or Julia Kagawa. And the stalker! Did NOT see that development coming. Not immediately anyway. Zara is pretty slow at piecing things together, even more that I am. She is quite a self-sacrificing main character but I don't think it's so much intentional as not thinking before acting. Sigh...it's bad when you get flustered at a book (image of someone yelling in a theater, "Don't go outside! You know he's waiting for you behind that bush! Oh, heavens, she went outside....stupid girl...")

 

With all my ragging, I still enjoyed this book, but it was a little slow in development. I like the phobia thing, too. It's pretty crazy how many are actually named - phonophobia: fear of voices or noises.....really?! It's worth checking out if you have a lazy day or into Twilight or Linger scenarios.

 

Rating: 3/5 

"Crazy Girl" by Eli Young Band

Lovely Library....mildly jealous.

Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least. 

~Goethe

Get Organized! February Week 1

If you looked at my place, you would not think I was very product - it still looks like a clothes and junk war took place in my living room and bedroom - but I divided areas to clean each day and set aside time in my schedule to actually 'DO.' That's the hardest part: Doing. All clothes not hanging I chunked in my closet and shut the door...quick fix and doesn't really count but it made me feel better! This coming week I will begin the true cleaning and organizing and paring down of STUFF.

Chae Yoen - Dagawa

Sometimes you're just surfing YouTube and come across the most random things....I was looking at random art videos and heard this song playing in the background of an origami tutorial (which is totally irrelevant). I don't know Korean, but I think this song is catchy.

Eat You Up -BoA

This is a super catchy song! I like the dancing, too. Enjoy.

Get Organized! February Begins

This month I will be attempting to clean up my apartment, paperwork, workspace, vehicle....anything and everything to constitute a more organized and efficiently, uh, clean lifestyle. Wish me luck!