In case you haven't noticed (which you probably didn't), I have not been blogging lately. For the past couple of weeks, actually. I've been on a busy schedule, and my editorial calendar just didn't have the power to dominate my personal calendar (bad habit?). I have been busy, and I even got sick for a few days, and by the time my day is over I'm way too tired to even think about writing. I'm trying my best to switch my schedule around these days so that I can make time to write more often. Because today, I realized when I don't write for a while, things pile up that I'd like to share. So, here's the past couple of weeks in a little nutshell.
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The first book I finished in the month of February, was Don't Go by Lisa Scottoline. This story was focused on a man working overseas as an Army doctor. After the death of his wife, he has to come back home to figure out what he's going to do with the rest of his life, now that it's taken a twist. He must learn to be a father to his newborn daughter, whom he barely knows, secure a job for when he returns permanently from Afghanistan, and where his daughter will stay while he's away or if he wants to go away at all. He endures a series of unfortunate events; unraveling a secret that his wife kept, and eventually finding himself in a custody battle for his daughter who more often than not, resents him. Lisa Scottoline did an amazing job at sparking emotions almost instantly, and quite frequently throughout the book. She left me feeling sad (in tears at some points), frustrated, thrilled, and heart-warmed. Scottoline carefully picked a tragedy and made it into somewhat of an emotional and personal mystery. She made sure you developed a love-hate relationship with all of the characters, not sure if they're good or bad until the very end of the book. These things are what made the book an amazing experience from the first page to the last. What I didn't like about the book, is how it ended. Lisa Scottoline is a very talented writer, and I have to say that it did end alright, but I didn't want it to end. I wasn't okay with leaving the characters there and not knowing how the rest of their lives play out. That, however, is how most people feel at the end of the book, and by no means takes away from the author's writing abilities. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good drama/mystery/thriller. When I first picked up with book, I had the impression that it would be equivalent to a Hallmark movie. Boy, was I wrong. There was much more thrill to it than I was lead on. Looking for a good page-turner? This one you'll be sure to blow through in anticipation to get to the end, without wanting it to officially end. The second book I seemed to speed through, was Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. In this book, a New Yorker, Rachel Chu, is invited to visit her boyfriend's (Nick) family in Singapore. At this point, Rachel has no idea what she flew into, nor did Nick feel the need to prepare her. Rachel never knew that Nick grew up in one of Asia's "richer than God" families. In fact, she expected to walk into a small home of a poor Chinese family. Nick never flaunted his family's money in New York, as he made a decent living for himself as a professor. Rachel came unarmed into the battle field of snooty, gossiping women, and Nick's unapproving mother. The pressure is increased when Rachel finds out that she is about to attend the wedding of the year while Nick is the groom's best man, making him the next most eligible bachelor in Asia. All the ladies want him and his money, while Rachel questions whether or not she could pretend to fit in his life or not at all. In a novel that jumps from cousin to mother, and to friend, etc. in each chapter, everyone's individual stories prove that no one is as perfect as they seem with their money.
WOW! This book wasn't what I expected at all. It is really something you have to read to be able to understand any summary written about it. I love the set-up of the book. Instead of just following one or two characters through the entire book, you get to go inside everyone's lives. You pretty much have to, to pull the entire story together. Secrets and rumors are spread (moral of the story, of course, is rumors lie). Emotions are picked at more toward the end of the book. I found that it took the first half of the book to build an opinion about every character in the book, and once you're emotionally attached, the rest starts to crumble in a climax that seems to last through the last half of the book. I'm not used to writing book reviews, but I can't seem to do this book any justice. The ending of course, didn't make me happy again because I wanted to know what happened next, but that's just something I'll have to deal with in almost any book. I absolutely loved Crazy Rich Asians. It's a drama that you really get drawn into whether you like it or not. This book reminded me of a more grown-up version of Gossip Girl and another review said "A Pride and Prejudice-like send-up" which I totally agree with. If you like a good lip-biter and teeth-clencher, please, pick up this book. Kwan did an awesome job, although I wouldn't have complained if he followed up with an epilogue. Happy Reading! ;) Battle Creek. A small town in Western Michigan. Almost equal in size to Kalamazoo, definitely bigger than Hickory Corners, and not nearly as dangerous as Flint, but still more dangerous than Downtown Kalamazoo (or so I've heard). And Finally, it is now a show coming to you on CBS, Sunday March 1st at 10/9pm c.
Here's the current scene: I'm sitting atop my bed, listening to a hip hop playlist on Spotify. My attempted editorial calendar spread out on my left, and my personal planner laying on my right. Laptop is in front of me on my lap. Tea in hand as I scratch my head using a pen with my other hand. It is currently 9:41 PM on a Friday night. I like to think this scene makes it look like I work hard, trying to be as close to a writer as possible, but I'm sitting here trying to figure out what the heck I'm doing.
I'm just gonna say it, there's no quick fix to gaining hundreds of true followers overnight. I'm not what you would consider Instagram famous, but I have reached the 1k mark recently, and the number climbs daily. This is for the people that have privately asked me how I gained so many followers since I'm not famous, or well-known for anything in particular. Now, before you click away from this page and look for something that will tell you how to get 1000 instant followers, I need to wish you good luck. It won't happen! You can buy as many followers as you want, but those are what you call "ghost" followers. They aren't active, and are pretty much useless to you. Followers are nothing but a number, but if you're like me, you want to increase traffic to your blog. Social Networking is key to to achieving this, and I believe Instagram is the most eye-catching way to do it. Remember to be patient, these tips won't get you instant IG fame, but you will reach that with real followers who are interested in what you're posting.
Happy Valentine's Day to all of my friends, family, and all of you reading this! Obviously, by the title, I am going to write a tiny blog post about Valentine's Day. I admit, I used to be "anti-Valentine's Day." And you're probably thinking that the reason why I'm not anymore, is because I eventually found a boyfriend. Well, as much as I love Teagan, he is NOT the reason why I love valentine's day. What I get to see on this mushy gushy holiday is pure love. I enjoy seeing the cute couples out celebrating that love. The excessive number of couples out on dates may make you think that's what today is all about.
A lot of people enjoy working out at the gym. I do too! However, I'm on a tight budget, and I can't afford a gym membership. So, I make due with what I have at home. Home workouts work more than you think they can! I can get a really good workout in the comfort of my own bedroom, basement, spare bedroom, and even living room. I even incorporate the staircases.
Reincarnation: do you believe in it?
As much as I tease about what I'd like to come back as (maybe an elephant) or mocking the romantic scene from The Notebook about being a bird, I do not believe in reincarnation. And in case you're wondering why I put a photo of a chicken to this article, it's because I took this picture in a health food store parking lot in Hawaii (Island of Kauai, where there are more chickens than anything else.) and I thought it would be hilarious to come back as a chicken, chillin' in Hawaii. In this short post (from my 365 Days of prompts) I will explain to you what my beliefs are. As a brand ambassador for Altar Ego Apparel, I am co-hosting their February challenge on Instagram. A bunch of brand ambassadors are coming together to help make this happen! Each week of the challenge, the sponsor (Altar Ego) will be giving away a pair of their leggings.
This challenge is to help motivate you to love yoga, and to keep working at it every day on your mat! I find that the more I practice, the more I love it. To participate in the #LetLoveFly challenge, here's what you need to do: "When you were 16, what did you think your life would like like? Does it look like that? Is that a good thing?" This question came from my "365 Days of Writing Prompts" booklet. As soon as I read it, I thought long and hard. It's only been 4 years since I was 16, really not that long ago. But, so much has changed about me and my life (expected of most people in 4 years, right?) that I can hardly remember my expectations for age 20.
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