Lame Blogs

I'm keeping up with this blog everyday thing but my blogs are getting suckier and suckier by the moment. I promise the next couple are going to be great but now I have to go bowling. I am trying to distract myself from being jealous of my sister who is vacationing in Vegas right now.

Taking the Plunge...

Well, I was successful once before but that was when I was living in Korea and had a lot more free time on my hands. What better way to get into the habit of blogging more than to BLOG EVERYDAY! Yep, I signed up for NaBloPoMo! (National Blog Posting Month) That means I am going to do my very, very best to post daily for the entire month of November. Booyah! Take that inactivity! So wish me luck and leave me lots of comments so I know people are trickling back in. ^^ Happy Blogging everyone! Oh, and Happy Halloween!

A Small, Ginger Step...

...back into blogging? I know, it's been a long, long, long time. And even when I blogged last things were sporadic at best. I've almost forgotten how to use this thing (and don't get me started on my typing skills...)!

What am I doing back here? Is it for real this time? I guess we will see.

I just finished reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and I really enjoyed it. I feel like my 20s have been spent searching- searching to figure out who I am and what makes me happy. Pretty self centered, but important I think. The only thing about this book that has made me feel unhappy is that there was such a long waiting list to get it from the library and that it's due back tomorrow so I can't go through it and make notes and re-read parts I especially liked. Maybe I should buy my own copy? Hmmm...

Anyway, I will possibly do a full review a little later. The point was that while I was reading this book and the author declared that her first commandment was to "Be Gretchen". That is great and brilliant. I am much happier when I follow the "Be Amber" rule, even if it's not always easy to do. Part of being Amber is that I do like to write, but that I don't always write the most perceptive, cerebral, thought-provoking subject matter. But this is okay. I like doing it anyway and I like sharing my day with people and receiving feedback. I love comments and I like having a record of things since my memory is appalling. My blog is like the penpals I faithfully wrote to when I was growing up except I get to keep the letters.

So baby steps it is, but hopefully I will get my readers back and have something enjoyable happening over here again. And the picture? I wanted to share something that made me ridiculously happy and excited today- my new official job I.D.! It even has holograms and everything. How cool is that?

Is Anyone Out There?

I guess I should start this off saying that I am not dead. This blog isn't dead either, just on hiatus. I am hoping that this hiatus will be ending soon. What happened? Life. I think I underestimated what repatriation was going to be like. Things were going lovely and then life hit. Nothing bad, just busy. There were hockey games to go to (someone has to cheer for the Oilers, right?) and bills to pay, shifts to work, beer to drink. Then there was Christmas and MY BIRTHDAY (Yeah, I turned 28! If you missed it, I am accepting belated birthday gifts up until my next birthday. No worries.). I thought a lot about writing and about what writing means to me. I'll never be Anne Bronte, Anne Frank (fingers crossed!) or even Anne Rice and I don't have any professional literary aspirations, but I do like writing things down. It's nice having something to look back on because I have a terrible memory.

I want to stress, things here are good. Matt is doing really well, possibly better than I am. He was officially accepted into the law school of his choice (and rather early on in the process, I might add) and has already attended the Dean's welcome. I'm pretty sure he and the Dean be tight now. And he really likes his job which he'll work at until school starts in September.

Me? This has been a big year for me. I didn't even know it. I thought, hey, repatriation during a recession- piece of cake?! And it's been actually pretty good. Change is my mantra and I am trying to take deep breaths and scoop up as much of it in my arms as I can. This is a confusing time and I am re-examining everything. Career- check (I somehow got one of those.) Living situation- check. Friendships- check. Dreams- check. Money- check. Everything is going at lightning pace. I can't say a lot because I don't want to jinx anything but I may have some big news soon.

Oh, and I have a book club again! We've met once and are reading our second book! My reading progress has been abysmal but I'm not illiterate yet. I had a lot of high hopes but life is in the way again. I am going to keep trying. We're reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao right now by Junot Diaz and I am really liking it. Good thing all the Spanish I know is swear words!

So don't delete me from all of your bookmarks just yet. I know there are lots of blogs out there and I am not trying to become number one on everyone's blogroll, but I think I have a few more things to say. I am just finding the time. Love you all!

Honest Scrap Award

I've never won an award before for blogging and since I've been such a terrible blogger lately, I don't really expect to win any more in the future. My lovely friend Simone over at skinny dip bestowed it upon me ages ago. Sorry it took me so long!

Once you've received the Award, you need to complete the following responsibilities:

1) List 10 HONEST, personal (or bizarre? interesting?) things about yourself that you wouldn't normally tell people (except maybe a therapist who is paid to listen to this kind of stuff?)

2) Pass this award on to 10 other bloggers that you love to read & think others should too.

3) Tell your friends to check out the award giver's blog--In this case Simone- it's like Canadian Sex and the City (without the annoying characters). Remember to tell the giver that you've completed these steps so that they can go read your lists.

My Honest Facts:

1) I have a slight phone phobia. I'm not sure when this developed (sometime after high school, clearly) but I am not crazy about talking on the phone. I also hate making phone calls. I love email though. Maybe this helps explain why I haven't called you lately. Sorry!

2) I try not to start playing too many games because then that's what I do all day. Nowadays it's online quizzes and Facebook stuff but in the past I was addicted to all sorts of Nintendo games. This list is starting to make me sound like a real psychological mess!

3) I love Friends. I always have and always will. I have seen every episode multiple times and own them all on DVD.

4) I have never used a lawnmower. My parents always mowed the lawn at home and since then I've never lived anywhere with a lawn.

5) I don't like cooking but I can cook and have a decent amount of cooking knowledge. It's easier to tell people that I can't though so they don't ask me to cook.

6) I can't dance. I have no rhythm at all and I get cold sweats when I think someone is going to ask me to "partner dance". I took dance in gym but I still can't two-step, jive or waltz. Don't even mention more complicated things like salsa. I took a hip hop exercise class once and it was one of the most mortifying things I ever experienced.

7) My memory is terrible. I really think it's worse than most people's as far as personal memories and events. Don't be offended if you try to reminisce with me and I give you a blank look.

8) I am a horrible pack rat but I am trying to reform myself. It's tough. I am always convinced that I will want the item later on.

9) I've never done illegal drugs of any kind. It's just never interested me. Yes, this includes marijuana.

10) I'm a really nervous passenger (in cars/trucks). I was in a bad accident when I was 16 and still haven't shaken my fears. This makes me a horrible backseat driver. Again, I apologize, I am a freak.

Ten Blogs I think are great:

(Most of these are on my blog roll. There are some blogs that I love but they are private ones so that's why they aren't mentioned. You know who you are!)

1. Wonju Wife/ChubbO Chubbington- I love Danielle's writing style. Some of her entries have moved me to tears. She just gets things and is able to express them which is incredibly special.

2. half girl- Young takes amazing photographs with her many cameras. I could only dream of being as skilled at photography as she is. She makes the every day look extraordinary.

3. From Wonderland with Love- Sara's blog makes me nostalgic for things I've never experienced. Everything is pretty, interesting and smells of cinnamon and sugar in Wonderland.

4. Naked Without Books- Susan is my reading hero. She read 100 books last year and is going to hit atleast 100 this year! Plus she is hilarious, delightful and clever.

5. Little House in the Big Woods- KB is a long time friend. Her blog is filled with hilarious antics and stories from her students and copious pictures of her adorable dog.

6. Time Enough- I've been friends with Jo for awhile too and her blog is filled with tidbits from her life in the UK. Oh and she takes fab pictures too!

7. Living on the Flipside- If you've ever wondered what it's like being the only female, foreign,(Western) professional boxer in South Korea then Amy's blog is a must read. She just got engaged to her beautiful Korean beau too!

8. Ask a Korean- The Korean's blogs are always well researched, thought provoking and relevant. Even if you're not interested in information about Korea this blog is something everyone should check out. He also makes me feel ashamed since he is writing that well in his second language!

9. Stuff Korean Moms Like- Hysterical, but only because it's true. Start from the beginning and work your way up.

10. Jennipal- Another lovely K-blogger who I haven't met in person. She makes me homesick for Korea and I love seeing what she is up to!

I guess you've noticed my Korean bias. I really got into blogging when I lived in Korea and now I am so homesick for it!

YOU: Go forth and read blogs!

BLOGS MENTIONED: I gave you 10, now you have to give me 10 more.

What Inspires You?

Maybe you've noticed I've been trying to write more. Since returning from Asia I'm really making an effort to set goals (even if they are small), learn, search for happiness and stand up for myself and the things I believe in.

I've already mentioned my love for stationary and so I'm showing you my new Inspiration Journal. I'm writing quotes, blog ideas, funny anecdotes and interesting information down in it. I bought it when I was traveling in Thailand and decided I should use it instead of save it (like the other 10 journals I have in boxes). I'm not really a "dear diary" type so this seems like a useful application for it.

So this is where I'm at. I am trying to figure out what I want to do with my life long term and keep doing what makes me happiest. I'm not sure where this blog is heading but it will probably continue to be a record of things I'm doing and stuff I'm thinking about. I like things to be interactive so if you're reading and have hesitated on commenting in the past I would like to encourage you to comment. It really makes my day and I do write back!

What about you- do you set specific goals for yourself? Do you journal? What do you think of my new blogging direction?

Speaking of goals, to give an update on my reading goal, it's slowed down a lot since I've been working full time but I'm going to keep going and see where I get. The important thing is that I'm reading, right? I'm in the middle of three books (Wicked, Look Me in the Eye and The Year of the Flood) so hopefully I'll finish them all up soon. I figure reading should be about relaxation and enjoyment rather than numbers. Saying that, I still covet the reading numbers of some of my friends. I just don't know how they find the time to read that much though!