List #13 - Books

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I hosted a book challenge from July 1st through October 31st. (Yes, I know it is not October 31st yet, but why must you be so precise?)  I wrote another post about it here.  I thought I'd recap what I read during my challenge.  One of the things I enjoyed most was seeing books others selected...just gave me more books to add to my "to read" list.  I created a whole bonus round in order to read books from others' lists.

Warning, warning: if you're not a reader, this blog post will probably be incredibly boring for you.  Alright, you've been warned.

• The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim - I wanted to love this book. I wanted this book to be great, but it was just okay to me. I didn't connect to the story or the characters as much as I'd like. I enjoy historical fiction. I enjoy stories that span decades. I enjoy books set in a place I've never visited.  Something was just missing in this one to truly grab me, so I'd give it 2.5 stars.
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett -  I took a class at A&M about Children's Literature. I remember re-reading the book then and enjoying it. Unfortunately, I was too hungover most lecture days that I don't remember much else about the class. I'm glad I re-read it again. It's even more delightful of a story the third time. I'm a sucker for a transformation story, and the combined transformations of characters and the garden is a winner. 5 stars!
• Joyland by Stephen King -  A little bit murder mystery, part ghost story, mixed with a coming of age main character - I enjoyed it and would recommend it. Plus, "suck-assy" is actually used in the book. How can you not like a book that has carneys and slang terms like suck-assy? 4/5
• Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman -  I haven't seen the TV show (we don't have Netflix, and we often get series a season or two later than they're shown in the US). Based on what I've read about the TV show, I wanted to read the book assuming I'd really enjoy it. I didn't. I could write at length about what disappointed me, but I don't want to ruin it for any other readers. Having worked at a juvenile justice center in Texas and seen firsthand incarcerated youth, I already have some strong opinions and interest in criminal justice and rehabilitation. Maybe those views tainted my reading. All that being said, I could see how "characters" could be exaggerated to make for good television, and I'd still probably watch the show. 2/5
• One Last Thing Before I Go by Jonathan Tropper - About 40 pages before the end of the book, I was torn - I wanted to know what happens to the characters, but I didn't want the book to end. I love this book. The characters are well-developed, and I enjoy the writing style of the author. Cast well, it would make a great movie. The combination of mortality, relationships, and introspection packaged in a has-been musician worked well for me. 5/5

• City of Lost Girls by Declan Hughes -  This is the 5th book in a series that features Ed Loy, a private investigator based in Dublin. I've read all the books, and this was possibly the best of all of them. This book follows a current case, added with reoccurring characters from the Dublin organized crime world, plus a love interest and a touch of Hollywood. 4.5/5
• Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks - My friend, Marcy, recommended this, and I appreciate her for it. The story is set in rural England in the 1600s about a small village struck by the Plague. During the plight, issues are faced involving loss, suffering, abuse, sex, drunkenness, murder, religion, friendship, and more. The writing is very descriptive; so much so I got queasy at times reading about the details of those that suffered awfully from the disease. The ending felt a little rushed, so it wasn't a perfect book...but almost. 4.5/5
• Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America by Jennifer Storm -  The author discusses openly and honestly her battles with self-esteem, sexual assault, family relationships, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual identity, suicide attempts, and recovery. Although I could relate to some of her tales, I never really connected with her. I give it a 2.5 out of 5.
•  Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - Typically, I do not like books that make me get all sweet, soft, and schmaltzy (is that a word?), but this book worked for me. I adored the lead female characters. I liked that different relationships are viewed - from friendships to love interests to parents & children to siblings. One of the relationships hit so close to home for me a particular chapter was almost difficult to read. If you like chick lit, this is a great read. 4.5/5
•  Divergent by Veronica Roth - This book is WAY out of my normal reading choices. Every now and then, when a book or a series gains somewhat of a fanatical popularity, I am curious why, and even though it may not be the typical book I would read, I give it a try. That's why I chose this book. Easy to read with a lot of action mixed with a interesting story and character development, I can see why it is popular. I'm glad I read it, and I read it in 3 days, so it definitely kept my interest. But it's still not my thang. I took a sneak peek at imdb to take a look at the casting. I think I'll just watch all the movies instead.
• If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch - I found this book in the YA staff recommendations at my local library.  If you like YA, I recommend it.  The lead teen girl is one I felt for emotionally and wanted to wrap my arms around her and give her a big hug.  A book that attacks topics such as neglect, abandonment, and abuse coupled with acceptance, sibling bonds, and self-discovery.  5/5

• If I Stay by Gayle Forman - After so many people selected this book in the challenge, I decided to take a look. I read this over one weekend and glad that I did. Nothing groundbreaking, but I enjoyed the exploration of emotions and relationships. I predict it made a decent film that I'll get around to watching. 4/5 stars
• Cop Town by Karin Slaughter - This book was a little disappointing to me. Karin Slaughter is one of my favorite thriller writers. Her characters are usually so complex, and the plots are usually filled with twists and turns. This one fell a little short for me. The characters are all filled with emotional baggage, but I don't think they're as complex and developed as I'd like. The plot was slightly predictable. The sexism, racism, discrimination, and homophobia were difficult to read, but that's a true reflection of 1970s Deep South, so I think that was an accurate depiction. 3/5
• The Red Tent by Anita Diamant -  A fictional story told from Dinah's perspective (a woman who receives a small mention in the Bible), this follows her life as a daughter, sister, lover, mother, servant, midwife, woman, friend, and wife. 4/5
•  Landline by Rainbow Rowell - I don't know how to judge or rate this book. I love Rainbow Rowell's style of writing. I genuinely liked the development of all the characters, leads and support. I found myself laughing out loud at one scene, and I cared about the plots and subplots. So, I should love this book, right? Well...there's one major part of the storyline that just didn't work for me at all: the magic phone. That's all I'll say. I still love Rainbow Rowell, and I suspect I'll read anything she writes. 3/5
• Silesian Station by David Downing - From pages 168-169: "...thinking back over his day. Two embassy appointments to discuss espionage work, an angry private detective and a rather remarkable woman, a sweet pair of resisters and a dumb young pair of SD (Nazi) goons. All topped off with the love of his life lying naked beside him." There's so much going on in this book, I'd get confused and forget character names and country allegiances at times. Overall, a good spy book set in Germany on the brink of WWII. 3.5/5
• Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail by Cheryl Strayed - I have mixed feelings about this book. At times, the author is brutally raw and painfully honest which I commend. Other times, I felt completely disconnected. I think there's some good stuff to take from her journey and experiences. I certainly have felt at times that taking a few months off and removing myself from the rest of the world would do myself some good. I commend the author for doing it for herself. 3/5
•  I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb - This book is an emotional journey. There are truly some gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, cringe-causing moments. After such a journey, the ending felt a little rushed for me, but that's my only critique. Overall, a great read. 4.5/5

• Where She Went by Gayle Forman -  I read this in two days. I enjoyed the first book from Mia's perspective, and this one even more from Adam's point of view. Being a music lover, the storyline is an added bonus with music laced throughout the story. 4/5
• The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker - A lovely bond between two young people who persevere together while inflicted with personal disabilities and loneliness are the heart of this story. I can see why some would love this story, yet others would be critical. I enjoyed it, and there were a few enchanting moments, but overall I wasn't wowed. I did love this quote: "(H)e did not merely read books but traveled with them", and this one too: "There must be in life something like a catastrophic turning point, when the world as we know it ceases to exist." 3.5/5
•  Breath by Tim Winton - I read this while waiting for another library book I had on reserve. Tim Winton is a critically-acclaimed Australian author. This is the first book of his I've read, and I will be reading more. The book details the lives of a teenage boy and his mate who cross paths with a older married couple. Strange, complex, and dangerous relationships develop. Overall, the writing was very descriptive. I've never been on a surfboard, but the surfing scenes were so well written, I could envision the excitement and danger involved. My only disappointment was the final portion of the story. It seemed to wrap up too quickly, even lacking depth and description. 3.5/5
•  Lost and Found by Brooke Davis - Parts of this book are charming, and parts are ridiculous. Parts are super cute, and parts are terribly sad. Parts are honest, and parts are extremely unlikely.  Part of this book, I loved; part of it annoyed me. 3/5
•  No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy - After 100 pages, I asked myself "how have I not read this author before?". Mass murder, drugs, a Texas sheriff, what's not to love?  I'm not sure I liked the last 10-15 pages, but the first 290 or so was a great story. 4/5
• Wonder by R.J. Palacio -  Goodness gracious, this book made my heart feel full and was a great reminder to choose kindness.  It's written in pretty simple prose, but I like that it was narrated by different characters.  A story that reminded me of such important lessons deserves a good rating.  4.5/5

• The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith - Quick and easy that almost reads like a collection of short stories or fables with a heroine detective in Botswana. 3/5
• Room by Emma Donoghue -  currently reading.......

 I will be hosting another challenge early next year.  If you're interested in participating, let me know.  Some people in the challenge read A LOT; some read one book.  Some people joined the group, didn't participate in the challenge itself, but enjoyed seeing what other people read that's okay too.  So, if you want to join...let me know.

Thoughts #14 - Detox

I've always been a girl that likes food that is bad for me.  In high school, my dinner about 4-5 days a week was a basket of fries and cream gravy from Luther's BBQ.   I've discussed my body image issues in previous posts like this one.  The last few years have been my unhealthiest physically.  I've exercised very little and my diet has been awful.  I've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and insulin resistance.  I need to make some changes.

My dad and step-mom came across an article about sugar addiction from Dr. Mark Hyman.  They bought his book, and some things discussed made sense to them.  They chose to give the suggested eating habits a try including a sugar detox.  They've been really pleased with the results from weight loss, to feeling better, to an outstanding report from my dad's cardiologist.  They've been following this way a eating since June 1st and plan to continue.

If you look up "sugar free diet" or "sugar free detox" or any other similar word combination, you will find A LOT of sites, blogs, plans, and testimonials.  It's actually pretty confusing what to follow and what not to.  Some say fruit is okay; some say don't have fruit during the detox.  Some say tea is okay; others say avoid caffeine.  Some say no beans or legumes during detox; some say they're okay.  Some suggest nuts for a snack; others say eat nuts, except peanuts or cashews.  Again, confusing.  I pulled recipes and suggestions from a variety of sources, but the plan I decided to follow for my detox was this one: Wellness with Rose: 21 Day Sugar Detox.  As you can see, that meant NO sugar, dairy, potatoes, alcohol, caffeine, and a whole lot of other 'NO' items.  I decided to do the detox, assess at the end of 21 days, and move forward with a healthier way of eating than previously.

I did it.  Go me.  Let's look at some of the positives and negatives of my experience...

Some say if you do something for three weeks, it becomes a habit. I'm here to tell you that is not always the case. I've been three weeks without sugar, dairy, caffeine, alcohol, but it certainly hasn't become a habit. It's a struggle. I still want sugar. I want bread. I want cheese. I want potatoes - mashed potatoes, french fries, baked potatoes, potato au gratin, potato rosti. I love all things potato. I want 3 ice cold cherry cokes. I want pizza. There was one day when all I could think about was cupcakes. I want ice cream.  I want wine.  And, of course, I want a giant plate of cheesy nachos.  

Yes, it's been a struggle and a fight. I'm still fighting.  There were withdrawal symptoms like headaches and lack of energy, especially in week 2 (but not as many headaches as I anticipated). The cravings continue.  I think I need a lot more than 3 weeks for those to stop, or at least, ease.  Believe me, it's not easy when your man eats McDonald's, KFC, Krispy Kreme, tator tots, cupcakes, and more. He's an adult and can eat what he wants, but dang, I want to steal some of his food right out of his hands!  I saw a picture of myself today, and I'm not happy with my body, so eating healthier is necessary. Time to look at the positives...

The good things:

• I lost 7.6 pounds (3.4 kilos). 
• I'm still in my big girl jeans, but they feel a little better/looser.  
• I've never really had problem skin, but my skin feels nicer, softer, smoother.  
• One habit I developed is drinking lots and lots of water.  That's a good thing.  
• I feel good about myself for accomplishing something that seemed pretty difficult to accomplish.  I fought the cravings and temptations.  
• Day 21, I went to a 1st birthday party. There were cakes, cake pops, and cupcakes. I wanted them all, but I didn't do it. I didn't feel all that disappointed about it after the fact. I felt good about myself for not breaking. 
• Making food and meals at home and bringing them for lunch saves money.  
• I learned to be more aware with labels and what I eat.
• I'm encouraged enough to keep eating this way, with a few minor changes, such as adding fruit for my morning meal.

I LOVE Mexican food, so my main protein for most of the meal used some form of Mexican food flavors.  I made chicken fajita meat in the slow cooker and used it in salads and lettuce wraps.  Homemade guacamole and salsa become my condiments of choice.  But, this was my favorite protein meal topper that I made.  So, I thought I'd share.  I took part of what I found on Rubies and Radishes and altered just a little to give even more flavor and vegetables.  You can play around with the amount of chili pepper, salsa, peppers, etc. to get your preferred heat. 

Spicy Mince Taco Meat in the Slow Cooker

Ingredients
2 lbs. ground beef, preferably grass-fed (find grass-fed beef here)
3 tablespoons tomato paste (I like this one – it’s organic and comes in a glass jar!)
1 tablespoon chili powder (I like this one – it doesn’t use any anti-caking agents, the ingredients are all spices!)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper - See more at: http://www.rubiesandradishes.com/2013/12/07/easy-slow-cooker-taco-meat/#sthash.TpWMmsb0.dpuf

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. ground mince turkey
1 lb. ground mince pork
1/4 cup of salsa
1 large diced onion
1 large diced bell pepper (capsicum)
2 large diced carrots
2 diced & seeded serrano peppers
1 small can (drained) corn
3 tablespoons tomato paste (read the label to make sure of sugar content)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika

1. In a bowl, combine all the spices.
2. Add onion, bell pepper, carrot, serrano pepper, corn, salsa, tomato paste, meat, and spices to slow cooker.
3. Break up the meat and stir together.
4. Cook on low for four hours.
5. Use a slotted spoon to scoop from slow cooker.

 I ate this on top of salads and even on its own topped with guacamole.  It was spicy and yummy!  I found salad with a little more crunch (a combination of iceburg lettuce, cabbage, carrots, celery, onion) seemed to work really well with the spiciness of the meat.  I was seriously happy eating this. 

I don't know if this works for everyone or if I'll continue such a stringent plan.  But, overall, I feel like it is a step in the right direction of making healthier food choices. 

Ingredients
2 lbs. ground beef, preferably grass-fed (find grass-fed beef here)
3 tablespoons tomato paste (I like this one – it’s organic and comes in a glass jar!)
1 tablespoon chili powder (I like this one – it doesn’t use any anti-caking agents, the ingredients are all spices!)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper - See more at: http://www.rubiesandradishes.com/2013/12/07/easy-slow-cooker-taco-meat/#sthash.TpWMmsb0.dpuf

Thoughts #13 - Random Babbling

I took this picture of myself and posted on various social media. I got my hair done yesterday (which is always a treat). I like the red & blonde make orange effect. Cut some bangs. So, I thought I'd share me with the world. 

I used the youthful phrase "orange hair don't care"...BUT...I started WAY overthinking that phrase. Should it be "orange hair don't care" (no comma) because the hair that is orange doesn't care?  OR should it be "orange hair, don't care" insinuating "yeah, I have orange hair, and I don't care what you think about it."?  

This is a serious question that my mind ponders and rolls around in my wannabe ginger head. 

Admittedly, this is a pretty senseless post, but I hadn't posted in a while, so I just started writing exactly what I was thinking. 

List #12 - Aussie Tunes

I like music.  A lot.  I'm in a facebook group that shares music clips, stories about music, and has a weekly rock quiz.  A lot of members of that group are Australian, and they encouraged me to share my thoughts on Aussie bands.  You see, there's this whole world of beloved, rockin' Aussie music that never made it to the shores of the US so it could blast out of the speakers of my boombox, car stereo, or ipod.  Here's a selection of what I shared. 

1. Screaming Jets "Better": I moved to Australia from Texas late 2008. The first time I ever heard this song, I was in a crowded pub and almost every Aussie sang aloud word for word. It was then and there I began to learn about these great songs and talented bands that produced awesome music but never made it "big" in America. "Better" just came on my iPod, and I was head-bobbing and singing along. 

2. Powderfinger "Burn Your Name" - I can't think of any good reason why this band didn't break America. They have great songs and good lookin' guys in the band (hey, that doesn't hurt). As I mentioned previously, I moved here in late 2008. In 2009, this song was introduced to the Australian market, and I loved it. Still do. Then, I had people telling me about the abundance of success in Australia and introduce me to their past discography. I think I still love this song so much because it was my first Powderfinger experience.  Other faves are "My Happiness", "(Baby I've Got You) On My Mind", and "Passenger".

3. Baby Animals "Early Warning": I was introduced to this band live at The Metro in Sydney (2009, I am pretty sure). The lead singer is a chick with raspy, big rock chick vocals.  She was married to Extreme's guitarist, Nuno who came on stage with them, and they played Extreme's "Get the Funk Out" at that gig. Then, Suzi and Nuno divorced. Baby Animals are awesome!

4. Eskimo Joe "Love is a Drug": Let me say how refreshing it was to know that television channels that play music videos actually still exist (unlike the American MTV and VH1 that has been taken over by a lot of reality show crap). I had one of those video channels on, and I hear this song. I started watching the video and watched it to completion just so I could find out the name of the song and band. Previously, I'd heard of Eskimo Joe and really liked the song Foreign Land, but this song and video clip is what got me to look into their music collection. Seriously, this song is power pop/rock awesomeness.  I haven't seen them live yet, but I really wanna...so, next time they play Sydney, I'm there.

5. John Farnham "You're the Voice": Just a few months after I moved to Australia, Black Saturday happened, the tragic bush fires in Victoria. Sound Relief was quickly organized to raise funds for the victims. I watched the collective group of musicians play for the thousands of Aussies. This clip was above and beyond the one that I said who is this and what is this song that everyone is singing at the top of their lungs? Well, I discovered it's a song on the highest selling Australian album of all time. I give you John Farnham with You're the Voice (backed up by Coldplay).

6. The Choirboys "Run to Paradise": I knew the Quireboys (aka London Choirboys), but I didn't know THE Choirboys until I moved here and heard this anthem of a song. After the 2nd time you hear it, you find yourself singing along. Possibly even the first time you hear it. Plus, the video clip is complete with girls in spandex shorts, choreographed guitar walking, and a drummer in a beanie before beanies were cool.

7. Grinspoon "Lost Control": A friend of mine knows that I like rock music. She suggested giving Grinspoon a listen. I did. I liked. I bought a lot of their tunes on itunes.  They have a classic '90s rock sound.

8. Australian Crawl "Reckless": The first time I heard this song on the radio, I was at work. I had to run and get my phone, so I could use the Shazam app. I needed to know what this song was and who sang it. This is really a hauntingly beautiful piece of music.  I know this isn't the signature of the Australian Crawl sound, but this song moves me.

9. The Divinyls "Pleasure and Pain": The Divinyls are basically thought of as a one-hit wonder in the US. We got "I Touch Myself", and it was a big hit. But, I knew nothing else from their expansive music collection. I love "Pleasure and Pain" because the lyrics are just so relatable. How many of us have been in relationships where "there's a fine line between pleasure and pain"? RIP Chrissy.

10. The Living End "White Noise": I've been fortunate enough to see The Living End twice in festival settings (I need to see a club show). The power and excitement they generate from the stage is beyond impressive. They have a loyal following for this power punk trio.  I don't think this song is as punk as it is pop, but it's the first song of theirs I heard, I bought, and I still listen to over and over again.

11. Gyroscope "Baby I'm Getting Better: The first line of this song hooked me, which caused me look at some of their other works from their 10+ year career. Good power pop sounds from Gyroscope.

12. Noiseworks "Take Me Back": So, I know this band comes from New Zealand, but I'm including them in my little "project". I heard this song and thought "Wow! Great song! Why haven't I heard this song before?" only to discover it was yet again from a great Southern Hemisphere band that didn't make it to this Texas girl's world until moving to the Southern Hemisphere. Now, I hear it all the time, and I still think "Wow! Great song!".

13. Guy Sebastian "I Like It Like That": I have a feeling that I may get some grief over this one. Remember, I said that I was going to tell you about the songs/bands/artists that I was unfamiliar with until moving here. Most of what I've posted are songs that I heard and instantly liked or wanted to hear more. This song is one of those "guilty pleasures". This was released shortly after I moved here and got a lot of play. I admit it, every time I heard it, I wanted to dance, shimmy, and shake. Then, I learned it is performed by Australia's original Australian Idol. Not necessarily the kind of music I often listen to, but Guy Sebastian is a talented guy (and this song still makes me dance).  And, "Battle Scars" with Lupe Fiasco...yep, another Guy guilty pleasure.  If you like pop, check that out too.

14. Split Enz "Message to My Girl": Okay, so this is another New Zealand contribution. Before Crowded House, there was Split Enz. I knew Crowded House (specifically, Don't Dream It's Over and Something So Strong made it big in the US). They have so many catchy pop songs to choose from, I'll share Message to My Girl.

15. The Angels "Dogs Are Talking": Here's a story for ya: In the early 2000s, RATT was on quite a run of playing club shows. I saw them several times - sometimes Stephen Pearcy was on vocals, sometimes Jizzy Pearl. During this run, John Corabi was playing rhythm guitar, and I preferred to stand in front of him (not always paying attention to the lead vocals - ha!). Anyway...I remember they worked this song into a set and gave props to this great Aussie band saying if we hadn't heard of them, we should have. Other hits - "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" and "Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again"

16. Cold Chisel "When the War is Over": It's not a list of Aussie music without Cold Chisel. SO many good songs. SO diverse. Why, why, why America did we not embrace this and give them the international success that they deserve? For USA folks, remember that INXS song "Good Times" that was featured on The Lost Boys soundtrack? (you know it; I'll attach it)  Well, the "other guy" is Jimmy Barnes who is an Australian institution and the lead singer of Cold Chisel.

Aussies, they cherish this band (and they should). I know the song I selected isn't the most rockin' of choices (and they are mostly known for rockin' tunes), but I love that it shows the vocal range of the band members.  Rock music fans that are reading this really should give a listen to this, "Bow River", "Forever Now", "Cheap Wine", "Flame Trees", and more.  Heck, as I type this "Khe Sanh" has come on the radio. 

If you're a music fan, I don't expect every single one of you to listen to each clip in one sitting...but come back to this post.  These are some good bands with some great songs, and I'm glad they are in my regular music rotation now that I live in Australia. 

Thoughts #12 - Chameleon

A friend of mine shared this story this week:  I Dressed as a Goth, a Party Girl, and a Manic Pixie Dream Girl — Here's How My Friends, Partner, and OKCupid Reacted - go click on that link I just posted and read the article.

I found the experiment and article fascinating for a number of reasons.  First, I was a Sociology major.  Second, I like clothes, hair, and make-up.  Third, I try not to judge a book by its cover (so to speak).  Fourth, I enjoy people who have their own personal sense of style.  Fifth, the remarks and quick judgments passed were thought-provoking.

We know that people judge others based on their looks, their race, and their clothes.  We know it's not nice, but it happens.all.the.time. 

Also, I remembered a conversation I shared with a former co-worker (a man who knew my parents before I was born).  He told me that I was a "chameleon" based on how I dressed for work.  At the time, I worked in an office complete with shared-wall cubicle an all.  I suppose this comment came from the fact that I'd wear skirts, pants, or dresses.  I'd wear heels, flats, and cowboy boots.  My hair would be straight or curly, up or down.  My make-up might be natural, or I might wear bright blue eyeliner.  My nails would be natural, black, or bright pink.  This was also at a time in my life that I'd go to live music shows weekly, sometimes multiple times in a week.  So, I'd have a dress style for that too.  Yes, I owned leather pants.  Vinyl ones too.

Some may think this erratic style of dress stems from me searching for an identity.  Or that I was a poser depending on the situation I was in.  Yet, I took the statement he made as a huge compliment.  I like(d) being a chameleon.  I like(d) different styles and fashions and clothes.  I like(d) expressing myself through how I present(ed) myself.  But, does that mean I was judged differently on different days depending on different dress?  Probably.  But, that's not going to change how I dress(ed).

Just because I've had this song in my head the entire time I've typed this entry, I decided that you need to hear it too.

Fall Film Challenge

A friend of mine is hosting a film challenge.  She asked me how many movies I watch per month.  I'm not a good one to ask.  Sometimes, I watch 3 or 4 movies in a weekend.  Sometimes, I don't watch a movie for 3 or 4 weeks.  She's playing along in my book challenge, so I thought I'd play along in the film challenge.
(You can read about it HERE or you can join HERE because I think you should play along too.)

I have three months to watch these - September, October, November - and here are my choices:

one. any action/adventure flick - Captain Phillips

two. any shot in bupapest, hungary - The Raven

three. any awarded an oscar for best cinematography - There Will Be Blood

four. any drama/biography/documentary - Artifact

five. any awarded an oscar for best film editing - Traffic

six. any science-fiction/fantasy flick - Divergent

seven. any starring an actress whose last name begins with the letter g - Texas Killing Fields (Annabeth Gish)

eight. any set during any holiday - Labor Day

nine. any from internet movie database's top flicks list - City of God

ten. any starring an actor whose last name begins with the letter j - Prisoners (Hugh Jackman)

eleven. any starring an actress whose last name begins with the letter k - Rabbit Hole (Nicole Kidman)

twelve. any shot in london, england - RocknRolla

thirteen. any awarded an oscar for best original score - Babel

fourteen. any adapted from any novel - The Great Gatsby

fifteen. any awarded an oscar for best original screenplay - The King's Speech

sixteen. any awarded an oscar for best picture - 12 Years a Slave

seventeen. any featured on american movie classic's fifty great movie quote's list -  The Hours  - "Someone has to die in order that the rest of us should value life more."

eighteen. any romance or comedy - Dedication

nineteen. any sports flick - Invictus

twenty. any thriller or mystery - The Return

twenty-one. any starring an actor whose last name begins with u - Star Trek Into Darkness (Karl Urban)

twenty-two. any shot in a country you've never visited - Blood Diamond (shot in South Africa and Mozambique)

twenty-three. any shot in wilmington, north carolina - Blue Velvet

twenty-four. any western or war film - The Alamo

twenty-five. any from american film institute's greatest american movies of all time - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Since we're talking about movies, I will end with a picture from my favorite Robin Williams' movie performance, Good Will Hunting, which I will watch this weekend.

A Day in the Life of Me

You are about to see a glimpse of my fascinating life. Well, not really. This is just an average day for me, and it's definitely not all that fascinating...except today, I'm going to bring you along with me. 

I'm a snoozer.  That's right.  I need the alarm to go off at least four times before I drag myself out of bed.  Neil is worse.  My pets have learned our habits.  The cats will go check out the lit up screen of our phones probably wishing their paws would work on a touch screen iphone to turn the annoying thing off.  

After reluctantly getting up, I go through my morning routine - toilet, brush teeth, pills, wash face, shower, moisturize, make-up my face, get dressed - all the while, these three join me most mornings (Ricky, Ivy, and Astro).  I pretend it's because they love me so much that they want to hang with me.  Remember, I told you they know my routine?  Well, yeah...they hang with me because I have the heat lamps on, and when I'm finished getting dressed, they get their breakfast. 

As I make my way downstairs while trying not to trip over any cats or step on any tails, these are the faces that greet me through the back door.  They like to stand at their bowls (as if I'm going to forget their breakfast). Our oh-so-sweet-but-not-too-bright Sally and Dolly girls.

Fur babies are fed, we're dressed, and we head to the train station which is 5 minutes away.  We live in a suburb 35 miles (57 km) southwest of Sydney city center.  We commute via train travel Monday through Friday.  Neil and I ride the train together most days.  I read a book; he reads a newspaper.  Our train takes a little less than an hour to get to Sydney Central Station.  A lot of people complain about public transport.  I actually prefer it.  I like to read and people watch instead of road rage on the freeways.

We arrive at Central, and we part ways.  Neil heads in to work.  I head to school (more about that in a minute).  I usually grab a morning tea at a kiosk at the station.  It's winter here now, and I'm not a coffee drinker.  I've learned to drink hot tea instead.  I've got my ipod cranked now (although my hair is covering it) because my mornings usually need a little heavy dose of rock 'n' roll to get going. 

School, ah school.  I call it the "visa factory" because it's a school that caters to international students who have come to Australia on a student visa.  Most often, I am the only one in the class that speaks English as my primary language.  I'm currently taking a Marketing course, and I go to class Mondays-Thursdays 9:00am-12:30pm.  Although the classes aren't exactly challenging or overly informative, I've enjoyed interacting with the students from all corners of the world - Thailand, Italy, Colombia, Turkey, Indonesia, Poland, Nepal, Korea, Romania, Brazil, Czech Republic, as well as teachers from Singapore, Germany, South Africa, and Hungary.

After school, I head back to the train station (this time the trains run underground similar to subways, but we still call them trains).  Hi ho, hi ho; it's off to work I go...

Okay...so our trains don't stay underground.  Here's my view of Lavender Bay and Luna Park as the train crosses Sydney Harbour Bridge.  I see this everyday, and I still don't tire of the view. 

After pulling into North Sydney, I go to our store where I work every day.  (Shameless plug now:  www.facebook.com/POLA.Jewellers ; new website coming soon!)  Neil is owner, jeweller, watchmaker, boss, problem-solver and more.  His father (Graham) is a watchmaker.  Our friend (Linsey) works part-time and helps a lot with computer jewellery design.  I do everything else.  Also, I spend far too much time on facebook and other websites, as well as occasionally writing my blog...like I'm doing now. 

The super helpful friendly sales girl that you want to help you buy some jewelry (yes, I've spelled jewelry/jewellery two different ways in this post, but I'm American living in Australia, and there's two different spellings and sometimes I get confused) - that's me!

After closing shop, I get back to the train station.  Sometimes it may be 6:00; sometimes 7:00; sometimes later.  That's the world of retail and being the partner of the man that owns his own business.

Animals meet us at the door - yes, because they love us - but, mostly because they are getting fed dinner.  The destructive duo dogs have usually torn something up.  They love anything with foam and stuffing, so forget about giving them a dog bed, or stuffed toys, or a lounge to sleep on...because they've ruined all those things.  They have dog bones and chew toys, but being destructive is much more fun (apparently).

Oh, I don't forget lunch...I just forgot to take its picture.  Neil is awesome because he likes to cook.  He's good at it too.  Most of you probably think he is just avoiding my cooking.  That could be the case, but I do cook every now and then, but mostly it's Neil who prepares our meals.  This is leftover risotto that's even tastier the second night of having it. 

My favorite part of the day; my nightly Astro snuggles.  I was never a cat person.  I was scared of them.  They sensed it and preyed on my fear.  But, Neil has always had cats.  I love animals, I love him, and relationships are supposed to be about compromise, right?  Well, if any cat could convert me, this guy could.  Man, oh man...he is a mama's boy.  Every single night, I lay down for some reading or tv time.......and every single night, Astro joins me.  He's on my chest.  He's in my face.  He lays on my shoulder.  He headbutts me.  He even lets a little dribble out when I rub his belly.  Gosh almighty, this cat loves me, and I love him. 

Many nights, I relax with a book, a candle burning, and a hot bath...sometimes a glass of wine.  Most times, I'm joined by a kitty.  Mostly, it's Ivy or Ricky - they are the ones that seem to be interested in the water, or my nakedness, but I'm pretty sure it's the water.

Bedtime - most of the time, Astro joins me.  Eventually, Neil is there as well as the other two kitties.  But, every now and then, Ricky the mischievous boy decides he wants to be Ricky the purr puss and tries to beat Astro to the bedroom to get the closest spot to mama.  I'm not going to lie: I like it that the boys fight over me :)  Neil may get slightly jealous. 

That's all, folks.  How exciting was that?!  Tons.  I know.  If you made it this far, you are probably my mother.  Hi, Mom!  Thanks for sticking with this post!!