Book Review: Shopaholic Ties the Knot

Shopaholic Ties the Knot
by Sophie Kinsella
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
"I really like it"

Yes. I read "Chick-Lit" upon occasion.
Don't judge me.

Perhaps some of you saw the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic? I loved it, but not as much as I've enjoyed the books. I started this series perhaps a year ago and then put it down to read other things, I'm now back to finish the series.

This is book 3 (of 5) in the Shopaholic Series. The main character and heroine is Becky Bloomwood. It's quite amazing how she manages to get herself into the most embarrassing situations! They get blown out of proportion and then Becky manages to come up with an astounding solution for a bang up finish. Sophie Kinsella did not let me down. In this book Becky gets engaged to the wonderful Luke Brandon [sigh]. Which means she needs to start planning a wedding. However her own mother and Lukes mother both have extremely different views of how this needs to proceed. Becky ends up with 2 weddings planed, one ritzy wedding at the Plaza Hotel in New York and one family style wedding in her parents back yard in Oxshott, England. And of course, they are planned on the same day. Oops. It's all rather hilarious and just plain fun to read.

What I did not like:
Kinsella uses a bit of language I could do without, however there is very little of it.

What I did like:
warning small plot spoiler ahead. The overall message of the book ends up being that the most imporatant thing is not the glamor and glitz but family. Luke needing his mother in his life. Becky learning to do things she may not have wanted to do, but doing them because she loves her parents and because she loves Luke. And finally Becky and Luke finding the greatest happieness when they are able to tie the knot properly with the family they love.

Favorite charcter:
Suze, Becky's best friend. She's just got spunk.

Thanks go to my sister Melanie for introducing me to the series. And thanks to Erica as well for lending me the final 3 books.

next book: Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella

Good Charlotte

You come in cold, you're covered in blood. They're all so happy you've arrived. The doctor cuts your chord, he hands you to your mom, she sets you free into this life. And where do you go with no destination, no maps to guide you? Wouldn't you know that it doesn't matter, we all end up the same.

These are the chronicles of life and death and everything between. These are the stories of our lives, as fictional as they may seem. You come in this world, and you go out just the same. Today could be the worst day of your life.

I had a rough day earlier this week. Events beyond my control left me feeling a bit lost and alone. It was no one’s fault. It is just what life served me for dinner. It is moments like these that I feel I must be the only one who misplaced her Guide to Life Booklet. But then the lyrics of a song reminded me I am not the only one who does not know where I am going. I am not the only one who has bad days. And most important of all, my life is what I make of it.

But these are the chronicles of life and death and everything between. These are the stories of our lives, as fictional as they may seem. You come in this world, and you go out just the same. Today could be the best day of your life.

It's your life.

Inspiration

Jorman Xavier

My sister Merry (dragon tamer and mother extraordinaire) gave birth to a new baby boy! I am now the happy Aunt of 10 nieces and nephews. :)

Jorman Xavier
born March 5th at 1:53pm
9 pounds 2 ounces

Little Jori himself - look at that blonde hair!

Renton holding his brother Jori

Merry with her sons Eli and Jori

Book Review: The Sword of Shannara

The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
"I like it"

Another passion I have is for reading. I wish I had more time for this, but again grad school keeps me from some pleasures.

This is the first book in a trilogy that I will need to finish, eventually. It came recommended to me by my good friend Brad who loves these books. It tells the classic story of Good vs. Evil. Young Shea Ohmsford, half man and half elf, comes to find out he is the last living decedent of Jerle Shannara, the elf you defeated the evil Brona. Of course this means Shea is the only one with the power to use the legendary sword and that the servants of the evil Warlock Lord are coming after him.

What I did not like:
The main problem I do have with The Sword of Shannara is the fact that it is a complete copy of Lord of the Rings. Yes, I enjoyed this book, but I think the reason I liked it was due to the fact that I'm a long time LoTR's fan. I also thought Brooks's development of female characters was very weak. They only seem to be around to 'be beautiful'. They could have done a bit more.

What I liked:
This is an excellently well written book with intertwining plots that make for an enjoyable read. The climax to the end is written in such a way you really can't want to put the book down. My favorite character is Shea's best friend, the adventuresome prince named Menion Leah. He's the resident rebellious bad boy/hero that girls fall easily for. I do believe I've developed a bit of a crush on him myself.

next book: Shopoholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella

Breakfast in Bed with Money

Let me tell you 'bout a friend of mine.
Her name's JMoney, check her out.

(to the tune of PUSA's Boll Weevil).

I constantly change between calling her Jen, JMoney or sometimes just Money. Jen and I have been friends for years. Above is one of my favorite pictures I've taken of her, we were at Juanita Beach at the time. The main reason I love JMoney is because she's got spice. Some may say it comes with the red hair, but Jen was just born with a little extra flavor in her personality. She always makes things more fun when she's around.

Like this morning. Jen and I occasionally get together for breakfast to catch up or just hang out. She wanted to meet this week, but I've been sick and I have a 20 page term paper currently hanging over my head that needs to get done. When I told her this she offered to make me breakfast in bed instead. Who could turn down an offer like that!? Not I. :)

picture taken by my 5 year old nephew

We had beacan waffles with fresh fruit. Money knows my favorites and brought banana's and cantelope. We had a blast chatting and catching up on the past couple weeks. Thanks again Jen for the fun morning. It was exactly what I needed!

JMoney and I at the Key Arena for Deck the Hall Ball
This was quite possibly the best week of my life (so far).

deformed ear

I've just begun to enjoy my new iPod Shuffle now that I have some music loaded up and recent favorities purchased. However I've noticed something odd. The left ear piece keeps falling out of my ear. Just the left one. Upon close examination of the 2 ear pieces I cannot find any flaws, they appear to be in perfect symmetry. I must therefore conclude the problem is with my left ear.

new music list

I changed up the music you will hear while on my blog just now. This list is slightly more "user friendly" then the last couple lists.

My question for you is, do you like it? Or do you get annoyed with the fact that it starts to play as soon as my blog loads? Feedback is welcome.

iPod Shuffle!!

As a few of you may have guessed, I like music. But would you have guessed that I've never owned any form of an mp3 player? No iPod's, no Zune... nothing. I know, call me old fashioned, but I like CD's.

That was up until today. I am now the proud owner of a brand new (and very pretty) iPod Shuffle! And it is all thanks to my dear friend Dr. Erin! Thanks Dr. Erin!!! :)

If you can't imagine just how excited I am, I took a picture. But wait!! Erin didn't just buy me an iPod Shuffle, she had it engraved particularly for me. Thoughtful. It makes me smile every time I see it!

For those of you who do not know Dr. Erin you are missing out. We met several years ago while riding the 540 bus in and out of Seattle while we both attended the UW. I was attending for my undergrad in Math, and she for Pharmacy (hence the Doctor part). I recognized Erin from my ward and started a conversation. Honestly, the conversation was kind of slow right up until we hit the topic of boys. That changed everything. We were instant friends and have been ever since.

Thanks again Erin for my gift! I absolutely love it!

Windy and Erin - Forks, WA

I promise there is never a dull moment when the Doctor is around!

Metallica Monday

What is it about Metallica?

Metallica Mondays started several years ago when I just needed a little Metallica to listen to. I had my favorite one of their albums with me in my car when I picked up my friend. I don't recall what we did or where we went, but whatever it was, it was on a Monday, and we listened to Metallica. Ever since then we called it Metallica Mondays whenever we needed a little Metallica in our lives.

There's something about the in-your-face, loud guitars that make me want to thrash about and dance. I don't just hear the music, I feel the music. I can't sit still. Is it ok to call Metallica "feel good" music?

It makes me feel good.

There's just something about Metallica. This weekend I found myself talking with a friend of mine about music we listened to back in high school. Turns out his favorite band was Metallica. I would have never guessed. I've always thought this particular friend of mine to be a handsome guy, but once he said that... now he's hot. ;)

Yeah, there's just something about Metallica.