50 Book Challenge List

As I talked about in this post: I love to Read I have decided to do the 50 book challenge this year. I have never done any of the book challenges I have seen other bloggers do, so this is a new experience for me. Here is the beginnings of my list..I will be adding to it periodically, as I finish the books and reach for the goal, to read 50 Books in the year 2009. Any suggestions for books are welcomed. ;)

1. Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay: LOVED it! Very educational, and an altogether really good book.
   
2. Dispatches from the Edge, A Memoir of war, disasters and survival, by Anderson Cooper: might just be my favorite book now, but I do love me some Andy.. any day.
   
3. Veil of Roses, by Laura Fitzgerald: very good book, interesting view of the United States and Iran.
   
4. The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kid . I loved this story of Southern Life. I also really enjoyed the movie. However, as it usually goes, the book tops the movie.
   
5. 1984, by George Orwell. I still am not sure how I feel about this book. I can see how it has influenced many other things I love, i.e.: The Matrix, V for Vendetta. (V for Vendetta the book is on my to read list!) But yeah. Not so sure I'd read it ever again.
   
6. Holly Would Dream, by Karen Quinn. Anyone that loves Audrey Hepburn will enjoy. :)
   
7. In Her Shoes, by Jennifer Weiner: Awesome book! See blog post here.
   
8. Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot: I'm really loving these girly books.. what does that say about me? There are 2 more in this series, I am going to get them next week! Yay!
   
9. 3 Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortensen. Good guy, good idea, but was really hard for me to stay interested..
   
10. Cote D'Ivoire, by Patricia Kumer
    
11. Aya, by Margarite Abouet ~ I read both Cote D'Ivoire, and Aya for my Cote D'Ivoire presentation for my French class. I actually liked Aya's graphic novel-esque setup. Never really read a graphic novel all the way before.
    
12. Michelle Obama, In Her Own Words by Lisa Rogak. I love Michelle Obama.
    
13. Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld. I can't wait to read the next 3 books in the series!!
    
14. Pretties, by Scott Westerfeld.
15. 
    
16. 
    
17. 
    
18. 
    
19. 
    
20. 
    

I am excited. I have a lot of books written on my "to read list", both old and new, classic, and not so much.

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Fests, Parades, Inaugurations, and Friends

This past week has been busy, and fun.

Last Friday, The University of Utah football team had a Championship Parade in downtown Salt Lake. For anyone who doesn't know, the Utes won the Sugar Bowl Championship in New Orleans on January 2nd, where they beat Alabama 31 to 17 in a fabulous game. It was awesome! This brought them to an even more awesome record of a 13-0 season. So of course we had to celebrate. My little brother really likes sports and watched the Utes very closely this season, so I convinced my mom to let me check him out early from school and we headed down to the Parade. We rode trax, and saw some quite interesting people on our way down, and even crazier people on the way home. It was a lot of fun.

Tim and Me bored on Trax

Tuesday, was my favorite day of the week, and perhaps my favorite day of the Year. I was so excited for Barack Obama, you'd think I personally knew him. Two out of three of my classes that day were canceled, so I decided to skip French and stay home. How could I miss the Inauguration? I was practically glued to the TV. for hours.


On Wednesday, my sister Ashley and I decided that it was just ludicrous that being Utah natives we had never been to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, and drove up for the afternoon. We got there right after my classes were over, around noon. At first, it was kind of boring, not much going on. So we looked at the map and festival pamphlet that they give you and tried to decide on a movie to go see. We chose Crude. But we had a few hours to kill so we wandered Main Street, hoping to see some celebrities or something exciting. We walked down to the Music Cafe and listened to Angel Taylor, I really liked her. Apparently she's the next Colbie Caillat. She was pretty funny too. We sat on the bench, and I saw some guys with tight pants and interesting hair and said "Look it's the Jonas Brothers!" Totally kidding. Then we heard them sing.. and liked it. Their name is Locksley, we really liked them as well. Minus the tight emo pants.

I should be a Celebrity

"The Twins" : Me and Ashley

After Locksley, we wandered some more and took some pictures of ourselves. Some weird guy walked by us and yelled all highpitched "Sir! Don't take pictures of me" like he wanted everyone to think he was famous or something. We were pretty sure he wasn't, and thought that he was just stupid. I saw him at Target yesterday. Working. The lady with him asked my sister and I if we were twins; and later took our picture, saying she "had to have a picture of the twins," Crazy people.

Walking back up the street, some guy said that if we wanted to see someone to take pictures of, Chris Rock was up by the O.C. Tanner Rolex Lounge. So we went up there. We never saw Chris Rock, but we saw some other famous people. One guy, Mike Burton was there, these other girls acted like he was famous, and he looked important since he was being followed around by a camera man and all. But, we're still not sure exactly who he was. We then saw Anthony Edwards and Minnie Driver come out of the Lounge. That was awesome! I really like Anthony Edwards when he was on ER, and on an alltime classic, Top Gun. He actually allowed for people to take a lot of pictures, Minnie kind of just ran away so we just got the back of her head.

Anthony Edwards

Minnie Driver
(She's the one with the black hat and brown curly hair, running away)

Adrian Grenier??

After our Celebrity encounters, we wanted more... we heard that Burt Reynolds was inside the Lounge, but never saw him come out. Sadness. And we saw a guy that could be Adrian Grenier, but probably isn't. We can dream though right? After all of our Celebrity sightings, it was too late to get on the waitlist for the movie, and we were starving so we headed to Taco Bell and called it a day. Next year we are determined to plan more, and buy tickets ahead of time. We might just have a career with the Paparazzi.

One regret I do have, is not knowing about a film that was at Sundance, that I was unable to see just because it was played on days that I had to do more responsible things, like work or go to school. It's called, The Reckoning. It is about the International Criminal Court. It was nominated for an award though, so hopefully it will get it and I can see it when it comes out on DVD. ~~ crossing fingers ~~

Friday, I went to Applebees with longtime high school friends: Alisha, Jihyei and Suzanne. That was a lot of fun. It had been a long time since I had seen Suzanne, and at least 6 months since I had seen Jihyei, so it was fun to catch up. Hopefully the next time we see each other won't be quite that spread out. We decided that someone really just needs to say "We are meeting here at this time, on this day, hope you can be there," instead of creating long email threads of complaints and opinions on where we should go and when. Much easier when it's simpler.

Suzanne, Alisha, Me, Jihyei

All in all it was a good week. Guess I should go do some homework now.

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It's a New Day

I don't know that it has fully sunk in yet.. and I've gotta run and get on with my day.. but I had to just pop in and say, I am SO excited and Proud of MY PRESIDENT! ;)

and.. I can't get will.i.am's song, It's a New Day, out of my head. An awesome Obama believing youtuber posted this mix of the song, and Obama's victory speech from November 4, and I love it. So, for your viewing pleasure, while I go up to Park City to enjoy Sundance I am posting it here:

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Letterman's Tribute to W

This is hilarious..

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3 Days

Yay! I'm so excited. Only 3 days until it will be President Obama, but in this video, it's just "Dad."
I like it. ;)

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SALAM

Salam is the word for peace in Arabic, the language spoken in both Darfur and Gaza.

Finally! At least a little more movement and contribution to relieving the sorrow in Darfur. See article: U.S. begins Darfur supply fights. Click here for a History on the Conflict, and here to find out how you can help.

And then there's Gaza.. I was listening to NPR this morning on the way to class and heard an interesting thought, that somehow had escaped me. The caller said that she saw the Israeli strike on Gaza as "one last chance" because they know that they have President Bush's full support in their efforts to take down Hamas. Therefore they have used the last few weeks of his Presidency as a way to strike at Hamas, because they are unsure of what President Obama's view would be. I think that's interesting. Think its true? It very well could be.

I know that it is a very complicated situation, and I keep wanting to write a blog post fully about it, and come up with a completely 100% " I feel this way " statement, but it is hard. It is a disproportionate offensive, that's for sure. Israel has so much more power than Gaza. Which, in reality, no matter who sent the first rocket of attack, shouldn't Israel realize that by putting up such a large offensive and killing so many CHILDREN, that they are really just doing an injustice to themselves? The Arab world is going to hate them even more now. And the Osama tape that came out, somehow it really just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. He doesn't even really seem all that relevant anymore.

Some disturbing facts from this Conflict:

• UNICEF reports 320 children have died, and 1,500 have been injured. See article here: UNICEF: Children bearing brunt of Gaza war; watching this video (also embedded below) makes me sad.
  
• 1,000 total Palestinians have been killed, with nearly 5,000 wounded.
• 13 Israelis have died: 10 soldiers and 3 civilians.
• Israel won't let any media inside Gaza.. it really BOTHERS me. In this article they somewhat explain why, but I'm not really convinced.

Sigh. If only there could be peace.. Maybe everyone needs to take my Dispute Resolution class, eh?

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American Idol 8

Yay I'm so excited about American Idol!! It really does make each January a little less dreary when I'm like Wahoo, American Idol is on~!

The video below is of Danny Gokey, a contestant that made it through to Hollywood last night. His story is so sad. His wife had just died a few weeks prior to his audition.. and he sings pretty good. I hope he goes far.



Ps: I like the new judge, Kara, she's yet to say an annoying Paulaesque comment.

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Good Riddance Mr. Bush

I am a Political Junkie. I can admit it. I try to just say "well.. I am really 'up in current events'". But in all reality, it is more than that. I am a JUNKIE. ~haha~ So instead of just being satisfied with watching the short snippets of President George W Bush's last press conference, no no, I had to watch the whole thing and jot down some thoughts as he spoke. I think the press conference was very interesting, and perhaps monumental, in how it truly showed the many sides, controversies, and feelings around this president's reign.

SO some thoughts:

• There are millions of "Bushisms" : such as "missunderestimated", or "The Gaza" Oh man..

• "I'm George", said with a French accent, when talking to Suzanne Malveux(pronounced Sooz-awn Mawl-Voh), it showed his funny side. The side of him that many people can identify with. The folksy Texan side of him, that really might make him someone that is nice, and fun to be around - I just have issues with him being in control of the United States, that's all.

• He gets so forceful sometimes when he's defending himself. What would a Psychologist say about that..

• When asked about Gaza & Israel, not only did he really bother me when he kept saying "The Gaza", while I was actually trying to listen to what he said about the Palestinian Conflict. But then he said that the true solution is a "sustainable ceasefire" which, obviously, makes sense. However, it kind of bothers me when it's ALL put on Hamas. I mean.. is it REALLY all Hamas? I really think that there are two sides to every story. I don't know. That one - I shouldn't judge because it's very hard for me to completely come to an opinion. Note to self: more research, more research, more research

• One thing I very much agreed with him on, and I was almost like WHOA did that really come out of George W's mouth?!?? He said that the Republican party needs to be more inclusive - which is also a very smart, and a very true thing to say. I struggled to get my chin off the floor.

• When asked about his mistakes... He mentions the sign "mission accomplished", and when he mentions Katrina he says he should or could have landed Air Force One, after the fly over to survey the damage. I'm sorry but in Katrina, there was MUCH more wrong than just whether or not they flew over and didn't land. I mean, c'mon.
  

• And his weird little "self pity" rant? What was that? Paging the psychologist..

I have a lot of feelings when it comes to the Bush presidency, and all of the failures. Certain things will always amaze me. However, I don't think of myself as someone with Bush Derangement Syndrome. That's just CRAZY. Okay, so maybe just a little. ~ wink, wink ~

To see the video for yourself, click here.

And a "Bushism" to sign off with..

"I didn't grow up in the ocean—as a matter of fact—near the ocean—I grew up in the desert. Therefore, it was a pleasant contrast to see the ocean. And I particularly like it when I'm fishing."—Washington, D.C., Sept. 26, 2008

(click here for more Bushisms)

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16 Mondays

I decided that Amanda has something going there with her Countdown of Mondays until school is over, so I decided HEY why not join in? I really was going to count the days until I graduate with my AA, but that sounded monotonous, and maybe even less inspiring than I wanted it to be. So I decided not to be unique, and copy Amanda's idea, and count Mondays.. So here we go ~drumroll please ~

There are 16 Mondays until the End of the Semester, including today.

Halle-freakin-lujah.

.. and there's about 30 Mondays until I graduate with my Associates of Arts in Social Work. I think. The Summer semester schedule dates are not completely posted right now, or maybe it's too early in the morning and I can't find them even though they are staring me in the face. Either way, I guessed, and I think that sounds about right. 30. Whew. Okay. I can do 30. Right?

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I love to READ

I just signed up for www.goodreads.com, a few friends had been talking about it, and Ardie sent me an invitation. I am already a member of www.livingsocial.com, where you can track your books and things (I first discovered it on Facebook). However, I don't LOVE living social, so I thought hey why not, I'll try Good Reads. I still haven't decided what I think but I have decided that I want to do a challenge this year that a blogger friend of mine: Marg, is doing. Where you track 50 books that you read in 2009. I challenge all of you to it. :)

Here's the beginning of my list..
1. Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay: I am almost finished with it, and I am completely hooked! I would highly recommend it. Amanda gave it to me for Christmas because she's awesome like that. The book follows a Journalist as she investigates a real life incident that happened in Paris in 1942, during the Nazi occupation known as Vel d'Hiv. It's crazy and heartbreaking.. but also a really good book. I think once I am finished I will write a post about the Vel d'Hiv.

So, as you can see.. I have a lot of room left on my list, but we all have to start somewhere right? I am open to suggestions, if anyone can think of some favorite books that they love, or new ones that are awesome, I would love to hear about it. As I was looking at the books on Good Reads, I realized I haven't read some of the very classic books. Like Animal Farm, or 1984. I think I will read those next.

Here's a link to me on Good Reads. And on Living Social. Check it out ;)

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L'école est "school" en Français

School. School has always been one of those things I have a love-hate relationship with. Like when I fell down yesterday, and got snow all up my pants and in my shoes and all over my socks. Yeah, that was the hate side. But when I realized I think I am going to really enjoy my French class, not because I am motivated to learn it, because I am for my own reasons, but because the Professor actually seems pretty cool! That part was the love side.

It has been SEVEN years since I graduated from High School. Seven. That's as long as it took me to get from 5th grade to Senior year in High School. That makes me feel so old. And I guess a little unaccomplished, or maybe untraditional. I am just barely going to get my Associates this coming August, and I am so excited about it, it's almost funny. I know I was "supposed" to get it a long time ago. Nevertheless, I think the path I went on, to finally arrive at this major, and finally arrive with these goals and things.. I wouldn't have arrived here if I had just stayed at school. I feel like I've achieved a lot of "Real Knowledge" and learned that even when I'm not in school, or when it's not an assignment, I still really love to learn. I do - I do, and I really like to write about what I learn. Yup. Self appreciation here I am. haha. Just kidding-just kidding.

For those who care.. and even those who don't. Here are my classes for this semester:

• Beginning French
• American Government
• Social Work
• Dispute Resolution

Some who read often, will notice that Thanatology isn't on there. I really DID sign up for it and I just barely dropped it this morning. Reason being.. It was two and a half long hours, which I thought I could handle. Until I found out that it was separated into 2 parts. The first part was the lecture normal class section, the second part was a bereavement group. The class would allow me to go and get tested to have my bereavement counseling certificate. Which, might have been cool. And perhaps someday it will be something I want to do. But as for right now, I'm not up for that.. every Thursday. I don't do well with death, and probably shouldn't be the person counseling others on that part of life. So I moved on... That class was for my Social Work electives, and now I just replaced it with Dispute Resolution. So we're good. :) I ALSO am excited that I figured out that if I stick to my plan (which I will!) I can Graduate with BA in Social Work in December 2010. So only a year and a few months after I get my Associates. Yay! Then the plan is to apply to the MSW/MPA combined program at the U.. but hey, one step at a time. Right?

Now..

Goal for my Masters

So at least this school part of my life is figured out. Now.. moving on to work.. I haven't had a lot of success. I found a Tutoring job thing, through UVU, that I would like to do. I have applied for it and talked to the adviser, so I am hoping it will work. And my "exit interview" / do you want to stay? (or more like CAN I stay) is on the 22nd at Macy's, so it'd nice if all of it fit together.

And Volunteering: I am going to a Volunteer meeting on the 21st for The International Rescue Committee. So some of my resolutions are on their way..

That whole "eating healthy" thing, hasn't worked out quite yet. I just ate Taco Bell and Cinnamon Bears. Oops! Maybe that's what I should do, require myself to blog about what I eat. Then I might be a little bit better.

So I am trying to keep to my Resolutions. Yahoo.

Laters

Le soleil luit pour tout le monde.
"the sun shines for all the world"

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In 2009

I will..

• Be a very good student
• Graduate with my Associates of Arts in Social Work
  
• Volunteer MUCH more ~ and log my hours
• International Rescue Committee
• Ascend Alliance (Kim: me, you, Gala, you game?)
  
• Primary Children's
• Any other ideas??
  
• Find a super great job
• Find an awesome resume-building Internship
  
• Eat healthier
• Plant a yummy Vegetable garden
• Spend more time with Friends
• Go on Vacation
• Save money
• Write letters to old friends.. i.e.: The Babcocks
• Start a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program
  
• Spend more time with Family
• Blog more - hahahaha, just kidding!

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Grandma Update

My Grandma is doing much better, she's been laughing and giggly ever since she had the Angiogram. I think the fact that it came back okay really gave her a big sense of relief. Thanks to all your thoughts and prayers. I appreciate it. She is still in the hospital, but should be leaving IHC to go to Health south for rehabilitation with all of her muscle damage. She also has Parkinson's, and has trouble walking. So, we are hoping that they'll be able to teach her some new things at Health south so that she will do better with that. She's only going to stay there for a few weeks, it all just depends on how well she progresses and improves. My Grandma is pretty stubborn, and she says that she is determined to only stay there for 2 weeks AT THE MOST. So that's good. I am glad she is so determined.

After Health south, we are unsure what will happen. I don't know if she really can go back to living in her Condo alone. So, more changes might be on the way. Whether that means her living with one of us, or us putting together a schedule where she's never really alone for very long, I don't know. One step at a time. Right?

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Grandma Jeaner

2009 hasn't started off too wonderfully. My Grandma Jean was taken to the ER on New Years night, because she had fallen and had been on the ground for at least 6 hours. :( We now know she had a heart attack, and she is in getting an Angiogram as I type this. I hope that everything goes okay, and that they can fix any problems they find. AND that her Kidneys will be strong enough to flush out the dye after the procedure.

I have one request, if you're reading this you obviously know me.. so could you just say a quick prayer for my Grandma? I would greatly appreciate it.

She doesn't like her picture taken.. but here's a few recent ones. I love this Crazy Lady!

Summer 2008 - Doesn't like her picture taken.. but we took it anyway!

Halloween 2008 - everyone, including Grandma tried on Tim's Hippy wig!! She thought it was hilarious.

Christmas Day 2008

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