Book list....

So it just dawned on me that there are several books that I want/need to add to my bookshelf.

• Collected Stories - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
• The Five Love Languages - Gary Chapman
• I Didn't Plan to be a Witch - Linda Eyre
• Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman
• To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

Long Distant Relatives.

I'm currently reading, The Friday Night Knitting Club.  It's about a working single Mom, who's Caucasian, named Georgia and her half Black daughter Dakota.  James, Dakota's father, left Georgia and Dakota to work in Paris.  Georgia didn't speak ill of James, but wasn't thrilled when he decided to return to New York, thirteen years later.  James realized that he needed and wanted to be a part of Dakota's life.  He wanted her to get to know his side of the family and culture.  Dakota wanted to know that side, as well.
On Facebook, I saw that I had a photo tag, in an unfamiliar photo.  I clicked on it and then realized that I didn't really know anyone, but I knew that they were from my Tongan side due to their clothes.  I asked my cousin Timothy, via FB, if he could tell me who they all were from left to right. [For remembrance sake: Mele (NZ), Siu (Aus), Tae (NZ), Tita (Aus), Suliana (Aus), Milika (Aus), Lela (Aus), Dorothy (USA)…and the minister in the back is one of their four Brothers – Manase (Vava’u)].  I've met my cousin Lela in teal and her brother Manase, when I was very young. 
I looked at these women and I felt like I could see family resemblences.  I felt like I looked like them.  My thick, coarse hair makes sense now, as well as my round nose and body structure.  Even though I've never met 80% of the people in this picture, I could feel that they were my family.  My Dad started to tell me stories of his family members, and in particular all my (above) cousins' Dad, Peau.  I love hearing stories of my Dad's family and his homeland of Tonga.  I feel a little bit more connected to a land and people that I have yet to meet.
I look forward to the day that I find myself on a plane headed to the south Pacific.  Just like Dakota, I want to get to know my family members and know where I came from.  However, in the meantime, I'm grateful for the magic of technology that can bring families together....even when we're oceans apart. 

Thank you Facebook.

Goals: Before & During 2012!

As I was lying awake in my bed at 3am, this morning, I started to think of some of the things I would like to accomplish before 2012 and during 2012.  Just so I can reflect back on it, I thought I'd post it here.

BEFORE 2012: (so basically, within the next 29 days--TOTALLY doable!)

• Watch Inception.
• Go to the top of the Hyatt hotel.  (It's 40 floors up and has a beautiful view of SD...from what I hear)
• Eat Pho.
• Read another book.
• Eat at Bronx Pizza. 

I really want to do all of those before 2012.  Luckily, Mr. Red just bought the Blu-ray version of Inception off of Amazon, so that goal will be completed soon. When my nephew, Bub/Kea, comes to visit we'll FINALLY go eat at Bronx. As for the others... I'm thinking of asking Oeste out to either Pho or the Hyatt..or both? :) We'll see.  

DURING 2012: My "12 in 12" goals! (It's still a work in progress, this is what I have so far)

1. Visit Maui.
2. Get my passport.
3. Pursue a relationship.
4. See my best friend StephyPooh & Britty.
5. Finish Les Miserables.
6. Find out what's so great about running/jogging {by doing it myself...pray for me.}

So that's where I'm at, so far......  I'm really stoked for these goals.  I love the sense of accomplishment! Besides, it's good to work towards something...that's the point to this life, right? :) Good luck to me!

A foggy mind...

My mind feels cloudy...or foggy, whichever one is more difficult to see through.  

-I HATE doing my resume. I think it's right up there with traffic school & working on my car--I loathe those two things.  

-Yesterday, I felt like I was in total B! mode. My head was pounding due to the ash and burnt smell in the air.  I just felt like a crab and didn't want to be around anyone. I tried to sleep it off, but I think I woke up in a worst mood. I just stayed in my room, it's safer that way.  If ever I can avoid situations where I'm mean spirited and then having to apologize for it, then I do it.  

-I just need to shake this grey cloud that's over my head.  FAST! SOON!! 

-I'm starting to take a liking to my new ward. It's still not the same as CVYSA, but I can't keep that mentality. It's detrimental to liking and becoming part of this new ward.  I met more people this past Sunday.  I'm glad I joined ward choir, they're so nice and positive.  It's like instant friends.  I'm kinda looking forward to this Sunday, but this past Monday's FHE, I started to become introverted again. I got seriously shy. It just came on suddenly...I hope that doesn't happen on Sunday!

-I need to read something, soon.  I haven't read anything for the last 2 weeks and I feel stupid.  Ok, maybe that's extreme, but after coming off of reading 3 books, back-to-back, I NEED something to read, ASAP!!  What I need to do is contact my new sweet book hook up and start getting some books!!! 

-Ok that's all.......Happy Thursday!

Free books? YES PLEASE!!

This has become my favorite spot in my house.   Lately, it's become the focal point of my room.  Before, my bookshelf use to just hold my books, but now it's become the center of my universe. I just love this corner because of how colorful and alive it feels.  These aren't all of my books, I've got books under my bed and in a box in the trunk of my car.
I've been spending a lot of time at my secret book spot and scoring some sweet finds!  Yesterday I scored the sweetest "find" possible!
Right after my mission, I worked in the office at Deseret Industries.  There was a gentleman that came in about 2-3 times a day for books.  He was always friendly with me.  I would entertain his humor and laugh at his lil jokes.  In talking with him, I came to find out that he did book reviews for Deseret Book.  Once he offered me a possible book review job. I turned it down since I was soon leaving for school out of state.  The funny thing about it, he wasn't Mormon.  However, he had a respect for the LDS church, being Jewish.
Over the years, I'd randomly see him around town.  We remembered each others' names and would exchange pleasantries with one another.  Yesterday, as I was eating lunch with my best friend, he happened to approach us and soon joined our table for a few minutes. We talked about the DI, Utah and books.  I expressed my rediscovered love of books & my secret book spots in town.   He told me that he had somewhere much better than all those places combined--his personal collection.  He said that he's been giving all my secret spots hundreds of books from his collection.  He hasn't been able to do so lately because of his failing health.  He gave me his card and said to put a list together of all the books I'm looking for. (He even offered for me to just come over and go through all his books...all of which I could have for free!!) I told him I was looking for a lot of the classics (Les Miserables, Anna Karenina, The Odyssey, Iliad), he said that he had them all.  Also, if I happen to be looking for church books, he had those as well.  Now I remember him telling me how Deseret Book use to send him books for him to read and review, so he read through them once and just kept them (or later donated them).
HELL FRIGGIN YEAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!
It was like a ginormous Christmas gift!!  I AM SO FRIGGIN STOKED!!! TOTALLY HOOKED UP!!!
Oh I cannot wait!!  My mind has been racing since our chance meeting!
What do I want??
Walt Whitman... Edgar Allan Poe... Leo Tolstoy....Robert Browning....Jane Austen....EVERYTHING!!
YES, PLEASE!!!

Excuse me, I'm suffering from a case of 'Butterfly Knots' today.

-So tomorrow's my recital. I'm nervous as heck and because I am, I can't memorize A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G!!!  When my nerves get the best of me, it's just terrible!!!  It's like my mind can't wrap itself around the lyrics that I know I KNOW.... I can already feel the knots in my stomach. Knots? Butterflies? Butterfly knots? Yes, that's exactly what I have.  I have Butterfly Knots.  That's what I'm calling them from now on.  

-Have you ever been super stoked excited to see someone...and then got way too nervous that you started to think that you don't want to see them?  Sorry, apparently I'm suffering from the 'crazies' as well today.  

-Anywhoo... I get to walk & talk with Mr. Red tonight. Walking & talking is one my most favorite thing to do with friends. I think fresh air helps people think clearer.  Plus, I always rather be outside. (And when I say "walk" I mean 'stroll', no power walking here...it'll interfere with the integrity of a good conversation)

-I finished reading Eat, Pray, Love last night and then watched the movie. Yep, the book was WAAAAAAAAAAAAY better!!! Oh I loved that book!! I need to meditate. I haven't being doing so lately.  I like trying to align my chi and get my spirit in a good place.  

-Sim & I went to Barnes & Noble yesterday. OH MAN, I LOVE THAT PLACE!!!! I ALWAYS want to buy EVERYTHING in there...or at least one of everything.  I love the deal they have going on right now, Buy 2 get 1 free (of their B&N classic versions).  I found Anna Karenina, The Art of War & Tao Te Ching.   I SOOOOOOOOOOOO wanted those...but I need to finish the books I've recently purchased.  Those will the next 3 books I purchase.  But, I also found an awesome book by Walt Whitman that I want...which happens to be part of that special.  Man, I LOVE BOOKS!! I LOVE TO READ!!! As we were walking around, I felt as giddy as a kid at Disneyland.  

-Yes, books & reading have become my life. Earlier this week, I went to my secret spot for buying sweeeeet books. I TOTALLY scored on a compact quad of the scriptures (Bible & Book of Mormon).  TOTAL SCORE! I love it!! I can't wait to start reading the scriptures again, from cover to cover. I'm stoked for this smaller version because, for the last 5 months I've been hauling a VERY heavy bag to church each week. Now I can just show up with a cute small purse and call it a day! :) Love it!  I also bought: 

I've rediscovered my love affair with reading & books and I couldn't be any happier.  More on this top later...

What's cookin', good lookin'!?

I started reading "Like Water for Chocolate" last night.  I've always LOOOOOOOOVED that book!  I'm 70% done with the book. Oh Tita y Pedro...

But now I just want to make everything under the sun!! 

I've been craving my Peruvian bean & chicken soup.  I NEED to make that.  Oooh I miss it so! I feel like it cures a sad heart and cheers a good day.  Yup, it's really that good.  

Oh I don't know what I want to make...but I feel like I want soup. However, I miss eating soup with Mama McK's homemade bread.  

In essence, I miss Mama McK.  I miss her a ton.  Oh my heart could use one of our wonderful Tuesday conversations in the kitchen.  

But for now, I will attempt to make my soup and send good thoughts her way.  I miss her so. 

Did you know that today's Tuesday?

S t u f f  o n  m y  m i n d....


-I bought two books today. Thanks for the birthday money, Mom & Dad, this is what I used some of it for.  I feel like these two books are complete opposites, but I'm SUPER stoked for both books! Oh I LOVE Like Water for Chocolate!! It's filled with such passion and delectable meals! LOVE IT!!

-Hung out with my niece today. Tons of fun, singing in the car to Glee, eating our Polish dogs at Costco and just chillin'.Goooooood times. I feel so blessed/spoiled that my niece WANTS to hang out with me.  How lucky am I?! :) 

-Can't really think of anything else right now.........  


-Oh yes I can.... I CAN'T wait til Friday!! I get to see BabyChleo!
-Citizen Cope & hoodie sweaters make me happy.
-I think this is gonna be yet ANOTHER epic weekend!! Can't wait!
-I've been listenin' to a lot more classical and opera music.  I forgot how much I LOVE it!!  It just feels like I'm listening to REAL music, REAL singing and REAL talent.  It feels like the purest form of music.  Much more relaxing! 
-My niece was talking to me about wanting to learn the violin.  I have a violin and know how to play it.... so maybe I could give her lessons.  I want her to have music talent, since it thrives in my family.  I don't know where to start, since it's been 23 years since I took my first violin lessons.  We'll see....

A 2am Quickie.....just how I like 'em.

SO. MUCH. ON. MY. MIND.!!!

-My talk: I haven't really started it.  I don't like writing down talks word for word anymore.  I'm an RM, I shouldn't have to.  Besides, my topic is fairly easy.  I'm not nervous, but I feel a lil unprepared.   The part that makes me nervous is because this is a topic that Mr. Red and I have gone back and forth on.  I'm not gonna lie, I'm fascinated and intimidated by Mr. Red's intelligence.  If all else, I can bear testimony of what I know to be true--that is something that no one can dispute.

-It's 2am. I need to wake up in about 5.5 hours and I still need to shower from after Volleyball.

-My hair's getting long!! :) :) :) I love it!!

-I spent the evening with Mr. Red, a couple nights ago.  It was enjoyable, as always, and he made dinner--unexpected.  We talked and it was lovely, most especially since he had classical & opera music playing in the background. Oh I LOVED LOVED LOVED that!!  Such a splendid evening of stimulating conversation!  

-Sim & I are going to the temple tomorrow (aka: 6.5 hours from now).  I'm so stoked! I love spending time with Sim! He's more like my 21 year old kid brother than my nephew.

-I have a headache.

-I wish I knew how to de-clutter my room. I mean, it's clean...ok, I mean, it's on it's way to being clean. I'm 75% done, but had to leave to go do Visiting Teaching. But seriously, I'm tired of the stuff I hold on to.  Sometimes I think it's so unnecessary to hold on to stuff for nostalgic reasons.  I'd love to get to the point of owning just enough stuff to fit in my car, that's it! That would be AWESOME!

-I've got a busy weekend ahead of me.  Temple tomorrow morning, then missionary farewell party at night, with a Mexican Independencia party afterwards til 11pm'ish.  Saturday; church cleaning, funeral for a Relief Society sister's stepdad, possibly squeeze in some time at the Pacific Islander Festival and then a stake service project, dinner & general Relief Society broadcast.  Sunday; my talk, more visiting teaching and stake choir practice.  Oh man....hello Monday!

-I'm lovin' Les Miserables!! Oh and I'm lovin' the music as well!!! The book is just so wonderful! I love the priest!

-I can't believe the end of my Relief Society calling is right around the corner. I'm sad, but happy.  Not happy that I'm leaving it, but happy to know that I did my very best! 

Amazon!

I have a love/hate relationship with Amazon! Every time I'm on there, I just wanna buy EVERYTHING!!!  So for now, these are on my wish list..... 

(yes, some of them are children's books, but I've never read them all the way through but always heard so much about them.  I especially love the Shel Silverstein books!)

"Good reading can become a love affair" -G.Hinckley

What's on my night stand right now....

Lately, I've rediscovered my love affair of reading.  I finished, The Traveler's Gift, and LOVED it!!! So much good food for thought!!  Last Saturday, I spent sometime talking with Mr. Red about his favorite book.  I've been trying to read it since March. I talked with my friend FishLips and he suggested I try again.  I did.  Les Miserables is so wonderful!
I've been reading, Standing for Something, off and on since last week. I love the virtues that Pres. Hinckley speaks about.  They're a good reminder of what I need to do to improve my life.
The Te of Piglet makes me love Piglet even more.  I love the philosophies that are presented. Such good food for thought.  I like reading this book when I just need to clear my mind and not really concentrate on remembering different characters.  So good...can't wait to start on The Tao of Pooh.
My sister LOVED Eat, Pray, Love so I figured I'd borrow it from her.  I started to get into it, but misplaced it.  I found it recently and thought I'd try it again.  Every time I read it, I just want to take a trip to India, Italy & Indonesia!!

As I sat in a waiting room yesterday, reading Standing for Something, I came across two great points:
-"We must not rest in our personal development--development that is emotional and spiritual as well as mental.  There is so much to learn and so little time in which to learn it."


-"Indeed, the schooling of our spirits is as important as the schooling of our minds, if not more important"


I don't know where this resurgence of learning and reading came from...but I'm grateful for it. I have so much more I need to learn and read, life is short!

Beautiful words.

I was over at Mr. Red's tonight and we got talking about his favorite book.  I'm TRYING to read it but keep failing at it.  He shared some quotes with me, from the author, that makes me want to read it even more now!

"The glance has been so abused in love stories that we have ended up discounting it.  Hardly anyone dares now say that two beings fell in love because their eyes met.  And yet that is the way you fall in love and it is the only way you fall in love.  The rest is simply the rest and comes after. Nothing is more real than those great seismic shocks that two souls give each other in exchanging that spark."

&

"All of us, whoever we may be, have beings we breathe in like air.  If they are lacking, air is lacking, we suffocate.  Then we die.  To die for lack of love is appalling; the suffocation of the soul."

I feel like those two quotes are so simply beautiful.  It makes me ponder, to depths of my being, if I've ever experienced such feelings.  I LOVE love. I love being in love.  I love everything that relates to it.  It's such a powerful feeling to allow yourself to be open, giving, trusting, and vulnerable with someone who loves you more so, because of it.

Thank you, Victor Hugo...via  Mr. Red. 

Thoughts on a Thursday.

Since yesterday, I've been reading, The Traveler's Gift.  I stumbled across it while at a friend's house and thought I'd check it out.  I looked at it before, but I was really drawn to it yesterday.  Now I know why! I can't put it down!! I just want to continue reading it but there are so many GREAT points to ponder.   I'm about half way through and hope to finish it off by tonight. 

I didn't really read the back cover or see what it was about, nor did I read the subtitle; 

"Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success".  

I would have thought this was a 'self-help' book and disregarded it. So far, it has a vibe like, The Alchemist.  

The Traveler's Gift is about a man, David Ponder, who was once a successful executive that lost his job and basically all meaning to his life.  Things take a turn for the worse when his 12-year-old daughter falls ill and needs medical help.  In the depths of despair, willing to give it all up while driving recklessly on icy roads, he suddenly finds himself on an incredible journey through time that helps him discover the 'seven decisions that determine personal success'.  

Some of my favorite lines from the book so far;

• "Challenges are gifts, opportunities to learn"
• "I am where I am today--mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially--because of my decisions I have made"
• "Serving is a way we can place value on one another. A wise man is a server."
• "He who serves the most grows the fastest"
• " I will become a humble servant.  I will not look for someone to open y door- I will look to open the door for someone.  I will not be distressed when no one is available to help me-I will be excited when I am available to help."

Seriously, I cannot wait to continue reading this book tonight!!

10 Day YOU Challenge: 4

(4) Marley & Me...or anything by John Grogan.  Love his writing style!
(3) Memoirs of a Geisha. I love Japan even more because of this book!
(2) Like Water for Chocolate. Makes me want to cook more often!
(1) One Hundred Years of Solitude--HATE HATE HATE this book.  

Reading > Writing

I like reading.  

I always have. 

I think I attribute that to my Mom sending me to my room for quiet time and my 8th grade English teachers, Ms. Silva & Ms. House.  

Sometimes I just feel the need to read.
If I don't, I feel like I start to become dumb.  Like I'm letting my mind waste away.  I don't like that. 

About 3 months ago I started reading Les Miserables.  

It was a nice first page.  

I was trying to read it to impress a friend.  

If I still want to impress this friend then I've got a month to complete it.  

We'll see about that.  I'm a lil busy these days. 

However, I was staring at my bookshelf today and saw my favorite book.... Marley & Me.  

I LOVE LOVE LOVE John Grogan!! I never thought I was one of those people who read a specific author, but I've come to realize that I am! He only has 2 books, but I LOVE both of them. I LOVE his style of writing. He paints the most perfect picture that makes me feel like I'm right there with him, in all of his recollections.  Maybe it helps that he's also a journalist so he has learned to paint the most precise picture that gets his exact point across.  

I wish I could write more like John Grogan.

I will, soon enough.

The "Book Meme" blog...what?

The Rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book of 123 (or more) pages.
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.

2. Open the book to page 123 and find the 5th sentence.
"I'm no more a rival to her than a puddle is a rival to the ocean"

3. Post the next 3 sentences.
"Not in the teahouses of Gion, perhaps. But within your okiya...Don't you find it odd that Mrs. Nitta has never adopted Hatsumomo as her daughter? The Nitta okiya must be the wealthiest in Gion without an heir. By adopting Hatsumomo, not only would Mrs. Nitta solve that problem, but all of Hatsumomo's earnings would then be kept by the okiya, without a single sen of it paid out to Hatsumomo herself."

4. Tag 5 people.
It's Saturday, I'm lazy....YOU!