Revisiting My 2015 Goals (Again)

I felt like it was a good time to revisit my 2015 goals (again).  I also feel like, as this year is progressing, I should add some new goals or perhaps modify some of the existing ones.  Here goes.

• Blog More.  I'm still feeling good about this.  I'd like to be more consistent, but I'm also going to be happy with what I've been doing so far.  I'd still like to do more than book reviews, so I'll be trying to work on that more as this year unfolds.
• Gym.  So... that's been pretty much an epic fail.  I really do need to be taking better care of myself-this is not just getting exercise and eating better.  We have been cooking more (David made this fantastic roast chicken last Sunday and a pork roast I just don't have the words for a few nights ago) which makes me feel better about what we are eating.  I also feel like I need to be taking better care of my skin.  So, I'm going to change this gym goal to a general health and wellbeing goal.  
• Quality time with my husband.  We've been enjoying some really lovely home cooked dinners, and quality time.  We have a getaway coming up that I'm really looking forward to.  It's nice to be able to go to a place where we both are able to relax and have some really good one on one time.
• Quilt with my mom.  This is still something I need to work on.  I need to be better at reaching out to my parents period.  I don't know why this is so hard for me, or why I have such a wall.  But I really do want to do projects with my mom and get to know her better now.
• Embroidery/Cross-Stitching.  This actually kind of goes with the above.  Also, I need to feel less restless.  

I want to do more of this

• Hang out with my sisters more.  We actually just had a really lovely sister weekend!  I meant to blog about it (and still may, ha ha!) but we ended up not taking may pictures.  We just hung out in the room and giggled and enjoyed each others company.  The weekend went to fast.  We need to plan some more sister time!
• Play games/watch games with friends.  Still working on this, but do have something in the works.  
• Read More.  I think I'm doing well with this goal, and have been reading some great stuff!
• Correspond more.  Still need to work on this.
• Find my music.  I've been making some progress with this, I actually should be blogging about some of that.  Coming soon I guess!

So I already modified the gym goal.  I want to add a few more.

• De-clutter.  I need to make time and go through my stuff.  I have a lot of stuff I should just get rid of.  It's taking space and in a way it's holding me back and weighing me down.  I have to work on letting go.
• Focus.  I have goals, now I need to focus and work on meeting those goals or making them happen.  I get overwhelmed and freaked out and I need to remind myself to step back, focus on one thing and see it through.  I can do this.

I. Can. Do. This.

Happy in My Own Skin

I knew before I even started down the path, that having tattoos I was going to get all kinds of responses to them.  The people around me, or who had to look at me every day, are nothing but supportive.  I put thought into any tattoo before I get it done, it is going to be with me forever.  I also made sure whatever I have done I can cover with a sweater-because you know, work.  As a result, I haven't really received any negative feedback.  I tend to run cold, so I wear sweaters more often than not, so tattoos and work have not been an issue.  The only people close to me that were not thrilled were my parents.  I expected that reaction from them.  But, they love me and want me to be happy and have mostly come around.

Yesterday was a different experience.  While buying some important items at Bi-Mart (peanuts for our murder of crows) a lady came up to me and said something like "Aren't you going to feel bad ruining your friends and families pictures with you tattoos?"  I guess maybe I was asking for it somewhat, I wasn't wearing my sweater.  It was a really nice day and I was too warm with it on.  At any rate, I was really surprised by the comment.  If it had been "sharkweek" I probably would have been more bitchy in my response, but I kept my cool.  I said something like "Not that it's any of your business, but I surround myself with supportive people who just want me to by happy and don't care what I look like."  I walked away before she could say anything else, or before I could.

Why do people feel like they can say things like that?  What about me said "Hey, ask me a potentially hurtful question?"  I understand that it's just part of the choice I made.  People are either really accepting, or really judgmental.  Thankfully I've been pretty lucky in my encounters, and really I am surrounded by a great group of family and friends.  I am more happy in my skin than I have ever been-which says a lot since I've always been a shy chunky girl.  I love the art that is now a part of me, and I love finally feeling happy in my own skin.

Yup, its me.  That lovely bird is just under a week old!

Book: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

I am a big fan of Brandon Sanderson, I have re-read his Mistborn Trilogy several times now, and just recently finished the first two books in his newest series, The Stormlight Archive.  I love his rich worlds full of strong women, cheeky men, creative magical systems, and new creatures.  His writing style is smart but not overly-wordy, always a enjoyable read.It seemed like it was time I read the first book he published, Elantris.   It is currently a stand alone book, but there are plans to release two more books in this world years after this story takes place.

Elantris is told through three main characters:  Raoden, the prince of Arelon; Sarene, princess of Toed and betrothed to Raoden; and Hrathen, a high ranking priest in the Shu Dereth religion.  Sarene is on her way to her official wedding, she left a week early in order to spend time getting to know Raoden before the ceremony.  Before she gets there, Raoden wakes to find he has been cursed by the Shoad.  It is like being dead without actually being dead.  Your skin is discolored and dried out, if your are injured it never heals and is incredibly painful, and you are always painfully hungry.  Raoden is condemned to Elantris, once the city of the Gods, the home to those cursed by the Shoad.  When Sarene arrives in Arelon she learns she is a widow.  The marriage contract considered her and Raoden already wed.  She finds herself in a strange city, a member of the most powerful family, and without a husband.  She also finds out she is not alone.  Sarene has a head for politics, and finds her way into a group of wealthy land owners brought together by Raoden that are trying to change the broken ways of Arelon.  Meanwhile Raoden is trying to make the best of his situation by trying to change the way of things in Elantris.  After doing some reading, and based on his knowledge of Elantris before it fell, Raoden believes the key to restoring Elantris and hopefully the inhabitants, is restoring power to the Aons.  Aons, are drawn images that when given power were able to do amazing things like heal people.  But something happened and the Aons were no longer able to draw the power the needed.  Will Raoden figure out how to repair things?  And then there is Hrathen, hell bent on converting the people to his religion, and using whatever means possible to do it.  He has a horrible minion that seems to one up and undermine Hrathen whenever possible.  His story line was not my favorite, but it was important to the other two.

Usually the chapter per character thing bothers me, but for some reason it doesn't bother me as much with Sanderson.  He has a way of not ending a chapter just as it starts to get good, but also I found I just didn't mind because I cared about what was going on with each character-even Hrathen.  I enjoy the way he unfolds the magic systems he creates, and the interactions between the characters and how their relationships unfold (or fall apart).  The only complaint I had about this book was that it ended.   I'm looking forward to seeing where he takes it, and where things are in the world years from when Elantris took place.  I love having books to look forward to!

Book: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Allegiant, the third and final book in the Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth,  A whole new layer has been revealed, and more damage has been done to the faction system and the world Tris knew.  With Jeanine no longer in charge, the new leadership in charge is the factionless group led by Evelyn.  They want people to live as equal, factionless people.  There is another group, the Allegiant, who want to return to their former way of life.  Tris uncovers a secret that only leads to more questions and chaos between the new groups.  To find answers to these questions Tris, Four, Christina, Cara, Uriah, Tori, Peter and Caleb leave to city to see what answers lie beyond their known borders.  There is some trouble getting out of the city, but once they do they find the Bureau of Genetic Welfare.  The group learns the truth behind their society and the factions.  They were one of many projects ultimately designed to fix people's bad genes.  Bad genes were believed to be the problem with society, and to fix things they set up these experiments with the hope of raising genetically pure (GP) individuals to fix the genetic damage left behind from the purity war.  Tris is also given information about her parents (sorry, that's all I'm saying).  There is conflict within the Bureau between the GP, and the genetically damaged (GD).  Tris and Four find themselves in the midst of another rebellion, and in the process more insight on the GP/GD situation.  I want to say more, but I really don't want to give things away because it's a good read and I don't want to give anyone an excuse not to read it.

I enjoyed the book, but I did find it harder to read as we went from following Tris and her point of view, to alternating between Tris chapters and chapters following Four.  I had a hard time going back and forth between the two.  The change in point of view was distracting for me.  I don't want to say to much more about the issues I had with this book because, again, I don't want to give anything away.  Read it, and then email me and we can share thoughts.  Actually that would be super awesome, do that!

Taking Stock

Making:  Nothing.

Cooking:  I haven't really done much cooking lately.  I've been uninspired in the kitchen.  I am kind of craving tacos.  May have to fix that at some point this week (or next).

Drinking:  Coffee, hopefully followed by wine (after work that is)

Reading:  Old Man's War but John Scalzi.  I've been enjoying reading, and I've been reading a lot.  I have some blog posts I need to finish and share but it's so hard to put down the book sometimes!

Looking:  Forward to the weekend.  I either want to go through some of my junk, or just have some quality down time with my sweetie.

Playing: World of Warcraft, although not as much.  Letting a tattoo heal, and am enjoying staring blankly at the TV after work.  (It requires less thought)  Can't seem to get into running around and doing stuff, but maybe that will change as my arm is starting to feel less funny.

Wasting:  Time.

Sewing:  Nothing right now.  I really need to talk to my mom about the fall leaf pattern I want to turn into quilt squares.

Wishing:  It was the weekend.  For some reason, work has just been work.  Overwhelming and frustrating.

Enjoying:  The cooler weather, and the fact that it's green and lovely outside.

Waiting:  For this week to be over.  I know, it's only Thursday, but it's been kind of a wonky week that I could do without.

Liking:  The Chef Soundtrack.  I have been wanting it and finally caved yesterday and bought it.  I do not regret it one bit!

Wondering:  When this year is going to get better-it's been kind of a downer.

Loving:  My husband, always, and my Sisters.

Hoping:  That this year will get better.

Marveling:  That I'm suffering from allergies.  It's all green and blooming here, while meanwhile in the mid-west/east coast people are buried in snow.  I feel bad complaining but I have concerns what the real allergy season is going to be like!

Needing:  More time with my husband.  It's time to plan another weekend getaway, but I'll take cuddle movie time and be just as happy!

Smelling:  Coffee, my mug is close at hand and the coffee is still hot and fresh.

Wearing:  Not the PJ's I wish I was still in.  I'm in appropriate adult work attire. /sigh

Following:  Work email-always so much going on and I'm having trouble staying current (I blame allergies)

Noticing:  That I've been REALLY (really) grumpy lately.  I don't know if I'm just feeling not myself, or what.  But yeah, I've been a grump.

Feeling:  Sleepy and hungry.  I could also go for some chocolate or a nice scone with my coffee.

Opening:  The office, time to end this and get ready to start the work day.

Book: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent, the second book in the Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth, continues to follow Tris.  She and her friends have survived the events in the first book and are trying to figure out how deal with what happened and what to do next. Tris travels with Four, Christina, Caleb, and Marcus to see if they can get aid from Amity.  Before they can really get what they wanted they are forced to run from the Dauntless and Erudite traitors who are looking for them.  While fleeing they find themselves in an unexpected meeting with a spokesperson from the factionless, those who were cast out of or did not belong with any faction.  She wants Four to convince what is left of Dauntless to join with the factionless.  The group spends some time with the factionless, and learns more about them including that their numbers are great.  The group breaks up to go different ways.  Tris and Four continue on to Candor headquarters, where they are arrested and interrogated while under the Candor truth serum.  No one can lie while under the effects of the serum, and Tris and Four share some things they would rather have kept to themselves.  The power struggles from the first book result in breaks in faction in this book.  Does one follow Jeanine's Erudite leadership, or do they follow their own faction?  We watch Tris make her choices and follow the path she believes is the right one, and all the things that happen as a result of those choices.  There are so many things you learn in this book, it's really hard not to give anything away.

I enjoyed that Tris grew stronger, and more confident in herself.  I didn't always agree with the choices she made but I respected that once she made the choice she followed through with it.  Relationships, intimate and peer, seem like a really hard thing for her to let happen so it was nice to see some of that development continue.  I look forward to her continued journey in the last book.