How to Spend a Sick Day

There's nothing quite like waking up one morning with a crazy stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes. It's a guarantee for a good day!

Not.

At first I thought it was just allergies. Even on the news they were saying this week the air was dangerous for people with allergies. I'm not sure if I have them... but I decided it was a possibility.

But yesterday when I could barely keep my eyes open at work and I felt like death... I had a feeling something was up.

Thankfully, I was able to take the afternoon off and in the evening I figured out I had a fever. Definitely not allergies.

Which means I'm home sick today. I was able to sleep in which was a HUGE help. My eyes feel way better and I can actually keep my eyes open. Still not feeling 100%, but I'm on my way.

The thing is, I'm not good at being sick. As much as I love having time to just lay around and rest... when I'm "required" to do so I tend to have problems sitting still.

However, here are some things I've been doing to keep myself occupied while recovering.

1) Drink tea. It's not my favorite, but with a lot of honey in it I'm good to go.

2) Watch as many versions of Pride and Prejudice as possible. Since I want to nap, I find it useful to have something on in the background I know well and don't have to pay super close attention to. Also, the version with Kiera Knightly has really relaxing music. That was the version I watched yesterday. Today I'm working through The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.

3) Read. I didn't get to read a whole lot yesterday due to the "watery eyes I can't keep open" thing. But since that's not much of a problem today, I plan on getting a lot of reading done for Bout of Books. The Vanishing Act is super short (only slightly over 200 pages) so I'll probably get most of that done this afternoon.

4) Plan a Jamberry Nails Online Party- AND YOU ARE INVITED!

Yes, you read that right. One of my good friends from Missouri just started a Jamberry Nails business and I decided to help her out by hosting an online party.

What's Jamberry you ask?

Well... in the words of my friend:

They are vinyl adhesives that are heat activated (hair dryer, space heater, etc.) and pressure sealed. They are super easy to apply and once applied, last for 2wks on fingers, and up to 6wks on your toes! If you would like a free sample mailed to you, please PM me your address and choose one of the 10 samples in the photo below.

They can also be applied over top of gel, shellac, and acrylic nails - although, the most popular method is directly onto your natural nail. They are non toxic and so they won't harm your nails, when removed correctly. If you have any questions at all, please ask away! Your hostess, Emily, and I are here to make sure you enjoy yourself and, hopefully, make sure you leave with some glamorous nails of your own to show off!

Pretty awesome, right? I ordered four sheets not long ago and I CAN'T WAIT for them to come in.



Want to join in on the fun? Click on this link: http://mamakat06.jamberrynails.net/party/?uid=65c64bfd-b7ab-460e-a30c-abdeb249e0fc

Just be sure you order through Emily Hornburg's party.

We'll be going through May 25 and feel free to share the link with your friends!

Finding Identity

A few weeks ago, I finally saw the Divergent movie. (Late to the party- I know.) I enjoyed both the book and the movie. Not my all-time favorites, but enjoyable and I think there's a lot of things to take from the story. However, there was one thing I couldn't help but think about as I watched the movie.

In case you don't know the premise:

It's a futuristic/dystopian society set in Chicago. The people are divided into five groups, factions, which are:  Abnegation (selfless), Candor (honest), Erudite (intelligent), Amity (peaceful), and Dauntless (bravery). When one is a teenager, they are to take a test which will help them to determine which faction they would fit in best. Then, they are to pick the one they will live in. It's all about knowing yourself and where you think you will fit. They leave their family and former way of life for their new faction. Faction before blood as the story says.

As I watched the movie I couldn't help but think "How the hell is a teenager supposed to make a decision like that?"

I know there are teenagers who do know themselves and possibly might be able to make such a choice. However, I know for sure I wasn't one of them. Or even if I thought I was, I have a sinking feeling later in life I would have changed my mind about which faction to be in. Because at that point in my life I was still figuring out who I was.

Heck, I'm still figuring out who I am.

How do you determine who you are?

I know I'm not the only one who wonders this. Not long ago, I was talking with a close friend who recently lost her job. She lamented to me:  "That job was my whole life. It was who I was. What do I do now?"

What happens when what you identify yourself with gets taken away?

A few years ago, one of the teenagers I worked with wanted to be in the military. It wasn't just his chosen career- it was his whole life. Everything was about being in the military. When the time came to enlist, a tiny  glitch in his health prevented him from joining any branch. From there he went on this crazy downward spiral trying to figure out how to fill that hole and find who he was. (He's fine now by the way.)

It's funny what we choose to identify ourselves with. Careers, relationships, family, friends, fandoms, pet-lover, mother, father, husband, wife, etc.

I've been re-reading The Mortal Instruments and in the second book, the main character Clary finds herself in her own identity crisis. She thinks she's just a normal teenager when in fact her mother has been lying to her the whole time and she is actually a shadowhunter who fights demons. In fact, she even has more family members than she originally expected.

"Somebody's girlfriend. Somebody's sister, somebody's daughter. All these things I never knew I was before, and I still don't really know who I am." (City of Ashes chapter 4)

What if what we thought was true about ourselves and our lives turns out to be wrong? What does that make us then?

I think a lot about Julie Andrews. For years and years she was one of the greatest singers in Hollywood and Broadway. Then, she lost her voice. She can't really sing anymore. Yet, she still keeps going. I don't know what her daily life is like or what it was like for her when she first lost her voice, but from what I can tell it doesn't seem to phase her. She's still fantastic. She's still Julie Andrews.

Yet, she had lost part of who she was. A singer. How do you recover from that?

How do you define yourself? When you lose it, how do you find yourself again?

Bout of Books Progress: On page 203, Chapter 12 of Clockwork Angel

Bout of Books

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 12th and runs through Sunday, May 18th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 10 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

It's my first ever book-a-thon! My friend Kirstie is participating, and when I heard about it I decided, "hey, why not?" Basically. You challenge yourself. Try to read more books than usual in one week. That easy.

Technically, I was supposed to have a sign up blog post and a separate one for my goals and link up each, if I link this one up for both, that counts... Right? Here's hoping.

Time Devoted to Reading:

I read every single day.

- Before I leave for work
- If I'm at work early I read a bit before the kids arrive
- More when I get home
- Then as I can in the evenings after work and before bed

My Goal:

As I was looking through my Goodreads, it seems as though I've been finishing about 3 or 4 books a week lately. Since it's my first read-a-thon, I decided I'm going to shoot for five books and have a bonus sixth book for "extra credit."

The Books:

With the release of the final book of The Mortal Instruments (City of Heavenly Fire) is to be released at the end of May, I've been attempting to re-read the other five so it's all fresh in my memory. However, today I've been poking around the Internets and I'm starting to wonder if there will be spoilers from the spin-off trilogy, The Infernal Devices. Therefore, I'm switching directions.

The first two books I plan on reading will be the first two books in The Infernal Devices. I read the first one last summer, but it was more like a speed-read and I barely remember a thing. So I want to give it another go

The next book I want to read is The Vanishing Act. Erin Morgenstern, the author of The Night Circus, RAVED about this book so I knew I had to read it. I got it from the library and it's due on Saturday so I need to get it done.

After that will be The Rose Garden. This is another library book which will need to be returned.

Then finally, I'll try to do another book from The Mortal Instruments.

If I get all of these done, I'll make my "extra credit" book the final installment of The Infernal Devices. I've heard it's awesome and I'm sure I'll be dying to read it. Therefore, motivation to finish the others. Hopefully.

Have any of you participated in a book-a-thon?

You Know You Went To CUC/CURF When...

Lately, I've seen some other bloggers talking about which colleges/universities they went to. Things you may have missed if you hadn't gone there, if you went there you remember, etc. It's been really fun to read because it shows just how each school is so different from the other one and we all have such great memories from them all.

Therefore, I surveyed some of my old college friends to see what some of them would finish the phrase "You Know You Went to Concordia Chicago (or River Forest if you're old school) When..."

Gotta love embarrassing college photos...

- You still celebrate Weenie Wednesday and crave Gene & Judes, Johnny's Itallian Ice, Sub T's, and Giordanos

- You know about the COOL(Chapeltorium of our Lord) and have gone to at least one event in said COOL

- You have gone on a Sev run

- You know that a Sev run can be a date or a precursor to a date

- You've hung out in the fishbowl

- You know that Bill Cullen is way cooler than any vampire with the same last name and he's probably paid for your meal at some point.

- You could leave from anywhere on campus about 2 minutes before class and get there on time

- If you were in Schola Cantorum, you knew about Friday Fun Ties, who the luckiest professor on campus was, and still can't hear the words "but cast..." without cracking up

- Being on the WOW Staff (or if you're old school: O-Staff, T-Staff, or Camp Staff) was the best ever

- You cried when you had to walk from the KCC to DJ in the middle of January

- You know how many sides there are/were to the "triangle" before and after construction

- You can get communion multiple times a day during Lent

- You still can't hear "Mude Bin Ich" or "Who Puts His Trust" without bawling uncontrollably

- Going on a walk = date

- You know all about the Concordia Grapevine and have been caught in it several times

- After talking with a guy twice your friends will start placing bets on when you'll start dating

- You have friends who went to college to get their MRS Degree

- You know Molly Malones is the place to be and they know your drink

- An exciting spring break = going on a mission trip (What what Appalachia!)

- You're still upset about the name change from Concordia University River Forest (CURF) to Concordia University Chicago (CUC)

- You won't share a hymnal to this day because of it's implications

- You knew someone who lived in "the hyphen"

- You found yourself standing in the middle of the triangle in the middle of the night because someone on your floor burnt the popcorn

- Discussing intense theological issues were an everyday thing

- You have experienced the Gross Pits and laid in the sun on the Gross Beach

- You knew more people who played ultimate frisbee than people who played official school sports, and felt like ultimate should have been a real school sport

- You've been to the roof of the KCC

- There were two types of pre-sem guys: Ft. Wayne or St. Louis

- Your stomach still gets sick thinking of Sodexho - unless it was from the Cougar Den

- You know the relationship between cookies and the music department

- You basically lived in a Concorida hoodie

- You know there were two professors on campus you referred to as "Doc"

- You went to Prayer and Praise every single Sunday night and hung out in the Cougar Den after

- NOIZ was fun and plentiful

- You have completed or always wanted to complete the Triple Crown

- 1/2 of your friends had to go to bed early senior year because they had student teaching in the morning

- You know the guys smoking outside of the dorms are actually the pre-seminary students

- You know there was always a group of pre-sem guys who wore black with big crosses

- You are familiar with the "friendly" competitiveness between the DCE, Pre-Sem, Daeconess, and Lutheran Ed programs

- The best nights were all-nighters in the computer lab with everyone else from class complete with 2am Sev runs

- Radio shows were basically just your friends goofing around and talking on the air

- Inner-vis was your worse enemy

- You're 23 and a majority of your friends are married and pregnant. (Wedding season is really busy for CUC grads...)

Okay, now that I've told you all of these "insider" observations about Concordia Chicago which you probably don't get because you didn't go there - what are some of the some of the specifics of your college/university only students from there would know? Or if you did go to CUC/CURF, did I miss any?

In Defense of Social Media

Just about everyone and their mom has seen this YouTube video: http://youtu.be/Z7dLU6fk9QY. 

If you haven't watched it, I'm sure you've seen it pop up on your Facebook newsfeed at some point in the past few days. It's about social media and how we need to look up from our phone, tablet, and computer screens, and interact with those around us. How we're a part of all of this social media but don't socialize at all. We don't know how to really connect. We are lonelier as a society than we ever have been before.

It's valid and true. We need to learn to look up from our screens. I know my mom actually complains about this a lot in regards to myself. I am completely guilty of spending too much time in social media and on my technology. A few weeks ago I left my cell phone in my car while meeting a friend for dinner and was freaking out the whole time. I'm completely guilty of what this video is saying.

Granted, I did just get my new precious. Give me some slack.

However... I can't help but think of ways to defend social media. There are so many good things about the internet and social media and these amazing devices we hold in our hands.

You can buy this print from my fabulous friend, (whom I do know through the internet) Sarah, by clicking this link: http://shop.sarahannehayes.com/product/internet-friends-hand-lettered-notecards

- There are so many opportunities to express yourself and create. I truly believe creating is holy, and with social media and the Internet we have a million ways to do so. Affordable ways too! Photos, writing, design, drawing, music... The possibilities are endless.

- You can be friends with people you normally wouldn't. I have friends all over the country and around the world thanks to blogging and social media. People whom I truly consider my good friends. People I have met in "real life" and some I haven't. People who are a lot like me, and others who aren't at all and they're all amazing. If I wasn't connected to the Internet the way I am, I would be missing out on so many friendships.

- Sometimes, you genuinely don't connect to the people around you, and it's lonely. Even if you try there are times you just don't connect. It could be for a variety of reasons. You don't have common interests, you don't get along, bridges have been burned for some reason, or you just don't click. With the Internet people can find those they DO connect with. Maybe they can find a group of people in their area who have the same interests, or they can make friends with those far away. 

- Relationships which would have faded away stay strong. I have friends from high school and college or from Missouri which would have been a lot harder to keep up if it weren't for social media because we moved all over the country and the world. Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat, texting, etc. I talk to these friends all of the time. We're always sending messages and photos of what we're up to and I'm so grateful. It's not the same as being with them in person, but until we can be, this is wonderful and it works.

- Half of the time I'm on my iPad, I'm actually reading a book.

Yes, we need to learn to experience life in the moment and not feel the need to tweet or Instagram every single second of our lives. We need to be able to appreciate those around us and not have to have. Screens shouldn't be in our faces all of the time.

 But it also can be invaluable to a lot of people, and we shouldn't take that away. It's all about the balance.

My Precious

Do you recall my post a couple of weeks ago about technology hating me? For several months now, my beloved iPad has been having issues. When I took it to the Apple store, the only answer I really got was "So it's possessed."

I don't know how you all would be, but I didn't feel up to going all Winchester style and learning how to set up a devils trap and performing an exorcism.

Well... lucky for me I was able to turn the thing in and put aside some extra money for my new baby!

Isn't it beautiful?

It's the iPad mini with retina display. Holy cow- it's fabulous. I thought about trying out a different type of tablet since they can run cheaper and I'm not married to Apple the way others are. However, this way I wouldn't have to re-buy any apps and I already knew how it worked. It's lighter, the images are better, and best of all... IT'S NOT POSSESSED!

The only thing is I have to be super careful until my new case comes in. (Target was completely sold out - I was so sad!) I would cry if I dropped it and something happened.

So I'll just be over here playing with my new toy.

Or precious.

Whichever you want to call it.

27 Secrets of Life

Cause who doesn't want some secrets about totally winning at life? Even if it is from someone who's entire life is still up in the air (Details, details...). This was a post idea from one of my favorites (The Life of Bon) and she's featuring some of the best ones on her blog on Monday. Since it's Friday afternoon - and who wants to think of a unique blog post on a Friday- I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and join in. Bonnie did 26 secrets, but since I'm 27, I thought I would go with that number.

And yes... that is the same photo I posted of my new haircut a few days ago. I haven't had time to take more so... yeah. That's just how it goes. This secrets to life thing is going great so far isn't it?

1) Always have a book or two to read at a time, and don't let much time pass between books. In the book I'm currently reading (How I Paid for College) One of the characters talked about how this saved his life. While this is going to be a bit of an extreme- he had a great point. Always have a book. Always.

2) Speaking of books- be sure to always carry purses which can carry said books/whatever you read e-books on. Even better if it can hold both. It saves you a lot of trouble.

3) Be willing to go with changes. Whether it's changes in your life, technology, culture, etc. Change will happen and sometimes it's just better to go with it.

4) Keeping this in mind - don't forget the past either. Don't glorify it, but learn from it too. It's one of the lessons we learned from The Lion King.

5) Remember that purse which can hold a book/tablet/e-reader? Yeah, keep a notebook or journal in there too. I don't write in my journal as much as I'd like, but I try to have it with me as often as I can. Sometimes you need to jot down an idea or simply need to write about something you can't put on the internet.

6) It's okay to keep people as friends on Facebook. Even if you haven't talked to them in a long time. Especially if you're still on good terms. You never know when you'll need that connection again.

7) On the same note- there are also times when you need to let go of people.

8) Basically, have a good balance. Know when to keep a door open and when to close it.

9) You're never too old for Mac 'n Cheese.

10) Frozen meals in bags which you can cook on the skillet are amazing - especially if you are an awful cook like I am.

11) Get to know the workers at the places you frequent like restaurants, Starbucks, your favorite store, etc. Those people can make your day sometimes.

12) You don't need to step up to every argument you disagree with which comes your way. It's exhausting to always feel you have to defend your thoughts and beliefs.

13) This one technically isn't mine, but I think it's awesome anyways. "Preach the gospel always. Use words when necessary." - St. Francis

14) It's amazing what a new haircut can do for your mood.

15) People won't always remember what you say. But they will remember how you make them feel.

16) When a close friend has a birthday send them an actual text message or make a phone call if you can't see them in person. It's so much better than a generic Facebook wall post.

17) Sometimes, you just have to jump, even if you don't know what's at the bottom.

18) Accept who you are an own it.

19) But also don't always make the excuse "But that's just how I am" when you make a mistake. It doesn't give you an excuse to make poor choices and be a jerk.

20) When you mess up, own up to it. People tend to respect those who own their mistakes more than those who try to pretend they're perfect.

21) It's far less stressful to be early all of the time than late all of the time

22) It's not shallow if you want to feel pretty. You want to wear a cute outfit, do your hair, put on makeup, and get your nails done? Go for it!

23) But don't let looks control your life. It's a whole balancing act.

24) When you need to make a list, when you can divide a point into 2 points DO IT.

25) Create stuff. It can be writing, painting, sculpting, cooking, growing something, music, theatre - WHATEVER. Creativity is holy.

26) When you try to see the best in people, you might be more vulnerable, but you'll be more open and build strength along the way.

27) As Ellen says... be kind to one another.

What are some of your life secrets?

Invisible City- Book Review

Today's review is a book which is a bit different than I normally would read. (Typically, my favorites are fantasy/sci-fi, YA, and historical fiction.) However, when I initially looked through NetGalley to find book titles, I must have been going through a phase with learning about Jewish people because this is the second NetGalley book which has to do with different Jewish cultures and their history.

Release Date: May 6, 2014

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Author: Julia Dahl

Genre: Mystery/New Adult/Contemporary Fiction

Basic Summary Without Spoilers:

Invisible City is mystery novel about Rebekah Roberts, a young aspiring journalist trying to make it in New York City. She is assigned a story about a murder case involving a Hasidic Jewish community who like to keep to themselves, which makes interviews quite a challenge. However, while trying to get the scoop, Rebekah finds out the people of this community may know about her mother, who was also Hasidic, and had abandoned her as a baby.

My Thoughts

The Cover:  The title and the cover fit the story very well. The Hasidic community portrayed in this novel is very much an invisible city. They reside in NYC, but not many people know about their lives and culture. They live very isolated as though they are invisible, and Rebekah attempts to shed some light on the secrets of the community. The cover has a great view of Manhattan from the bridge with whom I am assuming is Rebekah looking out over the city.

The Premise: At first, it took me a little while to get used to the feel of the book. As someone who usually only watches murder mysteries on TV (such as Castle or Bones), it was weird to have so much focus in only a few days and on a very specific instance. I kept on wanting more story beyond the murder mystery, but then would have to remind myself the mystery was the point of the novel. Once I got over this, I enjoyed the book much more. 

Learning about the Hasidc community was interesting. While the main character, Rebekah, was Jewish, she, like the reader, didn't know much about their heritage or culture. Therefore, the reader is learning along with her about the ins and outs of their world. Dahl did a wonderful job of showing some of the darker secrets of these people, but also showing why they chose this life and the benefits of those choices. She also showed the side of those who decided to leave the community and their choices.

The one part I found lacking was the history behind her mother. Some of the ties of the community and Rebekah looking into her past could have been a bit stronger. While it was realistic, I feel the connection needed to be stronger for storytelling's sake. 

I also didn't enjoy learning about the journalism world. So much of what Rebekah had to do seemed very invasive. While I see why it is necessary, it made me uncomfortable.

The Mystery: There was so much to it! I loved all of the characters and putting the pieces together. I didn't see the murderer coming (although I probably should have) and I love seeing the twists and turns the author made with each of the characters. I really enjoyed how it turned out though, although one quick twist on the very last page I felt was a bit random. 

The Characters:  Rebekah was strong until it came to her mother. Which makes sense - I would be a mess too if my mom left me at 6 months. I liked her roommate a lot as well, but she wasn't in the story much. Beyond also having lost a mother, I don't know much about her and wish I had. Out of everyone though, I liked reading about the Hasidic people the most. I thought learning about their points of view, reasons why they live their lives the way they do, and uncovering such a different culture was interesting.

My Overall Thoughts: For a book which is normally not my taste, I enjoyed it. Typically I like a bit more of a character driven story vs. an event driven story, but it was still entertaining. I liked learning about the Hasidic culture as well. However, I do feel I could have gotten to know the characters better, and the story-line about Rebekah and her mother could have been stronger. For people who enjoy murder mysteries, this would be a great pick

I gave this novel 3 out of five stars on Goodreads.