Categories
#amreading Review Time

Book Review: Max Lucado’s Cast of Characters

Lovestruck?

As you can tell from my picture, Cast of Characters really rocked my boat.

It only took me two years to finally finish it….

Yeah, you wonder why it took so long. Well, a lot of things happened since I requested for this book in 2010…to the point where I had to stop reading for a period of time. Too many headaches, and not related to the book.

But I’m so glad I came back to the book, because it really resonates with me: society believes in Biblical characters being perfect, or that’s how the Bible has become known for.

So many of the characters are flawed, just how we are. Nobody is perfect. And Lucado sets out the many examples from the Bible to shine the light on this truth. Do we need a full book to tell us that we aren’t perfect? Well, the Bible has that all written out. And Lucado condensed it down into understandable, present-day situations.

I highly recommend this book for those who need a quick reminder of our imperfections through the showcase of major Biblical characters. You won’t regret it!

Categories
Birthday Memories Denver Life memories

The 27th Year; the 2nd Year; Which?

Homemade cake by Sarah

It’s been two years since waking up in the ICU, wondering why my head throbbed and why I was there in the first place. It’s been two years since that accident, the bills, the trauma; the memories continues to fade and be replaced with new, better memories.

In the past few weeks, I’ve shed away the final layers of that period of time. I’ve had friends tell me that I’m a phoenix: always arising from the ashes, becoming anew every time. This time around, I feel it is much truer than before; only now do I feel I have the wings to soar.

I’ve been here in Denver for six months now; most everyone who greets me with “Happy Birthday” today doesn’t know about what happened to me two years ago, how I almost lost my life. I’ve tucked that box away, taken my roots up from the City by the Bay, and have planted myself in the Mile-High City.

Every day I am here, I feel more and more at home. This is my calling; this is where I belong.

And this is where I shall celebrate many more birthdays to come.

Categories
Work Diaries

Projects & Spinning Head

I’m currently taking a break from all my reading for my classes.

A few days before 2012 came to be, I constructed a list of things I want to focus my time on. And already, with school back in-session (full force!), I find myself neglecting my business plan, my writing, and my freelance work.

I’m working on a statistical analysis for ELI ; now, to find the time to get all the numbers crunched. Am so glad I have my stats professor guiding me along on this.

the3six5denver is going well so far, but I feel like I am pulling teeth to get more writers out of the woodwork. This week has been slow for the project…need more writers, need another editor.

I met with a NaNoWrimo friend last night for a quick dinner before my classes 6-10pm. I continue to tell myself, every year since NaNoWriMo 2007, that I will “revise that novel and get it ready to send out.” Sadly, out of all of my WIP (novels especially), that first novel has the most potential. The rest is just drivel for now.

My network in Denver is expanding; so glad for this. I need to make a point to blog a little more frequently than once each month. A lot happens, but not enough time is set aside for writing. Sigh.

Back to homework now…

Categories
Year in Review

Seeing off 2011 & Welcoming 2012

I’ve come to the realization that I am terrible at keeping a regular blogging schedule. But, I know I also cannot beat myself up for that: the last half of this year changed my life a lot, and, well, other priorities have taken precedence over blogging.

I figure now, on this New Year’s Eve, that I should review my year in passing and welcome in this next year.

This year turned out a lot differently than I had anticipated from last Jan. 1. I found myself moving around the country to stay with family; I re-kindled old friendships in my hometown and discovered more hobbies to be passionate about.

I was expecting change when my first quarter came around. But I wasn’t expecting so much change before then.

Living in Denver the past 4-5 months, I feel I am definitely in MY environment: I’m more sociable and open; I feel energized being around others who have similar career goals to me; I feel I can connect so much better with people here than anywhere else.

I’ve met so many wonderful people in Denver already, and I’ve only skimmed the service.

I know I say this every time, but 2012 is going to be another life-changing year. I already have many plans queued up for the year: for instance, I’ve taken the reigns to launch another the3six5 local edition: Denver ! Check out the blog, and spread the word if you know of people living/working in Denver.

Here’s to the end of 2011 and hello to 2012.

 

 

Categories
#amwriting NaNoWriMo

NaNoWriMo Madness

Yes, I’m dipping my feet into NaNoWriMo this year. I know I am crazy for doing this, especially since I am swamped with grad work.

But, well, I feel like it’s a yearly fever for me: I never found momentum when starting on novels in other parts of the year, or even in participating in sister programs, Script Frenzy and Camp NaNoWriMo. That motivation, that camaraderie just wasn’t there.

And then October and November roll around and the online world goes frantic for NaNoWriMo. I feel the energy and I want to be part of it! I feel if I don’t participate, catch the fever, and revel in the insanity, I will be left out.

So I join in. Again and again.

I went to the Denver Kick-Off Party last night. The wireless network was not working too well for me, so I left early. Still managed to reach my Day One quota shortly after midnight. And, this year I actually did more preparation than in past years. I’m a half-planner, half-pantser now. Not bad: progress is progress.

I’m relieved to find a few other graduate students here who are participating in NaNo. Good to know I’m not the only one! We’re planning on having a write-in this weekend. Sure hope it works out.