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 |  If you don't have a dream, how are you going to make a dream come true? |
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2013 Goals
Write 52 Reviews / current = 27 Read 40 books / current = 9 Enter 12 Contests/Activities / current = 4 Host/Judge 2 Contest/Activity / current = 2 Other goals:  Be patient Let go of anger/negativity Monthly bloggingSome other places you can find me: http://www.twitter.com/spidergirl502 http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1792019-tonia http://365project.org/spidergirl/365
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| Yesterday, I just had to go running. It was raining, but it was 49 degrees! That's very unusual for January in central Pennsylvania. It stopped raining about halfway through my run, too, so it was really nice. I ran 3.3 miles and it was a tough run. My legs were pretty tired (which I blame on the short pilates workout I did before I ran), but I took it slow. I felt really good when I was done, so I stopped at a nearby playground. I did 2.5 chin-ups. I can usually do 3, but I also did a short upper body workout that morning. Still feeling good, I headed to the swings. Swinging happily away in my fluorescent running clothes, I didn't pay any attention to how I looked, until a guy parked in an adjacent parking lot. He got out of his car and gave me a weird look. As he neared his destination, he looked back two or three more times.  I'm thinking he either thought I was a teenager skipping school to play at a playground, or he was wondering what a grown woman was doing swinging at 9am. !I just kept on swinging.  |
I've been crazy about reading lately. Maybe it was making the resolution to read 52 books in one year that's scaring me into wanting to read all the time, but I've finished 2 books so far this year, and I'm currently reading 3 books!
A blend of physics and Buddhism? This is a perfect book for me, as it discusses topics in which I'm very interested. I also love how lightheartedly sarcastic Buddhists can be. For instance: In Parmenides' opinion, if things changed, then the appearance of something that previously didn't exist would become possible. But something that doesn't exist can't start to exist. So change is impossible. The viewpoint is typical of a philosophy that is rooted in the real existence of things. According to this way of thinking, all results must exist already within their causes, because nothing new can emerge. Buddhism's answer is as follows (in the terms in which it was given to Hindu philosophers with similar ideas to those of Parmenides): "If results exist within their cause, let them rather buy the cotton grains to wear. If the result was present in the cause and indistinguishable from it but not manifest, with the money you spend on cotton cloth, buy some cotton seeds and clothe yourselves with them! They too will serve the purpose of cotton clothes protecting you from the cold and wind, for, as you maintain, the cloth aspect exists in the seed." There are a lot of arguments going on back and forth in the book, and I find much of it to be quite humorous. I don't agree with everything in the book, but it presents a lot of interesting ideas. In fact, it presents so much that I don't read too much of the book at a time. I can read ten pages and it'll give me enough to think about for the rest of the day. So I'm reading other books at the moment, too.
I'm finally finishing the trilogy I started early last year. I think part of the reason I put this off (besides the fact that the books are rather violent) is that the word "Hornet" is in the title and I'm terrified of hornets. I don't like thinking about them, even, so I put off reading a book with their name in the title... I really like the bit on women warriors at the very start of the novel.
I've been wanting this book since I first heard of it, and although it just arrived yesterday evening, I've read almost the whole thing already. It makes a lot of sense, and I'm eager to start it out. I'm at a point where I'm happy with the number on the scale, but unhappy about the fat/muscle ratio of my body. I'm ready to lose fat and gain muscle, and that's exactly what this book promises. I can definitely see how women have a hard time with this plan. On my tough workout days, it asks me to eat almost 1,000 calories more than I'm used to consuming. Women are brainwashed into thinking that cutting calories is the only way to lose fat, and I think that's just not true. There's also the fact that the number on the scale is likely to not move a whole lot. As you lose fat and gain muscle, that number probably won't change much, and I think women rely on the scale far too much! Even though the number won't change, I expect to see results in my body shape. Women also somehow think they'll "bulk up" like men do if they lift heavier weights. Even my husband is warning me that he doesn't like the look of women bodybuilders. I don't either, and I don't expect to be able to look like them just because I'm not going to use 3-5lb weights! I'm taking part in a 28-day challenge at the moment (at www.sparkpeople.com, a great FREE website for healthy living, by the way), but once I'm done, I'm going to start the 6-month weight-training plan outlined in the book. The hardest part for me will probably be upping my protein intake. My current nutritional plan calls for me to consume 60g of protein per day and that's already tough enough for me to do. This new one asks for even more than that, though drinking a post-workout protein smoothie will help with that. I've been doing well with the rest of my "resolutions" for 2012, all except for reviewing. I need to catch up on that... |
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I read 42 books in 2011 (a high number for me), and they're all listed here: "Loves of a Bibliophile"  [13+] along with a rating system of sorts. I thought I'd mention my favorites here, though.  Here are my top 11 of 2011:
This book scared me to the point where I had to put it down for a few days. Some people might not be able to read it, since it's about an evil spirit going after a family which includes their young children. There was a scene with a mirror that really scared me. I loved this book!
One of the few non-fiction books I read, I saw this one at B&N and just felt like I had to pick it up right away. It's written from the perspective of a lawyer who defends criminals on death row. He explains what he does and why he does it. I've been against capital punishment for years, but I think this book solidified that position in my mind. I also think it might make supporters question their position. Regardless, it isn't an argument for or against the issue; Like Publisher's Weekly states in its review, "Dow's book is a sobering, gripping and candid look into the death penalty."
This was a re-read, as this book was one of my favorites from my high school utopia days. I still love it. (Note: Don't watch the Netflix film from . It's not a very good adaptation.)
A lot of people say they like the show better than the book, as it gives more detail. Well, they stretch the first book out and make it an entire season, so, yeah, you're going to get more detail. However, I think you get a closer look and a better feel for the main character in the book. I definitely want to read more in the series!
I'm totally into the craze. I don't remember how I heard about the books, but I read the first one pretty early on in 2011, and I absolutely can't wait for the film in March. I'm not a big fan of the love triangle, but I find the politics way more interesting. I've always thought a dystopia for young adults could be really good.
Each book got better in this series, in my opinion. It got deeper into the politics of their world, and each book surprised me as to where the story ended up going.
My sister-in-law introduced me to Christopher Moore and I've loved all the books I've read by him. This re-telling of King Lear from the Jester's point of view is hilarious. I don't often laugh out loud when I'm reading but so far Moore and Douglas Adams have me giggling from their writing. (Note: This is a FREE Kindle book on Amazon!) I worked for a few months as a teacher's aide at a high school and this was a Summer reading assignment for one grade, so I thought I'd check it out. Holy cow, I loved it. It's a short, gripping read.
My favorite of the three, I think it can teach kids that the rebels aren't always right. For me, it approaches Orwellian thought in a way.
I tend to not like when Douglas Preston writes books on his own (as opposed to his collaborative works with Lincoln Child) and this book doesn't get great reviews, but I simply loved it. Perhaps it's because of all the references to astronomy (which is a subject I adore), but I really enjoyed it. It's a guilty pleasure type of read.
Another hilarious read by Christopher Moore, but this one one-upped his other books for me - it got me thinking. Not for those with a closed mind to other religions, this one offered insights into Eastern thinking, such as Buddhism, and attempts to offer a hypothesis as to what Jesus Christ did between the ages of 9 and 30 (something which is not covered in the canonical Gospels of the Christian Bible). Some hilarity is added, and the book is obviously not meant to be taken too seriously. My goal for 2012 is to read 50 books, and to read more non-fiction (namely science and philosophy). |
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I'm a very bad blogger. Almost six months since a blog? Yikes!  I've been thinking a lot about the state of the world lately, and I've found some things that only reinforce some of my own thoughts. I thought I'd share them.
Recommended by none other than The StoryMistress  herself! Wow. This is such a good story, I can't even explain it. Read it! I know it's long, but trust me, it'll pull you in and you won't be able to stop reading it until it's done!If you've got some time to watch an incredible documentary, take the time to watch this one. It's eye-opening and mind-blowing and other such phrases. Really, this reaffirmed and validated some thoughts I've had over the years, and it gave me a lot to think about, too. This documentary was made by a friend of mine and the singer of one of my favorite bands, a band from Harrisburg, PA, called Hierosonic. I think the human race would be in a better place if we could realize some things about ourselves and our world, myself included. |
| I'm in job-search mode again. I really loathe the whole process! I scour websites and newspapers to find open positions, then agonize over whether or not they're right for me. I apply. I wait. Sometimes I get an interview, then I agonize over that. The, most of the time, they choose someone else. It's a constant feeling of rejection and not feeling good enough. It's mentally draining! But what amazes me is the job advertisements I find. Take today's search results for example: Part Time Program Assistant: This position will require you to interact with individuals that have mental health issues in a homelike setting. You will be required to train individuals regarding the following: personal care, communication, daily living and social skills development. Requirements (included, but not limited to): must be at least 18 years old, possess high school diploma or GED, valid driver's licence with a good driving record, background checks and pass physical exam. Seriously?! Dealing with people with "mental health issues," teaching them to basically function and all that's required is a HS diploma or GED?? I bet it pays minimum wage, too... There's another listing just like this one, too, but the job title is Mental Health Worker. Since when did the qualifications to work with the mentally ill change to just graduating high school?! The thing is, there is a very, very low percentage of people living in my area with a college degree, which means I'm over-qualified for most jobs. And if I do get a job, they'll only pay minimum wage or slightly higher. This is the drawback of living in an area with a very depressed economy. It's so frustrating, and it makes me want to move to another area. I don't understand why people want to live here. I'm here because my family is here. But it's looking like I'm going to have to travel a good distance for a decent job, or someday move to a more urban area. |
| Today is my 7 year Account bday! Woohoo!! I'm celebrating by doing a sprint of reviewing - I want to see how many reviews I can do in one day! Considering I spend a good deal of time on each one, I'm not expecting to get tons, but I hope to do at least 10. If you have something you'd like reviewed (not too long), send me a link! I love the concept of sprint reviewing. Review sprints? Reviewing sprints? Whatever you'd call it. It gives me an idea for a contest/activity...  |
| I love new beginnings! Usually, I can't wait and start my "resolutions" a week early! I know many people are against making resolutions because people tend not to stick with them. Instead of a list of general resolutions, I made a list of goals for myself for 2011. Some of these, I know I won't be totally consistent, and that's perfectly okay with me. I set a "daily" goal to motivate myself to attempt it every day. If I don't get every single day, that's fine with me. Daily Goals: Yoga Photography Declutter/keep house clean & organized Drink 8 glasses of water Eat 5 servings of fruits & veggies Be the change you wish to see in yourself! Choose to be happy & positive! Log in to SP (https://www.sparkpeople.com) Weekly: 3 times per week - 30 minutes of cardio 3 strength training sessions (arms, legs, core) 2 times per week - Run 30 minutes Write 3 WDC reviews Monthly: Write 2 book reviews Write 2 MASP articles Read 1 novel Weigh-in and measurements & progress photo Write 1 blog per month updating goals progress Yearly: Read 12 novels Write 150 WDC reviews Over 8000 fitness minutes Run 500 miles Run a half-marathon, Run a 10k Set a new 5k PR Compete in Warrior Dash (registered for June 11) My husband wants to have a healthier 2011, too, so that will help me stay focused. Here's to a great new year!   |
| Honestly, I don’t know how I made it through high school alive. If I didn’t have a twin sister to bond with, I probably wouldn’t have made it. Even with her, I felt alone. I went through depressions before I was 13. My parents were afraid to leave me alone in the house, I hid behind big clothes and long bangs, and I didn’t like myself. I never felt good enough and I never felt like I fit in. That was in elementary school. That was before the bullying started. I still don’t understand why I was bullied. I don’t know why a particular group of people seemed to hate me. A few of them have since apologized to me. I’ve accepted their apologies, but it’s still hard to move on sometimes. I was picked on daily, shoved into lockers, called terrible names. I was called a lesbian for having short hair, and a “freak” for dressing differently. I let the abuse affect the way I saw myself. I hated myself and my life. I tried to get help and I sought out teachers and counselors. They refused to get involved. They said they couldn’t do anything about it if there were no witnesses. My friends wouldn’t speak out for fear of being targeted. I don’t blame them. So I dealt with it. For 6 long years. I shouldn’t have had to do that. Saying, “Just ignore it,” is the same as giving up. Tolerating bullying is just not an option. I want to tell anyone out there who might be bullied that it does get better. Please believe that it does. I’m 30 years-old now, I have an amazing husband (who helped me to see that I’m perfect the way I am) and a wonderful life. I do what I love and I love who I am. Believe in yourself and believe that it will get better! If you are bullied or if you know someone is being bullied, DO NOT TOLERATE IT! No one deserves to be bullied for any reason! Teach your kids that bullying is NEVER okay! Don’t ignore it! Do something about it! Love is the answer. RIP Brandon ♥ http://brandonbitner.com/ http://www.pacer.org/bullying/bpam/index.asp http://www.bullying.org/    |
| We started a pedometer challenge at work, and I'm excited to see how many steps I walk each day! "They" say you should walk 10,000 steps per day. Yesterday (the first day of the challenge), I walked to and from work (about 1.5 miles) and I worked a 7-hour shift. When I got home I was just over 14,000 steps! But I was exhausted and crashed on the couch for a while! So my total at the end of the day was 16,223. Not bad, especially considering the goal for the first week is only 20,000 steps! I'm still running 3 times per week. I've upped my "base" runs to 4 miles, which means I rarely run under that amount. Today, though, I didn't have much time, so I just did 2 miles, which actually felt sort of easy... except for the pain in my side. I had cream in my coffee this morning, and apparently dairy will make me get a side stitch. It's important to learn these things, and I'm grateful it wasn't on a race day! We leave the pedometer counting for a whole week, so I'm currently at 21,981, which means I've taken almost 6,000 steps today. I'm going to my Mom's birthday party soon. I'm not sure how much walking I'll do there... maybe I'll take a walk when I get home. It's interesting to me because walking actually gets me more steps than running because of the difference in stride length. I measured by walking and running one block on the street. Running took me 50 steps and walking took me 70! So I'd be better off walking rather than running... Still, I'm not going to give up my running! It feels too good to run! |
| I won my first running medal tonight! I totally wasn't expecting it! The race was called, "Market Street Mile," and involved a one mile run down Market Street finishing at the town's park. I started a bit faster than I should have, but dialed it back to save energy for the end. I'd never run a mile race before, though I had tried just a mile, so I had an idea of what time I could do it in. I was shooting for about 9 minutes, and I got 8:13! I don't yet know how I finished overall, but I got first in my age group, 30-34! I've never been so happy to be 30! I was so shocked when they called my name! I want to wear the medal to work tomorrow! |
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