Capstone, Stages, Closing, Christmas Crazies and Resolutions

As 2010 winds down and closes out, I thought I'd take a moment of reflection and pontificate on the goings on of my year. And it has been a year. A lot has happened and some of it certainly deserves mentioning.

#1 Capstone

I know I've already blogged about this, but I'm gonna do it again. It is THAT important! In the spring, I finished work for my MLS (Masters of Library Science) and the final piece of the degree is Capstone. A massive, frightening, potentially harmful test that scares the bejeezus out of all graduate students. For that week, I was a paper writing machine, staying away from work and everything else in my life, totally devoted to my iMac and the three in-depth research papers I was to write. It all turned out fine (CHEERS!) and I am now able to say, "Yes, I have a Masters degree." Sadly, this is not as impressive as a feat as I had hoped seeing as how lots of people have Masters and many jobs want more than a Masters, but nonetheless, I was thrilled. I could have opted out of walking the stage, but heck no! Which brings me to exciting moment #2...

#2 Stages

For the third time in my educational life, I walked across a stage following a great deal of work. They say the third time's a charm, and I agree. I was happy to finish high school, thrilled to graduate from college, and proud to finish graduate school. It took half the time to complete, but I think it meant more because I know I put in a great deal more effort and hard work. Oh, and I didn't fall on my face either. :) And seeing my Dusty out there smiling at me, really made it even that much more special. And the not falling on the face thing too...super special.

#3 Closing

Dusty and I tend to be behind the norm when it comes to milestones in a married life. It's the way we've always worked and we're okay with it. We were both late in finishing school, late in moving out of the "apartment phase" of our lives, usually fall asleep before the ball drops at midnight, and no we haven't even begun to consider kids. But, this year we did reach an important milestone. We are homeowners. After a great deal of negotiation, nail biting, and phone calls we signed our lives away under a small mountain of paperwork. We own a home. It's not very big, but it's cozy and homey and ours. Best part? The backyard! It's massive and Naia loves it. Seeing her running around happy (and later collapsing in a tired heap) warms my heart.

#4 Christmas Crazies

I think it's because the memories are so fresh in my mind, but the Christmas holiday will be one I remember for quite a while. Remember our little house mentioned in #3 big moment above? Well, it was at capacity for a week. Dusty + Alicia + Naia + Gifford + Oakley + Austin + Mom-in-law = very full and happy home. We all bunked in together, some sleeping on couches and blow up mattresses, but all happy to be together. After all, what's Christmas for if not for squeezing together with the ones you love!?

Who's Austin you ask? Well, he's the 2-year old that was here for the holidays, Giff's boy. He's more than precious, but he's...well...he's 2. And that was a huge change for Dusty and me. But a good one I think. It's good to see what life's like "on the other side" so to speak. I colored, played Peek-a-Boo, played with Play-Doh, threw a football in the front yard, and ran cars in the hallway. It was greatness!

Don't get any ideas friends. As mentioned in #3, Dusty and I haven't even begun to consider a 2-year old of our very own. Hush up now...

Oh...and for your puppy enjoyment...enjoy the following examples of Christmas Craziness. I love these pups!

Outside Christmas Crazies

Inside Christmas Crazies

#5 Resolutions

I wrote about New Year's Resolutions last year. Basically, I was against locking myself into a crazy resolution that I would only later feel badly for not reaching. Well, I stand by that, but I want to add a little extra importance to the idea of resolution making. In 2011, I resolve to do just one thing...TRY. Just try! Try to do things better for myself and try to be the best I can be. Making an effort is all we can really promise to do right? It seems that if we promise to try, we can't be disappointed. At least we tried! This is not a free pass to slack off and say, "Well, I tried!" No ma'am! (Remember this Alicia...you know you're the absolute worst with traditional resolutions).

Well friends, 2011 is on its way out. I hope it was a tremendously wonderful year for you and your family and I wish the same for you in the new year.

Much love!

Alicia :D

#24

#24 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (Millennium Trilogy Book 1)

Umm...wow friends. This thriller/mystery/suspense story was exactly that: thrilling, mysterious all the way to the end and fully suspenseful. Parts were tough to take believe you me...faint of heart shall not proceed, but I'm so glad I finally got my hands on a copy. I certainly will be searching for the next two in the series.

It always amazes me when a writer can create such an enormous story; in this case it was a complete family hierarchy with full detail of each character, all unique and many crazy. In stories I have attempted, I can come up with one or two semi-interesting characters and I'm tapped. It is too bad Larsson did not know of his writing success as the series was published posthumously.

I don't want to give much away regarding the plot as so many details must be experienced in context, but here's what I'll share. Harriet Vanger has been missing since she was 16; 40 years later, her mysterious disappearance remains unsolved . Reporter Mikael Blomkvist is charged with trying to discover what happened while also dealing with being found guilty of libel against a huge business mogul. Mikael does as he is hired to do, but uncovers so much more than he set out to. And just where does the girl come in? You know, the one with the dragon tattoo? Well, she's there. Her and Mikael's stories collide along with Harriets. A wild ride friends...Hang on tight!

Sidenote: I was curious about the movie version of the book, so I "On Demanded" it and watched it today also. It is in Swedish with English subtitles. That doesn't bother me, but some people don't appreciate that. I'm often disappointed with books as movies, but not with this one. It was very well done and while a lot of the story was taken out, the most important pieces were left alone making for a very complete story.

Onto #25! I'm nearly a quarter of the way done with my book quest this year!

#23

#23 Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

For those of you who think all Nicholas Sparks books are pretty much the same, I say to you, "Yea...so?" If want an easy, Christmas break, lay around the house, feel-good-at-the-end kind of book, you've got the right author. Yes, you can predict the ending and yes the good guy wins, and yes I have another Sparks waiting for me on my bookshelf, but who says that's a bad thing? Not me friends.

Katie/Erin is attempting to begin a new life in Southport, North Carolina, after leaving an abusive husband. She changes her name, changes her look, and changes her home, but can't change the past. She must learn to trust again, love again, and not look back. There are one or two surprises along the way, so don't think Sparks won't give you a few "ah-ha" moments. I recommend this one if you are enjoying a holiday break like me. Lay on the couch, turn off the TV, and lose yourself in a "Safe Haven."

#21-22

#21 Slob by Ellen Potter

Don't let the title fool you...this book may not be what you expect. Owen is a 7th grader in New York. He is the fattest kid in his school and probably the smartest. He has a sister with an identity issue and as you may expect, he is being bullied. Owen is a kind of inventor and puts his brilliance to use as a distraction for his school problems. Unfortunately, Owen is also dealing with deeper issues that he and his sister have attempted to bury in their memories.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book and appreciated the twist included in the story.

#22 Forge by Laurie Halse-Anderson (Seeds of America series Book 2)

Two words: Incredible Brilliance. Anderson is a master of historical research and does not disappoint her Chains fans one bit. She continues to be one of my favorite YA writers. Forge is the second book in the Seeds of America series. It follows the lives of two former slaves: Isabel and Curzon, intent on living freely in 1777. Anderson puts the reader into the middle of Valley Forge and all the miseries contained there, the lives of soldiers truly fighting for the United States citizens' freedom, and into the minds of African American slaves believed to be the property of masters. I almost felt guilty sitting in my comfortable home reading about the atrocities unbelievable circumstances the men and women faced. Isabel and Curzon are quiet heroes that young adults should learn about. This would be a great series to share with young people in a book club or lit circle setting.

#19-20

#19 Killer Pizza by Greg Taylor

Last year, when I had the privilege to attend the National ALA conference (American Library Association), I couldn't get away from this book! People were talking about it everywhere, and I knew I had to read it. Well, I finally did. I really enjoyed it and have already recommended it to some of my boys. Don't let the title fool you...it's not what it seems. If you know a young boy reader into zombies and monsters and other things that go bump in the night, or if you were a Goosebumps fan back in the day, this may be just the book for him or you! Entertaining, often funny, and overall enjoyable!

Toby Magill is 14 years old and finally has his first summer job - a cook at Killer Pizza. It doesn't take long for him to realize this is not your typical pizza place. In fact, it's hardly a pizza place at all; it's a front for a monster-seeking organization intent on ridding the world of monsters. Toby has to decide if this summer job is for him or if he should find somewhere new to work.

#20 A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

Toby/Bailey/Ellie/Buddy is a dog trying to fulfill his purpose in life. He is reborn into different dog lives all the while searching for his reason for living. Each life he is born into teaches him important lessons that will serve him in the future. Even though the love for "his boy" Ethan is stronger than any other human bond, he is determined to do what he can for each life he touches.

This book touched my heart. Cameron put into words what I've often wondered about my dogs. How do they know when we are upset? How can they sense when something bad is about to happen? What goes on in their heads when we are talking to them? How much of us do they understand? I believe humans do not understand all there is to know about dogs, and this book brings more of those ideas to light. This is one book that I know will stay with me for a long time. I recommend it to all my fellow dog lovers. You may never look at your pet in quite the same way again.

#18

# 18 Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell (Kay Scarpetta series Book 1)

Do you like CSI? NCIS? Law and Order: SVU? I do! And I could see this book being an episode on one of those shows. Dr. Kay Scarpetta is the chief medical examiner in Richmond, Virginia. She's not only dealing with the difficulties of her job, but also the challenges at home including a niece who wants to spend time with her, but a job that demands her close attention. A great read and I'll certainly be checking out the next in the series.