Happy Holidays~!

Whoooo it's December!

Anyone else wonder why they call it the happiest time of the year when it's probably accurately more like the most stressful time of the year?!

This year I'm spending the holidays with Nick and his family. His tradition? A real Christmas tree. Which is currently sitting pretty with its app controlled blinking lights behind me. That's causing me a crap ton of allergies. And the house doesn't even have a ridiculously overbearing scent of pine. I feel lied to. Also it requires to be watered. And it leaks sap. But it doesn't shed like my mom always told me it would! It's pretty cool. Totally different. But pretty cool (see Nick setting it up above).

To get in a more festive mood, I dyed my hair a color I've never tried before... Teal. Well it's more Turquoise but I love how it turned out! Besides, I needed a change. Also, I got that dress off Amazon for like $15. I'm in love with it!

Got my gifts from my Secret Santa too~! I'm so excited to open them! But I'm waiting until Christmas. Like I do every year. I also mailed out my SS gift yesterday! Wish I had taken a picture of it. I put a lottttttt of effort into it. Also, Nick did a good job with picking the packaging box. So cute that he helped me every step of the way and he got really into it too.

So SS, my boyfriend picked out all the quirky chocolates for you and the pretty box it's coming in!

Also I think it's worth it to mention that after TWELVE YEARS I finally got my white Christmas tree with its pastel glitter ornaments. 

But then Sophie stole it.

It's okay, we'll share.

How are your holidays going so far?!

Read More

I know it's Monday, but let's just talk

It's been awhile since I've just rambled on this blog and I kinda just... feel like talking to you guys today. Whoa, totally out of my super organized-ness right? But oh well :)

So it's been cold and raining here in Florida which is insane because it's Florida. The whole reason why I moved away from California was to be somewhere warmer. But at least the air isn't super dry. My eczema has been good to me this winter. Still can't get down with the rain though which kinda sucks since it is Florida and we'll be into hurricane season too... oh I hate those months lol. 

I was hoping to read a few Valentines Day titles in January so I'd have my reviews all nice and ready and bow tie pretty for February but... that didn't happen lol! Mostly because while I have a general list of books I'd like to read, when I actually scroll through my library I still manage to get a little overwhelmed. Like... LET'S READ ALL THE THINGS AT THE SAME TIME. Yeah. No. Don't do that. I keep accidentally requesting books on NetGalley that I'm unaware are part of a series so that sucks. I should really stop getting excited and start looking up the titles. But why can't they mention it's part of a series on the page... like... what?

Hubby decided to switch phone companies because we were getting ZERO service in all of Orlando but we got PERFECT service at home which is fine by me except I just upgraded my phone in October so I had to get a new phone again which should be exciting, right? Not when it's an iPhone and your whole life is on it lol. At least my cloud backed up most things but my cloud also hit max capacity and so I wasn't able to back anything up for like... months lol. Whoops. So imagine the frustration when stuff was missing. Is anyone else like that? Like, you think it'll magically just be on your phone even though you know that's not how it works? 

Speaking of! Because of my cloud problems I decided to give in and try out DropBox. Do any of you guys use it? I don't really know how it works... I usually save a bunch of stuff to my Google Drive which is also pretty easy but I wanted to see what the fuss about Dropbox was. Then I found another app called Box. Just Box. And apparently it gives you 50GiGs of space but I don't get how it works. Is it a cloud or just an app?? 

Hubby had the flu last week but he's better now, thank goodness. Thank goodness it was just the flu too and nothing awful and thank goodness I didn't catch it after him for once! That neverrrrrrrr happens! He doesn't usually get sick, ever. But working at Disney can get you sick since everyone over there is sick too. Now he's just in that coughing-it-out phase lol.

So what have you guys been up to this week/month? What are you most looking forward to in February?

Read More

Oh, hello there!

I know, it's been two months since I've posted anything here. Actually it's been about two months since I've blogged, period. Going into my second internship with Disney I thought opting to work at a resort meant more stable hours but no. Not even a little bit. My work schedule is all over the place. I got deployed this week to a sports center because there's this big even going on and while it's pretty fun being somewhere new and the fact that I get to wear pants and a hat to work... again the work schedule? All over the place. Not to mention it takes me two hours to get to this location. Oh Disney...

With that said, I haven't had much time to read. I've been on the same book for weeks. Guys, it's driving me crazy. I miss reading. Do any of you ever get this way when you can't find time to read you just start getting agitated and all you can think about is reading something, anything?!?

I do have a few reviews to post, but it's been so long since I've read these titles that I apologize if my reviews are a little scatterbrained. Like this entry. Whoops.

So I hear Google Reader is going away. I mean, I heard about it ages ago but I guess I was sort of in denial. Like why would they get rid of something that so many people depend on? Sure I could totally just move everything to Bloglovin' (which I did) but it's just not the same. The organized side bar that holds the blogs I'm subbed to and the posts that I favorited. What will happen to the posts I starred?! Ugh. I don't get why Google is taking away all the good stuff. And what will happen to GFC? Is that going away too? I seriously hope not.

So if you're still willing to stick around here, I suggest following me on Bloglovin here. Thanks.

Okay, off to write reviews.

How have all of you lovely been doing? (:

Read More

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, it's a Cast Member's life for me...

I've been gone a few weeks and it's because I'm back here in Orlando working at Walt Disney World --- again! 

It's good to see you again Epcot!

I told myself I wasn't going to let my blog suffer like last time but the first few weeks are always the hardest with moving in, getting settled and various job training. So now that almost all of that is starting to settle down, I can get a better idea of what my work schedule is and how to find time to do things before/after work. Which really, isn't a lot of time to begin with.

If you're new here, or curious, I'm part of the Walt Disney World College Program internship. This is my second program. My first one was in Spring of 2011 where I worked Merchandise at Downtown Disney Marketplace then Downtown Disney West Side for eight months. This time I'll be here for another eight months working Merchandise again but at a resort. It's a really big change and I think the hardest part is making new friends especially since at a resort, there isn't too many of us working at one time so there isn't really anyone to talk to.

Husband and I have gone on a few adventures since we've been here. We really like the new Art of Animation Resort. Their create-your-own pasta/burger stations are delicious! And probably the most affordable and worth-your-money food on property. If you'd like to take a peek at my adventures while I'm here, I made a Tumblr! I haven't updated it much because well... I've been tired and busy but I'm hoping to update it with pictures and everything soon!

Just wanted to update you guys on where I've been and what I've been doing! I was suppose to film my Stacking the Shelves last night but eh, it didn't happen. Reviews will hopefully be back up this week or next. So I'll see you then!

Read More

Personal: Phobias!

It has come to my attention that I have been neglecting my blog for a bit of time. Last week it was because my mom decided to unpack my entire apartment which was in 3 large boxes before I could even wake up (so yes, waking up and seeing the contents of your apartment scattered EVERYWHERE in your parents house is not an ideal way of waking up). She seems to like to do this, you know, stress people out. So I spent most of last week finding my stuff, doing laundry, finding a place to put things (which currently is the floor) and trying not to go ape shit.

This week is slightly different, I was making calls and fixing things (like my student loan) and I had put off setting my dentist appointment for a few weeks. I need to have two cavities filled and if filling cavities means getting a shot in my mouth, I usually wait til like, I don't know, a year later. I don't have a phobia of needles, I get my blood drawn all the time (my mom is nuts). But when it comes to needles in my mouth, that's a different story. 

My previous dentist did this thing, where he would flap my cheek while he was shooting my gums. Not only was this super uncomfortable and I wanted to be like "yo doc, the hell you doin" but it was also annoying. So one day, he's flapping my gums and he slips and he stabs the inside of my cheek. OHDEARGOD. I screamed and started bawling on the spot. And all he did was leave the room, he didn't apologize, he didn't do anything, he just left. His assistant was at my side in an instant (I love her, she was amazing) and she was hugging me and patting my hair down and talking to me. Eventually when he did return I was pissed (this was back when I was a teen and I was just a mess back then) and I was screaming at him. He honestly didn't seem to care that he just stabbed me. So the last time I went to him for a cavity filling was before Thanksgiving, years ago and I was freaking out. They tried everything; a blanket, laughing gas... I would still freak out and all he could say was "can we hurry this up, I have a long drive to make for Thanksgiving". Oh screw you!

Anyway, since then I've kinda had this strange phobia of needles in my mouth. Like I know not everyone will slip and stab me but as soon as that needle comes near my mouth I honestly just freak the hell out. I have a new dentist now who specializes in people scared of the dentist (and they are amazing and patient people) and I haven't had a cavity in 3 years but now, I do. And tomorrow is my appointment. And I am scared shitless. They are giving me Valium, which everyone is saying will calm me down, but I don't know. I hope they're right. I mean, I can't really be mad at myself, I did go 3 years with no cavities. I just wish, I dunno, there was a different way to do this? The cavity I mentioned earlier, they shot with this sand stuff to clean it out so I didn't need to be numbed. Apparently they can't do that this time :\

So this week I've basically been freaking out.

My husband will be in the room with me tomorrow though and he's going to let me bring my Moogle (if you play Final Fantasy you know what that is). But I'm still, really just, freaking out right now...

Read More

A bit of a change...

I was scrolling through free read on my Nook earlier and I found some really interesting free/$.99 ones that picked up. 

I know that this is my blog and I can post whatever I want on it but... I don't know, every time I post an erotica book review, I always feel like the young adult reviews kinda glare at it, like it doesn't belong here. Does that make sense? And while I don't want to make a whole other blog just for erotica reviews, I don't really feel writing posting them here either. I've thought about making it known in the blog title and maybe cutting the page so that you can easily scroll passed it if you want, but... ah, I don't know. On the other hand, maybe making a whole new blog for just romance and erotica wouldn't be such a bad idea either.

What do you guys think?

Read More

Random thoughts just to get them out.

• I've been gone forever but I've been lurking around Google reader.
• It's my last week at Disney and I'm feeling extremes of bittersweet.
• Packing an entire apartment in two days seems well... impossible.
• I think I have enough reviews piled up to make a comeback.
• My left eye stings and I don't really know why...
• Watched I Am Number Four this morning. I liked it, but thinking back on it now, I don't know how I feel.
• Did I mention packing up an entire apartment in two days seems impossible?

Now to set up posts and figure out what to do with all my stuff. I'm thisclose to just saying screw it and stuffing this entire apartment in a big box and sending everything home. Stove and couches included!

Read More

What the hell Google?!

Recently Google notified me about their "personal" and "organizational" accounts. And to pick one for marielovesbooks. I didn't really understand what was going on but I wanted to keep my email with my account, obviously. So I transfered everything over.

Bad idea.

I had to import/export my Google reader but I lost all my starred in the process and now my blog isn't connected to my email, it's connected to a different email!

I don't understand why Google always has to have these weird updates all the time. It just makes things so much more confusing!

Did anyone else get this notification?

Read More

Personal: Happy Monday!

Happy Monday everyone!

(Yes I'm using this as a "filler" for my lack of movie review today, don't judge me!)

I've been planning my come back and so far I've been able to fill the days (minus the movie review for today). I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, I think a 2 month break is long enough. Now the problem is... which book to read first?! Should I finish a book I started back home? Should I read the ones on my challenge list first? The ones for review? The ones for review and challenge list (that seems logical. Best idea ever)? 

Things here don't seem to slow down. They seem to get more and more and more hectic. I was deployed to a new location (well still same location but different area. Do you know how huge Downtown Disney is here at Disney World?! It's insane!) so that was stressful. I ended up loving the new location that after they un-deployed me, I asked to go back. I ended up being deployed again and now I hear they're keeping me? I'm not sure if that's 100% true just yet. I got excited cause my schedule made it sound like they were then one of my managers told me the person screwed up on everyone's schedule. Way to burst my bubble. But I'm sure I'm probably staying. 

It's Spring Break this week. I thought it was last week but no, it was just Mardi Gras. It was super busy and packed last week. I'd hate to see how busy it'll be this week. But hopefully after this week things start to slow down. I'm in desperate need of a massage.

Husband and I went to Epcot last week on our day off. They're having the Flower & Garden Festival right now. It's really nice. Besides the allergies part. Had Moscato in Italy (Epcot's Italy, not the actual country. If you don't know what Epcot is, it's a park that's part of Disney World that showcases different countries. It's really cool), finally figured out who Figment was and finally tried out Coral Reef (good food, but not sure if it was really worth it).

This week we're going to Boardwalk (haven't been there yet), Disney Quest (I work at the gift shop but I've never actually been to Disney Quest and I feel so unhelpful when people ask me what it is) then we're going to run errands. By bus. Cause that's always fun. Blah.

So yes, Spring has sprung and I'm hoping things will slow down so I can sit down and read without feeling like I have a million other things to get done.

I hope you all are doing fantastic!

Read More

Personal: Life at Disney

As you guys know, I now work for Walt Disney World.

I've been here for a little over a month and for the most part, I love it here. Florida is much much more different that California in terms of the weather, the air and the people. I find that the people here in Florida are much nicer people. People in California are always in a hurry and annoyed. At everything. For any reason. Lately the weather has been really nice here, I'm still trying to get use to this humidity thing. You know humidity in CA would label the day "the hottest day EVER" lol. We had a thunderstorm once a week last month, I LOVE thunderstorms. The Bay Area hasn't had one (at least on my side of the bay) for about two years. Except I didn't really enjoy running to my apartment during the thunderstorm. It felt like the thunder was chasing me!

The program is... eh. Don't get me wrong, I think it's an amazing program that offers us college students an absolute amazing experience. But... we're like the bottom of the employee chain. We're the ones likely to close every night, to pick up the extra hours no one wants, to deal with the unstable work schedule's and that's fine... I can totally understand that but sometimes it gets to be too much. I was recently deployed from my main location to a location that's across my area. It's like a 10-20 min walk there (that's how huge Downtown Disney is) and while it's a bit exciting to be moved to a new location for awhile, I absolutely hate it here! The managers, coordinators and co-workers in my main zone are helpful and friendly and they have a sense of humor. Where as this zone, not so much. I mean, at all. No one's every smiling, everyone expects you to know everything even if you've never been there, and they're just not that helpful. I don't think I've seen the closing manager smile once the whole week I've been here. Half the time when you're directing a question towards her she doesn't even respond! It's just a big difference from my main zone, then being thrown into this one where everyone acts so miserable.

I am enjoying my time here in Florida, I love checking out all the resorts (there's so many resorts and so many parks, I've been here a month and still haven't seen everything!) and making a list of restaurants I want to try out (I'll be posting reviews for them on a different blog), I've been stalking characters (I saw Peter Pan yesterday but he left before I could go get his autograph/picture because he had to get ready for the show and I've been trying to track down Peter forever. At least now I know where t look!), I've been indulging in caramel apples (if you haven't had a Disney caramel apple, you're missing out. They have the thickest yummiest caramel), and visiting the parks.

It's hard to do anything else other than that here without a car. It's a little weird not to be able to drive to Taco Bell and get some food or stop by the mall or the bank. I miss my car, I miss being able to drive. But this is an amazing experience and being away from all the home stuff isn't so bad sometimes :). Now, pictures!

Read More

Book Blogger Crisis: I'm here!

I'm here! I'm here!

We landed in Florida on Friday night and we browsed Downtown Disney yesterday. Today we're spending the day in the hotel room relaxing, trying to ease this jet lag (which really sucks) and finishing up paperwork. 

The weather is so much better here than at home! It's awesome! I also got some new pins for pin trading!

I LOVE pin trading! I was running around all over the place wanting to buy things and my husband was right behind me plucking said things out of my hand lol.

We move in tomorrow and I'm so nervous. I don't know what to expect and we have so many bags! I'm jealous of the people who drove and packed up their cars, so much easier for them! We're going to have to drag 6 bags of luggage everywhere, ugh. 

I got the newsletter for S&S finally! I picked out a few titles I've wanted for awhile.... like Haven! I'm so excited! I wish I could read it on my Kindle, but it's cool. I wish I could find a B&N, I hear Across The Universe is floating around! Argh, so sad.

I'll try to have posts ready for the next week, I don't think I'll be able to get any reading done any time soon, not until everything settles down.

Okay I'm hungry, so... :)

Read More

2011 Resolutions!

I love lists. And I love New Years! A new year, a new start! 2010 was good to me and I'm hoping 2011 will be the same! I was thinking of just sharing my blogging resolutions but I figured I'd share my life ones as well, it goes along with one of my resolutions nicely :)


Blogging Resolutions

• Don't beat yourself up if you can't post a review 2-3 times a week. The world will not end despite what you're thinking!
• Write reviews as soon as you finish a book or at least notes somewhere! Don't wait days or weeks before you write them!
• Be more involved on the blog. Start discussion posts, author/character interviews and things about YOU. It doesn't have to be just reviews and IMM!
• Start using the 100 page rule. No sense in forcing yourself to read something you're struggling with!
• Don't accept review copies if you're not sure you'll read them. Sure they sound cool but on a scale, how interesting is it, really?
• Venture back into fiction (I use to read fiction all the time, then I discovered YA and well, that was that).
• Don't splurge on books so much (especially now that we're moving. I'm thinking of going the eBook route to save space).

Life Resolutions

• Explore Florida and everything it has to offer
• Spend a weekend in New York (if possible, in Feb. While there's still snow!)
• Get back into To Write Love On Her Arms
• Work out, take vitamins and DRINK WATER (this is on my list every year)
• Get back into Web/Graphic design
• Get back on FFXI (yes, I'm so serious)
• Cook and bake (I can do this now that I'm getting my own place)!
• Work on your WIP novel
• Try 5 new restaurants
• Attempt Yoga
• Start sleeping before 2AM!
• RELAX. It's okay to put aside an entire day to just RELAX! Don't feel guilty!
• LEARN FRENCH

What are some of your resolutions? Do we have any in common?

Read More

It's my anniversary!

[the married couple being lazy during reception set up]

One year ago today I was making my way down the elevator and on my way to my chapel to wait for my wedding coordinator. In 45 minutes I was going to walk down the isle and marry my best friend. Most. Nerve wrecking. Experience. Of. My. ENTIRE. Life. Seriously. And it's so weird because it was just family there and I was still so nervous!

I can't believe it's already been an entire year. I can't believe we survived our first year of marriage. I can't believe I pulled off an entire wedding with only 8 weeks to plan! Being married isn't any different than not being married. For some reason I thought it would be epic and different. But it's not that much different. The only difference is that it's "we" instead of "me". "Us" instead of... well you get the point. I smile every time he refers to me as his wife. And I feel like a jerk for not changing my last name yet lol. But I don't really feel the need to until we move out. Which is in a few weeks, but still, it seems like changing my last name and getting our own place go hand in hand. Maybe it's just me!

I am so thankful for him and everything he does for me. For taking care of me when he doesn't have to, for looking out for me and for keeping me grounded when I'm bouncing around all over the place. For his never ending support in all my interests, hobbies and plans. For wanting to be a part of those interests, hobbies and plans. For teaching me girly things I can't figure out (like how to use makeup remover wipes or nail polish remover the right way), I obviously didn't spend much time with my mother growing up lol. For reading to me when I get too busy or lazy to because he knows I have to finish books. And for just being awesome... most days.

To you my love, my best friend in the entire world. Happy Anniversary!

[and happy birthday to our Flixie, you're always so very missed.]

Read More

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just popping in to say Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for this year! I don't have a lot of time (my tummy is grumbling) so I'll just make a quick list ;)

• My amazing and wonderful husband who is always supportive of me. No matter how crazy my newest obsession, idea or hobby is. What would I do without him?
• My fur babies for being the light of my life! Jay for being my sunshine, Ming for being a little princess all the time and Boq for keep me company and being my marshmallow!
• My newest adventure, because I feel so very blessed and lucky to have this opportunity!
• My family! My parents for babying me all the time even when I don't need to me, my amazing and supportive cousins! And the fact that my in laws like me lol.
• Wicked! the amazing musical itself, the friends it brought me and the wonderful SF cast who have touched my life.
• The book blogging community! The awesome book blogger friends I've made, the authors I've met and those I talk to via email and twitter and the publishers/publicists who think I'm worthy. You guys have opened a whole new world to me!
• The UoP! All the friensd I've made and the wonderful staff that feels like friends! I will miss them all so very much!

I'm thankful for everything. And waking, streaching and feeling thankful is such an amazing feeling. I can't wait to see my family later today. And get my shop on tomorrow lol.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Read More

I have a confession.

I did it. I gave in. If you follow me on Twitter or Goodreads, this isn't new news. But I need to get this out. I really do.

I gave in. I'm currently reading The Hunger Games. I know, I'm a bit late on the hype, but honestly... I had no intention on reading this series. It just doesn't sound like something I'd be interested in. But after the whole Mockingjay hype, my husband asked me to read The Hunger Games. And he kept asking. And asked some more...

So I gave in and started reading it. I'm almost done. We're actually reading it together. Or well, he's listening to the audio and I'm reading along. And I have to admit...

I'm obsessed.

Yes, I said it. I, Marie, is obsessed with The Hunger Games. Seriously, I have been missing out! I mean, the book still doesn't sound like something I'd be interested in... but every time I pick it up, I have to force myself to put it down! 

Katniss annoys me a bit though... she's so dense when it comes to Peeta. And Peeta, oh wonderful and funny Peeta *swoon. I also liked Rue and I have a few questions to ask Suzanne Collins when I go to her signing next month! I can't wait to get my hands on Catching Fire! I'm a little nervous about Mockingjay since I heard a lot of people were disappointed with it. But it does sound epic. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Read More

Backstage at the Wicked Musical in San Francisco!

As most of you might know by now, I'm a huge huge huge fan of the Wicked musical (in fact, I've seen in 9 times, all in San Francisco! If you think that's crazy, I know a girl who's seen it 60, now that is insane)! I'm friends... or fan friends... or, I don't know what you would call it... but I know four people from the musical. Neka (who plays the witches mother and is an understudy for Nessarose), Etai (who plays Boq), Jody (who plays Madame Morrible) and Nicolas (our previous Fiyero who recently left to go on Broadway for Mary Poppins as Bert)! So we were chatting with Neka after Nicolas, Eden and Kendra's last performance and she invited us to go backstage! Well not that day, but any day we wanted, so we went last week when she was on as Nessarose.

I'm going to cut this entry since I'm not sure if we were allowed to take pictures or not and I don't want Neka to get in trouble! So to see pictures of backstage, follow the cut!

Read More

This is frustrating!

So, I have a problem.

I caught up on book reviews a few weeks ago and so I started reading more books, so I'd have more books to review... then I kept reading more books. I usually wait a day or two to write reviews because usually after I post them, I realize I wanted to write more. But now it's published and there's no reason to edit/add anymore. Well it turned into more reading and less reviewing. Now I'm behind a good amount of books and no matter how much I try to force myself, I just can't write a review. It's not that I can't, it just that I'm not in the mood to. Do you guys ever get this feeling?

I figure I should just enjoy reading books for now (it is, after all, for the most part summer vacation. Maybe that's where all this "lazyness" is coming from) and when I'm in the mood to write reviews again, I will. I'm just scared the stories will start to fade and jumble up if I wait too long. Or maybe I'll just force myself to write a review, ugh I don't know! 

I'm also considering putting myself on a book buying ban! But I think that's a bit harsh lol. Oh, can someone explain to me the concept of pre-ordering on Amazon? I pre-ordered a few things and they got here after the release date. For example, the Bree Tanner book just shipped to me this morning... and I pre-ordered it last month! Which is weird because I didn't pre-order "The Clearing" and it shipped to be before the release date (which I had no idea it wasn't even released yet). I don't know! This heat is making me feel... flimsy. Is that the word I'm looking for?

In happier news...

I got my Amazon Kindle today!!!! I'm so excited it's finally here!!! But I have to admit... the menu is really plain and where can I find my page numbers?! It's kinda weird... maybe it'll just take some getting use to... and yes, I'll be doing a review, once I get better acquainted with it of course!

And in random news...

I found a tick on my dog the other day. I was petting him like I usually do before the I leave the house and his ear flipped open (he has floppy ears) and I saw something like right outside of his ear canal and it was gray and it looked like a huge bump. Like a tumor almost. I screamed which startled him and I called my mom over there and showed her. I was freaking out thinking it was a tumor and it had like dried blood around it so I was freaking out even more! And my mom looks and she goes "Oh my gosh! It's a really big flea!" so she puts on gloves and pulls it off, like it's nothing. Filipino parents man, I swear, nothing scares them (like my dad grabbing and squishing a Wolf Spider like it was an ant, crazy). OMG. It was so disgusting. I wish I had taken a picture, I feel lonely knowing it's haunting my thoughts and no one elses lol. But seriously, it was gross. I told my husband later and he said it was a tick. So I googled and he was right. It was HUGE. Like if I had poked it with a needle, it would had popped. Which is weird cause I don't think he had it the the day before... and my mom gave him a bath a few days ago and she said she didn't see it then... he's never far from the house either. The only thing I could think of is that he got from our cat. Since she is an outdoor cat. And this wouldn't be the first time she's carried a tick if it was her. Goodness. At least she' short haired, I guess. Ugh. I hate animal bugs! I haven't played with him since. I know it's mean, but man... this is gonna take some time to get over!

Okay, that's all. Sorry for rambling, I just felt like I had to talk to someone! I feel better now :)

Read More

WIcked Lovely winner + news!

I know I'm a few days late, but the winner of my author of the month giveaway is...

Keitra

Congratulations! I'll be emailing you soon for your mailing address! I hope you enjoy Wicked Lovely as much as I did!

As far as I see, I'll be holding two giveaways in June, so look out for those!

News

My best friend decided to go on a random trip this weekend, I need a vacation so who was I to say no? Haha. But of course the thought of being away from blogs and email is making me a little anxious. Weird right? Who'd skip a vacation to the happiest place on Earth and Sin City to keep up with blogs and email? I'm excited! So I won't be able to catch up on reviews this weekend like I had hoped to... which is funny cause I was itching to finish more books so I'd have more reviews to put up and now I'm behind on my reviews lol! So reviews coming up:

• Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
• The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan
• Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles 

Hopefully, in that order. Since I like to do things... in order. Can I just say I am in love with Perfect Chemistry? Oh. My. Goodness. Seriously! If you haven't read it, you need to. Now. Amazing! I can't wait to write the review for this one! I'm hoping Rules of Attraction will be just as good!

I have four books to read for review, so hopefully I'll have half of then read by the time I come back from vacation (since one is a giveaway)!

What else? There was something else I wanted to mention and I totally forgot what it was...! Hmph. Well, I hope you guys have a wonderful weekend! See you in a few days =).

Read More

Reading habits!

I snagged this from random ramblings and Lily's Book Shelf!

They're both kinda different though... hmm...

Do you snack while you read? If so, favourite reading snack

I usually like to keep food away from me if I'm reading, I'm such a messy eater! 

What is your favourite drink while reading?

This falls in the same place as the previous question. But since I've been reading before bed lately, if I'm really thirsty, it's apple juice.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?

I don't write in my books! The most I do is fold a corner of the page to keep my place. But even that's starting to bother me.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?

Like I mentioned, I fold a corner. Sometimes I write the page number down on the notepad on my phone... but if I'm falling asleep... folding it is!

Fiction, non-fiction, or both?

Both, but I enjoy Fiction a lot more. Though I do have a thing for memoirs. 

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?

No.... the book (and author) didn't do anything to me, why do I have to take it out on the book? My husband threw my Breaking Dawn book across the room once because it was 5AM and I would NOT put it down and go to sleep... but he was half asleep himself and I remember being so angry I wanted to kick him in the head lol!

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?

I pretend I know what it means lol! I guess. Or assume. If it really bothers me later, I'll google it.

What are you currently reading?

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr and The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan

What is the last book you bought?

Spells by Aprilynne Pike, Charmed & Enchanted by Nora Roberts, The Chronicles of Faerie: The Hunters Moon by O.R. Melling, Wicked Ties and Naughty Little Secret by Shayla Black. Great you ruined in my mailbox for next next week lol.

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?

I use to be a one book at a time type of person... but now I read a few books at a time. Something light and something intense and I'll read whichever I'm feel like that night.

Do you have a favourite time/place to read?

My room, above all is my favorite place to read. And as long as it's quiet, I'm fine. But I do prefer in my bed, cozy'ed up!

Do you prefer series books or stand alones?

I think about this all the time lol. I like stand alone's because once you finish the book, that's it. But then I don't because I usually want to know more. Like with The Clearing, I want to know what happens next! But then I like series because of the story lines that keep it going but at the same time I don't because... well I have to buy more books lol! I like both.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?

Lately it's been Elizabeth Scott and The Clearing. I'm obsessed with The Clearing. Oh and Lilli Feisty, but I don't have many friends that are into erotica. 

How do you organize your books? (by genre, title, author's last name, etc.)

Currently they're just piled up in my closet by order I buy them in. I don't have any room in my room for a bookcase, sadly. I'm trying to think of a more organized system though...

Read More

Advice for my 16 year old self

I got this idea from Steph and I thought it was really neat. Kinda like the #givemeacall topic on twitter. Just to make it easier on me, I'm going to assume I'm talking to my 16 year old self in April (of 2001 if you're curious to know).

• You're going to meet a boy who is going to completely flip your world upside down, and I don't mean that in an entirely good way either. It will be blissful, but it will be just as painful.
• But don't worry about the painful part, good things come of it. You'll realize that a ton of people care about you.
• You know, still speaking of said boy, maybe you should lay off being so possessive... just sayin. Boys like video games, it's not cool that you keep calling his house phone to kick him off Counter Strike.
• And StarCraft? You won't believe me when I say this but... it'll end up being one of your all time favorite video games. Don't look at me like that!
• You'll get kicked out of high school. Yes, mission accomplished. And it will be wonderful. 
• Your chic best friend? You'll still think she's a whore 9 years from now not only that, but everything you defended her by, by saying she wasn't a whore would be a lie. Seriously, she's a whore.
• Your "godsister" will use the hell out of you, abuse you and ditch you. Run. Now. Tell Mae and maybe the two of you could come up with some super fool proof way to run away while you both still can!
• You know how that boy? When 9/11 hits (we'll talk about that later) him and his best friend will assume they'll be shipped off to war. Wanna know the funny part? They eventually don't but you strongly consider enlisting, multiple times in your life.
• You don't get your license this year, sorry. 
• You don't move out at 18 either, sorry.
• 17 will be the hardest year of your life. And guess what, they won't care. He is still put above you. But don't worry about it! You'll come out stronger and happier (and broker but hey, life isn't perfect).
• It would be nice if you would admit that you're addicted to smoking, face it. You can't quit whenever you want to because you're in denial! And that girl you're hanging out with? She's using you.
• Joey ends up being your best friend at some point. I know! Crazy right! That's what I said!
• You won't believe me but, depression will be over in a few years and something else will totally wreck your life instead. But hey, at least it's not depression right?
• You'll meet a boy, randomly and the friendship between you two will be amazing and heartbreaking. 
• I'll tell you a secret. You get married. Yes, you do. No, I'm not lying. No, why would I joke about this? You get married and you'll realize why it never worked out with anyone else. Life won't be blissful and picture perfect, but you will be happy. Honestly and truly happy. Just hang in there, I know this year sucks for you. But it'll be okay. Promise!
• Oh and lastly, you know that game... DDR? You'll get the hang of that eventually. It's okay to look like a lost idiot in public!

What advice would you give to your 16 year old self?

Read More