Oh The Holidays

So yesterday I realized how much I love my kids, I mean, I already know I love them unconditionally, but I went above and beyond yesterday. I decided to go to Toys'R'Us to purchase some toys for Christmas, which just happens to be one of my favorite holidays, since I came into some extra money. My daughter has been asking me for all types of electronics, so I figure she's at the age now where she wants to start experimenting with video games. I couldn't for the life of me remember where the store was, so I looked it up on my iPhone, and if you have one, you know it has this neat little feature that maps the location of your search destination. So, naturally, I did that, and started to drive. This has never failed me before, and it seemed to be leading me in the right direction, so I kept going. Once I got close to the destination, everything started to look familiar, but I couldn't quite put my finger on the exact location, I needed the last coordinates to pinpoint Toy'R'Us. This is where my iPhone hit an epic #fail. It kept telling me to get on the 215 heading towards Riverside, which I found out was not what I was supposed to do. I jumped on the 215 and hit traffic, but my little dot on the screen was telling me I was driving away from the store. I got off on the next exit and headed back towards the location where the store was on my screen, but I couldn't figure out where it was. If you live out here in the boonies, you know that some things are just really hard to find, because these are new developments, and haven't been mapped out correctly on GPS. After about 15 minutes of searching, and searching, and searching...I remembered that instead of getting on the freeway, there is a street that takes you along the side of the freeway to some hidden stores. I actually think I cut someone off when I realized where it was, just so I could turn before getting on the freeway. I was so happy to have finally found it, that I didn't even care how long it took me. Happy to report that I purchased a Leapster2 and a video game to go with. Despite the grueling journey, I think my daughter will be happy this Christmas. Jewel of the story...sometimes the iPhone really #sucks.

I Need A Vacation

I've been trying to figure out something to write here for the past week and I couldn't seem to come up with anything and that means that I probably need a mental vacation. I have been working on a mind-numbing assignment for the past couple of days now, and I think that it has caused my brain to shrivel up a little. My friend invited me to a weekend get away in San Francisco for her birthday in January, and all I can say right now is "halleluyer." That got me to thinking about International travel too, because I've always wanted to go on vacation outside of the US, and I want to go while I'm still young. I printed out a passport application and filled it out, but it asked what my proposed destination overseas would be, and I drew a blank. So I started doing some research on prices of travel to several places like London, France, Australia, or Germany. I think after thorough pricing and investigation London then to France is the most economical choice and I wont have to stay for more than a week to see all that London and France has to offer. Also, I'll be killing two birds with one stone and crossing off an item on my bucket list, it just can't get any better than that. I just haven't decided if I am going to make this a family or solo excursion, I love my family, but my husband has been a real pain lately and I just can't imagine letting him ruin this for me. Jewel of the story...everyone needs a vacation sometimes.

Be yourself

Sometimes I just sit back and watch others self-destruct because they are so concerned with trying to be someone they are not, and they try to keep up the facade, but deep down inside they know they are living a lie. It must be real hard to not be genuine, I wouldn't know, but it seems like it would take a lot if energy and effort. Working that hard to be someone else has to be painful, because you essentially have to really hate who you are, to want to be someone else. What has the world done to people to make them feel like they can't be anything like their true selves, to gain friendship and love. I don't want to put myself on a pedestal, but I try really hard to be true to me and no one else, because in the end all you have is who you really are. When the people you are trying to impress aren't around, who are you really? When I smile at you, it is because I truly mean it, and the same when I frown. When I laugh at your jokes, it's because I think they're funny, and the same when I don't laugh. When I hug you, it's because I love you or I am trying to comfort, when I don't it's because I need a hug. When I yell it's because I'm angry, and when I don't it's because I am truly hurt. I love all the emotions that embody me and make me the person I am and I wouldn't change for the world, or the promise of more friends. Jewel of the story...are you really who you want to be?

Feeling Very Unproductive

So, it has been one tough couple of days, I've been trying to come up with material for my book, but I have come up quite short lately. I usually let words run off my lips freely throughout the day, despite the fact that it annoys my husband, but for some reason I am drawing a blank lately. It could be that I can't seem to focus when I am at home, but even when I try to sneak in a chapter or two at work, I get a big fat nothing. I got discouraged last week when I realized how much research this book was going to require, so I have been trying to come up with fillers until I can take a trip and get some authentic material first hand. I would have to actually travel to Louisiana if I want my book to have any shred of credibility once I start sending it to agents or even publishers. Considering traveling right now is completely out of the question due to finances, I am left to my own devices, my vivid imagination, dreams and accounts from what I see on TV and the internet. That just isn't going to cut it though, because I am somewhat type-A and would be rather embarrassed to let anyone read anything that I wasn't 100% satisfied with. So I shall truck on in the hopes of finding more material for my book, minus travel to the southern part of the US. Jewel of the story...don't let yourself get discouraged, because it will affect your ability to get things done.

Is it just me...

Is it just me or does it seem like the longer you procrastinate on something the harder it is to get back to finishing it. Whenever I take a break from one activity and move on to another, it's like I have ADD and can't get back to that other thing looming over my head. When you have kids it's real easy to get off track, and in order to stay on track I essentially have to ignore everything around me, even my child's screams for attention. It is really hard to do this considering my two year old has quite the set of lungs on him and uses the word "no" frequently. Also, when 'The Wiggles' is played repetitively throughout the day, it's kind of hard to focus on anything that doesn't have to do with 'Dorothy the Dinosaur' or 'Captain Feathersword'. Despite all this, I have managed to make a little more progress tonight on my sci-fi novel. Albeit only about 600 words more than what I've had for the past couple of days, it's progress nonetheless. I have learned that even though you really want to get something done without interruptions, having children will always prevent this, unless it's nap time. Jewel of the story...through the screams there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is called bed time.

I said I wouldn't do this...

I am so excited about writing this book that I just can't help myself, so here is an excerpt from chapter 2...

My door was adorned with 'Stay Out', and 'Enter at Your Own Risk' signs. I opened my door and literally fell into my room. I kicked the door closed with my foot as I laid there on the floor, head in the crook of my elbow. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and spaced out for a minute, I kept replaying the scene over and over again in my head and began to seethe with anger. Who the hell was trying to kill me? I snapped myself out of it and pulled my limp body off the floor with the little strength I had left and dragged my feet to the bathroom.

It was a small excuse for a bathroom, with no tub, just a shower stuck in the wall, with a mirror and sink adjacent, and a porcelain toilet on the opposing flowered wallpaper. I flicked on the light and almost vomited at the sight of the hideous bruise that the tranquilizer dart had left on my neck. It looked like I had a boyfriend with a vacuum for a mouth. There was no way I was going to school tomorrow looking like this. I would just fake it, like I always did, and try to convince my mom to let me stay home.

I will probably start posting the rest on my other blog after the design is finished, more details to follow. Jewel of the story...this is in honor of NaNoWriMo: check it out...www.nanowrimo.org/