Pottermore

Everyone has heard of it, but does everyone know what it is really about?

It isn't just a place to play games, make potions, and duel. What I love about it the most is the new content. J.K. Rowling has written new content to go along with the books. The only one that is done is The Sorcerer's Stone. But by exploring, you learn about Professor McGonagall's background. You learn more about Lily and James Potter and much more.

You can also explore each books and there are very cool graphics to go with each chapter.

And you get sorted. But I am not particularly happy where I got put. Hufflepuff. Although I am loyal. And Cedric Diggory was Hufflepuff, so I guess I'll survive.

So if you can't get enough of Harry Potter, I suggest checking it out.

I am PotionAuror26731.

Books to Read

There are a couple of sequels coming out soon for books I have read. I would recommend reading all of these series. (Obviously.)

1. First on the list (not a sequel), The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. Duh. Sept 27, 2012

It sounds like an completely different from Harry Potter. But some of my favorite authors happen to be British and I just love most of the stuff they write.

2. The Woman Who Died Alot, by Jasper Ffrode Another British Author

Another Thursday Next novel. I absolutely love these books. They are smart and funny. Seriously, if you like books, you should like these books. All of them. Plus there are now 7 in the series, isn't that exciting to find a good series with so many books already out?

3. Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot

This is the 4th book in the Size 12 is Not Fat book series. It is definitely chick-lit, but fun. I read one of the books one night after work. Fast and fun.

The problem with all of these, is being patient while on the waiting list. Except for The Casual Vacancy, which I will buy.

11/22/63 by Stephen King

This has been on my list for a while. The waiting list was so long last time I checked the library a few months ago. Then I finally looked last week and it was there! It is my first Stephen King novel and it is classified as Sci-Fi. Although it is light sci-fi.

Jake Epping is a recently divorced high school English teacher. One day towards the end of the school year, the owner of the diner he frequents, Al,  invites him over. Al shows Jake a "rabbit-hole." When a person walks through it, they enter September 9, 1958. The same day and same time, every time. When the person returns to the present day, only 2 minutes has passed. No matter how much time was spent in the past.

Al had been on a mission to stop the assassination of JFK, but finds he is unable to complete his task. He now implores Jake to take over the task.

Stephen King did a great job of making me understand the key differences between 1958 and 2011. I also was connected to the characters. Jake goes back in time as George. He is supposed to blend in, but not form relationships. However, he forms those relationships anyways. I loved the characters he bonded with.

At 851 pages, it seemed like no easy task to read this before I left, but I couldn't put it down. It was a fabulous story. And while I don't think I'll read any of Stephen King's horror books, I would love to read one similar to this in the future.

5 on Fri

1. I leave for G-camp tomorrow and Chris leaves for debate camp tomorrow. Thus begins our 17 days apart from each other. I know that by day 5 I will be homesick and Chris-sick. I will blog some, but most it of will probably be on my new teaching blog, since it is a teaching oriented trip.

2. I bought a cheap ring so I didn't have to take my real wedding rings on the trip with me. I usually don't where them running or hiking because I am afraid I'll lose them.

3. I think most people have heard of Spotify. But downloaded about two months ago, and I listen to it almost everyday. I love finding new music on it.

4. I have read 41 books this year, which is exactly how many books I read last year. I only have 9 more to go to reach my goal.

5. That last one is a lie. I have actually re-read some of the Harry Potter books but didn't put it in my final count. I read them at least once a year, so it just doesn't go into the totals.

New Blog

I actually told someone today that I was excited for school to start.

Not sure what I am thinking. But I do know that I miss some aspects of school.

I could literally talk about education all day long. Thank goodness Chris is a teacher too, because then I might bug him a bit. But he is perfectly happy to talk about it too.

I started a blog to get me through the rest of the summer and then some. It is all teaching, all the time. Check it out if it interests you. Click the banner below

Green Thumb

Anything can grow in California. The climate is perfect all year round. Most of the plants that are grown there now were introduced to the area. We went to several history sites that were covered in awesome plants I have never seen before. Even the ones that could not produce food could be used for something else like brooms, medicine, cleaning...

One place we went was The Getty Museum. Getty wanted to create a Mediterranean Villa to house his large Greek and Roman art collection that he had collected over the years. The outside gardens had tons of plants.

 Peach Tree

 Artichokes. I never knew they looked like this. 

 Lemons

Papyrus

Food

I like food. So naturally on of my favorite things about the trip was the food. This is a sampling of all the food.

The newest thing I tried was pea soup. Never wanted to try it and I will probably never make it. And I added ham, bacon, croutons and lots of cheese. With all that, it wasn't too bad.

The best thing was the flank steak I have. And the clam chowder. And the chinese food.

What Happened to June?!

Summer vacation is halfway over!

Good thing I like teaching. 

Saturday 5

1. I went to the dentist this week. I have problems with my teeth. I really do everything I can to keep them healthy but I still have cavities every time I visit. This dentist actually gave me some prescription toothpaste to see if it helps. He is the first dentist to tell me something other than there is nothing else I can do.

2. Being away from Chris for 8 days was the worst to date, but won't be the worst of the summer. At the end of July I am going to G-camp and he is going to debate camp. We will be separated for 17 days! I honestly don't know how I will do it. I will never understand what it is like to have a military husband and their wives have to be super amazing.

3. History trip = history reading kick. I am looking for my presidential biography to read this year. Last year it was John Adams. This year, I want to read Truman. But I need to find it at the library first.

4. I've had a month off of school and I am ready to start lesson planning now. It is looking more like I am going to be teaching 5th grade Science and Social Studies next year. My top two favorite subjects. It is going to be a fun year with all the stuff I have planned on pinterest so far.

5. Chris spray painted my hand the other day. (On accident and for a legitimate purpose). I am having a hard time getting all the paint off. It is red, so it just looks like blood.

Planes of Fame

We stopped by the Planes of Fame in China, CA during our history trip. The have dozens of planes from around the world and all eras of aviation history. They restore all planes and all of their planes on display can be flown. (For a few thousand dollars, you can fly one yourself.)

This is the "graveyard" for planes waiting to be restored. 

This is the only flyable Japanese Zero in the world. The Zero is the same type of plane that was flown in the attack on Pearl Harbor in WWII. This specific plane was not part of Pearl Harbor, but was used as a prop in the movie Pearl Harbor. 

For anyone who loves planes and their history, I think this is a fantastic place to be. All the talking about planes was a bit much for me after 2 hours. Luckily, there was a dog on site who was happy to go around to the ladies looking for some love. 

Check Under the Pillow

Chris brought his shotgun home last Sunday and I was in California at the time. 

I shared my concerns with him. (I am going to accidently shoot myself in the face.)

He says he'll put it in a safe place.

Then I get this picture. 

I do not like guns. It is kind of freaking me out. 

(This is not where it stayed, obviously.)

The Berlin Wall

One of my favorite parts about the trip was seeing the piece of the Berlin Wall. It would be cool to me to see as many pieces of the Berlin Wall that I could.

The first is at the Nixon Presidential Library. The side with the graffiti was on the west side of Berlin. (The side controlled by the United States, Britain and France.) The other side is completely blank. (From the side of Berlin that was controlled by the Soviet Union.)

The second is at the Reagan Presidential Library. The other side is also completely blank. (Except for a marking that was made to mark which piece of the wall it is after the fact.)

One of the main reasons the wall was built was to stop emigration from East Berlin. I guess when people have a choice between oppression and non-oppression they will choose the first.

Several people who killed or put in prison for trying to cross the wall. However, there were several success stories. Some found ways to dig tunnels, ride a hot air balloon over, or take a zipline over.

The Berlin wall fell when I was only 4 years old. So my students definitely do not have a appreciation for the events surrounding it and the world it was constructed in. Listening to speeches and learning more about the Berlin Wall this past week has been a good way for me to understand, so I can pass that on to my students.

Crazy Days in California

I am back from a crazy week in California. We flew into Los Angeles on a Saturday and flew out of San Francisco the next Saturday. 8 days of hotels, bus ride, unhealthy food and little sleep. 

This trip is part of the Teaching American History I am a part of. Throughout the year I have been reading books and attending professional development with other teachers in 3 school districts to increase our knowledge of American history. At the end of the year, we take a trip to visit history sites. 

This is what our map looked like. This year had a lot more driving then last year. There was about 900 miles of driving. 

This was different from the trip last year. I enjoyed it, but I missed Chris so much. I would have been fine leaving on day 6 instead of day 8.

I have some posts this week about some of my favorite spots. 

                        

How to Save Paper Towels

I usually don't watch videos on other people's blogs. So I sometimes assume that other don't too. But watch this one! It will help save the world.

I showed this to my students, and even they picked it up quickly. Well, the girls did. The boys not so much. It might be the only thing they remember in the long run (I hope not) but at least I can help save the world, one paper towel at a time.

The Postmortal

This was a pretty depressing book. I was reading on my first two days of summer vacation and it didn't help my mood while I was doing nothing but laundry and other chores.

In this future United States, there is a cure for aging. If a person gets this cure, they can still die from cancer or a car accident, but they will not age.

The main character gets the cure at 29, while it is still illegal in the United States. Eventually, it become legal and chaos ensues. People no longer want to be married, because now it can be forever. Resources run out quickly because the population jumps with no one dying.

This guys life was just depressing. So many things just go wrong for him. The book's format is basically his blog and it follows about 80 years. In all this time, he is still 29.

I thought the author did a good job of imagining what life could be like in a society were there is no aging. I thought the consequences he described were realistic, even if they were depressing.

Creating Scientists

When I first started teaching, I didn't think I would be able to effectively teach science. I knew that science education is important, especially to our future. But my focus was on history.

Then I got thrown into a math/science position. And I feel in love with elementary science. Now I have decided it is (one of) my missions in education to help create scientist.

My job is to just help spark interest in a few students to one of the many sciences we cover all year long: physical science, geology, zoology, environmental science, conservation, alternative resources, etc.

This doesn't mean I love history any less. But future jobs are in science. For the United States to be a global power, we need new technology and research.

Unfortunately, some classrooms do not create scientist. But hopefully out of my classes every year, there can be a few who leave wanting to be a scientist.

The Grass is Greener

I am flying into California today for my History trip. (Like this one I took last year. )

I am coming from Navasota where the temperature has been in the 90s for the last few weeks...

into Los Angeles where the temperature has been 20 degrees cooler. 

I am  looking forwards to spending 2 minutes outside without sweating buckets.

Franklin

Meet Franklin. My imaginary puppy. 

Chris decided to play a mean mean trick on my on our anniversary. He kept saying that he had a present for me at his parent's house and wouldn't tell me anything. 

Finally I broke him down and he said he got me a puppy. He had worked it out with the landlord, paid the pet deposit, and a Jack Russell Terrier puppy was waiting for me. 

He had answers for everything. I did not believe him, but kind of wanted to. We came up with the best name, but I can't remember what it was. Now it is Franklin.

Instead of a puppy, I got a wedding band. We have been married for 5 years and I have just been wearing my engagement ring because I couldn't find a band I wanted. But I have one now.

But I still kind of want a puppy.

The Uncommon Reader

I have been trying to read books that are on my Goodreads to-read list, since I am constantly adding to it all the time. This was one of them. It is very short, only 120 pages so it was a quick read.

The uncommon reader is the Queen of England. In a series of events, she finds herself hooked on books. Unfortunately, her staff hates it. She is supposed to show interest, but not favor any habits or hobbies so that she can appeal to all her subjects.

Because it was about books, there were a few quotes that I really liked.

"Can there be any greater pleasure than to come across an author one enjoys and then to find they have written not just one book or two, but at least a dozen."


"The appeal of reading lay in its indifference. Books did not care who was reading them or whether one read them or not. All readers were equal."


"What she was finding also was how one book let to another, doors kept opening wherever she turned and the days weren't long enough for the reading she wanted to do." (Explains my growing list of to-read books.)

I do not like the use of "one" when speaking about oneself.  I had a professor once who used "one" all the time and it bothered me so much. That was the only downside about this book. But it is a petty downside.

Inviting All

Chris and I are currently attending a branch. There are about 40 members who come regularly. It seems that half are actually from nearby wards who are called to attend the branch and help out.

We have been called as Young Men's and Young Women's presidents. It is most definitely out of my comfort zone.

Chris isn't as lucky as me and doesn't get to teach every Sunday. (Sometimes there are no young men.) I do get to teach. The church updates the manuals every year with some current conference talks, personal progress goals, and Mormon Messages. (Because these are the same manuals that were used when I was in Young Women.) I love the updates.

The Mormon Messages are my favorite. I have used one almost every week I've taught.

This is a good video that works for the condition our branch is in now. It is amazing that all it has to take is inviting someone to come to church, or meet with the missionaries or read the Book of Mormon. This reminds me that we always have to trust that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can work in everybody's life. We don't need to be afraid to share.

How to Get a Literary Agent in Two Murders or Less

I won this book as a Goodreads First Reads winner. As soon as I read the title, it had my attention. The title is clever, and unfortunately the best part of the book. It would be a book to read on the beach or by the pool this summer. I was interested in the story as I read, there were just parts when I felt it could have been written or done so much better.

Amanda Anderson is an aspiring writer. She has written several books, but can't get any published. She ends up spending her life savings on a publishing conference which turns out to be worthless. However, while there she meets Jonny Goodsnuff, famous author who has actually published books. Soon, he proposes and a month later she has sold all her stuff in Ohio and is married to Jonny living in LA.

Jonny completely changes after marriage, or Amanda didn't know him long enough to even make a judgement call. But Jonny is sexist, obsessed with work and overly obsessed with his agent. A month into her marriage, she wonders if she makes a mistake.

But the title promises some murder, right? It doesn't happen until about halfway through the book. After we have been rushed through backstory and the set up for the actual story.

The main character was someone I could relate to, until she married some old rich guy after knowing him for less than a month. If she did it because she was desperate, depressed or just needed a change in life, that wasn't communicated well enough in the first part of the book.

I like that premise of the story. It was interesting. The characters were good starts. But I felt the writing was rushed, especially when we got to what the story was actually about.

HEY!

1. I have had a whole week of summer vacation. It has been the most wonderful time of the year. I spent two whole days catching up on chores and otherwise being lazy. But that got old fast. Now I've got some stuff planned.

2. We have been watching Falling Skies Season 1. Love it. It is like The Walking Dead, except with Aliens and less blood. I love TNT.

3. I have 12 books checked out from the library right now. And I want to read all of them. This is what happens when all the books I place holds on become available at the exact same time. I am going to spend one day next week just reading.

4. I am going to build some furniture with my brother this summer for our apartment. I hate spending $40 on a bookshelf that is basically crap and will fall apart. I would rather spend $40 on a piece of furniture that is made with real wood.

5. I made Chris a White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake for his birthday. It was pretty awesome.

The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers by Thomas Mullen

This is the third Thomas Mullen book I have read this year. And unfortunately he has only published 3 novels. Each one is completely difference from the others. The first I read was The Revisionists  which had more of a Scify feel. The second I read was The Last Town on Earth which was historical fiction. The Many Deaths had a mixture of historical fiction, and scify.

It is set during the beginning of Great Depression as the FBI is starting and the infamous bank robber gangs were at their peak. The Firefly brothers are founding members of the firefly gang of bank robbers and have just woken up in a morgue. They have bullet holes in their bodies and the police department is claiming victory for killing them. However, they walk away.

The book is divided into each of their deaths. They don't seem able to die. As they continue to rob banks "just one last time" before they go into hiding, we learn more about why they became bank robbers. And about their brother at home who is trying to live an honest life.

The writing was excellent. It drew me in and it wasn't too much. It seemed effortless, but I know that most people cannot write like that.

I don't know when Thomas Mullen's next book is coming out, but I will read it.

Get the Pictures

I do what I can to get the picture. Sammie and Charleah like to make fun of me for it, but at least Charleah got the pictures she wanted without ruining her dress.

In this case I had straddled a bridge and was holding on with my leg. 

Sammie documented this to make fun of me. I think it is mostly to show how awesome I am. 

Charleah's Bridals

I took Charleah's bridals two weeks before her wedding. It was really fun. I had plans to go all around Houston to get it done. I realized that I was making it too complicated so all the pictures were taken within 5 miles of my parent's house. It made the day less stressful. 

Also, people in Texas are just nice. (Maybe it happens everywhere) Several people stopped or rolled down their window to tell her congratulations. She was in a wedding dress after all.

Charleah is super photogenic. So I felt like every picture was pretty good. Add some photoshop elements actions from The Pioneer Woman, and you get some of my favorite pictures. 

TV Couples

I'm doing a bottle post.

I did this a bit ago.  But there are some TV couples I actually love.

1. Prince Charming and Snow White from Once Upon a Time (if you aren't watching it, get caught up on Hulu Plus)

2. Leslie and Ben on Parks and Rec

3. Cristina and Owen on Grey's Anatomy (The inspiration for this post since Chris and I have been catching up on it)

4. Jess and Nick on The New Girl

The Rook by Daniel O'Malley

I loved this book. The book jacket had it as a cross between Harry Potter, X-Men, The Bourne Identify, Indiana Jones, Ghostbuster, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A lot of things to fit into one book. I'd say it had mutations like X-men, memory-forgetting like Bourne, paranormal hunting like Ghostbusters and a strong female lead like Buffy.

Basically, lots of things that I like. Myfanwy wakes up in London surrounded by dead bodies. She doesn't remember anything and finds a letter in her pocket addressed to her. The Myfanwy 24 hours ago knew that she would be losing her memory soon and left letters and instructions to the future memory-loss self. Myfanwy discovers she can control others and works in a secret governmental agency controlling people with unusual talents like herself. Some are good, others like to cause problems.

As Myfanwy puts together the clues to find out what happened to her, she finds there is a mole inside the agency trying to take it over. Her new life is trying to pretend she is good as normal while making it up as she goes.

I couldn't put it down. The bad thing about reading an author's first novel is they don't have other novels for me to pick up.

Teaching

We had a teacher get yelled at by a parent at school the other day. It got me thinking again how teachers are viewed by parents and the general public. They are seen as less than human things who have easy jobs and get summers off. I just read this blog post on this blog.  These are some excerpts.

I used to be a molecular biologist. I spent my days culturing viruses. Sometimes, my experiments would fail miserably, and I’d swear to myself in frustration. Acquaintances would ask how my work was going. I’d explain how I was having a difficult time cloning this one gene. I couldn’t seem to figure out the exact recipe to use for my cloning cocktail.

Acquaintances would sigh sympathetically. And they’d say, “I know you’ll figure it out. I have faith in you.”

And then, they’d tilt their heads in a show of respect for my skills….

Today, I’m a high school teacher. I spend my days culturing teenagers. Sometimes, my students get disruptive, and I swear to myself in frustration. Acquaintances ask me how my work is going. I explain how I’m having a difficult time with a certain kid. I can’t seem to get him to pay attention in class.

Acquaintances smirk knowingly. And they say, “well, have you tried making it fun for the kids? That’s how you get through to them, you know?”

And then, they explain to me how I should do my job….

I realize now how little respect teachers get. Teaching is the toughest job everyone who’s never done it thinks they can do. I admit, I was guilty of these delusions myself. When I decided to make the switch from “doing” science to “teaching” science, I found out that I had to go back to school to get a teaching credential.

Teaching isn’t just “making it fun” for the kids. Teaching isn’t just academic content.

Teaching is understanding how the human brain processes information and preparing lessons with this understanding in mind.

Teaching is simultaneously instilling in a child the belief that she can accomplish anything she wants while admonishing her for producing shoddy work.

Teaching is understanding both the psychology and the physiology behind the changes the adolescent mind goes through.

Teaching is convincing a defiant teenager that the work he sees no value in does serve a greater purpose in preparing him for the rest of his life.

Teaching is offering a sympathetic ear while maintaining a stern voice.

Teaching is being both a role model and a mentor to someone who may have neither at home, and may not be looking for either.

Teaching is not easy. Teaching is not intuitive. Teaching is not something that anyone can figure out on their own. Education researchers spend lifetimes developing effective new teaching methods. Teaching takes hard work and constant training. I understand now.

Inspiring kids? Inspiring kids can be downright damned near close to impossible sometimes. And… it’s downright damned near close to impossible to measure. You can’t measure inspiration by a child’s test scores. You can’t measure inspiration by a child’s grades. You measure inspiration 25 years later when that hot-shot doctor, or lawyer, or entrepreneur thanks her fourth-grade teacher for having faith in her and encouraging her to pursue her dreams.

Maybe that’s why teachers get so little respect. It’s hard to respect a skill that is so hard to quantify.

So, maybe you just have to take our word for it. The next time you walk into a classroom, and you see the teacher calmly presiding over a room full of kids, all actively engaged in the lesson, realize that it’s not because the job is easy. It’s because we make it look easy. And because we work our asses off to make it look easy.

And, yes, we make it fun, too.

2 truths and a lie

1. Today was a fantastic day at work! (The lie)

But to make up for it, I got two bits of awesome news.

#1 I won a giveaway on Goodreads for the audio book of Game of Thrones. I am mostly excited that I won something.

#2 I got selected to do G-camp for teachers. It is a 2 week geology camp (for teachers) in July. We will travel through Texas, Colorado and New Mexico visiting geology sites. It is all expenses paid, I just have to find my way to College Station and back (I think I can manage.) Here is there facebook page.  I really think it will help me getting into the Master program I have selected.

Magic Trash

As I said, I am starting to try some new ideas for my class. This week I tried Magic Trash. I have a probably at the end of the day with trash all over my room. At the beginning of the year, some students would pick it up if I asked, but that gets old when you realized you are the only few doing it.

So... the process.

1. Scan the room and decided on the piece of Magic Trash.

2. Have the students pick up the trash telling them there is a piece of magic trash and whoever gets it, wins the prize.

3. Watch as they all scramble to pick up even the tiniest piece of paper.

4. Announce who won. Be as honest as you want. Pick a real piece of trash or pick a student who gets little recognition.

I did this today, and seriously it was amazing. Most students got up and participated. And those that didn't just didn't get a chance at some gum. (Yes, one stick of gum is what it takes. They would get excited over a cup of ice. Which i have also used before.)

Fab Friday

1. STAAR (our state assessment) is over for the year. Watching students take tests has got to be the most boring thing in the world. I can't read, grade, plan, have a cell phone, get on the computer etc. All I can do is "actively monitor" my students. I did some calf raises during it. Engaged my abs as I walked, but that is about as much I could do. BORING.

2. 24 days left of school. (Counting today)

3. This is the time of the year where I start planning for next year. I get anxious and find all these ideas I would love to try. I am going to try to implement some of them this year and see how they work.

4. I have finally decided what to get my masters in. As of now, it is a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. And A&M has a completely online program. I am so excited to get started, but it wouldn't be until January 2013. My final goal is to be a Director of Curriculum for a district.

5. I have worked out at least 3 times for the last 7 weeks (only taking the week of the wedding off) Unfortunately, I eat away my workouts (as Jullian Michaels says). I got to get that on the same page but food is so good!

Where There's Smoke There's Fire

When you wake up at 1am to some weird sound, there is going to be some confusion. And you might have to pee.

When Chris and I finally determined it was our three smoke alarms going off, we went to work trying to turn them off. We kept pushing the buttons in our mostly asleep state and they just kept going off. We circled the rooms a few times before we realized something else might be up.

He checked the rest of the apartment and I opened the front door. There was smoke in the entry way and I quickly shut the front door.

Then I went to the bathroom. Because I had to go. I let Chris know about the smoke, but I needed to take 30 seconds.

Then I hear, "There's a fire. Call 911." I finish up my business and head outside, calling 911. The first thing Chris does is run upstairs to wake up our neighbor upstairs because it looks like that is where the smoke is coming from. (He wins the citizenship award for the year for that act.)

I see our other neighbor outside and his kids in the car.

We learned that the fire was actually at our neighbors who was already outside. Who knows how long he was out there, but he didn't call 911. Or bother to wake us up. There are only 3 apartments in our triplex and smoke travels. Especially up to the upstairs apartment.

I understand that accidents happens, there is not much we can do about that. I am pretty forgiving. I am not forgiving about NOT calling 911 when there is so much smoke, you had to open a window to get your kids out of the apartment or when you realize that your couldn't put the small fire out yourself.

Also, I had no idea what the night was going to hold once I saw the smoke. I didn't immediately see flames, so I figured I could spare the 30 seconds. But Chris thinks it is just the most horrible thing that I did that! Since I was outside for over an hour, I think I made the best decision.

We ended up being outside for a little over an hour while we waited for the fire department to check everything and clear out the smoke.

This is what the first department pulled out.

Perfect Date

I hope you enjoyed your perfect date today!

A Million Suns by Beth Revis

I loved the first book Across the Universe and this is a rare case where the sequel just got better. If you want a great YA book to read, these two are my recommendations.

It is still Sci-fi, but there is a dystopian twist. There is no love triangle, but there is still some teenage angst. Can you have a YA novel without it?

It is really hard to review this book without spoiling it. Just know that I was glued to the book the whole time with anticipation. Not anticipation where I am annoyed with the author. She reveals enough stuff at just the right time. And the ending was not disappointing, as most books that build up all the anticipation. My only complaint is that it ended too soon. But that is why it is a trilogy.

Read it!

Missing

1. Life kind of gets away sometimes. The wedding is over and I finished my school yearbook. So I should be able to get back into some kind of routine.

2. I hate it when people don't know traffic laws. When two people come to a stop sign at the same time, the person on the right has the right away. Know your rights people!

3. The wedding was absolutely awesome. I loved the reception and had so much fun.

4. I have read 26 books so far since January 1. That is over half way to my goal. I am going to get a new library card this week in our new town.

5. 34 days left of school.

Today!

This girl is getting married today!

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

This would be a book I would read to my kids one day. (10-12 year old kids) I loved it. Plus it has been added to my favorite books.

David's mom has just die and while he still mourns, his Dad remarries and he finds himself with a stepmom and a new baby brother who he despises. He only finds comforts in his books who whisper to him. When he moves into his stepmother's house, he adds to his book collection. These new books add a layer of mystery to the house.

The book takes place during WWII in England. One night a plane crashes at the house and David finds himself in a new world. This world is a combination of fairy tales with a twist. The way original fairy tales were written. As David travels to see the king, he meets lots of different characters.

The combination of all the fairy tales is what I love. Plus it has a good moral of the story, as all good stories do. I would suggest it to anyone.

Have yourself a Blue Bell Country Day

If you have yet to try Blue Bell ice cream, you are missing out on life. It is delicious. If you live in a non Blue Bell state, you can have some at Outback Steakhouse. When we lived in Utah, we went there frequently to get our Blue Bell fix. And for some good steak.

Before I eat it, I always try to remember what it tastes like. And then I bite into it and it tastes so much better than I imagined.

Over spring break we went to tour the Blue Bell factory in Brenham, Texas with Sammie and her old roommate who was visiting her from Utah.  The tour last maybe 25 minutes and I love watching things like How It's Made, so I was pretty fascinated. After the tour is over, you get a scoop of ice cream. So... it was pretty much awesome.