First Book Review! *may contain mini spoilers!*

I've finally finished a book; well, actually, I've read several books in the last little while, but I haven't really been reading anything new lately. However, that has changed! I just finished reading Battle Magic by Tamora Pierce, and I thought I'd share a little bit of what I thought about it with you. Because why not; I like books and reading, I'm trying to encourage myself and others to read, and sometimes sharing a book is the best way to do that.

I have to preface this my saying that I've been waiting for a new book from Tamora Pierce for a long time, and then once I received it I was busy and couldn't read it right away. I was also lost among re-reads, so even though this has been sitting on my shelf since Christmas, I've only just finished it. I don't know how or why, but my moods dictated that I re-read other stories before turning to this, and I'm sort of glad that I did. I re-read some of the earlier Circle of Magic books, and I managed to refamiliarize myself with the characters of Briar, Evvy, and Rosethorn.

I'm a little bit disappointed. As much as I hate to admit it, I just wasn't as gripped by what was happening as I have previously been by Pierce's books. It could, of course, be because I've already read The Will of the Empress and thus already know a little bit of what must have happened; heck, I've read Melting Stones as well, so I even knew Luvo. There just weren't very many large plot devices that, as a T. Pierce fan, I didn't know had to happen before the end of the book. As much as I love Briar (he's my favourite of the Discipline Cottage students), Rosethorn, and Evvy, I didn't see the growth in them that I wanted to see; I feel like because I knew them before the book, and after the book, there couldn't be much of a scope for overall growth throughout the novel, as it had already been established how they would end up. As much as I love the characters, and was thrilled with the way they interacted with each other (something about the relationship between Rosethorn and Briar just makes me grin), I found myself wishing they could grow and evolve.

The new characters were both highlights, and disappointments for me. Parahan and Jimut were interesting, fun new characters to meet, and I feel like they were well written; in fact, I'm a little bit sad that we don't get to know more about them, their lives, and their futures. The Emperor, well... I'm not sure where I sit with regards to him. I understand that he's supposed to be a large political threat, and a vile, vicious man, but I just.. I didn't find myself seeing him as much more than a spoiled child and a plot device; he was the powerful enemy that would invade Gyongxe, so we had to see how vile he was: He'd burn down an entire garden because of a single defective rose, and he'd buy people of great rapport to be treated as pets, therefore he must be awful. As a great and powerful emperor, he just fell a little bit flat to me. I have to say though, so did the God-King; he struck me very much as a boy who was a leader so that Gyongxe was more vulnerable in appearance at some points, and then at others he was a very wise person. I'm sure this is all by design, because of the shared connection with the Gods, but it was a bit bizarre.

The descriptions, and uses, of Ambient Magic were of course interesting and well written, but there were a few things in the plot that were questionable to me: why did Rosethorn have to go on her quest; was it because of the religious implications, or was it just a plot device so that her strength in later novels could be continued? The rescue of Parahan I understood, and applauded, as it helped to greatly drive the novel forward, but the huge emphasis put on Jia being the one to harm Evvy I could have done without; it seemed like a fairly unnecessary detail to me, and though I'm sure it was supposed to showcase a betrayed relationship, it fell flat with me; it would have been more effective for me personally if someone who hadn't shown any care for Evvy had been her prosecutor.

Overall, I have to say that I enjoyed the story as a whole, and it was nice to see exactly why the character behave as they do in later stories. However, my one great regret is that I read this after I'd read Melting Stones and The Will of the Empress. If you've never read any Pierce, or if you're just starting to read about Emelan, I would certainly recommend this book; heck, even if you've read all the other books, I'd recommend this book. However, if you can read them in chronological order, as opposed to the order in which they were written, please do!

I'd give this novel 3 happy shakkans out of 5 because of the order in which I ended up reading it.

So, how're we feeling? Hopefully like grabbing a mug of tea and settling into a new novel. That's what I'm off to do. Well, I'm drinking water right now, and I've got a copy of Anna Dressed in Blood waiting for me, on loan from the local library. Ciao!

Pest Controller?!

So as many of you know (or don't, or know and don't care, whatever), I'm graduating from University in the Spring. Because of this, I decided (with the forceful help of my mother - love you!) to see a careers counselor and see what options were available as a career for myself aside from teaching. When I graduate I'll have a BA with an English Major ( no minor, I'm bad, I know). So we talked a bit, and she suggested a careers matchmaker test for me to do and then review with her later (appointment to be made). So, I did the test, and it came up with some good and some horrible careers. I though I'd share the list, with some comments...

1. Library Technician - this wouldn't be so bad for me; I love libraries
2. Writer - maybe... However, as you can maybe tell, I'm not so wonderful with my words. I come across as rather boring quite often, don't I? (let me know what you think, please? :P)
3. Print Journalist - this I could maybe do. I want to take red pens to my local paper and fix it, so maybe I could resolve some issues by taking this on as a career?
4. Critic - Nope, don't feel intelligent enough for that!
5. Casting Director - this sounds really neat, but they seem to have missed the fact that my theater experience is quite limited. I don't act. However, I can fit people to roles?
6. Archivist - Maaaaaybe..
7. Political Aide - Uh, nope. I don't do politics.
8. Personal Trainer - I don't think I'm fit enough for this.
9. Telephone Operator - ..... I don't want to live in a call center and get hung up on repeatedly!
10. Medical Transcriptionish - This would be cool, I think. I'd have to do more school though, pretty sure.
11. Receptionist/ Information Clerk - This I could do. This I would not mind doing. However, I'm not sure I'd love to do it for life?
12. Historian - Give me European History and maybe. Send to to Canadian and no. Nope. Much as I love my country, our History is not as rich and the 'older' countries. Actually, Egypt or Rome or Greece would be cool too. I don't know very much about the Asian world, but I imagine their History would also be alright.
13. Adoption Counsellor - what? Me? 
14. Activist - can you see this tiny body being an activist? I can't. Nope, not happening
15. Researcher - Maybe. What am I researching?
16. Professional Athlete - uncoordinated
17. Dancer - haven't taken a class in years, Do not measure up to anyone I've seen that does well dancing.
18. Curriculum Specialist - This actually sounds cool. Hard, but cool.
19. Anthropologist - ENGLISH MAJOR
20. Mediator - Uhm, I don't know if I want to deal with VIU vs others, or Teachers vs Government. Actually, this doesn't sound fun
21. Adult Education Teacher - This I could do :)
22. Medical Secretary - Again, more school. But it sounds pretty okay :)
23. Administrative Assistant - Maaaaybe? Lol, alright
24. Public Policy Analyst - No?
25. Pest controller - WTF?!
26. Health Records Professional - what is this? Question for Lyn
27. Communications Specialist - Maybe.. How good with technology do I have to be?
28. Sports Official - I'd have to know sports then...
29. Dispatcher - Hmmm, probably not
30. Immigration Officer - no thank you
31. Physical Education Teacher - wouldn't I need to know sports then?
32. Singer - have you HEARD me sing?!
33. Speech - Language Pathologist - Sounds thrilling, but not too much work here right now? Also, no Linguistics experience
34. Corporate Trainer - PR work I could probably deal with?
35. Public Relations Specialist - 'Specialist'? Erm, that sounds intimidating
36. Sport Psychology Consultant - ... there's that Sport word again
37. Concierge - yeah, I don't think that's the career I'm paying thousands for
38. Fundraiser - didn't I spend my Youth doing that?
39. Data Entry Clerk - All day every day?
40. Special Effects Technician - That sounds like it involves technology... Technology and I don't always get  along. 

On another list were also 'Lobbyist' and 'Career Coach'... I don't know about you, but I'm not so sure about [most] of the things on this list. It was fun though, and there are a few I'm going to talk to the Career Counsellor about later. Also, I've got to remember this week to go to a resume workshop again, and also find out more about writing a CV. I need to do these. However, that's all I've got for tonight. Sorry for the degradation in my typing/English/literacy but it's early morning/late night, I've been up for 19 hours, and because I just got off work 2 hours ago I can't seem to sleep. I also have to be up in 6 hours for work again.. Oi vey it's going to be a long term... I'm off to try to sleep/read The Wings of the Dove and/or Wacousta, and do such things a sthe weekend brings me... Tell me what you think of my career assessment test thing?

Lots of Rambling, or, Why People Should Come to the Gym More

Wow, am I actually posting a second blog in July? /there must be something wrong with me! No, really, there may be. But there probably isn't, I'm just tired and cold - but that's because I just finished a workout with the A/C on. So there!

Hmm, what's been going on lately? Well, I could tell you that I've finished another book, but that'd be a lie. Basically since I wrote last I've done a lot of the same sort of stuff I've been doing for months: reading (a little; if there were more sun I may read more and be out enjoying it-today was nice though!), working (both at the grocer and the gym), sleeping (my bed may be my current best friend.. Sorry Ray-Ray, but sleep is heaven), working out (which I should start doing less maybe.. I think my body's hitting exhaustion), attending Zumba (which is not only super fun, but one heck of a workout), and basically subsisting.

Thursday (like, a week from today!) Bug leaves for Honduras for her missions trip, and a few days later my parents head off on their duo vacation in the Mountains and plains of AB for 3 weeks. Am I jealous of everyone going away? Heck yes. However, they're leaving the dog home with me this time, which is like, a super upgrade. The only down side of this is that he's on prednosoln (sp?), and has to be given his pills everyday, which will become my responsibility. That and brushing his teeth, but that's not such a bad deal; I get big scary looking pet to stay with me (well, SOMEONE must think he's scary looking, right?), I give him what he needs. Seems fair. So there's that.

I'm considering maybe going to Seattle for like, a few days at the end of the summer, maybe just like, "2 nights" on the Clipper, so yeah.. Maybe give myself a vacation with that? But I'll have to see. I don't want to go on my own, but I know Ray-Ray is hoping to go to Europe in the fall and Bug can't go with me, she'll be just getting back into life in Canada. I dunno, it just seems like summer's going by super fast and I'm, well, working. Which isn't a bad thing, I'm rather enjoying my jobs (and one's giving me ample opportunity to do stuff like this AND get fit), but wow. This time next year I'll (hopefully) be a University grad. And at this rate I'll be back doing the same things I've always done for the summer - back to the grocer.

That sounds bitter, doesn't it? Well, I'm not trying to be bitter, just realistic. With the job market the way it currently is and the rate at which my luck seems to go, I'll be working in grocery stores well into my career teaching. So if anyone knows of a super great summer job I can get with a BA, English Major next summer, let me know? I'd love to expand my horizons! Hmm, what else have I got to say today?

I don't think that there's really anything more that I can add. I'm hoping maybe to have a day off coming up, and I might head into town this weekend after work to hang out, but until then there's not mu-

OH! I'm going to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 with a friend Sunday! I know, I know, super nerd. However, it has been such a huge part of my childhood! I can still remember picking up PS in the Fourth Grade, reading it avidly, and asking Mrs Allen if she had any more (which she didn't yet). I can remember receiving copies of the books for my birthdays because they were released around that time, or going out to camp and having to pick up the latest book in Costco halfway through a camping trip. Being jealous of my little sister's going to a release party without me because I had to be up early. Daddy spoiling the book for Grandma because we were passing it through the family on a camping trip and he forgot she hadn't read it yet (yeah.. 6 people, 1 copy of HBP... Bad mix). I can remember seeing the movies with my family, and sometimes going again with my friends. Although the films aren't my personal, perfect rendition of the Potter series, they really are great films in their own right, and so this last film, the eighth installment, is the close of something huge. It's not just the end of a chapter of my life, but a whole part.

That being said, it's not something that I'm leaving behind. It simply means that there are no new films and books to come out (that we know of.. Jo better not be holding out on us!), so I have a "complete" frame of reference. However, there is still Pottemore (though I've not signed up for early entry or whatever - no free time for that lol), there's still a huge following, and I've still got my copies of the books. That being said, it may be time to get a new copy of PS. It has not only been read by multiple people, but chewed by my dog, cried over, and read amongst colds/flues, etc. It's falling apart, but it's the book that started it all. My little soft-cover, battered version. It's the only book I have in paperback, actually. The rest I got either the day they came out (my grandparents actually pre-ordered me  a few for my birthday!) or shortly thereafter, and though they're destroyed the hardcovers have saved them. So yeah, NOW I think that's about it...

I'm off to finish a bit more workout now that my stomach's settled and then wash floors and remember to turn off the A/C at the end of the night.. Have a wonderful evening, and remember "Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home." - JKR <3

Once a month?

Hey, internet! Guess what? I've decided I should probably update my blog. It's been a little while, hasn't it? Oops. I thought maybe with school over I'd be more able to blog or something, but I honestly haven't really felt like it. Sue me, eh?

So, what's happened since we last had a moment? hmmm... *scrolls back and looks at blog post from last month* Well, when I posted my last blog, it was actually the day before my birthday, so that happened. It was a good day, went and had some family time on the actual night of my birthday (because I worked during the day), and the next night after work I went up to the pub with some friends for drinks and appies... What else has happened since that? Hmm..

I finished the Hunger Games Trilogy last night, and Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen before that - all were so extremely good! And they're making a Hunger Games movie, I've heard. Tres excited, but it'll be hard to portray perfectly, I think. There's so much that is left for interpretation with regards to the horrors that the citizens of Panem face. I'm now reading John Green's Looking For Alaska, which is good thus far, though I'm not truly that far in.

July First was not only Canada Day (so a happy belated birthday, country of my birth!), but Ray-Ray's birthday too. We went up and did a high-trees adventure/obstacle course, rode ziplines across a canyon, and she bungee jumped, so that was an excellent day as well. Since then, basically what I've been doing is reading and working. I'm hopelessly addicted to the Zumba classes that the daytime manager at my Curves location teaches, so I've been going to those, and I'm considering (in my free time, and if it ever gets near me!) taking my certification if the opportunity ever presents itself. Ooooh, and I've updated some of my technology in the past month!

I bought a car. Not a brand spanking new car, but a newer car than the one I had, and a car that is new to me. I'm now the proud owner of a 2005 Honda Civic in standard. This is a little bit freaky for me as now I not only have car payments to make once a month for the next 3 or 4 years, but I am also driving a standard. I've driven standard before, but I was never very good at it. Well, now I have to be, don't I? So that's going pretty well - the only reason I've stalled in the last few days was due to distraction, so I'm pretty thrilled. Not so thrilled that Bug was along for it, but since she's got no insurance and needs a taxi service (or loaner car) and I had to go to work this evening, she had to be there. My other upgrade isn't quite so extreme, but I'm pretty thrilled about it.

I got a new laptop! Nothing super fancy, it's a Sony VAIO (in bright green!), but I'm thrilled. It's faster than my old HP was, and it's sleek and gorgeous. It also has a working webcam built into it (though I also have an HD webcam that I go for my birthday), so I can chat with friends that are away from me. I'm excited! Lol, I think that almost sums up my month to now...

Oh hey, so I was sick for like, 7 weeks. Then I took Cold FX and I'm no longer feeling like a leaky faucet, but I'm still not 100%. I don't have whatever it is I had before; now I've just got allergies. However, I've got a weird breathy cough and I'm losing my voice and all that stuff. Is it possible to just like, develop asthma? I'm having a hard time breathing during my workouts >.< If this keeps up too much longer I'm going to have to see my Doctor, and though he's a very nice man and everything, I'd prefer not to have to go to his place of employment - it's never a good thing for me. Aw well, I'mma eat my cherries and try to get through the rest of the evening here at work.

Sidenote: Yes, I AM writing this on a computer at work. I've finished my workout (mostly, but I've still got like 3 hours), I've tidied, and I've finished my paperwork and desk stuff. I could be reading, but I decided that I've been absent a little too long. Also, ABBA is stupidly catchy, and speeding it up to 140 bpm does not make their music any less catchy... "gimme gimme gimme a man after midnight..."

University

So, this topic was actually suggested to me; the first thing to my mind was umbrellas, and I have had bad experiences and luck with those, so I decided that that topic wasn't appropriate. When I asked my mother what to write about she suggested 'underwear' and I decided that could get a little too risqué; Ray-Ray suggested unicorns, and I was very sorely tempted. But you know, it's sad. I didn't even think to talk about Universities, and I'm AT University. Well, was. I've just finished off another term, and now I'm (as you really should know by now) on SUMMER VACATION! (which means I'm picking up as many hours as possible at work and applying for additional jobs). 

But hey, University - I love it. You know, it's actually not all that different from my high school as I expected it to be (probably because I went to a "self-directed high school" which is a nice way of saying that I could get away with skipping so long as I did my work. Basically. Not that I ever actually did this; check my attendance record :P *sweet smile*); I go to class, go do some work, hang out, and hand stuff in. Oh, and I have awesome, random discussions and meet incredible people!

Not that my high school friends aren't awesome, but the people I've met at University are awesome as well; I think it's a novelty thing, and the fact that I see them more than I see my friends from high school. However, my besties are high school friends :). I'm off track again though, aren't I? Yup. So, University and conversations, etc. Well, because of the upcoming election (Yay! I get to participate in democratic activities again.. Boo! We had to have ANOTHER election this quickly) I've had political debates at school, and have actually participated in political discussions and understood what was going on. This has never happened before, but it may have something to do with the fact that the first discussion I participated was prompted by this video. However, it's not just that; I've met people with similar interests to mine, spoken many words with other English majors, and have thoroughly enjoyed all of it. 

Now, as many of you know (or not), I started as a Biology major. BIG MISTAKE. I know some people really love it, but it turns out it just wasn't for me. Now, I'm nearly done my English major and I'm regretting those lost 2 years; I could have taken so many amazing classes! My University offers Latin and ASL and Greek and Roman Studies and Germanic Studies and.. I could go on, but you get the ideas: I didn't take the courses that now sound to absolutely thrilling, and I'm sad. Maybe I'll come back to University as a senior, I hear it's free... 

I know there are a lot of people out there who think that University is all about the social life, but with a schedule like mine, it can't be. I had the Breakfast Club (no, not the movie) and a few others that I hung out with, or members of the Breakfast Club at different times of day, and I had my friends from home and that was about it; that's all there was time for with 6 courses and a part-time job (not to mention commuting/napping, sleeping, eating, the gym, and occasionally cooking dinner and going to skating 2 times a week... holy carp, I sound like a drone >.<). 

However, I thoroughly love my University life. It's liberating and educational and honestly, even though I feel like I spend 90% of my time studying/working and 100% of my time sleep deprived, I love it. I love the people I know, I love my campus, I love my studies, and I even find myself loving some of the work. Heck, I picked up a couple late Victorian novels to read over the summer because I want to, not because I have to. That's how much I'm enjoying this stuff!

And so, before I go do something else (alright, I'll admit it: it has taken me almost an hour to write this much because of youtube, convos on MSN and bubbles, so really this has been the 'something else') I'd just like to encourage everyone to find something that they love to study, sign up for University, and meet amazing people. Because I have, and I certainly love them all (also, I'm going to miss them this summer and the years coming, for those that are leaving)! Tons of love all, I'm off to find some tea, think about what courses I want to take next September (Germanic Studies courses, English, maybe some Greek Mythology...), talk with Ray-Ray, and blow more bubbles in mah bedroom! :)

Ta!

Night-time

That would be what time it is now; nighttime. As I sit here typing this in my kick-ass Tinkerbell pajamas (which I love, minus the fact that I've ripped one of the seams partially open in the leg - ventilation?) the only thoughts running through my head really are about what I did today, how much comfy my bed looks, and how I've got to write a supposedly thrilling blog before I can be off to bed because I somehow managed to forget that I was doing this until 11pm. And I have to be up in little over 6.5 hours for work >.<

So, what'd I do today? Well, I managed to sleep in until 8am (gasp, I know. It's super late, eh>), lounged in bed until 10, got up and had breakfast, cleaned up, showered, and dropped Bug off at work (because she's playing Gotcha and currently has a stalker, she's trying to avoid using her car, I gather). Then I headed into town to cruise used book stores in the April sunshine!!

It sounds totally nerdy, but I love a good used book store. The first one I visited today (yeah, I went to two) I hadn't actually intended to stop into originally, but I remembered seeing a sign for it as I went by on the highway a while ago, so I went in. And came out with 6 books for $21. I'm stoked! I'm now going to be reading (or re-reading in some cases) Robin Hood, Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer, Sabriel, The Moonstone, and The Druid's Tune over the summer, for sure. This place had shelves and shelves of books, and since it was also an antiques store it was really neat just to wander through. Then I headed over to my intended destination (which is going to undergo renos this summer and will no longer have as many thousands of books. Sad.) and perused the shelves. Here I didn't hit as much luck, but it very well could be due to the huge number of books that they have. They've got oodles of them! I came out of there with The Time Machine and Cold Fire; the first I`ve never read and am super excited to after reading War of the Worlds this year, and the second is an old favourite that I`ve taken out of the library dozens of times. And then I headed out the doors to the street market.

One of the things I'd forgotten about the area that I was visiting was that they have a "farmer's market" every Saturday for like, 4 hours. I was on my own so I probably looked either like a loser or slightly pathetic, but I thoroughly enjoyed wandering around all the different little tents and looking at things. I even bought some really nice smelling handmade goat's milk soap to use for the summer. Needless to say, I love street fairs. Especially when they come with a live band like this one did. It was the perfect blend of good literature, folksy music, sunshine, and just general happiness all around. Then I came home, read, went grocery shopping, read, ate dinner, read, and watched Tron with my parents, and now I'm here.

In actuality though, my bed is totally calling my name, and since I now have to be up in significantly less time than before (because I got side tracked writing this and ended up on facebook and twitter because I've not been online all day) I think I'm going to set my alarm, plug my phone in, and curl up under my fun, circle be-decked duvet. Goodnight lovelies!! (And I haven't had a single cup of tea today! But I did have a glass of Nestea Iced tea. Does that count?)