~Sweet Memorial Day - May 28th, 2012~

Today, is a special day. A special day for remembrance. And a special day for prayer. I typically do a ~Sweet Saturday~ post, however, I wanted to save my week and talking about it for this special day. Usually, instead of this, on Mondays, we do a ~Movie Mondays~ post, which last week included the movie "To Sir, With Love" - don't worry, I haven't forgotten, and will be incorporating it into this post. 

So why is Memorial Day so special, you ask? Simply because it is the day that commemorates those who have given their lives so that we can live our lives in peace. It is a debt to the society that can never be repaid, or even fully appreciated, and I'm thankful for the brave soldiers that we have lost. It is a sad thing that instead of pinning medals onto their uniforms, we put flags by their graves - but what bigger honor is there, than to be remembered by generations and generations of the people of your nation for your bravery and valor? On this day, I want to express my gratitude for these soldiers, for without their sacrifices, our great nation would not be what it is today. I want to bow my head, and say a prayer for them and their families. And I want to tell their families, who sent their children and loved ones from their bosom to the battlefield, that we will always remember. Always.

My Week

Since my last ~Sweet Saturday~ post, there have been a bunch of things that I have to report. First of all, I'm really glad that I'm back and in the groove of things, and blogging a little more regularly than usual. Last Sunday, my review for "Overseas" by Beatriz William (a beautiful love story) went up, followed by ~Movie Mondays~ which featured the movie, "To Sir With Love" with Sidney Poitier. On Tuesday, I did a review for "The Car Thief" by Theodore Weesner, which is actually a re-released book, and a fantastic coming-of-age, face your demons, kind of book. I took a break on Wednesday, and then on Thursday, a review for "Coming Up For Air" by Patti Callahan Henry went up on the blog - this is another beautiful novel set in the South, that deals with the acceptance and realization of self, and incorporates history into its narrative. That was the extent of my blogging, this week. Not a review a day kind of blog, this blog of mine - but I hope it's acceptable, anyway.

As for my own personal shenanigans all week - I was pretty depressed earlier on in the week because on Monday, FOX aired the LAST episode of HOUSE. I've been following House since day one, and have grown deeply attached to the characters, especially House. There are quite a few things I learned thanks to House, and none of them had anything to do with medicine (except, as soon as there is any joint involvement, suspect Lupus...lol :P). The two hour season finale showcased an hour long episode called "Swan Song" in which Hugh Laurie recollects the years, the journey, till the very end. Followed by an episode called "Every One Dies", which is the actual last episode of the show. "Swan Song" already had me in tears, and sad to watch the show go, and although they didn't make "Every One Dies" an incredibly sad episode (and I'm glad), you could even call it upbeat,  I was still crying because I knew it was the end. I think the ending was perfect, it was the very representation of all that is HOUSE. But my depression didn't end there, the Los Angeles Lakers lost Game #5 to the Oklahoma City Thunders, resulting in their elimination from the Playoffs. This is the second year this is happening, and as a Lakers fan, it makes me incredibly sad! And then, on Tuesday, I had to say goodbye to the class of 2012 on Glee - I was bawling like a baby by the end of that episode...but it was a FANTASTIC episode!!! Thank God, the next day Donald Driver (along with his partner, Peta Murgatroyd)won "Dancing with the Stars" season finale, walking away with the mirror-ball trophy. Since I'd been rooting for this self-deprecating, ever-determined, and sexy athlete from the very beginning, it was an absolutely perfect end to the season. 

Lastly, on Friday, it was "International Day" at the school where I work as a substitute teacher. It was absolutely BRILLIANT, and beautiful - seeing all the children in their traditional dresses, representation many nations and races. It didn't help my diet/workout regimen that a bunch of the students I've taught insisted I try the cuisine representing their culture, that their parents had brought. I took a BUNCH of pictures, but unfortunately, I cannot post them here as I did not obtain consent from the parents of the children in the photos, and I don't want any objections raised - I hope you guys understand. There were a bunch of performances, songs, and lots of yummy food. All in all, that day was a perfect success.

Book I'm Currently Reading

I'm currently re-reading "Coming Up For Air" by Patti Callahan Henry, as there was an app that was just recently launched that goes hand in hand with the book. Yes, you read correct...and APP, that co-relates to the book! How COOL is that, right!?!?!? It's a wonderful book, and I wanted to be able to remember which parts influenced the app, so here I am reading it again! 

Just a little info on the app: it is called "Wildflowers" by Patti Callahan Henry, and is created by Wildflower Wishes LLC. The app is inspired by a gorgeous garden scene in the book, and was commissioned especially for this Patti Callahan Henry's novel "Coming Up For Air", as it was released on paperback on May 22, 2012 by St. Martin's Griffin. Here's a FUN FACT: If you buy a paperback copy of "Coming Up For Air" by Patti Callahan Henry, (click on the book cover below) it features the QR code to the app on the cover of the book!!!!

The FREE app comes with five special wildflower icons, each with a designated meaning (I'm sorry; I love you; Good luck, etc) which can be send to friends or loved ones via email, to fellow Wildflower Wishes users or to Facebook friends, along with a personalized heartfelt message - with ONE click, you could make someone's day. Additional wildflowers (icons) can be purchased for a mere $0.99. You can use it for birthdays, anniversaries, or (my favorite reason), just because! It's FREE, what have you got to lose? Just click on the shot of the app below, and it will take you straight to the app store on iTunes. 

 

 A screenshot of the cover of the main screen or cover of the app - isn't it beautiful?

A screenshot of the actual app - with a wildflower icon. Again, isn't it absolutely ADORABLE? 

Also, here is a list of flowers available to you through the app, and more will be added along the way, for special occasions, and such.

Infinite Love -- Bellflower

I Am Grateful -- Bluebells

Sending Encouragement -- Black Eyed Susan

Thinking of You -- Zinnia

A Mother's Love – Impatiens

Pure Loyal Love -- Daisy

Bond of Love -- Honeysuckle

I am sorry; Please forgive me -- Purple Hyacinth

Don't forget me -- Forget Me Not

I will never forget you -- Everlasting

Sending Protection -- White Heather

Sending Cheer -- Crocus

Sending Courage and Daring -- Edelweiss

Sending Good Luck -- Clover

Sending Perserverance -- Chicory

Farewell -- Sweet Pea

Secret Love -- Acacia

Love at First Sight – Gloxinia

Song of the Week

As everyone knows, or should know, Coldplay is absolute GENIUS and I love Ri-Ri too (that's Rihanna, just in case you're like who the heck is THAT!?!?!). I think this song is wonderfully done, and the tune is absolutely addictive. The lyrics are an absolute hit too - with the title adding just that added quirkiness that both the artists (the band and the singer) are known for. My favorite lyrics...

♫ ♫ Once upon a time somebody ran
Somebody ran away saying 'fast as I can
I got to go, I got to go'
Once upon a time we fell apart
You're holding in your hands the two halves of my heart
Oh oh oh, ohohohoh

I could have been a princess, you'd be a king
Could have had a castle and worn a ring
But no, you let me go... ♫ ♫

Thank you for visiting the blog today, I hope you'll leave me a comment telling me about YOUR WEEK, and about your aspirations, dreams, music/books you've enjoyed during your week etc. Looking forward to hearing from you...have a WONDERFUL WEEK!!! :)

~Sweet Saturdays - May 19th, 2012~

My Week

Okay, so I've started this new feature on the blog, called "Sweet Saturdays", in which I'll chronicle my week, how I'm feeling, and all the things I'd love for my readers to know about my week. Some of it will be book-related, some not. I'd love your feedback on this new feature, to see if this is something you might be interested in.

 

My week has been relatively easy-going. I spent two days, earlier on in the week, substituting for a 6th Grade homeroom teacher. I really enjoy teaching kids that age. They understand, and appreciate, my humor - and that same humor aids me in reprimanding them without being too harsh. I am quite strict, and I find that very surprising about my teaching style. I prefer children to teenagers, when I'm playing with them but prefer teaching teenagers to children. But with that age group comes the teenage angst, the attitudes, the self-assuredness that only comes with being a teenager! LOL :P

I've also been working on the blog a lot more, and scheduled a bunch of reviews, and such, so that I can stop being a lazy bum, and actually be the blogger I promised myself I'd be when I began this blog. Plus, there are a lot of amazing books I've read, and a bunch of truly inspiring authors, that I'd love to expose YOU, my reader, to. 

I'm also studying "Pharmacology" for my Boards, this week, and I've realized I've forgotten a lot of key things, so there's going to be lots of memorization going on this week. Tomorrow, I'm going to put up a review of the book "Overseas" by Beatriz Williams, which is an immensely interesting read, so watch out for that! Also I've started a new feature called "Movie Mondays", I posted a review for "12 Angry Men" earlier this week, in which I'll be reviewing movies I love...so watch out for that as well.

Question:  What do you think of the new features on the blog? Got any suggestions for me? Let me know in the comments.

Book I'm Currently Reading

by Theodore Weesner

 

Hailed by The Boston Globe as "so poignant and beautifully written, so true and painful, that one can't read it without feeling the knife's cruel blade in the heart", The Car Thief was first published to enormous popularity, and sold over half a million copies.

Alex Housman is a kid who at the age of sixteen has had fourteen cars, harbors many hurts, and seems to fade into his environment while raging inside. His father is an alcoholic, losing his grip on life even as he wants the best for his son. The Car Thief explores the love Alex and his father share, in a tremendously poignant story that is filled with unusual triumphs.

Question:  What book have you been reading this past week? Let me know in the comments.

Work It Out

I just joined CURVES this week, and today was my first Zumba class at the Curves location in Chino. I was extremely apprehensive, but went any way. Had about eight (yes, EIGHT) heart attack scares, and halfway through, I told my instructor that at the end of the hour she'd have to drive me home (or to the emergency room!) but I hung in there, and stuck to my guns and powered through the routine. At the end of it all, my lungs felt like they'd burst, my legs felt like someone had attached 50 pound weights to each leg, and I was soaked in sweat from the top of my head, down to my pinky toe (including my underwear) - HOWEVER, I also felt DAMN proud of myself! 

I know, one hour of Zumba should not be such an achievement, but I feel more proud of not giving up when the going got tough, rather than actually just showing up to the class. Also, I loved that the class was set to music, which really makes the time go by faster' especially when the music has such amazing beats. I can't wait for my next class! :D

Question:  Do you work out? Have any work-out/fitness goals? Let me know in the comments, and maybe we can swap war (as in, work-out) stories! :D 

Song of the Week

Song: "Shake It Out"

Artist: Florence & The Machine

 

I've always loved Florence & The Machine - these guys are musical geniuses! But I was reminded of the song when Santana, Tina and Mercedes sang it on Glee (Season 3, Episode 18: Choke). And since then (it was aired on May 1st) I've had this song on my playlist, and I've been playing it over and over again. But then again, with lyrics like, the ones featured below, how can you NOT?

"And I am done with my graceless heart 

So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart 

'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn

 It's always darkest before the dawn"

Question:  What about you? What's playing on YOUR playlist? Let me know in the comments below.

 

 

Thank you for visiting the blog today, I hope you'll leave me a comment telling me about YOUR WEEK, and about your aspirations, dreams, music/books you've enjoyed during your week etc. Looking forward to hearing from you...have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND! :)