Monthly Archives: November 2011

Literature Reviews

The Dead-Tossed Waves

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The Dead-Tossed Waves (Forest of Hands and Teeth, Book 2)

Carrie Ryan

I was really excited to read the second installment of the Forest of Hands and Teeth trilogy.  Sadly, this was really disappointing.  The first volume was full of so much suspense that I couldn’t put it down.  It took me until the middle, close to the end, of this volume to get to that point.

I found myself greatly disliking the main character Gabry.  If the novel contained anymore angst, it would physically drip from the pages.  Dear God, talk about painful.  I understand she’s a teenager, but from page three she starts the whines.  And it isn’t like any of the other characters make better choices.  No wonder the human race is doomed!  They’re our best and bravest!

Of course the book ends with a surprise and a Romeo-and-Juliet-kind-of-painful-separation of an ending, so now I have to read the third book.  Ugh.  Don’t you hate that?  When most of the book is bad and then they really get you at the end?  Stupid zombies.  Stupid teenagers.  Stupid cliffhangers.

To conclude, only read this one if you’re determined to finish the series.  The second and third book take place in a different time (several years after the first).  Mary plays a very minor role in the plot, so even if you really liked her in the first book, don’t feel like you have to read this one to continue the story.

Also, how much would have sucked to have been that girl on the cover?  All that sand in my hair and clothes?  Ew.

Weight Loss

Week Seventy-Six

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Another gain this week–though this time only .8 pounds.  It’s a bit frustrating because I know I’m doing the things I’m supposed to be doing, but little things throw me off so easily.  For example, I could be drinking a lot of water at lunch, or wearing heavier clothes–or even the fact that I go to the meeting straight from work and don’t get a chance to pee first can give me a false gain.  Every since I switched the time of my weigh-in I’ve felt that the gains mean less and less.  Next week I might have a huge loss again, which would remedy the disappointment that comes with this little gain, but I feel as if there’s almost no way of me controlling this anymore.

And speaking of control, I decided to cut a lot of things from my kitchen because they aren’t very healthy.  I’m going to try to use real potatoes for my fries rather than the frozen ones.  I also want to start cooking more fresh vegetables with my meals.  I might stock up at the Wednesday farmer’s market.  Little changes, one at a time!  I’ll try to remember to let you know how this goes.

I wish you a great week full of dancing and tiny marshmallows!

Writing

NaNoWriMo Update #2

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It’s time for an update!  The NaNoWriMo word counter isn’t ready yet–which is quite frustrating.  It looks like these posts will be all I can provide everyone with this November.  Sorry Zoe!  Anyway, as tonight comes to an end, I close with 16,752 words.  That brings me a little bit above where I should be.  For a few days I was falling behind due to papers I had to write for school, but today I somehow managed to write about 3,000 words, bringing me back to where I have to be.

I promised you guys some of my writing, so I’ll provide you with the last sentence I wrote.  Charlotte (George’s super-smart assistant) just made him a crib so he can bring his soon-to-be-born son to work with him.  He thankfully accepts and they share a tender moment.  Here it is:

“He was a very perfect man, and she desired, more than anything, to be the object of his affection.”

That’s all for this week!  I wish you many words and great sentences!

Dani's Adventures in the City, Letters to the Universe
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Dear Guy Giving Out Free Advice At The Union Square Farmer’s Market,

Remember me?  I asked for advice on making friends in the city and you told me to be myself because my smile was radiant.  You also bet me that people adored being around me because of the positive energy I gave off.  What you don’t know (or perhaps you do) is that you completely changed my day for the better.  Even though you were simply being kind, I thought about your words not only for the rest of that day, but also for the remainder of the week.  I had one more reason to smile each day, and whenever someone smiled back, it reminded me of what you said.  I know you were just doing what you said you would do, but you deserve to know that you made an impossibly large difference in my life.  Thank you.

Love,

The chick who laughed while you complimented her.

PS: I promise not to go to bars.

Weight Loss

Week Seventy-Five

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I lost 3.2 pounds this week, negating the last couple of ups and downs and bringing my total to 73.4 pounds.  I am so so close to 75!  And then it’ll be another hop, skip and a jump to 100.  I’m hoping I hit it before the end of November.  That would certainly make my month (though I really would adore hitting it next week).  My weight loss has been slowly down a bit lately, which is to be expected.  As long as it’s a little each week, I can’t been too disappointed.  And speaking of little changes, tomorrow I am going to try having some oatmeal for breakfast instead of toast.  We’ll see how that goes.

That’s all the news I have for you this week.  I’m working hard at NaNoWriMo and running all over the city.  As much as I complain about all my commuting, I absolutely love it.  I hope you all have an absolutely splendid week!

Writing

NaNoWriMo Update #1

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I know, I know, there’s no word count on the side bar.  The lovely people in NaNoLand haven’t made one yet, and so instead, I am bringing you this lovely update.  Because I know you’re wondering, I’m starting this Friday with a word count of 5,526 words.  Not too shabby, right?  I’m trying to keep ahead so that when the projects from school plow me over, I’ll have some wiggle room.  So far I really like the story and I adore the characters.  I’ll give you a tiny preview of it all:

George Gently is a poor soldier who is released from service after being disabled by a bullet.  He makes friends with a man named Gilbert Griveson (who is dying of cancer, but refuses to tell anyone).  Together they hatch a plan to get George married to a rich woman, who will then finance his dream of becoming a famous inventor.

And that’s where I am right now.  Gil and George.  Rockin’ the rich lady clubs.  Hahaha.

Next week I might provide you with a short scene out of my terribly written and quickly paced story.  Until next week!

Food and Recipes

Banana Ghost Fail

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Now that Halloween is over, I bet you’re already thinking about what you’ll make for next Halloween.  Here’s recipe that sounded so delicious, so extremely wonderful, that I found myself dying to make them.  The recipe is really simple:

Melt white chocolate (slowly) in a pot.  Chop some bananas in half, and dip each half into the white chocolate.  On top of the white chocolate, draw two eyes and a mouth with milk chocolate or a icing pen.  This is what it’s supposed to look like:

They’re completely adorable, right?  Right.  Now look at how mine came out:

Oh sweet Jesus, look at those things!  It looks like a kindergartener made them!  So much for having a bachelors degree, eh?

Here’s what I think I did wrong (and what you should avoid):

  • Not all white chocolates are created equal.  Spend the extra money and buy a trusty brand of melting (not baking) chocolates.
  • When dipping ghosts, don’t use a fork.  They explode when in the chocolate.  Use sticks, and make sure they’re evenly coated while you’re at it.
  • They should go in the freezer right away.  No, don’t argue with me.  Freezer.  Right away.
  • If people aren’t going to eat them immediately, keep them in the freezer.  They’ll melt.  And when they melt, they’ll look worse than the picture.  That was taken pre-melt-a-thon.

And there you have it.  Hopefully next Halloween you try this recipe out and it comes out better than mine.  If you do try it, shoot me a picture.  I’ll happily post it while pretending not to be really jealous.  Happy Halloween!