22 July 2010

Summer Reading

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So far this has been such a low key summer it has been amazing. I've had a chance to spend time doing what I love the most reading. My summer reading goal was to keep it extremely relaxed and enjoyable, nothing even remotely serious as I've been lost in science textbooks ALL YEAR long. I do love science and reality, but I needed a little fake, easy-to-read, idealistic-world fiction.

The list so far includes the following:

  • Bite-Size Science - a fun science book as I was still stuck in science teacher mode....
  • Eclipse (okay -so not an outstanding piece of literature, but it was a must re-read before the movie came out!)
  • Breaking Dawn (well once I read Eclipse I HAD to follow it up with a re-reading of the last installment of the saga!)
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (now one of my absolute favorites thanks to my good friend Marla for recommending it. Everyone should read this book.)
  • The Magicians by Lev Grossman (an older more mature version of a hybrid between Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia - interesting but a hard follow up after The Hunger Games. I didn't love it as much as Dan did)
  • Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (2nd Hunger Games book - amazing!)
Currently reading: True Believer by Nicholas Sparks

Like I said....not brilliant pieces of literature (except maybe The Hunger Games), but they've kept me entertained during this lazy summer that I definitely deserved after the last 9 months of teaching. 

To Be Read List:
  • At First Sight - Nicholas Sparks (follow-up to the one I'm currently reading)
  • The Short Second Life of Bre Tanner - Stephanie Meyer (again, must read after seeing Eclipse)
  • The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan (one that I've been meaning to read and a good follow up to the Nicholas Sparks books as they are about a scientific journalist that tries to debunk the mysterious with true science)
  • the last Work and the Glory book - I've been putting it off because I don't want the series to end...
  • Re-read the last Harry Potter book (at least before November when the movie comes out)
  • The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
  • Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
I know there are others too - but feel free to let me know if you've had any good summer reads or other recommendations!
     

18 July 2010

Leila + Waterfront park

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Last week we went to the waterfront park downtown because the zoo was super packed. Leila took out my point and shoot and we had fun playing around with it...I didn't think these would be as cute as they are (and I'm pretty sure some of the pics are sorta blurry on the outskirts due to fingerprints!). Leila is just a doll. She's convinced I am everything girly and wants to be a part of it all. Every time she sees me she asks for her nails done (pretty pink!) and if I'm going to cut her hair (I gave her the bangs look awhile ago). She also wants to try all my lotions and perfumes. Love it.

The summer of searching

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This summer is turning out to be a searching summer.

**We are searching for a puppy/dog. We've visited quite a few rescue shelters and frequented many saturday petsmarts - but have not found our new friend. It's a difficult choice. Mainly because of our other search...

**Our biggest search is for a home....a real one. With a big yard (for our friend we hope we find!), hopefully 3+ bedrooms and in an ideal location since our places of work are about 1hr (add 20 for traffic) from each other. We wish we could stay in Wilsonville, but unless we want a shack we'll have to move elsewhere. We are considering ideally Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego, but more likely we can afford something in Canby/Oregon City and even Woodburn. Also...a difficult choice.

**A car is also sorta kinda maybe on our searching list. Eventually it's going to have to happen, but we are trying to put it off as long as possible. Depends on where and when we move.

05 July 2010

24 June 2010

21 June 2010

Mr. Sam

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Here are a few of my brother Sam. I swear he is 7 feet tall now. Not even 17 yet. Graduated from High School too - early. There was some sweet warm light at our family BBQ today and I made Sam pose it up for a few to practice with the lighting. A few pictures actually turned out nice - I love the warm sunshine. Maybe it's a bit much for some, but I dig it. :)