02 May 2012
From 2012 to 2016
GOALS for the next 4 years:
1. Get an HR job
2. Buy a 4 bedroom house with a pool, mango tree, coconut tree and tile floors.
3. Meet, fall for and marry a charismatic man who knows scripture, has a heart for the lost, the orphan, the disenfranchised; who realizes his body is a temple.
4. Grow in sincerity. Memorize a book of the Bible.
5. Add to my cooking skills.
6. Grow roots in a town.
7. Write a best seller.
17 March 2012
Florida
I've been here for 15 days and it has been a blessing on multiple levels.
Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
~Helen Keller
I'm writing a series of teen books.
Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
~Helen Keller
I'm writing a series of teen books.
29 February 2012
The Marines are reading my novel
I got an email that some Marines are enjoying my novel. So while Marines are enjoying my first novel I'm working on a the sequel and a couple of non-related novels about Latinos. When I was at the local bookstore ayer I realized that most of the novels about/targeted for Latinos are about kids in gangs or girls slutting it up in _______ (Inser major city here). I was totally disapointed. What I'd like to see is fiction along the lines of Meloday Carlson written for Latino teenagers. My former boss thinks that the problem is that Latinos don't read. I think the real problem is that there isn't diversity of Latinos within the stories written for Latinos. I know a lot of my former clients got sick of reading about marinalized people and immigrant stories. They wanted to read stories about interesting, diverse, successful Latinos. So we'll see.
22 February 2012
On the Road Again
I'M MOVING TO SOUTH FLORIDA! This Northy Philly girl is changing it up a little! I've kicked the day job, become a single girl again, and I've decided to go on a road trip to my new abode in South Florida. I've even decided to change up my writing settings. Instead of writing about characters in Lehigh Valley PA I'll be writing about characters living in South Florida. I'm excited for the much needed change. Have you ever enbarked on such a grand adventure?
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) A sequel to my first novel
2.) A fun series about 4 Latinas in their senior year of high school, and possibly 1st years of college.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) 1 Corinthians
2.) Max Ride series by James Paterson.
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That the BIG MOVE goes smoothly.
WHATS ON MY iPOD:
1.) Ojala que pudiera borrarte.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) A sequel to my first novel
2.) A fun series about 4 Latinas in their senior year of high school, and possibly 1st years of college.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) 1 Corinthians
2.) Max Ride series by James Paterson.
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That the BIG MOVE goes smoothly.
WHATS ON MY iPOD:
1.) Ojala que pudiera borrarte.
26 December 2011
Books and Christmas and more
So while my Dad was at home reading mt first novel, I spent my first Christmas away from home. I was with my boyfriend of 1 yr's family. I suppose I don't have to tell you how different that was for me, how foreign some things seemed (really I was the foreign one). I gave 2 books to my boyfriends darling elderly aunts, and I signed it for them. This was a new experience for me. I took out the Mont Blanc pen my father had given me and signed my greeting and my name. The whole time my eyes were on the pen.
For me it represents my father's faith in my abilities, however meager they are. He has always believed in me and that has made all the difference.
Lately I have been having odd dreams, about heroes and masculinity and femininity and babies and things of that nature. I think last night I dreamed of a forest, although I vaguely remember it. My boyfriend tells me he had some kind of vivid dream abut gladiators or something. He normally either doesn't dream or doesn't tell me his dreams. In general he can be a very reserved person even as he is quite friendly and personable. Its an intriguing contrast.
Last night we were watching The Princess Bride. I remembered why Westley was always my favorite character. I think that is slightly related to my dreams lately of heroes.
Anyway... I have been reading lately about the sons of Noah. It is a fascinating time in history. I love the way the author of "The Heavens Before" wrote the story of Shem, father of the Semites. The one thing that is difficult is the pronunciation of the characters names. I read one part about the prophecy of the serpent biting the woman's heel and her offspring crushing the serpent's head, and it gave me chills. The author's depiction of Shem is stunning, much like Westley in "The Princess Bride." Its like John Eldridge states in "Wild at Heart" and "Epic," we all long for adventures for heroes, and for a cause...
But anyway, "Before the Heavens" is a wonderful novel and you ought to read it if you are so inclined. After this I will be reading "Sons of Encouragement" by Francine Rivers and Paul's Epistle to the Romans with the young adults at my church. And of course, many loved ones will be reading my first novel this month.
19 December 2011
MY NEW BOOK IS OUT: THE RED ENVELOPE
So since I havent written in this blog since before I moved out, back when all of the family sadness was going on, I doubt if any readers are still subscribed.
If you are though, check this out! My book (the one I has such a time with and commented about on this blog) is written!!!
it is available at the Christian Book distributers, at Barnes and Noble and at Wine Press Publisher's website!!!!
13 May 2010
Arepas de queso
Dear Reader,
It's almost 11pm here, and I never stay up this late anymore during the week. I had a really chaotic day at work today, and Mom is making some arepas. They are corn meal, full of cheese (since that's how we do it in Bogota) and fried. It's such a comfort food. It's also high in starch, and some family member are prone to get heart burn from it. To avoid that, drink chocolate milk with your arepa.
The end.
It's almost 11pm here, and I never stay up this late anymore during the week. I had a really chaotic day at work today, and Mom is making some arepas. They are corn meal, full of cheese (since that's how we do it in Bogota) and fried. It's such a comfort food. It's also high in starch, and some family member are prone to get heart burn from it. To avoid that, drink chocolate milk with your arepa.
The end.
04 May 2010
We love our murals
Dear Reader,
Today I am texting this post from a remote location in the Latin Hood. I work here 37.5 hrs a week and it's fun. Not only is it an office full of kind individuals, but it's pretty. It's a Latino company, and all I can say is, me encanta. One thing I love about our office is that we don't use "fall asleep paint " on our walls. No, we have murals. In my office we have a mural of women at various stages in their lives. Downstairs we have all sorts of murals about unity, community, and familial love. I'm thankful I can work in a pretty office.
Today I am texting this post from a remote location in the Latin Hood. I work here 37.5 hrs a week and it's fun. Not only is it an office full of kind individuals, but it's pretty. It's a Latino company, and all I can say is, me encanta. One thing I love about our office is that we don't use "fall asleep paint " on our walls. No, we have murals. In my office we have a mural of women at various stages in their lives. Downstairs we have all sorts of murals about unity, community, and familial love. I'm thankful I can work in a pretty office.
21 April 2010
Thy Will Be Done
Dear Reader,
How old were you when you 1st lived on your own? I've never lived anywhere on my own, unless you count my month-long mission trip to Germany/Poland. However, circumstances being what they are, my job is here, my car payments are here, and my parents think it would be beneficial to my career if I stay here for a year. Here! Where there is snow. Here! Where there are a lack of single men. Here! Where I don't want to live. Here! Where the powers that be hate my family for no good reason. So, I'm going to be praying that God will have His way. Because, I remember not wanting to go to Germany for missions four years ago. But I obeyed the call God had on my life, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I need to get to a place where I'm writing again. I need to see my brother free. And now, I need to go apartment shopping. What do you need?
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) Having faith that God's got everything under control.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) Galatians.
2.) Kristin Billerbeck's 3rd Spa Girl's novel.
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That everything goes well for my brother on Wednesday.
WHATS ON MY iPOD:
1.) The Village Church podcast
How old were you when you 1st lived on your own? I've never lived anywhere on my own, unless you count my month-long mission trip to Germany/Poland. However, circumstances being what they are, my job is here, my car payments are here, and my parents think it would be beneficial to my career if I stay here for a year. Here! Where there is snow. Here! Where there are a lack of single men. Here! Where I don't want to live. Here! Where the powers that be hate my family for no good reason. So, I'm going to be praying that God will have His way. Because, I remember not wanting to go to Germany for missions four years ago. But I obeyed the call God had on my life, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I need to get to a place where I'm writing again. I need to see my brother free. And now, I need to go apartment shopping. What do you need?
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) Having faith that God's got everything under control.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) Galatians.
2.) Kristin Billerbeck's 3rd Spa Girl's novel.
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That everything goes well for my brother on Wednesday.
WHATS ON MY iPOD:
1.) The Village Church podcast
14 April 2010
Prayer is talking to Jesus
Dear Reader,
Life hurts a lot more than I thought it would when I was a kid, a teenager and even a college student. I'm in the real grown-up world and I have been for a year and 4 months now. Some days I keep hoping that Prince Charming will ride up and save the day, but life doesn't work like that. At least not in my experience. I sincerely think that that is because God wants me to rely on Jesus, and not the hope of some man-savior. And in my head I know that, but I still have those habits of hoping a guy will pull over and help me when my car breaks down, instead of honking at me and going on his way while a homeless guy shakes his cigar in my face and tells me how crappy life is. Anyway, I haven't written like I should lately. Not even on my novel that I'm supposed to be editing. I just need for it to go well on Monday. I need my brother to come home. Life feels unfair without him at home where he should be. Learning how to drive. Making dreams into plans.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) Having faith that God's got everything under control.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) Galatians.
2.) Kristin Billerbeck's 3rd Spa Girl's novel.
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That everything goes well for my brother on Monday.
WHATS ON MY iPOD:
1.) Tu Reinas by Rojo
Life hurts a lot more than I thought it would when I was a kid, a teenager and even a college student. I'm in the real grown-up world and I have been for a year and 4 months now. Some days I keep hoping that Prince Charming will ride up and save the day, but life doesn't work like that. At least not in my experience. I sincerely think that that is because God wants me to rely on Jesus, and not the hope of some man-savior. And in my head I know that, but I still have those habits of hoping a guy will pull over and help me when my car breaks down, instead of honking at me and going on his way while a homeless guy shakes his cigar in my face and tells me how crappy life is. Anyway, I haven't written like I should lately. Not even on my novel that I'm supposed to be editing. I just need for it to go well on Monday. I need my brother to come home. Life feels unfair without him at home where he should be. Learning how to drive. Making dreams into plans.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) Having faith that God's got everything under control.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) Galatians.
2.) Kristin Billerbeck's 3rd Spa Girl's novel.
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That everything goes well for my brother on Monday.
WHATS ON MY iPOD:
1.) Tu Reinas by Rojo
27 March 2010
No Justice on Fridays I guess
Dear Reader,
Did you know that in the Juvenile Justice System a 70 yr old man can nod off during your trial and still convict you for a charge that you were not even accused of by the "victim" ? Yeah I didn't either. But that is what I just bore witness to yesterday. Its a sin. Now we have to try and figure out if it is appeal able. God help us when little girls with mental issues can run the justice system with NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE whatsoever. Shit, they don't even need to stick to their story. They don't need dates, physical evidence, documentation or consistency. They just get to point their finger and laugh. I shudder when I think of all of the wanna-be Disney princesses running around this world like Salome and Potiphar's Wife.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) Trying to learning enough about the law to help mi hermano.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) verses about God being on the side of the innocent.
2.) Kristin Billerbeck's 2nd Spa Girl's novel.
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That we find out how to help mi hermano.
WHATS ON MY iPOD:
1.) Revelation Song by Kari Jobe.
Did you know that in the Juvenile Justice System a 70 yr old man can nod off during your trial and still convict you for a charge that you were not even accused of by the "victim" ? Yeah I didn't either. But that is what I just bore witness to yesterday. Its a sin. Now we have to try and figure out if it is appeal able. God help us when little girls with mental issues can run the justice system with NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE whatsoever. Shit, they don't even need to stick to their story. They don't need dates, physical evidence, documentation or consistency. They just get to point their finger and laugh. I shudder when I think of all of the wanna-be Disney princesses running around this world like Salome and Potiphar's Wife.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) Trying to learning enough about the law to help mi hermano.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) verses about God being on the side of the innocent.
2.) Kristin Billerbeck's 2nd Spa Girl's novel.
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That we find out how to help mi hermano.
WHATS ON MY iPOD:
1.) Revelation Song by Kari Jobe.
23 March 2010
No scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand.
Dear Reader,
What scares you? One of my sister's today was telling me about a storyteller who came to her school and told ghost stories, they creep ed her out. My family has been facing giant disasters since the beginning of the new year and its stressful to say the least. Lately I have been struggling with the fact that there is nothing I can do to earn God's favor for the past 10 days. I've been saved since I was a little girl, and I know this in my head, but the very fact that I can't do ANYTHING to move our struggles along, to save us from liars with badges, makes me cry out to Jesus with new fever. I hope we win tomorrow despite all odds.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) Not falling apart, I'm not doing so well.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) verses about God being on the side of the innocent.
2.) Kristin Billerbeck's 2nd Spa Girl's novel. I hope to read Camy Tang's suspense books soon though, (yay Amazon!)
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That we win tomorrow.
WHATS ON MY iPOD:
1.) In Christ Alone, as sung by Newsboys
What scares you? One of my sister's today was telling me about a storyteller who came to her school and told ghost stories, they creep ed her out. My family has been facing giant disasters since the beginning of the new year and its stressful to say the least. Lately I have been struggling with the fact that there is nothing I can do to earn God's favor for the past 10 days. I've been saved since I was a little girl, and I know this in my head, but the very fact that I can't do ANYTHING to move our struggles along, to save us from liars with badges, makes me cry out to Jesus with new fever. I hope we win tomorrow despite all odds.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) Not falling apart, I'm not doing so well.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) verses about God being on the side of the innocent.
2.) Kristin Billerbeck's 2nd Spa Girl's novel. I hope to read Camy Tang's suspense books soon though, (yay Amazon!)
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That we win tomorrow.
WHATS ON MY iPOD:
1.) In Christ Alone, as sung by Newsboys
08 March 2010
Telenovelas & Jesus
Dear Reader,
Did you ever have a dream that seemed rediculous? I do. Its to publish 5 great selling novels and be on the writing team of one world famous Telenovela. Just one. A couple years ago I had an interview to work with TV guide en espanol. It made my week. Sadly I was 9 credits short of graduation and missed the second interview because I went to a college class instead. I still watch telenovelas when one comes on that catches my eye (they only last about 6 months), and wish that I could be the one who wrote them. Some are sexy, but I've seen a few that make you think more about that thing Jesus said about loving God, and loving others...Not the one I'm watching now, but there have been some in the past...
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) I'm really getting into Pues, No and I'm excited about where that's going. Each new writing project carries with it all the hopes of a new world, I suppose.
2.) I'm reading over "The Red Envelope" and trying to decide what stays and what goes in it. Its tougher than I thought.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) The Gospel of Mark in the Bible with my brother and sister. We're on chapter 12
2.) "Chasing Harry Winston" by Lauren Weisberger. Its been about 6 months since I've read a secular novel. I have to say that one character curses and it threw me off at first, also so did another characters sarcastic comment about God. I like to read fiction that makes me want to study my Bible, and learn more about Jesus but every once in a while I buy a book in the Walmart book asle. Balance you know?
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That my house sells.
WHATS ON MY iPOD:
1.)Learning to fall by This Beautiful Republic.
Did you ever have a dream that seemed rediculous? I do. Its to publish 5 great selling novels and be on the writing team of one world famous Telenovela. Just one. A couple years ago I had an interview to work with TV guide en espanol. It made my week. Sadly I was 9 credits short of graduation and missed the second interview because I went to a college class instead. I still watch telenovelas when one comes on that catches my eye (they only last about 6 months), and wish that I could be the one who wrote them. Some are sexy, but I've seen a few that make you think more about that thing Jesus said about loving God, and loving others...Not the one I'm watching now, but there have been some in the past...
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) I'm really getting into Pues, No and I'm excited about where that's going. Each new writing project carries with it all the hopes of a new world, I suppose.
2.) I'm reading over "The Red Envelope" and trying to decide what stays and what goes in it. Its tougher than I thought.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) The Gospel of Mark in the Bible with my brother and sister. We're on chapter 12
2.) "Chasing Harry Winston" by Lauren Weisberger. Its been about 6 months since I've read a secular novel. I have to say that one character curses and it threw me off at first, also so did another characters sarcastic comment about God. I like to read fiction that makes me want to study my Bible, and learn more about Jesus but every once in a while I buy a book in the Walmart book asle. Balance you know?
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That my house sells.
WHATS ON MY iPOD:
1.)Learning to fall by This Beautiful Republic.
05 March 2010
La Cosa es que...
Dear Reader,
So I loved reading Only Uni by Camy Tang again this week. If you haven't read it, fight your way over to amazon.com and buy it! It's simply lovely. I love it because it shows the real struggles of a Christian woman in a world that pulls against her every step of the way.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) I recorded a bunch of scene on my voice memo on my iphone for my new book. For now, I'm calling it Pues, No but we'll see what title it ends up with in a year. I've named the four main characters: Vicky, Carmela, Maruja and Ariel.
2.) "The Red Envelope" is making me pull my hair out but at least I'm working on it. The thing is, everyone in the town still wants to blame the hippy for the murder, but she's not guilty, (or is she?)
3.) I keep cutting out pictures for my historical novel.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) She's All That (Spa Girls #1) by Kristin Billerbeck.
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That our house sells.
WHAT'S ON MY iPOD:
1.) Now it Moves by Salvador.
So I loved reading Only Uni by Camy Tang again this week. If you haven't read it, fight your way over to amazon.com and buy it! It's simply lovely. I love it because it shows the real struggles of a Christian woman in a world that pulls against her every step of the way.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.) I recorded a bunch of scene on my voice memo on my iphone for my new book. For now, I'm calling it Pues, No but we'll see what title it ends up with in a year. I've named the four main characters: Vicky, Carmela, Maruja and Ariel.
2.) "The Red Envelope" is making me pull my hair out but at least I'm working on it. The thing is, everyone in the town still wants to blame the hippy for the murder, but she's not guilty, (or is she?)
3.) I keep cutting out pictures for my historical novel.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) She's All That (Spa Girls #1) by Kristin Billerbeck.
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR ME:
1.) That our house sells.
WHAT'S ON MY iPOD:
1.) Now it Moves by Salvador.
28 February 2010
Warrior Child
Dear Reader,
I know over the course of the last year this blog has under gone a number of changes, from mediocre book reviews, to letting you pick what books I read to weeks of non-posting. All I can say is that I'm happy that you've stopped by my corner of the web once again, or for the first time.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.)I'm going to be trying to finish editing my first book "The Red Envelope" this week.
2.)I am also hoping to have more outlined for my Christian Chica Lit book. I call it that but its not ghetto or stupid like a lot of books targeted towards Hispanics are. Its about four Hispanic girls in their mid 20s who just want to have fun and live a good life.
3.) I'm also working on an historical novel centered around a family leaving Spain for Florida during the Napoleonic Wars. I love this era of history, but I'm having trouble actually writing it. I've had two false starts already.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) Only Uni by Camy Tang. I read it last year, but I still love it so I'm reading it again.
2.) Spa Girls No. 1 by Kristin Billerbeck. It is supposed to arrive this week, and I'm super excited.
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR:
1.) That our house sells.
WHAT'S ON MY IPOD:
1.) Warrior Child by Tal&Acacia.
I know over the course of the last year this blog has under gone a number of changes, from mediocre book reviews, to letting you pick what books I read to weeks of non-posting. All I can say is that I'm happy that you've stopped by my corner of the web once again, or for the first time.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON:
1.)I'm going to be trying to finish editing my first book "The Red Envelope" this week.
2.)I am also hoping to have more outlined for my Christian Chica Lit book. I call it that but its not ghetto or stupid like a lot of books targeted towards Hispanics are. Its about four Hispanic girls in their mid 20s who just want to have fun and live a good life.
3.) I'm also working on an historical novel centered around a family leaving Spain for Florida during the Napoleonic Wars. I love this era of history, but I'm having trouble actually writing it. I've had two false starts already.
WHAT I'M READING:
1.) Only Uni by Camy Tang. I read it last year, but I still love it so I'm reading it again.
2.) Spa Girls No. 1 by Kristin Billerbeck. It is supposed to arrive this week, and I'm super excited.
WHAT YOU CAN PRAY FOR:
1.) That our house sells.
WHAT'S ON MY IPOD:
1.) Warrior Child by Tal&Acacia.
09 December 2009
It's late, but Les Miserables is the best novel ever written.
This week has been a crappy one. Loss of job (and thereby income), average GRE scores (much lower than my target score), loneliness, stress of getting 12 Christmas gifts for loved one, stress of getting into grad school, stress of finding a new job. . . I could go on but I've pretty much been stressed out about my future, even though I KNOW that God has a plan for my life.
It just so happens that I noticed my favorite book Les Miserables by Victor Hugo on my bookshelf last Friday. And it just so happens that I picked it up after a decade of not reading it, and it just so happens that I fell in love with it all over again.
It is the best book ever written. It shows how one good deed done not for the sake of man, but for God can have repercussions that span generations. That is, a middle-aged newly released prisioner comes into a new town, is turned away from everyone in town except for the local priest. The local priest takes him in, and, when stolen from reacts in love, giving him the items that were stolen.
This stirs the man, who sets out to make a good, pious life for himself. Ever present in front of the man are his failures, his sins. He seeks out to act rightly and does so. In the process he takes in Cosette. The little orphan girl grows up and is raised to love and revere God, the church and her father. And through a glance, she falls in love.
I don't know why the story of Cosette and Marius moves me so much. They are youths, he 20 and she 16 when they fall in love. He a historian-lawyer-rebel and she a quiet daughter. They exchange glances at the park and he pursues her. When the insurrection of 1832 causes them to be separated, the father brings them back together.
Jean Valjean is my favorite character now. Back when I was 15, I thought Marius was the best. However, now I see that Jean Valjean is the best character because he truly shows not only what it means to be redeemed, and reconciled with Christ, but what it means to love.
Its late and this isn't well written, but Jean Valjean gives up his own security so that his adopted daughter may be loved. That is an example what Christ has done for each of us. It is completely laudable. One day I will have to write a better review on this masterpiece of fiction.
It just so happens that I noticed my favorite book Les Miserables by Victor Hugo on my bookshelf last Friday. And it just so happens that I picked it up after a decade of not reading it, and it just so happens that I fell in love with it all over again.
It is the best book ever written. It shows how one good deed done not for the sake of man, but for God can have repercussions that span generations. That is, a middle-aged newly released prisioner comes into a new town, is turned away from everyone in town except for the local priest. The local priest takes him in, and, when stolen from reacts in love, giving him the items that were stolen.
This stirs the man, who sets out to make a good, pious life for himself. Ever present in front of the man are his failures, his sins. He seeks out to act rightly and does so. In the process he takes in Cosette. The little orphan girl grows up and is raised to love and revere God, the church and her father. And through a glance, she falls in love.
I don't know why the story of Cosette and Marius moves me so much. They are youths, he 20 and she 16 when they fall in love. He a historian-lawyer-rebel and she a quiet daughter. They exchange glances at the park and he pursues her. When the insurrection of 1832 causes them to be separated, the father brings them back together.
Jean Valjean is my favorite character now. Back when I was 15, I thought Marius was the best. However, now I see that Jean Valjean is the best character because he truly shows not only what it means to be redeemed, and reconciled with Christ, but what it means to love.
Its late and this isn't well written, but Jean Valjean gives up his own security so that his adopted daughter may be loved. That is an example what Christ has done for each of us. It is completely laudable. One day I will have to write a better review on this masterpiece of fiction.
27 October 2009
National Novel Writing Month
November is one of my favorite months of the year. Its the anniversary of when my grandparents came to this country, its the anniversary of when a lot of my family became believers, its Thanksgiving, its one of my sister's birthday, and its National Novel Writing month.
I heard about this a number of years ago, and try and participate everyyear. I'm not to great with getting 50,000 words in in one month, but it's great practice. Anyway, my piece this year is that historical fiction thing I've been meaning to try and write for years. I made a collage to help me get a handle on all of my ideas, so there it is. I hope I actually finish it!
Additionally, here is a prayer written by the Patron Saint of journalists and writers:
"Lord, I am Yours, and I must belong to no one but You.
My soul is Yours, and must live only by You.
My will is Yours, and must love only for You.
I must love You as my first cause, since I am from You.
I must love You as my end and rest, since I am for You.
I must love You more than my own being, since my being subsists by You.
I must love You more than myself, since I am all Yours and all in You. Amen."
-Prayer of St Francis De Sales
I heard about this a number of years ago, and try and participate everyyear. I'm not to great with getting 50,000 words in in one month, but it's great practice. Anyway, my piece this year is that historical fiction thing I've been meaning to try and write for years. I made a collage to help me get a handle on all of my ideas, so there it is. I hope I actually finish it!
Additionally, here is a prayer written by the Patron Saint of journalists and writers:
"Lord, I am Yours, and I must belong to no one but You.
My soul is Yours, and must live only by You.
My will is Yours, and must love only for You.
I must love You as my first cause, since I am from You.
I must love You as my end and rest, since I am for You.
I must love You more than my own being, since my being subsists by You.
I must love You more than myself, since I am all Yours and all in You. Amen."
-Prayer of St Francis De Sales
20 October 2009
Weddings and Murder
So over this weekend I babysat and read Melody Carlson's "Three Weddings and a Bar Mitzvah." This book is the final book in the 4 books series 86 Bloomsberg Place. In my opinion, it was one of the strongest in the series. Lelani and Gil are getting married, Gil's sister Ana is having difficulties at work and in love, her housemate Megan's boyfriend just up and leaves her for a mission trip to Africa with next to no notice, and crazy Kendall is marrying her Maui Man. Throughout the whole book the girls struggle with patience and communicating (in life who doesn't)? I believe that many Church pew Christians will identify with Megan and Ana, while many of those trying to figure out how to balance life will identify with Kendall and Lelani.
For my self it was a hard book to read, simply because I began this series a year or so ago while in a dating relationship, and ended up reading the last book of this series single, with no prospects at all. I think I most closely identified with Ana, although my mother and I have a wonderful relationship. I kind of wish that there would be a spin off series with Ana, Megan and their men. I could go on, but I'll just shut up and give Mrs. Carlson a Gold Star!
As for "Midnight in Madrid" by Noel Hynd, this is the type of novel that I would relate more too in away because I am single. Although it kind of makes me glad I'm single. Single people can go off and have adventures while those married are tied to their apartment and responsibilities. In the first book, Alex LaDuca loses someone who she loves with her life, and in the second book she is on vacation recovering from said loss when artistic disaster strikes. The suspense kept me turning pages every night this weekend and made me wish I had mastered all of the languages I took in college. Many murders later, we realize that Alex might just be ok after all. Gold Star Mr. Hynd for a novel that was as entertaining as it was encouraging.
Both of these novels show that love changes us. God's love is there all along, and sometimes he brings godly men into our lives to love, and sometimes he doesn't bring a spouse, but a people we care deeply for. Either way, God's love sets us free.
For my self it was a hard book to read, simply because I began this series a year or so ago while in a dating relationship, and ended up reading the last book of this series single, with no prospects at all. I think I most closely identified with Ana, although my mother and I have a wonderful relationship. I kind of wish that there would be a spin off series with Ana, Megan and their men. I could go on, but I'll just shut up and give Mrs. Carlson a Gold Star!
As for "Midnight in Madrid" by Noel Hynd, this is the type of novel that I would relate more too in away because I am single. Although it kind of makes me glad I'm single. Single people can go off and have adventures while those married are tied to their apartment and responsibilities. In the first book, Alex LaDuca loses someone who she loves with her life, and in the second book she is on vacation recovering from said loss when artistic disaster strikes. The suspense kept me turning pages every night this weekend and made me wish I had mastered all of the languages I took in college. Many murders later, we realize that Alex might just be ok after all. Gold Star Mr. Hynd for a novel that was as entertaining as it was encouraging.
Both of these novels show that love changes us. God's love is there all along, and sometimes he brings godly men into our lives to love, and sometimes he doesn't bring a spouse, but a people we care deeply for. Either way, God's love sets us free.
13 October 2009
High School Humiliation week & books
So Anne and May, those lovely ladies who wrote A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS asked people what their most humiliating moments were in high school. Well, I thought about it for 2 days and then this morning it came to me, and I was even more embarrassed. Notice the picture, its me 15, in 10th grade at my surprise quinceanera. Notice I'm not wearing a lame gown. That was 2001.
You see, my sister and I used to take the bus. I used to sit next to a cute kid who I didn't think was "Christian" enough to date. We became bus-buddies though & I guess you could say and he always knew who I was crushing on and resented them for it. As it happens, a family from my church, took in a foreign exchange student from Ecuador (this is not to be confused with the foreign exchange student from my freshman year Spanish class I mentioned on Camy Tangs website). This boy was tall, way cute, and an upperclassman. He often wore a jean jacket, a white sweater and was the Antonio Banderas version of Eric Matthews from Boy Meets World (in my humble opinion).
Anyway, so 10th grade was the year I was all into poetry, ok, I was always into poetry. Well, I wrote him a poem. and I showed it to my bus-buddy. I didn't title it or anything, and all I remember are the lines, "Hero from across the sea, came to sit in front of me." Yeah, it was that bad. Bus-buddy laughed, and then stood up and said "Hey Eric Banderas (I can't remember his real name), Mandy wrote a poem about you!"
I tore it out of his hands, but for the rest of the ride home it was "Oooo your eyes are so dark and dreamy," or "oooo your my latin lover from across the ocean."
So there you have it. One of my most humiliating moments in high school. I have a bunch, though, and most involved foreigner exchangers. Oh and this week we're reading: Midnight in Madrid by Noel Hynd
05 October 2009
Do you cry when a character in a book dies?
Ok so this weekend I read Noel Hynd's novel "Conspiracy in Kiev" as you'll note from my last post. And while there was no sex (yay I won the bet!) there was a lot of flirting and bantering back and forth between characters. There were jealous boyfriend's, and jealous Ukrainian mobsters...and death. I mean you have to have death in a political/spy thriller right? I expected certain characters to die, or be kidnapped, but of course Mr. Hynd pulls a fast one on me. A totally unsuspected death in the novel.
And the most surprising thing out of the whole day was not that one character died. No, no, the most surprising thing to me was the fact that when I came home from bringing James (a 4 month old we have in our home now) from the doctor, my sister was up in our room all emotional about a character who died in a series she was reading! And since I hadn't yet read the death of the character in Hynd's novel, I was a jerk. I mean my sister is reading a YA series, Cirque du Freak or something like that and is almost done the series. A major character dies. All day she was complaining, "How could the author do this?" And of course I have to be a professional jerk and say, "Well you know, authors are really thinking of the story arc and character development and how could this one character develop if this other character was holding his hand the whole time?"
Is it silly to cry over fake people? See, I view it this way: we will never know the lives of FBI guys or Secret Service or CIA people, so in a way, when I get upset over the death of a character in a novel, I'm thinking: there is a chance that one of these patriots has died like this or in a similar way; and: isn't the world so unfair?
This is only one of the many reasons why my mother only reads memoirs and biographies. When she gets upset over characters in books, she wants it to be real people she has learned about and formed an attachment too, not fake people.
I give this book a Gold Star, not only for the emotional response it invoked, but because of a particular character's faith in God and the theme of long-suffering through out the novel. Bravo!
And the most surprising thing out of the whole day was not that one character died. No, no, the most surprising thing to me was the fact that when I came home from bringing James (a 4 month old we have in our home now) from the doctor, my sister was up in our room all emotional about a character who died in a series she was reading! And since I hadn't yet read the death of the character in Hynd's novel, I was a jerk. I mean my sister is reading a YA series, Cirque du Freak or something like that and is almost done the series. A major character dies. All day she was complaining, "How could the author do this?" And of course I have to be a professional jerk and say, "Well you know, authors are really thinking of the story arc and character development and how could this one character develop if this other character was holding his hand the whole time?"
Is it silly to cry over fake people? See, I view it this way: we will never know the lives of FBI guys or Secret Service or CIA people, so in a way, when I get upset over the death of a character in a novel, I'm thinking: there is a chance that one of these patriots has died like this or in a similar way; and: isn't the world so unfair?
This is only one of the many reasons why my mother only reads memoirs and biographies. When she gets upset over characters in books, she wants it to be real people she has learned about and formed an attachment too, not fake people.
I give this book a Gold Star, not only for the emotional response it invoked, but because of a particular character's faith in God and the theme of long-suffering through out the novel. Bravo!
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