Merry Christmas!

I'll be away from the computer for a few weeks due to the Christmas Crunch! It's getting down to the wire and I'll be pretty busy for the next little while.

Just a quick Happy Holidays to everyone (Christmas, Hanukkah or whatever holiday you celebrate). I hope the New Year brings everyone love, laughter and good fortune. Spend some time this Holiday season and think about what you love about being you. Give your loved ones an extra hug and don't be afraid to say "I Love You". Hearing those three words is more precious than any gift.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Tired...

I think there's something seriously wrong with me... let me tell you what I did today. I got up at 5am!!! That's right, you heard me, 5am to go shopping. I decided I would hit some of the 24hr stores while the crowds were still somewhat manageable. I am pleased to announce that I currently have TWO presents left to buy.

I also bought myself a little present today as well :D An LG Rumor. So far, I'm LOVING the new phone, it has awesome texting and overall I just love it. I've heard some bad things about it but I'm reserving judgement until I've had it myself for a while.

'Tis the Season

I bought my Christmas tree last night. Although it is much more endowed than poor Charlie's tree it is still looking woefully bare. It usually takes me several days to get the thing decorated to my liking. Day one and two are usually for allowing the branches of the tree to fall and shape themselves after being tied up for days. Day three is met with much swearing as I weave the twinkling colored lights in and out each branch... yup, you heard it right. EVERY SINGLE BRANCH has lights strung on it. We're very particular in my family about the lights. After that's done I'm usually covered in scratches, my blood pressure is through the roof and I'm probably more than a little drunk (HA!). Day Four is for hanging on the decorations, there are literally hundreds. Close to 90% of them are homemade and have to be admired before they're put on the tree. Next, the tinsel has to be laid carefully, if my mother had her way it would be strewn on the tree one strand at a time. YIKES! Usually by this point I can convince her to leave the room while I string the tinsel. Last but not least we wind the ribbon around the tree and then top the tree with the angel.

Anyway, that's what I have in store for me for the next few days. Perhaps when it's all done I'll post a picture....

Locked Out

This is a blog entry all about my pal Annie who has me blocked out of her blog ;). Ha ha!

Dearest Annie,

I think perhaps you may have overlooked the fact that I am currently unable to read your blog. I have taken to consoling myself with large amounts of chocolate which consequently have caused a constant feeling of being on a jittery sugar-high. I urge you to consider me a safe reader of your blog wherein I would not turn into a crazy psycho stalker :P.

With sincerest regards,

Your Pal Becky

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac

Working out of a Public Library ensures that I never run out of things to read. I've never in my life had a TBR (To Be Read...) pile of books. However, since I've started my new job I find that there's a never ending, alarming tower of books waiting for my attention.

I've discovered (actually, re-discovered would be the appropriate term) that Young Adult fiction is truly some of the best stuff out there. Now, I'm not talking about the recent Stephanie Meyer craze, although I'm not discounting the appeal of a ruthlessly handsome vampire who's going to stay that way for all time, he is of course also rich, well-dressed and old-fashioned in his ways... fabulous enough to make me feel slightly like a cougar waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting young heartthrob... wait a minute I better haul myself back on track. ;) Where was I? Oh yes, Young Adult novels. If they are well written these books can delve deep into the human psyche and instigate a series of questions about who we are and what is the purpose of it all.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac is a very well-written novel about a young girl who at the very beginning of the novel has an unfortunate accident which causes her to lose the last four years of her life. The remainder of the narrative forces Naomi to question everything about her life. The person she was before isn't someone she can identify with now. James, the brooding (somewhat crazy) new guy envies Naomi her forgotten past and is perhaps the perfect companion for Naomi because she isn't required to remember anything about him. Her relationship with Will Landsman, or 'Coach' as she used to call him, is probably the best part of the novel. He's quirky, campy and unwavering in his loyalty to his best-friend 'Chief' (Naomi).

Gabrielle Zevin delivers a quick and entertaining read in Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac. All in all I would recommend this book with four out of five stars.