#227 Darker & 2018 Book Challenge

So after waiting what seems like forever I was finally able to read Darker by E.L. James on my library app.

OMG....I absolutely loved it. If you take out all the illicit, erotic material, you get at the root a really great story. Yes, I know this is basically Twilight, but still its a great story.

As my Goodreads Review states, I think I like this story from Mr. Grey's point of view a little more than the original. Below is the rest of my review from Goodreads:

So I may like these stories from Mr. Grey's perspective a little more. 

Both Grey and Darker give readers more insight into who he is deep down as a person. Through his point of view, readers learn what makes him tick. We get to learn more about why he is the way he is. We also can, through flashbacks, how he became the infamous Christian Grey. 

I love watching him grow into the man he is at the end of the story. He is slowly becoming who he was meant to be. I enjoyed seeing his view of the growing relationship between Anastasia and him. I sure hope Ms. James does the third book too. 

 

So I crossed off one of my books on my bestie and I's 2018 reading challenge. My goal which maybe a little daunting is to finish both the 2018 challenge and read some off our 2018. 

So my first crossed off book is for A Book That Has Been Banned.  I choose A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Below is my Goodreads Review. I gave it 4 stars.

ok...that was crazy.....crazy good....so it wasn't my favorite but it was still very good. There was a lot of science fiction but also filled with lots and lots of adventure and mystery. I didn't know what I was getting into when I first stared reading the pages. Well I know I am going to have to finish the series cause I have to know whats going to happen. I loved Meg, Calvin, and Charles Wallace and I loved that fact that he was Charles Wallace and not just Charles or Charlie. The cast of characters are just great and they push readers to the end. This world is one of the most vivid and colorful worlds I have ever seen. I can't wait for the movie.

#226 Book Challenge

So I didn't finish my 2017 book challenge with my bestie. I got too distracted by other books, however I did read 55 out of 50 books with Goodreads. So anyway, I need to add more to the 2017 books that I actually finished.

Book Challenge 

1. Book Because of the Cover

King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard

2. Book You've Previously Started by NEVER finished.

The Bible (I swear I have started over and over like three times.)

3. Book by an Author you Love.

Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks

4. Book Everyone is Raving About
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

5. Book Recommended by a Friend
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

6. Book to Expand Your Horizons
 Grace Not Perfection by Emily Rey

7. Book Considered to be a "classic."
 Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
8.Book Published in 2017

Carve Your Mark by Veronica Roth
9. Book By an Author You've Never Read
A Court of Thrones & Roses by Sarah J. Maas
10. Book You've Been Meaning to Read
World Without End by Ken Fillet
(It's at least 1000 pages)
11. Book Set in a City You Want to Travel
Paris Time Capsule by Ella Carey
12. Book that Has Been Turned into a Movie
The Shack by William P. Young

So really I only made it half way, but I have added a few more books since I last posted. For the life  of me, I don't understand why would I would add not one but two 1000+ page books. I think I added more than a few book boyfriends to ever growing list. (LOL)

 Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth was surprisingly good. Roth sort of irked me at end of the Divergent series, so I was hesitant to read something else by her but I am sure am glad that I read this one. I was hooked from page one and I couldn't put it down. I am so curious whats to come in this series. Fingers crossed that she doesn't reuse her plot at the end of the Divergent series.

Paris Time Capsule by Ella Carey was so magical and so unexpected. I didn't think I would like it, but a little birdie told me that this story was based on a actual apartment found in Paris, then I was hooked. Trust me this book has everything. Travel, adventure and a whole lot of romance. Trust me your are going to want to pick this one up and not put it down.

My bestie has been wanting me to read A Court of Thrones & Roses by Sarah J. Maas for sometime. So when I finally borrowed it from her, I knew I would love it. I was right and so was she. I loved it. It vaguely reminded me of Beauty and the Beast but was also completely different. I love series that beautifully develops he or she's characters and Maas did this fantastically. I can't wait to read more.

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon wasn't my favorite however I believe it is well worth the read. For me it was about fate. It's about believing things happen the way they are supposed to; its about how we need to believe that everything happens for a reason and when the universe and God wants it too.

So we started a new one for 2018. It may be daunting, but I am going to try to incorporate both 2017 and 2918 challenges this year. For 2018, , I will pick and choose as I go. If my theory is correct, I will be reading a lot more on this one. Fingers crossed that I finish it.

#225 Update

Tonight was weigh in......needless to say I didn't do very well.

So, I realized I have been MIA recently, but I have no ounce of motivation to do anything. Basically, I have been just a lazy bum. I just feel blah, blah, blah. My room/studio apartment is a mess; the weight loss journey that I have been on is pretty much going no where fast. (okay vent over)

What can I do to change this?

I need to get my life in order. STEP 1 is admitting the problem right? lol

FIRST THINGS FIRST (it is said that if you write it down it becomes a goal!!!)

What can I do to make myself more motivated???

1. I need to clean ups my life.....however, lets start with my room/studio.
When things are organized I feel much better on the inside. It seems like I feel accomplished. (As silly as that sounds.)

2. WEIGHTLOSS OR LACK THERE OF
So as you know I am struggling with motivation especially with my weight loss. I have been on this so called weightless journey for about six years. I need to remember why I joined in the first place.

What was different in the beginning? Why was I successful?

So I have been in this accountability challenge...and I am totally sucking at it......

The leader asked (she knows I have beens struggling cause I have been so vocal,) what are your goals for the next 16 weeks?

My Goals.....(this is what I told her)
        I want to jump start getting back to my weight loss journey. I am hoping to get to the motivation I had when I was consistently loosing weight at the beginning, and to workout more. I told her also about how long I have been on this journey. I also stated that I was really motivated about two years ago when I committed to 1 to 2 5ks a month, but that was getting way to expensive....however once I stopped, I lost the motivation.

What is my number one struggle/barrier with weight loss?
        1. Planning my meals
        2. Drinking  More Water
        3. Not going to the gym

I need to get back to this challenge.....I shared all of this to PUBLICLY put it out there to keep myself ACCOUNTABLE and GET FOCUSED.

I will keep y'all posted on how its going.

I CAN DO THIS RIGHT????

#224 Book Challenge Update

First off this may be kind of long. Before I get into the reading challenge, I want to give an quick up date on weigh-in the other night. I gained a small amount, point 4 to be exact. I know that's not a lot, but for me its still a gain, which I don't like to see. I have been doing Weight Watchers long enough to know it happens. I know what I did and now I just have to do better.

Book Challenge 

1. Book Because of the Cover

King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard

2. Book You've Previously Started by NEVER finished.

The Bible (I swear I have started over and over like three times.)

3. Book by an Author you Love.

Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks

4. Book Everyone is Raving About
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

5. Book Recommended by a Friend
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

6. Book to Expand Your Horizons
 Grace Not Perfection by Emily Rey

7. Book Considered to be a "classic."
 Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
8.Book Published in 2017

Carve Your Mark by Veronica Roth
9. Book By an Author You've Never Read
A Court of Thrones & Roses by Sarah J. Maas
10. Book You've Been Meaning to Read
World Without End by Ken Fillet
(It's at least 1000 pages)
11. Book Set in a City You Want to Travel
Paris Time Capsule by Ella Carey
12. Book that Has Been Turned into a Movie
The Shack by William P. Young

As you can seen I have crossed another off my list for my Book Challenge. I have been a reading speed demon. At the rate I am going, I am going to complete this faster than I thought. 

So the book I read. The Shack, by William P. Young, could have qualified for multiple entries since 1) it's being made into a movie, and 2) it's been sitting on my book shelf for years. So I was a little hesitant at first, but now I wonder what took me so long. I couldn't put this one down. I would have been lot faster if the words weren't so profound that I found myself actually taking notes, which I haven't done since college and it was required. This one touched me so much. I felt like I was right a long with Mack. Granted I have never had to deal with a great tragedy like he does and I really pray and hope that I never have too; plus I really don't wish that on anyone else either. So I kind of identified with Mack in that we are both searching for something greater. I too am trying to find my way back to church. (that's an entire different can of worms and one day I will share with you.) The conversations that Mack has with God and Jesus are so profound. I found myself laughing and shedding a tear or two. I am not trying to push my religion or what I believe on anyone. I just want to give an honest review. So if you don't want to read this don't, but if you do want to it will change you like it did me. 

Well I guess I am signing off......I started another book and oh it is oh so good. Look for my review

#223 Valentine's Day....

....or as I call it "Happy Single Awareness Day.....

So...I am the forever single girl in my family & group of friends. I read somewhere that we (the single people) are mostly independent and happy about being single until February 14....Valentine's Day. And when I think about it, that is totally correct.

Most years, it bothers me, but this year was different. I don't know if maybe I think I will never have that special someone or if I have just accepted that when God decides that special person will come into my life that person will show up out of the blue....who knows?

This morning, when I woke up, I was a bit sluggish from all of the sugar, but emotionally I was great.  I was happy; a bit disappointed that I ate so many sweets but I tried not to dwell on it.

This year I vowed and promised myself that it was going to be about me. I am determined to be right with me....to be okay in my own skin. I want to be truly happy deep deep down. I am sure everyone wants that. It is just that this year, I am going to make it happen for me. Finally tackling this weight loss thing is part of that.

The photo to my right shows me wearing, although hard to see, printed leggings. They are LuluRoe and have little hearts on them. Perfect for Valentine's Day. Any way, if you know me you know I am not a print girl. I had won some Lulu cash from Facebook, so I was like why not get those. I thought when's the perfect excuse to wear them. Needless to say I was a little (ok a lot) terrified of what people might say. I had so many compliments and it made me realize that I could wear a print in my life even though I am a bigger girl.

Weigh In is tomorrow and I don't think that I am going to do so hot. It will be a miracle if I loose anything. I am just praying that I didn't gain too much. (Fingers crossed)

I know what I didn't do....i didn't track and I could kick myself because I was doing so good too. I just need to get back to it....and I will!!!!!

I didn't go to the gym.....I really need to get back to this ASAP!!!!!!

I didn't eat to well either. I need to STOP eating fast food, drinking soda (even diet soda), and stop eating sweets. At the beginning of the year I did a sugar detox. I felt so much better. My skin was better and I was really proud of myself. I guess writing this all out has me thinking that maybe I need to get back to it maybe not as strict but do something.

On a different topic.....I need to BUDGET......I have a shopping/spending problem. (The first step is to admit it right??) Well tomorrow I will bee looking at ways to cut my spending and starting a budget. If anyone has any ideas, feel free to give me ideas. I can always use the help.

Well I think that's enough....now its time for a little reading!!!!

#222 Book Challenge

Sorry in advance, this one is a bit long.

Back in high school, Sophomore to be exact, I met my best friend in English class which was around about 16 years ago. As the years went by, we got a whole lot closer. We kept in touch through the years even when I moved away for college. When I moved back in 2009, our friendship grew into something I couldn't live without.We've always been there for each other no matter what. She is my confidant and the ying to my yang.

We meet roughly about 5 to 6 times, sometimes more, for coffee. We discuss everything from our lives to things we've seen on Facebook. Our conversations tend to always make it back to the written word of others....Books!!!! Books we've read, books we want to read or even books we saw something about. We've pretty much read everything from the hottest, steamy romance to something that popped up on Goodreads!!!!!!!!!!

We even give each other books for Christmas and our birthdays.

So, if you have read this blog before you know that I an avid reader. This year, 2017 we found a reading challenge either on Pinterest or  or Instagram:

Here is My Challenge!!!!

1. Book Because of the Cover

King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard

2. Book You've Previously Started by NEVER finished.

The Bible (I swear I have started over and over like three times.)

3. Book by an Author you Love.

Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks

4. Book Everyone is Raving About
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

5. Book Recommended by a Friend
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

6. Book to Expand Your Horizons
 Grace Not Perfection by Emily Rey

7. Book Considered to be a "classic."
 Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
8.Book Published in 2017

Carve Your Mark by Veronica Roth
9. Book By an Author You've Never Read
A Court of Thrones & Roses by Sarah J. Maas
10. Book You've Been Meaning to Read
World Without End by Ken Fillet
(It's at least 1000 pages)
11. Book Set in a City You Want to Travel
Paris Time Capsule by Ella Carey
12. Book that Has Been Turned into a Movie
The Shack by William P. Young

As you can tell, I have already read the one that was recommended. The review can be found on Goodreads!!!!! 

#221 I'm Back!!!!!

Sorry this is a late post, but I was watching the most gut wrenching Superbowl possible. I was ecstatic about the outcome by the way since I have been a Patriots and Tom Brady fan since probably Brady's first Superbowl win back in 2001 I believe. So I am running on a high

I know I have been MIA for sometime, but I AM BACK...I hope to post more. 

I got a way from this when I lost all motivation in my weight loss journey. 2016 wasn't the best year for me. My weight has been back and forth for pretty much all of 2016. So when one doesn't have motivation to keep going all things stop. At the end of last year, I was about to completely give up. I thought maybe I was just supposed to overweight for the rest of my life. I was beginning to accept that and move on.

So, I really thought back to why I wanted to loose the weight in the first place. I thought about what brought me into that first Weight Watchers meeting. Then, thanks to Timehop & Facebook memories, the following photo popped up. 

It showed me how far I have come. I realized that I DO NOT want to go back. I know that if I quit Weight Watchers that I probably would gain all my weight back and then some.

As the soul searching continued, I really thought back to why I started this weight loss journey. 

Why? Why? Why?

I didn't like the photo I saw. I felt ugly and gross. I walked in to that room because 1.) I didn't have any confidence; 2.) I wanted to shed A LOT of weight; and 3.) I wanted to be able to shop in those cute boutiques. 

Now I know how much I have changed. For one, I actually love going to the gym. It gives me a release like no other. It also makes me feel like I have accomplished something. I have met some pretty amazing women that I now can say are my friends. I started slow by going to Zumba and that was about it.

 As I continued, I soon realized that Zumba wasn't enough. I remember walking by the Combat class thinking I couldn't get through that class. Then someone got me to come in. Needless to say I love it now. If something is bother me, I take it out on my imaginary opponent. I remember being terrified of the instructor, but after that first class, she has been more of inspiration than anyone. As far as they girls I have met in that class, they push me more and more. I really don't know where I would be without any of these women. 

Two, I am eating healthier. My portions are much smaller.  I used to eat the entire plate of food plus desert (or just the dessert.) Now when I am full I stop. I mean I still have a crazy sweet tooth and it is a constant struggle not to reach for a cookie or ice cream.

Everyone in my life is rooting for me, I know that now. Sometimes I still want to quit, but I don't.

So I made a vow for my New Year's Resolution, I am going to give it a year and see how it goes. So far January was great to me. My motivation still isn't where it was but I am slowly getting back. I have drive back that I had lost. Let's hope that February gets me even more motivated.