December 29, 2011 by sassenach
I just remembered that I wrote a post in January of this year about things I wanted to do in 2011. I’m…pleasantly surprised by what I actually did!
- Read more books than I did last year. (See +11 in ‘11 Challenge.)
I actually did it! I read 44 titles this year, according to Goodreads. My goal was 31. I’ll make a separate post about my 2011 reading.
- Related to the above: clear out at least one row (level? shelf?) from my To Read bookcase.
haha…no. This didn’t happen. In fact, I think I probably acquired more books. Well–actually, I just remembered that I sold a bunch of books to the used bookstore, but then I wound up buying more, so I feel like I probably broke even in the end. My stash isn’t a whole lot bigger, but it’s definitely not smaller, despite the number of library books that I read this year. I still bought some books, so this goal definitely wasn’t met.
- Blog more often, at least every other day.
I didn’t do a good job of blogging this year overall, but I’ve done really well during my December blog-a-day! I haven’t missed any days this month so far. I still want to blog more in 2012, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep up with one post per day.
- Sew more. I sewed hardly anything last year, and I really want to make the freakin curtains that I’ve been procrastinating making for months.
Weeeell…I didn’t sew more throughout the year, but I did make those curtains I mentioned! Kitchen curtains & spare room curtains.
- Pay off at least one of my credit cards / Control my spending better.
Sigh. I did REALLY well for the first half of the year and didn’t use my credit cards AT ALL…and then it was downhill from there. Obviously, I need to work on this still.
- Take more pictures!
I definitely met this goal! As of today, I’ve uploaded 337 of 365 photos in my Year in Pictures project. I only missed one day, but I’m going to keep going until I have 365 total. I think I’ll probably do another YIP for 2012 since it’s nice to have that kind of structure that keeps me on schedule.
- Go to Maryland Sheep & Wool festival. This will be my second time going.
I went and had an awesome time! This year was extra special because kc went with us 
- Visit the Poe Museum.
I went in January and it was really fun! I want to go back sometime, but I’ll probably wait until they have another special event going on.
- Find a new job. I “resolve” to do this every year, but THIS TIME I MEAN IT. No, really.
ZOMG, I actually did it! I got a new job in August and while it has its ups and downs…if I’m being honest, I have to admit that I’m happier at this job than I was at my previous one.
So I didn’t accomplish everything I wanted to, but that’s all right. New Year’s resolutions can be such a weird concept–they can either give you something to shoot for or just set you up for disappointment. But judging from this list, I feel like they’ve helped me to focus on the things that I really want…so I guess that’s a positive thing! Now I need to think of my resolutions for 2012…
Category: My So-Called Life | Tags: | 2 Comments
December 28, 2011 by sassenach
Like many of the books I read, I chose to read Divergent because there seemed to be a lot of hype surrounding it. Well, I’ve finally read it. While I wouldn’t call it one of my favorite books from this year, I will call it a very enjoyable book. But it’s not like it changed my life or anything.
Do note, however, that it’s very formulaic: dystopian YA, teenage girl, love interest, etc. But that’s what I like, so…yeah. It’s an interesting mix, though–kind of like The Hunger Games meets The Matrix meets Inception…if that makes sense.
It took me a few chapters to get into the flow, but once the story picked up, it became a real page-turner and I stayed up a bit too late to finish it. There’s one part toward the end that felt a little hokey and slowed the narrative for me, but other than that, I don’t have many complaints. In fact, I really appreciated the presence of strong female characters (and some that are pretty badass in general). Lastly, I was surprised that the author ‘went there’ toward the end–I don’t want to post any spoilers, so I’ll leave it at that! I plan on reading the sequel when it comes out.
Category: Reading, Reads of 2011 | Tags: | No Comments
December 27, 2011 by sassenach
I liked this book more than I probably should have, haha. And by that, I mean that it’s very similar to Twilight (so if you didn’t like that, absolutely don’t read Mara Dyer). This one doesn’t have vampires and werewolves, but it invoked the same kind of emotions/feelings in me that Twilight did, if that makes sense.
Also, the book surprised me somewhat–early on, I thought the story was going to wind up being super predictable and lame, but it kind of veered off into this unexpected territory and that was nice. Also, the plot became pretty suspenseful at times, to the point where I really didn’t want to put the book down because I had to see how it would end. So that was nice, too.
oh, and sorry to bring up Twilight again, but Mara Dyer has some pretty steamy scenes in comparison. There’s a lot of innuendo and raunchiness at times, which I was kind of surprised about because this book is recommended for 14+, but as an adult, I found it entertaining. I’ll be reading the sequel once it is released.
Category: Reading, Reads of 2011 | Tags: | No Comments
December 26, 2011 by sassenach
M and I stayed home for Christmas (since I’ve been sick all week and I didn’t want to get the rest of my family sick). We exchanged presents yesterday morning. I think this might be one of my favorite gifts from him! It’s a Poe bobble head and I love it. 
Right now he’s on our mantle, but I think eventually I’ll move him to my bookcase with the rest of my Poe memorabilia.
He also gave me this awesome little knitting shop, which lights up and everything! It’s also on the mantle for now. I love all the details–there’s even a couple of people you can see through the front window and they’re knitting, of course.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without yarn! This is Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in the colorway Breaking Dawn (naturally). I’ve been under a rock because I didn’t even know that LL had a Twilight colorway! I thought of using it for socks but I think it’s destined to become a shawlette. Maybe I can wear it to the BD Pt. 2 premiere!
M also gave me this sweet journal. I saw it when we were at Barnes & Noble a few weeks ago and thought it was awesome, so I dropped a huge hint right then, hehe. It’s a 5-year journal that asks you one question per day. You answer it on the same calendar day over 5 years and then you can see how your answers have changed (if at all) over time. Pretty neat! I want to journal more in 2012 (in addition to blog more!), so this will be a fun tool to help out with that.
Since we didn’t go to my parents’ house, we didn’t exchange gifts with my sisters…but eh, there was a kerfuffle regarding gifts anyway (at the last minute, I might add…grrr). So I was pretty Grinchy to begin with and I guess it was good timing that I was sick so that M and I could have a nice, peaceful Christmas together. My mom wanted us to come over today instead, but I woke up still feeling gross. We’re just going to go over next weekend for New Year’s Day. At least I finally got my voice back! Still got the cold, though. Boo.
I hope that Santa brought you some fun things, too!
Category: My So-Called Life | Tags: | 1 Comment
December 25, 2011 by sassenach
Well, it’s been a very low-key Christmas for me. I’m still sick, so M and I didn’t go over to my parents’ house like we normally would. We opened presents this morning and I got some fun things! I’ll post pics soon. I thought my voice was coming back but it still sounds like I’m losing it, boo. I told my parents we’d go over to their house tomorrow instead, so hopefully I’ll be feeling a little better by tomorrow afternoon.
Otherwise, it has been a very lazy, relaxing holiday weekend. If only I didn’t have to go back to work on Tuesday!
Category: My So-Called Life | Tags: | No Comments
December 24, 2011 by sassenach
My Christmas cactus is blooming, our tree is up, and most of our presents are wrapped! I did some last-minute shopping for M this evening (because I am a procrastinator) (and crazy), but once I wrap those, I’m all set. Unfortunately, I’m still sick–my cold is still hanging around and today I’m losing my voice, which is not very fun. I sound like a boy going through puberty. But I’m just thankful that I’m off work so that I can get lots of rest.
I put on some festive nail polish since I’m not doing much else to celebrate the holiday:
I looooove this color so much. It’s China Glaze Ruby Pumps and it went on like a dream. I used Seche Clear as a base coat, two coats of China Glaze (three coats on my thumbs), and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri as a top coat. Have I mentioned I looooove this color? Here it is with flash so you can see the awesome sparkle:
I might actually wear this for a whole week, which is rare because I usually get bored after three days and take my polish off, haha.
I hope you have a lovely holiday (whichever one you celebrate, if any at all!) filled with happiness and fun things.
Category: My So-Called Life, Nail Polish | Tags: | No Comments
December 23, 2011 by sassenach
Any books you’re hoping to get for the holidays this year? How about giving? Are you giving any good ones?
I never receive books as gifts–I think the people in my life know that I’m always reading, so they probably have no clue which books I’ve already read or already own! On that note, I don’t give books as gifts (with the exception of knitting pattern books; I’ve given those in the past). It’s just so tough to know what someone already owns and I wouldn’t want them to end up with extra copies.
Category: Q & A, Reading | Tags: | No Comments
