Because I needed a little more flexibility in my blog than what Blogger can give me, I've moved my blog to www.orangestoapples.net
See you there!
Friday, May 30, 2014
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Books and Resolutions
I'd never consider myself an "avid reader". Growing up, my brother would read the dictionary or encyclopedias "for fun" and could easily read 3+ books by the time I finished one. I wasn't big on reading challenges (e.g. "How many books can you read over summer/winter/spring break) considering I could never compete against my brother, but I did enjoy reading. I enjoyed the Babysitters Club and anything by Judy Blume (especially the Fudge books), but my absolute favorite was Invitation to the Game. My brother introduced me to the book, and I read it several times in a row.
One day during my freshman year of high school, I was packing up my supplies at the end of class, and pulled The Game out of my backpack to make room. My English teacher spotted the book on the side of my desk and came over. She picked it up, flipped to the back cover, looked at me, and said "Isn't this for babies?"
I. Was. Mortified. This was my favorite book! At fourteen, I didn't really know what a "demographic" was, and the target demographic was probably middle-schoolers, but I just knew I loved the book. But even still, as a freshman, I was only one year out of the "appropriate" age group. Regardless, I was so embarrassed I never touched the book again. And to be honest, I never really enjoyed reading after that. I got through most of high school by reading Cliffs Notes, and stopped reading any kind of book outside of the required curriculum.
In my twenties I read Harry Potter at the behest of my best friend, who was certain it would be something I enjoyed. I remember thinking how odd it was - she was a full year older than me! And she was reading a kids book! But she was my best friend, and if she was reading it, I could too. I still felt slightly foolish reading the books, but I fell in love with Harry, Ron, and Hermione and I fell in love with reading again.
I was hooked! I felt so accomplished and set out to read more. I chose the classics like Jane Eyre and Little Women and The Hobbit and all of the books my friends and parents and boyfriends recommended to me. But. I was never happy. I felt like I struggled through books and most of them I never finished.
For nearly a decade, my New Year's resolution was "Read 12 books this year". Can you guess how many times I succeeded? None. I've never read an average of one book per month. I can only assume this is because I was only reading read books that I feel will impress other people. I either disliked the books or was bored and stuck in boring chapters and I would simply stop reading. Don't get me wrong - I did actually find a few books I enjoyed (Hunger Games, Song of Ice and Fire, among others)
A few months ago, I got a coupon from Amazon to get a Kindle for $60 off - which meant I got my Kindle for $9 and free shipping with my Amazon Prime membership. Considering my Prime membership has a Lender Library to rent books for free, as well as a free new release download per month, I figured I'd give this reading thing another shot. I also decided that instead of "Read 12 books in 2014" I would read 15 books. FIFTEEN. I've never read 12 in one year! What am I thinking?
But do you know what else I decided? No more reading books to impress other people. I want to read books that I actually know I'll enjoy. I don't care if they're meant for middle-schoolers or adults, if I want to read a book, I will read it. Or at least try. A good friend once told me that it shouldn't matter what you're reading, as long as you're reading. And that's going to be my motto this year. I just wish I figured all of this out at 14 instead of 32.
Considering we're 11 days in to January and I've already read 5 books - I'd say it was a good decision to read books for me. Who knows, maybe I'll even revisit my old friend Lisse in The Game again.
Now tell me, what are some fun books you've read that you think I'll like. No promises I'll actually read them though.
One day during my freshman year of high school, I was packing up my supplies at the end of class, and pulled The Game out of my backpack to make room. My English teacher spotted the book on the side of my desk and came over. She picked it up, flipped to the back cover, looked at me, and said "Isn't this for babies?"
I. Was. Mortified. This was my favorite book! At fourteen, I didn't really know what a "demographic" was, and the target demographic was probably middle-schoolers, but I just knew I loved the book. But even still, as a freshman, I was only one year out of the "appropriate" age group. Regardless, I was so embarrassed I never touched the book again. And to be honest, I never really enjoyed reading after that. I got through most of high school by reading Cliffs Notes, and stopped reading any kind of book outside of the required curriculum.
In my twenties I read Harry Potter at the behest of my best friend, who was certain it would be something I enjoyed. I remember thinking how odd it was - she was a full year older than me! And she was reading a kids book! But she was my best friend, and if she was reading it, I could too. I still felt slightly foolish reading the books, but I fell in love with Harry, Ron, and Hermione and I fell in love with reading again.
I was hooked! I felt so accomplished and set out to read more. I chose the classics like Jane Eyre and Little Women and The Hobbit and all of the books my friends and parents and boyfriends recommended to me. But. I was never happy. I felt like I struggled through books and most of them I never finished.
For nearly a decade, my New Year's resolution was "Read 12 books this year". Can you guess how many times I succeeded? None. I've never read an average of one book per month. I can only assume this is because I was only reading read books that I feel will impress other people. I either disliked the books or was bored and stuck in boring chapters and I would simply stop reading. Don't get me wrong - I did actually find a few books I enjoyed (Hunger Games, Song of Ice and Fire, among others)
A few months ago, I got a coupon from Amazon to get a Kindle for $60 off - which meant I got my Kindle for $9 and free shipping with my Amazon Prime membership. Considering my Prime membership has a Lender Library to rent books for free, as well as a free new release download per month, I figured I'd give this reading thing another shot. I also decided that instead of "Read 12 books in 2014" I would read 15 books. FIFTEEN. I've never read 12 in one year! What am I thinking?
But do you know what else I decided? No more reading books to impress other people. I want to read books that I actually know I'll enjoy. I don't care if they're meant for middle-schoolers or adults, if I want to read a book, I will read it. Or at least try. A good friend once told me that it shouldn't matter what you're reading, as long as you're reading. And that's going to be my motto this year. I just wish I figured all of this out at 14 instead of 32.
Considering we're 11 days in to January and I've already read 5 books - I'd say it was a good decision to read books for me. Who knows, maybe I'll even revisit my old friend Lisse in The Game again.
Now tell me, what are some fun books you've read that you think I'll like. No promises I'll actually read them though.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
304 to 30: September 30, 2010 [Red Vines]
Growing up, Red Vines were a staple in my family's social calendar. Movies? Red Vines. Sporting events? Red Vines. Got the munchies? Red Vines. I remember I used to bite the ends off and use it as a straw for my soda. My childhood would not be the same without Red Vines.
Last week at Spamalot, I was a little hungry - we had just eaten a few hours ago but I still had a snack attack. I was craving red licorice, so I went to the snack stand and asked for some. I didn't look as I grabbed the package, threw it in my bag and went to our seats. As the show was about to begin, I told R I bought us a package of red licorice for the show. I pulled the package out of my bag and said "Oh, I thought I bought Red Vines."
Now, in California, I think it is rare to go somewhere, ask for red licorice and get Twizzlers. I could be wrong but I feel like whenever I wanted red licorice at the movies or a game or whatever - my only choice was Red Vines.
R looked at me and said "What are Red Vines?"
My heart nearly stopped.
"Excuse me?" I started rewinding through my mind all the movies, ball games, concerts, and carnivals we'd gone to since I moved out here. I can't remember seeing Red Vines and I don't think I've had them since I moved. I started panicking. "Please don't tell me they're only a West Coast thing." So I asked his mother.
"Have you heard of Red Vines?"
"Is that a restaurant?"
The panic increased and sent a text to my mom. "R has never heard of Red Vines? Are they a CA thing?"
She responded they are made in California and may not be on the East Coast.
NO! This can not happen to me!
I quickly posted to my Twitter and Facebook and asked my West and East Coast friends the fate of my beloved Red Vines. As the responses came flooding in, it appeared no one on the East Coast had ever heard of Red Vines, and my West Coast friends could not fathom the thought of growing up without them. I decided to make it my mission to find Red Vines here.
On Sunday (before the photo shoot) I set out to find Red Vines. I went to 4 (FOUR!) different stores and could only find Twizzlers.
Twizzlers, my friends, are NOT Red Vines. They are plasticky and rubbery and chewy and they are NOT the same.
Saddened, I informed my mother of the fate of one of my favorite candies. She vowed to send me a package or two.
When I got home that evening, my East Coast friend Courtney informed me I could find Red Vines at Target (yet to be confirmed.*) This brought me great joy, however, Targets out here are not as plentiful as they are in Irvine (ahem...three Targets within 5 miles of my Irvine apartment) so my Target journey will have to wait until I need something more than Red Vines or can afford to walk in for Red Vines and walk out with Red Vines + $50 in stuff I don't need but looked cool (I KNOW I'm not the only one this happens to at Target).
Flash forward to today (ok, last night but I didn't open the package until today). I received 3 packages of my beloved Red Vines. I informed R that Red Vines are the best when you open the package the day you get it - they're fresh and soft and like velvet. But these Red Vines, while still delicious, had been traveling for several days across the continent and were slightly less fresh (though still soft). He took one bite, looked at me and said "I think I can imagine them softer. But I still prefer Twizzlers."
HOW DARE HE SAY SUCH BLASPHEMY! I may need to reconsider this relationship.
[*UPDATE 10/16/2010: I have confirmed you can, in fact, buy Red Vines at Target]
Last week at Spamalot, I was a little hungry - we had just eaten a few hours ago but I still had a snack attack. I was craving red licorice, so I went to the snack stand and asked for some. I didn't look as I grabbed the package, threw it in my bag and went to our seats. As the show was about to begin, I told R I bought us a package of red licorice for the show. I pulled the package out of my bag and said "Oh, I thought I bought Red Vines."
Now, in California, I think it is rare to go somewhere, ask for red licorice and get Twizzlers. I could be wrong but I feel like whenever I wanted red licorice at the movies or a game or whatever - my only choice was Red Vines.
R looked at me and said "What are Red Vines?"
My heart nearly stopped.
"Excuse me?" I started rewinding through my mind all the movies, ball games, concerts, and carnivals we'd gone to since I moved out here. I can't remember seeing Red Vines and I don't think I've had them since I moved. I started panicking. "Please don't tell me they're only a West Coast thing." So I asked his mother.
"Have you heard of Red Vines?"
"Is that a restaurant?"
The panic increased and sent a text to my mom. "R has never heard of Red Vines? Are they a CA thing?"
She responded they are made in California and may not be on the East Coast.
NO! This can not happen to me!
I quickly posted to my Twitter and Facebook and asked my West and East Coast friends the fate of my beloved Red Vines. As the responses came flooding in, it appeared no one on the East Coast had ever heard of Red Vines, and my West Coast friends could not fathom the thought of growing up without them. I decided to make it my mission to find Red Vines here.
On Sunday (before the photo shoot) I set out to find Red Vines. I went to 4 (FOUR!) different stores and could only find Twizzlers.
Twizzlers, my friends, are NOT Red Vines. They are plasticky and rubbery and chewy and they are NOT the same.
Saddened, I informed my mother of the fate of one of my favorite candies. She vowed to send me a package or two.
When I got home that evening, my East Coast friend Courtney informed me I could find Red Vines at Target (yet to be confirmed.*) This brought me great joy, however, Targets out here are not as plentiful as they are in Irvine (ahem...three Targets within 5 miles of my Irvine apartment) so my Target journey will have to wait until I need something more than Red Vines or can afford to walk in for Red Vines and walk out with Red Vines + $50 in stuff I don't need but looked cool (I KNOW I'm not the only one this happens to at Target).
Flash forward to today (ok, last night but I didn't open the package until today). I received 3 packages of my beloved Red Vines. I informed R that Red Vines are the best when you open the package the day you get it - they're fresh and soft and like velvet. But these Red Vines, while still delicious, had been traveling for several days across the continent and were slightly less fresh (though still soft). He took one bite, looked at me and said "I think I can imagine them softer. But I still prefer Twizzlers."
HOW DARE HE SAY SUCH BLASPHEMY! I may need to reconsider this relationship.
[*UPDATE 10/16/2010: I have confirmed you can, in fact, buy Red Vines at Target]
Photo #62: Red Vines
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