Everyday Italian

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Book: Everyday Italian by Giada De Laurentiis

Pages and Format: 255/Hardcover

My Thoughts: Since I checked this out from the library, I only had time to make a few of the recipes, all of which were really good!  Plus, there’s a few more I wanted to try, but I didn’t get the chance.  It’s definitely something I want to buy when I get the chance.  Or maybe I can just check it out from the librayr another time.  The recipes I did make were interesting: lots of fresh herbs and veggies!  I managed to not hurt myself while chopping the vegetables up, which is a miracle.  And washing/rinsing and then chopping them the second I got home from the grocery store is a really good idea!  It made everything go a lot faster knowing that everything was ready to go. 

Plus, I love the simplicity of the recipes: I did have some trouble finding some of the fresh herbs at the grocery store, but thankfully it was really easy to substitute them with the ones I could find. 

Rating: Based on the few things I managed to make, it gets a 4 out of 5.  I love the easy-to-follow recipes, and the layout of the book.

Back To Camp

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So, now it’s time to talk about Camp!  Wednesday, I wrote an extra 870 words, which meant I didn’t have to write nearly as much on Thursday.  I managed to finish up with Camp stuff early Thursday morning, since I couldn’t sleep.  And it worked out really well because I decided to work on a bunch of my Harry Potter fanfictions as I made my way through my Harry Potter marathon.

The whole working on one of my other projects every day didn’t work out too well, because I ended up writing most of them over the course of a couple days.  I think I’ll stick with that since it seems to be working.

As for Friday, I didn’t get any writing done.  I took a nap, and in general, took a break from writing.  Plus, my right hand was all twitchy for a while, and then it started to hurt, so I figured I’d rest it for the day.  I have my work cut out for me today, as I try to catch up on my writing and as I try to work on my other writing projects.

I’d better get to sleep, so have a great day everyone!

Mixed Emotions, Part 2

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I just got back from seeing Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Part 2.  Don’t worry, I won’t spoil anything for you!

It was amazing, and I loved it!  I’m also really glad I went at midnight, because that was pretty cool too.  When I got to the theater, the line was already wrapped around half the building!  It moved pretty quickly, but for about an hour or so, I was stuck in the same spot.  But then it started moving again, and I got into the theater about 10 minutes or so before midnight.  I had just enough time to go to the bathroom, and get some snacks, and settled into my seat. 

I went as Hermione, because that was the only costume I could pull off easily, especially as a DIY, last minute costume.  I had a red cloak (it wasn’t black, but it worked), a black witches hat (which has sparkly cobwebs all over it), a black skirt, and a pink top.  Plus black flats.  It’s not a school uniform or anything, but it was something I could see Hermione wearing, so I went with it.  Plus, I carried a bookbag and wore a time turner I had. 

Me, In My Costume!

 So, looking at that picture, it’s slightly more Luna than Hermione.  But whatever, I dressed up and it was awesome!  When I got to the theater, I didn’t see anyone dressed up in costume!  I thought a lot more people would have been dressed up, but then I realized that my costumed bretheren probably got there a lot earlier than I did.  Later on, I did see a few kids dressed up in costume, plus a few scarves, so I felt better about dressing up.  Not that I cared in the first place, because I was in costume, and I enjoyed it!

I did love the movie, and it was so fitting.  There were a lot of great moments during the movie: I laughed, I cried, I cheered, and there were some very moving scenes.  It was really well done, and a great send-off for such an amazing series.  I can’t say how much I love the series, and it was very bittersweet.  It still hasn’t sunk in yet, not completely anyway.  I know there are always the books, and the movies too.  And we can’t forget about Pottermore! 

I am so glad that I got to travel to Hogwarts with Harry, and have so many adventures with him, Ron and Hermione. 

But most importantly…

To J.K. Rowling: I know you will never read this, but thank so much for writing about Harry and sharing his story with the world.

Mixed Emotions, Part One

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Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Part 2 comes out at midnight, and there are so many things going through my mind.

Of course, I’m really excited, because it’s Harry Potter, and I love Harry Potter.  I’m really curious to see how it’ll turn out, but based on the trailers, and a couple things I’ve seen online, it looks like it’ll be epic!  I’ve been waiting for months to see it, and now it’s finally here.

But I’m also really sad too.  It’s the last Harry Potter movie EVER, so once it’s out, there will be no more movies to come to theater.  I was sad when the book came out, but there’s a real sense of finality with the last movie.  I became a fan after seeing the 1st movie, so for me, I’ll always associate becoming a fan because of the movies.  I’m definitely going to bring some kleenex, because I have the feeling I’ll be crying like a baby.

I’m definitely going in costume, and I’ll do my best to recap my thoughts without giving anything away.  It’ll be interesting and something I’m sure I’ll remember this for a long time to come.  I’m working my way through the movies, and decided to take my time with the books and enjoy them.

Have an awesome day!

Is It Over Yet?

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Yesterday, I was surprised that I managed to hit my 1667 goal.  We’re definitely in week 2, and I didn’t even need to look at the calendar or anything, because I have no idea what to do next.  I’ll go into my old standby of winging it…which I have been doing anyway, so I’m not sure what good that’ll do. 

Yesterday was such a weird day.  I felt really tired, because I’m not sleeping very well, and yesterday was a “curl up in bed and watch tv day.”  I was hoping writing would distract me, but sadly, it really didn’t. 

I’m at 20,155, so I’ll be at the halfway point this week!  Hopefully everything will be easy sailing after that.  I have to say, it’s turning out to be a lot different than I was expecting.  It’s focusing more on the micro-chip and what’s on it, and why it was in Levin’s arm, as opposed to who the mole is.  I still need to think about my ideas on what’s going to happen, but that can come later.  When, I don’t actually know, but I might get to it at some point. 

According to the Camp NaNo stats, I’m on pace to finish July 29!  It’s weird, because usually I tend to finish the last day, but it would be nice to be done several days early for once. 

Hopefully I get something done today, and things will pick up again.

Not Much Was Done Yesterday

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Yesterday turned out to be…not very productive.  I did get some writing in, but not a lot.  It’s okay, though, because this is fun, and there are going to be ups and downs.

Still, I am having fun with it, and things are starting to fall into place.  I’m not as stressed out about it as I was last week, but that was a fun kind of stress, the kind that goes along with starting something new, and if it’ll work out okay. 

My current wordcount is 19,185 words, which means I just need to write 819 today.  Who knows, maybe I’ll get on a roll, and write a lot more than I need to?  I definitely try to write as much as I can, but at the same time, sometimes I just need to stop at an earlier point.  I’ve been reassessing at different points- once at 667, then at 834, and again at 1000.  If I decide to keep writing, good, but if I don’t, then at least I wrote something. 

For me, it’s not just about reaching a number: it’s about the actual writing, and telling the stories that I have in my head.  There are so many stories to be told, not just by me, but by others as well.  And if I can get that idea onto paper, then I accomplished what I set out to do.

Fact, Fiction and Folklore In Harry Potter’s World

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Book: Fact, Fiction and Folklore in Harry Potter’s World by George Beahm

Pages and Length: 256/Paperback

What I Thought: The book goes into detail about the different people and myths found throughout the Harry Potter series.  It’s basically the story behind the story, and I found it to be really interesting. 

It’s divided into 4 different sections- the fabulous beasts, famous wizards, magical objects and magical places.  I thought it was organized really well, and how connected a lot of the places and things and people were to different myths, legends, and history.  Each entry ranged from a few sentences to a page or two, and I was amazed at the different events and people and myths that she worked into the series. 

I knew that she drew on different myths and stuff, but to see how much she really drew from that was completely amazing, and made me love the series even more.  The thought she put into it was something I didn’t fully realize until this book.  And I would recommend to everyone, not just Harry Potter fans, because of that.

I also liked the different quotes from J.K. Rowling scattered throughout the book, and it shed some light on the series as well.  One of the quotes was about how she saw a big fluffy ginger cat in London in the late ’80’s that looked like it ran face-first into a wall.  This cat would later become Hermione’s cat, Crookshanks. 

Rating: 4 out of 5.  I felt like some entry’s were way to short, and others went a little longer than they should have, but overall, it was a great book.

I’m Staying On Track!

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Before I get into my update on Camp, I hope everyone enjoyed the 2 posts yesterday!  I wasn’t expecting to do it, but I figured why not?

So onto Camp.  I’m still ahead of schedule, which is good, because I definitely want to have some extra words stashed away, just in case.  I really like how everything is relaxed this month, and I’m not stressing myself out. 

I’m definitely trying to stay ahead of schedule, because I’d like to be able to take a day off and not have to worry about catching up.  Plus, if there comes a day where I don’t want to write (or can’t), then I can take some time off.  Or if I’m stuck, or any number of scenarios…I usually don’t have any problem catching up, so if I do get behind, it’s not that big of a deal, but if I can not write one day and not have to worry about catching up, then I’ll totally take that opportunity. 

I think trying to stay ahead is something I want to do during November.  Whether I actually do so remains to be seen, but I will keep it as one of my top options.

I think that’s it for now, so have a great day!

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

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Book: Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Pages And Format: 309, Paperback

My Thoughts: This was the book that started my obsession love with Harry Potter.  In The Sorcerer’s Stone (aka Philospher’s Stone everywhere else in the world), Harry Potter turns eleven, and learns he’s a wizard.  He goes to Diagon Alley, and travels to Hogwarts on the Hogwarts Express. 

For a debut book, it’s really good!  Plus, we get introduced to a lot of the major characters, life at Hogwarts and Quidditch.  My love of the Weasley twins definitely started when they joked about sending a toilet seat back home, and I love that they’re so funny! 

Every time I read Sorcerer’s Stone, I’m reminded of how magical the books are, and what made me fall in love with them.  At random intervals, I imagine one of the actors saying one of the lines.  And what’s weird is that I don’t really imagine the people and places from the movies when I read the books.  Maybe it’s because I became a fan after the 1st movie came out, and so I had plenty of time to read the first 4 books before the 2nd one came out. 

Rating: 4 out of 5.  Not the best thing ever, but for a debut book, and for the book that changed my life, it’s really good.  Harry Potter will always be a part of my life.

Day 10!

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So we’re now on Day 10 of Camp, and it’s going really well!  Despite some…adjustment issues I’ve had, it’s still been really fun, and I’m so glad I’m doing Camp NaNo.

So, yesterday.  I managed to finish all of my projects, and honestly, I think it’s totally doable to work on my other stuff during NaNo.  Of course, I will be working on two, so the last 10 days haven’t been completely accurate in terms of writing, but I think it’s doable.  Of course, it also depends on how close I am to being done on my different things, but my NCIS fanfic and the Giant Prehistoric Chicken should be done by then.  And Turning Point might be done as well.  I’ll definitely have a better idea by November, so it looks like most of my decision-making will be in October.

I did end up writing for Camp- I wasn’t sure how much I was going to write, but I did know I would write.  At first, I was going to write 667, but I kept writing and the next thing I knew, I was at 17,157!  I’m pretty happy with the amount I wrote, considering I didn’t have to write at all, much less 2071 words.  I was going to try writing more, but at 17,157, I felt bored so I figured that was a good place to stop.   

I’m also hoping that I can work on my plot bunnies this week, because I’ve been neglecting them, and I don’t want to put them off until October.  The sooner I have them done, the better- I know I’ll be glad once I’m done planning everything, because it’ll be one less thing to focus on.  I’m not sure what I’ll work on, but I definitely need to work on something.  That, combined with my plan of doing Camp NaNo in the mornings, and then other stuff in the afternoon, and I should be busy over the next week!