Resolutions

As 2012 is hours away, everyone scrambles to get a list of resolutions ready for the new year. This year I have two resolutions: be healthier and write more. I saw a post on facebook the other day ranting about all of us resolutioners to stay of our his way at the gym because we wouldn't be there in three weeks. Although a little harsh, it is probably very true. So, this year I'm not making any crazy claims or goals. No crash diets or insane exercise plans, I just want to finally figure out a work out plan that I can actually do and eat better than I do now. If I want to eat a cookie or chinese take out, I'm going to do it....just not every day/week. This is the year I'm going to find my balance! 

As for writing, this blog is my new inspiration, so let's hope it will keep me motivated. I'm also getting a copy of this photo for my office as a daily reminder. Thanks to my friend at Mad Hatter Photography for the awesome shot :)

Champagne Jello Shots

New Year's Eve is finally upon us and what better way to celebrate than making jello shots? Sure, jello shots are usually associated with college keg parties, and I certainly made my fair share during my time at Ohio University. However, I've yet to encounter an entire group of people who are disappointed when jello shots arrive. For an extra festive kick, try using champagne in your jello shots.


I use the large boxes of jello and boil 1/2 cup of vodka and 1 1/2 cups of water. I stir the vodka/water into the jello mix for at least 2 minutes. Then, I pour two cups of cold champagne into the mixture. You can pour them into any kind of mold or cups and decorate them according to theme.

Since mine are being transported this year, I had to go with the standard jello shot cups.

Harry Potter...13 Years Late.

Oh, Harry Potter. I've put off reading these books for an insane amount of time. Apparently, the first book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was published in 1998. Although I don't recall hearing about the books until maybe 2002. In college, I heard about some people really liking the books and it was always a big deal when a new movie was released. Some of my high school students like the books and I decided about three years ago I better watch the movies so I knew a little about them. I watched the first two movies and never really got into them. I didn't think I would like the books because I've never been that into fantasy or science fiction. Thanks to ladies in my book club, I was finally convinced to read the books.

I read the first one and it was okay. Having seen the movie several times, I felt like I was just reading the movie and images were already formed in my head (I hate reading books after I've seen the movie for this reason). However, I was interested enough to keep reading. I really liked the second, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, but it wasn't until Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban that I completely fell in love. I have never devoured books like I did with this series! I can't praise this series enough. I don't want to say too much in case people are reading this that, like me, have been living under a rock for the past decade and have avoided these.

Harry, Hermoine, Dumbledore, Dobby, Sirius, Snape, and Nelville Longbottom are among my favorite literary characters. During the sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, my husband came into the room to make sure I was okay, as I'd been crying for ten minutes straight. Later, he asked me why I got so emotional about fake characters. I told him I cared more about these characters than most real people. He got offended (thinking I meant my family and friends), but I explained that it is much more upsetting to read about a character going through something or dying than it is to hear about some girl I don't know dying on the news. He didn't get it, but I think any true reader would agree that fictional characters can have as much (and sometimes more) of an impact on our emotions and lives than most people we encounter in daily life (and no, honey, you are not included!).

Moral of the post: if you haven't read Harry Potter, do so immediately! Don't watch the movies: I can't even explain what you are missing.

Hello!

My New Year's resolution (besides the standard "get in shape") is to write more this year. I work full time and take two graduate classes every quarter; thus, finding spare time to read and write is always a challenge. I've gotten back into the swing of reading a lot, and so it is time to get back into the swing of writing a lot, as well. I want this blog to be interesting for people to read and hopefully give some fun tips, ideas, and suggestions for life in general. However, I'm really just doing this for me! 


So, we will see where this goes...