Day 8 of 30 days of me

day 8- Short term goals for this month and why

Well, since this month is over after today (as well as the year), I will go ahead and start with goals for next month.

Goals for January 2011:

1. Start writing stories about adventures in Europe (finish at least two)
2. Finish reading at least 2 more novels before school starts up again
3. Keep my room clean :)
4. Stop eating so much junk food. Just because I'm on break does not mean I can eat crap.
5. Finish my scrapbook that has all my pictures from England

Happy New Year's Eve to everyone! What a year it has been, and what a great 2011 it will be!

Day 7 of 30 days of me

day 7- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Again, this was another tough one because there are so many people who have influenced my life. But, eventually I decided my volleyball team at Central has really had a large impact on my life. Without these girls (and the ones who graduated before them), I would have been lost at school. We all may not be the best of friends, but I know that I could go to anyone of them if there was something wrong or I just needed to talk. They really are the most amazing group of women I have ever met because they value more than just volleyball. They value the team and each individual within the team.
 

They have taught me the value of a teammate, athlete, student, leader, and friend. I love each and everyone of them. So, thank you Central Volleyball ladies! You are all awesome! And this all goes to the ladies not in this photo as well.

 

I know I have used this picture in a previous post, but it is the most recent team picture! The girls at the Atlantic Ocean in Maryland.

Day 6 of 30 days of me

day 6- Favorite superhero and why

Hmm...this is a toughie. I think I have to go with Superman. I'm not a comic book fan, so my knowledge of superheroes is limited to what I have seen in television shows and movies.

Superman is the ultimate good guy. He's not even technically human, but he still saves the people of earth just because he's that nice of a guy. Super strength, speed, basically invincible, and he can see through stuff. What's not to like?

The Man of Steel is the quintessential superhero. He represents everything that is good and right in the world, and I think everyone deserves to believe in something like Superman.

Day 5 of 30 days of me

day 5- A picture of somewhere you've been

Since I have traveled to a few places around Europe, this wasn't a very easy one to pick. This is a picture I took during my spring break. Here it is:

Trevi Fountain (Rome, Italy)

Day 4 of 30 days of me

day 4- A habit you wish you didn’t have

This one took some thinking because I have lots of habits that I wish I didn't have. But there is one in particular that gets me into trouble.
 
Procrastination.
 
I am the queen of it, and I hate it. I work pretty well under pressure, so I always get things done on time, I just have a habit of waiting until the last second which puts a lot of stress on me. Don't get me wrong, I don't procrastinate when it comes to really crucial stuff. For example, I have never done really procrastinated at a job. This really only happens on my own time. Homework, cleaning, laundry, etc.
 
Oh, procrastination. How you vex me!

Day 3 of 30 days of me

day 3- A picture of you and your friends

Okay, so I know it says a picture, but I have lots of friends! :)

Attempting to murder Catelin with Michelle and Rachel in Trafalgar Square (London, England)

 

Thinkin' like Lincoln with my roomie, Liz (Washington D.C.)

The Central Volleyball team at the Atlantic Ocean (Maryland)

Day 2 of 30 days of me

First, Merry Christmas!!

day 2- The meaning behind your blog name

Okay, this is an easy one. When the movie, Eat Pray Love came out, I went to see it with a few friends. I had just gotten back from London a few months prior, and I was terribly missing London (well, I still am), and the movie was all about travel. I was also in the process of coming up with a new blog name when I converted it over to an everyday blog rather than a travel blog. There was a line in the movie that really caught my attention...the definition of Physics of the Quest. It is also in one of the gadgets on the right side of my blog, but here it is:

"If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or internally), and if you are willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared--most of all--to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself...then truth will not be withheld from you."

I really liked the idea of that quote...so, viola! New name for my blog.

Book Review: Tandem

The novel, Tandem, by Tracey Bateman was nothing like I expected. When I read the synopsis, I was intrigued by the idea of a mystery novel. And, like most murder mysteries, I was hooked from the very first chapter.

Abbey Hills is just a small town in the Ozark country when strange murders begin to take over their peaceful town. Lauryn McBride is trying to get by with money from her family's auctioning company to take care of her father who is declining rapidly due to Alzheimer's. After a wealthy man of the community passes away, Lauryn tries to unravel the secrets of his home as she prepares his rare and valuable antiques for auction.

Amede Dastillion is a woman desperately trying to find her sister when she receives an unexpected package from the deceased man's estate in Abbey Hills. With this as a key to her missing sister, she sets out on a journey that will risk her life. More murders happen as she stays at the only inn in Abbey Hills, and she becomes a prime suspect for the murders.

Amede and Lauryn become wrapped up in the mysterious nature of the murders as Lauryn learns the secrets of some of the dark residents. Both women struggle with the concept of God and sin. Where do you draw the line, and does He even exist? Abbey Hills is no longer safe, but what is Lauryn to do when she has a father to look after?

From the very beginning, Bateman draws in the reader by using a mysterious point of view. The entire novel takes place from the point of view of Lauryn, Amede, and a mysterious woman being tortured by a madman. I have to say, that I did not figure out this who-donnit until the very end. I had my suspicions, some of which turned out to be correct and others that were completely off.

I couldn't put this book down once I started. I was a little disappointed in the ending because it seems like everything just was nicely arranged. Let's just say, I thought it was just too hunky-dory and an unrealistic ending to such a secret being revealed. But, overall, I was pleased with how Bateman portrayed the characters as well as their believability.

I would recommend this book to anyone with a love for mysteries. I was surprised, but I shouldn't have been. I think Bateman gives enough clues to be able to figure it out, if only you pay attention carefully. Good luck figuring it all out and happy reading!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review and received no monetary compensation. I just do this for my own enjoyment. If you feel you might be interested, visit their website, Blogging for Books. 

Day 1 of 30 days of me

Day 1 - Recent picture of yourself and 15 interesting facts...

15 Facts about me (some not quite as interesting as others):

1. I have been to over half of the States, and I have lived in two of them. I have been to five countries outside of the States (six of you want to count Scotland and England as separate, but technically they aren't). I am going to Guatemala over spring break as well.
2. I'm an English major, but there are times where I still suck at spelling and grammar.
3. I studied in London for four months during my sophomore year. I had an amazing time, and I want to go back to see some more fantastic places!
4. I have a huge obsession with books. I do not rent them or borrow them from the library. I have to buy them. One of my goals in life is to have a great big library in my house.
5. I'm sarcastic. And I love when people understand my sense of humor. But, it is fun every once in a great while to run into someone that doesn't understand and to poke fun at them.
6. I'm afraid of failing.
7. I love to sing and dance, but only in my bedroom or in front of people I know. I really do suck at both. I have absolutely no rhythm, and I can't sing to save my life, but I still love to do it.
8. I hate the cold. And I hate when it's warm. If I could find a place that was 75 degrees year round, no wind, or major disaster, that would be my perfect place to live. I really just can't win.
9. When I get bored, I color. Yeah, I still do that...I'm not 21 or anything. Or I read. Or watch a movie.
10. I would rather have a night in watching a movie with my bestie than go out and party. Maybe we have a glass of wine while watching the movie. Or two.
11. I play volleyball, and I love it. I feel most at home on a volleyball court. I would give anything to be able to keep playing after college.
12. I have a great family. My mom and dad are awesome, and my brothers are pretty cool in their own right. I don't know what I would do without them.
13. I almost spend more money on books than clothes...no joke.
14. I love to write. I don't really have a lot of my own stuff, but if I had more time, I would try and write something productive. But, I really prefer to edit stuff that isn't my own because then I don't have to come up with something original. ;)
15. My meaning in life: do what you love and love what you do. I don't think there is anything that you ever do that should contradict that statement. Okay...maybe school, homework, chores, jury duty, laundry, or paying bills really fall under that category, but you have to do those. So, my motto for that kind of stuff: suck it up and do it.

30 Days of Me Challenge

When I was messing around on my computer, I came across this challenge for bloggers. It is 30 days of me, and each day has something new that I have to post. I decided I wanted to take the challenge, so starting tomorrow I will be posting everyday. Here are the challenges by the day...

day 1- Recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
day 2- The meaning behind your blog name
day 3- A picture of you and your friends
day 4- A habit you wish you didn’t have
day 5- A picture of somewhere you've been
day 6- Favorite superhero and why
day 7- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
day 8- Short term goals for this month and why
day 9- Something you're proud of in the past few days
day 10- Songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad
day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
day 12- How you found out about blogger and why you have one
day 13- A book you are reading now and why you like it
day 14- A picture of you and your family
day 15- Put you iPod on shuffle...first 10 songs that play
day 16- Another picture of yourself
day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
day 19- Nicknames you have and why you have them
day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future
day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
day 23- Something you crave for a lot
day 24- Give a bucket list
day 25- What I would find in your bag
day 26- What do you think about your friends
day 27- A page of favorites
day 28- A picture of you from last year and now...how have you changed since then
day 29- In this past month what have you learned
day 30- Why did you decide to do this challenge

Life is just full of twists and turns

The past few weeks have been hectic to say the least. It has been difficult to find the time to do anything that I actually wanted to do, and today is the day I officially can. I am done with my first semester of my junior year, but it hasn't come as quickly or without stress and heartache.

Almost two weeks ago, my grandfather passed away. I found out just two days before that he was in the hospital and was going to have surgery for intestinal blockage. The surgery did not go as well as planned. The surgeons had no idea how blocked his intestines were until they were actually operating. He went into the ICU immediately after surgery and just never woke up after he developed an infection. I had been receiving updates from my mother, and I knew when that phone call came, that I would never get to talk to my grandfather again. It was the first loss I have ever had in my family with someone that I was close to.

If I hadn't had my family and friends around me, I don't know how I would have taken it. But because I have such an amazing support group in my volleyball team, I was able to make it through the funeral knowing that my grandfather is in a great place. I know my family took the loss hard, and of course, we will continue to feel his presence in our lives. There is nothing I can do now but pray that my family makes it through this holiday season with my grandpa in our hearts...I loved him very much, and I will miss him more than he will ever know. But, I do know this: as tough as it is to admit, life goes on. He wouldn't want us to mourn him forever, but to live our lives and to remember him through fond memories.

Through my tears, I smile because somewhere up there, he is having the time of his life playing a round of golf, riding his Harley, and enjoying some fishing. Thanks, grandpa, for being a fantastic man and a hell of a guy. Thank you for loving me and your family. We miss you very much.

Alternative Spring Break - Guatemala

Hey all!

So, I'm not entirely sure as to who will be reading this post, but I figured I would give it a go anyway. I am going on another Alternative Spring Break trip next semester. I went on the very first one Central hosted two years ago to Moab, Utah and had a fantastic time. So, I decided to apply to go to Guatemala, and I was accepted into the program.

Alternative Spring Break has been a program at Central for three years now, and is growing each year. This year, a trip was added to San Jorge La Laguna, Guatemala and will be held March14-21, 2011. I will be volunteering with eleven other Central College students in a school. This school has begun an environmental/sustainability program and is working to teach the children the importance of things such as recycling, reusing, and reducing as well as global environmental issues. The school receives no funding from the government, so they are doing what they can with what little they have. We will help support this program by helping to build an ecological classroom out of recycled materials as well as other activities to support the school.

We are looking for donations to help us make this trip a success. If you or anyone you know would be willing to make a donation, have them get in contact with me via this blog in the comments or my email: griegerc1@central[dot]edu (just remove the word 'dot' and put an actual one there. I don't want to be spammed by some computer!).

Also, if a Central student happens to be reading this, we are selling the "Go Dutch" t-shirts still! They are just $10 and all the profits go to help us in Guatemala!

Thanks!

Chelsea :)