Goals for Spring Quarter!

Spring break is almost over for me.  Cue the water works.  Honestly, I'm so sad that this little vacation free of the stress from professors and homework and generally having to take care of myself so I don't waste away is nearly at an end.  After months of nothing but freezing temperatures, rain, snow, and stress crying, it's been lovely to be back in warm and (mostly) sunny California.  

I've spent most of my days this week swimming and soaking up sun by the pool.  And, of course, reading.  My only goal this break was to read ALL THE BOOKS to make up for the lack of choice reading I can do while school is in session.  I brought four books thinking it would be enough. 

I still have three days left and I've already finished those four books I brought with me!  So, of course, this led to an emergency Barnes & Noble visit where I bought two more books (whoops) to hopefully finish before the week is over.  

But that's besides the point!  All of this reading and meeting the goals I made for this break has given me an extra boost of motivation.  With Spring quarter only a few days away, I've decided to keep up this goals trend and make some goals I can work to accomplish once break is over and I'm back in school.  There's a lot of things I'd like to work toward and improve this quarter and I figured I could share those things with you!  

1. Apply for Editor Position!

This is a goal I'm really excited and nervous about.  My school had a creative literature magazine that is taking applications for a few editor positions in April!  As someone who wants to work with and edit books, I feel like this position would be absolutely perfect for me and give me some more experience.  I'm working on a resume for it and hope that I get a chance to work on the magazine!

2. Read at least Two Books a Week

This is going to be difficult but it's a goal I'm really determined to meet.  After this week full of amazing books and tons of awesome worlds and words and characters, I've realized how much I miss (choice) reading.  I still do it but not nearly as much as I used to (which is also why the posts on this blog haven't been as frequent).  So this is one I'm definitely going to have to work hard at but it'll be so rewarding. 

3. Write Daily

My writing isn't something I discuss very often on this blog but I'm really passionate about it and wish I worked on it more.  I currently have three novel ideas that have been bouncing around inside my head for ages, just begging to get out.  But with all the school work and regular life stressors, it's been difficult for me to find the time and energy to write.  Because it's such an important part of my life, I want to start working on it daily.  Even if that just means getting one sentence down, just as long as I do something!

4. Go to the Gym 4-5 Times a Week

This is one that I'm also really excited about, but also kinda dreading because, you know, working out.  For the past year or so, a friend and I have been going to the gym three times a week *most of the time*.  Now, that friend has graduated but I'm still really wanting to be healthier and more athletic.  I'm going to up the number of times I go to the gym and push myself to work harder at it.  This means no more just going on the bike for fifteen minutes and then stretching.  

5. Drink More Water

This one kind of goes along with the whole gym goal.  I don't drink enough water and I've found that my body doesn't have enough energy because of it.  I've been getting head aches and just overall been feeling worn out and sluggish because of it.  Water plays such a vital role in making sure our bodies are doing what they need to do.  So, in order to be healthier and feel better, I'm going to be adding a lot more water to my days.  

6. Go Outside More

So, most of the hobbies and activities I really like all happen inside.  Reading, writing, video games, movie watching, etc.  Because of this, I've been feeling a distinct lack of fresh air and sunlight in my life.  While it's not entirely my fault, since I attend school in Washington where it rains 99.9999999% of the time, I could definitely add some more outdoor time to my days.  Even if it's just a little walk around campus or to the store, I want to enjoy the natural beauty and clean air that Washington provides.  

I'm really excited about these goals.  I've already started working toward some of them (like drinking more water) but I think the real work will start once I'm back in school and have more distractions and work to keep up with. Is anyone else on (or about to be on) spring break?  What are some of your goals that you're working toward?  I'd love to hear from you so leave a comment below!

I'm Back!

YOU GUYS!  I am finally back from my hiatus!  Man, this past month has been crazy busy for me.  I participated in NaNoWriMo, volunteered at a book sale, started working as a social media ambassador for a Children's Literature Conference that's coming up, AND I finished all my finals for fall quarter of my junior year of college!  

While I'm sad I had to be away from the blog for so long, I'm happy I was able to focus entirely on the things that I absolutely had to focus on, like school and my work with the conference.  I tried focusing on NaNoWriMo as much as I could but, unfortunately, didn't make it to 50k.  Still, I'm proud of myself for participating, especially since it sparked a couple new ideas and has made me much more excited to start writing again.  

I have so many wonderful books I need to review and so many that I need to read, too!  When I volunteered at the book sale, I couldn't help myself and ending up getting ten new books.  TEN.  Yeah, I have a lot of reading to do.  

Here's a picture of all the books I got and am excited to start reading!  The original image can be found on my instagram page!  

I'm also so excited to be working with the Western Washington University Children's Literature conference happening in February!  I'm helping them on the social media side of things and it's been such a fun experience.  If you'd like more information about it, you can visit the website for the conference here!  There's going to be some amazing authors coming to speak!

Now that's I'm officially on my winter break, I'm looking forward to diving back into this blog and all the amazing books waiting for my on my shelf!  I'm so happy to be back and be able to start posting and talking with all of you guys again.  My next post will be up Monday! 

How was your November?  Did you participate in NaNo?  How'd you do?  ALSO!  What cook should I read next?  There's so many great sounding ones I got from the book sale, I honestly can't decide.  I'd love some suggestions!  

Blogging Goals

As I'm sure you guys can tell, I have not been blogging as much as I used to.  I've gone from posting five times a week to posting maybe once a week and this fact makes me so so sad.  I love reading and this blog and the whole book community so much and I hate seeing the way I've slowly been losing that in my life.  

The thing is, life is just getting in the way of reading and posting lately.  I'm in my second year of college, I'm going to be declaring my major soon, and I've been swamped with essays, exams, and class reading.  Along with trying to fit in time for my friends, I haven't had much time to do much else.

But then I realized how ridiculous that is.  Like, I'm going to school to get a degree in creative writing.  My ultimate goal is to find a stable career in the publishing industry so I can be surrounded by things I love, working with books and people with similar interests.  With this as my goal, how could I let this - reading, writing, the book community, and this blog - fall so far down in my list of priorities?

With that in mind, I've realized that I need to seriously start making this blog and reading and you guys a priority!  I mean, I love this all so much and not having it in my life has been terrible.  So, I know this might be a little early (or really, really late) but I'm going to make a list of reading and blogging goals that I can hold myself to!

1.  Fit in at least 30 minutes a day for fun reading.

I honestly can remember the last time I picked up a book because it was something I wanted to read rather than something that was assigned to me and that just won't do.  I need books in my life and I feel like this goal will really help me both mentally and emotionally.  I just do better when I have a good book I'm reading!

2.  Set aside a time each day to reply/comment on other blogs.

The book community is one of my favorite things ever.  Everyone is so nice and I've met tons of sweet and amazing people through this.  I've missed so many of you while I've been busy with college and I want to reacquaint myself with everyone and their blogs!

3.  Post on here at least 3 times a week.

Three times a week doesn't sound like a lot but it's going to time some serious time and dedication on my part to get that content out to you guys.  But I really want to.  I'm determined to get back into the swing of things and I want to continue to share all the excitement and feels that books still give me with others!

So, there we have it.  I'm going to make sure I complete these goals.  I miss this and I miss you guys and I'm not willing to let this slip between my fingers.  I got this :) 

Do you struggle with balancing your "real" life with your blogging life?  What tips do you have for me?  Any other goals you think I should add to this list?  I love hearing from you so leave a comment below and I'll be sure to return the favor!  

New Apartment, New School Year, New Bookshelf!

My goodness, guys, it has been a heck of a couple of weeks.  So much has been happening and it's kinda hard to wrap my head around all of it.  I think it's only right to start with the biggest, most important and most exciting thing: I MOVED INTO MY FIRST EVER APARTMENT! 

This is really exciting for me, not only because it's my first apartment but because it's my first ever real move!  I mean, I did move last year for my first year in college but since it was just into the dorms, I don't really count it.  This time, I had to actually buy furniture and put it together myself and rent a moving truck and was on the verge of exhausted/frustrated tears for at least two days because turns out moving is stressful.  It also means I had no internet for a while but, HUZZAH! It is set up now and I can return to all you lovely people.

  

It is also nearly time for my second year of college to begin!  It's all very exciting and nerve wracking but also a little sad because that means less time for reading, writing, and blogging.  I'm really, really going to try to make a schedule and stick to it this year (something that didn't happen before) but, as always, school work comes first for me so I'll be focusing on that.  But still, exciting!  

And, without further ado, since I was moving into a new place, I obviously had to get a new bookshelf!  It's not as big as my last one and I wasn't able to bring many books to fill it up but it will fill up within the next couple months, no doubt, with all the wonderful releases coming up.  If you'd like to check out a picture of my bookshelf, you can head on over to my instagram page here!

That's basically all the updating I have for you guys today!  I'm so excited to start my new journey here and I can't wait to be able to share it all with you!