The Power of Books

I know your lives don't revolve around when I do or do not post, so I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I took a brief (week-long) blogging break. I spent a lot of the time finishing up and shipping out orders in my shop (update on how the Heart Walk went soon!), editing seven college application essays for friends and family, as well as learning to put less pressure on myself overall. I have a tendency to set myself tons of goals that are doable, but not reasonably within the time frame I give myself. Then I burn out for a little while. So while I know I will never stop setting myself goals, I am learning the importance of and working on that whole "pacing yourself" thing. =)

I mentioned in my birthday post that I wanted to read the Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. My brother, Corbin, recommended it to me. In his birthday post, I also talked about how we used to read all of the time (he still does) and sometimes fight over who got to read a book first. I think the last time I read a book was in February of this year, and before that I'm not even sure. I always say "I don't have time for that," and it's certainly true... but let's be honest. It's not about having time for something, it's about making time for something. So I vowed to myself that I would shuffle around my priorities and make time to start reading again.

This past week has been a little crazy and stressful due to things I've mentioned above and other life events I'd prefer not to dive into at the moment. But no matter what is going on, as soon as I open that book and start reading, everything else disappears. Especially in a fantasy series such as the Mistborn Trilogy. For that brief time, I don't even exist - just the characters and the incredible world someone else has created. I've been feeling very strongly that I need a brief break from this life - a month-long vacation, to live somewhere else for a while... something. But in the end, I am still practical and realistic at heart, so I will stay here, physically. Books are a way to let your mind travel, at least. They have always been a favorite mental escape of mine and I can't believe I ever let myself forget that.

Last Friday, I had all these goals on my never-ending to-do list. When they involve someone else depending on me, I make those a priority. But most of them were just personal goals that really could wait a day, or a few. So instead, I started reading Mistborn. I set it aside for a few days to finish shop orders, editing the essays, and other tasks, but yesterday I picked it up and finished the first book. Mind blown. If you like fantasy series, you should absolutely read this trilogy. I haven't read the second or third books yet, but if they're anything like the first... they will be incredible. It's the kind of book that doesn't end with the last sentence, because it lingers in your mind. You think about it when you're laying in bed that evening and even the next day. The characters feel incredibly real, like you know them. It's more vivid than a movie, because a movie can't play directly in your mind. Someone else describes them, but in the end, you imagine everything with your own spin.

I'm learning that sometimes it's okay to give yourself a break. Sometimes it's okay to spend four hours reading a novel instead of writing a blog post, or go to bed at 11pm (instead of 4am) and finish editing those pictures the next day. So I have new goals for myself. I still want to do everything I'm doing now, but I'm going to learn some moderation. I'm going to be calmer. I'm going to make sure I'm healthy and less stressed. I already eat pretty well, but I'm going to start exercising. I'm going to read more. I'm going to put more effort/time/money/whatever-it-takes into charitable work. I'm going to make time to see my local friends or talk to my long-distance friends and family on the phone. I'm going to let myself be happy instead of just always being stressed. This means sometimes I'll only post once or twice in a week... while other times I'll post five or six times. And I'll be okay with it.

I do have lots of projects and other things I've been meaning to post for a while now, and I do plan to share them. So bear with me as I figure out how to be this person I want to be and lead the life I want. I also want to remind you that if you're like me - someone who used to read constantly but just doesn't have the time for it anymore - just do it. Set aside a few hours and start that book. If you're like me, you like to read books cover to cover in one sitting. Sometimes that isn't possible with the busyness of life these days, but even reading books in chunks is better than nothing at all.

Someday, I will write a book, or a few. I don't know what genre yet, and I don't have a plot. But it will happen. Books are one of the most powerful contributions anyone can make, and I think I deserve to at least let myself give it a try. In the meantime, I'll read the incredible contributions others have made to the world of reading. No excuses. Oh, and I'll let you know how the other two books turn out to be. =)

Turning 25. Things to do before 26.

Today I turn 25. You may have known my birthday was coming up if you read my wish list post from a few weeks ago.

When my brother, Corbin, and I were young, my parents implemented a savings incentive plan. They offered to match a certain percentage of any money we contributed to our savings accounts, with the caveat that we could not withdraw any funds until we turned 18. Eighteen. That sounded like such a monumental number to us... something that was forever away. Of course, it was the first major milestone. 18 - legal adult. Then 21 - real adult. Even 23, deemed by my friend Olivia, to be the ideal age. That passed too.

So who wants to make me this cake? Anyone?

Of course, I realize that 25 is really just like 24. But then, 24 is a lot like 23, which is a lot like 22... I have not had any big epiphanies about my new age. It is what it is. But it is fun to celebrate birthdays - especially when two of your best friends drive up three hours to visit you! (Thamires and Carolyn - you rock!)

I will also happily accept cake batter cinnamon buns. Or really anything with cake batter in it.

Adding one year to my age may not make a huge difference to me, but I can use it to set myself some more goals and deadlines (I work best with deadlines). This year, I am making a list of things I want to do before I turn 26. This is different from my New Years Resolutions, which I am happy to say I have kept up with thus far. For my resolutions, I picked things I felt I should and needed to do to work toward my goals and become a better person. For my birthday list, I am choosing things I want to do. It's the fun list! So without further ado, here they are.

1.) Get a tattoo. No, I am not worried about regretting it later. I am not inclined to regret things anyway. I first wanted a tattoo three years ago, when I studied abroad in Prague. I got my navel pierced there (it hurts), and saw some amazing tattoos at the shop. I have several tattoo ideas - general design and location, but nothing is set yet. Someday maybe I will get all of them.

2.) Make at least five DIY projects and two recipes I see on other blogs. I am dying to try these projects: Jenny's Summertime Traveling Art Kit, Elsie's Pretty Lace Flower Pots for my windowsill cactus garden, Jordan's Vintage Marquee, and Naomi's String Map Art + Heart... a Portland or Seattle version. This recipe looks so scrumptious: Kelly's Watermelon Ice Pops.

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3.) Read the Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. I know, it seems like reading three books in one year would be a piece of cake. Well, here's the sad thing: I have zero time for reading. I barely have time to sleep five hours a night, let alone to sit down and give my full attention to a good book. I have about six months of magazines piled up because I don't even have time to finish those. Hopefully things will slow down a little after this crazy summer, and I can find some time to read. I used to devour books as a child. Read constantly - any genre, really, but I loved series set in fantasy worlds. Corbin and I used to recommend books to each other and then talk about them afterward. That was mostly before I left for college. He recommended this trilogy to me a few months ago. I bought it and I can't wait to find time to read and discuss the series with him.

4.) Learn to cook vegetarian gumbo. This may involve some recipe invention/experimentation. Totally random, I know. As a side note, I fell in love with okra when I first tried gumbo. Okra is a rare ingredient in the Pacific Northwest, so I never learned how to cook with it. Granted, it will probably be frozen (never seen it fresh), but hey, I do what I can with what I have. I love soups and soupy dishes so, so much, and I would like to expand my repertoire. On that note, if anyone has a good vegetarian gumbo recipe, or heck... any good gumbo recipe (I am not afraid to substitute), please share/post a link!

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5.) Get at least 10 pieces of artwork framed. In the past few years, I have been systematically collecting artwork prints. One thing I never got around to is framing, because of the price and hassle. If anyone knows of a good place to get ornate or colorful but inexpensive frames, let me know! I don't necessarily need super fancy frames - just pretty ones. And I love colors, so it is hard for me to imagine buying plain frames. I do really love fancy carved frames, but they make those in plastic too now, right? Heh.

6.) Learn to make cake pops. I had a 40% off one item coupon at Jo-Ann, so I picked up Bakerella's "Cake Pops: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes for More Than 40 Irresistible Mini Treats" book. You can also find it here. Shortly after, as luck would have it, Jacob's mom sent us a delicious Easter treat basket, including cake mix, a cake pop pan, and lollipop/cake pop sticks! I went back to Jo-Ann and picked up some candy melts for the coating. So now I have all of the ingredients - all I need now is to find some time!

Isn't this Easter basket amazing? This doesn't even include the cake pop pans since they didn't fit in the bakset!!

7.) Improve my Adobe Illustrator skills. I drew the artwork for my upcoming jewelry collection (likely launching in August) first in pencil, then outlined in black pen. Zoe helped me fix up and add color to my images using Illustrator. I have had the program for years, but honestly never took the time to learn how to use it before last year. Time to hit the books!

8.) Write important letters. This year, I began to feel that there are some people that I really need to write to. Without delving into the details, I know that this is something that I need to do - something that will both help my personal growth and hopefully also be a positive thing to the recipients. 25 is about time to take the mature route, right? This may not sound like the most fun thing, but honestly, I think I will actually really enjoy writing these (surprise, coming from a blogger).

Do you have any fun goals / birthday goals you are working on?