Reading week: a break for sanity's sake and updates

Reading week has finally arrived and it could not have come at a more perfect time.
School work is piling up-I'm way behind on creative writing, falling behind on Science Concepts, Philosophy, Industrial Psychology, and my Senior Research Seminar--I'm so behind on that class I am going to attempt to write a passable Annotated Bibliography tomorrow, in preparation for the 25 page paper I need to write for that class.

Yes, life at school is oh-so-very stressful. And I'll be honest, I feel like I'm drowning. So this break is so welcome.

While I've been struggling with school and stress and disabledness, I have still found time to read. I don't think you understand--that that is more a matter of keeping my sanity. In the last two months I've been reading quite a bit.

A few of the titles being Bitten by Kelley Armstrong, Guide to Adulhood by Grace Heilberg (which was not what I thought it would be), Gameboard of the Gods (still unfinished) by Richelle Mead, and the final installment of (what is perhaps my favorite book series right now and has been since last year) The Ruby Circle.

The very last installment of the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead.


All I will say about this book series is that it is incredible--sure it has its faults...I can't think of any right now (unless you count ending as a fault), but it is incredible and that last book...well, it is surprising and so good. Like, it is incredible. You guys just don't understand. It is just amazing.

And, my heart is broken...I just don't want it to be over.

Which is how the spur of the moment decision to reread the series came about.

Whether or not I'll follow through with it is to be decided but I just need more-ya know?

Putting Life In Focus

Putting Life In Focus 

I think in life everyone will go through something that challenges them and changes them. It can be failing health or it can be abuse--the death of a loved one or a figurative loss of someone. 

In my life I've both been lucky and unlucky in what I've had to deal with and in what I've had to endure. The same thing could be said about many people; what matters is how you look at it. The thing is, I believe that you can get through something impossible and move from 'surviving' life to 'thriving' in life. 

I believe that no matter who you are, what mistakes you've made, what you've been through, and where you currently are; you can change your life for the better. You can live the life you always envisioned for yourself and be the person you've always wanted to be, as long as you don't give up on yourself. And you commit to goals, and do the work. I believe you can do anything.

Every once in a while I think people forget about this though. I know I do--I get caught in old habits that won't die, because I don't know how to let them go. Sometimes fear runs rampant and war rages inside me. 

The truth is life hasn't always been easy. It never is, and isn't supposed to be, I guess. 

There were times I wasn't always certain I would live to be 20--never mind go to college. I've had many health problems, many family problems...I've survived though. The thing is, now that that time for only 'survival' has passed I have to learn to live again. 

Figuring out how to move on from a place so dark and isolated is hard, but possible. 

I think the trick is finding your passion and going for it--not holding back, throwing caution to the wind as it were. 

You have to believe in yourself and in life. 

The Steps You Need To Take in order to live the life you want are relatively simple I think:

• Figure out WHO you want to be 
• Figure out HOW you can get there
• SET GOALS
• And WORK for them

This is something I think more people should do. I set goals as much as I can--whenever I remember I do this. Life can get crazy and sometimes which is why goals are important.

My Current Monthly Goals 

• Work on combating anxiety and fear 
• Vegetarianism: Enhance overall health, by finding new V-friendly recipes that are inexpensive, healthy and easy to make
• Continue to rewrite and edit my book
• Continue going to the gym--even though surgery is looming overhead and things seem gloomy and it all scares me--I won't let the fear and sadness of another surgery hold me back
• Step out of my comfort zone and do the things that scare me (within reason of course) 

So, to bring this post to a quiet close I would like to know what your monthly goals are? Or what your dreams are? Who do you want to be? 

Post in the comments below or at the very least start thinking about what you want to do and who you want to be.