Currently Reading & Book Review

GoodReads

“You think, as you walk away from Le Cirque des Rêves and into the creeping dawn, that you felt more awake within the confines of the circus. 
You are no longer quite certain which side of the fence is the dream.”

- The Night Circus











I started and finished reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern in a couple of days. I definitely recommend it to anyone who has not read it before. I promise you that it will captivate you from the first sentence until the very last.

The Night Circus talks about these star-crossed lovers bounded by something eerie, and magical. Celia and Marco fall in love in an enchanting world, where everything is possible. Think of Romeo and Juliet with magic, and you get Celia and Marco. They meet under strange circumstances that they never understood until it was too late. They fight for their love in the ultimate arena, The Night Circus. This circus is anything but ordinary, only opened at night, in a monochromatic color scheme or black and white, the circus has lots of tents with extraordinary, magical performances.

Definitely a must read.

After a few days of The Night Circus book-hangover, I started on

Read more on GoodReads

So far I like it. Its a super easy read. And I fell in love with Jase the moment he comes into the picture. In Samantha's life its, just her, her mom and her sister, Tracy. In Jase's life its his mom and dad, and seven other siblings. Although living next door, they come from different lifestyles.

What are you reading? Have you read any of these books? What did you think about them?

Coffee Shop Happiness

Blogtember day 18: September 26, 2013 : Go to a coffee shop. Order a favorite drink. Write about what makes you happy and what makes you sad. Or write about anything you'd like! Bonus points for including a photo from the coffee shop.

I went to a coffee shop, on my way to work. I had an extra 30 minutes and stopped by the Starbucks close to my students' house. I ordered myself a Pumpkin Spice Latte. And sat my butt down instead of my usual drink on the go. 

I didn't quite write this post at Starbucks, but I did think about it. 

What makes me happy:
 - It's beginning to feel like fall. Crispy air, cool nights, windy. I love it!! 
 - Pumpkin Spice Lattes. My new obsession as of Friday. Never tried them in the 10 years that Starbucks has had them, and I crave them now!!

 - "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern. If you have not read it, you must!! It's so magical and captivating. Everytime I put it down, I just want to pick it up and keep on reading. 
 - Reading, period. I love reading!! 
 - Knitting. Ohh gosh I sound like a grandma. Because what 23 year old knits. 

 - Candles. This candle reminds me of Berkeley. I'm not sure why, but when I lit it I took me back to the early morning walks to class. 

 - New Girl. Just started season 2, and I can't believe I just discovered it..
 - Talking about TV shows. The Fall TV show line-up: New Girl, The X-Factor, The Voice, Glee, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Ravenswood, Parenthood, Once Upon a Time, Scandal, gahh

 - My friends!!! The ones that been there for the long run. 
 - My family!! I love them forever!!!!!
 - My munchkins = my nieces and nephews. 

 - And the newest happiness, my baby niece who is coming to the world in November. I want to meet her already!! 

New Girl {A Review-ish}

Blogtember day 16: September 24, 2013 : Review a book, place or product.... or TV show

So tell me why I just found out about this show like last week?! Well I knew about it.... but never had the need/desire to watch it. But ever since all the hype for the premiere of the third season last week, I decided to watch it, and I LOOOOOVE IT!!. I think its hilarious. and I want to be Jess and Cece at the same time, and I want to have roommates like Nick, Schmidt and Winston!! Please can I??

I just finished the first Season!! So no one spoil it for me, please!!!

Here's my takes on the characters: (might contain a few spoilers)

JESS:

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In the first season Jessica Day find her boyfriend cheating on her and breaks up with him. She decides to leave the house and find somewhere else to live. She finds Nick, Schmidt and Coach on craigslist and then begins their living situation. Jess is a dorky and bubbly elementary teacher, struggling to move on after her six year relationship with her ex-boyfriend. Jess stayed in watching Dirty Dancing everyday right after moving in with the boys. The boys decide to help Jess move on with her life, and they even were their dating coaches for one night. Jess' bubbly,quirky and always positive attitude and personality annoy her friends at some points.
* I love her because of her bubbly personality. You don't find many people with that kind of personality, and if you do it is often annoying. But Jess, shes amazing. I would love to be her friend, she is hilarious. 

Nick:

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Meet Nick Miller. Once in Law School he dropped out and is now working as Bartender, where he gives his friends free drinks. He is seen as a slacker, with now motivation for success. We also learn in this first season that he has a credit score of a "homeless."' He has been struggling with his breakup from long time girlfriend, by dating a lawyer and by hooking up with college-aged girls.
* I have a big, big crush on Nick. Yes he doesn't have a lot money, but I don't care. He's cute and funny.

Schmidt:

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Schmidt struggled with being overweight in college, now the pounds are off, and he is a ladies man. He works at a company with all women, and even tries to hook up with his boss. Schmidt is the one is charge of the decoration and cleanliness of the house. He is a huge germaphobe and would rather cook than any of the other roommates touch his food. A huge ladies man, he sometimes comes off as douchey and cocky. He comes from a rich background, but he a hard worker.
* I have a huge crush on Schmidt too!! His cockiness makes me that much more attractive to him!!!

Cece:

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There's no Jess or Schmidt without their side-chick, Cece! Cece is Jess best friend since childhood. She is a model and the hottest chick on the block. She's snarky and funny, and will say what's on her mind. The first night the boys meet her, they drool over her. She starts a fling with someone that no one suspected.
*MAJOR GIRL CRUSH with Cece!!! I want to have the confidence that she has. 

Winston:

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Then there is Winston. He went away to play Basketball in Latvia, but now he is back.Winston is very competitive. He struggles to get back to his new life here in America. He has a hard time trying to find jobs and tries to win back his ex-girlfriend back. 
*Another crush on this one!!! He is hilarious. 

I can't wait until I'm caught up with all the episodes. I'm excited. And I'm definitely rooting and hoping these end up happening for Schmidt-Cece and Jess-Nick.
Do you watch New Girl? Who's your favorite character? Line? Episode?

My life Lately.. {Working Out Motivation}

Blogtember day 15: September 23, 2013 : My life lately....

So I haven't been feeling good about myself, ever since my mom bought me that one shirt and it didn't fit.

Before summer started I told myself that I wanted to get fit, exercise eat healthier, lose some weight. I even bought myself the INSANITY workout. I was so excited and pumped, I told myself I can do it!!! It's my time!!

For the first 3 weeks, I was doing so good. INSANITY kicked my ass every day I did it, some of the moves I couldn't do it fully but I tried. I took more breaks than those 30 seconds on the DVD lol. I wanted to give up, and I skipped once or twice. It was hard. But I noticed my jeans fit a tiny bit better. My body felt better. I noticed I had a bit more energy.

But I guess I wasn't noticing the results that I wanted. (I always have this problem, I notice everything I put but I have unrealistic ideas about how the program is working.) I got busy. I'm too tired. I would rather read. I put every excuse out there, and stopped the program. I know I suck.

But I'm happy to tell you, that I started up on it again!!! I'm determine once again to do this, but this time is different!! I want to so bad to feel good about myself, mentally and physically, I NEED TO!!

Me drenched in sweat after INSANITY!!

I have to remember this:

KEEP GOING!! YOU ARE DOING GREAT! 

How do you keep yourself motivated in your workout? or in life in general?

Comfort...

Blogtember day 14: September 20, 2013 : React to this word: Comfort.

I'm such a homebody. If you tell me if I would like to go out to the club or have a girls night in with lots of wine, I would choose girls night in 90% of the time, I love dressing up so sometimes the club wins. This is something totally opposite from my friends. They would rather be out than stay in, yes sometimes when I'm super bored that's me too. But 90% of the time you will find me on the couch or on my bed reading, watching TV, movies, or more reading.

Anyways, comfort is being at home, with a nice cup of hot chocolate on cold days, or a nice glass of lemonade on hot days. Comfort is hanging out in the living room watching a movie or playing candy crush. Comfort is sitting with pajamas on and gossipping with friends. Comfort is being able to take a "me" day and do nothing at all or everything you ever wanted. Comfort is being able to take a nap in the middle of the day or the morning or at night. Comfort is being at home, wherever home is.

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Today was a perfect day for this topic. Cloudy/gloomy day and chilly air, I wanted nothing else than to stay put and grab a book.




What does 'comfort' mean to you?

Literary Junkie!!! {Sept}

Today I'm linking up to the Literary Junkie Link Party!!! Visit the hosts, Taylor at Pink Heels Pink Truck and  Lesley at By The Porchlight and Megan at Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
I'm a day late, but being the book nerd that I am I couldn't pass it by!! :)

1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it.
Remember that book I told you about let's see, 2 weeks ago. The Friday Night Knitting Club. Yeap, still reading it.. I'm so slow. But I'm almost done. And I'm liking it. I mentioned how it has mixed reviews on GoodReads, but I'm liking it. Read what my thoughts when I began reading it here. I've also learned that it the first book of a series, I would like to read the rest of the books in the future.

Good Reads

2. Autumn is coming! What’s your go-to drink when curling up with a book at night?
Ahh, I love fall and the crispy, chilly air. And I love to curl up in my bed or my couch with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate!!!! 

3. Printed books vs. e-books: What are the pros and cons of each?
I have a Nook, and I love it. I love that I can have a lot of books in one device. I love that I can take it with me anywhere. But I just love  the way that an actual book feels, smells, and looks. For me its printed books for the win, although I won't discriminate against my Nook.

4. Buying books vs. library books: Which do you prefer and why?
Although it's rare that I re-read the books that I have. I like having a visual library collection, and seeing all the different types of books I've read, so buying books is what I go for, when I have money, and sometimes that is not that often. I only probably buy 2-4 books a year, and all the other times I go to my library and rent them!! Library books are awesome because you can read them for free. Plus my library has an online library app thingy called OverDrive, which allows us to borrow some e-books. Triple Win!!! Check it out to see if your library is registered. 

What are you reading???

Liebster Award!! Get to know me.

I'm so excited about this!!! :) I've never been nominated for anything before in my life. And to be nominated for something like this for my blog is awesome. My blog is just starting so this is cool. My Cara Box partner Brianna from Endlessly Beloved nominated me. She's such an amazing person, I've enjoyed getting to know her through the Cara Box swap, and love reading her blog!!! So go on now, go check her out, and you'll see!! :)

This award is given to smaller blogs and to those who are just starting. I love it because it allows us to discover NEW BLOGS!!!

How it works:
- Link back to the awesome blogger who nominated you!! :)
- Answer the 11 questions that the nominator asked you
- List 11 facts about yourself
- Nominate some of your favorite SMALL blogs (I googled the award and some variations said blogs that have under 200 followers or under 1000, so up to your discretion)
- Ask 11 questions for your nominees to answer!!

Questions from Brianna!!

If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be?

If I could meet anyone I would choose Audrey Hepburn. I love Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday. She was classy. She's an icon. Beautiful. Intelligent. Talented!

What's one thing you can't live without?

Other than my family, my phone and books are tied!!!

What's your favorite holiday and why?

I would choose Christmas since it's full of love, giving, gratefulness and it's my Birthday, but... my ultimate holiday is Thanksgiving. Coming from a big family, I love when we get together. Thanksgiving is one of those days, full of family, love, thankfulness and amazing food

Tell us about your most embarrassing moment.

I've had many, but the one that comes to mind is when me and my friend were at the Bart Station (Subway station) and we were trying to get to San Francisco from Berkeley. There was only one train passing through our station,and we had to get on and transfer at the next station. Me and my friend were confused for a bit, but she said "Let's get on this one" right as the door were opening. People were passing. Everything happened so quickly, the next thing I knew the doors closed in front of me, my friend on the train and I still on the platform. Soo embarrassing. I had to wait 15 minutes for the next one, and we totally missed whatever we were going to do in San Francisco.

If you could change your name what would you change it to?

When I was younger, I hated my name. It was weird, A-dree-ah-na. With two n's, please. Adrianna. I never found a key chain souvenir with my name on it. Now I love it, wouldn't change it. But I think when I was younger I wanted to Alexis, Alexa, Alexandra. lol

If you could have one super power what would it be?

If I could choose one super power it would be the ability to teleport. I have FOMO (fear of missing out so.. this way I can be everywhere in the blink of my eyes) lol

What's something you're excited about in the future?

In the near future, my baby niece, November hurry. In the semi-future seeing all my nieces and nephews grow up. Also wanting to travel all around. In the far away (hopefully not that far away) future finding someone that I would love to spend the rest of my life with, and start a family.

If you could go back in time what would you do differently?

I think I would like to stop and smell the roses. Enjoy life a little bit more and not focus on the way I saw myself or the way I thought other people saw me. Remind myself to have a blast even if you are silly.

What's your current favorite artist/song?

Carrie Underwood, why did I just realize how amazing you are!?

If you had to choose an actress to play you in a movie who would it be?

Jennifer Lawrence. Although I look nothing like her, nor I'm like any of the characters she plays. But I think she's awesome. I also pick Jessica Biel, Lauren London, 

Who is your celebrity crush?

Trey Songz, thank you!!!

11 facts about myself:
1- Hopeless romantic at heart (although I sometimes deny it lol)
2 - Baseball fanatic.
3 - Fashion designer in my mind and in my dreams.
4 - I have 30 first cousins on dad's side, 8 on the mom's side
5 - I have 2 nieces (1 on the way) and 5 nephews (1 on the way) - all my cousins babies.
6 - I have a sandal tan line for almost 12 months out of the year (I live in sandals)
7 - I always have a Cosmo mag by my side
8 - I regret not studying abroad in college, everyday since graduation.
9 - I need to sleep with no socks on, or else I won't sleep.
10 - I used to have a lisp when I was younger (thankfully it's gone now)
11 - I believe the ocean is beautiful, but I'm deeply afraid of the sea and the deep end of pool (the only swimming I know is survival aka doggy paddle)

My blogger picks: This was hard!! Love reading soo many!! I love these starting blogs, and I know soon enough they will be big!!
Jessica @ Leopurrd
Emily @ A Doodle Dose
Michelle @ The Heart of Home
Rebecca @ Highs and Humdrum
Jacky @ Keep Calm and Blog On

Tag ladies! You're it!! I love reading your blogs! Woot Woot!!!

11 questions.

1. Are you a thrill seeker, would you bungee jump? or skydive?

2. What do you love the most about yourself?

3. How about the least thing you like about yourself?

4. What's your motto? why?

5. What does your perfect day look like?

6. If you could be a fictional character who would you be?

7. What would the name of your autobiography be?

8. If you could star on any show or movie which one would you pick? What would be your role?

9. What are three things you are obsessed with right now?

10. What's your biggest regret? 

11. The best thing about waking up is...

Dear Grandma.. I love you!!

Day 9 of Blogtember: Monday, September 16: Write a public love letter to someone in your life.

Dear Abuelita Lupita,

First of all I wanted to tell you how much I love you. I know I don't say this very often, but I want you to know that I do love you with all my heart. You have seen me grow up, you lived with us throughout my childhood. You walked me and my brothers to school, even after your stroke that left you with a slight limp. I remember you waking us up in the morning, making us eat some breakfast, wash our teeth and hurrying us up to get to school. it was about a 4 block walk. My little brother just started kindergarten, I remember staying behind and walking with you while my other brothers hurried to school. I wish I remembered what we would talk about on our walks.

I remember coming home from school and having a home-cooked meal, and the dishes done, the floor swept. I remember asking you to make my favorite dish, spaghetti. No one makes it like you Abuela. I tried and failed.

When I was younger I vaguely remember that horrible day when I was five. You were taking care of me and my brother. I'm not sure where my brother was, but I was on that wobbly, glass dining table coloring, while you were probably cooking and cleaning. The next thing I remember was the glass table breaking and me going down with it. I heard screams probably from the both of us. I saw blood from the tiny cut in my forehead, then looked down and could see the inside of my arm, a big gash on my tiny arm that later took 16 stitches and constant reminder of that day. I love you grandma for saving my life that day.

Abuela, I remember one day going to the hospital. I think it was the day you got your stroke or maybe it was in Mexico. I was little and didn't know what was happening I think they didn't let us in, but I remember feeling scared, and every day since then I worry about you.

Now you don't live with at our house anymore, you and grandpa decided to live in Mexico in the home you both built with love. I don't get to see you as often. I miss both of you. And the times I do, my heart hurts a little. You are getting a little older. You are getting a little weaker. And sometimes you talk about how you might not be here much longer, and that scares me.

I wish I could spend more time with you and just talk about... anything. I wish I could tell you how much you mean to me, how much I care about you and how much I love you... a little bit more. I wish I could take more pictures with you and grandpa, although I know you don't like them that much. I wish I could go visit you and grandpa and stay with you for a little bit. I wish I could watch some novelas, like I used to when I was younger, although you would rather watch baseball these days.. hehe. I wish I could ask you about your childhood memories. Or how you and grandpa met. Your time as a mom with crazy kids like my mom and my tias, and tio.

I've probably never told you this before, but thank you for being one of my role models. A strong, intelligent, beautiful, loving, and caring woman. I couldn't ask for a better example. Thank you and grandpa for all your sacrifices to bring your children here to the U.S without you I wouldn't be here. I hope that one day I can be at least half the women you are. I thank God for blessing me with an Abuela like you. I only hope that God gives me more time with you!!

I wish I could read this to you one day!! I can't wait to see you again and give you a big hug!!

Love, your eldest granddaughter,
Nana

Check out other prompts and join the challenge at Story of My Life.

Life at the beach..

Day 8 of Blogtember: Friday, September 13: Self Portrait.

Today me and two of my cousins went to the beach to bike ride. We started off at Redondo Beach and biked all the way to El Segundo all along the beach bike path. About 16 miles, start to finish.

It was the best thing ever!! The sun was out but it was not hot. The breeze of the water, the clean beach, the semi-empty beach. It was amazing. 

We rode the beach path, with hair blowing, salty air in our face. And everything seemed to be lifted off my shoulder. 

Read the full story here at Fab5Adventures.

 

I almost died taking this picture!!!

Always the listener... how blogging has changed me.

Day 8 of Blogtember: Thursday, September 12: Discuss ways that blogging or social media has changed you.

I feel like I've written about blogging, re-starting my blogging a lot this summer. But this post is on the Blogtember prompts, so I'll try not to repeat myself.

Through my childhood until now, and probably forever, I've been the shy one, the quiet one. I was always nervous when it was my turn to read or when I had to present in front of the class. I was not a public speaker. When it came to my emotions, I always decided to keep them to myself. When my brothers would tease me, yell at me, or hit me, I wouldn't hit them back or yell back, instead I quietly (pretending it didn't bother me) went to my room and cried. If I stuck up for myself maybe it wouldn't affect me too much.

I had a few friends growing up. I had my cousins, which were like sisters to me. But somehow I just couldn't find myself to tell them whatever was going on, small or big, in my life. I was always the listener never the talker. And for me that was fine. I loved listening and giving some advice once in a while.

Like I said I had a few friends, and in college I met these amazing set of friends. We all lived together at one point, live-in roommates,, neighbors, or honorary housemates. But put 5 girls into a one bed room apartment and you'll have pillow talk. Again I listen to their stories, worries, problems, achievements, happy moments. I was always nervous to tell them about me. Then I began thinking how could you not feel comfortable enough to tell your best friends about yourself. Then they began thinking that, and we became having some problems, we reconciled with the promise that I will tell them what was going on (at this time I was going through a dark time in life.)

I look back at that time, and I wish I could've came here to blog about it instead of doing some of the very stupid things I know wish I hadn't done. My junior and senior year seemed like such a blur! :/

Source: Pinterest

Anyways back to the prompt, I shared this to show you I never was a person to share my feelings, thoughts, emotions, dreams, verbally/out loud. But I feel that I'm able to do that through here, even if it's sharing a recipe or writing about a book I'm reading. Written words, although difficult, are much easier for me then Verbal Words. Even my ISFJ profile agreed with me. I started/restart blogging to start sharing some tiny part of my life, that I think I'm ready to share. Through the years my blog has on, and off activity I've learned that my feelings and thoughts are mine, and there is no need to be embarrassed by them (even if they are silly). Be proud of who you are. Although my blog is still starting and so is Fab5Adventures, I've become more confident to about myself.

I'm not quite on FB as much anymore. But Instagram, I'm obsessed!!! When I first got insta I felt like I needed to share everything, because its cool. Now I'm finding myself holding back, because people around me are telling me do you really need to share it? So I hesitate, but in my head I say yes! There is nothing wrong with it. From now on, I'm going to try to share as much as possible without spamming. heheh

Check out the Blogtember prompts!!

Online Shopping!! {Fave Stores}

Day 7 of Blogtember: Wednesday, September 11: Share links to your favorite online shops, preferably with a few photos of your favorite items in each shop.

I love shopping, let me just say that. But... I'm not a big online shopper. I would rather go to the mall, or store and physically try on the clothes before buying. Yes sometimes the stores are packed with craziness especially when its holiday season or there is a sale.  But I still like to go to the mall, gather a pile of clothes and try them on choosing which one fit and which don't. I have a particular body type, so the need for me to try them on is important. 

Some say that when you shop online you can have your private fitting room in your closed room and be able to try them out in privacy rather than surrounded my stalls of fitting rooms. 

Although I will stick with my preference of physical shopping, here are some of my favorite places to shop

Old Navy: oldnavy.com
I get allll my jeans from here!! I feel like they have my size without being too overpriced. And I love them!! P.s They have an online sale 15% of total and today is the last day, dont miss out!!

The SweetHeart Jeans are my to-go style: it has a stretchy feel for my curvier ladies. I also love the Flirt!! I've always wanted to grab a pair of Rockstar Jeans (never find my size) but these jeans have spunky colors and designs, like these. Maybe I will need to go online shopping for these gems!!

Forever 21: forever21.com

I think I've always loved Forever. When I was in high school I thought Forever was too cool for me but secretly wanted to change my wardrobe to look like the inside of the store. It wasn't until I went to college, and stepped out of my comfort zone that I stepped inside Forever. And then with their addition with their plus size section, I fell in love with it more!!! P.S - 21% off sale on now!!!

Here are some of the things I am eyeing right now!!

Cobalt blue is in for fall, find these here {1} {2} {3} 

 These pink pumps are amazing!! {1} {2} {3}

Blazer, Moto Jacket, and this dress, to die for!!! {1} {2} {3}

Fashion to Figure: fashiontofigure.com

Another plus size website. Haven't actually bought anything but I have these on my shopping cart, waiting for my paycheck to come in!! P.S - 25% off already reduced items

{1} {2} {3}

I wish I could have all the money in the world so that I could buy myself some if not all of the items on this post. And this post has put in a slight depressive mode because I want to go shopping!! lol. 

Want to check out other of my fave stores check out my Top 10 Must Haves for Fall 

What are your fave shopping stores?? How do you prefer shopping: online or physically?

Check out the Blogtember prompts!!