TGIF & Arbonne

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Well, friends, it's the last post of the year. And my last post of the month on 5 Scribes, my writers' group blog.

It's been a crazy busy last two months. That "new direction" that I alluded to in my last post, I started a home business with Arbonne. And it has been occupying my whole brain, so much so that I have forgotten SO many things...my son's doctor's appointment, my regularly scheduled Friday posts, sometimes forgetting I have laundry in the washing machine so that I have to wash it twice. I haven't written in a while, which is kind of sad, but I also feel like the break is good for me. It's been nice to get away from the Sisters story...and editing.

Is the whole Arbonne obsession healthy? I'm not sure.

The good news is that business is going really well.

I met Artemio Carpio at Superstition Farms' Moo-ey Christmas last Saturday as an Arbonne vendor. He works in Wardrobe with the whole Castle cast!!! I have mentioned Castle before; my husband and I even got our parents hooked on the series.

Artemio showed me pictures of Beckett's wedding dress, all glowy and backlit. I asked him about the beginning of season 3, when Kate looks pregnant, that Stana (mentioned like she was a dear friend) liked drap-y eternity scarves. But when they got news back that people thought she looked pregnant, the drape was off her wardrobe. He said Nathan Fillion will talk your ear off about Firefly any day.
I wish I had asked Artemio for his contact info! But if he sees this, THANK YOU!!! It was the highlight of my December!

Anyway, I can see God providing help here and there for me to reach my Arbonne goals. I am unsure what direction he is planning to take me (and my family).

But it is all very exciting.
So, I raise my hands to the Creator and surrender to his plan for my life.

I hope you all have a very merry Christmas full of hope and promise.
Love,
Karen

TGIF & Meeting Shannon Hale

(we weren't allowed personal pictures with her, so here she is signing Emma's copy of her new book)

On Thursday night, I met Shannon Hale.

For those of you who don't know who she is.  You need to know.  She is an amazing author who touches your heart with her stories.  She won a Newbery Honor Award for Princess Academy (I wanted to name our first daughter Miri once upon a time).  She wrote Austenland because she is just as enamored with Jane Austen as I am.

I think she could have been my friend in another life.

She's witty, entertaining, and so lively in front of an audience.
She's also a mom of four, cries when she talks about winning her Newbery Honor Award, and spills water all over herself on accident in front of a crowd of at least 50 fans.

She was at Changing Hands Bookstore to promote her sequel to Princess Academy, but she never got around to it, instead spending the whole "talk" portion of her time answering questions and telling silly life stories: like her experience being an extra on the Austenland movie set and signing Ricky Whittle's underwear (!).

And I got to tell her that her stories inspire and challenge me as an "author in progress."

I so want to be like her someday...an engaging, down-to-earth, beautiful-inside-and-out author.
Have you ever met someone famous and found him/her just as you imagined?

Note: this is my 201st post!!!  WOOT!

TGIF & Macarons

(my macarons survived a flight from San Francisco!)

I'm back from a little vacation in San Francisco (Emma's second flight this year)!  It was relaxing, fun, touristy, and we got to spend time with my sister, which was lovely.

It made me realize how different we live in the suburbs of Arizona.  City life is so crazy and awesome!  Restaurants on every corner.  Walking distance to the buses/metro/subway system.  Ridiculous traffic and one-way streets.

Oh, and the cooler weather, so nice!  We were wearing long sleeves almost everyday.

Since I celebrated my birthday there, my one request was to eat French macarons (not to be confused with macaroons).  San Fran has the best macarons I've ever tasted (besides in Paris...but who can afford to go there all the time?).  So, in my mind, macarons = San Francisco!

They are so good.  So expensive, but so good.  Ten times better than cupcakes.  :)

Do you have a favorite food that you associate with a destination city?

Note: I've yet to see a bakery in Arizona that sells these.  Are there any?

The best thing about Disney

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My best friend always claims that the best thing about Disney is that it makes you cry. Which really means that it touches upon something in the heart.

Now that it's been a few years since she said that, I'm totally in agreement.

Pixar's Up? Bawled my eyes out at the beginning sequence...especially when she loses her baby.

Tangled? Those tears fell when Ryder was dead (a la Beauty and the Beast, my favorite).

Even Finding Nemo, made me misty-eyed at the end when Nemo was crushed by all the fish and rescued by his dad.

Do you love Disney, too?

Happy Showers

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A friend of mine introduced me to Arbonne International products. They're a Swiss brand and they pride themselves in all-natural ingredients and no animal testing. :)

I personally love their shower and bath stuff...the FC5 body and face line: the hydrating body cleanser, the hydrating facial cleanser. Both of which have strawberry extracts for a refreshing smell!

If you haven't tried Arbonne and want to, let me know!

Do Something Creative Every Day!

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Speaking of catalogues I look at over and over...and stores I could visit over and over. Paper Source is another store I love. While I don't craft everyday, or even scrapbook consistently anymore, I just stare at all of the pretty things Paper Source offers online. I find myself typing in the website randomly throughout the week.

I love Paper Source's motto: Do something creative every day. So many ideas and not enough time!

Would you like to go for Bubble Tea sometime?

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Most Sundays, we're out in Chandler...usually for church...and we try to make it a point to stop at Lollicup Coffee & Tea for "boba" afterward. All my Asian friends know what boba is, but you might not. You might hear the term "boba" and think, Boba Fett...from Star Wars? Why do they want to meet him for lunch? Isn't he fictional?

When people talk about boba, they're referring to a milk tea or juice drink that comes with large tapioca balls that are brown and chewy. You use a enlarged straw to drink the tea and the boba at the same time. Once it's in your mouth, you swallow the tea and chew on the boba. It's also called "bubble milk tea."

Yes, it sounds weird, but it is SO good. And originally from Taiwan, my parents' home country.

My favorite flavor is Almond Milk tea, which tastes like Almond jello (another Asian delicacy).

If you haven't had it, you should try it. It's yum. :)

A Writer's Support

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I'm pretty sure I've mentioned the importance of a writer's group. Even though they can be a little intimidating at first, they're just so useful, helpful, and...well, supportive. Of course, you have to find the right group for you. I've been in several groups and liked different parts of each. For me, I find that personality comes into play. I like when there are writers of varying levels...some are first-time, some are seasoned. I like when I fit into the middle somewhere; that way, I'll get good advice and can offer advice, too.

Currently, I'm in two groups: one that meets once a month and has over 20 writers of all genres (poetry, short non-fiction, short fiction, long fiction); and one that meets every two weeks and we all write creative long works.

I'll tell you how the 2nd group works (because different groups have varying ways to critique):

Every other Monday (like today), my group meets. We bring excerpts of our novel (or non-fiction book), limited to 10 pages, and read the excerpts aloud to the other members. I love the practice of reading aloud...you catch so many mistakes this way! Then, we critique on the spot. We only have 5 writers in the group, so this method is fine for us.

(I've been in groups where you submit excerpts through email beforehand, which helps the critique go faster. Plus, you have the ability to spend more time reading through each excerpt.)

It's all a matter of preference. But, the bottom line is, if you're writing, you need a support group...one that will critique honestly and one that will encourage at the same time.

All this to say that my writer's group is something I look forward to every time...definitely a favorite of mine.

Play a Game or Two

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Want a way to waste time? Get onto the Big Fish Games website!

I don't remember when I first discovered Big Fish Games...it was a few years ago. And it has sucked up my time. Seriously. You can sit in front of the computer for hours! lol. You can download any game (except big file) and try it out for an hour. Most of the graphics aren't too taxing on your computer (unlike gamers' Call of Duty or Halo) and you can delete the game files once you're done. Your possibilities are limitless.

And then, if you like a game enough to buy it, it only costs about $5, especially if you wait for the sales. Good deal, huh?

Big Fish Games has categories for their different types of games: Hidden Object, Adventure, Match 3, Time Management, Strategy...just to name a few. My favorites are Adventure games...they have a story and usually some puzzles and brain teasers mixed in. It's fun stuff.

Anyway, I discovered PLANT vs. ZOMBIES awhile ago, and it won some sort of award! Go figure!

It's all very addicting. So, now when you hear me commenting about how behind I am on writing...this is probably the reason.

Ride on the Magic School Bus

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So, a lot of students (and teachers!) went back to school this week. I hope you all had a great first week! Meeting new people and reuniting with old friends. (Being married to a teacher sure puts school into perspective! So much prep! So much time!) Here's to the weekend (cheers!).

Anyway, it reminded me of the really old TV show Magic School Bus. The show came out when I was a kid and I still love it. My favorite episode is "The Haunted House," where Ms. Frizzle and the students go to the Sound Museum to help Carlos with his new musical instrument. They learn about vibration and sound waves. It's cool stuff and fun to watch.

I wish I were in Ms. Frizzle's class!

Her philosophy is to "take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!" I think it's a great mantra for life, no matter how old you are.

Are you a Loser?

Yes, I watch Glee. Yes, I like the show.

While I don't condone all of the messages Fox's Glee represents, I really really loved their original song they sang at regionals, "Loser Like Me."

Check it out (if you can't play directly from the video above! Hopefully, you'll go around humming the tune to yourself. :)

“Loser Like Me”
Yeah, you may think that I’m a zero
But, hey, everyone you wanna be
Probably started off like me
You may say that I’m a freakshow (I don’t care)
But, hey, give it just a little time
I bet you’re gonna change your mind

All of the dirt you’ve been throwin’ my way
It ain’t so hard to take, that’s right
‘Cause I know one day you’ll be screamin’ my name
And I’ll just look away, that’s right

Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth
So everyone can hear
Hit me with the words you got and knock me down
Baby, I don’t care
Keep it up, I’m tunin’ up to fade you out
You wanna be
You wanna be
A loser like me
A loser like me

Push me up against the locker
And hey, all I do is shake it off
I’ll get you back when I’m your boss
I’m not thinkin’ ’bout you haters
‘Cause hey, I could be a superstar
I’ll see you when you wash my car

All of the dirt you’ve been throwin’ my way
It ain’t so hard to take, that’s right
‘Cause I know one day you’ll be screamin’ my name
And I’ll just look away, that’s right

Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth
So everyone can hear
Hit me with the words you got and knock me down
Baby, I don’t care
Keep it up, I’m tunin’ up to fade you out
You wanna be
You wanna be
A loser like me
A loser like me
A loser like me

Hey, you, over there
Keep the L up-up in the air
Hey, you, over there
Keep the L up, ’cause I don’t care

You can throw your sticks, and you can throw your stones
Like a rocket, just watch me go
Yeah, l-o-s-e-r
I can only be who I are

Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth
So everyone can hear
Hit me with the words you got and knock me down
Baby, I don’t care
Keep it up, I’m tunin’ up to fade you out
You wanna be
You wanna be
A loser like me
A loser like me

Just go ahead and hate on me and run your mouth
So everyone can hear
Hit me with the words you got and knock me down
Baby, I don’t care
Keep it up, I’m tunin’ up to fade you out
You wanna be
You wanna be
A loser like me (A loser like me)
A loser like me (A loser like me)
A loser like me

Little Bites of Heaven

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Have you bought your little bites of heaven?

I was fortunate to encounter them in front of the grocery store this last week. I love Girl Scout cookie season!!!

Unfortunately, I'm not too original because they told me my 2 favorite cookies (Thin Mints and Samoas) are their most popular. :P

I Love Going to the Dentist

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In my past, I've always dreaded going to the dentist. I have lots of fillings/crowns to show for my dental anxiety.

But, then I switched dentists and it hasn't been too bad.

AND, recently, during my last few visits, the dentist upgraded his office...so much so that while the hygenist is cleaning my teeth, she puts on HULU for me to watch. Awesome, right? TV and relaxation to distract from the picking at my gums and teeth?

I love it. All dentists should have HULU available for their patients.

Orange Heaven

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At my mom's house, she has 7 orange trees in her yard. Five of them are Navels. Have you ever eaten a naturally grown Navel orange? Do you know what you're missing?

They are seedless. They are juicy. They are sweet morsels from heaven. And they're good for you! All that vitamin C and fiber! yum yum.

I wait for these oranges to ripen every year (the blossom smell in March is one of my favorite scents) and, come December, it's finally time to pick.

Go grab one!