Suite Scarlett

'What now? You have no job. I have no job. Wanna play Jenga?' -Spencer Martin

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson is an intriguing book about Scarlett Martin. Scarlett Martin is like any other regular teenage girl. There is only one difference. Her family owns and runs the Hopewell Hotel in New York City. The tradition is upon each Martin child's 15th birthday they are given a suite in the hotel to take care of. Scarlett receives the Empire Suite, a beautiful suite with a moon mirror dressing table. However, the Hopewell is not doing too well and Scarlett's parents need all of their kids to pitch in. This means that Scarlett must give up her summer, her sister Lola will have to work extra hard with her job and also working at the hotel, if her brother Spencer does not find a real acting job he is straight on for Culinary School, and Marlene is just Marlene. Upon Scarlett's reception of the suite a new hotel guest, Amy Amberson checks into the Empire Suite, and Scarlett aids to her every whim. Amberson is quite the character and Scarlett is thrown for a loop in the shenanigans that she gets involved with. Just as Scarlett loses hope for Spencer's acting career Amy Amberson steps in every step of the way saving Spencer in the nick of time, and even setting a few fireworks off between Scarlett and Eric, Spencer's co-worker/ friend.

This book was absolutely hilarious and I enjoyed every minute of it. The humor that Maureen Johnson poured into this book was absolutely entertaining. I laughed and I often felt like yelling at the book, but in the end I was very happy with the outcome. I felt the book was very in tune with all aspects of a great book, and that it really tapped into the family values, sibling rivalry, and romance of teenage lives. Maureen Johnson is a great writer, and I also recommend reading her book 13 Little Blue Envelopes. I just bought Scarlett Fever, which is the sequel to Suite Scarlett. So if Scarlett Fever is as good Suite Scarlett expect a book review soon! ;)

Paper Towns

As I was browsing through Barnes and Noble, a foreign place to me since I religiously go to Borders, I stumbled upon Paper Towns by John Green. I had heard of the book constantly via YouTube, especially since I watch the author vlog back and forth with his brother. From what I had heard on the interwebs it was a really good book, so I ended up leaving Barnes and Noble with confidence I had picked a great book.

I read the book's back cover when I got home and it seemed interesting so I automatically began reading it right then and there. I had a lot of trouble putting the book down, but with my whole schedule being wacked out I had to constantly leave the book and attend to other matters. However, I did read it whenever I possibly could.

The book begins with a flashback to when Quentin Jacobsen and Margo Roth Spiegelman were 9 and they found a dead man in their subdivision. They do know exactly what happened but they knew he was dead. "Maybe all the strings inside of him broke?" The story then shoots to their present time, high school, Quentin and Margo are no longer friends. Margo is the popular girl and Quentin hangs out with the band geeks, but is not one himself. Quentin is madly in lust with Margo from afar. Late one night Margo sneaks to his room and asks for him to take his car keys and drive her around town. Quentin at first needs to know everything that is going to proceed through the night, but she resists and he gives in anyway. They proceed to sneak out and little by little she explains her plan. They are hitting all the people who have been wrong to her. Little by little they throw catfish in cars, spray paint M's on places, and leave little notes. They even go as far as shaving off an eyebrow as well as breaking into Sea World. When Quentin gets to school he hopes to see Margo, but her car is missing. She does not show up to school and that leaves him on edge. Her parents no longer want anything to do with her. Quentin however, notices something different. He realizes she's left him clues on how to find her. He then becomes obsessed with finding where she went. He even gets his friends as well as one of her friends in on it. And they search for her far and near.

But do they eventually find her? Read the book and find out!

I generally liked the plot that Mr. John Green created. Quentin transformed from cowardly to confident through the book. He was able to analyze that Margo was more than she appeared, and he grew from the experiences she'd left for him.

However, what I did not like about the book was the excess amount of cursing. I really think the book would've been better without it, but I stuck it out to read the rest of this pretty great book.

Want me to review a book? Leave a comment and I'll stick it on my list. :)

JRN 215

Pride and Prejudice and....Zombies?

First off I would like to apologize for the neglect of my blog. Who would've thought college would be so demanding. It is not that I did not want to blog, it is just I had not finished my book yet. I vowed not to blog until my book, of which I started back in the middle of September.. Yes, with much embarrassment I admit it took me practically 6 months to finish a 317 page book. However, like I said before, I have no time. Hopefully that will change, and I will make time to read. :) Onto my book review.

Pride and Prejudice has to be one of my all time favorite books, and you would not believe you how excited I was when I found my gaze upon Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith on a bookshelf at Urban Outfitters. I was absolutely shocked and knew that I must read it! However, I was low on cash and unable to buy it. Upon my 18th birthday I was so very grateful to receive it from my dear friend Katie.

I instantaneously began my embark on a similar journey that I had once experienced before, with a new zombie-like twist. The story was mostly the same, however, there were quite a few changes. Grahame-Smith definitely added to the story and altered it a lot. But I feel that his alterations were for the better. He went to quite the extent to involve the characters that were not huge contributions to the original book. Characters such as, Charlotte, Mr. Collins, and Miss Darcy. These new parts added made the sides that were left in the dark make more sense.

Here is a brief summary:

The Bennets are a family of primarily girls who are trained in the deadly arts. They have a blood oath with the King of England to serve the country to slay any unmentionables that cross their paths until they are married. When Mr. Bingley, his sisters, and his proud friend Mr. Darcy come to live in Netherfield Park, Jane Bennet is quickly drawn to Mr. Bingley and he to her. Mr. Darcy acts very prideful and does not appear to think the neighbors are worthy of his presence, causing quite the detest of Elizabeth Bennet. When some unmentionables devour the brains of some of Mr. Bingley's servants, he is peculiarly called away on business. His sisters and Mr. Darcy soon follow. Does this mean the end for Mr. Bingley and Jane's love for one another? Pick up the book and read on!

I enjoyed the Zombies and Deadly Arts references. I also quite enjoy Mr. Darcy myself. It was quite an intriguing book. I highly recommend it. Especially if you enjoy Jane Austen or Pride and Prejudice.

JRN 215

Unhappy Turnout

So I am unhappy to report that over winter break I was unsuccessful in keeping up with my blog. I found it very hard to sit down and cook/ bake something, even if it was once a week. As I was looking for new bloggers to follow for my niche for this blog I found one peculiar blogger that sat in front of my face and stared me right in the eye and said "Sharayah dear, what are you doing? Baking is just a little fun now and again! Books are your passion!" So what I've come to realization is that I am going to be changing my niche to coincide with my real passion. Plus I have not read myself a good book in a long time. I have not even been able to finish the book I got for my birthday which was way back in September. So from this blog forward I will be a book blogger.

Interesting people who found my fancy, :)

http://booksandcooks.blogspot.com/

Tara the women behind the blog books and cooks is the woman who made me realize I had the wrong niche. She blogs about books she's read and how she feels about them. Something I long to do. :)

http://books-movies-chinesefood.blogspot.com/

Another good blogger, she makes the books she reads sound very intriguing and inviting. I look forward to her future posts. :)

for JRN215

What's My Niche?

Final blog entry as this semester wraps up. What is my niche? What am I good at? Well, automatically I assumed writing. However, writing is a tad difficult. I wondered and I wondered, what is it that I should niche on haha. I've finally come to the conclusion that it will be cooking. But not just any type of cooking. I will be cooking or baking something once a week. I assume that this will take place on Saturday nights, however, I am sure there will be quite the exceptions.

So I did a bit of research, and found a few blogs that I found interesting.

http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/

I think what drew me in most about this blog, would have to be the name. It cracked me up. Closet Cooking? But the blog had quite the number of different recipes with interesting twists.

http://enlightenedcooking.blogspot.com/

What I liked about this blog was the variety of recipes. There were so many different recipes, and it was very organized making it easy to find recipes.

http://cooking-from-scratch.blogspot.com/

cooking from scratch is an ancient art that many people have abandoned due to the upbeat lifestyle of our modern world. I give major props to this blogger because I feel very accomplished and proud of myself when I cook/ bake something from scratch.

http://tasteofhomecooking.blogspot.com/

I'm quite sure everyone can relate to this blogger. There really is nothing better than home cooking. Especially since I know some of my fellow college students eat at the caf daily. I'm sure they all enjoy the home cooking when they have the ability to visit home.

So this is a delayed blog since what I threw together happened Friday, and Saturday. Friday night I attempted at making Green Rice Krispie Treats. I have never made these in my life and let me tell you it was a sticky, mess by the end. I also did not get to really enjoy any because by the next morning my brother had eaten them all. Darn those little brothers, but by the second try I mastered it. So here's the recipe for all you who dare to try.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter, or margarine.

4 cups Miniature Marshmallows.

6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal.

Green Food Coloring.

Step 1. In a large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows & 4 drops of food coloring, stir until completely melted & all marshmallows are green. Remove from heat.

Step 2. Add Rice Krispies Cereal. Stir until well coated. (I recommend adding a little at a time and stirring that until its coated. Do this until all cereal is covered).

Step 3. Using a buttered spatula (really get the butter on the spatula, it works best if spatula is covered in butter because then your concoction does not stick to the spatula) evenly press into 13 x 9 x 2- inch pan coated with cooking spray. Let cool. Cut into 2 inch squares. Best if served same day.

Hope you guys enjoy this recipe!! :)

Blog Post for JRN215

To-Do List

I do not think it is so much that I do not like going to school. It is more a long the lines that I am tired of having to get up really early for my Tuesday and Thursday classes. Luckily we only have like two more weeks of this semester. I really want to start next semester's schedule. HOWEVER, not until AFTER my Christmas Break! :D

We are really winding down here. I have so much to do. So many projects to finish so that I might finish my first semester as a college student with flying colors. That is what I really wish to obtain, but for some reason laziness is showing it's ugly face. Why must I be cursed with the gift of procrastination?

I need to realize that my priority is school and that school comes before play. I need to write a research paper, prepare a speech, finish math homework, and study, study, study for all my classes. Today is officially December and I really want to rejoice for the birth of my Savior. However, I feel my procrastination is keeping me from doing so. I definitely need to make up a to do list for each day. I think that is probably a good idea, however, today is not the day to start because there is no room to do homework today unfortunately.

As of right now:

To-do list.

math class 11am-12:20pm.

tutoring for math. 12:25pm to ???

lunch. ?:??

choir. 2-4:30pm

drive home. 4:40 to 5pm. (most likely, unless bad traffic).

change/ do homework/ take a nap/ eat dinner?? time i get home to 5:55pm.

drive to Katie's. 5:55 to 6:15pm.

depart Katie's for movies. 6:15pm.

hang with Katie and movies. 6:15 - ??

sleep. when i get home. >.<

gosh jam packed day. i need discipline. Lord help me get through the next few weeks.

That's all folks. we'll see how the next few days go.

To-Do List....Make a To-Do List..

Procrastinators UNITE! ....Tomorrow.

Turkey Week

I know it's been quite awhile since I last posted, I apologize. I am so relieved that today is Tuesday, November 24, 2009. Today I only had one class. My least favorite class, but only one class nonetheless. I am so glad for this break. It means I am only a few days closer till the end of this semester, it also means that I survived. haha. Sounds like a bad thing. But it's really a good thing.

So enough about school. It's Turkey Week and Thursday is Thanksgiving. So what am I thankful for.

I'm thankful for a God who is patient and kind, that loves me even though I am a sinner.

I'm thankful for a great family. A father who works hard to keep a roof over my head, a mother that comes into my room every so often to see what I'm up to, for a little brother that even though I occasionally fight with he's still there seeking my attention.

I'm thankful for great friends who support, encourage, and love me for who I am.

I'm thankful for being able to attend an amazing university with amazing people who I'm sure have not yet finished making impacts on my life.

I'm thankful for many things.

What I realize though is not everybody really feel like they are blessed. So I encourage you, yes you reading this blog. Think about what God has blessed you with. You may think something or someone is a blessing, but it/ they really is/are.

until next time

happy thanksgiving. :)