NaNoWriMo Eve

It’s NaNoWriMo Eve, the day before National Novel Writing Month officially begins. I’m aware that by the time you read this, it’s probably November already. Time zones are tricky. More like I’ve gotten into a terrible habit of writing my blog posts late in the day and publishing them even later at night. In any case, happy NaNo.

I’m also well aware that when I’m publishing this post, it’s still October 31st. So if you do happen to read this then, happy Halloween. Cherish the last day of October. Where did it go? 

October has been a challenging month. Even though November has its own challenges, I still love the month regardless of how busy it gets. We gain an hour, remember soldiers, and give thanks (if you live in the US). I’m not American, but any day is a good one to be grateful if you ask me.

I don’t know how I’ll manage the next 30 days. Actually, I do. One day at a time. There are a few birthdays to celebrate with my family, a handful of major assignments due for school, and several goals I’d like to achieve in my personal life.

Also, I’m sending out a search for my sanity in advance. If you find her, please return the poor girl to me.

Happy NaNoWriMo and November to you. It’s the second to last month of 2016 after all. How? I don’t know. I just know you should make the most out of it.

I’ll see you all on the other side. 

Why Halloween Isn’t A Big Deal To Me

Even as a kid, October 31st for me wasn’t that different from any other day of the year.

I always wanted books, not candies.

I’m a reader.

I get to pretend to be whoever I wanted, whenever I wanted.

I’m a writer.

I don’t want to buy more costumes because my wardrobe is full of them.

I’m a dancer.

But there is something I always make a big deal of…

NaNoWriMo!

Happy writing and crying.

Books Of The Month: October 2015

I read every day, just not as much as I would like to.

Black Heart by Holly Black

One phrase description: Magic.

Quote:

Getting through it once makes it easier to believe that it can be gotten through again.

My general thoughts: I read the other two books in the series forever ago, but that being said, I think I liked White Cat and Red Glove a little more. My old age is getting to me. Thanks Goodreads for the beautiful picture. Bite me. I borrowed the book from the library, so it wasn’t camera worthy.

White Noise by Don DeLillo

One phrase description: Think of this novel like the shape of a U because the beginning and ending was much more bearable than the middle.

Quote:

Every disaster made us wish for more, for something bigger, grander, more sweeping.

My general thoughts: Not my kind of book. I probably wouldn’t have finished it if I didn’t have to.

Arcadia by Tom Stoppard

One phrase description: Short, sweet, sublime.

Quote:

It’s the best possible time to be alive, when almost everything you thought you knew is wrong.

My general thoughts: A challenging read, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I recommend watching the play being performed or listening to the audio version of it as well.

The Eye of Minds by James Dashner

One phrase description: Almost like a video game playing out in the form a book, although it’s probably better suited as a movie.

Quote:

Your demons are always with you.

My general thoughts: Since “everything is relative”, the Maze Runner books were more well-written than this one. At least, I didn’t see the plot twist coming.

I’m currently reading…

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Why: University and because I’ve always wanted to.

Until next month…November. You know what that means.

This post contains affiliate links, so if you purchase through them, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

October 2015: What I Love

I found out recently that Dropbox has an offline feature.

You’re able to make documents accessible even without an internet connection. Isn’t that awesome?

I keep syllabi and other resources offline so I can refer to them any time I want.

This is such a lifesaver and a productivity booster.

In my previous What I Love, I wrote about a similar feature for Google Drive.

And since then, I’ve made the folders in my Google Drive colourful. They’re so much nicer to look at now.

I’m also loving that NaNo is almost here!

World Ballet Day

It’s October 1st. Meaning we’re one month away from NaNoWriMo. Meaning we get to celebrate the wonderfulness that is ballet.

As much as I love words and writing them, I also love dance. Watching people perform, moving to music, dancing all day.

So you best believe I danced today.

I hope you write and dance every day or at least, as often as you can. Both bring so much joy to my life.

If you go in with an open mind, you’ll be surprised at what you’re capable of.

Supermoon Lunar Eclipse & Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

To anyone planning on observing the supermoon lunar eclipse, enjoy. And if you did by the time you read this, I hope you took some pictures to please my eyes. We all know how great of a photographer I am.

The eclipse won’t happen again for another 18 years. By then, I’ll be 36 years old. Holly molly.

And happy mid-autumn festival to anyone who is celebrating.

I’ve had enough moon cake today to last me until next year.

Can we also talk about the end of September? I swear just yesterday it was January 2015. We’re now only three days away from October.

You know what that means.

We’re a little over a month away from NaNoWriMo.

I feel tempted to incorporate NaNo into every post from now until November.

You’ve been warned in advance.

Get To Know Unconference And Contest Opportunities

I’ve been meaning to share these opportunities for a while now.

The Unconference is in Calgary, Alberta this year and will take place from October 2-4. Get to Know invites youth ages 12 to 25 to submit a proposal outlining ideas for an art presentation that will make a statement about the environment or present a solution to a current environmental issue. Any art form is welcome. There will be cash prizes awarded for the winners in each age category. The deadline is June 1st, 2015. You can find more information here.

The contest runs from May 1st to November 1st. Participants can submit an entry inspired by nature in the art, writing, photos, video, or music category. It’s open to Canadian residents 19 or under. The video category is open to youth in all countries. For more details, click here.

If you know anybody who would be interested in entering, spread the word.

Halloween, NaNoWriMo, and Birthdays

I love this time of year. Halloween is tomorrow, NaNoWriMo is in two days, and most of my family members have birthdays in October, November, or December.

Which basically means a lot of candy, chocolate, chips, an insane amount of writing, and plenty of cake to go around.

Let my unhealthy lifestyle become even more unhealthy.