Do you really want to be the last to know what it's all about?
It's certainly been a while since I updated here, hasn't it?
Firstly, an apology for that. I blame work (a growing challenge, but one I'm enjoying for the most part), health (I've had a couple seizures recently, and my digestive system is giving up the ghost), and the distractions that come with these particular aspects of my life.
Secondly, I suppose an update on life is in order.
1) School is almost over. It's only a couple more weeks until summer break starts. This timing may seem odd, but we get out earlier in the year than most schools because we start earlier. My goal is to keep the kids focused through this last little push; they're already antsy and anyone who knows teens knows how bad that can get.
I also have to get through the supervision of yet another provincial exam. Those of you who recall my previous experience with this will understand my trepidation.
On the bright side though, the exam is in the morning, and I'm booking a bus ticket back to the coast for that evening. It'll be good to see my family and friends again.
2) I've been reading. Not as much as I'd like to -- normally I read at a rate of ten books a month; I've fallen short of that this year -- but reading nonetheless. It's a good deal of YA lit, which I doubt surprises any of you. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to articulate exactly what it is about YA lit that manages to grab and hold my attention. It does though.
Alas, a good deal of the books I'm waiting for don't come out until the fall. More specifically, the final book in the Divergent trilogy (there aren't words for how apprehensive I am about this one), the next book in the Raven Cycle (based on my experience back at the bookstore, I never thought I would care for anything that Maggie Stiefvater's written, never mind becoming this invested in her characters), and the eighth of nine books in the Skulduggery Pleasant series (its title is "Last Stand of Dead Men". I'm bracing myself). I'm also trying not to angst over the fact that the third of Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone books isn't due out until sometime in 2014.
This is why I should never start a series that's still being written. Ever.
3) I was accepted in to the Master's program via correspondence that I spoke of eons ago. I start this summer, which is all kinds of nerve-wracking, but I look forward to it. I've participated in their online orientation, and I'm looking in to scholarships and general financial aid. Epilepsy BC doesn't award scholarships for the summer semester, but you bet your ass I will be applying come fall. The application involves writing an essay about epilepsy and how it impacts/has impacted your life.
Oh, do I have stories to tell them.
4) I've become addicted to the show "Hannibal". I'd never watched the movies, never read any of the books, but upon the strong recommendation of a friend who's taste I have come to accept I have no choice but to trust, I gave it a whirl. Beautifully shot, beautifully scripted, and good LORD does it do the emotional wringer well.
It's gory, yes, and certainly not for the queasy or faint of heart, but it's an incredibly well done show and if you've got the stomach for it, consider this my official endorsement. The fandom, which I've just started peeking in to, looks like all kinds of fun. They call themselves fannibals, for crying out loud. The upcoming hiatus has officially been dubbed the he-ate-us. It's kind of beautiful.
5) This is the one where you get to judge me in all sorts of ways.
I'm an admitted fan of the Backstreet Boys. The announcement of their new album and new tour has managed to rekindle my love for them. I checked the tour dates as soon as they were announced, assuming that there would be a few Canadian dates, and that one would be in Vancouver. Alas. No such luck. The two Canadian dates were in Toronto and Montreal.
So, after whining about it to way too many people, kismet.
I have a friend who lives out east. Particularly, just outside Montreal. She offered a couch to crash on and her company at the show. I took her up on this immediately. I've bought our tickets (my paying for her ticket is a combination of my thanks and payment for the room and board), and I've bought my plane ticket.
Yes, this has set me back a considerable amount.
No, I fail to care.
Yes, you can start to judge now.
And finally, how are all of you that are still hanging around here? Well, I trust? Do let me know.
Firstly, an apology for that. I blame work (a growing challenge, but one I'm enjoying for the most part), health (I've had a couple seizures recently, and my digestive system is giving up the ghost), and the distractions that come with these particular aspects of my life.
Secondly, I suppose an update on life is in order.
1) School is almost over. It's only a couple more weeks until summer break starts. This timing may seem odd, but we get out earlier in the year than most schools because we start earlier. My goal is to keep the kids focused through this last little push; they're already antsy and anyone who knows teens knows how bad that can get.
I also have to get through the supervision of yet another provincial exam. Those of you who recall my previous experience with this will understand my trepidation.
On the bright side though, the exam is in the morning, and I'm booking a bus ticket back to the coast for that evening. It'll be good to see my family and friends again.
2) I've been reading. Not as much as I'd like to -- normally I read at a rate of ten books a month; I've fallen short of that this year -- but reading nonetheless. It's a good deal of YA lit, which I doubt surprises any of you. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to articulate exactly what it is about YA lit that manages to grab and hold my attention. It does though.
Alas, a good deal of the books I'm waiting for don't come out until the fall. More specifically, the final book in the Divergent trilogy (there aren't words for how apprehensive I am about this one), the next book in the Raven Cycle (based on my experience back at the bookstore, I never thought I would care for anything that Maggie Stiefvater's written, never mind becoming this invested in her characters), and the eighth of nine books in the Skulduggery Pleasant series (its title is "Last Stand of Dead Men". I'm bracing myself). I'm also trying not to angst over the fact that the third of Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone books isn't due out until sometime in 2014.
This is why I should never start a series that's still being written. Ever.
3) I was accepted in to the Master's program via correspondence that I spoke of eons ago. I start this summer, which is all kinds of nerve-wracking, but I look forward to it. I've participated in their online orientation, and I'm looking in to scholarships and general financial aid. Epilepsy BC doesn't award scholarships for the summer semester, but you bet your ass I will be applying come fall. The application involves writing an essay about epilepsy and how it impacts/has impacted your life.
Oh, do I have stories to tell them.
4) I've become addicted to the show "Hannibal". I'd never watched the movies, never read any of the books, but upon the strong recommendation of a friend who's taste I have come to accept I have no choice but to trust, I gave it a whirl. Beautifully shot, beautifully scripted, and good LORD does it do the emotional wringer well.
It's gory, yes, and certainly not for the queasy or faint of heart, but it's an incredibly well done show and if you've got the stomach for it, consider this my official endorsement. The fandom, which I've just started peeking in to, looks like all kinds of fun. They call themselves fannibals, for crying out loud. The upcoming hiatus has officially been dubbed the he-ate-us. It's kind of beautiful.
5) This is the one where you get to judge me in all sorts of ways.
I'm an admitted fan of the Backstreet Boys. The announcement of their new album and new tour has managed to rekindle my love for them. I checked the tour dates as soon as they were announced, assuming that there would be a few Canadian dates, and that one would be in Vancouver. Alas. No such luck. The two Canadian dates were in Toronto and Montreal.
So, after whining about it to way too many people, kismet.
I have a friend who lives out east. Particularly, just outside Montreal. She offered a couch to crash on and her company at the show. I took her up on this immediately. I've bought our tickets (my paying for her ticket is a combination of my thanks and payment for the room and board), and I've bought my plane ticket.
Yes, this has set me back a considerable amount.
No, I fail to care.
Yes, you can start to judge now.
And finally, how are all of you that are still hanging around here? Well, I trust? Do let me know.