Dear December,

Here we are at the end of the month, none the wiser but that much older. It's been a good month December, I guess I have you to thank for the chilly wind, and happy smiles. You know it's weird it never really to cold here in Southern California. It's always sunny and warm. But now it feels like winter, like you were actually here December. With winds colder than ice, and rain hitting our practically new coats. 

December, the end of the year has me so nostalgic. I'm thinking about the year that's past and it's actually been a good one. This year has been good to me, you've been good to me. You know how sometimes everything feels like it's in the right place and time and moment? That's kind of how I feel now. Everything I've wanted to do, I've done. Some of my favorite moments of 2014 I never planned, yet they happened I'm happier because of them. 

I remember going to Sara Barellies' Concert. I remember meeting John Green. I remember going to the Night Before our Stars. I remember my 16th Birthday. I remember doing my dance concert in may. I remember getting student of the Semester in English. This year has been filled with so many amazing memories that it's almost hard to let go of 2014. But I think 2015 will be better, I will be better in 2015. I'm excited to see what this new year will bring. There's always so much pressure at the beginning of something new. The pressure of the promise it holds, the potential you see, and the hopes you wish to be reality. 

Here's the thing though, although this is my last letter to you this month, In a year we'll be here December. You reading my letters, and me writing them. I want to make promises and resolutions for 2015, but I think I'll take what the year gives me. Make do with whatever life throws at me. And maybe that's the best promise I can make. 

I'll miss you December. Wish me luck!

Love Always

Infinity Dreams Award

Wow! Another award! This is really cool. I know that I was nominated a while ago, but It seems like I finally have the time to do this post. First I want to give a bunch of thanks to the awesome, talented and lovely Cecil for nominating me for this. You should definitely check her out, her blog is pretty cool, if I do say so myself (if I do say so myself, if I do say so myself. I'm sorry I couldn't help it)

The Rules

1. Thank and Follow the blog that has nominated you. 
2. Tell us 11 facts about you. 
3. Answer the questions that were set up for you. 
4. Nominate 11 and make your questions for them.

Now that that's done, here are some random, and not the least bit interesting facts about me.

1. Whenever I really like a song I will play it nonstop until I don't like it anymore or just tire of hearing it over and over again. For some reason I tend to brainwash myself into hating a song that I love because I literally will play it 24/7. If I really like a song then I won't get tired of it or hate it, but that's really rare. 
2. My favorite animal was a Cheetah until I got made fun of the fact that my name is Giselle which sounds like Gazelle which cheetahs eat... Yeah, elementary school was a sad time.
3. My favorite poet is Pablo Neruda. Some time ago I finally received my very own copy of his love poems after "borrowing" my sister's copy. His writing is just beautiful. My favorite line I think is "“Te amo sin saber cómo, ni cuándo, ni de dónde, Te amo directamente sin problemas ni orgullo. Así te amo porque no sé amar de otra manera," which roughly translates to, "I love you without knowing how, nor when, nor where. I love you directly without problems or pride. This is how I love You because I don't know any other way to love" 
4. I have a panic disorder. This fact is a little bit of a downer but maybe someone reading this will be able to relate and thus feel less alone. That's the thing about these things, no matter how many other people may suffer from it, you always feel alone and isolated. My panic attacks aren't' crazy bad, and thankfully my sister is a psychologist and has helped a little bit. But the thing is they suck and I hate it, but I deal with it. I deal with it and survive the episodes. There are exercises, breathing relaxation, progressive muscle relaxation the helps prevent it.
5. When I'm done with university my plan is to travel for one year (coming home for Thanksgiving and Christmas). I don't have a set plan, but I really want to go to London, Amsterdam, Dublin, Berlin, Peru, Chile, Australia, New York, Alaska, China, India, etc I guess we'll have to wait and see for this one. 
6. I LOVE Ferris Wheels. If I see one I'm probably going to go on it. I really want to go on the one In London (is it?) I love being able to look down and see this giant panorama of where ever I am. I love it. The sight's are so beautiful.
7. I cry a lot during movies and books. I just finished watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part two and I was blubbering like a baby every single time someone died. I mean like sobbing into my pillow type of moments...Yeah it's bad sometimes. I just am so connected to the characters and the story,
8. My favorite band of all time is Coldplay. I love them so much. I have all of their songs, know the words to about 90% of their songs. I love their music. 
9. My top five book crushes are Will Herondale from the Infernal Devices, Noah Shaw from the Mara Dyer Trilogy, and Adam from If I stay, Charlie from Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Neville from Harry Potter ( I mean did you see him in the last movie??? Plus he's so adorable and sweet)
10. I'm a pack rat. I have papers and books from kindergarten that I have in a drawer. I have so many things put away that I will never use and probably have forgotten about yet I refuse to throw things away.
11. I have been dared to get a pixie cut by the end of my senior year of high school. We shall see how this ends. Personally I can't picture myself with a pixie cut but my friends seem quite determined to get me to do it. And maybe I will, who knows.

1. What phone do you have?

For a long time I had a basic phone. Just for text. But this past Monday I got a Samsung galaxy s4 mini which means I can now use the Internet and blog from my phone. Which is what I'm doing right now actually.

2. Black or white? 

Black. Black just goes with every thing and looks bad ass. 

3. Go-to winter outfit.

A sweater cuz us cold with a skirt because I live in southern California and knee high socks because I'm obsessed

4. Favourite clothing shop.

Forever 21.  I love the clothes and styles they have. It so fun to go and  create outfits with different style clothes

5. What social media app do you use the most?

tumblr!!!!!! I love tumblr. Tumblr is life.

6. Would you like to be somebody else for a day? Who? (yes, I've copied that one).

Hermione Granger because she's badass, smart, and kind.

7. Do you prefer drawing or colouring?

coloring. I can't draw well so I just end up frustrated.
8. Do you like exotic food? If yes, what type
10. How long have you been blogging?
11. Favourite book and why.

I live all food as long as it's vegetarian friendly but I love Chinese food.
9. What's your favourite city you've ever been.

Monteverde. It'd so beautiful and they have amazing coffee.

Since June. I finally just did it and I love it.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. It's a beautiful and heart wrenching story. It's really good and something everyone should read.

My questions.

1. Strange reading habit?

2. Who would be your book best friend and why? 

3. The perfect day would consist of...

4. What's one embarrassing moment from school? 

5. What's something that always makes you happy?

6. If your life was a musical what would be a theme song?

7. What did you want want  when you were a kid.

8. 2015 goals?

9. What would be your patronus.

10. What does your life look like in 20 years

11. Who is your idol and why?

I nominate!

1. A Day in Bookland
2. The Collection of Knowledge 
3. Holly, Quills and Ivy
4. Another Serendipity 
5. Marianne Says...
6. Downright Dystopian 
7. The Book of Jules 
8. Katie's Great Perhaps 
9. Books by J
10. Pretty Little Pages
11. Girl in The Woods

Letter to December #12

Dear December,

It seems that no good thing ever really lasts. Christmas has come and gone faster than I wanted it too. All this work is put into this holiday that ends up being nothing more than a day long. But somehow it works out. Christmas eve is filled with food and jokes and drama. While Christmas day is calm and happy and beautiful. 

For most people the big day is Christmas day. For me, December, it's Christmas eve. We have a meal, a movie, and plenty of conversation to go around.  Though if I'm being totally honest, there was some unforeseen drama that caught me off guard. It was kind of crazy and even a little more in like. It was at that point that I really wished that my life was anything but a movie is because if the issue had continued, let me tell you that this movie would have an interesting ending to say the least.

Regardless Christmas was good. It was great. It was a cold day by California's Standards. We exchanged presents in the morning. I loved seeing people's faces when the opened their presents, presents I have had planned out since the beginning of this month. I love how well my family know me. I mean My sister got me a Stitch stuffed animal. I'm a 16 year old girl who was really really happy to get a stuffed animal :). I'm lame I know. It was great. I love what I received as gifts. But the thing that makes me smile the most is the fact that these people, my family, my friends, took the time to look for something for me that they knew would make me happy. In the end that's all Christmas is. A feeling you get.

There's this thing we do on Christmas. Where we all stay in our Christmas P.J's and stay home and watch movies. As you know December, we go out into your chilly embrace to go rent movies. So that means that we (and I mean me) go out and rent movies in pajamas and bed heads. Needless to say I got my fair share of stares. Yeah...But I think it's worth it. That's usually the only outing we do all day. The rest it movies, food, and tea. That sums it up! It was great and oh so worth the wait!

December, i'm so happy with the way things are at the moment. It's been a little cray on the way here, but I think its been worth it. I can't believe that Christmas is gone and all that are left now are memories and pictures and things. But I guess it works out better this way.

Love Always

Letter to December #11

Dear December,

I've been thinking about how many times a day I say the word "I". I say it a lot. I think most people say it an uncountable amount of times a day. I say it too much, I think. It seems that I always find a way to bring things back to me. Like if i'm in a conversation about something random I seem to always say something like "I think", "I'm just saying", or "In my opinion". Lately I've been noticing this "I" take over.

It's important to have self value, it's important that every one know that they have a voice. But what i'm getting at is that so many people think  a lot about themselves and never once let themselves think about other people. Never venture into someone else's shoes. Never think in a different point of view. It seems that we all have just become our little islands. That's why you're so important December. That's why Christmas is so special.

It's during these cold days that we all begin to remember that other people matter too. That other people matter to us. That maybe instead of using  "I" all the time we can use "us" or "we". We think of others and we feel good about it. Christmas reminds us that bringing happiness to the people we care about, and maybe even those we've never met, or never will meet, is the best feeling. I know it's cheesy and corny, but that's what the holidays are about, saying the cheesy stuff, doing those simple corny things. I finished watching Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, one of my favorite holiday specials, and I think a lot of us are like Donald Duck's nephews, focused on presents and ourselves.

So even though Christmas has become this very materialistic holiday it's important to remember that at the root of all the money and capitalistic gains, the whole point is to make someone happy.There's nothing wrong with stuff, everyone wants and needs things. It's just bad when all you care about is getting things. Like Donald Duck said "Christmas is about the hearts you touch".

December, it's toward the end, it's toward this festive season that humanity seems to show it's face after a year of being vacant. You help remind people that us humans don't actually totally suck all the time. Because lets face it people suck most of the time. Christmas is my favorite holiday, not because of the tinsel, the lights, or the food, well maybe the food. It's because I get to be part of something that makes the people who care so much about me, happy.

Now, I'm so excited that it's Christmas. Now, as you know December, this month has been crazy, but tomorrow all the craziness, all the work put into gifts, DIY stuff, food, will all be worth it. So yeah, And in typical Giselle fashion, I'm writing this late in the morning, with a nice mugful of tea :)

Merry Christmas, December

Love Always,

Christmas Gift Guide: Books

As a book blogger i'm bound to have books that are perfect for people you're shopping for! Enjoy the list :)

YA contemporary Reads (for further book ideas here are my top ten favorites)

• Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira (book review here)
• If I Stay by Gayle Foreman
• Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (pretty much anything by Rainbow Rowell)
• The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp ( Book Review here)
• Say What You Will by Cammie Mcgovern 
• The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider 
• The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
• Crash and Burn by Micheal Hassan
• The List by Siohban Vivian

YA Dystopian

• Divergent by Veronica Roth
• The 100 Kass Morgan (book review here)
• Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
• Uglies by Scott Westerfield 
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer (book review here)
• Champian by Mary Lu

YA Fiction

• Sinner by Maggie Steifvater 
• The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
• The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins
• Liar by Justine Larbalestier
• The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
• Die For Me by Amy Plum
• Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass
• The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare

Christmas Gift Guide: Last Minute Gifts for Men

Part Two of a four part series. So this is the Men's gift ideas, here are the Ladies' gift ideas, and there will be a book gift guide :) Of course people tend to not to fit categories so feel free to mix and match, but at least the types of presents are under categories!

The Mountain Man: The nature is mans best friend guy. You know the one, the one who loves spending time outside, hiking, walking

• Hiking Boots or Running Shoes
• Backpacks
• Tumbler
• Earbuds
• Sweater
• Flannel
• Adventure hats (yes this is a thing my friend and brother have one)

The Classy Bro: The guy who wears really nice cologne, has cool shoes, and wears bow ties

• Nice Dress Shirt or a Polo
• A Suit
• Messenger Bag
• Bow Tie
• Belt or suspenders
• Journals

Indie Kid:The hipstery boy in your life that wears a lot of flannels, wears beanies, and reads poetry

• Aviators 
• Cool button ups 
• Sweaters
• Watch
• Lenses for phone cameras
• Mug
• Wreak this Journal (great for everyone!)

Skater Dude: The guy who is chill, laid back, and wears snap backs, and graphic tees

• Headphones
• Vans or other skating shoes
• Beanie or snapback
• Baseball Tees
• Cool printed sweatshirts
• Backpacks
• Funny Books
• ex) Get Sh*t Done

Christmas Gift Guide: Last minute Ideas for Ladies

So Christmas is in a few days. For some people, the lucky, organized, responsible people are getting a few last minute things, but are all set with presents. The rest of the human population is freaking the fuck out because Christmas is in a few days and we have absolutely nothing. So seeing as this is a plight I am all too familiar with I thought I would help by doing some last minute gift guides for those of us who a little late to this party.

Here are links to gifts and links to gift ideas. :)

Ladies:

The Girly Girl: The girl who loves to dress up, do her make up, and really likes pink.

• Nail Polish box or Nail Stickers or Both :)
• Make Up Brushes
• Eye Shadow
• Mini Make-up Kit
• Rookie Yearbook
• Purse
• Hair Bows

The Edgy One: The one that's not afraid to wear leather, spikes, and all black. She's fearless

• Headphones
• Nail polish
• Combat Boots
• Bold statement pieces
• Bracelets
• Watches
• Earrings or Ear Cuffs
• Faux Fur vest or jacket
• Flask

The Boho Chick: Has a flower child influence to her wardrobe, chill relaxed.

• Tribal Inspired jewelry
• Rings
• Earrings 
• Head Accessories 
• Candles or fairy lights
• Journal
• Scarf
• Hats
• Beanie
• Fedora

The Creative, Craft-y girl: The one who likes to scrapbook, make DIY things, and always goes full out on school projects

• Scrapbook
• Jewelry making kit
• Wreak This Journal ( great gift for everyone!)
• Notebook
• Nail Art kit 
• Disposable Cameras or a Polaroid 

Letter to December #10

Dear December,

Sometimes all you need is a nice big breath, a cup of tea, and an afternoon of nothingness. Now, I've always been one to keep busy. I like running around doing errands, making plans, scheduling things etc. But for a moment, just a tiny one I sat down, tea in hand, and just relaxed and surprisingly enough I enjoyed my moment of nothingness. 

Of course, December, it didn't last long. I went to target not soon after to go Christmas shopping. With finals done, school on pause, I finally have time to get presents and make them. This is my favorite time of the year and it almost makes up for the head splitting-ness of finals week. But it got me thinking, maybe it's time for me to take a deep breath and look around me. I don't think I do it enough. 

People are always doing things. That, I think sometimes, we get so focused on tasks, that we forget the big picture. We forget that we are living breathing people who are living their lives. I know it's cliche but I don't think anyone really stops to smell the roses anymore. And then at random moments, we'll just think "Holy Shit, This is my life". For me it hit me yesterday. With a mug in hand, and nothing to do, it hit me that this is actually what i'm doing with my life, my time, my energy. And I wish I would have stopped more and just taken in the moments, instead of living life on super speed, busy as a bumblebee. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, I need to be more in touch with the big picture of it all. I focus to much on the tiny details that won't matter in ten years. I focus on the small things so much I forget that I need to take a breather sometimes. But better late than never, right December?

Love Always,

Letter to December #9

Dear December,

There's a certain something that comes with the end of things. It could be that you just stop caring. It could be that you're in a rush to prove yourself. That's pretty much what finals feel like. This week, December, so many students embark on a journey that can pretty much leave you dead;finals week. Not fun. You see as much as I love you December, you bring around one of the most stressful times of the year. 

Okay so in my defense the internet is a pretty distracting place, but I've been majorly procrastinating on my studying. Maybe it's the Christmas-y feeling in the air, the inebrating amounts of junk food, or the Disney music i've been playing non-stop, but i'm not worried yet. My finals start on Tuesday so i'm waiting to notice the walls closing in on me. I'm waiting to freak out and have the "Holy Shit" moment. You know the one. The one where you're dumbfounded by you're a) own stupidity b)the pressure to do well. This is where some people just have a fuck it moment, and where others, like me cram, 

I know cramming doesn't help, but It's my comfort blanket. I can't not cram for things. Thankfully Disney music has kept me calm (for now) and somewhat happy. I mean you can't not be happy when you'r listening (and singing) "Zero To Hero" or "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" or "Hakuna Matata". You just can't. That probabaly why I listen to it during finals. I have to keep myself somewhat content and together. I can lose it after. I should take a hint from Timon and Pumba and just chill out. But I doubt that I could ever just live by Hakuna Matata, I worry to much. 

I worry. So I plan and plan. But then I don't stick to that plan so I worry and try and plan some more. Usually by like the third circle I got it, and I somewhat know what i'm doing. It just takes some last minute pressure to get me to that point. Which is pretty much where I am right now.

December wish me luck, I'll need it.

Love always,

Book Talk: The 100 by Kass Morgan

Release Date: September 3, 2013
Book: The 100
Author: Kass Morgan
Number of Pages: 323
Source: Netgalley (I received this in exchange for an honest review)

The Basics:In the future, humans live in city-like spaceships orbiting far above Earth's toxic atmosphere. No one knows when, or even if, the long-abandoned planet will be habitable again. But faced with dwindling resources and a growing populace, government leaders know they must reclaim their homeland... before it's too late. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents are being sent on a high-stakes mission to recolonize Earth. After a brutal crash landing, the teens arrive on a savagely beautiful planet they've only seen from space. Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community. But they're haunted by their past and uncertain about the future. To survive, they must learn to trust - and even love - again

My Musings,

Okay so I LOVE the show. I love the characters, the changing dynamics and relationships, the plot, the story line. Everything. I really wanted to read the book just because I wanted to see what it was like, how it compared to the show. Plus I heard that there was a lot of #bellarke, I ship them so hard. So I read the book with a pretty open mind and I actually really like it.

The writing style isn't really anything special. There aren't incredibly fancy sentences conveying a deep rooted emotion. But it's perfect for this book. The plot is different from the show, but it's good. It surprised me and took me on a journey that I enjoyed. I liked the originality of the story line and the twists and turns it takes. It's not as crazy as the show, but it's pretty good. I love how it was told in different view points. You get to see what Clarke is thinking, what Bellamy is thinking, what Glass is thinking. But because of this changing view point the story line does lag a little bit. It takes a while for things to happen because each character gets a say in what they think, which I actually kind of liked. My mind was a little poisoned by the show because I kept waiting for different things, some happened fast, others didn't come until the end of the book.

The characters are well written, I was able to connect with the characters. They felt real to me. I love Bellamy's character. He is strong and capable and you see him grow in the book. You get to see more of the back story for each of the characters which intensifies the relationship a reader feels with characters in the book. I really felt for Bellamy and Octavia. I wanted to give Well's a hug and then punch him. I wanted to give Clarke advice. That was a big plus in the book. There are different characters in the book than in the show, but you grow to love those two. I honestly don't miss Finn at all. I love Glass. She's willing to do anything for the guy she loves and I respect her for it.

Romance wise, there isn't anything highly original, but I love it. Wells is in love with Clarke. Clarke kind of sort of hates his guts. Within reason of course. Bellamy is cute, sweet, badass and has a giant crush on Clarke and Clarke is crushing on him too. I like the romance and the way it develops. As a reader i'm definitely torn between Wells and Bellamy. Wells has risked everything for Clarke. Bellamy has been through hell and deserves to be happy. I can't wait till the next book!!!

Overall i'm pleased with the way the book happened. I love how different the book is. I love the characters and the original story line.


Coffee for The 100: I recommend a nice warm Caramel Brulee Latte. It's warm and soothing perfect for the WTF moments in the book. 

My Rating:

Letter to December #8

Dear December,

It was cold and rainy and I felt like baking. It was an eventful experience. Mostly because my brother was baking with me. Yeah....

Yesterday was the 12 of December. For most people it was just another day. But for me and my family it was my mom's and sisters saint day. They are both named after the Virgin of Guadalupe. I'm the odd daughter out. My name is Giselle not Guadalupe like my mom and sister. My plan is to add it as a middle name later on in life. We'll see how that goes. Anyways, my brother and I wanted to do something nice for mom since it was the day of her saint.

My brother biked to Target got some cookie mix, cupcake mix and frosting. My dear little brother did his best as a baker, but the poor kid didn't even really know how to crack an egg. So I guess this was an educational experience for him. Like how you're supposed to watch the cookies as you bake. And you know, not let them burn. He still needs to work on baking skills but he's great at decorating :)

The cupcakes turned out really good. The cookies... not so much. I was washing dishes and my little brother was in charge of the cookies. We were in the final stages of baking so I was cleaning up. Then he asks for help and I tell him to wait because I was almost done, but he repeated his words and he was holding a cookie tray full of burnt cookies. So then I took the tray from him trying to find a space to but the tray down. The tray however was soo hot that I burned my finger a little bit. Note: If you ever get burned put tomato on it. It helps. All of a sudden the piercing shriek of the fire alarm went off and I starting to freak out. I put the cookie tray down on a chair and took the other one out, Thankfully Omar was able to turn it off.

Some cookies were salvageable. I couldn't stop laughing after it happened. All the while Christmas Music was playing. But regardless it's a nice, funny memory and to be honest quite a story. Life is a series of moments, some imprinted in out brains some lost in the corners of our mind, And December, I'm making some awesome ones this month.

Love Always

Letter to December #7

Dear December,

I walked into my second period class today and my Psychology teacher was playing Christmas music. As soon as I heard the cheerful melody of "Santa Clause is Coming to Town", I smiled. To be honest I really did want to sing along ;)

I remember one year in elementary my teacher made my class sing that song for a mini, informal, winter concert. Ever since then I've loved this song. Even when everyone was done with that song, I was ready to sing it once more with a giant grin on my face. Years later, I can still sing this song (badly) with a smile on my face.

December 9th marked the anniversary of Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. I loved that movie, I watched it yesterday. Maybe it's the end of the year talking but I've started to feel really nostalgic. I used to love watching christmas movies and I could spend hours watching Rudolph, Mickey Mouse, Santa Clause, movies. I still can to be completely honest. But those little kid days...That was the life. We're all in such a hurry to grow up, leave our childhood behind and just be adults. We all want desperately to be taken seriously and want our thoughts and actions to be validated and often times it seems the only way we're going to reach that point is by being adults.

Then one day, you're re-watching old movies, drinking hot cocoa and suddenly you kind of get annoyed with your little kid self because they wanted to grow up so bad. It's not that I would want to change my childhood, I just wish I could have had more carefree time, more naps, more everything. I guess it's human nature to always want more

That's why I love you December, you remind me that it's okay i'm not a little kid. You remind me it's okay as long as I remain a kid at heart, as cheesy as that sounds. At the end of the day I still love watching Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, eating cookies with a mug full of hot chocolate with sprinkles. You remind us it's okay to play in the snow and actually enjoy ourselves. Just because we grow up (admittedly a little rushed) doesn't mean we can't act like children and enjoy things we did when we were kids.

So who cares if your 20 or 30 or 40 or whatever really, you can still be a kid. You can shake off your responsibility for a couple moments of well deserved childlike fun. Because let's face it you've probably never laughed as passionately, as purely as when you were a kid.


Love Always,

Letter to December #6

Dear December, 

It's currently 11:30 pm and i'm very tired. It'll be tomorrow by the time you get this. I'll be at school, trying not to fall asleep, desperately clinging to my consciousness because I have in class writing, tests, and last minute teaching going on. 

School is crazy and quite frankly i'm really done with it. I know I have Winter break in less than two weeks, but right now amid all the cramming and bad teachers, I'm starting to freak out and wanting to just stop and take a breather. But as my APUSH teacher said this morning, "Now is the time to push yourself".

So here I am with no tea, not on my bed, and with no blankets or sweater near me. I'm not happy. I know it all be over soon, and I'll look back at this and just be glad I was able to say I survived. But until then I'm stuck in a circle of procrastination, going to bed late, napping, procrastination. Fun.

As much as I love you December, you also tend to bring the hardest weeks into my life. With finals and dealing with relatives on Holidays. But I just have to remember that some rough moments have to balance out all the hot chocolates, candy canes, presents, and all around festive cheer. I guess it's like they say, December, you need to have some bad to balance out the good. I think it's a good trade off, or at least I do once i'm on break. 

But for now it's time for me to go to bed and try to not hate myself in the morning for my poor life choices. Thankfully I have Christmas music on repeat and working on my master playlist! You can't ever really be sad while listening to christmas music, you know? 

Love Always, 

Letter to December #5

Dear December,

Sometimes you don't even realize how fast time goes until your standing and wondering where exactly it went. You kind of snuck up on me. I was just minding my own business thinking the end of the year was so far off, but in reality its not. Now I can feel the pressure to do well on my finals even more than I did last year. I'm kind of freaking out. 

It's starting too feel more and more christmas-y everyday. My family and I put up our Christmas Tree on Saturday. I decorated it with my mum, while everyone else slacked off. That's okay, I don't mind. Decorating is one of my favorite things. Once I finished the tree I put up tinsel and lights and ornaments and wreaths all around the living room. I went a little crazy. But I do that almost every year. I decorated my room as well. I have a mini Christmas tree, Christmas lights up with ornaments hanging them as well as tinsel. I LOVE IT. 

Isn't this beautiful! Lol this isn't mine, i'll put up a pic soon!

Everything is moving by so fast December, I don't know how to hold on to anything anymore. It seems the more I cling to my memories of yesterdays the faster time escapes me. I guess that just means I have to be more focused on the here and now. Like I was yesterday when I was trying to make it seem like Christmas threw up in my house. I even changed my screen saver to a Christmas print thing.
I was caught in the moment, letting life engulf me, letting Christmas thoughts whirl around my head. Maybe I should listen to Elsa and let go a little bit. 

Love Always, 

Book Talk: Melt by Selene Castrovilla

Release Date: November 6, 2014
Book: Melt
Author: Selene Castrovilla
Pages:280
Source: Netgalley (I received this in exchange for an honest review)

The Basics: Based on true events, MELT is both a chilling tale of abuse, and a timeless romance. MELT will hit you like a punch in the face, and also seep through the cracks in your soul. MELT is a brutal love story set against the metaphorical backdrop of The Wizard of Oz (not a retelling). When sixteen year old Dorothy moves to the small town of Highland Park, she meets, and falls for Joey – a “bad boy” who tells no one about the catastrophic domestic violence he witnesses at home. Can these two lovers survive peer pressure, Joey’s reputation, and his alcoholism? Told in dual first person, Joey’s words are scattered on the page – reflecting his broken state. Dorothy is the voice of reason – until something so shattering happens that she, too, may lose her grip. Can their love endure, or will it melt away?

My Musings:

I had pretty high expectations from this book. Everything about the summary caught my eye and attention. It seemed to be profound and inspiring. So I wanted to read it. To be honest I was kind of let down.

The plot, I felt like was a little rushed at times, but it was original somewhat. The very first few pages of the books are crazy and get you sucked into the story. The fact that this is based on a true story makes it that much more crazy, heartbreaking, and captivating. I liked how the story unfolded, even if it was a little predictable. I liked the alternating perspectives. It's always fun to see a story from multiple points of view. If i'm being totally honest I kind of wish we could have seen Dorothy and Joey's relationship develop more. It kind of just happens. At one point they end up just being together, you don't really get to see them get to this point. It's a soft spot in the plot because it's hard to be sympathetic to their relationship when its underdeveloped and rushed. Especially since their relationship is the main point of the story.  However, I will say this, if you can get past the whole rushing of the relationship, the ending is pretty good.

 I have to admit I really disliked Dorothy's chapters. I'm not sure why, but her character just annoyed me. She seemed emotional, dependent, and pushy at times. I couldn't connect at all really with Dorothy's personality. She just irked me. I LOVED Joey so much. He's strong, sweet, and actually really sweet. He's a good person and a good boyfriend without being overly dependent on Dorothy. I loved reading his chapters because they were so simply written, but they explained such profound things. I looked forward to reading his chapters and seeing what went on in his head.

One thing I did like about the novel is that even though this book is about a relationship, it still develops both of them as separate people. You get to understand Dorothy because she's put into different situations with Joey. You get a real feel for the type of life they lead and the type of person they are. Personally, I think it strengthens their relationship, because if you can see where each of them come from and how the end up meeting in the middle, the story is just that much cuter.

I liked Dorothy and Joey together. Despite the fact I didn't really like Dorothy, I did like her with him. I wished their love was a little bit more developed in the beginning, but it makes up for it, kind of, towards the middle.

Overall, I was disappointed with the book. I liked aspects of it, but I can't help but feel that it was rushed. I think the readers needed to see more of the relationship, more of the characters, for the story to feel real.

Coffee For Melt: A Nice Hazelnut Latte. 

My Rating:

Letters to December #4

Dear December,

Change is hard to come by sometimes. Sometimes it just sneaks up on us. Sometimes its illusive. This is one of those times.

There is so much injustice in the world. I'm lucky that I don't have to deal with with it as often as other people. But as a Mexican woman i'm bound to deal with terrible people saying terrible things. As i'm sure other people have had to endure. The reason I wanted to talk to you about this is because of the whole thing with Mike Brown and Eric Garner.

It's so frustrating to hear someone's life being taken and no one doing anything about it. It makes me angry that so many people, people we're supposed to trust end up hurting the populace. It's sad more than anything. Because families are without members. Because there's one less person at the dinner table. Because a lives was lost. 

I'd like to think the world has come a long way. That we've evolved into good, better people. Clearly that not the case. In the U.S people are getting killed because of their skin color, Where's the fairness in that? In Mexico 43 students were murdered. Where's justice in that? People everywhere are rioting, and banding together in protest.  

Things are crazy. I look at the world and I get sad that things like this happen. I lose faith in humanity, I begin to think there is none left, just shells. It's hard to see good when all I ever hear about is bad. We hear about cyber bulling, murder, racism, sexism, rape...

Change starts with a ripple. People are making themselves heard. It's the first step, and hopefully real change will come of it. Everyone needs to play their part. People need to spread the message. People need to get informed. People need to listen to those who need to be heard. People need to taking action and not just sit around waiting for change to happen

Love Always,

Letters to December #3

Dear December,

I have the sniffles. I think. I'm a mess of cold symptoms. In other words I feel like crap. I hate getting sick. I'm not sure what i hate most, staying at home doing nothing but be sick or going to school and being sick. Both suck. But only one causes me more trouble. Staying home one day, means I miss a day of lectures, which isn't good considering we're down to the wire. 

It's weird the last three months have gone by so fast and I've been so busy the last three months. Like Blogtober14, or NaNoWriMo, and now these letter's to you.I always seem to be working on some sort of project recently. I'm not sure why that is, or if this little trifecta will repeat itself next year. I hope it does. As busy as I was and as much as I hated myself for it during those months, i don't think I've ever felt more capable or productive. It's a pretty awesome feeling. 

So I'm taking medicine trying to get better and making sure I can soldier the next day. Life goes on, sick or not you have to be there. Music helps, as do the blankets and sweaters that surround me. There's something nice in just laying in bed watching Netflix and being happy with life. It's a completely other thing to be laying in bed surrounded by tissues struggling to find something on T.V. For me, as much as I love being unproductive, I hate doing nothing. It's weird I know, I don't even thing I make sense. What i'm trying to say, and failing at, is that I might be unproductive and stuff, but that doesn't mean I want my day to be wasted doing things I don't want/need to do. 

Maybe i'm just being a complainer... Any anyway.... December, why am I always sick when you come to visit? It's quite frustrating for us both. I want so badly to just enjoy this time, but that cough is always holding me back. Hopefully i'll be up on my feet soon. 

Love Always,

Letter's To December #2

Dear December,

It's been raining like crazy all day. It never rains in Southern California. So seeing the pavement glitter, the bedazzled tree leaves, the gray sky, it's all kind of a novelty to us Cali people. Well it is to me. I love it though. I love the melancholy feel, the chill, the pure rashness of the rain. I'm just about the only one. Many of my friends hate this weather, and, December, I don't get it. 

I got wet today. My hair was stuck to my face and my sweater was darkened by the water. My mother was not pleased, but I was happy. I'm still that five year old who just wants to go splash in puddles and feel the rain on her face. It's strange how somethings just don't change. Like i don't think I'll ever just magically start liking carrots, or stop wanting to read. Yet there are so many aspects of us that time twists and rearranges. Like I have short hair now. I love reading contemporary now. I'm love artichokes. Most of the time these changes happen gradually until one day it's like "wait when did that happen". I guess it's true when they say that life sneaks up on you. 

I came home, changed into my p.j's and had some tea which was perfect for a gloomy day like today. I love coming in from the rain about just as much as I like playing outside in it. I'm currently wrapped in my blanket, avoiding the pile of homework waiting for me. December, the end of the year is near and there is a lot of pressure to make the last three weeks of school count. I'ts starting to get to me. The rain helps. Its just washes away my worries.

Love Always,

Dear December,

Winter's here, but you knew that already. I love the chill air, the gloomy days, the jumpers and boots. This is my season. I had this idea when I was watching Carrie Fletcher's Letter's to Autumn. I figured that you, my lovely December, might need some company too. So I find myself sitting on my bed, clutching a mugful of tea trying to type this letter out. 

It's been raining in Southern California. I can actually feel winter here which is strange because It almost feels like Autumn never happened. It never really got too cold. And now all of a sudden I find myself wrapped in sweaters and scarves. Oh how I love it! I'm excited for the month, to see what it brings. 

It's time to bust out a Christmas tree, sing some Christmas carols. It's time to look back on the year, now that it's coming to an end. It's time to buy presents and cram for finals. It's time for me to buy cough drops and movies. My life's been so busy lately, with Blogtober, then NaNoWriMo, and now Letter's to December. This year has been good to me, so let's end it with a bang.

Love Always,

Life Updates: NaNoWriMo

 How's your week been so far? Been keeping busy, busy? I have. I swear I don't think I've ever been this busy in my life.

Anyways, I need to update on what's happening and what I have planned. As I'm sure you've noticed I haven't really been updating my blog. Partly is because of school, partly because I'm a procrastinater and that means sometimes other things overshadow my blog, but mostly it's because of NaNoWriMo. Last month I blogged for an entire month, everyday. And this month i'm attempting to do what so many eager and creative souls are doing, write a novel in thirty days. If any of you guys are doing this, let me know in the comments. We can Writer Buddies! lol You can add me Here

Which brings me to this months expected posting schedule. Chances are I will update once or twice a week for the next month. I will keep up with my review, do bookish posts, and maybe throw an OOTD if i'm feeling really blog-y. And maybe i'll do a NaNoWriMo post. I was thinking of maybe doing a weekly re-caps, advice and rants. I'm not sure yet but let  me know if that's something you guys would like :)

So yeah guys! NaNoWriMo! For those of you doing it, good luck, you guys are awesome!

Okay since i'm going to be somewhat gone for the rest of this month I though I could console y'all with another giveaway. Sound good? Yay!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Talk: The Odyssey of Falling by Paige Crutcher + Giveaway!

Release Date: November 4th, 2014
Book: The Odyssey of Falling
Author: Paige Crutcher
Number of Pages:338 (e-book form)
Source: Netgalley (I received this in exchange for an honest review)

The Basics:Meet Odd. Audrey “Odd” Ashworth is an exceptionally bright girl with a sympathetic heart. She’s in the top 4% of her class. She’s obsessed with getting into Manhattan School of Music, committed to following the “signs” the universe delivers, and infatuated with her recently deceased best friend’s boyfriend. Life is a little strange for Odd. Until she finds her best friend’s diary in her crush’s car, and decides to do the bucket list tucked inside the pages. As Odd seeks closure and a way to honor her friend, she discovers there’s nothing wrong with being a little strange, especially if it helps you discover who you were meant to be. Along the way, Odd falls into trouble, adventure, and finally love.

My Musings:

Okay first of all, isn't the title awesome? I love the title, I think it's original and perfect for the book. The cover is also pretty awesome. I was scrolling down Netgalley when this book caught my eye. The summary made me want to read this book and I couldn't wait to start it! I had pretty high expectations for this book and it didn't disappoint.

Characters are vibrant and colorful. They stick out from the page and feel real, which is all a reader really wants. You get to see different sides of them instead of them just being a one dimensional cardboard cut out. I love "Odd". I ca relate to her and they way she feels. Her voice is strong and poignant throughout the novel. She's strong, but doesn't really know it, and amazing, but doesn't know it. Perhaps my favorite character was Bandit. He isn't afraid of saying what he thinks and is overall a strong person. And also how awesome is his name? Chase is a complex character. He's kind of broken (pretty much everyone is in this book) but slowly you can see him devolve into a strong character whose maybe not made the best decisions. I love the characters, they were very well developed.

This book is more of a character driven book than a plot driven book. It's Audrey's journey to acceptance and moving on. The story line is good. It's a pretty faced paced book and the beginning will definitely get you turning the pages. Being on this journey with Audrey is really special. Audrey stumbles about trying to finish the list that her friend, Meredith, left. Guilt and grief fuel her and that is a dangerous combination. She starts to go off the rails but her friends are there for her so that she doesn't completely end up messing everything up. There is a pretty awesome plot twist at the end of the book that puts a lot of things in question. Overall the story line is pretty solid.

There's nothing I hate more than insta-lovey couples. Glad to say this isn't the case in this book. The romance is a bit complicated and twisted by grief and past feelings. Audrey is dealing with her feelings for Chase. She's had a crush on him since before Meredith died. Then there's Bandit. Sweet, dependable, Bandit. Her feelings for him surface slowly at first and then all of a sudden, It's not really a love triangle at all, but more like Audrey accepting her feelings for one of the boys. Romance doesn't really play as huge a role as you think it would. While it's important other things take the front seats, like the list, grief, dealing with friend drama. What I love about this romance is how real it is. It's intertwined with the story line so perfectly that you can't help but root for Audrey to just accept her feelings and for her and her guy to be together!

I loved this book. It's amazing and well written. I love the sparks of sarcasm and wit. It definitely made me laugh out loud, but it also made my heart ache for the characters.


Coffee For The Odyssey Of Falling:  This book is equal parts heart wrenching and uplifting. You'll definitely want the company of a warm liquid when you're up late reading this. I recommend a nice Hazelnut Latte.

My Rating:

Where to Find Paige:

Author Website
Twitter  @PCrutcher
LinkedIn

Goodreads

Amazon

Virtual Tour Page 

Giveaway Time!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top Ten Tuesday

Hey guys! Blogtober is officially over and it's time to get back on the normal scheduled of things. This month however is going to be really busy, so I'm not going to be posting as often as I did before Blogtober but I promise the blog won't get neglected! So Top Ten Tuesday time!!

1. Revolution by Jennifer Donelly

2. All the Harry Potter Books by J.K Rowling

3. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

4. Both Mara Dyer books by Michelle Hopkins

5. Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 

6. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

7. Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

8. Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell

9. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

10 Lucas by Kevin Brooks

Blogtober:Halloween Costume

So what do you guys think I would be?? I said I was dressing up as something really nerdy. Well here it is my costume reveal

SAM WINCHESTER!!!

(shout out to my friend who was Dean and made me my police badge!)

 

Did you guys know who I am??  those who guessed it I love you dearly!!! But if you didn't I still love you. Happy Halloween!!