My first book review is up at Satan’s Bookclub. I’ve reviewed Frank Portman’s YA novel Andromeda Klein, a book I thoroughly enjoyed. But that’s not what Satan’s Bookclub is about, is it? It’s more important to recognize how potentially evil a book is, rather than the quality of story and writing. You becha!
Bit rusty at the reviews. I only published two the first time SBC was up. But I attempted a few more. I’m looking forward to honing my skills.
Dear Canada,
I just got a call from a nice lady in the immigration offices in Alberta. We’ll call her Jane. Because for some reason, I don’t want to use her real name. She had some questions that Wil and I need to clear up for her, by writing a short paragraph of explaination and faxing it to her. Easy peasy.
Jane is a very nice lady, I think she liked me. She spent several minutes talking to me about my application and what the next steps will be. She told me to go ahead and fax her an application for a work permit! I was thrilled to hear that because months of unemployment for Wil, and years for me, have taken a toll. Of course, I don’t know how helpful it will be in today’s economy. I suppose it depends on what I am willing to do. What I am NOT willing to do is phone support. Neither is Wil, for that matter.
To make matters better, I talked to her about traveling across the border and she told me that I could travel across the border as long as Wil was with me. My application came from within Canada because it is a hardship to be away from my husband. He supports me. This fact makes it risky to cross into the states without him. How much of a hardship could it be if I left the country without him. But if I am with him…
This means as soon as we get Wil’s passport, we will be able to go to the States. And, as long as any working schedules allow, we can go home for American Thanksgiving. I wouldn’t think this would make me cry, but all of the sudden I found myself crying. Wil is not home right now, which is probably for the best, because I am sure he wouldn’t know quite what to do with me in this state.
Someone is processing my application! Soon, I may be able to work! I will, most likely be home for Christmas! ( to quote a famous song)
I do not know how long it will take to get my approval letter. (at that point I take it to the local immigration office and apply for my card.) I am just so thrilled to have this news. These steps to take.
I love to read and I do it a lot. I also like to go to readings and book signings, something I used to do more often when I lived in the states.I used to read a lot of book blogs as well. And all of these activities led to creating Satan’s Bookclub with Louise. I created it, did a couple of reviews, but I let it slide. I don’t remember why. Probably met a boy online or something. wink wink.
In the last few months, I’ve been thinking about bringing it back. Suddenly, it was a week before Banned Book Week (the original inspiration for the site) and I jumped in and redesigned it.
With the exception of reading books, I feel that I have ignored the intellectual pie piece of my umm… life pie. I’m not learning anything, or using my brain overly much. That is evidenced by my lackluster blogging, for one. Satan’s Bookclub will, I hope, renew my deeper interest in books and book news, as well as force me to to think and articulate my opinions on the books I read.
In other words, I am going to exercise my brain. If you are unfamiliar with Satan’s Bookclub, you can read it’s history and manifesto here. Please stop on by.
Today marks the beginning of the ALA Banned Book Week. In honor of this, I will have a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT on Monday.
I must have slept through the equinox, but I just wanted to say how THRILLED AND DELIGHTED I am that it is autumn.
I figure, with all the complaining I do during summer, I owe you this.
Dear Canada,
By far, one of my biggest issues to address is my financial situation. I should say our financial situation. We’ve both been unemployed for months. We have no idea when I will be able to work and living on one unemployment check is not easy. So not easy that we are not doing it. We are draining our reserves.
I desperately need to acknowledge the difference between necessity and luxury. I’m bad at that. For years I pretty much bought what I wanted, within reason of course. But if I wanted a book, I bought it. If I wanted a dvd, I bought it. If I wanted a trip to the spa, I went.
I very much want a trip to the spa right now. But I am not going. I cannot say I am as careful with books. DAMN YOU KINDLE FOR THE iPHONE! (and bless you. Books on demand wherever I am? This is the future I always dreamt of)
That is not my only problem, however. In addition to watching unnecessary spending, I need to find a way to be smarter about the money we do need to spend. Primarily, I figure, on food. With that in mind…
Does anyone have a good recommendation for a book about budgeting, for someone who is terrible with money? Something simple?
I mentioned last week that I had a lot of plans in the works. So many, you’d think I was crazy. But it’s all part of one big plan. Well, this is that plan.
The Wellness Wheel.
Ta-da! Google Wellness Wheel and you’ll find lots of different descriptions, but it all leads to the same idea: a life of balance. I’ve seen wheels with different descriptions in their pie pieces, some say “Career” instead of “Intellectual,” and some only have 6 slices. For me, I went with the one I saw on my alma mater’s website. I prefer the emphasis on my intellect, rather than just my career.
Financial – Accessing the resources and skills that allow you to accomplish your goals
Spiritual – A positive perception of the meaning and purpose of life.
Emotional – Possession of a secure self-identity and a positive sense of self-regard; also the ability to cope with and/or improve unpleasant mood states.
Intellectual – Exploring and developing your intellect.
Physical – A perception and expectation of physical health.
Social – Participating in positive social relationships, including friends, family, community and work groups.
Environmental – Developing an awareness of the environment that surrounds you, and enhancing your relationship with it.
If you picture your life like a wheel, it will only roll along nicely if each of the seven sections are fulfilled equally. Otherwise your get a bumpy ride, right? Clichéd, but true.
I’m hoping that this approach will help bring focus and structure to my life. And my blog. I’m going to be document my efforts to address each section of the wheel in my life. Failures and successes. I will still write the random crap I’ve always written, don’t worry.
Anyway… I have to go focus on my Environment, it’s a mess.
Resources:
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/wellnesscenter/WellnessWheel.html
https://www.washington.edu/provost/studentlife/healthandwellness/students/wellnesswheel.html
It’s no wonder he’s a favorite of mine. He’s got my dream basement.
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Neil Gaiman’s bookshelves. I realize he less than 10 years older than me, but I’m wondering if he’d consider adopting me. I will, of course, be keeping my mom.
