January's Book

So far this year I have kept my resolution of reading at least one book a month outside of classes. I decided I would blog about the book(s) I read every month and what I thought.

For January I read:

I love F. Scott Fitzgerald and I love reading books from the early 1900s especially the 1920s. I know probably all of my sisters will laugh and roll their eyes at this, but secretly I wish I could've lived in the 1920s. I wish I could "bob" my hair and be a flapper girl. Unfortunately, I have no coordination and my legs are pasty, pasty white. So maybe it is better that I was born in 1988 and I can wear jeans.

Still, I know this time was not perfect and a lot of the people back then had serious issues, which brings me to The Beautiful and the Damned........

This novel revolves around the lives of two characters, Anthony and Gloria, who are basically these two well..."beautiful" people. They have always had somewhat of easy lives and never had to work hard for anything. Then of course tragedy strikes. That is all I am going to say.

I really enjoyed this book. Fitzgerald is good at writing. I love his descriptions and also the character development he has. He is also very witty and example of this is in the novel there was this part one point where he makes fun of popular literature. One of the characters is venting about people who no longer read good, meaningful books and one of the books he lists of not being worthwhile is one of Fitzgerald's books. Of course, the character who is saying this is an egotistical author who had one success. 

Still, I thought it was clever.   

It is kind of depressing story and I know this might sound odd but I love books like that, because in the end that is reality. I am not saying that everyone ends up miserable but at the same time things don't magically work out. Things happen and depending on what kind of person you are and how you handle it can sometimes significantly change your life. 

I like reading these books where people have hard lives and see how they handle it. Because whether or not they handle it well it is always inspiring to me.

Can't Wait for 2012

I know this is just me "geeking" out or whatever but I just read on people.com that my favorite book:

Is going to be a movie coming out in 2012. I am interested of how it will be done because well the layout of the story in the book is not exactly normal....it is brilliant though. It will be staring Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks and I love both of them. I am a tiny bit worried about who will be playing the main character Oskar because it is this actor's first movie. 

I'm sure this was uninteresting to everyone except maybe Natalie, then again I have already discussed all of this with her.

Anyways.....if you want something to read go read this. (Warning: there is some language and references to sex.)

My First Press Release :)

I started my new job this week and so far it has been great. As of right now all I am doing is writing press release and looking for anything that might need to edited on the SUU Web site.

I wrote my first release this week and even though I am not going to be doing this for every press release I write, I thought I would post the link to this one. I'm especially proud of the fact that no edits needed to be made.

Reviewing 2010

Okay, I am bored so I am going do this survey  I saw on my sister's blog.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Got married :) 

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Well my New Year's Resolution was to not do drugs so yes, I kept it. I also already made my resolutions for 2011.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My sister from another mister, Mayke, did. 

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no

5. What countries did you visit?
Mexico!

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
motivation
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 8, which is when I got married. 

8. What was your biggest personal achievement of the year?

I don't know....

9. What was your biggest failure?
Yeah, I am not going to answer that. No offense but it isn't anyone's business.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing serious.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Probably my Kindle, I love it!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
This is an odd question and I have no response to it.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Not going to answer.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Food and rent.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting married.

16. What song (s) will always remind you of 2010?
I don't think I have a song that reminds me of 2010.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) happier
b) I have gained some weight which I am happy about.
c) richer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I would've read more books. I really do like to read but I just don't make enough time for it.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I don't know.
20. Did you fall in love in 2010?
I was already in love before 2010.
21. What was your favorite TV program?
Tie between Modern Family and 30 Rock. I am leaning more toward 30 Rock though.

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No

23. What was the best book you read?
Let the Great World Spin. AMAZING!

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don't think I started listening to any new artists this year. My greatest musical discovery ever though is The Fray. I just love them.

25. What did you want and got?
To marry Brandon. Yes, I know that statement is cheesy.

26. What did you want and not get?
A million dollars. Not that I really tried to get that but wouldn't it be great if someone just gave it to me? 

27. What was your favorite film of this year?
Inception.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 22 and the main thing I did was go to dinner in St. George with Brandon, Steph, and Steve and at the restaurant we had a high waiter so that was fun.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I don't know

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Jeans and a shirt.

31. What kept you sane?
A lot of different things, mostly Brandon he really makes me happy.

New Job!

About one month ago I, Dana, noticed a job posting on campus that I was very interested in. So basically I informed my boss that I was going to apply, I applied, and I got it!

What it is is a student assistant position in the Public Relations Department. I will be helping with certain events, writing press releases, and doing other things to help promote SUU. I really am excited for this because one of the main things is writing press releases, which is just basically feature writing and that is what I enjoyed the most at the newspaper. Also the job is better pay than my pervious job, better hours, and I get to work with people like the Director of Communication, the Vice President of University Relations, and also the President of the University! This should look great on my resume and I should get some good references.

I really am so excited about this!

Happy New Year!

So it was a good night last night. Brandon and I went out with Steph and Steve to a Japanese restaurant for a late dinner, which was very good. 

Afterwards Brandon and I were so exciting and went grocery shopping! Afterwards we came home, had banana splits, and watched Pushing Daisies. 

So overall it was a nice relaxing night.

Now, with going into a new year I don't normally have resolutions except for stupid ones like "Don't do drugs." Brandon and I decided to have some resolutions this year though.

Mine (Dana):

1. Read at LEAST one new book a month outside of classes. Yes, this is kind of an easy goal but with the courses I take I already have enough reading to do and sometimes it is hard to find time for leisure reading.

2. Run a half-marathon in April! Yesterday Steph was telling me how there is a half-marathon in April that some other sisters were thinking of doing. I decided this could be a fun sister experience and even if no one else is able to run it I will be running it with Steph! 

3. Don't do drugs.

Brandon's:

1. Do better in classes and at work.

2. Get into better shape and run the St. George marathon.

3. Not to commit a hate crime. (This is his joke one because he knows it will be easy to keep, just like my don't do drugs.)

Happy New Year!