Snapshots!
Posted by: Shiney on: January 10, 2012
- In: Life | Photography
- 1 Comment
It’s Tuesday!
Time to show my week’s photography haul.
However, I don’t think they were that great and as such have decided to rework some of my pictures taken last year to enhance them.
They were all taken with my iPod‘s camera and edited with Camera+.
Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Happy photo snapping! 
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A Christmas Carol
Posted by: Shiney on: January 9, 2012
- In: Books | Life
- Leave a Comment
Title: A Christmas Carol
Author: Charles Dickens
Published: 1843
Description: Cruel miser Ebeneezer Scrooge has never met a shilling he doesn’t like. . .and hardly a man he does. And he hates Christmas most of all. When Scrooge is visited by his old partner, Jacob Marley, and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come, he learns eternal lessons of charity, kindness, and goodwill. Experience a true Victorian Christmas! (Taken from Goodreads)
I read A Christmas Carol many months ago and decided not to do a post on it because what was there to say? Everyone already knows the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge even if they’ve never read the book but due to the Christmas I’ve had and the newness of the New Year wearing thin I thought I’d talk about the lessons this book teaches.
Scrooge was a miser, a mean old miser, he was the man years and experience had taught him to be. He pinched pennies and cared not who got hurt in the process. He cared about a nickel more than he did one human soul but on Christmas Eve he got the wake up of a lifetime, the sort of wake up everyone gets at Christmas time.
People are kinder around Christmas, more courteous, more generous, more forgiving, because Christmas is the holiday that reminds them that there is more to the world than money, fortune and fame, there’s family, friends, charity, love, hope. And that is what I want you to take away from the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge. That life is more than cheques and credit cards, more than pretty houses and fast cars, and we shouldn’t let circumstances harden our hearts to the world. We should be generous and kind to everyone all year round not just the holidays.
A Christmas Carol is not one of my favourite books of all time but it is a good story and well worth a read, it has a lot of moral points to pass on and really got me thinking when I read it. I give it a 4 out of 5.
What did you learn from A Christmas Carol?
Read any books lately that got you thinking and has pushed you on a better path?
Let me know in the comments below.
Happy Reading!
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My Happy Playlist Wk 1
Posted by: Shiney on: January 6, 2012
- In: Life | Music
- 4 Comments
Happy TGIF folks!
It is the first Friday of the New Year and to start it off I thought I’d give you my happy playlist of the week.
I’ve decided that every Friday I will post the songs that have been helping to move my feet and keep me in the best mood ever during that week.
For a couple of months now I’ve had Sara Bareilles‘ albums on repeat, Little Voice and Kaleidoscope Heart. It kept me sane during finals and the holiday rush. So here are my top ten, five from each album.
Little Voice (2007)
1. Vegas
3. Fairytale
4. Gravity
5. Any Where The Wind Blows
Kaleidoscope Heart (2010)
1. Kaleidoscope Heart
2. Uncharted
4. Say You’re Sorry
5. Breathe Again
What are you’re favourite songs this week?
Are you a Sara Bareilles fan?
Let me know in the comments below!
Happy listening!
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GRRRR!!!! Why is WordPress messing with my posting time. Sorry again guys.
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The Vampire Diaries Series
Posted by: Shiney on: January 5, 2012
- In: Books | Life
- 3 Comments
As all avid Vampire Diaries‘ fans will know, the series returns tonight January 5th on The CW at 8/7c. In honour of its return I will finally give my thoughts on the books that inspired the series.
This book series comprises of at least nine titles by L.J. Smith and a couple spawned from the TV series but I will only be talking about the original three, The Awakening, The Struggle and The Fury.
The first thing I noticed when I started reading is that it’s dramatically different from the TV series. Now I am aware that the books came first but as I watched and fell in love with the series first, I see the changes as such. Elena is a blonde, ultra popular stuck up people user, Bonnie is a weak, whiny red-head, Caroline is a bitchy, vindictive brunette and there is a best friend that doesn’t make it to the series named Meredith. Jeremy has magically morphed into a four-year-old girl named Margaret, Aunt Jenna who is not Aunt Judith is engaged, the Salvatore boys can shape shift if they have enough power gained from drinking blood, Katherine is all-powerful, and Mystic Falls is now Fell’s Church and more importantly not the birthplace of the Salvatores.
Even with these changes and others not mentioned I still thought I could enjoy the story however I found the characters to be weak, annoying, and very unlovable especially when compared to their stronger counterparts in the TV series. The story was interesting at best, not spectacular but interesting enough to carry me through the three books. I did end up figuring everything out before they were revealed but unfortunately it didn’t bring me as much joy as when I guess a twist in the TV series plot. There is one twist that I did not see coming and hopefully neither will you, as it does keep you interested in the story L.J is trying to convey.
I didn’t enjoy the books very much, partly because of the differences and partly because the characters are so weak. There are other books as I stated before but the way The Fury ended was so final that I can only see a gimmick being used to put the story back on track to do six more books and at the moment I’m not in the mood for a gimmick. I highly doubt I’ll ever return to it but if I do, I’ll be sure to let you know if it gets better and grows into its own.
I give The Vampire Series, Part 1, a 2, 2.5 out of 5. My suggestion is to just watch the show. They take what this book wanted to be and did it so much better. Julie Plec and her fleet of writers do a great job every episode pulling you in, making you sweat, building the story and the romance that I think the books lacked for the most part. The acting is amazing, Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, everyone the cast is just AMAZING!
So thumbs down for the book, thumbs up for the show but as we couldn’t have the show without the books I do appreciate them being made, I just wish they were better.
Love any shows or movies based on a book?
Have you read the books and been disappointed?
Let me know in the comments below.
Don’t miss The Vampire Diaries this evening at 8/7c.
If you haven’t started watching you should, it’s awesome, it’s just in its third season, I know you can catch up.
Happy viewing!
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P.S. I wasn’t able to publish this post this morning. Hope you enjoyed the episode.
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Snapshot Tuesday
Posted by: Shiney on: January 4, 2012
- In: Life | Photography
- 2 Comments
So yesterday I took my iPod camera out for a test run on my mission to take more pictures this year and become a better photographer.
I used Camera+ instead of the regular camera app to take and edit these pics.
Let me know what you think of them in the comments below.
Happy picture snapping!
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Photography, A Hobby
Posted by: Shiney on: January 3, 2012
- In: Life | Photography
- 1 Comment
Photographs, pictures, stills, pics, proofs, whatever you call them, I love them. Whenever listing hobbies there are two things that are ever-present on my list, reading and photography. My love for books you can spot immediately but I think photography is my hidden love, my secret love.
As a child I was always eager to take pictures with my mom’s then point and shoot Nikon camera, bonus perk, it was purple! I loved it so much I joined my high school‘s photography club in 8th grade. Our instructor had us practice our technique on her expensive cameras and our composition and creativity on our own point and shoot cameras. So of course I got myself a roll of film and took pictures like crazy. Some were good, some were bad but because of it I have pictures documenting that year of school.
In tenth grade I traveled to the US and took a road trip across 6 of the 50 states documenting it on my aunt’s, soon to become my camera as I went. I have such great prints from that trip, I then used it to document my last days before graduation.
After that I moved into digital photography with my friend’s digital camera, she would bring it to big school events such as sports day and allow me to capture the day in my own way. We parted for University and my only camera was the webcam on my laptop, sad but still useful.
Last year I got an iPodTouch for my Christmas present and I was beyond overjoyed because it had not one but two cameras. I use it to take mostly portraits for my FB pic, random hang out pics of my friends and beautiful landscape when I’m lucky enough to catch them.
I’ve been using Instagram to enhance my pictures but have only been posting a few as I thought everything I shot was pretty mundane and not worth posting. It has always been in the back of my mind however to pursue photography, my hidden hobby. The biggest problem of course is my lack of an actual camera, which I thought was necessary for proper photography. That is until I went online and saw all the beautiful photos people have been taking with their iPhones all over the world.
Then it hit me, all I needed was a camera app to get me started and boost the cameras I already had on my iPod. After all the best camera is the one you have. And as simple as that my problem was solved. I downloaded Camera+ and am now on my way.
In researching how to jump-start my secret hobby I found out that the creator of Camera+ has a fabulous website called Mostly 365 which challenges photographers, both amateur and professional, young and old to take and upload a photo a day everyday for a year by tweeting the picture with the hashtag #mostly365. Even though I think that’s a pretty cool challenge I doubt I’ll be able to keep up once school begins, I will try my best to submit often though.
Two other photoblogs to check out are MostlyLisa and Stuck In Customs. Flickr and Tumblr are also filled with beautiful pictures.
Are you fascinated by photography?
Do you share my love for photos?
Do you have a secret hobby you’d like to share?
Let me know in the comments below.
As a treat I’ve included my most prized picture from 2011, enhanced with Instagram below.
Happy picture snapping!
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NO TGIF: Friday Doesn’t Exist!
Posted by: Shiney on: January 2, 2012
- In: Life
- Leave a Comment
As everyone has probably heard Samoa jumped 24 hours into the future on Thursday night.
Imagine going to bed on Thursday the 29th and waking up to find that it’s now Saturday the 31st?
They skipped your birthday, your fiftieth wedding anniversary, your last religious holiday and most importantly the LAST TGIF of the year. oO
I wonder if they voted on this? A referendum of some sort.
Now this isn’t the first time Samoa is jumping the international dateline, they did it about a century ago to be closer in time to California. That must have been interesting, living the same day twice. This time they did it to be closer in time to New Zealand and Australia for trade.
A country that boasted one of the last sunsets in the world now has to make do with one of the first sunrises. It’s not as romantic but I suppose it’ll have to do.
What do you think about countries jumping across the dateline?
Would it be worth missing your birthday over?
Let me know in the comments below.
Happy time travelling!
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New Year Resolutions: Results
Posted by: Shiney on: January 1, 2012
- In: Life
- 5 Comments
A year ago I made twelve new year resolutions, one for each month. This year as I ring in the new year I check to see how well I have accomplished each goal.
1. I must practice my cooking skills by cooking solo more often and increase my recipe portfolio.
I did try my hand at cooking many times this year, often solo but I sadly did not increase my recipe portfolio. If anything I enhanced the dishes I already knew how to make, making them even more scrumptious.
2. I must eat healthier.
Eating healthier is very tricky when school is involved as my time is very limited but I did cut out soda, cut back on fast food, bring meals with me, eat more home cooked meals and reduce my eating out habits. So I have made a step in the right direction.
3. I must exercise with more consistency.
Structured exercise is a really problem for me as I can never keep a schedule. With my timetable I have to exercise either really early in the morning on an empty stomach or late in the night when I’m tired on a full one, if anyone has any suggestions on fitting exercise into a full schedule let me know. So to combat this I have taken to walking more, and just living a more active lifestyle and I suppose it paid off because when I had to go hiking on my field trip I had no problem keeping up with the group.
4. I must become more organized.
I have become more organized, although I don’t know how that is possible with my already meticulous planning. I kept everything on my iPod last year but this year I might move back to paper, not quite sure.
5. I must read more.
Well according to A Year Of Challenges: Results I’ve actually read less than the previous years but my reading has been more consistent this year. In 2010 I read in bursts but in 2011 I read all year-long, usually by audiobooks, fitting a chapter in whenever I could.
6. I must become a more rounded or balanced individual.
I read this and I’m not even sure what I meant by this, lol. However I suspect it meant to get interested in things outside my comfort zone or to try things outside my comfort zone and I haven’t done much of that this year. 
7. I must eliminate procrastination from my life.
Eliminate might have been a strong word but I have been able to curb or control my procrastination a bit this year. It is however an ongoing battle and will take years before I can say I have eliminated it from my life.
8. I must learn to be more consistent with my studies.
I did try to revise every night but found most nights I was a bit too tired to do anything but shower and knock out. This being said I did start studying earlier and reviewed more often than last year.
9. I must be kinder to others.
This I have done. It has been a struggle as the people I have to try to be kind too normally grate on my nerves but I can say I have tried my hardest to be nicer and kinder to my peers.
10. I must take better care of my skin.
I have cleansers, scrubs, toners, moisturizers and I routine to keep my skin beautiful. I fell off the wagon a couple of times but for the most time I took pretty good care of my skin.
11. I must put more effort in my look/style.
Sometimes you just need a pair of jeans and a t-shirt but I have put a little more effort in accessorizing my outfit, picking a fitting hairstyle and even adding a little make up, so yaaaay me!
12. I must take better care of my hair.
My hairdresser would be happy to report that I’ve taken better care of my hair this year. I wrap it, don’t use heat on it, keep it moisturized and volunteer it for clipping. It still needs work but it is a step in the right direction.
All in all I think I did better on these challenges than the reading challenges I attempted. This year I choose not to make any New Year Resolutions other than to be a happier and better person in 2012 than I was in 2011.
Are you making New Year Resolutions this year?
How did you do on the ones you made last year?
Let me know in the comments below.
Have a wonderful fun-filled 2012!
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A Year Of Challenges: Results
Posted by: Shiney on: December 31, 2011
- In: Books | Life
- 7 Comments
A year ago I decided to undertake five, count ‘em FIVE reading challenges. At this point I have realized my insanity with all the work I had to do this year. These goals were rather ambitious and I graciously accept defeat in most if not all my challenges.
Challenge #1: War & Peace Read-Along
I never finished this book, didn’t even half or quarter it, I barely scratched the surface. I got as far as the army inspection after the boys were deployed and stopped. I lost interest and when next I picked up a book it was anything but War and Peace. I imagine one day I’ll finish it as I hate starting a book and not finishing it, even if I don’t like it, I have to see it through, just in case it turns the corner and becomes magnificent.
Challenge #2: Read 50 Books in 2011
Yeah, about that I’ve read 19 books. Which is sad since in my A Year Of Challenges: Progress Report post I had read 12. However I cite school, work and sleep as the reason for my lackluster performance, school was brutal this semester, it’s a miracle I made it out alive. oO
Challenge #3: Fill In The Gaps – 100 Books That Fell Through The Cracks In 5 Years
As this challenge doesn’t end until January 1, 2016 I still have time to complete it and redeem myself. Since my last report I have dispatched three more making my final tally for 2011, six.
#4: Princess Diaries – Meg Cabot
#6: Sense & Sensibility – Jane Austen
#8: Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
#9: Pride & Prejudice – Jane Austen
#30: A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
#90: The Vampire Diaries Series – L.J. Smith
Challenge #4: Nicholas Sparks
Technically I have completed this challenge but not how I had planned to. The challenge merely asks for me to complete 1-4 Nicholas Sparks books but my goal was to read four, I only read two; The Notebook and A Walk To Remember.
Challenge #5: Harry Potter
As I stated in my progress report I never got around to re-reading these books but I will someday, possibly in audiobook format.
Bonus Challenge: WordPress Post A Week
Yeah, I have not posted a blog post a week and have not amassed 52 posts in 2011 and as such fail this challenge as well but I have tried to post more often, if that is any consolation.
So all in all this year was a failure for my challenges, it could be due to the pressure to complete them (my mind tends to procrastinate when told to do something) or the lack of time due to my obligations, or a combination of both. As a result I have vowed not to take any challenges this year, except of course the fill in the gaps which will continue until 2016 and see if my performance is any better when I’m not bound to reading.
Did you fare any better on your reading challenges this year? I sure hope so.
Let me know in the comments below.
Be safe ringing in the new year and happy reading!
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Jane Eyre
Posted by: Shiney on: December 30, 2011
- In: Books
- 3 Comments
Title: Jane Eyre
Author: Charlotte Bronte
Published: 1847
Description: Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead, subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity. She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield, falls in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman’s passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society traditionally allowed. With a heroine full of yearning, the dangerous secrets she encounters, and the choices she finally makes, Charlotte Bronte’s innovative and enduring romantic novel continues to engage and provoke readers… (Taken from Goodreads)
I read the shorter kid friendly version of this book when I was 11, I actually got it as a graduation prize for being the best behaved member of my class, and I thought it was amazing. When I was and this is probably going to sound weird but before age 18 I was blissfully unaware that I hadn’t read the entire book just an abridged version made to lure children into reading classics. It wasn’t until seeing a friend of mine with a copy that I realized my error and vowed to right this literary wrong. Fast forward a couple years and here I am finally completing that goal and I’m glad to say I still think this book is amazing, even more so now than then.
I could easily put this book on a best book ever list and not worry in the least at being ridiculed for my taste. Charlotte Bronte does such a good job pulling you in and making you care about these characters. In the kid friendly version they just laid out the events one behind the other without the reflections and pace of the original manuscript but when those are poured in what a life this story takes on.
Jane is an amazing woman. She was always striving for better, knowing there had to be more to life than what people wanted her to accept. She is a brilliant character and a role model to us all. The fact that Charlotte made her a plain looking girl just helped her personality to shine more and prove to us that beauty is not everything, hear that Ms.Ingram?
Rochie, Rochie, Rochie, what to say about dear Mr.Rochester. I love him, I don’t know if it was because I already knew the story had a happy ending but I love Mr.Rochester. I love all their interactions, I can just imagine all his side-long glances, loving stares, I could give myself goosebumps. Yes, I am aware of his flaws but still, just like Jane I can’t unlove him now.
The side characters were wonderful as well, Mrs.Fairfax, poor poor Helen, even Ms.Ingram played her part well. This story is a must read, and a must re-read. I give it a whopping 5 out of 5 and a big, shiny favourite sticker for the world to see.
Which favourite classic have you revisited lately?
Were you ever tricked into thinking you knew the whole story when you just had the kid’s version?
Let me know in the comments below.
Happy Reading!
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