SUMMA SUMMA SUMMA SUMMER TIME!
Okay, so I know it's not summer yet. But it kind of feels like it, right? With weather this weekend in the upper 70s, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
The beautiful weather got me itching for summer and long, hot days with no schools and no tests to grade. I couldn't help but start to think about all the books I plan to read this summer, the tennis lessons I plan to take, the vacations I want to go on, etc. Yesterday I was reviewing my new years resolutions, and it hit me! I need to make some serious summer goals!"
Also. I am going to consider my summer May- August. Four months. I know it's a bit optimistic, but hey, when it's your favorite season you've got to drag it out a bit, right?
READ. Read a book a week. That means 16 books from May to August. On the list are:
1. Silver Linings Playbook (May's blog book club selection)
2. Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian (Reread. Young Adult- Banned Book club selection for May)
3. Seriously, I'm Kidding (June's blog book club)
4. The Help (Reread. July's blog book club)
5. Life of Pi (August's blog book club)
6. Speak (Re read. Young Adult fiction- my seniors are reading this in May)
7. The Happiness Project (Memoir/ Self Help- so interested in this book!)
8. Autobiography of Malcolm X. I've heard it's fascinating.
9. Fast Food Nation (Non fiction.)
10. Bird by Bird (Anne Lamott book on writing)
11. Z (Book about Zelda Fitzgerald- wife of The Great Gatsby author. I just finished The Paris Wife about Ernest Hemingway's first wife and absolutely loved it.)
12. Lolita (Heard it's weird, but feel like I need to read it.)
13. Slaughterhouse Five. (Reread)
14. Something by Hemingway... Possibly The Sun Also Rises.
15. ???
16. ???
Fifteen and sixteen are where you feel in the blanks. What do I absolutely have to read this summer? I am considering rereading Catch 22 because it is one of my faves, but would also like to read something totally new.
WRITE. I want to keep up with my schedule now of blogging five times a week. I need to do more than just post on this blog, though. I need to submit articles and guest posts to some of the big sites. I would absolutely love to write for Babble, but first I would need to pitch some kind of amazing article idea to them. I'm drawing blanks. I know there are plenty of places that pay for articles- I need to start submitting mine. I am hoping summer will be a good time to really get my writing into gear.
CAMP. Go on at least one old school camping trip. Tent and all.
GO ON A VACATION. We've got tickets booked to Hawaii for the last week of June with Greg's family. It'll cost us a couple of pennies, but what's the point of working every day if you don't have stuff like this to look forward to?
GET A TEACHING JOB IN CALIFORNIA or... ACCEPT THAT GOD MAY HAVE OTHER PLANS FOR ME AND BE OK IF I DON'T FIND A JOB. The truth is that the job search for teaching positions in California is getting oh, so frustrating. I have applied for 17 jobs (I'm a nerd and I write down every job I apply for) and haven't heard back from one of them. It's a lesson in humility, a lesson in patience, a lesson in all sorts of things I don't have that God wants me to have. I am trying my best to have faith and understand that God will watch and protect if I am doing everything I'm supposed to be doing. He has a plan for us, even if I can't see it or understand it right now.
SERVE. I used to be more giving of my time. Now I am so selfish with it. So utterly possessive of every minute I have. I would like to start giving more time to others. I used to volunteer with special needs kids for an hour a week, and although it certainly wasn't much, I felt like that one hour kept my life a little more balanced. I need that in my life.
GET GOOD AT TENNIS. Last year I took beginning tennis lessons. This summer I'm moving on to intermediate. Greg beats me every time we play. By the end of the summer it will be different.
SAVE. I don't want to work at a crappy restaurant or paint hot apartments all day like I did in summers' past, but I do want to pick up extra money and save for our big move. The fact that I don't have a job secured yet has me a bit stressed about our financial situation. We have saved and been smart with our money, but I am still hoping to pick up some extra work and put extra money away. Anybody got any times of enjoyable part time summer work?
SLEEP OUT ON THE TRAMPOLINE. At least once. It's summer!
LAUGH. I guess the absolute truth is I am a little bit scared of summer. Last summer was the most trying time of mine and Greg's marriage, and I am dreading a repeat. The extra time in the summer makes me stir crazy. Not having to go to work is awesome for about three weeks, but then I start to feel unproductive and grouchy and lazy. I get cranky when I don't go to work. Ain't that weird? I am hoping to stay busy and productive this summer, but also to have fun and let myself relax too. I want to go to the water park and watch movies late at night and play on the lawn with my nieces and nephews and just have a carefree summer like back in the day. Is it possible?
And last but not least....
MOVE TO CALIFORNIA. Boom, baby.
I've found that I pretty much consider May-September summertime, too. :) Although, I've recently moved to South Korea, and it's still pretty cold here more days than not. I'll have to follow suit and make a summer to-do list myself!
ReplyDeleteThe Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve is such a good read. I was sitting there saying out loud "what in the world is going on?" my husband gave me weird looks but it's super good you should add it to your list!!
ReplyDelete"What in the world is going on" like you didn't understand the book or like it had so many twists and turns? I definitely don't want one that I can't figure out! :)
DeleteYour list has some great books on it! Most of them are pretty lit-heavy, so here are some light, summer reads you might enjoy. :)
ReplyDeleteHow to Teach Filthy Rich Girls is absolutely hilarious. Totally unrealistic, but who doesn't like reading about teens living a glamorous lifestyle? Also, since you're a teacher, you'll probably appreciate it even more!
http://www.findingmyvirginity.com/2012/07/book-club-friday-socialites-and-sat.html
Another suggestion would be novellas. I LOVE the Teacup Novellas (I need to see if the third one is out yet...) by Diane Moody. They're religious, but in a preachy way, and a little formulaic, but so cute you can't help but love them.
http://www.findingmyvirginity.com/2012/06/book-club-friday-teacup-novellas.html#more
Sorry, that should say NOT in a preachy way. Early-morning typos! :)
DeleteLove your book list and your reading goal! I just started reading Catch 22 last night--it's weird, but I'm liking it! Also, the Autobiography of Malcolm X is amazing--it is long but you will breeze right through it!
ReplyDeleteI've heard Malcolm X is long but well worth it so I figured this summer is as good a time as any to plow through it. How long did it take you to read it?
Deletethe language of flowers!!! it's SO GOOD, bonnie! of the books i've read this year, i've only loved two: the fault in our stars and that one. i love grant and victoria.
ReplyDeleteOh it sounds so interesting! What's it about?
DeleteI so wish I had summers off! Oh what a joy that would be. Blogging 5 days a week. That's awesome. The only time I did that was when I marathon blogged about my vacation to Europe. I feel ya on the volunteer thing. I just did some volunteer work over the weekend and even though it did cut into my precious time I was glad I did it.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I think you and I were meant to be friends--your reading list looks eerily similar to mine (esp. since I've read like half of them in the past six months or so), and you and I basically have all the same hobbies and goals... uber-weird. Warning on Fast Food Nation: it will totally ruin fast food for you. So if you're cool with it, plow on ahead :)
ReplyDeleteNote: I didn't eat fast food at all for almost 3 years after reading that book. And even now, I only eat it if I'm very, very desperate. That book was seriously life-changing for me (as was In Defense of Food and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, both of which I just finished in the past couple months).
http://autodidacticambitions.blogspot.com
I'm scared for Fast Food Nation but I think it will be good for me. The thing is I don't eat that much fast food anyway, I kind of already hate it so I don't think it should scar me too bad :)
DeleteGood luck with the job search! You could always nanny in the meantime if you don't find a teaching job. You love kids that much, right?! ;)
ReplyDeleteI like the ones about camping and laughing!
This inspires me to make my own summer list! I totally understand what you mean about not having work for a few weeks being great, and then going totally stir-crazy! Weird how we humans work. Very exciting you will be moving to California in the summertime - it's the best time here!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.etsy.com/shop/HFinnJewelry
I beg you to read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. It's the true story of WWII vet, and survivor, Louie Zamperini's. Zamperini's bomber is shot down in the Pacific. The story documents his 40-something days at sea, and then his survival of the horrors and tortures as a POW.
ReplyDeleteMy husband, who isn't a big reader, loved this too. The man couldn't put the book down.
It is such an awesome story, even if it isn't on your summer reads list please read it at some point.
I was going to post the same book. I concur on reading this. Such an awesome story and should be read by everyone. Seriously puts everything into perspective in life.
DeleteI read Unbroken last winter and I totally agree- one of the very best. I could not get over the parts about them on the raft. It almost makes me want to re read it!
DeleteHey, I made a summer date ideas, book list, and things to do while I'm not in school list the other day too!!! :) Not on my blog... but I made one! :) It is fun to dream of summer and as far as I'm concerned, the weather has been nice enough in utah this weekend that we can say summer is here. (except it's supposed to get cold later this week again...)
ReplyDeleteAmberly
http://amberlyandjoe.blogspot.com
Post it on your blog already so I can compare! :)
DeleteYou HAVE, HAVE, HAVE to read The Mercy of Thin Air by Ronlyn Domingue. It is the story of love across the times and follows two love stories, one from 1920s New Orleans and one from present day New Orleans with a character from the 20s crossing over to present day because she is a GHOSTY-type figure (who pushed the envelope during her life to become a woman doctor and fight for women's health issues. It is a such a lovely, precious story (but beware--it's kinda sexy at times, too). READ IT, please!!! I want you to tell me what you think. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I didn't even read the rest of the blog post after I saw you wanted recommendations. So now I'm scrolling back up. ;)
HA! The last part of your comment made me laugh. And I will put it on hold at the library now!
DeleteI love this idea! I am rethinking the whole new years resolution thing and think it should be done in the spring. It just brings out the new and energized in me.
ReplyDeleteI am reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed it is a memoir of a woman who hikes the PCT. Pretty good stuff.
Also, another favorite but tough book is The Road of Lost Innocence by Somaly Mam About a Cambodian woman who escapes the sex trafficking of her country. Insane!
I read Tweak and it was like I was on Meth! I couldn't put it down but really just to get it over with!
I like Augusten Burroughs books. his Dry is a good audio book.
Jennifer Lauck's books Blackbird is one of my favorite memoirs.
Love Girl with Pearl earring and The Other Bolyen Girl (not sure if that is how you spell Bolyen).
Fun to think about summer!!! WOO HOO! -Wendy
I agree! Spring is totally the better time!
DeleteYes Tweak was like being on meth (I think?!?) Awful and awesome at the same time.
What else did Augusten Burroughs write? His name is so familiar to me. Did he write running with scissors? And I really enjoyed The Other Boleyn GIrl. I will have to check out your other suggestions!
YES! Your list is awesome!! I need to make me one, but I'm not good at sticking to my lists ;) 16 books!!?? Wow, that is amazing! I wish I could/would read at least one book! I am not much of a reader, although sometimes I wish I were. I am right with you on service, I think any person could always do more of that, there is never a limit of how much you can give :) And I def need to try the tramp thing, my kids sleep out there a lot with their daddy, but I usually opt out and want to sleep comfortably in my bed :) Well hope all is well and good luck with finding a job! I am sure the Lord has plans for you that is why you haven't got a call yet :) Happy Monday!!
ReplyDeletexo,
Shio
Thank you for the well wishes. They are so appreciated!
DeleteSounds like a busy summer! No wonder you start in May ;) Good luck! Oh, and yes, this 70+ weather has been awesome!
ReplyDeleteDrowning Ruth ... I couldn't put it down.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh I have that book and have just never picked it up and read it. You may have convinced me to give it a shot this summer!
DeleteGood job keeping up with the goal setting Bop. I should do something like this. My goal this summer is to give birth and live to tell about it. Pretty good one, eh? As far as the job hunt goes, what have you done to follow up on your applications? Have you called? It helps so much to meet people in person... any way you can go down there and visit some of the schools you're interested in and inquire about the positions in person?... meet the principals? It might be a good idea before school breaks for summer. A lot of those places probably haven't made their hiring decisions yet, so it could give you one step ahead to go meet people in person. Especially if you're just another application in a sea of many. Are any of the districts having job fairs? That's how I got hired in TN. I flew out for a job fair and got hired! It ended up being the worst school in the district, but hey, i got hired.
ReplyDeleteI think giving birth is plenty goal enough!
DeleteI have thought about just going out to California and barging in to the schools that I have seen are hiring. It scares me and feels high risk, but I guess at this point I need to do something a bit more drastic than I'm doing. I haven't thought about job fairs.
I miss you.
I must insist you read Edenbrooke. Simply wonderful, totally a "fluff" read, but so enjoyable. I read it in a day. And this is how much I love it: I am a super lazy commenter, and only comment if I feel the absolute need to. So, there ya go ;)
ReplyDeleteHA! This comment made my whole day. I love when "lazy commenters" speak up! :)
DeleteWe have had amazing weather the last week too. Are there any teaching fairs in your area? I know several people who were hired in California (in previous years) from a job fair here in Oregon. My best summer job (since I have been out of college) was teaching first aid and CPR through the red cross. It wasn't a ton of time/money, but it was some, and I had fun doing it.
ReplyDeleteFor number 15 on your list I'd highly recommend A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. A beautiful piece of realistic fiction - it's my absolute favourite! It's written from the perspectives of three women but you would never know that Khaled is a male author because of the way in which he's able to be fully immersed in the storytelling of his characters' lives. It tugged at my heartstrings and made me gasp a few times aloud. I've read it about 4 times now and still love it everytime!
ReplyDeletewww.the-lifestyle-project.com
PS - loving your site's new redesign and your updated about me blurb :)
DeleteI LOVE 1000 splendid suns. It's been a while since I have read it... probably four years or so, but yes definitely one of the best. Some of those images are so haunting. Have you read Kite Runner? I have heard he's coming out with another one this spring. I'm excited.
DeleteHello I came to visit from Mom's Monday Mingle. This summer to do list sounds awesome, especially the book list. I love to read. I will have to check some of these books out and see if they are good. I am now following you and look forward to reading more of what you write in the future.
ReplyDeletePatricia
www.thettdiaries.com
Sounds like you are in for a busy summer we are in for a hopefully quiet winter
ReplyDeleteI love making goals for the summer! And seriously, when you come to Hawaii, you better let me take you out for a drink! Lots of amazing places I can show ya! :)
ReplyDeleteDEAL!
DeleteGood luck finding a job! Your reading list inspired me to make a list!
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading cloud atlas and it was amazing! I definitely recommend it
Ok Bon, blog stalker here. - I don't typically do this type of thing AT ALL, but... Have you ever thought of running your own small business? I sell Origami Owl and I love it. You make your own schedule, do as little or as much as you would like and make pretty good money, not to mention the tax write offs. Here is my site: tiffanysells.origamiowl.com and I'd love to talk to you more about the opportunity if you are at all interested. tiffanysells15@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteEnd of creepy sales lady comment. :)
HA! This comment made me laugh- you can be creepy sales lady all you want. The thing is I would love to do something like that but I hate crafts. So much. SO very much. I don't think I could handmake anything without wanting to kill myself. Could I sell English lessons?
DeleteIt's not handmade crafts at all - it's jewelry. I could definitely take your English lessons! :) Check out my site! tiffanysells.origamiowl.com The best part about it (to me) is that everyone creates their own "story" through their locket!
DeleteI work as a Speech Therapist Assistant, so I too have summers off, and I always make myself a TO READ list as well!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see fellow readers that can read as fast as I can!! Maybe I can try and read some of the same books!!