It's been a year since my awesome trip to Europe with Hayley! Where did the time go? That trip was definitely one of the greatest highlights of my life, and I'm so glad we went!
At the time, my family was concerned that it might not be safe to go to Europe. While we were there, the terrible Bastille Day attack happened. I brought up those concerns to Hayley, but she helped reassure me that we'd be okay--and she said she thought if we waited any longer to go, things might just get worse. Watching all the headlines about London this summer..... I think she definitely made the right call. I'm not sure I would go this summer with everything that is happening over there.
Showing posts with label Hayley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hayley. Show all posts
Friday, July 14, 2017
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Laini Taylor Signing
Today Hayley and I went to a book signing with Laini Taylor, one of our favorite authors. She's written the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy and now a lovely new book called Strange the Dreamer.
Before the signing, one of the librarians who organized the event interviewed Laini for about an hour on stage.
I've wanted to be a writer ever since I was 3 years old. Now I'm almost 30, and I haven't even finished the novel I've been working on in various designs since I was 12! Sometimes I get very discouraged and figure that won't be part of my life. But the truth is... that's still a dream of mine. I don't need to be a famous author, but I'd love so much to FINISH a book and get it published!
Laini's talk left me feeling hopeful and energized. A few key things she says:
- She doesn't like writing because it's so hard! She loves having written, but she doesn't particularly enjoy the writing process. Oh man, I could relate to that. There are some things I really enjoy writing, but when it comes to trying to write my dream book, it is hard work and I get so frustrated because the words don't come out the way I want them to.
- She never finished a manuscript until she was 35. There's still hope for me!
- She always thought of herself as a writer, even though for a long time she wasn't doing much writing. (Just like me!)
- She doesn't plot extensively. She isn't a total pantser--she has some plot points planned out but she doesn't plot out every detail. I've been stressed about this recently and trying to outline too much--this reminds me that I don't have to do that because that's what works best for some people. A loose outline is fine.
- Beginnings are hard for her too. They take her a lot longer to write than the rest of the book. She tried several beginnings for Strange the Dreamer before she worked out the best one.
- Her beautiful, poetic text does not come easily or on the first draft.
I think I've been inspired to get back to work!
Oh, one last side note on my pic with Laini--it's hard to take a pic with someone seated while you are standing! I sort of bent my knees and squatted next to her, but I felt so ungraceful and ridiculous looking that I cracked up. A little bit into my laughing, I heard her laugh a little bit too awkwardly--probably wondering what my deal was. But it worked out, because they got this shot while we are both laughing and we look very genuinely happy.
Oh, one last side note on my pic with Laini--it's hard to take a pic with someone seated while you are standing! I sort of bent my knees and squatted next to her, but I felt so ungraceful and ridiculous looking that I cracked up. A little bit into my laughing, I heard her laugh a little bit too awkwardly--probably wondering what my deal was. But it worked out, because they got this shot while we are both laughing and we look very genuinely happy.
Monday, August 1, 2016
London and Paris--the Plane Ride Over
My trip to Europe was phenomenal. We ran around every day all day to pack in as many things as we could. I loved it--but I didn't have much time to write about it, and my head is overflowing with many many posts about what I saw and experienced. We'll see if I can rein it in, or if this post turns into a series of posts!
The trip started off great. I'm one of those people who usually can't sleep before I travel, for whatever reason. Even if it's just a little business trip, I'm often awake until the wee hours of the morning the night before. It's not because I'm worried or excited, necessarily... I don't know what it is. But somehow I managed to sleep just fine the night before. It seemed like a good omen. :)
Hayley recommended that on the flight there, I watch one in flight movie, eat dinner, and then go to sleep. So, I watched the new live version of the Jungle Book (I liked it, but I'm not really hankering for a rewatch), ate my dinner, and... conked out! Again, so surprised I could sleep.
The trip started off great. I'm one of those people who usually can't sleep before I travel, for whatever reason. Even if it's just a little business trip, I'm often awake until the wee hours of the morning the night before. It's not because I'm worried or excited, necessarily... I don't know what it is. But somehow I managed to sleep just fine the night before. It seemed like a good omen. :)
Hayley recommended that on the flight there, I watch one in flight movie, eat dinner, and then go to sleep. So, I watched the new live version of the Jungle Book (I liked it, but I'm not really hankering for a rewatch), ate my dinner, and... conked out! Again, so surprised I could sleep.
Dinner was some chicken thing that was actually pretty good! And the cheesecake dessert was a very nice touch.
Amazingly, I was able to sleep on the plane. I had one of those neck pillow things--highly recommended! Usually I have trouble getting comfortable.
Hayley and I were on a row together--she was on the aisle and I was at the window seat. She booked the seats that way hoping that no one would take the middle seat, and no one showed up... but I wonder if someone booked the spot and missed the plane, because at meal times they would bring special meals someone had ordered and we'd tell them it wasn't either of us. So I woke up to the stewardess trying to deliver a special breakfast meal. She said, "Did you preorder breakfast?" I guess she didn't realize we were sleeping? We both popped awake and I just stared at her while she repeated herself at least 6 times as my fuzzy brain tried to figure out where I was and what was happening. This was the only time on the trip I had trouble understanding a British accent. Finally I noticed the tray in her hands and assumed she was offering me breakfast, which I didn't much want at that moment, so I said, "No thanks." She looked at me like I was a crazy person and tried one last time, finally getting through to me. "Did you preorder breakfast?" "Oh... no, sorry."
At last we landed. I was so giddy. Every little British thing excited me at that point because it was all so new. Look, the elevators are called lifts! Hey, their toilets look different. Wow, listen to all the British accents!
Customs was a nightmare. We were in line for 2 hours. But I got my first stamp in my passport, much to my delight. :)
Hayley's sister-in-law Anna was sweet and came to pick us up. For our first two days, we stayed with Hayley's brother's family while we attempted to recover from our jet lag. That first day, I felt like a total zombie. I didn't do much besides sit around the Carters' house and try to stay awake. I did try to take a nap at one point, and I couldn't even sleep! Craziness. Most of that day is a complete blur to me.
Haha, wow, okay, I've barely dipped my toe in here, but it's late, and I guess I'll post this anyways just to let people know I'm still alive. ;) The actual exciting trip stuff will come soon!
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Outlining
Okay, one last thing. I was having a rough time outlining my novel, since I'm used to being a "pantser" and making things up as I go rather than plotting things out ahead of time.
But outlining the fanfiction was easy. At first, I started by writing out the events in the film that I wanted to cover. Then I realized that I was parroting the actual film too much... fanfiction is supposed to bring something new, right? So I started expanding things... and I started seeing the beauty of the outline. It was much easier knowing what to add in where, because I could see how it would add up in the bigger picture.
For example... there's a scene where an uncle gets very angry at his nephew for many complicated reasons, but the one he vocalizes is that the kid is drawing when he's supposed to be doing something else. Cue a much earlier scene I added in that explains why his artwork is so very upsetting.
Seeing the whole picture helped me think through what elements and themes were needed to tie together into the great whole.
Tl:dr version.... Outlining my fanfiction is converting me to outlining in general, and giving me insight into how to outline my novel better. I think for some of it, I need to work backwards. Begin with the end game in mind, and think through what would need to happen in the beginning to raise the stakes.
Hayley often quotes the Fantasy Fiction Writing Formula, a how-to book she loves, that you have to write a million words before you can be a good writer. This fanfic may be silly, but it does count towards million words, and I'm already learning a lot from the process. And, getting into the healthy habit of writing every day without stressing about it too much. The amazing thing is, I'm reasonably happy with my work, even though it's certainly rough and unpolished.
Growth all around. :)
PS: I'm up to 5 readers now. Yep, it's literally just a handful, but man... does that have me jazzed!
But outlining the fanfiction was easy. At first, I started by writing out the events in the film that I wanted to cover. Then I realized that I was parroting the actual film too much... fanfiction is supposed to bring something new, right? So I started expanding things... and I started seeing the beauty of the outline. It was much easier knowing what to add in where, because I could see how it would add up in the bigger picture.
For example... there's a scene where an uncle gets very angry at his nephew for many complicated reasons, but the one he vocalizes is that the kid is drawing when he's supposed to be doing something else. Cue a much earlier scene I added in that explains why his artwork is so very upsetting.
Seeing the whole picture helped me think through what elements and themes were needed to tie together into the great whole.
Tl:dr version.... Outlining my fanfiction is converting me to outlining in general, and giving me insight into how to outline my novel better. I think for some of it, I need to work backwards. Begin with the end game in mind, and think through what would need to happen in the beginning to raise the stakes.
Hayley often quotes the Fantasy Fiction Writing Formula, a how-to book she loves, that you have to write a million words before you can be a good writer. This fanfic may be silly, but it does count towards million words, and I'm already learning a lot from the process. And, getting into the healthy habit of writing every day without stressing about it too much. The amazing thing is, I'm reasonably happy with my work, even though it's certainly rough and unpolished.
Growth all around. :)
PS: I'm up to 5 readers now. Yep, it's literally just a handful, but man... does that have me jazzed!
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Introducing... Fuzz!
I did it! I got my hamster! :)
Hayley came with me as my emotional support. She was very patient with me while I paced around the hamster tanks and examined my options. I've been to Petco so often this week I knew all the little animals there, and I could see that they got a new shipment just today. :) That friendly little girl from last Saturday was gone, but there were 4 new tiny dwarf hamsters curled up together in their nest. I didn't go until after 8 pm in the hopes of catching them awake, but no such luck.
But, when I told the employees I was interested in purchasing a hamster, they opened up the tank and pulled off the igloo shelter. That woke all of them up and they scattered around. I stuck my hand in. One little girl ran up and tried to chew it. I scooped up a couple of the other ones. They are so unbelievably soft and fluffy. I found one that didn't nip and seemed somewhat content to be in my arms, so, that one went into a little cardboard box and I carted her home.
Fortunately I live near Petco. She was so terrified in that box! I could see it shaking. But man, I would be too, in her situation.
The box opened on the top. I set it inside the cage and opened it up. She was just huddled in this little terrified ball. I patted her head, and she looked up and realized the box was open. She came right up to the side and let me scoop her up and put her in the cage.
First thing she did was burrow underneath the wheel and go back to sleep. I hoped that meant she wasn't that terrified. Hayley and I hung out for a couple hours, and when I checked on her again, she was happily running on her little exercise wheel. I watched her for a while. She'd run into her little castle shelter, run on the wheel, hop into her food bowl and eat, and every now and then, run up to the front of the cage to look at me. She doesn't seem very scared of me, though definitely still a little shy. And she seems friendly.
For now, I'm calling her Fuzz. :) We'll see if that sticks. There will inevitably be many photos and even some videos probably in the near future! I took a couple but the cage bars make it hard to see, and online it says not to handle her very much for the first day or two as she adjusts to her new environment. I did reach in though and stroke her back with one finger while she was eating, and she didn't seem to mind. She let me do it and didn't run away. Hopefully soon we'll be best buds.
Here's a blurry little preview:
For now, you'll just have to take my word that she is adorable. :)
Hayley came with me as my emotional support. She was very patient with me while I paced around the hamster tanks and examined my options. I've been to Petco so often this week I knew all the little animals there, and I could see that they got a new shipment just today. :) That friendly little girl from last Saturday was gone, but there were 4 new tiny dwarf hamsters curled up together in their nest. I didn't go until after 8 pm in the hopes of catching them awake, but no such luck.
But, when I told the employees I was interested in purchasing a hamster, they opened up the tank and pulled off the igloo shelter. That woke all of them up and they scattered around. I stuck my hand in. One little girl ran up and tried to chew it. I scooped up a couple of the other ones. They are so unbelievably soft and fluffy. I found one that didn't nip and seemed somewhat content to be in my arms, so, that one went into a little cardboard box and I carted her home.
Fortunately I live near Petco. She was so terrified in that box! I could see it shaking. But man, I would be too, in her situation.
The box opened on the top. I set it inside the cage and opened it up. She was just huddled in this little terrified ball. I patted her head, and she looked up and realized the box was open. She came right up to the side and let me scoop her up and put her in the cage.
First thing she did was burrow underneath the wheel and go back to sleep. I hoped that meant she wasn't that terrified. Hayley and I hung out for a couple hours, and when I checked on her again, she was happily running on her little exercise wheel. I watched her for a while. She'd run into her little castle shelter, run on the wheel, hop into her food bowl and eat, and every now and then, run up to the front of the cage to look at me. She doesn't seem very scared of me, though definitely still a little shy. And she seems friendly.
For now, I'm calling her Fuzz. :) We'll see if that sticks. There will inevitably be many photos and even some videos probably in the near future! I took a couple but the cage bars make it hard to see, and online it says not to handle her very much for the first day or two as she adjusts to her new environment. I did reach in though and stroke her back with one finger while she was eating, and she didn't seem to mind. She let me do it and didn't run away. Hopefully soon we'll be best buds.
Here's a blurry little preview:
For now, you'll just have to take my word that she is adorable. :)
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Girls' Trip
Meet Lori and Hayley.
The three of us have been BFFs since middle school. This summer, we decided we FINALLY needed to go on a girls' trip. I don't know why it's taken us this long. We headed out to San Diego, one of my very favorite cities in the entire world.
Everyone assumed we were college girls on vacation, which was kind of fun. :) We had a hard time convincing the rental car guy we were old enough to get a car. (Thank goodness for IDs, huh?)
Oh, and speaking of cars... I DROVE IN CALIFORNIA AND NOBODY DIED. I've been terrified of California traffic since I got stuck in rush hour traffic near Corona on a business trip (my coworker was driving). It seemed like bumper to bumper traffic with everyone still miraculously going the speed limit.
Traffic in San Diego was much calmer... Not too different from Colorado or Utah, actually... although perhaps with more courteous drivers. :) Getting over my fear of driving in California is a huge deal. Maybe that takes me one step closer to actually moving there (although I do worry a bit about the cost of living).
We ventured to as many sites as we could fit into 5 days.
Such as the San Diego Safari Park:
We went as soon as it opened and beat the crowds. We really lucked out with the animals. They were almost always out at the front of their enclosures when we came by.
Of course we had to stop and ride the zoo carousel. The ride operator gave us a hard time. "Are there children with you?" No. No, it's just us.
I rode the deer, of course, since Lori's nickname for me is Bambi. After snapping pictures of my friends, I spent the rest of my ride trying to take selfies and laughing hysterically at the poor results. I kept up a running commentary so my friends knew what I was doing... and of course the ride operator overheard me and gave me a hard time. What can I say? Sometimes I'm a dork.
On our way out of the zoo at the end of the day, we ran into a cheetah on a leash! (which really makes me want to keep one as a pet. Although his eyes creeped me out a little.)
Hayley got a great shot of the zookeeper warning us to stay back as they walked past.
We spent a lot of our trip hanging out at various beaches.
On our last day (well, my last day... the girls got to stay for one more), we started off by traveling to Balboa Park.
It's gigantic and features lots of museums and gardens. We paid a visit to the lovely Botanical Gardens there.
After that, it was off to Little Italy for lunch.
Then to Point Loma to check out the historic lighthouse there, and to take a look at the Cabrillo tide pools. While that area was beautiful, unfortunately we arrived at high tide and so no tide pools were visible.
We finished the day by visiting Sunset Cliffs in the hopes of seeing a gorgeous sunset. Unfortunately it was cloudy, but we did come across a sailor's beach wedding right there on the cliff! We slipped up closer to listen in (although I wasn't quite brave enough to snap a picture of their special moment... That seemed too creepy.)
And of course, what better way to finish off a California trip than dinner at In N' Out?
All in all, it was a spectacular trip, and it left me feeling a little more in love with California. Maybe I will end up there someday.
The three of us have been BFFs since middle school. This summer, we decided we FINALLY needed to go on a girls' trip. I don't know why it's taken us this long. We headed out to San Diego, one of my very favorite cities in the entire world.
Everyone assumed we were college girls on vacation, which was kind of fun. :) We had a hard time convincing the rental car guy we were old enough to get a car. (Thank goodness for IDs, huh?)
Oh, and speaking of cars... I DROVE IN CALIFORNIA AND NOBODY DIED. I've been terrified of California traffic since I got stuck in rush hour traffic near Corona on a business trip (my coworker was driving). It seemed like bumper to bumper traffic with everyone still miraculously going the speed limit.
Traffic in San Diego was much calmer... Not too different from Colorado or Utah, actually... although perhaps with more courteous drivers. :) Getting over my fear of driving in California is a huge deal. Maybe that takes me one step closer to actually moving there (although I do worry a bit about the cost of living).
We ventured to as many sites as we could fit into 5 days.
Such as the San Diego Safari Park:
We went as soon as it opened and beat the crowds. We really lucked out with the animals. They were almost always out at the front of their enclosures when we came by.
Of course we had to stop and ride the zoo carousel. The ride operator gave us a hard time. "Are there children with you?" No. No, it's just us.
I rode the deer, of course, since Lori's nickname for me is Bambi. After snapping pictures of my friends, I spent the rest of my ride trying to take selfies and laughing hysterically at the poor results. I kept up a running commentary so my friends knew what I was doing... and of course the ride operator overheard me and gave me a hard time. What can I say? Sometimes I'm a dork.
 |
| Best shot! |
On our way out of the zoo at the end of the day, we ran into a cheetah on a leash! (which really makes me want to keep one as a pet. Although his eyes creeped me out a little.)
Hayley got a great shot of the zookeeper warning us to stay back as they walked past.
We spent a lot of our trip hanging out at various beaches.
 |
| La Jolla Beach! Complete with sea lions (don't worry, this one was asleep) |
 |
| Silver Strand Beach! (Great for shell collecting) |
 |
| Mission Beach! Where we went boogie boarding. |
 |
| Ocean Beach! (Does that name crack anyone else up?) Features its very own pier. AND we got to see the tail end of a surfing competition. |
It's gigantic and features lots of museums and gardens. We paid a visit to the lovely Botanical Gardens there.
After that, it was off to Little Italy for lunch.
Then to Point Loma to check out the historic lighthouse there, and to take a look at the Cabrillo tide pools. While that area was beautiful, unfortunately we arrived at high tide and so no tide pools were visible.
We finished the day by visiting Sunset Cliffs in the hopes of seeing a gorgeous sunset. Unfortunately it was cloudy, but we did come across a sailor's beach wedding right there on the cliff! We slipped up closer to listen in (although I wasn't quite brave enough to snap a picture of their special moment... That seemed too creepy.)
And of course, what better way to finish off a California trip than dinner at In N' Out?
All in all, it was a spectacular trip, and it left me feeling a little more in love with California. Maybe I will end up there someday.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Work on My Novel: Progressing...
Have you heard of NaNoWriMo? National novel writing month? It happens every November. Writers are challenged to write a 50,000 word novel in only 30 days! I've tried lots of times, but never finished.
Well, now NaNo isn't just for November! I got an email a couple days back inviting me to Camp NaNoWriMo, "an idyllic writer's retreat smack-dab in the middle of of your crazy life." Apparently it happens in July. It's like NaNo, but more laid back. You set your own goal of how many words you want to write in a month. It doesn't have to be a novel. And, if you want, you can sign up to be in a cabin. You are randomly assigned 4-6 cabin mates to help cheer you on (or, if you have friends doing it too, you can request them as cabin mates).
This seems like a perfect way to help me achieve my goal! My BFF Hayley is signing up for it too. Anyone else want in? Let me know your username and we can be cabin mates. :) (Mine is maskedangel.... I made it up back in high school, don't judge!)
Well, now NaNo isn't just for November! I got an email a couple days back inviting me to Camp NaNoWriMo, "an idyllic writer's retreat smack-dab in the middle of of your crazy life." Apparently it happens in July. It's like NaNo, but more laid back. You set your own goal of how many words you want to write in a month. It doesn't have to be a novel. And, if you want, you can sign up to be in a cabin. You are randomly assigned 4-6 cabin mates to help cheer you on (or, if you have friends doing it too, you can request them as cabin mates).
This seems like a perfect way to help me achieve my goal! My BFF Hayley is signing up for it too. Anyone else want in? Let me know your username and we can be cabin mates. :) (Mine is maskedangel.... I made it up back in high school, don't judge!)
Saturday, March 30, 2013
BFFs
This week my BFF Hayley came to visit me during her spring break. (She works as a speech therapist in a school district). We've been friends since I was 11 years old... More than half of our lives, now!
I wanted to give her the grant "Utah is awesome" tour, so we fit as many things in as we possibly could!
Wednesday:
- Dinner at the Brick Oven
Thursday:
- Golf cart tour of BYU
- Exhibits at the BYU Museum of Art
- At least an hour of watching Youtube videos (mostly Twilight parodies...)
- COMPLETE 4 hour BBC miniseries of Jane Austen's Emma
Friday (our marathon day!):
- A walk through the Provo Downtown
- Lunch at the Cannon Center
- A trip to the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point (a dinosaur museum!)
- BYU's Easter Conference
- A late night trip to see the Host movie (we both enjoyed it, but there were definitely points where the whole audience cracked up at how ridiculous the plot/dialogue were).
Today:
- City Creek Center
- Temple Square!
It was a quick visit but we packed a lot of fun in. I'm so glad Hayley came to visit! Come back again now, you hear? :)
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