Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- O

Today's smiles are brought to you by something that truly brightens my spirits. The letter O stands for...

OUTDOORS

I was raised by a dad that enjoyed the outdoors more than anything. We went hiking and biking a bunch during the summer as well as road trips to see the beauties of Western United States. He taught me the importance of enjoying my surroundings to the full. It was not that difficult to do that since I grew up a mile away from the opening of a gorgeous canyon in Utah. His favorite mountain range, Mt. Timpanogos, just a 20 minute drive away from us. The Dadio is a photographer, too so nature is his canvas. He loves snapping photos of all things beautiful!

I've been backpacking many times. It's not easy and ya get rather stinky, but it's well worth the amazing scenery and calm from the sounds of rushing rivers, birds chirping, and each crunch of footsteps in the dirt. I've backpacked Zions National Park, Grand Canyon, and the Tetons, Yet, I've been able to do countless day hikes in Utah's mountains.

Here are some pics from my outdoor adventures:

Cinque Terre - Italy day hike

Grand Canyon

Great Wall of China - I'm in the pink shirt

 Dirty Dash - I can't say I smiled a lot cuz it was way cold.

I got really sweaty on my hike out of Zions. Odd that being sweaty makes me smile.

Zions East Rim

 Snowshoeing - Utah

Do you enjoy the outdoors? Have you been backpacking or hiking or snowshoeing? If so, where? Or are you more of a road trip kind of person to see the beauties of the world? Last but not least, starting with the letter O, what makes you smile?

Writing Jewels

PS: Refer to the blurb on the very top of my blogs sidebar to know why I am posting about what makes me smile. Go forward and smile!



A Little Bit of Random

Photograph by Julia King 2009 (Cinque Terre)

Gina Denny recently beta'd my WIP. I'd like to thank her lots and lots for her amazing suggestions. Kristin Lynn Thetford did as well. She's the grammar girl of all grammar girls. Loved having her help in that area. Thank you girls!
I'll admit I'm stealing this blog idea from one of Gina's blog posts. I'm going to fill in the following blanks, so you can get to know me a bit better.

I am ... not a morning person. If I could, I'd sleep in until 10:30AM every day. Uh... or longer.

I can't stand ... ticking clocks or any repetitive noises. *cringe*

My idea of relaxation would be ... laying out on a beach (more specifically, a beach on the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera) reading a book and catching some rays. *sigh*

If I had an extra $50, I would ...  buy a couple books or a couple shirts. Maybe buy something good to eat. There are so many options. Maybe you can decide for me. :)

A recipe I'm dying to try is ... I don't really cook much and if I do, it's just throwing stuff together to see if it tastes good. But, the recipe I love to make is Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies. Numms. But I can't make them right now because I'm still going strong with my no sweets diet. Woot!

Well, now it's your turn to fill in these blanks, so I can get to know you better. Comment away, folks!

Writing. Jewels.

The Power of Creation

My last post was about the hiking adventure I took on Monday. It got me thinking about something important to me: creation.

The world is beautiful in so many ways. It’s awe-inspiring. I thought about the towering trees around me on my hike; the birds chirping in the blue, cloud-filled sky; the rush of the bubbly water flowing into a rippling creek; and the pretty yellow flowers with white tips. They all started as something small, then grew into something majestic. I enjoyed being there, taking in the fresh air and glories of nature.

I’ve fallen in love with many parts of the world: be it the Great Wall of China, a temperate beach on the Cinque Terre, the dark green pines dotting Portland, Oregon’s landscape, or even my own backyard.

Being an author, I've had the great opportunity to create. I adore crafting a story in which people can enjoy. My characters are real to me. If I wanted to look crazy, I’d talk to them at the grocery store or the local park. My mind is glittered with ideas. Putting them on paper is exhilarating, yet, agonizing at times.

I’ve read many books that have helped me to hide away for a few hours in a different place with diverse people or creatures. I’m thankful for the authors who’ve spent countless hours perfecting their idea for it to reach my eyes, mind.

Creation starts with a small idea that grows into something larger, bigger than we could ever think it could be. My book, Félicité Found, sprouted from a mere dream. The idea stuck with me for weeks until one sleepless night the plot expanded in my mind like a flower ready to blossom. I’ve loved it ever since; sometimes hated it, too, but all good things take hard work for it to be successful.

Continue to work hard on your creations. They may be writing a story, painting a picture, plucking the strings of a guitar, or planted roses in your garden.

There is power in creation. It enriches not only your life, but the lives of countless others.

Cinque Terre (middle photo) Copyright Julia King 2011

A Little Bit of This & a Little Bit of That

I’ve felt really quiet this week so far. And it’s only Tuesday. That’s way bad. I decided that I had to get back into the swing of things, so I started tweeting. Tweeting always perks me up. What do you know, it worked. I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to share with you on today’s post. Last night while I watched Chuck, I stared at my laptop screen with lack of any idea. Needing to be consistent on my blog, I decided to just blab and see if you love my blabbing. Oh, I blab in every post. Oh, well!

So, my rewrite is nearing its end. I’m enjoying crafting my two main characters into teenagers. It feels better. It feels right. It feels like they should have been younger the whole time. I hope to have the rewrite completed by the end of the week. Wish me luck as I wish all you writers luck with the enjoyable madness of writing.



I have the travel bug really bad right now. Actually, it’s a constant battle. If anyone wants to sponsor me to travel to some extravagant and beautiful beach-like place (preferably international), I would love you forever and maybe even kiss you (only if you are a man and single). I’m kidding, but if you’re rich then why not spend your money on me. Haha The pic to the right is a photo I took of the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. Beautiful!

Well, there is my blabbing for this lovely Tuesday!

Last and most important note: Don’t forget to check out my post and contest this Thursday. It will all be about Jennifer L. Armentrout’s prequel novel, Daimon, to her upcoming release, Half-Blood.

Traveling - Oh the Joy!

Just a little tidbit about Julia King: I LOVE to travel. As you very well know, “Felicite Comes” came into existence because of a little, well BIG, trip that I took to Paris. It was the catalyst that made my brain’s inspiration muscles start running. Anyway, a huge part of my life has been traveling. It all started on a dark and rainy night… Just kidding! No seriously, as a small child, my dad and mom would take us on road trips throughout the western states. We would also venture in nature to hike. These trips or hikes helped me to see the value in exploring the world. I also have this silly idea that places in the world do not exist until I see them. 
You know what? Seeing the world in all its glory is priceless!
I think of the various oceans I have seen, the sweet smell of incense burning as I walked through Buddhist temples, the sounds of the big cities that have rushed in my ears, the taste of the food as I savor it, and the feel of the wind embrace my face. All of these feelings will forever be etched in my mind because I partook of the various beauties that the earth has to offer.
Traveling is rewarding on so many different levels. One of the rewards is to be able to gloat about your trips. This is ever so humble of me!  I can say that I have trekked the Great Wall of China and peered at the tremendous amount of water cascading over Niagara Falls. I have seen Jennifer Lopez in Rome, Italy (yes, it is true). I can say that I have eaten pig kidney in Taiwan. I can say that I have hiked the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera? I can even say that I have done some of my international traveling ALONE! I can hear the “ewws” and “ahhs” in my head. All bow down to my glory! Just kidding!
But no really and seriously, traveling is one of the ways in which we can open our minds to other people, other cultures, and other ways of life. A lot less troubles would occur if people had the opportunity to experience different ways of life and seeing the new culture through the eyes of the natives.
Traveling is also liberating. You learn a lot about yourself in the process. I have learned through traveling that I can do something bigger than myself. I can get myself from point A to point B and back again in an unfamiliar place. I can be precautious. I can use different currency. I can survive in a country where I do not speak the language. Through traveling, I learned that I can do anything that I put my mind to!
What are your favorite traveling moments? I would love to hear about them. Just perhaps, I will want to go there because you have inspired me by your stories!