I Heart You Day with The Vow

So, I watched The Vow yesterday. When I saw the trailer for it months ago, I almost cried. My dear friend came close to laughing at me for my reaction. Anyway, I've decided to talk about it a bit. 

Plot Line: "A car accident puts Paige (Rachel McAdams) in a coma, and when she wakes up with severe memory loss, her husband Leo (Channing Tatum) works to win her heart again." Curtesy IMDb

I had high expectations going into seeing this flick. Sometimes that's a bad thing; you may end up a bit disappointed once the end credits start rolling. With this movie, it didn't meet my expectations completely but was a great chick flick, one that was more true to life than other romantic films I've seen. That's the thing you see, it is actually a true story. It well depicted the slow process of life during its challenges due to its slightly sluggish pace. Yet, that brought the essence of reality to it. Things that deal with the heart, especially when it's breaking, can feel like an eternity. So the slow pace was alright for the concept of the story.

The Vow wasn't a fairy tale for sure, but life isn't always flowers and bunnies traipsing across our path. It's a journey. Through this movie, it depicted the true meaning of love--that being selflessness in the depths of difficult challenges. Thinking more of the other person than yourself and overcoming all odds by offering your heart to someone special.

On this Valentine's Day, I hope that you have someone special to love, even if it only be a parent, a sibling, or a friend. Love is far more than just romance, its dedication to all those who are dear to you.

Anyway, go see the movie. It's great!

I wish you all a very happy, brilliant, rose-filled, lovely, warm, and all of the above Valentine's Day.

Writing. Jewels.

Tag. I'm It: Chocolate Chip Ice-cream with Cheerios

Last week I was tagged to answer 11 question on Rachel Morgan's blog. I feel priveledged to have been chosen. Well, not only for her to get to know me better but you as well, here are my answers. I will be tagging a few peeps to answer MY questions. You'll be listed at the bottom.

1. Describe yourself in one word.

Loveable

2. What was your favourite book as a child?

The Plant that Ate Dirty Socks (seriously)
3. eBooks or paper books?

Paper all the way. Love the smell and feel of them in my hands. Sigh.
4. If you could go back in time and change one thing in your life, what would it be?

To have eaten those cream puffs a couple Mondays ago. No, seriously, I'd have dedicated myself to learning Mandarin Chinese more while I lived in Taiwan seven years ago. I would have liked to have not been so scared to speak it.
5. What song is currently stuck in your head?

I have no idea what the song is called... But there's a song in my head. Typically, there's ALWAYS a song in my head. To be honest, it is sort of creep-tastic. I have no idea how some of them get there. Dun Dun Dun....
6. What fictional character do you most resemble?

Belle from Beauty and the Beast. I don't know why, but I always liked her in that movie growing up. Plus, my mom called me Julia Belle when I was a kid, still does sometimes. Cute.
7. If you could have any super power, what would you choose?

I'd have the power to eat anything I want and not gain weight. Now, that would be super coolio.
8. What is your favourite quote?

"Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once..." William Shakespeare. I love this quote for it's moral is to take risks, not to sit back idly, but to reach for the stars no matter what. This has pretty much been my motto since my 10th grade English class where we read Julius Caesar! It struck me so hard, I wrote it down on my notebook and have remembered it ever since.
9. Are you a full-time writer or do you have some other day job?

I work as an Administrative Assistant at a local University. I write by night. I can't wait to devote myself fully to writing full-time.
10. Which book would you pick up first: awesome cover or super cool title?

Awesome cover all the way. Sadly, sometimes a book is judged by its cover... at least for me.
11. Cream or ice-cream?

Ice-cream for sure. Actually, I love to eat chocolate chip ice-cream with Cheerios mixed in it. Try it, it is delicious.

Now, I want some of my new followers to answer the following 11 questions:

My subjects:

Carrie Butler
Avery Marsh
Alexandra Shostak
Cherie Reich
JFritz
Juliemybird
KristaM
Cortney Pearson
Vicki Orians
Miranda Hardy

Questions:

1. What is your favorite childhood memory?

2. Who is your hero?

3. What is the first thing that pops into your mind right now?

4. What is your favorite food?

5. If you were stuck in a "Groundhog Day" type experience, what crazy things would you do to shake up the day?

6. If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

7. Why did you start writing?

8. Where is your favorite place to read?

9. What is your favorite book?

10. What is your favorite holiday?

11. If you could go anywhere in the world (paid in full), where would it be?

Writing. Jewels.

Submissions Time

It's official, my book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, is on submission with publishers. It's a trip and a half. Not only am I super excited, I'm nervous, terrified, and extremely impatient. I thought that querying for agents was awful, but it's only been one week and I'm back in the routine of checking my email every three seconds. Ok, I'm not that bad, maybe every twenty seconds...

*coughs*

And I'm worried things won't work out how I'd like. Yet, I hope to have success in this leg of my journey to become a published author. Wish me luck. Cross your fingers and toes. Say some prayers... All right, thanks, friends!

This reminds me of something Joe Konrath said: “There's a word for a writer who never gives up: published.”

I had that quote on my blog description for a while. Giving up has never been in my writing vocabulary. I urge you to never, ever give up. Don't let giving up be in your vocabulary. I sure know I won't!

I will keep you all posted on the haps with submissions.

How's your progress going on your journey to published-ome?

I'm cheering you on!!! Keep going!

Writing. Jewels.

Why Am I Posting on Wednesday... Take a Look

I don't normally post on Wednesday but felt this was a great reason to check in with you again this week. Rachael Harrie is holding another I'm a Platform-Building Campaigner. I've decided to join in on the campaign. Now I'm letting you know just in case you are interested. I'm pretty excited about it.

Lately I've been thinking about social networking. It's a tough gig. Sometimes I wonder just how much of an impact I'm making on the writing world. Yet, I keep on going.

I can see this is a great way to get to know more writers and let them know you! In the writing world having lots of people on your side-line is super important. I hope that through this I can make lots of great connections and become a cheerleader for them during their writing journey.

Unforgettable Scenes

I've been listening to Twilight on audio book again. No matter how many times I read (or listen) to this book, it feels like it's the first time I'm being pulled into the thick of its addictive story.

 

As I drove into my garage yesterday after work, I had to stay in the car until I finished the chapter, "Confessions." I admit, I was out there for about twenty minutes (with the car off of course. I don't want to die of exhaust exposure). Anyway, this is the part where Bella and Edward are in the meadow and express their feelings for each other. Just thinking of this part of the book brings a heaviness of angsty happiness into my heart. Seriously, they don't even kiss but the romance flooding through the words is unforgettable. Beautiful. Breath-taking. Ok, they do kiss by the end of the chapter... Dreamy!

Bar-none, there is no other scene in a book that has had the exact same effect on me. Ok, there are many others that are beyond swoon-worthy, but this one sticks out strong in my list of amazing-makes-my-heart-stop scenes.

It's sort of like my two famous people crushes--Bono and Lance Armstrong, they just stick. I adore them. All right, one day when I have a boyfriend/husband, he will definitely be in first place. Sorry, Irish hottie and cycling champion.

Are there any scenes in books that ring out as unforgettable for you? Do tell! Or maybe in a movie?

In movies, I'd have to say the kiss scene at the end of the mini-series of North and South (Elizabeth Gaskell)  is delicious indeed. Shown below!

Random Time

Today's post doesn't have to do with anything in particular. I'm just winging it. But, hey, sometimes a little winging is AOK. Occasionally, (well, more often that not) that's how my writing goes. Wahoo! I added something about writing. I'm cool!

*Does an I'm-a-cool-person dance*

Don't you wish you could've seen it. Well, you didn't miss much. I'm a terrible dancer. I assure you that.

So, something cute I want to share: It was my nephews birthday last week. We had a family celebration for the blessed event. While my cute-alicious little buddy opened his presents, my niece (his little sister of 19 mos) jibber-jabbered out "Happy Birthday to ..." The three dots represent his name (sorry, not telling the world his name). It was quite possible the cutest thing ever. :)

Here's something ridiculously expensive: There's this dress company called Shabby Apple. For a few years now, I've wanted to buy one of their dresses. Last week, I gave in and bought not just one but two of their cute, yet semi-expensive dresses. Below are some pics. They have yet to arrive. I eagerly await in anticipation.

What else is there: I'm eating raisins as I type and am listening to a New Age mix on Pandora.

I guess that's about it for my randomness of a blog post. I'll be back here on Tuesday.

What are some random things going on in your neck of the woods?

Writing. Jewels.