Writer's Workshop

What would it take for you to pick up and move?


Almost 12 years ago, Scott was laid off. I had a maternity leave contract at a daycare in Ottawa. We always talked about travelling before really "settling down" and having children, so when we the opportunity to teach in Korea came up, we didn't have anything to stop us from going.


The plan was to be away from home for a year.


Twelve years later.....


Nine years ago we arrived in Dar. I'm not sure if ever really thought this would be our permanent home.If you told me nine years ago that we'd still be living here, I wouldn't have believed you. 


Then, when we were fairly certain this would be a long term residency, I still don't think we thought it would be permanent. When people asked us how long we planned to stay, we'd shrug our shoulders. We would say that if we ever had a child (pre-Ethan obviously) we would leave once he turned 5, as school at home is free. Well, Ethan will be five this coming July, and we have no intention to leave.


So what would it take for us to pick up and move?  I don't really know. This is our home, and we love it here. Scott's job is here, I love working at the International School. There are times we get frustrated here, but we take a little vacation for some R&R, and we're back.


So what would it take for us to pick up and move? Really, it boils down to work. If Scott were asked to move, or got offered something somewhere else. If he were offered an amazing package. As long as it's a safe place, there's an International School for Ethan to attend, and I could, hopefully, get some supply hours, why not?

Wordless Wednesday

Blood Destiny - Tessa Dawn

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!

Ok, so now that I've gotten that out of my system, let me tell you about the latest book I've read.

So Blood Destiny gives a new spin to the vampire tale. Here, twins Jadon and Jeagar go on a killing spree. They love to sacrifice women and children. The Celestial Gods punish them, and their children to a life of living in the dark and off the blood of others. Jadon begs for mercy, and is taken pity upon. His descendants are permitted to walk in the sun. There is then the blood curse, where the moon turns crimson red, and shows a sign of their destiny. They will have twins (males only), one light and one dark. The dark one must be sacrificed to grant them immortality. The descendants of Jeagar must sacrifice the first born twin.

That's the history.

Blood Destiny is the story of Nathanial, a descendant of Jadon, who has just lost his brother to the curse. Jocelyn works for the Homeland Security and is looking into some murders of missing woman. Turns out, she's Nathanial's destiny.

What I loved about the book was the vampire storyline. We've got the light vampires, and the dark ones. And just when you're sure they're going to kill each other, in comes the lycans! Jocelyn, however, took some time for me to warm up to. There were times I just wanted to shake her silly. Hmmm... deja vue, did I not just say that about another character recently? The other thing that bothers me.... I have to wait until the end of the year for the second book!!!!!!

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 1

I'm still linking up with Leigh and her Happiness Project, but since she's changed the name and button, I thought I'd start over from week 1.

Happiness is relaxing poolside, with the ocean in front.

Cooking With Swarn - Butter Chicken

It's here! The day I was waiting for. Butter Chicken!!!!!!!

I love how Swarn makes sure all the ingredients are ready. No wonder everything looks so easy.

And better yet, she made the marinade for the chicken. Simply combine ginger paste, garlic paste, tandoori powder, yogurt and butter (hence butter chicken). Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour. 

To make the sauce, you blend together tomatoes, tomato paste, fried onions, cashew powder and cream. Yup, it's a healthy one!

Once you have the sauce, put some... you guessed it, butter in a pan, and add the sauce. Add salt, chili, and tandoori masala. Add chicken, and when done, garnish with ginger and more chilies.

We also made Mattar Khumb Korma (peas and mushrooms) which is very similar to the butter chicken sauce and nans.

My Blood Approves - Amanda Hocking

I've been in vampire withdrawl, so I thought this was the perfect way back in. My Blood Approves, is a quick read and gave me a bit of my vampire fix. :)

Alice lives in Minneapolis with her younger brother, Milo, and her mom. Kind of. Mom works alot, so basically Alice and Milo take care of each other. One night out, she meets Jack. They develop a friendship and she meets his family. She meets his brother, Peter, and is instantly drawn to him. He, however, doesn't seem to reciprocate the feeling. She soon learns that Jack, and the rest of his family, are vampires, and she is meant to be with Peter. The twist here is Jack has fallen for Alice, and she has a connection with him, that doesn't seem to make sense since she's apparently Peter's soul mate.

I've read some reviews where people compare it to Twilight. Both Twilight and My Blood Approves have a character named Alice. Both books are about vampires. Both books are a part of a series. And the vampires have a close knit family that openly accept the human female. That's about it. Oh wait, sometimes I really wanted to smack Alice like I felt with Bella. 

When I started reading the book, I told my mate it sounded a little like Vampire Diaries. Again, here's a tale of a teenage girl who falls for two vampire brothers. And that's it!

I love a bad boy, but I fell in love with Jack, and hated how Alice would forget about him whenever Peter was around. I'm not sure if the author meant for me to root for Jack or not, but then, she shouldn't have made him so wonderful!

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation - Lauren Willig

The Secret of the Pink Carnation was a book club selection. I'm loving the book club, as it's exposing me to many books I probably wouldn't read on my own.

There are two stories in this book. The 2nd story, takes place after the Scarlet Pimpernel. Percy Blakeney has retired, and Lord Richard Selwick picks up where he left off, and creates The Purple Gentian. Amy Balcourt, is a French girl, who grew up in England. Her father was guillotined during the Terror and she has spent her life dreaming of joining these spies. She travels to France with her cousin, Jane, and tries to discover the identity of The Purple Gentian. During the trip to France, she meets Lord Selwick, loves him, hates him, plans revenge on him, and decides to start her own league, The Pink Carnation.

The first story, introduces us to Eloise, who leaves the US, after a break up, and moves to London. She plans to complete her dissertation on the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. She also hopes to uncover the identity of the Pink Carnation.

I actually really enjoyed the read, however gave it 3 stars. And here's why. Eloise's story is written in the first person. The story flips back and forth between present day and the past. Eloise talks of the diary entries and letters she's reading. But we don't read what she's reading. We're reading a story written in the 3rd person. Shouldn't we be reading what she is?

I also found both heroines to be a bit tiresome. Amy's a bit daft, sorry, and yet we're to believe she may be the Pink Carnation?

The ending leaves the reader hanging. There is a second book, so why not leave the reader guessing. Eloise meets Colin, a descendant of Richard's. Just as Amy and Richard had a rocky start to their relationship, Eloise and Colin have many obstacles.

I do have to say, after reading this, I'm dying to read The Scarlet Pimpernel.