Seeing as my post about the Pay it Forward novel, and my way to pay it forward got buried into my blog… here it is again!!

My Way to Pay it Forward:

The book, Pay it Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde, really touches you. It made me a bit teary-eyed, but it’s also showing how simple it is to just help a few other people out.

Now I don’t have 3 copies of this novel to Pay it Forward, but I have got some other books. I have some gently used fantasy, mystery, and romance novels (all gently used). So I would like to Pay it Forward to you. Please post here if you’d like a book!! (Yes you can request specific books)

I guess as the movement goes, the first three people to express and interest for a novel can have it! (But if there is more interest than three, post anyway!!) All I ask is that you either give the book (or any book) to someone else. It doesn’t have to be 3 people, but share the reading love!

Books I have Located:

• Running with the Demon by Terry Brooks
• A Knight of the Word by Terry Brooks
• Angel Fire East by Terry Brooks
• Seize the Night by Dean Koontz
• Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
• State of Fear by Michael Crichton
• All About Passion by Stephanie Laurens
• Wild by Fabio
• Her Master and Commander by Karen Hawkins

On Thursday Chelle and I met up at Steeps on Broadway for my crochet lesson! I’d originally suggested 3pm so of course even though we’d decided on 2pm, I’d had 3 stuck in my head… by the time I realized that it was supposed to be 2, I was already late… not to mention Vancouver afternoon traffic.

I finished my ugh-ly first crochet cloth-thing! Ta da!!

Chelle gave me a lovely belated bday gift / welcome home:

Such a cute little bag!! Perfect for a small project as I don’t have one of those. Sooo soft KnitPicks ShineWorsted in “Grass”. I can’t get a true colour — it’s not that mossy/muted… it’s really rich! And the sexiest needle/hook I’ve ever owned — Brittany wood (nom nom nom). Thanks sooo much Chelle!

And I started to crochet in a circle! I must remember my slip stitch when I finish the circle to go up to the next round, instead of spiraling.

(at Steeps)

(at home) This colour is a little more acurate for the yarn.

This week’s episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was written by the writers of Two and a Half Men (as CSI writers wrote an episode of Two and a Half Men that aired last week). It was titled Two and a Half Deaths… and Grissom had an iPhone! The crime lab / Grissom must have gotten a big bonus after tax rebates! haha. Here are some screenshots I took:

You Are 35% Left Brained, 65% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you’re left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you’re right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

I have bolded what applies to me!

I’m sure you’ve all heard about “Paying it Forward” either the movement, or the foundation. Maybe you’ve seen the movie, read the book (like me), or even participated in a knitters PIF.

Well, I recently finished the novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde and although the timeline was confusing (unexplained flash forwards), I thought it was really well written and an amazing idea - not just for a novel, but for world change.

“It all started with a school project: Think of an idea for world change and put it into action.”

This novel is about twelve-year-old Trevor and his school project. He thought he would do something nice for three people, but instead of returning the favour to him, he would ask them to pay it forward. The most interesting part of this novel is that Trevor thinks it’s failing, but due to the omniscient narrative, we know that it is infact working. It’s actually amazing how fast and far it grows.

I was given this novel by Random House Children’s Books in the UK when I was doing my internship there. They had it in overstock in the “charity cupboard”. Whenever someone would write to ask Random House to donate books, they’d go to the charity cupboard and send some books on their way.

My Way to Pay it Forward:

This book really touches you. It made me a bit teary-eyed, but it’s also showing how simple it is to just help a few other people out. Now I don’t have 3 copies of this novel to Pay it Forward, but I have got some other books. SEE THE NEW POST ABOVE FOR MORE INFO!

Writing guides, grammar books, punctuation how-tos . . . do you read them? Not read them? How many writing books, grammar books, dictionaries–if any–do you have in your library?

As an aspiring editor, I have several grammar / punctuation / style books. I have several dictionaries and thesauri too (but they are old and need replacing). I love love love those kinds of reference books! I have a whole list on my Chapters account that I’m just waiting to purchase once I get accepted into SFU’s Writing & Publishing Program for the Fall. I really want the Chicago Manual of Style, Canadian Press Style Guide, as well as the new Oxford Dictionary & Thesaurus (not condensed or concise).

My hair was getting ridiculously long… (photo from Mexico trip)

So today I had it cut!

I have “invisible layers” so that it’s not like steps and obvious, but there is movement and body like layers.

Ta da!!

On A Book Blogger’s Diary, there are some book giveaways. There are a lot of rules, but free books are involved (and you can’t say no to that)! Let them know I sent you (extra entries for me). This is sponsored by a whole whack of companies and I’m pretty excited that I found out about this!

But make sure the check the eligibility! Some of them I can’t enter (because I’m in Canada) as they are only open to the US. But some are US & Canada, and others are Worldwide. Basically you have to sign up on the Rules Post first to be entered in the giveaway (all of it). Then for a second entry, comment on each post you’re interested in.

Also — If you’re in the mood, for more giveaways, visit A Bookworm’s Diary! WOW. She’s giving away everything from a gift certificate for home decor, to Etsy jewellery, and various other shops. Check it out! Tell them I sent you.

Everything else has been pretty lack-luster (including the job search) so I thought I would focus on the day trip Evan and I took down to Bellingham. We left on Sunday morning and didn’t make it to Bellis Fair until the afternoon (we took a lot of stops).

Wooo shopping time!

Hair extensions anyone?

Hollister changerooms.

So happy with my new bras! NO KIDDING AROUND HERE! (P.S. Ladies, if you want an amazing bra — Victoria’s Secret - Lined Demi has nooo seams whatsoever, and the straps don’t twist and the edges of the cups don’t fold. It’s amazing. I am now in love with my new bras!)

Evan’s Car Twin!! (his is the one whose headlights are on)

Some Starbucks Products in Target that we don’t have in Canada (yet)

The stereo display in Evan’s car is a little special… YOOOD AY! (but at least his works - mine is broken!)

Git back in yer own country! (Just kidding!)

Final artsy shot.

We also went to see if my Nanny’s house was still there, and there is a whole story there, but it’s a story for another day. I promise to tell you about my Nanny (Grandma), who is my middle-name-sake!

Before I left England, Craig’s Grandma and her neighbour, Jean Mac, taught me to crochet. It was honestly just the basics but I’ve been practicing!

I took Foodsafe on Saturday and I crocheted during the lectures. And when we were waiting at the Border Crossing I did some more (pictured below). Chelle and I are getting together this week and she’s going to teach me some more tricks. I still have trouble picking my next “move”.