Oops.

8. Read 50 books (1250) - in progress

"My Sister's Keeper" - This book was devastating, impossibly devastating. I could only read parts at a time because I would get so down about everything... but at the same time, I wanted to read it in one sitting because it was that compelling. I can't wait to see the movie.

"Gods in Alabama" - I picked this up in April when my mom visited, because I like books set in the South... although this was not quite what I expected, I did enjoy it more towards the end when it picked up and I finally felt the suspense that was supposed to occur for the whole thing.

"The Girl Who Stopped Swimming" - This is by the same author as Gods in Alabama, although this one was MUCH better. It's kind of a silly premise, but I thought the suspense in it was better and the story moved more quickly and smoothly than the other one.

"Girls in Trucks" - By far the most disappointing book I read while on vacation. Its blurb said it was about a debutante society in Charleston, and the first few chapters were... but the last two-thirds of the book was about the woman all grown up, and how she had a slew of terrible relationships, does a lot of drugs, and is generally unhappy.

"Three Cups of Tea" - I'm not used to reading nonfiction, so I was put off by the style of this book originally, but in the end it really opened my eyes when it addressed the issue that fighting terrorism in the manner we have come to accept is really not an appropriate solution. Addressing education and the lack of it for both girls and boys in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan is a much more promising option... that cultural eye-opening was interesting for me.

"Lock and Key" - I have loved every book Sarah Dessen has ever written, so it was no surprise I liked this too. It was an easy read, and followed her typical plot -- girl has issues but meets boy who understands her and solves them / helps her solve them -- but I enjoyed it.

56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (6/143) - in progress

I am a disgrace... I think I exercised once in the past three weeks.

To be honest, I have not been very good about re-reading my list recently, and so I have not made it a priority to do the things on it. But I am home now for four weeks straight, so hopefully I will find the time to do at least a handful of them.

-Till next time.

Reading. Volunteering. Exercising.

8. Read 50 books (5/50) - in progress

I read "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" and "New Moon" in the past few days. I liked The Memory Keeper's Daughter but I felt like there was an awful lot of buildup for a mediocre ending. And New Moon -- I'd read the other three in the Twilight series, so I sort of knew what happened in this book, but I liked it alright.

30. Use my library card to take out 25 books (3/25) - in progress

I have a newfound love for the library. What a fabulous resource. I took out "New Moon," "My Sister's Keeper" and "Night." AND they had a slew of movies, so I rented a couple of those too. All for free! The frugal part of me absolutely loves it... and by the frugal part of me, I mean what other part is there really.

56. Exercise 2-3 times a week (7/143) - in progress

I wasn't very good on this two weeks ago, in between driving home from SC and then flying to New Orleans, but this past week I exercised three times. There is a 3-mile stretch that has a lot of hills which I like. And Wednesday I tried our Wii fit for the first time, which was interesting because I didn't feel like I was exerting myself too much, but I figure it's better than nothing.

73. Volunteer for 50 hours (7/50) - in progress

I woke up at 6:30 a.m. on Friday to go with my dad to his work's Impact Day painting and landscaping at a home for mentally disabled adults. I painted trim mostly, but it was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it. I've been in the mood to do physical labor recently, and I had breakfast with a friend last week who was talking about the Appalachian Service Project. I wish I were able to go this year.

-Till next time.