The Book Club - August, "Across the Universe"

Hey fellow The Book Clubbers! So Across the Universe. What did you think??

I'm not going to lie, I was not super duper excited to read it. I've had so many people tell me that this book was great and that I'd like it, but for some unknown reason I tried resisting it! All the way up until The Book Club picked the dang book. Normally I don't like fantasy or sci-fi. Something about not being able to really use my imagination or relate to the characters or their problems.

You know what? I was so surprised! I LOVED it. At first I thought it was slow going and I didn't like that it was back and forth between the two main characters. But then, for who knows what reason, I got really into the book. I loved that the characters were telling the story simultaneously through their own eyes. It made the story flow well. 

I found myself horrified to find out about the lies and deception going on aboard Godspeed. I also didn't realize it was a trilogy. I may have to go out and get the second one.

Did this book change your outlook on Sci-fi or Fantasy? What did you like or not like?? 

Link-up and let us know!!

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Next month's The Book Club Book is either the book you received from the Book Club Swap or whatever book you feel like reading!

Spread the word ladies!!!! So excited to see what book everyone is reading!

On Failures

Today

Today was my day off (and for once, I didn't sit in my PJs all day.... okay half of it.... but not ALL of it). Lucky for me, my friend (one of my oldest.... not in age, but in amount of time I've known her) Laurel had a a long break in between her classes at school. I picked her up, took her to City Walk at Universal, which was right down the road, and we had lunch and just reconnected. It felt so good to be able to have her close again.

(2003)

Laurel and I separated back after graduation. I was to be a Florida State Seminole! and Laurel, well, she did the unforgivable and became a Florida Gator.............. we managed to stay close, but through a lot of effort on her part (she's the better friend I tell you). Now she is here in Orlando going to Hospitality school. Having her here in the same town in wonderful and I didn't realize how much I missed her until today.

(2007)

We grabbed lunch at Panda Express and over our delicious Orange Chicken (om nom nom) we started talking about old high school friends. One friend of ours came up and let's just say I feel sorry for her now. This other friend kind of cut everyone off a while back and is trying to make amends, but she apparently thinks of her friends as failures. One is a failure because they are back at home after college, working two jobs to save up money to move to New York. Another is a failure because she is working as an admissions officer for her former college, has her own office and apartment and is going to be traveling for her new swanky job. The other is a failure because she turned down a big name college, graduated from a state school and is back in central Florida going to school for a different degree and is living with her boyfriend.

(2008)

This is what I think. All of these girls are very happy. The one isn't. I think success is based on happiness. I also think success should not be judged, based on or determined by anyone other than oneself. I personally think if you are living a happy, full and rewarding life, you, my friend, are the most successful. 

(2012)

This quote came to mind. It's the gosh darn truth.

Nothing.

I've been wanting to blog lately. Every day I sit down, ready to type out something funny, awesome, prophetic or inspiring. But nothing. I finally started typing because this is the fourth day in a row I have sat down at my computer, turned it on to an already opened, yet empty blog post page. I figured it was time to write something.

It used to come really easy, sitting down and blogging. Now its so hard. I don't know why. I want to share things. I always want to share thing. Maybe too much. Lately it has just been like there is nothing to tell, nothing to do. Nothing worth mentioning.

The King and I are doing wonderful! My job is so much fun and I love the people I work with. My family loves me and we are all doing well. What more could I want?? 

Maybe just the energy to blog once more.

So tell me, what do you blog about? What gets you going?? What do you want to hear???

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The Book Club, don't forget that we have the link-up party on Across the Universe this Friday!! So excited to hear what everyone thought about it. I was pleasantly surprised.

Oh and are you Sharon W.??? If so you won the Across the Universe book giveaway!!!

Email me at BrightandBeautiful.gmail.com with your info so I can get it to you!

Book Swappers, be on the lookout for your books in the mail (and if you haven't mailed it out yet, get on it lovelies!!!).

On My Day Off

I really like where I work. In fact, I spend a lot of my time there.

Most people think I was crazy for choosing to accept a low paying job at Universal and staying there despite other job offers in the legal field.

As much as I liked being a paralegal and was GREAT at it, it was hard not to bring home the stress of my work and to be honest, it was mostly unpleasant work. You are almost never helping anyone with a happy situation.

My new job is quite the opposite. When I leave work, I leave work; nothing comes home with me (except for maybe the stinky socks I used that day). I get to help people all day in a "magical" environment and it truly makes me happy. I never hate going into work and I always enjoy my time there. The guests are great and helping them is really my pleasure.

Just thought I would get that out there. Seeing as how that is what I am always doing and that is why I have been so lazy in blogging lately.

Today was my day off. Here is a run down of what I do on my days off, since I'm always on my feet at work and it is usually outside in the heat (P.S. we wear wool sweaters all year round).

I woke up at 10 am.

I finished reading The Book Club's August book, Across the Universe (which I am giving a copy of away here... FOR FREE!)... in my pajamas.

I finished the book and caught up on The Bachelor Pad... in my pajamas.

I ate two things of Bagel Bites.... in my pajamas.

Started reading MWF seeking BFF... in my pajamas.

Thought about not reading it yet because it is already great and I want The Book Club to read it (what say ye?) .... in my pajamas.

I decided to shower so I could hit up the library.... not in my pajamas.

I showered, went to the library and then hit up Target for some mac-n-cheese supplies for the Mac-N-Cheese off at work tomorrow (Erin, be jealous!!!!!).

Now I am at home blogging... in my pajamas.

While in the shower, I realized how much I miss blogging (weird, I know).

I really miss all of the networking/friendshipping I did through blogging and just plain getting my story out there. I really want to make more friends and document my beautiful life with my husband, the King more. 

So, I'm going to have him help me in that:

Hope to have you join us in our adventure. Also, I'll be seeing more of y'all soon!!! Oh, and don't forget about the giveaway!

The Book Club: Giveaway

It's that time of the month again.

Okay, try not to take that last phrase wrong.

By "that time of the month" I mean it's giveaway time!

Do you like Across the Universe? Do you think you might like it? Or, do you just want a copy of it?

Enter the giveaway and you just might get the copy.

You can enter tonight through next Saturday night. Just use the nifty little tool below and it's easy as pie.

There are only three mandatory entries (be a GFC follower of me, mK and Aubrey) and the rest are just extra chances to win. I'll announce the winner next Monday, the 27th.

Good luck (and in honor of The Hunger Games DVD release) and "may the odds be ever in your favor."

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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If you are signed up for the Book Swap, you should have received an email from me with who you are swapping with! Have fun and I can't wait to see the books that are passed along when we link up in September!

Two Truths and a Lie...

I really like where I work.

Even more than that, I really like the people where I work.

Recently, I've had two amazing co-workers (both whom I absolutely adore!!! If you're reading this and you know who you are, I hope you understand how much I appreciate you both), say statements that where more than quote worthy. I also heard another great quote in a song. You figure out which two are the co-workers and which one is the celebrity (you know, kind of like two truths and a lie... except none of these are lies).

Also, I'm IN LOVE with this song. Don't worry, the King is fully aware of this love affair. I think he is okay with it. I think. Honestly, I'll keep rocking out to it until he pleads with me to stop. Get addicted along with me. Happy Saturday!!

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The Book Clubbers... I hope you're enjoying Across the Universe by Beth Revis.

If you are participating in the Book Swap, I'll be emailing you tonight and tomorrow with your swap info so be on the lookout!

It's Not Really Friday.

I have to work super early tomorrow morning. So, it's not really my Friday night. But, I did getting spend it with the King and the Other Gwyns (I hope they don't mind that name). It was a close Monopoly Jr. game. And some of the best food ever. I'll be back next week with more blogging goodness. Have a fabulous weekend everyone!!

The Impromptu Gwyn Wedding

Last Saturday I received a nonchalant text from Christina (who, I've always referred to as my sister-in-law even though we weren't ... yet). It said, "soooooo we might get married in Alabama Friday." I responded with, "Whhhhhhhaaaaaattttt???????" Then began the CRAZY frantic week of trying to figure out if the King and I could even go, work, doctor's appointments, horrible glucose tolerance tests (for the King, not I) and an eventual, "yeah, we can come."

We left Thursday night right after I got off of work (an 8 hour day outside the castle) and drove through the night, arriving in Alabama at 5am on the wedding day (8/10/12... cool huh?). We got a few hours of sleep, woke up, ate the classic breakfast of eggs, bacon and biscuits, and then proceeded to do wedding-ish stuff. The King played with Mia (what he does best) while I primped the bride (not to be confused with pimp.... she was getting married after all). 

Once the Bride's hair and make-up were properly placed and applied, the King and I walked down to the lake on Grandma and Jake's property and we watched the sweetest kind-of-elopement ceremony ever. So much love, tenderness and peace were felt. No one could doubt the love that Joe and Christina have for each other and their little family. A couple of, "I dos," a kiss and picture taking spree later, we all walked back up to the house for a delicious meal Joesph made for us all. Caramelized sweet potatoes, pulled chicken with a green tomato sauce and white corn. I'm getting hungry thinking of it.

Off into the house the groom and his bride went. Meanwhile, the King and I did what we do best; dominate. We shoe polished the car and added cans to our hearts' delight, found extra bird seed laying around and gave the newlywed couple a proper send off.

As the honeymooned in Huntsville that night, the King and I got to play mom and dad to Olivia and Mia. Let's just say that because you are 9 months old does not mean you will sleep through the night. Best form of birth control we've had yet.

We left Saturday around 2 and I hated leaving that place more than anything. Grandma and Jake's house has a way of making you want to stay. It tears my soul to have to leave. Really, my soul. I would be content staying there the rest of my life. Another 10 hour car ride later, we pulled up into the cottage at 1am Sunday morning. Let's just say that we had a VERY lazy Sunday afternoon and it was perfect.

  

  

Welcome "officially" to the Gwyn clan Christina. I'm so happy to call you my sister.

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Book Swappers... Be on the lookout for the email about your swap this week. We should have them out by Friday! Remember the dates :)