It's been FOREVER. I know. I keep thinking perhaps I should just leave it alone. But that darned determined, never give up spirit of mine. But this time, I'll just say I'll post whenever it hits me. : D

I have a "Letters from God" journal where I keep any promise of God I come across in the Bible. These promises bring me so much comfort, especially when I remember that God has never gone back on a promise and He never will. Never. So for Inspirational Sunday, I'd like to post those promises. May they bring you as much comfort as they have brought me.

Letter #1

My child,

Are you tired? Weary? Weak? Then put your hope in Me. I will give you strength when you are weary and power when you are weak. If you are tired, I will renew your strength. You will soar like eagles. You will run without growing weary and walk without growing faint. All you need to do is put your trust in Me.

Love, your Father
(Isaiah 40:29,31)

My Father,

Yes, I am tired, weary, and weak. I don't have the energy to go on. But I thank you that I can find my strength in You. You have promised that, if I put my hope in You, I will be strengthened and given power. Thank you for giving me eagle's wings. Thank you for giving me the strength to go on. Thank you for allowing to run and walk this race called life without growing weary or faint. Thank you!

Love, Your princess

So, it's been awhile since I last posted. A long while. As in "over a year" while. What can I say? I've definitely fallen behind on many important things. But hopefully, I'm back.

Somewhat.

I may or may not post as much as I'd like to, but I will post. I miss blogging. It helps keep my creative juices flowing.

Although, do people even blog anymore?

Anywho, I'm back for the time being. Back to share my wisdom...my sarcasm...my wittiness...my all-around awesomeness. Hehe.

So stay tuned...

I'm beginning to think that living here in Abu Dhabi is hazardous to my health. Or at least it would appear that way.

I write this on the last leg of yet another sickness. This week, I've been miserable: coughing, sneezing, fever, chills, sore throat, no voice...the works. I honestly think I had a relapse from last week. I went to the doc last week when it first began. Doc offered two or more days off work, but I only took one. I got the meds prescribed, but I didn't take them as often as told. Then, instead of taking the 3-day weekend to rest, I went to Sri Lanka instead.

The result? Being sick this whole week. I hate being sick. I couldn't even enjoy the three days off work my doc gave me this week cos I was sick. BLEH!

I've been sick while living here more than I've ever been in my entire life. As a child & teen, on days I didn't feel like going to school, I'd wish for sickness to overtake me, but to no avail. I rarely got sick. But now? I feel like I'm always sick.

I'm told it's the change in climate: the desert...the sand. It doesn't help that they don't have filters for the vents here. So all the yuckiness floating around the air in my apt, I'm breathing in. YUCK!

Whatever it is, it's making me sick. Literally. It sure does put a dent in things.

Will I find relief? Stay tuned...

Happy New Year!

Long time no hear from, right? The only excuse I can give is it's been a hectic and tiring first trimester here in Abu Dhabi. But it's over. Done. Khalas ("finished" in Arabic). Thank God! The 2nd trimester has begun. Prayerfully, it won't be as hectic and tiring. Only time will tell. I do plan on catching up on everything I've gotten behind on, including blogging.

So, welcome back my loves! I'm excited seeing what this year will bring me. :D

This week's cutie is Steven Lopez, an Olympic medalist in Taekwondo from Sugar Land, Texas. He and his three siblings are on the US National team for Taekwondo. He, along with two of his siblings, have participated in the Olympics and have won world championship titles. I love his dimpled smile!

Word(s) to describe: Cute!

Yesterday was Labor Day for you all in the US. Unfortunately, they don't celebrate it here in the UAE. So, yeah. I may be a tad bit jealous. Haha!

I'm back after an awesome summer vacation and I think I did pretty good choosing this week's cutie, if I say so myself. What do you think?

T.J. Holmes is a former CNN anchor and correspondent. In 2011, he moved from CNN to BET. Four nights a week, you can enjoy his gorgeousness...uh, I mean his deep commentary on social issues African Americans face today.

Word to Describe: GORGEOUS!

Well, I did it.

I survived my first year teaching abroad. It was a challenging year, but through God's strength, I made it. The school year is finally over.

The students' last day of school was officially June 21st, though many stopped coming before then. Unfortunately for teachers, the last day was July 12th. Why the powers that be chose to have that 3-week gap, I don't know, but it was excruciating. At least for me. Many teachers spent the last three weeks doing absolutely nothing. Well except for working out (at school), eating, reading, or chillaxing.

Not us.

Our last few weeks were spent in PDs (professional developments), preparing for the next school year, blah, blah, blah. To be honest, I mentally checked out sometime around week one. I was done working. My body was there, but my mind had already gone on vacation. It was a struggle to get up in the mornings and go to work, but nevertheless, we did. And we're finished. Thank you, JESUS! I'm seriously contemplating getting a shirt that says, "I survived teaching in Abu Dhabi." I have that Destiny's Child song in my head. "I'm a survivor. I'm not gon give up. I'm not gon stop. I'm gon work harder." Describes this year perfectly.

My brain rejects anything school-like, so enough about school.

My vacation will consist of a trip to Phuket (pronounced Poo-ket) Thailand, home (the US), and Puerto Rico. I know, awesome, right???

Tomorrow morning, my friends and I leave for Phuket for a 6-day/5-night vacation. I so can NOT wait. There is fun - and relaxation - to be had. Next week, I leave for home. I can't wait to see my family! Oh, how I miss them so. Then, it's off to San Juan, Puerto Rico with the sis for a 7-day/6-night vacation. Seven days may not be enough, I know but we'll make the best out of the time we have. I can't wait to see the gorgeous men...uh, I mean the gorgeous beaches of Puerto Rico. Heehee. I spend the rest of my vacation back in Houston with the fam before I come back to Abu Dhabi for another great year of teaching.

I'm thinking this summer may turn out to be the best one yet.

So a few weeks ago, I took horseback riding lessons for the first time. I loved it so much, I plan to continue when I get back from vacation. Anyway, because I'm vertically challenged - aka short - I had to use a chair to get on the horse. On the first day of lessons, I got on with no problems. I figured the second day would be the same. Mafi mushkela ("No problem" in Arabic), right? WRONG.

The chair we used was a cheap, plastic chair. Genius that I am, I stood in the middle of the chair instead of the sides, like smart, normal people would've done. I hopped once, twice...then the 3rd time, BAM! My foot went thru the chair and I nearly busted my butt. Embarrassing to say the least. The nasty bruise I got is just now going away. It was all in fun, tho. My friend caught it on video. I know, lucky me right?

Enjoy laughing at my expense. It was quite hilarious, I must admit.

The weekend before last, I attended the Pitbull concert in Dubai. Besides the fact that he was an hour and a half late, his performance was amazing. He and his voice are even sexier in person! Enough to make him this week's cutie pie.

Armando Christian Perez, aka Pitbull, is a Cuban-American rapper born in Miami, Florida. He came on to the scene in 2004. His hits include "Culo" (with Lil Jon), "Hit Tha Floor" (with Twista), "The Anthem", "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)", "Hotel Room Service", "Bon Bon", and "Give Me Everything" to name a few. He also worked with artists on hits like "DJ Got Us Falling In Love" (Usher), "I Like It" (Enrique Iglesias), and "On The Floor" (Jennifer Lopez). His song, "Back In Time", is featured on the Men In Black 3 soundtrack. One thing Pitbull is known for is his sexy voice with the Spanish accent. *swoon*

Word(s) To Describe: Guapo. Gorgeous. Yummy. Suave.

This is one of my pics from his concert.

Pitbull at 17. Pic courtesy of GQ.com

Since the end of our school year is very near here in Abu Dhabi, I'm posting inspirational quotes for teachers.

The world seldom notices who teachers are; but civilization depends on what they do. Lindsay J. Stiles

We all need someone who inspires us to do better than we know how. Anonymous

There is no way to judge the worth of a teacher except in the lives of those he has taught. Anonymous

Quality education is not just providing information, it is developing wiser minds. E. J. Oliver

Theories and goals of education don't matter a whit if you don't consider your students to be human beings. Lou Ann Walker

One good teacher in a lifetime may sometimes change a delinquent into a solid citizen. Phillip Wylie

Never give up on a child. Patricia Willis

The best teacher of children is one who is essentially childlike. H. L. Mencken

Everyone who remembers his own educational experience remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the kingpin of the educational situation. He makes or breaks programs. Sidney Hook

I touch the future. I teach. Christa McAulliffe

After a month-long break, I'm baaaack! Did you miss me, mis amores? Yes, yes. I know you did. I know you cried everyday, missing my charm...my voice...my wit.

No?

Hey a girl can dream, right?

Anyway, the month of June will be my challenges month. I'm challenging myself in three areas: physical, writing, and reading.

Physical: I've been inspired by a close friend of the family. Last month, she challenged herself (and those who wanted to participate) to do 5,000 crunches in one month. Everyday, she did 167 crunches. This month, she's doing 5,000 squats. Since I missed last month's challenge, I'm doing both crunches and squats this month. Everyday, 167 crunches and 167 squats. Lord, help me! My body is already sore. Oh, but when I see the results, it'll all be worth it. And to celebrate my success, I'll be treating myself to the Pitbull concert in Dubai on the 29th. Who am I kidding? I'm going to see Pitbull whether I'm successful or not. But seriously. Failure is not an option. I will be successful. And getting to see Pitbull will just be the icing on my low-fat cake. Hehe!

Writing: I've gotten behind on my writing again. So, for this month, I plan to dedicate an hour everyday to my novel. Right now, I'm back to the planning stages. The actual writing will start sometime this week. I have to be done with this novel before the year ends. I'm talking about finished with draft #1, sent in to a professional editor, and back to draft #2 or 3 by the end of this year. I can do it. There's no doubt in my mind. Especially since my first year as a teacher in Abu Dhabi is practically over. Things will be a bit easier for me. Prayerfully.

Reading: I've gotten behind in my reading, also. Shocking, right? My family would think so since I'm such a book nerd. But alas, tis true. I've only picked up books (or my Nook) sporadically these last few weeks. Soooo, I will catch up on my reading. Ten books. That's how many books I will complete by the end of this month. More if I can swing it. Anyone who truly knows me, knows that I can read waaaaay more than that in one month. If the book is good enough, I can finish it in one reading. But this whole year, I've been too drained (physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally) to even think of reading. Or writing. Or anything fun.

So, there you have it. My personal challenges. Of course, cos I know you all are so interested in my life (heehee) I will keep you updated.

Yes, I love you too.

Muah!

• The good girl/bad boy theme has been done quite a bit. It works for this novel, but it would've been nice if Ms. St. Amant added her own twist to it.

• Some of the characters, like Vanessa, seemed a little younger than they were in the novel.
• I sometimes wanted to shake Vanessa. Her rules were fine, but at times her insistence on following them was a bit much. Also, she was so blind to the obvious.

• It started out a little slow. The action didn't pick up until after Steven and Becky discovered the severed arm. 
• Quite irritating at times. Sometimes, I wanted to shake some sense into Steven. And some scenes left me saying, "Seriously?"

0 Comments on Book Review: The Stuttering Tattoo as of 1/1/1900

• The book started off a bit slow. I kept reading because the book sounded interesting and I wanted to know where Ms. Nealy was going to go with it. I'm glad I didn't stop reading.

• I loved the suspense. It kept me wanting to know what would happen next. What will the killer do to show the next plague? Who will be the next victim? And when I found that the killer had been close, I wanted to know who it was.
• Keren and Paul's relationship. There was a bit of romance there, but it wasn't a major part. I like the banter they had. Keren develops feelings, but she's hesitant, not because he's now a preacher, but because of a past incident that he doesn't even remember.
• I liked that Paul still struggled. In the past, his anger was definitely an issue. In his cop days, he was not a likeable man. But, after losing his wife and daughter (first by divorce, then by death) he changed, became a Christian and preacher. He still struggles with his anger, especially during this ordeal. He's not perfect, but he's trying to live right.