Review of The Impaler’s Revenge by Loan Visan

Review of The Impaler’s Revenge by Loan Visan
Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Overall I really had a great time reading this book. It was a fun easy read that kept me entertained and wanting to read more. This is a great book for teen readers, like myself, who don’t have a lot of time on their hands but love to explore other things by reading. The mysterious character of “Max” or Mr. Hess really brought about a more mystery hue to the book.

Strong female lead I love books with a strong female lead and the extra bit of romance only helps! Liana, though a little up tight due to her job, is a great behind the scenes leader, and defiantly always has something up her sleeve, Literally!

Unfortunately I did feel like this book was a little stereo-typical for a vampire novel. Though I think the unique characters bring about a twist to the classical story of a vampire in Romania. I did also have a little trouble technology wise with this book. Because it is not purchased off of amazon, I was only able to download it to my Kindle for mac, but not my actual Kindle, which was disappointing. I did call amazon customer service to try and have them help me transfer it to my Kindle, but it was all to no avail. After much frustration and hatred towards customer service I just settled on reading on the computer. Because the book was a shorter one, the time I spend staring at the computer screen was minimal and passed by seamlessly, maybe a little to quickly for my liking!

I really did like this book and I would recommend this book to anyone. I am personally looking forward to reading the other books in the series and cain't wait to see what happens next!

Buy this book on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CCMWKL6

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Review: Christmas Party Games

60 Printable Christmas Party Games Packet

I highly recommend this product. I really enjoyed my experience using these party games. Downloading and accessing the games was surprisingly easy. Note the games are downloadable, which does mean you have to print them yourselves, BUT I feel it is well worth it. I really enjoyed the selections of games, and I know my friends did too! Ranging from trivia to group party games there is a game for everyone. One great thing about this product is that the games are yours to keep. Once you buy the games there are yours to use for every Christmas seasons for every year to come.

I really liked how they had games for every age. There were a lot of kid games and those for teens (who are often forgotten). For adults there is a good selection of games ranging from office party games to the newlywed game. *Fun fact they also have a teen version of the newlywed game (totally fun and great for all those Christmas couples out there!) I really like the trivia games for some reason. Truth or Turkey being one of my favorite.

Totally check them out, its a great deal and it will be well worth the effort! http://www.python-printable-games.com/printable-christmas-games.html

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Cute Book and Great Tool Review: Anabella Giggles All Day

Anabella Giggles All Day really brings learning to picture books. I found this book great for trying to teach children social tools. As a babysitter and as President for Helping Hearts (A program that works with students with disabilities) I find this book a great resource. The kids love the pictures and the emphasis of friendship makes me happy to. I’m glad that books like this are out there so that kids can get a dose of much needed learning.

See Book on Amazon

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Need a Tutor? Craig it!

So I recently started being hired for tutoring via Craig's list, it is amazingly easy and simple process! Its free to post to and easy to do! Tutoring is a good way for College/High school students to make money.  Depending on how good you are, you can get paid a rate of $8-$15 an hour and sometimes more.

See my tutoring add!!! http://asheville.craigslist.org/lss/4225580678.html
Coming soon my version of great ways to make simple money (do and dont's)

Hope Everyone Had a Happy Thanksgiving and Hanukkah!

So I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving and Hanukkah! If you didn't know for the first time in 125 years Thanksgiving and Hanukkah fell on the same day! So I hope you had an extra special time on a once in a lifetime day!

Haiku Scholarship!

Three lines, 5-7-5, thats write we are talking about Haikus. Three of them to be exact. Haikus are a form of Japanese Poetry and usually pertain to nature.

The Nicholas A Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition is a competition for students who are in grades 7-12. The students must submit 3 original Haikus that haven't been previously published.

Deadline March 25 so you have some time
Top prize $150 not bad for 9 lines of poetry
Total of 6 winners


Advice
Check out previous winners Click here
How to write a Haiku Click here
See all the rules Click here

Feels Like Winter

OW baby its cold outside.....

As the day is starting to rap-up the first snow of the season has already fallen and started to melt. 

A Little bit of Poetry

An Opening

The rains of weep and weary

cast a shadow of sadness

over the hills and valleys

of mundane fortunes

Forever drenched

in a state of being

Forever fastened

to the network of time

Nothing moving

Till with dawn abreak

Through yonder clouds open

A colorful expansion

In a dull listless world

So what you just read was an original poem written by yours truly. I have really felt inspired to write more lately, probably the amazing scenery. The wonderful contrast between the bright fall colors to that of the night sky or still green brush makes for amazing ideas and inspiration. A couple weeks ago on a group outing I saw the best example of a fire. It was a little after dusk and the fire was low and hot. The    logs were just charcoaled enough to have a little bit of white on the very outside. Flames of blue shot out from the middle of the fire to sharply transfer to orange. The contrast between the black of night and the blue, orange, and white of the fire gave almost an unrealistic 3D effect, it was so breathtaking I was caught staring into the fire for ages. I really hope to be able to paint this soon so check back to see if I start anytime soon! Also have a poem you would like to share? I would love to read any suggestions you have, I might even review my favorites;)

A Run Down of my favorite K/J Pop bands!

Notice that I have not listed the bands in any order because I love them all, this is also not all the bands I listen to, just some of my favorites. There are a bunch of different styles and varieties so feel free to try out a couple!

Boy Bands

• Teen Top~ This band in my opinion should hold the best music video for their song Miss Right. I've loved this band and probably always will. I feel their members really work good together and you can hear it in the music.
• Block B~ I love this band because of their uniqueness and also there note range, this band can hit those low notes where most boy band focus on the high ones so it is a very nice break from the norm. My favorite song from them is Nillili Mambo.
• B.A.P.~ This band has a lot of different styles to it from pop with their song Crash to more rock with their song Warriors. This group makes a loud impression and is more for people who like rock or rap more.
• BigBang~ I think this band definitely takes most creative for their song Fantastic Baby. This band is really unique and has their own style that is very in tough with their countries culture but also with a lot of sci-fi elements to it.
• BTOB~ I really like this band because it has a lot of spanish flare to it, my favorite song form them is their song WOW.
• Super Junior~ The first song I heard from them was Super Girl and I was totally sold afterwards. Though their english is a little rusty it was a great song and their other hit singles are really fun and entertaining to listen too. As a plus I feel like this is a band that any age group can listen too and feel comfortable watching.
• Beast~ This is a band that has definitely been around for a while. This is the band that made me first start listening to K and J pop. Though they have definitely changed over the years the most current group is one to watch. Their song Midnight is something I would recommend.
• VIXX~ This band really caught my attention with their pop hit Rock Ur body, its totally catchy and made be want to listen some more.
• BoyFriend~ This is a band for all those heart swooning girls out there. Their song My Lady brings out the girl in every woman.

Girl Groups

• 5Dolls~ Is a really good current group that is pop with rap highlights in their songs. The first song I every listen to from the, and currently my favorite from them, is Like This Like That witch is about guys not being able to make up their minds over 2 girls. I think this is a song a lot of girls can relate to. I would highly recommend this group to both guys and girls of any age. 
• 4Minute~ I like this band a lot for there unique music videos such as What's Your Name, and their amazing vocals and music that incorporate different flare like in their music video Volume Up
• 9Muses~ I like this band not only for their great songs like Dolls, but also because they are one of the few groups that has the options of english sub in their videos. This is a great band for those of you who like to know what the singers are saying. 
• 2NE1~ This is a group that is always current especially with their songs Falling In Love and Follow Me. Their singers styles shine trough to their music and it makes the stuff much more interesting to watch and listen to.
• Sistar~ This is one of my favorite groups in general just because their songs like Give it to Me and MaBoy are so entertaining and catchy.

One Hit Wonder Songs

• EXO~ i just recently found this band but I already love them. I cain't tell you how many times I have already seen this music video, Growl, totally awesome and unique, great dancing guys.
• Trouble Maker~ this band is new in general and doesn't have very many song out yet so the only song I really listen to from this group is their debut song Trouble Maker
• Offroad~Im not sure if this is an official band or not as I have not been able to find much on them or their songs on iTunes but no matter their song Head Banging is so upbeat and catchy that it had to be put on this list.
• Secret~ I haven't investigated this band much but I do love their current music video out called Poison which is both interesting to watch and listen to.
• Girl's Day~ Is a band that has been out for a while but hasn't caught my attention much till this new girl power song came out that was completely different from their previous songs. Female President is an brilliant new direction for the group and many agree as it has jumped to the top of the charts in its first weeks of being released.
• WounderBoyz~ Is a band that hasn't gotten very much attention but has a very good twist on some very popular subjects. Their songs Circus and Tarzan are definitely ones to watch.

This Amazing World of Ours

Very few Facebook pages actually impress me but This Amazing World Of Ours is a great example of something that has resorted my faith in humanity. This "feel good" page shares inspirational photos  of this world and everything in it. The variety of the pictures is quite pleasing to the mind as you can have your fill of funny/cute pictures, inspirational pictures, scenic pictures, and even pictures trying to invoke social change. I'd thought I'd give a shout out to them today for a great job making me smile everyday!

Halloween Fear! Don't be afraid of the last minuet costume!

So Halloween is just a day away and many people have parties coming up. If your like me and haven't decided on a costume yet, don't fear! Im counting down my ten easy to pull off halloween ideas!

Image by stockimages, published 15 Oct. 2012, image ID 100106593

1. GO NERDY! Nothing is easier than some big rims and a tie. Good for both guys and girls, if you don't have anything to use your parents probably will. The nerdier the better, add in pens and other school supply for that extra detail!

Image by Marcus published 02 September 2013, Image ID 100198436

2. ANY TIME IS HIPPY TIME! Skirt, headband, floppy shirt, lots of bracelets and your good to go! Guys can easily pull of this look too! Extra baggy pants, headband, sandals, (shirt optional), and shabam your ready to read the colors of the wind! Anything tie-die or fancy patterns totally go!

Image by Victor Habbick, published 27 September 2012, Image ID 100104226

3. GOTHIC MUCH? Time to bust out the black. Black shirt, black jacket, black pants, black boots, getting the idea yet....? Adding the accessories can make this costumes, two or three belts, any skull or gothic jewelry, maybe some wings? This costume an easily be turned into any vampire, or creature of the night. Also this is an amazing excuse to wear that black lip stick ladies!

Image by stock images, published 19 August 2013, Image ID 100194999

4. MAKE ME A SANDWICH Chief hat and a white button down (sandwich optional) and you can rock any party with this culinary masterpiece.

Image by photo stock, published 27 March 2011,  Image ID 10035747

5. HALLOWEEN'S FIGHT NIGHT Probably one of the simplest costumes to do, this costume consist
basically of athletic cloths and some major attitude! And this is a perfect excuse for those guy out there who want to go shirtless.

by artur84, published 28 March 2013, Image ID 100151727

6. GO AHEAD SLEEP IN In you PJ's then your already rocking this look! Bring a pillow and possibly a blanket and your ready to show any partiers you'd rather be in bed!

Image by Khunaspix, published 07 August 2013, Image ID 100190619

7. GET OUT THE SCARVES Thats right time to fully cover yourself and become that mysterious person you always wanted to be! This costume vary from a ninja, to a bell dancer, to someone from Arabian Night! Always fun and simple and perfect for that Halloween procrastinator!

Image by stock images, published 28 October 2013, Image ID 100213078

8. BECOME A CHILD AGAIN, BE GAGA. Add face paint, and basically add whatever you see lying around to your costume and your ready to go! This is more creative as you can really make this costume out of anything and everything!

Image by imagerymajestic, published 12 November 2012, Image ID 100112221

9. CAN I HEAR TECH SUPORT? An excuse to wear a headset and yell at people in different accents, maybe, but also a simple and easy costume! Just add a headset to any outfit and your good to go!

Image by Nujalee, published 06 June 2012, Image ID 10085382

10. SORRY WE ARE CLOSED! Dress up in a suit and add a "sorry we are closed sign", and hey now you are our government!!!!

Scholarships are out there!

Never think that there aren't scholarships out there for you! There are scholarships of every kind from those for military families to single moms. There are also a lot of contest scholarships too, most of these require a simple application and a short (about 250 words) essay or story. There are also scholarship contest dealing with science experiments, movie making, posters, and even making greeting cards! Opportunities are out there you just have to find them! Scholarship Experts, Cappex, and Zinch are some great free sites to find great scholarship options!

Check out this neat scholarship opportunity ------->Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship, write a short (250 words or less) essay about what you would do if your high school or college was over run by Zombies! Fun and easy to do, scholarships like these are everywhere! 

Things to always keep in mind;

Check deadlines!!! You cain't win if the contest is over!

Make it good! Others are entering into this too so make your submission the best you can make it!

Interested in learning a new language? Why not Japanese?

I have recently started trying to learn Japanese, and it has been a struggle trying to find something that works for me. Like learning any new language it takes dedication, and a certain resolve. Learning a language is a lot of work and people want to make sure they are not wasting their efforts. One question I ask myself is "how is this going to help me?". Language is the new "thing to have", now more than ever colleges and employers are looking for people who are bilingual. There is an increasing field for those who know Japanese. According to the Embassy Of The United States in Japan "Japan is one of the United States’ most important economic partners. Outside of North America, it is the United States’ second-largest export market and second-largest source of imports. Japanese firms are the United States’ second-largest source of foreign direct investment, and Japanese investors are the second-largest foreign holders of U.S. treasuries". With Japan being such a huge economic power house, learning the language is practical if you want to to into the economics or business field. 

I want to go into international law and while researching it surprised me how many sites recommend learning one or more languages, not just for corporate and international jobs, but for jobs in general. With everything going global now, businesses what to be able to be able to have connections around the globe. What do these connections mean? You. Businesses are looking for bilingual people who can increase their global potential. This results in higher paying jobs and an increase in hiring potential for those who are bilingual. 

Another question I ask myself is, "how can I fit learning a language into my schedule?". Like anything you need to find something that works to your style of learning. Finding sites that have a listening option can really help your chances of retaining a language. One great site I have worked with is japaneseclass.jp. This interactive website is a great learning tool, and best of all its Free! I have also worked with Rosetta Stone and this is also a great tool, especially if you just want to learn the language.  So if your interested in trying to learn a new language, Japanese maybe the language for you! 

Teen Read Week!

Picture credits to Imagerymajestic 16 July 2012

TEEN READ WEEK!!!

Today concludes the 2013 Teen Read Week. Voting has been going on all week for Teen'sTopTen, were teens from all over have been voting for their favorite books. In honor of this I have decided to share my top 10 favorite books of all time. Look forward some book reviews coming up later this week!

10) Harry Potter Series By J.K. Rowling

9) Hamlet by William Shakespeare

8) The Maze Runner by James Dashiner 

7) Star Crossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce  

6) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

5) Firelight by Sophie Jordan

4) At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald

3) The Phoenix Dance by Dia Calhoun

2) The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill

1) Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

*Teen Read Week™ is a national adolescent literacy initiative created by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). It began in 1998 and is held annually during the third week of October. Its purpose is to encourage teens to be regular readers and library users.