The Selection Book Review

"The Selection" by Kiera Cass is the most recent book that I have finished. You may not recognize the title; and that is because it was never a part of any of my current reads. I finished this book in a matter of three days. And lets face it, had I not been bombarded with more school work than I can handle this semester, I would have finished it in less than a day. Well let me tell you a bit about the book. I'll try not to put any spoilers!

So there is this girl named America and she is the main character. The story is set in the far future. There is a caste system and you are in your caste (1-8) based on how comfortably your ancestors lived. Within each caste you can get a certain job. America and her family are fives, which are singers, artists, actors. Every once and a while there is this competition called The Selection. 35 girls are "randomly" chosen, regardless of caste, and are invited to stay at the palace while Prince Maxon makes his choice of which one he wants to make his wife and the future princess. Obviously, America being the main character, gets chosen and she goes to the castle. She didn't want to enter because she was already in love with a boy, Aspen, from caste six. It was unacceptable to want to be with someone of a lower caste because after you get married you become of the same caste. America makes it clear to Maxon from the start that she is only there for the check that gets sent to her family and because she doesn't want to be home. Aspen broke her heart before she left and she tells this to Maxon but with less details. They decide to be friends and all is going well until some things happen.

I don't really know if I can get into much more detail than that without ruining anything for you. I feel like this book is a cross between "The Hunger Games" and the TV show The Bachelor. At first I didn't think I would enjoy it, but I was surprised that I didn't want to put it down. It may not be a cup of tea for everyone, but I recommend it. It is a part of a series of novels that are still being written. I can't wait to read the next ones that are out already. Also they are planning on making a TV show on CW. They already shot the pilot and I like the cast that they have put together. I think it is going to come on Fall of 2013. I hope they don't ruin it, but I am happy they are making it into a TV show rather then a movie. Best of luck to the cast.


Overall, I would definitely recommend this book for everyone. Even if you are not all that into Young Adult Fiction, it is still a great read!

Being a Teacher?!

Well I am kind of on cloud nine at the moment. I am on a teacher high, if you will. I didn't realize how close this is to actually happening now! Maybe I should explain a bit more.

I just wrote out my first activity lesson plan. I am quite proud of this work actually. I wish I could take it into an actual class and teach it to them and do the activity. The day that I actually get into a classroom of my own will be so nerve-wrecking, but so worth it.

I get asked why I would actually choose to be a teacher, and an elementary one at that. My answer is: there is something so rewarding about it. Of course I am not naive, I know that it will be hard and that is not just a bunch of coloring and nap times. I will get some students that will give me a hard time or some that just won't get the material my first time explaining it. Do this for me though, think about when they do get it, when they learn something new for the first time and it is because of you. No matter the crap pay that you get or the people who look down upon the profession, think about that little face that will look up to you because you made a difference to them. There is something so special about being a teacher and the impact you have on the children. You are the one that is molding this child's future. They base how many prisons to make off of third grade reading levels. If a teacher fails to teach a child with the proper nurturing and care and most importantly patience then they are basically setting them up for failure in the future.

Sorry to get so emotional about it, but I get really passionate about this. Should I even apologize though? I see some of the other people in the program and I just honestly wonder about them. I would not want to leave my child in their care. That is my point though, I want people to see me and my work and say "feel free to teach my children because I trust you." That word has so many dimensions to it and you can't always be confident in it and the judgement that comes with it.






Plain and simple, I want to make a difference.

Goodbye January?

Well, the first month of the new year has come to a  close. Time seems to be going by a little quicker than I had ever imagined. Taking 18 credits is a lot harder than I had anticipated and it seems to be consuming all of my time. I don't get much time to blog anymore, but I said it as my goal to have at least three blogs a month and that is what I will do! I realize that I posted a bunch in the beginning of the month and then just quit cold turkey, not how I pictured this will all go. Anyway, on the topic of goals, as promised here is a little update:

1. Get fit: This is going well actually. I am bouncing around between the loss of three to four pounds which I am very pleased with. As for the sweets, I realize that is not a possibility. I eat ice cream during a snow storm, I can't help it. I do want to change this a bit though because I realized something. Obviously you lose the ten pounds of water weight fairly easy, but then your body turns the fat into muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat and well a scale won't help much with that. So this goal will have a little bit added and that is to lose 3 inches (meaning and inch and a half off each side) from my waist by June. This will be a little more difficult but I am up for the challenge!

2. Post at least 3 times a month. Well I obviously surpassed this and an update probably won't be necessary of that.

3. Have a more positive outlook. I think I am doing this quite well actually. I have been waking up at 7 am four days a week, and rather than endlessly saying I am tired, I say it will prepare me for when I am a teacher. :)

So that is pretty much how everything it going. I have many blog posts that are sitting as drafts right now so hopefully they will be up soon! I look forward to speaking with you all more :)