February 2012 Archives

I feel like I've started turning from a hermit into a social butterfly recently.  I've found myself saying yes to things I hadn't been saying yes to for a while.

I was invited to a house-party at a co-worker and friend's house.  I decided to go, alone, even though I was going to know very few people there.  I am normally very shy and going to a party alone where I would know almost nobody was very out-of-character for me.  I ended up having a wonderful time and stayed until 1:30 in the morning.  I met some new and interesting people.  I learned a new game.  Needless to say, I was very happy with my decision to go. 

I was invited to a girl's lunch with 5 or so other ladies at work and decided to go.  I was so busy laughing the entire I had a hard time actually eating.  :)

Another co-worker/friend invited me to go with her over to her new house during our lunch hour this past Friday.  Even though I typically don't like one-on-one time with people I'm not really close with, I decided to say yes.  I enjoyed spending time and talking with her, seeing her new house, and playing with her new puppy.

I made an impromptu trip to Syracuse this past weekend to visit my sister and ty on bridesmaide dresses.  If you know me, you know I don't do impromptu trips.  I am all about organizing and planning ahead.

My company organizes a bowling "tournament" every year.  It's just one of many activities sponsored by my wonderful company, which I typically decline to attend due to social anxiety.  A co-worker/friend really, really wanted me to come and be her partner so I said yes.  That will be coming up next month.

After reading the Hunger Games Trilogy I decided to get a bunch of the girls at work to also read it.  I'm also talking them all into going to the theater to see the movie made from the first book when it comes out on March 23.  Maybe do dinner beforehand.  I almost never organize outings.  If someone else organizes something I will sometimes go, but rarely initiate.

I can't remember what prompted me to read the first book from the Hunger Games Trilogy at the very beginning of this year.  I had dozens of unread books loaded on my kindle to choose from.  Nonetheless, I DID choose to make that my first book of 2012 and oh man, did I make a good choice.  I started reading it and read all through the night.  I didn't want to stop reading.  I didn't want it to end.  Ever.  When I finished the first book I wanted to start the second immediately.  Unfortunately I also really needed to sleep.  The book is incredibly engaging.  The characters were incredibly likable and relatable and the scenery was described so well that I felt as if I were in the "games" with them.

My friend notified me yesterday that the movie was going to be out in the theater on Friday, March 23rd and that we were going.  I contacted 2 other girlfriends today and said they had to read the book(s) and they had to come to the movie with us on that opening weekend.  In talking with one of my friends later she laughed at me and said, "You didn't take a breath the entire time you were writing that email, did you?"  Haha.  I think she was correct.  Yes, I am a wee bit excited.  :)

Here is some more info. on the 3 books (from amazon, affiliate links, download Kindle version for free if you are a Prime member!):

THE HUNGER GAMES - $5.39

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.

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CATCHING FIRE - $9.98

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

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MOCKINGJAY - $9.95

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

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Wikipedia Article on the entire Trilogy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games_trilogy

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Official Movie Trailer:

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 Amazon affiliate links:

The Hunger Games Trilogy - Kindle Version (Price: $16.85, You Save: 69%)