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Let's see what thoughts are provoked today...
1. What has been the highlight of your summer so far?
I'd say moving to Vietnam, but that's just ALL of my summer. To choose a single highlight? Maybe seeing the spectacle that is the Dragon Bridge. Maybe watching the International Fireworks Festival. Maybe finding a house.
... Probably the fireworks. That was several fun, casual gatherings on the rooftop terrace of our building in Da Nang. We weren't close to the action, but enjoyed good company. And I LOVE fireworks.
2. What do you wish you'd done more of this summer? Less of?
More? Cooking, exercise, healthy stuff. But those are easy casualties of relocating. It's been a pretty good summer. I have no regrets.
Less? The only thing that comes to mind is "playing games on my phone" but even that is on the downturn. Again, no real regrets.
3. Something you're looking forward to on your September calendar?
There is nothing on the calendar except Brett's birthday. Mandarin class twice a week, and Brett's birthday. Each week, I had marked a room I wanted to focus on, but since we are waiting to buy more furniture until his next paycheck, that schedule will be stretched beyond September.
4. Best/favorite book you've read this summer?
A crazy little read by Morgana Best called "Miss Spelled". It's a bit girly, a bit mystery, a bit witchy (that's not really a secret) and such a quick, easy, light read, I would happily download her entire repertoire. However, right now I'm on a reading frenzy delving into a variety of genres as I begin my own writing journey. I will definitely come back to her.
Want to know my WORST book read this summer? Ugh. I'm still in it. "Midnight" by Dean Koontz. He's a bestseller, so I can learn something from him surely, and what I'm learning is to CUT THE DESCRIPTIONS! Holy crap, what a mess. I was at the 50% mark before I had any interest at all. But, you know, I'm learning about writing, so I read.
(I'm ALWAYS interested in book recommendations, fyi. Please comment.)
5. Share something positive, encouraging, or uplifting here.
I'm terrible at linking videos, so...
If you love music, please look up "Postmodern Jukebox" on YouTube. I think I'm a late joiner to their trend, but these guys are awesome. (uplifting)
A story from life, then. (positive/encouraging)
Today, a friend was in an accident while passing my town (that's a blog for later), so she came to our place to assess damage and go to a pharmacy. As we were walking back from the pharmacy - where, first of all, the pharmacist sat her down and personally wrapped her ankle in the Ace bandage she had bought - as we walked/limped home, a woman on a motor-scooter pulled up alongside us and pointed to the back of her seat, saying something in Vietnamese.
She had seen my friend limping, with a bandaged ankle, hanging on my arm, and gave her a ride down the street to my house (which was within sight, but maybe 80 yards away). People are good at heart. People in Vietnam are AMAZING. Such a simple thing to do for a stranger!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I make little comments here and there about starting writing. In my Vietnamese class last month, we were learning about basic small talk, including the question "What do you do?" (what is your job?)
I'm not teaching. My personal business is not up and running yet. I sort of do audio recording sometimes, but the guy couldn't teach me how to say "audio recording", so I told him I'm a writer. That is my profession now. I'm not published yet, but that is my daily task that I intend to bring some sort of income at some point. I am a writer. There it is. Bold, declarative statement. I own it.
Question to you: If you are participating in this link-up, let me know in a comment, so I can visit. If you are not, how would you sum up your summer? And as always, got a book or author to recommend?
Fireworks are always fun to watch. I love trying to photograph them, too.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to Brett. I hope you have a fun and happy celebration.
What a sweet gesture the helpful stranger made to your friend. Angels are everywhere!
I have read one of Dean Koontz books in the past. I cannot remember the name of it, but it had a creepy clown in it named Beezo. Still gives me shivers to think of it.
Here's the link to my final Wednesday Hodgepodge post: Final Wednesday Hodgepodge.
Best wishes to you in your writing. Sometimes the thing we learn about writing while reading is how NOT to write. Like you, I don't like endless descriptions either. With some writers, it seems there are more adjectives than other words combined. I end up thinking, "Just get one with it, already!".
Have a great day and a blessed week. :)
That should have said, "Just get on with it, already!" Pardon the typo. :)
DeleteI get it. I do find things I like. For instance, Douglas Adams has a way to turn a phrase that just gives you a paradigm shift. He says something normal, but turns it on its head. I love that. I can't do it, but I love to read it.
DeleteI find I'm good at dialog. I have a long background in the theatre, so probably dialog comes naturally into my mind.
Thanks for visiting! I'll be over soon.
You are most definitely a writer. Presently, you are self-published on your blog. Not everybody can say that.
ReplyDeleteLoved the story of the kind Vietnamese who gave your friend the ride on her scooter!
We have instances like that all the time. Also stories where we feel a bit taken advantage of because we are so clearly foreigners, but usually kindnesses. We are so pleased to have been led to Vietnam!
DeleteBad books are great at teaching you what not to do. But I won't suffer through a bad book just for the learning experience. You're stronger than me.
ReplyDeleteI have cut off books in the middle before. In this particular case, Midnight is quoted or cited as an example frequently in a book about writing that I just finished. So I want to see what that author is suggesting. After I finish Midnight, I might go to the other author's website and comment about his chosen example!
DeleteWell, that's a first, I've never read about someone moving to Viet Nam. It sounds like a refreshing place to live. I am participating in Wednesday Hodgepodge so come on over. Enjoy your writing endeavors.
ReplyDeleteSo far, it is truly refreshing.
DeleteWell, I'm still acclimating to the humidity, but the culture, landscape, food, people: AMAZING.
We moved here from Beijing, China. This is an upgrade, in our opinion.
That was certainly an ecclectic assortment of questions Red and I really enjoyed reading your answers. Happy birthday to your husband and congrats on owning the title of author - kudos to you x
ReplyDeleteI don't know how she comes up with the questions, but there will be no more. :-(
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