Milk Tea

Current habit:
Milk tea

I finished it before I remembered to take a picture.

Ha.

I sometimes think I can survive on milk tea and iced coffee.

My cousin once told me that she drinks most of her calories, meaning she drank a lot of teas, coffees, and juices more than she ate snacks and meals.

I understand what she is saying but... I think I drink AND EAT calories just all around.

HA.

Cute little tea shop in a strip mall with yummy milk teas, Vietnamese coffees, and fruit teas.

Pick Me Up Tea House
9240 Garden Grove Boulevard, Suite 12
Garden Grove, CA 92844

Korean Food

Current craving:
Korean food

There is something so comforting about soup, even in hot weather.

My family tends to go to the same restaurants all the time because my dear father does not like to try new places. Sigh.

So when we get the opportunity to go somewhere new, it's a pretty big deal.

Today, we went to a new Korean restaurant in Garden Grove call Yigah Restaurant.

Pretty interior, plenty of seats, but... sloppy service. They were dropping plates and trays all around us, spilled a cup of water on our table (and didn't offer to clean it up or bring napkins or a towel), and dripped a trail of soup from tray to table.

But... the food.

They had a good selection of soups and rice dishes, as well as the pork bossam, which was quite delicious.

I'll go again, give them another chance. I would definitely want to try going when it's not busy, to see if their service is any better.

Yigah Restaurant
8562 Garden Grove Boulevard
Garden Grove, CA 92844

Paper Goods

Current impulse:
Paper goods

Is this not the prettiest gift wrap you've ever seen??

The picture doesn't do justice, but it just looks so elegant and beautiful. I'm almost embarrassed to use it because the gift itself is so cheesy, but I made up for it with the gift wrap!

So I am continuing my goal of gift wrapping (versus gift bagging) all gifts I give for this year, and I have a few rolls of paper that I can't wait to use.

But since we're on the subject of paper goods...

Why are notepads and notebooks so tempting.

I was at Office Max today, and these caught my eye. I don't need new notebooks. I don't need a calendar. I don't need notepads.

Sigh. I am way too impulsive.

But this is nothing compared to the damage I do when I go to Daiso, or heaven have mercy, when I go to Korea and go to their stationery stores. I'm already imagining how much I'll be bringing back with me when I go this Fall.

Speaking of which...

I'm already starting to make lists of all the places I want to visit, eat at, drink coffee at, go shopping...

I shall buy a new big luggage bag just for all my goods. Hehe.

The Weather

Current obsession:
The weather

Look at the gorgeous pretty sky and clouds. It was a beautiful day today.

A healthy dose of vitamin D for this sickie.

Comfort and healing were expected in this bowl of soup...

But it was the hugest disappointment.
Sad face.

Comfort Food

Current addiction:
Comfort food

This cold (or flu, or whatever it is) is decreasing my appetite.

I know. Who am I.

Which is why comfort food is so necessary.

Thanks, mommy. Your soup is the best.

Six Years?!

It has been 6 years since my last post.

6. YEARS.

Aren't you curious about what's been going on with me? What fun new exciting adventures I've had?

Me too. I'm curious about WHAT THE HELL I'VE BEEN DOING WITH MY LIFE.

Reading my old posts made me laugh. I am so over-dramatic. Was I high or something?

Yes. Yes, I was. On prescription painkillers. God bless pharmaceuticals for creating meds that can help during time of need, but damn, I will not take those meds again for as long as I can.

I must have thought I was amusing or something...

Christmas in June

Currently listening to: "First Snow First Kiss" by Yeosob and Daniel

I didn't realize it was a Christmas song, and actually wasn't meaning to listen to it, but it popped up on someone's blog so I kept listening. It's a sentimental song about... well, I think the title pretty much sums it up.

I've been reprimanded by a couple of friends to update. So... in my delirium, at 6:00am, having stayed up all night and needing to wake up in 4 hours, here I am, blogging.

I am so weird.

But I digress. My purpose of today's blog is to say that I've been listening to music (specifically, KPop - Korean Pop) nonstop these past few weeks (months? Yes, months). It is very unusual for me to be so obsessed with Korean music - for those that know me, I was the person that would look at you weird for listening/watching KPop music and videos. I think a lot of it was that KPop/KDrama/KMovies were too sentimental, sappy, and overdramatic for me.

And I am NOT a sentimental, sappy, overdramatic person. Okay, well, maybe I am a tad overdramatic AT TIMES, but for the most part, I stayed away from that kind of stuff. I mean, I can't even stand chick flicks. I never wanted to watch love stories. I'll take an action flick any day, thank you very much. I disliked having to go through the emotional roller coaster of someone else's love troubles. Someone once said that he (yes, HE) liked chick flicks because he wanted to "feel something" while watching the movies. I, on the other hand, want to be taken away, not reminded of the real world. I preferred stories that were beyond our reality (LOTR, Harry Potter) or at least beyond MY reality (Ocean's Eleven, Boondock Saints, The Bourne Identity).

So that fact that I started getting into KPop was a huge HUGE surprise to those around me. I'm sure I'll write more about it later, but for now, let's just say, it was just as big a surprise to myself. Even the fast songs are usually about love/relationships/blah blah blah. Yeah, I'm still getting used to it....

I was talking to a friend about the change, about how I've been able to listen to more sentimental music, and she said something very interesting: the pain that I endured last year with my back could have contributed to "softening" my feelings, making me more receptive to sentiments and emotions.

Hmm. What she said has been making me think. And I think I do agree with her. I am not a crying kind of girl. I've always held in my emotions. I could probably count on one hand the situations that have made me cry. But since my injury, I've definitely noticed that I am more emotional.

I don't consider being emotional as being a bad thing anymore. I've been more accepting of it, of myself. I ain't gonna lie - last year was bad. Did a lot of thinking, crying, soul searching, praying. I'm okay with where I am now, I've accepted all that has happened. And if that has led me to becoming more emotional, listening to KPop, and watching KDramas - so be it.

And it doesn't hurt that these KPop boy bands are super cute.

But... that's a different story for another time... Believe me when I say that I can talk for days that on subject.

The sun is rising, the birds are chirping. This tired ol' body is now schlepping herself to bed. I apologize for the bad grammar in today's posting. But, I... kinda don't care at this point. Ha.

Bye-yum!

Harumph

Yes, it's been a while since I've written anything. And yes, the reason I'm writing now is because I'm annoyed beyond belief and I feel the need to vent. No, it's not work related, which is surprising, if you knew how annoying my work can be. And yes, I do feel a bit guilty that after a 3 month hiatus from blogging, I'm coming back only to rant and rave and vent.

But anyways...

My school is driving me nuts. I understand, and am willing to be very patient, about incompetent instructors (not all instructors can be the best, so I'll roll with the punches), slight schedule changes, and other various issues that come along with school.

But when you change the next term's schedule COMPLETELY AROUND two weeks before it starts and expect a student who is also working full time to accommodate the changes, you are asking for a huge argument to ensue.

I work 3 nights a week, which is helpful while I go to school. However, it is NIGHT shift. Meaning, if a class is scheduled the next day at 12pm, and I get home at 9am, there are going to be problems. I don't know about you, but I don't normally function well with no sleep. My work schedule gets planned out a month and a half in advance, and was kind enough (and I use that term very loosely) to change my current schedule because it will benefit them - I will have to work every single Friday and Saturday night for the next couple months. Luckily, that's not going to change with this new schedule. However, I have to work one more night during the week, which is the issue. Again, no sleep = very unhappy Grace.

There are many 20-something-year-olds at my school (I have nothing against you, my dear 20-something-year-olds. You're cute as a button... sometimes). They don't work. They can handle schedule changes with no problem. But this working girl is not too happy right now. I'm just gonna console myself with some milk tea. Harumph.

Hope

New Years Eve. Out with the old, in with the new. I’ll definitely agree that 2010 was a rough year. But I’m not sure I can wholeheartedly say I’m looking forward to 2011. I’m a bit nervous for what 2011 will bring. I’m not sure how to approach this new year, this new chapter of my life.

2010 was filled with pain (both literally and figuratively) and patience. I’m not sure if I’ve learned all the lessons I was supposed to learn. I sometimes wonder if I’m just blindly going from one land mine to another.

But there is hope; just the tiniest sliver of hope, glimmering like a tiny snowflake, in my hand. So fragile, not sure if it’s going to last, but believing, at least for that moment, that it’s mine, beautifully all mine.

Hope: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best; a person or thing in which expectations are centered (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hope)

What is it that I want? What event do I want to turn out for the best? What am I centering my expectations around? I don’t know how to answer these questions just yet. They have changed many times, and changed again when I start analyzing my intentions behind them. But perhaps what’s important is the belief that I can have something and that somehow everything will turn out for the best.

That hope is what gives me a little peace while looking out into what may come in 2011. The hope of something better, the hope of growing stronger, understanding more and passing on that hope to others.

Happy New Year!

Grateful #2

I hate the cold. I don’t know if I’m just being a wuss, but really, I. Hate. The cold. I've always had to carry an extra thick jacket in my car, even during summer months, because a little wind, and I’d be crying.

This makes me a bit scared to travel during the colder months, even though I would love to see Christmas in New York or Paris. My mom did tell me a long time ago that it’s because I live here in southern California. People outside of SoCal, they adapt, they’re heartier. Me, I will never be able to live anywhere else. Sigh.

I also know that cold weather makes my back hurt more. It makes my muscles all tighten up, giving me spasms and achy feelings.

Perhaps this is my excuse to only vacation in tropical areas. Sun, sand, mai tais with little drink umbrellas…. Oh, but I digress.

A good friend once said:

"The water is intoxicating in a way, the way it loosens your muscles and lifts your body. It makes you feel lighter than what you are. Water helps to drain away any feeling of control, and it's the only place where that doesn't bother me. "

And I have to completely agree. I am desperate for control. But, in the water… oh, the water. All of that goes away, just melts off my shoulders, my back, out and away. I’ve learned to enjoy the jacuzzi at a nearby spa for my aches and pains, physical and mental.

But there are days when I can't get to the spa, when the cold just chills me to my bones, and nothing but a scalding hot shower can take away the chattering teeth. My mom seemed to know this about me when I was younger and had me take a couple showers a day during the winter, which is something I still do as needed.

So, today, I want to say that I am grateful for hot water. I am thankful to have healing warm soothing water for my body and soul.

Grateful...

I came to realize something very very simple today: I am grateful for underground parking. It’s been raining quite a lot these last few days, and I realized that it is so easy for me to walk downstairs to my car with no worries, and drive away without thinking twice about it. The reason I am even thinking about this is because I remember my parents’ house in Los Alamitos. We only had street parking, and having to go out in the rain meant getting sopping wet in the 5 seconds it took to get to and from the car. The drainage system was awful there, and any time it rained, the streets would be flooded. We’d have to make sure not to park too close to the corner, otherwise we wouldn't be able to open the car door – the water was THAT high. The El Nino season was especially horrid when there was so much rain that it went up past the sidewalk and the small yard, up to our front door. We literally had to swim to our cars.

Now, I know many people would say, “That’s what galoshes/rain boots are for.” Um… this is Southern California, people. What da heck are rain boots or galoshes? And do they even make those for anyone older than 4 years old??

All of that got me thinking about how LUCKY and BLESSED I am to have an underground parking structure in my apartment building now. Lately, I've been stressed about a few things, distracted, whiny, SELFISH. Sheesh. Where's the faith, the trust? I have to believe that all the other stuffs will eventually get figured out. It’s not like I’m starving, without a roof over my head or a bed to sleep in.

As we get closer to Christmas and the New Year, I am turning the focus away from me. With a very grateful heart, I will continue to focus on things I am grateful for, instead of complaining about things outside of my control or petty things that don’t matter in the long run.

Party of One...

Have you ever been in a situation where you know you’re supposed to be happy but all you can think about is yourself and you start having a pity party for one and start eating everything in sight? No? Yeah, me neither.

Surprise! You've just won... an injection!

I guess I'm still not used to having a blog. Fail. But today's post is kinda long, so it'll either make up for lost time, or tide me over until the next one. I've realized that I haven't really talked about my back injury in detail since I've been on disability and at home. Perhaps I'll go more into detail about that soon, but today is a tidbit of my many doctor appointments. I suppose I could have kept blogging about my back, since I'm always complaining about not having anything to blog about, but... I just didn't feel like delving into my mind about my injury. Yes, I'm sure there is a psychological component there, but regardless, here's what I had to say today....

I had an 11:30 am Pain Management appointment and didn't get home until 1:30 pm. What a surprise. I wasn’t expecting to get a steroid injection because I had gotten one 6 weeks ago, and at that time, the doctor scheduled an appointment to see me in February. I thought today’s appointment was a follow-up for medication refills, where I never see the doctor; the medical assistant just takes my vitals, asks me some questions, comes back with prescriptions signed by the doctor. Imagine my surprise when the medical assistant has me sign a consent form and tells me that the doctor will see me soon.

The doctor then asks me what percent I feel I have gotten better since my injury. It actually took me a while to come up with a number because I hadn’t thought about it in those terms. I am guessing about 80% - the fact that I am still uncomfortable enough during the day to take Vicodin a few times, plus waking up in the morning because of the pain makes me realize that I am not ready for “normal” life. The doctor then recommended another injection. Eeeeep!

As I’m leaving the consultation room and into the procedure room, the doctor asks me, “So, is the pain down your right leg or your left?” Um… what?? YOU don’t KNOW?? I can feel my blood pressure rising (speaking of which, my BP has been increased more than usual the last few months from my norm, and my diastolic is above 80. I’m gonna have to research and find out what’s going on.), and I’m starting to feel panicky.

The first time I had the injection, I was laying down with my head pointing north. Okay, I don’t know if it was north, or south or east or west, but my point is that this time, I was laying down in the opposite direction. I didn’t ask the nurse why – I was too nervous. My first injection was NOT my proudest moment: I screamed. And I cried, a little. No one prepared me for the amount of pain that goes into a friggin’ lumbar steroid injection, even if it is over in less than a minute! Actually, I take that back: a friend did tell me about her experience, and I read up on other people’s injections, but… it’s not the same as actually going through it! So, as I’m getting onto the procedure table, the first thing that pops into my brain is: did the doctor ask which leg because he put the injection on the wrong side, and now he’s having me lay down the opposite way now? But I still can’t get my brain to get the message to my mouth to ask the nurse. Mind you, I’m panicking, nervous, and still not sure WHY I agreed to do this again.

The nurse preps me, the doctor comes in, procedure done. I didn’t cry this time, but I did scream a little into the pillow. I don’t care what anyone says, it was warranted. And I suppose I was a bit more prepared for it this time around. And I’m also glad there wasn’t any electrical problems this time – the last time I was there, there was a power outage right before I went into the procedure room, and as the emergency generators kicked in, I thought to myself, “Do those machines in the procedure room have to be recalibrated??”

I walked out feeling a bit better, a little less nerve pressure going down my left leg. But as I’m sitting here, writing this out, I’m beginning to feel the discomfort coming back again. I know it can take a while for it to kick in, so I’ll be keeping tabs on how I feel in the next couple days. Speaking of “discomfort”, my primary doctor asked me how I was feeling, and I had said that I was feeling uncomfortable during the day, anywhere from 5-7 out of 10, depending on the day. She looked at me and said, “So you’re still having pain?” I looked at her and slowly said, “Yeeeeah, I guess so.” I guess I don’t really think that what I am feeling these days is “pain” because it’s more of a dull aching, stiffness, just uncomfortable. I equate “pain” with what I felt back in the beginning of the year, when everything hurt with sharp, stabbing pain that made me cry every night. These days, I take a Vicodin, and it takes away a little of the edge of the discomfort I’m having, helps me to stop thinking about how uncomfortable I am so I can focus on the things I need to do. And then I take my nighttime regimen of 5 pills so I can be relaxed enough to try to lay down and sleep. I think as soon as the sleep thing is figured out, I’ll really feel that I am able to get back to “normal.”

So, as I’m getting a better handle on my pain, I’m starting to get some of my movement again, which makes me think about what I need to do next: lose weight. I’ve been going to see my primary doctor every month for follow-ups, and every month, I get weighed and that number on the scale has been inching up and up. Quite depressing, honestly. I feel slightly trapped, though, because I know that I need to lose weight to help my back, and yet, because of my back, I can’t seem to exercise much, if at all. There are days when I walk about 10-15 minutes, and I can’t walk another step. And I know people say that 10 minutes is better than nothing, but… still, quite depressing.

I was reminded for the need to lose weight today when the nurse was prepping me today for the procedure. He was looking for my hip bone. If it takes THAT long to look for my hip bone, something’s wrong. Chubster.

Porch time and Tea....

Geez.... and how long has it been since I've blogged?? I just cannot keep up with all this technology! I had originally signed up with Twitter only to keep up with the actors I liked. But the amount of information that comes through via Facebook and Twitter is insanely overwhelming!

Speaking of overwhelming, so many things going on all around us, as usual, right? My back is still healing. I'm able to stand up a bit more, but I still get tired very easily. I need to start walking more.... Gaining all this weight is NOT good for my self esteem.

My grandfather is finally back home! He had open heart surgery a while ago, went to rehab, had some complications. But we were able to get him home this past weekend, and he was so happy!

After having lunch with my whole family to celebrate my grandfather's homecoming, we took my mom back to her house in Seal Beach. My parents have a cute little porch with a couple chairs and a table, so we sat out there, looking through some photo albums and having tea. It was one of the best moments ever! Nice breeze, yummy tea, pictures and storytelling, awesome company.... Sigh. Happy sigh.

We looked at pictures of our Yellowstone vacation from about 5 years ago. It made me want to go on another family vacation to Yellowstone again. What a beautiful America we live in! There are so many places to visit and see and experience! My biggest wish when I get better is to travel, travel, travel!

:)

You Put De Lime in the Coconut...

Today, I got a grape slush (from Sonics), in honor of "Glee". Holy cow, that thing is effin sweet! I had two sips and was done with it.

When my brother and I were growing up, my mom NEVER allowed us to have any soda. Or anything that "stains your tongue". Back then, I was so pissed at never being able to drink Kool-Aid, have popsicles, or, heaven forbid that we even THINK about asking for some Nerds candies.

But now, I am quite thankful. I never developed the taste for all that stuff, because up until I graduated from high school, the only drinks available at home were water, tea, and milk. The only times we were allowed to have soda was when my dad took us out to McDonald's (and of course, my mom wasn't there, nor did we tell her that we had soda that day).

When I went to college, I had Otter Pops galore, and started drinking soda. But I was never able to finish a whole can. My friends would be on their second, third drinks and I would still be a quarter way through my first. I still think the soda companies made those baby cans just for people like me....

I know, I know, there are times when you're eating something that simply REQUIRES soda: a nice gooey, cheesy slice of pizza, or a big all-over-your-face mess of a burger. I developed a taste for diet soda for those moments, saying, "I'm gonna wash down my artery-clogging meal with the healthy option of a fake sugar drink!"

Here's a new drink option I recently learned: coconut water. Apparently it's all the rage around town (don't ask me what town.... I just know that it's around.... somewhere). Celebrities are drinking it up, the health benefits are being talked about. I even read somewhere that it was used as IV hydration in emergency situations because it is naturally sterile and has the same electrolytic balance as blood.

According to Wikipedia, "coconut water is the clear liquid inside young coconuts." It's very popular around the world, and especially used as a sports drink because "one cup-full of coconut water contains more electrolytes than most sports drinks and more potassium than a banana."

Although I am a registered nurse, I am now writing this disclaimer that I am IN NO CAPACITY a medical doctor and that what I write is strictly my own (very limited) research. Please do not consume this product if you have been told to have a low-potassium diet, or have a heart condition, and consult a medical professional!!

Having said that, my own opinion about coconut water: it tastes... meh.

It'll take some getting used to. I was expecting sweet (like coconut milk), but it's NOT. But it's not completely flavor-less, either.

I can definitely see why this would be a great alternative for a sports drink. Although it is more expensive, it appears ounce for ounce that it equals out in the end because you will need less coconut water to get the same benefits from a sports drink. Plus, there's less sugar and more potassium (13 times greater!) to help the body replenish necessary electrolytes.

Now, I've also read that coconut water can help control vomiting, that it is antibacterial (against flu, herpes, AIDS!), it can kill intestinal worms, and break up kidney stones, raise your metabolism and promote weight loss, control diabetes.... still gotta do more research on those.

But the ultimate reason to drink up: it can help with hang-overs.

Cheers!

Big, Fat...

When someone calls you a big, fat liar, are they saying that you are big and fat, and a liar?

Or... as I have always thought... are they calling the lie big and fat, and you just happen to be lying...?

Calling someone a big, fat liar doesn't seem so innocent now....

Sleep...

I had my 19 year-old cousin sleep, D, over at my place last night because today we had a graduation to go to for our other cousin at USC (so proud of you, E!). We stayed up until 3:00 a.m. watching "Pride and Prejudice". :) It never gets old....

But this sleepover made me realize something about myself: I like my own space. I don't know what my husband would say, if I were to get married. I think I would want my own bed, in my own room. I don't do so well with other people sleeping near me. My cousin slept on my (pooey evil) bed, while I was in my usual spot on the floor. Why, you ask? 2 herniated discs. The bed is evil, I tell you. It looks so inviting and coaxes me to lay down, rest my weary head. And then, it sucks me in, and makes a mess of my back, and laughs at me, with no mercy.

I warned my cousin about my sleeping "routine": I sleep on the ground for 4 hours, after which I wake up in immense pain. I get up, very slowly (I think I timed it one time: 12 minutes), make my way to my desk and eat my half peanut butter sandwich and take my meds. Then, a bathroom run (um, more like a crawl), and then I sit in my office chair, tilt it back, and prop my feet up on my bed for about another 4-6 hours of sleep.

My cousin made me crack up when she said, "Oh, okay. So if I wake up and see you crawling around, I shouldn't freak out that it's a paranormal activity, huh?"

Gotta love my cousin.

But as much as I love her (really, D, I love you to death), I didn't sleep much. I think I might have slept for about an hour or two after I woke up and relocated to my chair. By the way... I only use my bed to prop up my feet on the bottom left corner. So... on a queen sized bed, why do my cousin's feet have to be in that bottom left corner when I relocate? I'm just wondering... that's all.

I ended up not going to my other cousin's graduation at USC. I forgot that that would require me to walk. Which is something I'm not really good at right now. And I am reminded of my injury every moment of my waking (and sleeping!) hours. So what in tarnation would make me think that I could endure sitting through traffic to get to the university, look for parking (mind you, this is a very big school with many different departments' graduations), walk through a parking structure, across a busy street, through the campus, sit through the speeches, wade through the thousands of people to find my cousin, stand to take pictures, walk back across campus and the street to the parking structure to the car to the next celebration location... you get the picture, right?

I had convinced myself up until the last night that I was going to attend the graduation today.

I must be delusional.

I treated myself to some Starbuck's iced Americano, in case you're wondering why I'm not napping and rambling on and on....

Whew....

It's a lot of work, keeping up with a blog. Mostly because I keep forgetting that I have one. Which doesn't make sense because every other minute, I'm thinking to myself, "This would be great to post on my blog!" Or, "How can I make this situation interesting enough to post on my blog?"

Only thing is... I now don't remember what those things are.

Meh.

Bazinga!

Beep beep!

I've been dreading going to the store to run my errands because it takes so much effort to walk around the store (pooey on my 2 herniated discs). It takes a lot out of me, even though I'm taking my time, leaning on the shopping cart, etc. Plus, it doesn't help that I get so easily distracted - I know what's down each aisle, but... I still feel the need to look at everything.

Yesterday, I finally went to Target with my friend. Oh, how I love that store. Oh, how I had missed that store!

I was a bit worried how I was going to get around the store.... until I saw a woman parking an electric scooter with a basket in the front.

Yippee!! Have you ever tried navigating a scooter? It takes some time to get used to driving those things around....! Well, I guess it doesn't help that I had taken my meds before going to the store.

Hehehehe.....

Sorry, Target, for the mess on aisle 4. Really, I didn't know how to stop my scooter from running into the boxes of Kleenex. Really. I couldn't... stop. Muahahahaha!! :)

Earth Day - Save a Tree...

In honor of Earth Day, I'm looking at possibly changing my reading habits....

I am a reader. I love to read. But I also just LOVE books. I love the feel of the pages, the weight of a book in my hands....

I have had to move more than I would have liked in the last couple years, and I've realized that the majority of my boxes are books (first is shoes, second is books, third is clothes)! Some of them got damaged from being in my parents' garage for too long, and I was sad to part with some of those.

Now that I have had a bad back for a few months, moving these boxes of books.... not gonna happen. I need bookshelves. They are all stacked on the ground, piles and piles of stacks and stacks, waiting patiently for a home.

I am willing to part with many of these paperbacks that I've collected over the years. I admit that I fell into that whole "vampire" craze and after finishing "The Twilight Saga", and I felt the need to fill that void somehow. And I ended up reaching for "Undead and Unwed".

Yeah.... I don't see the connection either, but it somehow worked. Plus, it was the first of a series of books. Part of my OCD personality always requires me to buy the whole collection. Therefore, I had to buy all 6 at once (I believe there are now 3 more out in the series... Damn.).

I also became a big fan of teen books (perhaps at this point in my life, I didn't want to think much? Or maybe I was going through a stage where I felt like I was dealing with someone who thought like a teenager...?) and started buying "The Heir Chronicles" and "The House of Night" series.

In any case, these were all paperbacks that I read once, and... I'm pretty sure I'm not going to read them again. So spending $5-9 per paperback... I could probably have 2-3 stacks at least up to my shoulders....

:( That's a lot of trees.

So... I will entertain the idea of getting an e-book reader!

Hmmm... IPad vs Kindle vs Nook....