Book 1: 70 pages, retyped...phew!

Took those 70 pages and retyped them, that was enough to wear me out. The best part was that I had the chance to rework a few things, edit out a whole bunch of stuff that I was hesitant with and take what I wanted in a different direction. Yay!

Replaced a older section with a new one, yet similar and got to re work it. But i once I do the written edits, i can continue adding the other parts.

See, the bad thing (or maybe it was bad), was that over the years, I wrote parts. I thought, "Oh, well, i just piece them together." the only bad thing is to now having to piece them after 15, 10, 5, years or so. So stuff will have to be re-worked.

I think the best part is that all my characters are on board to get this done.  - sounds crazy I know.  :)

Let the fun begin!

And Book 1 begins

And a great thing has happened - (back story first) about oh, 5 years ago, I lost a file. And it was the file to the early version of the beginning of Book one in a series I am slowly writing. So for me, as an artist, it was as if someone stole my child from me - or I assume so. I was frantic, I flipped out and went crazy and feel into a depression for a year or so.

Luckily for me, I am still old fashion and need to print out my pages to edit (I cannot do editing on the screen, my eyes get tired after a while). So I had everything on paper...but came the daunting task of re-writing at least 70 pages of information, and I just stopped.

My husband has realized that the wooden chest in the bedroom is filled with written notes, research and stuff to be edited. I thought I told him I wrote; he just knew I did photography and painting. He has no idea what the series is about (since English is his 3rd or 4th language and he is not from a European background so abstract concepts, Western European folklore and American myths are a little hard for him to comprehend. To him it makes no sense.) BUT it has not deterred him to help me the best way he can. He has been an inspiration for me to complete my first book.

We laid in "bed" (or the make shift Shiki mattress (oh i dream of having one!) since he sleeps like they do in Japan) and he wanted to know my goals. It felt silly telling him - someone like him who is very scientific - that I hope to publish my first book in a year or two. To go back for my Masters in Photography and if I could find a way to spend everyday doing my art and make a living from it, I would be the happiest person in the world.

So he introduced me to that free printing service online (Vistaprint? - I have so much going on, I do not remember what comes in my mail anymore), and I took advantage to make 100 free note cards with the tagline of my book, like the cards you would pick up from an aspiring author's table at a writing or themed genre convention. I got it in the mail Friday, and to see something printed with my plot line...made me cry.

"I can do this Alizza!" I said to my husband. "The world and people in my head that I have worked on for over 15 years, I can give them life."

He just smiled and kissed my hand.

So starting at the beginning, means taking those 70 or so pages and retyping them. And you know what, I am happy I did because I was NOT entirely satisfied with the beginning I had written back then. This is a good new start. So far I have about 20 pages left to get through before I can continue on with the first book.

Now I just need the balls to share my work with someone for a sound critique.....oh, such a scary thought.

Testing

Testing

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Date: Fri, Jul 8, 2011 at 2:55 PM
Subject:

6 weeks in.

So far, all is good and I am very happy. A little stressed out but when you live at home, that's already a given.

My beloved hubbykins is really motivating me to push forward and challenge myself - and he knows how to do it the right way with a new lens for my camera. Then filters to fit those lenses and finally, something I have always wanted, a really good camera bag that is ergonomic and I can travel and hike with. ... like I said, the best!

 

 Took advantage of some Vistaprint awesomeness and ordered some promotional materials. That will be coming in sometime in the next few weeks. 

Plans for the summer? Of course!! Alizza revamped my laptop so I need to reload everything into it. This summer is building a new portfolio and getting my writing into gear and also get down the last 40 lbs. I do have one student for the summer that I meet twice a week for English. She needs to be able to read at a 2nd grade level for the next school year. 

Ciao

Wow! Happy early Chinese New Year!

Aside from the end of the year insanity, it has been a good start to the new year.

I enjoyed my trip to Turkey again. I got to fly Turkish Airlines from Zurich and I could never get over watching the screen where they talk about airplane safety. 1. It takes forever!!! They say it first in Turkish, then its repeated in English. On the corner of the screen a man that looks like Mr. Bean appears and does sign language for the hearing impaired in both Turkish and then in English. There are also subtitles. I like that they are effectively throurough but it is dull. The best part of the whole video is when they list EVERY SINGLE electronic device that is not permitted to use on the plane. Seriously, an electric razor? its only listed because someone has tried to use one!!

I loved seeing my fiance again. We sat in the airport for an hour just looking at each other. All those months of talking and we had nothing to say, just to sit quietly and hold each others hand and look. It was a wonderful moment. Then we began talking. Oh how I have missed him!

Turkey:
mmmmm...ground lentil soup!
Cheesy bread from the corner vendor :D <3
Hot cups of corn from the street vendor
In the Ulus bazaar you can buy leeches!
Hole in the ground toilets. >: | (bad memories of Italy suddenly came to mind)
Brought the wrong shoes to Ankara, so had to go show shopping. Not like I mind but my feet size is unusual for women in Turkey!!! :(
I am marrying the best man on the planet, he suffered through 4 hours of looking for shoes shops that carried my size.
In retrospect, I suffered through 2 days of looking for a suit that will fit him! My beloved is 6'2.5 and very lean. :) While Turkish men are average height and built in the shoulders.
Bought Kebab spices!!
A sweet afternoon eating Turkish Baklava and drinking Cappuccinos.
Keshar cheese!

Then I sadly returned to Switzerland to spend time with my sister and cutie pie nephews. Such handsome little boys! They are just a delight!

My trip was too short this time but I will travel again in 2012.

I came back to then suffer with 2 bulging disks in my lower spine (oh the misery). Thank you work! bastards. But I have used all my wedding savings to get my back into shape. Bittersweet. :/

Walked slowly yesterday with my mother a breast cancer survivor at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. I enjoy doing these events with her. It boosts her spirit and how can you say not to walking on a beautiful sunny morning. The best part was walking down the street afterward to grab some munchies at the Green Market.

Fem Awesomeness November - Qatar First Female Judge

I know old news but new news to me!

Qatar’s First Female Judge

HRH Sheikha Maha Al Thani was appointed earlier this year as the first female judge in Qatar, in a move to explicitly aimed at empowering women in the country and making their presence stronger in government. The Sheikha is a member of the ruling royal family.

Pictures

The article in English is found here. "Dream comes true for Qatar’s first woman judge"

A great line, "Asked if the appointment of female judges in the state was a victory for Qatari women, she said: “I do not see it as a victory. Women have not been defeated to need a victory in Qatar. They are there in all government departments on equal terms with
men.” "

Another English article: "Qatari women praise appointment of first female judge"

Great line: "She said, "The world saw a Qatari female doctor and a Qatari female engineer, and it is not out of the ordinary to see a Qatari female judge, or a female assistant judge, because it is something expected within the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, in the field of development." "

Go Sheikha!

big thanks to my fiance for finding this for me!

22 days until my trip + a wedding dress

Ahhh! Finally! The last 22 days have arrived!

Bought tons of stuff for my niece and my nephews and I cannot wait to see their faces light up! I had been searching everywhere for glitter jeans made by Levi and today, I finally found them at Macy's in Wellington. yay!

The best part of my week was the purchase of my wedding gown from Alfred Angelos! I was only going just to start trying on styles with my best friend and lo and behold, I put on the perfect dress. It was everything i had hoped for. Flirty, sexy, pretty and elegant. Yes, a dress like that exists and I purchased it! Because my fiance does read my blog, I will only post a peek! A sample from the dress. :)

The only downfall is that the white lace i had purchased on a day-trip in Jensen, doesn't match. :( My dress is neither white nor ivory. So luckily, I was able to return it down here and purchased ivory lace. Even though its darker, it will be okay. I am happy with it. :)

EEEEEE!!! I love my dress!

I am thinking that since I will be in Ankara, Turkey for a few days, maybe I should look for a karaoke bar. I think i will hit up CS Ankara and see what the locals recommend. :)

Tschuess!!!