Friday Book Review!

I got a Kindle for Christmas in 2010 and I LOVE it.  In the year and couple months I have had it I have read 25 books.  Seriously...that is 2 books a month! I honestly believe that if I didn't have my Kindle, I would not read this much at all.  It's such a pain in the a** to go and actually buy a paperback book.

So I'm going to do a book review for all the books I have read since I got this handy dandy little e-reader. I decided I will do one or a couple books each Friday and if some people seem to like it maybe it'll become a link-up!


The first book I got on my Kindle...

1. Not What She Seems by Victorine E. Lieske

Here is the Amazon description of this book:

Steven Ashton, a billionaire from New York, and Emily Grant, on the run from the law...and when they meet he can’t help falling for her. What he doesn’t know is that interfering in her life will put his own life in danger.

When billionaire Steven Ashton couldn’t stand his high society social life anymore, he left the stress of New York on a vacation for his soul. The need to meet real down to earth people led him to a small Nebraska town. He didn’t want to lie about who he was, but he couldn’t exactly tell them the truth.

Emily could have easily fallen in love with Steven, under different circumstances, but her past was catching up with her and she needed a new life. If the authorities found out about her, she could lose the one thing that meant everything, her four year old son.

Not What She Seems is approximately 67,000 words long.

This book is a "sweet" romantic suspense, appropriate for all ages.
For being $0.99 on Amazon, this book was a real hit. It is a thriller, which I realize I have come to like...a lot. I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a shorter, easy read.

I can only afford to do one book tonight! This weekend my choir is headed to Iowa (wooo?) for a retreat/rehearsal at Drake University. So I'm off to pack up my stuff!

Have a great weekend, loves!

With love,
Ali

My Top Treadmill Tips!

Anyone else having trouble uploading pictures? When I go to upload it doesn't give me a "browse" button. Hmph.
Anyway...

Sometimes I dread running on the treadmill. Okay, all the time unless I'm REALLY feeling it. During the winter months, though, I need to get in my running somehow, so the dreadmill is the only option.

I've come up with some tips to make running on the treadmill so much easier!

These are only from my own experiences and most people will want to find a routine that works best for you!

On to the goods...

-Choosing a treadmill:
Choose a treadmill where the track looks newer. As in, the white marks and writing on it? Make sure that's not all worn off. This means it is a newer treadmill and it will be MUCH easier on your legs. Trust me on this one.

Bad experience...the gym I go to has multiple gyms. The one in my hometown has treadmills from the stone age, people. Literally, I could not walk when I got off the treadmill and that was only after 1.5 miles!! I kid you not, friends! I can run on the treadmill with ease in my college town gym!

-Before the run:
Have a sweat rag/towel. Nothing is worse than running and having sweat drip down your face and into your eyes. A simple folded paper towel you can get right at the gym will do just fine!

-Have distractions:
I read, watch tv, AND listen to music. Unless a really good tv show is on where my headphones would be plugged into the treadmill's tv, it is plugged into my iPhone listening to music.

-Water:
Have a water bottle so you don't get exhausted and need to get off the treadmill and stop your momentum! But also don't slow down if you need some water. Nothing is worse than starting again after you've stopped.

-Trick Yourself:
Along with keeping yourself occupied, I have found myself running SO MUCH farther when I don't know how far I am actually going. I have a paper towel covering up all the numbers on the treadmill so I have no idea of anything other than how fast I am going! Seriously, not even calories burned...your mind calculates it out!

-???:
Find some good eye candy and pretend like they are watching! You know that hot guy will actually be watching, so do yourself a favor and keep going so he doesn't think you're a wimp!

-Lastly:
I have found it easiest to stretch after my run. If I stretch before my legs are dead to the world and feel like jello!

I have found that this as my daily running routine and it really works!! Last night I ran 5.5 miles without even knowing it. Fab.u.lous.

Happy running!

With love,
Ali

My Heart is Hurting.

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by
If you Smile through your pain and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through
For you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time (thats the time) you must keep on trying
Smile- What's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

That's the time (thats the time) you must keep on trying,
Smile- What's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile Even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky- You'll get by

That's the time (thats the time) you must keep on trying
Smile- What's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

 

Today I'm sad.  I have to make this quick because I have class, but the guy I like is hurting.  He had a girlfriend for many years in middle school and high school and about 7 years today she died in a car accident.  I have been so sad for him all day wanting, wishing I could someway help.  But there is nothing I can do.  He posted this Facebook status:

 

"I miss my friend, the one my heart was so confided in. The one I felt the safest with. The one who knew just what to say, to make me laugh again, and let the light back in. I miss my friend... LRL - Still miss you each and every day Linds"

I really want to be this person to him but I feel as though he is still not ready for it.  I know he is hurting, which makes my heart hurt, but I also know he needs to get past this somehow and I think the only way is to find someone again.

I know this is cheesy, but it's what I'm feeling for the day, as I have also been on the verge of tears.  I knew the girl who died, too, but I was not friends with her because she was much older than I was.

Do any of you know anything I can do or say? I told him if he wants to talk he can call me, etc., but that's it.  I am at a loss for words.

With love,
Ali

A Tattoo Partayy!

I'm doing a tattoo link-up today! Okay, actually tonight because I was busy all day. 

For the link-up I'm supposed to show my tats and talk about them so here goes...

This is the second tattoo I have gotten. Strack is my last name and family is such a huge part of my life so I figured what better way to show that than with my family name? Conveniently there are 6 members in my family and 6 letters in my last name. Each letter represents a different person. The blue letters are for the boys in my family--my dad and 3 brothers. And the 2 pink letters are for my mom and me! So there you have it, my 2nd tattoo. Oh! And since you can't tell, the tattoo is on my hip where my pants go around...if that makes sense. And it didn't hurt. I love it!

My very first tattoo holds a really special meaning in my heart. 

This tattoo was and is for my grandpa. Here's the story. My grandpa was diagnosed with cancer almost 5 years ago now. Unfortunately, he passed away 3 years ago. Before he passed, though, my brother and I knew we wanted to do something special just for him. So we brought our ideas in to the tattoo shop and he drew this little gem up for us. Not before long we had permanently inked our bodies with something that means so much. It is the Chinese symbol for love with a yellow cancer ribbon hugging the symbol. Above that are the words "Love Conquers All." Because, truly, love really does conquer all. After we had gotten our tattoos, we went to my grandparents house where they were having a bonfire with our family. We said, "Grandpa, we have something to show you." So my brother took off his shirt (his is about 3 times the size of mine on his shoulder blade) and I took off my sock and showed him how much he means to us. He was speechless. He really was a very humble guy although very, very quick witted. We were later told that he asked my grandma, "Why would they do that for me?" It's because we love you, Grandpa, and we never stop thinking about you. And this is definitely a great reminder. 

I still plan on getting more tattoos! They are just so addicting. I want something to do with running, maybe copy what I put on my shoes, "Carpe Viam," for "seize the road." I also want something for music because I love to sing. 

I hope to get these in the near future!

Do you have any tattoos? Want any?

With love,

Ali

Hacked

Today I think my Google account and Blogger were hacked.  I was reading blogs on my phone earlier today with no problem. However, I do not use blogger when I'm just reading from my phone--I have all my blogs bookmarked. Anyway...I went on my computer to look at Blogger when all of the sudden a screen came up that said my Google account had been temperarily disabled. I'm like, "WHAT? I don't think I posted anything I shouldn't have..."

So I emailed Google and they emailed me a while later apologizing for the inconvenience and that everything should be up and running again.  About 10 minutes ago I got onto my computer to look at Blogger again. Everything opened just fine but when I was in my dashboard I saw a blog I was following that I had never even seen before. Immediately I changed my password and then went in and stopped following that blog.

Obviously if I wasn't following that blog before, it's because I haven't seen it and probably didn't want to follow it.  So I'm just wondering if that certain blog is the person who hacked my Blogger account just to get more followers?? I'm super confused. I could never see that happening but why in heck would I just be following a blog I've never seen before? Beats me.

Anyway, that's my story of the day. All I did today was lie in bed--no joke. I had a super busy week so all I wanted to do was rest all day. I did make it to the gym and get a couple miles on the treadmill, so I'm not a complete fail.

It's 8:45 and I'm showered and ready for bed! I have to work at 7am...it's going to be rough getting up so I'm putting in a movie and falling asleep. Hopefully by 10. :)

That's all, folks!

With love,
Ali

One and done.

My first week of the second semester of my sophomore year of college is DONE.  I cannot be more elated.  This week dragged on and on and on.

It looked like this:

Monday:
10-11:45 English
1-2:15 Drug Education
3-3:50 Choir
6:15-10 Work

Tuesday
9-10:20 Acting
12-2:50 Art. However, it only went for 10 minutes.
3-3:50 Choir
5-10:30 Work

Wednesday:
10-11:45 English
1-2:15 Drug Education
3-3:50 Choir
6-8:50 Geography

Thursday:
9-10:20 Acting
12-2:50 Art. I'm going to go off on a little rant here. Art for three hours?!?!?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Seriously, this class couldn't have been more awful. No class should be 3 hours when you have it twice a week. I absolutely hate it and know I am going to continue to hate it all through this semester.  And it isn't even like I like art. Because I don't.  I have to take this class for my major. UGHH. End rant.
3-3:50 Choir

However, I am now DONE FOR THE WEEK! All I have left is work on Saturday morning from 7-11. Early morning but only 4 hours! I wish I could go home this week, and I still might, but I'm going home next weekend so I don't know if I should spend the money on gas. Decisions decisions. 4 day weekend here I come!

With love,
Ali

A Look Ahead

Weekend starting now: This weekend...nada. I was supposed to babysit all weekend but now I don't have to anymore! So I might do a lot little lying around, some working out, and some homework. I might make a trip up to the cities for some shopping. Even though I have no money. January 21st/22nd: Wedding reception in my hometown! January 28th/29th: Choir trip to Iowa...let's just say I'm not looking forward to this one. February 2nd-6th: Yes, this is a long weekend BUT....my brother and baby niece are coming home!!! I am so anticipating this weekend. February 11th/12th: Going to Madison, WI for choir. Ugh. When will this choir crap end?? I think that's about as far into the future as I can see. Soooo busy though!! Have some great weekends, friends! With love, Ali

A Wedding on New Years.

For NYE I went to a wedding. I wasn't sure how fun it was going to be, because, quite frankly, when I go to weddings I like to drink...a lot. However, I had signed up to run the Polar Dash 10K New Year's Day. I must admit though, I had a LOT of fun. The other girl I ran with was also at the wedding, so I knew we would be suffering together the next morning! The runners!





My mother and me.





Dad, Mom, and me!


Love her.


Happy New Year! And the next morning...


We did it! With love, Ali

Bye bye 2011.

July July was good. No, scratch that, great. My niece was born!! We took a family trip to Illinois and got to sightsee and watch the Minnesota Twins and meet my niece.


I also enjoyed a fun 4th of July weekend with friends. August In August I moved into my very first apartment and started my sophomore year of college.


September I'm not even sure what I did in September.


Ohhh that's right. I went to a wedding and started seeing this guy whom I met there. September was a doozy. October


I ran the Mankato 10K and did awesome!


I was also Ke$ha for Halloween. November This was one of my favorite months.


I got this buck hunting! I ran the Baxter Turkey Run 5K with my family.


And had an awesome Thanksgiving with everyone home.


December I had my annual MOA trip with my mom, grandma, and aunts. Also, like most, I celebrated Christmas and had a grand ol' time.


I had a super fun New Year's weekend but that's for a later post! Whew I finished! As I said before...2011 had too many ups and downs--more downs. However, with the love of my family and friends, but especially my mom, I made it through. I honestly cannot wait to see what 2012 has in store as I'm sure it can't be worse than 2011. Here's to living up this year as big as I can!! With love, Ali