Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying the story. I found old friends in new circumstances and discover new friends in somewhat old circumstances. Now there were a few "what the?" moments--Voldemort had a child? What? WHAT!--and some cheesy moments (Hermione and Ron, in almost every scene). But overall, so much fun to go back to that magical world and let the world come alive again. Albus and Scorpius. So good. Developing the adult characters. Lovely. It was nice to escape for a little bit. Maybe not the strongest storyline, but I definitely want to see it on stage.

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Review: The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite

The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite by David A. Kessler
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Got bored and couldn't finished. Not engaging enough for me. Maybe I'll take a stab at another day, but not likely.

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Review: The Lantern Bearers

The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary Sutcliff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. When I started reading it, it didn't really catch my attention, but by the end I couldn't put it down. The unexpected attachment I felt for the main character impacted far more than I had realized when I began to cry at the end. Rosemary Sutcliff had cleverly crafted such a tale that I couldn't help but feel some emotional attachment--and what a great emotional triumph for Aquila. If you like reading well-research historical fiction about Britain during its Roman era, this book is perfect for you. It was written in the 1950s, so the vocabulary may seem a bit old-fashioned at first, but it all works perfectly by the end.

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Review: Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School

Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fascinating look at the brain and how it works. Most of the "rules" are pretty much common sense type of things, but I loved how the author applied it to school and work situations. The pratical application is the value of this book.

Here are some of my favorite rules and what I learned from them:

Rule #1: Exercise boosts brain power.
Not only is exercise beneficial for muscles and endurance, it also helps out with the brain. Even thirty minutes of exercise each day will get your brain going, helping you to remember things better and increasing overall brain health. If you're not exercising, start now!

Rule #3: Every brain is wired differently.
Even though all of us have a brain, the way your brain works is slightly different than the way my brain works. Never assume that just because you may understand something in a certain way that other people understand it in the exact same way. Everyone's brain is working with the body that it has.

Rule #4: We don't pay attention to boring things.
This is especially useful to know if you're teaching a class or doing a presentation. The best way to do it is to break up the information and every 15 minutes or so, recap or tie the information into a story, a joke, or something else that people will remember. After 15 minutes or so of information, people stop paying attention. The brain needs some time to absorb the information and a break from continuous information coming at it.

Rule #7: Sleep well, think well.
Getting a good amount of sleep is great for your brain, not because it's resting, per se, but because it allows the brain to do it's thing—taking all the information that it acquired during the day and analyzing and putting the info away so the brain can access it later. If you're cheating on your sleep, you're cheating on your brain health.

Rule #8: Stressed brains don't learn the same way.
If you're stressed out, your brain will be stressed out too. The information it acquires will be gathered and used in the "stressed out" mode, either for good or bad. Living under stressful conditions will cause the brain to adapt to those conditions, but even when the stressful conditions are no longer there, the brain will continue to act as if those conditions do exist. Fascinating chapter.

Rule #11: Male and female brains are different.
I read this and went "No duh!" This chapter turned out to be really interesting. All brains deal with emotions, but how the brain processes emotions depends on nature, nurture, and gender. Male and female brains respond differently to acute stress—women will remember the emotional details whereas men get the gist, the overall picture.

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Review: The Martian

The Martian by Andy Weir
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was really interesting to listen to. And for the longest time I couldn't figure out if this book was a tragedy or triumphant survival story because it could have gone either way. If you've seen the movie, then you already know the outcome. The book delves deeper into the math and science of pretty much everything, making it seem realistic. There's also a bit of a humor in it and is well-paced.

Warning: the f-word is used a lot along with other swear words. One reason why I only gave it 3 stars.

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Review: The Christmas Sweater

The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pretty good book with sweet message. Really got me thinking in some parts, but cheesy in other parts. Overall I liked it, but felt that it got preachy in some places.

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Day 16: #90DaysChoosingHealthy

It's been sixteen days and things are going pretty good. I find that I have a lot more energy. I was practically bouncing off the walls at the gym tonight. One of my weaknesses, though, is portion control. And another weakness: eating late at night—well, eating after nine, really. So, the next ten days, that's what I'll be working on.... just in time for Thanksgiving! Anyway, portion control and no eating after nine p.m. With these two on my team, the 90 days of choosing healthy will be a success!

Like Stockton to Malone, I got this! 

In other news, the Christmas season has started. No, I haven't forgotten Thanksgiving. But I do enjoy a good Christmas tree lighting. Here's one from Traverse Mountain Outlet.

Speaking of Christmas, you still have plenty of time to pick up my calendar and Christmas booklet! Perfect gifts for all in your family.

http://smile.amazon.com/dp/1462117406

http://smile.amazon.com/dp/1462117066

Review: The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this in under a week and absolutely loved it. I even found myself making excuses to listen to it (rather than just listening as I ran). Very well done audible edition. Of course, I am sucker when it comes to listening to British accents, so take that into account.

The story itself is quite clever and I found myself wishing for a sequel at the end of the book. When a cemetery full of ghosts adopt a living baby boy, hilarity and adventure can only ensue. The characters were delightful, the story filled with mystery and danger, and the setting swept my imagination away. Although the book tidied up pretty neatly at the end, I felt there were still a few loose ends that could lead to another book. I found myself wanting to know more about Silas and whatever happened Bod. When I'm thinking about characters after finishing a book, I know it's a good book to recommend to my friends.

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Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars. I really, really liked this book. It reminded me a bit of Terry Pratchet, but definitely had its own style. Funny in some parts, serious in others, I loved how the story weaved together as a young boy becomes entangled in bits of magic and fantasy without meaning too. Neil Gaiman narrated this book and he did an excellent job. Would recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy, especially the kind from Britain.

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#90DaysChoosingHealthy

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, I've been on a health kick for the last few years. Well, that health kick has turned into a meaningful lifestyle change, so I'm doing something a little crazy for this holiday season—ninety days of something, that is. I'm doing a ninety-day challenge. From November 1 to February 4 I am choosing not to eat processed sugar or flour.

The Reason
I've a hit a plateau in my weight-loss journey, and I'm been stuck around 185 pounds for the last couple of months. So I've decided to do something about it.

This has been a familiar number the last couple of months.
I've been bouncing between 181-185.

Introducing #90DaysChoosingHealthy! (It's the cool thing to do these days to include a hashtag, right?)  I don't really like the word diet, but how do you say that you're making adjustments to your food lifestyle without making it sound creepy or weird? I haven't figured that out yet, but that's what I'm doing: making changes to what I eat and how much I eat. It's been a slow process for me. I've lost eighty pounds in the last five years. It's something that's in constant motion. I know that I'll make mistakes, and that's okay. As long as I can get up and keeping pushing forward, that's what matters.

The past couple of months have been stressful, and I needed some motivation. This idea got me excited. I find it a lot easier to say, "I'm choosing to be healthy" rather than "I can't eat that." I like how this sounds: "I'm choosing to eat veggies because I want to." Or this: "I'm choosing to eat healthy because it makes me feel good."

The Deets
For ninety days (starting today), I'll be choosing to eat more veggies, protein, fruits, and legumes, and avoiding processed sugars and flours (in essence, treats, candy, delicious baked goods). I'm aiming for a more low-carb diet, meaning I'm not going to load up on pastas or white breads. Every day I'll choose healthy over sugar cravings, better food over instant gratification processed-food from a plastic package.

The exceptions are the holidays: Thanksgiving Day and the day after (because leftover pie for breakfast—I am definitely choosing that); Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; New Year's Eve; and Martin Luther Day. On those days I'm going to enjoy food, family, and fun.

Oh, and I haven't forgotten about exercise. That's in there too.

My goal is to be 165 pounds by Jan. 30, 2016

The Reward
Isn't losing the weight reward enough? Sure. But going to California to visit my sister and Disneyland is even better. Happy February birthday to me. :)

How You Can Help
It's the holidays and one way to show love to others is by giving away delicious baked goods. I really appreciate those baked goods (oh, how I do!), but here's a confession: I'm a sugar addict. Once I start, I cannot stop. My self-control leaps out a window leaving my sugar-addicted taste buds completely in charge! And they do not make the best choices for the body. No, they do not. It's hard to say no to those awesome-looking cupcakes that are in bakeries throughout Utah County (I'm looking at you, Sweet Tooth Fairy Gourmet Bake Shop). But I'm going to do it.

I love notes! 

So instead of baked goodies, I have a couple of suggestion. Write me instead. Send me a card, a letter, an email, a FB message—anything really. I love hearing from my friends and family and I promise to send something back. Or, if you're close by, spend some time with me. Let's go for a walk (wait, snow will be flying soon... do you like to snowshoe?). Or let's meet up and have homemade soup. I'm open to suggestions. :) If you don't have my address, let me know and I'll send it to you. A third option is Amazon gift cards... won't say no that!

I appreciate your help with this journey I'm undertaking. I know great things can (and will) happen. And I love you all. Here's to choosing healthy every day!

Happy holidays!

Melissa J. Caldwell
aka Simply Melly Jean


P.S. Follow me on Twitter or Instagram to see my journey. Yep, I'm doing one of those "pics a day" things too. Haha! Wish me luck!
P.P.S. Feel free to join me. Adapt it to your own needs and let's go on the journey together.

Twitter: @caldwelleditor
Instagram: editorcaldwell

Review: Get Motivated!: Overcome Any Obstacle, Achieve Any Goal, and Accelerate Your Success with Motivational DNA

Get Motivated!: Overcome Any Obstacle, Achieve Any Goal, and Accelerate Your Success with Motivational DNA by Tamara Lowe
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

2.5 stars. I wanted a bit more from this book than what I got. So a few years ago my mom and I attended one of her presentations, and it was pretty motivating which is why I bought the book. But the book doesn't have nearly as much information as I wanted. It does have some interesting parts, but not nearly enough on how to apply it to life. It took me a long time to finish this book because I got bored with it.

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Review: The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure by William Goldman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lots of laughs and great fun, but I found it too satirical for my taste. Still liked it, although I think the movie is better.

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PHOTO: Stewart Falls 2014—A Bittersweet Story

Fall is my second favorite season of the year. (Can you guess my favorite season? That's right! Summer!) The bright color of fall leaves, the cooler temperatures, and the random rainstorms—fall has just about everything that shows how life is always in motion, changing and fluctuating every day.

One of my favorite fall hikes is Stewart Falls, located near Sundance in Provo Canyon along the way to Alpine Loop. It's a fairly easy hike that meanders its way to a stunning waterfall. Along the way, hikers get fantastic views of mountains, meadows, fields, flowers, and a variety of trees. I highly recommend this hike!

This photo is bittersweet for me. I love how it turned out but the experience of getting it was emotional. So here's a short story and some lessons I learned.

One day last fall, some friends invited a bunch of people to go hiking. About 10–12 people showed up and we hopped into three or four different cars to go. At least two cars got lost along the way to the trail's parking lot, which meant panicked calls and text messages to phones with no service. By the time everyone got there, we were an hour behind schedule, and my anxiety was skyrocketing.

The trail was also packed with a ton of people. By the time we go to the falls, there were so many people already there that it was impossible to take a good landscape photo of the falls. So I pointed the camera the other way and started taking different shots. I liked this one the best because it shows the beauty of the area of the water heading toward the valley. It was a pretty sweet moment for me. 

On the way back, however, my high level of anxiety quickly turned into frustration toward my friends. We were behind schedule and I was hungry and thirsty and had other things to do (because I tend to overschedule myself on the weekends. Anxiety issues—haha!).  I felt that a couple of my friends were so focused on flirting with each other that they were rejecting and ignoring me and my needs, no matter how hard I tried to be a part of the group. It wasn't a good mixture of feelings, and it eventually got to the point that I needed to escape. My feelings escalated to anger and I hustled my way down the trail to get some distance, to be away from everyone. It was a devastating blow to my ego as I allowed my emotions to rule my head. The day had become bitter mostly due to my ineffective responses to the anxiety I was feeling. 

I can laugh at the experience now and mark it as one of those experiences to grow from, but at the time I felt a lot of shame, rejection, and hurt. And the memory of taking this photograph will always have a bitter aftertaste—not necessarily bad but also not the greatest either.
 


The two lessons I learned from this experience: changing your perspective may give you a more interesting shot; and you can't stop people from being people, but you can decide how you will react to them. I did not react well, but I did eventually learn from it. And because of that, I hope that I'm a better person now than I was a year ago. If anything, I'm way more aware when I'm feeling anxious and have ways to stop that anxiety from getting out of control.

Funny how one photo can dredge up so many feelings and memories, huh? Ah, life. :)

What's in a Name?

Naming things has never been a strong suit of mine. When I was little, I often called my stuffed animals with simple, descriptive names: Mr. Black Bear (a black bear), Brownie (another bear that was brown), Mayor Seal (a stuffed seal who was the mayor of my stuffed animals), and so on. The same goes for my photos. I often name them "Timp 1," "Timp 2," and so on.

I know. I'm sooooooo creative.

When it came time to choose a name for my calendar, I honestly didn't know what to call it. So I did my usual thing when coming up with ideas: I brainstormed. I wrote down a bunch of things that I thought would be okay, narrowed the list down, and then sent my ideas to the production manager so she could see what upper management liked. (A pretty good system, I think. I may apply it someday when I have children. Bless my poor (future) husband's heart! haha!)

"God's Wonder" was the winner.

Have you ever looked at something you created and thought, "Did I really make this? It's beautiful (or amazing or pretty)"? I know I did when I first started doing HDR photography. It thrilled me to see how something that started out looking pretty unoriginal could turn into something so pretty. A few times I sat back and said, "Wow! Did I really just create that?" Those moments of awe—those moments of wonder—filled me completely, and I wanted to create more. These moments inspire me and help me to feel happy.

And maybe that's how I thought up this particular title. I feel that nature is God's way of showing His love for us. He takes something that can be unoriginal and plain and turns it into something that is wonderful to behold. He sees the potential there. Perhaps He sees all of His creations (including us) in this same way. We can all become part of that moment of awe, that moment of wonder. We can all feel God's wonder.


"God's Wonder" is available on amazon.com and booksandthings.com. Check it out!
http://booksandthings.com/God-s-Wonder-2016-HDR-Photo-Wall-Calendar.html

Review: The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less

The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5—Really interesting book! I wish, though, that it had an updated version. I would love to see new data and updated information from the last decade. The author gives plenty of data that having more choices actually causes people to be less happy. We all think we want ultimate freedom to do whatever we want and to have unlimited choices in order to get what we want truly want. But in reality, the more choices we have, the more time it takes to go through all the option, the better chances that we'll have regret for choosing what we did, and more likely that we'll compare what we do have to those to the things that other people have. In the end, we are unsatisfied with everything. On the other hand, the author argues, if we were able to satisfied with "good enough," we would be happier. It also helps to have boundaries, such as rules and laws, and relationships with others, such as family and friends, that we would also be happier. Some really interesting ideas in here that can be applied to work, family life, dating, and other situations.

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Review: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organising

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organising by Marie Kondo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very interesting book! I definitely want to try her system. I really liked the overall concept of keeping the stuff you really love and throwing out the things you don't. Simplify your life and you'll be happier.

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Review: The House at Pooh Corner

The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great classic. I love the writing and the illustrations, and all the loveable characters. I didn't realize that Eeyore was that sarcastic; he has some great lines. And, of course, the Silly Ol' Bear has wisdom beyond his years.

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Review: What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures

What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a lot of fun to read. Gladwell's writing is so interesting because he places you in the middle of two stories, and then asks you to see how the they are connected. I found most of this work fascinating and relevant today, even though some of the articles are over 20 years old. If you like Gladwell's other books, you'll love this collection.

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Review: Same Kind of Different as Me

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I would give this 4.5 stars. I really loved this book. The more I think about it, the more I keep learning from their story. Denver Moore was homeless. He had lived in ignorance and learned that to survive in life, he had to be tough and mean and disconnected. Ron Hall started out humbly enough but stumbled into the world of wealth, and was quite happy to be there. But his wife led him and their family in a different direction, a direction that taught Ron about compassion and trust. This truly is an amazing story filled with happy and painful moments. A couple of quotes I loved:

"The Word says God don't give us credit for lovin the folks we want to love anyway. No, He gives us credit for loving the unlovable. The perfect love of God don't come with no conditions.”—Denver Moore

"Our limitation is God's opportunity. When you get all the way to the end of your rope and there ain't nothin you can do, that's when God takes over.”
― Denver Moore

“Ever man should have the courage to stand up and face the enemy,' I said, 'cause ever person that looks like a enemy on the outside ain't necessarily one on the inside. We all has more in common that we think. You stood up with courage and faced me when I was dangerous, and it changed my life. You loved me for who I was on the inside, the person God meant for me to be, the one that had just gotten lost for a while on some ugly roads in life.” —Denver Moore



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Exciting News!

I've done many things in my life: ran two half-marathons, hiked to the Ink Pots in Banff Canada, served an eighteen-month mission for the Church, graduated from college, went on several road trips, and entered my photography in an art show. And now I can add to that list being a published author.

Yes, indeedy! I wrote a Christmas story and it's being published by Cedar Fort Publishing. And it will be available this October! Below is the cover.

Isn't it great? The designer did such a wonderful job. Well, more details to come later. Happy Sunday!