Do you ever go through phases?  What I mean is I tend to get really excited about something and dive into it and then my interest will lessen for a time and I’ll be hyper-focused on something else. I still always like whatever it might be but my focus can slightly change from time to time.

For example, since the beginning of the year I’ve been really into movies. Part of it may be my recent interest in videography and I’ve always liked movies but lately I’ve just found them so fascinating.  There are so many aspects of the art of film that can be analyzed and discussed and even a bad movie can be interesting to think about.

I hope you haven’t gotten bored with my movie posts of late because I’ve had a blast writing them.  I’ve said from the beginning that these are my silly thoughts about life and that can include movies, books, whatever phase I am in.  I love writing about it!

Books!

For those of you who are not into movies you may be glad to hear that I think I’m about to enter a reading phase.  This is partly due to the fact that I swear I’ve told like 5 people that I will read a book for them or with them.

Currently I’m listening to the book by frequent commenter of this blog Christine Plouvier, Irish Firebrands, and am greatly enjoying it.  http://irishfirebrands.wordpress.com/ . I was asked to be a beta-listener for her audiobook and at first the voice took a while to get used to but now I really like it.  It’s a sexy and romantic story about a Mormon woman who’s kids are grown up and feeling brave moves to Ireland and meets a lonely widower.

I’m also reading a book about Margaret Thatcher with my Mom. It was my present to my mother for her birthday.  Not just the book but that the 2 of us would read it together and discuss.  That’s the relationship we have.  When My Mom and I talk about politics we are saying I love you. (How many people can say that about their parents?).  Really just intelligently discussing anything has always been the best part of our relationship.

I also have the book for book club Adventures of Sherlock Holmes which have been a blast to read again.  I’m really looking forward to club meeting and our discussion.  My sister and I are reading Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim together and that should be great.

And yesterday I got the rewards from a kickstarter campaign I did last fall.  It was for a clean romance novel set called Ripple Effect Romance and they are written by mostly local authors and all are women with pretty decent writing resumes.

Even if they are silly I still think I will enjoy reading them. It’s so hard to find clean romance novels but in an age of the death of the romantic comedy I’m missing my cheesy romance! You can order the first one Home Matters on Amazon.  More about the authors can be seen- https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/968976456/ripple-effect-romance-series-six-romance-novellas

And there are others.  Like I said I have a lot of books I’ve been putting off and need to get with it!  Luckily a book phases is coming and I’m enjoying it just as much as the film phase.

Do you guys ever go through phases like this?  I guess I’m just a hyper-focused person.

Smiles

Presently I have also felt happier than I have in a long time.  It’s strange because there is a lot of uncertainty in my life, but I don’t really care (a big step for me).  I can’t really get into it but just trust me- there’s uncertainty and potential excitement and disappointment.  Fingers crossed for excitement!  (cryptic enough for you).

There are a lot of reasons I’ve been smiling lately.  One is how much fun I’m having shooting, editing, and learning about videos/youtube.  I’m happiest when I’m learning new things and have new projects. The response has even been exciting.  I have a video with almost 3,000 views!!  It’s just fun.

I’ve also had great times with friends- getting to spend 3 nights this week with different groupings of them (Sunday, Thursday, Friday).  I have the best friends.

The weather has been stunning.  Perfect and the air has been clear for once.  The mountains gorgeous.  How can you not smile when you see this out your door?

I think another reason I am smiling is I finally feel 100% better.  I was so sick at Christmas and it took me 2 months to feel completely better.  I can breathe freely.  It’s just a good feeling to feel strong and energetic again.

Also, I have finally found a swim coach and have been in the water more in the last 2 weeks than I was in the last 3 months!! I am remembering how happy it makes me.  In fact, I made this video I was so happy after my Thursday swim.

I think it took a while for me to get the bad taste out of my mouth after the Slam the Dam treatment and disappointment.  That was very discouraging. Swimming is supposed to be fun.  It’s not supposed to make me feel bad about myself and my swim times.

When I got in the water the last few weeks I remembered how happy it made me and I feel a renewed desire to train, get ready for GSL.  I had actually been debating about even entering this year because it has been so difficult for me in the past but somehow I turned the corner and am really excited.  Like I said, you can’t wipe the grin from my face after the pool.

Oh and I also went to an amazing play on Thursday- Big River at Hale Theater Orem.  So great!  Here’s a review of the show on Deseret News.  Had a great time with my parents.  My Dad and sister are going to Germany for a month and it is going to be fun hearing about their adventure.

So, life is good.  Some phases.  A lot of fun and a lot of smiles.  Thanks to all of you for reading no matter the phase. I love you all (for real). Thank you so much!