Weekly Recap: December 1-7, 2013

I've noticed that many bloggers do a recap at the end of each week and since I actually love reading those posts, I thought I'd start doing it as well!

First week of December, you guys! This makes me SUPER happy because December is my absolute favourite month! I'm so pumped for Christmas, New Year's Eve and my birthday (coming up in a week or so)! School is also starting to wind down which is great because finally, I get some time to relax and chill.

This week, I had my third week of classes in the second rotation of my Design Tech course. It's basically a Photoshop course and it's actually really fun! I'm so clueless when it comes to Photoshop but there are a few kids in my class who are amazing at it so that helps a lot. I've actually made some pretty cool things and I can't wait to show you guys! 

I also had my first Girl Guides meeting this week and I'M SO EXCITED. The girls are all so sweet and there are so many activities planned and I'm just really, really excited! Since I arrived three months late, I'm definitely behind on getting my requirements for the Canada Cord (the ultimate badge for a Pathfinder, which is the unit I'm in) which makes me sad but I'm going to try and compensate for all the weeks I've missed. How cool would it be to get a Canada Cord? Next week, I have a trip to Brickworks for Girl Guides and I'm going to be doing some community service which I'm really excited about! I love volunteering and Brickworks is a beautiful place so that's definitely something to look to next week!

1. Doodle Jump. I'm so new at this game but I'm loving it! The ninja theme is my favourite. So much fun! 

2. Subway Surf. This week marked the discovery of two amazing phone games. I have yet to download Subway Surf on my phone but bet on it because I absolutely love this game!

3. Brookside Dark Chocolate Fruit Crunch. It's my favourite after school snack lately. I love the combination of the dark chocolate, rice crisps, and the fruit gems. So delicious! 

I shared my blogging manifesto with you guys.

And some of my favourite Starbucks drinks!

I also reviewed Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake.

None this week!

Since I've just come back, tell me what I've missed! Any great posts you think I HAVE to see? Share in the comments! 

Weekly Recap: November 17-23, 2013

I've noticed that many bloggers do a recap at the end of each week and since I actually love reading those posts, I thought I'd start doing it as well!

So I'm back with a Weekly Recap! Yay! 

To be honest, I wasn't sure if I wanted to return to doing one this week but there were so many things I wanted to say that I felt if I didn't make a Weekly Recap to say it, I would explode.

The first thing I want to say is that I'm sorry for not being around. I know I kind of touched upon this in my post a couple days ago about how I don't really have time for blogging any more. Because I didn't have a solid idea of what I would achieve by writing the post - other than getting my feelings out - I can bet it was probably pretty confusing so now I'm going to try to clear things up. 

I loved blogging. That's for sure. And I think I still do love to blog, otherwise I would have been gone ages ago. But I can feel, deep in me, that I'm starting to like it less. It's exhausting and sometimes, incredibly aggravating. There are just so many things I need to do and look after and honestly, I don't want more things to add to my gigantic To Do list. I feel like if I had more spare time, I would blog because the pressure for me to churn out something is less. But on the other hand, I also have to ask myself whether this is just life taking its course. Maybe this is a sign that this blog will eventually have to end. I know right now that I'm not ready to end this journey but that's really all I'm sure of at this point. I can't tell you with conviction that I'll still be blogging next year or even in December! 

But since I like to live in the present, I know that I'm going to try to do my best in maintaining this blog right now. I'm pretty busy with school and so it's hard for me to put out a lot of posts but you can expect at least two to three a week. I'm also going to try to comment some more on blogs because there are SO many people I have to get back to and spend more time replying to the comments I get here! I know the replies have been pretty bare-bones so I'm going to try not to dash off responses and really take the time to form solid, thoughtful comments in exchange for all the great ones you leave!

So that's basically it in blogging news and now, for real-life news! The biggest thing that happened this week was my deciding to join the Girl Guides. I've always been a fan of their chocolate mint cookies so I'm pretty excited to have the opportunity to become a Guide! I'm a little scared because it's going to be unlike anything I've ever done before and because it's probably going to suck even more time out of blogging. But I am still really excited! 

This week also marked the finishing of all my Halloween chocolate and the passing of 2 500 000 on Temple Run 2. Clearly, it was a productive week.

1. The Doctor Who Google Doodle Game. It's such a cool idea and so much fun even though I can't get past level 5. Anyone have tips? 

2. Burt's Bees Lip Balm. I've owned this chapstick for a while now but am only starting to appreciate its usefulness now that winter is coming. It has a nice minty taste and sensation while moisturising my lips quite well. 

3. Julep Zelda nail polish. I'm obsessed with nail polish and wanted to try something different so I picked up Zelda. It's this nice pinkish beige metallic that goes on pretty sheer but builds up to be a gorgeous color perfect for the holidays!

4. Let Her Go by Passenger. There were SO many great songs I listened to this week that it was hard to pick just one to showcase but guys, I just cannot get this song out of my head! When I first listened to it, I hated it but now I can't stop smiling like a buffoon whenever it comes on! 

I reviewed Bunheads this week which I really liked! Check out my review here. 

After seeing The Book Thief movie this week, I just HAD to share my experience with you guys.

I brought back Bookish Radar this week and listed four great books I want to read.

It's the semi-finals of the Book Shimmy awards so go vote to see your books in the finals! 

Chiara wonders whether being a reader means you're a writer.

Asti's showing off some gorgeous international versions of The Book Thief!

Betty asks if self-published works scare you.

Epic Reads put my feelings about the stages of waiting for a new book perfectly into gifs.

Doctor Who is really hard to explain as anyone who has tried to do so will know but Rinn does a wonderful job! Makes me want to watch it now!

It's important questions time! Anything exciting happen to you this week? Did you discover any cool beauty products? Or any cool songs? Tell me!

Weekly Recap: November 3-9, 2013

I've noticed that many bloggers do a recap at the end of each week and since I actually love reading those posts, I thought I'd start doing it as well!

I find I complain quite a bit here about how exhausting my life is and while I've already made a vow to shut up about it, I have to say that this week went pretty well for me! It was relaxing and I really needed days when it was okay for me to just go home and kick up my feet without having to have my mind spin ten thousand kilometres an hour.

The highlight of this week was my art class. We started doing some Life Drawing again which was really fun, albeit a tad awkward. Our teacher gave us a heads up before the class that a male model was going to come in and my heart kind of stopped. How awkward is it to have a guy stand in front of you while you draw? And the answer to that is very awkward. He was only half naked which was great because I was sitting at the front and imagine if he was fully unclothed - I think I would have screamed. But the thing is, after a while, I really got into my mojo and started to draw without thinking about the model. And I was really proud of my final product! I kind of screwed up the feet and the hands - both of which I was never really good at drawing - but the proportions and other lines were all right so I'm happy! I might even be looking forward to continue drawing next class... (please don't take that as meaning I'm a pervert.)

1. Photoshop. I get to try it out for my Media Arts class and I'm really excited! The layout is a bit like Pixlr's but much more sophisticated and complex which scares me but excites me all at once. 

2. Pho. It's something both me and my parents love and I had it for lunch today. It was SO yummy! 

3. Sunny days. This week was still gloomy, still rainy, still sucky.

4. Just So You Know by Jesse McCartney. I've been really into pop lately to boost up my mood and energy and this week, I brought back my old obsession and now I know why I stopped listening to him. I HAVE LITERALLY DONE NOTHING ELSE THIS WEEK BUT LISTEN TO THIS GUY SING. IT'S NOT HEALTHY.

Looking for some fun short stories with a good message? Read Seven Deadlies: A Cautionary Tale! 

Finally, the Harry Potter Survey Pt. 2 is up! Check it to see what spells books have casted on ME.

I confessed I needed help using GIFs and you guys offered some great tips! Thank you all again! 

Sandra talks about what it means to be well read.

Jasmine starts a fun new feature to get to know bloggers better called Asking the Blogosphere!

Chiara asks whether or not you share your blog outside of the computer.

Gillian has made me laugh and nod in agreement once again with her list of YA books to throw at the face of a YA Doubter.

Going to a book signing? Literary Etc. has some great tips!

Not bookish news but Alexa talks about the Ed Sheeran concert she attended and I'm a bit jelly.

I Swim For Oceans is summing up some of the cover trends of 2013!

Cyborgs are taking over Another Novel Read! 

Nominations are now open for the Book Shimmy awards! GO GO GO!

Alice-Jane shares the bookish things that annoy her. 

It's important questions time! Did you encounter any awkward situation this week, only to find out it wasn't so awkward? Do you share my love for Jesse McCartney? Anything interesting you've found this week? I'm all ears!

Weekly Recap: October 27-November 2, 2013

I've noticed that many bloggers do a recap at the end of each week and since I actually love reading those posts, I thought I'd start doing it as well!

I'm starting to run out of ways to start this portion... But basically, this week was REALLY frantic because it's the last week for any assignment we do to count towards our first report card which goes home on the fourteenth. Everyone's averages was posted and thank GOODNESS, I'm doing well in all of my classes. 

Now that THAT'S over, I can finally relax and catch up on New Girl and Once Upon A Time - both of which I haven't watched in a long time.

1. Pinhole cameras. I finally got my prints done and while my test was so much better, it's over! 

2. Chocolate bars. I didn't go trick or treating this year but I bought a box of chocolate to celebrate and I can't stop eating them. This is not good...

3. Hazelnut macchiatos. I've probably earned the title of Starbucks-a-holic by now but everything in that store is too good to resist! Especially the hazelnut macchiatos. Mmm.

4. Sunny days. After so much rain this week, I'm definitely wishing for the sun to come back out.

5. Stay The Night by Zedd ft. Hayley Williams. This song really brightened my mood this week.

My second Novel Report post! Check out what I'm reading this week!

I reviewed The Rule of Thirds by Chantel Guertin which was so adorable!

My Writers Unite! Introduction also went up this week and I was so happy to see so many people participating in NaNo as well! Go writers!

And finally, a post celebrating Halloween. It's not too late to give a looksy!

Epic Reads introduce the Book Shimmy awards. I'm SO EXCITED.

The Perpetual Page Turner shares ten Halloween costumes inspired by books. Maybe save this for next year?

Lesley writes a letter to the unread books on her shelves. I'm sorry too, my darlings.

How do you survive an apocalypse? Gillian has all the answers.

Nikki writes a gorgeous review for The Book Thief and explains, better than I ever could, why I love this book so much.

All you NaNo participants: here are some tips from Susan Dennard to help you get through the 30 days!

Stormy shares pictures of where she reads.

Eve at PaperGrey discusses the three types of feelings when you finish a series. 

The Book Smugglers make a list of SO MANY GREAT books to read for Halloween.

And finally, I was featured in an interview at Read Books and Live Green! Cal is so nice and friendly so I HIGHLY suggest you hop over and give her a blog a visit!

Now, it's time for you to sound off! What went on in your week? What music did you listen to? Any interesting posts you want to share? Really, go ahead and talk about anything you want!

Weekly Recap: October 20-26, 2013

I've noticed that many bloggers do a recap at the end of each week and since I actually love reading those posts, I thought I'd start doing it as well!

I was wishing for a more relaxed week but honestly, this week was JUST as exhausting. Every year, our school organizes 'United Way Week' which is basically one week of fundraising for the charity, United Way. Each class organizes 'class projects' or what they're going to be selling to raise money and throughout the week, during the morning and lunch, the projects will go up. It ranges from food to bracelets to candy - literally ANYTHING you think you can sell. One popular project are the Saxograms which is when the saxophone players get paid to go around the school and surprise people with a thirty second performance of a song previously picked by the person who sent it. I actually received one of I Knew You Were Trouble and I have to admit that while it was cool, I really prefer to NOT be the one at the end of it. 

Besides the class projects, there were also events that the United Way Committee organized to raise extra money. On Monday, we had the Admin Olympics where for a toonie, you can either choose to play Just Dance with a teacher or throw a shaving cream pie at our principal and vice-principal. Tuesday was the talent show which I did go to! There were some great singers who took the stage and dancers. Wednesday was Minute to Win It which if you don't know, was a game show in which contestants must complete a task under 60 seconds. I did not go to that so I can't tell you how it was but I bet it was pretty fun too! There were prizes for the winners as well. Thursday was Faculty Follies which is, by far, the most popular event all week. It's when the teachers come together to prepare special acts for the students and they were all SO good. The first act was a video put together by the Moderns Language department and it was a parody of an episode of Community. And even though I don't watch Community, it was pretty funny. Next was a performance by a Math teacher. He sang two songs and was amazing! After that was a performance by the Science department of The Fox (What Does The Fox Say?) which was hilarious. The teachers dressed up in animal costumes and just seemed to have a really great time. My science teacher was a cow which was pretty funny. And finally, Friday was the Great Race when the associations of my school get together to participate in one fun race. By Friday, I was extremely tired so I decided not to go. Well, there's always next year!

In regards to my blogging, well, there wasn't much of that this week. I had so much more planned but they slipped away from me. I have a full schedule next week and while I still have TONS of planning left, I'm going to try and get my material out! 

Also, I sent a tweet out the other day about how I didn't have something planned for Halloween but wanted to. I have NO ideas so if you do and are happy to share, I would love to hear them!

1. Pinhole cameras. This week, I discovered that my camera actually works! Woohoo! I've taken some great tests but still have yet to get my print but I am getting there. Slowly.

2. Candy Crush Saga. Yup, still loving it! I'm on level 57 now!

3. Sweet potato fries. I've been eating these non-stop this week. They're so good!

4. Slow Down by Selena Gomez. I didn't have much time to listen to music this week but after hearing this on the radio on Sunday it's been stuck in my head! 

My first review of the week: Paper Towns by John Green where I explain why John Green's work doesn't appeal to me.

I did the first half of The Harry Potter Survey created by Jasmine. Expect Part Two sometime this next week!

My second review of the week: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson where I explain why I liked this book so much.

Reem shares tips on how to stop procrastinating in regards to NaNoWriMo.

Christina explains why she loves the Queen's Thief series. I might have to get back into it now!

Sandra wonders if she can still be objective when reading a book by a favourite author.

Asti compiles this HILARIOUS list of ten unusual names.

Melissa compares Bloglovin' and Feedly. It might help you decide which one to go with! 

Reem is back with a list of characters you should NOT dress up as for Halloween.

Another Christina shares her experiences with blogging and what she has learned.

How was your week? What book are you loving right now? Any posts you would like to share? Anything you want to see on The Runaway Reader in the upcoming weeks? Share in the comments!

Weekly Recap: October 13-19, 2013

I've noticed that many bloggers do a recap at the end of each week and since I actually love reading those posts, I thought I'd start doing it as well!

While last week was a little more relaxed and fun, this week was SO stressful. I had two major tests in Geography and Math that made me want to pull my hair out and a confusing lesson on reflexive verbs in French. I have a test on it next week and I have NO idea how I'm going to pass. And unfortunately, I also have a Science test next week which makes me want to cry. WHY ARE THERE SO MANY TESTS?

On top of that, I also lost a bajillion things this week. I eventually ended up finding them but oh, if you only knew! I nearly lost my agenda (that had twenty bucks in it) until my teacher found it and gave it to me. I nearly lost my mascara (which matters more to me than you'd think) and my science notebook. I nearly lost my gym uniform and...wait for it...my cellphone. 

But on the bright side, my aunt returned from Africa this week! Her trip sounded really wonderful and the souvenirs she brought back were very cool! There was an ostrich shell bracelet which was absolutely gorgeous. 

I also joined my school's Quidditch and Harry Potter Club which I have to say, I'm pretty darn excited about. 

So yeah, overall, this week wasn't great but I have hopes for next week even though I do have two tests I'm not too confident about. Next week is United Way Week at my school which is an annual week-long fundraising stint at my school. There are super fun activities EVERYWHERE and the best part is that the money all goes to a great cause. Yay!

1. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson. It's so good! And dear lord, Henry. Oh my god, Henry.

2. English class. It seems to be the only course I'm enjoying lately. 

3. Peaches. I can't stop eating them! They're really refreshing after a long day of school.

4. Temple by Kings of Leon. This was literally the only thing this week that could bring my spirits up. 

I ended up posting much more than I had planned for the first week The Runaway Reader was really in motion.

I introduced my feature 'The Novel Report' where I round up all the books I've been reading! Please note that this will be a bi-weekly feature. I think I forgot to mention that...

My first review also went up this week! Check out what I had to say about 13 Little Blue Envelopes!

In acknowledgement of my Liebster awards, I made a post and nominated some GREAT bloggers.

I also made my return to Top Ten Tuesday with 6 Books I Was Forced to Read.

And finally, I made a list of four books that I want to read.

Jasmine creates a wonderful bookish Harry Potter survey. Expect one from myself going up this week!

Nara discusses first lines and created a fun little quiz!

Asti shares her tour of the Harry Potter studio. This makes me want to go so bad!

How was your week? What book are you loving right now? Any posts you would like to share? Anything you want to see on The Runaway Reader in the upcoming weeks? Share in the comments!

Weekly Recap: October 6-12, 2013

I've noticed that many bloggers do a recap at the end of each week and since I actually love reading those posts, I thought I'd start doing it as well!

This week was super busy for me! As you know, I decided to desert Random Reads and opt for a newer, shinier, more ME blog and while it's been a ton of work starting all over, it's been really fun as well! I'm incredibly proud of what I have accomplished and excited for what's to come!

Outside of blogging, nothing super interesting happened. I had a geography trip in which I walked for three hours straight (I'm not joking) while learning nothing. It was a bummer, to say the least but there were some really pretty sights and if my phone weren't dead (like it is every day), I would have taken some pictures to show you! But unfortunately, you'll just have to take my word for it.

The highlight of this week is definitely the Thanksgiving long weekend. In case you didn't know, Thanksgiving is about a month earlier in Canada and our lovely education system gives us two days of fun relaxation with our families. Though it won't be relaxation as much as it is 'homework catch-up'. Oh well.

1. Sales at American Eagle. It is right beside Urban Outfitters as my favourite store so sales are always welcome. Especially when they bring me cute tops and skirts.

2. Salted caramel mochas at Starbucks. My friend and my science teacher judge me for drinking quasi-coffee, mocha but frankly, I don't give a crap. They're missing out on some serious delish!

3. Song of the Week cards at Starbucks. I love discovering new music and these cute cards, while very easily lost, bring me free music by artists I love!

4. Candy Crush Saga. I didn't get it at first but now? Now I get it. Just check my tweets for this past week and you'll understand how addicted I am. I'm on level 28 and I can't get pass! Help!

5. Tennis Court by Lorde. I have no words for this. Just go listen to the song, will you?

I didn't have time to post this week except for that one note about how I had moved from Random Reads. Not really interesting but if you missed it, here you go.

Charlotte shares some more secrets of a blogger in Part 2 of her series, Life of a Blogger.

Meg and I are totally in sync with what you should and should not have on your sidebar!

Jasmine talks about juggling school and blogging.

Thoughts and Pens' Charlotte explains what reading frenzy is and how it has affected her.

Also, Gillian is amazing and has sorted some great YA heroines into Harry Potter houses.

Have you done anything interesting this week? Or found any new music you love? Do you have any posts you enjoyed this week? Share them in the comments!