Found Not Lost

Book Title: CHOSEN BY DESIRE
Author: Kate Perry
Category: FICTION
Publish Date: 10/1/2009
ISBN: 9780446541015
Pages: 368

Summary:
It’s down to the wire and Carrie Woods is leaving China without the proof she needs for her thesis: Wei Lin’s journal. While on a final tour of the monastery, Carrie finally locates the scrolls and attempts to photograph the documents. Caught in a sticky situation, Carrie takes the scrolls, only to notice a mysterious monk watching her–the same monk that she’s seen each time she’s taken a tour. Unable to return the scrolls, she travels back to California and isn’t too thrilled when she notices the monk at the airport.

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Book Title: The Smart One and the Pretty One
Author: Claire Zebnic website
Category: FICTION
Publish Date: 9/10/2008
ISBN: 9780446582063
Pages: 304

SUMMARY:
“This sparkling novel about two sisters is both witty and stylish. Even if you don’t have a sister of your own, you won’t be able to resist LaZebnik’s charming take on modern relationships. Read it!”
- Holly Peterson, bestselling author of The Manny

When Ava Nickerson was a child, her mother jokingly betrothed her to a friend’s son, and the contract the parents made has stayed safely buried for years. Now that still-single Ava is closing in on thirty, no one even remembers she was once “engaged” to the Markowitz boy. But when their mother is diagnosed with cancer, Ava’s prodigal little sister Lauren comes home to Los Angeles where she stumbles across the decades-old document.

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My 12 year old daughter got on of these mini laptops for Christmas. Before you go thinking that I give generous Christmas gifts like this, think again. She used the Christmas money she received from family plus some that she saved up from her birthday in October and got her very own Acer mini laptop after investigating several laptop deals available.

She’s had it a couple of months now and she is perfectly happy with it. It does everything she wants it to do plus some. She’s also very protective of it. She hasn’t let any of us touch it!

Here are some features of the Acer Mini laptop:
# Intel Atom processor N270 - 1.60 GHz, 533 MHz FSB, 512 KB L2 cache
# 8.9? WSVGA high-brightness Acer CrystalBrite TFT LCD - Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
# 1024MB DDR 533MHz Dual Channel Memory - Use multiple applications without a decrease in performance
# 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive - Store large video files, music, photos, documents and more on this expansive drive

Additional Features
# Windows XP Home
# Acer Crystal Eye Webcam 3-cell Li-ion (2200 mAh) Battery
# 3 - USB 2.0 Ports AC Power Adapter
# Multi-in-1 Card Reader AC Power Cord
# Acer InviLink 802.11b/g Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Modem Cable
# 3-cell Li-ion (2200 mAh) Battery
# 2.19 lbs. 995 g (system unit only)

I read this book a few months ago and since I have been on an unplanned break of sorts, I am just getting around to posting some reviews. My sister’s birthday just passed and while brainstorming for possible gifts for her, I immediately thought of this book given her nature to support causes for children.

You’ll see by reading the summary for this book that it is a story within a story, within a story. I loved how the different stories were masterfully woven in this novel. I couldn’t put the book down, almost holding my breath to see what would happen next. I felt outraged at the atrocities, but there were also many touching moments that brought tears to my eyes. Books that elicit emotions are rare and this once certainly accomplishes that with characters that are sympathetic and very easy to relate to. John Shors is a master at painting pictures with words. I felt like I was right there in the middle of Ho Chi Minh City with it’s smells, noise and activity. This story was well crafted by a master story teller.

Book Title: Dragon House
Author: John Shors
Format: Paperback, 384 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade (September 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0451227859
ISBN-13: 978-0451227850
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A new year always brings about resolutions. Did you set one? Have you broken it yet?

Yes, sadly, most of us break our New Year’s resolution before the month ends. Another interesting fact, most of the resolutions usually involve improving one’s health like dieting more or exercising more or, in light of the present economy, maybe focusing more on job search or enhancing our career skills.

This year, I opted for improving my health by eating better and exercising more. I decided not to jinx myself by not announcing it though. LOL! Anyway, if you are looking to improve your eating habits (notice how I didn’t say the four letter word D-I-E-T) on book that may give you a new perspective and less stressful process, check out The One Day Way by Chantel Hobbs.

Book: The One-Day Way
Author: Chantel Hobbs
Category: Health & Fitness - Diets; Health & Fitness - Exercise
Format: Hardcover, 224 pages
ISBN: 978-0-307-45878-0 (0-307-45878-4)
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I have a high school senior and she has been in the midst of searching for schools and universities that offer the course she wants. She has looked at both traditional schools and online universities. There are a lot more choices out there for college bound students today than during my time.

One such online university is Western Governors University (WGU) which is a fully accredited online university offering bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. WGU is a non-profit online university which offers affordable tuition fees compared to other online universities. For instance, you can earn a bachelors degree online for only $2,890 per six-month term. The great thing about taking courses online, especially for adults who are re-training or simply enhancing their skills with a master’s degree, is that you can work the schedule to fit yours instead of being confined to their schedule. This is especially important for working adults.

WGU is an exclusively online university which means that they don’t maintain the overhead cost of maintaining a physical location. This is one reason why they can offer their courses at such affordable rates.

If you are looking for an online university to earn either a bachelor’s or master’s degree, visit the WGU website for more details.