Empty Outlook

There is nothing more gratifying than an empty outlook inbox. I hope I don't jinx myself for writing this post, but I am so ecstatic! The end of the year wrap up at work has been my busiest time since I've started work and oh boy is it refreshing to cross everything off the to-do list and have an empty inbox.

Now I can finally breathe instead of rushing to get everything done! And I bet I'll get a better night sleep and have a fabulous weekend since I won't have a pile of work waiting for me on Monday morning!

And would you believe it if I told you that I finally saw the sun today? After weeks of grey clouds and rain the sun is finally shining upon Seattle. I'm sure it won't last very long, but its nice nontheless.

To add, I also got a new baby cousin yesterday name who I got the honor of naming Ryan.

Happy Friday everyone!!!

2014 Goals

Bring on the resolutions! I can't help but do this ever year, because making a list of goals always gives me something to strive for.

In 2013 I completed 4 out of 5 goals. The only goal I did not complete was to lose all of my college weight, instead I lost half, which means I have another half to go this year. So this year, that will be my first goal.

My second goal is to perfect my manuscript so that I can begin querying by the second half of the year. And if I scored an agent... well, that would certainly make my year.

My third goal is to save up for international trips next year, and my fourth is to grow within the company I am currently working for.

Cheers to 2014!

My top 13 moments of 2013

Since it's the last day of the year, I wanted to recap on my top 13 moments this year (in no particular order)!

1. Getting my poetry published - It's always a good feeling to have my writing out there, especially in poetry, since my skills in that genre grew tremendously in one year.

2. San Diego Bachelorette - My first time in SD, celebrating with my soon-to-be-bride sister!

3. Finishing college and receiving my degree - A proud accomplishment of course. It's strange to think that college is already over!

4. My first trip to Seattle - It was the first time Michael and I had seen each other this year, after only meeting once in Paris the year before, and now my life has completely changed.

5. Meeting Michael's family - It was a memorable moment and I am glad I get to share in their special days and holidays with them.

6. My sister's wedding - Another sister married, a fun night, and a memorable one for my whole family.

7. Getting a job - My first full-time job, yay!

8. Date Nights - Though it spanned many nights, I had to clump this one together. The best date nights I've ever had: Parachute Concert, Book Bindery, Staples and Fancy, Bottlehouse, The Walrus and the Carpenter, Nishino's, days layingin the park, walking around the city, tv marathons, etc... I could go on and on...

9. Thanksgiving - Spending a week with my family. Priceless. Michael and I's first roadtrip.

10. My Mother's Birthday - Going back home for my mother's birthday and having a whole day of just being with my sisters and my mom is now a rarity. I'll always remember her smile that day.

11. Christmas with the Armfield's - Great company, great wine, great food, and a great Christmas witht the Seattle fam.

12. Spinasse and Beethoven's Ninth - It was such a new and cool experience and the most recent in my memory, that I had to put this down. The music, the food, and a night out on the town with Michael was perfect.

13. New apartment - Because things are starting to feel like home.

Well there it is! What are your top 13 moments?

Wishing you a wonderful new year,
Michelle

Spinasse and Beethoven's Ninth

This is the face of someone who was spoiled yesterday by the handsome Michael.

Where do I begin? Besides first mentioning that I have such an awesome and stellar boyfriend! (Also, please excuse my dark photos, I didn't want to use flash in the restaurant.)

Yesterday was so hectic as we had so many errands to run right before our date night, but I am so glad we went because yesterday was one of my top nights of the year. Michael took me to Cascina Spinasse, a very fine and cozy italian restaurant right next to a bar we both like, Artusi. The setting was very homey and small that it gave an intimate feel. The server we had was also very knowledgeable that she helped us balance the flavors of our food.

At our server's recommendation we started off with a bottle of Nebbiolo. We've been favoring Nebbiolos after we had such a lovely wine at the Book Bindery, and the one we had below did not disappoint.

For our antipasti we had the Prosciutto di Parma. What I really enjoyed about this was the hint of sweetness from the apples that contrasted with the saltiness of the Prosciutto. Then add the bread and it becomes a delicate balance.

Prosciutto di Parma: Pio Tosini prosciutto 14 month aged prosciutto with toasted mustard seeds, fig vinegar, and ambrosia apples.

For our next antipasti at our server's suggestion, we had the Insalata Di Cavolo Rape. This was by far one of the most surprising dishes. It was such a delicate salad that had a bite and crunch from the radish, but a soft and creamy component from the cheese, and then a sweet, salt, and tart flavor from the vinaigrette.

Insalata Di Cavolo Rape: Shaved kohlrabi and radish with anchovy vinaigrette, capers and parmigiano

For the primi we did two pastas. The first was the house special, a beet ravioli with a three blend cheese. This was another dish that surprised me greatly with its balance of flavors. Sweet from the beets, but creamy from the cheese. Both so soft in contrast to the ravioli but beautiful together.

Beet Ravioli with a three blend cheese

Or next pasta was the Tajarin al Ragu, which contrasted the sweetness of the Ravioli, for this pasta was savory and salty in a good way. The handmade noodles were also so fine and thin that it captured the ragu wonderfully.

Tajarin al Ragu: Fine hand cut egg pasta with ragu

For the Secondi, we enjoyed the Stacotto Di Coniglio. The rabbit was so moist, tender, and flavorful on the savory side. It was divine, that's all I can really say about it.

Stracotto Di Coniglio: Stuffed, braised rabbit with roasted baby turnips

Now onto my fave part of any meal, dessert! Chocolate mousse with expresso gelato with wafers. It was so goshdarnamazingithinkiminheaven!

Chocolate mousse, expresso gelato, and wafer.

Afterwards, Michael took me to the Symphony for Beethoven's Ninth. It was a first for me, I had never been to a symphony before and I was in awe while I was there. Just walking in I felt like I was in some victorian or romantic novel. Everyone was so dressed up and just genuinely awed at the music, myself included. Just sitting there and listening, watching music come alive, it was like being transported to the 19th century or having time transcend for this beautiful moment. Even now during the next day, I still feel in awe at what I heard. I am so lucky and fortunate to experience this and I owe it all to him.

Another great date for the books!

Taking our seats in the center!

A picture behind us, look at how many people came. Full house!

Intermission photo.

The Chorus coming on stage right before Beethoven's Ninth!

The wonderful guy who made tonight possible.

A new place right before the new year

Michael and I are officially in our new apartment! He's definitely a trooper for packing in one day and getting us moved despite his lingering illness (though he is getting better day by day!). We even unpacked in one night and we're now in the process of making it feel like home. To celebrate we went out for dinner after the unpacking frenzie!

The ginger cheesecake we had for dessert!

It's crazy how many times I've moved in a year. From my college apartment to back home, then splitting time between my mom and my sister's house, then splitting time between Washington and California, then moving to Washington, and now moving into the new apartment. It's definitely a whirlwind, but I am so looking forward to something stabilizing for a change. And our new apartment is perfect for that!

After unpacking.

I love the floor-to-ceiling windows, I love the location, and I love the space! Good times will be made here :)

Before unpacking.

Lessons after my First Draft

The end of the year has been so busy! This post has been delayed, but finally I am sitting down to write it.

This year I've written two manuscripts, both of which are first drafts. The most important thing about writing the first draft for me was "the act of writing". By that I mean I needed to write on a daily basis or create a large volume of work. My college years were dedicated to small pieces and now that I'm out, I have the time to focus on larger pieces.

To those who want to start out writing something novel length. My advice is to write every day and give yourself a word count per day. Achieve that and you'll get a manuscript done in no time. Remember, to be a writer, you have to be writing.

I may not have tremendous experience in novels, but I hope that in sharing my experience with my work, that you'll feel encouraged to try it for yourself.

So here are a few things I've learned along the way:

1. Your first draft will not be the only draft.
2. Don't wait for the words to come, instead just fill it up with what comes to mind.
3. Don't worry too much about mechanics or misspelled words, that fine tuning of work will come later.
4. I know it's tempting, but don't go back and keep rereading, you need to progress forwards not backwards.
5. Write out of order or sequence, just write something.
6. Read encouraging blogs, or start your own to keep you motivated.
7. Read books that are in the genre you're writing in.
8. Read books about writing.
9. Talk about your story to trusted others.
10. Set a timeline.

To break it down in lengthier bits:

1. Your first draft will not be the only draft. Let's face it. No one's first draft is perfect. So roam free and wild in your writing. In the first draft you get to be really creative, explore your characters, the scenes, and get to know the world you're creating. The "real" writing is in the revision and subsequent drafts because once you get the first draft done the shape of your story takes shape and each revision makes the story/shape clearer and sharper with more direction.

2. Don't wait for the words to come, instead just fill it up with what comes to mind. If you're waiting for that stroke of genius to come to you or the inspiration to write, then be prepared to wait forever for your novel to be done. Write when things are good. Write when things are bad. Don't know what word choice to use? Skip it and put a placer. You can always go back and revise it. Can't get a particular scene down? Make a note with brackets on what will go there during your revision right smack in the manuscript. Remember, the first draft is for you. No one has to read it. [Put all the brackets you want] and then continue with the story.

3. Don't worry too much about mechanics or misspelled words, that fine tuning of work will come later. If you're like me and you cringe at every grammar error, all I can say is I feel your pain, but it is okay to look past it for now. Just keep going with your story. Don't let the grammar hangups pull you out of your rhythm. During your final stages, you'll get the chance to clean up those errors line by line.

4. I know it's tempting, but don't go back and keep rereading, you need to progress forwards not backwards. If you want to change something in the story midway, just make the change there and continue on. You can go back on your revision and change it easily. Characters name, color of their hair, subplot, and whatever, change it later.

5. Write out of order or sequence, just write something. You want to write another scene instead of the current one you're working on? Then go for it, it may even spark some ideas for the scenes inbetween.

6. Read encouraging blogs, or start your own to keep you motivated. Hopefully my blog can do that for you, but please do read blogs from your fave authors and read about their experiences. You can always learn from someone else's experience and it motivates you to keep going.

7. Read books that are in the genre you're writing in. It'll remind you why you're writing in that genre and why you love it even when you have a bad writing day.

8. Read books about writing. Seriously, it keeps you motivated, you learn, and it makes you think about your own writing and writing style.

9. Talk about your story to trusted others. When you talk about it, you give it life. It makes you excited about it. It makes you want to write about it. It forces you to explore your story more when someone who doesn't know about your story world asks questions, giving you a different view point.

10. Set a timeline, because a goal without a deadline is nothing but a dream. I didn't make my deadline, but I still finished. It gave me a direction and something to aim for, making me more accountable for my work. I suggest the same. For my second manuscript it took me about two months. So go at your pace, set your own deadlines whether it be pages, word counts, or whichever.

Happy writing everyone! I hope this post was somewhat encouraging and helpful :)

Hoping you had a wonderful Christmas!

Our first Christmas together.

Christmas came and went!

This was my first year away from home for the Holidays. It was kind of surreal and felt strange not to see my family. I missed them so much. Thankfully, I have a great Seattle family that kept me in good spirits and made it such a memorable holiday.

Blaire "trying" to wrap.

Now the end of the year is coming to a close. In one day Michael and I are moving into our new apartment (yay!). The symphony is this weekend (which will be a new experience for me). And I've wrapped up my draft earlier this week and am in the process of doing a read-through (a blog post on the manuscript to follow!)

:)