I’ve been thinking about getting back into reading. I used to read a lot, but I’ve stopped for a while. I want to read books that I could gain something from; not to read only for pure entertainment, but also to learn something. So I went on Barnes and Noble’s web site and looked up best selling self-improvement books. Self-improvement books are good books to read to learn about life and what is essential in our life. Everyone needs to self-improve because no one is perfect.

I’m thinking of purchasing The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch later after work. It’s about a computer science professor, who is actually Randy Pausch himself, was asked to give a lecture that’s about what matters to them most. He didn’t think it would be his last lecture because he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The title of his lecture is “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” It’s about the importance of “overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment…it was about living” (taken from synopsis).

I think the other book I’d like to read, though I heard bits and pieces of it is the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This book is about a shepherd boy who journeys to find worldly treasures. During his journey he encounters the Alchemist. The stories of the treasure that the boy finds teaches us “about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path, and, above all, following our dreams” (taken from synopsis). Thanks to dearest Leizel, I get to borrow it from her.

I actually can’t wait to start reading again. Thank God I have a big bag so I could put a reading book and my quote book in it. I’d just have to take out all the other crap I have in there.

Anyways, ciao for now.

“When you start to feel stress coming on, immediately try relaxing the muscles and fill your mind with thoughts of peace, tranquility, confidence, strength, happiness. Repeat these and other calming words to yourself now and again. Take notice of, and enjoy your surroundings all through the day. Look at, listen to, smell the limitless variety of things natural everywhere.”

I found this quote from this self-improvement book called 32 Keys: A Collection of Ideas by Ken McIssac (sold online only at LuLu Marketplace). It includes quotes and ideas about life, worry, stress, values, the future, happiness, etc. I haven’t read it yet, only skimmed it. I want to download it. Sounds interesting. I have a few of the quotes from his book that I wrote down in my little journal that I carry with me where I write my thoughts in, mostly quotes that I hear or see that strikes my interest. It’s not like a secret diary; nothing like that. For my benefit but not only. It’s for other’s to read as well and to benefit from it, get inspired, to cheer them up, or has some positive influence on them.

So you’ll be seeing quotes here and there that pretty much relevant to what I’m going to rant about.

So anyways, I put this quote here because I’m starting to feel overwhelmed with schoolwork since the fall semester will be ending in 3 weeks. There’s so much stuff to get done. I have about 2 tests and 2 papers before finals. Then I have Christmas to worry about (one expensive Christmas, but it’s worth it). Another thing, my Sweetie bought a new sweater last Saturday I believe. the following day, Sunday, my ice tea spilled on it. Ice tea stains and his sweater is dry clean only. I brought it to the local dry cleaners and they aren’t 100% sure it’ll come out. I feel so bad . He said not to worry about it, but still..