Let’s start at the very beginning

It’s a very good place to start!

Can you believe we are already a week into the New Year?!? Oh my, where does the time go?!?!

Good thing I’m on my way with my celebration!

I finished my first book of the year!

The Mortal Instruments: City of Fallen Angels
By: Cassandra Clare

Have any of you read this series? If so, I’m curious about your thoughts and reviews. I saw the movie City of Bones (which is the first book of this series) and decided to try out the books. This is book 4 of 6. I’m already reading book 5 (review to come) and the final installment is set to release in May 2014.

The story line revolves around Clary Fray and Jace Lightwood. It reminds me an awful lot of the Harry Potter series mixed with Twilight.

Jace and Clary have to win the battle between good and evil to save the world from demons (remind anyone else of Voldemort or The Volturi?). There are 3 mortal instruments which give power to the person in possession (deathly hallows anyone?). Jace, the hero of the book, has 2 best friend- a boy and a girl- who are also on the quest to protect the world. (Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Wesley) Clary would do anything (including bringing Jace back from the dead) in order for them to be together because she just can’t live without him. Plus she can’t do anything for herself and risks her life stupidly over and over. (Bella Swam, maybe?) Jace loves Clary so fiercely but is in agony and can’t “love” her because of things beyond his control. He is also crazy protective and treats Bella, I mean Clary like a small child. (Edward Cullen, perhaps?)

Enough of my rant of the similarities-

My thoughts- this series receives a very mediocre review from me. Maybe a 2 ½ star out of 5. Maybe. The writing is fair and the story is fun. I’ve read the books one after the other and am tired of it. If you spread them out, I think you would enjoy the books more. Now I am invested though so I will be reading all 6 books. I also bought them on my kindle so if you would like to borrow them, I’m more than happy to lend. If you go into this series realizing it is a total rip off and not expecting much more than a young adult otherworld adventure, you will love it.

1 book down, only 29 more to go! (2 of them will be the last 2 in this series. Review for book 5 will probably be next week.)

Since I want to complete 30 random acts of kindness this year, I’ve been much more aware of people around me. It is crazy to me what you see when you are actually looking! I was able to do 2 acts I am going to count towards my goal (more than just holding the door for someone or some of my usual volunteer work). It was so rewarding. In fact, one act this week I walked right past the gentleman because I was in a hurry. I literally stopped myself, turned around and went back to help. It took my maybe an extra 2 minutes and lifted my spirit exponentially. I’ve already got my eyes peeled for more opportunities. I’m so hopeful to be able to exceed my goal.

*As a side note on this goal, I've decided I am not going to write my kindness on this blog since it feels a little egotistical. I hope all of you look beyond yourselves though and serve someone around you!

The last thing I have already accomplished is to FINALLY sign up for scuba lessons! I’ve had a gift certificate since May 2010 and have just postponed actually signing up and doing it. Yesterday I decided it was ridiculous to be wasting time and making excuses so I signed up and start classes this weekend. In 2 weeks’ time, I will officially be scuba certified!

How are you all doing on your 2014 goals? Are you still moving and shaking to complete them? Have you done any random acts of kindness?

Much love to you all and here’s to our best year ever!

~Stef