Mission Accomplished?

 (images 1, 2, 3, 4)

Well, as of Wednesday, Fall has officially arrived.  With only one more Fall Fashion installment to post, hopefully you all feel adequately prepared for autumn.  Summer seems to have flown by, and I haven't checked my summer to-do list in quite awhile.  Let's see how I did, shall we?
1.  Take the GMAT (yes)
2.  Move apartments (yes)
3.  Attend the Alameda Flea Market (yes)
4.  Attend a Free Concert in Stern Grove (no)
5.  Go to the Oregon District (no)
6.  Eat at Bakesale Betty (no)
7.  Impressionist Exhibit at the De Young (yes)

Slightly over 50%...not great, but I have plans to go to the Oregon District in October, and Bakesale Betty is open year round, so there is hope for me yet!

And for my reading list:
1.  Finish 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' series (yes, yes, yes)- Each book is better than the last.  I was so sad when I finished.
2. The Help (yes)- I finished this last weekend and am still thinking about the characters.  I'm counting down until the movie is released. 
3.  My Horizontal Life (yes)- As hilarious as you think it will be.
4. The Alchemist (no)
5.  Little Bee (no)

Also read...
1.  Chief Culture Officer -An interesting commentary on the newest addition to the "C-suite."  The author argues that the CCO (Chief Culture Officer) is a new necessity to all companies who want to stay fresh and current.  
2.  Delivering Happiness -The CEO of Zappos explains what it means to have profits, passion, and purpose in this very candid book about what it takes to start a company.

Next on my reading list:
1.  Let My People Go Surfing
2.  Room
3.  Tinkers
4.  The Hunger Games
5.  The Alchemist and Little Bee

Did any of you make a summer to do list?  How did it turn out?  Any books you care to recommend for my fall reading list?

Summer Lists

How is it already July 16th?  With the GMAT completed and my move quickly approaching, I feel like summer is slipping away from me!  I am in definite need of creating a summer to-do list so I get a few fun things done this summer!  Here is what is currently on my Summer to-do list (and yes, I am going to put things on my list that I have already accomplished so I feel good about myself, don't judge me).

1.  Take the GMAT (done.)

2.  Move apartments

3.  Attend the Alameda Flea Market

4.  Attend a free concert in Stern Grove

5.  Go to the Oregon District the next time I am in Ohio

6. Eat at Bakesale Betty

7.  Impressionist Exhibit at the deYoung

A summer to-do list would not be complete without summer reads!  Here is what I am hoping to read this summer...

1.  Finish 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' series (book #1 = done. book #2 = 200 pages deep)
2. The Help
3.  My Horizontal Life (half way done...hilarious so far!)
4. The Alchemist
5.  Little Bee

Caitlin at Sacramento St. has a blogger reading list as well.  Check out her wonderful list for additional reads.

Happy Friday!  Any exciting plans for the weekend?

never let me go

One of my favorite books of all time is becoming a movie!  Never Let Me Go is a beautifully tragic story about self discovery, love, and society.  While Japanese-born British author Kazuo Ishiguro's novel is often classified as science fiction because of its futuristic undertones, it is appealing to all readers because of the deep emotional connection Ishiguro has to his characters.  I highly suggest reading this book, but be wary of reading a synopsis beforehand, since the magic of the story unfolds as you read it. 


The film, staring Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan (from An Education), is set to come out this fall (10/1/2010).  See the trailer below:

Libraries are my favorite

Now that I am enjoying the pleasures of post-graduate life, such as NO HOMEWORK, I get to read for fun. I can get through a book in a pretty short amount of time, which is not easy on the pocketbook if I plan on buying every book that I read.

Solution? The Library

(picture from Trinity College...isn't it spectacular?)

Going to the bibiloteca was my absolute favorite when I was a wee lass, and now I am pleased to say I am a regular at the local library in Berkeley.  

Here is what I am currently reading:

(for all of you entrepreneurs and creative people)

&

(I might be the last person on earth to read this, but oh well...it's definitely a wonderful story so far)

Next on my list:

&

Any suggestions for new reads?