This is insanity folks. Last night Megan and I were huddled in front of the fire watching Walk The Line when we got treated to the most insane thunderstorm I’ve ever experienced. Thunder that shook the house, lightening that lit up the night, and buckets and buckets of hail. This is what we found when we thought to pull back the curtains and look outside…

Insanity.

Then I awoke this morning, looked out my bedroom window, and found everything covered with snow…


Now the weatherpeople have informed me that this is technically hail or sleet, not snow, but I don’t care. Looks like snow to me…



The whole neighborhood was out bright and early, playing, taking pictures, staring around in awe. And it is truly AWESOME. Click on the pictures to see the full-size versions. The tiny pics really don’t do it justice.

Meg and I are about to head out to look for more pretty stuff, so don’t be surprised if you find more pictures here tomorrow. 🙂 Freakin’ snow in Santa Cruz…

Wow, I’m in a really great place right now. My creative juices are flowing and I am writing, writing, writing. And it’s good! My characters (some of whom I am meeting for the first time), are really starting to develop in my head, and the dialogue is flowing. Everyone’s respective backstory is starting to reveal itself. I even have compassion for Angela, something I never thought I’d feel. I am having so much fun writing this book, it is practically writing itself.

It’s easier this time around, because I learned so much in writing the first book. Armed with my handy outline, I’m plowing forward at a pace that amazes me. It was totally wishful thinking when I set that goal to write WHEN LOVE in the next six months. But now I’m feeling like maybe that’s not so ridiculous…

Whoa, I am writing my second book. There were times when I didn’t think I’d finish the first one, and now I’m 10 chapters into the second one? I’m sorry, but that seriously blows my mind.

I’ve been a reader and lover of books all my life. I thank my grandmother for that. She was a teacher back in the Philippines, and since she pretty much raised us, she instilled in me a love of reading and learning at a very young age. I have no doubt that being an avid reader has greatly contributed to my skill as a writer, and overall intelligence.

Before I started to think of myself as a writer or author, I was a consumer of books. I have my favorite authors, and I’d like to think I know good writing when I see it. Since I started writing my own novels, it has been a challenge to find a balance between reading and writing; I mean, there are only so many free hour in a day. But I make it a point to buy books and read books to 1) support fellow authors 2) research the markets 3) study my contemporaries and 4) improve my own writing.

Having finished Edwardo’s NEVA HAFTA, I’ve picked up the next book in my “To Be Read” pile. This book, (which shall remain nameless since I don’t feel it’s classy to bash other authors in public) was published by a big name publisher, received several positive reviews, and made several Bestsellers Lists. It’s in my genre. And four chapters in, all I can think about is — MY BOOK IS SO MUCH BETTER!!!

Seriously, if this chick can get a book deal, I know I can. This is the second book I’ve read recently where I felt the writing was weak (if not altogether riddled with terrible grammar), and the plot lagged. On every page I want to reach for my red pen and alter sentence structure (really, do their editors even read these things???). It’s amazing to me the amount of Crap that gets published.

So even though I feel like I’ve wasted hours of my life reading this terrible piece of cleverly-marketed garbage, I am uplifted and encouraged knowing that I CAN make it in this business. I know the difference between good writing and bad writing, and while I don’t claim to be the next Alice Walker, I do feel confident that I’m leagues above some of the other authors out there making a living as writers. I’m gonna make this happen.

On that note, I’m proud to report that I cranked out two more chapters this weekend. I’m still trying to finish WHEN LOVE ISN’T ENOUGH before I leave for my trip this summer, and things are lookin’ good. 🙂 Get ‘Er Done!

Heads up people, we’ve got a bumpy month ahead. Not only will Mercury be Retrograde for most of the month, but we have TWO Eclipses in March as well. Expect the Unexpected! Slow your Roll! And most of all, Don’t Forget to Breathe.

Astrology is a very precise science. It studies cycles by observing the movements of planets and their relationships to each other. Evidence of astrological teachings have been found in civilizations that date back to 3000 B.C., and the modern version of astrological interpretation (the zodiac as we know it) emerged in 180 A.D. A system of thought would not have endured over centuries if it was completely baseless. As “out there” as it may seem to some, astrology is a valid tool to understanding our world.

I began studying astrology about five years ago, and I’ve seen it in practice. I’ve tested the theories. I apply it to my life. When done properly, it can quite illuminating. I find it funny how many of my friends actively seek me out for astrological consultations, lol, like I’m an expert or something. As I’m always saying, “I’m not an astrologer, I just have all the right sites bookmarked.” Well now I have this blog as a way to share what I know with you guys. And maybe we can all make it through the astrological storms a little easier.

First, I highly recommend everyone read their monthly horoscopes at AstologyZone.com. Susan Miller is the bomb and her stuff always resonates with me. Be sure to read for your Sun Sign and Rising Sign too. (If you don’t know your rising sign, leave a comment/email me and I’ll help you figure it out.)

Second, Mercury is Retrograde all month. Mercury retrograde tends to cause malfunctions and miscommunications of epic proportions. All things that fall under Mercury’s rule (communication, transportation, travel, technology/electronics) start to short-circuit and break down. Computers crash, cars break down, we lose things, we have terrible arguments with our loved ones — feel free to blame it all on Mercury Retrograde. Don’t make any major decisions or purchase while Mercury is Retro — when it goes direct, chances are you will second-guess your decision. They say the amount of time Mercury spends in retrograde motion corresponds to the amount of time human beings spend asleep. Mercury Retro FORCES us to slow down, even though we’re socialized to “go go go, faster faster.” The best use of a retrograde period is to sync up with the energies… Draw inward, engage in introspection. This is not the time to barrel forward with new initiations, but rather to Review, Reflect, Refine, Reorganize, Reevaluate, etc. In general, anything with a “re” at the beginning of it is a suitable Retrograde activity.

On top of this, we have two Eclipses this month — a lunar Eclipse in Virgo on March 14th and a Solar Eclipse on March 29 in Aries. Aries and Virgo will feel it most, but everyone is touched by an Eclipse, either directly or indirectly. Eclipses bring unexpected events and force confrontations – the goal being to “unstick” you if you are stuck or stagnating. The harder you’re clinging to an inappropriate pattern/person/activity, the more powerful the Eclipses punch to get you moving on to a better place. That is the one thing to keep in mind during an Eclipse, no matter how painful or unexpected your Eclipse news, its purpose is to move you on to a better place. The Universe may be smacking you upside the head kinda hard, but it is a blessing in disguise.

I can’t go into depth here (I could go on and on about all this!), but if you want more detailed info on how to deal with Mercury Retro and Eclipses, informative articles are linked in the text above. Do your best to roll with the punches, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride…