The bay at midnight by Diane Chamberlain

Her family's cottage on the New Jersey shore was a place of freedom and innocence for Julie Bauer—until her seventeen-year-old sister, Isabel, was murdered.

It's been more than forty years since that August night, but Julie's memories of her sister's death still shape her world. Now someone from her past is raising questions about what really happened that night. About Julie's own complicity. About a devastating secret her mother kept from them all. About the person who went to prison for Izzy's murder—and the person who didn't.

Faced with questions and armed with few answers, Julie must gather the courage to revisit her past and untangle the complex emotions that led to one unspeakable act of violence on the bay at midnight.


This is my favourite Diane Chamberlain book so far. The characters are really believable and very strong. Their emotions are very real too. The mystery of the story will leave you frantically turning pages until the very end and for me the ending was unexpected but very fitting. A highly recommended book overall.

Studying law externally

For today's Talk About Tuesday I thought I'd talk about how I study law and challenge myself academically and where I'd like to take my studies in the future. I study law externally (at home)and am pretty much able to study whenever I can. In a way I like this flexibility and its good in terms of allowing me to rest etc and take care of my health.

The downside of external study for me is staying on track with everything and staying motivated. I really need to be more organised and have better study habits but I have no idea how to do it. Any tips? More Talk About Tuesday can be found here.

A letter to Sophie

Most Australians know Sophie Delezio but for those that don't I'll give you a quick recap. In 2003 on December 15th a car crashed into the childcare centre Sophie was at. She and another little girl (Molly Wood) were badly burned when the care caught fire. A letter to Sophie details Sophie's amazing journey and recovery from not only this accident but also a second accident Sophie was involved in (She was hit by a car at age 5).

Many people tell me I am courageous and I inspire them. I encourage everyone to read a letter to Sophie- in doing so you'll see what true courage is.

Sunday Grains of Gratitude........

This weeks list:

1.I am grateful that I wasn't badly hurt in my fall on Friday and that I am almost 100% recovered today.
2. For a good day at ten pin bowling with my highest score this year of 165.
3.For friends that understand even when I let them down.
4. For new & exciting opportunities that I will have in the coming week (including my first airplane trip).
5. For a productive homework day today.

What are you grateful for this week?

Another quote I like

Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to the end, requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Special olympics

A few years ago at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.
All, that is, except one boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. They all turned around and went back. Every one of them.
One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better."
All nine linked arms and walked across the finish line together.
Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing:
What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves.
What truly matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.

Ps. Thanks for the prayers. I am doing okay today.

Prayer request

I write to you tonight asking for prayers. I am not doing well
physically and had a bad fall last night. I am bruised and hurting
all over from it. My pain is 8/10 right now. I am also very shaky
and dealing with some other physical and emotional issues that I
can't discuss here. Really need to find a counselor or something. I
have tons of homework to do but am struggling to be well enough.

The Obstacle...

The Obstacle in Our Path In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the big stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many others never understand. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one's condition.

Thought for the day

Thought for the night:

"No matter what looms ahead, if you can eat today, enjoy the sunlight today, mix good cheer with friends today, enjoy it and bless God for it. Do not look back on happiness -- or dream of it in the future. You are only sure of today; do not let yourself be cheated out of it."

Author Unknown

Smart Habits

I have become a fan of The Lazy Organiser in recent weeks. She created what she called SMART HABITS and I thought it was a really neat idea so I have decided i am going to do it. Here is a list of what I want to work on for now.
1. Study at least 2 hours each day
2. Keep my email inbox manageable
3. Get into a routine re sleep, study etc.

By posting about these goals here I become accountable to my blog readers and will hopefully achieve them.