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Spring means Hope | Weekly Snapshot

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Hello you guys! I seem to have forgotten how to blog with everything going on around here. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Hope you all are coping okay?

Last week Things finally got to some semblance of a routine this week and I've been finally feeling better and in charge of my emotional faculties. I've taken over one of the upstairs bedrooms and set it up as my office-cum-homeschool room. In other words, the room is a big mess, but both my daughter and I are able to navigate the room fine as everything in the room has a meaning in our own brains. We're both very organized that way. I've been using a sit-stand desk for my work laptop and I'm a little glad that I got to try this system finally. When I'm not working, I'm helping the girl with her letters, numbers, or fun activities. Trust me, this is difficult but we worked through the system this week, and think we have it under control. My father-in-law watches my son during the day as the little ma…
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Birthday and a Giveaway!

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It's my birthday today!

And that's a Harry Potter cake you are seeing - Harry on a broom with a snitch in his hand. I was giddy with excitement when my friends got me this cake. I had always fancied cutting one - it was the ultimate must-do for me. I would buy my own HP cake, but then there's no fun in that. Surprise and friends/family are totally essential to spice up the experience!

So, I had an amazing party last night and also rescued the Harry Potter souvenir and the two towers on the cake - so they now rest on my bookshelf with the rest of my bookish treasures.

I don't have any specific plans for the day, but to read, blog and buy books to treat myself (I had been putting off buying any book for some time just so that I can buy some today - guilt-free). So while I choose what books to treat myself to, I'd like to have you join in on my birthday celebs as well - by throwing a giveaway. (Well, I'm feeling good about myself today for many reasons, so a giveaway was just in order.) Moreover, I've been in the blogging kingdom for six months now.

(Updated: Thanks to all who entered. The contest has ended)

So I'm giving away the chance to buy some book(s) of your choice worth US $15, to one lucky winner, from Book Depository. To enter this giveaway:
  1. You must be a follower of my blog (Google Friend Connect / Email / RSS).
  2. You must be over 13 years old.
  3. This giveaway is international, so long as The Book Depository ships free to your country.
  4. Contest Ends at 11.59 pm US Eastern time on July 9, 2010 and the winner will be drawn on July 10, 2010.
  5. The winner, who will be chosen by random.org, will have 72 hours to respond to my email before another winner is chosen.
  6. You need to fill out the form below to enter.


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Comments

Katy said…
Happy birthday! :) Sounds like you'll be having a lovely day!
July 3, 2010 at 1:58 AM
Chachic said…
Happy Birthday! :) That Harry Potter cake is awesome. I bought a lot of books for myself as well when I turned 25 last March. Yay for bookish gifts!
July 3, 2010 at 4:48 AM
Aleksandra said…
Happy Birthday!!! Harry Potter cake :) Have a great time :)
July 3, 2010 at 5:07 AM
(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said…
Congrats Aths, but you did make me feel bad when I saw the 25!!!! My children are older than you :(

Have a special day and thanks for the giveaway.
July 3, 2010 at 8:04 AM
bermudaonion said…
Happy Birthday! My child is younger than you, but you're still a baby in my eyes! Your cake is lovely!
July 3, 2010 at 8:37 AM
StephTheBookworm said…
Happy birthday! I am so happy to have met you this year through blogging. I hope you have an awesome day. It's my mom's birthday too today. :D
July 3, 2010 at 8:48 AM
Introverted Jen said…
Happy, happy birthday, Aths! Eat an extra slice of HP cake for me! ;-) Thanks for the giveaway!
July 3, 2010 at 9:46 AM
Marce said…
Singing Happy Birthday to YOU, enjoy celebrating you. A great 6 months of blogging Aths.
July 3, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Lisa said…
Happy birthday! I have an award for you at my blog.
July 3, 2010 at 11:54 AM
My Cozy Book Nook said…
Happy, Happy Birthday!

I look forward to seeing what kind of bookish treats you purchased today :)
July 3, 2010 at 1:35 PM
Cat said…
Happy Birthday, Aths - I hope you had a wonderful day. :-)
July 3, 2010 at 4:07 PM
Helen's Book Blog said…
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Aths, Happy Birthday to you! Sounds like you're having the right kind of celebration: family, friends, cake and books (oh, and Harry Potter!). Enjoy! And be sure to let us know what books you bought
July 3, 2010 at 5:18 PM
A Bookish Way of Life said…
Happy Happy Birthday, Aths!! Sounds like you are having a fantastic birthday - YAY! I loved your HP cake - how awesome was that? I remember that my BFF in college would always get me fun bday cakes like - I got "A Bug's Life" one and kept the bugs on the cake (so, like you, I would have definitely kept the HP bits, too!). Enjoy buying your books and don't forget to share with us what titles you purchased :) Cheers!!
July 3, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Ash said…
Happy birthday! I am so jealous of your cake, I want to reach in the television and pull out a piece. Next birthday I'm requesting a Harry Potter cake.
July 3, 2010 at 7:46 PM
christa @ mental foodie said…
Happy b'day!! What a generous offer :) The cake looks yummy!
July 3, 2010 at 8:34 PM
J.G. said…
Cool cake! Hope your day was happy, happy!
July 3, 2010 at 11:36 PM
Anonymous said…
Happy belated birthday!

I LOVE your cake! :) Hope you had a special day!
July 4, 2010 at 9:43 AM
erisian said…
happy b-day!

aren't we supposed to be giving you gifts? not the other way around?
July 4, 2010 at 1:13 PM
Roseann's Musings said…
A very Happy Belated Birthday to you!!! Very cool cake!
July 4, 2010 at 3:51 PM
Emidy @ Une Parole said…
Happy Birthday! That cake is so, so amazing. Now you've got me craving a piece!
July 4, 2010 at 10:50 PM
Athira said…
Thank you so much for the wishes, everyone! They really made my day!

Steph, that's so exciting that it was your mom's bday too! Hope she had a fabulous time!

Erisian, you are welcome to send me gifts! I will be more than happy and excited to accept them! :)
July 4, 2010 at 11:40 PM
Tales of Whimsy said…
Happy happy birthday sweet darling :)
LOVE that cake.
Thanks for the awesome contest :)
*hugs*
July 5, 2010 at 12:55 AM
Nastassia said…
Happy Belated Birthday Aths!!! That's a really cool cake.
July 9, 2010 at 3:25 PM
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