Last time I updated the blog, I went ahead and purchased the domain with my name. Blogger makes the transition super easy and painless, so now I (and this blog) can be found by going to www.yamilesmendez.com. Pretty sweet, huh? I had a wonderful weekend with my family. Although the brunt of the cooking and the Easter preparations fall on me, my writing was relegated to the bottom of my priorities, but I still got some done. If anything, I’ve been journaling/brainstorming/free-writing every day, which keeps the writing muscles warm, both in my typing fingers and my mind. Every time I hit a creativity block, it’s because I have simply not shown up at the page.

I want to link up to some wonderful websites that have helped me tremendously lately. This wonderful blog by Emma Darwin, This Itch of Writing, has the most life-changing advice I’ve ever read on point of view and psychic distance. I learn of it from my wonderful advisor, Mary Quattlebaum whose help is making me a better writer than I ever thought possible. I also started subscribing to The Skimm, a daily newsletter that gives me the latest news before I start my day. It’s April, and that means 30 Days, 30 Stories is in full swing. At least, it should be. In the past a different author published a short children’s story, poem, etc, on the blog. This year, there aren’t enough tributes, er, volunteers, so the blog has been sadly quit the whole weekend. If you want to participate, please contact Bruce and he’ll assign you a day or work things out with you. You don’t need to be a writer, or a children’s writer to share. It’s fun, stress free, and a great way to connect with other people. This is one of my favorite events of the year.

Last of all, I’m energized about Easter Sunday. I miss Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas in glorious, beautiful summer. But Easter in the North, with Spring’s promise of re-birth and second chances and life, can’t be beat. I know that Jesus lives, and I love him, and I’m grateful for another week, another Monday to fight for my goals. And if you need an excuse to smile this Monday morning, here’s a little gift. Go ahead and be different!