#BookWorm: A Dog's Purpose

Hello fellow readers,

Okay so if you love dogs, go to your local library or Target and pick up the book A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron. It is a must read! I was super worried about how I’d like it or if it would make me depressed, but I’m so glad one of the NPs at work told me to read it! (also a dog lover who has had many pets in the past). The story follows the life of a dog, who is trying to understand its purpose in life and why it keeps dying and being re-born as a different dog. The dog goes through multiple different lives that are all unique and the dog discovers why it is born into this life. That each life has a purpose. It is told from the dog’s perspective which is super unique and I found to be very entertaining. It had me laughing out loud and also crying. You will think of your own dog or dogs you’ve had in the past while reading this which made it 20x more emotional for me. CAUTION: it also makes you want to go out and adopt every dog at the shelters!! 

I read this book very quickly, it wasn’t very long, but it made me want to keep reading! The ending was good, but it did leave me asking unanswered questions. There is a sequel which from the little preview at the end of the first book, it looks like it follows the same dogs story. So of course, I’ll add that one to my list. Overall I’d give this book a 9/10. It was unique and heartwarming. It made me love dogs even more than I already do and made me appreciate them so much more. I know it’s fiction, but I really think this is pretty darn close to what dogs think. There is a movie adaptation, but I’ve heard there was some animal cruelty in it and I’m not down with that so I’m not planning on watching it! Have you read this book or seen the movie? Tell me what you thought about either!! 

It's been so long in between posts, but its been a rough month for the Franek crew with being sick, traveling, and crazy snow days. This book also hit really close to home this week since Nike was hospitalized for a few days. Luckily she is home and seems to be doing good, but say an extra prayer for her! 

Thanks for reading,

- Olivia :)

#BookWorm: What She Knew

Hello fellow readers,

I recently picked up a great mystery/thriller called What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan. This book was on my Amazon wish listed and recommended after reading other books like The Silent Wife, Girl on the Train, and Sharp Objects. It was a mystery about a lady named Rachel who went for a normal Sunday walk in the woods when her son, Ben, disappeared. The story goes through what happened in-between Ben's disappearance and present day police interviews. I found the characters super interesting and relatable. Rachel reminded me a lot of Rachel from Girl on the Train with all of her relationship issues and lack of coping skills, minus being a raging alcoholic. However I must admit that I did guess what happened about halfway through the book. I won't say too much more about that other than it wasn't a mind-blowing ending. I did think it was a good ending nevertheless. Overall I would give the book a 8/10. It wasn't life altering, but it was a worthwhile read if you're looking for a good vacation or plane ride read.

I always find mystery or thriller books intriguing. They just tend to fit with my type of mind and it is my favorite genre. I've added a few more of these to my list of what to read next (this ever growing list). Many of my patients who are retired keep telling me how they read two or three books in a week and I am envious of those summer days when I had all the time in the world to read my time away. Keep sending over suggestions! There are many books being made into movies in 2018, and I am excited to see what the future of book to movie adaptations brings.

Thanks for reading with me,

- Olivia

2017: A Year in Review

Hey all,

I can't believe 2018 is here! It came so fast as per usual. This year was filled with exciting times, but also heartaches and losses. Last year I totally forgot to go through my goals and post like I typically do, but here are some of my favorite things that happened in 2017:

1) Passed my OCN Exam
I was super excited to check this career bucket list item off of my list. Becoming an Oncology Certified Nurse was always a goal of mine, and I was happy to get it done the first time I took it!

2) Took a Disney Cruise
Disney Cruise Line does it best and we had a blast on our Disney Cruise! Highly recommend saving your pennies for this one! We hope to do it again one day once we have a family of our own!

3) Traveled Somewhere New: Savannah, GA
I loved Savannah. The Southern charm presence and AMAZING food made this trip 100% worth it for me. I can't wait to go back someday!

4) Attend a Concert: All Time Low & Mayday Parade (again ;) )
This is a band I have loved since middle school, and seeing them live was always a goal of mine. I was so happy to fulfill that! They played old and new songs and Sondra and I sang our hearts out. If you love or have loved All Time Low, they are worth seeing live! And if you haven't listened to their newer stuff, it's worth it! Mayday Parade was the best I've ever seen them, and loved that they played their whole A Lesson in Romantics album from start to finish!

5) Volunteering More
A lot of you know that I have been involved in Summit Kids at church and absolutely love it! Sondra and I started team leading at church for nursery and it has been a blast! I also have volunteered with a few work events for cancer research funding at Duke which have also been fun as always!

6) Babies, babies, babies
We welcomed little London and Sawyer into our lives this year one week apart in March, and it seems like lots of babies came in 2017! These two hold a special place in our lives and we love visiting them! No babies for team Franek yet though people, so you don't have to ask! :P

2018 is going to hold a lot of exciting things as well. I can't wait to share them all with you! My goals for 2018 are:
1) As always, read more books than the year before
2) And again another yearly goal, travel somewhere new
3) Get Madi Graduated!!
4) Run a 5K in March (wish me luck!! it's been a while!!)
5) Move up the nursing ladder to CNIV

What are your goals in 2018? Even if goals aren't met it is still fun to have some.

Thanks for keeping up as always,
- Olivia :)