Guys, this is a very sucky post to write and, to be honest, I’ve been slacking and putting it off again, and again and again just to see if I change my mind. Most unfortunately, I haven’t. This past year has been an interesting one for me, both personally and professionally. I was engaged, then we ended it, then I got a pay cut, I switched jobs, I moved to a new town and apartment, and things are finally starting to settle down.

You would think that would make far more time for blogging, but it really hasn’t. I work, I swim, I CrossFit and I repeat this 6 days a week (sometimes 7). I’ve been stressed, overwhelmed and completely exhausted and, unfortunately, this lil’ blog paid the price one too many times this year. I don’t like doing things I can’t completely commit to, and I don’t like accepting books to review if there isn’t 100% certainty that I will be able to review them properly in a timely manner.

So, without some great speechmaking and with great sadness, I’ve come to the realization that it’s time to close up shop on I Swim for Oceans. Guys, this blog has been a part of me for almost three years. I don’t intend to get rid of this site. It will stay up here and, over time, I intend to transition it over to a personal/travel site, as I’m now a writer for a travel company and I have some big plans in the making.

I hope I do sound sappy as I say this because I absolutely, truly and wholeheartedly mean it. I love you all. To those of you that started reading my posts when I had 3 followers – thank you. To those of you that found me just recently – thank you, too! To all the amazing, amazing authors, publishers, publicists and other bookish industry people –thank you so much for your incredible generosity. For reviews I still owe, I will be forwarding my ARCs on to bloggers that I know and trust to give great reviews, and I will let you know who receives them.

Seriously…I adore you all. xo

Hi kiddos! I know, I know...I said I was back, but I left again. Here's the dealio...lots of things are happening around the holiday season, and I was just too swamped to jump right back in. That said, I WILL BE BACK on January 2, 2012. Be ready. I'll be better than ever, obviously.

In the meantime, here are some updates on life and why I'm not blogging:

Christmas was amazing. It snowed!

I'm going to NYC for New Year's Eve for some quality family time with my two sisters, my love, my brother-in-law and his two siblings.

I got engaged!!! It's true. I'm getting married!

Eep! Ok, I'll be back on 2/2/12.

Love.

TGIF is a new(ish) feature at one of my absolute favourite blogs, GReads!, hosted by the lovely Ginger. It's a way to celebrate the impending weekend, and answer fun questions. Most of all though, you get to know a wee bit more about all those awesome bloggers you meet. So, what are you waiting for? Do your own post and head on over to link up!

What occupies your time when your nose isn't stuck in a book?

Oh, how I wish my days could be spent merely reading books and writing reviews! I would be one very, very happy lady. Unfortunately, something has to pay the bills, so I do have a full-time job. I'm a Web Editor and Social Media Manager for a business to business marketing company. Basically, I write and edit website content and design social media strategies for large organizations looking to expand their market. Sounds boring, but I promise you, it's endlessly fun! As for what else I do...well, I sleep. Whenever and wherever possible. I think the three things below define me most though.

I swim. A lot. In oceans, in pools, in lakes...any body of water will do. And yes, that is really me.

I spend time with le bf and my pets - two adorable kitties, and my chow-chow pup (above.) We're in different cities right now. It sucks.

I write. I've written three full manuscripts, including one that I'm desperately trying to convince myself to query. We'll see. One day, perhaps.