It’s the sixth night of Hanukkah, and Smart Bitches gave to me… the Extrava-Hanukkah Giveaway of great simplicity!
Sometimes you just need books, and maybe some things to read with.
Whatever you need, we’ve got you covered: today’s giveaway is….
A $100 Amazon gift certificate!Â
That’s easy enough, right?
Here’s how to enter: leave a comment below and tell us something good you learned this past year. Maybe it’s a new author, or a new skill, or a Very Important Lesson suitable for a Very Special Episode of Blossom? Whatever it is, tell us about a good thing you learned, and you’re entered to win!
Standard disclaimers apply: I’m not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Must be 18 years of age and ready to shop though there’s no need to stop, drop or roll. We’re all safe here. Open to international residents where permitted by applicable law. Comments will close at or near 12pm ET on Friday 30 December 2016 and winners will be announced shortly afterward.
Good luck and thank you for being here!Â
Update: The winner is Sue Rice, who learned some pretty powerful things this year.
Here’s to more learning and growing in 2017!
This year I learned to say no and not feel totally guilty for doing so. It’s been a hard won lesson but one I’m grateful for.
I learned about Hamilton: An American Musical and its creator Lin-Manual Miranda. Joy continues.
This year I learned to say no without feeling guilty.
I learned that I can still pick up new skills at a fairly rapid rate when motivated. I started writing fiction via NaNoWriMo in 2015, joined RWA in 2016, and have been working with a critique group on my first novel this year. One of my critique partners told me this week that she can see much improvement in my writing in a short time. That gives me so much hope, and not just for the quality of the writing itself but for my ability to learn new things. I suspect this could be a good tool for warding off dementia and other aging of the brain things.
I’ve learned that there’s a great online romance community on Facebook, where I’ve met other readers with similar tastes as well as authors. I live in a small town where there is no romance community.
This year I finally learned to budget, as opposed to just tracking my spending after the fact! It’s definitely a work in progress, but I feel good about the way I’m headed…
I leaned how to set reachable goals for myself and how to follow through. It sounds super simple but it’s not something I was ever taught. I finally applied to graduate school, and I’m starting my master of public health program next month!
This year I’ve been learning how to take a moment to breathe when things get tough.
I learned to knit.
I learned that having 10 year old kids is awesome..all of us are loving it. I also learned that I still enjoy finding new authors to read – never stop exploring!
I started a job and learned a ton of new skills!
I learned something super important–how to say NO. Politely and in a friendly way, but firmly. I had just been taking on too many commitments and was stressed to the point that I wasn’t feeling like anything was fun for me anymore. It sucked. And I think because so often in the past I had said yes, or jumped in to help where nobody else would, people started asking me for more and more. I finally had to teach myself that I could say NO to PTA commitments, to “just a little help” for that colleague at work who just can’t get her stuff together, to my mother-in-law (!) and nothing bad would happen–I would still have friends and people and family who love me. We have just spent the last few weeks having one of the most relaxed Christmas holidays we’ve ever had, because we were able to decline some invitations that were more stressful than fun, and it has been amazing. I spent two hours reading and snuggling on the couch with my daughters yesterday, when at another time I might have been too busy making spreadsheets for the PTA or trying to make just one more batch of cookies to give to the neighbors. Of course it needs balance like everything else, but I’ve learned that saying NO can be powerful and empowering.
A new language! Also, that practice practice practice is necessary…
This year, I learned that I’m actually good at meeting people and making new friends. As an introvert, I always thought I was bad at it, but I’ve made so many new friends this year, both through my local RWA chapter and by attending other, non-romance events. One of my goals this year was to put myself out there socially and do things that scare me. I think I accomplished that.
I learned Santorini is even more beautiful in person than in photos.
I learned to value patience
I learned to not care so much what people think. As long as I do what makes me happy and doesn’t hurt anyone else in the process, its all good.
I learned to download and archive my books at time of purchase or they might disappear!!
I may have been watching too many shows with Mary Berry, but I made my first multi-layer frosted cake this year. It didn’t look perfect, but it tasted yummy!
not so much a learned as a reminded: 1) it’s important to make time to relax and to read (which can help with the relax) 2) life is unpredictable and change inevitable so see point 1
Learned to knit. Thank you for the contest!
This year I learned that walking away from a job you hate will lead you to a job that you love, and that you have to trust that all will be alright in the end.
I learned that even after knowing a person for years they can (and probably will) still surprise you, in good and bad.
I’ve learned that it’s okay to take time for myself.
This year, I finally learned that it’s okay to be kind to myself.
This year I finally learned how to take care of my own oxygen mask (metaphorically, whew) before taking care of others.
My biggest lesson of this year was complete dumpster fire of hope and decency though it was, people still rallied together in unexpected ways and haven’t given up. For all the terribleness of 2016, the resilience of common humanity is still intact. It’s something that keeps ne going despite everything.
I’ve learned how strong I still am & that even though change can be scary, it can also be a good thing.
I’ve learned that I’m ready to expand my family, which is a pretty big deal in my microcosmos… 🙂
I learned just enough Greek to impress my husband’s grandmother!
I learned that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. And that’s all I have to say about that.
I learned that you can still be a good mom without doing everything by yourself. I have a wonderful husband who is a great dad, and letting him take some of the responsibilities has helped my mental health so much this year.
I learned a whole lot about bipolar disorder after my husband was diagnosed earlier this year. And after the heaviness of reading books on that subject, I found romance was the bright spot in a dark time.
I learned that sometimes even the difficult times are worth treasuring because you never know how many days you have.
I learned about the author V.E. Schwab this year. I’ve only read one of her books so far, but I want to read them all now!
This year I discovered the author Mariana Zapata, and I immediately glommed all her books!
I learned that transferable skills exist and I can take a new job and do well in it.
I baked and cooked a lot this year, trying on new recipes. And I found that I actually like it. The results don’t have to be perfect, it’s my own bake/cook and sometimes looks terrible, but still edible and taste more than okay! Haha!!
As for books, this is a year for many new to me authors, though it’s pretty much hits-and-misses on that department, some I love some not so much. But it’s a thrill to land on new terrain for me. 🙂
This is not the cheeriest lesson, but I learned yesterday (via example) that one should never wear stilettos to a cemetery funeral service.
This year I learned how to finally let go of stuff! Very liberating