I'm on a book hunt

So, there's this book that I read years ago that I haven't been able to get off my mind lately. It was mind-blowingly funny and amazing and is probably my favorite book ever, but I can't find it anywhere. I can't even remember the title, the author, or even the characters' names.

All I know is that it had an orange cover and was written by an Australian. It was a YA novel about a boy who likes girls with muscles. He has two hippy parents who make a house out of manure, and he also ends up putting port-a-potties on some inspector's yard.

This mystery book is driving me crazy. I've searched the interwebs and everything, but I still can't find it. The problem is, it feels a bit Romantic searching for a book like this. It's like a lost love or something, and I'm trying to rescue if from oblivion. But what happens when I finally find it and realize it's not nearly as good as I remember.

Or worse...what if it is?

I may or may not be a little sleep deprived at the time of this post. But if you know this book, PLEASE let me know.

UPDATE: I finally found this book on a random library site. It's called I'm Being Stalked by a Moonshadow, and you should totally check it out. It's no John Green, but it's a great light read and made me laugh the second time.

Guatemala and book requests

About a week and a half ago, I returned from Guatemala. (And yes, I realize I barely mentioned I was going and I am very sorry.) It's just that this Africa trip has taken precedence with both funds and thoughts. The opportunity to go to Guatemala came up from nowhere, so I accepted without even fully comprehending it. A full five days after I came back from college, I got on a plane to Guatemala City, still slightly dazed.

When I got there, I was frustrated and feeling a bit useless. We were staying at a house there, so I hadn't been able to use my Spanish and I didn't even have a job yet (it was a medical mission trip). It seems like I always have this drive to be useful, but I was on a mission trip and I wasn't really feeling it. But God slowly began to teach me that his plan for me is much more than simply being useful. He wants to use me, but more than that he wants my heart. I finally did find a job--the eye clinic--and was able to use my Spanish, but I also rediscovered a calling for Guatemala. I have decided to intern there next summer for about a month and a half, and I can hardly wait until then.

I also have other exciting news: an agent requested the first 50 pages of my book (you might remember this anxious post about sending it in)! It was actually the only agent I sent it into, which is quite awesome but unlikely. Anyway, I spent July 4th (and part of the 3rd) ferociously copy-editing. I think I've probably read those 50 pages a total of 50 times. I'm not even going to look at them until I get any feedback, though, because I know if I do I'll see a gazillion typos. However, I am going to copy-edit the rest a ton...just in case something ridiculously unbelievable and exciting happens. I'll be sure to let you know.

The End of the Road

What I'm Listening to: Title and Registration (Death Cab for Cutie) Well, I'm finally there. My book is hot off the presses and packaged in three manilla envelopes. The end of the road or the beginning of a new journey--who can tell? But either way, I'm anxiously anticipating the response of the three editors I'm sending Absolute to. The writing process has been very long and tedious, so I'm thankful to all of you who have read my book and given me honest, painful feedback. I would post part of it on my blog, but for copyright issues and that sort of thing. So I decided to settle with publishing another poem. This one has yet to be named, so if you have any ideas feel free to comment!

Champagne is all too good to last

So I toast my empty glass

Hold my breath as it clinks

Pretend to take that one last drink

And wish the best of luck to a stranger.

My heart accelerates as the lights begin to dim

Swirls of skirts and waltzing men

Fill the humid air

And I act like I don’t care

I don’t have a partner.