January 15, 2008 -- Tuesday afternoon

Reading Eleven Minutes, a novel by Brazilian author, Paulo Coelho. It's about a Brazilian girl who leaves her home to become a dancer, then a prostitute in Switzerland and how she experiences the differences between love and sex. The title refers to the average time of coitus--eleven minutes.

She began reading Coelho's books six years ago and notes that almost all of his books are about journeys.

Her own book, it would be about a journey as well, and it would contain a metaphor about pavement--she walks on the sidewalk instead of in the middle of the street which, to her, symbolizes taking chances.

But, she is going to take a chance. In two weeks she is leaving to spend three months in Brazil, volunteering at an orphanage....something she has never done before.

Have a wonderful and fulfilling trip!