Blogger, Blogging, and Google Analytics

Sorry everyone, this is just going to be a quick post.

So I love Blogger. It makes stats so simple and easy. I get to see the basic ins and outs of whats going on. It's wonderful. BUT...I've heard Google Analytics is even better. I signed up for it a long time ago but never did much with it - didn't think I needed to. So once I started the 31DBBB I figured I'd try to figure it out.

The problem is that nothing seems to be quite right. My visits, page views, subscribed readers, etc. all seem way low. Compared to blogger stats, I'm seeing like 5%. What gives?!? I know my traffic has increased recently so why is it still low...way low? Anyone know how to fix it??? HELP! I'd like to be able to see more details about my blog traffic. I've got the basics covered on blogger...lets get the nitty gritty, too!

To follow up on my last post...

Just to follow up briefly on my last post, I wanted to quickly list the books that I'm currently trying to read and what I would like to read, some day. Maybe this summer!

Blue Like Jazz
The Kite Runner
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Mere Christianity
Science and Faith: Friends or Foes?
When Helping Hurts
Ministries of Mercy
The Shack

Have you read any of these? What did you think? What did you like/not like? Do you know where I can buy them for cheap? Do any of you have an old copy that you don't want any more and could send to me?

KEZ's top 10 reads

I'm a reader. Actually, I want to be a reader. And by that I mean that I have minimal time to read. I love reading but I usually get caught half way through a book when a big project or exam comes up. The book starts to collect dust and eventually gets put away. I just don't have the motivation to continue...especially when I already forgot the beginning!

But for all of you readers out there, here is a list of my top 10 reads.

1. Where the Red Fern Grows. As a kid, I read this book up in a tree in my back yard so that no one would see me crying. It was such a good book but man was it a tear jerker!
2. Mountains Beyond Mountains. Those of you who have read my How I Fell in Love with Haiti page know the story behind this one. But a quick summary: I read this as a freshman at UF. It opened my eyes. I've read it multiple times since.
3. Following Jesus Through the Eye of a Needle. This was a book that totally changed me...or at least continued to change me. It is the semi-inspiration for my blog title. It's definitely worth reading if you're ever curious about Haiti, missionary life, and what exactly Matthew 19:24 means.
4. Crazy Love. Oh gosh. Frances Chan definitely will put you down, pick you up, and point you to God throughout the entire book. I highly recommended it to anyone who wants to know God better. Thank you A for giving it to me!
5. Harry Potter 1-7. Um DUH! Yes I know its about witches, wizards, and witchcraft - all things non-biblical. It's still awesome. Some of the greatest stories ever written are completely fake - just think of Shakespeare. 
6. To Kill a Mockingbird. I've read this a handful of times. I'm pretty sure I even own two copies of it...somewhere. It's a powerful book that will open your eyes to days of old...and how in some ways, it's not too different from now.
7. The Diary of Anne Frank. To be honest, this was hard for me. I didn't exactly like it. It's difficult to get through and think about. But I think that's exactly why it should be on everyone's reading list. We may never understand fully but at least we can get a small taste.
8. Bridge to Terabithia. Oh wow, another tear-laden book from childhood. It's just so good!
9. The Great Gatsby. You'll be entertained, you'll be confused, you'll be saddened. Interesting story about where you put your faith. 'Tis the American Dream.
10. The Bible. With the majority of my favorite books being "secular" (though it's not really a bad thing per say) I just had to include it. Um yea, I adore my ESV study bible. It's pretty wonderful.

31DBBB Starts Today!

Hey everyone out in internet-land! Today is the first day of 31DBBB by ProBlogger. Feel free to join in!!!

Today we're creating an "elevator pitch". Basically it's a summary statement of a blog that is short (enough to be said on an elevator ride) and to the point. I didn't exactly know what to do for my "elevator pitch" so I took the time to write my About KEZ/SFJ page.

I've been wanting to write my "about me" page since I started blogging...um...4 months ago. I just lacked the motivation to do it. And here it is on day 1!

It's elevator length...if you're going to the 20th floor. Ha! I just couldn't summarize easily. Can't put God in a box, right?

So yea, I guess this is where I ask you to check it out and give me feedback. What do you think? Too long? Too boring? Too rambling? Let me know! I want to know...I think.

31DBBB and Life

So! If you've seen me on BlogFrog at all, you will know that I'm attempting to participate in 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. It starts on 2/7/11. It shall be interesting, to say the least. If you're interested in joining in, please go to the Secret To Success Is Support forum and get the details. And then, of course, tune in on Monday to see the progress! Hopefully it turns me into a better blogger and thus, SFJ into a better blog!

Life...I'm heading home this weekend to celebrate a friend's birthday and watch the superbowl. (Go Pack Go!) I'm excited to see my family and relax a bit at home - should be fun! Speaking of family, though, I got to sit in on my dad's class on Thursday! My dad guest teaches for a class offered here at UF every other year. I wasn't able to go two years ago (back when I was a wee sophomore) but I scrambled and made it happen this year! It was really weird to see my dad in a professional setting - teaching, answering questions - but cool at the same time. It was kind of nice to just sit in on a class - no notes, don't have to really learn the material. Everyone else was writing or typing my dad's every word...I just got to listen. Woohoo! And Go Daddy!

In other news, on Wednesday I got to go see my friend, H, play guitar and sing at Satchels. It was really cool. I brought my friend, A, and we got to eat in the bus beforehand.



Yes, this place (super awesome and delicious pizza!) has an old VW bus on the property. They gutted it and put 2 tables inside for you to eat in. It's a special thing to be able to eat in the bus! So cool! And after eating we listened to H and her friends play and sing. I took a little bit of video of her acoustic version of "It's Getting Hot in Here". If/When I figure out how to get it on my computer and then put it on the blog (and get her permission of course) I'll post it for you all to enjoy.

Finally, my last little random "life" tidbit for the day: on Thursday night I went to my first ever Zumba class. My old co-worker M teaches the class. Let me just tell you that she is a saucy Puerto Rican woman. She may be small but she is packed full of Latina spice! It was really fun and surprisingly a great workout. I'm pretty sure I found my long lost abs...they've been missing up until they started getting angry at me for using them. Yep, just sneezed - ouch!!

Anyway, I should probably go spend some quality time with Jesus...do the whole read my bible thing. ;) But one last note: if there are any Packers fans out there feel free to tune into my twitter (KEZBlogger) for updates. Feel free to follow, reply, or retweet...unless of course you're a Steelers fan in which case you can keep your comments to yourself PLEASE!