"Love the One You're With" is definitely a sterotypical book that is full of fluff, humor, and love. A book you'd expect to read in the summer at the beach. I'm not saying that's a bad thing though! I thuroughly enjoyed this book. I was frustrated with Ellen, I loved Andy, and Margot became my favorite person in the book.
Though between all the fluff and girly stuff there is a bit of universal truth in the book. Enough truth to make me think that this book is not necessarily a favorite, but a book I would recommend it to many.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
"Where the Heart Is" by Bille Letts. A Book Review.
It was almost a year ago when I watched the movie "Where the Heart Is". I was at someone's house with a bunch of other girl friends and we all decided on that movie. I really enjoyed the movie. It was cute and heart-warming. Somewhere in the middle of the movie a friend informed me that there was a book. Me being the book-worm I am set out to buy it. Eventually I did. Today just before Philosophy class, with minutes to spare, I finished this beautiful story.
Novalee is a 17 year old girl, seven months pregnant, on on the road to California with the baby's father, Willy Jack. Novalee has an extreme fear of the number 7 because for her it's nothing but bad luck. Willy Jack leaves leaves her stranded somewhere in Oklahoma at a Wal-Mart where she lives until her baby is born. The novel follows her life as she meets interesting people, old Sister Husband, the Indian Benny Goodluck, the black photograghper Moses Whitecotton, a hispital aide Lexie, and the wacky librarian Forney Hull; these characters along with a handful of others teach Novalee the most important lesson there is to learn yet.
I would be lying to you if I said this was not a love story. Because in a way, it is. It is a story about a girl who is down on her luck and the people in the life she makes in Oklahoma continue to love on her, and her baby, something she was not completely used to. So yes, it is a love story in that way, and in another way.
Novalee Nation is an interesting girl. If I were to describe her I would say she is very sweet and hard-working, and just a simple girl trying to make a good life for her and her baby. She wants nothing more than a "home without wheels".
I suppose in my own way I can relate to this girl, this "Novalee Nation". No, my boyfriend did not leave me 7 months pregnant at a Wal-mart in the middle of no where. I can relate to this protagonist just by her virtues. Novalee didn't have much growing up, but after her baby was born she worked hard to keep a good life, doing everything for her baby.
I can relate to her in that way because in her honest hard-work I see myself, trying to do the best I can for family with the encouragement of electic friends along the way who love on me more than I can really love myself sometimes.
It's a beautiful story and I highly recommend it. =]
Novalee is a 17 year old girl, seven months pregnant, on on the road to California with the baby's father, Willy Jack. Novalee has an extreme fear of the number 7 because for her it's nothing but bad luck. Willy Jack leaves leaves her stranded somewhere in Oklahoma at a Wal-Mart where she lives until her baby is born. The novel follows her life as she meets interesting people, old Sister Husband, the Indian Benny Goodluck, the black photograghper Moses Whitecotton, a hispital aide Lexie, and the wacky librarian Forney Hull; these characters along with a handful of others teach Novalee the most important lesson there is to learn yet.
I would be lying to you if I said this was not a love story. Because in a way, it is. It is a story about a girl who is down on her luck and the people in the life she makes in Oklahoma continue to love on her, and her baby, something she was not completely used to. So yes, it is a love story in that way, and in another way.
Novalee Nation is an interesting girl. If I were to describe her I would say she is very sweet and hard-working, and just a simple girl trying to make a good life for her and her baby. She wants nothing more than a "home without wheels".
I suppose in my own way I can relate to this girl, this "Novalee Nation". No, my boyfriend did not leave me 7 months pregnant at a Wal-mart in the middle of no where. I can relate to this protagonist just by her virtues. Novalee didn't have much growing up, but after her baby was born she worked hard to keep a good life, doing everything for her baby.
I can relate to her in that way because in her honest hard-work I see myself, trying to do the best I can for family with the encouragement of electic friends along the way who love on me more than I can really love myself sometimes.
It's a beautiful story and I highly recommend it. =]
Monday, April 5, 2010
"The Morning Gift" by Eva Ibbotson. A Book review.
I love books that take place in a different time period. Well, futuristic books, not so much, but books that take place in a time that was much different from the one I live in. I always find those the most interesting, even under the circumstances of the character's world.
The Morning Gift is a story about Ruth Berger who is stuck in Vienna during the time Hitler and his Nazis storm into the country. Her family, being partially Jewish has fled to London for safety. However, the plan on her part had gone terribly wrong. Her entire family and her fiancee was able to leave Vienna safely, but she was left behind. While she thought there was no hope and a dull future of a concentration camp, her father's old student, British, Quin Sommerville pretty much comes to the rescue. They get married in order to get her out safely and plan on annulling the marriage as soon as they get to England. However, the divorce seems a bit more difficult than they both imagined it would be.
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the imagery, as well as they way it was written. This book was written in the 1980's, but it still has a "old" feel to it. Not quite Jane Austen or Emily Bronte material, but old enough to be very different from the books today. This book for once doesn't involve vampires or werewolves or other mythical creatures like that! Yes!
I would recommend this book for anyone who likes historical fiction, imagery, and a little humor and romance. =]
The Morning Gift is a story about Ruth Berger who is stuck in Vienna during the time Hitler and his Nazis storm into the country. Her family, being partially Jewish has fled to London for safety. However, the plan on her part had gone terribly wrong. Her entire family and her fiancee was able to leave Vienna safely, but she was left behind. While she thought there was no hope and a dull future of a concentration camp, her father's old student, British, Quin Sommerville pretty much comes to the rescue. They get married in order to get her out safely and plan on annulling the marriage as soon as they get to England. However, the divorce seems a bit more difficult than they both imagined it would be.
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the imagery, as well as they way it was written. This book was written in the 1980's, but it still has a "old" feel to it. Not quite Jane Austen or Emily Bronte material, but old enough to be very different from the books today. This book for once doesn't involve vampires or werewolves or other mythical creatures like that! Yes!
I would recommend this book for anyone who likes historical fiction, imagery, and a little humor and romance. =]
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Mood Swings
Sometimes I wish life was kinda like "High School Musical". I mean, imagine, how interesting would it be if we all just burst into song and dance. When the going gets tough..."we're all in this together"! When we start to fall in love with someone..."we're breaking free (soaring!), flying", and when we get distracted we "gotta get our heads in the game". Not to mention sweet dance numbers to go along with that! Oh what a life that would be.
So today...happy Easter! He is risen! How fitting that there should be earthquakes in my area on the day of His Resurrection. I think that's pretty sweet. Haha...at least no one got hurt, so it's a good thing!
Today was not a good day. Mmm...yeah. Ever have those moments where you don't realize what you're doing except that you know exactly what you're doing? Does that make sense? Well it does for me, because that happened to me. I knew what I was doing, but I managed to...remove myself from the situation. I was watching, I was feeling, I was doing. But I was a spectator. I wasn't myself. I don't understand. I don't understand how I lost myself.
I miss my dad.
I miss my family.
I miss family. Sure, my brother invited me to go to his in-laws house, and even Juliet invited me to her house so I had the opportunity not to be alone. But I declined both. I easily declined to Juliet because I know that deep in my heart they aren't my family, which is hard sometimes. Sometimes I forget that I am not related to them because they are so close to me. Heck, I get invited to their family gatherings more often than I am to my own family. I don't understand! So in the end it is entirely, completely, wholly, undeniably my fault. Even so...things have been different since Dad passed. I called my sister to see if they are doing anything for Easter and they said now, and I found out they decided to go to their mother's house. I didn't get the invite. My sisters who do plan things have moved to Oregon, and I tried to plan things with the siblings that are still here, but they never went though. Maybe because I have no power, or maybe because everyone lost heart. It saddens me. I miss when we all got together at someones house or at a restaurant. I miss being part of something big. I know this loneliness is not my fault. Or maybe it is. Perhaps it is indeed my fault that my family doesn't get together anymore. It just makes me sad. When I sit there by myself I begin to think about the family I hope to have. I hope to have enough friends, I hope that I have at least two kids, and I hope that my husband has family so my kids never have to feel the loneliness. I love close, big families. That feeling of security, of knowing that there is someone there.
But, it is all up to God. I don't get a say in it. Well, not really. O.o It would be a bad time for me to get involved with anyone now or in the near future. However, whoever I do end up getting serious with, he'll have to be the patient type. I'll be bringing a lot of baggage. It's inevitable. I realize that I am depressed. It comes and goes and goes for a really long time but then it comes back. I am not looking for a savior. I have one, He's the one that keeps the blunt of the pain away when the enemy takes over my mind. I don't even know if I'm looking for the familiar. I would love the familiar because he would already know me. He would ideally know me now so he isn't surprised by my emotions. However, I don't know. All I know is that my heart is in a weird mood at the moment. Envious, fearful, annoyed, protective, and every other emotion in between for someone. Something.
I never realized how much I enjoy the spring. The colors of wildflowers are so exquisite. Through my hate-filters I was never able to appreciate the beauty of the world as I thought I did. But now I see that it is perfect. Amazing. I think I'm in love with spring. =]
My emotioooonnnnns. Those babies need to die. Speaking of babies, I love them. They seriously make me smile. They are the greatest things ever. Especially their smiles.
So today...happy Easter! He is risen! How fitting that there should be earthquakes in my area on the day of His Resurrection. I think that's pretty sweet. Haha...at least no one got hurt, so it's a good thing!
Today was not a good day. Mmm...yeah. Ever have those moments where you don't realize what you're doing except that you know exactly what you're doing? Does that make sense? Well it does for me, because that happened to me. I knew what I was doing, but I managed to...remove myself from the situation. I was watching, I was feeling, I was doing. But I was a spectator. I wasn't myself. I don't understand. I don't understand how I lost myself.
I miss my dad.
I miss my family.
I miss family. Sure, my brother invited me to go to his in-laws house, and even Juliet invited me to her house so I had the opportunity not to be alone. But I declined both. I easily declined to Juliet because I know that deep in my heart they aren't my family, which is hard sometimes. Sometimes I forget that I am not related to them because they are so close to me. Heck, I get invited to their family gatherings more often than I am to my own family. I don't understand! So in the end it is entirely, completely, wholly, undeniably my fault. Even so...things have been different since Dad passed. I called my sister to see if they are doing anything for Easter and they said now, and I found out they decided to go to their mother's house. I didn't get the invite. My sisters who do plan things have moved to Oregon, and I tried to plan things with the siblings that are still here, but they never went though. Maybe because I have no power, or maybe because everyone lost heart. It saddens me. I miss when we all got together at someones house or at a restaurant. I miss being part of something big. I know this loneliness is not my fault. Or maybe it is. Perhaps it is indeed my fault that my family doesn't get together anymore. It just makes me sad. When I sit there by myself I begin to think about the family I hope to have. I hope to have enough friends, I hope that I have at least two kids, and I hope that my husband has family so my kids never have to feel the loneliness. I love close, big families. That feeling of security, of knowing that there is someone there.
But, it is all up to God. I don't get a say in it. Well, not really. O.o It would be a bad time for me to get involved with anyone now or in the near future. However, whoever I do end up getting serious with, he'll have to be the patient type. I'll be bringing a lot of baggage. It's inevitable. I realize that I am depressed. It comes and goes and goes for a really long time but then it comes back. I am not looking for a savior. I have one, He's the one that keeps the blunt of the pain away when the enemy takes over my mind. I don't even know if I'm looking for the familiar. I would love the familiar because he would already know me. He would ideally know me now so he isn't surprised by my emotions. However, I don't know. All I know is that my heart is in a weird mood at the moment. Envious, fearful, annoyed, protective, and every other emotion in between for someone. Something.
I never realized how much I enjoy the spring. The colors of wildflowers are so exquisite. Through my hate-filters I was never able to appreciate the beauty of the world as I thought I did. But now I see that it is perfect. Amazing. I think I'm in love with spring. =]
My emotioooonnnnns. Those babies need to die. Speaking of babies, I love them. They seriously make me smile. They are the greatest things ever. Especially their smiles.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Quotes.
Yesterday was Bible study with the older community group kids and that was much more fun that usual. Kaylee turned 11, and she knows that her maiko/minion-ship is soon to start. The kids were also treated with a very special guest last night. -_____-
But anyway, the lesson was on joy/happiness, showing happiness and joy as means of worshipping God, and all through the night, the kids (and me!) said the cutest things..I think this is why I love kids:
"Joy is when you climb through someone's window and sleep in their house!"
"See look, I'm crossing my legs! I'm really meditating!"
"Be a good boy Kyle. Go to church, love God. Respect women, and they'll respect you too....and give you chocolate!"
"Kissing and romance makes Serena joyful!"
"-...Really?
-Yes! Can I please write "Kaylee is your minion" on your glasses?!
-fine.."
-"I made a baby cry with a puppet."
-"Did the baby pee on you then too?"
-"Secrets don't make friends!
-So?"
"Shhh! We have to be quiet they're about to kiss! Serena wants to watch this part!"
"Serena, have you kissed a boy?"
"Okay kids, listen up. Boys are gross in jr. high and in high school, and in college.
-Yes, they're mostly gross until they're 25 or so, and then after that, they've matured.
-Don't kiss boys! Or girls, in your case, Kyle!"
-"No one should have to call someone 'Master'.
-Unless your name is Toby...>_>"
-"We're all in this together...*trail off*
-Wow Serena, I don't think I've ever heard you sing on free will.."
"Serena! How could you abandon me?! I'm supposed to be your minion!"
"Girls are gross."
"Boys are gross...except for my brother."
"Be as silent as a mouse.
-That's actually not very quiet, they make a lot of noise.
-Fine. In that case, be as silent as a ninja.
-But that's impossible!"
Kids...
:]
<3
But anyway, the lesson was on joy/happiness, showing happiness and joy as means of worshipping God, and all through the night, the kids (and me!) said the cutest things..I think this is why I love kids:
"Joy is when you climb through someone's window and sleep in their house!"
"See look, I'm crossing my legs! I'm really meditating!"
"Be a good boy Kyle. Go to church, love God. Respect women, and they'll respect you too....and give you chocolate!"
"Kissing and romance makes Serena joyful!"
"-...Really?
-Yes! Can I please write "Kaylee is your minion" on your glasses?!
-fine.."
-"I made a baby cry with a puppet."
-"Did the baby pee on you then too?"
-"Secrets don't make friends!
-So?"
"Shhh! We have to be quiet they're about to kiss! Serena wants to watch this part!"
"Serena, have you kissed a boy?"
"Okay kids, listen up. Boys are gross in jr. high and in high school, and in college.
-Yes, they're mostly gross until they're 25 or so, and then after that, they've matured.
-Don't kiss boys! Or girls, in your case, Kyle!"
-"No one should have to call someone 'Master'.
-Unless your name is Toby...>_>"
-"We're all in this together...*trail off*
-Wow Serena, I don't think I've ever heard you sing on free will.."
"Serena! How could you abandon me?! I'm supposed to be your minion!"
"Girls are gross."
"Boys are gross...except for my brother."
"Be as silent as a mouse.
-That's actually not very quiet, they make a lot of noise.
-Fine. In that case, be as silent as a ninja.
-But that's impossible!"
Kids...
:]
<3
Monday, March 29, 2010
"The Crow" by Alison Croggon. A Book review.
I love fantasy novels. I was very young when I first read Harry Potter, and I just went from there! There's just something special about fantasy novels that really take me away. Perhaps it is because they test the theory of reality, of what is, and what isn't. Magic can be all around us if we only take the time to look and listen.
"The Crow" by Alison Croggon is the third book in the Pellinor series. This book follows Hem and Saliman instead of Maerad and Cadvan, just like in the last two books. In this book, Hem meets an orphan girl named Zelika who has the fiercest temper, and he also befriends a white crow which he names Irc. In this book Hem finds that he has an important role to play in the destruction of the evil "Nameless One".
This book was well written. I enjoy the way Croggon writes as though she is re-writting history. There is a lot of explanation and a lot of background information so I never get lost when reading. Hem is such an adorable boy-character. However, for a boy, I do believe he is too soft. Then again, he is only around the age of 13, so that is allowed. It is interesting to see his view of things instead of just Maerad.
I think I would recommend this series to those who love fantasy and adventure. =]
"The Crow" by Alison Croggon is the third book in the Pellinor series. This book follows Hem and Saliman instead of Maerad and Cadvan, just like in the last two books. In this book, Hem meets an orphan girl named Zelika who has the fiercest temper, and he also befriends a white crow which he names Irc. In this book Hem finds that he has an important role to play in the destruction of the evil "Nameless One".
This book was well written. I enjoy the way Croggon writes as though she is re-writting history. There is a lot of explanation and a lot of background information so I never get lost when reading. Hem is such an adorable boy-character. However, for a boy, I do believe he is too soft. Then again, he is only around the age of 13, so that is allowed. It is interesting to see his view of things instead of just Maerad.
I think I would recommend this series to those who love fantasy and adventure. =]
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
So my last couple of posts have been so...hate-filled and depressing and all those other horrendous negative emotions. For that I apologize. Well I just recently read this article on Yahoo! which is called "101 everyday things that make people happy", or something like that. As I was reading the list I started to smile when I realized I could fully agree with some of them. I like to think that I find joy in the smallest and biggest things in life. Because I could not agree with everything on that list I've decided to make my own list and see how many things I find beautiful and how many things that bring me joy.....
P.s. These are in no particular order. Except number one. (:
1. God (bahaha, the list should end after that...)
2. Colors
3. Bare feet
4. Rain
5. A cool breeze
6. Hearing a favorite song on the radio
7. Owl City
8. Writing a story
9. Reading a book that I get completely lost in
10. Getting an A in class
11. Singing to a favorite song
12. Dancing
13. Romance
14. Finding a good quote
15. Hugs
16. Old memories
17. Children
18. Success
19. Knowing I made someone happy
20. Being good to others
21. Love
22. Guitars
23. Pianos
24. Seeing old friends
25. Making new friends
26. Getting a math problem right
27. Coloring in a coloring book
28. Disney movies
29. Harry Potter
30. Waking up from a really good dream that actually got to finish
31. Old photographs
32. Writing in cursive
33. Blank pages in an unused diary or journal
34. Breath-taking photography
35. Being needed
36. Flowers
37. Butterflies
38. Watching someone do a random act of kindness for strangers
39. Guys that are really good with kids
40. Chivalry
41. Good food
42. Summer days
43. The beach
44. Sunset
45. Meaningful late-night conversations
46. Best friends
47. All friends
48. Bubbles
49. Seeing the scale numbers go down
50. Being productive
51. Finding "the perfect" thing...whatever that may be
52. Cool nights
53. Stars
54. Good movies
55. Warm blankets
56. Penguins
57. Pandas
58. Narwhals
59. Laughing so hard it hurts
60. Stretching after a long drive
61. Family
62. Happy Endings (real and fictional)
63. Miracles
64. Cute words ("flippy floppies!")
65. Cool shade on a hot day
66. Great naps
67. Sleep
68. Getting a hand-written letter in the mail
69. Receiving a package in the mail
70. Accents
71. Adventures to new places
72. Music that moves the soul
73. The kindness of others
75. Carne asada fries
76. Warm soup on a cold day
77. Warm and crispy bread
78. Philosophy
79. Smiles
80. Big purses
81. Good smelling hair
82. Compliments
83. Cultural things
84. Learning something new
85. Beautiful dresses
86. Musicals
87. Seeing plays
88. Books on sale
89. Free things
Well, that's my list so far. I know there's more that makes me smile, but I can't think of anything else! :D
And now I don't feel so bad!!!
P.s. These are in no particular order. Except number one. (:
1. God (bahaha, the list should end after that...)
2. Colors
3. Bare feet
4. Rain
5. A cool breeze
6. Hearing a favorite song on the radio
7. Owl City
8. Writing a story
9. Reading a book that I get completely lost in
10. Getting an A in class
11. Singing to a favorite song
12. Dancing
13. Romance
14. Finding a good quote
15. Hugs
16. Old memories
17. Children
18. Success
19. Knowing I made someone happy
20. Being good to others
21. Love
22. Guitars
23. Pianos
24. Seeing old friends
25. Making new friends
26. Getting a math problem right
27. Coloring in a coloring book
28. Disney movies
29. Harry Potter
30. Waking up from a really good dream that actually got to finish
31. Old photographs
32. Writing in cursive
33. Blank pages in an unused diary or journal
34. Breath-taking photography
35. Being needed
36. Flowers
37. Butterflies
38. Watching someone do a random act of kindness for strangers
39. Guys that are really good with kids
40. Chivalry
41. Good food
42. Summer days
43. The beach
44. Sunset
45. Meaningful late-night conversations
46. Best friends
47. All friends
48. Bubbles
49. Seeing the scale numbers go down
50. Being productive
51. Finding "the perfect" thing...whatever that may be
52. Cool nights
53. Stars
54. Good movies
55. Warm blankets
56. Penguins
57. Pandas
58. Narwhals
59. Laughing so hard it hurts
60. Stretching after a long drive
61. Family
62. Happy Endings (real and fictional)
63. Miracles
64. Cute words ("flippy floppies!")
65. Cool shade on a hot day
66. Great naps
67. Sleep
68. Getting a hand-written letter in the mail
69. Receiving a package in the mail
70. Accents
71. Adventures to new places
72. Music that moves the soul
73. The kindness of others
75. Carne asada fries
76. Warm soup on a cold day
77. Warm and crispy bread
78. Philosophy
79. Smiles
80. Big purses
81. Good smelling hair
82. Compliments
83. Cultural things
84. Learning something new
85. Beautiful dresses
86. Musicals
87. Seeing plays
88. Books on sale
89. Free things
Well, that's my list so far. I know there's more that makes me smile, but I can't think of anything else! :D
And now I don't feel so bad!!!
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