Today was an interesting day. We have had a difficult couple of weeks at my school. State testing, family problems with students and students in general just wanting it to be Spring Break. On the upside it has been a lot warmer these past couple of days so I can go outside. Yesterday I went running and today I fought the 40 mph winds and went for a bike ride. On this bike ride, I had some interesting thoughts.
First of all. We are working at school on noticing our positive to negative interactions with the students. How much to they hear of us saying negative things to them? How can we get the same results but be positive instead of negative? I thought what if that applied to yourself as well. I have been told time and time again that I am my own worst critic. I always took that as a point of pride, but it really isn't. If you cannot be positive about yourself then who else can? My husband and I are doing Bike Across Kansas this summer and I am sad to say that on some days when we go riding I find myself in the back of the line, cussing at the others in my head. Did I mention that I am ultra-competitive? What if instead of getting mad, I decided to take the advice that we are getting at school and focus on what I am doing well. I started counting sign posts that I passed. I also made a point of looking back and see how far I have gone.
Ok, this is the part where I get a little religious, or spiritual, whichever you prefer. If you don't want to read about my musings over a higher deity then stop here. Remember that movie, V for Vendetta? They say that God is in the rain. Well, I am going to change that a bit. I think that God is in the wind. Here in Kansas there is a lot of wind, today was no exception. I chose this day to ride out for 10 miles in 40 mph winds. So I found myself fighting 40 mph winds and at times getting pushed by 40 mph winds. If we extend our metaphor, that means that I spent part of the evening fighting God and being pushed by God. In both cases, I really like to be pushed more! However, it isn't until you push that you figure out the real power. When you are getting pushed by the wind, you don't really notice that it is there, or the real power of it. However, when you turn, and face it, wow... it is there. The crazy thing is that even when you are facing into the wind, there is still something back there, pushing. Wind whips around, I believe that the wind that is pushing, is God. Not the wind that you are facing. Isn't that like life? Sometimes you have to face the wind, face the trails that are out there for you, knowing that God will be there pushing. So through all the stuff that is going on right now at school and the death of someone I really looked up to, I know that God is back there pushing. I found myself smiling, even when facing the wind. I am sore, tired and wanting a shower, but I am still smiling.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
There and Back Again... A Hobbit's Tale
My earliest memory of The Hobbit is my father reading it to me when I was young. I remember cuddling with pillows as my dad read the adventures of Bilbo Baggins. He loved that book and really wanted me to like it too. I did. When we finished the book, he went on to read The Fellowship of the Ring. At least he started it, I think I finished it on my own. The elves were always my favorite. I for one really like when an author takes a legend like goblins, elves, dwarfs, wizards and the like, and takes it and makes it their own. I will forever think of elves as the elves in this book, no matter what other story comes along and defines them as something else. J.R.R. Tolkien has ruined me for other elves! :-)
I love the way that Tolkien writes. No one writes like Tolkien, no one has and I don't think that anyone will. I feel the same way about Jane Austen. You can always tell if she has written it, because it has a lilt to it. Tolkien is the same way. His writing is unique and many will try to copy it but I don't think that anyone really ever will. For your reading pleasure: "His heart was filled and pierced with enchantment and with the desire of dwarves; and he gazed motionless, almost forgetting the frightful guardian, at the gold beyond price and count." (pg 169) Now, Tolkien could have just said that Bilbo was enchanted with the gold in front of him, but he doesn't. Instead he uses this flowing and descriptive language that really gives the reader a sense of how Bilbo was feeling.
I am going to mention one thing before I move on to more quotes that I love. Tolkien's characters are flawed. There is no character that is perfect. All have faults and all make mistakes. I love that about him. I struggle to embrace my faults and I love that even the heroes in these stories make mistakes and have to deal with them. Tolkien could be considered a Christian writer, he wrote many a speech and essay on the subject. I think that this is the reason his characters are flawed, because humans are flawed. The real judge of a good person, is what they do when they make a mistake, not if they make a mistake at all.
"Above him the sleeping dragon lay, a dire menace even in his sleep. He grasped a great two-handled cup, as heavy as he could carry, and cast one fearful eye upwards. Smaug stirred a wing, opened one claw, the rumble of his snoring changed its note." (pg 168-169) I highlighted this passage for the same reason that I highlighted the other one. Tolkien could have just said that he grabbed the cup and ran. Instead he allows the reader to become a part of the story. The reader feels what Bilbo felt. Hears what he would have heard. Beautiful writing.
"It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live hear him." These are words of advice. Leave out the dragon as a literal object, it is a metaphor. I see it as, if you are threatened by someone who is a part of your life, it does no good to not pay attention to him. I like how it doesn't say that the dragon is all you should think about, just don't leave it out of your calculations. I have a student coming back into my class that got expelled last year, now he is back. It has really been worrying me. If I follow this quote's advice, then I cannot leave him out of my calculations, however I should not lay awake thinking about how terrible it might end up being.
"His rage passes description--the sort of rage that is only seen when rich folk that have more than they can enjoy suddenly lose something that they have long had but have never before wanted or used." (pg 170) Social commentary anyone? I am blessed, I do have all that I need. Bilbo took a cup from a huge pile of gold, large enough for a dragon to sleep on. The dragon never took notice of it before, not until it was taken from him. Ever notice that? You never miss something until it is gone.
"Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool!" (pg 178) Ok, I used to frequent a bar here in town. (I am a teacher, sometimes I just need a beer!) This quote was written on a bathroom stall in one particular bar. I am not sure this is what Tolkien had in mind when he wrote this book. It took me a while to remember where I had read that quote before. But it is true, never laugh at live dragons, it is really not a good idea.
Last but not least, we have to mention the ring. The one Ring... The ring that caused all the events in The Lord of the Rings, I love how the story flows, there are no holes, the ring is the same ring in both books. Gollum is the same Gollum in both stories, he is still driven by want of the ring. The ring still has power over him.
The Hobbit is a wonderful story and a great lead-in to the more in depth Lord of the Rings to follow. My perfect pairing for this book is anywhere. It doesn't matter where you are, the story and setting will suck you in. It doesn't matter if you are in a doctor's office, in bed before you fall asleep or in a coffee shop, you will not care. You will be in a world of dwarfs, elves and hobbits.
I am really excited for the Peter Jackson adaptation of this story. He did the Lord of the Rings justice and if anyone can make The Hobbit come alive, I think he has a good shot. Here's hoping!
Next up, I may as well keep the trend going, Lord of the Rings it is! Fellowship of the Ring is up first!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Gone with the Wind
The first thought that pops up when anyone mentions Gone with the Wind I immediately think of the movie with Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable. In fact, while reading this novel, those are the faces that I pictured while I read. The next thought that comes up is the Carol Burnett skit about Gone with the Wind. Carol takes down the curtains so that she has a dress to wear to go woo Rhett Butler out of his money. It is probably the funniest thing I have ever seen. When I was reading the part in the novel where Scarlett does take down the curtains, I was laughing the entire time! Sadly, the last thing that I think of when I hear Gone with the Wind is the novel with 1030 pages. That is where the credit lies. When I saw this book on the list, I was a little skeptical. I am not a high-drama person and this movie was drama to the brim. I chose to read it, regardless of the drama and hype. I was a little excited to see what all the fuss is about.
Truth is, I really loved this book. It did have a lot of drama but it was interesting because of the time period it was set it. I found it cool to tell a story about the Civil War from the South. History always tells of the victors, but there is another side, the losing side. The South was made to look like a villain during history class at times. This was a new and different perspective.
It seems that ever since, I have gotten married I have been drawn to novels that focus on what happens after marriage and after the love story has taken place. Let me just say that if what these novels tell is true, then NEVER GET MARRIED!! I am making broad generalizations here but what I think these novels are really trying to show is that marriage is difficult; especially if you are Scarlett O'Hara, I mean Scarlett Hamilton, I mean Scarlett Kennedy or finally Scarlett Butler. Of course it does make it difficult when you married the person just to get their money, make someone else mad, or to get their money, or to get their money. There is a theme here. Even when Scarlett does marry a person who loves her for who she is, the marriage falls apart. The reader can actually watch it crumble. It is a little heartbreaking, really. She made some decisions that set her up for this, but she felt that she did what she had to do. Marriage is tough and even though Scarlett faced and conquered many challenges in her life, marriage is one that defeated her. I think this happened because to be married is to really open up to someone or (especially in her time) just put up with everything, it also means letting every other man go. These are two things that Scarlett just could not do.
Scarlett makes some decisions that cause a lot of people to either stick with her or to abandon her completely. These decisions you may not like and you may not agree with but given some of the situations she was put in she was doing what she thought was best. Her first marriage to Charles was just unfair. She married him because Ashley was going to marry Melanie and she needed to prove that she didn't care. Charles was infatuated with her, and she used that for her own gain. Not ok. Her second marriage was really just as bad but I think that she did it because she was trying to save Tara and the life that she knew. On the other hand, she did steal her sister's fiance because he had an enough money to pay for the taxes and business ideas she could steal and make money with. Scarlett really had her challenges set out for her. After the war, her mother died, her father had gone senile, her sisters were sick and little help, Melanie had just had a baby and was not up to full strength, taxes were really high on the plantation and she had little money or cotton. She had her work cut out for her. However, her marriage to Frank was really unfair to him because he really cared about her sister, but he was told that she was going to marry another man which was not true at all. So Scarlett got Frank and promised herself that she would be good to him, but the marriage fell apart, Frank died and Scarlett was left as the outsider in all of Atlanta. She went out on her own to run a business when most women or even men did not venture out without protection. Melanie tried to hire someone to protect her, but she managed to make him so angry with her that he refused to drive her around anymore. She placed herself in serious danger. She didn't even take ordinary precautions in order to make herself safe. This was a dangerous time and she knew it, I am not one who thinks that you should run around frightened but I do lock my doors, I do wear my seat-belt, you should take basic steps in order to make sure that you are safe.
I have been talking a lot about Scarlett but I have a theory that Melanie is the real heroine of this story. Everyone loves Melanie and in return she is strong and steady when her friends need her. Many people would think that Melanie would not have survived had it not been for Scarlett. It is true that in the Siege of Atlanta when Melanie was having her baby, she probably wouldn't have survived without Scarlett. However, after the war and even during the Siege and the months at Tara, Scarlett would have gone as senile as her father if it wasn't for Melanie. When Scarlett was shouldering the responsibility at Tara, she didn't notice that the sick Melanie was right there beside her, helping her with her load. When Scarlett shot the Yankee soldier, Melanie was right there, sward in hand, ready to help bury him. When the entire town of Atlanta wanted nothing to do with Scarlett, Melanie and Melanie alone, not Rhett, not Ashley, just Melanie stood beside her, ready to take on the world if need be. Even when Scarlett and Ashley were caught in questionable circumstances, Melanie refused to believe it and turned her cousin out. (which I think Melainie did because she didn't want to believe it) Melanie took her hardships and did everything she could for the ones she loves; heroism. Scarlett is a strong woman who lacks a heart for others. Melanie is a strong woman who loves (at times blindly) the people she loves and protects the people that she loves. Take your pick, but they couldn't have survived without each other.
At the same time, honorable Ashley may not have been so honorable after all. He married Melanie and I really think that he loved Melanie but he was infatuated with Scarlett. For me, this was the difference between love and lust. He loved Melanie but lusted after Scarlett and he really wanted to choose Melanie but Scarlett was so gosh-darn pretty. Fiddle-de-de!
All in all, this is a novel about human folly, and how humans deal with difficult situations. The Civil War ended life as the Southern elite knew it. When something like that happens, every one is going to deal with it a little bit differently. Scarlett took matters into her own hands and come hell or high water, she was going to take care of things in her own way. Melanie did what she could for others, no matter how poor she was, Rhett made money from exploiting and then tried to change his ways, Ashley was left with nothing to do because even though he knew that the South might not win the war, he had no idea what that really meant. This story tells how four different people dealt with some very difficult times. It took me about a month to read but I enjoyed it all. Hear that? Gone with the Wind actually has literary credit and is worth reading, even if it is 1030 pages.
My perfect pairing for this book is a window seat in the sun with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. Put on your southern airs and enjoy a well written book that will take you back to another time and place. Good read.
Next up, in honor of the new Peter Jackson movie, the book that began it all; The Hobbit
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas and Other Thoughts
You thought you could get away... But I am back!!!!
If I have to come right out and say it, I am disappointed in my blog. I imagined this grand site like on the Julie and Julia Project. I mean think about it, the premise is the same!! Needless to say, it isn't turning out quite like I imagined. But now I see that my imagination was flawed. Really, I expected a lot. Too much. My mom would say that is just like me. I expect a lot from myself and the people around me. When I do something I want it to be on a grand scale but that simply isn't going to happen. Honestly, after dealing with high schoolers all day, it is exhausting to come home and be witty on the internet. So I have slacked on the blog, but I realized that the thing that I enjoy most is the reading. I am really enjoying the books I have read so far and the blogging is just something I am doing to keep track. I have just finished Gone with the Wind, but more on that later because with an epic book, it deserves and epic blog post. Let me just say, this book was epic!
I need to cover some things. First of all, I am letting go of how many followers I have or how many comments I get. I will do my part and put it out there better then I have been and I would really like for people to comment back. It makes me feel loved. No pressure, I know that I am loved, I also know that my blog topic is not one that people get too excited about, just nerds like me. So fellow nerds, POST! Those non-nerds, feel free to read and laugh at my ridiculousness... just go for it!
Second, I have joined the modern, electronic age. That is right folks, I am now reading my books on a super-cool Barnes and Noble Nook Color. My husband decided to take a trip to Colorado when he and a friend of his had a week off, which left me at home in one of the most stressful parts of the semester. I had a 20 page paper due for my masters class and I was wrapping up the semester with a group of students that just REALLY wanted to be done. (yes, yes, I know Dr. Gibson, cakes and cookies are done, people are finished... but... deal with it!) I think that he felt bad for me so he did something that he knew would make me happy, he bought me a Nook. Isn't he wonderful?! Truth is, it was terrible at first. Here I was with this HUGE paper to finish and all I wanted to do was open that Nook and read... Terrible problem, right? Long story short, I finally finished that boring paper and the first night of Winter Break found me at home with my Nook and hot chocolate. I am not going to join in the debate about which is better: I-pad, Kindle Fire or the Nook, simply because I don't care! Get what works best for you and shut up and read! :-)
Last, New Years Resolutions. I was reading a friends update on Facebook and she was talking about New Year's Resolutions and I groaned. I always have such high hopes for myself. (shocking, I know) I set these lofty goals and then get sad when they don't turn out like I imagined. So I am making a New Year's Resolution about my New Year's Resolutions: this year I am going to keep it simple. I am going to set goals that I can reach, and by golly, I am going to (try) and stick to them!!!
1: My husband and I bought a trainer for our bikes, I am going to use it at least 3 times a week and be ready for Bike Across Kansas.
2: I am going to cut down on how much sugar I eat. (I could say that I will no longer eat sugar but that is one of those goals that will be broken, I like sugar. However, I can cut it down! I don't need cookies and candy every day!)
3: (Ok this one is a big one) I am going to learn to let things go. There are things that I cannot control and that is something I need to give up. I can't do everything. I will give 100% of me, if that isn't good enough for them... well... they can go eat a cookie. (yes kids, "cookie" in this sense means something else entirely.)
So there you have it. My return to the blog-o-sphere.
If I have to come right out and say it, I am disappointed in my blog. I imagined this grand site like on the Julie and Julia Project. I mean think about it, the premise is the same!! Needless to say, it isn't turning out quite like I imagined. But now I see that my imagination was flawed. Really, I expected a lot. Too much. My mom would say that is just like me. I expect a lot from myself and the people around me. When I do something I want it to be on a grand scale but that simply isn't going to happen. Honestly, after dealing with high schoolers all day, it is exhausting to come home and be witty on the internet. So I have slacked on the blog, but I realized that the thing that I enjoy most is the reading. I am really enjoying the books I have read so far and the blogging is just something I am doing to keep track. I have just finished Gone with the Wind, but more on that later because with an epic book, it deserves and epic blog post. Let me just say, this book was epic!
I need to cover some things. First of all, I am letting go of how many followers I have or how many comments I get. I will do my part and put it out there better then I have been and I would really like for people to comment back. It makes me feel loved. No pressure, I know that I am loved, I also know that my blog topic is not one that people get too excited about, just nerds like me. So fellow nerds, POST! Those non-nerds, feel free to read and laugh at my ridiculousness... just go for it!
Second, I have joined the modern, electronic age. That is right folks, I am now reading my books on a super-cool Barnes and Noble Nook Color. My husband decided to take a trip to Colorado when he and a friend of his had a week off, which left me at home in one of the most stressful parts of the semester. I had a 20 page paper due for my masters class and I was wrapping up the semester with a group of students that just REALLY wanted to be done. (yes, yes, I know Dr. Gibson, cakes and cookies are done, people are finished... but... deal with it!) I think that he felt bad for me so he did something that he knew would make me happy, he bought me a Nook. Isn't he wonderful?! Truth is, it was terrible at first. Here I was with this HUGE paper to finish and all I wanted to do was open that Nook and read... Terrible problem, right? Long story short, I finally finished that boring paper and the first night of Winter Break found me at home with my Nook and hot chocolate. I am not going to join in the debate about which is better: I-pad, Kindle Fire or the Nook, simply because I don't care! Get what works best for you and shut up and read! :-)
Last, New Years Resolutions. I was reading a friends update on Facebook and she was talking about New Year's Resolutions and I groaned. I always have such high hopes for myself. (shocking, I know) I set these lofty goals and then get sad when they don't turn out like I imagined. So I am making a New Year's Resolution about my New Year's Resolutions: this year I am going to keep it simple. I am going to set goals that I can reach, and by golly, I am going to (try) and stick to them!!!
1: My husband and I bought a trainer for our bikes, I am going to use it at least 3 times a week and be ready for Bike Across Kansas.
2: I am going to cut down on how much sugar I eat. (I could say that I will no longer eat sugar but that is one of those goals that will be broken, I like sugar. However, I can cut it down! I don't need cookies and candy every day!)
3: (Ok this one is a big one) I am going to learn to let things go. There are things that I cannot control and that is something I need to give up. I can't do everything. I will give 100% of me, if that isn't good enough for them... well... they can go eat a cookie. (yes kids, "cookie" in this sense means something else entirely.)
So there you have it. My return to the blog-o-sphere.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Memoirs of a Geisha
This is a book that you do not want to bring with you to work if you have actual work to do, because you won't want to do your work, you will want to read. Let's just say that my grading fell a little behind before I learned that I needed to just leave the book at home! Yet, I still didn't, that book went with me wherever I went, because if I found myself with even a few moments to spare, my nose was stuck in it.
My students have begun to pick up on the fact that I love to read. They love to make fun of me because let's face it... reading is just "not cool." Oh well, I haven't been "cool" my entire life and look at me, I am a good member of society. More importantly, I am happy. Oh well, back to books I go. I mention this because I had a student tell me yesterday that because I had forced him, he was actually beginning to enjoy reading. I told him that I could die happy now. It really meant a lot to me, I think that reading is really important and it is something that will help him in his college career or even if VoTech school which is where he is planning to go. It just goes to show you that good modeling is important. I am not saying that if you don't read then you are stupid and won't amount to anything. I am saying that it can help!
Back to the original point to this blog post... Memoirs of a Geisha. I was pretty excited to read this book. It was first published when I was in high school and became a movie a short time later. I never saw it and I never read the book. I had actually forgotten about it for a while until I saw it on the BBC list and I was excited to give it a try. I tell you, this book didn't disappoint. There were a couple of places where it was really awkward (I mean she is a geisha and sometimes they are expected to do.... certain things) but it was a very enjoyable story. It was interesting to experience WW2 from Japan. We have spent so much time in school talking about the home front here in the States so it was great to read about it from Japan's home front. Especially after the war and the occupation by American soldiers and how the geisha reacted to them.
What I really loved about this story was the detail it went into describing what a geisha is and how young girls became geisha and the process that it takes to become one. It is not easy, you have to be chosen, you have to be charming, you have to be able to make a lot of money! You usually do not get to act on your feelings, you have to do what is expected. Our main character tried to do what she wanted, and almost ruined her chances of becoming a geisha and being a maid for her entire life. Then she "played by the rules" long enough for her to become famous, make a lot of money, defeat her nemesis, and be adopted. Then she promptly did what she wanted again. She made some friends and many enemies. But she did what she felt that she needed to do in order to make herself happy. No matter what. Isn't that kind of like real life, where you make some friends and you make some enemies, but you try to do what you can to survive?
Poor Pumpkin. If you have read the book, you know what I am talking about. She was another young girl that the okiya (or geisha home) obtained at the same time as Sayuri (our main character with the startling eyes) They became friends when they were younger, then as they were assigned to older sisters, Pumpkin to Hatsumomo (Sayuri's nemesis) and Sayuri to Mameha (another nemesis of Hatsumomo). Pumpkin helps Sayuri and while Sayuri defeats Hatsumomo, she also crushes Pumpkin. Pumpkin tries to get her revenge but she is clearly defeated. Pumpkin was just trying to create a life for herself and Sayuri (maybe unwillingly) crushed her dreams and lowered her status. Pumpkin is the nice girl who got caught up in other circumstances and never really recovers. Sayuri endured some hardships, but she ended up inflicting some on Pumpkin.
Love or duty? A geisha's life is full of duty. She has a duty to her okiya, to her tea house, to so many others except for herself. Our geisha, however, took time for herself and did what she had to do in order to get the man of her dreams, The Chairman. She crushes the hopes and the heart of one man who had a huge part to play in her rise to fame, he was then burned by her but came back when she needed help the most and gave her a place to stay through the most difficult part of the war. Low and behold she finds a way to burn him again to get her man. I was a little sad at that. He did so much for her and she was willing to sleep with a man who was really disgusting in order to get away from him. He was a gruff but a kind man at heart. I have to admit I felt a little bad for him.
It feels like you should be reading this book with a nice cup of green tea in a sunny room, but to be truthful, after a few minutes of reading, you won't care where you are and that tea will become cold. You will be transported to another time and another world. A great book, and a great read!
Next up, I move from Japan to the South for Gone with the Wind.
My students have begun to pick up on the fact that I love to read. They love to make fun of me because let's face it... reading is just "not cool." Oh well, I haven't been "cool" my entire life and look at me, I am a good member of society. More importantly, I am happy. Oh well, back to books I go. I mention this because I had a student tell me yesterday that because I had forced him, he was actually beginning to enjoy reading. I told him that I could die happy now. It really meant a lot to me, I think that reading is really important and it is something that will help him in his college career or even if VoTech school which is where he is planning to go. It just goes to show you that good modeling is important. I am not saying that if you don't read then you are stupid and won't amount to anything. I am saying that it can help!
Back to the original point to this blog post... Memoirs of a Geisha. I was pretty excited to read this book. It was first published when I was in high school and became a movie a short time later. I never saw it and I never read the book. I had actually forgotten about it for a while until I saw it on the BBC list and I was excited to give it a try. I tell you, this book didn't disappoint. There were a couple of places where it was really awkward (I mean she is a geisha and sometimes they are expected to do.... certain things) but it was a very enjoyable story. It was interesting to experience WW2 from Japan. We have spent so much time in school talking about the home front here in the States so it was great to read about it from Japan's home front. Especially after the war and the occupation by American soldiers and how the geisha reacted to them.
What I really loved about this story was the detail it went into describing what a geisha is and how young girls became geisha and the process that it takes to become one. It is not easy, you have to be chosen, you have to be charming, you have to be able to make a lot of money! You usually do not get to act on your feelings, you have to do what is expected. Our main character tried to do what she wanted, and almost ruined her chances of becoming a geisha and being a maid for her entire life. Then she "played by the rules" long enough for her to become famous, make a lot of money, defeat her nemesis, and be adopted. Then she promptly did what she wanted again. She made some friends and many enemies. But she did what she felt that she needed to do in order to make herself happy. No matter what. Isn't that kind of like real life, where you make some friends and you make some enemies, but you try to do what you can to survive?
Poor Pumpkin. If you have read the book, you know what I am talking about. She was another young girl that the okiya (or geisha home) obtained at the same time as Sayuri (our main character with the startling eyes) They became friends when they were younger, then as they were assigned to older sisters, Pumpkin to Hatsumomo (Sayuri's nemesis) and Sayuri to Mameha (another nemesis of Hatsumomo). Pumpkin helps Sayuri and while Sayuri defeats Hatsumomo, she also crushes Pumpkin. Pumpkin tries to get her revenge but she is clearly defeated. Pumpkin was just trying to create a life for herself and Sayuri (maybe unwillingly) crushed her dreams and lowered her status. Pumpkin is the nice girl who got caught up in other circumstances and never really recovers. Sayuri endured some hardships, but she ended up inflicting some on Pumpkin.
Love or duty? A geisha's life is full of duty. She has a duty to her okiya, to her tea house, to so many others except for herself. Our geisha, however, took time for herself and did what she had to do in order to get the man of her dreams, The Chairman. She crushes the hopes and the heart of one man who had a huge part to play in her rise to fame, he was then burned by her but came back when she needed help the most and gave her a place to stay through the most difficult part of the war. Low and behold she finds a way to burn him again to get her man. I was a little sad at that. He did so much for her and she was willing to sleep with a man who was really disgusting in order to get away from him. He was a gruff but a kind man at heart. I have to admit I felt a little bad for him.
It feels like you should be reading this book with a nice cup of green tea in a sunny room, but to be truthful, after a few minutes of reading, you won't care where you are and that tea will become cold. You will be transported to another time and another world. A great book, and a great read!
Next up, I move from Japan to the South for Gone with the Wind.
"Rhett, oh Rhett!!!"
Sunday, November 6, 2011
November is for Birthdays and Thanksgiving
Repeat after me America, "It is not Christmas." good, and again, "IT IS NOT CHRISTMAS!!" Ok now, can we get the Christmas music to stop playing in the mall, the decorations back in their boxes for another couple of weeks. Let's give Thanksgiving its due month. Now don't get me wrong, I like Christmas. In fact, I LOVE Christmas. Christmas has it's own smell, it's own excitement and it's own meaning. But I really like Thanksgiving and I like taking the time to be thankful for the things that are around us.
One of my old professors from college, who I want to be when I grow up, started on November 1, posting everyday one thing that she has been thankful for. So I decided to follow suit. I have a lot of blessings in my life, and I want to make sure that I acknowledge every one of them. That is what this month is for. That and gorging yourself on food, and celebrating birthday's and other special events.
November is the month of birthday's, my father's, my best friend's and several other close friends have their birthday's in this wonderful month. Not to mention my own birthday. So add cake to all the other things that make this month great. :-)
November also brings my wedding anniversary. One year ago, my husband and I were officially married. We both agree that it didn't bring about the difference that we thought it would, mostly because we really had been married for several years before. We already made our life together and while it was fun to have a day where I get to wear a great dress and marry my best friend (I know that is cliche, but true) our marriage began a few years before. That doesn't make me any less grateful for today. I get to wake up next to the best man I could ever wish for, I get to come home to his hugs, I get to talk with him when things get rough, and I get to laugh with him when things get funny (and they do!) He is one of the few people in this world who actually knows me, and still loves me. I love him more than I can express and I love knowing that he is by my side and I am by his. Happy One Year Anniversary! I love you!
I like to see lists, so in order to bring this to a close, I am going to add to my list everyday. Here are the things that I am thankful for this month:
Day 1: I missed this day (way to begin, eh?)
Day 2: I am thankful for big, encouraging hugs when my day doesn't go as planned.
Day 3: I am thankful for High 5's!
Day 4: I am thankful for caring co-workers.
Day 5: I am thankful for awesome clocks that sit on my mantle and dutifully chime every 15 minutes!
Day 6: I am thankful for my husband. (That one was easy! Happy Anniversary!)
Day 7: I am thankful for rain, thunder and lightening.. Even if it makes the students crazy!!
Day 8: I am thankful for my car. She starts at the push of a button and has never let me down! I have had her for 6 1/2 years and am hoping for a lot more!
Day 9: I am thankful for my big brother! He is always there when I need him!
Day 10: I am thankful for my home. I love my little place!!! It is a great place to come home to when it is clean and comfortable!!
Day 11: It's a two-for!! I am thankful for all the men and women in our armed forces. I am also thankful for a break!
One of my old professors from college, who I want to be when I grow up, started on November 1, posting everyday one thing that she has been thankful for. So I decided to follow suit. I have a lot of blessings in my life, and I want to make sure that I acknowledge every one of them. That is what this month is for. That and gorging yourself on food, and celebrating birthday's and other special events.
November is the month of birthday's, my father's, my best friend's and several other close friends have their birthday's in this wonderful month. Not to mention my own birthday. So add cake to all the other things that make this month great. :-)
November also brings my wedding anniversary. One year ago, my husband and I were officially married. We both agree that it didn't bring about the difference that we thought it would, mostly because we really had been married for several years before. We already made our life together and while it was fun to have a day where I get to wear a great dress and marry my best friend (I know that is cliche, but true) our marriage began a few years before. That doesn't make me any less grateful for today. I get to wake up next to the best man I could ever wish for, I get to come home to his hugs, I get to talk with him when things get rough, and I get to laugh with him when things get funny (and they do!) He is one of the few people in this world who actually knows me, and still loves me. I love him more than I can express and I love knowing that he is by my side and I am by his. Happy One Year Anniversary! I love you!
I like to see lists, so in order to bring this to a close, I am going to add to my list everyday. Here are the things that I am thankful for this month:
Day 1: I missed this day (way to begin, eh?)
Day 2: I am thankful for big, encouraging hugs when my day doesn't go as planned.
Day 3: I am thankful for High 5's!
Day 4: I am thankful for caring co-workers.
Day 5: I am thankful for awesome clocks that sit on my mantle and dutifully chime every 15 minutes!
Day 6: I am thankful for my husband. (That one was easy! Happy Anniversary!)
Day 7: I am thankful for rain, thunder and lightening.. Even if it makes the students crazy!!
Day 8: I am thankful for my car. She starts at the push of a button and has never let me down! I have had her for 6 1/2 years and am hoping for a lot more!
Day 9: I am thankful for my big brother! He is always there when I need him!
Day 10: I am thankful for my home. I love my little place!!! It is a great place to come home to when it is clean and comfortable!!
Day 11: It's a two-for!! I am thankful for all the men and women in our armed forces. I am also thankful for a break!
Ask Alice, when she's 10 feet tall
Psst. If you want to bulk up your belief in yourself and your reading, read a children's book! I flew through this book in no time flat because I could take out a huge chunk at one time! Look at me GO!
The truth is that I am really far behind in my blogging but that is ok, no one is reading it anyway. It may sound like I am whining but do not let that confuse you. I really could care less. I am reading these books and blogging to make ME happy. I got sent home from work yesterday. No really. My head of department took one look at me, asked me what was wrong and after I completely exploded all of my crazy all over her, she told me that my health was paramount and that I have seven minutes to exit the building, go home, make some tea, go to bed and sleep. I was so grateful that of course I started crying all over again. But I did, I went home and went to sleep. I tried to get some reading of Gone with the Wind finished but my headache wouldnt' let me. I had my cats, I had some tea and I slept. I realized something. I cannot take care of everyone and I need to take some time for myself. Remember those summer resolutions that I did, well I am doing ok on those. I am going to do better and I am adding one more. I am going to take at least and hour every day for me. Go to the gym and read on the treadmill, ride my bike, ANYTHING!! Or I am going to go crazier then I already am.
Speaking of crazy, let's talk a bit about Alice. I really didn't like the movie when I was growing up. The cat really gave me the creeps. and I refused to watch it. In fact I am still surprised that this book was written to be a children's book. Some of the things that happen are a little strange. Reading now, as a "mature" reader was kind of interesting, I knew what was going to happen and it wasn't very exciting but it was relaxing! Plus, it had pretty pictures which made the time fly!
I teach this book at the beginning of the year when I am always waiting on supplies for the program that I teach. They have readers for it that take the reading level down and make it easier for them to understand. Many of them still didn't get it. They could not imagine what it would be like to fall down and not land for a while. They cannot imagine talking to a dormouse. In order to help them with this, I have them do a lot of assignments where they must draw what they think it looks like, This helped them a lot.
I really don't have much to say about Alice, I am sure there is a deeper meaning planted in the story but I didn't get it. honestly I didn't try. I wanted it read and crossed off my list. There, my confession is now complete. I have never really enjoyed this story, I am glad that I read it, but my life is not enriched by a story that a man dreamed up while on some drug induced stupor. It never grabbed my attention.
So, sorry Alice, but I was more than excited to move on to my next adventure, Memoirs of a Geisha.
( I know, no pictures with this one, I really am not trying hard! lol)
The truth is that I am really far behind in my blogging but that is ok, no one is reading it anyway. It may sound like I am whining but do not let that confuse you. I really could care less. I am reading these books and blogging to make ME happy. I got sent home from work yesterday. No really. My head of department took one look at me, asked me what was wrong and after I completely exploded all of my crazy all over her, she told me that my health was paramount and that I have seven minutes to exit the building, go home, make some tea, go to bed and sleep. I was so grateful that of course I started crying all over again. But I did, I went home and went to sleep. I tried to get some reading of Gone with the Wind finished but my headache wouldnt' let me. I had my cats, I had some tea and I slept. I realized something. I cannot take care of everyone and I need to take some time for myself. Remember those summer resolutions that I did, well I am doing ok on those. I am going to do better and I am adding one more. I am going to take at least and hour every day for me. Go to the gym and read on the treadmill, ride my bike, ANYTHING!! Or I am going to go crazier then I already am.
Speaking of crazy, let's talk a bit about Alice. I really didn't like the movie when I was growing up. The cat really gave me the creeps. and I refused to watch it. In fact I am still surprised that this book was written to be a children's book. Some of the things that happen are a little strange. Reading now, as a "mature" reader was kind of interesting, I knew what was going to happen and it wasn't very exciting but it was relaxing! Plus, it had pretty pictures which made the time fly!
I teach this book at the beginning of the year when I am always waiting on supplies for the program that I teach. They have readers for it that take the reading level down and make it easier for them to understand. Many of them still didn't get it. They could not imagine what it would be like to fall down and not land for a while. They cannot imagine talking to a dormouse. In order to help them with this, I have them do a lot of assignments where they must draw what they think it looks like, This helped them a lot.
I really don't have much to say about Alice, I am sure there is a deeper meaning planted in the story but I didn't get it. honestly I didn't try. I wanted it read and crossed off my list. There, my confession is now complete. I have never really enjoyed this story, I am glad that I read it, but my life is not enriched by a story that a man dreamed up while on some drug induced stupor. It never grabbed my attention.
So, sorry Alice, but I was more than excited to move on to my next adventure, Memoirs of a Geisha.
( I know, no pictures with this one, I really am not trying hard! lol)
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