reading for pleasure

It's been at least 4 years since I have really had time to read. I love to read -- I've loved reading for as long as I can remember. My parents tell me that when I was exiled to my room on timeout they would find me not twiddling my thumbs waiting until they released me from my cell, but curled up in my bed turning the pages in my latest book; I've come a long way from my beloved Nancy Drew series. More recently reading has come in the form of textbooks and the occasional novel from an English class. I didn't even know where to start when I went to the bookstore. Luckily, I had been gifted Crime and Punishment as a wedding present from my book worm sister, Julia, and that was as good a start as any. And the books just kept on coming. I've averaged about a book a week in the past 9 that we've been here in Rhode Island. I teased Dan today that maybe I'm getting used to all this free time to read, he scoffed. We both know that I am climbing up the walls, anxious to start work and finish school. But I'm thinking my renewed love for literature is here to stay.

Here's the list (I can't remember the order I read them in):

1. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky -- This classic novel took me a bit to get into but was well worth the time, it's the best classic I've read in my life to date.

2. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess -- The first third was spent deciphering the slang, if you hang in there it's great.

3. Scandal by Kate Brian -- okay, maybe I haven't come that far from Nancy Drew. This one was my guilty pleasure, teen read similar to Gossip Girl.

4. The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs -- I have a previous blog that sums up my feelings about this book, loved it.

5. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink -- I'm a sucker for books and movies based in or around the time of WWII, I read this in a day.

6. Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis -- I purchased this for Dan because he loves sci-fi, but when I ran out of books and didn't feel like buying another one yet I read this one; it was surprisingly interesting.

7. This is Where I Leave You by Jonathon Tropper -- OMG I laughed out loud so may times. He's hilarious but he also has a mouth on him, so, fair warning.

8. Born Standing Up by Steve Martin -- I loved it. I felt nostalgic for a time that I missed, Steve Martin is incredible.

9. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin -- I'm finishing this book up currently, this man is amazing and he brings life to so much of what I want to do; it's inspirational.

My Changing, Evolving, Family Dynamic

My family has always been pretty close but as my wedding day drew near my heart began to break for the approaching moment when I would leave them to start a new life with my love, Daniel. The time was bittersweet. The trips into my moms room and into the safety of her bed became more frequent in those last few months. Sometimes I would come crying, stressed out of my mind about the wedding and other times I would just come to quietly sit next to her and spend time. My dad has been working in Nevada during the week so I would make sure that during the weekend I would spend time curled up on the couch next to himwatching our favorites movies. I'm 22 and it is completely natural, normal, and right for a woman of my age to leave the comfort of her parents home and start her own adventure -- it still hurt to think about. Moving across the country was going to be difficult, that three hour time difference may not seem like much but it takes a huge toll on communication. I have missed my parents and my sisters more than I can say. Dan has been amazing through all of this time, being a seasoned veteran living on his own since he was 18, he has held me when I've felt lonely and listened to me when I need to talk.

My parents came east to visit Dan and me last week; it helps that we're currently stationed in a super interesting part of the country. While poor Dan was in school Dad, Mom, and I went galavanting around Boston, Newport, and Manhattan. It was a much needed visit -- I even enjoyed (and laughed at!) all the puns and jokes that come along with Brian and Lisa Herrington. We had a fabulous time and when the four of us got to have dinner together, or take a sunset sailing voyage, or sight see in New York, it was such a blessing. Our time together was comfortable, familiar, and fun. We made some great memories. When it came time to part ways, that familiar ache returned. It was hard to say goodbye again. My parents have given me so much and have loved me unconditionally. This trip was a gift from God --

exactly what I needed at just the right time.

As for the amazing times we had, here are a few of my favorites:

1. Getting a glimpse of Fenway Park

2. Our sunset sail around Newport harbor

3. Our amazing apartment rental in the upper west side (we're so hip)

4. Mastering the art of the N.Y. subway

5. The first sight of Times Square all lit up

6. The feast of San Gennaro in little Italy (somewhat like an Italian carnival -- amazing food)

7. Seeing a Broadway show (however disappointing the performance was)

8. Taking in a Mets baseball game (The Yankees were out of town, but the Mets new stadium is pretty awesome)

9. Strolling through Central Park

10. New York Cheesecake = Heavenly

Hurricanes

I don't think I have a healthy acknowledgment of hurricanes. It is probably because up until a few days ago hurricane warnings didn't mean much to me. Being a California girl the occasional tremor from an earthquake was the worst I got and even then I was just excited that I felt it. Earl has been on the news for a few days now and had I been in North Carolina I probably would've paid more attention but since I'm "safe" up here in Rhode Island I didn't take much notice (I know, I'm a terrible humanitarian). I was pretty geared up to just ignore the whole thing until this morning. I woke up to get ready for the gym and I see a note on the table from Dan. He's just letting me know it's going to rain a few inches and there is rumor of power outages, so would I get some bottled water and a few dvd's to watch on the laptop tonight? Well, evidently this hurricane is going to affect me more than I thought. I walk over to the gym and take my place on some stationary exercise equipment and watch the news. The hurricane is on every channel, AND they are showing footage of previous hurricanes that hit the east coast and their effects. Apparently this happens every year. Apparently there are seasons for hurricanes. People are scared of earthquakes? California has a big, destructive earthquake every 80 years or so and there is no such thing as earthquake season. To be honest, I'm actually pretty excited to experience my first hurricane. Don't get me wrong -- I'll take earthquakes over hurricanes any day. ;)