redemption.

While on our honeymoon in Italy (can I please go back, now?) we ducked into a library to find some train-ride literature before we took off for Florence. There was a small English literature section and I was surprised to see very little that I recognized. I picked up the first title that seemed familiar and walked out with my first Jack Kerouac novel, On the Road. It was an American classic, bound to be a winner. Wrong. It took me about 4 months to finish. I just was so disgusted by the "free and easy living" lifestyle these guys promoted and the fact that the book seriously didn't have a point. Kerouac was officially a hack, at least in my book (and that's the only book that matters, right?). 

Unfortunately, Kerouac and I would meet again in the form of The Dharma Bums. My history professor decided that the Beat Generation was something worth noting in our glance at American history so I begrudgingly bought the book and loathed the day that I would have to read it. In order to get different perspectives on what popular thought was at the time of publication we read this review of Kerouac's previous works, On the Road as well as The Subterraneans (it's a bit long but it seriously states exactly how I feel about On the Road, Norman and I are two peas in a pod). I was all geared up to hate Dharma Bums. But, as I read it I saw this great evolution from a bohemian movement based on sex and alcohol to a bohemian movement, somewhat grounded in Zen Buddhism, that focused primarily on nature and connection with people*. I may not want to completely reject the "dumb white machinery in the kitchen" but I have a better understanding and respect for the movement as a whole. So thanks, Kerouac, for continuing to write as you grew in your ideology.

*The latter bohemian movement as portrayed in Dharma Bums still contained quite a bit of sex but not as much alcohol but that wasn't its sole focus ;)

whatcha readin?

Daniel and I were at Barnes & Noble* after church today studying, as per usual, and on my way back from the ladies room I stumbled upon this little section. Now, far be it from me to ever judge what anyone is reading, because I honestly don't care what you're reading I'm just glad that you're reading but, wow, I didn't realize there was a whole genre now. Jumping on that Twilight money train, eh? But seriously there are tons. I'm pretty impressed at the growth of the teen novel industry, it seemed like only the choices I had as a kid were Babysitters Club, Boxcar Children, and Sweet Valley High. Oh, and my moms awesome collection of original Nancy Drew books.

*shortly after I took this picture I was informed that there was no photography allowed and could I please delete the photograph. So, while he stood there I deleted the photo on the screen -- he walked away satisfied and I walked away with the other four photos I had snapped. I am such a rebel.

great morning.

Yesterday I was supposed to be studying for a world geography quiz but I got bored rather quickly and so I made banana nut bread. We have had two bananas sitting on top of our microwave browning. I kept thinking that I needed to make the bread but never found the time. Obviously, study time is the perfect time for baking. I suck at geography but I have perfected this banana nut bread. The trick, my sister Julia once told me, is to add cinnamon -- and lots of it. I only end up putting in about 1.5 teaspoons but it does the trick! So, this morning after my geography quiz (that I'm pretty sure I aced!) I am sitting down to a piping hot cup of Darjeeling tea and a slice of banana nut bread while I read a book on the Korean War -- which is surprisingly not as boring as it sounds, but I love history so I may be biased. Oh! Also, do you want to know how knowing lyrics to Beatles songs can help you study for a geography quiz? No, it's not Back in the U.S.S.R. It was The Ballad of John and Yoko! I had no clue where the Gibraltar Straight was so I looked it up and found out that Gibraltar is right below Spain, and we all know 

"'You can get married in Gibraltar near Spain.' Christ you know it ain't easy, you know how hard it can be. The way things are going, their gonna crucify me."

This is the only time in my life I have been happy about Yoko. And yes, I know I was born in 1988. 

Seriously, walnuts are my favorite part.

Perfection. Sigh. 

see me read.

I just purchased almost all of my books for this semester -- eighteen! This is going to be an intense semester of reading, analyzing and responding but I am very excited about all of it. Subjects of these books include Vietnam, Korea, whales, ocean, Africa, Europe, storms, Communism, and Mexico. Shortly after I finished my amazon book order (waaay cheaper) I checked my old e-mail and goodreads.com had sent me their list of new book releases for January, oh sweet temptation. As I was browsing through the titles I saw their 2011 Reading Challenge, so, I signed up! Initially I put in a larger number thinking I would include my school books but then I decided to just track pleasure reading (maybe I'll change that later). So my goal is 15 books for this year, nothing crazy, a little over a book a month -- I wanted a goal I could accomplish while tackling a full school schedule. You should join, and then add me as your friend - I would love to see what you are reading! Also, I am in the market for book recommendations again -- shoot some my way!

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.

Ate, Prayed, Loved?

I must be the only american female who didn't enjoy the book Eat, Pray, Love. To be fair, I didn't finish it. I read through Italy and India and about 2 pages into Indonesia I gave up. I didn't know this was a "personal growth" story; I thought it was a travel story. Needless to say I was very disappointed in the India portion since I am in love with the place, spent time there, and desperately can't wait to go back. Spending your entire time in an Ashram in India does not seem to me a good picture of what India is.

I went to see the movie for a couple of reasons: (1) because one of the reasons I disliked the book was it just dragged on, I hoped the transition to film would help speed things up, (2) because I was now fully prepared that this was a "personal growth" story, and (3) because I love Julia Roberts. So, I rode my (new, red) bike along the pier to downtown newport and went to the local movie theatre. This movie theatre was converted from an old opera house and the main theatre is amazing -- Dan and I saw inception there and I was itching for a chance to go back. I decided I wouldn't make Dan go see this one (mostly because I want him to see The Kids Are Alright with me and I was scared Eat, Pray, Love might jeopardize my movie-picking abilities in his eyes). Boy, was I glad I didn't drag him along.

To quote a dear friend "Yeah. It was pretty. The food looked awesome. Julia was good...but...meh." My thoughts exactly (one of the reasons that friend is a dear friend). It made me want to go back to Italy for pizza. Right then. I didn't need to finish the movie. I just needed to eat

a whole thin crusted pizza by myself -- yes, i did that a few times while in Italy. But the one scene that really spoke to me? It was a split second long. Julia had just arrived in India, she pulled up to the Ashram and is headed in to meditate with the other followers of this particular guru. However, neither Julia nor the Ashram caught my attention. It was the man who welcomed her and showed her in and ran before her to find her a mat to sit on and a place to sit. You never see that man again, but he almost made me cry. I miss those people. Those people were so eager to help and show and welcome. I also enjoyed the scenes between Julia and the young indian girl. My heart broke, as it has before, as I listened to this girl's dreams and hopes for her future. There were so many young women and girls I met while in India and I wanted nothing more than to give them the chance to do whatever they dreamed of. For some of them that would be marriage, for others learning English, or going to University.

I love India. It's so colorful and exciting and loud and smelly. It's amazing. I just don't think Eat, Pray, Love did it justice, whether in book or film. There's just more to it than that.

Slowing Down

I am the classic over-achiever. Or maybe I just can't stand still. I like to be doing, I am constantly in motion. Things move fast in my world which is why it's not surprising to anyone who knows me that I met and fell in the love with the man I married in less than a year. In any given season I can be involved in any number of activities. I love being busy, I am more organized when I am busy, I prioritize better when I am busy. I lived in a smallish town in California for over 20 years and I always had more than enough to do. I went to school, I worked at least one job if not two, I volunteered at my church... let's just say my hands could be as full as I wanted them to be.

In the months before I moved to North Carolina I was doing all of the above and co-directing a play and planning a wedding. It was crazy and I can't say that there weren't any meltdowns but I was in my zone. Dan and I had a fabulous time in Italy and it was a great transition time before moving my entire life to a foreign city, across the country, where people eat a dish called fried okra (no, I have not tried it yet). I knew before I came what was ahead of me. Dan is in the Marine Corps which is why we live in North Carolina but before we can really settle in we are heading up to Rhode Island where Dan will go through the JAG program. We'll be there for a little over 2 months. I am so excited to see Boston and New York and Providence. But, I am also feeling a little stir crazy. Because of this interesting schedule I am unable to do the things that I normally do: work, attend classes, volunteer...

This is the time where I get to take a much needed break. So, I am reading books, and writing thank you cards, framing pictures, and packing for the next part of this years adventure. It's a different feeling -- I can't say that I am used to it yet but I think it's good. This is the first time in my life where the new "phase" doesn't involve a new project. I am so grateful. I am blessed with time to focus on my newest adventure. I get to learn how to live with a male (coming from a house with 4 daughters, the only male I lived with besides my dad is our male house-cat, Houston). I get to start my life with Dan without too many distractions. And, for that, I am blessed.

P.S. If you are wondering what books I'm reading... I finished On the Road by Jack Kerouac (I was not too impressed) and When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris (Hilarious!). I think I may dive into Crime and Punishment next -- If you have any suggestions I'd be happy to consider them ;)