tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22599357891909400662024-02-06T20:10:24.197-07:00ROSY KIERAKierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-87141128899273616722015-04-24T10:40:00.001-06:002015-04-24T10:52:20.133-06:00Juab Speech and Debate Nationals 2015Hey Guys,<br />
<br />
This past year I've been the new coach for Juab's Speech and Debate team. It's been such a great experience, these kids are fantastic and so talented.<br />
<br />
Well, they are so fantastic that two of my students have qualified to attend the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Dallas, Texas this year and we want to help alleviate the cost of attendance as much as possible.<br />
<br />
To such an end, I've created a gofundme account to hopefully raise some funds to help them attend Nationals this year.<br />
<br />
If you are interested in donating, you can here:<br />
<br />
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Every little bit helps! Thank you so much!Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-60603996015944806082014-04-15T08:00:00.000-06:002014-04-25T14:32:10.427-06:00Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Things (That Aren't Books) That I'd Like to Own <span style="font-size: xx-small;">I got this idea from <a href="http://thebrokebookgirls.blogspot.com/">http://thebrokebookgirls.blogspot.com</a> and it originates from <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/">http://www.brokeandbookish.com</a>. If you are interested in learning more about this weekly series click <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Top Ten Bookish Things (That Aren't Books) That I'd Like To Own</b></span></span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Clear Book Holder<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPwDr5awcyYj4zjt7gil7qdy3zoFQfMWLW7JGQ5GhsGa5Uk8SDf6MH_mCOvws730kfbA9ImWK2J6pWiCYZoHYUBHTmBrvZ1uPvqIpJtm1ryBNwAxy-EWQfy58i_k0PmEh8foYXKhky9sB/s1600/clear+book+mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPwDr5awcyYj4zjt7gil7qdy3zoFQfMWLW7JGQ5GhsGa5Uk8SDf6MH_mCOvws730kfbA9ImWK2J6pWiCYZoHYUBHTmBrvZ1uPvqIpJtm1ryBNwAxy-EWQfy58i_k0PmEh8foYXKhky9sB/s1600/clear+book+mark.jpg" height="320" width="148" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Map Bookshelves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgFllTE9JeNF4_cyEHze4_Qy8bW-RI-1T-nzPVPns2U9xE177w8R9bgQ7YLlS-yd3P5EB90VmTQ6sKAY3aos6a3zNQS0pkbv7NBF8hCpLqyOeSjYTh0FDZ5bi3LtMAIQHqQjkU7nY8oot/s1600/map+shelves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgFllTE9JeNF4_cyEHze4_Qy8bW-RI-1T-nzPVPns2U9xE177w8R9bgQ7YLlS-yd3P5EB90VmTQ6sKAY3aos6a3zNQS0pkbv7NBF8hCpLqyOeSjYTh0FDZ5bi3LtMAIQHqQjkU7nY8oot/s1600/map+shelves.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> Colossal Bookmarks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> DFTBA Book Shirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EWK73L__b-hTnY3t5aPDlKRZieqRHSgdF2_X2uboqqgqB9UQ1FSSJnAN5weyo33KhDxOqo2ZWU4LdKS3TBmd3MNdzCDowxaKLHWNCHk4ijJGwht2pRYWRBBu305Eks8oiJtAI7XGDGiK/s1600/dftba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EWK73L__b-hTnY3t5aPDlKRZieqRHSgdF2_X2uboqqgqB9UQ1FSSJnAN5weyo33KhDxOqo2ZWU4LdKS3TBmd3MNdzCDowxaKLHWNCHk4ijJGwht2pRYWRBBu305Eks8oiJtAI7XGDGiK/s1600/dftba.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> Papasan Chair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTOZqCOPL277bOVoD8CdGvGj0yG7QJbwthyphenhyphenuZRMtzhCsazUtYYO568qM8ZAbkv04BtwrV_Zv95beixrVyeD2fof37KSnEw2Yk4Qn_cRPYvVsgiyHNuW-p1f4ef6ksgHVfKnWSOGUEM6Rr/s1600/papasan+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTOZqCOPL277bOVoD8CdGvGj0yG7QJbwthyphenhyphenuZRMtzhCsazUtYYO568qM8ZAbkv04BtwrV_Zv95beixrVyeD2fof37KSnEw2Yk4Qn_cRPYvVsgiyHNuW-p1f4ef6ksgHVfKnWSOGUEM6Rr/s1600/papasan+chair.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> Attic Library<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb3Edhkap7o3ZdXgGz6HV2HRdyqDjmTVTdl2y4oPFRrQZSBqEr9F36Da3jI2FojeYFxxz9HuGwJKIT8_6il35s8LK4sLX-xFm2rIgZTzGLexWIET9UN2wrvxtZLKea7uIA4wOIgyKFXdT/s1600/attic+library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb3Edhkap7o3ZdXgGz6HV2HRdyqDjmTVTdl2y4oPFRrQZSBqEr9F36Da3jI2FojeYFxxz9HuGwJKIT8_6il35s8LK4sLX-xFm2rIgZTzGLexWIET9UN2wrvxtZLKea7uIA4wOIgyKFXdT/s1600/attic+library.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> Moon Reader<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0snEtHkwxLZBIYMY3yGlZn9EvVUQN7XoKipDK5Pirs1uwdyS1S3-Vn_Pt8vf2TMVZrl08JcPe6NoRXJbSO65gNILOCLzgBr2tqcCB3TinAm3_82zks3WDuJtA7C6vQbEikTaA9O0iCJD/s1600/moon+reader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0snEtHkwxLZBIYMY3yGlZn9EvVUQN7XoKipDK5Pirs1uwdyS1S3-Vn_Pt8vf2TMVZrl08JcPe6NoRXJbSO65gNILOCLzgBr2tqcCB3TinAm3_82zks3WDuJtA7C6vQbEikTaA9O0iCJD/s1600/moon+reader.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Cardboard Swirl Shelves <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/more-cardboard-furniture-creat-77753">here</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/more-cardboard-furniture-creat-77753"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYOuQEMJoZbUaIHF6HCj4UfleRZBWG95Mhe4YNK2ld-s1GFExEfm417QmEzR0HdJhkk91ERZjqkWSVXxp-A6r8nc4N2tTRu7KVcrP4zj29b8v6MFAq677wsXDy82Wo8z4T7iI9qQNBDuh/s1600/cardboard+bookshelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYOuQEMJoZbUaIHF6HCj4UfleRZBWG95Mhe4YNK2ld-s1GFExEfm417QmEzR0HdJhkk91ERZjqkWSVXxp-A6r8nc4N2tTRu7KVcrP4zj29b8v6MFAq677wsXDy82Wo8z4T7iI9qQNBDuh/s1600/cardboard+bookshelf.jpg" height="316" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> Book Stairs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6gCYiBBEtRs4c86JhB23C5nUUKT0-CPZccJn7j9I_gmCNDubCIFuogrL8tXHY2I_CLhvybg0z33YfKlYfhXe1XECMlUPnWOn2cgnpYmZsJXYnmTBNjPt2OH5dxqTpyKqoLVaaUWptlE2/s1600/book+stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6gCYiBBEtRs4c86JhB23C5nUUKT0-CPZccJn7j9I_gmCNDubCIFuogrL8tXHY2I_CLhvybg0z33YfKlYfhXe1XECMlUPnWOn2cgnpYmZsJXYnmTBNjPt2OH5dxqTpyKqoLVaaUWptlE2/s1600/book+stairs.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Book Arch in the Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu_YyY8vI3eNRqMenPONZqLzlOdLKhPVC4G6fV4I8iK2cNijG3CGVSDuZ6d8kZ5bcGNPNXeaq7IRAruupEScxMcFIJqZxIoaLTUfLLth62rNL-XeP9Vnd6WkLXKLHUiblFtXDZbf0FSSl/s1600/book+arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu_YyY8vI3eNRqMenPONZqLzlOdLKhPVC4G6fV4I8iK2cNijG3CGVSDuZ6d8kZ5bcGNPNXeaq7IRAruupEScxMcFIJqZxIoaLTUfLLth62rNL-XeP9Vnd6WkLXKLHUiblFtXDZbf0FSSl/s1600/book+arch.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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</ol>
This was a little more difficult. Bookish things that aren't books that I'd like to own, but really, I only want books. But this was fun. Yay TTT!<br />
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<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-21383278433004337002014-04-14T19:58:00.000-06:002014-04-14T19:58:02.461-06:00Happy Thoughts: Goodreads Giveaways<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_husyE4CV_-oWfYmkhzfbSq3bV0rulgpyB4NKHWhmbWOcfGAxn427kgYEoNjoBJvwQHTUZP1z5dRl6FF2ldSRLW5OOsWfny4Vf5LttaWAUSwEIpCPLPDUxUnAj06aZUht_GxD3WmWYHN/s1600/Photo+on+4-14-14+at+7.26+PM+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_husyE4CV_-oWfYmkhzfbSq3bV0rulgpyB4NKHWhmbWOcfGAxn427kgYEoNjoBJvwQHTUZP1z5dRl6FF2ldSRLW5OOsWfny4Vf5LttaWAUSwEIpCPLPDUxUnAj06aZUht_GxD3WmWYHN/s1600/Photo+on+4-14-14+at+7.26+PM+%232.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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BTW: It's actually really difficult to take a picture with a large hard bound novel, from any angle.<br />
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Anywho, I pretty much love <a href="http://goodreads.com/">Goodreads.com</a> and they have a nifty little program where you can enter to win giveaways for free books. There are literally hundreds of books. You have to pick and choose though, because a lot of them sound terrible.<br />
<br />
However, there are some really great ones like books by the majestic <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1654.Terry_Pratchett?from_search=true" target="_blank">Terry Pratchett</a>, who is one of my favorite authors <i>ever. </i><br />
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And then sometimes, really great things happen to you and you win giveaways and Mondays become more bearable.<br />
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And you can be sure that I will let you know how good the book is!<br />
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<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-6145263587058329832014-04-08T12:00:00.000-06:002014-04-08T12:00:02.503-06:00Top Ten Tuesday: Most Unique Books I've Read (April 8)<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I got this idea from <a href="http://thebrokebookgirls.blogspot.com/">http://thebrokebookgirls.blogspot.com</a> and it originates from <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/">http://www.brokeandbookish.com</a>. If you are interested in learning more about this weekly series click <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">Now, I'm a big fan of the odd, absurd and unusual, so this week's Top Ten is right up my alley. </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Top Ten Most Unique Books I've Read</b></span></div>
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<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21776.The_Silent_Gondoliers?from_search=true">The Silent Gondoliers</a> by William Goldman -- The legend of Luigi the master gondolier and aspiring singer. Very odd premise, but more beautiful each time I read it.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1121378.Swords_for_Hire?from_search=true">Swords for Hire</a> by Will Allen -- Not what you'd expect. Classic hero's journey but so, so funny and clever.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8621462-a-monster-calls?from_search=true">A Monster Calls</a> by Patrick Ness -- Strange dreamlike quality to story and writing is haunting. Odd, but one that you won't be able to stop talking about.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/420427.The_Sherwood_Ring?from_search=true">The Sherwood Ring</a> by Elizabeth Marie Pope -- American history meets a ghost story. Not scary but everything ties together in such a wonderfully unique way! One of my absolute favorites.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/95693.The_Blue_Castle?from_search=true">The Blue Castle</a> by L.M. Montgomery -- At first glance, there doesn't look like there is much that is unique about the story. But it was the only one of L.M. Montgomery novel's meant for an older audience. I love the heroine who defies tradition and her stuffy family. It's a novel about fulfilling your dreams and living life to the fullest. It's descriptions of nature stand out as some of the best descriptive writing I've ever read.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1499952.Daddy_Long_Legs?from_search=true">Daddy Long Legs</a> by Jean Webster -- A bildungsroman epistolary novel. Sweet, touching and funny, you will be hard pressed to find another like it.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27712.The_Neverending_Story?from_search=true">The Neverending Story</a> by Michael Ende -- Completely original tale that invites the reader to become a part of the story. However, the second half does drag a bit. But the first half more than makes up for it.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8041873-hold-me-closer-necromancer?from_search=true">Hold Me Closer, Necromancer</a> by Lish McBride -- Unique supernatural powers, unique take on the supernatural genre and a snarky protagonist? Sign me up! </li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/334123.The_Amulet_of_Samarkand">The Amulet of Samarkand</a> by Jonathan Stroud -- The footnotes were the most unique part of this series. I remember being so impressed by the depth of the world that Stroud created and how interesting Bartimeaus was.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15783514-the-ocean-at-the-end-of-the-lane?from_search=true">The Ocean at the End of the Lane</a> by Neil Gaiman -- Literally anything that Neil Gaiman writes is unique with a capital U. The man is a master. Out of everything that I've read from him, <i>The Ocean at the End of the Lane </i>is the most unique. It blends reality and fiction, nightmare and dreams. "<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">It is a stirring, terrifying, and elegiac fable as delicate as a butterfly's wing and as menacing as a knife in the dark."</span></li>
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I liked this week's prompt. Uniqueness in books is something to be cherished and remembered, especially after I read the same paranormal-dystopian-love-triangle YA novel. Same story with different titles. What have been some of the most unique books you've come across?Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-1459111683405522622014-04-07T12:58:00.000-06:002014-04-07T12:58:06.993-06:00#BooksWithBeddes: Reboot by Amy Tintera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #333333;">Title:</span><span style="color: #6666cc;"> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/823658755" target="_blank">R</a></span><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/823658755" target="_blank">eboot</a> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px;">*link goes to my Goodreads review*</span></div>
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Author: Amy Tintera</div>
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Rating: 3 out of 5 stars</div>
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Ehhh, I don't know what it was about this one, but I didn't love it. I didn't hate it either, which was a bit of a relief. The premise was super interesting. After a devastating virus kills most of the population, a handful begin to rise again from the dead, "rebooted". However, these reboots are stronger, faster and less emotional. Sort of sociopathic clones. Anyways, the HARC is the domineering, controlling governmental agency designed to house these reboots and use them to capture criminals and clean up the streets. </div>
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I couldn't get out of my head the idea of zombies, especially since one experiment makes some of the reboots go out of control and start tearing into people. I'm not a huge zombie fan, so that lessened my appreciation somewhat. The other part was just how unbelievable the central love story was. </div>
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The protagonist, Wren 178, was dead for 178 mins before rebooting. The longer you are dead, the less human you are when you return. So it's really hard to identify with her emotionally when she is so dead on the inside. Except that she isn't. She still has feelings, even though she isn't supposed to have them? And then her love interest, Callum, still has all of his human emotions and he loves Wren for some inexplicable reason? I don't know. I like love stories to have a little more meat on the bones than "Oh she's pretty? I must like her then!"</div>
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Oh well. I did find there is a second book, I don't know if I'm super interested in finding out how it all ends though...</div>
Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-86862596062162509942014-04-06T16:47:00.001-06:002014-04-06T16:47:17.863-06:00#BooksWithBeddes: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Title:<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/900812900" target="_blank"> Days of Blood and Starlight</a> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px;">*link goes to my Goodreads review*</span></div>
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Author: Laini Taylor</div>
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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars</div>
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For someone who reads as much as I do, it's odd that such a big book gives me pause. A 300 pg book? Psh! Done in no time. Start creeping over 400 pages and suddenly, I have the hardest time maintaining interest enough to get started. Never mind that once I get started I get completely swept away. </div>
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Well, most of the time. <i>Days of Blood and Starlight</i> is a different story. There is so much going on and so much at stake, that I had to stop after every couple of chapters to maintain my emotional balance. (I <i>really</i> get into books.)</div>
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The premise: Karou is one of the Chimaera, the half human-half creature race that are in open rebellion to the Seraphim, a race of angels with blazing wings. In the first book, she learns of a betrayal from someone close to her and in this second one, she must decide how far she is willing to take things in her need to avenge her race. </div>
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This series takes an interesting look into the nature of war and the people who fight in it. Neither side is innocent, that much is painfully clear as the book goes on. But how do you stop fighting once you start? How do you answer someone's pain that you've caused? </div>
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<i>Days of Blood and Starlight </i>is aptly named. Since it is <b>war </b>that they are involved in, there is so much death and blood. I am afraid that there could never be a movie because to do it right would be too gruesome for the silver screen. There is also the matter of the pain tithe for magic. Even though this concept is brutal, it makes so much sense. You can't get something from nothing (although that seems like the very purpose of magic) and in this world, to conduct any sort of magic, you need a reservoir of pain to purchase it. Cringeworthy, indeed, but it makes you think more about what is worth the pain. </div>
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If you had the power to do anything you wanted, but at a cost, would you still do it?</div>
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<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-5630316917177743302014-04-04T08:51:00.000-06:002014-04-04T09:02:31.295-06:00Article Alert! "When Mindy Met, Well, Everyone..."<br />
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"<a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/when-mindy-met-well-everyone/Content?oid=3645603" target="_blank">When Mindy Met, Well, Everyone..</a>"</div>
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I came across this article on my newsreader iPad app, Zite. It's beautiful because you get to customize your feed and it will automatically bring you more stories with the stuff you like or are interested in. Of course, anything by Mindy Kaling, I'm a big fan of. </div>
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Hence, this article by Alexandra Pusateri. Since I talked about my overwhelming love <a href="http://rosykiera.blogspot.com/2014/04/entertainment-wednesday-mindy-project.html" target="_blank">here</a>, I think this article does an excellent job of summarizing <i>The Mindy Project </i> and also pointing about what it does well.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">"Instead of taking cues from some other female-driven television shows where women in leadership have to exude masculinity or coldness, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">The Mindy Project</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;"> is a lesson to the contrary. Bubbly and quirky, Mindy can come off as ditzy to some viewers' eyes, but looking a bit deeper, there's a lot more to her. Sure, she's a pop culture aficionado, but she's also incredibly intelligent and quick-witted."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I think that is part of my fascination with Mindy Lahiri (the character on the show). Yes, she is a hot mess sometimes, but she is a highly educated, successful professional woman. So what if she loves reality TV? So what if she hates exercising and can't cook with anything beyond a microwave? She's realistic and I love that.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The article gives a shout-out to Adam Pally, who plays Dr. Peter Prentice. "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">When Dr. Peter Prentice (Adam Pally from the nixed </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Happy Endings</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">) is hired to replace Franco's character, he brings a raunchy, bro vibe to the show to contrast Mindy — and it fits. Peter's single-guy take on dating, girls, and guy stuff adds a dimension to </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">The Mindy</i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;"></span></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Project</i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> that makes everyone even more likable." </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Believe it or not, I love Peter's character on the show. He is a bit much too handle sometimes, but just roll your eyes and look for the times when he is completely charming. </span></span></span></span></div>
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Anyways, I thought I would share. :)</div>
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Article link: <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/when-mindy-met-well-everyone/Content?oid=3645603">http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/when-mindy-met-well-everyone/Content?oid=3645603</a>Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-39158163585902524972014-04-03T09:35:00.000-06:002014-04-03T09:39:07.825-06:00#BooksWithBeddes: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Title: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/885526794?book_show_action=false" target="_blank">The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">*link goes to my Goodreads review*</span></div>
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Author: Kate DiCamillo</div>
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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars</div>
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This may be the book nerd in me, but I've always wanted to be part of a book club. I love reading books, but it's even better when you can share books with other people and talk about your thoughts and feelings. It makes me think more deeply about the things I read and helps broaden my literary taste and helps me see things from other people's perspectives. </div>
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Book clubs are tricky, because it seems really daunting to start one, but then again if you don't start one, you have to wait to be invited to one. When I moved to my first official job, somehow (I don't really remember) but somehow I got invited to a book club and I loved it. I got to know more people in the community, I was surrounded by other readers, and we discussed books! Dream come true. </div>
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This is the explanation behind this book, <i>The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane</i>. It was this month's book club book, and a little different than the ones we've read before. First of all, it's a children's book, I would say 8-10 year old. But it's so good. I love saying that because at first, I was a little skeptical about reading it. Not that I couldn't, just why would I want to? I'm glad to say, this little book changed my mind.</div>
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Simply put, it's about a china rabbit who is cold and uncaring. He is separated from his owner and goes on many different kinds of adventures and learns about love along the way. So sweet and so much heart. This would be a lovely bedtime book, to read a chapter each night with a child. Some day, right? </div>
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Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-33634279818046560142014-04-02T08:00:00.000-06:002014-04-02T08:00:01.614-06:00Entertainment Wednesday: The Mindy Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Entertainment Wednesday: Once a week, I will highlight some pop culture element that I'm currently enjoying at the moment. Sound off in the comments if there is something that I </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">need </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">to see.</span></div>
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<i>The Mindy Project</i> on Fox: I love, love, love The Mindy Project! And tonight it's baaaaaaaaaaaaaack! (And since I don't have regular TV, when I say tonight, I mean Wednesday after school on Hulu) After a mid-season hiatus, Mindy and her crew are back and I'm thrilled. </div>
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What is it about: Mindy Lahiri (played by Mindy Kaling) is a 30-something OBGYN in New York who is an eternal romantic and is trying to figure her life out, still. </div>
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Why I Like it: Daniel Castellano (he is a significant part of why I love this show), Mindy Lahiri's fashion sense, and it's basically a weekly rom-com. </div>
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Usually my sister and I have similar tastes in entertainment, so it bums me out that she hates this show with such a violent passion. She just can't get past the idea of Mindy as Kelly Kapoor from The Office. I've previously mentioned that I dislike The Office, (Ugh, SO MUCH) so I didn't mind it at all. Fortunately, I have friends that have fantastic taste and who I can gush over new developments with. </div>
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And there is always something new. Part of the genre of rom-coms are romantic story lines, and Mindy really plays with the concept. The Mindy on the show is an expert on all the Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan-esque films and tries (and fails) to make her life like one. Mindy has had SO many love interests and yummy guest starring men from James Franco, to BJ Novak, to Ben Feldman, to Seth Rogen. Oh it is glorious.</div>
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Mindy is a realistic character. You can totally see her functioning in the real world, unlike Jess from New Girl who is too <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPDG" target="_blank">Manic-Pixie-Dream-Girl</a> to handle sometimes. While I loooooved New Girl the first two seasons, season three was truly terrible (although Jess's b-day party from Nick was adorbs). Mindy is realistic in tone, her observations on social expectations are ON POINT, and her fashion is to die for. Seriously, I would drool over almost every piece her closet. </div>
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So, if you haven't yet, give Mindy a chance. (I'm looking at you, Denay). And rejoice because it's back on tonight (Tuesday) and I will finally get to see what happens after <b><u><span style="font-size: large;">this</span></u></b>:</div>
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If you are still reading, this fan-vid will give you a glimpse why I absolutely ADORE Danny Castellano: </div>
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<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-72867080717937245462014-04-01T10:00:00.000-06:002014-04-01T10:03:08.573-06:00Top Ten Tuesday: "Gateway" Books/Authors In My Reading Journey (April 1)<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I got this idea from <a href="http://thebrokebookgirls.blogspot.com/">http://thebrokebookgirls.blogspot.com</a> and it originates from <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/">http://www.brokeandbookish.com</a>. If you are interested in learning more about this weekly series click <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>Top Ten "Gateway" Books/Authors In My Reading Journey</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: century gothic, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/297249.The_Boxcar_Children?from_search=true"><i>The Boxcar Children</i> </a>-- These were the first books that I remember being excited about reading. I remember my mother making a copy of all the title from the back of one of the books so I could see which ones to get next at the library. These were a very large part of my childhood.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: century gothic, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233722.Kristy_s_Great_Idea"> </a></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233722.Kristy_s_Great_Idea">The Baby-sitters Club</a></i> by Ann Martin -- Like the Boxcar Children, The Baby-sitters Club series was transformative for me. I remember when Mary-Ann got her hair cut super short, that inspired me to cut my hair. Simple, but that was probably the first time I remember being so influenced by a book.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: century gothic, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> <i>The Enchanted Forest Chronicles</i> by Patricia C. Wrede -- When I was in elementary school, I remember one of my fellow students pulled <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/169875.Searching_for_Dragons?from_search=true">Searching for Dragons </a></i>off of the shelf and asked how anyone could read such a BIG book. Prideful elementary student that I was, I took it on as a challenge and fell in love with it.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: century gothic, arial, sans-serif;"><i style="line-height: 20px;"> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15823480-anna-karenina?from_search=true">Anna Karenina</a></i><span style="line-height: 20px;">--Freshman year of college, I took a Comparative Literature course and this was the one book that our professor promised us that we would read again, out of all the books we read that semester. It was also the novel that got me started reading Russian literature, which I won't say that I'm an expert on or an avid fan of, but it does enrich my life.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: century gothic, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/118944.American_Born_Chinese?from_search=true"><i>American Born Chinese</i> </a>-- Junior year of college, I had to take an Adolescent Literature class for my major. "Had to" pshaw! I got to read YA fiction for CREDIT. Tell you what, I aced that course. In the class we had to read a whole variety of YA literature. One type was graphic novels, which I hadn't paid much attention to. I didn't really understand the appeal. American Born Chinese changed that for me. First of all, it is a Printz medal winner and it had such depth. I am sold on the idea of graphic novels, all because of this book.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: century gothic, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/139142.Shipwreck_at_the_Bottom_of_the_World?from_search=true">Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World</a> </i>-- Likewise, in this class, we had to read some non-fiction which I had never really been a fan of. SatBotW (it's a mouthful) changed all of that. For once, I was fully engaged in a true story. I was fascinated and couldn't put it down. It also furthered my fascination with the Arctic exploration era. Ernest Shackleton FTW!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: century gothic, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> Neil Gaiman -- I've never been one to appreciate anything in the horror genre. I don't willingly see scary movie or tell scary stories around the camp-fire. Neil Gaiman made me appreciate horror like I've never done before. I think it's because he gave meaning to the horror. It wasn't just to scare. It was meaningful and beautiful.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: century gothic, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11.The_Hitchhiker_s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy?ac=1"> <i>Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy</i></a><i> </i>-- Number 8 and 9 are both important for different reasons. I think Hitchhiker's Guide was technically the first example of true </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Science Fiction that I remember reading. And if I were to be honest, I think Sci-Fi is one of my favorite genres now.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: century gothic, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64397.A_Stainless_Steel_Rat_is_Born?from_search=true">Stainless Steel Rat</a> </i>-- Harry Harrison's series is one of my favorites. It straddles the border between Sci-Fi and Satire and it's one that has opened up new opportunities of other Sci-Fi books like Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: century gothic, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1124499.Murder_on_the_Orient_Express" style="line-height: 20px;"><i>Murder on the Oriental Express</i></a><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i> </i>-- Last but not least, Agatha Christie's immortal mystery </span><i style="line-height: 20px;">Murder on the Orient Express. </i><span style="line-height: 20px;">Like I said earlier, I'm not one for suspense, and always read the end of the book to see how it will resolve itself, but with this one, I </span><b style="line-height: 20px;">didn't. </b><span style="line-height: 20px;">And I saw how exhilarating it was to </span><b style="line-height: 20px;">not </b><span style="line-height: 20px;">know the ending. And I wanted to read </span><i style="line-height: 20px;">more </i><span style="line-height: 20px;">mysteries because Christie did such a good job with it. Classic.</span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: century gothic, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">So this is probably waaayyy more than you wanted to know, but these are my Top Ten Gateway Books that opened up new books, genres and authors for me on my reading Journey. Let me know what books have been gateway books for you! I love comparing books and experiences.</span></span>Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-16924303170313889512014-03-29T08:00:00.000-06:002014-03-29T08:00:05.560-06:00Good Eats: Molly'sGood Eats: I'm a fan of food. So for my Good Eats series, I will highlight either good recipes or restaurants that I've recently come across.<br />
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Restaurant Review: <a href="http://molly.marvellouscatering.com/">Molly's</a></div>
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Last Friday was Girls Night Out (GNO henceforth) to see Pride and Prejudice at BYU. Of course, with such an event, you have to go out for dinner! I've always wanted to try Molly's while I was going to school in Provo, but it was only open for lunch and it was inconvenient. Well, ta da! It was open for dinner on Friday. </div>
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We popped on by and it was busy! Which is always a good sign. The restaurant was a little small, but the food was delicious. The eating area was light and friendly. It is homestyle BBQ with the most gorgeous dinner rolls I think I've ever seen. The lemonade was sweet with a little splash of pineapple juice, which made is 10x better than any other lemonade I've had recently.</div>
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Lastly, if nothing else convinces you, four words: chocolate-cream-cheese-cake. Yes, it was real and it was <strike>beautiful</strike> delicious.</div>
Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-44537183813175930122014-03-28T14:19:00.003-06:002014-03-28T14:19:45.622-06:00#BooksWithBeddes: Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13056868-vessel" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Vessel" border="0" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1333623382m/13056868.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13056868-vessel">Vessel</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/99117.Sarah_Beth_Durst">Sarah Beth Durst</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/822465896">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Genres: fate vs. free will, the individual vs. the majority, gods and goddesses, desert survival<br>Summary: Liyana has trained her whole life to be a vessel for her clan's goddess. When her goddess doesn't come, Liyana's clan abandons her to the desert to find a more worthy vessel. Liyana then meets Korbyn, the trickster god, who claims that the gods are being trapped and Liyana must help him find them again. The longer Liyana goes without her goddess, the less she wants to give up her life just yet. But she might have to sacrifice herself to save her people.<br>Response: I don't know what I was expecting when I picked up this book. I only knew that I liked the author's previous novel, <em> Ice </em>. <br>I was really impressed by the complex world-building present in this novel. Focusing on the nomadic desert tribes and giving life to each clan's gods was really interesting. The other supernatural elements found in the desert like the giant silk/sand worms, the sandstorm wolves, the sky serpents, etc. added to the depth and detail of that world. I liked the foreign feel of the desert people. I don't think many YA authors take that route. It felt new and interesting. <br>Liyana was such a strong character. She has been raised her whole life for one purpose, to be the vessel for her goddess. After that time, she no longer exists. But when her goddess doesn't come, what then? Liyana suddenly has to live for herself, instead of just for her fate. She still considers others needs before her own, but that whole dilemma of the individual will versus the group good was just fascinating. And it wasn't just Liyana who had to deal with this dilemma, there were other abandoned vessels, each with varying degrees of acceptance of their fate. I loved that the author was able to explore so many perspectives to the same problem.<br>I didn't quite know how to take the ending. It was mostly satisfying, but I wonder if there will be more? <br>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3613365-kiera-beddes">View all my reviews</a>
Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-42747362505248104392014-03-26T08:00:00.000-06:002014-03-26T08:00:08.849-06:00Entertainment Wednesday: CommunityEntertainment Wednesday: Once a week, I will highlight some pop culture element that I'm currently enjoying at the moment. Sound off in the comments if there is something that I <i>need </i>to see.<br />
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Community on NBC: A critical darling with a cult following. I do love the absurd, so my taste in TV shows is a little bizarre. I like <i>Parks and Rec </i>but I <b>hate </b><i>The Office. </i>I do NOT like <i>Arrested Development </i>but I like <i>30 Rock. </i></div>
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I was a little worried that it would be strange, considering the very small but very vocal minority at my school that was advocating it. But when one is stranded at a drama competition two hours away, one commits to certain things. </div>
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I started watching it on Sunday...which turned into an all-day affair. Then Monday after school. And Tuesday. I've made it through Season 1 already. </div>
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Community is fantastic for several reasons. 1.) Endlessly quotable 2.) Highly unique 3.) Fast paced and always engaging 4.) A lovable group of misfits. I realize that I am probably behind the times but I fully support this TV show.</div>
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Be warned, I've been told that I have a fascination with jerks. I loved TV jerks. Elliot from <i>Leverage, </i>Danny Castellano from <i>The Mindy Project, </i>Jake Peralta from <i>Brooklyn 99.</i> So Jeff Winger is a tool, I will admit that. But I can't help it! I love him still. </div>
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The real gem of the show, though, is Abed. His observations on human nature and media stereotypes is hilarious, wise, timely and brilliant. </div>
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So give it a shot if you haven't yet. Let me know when you get to the Paintball episode. Oh, you'll know what I mean when you see it.</div>
<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-4452290926979765662014-03-25T08:00:00.000-06:002014-03-31T12:30:19.279-06:00Top Ten Tuesday:Things On My Bookish Bucket List (March 25)<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I got this idea from <a href="http://thebrokebookgirls.blogspot.com/">http://thebrokebookgirls.blogspot.com</a> and it originates from <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/">http://www.brokeandbookish.com</a> and <a href="http://www.thebookwheelblog.com/50-bookishthings/">http://www.thebookwheelblog.com/50-bookishthings/.</a></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">If you are interested in learning more about this weekly series click </span><a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html" style="font-size: x-small;">here</a><span style="font-size: xx-small;">.</span><br />
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I want to do more regular series on the blog. This is going to be a Tuesday regular. I will take most of my ideas from the blogs I mentioned, but if it strikes my fancy, I might do a random list. This week's topic is <b>Top Ten Things On My Bookish Bucket List</b><br />
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<li>Meet John Green and Hank Green -- Favorite youtubers and creative geniuses</li>
<li>Read <i>Moby Dick</i></li>
<li>Social Media Storm (instagram, pinterest, blog) the books I read as I finish them. #BooksWithBeddes</li>
<li>Read <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/656.War_and_Peace?from_search=true">War & Peace</a></i></li>
<li>Someday turn a classic novel into a vlog a la <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXfbQAimgtbk4RAUHtIAUww">Lizzie Bennet Diaries</a>. Another example of Hank Green's genius.</li>
<li>Read <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7144.Crime_and_Punishment?from_search=true">Crime and Punishment</a></i></li>
<li>Visit Prince Edward Island from <i>Anne of Green Gables</i></li>
<li>Blow my <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/1914-2014-reading-challenge">Goodreads Reading Challenge</a> out of the water like last year.</li>
<li>Read at least one truly non-fiction book year. </li>
<li>Update my school library with at least new 50 books a year</li>
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Whew! It was a little difficult to come up with 10 things, but it was fun! Tune in next week for<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'century gothic', arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Top Ten "Gateway" Books/Authors In My Reading Journey</span></b></span><br />
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<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-35426383389698977032014-03-24T15:48:00.002-06:002014-03-24T15:58:34.897-06:00BYU: Grad School EditionMy heart is so full of gratitude today.<br />
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More than a month ago, I applied for the masters program in Teacher Education at BYU. This is a program that I've been thinking about for a couple of years now. I have been on pins and needles for the better part of March, waiting to hear back.<br />
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No more worries! I've been accepted! This means I have a roadmap for the next two years. This means I am on my way to becoming a better teacher. This means whole other world of possibilities and opportunities.<br />
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I have some thanking to do.<br />
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<li>To all those who knew I was applying and had no worries that I would get in, thank you for putting up with my stress, fears and tears.</li>
<li>To those who helped-either with the GRE or letters of recommendation or even talking me through the process, thank you.</li>
<li>To everyone who I told today, thank you for being excited with me as I start this new chapter of my life!</li>
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I can't wait to get more information about the classes I get to take and the professors and cohort that I will get to work with! I can't wait to share what new things I am going to be learning and doing.<br />
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Wish me luck! It's going to be a crazy two years.<br />
<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-25765671418061925452013-10-22T22:19:00.001-06:002014-03-24T16:05:06.494-06:00#BooksWithBeddes: 300th Book Read CelebrationFolks, this is an occasion: My 300th read book is official on Goodreads as of tonight! We must do what we can to celebrate. I've included my Goodreads review for your viewing pleasure. And this is how I celebrate! (I live the adventurous life.)<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7514925-tiger-lily" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Tiger Lily" border="0" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1329681513m/7514925.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7514925-tiger-lily">Tiger Lily</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/94868.Jodi_Lynn_Anderson">Jodi Lynn Anderson</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/747101536">3 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
Three and half stars, I think.<br />
Genre: retold classic, alternative narrators. love triangles<br />
Summary: This is the story of Peter Pan, but told from Tinkerbell's point of view as an omniscient third person narrator. As a fairy, she can tell the thought, feelings and memories of the people around her. She is tied to Tiger Lily first, and of course, Peter, later. Tinkerbell narrates Tiger Lily's background and how she meets and falls in love with Peter. But it isn't a love affair that is meant to last because Tiger Lily is engaged to be married, Captain Hook wants Peter Pan dead, and another girl, by the name of Wendy, comes into the picture.<br />
Response: This was a suggestion by one of my students, and I had to read it quick because she had already promised it to another friend. It was a quick read. <br />
The writing was beautiful and had a haunting sort of lyricism to it. I love the unusual narrator. I don't really like Tinkerbell as a character from the original Disney story, or her other reincarnations in those straight-to-DVD movies. But Tinkerbell as the narrator is genius. The author explains why she can't talk, and how she met Tiger Lily, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys. As a fairy, she is privy to people's thoughts, and feelings, even the ones that are kept deep inside. <br />
This Neverland was parts beauty, mystery and danger. This retelling of Peter Pan had a much darker edge to it that I was expecting. It wasn't the Neverland of Disney's imagination. In a way, it was an appropriate Neverland for a grown up audience. <br />
Tiger Lily wasn't the most sympathetic character. I felt she was too cold and distant for me to really care about her, but the supporting cast of characters were spot on. I think this book broke my heart a little, but it also patched it up too.<br />
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<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3613365-kiera-beddes">View all my reviews</a><br />
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Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-21365972890356670232013-10-22T22:11:00.003-06:002013-10-22T22:11:43.034-06:00The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown (Movie Review)<br />
Or in other words, Stockholm Syndrome on the Silver Screen.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, I get in movie phases. Recently, I've been in a black-and-white kind of mood. I do have quite the collection on hand of pre-1960 movies, but sometimes, it's nice to try something that you've never seen and have no reference for. Hence, Netflix!<br />
<br />
Netflix knows me so well. There is a whole queue of classic films, just for me. ;)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDt9ilkFIv9m-v2Ldbc8VvaY1qtJsi9VaBVtIYkv0vXWRBn5Gi_F1RnO1agGlqBb1ewBa9UOBSgKMXcZ22B7HLk-q9OR_iVzCOD-6gD5hFaWnEQLhOTzdIeOwfqFBk-wDWZc-sSUmUvjgJ/s1600/220px-FuzzyPinkNightgown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDt9ilkFIv9m-v2Ldbc8VvaY1qtJsi9VaBVtIYkv0vXWRBn5Gi_F1RnO1agGlqBb1ewBa9UOBSgKMXcZ22B7HLk-q9OR_iVzCOD-6gD5hFaWnEQLhOTzdIeOwfqFBk-wDWZc-sSUmUvjgJ/s1600/220px-FuzzyPinkNightgown.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ironically, there wasn't a hint of pink to be seen in the whole movie! I'd like to know where people get the titles from sometimes. The only nightgown on screen was clearly white and was the most modest thing I've ever seen. Unless they mentioned it was pink in the script and I just didn't hear it? But even in black and white film, you can tell when something is supposed to be colored, right?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv0eJyATU2XqpSkJtgVYQobdwBxeZbw4i1xhFiP365XszmR7zpaOT392Nzu_IKpKhiF6Zr0xTgx12Znr1hjkib5FAW1DzaV2zpAYNggEDiR97qRcTHnUJ0mqHT_gThqS5VzQyG8QY4IgM/s1600/jane+russell+nightgown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv0eJyATU2XqpSkJtgVYQobdwBxeZbw4i1xhFiP365XszmR7zpaOT392Nzu_IKpKhiF6Zr0xTgx12Znr1hjkib5FAW1DzaV2zpAYNggEDiR97qRcTHnUJ0mqHT_gThqS5VzQyG8QY4IgM/s1600/jane+russell+nightgown.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that nightgown: pioneers wore more revealing things!</td></tr>
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Anyway, I can't say this film has <i>lots </i>to recommend it. Jane Russell is supposed to be a big deal, and she was appropriately the best part of the movie. Everyone else was very stiff, especially her romantic lead.<br />
<br />
However, the part that intrigued me, was at the very beginning. Jane drives through the studio lot, obviously a big deal by how easily she breezes by everything. She parks where she wants and tells her producer that she wants more shots of her in the trailer she previews. So I expect her to be another <i>Singin' in the Rain </i>drama queen: shallow, conceited and not too bright.<br />
<br />
I was surprised then when she was talking to a friend, getting ready for a premiere when she says that it was ok for everyone to boss her around, but when she tries to do the EXACT SAME THINGS, she is villainized for it. And it's so true. Women in male dominated fields are villified for demonstrating the same traits that male counterparts earn praise for. And I was intrigued that she would express that opinion, which was pretty forward thinking for a film from the 50's.<br />
<br />
Otherwise, the script is pretty weak, the acting more-so, and the premise that one would fall in love with someone that originally just wanted to take (monetary) advantage of them is kind of squirm-worthy. But I will say Jane's actress is a note-worthy feminist trying to have some control over her career and I found it blog-worthy.<br />
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The End.Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-54959804786572784882013-08-20T20:33:00.000-06:002013-08-20T20:33:35.926-06:00Historical Hearttrob(s)If you've spent any time around me, you will pick up on the fact that I love history. More than that, I have illogical romantic attachments to historical figures.<br />
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Particularly, Alexander Hamilton.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIx-qSo_Vmt8o8vdto69e0ZpztI_8IVuv_HVUNDe8y7UjW-Z_W2lK9enWTzfpWLj0LpQAXqo8CZygB0KXoIuMUGHU_dAgXzKWu_uXrqaLNVqKRCzGJdqGYXcPo2XCY6f2BlMm2WY9fgON8/s1600/alexander+hamilton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIx-qSo_Vmt8o8vdto69e0ZpztI_8IVuv_HVUNDe8y7UjW-Z_W2lK9enWTzfpWLj0LpQAXqo8CZygB0KXoIuMUGHU_dAgXzKWu_uXrqaLNVqKRCzGJdqGYXcPo2XCY6f2BlMm2WY9fgON8/s320/alexander+hamilton.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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Oooooo. So much looooooove.</div>
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This fact was so apparent that at one point, my roommate painted me a portrait of A.H. for a birthday present. This crush is real and ongoing, 7 years strong, I'm telling you people.<br />
<br />
However, this post is not solely dedicated to A.H. even though the man fully deserves his own post. And will probably get one at one point. This is to show you this slightly inappropriate blog that I just discovered thanks to a friend.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bangabledudesinhistory.blogspot.com/">http://bangabledudesinhistory.blogspot.com</a><br />
<br />
Mostly historical facts with some snark and pictures of attractive dudes, what more can you ask for? I love learning things that I didn't know before and this blog has it all. Random facts about pretty famous people. And the best part?! A.H. was the very first post. BOOOYA! Apparently, Alexander is a pretty popular choice. Why not?! The man was brilliant, founding father and duel-to-the-death type of guy.<br />
<br />
No really, he died in a duel. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Stupid Aaron Burr. </span><br />
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I will leave you with a rap about Alexander Hamilton that was sung in the White House. No joke, it's quite good and IT'S ABOUT ALEXANDER HAMILTON. What more do you people need?! ;)<br />
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<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-31365942436120754882013-08-14T00:32:00.000-06:002013-08-14T00:32:27.964-06:00Swayze Night with the Sister<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To preface this post, I've wanted to see this movie for ages, like ever since I fell deeply in love with Tom Jones and his "She's a Lady" song. </div>
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I found out that it was featured on this movie with the super long title, <i>To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. </i>Basically, it features Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo as drag queens. And basically, they change everyone's live they meet. </div>
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It was a little hard to get past Swayze in a dress. But he was just so CLASSY. Seriously, I would have worn any one of Swayze outfits. </div>
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I found out that Swayze and Snipes were up for the Academy awards for best actor and best supporting actor. Dudes, they totally should have gotten it. You try acting wearing high heels and well tailored dresses.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIncbySdNtxF4K8YcvXsU5s7QerGXNxJNit4hVCSx8TFCYgcfeVS8Iqt4OEtx17ozSmQaVjJ8onJwzzz3yjCreSrGt4ciDyBlvVDRph_ewCG3TdfJfvhomtHem_juuN6Rf3xDPs0Oc2oK/s1600/to+wong+foo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIncbySdNtxF4K8YcvXsU5s7QerGXNxJNit4hVCSx8TFCYgcfeVS8Iqt4OEtx17ozSmQaVjJ8onJwzzz3yjCreSrGt4ciDyBlvVDRph_ewCG3TdfJfvhomtHem_juuN6Rf3xDPs0Oc2oK/s1600/to+wong+foo.jpg" /></a></div>
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Of course, it can't be Swayze night without another Swayze film. And that is the ultimate classic, <i>Dirty Dancing. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRGvbaBSTMUhLa2nR5UDT0HdcWtQ8FrX0NmMNInq9ULUQEWyNNjSUgK1JewCLF_6i-AF1Oe1uYhY0EdPuG9C5xSOa6Dsix7K7FaFd3K6rxlEynRLNr6DMYjRbgwjJuUtSiuhA0_Mtbw9i/s1600/dirty+dancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRGvbaBSTMUhLa2nR5UDT0HdcWtQ8FrX0NmMNInq9ULUQEWyNNjSUgK1JewCLF_6i-AF1Oe1uYhY0EdPuG9C5xSOa6Dsix7K7FaFd3K6rxlEynRLNr6DMYjRbgwjJuUtSiuhA0_Mtbw9i/s320/dirty+dancing.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
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Mmmmmhmm, folks, Johnny Castle. The sis and I have a lot of fun imagining the perfect casting of the ultimate remake. You know it's going to happen eventually. </div>
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This is what we think so far: </div>
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Baby: Jennifer Lawerence (seriously, she is basically perfect for every role.)</div>
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Johnny Castle: Tatum Channing</div>
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Baby's father: Mark Harmon</div>
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Baby's mother: Jennifer Grey (it would be perfect if she did a cameo as the mother)</div>
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uhhhh...that is about as far as we got. But it would be perfect if Hollywood would just listen to us!</div>
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Apparently, I need to watch <i>Ghost, </i>another Swayze classic. It's too bad he went so young and such a hard way to go. Very talented actor.</div>
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Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-74544423591368847282012-11-27T19:01:00.000-07:002012-11-27T19:03:06.371-07:00Keep on truckin'I'm still here!<br />
<br />
I would like to announce that loud and clear everyone who cares. Life just gets busy sometimes.<br />
<br />
So brief update:<br />
<ol>
<li>I've graduated!</li>
<li>I'm teaching!</li>
<li>I'm surviving! </li>
</ol>
Now for all those debbie-downers out there who will be quick to point out that there is still six months left in the school year to survive, yes, I am quite aware of that fact. But so far, things are going great and there is nothing that I can foresee changing that. (Cross your fingers, ya'll).<br />
<br />
Further updates:<br />
<ul>
<li>reading <i>Frankenstein</i> with my sophomores, progressing just how you can imagine sophomores appreciating Victorian literature. I've been pretty impressed with some, disheartened by others. The plan is to finish it by Christmas. So, if you have any AWESOME project ideas with <i>Frankenstein</i>, send them my way. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>just finished a WWI poetry unit with my juniors. They were pretty good about. Next up, short stories and the Roaring Twenties!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>American Imperialism with my U.S. history kids. It's been really fun to coincide my junior English and History classes. We investigated different views of Imperialism through poetry. BOOM! Cross-curricular awesome-ness.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Seniors...boy. Seniors are hard. I remember being DONE with school. And I can only imagine that it's going to get worse as the year goes by. So...stick around for them. </li>
</ul>
Anyways, that is pretty much it! I think I am going to get back into the swing of things and blog more. I like it.<br />
<br />
Till then,<br />
Farewell.<br />
<br />
Update: This is the 200th post! Wowza, folks! I'm prolific! <br />
<br />
<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-13480636136665242712012-04-17T21:16:00.000-06:002012-04-17T21:16:56.778-06:00Glutten for PunishmentOh hey there. It's been awhile. Astonishing how much time teaching takes. Well, we are getting close to the end and we are discussing poetry right now. As part of their assignment, I have asked the kids to pick a poem and memorize it. In the spirit of fairness, I decided to pick a poem to memorize as well. If only I had decided to memorize it a little sooner <i>before </i>the due date (i.e. tomorrow). Yes, I am the molder of young minds. Yes, I do procrastinate.<br />
However, if I can pull it off then they have NO excuses.<br />
Here is the poem.<br />
The Pomegranate by Eavon Boland<br />
<br />
The only legend I have ever loved is<br />
the story of a daughter lost in hell<br />
and found and rescued there.<br />
Love and blackmail are the gist of it<br />
Ceres and Persephone the names<br />
and the best thing about the legend is<br />
I can enter it anywhere. And have.<br />
<br />
As a child in exile in<br />
a city of fogs and strange consonants<br />
I read it first and at first,<br />
I was an exiled child in the crackling dusk of<br />
the Underworld, the stars blighted. Later,<br />
I walked out in a summer twilight<br />
searching for my daughter at bed time.<br />
When she came running I was ready<br />
to make any bargain to keep her.<br />
I carried her back past whitebeams<br />
and wasps and honey scented buddelias<br />
but I was Ceres then and I knew<br />
Winter was in store for every leaf<br />
And every tree on that road.<br />
Was inescapable for each one we passed.<br />
And for me.<br />
<br />
It is winter<br />
and the stars are hidden.<br />
I climb the stairs and stand where I can see<br />
my child asleep beside her teen magazines<br />
her can of coke, her plate of uncut fruit<br />
the pomegranate! How did I forget it?<br />
She could have come home and been safe<br />
and ended the story and all<br />
our heart-broken searching but<br />
she reached out a hand and plucked a pomegranate<br />
<br />
She put out her hand and pulled down<br />
the French sound for apple<br />
the noise of stone and the proof<br />
that even in the place of death<br />
at the heart of legend, in the midst<br />
of rocks full of unshed tears<br />
ready to be diamonds by the time the story was told,<br />
a child can be hungry. I can warn her. There is still a chance.<br />
<br />
The rain is cold. The road is flint colored<br />
The suburb has cars and cable television<br />
The veiled stars are above ground.<br />
It is another world. But what else can<br />
a mother give her daughter but such<br />
beautiful rifts in time?<br />
<br />
If I defer the grief, I will diminish the gift.<br />
The legend will be hers as well as mine.<br />
She will enter it. As I have.<br />
She will wake up. She will hold the papery flushed skin in her hand<br />
And to her lips. I will say nothing.Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-1267186335976875232011-09-23T19:16:00.000-06:002011-09-23T19:16:17.503-06:00Have I Told You Yet How Glad I am It's Friday?Hello all,<br />
<br />
It's been a busy month and a half. I won't reveal too much of my personal feelings about teaching. I love it, but I am going to leave it at that. Other feelings are going to be left for the privacy of my personal journal.<br />
<br />
Each day seems long and satisfying but the weeks truly FLY past like you wouldn't believe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BHu8LAWSKxU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
A couple of days ago, my university supervisor sent me a link to this video. She mentioned that some days it might feel like we are going no where like a hamster on his wheel. And sometimes, we might even fly off, chaotically. (It's true) But things will get better. It is getting better. I am learning so much about myself as a person, about my capabilities and about my likes and dislikes. It's such a growing experience.<br />
<br />
Well, regardless of my learning experience during the week, I truly enjoy the weekends now. And I fully intend to enjoy this weekend to the fullness. You should too. Weekends are meant for to be enjoyed.<br />
<br />
:)Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-33073680991231283902011-09-02T21:29:00.002-06:002011-09-02T21:30:57.026-06:00Um, this is kind of AWESOME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRjTvDkaHKgWohKHVzf8pNp7MOB8x8nLKXrd6xrFHjk2leEb3BgbRTpRMgBoQLxnbhyphenhyphenlTbk-k09iaydjbiA7Al1j1ipQ68_hZKe0vr1Qggm-F9IdyievuwcZyh9U8PKXC71PxPXOz0-az/s1600/shakespeare+retold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRjTvDkaHKgWohKHVzf8pNp7MOB8x8nLKXrd6xrFHjk2leEb3BgbRTpRMgBoQLxnbhyphenhyphenlTbk-k09iaydjbiA7Al1j1ipQ68_hZKe0vr1Qggm-F9IdyievuwcZyh9U8PKXC71PxPXOz0-az/s1600/shakespeare+retold.jpg" /></a></div>I spied it in the library and I HAD to get it. Mostly because I saw a preview of it on another movie and I noticed James MacAvoy was in it as Macbeth, and I was like, DANG, that has to be good. So I finally checked it out and ladies and gentlemen...<br />
It has blown me away. They retell four of Shakespeare's classic plays: <i>Taming of the Shrew</i>, <i>Much Ado about Nothing</i>, <i>Macbeth</i>, and <i>A Midsummer Night's Dream</i>. I watched two today and they were SUPERB. You'd think that there wouldn't be much more that could be said about the Bard, but the way the actors and directors interpreted the play...they seriously couldn't have done a better job. They made it classic and contemporary all at once. Believable yet delightfully imaginative. LOVED IT.<br />
BBC, you've done yourself proud.<br />
Review? Consider it highly recommended.Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-7947289379041104272011-08-07T22:59:00.000-06:002011-08-07T22:59:27.984-06:00Bergen Trip!So looking over my blog, I seem to be more than a little remiss in keeping it updated while I was in Norway. I had such plans!<br />
However, I still have pictures, so I thought that I'd share some with you today.<br />
<br />
These come from a little side trip we took to Norway's west coast towards the end of July. We took a train from Oslo to Bergen and saw some of the most stunning scenery that you can imagine. Truly! The ride has been described as one of the most scenic in the world! See <a href="http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Articles/Theme/Getting-here-and-around/The-worlds-best-train-ride/">here </a>if you want to learn more.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifA9SDeMyY9LZtiNp99iJGU7_7gQfcxqat1o2I6dK8761WDVffQKdE_Y6-l3UBdaw4oWy5UufBldYXhngJYJuKoVuzSCxdGjuNQnLqKsgxZw1PXlkW6wl0sdI49iCvruStCMwoCMTxKY0B/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifA9SDeMyY9LZtiNp99iJGU7_7gQfcxqat1o2I6dK8761WDVffQKdE_Y6-l3UBdaw4oWy5UufBldYXhngJYJuKoVuzSCxdGjuNQnLqKsgxZw1PXlkW6wl0sdI49iCvruStCMwoCMTxKY0B/s320/IMG_1176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNqnxt95vmlh-DGeE42UBsyBDwMj4XxQfK8McjGqxCkYURzF3Ai6wsEJq9yo8oLRuy3VTMf88DnTFvKqCahyokTKGL-ZrA-tuM01sQbZAbusvYd0e_3Oa7t5G9dlGrIkFjJEEHhuDR7HH/s1600/IMG_1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNqnxt95vmlh-DGeE42UBsyBDwMj4XxQfK8McjGqxCkYURzF3Ai6wsEJq9yo8oLRuy3VTMf88DnTFvKqCahyokTKGL-ZrA-tuM01sQbZAbusvYd0e_3Oa7t5G9dlGrIkFjJEEHhuDR7HH/s320/IMG_1172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaDi_qRvVxq4eNqDMzzHvQ3g1MwCt7DkqxxZ8sQFOWdt7Q28k_vgoYjJXey-WV6e4osKRSewK8GgeOtJLG8TxSR1MId04wFtX_Lx5ziAjB7oRis2x0_jnL_d1v4Xs0BLoBLcrdxudvUOl/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaDi_qRvVxq4eNqDMzzHvQ3g1MwCt7DkqxxZ8sQFOWdt7Q28k_vgoYjJXey-WV6e4osKRSewK8GgeOtJLG8TxSR1MId04wFtX_Lx5ziAjB7oRis2x0_jnL_d1v4Xs0BLoBLcrdxudvUOl/s320/IMG_1182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>See?? Isn't it beautiful?! These are taken from the Hardangervidda, the highest mountain plateau in Europe. I thought it had a soulful, <i>Wuthering Heights</i> kind of feel to the landscape. But there were lots of waterfalls, glaciers, mountains, and forests.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJXYGDoXxKLZ-cqn51kGIxcon0bWQxvsUnNIQZOtdDkpgDyXfiYxCqB9tHMVSujBz6KFv8vycQiBfAFkNcjdHXTTn_ynOpVFddorQ-dt7yFv490qxeKwxZzWyjqxAB49CJI0anG-MWxkE/s1600/IMG_1183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJXYGDoXxKLZ-cqn51kGIxcon0bWQxvsUnNIQZOtdDkpgDyXfiYxCqB9tHMVSujBz6KFv8vycQiBfAFkNcjdHXTTn_ynOpVFddorQ-dt7yFv490qxeKwxZzWyjqxAB49CJI0anG-MWxkE/s320/IMG_1183.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Bergen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This was the sight we saw when our train pulled into Bergen. The city is absolutely ADORABLE. It reminds me of a smaller, Norwegian San Francisco. It has the hills, the sea food and the colorful houses.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scene from the top of a mountain, Bergen in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We dropped off our stuff at our hostel (more on that later) and took the funicular. The funicular is like a tram that you ride up the mountain. It was a pretty view. Our professor took us on a hike even further up the mountain. Again, it was a pretty view. I didn't really understand why we had to put that much work into seeing the same sight just at a higher altitude, but <i>apparently</i>, there is a hidden joy to hiking and nature that I have yet to find...<br />
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After our adventure on the mountain, we had dinner at Peppe's Pizza! Hurrah! And it was Dr. Kramer's birthday, double hurrah! He threatened to walk out and leave us with the check if we had the servers come to sing him happy birthday.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYZyhyphenhyphengTQLWLUa5TF7ZzbkBOLsNsLh-0Vldu9pDAimGGBUVb7du5fzUrW9eiPFBqvdmR2bewHIaUQVT50r_WEF7LwxPRznU_6zR2MPZdwKWBZwVBrTmfd263dDRzyEnGJ7KkyRAzVr2kU/s1600/IMG_1228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYZyhyphenhyphengTQLWLUa5TF7ZzbkBOLsNsLh-0Vldu9pDAimGGBUVb7du5fzUrW9eiPFBqvdmR2bewHIaUQVT50r_WEF7LwxPRznU_6zR2MPZdwKWBZwVBrTmfd263dDRzyEnGJ7KkyRAzVr2kU/s320/IMG_1228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We disregarded his warning and had the servers sing happy birthday anyways. Secretly, I think he really enjoyed it...<br />
The next day was our <a href="http://www.norwaynutshell.com/?gclid=CNOv6p7svqoCFSN5gwodhX3S8A">Norway in a Nutshell</a>. We saw Norway via train, bus and boat. It was, stunning, as usual. <br />
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It also explains why Norwegian mythology ends so violently. Looking at the dramatic landscape, the world just has to end in fire and ice.<br />
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The next day, our last day in Bergen, was our visit out to Troldhaugen, or Edvard Grieg's museum/home. <span id="goog_918651181"></span><span id="goog_918651182"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDJzs2f0dMb8V7t5DscVUN2AmPlXFFVKgeTW_5t12J5neaAX703CR-5ATJQ5OnnX1YzF1cF4iYEbcUsD6-Zwdf2j9rXYoM2tf0jXINn5HyqAL3-MGwamRF9d2jvJLCNE5VLoe0HbYbZXI/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDJzs2f0dMb8V7t5DscVUN2AmPlXFFVKgeTW_5t12J5neaAX703CR-5ATJQ5OnnX1YzF1cF4iYEbcUsD6-Zwdf2j9rXYoM2tf0jXINn5HyqAL3-MGwamRF9d2jvJLCNE5VLoe0HbYbZXI/s320/IMG_1304.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the concert hall that they built just a little ways from his house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We were fortunate enough to attend a concert of some of his piano pieces in that very, grass-covered, concert hall and it was AWESOME. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVaQJyAWj448ayLDMKzqYi7JhzlhYURV0N1Rtccyat0tOF64R6K4C3Ul68XDI1PksQbJEjkSkDiQtFG8O7S545B1tvLwAH12QAJhNKi4iUGHiae0avU55lMV_jJnT7vS54uDzYUrQRR17/s1600/IMG_1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVaQJyAWj448ayLDMKzqYi7JhzlhYURV0N1Rtccyat0tOF64R6K4C3Ul68XDI1PksQbJEjkSkDiQtFG8O7S545B1tvLwAH12QAJhNKi4iUGHiae0avU55lMV_jJnT7vS54uDzYUrQRR17/s320/IMG_1312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After the concert, we went back to Bergen to check out of our hostel and explore the city before our train ride back to Oslo that night.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Bryggen, the old wharf area of Bergen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Yes, this is probably the most recognizable part of Bergen. It's on all the tourist things. These buildings are hundreds of years old from the old Hanseatic league traders that made Bergen an important part of Northern Europe economics. They are also a part of UNESCO's world heritage sites, so they are all sorts of famous. It's really neat to walk past them and peer down the alleyways between buildings and see how much they lean. When I say lean, I mean <u><b><i>lean</i></b></u>. It's practically a miracle that they are still standing! Bergen is cosy like that. They have lots of curvy cobble-stoned streets and alleys and old buildings. Lots of charm, lots of personality.<br />
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Besides Bryggen, I wandered all of the city with my professor. We looked at the theater building with all these crazy carvings; St. John's Church (very big and very red); the Bergen Cathedral; this old medieval fortress called Håkons hall and Rosenkrantz tower; AND the fish market.<br />
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Since Bergen is by the coast, they have a pretty vibrant fresh fish market. There are all these different languages being spoken because of so many tourists and there were crabs literally jumping out of their containers! Live produce, man! It was freakin me out. I wasn't into the whole seafood thing, so I opted for a kebab instead. (SO GOOD. So much meat for so little money.) The other girls got plateloads of seafood. I even tried a little whale from one of the girls' plates... It was interesting. I just had to try it because where else in the world would I have the same opportunity, hmmm? Norway is one of the few countries that still participates in whaling, which is so odd considering how pro-environment they are...<br />
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After the fish market, we went to our hostel to collect our things and meet back at the train station. Unfortunately, when we got to the hostel, I discovered that someone made off with my backpack. Sad day, I know. I was most distressed about loosing my journal that I had just finished. Two years of my life, sporadically recorded, gone forever.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pzDrXFT7CsKjawRIQGitxXxsKo5iKQSAyWJd-kFp-iINgz2_JzE0U9mUZD0V_ZjapNif85s-vVMFMQX-Z7JjePtjMsEl_fOGo3YddnTECl4Cq1EbVPFKez6tKa6oaXs1hSzEkyqpUa4o/s1600/IMG_1320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pzDrXFT7CsKjawRIQGitxXxsKo5iKQSAyWJd-kFp-iINgz2_JzE0U9mUZD0V_ZjapNif85s-vVMFMQX-Z7JjePtjMsEl_fOGo3YddnTECl4Cq1EbVPFKez6tKa6oaXs1hSzEkyqpUa4o/s320/IMG_1320.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bergen YMCA, beware of your luggage...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a brief mourning period, I got over it. I am glad that it was my backpack instead of the others. Besides my journal, packed with sentimental value, all I had in there was some clothes and some chargers; so nothing that cannot be replaced. (All the good stuff was with me the whole time.) I will just be more careful about my items in the future.<br />
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When we met up with our professor again at the train station, that is when we heard about the bombing and the shootings. We were shocked and stunned. We quickly contacted our family and our host families. Everyone was ok and safe and we just read the news as it came online as we waited for our train. It was unbelievable that something like that could have happened to a country that we had come to love so dearly, but bad things do happen to good people, so we had to deal with the tragedy the best way that we knew how. And even though it was a truly sorrowful experience, I thought Norway's reaction was one of the most beautiful and heartfelt that I've ever seen. The rose memorial has been burned into my heart forever and I will always, always remember it. <br />
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Jeg elsker dette landet. <3Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2259935789190940066.post-39922845735032330462011-08-07T08:58:00.000-06:002011-08-07T08:58:19.359-06:00Dating advice for all the boys out there...I've seen this on a couple of the blogs I follow, so I did the obvious thing and reblogged about it here. I just like the idea of it, a declaration from some poor reader-chic to all the oblivious boys. Amen, sister.<br />
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"Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes, who has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.<br />
Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag. She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she has found the book she wants. You see that weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a secondhand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow and worn.<br />
She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.<br />
Buy her another cup of coffee.<br />
Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s <em>Ulysses</em> she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.<br />
It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas, for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry and in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.<br />
She has to give it a shot somehow.<br />
Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.<br />
Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who read understand that all things must come to end, but that you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.<br />
Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the <em>Twilight</em> series.<br />
If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.<br />
You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.<br />
You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.<br />
Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.<br />
Or better yet, date a girl who <em>writes."</em><br />
- <strong>Rosemarie Urquico </strong>Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08238665612656605744noreply@blogger.com0