Top Ten Tuesday:Things On My Bookish Bucket List (March 25)

I got this idea from http://thebrokebookgirls.blogspot.com and it originates from http://www.brokeandbookish.com and http://www.thebookwheelblog.com/50-bookishthings/. If you are interested in learning more about this weekly series click here.

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 Top Ten Things On My Bookish Bucket List

1. Meet John Green and Hank Green -- Favorite youtubers and creative geniuses
2. Read Moby Dick
3. Social Media Storm (instagram, pinterest, blog) the books I read as I finish them. #BooksWithBeddes
4. Read War & Peace
5. Someday turn a classic novel into a vlog a la Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Another example of Hank Green's genius.
6. Read Crime and Punishment
7. Visit Prince Edward Island from Anne of Green Gables
8. Blow my Goodreads Reading Challenge out of the water like last year.
9. Read at least one truly non-fiction book year.  
10. Update my school library with at least new 50 books a year

Whew! It was a little difficult to come up with 10 things, but it was fun! Tune in next week for Top Ten "Gateway" Books/Authors In My Reading Journey

BYU: Grad School Edition

My heart is so full of gratitude today.

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.

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.

I have some thanking to do.

1. 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.
2. To those who helped-either with the GRE or letters of recommendation or even talking me through the process, thank you.
3. To everyone who I told today, thank you for being excited with me as I start this new chapter of my life!

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.

Wish me luck! It's going to be a crazy two years.

#BooksWithBeddes: 300th Book Read Celebration

Folks, 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.)


Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Three and half stars, I think.
Genre: retold classic, alternative narrators. love triangles
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.


View all my reviews

The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown (Movie Review)

Or in other words, Stockholm Syndrome on the Silver Screen.

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!

Netflix knows me so well. There is a whole queue of classic films, just for me. ;)

The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown

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?

Look at that nightgown: pioneers wore more revealing things!

Anyway, I can't say this film has lots 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.

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 Singin' in the Rain drama queen: shallow, conceited and not too bright.

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.

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.

The End.

Historical 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.

Particularly, Alexander Hamilton.

Oooooo. So much looooooove.

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.

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.

http://bangabledudesinhistory.blogspot.com

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.

No really, he died in a duel. Stupid Aaron Burr. 

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?! ;)

Swayze Night with the Sister

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. 

I found out that it was featured on this movie with the super long title, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. Basically, it features Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo as drag queens. And basically, they change everyone's live they meet. 

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. 

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.

Of course, it can't be Swayze night without another Swayze film. And that is the ultimate classic, Dirty Dancing. 

                                                        

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. 

This is what we think so far: 

Baby: Jennifer Lawerence (seriously, she is basically perfect for every role.)

Johnny Castle: Tatum Channing

Baby's father: Mark Harmon

Baby's mother: Jennifer Grey (it would be perfect if she did a cameo as the mother)

uhhhh...that is about as far as we got. But it would be perfect if Hollywood would just listen to us!

Apparently, I need to watch Ghost, another Swayze classic. It's too bad he went so young and such a hard way to go. Very talented actor.

Keep on truckin'

I'm still here!

I would like to announce that loud and clear everyone who cares. Life just gets busy sometimes.

So brief update:

1. I've graduated!
2. I'm teaching!
3. I'm surviving!

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).

Further updates:

• reading Frankenstein 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 Frankenstein, send them my way.

• just finished a WWI poetry unit with my juniors. They were pretty good about. Next up, short stories and the Roaring Twenties!

• 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.

• 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.

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.

Till then,
Farewell.

Update: This is the 200th post! Wowza, folks! I'm prolific!