I am only 1.5 books behind schedule for the year! I am pretty excited about this. Next week I don't have school, so I am hoping I can catch up before June hits. I read two interesting and unusual books (for me, at least) this month so I wanted to tell you about them.
World War Z.
I first heard of this book about a year ago from an English teacher at my old school, HVA. I told her Matt liked zombies and she said she thought it was one of the best ones she had read. I wanted to get him something for being so supportive during my internship year. I am not too into that kind of thing, but I am getting close to have read most of the books in the house, and this one was still there. So I picked it up.
This book takes place after the Zombie War, also called World War Z. They aren't sure where it exactly originated, but a man chronicled several stories from all sorts of people from all over the world. He traces how it spread, what it was like, and how people began to eventually beat the zombies. Like I said, I normally would never think to read this, but it was very interesting. The individual stories are well written and it feels realistic (gawk). It is also being made into a movie starring Brad Pitt, so it will be interesting to see how it transforms into a movie. I believe he will be a character named Todd who is a soldier in the USA. We hear him speak three or four times in the novel, which is more than any other character. If someday we see that movie, I will review it, too!
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
This is another book I would not usually choose to read. Last year I heard a lot about this book because it was the One Read for the city in 2011. (Columbia picks a book and there are several events and discussions surrounding it in late summer. I plan to read the book for this year next week called The Tiger Mom.)
This book is a biography of a woman and her family and also a biography of the famous HeLa cells that spawned great research. These cells helped scientists understand DNA, cell development, vaccines to different diseases and also why cancer cells continue to grow. The cells were taken without her knowledge in the fifties, and she died soon after from cervical cancer. Because the cells were cancerous, they continued to divide indefinitely when in the right culture (kind of like food for the cells). Her family is generally uneducated and live in poverty. They never receive any royalties and go through a lot of turmoil trying to find out who their mother is. They are not aware of the cells until twenty years later. I cried at the very end, but I don't want to spoil it for you-so just go read it!
Have you read any good books lately?
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Acrylics class and others
Next, I just watched Iron Lady with Meryl Streep. I bawled my eyes out at the end, but it was a very moving film. I recommend it. She is such a great actress! The movie follows Margaret Thatcher before, during and after her time as PM of England simultaneously through memories of her. She is quite old at the point of the movie, and she is struggling with hallucinations of her husband. At the end she finally packs up his things (after 8 years) and lets him go. She sacrificed so much of her own life in order for the better of the country, and what is typically seen as ambition. It really touched me for several reasons.
It feels like so many things are happening lately. School is coming to a close and I have been busy with that luckily while Matt is away. The dogs and I have had some good cuddle time though. We have been going on a lot of walks. I also heard today from CPS and I will be going to Battle High in 2013. It is exciting to be a part of something completely new. I am also going to be teaching summer school in June. Matt and I will have one week off together before we both start work again.
So, onto my acrylics class. I had a nice time! I took it through the career center here in Columbia. It was a small class of 6 people, and we met 4 times, painting something different each time. We painted: still life, landscape, portrait, abstract. For my first time painting something ever, I thought I did a pretty good job. I hope I continue to paint because I did find it challenging but enjoyable. I really liked doing the landscape best; the portrait was the most difficult by far. See what you think!
Another post to come this weekend about the wrap up of school, the most recent book I read and whatever else pops up!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Clark Gable
Today, Matt left for Israel. Well, really to New Jersey, but then to Israel on Sunday. Maybe I will have him do a guest post when he gets back about everything he did and all he saw. I've been reading two new books lately: World War Z and also The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lackes. Both are interesting and books that I would not usually read. I'll let you know my final thoughts on them once I finish.
I've been thinking lately about this song I love. It is called "Clark Gable" by The Postal Service. There is a line that I have always particularly loved:
"I want so badly to believe that there is truth and love is real/ And I want life in every word to the extent that it's absurd."
I often find myself humming and singing this song. It reminds me of the days when Matt and I started dating. I love it. Recently, as I was driving to school, another line in the song struck me.
"I know you're wise beyond your years, but do you ever get the fear/ Your perfect verse is just a lie you tell yourself to help you get by?"
Wow. I have a verse. That is my verse I tell myself to help me get by.
I've been thinking lately about this song I love. It is called "Clark Gable" by The Postal Service. There is a line that I have always particularly loved:
"I want so badly to believe that there is truth and love is real/ And I want life in every word to the extent that it's absurd."
I often find myself humming and singing this song. It reminds me of the days when Matt and I started dating. I love it. Recently, as I was driving to school, another line in the song struck me.
"I know you're wise beyond your years, but do you ever get the fear/ Your perfect verse is just a lie you tell yourself to help you get by?"
Wow. I have a verse. That is my verse I tell myself to help me get by.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
May Day
Hello All,
Today is May Day! How exciting. We are not celebrating however. Matt had his first final of the week today. I am anxious that he is leaving and jealous also of his experience. I know he will have a good time. I just starting a job unit with the students at school at it is eerie that I only have 3 more weeks with the kiddos. A lot of trials this year but I know I will miss a lot of them all the same. I already have the jitters about next school year and this one is not even through yet!
I started a painting class and completed my first ever painting. I would say it is ok for a first time. It is a still life of a vase, books and candle. Wednesday we are going to do a landscape and I am nervour about that. I do not know what picture to choose. She said to pick one according to skill level, so something not too detailed. I will take a photo of all the paintings I do and post them once the class is completed.
Last night I finished up Pride and Prejudice. Several people just could not believe I had not read it, so I did. It took me awhile and I blame that on it being my first ever iPad reading experience. It just did not feel natural! And the iPad really is as heavy as a book! Today I started World War Z and I am not sure I will continue, but I will give you a review if I do finish. I am one book behind for April, so I need to get on it!
In other news, still battling the ants in the kitchen...
Also, I saw my parents last weekend and we went to the art museum. It was pretty cool. Check it out if you ever have a lot of free time-there is so much to see! Mummies, armor, cool furniture, waterlillies by Monet, pottery and several other nice pieces are all on display.
How are you spending your first day of May? I hope the weather is beautiful. I'm making vegetarian lasagna tonight or else I'd try for a picnic! Have a great day!
Today is May Day! How exciting. We are not celebrating however. Matt had his first final of the week today. I am anxious that he is leaving and jealous also of his experience. I know he will have a good time. I just starting a job unit with the students at school at it is eerie that I only have 3 more weeks with the kiddos. A lot of trials this year but I know I will miss a lot of them all the same. I already have the jitters about next school year and this one is not even through yet!
I started a painting class and completed my first ever painting. I would say it is ok for a first time. It is a still life of a vase, books and candle. Wednesday we are going to do a landscape and I am nervour about that. I do not know what picture to choose. She said to pick one according to skill level, so something not too detailed. I will take a photo of all the paintings I do and post them once the class is completed.
Last night I finished up Pride and Prejudice. Several people just could not believe I had not read it, so I did. It took me awhile and I blame that on it being my first ever iPad reading experience. It just did not feel natural! And the iPad really is as heavy as a book! Today I started World War Z and I am not sure I will continue, but I will give you a review if I do finish. I am one book behind for April, so I need to get on it!
In other news, still battling the ants in the kitchen...
Also, I saw my parents last weekend and we went to the art museum. It was pretty cool. Check it out if you ever have a lot of free time-there is so much to see! Mummies, armor, cool furniture, waterlillies by Monet, pottery and several other nice pieces are all on display.
How are you spending your first day of May? I hope the weather is beautiful. I'm making vegetarian lasagna tonight or else I'd try for a picnic! Have a great day!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Review: The Tree of Life
Yesterday, hubs and I watched The Tree of Life. I found it very moving. One major critique I remember hearing when it came out was the 20 minutes of space/nature scenes and nothing else. This somewhat interupts the telling of the story. But I found it does fit, even though is a bit lengthy. If you can manage to sit through it, you will be rewarded for it.
This movie takes true patience to watch. A majority of it is told (or more like shown) from the perspective of a boy growing up. The beginning starts off when the parents find out about the death of one of their sons (somewhere in the 70's or so). Then it shifts to current time with one of the boys all grown up and remembering his brother on the day of his death. The movie seems to be about his journey that day remembering his life and how he finally comes to terms with his death.
We see short snippets and poignant scenes of his life as he saw them. What I found truly great was how much I connected and understood each character. The boy dislikes his father, and we understand why, yet we feel for his father and understand his motivations and why he acts as he does. This is all done through little dialogue and mostly the changing of scenes like memories. I really loved the Mother. We see a bit of her life growing up, similar to how we see Jack's life. She is gentle and good and very loving. Her spirit and the way she handles the 3 boy children was beautiful.
I felt that the movie deals with the issue of our life-why are we here, who is God, why did he create us, why do we have pain? Much of it is different scenes with either the mother or the boy, Jack, talking to God specifically in a whisper. It is hard to explain specifically why I found the movie so touching, but I found myself almost in tears at many moments throughout the 2.5 hours.
Overally, I reccommend this movie. But I also reccommend being in the right state of mind to sit and watch something so out of the ordinary when it comes to film.
The boy who passes: artist, lover, gentle, kind
This movie takes true patience to watch. A majority of it is told (or more like shown) from the perspective of a boy growing up. The beginning starts off when the parents find out about the death of one of their sons (somewhere in the 70's or so). Then it shifts to current time with one of the boys all grown up and remembering his brother on the day of his death. The movie seems to be about his journey that day remembering his life and how he finally comes to terms with his death.
We see short snippets and poignant scenes of his life as he saw them. What I found truly great was how much I connected and understood each character. The boy dislikes his father, and we understand why, yet we feel for his father and understand his motivations and why he acts as he does. This is all done through little dialogue and mostly the changing of scenes like memories. I really loved the Mother. We see a bit of her life growing up, similar to how we see Jack's life. She is gentle and good and very loving. Her spirit and the way she handles the 3 boy children was beautiful.
Pretty dear
I felt that the movie deals with the issue of our life-why are we here, who is God, why did he create us, why do we have pain? Much of it is different scenes with either the mother or the boy, Jack, talking to God specifically in a whisper. It is hard to explain specifically why I found the movie so touching, but I found myself almost in tears at many moments throughout the 2.5 hours.
Overally, I reccommend this movie. But I also reccommend being in the right state of mind to sit and watch something so out of the ordinary when it comes to film.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Tuesday!
Hi!
Happy Tuesday! Just finished picking up a few things around the house and can hear the hubs in the other room practicing for his Moot court tonight. Go hubs! Matt and I had a really nice Easter weekend up in Iowa visiting some family there. I didn't take any photos sadly. But it was great to see everyone as always.
While there, we had an interesting little talk. I told him that maybe I need to stop eating sugar/sweets (prompted by a discussion about my cousin who stopped eating sugar and is now crazy thin) and he told me I couldn't do it. So I told him I could. Now we are having a little contest to see who can go the longest without sweets.
It is day 2. I crave it particularly after dinner because that is when I tend to veg out on yummy things. Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day. I can usually make it two days and be alright. We have a faculty meeting and there are always cookies! I will have to have a lot of self control.
My easter (dark) chocolate bunny is hanging out in the pantry until he caves. We did not decide what we get if we win. I do want to try and cut out more of the processed sugar that I eat on a regular basis. Nothing like a good ol' contest to get me started (Lent didn't do it...)
In other news, I went to zumba last night with my friend Niki. I am so horrible it is funny to watch. I realized I cannot turn backwards, so I've been practicing a bit in anticipation of our next class, which is tomorrow night. Wish me luck! Matt and I went biking today even though it was a bit chilly. Thanks, mom, for the bike bag!! It was very helpful to tote our things!
Still trying to figure out our summer plans exactly. Matt didn't get the job at AT&T. Boo. He has another interview on Friday. Should I teach summer school? What do you think?
What are your plans for the summer? Doing anything exciting or visiting somewhere new?
Have a nice rest of the week
Happy Tuesday! Just finished picking up a few things around the house and can hear the hubs in the other room practicing for his Moot court tonight. Go hubs! Matt and I had a really nice Easter weekend up in Iowa visiting some family there. I didn't take any photos sadly. But it was great to see everyone as always.
While there, we had an interesting little talk. I told him that maybe I need to stop eating sugar/sweets (prompted by a discussion about my cousin who stopped eating sugar and is now crazy thin) and he told me I couldn't do it. So I told him I could. Now we are having a little contest to see who can go the longest without sweets.
It is day 2. I crave it particularly after dinner because that is when I tend to veg out on yummy things. Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day. I can usually make it two days and be alright. We have a faculty meeting and there are always cookies! I will have to have a lot of self control.
My easter (dark) chocolate bunny is hanging out in the pantry until he caves. We did not decide what we get if we win. I do want to try and cut out more of the processed sugar that I eat on a regular basis. Nothing like a good ol' contest to get me started (Lent didn't do it...)
In other news, I went to zumba last night with my friend Niki. I am so horrible it is funny to watch. I realized I cannot turn backwards, so I've been practicing a bit in anticipation of our next class, which is tomorrow night. Wish me luck! Matt and I went biking today even though it was a bit chilly. Thanks, mom, for the bike bag!! It was very helpful to tote our things!
Still trying to figure out our summer plans exactly. Matt didn't get the job at AT&T. Boo. He has another interview on Friday. Should I teach summer school? What do you think?
What are your plans for the summer? Doing anything exciting or visiting somewhere new?
Have a nice rest of the week
Sunday, April 1, 2012
April already!
Hello all,
I can't believe it is April already! Time really has been flying by. Spring break came and went and now school starts again tomorrow. I do not feel that I got to rest as much as I wanted, and I definitely have a lot of planning to do today. The weather is still incredible!
We started out break by driving to Nashville. We ate out at Sperry's for Matt's birthday-yum! Reina and I got pedicures and that was nice. I also finished my 7th book of the year-Hole In My Life by Jack Gantos. A fast, easy read about a boy who makes a bad choice and ends up in prison because of it. Enlightening and I believe a good read for my students.
I drove home on Monday and got to spend a lot of quality time with my mom, which was great! We did a few crafts, and I am itching to do more! We started a scrapbook for the wedding photos and I want to get back and help finish it! We also made a camera strap cover which I am just about obsessed with. It took a few tries, but we got it right eventually.
I also got to spend a lot of time with baby Tommy. He is growing so fast and I just can't believe it. When Cyril was little, I got to see him all the time. I pretty much saw all of his developments until he turned 5. Now, he is also growing so fast and is so smart. I felt this time when I was home that he is more distant from me, which I am sure is because I am not around, and it made me sad.
Something nice from last week was that I got to see a few of my good friends from home. Krislyn, Alyssa, and Jen came over for dinner. I am so thankful for these girls and wish we could see each other more often. But our times together are special to say the least.
Matt and I drove to St. Louis on Friday and got to spend time with Glenn and Nancy, who are a lot of fun. They took us out to eat and we got to go to Ted Drewes, a staple of STL. It was so delicious!!! Matt's interview went well and we will find out about the job next week--fingers crossed.
Now to get through another week of school before heading off to Iowa to see my grandparents. I hope the weather holds! We went biking yesterday and may go again today. I just ordered a lot of photos from walgreens to update my album and also to finally make a honeymoon album. Took my long enough!!
Special Congrats go out to Tim Miller and Katie Vogt on their engagement!!!
I can't believe it is April already! Time really has been flying by. Spring break came and went and now school starts again tomorrow. I do not feel that I got to rest as much as I wanted, and I definitely have a lot of planning to do today. The weather is still incredible!
We started out break by driving to Nashville. We ate out at Sperry's for Matt's birthday-yum! Reina and I got pedicures and that was nice. I also finished my 7th book of the year-Hole In My Life by Jack Gantos. A fast, easy read about a boy who makes a bad choice and ends up in prison because of it. Enlightening and I believe a good read for my students.
I drove home on Monday and got to spend a lot of quality time with my mom, which was great! We did a few crafts, and I am itching to do more! We started a scrapbook for the wedding photos and I want to get back and help finish it! We also made a camera strap cover which I am just about obsessed with. It took a few tries, but we got it right eventually.
I also got to spend a lot of time with baby Tommy. He is growing so fast and I just can't believe it. When Cyril was little, I got to see him all the time. I pretty much saw all of his developments until he turned 5. Now, he is also growing so fast and is so smart. I felt this time when I was home that he is more distant from me, which I am sure is because I am not around, and it made me sad.
Something nice from last week was that I got to see a few of my good friends from home. Krislyn, Alyssa, and Jen came over for dinner. I am so thankful for these girls and wish we could see each other more often. But our times together are special to say the least.
Matt and I drove to St. Louis on Friday and got to spend time with Glenn and Nancy, who are a lot of fun. They took us out to eat and we got to go to Ted Drewes, a staple of STL. It was so delicious!!! Matt's interview went well and we will find out about the job next week--fingers crossed.
Special Congrats go out to Tim Miller and Katie Vogt on their engagement!!!
Have a nice week!
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