Oh my, it's Christmas Eve!
I'm sitting here in my Nana's home here in good old Princeton, Kentucky, watching It's a Wonderful Life.
Does everyone remember that film? I studied it this semester in my Film and Literature this semester.We watched the behind-the-scenes movie in class and I learned a few new facts:
Did you know Jimmy Stewart was nervous about the big telephone kissing scene with Donna Reed? He kept on asking the director to put off filming that scene. Apparently it had been a long time since Jimmy Stewart had filmed a scene of such caliber. Funny; good thing he got it right, huh?
I love that scene.
Even if Jimmy Stewart is just a tiny bit awkward.
Only a tiny bit.
Maybe more than a tiny bit.
Well, Merry Christmas everyone!
It's a good thing Christmas is about a lot more than Jimmy Stewart and his awkward kissing scenes.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
In Cold Blood
In Cold Blood: A True Account of a Multiple Murder and Its Consequences by Truman CapoteMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Really well written. I especially appreciated reading it after my post-modern literature class in school where we learned a lot about this style of "new journalism" that became popular in the 1960's. If you like this then you should definitely read some Norman Mailer Armies of the Night.
The book was definitely disturbing though, especially in light of how it is true story. Don't read this one at night. For some reason motive-less murders don't make the best dream catchers...
View all my reviews
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Top Ten Books I Wish Santa Would Bring Me!
I fully admit that I rarely do Top Ten Tuesdays, but I love this week's topic; it's by far the easiest one to come up with. Here we go:
1. Armies of the Night by Norman Mailer: I read most of this in my post-modern literature class and absolutely loved it! Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish it (Sorry, Dr. Matthews!) but I desperately want to. Luckily, I already know I am getting this one for Christmas, thanks to my sister Maurine, and online shopping!
2. The Elements of Style by Strunk and White: I curse the day when I sold this book back to the bookstore on campus - what was I thinking?! Of course, back then I was a foolish History major with no concept of the real world. Ohhh, how I have learned. Once, again though, Maurine has proven to be an excellent Santa.
3. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins: I've read the first two, but have yet to read the third. It's not that I'm totally in love with these books, but I think of them more as a hot commodity for my soon to come teaching days. Yes...let the children love me...and BOOKS!
4. The Help by Katheryn Stockett: I know this book is a pretty trendy one, but I firmly believe that a lot of book are trendy because they are actually good. Also, this book was recommended to me by several reliable sources, and I have been dying to read it since this summer. I just want to do it already!
5. The Autobiography of Mark Twain: Another really popular one these days, but hello! There's a REASON! It's Mark Twain! Can you say one of the most entertaining authors of all time? I would just love to get even a tiny glimpse into that creative mind. Not to mention, I am really trying to expand into biographies and autobiographies these days. I need some good ones to start out on.
6. The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson: I love Emily Dickinson! Right now I just have a pocket edition of her poetry. I would love a fancier edition to keep at home, or more accurately, tug around with me from apartment to apartment.
7. The Best American Essays, 2010: I love me some creative non-fiction essays, and I need more inspiration for an essay I am trying to write about pink pants. I have always been interested in this series of essay collections, because I wonder who really picks out what is "the best"; I wonder if I'll agree...regardless, I want the book!
8. The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks: I admit that Travis has infected me (pun intended) with a interest in zombies. While I have not seen many zombie movies, I am definitely intrigued by reading about them, and let's face it, if there's a zombie apocalypse, I'm gonna survive.
9. C. S. Lewis Collection: I joined the C.S. Lewis society this semester (in my head I referred to us as the Narnians), and I just fell in love with Lewis after reading a few of his works. I really would love to own the whole collection and be able to peruse his mind at my own leisure.
10. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert: I know, another trendy book, but I really am intrigued by this phenomenon. Plus, a lot of the English majors I have talked to really loved this book, so it can't be that bad. I figure, why not receive a little extra guidance in life, right???
Anyway, so that's all folks. What books do you wish Santa would bring you?
1. Armies of the Night by Norman Mailer: I read most of this in my post-modern literature class and absolutely loved it! Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish it (Sorry, Dr. Matthews!) but I desperately want to. Luckily, I already know I am getting this one for Christmas, thanks to my sister Maurine, and online shopping!
2. The Elements of Style by Strunk and White: I curse the day when I sold this book back to the bookstore on campus - what was I thinking?! Of course, back then I was a foolish History major with no concept of the real world. Ohhh, how I have learned. Once, again though, Maurine has proven to be an excellent Santa.
3. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins: I've read the first two, but have yet to read the third. It's not that I'm totally in love with these books, but I think of them more as a hot commodity for my soon to come teaching days. Yes...let the children love me...and BOOKS!
4. The Help by Katheryn Stockett: I know this book is a pretty trendy one, but I firmly believe that a lot of book are trendy because they are actually good. Also, this book was recommended to me by several reliable sources, and I have been dying to read it since this summer. I just want to do it already!
5. The Autobiography of Mark Twain: Another really popular one these days, but hello! There's a REASON! It's Mark Twain! Can you say one of the most entertaining authors of all time? I would just love to get even a tiny glimpse into that creative mind. Not to mention, I am really trying to expand into biographies and autobiographies these days. I need some good ones to start out on.
6. The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson: I love Emily Dickinson! Right now I just have a pocket edition of her poetry. I would love a fancier edition to keep at home, or more accurately, tug around with me from apartment to apartment.
7. The Best American Essays, 2010: I love me some creative non-fiction essays, and I need more inspiration for an essay I am trying to write about pink pants. I have always been interested in this series of essay collections, because I wonder who really picks out what is "the best"; I wonder if I'll agree...regardless, I want the book!
8. The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks: I admit that Travis has infected me (pun intended) with a interest in zombies. While I have not seen many zombie movies, I am definitely intrigued by reading about them, and let's face it, if there's a zombie apocalypse, I'm gonna survive.
9. C. S. Lewis Collection: I joined the C.S. Lewis society this semester (in my head I referred to us as the Narnians), and I just fell in love with Lewis after reading a few of his works. I really would love to own the whole collection and be able to peruse his mind at my own leisure.
10. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert: I know, another trendy book, but I really am intrigued by this phenomenon. Plus, a lot of the English majors I have talked to really loved this book, so it can't be that bad. I figure, why not receive a little extra guidance in life, right???
Anyway, so that's all folks. What books do you wish Santa would bring you?
Monday, December 20, 2010
Emma Westerman Ashworth
This is the first in a series of posts about my great-great Grandmother, Emma Ashworth.
This semester, for my Utah History class, I was required to do a research paper (as per usual in history classes). Because I am lucky enough to have ancestors from Utah, I was actually able to turn this into a family history project, and what is even better is that I was able to do it on the woman I am named after.
I am her namesake.
I don't know how often I have considered that fact; I have the same name as someone else. Not just anyone else, but a woman to whom I owe my life. Dramatic? Or just realistic. After all, if Emma Ashworth had not joined the church and immigrated to Utah, then I would have never been born into the covenant. I wouldn't have the blessing of an eternal family. That's a lot.
Anyway, so I am going to write a series of blog posts telling about Emma's life, and possibly reflect on the significant her life holds for mine, and maybe draw some implications about the significant role we all play in life.
Woah, some lofty goals. So, here it goes:
Emma Westerman was born on February 28, 1859 in Bulcott, Nottinghamshire, England. She was one of seventeen children (SEVENTEEN -- I sometimes get overwhelmed by the four siblings I grew up with, I cannot understand what it would be like to have seventeen children!). 1859 falls into the Victorian time period -- apparently on April 14, 1859, Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities was published. That's right, Grandma Emma was born at the same time as Sydney Carton (for you Dickens-fans).
Emma was well known in the community she grew up in for being a sweet and contentious girl. She was a particularly devoted member of the Church of England, well known from her youth for being a religiously minded girl. She was so well liked, that some people even named her as Godmother to their children. While I am not Anglican, nor Catholic (the church from which Anglicanism stemmed - thank you Henry VIII), I understand that to be named as someone's Godmother is a great honor. Most parents search for Godparents who are well-respected and powerful, or at the very least someone who could really contribute to the happiness of the children. For Emma to be named, when she was such a young girl, the Godmother of anyone shows how well-liked she was in her community.
Emma shared a very special relationship with her father. Out of seventeen children, Emma and her father were by far the closest. The biographies written by her daughters and granddaughters all indicate that Emma had a deep love for her father. When William Ashworth arrived in England during the late 1870's as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), it was only Emma and her father who listened...
Well, that's all for this post! Hope you enjoyed it! I'm going to try and keep these posts brief and stretch them out so I don't exhaust you, my wonderful audience. Writing a historical account, especially a biography, is a lot harder than I thought; it's especially hard not to just start listing facts. Any recommendations on how I can make it better?
This semester, for my Utah History class, I was required to do a research paper (as per usual in history classes). Because I am lucky enough to have ancestors from Utah, I was actually able to turn this into a family history project, and what is even better is that I was able to do it on the woman I am named after.
I am her namesake.
I don't know how often I have considered that fact; I have the same name as someone else. Not just anyone else, but a woman to whom I owe my life. Dramatic? Or just realistic. After all, if Emma Ashworth had not joined the church and immigrated to Utah, then I would have never been born into the covenant. I wouldn't have the blessing of an eternal family. That's a lot.
Anyway, so I am going to write a series of blog posts telling about Emma's life, and possibly reflect on the significant her life holds for mine, and maybe draw some implications about the significant role we all play in life.
Woah, some lofty goals. So, here it goes:
Emma Westerman was born on February 28, 1859 in Bulcott, Nottinghamshire, England. She was one of seventeen children (SEVENTEEN -- I sometimes get overwhelmed by the four siblings I grew up with, I cannot understand what it would be like to have seventeen children!). 1859 falls into the Victorian time period -- apparently on April 14, 1859, Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities was published. That's right, Grandma Emma was born at the same time as Sydney Carton (for you Dickens-fans).
Emma was well known in the community she grew up in for being a sweet and contentious girl. She was a particularly devoted member of the Church of England, well known from her youth for being a religiously minded girl. She was so well liked, that some people even named her as Godmother to their children. While I am not Anglican, nor Catholic (the church from which Anglicanism stemmed - thank you Henry VIII), I understand that to be named as someone's Godmother is a great honor. Most parents search for Godparents who are well-respected and powerful, or at the very least someone who could really contribute to the happiness of the children. For Emma to be named, when she was such a young girl, the Godmother of anyone shows how well-liked she was in her community.
Emma shared a very special relationship with her father. Out of seventeen children, Emma and her father were by far the closest. The biographies written by her daughters and granddaughters all indicate that Emma had a deep love for her father. When William Ashworth arrived in England during the late 1870's as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), it was only Emma and her father who listened...
Well, that's all for this post! Hope you enjoyed it! I'm going to try and keep these posts brief and stretch them out so I don't exhaust you, my wonderful audience. Writing a historical account, especially a biography, is a lot harder than I thought; it's especially hard not to just start listing facts. Any recommendations on how I can make it better?
Sunday, December 12, 2010
So, I actually do have Mono.
Dang it.
DANG IT.
Dang it.
I went to the doctor.
Nice guy, actually. Very concerned. Kind demeanor. Friendly, even.
I got my blood drawn.
And I didn't pass out!
It would have been a positive experience...
except for the end result, which was:
Mono.
Officially known as Mononucleosis.
What. A. Bummer.
But, it's actually not as bad as I thought it would be. Apparently there are varying degrees of Mono and I only have a more mild case (I'm hoping!). Plus, it helps that school is already over and my finals week is a piece of cake, so I don't have to do much beyond sleep.
I'm actually kind of excited because now I can find time to do those things I have been putting off. Here is the list:
1. Finish all of the grading for the little computer science sweet[boogers]hearts. I feel more justified in my lax work ethic this semester now that I know it has been mono ridden, but still, I'm feeling bad.
2. Knit. Travis taught me how to knit over Thanksgiving break, and I have a scarf I am determined to get most of the way through before finals.
3. Clean my room. My roommate Nicole has been a real trooper with my cleanliness this semester. I usually am pretty good about things, but in such small quarters I'm having trouble containing my mess.
4. Cook. I'm planning on making Travis dinner every night this week as a part of his Christmas present. I might post my creations on my blog as bragging rights. Or as mere proof that I can, in fact, cook.
5. Read. Wow. I can actually read again! It's a MIRACLE! First book on the list? In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. I hear it's gruesome, but I'm excited to read something new.
6.Sleep. Somewhere in there, I'll sleep.
And then Friday it's back to North Carolina! C-R-A-Z-Y! But I'm excited to celebrate Christmas with my parents, I'm really in the Christmas mood today. I'm loving it! :)
DANG IT.
Dang it.
I went to the doctor.
Nice guy, actually. Very concerned. Kind demeanor. Friendly, even.
I got my blood drawn.
And I didn't pass out!
It would have been a positive experience...
except for the end result, which was:
Mono.
Officially known as Mononucleosis.
What. A. Bummer.
But, it's actually not as bad as I thought it would be. Apparently there are varying degrees of Mono and I only have a more mild case (I'm hoping!). Plus, it helps that school is already over and my finals week is a piece of cake, so I don't have to do much beyond sleep.
I'm actually kind of excited because now I can find time to do those things I have been putting off. Here is the list:
1. Finish all of the grading for the little computer science sweet[boogers]hearts. I feel more justified in my lax work ethic this semester now that I know it has been mono ridden, but still, I'm feeling bad.
2. Knit. Travis taught me how to knit over Thanksgiving break, and I have a scarf I am determined to get most of the way through before finals.
3. Clean my room. My roommate Nicole has been a real trooper with my cleanliness this semester. I usually am pretty good about things, but in such small quarters I'm having trouble containing my mess.
4. Cook. I'm planning on making Travis dinner every night this week as a part of his Christmas present. I might post my creations on my blog as bragging rights. Or as mere proof that I can, in fact, cook.
5. Read. Wow. I can actually read again! It's a MIRACLE! First book on the list? In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. I hear it's gruesome, but I'm excited to read something new.
6.Sleep. Somewhere in there, I'll sleep.
And then Friday it's back to North Carolina! C-R-A-Z-Y! But I'm excited to celebrate Christmas with my parents, I'm really in the Christmas mood today. I'm loving it! :)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
So, I think I have Mono.
Yep.
For the past several weeks, I have been incredibly exhausted, battling a constant headache, and fighting the urge to spit because my throat is so swollen. I have needed a nap everyday, just to get through.
Today, it occurred to me that this might not be normal.
Today, it occurred to me that I might be a little sick.
Today, it occurred to me that Amber had Mono.
Ugh.
But oddly enough (and maybe it's due to the fact that I just woke up from a one and a half hour nap), I am feeling really good right now.
Mentally, if not physically.
Today, I finished two term papers. I am actually really proud of them; I know there can still be polishing, but I really feel like at least one of them represents some of my best work. Here's hoping the professor agrees!
Today, I was able to wake up at 8:30. I haven't been able to do this for the past three weeks simply because I have been so exhausted. I firmly believe that I was able to do this because Travis (and his roommate Steve) gave me a blessing last night. In it, I was promised the blessing of strength. Today is the first day I have felt any resemblance of strength in my body.
Today, I was able to get out of class early and see Travis for a whole hour before his Folk Dance dinner started. I guess this isn't a big deal, since I spend most of my time with him these days, but I find myself more and more grateful for any time I get to spend with him everyday. Call it Christmas break blues.
Today, I realized that because of my illness, I have been thinking about Heavenly Father and the Savior a lot more. When I am walking up the hill on South campus, and I feel like my body is about the break into a million pieces, and yet I still make it to the top, I keep thinking that Heavenly Father must have pulled me up those last few steps. I think about the Word of Wisdom, and how it is so important to our lives. I realize now that while I have been living the letter of that particular law (yes, Mom, rejoice!), I haven't necessarily been living the spirit. I need to take care of my body. It is a gift from Heavenly Father and when I don't treat it well, by not sleeping enough, or not eating the right food, or exercising at all, I am dishonoring that gift.
Gifts. I have so many gifts. I love Christmas.
I realize that this post doesn't make much sense, and is just another in a now long line of my new hokey/corny/happy-go-lucky posts, I hope people can appreciate the sentiment.
It's Christmas. There is always something to be grateful for at Christmas.
And I'm guessing that just maybe there is something to be grateful for other times as well.
:)
For the past several weeks, I have been incredibly exhausted, battling a constant headache, and fighting the urge to spit because my throat is so swollen. I have needed a nap everyday, just to get through.
Today, it occurred to me that this might not be normal.
Today, it occurred to me that I might be a little sick.
Today, it occurred to me that Amber had Mono.
Ugh.
But oddly enough (and maybe it's due to the fact that I just woke up from a one and a half hour nap), I am feeling really good right now.
Mentally, if not physically.
Today, I finished two term papers. I am actually really proud of them; I know there can still be polishing, but I really feel like at least one of them represents some of my best work. Here's hoping the professor agrees!
Today, I was able to wake up at 8:30. I haven't been able to do this for the past three weeks simply because I have been so exhausted. I firmly believe that I was able to do this because Travis (and his roommate Steve) gave me a blessing last night. In it, I was promised the blessing of strength. Today is the first day I have felt any resemblance of strength in my body.
Today, I was able to get out of class early and see Travis for a whole hour before his Folk Dance dinner started. I guess this isn't a big deal, since I spend most of my time with him these days, but I find myself more and more grateful for any time I get to spend with him everyday. Call it Christmas break blues.
Today, I realized that because of my illness, I have been thinking about Heavenly Father and the Savior a lot more. When I am walking up the hill on South campus, and I feel like my body is about the break into a million pieces, and yet I still make it to the top, I keep thinking that Heavenly Father must have pulled me up those last few steps. I think about the Word of Wisdom, and how it is so important to our lives. I realize now that while I have been living the letter of that particular law (yes, Mom, rejoice!), I haven't necessarily been living the spirit. I need to take care of my body. It is a gift from Heavenly Father and when I don't treat it well, by not sleeping enough, or not eating the right food, or exercising at all, I am dishonoring that gift.
Gifts. I have so many gifts. I love Christmas.
I realize that this post doesn't make much sense, and is just another in a now long line of my new hokey/corny/happy-go-lucky posts, I hope people can appreciate the sentiment.
It's Christmas. There is always something to be grateful for at Christmas.
And I'm guessing that just maybe there is something to be grateful for other times as well.
:)
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