8. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain

I still can't get over the fact that I'm reading this book for a university course *teehee* I <3 children's lit!

If you've ever read Huckleberry Finn, you'll find (or at least I did) that this book is a lot more lighthearted and fun to go through. Tom Sawyer is, in a word, a child genius, and mischievous to boot, so while some of the things he does are a bit questionable, he's still a great hero to follow. Mark Twain does an excellent job of keeping up with the youthful tone of the story, while at the same time being very self-aware by interjecting with narrative "observations" every once in a while. I've never appreciated Twain until now, to be honest.

A great read if you're looking for a short but very nostalgic book.

Rating: 8/10

9. The Image, Daniel J. Boorstin

Obviously, I wouldn't have read this if it weren't for my Media Studies class, but considering that I actually managed to get through the entire thing, it wasn't half-bad at all. He talks a lot about the state of the "current" media--by "current," he means the '60's, when he was writing this book--and the fact that everything in America is now an "image." That is, we have exaggerated expectations about what the world can provide us and seek--in celebrities, in events, in news--a reflection of ourselves.

For example, the real reason why we're supposedly attracted to celebrities is that we seek confirmation of "novel" things happening in lives that are, in truth, as mundane as our own.

He's not a half-bad writer, and while he's pessimistic as heck (and then slightly overly-patriotic near the end), it wasn't a bad a read...for a class book.

Rating: 7/10

I just got a call from Stanley--he's dropping off a cupcake that he bought after going with the coords to Sprinkles :)

It's not a bit thing, but after all the really frustrating stuff I've been trying to deal with on the team so far this semester, it makes me really appreciate little things like this <3

More updates on life later! I realize I haven't been the best at updating...

7. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

My first foray into "classic" children's literature was not a disappointment. The story follows four girls--Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy--in their domestic adventures and moral lessons. Along the way, they discover the importance of family, friends, temperance, and gratitude. They also flirt with the woes of life and death, romance, and finding meaning in a troubled--but always hopeful--world.

From the start, I didn't see how this book could have been meant for children; it definitely wasn't what I considered a "beach read" (it wasn't difficult, but it wasn't Harry Potter, either). Each chapter consists of a short story in the lives of the girls, followed by some sort of didactic moral. As the book wears on, however, and the girls begin to grow up, the stories move amongst their various lives and trials, with less of a focus on the big lesson.

It's a moralistic novel in every sense of the word, and yet, there is a sort of rebellious independence to the story, particularly that of Jo, the quirky, writer-type sister who wants nothing to do with men. In particular, one of my favorite lines:

This suited the young lady better than twilight confidences, tender pressures of the hand, and eloquent glances of the eye, for with Jo, brain developed earlier than heart, and preferred imaginary heroes to real ones, because when tired of them, the former could be shut up in the tin kitchen till called for, and the latter were less manageable.

*Sigh.* Oh, writers and their romantic notions.

A pleasant read, and now I've checked Little Men out of the library just to spite myself (I think I'm going to hate it, but who knows?).

Rating: 8.5/10

For all you moonies looking for some extra entertainment, here's a funny site:

http://www.moonsticks.windy-goddess.net/1-stolen-identity/

Lots of funny Sailor Moon comics XD Browse through them for a laugh!

My left bottom empty tooth socket HURTS. My gums are swollen on that side, and I sound like a have a bad mumble when I talk. I don't want to eat anything except everything, and right now I am determined to just buckle down and buy myself a whopping mountain of frozen yogurt and sulk in it.

Boo.

I just got them removed yesterday! I got to sit through the entire operation because I opted for local anesthesia, and it was the craziest thing ever. I could hear my teeth cracking and the drills going, and the doctor and assistants kept talking to me in between. It was actually quite amusing :)

I'm not as chipmunk-cheeked as I would've imagined (cross your fingers!). In fact, you can't really tell at all except that I'm a tad poofed up on the sides. I still don't feel like eating much of anything, and I haven't scarfed down all the gallons of ice cream I thought I would (I've only had one frozen yogurt and two scoops of green tea ice cream--aside from that, I've had one bowl of soup, two bowls of applesauce, and one piece of bread with milk for the past two days).

Anyway, I'm torn between getting all my work done and milking this recovery phase for all it's worth, because I am so sluggish all the time! I imagined more ice cream-eating, but it makes me feel all gross in the mouth afterwards and this whole not-brushing-properly thing is also grossing me out...

6. In Defense of Food

We follow Michael Pollan on yet another journey into the food world, not into the world of manufacturing food this time, but delving into nutritionism and all of the reductionist science's effects on food. The question is, why are we Americans so confused about what to eat?

The answer he provides is not a simple one, and yet ironically so. We are confused because of our baseless eating culture (unlike more established, ancient civilizations) and because we like to reduce our eating habits to the very bare bones (i.e. the nutrients which make up the food, instead of the food itself). This confusion has led to a widespread epidemic of diets, soaring obesity rates, and obsession with healthiness (which, more often than not, is not very healthy at all).

In many ways, this book is the answer to a lot of personal issues I've been having with my own eating lately. After reading Pollan's Omnivore Dilemma, I decided to drop the on-and-off vegetarian guise in favor of a hearty winter vacation filled with yummy foods. While I found myself a tad worried about the sudden transition and its effects on my body, I was also happier--in more than the bodily sense. After this book, I became introduced to the term "flexitarian" (a person who reduces their meat intake and is almost pseudo-vegetarian--in other words, what I've been trying to do for the past year). However, I don't want to classify myself as one, because if there's one thing I've learned from this book (without taking it solely at face value), it's that thinking about the way I eat shouldn't be such a difficult task. I've never been a crazy meat-eater from the start, and eating what pleases me has always worked up until about two years ago, when I started going crazy over what I should be eating. In other words, moderation and just good, old-fashioned "Am I full yet?" eating.

I could go on and on about the positive aspects of this book, but since this is one that I DO recommend you reading on your own if you're at all or have ever been concerned about eating, food, or diets in general, I won't go on. But please. Read it. (And talk to me if you do because I'd like to gush about it more.)

Rating: 10/10

I just got back from our coordinator retreat yesterday; following me back was a sore throat, some pretty decent memories, and a slight apprehension about the direction the team might be headed in this year with the return of some...well, trouble-stirrer-uppers. I'm a Lead Coordinator this semester, and there's already been some extra work to do with the start of the school year.

I got an e-mail from the student learning center for a job interview as a writing tutor. Keeping my fingers crossed!

School also starts on Tuesday, which means more work to be done. I haven't written anything all break (or all last semester either, for that matter), so I'm nervous about how this semester will play out, but I'm still working on putting my pen back on the paper and getting some things finished/written (finally!).

My body still hasn't been restored to its normal health, but things are improving slowly but steadily. I probably could have used a bit more time off, but seeing as I have two days of school a week (granted, from 8 AM to 10 PM!), hopefully things will level out.

Still working to piece things together! Haven't been blogging much or doing much of anything, really, so I'll have to see. I'm trying to pull a Hermione Granger mixed with a job and outstanding volunteerism this semester, so we'll see how that works out.

4. A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Bad Beginning, Lemony Snickett

Talk about a bit depressing...

This book gave me tiny, uncomfortable chills. Okay, so it was five a.m. and I couldn't sleep, but the way he writes is so hopeless and a bit scary...anyway, this book follows the Baudville children (Violet, Klaus, and Sunny) through their--well, unfortunate events. After their parents die, they are sent off to live with their distant relative, the Count Olaf, who will do almost anything to acquire the family fortune.

Unfortunately, Lemony Snickett is right when he says that this is a book with neither a happy beginning nor ending. And while his writing is suitable for a children's book, I probably wouldn't let my kid near this just because it gave me the heebie-jeebies to read his descriptions of the callousness of the adult world (although there is one sympathetic character, a Justice, but she ends up being fooled too). It's every bit as creepy as the movie with Jim Carey--and Jim Carey can creep me out a lot (remember the Grinch?).

Anyway, I sort of think back and wonder why I read this book, since I'm not going to get my happy ending if I don't finish the series (which I really don't want to touch now...).

But um, props for a book having this big an effect on me?

Rating: 6/10

5. Animal Farm, George Orwell

I had a morning-ful of reading because I couldn't sleep, so...

This is the second time I've read this book. It follows the exploits of a group of animals living on a farm, who oust their cruel human owner Mr. Jones and work together to run the farm themselves. The story depicts the rise of the pigs, the cleverest group among the "comrades," and the subsequent blind loyalty of their followers as the utopian society crumbles into something of a totalitarian-run farm.

Orwell is, to put it plainly, a genius. I definitely didn't get quite as many of the undertones when I read this for the first time in 7th grade, but I got some of it, and now it's a lot more clear (especially after reading the prelude and introduction, which explain that Orwell was actually pro-Socialism--he was just against the Russian way of running it). The commentary he provides on the cycle of governments and the ease with which we can be lured into a false sense of freedom rings true for all generations, especially now with the--well, our democratic process, anyway.

It may be a quick read, but it's a highly recommended one.

Rating: 10/10

How's everybody doing out there?

In addition, today's check-in question: If you could pick one character, one magical item, and one magical animal to bring with you back into the Muggle world, what would you choose?

3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

In this fabulous third installment, escaped convict Sirius Black is out--and supposedly looking to kill Harry. Through a series of unexpected plot twists and revelations, Harry finds himself face to face with his parents' killer...only to find out that there has been another traitor in his midst all along.

This book has always been my favorite (aside from GoF--but I think the two books are in different leagues, to be honest). Rereading it this time after so long, maybe what got to me was that the book works as a standalone,but does little aside from the big shocking moments--which aren't a shock anymore, because I already know what's going to happen. Don't get me wrong, Rowling still does a great job with the writing and all, but it felt more like a limbo book transitioning between her early writing in the first two books and her more developed style in the later two.

Still, I'd never give it anything other than a 10 because hey, I've read this book a bajillion times--and it's still good.

Rating: 10/10

Only a week left for paid subscription...
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Is anybody else agonizing over which icons to keep/remove?? If only I wasn't so cheap and would renew my subscription...*sigh*

A brand new year! Let's try this again...

1. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl

So I started off this year with a rather abysmal and disappointing trip to the public library, BUT I did manage to snag a bunch of books from the kids'/YA section while nobody was looking that I've been wanting to read. This was one of them. It's a lot like the movie (the Johnny Depp version; I haven't watched the original, although I did catch the last 10 minutes of it while I was reading the last chapter, ironically). I liked how it wasn't quite as creepy as the movie made out, because I can't watch it anymore without cringing a bit. Willy Wonka isn't too freaky in the book version, if a little bit messed up with his reactions to the kids' disappearances. He reminds me a bit of the Wizard from Wicked...

Anyway, it took me much longer than it should have to finish this short kids' book, and I enjoyed it. Plus, it gives me a big break from all the brain-frying stuff I've been wading through lately (*cough* Harry Potter *cough*). One thing I have to say for Dahl is that he is a BRILLIANT children's books' writer, and a definite inspiration for aspiring kids' writers.

Rating: 8/10

2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Another work of brilliance. You'd think I was trying to stuff my head full of children's books in preparation for the children's lit seminar I'm taking next seminar or something...

Anyway, a definitely bizarre feeling rereading it. I'm still looking forward to the next few books a bit more, since they're more mature and a bit faster-paced, but I found myself really anticipating what was going to happen. Rowling has a great feel for pacing and suspense to begin with, and I still felt myself sighing inside when everything finally came together at the end. All in all, a very nostalgic and quick read.

Rating: 10/10 (How could I possibly give it anything else?)

Currently Reading: Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban, In Defense of Food

New Year's resolutions, nice and simple!

School
- Get straight A's
- Honors English/Mass Communications

Reading
- Read 40 books
- Finish rereading HP

Writing
- Finish Notebooks
- Finish the 100 drabbles challenge
- Continue FwD
- Start/complete a new project

Other
- Get a job
- Finish 1000 cranes
- Finish another anime/manga series
- Study abroad or get an internship for the summer
- Lead a healthy, balanced life this year
- Reach the 105 mark and stay there

Good luck on your goals, everyone!

Happy new year, f-list!

Just a heads up for all you Muggle fans, I've just started the HP Holiday Rereading Marathon at our Harry Potter community, rereading_hp . The goal is to take that cup of leftover butterbeer and settle down for a nice comfy night by the fireside with our friends from Hogwarts! The marathon goes on until January 31st--be sure to visit for community fun, updates on others' readings, questions, and more info!

Cheers!

I've already sort of resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't even close to finishing this year. *sigh* oh well! I'm working on piecing my life back together--that should count for something.

22. MEDIA STUDIES 102 Reader: The Effects of Mass Media

Not terribly exciting, but I finished it this time, ON TIME. That should count for something! (It was 800-something pages, for crying out loud!)

23. The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan

Okay, first off, BRILLIANT book. If you are a food junkie, nutritional nut, or feel guilty about never reading anything actually "informative" and want a place to start, this is your book. Michael Pollan is a genius. The end.

No, not the end (unfortunately for you)! I originally read this book because I couldn't get my hands on his other one, In Defense of Food (which I'm off to the library to borrow in a bit), but this one is worth every second. Basically, the guy (who is a professor of journalism at Berkeley) went on this cross-country journey to find out more about America's food system and where our food actually comes from. He talks about corn, the government-subsidized "cheap food" mania, and then he dabbles in organics and what it actually means to eat "natural" food.

He actually went to a few farms and slaughterhouses to check them out firsthand, and even worked on them (when allowed), too.

In the end, he creates what he calls "the perfect meal"--a meal he has hunted, gathered, and farmed all by himself, with the help of some friends. No additives or supermarkets. Pretty crazy, huh?

I've been going through a food phase, if you will, so this book originally was supposed to be a way for me to find out more about what I was eating, but I learned a lot more than I expected about morals and principles that I'd been struggling with lately, too. For example, if you're considering going vegetarian (like I was--still am, sort of), this is a great jumping off point for more resources and even new insight on what it means to be vegetarian, or reasons for why you would/wouldn't want to be. I'm more okay with the idea of eating meat now, too, ironically.

Anyway, great food book. I'm off to read his other book! Definite recommendation right here.

Rating: 10/10

24. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling

YES, I AM REREADING THE SERIES...YET AGAIN.

Remember that woebegone, lonely-fated community created for the sole purpose of rereading this wonderful series, rereading_hp ? Well, I'm doing it! And if anybody wants to join in, they're more than welcome (I don't know what it'll take to revamp the community, but if anybody is also interested in starting or co-starting it up again, let me know!)

But wow. It has been such a long time since I've reread any of the first three books that I went into this with an all-new perspective. There are so many things that we pick up our twentieth time around that we most definitely don't get the first! And you get to see how much Jo has grown as a writer since the wee first novel, too.

Dumbledore is way, way way less explored in this book than I remembered, maybe because Jo develops him so thoroughly in the later books. And I love just how straightforward all 200-odd pages of the text are. Not that I don't love the later books' twists and turns, don't get me wrong--but it's really been a while since I got a feel for where this all started.

All in all, I'm just really excited. Like, super-duper excitement right here.

Reliving the magic. Ftw.

Rating: 10/10

....I'm back!

For real this time, from the "mele" and oh-so "ono" (delicious) island of Hawaii! And I have beautiful photos to boot to prove it (I'll post them separately).

Anyway, I just wanted to say that this is NOT another false alarm for my dismal reappearance. I am working on drabbles and *twiddles thumbs* Notebooks as I type. Sort of. Okay, not working VERY hard, but give a girl a break, huh? I just got back from a vacation that was very much needed and yes, thank you very much, that worked miracles. I am so unwound all the king's men couldn't put me back together again!

Tomorrow, at 3 a.m., I leave the house to go to a resort with some friends and learn to snowboard! Yee-haw!

That being said...I am so on top of this writing thing...kind of.

Oh! And I'm going to the library today for the first time in AGES--like, maybe 3 years or something. Any suggestions? I am so excited!!

(End point: Ala is officially back!!)

It's record winter lows for us, which means the freeze is finally setting in. I'm sitting in my room wrapped up in a bajillion blankets, wearing two pairs of socks and two sweaters and two pants, with my heater on and I'm still freezing.

And then I thought what it would be like for the countless hundreds and thousands of people living on the streets of this city alone, people who have no place to go and nobody to turn to. The area had a soaring-high death toll last year.

So even though I'm incredibly thankful for what I have (and it doesn't change the fact that I'm going to stay indoors as much as possible), this post goes out to all of them out there. I hope everyone makes it through the winter okay this year.

I'm finally getting my life back. After today's amazing event, which went as well as we ever could have asked for (and more), I am DONE.

No more phone calls, no more last-minute insurance policies, no more catering or moving or feeling under-appreciated or buying or anything. After months of sleeplessness and stress and psychological/emotional/physiological strain, I'm done with dealing with anything but my life and finals. And the kicker is, in the end, it was all worth it, and I am that much more aware as a result of it.

But god, am I ready to celebrate...and sleep.

So hey everyone, I'm back and ready to roll :]

So...who else gained a ridiculous amount of weight over the Thanksgiving holiday?

And who wants to tag-team and hold each other responsible for a dedicated week(s) of losing this turkey tummy??