Thursday, June 30, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Mini Book Review (sort of)
Room
By Emma Donoghue
I had this book on hold for about a million years at the library (I'm not much of a book buyer since I'm (a) cheap and (b) I generally don't ever read books a second time) so after waiting forever for this much hyped and anticipated book I was needless to say quite disappointed. It's a hot book right now on book club lists, getting talked about by everyone and so perhaps I had built it up a little too much in my mind.
The basic premise is this: A woman has been held captive in a single underground room since she was 19, is repeatedly raped by her captor and while there gives birth to a son who is now 5 years old and the narrator of the story. I guess this was the main drawback of the story for me. I found it dreadfully boring and slow to have it told through a child's perspective.
I am the kind of person who finds stories like this extremely fascinating when they are in the real news and apparently this story was inspired by one of those cases, so I thought I would like this story a lot more than I did. But, to be honest I didn't even read the whole book, hence the title of this post. I was so bored in the beginning I sort of skipped to the middle and then skipped some more to the end just to find out what happened and get it over with.
I don't know if it's because I just would have preferred to have the story told from a grown-up perspective or just that the kid kind of drove me crazy with the way he spoke. I mean, I get it, it's the only world he's ever known and his mother did a wonderful job raising him considering the circumstances but it just didn't resonate with me at all.
I would love to know what you thought about this book if you've read it already, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm the only person who doesn't think this book is all that and a bag of chips. I guess I'll just stick with the true life stories from the news to satisfy my morbid curiosities.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The Grass Isn't Always Greener, But I Promise It's Better
It took me moving out of Arizona to realize why I love it so much. Which basically is a total cliché, but hey it’s true. Our parents are natives and their parents are natives and their parents are native, so to say we are from Arizona is kinda an understatement.
When I first moved away to Mississippi, it happened to be a particularly rainy summer. I thought I’d be excited about that. I mean come on; it’s a requirement, all Arizonans LOVE the rain. However, after two weeks of nonstop rain in the cold (meaning 50-60 degrees, I told you I’m from AZ) weather, I was so sick of it! And then it hit me, my heart only belongs to Arizona’s rain. She had me at monsoon. (Swoon.) I love how the calm, blue sky gets suddenly temperamental and turns to shades of blue, gray and steel. The swirling dust suddenly becomes a rowdy student being called to settle down by the teacher. And the smells of that settling dust as it becomes wet with gloriously pure rain, I tell you if it came in a perfume I’d buy it. The rain brings just enough cool and clean to make the desert sparkle better than Windex.
Speaking of perfume, where the heck is the Arizona Orange Blossom Perfume? Is there no sweeter scent in this world? We go through those horribly, freezing winters ;) and then spring blesses us so kindly with the orange blossoms. That’s how Arizona is, constantly blessing the lives those who live there.
When someone talks about how the desert is bland and ugly, it’s like peeing on my cornflakes. Are you kidding me? Have you seen the sunsets? Do you not recognize God and beauty when you see it? There isn’t a more beautiful sight. The way the vibrant shades of pink, yellow and orange fuse together, it’s more delicious than butter melting on a blueberry muffin. Have you not seen the Grand Canyon? Me neither, but still I’ve seen pictures, and that place is majestic. Have you ever been up North? Greer, AZ? Aka the most gorgeous place on earth? Its beauty is sacred and spiritual. I love it so much one of my girls is named after the place. And what about when a Suarro blossom blooms? Do you not understand a miracle when you see it? Those cacti are the most resilient plants ever, and then they still have it in them to produce a blossom? Talk about strength. I see the beauty in that.
Let me tell you, I live in LA right now, of course LA is known for their traffic, but no one mentions how bad their freeways totally suck. Hellloooo, Arizona’s freeways! I’d drive them any day! Especially when they can take me places like Last Chance, Hobby Lobby (not one in LA), Carolina’s, Tia Rosas, Pete’s, Neilsens’, Costa Vida, El Charro, Gecko Grill, and the list goes on and on and on. The food…don’t even get me started…my stomach is growling…that is a whole other post…
Here is some extra proof how much I love AZ, in case you didn't believe me. This pic hangs in our living room:
When I first moved away to Mississippi, it happened to be a particularly rainy summer. I thought I’d be excited about that. I mean come on; it’s a requirement, all Arizonans LOVE the rain. However, after two weeks of nonstop rain in the cold (meaning 50-60 degrees, I told you I’m from AZ) weather, I was so sick of it! And then it hit me, my heart only belongs to Arizona’s rain. She had me at monsoon. (Swoon.) I love how the calm, blue sky gets suddenly temperamental and turns to shades of blue, gray and steel. The swirling dust suddenly becomes a rowdy student being called to settle down by the teacher. And the smells of that settling dust as it becomes wet with gloriously pure rain, I tell you if it came in a perfume I’d buy it. The rain brings just enough cool and clean to make the desert sparkle better than Windex.
Speaking of perfume, where the heck is the Arizona Orange Blossom Perfume? Is there no sweeter scent in this world? We go through those horribly, freezing winters ;) and then spring blesses us so kindly with the orange blossoms. That’s how Arizona is, constantly blessing the lives those who live there.
When someone talks about how the desert is bland and ugly, it’s like peeing on my cornflakes. Are you kidding me? Have you seen the sunsets? Do you not recognize God and beauty when you see it? There isn’t a more beautiful sight. The way the vibrant shades of pink, yellow and orange fuse together, it’s more delicious than butter melting on a blueberry muffin. Have you not seen the Grand Canyon? Me neither, but still I’ve seen pictures, and that place is majestic. Have you ever been up North? Greer, AZ? Aka the most gorgeous place on earth? Its beauty is sacred and spiritual. I love it so much one of my girls is named after the place. And what about when a Suarro blossom blooms? Do you not understand a miracle when you see it? Those cacti are the most resilient plants ever, and then they still have it in them to produce a blossom? Talk about strength. I see the beauty in that.
Let me tell you, I live in LA right now, of course LA is known for their traffic, but no one mentions how bad their freeways totally suck. Hellloooo, Arizona’s freeways! I’d drive them any day! Especially when they can take me places like Last Chance, Hobby Lobby (not one in LA), Carolina’s, Tia Rosas, Pete’s, Neilsens’, Costa Vida, El Charro, Gecko Grill, and the list goes on and on and on. The food…don’t even get me started…my stomach is growling…that is a whole other post…
Here is some extra proof how much I love AZ, in case you didn't believe me. This pic hangs in our living room:
In case you can't tell, on the outer edges are all the places Wesley and I want to visit someday; yet in the center where my heart is, where I want to end up...Arizona. Now, if I could only convince my husband...
Saturday, June 4, 2011
We LOVE These!
Woo-hoo!!! Thank you Unilever for finally bringing these to the US! I was first introduced to Magnum Ice Cream Bars 12 years ago when Keith and I visited Portugal. While there I learned first hand that in the US, we have less than impressive candy bars. Kit Kat Bars, for instance, are made by Nestle in Europe and have a better quality chocolate. More chocolate - not over loaded with sugary waxy-ness. Thank you for keeping the same European goodness with the Magnum Bar! (So good that Keith kept a couple of the wooden sticks as souvenirs with the date and location when we enjoyed them in Portugal.)
Move over Dove and Haagen-Dazs! Magnum is the real deal! A thick, rich, Belgium chocolate shell surrounds the creamy vanilla or chocolate ice cream. One will definitely satisfy your chocolate and ice cream cravings. We have had the Classic, Almond and Double Chocolate varieties thus far in our house. (Note: Do not eat the Double Chocolate just before bedtime!) I am looking forward to trying the double caramel. I found them at Wal-Mart for about $3.40 for a box of 3. Keith bought a couple boxes on sale at Basha's for $3.99. Watch for coupons, I've heard they're out there. This is my new stash. Sorry kids, I'm not sharing!
Move over Dove and Haagen-Dazs! Magnum is the real deal! A thick, rich, Belgium chocolate shell surrounds the creamy vanilla or chocolate ice cream. One will definitely satisfy your chocolate and ice cream cravings. We have had the Classic, Almond and Double Chocolate varieties thus far in our house. (Note: Do not eat the Double Chocolate just before bedtime!) I am looking forward to trying the double caramel. I found them at Wal-Mart for about $3.40 for a box of 3. Keith bought a couple boxes on sale at Basha's for $3.99. Watch for coupons, I've heard they're out there. This is my new stash. Sorry kids, I'm not sharing!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Embarrassing Eliza
I just have to say that I hate being embarrassed. I mean really hate it, avoid it at all costs kind of hate it. Also, I don't think I get embarrassed too easily so situations that others may find embarrassing I really don't. Like my sister Tara's story about the ObGyn I don't think would really embarrass me too much because I just tell myself those guys see that kind of stuff all day every day and it's no big deal. So, I don't have too many stories that I can recall because I think I must block most of them from my memory. My husband says it's because I'm guarded and I definitely think that's true.
I've walked into a tree because I was looking the other way, forgotten the steps to dance routines at the recitals, and backed into somebody's car in the parking lot. But nowadays most of my embarrassing moments revolve around the things my children say and do. I think these ones embarrass me the most right now because I feel like people think that everything your kids do is a reflection of you and your parenting. But whatever, I really do try and not worry about that kind of stuff too much. Anywho, here's a few of my most memorable (wish I could wipe them from my memory) embarrassing moments.
Dead Weight
When I was a teenager one Sunday I was at church and I had to get up and leave before the meeting was over. But my foot was seriously asleep and when I stood up to leave I could hardly move. I wanted to just slip out quickly and quietly but I couldn't. I kept trying to take a step but my leg was dead weight, like flopping, dragging, bending at the ankle, dead weight and I had heels on making it virtually impossible to walk. I felt trapped, I couldn't go back and sit down and I just wanted to get out of there, but short of crawling on my hands and knees I didn't know what to do. I just had to hobble and hop with my foot bending and dragging slowly out of there with a bunch of people sitting there thinking "what is wrong with that girl?"
Noisy Newlyweds
Just sharing this story is embarrassing to me. But whatever, when we were first married we lived on the second floor of our apartment complex. Right below us lived an adorable little 6 year old girl and her single mother. One day in passing we stopped and were chatting with them and the daughter asked us what all the noise was above her bedroom. She said it was really loud and squeaky. Um, how do you answer that? Gee sorry, I guess we better stop jumping on the bed! I'm pretty sure her mom was more embarrassed than I was, but I was pretty mortified!
Have a Seat
One Sunday about 3 years ago, when I was pregnant with my youngest son we walked into church late and there were no seats available. We were relegated to the very back on the noisy wood floor and we had to set up our own chairs so pretty much the whole congregation was aware of the fact that we were late. When a few chairs were set up I went to sit down on one and just as I was bending down to sit my husband scooted the chair over and I fell loud and hard. The clamoring type of fall that causes everyone to turn and look. My poor husband felt so bad, he didn't realize I was going to sit down and I was horrified. Just the feeling of falling when you aren't expecting it and then having everyone staring at you to see what happened, not good and super embarrassing.
I hope you've enjoyed me reliving my humiliation!
I've walked into a tree because I was looking the other way, forgotten the steps to dance routines at the recitals, and backed into somebody's car in the parking lot. But nowadays most of my embarrassing moments revolve around the things my children say and do. I think these ones embarrass me the most right now because I feel like people think that everything your kids do is a reflection of you and your parenting. But whatever, I really do try and not worry about that kind of stuff too much. Anywho, here's a few of my most memorable (wish I could wipe them from my memory) embarrassing moments.
Dead Weight
When I was a teenager one Sunday I was at church and I had to get up and leave before the meeting was over. But my foot was seriously asleep and when I stood up to leave I could hardly move. I wanted to just slip out quickly and quietly but I couldn't. I kept trying to take a step but my leg was dead weight, like flopping, dragging, bending at the ankle, dead weight and I had heels on making it virtually impossible to walk. I felt trapped, I couldn't go back and sit down and I just wanted to get out of there, but short of crawling on my hands and knees I didn't know what to do. I just had to hobble and hop with my foot bending and dragging slowly out of there with a bunch of people sitting there thinking "what is wrong with that girl?"
Noisy Newlyweds
Just sharing this story is embarrassing to me. But whatever, when we were first married we lived on the second floor of our apartment complex. Right below us lived an adorable little 6 year old girl and her single mother. One day in passing we stopped and were chatting with them and the daughter asked us what all the noise was above her bedroom. She said it was really loud and squeaky. Um, how do you answer that? Gee sorry, I guess we better stop jumping on the bed! I'm pretty sure her mom was more embarrassed than I was, but I was pretty mortified!
Have a Seat
One Sunday about 3 years ago, when I was pregnant with my youngest son we walked into church late and there were no seats available. We were relegated to the very back on the noisy wood floor and we had to set up our own chairs so pretty much the whole congregation was aware of the fact that we were late. When a few chairs were set up I went to sit down on one and just as I was bending down to sit my husband scooted the chair over and I fell loud and hard. The clamoring type of fall that causes everyone to turn and look. My poor husband felt so bad, he didn't realize I was going to sit down and I was horrified. Just the feeling of falling when you aren't expecting it and then having everyone staring at you to see what happened, not good and super embarrassing.
I hope you've enjoyed me reliving my humiliation!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Aliece's Embarrassing Turn
I think that most of my embarrassing moments start with my mouth and my naivete. From making stupid comments about foreigners in front of Emilie, (she must think I'm an idiot) to not knowing enough about a topic and totally getting laughed at in the conversation. (Thankfully, that usually happens with family.) Honestly, I mean well. I spend way too much time thinking about how wrong something sounded and how I wish I could have a do-over. I would've just kept my mouth shut!
I had a good moment in high school. My girlfriends and I were invited to eat lunch at a guy's house, a guy I obviously did not know. We were jumping on his trampoline, showing off a bit and I did a toe touch and completely ripped the crotch of my jeans. Well, they were Jill Jarvis Badger's jeans, Calvin Klein's to be exact. She was there and laughed her head off! (Which actually made me feel better, I was worried about her jeans.) Thankfully, the guy had a little sister and let me borrow some of her shorts which I returned at school a couple days later. And Mom was able to repair Jill's CK's. Thanks Mom!
Oh, and there was our first childbirth class. We were so excited for our first baby, but we had crazy schedules so I signed up for the class at the last minute. I asked the lady on the phone if we needed to bring anything to class. (Before everything was online, obviously.) She told me no and reassured me I would receive a packet in the mail with all of the info. Well, Keith and I both rushed to the class after work, not having checked the mail that day. (He actually had to get off work early to make it.) We were the last ones to arrive, but we got there in time for introductions. At the end of the class, our instructor had us grab two pillows and lay down. There were pillows stacked on tables behind everyone, so we did. When we got up to leave we realized that everyone else had brought their own pillows and we totally grabbed the pillows of the people sitting next to us! I felt so D-U-M-B! We apologized. It was not that big a deal, but we did have to finish the next 3 weeks of classes with them. And we brought our own pillows! Ugh! That felt pretty stupid for a while!
I had a good moment in high school. My girlfriends and I were invited to eat lunch at a guy's house, a guy I obviously did not know. We were jumping on his trampoline, showing off a bit and I did a toe touch and completely ripped the crotch of my jeans. Well, they were Jill Jarvis Badger's jeans, Calvin Klein's to be exact. She was there and laughed her head off! (Which actually made me feel better, I was worried about her jeans.) Thankfully, the guy had a little sister and let me borrow some of her shorts which I returned at school a couple days later. And Mom was able to repair Jill's CK's. Thanks Mom!
Oh, and there was our first childbirth class. We were so excited for our first baby, but we had crazy schedules so I signed up for the class at the last minute. I asked the lady on the phone if we needed to bring anything to class. (Before everything was online, obviously.) She told me no and reassured me I would receive a packet in the mail with all of the info. Well, Keith and I both rushed to the class after work, not having checked the mail that day. (He actually had to get off work early to make it.) We were the last ones to arrive, but we got there in time for introductions. At the end of the class, our instructor had us grab two pillows and lay down. There were pillows stacked on tables behind everyone, so we did. When we got up to leave we realized that everyone else had brought their own pillows and we totally grabbed the pillows of the people sitting next to us! I felt so D-U-M-B! We apologized. It was not that big a deal, but we did have to finish the next 3 weeks of classes with them. And we brought our own pillows! Ugh! That felt pretty stupid for a while!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Miche's Most Embarassing
For some reason, most of my embarrassing moments happened when I was a child. Maybe back then I was more vulnerable to feeling embarrassed, I don't know. I do know one thing, my sister Tara's moments trump all of ours. I have had the usual accidentally farting in ballet class, riding my bike into a trash can while waving at someone, and falling flat on my stomach on stage at a ballet performance. But, to get things started I am going to tell you about one that happened just last night.
My in-laws invited Mia and me, and some of their neighbors over for a weenie roast last night. My father-in-law has a four wheeler that he uses for all sorts of tasks. It was outside by the fire and I asked him if I could give Mia a ride on it. I have never driven a four wheeler before. So he showed me what to do. Pretty much Mia screamed the whole time. I wanted her to be safe so I kept one arm around her. I kept doing the whole stop and go, stop and go. I felt like an idiot. I thought I might run into their horse pasture but fortunately I turned the four wheeler just in time. As I was finishing our little ride, I started to get worried about where and how I should stop. I kind of freaked out and before I knew it I was running into one of their plastic chairs. I heard Dan's dad yell, "Stop, stop." Yeah, I totally broke the chair. Their neighbor was standing there watching the whole time, looking at me like I was the dumbest girl in the world. I think I gave my in-laws heart attacks, and I don't think I will be riding the four wheeler again anytime soon.
I am not a fan of going to the dentist. I have had to get some serious dental work done lately. I always try to look really nice and dressed up when I go so that they don't judge me on my teeth. I also feel like I get better service from people when I look the part. One time after a long appointment, I got in the car and took a deep breath and glanced in the rear view mirror to fix my bed head hair. Then I saw them. Two visible boogers right in my nose. I. wanted. to. die. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I still can't laugh about it yet.
One time, when I was in the fourth grade everyone was out at recess playing soccer. That's what all the cool kids did. Whether it was football, soccer, or kick ball. Lots of us girls would try to join in even though the ball never got passed to us. I remember this so clearly, one day the soccer ball was headed straight for me. I couldn't even believe it. Much to my dismay the ball smacked straight into my stomach. It came with such force that the ball forced me to let out a ginormous fart! Ah ha ha! It was so loud and EVERYONE heard and was laughing. I yelled, "It wasn't me! It wasn't me!" But everyone knew that it was. I wanted to die at the time and crawl into a hole. But now I think it is hilarious.
My in-laws invited Mia and me, and some of their neighbors over for a weenie roast last night. My father-in-law has a four wheeler that he uses for all sorts of tasks. It was outside by the fire and I asked him if I could give Mia a ride on it. I have never driven a four wheeler before. So he showed me what to do. Pretty much Mia screamed the whole time. I wanted her to be safe so I kept one arm around her. I kept doing the whole stop and go, stop and go. I felt like an idiot. I thought I might run into their horse pasture but fortunately I turned the four wheeler just in time. As I was finishing our little ride, I started to get worried about where and how I should stop. I kind of freaked out and before I knew it I was running into one of their plastic chairs. I heard Dan's dad yell, "Stop, stop." Yeah, I totally broke the chair. Their neighbor was standing there watching the whole time, looking at me like I was the dumbest girl in the world. I think I gave my in-laws heart attacks, and I don't think I will be riding the four wheeler again anytime soon.
I am not a fan of going to the dentist. I have had to get some serious dental work done lately. I always try to look really nice and dressed up when I go so that they don't judge me on my teeth. I also feel like I get better service from people when I look the part. One time after a long appointment, I got in the car and took a deep breath and glanced in the rear view mirror to fix my bed head hair. Then I saw them. Two visible boogers right in my nose. I. wanted. to. die. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I still can't laugh about it yet.
One time, when I was in the fourth grade everyone was out at recess playing soccer. That's what all the cool kids did. Whether it was football, soccer, or kick ball. Lots of us girls would try to join in even though the ball never got passed to us. I remember this so clearly, one day the soccer ball was headed straight for me. I couldn't even believe it. Much to my dismay the ball smacked straight into my stomach. It came with such force that the ball forced me to let out a ginormous fart! Ah ha ha! It was so loud and EVERYONE heard and was laughing. I yelled, "It wasn't me! It wasn't me!" But everyone knew that it was. I wanted to die at the time and crawl into a hole. But now I think it is hilarious.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)