Um So I have been away for a while

I have a friend who really realllllly likes to read...More than I do, more than anyone I know. Well, Steph suggested Amy start a blog to review the books she reads! So I am posting on my blog to promote readers.
website is http://www.openbibliophile.blogspot.com/
CHECK IT OUT! She is new to blogging so let's give her some support!

The big day

So I started this blog to help motivate me to meet all the new goals I set for myself. Well, I ahve to say that the only thing the blog has accomplished is to give me an outlet when I am feeling creative or needing to vent. I am turning 30 in a week from today and although I have some momentary panic attacks, I think I am taking it pretty well. Grandma Jan told me every decade gets better and I am thinking she was probably right. And how can things be that bad? I am graduating this year with my bachelor's degree, I am making plans for my future and planning on executing them, and I even found out that someone like me who has PCOS (polycystic ovaries syndrome) can still have kids. It IS possible. The PA I go to at school also has it and she didn't get married until she was 30 and she waited a bit for kids and she has a little girl and is now working on her second. There is hope! Since as I get older, this is the one thing that I stress about I am happy to hear that all is not lost! :) 30 is going to be great!

Northanger Abbey...finally

So I actually got to spend a ton of time on this novel this term. Dr. Rand didn't mind if I used it for more than one of my papers and since I love it oh so much, I did use it. I am going to post the opening paragraph to my paper, but the rest of it I don't want anyone to steal it! lol...like they would; haha



The Significance of Northanger Abbey

Ralph Waldo Emerson asserted that Jane Austen’s writing is “vulgar in style, sterile in invention, imprisoned in the wretched conventions of English society, without genius, wit, or knowledge of the world. Never was life so pinched and narrow. Her main subject is marriageableness…and suicide is more respectable,” (handout winter term 2011). The work of Jane Austen is anything but trivial and meaningless. The time period in which she lived was a time when women’s main chance of survival was based on whether or not one was married to a man who could support her. Northanger Abbey is so much more than what Emerson declares it to be. It is not a novel written about silly unimportant items of life. Northanger Abbey was an intelligent novel written in response to the conventions placed upon women in a gentleman controlled society during Austen’s lifetime that is also responsible for shaping the characters of the women who lived in that male dominated society; this is demonstrated in two of Austen’s female characters, Eleanor and Isabella. Northanger Abbey is Austen’s clever way of exposing how the male dominated society she lived in not only made them casualties of society’s ideals, but also created them.

Can I just say that Emerson's comment got me soooo riled up! In class Dr. Rand read it and my hand was up to display my objection to Emerson's unjustified comment. I didn't know then, but my argument would end up being the whole way I generated my thesis for this paper. I go on in the paper to discuss the importance of marriage in the regency era. Marriage was something of importance to women, not because they were desperate to fall in love and live happily ever after, but because it was such an important part of a woman’s survival. It was the most fun I have ever had writing a paper!

If you want to read the whole thing ( and I have to admit that it is a pretty interesting read) message me and I will email it to you :)

SOOOO BUSY!!!

Really, I shouldn't even be updating this at the moment! I have a TON of homework to do...I'm not joking...I got so behind when I went home for my cousin Kenny's beautiful wedding, that I am playing major catch up...well now I am almost caught up with the stuff I missed and am beginning to delve into stuff that needs to be done now...I have 3 presentations to prepare for..actually 4 if I want to be really proactive, two papers I know are coming up, and a linguistic project that I know is going to take forever! I also have an entire book I need to finish by Monday morning in preparation for a midterm, a sermon by John Donne to pick out....and I know there is more, but I don't want to go over to my backpack and get out my list...

OK Despite my super busy ultra crazy schedule I have been keeping.. I have some great news! I have officially lost 9.8 pounds in three weeks :) I am super excited and I absolutely LOVE Weight Watchers! It allows me flexibility and I can indulge in a bag of m&m's every once in a while when I am really craving them (mind you this is a single serving bag....not a big bag lol and yes... I have been known to mindlessly nosh on those delicious tidbits in almost their entirety whilst plugging away at a paper...) Sad but true haha.But ya...almost ten pounds! So even though I will not be at the goal I set in October when I started this blog, I will be well on my way! I think my thirtieth year is going to be the BEST YEAR EVER!!!

P.S. I have not had time to read any of your blogs! BUT I promise as soon as I have an ounce of time I will be perusing and catching up on all you guys are doing! Maybe once I get this week squared away I might be able to take some time...Anyway, Keep on Keepin' On (as Joe Dirt says) lol

Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig

So I am home for the holidays and I am having a great time. A few funny things have happened that I wanted to share so far:

1. Heidi and I were driving to Target yesterday to do some holiday shopping and she sped up in a parking lot intersection. This quick maneuver was in order to avoid a car...a car that was NOWHERE near us, I might add. Anyway, as this happened I was needless to say , a little starteld. Her reply to my reaction was, "Sorry, I don't drive very often." And my retort was, "Um, that doesn't make me feel any better." Needless to say, we had a good chuckle over it because it was kind of ridiculous.

  2.    These are things I have learned :

• My Brother in law loves I Carly and he is puzzled and in complete disbelief that I have never watched this show. I am giving him this one because he has children and I do not, but I thought his exclamative phrase, "I can't believe you have never seen I-Carly." Really Lyle? Really? lol
• Kaelyn does not like loud noises and this includes my loud laugh. When I laughed at her statement, "I don't like loud noises," she didn't like that either. I lovingly told her that she would get used to it and it be something she would grow to love in time...she is not sure she believes me.
• She also loves to receive books as gifts evn though her earlier declaration of "No I don't want books; I already have books," would lead one to believe otherwise. She loves the new book I gave her The Kiss That Missed. I have read it to her twice and her mother read it to her once in the last 24 hours. She keeps wanting to know why the kiss missed.
• Kaelyn has cute little nicknames for her little brother Rylan : Ry, Lids (short for the little one), The lid (after the same thing) seece, (we don't know where she gets that one), buhbuh, buhbuh hands.  (buh buh is for baby), and the Tinies (Tinys). She LOVES her little brother and it is so cute. But even so, she still manages to steal his toys because she doesn't understand that he doesn't quite understand the concept of sharing.
• Rylan IS old enough for toys, I had convinced myself otherwise and I must remedy this situation. Heidi and I might have to make one more dreaded stop to a store so I can purchase something for him.
• And Heidi doesn't like that I am blogging while she is making cookies for Santa with Kaelyn...so I guess I will stop here.

A friend I really admire

This is just a little props to one of my dearest friends, Stephanie Young. She is absolutely amazing. She impresses me to no end. In September, she packed up her life and moved to Scotland, just for the fun of it. I admire her bravery and her strength. I love that we talk on skype when I am up in the wee hours of the morning she is sometimes just waking up and swe often have briliant chats about life and hysterical awesome chats about Doctor Who and various other things. She has great insight and I really appreciate her advice. So props to you Steph! If you have time check out her adventures on the link above. She is an amazing photographer and blogs often about her Scottish adventures.

I totally stole this picture off your Facebook page Steph ;)

Christmas at Maxine's House

So, for those of you who don't know, I live with an 87 year old woman named Maxine, who just happens to be very artistic. I took some pictures of our living room to show you how creative she is. Her tree is actually called an "untree." At first I thought it was kind of weird, but I find that I think it is pretty cool. She is a creative lady and I am happy to be staying with her this year.

SHe made these little angels...and I just noticed that there is a cobweb I need to get down...please avert your eyes.

The Untree

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

I heard this song on the radio on my way home the other day and I have to say, I think this is a disturbing song and I really don't care for it. I tried to imagine how I would feel if I was little kid and I saw mymommy kissing another man...and I think it would leave me confused. In fact I think it would be a little traumatic if I believed in Santa. the whole idea of mommy kissing another man is frightening enough, but Santa; the man who is supposed to bring me gifts and treasures. Santa, the man I adored, would be seen as a lecherous womanizer who was taking my daddy's place. Ya I know...Santa is "daddy," but when you are five, you don't know that! All you know is that some fat man dressed in red, who is supposed to bring good will and happiness, is laying a big wet one on your mommy! Anyway, I just wanted to share my distaste for the song. I find it disturbing...and I especially hate it when The Jackson Five sing it...it makes it even more annoying. (this is not a slight against the group, as I usually enjoy listening to them...but I hate their version of this song...) 

Book Club

 

So Steph thought it would be fun to do a book club via blog and of course I agree. One book she has been wanting to read is Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen. I read part of it during the summer and I have to read it for class this next term, so we thought what the heck! So grab a copy at your local library or check out this site to read it online http://www.online-literature.com/austen/northanger/ . It is an easy read and it will be fun to see what you all think about it. Enjoy!!

We are going to use books from my next term reading list to keep it all going :)

here are a couple of rules we are going by:

Rules:

1. Comment to let me know you'll be participating and make sure you provide a blog or other social media way of discussing the book.

2. Read the book

3. On Jan. 2 post your thoughts on the book and we'll commence with our discussion. I'm thinking best way is leaving comments on each person's entry. If you have any other ideas, please

Happy Birthday Jacob

Jacob is my surrogate little brother here in Oregon. I met him when he was just eleven when he came to stay with me and his sister Emily when she and I were roommates in Utah. He is 18 today and he is not my real brother, but I am proud to be his "sister from another mister" as we put it :) The kid is awesome. He is on the swimming team, runs track, sings in the top choir at school, and plays the clarinet in pep band! He does many many other things, but if he gets wind of this post he might be embarrassed Sooooo I will stop and just say HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACOB :)

These are a couple of his senior pics. He is a stud.

Just thinking

Well, I feel like writing. I don't know what I wanna say exactly so I will just ramble! Yay for you. my sleep is totally out of whack. I have been up until 530 in the morning every night this week. It is making me very tired during the day.There seems to be a pattern with me...and I think it is associated with my addictive nature and television shows that I can watch instantly on netflix! I tell myself that since I am crocheting Christmas presents that it is ok that I waste so much time watching television. BUT, I have ten or more books I would like to read this Christmas vacation...not to mention the other two my cousin Casey recommended that I went and checked out from the library. So basically, I am wondering why I am feeling so stressed about this when I am on break from school. As I am writing, I am processing...forgive me. I think that I need to not stress!! Yes excellent plan.I think that if I want to watch some tv it is ok...but now that I have finished the series I was watching, I think I will move on to my books.

I started a new one called Jane which is a modern version of Jane Eyre; I am on chapter five and I already think it is brilliant. I also have Love is a Mix Tape, by Rob Sheffield..Casey recommended it. I read a bit the other night when I got home from the library and I am really excited to finish it. I also have a book written by Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angels. I bought that one back in September. Amy finished it and says it is awesome...and I can't wait to read that one either! AND I also have Three Cups of Tea that I bought in September as well... SO there you have it! I have plenty of interesting reading material... I better get my butt moving...perhaps I should read instead of blog...hmmm

Dear Santa

So since I am unmarried and almost 30 I don't really have a "santa" to tell what I want for Christmas. I still have the true meaning of Christmas in my heart, but I still wouldn't mind a few awesome presents :) lol

1. Kitchen Aid Red and the big one...not the little one
2. A Nativity Set
3. Anne of Green Gables(movie)
4. Anne of Avonlea (movie)
5. A hardback copy of William Shakespeare's sonnets
6. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, hardback of course
7. A Winco gift card for groceries
8. Doctor Who apron from http://www.cafepress.com/
9. Doctor who bumper sticker that says "Bowties are Cool" from the same web page
10. Disappearing TARDIS mug http://www.bbcamerica.com/
11. A ticket to Paris or London...or Glasgow!
12. A Christmas Trimmings Candle
13. and 5 million dollars would be nice as well.

My Sister's Family

In a week from now I will get to go to Utah and visit my family. I get to see my sweet sister heidi and her adorable kids oh and my awesome brother in law :) I am so proud of my beautiful little sister. She is such a good mommy! And she makes beautiful kids!

Heidi, Kaelyn, Lyle, and Rylan

What a cute family!

It's ok if you are jealous :D

The true meaning of Christmas

So on Saturday I was helping Maxine decorate the house with Christmas decorations. She has probably five different nativity sets. I do not have any nativity sets... As I was setting them up I was overcome with tender feelings about the Savior. I thought it was such a simple thing, putting up nativity sets around the house, but it served as a wonderful reminder of why we celebrate Christmas. I try and keep that in mind as I buy and make presents for everyone. I get excited about giving people things and I know that is not a bad thing. But I hope that as we all get ready for Christmas that we take a moment to remember the reason we celebrate Christmas. I feel truly blessed to have a little reminder like the nativity to remind me what Christmas is all about. So this year keep Him in your thoughts, give to others and keep a spirit of kindness and love about you. Keep these thoughts with you now and througout the rest of the year too :) Merry Christmas everybody

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost
http://lds.org/topic/christmas/

Don't Blow a Gasket! :) Surgery update

Ok I just had a phone call from Lani about my gastric bypass post. And I wanted to reassure all readers that I have decided to not do it. I can't see how closing off my real stomach and making a new fake stomach can be healthy. It is pure mutilation and it scares the crap out of me. And as it has been pointed out to me, when I do what I need to, ie Weight watchers, or just eat right and exercise, then the weight comes off. I have proved to myself that I have it in me to do what I need to do to get the weight off. So no worries everyone :) Starting this January I am going to start fresh and get moving and eating better. I know it is a little cliché to start in January, but it is too difficult to make a solid commitment in December, so while I am trying to cut back this month, I am still going to indulge a little. Thanks for your comments and support on the issue. I appreciate the feedback and I am grateful to know so many of you care about me!

Robin Hood the BBC Series **(Spoilers)**

So last night I finished the BBC series Robin Hood. Needless to say I am rather sad that it is over. Not only is the series jam packed with action, adventure, and justice; but it it is also jam packed with super hot British men!  Jonas Armstrong plays Robin Hood and he is super cute. Although he isn't my favorite,I do love him. We also have Richard Armitage...and he would probably qualify as my favorite. His character is Guy of Gisborne and he is a bad guy, being that he is the sherrif's right nad man. And even though he ends up murdering Marian at the end of the second season, he is still beautiful. He is also in North and South...not the civil war movie, but the British movie based on the same named novel by Elizabeth Gaskell (she is one of my favorite authors and if you are interested you can check out her works on the link and even read her literature online). In his other roles he plays a good guy and I strongly recommend seeing him in other roles. And let's not forget the beautiful Joe Armstrong, not related to Jonas and possibly more attractive! Joe plays the sometimes confused Alan A Dale; he is part of robin's band of Merry men, but he has a bit of a selfish streak. No matter, because whether he is fighting with Guy of Gisborne or fighting with Robin he is hot.  There is also Sam Troughton who plays Much, Robin Hood's right hand man and most loyal friend He is not the best looking of the bunch, but I do love him. He does have some beautiful eyes :) there is also Little John, played by Gordon Kennedy, Will Scarlet played by Harry Lloyd (he also plays in an episode of Doctor Who with David Tennant) and Djaq (Jac), Anjali Jay in the first and second season, but Will and Djaq leave because they are in love at the end of season 2. (Djaq is a girl fyi).

Jonas Armstrong

Richard Armitage

Joe Armstrong

Sam Troughton

Harry Lloyd

Gordon Kennedy

Anyway, why am I rambling you ask? Well, I got really attached to all the characters and now I am sad that there is no more to watch. They cancelled it at the end of the third season. Which is really ok, because the writers were a little bit ridiculous and took things a little too far in order to be edgy. But all in all, I will miss their exciting adventures. I recommend this show especially if you are all about fighting for what is right and hot British men! ( Little John isn't hot, but I can't leave him ouot cuz he is amazing).

Laundry

I just have to say that I am really grateful that you can't buy garments at walmart. Instead of going out to buy them when I run low, I am forced to do my laundry! Don't get me wrong, I am an advocate for doing laundry regularly, but with finals week and all the work I have been doing, I just haven't had time to do laundry. But when you have no clean underwear left, you are kind of forced to get to work. And that is all I have to say on the matter :)

Gastric Bypass Surgery

So here is a question I pose for you...If I am able to get benefits through workm should I get the surgery done? I am tired of being fat. I have a gazillion health problems because of my weight and I am tired all the time. I was reluctant at first because I didn't know anyone who had the aurgery and was successful at keeping it off. But lately, I have met a few 5 year plus people who have kept their weight down and I am considering doing it myself. I don't want to take the "easy" way out, necessarily, but I do need help. I can't do it on my own. Let me know what you think.

Screw you Dr. so and so

So I was just discussing with Stephanie that I have been a little gun shy about writing in the blog because I have had some harsh critiquing with my papers this last week. But you know what, I like to write. So screw  you Dr. so and so. I am not going to give up just because you don't like my style of writing. There are plenty of other people who do like it! SO there