Reading List

I have become very well-acquainted with the community library here so I thought I would share with you some of the books I've read thus far - the good, the bad and blah:

1. The Gravedigger's Daughter by Joyce Carol Oates - From the very beginning it was a very depressing book, although it did become more hopeful. The writing was excellent and the characters were interesting, but I'm on the fence on this one.
2. Host by Stephanie Myer - My beach companion. It was an easy, fun, science fiction read. The main character got a little annoying but, overall, enjoyable.
3. Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth - Oprah pressured me into reading this book and, although, it didn't exactly express anything new, it was insightful and interesting.
4. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway - It sort of reads like a poem or a parable. It has it's beauty but got a little tiresome. Good thing it was short.
5. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston - Awesome! The dialect takes some getting used to but once you get into it, you can't get out.
6. The Dream of Scipio by Iain Pears - Woven plots lines, mystery and literary allusion = a great read. I don't think this book is for everyone but I loved it.
7. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut - Not what I expected at all. An anti-war, science fiction novel with dry wit and dark comedy. Very, very good.
8. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand - This book was so long but sooo powerful. It's great but you really have to commit to it because it's 1,168 pages long in small font!
9. On the Road by Jack Karouac - Sorry to all the beatniks out there but this was a snooze to me. I guess I'm just a traditionalist but I just couldn't get through this one. Why waste time on something you don't enjoy when there is a whole library full of books just waiting to be read. *finger snaps*.

What have you been reading? Any suggestions on what I should read next?

-J

Giveaway

My very talented friend, Laura, just introduced a great giveaway on her blog where you could win one of these beautiful framed quilled monograms:

For information on how to enter the draw, just visit her site. Why not give it a go eh?

-J

A Little Bit of History

Yesterday Ken, the boy and I headed over to the San Jacinto Battleground where Sam Houston and his Texan army (which as we learned, surprisingly, included some Canadians) defeated the army of the Mexican despot, Santa Ana. It was a pretty cool monument.

Russell liked climbing all of the stairs

The picture below was taken under much duress - we were being eaten alive by mosquitos

Then we were able to traipse all over the USS Texas, the only remaining American battleship - ahem "Dreadnought" - to survive both World Wars.

Russell rode the ammunition

The boys put on a gun show

Russell shot something!

And we even had a nap

I don't think I was cut out for the life of a Sailor. Just being in those cramped quarters for thirty minutes made me start to feel a little claustrophobic. Although the ship was equipped with it's own bakery, scullery, mess hall, canteen/five-and-dime, post office, barber shop, butchery, dental office, hospital and 50s soda shop. It was like as floating city! Not too shabby says I.

-J

Leaving

I read this comic today...

...and I just laughed out loud because I think about that all the time. I guess I'm just a paranoid person haha.

-J

Wedding Party?

The other day, we spent the afternoon at the park when we came across what we thought was a wedding party.

On closer inspection, we discovered that the "bride" looked much to young to be married; plus, she was wearing yellow. Finally, I realized that what we were looking at was a Quinceanera. I didn't know much about Quinceaneras but I was surprised grandeur of the display in the park. Enter Wikipedia:

A Quinceañera, Quince, Quinceañero or Quince años (English: "fifteen years"), is a coming of age ceremony held in some Latin Americancultures on a girl's fifteenth birthday, comparable to a Sweet Sixteen celebration. Usually the girl will wear a white dress but in more recent times she may wear a colored dress.

Planning begins up to a year in advance and requires the resources of several members of the family and friends. The family priest will perform a Quinceañera ceremony in a church. The girl's baptismal Godparents will oversee the spiritual celebration and her friends and relatives will attend to see the recognition she receives as she makes the transition from girl to young woman in everyone's eyes.

Quinceañera are comparable in scope and grandeur to weddings, and the party atmosphere that follows the somewhat more subdued religious atmosphere. There is a significant dress, just as with a wedding, and can be just as expensive and unique as a wedding gown. Flowers and decorations are selected to match the color scheme of the festivities, a reception is held at which guests will be served a meal and there will be dancing for all in attendance.

Well, that explains things, I suppose. Mom, Dad - you guys seriously cheaped out on my Sweet Sixteen Party!

-J

Race-car Driver

There is a little play center in the mall that I frequent a block away from our apartment. I take Russell there all the time (because it's too hot to play/walk outside) and he has grown quite fond of the the cars - which makes Ken very happy. Whenever he climbs on top of one he always claps at his own achievement which I find hilarious.

Kids really are pretty entertaining!

-J

New Hair

Hey y'all. It's been a long time since I've posted. I could say that I've had a lot going on because my life is so interesting and exciting; therefore, I simply had no time to fit blog posting in. But...that would be a big fat lie. Tangent: I've always been a little on the...ahem..."thick" side and when me and my sister played together growing up, every time she used the phrase "big fat" before something (i.e. "you're a big fat liar") I pretended to be personal offended by it to guilt her into letting me get my way. What can I say - manipulation works. Sorry Jenny. Okay, tangent over. Back to why I haven't been posting. Basically, I've been lazy. Plus, when you update your Facebook and write Family Newsletters to members of your family who aren't computer savvy enough to regularly follow a blog you get kind of tired of repeating yourself. That's why I'm posting a picture of my new big fat haircut. Then I will send this link in an email to said dinosauric (spell check is telling me this isn't a word but I beg to differ) family members so they can check it out too. Lame, isn't it?

Before...

After

Ken misses the long hair but I no longer miss the time wasted blow drying that thick mane. Besides, it's only hair - it will grow back and in this Texas heat less is more! Maybe you'll be hearing more from me but maybe you won't. That's how I roll.

-J