w.w.w. wednesdays

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? I stalled out on The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer. But I'm listening to The Sense Of An Ending by Julian Barnes.

• What did you recently finish reading? This week I read Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, and Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. Both were great!

• What do you think you’ll read next? I'm probably going to start Allegiant by Veronica Roth.

finished reading...

From the publisher:

In Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl, Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan, but for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Rowell does not shy away from the ugly side of her characters, which makes them authentic. Every character in this book is believably flawed. I knew of fanfiction but didn't realize how prevalent it is or what kind of sub-culture it has.

I liked the family dynamics, the budding relationship, the faltering way Cath enters the world, the dorm setting, and campus life. My gripe is that there was almost too much "quoted" fanfic. I didn't get caught up in that world. And I thought the ending was a tad abrupt. But don't let that put you off. It's another great read!

hunks

11/12 5 guys whom you find attractive.

Easy peasy.

George Clooney

Gerard Butler

Harry Connick, Jr

John Stamos

James Spader

ten things tuesday

Ten things to do on a lazy weekend:

1) Stay up later than usual bedtime.

2) Awaken without an alarm.

3) Load up on movies or DVR'd shows.

4) Nap.

5) Snack. That could include hot cocoa or tea. Or maybe wine.

6) Read. Magazines are good for lazy days.

7) Comfy clothes. Loungey pajamas, judo pants, sweats, ratty sweaters or shirts. Clothes I wouldn't wear out of the house.

8) Something pampering--soaking my feet, a facial mask, teeth whitening, deep conditioning the ends of my hair.

9) Cuddle with a cozy blanket in the winter, blast the fan directly on me in the heat.

10) Noodle around on the interwebs.

knittery

I'm working on my holiday projects:

My Virginia sister has a camel-colored coat, so knit this for her:

And her youngest daughter is getting this hat and scarf combo:

my family

11/11 Your family.

I have three older sisters and a stepmother and father. We are incredibly close.

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying about it.
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

In the past week, I've purchased a few (too many) books. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert, The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison, The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, and The Circle by Dave Eggers. I've got so many books on my TBR--holy moly! What was I thinking??

bravery, sacrifice, and honor

Bravery, sacrifice, and honor.

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

Sunday Stealing: The What's What Meme

What is on your bed right now? just a pile of blankets

What’s your favorite word or phrase? imagine

What is the best ice cream flavor? currently it's Ben & Jerry's Red Velvet Cake

Did you wake up smiling this morning?
 I did--because I didn't wake up with an alarm

Is there something in your life you used to have, and now miss? I miss traveling to Europe

What major company would you like to work for? Oprah's company

What time do you wake up on a typical morning? if it's during school 5:40

What holiday makes you sad? Mother's Day

Where does a good night’s sleep rank on your priorities? right up there

One song that makes you cry? Mary J. Blige's "No More Drama"

How old was your mom when she had you? she was 32

When is the last time you went to the beach? in April

What is the most random object around you? a cable hook for knitting

What is your favorite sushi? oh, I donno

What food do you find disgusting? liver

If you could have any type of dog in the world, what would it be? a french bulldog

What was the last meal that you made for yourself? breakfast: orange juice and frosted mini wheats

Is the hard drive on your computer full or getting close to being full? no, it's a new computer, it's still got lots of space

Are there any songs that you prefer the acoustic version over the regular version? there's a Shawn Colvin cover of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy that I love.

postsecret

Soldier's secrets:


Post Secret / Soldier's Secrets from Frank Warren on Vimeo.

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

shuffle

11/10 Put your music player on shuffle and write the first ten songs that play.


From iTunes:
1) Imagine Dragons: "Amsterdam"
2) Rod Stewart: "Silent Night"
3) Mumford & Sons: "Below My Feet"
4) Katy Perry: "I Kissed A Girl"
5) John Legend: "Love In The Future"
6) Jason Mraz: "The World As I See It"
7) John Denver: "I'm Sorry"
8) Elvis Costello & The Roots: "Sugar Won't Work"
9) Mayer Hawthorne: "Henry & Gingerale"
10) Indigo Girls: "Fill It Up Again"

I did it again from my Amazon Cloud music, just to see what I got:
1) Aimee Mann: "Ray"
2) Mary J. Blige: "Silent Night"
3) Harry Connick, Jr.: "I Pray On Christmas"
4) Dave Matthews Band: "Satellite"
5) Paulo Nutini: "Pencil Full Of Lead"
6) Glee: "Any Way You Want It/Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin"
7) Amy Winehouse: "Cupid"
8) Pink: "Ave Mary A"
9) K.D. Lang: "Extraordinary Thing"
10) Sixpence None The Richer: "Anything"

just finished reading...

I'm going to annoy people with my love of this book. I'm going to recommend it to all my students and I'm going to rave about it over and over to my friends. This is a story about friendship and bravery. I'm afraid that it's YA (young adult) label will prevent my adult friends from reading it, but don't let it fool you. This is a book for everyone. I was hooked and couldn't put it down. And talk about plot twists!

From the publisher:

Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?

educate

11/9 How important you think education is.

Well, I have so much to say, let's hope I can get it all written down before I lose my threads. Obviously, as a social studies teacher, I think education is important. It's important to have an educated society to maintain democracy. Education eliminates hate. I think education is vital. And I'm proud to say I am a life-long learner.

saturday 9

Potential New Boyfriend

1) In this song, Dolly Parton locks eyes with a definite maybe. What's the first thing that attracts you to a potential new boyfriend or girlfriend? If you're currently in a relationship, what first attracted you to your partner? their presence--how they fill the space they're in

2) When Dolly was still a very young girl, she met Johnny Cash, who told her to follow her instincts and pursue a music career. Obviously this worked out very well for her. What's the best advice you ever received? "Never pass up an opportunity to go to the bathroom" (especially when traveling)

3) Dolly enjoys telling interviewers how she met her husband at the Wishy-Washy Laundromat in Nashville. Do you have a load of dirty clothes, or some other household chore, waiting for you after you finish this week's Saturday 9? I am getting mentally prepared to go to the laundromat

4) Dolly's Imagination Library is a charity devoted to children's literacy. What book did you enjoy as a kid? Or, if you're a parent, what book did you enjoy sharing with your own children? Oh, I was an avid reader as a kid, I loved every book! I particularly remember reading Curious George books.

5) Dolly's theme park, Dollywood, is a very popular vacation destination. When you have time off, would you rather travel or have friends/relatives visit you? I would rather travel

6) Dolly is godmother to Miley Cyrus. If you could advise Miley, what would you say? I would say... don't try so hard

7) Dolly has earned a reputation for being very warm and friendly to the public. Have you ever had a celebrity encounter? I was host to Stephen King when he was on my college campus--he was very personable and even invited me to a party at his home

8) As you can see by the photo, this song was originally released on vinyl. Do you still have any old-school LPs or 45s? I no longer have any vinyl

9) Sam simply cannot stand Dish TV's Hopper commercial, where hysterical grown men hide under the bed and up in a tree house because they're afraid of ... something. What commercial just bugs the beejeesus out of you? oh lord... there are too many to list

friday 5

Broken

1. What’s the story behind your most recent broken dish?
I can't recall ever breaking a dish
2. What’s the story behind your most recent broken promise?
I didn't feel like doing what I promised I would do
3. When did you last cause a room of people to break out into laughter?
oh, this morning--my APUSH class had a moment of hilarity
4. What’s something you should probably put the brakes on?
my spending
5. When were you last out of doors at the break of dawn?
before a road trip

 

yum

11/8 What I ate today.

peeves

11/7 5 pet peeves.

In no particular order:
1) chipped nail polish
2) other people's issues--when they try to make the issue mine
3) my chronically sore fingertip
4) being disorganized
5) running out of tissues or toilet paper

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.

They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.

This week my thursday bug is:

Not having the opportunity to work with my colleagues.

uhm...

I write like
Stephenie Meyer

I Write Like. Analyze your writing!

music

11/6 My views on mainstream music.

I hate autotune. There, I've said it. But there are some bands that don't enhance vocals. There have been some musical discoveries I've made in the past couple of years that are fun, like Ed Sheeran and the Civil Wars, and I confess I like Lady Gaga. Some are thoughtful, arty. But most have been fun. I find myself gravitating to my oldies, though--now that the 90s can be considered oldies.