Seen It

So I guess its pretty much official now, that everyone has seen Avatar. Cuz I finally went to watch it last night, and I'm fairly certain that until that point I was the only person on planet earth that hadn't seen it.

I work every night except Friday and Saturday, so you'd think that would work out ok going to watch movies with your friends, but things didn't pan out that way for me. All my friends and family went to see it on a night when I couldn't, so I've been biding my time to go with someone who hadn't seen it yet either. Well, its been out for 2 months now, I think...and I was beginning to worry that I wouldn't get a chance to see it at all before it went out of theaters.

So when Katie offered to go see it with me, I jumped at the chance. We arrived a half hour early, and the theatre was already filling up....crazy! When the lights came on at the end of the show, it was full.

Apparently the movie is like 3 hours long...which is hard to believe, because it flew by. I usually have a very short attention span when it comes to movies. Anything over 2 hours, and I'm wiggling in my seat and looking at the clock. But this was a pretty captivating movie...I could watch it again today.

I loved the 3D animation! It just takes the movie to a whole new element of realism...you feel like you are actually there in the room with them! I loved it, and definitely hope to see more movies in 3D (Clash of the Titans, anyone?).

There weren't any real surprises in the story, but that is forgivable since it is well-told, and the characters are very interesting and believable.

And if anyone has gone to see this movie and didn't walk out wanting to be a big blue cat-like alien that can ride flying dinosaur creatures, and live in a glowing forest, hissing when threatened, and leaping nimbly through the trees....well, I don't know what to say...

'Cause I sure did.

Weekend Read

Pet Peeve: finally discovering a great novel, only to have it be too short.

It happens to me a lot. Mostly because when I find a novel I really like, I keep reading, and reading, and reading...and then its over too soon.

This weekend I read, The Man In The Brown Suit by Agatha Christie.

For me it was perfect.

I love mysteries, mostly because I try to figure things out as I read but I'm really awful at it, so its always a surprise at the end!

Excellent characters...very convincing, and varied.

I loooooved the heroine. I wish I was her. I'm probably the farthest thing from, but that's what books are for anyway: living vicariously.

The humor in the book was...I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful. Its so rare to find people that have just your sense of humor, much less books.

Romance...hilarious. Totally crazy, but totally awesome.

Sigh.

It was lovely.

And actually the pacing was great, but its just one of those books you enjoy so much you don't want it to end, even though you know it needs to in order to be so great.

Maybe I'll just read it again.

My Weekend

What did I do this weekend?

I went to a live show up in a small, artsy upper-floor room, downtown, to see Ari Neufeld and Scott Dunbar...both "One man band"s.

I don't (ok, almost never) go to see live music, and I didn't really know what it would be like, but I loved it!

These guys were so talented, it was a little mind-blowing. They would play an instrument, sing, and then keep a rhythm on a drum with their feet, as well as with little bells and wooden beads attached to their legs. Crazy!!! Ari was always hopping around, it looked like dance.

They played a variety of instruments, from acoustic guitar, to accordion, to banjo, and the atmosphere was extremely relaxed...couches, a coffee bar, people sitting on the floor...I thought it was great, and would gladly pay the $10 cover to see them again, and again.

The CD's are good, but nothing can really compare to watching these guys perform right there in front of you (I had a great view, if not a comfortable seat :D)

Thanks for recommending the show, Rebekah!

Well, that was Friday night.

Saturday morning a couple friends and I hopped into a car and drove out to Kelowna for some bargain shopping at Orchard Park Mall. Its late January, so the good sales are on now, as the stores are clearing out their winter inventory, and the Kelowna mall has a lot of stores that we don't have in Kamloops.

The 2 hour drive is a bit of a trip, but it was a good time to do a little socializing, and ask some tough questions...like, why is there a mural of a tiger on the Westwold elementary school?
And...does the Ogopogo really exist?
And...is Rishelle going to be the crazy lady that feeds the duck in park when she's old? Or has it already begun? Can we save her from this fate?
And...why haven't I ever had Wonton soup before??
It was a good day.

It Came!

My package has arrived at last! What a practice in patience. Its been over 2 weeks.

The contents: a CD...Meaghan Smith, "The Cricket's Orchestra".

I first heard her on the "(500) Days of Summer" soundtrack (also worth checking out), and I thought Wow, who is that? I love her voice!

Of course Googling her was the next step! She is a new-ish Canadian artist from London, Ontario, whose work is inspired by music of the 20's, 30's and 40's.

In her bio, she writes,

"[I] decided to create my musical world by using a string quartet, an eight-piece horn section, guitars, keys, upright bass, a clarinet, some flutes, and even an Omnichord. We used Mellotron samples in place of a modern band because we loved the quirky, vintage vibe they brought to the songs, and topped it all off with some turntable scratches. The result is an ideal blend of old and new."

She also admits to watching lots of animated movies and old musicals, even listing "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" as a favorite!

That's when I knew I'd like her.

I've just finished listening to the entire CD once through, and I really enjoyed it. There is definitely that nostalgic vintage sound the brings old black & white movies to mind, which I adore, but her voice comes through soft and clear. Very, very, easy to listen to. Think Norah Jones meets Mary Poppins.

Its very different from most stuff you hear these days...a refreshing blast from the past.
Music samples can be found here, or watch this music video...

Living Vicariously

My brother Mike got this DVD series for Christmas, and has been powering through them. I'm lagging a bit behind him, but watched 2 episodes yesterday, and I've got to say...I'm really enjoying it.
This reality show is about 2 British guys (Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman) who decide to ride their motorbikes across the world. They go East from England and head across Czech Republic, Russia, Mongolia, etc, etc, and then cross the Pacific to the Yukon, down through Canada, to the States, etc etc.

The first couple episodes detail how they get started and all the planning and stress that is involved! When they finally get on the road its quite exciting, and you get to see so much scenery and different people groups.

They also make a point of stopping at different points were Unicef is helping out. They talk and play with kids on the streets or in orphanages, and find out a bit more about what the organizations are doing there. It can be very heart-wrenching, but it is important to see what life is like there.

The two guys are very entertaining as well! Of course everyone has seen Ewan McGregor on screen at some point, wether as Obi Wan Kenobi or Frank Churchill, or whatever (Just had to throw an Austen reference in there) but seeing him as himself is very neat. I think I have a crush on him now. His friend Charley is hilarious, and looks a bit like a frog (its the EYES!), and together they are fun to watch.

I've only watched 4 episodes, but there have already been so many laugh-out-loud moments, a few suspenseful times, and a lot of bizarre happenings! It makes me feel like I'm traveling again...siiiiigh. That paired with the fact that I was looking at a friend's pictures of a trip to France, and hearing about another friend traveling to stay in Nepal for a couple months makes me feel very...stranded. Now I want to travel again. But I'll have to content myself with simply watching The Long Way Round for now.

For The Austen Fans

People like to give me a hard time sometimes, because they think I don't appreciate romance. But that's a lie...I do like romance. My heart goes all gooey and mushy watching a good chick flick, I read the end of Ella Enchanted over and over (I know, I'm sad), and I almost always cry at weddings. But I'm particular about what qualifies as romance...for instance, Twlight doesn't. Unless you're talking about Jacob, 'cause lets face it people, he's the one she should've gone for. Not that she deserves him. Not that I'm picking teams...*shifty eyes*

ANYway....

I'm a sucker for a good love story. And that means, I'm a sucker for Jane Austen.

I own the BBC 'Pride & Prejudice', and 'Emma' starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and I'm always on the lookout for others. I've watched Ang Lee's 'Sense and Sensibility' a couple of times, and its always fallen flat for me. I mean, really...Colonel Brandon is creepy enough already without being played by Alan Rickman.

So imagine my delight when I was lent the (relatively) new BBC version of 'Sense & Sensibility'!
I could hardly wait to watch it.
And it did not disapoint. I loved this version, and found it far superior to the old one. For one, it was created by the same director as BBC P&P, and two, it is in 3 parts...there is just too much to these stories to cut them down into a regular movie length. You have to give them enough room to squeeze all the good bits in!

The Good:
The visuals were rich, and the soundtrack was beautiful. Acting- excellent. Humor- spot on.
Loved the costumes, and scenery, and realistic take on things. Also loved Edward Ferrars.

The Bad (?):
The only thing I cannot give my opinion on is how close to the book it stays...seeing as I've never read the book! I KNOW! Can you believe it? I can't. I started it years ago when I was a lot younger, and there were simply too many Dashwoods in the first chapter. I got so utterly confused, I put it away and I just haven't got around to picking it up again!

The Ugly:
(SPOILER ALERT!)
I just can't get past the fact that Marianne is 16 and Colonel Brandon is 34...and they get married. Especially because she looks so little and young and childlike in this movie. It freaks me out. But that's the only thing. Besides that...

It was a satisfying experience in every way. I need to own it now.
If you like a good love story, and especially if you like Jane Austen, you will like this movie.
Go watch it now!

The Newest Disney Princess

The first time I saw the trailer for The Princess & The Frog, I dismissed it as Disney's latest money-making ploy, right up there with Cinderella II, III, and all those other vomit-inducing sequels.
I have to admit my first thought was something like, "Well, I guess now they have a black President, they need a black Disney Princess." (Am I allowed to say that?)
However, as time wore on there was a glimmer of hope. I began to hear that this movie was taking a step back to the "old ways"; hand-drawn animation, musical song & dance sequences, and the like.Being the open-minded individual I am, not to mention that my curiosity had to be satisfied, I had to give this movie a chance. Well the chance came yesterday, when I went to see it with my friend Cort, a fellow Disney fanatic.
I bought my $5 ticket squeezed between mothers and their 6 year old daughters. The 20-something cashier raised her perfectly plucked eyebrows at me, her fake eyelashes wide with surprise. I stole inside and found my friend, burrowing deep into my seat (ugh, doesn't the Paramount theater have the worst seats on the planet??).
I was trying to stay upbeat about this movie. I mean, on one hand I was still unimpressed with the preview, but I was keeping myself open to being pleasantly surprised.
My first mistake was in assuming that Disney had chosen the princess' race to be politically correct, never mind the historical inaccuracy of it. If I had watched the preview more closely I might have realize that things were not as they seemed.
The tale begins in New Orleans, during the Roarin' 20's...an era which Disney has never covered before. I thought it was a great setting, but that might just be because I love the flapper dresses, bizarre head-wear, and jazz!
I don't want to give away too much for those of you who have not seen it yet, but I will say that I did enjoy it. It was not up to Classic Disney (Beauty & the Beast, Lion King, etc) standards, but it is certainly a step in the right direction, in my humble opinion. The characters were entertaining, mostly lovable (I laughed myself silly at every line Lottie had...couldn't find a picture of her, but you'll know who I mean when you watch it), the songs were lively, if not exactly catchy (Bring Alan Menken back!). The whole thing had just enough cheese, nostalgia, and fun to make it a satisfactory Disney.
The only thing I found a little off-putting was how evil the villain was. I felt sorry for the little kids in the theater, cause I know as a child how scared of the old Disney baddies I was. The voo-doo "Shadow Man" and his "friends on the other side" were quite terrifying, and the death of one of the "good guys" was a little traumatic as well.
Other than that, it was a pretty enjoyable movie, and an acceptable addition to the Disney collection. I am, however, reserving judgment on the 3D, #50 full-length animated film, Rapunzel, due out 2010...it too will have to undergo my scrutiny before it earns a stamp of approval.

Christmas Came Early This Year

My mom brought home a surprise for me when she arrived home from Alberta, yesterday.
I think I have probably recommended this book to quite a few people since reading it in August 2008.
To say I am excited to own this book is an understatement. I loved it, and will definitely be reading it again and again.

To those of you who I have not already raved about this to, "Things We Couldn't Say" is an autobiography of a young Dutch woman who joined the resistance against the Nazis in WWII.

I don't remember a lot of details from the story, but it is truly amazing what this woman did and went through, when she was around my age...even a little younger, I think. This might be one of the big draws for me, personally. I find it fascinating to read about how myself and my peers may, or may not, have acted under those same circumstances.

The most interesting thing about this book for me was the glimpse inside her mind at the time, which is revealed through diary entries and letters she wrote.
Sometimes I feel like we only ever hear about the events in those years from a commentary in hindsight. With this book, you feel like you are thrust right into the middle of it, and it is happening as you read.

I am still surprised that this book is not more well known, because to me it is one of the best WWII books I have ever read. As the information about the book reads: "Here is a story that has all the emotional impact of The Diary of Anne Frank and all the drama of The Hiding Place."

Now the best part...Since I told myself I can not start reading anything else until I finish the last 2 I've started, this book is up for borrowing grabs. If you are interested and would like something interesting to read during the Christmas holidays, drop a comment requesting to loan this book!

Friendly Find

This past week, I was meeting an out-of-town friend for coffee.
Usually she suggests meeting at Starbucks for our visits, but this time I convinced her to try something new...I'm just adventurous like that.
There was a little cafe downtown that I'd been dying to try out. Cafe Arianna. It looked cool, inviting, and unique.
So we headed down there.

Its situated right on the corner of Landsdowne and Third, right across from the A&W, with its own little parking lot and everything! I didn't know that at the time, so we walked from the (free!) parking in front of Coopers.
Well, when I walked in I quickly scoped it out. I knew that it had only been open for a matter of weeks, and was probably still finding its niche among all the Zack's, Second Cups', and Starbucks' of Kamloops.
The man at the counter welcomed us with an accent I didn't recognize until I spotted a familiar face in the doorway to the kitchen...
Christiana!
Since none of you probably know who she is, I will explain!

Waaaay back, a long long time ago...as in last year...when I was beginning the Culinary Arts course, we had one of the Third Level Students come into the cafeteria (usually they only run the Accolades restaurant) and work as our Sous Chef. Basically, our task master for the day.

We had some real gems. Cocky, arrogant fellows we wanted to empty our boiling soup pots on, and ditzy clueless girls that didn't know one end of a ladle from the other. None of them cared anything about us newbies, and just resented having to get up so early instead of getting up at 2pm like the rest of their classmates.
Cristiana was different.

She had moved from Italy to Canada in 2007, to take the Culinary Arts course and open a "real" Italian place with her husband. That was their dream.
When she was our Sous Chef, she took it seriously. This was not just another school assignment. For a moment, this was her job.
She didn't sit in one one of the offices and watch youtube like the others, she got right in there with us and actually taught us things.

One day she made homemade ravioli with us, as quickly and expertly as only a true Italian can!
I was in awe of her. She took cooking very seriously, was not afraid to voice her opinions to anyone, and my favorite Instructor truly respected her, which made me respect her as well.
Maybe one of the reasons I liked her so much was because she liked me.
I remember one day when I was in my Entrees station, she came to talk to me. Just to talk. She told me I was really good; that I had "it".
"Some of these kids are no good," She told me, "But you understand about cooking."
Coming from this talented, confident, and ambitious woman, that was a compliment that really went to my heart.

I only saw Cristiana a few times after her stint as our Sous Chef, but I still considered us friends.
So imagine my delight at realizing Caffe Arianna was her dream-come-reality. When it dawned on me who was in the kitchen I felt a huge smile spread across my face. It only got bigger when she recognized me at once and waved ecstatically.
When she got a free moment she came over to say hello.
We hugged, and I congratulated her on opening the cafe. She was very pleased with it, and was beaming with pride.
Then she asked the terrible question:
"So have you quit the program? I went to Accolades the other day, and went upstairs to see you, but you were not there! I thought maybe you were sick or something."
I admitted, yes, I had given up cooking as a career. She understood, but was disappointed, too.
"She was very good," she told my friend with a very earnest expression.
Another Cristiana compliment. My little heart can't take it. Made me want to enroll in the next semester right then and there. (glad I didn't though!)

Anyways, it was absolutely fantastic to see her again, and to know that she got to open her cafe after all. It really made my day.
While I was only in there for coffee, I grabbed a takeout menu to browse later on.
There are paninis (yum!), homemade soups, desserts, and salads available, as well as special order homemade pastas! I even noted something about homemade gelato!

I am so, so glad I opted out of Starbucks to try Cafe Arianna! I know I've been picking on Starbucks lately, but the more I think about it, the more I want to support local businesses, and this experience has certainly encouraged me in that. Why not give friends my business, instead of huge cafe chains?

I'm definitely going back. There's a Max's Panini, and Coffee Affagato with my name on it...

The Swell Season

I don't know what it is about the Irish, but their musical misery is magical. Take Damien Rice, for example. Or my newest favorite, Glen Hansard, who stars in the Irish-made movie, "Once".

"Once" is a movie about a heartbroken Irish musician who meets with a young Polish immigrant in downtown Dublin (There were a few "Hey! I've been on that street!" scenes), where they begin to sort out their lives while teaming up to create some beautiful music together. I watched it this summer, and bought the soundtrack the very next day.


It is one of the most raw and emotional CDs I've ever listened to, yet so awesome, especially the Oscar-winning song, "Falling Slowly". This guy really sings from his heart, which sometimes results in a less-than-perfect-pitch, but I think that is half the charm.

Just the other day I spotted another CD while in line at Starbucks (Hey, I guess it is good for something other than overpriced, over-hyped coffee!) with strangely familiar faces and a sticker that, among other things, mentioned "Once".

Apparently the two musicians from the movie have started a band called The Swell Season (or maybe they had it before?), and the CD was titled, Strict Joy. I snapped it up without even thinking about it. Which is extremely unusual for me. I almost never buy music. I just couldn't pass this up.

Strict Joy warms my heart with the same acoustic sound and great vocals, without the melancholy titles, like "Lies", "Leave", and "Trying to Pull Myself Away". It is much more upbeat, but still lovely.

I'm definitely on the look-out for more of their music. I don't think I will ever get tired of it!

Disney Top 5!

As most of you know, my love for Disney is akin to my love for chocolate...and food in general.
So that's a pretty big love.
While I do enjoy most/all Disney animated classics, there are only a few I can really watch over and over and over again!


1. Robin Hood
A true classic! This film came out in 1973, so its really from "the good ol' days"! Hand-drawn, full of continuity blunders, amazing voice acting which must be 90% improv, and catchy tunes, Robin Hood has won my heart forever. Its true, my first crush was a fox.
EDIT: does anyone else find it strange that this favorite is one of the few Disney classics that have not been mutilated with a cheap sequel? Not that I'm complaining!


2. Beauty & The Beast
Ok seriously now...I'm torn about placing this one second, because it is a mind-blowingly good movie, not to mention the first Disney I owned. I think sometimes it gets thrown in your face so much during those weird Disney Classic promos, that we forget how awesome it truly is. Its more than just the shot of Belle & the Beast dancing under that huge vaulted ceiling with the naked babies cherubs...there are several good reasons it won Best Original Score I could hum for you, and a billion good reasons it was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars!
I love this movie. I. love. this. movie.


3. 101 Dalmations
I grew up with this movie. Some of my earliest memories are going to my cousin Julie's house and watching 101 Dalmations. I must have been 4 years old. We had the whole thing memorized, and would act it out...Julie always got to be Purdy, and I was always Pongo...I think I might possibly need some counselling now.
Besides all that, again the hand-drawn animation and jazzy, old-school soundtrack give my nostalgic little heart the warm fuzzies.


4. Mulan
A bit more "modern", but classic nonetheless. Amazing animation (love the opening credits...), great sing-a-longs, and hilarious quotes. What more can you really ask for in a Disney?


5. The Emperors New Groove
Now I'm really straying from my roots. I don't even know if this classifies as a classic, but what the heck. It makes me laugh SO hard...I watched it in theatres for my 13th birthday, and I don't think I stopped laughing once through the whole movie. Its brilliant.

So those are my Top 5!
What are yours?

Rants and Reviews on Romantic Fiction

I spent the week wading through Wuthering Heights.
When I was a lot younger I plucked it off the bookshelf downstairs, (the same bookshelf that supplied material for my insatiable appetite for reading most of my childhood), read maybe the first chapter, and then tossed it aside, thoroughly and utterly confused. The old English, lengthy descriptive paragraphs, and odd colloquial accents, threw me off I guess.
However, being a "classic", its always been on my To Read list. I figured I would read it when I was older and could understand the big words. Well, I read it, but I'm not going to say I understood it all!
To be honest I was disappointed, because I really wanted to like it, but I just couldn't. I thought it was going to be a Pride & Prejudice-esque read, maybe requiring a little more concentration than your average story, but worth the time.
Instead there seemed to be little reason to like or sympathize with any of the characters, or become emotionally attached, since someone would drop dead every few chapters. They were all bad-tempered, spiteful, cruel, and prone to fits and rages. If they were pale, blond, and blue-eyed, they inevitably fell dangerously ill and cried all the time, and if they had dark hair, they were surly, strong, and silent. It was apparently a love story, but there was plenty more hating than loving in that book, let me tell you.
When it comes down to it, I plodded through the story just to say I had finished it. And I really don't understand what makes it so great.

Well, that is a work of dark Romantic Fiction from long ago. Fast forward to the present time, and you have the wildly popular "Twilight" series.

The first I heard of these was in Ireland...one of the girls in the church was reading them, and left them at my house one time. I didn't really know anything about them, and didn't even bother to take a peek inside. Then last summer the movie was announced, and then all of sudden "I Heart Edward Cullen" groups were popping up on Facebook like a bad case of acne. When the movie was released it was all the girls at school were talking about, and I still had no clue what the book was even about, beyond that the guy was apparently like, really hot, and the girl was like, really pretty, and they were like, really in love.
Ick.
But everyone assured me the book was really good, and everyone was comparing it to Harry Potter, which -not gonna lie here- I truly enjoy, and may have even obsessed over...in the past... ;)

For that reason alone, I didn't reject the book entirely, but merely relegated it to the "I'll probably read it someday" spot. I had no overwhelming urge to subject myself to a cheesy teenage romance; the movie trailer certainly did nothing to entice me.

The other day however, my mom of all people, brought it home from the library. "To see what all the fuss is about".
Having just put myself through the painful ordeal of Wuthering Heights, and having made no plans for the day, I decided a bit of fictional fluff might be in order.
An hour or two (!) later I was halfway through, and the pages were still turning.
Was I desperately bored, or hopelessly addicted?
I stayed up late to read, and made it to the brink of the climax before my aching eyes forced me to go to sleep. When I woke up, I had to find out what happened, and I finished it before 10 AM, ending on a cliffhanger of the sample first chapter from the sequel.
Now that it is done, I'm reflecting on whether or not I actually liked it, and what the allure is.

I'm a little perplexed. On one hand it was very addictive and exciting, but I'm left wondering exaclty why, since its also fairly predictable. As it is a series of 4, I think its pretty safe to assume that the main characters don't die in the first book. Having established character immunity early on takes a lot of suspense out of the plot.
The main character, Bella, I liked. The story is told in her first-person perspective, and her "voice" is entertaining and well-written. A real-ish heroine, she has plenty of faults, flaws, and feelings that the reader can (probably) relate to. Of course, there are always elements of the character that drive me insane, but I'm getting to that...
Its the romance...well, I can see how it appeals, but it is still painfully fictional. What I mean by that is, its a classic case of truly-unexplainable-love-at-first-sight. Why exactly do they love each other? Apparently she is like, so pretty, and smells soooooo good, and he is like, so beautiful, and mysterious, and did I mention beautiful???
Its so typically shallow. They are "deeply and irrevocably in love" a week into their acquaintance, and there's really no reason for it. Normally I could overlook that, except in this case its the basis of the entire story.
It makes no sense. I'm reading their declarations of passion, and I'm thinking, "What the heck? Didn't you just meet?"
Maybe I'm just a cynical old fogey, and you just want me to shut up, and enjoy a girly romance. After, all these are precisely the reasons why its a best-seller, right? The target audience wants to be that shy, new girl that attracts the most handsome, unattainable, boy in school, and is immediately in a dangerous, exciting relationship. It doesn't happen in real life, so we read the book. Ok, cool. I get it. Its an escape, a fantasy, a fairytale. Its not supposed to be "realistic". But I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I don't truly enjoy a story of romance for the sake of romance. There's just not enough substance there. I'm left rolling my eyes, and groaning, "Whatever."
So, summing up: well written, sexy, and shallow...in all honesty, my opinion on the series hasn't changed all that much from what is was before I started. I would read the sequels for entertainment, but I don't really care enough about it to seek them out.

I Crave Fiction

I've always loved good fiction.
Like really...if given the option, fiction or non-fiction...I always go fiction.
I don't know why.
Actually maybe that is a little bit of a lie. I like a good true story too.
Anyway, I'm kind of straying from the original point of this post.
I used to be a huge bookworm and I read sooo much. I would devour everything that came to our house from the library. Maybe it was during the stress of grade 11 and 12 that I fell out of that habit, and since then I read only textbooks, and only when I have to.
Lately I've been craving good books again. I miss that feeling of getting totally absorbed into a totally different world, with great characters that seem almost real, and scenarios I can imagine myself into. When I get into a book, I reallly get into a book.
The thing is, I find it so hard to find books I can get into!
I get so discouraged when I pick up a book and within the first chapter could tell you the basic plot of the story fairly accurately. I find this especially true of novels written about women for women. Don't even get me started on Christian Romance...
Sometimes I just go back to my old favorites because I don't have the time and energy to find new favorites.
Its starting to become obvious though, that I have never read a lot of classics. So I'm thinking maybe I should work on those. I read through a list and I picked out a few that I might find interesting. A lot (if not all) have been made into movies...but you know me. I haven't really seen many of those anyway!
Here are a few I'm hoping to get my hands on this year:

The Count of Monte Cristo
Gone with the Wind
Casino Royale
Love in the time of Cholera
Catcher in the Rye
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Children of Men (I started this one at some point last year, but I think I left for Ireland before I finished it)

On a side note, I just finished reading "The Hiding Place," by Corrie Ten Boom, for the first time. Now...I'm sure many of you have read "The Hiding Place," and probably love it the way I did...so I must insist you read,"Things We Couldn't Say" by Diet Eman. Its also a true story written by a Dutch woman during the exact same time period. In fact Diet Eman met Corrie Ten Boom. However, its a different perspective, a different personality, and a story with the good, the bad, and the ugly. I absolutely loved it.

Now I'm finished for tonight, but if you have any reading suggestions please leave a comment, and feel free to elaborate on why you like it!

I'm a Fan

A couple years back I made a bad decision.
My mom invited me to a small concert at Valleyview Church to hear a new Christian artist play, and I didn't go. I don't really know why I decided to stay home instead...but I should have gone. I missed out BIG TIME!
Luckily my mom still went and bought the album, self titled, "Amanda Falk".
I've listened to that CD ever since, and I've never got sick of it! She has a pretty mellow style, with lots of piano and guitar and beautiful melodies.
I was so excited when I heard about her new release, "Beautiful". Since I downloaded it from iTunes, I've had the songs stuck in my head all day! At school and at work I have them floating through my head, and its nearly impossible not to sing along with it in the car!
I absolutely love her music, so check it out!!

The tale of Penelope did not start well, her beauty transformed by an evil spell. To the world outside the news was big, a poor little girl, with the nose of a pig! How to break the curse? Well, nobody knows... unless a handsome prince can be made to propose...

What better way to spend Valentine's Day than watching a fairytale-esque girly movie?
Haha...ok, there are probably lots, but hey...I enjoyed it :)

Musical Musings

So whilst enjoying my guilt-free internet time today, I discovered 2 things that make me happy.
Amanda Falk has a new album out, and Leeland has one coming out. That is very exciting because I have each of their debut albums and love them to bits. I've been listening to them nonstop since I got them over a year ago now I think, and I'm still not sick of them. Which is more than I can say of most my music. I'm sick of all of it right now (except those 2 of course!).
In honor of the Christmas season, I am enjoying a borrowed Christmas CD- "Christmas with Frank and Bing". You all should know I'm a huge sucker for the old Big Band era music...it delights my heart like none other. I don't know if its because it reminds my subconscious of classic Disney movies I watched as a child, or because I am a particularly nostalgic person, or what. I just like it. A lot. Especially the cheesy bird singing along in one of them.

Good Reading

Well it was my last day at work yesterday...
It was a pretty sweet job because it was usually not very busy, so I could do a lot of reading when everything else was done.
That was a nice change, because since grade 11 I really haven't done a whole lot of reading.
Of the books I finished in the past month or so, Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, and Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller were my favorites.
When I was reading Velvet Elvis, I was like WOW. It is such an amazing book! I felt like it was a year of Bible School squished into one short little book...though I've never been to Bible school, so that might not be accurate at all...
It had some really good things to say (I kept thinking, "I've got to remember this quote so I can blog about it!"....but alas...) and I liked how he made such an emphasis on how we should always be questioning, critiquing, and wrestling with how the Bible is interpreted, instead of just mindlessly accepting whatever anyone says it says. I know I am totally guilty of allowing myself to be "spoonfed".
There is so, SO, much to absorb from that book. I took it out of the church library, but now I wish it was mine so I could take it with me to Ireland. There is still so much I can learn from it.
Through Painted Deserts was not as awe-inspiring, or as deep...but it is by Donald Miller, and I love his style. I absolutely LOVED Blue Like Jazz, and while TPD was not as good as that one, it was funny and thought-provoking. And it said a lot of things that I can relate to at this point in my life.
In conclusion:
If you have time to read, and are looking for a good book, get Through Painted Deserts. Or Blue Like Jazz.
And even if you don't have time to read, and have a stack of good books waiting to be read, go and get Velvet Elvis and READ IT...because it will change the way you think about Christianity. In a good way.

(Pictures are on my librarything link to your right)

Do you know Joe?

Foreword:
This is a trivial, frivolous, fluff post, which may seem awkward due to the more serious nature of it's precedessor. Its the only way I know how to get back into blogging...so too bad.

A fifteen-minute ferry-ride away from Quadra there is a small sea-side town called Campbell River. This town is small, and is located by the sea.
Did I mention that it is small?
For us Homewood staff without vehicles it seems even smaller because we can only go places that can be easily reached on foot. The main attraction is the extremely large Superstore that is a five-minute walk from the ferry.
The Superstore is AMAZING. It has everything a camp counsellor/cook could need: food, housewares, toys, cards, books, and most importantly-- clothing!
That's right folks. You may still be caught in the past when "Stupidstore" only carried cheap Higher State or other lame brand name clothing. The kind of stuff that wears out after a few washes and is just plain silly all the rest of the time.Not to mention overpriced.
Well its time to rethink your prejudices on Superstore clothes shopping, because now they carry "Joe".
Joe has taste, style, and class. From skirts and spring dresses to sportswear and pyjamas, Joe has got it all.
Trendy tees without obnoxious brand names smeared across them, and long-lasting Lulu Lemon style sweats...everything you could wish for and WITHOUT the crazy prices! This is why it is perfect for penniless camp staff (or students, or bargain hunters). You can get sweet shirts for $8, a good quality zip-up sweater for $10-15, and dresses/skirts for $20. There are so many styles and colors to choose from, even our diverse bunch of girls here can all find something they like.
Its so exciting to find an article that you really love, without having to cough up a ridiculous amount of cash for it. And you also know it will last.
So if you haven't already, check out your Superstore's selection of Joe, and be mightily pleased with what you find.

New CD

I recently bought this CD, and I'm really enjoying the music. Leeland is a relatively new band, but very good. They write the kind of songs that get stuck in your head and you can't get them out alllll day! And that's a good thing. Check it out, you might like it.

The "Favorite Present" Post!

When getting gifts, like having children, you shouldn't have favorites.
But, you inevitably do. I mean, when surrounded by smelly, dirty, messy boys, who wouldn't prefer a nice little girl, right? So don't worry Mom, its only natural to love me best.
But I'm getting off topic.
My Favorite Christmas Present this year was a complete surprise...a very good surprise!
I am a HUGE Jane Austen fan. And I LOVE the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice. Last year my friend got her hands on a recording of it, and I remember the both of us zoning out in my room for the entire 6 hours at once. And after a short break, rewinding it and watching it again. That's right. 12 hours of P&P. And we didn't even fall asleep (something SOME people have a lot of trouble with *coughmomcough*). I KNOW....I'm sick.
While I don't think I could do that again any time soon, I still love the show, and I was THRILLED to receive the 10th Anniversary edition for Christmas! It even came with a bonus features DVD and a book, "The Making of Pride and Prejudice"!
I don't know what to do with myself...
Actually I do! I'm popping in Part 2 tonight!!!

For EXTRA P&P fun check out the Jane Austen Personality quiz!
I got "Mr Darcy" last time I took it, and this year I got "Elizabeth Bennet" so I guess I've changed a little in these last few months! But still as irrisistable as ever...