tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212294032024-03-05T04:27:57.108-06:00A Good Book and a Cup of CocoaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00235882653185040029noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-72805235577380476672011-08-15T01:05:00.001-05:002012-08-02T00:17:20.990-05:00Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzzL7knEL1Vm2yrrq9ptBvCGnoo04n2nEf3xUc0vOFaP9sRSnd0yWfFP9LYjxnQghZYrHyogYXErh_U2Tgmvb3xKonCuhvpaHt7Y-517YXrIzqwOjzIEjxRET53VsHSmkji1tog/s1600/4809-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzzL7knEL1Vm2yrrq9ptBvCGnoo04n2nEf3xUc0vOFaP9sRSnd0yWfFP9LYjxnQghZYrHyogYXErh_U2Tgmvb3xKonCuhvpaHt7Y-517YXrIzqwOjzIEjxRET53VsHSmkji1tog/s320/4809-large.jpg" width="207" /></a><br />
It took me quite a while to finish this book. Not because it wasn't interesting <i>per se</i>, but mostly because I felt it lacked the kind of complexity that I expected from the title and her introduction. I had certain expectations, given the fact that I had read synopses like this one:<br />
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"<span id="ps-shownContent">'They didn’t ask to be remembered,' Pulitzer Prize-winning author Laurel Ulrich wrote in 1976 about the pious women of colonial New England. And then she added a phrase that has since gained widespread currency: 'Well-behaved women seldom make history.' Today those words appear almost everywhere—on T-shirts, mugs, bumper stickers, plaques, greeting cards, and more. But what do they really mean? In this engrossing volume, Laurel Ulrich goes far beyond the slogan she inadvertently created and explores what it means to make history."</span><br />
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<span id="ps-shownContent"> </span>On some level, I expected (following the introduction) that Ulrich was working to re-appropriate the phrase she had coined "Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History" with a complex discussion of how women have entered the historical record, and I was hoping that she would provide multiple lenses through which to view this idea of "Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History" and what it has come to mean to so many different women. Rather, she (mostly through anecdote) provides a kind of conglomeration of various women who have, indeed, made history and the stories and events surrounding them. In that regard, I think many women could learn a tremendous amount from this book about the different ways in which women have engaged with history and with women's rights. I think this book could not only be educational, but could build readers' appreciation for the sacrifices, challenges, and battles that women have fought to be able to stand as equals with men.<br />
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At the same time, I was a bit disappointed. I feel that the statement of the title is itself already lending to certain kinds of bias that Ulrich comes back to again and again in her book - the focus usually is on women not being 'well-behaved' in the moment that they are captured in a historical frame for later researchers. That doesn't necessarily always hold true, and it is somewhat problematic that the whole idea of what is or is not 'well-behaved' never gets illuminated past the introduction (other than to suggest that not following the rules is what puts people in the light of the historical record). After reading such accounts, and especially following her summation of 1970s feminism, which concludes the book, her statement about making history with diaries and scrapbooks feels almost frivolous. Yet, women keeping their own history and valuing their own history is, in fact, a significant part of making history at all. When we don't value our own history enough to record it, later generations won't have much to go on. Under those circumstances (and usually in spite of them), the writing of our own history will thus likely end up as selective as the writing of history in general.<br />
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The other issue I had with the title is that fact that there seems to be an assumption that the story is vastly different for men. The statement "well-behaved women seldom make history" itself ignores the fact that it is not just women who aren't represented in the history, but that there is a whole world of women and men whom history has chosen to ignore, and the men we tend to remember and revere are not exactly what we might think of as 'well-behaved.' That is, they broke the rules. And the ones who didn't, but happen to be in the record due to perhaps a political position or otherwise where they intersect historical documentation are never remembered nor studied as much as those who were not 'well-behaved.' The truth is that in history in general the vast majority of people (both women and men) have no history at all (of course, this doesn't negate the point that women really had/have been cut off from their own history). This has been changing more and more, but in terms of singling out individual people on the outskirts of empires, governments, class, and power (i.e. most people), the task is nearly impossible. In her defense, however, she was not concerned with the history of people in general and there are definitely reasons why what she says fits. Still, a lack of discussion about what it even means to be 'well-behaved' lent the book more toward its climax of ending with a celebratory discussion of women's feminism in the 1970s and less toward what I may have expected from the title and introduction.<br />
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I have to admit, the way the ending was presented bothered me a bit. For most of the book I really felt like she did a pretty good job of presenting small histories that really do flesh out a small part of women's history, and there were valuable insights into what it means/meant to be a woman in some vastly different places and periods. By the end of the book, however, I felt that she fell into a discussion of 1970s feminism that has some drawbacks to it. I noticed in our book group how many women in the group expressed feeling like the issues feminism was trying to deal with have been resolved and taken care of. In part, this is due to Ulrich's presentation of feminism in the 1970s and what the feminist movement was really focused on at that point. It would have been great if she had added as much complexity to the feminist movement of the 1970s as she did to some other parts of the book. For instance, she doesn't talk about how much feminism was (for the most part) aimed at a very particular group of women (though she mentions these kinds of distinctions earlier in the book with other movements) - that is, at middle class white women. In fact, she adds in (very briefly) other accounts that seem to suggest that there was more universality to feminist movement in the 70s than there actually was. I do think she tried to check her bias by mentioning that there really is no unified feminist front, but her enthusiasm for some of what I consider to be the most selective (and yet taught as universal) aspects of feminism radiated through the filters she attempted to put in place. That is all understandable, but for a book that was aimed at being pretty well rounded, it somewhat missed the point that 1970s feminism, though it accomplished several things, left many women even more isolated and alienated, and led to several common misconceptions of feminism that women (and men) still retain today.<br />
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It took me a while to get to a point in my life where I could admit to myself and to others that I am a feminist. The negative connotations that accompany the term are so strong that people react in some very negative ways to such admissions. Man-hating and other misconceptions crop up just from the term itself. This is a problem. I think that Ulrich did a good job through most of the book moving the reader away from the idea that feminism is inherently negative and alienating, but she still presents it in a way at the end that leaves out significant contributions to feminist theory that really get at the heart of some of the problems associated with 1970s feminist movement (such as Bell Hooks - what a fabulous read! - more on that later). The result was that many women in our book group left the book with a feeling of having somehow 'arrived,' which I don't think is necessarily the case.<br />
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There were also some places where I felt that she neglected to distinguish where certain stories about women reside in the overall cultural milieu in a way that aided in the complexity of the discussion. For instance, she mentions how "Amazons are free for the taking," meaning that stories about women warriors exist outside of their contexts in a way that completely disconnects them from history, yet she fails to talk about what this disconnection might signify, or what the ramifications might be. For a book that is about women making history, it seems interesting that she would not further elaborate this point. In these instances, it isn't so much about women making history, but about how they are employed in other contexts as symbols of a certain cultural milieu - something, which, in effect, ignores their actual history (which she hints at, but never actually states). She also says that "Amazon stories exist outside time and space inside the hope of female power. They yearn toward justice, yet acknowledge a terrible violence at the heart of that justice." What does she mean here by justice? From some statements she gives earlier, she seems to be suggesting that they are yearning toward the justice of equality between the sexes, yet some of the stories that she has just given seem to actually yearn toward a flip of power (i.e. of females exercising power over men). Many of these tales don't seem to be yearning toward any kind of justice of equality, but toward retribution and punishment, a world in which women rule over men, which is exactly what certain brands of 1970s feminist theory did, and those failed pretty miserably (understandably so). The lack of complexity surrounding this type of theme really bothered me. There can be no forward movement for feminism without men who are also celebrated in their full capabilities and potential, where women and men are set up as equals in the vast array of human experience. To flip the cards is not only unjust, but it is counterproductive, which is one reason why some of the Amazon stories are, in fact, so full of fury.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-30396480291002916802011-06-20T11:19:00.002-05:002011-06-21T00:48:10.555-05:00Bryce Canyon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Um, so I'll just say better late than never. We'll ignore the fact that this has been sitting in my edit posts list for almost three years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYZHoKOwwGQkjx9e6ieBIlmtzsDWT3xgsabjA0jAwv_YLl3-vtODeemBtgZDZNgxAHJET8M8eCTxOd6R0cQfrwlu-wHpTZIqnGpF8jhNmKp6TdHOd6jcDCxQp-H1WqBKY8a-o3A/s400/Bryce-Canyon-4.jpg" width="400" /></div>For Labor Day 2008, Hunter and I went camping for two nights with my brother Scott, his wife Kristi and their two beautiful little ones Tyler and Reese in Bryce Canyon. The second night we were joined by Kristi's sister, her husband and their three children. We were quite the group of campers. Especially with 4 children under 2 1/2 years old. I, being somewhat scatterbrained that particular day when I packed for the trip, forgot to bring my camera. Of course, this means that I have no absolutely amazing photos of the truly awe-inspiring scenery that we enjoyed while camping and hiking around the area. Our campsite was right on the edge of the canyon, which means we had breathtaking vistas just over the rise that provided a nice little nook for our tents. I truly wish that I could capture the moment in words, but let's face it, I'm really not that talented with description, and frankly I just don't know if anyone could really do it justice. Pictures don't really do it justice either, so even the most talented writer should not feel taken aback by my dismissal of their talents in this regard. Okay, some pictures and descriptions are definitely better than others. Still, nothing is quite like being there and experiencing the beauties and majesty of creation in person. Well, since I forgot my camera, as well as forgetting that I have a camera phone (give me a break - I was camping, we had no service, my phone was off practically the entire time, and camera phone pictures from this particular phone were generally not that great anyway), I have hijacked other people's pictures to use in lieu of the pictures I might have taken had I been a little more with it the morning we left to go camping. In all honesty, these pictures are probably better than the ones I would have taken anyway. Hurrah for people who willingly share their lives on the internet. Oh wait... <br />
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Okay, so we departed on Friday, August 29th for our Labor Day weekend camping extravaganza. The car was incredibly full. More than incredibly full. I can't even begin to describe how full it was. Tyler had a nice little area around his booster seat in the far back seat that was pretty much just the right size for his little body and a pillow. At first I worried about him being smashed by the camping gear that surrounded him on all sides should we have had the unfortunate experience of being in a crash, but then I realized that pretty much every<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdExSYGsSZGZdTxID_hnszx7-8wVtQnt87DDlH3yA1KvD_iyBa_ptg0gZXfqtB097BabMRnWbfCDnUkpze8Ff6yR8Tk1XzqBZmpjlYDOaFf1T5oKtT2N2rTGQZzD7-E4BVEsAXlg/s1600-h/packed+car.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253881875116139794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdExSYGsSZGZdTxID_hnszx7-8wVtQnt87DDlH3yA1KvD_iyBa_ptg0gZXfqtB097BabMRnWbfCDnUkpze8Ff6yR8Tk1XzqBZmpjlYDOaFf1T5oKtT2N2rTGQZzD7-E4BVEsAXlg/s320/packed+car.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 202px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 268px;" /></a>thing around him was wedged into place so tightly that even I really couldn't move it. Then, of course, I realized that the rest of us would probably not fair very well either since we were all wedged into some sort of uncomfortable position with heavy and dangerous items over, next to, or behind our heads. As my brother put it, "If we crash, we all die." Glad to know I'd have company in Heaven. You may think I'm exaggerating, but really, imagine this picture to the right without the spaces and some people wedged in there.<br />
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This would have been a great time to take a picture. Alas, it was not to be.<br />
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We got there late and had some trouble getting the little ones to sleep as a result. The second night, when I could just put Hunter in the tent and let him doze off without anyone else around worked out much better. As it was, he spent time that night going between his pack-n-play (we had two of them in the tent - it was a nice, bit tent) and my sleeping bag. The next day, however, was worth the packed car and the somewhat sleep deprived night. Really, Hunter did amazingly well for his first camping trip and the fact that he was only one and a half years old. He's a champ. <br />
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We went on a beautiful hike while we were there (it was quite long for an 18 month old, but luckily I was able to borrow a baby backpack carrier for a good chunk of the time, which made life a lot easier). We did the Navajo Loop trail, which is 1.3 miles round trip, and takes you through the stunning Wall Street rock formation with walls and narrows that are characteristic of the formations in Bryce Canyon. I really loved it. For one, you get to hike through narrow passages like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVb9QKuVR29dTzdbVN-cXvEqoVpNke7akGONrEmJREYA2Rcfvxd9a3sXQImoVPgtqGQYdCGUPhNP4c8YIuRTdoxUr1UqGEZj6nQvDeveBdkjYAK5thqoAFe0moaRRKqpxrQb7i1Q/s1600/bryce_canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVb9QKuVR29dTzdbVN-cXvEqoVpNke7akGONrEmJREYA2Rcfvxd9a3sXQImoVPgtqGQYdCGUPhNP4c8YIuRTdoxUr1UqGEZj6nQvDeveBdkjYAK5thqoAFe0moaRRKqpxrQb7i1Q/s640/bryce_canyon.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>There was one part where you climb down into the narrows that was particularly neat, though I don't think the pictures do it justice, though you do get a sense of the height of the rock fins that isn't quite as apparent in some other photos. Of course, you eventually also had to climb out again. :-)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyt_wPdhDuHdWLmgHgQzzcvWqYiA2zqwPGnH_ckC4qRoPDOPebECM2DeGuzD3XWG1oaW9hN6pMaYBHf1AEp_vcYa0aqLCnI5IytZhwIkMU_NS9e_5xnC3Ct4YYRtBQ1fYW8w4Ow/s1600/Bryce-Canyon-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyt_wPdhDuHdWLmgHgQzzcvWqYiA2zqwPGnH_ckC4qRoPDOPebECM2DeGuzD3XWG1oaW9hN6pMaYBHf1AEp_vcYa0aqLCnI5IytZhwIkMU_NS9e_5xnC3Ct4YYRtBQ1fYW8w4Ow/s320/Bryce-Canyon-3.jpg" width="232" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYadNG4x1OvaREQjPmsd5hnXxIodBCR-rMTB1UOxh6VCv1lb-oD1bsIg__K-ugGYyN6fmYr1ScbEEZezBrfE10Zz_S6enmGgyVCppmnhgWzkq0e3UWoxYPNJSV5hJNhQE4bbk0Pw/s1600/bryce-descending-towards-wall-street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYadNG4x1OvaREQjPmsd5hnXxIodBCR-rMTB1UOxh6VCv1lb-oD1bsIg__K-ugGYyN6fmYr1ScbEEZezBrfE10Zz_S6enmGgyVCppmnhgWzkq0e3UWoxYPNJSV5hJNhQE4bbk0Pw/s320/bryce-descending-towards-wall-street.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The narrows and the Wall Street corridor were easily my favorite parts of the hike. In between the narrow walls of rock, there are several douglas firs that have been growing there for hundreds of year. They are majestic. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPVM43dKjLe1l5P8dXM-TW9l0f7snbupjchEMDyWeVblu7I_SsO-hKdI_keZVnEp177B8RANTyo7noziJ5O9btBATDPmmihVA4zzZ8i3-81XgCr8w09MfaLkJ7Fi0-c7naLf4mQ/s1600/wall+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPVM43dKjLe1l5P8dXM-TW9l0f7snbupjchEMDyWeVblu7I_SsO-hKdI_keZVnEp177B8RANTyo7noziJ5O9btBATDPmmihVA4zzZ8i3-81XgCr8w09MfaLkJ7Fi0-c7naLf4mQ/s400/wall+street.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>I also wanted to add in these picture to give you a better idea of their actual size:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yLf6Q8OUPBwsX7ZNmfsTIWvg908hqNEhn3nBKx2zHe56ET5TIrQuaan9QYYjl0TCSHzI4rmz98IPKmTQ4YN_Jlwc0n6tF1R_gysz1uO14h1c_h4aWrgGYOnw1trMqI2KACb0Ig/s1600/tree1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yLf6Q8OUPBwsX7ZNmfsTIWvg908hqNEhn3nBKx2zHe56ET5TIrQuaan9QYYjl0TCSHzI4rmz98IPKmTQ4YN_Jlwc0n6tF1R_gysz1uO14h1c_h4aWrgGYOnw1trMqI2KACb0Ig/s400/tree1.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRusbmExoTTerTqkhnLND0-0isMyLg3iUiYWY2k9M3j1ETlnvzm6lyfwhrTLN-XI2TEbViSpTiNtMoL45N-6yzu5mBmwZdrbktDbYNh0BGtbwhYCP_qll8HEYEdHVyTq22oGN71A/s1600/wall-street-bryce-canyon-utah-mandj98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRusbmExoTTerTqkhnLND0-0isMyLg3iUiYWY2k9M3j1ETlnvzm6lyfwhrTLN-XI2TEbViSpTiNtMoL45N-6yzu5mBmwZdrbktDbYNh0BGtbwhYCP_qll8HEYEdHVyTq22oGN71A/s400/wall-street-bryce-canyon-utah-mandj98.jpg" width="266" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, while being down there, you could look up and have views like this: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUC8QI9pxxwtR9Bs9Dtg7YvrOO6I8YbVzHAzeJD5qajI-kNAQuV6CEUQLbSQBHGAbbYBLbY6fvoWG8Ru49SlOUWpq3d6YpSfC0AzbmbCCtRYBttzh-odsruqNvqTBZaRyQaFNNg/s1600/bryce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUC8QI9pxxwtR9Bs9Dtg7YvrOO6I8YbVzHAzeJD5qajI-kNAQuV6CEUQLbSQBHGAbbYBLbY6fvoWG8Ru49SlOUWpq3d6YpSfC0AzbmbCCtRYBttzh-odsruqNvqTBZaRyQaFNNg/s400/bryce.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZlus9eHXV4-_z8qRt4CtHjLA1ToNVRSr0wnzwlDktF5NJP4uQd5izyUI7NUre_NNnXqm6r6CcDPN-UsSeHzU7CTrbvC8xfhNtTUAngP2072phaDuZPYxSkssNkFr3HeoUNxLmA/s1600/wall+street+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZlus9eHXV4-_z8qRt4CtHjLA1ToNVRSr0wnzwlDktF5NJP4uQd5izyUI7NUre_NNnXqm6r6CcDPN-UsSeHzU7CTrbvC8xfhNtTUAngP2072phaDuZPYxSkssNkFr3HeoUNxLmA/s400/wall+street+trees.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I really loved it. Around the campfire that night my brother told ghost/alien stories about the hoodoos which were thoroughly entertaining. Hoodoos are the spires of rock that are characteristic of Bryce Canyon and the Colorado Plateau and some other areas in the states. Supposedly, hoodoos are more abundant in Bryce Canyon than anywhere else on Earth. I didn't get my fact checker out for that one.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4taf1htiGo12UxfK6yzzq-m3Vtx_vVHiHrIUahqahgVF0sAai1BF4a-l57WwtJX022qedfKJX0nNgQkveu-QOs2ZwynjNYwX_T9z7roIvXe3PRx4rAJyGKtli9yjRSus27saGfQ/s1600/hoodoos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4taf1htiGo12UxfK6yzzq-m3Vtx_vVHiHrIUahqahgVF0sAai1BF4a-l57WwtJX022qedfKJX0nNgQkveu-QOs2ZwynjNYwX_T9z7roIvXe3PRx4rAJyGKtli9yjRSus27saGfQ/s400/hoodoos.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>These are formed mostly by a process called frost wedging, where water seeps into the rocks and freezes overnight, which expands in the rock, creating little gaps and crevices, and then thaws again leave new holes in the rock. Bryce Canyon experiences 200 freeze/thaw cycles each year (if you would like this and other information on hoodoos, Bryce Canyon, and other national parks, visit the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/brca/naturescience/hoodoos.htm">National Park Service website</a>). Of course, according to my brother's stories, they are really aliens trapped in rock form. Who knows when they might wake up? ;-)<br />
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I would love to go back to Bryce Canyon, cramped car and all. It was beautiful, the company was fantastic, the hiking was thoroughly enjoyable (it always has to be enough work to make it worth it in my mind), and since I'm always a fan of camping, well, there you have it.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-36560928788600928042011-06-19T23:14:00.000-05:002011-06-20T08:38:14.655-05:00Starved RockI finally, after quite a while, went hiking this weekend, and I took some pictures. One picture, in particular, made my day (mostly because in general I am not all that great at taking pictures and I felt extraordinarily lucky). Here is a sample:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZAJyGQrNzvnXcYK529ckFJTeCAhdWIBxdFWrMfHRJjHJ3NctsUftJ6RQqJIBLUbLJN9ARskx07JNvt9-W7syAgfVX_5CP_YQh5PuclIUWw4uUzlyy1ZUFB8-_AAky-qK25sbHA/s1600/IMG_3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZAJyGQrNzvnXcYK529ckFJTeCAhdWIBxdFWrMfHRJjHJ3NctsUftJ6RQqJIBLUbLJN9ARskx07JNvt9-W7syAgfVX_5CP_YQh5PuclIUWw4uUzlyy1ZUFB8-_AAky-qK25sbHA/s320/IMG_3407.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-volDWQWKmdaGVBlWjkUgTZyxVtvO1Ud_xrH6Z1ts7dU8eLaWDjTqCYu-GxpuH2vSB3uX5aCJV9s_MIfYPkQFCOtW8DV3cpmNNTRIYDEAwYdEh2QhaKJKjwuEM1W4coj20_p1Q/s1600/IMG_3417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-volDWQWKmdaGVBlWjkUgTZyxVtvO1Ud_xrH6Z1ts7dU8eLaWDjTqCYu-GxpuH2vSB3uX5aCJV9s_MIfYPkQFCOtW8DV3cpmNNTRIYDEAwYdEh2QhaKJKjwuEM1W4coj20_p1Q/s320/IMG_3417.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And the money shot:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZO8dHvbvE76PXz58-MpkMwEND63FTe-4VKwemthsKYr8VZF12PJG9TFQNoMBQYuLDSHU0lomLos8he0b_u2Mvf8Qac2ASGxvp66mpxnXf_FvH7ogR1DnknfYt9-jAoLzu4XH3oA/s1600/IMG_3402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZO8dHvbvE76PXz58-MpkMwEND63FTe-4VKwemthsKYr8VZF12PJG9TFQNoMBQYuLDSHU0lomLos8he0b_u2Mvf8Qac2ASGxvp66mpxnXf_FvH7ogR1DnknfYt9-jAoLzu4XH3oA/s400/IMG_3402.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-60185394251735720432011-06-09T17:15:00.000-05:002011-06-20T08:38:05.665-05:00Pinching PenniesHunter is learning all about money. Supposedly. Well, we're working on it. This is how it all started. He got a responsibility chart that has all kinds of responsibilities for all ages. This is us hanging it up in the bedroom:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-UAZ5Kiij-_sd7nW9YplXuNjDGiAEaiKOSpXCqeZLHdNYUCJaFNIum7JkCIk0Plgh32DpN0_v2A8JJ8bdAGhHrLxzhl8JEm3pV2_ZPnR3vpdp1PEX_mWdvBVtBD21UJkJmBitw/s1600/IMG_2849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-UAZ5Kiij-_sd7nW9YplXuNjDGiAEaiKOSpXCqeZLHdNYUCJaFNIum7JkCIk0Plgh32DpN0_v2A8JJ8bdAGhHrLxzhl8JEm3pV2_ZPnR3vpdp1PEX_mWdvBVtBD21UJkJmBitw/s320/IMG_2849.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Yes, Hunter has his own drill that he is helping out with. :-) The chart currently has responsibilities on it like going potty, sharing, saying please and thank you, getting ready for bed, etc. All very age appropriate for a preschooler. And, we get to change them as he gets older. I love it. I'm more excited about it at this point than he is. Although he does love the smiley faces he gets to put up for doing everything. Here is the final product:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfr5p7NbnpqaXCSiZ5op-apaNWWDtueHcb3Jo5vWP1yQwHMpT6EajPd_j7xUWIigbJ8bFTminm0UVNaZlZHpPJzoPJHwoAuT8qjQVe9YbUGmkdiZUAqQO6ywsX-ynu6z81oH5RCA/s1600/IMG_2855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfr5p7NbnpqaXCSiZ5op-apaNWWDtueHcb3Jo5vWP1yQwHMpT6EajPd_j7xUWIigbJ8bFTminm0UVNaZlZHpPJzoPJHwoAuT8qjQVe9YbUGmkdiZUAqQO6ywsX-ynu6z81oH5RCA/s320/IMG_2855.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Those little circles underneath on the white board are his little smiley face magnets. He loves them. So, in celebration of this new reward system, I decided to provide actual rewards for the things that Hunter accomplishes...in the form of quarters. Of course, then I realized my great opportunity to actually teach him about money from his very first dollar. Which led to a new project. Piggy banks. Yep. Plural. Four of them, to be exact. They came plain, but I couldn't just leave them that way. Besides, Hunter insisted that at least one of them wear shoes. So, with some porcelain paint, a sharpie from an obliging neighbor, and a little boy with a bunch of ideas, we came up with these:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Xr3OUZ2iD9yNlPWZ_R-7n6VEeljn6uBk6GsRuDYI7GrQc1fT2Sxk79p5NeEnCF-CA8_3ced0SVOEiXvIODc6b8zX-wUcP4u2eKzeKWO-Zgpt2Ob27giE6xRKd_ZW9mP9k_svfQ/s320/IMG_3106.JPG" width="320" /></div> Meet (from left clockwise) Bacon Beckham, Piggy Blackbeard, Penny Porkchop, and Pippin.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk_7lAEKFuf42bg1AvXncW6-JjeKyS771odbyQZYcT4LsaLKSlG7TpaGYNKgqA261SKGqYororE3ftZTpexr7OwYlsv3C6RZIz-CjT0bLK6J2Bq-85nKjxPQyiDYQJj0hH8-dPw/s1600/IMG_3108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk_7lAEKFuf42bg1AvXncW6-JjeKyS771odbyQZYcT4LsaLKSlG7TpaGYNKgqA261SKGqYororE3ftZTpexr7OwYlsv3C6RZIz-CjT0bLK6J2Bq-85nKjxPQyiDYQJj0hH8-dPw/s320/IMG_3108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Why four pigs, you ask? Well, I figured that he would need a little piggy bank for every type of little fund about which I was inclined to teach him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV430pxL4chd_fi4y4qfvacFwElfL7cWzYGvutecxawph11nUEIGc0nIb30rdYCn5_B9mmq-_P8ZXh2wVZDsTGF6-dDapXzuaR7venDHPgcsE0VcsOIpeilNcXbqGj3qI2P_QCCg/s1600/IMG_3109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV430pxL4chd_fi4y4qfvacFwElfL7cWzYGvutecxawph11nUEIGc0nIb30rdYCn5_B9mmq-_P8ZXh2wVZDsTGF6-dDapXzuaR7venDHPgcsE0VcsOIpeilNcXbqGj3qI2P_QCCg/s320/IMG_3109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Blackbeard is for savings (he be settin' aside some booty), Penny is for mission savings (indeed), Pippin is for tithing, and Beckham is Hunter's fun money piggy. Am I overdoing it? Perhaps. Regardless, I had fun making these little guys anyway and Hunter LOVES them. And he talks about them quite regularly as if they are his little friends. I am glad that he is fond of them. Maybe that means they will stick around for awhile. Now on to being consistent with keeping track of Hunter's 'responsibilities' so the little tyke can have something to put inside of them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYUyQeMJ45ZQddxgdBIzjwcrJiqZg57Hc3psqXOxbRAXL7YgYjfvd81uSqKThf2aH-VEDLr_tObrS4lfJxbO1fzHuurgVIj0cNjPJnjGs06frH5lDrLId2AZPzWRZFjiaXJ18NA/s1600/IMG_3111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYUyQeMJ45ZQddxgdBIzjwcrJiqZg57Hc3psqXOxbRAXL7YgYjfvd81uSqKThf2aH-VEDLr_tObrS4lfJxbO1fzHuurgVIj0cNjPJnjGs06frH5lDrLId2AZPzWRZFjiaXJ18NA/s320/IMG_3111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-81111150085426198392011-06-06T10:20:00.000-05:002011-06-20T08:38:05.665-05:00The Evolution of a Self-Portrait Artist<div style="text-align: center;">Hunter has been very involved lately with perfecting his self-portrait skills. This is about where he began: </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI83-tCkz-SS-DjNHLddIaYJ1kGYFarf56zvumYsffss-s9aJtU7gTpnAAmd-Ssmg7_wSH44j2Dz_VzRgP_eM6qHnAarP3F1epJbfSphEGI6m-eVUzMTFSgghNJt-NhbLL3wCDYg/s1600/IMG_3087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI83-tCkz-SS-DjNHLddIaYJ1kGYFarf56zvumYsffss-s9aJtU7gTpnAAmd-Ssmg7_wSH44j2Dz_VzRgP_eM6qHnAarP3F1epJbfSphEGI6m-eVUzMTFSgghNJt-NhbLL3wCDYg/s320/IMG_3087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Though, he quickly progressed:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14DVnl2gyoWe0OE-z5lGlw4k1PMcwXVzlS9IR5Efs-N57gHEuGirhb5jnH5mUE14OBTOM0V2ta9rtgYxWRpFgh0B2QfaRaRApSLLhtuqxdapAeyLvwaNeZRtzg12e4MrV5Ur3lw/s1600/IMG_3061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14DVnl2gyoWe0OE-z5lGlw4k1PMcwXVzlS9IR5Efs-N57gHEuGirhb5jnH5mUE14OBTOM0V2ta9rtgYxWRpFgh0B2QfaRaRApSLLhtuqxdapAeyLvwaNeZRtzg12e4MrV5Ur3lw/s320/IMG_3061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqtgFhlVVvKNPKR25VOuivxSzEwsoMkf8EdFpjDpnOIJRqQtteg8I52KXvzKeP20bf3PGfCH9EuVCrghP5qlrqWLXwJpg1Hc4FxR_4uH4X15qu0Yp8Su0JKRBh8W5AUmQPp01dw/s1600/IMG_3077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqtgFhlVVvKNPKR25VOuivxSzEwsoMkf8EdFpjDpnOIJRqQtteg8I52KXvzKeP20bf3PGfCH9EuVCrghP5qlrqWLXwJpg1Hc4FxR_4uH4X15qu0Yp8Su0JKRBh8W5AUmQPp01dw/s320/IMG_3077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzGONldj5dW4AT1dbEBAwS2_CxP-jILC1M0GzPI5nl9zVpxJFPMtfRg8ysxNksXlvHG2B8PbAg76OdEPA9MBz1w4uUIJ4D0TA1PhbqsehnajCtrj9HFISF8LfXXt5QGqEMEOfnw/s1600/IMG_2993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzGONldj5dW4AT1dbEBAwS2_CxP-jILC1M0GzPI5nl9zVpxJFPMtfRg8ysxNksXlvHG2B8PbAg76OdEPA9MBz1w4uUIJ4D0TA1PhbqsehnajCtrj9HFISF8LfXXt5QGqEMEOfnw/s320/IMG_2993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It didn't take very long before he was constantly taking self-portraits like these (which, if I do say so, are quite good. I love his crazy little faces. FYI, the hat is not his, nor mine, but it is amazing.):</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqhaDvhihvBOYmwqygww_Jj2lnhTeg6avglzBGz1wbCGzMfolmQbSvL2WB_DcoRdIF5mzNPP01CfRR2pEbWmzxToBMhWXW3CKYl33D825NKamHBU85Yxpqdl7mhvWB-SAe7KKNg/s1600/IMG_3195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqhaDvhihvBOYmwqygww_Jj2lnhTeg6avglzBGz1wbCGzMfolmQbSvL2WB_DcoRdIF5mzNPP01CfRR2pEbWmzxToBMhWXW3CKYl33D825NKamHBU85Yxpqdl7mhvWB-SAe7KKNg/s320/IMG_3195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS_ceg2bHPHAvVXIOzE_USOm4Y_wO5ZG3F1FGwYNY7_N3ReHiMjuT0MgyP0O_fFxx1LOlwns-tbOIcUGNR_uFXD-M64iKFmW1csgzx60YdLzWr8tVLaweNjv-wiv44oMt8qBhvw/s1600/IMG_3192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS_ceg2bHPHAvVXIOzE_USOm4Y_wO5ZG3F1FGwYNY7_N3ReHiMjuT0MgyP0O_fFxx1LOlwns-tbOIcUGNR_uFXD-M64iKFmW1csgzx60YdLzWr8tVLaweNjv-wiv44oMt8qBhvw/s320/IMG_3192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And my personal favorite thus far:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXmxA5yihzDlCmuIQq_zsMq_vmJXj4DkVjysjXHZpaM3I76IKsUEF8qYEWUElhB_oThb2GupYvJ1dbAnluhE3S29DyW2Q7rGVYohLWLqNfZSf8B1jkVtjg4GeR_bLmDRXYAh_SA/s320/IMG_3198.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">He also really likes to take close-up shots of me in which I also make funny faces. He is getting quite good at it:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeBwwUyVdU0bBvxgvRlBpXfp7DGQM7PRBd4KCrpB9Qa2dIpXX60IcCLDjEU_NZMZ359WpJ3tsaHUqqEDuPpgZizYlnJlbkgvv_K5mvkCG_RjbLwoqFR_ON8Y4MSpYZMAGwqZvGg/s1600/IMG_2592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeBwwUyVdU0bBvxgvRlBpXfp7DGQM7PRBd4KCrpB9Qa2dIpXX60IcCLDjEU_NZMZ359WpJ3tsaHUqqEDuPpgZizYlnJlbkgvv_K5mvkCG_RjbLwoqFR_ON8Y4MSpYZMAGwqZvGg/s320/IMG_2592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fGF82101za-T6hdcOKsO5PhyDNlwy6DJ7wnvPacckUN5043WobrYrqih5I3b4ec1w4aZtftH-6lme-U56Evjl5uDnB6XA9N_OvYkV8hK0-liOTKdVuwAIgMBg5hDpPXJSGlhaQ/s1600/IMG_3294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fGF82101za-T6hdcOKsO5PhyDNlwy6DJ7wnvPacckUN5043WobrYrqih5I3b4ec1w4aZtftH-6lme-U56Evjl5uDnB6XA9N_OvYkV8hK0-liOTKdVuwAIgMBg5hDpPXJSGlhaQ/s320/IMG_3294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYvhhS-55eT21XXS7QjGmPAswHT90quNhVRsQDMP8V0Ae9ZLwWXTx4IK0mZetTOF0xR5KKQGz40fpfAPMUOf04GB6S2gABsHNinZiw7NGQYuJegdivNmosbPzVkLzrVCnz0lBuw/s1600/IMG_3191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYvhhS-55eT21XXS7QjGmPAswHT90quNhVRsQDMP8V0Ae9ZLwWXTx4IK0mZetTOF0xR5KKQGz40fpfAPMUOf04GB6S2gABsHNinZiw7NGQYuJegdivNmosbPzVkLzrVCnz0lBuw/s320/IMG_3191.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qdFs61bcVoJAp3UCmM1oOdRBeSiMtcc_oX3Xrn2MHhyF9OH41ZumU3oKNw6HF4-0Qh-CtH_w7qD56nxUoLDPUGT5iPvQrlW7TVe6rLajDDKbduqf6oxv9o0Nynv9TPW4tjRJ7g/s1600/IMG_3293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qdFs61bcVoJAp3UCmM1oOdRBeSiMtcc_oX3Xrn2MHhyF9OH41ZumU3oKNw6HF4-0Qh-CtH_w7qD56nxUoLDPUGT5iPvQrlW7TVe6rLajDDKbduqf6oxv9o0Nynv9TPW4tjRJ7g/s320/IMG_3293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-76413575706546387202011-05-19T14:37:00.001-05:002011-06-20T08:37:58.273-05:00Average Perfection<a href="http://agayleforce.blogspot.com/2010/05/average-perfection.html#links">A Gayle Force: Average Perfection</a><br />
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Read this. That is all. All I care to say is "Amen sister."<br />
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Okay, I want to say a bit more than that. I love the way my sister expresses things. I love what she has to say here. <br />
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As I read this, I thought about the ways in which competition not only undercuts our ability to be charitable (with ourselves and others), to share our own and lift others' burdens, and to accept and work with and on and through the weaknesses that matter (as opposed to cultivating some pretty undesirable traits - I mean, competition rarely brings out the best in anyone), but the ways in which it also disconnects us from other people. Whether those closest to us, or those in our larger communities, the competitive drive separates us emotionally and spiritually from other people, and it limits our ability to really appreciate and connect to the divinity in ourselves and in others. How can we really connect to others when we are constantly evaluating our relationship with them through a glass of where we fall in relation to each other on the competition scale? Many may read this and think they never do that, but they probably do. I know I do, and others I know do, even when we don't mean to.<br />
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This great race can cause people to balk at ideals that could, if seen in the right light, give us understanding, compassion, guidance, and hope. Competition not only breeds disunity, but it brings out defensiveness when people contemplate (and miss the point of) certain ideals ("Be ye therefore perfect"). Defensiveness that comes from a feeling of falling short, which can manifest itself both as direct defensiveness ("But I'm doing the best I can!") and what feels like arrogance or judgment ("Well, I am doing better than him/her!"). This is usually a symptom of misunderstanding the ideal and how we can live in relation to such things within the context of our varied and "average" mortal experiences. It also comes from missing the point about which ideals matter in the grand scheme of things. If we lose the ability to see the purposeful distinction between the ideal and reality, then we lose the opportunity to see ideals in a way that enhances our understanding of God, the Atonement, ourselves, and others, and to live in relation to ideals in a way that works for our better good and the better good of others. <br />
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The best, most hopeful part of it all is that the great race is an illusion - something we've created and that we ourselves perpetuate. And, if an illusion, then something that we can walk away from toward something better. Something real.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-7779525850146426912011-05-15T22:23:00.001-05:002011-06-20T08:37:35.899-05:00A Severe Mercy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zhTPgtAZoZgkibu5dI-mCEqpMxtgk9j_XGD54BCb0q7kh0k6ymoBg8QC1t2dzFl9lail0x-kiwzjkf11cB76ZfTXCl_dMp5cvzwlAuhgOF4Ehpsor4b7ggvkVHhCZEmqJ5CEVg/s1600/a-severe-mercy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zhTPgtAZoZgkibu5dI-mCEqpMxtgk9j_XGD54BCb0q7kh0k6ymoBg8QC1t2dzFl9lail0x-kiwzjkf11cB76ZfTXCl_dMp5cvzwlAuhgOF4Ehpsor4b7ggvkVHhCZEmqJ5CEVg/s320/a-severe-mercy.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Once again, I am being lazy and kind of repeating my <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/115815090">Goodreads review</a> here. But, in my defense, I did write a long review of this book in Goodreads, so there.<br />
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A beautiful story about love, faith, and loss. Vanauken has a unique style of writing that really creates his experiences for the reader in ways that I rarely see in books. If the book were fiction, I think that may have made it kind of irritating. As a true story, however, his style (at once rich, beautiful, vivid, albeit a bit laborious at times) really allows the reader to see right into his experience in a way that few memoirs accomplish. (*As a side note, I have to say that I did not really feel that his writing was overly laborious. I actually quite enjoyed reading his writing.) There are times where you can really feel what he felt as you read, which can be somewhat exhausting, and it is something you have to put effort into. To me, this aspect of his writing made this book incredibly human. He did not shy away from honesty about his own weaknesses, and he sets up his experiences in such a way that you feel present with him in that moment. This means that this does not feel nearly as much like a memoir looking back as it does a story. Vanauken kept journals and other records of his life with Davy (his wife), and the way he writes about his experiences captures the feel of the moment rather than being overly circumspect about his life experiences. <br />
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Because of this style of writing, I think it is really important when reading this not to assume that Vanauken is lauding any particular view over another at any one time throughout. If you fall into a trap of thinking he is preaching a particular way of life too early on in the book, then you'll miss out on experiencing his experiences with him as you read and watching him grow as he grows through his experiences, and you'll give up before you realize that his views as a young lover and his self-congratulatory manner of expressing himself isn't the whole story. <br />
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Vanauken has written this book in such a way that every experience feels present at the time that you read it, which really does allow you to feel it in a different way than if you knew which ideas about love and life will mature or change over time. Once in a while he mentions a distinction of his early life with his wife as being when they were "pagans," but there is never more than a small hint at how certain events will affect their choices and beliefs in any particular moment until you get to the moment of the change. Rather than feeling purely as if Vanauken is writing from a state of remembrance (even though he starts out that way - which was one of the slower, yet really fantastically described, parts of the book), it feels as if he is giving you an insight into his experience and his mind at the very moment he lived it. This can be annoying for some people if you never get to the moments that mature and change him later on. I found the last couple of chapters to be the most poignant in terms of understanding the events of the earlier chapters differently by virtue of the author's gained experience and life lived in the interim. And, it is quite amazing how much insight into his own character he draws from his yearning to understand and give meaning to a tragic loss.<br />
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If there is one thing that I would say to anyone who is thinking about reading this book it is to make sure you make it to the end. Even if you have to skip some of the beginning to do it. The beginning feels pretty dense and slow-going for some, mostly because his descriptions are so rich and he spends so much time on them, but the book never comes together until the end. If you stop too soon, not only will you not have the whole story, but you won't have the complete feelings, thoughts, and insights of Vanauken on the experiences you are reading.<br />
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I loved several things about this book and I simply can't write them all. One was Vanauken's constantly evolving friendship with C. S. Lewis. I find it worth noting that Vanauken states that his friend through his grief was C. S. Lewis, in spite of (or perhaps because of) Lewis' frankness, honesty, and severity with him. Though Lewis is kind, interested, and understanding of Vanauken's emotional state during his grief, he does not indulge him in it. Lewis tells Vanauken honestly and yet with care and concern what he sees Vanauken relating to him. This aspect of their relationship is what Vanauken finally says caused him to truly love Lewis all the more.<br />
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Finally, the value placed on actively protecting relationships is, I think, important, regardless of whether or not you agree with Vanauken's and his wife's particular methods and/or philosophies at the time that they initially create and describe them. Oh, I wish I could say more, but I don't want to ruin it. For this part to really come together and work for me, I simply had to read to the end of the book.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-91109436359471990842011-02-19T11:09:00.000-06:002011-05-14T11:30:49.169-05:00Complications<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytJfZmpsrrXjx6EJ_Wwz9YUVpGmqcPZ3hUktHsgDCFFWj0o0TnAYhAy9RCsjtbJQhV21IZltVL-v_XS9DuDpmhhsOnzG5vDNPB5ui-ameJIBNRNN9HB036FISH_2BcGUYr-WIFg/s1600/complications_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytJfZmpsrrXjx6EJ_Wwz9YUVpGmqcPZ3hUktHsgDCFFWj0o0TnAYhAy9RCsjtbJQhV21IZltVL-v_XS9DuDpmhhsOnzG5vDNPB5ui-ameJIBNRNN9HB036FISH_2BcGUYr-WIFg/s320/complications_cover.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><span id="freeText11016025254710364469">"This book is exploratory surgery on medicine itself, laying bare a science not in its idealized form but as it actually is - complicated, perplexing, and profoundly human." <span style="font-size: xx-small;">~Editorial Review (amazon.com)</span></span><br />
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<span id="freeText11016025254710364469">Atul Gawande is a talented writer. Reading this book was not only enthralling, but effortless. I missed my train stop I was so involved in the book, and I nearly missed my bus stop later that same day for the same reason. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span id="freeText11016025254710364469">The most remarkable and enjoyable aspect of the book for me was the way in which he approaches the subject matter. He writes using several anecdotes to demonstrate how complex and unknown medical science is, and especially to show how utterly human an endeavor it is to be a doctor or a patient. Medical science is something that is relatively idealized in our society, and the ways in which we litigate and talk about medicine in many respects expects and demands a certain level of perfection that is simply inconsistent with who we are as beings - fallible, imperfect, working with knowledge of processes that are still rather mysterious, in situations that often require quick decisions based on a combination of knowledge and intuition. </span><br />
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<span id="freeText11016025254710364469">Reading such a honest account of how things work, what struggles and worries present themselves in various situations was so refreshing. Not only that, but he was honest in a way that showed his acceptance of his accountability for his choices and actions. Rather than coming away with a wariness or fear of medical practice because of the honesty involved in the narrative, I came away with a deeper respect and admiration for doctors and their willingness to take on the responsibility of their choices that have such a tangible, physical, and often emotional impact on their patients. The chapter that talked about who should be making medical decisions was especially touching in that regard - that we push for patient autonomy (which is a good thing) and yet at some point we recognize that we may want doctors to make the decisions for us so that we don't have to live with the accountability for the outcome. What a human way to look at the kinds of choices doctors and patients make. I also really liked the chapter that talked about 'bad doctors' and rehabilitation - how to work with the acknowledgment that doctors suffer from the same kinds of issues we all do, and these issues can affect their performance just as they would affect any of us in our work performance. Obviously, the consequences may be more dire than for some other professions, and so how these doctors are dealt with matters, but how we treat them as human beings matters too. And sometimes choices are made that have lasting consequences that just have to be accepted. This is just a part of life in general, and it made the experiences of doctors and patients accessible. The point wasn't just the honesty of it all, but the responsibility and accountability of it all. I felt a more profound connection to and compassion for those who work in the medical profession after reading this book. Which, I think, happens more often than not when we are honest with others about our experiences, weaknesses, and mistakes.</span><br />
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<span id="freeText11016025254710364469">I feel that so often people get caught up in not making mistakes in general, and so often try to crucify those who do make mistakes (of course, this tends to be amplified depending on what level of perfection we expect from someone, say, in a particular profession), that narratives of our honest experiences that come from an accountable perspective are sorely needed. We need to acknowledge and understand that none of us are alone in our imperfection. I only wish that there were more narratives like this - that relate our actual experiences as human beings in an honest light. A wonderful read.</span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-7279720655881260862011-02-02T23:48:00.001-06:002011-02-02T23:55:00.697-06:00Till We Have Faces<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64Vv-TMppOlyYyg2uHlLDsiiDV33u4OggMD2dfVAKoXM_LP5D7bbJtoRzvXYLIdN4mElA2Nb31aFVQDmg2_W1fc2mhFh_FW6fbz_X2weB87A7yCGH6Zr6L_H91B9O4ZW78SKsQA/s1600/tillwehavefaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64Vv-TMppOlyYyg2uHlLDsiiDV33u4OggMD2dfVAKoXM_LP5D7bbJtoRzvXYLIdN4mElA2Nb31aFVQDmg2_W1fc2mhFh_FW6fbz_X2weB87A7yCGH6Zr6L_H91B9O4ZW78SKsQA/s320/tillwehavefaces.jpg" width="212" /></a>A beautiful, engaging, and compelling retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche, <i>Till We Have Faces</i> became a favorite book for me after the first read. I could read it again and again and find new nuggets of meaning to pull from its pages. The characters are dynamic and vivid, and the story is complex, filled with symbolism, and is ultimately so human that I couldn't help but be drawn into the story on a deep emotional level right from the start. It caused me to ask questions about how we know what/who we are, what we want, how to be grateful for the ways in which we've been blessed (in all areas - not just those that seem 'easy' to recognize), and most importantly about the ways in which we fail to understand 'love' from a perspective that is wholly unselfish, a perspective of what is truly best for those we love, which can sometimes be so difficult to recognize, acknowledge, and act upon. It also caused me to ponder over the masterful self-deceivers that we humans are, how we justify our actions in so many complex ways without ever fully acknowledging it to ourselves, and how we must learn to grasp the power of thoughts and words - of our conversations with ourselves and with others about the choices we make. That honesty has so much to do with learning to understand our own motives, thoughts, actions, and desires in the relationships that we treasure. I could go on and on, especially with regards to how the above affects our relationships with deity, but I'll stop here. There are multiple insights and treasures to be found among the pages of this unique and inspiring novel.<br />
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A favorite quote, and the quote from which the book draws its name:<br />
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"Lightly men talk of saying what they mean. Often when he was teaching me to write in Greek the Fox would say, 'Child, to say the very thing you really mean, the whole of it, nothing more or less or other than what you really mean; that's the whole art and joy of words.' A glib saying. When the time comes to you at which you will be forced at last to utter the speech which has lain at the center of your soul for years, which you have, all that time, idiot-like, been saying over and over, you'll not talk about joy of words. I saw well why the gods do not speak to us openly, nor let us answer. Till that word can be dug out of us, why should they hear the babble that we think we mean? How can they meet us face to face till we have faces?"Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-19073703644359712042010-12-22T18:09:00.000-06:002010-12-22T22:24:47.709-06:00The Help<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezjCYojU5dVA-gh9rv9m_gQnHudw5QfPvrgf7YSbmxP-TstXe7hoxtIqkJxhnLGingYe0DJgQI-sADgtwm-3EOHlpiqm_63SXO3FimZ8e-8JY3BYMbUfhHNM_IT7-pNi6GVkowA/s1600/the-help.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezjCYojU5dVA-gh9rv9m_gQnHudw5QfPvrgf7YSbmxP-TstXe7hoxtIqkJxhnLGingYe0DJgQI-sADgtwm-3EOHlpiqm_63SXO3FimZ8e-8JY3BYMbUfhHNM_IT7-pNi6GVkowA/s320/the-help.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>Call it laziness posting my <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/108604801">Goodreads review</a> here. Perhaps I just wrote a much longer review there than I usually do...<br />
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I liked this book. I liked getting the different perspectives - it definitely made the story feel multi-dimensional in a way that it wouldn't have if she had written it from one voice (I just don't know if the writing, for me, could have carried me through the whole story with only one perspective). I appreciate how difficult it must have been for a white author to delve into this kind of subject matter (household dynamics between black maids and the white women they work for in Jackson, Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement) and to try to capture the voices of the black characters, and I think she did a pretty good job with the subject matter. <br />
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However, there were aspects of the book that just didn't really make it exceptional in my view. Many of the characters felt too one-dimensional to me. I think the book would have been more interesting if characters like Elizabeth, Skeeter's mother, or Stuart could have been written with more depth. There were parts where you felt like there might be more depth in store for these characters, but they never really reached any satisfactory level of complexity. In fact, many of the characters who have very little face time in the novel are more dynamic than some of the main secondary characters. For as much as the story is about getting beyond what is on the surface, for many of the characters that is all you really see, and that was a bit disappointing to me. It made the view of Skeeter, in particular, feel exceptionally shallow (but maybe that was the point), and yet it still feels like she tries to pull it off as a triumph for Skeeter in ways that didn't necessarily feel realistic to me. I felt that Skeeter as a persona of the author herself was a bit too obvious. <br />
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Having read several first-hand accounts of what life was like during the beginnings of integration in Mississippi and Arkansas, I also felt like the consequences of some of what the characters were involved in just didn't feel as tangible and threatening as they would actually have been during that time if these women were actually doing the things they were doing. I don't want to give too much away, but I felt like things were painted in a very particular light that made it hard for me to believe that things weren't going to work out in the end. While there are instances of consequences that are very severe for members of the black community in Jackson, they often seem to be in the background, and they feel somewhat distanced from the action of the narrative, though I feel as if they should (in those instances) feel closer and more real to these characters than the writing leads us to believe. I feel as if Stockett addressed the most obvious kinds of bigotries but bypassed some of the more subtle and pervasive racial issues at hand.<br />
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That being said, it was a page-turner, and I still enjoyed reading it and thinking about the complexity and difficulty of the issues it was trying to explore and how we really haven't moved as far away from some of the more subtle racial issues as we would sometimes like to believe.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-3196539606417914512010-10-02T17:52:00.002-05:002010-10-28T12:52:09.426-05:00The Adoration of Jenna Fox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHVpRpFzuQIybTwTxPkvPtJQU1tyzyVujllUkWQe5Zwa4nTrEed2Whq8GQ7OxiUdnOuXrH7JQcDeW93Lw86WzXHPJ5Bd9Kp0mQHxT4G_Oh_lv55_Facpy30Ru1qQ1SW1yh0-a1g/s1600/adoration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHVpRpFzuQIybTwTxPkvPtJQU1tyzyVujllUkWQe5Zwa4nTrEed2Whq8GQ7OxiUdnOuXrH7JQcDeW93Lw86WzXHPJ5Bd9Kp0mQHxT4G_Oh_lv55_Facpy30Ru1qQ1SW1yh0-a1g/s200/adoration.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> It has been a while since I posted anything on my blog. Yes, I am officially a blog slacker. I don't feel badly about it - I've had plenty to do. :-) This book, however, compelled some kind of post. It was intriguing to me in ways that are difficult to describe.<br />
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<i>Synopsis</i>: <span style="font-size: x-small;">Jenna Fox has been in a coma for 18 months. When she awakens, she finds that her memory has been severely affected. As she regains pieces of her past and begins to build a new present, she wonders if she is, or ever was, the same Jenna whom her parents have worked so hard to save. </span><br />
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I admit that because the book comes from Jenna's perspective, it was difficult at the beginning to understand what is going on, but that is the point, and it was executed masterfully. This book does such a good job of capturing Jenna's perspective, her fear, her anger, her yearning, her uncertainty, her questions, that as a reader you feel almost as if you are experiencing it too. And though I felt at times as if I had a better idea of what was happening to Jenna than she did, I was pleasantly surprised that even my assumptions were not all correct. I actually expected it to be predictable in certain respects, but was still surprised by the unexpected. The very fact that I was constantly changing my mind about what exactly was going on is enough to show that in many respects, I felt just as lost and confused as Jenna did. <br />
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I am not going to tell you much about the plot because, well, I think the less you know going into reading it, the better. Sufficeth to say that it is a science-fiction tale set in a not too distant future. The science and the future I found to be very believable, and some of the issues at stake are issues that the scientific and medical community are already facing. What are the limits of ethical practice in medicine? Because we can do something, should we do it? The ethical questions of this book are completely enthralling, and what was so amazing about it was that she presents both points of view so well that you feel for and understand both. It raises the complexities of ethical issues through the emotionally charged tales of the characters - characters whom I grew to love and ache for.<br />
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The more pressing questions for me, however, were questions relating to what it is that makes us human in the first place and what it means to love completely. And many of these questions come directly from Jenna herself. I can't help but wonder how many choices we each make when we think and convince ourselves we are acting out of love, yet we lose the perspective to truly understand the ones we love and to act in their interest more than our own.<br />
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The best review I've read yet is from my good friend Liesl, which can be found on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71933663">goodreads</a>.<br />
<br />
A quote of hers that I would use to sum up: <br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">"The hardest part of love, in life or death, is letting go."</span><br />
<br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">And, a taste of the book itself (possibly because it resonated with me more than most):</span><br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">"A bit for someone here.</span><br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">A bit there.</span><br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">And sometimes they don't add up to anything whole.</span><br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">But you are so busy dancing.</span><br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">Delivering.</span><br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">You don't have time to notice.</span><br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">Or are afraid to notice.</span><br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">And then one day you have to look.</span><br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">And it's true.</span><br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">All of your pieces fill up other people's holes.</span><br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">But they don't fill</span><br />
<span class="reviewText" id="freeTextreview71933663">your own."<br />
</span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-76534747436278303562009-11-01T21:37:00.009-06:002010-03-24T15:17:14.353-05:00Uglies, Pretties, Specials<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2OGg-YITDaQjWV4UNB_9EtgdD106fUGHka0as3MU7FgWMBBi5dXEDcfKnjKx0PKO_tqslwyOksOfNKYixVMcI5UxKMMH-USBZ2vD3splSLCZDOciXKFfha00zx2jt3omSYlUng/s1600-h/UGLIES800.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2OGg-YITDaQjWV4UNB_9EtgdD106fUGHka0as3MU7FgWMBBi5dXEDcfKnjKx0PKO_tqslwyOksOfNKYixVMcI5UxKMMH-USBZ2vD3splSLCZDOciXKFfha00zx2jt3omSYlUng/s320/UGLIES800.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399347424029673586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bU7MLClASMgZdbyQiCttUmir9a55RYmvK4qesDQ7R69VwuOmIh0paIfJ6nLxXE8GuI2Jtv8AYHKc-um5kYjcKqtgv77HPpD8T9YFHXAT9h_wK9gsMfO9ZJ8JecpYCbSr-WnRrg/s1600-h/PRETTIES800.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bU7MLClASMgZdbyQiCttUmir9a55RYmvK4qesDQ7R69VwuOmIh0paIfJ6nLxXE8GuI2Jtv8AYHKc-um5kYjcKqtgv77HPpD8T9YFHXAT9h_wK9gsMfO9ZJ8JecpYCbSr-WnRrg/s320/PRETTIES800.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399347532556228626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyhT1mdKZpZjolS2nI6SX6dvmQ2LCZv2SyN841u5fA65veSqMxtSgH9KWkq7umHZlh7OMQPkpL5N7KLZUDjx4RhBev1HyLJU2Say5IhvrILUWO615E9oelBjnuCgIibCjE3jAtQ/s1600-h/specials1280.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyhT1mdKZpZjolS2nI6SX6dvmQ2LCZv2SyN841u5fA65veSqMxtSgH9KWkq7umHZlh7OMQPkpL5N7KLZUDjx4RhBev1HyLJU2Say5IhvrILUWO615E9oelBjnuCgIibCjE3jAtQ/s320/specials1280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399347622748177122" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Synopsis</span>: In a highly technologically advanced city in a future North America, everyone undergoes a major (even this is an understatement) operation at age 16 to make them "pretty." People are given the same types of features with very little variation; muscles, immune systems, weight, everything is adjusted to fit a kind of stereotype defended by scientific research and dictated by "evolution." But, what happens if someone doesn't want to be pretty?</span><br /><br />Given my recent fascination with recognizing and breaking free from the ways in which my cultural assumptions have been inherited from a whole universe of past ideas, this series grabbed my attention from the outset. I liked seeing the characters struggle with the divide between the beliefs they inherit and the experiences that they have that challenge their assumptions about the world and themselves.<br /><br />I generally liked the trilogy, although there were some disappointing aspects to it as well, many of which came along in the third book, which was my least favorite of the three. Then of course, there is a challenge with sci-fi that I felt these books struggled with. To be really successful, sci-fi has to make the science both unbelievable and incredibly believable at the same time. The science has to be out there enough that it is still beyond the reach of what the reader experiences, but still within conceivable reach of the possible. There were moments where the science in these books faltered on the latter. It walked a fine line between making it fantastic and maintaining it as believable.<br /><br />That said, I did like the issues that the author raised (although I felt by the end he was kind of force feeding some of his ideas to you and hammering them in to get the point across, which I believe is completely unnecessary in a really well written work - when the ideas come across in a somewhat unconscious and natural manner, I believe, is genius in writing). The ideas and concerns he raises for what a society values are pertinent, and got my brain spinning - always a good sign. <br /><br />My favorite concept that the reader encounters is that of the effect of individual freedom on societies as a whole and on the individuals within them. When we are allowed to choose our own destinies and we allow others to do the same, we are accepting the fact that people may not make good choices - in fact, they may make choices that have serious repercussions for both themselves, their families, others, and communities at large. The question is, then, is it more important for people to have the ability to choose, or to avoid the negative consequences of the choices they may make? And more importantly, why? I, for one, favor choice. This angle of the story could send me into a whole realm of interesting discussion, but I'll spare you as it could get quite long and involved rather quickly.<br /><br />"Everyone in the world was programmed by the place they were born, hemmed in by their beliefs, but you had to at least try to grow your own brain." ~from <span style="font-style: italic;">Pretties</span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-1697085237427628032009-11-01T21:35:00.003-06:002010-03-24T15:17:14.354-05:00Catching Fire<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gnJS1AK-icOne26kIvXnlbQJpbQUjYcrmh7fKyN2JgdOl2W7ZZsC6TWKSccwQjgpYTn4EqB5yDPYwd1epDy2bhs35HWbsuCeyeRbBxAqvmO0nHE2E9OtPINZ0y7z0mjkXPJaTQ/s1600-h/CatchingFire_cvr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gnJS1AK-icOne26kIvXnlbQJpbQUjYcrmh7fKyN2JgdOl2W7ZZsC6TWKSccwQjgpYTn4EqB5yDPYwd1epDy2bhs35HWbsuCeyeRbBxAqvmO0nHE2E9OtPINZ0y7z0mjkXPJaTQ/s320/CatchingFire_cvr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399345236713148962" border="0" /></a>A fantastic sequel to Suzanne Collins "The Hunger Games." I am pretty bummed that I have to wait another year or so to finish off the trilogy.<br /><br />I am going to skip the synopsis on this one just in case you haven't read the first installment yet.<br /><br />As with "The Hunger Games", Suzanne Collins delivers. The story keeps getting better, although perhaps the second installment is not quite as striking as the first (for instance, the reader has already been introduced to the Hunger Games, so though variations on the horrific are unexpected, unique, and keep the reader on the edge of his/her seat, the reader has already experienced some desensitization to the way the government of Panem works). Still, the storyline pulls you in completely and continues to evolve in brilliant ways. Collins kept me guessing throughout - I never really saw what was coming, and what she comes up with is generally so much better than the different options I try to play out in my head. Again, a well written and well crafted book. The present tense is engaging and makes the events feel more immediate.<br /><br />It also continued to engage my mind with ideas about agency, freedom, equality, the list goes on. I favor any story that makes me think seriously about complex ideas and issues that are highly relevant to the human experience. I highly recommend this series.<br /><br />"In that one slight motion, I see the end of hope, the beginning of destruction of everything I hold dear in the world. I can't guess what form my punishment will take, how wide the net will be cast, but when it is finished there most likely be nothing left. So you would think that at this moment, I would be in utter despair."Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-7100830155653466732009-08-30T22:17:00.006-05:002010-03-24T15:17:14.354-05:00The Hunger Games<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCgEqFbvAjMET2Et5MOToBYsCU9G4ZeUntZSnlXXL8_nTmmcCVfLpOLijelErKohcgy8ziS8zYi5qExfSC7VzhNaDegBvyMcDWPfoSnLAIPnwsLe2ZOzz4ShrENnEb9iLUqGdBw/s1600-h/hungergames.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCgEqFbvAjMET2Et5MOToBYsCU9G4ZeUntZSnlXXL8_nTmmcCVfLpOLijelErKohcgy8ziS8zYi5qExfSC7VzhNaDegBvyMcDWPfoSnLAIPnwsLe2ZOzz4ShrENnEb9iLUqGdBw/s320/hungergames.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375961929671752370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Synopsis</span>:<span style="font-size:85%;"> A post-apocalyptic story set on the future North American continent in a country called Panem, which is made up of a capital and 12 surrounding districts. As a reminder of the control of the capital over the districts and to deter rebellion, a yearly tribute of one girl and one boy ages 12-18 is required from each district for competition in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. When Katniss' younger sister Prim is chosen as tribute during the reaping, Katniss, knowing it is a death sentence for 12 year old Prim, volunteers to take her place.</span><br /><br />A great read. Not only was it well crafted (which was particularly impressive considering the author chose to write it in the present tense!), but it made me think about the complexities of topics from survival to the ethics of reality television. People today may not watch gladiator-like fights to the death on tv, but they do indulge in what we could call the emotional slaughter of other people for the sake of "entertainment." They laugh when people are purposefully made fun of, shamed, and demeaned. Many argue that this is acceptable behavior on our part because those who are appearing on reality television programs have freely chosen to be there. They have given away their right to...what, exactly? I still find this attitude towards the treatment of others in our modern society disturbing. Mostly because I feel that this goes far beyond reality television. The belittling of people as a form of entertainment is really problematic. Alas, I digress...<br /><br />This book got my brain going on all sorts of topics from reality television to the affects of fear-based government to how humans cope with conflicting emotions in survival situations. The list goes on. Of course, like so many books that I like, it also deals with agency. I especially loved seeing which characters played the game on their own terms, and which allowed themselves to be manipulated into playing to the crowd, as well as what the consequences of either choice could mean in terms of survival.<br /><br />Really a fantastic read.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Quote</span>: "I don't want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster I'm not."Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-8478537909025565902009-08-30T22:13:00.003-05:002010-03-24T15:17:14.354-05:00The Remains of the Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jnNoilRMjbgs1-YJngW4aEQWJEuak-07admZ2nNDQ2IHA8ruKih8pGOZrdFKZ7wFXxXWaCGYTSTq76KROrIOMSC1ZcVlbTjpXBPKE0CIBF_SVpG0ypa_yZiWd_6JqD6sWvPNhg/s1600-h/remains.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jnNoilRMjbgs1-YJngW4aEQWJEuak-07admZ2nNDQ2IHA8ruKih8pGOZrdFKZ7wFXxXWaCGYTSTq76KROrIOMSC1ZcVlbTjpXBPKE0CIBF_SVpG0ypa_yZiWd_6JqD6sWvPNhg/s320/remains.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375961713167583154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Synopsis: </span>"The novel's narrator, Stevens, is a perfect English butler who tries to give his narrow existence form and meaning through the self-effacing, almost mystical practice of his profession. In a career that spans the second World War, Stevens is oblivious of the real life that goes on around him -- oblivious, for instance, of the fact that his aristocrat employer is a Nazi sympathizer. Still, there are even larger matters at stake in this heartbreaking, pitch-perfect novel -- namely, Stevens' own ability to allow some bit of life-affirming love into his tightly repressed existence."</span><br /><br />This book aches with all that goes unsaid. It is quite a feat in this medium to adequately convey the emotion behind everything that is left unexpressed, especially when the narrator himself seems unaware. This book is really artistically crafted around the apparent disinterest of Stevens in anything beyond his profession and the "dignity" that he strives for therein and what lies beneath the words and events on the page. What is really expert about it is that though Stevens appears unaware (I have to say "appears," because there is always a sense that there is some kind of unmentioned denial of anything of consequence going on throughout the whole narrative) the reader still clearly sees everything that is going on that Steven's does not and it is heartbreaking. A really tragic tale of what can be forever lost when people fail to see what lies right before them and to seize the moments and opportunities that make life meaningful.<br /><br />A taste of the sad tale (even more so when you read the book and see what he's talking about):<br />"What is the point in worrying oneself too much about what one could or could not have done to control the course one’s life took? Surely it is enough that the likes of you and I at least try to make our small contribution count for something true and worthy. And if some of us are prepared to sacrifice much in life in order to pursue such aspirations, surely that is in itself, whatever the outcome, cause for pride and contentment."Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-84451441758542343042008-12-19T19:34:00.003-06:002010-03-24T15:18:41.884-05:00"Tagged"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nRcHV6jvDY-xleTMnMzEehmCSUfHNDgwHqnaqh6nOWq67o0VZz9kbP0orcxGu-wvV1OY2qFh-bp3aLZu_ybD6a0wEiPtwlC3U0c7BVZd1t_tkvmKbrSmPusIc-d4zePlheIsIg/s1600-h/tagged.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nRcHV6jvDY-xleTMnMzEehmCSUfHNDgwHqnaqh6nOWq67o0VZz9kbP0orcxGu-wvV1OY2qFh-bp3aLZu_ybD6a0wEiPtwlC3U0c7BVZd1t_tkvmKbrSmPusIc-d4zePlheIsIg/s320/tagged.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281679989271395586" border="0" /></a><br />Generally, I protest doing these. Mostly because I get way to many of those emails that ask us to fill out the same questions time and time again. Those kind of drive me crazy. Oh well, I guess I was gonna give in eventually. So... I was tagged by my sister <a href="http://agayleforce.blogspot.com/2008/10/tagged.html">Allison</a>. I think she would be a hit as a stand-up comedian. If you don't believe me, you should check out her blog. <br /><br />Okay, so seven weird facts. Hmmm...<br /><br />This is tough. Maybe I am just not that random or weird. Or maybe I am and I just haven't realized it yet. Hmmm....<br /><br />1. I have a horrible habit of giving people too much information. Mostly in the category of toddler motherhood, which includes runny noses and dirty diapers, among other topics. This can be quite nauseating for listening parties. Of course, even when I avoid Hunteresque topics I still talk about snot-cicles and the like, so I guess I am not as limited in my choices of gross chatter as I'd like to believe. Every once in a while (take the other day, for example) someone reminds me of just how disgusting my choice of topic is. Mostly that someone will be someone without kids. I think having a kid has desensitized me to a lot of things regarding bodily functions. Dang, I thought I might be getting better.<br /><br />2. I have crazy dreams. I suppose this is true of everyone, but I have always had some weird belief that other people have somewhat normal dreams. Tom Cruise makes random appearances. This greatly disturbs me. My dreams are also frequented by vampires. And werewolves. And no, it has NOTHING to do with Twilight, thank you very much. Once my whole family was vampires. That was fun. People I know also make appearances in my dreams in odd contexts. If you want to know if any of my dreams have included you, feel free to ask (See #1). Sometimes, I'll just tell you without you asking. Hopefully you won't mind (again, see #1).<br /><br />3. I really really like kids. I think it is mostly because being around kids gives me a good excuse to act like one. Oh, and every time I see <span style="font-style: italic;">Cheaper by the Dozen</span> I want to have twelve of them. Really. I'm not kidding.<br /><br />This is a long list.<br /><br />4. I really love hot chocolate. I think I could drink it every day. Even in the summer. Even in the Chicago summer. It's just that good. I have a hot cocoa maker. It was voted the most useless gift of the year when it came out. Ha! I find that hilarious. Someday I'll have a kitchen where I have room for my hot cocoa maker to be out year round. Oh, that'll be wonderful.<br /><br />5. I tend to be fairly gullible. I believe pretty much everything anyone tells me. Until proven otherwise. This can be nice when people are telling the truth and quite horrible when people are lying. I believed in Santa Claus until I was in the 6th grade. Yeah, you read that right.<br /><br />This is a really really long list.<br /><br />6. On the flip side, I was quite the little liar as a child. Now, if there was a list for seven weird things about my childhood I could do that in no time at all. That would feel like a short list. I had someone tell me once that I should write a children's book series based on funny stories from my childhood. I think my sister and I could do that together. Then it would be that much funnier. I used to be able to convince school bus drivers to let me get on any bus I wanted, or get off at any stop I wanted without a note. Keep in mind, that this was when I was 5 and 6 years old (as in Kindergarten and 1st grade). I would then wander all over town. I think I must be responsible for at least half of my mother's gray hairs. If you want to know more details about those funny stories, or more funny stories in general from my younger years, just ask (again, see #1).<br /><br />7. Finally, the last one. Hmmm... I have an obsession with making the bed. Everything else in my house could be clean, or a disaster, but if my bed's not made, my house is a disaster regardless. I feel there is some connection between the state of my bed and my overall state of laziness and/or wellbeing. Kind of like I believe getting a new haircut somehow defines or redefines me. By the way, I got a new one. Haircut, that is. Pictures to come.<br /><br />Okay, so now I guess I get to torture seven more of you. Oh, what fun! I would tag my sister, but she tagged me. So, I tag:<br /><a href="http://ironcheferin.blogspot.com/">Erin</a><br /><a href="http://claireiseasilyamused.blogspot.com/">Claire</a><br /><a href="http://musicinthewings.blogspot.com/">Madelyn</a><br /><a href="http://hickmanfam.blogspot.com/">Brenda</a><br /><a href="http://crocketts-r-us.blogspot.com/">Melanie</a><br /><a href="http://thechicagostratfords.blogspot.com/">Candice</a><br /><a href="http://familyshurtliff.blogspot.com/">Liesl</a>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-75733376137625843412008-11-28T13:25:00.004-06:002010-03-24T15:18:01.731-05:00Prophetic Counsel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5Lk2qEbC6sdZAdv7a67Za71_MZURvc-0wxuWAJuuWlRY5Lpl-hEwO25YXLXTm2mav7Fg854GBN4OFjFiNPcgzHk0hLFGi2uuMc_yR_ZFSizf_4atjG9EXvPYihcXUiDoIipA3g/s1600-h/maxwell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5Lk2qEbC6sdZAdv7a67Za71_MZURvc-0wxuWAJuuWlRY5Lpl-hEwO25YXLXTm2mav7Fg854GBN4OFjFiNPcgzHk0hLFGi2uuMc_yR_ZFSizf_4atjG9EXvPYihcXUiDoIipA3g/s320/maxwell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273798612843784962" border="0" /></a>This will be a very short post, but this statement from Neal A. Maxwell in 1978 truly struck me as not only incredibly pertinent to current moral and social issues and events in our country, but as a truly powerful reminder of the necessity to take a resolute stand in a world with a shifting moral center.<br /><br />"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, <span style="font-size:100%;">events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had '</span><span style="font-size:100%;">never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.' </span>This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, <span style="font-size:100%;">not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ.</span> . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as un-trendy and unenlightened.... Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, <span style="font-size:130%;">let us leave a record so that the choices are clear</span>, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."<br /><br />Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints<br /><a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=1846d0640b96b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1">"A More Determined Discipleship"</a>, Ensign, Feb. 1979 (emphasis mine)<br />*Thanks to my friend Madelyn for posting this quote on her blog.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-80723759810165387942008-10-10T21:22:00.036-05:002010-03-24T15:18:41.884-05:00A Button Flavor for EveryoneLet me first state this post is not about making a political statement, so please don't get into a political frenzy in the comments. I tend to avoid that on my blog entirely, and if I was going to make some kind of real statement, you'd know it. Really,this is all in good fun and to give you a chuckle. I just think that these Obama buttons are hilarious. For the full spread (and trust me, there are many many more), click <a href="http://www.democraticstuff.com/SearchResults.asp">here</a>. It's now official, no matter how Obama supporters choose to identify themselves, there is bound to be a button out there for them.<br /><br />These are some of my favorites:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8q6xvRWjV8stg_o_Q9ui2GCRONwO3D7IhIWaH0Ijv5kLOJNddSyQQgFmqSKk83lvugVdGVHRQaJFtBmbbuXEwZnzhI54KL3C1Q0J4_4NGpFc8K9iIxBy8fegveltkH8B6oxPuDg/s1600-h/obamagreen.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8q6xvRWjV8stg_o_Q9ui2GCRONwO3D7IhIWaH0Ijv5kLOJNddSyQQgFmqSKk83lvugVdGVHRQaJFtBmbbuXEwZnzhI54KL3C1Q0J4_4NGpFc8K9iIxBy8fegveltkH8B6oxPuDg/s320/obamagreen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255718591792016018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfctz2iy3_G9osrsk6k6l6iH9CWJJHHWFyph1eJ0I9U-evUetl0L8ZPvcmfjbZVo6XdxWJjD8bvnkzhdv4B9WGL_MOs3oJpdpVNEbdtUAPKMgxQaVFnl5vLaepgsuWTsKPjEOnaA/s1600-h/obamaminimalists.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfctz2iy3_G9osrsk6k6l6iH9CWJJHHWFyph1eJ0I9U-evUetl0L8ZPvcmfjbZVo6XdxWJjD8bvnkzhdv4B9WGL_MOs3oJpdpVNEbdtUAPKMgxQaVFnl5vLaepgsuWTsKPjEOnaA/s320/obamaminimalists.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255718702409660050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvJfOKzC8myT0AUEib3ykmQFKH74Ekqeg9mzppa1I92VSCiRberQbIOyszpQJRFCCU0ItmC9EbsKjVDUTJJKLfDWNKMymjzYA7IHBMIlQwMm9atd7ePKTHUJRFa3Czfwkfr0kDA/s1600-h/obamatrek.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvJfOKzC8myT0AUEib3ykmQFKH74Ekqeg9mzppa1I92VSCiRberQbIOyszpQJRFCCU0ItmC9EbsKjVDUTJJKLfDWNKMymjzYA7IHBMIlQwMm9atd7ePKTHUJRFa3Czfwkfr0kDA/s320/obamatrek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255719720480200578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Fx3EreUj_K7K452W3Ji-JCnp8wusVl_FAiBtkG6T8I85OnRJx4yAimfjFsdC8wTOXyQLd5pEonjEkZzN87quN7zO0Z0_I2z9a9TDsdwXCQFD6fQ421i1EAskW-YOMMhTx4rKyg/s1600-h/obamatexters.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Fx3EreUj_K7K452W3Ji-JCnp8wusVl_FAiBtkG6T8I85OnRJx4yAimfjFsdC8wTOXyQLd5pEonjEkZzN87quN7zO0Z0_I2z9a9TDsdwXCQFD6fQ421i1EAskW-YOMMhTx4rKyg/s320/obamatexters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255719647938746290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cjtyy6WV-L9ZAmEd62rnb8UiLX3Q-nGpaAppjW1DKb0rO2Mn7XpY2WsQVE1ismD-lm_tXKx_xWz9m0tJV7SKKpQwXxxHkcAmX6v8GFGo-e1AGsjPIf7q-SD2b5u3gMGeL66Hiw/s1600-h/obamasneakers.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cjtyy6WV-L9ZAmEd62rnb8UiLX3Q-nGpaAppjW1DKb0rO2Mn7XpY2WsQVE1ismD-lm_tXKx_xWz9m0tJV7SKKpQwXxxHkcAmX6v8GFGo-e1AGsjPIf7q-SD2b5u3gMGeL66Hiw/s320/obamasneakers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255719573784302450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCjNDEffpDZIrbRqT6XU7tJSgGJWn1oLlBWjQ6cBtT7JoeyaP5tAfDR8sB9jPbX9-OBrJS2YQisFMDmaY68Zut_anMg5hMRzsjDKsTZxenCmI20wcCzreshMFmgW1cFMcKDmwoA/s1600-h/obamascuba.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCjNDEffpDZIrbRqT6XU7tJSgGJWn1oLlBWjQ6cBtT7JoeyaP5tAfDR8sB9jPbX9-OBrJS2YQisFMDmaY68Zut_anMg5hMRzsjDKsTZxenCmI20wcCzreshMFmgW1cFMcKDmwoA/s320/obamascuba.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255719502762270178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkBEtVM5JHB3_VcbNydvGZV6GmdBg6lzeWTP7uk3D6kJlov7gmCvBhYNOgVFMDW_vPMd0vRBlk5C8LZ5Lrb_2_cylDs-isGmx0oGU-xLxV4Bpu_HIrQe7GT0eAgfouIERXLr7TA/s1600-h/obamaroller.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkBEtVM5JHB3_VcbNydvGZV6GmdBg6lzeWTP7uk3D6kJlov7gmCvBhYNOgVFMDW_vPMd0vRBlk5C8LZ5Lrb_2_cylDs-isGmx0oGU-xLxV4Bpu_HIrQe7GT0eAgfouIERXLr7TA/s320/obamaroller.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255719411488233794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbD4eZ2Vhwtc5bHiwSD90X4fq2bDvmpd8NNxK0ic6wxzoSs29zanbjNT_c3J94yLzF8d4BGHfSqzT7r4fwoUkz_VR3OtHcYVgtNfz84n33Fc6ssoqGRrajHXWAxmOt9QXkU18wpg/s1600-h/obamapost.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbD4eZ2Vhwtc5bHiwSD90X4fq2bDvmpd8NNxK0ic6wxzoSs29zanbjNT_c3J94yLzF8d4BGHfSqzT7r4fwoUkz_VR3OtHcYVgtNfz84n33Fc6ssoqGRrajHXWAxmOt9QXkU18wpg/s320/obamapost.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255719306760140962" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmI_hNFh7FsrcjuVjsD59tfsd_0qCNRWIK1wfuzhUGqLJQVMMdmUg0s8-kEx8gIreU40wMdSFIVqiehYbdsHIdKdsEyBBVlH7rNU1MXySY4WPrZF8_Fq-EFlBjrKPaeuWionbtiQ/s1600-h/obamabees.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmI_hNFh7FsrcjuVjsD59tfsd_0qCNRWIK1wfuzhUGqLJQVMMdmUg0s8-kEx8gIreU40wMdSFIVqiehYbdsHIdKdsEyBBVlH7rNU1MXySY4WPrZF8_Fq-EFlBjrKPaeuWionbtiQ/s320/obamabees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255717938919689218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CWdi6qsRdOjvDqHsfiPYdWyA1D0oeWCNOF6Y-oYVp_Y29l0dmUB1ehC4XEPF7wh27wsyM9YgOUcM8Wn6Kx4Q_BuzpBY3b73LNct6ueNYHtXERxhk8GDNjKNBqTcpKOwezLdo3w/s1600-h/obamabald.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CWdi6qsRdOjvDqHsfiPYdWyA1D0oeWCNOF6Y-oYVp_Y29l0dmUB1ehC4XEPF7wh27wsyM9YgOUcM8Wn6Kx4Q_BuzpBY3b73LNct6ueNYHtXERxhk8GDNjKNBqTcpKOwezLdo3w/s320/obamabald.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255717878588503698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Unby2zcUV_DrOD4XJ6P5U-P91JeLxO84E8lfvl5BcEcbAVwQJIT8t1x07_Rh8iU8tU6R6PrC-7VAQTpDGvNU4voZH0blgIlCJwqkbVABommBA_TGb8nhGOKGtt_9P3XaUr_0zQ/s1600-h/obamapoker"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Unby2zcUV_DrOD4XJ6P5U-P91JeLxO84E8lfvl5BcEcbAVwQJIT8t1x07_Rh8iU8tU6R6PrC-7VAQTpDGvNU4voZH0blgIlCJwqkbVABommBA_TGb8nhGOKGtt_9P3XaUr_0zQ/s320/obamapoker" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255718987919123554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVN5B89siwFlV_HPz78EFQi3SHnnxUDO8XJzMfsHbUhEP20f7PkW-M7RbmJEToe3y_XP0x1cfl2GPAW6W5Xyn23uskZL6NrQsasFCOp8JDbypJDrbWMU8529wP6Ro4NXRM_Xju9Q/s1600-h/obamapool.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVN5B89siwFlV_HPz78EFQi3SHnnxUDO8XJzMfsHbUhEP20f7PkW-M7RbmJEToe3y_XP0x1cfl2GPAW6W5Xyn23uskZL6NrQsasFCOp8JDbypJDrbWMU8529wP6Ro4NXRM_Xju9Q/s320/obamapool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255719079406758994" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOMhazV4c5GAMmkhr4qgy2gjOjdByGh4Yx0izrozO5bDz2k2oFOLsxpLA8VKQRYmpexSR2DzgM3XwXU_18eFYIYmuopd2zHxkd4HMieJPvQJxqAMIDjuoIlp_YY9aMBErjOJmuA/s1600-h/obamadrums.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOMhazV4c5GAMmkhr4qgy2gjOjdByGh4Yx0izrozO5bDz2k2oFOLsxpLA8VKQRYmpexSR2DzgM3XwXU_18eFYIYmuopd2zHxkd4HMieJPvQJxqAMIDjuoIlp_YY9aMBErjOJmuA/s320/obamadrums.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255718502945121442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74oBG-Qn3Mw6-rP8ICKVGh0B5v9AeUtE02qDhVpRfFQWhJFbbatGvlsytHyKSHxD0eW-mgPmr-35ei9Qd6om130pptqHBVaKIrAfulcydigv3j7doqh03J-hOyHRhdpD5CpYp5Q/s1600-h/obamabugs.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74oBG-Qn3Mw6-rP8ICKVGh0B5v9AeUtE02qDhVpRfFQWhJFbbatGvlsytHyKSHxD0eW-mgPmr-35ei9Qd6om130pptqHBVaKIrAfulcydigv3j7doqh03J-hOyHRhdpD5CpYp5Q/s320/obamabugs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255718408050023410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnGgn9Qk6ocf7lefNOsPds8ss1NBDwlrZBXLFaurQyPuUegZV9BKmFExVOoGlp1KutGQ-LGGLHf47DUN1r-My5Tg3nbDcZi6LSurfFCmXSXB9xnTMyaIL5LuWyYn2ahj2IcHy9A/s1600-h/obamacampers.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnGgn9Qk6ocf7lefNOsPds8ss1NBDwlrZBXLFaurQyPuUegZV9BKmFExVOoGlp1KutGQ-LGGLHf47DUN1r-My5Tg3nbDcZi6LSurfFCmXSXB9xnTMyaIL5LuWyYn2ahj2IcHy9A/s320/obamacampers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255718341174256194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLP4vNiUBs2DgbRKrMu2WX-2H3iLDtPX9vEOzSUjNnh7UaGbhbHinkyKX7qksCxmzCCV-xrOlcj143RVr9IR0FZkPbokE1dr4J1MJPI8z6d9XdNdWjiHTSAl3-QhBm8TYREIG4g/s1600-h/obamabingo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLP4vNiUBs2DgbRKrMu2WX-2H3iLDtPX9vEOzSUjNnh7UaGbhbHinkyKX7qksCxmzCCV-xrOlcj143RVr9IR0FZkPbokE1dr4J1MJPI8z6d9XdNdWjiHTSAl3-QhBm8TYREIG4g/s320/obamabingo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255717988273209538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGU9T8XZF4zFDzRW4SH4VbNcD64HsRNqQPCky5dvMc3n6scFnk3yI6CKqz11B2eJdRXiRFGPTwAm8iW9GcYaNqnB3iEuv_99mJNi0hku-uyk7IQQVqehT_3TfvjGQqnb05rg_HQ/s1600-h/obamabooks.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGU9T8XZF4zFDzRW4SH4VbNcD64HsRNqQPCky5dvMc3n6scFnk3yI6CKqz11B2eJdRXiRFGPTwAm8iW9GcYaNqnB3iEuv_99mJNi0hku-uyk7IQQVqehT_3TfvjGQqnb05rg_HQ/s320/obamabooks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255718257909354866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u4-1seNwXVUmiDX5IZnFGt1QO4UP8NW7yD2HWkUHS6u-5twSCS8GRcdddKNnXLYNtvB3nuU8T8mVysHEdx9fauwiO_DT_QZdk8MEtG4aAnw_gQNTF47mp7n_7QDxnjF5aJbYrQ/s1600-h/obamamohawks.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u4-1seNwXVUmiDX5IZnFGt1QO4UP8NW7yD2HWkUHS6u-5twSCS8GRcdddKNnXLYNtvB3nuU8T8mVysHEdx9fauwiO_DT_QZdk8MEtG4aAnw_gQNTF47mp7n_7QDxnjF5aJbYrQ/s320/obamamohawks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255718783931371618" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />You can even choose to identify yourself by sign:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT0HQ1T84KQFQiUZTCWMUhp2tNJfTiZxyvbf4XXZfTlSaDqR1kcPaGUJ4BP3rAyKKhlekSvnwvonbMf3dfrbU_ui4gmySSuQ-ZGzYElBYO20IYpn6mwqT-Zmxn4ICb4il7WQawQ/s1600-h/obamapices.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT0HQ1T84KQFQiUZTCWMUhp2tNJfTiZxyvbf4XXZfTlSaDqR1kcPaGUJ4BP3rAyKKhlekSvnwvonbMf3dfrbU_ui4gmySSuQ-ZGzYElBYO20IYpn6mwqT-Zmxn4ICb4il7WQawQ/s320/obamapices.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255720144578498018" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />And for those whose votes REALLY count:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ0B4q4qeK-dKhOrhLYxKAw5jnQYxTYiZ14iQfIniER4Te70PZEAe49LOBLEsPIjsfa3lax0ohVvI6xv5YnMVK2a_BpMVKJehLhLLeLuUNdrhCYlYWFQWR2HH-RvzK7eWvZIbGg/s1600-h/obamababies.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ0B4q4qeK-dKhOrhLYxKAw5jnQYxTYiZ14iQfIniER4Te70PZEAe49LOBLEsPIjsfa3lax0ohVvI6xv5YnMVK2a_BpMVKJehLhLLeLuUNdrhCYlYWFQWR2HH-RvzK7eWvZIbGg/s320/obamababies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255720335167970994" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hBpXarFkjv3n0DrPKt8Apq0vv42n4fNmx39d5duJFMMP-Z_1hMqpYdLHdb7dnqzd3mvwua7e4r-ijQjI2xGSbKCmJse-gsi5In_kfs7eyQJfBNn-6FORl-8r-eYJf1TOG5u-Vw/s1600-h/obamaunicorn.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hBpXarFkjv3n0DrPKt8Apq0vv42n4fNmx39d5duJFMMP-Z_1hMqpYdLHdb7dnqzd3mvwua7e4r-ijQjI2xGSbKCmJse-gsi5In_kfs7eyQJfBNn-6FORl-8r-eYJf1TOG5u-Vw/s320/obamaunicorn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255721587651721282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsR5K8yXkj7E8DIAWHwa5tRnvV74_QUMx-BfLTLNjl8Ernnn9LwWmrxRCmd4J8dVxBPT-hI-VQqJxkYMoQE8EpPag2HRajTc2JQTiLz0CRp7_O6E_Wi5iUEdfZlpzfh91KuMkZBA/s1600-h/obamarobots.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsR5K8yXkj7E8DIAWHwa5tRnvV74_QUMx-BfLTLNjl8Ernnn9LwWmrxRCmd4J8dVxBPT-hI-VQqJxkYMoQE8EpPag2HRajTc2JQTiLz0CRp7_O6E_Wi5iUEdfZlpzfh91KuMkZBA/s320/obamarobots.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255721252119709506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3IQx-LI3RhBApYINw3nnc4t0K_zWSfq1RgNkkWKZyIxsnev3hsborwVwEubbYFQ1rNiP0l9OxoMCOHi4pCrDd0TS3gYLYS6IdpW5ON8c6CqJp-9Q8hljKkpL71cTNIS9Htl7_A/s1600-h/obamagnomes.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3IQx-LI3RhBApYINw3nnc4t0K_zWSfq1RgNkkWKZyIxsnev3hsborwVwEubbYFQ1rNiP0l9OxoMCOHi4pCrDd0TS3gYLYS6IdpW5ON8c6CqJp-9Q8hljKkpL71cTNIS9Htl7_A/s320/obamagnomes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255720695264544210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXpN6w3Kl2otssJnOX6SxDNyuLJedeN8Vkd8BLves-hnL3f2DeClEgs73EdTsiUkYVVxpMAjAs8S1d0XkbMHvjSrwtxFi5WkF32Rg52FDm-KiQROH7mqKh0XUTYhxsPv2_tjCuA/s1600-h/obamabanjo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXpN6w3Kl2otssJnOX6SxDNyuLJedeN8Vkd8BLves-hnL3f2DeClEgs73EdTsiUkYVVxpMAjAs8S1d0XkbMHvjSrwtxFi5WkF32Rg52FDm-KiQROH7mqKh0XUTYhxsPv2_tjCuA/s320/obamabanjo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255725798699537858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQR1JL3Uh61fMfJsbr8JEz7uibbs8mrkwbMezu0bfehpOi0nt-txlXAjOfxLrJlIHH6WcdNM5BskVewVyhjTIS0kbAOvkPmg-vFZYVq-8OE_8TxA6SlnKR5xcVhy-OThhyphenhyphenu6Ds8A/s1600-h/obamajack.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQR1JL3Uh61fMfJsbr8JEz7uibbs8mrkwbMezu0bfehpOi0nt-txlXAjOfxLrJlIHH6WcdNM5BskVewVyhjTIS0kbAOvkPmg-vFZYVq-8OE_8TxA6SlnKR5xcVhy-OThhyphenhyphenu6Ds8A/s320/obamajack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255720900069016178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9IBVxuJZYrVgM72BmSThUAHEiEoYT6eOP9z2KX4UxcaTpQ-ODhIpEOOio7c8zPPzr5RFgvhj0o9ZSdYimqvbhl4iQ7dQqc83dJvhSadL55HRZoubvBTbV4gM0BQnmwBYcl8oZw/s1600-h/obamasanta.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9IBVxuJZYrVgM72BmSThUAHEiEoYT6eOP9z2KX4UxcaTpQ-ODhIpEOOio7c8zPPzr5RFgvhj0o9ZSdYimqvbhl4iQ7dQqc83dJvhSadL55HRZoubvBTbV4gM0BQnmwBYcl8oZw/s320/obamasanta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255721396730291698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuh8NYycwepEEY037uJC7Cw80Ac9Zms-l-_OjZgE1xByTP63USKBzRvqHvgeiwROiPEfgndsKO3EhzdHGVvSAPUTAfaYuZjr_qUec6qTVg5emhkUYdLss4oYKt_W0Ri52Dh1QjQ/s1600-h/obamazombies.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuh8NYycwepEEY037uJC7Cw80Ac9Zms-l-_OjZgE1xByTP63USKBzRvqHvgeiwROiPEfgndsKO3EhzdHGVvSAPUTAfaYuZjr_qUec6qTVg5emhkUYdLss4oYKt_W0Ri52Dh1QjQ/s320/obamazombies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255721717507350866" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-37415528366301879512008-09-09T00:23:00.007-05:002010-03-24T15:18:01.732-05:00Teaching the IdealThis is a post that I originally posted in August on another <a href="http://mormonwomenthinking.blogspot.com/2008/08/teaching-ideal.html">blog</a> that I occasionally write on. I have heard several talks since then that have addressed the same issues. Just this past weekend at my parents' stake conference, Elder Marlin K. Jensen reminded those of us listening about the Savior's example as he taught the ideal. Christ said "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48). Our Savior realizes that the only way we can fulfill this commandment is through our constant acceptance of and reliance on the Atonement in our lives. We are not perfect, <span style="font-size:130%;">but the Savior knew of and set an example regarding the importance of <span style="font-size:130%;">teaching the ideal</span></span>. Since my original post on this subject, these ideas have continued to be on my mind. I was hoping for a little more discussion and insight on the topic (I learn so much more when other people share their thoughts with me), so I decided that I would post it here as well. So, here goes...<br /><br /><br />My sister recently pointed me in the direction of a question and <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomRWIpBz3XgXLTCC3X1TFYZg0j92jdENfgKRJ2A_KO5u9RNnHwr7kP_SCpwsEQcIL1c10qI05hNLdbWgiT_ttIp-mZOyUnC8GnbKbwW0SfTaGQTDONq6VROCWTgEAZiwb0qRmqg/s1600-h/juliebeck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomRWIpBz3XgXLTCC3X1TFYZg0j92jdENfgKRJ2A_KO5u9RNnHwr7kP_SCpwsEQcIL1c10qI05hNLdbWgiT_ttIp-mZOyUnC8GnbKbwW0SfTaGQTDONq6VROCWTgEAZiwb0qRmqg/s320/juliebeck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243888148973306434" border="0" /></a>answer session at the BYU law school with <a href="http://www.law2.byu.edu/videos_index/Julie%20Beck%203-7-08.wmv">Sister Julie Beck on March 7, 2008</a>. As a fair warning, the video is pretty long (maybe 40min to an hour), and apparently you can't pause it, so I would make sure you actually have time to sit and watch it. Also, the sound is pretty bad, but if you keep with it until Sister Beck starts talking, you can get used to it; besides, her comments really are worth hearing.<br /><br />In this session, Julie Beck addresses women in the law school at BYU. So, it should come as no surprise that many of the questions they posed to her had to do with working outside the home, careers, the conflict in some Relief Societies between mothers who have chosen to stay at home and mothers who are working or furthering their education, and the conflict some women feel as they strive to follow personal revelation and come up against judgment and criticism in and out of the home and workplace, whether they choose to stay at home or not.<br /><br />There was also, perhaps not surprisingly, mention of the talk Sister Beck gave at General Conference in October of 2007, <a href="http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-27,00.html">"Mothers Who Know"</a>, to which a number of Latter-Day Saint women (and men) reacted defensively. Despite any grumblings some might have initially experienced from that talk, I know in my heart that those words came from the Lord and that any problem I might have with some of those principles is in trying to reconcile the imperfect state of my life with an ideal model. Of course, the problem with this is that no one is perfect, everyone has different circumstances in their lives, and everyone can receive their own personal revelation about these matters from the Lord. <span style="font-size:130%;">Julie Beck knows this</span> - she is not presenting a "cookie cutter model" as my sister points out, along with several other valid points, in her <a href="http://agayleforce.blogspot.com/2007/10/if-i-had-made-it-to-lunch-last-week.html">blog post </a>on the subject. Sister Beck addressed this with the law students as well. In the church, we teach the ideal as something to strive for, to remind us of the things in our lives that are most important and then we let the exceptions follow, because there are many exceptions. Life happens. I have a dear friend who strives continually to be at home with her young son, but the current situations of her life prevent her from doing so. In fact, this is the case pretty much anywhere else in the world. <span style="font-size:130%;">Outside of the US, women work. That is part of life. That doesn't mean that those women no longer have the same responsibility to nurture and raise children in</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Christ.</span> One of the points about this that Sister Beck brings up and is absolutely true is that <span style="font-size:180%;">no one can fulfill the role to have, raise and</span><span style="font-size:180%;"> nurture our own children except for us. We cannot delegate it to someone else. </span><br /><br />Sister Beck has mentioned this <a href="http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,538-1-4430-1,00.html">before</a> in an address to young single adults:<br /><br />"Some of you women are deciding now whether you should marry and have a family or choose a career. You are bright and qualified, and you have opportunities your grandmothers never dreamed of. The possibilities for earning credentials and making a mark for yourselves on the world stage have never been greater. But I hope you are making your decisions with the blessings of Abraham in mind. <span style="font-size:130%;">Latter-day Saint women should understand that no matter how many other people they enlist to help them with their home and children, they cannot delegate their role as the primary nurturer and teacher of their families. </span>Righteous motherhood will always stretch every reserve they have to meet the needs of their families. As a daughter of God who has made covenants with Him, each of you carries the vital and indispensable female half of the responsibility for fulfilling the Lord’s plan. Each of you has the agency to prayerfully and humbly choose how to approach your career opportunities. Every choice has a consequence. <span style="font-size:130%;">You cannot have everything and do everything. You must choose with eternal priorities in mind.</span> I would hope that you will understand that there are no glamorous careers. Every form of employment has its own innate challenges. Many choices available in the world today compete with eternal goals and responsibilities. Many choices could persuade you to delay or limit the number of children you invite into your family. Many choices could rob you of critical time and energy necessary to adequately care for your spouse, your children, and your responsibilities in the Lord’s kingdom. These decisions are between you and the Lord. He knows the desires of your heart and your unique situation."<br /><br />So, we teach the ideal. This is very apparent if you think about the other principles we are taught in the church. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2EnPe6jGiWriupbPCEtiq9gMAq3Yqe6Z4mNEFrdbsPenxVJxvfdN48qahLlXBkYvlEd80sjXRZRCP_QSOKrktnl1gwxVm4qGujc8lQo456W1_QKV5hOEMVkfe78zHz1XtdDSRA/s1600-h/Bible+book+of+Mormon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2EnPe6jGiWriupbPCEtiq9gMAq3Yqe6Z4mNEFrdbsPenxVJxvfdN48qahLlXBkYvlEd80sjXRZRCP_QSOKrktnl1gwxVm4qGujc8lQo456W1_QKV5hOEMVkfe78zHz1XtdDSRA/s320/Bible+book+of+Mormon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230732669213355890" border="0" /></a>Take for example, reading your scriptures daily. Now, in a perfect world we would all study intently every day from our scriptures without interruptions in a nice, quiet area of the house where we could pray and ponder on the deep doctrines therein. We would have family scripture study where all the little children sit and listen and participate in heartfelt, spiritual discussion (no matter their age) and everyone feels the spirit and testifies to each other about how wonderful the scriptures are. Well, this is just not reality most of the time! Most children will not thank their parents for continuing to persevere with scripture study until they are much older - when they are young, they just don't generally express those kinds of feelings. "Ah, mom, do we have to? Can't we skip it just for today?" might be closer to a typical response. I have a 17 month old son and the only way I get my scripture study in every day is to do it in the morning (because if I wait I get busy and then I get tired and then I fall asleep in the middle of the second verse I read). Well, my husband leaves for work early and so my scripture study usually consists of reading over breakfast while my little one throws his food on the floor, whines for my attention, or crawls all over me. I would have to say, that I absolutely love when he tries to imitate me by marking my scriptures for me. What a doll! If you have any fantasies about family scripture study, I would invite you to watch this <a href="http://fitforthekingdom.byu.edu/?page=watch&piece=scriptures">video</a> (this entire collection of documentaries from <span style="font-style: italic;">Fit for the Kingdom</span> is wonderful because it brings the reality of everyday life as a member of the church to the fore while building testimony - none of us are alone in our struggles, even if we feel like we are). So does the reality of scripture study mean we shouldn't strive for the ideal, or the better part? Of course not! We consistently strive for the Spirit to be there in our scripture study because we are taught the ideal and we know of its importance, but that does not negate or belittle the actual experiences we have while studying the scriptures on a regular basis while we have kids running and screaming through the house, or are constantly interrupted.<br /><br />Okay, so perhaps that seems a little off topic, but the truth of the matter is that <span style="font-size:180%;">we teach the</span> <span style="font-size:180%;">ideal to strengthen us in remembering the things in this life that are of the most worth, that are truly important in the eternal scheme of things.</span> I know that I am doing what the Lord wants me to do by pursuing my PhD. Do I completely understand why? Not really. Do I sometime feel guilty for enjoying myself at school? Sometimes, perhaps, but that is my own weakness, and I get to have faith that the Lord will make a way for me to go to school and to fulfill my responsibilities as a wife and mother. I often realize that it is okay to enjoy myself in my scholarly endeavors. In fact, it makes me better at them! At the same time, I know without a doubt that the absolutely most important thing in my life is my family and I am constantly on guard against the things in my life that pull me away from my husband, child and home. Is my house always clean and optimally inviting to the Spirit of the Lord? Hmm... no, no it is not. But does that mean that I should worry about justifying why my house is not "perfect", cease to consistently strive to make my home a place where the Spirit can dwell, and cease to do the best I can to create a spiritual haven for my family? Of course not. Why is it that we women consistently put down the work that we do in our homes that brings the Spirit, feeds and clothes our children, and makes our homes a place where we can truly and lovingly teach the gospel of Jesus Christ by example to those who are most dear to us?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KoFdZsDYzLvOOgWVN348MEW-mFmvsKyoGhxiFL-Ftvf7q55BGeREE14vRpoYzVVy4n07ahNPuL7fSQP78JY7TkFOTN6i7cPShSPtHNqDi_cMgm2llsFxXnTMI3JE2m7usFGujw/s1600-h/IMG_1048.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KoFdZsDYzLvOOgWVN348MEW-mFmvsKyoGhxiFL-Ftvf7q55BGeREE14vRpoYzVVy4n07ahNPuL7fSQP78JY7TkFOTN6i7cPShSPtHNqDi_cMgm2llsFxXnTMI3JE2m7usFGujw/s320/IMG_1048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230725723552373090" border="0" /></a>So we get to the heart of the matter. <span style="font-size:180%;">Whether or not we work outside of our homes, the most important things we do are within those walls</span> (take, for example, the little angel above). <span style="font-size:130%;">Sister Beck is absolutely right when she says that no matter what your choices, there is never enough woman to go around. </span>And she has been there! She is an educated, professional woman too! She has stayed at home and she has worked outside of it. As have many of the women on the General Relief Society Board. Where did I, or anyone else for that matter (perhaps it is just me), ever get the idea that women in the General Presidencies are the perfect homemakers who never work, keep their homes tidy at all times, serve in every possible capacity, are always immediately there for their children, husbands, parents, neighbors, friends, strangers? Where did I get the idea that they are perfect? Hello! None of us are. There is the ideal in the principles we are taught, and then there is how we live our lives to the best of our ability in the face of the experiences that naturally are a part of this mortal existence. As Sister Beck mentioned at the law school, we should take each opportunity into account as it comes along into our lives, prayerfully consider our choices, and choose day to day with our eternal perspective in mind.<br /><br />Okay, so there is so much more I could say, but I am going to stop there.<br /><br />**As a side note, I have recently discovered that humming the theme song to<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQNyMex7u3SrJYSuZagPRnQKy_tL9jjCF2KKl7URO-FpDTukpyN_JjEtOU-9QWe0ltNzKVp762cWkIOX3-7VRflqYayLb1HhrhybXkBITcK3JbMk74oKNmk2AJD67QmG5IRCsDQ/s1600-h/toilet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQNyMex7u3SrJYSuZagPRnQKy_tL9jjCF2KKl7URO-FpDTukpyN_JjEtOU-9QWe0ltNzKVp762cWkIOX3-7VRflqYayLb1HhrhybXkBITcK3JbMk74oKNmk2AJD67QmG5IRCsDQ/s320/toilet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230727461085789874" border="0" /></a> Indiana Jones really does make cleaning the bathroom way more fun - don't believe me? You try it and see how long you can go without feeling incredibly adventurous or laughing hysterically! Never underestimate the power of music. :) "Dun da dun dunnnn, dun da dunnnnnn, dun da dun dunnnnnnnnn, dun da dun dun dun! Dun da dun dunnnnnn, dun da dunnnnnnnn, dun da daaaa da da daaaaa da da daaaa da da daaaaaaa dun da dunnnnn."Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-45986526124870449722008-09-08T17:41:00.007-05:002010-03-24T15:17:14.354-05:00The Twilight Series<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcbv-nQfLR0-vZnhi15JNCPJyEn5id1k0I04En0mGwbibNzzdS3LDUP9fbW70fosnL4B6Et_bDbXiJDb7VIkXj9cnH-fN0aqCLWsbekPHBTlmAQquuTK5jojzduNlxzjH7lWXKg/s1600-h/twilight_book_cover.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcbv-nQfLR0-vZnhi15JNCPJyEn5id1k0I04En0mGwbibNzzdS3LDUP9fbW70fosnL4B6Et_bDbXiJDb7VIkXj9cnH-fN0aqCLWsbekPHBTlmAQquuTK5jojzduNlxzjH7lWXKg/s320/twilight_book_cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243785051994577474" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCqlyhotPR_vdG1KiP5A3mS8STsa4q2h8ud8d2693-9gSBVGXsU3la1I0tJ1O8-2KMex4DJ2cN5hncB64DcnQaH4rr9chJgQbc6qe8hSnO2DhR_9NIuOamkaxokrgh2Vl2ovI0Q/s1600-h/newmooncover.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCqlyhotPR_vdG1KiP5A3mS8STsa4q2h8ud8d2693-9gSBVGXsU3la1I0tJ1O8-2KMex4DJ2cN5hncB64DcnQaH4rr9chJgQbc6qe8hSnO2DhR_9NIuOamkaxokrgh2Vl2ovI0Q/s320/newmooncover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243785156349815186" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8OsQY7ZhpSAao6BM5Yb6ExydTfn1UUDXR8J96rHOM8gMBKbMGJrSaw6YOVa5ti11F5vbnUx8pXg8cTjY_lqTOvBSxcAtShwMI3VXpyJDSVKa2nJpCiDeCIs6A9_b_nLpvPiGcw/s1600-h/200px-Eclipsecover.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8OsQY7ZhpSAao6BM5Yb6ExydTfn1UUDXR8J96rHOM8gMBKbMGJrSaw6YOVa5ti11F5vbnUx8pXg8cTjY_lqTOvBSxcAtShwMI3VXpyJDSVKa2nJpCiDeCIs6A9_b_nLpvPiGcw/s320/200px-Eclipsecover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243784787061914162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7j6edSfIMz27eiuqtDAv8xv1od33pu338IttpJT_HtspIkFFsL-XEuj9Clr_WvXOqmy4LaxN9dv-YmTEHEvA04yL0Ob7U4UpAf4e9JznnSHMgE5eY5pWBRA-3WKY7FSFRJzrYzQ/s1600-h/breaking-dawn-cover1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7j6edSfIMz27eiuqtDAv8xv1od33pu338IttpJT_HtspIkFFsL-XEuj9Clr_WvXOqmy4LaxN9dv-YmTEHEvA04yL0Ob7U4UpAf4e9JznnSHMgE5eY5pWBRA-3WKY7FSFRJzrYzQ/s320/breaking-dawn-cover1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243784727974151362" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Well, after hearing so much about the <span style="font-style: italic;">Twilight </span>Series, as well as attending a <span style="font-style: italic;">Twilight </span>party without ever having read the books, I decided that I was going to form my own opinion by breaking down to see what everyone is talking about. Besides, a good friend of mine gave me a <span style="font-style: italic;">Twilight </span>visor that she embroidered and that I love wearing. If I'm going to be wearing an item of <span style="font-style: italic;">Twilight </span>publicity, I figure I really should read it first. I should be clear that I had heard wonderful things about <span>the </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Twilight</span> books, as well as horrible things, as well as opinions that hung out somewhere in the middle, so I felt that the whole reading experience could go in any direction. In the end, there were things I really liked and didn't like, but on the whole I liked the story. For one, it was nice to take a break from the reading to which I am accustomed (being in graduate school) to read something light, quick, and entertaining. Besides, I am a sucker for a love story and I do enjoy a variety of novels for young readers. Most of all, I think that this book appealed to the somewhat twisted fantasies of my Dracula-loving teenage years when I used to think that it would be so cool to fall in love with a vampire (and even cooler to be a vampire and spend eternity with said vampire). Then there's just the idea that everything that we do, no matter our nature/deepest desires, is a choice. That was one thing I really liked about the books. That no matter how much someone may desire (even overwhelmingly) to do something he or she feels is wrong, even when he or she feels that something is an intrinsic part of his or her essential nature, that someone can always choose something different, something better, and the rewards of the better choice long outlast and are far more rewarding than the temporary satisfaction of giving in.<br /><br />That being said, at times I didn't feel that the writing itself was very good; there were a lot of pretty cheesy moments and some parts of the story kind of dropped off by the end into no man's land. There were also some quite macabre and disturbing parts to the storyline, and some of the story/characters were just downright irritable. Yet, I couldn't put the books down, so there you have it. I actually got very wrapped up in it, feeling like I was there in Forks sharing Bella's experiences. I really liked the fact that Meyer leaves a lot to your imagination, giving you just enough description to get you going on your own mental picture of the events. Plus, the story is very relatable. There were so many times when I thought, "Gee, I've felt exactly like that before," and I feel that to have that effect when you're writing about vampires, werewolves and things that go bump in the night is a pretty good sign that you're doing something right.<br /><br />The relationship between human and vampire I pondered over a lot because it is pretty messed up and downright unhealthy if you think about it; he wants to kill her, but loves her, she only sees the good in him and wants to be with him forever, despite the whole thing about him wanting to kill her all the time. Still, I was cheering for them to end up together from the beginning. Meyer made immortality just way too desirable. I wouldn't mind being a vampire myself at this point. I mean, who doesn't want to look like a supermodel while also being able to leap over rivers, bound through the forest and have superhuman strength? Of course, the whole blood drinking thing kind of spoils the perks to some extent. So, there you have it. I truly can see why some of the people who really didn't like it feel the way they do, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It was entertaining and Meyer was able to redeem some of the more disappointing aspects of the story by the end.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-31534798906833690822008-08-15T20:38:00.008-05:002010-03-24T15:17:14.354-05:00The Picture of Dorian Gray<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpltLe5n1TTAKmpq8dI51OYX9CjcBVJyhIdOZuThly01emdHQdXtygOklRtVsgTEGYi_wkFdoK9OH4iIJcsNq3cH6HPqcdaEl8QTA_rcyKcXUZM25txq4oZrvbLuqt9IPgwdv92A/s1600-h/dorian.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpltLe5n1TTAKmpq8dI51OYX9CjcBVJyhIdOZuThly01emdHQdXtygOklRtVsgTEGYi_wkFdoK9OH4iIJcsNq3cH6HPqcdaEl8QTA_rcyKcXUZM25txq4oZrvbLuqt9IPgwdv92A/s320/dorian.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237441248433632642" border="0" /></a>Considering the name of my blog, I feel it is only appropriate that I include a book once in awhile. Hooray for the first.<br /><br />For years I have said that <span style="font-style: italic;">The Picture of Dorian Gray</span> is one of my favorite books, but I hadn't read it in about 10 years until this month. Luckily, book group decided they wanted to read it too, which gave me an excellent excuse to sit down and decide why it was that I liked this book so much in the first place. Now there are a number of things that people could point out as reasons not to like it, including the incredibly slow beginning, quite disturbing descriptions of opium dens and some homosexual overtones (Oscar Wilde was gay, so this should, to some extent, come as no surprise), but once I got past the first 40 or so pages, I began to remember why I picked this book as one of my favorites early on. In fact, I could hardly put it down. For book group, this is a great choice because it stimulates so much discussion. For me personally, the mere fact that it gets me thinking about agency, redemption, the plan of salvation, and other important aspects of the gospel of Jesus Christ is enough to make it a great read in my book. I think the thing about the story that is the most poignant for me is how we choose our own destiny, and how the choices that we make ultimately determine our character, so much so that after numerous choices in one direction or another it becomes increasingly more difficult to choose those things which have at that moment become contrary to our very nature. How do we react when confronted with truth about ourselves? Are we defensive? Do we justify our actions? Which voices of influence do we heed? Do we allow ourselves to shrug off our sins? Or do we face them, realizing what we've done and being accountable for our actions? Do we know from what source our redemption comes? And then, of course, one may ask the question, what would my portrait look like? If I could see the state of my own soul before my eyes as clear as day, with my sins etched across my face and hands, what would I see? Alas the very sad thing about this book is how redemption is passed up again and again... but you may just have to read it to find out more than that. I love the scripture given in part by Basil, the artist of the portrait: <span style="font-size:130%;">"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." ~Isaiah 1:18<span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-19937119787387932612008-08-04T21:05:00.008-05:002010-03-24T15:19:11.581-05:00Fun with Thunder and Lightning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHRk2edf6WDuFKeCbEXyQX0NPahOrtm0IJ-l3ZBR2hERZ397MROmyu3iACvQpN4IJSbIzXjkVWVyPdZWhl87Exq8U8S_K2q384lvkd6hE4OGApz8pbhRctgPYPGqK7JAuYoBpmw/s1600-h/storm1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHRk2edf6WDuFKeCbEXyQX0NPahOrtm0IJ-l3ZBR2hERZ397MROmyu3iACvQpN4IJSbIzXjkVWVyPdZWhl87Exq8U8S_K2q384lvkd6hE4OGApz8pbhRctgPYPGqK7JAuYoBpmw/s400/storm1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230865649976456418" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br />So, this is the storm that just went by. It was pretty intense. I haven't been that concerned about weather since one particular storm on my mission when my companion and I got stuck in the rain in the city with green skies, wind, lightning and rain. We decided it was best to go home for the evening and wait out the storm, but it took us quite a while to get home as moving about in the storm was really difficult. We finally ended up watching more of the lightning from our apartment when we got back and tried in vain to take several pictures. It was the kind of lightning that just reaches all the way across the sky.<br /><br />Anyway, I mostly just wanted to show the radar and record the moment since it was Hunter's first really nasty storm. I mean we have thunderstorms here all the time and they turn on the tornado sirens occasionally, but this was the first time it actually felt dangerous. They had the tornado sirens on all around us, even in downtown, which rarely happens, and there were apparently tornadoes on the ground west of us heading east. It was a very fast moving storm, so we went downstairs to hang out with our friends the Olivers for a bit while it blew through. The weather changed incredibly fast from pretty peaceful to so windy and rainy you could hardly see the street. The lightning show that this thing put on was unbelievable. It reminded me of being a kid and watching electrical storms through the sliding glass doors at our house in Oklahoma City.<br /><br />I love watching lightning, so after the major threat passed, we watched from our living room in awe and tried to teach Hunter the signs for lightning and thunder since we had him out of bed anyway. He loved watching the lights and kept saying "Wow!" Wow indeed. Well, it was brief and it has now moved south and east of us and it continues to grow, which I'm sure means that we will be hearing bad news in the morning about what it might have left in its wake. Here is a video of Hunter watching the lightning with mommy after we had come back upstairs. It is mostly dark, except for the lightning, but there is a really amazing lightning strike right in the middle of it, and of course, Hunter is being his cute little self - not scared at all, just taking it all in.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzyHUYQQwobzQY36bHGqjisPrvYkQH4dBC2nL2LJU9KHxj0M62foJOhyFdgtolcRQAU0T2nsQNRYw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />Alright, so it is now Tuesday, August 5th, and I decided to post some photos of the storm, which were sent in to the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/weather/chi-storm-ugcpg,0,3524130.ugcphotogallery">Chicago Tribune</a> from Chicagoland residents.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0pBzW5QIBuMYaiylIw1btW0DhN2kJQHV2VYWCe4peC-9B3kU7xvgJ3fnIJEIiI9ky8L7KoyUv3xARPx39drI98mf-s7ZYzfGnN0i3sQHIvmYUAhNuiOVvWZoPqPy8XEgQ8r4yA/s1600-h/storm+b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0pBzW5QIBuMYaiylIw1btW0DhN2kJQHV2VYWCe4peC-9B3kU7xvgJ3fnIJEIiI9ky8L7KoyUv3xARPx39drI98mf-s7ZYzfGnN0i3sQHIvmYUAhNuiOVvWZoPqPy8XEgQ8r4yA/s320/storm+b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231141146942345778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8WNOl-JCnFcm7ZrwS6W6HYMpLxQfFUd_XkkPU3JDrZkUcaH__SkJJM_gSJRGSsMPWWZjaq7tlviFtqoAL0wDD5cnMGsM5mmbIeeDy60hAFCz1riDeooGokEy6eZhSX7cArvK2A/s1600-h/storm+c.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8WNOl-JCnFcm7ZrwS6W6HYMpLxQfFUd_XkkPU3JDrZkUcaH__SkJJM_gSJRGSsMPWWZjaq7tlviFtqoAL0wDD5cnMGsM5mmbIeeDy60hAFCz1riDeooGokEy6eZhSX7cArvK2A/s320/storm+c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231141150473864162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBlfshYledO3WNFNtRp1St2XHDfaZBxUD8m5PSabt8FEybzp3v07wCPds9I7DZUSYLtPqWrq4WqrGCEWMPJILxCbWetieGYOtKn_4JZoWI-Tq4T9P2G9h7A3nnWIeeA6WdTZ4_A/s1600-h/storm+i.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 438px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBlfshYledO3WNFNtRp1St2XHDfaZBxUD8m5PSabt8FEybzp3v07wCPds9I7DZUSYLtPqWrq4WqrGCEWMPJILxCbWetieGYOtKn_4JZoWI-Tq4T9P2G9h7A3nnWIeeA6WdTZ4_A/s320/storm+i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231142163324677410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSe02nWGBKNtwLkFBY-cIem6ul-vgIfu29Ly6K-aNeKJaXczohyphenhyphenMCbTZpjqQhQZdAQqKZdMc6O7ZyVdg_pi4rVEi4c0wvUAVB8sVQXWGsbDO8OGS93AXuvG7_57SiOqVQTrLZWIg/s1600-h/storm+j.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSe02nWGBKNtwLkFBY-cIem6ul-vgIfu29Ly6K-aNeKJaXczohyphenhyphenMCbTZpjqQhQZdAQqKZdMc6O7ZyVdg_pi4rVEi4c0wvUAVB8sVQXWGsbDO8OGS93AXuvG7_57SiOqVQTrLZWIg/s320/storm+j.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231142164118036722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWt47LQD6nGeuLrkOjtx16h0UHotIhXMKIwPCZ-qd17j-Rgah7yvqqRRGBrQrAGIxtNzKTBOFbFCuDUbWNC92A-jdEfh_7aG5iKL6E-Wu8S6hW8Lx1VrNK3VFKJwgotrSlopo_Q/s1600-h/storm+h.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 469px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWt47LQD6nGeuLrkOjtx16h0UHotIhXMKIwPCZ-qd17j-Rgah7yvqqRRGBrQrAGIxtNzKTBOFbFCuDUbWNC92A-jdEfh_7aG5iKL6E-Wu8S6hW8Lx1VrNK3VFKJwgotrSlopo_Q/s320/storm+h.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231142160699221442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMX6TcEkI0MFPaPHXfTu7T7OAedjCZm8NSNRw54PufxFR1ztQtyPW3x3k8PlJRwvEgLW0saJ276nNVp9oLVYb6NufTq-jL_MDy6W4feZp2pTWpG8jdjsob-xdajuBl9zmcBL5Zg/s1600-h/storm+a.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMX6TcEkI0MFPaPHXfTu7T7OAedjCZm8NSNRw54PufxFR1ztQtyPW3x3k8PlJRwvEgLW0saJ276nNVp9oLVYb6NufTq-jL_MDy6W4feZp2pTWpG8jdjsob-xdajuBl9zmcBL5Zg/s320/storm+a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231141145629754866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qh9ezSp8gp9QaZ72GM6rv3H10EewgkfGNjzf7qWFd3ch0WbocakB0VHhqeAZfF29-Clek_rM4RRmCqz0euwOY-vMrdiBKXGla-MMxkHG8ccEiHXKyfecm_5ZOKOzSRso0niJVA/s1600-h/storm+g.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qh9ezSp8gp9QaZ72GM6rv3H10EewgkfGNjzf7qWFd3ch0WbocakB0VHhqeAZfF29-Clek_rM4RRmCqz0euwOY-vMrdiBKXGla-MMxkHG8ccEiHXKyfecm_5ZOKOzSRso0niJVA/s320/storm+g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231141158871524690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SxR9f-ab_VMs9dc3qap7ORxwZbJGaHbD-d96-JgxyA9YQq9JxZ50G3EbYbaBxmL8HDEyugZtxdb9OWUd_44eofmJPyaRG_G6EDAj6lqvSgdZw1DZ-tLBQLFhOrEUYUFBSHHHkQ/s1600-h/storm+m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SxR9f-ab_VMs9dc3qap7ORxwZbJGaHbD-d96-JgxyA9YQq9JxZ50G3EbYbaBxmL8HDEyugZtxdb9OWUd_44eofmJPyaRG_G6EDAj6lqvSgdZw1DZ-tLBQLFhOrEUYUFBSHHHkQ/s320/storm+m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231142241538948978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">If you'd like to see some more really good photos that I couldn't import, go to <a href="http://www.nbc5.com/slideshow/17096304/detail.htmlindex.html?currentSlide=2&taf=chi">NBC 5 News Chicago</a>. Tornadoes were confirmed in last night's storm, and there was quite a bit of damage. Lots and lots of trees were downed all over the city, including in our neighborhood and water leaked into part of the stairwell of the Oriental Institute, resulting in a good sized hole and lots of water on the main stairway.<br /></div></div><br /></div>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-11154334499075196272008-07-07T08:44:00.002-05:002010-03-24T15:18:01.732-05:00The 1978 Revelation on the PriesthoodJune 8th, 2008 was the 30th anniversary of the revelation extending the priesthood to every worthy male member of the church. As part of the commemoration, the church showed this video, parts of which were filmed in my ward in Hyde Park, Chicago, IL (If you watch, you'll see Hunter and me in it). Cathy Stokes is featured prominently in the video. She was a member of our ward until she moved to Salt Lake City to work with the church on Family History, and she was the best ward music coordinator/conductor that I have ever seen. She would always have us sing with gusto (all the verses of course)! I looked forward to it every week and it reminded me why we sing the hymns in the first place. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to live where I do, to experience a small part of the infinite diversity among our Heavenly Father's children and to feel the immense amount of love he has for all of us. I am blessed to know and love the saints here in Chicago and to see them enjoying the blessings of the priesthood in their lives. I know that I am infinitely grateful for the blessings the Priesthood has brought into my life. So, without further ado:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/13uvDGlcQ8o"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/13uvDGlcQ8o" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-6596348472729252752008-06-26T21:02:00.014-05:002010-03-24T15:19:11.582-05:00A Monkey in the FamilyI have gotten so tired of people asking: "So Hunter's walking now?" "Is he walking yet?" "He <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> walking isn't he?"<br /><br />No! No, he's not walking! And that is perfectly okay. I rather enjoy not having to chase him all over the place yet (Although, as the title to this post may suggest, I think my days of not having to worry about that may be ending in an unexpected way). Keeping up with his super crawler speed is perfectly alright with me. At first when people started asking, I started to worry that there was something actually wrong, especially since some people followed up my reply with a "Really?! Huh, well, hopefully everything's okay..." (give me a break here - I'm pretty laid back for the most part, but sometimes that nervous first time mother takes over). Then I realized that he really just has no interest in it. He can do it - he's done it essentially on his own already several times (he likes to hold my pant leg or finger, but he's really doing all the work). But, for the most part, he is just content to transport himself around in other ways. For instance, he's what I call a <span style="font-size:130%;">"knee-walker"</span>, and the way he looks when he's doing it reminds me of Johnny 5 (I realize I may be dating myself here) or Wall-E in that new Pixar movie.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbVKN5c85qbgOLlEobGStBEQ7ytv7pt_vgMrCNhvjyUrUhyphenhyphenZvms0levYv3YYP8DylNcikHGVuTrRnLT1JwodGjJ2coH2QWu0Vao16yebkrXGdaBvQcCY95b2cAgJrxug76JCq-w/s1600-h/Johnny5.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbVKN5c85qbgOLlEobGStBEQ7ytv7pt_vgMrCNhvjyUrUhyphenhyphenZvms0levYv3YYP8DylNcikHGVuTrRnLT1JwodGjJ2coH2QWu0Vao16yebkrXGdaBvQcCY95b2cAgJrxug76JCq-w/s320/Johnny5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216394794897427954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWgY5obXt5QwKPeAyy09f2GU4grpJCytxs0iHNtJppgVlUtVI3YxGnDPJGsP2FSl1eFMjpeLJcrqW-tQvRv0XNdkUDyhT5PfMFdr_e53N-TldgtQGtJ4y1tI3lpxhdnlDZzxZcA/s1600-h/wall-e.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWgY5obXt5QwKPeAyy09f2GU4grpJCytxs0iHNtJppgVlUtVI3YxGnDPJGsP2FSl1eFMjpeLJcrqW-tQvRv0XNdkUDyhT5PfMFdr_e53N-TldgtQGtJ4y1tI3lpxhdnlDZzxZcA/s320/wall-e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216394870589993970" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK64jYsUj8y-18BZ-iNPge52ciislQQk1qhO8QY_CjvgS38bO1ZGoBBmEwH5YuQYjAVfPtyJuOzAQuLmaK0nEyxuvPiYX5xl7q1oEb2skgrAJyASKUhPf0Pbp_2-o-HjtE-UC6nQ/s1600-h/IMG_0957.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK64jYsUj8y-18BZ-iNPge52ciislQQk1qhO8QY_CjvgS38bO1ZGoBBmEwH5YuQYjAVfPtyJuOzAQuLmaK0nEyxuvPiYX5xl7q1oEb2skgrAJyASKUhPf0Pbp_2-o-HjtE-UC6nQ/s320/IMG_0957.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216382776041882434" border="0" /></a><br />I mean, look at this photo and tell me you don't see the similarity (granted, those robots have nothing on my cute little man's adorableness!):<br /><br />He will sit on his knees, just like this all the time, and then, when he wants to go somewhere, he just starts walking along on his knees, just like that. Look ma! No hands! It has to be one of the cutest things I have ever seen. I figured that when he wanted to carry things with him like his milk or the telephone, he would learn to walk, but knee-walking gives him the use of his hands and fulfills his need to carry something and move at the same time. Overall it seems to be a very useful form of transportation for him. Needless to say, I am relieved it is summertime since he had just worn out the knees in the only pair of jeans I had for him, and was working on holes in most of his other pants.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBOYTWQGrjt9H4NJNMxhV6HaQfCmsya0ywfbFGiGs9B436XKUuZ1Tp9sw6kgbUkEBv0MzCeGlrWZ4GIvHlM2poXKX6y7vAVNotdyqSfAZ5lvKE26AA4Dr31hQKONlcQJswRMsDQ/s1600-h/IMG_0998.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBOYTWQGrjt9H4NJNMxhV6HaQfCmsya0ywfbFGiGs9B436XKUuZ1Tp9sw6kgbUkEBv0MzCeGlrWZ4GIvHlM2poXKX6y7vAVNotdyqSfAZ5lvKE26AA4Dr31hQKONlcQJswRMsDQ/s320/IMG_0998.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216384653089427410" border="0" /></a>Well, speaking of getting around he also likes to climb... <span style="font-size:130%;">and climb</span>... <span style="font-size:180%;">and climb</span>. I thought this was incredibly fun and exciting when he first learned to get up on the couch and the ottoman all by himself. See, here he is on the couch enjoying his other favorite pastime, talking on the phone (and while we're on the subject, he really does <span style="font-style: italic;">talk</span> by the way - most of the time it sounds like he is saying "hi", "wow" and "pickle" intermixed with goos, gaas and raspberries. His expressions are great too - he looks so serious when he's listening!).<br /><br />Anyway, as I said before, I thought the climbing was adorable at first. That was until I realized that Hunter really does <span style="font-size:180%;">love to climb </span>- <span style="font-size:130%;">as high as he can go</span>. His amazing flexibility, nimble little body and incredible strength are incredibly useful to him in his climbing endeavors. Sometimes I really do believe that he is made of rubber. Here is one of his new climbing places:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dJdAoK-oGjGKADTfFkay8j9UUOwFhNTMfrMVfDKR3ZfLVRpsVcalRnKuj3Y1cqgiYPOyubyFgMMhNSVjB2J1nfEo1G0IcnP7Gs_b8-QmTy_Xanuv17HJmtmgOPW6nbjHJC4Brw/s1600-h/IMG_1015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dJdAoK-oGjGKADTfFkay8j9UUOwFhNTMfrMVfDKR3ZfLVRpsVcalRnKuj3Y1cqgiYPOyubyFgMMhNSVjB2J1nfEo1G0IcnP7Gs_b8-QmTy_Xanuv17HJmtmgOPW6nbjHJC4Brw/s320/IMG_1015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216654889042972162" border="0" /></a><br />He stood up there for about six or seven minutes before attempting to get up onto the very top of the armchair, which I wasn't about to allow. I mean, the armchair rocks for goodness sake! Does that deter him - hmm... no, no it does not. Well, today being the first day that he actually climbed up on my desk all by himself, I felt I should write about the moment. Not only did he get up on the desk by himself, but he quickly headed for the bookcase on my desk as if he was going to figure out a way to get up that too. This development takes me into a whole new realm of baby proofing. I'm not even quite sure what the next steps should be. Of course, now that he knows he can climb up to high places, that is pretty much all he wants to do. <span style="font-size:130%;">Who needs to walk when you can climb?!</span> I think all those bananas are nourishing my little guy's inner monkey.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21229403.post-11333137351613733082008-05-25T22:08:00.002-05:002010-03-24T15:19:29.973-05:00We are meant to shine...I love this quote and I wanted to share it. I don't want to expound too much on it and ruin any thoughts others reading it might have. I'll just say that I feel we too often fail to see the divinity in ourselves and in others. I read this and I think of Matthew 5:16 - "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Imagine what the world could be if we all chose to radiate the Light of Christ that is in us.<br /><br />"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are <span style="font-size:130%;">powerful beyond measure</span>. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' <span style="font-size:130%;">Actually, who are you not to be?</span> <span style="font-size:180%;">You are a child of God. </span>Your playing small <span style="font-size:130%;">does not serve the world</span>. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. <span style="font-size:130%;">We are all meant to shine, as children do. </span><span style="font-size:180%;">We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. </span>It's not just in some of us; <span style="font-size:180%;">it's in everyone</span>. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."<br />~ Marianne Williamson<br /> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/17297.Marianne_Williamson" class="authorNameRegular" title="view all quotes by Marianne Williamson"></a>Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11956057374366593781noreply@blogger.com0