Stoked to hang out with this lady tonight!

Steph (a.k.a. Tepo =) and I first met around a camp fire about 4 or 5 years ago... but we only became good friends about a year and half ago. At the time, we were in the same home group and both leaders in the youth group. Though things have shifted, we're still getting to know and appreciate one another more! We have a very special relationship. Special. Who else would give me a Woody lego for my birthday? Or a ring-pop to celebrate the royal wedding with? Who else freaks out with me over our countdown to the trailer of the Hobbit? She is one of a few who knows how to communicate in my other language--movie quotes. A few weeks ago, we got to enjoy one of my favorite things together--the Future of Forestry Advent Concert =) And best yet, she's now my neighbor!!

Well, looking forward to an amazing night tonight... but here's to many more years of friendships filled with midnight showings, animated films, concerts, baseball games, and, of course, legos! =)

Its a joy to be friends with you, Steph!

Four full days of break

      + Two books read

HAPPINESS!!!

done.

Working on the last paper of the quarter. I'm hoping to have it done by tonight.
Can't really complain though, when I get to write on incredible books like Jane Eyre =)

Here's to one more paper and one more day till Christmastide!

boo!

My professor for English honors next quarter just emailed to say we need to read the 500 pg. D. H. Lawrence novel by our first day of class Jan. 5 =(
I had a beautiful list of happy, wonderful books to read. D. H. Lawrence? Over Christmas Break?? I don't think so. Oh shoot. I guess it will be good to get it out of the way =/

Cannot wait for Christmas Break!!

My book list is piling up and I am so anxious to read them:

I just ordered Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber. I've had 3 different people recommend this book--totally unconnected. Its the true story of an American girl who went to Oxford to study English Lit for grad school, falls in love with Oxford and falls in love with the Lord. I'm stoked! I'm going to have to resist reading this when it arrives.

Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Just saw the trailer for this and knew that I needed to read these books. I showed my older brother yesterday and today, he ordered the whole trilogy. So it looks like we'll be sharing these and I cannot wait. The series was partially inspired by the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur and there are several other Greco-Roman influences, not to mention a compelling story.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

This has been on my list for months... finally time to get to it.



Clarissa by Samuel Richardson

Trying to get ahead on next quarter.

This is only after I finish Hard Times, The Gangster We're All Looking For, A Gesture Life, Bacchae, and The Frogs... plus 3 papers. No big. Haha... I just can't wait to read these others =)

Yes I did stay in my pjs all. day. long.

So, I finished Jane Eyre today. It is such a sad yet beautiful story!

At one point, faced with a heart-wrenching decision to break her principles for the man she loves, she responds:

“I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane and not mad-as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth-so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane-quite insane: with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count its throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot.”

Ah so beautiful! I read this particular part last night at 1 AM and just broke down sobbing. I want to be like that! To choose against my emotions and pursue righteousness. It just moved me so deeply.

The book is wonderful. I was told everything from, "That is the saddest book--especially the ending" to "That ending is the most redemptive ending ever." I understand both positions now. The book is tragic, yet lovely.

Now I get to really look forward to the new adaptation coming out in March. It's going to be by Focus Features (Pride and Prejudice 2005) and the BBC :) Plus, Jane Eyre is going to be played by Mia Wasikowska. Most notably, she played Alice in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, but I first saw her in Defiance where she played opposite of Jamie Bell--who happens to be playing one of the characters in the new Jane Eyre. Needless to say, it should be pretty good. There is so much inner struggle and rich language in the writing that I don't think the novel really lends itself to film, but I will enjoy seeing what the imagery might have been like.

Oh! And reading this book solidifies the fact that I'm going to name one of my daughters "Jane" - first or middle name, I don't care. But between Jane Austen and Jane Eyre one of them has to be a "Jane." I was actually looking for similarities between the Austen novels and this one and there are some profound similarities to Mansfield Park which is almost my favorite of Jane Austen's. I told my mom though (while I was in the middle of the book), "This is so frustrating because I have no idea how it is going to turn out. If it were a Jane Austen novel, I would know exactly how it was going to end."

"And how would it end?" She asked.

"Everything would work out and she would marry the man she was in love with!" hahaha :)

And later on was funny too. I was watching Beauty and the Beast with my mom and sister when it suddenly struck me, "This is a typical Gothic Romance! Yikes! That's two in one day. Oh dear, that'll do my heart a lot of good..." Really, though, it isn't good for me. So tomorrow we're either reading non-fiction or a little bit of Fellowship of the Ring (for the book club).

Anyway... I hope you are having a splendid evening and stealing some extra time with family during the holidays :)

Sweet dreams!