Book Review: Daughter of Fortune, Isabel Allende

This novel was a thorough and interesting read. It follows the story of a half-Chilean girl, Eliza Sommers, as she grows up in her adopted British family's home and later travels to California during the Gold Rush of the 1840's. Allende's narrative had several interesting and well-rounded characters, events, and settings, and I liked it because although it did have an overlying theme, it also included several side stories and in-depth background investigations of characters. Several themes emerge, including the ambiguity of gender roles, the cruelty of blind racism, and what truly defines love. It's a little on the lengthy side (about 400 pages), but well worth it if you're looking for a laid-back but enticing read.

It was also on Oprah's book list for February 2000, for what it's worth, though I only discovered that upon my completion of the novel while searching for literary acclaim.

Book Review: Harvesting the Heart, Jodi Picoult - & life, etc.

This book was, at the same time, one of my most and least favourite Picoults. The plot took a good 200 pages to arrive, and even when she did start building it, I found myself hating the male protagonist so much that I could barely read his sections. Perhaps Picoult intended for that to happen; after all, the point of view in her books changes constantly, and this one used a first person narrator for the mother, Paige, but a limited omniscient narrator for her husband, Nicholas. After the plot got going, though, I found myself really loving the book; if I were judging the book by its last 150 pages or so, it would probably be my favourite Picoult so far.

Eventually, I found myself rooting for Nicholas and Paige in turn and got really caught up in how the story would end. That's why I read so many Picoults: she draws me into her stories so much that it doesn't feel like I'm reading a novel, it feels like I'm experiencing that particular situation firsthand, so I have to finish it as soon as possible to ensure all the characters turn out all right. I also like her novels because they almost always have some sort of a happy ending. Maybe one or two of the characters settle; maybe a main character dies (okay, that's not quite the happiest ending, but still); maybe everything doesn't happen how I hoped it would. But there's still a string of hope to hold onto when everything else in her novels turns out disappointingly realistic.

I have four books on my shelf from the Bellevue library, which means I have about two more weeks to read them. They are The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende, and another Picoult, Second Glance. Whenever I check out library books I have such a difficult time deciding which book I want to read next. I first intended to read the longest novel, Daughter of Fortune, after this first Picoult, but it took me about half a week to read Harvesting the Heart, which was much slower than I intended. I may try to read the other three and give up the Allende for another time; then again, there's not going to be much of a better time than now. I'm on break, but I honestly think I'm busier than I was during the semester. But really, I'm just happy to realize how blessed I am to have so many good novels to choose from in the first place.

It's been a busy (and stressful) half week. So far I've had a bridal shower, written all my thank you's for that (but haven't mailed them yet...), bought my wedding dress, veil, and shoes, planned several other pertinent parts of the wedding (found a minister, venue, finalized the guest list, found a woman who can alter and press my dress before we leave for Pittsburgh, trying to get flights for those attending knocked out right now), purchased the remainder of my Christmas presents, and helped my mom remove various heavy pieces of furniture from our house to be donated to Goodwill. Mom and Dad just got done remodeling the kitchen/living room; it looks great, but it's a been a lot of work so far as cleaning and rearranging the house goes. I know I'm stressed because I have four very painful sores in my mouth, and those only surface when I'm under a lot of pressure. The emergence of four at one time only goes to show just how deep the stress goes.

Tomorrow we're opening presents, then it's Christmas day, and then David (finally) comes. I doubt I'll update until after that, so for now, love to all who may read this and, only because I like the sound of it better than "happy holidays," Merry Christmas!

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

...NOT.

Here are some of my thoughts on Harding University on my last day here.

First, I did come here expecting to like attending Harding, despite the fact that I am so not a church of Christ kinda girl. (No offense to those of you who may be - my entire family is church of Christ, as are most of my friends. I don't have a problem with them wanting to worship that way, so long as I don't have to.) I figured it would be much like my previous school but with different friends - chapel would be kind of annoying, and I would prefer to take a nice literature course instead of Bible, but all in all, it would be worth it. And it was, in many respects.

I met great people whom I love to death. I had several awesome professors who broadened my world view and expanded my knowledge on their class material and many other things. I met my fiance, David, the best person I've ever known. I got what I came for - an education - despite all the other things I'm glad to be getting away from. I'd like to admit that I knew what I was getting into, but I think that's untrue in many, many ways.

I didn't know I was getting into an environment that rewarded students for tattling on their friends and roommates. I didn't know that (some of) the faculty would be more concerned with enforcing spiritual regulations than psychological health. I didn't know there would be many times I would hear the message that it's okay to judge others and bring them down so low they feel worthless, so long as you quote a few Bible verses at them in the process. I didn't know it was more important to continue receiving donation money from alumni than pleasing the current students and tending to their needs and requests. I didn't know I was supposed to try to "fix" all my gay friends. I didn't know saying anything derogatory about the church of Christ or administration was on par with debating the divinity of Jesus, which only some awful, ignorant, stupid hell-bound scum of the earth atheist would or could ever do. ...Wait... (I love you, David.)

(Side note: That article lead to one of my favourite quotes of all time.
Jerk: But if there is no eternal [divine] foundation [for morality] why should I care about the rights and dignity of others?
Awesome person: So you wouldn't be an asshole.)

Most of the things I love about this school are connected with people who are good, moral, free-thinking people despite Harding University, not because of it. Most of these people are pretty vocal about disagreeing with some core beliefs of the University, and I think when you have people who are dedicated to looking for the positive aspects rather than the negative and they are still extremely unsatisfied, there's a major problem.

I don't regret coming here - I chose to, although I didn't have many other options, and portions of it have been very good for me - but I am certainly glad I'm getting out.

It's the Saturday before finals. What am I doing?

...Just about anything but studying, and most especially pining over David because he's abandoned me (for the birthday party of his now 13-year-old brother. I know, I know - he can be so selfish).

How Well Do You Know Your Significant Other?

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
Probably something that I've begged him to watch for about three months. Don't worry, he's not watching. He's too busy teasing me for liking it.

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
One that smells funny and tastes worse. I have no idea what we're going to do when we prepare salads for dinner; I am a Ranch girl, but I think he'd get tired of that.

3. What's one food he doesn't like?
Fruit (except for clementines). Weirdest kid ever. Fruit is clearly the most awesome food group.

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order?
Usually nothing, but wine if we're eating at a high-class establishment. We are bursting with class.

5. Where did he go to high school?
Seneca Valley.

6. What size shoe does he wear?
13? Shoes make his feet look monstrously intimidating.

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
Intellectual books. I try to reverse this trend by buying silly ones and ostentatiously displaying them.

8. What is his favourite type of sandwich?
Chipped turkey with tomatoes and cheese and Miracle Whip. I hear about them at least once a week.

9. What would this person eat every day if he could?
Chipped turkey sandwiches with tomatoes and cheese and Miracle Whip. He probably does eat them every day.

10. What is his favorite cereal?
He's recently developed an intolerance to lactose and refuses to try soy milk, even though it is delicious and good for you, so he doesn't eat cereal anymore. This makes the four huge bags of Cap'n Crunch stacked against the wall at his apartment look even more pathetic.

11. What would he never wear?
Skinny jeans (not that I would ever encourage him to...men who wear them look ridiculous).

12. What is his favourite sports team?
Steelers! I wish I knew some catchy Steelers slogan to insert here, but I'm too recent a fan to know any. Consider my terrible towel waved, though.

13. Who did he vote for?
McCain, obviously.

......just kidding.

You don't need to know David well to realize this. You only need to talk to him for about five minutes.

14. Who is his best friend?
Me. Duh.
He really does say I'm his best friend, but I refer to Steve, Brian, and Mike as his bffs.

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
Start losing at Nertz once he is my partner.

16. What is his heritage?
He doesn't know that himself, so I would basically be a super genius if I did. (Don't be fooled - I actually am a super genius. I just don't know his heritage.)

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind would he like?
He was a pretty big fan of the Butterfinger one Debbi made him for his last birthday.

18. Did he play sports in high school?
Starter for the B-string football team. That's my boy.

19. What could he spend hours doing?
Debating; he quite frequently does.

20. What is one unique talent he has?
Whenever he has to do something he doesn't want to, he has the amazing ability of transforming himself into a four-year-old throwing a tantrum. "Aaaah, AAAAAAAH!" It's hilarious, especially when needles are mentioned.

Wedding Update

I technically made this blog for wedding updates, so I guess I should update.

David and I have been hesitant to do much wedding planning while I am still down here in Arkansas. It would require too much running around on his part and not enough participation on mine. So we planned to secure quite a few things over the break for our wedding and me moving up there in general, namely a venue, our rings, getting my engagement ring re-sized (it's about a half size too large so the diamond rotates on my finger constantly), our honeymoon, finding me a job, teaching me how to drive a stick, visiting my prospective university, and registering.

Apparently we both forgot that our visits typically include a lot of cuddling in front of the TV, playing Nertz (which for some odd reason transformed into playing Halo this break; I blame David's almost-13-year-old brother, Jeff), and talking with his family. We did pick out wedding rings, obtain a somewhat-secured venue (his parents' church of Christ - not our favourite location, but it's free and convenient), and register (at Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond), but the large-scale planning is mostly going on in my mom's and Debbi's brains, I think. Debbi sat down and tried to help me select bridesmaid gowns, but I told my girls they could pick their own as long as they were green, and now I've amended that to any colour they want so long as it is bright and happy.

I've never been one of those girls who planned out her wedding throughout childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. I figured once I was getting married, I would be so ecstatic that everything would just fall into place. I AM ecstatic, unbelievably so, but not about venues or catering or ceremony or dresses. I just want to be married to David. I don't care if that happens in a pricey venue or his backyard or on a boat (everybody look at me, cos I'm sailing on a boat!) or a courthouse, so long as by the end of March 7th, that marriage certificate is valid.

There's still a lot of planning to do, but I honestly think it'll be a lot easier when I'm permanently up there in Pittsburgh instead of stealing minutes away from our break time. Expect another update sometime in December when we've mailed out invitations. Until then, have a great end of semester.