This semester I have an internship where I have been cataloging letters written to the Academy. Most of them are from people in Boston, or other places in the U.S. but some are from France,Italy, Vienna, or even Russia. When I get these letters I go on Google to find out where these places are. I must admit I get sucked into my Google Image search as I explore the world beyond my little desk and imagine what these places must be like.
I can't complain too much. I have had my fair share of traveling for being only 25 years old. After my freshman year of college my mom, step-dad and I went on a Mediterranean cruise where I got to see southern France, Florence, Rome, Athens, Mykonos (a little island in Greece), Istanbul, and Ephesus. Then during my Junior year of college my mom and I went to London and Bath on my Spring Break and we frequently talk about our next trip over to Europe. We have decided it will be Paris and Versailles. And I will be travelling down to Honduras with Living Water International this August.
In Ephesus
At the Trevi Fountain
In the Aegean Sea
At the Jane Austen Center
At Windsor Castle
At Big Ben
I am not complaining I have loved all that I have seen and done. But there is still so much I want to see out in this big world. So when I read these letters from all over the world I long for times of traveling. I told my supervisor today that maybe one day I can trace a source back to its original place, she looked at me very idealistically. But as a current grad student it is only right for me to dream.
I finished the Hunger Games early in the morning on Sunday and I am awaiting my library to email me when I can pick up a copy of Catching Fire... but I am fifth person on the list so I wait patiently for the book to be in my hands. While it is the last month of school and the final crunch is upon me... I insist I must have something fun to read.This year I only want to read new books, I love re-reading books but I have a few books sitting on my bookshelf that I have not touched yet. I told myself that in 2012 I am going to clear off some of those books from my ever growing book list.
For a long time I have wanted to read The Help. I loved the movie and bought a copy for myself during Christmas and it has been sitting on my shelf since then for me to get to. Well I am finally getting to it.
I have read a few pages already and so far the biggest difference I can tell is that the movie was mostly from Skeeters perspective and the book is from Aibileen Clark's point of view.
I am sad to say that when I started the Hunger Games book I didn't want to like it. Every one raved about it and I thought when I started to read it I wouldn't like it. It is not like anything I have ever read futuristic and violent, these don't really scream "Blaire". Also I don't usually read books just because they are popular, I mean I have never read a Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings books. But my best friend sold me on this book because she said there was a love triangle "okay," I thought "I will read it, if it has a love triangle." I was even more intrigued because my best friend hates love stories but she liked this, I had to give it a try. I usually give a book a 100 pages, if I am not captured by then I set it down, but this book me had me on my edge of my seat long before then. I was captured till the very end.
I think with all the buzz of the movie, I don't need to discuss the plot and I don't want to give anything away because if you haven't read it... you are missing out. But basically it is post-apocalyptic world in the country of Panem where the countries of North America once existed. The Capitol, a highly advanced metropolis, holds absolute power over the rest of the nation. The Hunger Games are an annual event in which one boy and one girl aged 12 to 18 from each of the 12 districts surrounding the Capitol are selected by lottery to compete in a televised battle in which only one person can survive (source... gives spoilers). The story is told through Katniss' perspective, she is the older daughter and provider for her mother and sister. At the reaping (the lottery) her younger sister's name is called but Katniss takes her place... but now she must survive The Hunger Games.
I think to say I was captured is the best review I can give, as a girl who is a hopeless romantic I was swept up in the story, but it not a complete romantic story. I mean everyone I have met who has read the book loves it, boy or girl, young or old, it doesn't seem to matter. So while the title of the book and basic plot might turn you off... give it a try. I was so captured by this book that read every time I was on the T, once I missed my usual spot because I was so engrossed. Another time I was so swept up in the story I got on the wrong T line. It is kind of embarrassing and funny how much I loved the story. Almost crying at some points while in Dunkin' Donuts and staying up till 2AM to finish the book. With all my grad school reading I still finished it in a week... so if you have time you probably finish it faster.
The only thing I found frustrating about this book was when ever I pulled it out, people wanted to talk to me about it and I had to hush them because I didn't want to give anything away... so if you read it maybe bury yourself in a closed off room.
Kimberly, from Here's What I think about that is featuring 11 questions about you... I found this lots of fun and thought I would spread it on. Hope you enjoy...
Questions:
1. What is your number 1 goal for next year- Finish my story The Sister's of Pine Haven (even if it is not published) I want to finish a rough draft of it.
2. What is your biggest fear- My biggest fear is that my deepest desire, of becoming a wife and mother will not come true.
3. What is something you wished others knew about you that may not be obvious till they get to know you- I think when people first meet me they see me as this goody two shoes... I don't mind it but then I think they peg me as one type of person and I like to be pushed out of my comfort zone (sometimes). Most of the time when I am pushed out of my comfort zone, I really enjoy it.
4. What is your favorite breakfast- Sweet Potato Pancakes. I had them once at the Trident Book Store here in Boston, and they tasted like heaven in my mouth.
5. What is your favorite workout- Walking around Boston. I have found great little places to walk around. I love getting lost in the city and exploring new places I never knew about. Plus her in Boston I have learned when ever the sun is out...you must take advantage of it.
6. Have you ever gone skydiving- No, because I hate falling from high places. I am okay with heights but I hate jumping from heights.
7. Growing up, what did you do that got you in trouble- I don't remember doing anything over and over again that got me in trouble. But I do remember one of my worst/best punishments. I was about twelve and I was playing with my dad's lab top, something happened and the screen went blank. I lied to my dad three times about not playing with it. When he caught me in my lie, I was sent to my room where I could twiddle my thumbs or read my bible. I decided to read my bible, and through reading scripture, I felt so guilty about my actions I prayed to become a Christian that day.
8. What story about you does your family like to tell and retell- I can't think of any story my family tells over and over again.
9. What was the last TV show, book or movie that made you cry (or made you feel really emotional)-it is not hard to make me cry, but Downton Abbey.
10. What is your favorite time of year- My favorite time of the year is tied between Christmas and my birthday (not because of the gifts). Christmas because I know I will go home and all my family will be there. I have so many fond memories of Christmas growing up and going to my Mema and Grangran's house, and spending the whole day with my family... it was my best gift. My birthday because I get my a big groups of my friends together and it is just fun to celebrate.
My friend and I doing Karaoke
11. What is your favorite song at the moment- Kimberly did a video and I liked that idea, so here it it. Fun - the Gambler
