Happy Christmas girlies! Here's our family Christmas picture at the beach--it was kinda cold that day, but we had a blast anyway.
Hope you have a great holiday season! We miss you and love you!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Any New Books?
Hey Guys,
Just wondering if you all had any new books in mind? My book club down here is reading "Pride & Prejudice" for December and January. I'm down for combining clubs, but it's really up to you guys since I chose the last one. Let me know!
And I'm totally sad that I'll be missing the Christmas party this year. Dang. Thanks for keeping me in the loop and have a Happy Christmas.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Dan Fairbanks
So have I kept you all on edge enough? Ha! Ha! His name is Dan and he is wonderful and I love him! I hope you all can meet him sometime soon! He is in my ward and actually just lives a street away. I'm friends with his sister and brother and that is how we met essentially. We've been hanging out since May but dating since Sept. - it took some time for me to figure it out. Anyway, he really is great and treats me like a queen! Yippee for me!!! Thanks for being interested and Jess I too love the fall colors in the picture! Jess, remember that one time we dressed up and went down to the movie theater with that one guy that we used to hang out with? Anyway, random sorry!!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Oh ya, I finished this book too
Almost forgot I finished this book. I've moved on to more entertaining things (just finished Redbird Christmas and am now reading Seabiscuit thanks to Nellie's Goodreads, oh and I read Christmas Jars). However, I do think Great Expectations was good for me even though I hated it and will not read it again! If I don't hate a book at least during part of the plot, it probably isn't very engaging. Same goes for movies.
I reiterate that I love Joe. If we could all be kind and faithful and unoffended. I too am so happy for Bitty and Joe, Pip certainly didn't deserve her. I am glad that Pip learned his lesson, though, and that his relationship with Magwich brightened. I was sick for him when Magwich first showed up, even though he deserved whatever came to him at the time.
I don't think Estella deserved such treatment, since no woman does, but she did have it coming.
Miss Havishem (sp?) deserved what she got. Can you believe she was mad that Estella didn't love her?
That's all the additional time I'll devote to this book. Sorry your CD's were lame Lindsey!!
I reiterate that I love Joe. If we could all be kind and faithful and unoffended. I too am so happy for Bitty and Joe, Pip certainly didn't deserve her. I am glad that Pip learned his lesson, though, and that his relationship with Magwich brightened. I was sick for him when Magwich first showed up, even though he deserved whatever came to him at the time.
I don't think Estella deserved such treatment, since no woman does, but she did have it coming.
Miss Havishem (sp?) deserved what she got. Can you believe she was mad that Estella didn't love her?
That's all the additional time I'll devote to this book. Sorry your CD's were lame Lindsey!!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Finally Done!!!
Okay friends, I have finally finished Great Expectations. I had to break down and listen to it on CD because I just couldn't finish it. I really have mixed feelings about the book and the story and how it ends. In general I like the story and if any of you have read The Alchemist, it reminded me of that in the sense that he left in search for something only to find that what was truely important (his treasure) was in the place that he had left from. I love that Joe was so constant and faithful to him, even though Pip despised him at some points in his life.
To me it doesn't seem like Pip and Estella end up together, but that they both end up in situations much lower than their "Great Expectations", which I guess is the irony of the story. I was glad to see that both of them had been humbled and realized what were the really important things in life - family, love, truth and relationships.
I was a little bugged, the CDs that I had from the library were extremely scratched up and so I had to skip through tons of the story and got lost in a few parts. I was saddened at the death of Magwitch, he seemed to have softened so much and changed and I love how much Pip ended up loving Magwitch. I was happy that Magwitch "got the best" of his betrayer, that is cruel and gruesome, but that is how I feel. In general, I think that everyone kind of "got" what they deserved in the end, especially Joe and Biddy - I was so happy for them!!!
Anyway, I guess I liked the book for the most part and now that I am analyzing it more the ending seems suitable for the story.
I hope you all are doing well. I am reading the book "Star Girl" if you are interested in reading that. I want this to be a more regular thing, but I know everyone is super busy - including myself. Here is a picture of what keeps me most busy: 
Sunday, October 14, 2007
I'm Finished!!
Great Expectations is now finally off of my nightstand and on to the bookshelf where it will stay for a while! I'm moving on to read a book called "Reading Lolita in Tehran", so I'll update you all on that later. Before I leave this book behind, I want to share some of my thoughts on it.
The title, "Great Expectations" has a double meaning for me: First the "Expectation" part means that Pip had some money given to him that raised his social status, but took him out of his home and made him question and resent where he came from and feel disgusted at the 'expectations' of country folk. Secondly, through the loss of the money and the revelation of the benefactor, it reveals Pip's changed character: he finally learns how to love and be grateful. And that is where the "Great" part comes in. To be truly loving and grateful to others usually takes going through a hardship, as in Pip's case with losing the money, having to hide Magwitch, and coming down with a horrible illness. He was humbled and then realized how much he had to be grateful for. That can only lead to loving others more sincerely. That is the most important thing any person can do.
Pip says: "For now my repugnance to him had all melted away, and inthe hunted wounded shackled creature who held my hand in his, I only saw a man who had meant to be my benefactor, and who had felt affectionately, gratefully, and generously, towards me with great constance through a series of years. I only saw in him a much better man than I had been to Joe."
Magwitch was a convict, and totally despisable to Pip, yet in this moment of clarity, Pip sees another side, maybe even a truer side to his benefactor than he once did. As with Pip, so can I see the good in other people, see their good intentions and their good hearts. That's what Christ taught when he said to love one another--see the goodness in them, even when there may be little evidence to support it.
Near the end of the book, Pip says that "I sold all I had, and put aside as much as I could..." To me, this is a reference to the parable of the pearl of great price in the New Testament-the merchant sold all he had to buy the one pearl because it was of so much worth to him. It was priceless--as are Pip's life lessons.
Estella seems to have learned similar lessons through her own choices. She says to Pip, "I have been bent and broken but - I hope - into a better shape." Isn't it true, that with all of life's experiences, we are usually 'bent', 'broken', or reshaped into something better, something more able to love sincerely? Well we hope to be anyway. And with a sincere heart and a desire to be more loving to others, I believe we will be better after all is said and done.
Pip and Estella: The last line of the book says that Pip "saw no shadow of another parting from her." At first I thought it was stupid how Pip ended up being with Estella, but after a few days of reflecting, I think it is great that life led them to be in that spot together, both humbled and matured and wiling to love each other like they deserved. It is redeeming that love finally conquered the past for Pip and that she now is able to love him in return. I think the love they have for eachother is deeper than they would have had at the beginning of the story, and it took them both going through what they did to end up together.
The 'expectations' for both characters was not what they thought in the beginning, and turned out to be the better for both Pip and Estella. As it usually is for me as well.
The title, "Great Expectations" has a double meaning for me: First the "Expectation" part means that Pip had some money given to him that raised his social status, but took him out of his home and made him question and resent where he came from and feel disgusted at the 'expectations' of country folk. Secondly, through the loss of the money and the revelation of the benefactor, it reveals Pip's changed character: he finally learns how to love and be grateful. And that is where the "Great" part comes in. To be truly loving and grateful to others usually takes going through a hardship, as in Pip's case with losing the money, having to hide Magwitch, and coming down with a horrible illness. He was humbled and then realized how much he had to be grateful for. That can only lead to loving others more sincerely. That is the most important thing any person can do.
Pip says: "For now my repugnance to him had all melted away, and inthe hunted wounded shackled creature who held my hand in his, I only saw a man who had meant to be my benefactor, and who had felt affectionately, gratefully, and generously, towards me with great constance through a series of years. I only saw in him a much better man than I had been to Joe."
Magwitch was a convict, and totally despisable to Pip, yet in this moment of clarity, Pip sees another side, maybe even a truer side to his benefactor than he once did. As with Pip, so can I see the good in other people, see their good intentions and their good hearts. That's what Christ taught when he said to love one another--see the goodness in them, even when there may be little evidence to support it.
Near the end of the book, Pip says that "I sold all I had, and put aside as much as I could..." To me, this is a reference to the parable of the pearl of great price in the New Testament-the merchant sold all he had to buy the one pearl because it was of so much worth to him. It was priceless--as are Pip's life lessons.
Estella seems to have learned similar lessons through her own choices. She says to Pip, "I have been bent and broken but - I hope - into a better shape." Isn't it true, that with all of life's experiences, we are usually 'bent', 'broken', or reshaped into something better, something more able to love sincerely? Well we hope to be anyway. And with a sincere heart and a desire to be more loving to others, I believe we will be better after all is said and done.
Pip and Estella: The last line of the book says that Pip "saw no shadow of another parting from her." At first I thought it was stupid how Pip ended up being with Estella, but after a few days of reflecting, I think it is great that life led them to be in that spot together, both humbled and matured and wiling to love each other like they deserved. It is redeeming that love finally conquered the past for Pip and that she now is able to love him in return. I think the love they have for eachother is deeper than they would have had at the beginning of the story, and it took them both going through what they did to end up together.
The 'expectations' for both characters was not what they thought in the beginning, and turned out to be the better for both Pip and Estella. As it usually is for me as well.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Waiting for something to happen . . .
I am about half way through the book (had to finish Harry Potter first). I am listening to it on tape, otherwise I think it is moving too slowly for me to stay with it (the beauty of books on tape). I have been curious to see how the criminal experience at the beginning fits in, why did Dickens start the novel this way? Is the specific criminal going to play a role, or will experience affect Pip in his future environment.
I love Jo (no idea if that is how his name is spelled, but he does says "JO Jo" when he is "reading"). Sometimes I start to pity him, and then he does or says something that reminds me he is happy with his situation, and wants nothing else. He should be envied! He is such a good soul, so very honest and optimistic.
Right now I think Miss Havishem (again no idea on the spelling) is making Pip a gentleman just so Estella can break his heart. That is going very out of her way to be cruel, though, so maybe she does have some goodness in her. I'll find out soon.
I love Jo (no idea if that is how his name is spelled, but he does says "JO Jo" when he is "reading"). Sometimes I start to pity him, and then he does or says something that reminds me he is happy with his situation, and wants nothing else. He should be envied! He is such a good soul, so very honest and optimistic.
Right now I think Miss Havishem (again no idea on the spelling) is making Pip a gentleman just so Estella can break his heart. That is going very out of her way to be cruel, though, so maybe she does have some goodness in her. I'll find out soon.
How's the book coming along?
Hey girls! Just wondering how the book is going for you all? I've struggled with the first half, but am now enjoying the last. I only have about 100 pages left and I really want to finish this dang thing! It's been harder for me than usual, and I'm looking forward to some other things to read, so you know this book has not been my fav. But I'm more into the last half, so that's good. How are you all feeling about it? Hope to finish soon!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Blue or Pink?
Well, we are going to have to get some new stuff for our little.....
girl!!! Pink pink pink! But really we have everything we need (a plus) and it's all still really new (another plus)! Yup Casey, you got it right! It was kinda shocking to us because we we're so convinced that it was a boy--I guess we just talked ourselves into it. But when she said a girl, we both we so happy and excited. It will be so great for Analia to have a close sister, especially if we stay in the military and are moving around a lot. So we have picked out a name, and I think we're leaning toward Maya. It's not like "May" but said like "My"-- "my" Maya. What do you think? We don't know for sure, and the other name is Mylee. Maya or Mylee. There so close that I don't think we can lose.
Thanks for letting me share this so so exciting news with you all!
Love you!
girl!!! Pink pink pink! But really we have everything we need (a plus) and it's all still really new (another plus)! Yup Casey, you got it right! It was kinda shocking to us because we we're so convinced that it was a boy--I guess we just talked ourselves into it. But when she said a girl, we both we so happy and excited. It will be so great for Analia to have a close sister, especially if we stay in the military and are moving around a lot. So we have picked out a name, and I think we're leaning toward Maya. It's not like "May" but said like "My"-- "my" Maya. What do you think? We don't know for sure, and the other name is Mylee. Maya or Mylee. There so close that I don't think we can lose.
Thanks for letting me share this so so exciting news with you all!
Love you!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Good writeres = good stories
Hey everyone! Thanks for writing, Nellie and Lindsey! Like Lindsey, it's such a stressful time for us; it's nice just to be able to read something else for a while and not have to think about the small little problems in life. I haven't had a chance to get to the library, so I'm not sure when I'll get the book started, but it sounds interesting. If not, I'll try for next month's book. I have such a hard time reading during the school year. I have read several other great books the last two weeks, and I have to limit myself! Good writers write good stories, and I have a tendency to get too caught up in good stories, to the point that I can't stop reading! (Problematic when I have 30 kindergarteners, Tyler and John all relying on me!) Well, sorry to babble. I hope that you are all doing well. Thanks for letting me get "glimpses" into your lives!
Jamie.
Jamie.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Live Well and Die Happy
I am glad that Nellie talked about writing about our lives. I have kind of been struggling lately, nothing huge but my sister Jen (with the two sets of twins) that has been living in Sandy almost the whole time I've been here in Salt Lake is now moving with her whole family to North Carolina and I haven't even been able to think about it much because it sucks so bad. But it is finally this week that it is all happening and it is hard, but I know it is what needs to happen. Anyway, for the most part life is good and I am happy, there are just those challenges that come and go. Anyway, things are pretty good, a little stressful with school starting, etc, but good.
I am about 100 pages into the book and I feel the same way Nellie does about Pip's relationships. I find some of them to be rewarding for Pip and others to be EXTREMELY frustrating - I guess that is how life is though. There have been some fairly poignant lines and quotes that I have liked. My favorites so far are on page 64 and Joe is talking to Pip about life and lying and I just feel like it applies to just about anyone. "You must be a common scholar afore you can be a uncommon on, I should hope!" and "If you can't get to be uncommon through going straight, you'll never get to do it through going crooked. So don't tell no more on 'em, Pip, and live well and die happy." Anyway, there are random events that happen that I haven't been able to tie together much and I think so far there has been some interesting foreshadowing, ie. Estella and Pip. I'm excited to keep reading and see how everything turns out. I'd love to hear others thoughts on this.
Have a happy day!!!
I am about 100 pages into the book and I feel the same way Nellie does about Pip's relationships. I find some of them to be rewarding for Pip and others to be EXTREMELY frustrating - I guess that is how life is though. There have been some fairly poignant lines and quotes that I have liked. My favorites so far are on page 64 and Joe is talking to Pip about life and lying and I just feel like it applies to just about anyone. "You must be a common scholar afore you can be a uncommon on, I should hope!" and "If you can't get to be uncommon through going straight, you'll never get to do it through going crooked. So don't tell no more on 'em, Pip, and live well and die happy." Anyway, there are random events that happen that I haven't been able to tie together much and I think so far there has been some interesting foreshadowing, ie. Estella and Pip. I'm excited to keep reading and see how everything turns out. I'd love to hear others thoughts on this.
Have a happy day!!!
Some Great Expectations for our blog...
Hey girls,
Thanks to everyone for signing up--I think you now should all be able to post, if not please let me know and I'll adjust the settings. And if you start your own blog, let us know the address so we can add it to the roomie blog list. Anyway, this is such a great thing to have going! I hope it works well for us. I think we should use it to do more than just talk about the book, though. We should tell each other stories of our lives and what is going on around us and maybe just some thoughts for the day. Whatever we want! Analia is walking like crazy now and loves being around kids, oh yeah, and loves climbing. She climbes in and out of our bathtub probably 10 times a day...it's funny, but makes me a little nervous. She'll stop if I try to help her, so I just have to let her try--she's getting better now though.
I'm studying the New Testament and feel like it makes such a diference in my life to know more about the life of Christ. It is amazing what a great spirit it brings. I am also in the YW, the Miamaid advisor, and that keeps me pretty busy. The girls are great and fun to be around. I love callings!
So our book--I'm liking it so far. Liking it in a way that makes me feel sad for Pip and his family, and mad a little too at how the little girl, Estelle, treats him. I feel like he is such an innocent kid that gets treated pretty rotten. And I just love Joe's relationship with Pip. They are good for eachother. Anyway, I'm only about 45 pages into it, and I'll write more as I go along.
I hope everyone has a great day!!
Thanks to everyone for signing up--I think you now should all be able to post, if not please let me know and I'll adjust the settings. And if you start your own blog, let us know the address so we can add it to the roomie blog list. Anyway, this is such a great thing to have going! I hope it works well for us. I think we should use it to do more than just talk about the book, though. We should tell each other stories of our lives and what is going on around us and maybe just some thoughts for the day. Whatever we want! Analia is walking like crazy now and loves being around kids, oh yeah, and loves climbing. She climbes in and out of our bathtub probably 10 times a day...it's funny, but makes me a little nervous. She'll stop if I try to help her, so I just have to let her try--she's getting better now though.
I'm studying the New Testament and feel like it makes such a diference in my life to know more about the life of Christ. It is amazing what a great spirit it brings. I am also in the YW, the Miamaid advisor, and that keeps me pretty busy. The girls are great and fun to be around. I love callings!
So our book--I'm liking it so far. Liking it in a way that makes me feel sad for Pip and his family, and mad a little too at how the little girl, Estelle, treats him. I feel like he is such an innocent kid that gets treated pretty rotten. And I just love Joe's relationship with Pip. They are good for eachother. Anyway, I'm only about 45 pages into it, and I'll write more as I go along.
I hope everyone has a great day!!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Hello Everyone!
Hi Girls!
It's great to have us all together on a blog! Yay! The book for August is Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens. I hope that works for everyone. And when you want to, just post thoughts when you have them. I hope all is well with you and that your summer winds itself up with some more fun. See you all on the blog!
It's great to have us all together on a blog! Yay! The book for August is Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens. I hope that works for everyone. And when you want to, just post thoughts when you have them. I hope all is well with you and that your summer winds itself up with some more fun. See you all on the blog!
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