Merry Christmas, everyone!!

myoosick

You know you are a music nerd when you and your hubby spend your lunch break debating whether or not phrase of piano music can be said to be 'melismatic' or not.

Books

I thought I'd share my list of books I've read this year. It's easy for me to read, since I work in a library and am constantly surrounded by millions of books. However, this year my reading has suffered one incredibly huge distraction: knitting.

So, here they are...my books, in chronological order:

1. Surprised by Joy, C.S. Lewis (started in 2008, finished this year)
2. The Anatomy of Deception, Lawrence Goldstone
3. Prince Caspian, C.S. Lewis (started in 2008, finished this year)
4. The Book of Lost Things, John Connolly
5. Persuasion, Jane Austen
6. Peony in Love, Lisa See
7. Voyage of the Dawn Treader, C.S. Lewis
8. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
9. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith
10. The Brothers Karamazov, F. Dostoevsky
11. Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
12. Out of the Silent Planet, C.S. Lewis
13. Perelandra, C.S. Lewis
14. Bel Canto, Ann Patchett
15. The Piano Teacher, Janice Y.K. Lee
16. Bride's Farewell, Meg Rosoff
17. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens (still reading, will finish quite soon)
18. That Hideous Strength, C.S. Lewis (I've just started this one, and will have to finish next year)


As you can see, this has somewhat been the year of C.S. Lewis. I've made up my mind to try to read all of his books (a resolution made all the stronger by visiting Oxford and The Eagle & Child in February).I just love them. Surprised by Joy was a heavy read that I would not recommend to a non C.S. Lewis fanatic.


My favorite books of 2009:
Great Expectations: When I was a senior in high school, I took the AP English and AP writing tests. Part of the test was to pick out three novels from a list and write a paper on each one. As I surveyed the list, I realized I hadn't read three of the ones on their list (or I had, but didn't' want to write a paper about them, I can't remember). Anyways, I knew I could write a paper on Great Expectations, even though I had never read the book. How could I accomplish this task, you ask?? Simple!! I had watched the Wishbone episode about Great Expectations!! Hey, a little doggie acting out the story is close enough, yes? I wrote my paper and got the highest possible score, testing out of 9 credits of college writing. hehehehehe. I felt like I owed it to Dickens and the AP test people to finally read the book! And I just like Dickens. Love his writing style and the things he observes.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: One of my students said this was her favorite book. I had certainly heard of the book, but had never read it or even heard what it was about. Something about the title just didn't sound exciting. Let me tell you, I absolutely loved this book! I love slice of life books!
The C.S. Lewis Space Trilogy-but most specifically Out of the Silent Planet: I am skeptical of anything called sci-fi or space!! But, like any C.S. Lewis, this is just marvelous. While most people I've discussed the books with seem to prefer Perelandra, Out of the Silent Planet was my favorite! I've yet to finish the 3rd book, That Hideous Strength.

The 2009 stinkers: Hands down, absolutely no contest....The Brothers Karamazov!!!! I HATE this book! I thought I'd be so cultured and read it. Soooooooo boring, and I even tend to be a literary masochist. I don't mind a painful, mind-numbing read. This book, however, somehow did me in. I can't take it. I have discussed this book with others. I'm not alone. I am told I am reading a particularly stinky translation. So, when I'm feeling bored beyond belief, or when I become bedridden for three straight weeks and have absolutely nothing else to do...I might try it again. I sure do hate to be beaten by a book!

So, does anyone have any recommendations for my year 2010 reading list? After finishing That Hideous Strength, I plan on reading Mansfield Park, and maybe a Thomas Hardy. Beyond that, I haven't any plans.

I love winter, part II

Ever notice that in the barren winter, you can still find beauty all around you?

Evidence for your consideration:

Boulder Creek path, wearing some fashionable and quite seasonally appropriate ice:

big, wide, blue, cold Colorado skies:

and maybe the prettiest of all...home:

You should all take notes...

because I am the greatest wife in the world, and you could all stand to learn a thing or two!!

Check it out:

Yesterday was Adam's birthday. And did I get him a card?? no. forgot. I had to make a tacky handmade one. Poor guy. he has more tacky homemade cards than a preschool mom.

Did I pack him a stellar birthday lunch?? no. he packed me one, cuz I overslept.

Did I take him out to dinner for his birthday?? no. We ran errands instead. three or four of them, including bank, grocery store and tux fitting.

Did I make him a deeeelicious, nutritious meal instead?? nope. we had Frito pie.

Did I buy him a gift? no. he bought one for himself. and I'm glad he did, because I had NO clue what to get him. NO clue!

And perhaps most grievously of all...did I make him his most favoritist chocolate cake in the universe...nope. check it out...I NAPPED instead. bought all the ingredients, preheated the oven, went to the bed and napped all night. Adam had to wake me up to brush my teeth and go to bed.

Have you all learned important tips to keep the love alive and make your spouse feel special?? Well, I'm glad to have been a help!

What is the world coming to???

Today one of my students seriously disturbed me. Seriously. Here's our conversation (as usual, names have been changed to protect the seriously disturbed):

Dani: Look, Esmerelda, I have some Disney stickers. Do you want one??
Esmerelda: Ooooh, yes!
Dani: I got these at the dollar section in Target. Do you like Disney?
Esmerelda: Yes, I do! I love Mickey.
Dani: I'm a huge Donald Fan.
Esmerelda: I don't like Donald.
Dani: (look of utter shock) Well, Mickey is boring! So there. And, you're fired. Take that!

Okay, so I didn't say that fired part. But I thought it.
But really...how do you NOT like Donald?? How do you ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever think Mickey is better than Donald?

Okay, I've met some people who are brainwashed by Mickey's trance-inducing high-pitched voice and boring mannerisms. But most of those people like Donald. They just think they like Mickey better. Today might actually be the first time I have ever been awakened to the reality that some people might not like Donald. And I tell ya...my view of the world is seriously changed. damaged, even.

Please, everyone...if you are a fellow disturbed person, and like poor little Esmerelda, you don't like feathered, cranky, mischevious, feisty, adorable, plucky, singing Donald....Please don't tell me. It might push me right over the edge, and I might withdraw to my room and eat double stuf oreos for three straight days.

Now...I have to go seriously re-evaluate my roster of students for next Spring.

Winter Wonderland

You know how some people wax poetic about Spring??

Well, that's precisely how I feel about Winter!!!

I love the squeaky crunch of snow underfoot.

I love the darkened, hushed aura of a snowstorm.

I love the stingy feeling deep in your sinus when you venture out from beneath your scarf to take a breath of fresh air.

I love the sharp feeling in your cheeks and nose when you go from the sub-zero temperatures outside to the heated interior.

I love scarves, sweaters, boots, coats, wool socks, long underwear, gloves, and hand warmers!

I love the chance to drink hot chocolate at any given moment.

I love going outside every morning, and knowing exactly what the critters have been up to! I see your tracks! I see your yellow snow!

I love doing my "penguin walk" as I navigate patches of ice.

I love grabbing my hubby's arm as we navigate patches of ice.

I love that I can rip off layers if I'm too hot. I can't do that in the summertime. Unless I want to scandalize the office, or unless I'm home.

I love putting on layers at home! socks, quilts, etc!

I love the feeling of rest or hibernation that the world has. Sure, in Springtime you have that exciting rebirth thing, but in Winter, you feel that the trees and flowers and Grizzly Bears are enjoying a well-deserved break!

I love snow, snow, and more snow!

I love Winter hobbies: knitting, quilting, baking!

I love eating soup when it's cold outside! Soup in Summer is also acceptable, but there really is nothing like a big pot of soup in the Winter!

And....I love Winter because all the University students wear clothes! I don't have to see cheekies, cheeses, and other unwanted anatomy! YAY!

I feel like Winter is such an unappreciated season. So many people hate the cold, hate the snow, hate the dormant fauna. I do feel like "tis the season to be grouchy" should be the theme song. I think cold is wonderful! The sting of cold makes me more aware that I'm alive. It makes me more thankful for a warm house and warm clothes and food. Every time I step inside and begin to warm up, I think of that. When I step inside after walking home in the summer, well, all I can think of is..."Where's the shower, and get me in it NOW!!!!", hehehe. Can you tell I don't like to be hot?

So, what are your favorite things about Winter?? Let's not be Winter haters!!!

Oh, and now would be a good time for an important disclaimer:

1. I don't have to drive in snow. Adam and I have always chosen to live very near school/work so that we wouldn't have to commute. I don't like to drive in snow any more than your average person.

Happy Feet

I've got those Happy Feet!
Give them a Donald Duck Sock,
And they begin daaaanncing.......