My Time Here is “Wither”ing Away…
Hey Everyone! Love the title? I’m so clever…
I hope you all had a great weekend! Today’s my last day here in Kansas City, so I spent my weekend away from my computer and just enjoying my time in KC and with my family! If you were also off enjoying your weekend and missed any of my weekend posts, here’s a recap:
A Middlesex Book Review and an awesome movie theater
Some great quotes about having faith
Yesterday, I went on a run with my dad! The weather was pretty good (although still a little warm to me for a 1pm run), and we had a great time! I didn’t wear headphones, bring my phone, or wear my garmin! I just went out there with my dad and chatted away while we ran 4 miles around our neighborhood in KC. My dad has a route that he runs every weekend, so I just followed him!
One thing that I’ve learned since moving to Chicago is how nice it is just to walk places! Kansas City isn’t much of a walking city, we always drive to get anywhere we want, and if we go on a walk it’s just around the neighborhood.
However, I looked it up on Google Maps and discovered that Brookside, which is an area of shops and restaurants, is only a 1 mile walk from my apartment! I’ve walked there a couple times since I went home and I went there yesterday as well.
I headed back to the Roasterie to get a Café au Lait with almond milk and work on reading a book: Wither! I’d been dying to read this book since Julie on Peanut Butter Fingers mentioned it, and I really enjoyed it!
Wither, written by Lauren DeStafano, is the first book in a triolgoy she calls Chemical Garden. It is a dystopic novel (I know, I know) centered around a 16-year old girl named Rhine who is kidnapped and taken to to be a bride, far away from her home with her twin brother, Rowan, in New York. In the story, the human race thought they had developed children that would be free of all disease. However, when these children, called the First Generation, had their own children, that generation had a much more shortened lifespan. Men only lived to 25, and women to 20 years old. Which meant that Rhine only had 4 years of life left.
When she is kidnapped and taken as a bride, she befriends her two other sister wives, while vowing to escape and return to her brother. She discovers that her father in law is performing medical experiments in the basement of the mansion in which they live.
I enjoyed the book because it was an interesting story in which you get very invested in the characters. You learn to fall in love with all three sister wives, although they are all very different. Lauren DeStafano has a great way of writing about people with flaws, but also showing their good side. Even Rhine’s husband becomes a sympathetic character when we learn that he is completely oblivious to the fact that these women were kidnapped from their homes, thinking that they grew up wanting to be brides.
Now don’t get me wrong, this is definitely an easy read (I finished it in a day) and meant to be read by younger crowd. But I definitely enjoyed that after reading Middlesex before this book! I’m already dying to read the next book, Fever. However, someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe the third book (she calls it a triology) has been published? I certainly can’t find it!
Well I hope you all have a great start to your weeks!
Are you a fan of books aimed at younger crowds, such as Harry Potter or Twilight?
Do you live somewhere that you walk everywhere, or mostly drive?
Faith
Good morning everyone! I hope you all are having a good weekend! I don’t have too much exciting to report here, just enjoying my last few days in Kansas City and with my family before my mom and I head off to Colorado Springs on Tuesday.
As you all may have noticed, I’m not a very religious person. Or, at least, I don’t discuss it on my blog much at all. Personally, I didn’t grow up going to church and only went on and off during college. I don’t want to get into all my personal beliefs, but will say that I do believe in a higher being and that all things are part of a plan. Personally, I think I’d go crazy if I thought things were just random!
What I’m getting at here is that I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes that get me through hard times and remind me to just relax and have faith that everything will work out. I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing Sunday!
Middlesex and Sleeping in the Theater
Hey everyone! I hope your weekends are starting off well! Mine had a great start! I went out to lunch with my friend Bailey! We went to a sushi restaurant in KC and it was delicious! Of course I was a total freak and brought a bottle of Coconut Aminos, which is basically a soy-sauce replacement that’s soy and gluten free! But sushi without soy sauce is just not the same. I didn’t however, make as much as a mess as I did when I had sushi with Chelsey! Haha I do what I can.
Later that afternoon I went to see a movie with my friend, Helen.
We went to see the Five Year Engagement, but I was more impressed with the theater than the movie. We went the the AMC Ward Parkway theater, which I actually wasn’t allowed to go to at a certain point because that mall turned into a pretty dangerous place! However, they’ve completely re-done the theater and I was ridiculously impressed! They added a bar at the entrance and by the snack stand they had those coke machines where you can mix your own soda! We didn’t test it out, but I definitely will next time I go!
The best part was the seats. They took out every other row and put in lounger chairs. Like, legit lounger chairs. You pushed a button and it moved back so that you could be leaning all the way back with your feet up! It was really cool!
So cool, in fact, that you could totally just curl up and take a nap if you didn’t like the movie…
Haha don’t worry. I didn’t nap. The movie was pretty good, it had a lot of funny parts and a great overall message. However, I did feel like it got a little long during certain parts. There were definitely areas that dragged on that they could have cut shorter. But other than that I enjoyed the movie and my time with Helen!
So now on to the book review! Honestly, I don’t feel qualified to write this review! I’m not a book critic and this is a book that deserves someone who knows what they are talking about. But I’ll do my best! Honestly I wish I could have read this in an English class to get a little more out of it!
Middlesex was written by Jeffrey Eugenides and tells the story of Calliope Stephanides and how she (or he…) came to be, following her family history from her grandparents in Greece to her teenage years and discovery (or confirmation) that she is a hermaphrodite and actually has XY, or male, chromosomes.
My favorite part about this book was how the author developed the family history, as well as switched back and forth between Calliope’s current life and the story of her family’s past. The book goes from her grandparents living in Greece, then immigrating to Detroit. It talks about their trials and tribulations, their children, and then turns to their children’s lives, who then have Calliope and her brother. As the author moves from one generation to the next, each is still present, but no longer the main character of the story. The original characters, Calliope’s grandparents, are actually still in the book to the very end. I felt like so much time had passed that they wouldn’t be alive anymore, there was such a disparity between their home in a tiny village in Greece to the family’s home in the suburbs of Detroit, but it made me realize how much can really change just during one lifetime.
I also like that, although mentioned often by the narrator, Calliope, the main focus of the story was not her hermaphroditism, but her family and how people are formed by their families and their life experiences. That in the end, family is what really makes you who you are. At least, that’s one thing that I got from the novel!
I did find the book slow to start, but once I got further and further into it I became engulfed and it was much easier to read. I definitely recommend the book, and would say that if you have a hard time starting it, just keep with it! I am really glad I did and enjoyed the story a lot more than I expected to.
Does anyone else secretly wish they could sit in on English classes?
Ever been to a theater with seats that lounge like mine did?!
Drag Queens, Veggies, and Patios!
Hey everyone! CONGRATS! You made it to Friday!!!! I , on the other hand, am so it’s Friday! I can’t believe time is going by so quickly! I know it sounds silly, since I’ve been so lucky to be home for over a week, but I have 4 more days here, then off to Colorado Springs with my mom, then back to Chicago to start a full time (but un-paid…) internship! Haha I feel like these few weeks ARE my summer and they are coming to a close quickly!
But a great thing about today? It’s AMY LEE’S BIRTHDAY!!!!! Amy Lee is my “twin” in my sorority, and honestly, she’s more like a real sister to me! I love you Amy Lee! Have a great birthday!
Remember how I mentioned a Drag Queen Bingo fundraiser yesterday? Well my friend, Bailey, volunteers with Gilda’s Club, which is a Kansas City-based organization that provides a free support community for men, women and children diagnosed with cancer, as well as their family and close friends. The fundraiser was held at Hamburger Mary’s, which actually has several locations across the U.S. They regularly do Charity Bingo nights and have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities.
We only had to pay $10 and got 10 cards, enough for 1 card per round. You could buy more cards, as well as raffle tickets and there were prizes for each round.
Our hostess was completely fabulous, with 3 costume changes and 2 dance numbers to keep the crowd entertained. She clearly was a pro at Bingo nights and it was a blast. My favorite part was when one member of the staff did Beyonce’s Single Lady dance. It’s my dream to learn that dance… I was impressed.
The next morning I was craving some veggies and I had already roasted some a couple days before, so I just heated those up and topped them with two eggs! It was absolutely delicious!
Many of you may be wondering what in the world I do in all my free time. No? Oh well, I’ll tell you anyway. I’ve been doing a lot of reading and my favorite place to read, sit and eat a snack, or just relax has been our back patio. I really wish I had somewhere like this to sit outside in Chicago! I can go to the park, but it’s just not the same since 1) I can look like a complete mess and 2) I can run in and out of the house if I need things.
One of my favorite parts is that if I sit still for a few minutes, everything starts to come alive. I start noticing bluebirds in the trees, bumblebees, and even rabbits and chipmunks! I kept hearing a chipmunk in the bush and literally spent 10 minutes trying to get a picture of this guy for you all. Here’s the best I could do:
He was sneaky! And clearly camera shy. One funny thing about our patio is that we have three clay sculptures of children. From what I remember, my grandmother (?), gave these to my mom when she had each of us.
All three are cute, but clearly there’s one that no one wants to be:
Sad part is, I’m pretty sure that’s the one my mom got when I was born… I vehemently denied it my entire childhood. It was easier to tell my little brother that was him. You’ll all help me pretend, right?
I also mentioned the other day that I’ve been reading Middlesex, and many of you asked how I liked it so far and whether or not I recommend it. I actually finished the book yesterday so I’ll put up a review about it tomorrow and I’ll let you know what I thought of it then! It’s definitely a book I wish I had read in school, that way I could better analyze and understand it. Is it weird that I miss English class from high school? Is it also weird that I secretly wish to take (or audit) English classes when I’m older and have a little free time? (aka probably retired…). This is why I love book clubs!
Well I hope you all have a good Friday! I know I will since I’m going to see Five Year Engagement with my friend, Helen!
Where is your favorite place to sit and relax?
Are you a bingo fan? Or a Drag Queen Bingo fan?
Thursday Thoughts!
Good morning everyone! You’re almost done with the week! Personally, I’m trying to slow time down! Each day passed means one day less of my vacation! I had a very busy and hectic day yesterday, and loved it! I ran 6 miles, took my mom to the golf, went to a coffee shop to read a little, ran some errands, had a loooong lunch with my grandparents (awful service and gluten issues…), ran more errands, tried to rest for 2 hours, and then went to Drag Queen Bingo!!! (more on that another day… just wanted to tease you).
But I love Thursday because it’s time for Thursday Thoughts! And I always have plenty…
1. My first week home I had Apple Pie Oats every single day for breakfast. On Mother’s Day when we had omelets, I had it for lunch. I am officially burnt out.
2. This quote really hit home for me. All this spring I’ve been worrying about where I want to live when I finish law school. What’s the perfect city? Where will I fit in the best, be the happiest? This quote reminds me that wherever I am I can make it home, make it the best place for me.
3. I love these wrap ideas I found on pinterest – they are great combinations that I could use to put in a wrap, or even make as a salad with quinoa or brown rice added! I think they’ll be great for brining lunch to my internship this summer.
4. I am PRAYING that Blend Retreat 2013 is at the end of May, NOT during my finals (like it was this year) and NOT the weekend of my law school graduation! I’m afraid the odds aren’t in my favor… But I so want to go!!!
5. I LOVE the Roasterie! It’s a coffee place I’ve mentioned a few times before when I’m in KC, but I love the atmosphere, they have ALMOND MILK so I can order any drink I want (aka not just tea…), and I just realized it’s only a mile walk from my house! I don’t even need to borrow someone’s car to go and read!
6. I totally forgot to mention that Girls Night Out at the Blue Bird Bistro was actually also a blogger meet up! One of the daughters in attendance was the lovely Bailey, who blogs over at Fit Philanthropist and who just got an awesome promotion!!! She kinda rocks. Oh and she met Tim Gunn. In an adorable dress. Go check it out.
7. Chelsey, I found the solution to our (okay my…) sushi-eating issues. Chopsticks that double as a fork and spoon. We know I need the help…
8. Has anyone bought Bob’s new book The Skinny Rules? I’m really tempted because I LOVE Bob and I’d love to see what he has to say! The only problem is books are sooooo expensive! I went to the bookstore yesterday and chose my book because it was under $10! Every other book I wanted (including Insurgent) was $17! I just couldn’t spend that on something I was going to finish in a day!
9. So, so very true. No one is perfect, but we all do the best we can!
Do you buy many books? Do you have a favorite coffee place to read them?
Anyone else frustrated with eating sushi in public? It’s hard to bite it in half and eating it whole is too much!
