My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A World War II novel, with true lives, stories, sorrows and death. The author, Irene Nemirovsky was a Jew, who converted to Catholicism, and was living in Paris. As a well known author during these years, she was arrested by the Germans, taken to Auschwitz and she died there. Her husband searched desperately for her, even petitioning the Germans to take her place. Eventually he was also arrested and died at Auschwitz. Her two daughters were kept in hiding by their nanny and as they moved from place to place they carried along with them a suitcase filled with their mothers' writings. Years later, the suitcase was opened and this book was found.
The book does have an unfinished feel to it. And upon reading her notes in the pages following the novel, the author obviously had more plans upon which she was unable to act. She describes what Paris was like as the Germans were approaching. She follows 5 different characters as they leave Paris, some return while others find refuge in small villages. Not all of the stories are complete as she was arrested during the writing of this book. She and her family were among those who left Paris seeking safety in the countryside. For me though, just knowing all of the history of her personal life, made me want to read it. I think I will also look for other translations of her earlier novels.
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Life is Good
Friday, March 25, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Book Review: The Five Love Languages
The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary ChapmanMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have heard a lot of this material before, but I can always use a review on how to love my husband better. Mr Chapman is basically teaching about how we each give and receive love in different ways. Some people are verbal, others physical and there are 3 other ways of feeling and showing love. Most of us are happier when we feel loved and so the premise is that if we can identify the type of love language we need to receive and our loved ones can give that to us, we will be happier. The same goes for learning the love language of the people we want to love. If we can give it in a way that they recognize, they too will feel loved and be happier. My love language is definitely quality time.
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Book Review: Walk Two Moons
Walk Two Moons by Sharon CreechMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
One of my most favorite books. I love reading it to my children and yes I always cry for the last five chapters. I completely relate to and understand each and every character, it is a well developed story with several layers of meaning. I find myself repeating the little words of wisdom that are sprinkled throughout the book in my own daily life. I think it is really a profound book located in children's literature.
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Book Review: So Brave, Young and Handsome
So Brave, Young and Handsome by Leif EngerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Loved it! Love the author, love his vocabulary. I was expecting a shoot 'em up ending, so to find the protaganist go against everything he had feared his entire life was a surprise.
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Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth SteinMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I found this book tender, yet realistic and difficult. I think I have a little more compassion for my own dog now. I actually might forgive her for chewing up all of Emily's stuffed animals, perhaps it was the evil zebra. I enjoyed hearing the story told from a dog's perspective and the idea that dog's might understand and feel more than we think. I love the tenderness and love of the father for his daughter. I'm so glad he kept driving to the end.
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Book Review: The Undaunted
The Undaunted by Gerald N. LundMy rating: 1 of 5 stars
I just don't enjoy Mormon fiction. The book was way too long, the writing and the fictional story was only marginal. I skimmed through many pages.
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Book Review: Home
Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews EdwardsMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I listened to this story and I think it made all the difference. I haven't found anyone who enjoyed reading it, but I found that listening to Julie Andrews tell her own story was very delightful. I just love her accent, and I think she added the emphasis that was probably needed in the text. The entire book takes place before I was born and so a lot of it was new to me. I was so sad to hear that she had such a hard childhood. I did come to love the man who accepted her as his daughter. What a lovely, caring and generous man. Her true father and step-father were louses, in my opinion. I think I'll read the follow-up book to the rest of her life so far, just because I found her so interesting and her work ethic amazing.
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Saturday, March 19, 2011
I am ing
I love my sister's blog. I love her heart and reading her posts make me laugh and cry at the same time. I guess that means I love my sister.
So here is my reply:
copying - my sister, when I grow up I hope I can be just like her
wondering - what my children will remember of me when they are grown and gone
hoping - to exchange 5 pounds of fat for 5 pounds of muscle this year
reading - to my children every night, my scriptures every day, and three books each month. so far this year I've read pages 3018 on my way to a 12,000 page goal
listening - Janine Jansen playing Vivaldi's The Four Seasons
eating - Thai BBQ chicken and frozen peppermint patties
crying - because Scott is leaving in 3 months
watching - baseball games and Matt's garden grow
wearing - yoga pants and a t-shirt (what can I say Kelly?)
wishing - I had fewer menial tasks like laundry, vacuuming and bills and more time to read, sew, play the piano or decorate a room
itching - to go back to school
loving - my husband, he's been so nice to me lately, I'm not sure I deserve it
blogging - here and there, when I'm not sleeping in the car
feeling - like I've had enough winter. Winter's that are too short (this can happen in Merced) mess up my circadian rhythm, but we've reached the Full Tank level and I could use some warm, sunny weather
trying - new recipes
memorizing - The Raven by E.A. Poe
cheering - the Cougars
What are you ing?
So here is my reply:
copying - my sister, when I grow up I hope I can be just like her
wondering - what my children will remember of me when they are grown and gone
hoping - to exchange 5 pounds of fat for 5 pounds of muscle this year
reading - to my children every night, my scriptures every day, and three books each month. so far this year I've read pages 3018 on my way to a 12,000 page goal
listening - Janine Jansen playing Vivaldi's The Four Seasons
eating - Thai BBQ chicken and frozen peppermint patties
crying - because Scott is leaving in 3 months
watching - baseball games and Matt's garden grow
wearing - yoga pants and a t-shirt (what can I say Kelly?)
wishing - I had fewer menial tasks like laundry, vacuuming and bills and more time to read, sew, play the piano or decorate a room
itching - to go back to school
loving - my husband, he's been so nice to me lately, I'm not sure I deserve it
blogging - here and there, when I'm not sleeping in the car
feeling - like I've had enough winter. Winter's that are too short (this can happen in Merced) mess up my circadian rhythm, but we've reached the Full Tank level and I could use some warm, sunny weather
trying - new recipes
memorizing - The Raven by E.A. Poe
cheering - the Cougars
What are you ing?
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Family Update
Recently, our Stake Seminary students gathered to present a re-enactment of the Kirtland Temple dedication. With the help of their seminary teachers and other Stake leaders they presented both a historical narration explaining the events that occurred at the original dedication on March 27, 1836, and they presented some of the original events that took place that day. Scott was asked to play the role of Joseph Smith Jr. Prior to his reading selected parts of the Dedicatory Prayer, he had to give, in his own words, what the Prophet Joseph might have said prior to his giving the Dedicatory Prayer. The words that Joseph actually gave are not recorded and so Scott had to consider and deliver what he thought Joseph might have said. Three other boys playing the roles of Hyrum, Oliver and Sidney also gave their ideas of what might have been said.
Here are Scott's words:
Brothers and Sisters, I welcome you to this most joyous occasion, the equal of which has not been seen since the days when our Beloved Saviour Himself walked the earth. For nearly two millennia, our Lord has had no building to call His Home, no place to come visit His people and comfort them with His Spirit. I thank you for the many sacrifices laid down at the altar to complete this immense undertaking, and assure you that you will be blessed for doing so. The saving ordinances necessary for salvation may now be performed in a sanctified House, one that will shortly be dedicated to the Lord's Kingdom here on earth, as well as in the Spirit World. These blessings will not be received by us alone, but also by the many souls who have already left this life to live in the next, and by the millions throughout the world who will learn of the Gospel of Christ and come to be saved. The building of temples will continue as this church grows, and I would remind you that our sacrifices are not done. We will have no rest given us by the adversary, but we may be comforted in the knowledge that the darker the night, the more glorious the day. And how glorious that day will be, when all of us gathered here can stand before the Lord and testify that these hands built His Sacred House, and this heart served him for all our days.
Doug recently participated in the United States Open Music Competition. This was something new for our family, so here is a short synopsis of what took place. The competition lasted for 5 days with several events and hundreds of participants each day. It took place in Oakland, California at the LDS Temple site. There is a multi-stake building there with multiple chapels, an auditorium and lots of space and parking. Seven Steinway pianos were brought in and set up in various rooms. The participants were primarily Chinese American. We saw only one other Caucasian boy and when looking through the list of competitors I could not identify many names other than Chinese. My guess is that is was 95% Chinese. His teacher indicated that while many students are American, there are some who come from the mainland of China for this event. Doug chose a difficult category and competed at the intermediate level. He played a Scarlatti Sonata and Liszt' Liebestraum. He was rewarded with a 4th place finish. Immediately afterwards he was disappointed. But I sat in and listened to the other participants and was amazed that their talent. His teacher was very please that he was recognized and so I think Doug is now happier with his accomplishment. Doug practiced several hours each day for the past few months and he plays so beautifully. My video of him playing wasn't in focus - but here is a picture of him sitting at the piano playing Coldplay and duets with his cousin Ty.
Thomas completed his competitive soccer league a couple of weeks ago. We have never had our boys play on a traveling team, but at the end of the regular soccer season, Tommy wanted to try out and we felt like he needed to have something that was special about him, something that he was good at. So he tried out, made the team and we have had practices all winter. The games are played up and down the Valley and into the Foothills. I really enjoyed traveling on Saturdays with Tom and watching his games. Matt and I applied the "divide and conquer" method of parenting and so each had some days with just Tom while the other parent took care of the rest of the gang. He played really well, if fact his team was so good they made it to the championship game. Unfortunately, it was on a Sunday. Although Thomas was sad to miss the game, he was great about missing it and going to church instead. This has happened to him twice now and I'm glad for him to be experiencing what it means to make a righteous choice. Kudos to the Primary counselor who showed up later that afternoon with a plate full of soccer sugar cookies just for Thomas and congratulated him on his good choice.
There were only a handful of entrants but Emily won the kindergarten speech festival. About a week later, she stood up in a school assembly and repeated her poem for all the students. She looked so nervous but she stood right at the microphone a said it perfect. I laughed out loud all day long.
I don't have any wonderful accomplishments to share about Matt and I and you can check out Karin and Ben on their blog. Here is a true story: the other day I was so tired after getting the kids to school that when I pulled into the garage I sat in the car and closed my eyes. I woke up 40 minutes later with a terrible kink in my neck and wished that I had at least stuumbled into my bed for a 8:30am nap.
Here are Scott's words:
Brothers and Sisters, I welcome you to this most joyous occasion, the equal of which has not been seen since the days when our Beloved Saviour Himself walked the earth. For nearly two millennia, our Lord has had no building to call His Home, no place to come visit His people and comfort them with His Spirit. I thank you for the many sacrifices laid down at the altar to complete this immense undertaking, and assure you that you will be blessed for doing so. The saving ordinances necessary for salvation may now be performed in a sanctified House, one that will shortly be dedicated to the Lord's Kingdom here on earth, as well as in the Spirit World. These blessings will not be received by us alone, but also by the many souls who have already left this life to live in the next, and by the millions throughout the world who will learn of the Gospel of Christ and come to be saved. The building of temples will continue as this church grows, and I would remind you that our sacrifices are not done. We will have no rest given us by the adversary, but we may be comforted in the knowledge that the darker the night, the more glorious the day. And how glorious that day will be, when all of us gathered here can stand before the Lord and testify that these hands built His Sacred House, and this heart served him for all our days.
Doug recently participated in the United States Open Music Competition. This was something new for our family, so here is a short synopsis of what took place. The competition lasted for 5 days with several events and hundreds of participants each day. It took place in Oakland, California at the LDS Temple site. There is a multi-stake building there with multiple chapels, an auditorium and lots of space and parking. Seven Steinway pianos were brought in and set up in various rooms. The participants were primarily Chinese American. We saw only one other Caucasian boy and when looking through the list of competitors I could not identify many names other than Chinese. My guess is that is was 95% Chinese. His teacher indicated that while many students are American, there are some who come from the mainland of China for this event. Doug chose a difficult category and competed at the intermediate level. He played a Scarlatti Sonata and Liszt' Liebestraum. He was rewarded with a 4th place finish. Immediately afterwards he was disappointed. But I sat in and listened to the other participants and was amazed that their talent. His teacher was very please that he was recognized and so I think Doug is now happier with his accomplishment. Doug practiced several hours each day for the past few months and he plays so beautifully. My video of him playing wasn't in focus - but here is a picture of him sitting at the piano playing Coldplay and duets with his cousin Ty.
Thomas completed his competitive soccer league a couple of weeks ago. We have never had our boys play on a traveling team, but at the end of the regular soccer season, Tommy wanted to try out and we felt like he needed to have something that was special about him, something that he was good at. So he tried out, made the team and we have had practices all winter. The games are played up and down the Valley and into the Foothills. I really enjoyed traveling on Saturdays with Tom and watching his games. Matt and I applied the "divide and conquer" method of parenting and so each had some days with just Tom while the other parent took care of the rest of the gang. He played really well, if fact his team was so good they made it to the championship game. Unfortunately, it was on a Sunday. Although Thomas was sad to miss the game, he was great about missing it and going to church instead. This has happened to him twice now and I'm glad for him to be experiencing what it means to make a righteous choice. Kudos to the Primary counselor who showed up later that afternoon with a plate full of soccer sugar cookies just for Thomas and congratulated him on his good choice.
There were only a handful of entrants but Emily won the kindergarten speech festival. About a week later, she stood up in a school assembly and repeated her poem for all the students. She looked so nervous but she stood right at the microphone a said it perfect. I laughed out loud all day long.
I don't have any wonderful accomplishments to share about Matt and I and you can check out Karin and Ben on their blog. Here is a true story: the other day I was so tired after getting the kids to school that when I pulled into the garage I sat in the car and closed my eyes. I woke up 40 minutes later with a terrible kink in my neck and wished that I had at least stuumbled into my bed for a 8:30am nap.
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