Julie/Julia - A Review

I am reading this book quite fast, it is a 750 page slog through MtAoFC as she puts it (I was mildly irritated with this, because no matter how many times I made myself remember what the exact words this acronym refer to are, it slowed me down each and every time I came to it).

The book paints a human picture of a person, struggling with the meaninglessness, and the lack of special that this world so often hands out and calls 'your life', that she feels she must do something reckless, or she will forever be 'just a secretary'.

It is as a result of her husbands insistent prodding about going to culinary school, and stubborn avoidance of said cooking school, that she decides that she will cook her way through MtAoFC in one year. While moving in New York, and being broke, living in something that sounds very much like a hovel, but is somehow acceptable because its New York.

There are lots of funny and despairing, and 'how does she keep going' moments, all the while writing a blog and entertaining her readers, and entertaining me while entertaining them.

I am not finished yet (with the book that is), I will say that I expected more about actual Julia, as in Julia Child, however this book is worth the read and I am willing to lend, its an ebook lend so let me know if you are interested, you will learn more about food than you ever wished to know, all the while thinking your house really isn't that dirty, and isn't really that bad, and feeling really lucky you will never make aspic in your life, EVER. I am glad my interests revolve around dance, music, reading and wedding planning.

Book Reviews

It looks like all these books are religious, and while I call myself a christian, I am not sure I will spend a whole lotta time reviewing religious books, but in case they throw something else in, check in once in a while in case I do write a review :)

I read banned books

I just added a bunch of 'banned' books to my shelf below, check out the one's I plan to read to learn more.

I think the 'caged virgin' as a book I am currently reading would count as 'banned' considering she is receiving death threats for what she wrote.

Most of the reasons that books were banned were religious objections, which I find outrageous, not suprising but still outrageous. alice in wonderland? c'mon. Thanks to 'scuffedslippers' for getting this idea first and for letting me steal it.

Eat, Pray, Love

So this is a book written by Elizabeth Gilbert, this was #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list, and this status in my humble opinion, is well deserved.

Eat, Pray, Love is divided into 3 sections, generally about, eating, praying and loving, and there is so much depth and soul baring I had a really hard time putting it down, so much soul nudity :)

I feel like I have a lot in common with Liz but I also have a hard time with that because I am sure that a lot of people that read that book, want to do what she did, and deal the way she deals, and I don't like the thought that I am doing or feeling what everyone else is doing and feeling. 

I know its silly, but maybe I should just let the feelings and thoughts from the book sit with me a while and see what they do to me, and not worry about everyone elses reactions.

Great books like that really affect me on a deep level. I am one of those people that takes good things from books and movies and unconsciously incorporates these into my thinking and into my life and how I see the world. I think we all do a little bit, but its trying to decide what to do about my life in particular as a result of these new thoughts and feelings, I feel as though they are opening my mind and heart, it all feels like a newer healthier outlook, and I want to incorporate it, because it feels good for me.

I like who I am at heart, and want to express that more than I do, and Eat, Pray, Love seemed to be all about getting back to yourself, scrubbing away the barnacles on your soul, although I am a sucker for 'me too' moments, I really think I could do a lot with Liz's revelations and journey, yes I think I can and I just might.

My Obsession

So I am seemingly obsessed with Stephanie Meyer's books, at first I thought it was Twilight, so phenomenal, but no it is just her writing. I think the distinguishing factor is her ability to take you inside the character and sympathise, I really felt I was living her books. I am somewhat intense at times and I guess that's the other factor that made this from a like, to an obsession. Its the only series I think I could read over and over and over, without ever getting sick of it. I reread the series for the movie, which I was somewhat disappointed in. I was shocked to get the same withdrawals when I finished breaking dawn for the second time.

I thought The Host was something 'out of this world' too. (Pardon the pun!) Its truly the alien book for people that don't read alien books, so if you are looking for a new author Stephanie Meyer is it. Seriously.

I am also disappointed that my favorite series' are over for christmas, I like to watch desperate housewives, grey's anatomy and private practice. I realize they can be predictable at times but there is something about stepping outside of myself and living vicariously that is so great for me, they are crazy but fun to watch.

On a more serious note, I am really gonna miss my family in Ireland and New Zealand, and friends around the world this Christmas, but I have a great 'husbiancee' (husband fiancee combo) and two great dogs here in Tennessee, the profile pic for this post is my dog rascal btw.

I am also a little obsessed with Melaleuca, this is a result of my mother in-laws making. Its a line of stuff made out of only natural and non toxic ingredients, and they make everything, lip glosses, body scrubs, moisturizer from heaven and even household cleaners. The thing that originally hooked me was the carpet cleaner, but I really just love the way it all smells and feels, and by gosh does it work, all of it, the moisturizer, the carpet cleaner and sugar scrubs are my favorite, followed by the candles and laundry detergent, I just can't get enough, I am on a conversion mission to make sure everyone gets to try it. 

Final obsession of the day is games, I love playing games with people, social games, they can be cards, board games (cranium etc) or multiplayer video games (shrek and mario party spring to mind). I am currently trying to get my in-laws to play a game christmas eve, anything I don't care what, I always have so much fun, I am kinda competitive but I think I have being a good loser and winner down so hopefully its still fun for everyone else. I just get fed from being around people and interacting with them in that way, there is not enough of that here in the USA in my circles, I am trying to find people to do this stuff with.

I am also really enjoying my Irish Dance lessons, I am not the only adult learner, and its really really great as an aerobic work out, slash strength training excercise, not to mention how gorgeous it looks when it's done right. New Years resolution will probably be to get a guitar instructor lined up, I am sick of procrastinating, I am a procrastinator naturally and with my husbiancee thrown in the mix nothing will get done, we are as bad as each other!

I mailed my two overseas packages and 50 cards last week for christmas, 2 days after I mailed the package for Ireland (from Tennessee) it was signed for, I was flabbergasted! that was amazing and a new record, but luckily all tasks are out of the way for Christmas now, just have to bake some doggie treats and cookies tonight/tomorrow (Christmas eve tomorrow) and enjoy Christmas. Thanks for the cards from people overseas, the cards that arrived were from people I wasn't expecting and it was a really nice surprise...

Happy holidays everyone.

:D