Book Review: A Wrinkle in Time

"A Wrinkle in Time" is a science fantasy novel by Madeleine L'Engle, first published in 1962. The book won many awards including, Newbery Medal, Sequoyah Book Award, and Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. It is the first of a series about the "O'Keefe Family."

"Everyone in town thinks Meg is volatile and dull-witted and that her younger brother Charles Wallace is dumb. People are also saying that their father has run off and left their brilliant scientist mother. Spurred on by these rumors, Meg and Charles Wallace, along with their new friend Calvin, embark on a perilous quest through space to find their father. In doing so they must travel behind the shadow of an evil power that is darkening the cosmos, one planet at a time. "

Yes this is another children's novel but throughout the story were very sophisticated concepts relating to the power of good and evil. It is definately not a book you can read once. I feel like I need to go back and read it again and again to fully grasp the concepts–atypical for this genre.

Being a "science fantasy" book you really need to let your imagination run wild and embrace the strangeness.

L.O.V.E.

Saturday.

This past Saturday had no rhyme or reason. It was just one of those days that unfolds before you and turns out beautifully. The MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) kept our attention for a few hours with many unique pieces of "art."



This exhibit it currently on display. Over the course of the exhibition, attendants mark Museum visitors' heights, first names, and date of the measurement on the gallery walls. Beginning as an empty white space, over time the gallery gradually accumulates the traces of thousands of people. I thought is was amazing to see the beauty that came by simply measuring the heights of the MOMA's visitors.

Jeff Koons
"Untitled"
Felt-tip pen on printed paper

All you parents better start saving your kids coloring books. They could be worth a lot of money someday.

Nate and Meri thinking hard about the age old question
"What is Art?"

This is one of my favorite paintings by Picasso titled "Girl before a Mirror"



When I student taught I loved to show the students this art work by Meret Oppenheim, which is a tea cup, saucer and spoon covered in fur. They would always get a kick out of it.

The oringinal Van Gogh "Starry Night" was quite a hit.

Cupcakes. I am not a fan of the cupcake but Crumbs almost was the exception.



These were not your ordinary cupcakes. They had tons of delicious flavors covered in heaps of goodness.

We had a hard time trying to figure out a dignified way to eat them.

Then to rekindle with Patrick's Catholic roots we headed on over to the largest Catholic Cathedral in the United States—St. Patrick's Cathedral.

I love the lit candles. I think the LDS church should take up this tradition.



Fun Fact:
Patrick was in fact named after Saint Patrick who is generally the most recognized Saint of Ireland. When Saint Patrick was about 14 he was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. After entering the Church, he later returned to Ireland as an ordained bishop in the north and west of the island. By the eighth century he had come to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland.

Book Review: The Time Traveler's Wife

I don't know if you can call this entry a "Book Review" as I only read about 50 pages. I had read different reviews of this book and it sounded intriguing so I bit the bullet and bought the book.

Here is a brief synopsis:
The Time Traveler's Wife, published in 2003, is the debut novel of American author Audrey Niffenegger. It is a love story about a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel unpredictably, and about his wife, an artist who has to cope with his frequent absences and dangerous experiences. Niffenegger, frustrated in love when she began the work, wrote the story as a metaphor for her failed relationships. The tale's central relationship came to her in a flash one day and subsequently became the novel's title. The novel, which has been classified as both science fiction and romance, examines issues of love, loss, and free will In particular, it uses time travel to explore miscommunication and distance in relationships. It also investigates deeper existential questions.

Sounds good right? Well, not to say it wasn't because I really liked the story line and that is why it made me so sad to stop reading it. In the first 10 pages there was questionable content that I let slide. Then 40 pages later came very inappropriate content that I just found absolutely revolting. It was not descriptive just the idea suggested was enough for me to call it quits. I don't know what the rest of the book would have been like but I didn't want to risk it. I guess this is why I stick to children's books.

The movie is coming out in August and it looks really good. I hope sticks to the story line so I can see what happens!

Posted in Subway

Wow. Very official. Best of luck Bernie.

...Who ya' gonna call?!

GHOSTBUSTERS! That is right Friday night Pat, Angie Harding and I went to Chelsea Pier to watch Ghostbusters.


It was a last minute decision so weren't able to get a good spot. We only ended up staying for about half of it, but it was fun nonetheless.


We then took a stroll through Greenwich and went to the cute little "Milk & Cookies Bakery."


Angie brought the most amazing carmel popcorn to the movie that I chowed down. I was stuffed by the time we got to the bakery but I couldn't resist getting a cookie and a glass of milk!


Angie's husband, Klane, was on a boyscout campout. We had so much fun with just the 3 of us. Maybe next time we will let Klane can come too.

Simpsonized

Uncanny, huh?

Want to see what you would look like as a Simpson's character? Click here.

Book Review: Ella Enchanted

Okay okay...I have put the classics on hold for just a little bit. My embarrassing secret is I love children's books! And it proved true again when I read "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine. It is an adorable Cinderella story with a twist. It is about a girl who at birth was given the "gift" of obedience by a fairy. This forces her to obey any order given to her. Throughout the book she is put in various situations due to her "gift."

I loved this story. It was a very quick read and brought me back to my childhood of sweet innocent fairy tales. It is definitely worth the read.

However, don't be deceived. You may recognize the name of this book because a few years ago a movie, based on the book, came out starring Anne Hathaway. I rented it off of i-Tunes soon after I read the book hoping for the same enjoyment; however, the movie was NOTHING like the book—it was horrible.

UP—Worst Movie

Let me clarify. Up was a very well done movie, however, it is one I wish I never had seen and one that I will never see again. I thought I was going to see a funny light-hearted childrens movie, however, what I got was a heavy and depressing. Within the first 10 minutes I was bawling my eyes out, which some of you know does not happen often (see this). This pretty much continued the whole movie. I was so relieved once the movie was over but I felt like I would break down and cry at any moment.

Pat and I were headed home via the subway. Referring the to the movie

Pat said: "Aren't you excited to grow old together?"
Me: "No because then you are going to die."

It was that thought that led me into an uncontrollable fit of tears. I couldn't stop. People were staring as I just sobbed. The more pat comforted me the more I cried.

The moral of the story is:

I love my husband so much and can't imagine a life without him

and

DON'T SEE UP!

16 hours of Troy

Last weekend when Chris and Annie were here our friend Troy had a long layover (about 16 hours) in NYC. He was doing business in Maine and decided to stop by. We are so glad that he did. Even though it was just for a few hours it was so fun having him here.

Pat has stayed so close to all his high school buddies. I am so grateful for them for so many reasons, but first and for most in helping my husband join the church. Without them I wouldn't be married to the most amazing person in the world.

In knowing Pat's friends I can see how their examples had such an impact on Pat. I have never known a group of people that are more selfless and giving. They will do anything for each other and always put others first. They are always looking out for each other. It is weird because I feel a sense of security knowing Pat has such great friends looking after him.

Creativity at its Finest

Something that is really hard for me here in NYC is all the unfortunate people. More than likely when you go on the subway or walk the streets there will be someone desperate asking for money. It seems everywhere you turn there is always someone in need. However, it is when these people get creative that it turns a really sad situation into a comical one. This guy got my buck for just making me laugh. Don't worry, I didn't tell him off.

Summer Friday

Here in NYC they have a thing called "Summer Fridays." Aparently companies give their employees a certain number of days off during the summer for their summer enjoyment. Pat took his "Summer Friday" while Chris and Annie were here.



We began the day by canoeing in Central Park. It was only $10 for 4 people to go boating on this gorgeous lake. It was so much fun and we plan to go back again.



This fountain, Bethesda Fountain, has been in many movies, most notible to me is "Enchanted."



Next we headed to the American Natural History Museum which became pop culture famous with the movie "Night at the Museum" with Ben Stiller. It was funny how many times I heard people talking about the different scenes in that movie when were there.



Pat relaying his animal knowledge to Chris (Pat knows everything about animals, it is quite entertaining).

The famous T-Rex that plays catch in "Night at the Museum."

After finishing up at the Museum I was about to pass out but we decided to have one last stop before we called it quits—we went to FAO Schwarz. This is a hyped up toy store but the only real interest I had was the famous huge piano seen in the 1988 film "Big." It was one of my childhood dreams to play it, and last Friday my dream came true!

For some reason I love this picture of Pat.

The 10 days of having Chris and Annie just flew by! It was so much fun having them here for me to play with!

Get DOWN with your BAD self PAT!

Yes that is Pat there amongst a sea of black women. Today Pat went to the Wendy Williams Show. We both had never heard of her but apparently she is somewhat of a talk show host slash gossip queen. Before the show started they had an audience dance party for those that wanted to participate. Pat had to show them how we white folk can par-TAY.

Look at that concentration on Pat's face—priceless.

When I saw these pictures I was laughing so hard. I wish I could have been there to see how the audience was a hootin' and a hollerin' at Pat's sexy moves.

Manhattan with Chris and Annie

Our friends from Utah came to visit for 10 whole days! They have already been here 5 days and time has just flown by. We have been very busy wanting them to experience all the NYC has to offer. I was really excited for them to come so I could have some people to take pictures of who wouldn't get mad at me!

This store in SOHO is a must. If not just for the eye ball pictures!

We have been eating out a lot of course (its my favorite thing to do!). We came across this fun diner and loved it!

We have done a lot of walking.

Another must see: Hudson river at sunset.

Although I am the one taking the pictures I always manage to squeeze a picture of me in the mix.

These are only a fraction of what we have done...more pictures and fun to come!