Readathon Opening Meme

Bringing this old thing back to life for the Dewey's Readathon!

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? 

Nashville, Tennessee, USA

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? 

Death by the Book by Julianna Deering

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? 

Black-and-white cookies from Publix -- love those things!

4) Tell us a little something about yourself! 

I'm studying to be a librarian, but I work in data entry for the time being. Also, I moved to Nashville from Dallas, TX in September and I;ve been LOVING it so far!

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? 

This is my 2nd readathon after October--I'm a cheerleader this year, so I plan to spend LESS time reading and my time cheering people on! So who knows what I'll get read!

Country by Country

United States--visited plenty of different places

Mexico--Thanksgiving cruise--forgot year; high school mission trip

Canada--day trip after Alaskan cruise.

Guatemala--mission trip March 2012

The Bahamas--Spring Break 2005

Belize--Thanksgiving cruise--forgot year

Italy--cruise Summer 2006

Spain--cruise Summer 2006

Croatia--cruise Summer 2006

Monaco--cruise Summer 2006

France--Cannes on cruise Summer 2006; Paris on Senior Trip March 2009

England--Senior Trip March 2009

Scotland--Senior Trip March 2009

Finland--cruise Summer 2010

Sweden--cruise Summer 2010

Estonia--cruise Summer 2010

Norway--cruise Summer 2010

Denmark--cruise Summer 2010

Russia--cruise Summer 2010

Germany-- cruise Summer 2010

State by State

I want to visit all 50 states in my lifetime, but I've already made a pretty good dent. Thought I would write down the circumstances of my visit to each state.

Texas--Lived here 1998-present; been to numerous locales around the state

Kansas--born here 1990 and lived here until 1991; frequent trips back to family's lake cabin; most recent visit December 2013 (Topeka + suburbs)

Missouri--lived here 1991-1998; frequent trips back to see family; most recent visit December 2013 (Kansas City + suburbs)

Iowa--went several times as a kid; most recent visit July 2012 (West Branch)

Oklahoma--driven through a variety of times on the Texas-to-Missouri trip; have family that lives here; Most recent visit December 2013 (Oklahoma City)

Colorado--went once as a kid (don't remember it); most recent visit was in high school for a choir tour (Denver)

Washington--went to Seattle March 2010.

California--went to Los Angeles in high school on family trip

New York--went to New York City in March 2001.

Pennsylvania--went to Philadelphia in high school on family trip.

Georgia--frequent trips to family's beach home on Jekyll Island; went to Atlanta on a choir tour in high school; most recent visit January 2012 (Jekyll Island)

Florida--one trip to Walt Disney World as a kid; most recent visit January 2012 (Orlando)

Illinois--one trip to Springfield as a kid; most recent visit August 2009 (Chicago)

New Mexico--one trip to Albuquerque as a kid

Washington, D.C.---one trip as a kid; most recent visit on high school choir tour.

Maryland--high school choir tour went to Baltimore.

North Carolina--trip to Outer Banks as a kid.

Wyoming--trip to Yellowstone as a kid.

South Dakota--trip to Mount Rushmore as a kid

Michigan--trip to the Upper Peninsula as a kid

Indiana--went to a United Methodist Student Foundation conference in Evanston in May 2010

Alaska--cruise in Summer 2005

Massachusetts--trip to Boston March 2014

Virginia--one trip to Mount Vernon/Monticello as a kid; most recent visit Summer 2013 (Williamsburg)

Tennessee--trip to Nashville on high school choir tour

Louisiana--one trip to Shreveport as a kid; most recent visit on a mission trip to New Orleans in high school

Arkansas--one trip to Little Rock as a kid; various family reunions; most recent visit in September 2013 (Eureka Springs)

Other:

I've been to these states but only briefly, thus I don't count them in my total.

Delaware--Got lost driving in Pennsylvania and ended up in Delaware for a few minutes.

New Jersey--Rode the subway to New Jersey from New York City and then came back.

Alabama--drove through while driving from Texas to Georgia as a kid.

Mississippi--drove through while driving from Texas to Georgia as a kid.

Kentucky--drove through while driving from Missouri to Georgia as a kid.

Nebraska--drove through while driving from Missouri to South Dakota as a kid.

Minnesota--had a layover in the Minneapolis airport flying from Texas to Alaska.

Boston Day 7

On our last full day in Boston, our nice weather came to an end. We awoke to 20 degrees and snowing. We ate, checked out of our hotel, drove the car back, and was dropped off at the subway by the nice and cute car rental manager. We rode back to the hotel we previously stayed at, checked in to a different room, and then immediately went straight back out to Quincy.

Quincy, I’m sad to say, was nearly a total bust. We got out there and first stopped for Dunkin’ Donuts coffee (which I had never had before) because it was FREEZING. It stopped snowing though. We then walked to the Visitor Center, only to find out that it was impractical to visit the 2 birthplaces (John Adams’ and John Quincy Adams’). Additionally, the church where the 2 presidents + their wives are buried was closed. We could visit the house John and Abigail bought later in life though. We had known all 3 houses were closed for winter, but had hoped to walk around a bit outside them. It was too cold to walk all the way out to the birthplaces and there was no public transportation out there.

We ate lunch at Sher-a-Punjab, an Indian restaurant across the street from the Visitor Center. We then toured the Quincy Historical Society Museum, which was small, but interesting. There was a lot about the extended Quincy and Adams families, as well as the Hancock family. After that, we walked to Peacefield, the house John and Abigail bought later in life and took pictures. It was unpleasant though, due to the cold. I peered in the windows, but could not see anything. I’m glad I got to see one house though. We walked back to the Visitor Center. Mom and I stopped in the church graveyard to see the extended Adams and Quincy family graves (John Adams’ parents, siblings, etc.). The presidents + wives are buried in a crypt within the church though. We walked back to the Visitor Center and watched a movie.

(Peacefield)

We left about 3:30 and rode the subway back for the last time. We had a quiet night, eating in the hotel restaurant. Mom and I used the hotel hot tub, which we had been saying we would do all week. We flew back the next morning.

And so our trip to Boston ended with a whimper. I’m disappointed about Quincy, but I definitely plan to come back someday in the summer (or at least later in spring) to see all 3 houses and the graves in their glory. We were extremely lucky to have 6 days of good weather and only 1 of bad. I enjoyed Boston a lot, and am glad I got to go.

Boston Day 6

We got up and had breakfast at the hotel. In the winter, everything in Concord is either closed or it opens late, so we started our morning by driving around to take pictures—we took pictures of Emerson’s house (closed for the winter season), Nathaniel Hawthorne’s house (closed for renovations), and Louisa May Alcott’s house. It was expected to rain in the afternoon, so we wanted to get our pictures done early. We still had to read in the car for 30 minutes though.

(Emerson's house)

(Louisa May Alcott's house)

At 11, the Concord Museum opened. It is a small, but well-managed museum. Thoreau’s original desk is there as well as Ralph Waldo Emerson’s entire study. (I never could figure out why it’s not in his house.) There are period rooms and lots of interesting artifacts. Concord has had an impressive history from Indian times on.

We had lunch at the Trail’s End Cafe, which was delicious. We lingered a bit, but about 1:30, we headed for a tour of Louisa May Alcott’s house. It was a fairly typical home, but I enjoyed seeing her bedroom. The tour felt a bit rushed—I would have liked to linger, in Louisa’s room particularly. But I was pleased to see it and to learn a bit more about her and her family.

While we were touring the house, the rain started. We made a quick stop at the Concord Free Public Library, which was a gorgeous place. There were busts of all the Concord writers and each writer had their own section. Definitely a place I would frequent a lot if I lived in the area.

(Emerson statute at the library.)

We went back to the hotel and rested. We had leftovers for dinner, but then went out for dessert at Margarita’s, the Mexican restaurant next door to our hotel. I had HUGE sopapillas. 

Interesting fact of the day: we typically say Henry David Thoreau’s name Ther-row, but apparently the proper way to say it is just like the word thorough. The guide at the Louisa May Alcott house informed us of this.

Boston Day 5

We got up early, ate breakfast, and checked out of our hotel. We took the subway and then the local bus to Lexington. We had reserved a rental car for noon, but got there early enough to pick it up by 11 am. We drove to downtown Concord and ate at the Colonial Inn. I had the Alcott sandwich, which I chose mostly due to its name. It was delicious though. After lunch, we explored downtown Concord before heading to the North Bridge, which is where the “shot heard ‘round the world” was fired. It was a lot smaller than I imagined for some reason. The path to the bridge wasn’t clear so our shoes got muddy and wet. But I enjoyed seeing the bridge—the weather was beautiful and the river was so clear. You can also see the Old Manse House, which was owned by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s grandfather—Ralph created some of his earliest writings there. Ralph also let Nathaniel Hawthorne and his wife live there for awhile as well.

Next, we drove to Walden Pond, which was the highlight of the trip. We had to walk a LONG way in snow, but the weather was beautiful. The pond was frozen and I walked on it for awhile. When we got up to the site of Thoreau’s cabin, there was only foundation markers. We sat on them and watched the lake for awhile. It was extremely peaceful, and I could definitely see the appeal of living out there. We walked back and looked at the replica of the cabin, which was surprisingly well-furnished. Thoreau used his space wisely! It was my favorite part of the trip by far.

Afterwards, we drove to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. My parents were worn out, so I walked up to Authors’ Ridge by myself and saw the graves of Emerson, Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, and Nathaniel Hawthorne, along with their families. It took me awhile to find the graves, and two gentlemen directed me. The path up was icy and one of the gents asked if I was sure I wanted to go up. I told him that “I’ve come all the way from Texas, so I’ve got to go up!” The walk wasn’t that bad—there were handles. The sun was setting and I sat on a bench opposite Louisa’s grave for awhile. It was quite lovely.

We went back to the hotel via the scenic route and rested for awhile. We had dinner at Lemon Grass Thai Restaurant in Lexington. It was terrible service though—don’t go there if you’re ever in Lexington.

The weather was amazing—sunny and crisp. We picked the right time to come in my opinion. The paths weren’t the best, but the solitude made up for it. Apparently in the summer it gets horribly crowded in Concord, which I would not enjoy. Sitting at Thoreau’s cabin or at Louisa’s grave alone for 10 minutes or so would not happen in the summer. 

Boston Day 4

We got up at 8, but it took us awhile to get down to breakfast. We didn’t leave the hotel until around 10. We took the subway out to Harvard. We went to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the Harvard Museum of Natural History. They were both impeccably designed and managed. I got done early, and read my Kindle in the lobby. About 1:30, we walked to Harvard Square. We ate at Charlie’s Kitchen, a student hangout recommended by the museum front desk. Afterwards, we walked to the main library but couldn’t go in.  : ( We also looked at the Divinity School and Law School. (Yes, I totally quoted Legally Blonde, what kind of woman do you think I am?) We ended by going to the Harvard Semitic Museum. We walked back to the subway and got back to the hotel at 5:30. We rested, then went for dinner at Mario’s, a local Italian place recommended by the hotel about 8. We had dessert—mine was the most delicious cannoli!

(Harvard)

I liked Harvard, though it seemed like a typical college for all the hype said about it. Granted, I didn’t attend any classes or look at the dorm rooms or anything. Just looking at the student body though—if you took off their Harvard sweatshirts, they’d be average people. Walking around Harvard Square was interesting—Cambridge seems like a typical college town albeit richer. There’s an Urban Outfitters and a Lush in Harvard Square, along with a variety of other stores. But we ate at a restaurant in the square that was said to be a favorite student haunt and my entree only cost $6. The museums all clearly had money invested in them. There were professor offices throughout all three museums and it was interesting to peek in the windows.

I also like the red brick buildings of Harvard. I’ve always held that a college with red brick is the “standard,” despite going to two schools that have barely any red brick. I think I just like the romance of it, though the cold dissuades me from ever going to an Ivy League school.

Boston Day 3

We got up at 8 and ate breakfast. We were planning to go to the Adams house today, but had misread the hours. Luckily, we noticed it was closed on Sunday before we went all the way out to Quincy. It took us awhile to decide what to do instead, so we didn’t leave the hotel until 9:30. We took the hotel shuttle, the subway, and finally the shuttle bus to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library on the campus of UMass-Boston.

UMass-Boston has a ton of construction going on, so obviously some of the economy is doing well. The Library is gorgeous with white brick and huge glass windows that overlook Boston Harbor. We ate lunch in the museum cafe, which also has a lovely view.

(View of Boston from outside the library.)

The exhibits were nice, telling about JFK’s life, times, and presidency. All the usual suspects were there: the first lady’s dresses, family photos, the family Bible, Oval Office replica, etc. When you’ve been to seven presidential libraries, you start taking a critical eye. It was a bit on the smaller side, due to his shorter presidency. Mom and I got done way before Dad so I read my Kindle and walked around the grounds a bit. My Dad finished about 3:30 and we went back via shuttle bus and subway. We got off at the New England Aquarium and walked to the Boston Tea Party marker. There was a museum about the event that was closed, so we just took pictures of the Harbor. We rode the rest of the way back and got picked up and taken back to the hotel.

(At Boston Harbor!)

Mom and I had leftovers so we ate those and then shared a salad at the hotel restaurant while Dad ate. We had a quiet evening, reading and whatnot. 

Boston Day 2

We got up at 8 and ate breakfast at the hotel. We took the hotel shuttle to the subway stop and then caught the subway to Park Street Station. We got off right in front of the Freedom Trail Visitor Center. Before we even went in, there was a guy announcing a guided tour. My parents LOVE guided tours, so we went for 90 minutes over the first half of the Freedom Trail with him. It was ok—he showed us the current Massachusetts State House, the Old State House, the graveyard where the Boston Massacre victims, Sam Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock are buried, various old buildings, and the site where the Boston Massacre took place. I kind of wanted to go at my own pace but whatever. It’s a little odd because Boston is so built up now—like the spot where the Boston Massacre happened is now a busy intersection with honking cars.

(Site of Boston Massacre

After the tour, my Dad was hungry so we ate a light lunch at Salty Dog in Quincy Market. We then went into the 2nd Freedom Trail Visitor Center (there’s one at the start and one at the halfway point). We watched a movie and got maps. I was impatient to get going and was extremely glad when we finally started walking the second half on our own at 1:30.

We walked through a huge chunk of Boston (the Freedom Trail is 2.5 miles long total), and it was so beautiful. It was GORGEOUS weather—the tour guide said it was the best weather they’d had all year. In the second half, we saw Paul Revere’s house, Old North Church (where the lanterns were hung during Paul Revere’s famous ride), and another old cemetery. We got to the Boston Shipyard and watched a brief video. My parents wanted to tour the USS Constitution, but boats aren’t my thing so I walked to Bunker Hill by myself. My parents have been to Boston before and have already seen most of what we saw, so they wanted to do a new thing.

(Marker at each Freedom Trail site)

Bunker Hill was my favorite part of the day, partially because I was alone (my parents can be wearing) and also because Bunker Hill is more in the suburbs so the walk was quiet and pretty. Also, the monument is on a hill and looks down on Boston and it is a spectacular view. People live all-around the monument and they were out walking their dogs due to the nice weather. Kids were playing around the monument green and there was a wedding party taking pictures.

I walked back to the Shipyard and read my Kindle while waiting for the parents to finish. At 4:15, we took the Charles River Ferry back across to near where we started. That was second-best part of the day as the view was lovely but it was cold. 

(Waiting for the ferry)

We ate an early dinner at Union Oyster House, which is allegedly the oldest restaurant in America. Earlier in the day, the tour guide had told us there was going to be a reenactment of the Boston Massacre at the Old State House at 7. (The Massacre happened 244 years ago this week!) My Dad wanted to see it and get a good view, so we went back to the OSH and my Dad went to stand. Mom and I said no way to standing up in the cold for an hour, so we loitered in a nearby Staples for 40 minutes, sitting in their office chairs. We went back out 15 minutes before, but it was packed so we stood far back. We couldn’t see anything, but we heard it. It was actually funny because every time a Redcoat talked, everybody booed. It got over about 7:30, and Mom and I met up with Dad in the subway. We took the subway back and then had to wait for the shuttle. We got home about 8:15.

In short: we walked a lot and Boston is cold. And the weather was only supposed to get worse unfortunately!

Boston Day 1

Thursday night I slept poorly due to a combination of coffee ice cream too late in the evening, excitement, and fear that I would oversleep. I got out of bed at 5:30, and got ready. I got Starbucks and caught the 7 am train. My parents picked me up and we were through security by 9. We had breakfast at TGI Friday’s—I had a cinnamon roll. After breakfast, we realized Dad had forgotten his suitcase at security. We found out it had been put in storage in Terminal E. Our flight was in Terminal A and there wasn’t time to retrieve it so Dad has no suitcase.

The flight was 3.5 hours long and they showed Frozen as the in-flight movie. I had not seen it yet, and I thought it was pretty cute. 

(First time I ever saw snow from above!)

It was 3 when we arrived. We caught our hotel shuttle and rested in our room awhile. For dinner, we went to Jeraveli’s, the oldest Italian restaurant in Boston. When we got home, I took a 3-hour nap. After I awoke, I read awhile but I was so tired, I slept again at midnight. 

Sabbath

I have gotten into the habit of going to Starbucks before church on Sunday mornings. Last Sunday, while I waiting for my drink, I started pondering whether going to Starbucks on Sunday was really a good idea.

By contributing to Starbucks's profits on Sunday, I am ensuring that its employees have to work. That possibly deprives them of a chance to go to church or to have a Sabbath. Yes, maybe they can go to church on Saturday night or watch an online service later, but still. Contributing to worldly consumption on the holy day feels a bit off.

And it's not just Starbucks. I grew up in a family where eating out for Sunday lunch was the standard. And we're by no means the only family to have that tradition--churchgoers descending on restaurants after church is universal--the "after-church lunch crowd." And when I worked at Target, it was a well-known fact that Sundays mornings were dead, but Sunday afternoons were nasty (because, you know, the ads came out and people wanted to be the first to get the good deal).

There are a few places that close on Sunday--Chick-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby come to mind--but even then I know I'm just as guilty as anyone else of complaining that I craved CFA on Sundays and that I wished it was open. Target used to close on Sundays, but not so anymore. I'm surprised that they still close on Easter Sunday to be honest.

What would it be like if Christians stopped spending money on Sundays? What if we went home for lunch and didn't get Starbucks (or donuts) before church? What if we didn't stop for gas or milk after Sunday Night Bible study? (These are all things that I have done in my life.) How would that change the economic patterns?

Christians are good at turning out for causes they support--the CFA gay marriage scandal comes to mind. I remember watching the news and seeing lines wrapped around various CFA restaurants. What if we were that excited about NOT spending money on Sundays? Oh wait, that would inconvenience us. My bad.

Recently, I have read two books about living purposely (7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker and Flunking Sainthood by Jana Riess). Both of these women did an experiment where they took the Sabbath seriously and did no work on Sundays. This was seen as unique enough to warrant an entire chapter of their respective books. Taking the Sabbath seriously in our culture is so rare that doing so can land you a book deal.

So when we follow the Lord's command and take the Sabbath off, we give ourselves a pat on the back. Yet we don't seem to care if our brothers and sisters in the service industry get the opportunity to take the Sabbath. Is that truly OK?

I think the problem is typically we DON'T take a Sabbath. Thus why would we care if others don't get one either? Busyness is so glorified now--Sundays are for sport games and birthday parties as far as Facebook is concerned. And we have to have fast food to cram into our faces between commitments.

I think the problem is nearly insurmountable as long as our busyness culture prevails. Or at least as long as Christians subscribe to that mentality.

Christians are a mighty force in American culture--we could instill major economic change if we put our minds to it and inconvenienced ourselves a bit. And maybe stores being closed on Sundays could be the norm again, and not the rare, applauded occurrence.

And I'm going to stop going to Starbucks on Sundays.

Weekend at Home

I took the train home early Friday morning. My parents picked me up and we had a late breakfast. I went to the dentist and my Dad and I got Sonic drinks on the way home. We worked on tax things until 6. My brother got home and we had dinner at our excellent local BBQ place.

Saturday, I flew with my Dad and brother to Lancaster, where there is a lovely restaurant at the airport. We ate breakfast and came home. I drove out to L & A's wedding. My friend K was there and we stuck together during the wedding. It was a fairly short event--I was home by 3:30. We didn't do much Saturday night--watched TV.

(At the Lancaster Airport after breakfast Saturday morning. Picture by my brother.)

(Waiting in the food line at the wedding. Picture by K.)

Sunday, I went to Sunday school and church. All 4 of us had brunch at a local restaurant that we love. My mom and I went to see "The Foreigner," a play at our local amateur playhouse. I got home about 4:30 and stayed home all evening. My mom and I watched Downton Abbey.

(My brother and I after Sunday brunch. Yes, I did wear the same outfit twice. Picture by my Dad.) 

Today, I packed up and put the guest room back in order. My Dad and I took the train to downtown Dallas and ate lunch down there. He rode back home and I rode back to school. Got home at 3. Now trying to force myself to do homework.

It was a nice weekend. I'll see my parents in 11 freaking days when we go to BOSTON. I'll see my brother when we both come home for Easter.

Also, at Sunday brunch, all 4 of us coordinated our calendars and dang is this summer going to be crazy.

Media Consumption 2013

I see WAY too many movies. I can barely remember what I’ve seen and what I haven’t. So I’ve decided to keep a list of every movie I see in 2013. Unless otherwise noted, I’m seeing them for the first time.

1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) (previously viewed)

2. Ruby Sparks (2012)

3. Moneyball (2011)

4. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

5. Pitch Perfect (2012)

6. Groundhog Day (1993)

7. Back to the Future (1985)

8. Back to the Future II (1989)

9. Back to the Future III (1990)

10. Wimbledon (2004) (previously viewed)

11. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) (previously viewed)

12. LOTR: The Return of the King (2003) (previously viewed)

13. Remember the Titans (2000) (previously viewed)

14. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) (previously viewed)

15. The Breakfast Club (1985)

16. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

17. Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

18. Emperor (2012)

19. Quartet (2012)

20. Pretty in Pink (1986)

21. Amelie (2001)

22. Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)

23. Clueless (1995) (previously viewed)

24. The Aristocats (1970) (previously viewed)

25. Beauty and the Beast (1991) (previously viewed)

26. The Lion King (1994) (previously viewed)

27. Tangled (2010) (previously viewed) 

28. Brave (2012) (previously viewed)

29. 42 (2013)

30. The Great Gatsby (2013)

31. Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

32. Iron Man III (2013)

33. Blazing Saddles (1974)

34. Made of Honor (2008) (previously viewed)

35. Love is All You Need (2012)

36. The Kings of Summer (2013)

37. Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

38. Blue Like Jazz (2012)

39. Fill the Void (2012)

40. Monsters University (2013)

41. Despicable Me (2010)

42. Despicable Me II (2013)

43. Casa de mi Padre (2012)

44. Wreck-It Ralph (2012) (previously viewed)

45. Blue Jasmine (2013)

46. Jurassic Park (1993)

47. Catherine the Great (1995)

48. Star Trek (2009)

49. Sixteen Candles (1985)

50. Cast Away (2000)

51. The King’s Speech (2010) (previously viewed)

52. Apollo 13 (1995)

53. When Harry Met Sally (1989) (previously viewed)

54. Wall-E (2008) (previously viewed)

55. Parkland (2013)

56. 12 Years a Slave (2013)

57. Diana (2013)

58. My Week with Marilyn (2011)

59. Hocus Pocus (1993) (previously viewed)

60. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) (previously viewed)

61. You’ve Got Mail (1998) (previously viewed)

62. Philomena (2013)

63. Catching Fire (2013)

64. Elf (2003) (previously viewed)

65. The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug (2013)

66. Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

67. Nebraska (2013)

68. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

69. The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug (2013) (previously viewed)

I don’t watch that much TV, but here’s the shows I watched in 2013: 

1. 8 episodes of Mad Men (Season 5)

2. 24 episodes of Boardwalk Empire (Seasons 1 and 2)

3. 9 episodes of How I Met Your Mother (Seasons 2 and 3)

4. 17 episodes of Smash (Season 2)

5. 12 episodes of The Supersizers Go/Eat (Seasons 1 & 2)

6. 2 episodes of Almost Human (Season 1)

I claim to be a fan of these shows but am not caught up:

Downton Abbey (missing most of Season 3) 

Boardwalk Empire (missing most of Season 3 and all of Season 4)

Mad Men (missing most of Season 6)

A Long Weekend in Kansas City

This past week, my great-aunt Charlene died. I didn't know her that well, but my Dad has fond memories of her. He and I decided to use her funeral as a catalyst for a short trip to Kansas City since we are not planning to go up for Christmas.

Wednesday, my Dad arrived in Denton about noon. We had lunch at Cool Beans, a bar and grill close to my house. We got on I-35 N. We first tried to stop in Ardmore, Oklahoma for Sonic Happy Hour drinks, but missed the turn for the Sonic and just went on. We later stopped in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma and there got both our Sonic drinks and cherry pies at McDonald's. We got gas in Guthrie, Oklahoma. I drove from Guthrie to Wichita. We stopped for the night at Wichita, staying at a Motel 6. We had a very nice dinner at Hangar One Steakhouse.

Thursday, we left the hotel about 9. We stopped for coffee and gas on the turnpike, and made it to Topeka around 11. We got our car washed, and then headed to see Mrs. G and her husband Max. Mrs. G is my "third grandma" who is 98. Max is 92 and is Mrs. G's 2nd husband. We had lunch in the dining room of their retirement home and then visited until 2:15.

We left and stopped briefly at the Kansas Expo Center in Topeka to see if we could find the brick with our names on it in its pathway. There was too much slush though, so we headed to Meriden, where my family owns a cabin. We checked up on it and my Dad swept the deck. We then drove to Oskaloosa, the county seat, to pay the cabin taxes, but the office was closed.

We drove on to Platte City, Missouri, which I consider to be my family's "homeland." We got McDonald's, checked gas stations for hotel coupons, and finally checked into the Super 8. We changed into our funeral clothes at the hotel, made a quick pitstop at Walgreen's to buy hearing aid batteries, and went to the Platte City United Methodist Church. We arrived shortly after 6, got in the visitation line, hugged many people, then sat in the pews and talked with our closer family members. At 7:30, they showed a slideshow and then the pastor spoke. He didn't know her so it was a tad generic. One of her grandkids got up and gave a lovely speech. After the service, we stood around and talked awhile.

After we left the church, we got MORE McDonald's (definite roadtrip trend) and went to Aunt L and Uncle J's house to hang out with their family for awhile. We left around 11, went back to the hotel, and chilled.

Friday, we had breakfast at the hotel, went to mail a letter, buy a brake light for my Dad's car, and visited the Platte City Cemetery, home of my family's plot. My cousin Bradley died in May and we went to check out his headstone. After all our errands, we drove to North Kansas City to see another great-aunt, my Aunt Bert. We went to lunch at Frank's, an Italian restaurant in Parkville. We then went back to her house where she had peach cobbler, homemade candy, and homemade caramel corn to snack on. We talked and looked at old pictures until 4:30. We then left to go back to Platte City. On our way, we got gas, bought oil, got drinks at McDonald's, and bought some goods at the local store. We picked up my cousins R and M at their home, and headed to Aunt L and Uncle J's home. We ate Mexican food and desserts. We had alcoholic eggnog, but I did not enjoy it. We talked and watched Elf. We left about 10:30 and went back to the Super 8.

Saturday, we had breakfast at the hotel and left about 10:30. We drove to Cameron, Missouri, to see my Grandma. We had lunch at Dino's Diner, went to Wal-Mart, the hardware store, and Sutherland's. We went home and visited a bit. About 3, we drove back to Meriden. We arrived at the cabin around 5. We got the woodstove and propane heater going and then left to go to dinner. On the way to dinner, I discovered my phone was missing. We tore apart the car and wondered if I had left it in Cameron. We ate dinner at The Flying Tiger in Topeka. Afterwards, we drove home and found my phone (!) in the grass outside the cabin's front gate. We were pleased. We sat by the woodstove and read until about 11. We then slept--I slept well; Dad did not.

Sunday, we got up and sang Christmas carols in lieu of church. We left about 10 and headed to Wichita. We stopped for coffee and gas in Emporia. We ate lunch at a BBQ place in Wichita. We kept driving and stopped for Sonic and gas in Guthrie. I drove from Emporia to Guthrie. We stopped once more for a bathroom stop, and then made it all the way to Denton. We had dinner at Red Lobster, and then went to see Desolation of Smaug. We finally got to my apartment about 11:15. We went to bed around 12.

Today, we got up and had breakfast at IHOP. We went to pay my rent and stopped at Starbucks. Finally, my Dad packed up his stuff and headed home about 10. I'll go home tomorrow, but am spending one free day at my apartment. Tomorrow I have training for my volunteer position at 1 pm in Rockwall, and then I'll be home for the rest of the holidays.

It was a sad reason to go up, but it was a lovely trip. My Dad and I had not traveled alone since I was 9 and we used to go back to St. Louis for my annual check-ups. We got along fairly well, with a few minor exceptions. (We have similar tempers, he and I.) We probably won't be back to Kansas City until summer. Our next trip is already planned---Boston for Spring Break! Hopefully there'll be a trip update then. And (hopefully) a few posts on this blog between now and then.

I have a lot planned for my Christmas break! Fingers crossed that this was only the first adventure of the season. Hope everyone has a lovely Christmas!        

The Weekend

I'm having a particularly good weekend and wanted to record it for my memories.

Friday morning, I was at Union, a coffee shop on Dyer Street that is part church, part community gathering space. I was there for a session on the difference between ordained and laity ministry. It was an interesting talk---I have absolutely no desire to become ordained, but I love hearing other people's stories about their calling. I enjoyed an iced latte and a (especially delicious) strawberry-banana smoothie over the course of my 4.5 hours there.

At 1, I returned home, quickly packed, and walked to the local DART station. I caught the 1:50 train to Rowlett and Mom came to pick me up. We ran errands and returned home where we got into the pool. It was my first time swimming in the pool all year, so it was particularly wonderful.

At 6, we left (with Dad in tow) to eat at Luigi's, the best Italian place in town. We then saw 1776 at the local theatre, a wonderful show that I fully enjoyed. I'd seen the movie in AP US History back in 11th grade, but I ADORE Revolutionary History and musicals, so I was totally up to see it again.

Saturday morning, Dad got me up at 7:30 (after not getting home until 11:30) and we went to ride our jet skis out on the local lake. It was wonderful--perfect temperature  smooth waves, not many other water crafts  Lovely, lovely. One day, I want to write a more detailed post on why I love jet--skiing. It was, once again, my first time to get on the jet skis for the year. We got home about 11, changed, ate our Italian leftovers, and then headed out (with Mom in tow) to see Monsters University at 12:30. I wanted to see it purely for nostalgia. I enjoyed it, but I'm definitely too old for cartoon movies--every single one of the previews just seemed so stupid to me.

After the movie, we went back home to nap. I slept for 2 hours--it had already been a long day and we still had more to do! At 5, we drove to the local airport and loaded up in Dad's plane to fly to Sulphur Springs. We walk across the road from the Sulphur Springs airport to eat at the Red Barn Cafe. We had delicious sea food and saw a host of interesting people as always--SS is much more rural than our town.

We flew back and then drove to the Harbor, a local shopping district by the lake. We set up lawn chairs by the lakefront and waited an hour for the Harbor's firework display--I of course had brought a book. The fireworks were spectacular, but they only lasted about 2 minutes so we decided we wouldn't go again. We came home, ate turtle ice cream, and then I stayed up far too late.

Sunday, I got up, packed up my things, and had Dad drive me to church at 9 am (Mom goes to the early service, which I've haven't gotten up for in about 2 years). I attended my College Sunday School class and then the contemporary service with Mom. Afterwards, we met Dad at the Harbor to eat at the newest restaurant there. It was a seafood joint--I had tilapia.

Mom had a visitation to go to, so Dad drove me back to my house in Dallas. We stopped at Target and then for shakes at Twisted Root Burger Company on the way back. Now, I'm home ready to begin week 4 of my internship!

I have so many things to write about, including my internship, my postcollege life and plans, and just day-to-day things. But I'm too busy at the moment. Maybe one day I'll get back to work on this blog. But for now, Happy Summer!!

Weverb Day 3--Staying in the Moment

I'll admit that it's hard for me to stay in the moment. I spent my year wishing for summer, then wishing for school, then wishing to know what was happening after graduation. I'm definitely future-oriented--I'm up to my eyeballs in grad school things right now.

For me, sitting in the Wesley garden is one way I slow down and appreciate the moment. Drinking cups of tea is another. Observing people is the best way I know to appreciate the moment though. You sit and watch and just think about everything that's going on around you. Staying in the moment is definitely hard for me. I'll try to be better in 2013.

Weverb Day 2--Movie Recommendations

To answer the question simply: My #1 movie this year was Bernie. Absolutely hilarious film. Encourage everyone to see it!

Movies I Would Recommend that were released in 2012: The Avengers, Frankenstein, The Dark Knight Rises, Brave, Lincoln, The Hunger Games, The Lorax

Movies that I will probably recommend in 2012: The Hobbit, Les Miserables, Hyde Park on the Hudson

Also watched The Sandlot for the first time at the Wesley and saw Titanic 3D with a group of Wesley girlfriends. Both enjoyable movie experiences. 


But my most memorable movie experience in 2012 was in April when my 6 cousins, brother,  and I went to see Pirates: Band of Misfits the day after my aunt's funeral. We ordered way too much food, sat there in the dark dealing with unwieldy emotions, and had a bittersweet bonding experience. Sometimes it's not about the movie, but who you're with. I don't think I'll ever forget it.

Fall Break 2012

What inevitably happens, when I decide I'm going to be a cool blogger and take pictures of every second of my life, is that I forget to take pictures about halfway through the day. That's exactly what panned out over Fall Break.

I had grand plans of taking a myriad of wannabe-Instagram pictures and making a "photo essay" of my time off. That failed because halfway through Monday I got bored with the picture-taking. Regardless, here's what I did over Fall Break.

My break started at 8:50 on Thursday evening. I celebrated with eggrolls, coffee ice cream, and 2 episodes of Mad Men.

Friday morning, I stayed in bed way too late, and didn't leave for Rockwall until 11:30 am. But once I got home, my Dad took me to the new Greek restaurant in town. I had an excellent chicken shawarma and then we had baklava.

After lunch and a Starbucks stop, we came home and I spent the afternoon reading magazines--Texas Monthly, Entertainment Weekly, and Guideposts. 

Friday evening, my Mom and I saw 9 to 5: The Musical at our local theatre. It was a nice mother-daughter date.

Saturday morning, I did nothing productive. I messed around on the computer, drank coffee, and stayed in my pajamas until 2 pm.

I attempted to read some Faulkner around 2:30 or so, but my parents were watching TV, so I got sucked in.

We went to see The Trouble with the Curve with Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams at 4 pm, just so we could get out of the house for awhile. After the movie, we drove down to Quinlan and ate at Richard's BBQ. I had excellent pulled pork.

Saturday night, we watched my parents' Australia pictures.

Sunday morning, I went to church at 11.

My cousin Caleb was in Dallas for the weekend, and came to have lunch with my parents and I. Afterwards, the two of us drove to Forney to go antique shopping.

We stopped for frozen yogurt at the Sweet Frog in Forney on the way home.

After he left, I took a late-afternoon nap. Both of my parents were busy during dinner, so I ate leftover BBQ and enjoyed one of my favorite bad habits: reading while at the dinner table.

Sunday night, my parents and I watched a TV special on Margaret Mitchell and I stayed up too late messing around on the internet. 

Monday morning, I got up for a doctor's appointment, but it was cancelled. So I went back to bed until 11. I drove up to Greenville to have lunch with my dear friend Karen. She volunteers at the Greenville hospital MWF, so we just ate at the hospital canteen.

When I got back home, the fun times were over. My parents are looking into changing my room into a guest room, so I spent Monday afternoon cleaning out stuff that I no longer want. I took down all my posters and gave a bunch of stuffed animals away. I cleaned out so much that I was able to give away an entire shelving unit. (Well I say give away...my mom took it for her own use. The Sears family is full of packrats I must say.)

(During)

(After)

Monday night, I spent a lot of time looking through our Marfa pictures (blog post about that trip coming soon I hope) and packing up the laundry that my Mom did for me. (I know, I know...I should be doing my own laundry. But she and Dad were doing their Australia laundry, so she told me to throw it in with theirs.) I attempted to read more Faulkner, but it didn't happen. My mom had bought a package of carmel apples for me, and I had one for my Monday evening dessert.  

Tuesday morning, I got up at 10 and packed the car. At 11:45 I drove to church--my Mom volunteers there Monday and Tuesday. I ate lunch with her and her coworkers. My Dad came to church and we drove to get gas (he bought me a full tank of gas--Thanks Dad!) and then to Walmart to buy some new windshield wipers for my car which he installed. Then we said goodbye, I got in my car, and I drove back to Fort Worth. I stopped for Starbucks at the University Plaza before arriving at my apartment around 3 pm.

(This drink marks my 30th Starbucks purchase this year, making me a Starbucks Gold Member. Yeah for disposable income I guess?)

After getting back, I unpacked and put away my laundry and started this blogpost. At 5, I decided I needed to get serious about my Faulkner, so I went over to the Wesley to read. I lasted 30 pages before I decided I couldn't stand it anymore. I decided to make cupcakes for the Wesley leadership meeting instead. They came out great and we had a nice meeting too. 

Wednesday, Fall Break was technically over. However my one Wednesday class was cancelled, making it a pseudo-vacation day for me. I went to the Mission at 10 as I normally do, went out to lunch at El Rancho Grande with my fellow volunteers, came home and took a nap, and then went to the Wesley for Wednesday worship. All in all, not a bad day. And I didn't take a single picture.

I had class this morning, but I'm already done again for the week--this was the easiest school week in existence. Have plenty of homework to do and Mad Men episodes to watch tonight though. Also have a busy weekend ahead--movie night, working in the Wesley garden, watching the TCU-Baylor game, church, and small group.

Hopefully, I will get my Marfa recap posted sometime next week! Until then, enjoy your weekend!