Those Childhood Weddings

I remember as a little girl playing all those make believe weddings and always dreaming about the day that I would someday get married and have that huge princess wedding but as you get older things change, you change and your priorities change. The list that you had in your mind of how your life was going to play out changes and your view begin to change. The novels Bet Me and a Vision in White draw up memories from when I was that little girl and the plans that I had for my life and I think about how different my life played out compared to the dream of my happily ever after that I had as a little girl. It makes me remember that life was simple or easy when you are a little girl and that you believe in fairy tales but as we grow we lose those fairy tale dreams and we forget about them. It makes me think that when I was younger and I had fairy tales in my life my life seemed better, I was happy. I think that as adults we need to remember those fairy tales and our dreams and plans that we had when we were little because when you were small you didn't have a care in the world and sometime as adults we need to feel that again. Some of us more that others. But I liked these last to novels because they made me remember the little girl I was and the things that I always wanted when I grew up. I may not have my happy ever after and I may not have the life that I wanted for myself but I have two little girls that I am going to hope and help remind them so they in turn can help me continue to believe in fairy tales and the happily ever after and that no matter what your age it is always fun and healthy to dream. It's ok to change your plan and that life keeps going and it's up to you to keep those happily ever afters and fairy tales alive.

Grandma Betty

Today in class, while we talked some about the book of course, we also had a lot of side conversations that were really meaningful for me. Dr. J. talked about little Jessica and shared her story of wondering why she and her mom couldn't just stay in the ditch reading stories!

This made me think of myself, and my dear, dear Grandma Betty. I pretty much love Grandma Betty more than life itself; please don't take this as an exaggeration because I do not intend it as one. On the list of most important people in my life, she comes second after my husband and is only then followed by my sister and my Mom. Quite simply, I adore her.

When I was little, I spent nearly every day at Grandma Betty's while my parents worked; as I grew older, summers were spent there. And among other things, Grandma and Katie LOVED to visit the library. We would ride the city bus, which to me was quite the novelty, and we would spend hours exploring, playing, and filling my bag with book after book after book. I went through the Flicka, Ricka, Dicka books, to the Boxcar children, and eventually VC Andrews. I knew the librarians by name and they knew me. And when we had exhausted our own imaginations, there was children's time. Grandma Betty introduced in me a love and respect of reading and all things book related that has lasted and I expect to last my entire life through. On "library days", I probably burned through three books at least between the time we got home and the time my Mom picked me up!

To me, the library is one of the best places on earth. I love to snuggle up into a cozy chair to read a magazine, and I love to walk among the shelves of books ~ so many books that I can't even reach the top! I even love to do my homework at one of the back tables by the windows, where I can people watch too. The library, for me, is a little piece of comfort and home. And, of course, Grandma Betty.

**I had hoped to find a picture of Grandma and I when I was little, but I didn't have one on my computer. I chose this one instead because I love the love and respect that was captured here.**

Readings

This English 281 course was an Awesome class with an Awesome Professor to lead us!  I totally loved everything about it.  From the discussions to the blogs to the readings.  I have to confess that I didn't care much for some of the books that were required to be read because I'm not used to that style of reading, but that's up to the Professor.  At least the books weren't boring like some articles that I've read in the past.   I wished all college courses were like this course.  

The last reading Nora Roberts, Vision in White, brought back childhood memories.  Although, I forgot to count how many times I got married to my sisters, cousins, and even to make-believe husbands that went off to war.  LOL.  I feel that because each and everyone of us have different backgrounds and different views on things and so, there are many different writers for many different readers.  All in all, I liked the book because there are some parts that I could relate to and made the reading kind of realistic.  I sorta got lost trying to figure out who's talking and who's who in the beginning but that's because there were too many characters to start out with. It could have been better, but in reality, every single one of her books can't all be wonderful and liked through and through.  Different, unique, individual quality of things is what makes life interesting! 

A Trend with in the books...and a Little bit of Vision.

Well throughout the books we've read this semester, all have a recurring theme, which is Abuse. Mama Elana to Tita, Linda to Mac, Min's mother towards Min and Diana, Cal's parents towards Cal, Cal's brother towards his Son. In some way shape or form, there is Abuse in almost every book. Just an interesting realization I've noticed.

Mac's mother has an exceedingly large impact upon how Mac view's love, which creates a Commitment problem, which also makes her worry that all guys are the same, and that she's just going to be left. Her father barely acknowledges her, because her parents divorced and he left. Her mom just burdens her with all her love problems, and comes running to her for money and comfort, which leads to Linda taking advantage of her, putting Mac under extreme stress.

Luckily, Carter changes that for Mac. She was uncertain, but Carter really stuck with her. He really loved her! Which is something she deserves, since it helps her get over that problem...plus, everyone deserves true love!

I liked this book a lot, it wasn't my favorite. I think Nora Roberts could have expanded Mac's story into another novel or two...and probably do that for all the other books that are in this series. But it's really not a bad novel. I liked it and I will probably read more of her work.

Mediocre

As i have stated before, I am very surprised by the amount of enjoyment I have endured while reading the novels that were selected for this class. However, "Vision In White", seemed to diminish this intriguing cycle. I must admit prior to starting the novel I was a tad bias because I wanted to prove she was not as great as she is claimed to be, that no one can write as many great novels as she. Well, in the first few chapters I was actually starting to prove myself wrong about Nora, but the more the book dragged on the more my original hypothesis became true. I waited and waited for some amazing character development, something in the likes as a "Pride and Prejudice" or even "Bet Me", but that yearning was never satisfied (especially if this is supposed to be a series). As we discussed in class today, there was not a real sense of death, something bringing the reader beneath the surface of the fantasy. It just seemed apparent that this is how things were and there was no substance. The story seemed to create an extreme rush of storyline towards the end, and never felt like there was any closure on any level. Which even if this were to be part of a series some type of closure of real depth should have been created. I understand she had some difficulties with her mother and commitment that miraculously disappeared just like that, but that is not true depth. I am meaning a real conflict that has an actual process of it becoming overcome, character flaws, and again, substance. This story just seemed plainly mediocre, now I am not saying all of Nora's work is on this level for this is the only novel of her's I have read, but the chances of me becoming an advocate of her's is very unlikely. Though, i will give her one chance in the future, but not right away...I have more important books to read before getting into something that maybe just a huge risk.

The End...

Vision of White, was kind of rushed throughout the whole book. There could have been more depth and conflict maybe in Mac and Carter's relationship. I figured that once Corrine was introduced into the book, there would have been maybe a conflict with her wanting Carter and fighting for him. I just thought there could have been more of a lot of things basically. (except I did like that their wedding wasn't in there) I did like how the four friends were close and about Mac's strained relationship with her mother though.

Mac's relationship with her mother is a horrible one. I agree with who ever mentioned in class that most of the books have a strange or absent mother. It reminds me of Disney movies (more the classic ones) in how the mother has usually died and if the mother is okay than sometimes the father is dead. Basically there are usually no "normal" parents even if they were both there.

In class someone mentioned how the four friends were maybe stereotyped, and I think that they were a little bit maybe. I think each one of them played a specific role in their friendship. This happens all the time, and maybe has to happen. In my group of friends, we definitely have our own roles that we grew into as we became friends. I think that there kind of relationships are important to have in life.

Overall this book wasn't my favorite of them all, though I am not sure which would be...I did really enjoy Bet Me...But I don't know. I don't think it's important to have a favorite so oh well!

I really enjoyed the class discussions and the directions we went with them and feel that I learned a lot more with reading those books with the class, than if I would have by myself!

The Laaaaasst Melon! (Ice Age)

FELIZ CINCO DE MAYO!!!! i can't believe this is my last blog, tear tear, sniffle sniffle. It seems like the first day of class was yesterday and we still have forever to spend together! but sadly we don't and after this class we must all go our separate ways.. i will miss everyone! We have been through the worst together from things such as at each others throats arguing, to sympathizing about things we completely agreed on and discussing deep personal issues. I feel like we are all on the same level and can trust each other with anything. If anyone asks me how this class was i would gladly tell them that it was nothing short of spectacular and i would take it again in a heartbeat. The books were really good and if it wasn't for this class i probably would have never read them. with that said i would have to say that my favorite book was either water for chocolate or pride and prejudice, more so the movie but the book was just as good. Dr.J is an amazing teacher and the only reason i took this class was because of how good she was at teaching and just being a cool person in general. So i will end this final blog with the words of a wise man, "A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave." (Gandhi)