So three things to talk about today: Bride Wars, poetry writing, and Jane Eyre.
First, one of my friends FINALLY asked me to see a movie!!! We went to see Bride Wars last Saturday at the University Stadium 6 in Logan (rated PG). It was fabulous! I would totally go see it again. Language was kept to a minimum and it honestly wasn't as cat-fighty as I thought it would be. Anne Hathaway plays Emma and Kate Hudson plays Liv, two best friends since childhood who have always wanted June weddings at the Plaza. When a mistake occurs and their weddings are scheduled on the same day, the two girls try to sabotage each other because the other one won't change her date outside of June. They use such methods as sending each other sweets so they won't fit in their dresses and rescheduling their dance instruction. It's a very funny movie and I highly recommend seeing it.
As for poetry writing, it sucks. I hate that class so much! I don't learn anything, the hour and fifteen minutes twice a week are a total waste of my time. The class would be so much better if we posted things online somewhere and worked out of the book, and only met once every two weeks for workshops. Unfortunately life doesn't work the way I think it should. Hopefully I'll be able to fit in the prereq in the theatre department for the playwriting class next semester so I don't have to take Advanced Poetry Writing.
While we're talking about class, I also hate my Advanced Fiction Writing. I don't the think the problem is the professor's background in poetry; rather it's her lack of intelligence. In class on Monday we did a group write-around that ended up being really funny but I felt time-warped back into high school creative writing class. She also expects each of us to print 20 copies of our 20 page stories! That's 400 pages! It's like carrying an unbound encyclopedia! One of my friends from Poetry Writing is also in this class, and we're hoping to talk to as many of the people in it as possible to get them to email her. We want her to send out a mass email so we can just hit "reply all" with our 20 page stories attached so we only have to print out copies of our stories for the people in our workshop groups; that way everyone else can read them online, or shrink and print them, or whatever. Stupid classes.
On to something happier. I got to read some of Jane Eyre in between my Rhetoric Associate conferences. Her self-discipline is amazing! A whole page of "you idiot Jane!" I couldn't do that. Of course, that all goes down the drain when Mr. Rochester comes home, but still. Hard core "Bridle your passions".
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
A little bit of everything
So I was going to read more of Jane Eyre before I blogged again, just to have something intelligent to talk about, but I'm too busy with school. Actually I'm lazy, and that forces me to be busy doing homework when I would otherwise be reading and blogging. So no Jane Eyre today. Sorry.
It's these Creative Writing classes that I'm taking for my English major (since CW is my emphasis...also my initials...hmm). Advanced Fiction Writing seems like it should be fun; we get time to write in that class, which didn't happen in my intro FW class (yet I liked FW better than I like Adv. FW). The teacher is...interesting. The problem is just finding time to sit down and write when I'd rather be watching movies or TV or something else lazy. Poetry writing sucks (and I don't like to use that word, so it conveys the strength of how much I hate that class better than just saying I hate that class). So much writing for an intro class! and I don't even like READING poetry! We have 9 peer workshops that are supposed to be different from the 9 poems we turn in to the professor periodically that are supposed to be different from the 6 poems we'll discuss in three student/instructor conferences; that's at least 24 poems! Not to mention the poetry journal we do our homework in, which is worth the most in the grading breakdown (although most of those 24 poems will come from the exercises in the journal). We'll also have a final portfolio, a poem recitation, and a poetry analysis essay (in a poetry writing class?) I agree with Chessie. This class might kill me. But, since Chessie posted a poem, I guess I will to. This is a poem I've revised for our first peer workshop tomorrow:
We pick our way among nettlesome brambles and brush
following a path of flesh-colored sand through black green trees to the beach
The steely blue ocean, more dirty sand, and poorly lit sky
appear before us past the trees
The wind is thundering, we shout to talk, and my feet
feel dirty and cold. The kids chase the tide and race it back
We’re looking for seashells, waiting for the dark cold ocean
to hit the line dividing the light and dark sand and touch our toes
The water is faster than my brother.
It is behind him, around him, over him.
Mom is shouting Dad’s name as we fear
the Master Riptide has claimed him.
The heavy water rushes back, leaving a dark lump
in the sand, gagging for breath. Dad picks him up, heaves him
back to Mom, where he stands shivering in his blue oversized
sweatshirt with his already-straight hair plastered to his skull
We pick our way among nettlesome brambles and brush
following a path of flesh-colored sand through black green trees to the condo
The steely blue ocean, more dirty sand, and poorly lit sky
Disappear behind us past the trees
I don't know. I think I tell too much instead of show in poetry. I just don't feel it like some people do.
On a happier note, Dr. McCuskey's class is awesome, of course, just because he teaches it. I'm not very familiar with the Victorian novel, so I can't say whether or not I'm a big fan of them or not (since Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters were publishing before 1832, when this class starts), but even though our mini history lessons are depressing (because of the Corn Laws and poorhouses and the ignorance of the upper classes) I still label Period Studies as my favorite class. Dr. McCuskey just makes thing interesting when, in less capable hands, the subject would be butchered and boring-to-death (like my poetry class--ugh).
So I haven't done so well with my goals (remember they are not resolutions). I'm still on 0-3 fruits and vegetables a day, and I haven't exercised three days in a row since I posted those goals. I am drinking what feels like lots of water but it's probably not the recommended 8 glasses a day.
I did sign up for an LDS Institute class (Book of Mormon 2) and it's AWESOME (big thanks to Ellie for signing up to go with me!). I'm still working through the Gospels. I need to get more motivated though; right now I tend to read 10 minutes before I go to bed. I get good review on the stories and parables, but I don't feel like I'm learning much. On the other hand, I'm just not a morning person, so I have a really hard time getting up and studying before class and homework. I'm not quite sure what to do about it.
And no one has told me any of the new movies they want to see! How can I go with you and share my educated opinion with the world about the movie if no one lets me know what movies to see? Here, I'll make it easy: the following movies are in theaters now or soon.
Taken opens January 30, rated PG-13.
Inkheart opens January 23, rated PG.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop opens January 16, rated PG.
Bride Wars opened January 9, rated PG.
Marley and Me opened December 25 2008, rated PG.
Bedtime Stories opened December 25 2008, rated PG.
Valkyrie opened December 25 2008, rated PG-13.
Yes Man opened December 19 2008, rated PG-13.
Seven Pounds opened December 19 2008, rated PG-13.
To learn more about these movies, including the cast and plot, visit the Internet Movie Database.
I almost forgot: I saw Eagle Eye this weekend! It is a great film and I highly recommend it. It's like a cross of the Bourne movies and Stealth, oddly enough, and not predictable either. There is a fair amount of language and violence, but no adult content. Shia LeBeouf does a fantastic job. I would watch it again.
It's these Creative Writing classes that I'm taking for my English major (since CW is my emphasis...also my initials...hmm). Advanced Fiction Writing seems like it should be fun; we get time to write in that class, which didn't happen in my intro FW class (yet I liked FW better than I like Adv. FW). The teacher is...interesting. The problem is just finding time to sit down and write when I'd rather be watching movies or TV or something else lazy. Poetry writing sucks (and I don't like to use that word, so it conveys the strength of how much I hate that class better than just saying I hate that class). So much writing for an intro class! and I don't even like READING poetry! We have 9 peer workshops that are supposed to be different from the 9 poems we turn in to the professor periodically that are supposed to be different from the 6 poems we'll discuss in three student/instructor conferences; that's at least 24 poems! Not to mention the poetry journal we do our homework in, which is worth the most in the grading breakdown (although most of those 24 poems will come from the exercises in the journal). We'll also have a final portfolio, a poem recitation, and a poetry analysis essay (in a poetry writing class?) I agree with Chessie. This class might kill me. But, since Chessie posted a poem, I guess I will to. This is a poem I've revised for our first peer workshop tomorrow:
We pick our way among nettlesome brambles and brush
following a path of flesh-colored sand through black green trees to the beach
The steely blue ocean, more dirty sand, and poorly lit sky
appear before us past the trees
The wind is thundering, we shout to talk, and my feet
feel dirty and cold. The kids chase the tide and race it back
We’re looking for seashells, waiting for the dark cold ocean
to hit the line dividing the light and dark sand and touch our toes
The water is faster than my brother.
It is behind him, around him, over him.
Mom is shouting Dad’s name as we fear
the Master Riptide has claimed him.
The heavy water rushes back, leaving a dark lump
in the sand, gagging for breath. Dad picks him up, heaves him
back to Mom, where he stands shivering in his blue oversized
sweatshirt with his already-straight hair plastered to his skull
We pick our way among nettlesome brambles and brush
following a path of flesh-colored sand through black green trees to the condo
The steely blue ocean, more dirty sand, and poorly lit sky
Disappear behind us past the trees
I don't know. I think I tell too much instead of show in poetry. I just don't feel it like some people do.
On a happier note, Dr. McCuskey's class is awesome, of course, just because he teaches it. I'm not very familiar with the Victorian novel, so I can't say whether or not I'm a big fan of them or not (since Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters were publishing before 1832, when this class starts), but even though our mini history lessons are depressing (because of the Corn Laws and poorhouses and the ignorance of the upper classes) I still label Period Studies as my favorite class. Dr. McCuskey just makes thing interesting when, in less capable hands, the subject would be butchered and boring-to-death (like my poetry class--ugh).
So I haven't done so well with my goals (remember they are not resolutions). I'm still on 0-3 fruits and vegetables a day, and I haven't exercised three days in a row since I posted those goals. I am drinking what feels like lots of water but it's probably not the recommended 8 glasses a day.
I did sign up for an LDS Institute class (Book of Mormon 2) and it's AWESOME (big thanks to Ellie for signing up to go with me!). I'm still working through the Gospels. I need to get more motivated though; right now I tend to read 10 minutes before I go to bed. I get good review on the stories and parables, but I don't feel like I'm learning much. On the other hand, I'm just not a morning person, so I have a really hard time getting up and studying before class and homework. I'm not quite sure what to do about it.
And no one has told me any of the new movies they want to see! How can I go with you and share my educated opinion with the world about the movie if no one lets me know what movies to see? Here, I'll make it easy: the following movies are in theaters now or soon.
Taken opens January 30, rated PG-13.
Inkheart opens January 23, rated PG.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop opens January 16, rated PG.
Bride Wars opened January 9, rated PG.
Marley and Me opened December 25 2008, rated PG.
Bedtime Stories opened December 25 2008, rated PG.
Valkyrie opened December 25 2008, rated PG-13.
Yes Man opened December 19 2008, rated PG-13.
Seven Pounds opened December 19 2008, rated PG-13.
To learn more about these movies, including the cast and plot, visit the Internet Movie Database.
I almost forgot: I saw Eagle Eye this weekend! It is a great film and I highly recommend it. It's like a cross of the Bourne movies and Stealth, oddly enough, and not predictable either. There is a fair amount of language and violence, but no adult content. Shia LeBeouf does a fantastic job. I would watch it again.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
School is back
I have successfully finished the first day of classes (actually it's the first two days, but they were both first days for certain classes; we'll just lump it all into one).
The teacher of my racquetball class will be providing all the equipment, which is nice (even though I have my own). Even nicer is that I can go to class from home, and come straight home when it's done to shower, so there's no awkward changing or showering at the HPER, which I can't even imagine doing (the showering part anyway).
My Advanced Fiction Writing class, which is 2.5 hours long, should be okay; I've heard rumors about this professor but she seemed pretty put together, and it's only a once-a-week class anyway. But it's advanced. That will probably balance it out.
Period Studies will be FABULOUS!!!! Mostly because Dr. McCuskey is teaching it. We're studying the Victorian period, which I'm not an absolute fan of, but I'm way excited for that class. I think I can safely say that it will probably be my favorite this semester, even though we're reading Middlemarch by George Eliot (who was really a woman). I know nothing about that book, except what Dr. McCuskey told us in class: "I have to warn you," (pause as he looks all around the class) "People tend to hate this book." Sounds like fun!
Poetry Writing I am not excited for. Basically I'll have to write 2-3 poems a week: 9 poems are turned in periodically throughout the semester; about 6 poems will be reviewed in one-on-one conferences with the professor; and there's like 8 peer workshops/reviews that are supposed to focus on totally different poems from any of the above. I don't like poetry. I'm only in this class for my major. And I don't think this approach will help me learn to like poetry, either.
Science and Technology in Modern Society is my depth science requirement and Sarah says it's easy, but we'll see how that goes. No book, which is good, I guess, but the students basically teach the class because once a week a group presents on a topic. Hopefully this class is interesting enough that I can stay awake. The last class I fell asleep in was in the same room. Is that a sign?
Since my roommates came home and school started again I haven't been reading much in Jane Eyre, but I'll finish it, I promise!
The teacher of my racquetball class will be providing all the equipment, which is nice (even though I have my own). Even nicer is that I can go to class from home, and come straight home when it's done to shower, so there's no awkward changing or showering at the HPER, which I can't even imagine doing (the showering part anyway).
My Advanced Fiction Writing class, which is 2.5 hours long, should be okay; I've heard rumors about this professor but she seemed pretty put together, and it's only a once-a-week class anyway. But it's advanced. That will probably balance it out.
Period Studies will be FABULOUS!!!! Mostly because Dr. McCuskey is teaching it. We're studying the Victorian period, which I'm not an absolute fan of, but I'm way excited for that class. I think I can safely say that it will probably be my favorite this semester, even though we're reading Middlemarch by George Eliot (who was really a woman). I know nothing about that book, except what Dr. McCuskey told us in class: "I have to warn you," (pause as he looks all around the class) "People tend to hate this book." Sounds like fun!
Poetry Writing I am not excited for. Basically I'll have to write 2-3 poems a week: 9 poems are turned in periodically throughout the semester; about 6 poems will be reviewed in one-on-one conferences with the professor; and there's like 8 peer workshops/reviews that are supposed to focus on totally different poems from any of the above. I don't like poetry. I'm only in this class for my major. And I don't think this approach will help me learn to like poetry, either.
Science and Technology in Modern Society is my depth science requirement and Sarah says it's easy, but we'll see how that goes. No book, which is good, I guess, but the students basically teach the class because once a week a group presents on a topic. Hopefully this class is interesting enough that I can stay awake. The last class I fell asleep in was in the same room. Is that a sign?
Since my roommates came home and school started again I haven't been reading much in Jane Eyre, but I'll finish it, I promise!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy New Year
Happy New Year's everyone (all three of you!)
So my New Year's celebration was really boring: I drank a bottle of Martinelli's and stayed up till two in the morning watching the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth (watching P&P and reading Jane Eyre has a strange effect on the way I think; instead of "that stinks", I think, "that is terribly inconvenient"; or when another driver bothers me, I think "insufferable!" or "hateful man!"). Not that that is a bad thing; I love that movie, I just didn't party or even watch any celebration on TV.
I think New Year's resolutions are old and washed-out ideas that never get done, but I have some goals anyway. They're not resolutions. They're goals. And they are:
1. Live a healthier lifestyle. My last visit to the doctor produced evidence of high cholesterol, and I wouldn't mind shedding a few extra pounds anyway, since I'd feel better, look better, like my clothes more, be happier in general, you get the drift. So my goal includes working up to eating at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day (not 5 each--5 total; right now I average 0-2 daily), drinking all 8 stupid recommended glasses of water a day (which will include carbonated water, Propel, and KoolAid mixes), and exercising for at least 30 minutes a day at least 5 days of the week. Usually that 30 minutes is on a treadmill or elliptical machine, since I'm lucky enough to have free subscription to the university gym, but I got a Balanceball set for Christmas so I'll give myself some leeway. The Balanceball workouts are only about 20 minutes, but toning is a lot harder than walking on a treadmill (run? me? are you serious?).
2. Come to know Christ. I feel like I don't know him very well. I know of him, I know most of the stories, but I don't feel like I could testify of him and his power right now. And I'm Christian, I ought to be able to do that much. So I'm reading the Gospels right now; I think I'll sign up for an LDS Institute Book of Mormon class this semester; I'd like to study on my own how Christ is the Master Teacher, since every calling in the Church requires a teacher and someday my children will need me as a teacher of Christ, and teaching is just an all-around good skill to have anyway; and I'll probably try to work my way through Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage. I am convinced this will add greatly to my happiness.
3. Ain't this a blog about books and movies? I'm going to try to step away from the tried and true this year. Instead of wasting money on junk food from the Quickstop on campus, I want to invest in my personal entertainment and see more movies that are currently coming out, instead of watching the old ones that I know I like (A&E Pride and Prejudice, anyone?). The only problem is that someone has to go with me (my mother taught me never to go to the moviehouse alone), so if there's a movie you really want to see, let me know. I also would like to read more books that deserve to be read. Some of these will be classics like Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte; some of them I'd like to be contemporary, but I don't quite know how to decide what's worth my time. I'll have to figure out current bestseller lists, I guess. If you know of any books I should read, or if you have any ideas about how to find books I should read, please share them in the comments section below.
This post wasn't supposed to be so long. Oh well. Happy 2009!
So my New Year's celebration was really boring: I drank a bottle of Martinelli's and stayed up till two in the morning watching the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth (watching P&P and reading Jane Eyre has a strange effect on the way I think; instead of "that stinks", I think, "that is terribly inconvenient"; or when another driver bothers me, I think "insufferable!" or "hateful man!"). Not that that is a bad thing; I love that movie, I just didn't party or even watch any celebration on TV.
I think New Year's resolutions are old and washed-out ideas that never get done, but I have some goals anyway. They're not resolutions. They're goals. And they are:
1. Live a healthier lifestyle. My last visit to the doctor produced evidence of high cholesterol, and I wouldn't mind shedding a few extra pounds anyway, since I'd feel better, look better, like my clothes more, be happier in general, you get the drift. So my goal includes working up to eating at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day (not 5 each--5 total; right now I average 0-2 daily), drinking all 8 stupid recommended glasses of water a day (which will include carbonated water, Propel, and KoolAid mixes), and exercising for at least 30 minutes a day at least 5 days of the week. Usually that 30 minutes is on a treadmill or elliptical machine, since I'm lucky enough to have free subscription to the university gym, but I got a Balanceball set for Christmas so I'll give myself some leeway. The Balanceball workouts are only about 20 minutes, but toning is a lot harder than walking on a treadmill (run? me? are you serious?).
2. Come to know Christ. I feel like I don't know him very well. I know of him, I know most of the stories, but I don't feel like I could testify of him and his power right now. And I'm Christian, I ought to be able to do that much. So I'm reading the Gospels right now; I think I'll sign up for an LDS Institute Book of Mormon class this semester; I'd like to study on my own how Christ is the Master Teacher, since every calling in the Church requires a teacher and someday my children will need me as a teacher of Christ, and teaching is just an all-around good skill to have anyway; and I'll probably try to work my way through Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage. I am convinced this will add greatly to my happiness.
3. Ain't this a blog about books and movies? I'm going to try to step away from the tried and true this year. Instead of wasting money on junk food from the Quickstop on campus, I want to invest in my personal entertainment and see more movies that are currently coming out, instead of watching the old ones that I know I like (A&E Pride and Prejudice, anyone?). The only problem is that someone has to go with me (my mother taught me never to go to the moviehouse alone), so if there's a movie you really want to see, let me know. I also would like to read more books that deserve to be read. Some of these will be classics like Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte; some of them I'd like to be contemporary, but I don't quite know how to decide what's worth my time. I'll have to figure out current bestseller lists, I guess. If you know of any books I should read, or if you have any ideas about how to find books I should read, please share them in the comments section below.
This post wasn't supposed to be so long. Oh well. Happy 2009!
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