Halloween 2010

I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween.  With Halloween falling on a Sunday this year, we had quite a jam-packed weekend.  On Friday afternoon, the English language school where I work hosted a Halloween party for the international students.  For most of the students it was their first Halloween ever, so it was neat to watch the students carve pumpkins, dress in costumes, and stuff scarecrows for the first time in their lives.  On Friday evening, I went to another Halloween event for English-language students, and looked on as they carved pumpkins.  On Saturday, I went to a party hosted by the culture club at the University of Delaware, and once again, I was surrounded by people hailing from China, Colombia, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Russia, and Lithuania.  The dressing-in-costume was very novel for most of them, I think.


I decided to go dressed as a mime, which was a very easy costume for me, since I had everything I needed in my closet already.  I liked my costume (I felt very French!), unfortunately, most of the international students didn't know what I was.  I used it as an opportunity to teach them a new word: mime, which is both a noun and a verb.


I was completely Halloween-ed out by Sunday.  I had to get up early Sunday morning to perform in the orchestra for church, then had lunch with some missionaries, and then headed back to church at 6:00pm to see the end of the missions conference my church was holding.  I was too exhausted to do much of anything, so just decided to relax on Sunday night.


On Saturday night, one of my Saudi students asked me, "How many more days will Halloween go for?"  I thought that was funny, as Halloween is technically one day, but this year, it seems to have been spread from Thursday night until even today (Monday).  Tomorrow everyone's attention will be turned toward the elections, so I think that will effectively put the lid (or should I say "final nail in the coffin") on Halloween festivities this year.


What did you do for Halloween?

Recommended Reading

I have been considering what I should read next. My reading of late has mostly centered around grammar books (Clean, Well-lighted Sentences and Sister Bernadette's Barking Dog: The Quirky History and Lost Art of Diagramming Sentences), which I highly recommend, however, I have been feeling in the mood for something more... fictional. Or, at the very least, a good history that is so entertaining that it reads like fiction.


Enter my friends. The American tv show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? has entered the phrase "poll the audience" into our collective vernacular, and that is exactly what I did. Here, then, are the suggestions that I received from my literary-minded friends on Facebook:

1. The Secret History by Donna Tartt, recommended by both Christina and Jeffrey
2. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Luiz Safon, recommended by Leslie
3. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, recommended by Krishan
4. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, recommended by Christine
5. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, recommended by Leif
6. Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose, recommended by Michelle
7. River Rising by Athol Dickson, recommended by Mrs. Larsen
8. East of Eden by John Steinbeck, recommended by Mike
9. Cutting for Stone by Anthony Verghese, recommended by Amy
10. Juliette, a Novel by Anne Fortier, recommended by Katie
11. Speak, Memory by Vladimir Nabokov, recommended by Adty
12. The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar, recommended by Rachel

Thanks for the suggestions, dear friends!  This should keep me busy for a while.  What about you, friends in the blogsosphere?  Have you read any of these books?  What did you think? Have you read any good books lately?


XOXO,

My Brilliant Career

It was pure serendipity that led me to stumble upon the film, My Brilliant Career.  Frankly, I am surprised that the reams of fashion bloggers out there haven't jumped on this film like they did with say, Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975).  I have polled the audience and even among my Aussie friends I have not found anyone who has seen it.  Rather than being excited about discovering such a gem, I am disheartened that more do not know it, as this is a film to be relished and loved.

The story plays out quite simply: a young Australian girl has little else to live for in her life than her dreams.  After falling in love with a wealthy man, however, she is forced to choose between love and the dream of a "brilliant career."  The plot line is simple, yet I was captivated by every moment of it.  The main star, Judy Davis, lights up the screen and her chemistry with costar Sam Neill is palpable.  The character, Sybylla Melvyn, reminds me of another auburn-haired beauty, Anne Shirley (of the Anne of Green Gables series).  She is fiery and independent, and I must say, an inspiration to me.  The film seemed to be Anne of Green Gables-cum-Picnic at Hanging Rock-cum-Days of Heaven.   If you have seen the latter two films, then you know how slow-moving, yet achingly beautiful they are, possessing sublime cinematography.  This movie follows suit.


My Brilliant Career is currently available as a Watch Instantly option on Netflix (or you can rent the DVD).  You can also download a free copy of the novel for Kindle, PC, or other device at Project Gutenberg.

Below are some screenshots of the film.  Drop me a line if you end up watching this (or if you've already seen it) and let me know what you think!


XOXO,

Am I Silly

Because I think this looks good?

I need to re-read Lewis' book, though, as I'm curious how much this will deviate from his original story.

I Love...

Seeing my friends pop up in unexpected places!

The beautiful Susan V.

Pale Pressed Flower

Oh Joy!!

This beauty came in the mail today:

I haven't counted it yet, but I think all the pattern pieces are present (unlike this playsuit pattern I bought off of eBay a while back).  I've been wanting to make a playsuit for a while.  I have the cutest picture of my grandma wearing one, and I want to make one similar to it.

My Golden Grams, on right-- isn't she stunning?

It's fall here now, with winter well on its way, so I may put the pattern aside for the time being, but it is going on my to do list!

XOXO,

Grey Days

I am sick. And it's raining outside. And my taxes are due.

When it rains, it pours, it seems.

I am so over this weather, and sadly, it's only just begun. I remember now why I resolved to follow the sun last year (bouncing back and forth over the equator in search of eternal summer). Perhaps this year I should follow the cue of the bear, and hunker down in hibernation for a few months? If I must endure these cold, rainy, grey days, then this is what I'd like to be wearing:

All pictures from The Edge of Love

Mmmm, floral skirts, Wellies, over-the-knee wool socks, chunky cardigans...  Yes, please.


XOXO,

P.S. This is my current fashion lust:

Aran sweater by Alexa Chung for Madewell