Oh, Man, I Am a Nerd!

  I admit to being a nerd. I understand and embrace many nerdy things. I have no shame in this because I feel like I balance that nerdiness with good social skills. I can interact with people about all sorts of things that don't involve time travel or fantastical landscapes. But as I stepped back from my conversation with my friends at dinner last night, I realized just how nerdy we all are. Here are some snippets of things my friends and I said:

1) Rick Riordin's next series is coming out and this time it's all about NORSE MYTHOLOGY! I'm so excited!
2) So let's prioritize the rest of our comic con schedule. If you had to choose between the Hobbit panel and Merlin, which would you choose?
3) Oh, man, I messed up my Mobius strip scarf!
4) Oh, I see, I needed to twist it 360 degrees not 180 degrees. Because a 360 degree rotation in the round is like a 180 rotation with paper!
5) All of my favorite YouTubers are just down the street in Anaheim and I can't go see them!
6) You have Lois Lane hair!
7) Which Lois Lane?
8) The best one, Teri Hatcher!
9) Did you get me a VanGogh exploding Tardis Dr. Who shirt for my birthday? Awesome!
10) What'd you get Cathy, a GMAT study book? Oh, you did!
11) Let's practice the math section!
12) I think I need to knit Adam Baldwin a scarf to match the cunning hat and give it to him at the Firefly panel!
13) I'm sure the Dr. Who panel will be on Sunday and the Hobbit will probably be on Saturday, so there are no conflicts.
14) And then the Simon and Schuster panel is that night and I think they might be giving away free SWAG - like maybe even new books!!
15) That would be a good shirt to wear to comic con, except it's not nerdy enough.
16) I have to pick out what books I'm going to bring to comic con...maybe I'll get some e-books from the library to reduce the weight I'm carrying.

So we were at a comic con planning party, which increases the probability of nerdy comments being said, but I am a nerd. I was rooted in nerdiness as a child and that nerdiness was allowed to grow slowly and quietly until it bloomed and became complete in me. I am a nerd.

Frustrated Poetry

        I was at a really difficult meeting today that I struggled with. During one portion of the meeting (when my blood sugar was at its lowest) I was staring at the floor which led me to stare at the pant leg of the guy sitting next to me and noticed that he had a paperclip at the bottom hem of his pants. Why? It wasn't holding the hem together, it wasn't doing anything. I was transfixed by this paperclip and started saying in my head, "paperclip, paperclip, paperclips" and then "clipper ships, clipper ships, clipper ships" and then I wrote a poem:

                       Paper clips and clipper ships
                       floating in my head

       This is a sign of bad things ahead. I know that when I feel the poetry start to flow, the meeting has been too long and I need to step outside, call my mommy, or get some food.

    Later, after lunch, a man in my group was talking and talking and I couldn't make my brain listen to him. I tried to take in what he was saying and repeat it back in my head, but I just couldn't do it. All I could think about was how slow the time was going and how I really wanted to be done and how torturous this was beginning to feel.

                            slow, tortured time ticking by

      I don't do well at 7 hour meetings, no matter how well planned they may be. I cannot be expected to sit still for that long! No one as hyper as I am should be expected to sit that long...I have such sympathy for my students! Wow, I seriously just considered that this must be what school is like for so many of my students. Maybe I should start wearing paperclips on my pants to at least inspire some poetry.

Beautiful

        My girls' group is going through an awesome book called, "Lies Young Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free." We have talked about lies the book has identified and they were spot on. This week we talked about our own temptations and sins and discussed what lies we were listening to and what Biblical truths we found to counter that. One lie we all identified with was about self-image. We were all drawn in different ways to nearly obsess over our looks, whether it be physical strength and fitness, eating issues, agonizing over how we appear or dress, comparing ourselves to others and the list goes on.
          I was struck this week about how much we analyze and criticize every detail of our own looks and how much grace we give to those we love. Love makes someone beautiful. My mother and I look alike, I mean, a lot alike. There are often times I will see a picture of her when she was my age and think it is me. Except for the fact that she has luscious, voluminous, dark hair, we are the same. When I look at myself, I see all of my flaws. I grimace at imperfections, imagined or real, that would make other people laugh because they are so ludicrous. Some imperfections are more vivid and even pointed out by others. And depending on my emotional state at the time, these imperfections can become a glaring and sometimes even debilitating stumbling block.
         So last Saturday, we were looking at old films from the 70's of my family. And there on the screen is my beautiful mother. As soon as she showed up, I gasped and said, "Oh, Mama, you are beautiful!"
          Do you see? My love for my mother causes me to look at her and completely cover over any imperfections I may have seen in myself. All I can see is this amazing woman who offered me security, love, comfort, kindness, encouragement, discipline. This woman who taught me to love the things I love and be the woman I am. This woman who survived cancer and still took the time to make me a birthday cake between rounds of chemo, because she knew it was important to me. This woman who thinks I am smart and clever and kind and encourages me to do the things I do. So when I looked at this film of this young woman, I saw her through my love for her and she was beautiful. So how can I look at myself and see flaws and look at this near twin of myself and see beauty? Because of love. When I look through the eyes of love, beauty is more easily found.
        Proverbs 31 famously says, "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." and 1Peter 3: 3,4 "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 
       Now, if you know me, you know that I do like clothes and I practiced my Katniss braid for hours until it was perfected. So I don't choose to believe these verses are telling me I have to get rid of my closet of clothes and stop trying to figure out how to style my hair. What I think these verses say to me, is that my focus in my beauty regimen should be developing my relationship with the Lord and working on making my inner self beautiful. That is what is lasting, that is how the people who love me will see me. When lies about my looks assault me, I will fight with these truths. I will battle daily to believe these truths and not buy into the lies the media feeds me and I feed myself.
          I will end with a quote from my favorite song from my favorite rap theologian, LeCrae :"In Christ she is loved, she's secure and accepted. Never be rejected by God who's elected her. Her beauty is her godliness and she ain't gotta flaunt it 'cause it's obvious. Identity is found in the God we trust and any other identity will self destruct."

My Favorite Books (so far)

I have read many books, but only a few have I read more than once. I don't often spend my valuable reading time reading something that won't rack up points or earn a check off my list. So the books on this list made this list for one of three reasons: the book is a classic that sounds impressive to have read and was actually a good read, the book really spoke to me in some life changing way, or I have read the book more than once and enjoyed it each read. The books are listed in no particular order.


1) Anne of Green Gables - I think this book changed my life in so many ways. I had never before read something I could relate to so completely. I mean, I could dream about starting my own baby-sitter's club or read about fourth grade nothings, but I was Anne. It was as if L.M. Montgomery was speaking to my soul saying, "Your oddities are lovely, keep being this strange and wonderful you." I have several copies of this book in two different languages. I have visited several important locations in the book. I have joined clubs connected to it and even created a newsletter containing continuing adventures with my childhood best friend, Kristie. This was also the first book I read that caused me to love reading. I carried it with me even to the dinner table and read the whole series (the first time I had ever done that). You could say that this was the book which started my bibliophilia in the first place.  I still love this book as much as I did twenty years ago when I first read it.

2) Persuasion - my favorite Jane Austen. I could read the part where Captain Wentworth writes the letter again and again...in fact I do...

3) The Blue Castle - this book is also by LM Montgomery. I read it in high school and just adored all of the ridiculous characters. I own an early edition of it which I read out loud to my parents in one sitting as we drove from Petaluma to Garden Grove. I was hoarse the next day, but it was worth it.

4) To Kill a Mockingbird  - I saw the movie first and I know that has altered my perspective on this book. It is my mother's favorite movie and we watch it together every Halloween. Gregory Peck is amazing and as lovely as Atticus Finch himself. I heard once (maybe it's even in the book) that Atticus was, "so far above everyman, that he was above no man." I think that is a wonderful way to live.

5) Les Miserables - Yup, this one is mostly just to brag that I finished this novel, but really, I was so enraptured with this dark and beautiful story. It was such a bold telling of true grace, a juxtaposition of justice vs. mercy. It was an amazing book.

6)  The Count of Monte Cristo - I'm not usually one to love classics. I read them for their importance, but I don't usually devour them. Not so with this one. It is full of action and intrigue and a great lesson on what vengeance can do to a man.

7) The Harry Potter Series - I think that JK Rowling is a genius.

8) The Hunger Games - I read this book in one sitting and I own several copies so I can loan it out to multiple people at once. I have read it twice and will probably read it again (almost unheard of).

9) Ender's Game - a book about genius children...that's all it takes to get my attention. A mind blowing ending...that's all it takes to make me love it and tell others to read it too.

10) The book of Romans - this is probably my favorite book in the Bible. I know a lot of people love it, but it is full of inspiration and encouragement. It explains the need for the gospel and what the good news really is. It tells me that I can never be separated from God's love no matter what I do or what anyone else does. It's a common favorite for a reason.

11) Psalm 103 - I LOVE this Psalm. I love it for its structure, its poetry, and its reassurance of God's love for me despite my sin.

12)Jane Eyre - I love how Jane sticks to her principles even when her happiness and security are at stake. I drudged through this the first time I read it, but I've reread it since then and I love it more each time. Such a good story.

13) Sideways Stories From Wayside School - I have read this book at least 10 times and it is funny each time. With its small chapters and crazy characters, this book is a wonderful read-aloud.

14) Flipped - A story told from two different perspectives, not only do the characters flip in the middle of the book, your perspective on each character flips too. I have never known how beautiful a sycamore tree could be.

15) The Magician's Nephew - This book made this list for one specific scene in which Aslan creates Narnia. It is a poetic interpretation of how it would look and sound at the beginning of a world.

     Well, now that you've seen my list, tell me what books I should have as favorites.

Books I've Been Reading

  So as many of you know, I have an addiction to books. I tried to reduce this addiction by making a contract that I could no longer buy new books until I had read every book in my possession (that was a list of 100 books I had yet to read). I made some exceptions: I could buy books with a gift certificate, I could buy books for my classroom. Using my amazon points, student recommendations, and a library card I have found many ways to circumvent my contract. So here are some books I've read recently and I thought I would share them with you. They are all considered YA (Young Adult) fiction but they vary greatly in appropriate age levels. Some I liked and some I did not, I hope you find something you might enjoy.

Feed by M.T. Anderson
    Setting:  Near Future, Earth
    Premise: The internet is implanted in people's brains and they are constantly plugged in. This book explores what effects this has on language, consumerism, self-awareness, others-awareness, and all relationships.
    Elements which may concern some readers: LOTS of bad language. I thought it was absolutely appropriate for what the author intended, but if you are sensitive to swears then this is too much for you. There is one racy scene that is not gratuitous, but is certainly not PG-13.
    My rating: A-, I loved the author's intent and he cleverly created a world that is not too far off from our current one. I was disappointed that the characters were simply cogs in the machine and not one of them was really a hero against the machine, but it was a device that was useful for the intention of novel. I really liked this book.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
  Setting: Future, pan-Asia
  Premise: a cinderella story - only she's a cyborg
  Elements which may concern some readers: it was clean and well done
  My rating: A,  I really enjoyed this book. I kept saying, "This is really good!" as I was reading it. It wasn't mind blowing or super deep or even showing me the world in a way I'd never seen. It was clever, well told, and very entertaining. It is part of a series (that is not out yet) and I didn't know that until about 50 pages to the end when things weren't wrapping up. It was a great read and I can't wait to loan it out to others.
 
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
   Setting: Future, America (see a trend in my reading?)
   Premise: Love is viewed as a disease and that disease can be cured at the age of 16 (18? I can't remember). A young girl and her friend struggle with what this cure will mean for them and for their society.
   Elements which may concern some readers: it's a kissing book, there are some profanities
   My rating: C,  I was totally sold on the premise, but the delivery became a little too contrived by the end. I did think about what love means beyond the romantic love we might initially consider. What would the world look like without love? But once I answered that question with, "worse than how the author portrayed it," I was kind of done with her storytelling.  It was ok, not a total waste of time. 

Faking Faith by Josie Bloss
    Setting: Present day, America
    Premise: A young agnostic is alienated by her friends because of a mistake she made, so she seeks solace in the internet. She finds a series of blogs written by devout Christian girls and decides to pretend to be one of them online. She meets her favorite blogger in real life and spends time living with her and experiencing her life first hand.
    Elements which may concern some readers: some profanity, references to inappropriate behavior, stupid writing, a poorly worded and thinly veiled attack against Christians.
     My rating: D-, So at first I'm like, "Wow, the author is fairly representing conservative Christians! I'm so happy," and then I'm like, "Wait, what?" and then I was like, "I'm sorry, but a boy should apologize for kissing you the first time he talks to you while you are just having a conversation and he totally macs out." and then I was like, "Wait, what?" and then I was mad...LaCrae was right - people too often portray Christians as crazy, stupid, sexist, violent deviants. And then I was like, "Oh, so the mom who was totally distant and involved in her job for 16 YEARS, suddenly decides she wants to spend time with her daughter WHOM SHE HASN'T PAID ATTENTION TO FOR 16 YEARS and now is the best mom in the world because she's not a Christian like the mindless mother of her friend and she believes in love and isn't that the most important thing?" And then I found myself saying to anyone nearby, "And then..." and ranting a little more. The characters were poorly developed and frankly, the writing should be offensive to anyone who's ever met me and doesn't think I'm a mindless weakling. I am fine if you want to write a book about things I don't believe in or against things I do. But if you are going to degrade an entire subgroup, please do so intelligently and with at least some plausible character development!

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
  Setting: Present day America
  Premise: A young girl is the sole survivor of a tragic accident. She is in a coma and her consciousness is able to see the world around her. She must decide if she should let go of life or wake up and live a life that is going to be totally different than the one she knew.
  Elements which may concern some readers: I read this awhile ago so I think there was some profanity and some PG-13 racy scenes.
  My rating: B , This book was well written and the story was beautifully developed and revealed. It was really hard to know what she should choose and I was compelled to love her family and those whom she might leave behind. There were many touching scenes that made me cry. The book promotes the importance of family and of other loved ones. The family in this story really likes each other and they do so in a realistic way. Overall, a good book.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
     Setting: Present Day, America and Amsterdam
     Premise: two teens dealing with cancer fall in love and deal with that
     Elements which may concern some readers: profanity and a racy scene dealt with tactfully, cancer
     My rating: A,  This book is beautiful. So I don't want to recommend this book to a lot of people because it is of a style which I don't often read - true literature. I mean that it has a plot and it's well written and it's main purpose is to make the reader think about what it means to love and be human and to die and to make mistakes and to be. This book was beautifully written - page after page of quotables which alternately made me think deeply, cry or laugh. The characters were witty and brilliant and kind and broken and it has one of the most romantic descriptions of the cardinality of numbers and different forms of infinity I have ever read. This is not really teen fiction and there isn't a cyborg in sight, it has nothing to do with dystopia, so this is not my normal read as of late, but this was a beauty.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
     Setting: The Future, America - now a collection of 12 districts and a capitol.
     Premise: To suppress its people and remind them never to rebel again, the capitol requires two tributes every year (children from the ages of 12-18) from each district to come to the capitol and fight in a televised battle to the death. The winner is set for life and his/her district is given food and supplies for a year (that's were the hunger part plays in). This book is about one tribute named Katniss Everdeen.
      Elements which may concern some readers: I guess it's violent. I suppose, for some reason, that doesn't bother me, so I didn't really think it was too violent, but a whole lotta other people think so. I guess if the premise is 24 kids fighting to the death, violence is to be expected. I, however, never found any of the violence to be gratuitous.
      My rating: A ,  I really want to write A+, but I think I have to reserve that for Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter. If I have not recommended this book to you yet, I'm sorry, let me do so now. READ THIS BOOK. It is part of a three book series (all books are in print now) and it is gripping and moving and insanely awesome for anyone to read. I recommend this book to strangers - even the poor guy at Target who was ringing up my 6th copy I've purchased so I can keep my library at school well stocked. I push this book on any teen in the teen section at Barnes and Noble. This book is just great and you really need to read it before you see the movie - really, please. I read it in one sitting (a trans-Atlantic sitting, but one sitting) and I actually read it again (I don't do that very often with books). This is the best book I've read since the Harry Potter Series ended.

 
    Feel free to let me know if you've read any of these books or if you have any other recommendations for me. I love all kinds of books and if you already have a copy, I can borrow yours and still fit within the confines of my book buying contract.

My New Bike

        So this Christmas my Grandma Reimer gave each of her grandkids a check "to spend on something fun." I debated, do I want furniture for my room, something awesome for my kitchen...I wasn't sure. But then I remembered just how much I loved riding a bike at Google when I visited my brother there. I seriously rode a Google bike for hours and I had the best time.
         My dad took me to a bike shop to look for a simple bike I could take around my new city of Orange.  The store owner was very helpful and gave me a catalog to look through, dog-earing the pages of the bikes I had seen in the store. When I got home, I found the most beautiful bike called "the Amsterdam." I am a sucker for good marketing and this was a doozy. The adorably vintage looking bike had a caption: "You can almost feel the cobblestones beneath your tires of this charming bike." It might as well have said, "Brenda, we know you love history and Europe and romantic images of you in a skirt on a bike with a basket and a bell as you travel to the library or the farmers' market and this is the bike that will take you there while singing to your heart."

      The only problem was, this bike was twice as expensive as the most expensive bike I had been looking at. I always have this debate in my head: do I purchase the thing I want and will use but don't need when I could spend that money on something less selfish or materialistic? I literally dreamed of owning this bike. I could picture myself on no other bike. They all looked too plain or boring or from the wrong era. So after much debate and seeking of wise counsel, I broke down and bought it.
       The bike shop owner put the bike together for me and his wife bought a cute bow for the front. I am definitely going to add some more little whistles and bells, so to speak (it has an adorable bell, but I really would like to get a cute basket), but I adore this bike.

      I now try to ride it every day. I have ridden to the book store, the library, the post office, the farmers' market, a cute little waffle and shake place called Bruxie (many times), Angel stadium, the Honda Ponda, and even to my brother Paul's work. Even though I am a sucker for good marketing, I think this bike was no disappointment. It speaks to my romantic heart and makes it sing.