Book Review: Mistborn Series

I usually leave my reviews of books to the toolbar at the right of the blog, but these books were so good that they deserve a mention here.

Name dropping time. I met Brandon Sanderson at an Orson Scott Card book signing I went too (I am a huge OSC fan). I was second or third in line for OSC and went over to Brandon who was not yet very famous. I'm pretty sure he had just published the second book in the Mistborn series. I asked him what book of his I should read first, and he recommended Elantris, which was his first book, as it was a stand alone. He said he thought his other books were better, but that I might try the stand alone book before investing any time in a series. I enjoyed Elantris thoroughly but it took me a while to read these books. I don't remember why I picked it up, but I definitely remember the moment I set down the final book.

These books are simply a joy to read. Except for a slow part at the beginning of the second book where the troubles of Kingship are played out for a while, the books moved fast while still feeling meaty. These books constantly surprised me with their originality. The world that Brandon (I can call him by his first name because I met him) is extraordinarily complete and compelling. The action scenes were as good as a great movie and the philosophical debates meaningful and relevant. Just when I thought I figured out the book I hadn't. And just when you thought I was never going to stop talking about these books, I did.

Life

After guest blogging on Friday, I decided that I want to be a professional blogger. I would probably need a better design. And more interesting posts. And better photography skills. Cuter clothes and a perfectly decorated home. Could I do it? Is my writing good enough and my life unique enough? Maybe, but I probably would rather have a real career, actually. Like being a midwife or a women's studies professor. Something a little more meaningful (no offense, professional Mormon mommy bloggers! I still love to read about your picture-perfect lives and envy them at times). On that note, did I ever post the Salon article on obsessively reading Mormon housewife blogs? I think it's fascinating, yet I can't stand how she is all like, "but I'm a feminist!" because HELLO, Mormon housewives can be feminist too (see feministmormonhousewives.org). But seriously, aren't we as cute as the Langs? She doesn't even have substantive posts but has 847 followers and sponsors and all! I mean, they are ridiculously young and cute, but we could be too (if we tried). We have the darling kid thing down, at least. And Tim has the 'stache. Ok, maybe I'll never be as adorable as her. Because I'd have to spend ridiculous amounts of money on clothing and wear make-up and shave my legs, etc. I alternate on a regular basis between outwardly wanting to be a super-hippie granolie type person with long, flowing skirts and linen shirts, and secretly wanting to be super cute and hip with skinny jeans and Anthropologie tops.

Speaking of clothing, is it pathetic that I want to buy maternity clothes considering I won't be having a baby for a while?? Old Navy is having a sale today, and I love their maternity stuff. I am kind of excited to get pregnant again because I get to buy maternity clothes - most of my clothes during last pregnancy were my sister Lauren's or my friend Melissa's.



I love a cute fitted maternity shirt. Sometimes I miss being pregnant. Mostly just after 15 or so weeks.


How lovely is this dress?

Thanks to Bridget, I have watched the first three installments of Downton Abbey over the weekend.



I don't think I've ever been more addicted to a television series. The acting is superb. Maggie Smith's facial expressions are absolutely perfect, and a lot of her lines remind me of my own dear grandmama.


I am newly obsessed with this little band, Ödland (discovered on Girl's Gone Child):



Happy Monday!

I'm a guest blogger!

I was so flattered when Lauren asked me to be a guest blogger on Life in Labels.

Here's the result: attachment parent.

This is a post I've been thinking about in my head for a few months now, so I'm happy to have had the opportunity to finally type it out and put it into words.

So, you should read it and let me know your thoughts.




And how cute is this video?

Nook vs. Kindle

This is actually more of a Barnes and Noble vs. Amazon debate.

And in my experience, Amazon wins hands-down.

You see, we bought a Nook the day after Thanksgiving because I thought I wanted one for my birthday. I then decided I didn't really need it, so we refused the package and it was sent back for a refund, which was all ok'ed by the Barnes and Noble customer service support team.

That was two months ago, and we have yet to see the refund from Barnes and Noble after repeated emails and answered questions.

Amazon refunded our initial Kindle purchase very promptly, after we accidentally ordered it back in 2009. They have also replaced our [self]-broken Kindle. TWICE.

I would say if you are in the neighborhood for an eReader, go with the Kindle.



And as I write this, I'm contemplating buying a Nook color. But it's half-price.

Tim's take on ME Protests

Cait posted on these first, and referenced that she was not the informed one, so I feel the need to post too. I'm actually not all that informed, but I've been thinking about these a lot and so here it goes (I'll try to keep it short and sweet):

Some main questions:
1) Can these protests succeed? Tunisia seems to have accomplished their main goal of ousting the President and some of his cronies. Egypt? The protesters seem to have demands besides the removal of Mubarak. Smart because there are a lot of Mubarak's in Egypt ready to take his place. But even getting Mubarak gone will be tough. Maybe they can get some of their other demands, like a better minimum wage? Yemen, which had it's first big protests today is even more of a question.

Egypt seems to be picking up steam, but it's so chaotic that it is hard to tell. Will the Egypt military side with civilians, like in Tunisia? The world is watching.

2) If they succeed, what will be the results? Will someone take over these movements for their own purposes? Will they descend into chaos (God forbid another Somalia)? Or will they, which is the highest hope, result in a move towards democracy in a part of the world that has been stuck for so long? I would love a move toward democracy, but all that I've studied in the ME makes me doubt.

3) How will the west react? The US has been in a tough spot, especially in Egypt, because they have supported Mubarak as an ally for a long time. I'm watching US positioning with almost as much interest as the protests themselves. It doesn't seem like all our support of Mubarak has made him listen to us much. What will we do if democracy comes to Egypt and they elect a lot of Muslim Brothers? Will we continue our policy of supporting democracy as long as no one who hates us gets elected or will we back up our claims of unconditional support of democracy no matter what its outcome?

I've got lots of questions and a fair amount of cautious optimism. No matter what happens, at least the part of the world I study continues to be fascinating. Watch al Jazeera's live feed. If anyone has looked good throughout all the protests, it's them.

Egyptian Revolution

I'm sure many of you are wondering about our silence on our dear country's revolution in the making. Honestly, I've been thinking about it a lot lately and we've been having many discussions in the evenings about the implications of the Arab world revolutionary phenomenon. I was brought to tears watching this overly sentimental video Bridget posted:



She points out the obvious one-sidedness of the video, and I agree to some extent. In discussing the matter with Tim, he told me about how when he spoke with a lot of Egyptian friends, they were very hesitant to discuss Egyptian politics (they loved talking American politics though), and if you ever openly criticized Mubarak or any aspect of the Egyptian government, you were admonished immediately. Since I did not get a chance to have long political discussions in Arabic, I don't have firsthand knowledge of the state of mind of the Egyptian people in regards to their government. I do know that Mubarak has been in power three decades, Egypt has one of the most bureaucratic systems I've ever experienced, and its people are poor, jobless, and frustrated. I remember hearing once about the minimum wage for government workers being somewhere around 1500 pounds (approximately $250) and I can't even imagine trying to live off of that!

Not to mention, there are thousands of bored police officers hanging around the city, who usually have nothing better to do than chain smoke, watch mini-TVs, and stare at Westerners walking down the street. The Egyptian police and military seem to be reveling in the excitement and power that comes with quashing revolutionaries.

In private, I pray that the revolution does not turn too violent, that our friends in Maadi will be safe. The faces of Hamdi and his children, the old smoking couple at the Maadi Club, the sweet woman who invited us to her daughter's second birthday party, our little friend Heidi who adored Amir and her father Said, they keep coming to me over and over again. I know it seems unlikely at this point that the revolution will turn bloody, but it worries me just the same.

I'd love to hear your take on the Arab revolutions of late -- like I said before, I'm not all that knowledgeable past what I've been reading in the NYT and listening to on the Guardian.

FHE, Bean Museum

Family Home Evening on Monday night was spent exploring the Monte L. Bean Museum. Theodore loved the animals and even got to touch a boa constrictor.



As soon as we walked into the museum, his eyes lit up and he got this huge grin on his face. And he promptly toddled over the trash can. Of all things?? He grabbed this piece of paper out of the trash and insisted on carrying it around. I think he wanted to do the scavenger hunt that was printed on it.

He loved touching the fur on the animals. I'm not sure the rules of the museum as far as touching goes, but no one seemed to care.

Can you tell something is different about him?! Yep, he's a legit bi-pedaling human being now.




Sorry the pictures are sideways. Can you rotate pictures once they are already uploaded to Blogger?

Spit that Out: The Overly-Informed Parent's Guide to Raising Kids in the Age of Environmental Guilt

I apparently need to read this book.

This post is about fashion

Over Christmas break, my mom took me shopping. I bought new clothes (gasp!) after not having any new clothes for approximately 5 years. I really have not had a wardrobe overhaul since high school, and you know what, it feels awesome.

Because no longer am I wearing American Eagle hoodies and very saggy jeans! I have clothes that fit and actually make me look like an adult. I've been inspired by a few very fashionable blogging friends, but mostly Kayla.

My favorite purchases of the spree were two beautiful pairs of skinny jeans from Banana Republic. Skinny jeans are great! They accentuate my already-skinny legs! I think I lost about 12 inches from my thighs by not wearing baggy jeans. They are flattering and incredibly comfortable, and I can't believe I've waited so long to wear expensive jeans. And what's better... they weren't expensive. One pair was like $15, and the other was around $20. Thanks, post-Christmas super sales. I also got this great wool sweater/jacket thing for a great price at some department store. I love that it's 100% wool, it's comfy and I think it looks really nice. Here was my first work outfit post-Christmas shopping spree (I even accessorized !!):

Jeans- Banana Republic; Shirt- Urban Outfitters; Scarf- Egyptian street vendor; Sweater- Department Store.

Not the best picture. I was playing around with iPhoto and couldn't figure out how to revert to the last saved picture so the colors are all funky.

Next up on the purchase agenda: awesome boots to wear with my skinny jeans. Still searching for the perfect pair.


On my next fashion blogging attempt: Tim's vintage Swedish Army wool pea coat.

Child spacing

I'm worrying a lot recently about how we will space our kids out. I'm not really worried per se, just thinking. I really am not ready for a baby now, though I feel like the pressure is on to start at least thinking baby-making thoughts. And by pressure I mean only from my mother who gives me the "what about all those little spirits?" guilt on a regular basis.

Here are my thoughts - I need Theodore to be: a) potty-trained, b) weaned and c) sleeping through the night before I can even think about that first trimester. Let's face it, if the next first trimester is anything like the last first trimester, I will need a good night's sleep and to NOT be changing poopy diapers for 4+ months. But the other part of me is of the thought that if I'm going to be awake with Theodore might as well add another one to the bed, right? I'm up anyways nursing him, might as well just stack them up on the breasts and feed two birds with one chest - *cringe*.

Even though everything can be related to autism nowadays (whatever autism even means), I came across a new study that linked having children close together to higher prevalence of autism. I haven't read the actual study, just the blog post on Babble, so I'm not sure if it's even sound.

Will this affect our child spacing in the future? Probably not. But now gives me a witty retort to my mother's comments about having more babies besides the whole... "my body, my family, my decision" spiel.

What influenced your decision to have additional children within a certain time frame? Was it an overwhelming desire for another baby? Wanting to keep your kids close together? Wanting them to be far apart for your own sanity? I'm telling Tim we should have a baby while I'm on my parents' insurance, and he thinks that is the worst reason ever. And since he does the majority of the child-rearing these days, he gets more say. But really... I'm not planning on another for a while. I want to go back to school next year, so having another baby would add undue stress to our mix. And we're all about simplification. Babies = complication.

At the same time... how can you resist this??