It's like Book-It for Adults!
I've decided to start cataloging the number of books I read this summer, and who knows, maybe I can turn in my list to my husband, who will then take me out for pizza!

First book:
Freakonomics, by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

An interesting amalgamation of economics, history, and sociology, Levitt poses and then responds to such questions as "Why do drug dealers still live with their moms?", "How is the ku klux klan like a group of real estate agents?", and "What makes a perfect parent?". He applies statistical research to some interesting topics not commonly explored in economic theory. Ironically, though, he warns throughout the book that often the conclusions drawn from research can be misapplied, a warning that should apply to his own book as well. What we see in a heap of statistical data, depends largely on what we are looking for. Overall though, it was an intersting short read as a nonfiction that was light and fast paced enough for my summer state of mind.

Epic Plans for the First Day of Summer:

1. Get a hair cut
2. Start a new book
3. Snacks

If that isn't an indication that you should all get a job in the public schools, I don't know what is. After a very busy and stressful school year, I have no guilt about enjoying my summer off. And as Doug alluded to in his blog, I do have epic plans for the fall -- a new job for a 3-5 grade elementary school nearby. Not only does it shorten my commute by about 20 minutes each way, but it is an ideal position for me, one that actually allows me to work with kids, families, and teachers in a district that respects its employees.

We had a great weekend camping and climbing near The Shelf, south of Colorado Springs. It was the maiden voyage for our tent and a lot of our new gear. Though sadly, we forgot to charge the camera battery and got 2 pictures in before it died! So we will have to rely on friends for the documentation.

Other plans for the summer include many more camping/hiking/climbing trips, riding my new bike around town, nerdly perusals of the local library, various culinary experiments, a visit from Doug's mom, a trip to Michigan, and a visit from my freshly pierced sister! (still waiting for a picture of your bejeweled nose, Jo) :)

My Accomplishments for the Day

Another book, The Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion. I first learned of her writing years ago through her book Slouching Towards Bethlehem. The Year of Magical Thinking is a wonderful memoir chronicling the year after the death of her husband, of the grief, exhaustion, and literal insanity of the mourning process.

And my other accomplishment: Chili Shrimp and Coconut Rice, which promises to be a new favorite in our house. Now to be topped off with root beer floats. Happy Sunday!

Book: The Glass Castle

This was an interesting memoir--Walls describes surviving the dysfuntion and neglect of growing up with two eccentric, scheming, self-absorbed parents in a series of stories that would easily be described on the evening news as horrific, but to a child who's never known any different is simply "normal". She describes her story the way she experienced it as a child--running from creditors in every city and going days without food seems like an adventure as a child, but as she grows up she gets inklings that parents are supposed to take care of their children rather than the other way around. I was not looking forward to reading a story that on the outside seems so tragic, but as Walls tells it, is actually a story of resilience and the shared experience and bond of siblings.

So this is fun. A while ago, my dad showed us a few pictures of my parents' first apartment, featuring some of the furniture that we've inherited in our own place 30 years later. What I found entertaining was that the placement in the rooms is almost exactly the same.





I am inordinately proud of this table. Built by my father in the 70s in said apartment using whatever tools he had, this was the table I remember eating Sunday dinners on as a kid. As of last summer, it had been sitting in my dad's garage for over a decade. I endured many hours of sweat, splinters, and paint thinner fumes to strip it, sand it, stain it, move it across the country, and reassemble it in our new home. My dad cheered me on and bore gracefully the death of his power sander, which I killed halfway through the project. Below is the finished product:

Goodbye Tuition, Hello Student Loan Payments!!!

Today is graduation day at Indiana University! Though officially my diploma won't show up in the mail until around June, I can start building that false sense of superiority that comes will adding letters behind my name: Ed.S., as in Education Specialist.

I participated in graduation this morning in spirit by eating pancakes. Cheers!