Better

I've been through some tough times this past year which left me not wanting to post at all -- namely I didn't want to have a pity party on here so I've kept my lip buttoned. Before this blog started out as a MLIS class assignment and now I enjoy having it and the opportunity it gives me to share what's going on in my life. I honestly doubt that anyone reads these, but they're there if some does come across them.
Health problems have been diagnosed after many months, I was hired for a new job last January and living with my wonderful sister since last September has been wonderful. I'm not saying that life is perfect but its wonderfully enjoyable and I wouldn't dare complain. :)
With winter on retreat in Utah I think I'll start up sidewalk chalk again and gardening is definitely on the horizon (I just bought three little herb plants -- lemon balm, spearmint, and rosemary) and with it fresh cooking and baking.
So yes: I'd be very ungrateful to say that life is not better if not indeed best.

Greening Up

So after some painful and extensive health problems last year I learned to eat a lot better -- namely trying to avoid processed flour in all of its forms and adding more fruits and veggies than before. My mom had taught me how to make bread as a child but I never felt the need since I usually bought wheat from the store. Last year I met someone who due to financial reasons made all of his own bread -- even grinding the wheat grains himself -- so that he could have not only affordable but delicious and healthy grains. Once hearing this I wanted to try (not grinding grains yet, maybe one day) and it started.
Before now I had been a part of the Green Team at my workplace and this only focused on the office but I've wanted to have it sustainable materials be more a part of my life. Also when I joined a dinner group with a bunch of college friends they would compliment my cooking because I used so many vegetables -- something I'd learned from the summer that my body liked.
The picture here is my monster zucchini plant from last summer. I swear that thing kept me alive. It produced beautifully and if I wasn't careful it brought out such great specimens as the one above (I gave away two giant ones longer than my forearm and hand).
I love the idea of being self sufficient. I've never forgotten my grandparents garden in the back of their tiny Ridgecrest Ca. home and if they could do it in a desert why can't I give it a try. Recently I picked up a book entitled "The Naturally Clean Home" and I want to try them. I'll keep you posted! :)

Diamonds and Coal -- John Denver

So I've been ill for several months now and no closer to a diagnosis. I've started eating gluten free and avoiding dairy as much as possible just because I thought I had adrenal failure and it was a suggested part of the diet. Ironically it gave me back some energy but it has not solved the problem.
Between that and being shifted out of my own position -- I worked as an interim supervisor due to a hiring freeze for 1 1/2 years -- by having someone new hired for the permanent position over me I've found myself at a great loss of confidence and today I started training the new person while not having time to do my own new job.
And despite my energy I'm still losing weight. I'm a 102 lb. 28 year old female who used to be 106 and I don't have an eating disorder. In fact I find myself either nauseated or always hungry and forcing food down throughout the day either way. Yet I've started to be able to see my veins prominently through my modest tan and find my skin hanging loose on my body and I just want to cry.
Ironically though I've been very blessed. My sister came at a time when I needed her most several weeks ago and she will be coming up to room with me permanently in several more weeks. Persons who were longstanding acquaintances have become good friends and haven't run screaming as have weaker people in the past but instead give strength and silent support while helping me to laugh at the joyful things in life.
Last week I took up drawing in sidewalk chalk. I'd had a small florescent pack for many years and never used it thinking that I should save it for some reason and I thought "what is the use of having something if you don't use it when it is needed?" So I started to draw. It appeals to me because it is bright and messy -- because you have to smear the color in the the pavement -- and since it will be washed away later I don't have to be embarrassed with my scribbles. I started to run out so I went to the store and bought some more -- its a rather inexpensive hobby and I would suggest it to anyone who wants to create without making a big investment. The one above was from day one, I especially like the hermit crab in the bottom left and I should have taken a closer picture of it.
So some days, like last Saturday when I did a short hike with a group of friends are diamonds and today where I trained my replacement (who has to learn from scratch) and also had to sit in on my current boss's presentation interview (for the position above him and ask questions when I was having an anxiety attack the whole hour and didn't get enough to eat because I wasn't snacking since I was training) are coal. Which means since I've done a bit of homework for my master's classes and its late enough in the day it's time to go draw again.
That or play the ukulele. Time to make the day a bit more of a gem.

Module 15: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Schwartz, Alvin. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. 1st ed. New York NY: HarperCollins Children's Books, 1981. Print.

The book is a short collection of stories to be told aloud in small groups to frighten the listeners. These range from the supernatural to the psychotic including cannibalism and dismemberment (who eats a toe?). The book itself includes historical notes and even techniques on how to tell each type of story set along with alternate endings or ways to tell the story so the story teller can vary if and when they would like.

The book and the genre itself do not appeal a great deal to me as I lean more towards thriller than outright horror. The tales have little to no back story and in some instances are set in illogical circumstances. The only redeeming quality is the advice for telling each subset of stories along with the interesting historical notes.

I would use this book as a Halloween display and maybe use it in storytelling as long as the setting was kept light and fun.

Review:

Burk, Leslie. "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark." School Library Journal 28.5 (1982): 81. Web. 7 May 2011.

“Gr 3-8—This folklore collection is unusually good. True to the genre, the stories contained are suitable for telling, particularly at Halloween and around the campfire. Contemporary and humorous stories are blended with spooky ones. The scholarship in the source notes and bibliography will be useful to serious literature students. Although the cover art is not charming, it hints at the peculiarly macabre, shadowy black-and-white illustrations inside. The stories are not unbearably grotesque; they are suitable even for the low elementary grades.”

Module 14 On the Fringe

Gallo, Donald. On the Fringe. 1st ed. New York NY: Dial Books, 2001. Print.

On the Fringe is a story collection of fictional teenage high school student accounts of ostracization and inadequacy among their peers. “Geeks Bearing Gifts” tells the story of cheerleader-golden girl student Renee writing a journalism piece for more credit learning about the other school cliques and unpopular groups that are cut off from the social norm. She faces opposition on all sides – from those she tries to interview being defensive and demeaning to her own boyfriend making an ultimatum to drop the piece. Sticking to her purpose she loses a bit of her perfect social standing and learns that we all indeed are outsiders if we choose to be, but even better – that those who appreciate others are always welcomed.

I enjoyed Renee’s attitude. She didn’t start as a snob but she did learn a great deal about people and about herself creating this shift in perspective about the value of a person. The other stories were just as valuable combining lessons of courage and self-discovery.

I would suggest this book as a display or even to be placed on teachers’ reading lists to encourage better understanding of teenagers towards their peers.

Review:

Riley, Susan. "On the Fringe." School Library Journal 47.5 (2001): 150. Web. 7 May 2011

Gr 7 Up-Kids who are geeks, unathletic, poor, emotionally fragile, loners, or unattractive by current standards form the heart of this collection of exceptional stories by well-known YA authors such as Joan Bauer, Chris Crutcher, and M. E. Kerr. Inspired by the events at Columbine High School, the authors pondered what sorts of heartbreak could cause teens to react so powerfully and violently, and how being isolated and shut out of high school groups could tear down the fragile walls of self-esteem, making vulnerable individuals snap and cause massive destruction. The result is a compilation of short stories from the point of view of those tormented, and those who view others being bullied and how their perceptions change as they examine the situations. While all the stories are excellent, Jack Gantos's "Muzak for Prozac" is an exceptional example of the fragile balance that one teen struggles to maintain through the use of mood-stabilizing chemicals. A must-buy for all libraries.

Module 13 Bleach

Kubo, Tite. Bleach. 1st ed. 1. San Francisco CA: VIZ Media LLC, 2008. Print.

Bleach follows Kurosaki Ichigo hardworking student and assumed delinquent – due to his unnaturally bleach blonde hair – who is gifted with seeing spirits. One night a spirit monster – later termed a “hollow” – is attracted to his unique gift and attacks his family. On the scene is a Shinigami or grim reaper named Rukia whose occupation is to “reap” good souls to heaven and drive evil hollows to the underworld. During her fight to destroy the hollow Rukia is wounded and in desperation gives her soul reaper powers to Ichigo. Thus begins Ichigo’s unorthodox career as a temporary Shinigami under Rukia’s harsh tutelage amid his daily life as a high school student. This is an ongoing series which is published by Viz in both volume format and in their Shonen Jump magazine. The illustrations follow the more masculine angled format and are at times rather gory but the story is filled with not only drama but slapstick and sarcasm leading it to vary between a serious and light read.

I enjoyed the story itself up to a point, there is no end in sight so far for the plot line and sometimes it’s battle sequences are reminiscent of Dragon Ball Z with the main characters having numerous failures and injuries then making a miraculous comeback as the winning underdog.

I would use this item in a book talk, however due to its popularity it would need little to no additional publicity.

Review:

"Spectrum Nexus Manga Reviews Bleach." Spectrum Nexus: Your Nexus to Anime and Manga. Spectrum Nexus, 07 May 2011. Web. 8 May 2011. .

The first time I read Bleach I hated it. The first 40 or so chapters cover various short stories involving Ichigo fighting various hollows in classic "good-guy vs. bad-guy" confrontations. After having set it aside for nearly a year, I came back to it and forced myself to read past the point where I had previously stopped. I won't spoil it for you, but soon after that point, the first major story arc began. It was still comprised of Ichigo (and friends) versus various opponents but there was an overarching storyline, with a bit of intrigue and backstabbing involved. It also spent the time to elaborate on many of the questions that surrounded the first 40 chapters, both about Ichigo's new found powers and Rukia's past.

The art style for this manga evolves a lot. The characters are always somewhat detailed, although they change appearance (to look more mature) as the manga progresses. The backgrounds are mostly non-existent, outside of a few two-page spreads. However this does allow one to concentrate more closely on the battles themselves, which is fine. Overall, I enjoy this series, although I do fault it for taking so long to get off the ground. If you're looking for a popular Shounen manga with super-powered people fighting supernatural creatures, I'd suggest you try out Bleach. But just be warned, the first few volumes are full of rather disjoint stories, as opposed to the more coherent later volumes.

Module 12 Julia Morgan Built a Castle

Mannis, Celeste Davidson, and Miles Hyman. Julia Morgan Built A Castle. 1st ed. New York NY: Viking Adult, 2006. Print.

This picture book by Celeste Mannis tells the story of Julia Morgan who grew up at the turn of the century and followed her dream of becoming one of the first female architects studying at UC Berkley and then pioneered the way as the first female graduate of Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Many of her buildings still stand today even despite the San Fransisco earthquake of 1906. Later in her career Julia was approached by William Randolph Hearst to build the famous Hearst Castle San Simeon which is her crowning glory.

I truly enjoyed this biographic picture book for its artwork, subject matter and simplistic flow. Geared towards younger children it shows a strong female character who made bold strides towards women’s equality in engineering and architecture – beforehand stereotyped as a masculine field. I would showcase this book in a display during career interest week or highlight it in a group about persons who dreamed and achieved their goals.

Review:

Pfeifer, Teresa. "Julia Morgan Built a Castle." School Library Journal 52.11 (2006): n. pag. Web. 8 May 2011.

Grade 1-5–This picture book is a wonderful way to introduce young readers to a groundbreaking female architect. Luminescent illustrations, created using soft pastels and pencils in a golden-peach palette, appear to glow with the light of California and France, both seminal locations in Morgan's life. Informed by architecture, the paintings evoke Cézanne's attention to form: the folds of dresses, the curve of a mountain, a shadow over a hat. The opening spread shows a youngster constructing a geometric sandcastle while the text quietly states: Julia Morgan loved to build. The book highlights other significant moments: young Julia visiting construction sites with her engineer father; being the only woman in her engineering class at UC Berkeley in the 1890s; her pride at receiving a certificate in architecture from Paris's École des Beaux-Arts; her return to San Francisco and early career. The last half of the book is devoted to the construction of William Randolph Hearst's San Simeon. Mannis points out that Morgan's creations are solidly built and noted for their enduring beauty. Filled with rich vocabulary, the narrative employs scrumptious architectural terms such as Baroque, flying buttresses, and teakwood cornice. An inspiring tale and encouragement for someday builders.