.winter weather brings winter reading.

[love this pic (kotaku)]

If you're like me, a snow day is a perfect day for cuddling up under a warm blanket with coffee or hot chocolate and a nice stack of books.  I'm hoping for many snow days this year to do just that!  In an older post I dreamed of a pleasure-reading spree over Christmas break, but alas (!) it has not come to pass because of reading for a research class and trying to get ahead for my two winter quarter classes; although, reading Elizabeth Bowen, Virginia Woolf, and feminist memoirs is pretty much pleasure-reading material anyway!

But for those of you who suspect a bad winter with lots of snow days in your near future, what better way to prepare than by taking suggestions from all the compiled best-books-of-2010 lists on NPRBooks? The complete list (from cookbooks to teen reads) can be found here, and my favorite list (Indie booksellers picks) is here (which includes a book that I'm suggesting to everyone who asks - The Tower, The Zoo, and the Tortoise).

Stay warm and happy reading!

.our first Christmas as mr. & mrs.

Well I've not been very good about posting lately but I thought I would post some pictures of our Christmas decorations!

 {our tree topper from Target - the "M" is from our wedding cake topper - so glad we could incorporate something to remember our wedding day!}

 {"Merry Christmas" garlands I made out of old Christmas cards}

 {the advent wreath we made at church}

 {our "mantel"}

.little worries.

Some recent events have had me a little worried about becoming a parent - and no the recent events do NOT include finding out that we're pregnant.  Mostly, it's been my growing agitation with young people and their lack of disrespect and creativity (and yes, I realize how old and "crotchety" I sound).

It all started when we were discussing in our TA meeting this week how we're all going to be those "mean" parents that don't let our kids have cell phones (or texting abilities at least) until they're much older.  It blows my mind to see children younger than 10 years old, staring into a cell phone screen and not looking up to see others around them.  How are they going to develop their imagination and creativity if they don't allow themselves to get bored every now and then?  Creativity is born in moments of pure boredom.  When you're left to find some way of occupying yourself, you dream, imagine, explore.  When there's always some way of occupying yourself, however, creativity does not grow and thrive.  Now, I know a lot of people will argue that technology allows children to grow and explore in new ways, but sometimes I think the best time can be spent doing something "hands on" and technology-free.

Another growing problem is with children not talking out loud.  It's as if they've become so accustomed to texting and replying with non-verbal answers, that they no longer possess the ability to vocalize their thoughts, opinions, or appreciation for that matter.

I have to say that I've felt pretty lucky so far with the class I was given this quarter.  For the most part my students are conscientious, polite, and respectful to me, but I've had a growing problem trying to get them to discuss and converse with each other.  Scott has expressed similar complaints about his freshmen, and it's caused me to wonder whether they're just nervous or scared, or whether they are becoming less prone to verbalizing their ideas.  They're growing up in a world where vocalizing is not the first means of communication; but rather, a type of written word has become the dominating form (I say type because it's definitely not the written word in its traditional sense).

I guess as an English teacher I should find this a hopeful development, but as I have seen in emails that my students send me, there is a total disregard for complete sentences, complete words (which probably blows my mind the most), and no longer do they capitalize "i."  I know it comes from the practice of texting, but I just wish they would learn to "code-switch;" different settings call for different types of communication.

This all comes back to my worries of becoming a parent - I promise.  It was hard enough growing up and being able to partake in most of the things my friends had.  Back then, though, it was Tamagotchi pets and "Hello Kitty" notebooks.  I can't imagine trying to raise a child and not allowing them to take part in something that has become such a large part of our culture.  I have a feeling that telling them it's for their own good won't really convince them - it didn't convince me.  Maybe it's up to our generation - those who are and will soon be having children - to restore sanity and the importance of vocalized communication together.  I'm all for the written word, but when our children no longer possess the abilities to verbalize their thoughts and feel comfortable doing so, there's something very wrong...

SplendidMarbles

.taking a "Technology Sabbath."

Some of my recent posts have discussed my concern with our growing reliance on technology as a generation, so I've been a little frustrated that so much of my time right now is spent on the computer.  I feel that I'm alway staring at a computer screen in order to grade/comment on papers, check and read emails, write papers and lesson plans, search for articles (and then read them because I'm too cheap to print them out).  So in order to escape this madness, I'm setting a little goal for myself as soon as my fall/winter break begins - I'm not going to get on a computer for a whole week.  Now, as I said, I'm setting a goal so I'm not promising it will be fulfilled, but I'm going to try my hardest to stay away from my Macbook (as enticing and helpful as it can be) for a whole week.

I wrote a post a while back about William Powers' book on technology and how his whole family takes a "Technology Sabbath" - a weekend away from any technological device.  So, in my current state of frustration, I vow to take a "Technology Sabbath" week as soon as my break begins, and though I'm sure it will be difficult, I think it will be good for my overall well-being and a relaxing start to my winter vacation.

.a new installment of my guilty pleasure reads.

Confession...I have read every single book of the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella.  They've become one of my guilty pleasure reads and I'm not afraid to admit it (except maybe in my Lit. classes, but even then I'm not sure I'd be that hesitant).  They are hilariously delightful and super fast to read, perfect for a day away from writing papers or working.  For those of you who are not familiar with the books, they are exceedingly better than the recent movie and I guarantee you will laugh out loud (so maybe stay away from public places when reading them).  For someone like myself who understands the joys - and limits - to shopping, Rebecca Bloomwood is the perfect, spunky book companion.  With her crazy excuses for buying something as impractical as a decorative loofa, for example, I can't help but love her as a character!  And I can't wait to meet her little one (hence the name of her newest book!)

I'm eagerly awaiting fall/winter break (which starts in less than three weeks!!) when I can sink down in our recliner with a stack of books, Mini Shopaholic included.  So readers, what are you planning to read over break?

isbnlib

.my influential authors.

Okay, so I'm sort of cheating in this post because one of my friends tagged me in a note on Facebook asking me to name 15 influential authors that will always stay with me.  But I thought I would share it here too, and hopefully hear some of your favorite authors! 

Jane Austen

Charlotte Bronte

Eavan Boland

Margaret Atwood

Julian of Norwich

Fanny Fern (Sara Willis Parton)

Amy Tan

Murial Rukeyser

Billy Collins

Virginia Woolf

Lewis Carroll

Sue Monk Kidd

Sylvia Plath

Kate Chopin

Gwendolyn Brooks

.new fall traditions.

Since Scott and I are no longer in Virginia we've missed some of the traditions we've made, both together and with our families.  But this also means that as a new couple in a new place, we've been making lots of new traditions.  Usually for fall I would always attend the "Fall Fling" downtown since my house was within walking distance.  It's your typical small-town fall festival with lots of crafts & demonstrations, food vendors, and bluegrass music.  This was the first year (of my existence) that I was not in attendance, and while it was sort of sad that I did not get to continue this yearly tradition, Scott and I discovered a new fall tradition this weekend at the Waynesville Sauerkraut Festival.

Besides being extremely crowded (and hot), it was such a delightful experience and we did a lot of fall shopping for the apartment, purchasing a wreath made from tree branches that is now hanging on our balcony, a beautiful handmade clay plate to hang on the wall that says "Peace," and some adorable dried oranges that we are going to hang on our first Christmas tree.  We both love browsing old antique shops for eccentric items so this quant little town was a perfect way to spend a lovely fall day.

After our trip to the festival we stopped at a pumpkin patch/country market on the side of the road, walking through the rows of pumpkins, and choosing two (very large) specimens for carving.  There were lots of families trying to choose a pumpkin, the children pulling little red wagons around in the grass.  I thought it would be such a wonderful tradition to have as a family.  Inside the little market were large jugs of apple cider, pumpkin pies, and you could even purchase a "slushied" version of apple cider (which we did and it was delicious!).  

Needless to say, I think that going to the festival and visiting the adorable pumpkin patch has become a fall tradition for us - at least as long as we are living in Ohio!

Enjoy photos of our fat carved pumpkins and the fall decorations on our balcony!

{Our delicious toasted pumpkin seeds}

{Our balcony all decorated for fall}

.i heart Fall: part 2.

In a recent post, I shared a few of my favorite decorating ideas and I've found even more I'd like to share!

I've always wanted to attend an Edgar Allan Poe reading night for Halloween (like that Gilmore Girls episode) and I've found a bookstore here that will be hosting one! Needless to say, I will be there!  I would love to make a literary tree like this one adorned with old book pages and black ravens.  A smaller version would be perfect for an English classroom!

Sticking with the tree theme, here is a "tree-of-treat"idea from Home Made Simple.  Visit the site for other creative ways to revamp traditional trick-or-treat traditions.  Enjoy the rest of the photos and the beautiful fall weather we're having!

From Country Living

All the following inspiring ideas came from Martha Stewart Living - visit her site for more ideas and instructions!

{These yarn-spun pumpkins are adorable!}

.Good Reading Weather.

Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot of time for pleasure reading right now (although it's turned into the perfect weather for snuggling up with a good book, a blanket, and some hot apple cider), but I am enjoying a biography of Lewis Carroll for my Research Methods class - The Mystery of Lewis Carroll: Discovering the Whimsical, Thoughtful, and Sometimes Lonely Man Who Created Alice in Wonderland by Jenny Woolf.  I also found Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy: Curiouser and Curiouser by Irwin and Davis, which I'd like to check out next in my research of Carroll and his depiction of the female characters in Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass.

Today I'm recommending The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stewart.  In a previous post I was hoping to be able to read it, and luckily I did find the time before school started!  It's a delightful read that will have you on the verge of tears one chapter and laughing out loud the next.

So while I'm reading books and articles (and students' papers) for school, here are a couple books I'm wishing I had the time to read.  If any of you check them out, please let me know how they are!

Tells the story of an American soldier of WWII and his journey as a typist in Japan after the war.

Another WWII era book (I can't help myself) - tells the story of four women in an internment "illegal" immigrant camp.

I'm really excited about reading this one depicting the world after oil.  The sequel, The Witch of Hebron, recently came out in hardback.

.Boden.

During my last visit home to VA, my mom passed along a new catalog she'd gotten in the mail.  I had never previously heard of the company, but I am loving all their fall looks.  The styles are pretty basic as you'll see below, but I love the fun colors and prints - and I adore the more classic look, so a combination of the two is perfect (for me)! I've included a few of my favorite looks from the fall catalog for your enjoyment, and to get you in the fall spirit (which seems to be my task on here lately)!  The only downfall is they are a little pricey, but not nearly as expensive as some.  You can visit the site here.

 {I'm a "skirt-tights-and-boots" kind of girl so I love this look!}

{A girl can't have too many skirts...}

 {I searched everywhere for a sweater-dress last winter, but was never really satisfied - this one is great!}

.feeling a little hypocritical.

Ok, so I'm having a little bit of a hard time writing my papers and teaching at the same time.  I feel like I'm having to shift gears really quickly - like I'm using two different parts of my brain.  When I'm replying to my students' "Mrs. M." letters that they have to write to me each week asking me questions and such, the words flow and I enjoy reflecting on their questions.  However, when I sit down to write my academic papers, I feel like I have nothing at all to say.  I never had to deal with this during my student teaching because I was only taking one class during that time and I only had a couple small papers to write.  And the reason I'm feeling hypocritical is because I've been advising my students to "just start writing" when they get writer's block.  I've been telling them to "free write" about anything.  So in order to free myself from this feeling, I'm taking my own advice and "just writing!"

All the TAs had one-on-one conferences this week and I thought mine went really well.  It was wonderful sitting down with each student and talking to them about their papers.  Since I have been evaluating them on all their writing assignments, I could talk to them about their individual strengths and weaknesses, rather than making it a generalized lesson in class.  I suggest conferences to any teacher who requires students to write papers.  I'm trying to decide how this would work in the high school environment since you can't obviously talk to one person at a time - what would the other students be doing?  (Any suggestions?)

During one of my conferences I found out that one of my students (who wants to be an editor at a publishing company) is a fan of Audrey Niffenegger.  I've talked about Niffenegger's books here before, but today I'm suggesting her new graphic book: The Night Bookmobile. I haven't actually read it all the way through yet, but I did get to skim through the lovely, high gloss pages at a local bookstore in Yellow Springs. If you are a book-lover, you will definitely appreciate the nostalgia of reading in this book. You can visit her website here to view more of her works and art. 

 

.I heart Fall.

A couple posts ago, I expressed my deep love for fall, and so today I am posting some of my favorite fall decorating ideas.  I've decorated our apartment with a couple things here and there, but I can't wait to go all-out when we get a house.  Now, I know some of these may be a bit much, but they're so fun! Enjoy...

{from Pottery Barn}

{from AustraliaEntertains}

{from PoshPosh}

{from thestoriesofa2z}

{from Hostessblog}

{from FurnitureStoreBlog}

.playing "school."

As I had expected, I have been unable to update the blog as much as I would like.  I've never really had any sort of set schedule, so I don't feel too bad about it.  Teaching my freshman Composition class is going quite well.  I have to say that sometimes it feels a little surreal to have my own classroom, my own students, and their homework to take home and grade.

I say "surreal" because when I was little my Granny and Pa had a small storage building beside their house.  It looked like a miniature barn because it was painted red with white trim.  It even had a tiny porch and windows - I called it my "old schoolhouse."  It was where decorations were kept, and where my Pa parked his lawnmower.  There were also small shelves inside that Granny had cleared and placed some of her old school books.  She had old grammar and math primers, handwriting notebooks and old Nancy Drew books.  In the spring, summer, and fall while visiting Granny and Pa, I would slip away to the little red barn and teach (mostly English and Spelling).  I went so far as making up names for my imaginary students, writing them down and giving them grades.  (I realize I'm going out on a limb here admitting these childhood tendencies, but I look back on these memories now with fondness).  I would play school at home too, lining up teddy bears and dolls on my bed and reading to them (showing them the pictures and illustrations, of course).

{clas.ufl.edu}

So sometimes when I enter my classroom now, I feel like I'm just playing "school" in the barn.  I have so much fun getting to know the students, encouraging their writing, and helping them learn new ideas and concepts.  For as long as I've been working toward teaching, I've heard mixed reactions towards teaching, so I know my passion and excitement may not stay forever (although I very much hope it does).  Some teachers get bogged down with the standardized testing or the students' apathy to learning.  I'm sure I will too.  But for now, I'm enjoying my first teaching experience and finally filling the shoes I've been waiting to wear since those "old schoolhouse" days.

.dystopia & dysfuntion.

After my first half-week of teaching and a wonderful birthday weekend spent with family, I thought I would return to my blog to post these funky pictures of bookcases I found at a blog devoted to the appreciation of book covers. I stumbled onto it trying to find some information about the book cover shown here:

   

Shop Indie Bookstores

Scott gave me Margaret Atwood's Oryk and Crake for my birthday and I as have begun reading it, I am reminded of how much I love dystopian literature - these being a few of my favorites:
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Children of Men by P.D. James
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
**Personally, I think you should read Thomas More's Utopia to appreciate them!

So, without further ado, enjoy these photos of unconventional storage for books, taken from {http://covers.fwis.com/}