Posts from January 2009

i just finished reading, The Devil in The White City by Erik Larson. So, I think it is maybe one of the most well written books I have ever read. I think it sat on my bookshelf for almost two years; my bad. I think I maybe started it once and deemed it boring, but I was so very wrong.




You need to read this book, if you like historical fiction, the city of Chicago, crime novels, architecture, stories of struggle, triumph and heartbreak...



So really all people need to read this book. It kinda makes me want to go to Chicago now and see the where the World's Fair took place in 1893, even though the building aren't there, but, there is a museum that has a ton of artifacts and info about the fair.

I especially loved the way the book was written. The language was so descriptive and beautiful, but simply put... I really can't stand too much flowery language when I read and the author did an amazing job of retelling such a complex story in a way that the reader sort of slips into the past.

Ok, I am not good at all at book reviews, but I would like to give a shout out to @hodown, as I believe this may be her book, or at least I know she read it forever ago, and told me to read it, but I clearly did not listen.

Now, for my next read, I would like something fun and light... suggestions?

i just went to see slumdog millionaire. really good movie. also so disturbing.

i am also currently reading "the devil in the white city". great book. also extremely disturbing.

and i received a book for xmas about the holocaust, also good but disturbing.

i see a theme here, and intend to put an end to it now.

i definitely think people need to read about and see awful things that happen in the world, because turning a blind eye is ignorant. however, i need at least a month of feel-good books and movies, because my anxiety level is at a high, and i have been having awful nightmares the past few weeks.

i begin to wonder, am i just a huge baby, or are other people really bothered by violence, death, murder, sexual abuse, and other such things in books movies to the point that it gives them a stomach ache??

anyway, i am going to drink some water now and think happy thoughts before bed!

so, for a while i was having photo uploading issues. and it seems to have worked this time! below are mostly pics of family stuff, including the incredible trifle(made by moi!), pics of my fab cougar mom(raaaar), my fab well-read non tv watching sis, my more silent, but still very cute brother and other randoms of a very tan me of course! also, some havalina in the yard...enjoy! you will also take note of the 4th of july sidecars made by moi, they pretty much killed my mom, and i did not post the after shots of her, but it was a fun 4th! i'm too lazy to name my photos and comment after each one...













































i'll post some from my new years trip in the am...

so this job i have been wanting turns out to seem not so great, and i kinda missed out on some fun in blo because of it. anyway, i still have the interview on friday, but i feel like it will be just to go and in case i want a job with that hospital in the future, i won't look bad.

it doesn't pay much, and seems like super hard work. pays less than both job i have right now, and turns out they only pay for those going to school to pursue nursing. anyway, maybe it is better than i think.

i may be able to pick up extra hours with the agency i work for, and there are clients i could work with here in town, which would be so nice not to have to drive 35 minutes to work.

i feel like i really just need to make school more important even if it means i will be broke. i was making decent money for a while there, but i can just cut back and it shouldn't be an issue.

taking a full time job is a lot of responsibility when i have another job and school full time.

it's nice to be home!

on the way back i got bumped in exchange for a voucher, so my next blo trip will be free...woohoo!

my infamous white coat, for those of you who know me and have seen it, has not unzippered at the bottom for two years.

well, now tonight, i came home, well home to the @PMT, AND i went to unzip it down to the bottom, and then step out of it, and it unzipped!!!!

such a small thing, but makes me sooooo happy!

i also found an amazing and cute hoodie on sale today, and it is so lovely and warm.

these things and the tim hortons hot chocolate i had today somewhat makeup for the fact that i am a loser and left my ipod in the back pocket of the plane seat. :(

plus at lunch the waitress though i was a movie star today, which feeds the ego.

and we are making beef stroganoff for dinner...delish!!!

so far, im loving this trip.

no one should only get three hours of sleep and then have to wake up at 230.

seriously,i am soooooo tired!!!!!!

i am also scared of the cold, because as @hodown says, i think my memories of the harsh awful cold have been softened by a year and a half of sunshine and warmth.

but perhaps some good wine can cure the harshness of the cold...

i miss @hodown already! hopefully all will go well and i shall see her in a few days.

so excited to see all of my friends and relax and have some fun!

moving out here was so scary at first. it was the first time i truly stepped outside my comfort zone.

and after a year and a half, i can honestly say it is the best decision i could've made, that i've ever made.

i am really proud of myself. i am doing good in school, and if all goes well, i will be at asu in the fall. i have an interview for a job coming up with a company that will pay for my school and offers great health insurance, so maybe hearing aides can become a reality for me.

i have fond something i love doing, and that i am truly good at, and i feel like i can make a positive difference in the world.

i spent the first half of my twenties so lost, and the second half will be all about gaining that back and becoming a strong woman.

i really have my mom and sister to thank for all of the help and support, and of course good friends too.

it's such a good feeling having something all my own, to work towards and be excited about.

i feel like i am really ready for the future, and anticipating what it will bring, because i think it's gonna be good stuff.

through all of the changes in the past few years i have definitely learned one of the most simple, but valuable things in life; hard work truly pays off. i feel like i can have most of what i want in life if i work hard and stay dedicated to my goals.

it makes me kinda emotional, but i think coming here to arizona really put me on the right path, and i miss buffalo and all of my friends and the familiarity, but being here has definitely allowed me to grow and allow my life to head in a better direction!

2008 was good, but 2009 is going to be even better!!!!!

please be at new years party. ok thx bai!


if you don't know who you are, you are the larson twins. @joshua and @jason.


your presence is requested, be there looking spiffy. puffer vests accepted.

transiberian.


watched it tonight. was supposed to be movie night. half of it i didn't watch because it was so disturbing.

seriously. if you want to see crazy russian pretend police looking for drug money and slicing people's body parts with knives, and that is your ideal entertainment, then this movie is for you.

otherwise, i suggest elf, or some claymation christmas goodness.

on a positive note there were some excellent actors in the movie and it was really well done, just makes me never want to go to russia, and maybe china too. and def never go on a train and talk to strangers.

i think i need to see something heartwarming before bed, otherwise i am going to have nightmares of scary russian men slicing my legs.

happy birthday to the loveliest sister ever! can't wait to see you!!!!