Booklog: 40-41 of 50

40. Title:Amber Spyglass
Author: Phillip Pullman
date finished:dec 26 2007
thoughts: i actually liked the politics involved in this one, but i think there were too many subplots and they weren't managed well enough. Also felt like the ending was a cop out / not climactic enough. but maybe i was just in too cynical a mood when reading this.

41.Title:Empire of Ivory
Author:Naomi Novik
Date Finished:dec 30, 2007
thoughts: *LOVE* of course, I love the series. I mean, dragons AND tall ships - what could be better. And I like that it's a practical book about dragons and you can have dragons without magic. I loved the incorporation of wilberforce and the battle for the abolition of slavery in this one. the pacing seemed odd to me, but that might just be how she wanted to end it. which makes me impatient for book five. Quite a few jaw dropping moments in this one too.

I'm not going to push through any books today. So, 41 out of 50 for the year. I think I can easily hit 50 next year. Of course, debating doing the bible in a year again too. decisions, decisions. ;)

odds and ends

First off a HUGE thank you to bekkio and stasia! The gifts are lovely!

bekkio - it's perfect! Totally brightened my day when I returned from my parents house. And I've been thinking of getting/making a new apron, so it arrived at the perfect time!

stasia - now I just have to figure out what to use it for, but it's so lovely and perfect.

Also, thank you to everyone who sent holiday cards. The rest of mine should get out before Three Kings, which is still well within the christmas tradition for me.

Time in Chicago was wonderful. Apart from finding out my uncle had a heart attack & emergency heart surgery in LA when visiting my cousin and not being able to visit them in the hospital, but he's out of the hospital and doing better now. Only 55. It seems like things are happening to a lot of people, so love and thoughts and prayers to all who are going through a rough time / dealing with friends & family who are dealing with death and illness. I know how hard and trying and emotionally draining it can be.

Of course, the calendar year changing doesn't seem to be that important for me right now. The liturgical year means more for me in terms of renewal and such. And being in academia again, everything focuses around the school year. I suppose I should figure out what I want to take next semester.. although that can wait till right before shopping period ;) as long as i remember when classes start at other schools.

No real plans for tonight. bingblot decided to come over, so we'll probably just do board games or something of the sort or anime or movies. Got a last minute invite to a party, which we'll probably pass on since people are coming here.

Gotta do some errands today but mostly staying in vacation mode through the Epiphany. :) Like a good little Polish Catholic Girl.


It's been quite a year - moved to Boston, bought a condo, started grad school, and so much more. Hopefully 2008 will be just as fun & crazy & exciting!

priviliges meme

Bold the ones that are true for you.

The list is based on an exercise developed by Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois State University. The exercise developers ask that if you participate in this blog game, you acknowledge their copyright.

If you post this in your blog, please leave a comment on this post. To participate in this blog game, copy and paste the above list into your blog, and bold the items that are true for you. If you don't have a blog, feel free to post your responses in the comments.

Father went to college
Father finished college
Mother went to college
Mother finished college
Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor (I have a cousin who is a doctor)
Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers
Had more than 50 books in your childhood home
Had more than 500 books in your childhood home
Were read children's books by a parent
Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18
Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18
The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively
Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18
Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs
Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs
Went to a private high school
Went to summer camp
Had a private tutor before you turned 18 (Assuming private driving lessons count)
Family vacations involved staying at hotels
Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18
Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them
There was original art in your house when you were a child
Had a phone in your room before you turned 18
You and your family lived in a single family house - starting in 1988
Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home
You had your own room as a child
Participated in an SAT/ACT prep course
Had your own TV in your room in High School
Owned a mutual fund or IRA in High School or College
Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16
Went on a cruise with your family
Went on more than one cruise with your family
Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew upM
You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family