I don't know how your summer's been, but mine's been full of Jane Austen. I've watched Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma at least three times each over the past weeks. I re-read Emma. I even read a non-Jane Austen sequel to Pride and Prejudice. (Which I do not recommend, by the way.) I've also suffered a compulsion to buy the weirdly titled Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which adds a little of the macabre to Elizabeth and Jane's simple world. (I haven't bought it yet, but I'm afraid I will soon.)
Usually I'm not a fan of gushy romance novels. Reading about totally unrealistic people and their relationships tends to give me indigestion. Austen's books are different, though. On one hand, the setting and the plot are totally unrealistic, especially for an American of the 21st century. (Really, how many times have I been to a ball?) On the other hand, the books are extremely realistic in their portrayal of human characters.
A perfect example of realistic characters is the scene in which Mr. Woodhouse and his oldest daughter pit their respective doctors against one other. I have heard conversations in exactly the same vein that were discussed by people that are very near and dear to me. (I have also shared in Emma's total disinterest with the topic.)
Another reason to enjoy Austen's books is the biting wit of the major characters. Don't I wish I could have conversations like theirs with my friends? (Sorry, friends, I'm not that witty.) The crisp prose tends to rub off on me too. Honestly, today I actually said to someone, "Sorry to trouble you."
The predicaments of the young ladies in her stories also strike a chord with me. I, like they, am unmarried. Getting acquainted with the right men can sometimes be a challenge (oh, WHO will introduce me?). Sometimes I get acquainted with men who aren't what they claim to be (like Mr. Wickham). And the course of love never runs straight. There are always obstacles, like friends who oppose the match (Jane and Mr. Bingley), other females who are plotting to get the man (Emma and Mr. Knightley), and secret engagements (Elinor and Mr. Ferrars) (well, not really on that last one, although there are married guys who can't seem to remember that they're married).
Now, where is that Mr. Darcy? A girl like me could use 10,000 a year.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
A Message from God
I did something last week that was really idiotic. I'm not going to go into detail about it because it would be too embarrassing, but it was completely unintentional. The worst part is that I'm having a hard time forgiving myself for my mistake.
I was stewing about this while driving and listening to one of my favorite podcasts, the Boundless Show, when a song starting playing. I don't know who sings the song, nor do I remember the tune or the exact words, but I do remember the gist of the song. It said, No one told me I would make mistakes, No one told me it was OK to grieve them. It was like God sent the message straight to me.
Often when I screw up, I get emotionally and mentally tied up in my mistake. I have a hard time letting it go and moving on with my life. I replay and revisit and decide what I should have done instead. In a way it's good to consider situations in hindsight because the situation might come again, but somehow I manage to get totally entrenched in them.
When I heard the song, I felt like God was telling me that it was OK to let go of my struggle. Sure, I made a mistake. Sure, it might have been prevented. But at this point, nothing I could do could amend for my mistake, and wallowing around in it was not helpful.
Maybe you think that this is an elementary concept. Maybe you learned this a long time ago. But maybe you didn't, and this will help you today, just like the song I heard helped me.
I was stewing about this while driving and listening to one of my favorite podcasts, the Boundless Show, when a song starting playing. I don't know who sings the song, nor do I remember the tune or the exact words, but I do remember the gist of the song. It said, No one told me I would make mistakes, No one told me it was OK to grieve them. It was like God sent the message straight to me.
Often when I screw up, I get emotionally and mentally tied up in my mistake. I have a hard time letting it go and moving on with my life. I replay and revisit and decide what I should have done instead. In a way it's good to consider situations in hindsight because the situation might come again, but somehow I manage to get totally entrenched in them.
When I heard the song, I felt like God was telling me that it was OK to let go of my struggle. Sure, I made a mistake. Sure, it might have been prevented. But at this point, nothing I could do could amend for my mistake, and wallowing around in it was not helpful.
Maybe you think that this is an elementary concept. Maybe you learned this a long time ago. But maybe you didn't, and this will help you today, just like the song I heard helped me.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Summertime and the Livin' is Easy
This is my second attempt at starting a new blog. I just didn't like the other one, so I got rid of it. I'm going to stick with this one... I think.
I've had a lovely summer so far. I haven't done anything strenuous. Basically, I've done whatever I wanted for the last five weeks.
This year, it was my goal to do nothing during the summer because I have been working very hard for the past year. The unplanned time has been relaxing, but I've already decided that next year, I will either go on a long trip (maybe do summer missions) or get a part-time job. It's only because I am getting a little frustrated with my inability to finish things I start without a strict schedule.
The strange thing is that I feel like I have been doing a lot this summer, but when people ask me what I have been doing, I never can think of anything interesting to tell them. I guess this is what stay-at-home moms feel like. They're always working on things that seem too small to mention.
It's also strange because although I feel like I well deserve a summer-long vacation, I feel somewhat guilty for not "doing" anything over the summer. I wonder if people are looking at me like I'm some kind of bum. I'm still convincing myself that I don't care.
OK, I've got to go and do some "little" tasks like washing the dishes, straightening up the house, and washing clothes.
I've had a lovely summer so far. I haven't done anything strenuous. Basically, I've done whatever I wanted for the last five weeks.
This year, it was my goal to do nothing during the summer because I have been working very hard for the past year. The unplanned time has been relaxing, but I've already decided that next year, I will either go on a long trip (maybe do summer missions) or get a part-time job. It's only because I am getting a little frustrated with my inability to finish things I start without a strict schedule.
The strange thing is that I feel like I have been doing a lot this summer, but when people ask me what I have been doing, I never can think of anything interesting to tell them. I guess this is what stay-at-home moms feel like. They're always working on things that seem too small to mention.
It's also strange because although I feel like I well deserve a summer-long vacation, I feel somewhat guilty for not "doing" anything over the summer. I wonder if people are looking at me like I'm some kind of bum. I'm still convincing myself that I don't care.
OK, I've got to go and do some "little" tasks like washing the dishes, straightening up the house, and washing clothes.
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