Catch Up

I've been looking back at the last few weeks of May and realized that I haven't done too much reflecting, and therefore not all that much blogging. A LOT has happened and many little things have popped up, both really good and sometimes not so good, but I've been hurtling in fast-forward-mode for the past month or so. I have a lot to catch up on. I would say that it would be a lot to catch YOU up on, as a reader of my blog, but that's not quite how I work when it comes to writing. I'm not so concerned with how the audience thinks about my life. Perhaps that sounds a bit selfish, but I process things through writing about them, and so it's good for me to sit down, think something through, and catch myself up on it just by writing about it. It's like I don't know how I really feel about something until I write about it. Then I read what I just put on the paper and that's how I know my opinions, feelings, fears, and desires. Odd, I know, but it's a lot cheaper than a therapist. For now, I'll catch up on that very thing: catching up.

Fancy grilled cheese. The kind that sticks to your ribs. In the best way. 

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to catch up with two dear friends of mine here in Chicago: Sam and Julia. They represent my struggle and my sanity here in these two years through TFA. We three started in the very, very, very first day of training together and taught summer school at the same school that first summer. While we all work at different schools, I cherish the chances I get to catch up with them because they've been there from the start. They get it. They always will get it. And they will get it in a way that many other people just can't, simply because many other people just weren't there since the very, very, very first day. I also cherish the fact that they have fabulous taste in restaurants and want to meet me at fabulous locales.

Brian always thinks I say "sammich" because I don't annunciate the D in
"sandwich." I like to argue this point. 

This time was no different, as we met for dinner at the Little Goat Diner, the cafe-style restaurant in the West Loop associated with the blockbuster Girl and the Goat restaurant for which it might take 6 months to get a reservation. Thankfully, this spot had a slightly more affordable venue and a considerably shorter wait. I highly recommend it. We got a spot at a communal table (one of the quirks I love about the place) and gawked at the interesting offerings. Sam and I both opted for the fancy grilled cheese, and we three split some unbelievably good pies for dessert: a PB and J pie, as well as a passionfruit-oreo concoction.

PB & J pie. And passionfruit oreo. 

Sitting there, stuffed to the brim, sipping the last remains of my Spanish Cava that left bubbles in my nose as I listened to updates, rants, and funny stories, I was pleasantly pleasant. Two friends that are unbelievably smart, kind, thoughtful, and with great taste. Something about making it through Teach For America together will keep them forever in my heart. And my stomach. Because trying a great restaurant is a fabulous excuse to catch up, at least in my book.

Gents.

Okay this post is about gents. Not just about males, but other kinds of gents. Firstly and foremostly, it is about the lady and gentlemanly style of my current TV obsession. Secondly and middlemostly, it's about two books called DiverGENT and InsurGENT. Finally and lastmostly, it's about how you need to be a proud bandwagon jumper, like myself.

Of course you're all obsessed with Downton Abbey. (DownTON Abbey that is. I called it DownTOWN Abbey in the beginning and am now really embarassed to admit this. What a noob.) This show is just so stinking good. I'm not usually crazy about period pieces, but this one is perfect. It's early 20th-century Britain, and it takes you from 1912 and on as the historically stable family rooted in the tradition of British nobility faces the crazy changes that happened in the world at that time in history. Nerd alert. I know. I realize I have not captivated you. Yet. It's about the estate of Lord Grantham and the drama, excitement, and scandal of his family and the servants who work at his mansion. The beauty of the show, for me, exists in that juxtaposition; we constantly get to view every twist and turn from the perspective of both the family and their servants. Furthermore, the viewpoints are so rich because each character is fantastically human: each has the capacity for goodness and darkness. Although I have my favorites (Anna, Mr. Bates, Mary, Matthew, Tom Branson, Sybill, to name a few...) and of course those that I really can't stand (...ummmm THOMAS anyone? And can we just take a minute to realize the extent of lame-ness that is Edith?), it is really cool to see every character's choices as the show goes on. And, if all of that cool historical drama and social intrigue didn't do it for you, you should get into this show for my favorite character of all: VIOLET CRAWLEY played by the one and only Maggie Smith. She's the grandma in this whole rich family deal and her comments are perfect. PERFECT. She is the perfect example of English wit that makes me oh so happy. My favorite quote is in the picture above. This GRADE-A-JERK of a man was engaged to Mary, Violet's granddaughter, when finally Mary decided that he was, in fact, an evil piece of scum and dumped him, breaking off their engagement. He went to Violet coolly and says, "Lady Grantham, I doubt we'll meet again," as his final snotty goodbye and she snaps right back at him, "Do you promise?" in her understated way. Oh my goodness. So good. If by the end of this paragraph you haven't caught on to the greatness of this show, you may go ahead, consider me a lunatic, and move on with your life. If, however, your feelings have changed, I must tell you that this show has bewitched me both body and soul and I love, I love, I love it. (Pride and Prej reference for all you diehards. I know SOMEone out there has got to be appreciative of that last sentence.)

On to the next set of gents. Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth. These books were recommended to me (and added to the book list!) by the one and only Nicole Ongna. This girl knows good books, apparently, because this series has grabbed me by the throat. I am almost done with Insurgent and can not bear the fact that I have to wait for Roth to come out with the final book to round out the trilogy. It's in the dystopian, young adult fiction, brave girl protagonist vein of the Hunger Games and delivers on all accounts. Brave underestimated girl as a main character? Check. A post-apocolyptic America facing corruption and merciless totalitarianism? Check. Hunky male character to supply the romance-in-the-face-of-crisis storyline? Check. Even as a bonus, this book series is set in the future ruins of the city of Chicago, so you get fun references to familiar buildings and landmarks throughout the series. Plus, on top of all of that, it explores cool concepts in humanity and worldview and what motivates people to do good and evil things. It is captivating. Don't be ashamed that you're reading a book meant for a 13-year-old because deep down we all have a little of that left over in us somewhere. Go buy it now.

I love this quote.

So. All in all. If you've made it this far and have reached the end of this rant, here are three things you should take away from these last few minutes of your life: A) You need to stop doing whatever things you're doing and start doing more important things like watching whole seasons of TV series in one sitting and ignoring life obligations to finish a book B) British people are cool and C) Bandwagons are fun. Hop on and enjoy the ride. 

101 Books. From Me (and friends) To You.

Well, people, my listing side has finally gotten the best of me. This is probably going to be the longest blog post on this thing to date, but I am so excited to put it up here!

I've been finding myself these days in constant need of a good, trustworthy book recommendation. A lot of my friends seem to be finding themselves in the same situation. Thus, this list was born. I reached out to some friends who I know are great readers and asked for some book titles that they would definitely recommend. I got an overwhelmingly positive response with lots and lots of wonderful books. 101 to be exact. Here is a list of 101 book recommendations. A few things you should know: the list is organized as Title - Author (Name of Recommender). This is important because if you buy the book and hate it, you now have the name of the person you need to find and slap in the face for recommending a crappy book. This is also important because if you buy the book and love it, you now have the name of the person you need to find and hug for recommending a fabulous book. It is also good to know that these are in no particular order. I'm just the messenger of quality information. Look up any titles you find interesting and give them a try!

Before I give you all of their favorites, I want to give you some must-reads from my life. Maybe I'll do a post that delves into why all of these particular books have so touched my heart, but for now I'll just give you the names of some books that every human being should read: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. And clearly, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (but I firmly believe that this book transcends any list). Also, although I'm not a Harry Potter expert, J.K. Rowling's series was recommended a million times. Clara's comment on getting into the series: "Don't give up after the first one. Harry's eleven. It was J.K.'s first book. Cut them both some slack. It's about to get way better." Okay. You have my picks. Ready for the list? Drumroll please....

1. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (Clara Connis, me, everyone else in the world)

2. Intensity – Dean Koontz (Karley VanDyke)

3.The Princess Bride - William Goldman (Sasha Blasen)

4. Brave New World - Aldus Huxley (Colin Shevlin)

5.  A Million Miles in a Thousand Years - Donald Miller (Zak Hood)

6.  Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut (Colin Shevlin)

7.  In the Garden of Beasts - Eric Larson (Nicole Ongna)

8.  The Hours - Michael Cunningham (Liz Brice)

9.  Lord of the Rings Trilogy - J.R.R. Tolkien (Jennie Hill)

10.  Les Miserables - Victor Hugo (Ryan Jensema)

11.  The River Wife - Jonis Agee (Jacquelyn Iwema)

12.  Atonement - Ian McEwan (Mike Merlino)

13.  Breakfast of Champions - Kurt Vonnegut (Mike Merlino)

14.  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith (Katie Chappell)

15.  The Art of Fielding - Chad Harbach (Andrew Knot)

16.  High Fidelity - Nick Hornby (Zach Blair)

17.  1984 - George Orwell (Andy Van Soelen)

18.  Divergent - Veronica Roth (Nicole Ongna)

19.  The Tipping Point - Malcom Gladwell (Rudi Gesch)

20.  The Red Tent - Anita Diamant (Sasha Blasen)

21.  Invisible Man – Ralph Ellison (Courtney Randle)

22.  Love Walked In - Marisa De Los Santos (Clara Connis)

23.  Green Eggs & Ham - Dr. Seuss (Andy Van Soelen)

24.  Three and Out - John U. Bacon (Andrew Knot)

25.  Along Came a Spider - James Patterson (Jenna VanMaanen)

26.  Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely (Sam Handel)

27.  On the Road - Jack Kerouac (Colin Shevlin)

28.  Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? - Mindy Kaling (Gina Ciametti)

29.  Pilgrim at Tinker Creek - Annie Dillard (Jennie Hill)

30.  Haunted Ground - Erin Hart (Clara Connis

31.  Einstein's Dreams - Alan Lightman (Zach Blair)

32.  Blink - Malcom Gladwell (Sam Handel)

33.  The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat - Oliver Sacks (Sam Handel)

34.  Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis (Ashley Wisz)

35.  The Great Divorce - C.S. Lewis (Andy Van Soelen)

36.  Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safron Foer (Andrew Knot)

37.  The Host - Stephanie Meyer (Ashley Wisz)

38.  Lamb – Christopher Moore (Steve Ragatzki)

39.  Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand (Ryan Jensema)

40.  Malcom at Midnight - W.H. Beck (Liz VanDrunen)

41.  His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman (Ryan Jensema)

42.  The Giver - Lowis Lowry (Alyssa Nekic)

43.  A Visit From the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan (Colin Shevlin)

44.  The Book Thief - Markus Zusak (Nicole Ongna)

45.  The Song of the Dodo - David Quammen (Jennie Hill)

46.  Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris (Katie Chappell)

47.  Scribbler of Dreams - Mary E. Pearson (Jenna Reidenga)

48.  Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand (Nicole Ongna)

49.  The Crying of Lot 49 - Thomas Pynchon (Zach Blair)

50.  The Mistborn Trilogy – Brandon Sanderson (Steve Ragatzki)

51.  Number the Stars - Lowis Lowry (Liz VanDrunen)

52.  The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver (Sasha Blasen)

53.  Traveling Mercies - Anne Lamott (Sasha Blasen)

54.  Good to Great - Jim Collins (Rudi Gesch)

55.  Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers (Karley VanDyke)

56.  The Marriage Plot - Jeffrey Euginedes (Andrew Knot)

57.  The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath (Sasha Blasen)

58.  Straight Man - Richard Russo (Katie Chappell)

59.  Where The Red Fern Grows - Wilson Rawls (Alyssa Nekic)

60.  The DaVinci Code – Dan Brown (Rudi Gesch, with an anecdote to read the series)

61.  Counterfeit Gods - Tim Keller (Andy Van Soelen)

62.  The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald (Mike Merlino)

63.  Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton (Ryan Jensema)

64.  Catch 22 - Joseph Heller (Jennie Hill)

65.  Outliers - Malcom Gladwell (Rudi Gesch)

66.  How to Cook Everything – Mark Brittman (Steve Ragatzki)

67.  Soul Pancake - Rainn Wilson (Gina Ciametti)

68.  Pale King - David Foster Wallace (Colin Shevlin)

69.  Map of Lost Memories - Kim Fey (Jacquelyn Iwema)

70.  Last Light - Terri Blackstock (Jenna VanMaanen)

71.  East of Eden – John Steinbeck(Courtney Randle, Jennie Hill)

72.  Palo Alto – James Franco (Courtney Randle)

73.  Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller (Zak Hood)

74.  The Scarlet Letter – Nathaniel Hawthorne (Lauren Haney)

75.  The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas (Katie Chappell)

76.  BossyPants - Tina Fey (Gina Ciametti)

77.  The Forgotten Garden - Kate Morton (Clara Connis)

78.  A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens (Liz Brice)

79.  Columbine - Dave Cullen (Sam Handel)

80.  Other People's Rejection Letters – Bill Shapiro (Gina Ciametti)

81.  The Joy Luck Club - Amy Tan (Liz Brice)

82.  Heaven is For Real - Todd Burpo (Ashley Wisz)

83.  Freakonomics - Steven Levitt (Rudi Gesch)

84.  Wonder - R.J. Palacio (Liz VanDrunen)

85.  Through Painted Deserts - Donald Miller (Andy Van Soelen)

86.  The Fault in our Starts - John Green (Sasha Blasen)

87.  On the Road - Jerk Kerouac (Mike Merlino)

88.  Prodigal God – Tim Keller (Lauren Haney)

89.  The Reason for God – Tim Keller (Lauren Haney)

90.  The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory (Clara Connis)

91.  City of Bones - Cassandra Clare (Ashley Wisz)

92.  Frequently Avoided Questions – Smith and Whitlock (Lauren Haney)

93.  The Meaning of Marriage – Tim Keller (Lauren Haney)

94.  The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - C.S. Lewis (Liz Brice)

95.  Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (April Saxma)

96.  One For The Money - Janet Evanovich (Jenna Reidenga)

97.  Freedom - Jonathan Franzen (Katie Chappell)

98.  MAUS I and II - Art Spiegelman (Zach Blair)

99.  Molloy - Samuel Beckett (Zach Blair)

100.  Because of Mr. Terupt - Rob Buyea (Liz VanDrunen)

101. Every Love Story is a Ghost Story - D.T. Max (Andrew Knot) 

Christmas at the Movies

I am almost embarrassed to admit this. But let me tell you something: I've been to four movies in the theaters in the past month.

 Some might ask why the waste of money...I ask why not the investment of money in my happiness? (I know, so Bobby Kennedy-esque of me.) In the past few years I've contracted a love of watching movies during holiday weekends. It just makes everything feel more special and festive. Depending on your taste in movies, I'd highly recommend any of these four. Let's start with my favorite and most recent: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. 

I went to see Sherlock Holmes this afternoon with my parents. (Jealous?) Going to a movie on Christmas Eve is a tradition I want to continue. If I could also guarantee as good a movie as this one each year I would be one happy girl. Guy Ritchie hit a home run with this one (again). It was brilliant all the way down to the costumes, the witty dry humor throughout, and my personal favorite, the clangy musical score that sounds like some sinister old British man is plunking away on a 150-year-old piano. The Robert Downy Jr./Jude Law dynamic is hilarious as ever. While, I'm sure, much more cartoony and with more of that in-your-face quality than Arthur Conan Doyle's literary character on whom the movie is based, the movie adaptation entertains you start to finish and is completely worth seeing in theaters. Let me tell you an amazing fact about this movie: both of my parents loved it. Now that is a Christmas miracle. Go see it.

On to movie number two: New Year's Eve

I watched this with my sister-in-law Stephanie last week. Okay, disclaimer, I am a girl. And I like me some RomComs from time to time. But let's not write this off completely. Guys, if you must be dragged along to something, I'd pick this one. At the very least, it's got plots that you can follow! Oooooo, a plot. Something we girls aren't always looking for in our movie selections. It's got a zillion celebrities, a zillion intertwining stories, and a few twists that may surprise even you. I won't give anything away, but I will say that my favorite storyline involves Robert DeNiro's character. (I'm a Goodfellas fan, okay? It can't be helped.) It successfully entertained me and even gave me those "It's a new year!" warm fuzzies. 

I'm excited to tell you about the third: The Muppets. 

This is just a silly, clever, good time. I went on Thanksgiving weekend with my two brothers, sister-in-law, girlfriend-in-law, and my niece Sawyer (just shy of 3 years old) for her first experience in a movie theater. This one just left me feeling good. And how can you not love Jason Segel? Tell me. How? You can tell he is a huge Muppets fan himself and is loving every one of those 103 minutes on screen. You get some funny new songs along with a fabulous performance of my old favorite. Basically, you leave this movie with a renewed sense of hope in humanity. And muppetity. Working together. Side by side. The future is looking up.

Finally, I suppose I must come clean and also talk about the fourth movie...okay no judging...Twilight: Breaking Dawn.

Yes, I am a secret twi-hard. I went with some friends from Trinity for, yes, the midnight showing on opening night. Yes, I was wearing a "Team Jaward" shirt (because who wants to choose between Jacob and Edward? Why not both?) that I puffy painted myself. But I digress. Obviously, if you don't want a healthy dose of angsty, predictable, idealistic romance between vamps/humans/werewolves then just continue to keep your distance. I, on the other hand, sometimes just gotta get my fix. I read all four books a long time ago and can't help myself. The Edward/Bella wedding was gorgeous and there were a few gems in the soundtrack: Christina Perri's and Angus and Julia Stone's songs being my favorites. 

While you may not support my movie-going antics on the fourth selection, one thing you should conclude from this post is that there are tons of fabulous movies in theaters right now. Get out there!

(And Merry Christmas Eve! Woohoo!)

Four Eyes

Help me help you. Help me help you! (1996 movie reference.)

I thought I'd help you out. Who doesn't need a little tip every now and then? I'm going to pass along one of my favorite deals in existence. Want some prescription glasses? Okay how about for twenty bucks?

They're from Zennioptical.com. Just type in your prescription, wait about three weeks, and voila. You have some brand-spanking-new glasses that make your day a little brighter. These are my latest:

I'm loving these. My first pair was also oversized, and my Spanish brother, Jose Antonio, said that the big frames made me look like a journalist from New York. However, those didn't last the test of time on all those flights and suitcases last semester. So, to fill my hipster desires, I ordered this pair for the new school year. I feel smarter already. 

(Also, anyone else notice how the print of my shirt is way too similar to the print of the couch? Classy.) 

Grocery Snob

Living with my friends off-campus for my senior year means figuring out my own groceries. I definitely took the cafeteria for granted my first few years. If only I had an omelette guy in my kitchen every morning! (Well, actually, that sounds a little creepy. But still, if he made omelettes, I'd let him in.) 

Now that we are buying groceries, we try to cut corners in any way possible. Trips to Aldi, coupons, preferred member cards, and generic brands are all allowing us to make it work. BUT. Don't tell anyone...I have to admit that there are just some items that I push my cart right past the generic brands for. On some stuff I've gotta have the best:

1. Cereal - Crunch Berries, Cocoa Puffs, and Apple Jacks. Marshmallow Mateys just isn't cutting it.

2. Peanut Butter - Choosey Annas choose Jif. And only Jif. Sorry FoodClub.

3. Toothpaste - I'm a little more flexible on this one. I like most brands, just PLEASE, not Aim.

4. Soda - Mountain Lightning? Seriously with that name? And a note for Mr. Pibb: I'll continue to buy Dr. Pepper until you get your Ph.D, thanks. I like my soft drinks educated.

5. Mac n' Cheese - Kraft is where it's at. I got the blues!

Now before all you thrifty Dutch moms come bash down my door with a battering ram and pitchforks in tow, there is hope for me yet. It's been done - I've been converted on shampoo.

Now, I know I've written about my shampoo before, but this is important. After all, my shampoo is one of the first things I see in the morning. I used to be an unbeliever in generic shampoo. Suave had let me down in the past. From filmy, residue-leaving conditioners to shampoos that were about as thick as water, I had nearly closed the book on Suave in general. BUT. This summer I visited my friend in Grand Rapids and had to use this brand of shampoo as a last resort. Believe me, I wasn't excited about it at first, but Suave rose to the occasion. For some reason, this (pictured) variety of Suave is AWESOME. My hair ends up so silky and shiny that you'd think I was a Pantene Pro-V commercial girl. 

Okay maybe not. But still, this stuff is good. And with ALL THAT MONEY saved on shampoo, I can afford the above mentioned groceries, right? It all balances out. Just call me Even Steven. 

(Shameless link to related old school Disney Channel show here.)