tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44985463634146223602024-03-13T03:48:11.694-07:00Diary of a Would-Be Writer (And Mildy Deadly Cook)Life, Laughter, and Toast. You have been warned.Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-27300333948179521872012-07-01T01:00:00.001-07:002012-07-01T01:00:09.068-07:00Why Do We Stay?It's been a long time since I posted anything here that wasn't related to Harry Potter. But it's late and I'm pensive so here it goes. For some reason the question keeps popping to my mind tonight: why do we stay with someone we know doesn't fit? This could just be the fact that it's after midnight and I just watched an episode of the MTV show Awkward talking (actually this is likely <i>exactly </i>what it is and you should read no further into my sleep-deprived ramblings) but I wanted to address this question.<br />
<br />
So why do we stay? I'm sure almost everyone out there has done this. Stayed with someone they shouldn't have even after they knew they should have left. This is not a post to address victims of abuse or people who stay in bad relationships because they think it's better for their kids. Those are situations and issues I cannot begin to touch on because I haven't been there. This is instead a question for when you've dated someone, realized this is not going to work and yet stay with it, hoping you're wrong.<br />
<br />
And why? Why do we do this? I think for a lot of people it comes down to being scared. Scared of one of three things in particular.<br />
<br />
We could be scared of hurting the other person. Unless it's a really bad relationship (and still sometimes even then) ending something hurts. Not as badly maybe as being the person who's broken up with, but it still is not a good feeling. You care about this person at least a little or you wouldn't be setting aside time to spend with them. And the memory of the good times is still there. Those don't go away because you decide a relationship isn't working. You don't want to cause that person pain and so instead of breaking it off, you stay longer that you should to put of what you know has to happen. And then you just feel worse.<br />
<br />
I've been here. I've known things aren't working, known it would be better for both of us to break things off. He even gave me a moment to take an out. But I didn't take it. Because some part of me still wanted it to work, even when I knew it wouldn't. He was a friend first and I didn't want to hurt him. But in the end, it still hurts. Things like that don't hurt less when you give them more time.<br />
<br />
We also stay because we're afraid of being alone. You don't know if there's anyone else out there who will ever love you or want to be with you. You think being in this relationship that doesn't quite fit is so much better than living alone the rest of your like and becoming the Mad Cat Lady or Crazy Snake Man. Because we've been told all our lives that being alone means there's something wrong with you. That you're not good enough. That you don't matter. Even when you know it isn't true and you remind yourself of this, there's often the nagging voice that says you're lying. Because it's so much harder to kill an idea.<br />
<br />
Been here too. It's scary, when everything in our world tells us the ultimate goal is finding a life-mate, to find yourself alone. So maybe you hold on to someone because it's nice not to be alone for once. It's nice to have someone to go out with, to talk to. Especially if you have few friends close by to do these things with. Being alone is harder, even more so if all you can see are couples. But being alone can also teach you things about yourself. And you should know yourself before you try to figure out someone else (oh yes, I am the zen master)<br />
<br />
Last, we stay because we don't realize what we're missing. This can be especially true if you have very little dating experience. You know love isn't the magic bonanza Hollywood makes it out to be, but you also don't know quite what it is. Maybe you settle because while you might not have that passion, you've found a good person. You don't know if it's love, but you don't know that it's not.<br />
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This one is much much more subjective and harder to pin down. I only know this reason exists because I didn't realize what was missing until I found that connection. It didn't last long as a relationship, not really even a relationship, but it showed me what it's supposed to feel like. I'm sure some people can go through their whole lives, meet someone who's nice and kind and treats them well, and never feel that zing that you feel when you meet someone who could be the "The One". And that works...until you meet that person and then realize what you're missing (I'm pretty sure this is how some cheating happens).<br />
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I am in no way insinuating I am any kind of an expert in this. I'm 21 and been in very few relationships. I have so little experience it's hilarious. These are just the thoughts I start to have at 1 in the morning. And I am far from having all the answers. This is contemplative, not comprehensive. And far from the only opinion.<br />
<br />
So what do you think? Why do you think people stay with those they're not meant to be with?Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-20355868108886074692012-01-19T12:02:00.001-08:002012-01-19T19:16:34.199-08:00Reading Harry Potter With My Mom: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Plus Order of the Phoenix)<div style="text-align: left;">Mom and I have now read Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix. I didn't get a chance to write up GoF, which we finished in October, so I'm adding it to OotP, which was finished just before New Years. Shall we proceed?</div><div><br /></div><div>Goblet of Fire is really where the series transitions from children's series to young adult. It gets darker and the characters are starting to leave childhood behind and enter the beginnings of adulthood. Voldemort's getting stronger, Harry and Ron have what may be their worst fight of the series, the world is hitting that point of no return when nothing will ever be the same again. We have our first real death. It's not the series it's been for the last three books.</div><div><br /></div><div>This book also had a ton of accents. Which kind of drove me as the narrator insane. Especially trying to flip from Scottish to my normal accent to French to Russian and back. This moment of "Death to all accents!" brought to you by Madame Maxime, Fleur Delacour, Rubeus Hagrid, Igor Karkaroff, and Viktor Krum.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://th05.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2011/236/c/9/triwizard_photoshoot_by_hooraylorraine-d47q2kf.jpg" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Group pic of the foreign wizards at the photo shoot for the Triwizard news article (art by hooraylorraine on deviantart)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the book where we also find out that Snape used to be a Death Eater. Which is actually something that is a huge deal and since I've known this fact for a long time, I sometimes forget how huge it was. But Mom's reaction reminded me. Because after I read that Snape was a Death Eater, I swear to god, she whipped around and did an exact impersonation of Dramatic Chipmunk.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/a1Y73sPHKxw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Snape a Death Eater?! My god man!"</i></div><div><br /></div><div>We've also realized (and this may be hitting Mom more than me) just how much of the light-hearted moments and Harry just getting to be a teenager is left out of the movies. Goblet of Fire is one of the thickest books. And yet its movie is one of the shortest in the franchise. Characters were discarded, moments like the letter with too many stamps and the Ton-Tongue Toffeee were done away with, and back story is slashed. Plus, one of my favorite characters (and Mom's), Pigwidgeon is never introduced. Plus the great moment of Hermione's revenge on Rita Skeeter.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs38/i/2008/342/6/0/_HP_Project__Book_4_Chapter37__by_mazokups.jpg" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Hermione's conspiracy theories are always correct. (art by mazokups on deviantart)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And then we moved on to Order of the Phoenix. Or, as I like to call it, The Rise of Angst Harry. Alternatively: Harry Potter and the Year of ALL CAPS. Because Harry is angry and edgy through out the entirety of this year. I mean, who can blame him seeing as people are suspicious of him and think he's a nutter? But he does seem to do an inordinate amount of shouting.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j28/bluduckyzgurl_34/Gifs/Im-In-a-Rage.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 511px; height: 480px;" src="http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j28/bluduckyzgurl_34/Gifs/Im-In-a-Rage.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Umbridge is introduced this year and my mom wanted her to burn in a fiery pit of molten lava and poisonous snakes. Which is of course the appropriate reaction to Umbridge. Next to Voldemort and Bellatrix, she may be the most evil character in the entire series. But Umbridge+Angst!Harry= Sarcastic Harry. Who just may be my favorite Harry of all. Because his sarcasm is just absolutely hilarious.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ln0fc3c2nx1qlaa6wo1_400.jpg" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I tried to find a picture of sarcastic Harry but this is as close as I got</div><div><br /></div><div>Plus, with the introduction of Umbridge, we get sarcastic and witty McGonagall who hates Umbridge meddling. Actually, one of the best things about this book is that all of Hogwarts (except for Flich and most of the Slytherins) completely hate Umbridge and undermine her at every turn. But McGonagall vs Umbridge is the greatest piece. One of the best exchanges in the book is McGonagall speaking with Harry after Umbridge sends him to her office. "Is it true that you shouted at Professor Umbridge?" "Yes" "Youcalled her a liar" "Yes" "You told her He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back?" "Yes" "Have a biscuit, Potter." The entire force of teachers hating her is fantastic</div><div><img src="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs35/i/2008/293/a/d/Career_Advice_by_wotchertonks7.jpg" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Miverna McGonagall: Better than You since 1935 (art by wotchertons7 on deviantart)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And of course, Mom loved the Weasley twins and their attacks on Umbridge. As well as the teachers just saying "Screw it, you can deal with all of it" and even using her own words and rules against her. She agreed that the exit of Fred and George deserved a better filming than happened in the movie, because it is just such a wonderful moment and rallying point of solidarity for the school. This is one moment where it would have been nice if Peeves existed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://hpcompanion.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/op29-8.jpg?w=497" alt="by Laura Freeman" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Give her hell from us, Peeves. Oh wait, you don't exist."</i> (art by Laura Freeman)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is also the book where you start to fall even more in love with Neville. He has had every bit the hardship that Harry has, and while Harry's parents may be gone, I think Neville may have it worse off, with parents who probably can't even remember who he is. But still he loves them and wants to make them proud. I think the reason he hasn't told anyone about them is that he wants to protect them from cruel comments. I very much started choking up and crying a little when I was reading the scene where Neville's in St. Mungo's on Christmas. And Neville totally has Harry's back 100%, even when Harry doesn't want him at the Battle of the Ministry. He never leaves Harry to defend himself, even when he's got a broken nose and can't cast incantations right. But still he stays. Because he though he's loyal as a Hufflepuff, he is also every bit as brave as a Gryffindor. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs12/i/2006/271/d/0/The_Wrapper_by_Laverinth.jpg" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">If you didn't get choked up at this part, you're dead inside (art by Laverinth on deviantart)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This book probably had the most emotionally draining last six chapters until Deathly Hallows. And we read from the Battle at the Ministry through to Dumbledore talking with Harry after Sirius's death (about four chapters) in one sitting. There was screaming and emotional trauma and my voice was wrecked for the next two days, but I think that part needed to be read in one go. It gives the full impact of the emotion and you get the heartbreak of Sirius' death along with the aftermath of loss. Plus Dumbledore answers a lot of the questions that have been building in the series. Mom though was both upset about Sirius' death and angry that Rowling keeps killing people off. It was a very emotional night. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/133/2/c/Sirius__by_toerning.jpg" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Basically my emotions that night (art by toerning on deviantart)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Although we did have a moment of Dumbledore is a badass and can do whatever the hell he wants. Because he's Albus Frickin' Dumbledore. He brings and entire set of bronze statues to <i>life </i>and sends two off to get Fudge while the others stay to fight and protect. He fights Voldemort (one of the most powerful Dark wizards in history) while simultaneously keeping an eye on Harry to make sure Voldemort doesn't hurt him. If he doesn't want to be found, he won't be found, no matter who is looking for him. He is so badass that his pet if a creature who never dies and will only stay with you if it really bonds with you. He dies because he allows it to happen, not because he was beaten. You do not mess with Albus Dumbledore.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://hpcompanion.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/op36-5.jpg?w=497&h=404" alt="Battle in the Ministry, by Beeeb" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"I am Albus Percival Wulfic Brian Dumbledore. Do not even think about it." </i>(art by Beeeb on Deviantart).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We have now begun Half Blood Prince. Which is surprisingly shorter than Order of the Phoenix. The end is nigh. Bring the tissue.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-71558212173343627702012-01-11T13:19:00.000-08:002012-01-11T13:20:40.354-08:00Top Ten Moments of 2011<p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I am a little late to the party (although I did post this on Tumblr a little while back. By the way, I'm kind of addicted to Tumblr now) but these are the highlights of my past year.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">In no particular order:</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxeex1yu1V1qkq3xr.jpg" /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">1. Graduation from Western Washington University and All That Day Entailed: This day was a bittersweet one. Because I’d accomplished what I set out to do at Western and had my degree in hand within my planned two years. But this also meant leaving a place that felt like home and the wonderful people I met and love there. However, this day also included the Epic Canadian Sojourn, which is a completely fantastic story involving a sack of oranges, a street magician, one cute hotel/casino driver named Marius, slipping past tram police, British accents, and road signs that didn’t wish to be read.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxeey4tQo31qkq3xr.jpg" /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">2. Summer at the Hive: I spent two fantastic weeks last July with my friends at a house called the Hive. Pretty much this house and the people in are the reason for half of my great stories. If not more. These people (Natalie and Erin especially) are…well there are no words to describe them. We had a fourth of July barbecue (complete with rooftop 90s music concert) and hung out at the Presbyterian church (and freaked out a few church goers at one point) and had a masque and attended the HP 7.2 premiere together. I always cherish the little time I get to spend at the Hive, but those two weeks are ones I will always look back on with fondness.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxeez0zcT61qkq3xr.jpg" /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">3. A Very Potter Musical Glee: If you have even glanced at this blog, you may have seen that I love Harry Potter and A Very Potter Musical. The Glee Club at Western this past winter actually did the song “Get Back to Hogwarts” and I got to be a part of it. It. Was. AWESOME! Getting to be a part of that and hang out with some truly excellent people was amazing. I loved it.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxef04foIG1qkq3xr.jpg" /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">4. Becky: Speaking of excellent people, I know that technically Becky is not a moment, but our friendship is one of my favorite things about 2011. A friendship that actually started as a mock Facebook battle over a fictional character and who loved him more. Which basically gives you a good idea of how our relationship works. She is totally awesome and I love that she makes me laugh just as much I as make her grin.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxefjgLpWg1qkq3xr.jpg" /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">5. Glee Summer Spectacular: I got to spend another amazing weekend this past summer (this summer is probably one of my favorite ever, second only to my London summer) with Becky and a whole group of fantastic people from the Glee club. We got attacked by a rooster and played Friends Scene It and went star tripping and hung out at night on this dock with water pretty much on all sides. We laughed til we cried and were basically insane. It was totally awesome!</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxef5mCS4c1qkq3xr.jpg" /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Premiere: Yes, I know I mentioned this above, but it’s important enough to garner its own slot. This one night was basically the close of my childhood. I know that Harry Potter will never truly be over, because the fandom will live on, but this was pretty much the end of an era. The characters I had grown up reading and the actors I had grown up watching, were giving their final curtain bow. The experience of waiting with everyone else in line, all of them just as excited as I, is something that I’m not sure will ever happen again in quite that magnitude. It is a memory I will cherish.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxef8t0tGz1qkq3xr.jpg" /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">7. The Saddest Pirate Ship That Ever Did Sail: I believe this happened just before I joined Tumblr, so I never regaled you with the adventure of The Pirate Ship Cake. If you are a Starkid, you may remember that right before Starship came out, they had a profile picture contest on Facebook. It just had to relate to Starship in some way. Becky and I decided to bake a cake, make it a pirate ship and put stars all over it (Star Ship, get it?). Well, we didn’t get it done in time, but we decided to make the cake anyway. Unfortunately, we are impatient and the cake hated us, so while it kind of looked like a cake, it was also kind of unstable. Delicious, but wobbly.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxefo8Owgw1qkq3xr.jpg" /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">8. Modeling Session with Jenny: Yes, another summer one (what can I say? My summer was epic). My cousin is a fantastic photographer with her own business, Jenny Ostenson Photography, based in Tacoma. She was looking for people to model for her over the summer and I happened to be close enough and have the time (plus inclination). She was so much fun to work with and I got to feel beautiful for the two hours or so that we took pictures. Beautiful and goofy and happy. There are more pictures from the session <a href="http://blog.jennyostensonphotography.com/ashleighseattle-portrait-photographer/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); text-decoration: none; ">here</a>. I will never be a model, but I had a blast doing this with Jenny.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxeh2tMIPn1qkq3xr.jpg" /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">9. I Met Kate Voegele: Because my sister is a huge One Tree Hill addict, we learned about Kate Voegele and fell in love with her music. She has beautiful lyrics and plays the piano and guitar and I don’t think there is a single song she’s released that I dislike. So when we heard she was coming to Portland to perform (hardly ANYONE comes to the West Coast) we jumped on the opportunity. And the show was actually Andy Grammer (who we now love as well) and Kate Voegele with Natasha Bedingfield as the headliner. After their sets, both Andy Grammer and Kate came out to this little counter by the entrance and signed autographs and talked with people. I didn’t have anything for her to sign so my sister dared me to have her sign my arm. Which I did and then she took a picture with us. And after the show was over, she was still there and Mom got to meet her as well. She was so sweet and down to earth and probably one of the nicest people you could hope to meet (and she didn’t look at me like I was insane when I asked her to sign my arm. That wins her bonus points).</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxegpg1a291qkq3xr.jpg" /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">10. My 21st Birthday: I finally reached my 21st birthday this year. My celebration was tame, compared to many people’s (one drink at Red Robin with a friend and then a movie night in), but for me getting drunk is not why I’m excited about being 21. Being 21 means that I <em>can</em> go to a bar, if I should so choose. I can go to karaoke nights or book clubs that meet in bars. I can go out to dance clubs. It gives me the last bit of freedom society holds in reserve, though I will be carded mercilessly for probably the next fifteen years.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><strong><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxehfuk7t71qkq3xr.jpg" /><br /></strong></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">1. My Sister Getting Engaged: My little sister got engaged this year (although the proposal story is kind of hilarious and will not be the one she probably tells her children) and she named me her maid of honor. Which shocked me and for which I feel honored. Hopefully we will not have a bridezilla on our hands as July draws closer. She did pick lovely bridesmaids dresses though, and her dress is gorgeous.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxeg9dM3kw1qkq3xr.jpg" /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">2. Leading Worship for the First Time: I am on Worship Team at my church, which basically means I sing with the Worship Leader and try to get people excited about singing for the Lord. Some days that’s easier than others. Also, I am not allowed to clap, because I have a…fluid sense of rhythm. But this past November, the pastor’s wife, Grace, who is in charge of worship, began giving me songs to lead. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I led probably half of the songs, plus read a picture book to the children. The reading went better than the singing since I hadn’t gotten a chance to practice and I think Grace overestimates my vocal abilities (the nice thing about church ladies is they will tell you that you were great even if you sucked), but being given the opportunity feels amazing. Plus it’s helping me get the confidence to sing on my own in front of people without my legs feeling like Jello.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxehqmsNYR1qkq3xr.jpg" /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">3. Yule Ball 2011: This was my third Yule Ball and may have been one of my favorites. I went as Harry Freakin’ Potter (Darren Criss’ Potter for those who miss the reference) and won third place in the costume contest. There was the impromptu rendition of Get Back to Hogwarts, Voldemort dancing to Thriller, and just merriment in general with good music and great friends. It was beautiful and fun and totally awesome</p><p style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I will miss 2011 dearly. It was a transition year for me, figuring out more about who I am and what I want (spolier alert: I still have a very vague idea about the latter). I left Western and came home, but part of me stayed in Bellingham. I got my first job in two years and met amazing people and grew up just a little more. I can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store.</p>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-2309369897829102672011-10-16T21:54:00.000-07:002011-11-30T11:07:45.393-08:00Ashleigh's Christmas/Birthday Wish ListHere is my wishlist for this year. I may add more items later, but it'll be edited on this same post. If you click on the item, you will be taken to where you can buy it. I know but one piece of code, but it is the most useful piece I ever learned.<br /><br /><div><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516DJeXb6zL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Diaries-Royal-Engagement-Widescreen/dp/B00063KGQ4/ref=sr_1_5?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1319081556&sr=1-5">The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement</a><br /><br /><div><img src="http://www.corporateboxoffice.com/images/Product/medium/33.jpg" alt="Ticket Gift Card" /><br /><a href="http://www.corporateboxoffice.com/c-1-gift-card.aspx">Regal Cinemas Gift Certificates</a></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://www.noblecollection.com/images/catalog/NN7017M.jpg" alt="The Time-Turner™" /><br /><a href="http://www.noblecollection.com/index.cfm?fa=products.product&id=NN7017&catid=21">Time Turner from The Noble Collection (Gold)</a><br /><br /><img src="http://www.powells.com/images/pct/card_9.gif" /><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/powellscard.html">Powell’s gift cards</a> (if you plan to give me a gift card for books, I would prefer a Powells one)</div><div><br /><img src="http://a5.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Music/9a/39/ce/mzi.bqnmqura.170x170-75.jpg" /></div><div><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/oliver-boyd-and-the-remembralls/id267269345">Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls CD</a><br /><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5167CJuz6vL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="Oh. My. Gods." /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Oh-Gods-Tera-Lynn-Childs/dp/0142414204/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319758660&sr=8-1">Oh My Gods by Tera Lynn Childs</a><br /><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5193lGMmPdL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_n_0?rh=n%3A2625373011%2Ck%3Abones%2Cp_n_format_browse-bin%3A2650304011%2Cn%3A%212625374011%2Cn%3A2649513011&bbn=2625374011&keywords=bones&ie=UTF8&qid=1319758696&rnid=2625374011">Bones Season 3-6 DVDs</a><br /><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51G2cu9hQ2L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="Demon Ex Machina: Tales of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom (Kate Connor, Demon Hunter)" /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Demon-Ex-Machina-Demon-Hunting-Soccer/dp/B003TO6DJQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319758929&sr=8-1">Demon Ex Machina by Julie Kenner</a><br /><br /></div><div><img src="http://itunesgiftcodes.com/files/2011/01/25itunes.gif" /></div><div><a href="http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/giftcards/itunes/gallery">iTunes Gift Card</a><br /><br /><img src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQzLh22qZ4K6zi0cLN3LE3ovZtShoc-fIMqcAd7CLVgv_-PqcsIVg" /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_23?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=toshiba+satellite+a505-s6960&x=0&y=0&sprefix=toshiba+satellite+a505-#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=toshiba+satellite+a505-s6960+battery&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Atoshiba+satellite+a505-s6960+battery">Laptop Battery</a> (I have no clue which is best but my laptop is a Toshiba Satellite A505-S6960)<br /><br /><img src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.278476092.jpg" alt="Cloisonne flower pattern Pocket watch Locket Necklace, with many crystal and a bird" /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82179911/cloisonne-flower-pattern-pocket-watch">Pocket Watch Locket Necklace</a><br /><br /><img src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.270181384.jpg" alt="flying crown key necklace ---- magic, harry potter" /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81556076/flying-crown-key-necklace-magic-harry">Flying Key Necklace</a><br /><br /><img src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/admin.annarbortshirtcompany.com/retail_product_images/268/starship.jpg" alt="Starship" /><br /><a href="http://www.annarbortshirtcompany.com/268-Starship-by-Starkid-Productions-on-DVD">Starship DVD from Team Starkid</a><br /><br /><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zr-MjQ-PAiQ/TMGrIlP-lHI/AAAAAAAAADU/zMdVFCOG8Tc/s1600/brunettes+strike+back+by+kieran+scott.jpg" /><br /><a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/2-9780142407783-3">Brunettes Strike Back by Kieran Scott</a><br /><br /><img src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9X8jjkM7zaC3hPV8GQujTxKmi0b0NRoIFT1iIZ4H2rr2UlfUS" /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Speak-Devil-Morgan-Kingsley-Exorcist/dp/0440244935/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319759489&sr=1-1">Speak of the Devil by Jenna Black</a><br /><br /><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TEyMq4bJL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_n_0?rh=n%3A2625373011%2Ck%3Awhite+collar%2Cp_n_format_browse-bin%3A2650304011%2Cn%3A%212625374011%2Cn%3A2649513011&bbn=2625374011&keywords=white+collar&ie=UTF8&qid=1319759528&rnid=2625374011">White Collar Seasons 1-3 on DVD</a><br /><br /><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XK3TQZTxL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_n_0?rh=n%3A2625373011%2Ck%3Awhite+collar%2Cp_n_format_browse-bin%3A2650304011%2Cn%3A%212625374011%2Cn%3A2649513011&bbn=2625374011&keywords=white+collar&ie=UTF8&qid=1319759528&rnid=2625374011#/ref=sr_nr_p_n_format_browse-bi_2?rh=n%3A2625373011%2Cn%3A%212625374011%2Cn%3A2649513011%2Ck%3Acastle%2Cp_n_format_browse-bin%3A2650304011&bbn=2649513011&keywords=castle&ie=UTF8&qid=1319759582&rnid=2650303011">Castle Seasons 1-3 on DVD</a><br /><br /><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5167YxaLrXL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Ties-Season-Kyle-Schmid/dp/B002DLB1H0/ref=sr_1_4?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1319759640&sr=1-4">Blood Ties Season 2 (Not True Blood)</a><br /><br /><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jve1AuQ0L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="Turn Coat (The Dresden Files, Book 11)" /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Turn-Coat-Dresden-Files-Book/dp/0451462815/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319759714&sr=1-1">Turn Coat by Jim Butcher</a><br /><br /><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51aIvvHYFoL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files" /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Side-Jobs-Stories-Dresden-Files/dp/0451463846/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319759750&sr=1-1">Side Jobs by Jim Butcher</a><br /><br /><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mF7VUMPWL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="Demonglass (A Hex Hall Novel)" /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Demonglass-Hall-Novel-Rachel-Hawkins/dp/1423121317/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319759796&sr=1-1">Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins</a><br /><br /><img src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.197779545.jpg" alt="Hogwarts Graduate car decal...vinyl lettering...buy 2 get the 3rd for free...plus FREE shipping" /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63230124/hogwarts-graduate-car-decalvinyl"> Hogwarts Graduate Decal</a><br /><br /><img src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.263192383.jpg" alt="House Prefect Badge Pin" /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79573708/house-prefect-badge-pin">Prefect Badge</a> (In Ravenclaw colors)<br /><br /><img src="http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.269209375.jpg" alt="Dead Letter Office Late / Lost Hogwarts Acceptance Letter Personalized" /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81283590/dead-letter-office-late-lost-hogwarts"> Lost Hogwarts Letter</a><br /><br /><img src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.230491618.jpg" alt="Harry Potter Personalized Hogwarts Diploma" /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70781251/harry-potter-personalized-hogwarts">Hogwarts Diploma</a><br /></div><div><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QhCXoIVZL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus, Book 1)" /></div><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Hero-Heroes-Olympus-Book/dp/142311339X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319762600&sr=8-1">The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan</a><br /><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516XYu1eLxL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" alt="Heroes of Olympus, The, Book Two: The Son of Neptune" /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Olympus-Book-Two-Neptune/dp/1423140591/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1319762600&sr=8-2">The Son of Neptune</a><br /><br /><img src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.263518720.jpg" alt="Custom Harry Potter Acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Anything You Like. Includes Personal notes from Prof. Dumbledore or Prof. Snape." /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79658904/custom-harry-potter-acceptance-letter-to?ref=sr_0edda4ee56f0e1792442ae2c7dbcc9a9a90176d21ba3e49958966c1a86793670_1319827422_14086699_harry_potter">Custom Hogwarts Letter w/ Note from Dumbledore</a><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kO00OwTML._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Help-Emma-Stone/dp/B004A8ZWVK/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1322679846&sr=1-1">The Help</a><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514zkTMnQrL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Potter-Deathly-Hallows-UltraViolet-Digital/dp/B001UV4XIS/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1322679933&sr=1-1">Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2</a><br /><br /><img src="http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/46573107/300.jpg" alt="Image of Maritime Wood and Brass Hourglass Necklace" /><br /><a href="http://www.wickedclothes.com/product/maritime-wood-and-brass-hourglass-necklace">Wood and Brass Hourglass Necklace</a>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-59291840425173497142011-10-01T12:08:00.001-07:002011-10-04T23:06:18.441-07:00Reading Harry Potter With My Mom: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanAs the pages open on my frail copy of the third book in the saga (the entire middle has come loose from the binding) Mom and I are entering new territory for her. The first two books she remembers fairly well but from PoA on, everything is new. Which means that she is even more excited to read in the evenings or whenever I have a spare moment.<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://teacherseducation.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/evil-plan.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have started to realize that by the time I finally get to book seven I am going to be an absolute mess. Because for some reason I am either more sensitive now or I just know so much about these characters and reading it aloud just hits me harder or a combination of this but I started crying in the middle of Harry's Dementor defense lesson. Not for long, not for much, but I have never teared up int PoA before. Just thinking about Lupin and all that he had lost and what he must be feeling when Harry is talking about hearing Lily and James die...it just was too sad. And he believes that one of his best friends murdered them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs7/i/2005/195/3/6/The_Daily_Prophet_by_hilarity.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Lupin is a sad puppy. (art by hilarity on DeviantArt.com)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Okay, enough sad, now for happy! When I was reading about Harry getting the Firebolt for Christmas and McGonagall taking it, saying it had to be checked for <i>jinxes, </i>my mom thought I said it had to be checked for <i>Jesus</i>. I joked, "Yes, this is Wizard school. Can't have any Jesus in here." It made us chuckle for quite a bit actually. Probably far longer than it should have.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.hellomagazine.com/imagenes/news-in-pics/2010/03/22/hogwarts.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >We are a Jesus-free zone</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This book has always been my personal favorite, especially because of all the things it sets in motion as well as the introduction of the Marauders, who are some of my favorite characters. I mean, you meet Sirius <i>and </i>Lupin, two of Harry's parents' closest friends as well as real father-figures for Harry. You meet Pettigrew, who becomes super important. As I said before, the Marauders are introduced and they are awesome. A little more about why Snape hates Harry is revealed and the rivalry between Sirius and Snape is set up. And you get to learn about Azkaban and the dementors. It's just such a cool book.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><img src="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs28/f/2008/060/e/a/Marauders__Red_by_fishbizkit.jpg" /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>You know you love us</i> (I may have just spent far too long looking up Marauders pictures...but you'll never prove it ;) art by fishbizkit on DeviantArt.com).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sadly, for me (and Mom agrees here) the movie does not live up to the reputation of the book. A lot about the Marauders is left out, to the point where you never really learn that James and his friends were the ones who created the map. Plus the Firebolt isn't given correctly and you never get to meet Pigwidgeon who is the most amusing owl I've ever met and the bane of Hedwig's existence. Instead, you get a lot of shots of the Whomping Willow as the seasons change. The director had a <i>vision.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><img src="http://wizardinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/18.jpg" /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >"Never mind your plot points, there must be more tree!"</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">As one last point, I like David Thewlis as an actor. But Mom and I agree that he isn't exactly right for Lupin. He doesn't seem to have the air that he once raised hell with James and Sirius. Yes, Lupin has grown up and isn't that kid anymore, but I like to think there'd still be a trace of the kid who snuck into Hogsmeade late at night with his friends. He didn't disappear; he just got older and more mature.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now onto Goblet of Fire, the book that transitions the series from children's books to a YA series.</div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-82393148869065655792011-09-10T23:07:00.000-07:002011-09-11T00:18:03.209-07:00Ten Years Ago: Looking Back<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lr9dc5tCPB1qfax3xo1_500.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div>I am not one for real patriotism, no matter how hard I try. Yes, I am grateful to live in America. I am glad for my liberties and civil rights and I am happy with where I live in the world. But pride in my country is something I never quite got. My country, just like every other country in the world is an amalgamation of good people and bad. People who murder and steal as well as those who teach Sunday school and cook dinner for their neighbors.<div><br /></div><div>And a country is a huge land mass. It is 3000 miles from one coast to the other. That is a lot of space and a lot of people cover that space. There are parts of my country I love, and parts I could do without, just like every other country in the world. Thankfully, the parts I am grateful for far outweigh those I dislike.</div><div><br /></div><div>So this is not a post about patriotism and what it means to stand for your country. Frankly, I am not the person to talk about those things. Instead, this is a post of thank yous and the parts of this country I am grateful for.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to the men and women who put their lives on the line every day (or have done so in the past) to secure the freedoms we enjoy without even thinking about it. Whether or not I agree with a war does not mean that you are not courageous and heroic. Thank you for all you do.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to the men and women who are firefighters, who are on the police force, who are willing to put themselves in peril to save another human life. Thank you for being caring and selfless and often showing us the best of humanity while you deal with the worst.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you particularly to those on the United 93 flight that crashed in the field in Pennsylvania rather than its intended target. I may not like our government all the time or agree with every decision, but if you plane had hit its target, our country would most like have been much worse off. Thank you for your bravery and sacrifice and know that we will always remember the valor you have shown and be grateful for it.</div><div><br /></div><div>To the family and loved ones of everyone in the Towers and on the planes that were part of that horrible day, my heart still breaks for all you lost because of the selfishness and evil in the souls of a few. I know it is not something you will ever fully heal from but I pray you find peace.</div><div><br /></div><div>To those who fear one race or religion because one day, I ask that you remember this was the act of a few, not a majority. These are the views of one extremist group and they are <i>wrong</i>. But that does not mean that every person who shares a characteristic with them should be punished for it. They are just people.</div><div><br /></div><div>To the people who oppose the war, yours is a valid point (and those who do not oppose it also have valid points). This does not mean you have the right to tear down the soldiers who put their lives on the line. They did not choose this war. They chose to serve their country in what they believed to be the best way, just as some serve by running for office and others work in various positions to keep the country running. The first step towards peace is accepting that your side is not the only one to consider.</div><div><br /></div><div>To the adults who were mere children that day, do not forget. Remember as much as you can, because one day your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, are going to ask you what that day was all about. Don't let it be another fact in the history book that gathers dust while the newest generation forgets why it matters. Remember, in honor of all those whose lives were irrevocably changed.</div><div><br /></div><div>And to everyone, from sea to shining sea, whether you consider yourself a patriot or not, remember that hate and fear are not the most powerful forces in our world, though often they seem the most pervasive. Hope, though rare, is far more powerful. For while fear and hate can wreak destruction and chaos, hope forges though and rebuilds. Destruction takes no real effort, no true power.</div><div><br /></div><div>But to believe you can try again? To look for a brighter tomorrow? That takes a strength of spirit and soul that those who sow terror can neither understand nor harness. Hope is what brings dreams to life. Hope is what crushes the darkness threatening to close in. For if you lose hope, you lose what makes all things possible. Hope molds lives to better and brighter things. </div><div><br /></div><div>So remember the sacrifices of those who fight for hope. And carry on the legacy they leave. Let hope shine and never forget.</div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-35094221053404746222011-09-03T00:33:00.000-07:002011-09-21T14:45:41.779-07:00Reading Harry Potter With My Mom: Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsSecond book is now complete. And Hagrid's accent is still wonky as every. Mom now bursts into laughter every time Hagrid speaks and she's like "Well I know exactly who that is." Yes, Hagrid doesn't need his giant footsteps lumbering along for Mom to know he's coming. She just need the screwed up tones of an accent that has an identity crisis.<div><br /></div><div>When we got to the Polyjuice Potion chapter, Harry and Ron's voices deepen into Crabbe and Goyle's. Now, I don't know about anyone else, but for some reason, in my head, Crabbe and Goyle have looked and sounded fifteen since they started at Hogwarts. Which means they have very deep voices. So when Harry and Ron become them, they have these deep man voices and when I would say something as them, both Mom and I would burst into giggles because it was quite hilarious to say things as Goyle and then have Harry be the one saying it.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMJQU-lKnxQ/Tgv1VqxYT3I/AAAAAAAAAFU/3yL4KWsNXSg/s1600/crabbe+and+goyle.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">"You realize we're only twelve right?"</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Hagrid is still having a wonky time with his accent. For a little while, he managed to be Australian. And then I tried to just keep him Cockney, because that is an accent I can manage, but he doesn't sound right because my Cockney accent is high pitched than the Scottish brogue. I feel like Hagrid's voice is Flynn Rider's nose.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lj33biOpCt1qiyn84o1_500.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">"She just can't do my accent"</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of odd voices, let's talk about Dobby for a moment. Now, I have a naturally high pitched voice but after speaking like Dobby, my voice sounds alto rather than soprano. It's bizarre for my voice to sound almost low. And of course Dobby's squeak made us laugh. A lot.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had to stop a couple of times when reading this book because I kept welling up, thinking about Dobby and Colin. And I know that it's just going to get worse as the series goes on. Because I know what happens to everyone. </div><div><br /></div><div>In watching the movie, Mom was surprised at some of the things they changed. I however, was shocked to find that Harry apparently now has classes with every house. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts with not only Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, but also with Justin Finch-Fletchey from Hufflepuff and Susan Bones from Ravenclaw.</div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j7tDoeCPfxk/TnpaOadAYeI/AAAAAAAAAPM/4v086oia8HU/s1600/harry%2Bpotter-%2Bdefense%2Bagainst%2Bthe%2Bdark%2Barts.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j7tDoeCPfxk/TnpaOadAYeI/AAAAAAAAAPM/4v086oia8HU/s400/harry%2Bpotter-%2Bdefense%2Bagainst%2Bthe%2Bdark%2Barts.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654931485782729186" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Why the hell are we all in the same class?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>So that's book two. We're actually in the middle of PoA right now because I've been slow in posting this. We should hit Goblet of Fire in October. Marvelous.Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-50325685147027037752011-08-17T16:58:00.000-07:002011-08-17T19:49:40.921-07:00Reading Harry Potter With My Mom: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneRecently, my mom decided to let me read my Harry Potter books to her. These are some of my favorite books of all time and getting to finally share them with Mom made me extremely happy. We decided to read each book and then watch the movie. And of course we started with Sorcerer's Stone.<div>
<br /></div><div>In which Hagrid was Scottish. At least he was at first. You may not realize this, but a Scottish accent is particularly hard to maintain. For me, it some time slipped to Russian and I was like, "Wait, we're not at Durmstrangs here."</div><div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/gallery/2004/05/19/hagrid3.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">What ruddy kind of accent is that?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's also hard to flip between speaking normally and figuring out what Hagrid is supposed to sound like. At points he was Cockney and even this odd place between American, English, and Irish. Near the end I was like, "Oh god, Hagrid, please stop talking. I love you, but I can't figure you out." Mom rather enjoyed the odd variety of accents Hagrid used.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think we can all agree that Ollivander is just a little creepy, at least when you meet him in Sorcerer's Stone. Apparently he is no longer a maker of fine <i>wands</i> but a maker of fine wines. Hey, you let a wine sit for 2000+ years, it's probably going to be...whatever it is you want to get from wines when they sit for a long time (can you tell I have no clue what happens with wine?)</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110508014217/hogwartsrpg/images/6/6e/Ollivanders_Wand_Shop-Sign.jpg" alt="Ollivanders Wand Shop-Sign.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Doesn't this look like the label that would be on a fine vintage?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am not accustomed to reading out loud, so sometimes my tongue will get tied. This is happens also because I am a fast reader, which means when I read I don't read each individual word, as you have to when you read aloud. Which is what led to Ron's arms not <i>windmilling</i> but <i>treadmilling</i>. </div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.boneville.com/wp-content/uploads/treadmill.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">How do you translate <i>that</i> into your arms?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And then we came to Lord Voldemort. And I really like my Voldemort voice. It's kind of creepy and thready and perfect for him without a body. But, I am not a man, nor do I have a low voice. So when he starts to yell, the voice tries to growl...and then I start choking. I can either be Voldemort or yell but I can't do both. Maybe Voldemort's voice box was damaged when he LOST HIS FREAKIN' BODY.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f2/Voldemort_in_Movie_1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I'm so confused. How will I my followers listen if I never speak above a harsh whisper?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We just watched the first movie this afternoon. And Mom was struck by how much was left out of the movie, how much info they never talk about. I have clearly seen this movie too many times because I was sitting there quoting it under my breath. And I noticed for the first time that Fred and George actually do chant "We've got Potter" in the Sorting scene. You just don't hear it because of the din and instead have to read their lips.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpdh3lkgAA1qzje2ao1_500.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Honestly woman, you need to pay closer attention.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I can't wait for Mom to get to know Neville. Because really, I have come to love him and Mom doesn't quite understand why yet. Which is why we are reading these books (well, a side reason. Mainly we're reading them because I love them and Mom said I could). Tomorrow we begin Chamber of Secrets.</div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-8278348958129441882011-08-16T16:09:00.000-07:002011-08-16T17:47:46.203-07:00Adventures in Cooking: How Not To Make Minute RiceIn my house now, we have a rotation of who cooks dinner. My parents cook two nights, my sister and her boyfriend cook two nights, and I cook two nights, with the guidance of my mom. On Friday, everyone fends for themselves. It's a pretty good system.<div>
<br /></div><div>Since I have Mom helping me, I am slowly learning how to cook things more complicated than Mac and Cheese (which tastes perfectly fine when made with lactose-free milk) and hot dogs. I was going to add spaghetti to this list, but I kind of set a noodle on fire when I made spaghetti two weeks ago.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Last week, I was making Orange Chicken from a recipe on the Food Network website. Everything was going fine, it was cooking away happily in the oven, when my sister comes home. She asks what we're having and I tell her, rather proudly, "Orange Chicken"</div><div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.barefootcontessa.com/images/left_pix/recipes/443_121%20lemon%20chicken%20breasts.jpg" alt="Lemon Chicken Breast" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Basically this, but with some alterations to make it orange instead of lemon</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"And what with it?" she asks. And at this question my mind stops comprehending English for a minute. <i>What with it? What goes with chicken? What does she mean?</i> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Um...broccoli?" I say, drawing out the word. "Aaaand?" she asks again. This is becoming a maddening question. Mom realizes what she's asking and takes pity on me. "Oh, a starch." Right. Duh, we need rice. But rice takes forty minutes and the chicken will be done in ten. "Uh, I think we have some Minute Rice in the cupboard," Mom says.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h5DTV--cNLI/SNFqfwI9aFI/AAAAAAAACGY/xuvoKMiDUJo/s400/minutericered.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Mwhahaha, don't I look simple? I'm gonna make you wish you used the rice cooker.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sure enough, there's a box of Minute Rice. I pull it out and look at the side to figure out how to make it and the number of portions to make. Mom leaves me on my own to do this, mostly likely figuring, incorrectly I might add, "How can she screw this up? It's Minute Rice." </div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I get the water boiling, add the correct number of cups of rice, and then place a plate on top since we can't find the lid to cover it. I leave it alone to the required time. After the buzzer dings I lift the plate off and hot, water steam drips onto my leg. Probably an omen of bad things to come. </div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I throw the plate in the sink and look in the pot...and then call Mom over. "Something went wrong with the rice." For, instead of fluffy, perfectly cooked Minute Rice, there was instead a vat of rice that was a little...soggy. There may have even been extra liquid in the pan still.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.makingthishome.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/rice.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I'm going to taunt you for the rest of your life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mom stares, perplexed at the rice for a moment. Then she turns to me and asks, "How much water did you use?" I look at her confused. How much water? Does it make a difference? I shurg and make the vocal equivalent of "I have no freakin' clue".</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Apparently, rice is not like pasta. You can't just throw any amount of water you want in with the rice. Rice is the baking equivalent of the starch world; everything must be precise. Since I didn't measure the water, now I have really wet rice.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Which Mom valiantly tries to salvage. We put the rice in the microwave, covered, for 2 minutes. Then, we try putting it back in the microwave for another two minutes without a cover. Mom explains as the microwave whirs that the reason it doesn't matter how much water you put in with pasta is because you drain it. So, when she takes the rice out and it still looks watery, I ask, "Why don't we drain the rice?"</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://as7.disneystore.com/is/image/DisneyShopping/64417?$full$" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >"I'm so mocking you right now"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So we did. Yes, I can actually say that I have <i>drained rice</i> in a colander. This seemed to get rid of most of the excess water. And the rice wasn't completely inedible either. But when Mom said she wasn't going to keep the leftover rice, I was the first to agree. I bet that would have been the moistest rice ever when reheated the next day though. ;)</div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-14246682036176972862011-08-10T17:00:00.000-07:002011-08-10T18:06:27.152-07:00Diversify Your Reading ChallengeSo, a little while back, I found this reading challenge (and contest because you know I love books).<div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.diversityinya.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/challengelogo_final.png" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For this challenge, there were two categories, one for librarians (which sadly I am not) and one for bloggers and readers. For readers you were challenged to read Young Adult books that either had an LGBT character as a main character or significant side character (protagonists' best friend, love interest, etc.) or were written by a person of color or an LGBT author. One lucky person can win <a href="http://www.diversityinya.com/challenge/prizes/">fabulous prizes</a> (click on Reading Challenge at the top to see the rules of the contest)</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I personally was more drawn to the LGBT side of the challenge, so that's what I focused my reading on. I read Beauty Queens by Libba Bray where one of the beauty queens is a lesbian, The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson which is about friendship and sexuality and discovering who you are and how to be that person (one of my all time favorite books), Hex Hall and Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins in which Sophie's roommate is gay, Empress of the World by Sara Ryan about a girl who falls in love with another girl at a summer program, and Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce (which I don't know if it quite works for this challenge since the gay couple aren't exactly main side characters, but I wanted to address it as well).</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the things that really struck me about these books, especially ones where the LGBT relationship wasn't the main focus (like the Rachel Hawkins books) is that the authors write their characters like it was no big deal that they were gay. They weren't even saying, "Well this character is gay and isn't that wonderful?" They instead were saying, "Yes, this character has brown hair and is gay and has green eyes and is tall. Now moving on with the story." It was simply another character trait.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is also something my friends (who watch much more BBC than I do) have pointed out about British TV vs American TV. If we have a LGBT character at all on American television there seems to be extra effort exerted to show that this character is just like everyone else. With British TV, they don't put in that effort; they figure everyone knows the character is like everyone else and it's just another facet of their personality.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also noticed (just from the books I read and maybe this isn't true of all of them) that when the relationship is the focus of the book (like Bermudez Triangle and Empress of the World) the relationship doesn't work out. Why? Can't I have a sweet happy gay or lesbian story that ends well for all involved? Why can't they just end up together? And please, if you know of a book where this happens feel free to leave it in the comments. I'd love to read it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I do want to talk about Bloodhound and Okha Soyan and Nestor Haryse. I loved how Tamora Pierce wrote this relationship. She didn't try to tell the reader that "Of course this person is gay and isn't it wonderful" and highlight that. But she didn't ignore the fact that some of her readers don't understand people who are transgender or why men can see themselves as women and have relationships with men. One of my favorite quotes in this whole book is Okha explaining to Beka, (and I'm paraphrasing since I can't find the exact quote) "The Trickster god played a cruel trick on me, putting a woman's soul into a man's body." It's a beautiful passage with the perfect explanation (at least in my mind) of what transgender people feel in their hearts.</div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I really enjoyed taking on this challenge. I enjoyed the books that I read and the ideas it provoked. I really hope that through books more people can learn acceptance. Books are one of the best ways that people can be introduced to ideas other than their own and begin to change their minds toward the better. If you understand how someone thinks, you can better see their side of an argument and understand why they feel what they feel. From there it's not a hard leap to humanity being just a little less cruel.</div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-85677918734929353262011-08-02T11:04:00.000-07:002011-08-02T12:05:18.893-07:00To Have A HomeYes, this is another post about Harry Potter and yes, I haven't posted for a while and this is not about history. I need ideas people! What do you want to know about? I almost feel like I'm just writing this for myself, and if that's the case I will most likely just keep rambling on about Harry Potter.<div><br /></div><div>So, unless you are just really out of touch with social media, you've probably heard someone mention the site Pottermore within the last few days.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn4.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/pottermore1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Pottermore. We're big on the owls</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This site is an interactive way to read the Harry Potter books. You'll get sorted into a house, buy a wand, earn house points. It sounds like it is going to be absolutely fantastic and pretty much the entire fandom is dancing with impatience to be let in. Which is where the Magic Quill comes in.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://cdn1.sciencefiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Pottermore-Challenge-Page.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >7 attempts at insanity</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What is the Magic Quill you ask (unless you just read the banner in which case you already know. Too bad, I'm still going to explain)? The Magic Quill in the books is a quill that writes down the names of every magical child born (within the Hogwarts school district I'm assuming. Although you could always get a boundary exception and go to Drumstrang or Beauxbatons ;) ) so that when that child reaches eleven the deputy headmaster/headmistress can send out the Hogwarts letters.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In Pottermore, the quill presents everyone with an opportunity to enter Pottermore early. 1 million people will get to beta test the site and to choose those people is the Magical Quill challenge. At a random time of day, between July 31st and August 6th a clue with be released, a question that you must find the answer to. Once you have the answer you add it to the URL quill.pottermore.com. If you are correct, you get sent to a screen where you have to catch the magic quill.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lp6xa5s2Xz1qasx93o1_500.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Where the hell is that damn quill? (This is the thought that will go through your mind at 2 in the morning when you finally get here)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankfully, the quill glows, but it also runs away so you may have to chase it a little (and do not panic if it goes off screen. It'll come back). When you manage to pin it down, you get a Congratulations and are told to begin your journey and fill out some information (name, date of birthday, email, etc.) The last question asked is this:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lp8w6zMFkh1qf0elxo1_400.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >What kind of question is that?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Personally when I got to this point I found myself thinking, "What kind of fan has been up until one in the morning and <i>hasn't</i> seen all the movies and read all the books?" Because yes, by this time I had stayed up until 1:30AM, scoured my copy of Sorcerer's Stone for the answer (The question being "How many types of owls are on the sign for Eyelops Owl Empourium?") and chase a quill around a screen with a laptop track pad. Why would I do all that if I <i>hadn't</i> read all the books and seen all the movies? That would make me crazy instead of simply a zealous fan.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But I also managed to get in on the first day! Which means I haven't had to go through the insanity of staying up until 2 and 3AM (oh yes, clue one released at 1, clue 2 at 2 and clue 3 at 3. This only works on the West Coast...but I love it) to get the clue last night or the night before. And I got my verification email within fifteen minutes, which is NOT what has happened for others. Some have had to wait an entire day for their verification.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I get to beta test it early! My name is DreamPotion56. You get your name by answering the registration questions and then picking from five generated usernames. I was almost ShadowGoblet206, but I liked the idea of a dream potion and it seemed to fit me best. I can't wait to meet up with my friends who've also wrangled early entrance and get sorted. Party in the common rooms anyone? I'll bring the Red Vines ;)</div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-47455631466841986762011-07-26T23:30:00.000-07:002011-07-26T23:32:58.232-07:00Book Blog: Queen Victoria Trapped on a Desert Island with Witches During the ApocalypseBooks from the past two weeks. Sorry I haven't been around :(<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-smYMQwRjyw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-16821339350636748662011-07-25T15:45:00.000-07:002011-07-25T16:24:24.275-07:00"Where You Live, Where You Are, Be A Staaaaaaaar"Wow, sorry about the extended hiatus. I've been wrapped up in job hunting and cleaning my room for the first time in two years and helping out with my family's garage sale. And I'm kind of at a loss for what piece of history to talk about next. I have one last teen queen planned, but I want to read a couple more books about her first. Any history topic suggestions?<div><br /></div><div>Also, since I have been sunburned and this made me feel ill, I have been sitting here with my laptop and watching a movie on YouTube that I watched as a child. So today you get a movie review! Won't that be fun? (just nod and smile; it'll be over soon).</div><div><br /></div><div>The movie I watched is called Life Size. It has young Lindsey Lohan and Tyra Banks in it. It's about this girl whose mother died not too long ago and she decides to <i>raise her mother from the dead</i> and ends up instead bringing an Eve doll (pretty much black, anatomically correct Barbie) to life. Mishaps ensue, the girl is very much at odds with the doll until (shock, awe) she finds herself growing to like the doll woman just when the doll decides she needs to return to being a doll.</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, first of all, I think we should take a moment to realize that this girl, who is like twelve, is using necromancy to raise her dead mother from the grave. And she gets the ritual for this in a book that she partly<i> stole</i> (she only paid $63 out of the $150 it cost). </div><div><br /></div><div>I personally, have nothing against magic. I read a lot of books, watch a lot of movies, love Harry Potter. But the movie doesn't even address the seriousness of what she was trying to do. What would have happened if her mother <i>had</i> come back from the dead? Would she be anything like she was before? Yes, it's kind of chuckle-worthy that the girl instead animated a doll, but I almost feel like they should also remind kids that necromancy is not the answer (just say no, kids ;) )</div><div><br /></div><div>To me, there didn't really seem to be bad acting in this. But I'll also be the first to admit I'm a little slow when it comes to identifying bad acting. Oh sure, none of it was award worthy, but all the characters seemed pretty believable and constant. Particularly Tyra as the Eve doll. </div><div><br /></div><div>There was one nagging thought left over when I finished watching it though: Does Eve ever get to be happy just for herself? Yes, I know she's a doll and who knows what thoughts are running around in that pretty little head of hers. But it didn't seem like there was something she loved that she wanted to do. </div><div><br /></div><div>And, since she left the girl's dad (who she seemed to really like) to return and save the whole doll line, I gotta wonder, does she get the chance to fall in love? Because at the beginning when she first met that dad, she said there were no guys like him in Sunnyvale. So does she get to meet some man doll from another line and have tiny plastic children sets, or is she just going to be rah-rah, I'm a role-model and that's all I need? Just a ponderance.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, this movie isn't stellar, but it's not completely terrible. It occupies a kind of lower tier, middle ground. It's one of those cheesy made-for-TV Disney Channel-esque movies. It probably would also be more entertaining if I was not a twenty year old young woman. But younger girls (seven through eleven or twelve) would probably find it fun to watch.</div><div><br /></div><div>So yeah, that's all I have. The movie is on YouTube if you want to check it out. And hopefully I will have something else to write about on Wednesday. Oh, and I'll try to get a book video posted soon. Warning in advance: it's going to be long.</div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-76071746564278681522011-07-12T21:37:00.001-07:002011-07-13T18:30:24.390-07:00It's The End of and EraSo as pretty much anyone who hasn't been living in a tundra devoid of media and human life knows that this Friday is the release of the final Harry Potter movie. It's kind of a heavy moment for all the people who've grown up with Harry and his friends. I mean, it's been in my life for 14 years. That is a <i>really</i> long time.<div><br /></div><div>You may remember that a little while back I wrote a <a href="http://wouldbewritercantcook.blogspot.com/2011/05/dear-mr-potter.html">letter</a> to Harry Potter, talking about what he's meant in my life. In honor of the release of the final movie, I wrote another post about Harry Potter and what it means to me. There's so much to say I could probably write a hundred letters and never say it all (side note: I now want to write a bunch of Harry Potter letters and then recreate the Letters from No One chapter in Sorcerer's Stone with either some poor unsuspecting soul or my own children some day far in the future (like leading up to their eleventh birthday when I bequeath them the first book (If I manage to wait all the way until they're eleven. They may be closer to seven or so when they get the first book))). Anyway, here is that post (sorry Facebook friends, you've already seen this. But you should read it again :) )</div><div><br /></div><div>"I was seven years old when my sister brought home the first Harry Potter book, at which point she promptly forgot about it. I tried picking it up a couple of times, but never got past the first page. Then, finally, I picked it up and was determined to finish. It took three months, but I did finish it and I read it whenever I had time to. I can remember the exact place in the highway I was when I finished and still smile each time I pass it. And I set about procurring and reading the next book as soon as possible.<br /><br />For the longest time I was always a little younger than Harry, but that meant that he was almost like an older brother to me, a mentor about the periods in my life to come, while still helping me deal with what was happening currently. Harry wasn't perfect, he wasn't self-assured, and he didn't have all the answers. Harry made mistakes, he got upset, he said the wrong thing at the wrong time. Puberty was no easier for him than it was for anyone else.<br /><br />But he was always able to survive and deal with whatever came his way. He showed me that anything could be accomplished and survived with determination. It wouldn't be easy, but doing the right thing and not giving up would be worth it in the long run. I'd be better for having made the hard, but right choice.<br /><br />And it wasn't just Harry who became my mentor. Like many female fans I've talked to, Hermione was like the fictional version of myself. She was bookish, a teacher's pet, and a know-it-all. She didn't make friends easily or fit right into the social structures of school life. She knew what it was like to be a loner, emanored of books while people around her found her completely bizarre for her love of school and reading. And yet, she always had the crucial answers. Without Hermione, the trio would've been sunk long ago. Because she enabled Harry to know what he needed to go up against Voldemort and survive.<br /><br />Because of Hermione, I was perfectly fine to be who I was, without a crippling fear of ridicule from my peers. Because I knew that there was nothing wrong with who I was and that I didn't need a large group of friends for my life to be worthwhile. It was the quality of the friends I chose that mattered, far more than the quantity I had.<br /><br />Which brings me to Ron. A lot of people, myself included for a while, saw Ron as comic relief and sidekick. He was an intrinsic part of the trio, but you couldn't pinpoint why he mattered. But Ron is as loyal as a Hufflepuff. He is brave (and okay, stubborn) as a Gryffindor ought to be, but he is also completely loyal to Harry, sticking with him through thick and thin. They've had rough patches (hello, Ron's only human) but he never left for good. And when he came back, it didn't get any easier. In fact, it just got harder. But Ron was there for his friends, despite all he had to lose. And of all the trio, he had the most to lose.<br /><br />As a child, I was sick for a lot of time, especially around third and fourth grade, right before the fourth book had released. And more often than not, it was Harry, Ron, and Hermione that kept me and Mom company at night. They kept me from wallowing in self-pity and losing my sanity altogether, showing me how to keep going even in crappy circumstances. Because things can always get better, but you have to be willing to work for it.<br /><br />It's at least partly because of these three that I never allowed my IBS to dictate how well I did in school. The example they set is why I would get up after a night of staying up until 2 AM and sleeping curled in a ball, and still went to school if I wasn't still hurting. Harry Potter and my parents taught me the perseverance I needed in my life to succeed as well as I have.<br /><br />For me, these books have been more than simply words on a page, or even interesting stories. These people have come alive for me in a way few other books have managed. In Order of the Phoenix, when Sirius was getting sucked into the veil, I had to stop and shut the book, not wanting ti read what happened next. Mom came in then and asked if I wanted to put the book in the freezer, which is what we do with books that are frightening or make us cry.<br /><br />And when the seventh book came out, I was finally seventeen. I was the same age as Harry, at the same point in our lives. And while I wasn't in a position where I had to save the world, I was still at a transitional point in my life. I was about to enter my senior year of high school, and like Harry, I was going to have to graduate and make my way into a new world. And while many may not like the epilogue, that epilogue kind of gave me hope that I would make it. If Harry and the rest of the gang could find peace and happiness, I was sure I could too. Harry was there again to tell me that I'd be okay.<br /><br />It's because of Harry Potter that I have made some of the best friends in my life. Without Harry Potter, I might not have made as a strong connection with Ron as quickly. Who knows if we'd have been more than passing accquaintances? And without Ron it is quite possible I never would have heard about the Running Start program and finished college in 2 years instead of 4. Without Ron I might have never found Western, the absolutely perfect university for me.<br /><br />Without Harry Potter, there's no way I would have met Natalie Hoyt or Chris Godwin or Erin Brewer. I never would have met the wonderful people at the Hive, people who've taught me a lot about life and loosening up. The people I met in London started the process of loosening me up, but the people at the Hive helped finish the process, turning me back into a twenty-year-old young woman who can have fun rather than a quiet, homebody who knows more about responsibility than acting like a teenager. These people have enriched my life more than I could have imagined.<br /><br />I've earned my Snitch wings as a Harry Potter fan. I've sat 19.5 hours in line for the Order of the Phoenix midnight movie premiere, in 103 degree heat. I've frozen to death and burned my hands on a hand dryer waiting in line for the Deathly Hallows Part 1 movie premiere. I have the inscription on Gringotts memorized and have freaked people out by opening foreign editions of the books and reading the first page because I have it so clearly in my mind.<br /><br />I've fought tooth and nail for Jeopardy victory as a Ravenclaw and corrected people making Jeopardy questions when they've gotten it wrong (like the fact that JK Rowling's middle name is not Kathleen but took her grandmother's name because she doesn't have a middle name). And of course I've had people look at me with confusion, shock, and (very rarely) awe when I recite such facts. I can quote the musicals practically word for word and I've walked through campus dressed in Hogwarts gear.<br /><br />It's been fourteen years since Harry entered my life. The first time I picked up a Harry Potter book, I'd never cooked dinner or done laundry or driven a car. I had few friends and nowhere near as big a book collection. The internet was still young, DVDs were a novel device and Walkman's were still common. It was a very different world than where we are now, and a simpler time for me.<br /><br />When I started reading I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I didn't know how to write good stories, or even that I wanted to. But I think JK Rowling is part of the reason why I've become a writer. The idea that entire worlds could be created and people brought to life, simply through words ensnared my imagination. Harry and Jo made me realize I had stories of my own to tell. And that I didn't need to be a writing god to do so.<br /><br />Harry Potter is one of those generational things that will forever unite everyone in this generation. Even people who don't like Harry Potter are bound to it in a way that's hard to explain but can't be escaped. Everyone knows who Harry is, knows at least part of his story. And it has tied children, growing up all over the world, to each other. One common ground that may seem small, but may end up one day being the difference between peace and war (even if it may simply be a small peace, in the sense of getting along with someone unexpected).<br /><br />Many fans are saddened because they say this is the end of Harry Potter. But it's not really. It's the end of an era certainly, and I will be weeping at the premiere at the comclusion of another chapter in my Harry Potter experience. But Harry Potter is like Dumbledore at Hogwarts. As Harry says, "He'll never be gone. Not as long as those who remain are loyal to him." Harry will always be there for those that need him, just as "Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home" (Jo Rowling, UK premiere). That is Harry's legacy."</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/283251_1848177920555_1123905972_31527919_1318713_n.jpg" alt="" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; max-width: 493px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; " /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; "><br /></p></span>I have also created an "It's the Last Harry Potter Movie EVER" playlist for when I'm sitting in line on Thursday. And I have it here for you, broken into helpful categories:<div><br /></div><div><u>The Tearjerker I-Can't-Believe-It's-The-End Songs</u></div><div>Open at the Close by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYGUxbGOL8c&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYGUxbGOL8c&feature=related</a></div><div>End of An Era by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vDjOv_B4Gk&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vDjOv_B4Gk&feature=related</a></div><div>Marching On by OneRepublic <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWKEXvtsWRE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWKEXvtsWRE</a></div><div>Missing You from A Very Potter Musical (listen to the lyrics. It applies nearly as well for our feelings about Harry) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOI7hnqjvsY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOI7hnqjvsY</a></div><div>Hallows (Beyonce's Halo Parody) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y_opQoYVHQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y_opQoYVHQ</a></div><div>Don't Leave by Ministry of Magic <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMsjWSLZL7U">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMsjWSLZL7U</a></div><div>Where Are You Now by Honor Society <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UqlZdqONvY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UqlZdqONvY</a></div><div>The Meaning of Lonely by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2_WNYZkRbk&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2_WNYZkRbk&feature=related</a></div><div>Those Voices from A Very Potter Sequel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9S7bFt_1B4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9S7bFt_1B4</a></div><div><br /></div><div><u>Harry Potter Will Never End</u></div><div>This Is Not Harry Potter by Hank Green <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFZaCxfiUHs">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFZaCxfiUHs</a></div><div>Days of Summer from A Very Potter Sequel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fjOr0ZHpS4&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fjOr0ZHpS4&feature=related</a></div><div>Book Eight by Hank Green <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGS4nIzelpA&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGS4nIzelpA&feature=related</a></div><div>Get Back to Hogwarts from A Very Potter Musical <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onLHQzROass&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onLHQzROass&feature=related</a></div><div><br /></div><div><u>What Harry's Meant To Us</u></div><div>Firebolt by BYU's Divine Comedy <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySN8Q4U6wys">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySN8Q4U6wys</a></div><div>Not Alone from A Very Potter Musical <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gctiXV0pu_0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gctiXV0pu_0</a></div><div>Not Alone by Darren Criss (Yes, I needed both. Besides, now Harry Potter is singing it to us) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUquTr3Tcv0&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUquTr3Tcv0&feature=related</a></div><div>To Have A Home from A Very Potter Sequel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8IfUj4ndXo&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8IfUj4ndXo&feature=related</a></div><div>I'm Going to Hogwarts by Lauren Fairweather <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_5EX6llDZk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_5EX6llDZk</a></div><div>Tell Me A Story by Librarian Lily and The Tales of the Bard (This song doesn't actually exist online. I only have it because I got a CD at Yule Ball and I don't believe there's a way to post MP3s. Sorry)</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Tribute to the Boy Who Changed Lives (And The Ones Who Changed His)</u></div><div>The Boy Who Lived by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P66zZVoYUDw&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P66zZVoYUDw&feature=related</a></div><div>Harry Freakin' Potter from A Very Potter Sequel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Ffm7jRXtg&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Ffm7jRXtg&feature=related</a></div><div>Waving Flag by K'naan (it's more the sentiment of the song and only some of the lyrics that make me think of Harry (could also apply to the remaining members of the DA at Hogwarts in year 7) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMo9vNVkPOs">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMo9vNVkPOs</a></div><div>Sirius Black, Fly Away by WeasleySweaters (one of the best Friday Parodies ever. It doesn't even sound like the same song) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0vGdmzUEhU&feature=channel_video_title">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0vGdmzUEhU&feature=channel_video_title</a></div><div>Give It Up by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZMyJ7r2pgE&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZMyJ7r2pgE&feature=related</a></div><div>Mischief Managed by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWdhpHioVqM&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWdhpHioVqM&feature=related</a></div><div><br /></div><div><u>Fan Pride</u></div><div>We R Slytherins (Ke$ha Parody) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiO3dyAT7pA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiO3dyAT7pA</a></div><div>Ravenclaws (Friday Parody) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcJ8-qMd400&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcJ8-qMd400&feature=related</a></div><div>Lumos Flies by Ministry of Magic <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d27qTpzBHKs&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d27qTpzBHKs&feature=related</a></div><div>This Isn't Hogwarts by Hank Green <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Gt9m64LBg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Gt9m64LBg</a></div><div>We R Lightning Scars (Ke$ha Parody) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUvV0f5SAZU&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUvV0f5SAZU&feature=related</a></div><div>The Harry Song (Lazy Song Paroday) by WeasleySweaters <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG_ZzYqKI_4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG_ZzYqKI_4</a></div><div>Accio Deathly Hallows by Hank Green <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvvFiZyEyTA&feature=relmfu">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvvFiZyEyTA&feature=relmfu</a></div><div><br /></div><div><u>Get Pumped to Fight Voldemort</u></div><div>Voldemort is Going Down from A Very Potter Musical <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JoOuM9dT6w">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JoOuM9dT6w</a></div><div>No Way from A Very Potter Sequel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-rxyizcX18&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-rxyizcX18&feature=related</a></div><div>Spells and Scars by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQdp3O-7Ri4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQdp3O-7Ri4</a></div><div>We Are the DA by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uFk8JcwfX4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uFk8JcwfX4</a></div><div>The Hallows by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8YWAbhY2Ds&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8YWAbhY2Ds&feature=related</a></div><div>Hunt You Down by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1MzSnj3MSg&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1MzSnj3MSg&feature=related</a></div><div>Flight of the Prince by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZJlBmw4J_c&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZJlBmw4J_c&feature=related</a></div><div>I May Lose Everything by Ministry of Magic (a little more low-key, but great lyrics that especially dovetail with the end of Deathly Hallows) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j88w2ZDRTJo&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j88w2ZDRTJo&feature=related</a></div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-30489712220163947302011-07-11T22:06:00.000-07:002011-07-11T23:56:31.932-07:00Teen Queens: Lady Jane GreySorry about how late this post is. I got a little caught up in writing a goodbye to Harry Potter (which will be posted on Wednesday) and making an End of Harry Potter playlist for the premiere (which will also be posted on Thursday. 31 songs guaranteed to turn any Potter fan into a gibbering pile of goo. Well, and get them psyched for the premiere). And it's a little short, but that's because of the queen it's about: Lady Jane Grey, the nine day queen.<div><br /></div><div><img src="http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUDgreyL.jpg" /> </div><div><br /></div><div>To fully understand Jane, you may need just a little bit of background on her. The first thing you should know is that she was Elizabeth I's cousin. Yes, she was related to the mass of issues and drama that was the Tudor family. She was the granddaughter of Henry VIII's sister Mary (and to be confusing, her father's name was also Henry. I know, I know. The royals are crazy. Want to know something even more bizarre? Mary Queen of Scots and her husband, Henry Stuart, shared a grandmother).</div><div><br /></div><div>So of course, Jane has issues just from being part of that whole messed up family. Now, Henry VIII's son Edward IV took the throne when Henry died, but he was still young, with a council of Lords to help him rule. Sadly, his youth meant that he was easier to manipulate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thomas Seymour, uncle to the young king wrote to Jane's parents. He wished for Jane to be his ward and hinted that in exchange for her wardship, he would get her married to Edward, a position of authority and power. Jane went to live with Henry VIII's last wife, Katherine Parr, Thomas Seymour (her husband) and Princess Elizabeth (who was later sent away because of a scandal with Thomas Seymour). It seemed Thomas Seymour was a man with a plan.</div><div><br /></div><div>But a year passed and nothing happened. Katherine died and Jane's parents decided they wanted her home. Thomas pleaded for a little more time, saying his mother would come stay and take care of the girl, adding extra money on his bond of wardship to sweeten the deal. Jane's parents agreed.</div><div><br /></div><div>John Dudley, seeing the chance to steal power for himself and be appointed Lord Protector (almost as good as King with Edward so young), pounced on opportunity. He had Thomas arrested and as Parliament was in session instead of a trial a bill of attainder (a document declaring one guilty without trial) was drawn up and handed over to the Lord Protector (Thomas's own brother Edward Seymour) to sign.</div><div><br /></div><div>Edward Seymour was understandably reluctant to sign this document, just what Dudley was hoping for. He appealed to the king, who cared little for either of his uncles. King Edward signed the writ and Thomas was executed. Edward Seymour was seen as having executed his own brother and the public turned against him--exactly as Dudley had hoped. Dudley and a small group of soldiers captured Edward as he tried to flee. Edward was sent to the Tower.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dudley had another ace up his sleeve when it came to dealing with King Edward: he had been part of the council of Henry VIII, one of the most volatile kings in history. He knew how to deal with Edward, flattering him and weaseling in next to the king.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, Jane had been returned to her family. But it was not a happy family reunion. Jane's home life was filled with physical abuse typical to the era (slaps, pinches and the like). She had grown into a well-educated and pious young woman, but she was critical of her parents' lives, which most likely led to the "discipline" her parents employed.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>By now Edward was very sickly. It seemed unlikely he would live long as king or be able to produce an heir. Because of the tenuous grip Protestantism had on England, this created a succession dilemma.</div><div><br /></div><div>For, you see, Edward wanted to carry on his father's legacy and make Protestantism the foremost religion of England, with the king as its head. But, next in line for the throne was Mary I, a stalwart Catholic. And thus a power struggle was born. And Dudley saw his opportunity to achieve even more influence and power (and to remain in favor, which would not happen if Mary took the throne).</div></div><div><br /></div><div>He approached Jane's parents with a plan, marry his son Guildford to Jane (a girl he saw an amenable enough that he could bend her to his will) and place them on the throne in Mary's place. Jane's parents, seeing the opportunity for wealth and power agreed. Jane tried to protest, but was threatened with physical and verbal abuse.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jane did not like John Dudley, and feared him, but she also did not want Mary on the throne, despising her cousin's religious beliefs. She was devoted to her Protestant beliefs and wanted to keep the country on what she saw as the correct path toward salvation. However, she disliked her in-laws even more than her parents and remained in her parents home rather than with Guildford after their marriage.</div><div><br /></div><div>Edward was easily persuaded to instead place Jane on the throne. He was similarly devoted to his religion and knew that with Mary as queen Protestantism would be quashed. So he wrote the Device for Succession, a document denouncing Mary and Elizabeth as illegitimate (the only reason he would be able to alter his father's divine will) and wrote that they were likely to marry foreign husbands who would make plans without considering the best thing for England.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dudley lobbied hard in Parliament to get this document approved, for unless they approved it the Act of Succession written by Henry VIII would override it. At this time Jane was told by her mother-in-law that Edward was dying, had named her as successor and she must return to the Dudley's home.</div><div><br /></div><div>We don't know whether Jane knew of John Dudley's plans to place her on the throne. Really, it doesn't matter if she did, as there is nothing she could have done to derail Dudley's plans. But I choose to think that she knew nothing about this plot and would have been appalled. Odds are all she wanted from life was to be left alone with her books and God. Because if all of this went wrong (and oh, it would go wrong) Jane would be screwed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jane had a period of illness where she was sent from the Dudley's home, as they were concerned for her health. But upon her return John Dudley and a group of distinguished nobles greeted her and informed her of the King's death. They then dropped the bombshell that she was now Queen. Jane was stunned and did nothing to show that she was glad for the queenship. She murmured a prayer to God, saying if this was His will she would trust in Him to help her.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jane was installed in the Royal Apartments in the Tower of London, traditional for all monarchs of England. The royal crown was brought for Jane to try on, which she hesitated at doing, knowing that being the queen was a dangerous position to be in. The Lord Treasurer told her to try it on and said another would be made for her husband to crown him King.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jane did not care for her husband, and she despised the Dudleys. In that moment she snapped, realizing the full extent of John Dudley's plan. She told those assembled that Guildford could be made a duke, but she would never make him King. Guildford and his mother argued vehemently, but Jane would not back down.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, Mary was still free and a threat to Jane's crown. A summons was sent for Mary to come to her brother's deathbed. Mary rode for the palace, but was warned that a trap was waiting and turned back before Dudley's forces could capture her. She eluded the men sent after her and this was the start of the end for Jane.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jane <i>was</i> crowned as queen. But she was queen for a mere nine days before Mary's supporters overthrew her and imprisoned her in the same Tower she'd been staying in. Mary was placed on the throne and John Dudley's plans went up in smoke.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mary, though called Bloody Mary for her frightening attack of heretics, was not a completely heartless woman. She did not intend to kill a sixteen year old girl, her own cousin, for a plot she surely had no part in. Jane would stay in the Tower until Mary's reign was secure and then she would be released.</div><div><br /></div><div>But Jane had stupid, power-hungry relatives. Her father led an uprising against Mary and forced her hand. Mary couldn't leave her cousin alive now. She had to make and example of her. And so Jane Grey, the nine day queen was put to death, for a rebellion she most likely took no part in. Her biggest crime was simply having royal blood and being in the sights of ambitious men.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't think Jane wanted the crown. I think that given the choice between being queen and becoming a nun, Jane would happily have chosen the convent. And maybe I just like to see the good in people. Maybe I'm sentimental because she was young and her story seems to be a tragic one. But I really do think that she never wanted to be queen.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a wonderful book I read about Jane called An Innocent Traitor by Allison Weir. It tells Jane's story from multiple points of view, Jane's, Mary's, Dudley's, Jane's parents. Jane's governess'. It is a fascinating book and is very well written. I highly recommend it. Another tragic teen queen. I need to find a young woman whose story ends well.</div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-57378005965743943532011-07-08T19:33:00.001-07:002011-07-09T22:46:11.334-07:00Reader's Nook: Vampires, Witches, and Beach Reads (Oh My!)Here is the latest book blog video. Sorry about the quality. My camera died and I'm visiting friends, so I had to use my webcam. Hope you enjoy :)<div><br /></div><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PtO1Wfs0_Uc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-84040338011453410982011-07-06T13:54:00.000-07:002011-07-06T21:05:22.179-07:00Adventures in Cooking: The Saddest Little Pirate Ship That Ever Did SailA couple of months ago, during the middle of the Spring quarter at Western, Team Starkid was having a contest to advertise their newest show: Starship. To enter you just had to make a profile picture that was in some way Starship related. My friend Becky and I decided that we should make a cake. A pirate ship cake. With stars on it. (Get it? Star Ship?)<br /><div><br /></div><div>To make sure we could actually do this, we searched the internet and actually found directions on making a pirate ship cake (which of course looked epic, as all bakery examples from housemoms with far too much time on their hands tend to do). And we were like, "We can totally do this!" Oh internet, why must you lie so cruelly?</div><div><br /></div><div>We went out and bought a funfetti cake mix, along with funfetti frosting (because that is the best frosting of all (or it was until they took the candy bits out of the frosting itself)) along with the basic boxed cake mix ingredients like oil and eggs. But alas, after getting it all back we didn't get time to make it and missed the deadline.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward to dead week of Spring and Becky messages me, reminding me that we still have the cake mix. So we set a day and thus the cake adventure begins. There were signs right away that this would not turn out as smoothly as it should. The first was that we didn't actually have a bowl large enough to mix up the entire box mix. </div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, no sweat. We split the mix into two bowls and split the ingredients between the two (doing this with the <i>three</i> eggs was <i>very</i> interesting). At first, one was very watery and the other was kind of dry and yellow (it was a white cake mix). But, here the universal rule of sauces appeared: if you let it stand a little, it will thicken up. It finally actually started looking like cake mix and we managed to mix it all together and pour it in the pan (which we <i>did</i> grease).</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, Becky's oven actually is bitter about its lot in life and hates the people who use it. She told me that once her roommate was making chicken and she'd been waiting nearly an hour for it to cook and it still looked fairly raw. She left it, came back five minutes later and it was burned. Like I said, it hates people.</div><div><br /></div><div>So we put it in for twenty minutes and went to check it. The top looked kind of golden, so we pulled the pan towards us to check it...and it jiggled. Like it was semi-solid Jello. Yeah, that didn't look right. So we put it back in and decided to check it again in ten minutes. At which point the middle still jiggled. Not good. We put it back in. We pulled it out and put it back <i>three more times</i> before it was finally cooked.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then we faced a new dilemma: getting it out of the pan. Because it was greased, it should have fallen out gracefully with just a little edge work. We tried to flip it onto a plate. No dice. We shimmied a knife around the edge again and tried again...nada. One more time, we cut around the edge, this time sliding the knife slightly under the cake as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Third time's a charm. Sort of. This is what happened:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-pE5fAa5Nw/ThTMdtigufI/AAAAAAAAAN4/70ZpDCMf5H4/s1600/CIMG0141.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-pE5fAa5Nw/ThTMdtigufI/AAAAAAAAAN4/70ZpDCMf5H4/s320/CIMG0141.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626346645305211378" /></a></div><div>Half the cake exited correctly. The other half was still stuck in the pan. *facepalm* But it was okay, since we had decided to cut the cake in half to have a base anyway. So ha ha Cake, the joke's on you! (Yes, I <i>am</i> mocking the cake that has already been consumed. This way it can't torture me any further).</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-muaBLfufX9Y/ThTNRgh6GFI/AAAAAAAAAOA/j2oMhYoB1AA/s320/CIMG0144.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626347535166216274" /><div><div style="text-align: left;">We started off frosting the cake with a knife. And right off a couple of issues arose. A) Our cake was still kind of warm because we were impatient ferrets who needed to make it <i>now,</i> and B) we had cut off some of the golden part to give us a flat surface for our deck, which unfortunately meant that c) pieces of cake flaked off. But, we just turned those pieces into our ocean. Yes, we were insanely determined not to let the cake beat us.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqw8lxfptug/ThTNR7qSwUI/AAAAAAAAAOI/hgDTkzgJmNk/s1600/CIMG0145.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqw8lxfptug/ThTNR7qSwUI/AAAAAAAAAOI/hgDTkzgJmNk/s320/CIMG0145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626347542449144130" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">At this point we just decided to give up using the knife and instead frost it with our fingers. Well, Becky was frosting it mostly, since I am more of a supervisor than craftsman. Also, I figured that I really wouldn't be doing a better job, although I did try to frost a little bit. And I got the same result of cake collecting on my fingers instead of frosting collecting on the cake. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh well, we still managed to get the cake frosted and set a little deck up. We even broke up some tiny Popsicle sticks to make it look more deck-like. Sadly, we didn't have any of the blue frosting you can get that comes out like spray cheese, or we would have used that to color our ocean.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-La8DKjdimiU/ThTNSEx81CI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/JnitH2Nh6fE/s1600/CIMG0147.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-La8DKjdimiU/ThTNSEx81CI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/JnitH2Nh6fE/s320/CIMG0147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626347544897180706" /></a>Then it came time to build the mast. Instead of cutting one long piece of cake and reinforcing that one piece so it stood up, we decided to cut up a bunch of little pieces and build it cake brick by cake brick. Yes, we are insane. Even more so when you consider that we had to <i>frost</i> each of these cake bricks to get them to stick together.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-buxjH-W42ok/ThTNSlPv3GI/AAAAAAAAAOY/JzIUd9ufek0/s1600/CIMG0148.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-buxjH-W42ok/ThTNSlPv3GI/AAAAAAAAAOY/JzIUd9ufek0/s320/CIMG0148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626347553612094562" /></a>There is a very good reason that Becky looks perplexed here. Frosting the little buggers was even more tiresome and difficult than doing the cake. It was like tiny cake imps were shoving the frosting off as we tried to put it on the square. Try to roll it on and it would just stick to your finger. Dabbing, I swear more of the frosting came off, even if none was on it.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TR5BMaGFyuI/ThTNS4T6rqI/AAAAAAAAAOg/ed2rC9rGZ0I/s1600/CIMG0152.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TR5BMaGFyuI/ThTNS4T6rqI/AAAAAAAAAOg/ed2rC9rGZ0I/s320/CIMG0152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626347558729854626" /></a>I even pitched in to try a couple of bricks. As you can see, more of it ended up on my hands than probably ended up on the cake itself. We probably sat there for a good twenty minutes trying to get these little pieces frosted so they could stand up as our mast. We may not be cake masters, but we were determined, dang it.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TXhgzUqwWzA/ThTPr_-WrSI/AAAAAAAAAOo/pmoONigxviA/s1600/CIMG0153.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TXhgzUqwWzA/ThTPr_-WrSI/AAAAAAAAAOo/pmoONigxviA/s320/CIMG0153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626350189306883362" /></a>In the end, we did manage to get the mast up, but as you can see, it was heavily leaning on side supports and popsicle sticks in the middle. We weren't even entirely sure it would stay up through the finishing touches and travel time to the Glee Mary Kay Party (which is where it was destined for since we couldn't eat an entire cake ourselves). But we gave it the benefit of the doubt.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf7an2PWsdM/ThTPsPOPzpI/AAAAAAAAAOw/vBjDTbsJAwk/s1600/CIMG0160.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf7an2PWsdM/ThTPsPOPzpI/AAAAAAAAAOw/vBjDTbsJAwk/s320/CIMG0160.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626350193400073874" /></a>Okay, so we still had a lot of doubt. We decided to just stick one of the star sticky notes on the cake's mast and call it good. We stuck it on and then frantically took pictures, willing it not to fall down in the process. As you may be able to tell, it was still quite precarious and probably one of the saddest pirate ship cakes to ever be made.</div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWuVNGLYDfI/ThTPsXKr35I/AAAAAAAAAO4/aKM_1q0FyrI/s1600/CIMG0157.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWuVNGLYDfI/ThTPsXKr35I/AAAAAAAAAO4/aKM_1q0FyrI/s320/CIMG0157.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626350195532619666" /></a>But we were very freakin' proud out it. It was messed up from the beginning, failed to cooperate, looked nothing like the picture, and we still had about a half a can of frosting and a third to a quarter of the cake that we didn't use. But dang it, we made a pirate ship <i>cake</i>. We made a <i>Starship</i>. And despite it's woebegone appearance, it was absolutely delicious. <div><br /></div><div>So that is the tale of the saddest little pirate ship cake in the world. And hopefully the first of adventures in cooking segments to come. Because I keep trying to tell people I can't cook, but I have to learn because otherwise I will live off of toast and sandwiches which, delicious as they are, get a little tedious after a while. So, on to the next adventure!<br /><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-79466487261319762142011-07-04T00:02:00.000-07:002011-07-04T01:27:03.127-07:00History of Independence and the Wrath of Jefferson<div> <img src="http://chicagofree.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/fireworks2.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div>Today is the Fourth of July, which in America means BBQs and beer and Fireworks (because lighting stuff on fire while intoxicated is a <i>good</i> idea). It's the day we as a country have dedicated to celebrating our independence from Britain and tyranny. Yeah, it sounds like a very impressive day for what boils down to eating a lot (as happens with most of our holidays) and becoming pyromaniacs.<div><br /></div><div>This is not to say that I don't love the Fourth of July though. There's something comforting about the rituals of dressing in red, white and blue, eating burgers and potato salad until you can't move, and watching colorful fire blow up in the sky. I missed it terribly when I was in England last Fourth of July (I even pulled on my Fourth of July tee shirt that matched my family's and smiled at the bangs of whoever was setting off fireworks outside).</div><div><br /></div><div>However, as also happens with many of our holidays, when asked what the history behind the holiday is, we tend to mutter some watered down story we learned in elementary school and never deviated from. So why the 4th of July? </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, contrary to popular belief, the Fourth was <i>not</i> the day that we received our independence from Britain. Nor did we really achieve independence in 1776, although that is the year we formed our country and its government. And it was when the Revolutionary War began in earnest, a war that lasted eight years (beginning with skirmishes in 1775 and ending with our independence being secured in 1783).</div><div><br /></div><div>However, the Fourth of July does have to do with the Declaration of Independence. On June 11, 1776, a committee was formed to write the declaration. This committee was made up of Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John Adams, and two men who were apparently gypped on the recognition scales: Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. The committee asked Thomas Jefferson to draft the declaration.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, Thomas Jefferson was a young man, and had a fiery revolutionary soul. So his declaration was a kind of "We're making our own country, screw you" to King George and Britain. His document (which can be read <a href="http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/thomas-jefferson-personal-account.html">here</a> although you will have to scroll down to nearly the end) is full of very strong language, denouncing the rule of Britain. And yes, much of that same language is in the version of the Declaration that we are familiar with today. But this is to an even greater degree.</div><div><br /></div><div>Congress believed that Jefferson's wording may be just a bit stronger than they wanted, and they spent July 1-4 locked in Independence Hall in Philadelphia arguing the wording and tweaking it to their liking. On July 4th, it was finally approved by all. It wasn't signed and sent to England until August. </div><div><br /></div><div>So basically we celebrate the fact that 56 men from 13 different colonies finally agreed on what they wanted this document to say. Which, when you think about it is actually quite a feat, considering all these men were politicians and from differing parties. Remember all of the arguing and crap that went on when they were trying to approve the health care plan? Now imagine that, but with more dissenting ideologies and with treason.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thomas Jefferson it turns out was actually very ticked off about the changes made to his document. So ticked off that not only did he keep the changes made to his draft, <i>he kept his original copy</i>. Now, this is in a time when it wasn't a simple matter to have multiple copies. If he got his draft wet or it was torn, that was it. It had to be preserved carefully or it would be lost.</div><div><br /></div><div>So he managed to keep both the published draft and his original copy. In his autobiography, he wrote his draft in and everything that Congress took out was written in very angry red pen with what they put in written in blue. Jefferson was probably one correction away from completely losing his mind and becoming a serial killer, seeking vengeance on all who dared question his genius.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry, off on a tangent. I just really love the idea of righteous anger Jefferson stewing for years before publishing his autobiography. So anyway, as you go and eat your hot dogs and burgers, remember that we are actually celebrating 56 men actually being able to agree on something. And remember, the fireworks stand for the righteous anger of Thomas Jefferson</div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-40940955719414715292011-07-02T23:53:00.000-07:002011-07-02T23:55:52.604-07:00Reader's Nook: College is "Heat"ing UpSorry that I am a little late, but hey, I have a post for the week! Enjoy :)<div><br /></div><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Tmrq4z8AVd0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-75743826094218183012011-06-29T15:54:00.000-07:002011-06-29T18:02:21.755-07:00Things I Learned From Harry Potter: Self-Reliance<div>*As a note there are spoilers all over my examples. So if you haven't read the books or seen the movies and are planning to, you may want to skip all the examples in the middle. I will mark the section with a spoiler warning since I know some people only watch the movies (for shame!) and I will be spoiling the end of the seventh one.*</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://www.geekspeakmagazine.com/archive/issue3/images/features/hp/reading.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div>Part of what makes the Harry Potter series so wonderful is the lessons in teaches kids, without feeling like it's teaching them a lesson. I know that I learned a lot from Harry and his friends growing up. And I don't just mean that going into the Shrieking Shack on a full moon is a very bad idea.<div><br /></div><div>One thing I learned was the idea of self-reliance, knowing that at some point you're going to have to do something on your own, despite the encouragement and support of friends and family. There's going to come a time when only you can do what needs to be done. It's not going to be easy, it's not going to be fun, but you're going to have to do it.</div><div><br /></div><div>***************************SPOILERS*******************************</div><div><br /></div><div>This is evident for Harry in pretty much every book. In the Sorcerer's Stone, Ron and Hermione are with him through the trapdoor and the tasks that follow, but after the bottles on the table, Harry has to go alone on to face Voldemort. Hermione gives him encouragement and both she and Ron help him through the tasks that lay before, but he has to get the Sorcerer's Stone and face down Voldemort alone.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the Chamber of Secrets, Harry has to face Riddle by himself while Ron stays behind and figures out a way to shift the rock from the minor cave-in. Yes, Ginny's there and Fawkes helps blind the basilisk and heal Harry, but Harry is the one who has to figure out how to get rid of Riddle and save Ginny.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry and Hermione go back in time together and both save Buckbeak. But on the lake, Harry is the one who has to cast the Patronus. Hermione tries to help, but this time she just can't. If Harry wasn't able to do it, they'd all be screwed.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Goblet of Fire, Harry has to do a lot this alone. People help him prepare for the tasks, but he's the one who has to enter the arena and compete. Hermione helps him practice Summoning and "Moody" gives him the hint about flying, but Harry is the one who has to face down the dragon. Cedric gives Harry the clue about his egg, but Harry himself has to save Ron from the mermaids (we need a stronger word for the fierce Amazonian tribe of beings that confronts Harry when he tries to save all those taken. Mermaid sounds too sweet). And then there's the whole maze and Voldemort in the graveyard. </div><div><br /></div><div>In Order of the Phoenix, Harry has Dumbledore's Army backing him when they enter the ministry. And when Harry takes off after Bellatrix and Voldemort appears, Dumbledore is there to fight him. But Harry is the one to take the brunt of Voldemort's attack when he possesses him. And...(Okay, cards on the table, it's been a while since I read the fifth book. It was really sad to me and I'm not entirely sure I paid attention to exactly what was happening at the end the first time around since I was broken-hearted about Sirius).</div><div><br /></div><div>In Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore teaches Harry so much about Voldemort, information that will be vitally important. And Dumbledore gets them into the cave where the Horcrux lies (or used to). But Harry can't rely on Dumbledore for help when he has to feed his mentor the potion in the basin holding the Horcrux. All Harry has is one simple direction and he has to hope that he's doing the right thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>And in Deathly Hallows, Harry has the ultimate moment of going it alone. He has to walk out in the middle of the Battle of Hogwarts and die so that Voldemort can be defeated. Part of why the scene in the forest is so absolutely heart-breaking is that even though the ghosts of his parents and their dearest friends are with him, he is still utterly alone. This is something only he can do. It's not easy, and it's the last thing he wants to do, but it's the right thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>******************END SPOILER****************************</div><div><br /></div><div>Time and again throughout the books, you find that while Harry has people who love him and help him, there are some things he has to do alone. Things that <i>only</i> he can do. And so when I read him, I learned that there will come a time that I am going to have to make a decision or complete an action on my own. My parents can give me advice, my friends can help get me to the point when I need to do it alone, but ultimately, I have to be the one making the choice in my life. I'm the one who has to do something if I know I need to, not wait for someone else to pick up the slack.</div><div><br /></div><div>And these books also taught me that it's okay to ask for help when you need it. You don't have to be completely reliant on yourself all the time. Friends and family are there to give advice and stand with you when they can. Like Hermione says to convince Harry that he should ask for help finding the Ravenclaw Horcrux, "You don’t have to do everything alone, Harry."</div><div><br /></div><div>There are times in our lives when we're going to need to stand on our own two feet. Times when only we can make the decision, take the chance, change our lives. But there will also be times when it's okay to ask for help, to rely on those you love and who you know love you back. And this is one of the best lessons Harry Potter has to teach kids and adults alike.</div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-10066942284074094232011-06-27T15:53:00.000-07:002011-06-27T23:57:04.771-07:00Teen Queens: Marie AntoinetteYes, there was no book post this past week, which I apologize for (although I did put up three posts, so it all evens out. Kind of). But I finally finished editing my novel, which means that I will have much more time for reading and making book posts (hopefully). The two weeks or so may be kind of off, since I'll be in Bellingham again visiting friends, but I will try to get them posted on time.<div><br /></div><div>Now onto our Teen Queen. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z64WMs3cGj0/TgkMoVqGdOI/AAAAAAAAANw/mrQZQGU8evo/s1600/Marie%2BAntoinette%2B1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z64WMs3cGj0/TgkMoVqGdOI/AAAAAAAAANw/mrQZQGU8evo/s320/Marie%2BAntoinette%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623039496896804066" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Imagine that you are fourteen years old and you are sent away from everyone and everything you know, everything you love. You are sent to a country where you are held in the public eye every moment of your life. And the public hates you, simply because of your nationality. And when you get to this country, you are married to a boy you have practically nothing in common with and then told to produce a boy as soon as possible, being blamed when you and your husband remain childless.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was the early life of Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France. She was the fifteenth child of the Emperor and Empress of the Roman Empire. Her mother, Marie Therese, was a demanding woman, who expected perfection of her children. But she was also a capable ruler, beloved of her subjects. And while she tried to keep a close eye on her children's education, she left the job mostly to governesses. Marie Antionette's governess spoiled the girl, letting her spend more time playing than studying.</div><div><br /></div><div>Antonia, as she was called by her family, was in awe of her mother and actually closer to her father, Francis Stephen I. Her family was a happy one, with her parents married for love rather than power, but when Antonia was 10 her father died. Four years later, her mother arranged the betrothal of her daughter to the Dauphin of France, Louis XVI.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fifteen year old Louis was a painfully shy, awkward, chubby boy who preferred hunting and playing with locks to performing his royal duties. At first, Marie Antoinette was a welcomed contrast to their solemn heir. But life in France was much stricter than she was used to and Antonia ended up creating court faux pas, as well as making unwise choices in friends.</div><div><br /></div><div>She created new (useless) offices for her friends to give them a higher station at court and spent much money on clothing and jewelry, as well as redecorating her homes. She was also generous to the poor and unfortunate, but all the people saw were her expensive and frivolous tastes. When she and Louis ascended the crown at 20, the fears over her frivolity turned to resentment and hate, which helped contribute to the French Revolution. And the country fears the fact that even after five years their newly crowned King and Queen are still childless.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, three years after their ascension to the throne, Marie produces a daughter, who they name Marie Therese Charlotte after the baby's grandmother. Three years later, the couple also has a son, who they name (what else?) Louis Charles. Yes, apparently no royalty is known for their originality in the name department. (The name of her third son (born four years after his brother)? Louis Joeseph.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Sadly, Marie's first son died young due to a respiratory failure. The couple also had a four child, a daughter named Marie Sophie Elene Beatrix. But the girl died in her first year of life due to tuberculosis. There is a famous painting of Marie with her children.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://www.marie-antoinette.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/slider1.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>In this painting Marie Therese is standing next to her mother, who has Louis Joseph on her lap. Louis Charles is pulling aside the bassinet covering. It's believed that Marie Sophie was originally in the bassinet but was painted out at the last minute.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the birth of her children, Marie settled down and cut back on her extravagant ways. But in the public's opinion, the damage had been done. And as a foreigner, she made the perfect scapegoat for a country looking for an excuse. A combination of crop failings and a harsh winter as well as Louis XVI's declaration that the nobles have 2/3 of the votes in court causes unrest in the city, setting the stage for the French Revolution.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1789, a mob of women (and perhaps some men dressed as women under the notion the royal guards would be more hesitant to fire upon women) march to the palace, calling for bread and the Queen's blood. Marie's guards are killed protecting her from the crowd. Encouraged by Lafayette, the King's commander-in-chief, to address the crowd, Marie bravely stood at her balcony, facing down those who called for her death.</div><div><br /></div><div>The entire family was taken captive after this episode, imprisoned in one of their palaces, the Tuileries, where they remained for two years. A friend of the family organized their escape, but Marie refused to be separated from her children, insisting the entire family ride in a large, slow coach, rather than two faster ones. This decision led to their capture.</div><div><br /></div><div>Louis XVI lost hope at this point and it fell to Marie to negotiate with the revolutionaries on her family's behalf. But she also secretly pleaded with Austria to intercede and save them. Austria went to war with France and the entire family was charged with treason. In 1792 the monarchy was abolished and the family was moved to Temple Prison. </div><div><br /></div><div>One kindness was bestowed upon the family; they were all allowed to stay together. They were also treated fairly well, but that December Louis' trial began and in January he was found guilty and executed via guillotine. Louis' brother, who had fled years earlier, declared Louis Charles to be the new king.</div><div><br /></div><div>For a time, Marie's children were allowed to remain in her cell with her, though they were often ill. But to spite her, Marie's jailers decided to separate her from her son, and placed him in a cell below hers where she could hear him crying. The boy was only ten. A few weeks later, Marie's daughter was taken from her as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally the night came where she was roughly awakened and taken to a separate prison. She never saw her children again. She was tried and sentenced to death by guillotine. Taken through the streets in an open cart, Marie maintained her composure and dignity to the very end. Her last words were to her executioner, whose foot she had stepped on. She said, "Monsieur, I ask your pardon. I did not mean to do it on purpose."</div><div><br /></div><div>Louis Charles was kept in his prison cell until his death from tuberculosis. But Marie Therese managed to survive the Revolution. She married her cousin Louis-Antoine, Duc d'Angouleme. She had no children.</div><div><br /></div><div>Marie's story is a sad one. She was punished mostly for being a foreign and caught in the crosshairs of a country angry at injustice. Is didn't matter that she could have been a great ruler or that she was a generous Queen (her famous words "Let them eat cake" supposedly said gaily in response to pleas for bread by those at the palace gates were never spoken by her and were most likely penned by an incensed revolutionary). The people needed someone to blame and the monarchy was the easiest target.</div><div><br /></div><div>One book I suggest to get inside the head of young Marie Antoinette is the Royal Diaries book on her, by Kathryn Lasky. It shows a young girl who is very alone and makes some bad decisions in friends simply because she is lonely. I think this may be a sympathetic view of her. But her story was rather tragic. I like the idea of not blaming her more.</div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-81935673873632222512011-06-23T17:29:00.000-07:002011-06-23T18:52:03.506-07:00And Then The Harry Potter Fans Broke The Internet (Plus Geek Is Not A Members Only Club)Anyone who is a Harry Potter fan probably already knows that at four this morning (Pacific Standard Time) JK Rowling released a special announcement about her new site: Pottermore. This site is going to be an interactive way to read the Harry Potter books. There'll be games to play and you get sorted and get a wand and go to Hogwarts. You can see some of the screenshots <a href="http://gallery.the-leaky-cauldron.org/album/7061">here</a> and it looks so flippin' amazing! It'll go live in October, but on July 31st a group will be selected to beta test the site.<div><br /></div><div>Now, as I mentioned, this announcement was made at 4 this morning (at least in my time zone). A normal person would just check what the announcement was first thing in the morning. I am not a normal person. A slightly less sane person may have just set an alarm to wake up, check the announcement, and then go back to sleep. I am not that sane.</div><div><br /></div><div>No, I am the person who stayed up until four this morning, waiting to see what JK would tell us. Instead of sleeping <i>like a normal person </i>(and one who had to be up at 8:30 this morning), I sat in front of my laptop, cataloging my books, and chatting with other friends who are just as crazy as I am.</div><div><br /></div><div>I watched the announcement, I followed the owl, and I tried to input my email, before giving up because it wasn't working for me. I have tried periodically throughout the day and only just now made it through. Which brings me to believed that one day, when the internet crashes and dies, it will be because of the Harry Potter fandom.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have no clue how this phenomenon will come to pass. I don't know what we'll do to flood the servers and break them for good, but I am sure, based on how long it's taken to wade through the masses and finally get my email in, that we will short circuit the internet. Because we're just going to keep growing as years go on and the children of the fans are introduced to the series. The geek generation is starting to have children and they will be Harry Potter fans.</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of the geek generation, I'd like to bring up the mudslinging happening in the bowels of the internet over Miss America winner Alyssa Campanella and whether she can be a geek. People lit up Twitter, arguing that she can't be a geek because she's too pretty. Many people believed she was lying just because being a geek is considered cool now. </div><div><br /></div><div>One man said on Twitter "anybody that can walk in a bar and get free drinks all night shouldn't constitute as a 'geek'. 'less they're doing ppl's hmwrk." And while I could smack the guy's use of English, that's not the biggest issue with this statement. The biggest issue here is that being a geek has become a kind of club that only certain people are allowed into. If you aren't geek enough, if you're too pretty, if you aren't smart enough, you can't be in the club.</div><div><br /></div><div>You know what that reminds me of? The popular people clique in high school. The people who dictated where you ranked in school. Isn't part of being a geek being able to throw off the restrictions on what you have to be to fit in? As a geek you get to love things and talk with people who like the same things as you. What part of that says only certain people can do that? </div><div><br /></div><div>And I kind of get why some people feel threatened by people hopping on the bandwagon because being a geek is cool now. Some of the people jumping in are those who mocked us mercilessly for liking the same thing in school. What's to say they won't ruin the wonderful thing fandom and geekery has created?</div><div><br /></div><div>But you know what's been created by those things, the best part of being a geek? It's getting to love something wholeheartedly and unashamedly and sharing that love with others. It's outside the bounds of what's "in". Geeks get to make their own niche, burrow down deep, and stay there, nice and cozy, chatting with others in nearby burrows, unaffected by the changing social climate of the world. All we need is a fan to chat with and we're good. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why aren't other people allowed to love things, just because maybe they're a little late to the party? Are you not a Harry Potter fan unless you've been there since 1997 when it released? Are you not a fan if you only recently fell in love with Doctor Who? Who are we to dictate the love people are allowed to have for things? </div><div><br /></div><div>Personally, I think even if people <i>are</i> jumping on the bandwagon, there's a high probability they'll find something they truly enjoy and after the social fads have turned to something else, those people will still have a fandom and fans to geek out over things. And then maybe shows like Firefly will get to live on, while some of the more mind-numbing shows can finally be laid to rest (I'm looking at you Kardashians).</div><div><br /></div><div> </div> <a href="http://www.ifanboy.com/content/articles/_Geek__is_Not_a_Bad_Word_Anymore__A_Rant">Here</a> and <a href="http://www.thenerdybird.com/2011/06/are-you-questioning-miss-usas-geek-cred.html">here</a> are a couple more arguments about not shunning people from the geek community. I hope that people understand that dictating who can do what or who can be something is absurd. Keep an open mind and maybe you'll get another fan to join your cult ;)Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-15545303009505367202011-06-21T23:55:00.000-07:002011-06-22T20:02:09.592-07:00Feudalism Should Have WorkedMy mom and I were recently discussing health insurance and how it used to be that people worked for their company or business for forty or fifty years and then retired with a pension and benefit package. The employees were loyal to their company and in turn, the company looked out for the employees in the benefits they received. It was a system of mutual benefit.<div><br /></div><div>And yes, I know that we tend to add glossy coatings to our notions of the past. That what seems like it was wonderful still have its major flaws. But it also seems that for some reason, we have moved away from the idea that human beings should actually care about one another. Not just that you look out for friends and family and feel bad for the far off children starving in Africa. </div><div><br /></div><div>But that you have true compassion for strangers on the street. It feels like now we all assume the worst of other people. Because a few of the people on street corners aren't actually homeless, we've painted <i>all</i> of them as liars and cheats. Because some people bring homelessness on themselves through really bad decisions, suddenly every homeless person has done something to severely screw up their life and this is their penance.</div><div><br /></div><div>In medieval England, there was a system known as feudalism that most of the lords operated under. The way it worked was the vassals who lived on the lord's land worked the soil and produced crops, as well as raising animals for hie table. They provided food and labor for the noble. In return, the noble gave them a place to live, as well as protection under the laws of the land and looked out for his people.</div><div><br /></div><div>At least, this is how it was supposed to work. With many nobles, this is how it worked. The nobles take care of their people and the people provide for the nobles. It was a mutually beneficial system. Unfortunately, as always seems to happen with humans, there were a few lords who took advantage of the system and believed they were entitled to all the benefits without having to hold up their end of the bargain.</div><div><br /></div><div>And sadly, as a society we're in the same place know, just in a slightly different setting. Instead of nobles and peasants. we have workers and companies. Part of working for a company is that they provide you with reasonable compensation and benefits. In return you provide dutiful service and work to advance the company.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, some companies (not all of course, but enough that it's discouraging) have decided that since they can always get new workers so they need not find ways to look out for their employees. Instead of the health insurance and other insurance plans that actually provide good coverage without making a person broke, the companies look for the cheapest deal for the <i>company</i> and leave their employees to cover the rest of the costs.</div><div><br /></div><div>When did it become okay to care more about the bottom line than people? Well, in part it started because as a country we started buying imports (half the stuff we buy is made in China) rather than things made in America. As a country we realized that foreign products are cheaper and cared more about that than funneling money into our economy and supporting it.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are no perfect answers or solutions here. Companies look for the cheapest solution because they're afraid of being outsold by their competitors overseas. People buy foreign products because sometimes they just don't have the extra money to spend one more expensive products made in America. But you also pay a little more for better quality.</div><div><br /></div><div>So what can we do to change things? Unfortunately, a large group has to change to make a difference. But let's say that everyone bought just one thing that's American that they usually buy from overseas manufacturers. Suddenly there's a little more more in our economy, and maybe companies feel a little more secure and funnel better benefits to their employees (I'm not saying that it <i>will</i> happen, but it could).</div><div><br /></div><div>But because we live in an imperfect world most likely someone will find someway to take advantage and the system will fall apart. Sadly, that's the world we live in. I didn't mean for this post to sound so morose.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I will end with this, for every person willing to screw over someone else for there own gain, there is also a person who is willing to help someone down on their luck. There <i>are</i> good people in the world, you just have to find them.</div><div><br /></div><div>And maybe someday, whatever the current version of feudalism is, will actually work the way it's meant to. We can always hope.</div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-27285763497588445932011-06-20T17:40:00.000-07:002011-06-20T23:43:17.234-07:00Teen Queens: Cleopatra VII<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kSpdG4S2wP4/TgAOpHDlifI/AAAAAAAAANo/4HFYr5DQAqE/s1600/cleopatra%2B1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kSpdG4S2wP4/TgAOpHDlifI/AAAAAAAAANo/4HFYr5DQAqE/s320/cleopatra%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620508434389895666" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>If you have ever been the parent of a teenager or remember yourself as a teen, you may realize that these are not the people you want in charge of your country. Teens are not usually known for their ability to empathize and think outside themselves (this is not to say that compassionate and unself-centered teens don't exist. They are just rare). They are not the people you want to give power and wealth without restrictions.<div><br /></div><div>But throughout history, there have been women who begin their reign as teenagers. Sometimes this ends well, sometimes not so much. Cleopatra is one of these teenaged queens</div><div><br /></div><div>All that most people know about Cleopatra is that she was rolled in a rug, played by Elizabeth Taylor (if they are old enough to a) know who that is and b) cared enough to watch the movie), and killed by a snake. Some remember it was an asp because it sounds very close to another three letter word that starts with A.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cleopatra was the last ruler from the House of Ptolemy (toe-leh-me), the family that had ruled Egypt for centuries. She was born in 61 BC to Ptolemy VII and Cleopatra V. She was given the name Cleopatra VII Philopator. Philopator means father lover (it does <i>not</i> mean beloved of her father) in Greek, the language of the rulers of Egypt. Cleopatra was the first ruler to actually learn the Egyptian language in the 300 years her family ruled the country. She also spoke seven other languages including Hebrew and Latin.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cleopatra's father was considered weak by those he ruled and his court was fraught with violence. He went to Rome multiple times to buy the support of the Romans. While he was gone on one of these trips, Cleopatra's older sister Cleopatra VI Tryphaena seized control of the throne, but died soon after under suspicious circumstances. Many believed Cleopatra's other sister Bernice poisoned her, as she took control after her sister's death. But she too was put to death upon her father's return.</div><div><br /></div><div>When her father died, Cleopatra at 17 was forced to marry her 12 year old brother Ptolemy VIII (Yeah, Ptolemy was not very imaginative when it came to names). They ruled jointly for three years before Ptolemy's advisers, who found a twelve year old boy much easier to control than a headstrong woman who was bent on taking the reins of the country, drove her from Egypt.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ptolemy made the misstep of murdering a war enemy of Caesar (who also happened to have been married to Caesar's daughter at one point) and Caesar attacked. Caesar usurped the capital, placing himself in charge of hearing the rival claims of the two siblings for the throne and Cleopatra saw an opportunity. She rolled herself in bedding and had it delivered to Caesar. Enamored of Cleopatra's ingenuity, he ruled in her favor.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ptolemy, outraged, threw the equivalent of a royal temper tantrum, running to incite the mobs of Egypt against his sister, saying she would be Rome's puppet (which was pretty much the worst thing that could happen in the eyes of the Egyptians). Caesar's guards captured him and Caesar made a speech to the crowd, telling them the war he'd brought was over and they had nothing to fear from Rome (what captive nation hasn't heard <i>that</i> before?). </div><div><br /></div><div>Ptolemy's advisors tried to lay siege to Alexandria and free their pharaoh. But Caesar's guards held the harbor and Ptolemy drowned in an escape attempt, leaving Cleopatra as ruler once more, this time with her younger brother Ptolemy XIV as her co-ruler. Caesar remained in Egypt, monitoring it as Egypt was an important source of grain and debt (Egypt owed them big time) to Rome.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cleopatra became Caesar's lover, thinking to secure his protection over Egypt through giving him a son. And she did have his child, a son named Caesarion (little Caesar. Because heaven forbid the child of these men have an original name). Cleopatra took her son to Rome, where Caesar acknowledged the child as his and had a gold statue of Cleopatra erected. Caesar lavished them with favor and hospitality (which had the small side effect of ticking off a lot of the other powerful people in Rome. Oops). Things were going swimingly for the young queen.</div><div><br /></div><div>But then Caesar was assassinated. Nothing was left to Cleopatra or Caesarion, and his stepson Octavian (rather than Caesarion) was named his heir. Cleopatra returned to Egypt to make sure her throne was secure (also, probably because with Caesar gone, no one in Rome was looking out for her). Once there she either poisoned her brother, Ptolemy XIV, or otherwise had him assassinated. Then she proclaimed her son co-regent of Egypt.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now Marc Antony makes his grand entrance (come on, you know you were wondering where he's been). As lieutenant to Octavian, he summoned Cleopatra to answer questions about her loyalties to Caesar and to Rome. She arrived, dressed as Venus (Roman goddess of love) on a dazzling ship bedecked in finery, awing Antony so much that he spent his winter with her in Alexandria as her lover. She gave him twins, a son named Alexander Helios (finally! An original name! There's hope for you yet) and a daughter, Cleopatra Selene.</div><div><br /></div><div>Antony had to return that spring to his wife in Rome, but four years later he returned to Cleopatra and gave her control over much of Syria, Palestine, and Cyprus, lands Egypt had tried to claim for generations but never held on to (and which weren't actually Antony's to give away. Uh-oh, you've angered the powerful people again). Cleopatra in turn agreed to fund his campaign against Armenia, which he returned from victorious.</div><div><br /></div><div>Returning to Alexandria (where Cleopatra waited with another child of his) he proclaimed her Queen of Kings. He also proclaimed her son Caesarion as King of Kings, a title that had gone unclaimed since the time of Alexander the Great. All his children were given royal titles, even the youngest son, Ptolemy Philadelphus, just two when his father returned.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, when he'd run into trouble on a campaign right before this, which Cleopatra also funded, he managed to piss off his wife Octavia, and his brother-in-law <i>Octavian, ruler of Rome</i>. *facepalm* And being a man with an ego, he did not try to make reparations with either of them. This, combined with the giving of titles and lands that weren't his to give and his marriage to Cleopatra, enraged the bigwigs of Rome and Octavian's fleet, captained by Marcus Agrippa was sent to stop Antony and Cleopatra from creating an empire of their own. Antony and Cleopatra could not defeat nor fend off the fleet.</div><div><br /></div><div>Antony, refusing to accept the humiliation of capture committed suicide. Cleopatra, realizing that Octavian could not be wowed by her charms and skill, followed suit, letting herself be bitten by an asp. The snakebite was believed to confer immortality on those who died by it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sadly, Caesarion died a horrible death at the hands of his captors. Cleopatra and Antony's three children however were taken to Rome and reared by Octavia, Antony's ex-wife. The two boys died young, but Cleopatra Selene lived and was married to King Juba II of Numidia. They had two children, a son, Ptolemy of Mauretania and a daughter whose name is unknown.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cleopatra is often painted by popular media as a woman who used her wiles and looks to get what she wanted. And she probably did. But she was more than simply a conniving woman with a flair for the dramatic. She was a skilled politician. She had to work to keep Rome from swallowing Egypt into its empire and she actually succeeded for a long time. Plus she made Egypt prosper out of a time of famine and disease and unrest.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to read more about Cleopatra (in a YA setting) I suggest <i>Cleopatra Rules!: The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen</i> by Vicky Alvear Shecter (nonfiction. The voice can get a little annoying but it has a lot of really interesting information. And the voice doesn't get annoying until you've read it for a bit. I review it <a href="http://wouldbewritercantcook.blogspot.com/2010/11/chapter-44-book-blog-fairytale-last.html">here</a>) and <i>The Royal Diaries: Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C</i>. by Kristiana Gregory (historical fiction. These books seem to be fairly accurate and have real pictures and information about what happens after the book ends).</div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498546363414622360.post-11164836005715188232011-06-19T23:46:00.000-07:002011-06-19T23:49:43.397-07:00Book Blog: Cracked Dracula Has Affairs With Fantastic Short StoriesYes, I am later than I said I would be. Yes, I feel terrible. Yes, I promise once more to try and do better. I just need to get a schedule down. But I do have a book post! Oh and the main heroine in Something Borrowed is Rachel. Enjoy :)<div><br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/v4D5MvM2958" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Ashleighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454339298073593365noreply@blogger.com0