Le Petit Prince

I recently received a very special gift from my good friend Ty who is serving a mission in France. Although I haven't taken French for quite some time now, I struggled and fought my way through some of the passages he loved. 

And I fell in love. 

I had no idea I would be learning such beautiful lessons from a children's book. 

The book is simply amazing, and I highly recommend it!

Here's my favorite excerpt from the English translation:

"People where you live," the little prince said, "grow five thousand roses in one garden... yet they don't find what they're looking for..."
"They don't find it," I answered.
"And yet what they're looking for could be found in a single rose, or a little water..."
"Of course," I answered.
And the little prince added, "But eyes are blind. You have to look with the heart.

On Repeat

The amount of literature references these boys make in their lyrics is so amazingly hot. In love.

Title Tuesday: Slaughterhouse Five

This week's Title Tuesday is 

Slaughterhouse Five 

Written by Kurt Vonnegut. This book is in my top 5 favorite books of all time. Throughout his career, Vonnegut wrote amazing novels and is known as one of the most influential American writers. 

Written in 1969, Slaughterhouse Five is a science fiction novel depicting the experiences of Billy Pilgrim, a soldier during WWII who experiences the bombings of Dresden. The book is also a semi-biographical story, influenced by Vonnegut's own experiences during his time in the war. I know a lot of you may be thrown off by the novel upon realizing that it is science fiction. But, I assure you, you will not be disappointed. Upon hearing this information myself, I was immediately concerned I would not like it (I highly despise science fiction novels), but my Senior composition teacher assured me it was beautifully written and encouraged me to try it regardless. I cannot believe it took me so long to discover this novel, it is amazing. Although it does illustrate some strange events; such as time traveling and extra terrestrial activity, Vonnegut's philosophy about life and his humanitarian ideals shine through every word. 

I highly encourage you all to pick up this book!

Here's one of my favorite excerpts:

Billy licked his lips, thought a while, inquired at last: "Why me?"

"That is a very Earthling question to ask, Mr. Pilgrim. Why you? Why us for that matter? Why anything? Because this moment simply is. Have you ever seen bugs trapped in amber?"

"Yes." Billy, in fact, had a paperweight in his office which was a blob of polished amber with three ladybugs embedded in it.

"Well, here we are, Mr. Pilgrim, trapped in the amber of this moment. There is no why."- Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse Five

Title Tuesday: Man's Search for Meaning

I've been thinking about new things for the blog, seeing as my resolution for this year was to keep this more updated; which I am already slacking in, I'm sorry. But, I figured I should start a new segment and put my English literature skills to use. 

Title Tuesday

Each week I'll be spotlighting a favorite book of mine, in hopes that some of you will pick it up and enjoy it as much as I did. 

Starting out with one of my favorites:

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

I first came across Frankl's work my senior year in high school. We did an existentialism unit in my senior composition class. Even though most of my class paid no particular attention to the subject, I was instantly fascinated by the philosophy. 

Man's Search for Meaning was written in 1946 by Viktor Frankl. The book chronicles Frankl's experiences in a concentration camp during the war. The book describes his psychotherapeutic method for finding a reason to live during his horrific experience. It is composed of two parts: Part one deals with his analysis of his experiences that took place in the camp, followed by Part two; which then introduces his ideas of the meaning of life and his theory of logotherapy.

Through his experiences, Frankl comes to the conclusion that the meaning of life is in every moment that is lived. Life never ceases to have meaning, even during times of hardship. He describes the intensity of life and the importance of acknowledging it. Frankl further describes the beauty of life and the ability that humans have of choosing our meaning with each choice that we make. 

Frankl's work was a definite source of inspiration that year for me, and still continues to have an impact in my life. I walked away from that class with a new outlook on life and aware of the intensity of life that Frankl describes in the book. 

Man's Search for Meaning has been ranked among the top 10 most influential books and it is a definite read for everyone. 

So, take a trip to the library, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, you name it, and pick up a copy!

super existential

i had a super existential moment in spanish today, brought me back to existentialism days. loveeee it.

Proverbios y Cantares XXIX

Caminante, son tus huellas

el camino y nada más;

Caminante, no hay camino,

se hace camino al andar.

Al andar se hace el camino,

y al volver la vista atrás

se ve la senda que nunca

se ha de volver a pisar.

Caminante no hay camino

sino estelas en la mar.

Antonio Machado

word

it's called classic literature

oh hi

Welcome to my Fall semester....

already have a ton of reading homework

yummmmmm

Summer Roundup

Just a few more days left of Summer, and I'm actually really excited for it to be over. I move in to my new apartment soon and finally going back "home" to Tempe. I loove it. Life's looking good! I do have to say though, that packing totally sucks, I'm so sick of it. And, not to mention, that I am beyond broke now. Apartment shopping is no good for me, I want everything! 

Oh, and a shout out to Madi Brown, since you confessed you stalked my blog! haha 


I'm loving this!

Silly Dan Brown

I just finished reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. Total disappointment. Although the book did spark some interest, the plot is just killer. Really Dan Brown? You can think of a new plot? Robert Langdon is on his way to lecture, then he ends up in the middle of a national security dilemma, and the only way to help is to solve some ancient mystery, and then he gets involved with the a woman who is there to help solve the mystery... Sounds familiar Dan Brown. It's getting REALLY old.

There's a reason why I stick with classic literature, you just can't compete. 

I know it has been too long

It's summer though, and I finally finished summer school which means, FREE TIME! I'm kind of ashamed to say that I've spent it all watching Lost. Dumb show has me hooked! 

I've also been kicking back and reading, a lot! 

And folks, it's time to move out... again. It feels like I just finished unpacking, and now it's time to pack it all up again. I've been doing some last minute shopping, I guarantee you my room is gonna be off the hook!! Did I really just say that? Well, I'm more than excited to move out into my own apartment, it's going to be a blast! 

Also, check out this bad boy Jake sent me for my birthday! hahaha 

His companion drew me a lovely dinosaur for my birthday haha! I also got some flowers sent to my house! Love that kid! 

Weezy

Yes, it was half off day at Goodwill today. My favorite day! I found some awesome stuff, so I thought I would share.

I've been wanting to read this for a while.

Great book, sucky movie.

I've been eyeballing this book every time I go into Starbucks!

And of course, another picture frame for my vast collection that will look amazing after a spray paint job!

Loving this

This past week I was lucky enough to find some great book deals. I picked up an American Poetry book and a Robert Frost poetry book all for 50 cents. Love it. 

 Here's one of my favorites:

The Past

by Ralph Waldo Emerson

The debt is paid,
The verdict said,
The Furies laid,
The plague is stayed.
All fortunes made;
Turn the key and bolt the door,
Sweet is death forevermore.
Nor haughty hope, nor swart chagrin,
Nor murdering hate, can enter in.
All is now secure and fast;
Not the gods can shake the Past;
Flies-to the adamantine door
Bolted down forevermore.
None can reënter there,—
No thief so politic,
No Satan with a royal trick
Steal in by window, chink, or hole,
To bind or unbind, add what lacked,
Insert a leaf, or forge a name,
New-face or finish what is packed,
Alter or mend eternal Fact.