Incandescence

People that know me know I love to read. And sometimes I’ll have someone ask me for a book recommendation. Usually when I’m on the spot like that I can’t think of any good recommendations. But, finally, I have come up with a list of some of my favorites. Some of these are books I read as far back as junior high, and even if they aren't an ‘adult’ read, I still enjoy them. I’ve tried to pull from a variety of genres, but I’ll be honest—I mostly read fiction, so that’s mostly what this list is. It is by no means an extensive list. So, here goes, in no particular order: Moccasin Trail , Eloise Jarvis McGraw Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia, Jean Sasson Pride and Prejudice , Jane Austen Redeeming Love , Francine Rivers Little Britches Series , Ralph Moody The Hobbit , J.R.R. Tolkien Thorn , Intisar Khanani To Say Nothing of the Dog , Connie Willis Christy , Catherine Marshall Blood Covenant , Michael Franzese (not necessarily the most well-wri...

I read a lot of 'fluff', books that are for entertainment value only. But recently a coworker recommended a nonfiction book-- Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia, Jean Sasson . Curious, I put it on hold at the library and waited. When I finally received it I began reading, curious to see if it would live up to my expectations. It did. I spent most of a Saturday afternoon reading it. At times, I put the book down, indignant, telling my roommate some of the terrible, depraved things that the main character witnessed and experienced in her life. This isn't my first introduction to oppression of this kind. Years ago, my mother and I watched a movie called Not Without my Daughter , one I recommend. That was probably my first introduction as a young woman to the reality that not everyone enjoys the freedom that we do here in America, especially women. I also realize that not everyone in Iran or Saudi Arabia is like this. If anything, reading that b...

Several weeks ago I watched the comedy Mom’s Night Out with my sister. I thoroughly enjoyed that movie.  It shows marriage and family in a positive light.  Does the main character have struggles? Yes, but you see her grow in love for her family. Last night, my roommate and I watched a different kind of comedy.  From the preview we saw, it looked like it could be a funny movie. However, at the end of the movie I was left feeling like there should have been more—more to the story, more comedy, more something . This movie couldn’t be more opposite of Mom’s Night Out—it paints marriage in a negative light, showing a woman whose husband is shallow and unfaithful. It shows just how far our culture has strayed from marriage and family in the traditional sense. The more I thought about it, the more I compared the two comedies.  One was clean, family friendly, and I laughed through the entire movie without feeling awkward or embarrassed.  The other was unorigina...

Recently I have discovered I like reading the news. I like keeping up with what is going on, not just in our nation, but around the world. A lot of times I just skim the headlines unless something catches my eye. I wouldn't say I am an environmentalist, but this is really sad. Also, I really want to go ghost town adventuring after reading this article.  And here is another site where I can indulge in my interest in abandoned places , I think my favorite of the links is the Abandoned Houses of Super Villains . How cool are these libraries from around the world! I would love to wander through some of them...someday. And...some beautiful photos of Australian countryside . Ever since I watched The Man From Snowy River as a child I have wanted to go there.  And New Zealand.  There are a lot of places I want to visit actually, but those two are at the top of my list. And finally, we live in such an amazing state !

There's something magical about a rainy day. Especially a rainy Saturday. Don't get me wrong, I love sunshine too!  But I love the sound rain makes, the earthy smell that permeates the air, the droplets that gather on the windows. I also love curling up with a cup of tea, some good music, and a book. If I were to create a rainy day playlist, these are the artists that I would go to: Bon Iver Iron & Wine The Civil Wars Jonsi Radical Face And these are a few of the books I have been reading: Till We Have Faces, C.S. Lewis The Language of Flowers, Vanessa Diffenbaugh The Watsons, Jane Austen Lady Susan, Jane Austen And...because I can't resist showing off the beauty of Alaska, here is a picture taken on the Costal Trail in Kincaid Park I took several weeks ago.

I have to store up all the sunshine and gorgeous mountain vistas I can before winter sets in. Here are a few of the things I have done this summer: Camping out near Whittier Eagle and Symphony Lake hike

Recently I've been struggling to feel content.  Content with who I am, content with what I do. Content with my life in general.  I think I always had certain expectations of what my life would be like when I was an adult, and I have not lived up to those expectations.  I am mad at myself for not doing better, trying harder, experiencing more.  But given the opportunities, would anything even change? I can blame my complacency on many things--struggles, fear, self-doubt.  But I think that what I am really struggling with is humbling myself before a Holy, Sovereign God in complete submission.  It is hard to trust that He is not going to take the people I love from me, that His plan for my life is good, that He will provide for me.  Not always in the way I want Him to, or in a manner I expect, but He will. It is a painful process of peeling the layers of self-sufficiency, self-focus, and autonomy away.  Like Eustace in The Voyage of the Dawn...

Lido Beach, Sarasota FL  Greetings after a short summer break! I've been in and out of town a lot recently, which is one reason I haven't updated for awhile.  I got to visit my parents in Ohio, and then we traveled down to Sarasota, Florida for a week.  That was a wonderful week of relaxing at the beach and reading lots of books because we did not have internet or TV at the house we were staying at.  I actually really enjoyed being somewhat removed from technology. I realize just how unimportant Facebook updates are, and how little I miss it while I'm gone.  It also gave me a lot more time to enjoy catching up on some reading. Lido Beach I read the All Clear series by Connie Willis.  I have really enjoyed her writing, and I also like the historical setting.  Unfortunately, the other book I read, The Atlantis Gene , was not as good. I'm wading through the second one, but I'm not sure it's worth finishing.  I also recently read The Fault ...

It's Friday! Which means that the weekend is almost here....This weekend is shaping up to be another busy one. Tonight our young adults bible study is going to  this conference . I'm really looking forward to the session tonight. And, to continue the randomness: at some point this summer I would like to do this hike/walk . This bag was almost an insta-buy yesterday when I saw it! I just watched this movie  again and have had this song stuck in my head off and on since then. This is what Alaska looked like last off and on most of last week and weekend because of the Funny River wildfire . This picture doesn't do it justice.

I'm loving this early warm weather. Let's just hope that we don't have another late snowfall like last spring!  A couple weeks ago I got to go flying in a small airplane--the first time since I was seven! It was a clear, cloudless evening, and it just made me realize, yet again, how blessed I am to live in such a beautiful state. I might (and do) complain about the cold, dark winters, but every spring and summer I am reminded why I live here.

It's been quite awhile since my last post. But here is some of what I've been up to in the last few weeks: I know these aren't scenery but they were just so pretty :) Also, new adventures to add to my growing list:  17 Amazingly Epic Places on Earth

Sunday I spent some time browsing through the CD collection at the public library. I like being able to listen to a whole CD instead of just buying one song and possibly missing out on other goods songs. And no, I do not illegally burn them onto my computer! During this trip I picked up a few that I might not have listened to otherwise: Blue Valentine, with Music by Grizzly Bear, Ryan Gosling, and Penny & The Quartets Emma, composed by Rachel Portman. One of my favorite soundtrack composers Amazing Grace, David Arnold Paradise Valley, John Mayer I'm re-reading some of my favorite childhood books: Up a Road Slowly , by Irene Hunt The Witch of Blackbird Pond , by Elizabeth George Spear Occasionally I do read the news. I try to be semi-informed about events locally and globally. Here are just a few things I found while browsing around: A list of  Bank Robbers  who actually had a 'happily ever after' A  family  of shoplifters that was just ar...

Do you ever feel like you have given up on your dreams? Or maybe you have just lost sight of them because they have changed so completely. Before I went to college I wanted to be a writer. That is what I felt most gifted towards--I'm not exceptionally smart, I don't like math, I'm a mediocre musician. Forget art. Even my stick figures are almost  unrecognizable  as human beings. I went to school with ideals and dreams just like anyone else. I came out four years later with those dreams mostly intact. Instead of a creative writer I was going to be a technical writer.  But I've been out of school for almost two years and I'm still not writing. I know that if anyone is to blame, it is myself; I haven't tried hard enough, searched hard enough.  Maybe I'm having a mid-twenties crisis because I do not know what I want to do. I'm supposed to be too young for this right? This is the time when I pursue my dreams and make a name for myself. But let's be ho...

Today's inspiration is brought on by the unusually warm, sunny weather and my new obsession with the  October Baby  soundtrack.  It's the best purchase I've made in awhile.  Seriously.  I think I've already listened to it about 20 times, and that's no exaggeration. Another growing obsession is the Divergent book series by Veronica Roth.  I started it Wednesday and I'm already halfway through the first 500+ page book. It's been awhile since I was so completely drawn into a book.  Forget people, give me a good book and I won't leave my house until it's over. Also, if you need a laugh and haven't seen or read these yet,  read these reviews  on sugarless gummy bears. They are a little bit crude at times, but I haven't laughed so hard in weeks.