11 Great Things that Happened this Week

1. Jon taught me how to waltz. And my ballroom shoes didn't give me blisters. :)
2. I rode Lucy, my beach cruiser, for the first time in a few months. :)
3. I finished the Beautiful and Damned. :)
4. I made sushi. :)
5. I got $5 Shade shirts and a dress at the Provo High fundraiser. :)
6. I went star gazing with a whole bunch of astronomy nerds and their telescopes. :)
7. I enjoyed the morning sun in bare feet and shorts (the rest of me was wrapped in a blanket.) :)
8. I went to bed on time. :)
9. I had lunch with Andrew. :)
10. I went to the BYU basketball game and we won. :)
11. I ate 32 GIANT snowflakes. :)
    

Currently reading: The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama and Secrets of the Heart by Kahlil Gibran

Review- The Beautiful and Damned (part 1)

It's been a few years since I've read Fitzgerald and I forgot how hauntingly beautiful his writing is.

Here is a quick synopsis (thanks Wikipedia)

"It tells the story of Anthony Patch (a 1920s socialite and presumptive heir to a tycoon's fortune), the relationship with his wife Gloria, his service in the army, and alcoholism. The novel provides an excellent portrait of the Eastern elite as the Jazz Age begins its ascent, engulfing all classes into what will soon be known as Café society."


I have often encountered sentences I have to read over and over to do them justice. His characters are tragic, grandiose, and absolutely ordinary. His themes relevant and fresh. And it helps that the 20's is one of my favorite eras.

The man is an absolute master of his craft.

The book, up to this point has provided a very interesting commentary on the different stages of love and the youthful fear of growing old and ordinary.

One side note: This book is definitely a tragedy. I'm glad I checked it out in conjunction with The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama :)

Currently Reading- The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Book List 1-10

100 books I want to read (or reread) before next year. Starting the list are books 1-10

1. Heart of Darkness- Joseph Conrad
   
2. The Madman- Kahlil Gibran
3. Walden- Henry David Thoreau
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy- Douglas Adams
5. The Art of Making Dances- Doris Humphrey
6. Catch-22 - Joseph Heller
7. This Side of Paradise- F. Scott Fitzgerald
   
8. The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald
9. Hamlet - William Shakespeare
10. Siddhartha- Herman Hesse

Currently Reading- The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald