Lord of the Rings Book Review

I know I promised that you wouldn't read anything about that incredibly long book called the Lord of the Rings at least until April. Well, it is almost April, and besides I finished it this past week. You may think that's all I did was read that book in order to finish it; not really. I didn't have that much left. Anyways, so here's my book review of Tolkein's trilogy:

The Fellowship of the Ring: There are many long paragraphs describing the landscape and the looonnnggg and slllooowww traveling of the Hobbits. Once the group gets to the Mines of Moriah, it really picks up. There are alot of good explanations for things, such as why elves and dwarves dislike each other, making the friendship between Legolas and Gimli that much more endearing. Overall, I gave it three stars. If you can endure the first half, you'll enjoy the rest immensely.

Two Towers: By far the best of the trilogy. The first half focuses on Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli and their adventures with tracking down the kidnapped Hobbits, finding Gandalf, and defending Helm's Deep. I was surprised by Sauramon, and what a crazy mad-man of a wizard he is! The second half focuses on Frodo and Sam and Gollum. Gollum was by far the most entertaining to read. My favorite line of his: "Wraiths! Wraiths on wings!" This book really draws you into Middle Earth and the characters. I gave it five stars. You also come to appreciate Tolkein's brilliant writing and subtle humor.

Return of the King: This book was like reading a history book! The battles and the conversations were quite dull and long. Frodo and Sam's part of the quest was also long and laborious. There were a few highlights here and there, but I did struggle through it. By then I just wanted Frodo to destroy the ring and everyone to live happily ever after. Much like the movie, the ending goes on too long as well. I gave it three stars.

Overall, they are masterpieces of great writing and imagination. I think the running theme through the trilogy was about laying aside differences to be unified in a common cause to fight for and save what is worth saving. The lands of Middle Earth played out as characters themselves in an attempt to show the reader why it was worth saving via lost lives and torture. The message was powerful with some Christian application, but beyond that it was just a great set of novels to read. The vocab and writing style were superb. Although laborious at times, I do recommend it for enrichening you library!

Spring up!

It is that time of the year when the trees are in bloom, the birds are nesting in the thicket, and the sunshine waxes with each day...Yes, you guessed it, it's SPRING BREAK! (And I guess spring also if I have to add that too).

It's that time of the year when vacation Fauf comes out of hibernation, where she's been since Christmas. She comes out to grace the Nest with her carefree and creative spirit. She tends to stay up later, stay in bed longer, and toss all schedules in the trash. But this Spring Break with be perhaps the most exciting, since she gets to share it with her husband. Indeed, she must still be a newly wed when she is still encounting "firsts" with her husband. So here's to "first" spring break with her hubby, and bunches of carefree and creative days!

PS If you happen to drive by Pacific Christian School on Thursday afternoon, you may catch sight of Fauf running through the field tossing off her shoes and scattering papers in her wake!

Spirit Week

This week at school has been Spirit week. Each day was assigned a different theme. Monday was pajama day, so we all got to wear our cozy PJ's and I let my students take their shoes off in class. Tuesday was twin day, so Mrs. Klein (the other 3rd grade teacher) and I dressed as twins. Wednesday was Future day--I was going to come in with a pillow under my shirt as if I am pregnant, but there are too many rumors going around school that I really am pregnant and I didn't want anyone taking the costume out of context (BTW I am NOT pregnant and don't plan on it for another year or so). Thursday was Prep Rally day where everyone dressed in school colors--it was pretty funny to see all these white and blue clad children out at recess. You'd think we were running some kind of cult or something (nope, don't go there!). Friday is Crazy Hair day, and I kind of cringe at what my students might come into class with. Over all, it's been fun for the kids, but a little annoying for the teachers because the kids get all hyped-up about it.

But I was thinking that maybe we should have Spirit-type weeks for adults for everyday life. Here's a schedule I came up with, and if enough of you want to participate, then I'll write to Congress or whoever else is in charge of establishing holidays and ask them to add it to next year's calendar:

Monday: weekend day--everyone continues to enjoy a weekend, wearing comfy weekend-type clothes, sleeping in, and not going to work at all.

Tuesday: favorite store day--everyone dons the uniform/colors of their fave store, goes in, and tries to get free-bees because obviously your their greatest fan (I'm thinking Starbucks or Target right now).

Wednesday: kid day--everyone dresses like a kid and engages in activities that only kids get to enjoy, like eating ice cream from the ice cream truck without guilt, jumping on the bed, and running through stores.

Thursday: politics day--everyone wears suits, holds their own debates and rants and raves about changes they want to make to this world while making promises they know are ridiculous.

Friday: celebrity day--everyone takes at least 10 items from their closets and creates an outfit that does not match but hopefully will be written about as trendy, and tramps around town signing babies' heads and carrying Starbucks.

Anyone able to get in the spirit of things yet?

Due for a Raise

Last week our school had a fundraiser at Klondike's Pizza. We got 15% of all sales. And us teachers signed up to serve the pizza for hour increments. We had tip jars, and whatever money went into the tip jar is given straight to us to use for our classroom! So I showed up at 5pm to serve for an hour. I got to wear a blue apron, stab receipts on the keeper, deliver the pizzas to the tables, and shout "Behind!" whenever I was walking behind someone. I'm not gonna lie, it was kinda tons of fun. But it was kinda complicated too! I had to read the ticket, check the order, then go out into the crowds looking for numbers on tables. By the end of the hour, I got good enough to carry a large pizza in one hand! Several customers kept asking me things like "Can I have change?" or "Can you tell me about your specials?" and I'd say I wasn't a regular employee, and they'd look at me kind of funny. Gosh, pull back my hair, put on some jeans, stick me in a pizza parlor, and everyone thinks I'm some college student working for her tuition!

I have to say as fun as it was, I'd take a group of 22 kids any day! I can manage a group of students and teach them their multiplication facts, but working in a pizza parlor is so much more taxing! I guess it only goes to show that everyone's job is important and worthy of recognition. (Who knows if that's true--I just made that up on the spot here!)

Anyways, hooray for you and the work you do, whether you deliver pizzas, serve coffee, answer phones, inforce the law, or teach children. The world wouldn't be the same without you doing that job!