Saturday, December 6, 2008

When the time comes to leave again...

random brain excerpts

I just finished reading Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower. A mix between Go Ask Alice and a much better--less whiny version of J.D. Salinger's A Catcher in the Rye. One of my English professors strongly advised the class not to read the book since there is a good deal of sex, drugs and alcohol use by minors. So with this recommendation and two of my good friends who have exceptional taste in books, music and movies. I picked it up for myself. I suppose I haven't reached the point where I would trade in the general experience of reading such an amazing and thought provoking story just to avoid elements of this world that are all around us. I have a certain degree of admiration for those who refuse to acknowledge that such things are in this world. Perhaps one day my point of view of this world will change and I will refuse to see the world for what it is.

We were discussing in class how in Young Adult Literature the portrayal of parents/guardians are often at extremes. The parents are either absent and glorified, or if they are around they are villains and hated. The main character in this story has a very natural relationship with his parents. He sees how they do their best, and he loves them both a lot - but he also notices when they slip up and make mistakes. For once the story of tragedies and trepidation doesn't end with a suicide or a hopeless trip to an insane asylum. There is growth as the characters learn from their mistakes and begin to improve their lives.


Anyway... I like it.

On a separate note... I have exactly ten days left until I get to fly back to the east coast - to see my family, to see trees (although they'll be leafless and covered in snow). Oh, I get to have my own bedroom! Not that it's really hard sharing with Livie at all. It's just exciting to have more privacy. Cable TV! Old black and white movies

and late night talk shows.


I'm terribly sad to be leaving for four whole months. I'm excited to return to the world where there is diversity and... as weird as it sounds... not so many mormons. It's the best feeling in the world to be surrounded by the Saints -- but you need a break after awhile.

I'm going to miss terribly my roommates from this semester and the great influence they are in my life.





I've felt infinite