Reading and a meme
I'm in a weird place this morning. I had promised myself I wouldn't go there anymore. So I'm not, but it feels weird anyways to refuse to go into that. I'm discovering a strong will to be protective of myself, a part of me that wants to nurture me. Like I said... weird.
Fall has officially arrived, and I can tell, not by the crispier weather or the colorful leaves, but because I have begun my annual book-o-holic period. There are moments to produce and to express oneself, and there are moments to take in and to let it simmer for a while. I haven't written much in the last few weeks, and I refuse to worry about it. I have realized that I'm living a year of closure. It's the end of a cycle, it has to be. Some events need to be in the past; some things need to be over with, and writing distracts me too much from letting go. I need to be conscious of this ending. I feel like I made a sacrifice, but I know that writing will be right there around the block. I'm still writing in my head.
We visited a different library yesterday, so I got access to a new collection. I borrowed Blankets by Craig Thompson, and I read it from a cover to the other. This graphic novel is the type of books that I hold to my heart after the last page. Because, yes, I hug my books. :)
Blankets is a blend of personal essay and graphic novel that documents the young years as well as the first love of the writer. I loved it. I loved the art: Thompson's style is effortless and elegant, and he has an undeniable talent to evoke emotions through his work. The images illustrating the first and shy looks that Craig and Raina exchange are to die for, and they go straight to the heart, tapping at the right place for us readers to let out a flow of memories. Falling in love is such a distinctive feeling, and I felt like I lived that again through the eyes of this young man.
I think it conveys a very wise and truthful message. First love hardly means last love - first love opens the heart to the real possibility of loving and to be loved. I'm still shaken by the book today, There is so much hope in that thought.
It was a gorgeous testament to love contribute to heal (in Craig's situation), and lead us into stronger, more complex feelings as we progress in life. I recommend it strongly. Some themes (including abuse) could be disturbing to some people, but please don't let it stop you.
I was tagged for a meme!
* Each blogger starts with ten random facts/habits about themselves.
* Bloggers that are tagged write on their own blog about their ten things and post these rules.
* At the end of your blog, choose ten people to get tagged and list their names.
I cannot make Jello. Can't. The stuff never takes. My father-in-law has suggested that it has something to do with my blood. o_O
My mother has seriously considered naming me Marie Noëlle during her pregnancy, which would have made my intials M.N.M. She changed her idea when she had me in her arms for the first time - it seems I don't look like a Marie Noëlle.
I have never eaten sushi. I'm intolerant to seafood. (Got to love those giant hives.)
My parents' neighbors were Scottish. I learned to speak approximate English when playing with their daughter at age 5 or 6. What I'd say probably made no sense at all, but according to the neighbor, I had a Scottish accent at that time.
I took three years of Latin while in high school, and two years of Spanish and German.
I read palms intuitively. I used to be into astrology, numerology...I wanted to be a witch when I was teenager...lovely career prospect. * facepalm *
I got first prize for a play I adapted and directed in college. The trophy has been chipped during a moving, but the feeling is still there. :)
I wore a Roman Catholic traditional nun habit - twice, with all the layers. It was heavy and very, very warm.
I caught the melanoma on my mom's arm at an early stage. She has quite a big scar for such a tiny thing. But that scar is beautiful.
I always set my alarm clock 30 minutes before I have to get up. I need this time in-between to stretch and to read in bed...plainly, to bring myself into action the way I choose.
I got the feeling that people have been rather active on the meme front, so I don't know who did it and who did not. If you would like to do it, please feel personally tagged.
Have a great weekend. :)