1984

I grew up in one of the tiny little towns that dot Northern Minnesota.  We had 3 televisions stations and dial up internet- If I wasn't outside or at a hockey rink you can bet I was curled up on my bed reading.  I was "that girl" who spent half her lunch hour reading, after I reviewed the lunch hour gossip that is.

During English class one year we were told we had to read one book each quarter- outside of our normal class assignments- this was obviously completely fine with me.  These books were ours to choose(from a specific list- of course) and if someone else choose the same book we were allowed to get to gether during class time and discuss.  There were two books that still stick out in my mind seven years later, but for wildly different reasons.  Catcher in the Rye made me want to pull my hair out, while 1984 made me want to read everything George Orwell had ever written. To this day I still see references from 1984 and point them out obnoxiously to anyone nearby.

Photo Credit to Google

As I have mentioned before, I participate in a bookclub once or twice a month with two of my best friends.  During these meetings we discuss hockey, soccer, beer, food, Scotland, travel plans, grad school dilemas, wedding details, oh... and eventually the book of the month.  I decided book club would be an excellent opportunity to hear new oppinions and insights about this novel that has, until recently, maintained its title as my favorite book.   

Before diving into 1984 again, I thought it would be a good idea to try and decipher why this book has stuck with me so long.  I only read it the one time, but I can still quote parts of it word for word.  Why did this book, out of the 20 to 30 I read a year, stay one of my favorites?

 

One of the main reasons is becasue it was different than almost anything I had read before.  I had been some what stuck in a Nancy Drewesque rut for a while.  I had only read mysteries, mysteries, mysteries, maybe a historical fiction book thrown in there for fun, and more mysteries.  This was my first foray into dystopian novels and man did I get hooked.


It's also creepy, but not horror movie- you will never sleep again so why bother trying- creepy.  Moreso, it is disturbing- at first glance a person thinks "This could never happen" but then the further into the book a person delves the more similarties they can see between orwell's version of society and our reality.  This is an intersting thought that leads to even more connections, thoughts, and discussions. 

Photo Credit to Google

Books that provide a segway into discussions- more so than oh that was a quick read- are so amazing.  How a person interprets a book and what conclusions they can draw from it are a reference point into how that person thinks about and sees the world. This has to be the second reason for loving 1984- it is one of those books you can discuss for hours beyond just literary themes or character development.

I am sure there are many more reasons that this book has stayed in my "recommend to everyone" pile.  However, I am interested to see how it holds up after April's reread.  Perhaps it wont have as much kick as I remember, or maybe it will have more.  I am fairly certain the ladies in book club will bring up ideas I never had thought of, that is if they can get through it- I know Dystopian novels aren't everyones cup of tea.

~Anne

I Can't Wait for Summer Because...

 

Who doesn't love summer? 

 

This girl.

 

 

Don't get me wrong there are tons of things I love about summer but,

I get sick of the heat and miss the snow and skating of winter.

I miss cuddling under blankets and drinking apple cider.

BUT, this winter has been ridiculous and I am completely ready for summer and here are some reasons why:

 

 

1. BOAT TIME

2. Sitting on a deck eating deliciously grilled food

3.  Tubing down a river... with drinks

4. The Farmers Market- delicious veggies, lefse, and cool trinkets

5. FLIP FLOPS

6. Randomly running 5ks

7. Camping, Kayaking, Bike Rides, Rollerblades

Summer... I am more than ready for you now!  :)

~Anne

Resolution- Yoga

Thanks Google

I know that traditionally resolutions are made the beginning of the year.   However, I believe in continuously evaluating and re-evaluating my goals and needs. So in keeping with this idea I am making a resolution in March to go to 1 yoga class a week (except when my yoga instructor-Kay- takes her vacations or I am out of town) for the rest of the year.  Some people would consider this an easy challenge, and those people would be wrong.

While yoga is an amazing exercise that stretches and strengthens muscles, it is FREAKIN' DIFFICULT.  I am not flexible. I land on my face while awkwardly trying to get into poses.  My balance is way out of wack.  I am hyper active and don't do quiet time.  I burst into fits of laughter.  Basically yoga and I have issues.

Despite these issues, yoga teaches me so many things:

How to be patient and steady during a workout- you can't rush yoga. 
What muscle groups are strained from my last week of running. 
Endurance.
A better understanding of my body's limits- when to push them and when to give them a rest.
How to let the day go and be happy in this moment.
To not get discouraged by messing up and falling on my face.

Yoga is an exercise of the mind as well as the body.  By practicing yoga I hope to learn control over my thoughts and attitude, increase my flexiblity and posture, and finally for the first time ever- be able to do a back bend.  Yoga is a great cross-training day and break from my running schedule.  So bring on all the Tree, Mountain, Warrior, and Happy Baby poses.

~Anne

Journal Day

A lovely blog I follow decided to bring back the days of high school english class with journaling.  The following is her prompt:

Everyone has a time in their life they view as a crossroad. Sometimes you can see it as it's happening, and you're able to choose one way or another. Other times you may not realize you're there until you look back, and see what a turning point it really was. This week, write about a time you view as a marker in your life; a distinct place where things changed, for better or worse.  

These writing prompts were one of my favorite things in english class because instead of being graded on grammer or punctuation, a student was encouraged to write anything they felt or thought. In true journal day form, my response was written in about 7 minutes of straight writing and is unedited. 

When I first graduated from college I had a choice- to move across the country and start a new life, or to stay right where I was. I had always wanted to experience living in a different part of the country, so when I chose to stay I think I surprised everyone-but mostly myself. The timing wasn't right, the person wasn't right, and the whole situation felt off.  

So I stayed, with only a part time job and a friends guest bedroom to crash in. At first I thought i had made a huge mistake- I don't have a full time job, I don't have an appartment, and I just broke up(finally) with my boyfriend. Then, a few weeks in, life started falling into place. I found a full time job. My old friendships grew from good to incredible. I met my fiance. And I learn so much about myself. I learned that I have friends and family who will support me in any decision. I learned that I am resourceful and that I can rebuild. I learned that I know what is best for my life and that I have to own my choices.

Sometimes the best and happiest times develop and grow from the scariest and worst. These last couple of years have been an amazing learning and growing experience in my life, and I am glad I chose to stay where I was.

~Anne

The North Shore

The drive was a mixture of trees, hills, a gorgeous sunset, and the full moon

The North Shore was breathtaking in its frozen beauty

The cabin was small and cozy with a fire place to keep us warm

And I fell in love with this place.

I'll see you again soon Duluth.

~Anne

Pescetarian- the Cons

Sometimes a girl just really wants a piece of bacon...or 20.

 

Or a real cheese burger, instead of the soy, tofu, black bean not greasy kind. **Which are delicious- but not the same**

 

 

Also it is rare to find a restaurant that offers a vegetarian option besides a garden salad, alfredo, or a grilled cheese.  Garden salad usually means you get all the lettuce and maybe a piece of tomato- boring. This is the definition of a Grand Forks problem.

 

                                                        

 

One of the most difficult aspects of being a pescetarian is travel.  I can't get an actual meal at most fast food places or gas stations- a poptart doesn't really cut it for me- sorry guys.  In the future I am dreading any in flight meal option. Massively dreading... Sneaking food on the plane kinds of dreading. Then there is the potential language barrier that will render my previous method of choosing meals in a different country useless.  Gone are the days of simply pointing at the special and hoping it was edible...

But seriously the thing I miss the most is The Parrot's Cay and their delicious but super awful for you wings with shark sauce in the 7 to 10 range. 

 

~Anne

 

 

 

Gratitude and Yoga

One thing Kay emphasises in yoga is to be kind-not only to others but yourself as well. While practicing yoga don't be discouraged when poses are difficult and react by thinking there is something wrong with your body. Instead be understanding and realize what muscles and joints are sore/tight and why. Don't push your muscles past what they can handle because you will end up INCREDIBLY sore the next day. Can't touch the floor during uttanasana (forward bending pose)? Reach for mid shin instead. Can't handle holding a lunge in Warrior II today? Don't lunge. "Where ever you are at today is perfect"- She says this EVERY session and it really helps set the tone of the class. 

At a recent session Kay gave us the beads pictured - they don't have to be a key chain, I just wanted them to be. She called them gratitude beads. There are 7 beads and the goal is to find 7 things a day- big or small- you are grateful for. Any time you are feeling upset, worn down, sad, or stressed she told us to look at the beads and try to think of something we are grateful for or that makes us happy. The tiny little bead at the end = gripe bead, since no one is perfect.

This is one of the things I love about Kay and our yoga practice- the mentality is so positive. In a world where negative thinking seems to be the norm, it is incredible to realize you control your attitude. You can choose to find the good and joy in each day, and when you do your entire prespective will change. You can condition your mind to focus on the good in life, instead of dwelling on the bad. When you realize you only have and control the now, you can stop focusing on the past and speculating about the future. Instead you can live each moment exactly where you are, and be content.

~Anne