I'm going to apologize in advance because this is going to be one of those long, rambling kind of posts that inevitably come about when I have had a crazy week. I'm not sure where to begin, so I guess I will attempt to give a recap.
My last day of work for the park was last Sunday, so this week was spent home. We're moving on Friday (the 19th) to a new apartment, so packing and organizing and cleaning things out has been a major priority. I really went crazy last year when I moved out of my parents' house and threw a lot of old things away, but there are still a lot of items that I am unwilling to part with. But, they've been sitting here for the last year so I did some major toss-age of things that I simply don't need anymore. I also took a carload of clothes and other things to Salvation Army. But I am still incredibly overwhelmed by the amount of stuff we have.
Moving my books is really going to be a pain. I attempted to cull my collection by plowing through boxes stuffed full of books and removing doubles (yes, I have doubles, and in some cases triples) of books to sell back to my local bookstore. They really doesn't solve the problem since I will have to use the store credit they give me to buy more books, but they'll be gone. I just hate getting rid of my books. I always think, "What if I really want to read this again?" So, it is a never-ending cycle. And I am not a good library user. I always rack up fines and I have the insane itch to own what I read. Silly? Probably, but its how I roll.
But even after removing some books and making a pile to take away, I still have over 1200 books. Its insanity. Right now one whole closet is full of books in boxes and we have six boxes sitting on my hope chest in the bedroom because there is no where else to put them right now (I cleaned up and packed my 3 bookshelves this week, which was only 9 boxes). Matt told me that I have to move them myself, so perhaps another culling of the books is in order.
I also joined Twitter. I had been going back and forth about it for awhile...then I caved. The fact that we also got new phones with internet access on Thursday aided my decision and I am so glad I joined up. It is has been wonderful to chat with other bloggers online. I do hope you'll come and find me. And please forgive my "noobness" as I am still learning. :) My name over there is alliedanielson.
The other big event this week was meeting with the teacher I am subbing for! We met on Thursday afternoon and I cannot tell you how EXCITED I am to be her sub. We have similar personalities in the classroom (loud and sassy), and she is just a wonderful person. We went over the things I will have to teach come January and she sent me home with 4 big binders of lessons, a textbook, and a plan book with what she did. It is going to be a wonderful experience and I get to teach some fun and diverse topics. For the sophomore English class I am teaching Of Mice and Men, The Crucible, and A Raisin in the Sun. I've read the first two, so they should be okay, but the Hansberry needs to be read soon. For the senior English class I am teaching Jeanette Wallis' The Glass Castle. I've never read it, but I picked up a copy. Any thoughts on it??
Anyway, it is going to be a wonderful experience and I can't wait for January to get here.
Yesterday we had a birthday party for Matt (his b-day is on Tuesday), so we had a lot of friends over last night. It was a great night full of drinking and laughing, and friends, but I am wiped out today. But the apartment got cleaned early this morning and I have been trying to relax most of the day.
I am sure most of you saw my post from Friday night. I debated a long time on whether to put it up. Well, the first post I wrote wasn't suitable for anyone else to see, so technically that was the second one I wrote. ;) Now I am glad I did. I was bothered by that e-mail when I first read it, and when I was writing that first, never to be seen, post, but I got over it quickly. If I cowered in a corner every time someone didn't like what I was doing then I would always be hiding. That's not who I am. I have learned this about myself in the year I have been doing this. I'm a pretty strong lady and I'm not going to take any kind of disrespect from anyone.
I have grown a lot from reading. Reading has altered my life significantly. I learn from the authors I read and take their lessons to heart. I always feel bad for those people who don't cherish reading the way I do because they are missing out on so many wonderful things. And this past year has been a life-changing experience for me.
Anyway, all of those lovely comments truly touched me. It is a wonderful thing to be a part of a supportive and loving community like this one. And while I do write for me first, I do love sharing my experiences with all of you. In the times when I have wanted to quit this thing, your support has pushed me on. So again, thank you.
And that is all I will say about that.
Now, to get to reading news! I plowed my way through Narnia this week and finished all 7 of the books. I'm in the middle of The BFG by Roald Dahl and have the rest of my children's literature sitting on my nightstand as all of my other books are put away. But, I was thinking today that I am ready to dive back into my project. And, since all of my books are packed and put away, I had a minor panic attack about digging through boxes to find something to read. I chatted with Amanda on Twitter this morning and decided to visit my library for some audio books. I found 4 that interested me and were from my list, so I am sure they will be keeping me company as I continue packing, cleaning, and organizing. I'll probably keep reading from those other books as well, so it all works out in the end.
I am going to spend the rest of my evening reading, writing, listening to my audio books from the library, and crocheting. It should be a wonderful way to spend the evening. :)
Happy Reading!
Congratulations on your substitute teaching job! It is a great way to get your foot in the door. Your enthusiasm and excitement will go a long way toward helping you connect with your students--they are going to love you! I guess I missed that Friday night post. I'm so sorry that happened! Of course you realize that was a troll!!! They are rare in the book blogger world, but they do exist. But isn't it great that the book blogging community has your back!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've been pretty busy this week. What a great idea from Amanda. Let me know when you need help-I've available in the moving process :).
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom
I'm moving, too, so I feel your pain! I've given away (I started by listing on Paperbackswap but that quickly went away) hundreds of books, but I still have over 30 boxes. And the secret is that's just what was in my house, I already had some books in storage. I've had to realize this is a disease. And I'm so with you on the library thing, I'm a horrible library user, I tried it again this year and it just didn't work. Same with ereading, I feel I can't read ebooks when I have so many physical books that need to be read! And I've been giving away clothes all year and not buying any and I still have way too much. All this to say I can sympathize!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to tell you about cash for books. It's www.cashforbooks.org ive been selling books to them for a litle while and I'm very pleased and they pay for shipping! so far I've gotten over a 100.00 dollars :) Good luck with your move :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that your meeting with the teacher went well! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe Matt's making you move all those books yourself though! lol I usually bribe my guy friends with food in exchange for their help. ;)
I'm glad I'm a natural library user, though: I think it makes my life easier! I did accrue a $70 fine once, though. That was ugly, even though the librarian only made me pay half of it.
I'm glad I was able to help you out on the book front! It's funny to think a couple months ago I never listened to audiobooks at all! See, Twitter is already helping you out! :D
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the moving! We always have to give books away when we move, so this summer, when we thought we were going to be moving, I ended up giving probably a good 300 away. Of course, I didn't have nearly 1200 to start with! More like 600 or 700. But still! :D
I have a problem culling books as well.. and I never really use my local library due to sign up fees and a small selection of English books.
ReplyDeleteI am very happy your meeting with the teacher you're subbing for went well!
Good luck with the move! I hate moving!
ReplyDeleteI have read The Glass Castle, but it was about four years ago. I remember being really moved by it. It's a memoir and it's kind of horrifying at times. I know there has been some discussion over whether the story was embellished a bit. I don't feel like it was, but either way, it was an excellent book. I hope you enjoy it. I'm surprised that it's being taught in school though. I wonder what the intended discussion is. I'd love to hear how you approach it.
I remember enjoying A Raisin in the Sun when I read it in high school. I have it on my shelf I should reread it! You could do one of your readalongs (he he, I saw your tweet about it...) I really enjoy THE GLASS CASTLE. And I"m not one to enjoy memoir! I like how she tells life how it is without asking for pity. Her life was her life and she learned from it. Not sure how to teach it in school though. It doesn't remind me of anything *I* read in school.
ReplyDeleteLOL. I can't believe you have 1200 books!! I'll be that way too, eventually. I also want to keep everything I read from the library. :-)
ReplyDeleteIf IO remember The Glass Castle right (it's been a couple years), it's very mellow -- very low on emotion, very faraway. I'm comparing it to memoirs of a similar topic, like A Child Called It, which is graphic and intensely emotional. At times, I wondered if the emotion had been numbed away.
(Only my thoughts.)
Congratulations on the job -- and regarding the move, you have my sympathies -- I move about every three years and it's nightmarish every time. Bleah.
ReplyDeleteAs for the books -- I'm reading Raisin in the Sun in Feb for one of my IRL book groups, so I look forward to your comments. And I have also read The Glass Castle. I started reading it late one night when I couldn't sleep -- I was up all night finishing it! Some parts are sort of shocking, her childhood is so terrible, but it's really good. I think it's one of the best discussions I ever had with that group (before I moved. Sigh).
I love using my library, but if I really like a book I always end up owning it. I'm awful about getting rid of books and past the 1,000 mark awhile ago.
ReplyDeleteI thought The Glass Castle was really good. It wasn't a sappy memoir. It was well-written and had a pretty crazy story.
I'm excited to hear what you think about the audiobooks you got. That's what I use my library for and it's my favorite way to read classics. I read hardcopoies too, but audiobooks are great for overcoming any slow language from past centuries.