Reading List - July 2008

I presently have five books rotating in a stack by my night stand/enduring binding-wearing transit in my backpack. (All my books get that way. I try to keep them looking nice and crisp, but to no avail.) Here’s the list:

Cien Anos de Soledad by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. A classic magic realism novel that delights me in its exaggerated details and reality. The characters seem to nag at my own human insecurities, and make me chuckle with their ridiculous escapades.

Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd. A personally challenging book about waking up to life’s spirituality. A must-read for any woman (or man, if you’re daring enough to jump into it!) who yearns to push back the walls of the boxes into which her life is packed. Kidd’s diction and style are fresh and strong.

Takeover by Charlie Savage. A political book about the expanding executive power of the United States’ Presidency. Corroborated by this article at democracynow. Rich in example and theory, I am learning about the interplay between the branches of government, and finally starting to grasp the imperial nature of the presidency.

Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen. A refreshing, straightforward look at spirituality and living in our deepest desires.

Elegies in Blue: Poems by Benjamin Alire Saenz. Saenz believes poetry should play a role in public discourse, and uses his words to tell stories of his childhood on the U.S./Mexican border, as well as illustrate the lives of other individuals and groups of people. His clean and fresh words propel poignant questions. His poetry opens my mind and my eyes to the world.

My life as of... now.

I think it's only appropriate to re-introduce myself.  My life as I knew it has changed in huge ways.   Therefore, my posts will probably change, too.  So you should be in the know.  Life seems to be organized in three chunks:

1) Full-time job.  I work with political asylum seekers.  They are people in the U.S. asking to stay for fear of returning to their home countries (in comparison to refugees who are outside the U.S. asking to come).  I love my work.  I get to talk with people from all over the world.  Pretty much, if I read of a human rights violation on the BBC, I'll meet someone who was involved in it a few months later.  So I do human rights work/immigration law/event planning... it's super great.

2) Bike.  I've been biking to work every day.  I love it.  I would highly recommend it.  Minus the huge pot holes marked in yellow paint on the lakeshore trail, it's fantastic.

3) Post-work/bike hours: I've been dancing a lot.  and reading a lot.  and perusing the bbc and nytimes.  and doing fun outdoor Chicago activities.  

So my posts will probably be about such matters!!  Asi que... bueno.  Ya esta.  Mi vida.  Bienvenido a la vida nueva.  jaja.

Cheesy Big-Sister Post

So I have to be a big sister and post for the success of Emma.  And just because I think it's pretty great that she has an interview online!

When I was a senior in high school, well-aware that I wouldn't be able to pay for the school of my dreams, I scoured FastWeb for weird scholarships.  One that always popped up was the Duct Tape Prom Dress contest.  In my suffocating creativity, I couldn't imagine wearing silver tape to prom, and never gave it a thought.  

But my sister did.  She spent 6o hours and 20 rolls of duct tape.  And made an incredible tux and dress.  She made it into the TOP 10 in the country!!!  You can go vote for her.  Entry #4188.  If you have the desire, you can vote from all your different email addresses once a day until June 30!!  (She would be forever grateful.)

Em and my brother Sean (such a stud. ha!) were interviewed by our local newspaper and made the front page!

They're so fun.  I like them.

Pretty awesome.

Wow. I had no idea I haven't posted since April 27. That is a LONG time. And so much has happened... wow. I suppose that's what happens -- so much runs past me that I can't articulate anything...

And the inarticulate-ness continues. At least for tonight.

I just wanted to give you a new blog to check out -- its from my friend JM. He's pretty awesome. I mean, anyone Bambi hangs out with is pretty cool (read the blog. you'll understand.)

JM is heading to Burundi... this blog will be amazing to follow as he starts this crazy, unorganized, disjointed attempt at re-integrating female child soldiers back into society.

Go read. Have fun.

I'll post soon...

Random Me-ness

It's too late to put anything coherent together, but here are some fun thoughts/updates/randomness:

-- This week was the week of Spring -- the trees budded Monday, daffodils Tuesday, tulips Wednesday, magnolias somewhere inbetween...by yesterday the trees were almost all green... I want to tell it all to slow down so I can keep it longer!
-- Feeling loved moment of the week: my favorite professor showed a music video of one of my favorite tango groups in class in honor of me! (Gotan Project listen!)
-- If you want to see a fantastic dance company, check out Alvin Ailey. I went last weekend and it was an aa-mazing experience. They're an 18 person, high-energy modern dance group with ballet and African influences.
-- For great poetry, check out Cesar Vallejo. He's a Peruvian poet from the Vanguardia era. I'm writing a paper on him, and he feeds my soul! His poetry breathes depth and compassion for humanity. He asks the hard questions of religion and God in the face of injustice, and makes beautiful use of language. You can read his stuff online or the book I'm reading of his is called "The Black Heralds."
-- Random countries/human rights violations I've been following lately: kidnappings in Haiti, Tibet activities, Zimbabwe elections and recent raid, inflation in Argentina.
-- Living Creatively Award of the Week goes to my roommate, who is going to work in a candy shop this summer and has a huge accordian on her bed that she's learning to play!

Big stuff on my mind: I graduate in two weeks... I want to learn how to cook Thai... I miss being in nature... I keep having teary moments thinking of not living with my roommate of 4 years... I heard Kevin Sites speak and it was super intense (author of In the Hot Zone -- check it out!)... I daydream about being able to read whatever I want after finals! The list of books will be posted...

Latin American Film Fest

If you're up for exploring the city this weekend, check out the Latin American Film Fest! There's a movie at Loyola Galvin Auditorium 6pm Saturday (tomorrow!). Or check out the calendar at:

http://www.latinoculturalcenter.org/