Olympic Book Tag

Shannon started it...

Then, Kristen and Kristen joined the fun...

And Rose...

And Bev...

And Jenn...

(and if there are others I'm missing, share them with me because I'd LOVE to read them!)

How could I pass up a post like this?

A Book I Loved from the First Page:  This is the first paragraph of the Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys:  "My mother's a prostitute. Not the filthy, streetwalking kind. She's actually quite pretty, fairly well spoken, and has lovely clothes. But she sleeps with men for money or gifts, and according to the dictionary, that makes her a prostitute."  I was immediately invested in the story.

Favorite Road Trip Book:  Violet and Finch explore their home state of Indiana through some adventures similar to a scavenger hunt in All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, but this book is about so.much.more than that.

A Book with a Good Love Triangle:  The love triangle of Ridge, Sydney, and Maggie is heart-breaking and well-written.  It's YA, and yes, there's some cheesiness, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover. 

A Book I Really Didn't "Get":  Sorry, not sorry.  To me, there is nothing sexy, attractive, or appealing about Christian Grey.  The believability factor was completely off the map for me with 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James.  I quit it with only 50 pages to go because I just did not care what happened.

A Book Set in the Summer:  Released under two different names, Vanessa Lafaye's Summertime (or Under a Dark Summer Sky) is set in the Florida Keys during 1935 Hurricane Season.  A book about relationships, duty, racism, love, small town dynamics, crime, life after war, death, a hurricane, and loss, there are just so many reasons why I loved this book.

A Book with a lot of Fighting/Bloodshed:  Don Winslow's epic saga portrayed in The Power of the Dog and it's follow-up, The Cartel is a realistic account of Mexican drug cartels and the "war on drugs".  Guess what.  There's A LOT of violence, fighting, death, and bloodshed in that world.  A lot.  Not for the faint at heart, but so, so good.

A Book with a lot of Plot Twists:  After reading I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh, this is what I had to say:  "You know when you're reading and think you've got it figured out...then you change your mind... then think 'well, maybe'... then you are completely wrong...then you are kinda correct, but there's a twist...then you've figured part of it out but it doesn't matter because the book is still so good? That was this book for me. I stayed up past my bedtime because I couldn't put it down."

A Book that Made Me Sob:  Others have listed this one as well, but I posted photographic proof that Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale did indeed make me sob black mascara streaks down my face.

A Slow Paced Book:  I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid is so slow that I almost quit it, and I don't quit books often.  Then, the last third of it (or quarter of it), it changed, picked up the pace, and I felt like I was watching a horror movie.

A Childhood Favorite:  The Poky Little Puppy is the book that I remember begging anyone and everyone to read it to me.  I loved it so much, I wanted to learn to read just so I could read this book.

A Book Featuring Animal(s):  The love I feel for The Thicket by Joe R. Lansdale is all about the cast of characters: a teenager who is chasing after a group of men who kidnapped his sister, Jack Parker, a charismatic "bounty-hunting dwarf named Shorty, a grave-digging son of an ex-slave named Eustace, and a street-smart woman-for-hire named Jimmie Sue" plus a wild hog that truly is a character all himself.

A Book I Struggled to Finish:  Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs - ** SPOILER ALERT ** This book and I didn't click. Sure, I could find the hilarity in the absurdity. But some of the severity of the dysfunction (particularly the graphic sexual abuse of a young teen boy by an adult, and the acceptance and encouragement by other adults for this "relationship" to take place) was so disturbing that I couldn't take the hiding behind humor and shock value as the only view presented.

A Book with a Great Friendship:  There is so much beauty to The Book Thief by Markus Zusak including both of Liesel's significant friendships: with Rudy and with Max.  A very close runner-up that is also WWII based is The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne and the friendship of Bruno and Shmuel. 

A Book that Actually Features Olympic Sports:  When I first created this list, I thought of The Book Thief for this category because Rudy idolized the great Olympian Jesse Owens.  But, the story of the friendships was much more important, so it went to the category above.  Then, I realized I had no rock bio in my list, and I read many rock bios.  In It's So Easy by Duff McKagan (bass player and founding member of Guns N Roses and other bands), he discusses at length the many tools he learned to fight addiction and excess.  One of the disciplines he practices is cycling. 

I've discussed almost all of these books in the past, but this was such a fun way to compile them in this post.  Won't you join in the Olympic Book Tag fun?  If you don't create your own post, then at least tell me at least one book for one category that you'd select.

"Love sees no color"

I thought I'd start the week sharing positivity and love.  Sounds good, yes?

Quick background story...after years of heartbreak, loss, and fertility issues, my cousin and her husband were blessed with the opportunity to adopt two beautiful girls, Olivia and Macy. 

Admittedly, I am stealing sharing some words from my cousin's facebook (with her permission) for this post of mine.  She has shared some beautiful, real life, heartwarming stories that I wanted to share with you.

This July, in the midst of racial tension with black suspects being shot and killed by police along with police being targeted, shot, and killed, Janna posted this picture and included these words:

"I'm adding a picture of my girls to show you that love sees no color. When I look at my girls I don't see them as black or white. I see them as God's precious masterpieces. Period. They are sisters, not by blood, but by heart! "

I couldn't have said it better myself.

At the start of the Olympics, Janna posted some pictures of Olivia with these words:

"We're watching the Olympic swimming coverage, and it's honestly one of my favorite sports to watch in the Olympics. So in honor of the USA swimmers, here's a few pics of our 2024/2028 Olympic hopeful swimmer."

Then, this happened..............Texas born girl, Simone Manuel, won a gold medal in the 100m freestyle!  As you may very well know, she made Olympic history when she did it too ~ the first African-American woman to win gold in an individual swimming event.  Simone has been quoted saying that she hopes she is an inspiration.  I'd say she sure inspired Olivia.  This is what my cousin had to say:

"So proud to watch her race last night, see her reaction to her gold medal win, and then listen to her give the glory to God! We recorded the race so Liv could watch it today. After the race was over I told Liv that Simone was the first black woman to win an individual event medal in swimming and how big of a deal that is. Liv excitedly said, "I'm a black girl!!!" ❤️ Yes you are, baby girl! Be proud of that!!! Love that Simone's a positive role model for our little swimmer."

To add to the beauty of this post...as I was typing it, a couple came in to design a ring.   One of the women was born in Zimbabwe.  As they are the midst of the design, my guy brings out black diamonds in princess cut.  Her eyes lit up.  She said..."so perfect for me because I'm a black princess!"

Yes, it will be a wonderful day when the color of someone's skin doesn't matter.  An accomplishment will be an accomplishment regardless of color, gender, race, sexuality, religion, or ethnicity.  But, while history is still being made and boundaries are being torn down, I'm all about celebrating it!

Thursday Thoughts vol.3

I posted a whopping two "Thursday Thoughts" posts in 2015 (one in April, the other in September).  Clearly, I'm consistent with this prompt.  I thought I'd give it another go. 

Apparently, this has made its rounds on the internet for a while, but this week is the first time I saw it.  Michelle may be my new hero.  She's one of them, at least.  Read this:  Woman has a romantic evening with her tinder date. Then he texts her to tell her she's fat  The guy claims that he doesn't want to sound like "a total knobhead".  He failed miserably.

Most of you know that I'm a book challenge junkie and that I'm almost always juggling several book challenges at once.  I'm smack dab in the midst of the one I host and have a few others going on as well.  But, I've received library notifications that two different books are waiting for me to pick up.  Neither book is for a challenge.  They are just books that I want to read.  Hooray for books!

Speaking of books, I got my hands on Karin Slaughter's new book in her Will Trent series.  Today, as my train pulled into the station, I audibly cursed.  I did not want to stop reading.  I'm at work now, and I really wish I was somewhere that I could read until the book is finished.  #KarinSlaughterFangirl

My guy and I watched a HBO produced documentary titled Silence in the House of God.  It details a history of abuse and corruption of Catholic priests and many in the hierarchy of the Church.  The story centers on sexual abuse that occurred over decades at a school for deaf children in Milwaukee.  I wept, and I couldn't stop crying for about 45 minutes straight.  I've stated several times that, in my opinion, crimes against children under the veil of religion has to be the worst criminal acts committed.  My heart ached for the victims.  And, my heart aches for all good, honest, devout, loving parishioners.  At a time in my life, I considered converting to Catholicism.  Still, when I go to church, I often attend a Catholic one.  The traditions and reverence are uplifting to me.  But, one can not deny the corruption that existed (and still exists), and the damage to so many innocent lives.  It breaks my heart. 

Helpful hint:  I gave Kristin this advice, and she said that it made sense and asked why weren't customers told this... Good point.  So, I'm passing along my "expert" advice.  (I'm not really an expert, but my guy is, and I've worked in the industry for 6 years.)  If you have a watch with a dead battery, get it changed promptly.  A dead battery that sits in the watch for months can corrode, rust, or release acid and cause more severe damage to your watch. 

I've got Olympic fever.  Previously, I wrote about Watching the Olympics as an Expat.  Y'all.  It's tough living in the times that Olympics results are splashed all over social media.  No longer am I sitting at home watching an event anticipating the judges' scores or the split second finish.  But...I shall not let that spoil some of the fantastic Olympic moments I've already witnessed. 

One of the greatest sports photos ever taken - Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty 

If Americans don't win, I'm happy when the Aussies do.

I miss watching gymnastics.  I miss it a lot.

Who runs the world?  Credit: Emmanuel Dunande /Getty

After the men's 4x100 freestyle relay, and the Americans winning gold, an Australian radio personality called them "Arrogant yanks!"  We had a minor twitter feud.

I'm referring to "Cate", an Aussie swimmer the night before who swam the final leg of the gold medal winning relay

But, we made up.

How adorable is this picture of Katie Ledecky getting an autograph from Michael Phelps ten years ago??

Shared by Good Morning America (H/T @darrenrovell | Ledecky Family)

I'm getting inked tomorrow.  In two places.  I've been wanting each of these tatts for years.  I found a female artist that is Sydney-based, and I'm obsessed with her work.  After 2 different appointments that had to be rescheduled, third time's a charm, right?!?  Be prepared for me to share many pics on various sites.  Not telling you what I'm getting yet.  You have to wait and see :)

New Bon Jovi tomorrow/Friday the 12th.  #jovigirlforlife

Happy Thursday, folks!

Olympics as an expat

After this twitter exchange with Alyssa, I was reminded about a post I intended to write (but didn't).  Seriously, how often does this happen??  Anyway...that post was/is about watching the Olympic Games as an expat.

 If I was an organized blogger, I'd schedule it around the time the Olympics start showing, but I'm not.  So, here it is:

I pride myself on not being an American that feels like "We are Americans.  We are the best.  No other country matters but us."  But, when it comes to the Olympic Games, I find myself being uber-American.  I want America to win all the medals.  I want the telecasts to show all the American events (especially when medals are involved).  But, if you live in another country, that doesn't happen.  Australians want to watch Australians.  Can you believe that?! 

Here's a few of the things that I discovered watching the Olympics while living in another country:

• You know those little mini stories and bios that usually pull at your heartstrings that feature a personal story about athletes?  If you're in Australia, they're about Australian athletes.  Duh.

  

  This gif depicts the first ever gold medal won by an Australian, and it is a regular feature story.

• You know those extremely entertaining sports that are the top priority for my viewing: gymnastics (Summer Olympics) and figure skating (Winter Olympics)?  Well, they aren't all that frequently shown here.  And when they are, they show the Australian competitors...who usually aren't medal contenders, so they don't often show the full coverage of gymnastics and figure skating.  I know.  It's a travesty.
  

• I have more to say about this topic.  My most favorite Olympics viewing moments are watching gymnastics and figure skating.  I love the combination of artistry and athleticism.  I love watching the athlete perform a routine, then anxiously await the judges' score.  I like that this fills entire nights of excitement, thrills, and even spills.  I like that the commentators are often former medal winners and Olympians.  I don't get this here.  This is what I miss the most for my Olympic entertainment. 
  

• The television coverage here highlights the Australian medal contenders and winners (understandably so).  Sometimes, Americans are in the events (particularly snowboarding in Winter and swimming in Summer).  I've lived here long enough to be happy for Australian winners, but I'll admit it, if they are competing against an American, I want the American to win gold, and the Australian to win silver.
  

• Medal ceremonies...those times that an athlete has won a gold medal and he/she is standing on the podium with his/her hand over the heart and singing "The Star Spangled Banner"...and the viewer gets goosebumps as the camera zooms in on the parents in tears and the crowd waving American flags...nope, you don't see that here. 
  

• Yes, when something monumental takes place, like beating a World Record or Michael Phelps being awarded the medal that makes him the recipients of the most medals of any Summer Olympian, it's just good journalism for that to be televised.  And, it is.  But, you don't get all the stories and interviews and feel-good American hoopla surrounding it (when you don't live in America).
  

• BIG events, like the "world's fastest man" or the 4x100m swimming relay are televised live.  But, living in a land with a timezone that rarely comes close to any timezone that the event is taking place, often the result gets "spoiled" by the time I watch it.  Unless I avoid all social media, news commentary, and turn off all alerts on my phone, I get spoilers.
  
  
  
  
  
   Do you watch the Olympics?  What's your favorite part of the Games to watch?