'Tennessee calls my name from the horizon...'

I will be returning to the city my heart deeply loves in 2 weeks. Nashville, here I come!

Stops will be made at: Fido (best coffeeshop in the entire world), The Phunky Griddle (where you make your own pancakes), Whole Foods (because I want to see Nicole & Keith like my sister's friend did), The Village Chapel (sister's church), Merridee's Breadbasket (best sandwiches...ever), and Athens (go Greek!).

Home is where the heart is.

**The title to the post is a lyric from my friend Zach Hendricks' song 'When She Sings'. Download his album on iTunes...you'll love it!

Don't get 'Lost' in the 'Fringe' and be sure to study 'Grey's Anatomy' before going into 'Private Practice'....

This post is to shamelessly plug the television shows that I love. If you've known me long at all, I'm sure I've initiated some form of conversation with you regarding pop culture, more specifically television shows. I love pop culture. I really do. And always have.

I have very clear memories and nostalgic feelings related to the movies and television shows I watched as a kid. I think it had something to do with the fact that my uncle worked for a video distribution company and we were constantly getting HUGE shipments of all these movies. Literally, movies overflowed out of our "playroom" when I was younger. And I, the young impressionable child, was forever addicted to the medium of the talkies, both the big and small screen versions.

I like this idea of a list because it allows for multiple posts. This post will be dedicated to the current television shows I love. Posts to come: back-in-the-day favorite shows, current favorite movies, and back-in-the-day favorite movies.

*Disclaimer: These are not in any particular order. I just can't decide which I like better.

LOST

One word: ridiculous. This show is incredible. It's like watching a giant puzzle be put together while you're all the while trying to guess the next move. The theological overtones are so fun to think through, the character development is smart and thorough, and the plotline is always surprising. Excellence, folks.

Grey's Anatomy

While I can't say that I'm very fond of the moral road taken by most of the characters on this show, I will say that their character development is equally excellent. I also have to give props to GA for the vast array of surprising medical knowledge I've acquired. I'll never forget the day my sweet labor & delivery nurse friend, Meredith (see previous post), was shocked by the fact that I knew what 'pushing rounds of epi' meant. Shocked. She was even more shocked to find out that I'd learned it from a TV show. Who says you can't learn anything from television?

American Idol

I've been a faithful follower of this show since season 4, the season in which Carrie Underwood ruled the stage. I think I was officially hooked the night she belted out 'Alone' by Heart like it was no big deal and absolutely NAILED every note. I thought to myself, "Oh okay, these people are serious." I'm pretty sure I re-watched that performance about 127 times. Ever since, I'm pretty much an AI trivia machine. Go ahead...try to stump me...

Private Practice



















The only reason I watch this show is because Addison, played by Kate Walsh, was my favorite character on Grey's Anatomy (see above). When she left to have her own show, pulling a Seinfeld, I had to follow. Watching the character of Addison makes me want to be very, very good at my job. The girl straight up dominates the neo-natal scene. It's very fun watching a woman have utter authority in her profession and owning every second of it...or at least pretending to on screen...

24

It is all about Jack Bauer. You're in a burning bus. Who do you want around? Jack Bauer. You're being held hostage. Who do you want scouting the situation? Jack Bauer. Terrorists are attacking. Who do you want in charge? Jack. Bauer. The man is unstoppable and it is oh-so-fun to watch!

Fringe




















This is my newest favorite. I really didn't get into it until this summer (thank goodness for Hulu!) and was absolutely sold after about 3 episodes. Creepy weird parapsychology mixed with cute Joshua Jackson...who doesn't want to watch that?!

So You Think You Can Dance

Now that everyone else if finally beginning to understand the brilliance of this show (it's won 2 Emmy's!), it has been moved from the summer line-up to the fall, essentially becoming Fox's fall version of American Idol. The dancers are absolutely phenomenal and the choreography is out of this world. Seriously. It will blow you away. This past season saw the triumph of Jeanine, with my favorite Brandon taking second. We saw issues such as breast cancer and addiction addressed. 2 more Emmy awards...mark my words. And Cat Deeley, the host, makes Ryan Seacrest look like an awkward schoolboy. Her genuine connection with the dancers is so endearing and very pleasant to watch.

Those are some of my current favorites. What do you love?

A Seperate Peace

Okay all, back to a book review. Next up: 'A Seperate Peace' by John Knowles.

For some reason, ever since high school I had always wanted to read this book. In freshman engligh we were assigned a differenct classic in group of 3 or 4 to read and discuss together, then present to the class. I, unfortunately, was assigned 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley. I will not be reviewing that book on this blog. I hated it. For my 14-year-old mind, reading about babies being mass-produced in test tubes was not appealing. However, when my friends who read this book by John Knowles presented, my interests were drawn.

This book is about 2 boys at a boarding school during WW2. (I know you're starting to sense the theme, here...) I don't what it was about their presentation of the storyline, but it always seemed interesting and I made a mental note to read it at some point in my lifetime. Well, that point has now come and gone.

I read this last month and thought it was pretty good. I'm certainly not going to do it justice after the many reviews it's received. After all, it's a classic. If I'm being honest, there were definitely times that I was bored. I know that I was supposed to be soaking in all the literary elements that I am sure were used masterfully by Mr. Knowles, but I just wasn't diggin' on it. For me, there was too much description of landscape, too much of the psychological elements occurring being left up to interpretation by the reader. I don't want to interpret, John. I want you to delve into the deep psychological issues you're hinting at and really give me something gripping to think through. I don't want to have to guess at what your alluding to. Sorry.

I'm sure that's very anti-literature appreciation of me, but that's kind of how I felt as I read along. Don't get me wrong, the story was great. There were just some things I felt like yelling at the author in the process of reading it. All in all, I will say that this would be one that would be better read alongside other people. I feel discussion would greatly aid in one's appreciation of this work.

Bookmarks: 3 out of 5

Perils of the Job Search

Well folks, the perils of the job search continue. I must admit that either hearing 'no' or actually never hearing back from anyone at all has left me feeling a bit like this little girl: upset, crying, and in general wondering what's going on.

Now, I understand that I'm trying to find a new job at something that I'm new at in some of the worst economic times in recent history, perhaps in my own lifetime. I get that. Many people have felt it necessary to remind me of this fact. But, let me just say this: it's not really that comforting. Why is that, do you ask? Because peeps won't even call me back. Because of this, my lack of new job status can't be about me blowing an interview, offending the interviewer, or royally putting my foot in my mouth. I haven't even been given the chance to do any of those things and I'm still without a job with the word 'counselor' or 'therapist' in the title. And all this because of the stupid economy? Not comforting.

Did that sound a little bitter? I do apologize. I don't mean to be. I'm just blowing off a little steam. It was just this morning that yet another position that I applied for was filled. A position that I applied for, followed up regarding, and yet never even spoke to an actual person about. The little robotic lady at their HR number and I had fun little conversations, but at the end of the day, she's not the one giving out the jobs.

I do trust that one day the Lord will provide a job in the field that I attended school for, but until that day, maybe I'll go learn how to be a scuba instructor or something...

Something New, Something Different...

My dear, sweet friend Meredith informed me yesterday that when I would start writing about something other than books, she might start reading my blog. Now, if you know Mer at all, you know she hasn't got one malicious bone in her body, and that she was quite obviously joking because of the following reason. She's not a fan of reading, much preferring to do anything and everything related to engaging with people as opposed to sitting quietly engrossed in paper with words on it. Because of this, reading a bunch of blog posts about books, regardless of how much she loves her friend, is about as fun as having, oh, a root canal or something. Therefore, in an effort to both a) attract more readers and b) break up the repitition of the book reviews, I've decided to do something new, something different. Mer, this post is for you, girl. No book talk in sight.

The beauty of doing book reviews is that it allows me to think creatively in how to craft the sentences without having to actually generate creative ideas. Because my life for the last 3 months or so has been a great deal of monotony and boring routine, I struggle to find any life events that are really very blog-worthy, if you will. So, I decided to make a list. Lists are fun. Lists allow for the witty.

Here goes. List numero uno. (See Mer, I know a little, or un piquito, of spanish...)

Top 10 Places I Want to Travel to Now That I Am No Longer A Student...

10. Nashville
If you have ever had a conversation with me regarding future life plans, you know that this is where my heart is. The only reason it's number 10 is because I've been many times and it will remain a constant on the list, no matter how many times I go. I'm always asked, "Why Nashville?" and "What's so special about Nashville?". My answer: I have no idea. It just feels like home to me.

9. Greece
This is for 2 reasons: the food and the white washed houses on the cliffs. I mean, seriously. Who doesn't want to eat some awesome lamb while overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean from one of those white-washed restaurants?! This girl most certainly does.

8. Ireland
The movie P.S. I Love You is to blame for this one. The panoramic shots in that movie of the beautiful Irish countryside were so breathtaking that I cried during the movie. I want to go there, go to one of the pubs, get a glass of Guinness (although I probably won't like it, but hey! you're in Ireland!), and take alot of pictures. And maybe learn the accent...

7. Jerusalem
Quite simply, I want to see it. I want to see all the places that I've spent years studying and reading about. I want to understand the significance of things to a more fundamental level by seeing these places with my own eyes. I want to see the garden, I want to see the road He carried the cross down...I want to see it.

6. London
London, baby!! Many things here are appealing in the land across the pond. I want to have English tea, go see if I can find Diagon Alley because I'm sure the Harry Potter people really do exist, go to Notting Hill and take my picture with the scenes from the movie, see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben...the list could go on. I've heard London's awesome.

5. Milan
I have roots in Italy (laugh it up, Mer :) ) and would love to see the Motherland. I'm jealous because my sister has already been on a tour of Italy and I've yet to place on toe in the place. I don't know why Milan first...I kinda want to see all the fashion stuff too...

4. Austria
"The hills are alive with the sound of music...." The Sound of Music tour. Easily one the things I want to do most right now. I was just telling my mom the other day that I remember the day she got "The Sound of Music" in the mail as a gift from my uncle. I think I might have been 5 or 6. No lie, ever since then, my love of that movie has remained a constant. There were many days in college spent studying to the backdrop of Julie Andrews singing "Doe, a deer, a female deer, Ray, a drop of golden sun..." I just want to be there and soak it all in. And I also want to see WW2 spots, but more on that later.

3. St. John
I will say that I have already been to the number 3 spot, but it was that wonderful to be named again on the list. I was 13 the last time I went and I think now at 25 I would have a much greater appreciation for the relaxation potential encapsulated in that tiny island. And you won't find better seafood. I mean, whoa! It is right outta the water good. The freshness of the fish mixed with the bursts of flavor in the fruit make for an unmatched combo.

2. New York City
I literally could go on and on and on and on.....about all the reasons why I want to visit this fantastic city. I feel like I've been there already since NYC has become a character in and of itself in pop culture. I want to go see musicals on Broadway and be moved to tears, go eat at restaurants by Bobby Flay and Gordon Ramsay, visit places that were in movies like 'You've Got Mail', '2 Weeks Notice', and 'Sleepless in Seattle,' go to the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, the Twin Towers Memorial. The list could continue. I've heard NYC is a magical place unlike anywhere else and I can't wait to experience it for myself.

And now, for the #1 spot, the spot that if someone just gave me money and said "Go anywhere" I would choose.....

1. Amsterdam
If you read my previous post or if you know me well, you know of my life-long fascination with the Holocaust, most specifically the Frank family and the Secret Annex in Amsterdam. The Frank family, the Van Pels family , and Fritz Pfeffer all hid in an attic of Otto Frank's office building in Amsterdam. That attic has been turned into a museum, containing memorabilia from the Frank family and still boasting Anne's original wall hangings of all her favorite film stars of the time. Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to see these small crowded rooms in person. One day I'll go and see it. And I might buy some wooden shoes. And some pretty tulips. Holland's famous for them and they're my favorite!

There you have it. My top ten. Just thinking about all these places makes me anxious to travel. Soon and very soon.

So I'm curious. What are your top 10?

The Hidden Life of Otto Frank

If you know me well, you know that I have an intense fascination with the Holocaust, particularly the story of the Frank family. I remember as a young girl in elementary school reading Anne's diary and any other book I could find about her. I think it was hard for my little 10-year-old brain to comprehend that a girl just like me had to hide in one room with her whole family for 2 years, only to die in a concentration camp 3 weeks before the Allies liberated their camp. At this point, my 25-year-old brain is still captivated by the story and will read anything that will shed more insight into the lives of these extraordinary people.

Next up: 'The Hidden Life of Otto Frank' by Carol Ann Lee.

I happened upon this book one day on one of my random Barnes & Noble stops. I don't remember what I was looking for, but I just happened to see this one. I pulled it off the shelf and was instantly mesmerized by the claim that was made on the back of the jacket. This book was going to reveal the name of the person that had betrayed the Frank family, something I had been curious about for 15 years. Naturally, I immediately went to the cash register and bought it. Due to the crazy work load of my last semester of seminary, I was only just able to read this book a few weeks ago, but it was well worth the wait.

From the moment I began reading, I was completely engrossed. I hadn't ever read much about Otto, Anne's father, seeing as most of the literature about their family is focused solely upon Anne. However, this book proved to be an absolutely fascinating read, providing much needed background and insight into family dynamics from an adult perspective that helped to understand significance of events that I had read about previously in other books. The book begins with Otto's childhood in Germany and follows him through his life at a rather quick pace, slowing to really dig in after the family moves to Amsterdam in the 1930's when Hitler was rising to power in their native Germany.

The story follows Otto through his entire life, including very closely detailed accounts of his time in Auschwitz and his journey back to Holland after the war was over. Through all of it, a man named Tonny Ahlers plays a very key role, as it seems he blackmailed Otto Frank from very early on in the war until seemingly the day he died. Ahlers was a well-known anti-Semitic and friend of the German occupiers in Holland, well know in Amsterdam for betraying Jews he knew to be in hiding. Throughout the book, it would seem that Tonny Ahlers was the man who betrayed the Frank family, knowing early on about their hiding place and only letting them stay in order to continue to blackmail Otto. However, the final chapter in the book drops a starting bombshell, revealing that the person that called the SS that day in August of 1944 to betray the Frank family was actually a woman. That woman was Tonny Ahler's wife.

If you are at all interested in WW2, the Holocaust, or history in general, read this book. It's fantastic.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 bookmarks

The Book of Fred

Interesting story, this book. This interesting cover has been on my bookshelf for no less than 4 years and quite possibly many more. I bought in on one of my many Barnes & Noble binges (one of my very favorite things to do) and have just never gotten around to reading it. I must admit...there are many books in my bookcase with a very similar history. Let's just say I'm working on it.

Next up: 'The Book of Fred' by Abby Bardi.

This book was not at all what I expected. With a cover like this, I expected some quirky, loveably odd book about...I don't know...fish? And possibly fish named Fred. Wrong. Believe it or not, this book is about religious cults and the effect they have on people. I know, I know....seriously?! Yes, seriously. Let's just say the jacket illustrator took some of the most random elements in the story and put them together to make a catchy cover...regardless of if is insightful into the storyline. Whatever.

The book is about a girl named Mary Fred. Her last name isn't really Fred, but everyone in their cult has to have the name of Fred somewhere in their own name, as it was the name of their founder. The book begins with Mary Fred and her many siblings being taken away from their parents as their parents are incarcerated for neglect after 2 of their children die. All of their children are then put into the foster system. The bulk of the story from this point is about Mary Fred adjusting to life outside a cultic atomosphere, including watching television and shopping for the first time at 14 years old.

The family she lives with consists of a sweet woman who works in the library, her daughter who is the same age as Mary Fred, and the mom's drug-addicted brother. The chapters are broken up to be taken from the point of view of each of the different characters, producing a very well-rounded perspective of the events taking place. This is where the real charm of this book is located. Observing the relationships built between Mary Fred and each of the members of the household is both endearing and intriguing as Mary Fred slowly assimilates into the life of a normal 14 year old girl.

The end of the book provides some real suspense as Mary Fred's mother is released and attempts to take her to the new cult she has joined, but comes full circle back to the foster home that has officially become Mary Fred's home. In the end, I was surprised by this book. It was far different from what I had expected and raised some good questions about needing to know why we believe what we believe.

I'm going to implement a new rating system, if for no other reason than my own entertainment.

'The Book of Fred': 3.5 out of 5 bookmarks