Puppets Rock Out to the Christmas Story

This morning at church we had our annual children's end-of-year presentation. Each Sunday School group presents an item, then each of the children are given a small (book) gift to celebrate the end of another successful year.

Alana received Sophie's Encore by Nancy Rue.

From the back of the book: "How can God let bad things happen? Sophie's baby sister, Hope, is born with Down syndrome, and the Flakes dis her over an annoying new girl. Even her research as medical expert Dr. Devon Downing won't fix things, but Sophie learns love is at work even when she can't see it."

Josh got My Life as Crocodile Junk Food by Bill Myers.

From the back of the book: "Chased by thieves through roaring rapids, over a killer waterfall, and into the hands of primitive jungle natives! This isn't exactly what Dad had in mind when he took his son on a missions trip to the South American rain forest. But he should have known better. After all, we are talking about Wally-If-Anything-Can-Go-Wrong-It-Will-McDoogle."

The most entertaining part of the morning for me (sorry kids) was the showing of a video that someone had stumbled over on You Tube. I won't try to explain it, you just have to watch it.

Full Blast by Evanovich & Hughes

Full Blast by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes.

Borrowed from my local public library.

*** "Readable"

I've got one word to say about this book - trashy. Which is great, if you like that sort of thing. Which I usually do. I am a big fan of Evanovich's "By the Numbers" series (she's up to Finger Lickin' Fifteen). Sure, they're trashy, but the heroine is lovable, the love interests are interesting and there is plenty of humour. Full Blast's heroine, Jamie Swift, is a bit boring. I wasn't feeling it. The love interest, Max Holt, just didn't do it for me, and there were no laugh-out-loud moments.

Sorry folks, if you feel like an enjoyable, trashy read with a bit of romance (or just plain sex!), a bit of humour, and a mystery to solve, you'd be much better of with Stephanie Plum, or even Sookie Stackhouse.

Books I can't finish.

I've read posts on other blogs lamenting the inability to finish a particular book. And the debate on whether or not to force yourself to finish it, whether to write a negative review, or whether to follow Mum's advice and "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".

Lately I've been experiencing a bit of a reading slump; coming across no fewer than three books that I couldn't make it through. What's happened to me???

an Umbrian Love Story by Marlena de Blasi. Borrowed from my mother, who thought I might enjoy it.

Despite the fact that I couldn't finish this book, I don't think that it's terrible. Not at all. It's a lovingly written memoir, detailing life in country Italy through the eyes of an outsider.

de Blasi concentrates on the food, festivals, family life and architecture of the town of Orvieto, where she and her husband settle with the intention of buying a house and entertaining family and friends.

Sorry - I can't tell you how it all works out.

Capital Crimes by Faye and Jonathan Kellerman. Borrowed from my local public library.

I've read lots of books by both Kellermans in the past, and enjoyed them. What happened here?

This book is two long short stories, Nashville and Berkeley. I started with Berkeley, and couldn't get into it. So I flipped the book over, and tried Nashville, which I enjoyed. so I flipped again, tried Berkeley again, and still couldn't get into it.

The Enigma of Numbers by Lance Storm. Borrowed from my local public library.

I thought this book was a sure thing for me. I have a mathematics degree, I love "popular science" and am super interested in psychology, philosophy and human consciousness.

From the back of the book: "Quanlitative numbers are mysterious symbols, giving rise to puzzling patterns and uncanny coincidences. His journey takes us from Pythagoras, the ancient Creek mathematics and mystic, through philosophy, arcane religious symbolism and pre-science to the number archetype of the pshychologist C.G.Jung, which grounds this work."

It sounded good to me, but I just didn't find it readable. It was too dense, and too difficult for me.

So, that's my three failures. But never fear, I've got some more to try!

I am feeling a little bit tired - I had a busy weekend.

Firstly, at the moment it's all about the ballet concert. Every year at this time things get a little manic as we are thrown into a whirlwind of extra rehearsals, costumes, ticket-buying and photos. This year Alana's ballet class is doing Swan Lake - hence the photo above. THIS IS NOT HER, but her costume is fairly similar, and they have learnt the actual choreography of the traditional ballet! In addition, Alana has been chosen to be one of the four cygnets (baby swans) who dance their own special bit. Even if you know nothing about ballet, you probably know the dance of the cygnets. It's that one in which the four dancers cross and hold hands in front. The one that everyone tries to imitate. Quite the honour!

This weekend she had rehearsal on Saturday and photo day (in full costumes and makeup) on Sunday. We also had to make a quick trip to our nearest Bloch store to pick up a few bits and pieces, including brand new ballet slippers (the old ones had been painted so many times I think they had more paint than leather on them!).

Secondly, one of my flute students had her 4th grade exam today. Saturday was her last lesson and Sunday afternoon we travelled to Sydney to stay with my parents overnight because the exam was being held 9am in AMEB headquarters and we didn't want to have to leave home before dawn to get there! My Mum and Dad were super hospitable feeding us and putting us up for the night, as well as driving us into the city this morning and dropping us right out the front of the building.

Good news - my student got a solid pass in a technically challenging exam. Smiles all 'round!

So that's me for now...

My current favourite song!