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As I finally got around to uploading photos from January to current on Facebook, I realized that 2009 has already been a year to remember (although I don’t look photogenic in any of the moments!).
Yes, it’s true I have joined the ranks of the unemployed, but I’ve also been motivated and inspired to follow my dreams of launching a career in book publishing, started this blog which has become quite an enjoyable hobby, begun to really appreciate Chicago and all it offers, been to my first Bulls game, Cocokey Resort with three of my best friends, had the #1 bracket in my pool as of NOW (sorry, MSU, I bet correctly that UNC would pull off the win), started a volunteer relationship with a worthwhile organization (<3 to you, Open Books), been blessed with a baby nephew, and been lucky enough to have the love, support and enjoyment of a wonderful family and system of friends.
Alright, fine, I may be a little tipsy from watching the pathetic game that MSU just played, but I am thankful for all this year has already brought (I cannot believe Easter is this Sunday – time has flown by) and all it promises in the future. I hope you all enjoyed my Miller Lite induced ramblings (potentially found some inspiration yourself?), but hopefully this little nugget will serve as a reminder for the important things next time I get frustrated when job searching or waiting for spring to come to Chicago.
Heading home on the train tomorrow, looking forward to some quality MI time with the family and good books, while curled up in my favorite chair! Hopefully book reviews to come shortly… Hitting the “publish” button before I can overthink and delete this…
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One of the joys of not being employed full-time is the freedom I have with my days… Sunday, Monday, Thursday – they tend to be more open for me (of course I have my” blogations”, the news, keeping up on the latest trends, yoga…), and this freedom is really convenient in the event of a monumental event, like the birth of my new baby nephew, Alton Isaac! So, blessed that I am, I was able to travel a couple states away to meet the little critter yesterday.
That little set up is just to give you some perspective on my emotional state when I read the book I’m about to review (not just for you all to congratulate me on being an AUNT!), but I think I was feeling a little less stoic than usual.
Since Randy Pausch delivered his “Last Lecture” presentation on September
The Pausch family
18, 2007 at Carnegie Mellon, his advice and adages have swept the media, leading to a best-selling book. Presented after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, his focus is on “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.”
First off, I am very impressed that he really did achieve his childhood dreams – from the Nasa-esque “zero gravity” to working for Disney. It’s hard for me to even remember what I used to “dream”, other than living in a big city so I guess at least I accomplished something (along with the other 9.5MM people so I guess I’m not all that special). Regardless, in this book of advice on how to lead my life, the things that hit home with me were the more family-oriented musings, from winning the “parent lottery” (I completely relate to this one, as Pausch says, “I already had this incredible leg up in life because I had a mother and father who got so many things right.”) to his worry of how to convey his love to his young children after his death.
I found this book interesting, but wasn’t nearly as enamored with the message as I had planned to be. I harbor no doubts that Randy Pausch was a good man and a beloved husband and father (and teared up many times, but please refer back to paragraph 1 on my emotional state!), but I don’t think his advice was ground-breaking and doubt the impact would have been nearly the same had he not been terminally ill. He seemed a little full of himself (to be fair, he does acknowledge he tends to be a know-it-all), and mentions his salary more than I thought was appropriate, but he also seemed like an optimistic, friendly guy who was making the most of an awful death sentence.
Read this if: You’re in the “family” sort of mood, and are looking for a reminder to appreciate the people who love you and you love in return, and the time you have together.
Avoid this if: You have no interest in yet another “life lesson” book. In my opinion, “The Little Prince” is much more valuable.
- Title: The Last Lecture
- Author: Randy Pausch
- Publisher: Hyperion
- NovelWhore’s Grade: B-
RIP Randy Pausch, July 25, 2008
Ironically, after posting about “The Little Prince” yesterday I visited another of my favorite websites this morning, http://www.postsecret.com, and discovered I’m not alone in my adoration of this book.
Though I like to think I learned more during my four years at the University of Dayton (I think my parents would kill me if I told them my private-school education could be replaced with this $10 book!), I do offer this further proof of the powerful and inspirational message in the story.
I encourage all of you reading this to visit http://www.postsecret.com and find pieces of yourself in the secrets shared by others. The site is updated every Sunday.
Thank you for sharing, PostSecret!
Wow, I feel this blog is like a tattoo – once you get started it becomes addicting and you want to add more and more (while I have no tattoos myself, I’ve been told this is true…). I would like to send a big thank you to both Nick and Jaxibella, while I have no idea how each of you discovered my blog I am so excited you did!
As I sit here drinking coffee in my pajamas looking at the foggy day out my window, in awe of the www (world wide web), I think about what else I am willing to share. What immediately comes to mind is the sketch drawing I’ve been meaning to frame and hang on my wall for inspiration from Antoine De Saint Exupery’s “The Little Prince.”
My advice to you (and I tend to give decent advice, at least when my beer goggles aren’t in place at 2am) is to get out and buy this book. An even $10 at any book store (though I suggest supporting your local independent seller) it will change your life. A mere 85 pages, with pictures included, this is a story that will stick with you.
A life fable wrapped up in a cute fairy tale, this story encourages you to never just accept things at first glance and to always look deeper, both at the object and within yourself. Similar to Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” (we’ll look at that book another time), it encourages the reader to follow dreams and reminds each person to “never fully become a grown up” – quote courtesy of an old friend.
From the back of “The Little Prince”: “And the pilot realizes that when life’s events are too difficult to understand, there is no choice but to succumb to their mysteries.”
The Little Prince, enlightening on an abysmal Chicago day
- Title: The Little Prince
- Author: Antoine De Saint-Exupery
- Publisher: A Harvest Book, an imprint of Harcourt, Inc.
- NovelWhore’s Grade: A
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