YALIT/Crit

Summer Reading

Hello.  It's me again.  I just finished The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.  A great story.  It's very easy to read and it's very interesting to read something being told by a young teen who has autism.  It was neat following his train of thought, which is very precise, because that is the way he needs everything - precise and orderly.  I would recommend this novel.  It's a quick read.  The ending is not overly suprising, but it ends the way it should.  My next novel will either be The Misfits or King Dork - whichever title comes in to the library first, both were recommended by classmates.  I'll keep you posted (I am not sure I am talking/writing to anymore, but that's okay).  Does anyone have any other recommendations?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller?.......

SUMMER READING

It appears that everyone is busy enjoying their summer vacation.  I thought I would check in and see how everyone is doing so far this summer.  I am almost done reading a silly book by Bruce Coville.  It's titled My Teacher Fried My Brain.  I chose it because I had heard so much about this author.  It is really quite silly, but there seems to be a hidden (perhaps not so hidden) message about education.  I know this book isn't quite up to the level of what we read over the spring semester, but it is entertaining.  As we discussed in class, if it gets kids to read - then that is what should matter.  So, I can see where this author's books would get kids to read.  It's just goofy enough.  Anyways, that's all I have for now.  I still haven't decided what to read next. 

Prof. Stearns, I am wondering about the reading list for 506.  I do have a bit more spare time now and I wouldn't mind getting started for the fall.  No news on a job yet, but I am not worried.  I am going to enjoy my time with my daughters for now.  Talk to you all soon.

It's Official-- I'm Married!

That's right, folks, I got hitched. Jonnathan and I were married in Key West on Wednesday, June 13 in an almost unfathomably snag-free ceremony/reception. Nothing went wrong, everything was on time to the minute, which I attribute the fact that I am and always was the antithesis to the hyper and psychotic bridezillas of the world. We had a great time during our stay in Key West and, most importantly, our families got a chance to get to know each other and have a blast together. I've got over 700 photos of the trip and tons more professional photos of the wedding that I'll be receiving in the coming weeks, so I'll be sure to share them with you all when I get them.

Jonnathan and I wasted no time after getting home super late on Friday--we've been moving into our new, quiet, freshmen-free apartment since Saturday. Three days later, we're still moving stuff. Almost done! And we leave for our honeymoon in Spain on June 30. Busy, busy! I miss you all and hope you're doing well!

 

Chinese Revolutions

I hope all of you are well and enjoying your vacation. The sun isn't shining in California the way it should be but I'll take it anyway I can get it. I have been doing some research that I thought I might share with you. Just check out how many revolutions China has had since 1911!

1) Xinhai or  Republican Revolution 1911-1912, began with the Wuchang Uprising on 10 October and ended with the abdication of the emperor Puyi on Feb 12

2) Second Revolution 1913, seven southern provinces rebelled against Yuan

3) Constitutional Protection War or Third Revolution 1917-1922, A series of movements led by Sun Yut-Sen to resist the Beiyang gov. between 1917-1922 in which Sun re-established another gov. as a result

4) Northern Expedition or Nationalist Revolution 1926-1928, Main objective was to speed up the Chinese revolution against feudalism and imperialism plauging China after the Republican Revolution and the attenpt to unify China under the Nationalist banner by ending the rule of the local warlords.

5) Chinese Civil War 1927-1950, which led to the founding of the People's Republic of China also known as the Communists Revolution.   National Party vs.Chinese Communist Party

6) Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution 1966-1976, In the People's Republic of China was a struggle for power within the Communist Party of China, which grew to include large sections of Chinese society and eventually brought the entire country to the brink of civil war.

7) Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, were a series of demonstrations led by students, intellectuals, and labor activists in the People's Republic of China. People were critical of the Chinese Communists and many had started to call for a democratic government.

I know you may wonder why you should care but I found it interesting to see all the radical changes that this country has undergone in just under 100 years. Nationalist Party fought Communists party and then Communist Party is divided within itself. It may be another revolution for a democratic government if enough people are willing to fight, powerful!

Martin Pig

I wasn't sure which category to put this under because we said we would continue book club chats over the summer, yet this began from seminar.  Well, I just finished Martin Pig by Kevin Brooks as recommended by Joe from his seminar on this author.  I truly enjoyed it. It's a very quick, easy read.  It was one of those novels you can read without having to think to much, just a nice read.  For me, it was like watching an episode of Diagnosis Murder, you think you know what is going to happen, yet you are not quite sure.  There were a few surprises, but not as many as I would have liked.  However it wasn't too complicated.  Sometimes mysteries are so confusing that the reader gets frustrated and gives up.  Martin Pig is a novel I would recommend to junior-high level students.  I haven't decided if my next novel will be The Misfits as a follow-up from the Lit. Circle on Totally Joe or King Dork which was recommended during a book club chat at the beginning of the semester.  I know you are all on the edge of your seat waiting for this big decision, so I shall let you know soon - very soon.  I do have some grading that I should be doing first, though.  I hope you are well.

I Joined a Rock Band...

I have been doing a few things to keep busy this summer. I joined up with a metal band in second life, I enjoy rocking out at the club and making tee shirts for the group. After they logged off for bed (it was midnight in Italy), I went on a Young Goodman Brown walk with a Community College literature class. My partner for the class and I won the prize of 1000L, which we donated back to the class. Afterward, I visited their Edgar Allen Poe house. It has a thumping tell tale heart under the floorboards. I have done a few things in real life too... I finished reading "What Happened to Lani Garver," which Amanda let me borrow over the summer. I was up most of last night reading "A Child Called It," and "The Lost Boy" at the Laundromat. I have had quite a few ideas last week for my novel which I plan to work on again soon after jury duty tomorrow.

HI, Dr. Stearns and All,

I am safely home now. I have had such special experience during my trip:

There was a 8-month -old baby, whose mom tried to make suicide, and couldn't survive in New York City illegally with the baby. Now the baby was handed to a stranger three hours before the flight departure. She cried from 12:00pm to the time we boarded the plane at 5:00pm at the waiting room, then  she cried for another 13 hours's on and off  on the plane, which broke my heart. I changed my seat fro A17 to G29 in order to take care of her. So during my 13 hours, I walked her from the front of the plane to the back most of the time, and I weeped a lot for her. She had serious diarrhea , so I had to change her diaper frequently. Another doctor degree Chinese girl is helping. This little star won my heart and many mother's hearts. She  chased away my fear of flight. I have never loved a infant so much other than my own babies. It's hard for me to be apart from her who will meet her grandmother, a new face, at the Beijing airport. I only wish God protect her.

I stayed in Beijing for two days at my former high school classmate' home, and I was shocked to see his home condition which was shabby compared with his position, the youngest doctor in the Chinese Dept. of Beijing University. He has 9 doctor students and 12 graduate students. I suggest him to do some kind of business outside school work. During those two days, I visited the Palace,of course, I took lots of pictures. I can attach some to you later.

I have all kinds of appointments booked by now--friends and relatives. Every single evening  somebody will invite me to eat outside. My family concerns about my health because they say I look much thinner than I was in China. My mother's goal for me is to add 5- 10 lb during my two months' stay. :) It is nice to feel to be loved and cared again after all I have experienced in America. I will visit my engineer brother's million-dollar new home. My another job is sleeping well and shopping crazy like before.:) Ok, hope your summer is as wonderful as mine. I am so happy now. Enjoy your time with your family.

American Library Association Best Picks for YA's

Here's their 2007 list. You'll see familiar titles but also a few "new" ones. I had considered including "Surrender." Read about this controversial title.

2007 Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults

Anderson, M.T. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume 1: The Pox Party. Candlewick, 2006. $17.99. (0-7636-2402-0; 9780763624016).

Gratz, Alan. Samurai Shortstop. Penguin Group USA/Dial, 2006. $17.99. (0-8037-3075-6; 9780803730755).

Hartnett, Sonya. Surrender. Candlewick, 2006. $16.99. (0-7636-2768-2; 9780763627683).

McCormick, Patricia. Sold. Hyperion, 2006. $16.99. (0-7868-5171-6; 9780786851713).

Sayres, Meghan Nuttall. Anahita’s Woven Riddle. Abrams/Amulet, 2006. $16.95. (0-8109-5481-8; 9780810954816).

Smelcer, John. The Trap. Henry Holt, 2006. $15.95. (0-8050-7939-4; 9780805079395).

Turner, Megan Whalen. The King of Attolia. HarperCollins/Greenwillow, 2006. $16.99. (0-06-083577-X; 9780060835774).

Werlin, Nancy. The Rules of Survival. Penguin Group USA/Dial, 2006. $16.99. (0-8037-3001-2; 9780803730014).

Yang, Gene Luen. American Born Chinese. Roaring Brook/First Second, 2006. $16.95. (1-59643-152-0; 9781596431522).

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. Random House/Alfred A. Knopf, 2006. $16.95. (0-375-83100-2; 9780375831003).

I will miss you guys

My flight is tomorrow at JFK, and I will take the Short Line bus to New York City at 6:10 tomorrow morning. I hope that I can still use both my Yahoo account and this blog in China. If so, I will post some interesting stuff happening over there. I will miss you all. Enjoy your summer.

For TWILIGHT Fans

I thought you'd be interested in this list from Florida Teens Read of favorite teen pics from the sunshine state. TWILIGHT was chosen as number 1!