YALIT/Crit

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.