A change of heart, mind and opinion

You know the saying 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder'? I think it's true, especially when you link it to 'moderation in all good things'. The first three days of reading the Twilight series was a huge disappointment because I dived in with preconceived ideas and totally immersed myself within the books. But then I had to stop reading because

1) I didn't have the fourth book and

2) I was sleeping over a friend's place Wednesday+Thursday.

I was forced to take a break, let my mind mull over the past 3 days and 3 books. I finally got my hands on Breaking Dawn (after reading tid bits in Borders+at my friend's house) today and have officially finished the series. Before today I had decided not to buy the rest of the series, now I my desire is the complete opposite. I had judged the books before I'd even read them, expecting the best story in the world, a story I had created myself during the 4-5 months of anticipation. A story which did not mirror Stephanie Meyer's.

My original motive in reading the series all those months ago was actually to gain some substance to my internal mocking of Twilight fans. I wanted to read it before I tore it to shreds. But then others like me (in mindset) read it and liked it. I began to think that maybe the crowd of teenage girls backing the series may of had some credibility to their claims, credibility which reached beyond Edward Cullen.

The lure of the unknown is what attracts me most to a book. I like surprises and experiencing new adventures. I like the build of suspense and mystery. Normally when I read a book it is in snippets as I normally would have school and people to deal with. I would be forced to take breaks and my mind would be able to weave its own theories. I did not allow that time with Twilight (what with the HSC over and no job). I read the books in close to one sitting (food, toilet, sleep and family breaks being the exceptions). What I'm trying to say is that I did not really give the books a chance. I expected one thing and was determined to gain that one thing all in one go. To all out there, that is not how a book should be treated. They're a bit like people. You shouldn't judge them before you've gotten to know them, neither would you try to find out everything about them all in one shot- for it is over time that you better learn the true nature of a person.

Over all the whole point of this post is to say that I'm going to read the series over, the way it should be read. Over time and with moderation.

confessions, revelations and mysteries

ok, I do like Alice, Carlisle, Esme, Angela, Charlie, and I was rooting for Jacob Black until he started going a bit jerky in book 3. Jasper and Emmet are pretty cool too. Even Rosalie in her own way. Now I see...I like the supporting characters better than the main protagonists. Who would've guessed?

Question: what is love? True love?

Catch up on my current state of nothingness

New Moon was definitely interesting and it nearly killed me when I was called for dinner and Family Home Evening, just as Bella notices Laurent's red irises. I was not impressed and I swear my darling family drew everything out that much longer just to see my pain and suffering. (ironically enough, we actually got to play a fun game in FHE for once. But it still did not ease the suspense my mind was going through). Eclipse was average. I went to Borders today to read Breaking dawn. But I could not. 48 mins, pg 178, I had to return it to its shelf. And no it was not because a member of the staff asked me to. I just could not stand it. This wasn't the direction I wanted the series to go in at all. The more I read of the series the more I realise that maybe my favourite book was the very first one-when everything was innocent and uncomplicated. It's also very hard to like a series when you do not like main character. This rips and tears at my soul. I so very much want to say it's the best series in the world, but I can not even add it to my list of favourites. Instead of it filling a hole, it left one bigger. I shall finish the fourth book, but not now. not now.....I guess spending the last 2 days of my life immersed within a world of vampires and werewolfs leaves one totally drained. Maybe I should return to the real world for a while.

On an up note. I learnt how to make paper today from the inside of the dust jacket of the new Oliver Jeffers book, The Great Paper Caper. I also used up a lot of yellow post-it notes in the attempt to fill my hole. But the best bit...I bought Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food cookbook (valued at $71.50) for a mere $2.50. That's right. It's amazing what a 50% special and two book vouchers courtesy of my late high school can do to slash a price down. It is seriously the best cook book in the world. It is also the first cookbook I have ever bought. I am going to learn to cook. cook really really well. I shall be putting it to the test in Port next week. Can't wait to try it out for everyone in our crew.We may even have to pop in and say hi to Stan when we buy the ingredients.

Well after 5 months, I've read Twilight....

I just finished reading Twilight. and for me it is a paradox. It is not what I expected yet exactly how I thought it would be. I now know one thing. I can not align nor call myself a fan. For me, the books which I love and cannot put down are multi-layered-plural storylines all intertwined for some greater purpose. My mind going crazy over the possibilities for each character. I like it when love grows from the story and not the story from the love. I like it when the main protagonists have purposes in the greater scheme of life-not wholely absorbed in their own little worlds. I could happily go about having only read one Twilight book, as I simply cannot see how Stephanie Meyer can continue the story-but that is also the reason why I want to read the next 3 books. I want to see what she can do with the minimal threads and characters crafted and set in place in book one. I like books which change my way of thinking/outlook on the world-making me a better more three dimensional person. I was not surprised by the story, somehow already knowing how it would turn out. I was disappointed that James' character was not developed and ended very quickly-for I found him the most interesting of all the characters. I do not think Twilight is a bad book, merely 2D and not the cliff-hanger I longed for after all these months of waiting. I enjoyed resisting the temptation to read it during the HSC more than the book itself. I feel apathetic-unchanged. I also like books where female protagonists are empowered and get to wear the pants at least for a little while. But saying all this I am about the read the second book and cannot wait to see the movie. As I said...it is a paradox in which I am swimming.

bruises

I have always looked down upon guns as mindless, skill-less mass killing machines. Today I had my first taste of paintball and discovered I like shooting people, running, hiding, being shot at....It was AMAZING!!!! and I scored some sweet bruises-the best being on my thigh and shaped like a love heart.

post formal blues

well here I am creating my first blog because I actually arrived early for touch and had time to spare.