The launch

My summer break has begun and I've started to tackle my list of summer plans, starting with a Doctor Who marathon.

Spoilers... and for those who have no idea what I'm talking about, you may want to skip to the next section of this blog post.

Steven Moffat! You must be having fun because this season is slightly insane. Sometimes I miss the intensity of seasons 1 & 2. Season 6 is intense, but almost to the point of goofiness. Keeping me on the edge of my seat though--especially because of the future Doctor's death in episode one. I'm counting on you to fix that, Moffat. The Doctor must not die! I will be quite sad. The River Song twist was excellent. BUT WHO IS IN THE ASTRONAUT SUIT WHEN THE DOCTOR DIES??? Having it be River Song would be too simple...

I still miss the Christopher Eccleston David Tennant years.

Done being a nerd. Well, at least a sci-fi nerd.

I've finished two books from my reading list in the last two days. (Yes, a book a day keeps the doctor away.) The first book was Paper Towns by John Green. Have to admit I was a bit skeptical because it's the type of book my sister reads; and I haven't read young adult fiction in quite awhile. When I did read YA, it was always fantasy or sci-fi. But this year I discovered the vlogbrothers and nerdfighters. Whenever I asked anyone about John Green's books, I always received a favorable review. I chose Paper Towns because the title had the word "paper" in it (I know, I know. Being interested in office supplies is slightly unusual) and because there is a poem called "The Paper Poem" by Mary Fons. I knew that Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass plays an instrumental part in Paper Towns. Can't resist a little intertexuality.

I was pleasantly surprised by this charming book. Witty, entertaining and captivating. Also slightly reminded me of Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (possibly my favorite YA novel). Both deal with adolescent males who are taken with an interesting girl. Both look at how we see other people: how we know them and how we treat them. I loved how my impression of Margo changed as Q's ideas change. I loved that Margo is just a girl. And I loved that the book made me look at my own life and how I see people.. my friends, family, strangers: "What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person" (Green 282).

The other book was The Road of Lost Innocence by Somaly Mam. I've wanted to read her story since Cambodia, and I'm glad I waited until after the trip. Her words meant so much more. I could picture the places she described in my head. Places I'd visited. I cannot even imagine the mental and physical torture Somaly had to endure.. what so many still have to endure. My experience with Cambodia has taught me to not take the freedoms and control I have over my body for granted. Individuals trapped in sex trafficking/slavery are not so lucky. Breaks my heart. Cambodia has broken my heart. I want to do something, anything, to help fight this injustice.

Currently reading This Book Is Overdue!. I've almost finished. Been a slower read because the author's writing style is not my cup of tea.

So begins my summer. Alas, I think my baby (my rose plant) has officially died. I must get a new one. Still waiting on strawberries too. This terrible PNW weather has been deterring their growth.

To conclude, some pictures taken from our backyard by my sister: