Good Old Grammar

Earlier this week, I was speaking with a co-worker (yes, I now have co-workers–wahoo!) who has learned English as her second language, and knowing I was an English major she approached me with this question:

Which of the following is correct and why?

Your license has expired.

Your license is expired.

I have to admit I was a bit baffled. I told her I believed the first example to be correct, or at least more correct, but I couldn't explain why. She said she thought both were acceptable. In many ways, both are acceptable. I'm stumped and I can't find my grammar books.

Anyone....???

Thanks,
-a very ashamed English Major

Learning Illustrator

I've been trying to learn how to use a few other Adobe programs. Here's my first attempt in Illustrator:

Not too bad...right?

1, 2 and 3...Check!

I can now check The Hunger Games book series off my list of books to read. My friend, Alicia, recommended I read the first book a few years ago, but I was in school at that time and hardly had time to read what was required for class. The recent movie revived my interest and I read them together with my husband (he has a great voice for narrating). Here are my comments/reviews of all three books:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My first impression leads me to label the book as a definite teen read or mind candy--perhaps more of a negative connotation than intended. I sense that Collins intends to relay a message, but I find her attempt unsuccessful. According to the book jacket, the author's writing "[explores] the effects of war and violence on those coming of age;" the idea is blatant enough after reading the book, for the Hunger Games are games of violence for "those coming of age." The deficiency appears with the lack of message at the end of the book. Obviously the reader senses a negative vibe when contemplating the violence the kids go through, but I don't think Collins adaquately portrays the effects of the savagery until her third book Mockingjay. That being said, I did actually enjoy the book very much. In fact, I found myself sucked into the characters' lives and their world. I liked the book so much I forced Zac into reading the next book right away (I pretty much burned him out and had to read the third book on my own).

Catching Fire

Collins' second book in the series wasn't quite as interesting as the first, but just as before, I find myself stuck in the world of Katniss. Collins creates a fascinating future to consider. I would suggest that Collins' adeptness at writing in first person is best realized when contemplating which character, Gale or Peeta, Katniss should be with. Throughout Catching Fire (and The Hunger Games) Katniss flip-flops between the two characters. Ultimately, she wants to remain single, but she does feel tied to the two boys, but experiences confusion as to which one she truly feels the strongest emotions toward. The reader also feels confused and conflicted. Unlike other books where the author helps sway the reader one way or another, I felt I was in the very shoes of Katniss Everdeen and I couldn't decide which boy should be the one. I find that Suzanne Collins' ability to allow the reader to experience her characters' emotions expresses her skill at writing.

On another note, I was surprised that Katniss and Peeta ended up in a predicament similar to the first book (fighting again). Although I still didn't sense a clear message or point being made by the author, I began to feel the strain on Katniss--so much stress and pressure to succeed, yet not really knowing how or what to succeed at--and contemplated how the strain related to the violence inflicted upon her life.

One last thought about Catching Fire: The cliffhanger ending was a brilliant ploy to make the reader buy the next book, but frankly, it was just downright cruel.

Mockingjay

My first thought: chaos interspersed with dull reflections. However, Katniss did appear more human in this book (almost ironic as she is set on a pedestal as the symbol of the rebellion--the one who can withstand it all). Collins' finally starts to show how violence can take a toll on a person. Katniss, the unbreakable fighter, begins to crumble internally--emotionally. She hides her physical body in closets, etc., and tries to hide her inner feelings, but eventually they spill out uncontrolled. The violence she's experienced overwhelms her ability to thrive. An interesting dichotomy unfolds between the public and private personality. Although she tries to keep her personal thoughts and feelings away from the public eye, people register affection for her when they see glimpses of her true self. A lesson perhaps? Don't hide your true self; people seek out the real you--that's what makes you loved.

Overall, I believe this book has more depth than the other two books in the series. I would still suggest that the first, The Hunger Games, is the best of the three, but I'm glad I read the entire series. I am now prepared, and excited to go see the movie. I hope it lives up to the excitement of the books.

Pinewood Derby 2012

Tyson's little car did well this year, though it did worry us at first. His car was in the very first heat and lost. Luckily, the races were double-elimination, which gave Tyson's car (he nicknamed it The Stripe) one of more shot. When The Stripe was placed atop the shiny racetrack the second time, the graphite worked its magic and Tyson's car flew down the track. He began to win over and over again. In the end, he took fourth place–not too shabby. Tyson modeled, sanded, painted and assembled the car himself. So proud.

Check out the line-up of Tyson's present and past Pinewood Derby cars.

Amy the Slug

Doldrums, stagnation, inactivity

I have plenty to do, but little drive to accomplish anything. Was this lack of enthusiasm brought on by a restless night? No, not really. Am I sick? Nope. Has something depressing happened in my life lately? The contrary actually; we've finally found some good and consistent volleyball. In fact, Zac and I played doubles on the beach yesterday and I had loads of fun. So why am I feeling so low and sluggish today?

Finished Another

I recently finished reading, The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason (You can read a brief synopsis here). First thought: good book. The story centers around students studying an old renaissance manuscript–always intriguing. After reading this book, I want to pull out all my medieval/renaissance literature. The books of the past can be so fascinating. I loved learning about how they were made, what types of things were written down, and how books became special objects passed time from one generation to the next. Though The Rule of Four is more of a present-day mystery, it made me reflect on books of the past. The authors did their job though, because the plot was good enough to stay engrossed and I finished the entire book very quickly. I recommend it to all who need suggestions.

Acting the Tourist

I find it an interesting coincidence that I tend to explore more of my surrounding sights and scenes when someone comes for a visit. True to this idea, we transformed into Hawaiian tourists with the arrival of my in-laws, and checked out a multitude of places–all of which can be found in any good Oahu sightseeing brochure.

We walked around Waikiki and stopped for a picture at the Diamond Head lighthouse (pictures courtesy of myself and Melba Trimble),

visited Pearl Harbor,

hiked around and up to see the Makapu'u Lighthouse (did this often, occasionally accompanied by Flat Stanley),

visited Hanauma Bay,

trekked through the Polynesian Cultural Center,

explored the beautiful Japanese garden on the campus of the University of Hawaii,

gathered fallen Plumeria blossoms at the Koko Head Botanical Gardens,

had Hawaiian shaved ice, saw some beautiful cemeteries and visited many other beautiful beaches. By the end of their visit, we were all pretty tuckered out. It was a busy week, but I appreciated how their visit spurred us into learning that much more about where we now reside. I truly enjoyed their visit.

Now, I'm looking forward to the next bunch of visitors so I can enjoy another new sightseeing tour. After all, there are still parts of the North Shore I haven't yet explored.