Bookshelf: Twilight Saga

I just finished reading the Twilight saga. I started last Friday, and finished late last night (Thursday). I'll admit I got completely sucked in. It's not so much the love story or the adventure, but Stephenie Meyer manages to pull me along, sometime begrudgingly. About 2.5 books into reading, though, I realized my biggest issue with the novels: Bella. I do not like the heroine.

She is one of the most selfish, whiny, reckless, foolish, manipulative and inconsistent characters I have ever read. Her love for Edward is both her strongest trait and her biggest vulnerability. Often, I was disgusted by her inability to see things clearly and put those she loved first in a practical way, not some self-sacrifice that wouldn't wind up doing anyone any good and just get her into worse trouble/harm. Those around her were portrayed as much, much stronger, like she was a fragile doll that needed protection at all times. No one gave her complete information, no one trusted her to take care of herself (usually with good reason, because she would usually make the illogical choice.) She seemed incapable of looking at a situation objectively, without this obsessive desire to just have Edward and Jacob close to her. Even at their own personal cost. Selfish. Stupid. **spoiler alert** And once she decides to have the child, she doesn't care about the cost. She's maniacal in her martyrdom. And then once she becomes a vampire, I almost don't believe her new identity. But the personal strength she showed as a vampire finally made me, again somewhat begrudgingly, respect her.

Flowers Lead to Books

Maira Kalman's blog about springtime and about books. And thinking and not thinking. If I could translate my feelings on this sunny May day, that would be it. I just want to be outside, doing something cliche like sit on a bench in Bryant Park with a book.

Quote: Thoughts on Work

(Photo via Flickr)

Three rules of work:
1. Out of clutter, find simplicity.
2. From discord, find harmony.
3. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

Attributed to Albert Einstein, but in grad school, a similar message was also ingrained in my mind...
Three rules of good writing:
1. Clarity.
2. Brevity.
3. Euphony.


Thanks, Professor Hajdu!

Roosevelt Island

This morning, J and I went to Roosevelt Island to check out the Riverwalk Court apartments. 

They were, in a word, glorious. Or sunny. Floor-to-ceiling windows, facing either Manhattan or Queens, and right by the river. This is the view from my favorite, looking towards Queens. The summer sunlight just flooded the place, and it's still fresh-paint white and untarnished. We're not in a place to buy or even rent (and we're not engaged or anything!) but it's fun to come get ideas and dream a little.

We've been obsessed with Roosevelt Island for awhile now. The island is a secret gem between the Upper East Side and Queens, with amazing views and lots of green space. The rents are relatively inexpensive, and residents get to be right up close to the water. Even Riverside Drive apartments don't get that close because of Riverside Park and the West Side Highway. There aren't a lot of amenities on the island—one dry cleaners, two grocery stores, etc. But there are several parks, a community garden, jogging paths all the way around, and two hospitals.

Valentine's Adventures

To celebrate Valentine's Day, J and I cooked dinner at his studio apartment. I walked in the door and was greeted by the cheery table, already set with flowers, red napkins in lieu of tablecloth, and candles. It made the place feel more festive than usual, and I love imagining him shopping for heart-shaped candles.

We made a caprese salad—Justin's favorite—with sliced tomatoes, buffalo mozarella and basil leaves. Nothing fancy, but fresh and delicious.

This is all the kitchen space we had to work with in his 300-square-foot bachelor pad: