reading BLOG ENTRY 5

The book I'm still reading is Dear John. And yes, it is as romantic as ever. I can't explain how touching it is for me. I really like the character John. He is so understanding even though he's a soldier! Most guys like him probably don't understand how their girlfriend feels and aren't so aware of what to do to make her feel better. But John is so sweet that in his mind, he's always thinking of how Savannah feels. And I love how the author describes how John feels so ecstatic in certain moments. Plus, I liked it when John takes Savannah to old, shaggy places that are so intimate internally; such is the Shrimp Shack, the deserted ship, and the burger shop. There is absolutely no materialism in this love story but only true, genuine love.

When I read the part about John getting frusterated at Savannah for saying that his dad was mentally ill, I felt sad myself that those two were fighting. I just wished they would stop fighting but then, I knew later that this fight would really bring them even more closer after they made up. Sometimes, fighting can really bring two people more closer because it really clears up the mess that was piled up previously. This relates to me and my mom. After we had this huge fight, I knew that from then on, we really knew about each other and that we will try our hardest to avoid frusteration.

reading BLOG ENTRY 4

I read the book Dear John by Nicolas Sparks. One thing I have to say is that I'm loving it. The author's writing style is so clear, descriptive, and understandable that I can actually feel what the characters seem to be feeling. Everything seemed so real that I got so excited while reading the book. Again, it's a love story between a soldier, John Tyree, and a college girl, Savannah Curtis. Right now, they are in the stage of dating and liking each other and thinking about each other a lot. Sometimes, when I read this book, I feel like I, myself, am in love and that some guy like John loves me back. I love it how Spark's love stories are much more realistic than other love stories that consist of wealthy people with money who are handsome and beautiful with poor but extremely fair young girls and blah blah. This story is so unmaterialistic and the conversations are amusing too.

There are so many parts of this books that I like so I must write down a few.

" 'Are you asking me out?' 'Yeah,' I admitted. 'I'll have you back tomorow whenever you want. I know you've got to work tomorow, but there's this great place that I want to show you.' 'What kind of place?' 'A local place. Specializes in seafood. But it's more of an experience.' She wrapped her arms around her knees. 'I ususally don't date strangers,' she finally said, 'and we only met yesterday. You think I can trust you?' 'I wouldn't,' I said. She laughed. 'Well in that case, I suppose I can make an exception.' 'Yeah?' 'Yeah,' she said. 'I'm a sucker for honest guys with crew cuts. What time?' " * the guy has crew cuts b/c hes a soldier.

Another fabolous imager is this part:

" Above us, a few wispy clous were spread among the stars, and the moon, still full, hovered just over the horizon. A light breeze fanned my cheek, and I could hear the ceaseless motion of the waves as they rolled up the shore. The tide had gone out, and we moved to the harder, more compact sand near the water's edge. Savannah put a hand on my shoulder for balance as she removed one sandal, then another. When she finished, I did the same, and we walked in silence for a few steps." This part is beautiful. I can just totally imagine the whole scene and the scent and the touch. I love this kind of writings: not too deep and un-understandable and beautiful in description.

reading BLOG ENTRY 3

This week, I read a short story in our little textbook called "The Bracelet" and a novel called River Boy. For the short story, "The Bracelet," it definitely connects to the time during the 2nd World War when the US put all the Japanese immigrants into concentration camps. I like it how the author's writing style is extremely clear so that I can depict the situation in my head immediately. Therefore, due to this imagery, I felt compassion for the Japanese people, even though I personally do not like Japan, especially the people. The author just depicted them as so innocent and pitiful that even I felt heart-broken when the girl had to say goodbye to her friend. I had a time during 3rd grade when I had to say goodbye to all my friends in Canada, for I had to leave for Korea. However, I never really felt sad about it; I'm not sure why. But in the story, how Ruri and Laurie were so sedate and calm made me feel jealous of their maturity. Even adults probably can't say goodbye like that. Most people would cry their hearts out and leave all teary. But these two girls said little to each other, making those words seems so precious. Plus, I loved how Laurie even walked backwards to have one last look at Ruri to wave. Maybe these two girls were just too young to understand the reality...? Anyways, I think the theme of this story is friendship, love (mentally), and separation. All these three things have to do with the relationship between Laurie and Ruri.

The novel I read called the River Boy, was also an interesting one. It wasn't all the thrilling, exciting type of book. I would have to say it was also a tranquil type. Plus, this book also deals with separation because Jess's grandpa died, who was a big part of her. But it was boring at times. The author's writing style is very easy. Everything is straightforward and the vocabulary are in the middle school level. I think this book was meant to be sad, but it wasn't because it was too dragging, dull, and obvious. It was so clear that the "boy" was the grandpa of Jess. Nothing was mysterious about this book. So I'd probably never read it again. It was just a waste of time.

reading BLOG ENTRY 2

For the second time, I read the novel, The Notebook. Honestly, I do not know why but I sort of like the movie better than the book. Maybe it is because the movie has much more dramatic events in it. However, this book is also quite amazing. I think I actually felt the passion of love between the two characters, Noah and Allie. Noah...he's just my favorite character. I have never seen anyone so devoted and romantic as him. He is a sweetheart, the kind I want to marry. I love the quote in page 164 when Noah tells Allie who she is (because she has alzheimers and can't remember and is lost....etc). He says, "You are Hannah, a lover of life, a strength to those who shared in you friendships. You are a dream, a creator of happiness, an artist who has touched a thousand souls. You've led a full life and wanted for nothing because your needs are spiritual and you have only to look inside you. You are kind and loyal, and you are able to see beauty where others do not. You are a teacher of wonderful lessons, a dreamer of better things."
I just wonder how a man could come up with such words? It was so touching that I read it over and over again.

Another section of this book I adore is the letters from Noah to Allie and Allie to Noah. They just love each other so much! And they raised their children so well! Their love story is just so amazing starting from when they first met. The letters describe what they mean to each other and how special their past is. I am so jealous of the thought that these two people, so old, could adore each other so much. This book inspired me so much. I realized that I too, should marry a man that really loves me so that we could grow old with grace, just like Noah and Allie. In Korea, I have seen many grandparents who grew old with laziness, annoyance, hatred, and absoultely no love. Some men, I can just see from their eyes and words, do not even love their wives. However, Noah and Allie represent the contrary that everyone should follow.

reading BLOG ENTRY 1

For the past two weeks, I've been reading the book, Love Story by Erich Segal. This book was written a long time ago, sometime around the 1960's and was immensely popular. Since the novel was so short and only 187 pages with very easy language, I finished it within 2 weeks. While I was reading through the book, I was quite pleased with it but didn't regard it as my favorite. There were very interesting, attractive parts about Oliver and Jenny (the two main characters). I especially liked the beginning in which they first saw each other and were having a fight in the library about how they didn't like each other but eventually went to coffee together. It was so cute. Opposites definitely attract to each other.

After finishing the novel, I was touched. So touched that I knew this book would remain as my favorite in my whole life. It was the ending that made me feel like this. The main theme or quote of the novel was "Love means never having to say you're sorry." Jenny used this quote to Oliver when he apologized his inappropriate behavior to her. However, after Jenny, the love of his life, died, Oliver finally met his dad, whom he ended contact with for a long time. When his dad said sorry for her death, Oliver replied, "Love means never having to say you're sorry." and surprisingly unlike himself, cried in his dad's arms. This was how the novel ended. It was so sweet, I can't explain how much it struck me.

People I Commented On (2nd)

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a Special Setting

There was this one setting that I personally truly liked. It was finally away from all the scientific, boring, technological areas. It was on Earth, in a place called Greensboro. This setting was the place where Ender had a quick visit on Earth before he went to Command School. The setting was a natural, tranquil place that had a white mansion that sprawled on a hill. This mansion looked over Lake Brandt on one side and a five-acre private lake on the other. The water was clean, filled with living things, and the sunlight laid upon the whole setting. There were trees, fresh air, and you could probably hear the birds chirping beautifully. I loved this setting; it would be my dream to go and live there. One of the reasons why this setting is so meaningful is because it's so pretty, relaxing, AND AWAY from the complicated machines, artificial air, and recycled water. It's finally real and not to tense and depressing like the setting in Battle and Command Schools. I actually always wanted to stay in these kind of areas all my life; it would feel like heaven :) I guess it was the perfect place for Ender and Valentine to have a sincere conversation