Blog 3

Over the past week I have been thinking about, and talking about the whole reading deal, or the lack thereof. I have tried so hard to be better about reading, and doing the daily readings I should, and what holds me, personally, back from reading, and I have plenty of excuses. It's funny to be, because I say I don't read because I don't have time, I'm too busy, there are too many other things to do, but that isn't entirely true. Tonight I was reading, but the tv was on and it was a show that had plenty of action and it grabbed my attention. It is no wonder I am unable to focus. And then while working on a different class, I found myself toodling around on Facebook. It's really interesting to me, because I feel I fit in with many who say they don't read for reasons x or y. And then my daughter asked to watch a movie. I told her we would not have time for books then before bed, and she grabbed a couple of her favorites and went into her room. She has a love for reading that I hope to one day have. I don't know about the rest of the population and their reading problems, but I know in this mind, it is time to stop making excuses and being "lazy" and get to reading. Afterall... there is always time for anything I wish to make part of my life!

Blog 2

"There was this chunky one, with the two-piece -- it was bright green and the seams on the bra were still sharp and her belly was still pretty pale so I guessed she just got it (the suit)- there was this one, with one of those chubby berry-faces, the lips all bunched together under her nose, this one, and a tall one, with black hair that hadn't quite frizzed right, and one of these sunburns right across under the eyes, and a chin that was too long-you know, the kind of girl other girls think is very 'striking' and 'attractive' but never quite makes it, as they very well know, which is why they like her so much-and then the third on, that wasn't quite so tall." (Updike 17)

This passage is important as a whole, in my interpretation. It is pretty blatant ridicule-speaking lowly of those he is looking at, as though they are not worth a second look. Of course there is the third on, which after this passage the author moves on to describe her "flaunted" beauty. He spends a lot of time describing these traits with a tone that comes off as negative and unattractive. But in the end, he leaves his job, unknowing what the future will hold for him, for these girls. He gives up everything that he currently has in order to make a stand and defend all three of these ladies. When he leaves, he looks for the girls, not just the "Queenie". It is interesting how much of the story is either describing "Queenie's" remarkable attributes or the others uncertainty, yet, in the end, looks to defend them all.

It's all about Ashley!

My name is Ashley. Within the last year I made the great decision to move to eastern Oregon from Wisconsin with my three year old daughter. My favorite thing in life (currently) is playing Candyland and reading stories with her. It's a lot of fun to watch her grow, especially now that she is making obvious progress. It has been really important to me that I read to hear every day and make it as fun as possible because I want her to not think of it as I do!

Picking up a book for me and reading more than 10 pages has always been very difficult. I'm not sure I actually ever read a book for school growing up. Instead, I figured out how to listen during class discussions, and general chit-chat, to get all of the information I needed for tests. I didn't do that great, but I managed to get by with decent enough grades to keep my overall grade up. I have a very difficult time concentrating, so to read is pure torture. I end up trying too hard to pay attention, which ends up causing me to be more distracted and then frustrated. I don't remember whether or not I was encouraged to read at home, but I know my mom has always read a lot, as do my grandma and sister. Being outdoors and/or physically active has always been more intriguing. Today I have enough patience to sit down with (I actually typically pace) a book that relates to me-stories that I can relate to, but for some reason I still rarely finish them. Children's books, however, are read by the dozen (although even they are still difficult for me some days!)

I have asked three people what they read and why, and all of their answers included things they enjoy. My dad occasionally reads books, but regularly reads magazine articles and the newspaper. He likes to fish, and that is the subject of his magazine subscriptions. My sister reads mystery/action/murder type novels. She has always been fascinated by mysteries, always looking outside the box to find another answer. My mom... she will read anything that everyone else says is good. She said she likes to learn. I asked those three in particular because they are the ones I know who read. I asked some others the same questions (mostly students or around my age) and most of them said the only things they read are required texts for classes, and only when necessary.

I can actually relate to all of the answers, and it seems to be a blanket answer, with a few holes, of course. I read what's interesting to me, what I can relate to-see myself in. When I do read, I read it because I can picture myself there, or can imagine my life differently by doing that. Sitting here looking at my bookshelf, the books/magazines I have are all related to what I consider to be most important in my life. Yet, for the most part, they sit on my shelf because I don't have the energy to pick them up!