Saturday, October 25, 2008

Too Far from the Truth....

Usually, I can stomach when a movie adaptation of a book strays from the story. I typically find that it is not too far from the story line, and I understand the reasons why changes were made. However, "The Duchess" just strayed too far from the amazing story of the the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana. The story started off different from the story of her life, having her married in a different year; it then proceeded to twist things from there. She didn't meet Lady Elizabeth Foster at the right time nor accept her relationship with the Duke, she had kids at different times, and she wasn't involved as politics as much. The movie focused on all of the extramarital affairs, yet did not focus on the amazing influence she had in politics for the Whig party. It didn't show her campaigning for Charles Fox in the streets as she did, nor did it show her dressed up in military wear, out supporting the troops as they prepared to fight Napoleon. It didn't show her conversing with men of high influence as much, maneuvering the prince into certain decisions that would benefit the Whig Party or her trips to Parliament. Georgiana, in my opinion, was so much more interesting and intelligent than the movie made her out to be.

I can see why they focused on the extramarital affairs and how the movie going masses would find that appalling... but couldn't they have added the other things into to show how much influence women truly did have during the time period?

I should have know that I had too much invested into the study of her life to have liked the movie. If you haven't read "Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire" by Amanda Foreman, please go see the movie. You will surely enjoy it. Otherwise, don't stray from the story you've already read- it will do your heart some good.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Relaxing Weekends...


(I miss this)

I remember when the weekends were a time for relaxing. I would go get Starbucks in the morning, read all day, and watch a movie at a night. Those weekends have seemingly escaped me. I feel like the weekends, now, are a time where I desperately try to catch up with everything I wasn't able to do during the week. I was talking to a colleague of mine, and she said that she manages to get all of her master's work done during the week so that her weekends are free. I was like, "Huh?" Does she actually teach or grade? Because weeknights are spent doing that, and weekends are for master's work.

I had a breakdown this weekend and decided I wanted to quit my master's program. I am in GATE credential and character education program as well, and I am struggling to balance all of this along with being an ASB teacher for the first time. I just do not know how I am doing it.

I keep trying to tell myself it will be worth it next summer when I am done, but right now I am just barely chugging along.

I hope your weekend was more pleasurable. I felt guilty for spending Saturday doing nothing with my hubby.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Craving..

Agh, another week down. I only have three more before I 'll have my first break from students (yeah!). I have to say that this year is flying by for me actually. ASB has been keeping me so busy, along with work from my master's classes. I cannot wait to have everything finished this year. I will be set for my next year of teaching.

Anyhoo, I have been craving lots of things lately (as usual). Here are a few items that I am longing for right now. This sweater from Anthropologie:




And this Silk Taffeta Ballerina Dress by J. Crew: And this pair of Frye pumps:
:Sigh:: I don't know why I even bother going to these sites sometimes. They just make me long so much for things.

It's noon now. Nick and I are headed out to San Juan Capistrano for an art fair, and then we might go see Bill Maher's new movie "Religulous". Enjoy your Saturday!

Britney's Back Bitches!!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Trapped!

Well,

As soon as I walked in the door today and looked down to the left I saw our little visitor. It was just a teeny, tiny little field mouse, and it was struggling in the trap. I felt so bad I almost started to cry. I called up our maintenance guy, and he came to remove it. I felt awful because I know the little thing was going to be killed. At least with the other one Nick found he was able to hurl it away outside somewhere else. This one was going to meet a different future. My mom tried to make me feel better by asking whether or not I would just prefer to keep it in the house, but it still made me feel bad.

Hope you had a quick and uneventful Monday.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Little Itty Bitty Mice


We have a mouse. I take that back actually, we have mice. The other day my friend and I were walking after work, and one of the custodians told us to make sure we close our windows and shut our doors because we have a rat problem at the school (yuck!). Later that night, as I was sitting in bed typing up my students' quiz for the next day I looked down and saw a little mouse run underneath our bed.

I am not kidding.

I, of course, let out a blood curdling scream, and let Nick find the little sucker. He did and chucked it into oblivion outside.

When I told my mom, she told me, "Well, if you have one, then you probably have many." That night, Nick saw another one.

We haven't been able to track that one down, but our maintenance men set up traps while we were away in Temecula yesterday. We still haven't found the little jerk, and I hate it. I'm afraid to walk through our apartment without shoes. Woe is me.

Hopefully, we'll catch the little bugger tonight. Hope you had a mouse-free day!