Books for November

Considering I have had a fantastically busy month of vacationing and attending parties, I'm impressed with the amount of books I was able to read. Most of them were okay reads, but there were one or two that I thoroughly enjoyed. Here is the list for November:

71. Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler
This adventure thriller is hard to put down when you are trying to figure out what do a Persian treasure, a Nazi submarine, and Napoleon's wine bottles have in common in today's world. A bit of history, a bit of thriller, and a lot of imagination, this book was perfect for a relaxing afternoon.

72. A virtuous Woman by Kaye Gibbons
I picked this book up at the library at the 'for sale' corner for 50 cents. I read a few good reviews, and then started reading it. It wasn't something I would choose to read, but it was an interesting book, with an unique style, plot, and ideas. The story of two very different people in the South whose lives are joined by love, compassion, and understanding. This was quite a different book from average fiction nowadays. It actually reminded me of Faulkner's novels. The author's gift for writing prose made me think this book would be a good book to study in school. It made me also think about what is truly important in life, and although my life is nothing like these long time ago characters, their search for a purpose rings true at all times.

73. Anne Frank by Rita Thievon Mullin and 74. Cleopatra by Susan Blackaby
I got a bunch of biographies the other day for Gillian to read, and these two caught my eye. I truly enjoyed reading them. They were well researched, organized and fully added with very interesting facts and pictures. Anne Frank's author gave a substantial background on the Anne Frank's family and neighborhood, as well as the details of their life in hiding. Cleopatra amuses me as an historical character. She's got it all: looks, money, brains. She lacked in luck. This book provided historical background on her as a woman, politician, stateswoman, and lover. Although these were short (about 120 pages each), I had a good time reading them. After seeing me read her books, Gillian grew restless to read them herself. I made a mental note to myself that showing interest in your kids' books gets them curious for them. Great tactic.

75. The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
I had made myself a promise not to read another one of Sparks books. This author takes great pleasure it seems when he kills off one or two characters from his novels. When I read fluff I want to read happy fluff. However, after purchasing it at the 'for sale' corner of the library, I thought I would give it another try. Boy, was I disappointed! I couldn't finish this book; it made me sick. The whole book was so intense and suspenseful emotionally that I couldn't handle it. A very jealous boyfriend, turned obsessive, turned murderer doesn't sound like a good book to me.

76. The Virgin's lover by Philippa Gregory
Gregory doesn't disappoint even though the story is one she has touched before. Queen Elizabeth, known as the Virgin Queen, and her relationship with Robert Dudley during her early years as a queen are beautifully described in this fun historical fiction. I only wished the author had told their whole story from the early years of their friendship and love to their later years of politics, loyalty and death. I guess after reading Sharon Key Penman's book Sunne In Splendor, and the amazing job she did in describing and offering family and childhood background of Richard III, I was excpecting more history than fiction. Nevertheless, it was a fun way to learn about the handsome and charming Robert Dudley.

77. Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky
I was sitting one afternoon by the fire during one of those very rare quiet days, and was looking for something to read. My eyes caught Dostoevsky's name and I pulled this book out of my bookshelf. I'm a Dostoevsky fan, and have read most of his books, but for some reasons I hadn't read this one. It wasn't a book I wanted to read that afternoon, but I'm so glad I did. I'm blown away by this author. If I keep reading Dostoevsky, I will never finish any of my books. His style and depth of thought is that of a genius. Notes from Underground was depressing and dark, but it made me think and answer the numerous questions the author rose. This should be a book club book; it truly offers so many ideas on human nature and behaviour, on our thoughts, intentions, and emotions. I have to say that I wanted a book to put me to sleep, and this one woke up many kinds of emotions in my mind instead, emotions such as doubt, anger, resentment, as well as faith, hope, and courage. Very rarely I find a book that disarms me emotionally like this one did, and I was happy for that self-examination. A great book to read (after the holidays).

78. The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
79. Can you keep a secret by Sophie Kinsella
I read both of these books a few years ago, but I had to read them again while sunbathing in Hawaii. Perfect beach books, full of laughter and romance. A must read for any time.

What have you been reading lately? Any good books that you would recommend?

Happy reading and enjoy this beautiful month of celebration!

The end of an experience is the beginning of another

Today is our last day here in Hawaii. As I was walking last night with Gillian along the beach, we were telling each other our favorite things that we enjoyed on this beautiful island. Here are my top ten things I won't forget about our vacation on the island of Oahu, Hawaii:

1. Fruit trees on the side of the road; palm trees providing shade at the beach.
2. Warm water, soft sand, and plenty of sunshine.
3. Flowers and birds everywhere.
4. Luscious mountains
5. Helpful and kind natives.
6. So much to do and not enough time.
7. How expensive milk was (we probably spent as much during this week on milk than we normally spend in a month.)
8. How hard Elijah and I worked on this vacation as parents - The older children were at a perfect age for vacation; Charlton wasn't. He really worked us hard.
9. Gorgeous sunsets on the beach
10. Perfect balancing of sunbathing, sightseeing and napping.

Elijah and I are already making plans for our next vacation to one of the other islands of Hawaii. Our plans involve no kids, a lot of snorkeling, submarine adventures under the water, helicopter rides in the sky, and waterfall hiking. Now, we just need to find a babysitter.

This morning we went out to the beach for one last time of sunbathing, swimming, and just relaxing.

Good Bye, Sun!
Good Bye, warm water!
Good Bye, fluffy sand!
Good Bye, serene walks!
Good Bye, hot tub!
Good Bye, luxurious hotel!
Good Bye, Hawaii!
Welcome, new adventures...

Sundays and sunsets

We had a relaxing morning today. After lunch we got ready for church. We walked about a mile and a half to get there. The building was pretty nice, and the chapel was enormous. My older children were very excited to attend Primary in Hawaii, and had a great time. Elijah took care of Charlton during Sunday School and I took care of him during the third hour. It worked out well.

We got back, had some dinner, and then Gillian and I walked along the beach for a little while. We just happen to be out as the sun set and the city lights were coming out. Our last night in Hawaii was looking beautiful.

Can you dance a jig?

We had plans to go snorkeling this morning. We also bought tickets for the Polynesian Culture Center. We so wanted to do both, but had to think more seriously about our children, especially Charlton. If we went snorkeling, we would have to wake up early, and then come back really fast to catch the shuttle that would take us to the Center. The activities there would take all day, and we would be coming back around 11 at night. It would have been more relaxing to just do snorkeling alone, but Elijah and I really wanted to show our children the diversity of the Hawaiian culture, the Buy-Hawaii, and the Temple, all located in the North Shore, about an hour and half from Waikiki. So, we opted out of snorkeling, and got ready for some dancing and singing.

The way to the North Shore was stunning. This highway we were in was a two-lane highway, and a few feet from the shore. As we traveled along this way, I told Elijah that this was the Hawaii I had imagined, the luscious mountains, the fruit trees on the side of the road, the Palm trees by the shore, flowers and birds greeting us, and not the high rising hotels or the expensive shopping centers. I was truly enjoying the ride.

The 42-acres Polynesian Culture Center is located in Laie, about an hour to an hour and half from Waikiki. It was founded by our church to help support BYU-Hawaii students with their tuition and fees, as well as support the Hawaiian culture by sharing it with the rest of the world.
We started our experience by taking a canoe tour of the Center. Beautiful trees and flowers, gorgeous waterfalls and bridges, tropical birds and good-looking dancers were everywhere.

The Center was beautifully built and organized. Its signature attraction was a group of eight villages and exhibitions where people from specific islands shared their culture with the rest of us. We started with the Fiji 'village' where we learned about their oral history through songs and dances.

We continued with New Zealand, Samoa, and Tahiti. Then, we sat and watched the Canoe Pageant, where each group danced and sang as their canoes kept flowing in the river. We were all mesmerized, and despite of the heat, we kept watching and enjoying it.

After the pageant was over, we took a shuttle toward the Temple. The Sister Missionaries gave us a tour of the Laie area, BYU-Hawaii campus, the Temple grounds, and then entered the Visitor Center, which was decked up with Christmas decorations. As we entered the area of this community of saints, one could feel the peace enveloping your heart and soul. It was truly a comforting feeling of serenity and simplicity.

While Elijah went to see if the temple was open, the children and I explored the beautiful visitor center. Upon Elijah's return, we strolled on temple grounds. Even the children could feel the peaceful spirit in this special place.

Near the entrance of the temple, Elijah showed me a beautiful relief of a mother pouring "the water of life" on her children, titled simply "motherhood." At that moment, I felt the spirit so strongly testifying to me that what I'm doing with my children, taking care of them, educating them, loving them, is truly a sacred responsibility and a blessing. I'm so thankful for my children and for this opportunity of giving them 'the water of life."

We left the temple grounds, and headed back to the Polynesian Culture Center. We had some dinner, bought some souvenirs, and then got ready to see the highlight of the Center, its show called "Ha: Breath of Life," an evening of customs and traditions expressed in song and dance by representatives of all the participating islands performed on stage. We all enjoyed the songs, dances, colorful costumes, and of course the fire throwers.

Here are two video clips giving you a little taste of the uniqueness of the Hawaiian culture:

Pearl Harbor - Standing in the shadow of heroes

This morning we woke up earlier than we wanted, but for a very good reason. We took the children to visit the historical site of Pearl Harbor. I don't know if it's my interest in history or the love for this country, but it happens that these kind of sights are the highlight of my visits anywhere. So, needless to say I was looking forward to this historical tour.

As soon as we got there, we were greeted by a beautiful rainbow highlighting the memorials and ships of Fort Island in early morning.

We started by watching a well done movie recreating the event that happened on this day of Infamy. On December 7th, 1941, at a time when America was trying her best to remain neutral in the war against the Nazisms, the Japanese sent an incredible air attack on the U.S. Pacific fleet in Pearl Harbor. Within two hours, this attack claimed the lives of 2, 388 military and civilian personnel and resulted in the damage or loss of 21 vessels and 170 planes. There was no way out of this for the Americans, except enter the war and make sure this didn't happen again. Before visiting the Memorial, we took our time reading and teaching our children about this unforgettable event.

We took a Navy-operated launch to the U.S. Arizona Memorial. The U.S. Arizona was one of the seven battleships that was totally damaged, and the one that lost the most men, about 1, 177. In less than nine minutes after the attack, the ship sank with most of her crew inside. Today, it still remains deep in the water with her crew buried in it. It is their resting place, and the Memorial stands over it to show respect for them and to remember that day and the freedoms we enjoy today because of them and many other who shed their blood to protect this country and what it stands for. I absolutely felt chills as we walked reverently inside the memorial and read their names. I was very glad I was able to bring my children to this historical place where they can appreciate and understand what makes this country special.


It has been almost 7o years since the ship sank, but to this day its oil is still leaking as a reminder of what happened here.
After we got back from the Memorial, we walked around the other sites. The children enjoyed looking and learning about WWII airplanes, missiles, and submarines.

We, then, decided to visit the battleship Missouri. Charlton was feeling a bit tired and not very happy, but the idea of standing on the ship that ended the WWII was undeniably tempting to Elijah and me. We got tickets and boarded the shuttle that took us across the island toward the battleship.

The 887-foot battleship - 5 feet longer than the Titanic - has secured its place in history as the site of Japan's unconditional surrender to the United States. We loved this ship. It was enormous and magnificently amazing. We climbed upstairs and downstairs, inside and outside. Our children loved looking at the 67-foot long guns that fired 2,700 pound shells. Elijah and I were amazed to walk the decks where General MacArthur and the Japanese representative signed the surrendering papers ending World War II. This was an experience to remember!

As we were leaving, Elijah spotted this funny letter on a display of a period World War II servicemen bulletin board. I thought I would share it with you.

We ended our day by having dinner at Roy's restaurant with the whole crew. The food was delicious, the company fun, and the desserts just divine. Let's not forget that Charlton made it through fairly well, or should I say we made it through with this energetic boy of ours. Either way, the evening was wonderful.