So today I did something I really wanted to do. I walked from Candlewood to Dollar Tree/Walmart. It's exactly one mile, or 1.5 kilometers. Round trip it's two miles, or two kilometers. I was gone for an hour and a half; it was thirty minutes each way for me, and thirty minutes in the store. I'm pretty tired, but also energized. Every time I go to Walmart, or the mall, or Bread Co., or McAlister's, or even Big Lots, I want to walk.
Cape is supposed to be a college town. I suppose it is, somewhat. But it isn't at the same time. There are no sidewalks, there are no bike lanes, and Walmart is as far away from the campus as one could possibly get and still be in the same town. When people build for the long run and are obsessed with money, I guess they don't care. Few people are really "going green" by printing on both sides of paper, reusing paper, etc. It's to cut costs, which is all that really matters. It makes them feel better to think that they're saving trees, but it's making them feel better not to use so much money on paper and they can buy fancy computers and software for their computers so they can be lazier and forget how to write. And, in reality, they're saving a buck. Just like some people who walk everywhere aren't really trying to save on gas to "help" the environment; they're trying not to use so much gas and cut down on their costs. I'm doing it for exercise and to save gas money. I will admit it. The environment just gets the credit for people's actions.
Anyway, back on topic.
I want to build my endurance to walk to the campus and back on Sunday mornings. (Sunday mornings would be the safest time, since Cape is not set up for walking. It has a highway that runs through town all the way from Walmart and beyond to the river and you have to cross it to get to the other side, i.e, the college campus.)
I hate crossing highways or big roads. It's the only thing that's deterred me from walking to the campus so far. It's only three miles there and then three miles back. That, and I don't know how long it might take me. Walking one mile was thirty minutes, so an hour and a half, it would seem like, to go three miles.
Guess what was scary about walking today? Not getting mugged. Walking across the bridge that crosses the highway. There's no crosswalk, and it may seem not so busy, but it's very busy when someone is walking compared to people driving cars. That's why no one walks anymore.
I believe at least twelve or more cars passed me in that 20-foot span one way, and at least eight or more cars passed me when I was returning across it. I couldn't walk on a curb or anything, because it wasn't there. It was very narrow, and cars had to drive half in the other lane around me. It's annoying for both of us!
Of course, some people could be more polite. Like, I was walking on the side of the road, and there was consistently always at least one person driving past me. They could easily be in the other lane and then get back over. Most cars did do that, but a couple just stayed in that lane. And those people that stayed in that lane always looked like they thought I was going to jump out in front of their car. Save your worry. Not happening. But save yourself worrying and drive in the other lane, at least around the person walking, especially when you can get over. I was forced to walk in the grass as a result, which I think contributed to my slower pace.
One guy in a red mustang honked at me. I looked over and he was grinning at me. I have no idea why he was doing either.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
Thousand Foot Krutch
I love this band. I listen to them daily. Even though we are looking at another camera, we all look like we're alert for it being a fan signing and it's 11:30 p.m. on a Friday.
26 August 2012
25 August 2012
Trauma Plan
Trauma Plan is the first book in the Grace Medical series. It follows Riley Hale and Jack Travis. Riley is a nurse in an ER. She was injured in an attack, and now the hospital won't let her return. She wants to volunteer anywhere to prove to everyone that she's still a good nurse, so she goes to a free urban clinic, where Travis is the doctor. His clinic is on the verge of being shut down, but he's determined to save it. Soon he goes into battle mode to stop it - and Riley begins to wonder if she's in over her head.
Trauma Plan was an engrossing book. I really loved the characters and the plot was engaging and thought-provoking as well. It made me want to read more of the books in the series as they come out.
I would say the book gets a nine out of 10.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
Trauma Plan was an engrossing book. I really loved the characters and the plot was engaging and thought-provoking as well. It made me want to read more of the books in the series as they come out.
I would say the book gets a nine out of 10.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
20 July 2012
What a Christian Girl Is (And Isn't) Looking For In a Guy
Well, I can't speak for the entire female race, but I think that some people can relate.
What are girls looking for in a guy?
Here's what we're not looking for.
We are not looking for a forever "boyfriend."
We are not looking for a rich man, but a man who we can trust to provide for us.
We are not looking for a man who will boss us around, but treat us fairly and protect us.
We are not looking for a clingy guy, but we are not looking for a distant guy who can't share his feelings. We don't want him to necessarily be crying all the time, that freaks girls out, at least me, but you can show some sensitivity every once in awhile.
We are not looking for a cocky man, but a confident man, who knows himself and the Lord.
We are looking for love and respect.
We are looking for a man trying to grow in the Lord, and who follows His guidance. "Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways, acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight."
We want to be cherished. "He who finds a wife finds favor from the Lord."
We want to find a man we can raise our children with, and not be concerned that they will
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
What are girls looking for in a guy?
Here's what we're not looking for.
We are not looking for a forever "boyfriend."
We are not looking for a rich man, but a man who we can trust to provide for us.
We are not looking for a man who will boss us around, but treat us fairly and protect us.
We are not looking for a clingy guy, but we are not looking for a distant guy who can't share his feelings. We don't want him to necessarily be crying all the time, that freaks girls out, at least me, but you can show some sensitivity every once in awhile.
We are not looking for a cocky man, but a confident man, who knows himself and the Lord.
We are looking for love and respect.
We are looking for a man trying to grow in the Lord, and who follows His guidance. "Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways, acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight."
We want to be cherished. "He who finds a wife finds favor from the Lord."
We want to find a man we can raise our children with, and not be concerned that they will
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
The Dark Knight Rises from the flames
Warning! May contain spoilers.
So I went to the IMAX midnight premiere of the conclusion of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, and watched it with Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Batman, and Bane. No Catwoman or Robin, unfortunately, in my theater.
In the movie, I was excited to see familiar faces from Inception, including Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, and Michael Caine, to name a few.
The movie, by the way, was the best one of the series. The action was nicely placed between dramatic music and heartfelt conversation. And I always respect a director who never backs away from not turning his evil villains good or his good guys bad.
The Dark Knight, aka Batman, aka Bruce Wayne, played by the brilliant Christian Bale, has been in hiding since he took the fall for killing Harvey Dent (Two-Face). The police commissioner, who has a connection to Bruce Wayne viewers have to watch to find out, has used Harvey Dent's name to create law and order under the Dent Act. Alfred tries to encourage Batman to interact with the world, but it takes Catwoman, the idea of Bane, a young detective and a reminder of his duty to save the world to really get him out of his funk. Add a nuclear bomb set to destroy Gotham City, which really reminds me of New York City, and a pretend revolution, and Nolan creates a beautiful movie.
And it just goes from there.
And this movie isn't just your-average-superhero-saves-the-day movie. Just like Christopher Nolan always tries to create a puzzle and add unexpected twists (he even had some that caught me by surprise, and I call a lot), this movie had symbolism, action, drama, revenge, hate, romance, betrayal, and the ultimate act of love - sacrifice. After all, as Batman keeps saying when people remind him that's he's given Gotham City everything, he always replies, "I haven't given them everything."
This movie definitely has elements of post-modernism (the era of film we are currently in), which I just learned about in my film history class. (That class was so informative, I look at movies differently now).
And guess who else makes an appearance? That I can't tell you, but I'll tell you, you may not have called it, but I did.
And guess what were trailers on the movie? That's right. Peter Jackson's The Hobbit and a new Superman movie directed by Nolan, Man of Steel. Superman might just have a chance now, although I don't think anyone can beat Christopher Reeve (what's up with all these brilliant Christophers?). I know with Nolan's touch the Dark Knight Trilogy turned around.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
So I went to the IMAX midnight premiere of the conclusion of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, and watched it with Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Batman, and Bane. No Catwoman or Robin, unfortunately, in my theater.
In the movie, I was excited to see familiar faces from Inception, including Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, and Michael Caine, to name a few.
The Dark Knight, aka Batman, aka Bruce Wayne, played by the brilliant Christian Bale, has been in hiding since he took the fall for killing Harvey Dent (Two-Face). The police commissioner, who has a connection to Bruce Wayne viewers have to watch to find out, has used Harvey Dent's name to create law and order under the Dent Act. Alfred tries to encourage Batman to interact with the world, but it takes Catwoman, the idea of Bane, a young detective and a reminder of his duty to save the world to really get him out of his funk. Add a nuclear bomb set to destroy Gotham City, which really reminds me of New York City, and a pretend revolution, and Nolan creates a beautiful movie.
And it just goes from there.
And this movie isn't just your-average-superhero-saves-the-day movie. Just like Christopher Nolan always tries to create a puzzle and add unexpected twists (he even had some that caught me by surprise, and I call a lot), this movie had symbolism, action, drama, revenge, hate, romance, betrayal, and the ultimate act of love - sacrifice. After all, as Batman keeps saying when people remind him that's he's given Gotham City everything, he always replies, "I haven't given them everything."
This movie definitely has elements of post-modernism (the era of film we are currently in), which I just learned about in my film history class. (That class was so informative, I look at movies differently now).
And guess who else makes an appearance? That I can't tell you, but I'll tell you, you may not have called it, but I did.
And guess what were trailers on the movie? That's right. Peter Jackson's The Hobbit and a new Superman movie directed by Nolan, Man of Steel. Superman might just have a chance now, although I don't think anyone can beat Christopher Reeve (what's up with all these brilliant Christophers?). I know with Nolan's touch the Dark Knight Trilogy turned around.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
25 June 2012
Author's "Flame of Resistance" debut novel excellent
Flame of Resistance by Tracy Groot centers on the French Resistance during World War II. The Resistance goes against the Germans in order to return France to the French and rid the country of the Germans.
When a downed American pilot becomes pivotal in a plot against the Germans, a prostitute forced into her profession by circumstance who's a patriot will also become a key part of the plan.
This is a modern retelling of the biblical story of Rahab.
The book is compelling, moving, and interestingly written. Readers will sympathize and emphasize with Brigitte and root for both. The leaders of the French Resistance are just as memorable. There a lot of plot twists as well. An excellent read and a different look at the second world war and the effects German occupation had on Europeans and the little flame of hope for freedom that burns inside all of humanity, seeking God and longing to be free of oppression.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
When a downed American pilot becomes pivotal in a plot against the Germans, a prostitute forced into her profession by circumstance who's a patriot will also become a key part of the plan.
This is a modern retelling of the biblical story of Rahab.
The book is compelling, moving, and interestingly written. Readers will sympathize and emphasize with Brigitte and root for both. The leaders of the French Resistance are just as memorable. There a lot of plot twists as well. An excellent read and a different look at the second world war and the effects German occupation had on Europeans and the little flame of hope for freedom that burns inside all of humanity, seeking God and longing to be free of oppression.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
07 June 2012
The Scarlet Thread weaves two generations together
The Scarlet Thread shows the power of unity throughout the generations of the female members of a family.
A modern young woman in a struggling marriage discovers her ancestor's journal, an Oregon Trail pioneer in the 18th century. Her ancestor believes in God, and through reading about her experiences, Sierra starts to believe in God as well, which begins to change her life.
An ironic part is that Sierra is forced to move to Los Angeles, just like her ancestor Mary Katherine moved to California as well. A wonderful novel by my favorite novelist, Francine Rivers, The Scarlet Thread brought tears to my eyes. It's an enjoyable novel full of God's truth, a reminder of promises, and the restoration of broken relationships - to each other, to God, and to ourselves.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
A modern young woman in a struggling marriage discovers her ancestor's journal, an Oregon Trail pioneer in the 18th century. Her ancestor believes in God, and through reading about her experiences, Sierra starts to believe in God as well, which begins to change her life.
An ironic part is that Sierra is forced to move to Los Angeles, just like her ancestor Mary Katherine moved to California as well. A wonderful novel by my favorite novelist, Francine Rivers, The Scarlet Thread brought tears to my eyes. It's an enjoyable novel full of God's truth, a reminder of promises, and the restoration of broken relationships - to each other, to God, and to ourselves.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
The Last Disciple is a fast paced thriller set against Nero's reign
"The Last Disciple" is a fast-paced thriller set in the first century in Rome. It follows a multitude of characters, but these are characters who either personally or intersect with someone who has intersected with Vitas. Thus its leading character is most decisively Vitas, a powerful and respected Roman and a member of Emperor Nero's inner circle. Vitas falls in love with Sophia, a Jewish former slave who becomes a Christian, and marries her. That appears to be the climax of the first novel, along with Vitas amazing and seemingly unrealistic escape from the arena, prompting the next book.
But the most important theme of the book is the different perspective on the book of Revelation, the last book of what we now know as the New Testament. This perspective is different from other interpretations of Revelation, generally seen as the events of The Last Days before The End of the World and the Return of the Christ, when God will right all wrongs and completely destroy Satan and His influence on the world forever (which will happen in some way or another).
It also brings up good points - to modern readers the significance of seven hills or seven stars doesn't mean much, but in the ancient world it would have been symbols of divinity and kings. Imagining a slain Lamb would have been different to the Jews than to the Romans or even modern readers. And, since the events of the crucxification were in their memories and John had actually seen it, it adds even more relevance. I'm interested to see how he handles the rest of the text in the later novels. And the characters are certainly memorable, Nero with his insanity, Helius with his overtures of promiscuity and obsesession with physical appearance and his insecurity in his own power as Nero's right hand, the bruteness of Tigellinus, Chayim and his betrayal. The others, Sophia, Valeria, Maglorious, Quintus, Vitas, even Jonathan who exchanged his life for Vitas' and his family's, are all realistic. All in all, an engaging, invigorating read with a twist.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
But the most important theme of the book is the different perspective on the book of Revelation, the last book of what we now know as the New Testament. This perspective is different from other interpretations of Revelation, generally seen as the events of The Last Days before The End of the World and the Return of the Christ, when God will right all wrongs and completely destroy Satan and His influence on the world forever (which will happen in some way or another).
It also brings up good points - to modern readers the significance of seven hills or seven stars doesn't mean much, but in the ancient world it would have been symbols of divinity and kings. Imagining a slain Lamb would have been different to the Jews than to the Romans or even modern readers. And, since the events of the crucxification were in their memories and John had actually seen it, it adds even more relevance. I'm interested to see how he handles the rest of the text in the later novels. And the characters are certainly memorable, Nero with his insanity, Helius with his overtures of promiscuity and obsesession with physical appearance and his insecurity in his own power as Nero's right hand, the bruteness of Tigellinus, Chayim and his betrayal. The others, Sophia, Valeria, Maglorious, Quintus, Vitas, even Jonathan who exchanged his life for Vitas' and his family's, are all realistic. All in all, an engaging, invigorating read with a twist.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
03 June 2012
The Atonement Child: Redemption Story
Francine Rivers has always been one of my favorite writers, Christian or non-Christian.
The Atonement Child follows Dynah Carey, a young woman who was raped by a stranger and became pregnant. She rejects the morning after pill offered to her by her doctor. She doesn't believe it's possible that she could become pregnant. She does, and her fiancee, unable to cope with what happened and the possible scandal surrounding it if people don't believe she was raped, leaves her. That makes room for another young man, who has always been interested in Dynah, to possibly win her affections. A multitude of twists pepper the story, like her mother and grandmother's guilt over their own abortion stories. When Dynah refuses to abort her unborn child - not easily, of course - that is when her mother and grandmother's guilt and stories come out.
This is a beautiful story about the power of redemption. Our own redemption story can be found in it; Christ sacrificed everything to make sure we were saved, just like Dynah sacrificed everything in her life for her belief in life and Christ.
Rivers communicates a powerful truth: God never leaves us nor abandons us, despite trouble and horrors that come upon us. Good comes out of the bad that happens to us, according to Romans: "God works all things out for the good of those who love Him."
God worked in Dynah's lives and the lives of her doting family, and he works in and through the lives of those who love Him as well as well.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
The Atonement Child follows Dynah Carey, a young woman who was raped by a stranger and became pregnant. She rejects the morning after pill offered to her by her doctor. She doesn't believe it's possible that she could become pregnant. She does, and her fiancee, unable to cope with what happened and the possible scandal surrounding it if people don't believe she was raped, leaves her. That makes room for another young man, who has always been interested in Dynah, to possibly win her affections. A multitude of twists pepper the story, like her mother and grandmother's guilt over their own abortion stories. When Dynah refuses to abort her unborn child - not easily, of course - that is when her mother and grandmother's guilt and stories come out.
This is a beautiful story about the power of redemption. Our own redemption story can be found in it; Christ sacrificed everything to make sure we were saved, just like Dynah sacrificed everything in her life for her belief in life and Christ.
Rivers communicates a powerful truth: God never leaves us nor abandons us, despite trouble and horrors that come upon us. Good comes out of the bad that happens to us, according to Romans: "God works all things out for the good of those who love Him."
God worked in Dynah's lives and the lives of her doting family, and he works in and through the lives of those who love Him as well as well.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
01 June 2012
Review: 'Almost Amish'
"Almost Amish" is a how-to book on living the simpler life. It isn't a book that tells everyone to live like an Amish person, though, like one might think when reading the title. It gives advice on the joys of living more simply. The Amish live nearly without technology or any of the modern conveniences of life, yet they manage to be incredibly content. Nancy Sleeth has discovered how to live like the Amish - without actually being Amish. Instead of being plugged in all the time, surfing the Internet all the time, driving and texting all the time, we can start to cut some of it out of our lives - and limit other parts of it.
What I get out of it? When we trim that unfortunate parts of our lives out, we can start to make more time for our family, friends, and faith. We can grow closer to God and deepen our faith in a shallow world where too much activity has become the curse that drives us away from spending time with God.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
What I get out of it? When we trim that unfortunate parts of our lives out, we can start to make more time for our family, friends, and faith. We can grow closer to God and deepen our faith in a shallow world where too much activity has become the curse that drives us away from spending time with God.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
23 May 2012
S.M.A.L.L method example
Scripture.
John 14:2-3 - In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Meditate.
Jesus doesn't lie. "If it were not so, I would not have told you." He wants us. "That where I am, there you may be also." He doesn't leave us alone. Here he lists one of our four basic needs for physical survival. He provides us with our four basic needs for survival: food, water, shelter, and clothing. He is building us a mansion, a palace. How great and big heaven must be - there are over 2 billion Christians in the world today. If each of us gets a house...that's 2 billion mansions. And that isn't counting those people who have already died.
Absorb.
Writing out and saying the scripture out loud helps the brain remember Scripture.
John 14:2-3 - In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Live.
I can encourage other believers that Christ makes a home for us in Heaven. I can be okay in this life, with whatever shelter I have, because I know that someday I will have a mansion. I just have to make it to the afterlife.
Link.
Lord, thank you for reminding me of my mansion in Heaven, where you dwell and where Christ dwells. When I die, I will not be homeless. Even on this Earth, I am never alone; You will always provide for all my needs, physical and psychological. Thank you for Your strong hands that built it. Thank you that you died and rose again so that I would live with you forever. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
It's as simple as that! Prayers on you as you do your own Bible study and Scripture reading.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
John 14:2-3 - In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Meditate.
Jesus doesn't lie. "If it were not so, I would not have told you." He wants us. "That where I am, there you may be also." He doesn't leave us alone. Here he lists one of our four basic needs for physical survival. He provides us with our four basic needs for survival: food, water, shelter, and clothing. He is building us a mansion, a palace. How great and big heaven must be - there are over 2 billion Christians in the world today. If each of us gets a house...that's 2 billion mansions. And that isn't counting those people who have already died.
Absorb.
Writing out and saying the scripture out loud helps the brain remember Scripture.
John 14:2-3 - In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Live.
I can encourage other believers that Christ makes a home for us in Heaven. I can be okay in this life, with whatever shelter I have, because I know that someday I will have a mansion. I just have to make it to the afterlife.
Link.
Lord, thank you for reminding me of my mansion in Heaven, where you dwell and where Christ dwells. When I die, I will not be homeless. Even on this Earth, I am never alone; You will always provide for all my needs, physical and psychological. Thank you for Your strong hands that built it. Thank you that you died and rose again so that I would live with you forever. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
It's as simple as that! Prayers on you as you do your own Bible study and Scripture reading.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
Scripture studying method - S.M.A.L.L.
Just came up with a new Scripture studying methods for those who want to be students of the Bible.
Big things have small beginnings.
Scripture.
Write down the Scripture God lays on your heart.
Meditate.
Spend a few minutes thinking about the Scripture. What sticks out to you from the passage? Does a certain word or phrase remind you of something? What is God saying?
Absorb.
Absorption is a fastest way to get healthy. Absorb Scripture. Memorize the verse. If you chose multiple verses, try to memorize the entire passage you selected or just one verse.
Live.
Think of practical ways you can apply the Scripture in your everyday life. This could be as simple as smiling at someone (kindness), or holding the door for someone (service). This could be anything; don't hold back! If God reveals something to you, embrace it!
Link.
The last and most important part of Scripture studying is prayer. Linking to the Father, Son, and Spirit will do more to help you to complete the letters S, M, A, and L than anything else. Put God in remembrance of His promise. He will make your path straight.
Learning the Scriptures and applying them are not easy. Continuing to do it day after day is even harder. But the more you do it, the easier it is and the more fulfilling your life is.
Good luck on diving into the Scriptures. My prayers are with you as you learn more about and explore the best relationship - the one that will never fail - you will ever experience. Get ready to meet or re-meet, and then embrace, the God of Heaven, the Comforter, and the Savior of the World.
To help you, my next post will be an example of Scripture studying using the S.M.A.L.L method.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
Big things have small beginnings.
Scripture.
Write down the Scripture God lays on your heart.
Meditate.
Spend a few minutes thinking about the Scripture. What sticks out to you from the passage? Does a certain word or phrase remind you of something? What is God saying?
Absorb.
Absorption is a fastest way to get healthy. Absorb Scripture. Memorize the verse. If you chose multiple verses, try to memorize the entire passage you selected or just one verse.
Live.
Think of practical ways you can apply the Scripture in your everyday life. This could be as simple as smiling at someone (kindness), or holding the door for someone (service). This could be anything; don't hold back! If God reveals something to you, embrace it!
Link.
The last and most important part of Scripture studying is prayer. Linking to the Father, Son, and Spirit will do more to help you to complete the letters S, M, A, and L than anything else. Put God in remembrance of His promise. He will make your path straight.
Learning the Scriptures and applying them are not easy. Continuing to do it day after day is even harder. But the more you do it, the easier it is and the more fulfilling your life is.
Good luck on diving into the Scriptures. My prayers are with you as you learn more about and explore the best relationship - the one that will never fail - you will ever experience. Get ready to meet or re-meet, and then embrace, the God of Heaven, the Comforter, and the Savior of the World.
To help you, my next post will be an example of Scripture studying using the S.M.A.L.L method.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
05 May 2012
The Hunger Games trilogy
Ok! So it's here. A blog post for The Hunger Games trilogy. This will contain spoilers, so if you post anything about it being unfair to post spoilers, refrain. If you do post it, I will remove your comment. This is your warning. Read on and you will not be surprised!! I TOTALLY EXPECT SOME OUTSIDE HELP, SO POST!!!!!!!!!
Ok, so about the ending of book three. Totally AWESOME that Peeta lived and they eventually made mends. I always supported Peeta and Katniss (since Peeta didn't have any other love interest).
The epilogue was a little bit like, ugh. It sort of felt like there should be three more books, you know? Like their kids were going to do something, which would be totally rad! It didn't seem like an ending, although I'm sure the author MEANT for it to be an ending. lol.
And Peeta? Peeta was the only normal person. I want the author to rewrite the series from Peeta's point of view. That'd be sweet.
I was glad to get to the end of book three. I didn't like being a seventeen-year-old girl when I was a seventeen-year-old girl, and Katniss is like horrible. She's crazier than I remember being (she's also in the middle of a war zone).
The books actually weren't that bad. Either it was my version or the tense changes occasionally changed and then changed back. I can mostly overlook a few errors if the plot is good enough...and the plot was pretty different (kids killing kids to survive? That's pretty twist-of-topic, I think). It's not like Snow was the shining model of awesomeness, either. But Katniss, except for her sacrifice to save her sister, hardly had a firm moral backbone. Really, Peeta shine as the best character in the novels.
Ok, so everyone who usually reads my blog posts knows that I always see a religious aspect in everything. Well, did any other Christian notice that Peeta seemed like a Jesus character? He even died (temporarily) in book two! He never gave up on Katniss, just like, according to the Bible, Christ never gives up on his bridegroom. He'll always return for her, he'll always forgive her, he'll always love her.
And Christ can orchestrate our deaths, too, but He never WANTS to do that. But He can't be brainwashed to do that, it's our actions that cause our punishment.
What do you think?
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
Ok, so about the ending of book three. Totally AWESOME that Peeta lived and they eventually made mends. I always supported Peeta and Katniss (since Peeta didn't have any other love interest).
The epilogue was a little bit like, ugh. It sort of felt like there should be three more books, you know? Like their kids were going to do something, which would be totally rad! It didn't seem like an ending, although I'm sure the author MEANT for it to be an ending. lol.
And Peeta? Peeta was the only normal person. I want the author to rewrite the series from Peeta's point of view. That'd be sweet.
I was glad to get to the end of book three. I didn't like being a seventeen-year-old girl when I was a seventeen-year-old girl, and Katniss is like horrible. She's crazier than I remember being (she's also in the middle of a war zone).
The books actually weren't that bad. Either it was my version or the tense changes occasionally changed and then changed back. I can mostly overlook a few errors if the plot is good enough...and the plot was pretty different (kids killing kids to survive? That's pretty twist-of-topic, I think). It's not like Snow was the shining model of awesomeness, either. But Katniss, except for her sacrifice to save her sister, hardly had a firm moral backbone. Really, Peeta shine as the best character in the novels.
Ok, so everyone who usually reads my blog posts knows that I always see a religious aspect in everything. Well, did any other Christian notice that Peeta seemed like a Jesus character? He even died (temporarily) in book two! He never gave up on Katniss, just like, according to the Bible, Christ never gives up on his bridegroom. He'll always return for her, he'll always forgive her, he'll always love her.
And Christ can orchestrate our deaths, too, but He never WANTS to do that. But He can't be brainwashed to do that, it's our actions that cause our punishment.
What do you think?
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
08 April 2012
27 March 2012
'The Hunger Games' shoots straight and kills the box office
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| Katniss Everdeen of District 12 has to survive two weeks in a forested nightmare and be the last survivor, despite the fact that other teenagers want her dead in order to survive and be crowned the 7th Annual victor of their nation's twisted 'Hunger Games.' |
In fact, the whole concept of the Hunger Games seems horrible and hopefully will never come to pass, which Suzanne Collins, the author, said was based on a mixture of the ancient Roman gladitorial games, channel-surfing through reality TV, images of the Iraq war, and the mythic story of Theseus. Despite the concept, the movie was actually pretty great, except for a few details.
"The Hunger Games" starred Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, the 16-year-old protagonist who takes her 12-year-old sister Primrose's place as the District 12 girl tribute for the 74th Annual Hunger Games. Katniss has done her best to keep her mother and her younger sister alive, and this is just another element in Katniss' keep-my-sister-alive campaign. It is nonetheless extremely sacrificial and heroic, which later wins Katniss favor with "sponsors," rich people from the Capitol who can "be the difference life and death" for the kids during the Hunger Games, according to the overly-zealous, wig-wearing Effie Trinket (who's way too enthused about gathering kids who are about to die and really nothing more than an overly-done-makeup-wearing trinket and ninny).
Anyway, Katniss' district, apparently the poorest district in the nation, for their part in her sacrifice, merely stare at her and then kiss three fingers before raising them to her. (One has to go to the book to find out the meaning behind this, something I didn't like about the movie, which didn't EXPLAIN anything. The meaning, everyone, is that it's an old and little-used sign for respect, and, still rare, now is only used at funerals.) Fantastic! Katniss has a whole group behind her - behind her death, that is, for it appears no one expects her to survive. After all, there are 24 children, and only one survives; the one who survives has to kill the others, basically, or the ones that nature doesn't kill first. Not only that, District 12 has had exactly two victors, a dead person and a drunk named Haymitch, who is their mentor now. Oh yes. The boy, other than Gale, who's been in love with Katniss forever is Peeta Mellark, played by Josh Hutcherson, a baker's son who once threw bread to a starving Katniss - and of course he becomes the boy tribute from District 12. Naturally there will be romance. Lovers attempting to kill each other? A good adventure NEEDS a little romance, right?
So poor Katniss, who only wanted to save her sister, is thrust into the spotlight as an underfed, undertrained tribute and sent to the Capitol, a symbol of the punishment of the members of the Rebellion, in which 12 districts dared to rebel against the Capitol over 74 years earlier. Everyone assumes she will die in the rigged Games, and if she doesn't die, blood-thirsty, trained Cato will kill her. A wonderful and constantly twisting twist of fate is that they learn that two victors may be crowned, provided they're from the same district. Does that mean that Katniss and Peeta, star-crossed lovers, can both come out alive? Maybe...if Cato, some berries and unstable, ever-changing rules don't get to them first.
Praying you have faith, hope, and love always,
Rachel
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