Old Pecan Street Festival

The original plan had been to meet up with M and then pick E and R up since they lived further west... But then M's brother got strep, and E's boyfriend made a surprise visit, and everything just kinda got screwy... But I kept thinking, "Nothing's going to stop me from enjoying this festival, especially since this was all that had been keeping me together during hell week," and so I told R he could either cancel or come with me, and he was smart enough to decide to go anyway!

It was a lot of fun. So much walking around, and so many vendors. The food, the fashion, the arts, and just random quirky shit. I loved it.

Got free yogurt with Chobani's! My hair was so messed-up by the end of the festival...

"The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini (2003)

Taking us from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the present, The Kite Runner is the unforgettable and beautifully told story of the friendship between two boys growing up in Kabul. Raised in the same household and sharing the same wet nurse, Amir and Hassan grow up in different worlds: Amir is the son of a prominent and wealthy man, while Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant, is a Hazara -- a shunned ethnic minority. Their intertwined lives, and their fates, reflect the eventual tragedy of the world around them. When Amir and his father flee the country for a new life in California, Amir thinks that he has escaped his past. And yet he cannot leave the memory of Hassan behind him.

The Kite Runner is a novel about friendship and betrayal, and about the price of loyalty. It is about the bonds between fathers and sons, and the power of fathers over sons -- their love, their sacrifices, and their lies. Written against a backdrop of history that has not been told in fiction before, The Kite Runner describes the rich culture and beauty of a land in the process of being destroyed. But through the devastation, Khaled Hosseini offers hope: through the novel's faith in the power of reading and storytelling, and in the possibilities he shows us for redemption.

•  Very moving; regret and guilt are some powerful emotions, and they are evoked to the maximum here. Reading this, I remembered my own similar experiences, which was strange and sad but also very satisfying.
• The landscape of Afghanistan is beautifully depicted, and its downfall to the Taliban absolutely tragic. Culturally, this book is rich. I learned a lot of things that I had not known before, like the ethnic clash between Hazara and Pashtun and interesting Afghani beliefs.
• There is a shocking scene in there that really stood out to me. It contributed a lot to the story, and I was amazed at how much I was capable of feeling just because of that scene. No matter how brutal or vulgar it may seem, I believe that it really made the story stand out from many others - because the author dared to take such a risk.
• The language is fluid and consistent with the narration, and the main character's voice develops well. It's so relatable, the way he grows up and matures: you fall in love as he falls in love, you feel that sick pounding feeling of guilt when he does, you achieve redemption when he does.
• I do have one objection, however, and it is about the way the Taliban is depicted in this book. Of course, I'm no expert in such a controversial subject matter, but I felt as if the main antagonist, Assef, was too one-dimensional and static. He doesn't seem to change at all through the course of the story, and though his motivations are explained quite concisely, he represents the Taliban, a group of people who are more complex than his simple greedy/religious motives.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Follow Me!

Outfit of the day: Papaya sweater (size M), H&M skirt (size 4), Naturalizer heels (size 7), and Roxy glasses.

Made a new friend yesterday :) I really like the way he talks... haha is that a weird thing to like?? Well, whatever.

Career Fair

 Took some shameless selfies... haha.

 Outfit of the day: M.S.S.P blouse (size M), J. Crew skirt (size 0), unknown belt, Ecco shoes (size 8).

Got some freebies, and my blouse keeps slowly... falling down. LOL.

Diez y Seis de Septiembre Fiesta

Cool, refreshing cucumber-lemonade! :D

My flautos lunch hehe.

 

With good company!

Little Lady

Outfit of the day: Ann Taylor cardigan (size S), Ecco sandals (size 6.5), Roots tank dress (size S), unknown belt.

Lately I've been feeling pretty good about myself, and maybe it's finally showing. I'm always pleasantly surprised (and flattered) when guys compliment me or ask me for my number, and I doubt that will ever change! Regardless of my relationship status, whatever it may be at the time being.

"Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen (2006)

Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.

Jacob was there because his luck had run out—orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive "ship of fools." It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act—in fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.

Surprising, poignant, and funny, Water for Elephants is that rare novel with a story so engrossing, one is reluctant to put it down; with characters so engaging, they continue to live long after the last page has been turned; with a world built of wonder, a world so real, one starts to breathe its air.

• I liked it, and definitely thought it was a fun read. It's also sort of dark: the beginning starts out with Jacob's parents' death, and so he is left alone with nowhere to go. Then you see the circus, and you might think "oh, here comes fun!" but keep in mind that this part of the story is all taking place during the Great Depression. The characters all have their dark sides, and I loved how that played out in the story.
• The interactions with the animals were also quite real, and there is also a shockingly horrifying scene - the climax - that has the elephant as a huge part of it. Honestly, that part disturbed me to the point that I preferred the chimpanzee more. Haha, maybe I just can't stomach certain ideas.
• I thought Uncle Al and August were greatly portrayed: they're interesting and quirky, a bit mental... Walter and Queenie, I also liked.
• Jacob serves the usual role of the protagonist in unfortunate circumstances, but unfortunately I didn't feel much for the love interest, Marlena. She's beautiful, blushes a lot, falls in love with Jacob, and happens to be married to someone else. The most interesting part about her was when she was telling her story of how she met August, but otherwise, she didn't seem to stand out to me other than through her "sparkles of sequins" in the show.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars!

Busy Bee

Well, today was a nice Sunday.

First, I went to the Blanton Museum of Art for a philosophy assignment with a friend, and ended up making a new friend on the way :) I love it when that happens! So awesome.

And then we headed over to L's house, which was close by in West Campus, and chatted with him for a little bit. I left B with L so they could have a late lunch, and headed back home since I had promised to play tennis with a couple of friends.

The weather was so nice today, not your typical Austin weather. Loved it! We all thought it was going to rain, but it never did, and it was just totally awesome. Later that evening, I went home with my best friend, A, and she cooked me some veggie curry, which was also amazing.

Looking at mini-elevators at the museum! <3 br="">

Oh What a Fake Hipster

Outfit of the day: Roxy glasses, Ecco sandals (size 6.5), Papaya skirt (size S), unknown Korean brand tshirt, Paraphrase knit sweater (size S).

I wasn't trying to go for a hipster look, but ah... well. All I need are braids and a longer skirt now, but unfortunately my hair is not long enough for braids and I'm short and don't look good in maxi dresses/skirts.

Party on the Plaza 2013

Outfit of the day: unknown Chinese brand hoodie, Dickies jeans (size 1), and Brooks tennis shoes (size 8.5)

Here's the Sperm Man! Donate your sperm today!

So much free stuff! I got a pair of sunglasses, two bags, speakers, earbuds, a beer koozer, chapstick, USB, a carrot, a free drink, two Honest Ades, popcorn, and a shitload of coupons. My day is complete.

Labor Day Shopping

Last night, I took J, I, and M out shopping... (LOL at their initials.) We had some fun just going around looking at labor day sales in The Domain, and later headed out to eat at Amy's Ice Cream.

Outfit of the day: Roxy glasses, American Eagle headband, Indigo Rein romper (size S), Sugar wedges (size 7).

Favorite Facial Mask

So relaxing... I had My Beauty Diary's Bird Nest mask on, and it felt soo good! Now I know what all that hype is about ;)