Going Shopping

Just popping off to the US to do another bit of shopping.  This time I think I'll pop off to West Elm to buy a couple of these lamps.  The last picture looks like it was shot in my house, so I think it will fit into my decor well.

I better buy a Big Wednesday lotto ticket, win and then I'll be off.

Music Monday - Adele I Can't Make you Love Me

Just amazing.  I listened to this one at the weekend, and have been replaying it over and over.

I Wish

I Wish (2011)

This is a little Japanese movie that was on the Film Festival here in Wellington recently.  Because the viewing time was at 10:30am that day, I may have chosen to have a little sleep in rather than get up in the cold and head into town.

Instead I went to watch it with my friends after a yummy dinner of Rissotto and Brown sugar pavlova (yum).   At first I was a little confused by the story.  Essentially it is about two young brothers whose parents have split.  One lives with his mother and grandparents who run a little local cafe, and the other who lives with his father who is a singer in a band.  Both brothers enjoy their friends and swimming and speak to each other on the phone all the time.

The second half of the movie did make me smile, as both brothers and their friends decide to meet up and have an adventure together.  They have heard that at the point when two trains pass each other, if they make a wish it will come true.  So this is what they set off to see.

I did enjoy the thought of young kids having an adventure without parents being there the whole time, and I wonder if it could happen here in NZ, the UK or US?  I never got to do anything quite as exciting but by the time I was ten I did a lot of plane trips and bus rides by myself.

3/5

The Sacred Thread - Adrienne Arieff

The Sacred Thread - Adrienne Arieff (2012)

Adrienne is in her thirties and has been trying to conceive.  With fibroid tumours she has been unfortunate and had several miscarriages, leaving her and her husband distraught and wondering if they will ever be parents.

They discover Dr  Nayna Patels fertility and surrogacy service in rural India, and this is where Adrienne travels to in an attempt to find a surrogate for her baby.

It was an interesting memoir, and I felt that she dealt with the moral and ethical issues fairly.  For the young mother who became Adriennes surrogate, the money she earnt was equivalent to ten years of her husbands salary.  One has to hope that this money would be able to provide opportunities for her and her family, but it does make you think about rich westerners exploiting third world woman.  It did seem however, that the clinic was run well with a hostel type environment for the expectant mothers with  good nutrition, medical advice and education.

I was touched by this little book, both by the story of becoming a mother and the time spent in rural India.  4/5

Memoir of a Debulked Woman - Susan Gubar

Memoir of a Debulked Woman - Susan Gubar

Ovarian cancer is one of the quiet unglamorous,  unfashionable cancers, that sneaks up on us girls, with vague signs and symptoms and often presents at a late stage.  There aren't walks or badges for ovarian cancers, and it's not associated with any big name sponsors.

So Susans Gubars memoir is her story of diagnosis and life with ovarian cancer.  We get to hear of her journey after a surprise diagnosis,  and she also tells us about other woman who have who have undergone similar surgeries and treatments.

3/5

Dream New Dreams - Jai Pausch

Dream New Dreams - Jai Pausch (2012)

I think I discovered this book on Goodreads, my latest addiction.  Jai  Pausch is the widow of Randy Pausch the author of the last lecture - who died at a young age of Pancreatic Cancer, leaving her to raise their three young children, and to help him with nursing care and support.

Feeling abandoned as a caregiver, she set out to write the type of book that she was unable to find when confronted with the terminal diagnosis.  Having to juggle complicated medical care, travel and a young family stretched her to the point of breaking.  Then with her husband gaining a celebrity status at the end of his life, a new level of intensity and complications were added, and you to have to admire this strong woman.

She has used her experience to help others in similar situations and to educate various groups by speaking out about what she went through.  But, besides all of the medical parts of the story, is a touching love story, tested in the toughest of times.  4/5

Music Monday - Not Many (Row Mix)

This is one for the Kiwis.  Not sure if anybody else would understand the references to everything New Zealand in this one.  O for oarsome indeed!!

Worth Fighting For - Lisa Niemi Swayze

Worth Fighting For - Lisa Niemi Swayze (2012)

I stood in the bookshop last week, and glanced through the back of this book, which was making me teary.  Rather than let my mascara pour off in the shop, I reserved this book at the library.  I picked it up on Friday afternoon, and had it finished by the next day.

This is Lisas story of her life and marriage with Patrick Swayze, with their good and bad times.  It mainly focuses on the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, and his treatments and ultimate death.  Written soon after his passing this book is full of raw emotion, and I could sense the love between them and their shared 34 year marriage.

Reading this book also describes the confusing role of the caregiver in a patient with a terminal illness, and the shortcomings of the medical profession in giving support and guidance in end of life care.

A very touching 4/5

Amour

Amour (2012)

I go to French movies now with a sense of trepidation.  I have seen some entertaining ones, but in the past couple of years, I have found them a bit unsatisfying.  So going into this viewing with a large audience of somewhat older patrons, I clutched my subway sandwich and waited for the movie.

This is the story of an elderly couple, who at the start of the movie are fit and active and enjoying life.  As the movie continues, we get to see their gradual decline, as they age and lose their mobility and independence.

Certainly many of the moments were touching, and I thought they did a fabulous job of portraying a good and loving partnership.  For anyone who has elderly parents, or is approaching those years themselves, this is a poignant and moving movie.  Be sure not to miss the beginning, as this explains a little bit about how the movie ends.  I am sure those cinema goers who sneaked in late were a little confused by the story.

I was a little confused by the abrupt and very French ending, but the movie has been memorable and made me a tiny bit scared about growing old alone.

3/5

I Heart London - Lindsey Kelk

I Heart London - Lindsey Kelk (2012)

So this is book five of a series, but like a lot of chick lit it can stand alone.  I have to admit to not having read any of the earlier ones, but seeing it was the Olympics, I had a taste for reading something easy about London.

Angela Clark has made a new life for herself in New York, and is in the process of trying to secure the publication of her new magazine.  Deciding to return to London for her mothers birthday, she decides the time is right to introduce her  rocker fiancé and new friends to her parents and old friends.

While there, her mother suggests that they use the time to have their wedding, so much chick lit cliché mini disasters ensue.  I did enjoy some of the pop culture references, but it didn't have enough London references for me, and I sometimes wonder if I am not too old to enjoy such books.  I guess too, that they are designed to be read on your beach lounger in the Spanish sunshine.  3/5