Spring Break so far...

As many of you know it's spring break for me and I've been saving my spending money so that I could enjoy it a bit.  Now there is no crazy trips or excessive drinking involved for me but it does mean I get to read novels and see movies.  In the last week I've read 1.5 books and seen 3 movies  I have seen Beastly which was the topic of my first blog post.  Last night, on the fullest moon we'll see for the next 20 or so years, I saw Red Riding Hood which was a good movie but obviously done by the same director as the first Twilight film (Catherine Hardwicke).  Tonight, I saw Jane Eyre.

Jane Eyre is one of my all time favorite stories.  In the book Charlotte Bronte describes the experiences and life of Jane Eyre exquisitely and so it is very hard to get all of that into a 2 hour movie.  There are several scenes from the book that I wish had been in the movie.  For example, showing Mr. Rochester and his first wife on the roof will Thornfield  is on fire.  That is such a dramatic scene in the book and would be wonderful to see; however, it is often shown in other movie versions of the book.  I also missed the prolonged "courtship" between Jane and Mr. Rochester.  In the book, Bronte describes several periods when the two are observing each other from across a room or the dinner table but never speak to each other.  The screenwriter however did remember to include lots of witty dialogue for the characters which stays true to the book.  Jane and Mr. Rochester are equals of the mind and the tongue and it is not lost in this version of the film. I would rate this film a 3 out of 4 stars for the fact that several scenes that I would have liked in the film were not.  Jane Eyre is currently only showing at two theaters in the Seattle area: the Neptune in Seattle and Lincoln Square Cinemas in Bellevue Square.  My showing was nearly sold out and when it got out a line was already forming for the next show that started in 45 minutes.  I'm not sure when it goes in wide release.

As a tangent...I always thought that if you were to combine Mr. Darcy (if you don't know who he is you live under an rock) and Mr. Rochester you would have the perfect man.

I'm not sure what my next movie will be.  It could be The Adjustment Bureau or I just might go see Sucker Punch when it comes out next weekend.  I love going to the movies and if any body wants to join me just let me know and we can make it happen.  And if there are movies you think I should see post them below.  I always enjoy a good recommendation.

Don't judge a book by its cover...

I'm sure everyone who knows me understands the title of this blog...because there is never enough time in the day to do everything you want, sometimes I can't even do everything I need to do.  I spend my time working, doing school work, sleeping, eating, trying to be social.  I can't wait for breaks between quarters because that is when I get to do my favorite things like read and going to the movies.  I just finished my first book(River Marked by Patricia Briggs) for this break and it only took me two days after finishing my last assignment for winter quarter. 

Tonight I also went to the movies and I saw Beastly.  Now, I know it's probably not the best film in the world but most of my close friends know that my favorite Disney film is Beauty and the Beast (and no it's not all about the books, but it's helpful) so it's not that surprising that I went and saw this movie.  I always love the message that these stories tell the viewer and as an adult sometimes we forget those childhood lessons.  My reminder tonight was not to judge a book by its cover.  Now, as a library student I use that line when actually talking about books all the time and as far as I know I try not to judge people by how they look on the outside.  However, this made be think of all the covers, or masks, we don't see.  People wear masks most of the time and I probably own half a dozen of them myself.  I hide behind my "daughter" mask...my "co-worker" mask...my "teacher" mask….and I think my mask that is closest to the real me is my "student" mask and that's probably because when I'm typing, a lot of what I hide disappears.  I think the best and most true version of myself is what comes out online.  That is when my mask is tissue paper thin and the real me can be seen.  But then the question is...where do these masks come from?  How do we build them and why?  I think they come from somewhere deep inside where we're hurting or confused and we don't want anyone to see.  We don't want others to see our tears or confusion.   I think my worst mask is the one I wear when I'm around a certain person I like.  Every time I'm around him I feel insecure.  I know I'm just barely average in looks and intelligence...but when I'm around him I try to act confident and strong but in retrospect I come off as pushy, bossy, and any other synonym for those words.  But yet I'm really not like that on a day to day basis, but only when I'm around him.  I make up stupid reasons to be near him too...but then I think every guy or girl does that.

So in conclusion, remember that everyone wears a mask and to not judge a book my it's cover.  You might be missing something really good on the inside.

My next Spring Break read: Iron Crowned by Richelle Mead