Friday, February 4, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
I inherited my love of books from my mother, who comes from a long line of teachers, professors, educators, etc. While my father is also a voracious reader (if he has any free time on his hands you will find him reading something) he preferred reading newspapers, magazines, and periodicals; not books so much. Every vacation trip we ever took as a family, we spent at least one week in all shopping around for books. So, the love of books runs pretty deep in my family.
I don't know exactly when I started putting together a collection of books as my own, but by the end of high-school, I had quite a considerable number of books in my personal library: various encyclopedias (I loved general knowledge), text-books (not ones I was required to have; others I had found that explain my pet subjects better; yes, guilty of being a nerd =)), novels (mostly along the lines of Jeffrey Archer, John Grisham, and Robin Cook). However, the most prized books in my collection were three large books of fairy-tales. Three hardbound volumes that were a couple of inches thick, replete with illustrations, containing all the best tales, handed down to me by my mother, who got it from her uncle, who got it from.... I don't know, but it's been in my family a long time, hence the special attachment.
I moved after high-school; and couldn't take any of my books with me. The first year or so in my new home, I found myself missing my personal library a lot. I still do miss some of those books from time to time; the fairy tale books for example when yours truly made a reference to Rumpelstiltskin recently, and I couldn't remember all the details of the story. My new home and new family had many books around the house; I tried to gather a few of them into my room and claim them as my own, but... they didn't feel the same... They weren't MY books...
I waited patiently, saving up money here and there, and slowly started building up a new collection of books. I don't have quite as many books as I had before growing up; far less actually, but when writing this post I was surprised to see the kinds of books I now had in my collection. Growing up, I was curious about the world, about gaining knowledge, and fantasy and my library reflected that. Now, the thing I struggle most with is my christian pilgrimage, my faith, my relationships, and larger questions of life in general, and my new library, I was a little surprised to realize, reflected that too.
So, if you've never done this before, take a step back and look at the kinds of books you have in your collection. What does your personal library say about your life story and/or life focus?
Till we meet again on this journey,
Anish
I don't know exactly when I started putting together a collection of books as my own, but by the end of high-school, I had quite a considerable number of books in my personal library: various encyclopedias (I loved general knowledge), text-books (not ones I was required to have; others I had found that explain my pet subjects better; yes, guilty of being a nerd =)), novels (mostly along the lines of Jeffrey Archer, John Grisham, and Robin Cook). However, the most prized books in my collection were three large books of fairy-tales. Three hardbound volumes that were a couple of inches thick, replete with illustrations, containing all the best tales, handed down to me by my mother, who got it from her uncle, who got it from.... I don't know, but it's been in my family a long time, hence the special attachment.
I moved after high-school; and couldn't take any of my books with me. The first year or so in my new home, I found myself missing my personal library a lot. I still do miss some of those books from time to time; the fairy tale books for example when yours truly made a reference to Rumpelstiltskin recently, and I couldn't remember all the details of the story. My new home and new family had many books around the house; I tried to gather a few of them into my room and claim them as my own, but... they didn't feel the same... They weren't MY books...
I waited patiently, saving up money here and there, and slowly started building up a new collection of books. I don't have quite as many books as I had before growing up; far less actually, but when writing this post I was surprised to see the kinds of books I now had in my collection. Growing up, I was curious about the world, about gaining knowledge, and fantasy and my library reflected that. Now, the thing I struggle most with is my christian pilgrimage, my faith, my relationships, and larger questions of life in general, and my new library, I was a little surprised to realize, reflected that too.
So, if you've never done this before, take a step back and look at the kinds of books you have in your collection. What does your personal library say about your life story and/or life focus?
Till we meet again on this journey,
Anish
This Post was Written By: Anish Abraham a PHD student at UT Southwestern, in his free time he does just about everything including but not limited to: playing every instrument, designing websites (ie wordless thought's proud designer), coreographer, and good listener.
Image via Jcrew: http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/sleepwear/PRDOVR~33343/99102188083/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~0~15~all~mode+matchallany~~~~~pajama/33343.jsp
Alright so it is a common notion that pajamas are the end all be all of clothing, meaning every person dreams of being in their pajamas all day at home LOUNGING. I used to dream of being in my comfortable pajamas, warm and cozy, in fact every store I stop by I usually take a peek in the loungewear department to see if there is something new to add to my collection.
BUT PEOPLE, let me tell you, for the past month I have been living out this fantasy, I HAVE BEEN in my pJs at home with not a care in the world and it is OVER RATED.
I miss being able to pick out outfits with the intention of going somewhere. After all, I did spend money on all those clothes which are now neatly tucked away in suit cases without intentions of seeing the light of DAY! The more important point is, I feel so unproductive in my pajamas, I love them but they are meant for night time (sleeping) or those rare one day off lounging and watching chick flicks with the roomies...NOT for a permanent basis.
So to resolve this issue I am going to start wearing clothes (other then pjs or loungewear) every day, even if I have no intention of leaving the house. This will help me get that resume done because I feel motivated!
Any Suggestions?
Happy Thinking
Regina
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
White picket fence. Doggy door. Personalized game room. His and Her bathroom. Winding staircase. Extravagant chandelier. Bright red accent wall. Home theater. State of the art swimming pool. That one essential centerpiece of our dream homes.
My centerpiece? A library. Not just some random collection of books, but of books I want to read, already read and in the process of reading. A bedazzling treasure tucked away in my home. A secret getaway.
My library with its rolling ladders, ambient lighting, plush carpeting, sheer, white curtains, surround-sound system, cushioned window-seats, suede sofas, ottomans and chaises, ample amount of pillows, mini-refrigerator, vintage world map spanned across the accent wall, one intercom speaker by the door and a stash of snuggies and blankets. My one, essential centerpiece.
Full of fictionary tales of cowboys, romance, murder, aliens, scientists, warlords, princes, underdogs, humor, love and hate. Heart-provoking inspirations and thought-provoking revelations. Recipes. Magazines. Series. Instructionals. Reference. Photographic showcases. Kindle.
My library, the portal. My books, the tele-transporters.
Unfortunately, a few bad habits have to be dealt with before earning this prestigious librarian status. Lending out books and never asking for their return. Stacking books next to the pillow for easy-access. Using toilet paper for bookmarks. Judging books by covers. All marks, yet to be erased.
Until then, I can only call my 'library' a stash, divided amongst two homes. Let's just say, a rolling ladder is far from needed at the moment.
This Post was By: Marily Jacob a designer
Her Blog: http://marilyjacob.wordpress.com/
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Alright so I love Libraries...not the kind that you check out books but personal libraries, that place in your house where you store the great love stories, the mythic adventures, the poems and rhymes that shaped you into who you are today! I am very proud of my library and would like to share it with you! I also would like to invite help...if you have a library and would like to post a guest blog with a story about your library and what you are currently reading, PLEASE EMAIL ME! Add photos and let us know who you are!
THE LIBRARY OF REGINA ROY:
ONCE UPON A TIME....
There was a linen closet....
I love looking at the books on my shelves and adding to the collection!
CURRENTLY READING: Anna Karenina by: Leo Tolstoy
THE LIBRARY OF REGINA ROY:
ONCE UPON A TIME....
Just a Plain Linen Closet
I love looking at the books on my shelves and adding to the collection!
CURRENTLY READING: Anna Karenina by: Leo Tolstoy
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