After a great night catching up with her, Joel drove me to the city on Saturday morning to meet up with one of my best blogging buddies, Amy from The Babbling Box, who is now my official first bloggy friend turned real-life friend. Yay! Amy was in town for a wedding, and we got to spend a few hours roaming the city and enjoying lunch together while her mister fulfilled his bridal party obligations. What amazed me the most is how natural it felt to hang out with her after being cyber friends for so long!
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I told Amy she couldn't post this picture anywhere because... OMG... I look like a mess. But in the spirit of keeping it real, here's our lovely photo after lunch! |
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L-R Top: Strawberry, Peanut Butter Chocolate, and Red Velvet L-R Bottom: Snickerdoodle, Oreo, Carrot Cake |
After our day in the city, Joel and I joined some friends for our first official bonfire of the season. I'm not going to lie, I was more than a little chilly, but it still felt so good to be hanging out outside. The kiddos enjoyed their s'mores, and we all had lots of laughter. I always laugh so hard when hanging out with this group of friends, and Saturday night was no different!
Yesterday, I was spent. We still wanted to get out of the house, so we decided to take my parents' bikes for a leisurely spin. We didn't go all that far because it was my first time on a bike in probably more than a decade... maybe even two. And can I just say that my booty STILL hurts! I don't understand how people are comfortable on those seats!
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Evidence of my bike ride. Too bad there's no plane flying overhead! |
The coolest part of our little bike trip was that the prairie path goes past the local (charter) airport. At one point, we stopped to take a break, and jet came in for a landing directly overhead. I think Joel took a video... I'll have to ask him for it when I get home so I can post it!


This past week, I read an interesting book that I'm excited to share. I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced offers a glimpse into the life of a rural Yemeni girl who is forced to marry a man three times her age before she's able to even comprehend what happened or what it means.
After he moves her to a remove village, she realizes quickly that her life is forever changed. No longer is she allowed to play with other children her age or attend school. Instead, she is subjected to the scrutiny and abuse by her mother-in-law every day, and despite his promise to wait until after puberty, she suffers sexual and physical abuse from her husband every night.

Through her journey, Nujood learns that she has become a symbol of hope for child brides across the Middle East. Because of her strength and bravery, Yemeni laws have been changed, and many young girls have been inspired to pursue their own divorces to escape their fates.
I have to say, that although the content of this book is harrowing, it's not at all graphic. Nujood is able to describe the realities of her experience without making me cringe at the details. I would use this book with mature 8th grade students to help them see what life is like in other parts of the world. It would fit very well with my multi-cultural unit where students explore a life very different from their own. This book offers insight into life in rural Yemen apart from being a child bride as well.
**Please check my book log for a complete list of my Monday book reviews.
What about Sweet Mandy B's, Floriole Cafe, Molly's Cupcakes, or the Interurban Cafe? jaglanzer@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHaha, I got your comment on my blog today, and I'm wondering why I signed up to Boot Camp now, what with the fact I can't lift my arms high enough to even type this comment without hurting!! I would LOVE to go for a bike ride. Looks like a much easier/funner/better/any other adjective to describe better activity!!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea about the bakery, but still want to win!! haha.
Erin
Learning to be awesome
I have heard of this young woman (girl at the time, no?) but haven't read the book. Wow. Doesn't seem like it should be possible but it most definitely is. I'm so glad she found help. Now I will need to bump this up the TBR list!
ReplyDeleteI read I Am Nujood back in 2011 and really enjoyed a glimpse into a aorld that many of us in the West don't know or think about. I'm glad you enjoyed it as well.
ReplyDeleteHere's my It's Monday! Post
-Kimberly @ Turning the Pages
Okay...I don't know where you got those fabulous cupcakes, but I NEED to go there and sample them all!
ReplyDeleteI Am Nujood certainly sounds like an eye-opening read. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI am still so jealous that you and Amy got to hang out with one another, but so glad you both had the opportunity! I love the bike ride picture. I wish I had a bike. Sitting on the stationary bike in the gym is not the same thing. Not that I actually go there that often, but still...
ReplyDeleteAlison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'
Great to hear about your weekend - it does sound like a lot of fun. :) Thank you for sharing snapshots too. I am Nujood sounds like a powerful read will be on the lookout for it.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you posted this picture, cause when I finally get around to doing a Chicago recap its going up for sure. I am still amazed how seamlessly we just jumped into conversations, one of the many perks of blogging: friendships! And thank Joel again for driving me to the salon, it took me over an hour to get back to the hotel room so I am sure I would have been completely lost!
ReplyDelete