I finally finished my first book of 2010: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. With my busy schedule, it's been harder to find time to read. I finally decided to start waking up earlier, so I can read in the morning before Sam wakes up. Anyhow, I'm glad that I sacrificed sleep in order to read this book. It's really engaging and thought-provoking.

Nafisi is a literary scholar who used to teach English in Tehran. Her book is a memoir of her experiences in Iran, particularly centering on when she began a class at her house to discuss forbidden Western literature. Her love for literature is apparent, not only in her writing style but in the way she discusses some of her favorite books (e.g. Lolita, Washington Square, Pride and Prejudice and Daisy Miller). I especially enjoyed when Nafisi went off on scholarly tangents, like the chapter when she compared the structure of Pride and Prejudice to an eighteenth-century dance.

The other fascinating aspect of this book revolves around the issues of female oppression and discrimination - particularly those that were prominent during Nafisi's time in Iran. It was interesting to read Nafisi's comparisons between life in Iran and the characters/themes of Western novels. Her memoir was a real eye-opener to me. Although I was aware of the oppression and discrimination that Nafisi described, I never thoroughly considered the psychological effects such oppression. It was really interesting to read a first-hand account from a woman who lived through such experiences.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves reading or is interested in Islamic/Middle Eastern issues. (Thanks for recommending this book to me, joolee!)

Fifteen minutes ago, I decided to simplify and organize my life. And I spontaneously decided that my objective could be best accomplished if I immediately started an account on Goodreads. And now, minutes later, I wonder if that was a good idea. It's been nice to throw away the old sticky notes and various scraps of paper on which I've written book recommendations - but do I really need to spend time on another social networking site?

I haven't been too diligent in photographing Sam lately. Luckily, I have some friends who have taken a couple of nice pictures (thanks Denise and Ashley!). Here are three of my favorites:



Sam vocabulary is expanding on a daily basis. It's always surprising to hear him say each new word (although sometimes we have to try and figure out what he's trying to pronounce - it took me a while to know that "moo-mik" = music. Sam had to point to the stereo and headbang before I clued-in on what he was saying). Right now he's really interested in words that are opposites, like "big" and "small." This morning he wanted to emphasize to me that moms are "biiiiiiiiig" and Sams are "little."

It's also surprising to hear him say words that I don't remember teaching to him, like "mailman." We recently discovered that he knows how to say my family's surname, and likes to emphasize that his aunts and uncles are "Miffs." He calls J's dad "Bop" (his variation of "Papa") and now calls my dad "Bop Miff." I love it.

On our fifth Valentine's Day, I finally figured out how to make the holiday successful for both me and J: specificity. As in, "J, for Valentine's Day I want a pair of gray netted tights from Fred Meyer. The ones that cost $14." And voila - success for me and J! Aren't these tights beauteous?

In other Valentine's Day news, Sam went to his first Valentine party this week. I took a few pictures of the kids at the party, but none of them really turned out. For the sake of documentation, though, here's a picture of Sam eating candies off of the first sugar cookie that he's ever decorated:
Did you do anything fun for Valentine's Day?

I like to be a busy person, but I am learning that I don't like to be too busy. J and I have been incredibly busy these past couple of weeks. J has taken on a little too much freelance work - he's been getting up early every morning to work (before his regular job) and then working on freelance projects every evening too. I've also been busy with teaching, grading papers/exams, and prepping for lectures. My days have also been filled with other activities. I have been asked to participate in/accompany/direct several musical projects for my church, which is quite time consuming (especially when music selection and vocal/piano practice is involved). I'm also trying to get to know people in my neighborhood/church congregation better, and have gotten involved in some other activities that way. It's quite fun, not only for me but for Sam.

My world has just been turned upside-down.

Today I deposited the first paycheck I've received in about eighteen months. It is so nice to feel like I'm contributing to the family bank account again. I know that J is completely fine being the breadwinner and providing for the family, but sometimes I feel strange about it. It doesn't seem fair that Sam and I deplete the bank account during the day - while at the same time J is at work, trying to earn money and replenish our funds.

It's nice to feel like I'm helping out, and that I don't just consume, consume, consume.

Speaking of consumption, do you want to hear how I splurged my paycheck funds? Okay, I didn't really splurge, but Sam and I did go on a $30 shopping spree at Target. This is what we got:

- A giant coloring book
- New (washable!) crayons
- A nice three-ring binder (by nice I mean a $10 binder, not the cheap economy binders)
- Bobby pins
- Mascara
- A $5 Muppets in Space DVD

Pretty exciting for a first paycheck celebration, eh?