Dream Casting: Return of the Native

It recently came to my attention that there is only one movie version ever of Thomas Hardy's novel Return of the Native. Why in the world is that? I had to read it for the first time this semester as part of an English literature class, and while I approached it with some trepidation due to its reputation as an immoral book, I came to thoroughly enjoy it and love the characters.

Probably the most important theme that I took away from the book was how fragile the marriage relationship can be, and how many people it can affect when a marriage breaks down. Both of the young couples in the book married against the advice of their parents and peers, and the eventual breakdowns of their relationships not only destroyed their own lives, but harmed and even killed other members of their families and communities. The key, though, was not that the characters were horrible people who were wantonly looking for affairs outside of their marriages (with the exception of the wicked Wildeve). Most of them were victims of emotional decisions, not being careful whom they spent time with, and seeking satisfaction from their spouses that they could not provide. This book was a great example of how good people can make poor choices that lead them to situations they never thought they would be in.

And soooo, because this was such a good book, I was very disappointed to discover that its only movie adaptation was made back in the 90's and is generally agreed to be pretty lousy.  :-P  So a couple of weeks ago, while I was bored in another class, I put together my own casting for a new version. If you're familiar with the book, let me know what you think!

***

Clementine "Clym" Yeobright

Tom Hiddleston

idealistic, thoughtful, altruistic, self-sacrificing, attached to his mother

Eustacia Vye Yeobright

Keira Knightley

beautiful, mysterious, fiery, depressive, frustrated

Damon Wildeve

Richard Armitage

handsome, indolent, selfish, passionate, amoral 

Thomasin Yeobright Wildeve

Carey Mulligan

innocent, optimistic, loyal, gentle, domestic

Diggory Venn

Jeremy Renner

mysterious, intelligent, loyal, manly, courageous

Mrs. Yeobright

Emma Thompson

genteel, educated, philosophical, stubborn, dramatic

*** 

Now, casting Jeremy Renner as Diggory Venn would be a bit of a risk, because casting him in a period drama would be severely against type; but I picked him for two reasons - firstly, because he looks fairly close to the way I envision Diggory in the book, and secondly, because Diggory's character has some similarities to Hawkeye in Avengers. Diggory is a loner who lives at the edges of society, watching the other characters and quietly interfering in their lives to guide them toward doing the right thing (or, at least, the best choice at the time). He has a sort of magical quality about him, and he is definitely a strong, silent type like Hawkeye. So I think this choice might work.

Also, Carey Mulligan doesn't typically play "good girl" roles, but with her babyface and high voice, I think she could portray Thomasin if she put her mind to it.  :-)  And can you imagine the universe imploding when Emma Thompson and Tom Hiddleston played mother and son??

Have you read the book? What did you think of it? What do you think of my casting?

~ Vicki

Tonight, I Am ...

Seeing: The beautiful first night of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics!

Hearing: The quiet evening voices of the older members of my family - the little ones are long in bed.

Smelling: The fabric softener smell on my warm, cozy sweatshirt.

Tasting: My delicious apple-pie-flavored Greek yogurt.

Needing: Sleep!

Wanting: To renovate and revitalize my blog so it is as dynamic and helpful as all of the other blogs I follow.

Regretting: Losing my temper, snapping at my mom and shoving my laptop across the floor.

Feeling: A little bit sick, thoughtful, irritable, and glad for some rest.

Wishing: That I could wear maxi skirts without looking so tiny.

Thinking: About how cold it's going to be tomorrow (wind chill below -20 degrees!!).

Laughing: At Benedict Cumberbatch appearing on Sesame Street!!



Recovering: From a very difficult week that has involved a lot of snow and ice, doctors, fatigue, outside commitments, and experiencing the Lord working every minute on my behalf.

Believing: That the God of heaven is on my side and working everything out for my good.

Anticipating: Wearing the pretty outfit I have picked out tomorrow.

Dreaming: About Valentine's Day and wondering whether I'll have found my special someone by the time it rolls around next year.

Praying: For my dear friend Frannie, who is busy as a little bird building her house of dreams with her soon-to-be husband!

Reading: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Yes, again.  :-)

Singing: "Cavan Girl"



Wearing: My favorite hooded sweatshirt, black yoga pants, and fuzzy pink slipper socks.

Preparing: To go to bed!

Remembering: Watching my friend perform in one of my school's awesome musical shows a couple of months ago.

Trying: To stay on top of all of my confusing homework.

Questioning: What in the world I'm going to write about for my history paper due next week.

Fearing: That I might be catching a cold or the flu ...

Loving: This:



Googling: How to follow a low-sodium diet ... due to a recently diagnosed health problem, I now have to eat a very low-sodium diet; and I really haven't the faintest idea how to start. Definitely reading a lot about this after my weekend library trip.

Choosing: To sacrifice a few more minutes of sleep to finish this post.  ;-)

Working: On designing some posters for one of my student organizations.

Emailing: A dear friend who has been very supportive during this week and all the things I've been dealing with.

Gluing: Eeeehhm ... nothing ...

Texting: NOBODY. Hallelujah!! Facebook and text messaging have been sorely impinging on my introvert recharge time lately, and it's like stepping into an oasis to turn off the phone and log out of FB for a while!

Cracking: Eeeehhm ... nothing ...

Considering: Ways to make a difference in the things that really get me feeling passionate - workers' rights, ending poverty and hunger, and fighting abortion.

Turning: To look at the huge stack of CDs I archived all my photos onto this week.

Biting: Eeeehhm ... nothing ...

Reducing: The number of tabs I have open.  :-}

Longing: To have a husband, home, and family of my own - and yet rejoicing in the amount of peace that the Lord has given me over the last year in this area. I am not desperate anymore! I can truly say that if it is not the Lord's will for me to marry, I will not be sorry or unhappy in singleness. And I honestly mean that.

Suffering: With a slightly sore throat and a little bit of chills.

Recognizing: That it really is time for me to be getting to bed.

Checking: To make sure that I haven't forgotten to do anything before I go ...

Organizing: My backpack for tomorrow.

Practicing: Poor posture, lazy typing habits, and looking under my glasses with the apparent goal of giving myself eyestrain.

Reckoning: Myself very blessed for a huge number of reasons!

Smiling: Because:



I hope you all are having a wonderful evening, getting (or getting ready to get) some good rest, and staying warm!! I love you ladies!  <3

Hugs,
Vicki

Literary Mashup Tag

Hey guys! I saw this tag on a reeeeeally old post on Miss Dashwood's blog, Yet Another Period Drama Blog, and it looked like so much fun that I wanted to try it myself! Technically I'm supposed to tag people to try it, but I'm just throwing it out there for fun, and anyone who thinks it looks fun is welcome to try it too!

***

First, choose 12 literary characters BEFORE reading the rest of the tag. Here are mine:

1. Dr. John Watson
2. Catherine Morland
3. St. John Rivers
4. Emma Woodhouse
5. Sherlock Holmes
6. Sydney Carton
7. Jane Eyre
8. Alan Breck Stewart
9. Edward Rochester
10. Silas Marner
11. Fitzwilliam Darcy
12. Lucy Steele

And now, the tag will commence:

1. Who would make a better college professor, #6 or #11?

My #6 is Sydney Carton and my #11 is Mr. Darcy ... I would definitely say Mr. Darcy. Poor Sydney is too depressed to stay sober most of the time, let alone lecture about something.

"Hand over the linens, and nobody gets hurt"

2. Number 12 sends #8 out on a mission. What is it? Does it succeed?

Lucy Steele sends Alan Breck out on a mission ... wow ... I would say, since she is flippant and he has excellent taste in fabrics and fashion, she is probably sending him on a mission to smuggle some kind of exotic fabric back from the Orient; and knowing Alan, I would say that it will ultimately succeed after a series of dramatic escapades and near-mishaps. But that pairing is absolutely beyond weird.

3. What is, or what would be, #9's favorite book?

Edward Rochester? Hmmm ... something dark and Gothic. Perhaps a supernatural murder story, with ghosts and candlelit rooms and haunted cathedrals. But I don't know any specific books like that.

4. Would it make more sense for #2 to swear fealty to #6 or the other way around?

Eeah, Catherine Morland and Sydney Carton ... both equally self-absorbed and helpless, actually ... I think it would make ever-so-slightly more sense for Catherine to swear fealty to Sydney, because I really can't see Sydney taking any interest whatsoever in Catherine.

5. Number 5 is looking for a roommate. Should he room with #9 or #10?

Sherlock Holmes is looking for a roommate ... yep, we've all heard that before! Edward Rochester and Silas Marner are the choices, and I would have to suggest Silas Marner - Rochester and Holmes would tear each other to pieces, but Silas Marner and his odd miserly ways would be a fascinating (if slightly irritating) study for Holmes in his free time.

6. Number 2, #7, and #12 are going out to dinner. Where are they going, and what do they discuss?

Catherine Morland, Jane Eyre, and Lucy Steele would go to someplace fairly private, like a small inn; Lucy would dominate the conversation, speaking on such frivolous topics as she is wont to do, while Catherine would listen in boredom and submit a few comments here and there. Jane, on the other hand, would sit quietly, possibly with some kind of handiwork or a discreet book, and she would listen and marvel at the frivolity of both of the other ladies.

7. Number 3 challenges #10 to a duel. Who wins?

St. John Rivers and Silas Marner in a duel! How shocking! Silas would fight valiantly for whatever it was he was defending, but of course St. John would win in the end.  :-(

8. If #1 stole #8's most precious possession, how would he get it back?

So, Dr. Watson stole one of Alan Breck's golden buttons, eh? Alan Breck would quite grandly challenge Dr. Watson to a duel, which I doubt he would accept - he would either sternly and condescendingly give the button back, or summon the police - after which summons Alan Breck would beat a hasty retreat.

9. Suggest a story title in which #7 and #12 both attain what they want.

Peace and Power. Jane Eyre achieved peace and love in her life, and Lucy Steele got the position and money that she wanted.

"How about ... no"

10. What kind of plot device would you have to use to get #1 and #4 to work together?

Dr. Watson and Emma Woodhouse? That's easy - they would put their heads together to find a wife for Sherlock Holmes!

11. If #7 visited you for the weekend, how would you get along?

Jane Eyre and I would get along like angels. She is everything I aspire to be in a woman, and I would hope we could spend the weekend in quiet conversation, with me sitting awestruck at her feet and asking her advice on every subject relating to life and love.

12. If you could command #3 to perform any service or task for you, what would it be?

I am terribly in awe of St. John Rivers despite all of his coldness ... the only thing I could muster the courage to ask him for would be a prayer or a blessing!

13. If #2 had to choose sides between #4 and #5, which side would she choose?

If Catherine Morland had to choose between Emma Woodhouse and Sherlock Holmes, she would immediately and unreservedly choose Sherlock Holmes - Catherine is fascinated by all things dark and mysterious, and Holmes certainly fits into those two categories! Besides, she would probably try to wheedle Holmes into letting her help on a case ... which would disgust him to no end, but anyway ...

14. What might #10 shout out while charging into battle?

Silas Marner? In battle? Probably either "oh dear" or "bah".

15. If you had to choose a song to describe #3, what would it be?

A song to describe St. John ... my sister Heather quite wisely suggested "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling". It has a verse praying for the achievement of sinless perfection, which is really what St. John was pursuing after all. My sister is schmart.  ;-)

16. Number 1, 6, and 12 are having a dim sum at a Chinese restaurant. There is only one scallion pancake left, and they all reach for it at the same time. Who gets it?

Lucy Steele beats Dr. Watson and Sydney Carton any day ... for one thing, I don't think Sydney really ever consumes anything besides rotgut whiskey; and for another, Dr. Watson is much too polite to take anything from a lady; and to top all that, Lucy Steele is a terribly grasping individual and she would rather stomp on the gentlemen's faces than give up any shred of something she wanted. (Yup, I hate Lucy Steele.)

17. What would #5 likely be arrested for?

Sherlock Holmes is likely to be arrested on any variety of fascinating charges, from trespassing to destruction of private property to drug possession to government infiltration ... yeah, just about anything.

18. What is #6's secret?

*Gasp of pain*  Sydney Carton really does have a secret, and if you read A Tale of Two Cities you'll know it ... his secret is his heart. His beautiful, noble, idealistic heart, that is broken and chained by his depression, hopelessness and self-hatred. There is no man or woman in all of literature that could have attained and loved more than Sydney, if he had only had the chance.

"Which way did he go?"

19. If #11 and #9 were racing to a destination, who would get there first?

Mr. Darcy and Mr. Rochester! How fascinating! I would love to see a meeting between these two gentlemen ... I believe Mr. Rochester would probably win a race, simply because he would not spare his horses or watch out for their safety and health the way dear Mr. Darcy would.

20. If you had to walk home through a bad neighborhood late at night, who would you be more comfortable walking with, #7 or #8?

Umm, I think I'd have to choose Alan Breck over Jane Eyre here ... Alan is a perfect, maybe even overly exaggerated, gentleman; and I have no doubt that he would instantly and aggressively come to my rescue if we met with any would-be thugs or robbers. And you know, I would like to see that ... !  :-)

21. Number 1 and #9 reluctantly team up to save the world from the threat posed by #4's sinister secret organization. Number 11 volunteers to help them, but it is later discovered that s/he is actually a spy for #4. Meanwhile, #4 has kidnapped #12 in an attempt to force their surrender. Following the wise advice of #5, they seek out #3, who gives them what they need to complete their quest. What title would you give this fiction?

Wow! Okay, let's restate this here:

"The time portal is broken and the universe is in an uproar. Dr. John Watson finds himself separated from Sherlock Holmes and trapped in 1840's England, which is on the brink of destruction: Queen Victoria and her husband are being held hostage by a widespread and deadly secret organization, rumored to be headed by the wealthy, beautiful and cunning Emma Woodhouse. Watson's only ally is the headstrong and unpredictable Edward Rochester. Rochester's ancestral home, Thornfield, has been converted into a battle headquarters for the forces trying to rescue the queen, and some of the brightest minds in England - from all ages of history - have convened there to hatch a plan to destroy Woodhouse's evil organization and reclaim the queen and the throne.

"Rochester finds the lost and confused Watson wandering the streets of the London he no longer recognizes, and he brings him back to Thornfield. Holmes has already arrived - he is working with Fitzwilliam Darcy and other thinkers and strategists, forming a plan to discover the organization's heart and capture Emma Woodhouse. In less than an hour, Holmes has sketched a plan to use disguises and bribes to work their way into the organization from the outside, and the rescue forces agree wholeheartedly.

"But tragedy strikes that night when Woodhouse's forces attack Thornfield, kidnapping the hysterical Lucy Steele and leaving Holmes badly wounded. Darcy has also disappeared. Holmes immediately deduces that Darcy was a spy for Woodhouse. Now that their plan is exposed, they will likely be under attack from the organization again, and soon. They must act quickly to strike the organization and avoid another attack on Thornfield.

"Holmes, who is weakening rapidly, tells Watson that he believes the key to destroying the organization can be found with the mysterious St. John Rivers, a clergyman who has taken up arms and become a lethal loner, making daring and deadly midnight strikes against the organization's strongholds. The rescue forces follow Holmes' advice, and Rivers (after some hesitation) agrees to reveal his plan: to capture Emma Woodhouse's aging father. With the old man held at Thornfield, likely in a state of terror and nervous panic, Woodhouse will be willing to negotiate - at any price. But who will be courageous enough to break into Hartfield and carry off the old man?"

This would be the craziest novel I ever read ... and I would title it Rendezvous at Thornfield.

*****

This was a super fun tag, and especially since the whole family's been snowed in for 3 days! I'd love to read your version, if you're snowed in too and want to give it a try!  :-D

Hugs!!
~ Vicki

The Writer's Secret

This afternoon started out as a normal afternoon.

I wasn't feeling very well, so I curled up on the sofa under a fuzzy blanket, and planned to while away the afternoon by watching Return of the Jedi and wrapping my headphone cords with colorful embroidery floss. I had no computer on except for my tablet, which was playing soft music, and I wasn't thinking about much besides keeping my floss untangled.

Little did I know what adventure awaited me.

They came out of nowhere. Two dashing young inventors wearing shirtsleeves and waistcoats and, of course, goggles - one with his pushed recklessly up into his curly ginger hair, the other with his wrapped neatly across his gray tweed roadster hat. They approached me politely and the one with the hat pulled it off. "Hello, love," said the younger of the two, the ginger one, taking my hand and kissing it gallantly. "I say, we're in a bit of a fix."

"That's right," the older dark-haired one stepped in, fiddling shyly with his pocket watch. "You see - our entire world is under attack by a brutal madman, and it's up to us to stop him."

"But we need a story," the younger one explained. He got down on one knee next to the couch and let his blue-green eyes twinkle over a winsome crinkled smile. "We need someone to create us a world and the equipment that we'll use to fight this man and stop him. You're the one who can write this story for us."

"Me!" I dropped my headphone cords and stared at them in shock. "I've never written a story like that before! I don't think you've got the right person!"

"Yes, we do." The older one sat down next to me on the sofa and took my hands, his whole face alight with eagerness and confidence. "We know you can do it - we've looked everywhere for the one who will write this story in the very best way, and we knew you were the girl for the job. Love, we'll be right here to help you. We know how it's supposed to go. Just give us life and take us where we need to go, and we'll do the rest."

"You can help us stop this madman!" The younger one pulled a folded paper out of his pocket and spread it out on my lap. It was a hastily sketched blueprint that sent chills down my spine. "There, I saw you shiver. Is this what you want to happen to us?"

I looked half-fearfully at his sober face. "Would it really happen?"

"It certainly would."

I looked back down at the blueprint and felt the weight of responsibility fall into my shoulders. They were right - I needed to write this story for them. This was a story that needed to be told, and these young men needed my help and my words to create their world. Who would do it, if not me? When they had come to me specifically and asked me for help?

I folded up the paper and held it in both hands as I looked up into their shining, grease-smudged faces. "I'll do it."

Each of them took one of my hands in both of theirs and pressed it joyfully, and their eyes shone with tears of gladness. "Thank you," the older one whispered. The younger one pressed his lips to my hand, and I felt two tears fall onto my wrist.

"We'll stay nearby and help you with this until you write it." It sounded so innocent. But I've been a writer for many years - I knew that what he really meant meant was that their faces were now imprinted in my writer's brain, and that they would stay there, haunting me, until I put their story down on paper. I knew that when I said "I will," I was giving a part of my life into their hands, agreeing to watch them write their own story while my fingers flew as fast as they could across the keyboard, trying to keep up. All they were really asking was to live for a little while through my heart and my hands.

This is the writer's secret. As I watched them take their leave and stride out the door, I turned to the Internet to start doing my research, because I knew they would soon be back. A new story had come, and I was chosen to write it.

And I couldn't be happier.

Which Little House on the Prairie Character Are You?

 My sister Heather is something of an expert on the Little House on the Prairie books and TV shows, and a little while ago, she wrote this amazing self-quiz to determine which character matches your personality best. I loved taking it and found it awesomely accurate! Way to go, Heather!

Drop me a comment and let me know which character you are!

*******************

Which Little House on the Prairie Character Are You?

1. Do you like it when your family moves?

a. Yes - you're really excited to reach your new home.
b. No - you're sad to leave, but still try to cheerfully pack up and go.
c. Not really - you don't like change and would rather stay somewhere peaceful.
d. Yes - you wish you never had to settle down in one place, but could always be on the move.
e. You don't really mind, as long as your family is together.

2. What do you like to do outside?

a. Farm chores, hunting, and caring for the animals
b. Work in the garden, do the washing, and sit on the front porch
c. Take walks with your sisters
d. Go exploring the land around your house
e. Pick flowers to bring home

3. Do/did you like school?

a. Yes, but you enjoy working with your hands better than books.
b. Yes, and you really want your children to do well at school.
c. Yes, and you wish you could study forever.
d. No, but you study hard anyway.
e. Yes, but you're shy around other students.

4. When you meet someone new, you ...

a. Shake hands and start a friendly conversation.
b. Cordially invite them to dinner.
c. Are always sweet and polite, if a bit reserved.
d. Greet them enthusiastically, never mind manners.
e. Don't have a lot to say.

5. What do you like to do inside?

a. Play music, sing, and tell stories
b. Cook, sew, and keep house
c. Read, quilt, and knit
d. Play games, read, and daydream
e. Mind your little siblings, listen to stories, and help out around the house

6. What makes you beautiful?

a. Your twinkling eyes
b. Your sweet smile
c. Your lovely hair
d. Your petite size
e. Your cute freckles

7. How do you cope with a crisis?

a. With energetic spirit, usually coming up with a lot of ingenious ideas
b. Calmly and responsibly, hiding your own worries
c. Never once complaining, even though you are sometimes very afraid
d. With stubborn determination
e. Quietly, but with inner strength

8. Do you get along with your family?

a. You're always the encourager and the peacemaker.
b. You may have disagreements because of your strong will.
c. You sometimes boss your little siblings, but you are still an obedient daughter.
d. You're wild and always getting reprimanded by your parents.
e. You mostly do what your family tells you to.

9. Your friends love you most for your ...

a. Cheerful optimism
b. Gentle wisdom
c. Goodness
d. Courage
e. Simple happiness

10. How would you describe your clothes?

a. Sturdy, comfortable, work-ready, and a little shabby
b. Neat, fashionable, and conservative
c. Flattering to your eyes, hair, and complexion
d. Carefree and decidedly not fussy
e. Hand-me-downs from your older siblings

11. Are you afraid of strangers?

a. No, you're easygoing around everyone.
b. A little, but your polished manners help set you at ease.
c. Not really, unless they are rough-sounding men.
d. A little, until you get to know them better.
e. Yes, unless your family is with you.

12. Your favorite kind of music is ...

a. Folk songs
b. Old hymns
c. Gentle ballads
d. Lively dance songs
e. Funny songs

13. How do you cheer someone up?

a. By helping them plan for better times
b. With wise words and wholesome work to do
c. By giving sensible advice
d. By praising their past successes
e. By admiring their personal strength

14. Your gifts to others are ...

a. A little extravagant, because they deserve the best.
b. Something beautiful that they will cherish forever.
c. Exquisitely handmade items that showcase your skills.
d. Just what they had been needing.
e. A secret present from you and someone else

15. Your worst fault is ...

a. Acting impulsively
b. Taking life too seriously
c. Being bossy
d. Immaturity
e. Not living life to the fullest

16. What is your favorite social event?

a. Going to town and catching up with friends
b. Going to church
c. Going to school
d. Down-home dances and family gatherings
e. Holiday celebrations

17. A family member is going away on a long trip. You ...

a. Offer to drive them to the train station.
b. Bravely make do while they are away.
c. Can't understand why they want to leave.
d. Think about them all the time while they are gone.
e. Try not to cry as they drive away.

18. You dream most of ...

a. The wonderful world that lies beyond the horizon, waiting for you to explore it.
b. Settling down and starting a cozy home, somewhere secure and peaceful.
c. Going off to college and getting an excellent education.
d. Living and thriving in the wild, free, wide-open country around you.
e. Becoming a lady as lovely as your older sisters and mother.

*******************

If you answered mostly A's, you are most like Charles Ingalls.

If you answered mostly B's, you are most like Caroline Ingalls.

If you answered mostly C's, you are most like Mary Ingalls.

If you answered mostly D's, you are most like Laura Ingalls Wilder.

If you answered mostly E's, you are most like Carrie Ingalls.

***

I was Pa Ingalls, and I think that's right - like him, I love music, exploring, discovering new knowledge and places, and being with my family.  :-)  Which character are you?

Lots of love,

Vicki

Enamored, and MCAT 1.0

I came home from class yesterday, and opened a beautiful plastic-wrapped bundle of perfection that had come for me in the mail.

This beautiful copy of A Tale of Two Cities was published in 1925; it's in remarkably good condition, with no rounding of the page corners, no waterstains or spotting, a great binding, and just a few very old pencil marks inside. It's small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of my hand, and the type is stylish and beautiful, but easy to read.

It's perfect. I'm in love. My very own vintage book, all my own, never has to go back to the library. 

I've read lots of vintage books before, but I never knew what a beautiful thing it was to own one. How many people have held this very book and laughed and cried over the same pages that I touch? I never enjoyed this book the way I will now, with my own copy!

***

On a more serious note, today I took my first practice version of the MCAT, the exam that medical schools look at to determine whether you're good enough to get into them. It was quite an experience - even this shortened practice version took me 4 hours to complete, so I can't imagine what the real one will be like! 

I am not sure if I'm happy or embarrassed to announce that I got a 19 on my first attempt. The highest score for the test is 40; right around 30 is the cutoff for being admitted into a good med school ... so 19 is a dismal score, in that regard. But I was expecting to do much worse, since I've only taken two or three of the science classes that are covered on the test and I've never taken an MCAT practice before; so in that regard, I was relieved to do as well as I did.

Here is my score breakdown:

- Physical Sciences: 4

- Verbal Reasoning: 10

- Biological Sciences: 5

So yeah, pretty awful. But someday, I'll link back to this entry when I take the real MCAT, so I can see how much better I do after taking the proper classes and actually studying!!  :-D  :-D  :-D

***

How are your weekends going? Have you done anything fun? Anything profitable? I hope you're doing well! These week-long blogging hiatuses feel more like a year than a week ...  :-}

Lots of love,

Vicki

Literary Heroine Blog Party!

Hello sisters! I decided to participate in this year's Literary Heroine Blog Party over at the beautiful blog Accordion to Kellie - be sure and head over to participate in the fun activities and check out the awesome giveaway (which has prizes so cool it might tempt me out of my Internet paranoia ...)!

Here are the questions:

~ The Questions ~

1. Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!

Hi there! My name is Victoria, but I go by Vicki, and I'm a Christian, a college student, and a romantic dreamer. My life's vision is very big and vague, something involving helping people and spreading the Gospel; it manifests itself in various unrelated goals like becoming a doctor, writing life-changing novels, marrying a man with a heart for ministry, and being a fabulous mother to a handful of children who will grow up to change the world. However, my preoccupation with the act of dreaming tends to reduce me to simply philosophizing here on my blog, Sunshine and Shadow.

2. What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?

The essence of a true heroine is faith and moral strength. Heroines in great literature inevitably face huge challenges and obstacles, and a true heroine will overcome her enemies through faith in God and through unswerving reliance on what is true and right and good.

3. Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.

Jane Eyre (1997)

Admire:
- Jane Eyre, for her moral courage

Relate to:
- Elinor Dashwood, for her difficulty in expressing her true feelings to others
- Jo March, for her love of writing and music and her difficulty fitting into expected social customs
- Catherine Morland, for her silly naivety and thirst for adventure


4. Five of your favorite historical novels?

- Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson
- A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens
- Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte
 - Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
- Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen

5. Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why?

Sydney Carton, as I shall forever see him

- Kidnapped: Alan Breck, for his brazenly dashing charm and lovely rolling Scottish accent

- A Tale of Two Cities: Sydney Carton, dear Sydney, for his pure and beautiful heart

- Jane Eyre: Jane Eyre, for her strong heart and courage to sacrifice everything she loved for what was right

- Pride and Prejudice: Mr. Darcy, for his gentle affection and sacrificial devotion to the two women he loved

- Sense and Sensibility: Colonel Brandon, for his quiet and undying love and grave gentlemanly manners

6. Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why?

- Kidnapped: Hoseason, in an odd way, because he's dishonorable and yet honorable at the same time
- A Tale of Two Cities: Mr. Lorry, because he's honest and reliable and always trying to help
- Jane Eyre: St. John Rivers, because he is icily beautiful and chillingly awe-inspiring
- Pride and Prejudice: Mr. Bingley, because he's sweet and charming and delightful
- Sense and Sensibility: Mrs. Jenkins, because even though she's annoying, she's very sweet

7. If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?

I'd visit England, Scotland, and Ireland for an entire summer! In England, I would primarily visit historical sites and famous buildings; in Scotland, I would primarily visit the big museums and do a lot of nature walks; and in Ireland, where I would spend the majority of my time, I would almost exclusively wander through the countryside and the little villages, while making sure to catch my favorite groups and singers in Dublin.

8. What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?

*Sigh* ... Such a hard choice. I would probably be most likely to pick up a book about ancient Rome, colonial America, the Industrial Revolution, or America between 1900 and 1945.

9. You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?

I would play my guitar and sing something with my sister - probably one of our favorite lyrical Irish folk tunes, like "Red is the Rose" or "Ar éirinn Ní n-Eósainn Cé h-í".

10. If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?

Catherine Morland, my Austen doppelganger.

11. What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?

Ah, chocolate! How do I love thee? Your soul-nourishing warmth and rich flavor fill my heart with the very essence of happiness, of comfort, of love and romance. You are equally divine in the howling primal jungles of South America where you are born, as you are in the elegant dark-red cafes of the wealthiest lovers. You are the delight of a child, happiness of a holiday, the comfort of the cold, sick, and alone. Hail chocolate, thou ministrant spirit of health and good cheer! I raise my mug of hot cocoa in a toast to thee, restorer of health and enricher of life!

12. Favorite author(s)?

Louis L'Amour, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Janette Oke, Louisa May Alcott, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Robert Elmer

13. Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?

My camera (with LOTS of batteries), iPod, sketchbook and colored pencils, a couple of favorite books, my guitar, and at least one really beautiful dress.

14. In which century were most of the books you read written?

Nineteenth.

15. In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…

Is it possible to pick just one? He is Robin Hood and Alan Breck, D'Artagnon and Romeo; he is Mr. Darcy and Colonel Brandon, Jim Hawkins and Pip Pirrips, Captain Smollett and Captain Aubrey, Sherlock Holmes and Sam Spade, Hawkeye and Hondo, Sydney Carton and Aslan, Don Quixote and Hamlet. Trying to choose the ultimate hero in literature is like trying to describe the perfect man. It can't be done.

Which is why, when it comes right down to it, the ultimate Hero in the ultimate Book of Literature is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the greatest Rescuer and Lover of all the ages!

16. Describe your ideal dwelling place.

I would love to live in a white, thatched cottage by the seaside, a little place with white walls, windows on every side of the house, a snug yellow kitchen with green shelves and a copper tea kettle, and a white picket fence in either the front or the back. Everything would be decorated in soft, cool, ocean colors. I'd like to have hollyhocks by the door and grow lettuce and carrots in the backyard, and I'd love to have a couple of chickens or a little goat, and a playhouse for the children and a place to hang the laundry. Mostly, I'd like to be close enough to the ocean that I can smell it in the breeze when I open all the windows.

For more information, see my Pinterest page.  :-)

17. Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence.

Ahm, I drag out of bed every day and put on jeans and tennis shoes, and either a hoodie or a tee and cardigan. But inside, I love full-skirted sundresses.  :-)

18. Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?

Not really, but I would rather Mr. Darcy have received a more romantic first name than "Fitzwilliam" ... 

19. In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...

Madame DeFarge from A Tale of Two Cities! I'd like to string her up with that ghastly knitting of hers!!

20. Three favorite non-fiction books?

Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret, Foxe's Book of Martyrs, and The Most Beautiful Villages of Ireland.

21. Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?

I would don a blue sundress, grab my camera, hop on a little blue bicycle, and take a long ride out in the country.

22. Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.

Some kind of a small, quiet navy-blue beret that had a slight jaunty tilt to one side but sat nearly flat on my head. Like an artist or a philosopher.

23. Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.

Probably my decision to be a doctor ... I've had other significant things happen, but I think that's the most significant!

24. Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

1 Corinthians 1:17-31. So much power in these verses - and it's so amazing that God would choose a weak, foolish thing like me to confound the wisdom of the wise!!

***

Thanks to Kellie for the fun party! These questions were not easy to answer, and I had a lot of fun thinking about my favorite books and characters! Head on over to her blog and check out the great prizes and the other entries!  :-)

Lots of love,
Vicki

Don't Keep Calm!

Hey everyone! Miss Laurie at Old-Fashioned Charm is having an awesome contest that you definitely need to check out if you love period dramas, good jokes, and "Keep Calm" posters!

Here are my three entries:

This is a classic Sherlock Holmes quote (or possibly misquote?) - I don't know which story it comes from, but it's quintessentially associated with the ever-awesome Sherlock Holmes.

From Sense and Sensibility

And my personal favorite:

Also from Sense and Sensibility

Be sure to pop on over and check out the contest - it's only open until November 23!!

Love,

Vicki

Great Expectations

Source: timeout.com via Nick on Pinterest

I stayed up until midnight last night finishing Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, and I am so delighted with the book that I just had to post something about it.

As most of you probably know, Great Expectations is the story of a poor boy who is befriended by a ghostly old woman and falls in love with a scornful rich girl, both of which make him decide to be a gentleman; but when he suddenly becomes heir to a large sum of money and property from an unknown benefactor, he encounters many trials, adventures, and heartbreaks as he tries to realize his "great expectations" (which would today be translated as "high hopes" or "big dreams" or something similar).

I had first become familiar with the story through the old Wishbone TV show, then I watched the 1946 movie. The movie was fabulous and I thoroughly enjoyed it (and I can now vouch for you that it is almost perfectly accurate to the book except for some condensing and lightening the ending), so when I downloaded the book on my Kindle app, I decided to take a little while and read it.

I couldn't put it down. I read it instead of studying last night for my linguistics test tomorrow. I have never experienced Dickens before, and I am completely in awe of his ability to tell a creepy, sad, heartbreaking story like that one and make it so dear and beautiful and uproariously funny. But he did. I laughed so hard - even when it was after midnight and I was sitting in the middle of the living room floor completely by myself with all the lights off in the house except two, I was laughing out loud at the part where Pip spends the dreadful night in the Hummums. And the second that Joe came to him (toward the end; you might know the part, but I won't spoil it), I started to cry and I cried all through the rest of the book. It was so beautiful.

Here are the quick opinions I can blurt out about the book before I run off to class:

- Herbert and Joe. I am head-over-heels in love with Herbert Pocket. He is sweet, funny, optimistic, lively, gentle, innocent, and modest. If I could find a man like that in real life! And Joe - there are many, many men in the world like dear, honest, simple Joe; and I'm very glad of it, and I'm going to do my best from here on out to appreciate them instead of being like arrogant Pip. Because Joe might have been a very common type of man; but in reality, he was the rarest gem of all.

- Miss Havisham. She is terrifying. She is insane. She is WAY creepier in the book than in the movie.

- Estella. I never knew that Estella was as heartless as they made her appear in the movies, but she is! And worse!

- Biddy. I hope I can be like Biddy someday ... she also is sweet and gentle and modest.

- Pip. I don't like Pip very much, but he did remind me a lot of a Robert Louis Stevenson character, which was interesting.

Uh-oh, I'd better run or I'm going to be late ...

Love,
Vicki