Super Sonic Rock Stars!

It's officially here. The End Of Summer and The Beginning Of School.  There are few days as exciting and worrisome as the first days of school, but now that I am not in the school going crowd, I know I am going to miss it.  And, ok, yes I will mostly miss the new school supplies, and I will miss seeing my friends, but even the new classes, making new friends, and the feeling that something great is in store for me are all missing.

Oddly, last year I could hardly wait for school to end, and in a lot of ways I am glad I'm not going back yet.  However, there are truths about me that don't care if I am in or out of school.  I will always love to learn, to write, to read.  I like making new friends (something that can be difficult in your hometown), and I like making plans, like having Sanity-Gelato, with those friends.

So, to all my dear friends who are starting new school years, I have only a little advice for you.  Enjoy it to the fullest.  Make un-fun things fun! And... keep in touch, because I miss you!

XOXO Happy new School year!

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society-A Review

Dear Reader,

As with the GLaPPPS, this post is brought to you in the form of a letter.  Giving glimpses into the lives of our protagonist and her growing circle of friends, GLaPPPS lands the audience in the ravaged remnants of WWII era England, as well as the English Channel.

I cheered, I cried, I laughed. I grew very fond of the characters, so well described in their letters as to become real to me.  The mark of a truly great book, in my view, is one that captivates the reader to such an extent that they feel they are a secret, silent part of the story.  The level of intimacy brought through letters is hard to find, even when reading a persons deepest secrets, as there is a level of suspense that is required in many books. The GLaPPPS provides the suspense by not revealing the immediate responses given from one party to another.  However the interest in the characters and their stories is not dampened or hindered by the omission.  Rather, the longing to understand the inner workings and the sweet friendships that exists between these people propels the reader forward, hinting only at the depths of their intimacies.

Another exceptional element to the letter is the admission of faults.  No where else does a reader find so much self-deprecating honesty as in a letter from one dear friend to another.  The ability to own up to a fault comes much easier when you do not have to see the receptacle to this honesty as they digest such unpleasant information.  In no other form is it so inviting to admit to your own weaknesses as in a letter.

Finally, the reason I suggest reading the GLaPPPS is because the beauty of the story is something no person should let themselves miss out on.  Bringing together the truth of the era, the accuracy of human nature, and the tenderness of real love, the GLaPPPS is a literary treasure I wont soon forget!

All my love,

Kayla

P.S. There is something so splendid about reading good books, loving good things, and cultivating a mind and body as faithfully as one can that makes every day exceptionally beautiful! XOXO

Back from my World Travels!

Heya! Finally made it back to the US from Ireland!  I could never choose one part of my trip that was the "best" because so much of it was fun, silly, and interesting.  However, just for the heck of it, here is a top 10 list of my trip to Ireland (no particular order!):
1. Driving on the wrong side of the road! I can't tell you how many times I told Kerry "Stay to the Left, you'll be alright." Lucky for both of us, she remembered most of the time!
2. Castles. They are everywhere! On hillsides, at the top of the Cliffs of Moher, even in the middle of a golf course!  It became almost laughable how often we saw them!
3. The Cliffs of Moher.  These cliffs are the largest in Ireland and are completely surprising.  When looking at them rising out of the ocean, all I could think was "Why would anyone ever see that and decide to live there!?"
4. Inisheer Island.  This is the smallest of the Aran Islands and it is an adorable fishing village.  The tour around the island was rushed for us, but was still interesting.  They have the fields all sectioned off with rock walls because the rock needs to be removed to make room for the cattle anyway.  It creates an interesting patchwork of rocks, grass, and cows.
5. Crowley Castle.  After stopping outside of Bantry at the Crowley dairy, Johnny and Dympna sent us toward the castle.  We struggled for a while, but eventually, with the help of a very cute farmer whose land the castle is on, we found it.  As it turns out, it's more like the Crowley Wall.
6. Johnny & Dympna.  We stayed at their B&B, Drumcloc house, and enjoyed talking with them about family.  Plus, I got to take a walk down to the ocean with their two silly dogs. It doesn't get better than that!
7. The Kilarney House B&B.  The reason that this one is included is because it is called the Kilarney House, is located in the middle of Cork City, County Cork, and is run by an Indian gentleman. It was all very silly!
8. Cornetto. This ice cream, featured in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, is DELICIOUS! I highly recommend a trip to the UK with the express purpose of having this ice cream!
9. Northern Ireland.  I have gained a great amount of knowledge, some understanding, and a whole bushel of curiousity about the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Possible topic for an upcoming blog.
10. Coming home again! I know, it seems silly, but when you have had a burger that tasted so weird it seemed like the Devil must have made it (as some kids at the airport gracefully described it), it is a pleasure to come home, even if you have to give up mid-afternoon Guinness.

I hope this little summary helps out and I cannot wait to get back to posting!
XOXO
World Traveller!