bearshorty (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bearshorty) wrote2014-06-02 10:14 pm
bearshorty) wrote2014-06-02 10:14 pm
Entry tags:
Monday, June 2, 2014
It's my birthday today - I turned 34. And it was a nice day but it did feel more like a regular day than a special one - I think that just happens as we get older. But I did really have a very nice day.
I started the day in my parents' house where both of them pulled my ears 35 times (it is a Russian thing). I got a book from my Dad - an anthology of modern fairy tales by some pretty famous writers who are basically are writing fairy tale fanfic as they pick a fairy tale from all over the world and get inspired by it. The book is called "My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He ate Me" edited by Kate Bernheimer. I'll probably start with Neil Gaiman story. My Mom got me a CD of "Tosca" and a pretty necklace. (Their main present is a small little washing machine for the baby's clothes - that is for both mine and Bear's birthday - he is turning 34 in two weeks).
My Dad was working from home today and during his lunch we drove to russian store to get cake and other sweets for the evening. Bear's parents decided to come to our Brooklyn apartment after all, so my Mom made some chicken and rice and eggplant to take with us and we needed desert. I mainly spent the afternoon finishing Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.
I heard all kinds of comments on this book - many people claim it as their least favorite. It is the last one I had to read. I still like Persuasion the best followed by Pride and Prejudice but Mansfield Park wasn't bad. The ending was a bit abrupt - Fanny was so Edmund's second choice and it just felt weird. But I guess both of them deserve each other in their righteousness. Secondary characters were much more interesting - especially Mary Crawford who was all condemned for having opinions that weren't guided by a guy and being practical in some of her considerations. Still, I did like the book overall.
At 4pm, once my Dad got done with work, we packed two coolers of food and drove to my apartment. As we were parking, Bear's car was driving down the street, looking for parking too - as he just came from work, and then as we brought everything up, Bear's parents were here too.
My Mom warmed up all the food - and there was lots of it and we had a little party until 8 something. It was nice to have both sets of parents over. And cake was delicious. Bear's Mom got me two dresses, which I can wear now with my giant stomach since they are empire waist, and a CD of "I Puritani." She also got me a book of sci-fi stories, but it hasn't arrived yet. Bear has been learning piano lately, so he played a little - even being a little shy about it. (Oh, and he got me a rose with a Happy Birthday baloon and he is taking me to a Broadway show next week).
So a very nice day overall and sunny and warm too.
I started the day in my parents' house where both of them pulled my ears 35 times (it is a Russian thing). I got a book from my Dad - an anthology of modern fairy tales by some pretty famous writers who are basically are writing fairy tale fanfic as they pick a fairy tale from all over the world and get inspired by it. The book is called "My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He ate Me" edited by Kate Bernheimer. I'll probably start with Neil Gaiman story. My Mom got me a CD of "Tosca" and a pretty necklace. (Their main present is a small little washing machine for the baby's clothes - that is for both mine and Bear's birthday - he is turning 34 in two weeks).
My Dad was working from home today and during his lunch we drove to russian store to get cake and other sweets for the evening. Bear's parents decided to come to our Brooklyn apartment after all, so my Mom made some chicken and rice and eggplant to take with us and we needed desert. I mainly spent the afternoon finishing Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.
I heard all kinds of comments on this book - many people claim it as their least favorite. It is the last one I had to read. I still like Persuasion the best followed by Pride and Prejudice but Mansfield Park wasn't bad. The ending was a bit abrupt - Fanny was so Edmund's second choice and it just felt weird. But I guess both of them deserve each other in their righteousness. Secondary characters were much more interesting - especially Mary Crawford who was all condemned for having opinions that weren't guided by a guy and being practical in some of her considerations. Still, I did like the book overall.
At 4pm, once my Dad got done with work, we packed two coolers of food and drove to my apartment. As we were parking, Bear's car was driving down the street, looking for parking too - as he just came from work, and then as we brought everything up, Bear's parents were here too.
My Mom warmed up all the food - and there was lots of it and we had a little party until 8 something. It was nice to have both sets of parents over. And cake was delicious. Bear's Mom got me two dresses, which I can wear now with my giant stomach since they are empire waist, and a CD of "I Puritani." She also got me a book of sci-fi stories, but it hasn't arrived yet. Bear has been learning piano lately, so he played a little - even being a little shy about it. (Oh, and he got me a rose with a Happy Birthday baloon and he is taking me to a Broadway show next week).
So a very nice day overall and sunny and warm too.
no subject
I love the ear pulling (: HA!
I just recently watched for the first time the Mansfield Park 2007/2008 mini-series and liked it, but I think I liked the 1999 adaption a bit more.
Fanny was so Edmund's second choice and it just felt weird. But I guess both of them deserve each other in their righteousness. Yeah, I think that ending was definitely abrupt, but you’re right about the deserving each other. Secondary characters were much more interesting - especially Mary Crawford who was all condemned for having opinions that weren't guided by a guy and being practical in some of her considerations. YES! You nailed it. Or for being open about what she really wants, rather than hide behind ‘fake propriety’ lol.
Sounds like it was a wonderful gathering/good times <3
no subject
I've seen the 2007/8 mini-series but I should probably rewatch it - it has been a while. Watching movies based on Jane Austen book feels like comfort blanket most of the time. I think Netflix has it, so it is going on my list!
no subject
Our tradition as kids was called 'dumps' - it involved punching the birthday persons back with the number of years.
It sounds like it was an excellent, somewhat impromptu, birthday.
no subject
Punching the person with the number of years as a kid probably wouldn't be too bad. Now there would be too many punches! I'll take the ear pulling!