Wednesday, January 29, 2014

january book club + a story from the salon


there are several cover designs for this book, in case you're looking to read it.

Yet another great read this month!  I reallllllly enjoyed reading this one.  It kept me on the edge of my seat and I would find myself cracking open my iPad during my planning periods to jet through just a couple more chapters (bad teacher!).  There was some confusion in the beginning in getting to know the characters of the three stories that intertwine throughout the book, but nothing a person of at least average intelligence couldn't manage...

Some of us weren't as thrilled with the book as I was, but I'd give it a wholehearted:  9!

Since we had several a couple book club members drop out due to either a.) moving away   b.) lack of motivation   c.) negligence or  d.) lethargy, we welcomed two new members this month.  Unfortunately for them, a few of us are Type A and the new girls realized very quickly that in order to speak they must interupt someone else.  And we're totally cool with that.

So the book.  It was awesome. 

Our discussions got pretty deep:

1.)  How well can you really know someone?  Is is possible to know someone completely?
+This one had all of us baring our souls about our own husbands and friends.  Some of us tell them everything, some of us don't.

2.)  If you found a letter that read "For my wife - only to be read in the event of my death," what would you do?
+Most answered that envelope would be ripped open immediately, mainly because they thought it would be something sweet he had written and they needed a good "Awwwwww" moment.  I answered that I would never open it.  In fact, I'm not even sure I'd tell him I found it.

3.)  Would you remain married to your spouse if you found out they had murdered someone (unintentionally) when they were a teenager?
+ I answered yes, only if there were children involved.  So in my personal situation, absolutely.  A few of us who don't have children were like I'd be dodging the hell out of my house ASAP.

*Side note to my husband:  Jeff, if you've murdered someone, don't tell me.  Please.

4)  Have you ever thought about how daily decisions that you make can affect hundreds of other people?
+In the book, each character's decisions has an affect on someone else's life.  Sometimes it was a matter of life and death.

I've never thought about my own decisions but I can think of one way right off the bat.  Last week I was running late to school (driving too fast on semi-icy roads) and rear-ended (barely freaking tapped) an Explorer.  That man had to call his insurance company later in the morning and on and on and on.  My decision to try on nine outfits (that were all too tight) made me late, made me speed, and ultimately made me hit his vehicle.  Boo!

++

Something we didn't talk about (but something I meant to bring up) was the fact that this book took place in Australia so we got to hear all their cute lingo, like calling your mom "Mum" and calling college "Uni."

Moving on.

I got my hair cut yesterday.  Do you ever go to the salon looking for a change, thinking you've made a change, and when you get home you look in the mirror only to find that you look exacty the same?




The stylist put some "swoopy bangs" in but they didn't make much of a difference.  What did make a difference was the Rich Repair shampoo & conditioner by Goldwell.  I've always loved Goldwell but this was amazing.  Obviously I bought some.

Anyways, as I was leaving there was a woman across from me in one of the styling chairs.  The look on her face was the saddest I have ever seen - I'll never forget her somber expression for the rest of my life.  She had her hand on her cheek and her eyes were full of tears, none streaming down.  When my eyes rested higher onto her hair, the stylist was shaving her head.

On my drive home my thoughts kept returning to that woman and her face.  What was she thinking? 

How is this happening to me? 

Why is this happening to me?

The very physical thing that makes me a woman is leaving me.

Now when I look in the mirror I see a bald head.

I no longer feel feminine.

Maybe those wouldn't be her thoughts, but they'd sure be mine.  And there we all were, girls everywhere with beautiful, long, curly, shiny hair just bouncing around her without giving thanks for it.  Taking it completely for granted.

If you have beautiful hair, give thanks for it.







1 comment:

  1. Just so you know I read EVERYONE of your posts- even if it is a few weeks after you have written them. I tend to play catch up every now and then. You are very talented just so you know:) I always look forward to reading them. Today's post was particularly amazing! It was so thought provoking. 1- I think I really need to read that book. I love to read, but never seem to make time for it anymore. And yes I too would find myself reading during my planning period especially if I felt "caught up" or I was just really wanted to see what was going to happen next, aka "I will just read one more chapter." 2- I think your hair looks marvelous:) I always want a change too, but it always seems like I never go too far from my comfort zone and I am ok with that. Maybe my stylist knows me best. 3- The last part of your post. OMG! I was literally tearing up just imagining what that lady was going through. I always thought if I was put in the position of losing all of my hair due to chemo or other medical treatment, I would want to shave my hair myself or have my mom do it. For me I think it would be too traumatizing to do in a public place. That lady has some real courage:) I said a quick little prayer for her...whoever she is. Again, thanks for this post.

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