reading: the way of the pilgrim

I did a lot of reading in Ecuador (I kept a list, and will post it in segments sometime), and a couple of books that I read referenced this book, The Way of the Pilgrim.  Written by some anonymous russian christian and published in the 1800s, it’s all about internal prayer.  Specifically, the Jesus prayer, which is constantly calling on the mercy of christ.

it was good, and educational, and instpiring.  I took a step back for a bit as they talked about prayer as the only method of salvation, but then clarified that our actions are also forms of prayer, and when you are truly prayerful your entire life will be prayer in thanksgiving to God.  so that’s good.  in some ways, especially towards the end of the second book, I felt that my complaints about this book are the same as my complaints about contemporary religious fiction.  that the plot is really just an excuse to get people to read a preachy book about christianity, a way to get people to read weird theology (christian movies are much the same, only funnier).  that being said this is one of the better christian fictiony type books I have read, there’s rarely any big long speeches and when they do happen, the theology is taken directly from early church fathers, not dumbed down the way I find contemporary books.  so it presents the teachings of early church fathers about prayer in a way that is I assume, much easier to understand.  so I enjoyed it.  though I didn’t find it the type of religious book I want to sit and pray with.

suburban exploration

Today Steph and fam had a wedding shower, so I had time to do whatever.

I google-mapped used bookstores near my address and drove around the suburbs looking for a good well-organized and extensive source of reasonably priced reading material.  Unfortunately one of the three places I earmarked to visit today is closed on Sundays, it looked a bit small and is kind of far away so I may go back if I have free time and am bored, but I rather like the one that’s closer so maybe they’re just out of luck.

Frugal Muse, next to a joann’s and near a salvation army (both things I like), is very nice.  I could easily find whatever I was looking for, the staff was friendly and knew a lot about books, books were reasonably priced and they had a good selection, and they play good music over their stereo.  I’d have bought more books, but I can’t afford much so it’s on a need only basis that I can spend money on such things.  but I’ll probably go back, it’s the closest used bookstore and it’s nice.

then, I went to half price books, cause we have one not too awful far away and I was looking for knitting books and they have a larger selection of such things.  not really a new cultural adventure, but still fun!  they did not have the knitting patterns I wanted.  but they did have a clearance copy of a cookbook by the same author of the cookbook that mom and dad gave me for christmas 2007 and then took back and gave to Amber.  HA.

when you are looking for a specific type of knitting pattern, used bookstores are not always the best place, considering you’re shopping out of what other people have sold away.  so I found a fancy knitting store fairly close to steph’s house, one of those places with great yarn and classes and books and things that are expensive and nice and people like me can’t afford.  I looked through the clearance bins in the back and found for 50% off exactly what I want, a pattern booklet with lots of baby hat patterns.  Linnea, Steph’s baby, needs a hat.  a big one, cause she’s a very squeezable baby.  and I’ve never made a hat, so these patterns are easy and cute.  they look easy.  we’ll see.  I still have the baby yarn I bought whenever I was going to make Steph a baby blanket but didn’t and all the patterns call for needle sizes I have so it’s totally affordable!

yay friends!

so I’m in the chicago area now!

friends had a welcome home surprise party for me last night, which I think might be the first surprise party I’ve ever had.  it was superfun to see people, since I’d been wondering when I’d be able to meet up with them, and how, and what’d we do.  steph took me and linnea for a walk and walked to the park and then wow, there was a whole bunch of people there!  bums.  we grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and had a picnic in the park.  i was cold, but was able to spend time talking to most everyone.  there are three babies now!  when I left there was none.  it’s weird.  we have parties with babies now.  instead of playing board games we put the babies together and watch them interact, which is pretty funny stuff.

there are still some chicago people I have not seen yet.  but I hope to soon.

el rey

seriously, nobody does reggaeton like daddy yankee, favorite of young children worldwide.  also, wellington made me watch this video like five times the day he downloaded it on his phone.

mejorcito

so I’ve also recently noticed that a lot of those latin artists that try to go mainstream in the US by singing in english don’t make it big because seriously their music is just a lot better in spanish.  example: