Bridge to Terabithia- a brief segment analysis

Mrs. Levie brought this book to read while she is here to visit... so I stole it from her. Hehe. I wanted to read it again before I saw the movie. I remember reading it in the fifth grade, but I couldn't remember what it was about. I just remember a guy named Kyle Riley having to read it out loud and mispronouncing U-Haul. He said "A-hoo-la". We all laughed, but I was glad that I wasn't reading because I didn't know how to pronounce it either. Anyways, I'm reading it now and it is way better than I remember it. Back then my reading comprehension was terrible so I really didn't know what was going on. It's a really great book and I recommend it to anyone who gets bored at work or has some free time. It's a quick read since it's at a low reading level. Here is a little section that I thought was a good clip to show. Paterson's writing is amazing. The family is so dynamic that anyone could relate to it. It's an honest description of a tightly knit family unit. They have their differences, but they are family all the same.

Bridge to Terabithia
By: -Katherin Paterson
Chapter: The Coming of Prince Terrien

Pg. 62-63

"That night the glow of the afternoon stayed with him. Even his sisters' squabbling about when presents were to be opened did not touch him. He helped May Belle wrap her wretched little gifts and even sang "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" with her and Joyce Ann. Then Joyce Ann cried because they had no fireplace and Santa wouldn't be able to find the way, and suddenly he felt sorry for her going to Millsburg Plaza and seeing all those things and hoping that some guy in a red suit would give her all her dreams. May Belle at six was already too wise. She was just hoping for that stupid Barbie. He was glad he'd splurged on it. Joyce Ann wouldn't care that he only had a hair clip for her. She would blame Santa, not him, for being cheap.

He put his arm awkwardly around Joyce Ann.

"C'mon Joyce Ann. Don't cry. Old Santa knows the way. He don't need a chimney, does he May Belle?" May Belle was watching him with her big solemn eyes. Jess gave her a knowing wink over Joyce Ann's head. It melted her.

"Naw, Joyce Ann. He knows the way. He knows everything." She squenched up her right cheek in a vain effort to return his wink. She was a good kid. He really liked old May Belle.


Isn't this just an awesome scene? Paterson paints a vivid image of this ten-year-old boy and his six-year-old sister telling their even younger sister that Santa can find her. It's amazing how she describes May Belle. You can just picture her right cheek scrunching up to try to wink like her big brother. The family structure in this book is so real I can't get over it. Her little scrunched face is just brilliant. God, look at the language in that first paragraph. You really believe that this little boy feels sorry that his sister went shopping and thought that Santa would cure all their money problems and fantastical dreams. Paterson just does such a great job of shaping Jesse into a 3D character. He isn't just some flat kid who only cares about his made up world. He cares about reality too. There are so many different sides to him. He's a very round character so-to-speak. He's very human.

May Belle's little gifts were great too. The language in this sentence is so revealing and accurate. Everyone goes through this I think. I remember wrapping little bookmarks and ugly mugs for my parents and thought that they were the best things in the world. "...her wretched little gifts..." This is so incredible. Wretched is one of the best words that could have been used for a child's gift for her parents. Her pride in these gifts is what gives the word such flare; they're horrible but she believes in them. Geez, I am absolutely in awe of this segment.

New shoes!

I know I don't need more shoes, but here they are. Under $30 at Payless Shoes! Woo Hoo!

These are so incredibly cute!! I love these. I wore them to the grocery store because I was so excited.

These are much cuter on. I was debating on them quite a bit, but in the end I decided on some comfy flats that'll look nice when I go to work...

I got a job by the way! Woo Hoo! Part time, but we'll see what happens.

Looking for Daddy

Emmy has been keeping herself busy by looking out the windows at all the people walking around.

Emmy Pictures

Here are some more pictures of Emmy. She's finally settling in and getting used to us. When Ed leaves for school she gets so sad and cries even though I'm still there. She just loves it when both her people are there with her. She even feels comfortable enough to spread out on the sofa...which means that Ed and I have to squish on to one little cushion together. I don't have a problem with it, but then again, I take up a lot of room myself so poor Edward has to squeeze in the corner.

Currently Emmy is lounging and stretching her little legs and paws. Her little head started sliding off the arm rest and her head jerked up like someone who fell asleep in the car. Hehe.

Today out in the snow for her walk.

Emmy eating her Bully stick
Mmmm....
She fell asleep while chewing it!!!
Kisses for Daddy




Mommy and Emmy
Daddy and Emmy

Our Valentines Day

Our Valentines Day was as good as it was going to get. Since Ed doesn't like the holiday and says that it's bogus, we didn't have anything planned anyway. Good thing too! It snowed all day. We were actually in a "snow emergency". It didn't seem that bad to us, but then again, we just stayed in all day. Here are some pictures.

My awesome Pumpkin Pie. I even made the crust from scratch!






During the stormAfter the storm
This is the little wall of snow that was there when we opened out back gate.

Our new doggy!

I'm too excited to really write anything about adopting, but here are some pictures of our little dog. She a Border Collie and about 11 months old.

The Times Union

The Times Union (TU) is the local Albany newspaper that is distributed everywhere here. Upon Julie's advice, I went around to different sites and found places that I would like to work at and then sent them an email. I am part of the job search list that TU puts out, but I never see any postings for their newspaper, which is what I want to do most. After searching for a way to contact them, I finally found one of those forms that you fill out online with comment. So I told them that I'm a recent graduate with an English degree and am looking to go into writing/journalism/editorial. A little while later someone wrote back saying that she forwarded my request to the Human Resources lady. She also gave me her office number to get hold of her myself. So if she doesn't email back soon I'm going to call her. I don't want to call before she even receives the email. Even if they have a lowly assistant's assistant editor job I'm going to take it. This would be my jump start into the publishing world! Although I still would love to have the Sage job at the college, if I were given the choice of either, I'd go with TU.

I've been calling the woman at Sage to find out if the position has been filled, but she ever answers her phone. Actually, I know the position hasn't been filled, but I can't get her on the phone to tell her that I really want the job. Of course, I'd say it a little nicer than "I really want the job".

Oh yeah, I also have an interview on Monday with an energy company. It's only part time and just an assistant's job so I'm going to hold out for a while I think. The guy does want me to tutor his kids though, so that can be a plus.

Austin's book

I've finally finished Austin's book. I'm not going to post the last pages since Austin said that he wanted it to be a surprise. I'll post them after he gets his scrapbook. If you want me to make a book for you, please let me know. If I continue to be unemployed then I will have plenty of time to make one for you.