Book Review: The Help

Like many people I saw the movie and then decided to read the book. I highly recommend the movie. I think some of the characters were nominated for awards and I agree with that decision.

I liked the majority of the book more than the movie. I appreciate the change they made to Skeeter's maid story. I was surprised that Stuart did not come back in the end.  I guess it make sense but I always hope for a little more romance. 

The most disappointing part was the ending.  True to form, I always appreciate a 'fairy tale' type story where good completely conquers all. You will have to read it to find out.  I can see why the author ended it that way.  I would have appreciated a five to ten year fast forward.  I enjoyed hearing the different characters perspective. I also wonder what any former maids would have to say about the inter thoughts of Minny and others.

The ending made me question how much we really have changed. Of course now there is not the white verses colored barrier but there are others; dare I say gay marriage, pro-choice verses pro-life, Republican verses Democrat. Perhaps this is all cropping up because I have been watching more news lately.

I would like to end this post with this quote: 

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
― Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

I am going to try to love out the hate although it can be challenging. 

Happy THANK YOU More Please

I saw this movie on an airplane going somewhere for work. I asked my co-worker about it and said he didn't like it. Fully wrinkled his nose. I have to say I really liked it. 

I need the piece of wisdom from this movie. WARNING I am going to ruin the title for you:

One character says she is told by her cab driver that the universe wants her to have happienss and she needs to be more grateful. 

Asking: "How do I do that?" 

He says "You just need to say 'thank you'" 

She says "that's it?" 

And he says "yes, and then you need to say "more please"".

The story is a crazy little tale with several characters. I have to say I have been feeling a little okay a lot overwhelmed at work lately. 

I also have this idea to apply for graduate school which seems to add on to my already busy schedule. You can maybe sense that I"m not exactly very grateful right now. So from today forward I am going to try to remember- "Yes, Thank you.. MORE Please" It is true even looking back at college when I thought I had too much on my plate the opportunities that came along taught me more than if I had let them slip by. 

I hate to make an analogy but if my life is a crazy roller coaster ride I want to actually enjoy it. Instead of feeling like I am holding on for dear life!

thank you more please :)

Up in the Air and down again

Recently I had to extend my travel for work. It was awesome because I learned a ton. However, returning home, I forgot about the food in my fridge. Soy milk after it's expiration date is really disgusting. I also had moldy lemons. If life gives you moldy lemons I don't care what people say THROW them out! 

Needless to say now my fridge is bare. I went looking for my rental car in the parking lot yesterday at work. I was worried I did not clean up enough in the morning for the maid... then I realized I was the maid.

There is a quote in the movie Up In the Air-"All the things you probably hate about travelling -the recycled air, the artificial lighting, the digital juice dispensers, the cheap sushi- are warm reminders that I'm home." 

Well I was beginning to relate to that with regards to many other activities, such as clean-up after myself for the maid and  eating at restaurants by myself or with co-workers. 

Ryan Bingham, the main character in the movie, is right about one thing: "If you think about it, your favorite memories, the most important moments in your life... were you alone? 

Life's better with company."