My homework (and school in general) went exceptionally well--aside from minor stress regarding my upcoming speech this next week in Public Speaking. But overall, I ended up having more time on my hands than I had intended. Therefore, I was finally able to read Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I have never read this book despite its amazing reputation. I remember it being very popular when I was in Junior High and many English teachers had it on the reader curriculum. But I never read it.
Until now.
It was a pretty good book (and I would recommend it), however my one issue had to do with details. For me, the details were rather vague--which I am sure was intentional, to leave the reader imagining his own "World of Ender" so-to-speak--but I found it rather disappointing. Compared to the details in Harry Potter for example, Ender's Game didn't even scratch the surface of the amount of detail. One of the biggest issues I had was trying to figure out the size of the Battleroom. For some unknown reason, it kept changing size for me as I read it. Sometimes, it would be as large as a basketball spectrum; others, it would be larger than two football fields. But Card never tells us, or at least never gives us a decent comparison to go off of, therefore I was at a loss as to size. This is one of the many examples of lack of details. That is my only complaint. Over all, it was a very good story with an interesting twist at the end.
Well, with not doing much homework this week (after all, Spring Break is right around the corner), I started reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince yesterday. However, when I started reading it, I was simply exhausted and only read the first chapter. But today, with little to do (though I have plenty to do, I just didn't want to) I opted to stay in bed and read. I didn't read all day, mind you, but I did read for a couple hours. I am please to announce, I am on page 313, nearly halfway through the book. I will not rant to you about how much I am loving this book (after all, I am a huge Snape fan and I do love Malfoy--don't ask me why, I just have a thing for bad boys apparently).
Speaking of which... Here's a random bit of enlightenment: I saw somewhere the other day that who you are attracted to shows who you really are deep down inside... Does that mean I'm a "bad girl" deep down inside if I'm constantly attracted to bad boys? Really? I have a hard time believing that one...
Anyway, I have spent my day rather unproductively, though I did have plans.
For instance, I was going to go to a young adult conference being held at the Institute today. I'm not sure if it was merely the gloomy sky (threatening to storm again), or my stomachache, or perhaps Satan working against me, but despite lecturing myself at what a horrible person I was for not attending this wonderful opportunity, I stayed home... and read.
Not to mention, I didn't do any homework.
Funny thing about that... I've concluded I cannot do homework on weekends. I feel that my weekends are reserved for me and I can do whatever I want, since during the week I am so focused on work and school that it's just "push, push, push" to get to the end. Ever since this semester started (all of two months ago) I have yet to do homework on the weekends. This is partly because one, I do not do homework on Sundays (keeping the Sabbath Day holy), and two, I tend to sleep-in on Saturdays therefore making me unproductive and rather lazy during the day. Obviously productivity is not on the agenda for weekends, unless it involves housework. But even lately that's been slacking.
I often spend my weekends curled up with a good book.
It's not a bad thing per-say, for I feel I am still being more productive than if I were to sit in front of television... but in ways, it's just as bad: I am not getting things done!
Therefore, I'm trying to think of a way to resolve this. Or perhaps, I don't resolve it, and simply let it take its course and just make sure I get all my homework (and other activities) done during the week so I can enjoy my weekends. After all, shouldn't a weekend be the end of a week and therefore be a time to rest from all the work of the week--a time to replenish our energy for the upcoming week?
I certainly think so!
But then there's this lingering voice in the back of my head, screaming that I need to be more productive with my Saturdays, that I need to prepare better for Sunday, and that I need to limit my pleasure reading so I can be more productive.
*sigh*
But, like all things in life:
Good things are wonderful but, when taken in large quantities, can bring about devastation.
I feel like I need to do better spiritually. I made a great effort to make Institute a priority this week (since I haven't in the passed few) and I've been amazed at the difference it made in my life--I know that is why my schoolwork went so well this week!
Therefore, wanting to do better spiritually combined with feeling like I am--I hate to say this--reading too much, I think I may do something a bit drastic...
Tomorrow is Fast Sunday; that is: The first Sunday of every month, you go without food for two consecutive meals and then donate the money you would have spent on that food to help those who go without. Not only does this strengthen you spiritually by conquering your physical body so your spirit is in control, but it also strengthens you physically.
For many years, I have been unable to fast with food (due to medical reasons) and therefore I have been unable to fast. It wasn't until last year that I implemented a new concept, a new way of fasting into my life. On Fast Sunday, I went without watching TV. At first, this was quite difficult as my parents and I would often watch movies on Sunday night. But I stuck with it. Pretty soon, it not only was on Fast Sundays, but has become every Sunday. Each Sunday, I try to go without TV (this sometimes works, but other times I do cave in and watch a movie with Dad once in a while--this goes to show I am human just like you).
Do you see where I am headed with this?
Starting tomorrow--I can't tell you how difficult this is to type, let alone apply--every Fast Sunday I will not read for pleasure (aka "Fiction"). However, I can still read on Sundays, just out of books that I can learn from. (Yes, I know, I can learn a lot from Harry Potter, but I'm talking about non-fiction books that can help me grow as a person. ;P ) For example, I have a couple books talking about relationships that are Gospel based. I feel those would be just fine to read on Sundays (and I'm certainly not getting through them while I'm reading other books!). I also can study Ensign articles, or read my scriptures (after all, what better book is there than the Book of Mormon?). But as for fiction books, I feel I need to not read them on Fast Sunday. The reason I have not started with every Sunday is because this is quite a sacrifice for me. Keep in mind, I am used to having my Sundays devoted to reading (especially Harry Potter as of late) and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. However, I have not done anything spiritual aside from attend Church. I haven't read out the Ensigns, I haven't written in my journal, I haven't even studied my scriptures (in addition to the studying I do at night). I feel as though I have halted my spiritual progress yet I want to keep growing, for there is always room for improvement no matter where you are at in life.
*deep breath* So tomorrow I will not be reading Harry Potter, even though I am dying to continue. As of late, I've come to realize that Harry Potter is like a drug for me: It makes me feel good and I would rather read it than do anything else, even things that have high-priority. In ways, this scares me a great deal, though I know I'll finish the series in the next couple of weeks and this drug-induced feeling will eventually go away. This is one of the reasons I want to make this change in my life.
I want to be productive again.
And, like with all worthy sacrifices, the Lord will bless us. I may not be able to fast with food, but I can fast with other things in my life in an effort to grow closer to Him.
Tomorrow is Fast Sunday, and the Lord expects us to make a sacrifice for Him. No pleasure reading will be a great sacrifice for me (especially when you add no TV to that as well). I also had included no computer on Fast Sunday, though I am sure how well I have kept that up. But it feels like a good idea to me, unless I'm struck with inspiration to write in my blog.
So, tomorrow:
No Harry Potter; No computer; and No TV...
...Just spiritual learning and reminiscing about life.
Who knows, perhaps I will learn a thing or two about myself! You just never know what impact a seemingly small (or large) sacrifice can make in life. You just never know...
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