Pride and Prejudice: the Peacock Edition

If I could collect only one book, this would be it. Isn't it gorgeous?

NW

NW represents an evolution in Zadie Smith's writing. She begins with a stream of consciousness page a la Virginia Woolf, or that she no longer uses quotation marks for dialogue, and tells a story of one of the main characters entirely in numbered headings. 

Her new style may be a result of motherhood. She's written that having a baby means that she only has four hours of writing time in a day. But it may also be just her exploring.

Smith remains one of my favorite authors, and rightly so. NW examines issues of class, race and privilege, as well as the First World problems of educated women. Sometimes it seem like you still can't have it all.

When reading fiction, I am often reminded that it is easier to write about sad families than happy ones, but despite all the insecurities and failed achievements mentioned in this book, there is also the strong, enduring friendship, of two girls, one black, one white, who were brought together entirely by chance. 

Taking Stock

Now that 2013 has begun, it's time again to take stock of what I've been able to achieve for 2012:

• Continue taking a regular yoga class
• Try zumba
• Write regularly
• Date (which I didn't think I'd do but September came around and whaddaya know...) 
• Read 50 books
• Travel to somewhere I've never been
-El Nido, Masbate, Mts. Bahay Kalo, Banahaw and Mangisi and Namal, Ifugao

The game changer this year was the UP Mountaineers, which I had no no intention of joining. But I pushed myself physically, met some good friends, and climbed three mountains. Who knew that I had it in me to run 15k? 

I now have biceps. 

My biggest goal for this year are to prioritize my writing and start my MFA. I'm filled with hope for the coming year, and I can't wait to see what's ahead of me.