So
my recap of June seemed to go over fairly well, so I've decided to give it another go for July. July for me was all about saying goodbye. Goodbye to my family, goodbye to my friends, goodbye to my job, goodbye to my city, and goodbye to my books. I will be moving across the country soon to go to school and there are many people and things that I am going to miss a lot.
Lately, I've been feeling the need to play tourist in the city I grew up in. There are so many things about Edmonton that I am going to miss! So I took the opportunity this month to eat out at some new restaurants that I've been meaning to try and to visit my favourite sights and attractions around my city.
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| Fort Edmonton - where the rich people lived in my city in 1846 when it was used as a fur trading post for the Hudson's Bay Company |
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| Also at Fort Edmonton - a drug store from 1905. Looks more like an apothecary shop in Diagon Alley! |
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| Legislature grounds and pool |
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| Wading in the Legislature pool on a hot day! |
I also had to say goodbye to some good friends, which was sad, and my coworkers at my job (they bought me a cake in the shape of a book for my going away party! Heh, they know me so well). I will also be saying my goodbyes to my family today, August 1st (my 25th birthday!), and this long weekend, which I think will be quite sad indeed.
Almost just as sad: I had to pack away almost all my books into boxes where they will stay in my parents' garage for possibly YEARS! This fact is so, so sad to me.
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| My prettehs in a box in the garage |
My books are like my babies (hopefully some of you can relate) and I really dislike the idea that I won't be able to look over and see them sitting prettily on my shelves anymore. I won't be able to pick up an old favourite at my will anymore. Instead, they will sit - cold and lonely and dusty - in a garage while I am on the other side of the country for years. Aww, this sucks guys! Has anyone else ever had to leave their books behind after a big move?
TV in July was ALL about Downton Abbey for me:
I whipped through the first three seasons this month and I loved every minute of it! I never thought I could become so addicted to a period drama (not usually my thing), but this show is utterly fantastic, interesting, and gripping. And nothing beats the great Dame Maggie and her excellent one liners.
I only saw one movie this month, but it was a good one:
I think
Alex's review sums it up best, but basically, Pacific Rim was a lot of fun. Initially, I wasn't sure what to think of the supreme cheesiness of it. But then I came to realize, as Alex pointed out to me, that the entire thing was basically meant to be like live-action anime. And in that context, the over-the-top cartoonish characters, the cheesy dialogue, the maudlin flashback scenes, etc., all make sense and work. Plus, it's Guillermo del Toro we're talking about here, so the visuals were of course fantastic.
Blog posts in July:
My Life in June: Pride, Loneliness, and Creepy Monkeys
Muggle Monday: Newly Redesigned Harry Potter Covers
Muggle Monday: J.K. Rowling Is Sneaky And Has A New Book
Waiting On Wednesday: HarperCollins Fall 2013 Catalog
Waiting On Wednesday: Penguin Fall 2013 Catalog
Top Ten Topics That Make Me NOT Want To Pick Up A Book
Review: Siege & Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo - 4.5 Stars
Review: Vortex (Insignia #2) by S.J. Kincaid - 4 Stars
Review: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - 5 Stars
Review: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon - 3.5 Stars
Best Book Read in July:
Well, no surprises here for anyone, I'm sure. Was there any doubt I wouldn't absolutely love this? To be fair though, a lot of the reviews for
The Cuckoo's Calling have been quite good so it's not just me and my bias!
The Cuckoo's Calling was a fantastic mystery (I was totally surprised at the identity of the murderer!). And of course, Jo doing what she does best: the characters were amazingly well done. Full review to come soon!
I have to admit, this is quite a sad post! You're literally leaving EVERYTHING behind. :( But it seems like you had a great time exploring Edmonton this month. YOUR BOOKS. *cries* did you give them a great big hug before you left? You better have!! Anyway, everyone's been telling me to watch Downton Abbey, I SO need to get in that show! And I'm really excited to see your review for The Cuckoo's Calling! And finally, happy happy birthday, Aylee!
ReplyDeleteThey let you walk in the pool?? That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteWe moved around a lot when my husband was in the Navy. I didn't own many books back then but I would probably cry if I had to pack or leave them now.
Good luck with you big move!
Great post! that is super awesome you could get in that pool. I'm just as excited about that as Karen seems to be! LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your books. I've never had to do that, but I can understand the sadness. :( I hope moving is a grand adventure though!
Love the idea of touring your own city. I've wanted to do that more often these days- there is so much I haven't seen or done where I live.
Happy Birthday by the way!! Hope you have a fab day.
Oh, and I really want to read the Cuckoo's Calling ASAP. So happy you loved it.
Wow, you're right about the apothecary shop! How cool. Happy birthday and good luck with move :)
ReplyDeleteAhhhh goodbyes are so sad :( *hugs* families and friends of course but saying goodbye to books is also hard! The move is exciting though and I was curious as to how far east you were heading but you're still a ways from my neck of the country LOL. Best of luck on the whole move though and the upcoming studies :) Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! How cool is it that your birthday is THE DAY AFTER Harry Potter?! :D I hope you have a fantastic day ♥ Aaaand, while we're on the topic of all things JKR, YAY for loving The Cuckoo's Calling! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy too!
ReplyDeleteOh and thanks for sharing some pictures of your touristic adventures! I love playing the tourist in my own parts too hehe but I can see why you visited around before having to leave. Enjoy your day & upcoming long week end :D
Looks like Karen and I thought the same thing. I'm sort of shocked they allow you to go into the pool. The move sounds exciting although I felt sad for the books. I know its silly but my books are like my babies in a way. I feel sad whenever I have to box them up even for a short amount of time. I couldn't imagine leaving them alone and unloved for years. Playing tourist can be so much fun. I used to do that while living in Hawaii. People were so nice when they thought you were a tourist lol. I should play tourist sometime in my town. It would be fun I think.
ReplyDeleteSo sad to see you leaving, Aylee! The Edmonton Book Bloggers will miss you! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, that drug store really looks like it could be in Diagon Alley!
ReplyDeleteI totally admire you (and pity you just a little bit) for leaving your books behind. It would break my heart as I'm sure yours is. I like rereading, re-organizing, and just taking the off their shelves and putting them back. It's like a game, spending time with my books. :)
I'm sorry you won't get to do that for a while, but at least they'll be waiting when you get back.
Happy birthday! It's always so sad to have to leave behind family and friends (and books), but I'm sure you will have a great time settling into your new school and making new friends (and buying new books)! Safe and happy travels!
ReplyDeleteAwhhh, I can see that it's hard to leave everything behind! And the idea of putting my books in boxes without excess *shivers* Buuuuut, happy birthday!! :D
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sad you're leaving, but you're going away to do exciting things and it will all be worth it. And, of course, I wouldn't be surprised if you populate your new place with a bunch of new books. :)
Wow. How exciting!
ReplyDeleteYou look adorable btw.
ReplyDeleteAwh, I've never had to leave my family but I feel for you! You will be having fun there in no time and you are going to be glad you went someday :) Hope you have fun!
ReplyDeleteMoving is never easy, Aylee! I've done it a bazillion times, but trust me, it's worth it in the end. And your books aren't going anywhere! They'll be waiting for you to return :))
ReplyDeleteps...you're adorable!
Live action anime - that really gives me a clear picture of what to expect. I've heard good tings about that movie. Good luck with your move and with school!
ReplyDeleteKate @ Ex Libris
Aw what a bittersweet post. I loved seeing all these pics on Instagram. Books in a box is the saddest. I had to leave mine behind when I went to college. It's sad at first, but I forgot about them and it was fun finally unpacking them and being surprised at the books I owned :)
ReplyDeleteBut OMG let's talk about Downton Abbey! Heck yes!!! The Dowager is the best character ever. Period. Maggie is perfect. I can't wait for season 4. It's so much fun to watch and tweet. People say the funniest things.
I am so excited to read The Cuckoo's Calling. I really really think I will like it better than the Casual Vacancy even though mystery isn't really my thing either. It's very next on my reading list. Yay!
I loved your photos, Aylee! That does like something straight from Diagon Alley. I'm going come visit you once and make you take me there. Well, I read your post in my email and I hope your college time is great and filled with lots of fun memories (and studies too)! I cannot wait to see your review of The Cuckoo's Calling! I've pre-ordered my copy (it isn't properly out yet here). Anyhow, you seemed to have had a lovely month and make these posts more often!
ReplyDeleteSarika @ The Readdicts
Fort Edmonton looks AMAZING. Where are all the cool places like this in London? Maybe I should move in while you move out! ;) I can't bear the thought of leaving my books behind me and moving somewhere, even though I know I won't read them. It's just nice to have them all pretty on a shelf and nearby. Still, I hope you have a great time at your new school! You can always start a new book collection. :D
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday, Aylee!
ReplyDeleteI haven't really heard much about the places out west other than Vancouver so it was really nice to learn more about Edmonton.
I love moving but packing books and trying to figure out which ones to donate or give away - I hate seeing my collection go smaller! - and which ones to bring is always so hard.
Ah, Aylee you are so brave! I can't believe you are moving so far away, you say, to go to school? Where are going? What will you be studying. I feel so bad for you having to leave all your books behind. My sister left the US to live in France when she was just slightly younger than you. She left a hope chest with me and it has all her personal belongings from childhood. I have kept it for well over 20 years. Whenever she visits she goes through it and enjoys the memories every time. I sure hope you will be continuing to read and blog! If not I will be extra sad!!! I just ask my husband if he'd like to watch Downtown Abbey. He said he would, I'm excited because you said you enjoyed it. I hope I will too! Best of luck on your new endeavors!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gina! I'm going to be getting my Master's Degree in palaeontology at the University of Toronto!
DeleteAwww packing up my books would be the hardest thing for me too. Having them sitting pretty on my shelf is the best.
ReplyDeleteOmgosh I'm a huge fan of Downton Abbey. That Maggie gif is THE BEST.
Hope moving goes good for you and you get settled in nicely!
That totally looks like an apothecary shop in Diagon Alley! Very cool.
ReplyDeleteI've only seen season one of Downton Abbey, but loved it (especially Dame Maggie's character)!
Aww, boxed up books. Always a sad sight....I'm lucky, because I get to live at home while attending college. Hope you brought at least one or two favorite novels with you :)
Best of luck with the move and school! :)
Oh Aylee, you have so much going on! Big moves are much scarier in concept than reality. You'll be ok, and you'll acquire more books soon enough :) I did have to leave a bunch with my mom when I moved, and I miss them! (I'm sobbing a little for you seeing Conspiracy of Kings in your box).
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your move and school! I don't think I mentioned it on your first personal post, but I love these :)
Aylee - Downton Abbey is AH MAZE ING. Good luck with everything going on!
ReplyDelete