Old Books

Yesterday a friend visited from my undergraduate university and we spent most of the day used book shopping. It was fabulous. She and I always enjoy book shopping and do it every time we get together. I had not yet visited any used book stores here in my Masters town, but I printed off directions to several and we only made it to two. I bought a few used, more recent historical fictions (because what historian can't get enough of those) and then I also bought a 1913 edition of The Education of Henry Adams and a copy of this fiction he wrote entitled Democracy about the dirty side of Washington politics (something I didn't even know he wrote). I'm very excited about these two buys. I feel that they are two very important pieces in American historiography; well at least the first, since I had never heard of the second haha).

The second bookstore we went to, however, had an annex of really old books. It smelled, it was musty and dusty, but I loved it. I found this beautiful edition of Frederick Jackson Turner from the 1800s and many other old beautiful books out of my price range. The Turner book wasn't bad, but I just couldn't justify purchasing it a this point. My friend and I always get really stoked looking at the old books, though. She found something she was really excited about and said "I feel that the owner should just be excited that we are this excited about these things and cut us a deal." I liked that, because I often feel that way, well, not the cutting us a deal part, but I often hope that people who own old books shops or anything historical really should just be excited that we are excited.

There is apparently some large Medieval Congress thing happening here this weekend and there is apparently a large book exhibit area. I may check that out today, but I'm not sure. I don't really need any monographs about medieval history, but if I could find cool medieval literature that would be different. I would probably be too tempted to purchase more books that I probably won't finish this summer and spend money that I don't have. This Congress will always be back next year :)

Summer '10

So, my semester ended successfully. My GPA remains intact and I then took a break to my home in a more northern area of Michigan. I spent a little over a week with dial-up internet and no cell phone service and I loved it. I loved be unconnected. I got online twice, called only my closest friends, one of whom was graduating from college and therefore celebrations were necessary. I saw family, had fun, and disconnected; three very necessary things in my life. I usually go home about once a month in order to do these things.

Well, this summer, as I said before hold a myriad of possibilities. I am learning French, have several fun books to read, several academic books in preparation for my thesis, and I just found out that I received a bit of last minute funding. I have my first TA gig, my first office, my first departmental mailbox. I am way more excited than I ought to be, I feel. This is my first summer completely on my own however. I have lived elsewhere for the summer before, but that was on Mackinac Island with 60 other girls in the same building as I, sharing the same kitchen and bathroom. Since my roomie here has a summer internship I am completely alone this summer and I am excited.

Aside from academic activities (yes I am calling reading fiction academic) I have several craft ideas to complete. I haver recently tapped into my crafting side and made myself a bag and two headbands. They turned out alright. I just finished cross-stitching a bookmark, which will be given to a friend and I'm excited for a new craft project. Today I bought a wicker basket to store craft things in. Right now there is one needle and the bookmark pattern in it, so it needs more. I think I'm going to make pin cushions (one for my bff who just graduated) because she started crafting about a year and half ago and I feel I owe her some sort of crafting inspiration. Crafting gives me a task, but one I don't think about too much and can complete while watching television or something. I'm very fidgety and it keeps my hands busy and my mind focused when, especially during television and movie time (which I love) when I have been getting restless.

In short, this summer ought to be great. I feel that my official grad school summer kick-off was tonight, followed by a friend visiting tomorrow and some used books shopping, and a low-key weekend. Hopefully it will be a productive, relaxing, and beneficial summer.