Movie Review: Atonement

A rich combination of a love story, a war story, and Pinocchio...

Last night, Irene and Walmir came over to enjoy some brownies and watch Atonement. To everyone's surprise, including my own, I actually stayed up for the entire movie. That has not happened in a while.:)

Though not what I expected, I was pleasantly surprised by the story and definitely drawn in by the music, camera shots, and portrayal/withholding of aspects of the story throughout. While I anticipated the love story between Celia and Robbie to take center stage, it was actually Briley's story that was the focus. In doing so, we were able to see first hand the destructive quality of the guilt Briley endured over the years because of a lie she told when she was eleven. In addition, the movie plays off of the interplay between fiction and reality in the portrayal of what happens to Celia and Robbie after the lie. A clever, clever twist. The use of lighters and a typewriter to create music and enhance the tension in certain scenes was engaging, as well as certain camera shots, such as when Robbie is standing in front of a movie screen in which a man and a woman are kissing. You see his war-ravaged body almost folded over before this larger than life image of love. Quite moving. Though perhaps my favorite scene is the one that closes the movie. It is at once a happy ending and it is not, but as both, it is even more touching than if it were only one. All in all, a solid, beautiful movie.

The moral of the story: Little sisters, mind your own business!

What We Are Looking Forward To...

Now that Riley is with us and summer is almost here, we are starting to get ready for a couple of exciting events.

Shawn, Riley, and I will be heading to Sewanee University for six weeks this summer as I continue my MFA in Creative Writing in Sewanee's School of Letters. We will be staying in a two-bedroom apartment and enjoying life on the Domain when not in class, changing diapers, or catching up on sleep.

Then, in August, my twin sister is getting married! The big day is August 16, and I cannot wait to see Allison walk down the isle to join Charles Bechtel and become husband and wife. Charles is a great guy, and I could not be happier for the two of them. Alli is going to be a beautiful bride, and I am honored to be her Matron of Honor. Ironically, Allison met Charles at Camp Kon-O-Kwee, the same place I met Shawn. Who knew a summer camp could be so good at match-making??

Riley's First Friends...

Right from the first hours of her life, Riley (and her parents) had many visitors to share in the joy, the excitement of her arrival. Shawn and I cannot thank everyone who visited us in the hospital, kept us company, and brought us food enough for their love and support.

At the hospital, I was met by Caroline's parents coming out of the OR. It was great to see familiar faces immediately after major surgery!

Not long after that, Irene came by with flowers, chocolates, and coconut treats. Fortunately, Riley is a bit too young to indulge, so I got to enjoy the tasty treats! Irene came back the next day to hang out in the afternoon and help me make my first walk down to see Riley in the Special Care Nursery. She returned later that night with Walmir, too. Thanks, Irene. You rock!

A little while later, Kira and Lacey stopped by to say hi and meet Riley. More warm smiles, hugs, and company. Ironically, another friend, Natasha, had just given birth to Baby Alex three hours before Riley was born. It was like a party for us in the labor and delivery ward!

After the track meet, Caroline came over to visit. Over the course of the week, she earned the award for spending the most time in the hospital with us. Her stories, company, and laughs made the recovery smooth and quick. Caroline also helped drive me around to several necessary errands immediately after returning home. Between going to Target and getting iced coffees to help with my spinal headache, Caroline was a tremendous help.

The award for the most surprising visitor goes to my Dad, who flew down from Virginia without telling me to see us on Tuesday afternoon. After taking a shower and just starting to walk and move about a little, in comes my dad with a shower of gifts for Baby Riley from him and my Mom. Grandpa stayed for the week to help Shawn finish the nursery and spend time with me and his first grandchild. I am not sure who took more pictures of Riley: him or Shawn. I know it meant a lot to him to see Riley in her first few days, but I think it meant even more to me to share the experience with him.

Mark (our bowling teammate) also came by during the week, and Dan (a senior at Oak Hall) stopped by to see us, as well. Thanks, gentlemen!

Spring Break 2008

Normally, spending spring break in the hospital would be on par with eating black olives and standing in forty degree rain in a t-shirt and shorts. Not for Shawn and I. Not this year.


After a spring break no trip to Cancun or Paris or California could ever top, Shawn and I welcomed Riley Marie into our family on April 7, 2008 at 1:05 pm. With her due date still weeks away, we were not quite ready. But then again, would we ever be?

It was the Monday of our spring break, and we began the day like a normal vacation day: sleeping in until 8:00, cereal for breakfast, and a bit of gaming before heading to our doctor's appointment. I had an ultrasound scheduled for 10:00 am. Shawn was coming with me, and then I was planning on dropping him off at his track meet before running a bunch of errands and hitting the gym. My to-do list was soon forgotten.

Ironically, our appointment began with Dr. Greene talking to us about going into labor. Shawn and I both agreed that we wanted the birth to be as natural as possible. Then, we looked at the ultrasound. Riley was doing just fine, but the placenta showed evidence of calcification. At 36 weeks and five days, Dr. Greene did not want to wait to see what would happen in the next couple of weeks. As a result, we would be meeting our baby that day! Because Riley was breech, Dr. Greene scheduled a c-section. The next two and a half hours, from ultrasound to operating room, were a blur.

By 12:30, I was getting my spinal and Shawn had his OR scrubs, mask, hat, and booties on. And, of course, his Oakley shades to complete the ensemble. At 1:05, Riley came out, crying a little and sticking out her tongue. Time seemed to stand still. We had a beautiful, healthy baby girl. When they laid her on me for our first family photo, I was in awe. After nine months, I couldn't believe this little person was finally ours. To have, to hold, to comfort, to support, to worry about, to encourage, to teach. To love. Forever.