Asos – …on the B.L.

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

February 20, 2020 RaeAnna

Worth A Read Yes
Length 406
Quick Review Delving into magical realism and familiar themes of justice, humanity, freedom, and equality, the era of slavery is raging in Ta-Nehisi Coates debut novel.

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates in Galveston, Texas | Dress |

Ta-Nehisi Coates’ writes incredible essays and nonfiction, which are entertaining and thought provoking. I couldn’t wait to see what Coates would do in a world he created himself. Set in pre-Civil War Virginia, The Water Dancer is an impressive piece of fiction.

Hiram Walker is the son of a slave and the Lockless plantation owner. His mother was sold when he was young, and he was taken in and raised by another slave on the plantation. The community is made up of Quality, slave/land owners, the Tasked, slaves, and classless whites. Hiram is an exceptional human because of his photogenic memory, but he also possesses the gift of conduction, the ability to travel across great distance through waterways. He eventually travels to Philadelphia through the Underground Railroad, where he meets Moses, a legendary Underground member.

One of my favorite parts about the story is the way it is framed and told. Coates introduces Hiram in a death scene in chapter one. It captures the readers’ attention and holds it. There are also breaks in the narrative, where Hiram speaks as an older wiser man reminiscing about his younger years and even to speak directly to the reader. There is a lot of dependence on mysticism and suspension of reality. Coates shows the evils of slavery through the eyes of a slave. He also shows the entire society was trapped in the horrific cycle. Everyone suffered. No one was free.

Story wise, it’s very interesting, well thought out, and thoroughly researched. Honestly, it’s rather forgettable. I’m having a hard time writing a decent or even remotely in depth review because it did not sweep me along. I read it and had to make myself keep reading. It’s not a novel I just had to know what happened. I remember the beginning far more than the ending.

The Water Dancer is a combination of intriguing, boring, and well done. To be honest, it’s really hard calling, the beloved writer, Ta-Nehisi Coates’ prose boring, but it was. I thought it dragged on and on at times. Maybe part of it is that I don’t really like fantasy. I’ve never been a huge fan, and this is very much a fantasy novel. Although, I don’t think that has much to do with it. The fantasy bits were interesting and did not overwhelm the plot.

Memorable Quotes
“She’d gone from that warm quilt of memory to the cold library of fact.”
“I was a man well regarded in slavery, which is to say I was never regarded as a man at all.”

bisous und обьятий,
RaeAnna

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Title: The Water Dancer
Author: Ta-Nehisi Coates
Publisher: One World
Copyright: 2019
ISBN: 9780399590597

Books, NonFiction

Last Boat Out of Shanghai by Helen Zia

May 5, 2019May 5, 2019 RaeAnna

Worth A Read Hell Yes
Length 544
Quick Review An intense look into the challenges of emmigrating during the mass exodus from Shanghai in the midst of the communist revolution in China of 1949.

Reading the book Last Boat Out of Shanghai by Helen Zia | Asos Dress

Chinese history – and Asian history for that matter – is so basically covered in the United States. If you want to know about non-white history, you have to educate yourself. It’s Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month; coincidentally, I’ve been reading a lot of books by and about Chinese/Chinese-Americans. Great timing. Last Boat Out of Shanghai by Helen Zia is a beautiful tribute to the men, women, and children who lived through the exodus from Shanghai.

People were leaving Shanghai in droves during the ‘40s as a reaction to the turmoil going on within the country after the Japanese occupation and the rise of Mao and the communist party. Zia focuses on four people’s lives before, during, and after the exodus in Last Boat Out of Shanghai. Benny, Ho, Bing, and Annua lived very different lives, but they were all affected. Benny was the son of an affluent comprador family. Ho grew up well-off in a large extended family compound. Bing was abandoned, adopted, abandoned, and adopted all during the uproar in China. Annuo grew up with two highly educated and revolutionary parents. Each of these people have their own very interesting tale about struggle and survival. Zia gives them each their own spotlight while intertwining their stories.

Reading Last Boat Out of Shanghai by Helen Zia in Houston | Asos Dress

I have so much to say about this book, but I would be giving the story away. I have a particular affinity for Annuo because she spent time in Ames, Iowa, and her brother earned a PhD from Iowa State University. Last Boat Out of Shanghai gives an emotional depth to the intense era. China was recovering and reacting from years of difficulty and occupation. Trying to find its way and identity to an ever changing world. Zia begins each person’s story before the communist revolution in their childhoods and follows them through their adolescence and adulthoods after fleeing Shanghai. Their lives began and ended differently, but they all went through the struggle.

I completely consumed this book. I have always had a love for history and the individuals who live and create it. These four people show their extraordinary resilience by surviving. Helen Zia is able to bring a humanity to the stories and history found in Last Boat Out of Shanghai, which was the General Gordon by the way.

Memorable Quotes
A message was sent via a photo “If he was standing, all was well. If he was sitting, things were bad. When he finally sent them a picture, he was lying down.”

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Title: Last Boat Out of Shanghai
Author: Helen Zia
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Copyright: 2019
ISBN: 9780345522320

Style

Easter Outfits

April 15, 2019September 20, 2019 RaeAnna

Wearing my Easter outfit in Little Italy, Chicago. | Lace Romper | Black Patent Pumps

Growing up, Easter was always a huge deal in my house. My brother and I would run to the living room to try and scope out the Easter eggs before Mom and Dad got out of bed. Mom used to put our Easter baskets out on the table, but she learned we would go through them without her. She ended up hiding those as well by the time I was five, so she and Dad could see our faces. We weren’t allowed to hunt them until after church. We would go have breakfast at church with friends before heading to Sunday School and service. After church was over we would go home and run around finding all the eggs, candy, and goodies. As I got older, we started going to sunrise service. At one point, I attended four church services before noon.

I’m not religious in any sense of the word. When I’m in my hometown, I go to church with my mom because it means a lot to her. I try to be home for Easter as often as I can. A few years ago, I drove through the night, so I could walk into church and surprise my mom. She ended up tearing up. I’ve missed a few years, but I’ll be with the parental units this year.

It is my 27th Easter, and I have successfully hunted easter eggs all but two years in college. Last year, my mom sent a bag of Easter eggs, so my boyfriend could hide them for me. My dog thinks it’s good fun because I’m running around like a goof with a bag. I firmly believe there is no age limit on fun. The off chance I have children, they will be competing with me to find eggs. I’ll go easy on them the first couple years. I love it. It brings me joy. I’ll die hunting easter eggs.

Growing up, Easter and Christmas were the two occasions I got to pick out an entire new outfit. I think that tradition continued well into high school. Now, it’s a little less of a thing because I have a fair amount of clothing. I love Easter outfits, though. They’re springy and sweet. I lean towards the pastels and fluffy skirts. I’m including three outfits perfect for Easter. All on sale from Asos. I highly suggest them. Super cute.

Off-the-shoulder floral dress from Asos.

I love this off-the-shoulder, long-sleeve floral dress. It has whites, pinks, blues, and flowers. I mean it’s the perfect Easter/spring dress. It would be beautiful for upcoming wedding season too or date night. I do love it. It’s under $35 too.

If you want something a little more delicate. This lace cami dress is so cute. I like that it is open back too. It is sold out in this seafoam color. It is available in the pink. I think the pink is better because it pops against fair skin tones better than the green. It’s $26.50.

Lace romper from Asos with black patent leather pumps.

I am loving on jumpsuits. They’re so in, but also they’re different. Everyone goes for a dress on Easter, why not try something unusual. This is the cutest lace, long-sleeve romper. The back is completely open with a bow and high neck. I love the periwinkle color and lace. There are pockets!!!! Who doesn’t love pockets?!? Also it’s an absolute steal at $13.50. I mean come on. You need it! I think black patent leather pumps go with everything, by the way.

If you order now, you can for sure have them by this weekend. Asos has great two day delivery. I’ve even gotten things the next day. Also as someone 5’10”, these are great options. I didn’t have a single problem fitting into them with their defined waists.

Stay tuned on Sunday. I will be posting some pictures from my Easter egg hunt. I don’t know if my parents are tired of hiding the eggs or not, but it’s happening. I for sure think this has gone on much longer than they ever anticipated. I’m great at adulting and kidding!

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Style

Cruise Swimsuits

March 28, 2019June 23, 2019 RaeAnna

1| Rhinestone Sunglasses Amazon |2| Caged, High-Waisted Swim Bottoms Target |3| Split Front Beach Pants Asos |4| Mini Heart Bikini Top Asos |5| Mini Heart Bikini Bottoms Asos |6| Tropical Print Dress Asos |7| Scoop Back One-Piece Target |8| Straw Hat Madewell |9| Ring Detail Halter Bikini Top Asos |10| Crochet High Waisted Bottoms Asos (Low Rise) |11| Crochet Tie Top |12| Bardot Black One-Piece Asos |13| White Mesh Top |14| Lavender Sunglasses

When I was young, I couldn’t wait to be old enough to wear bikinis. Then, I got old enough and didn’t love them so much. I felt exposed. Then, I got even older, and I just don’t give a fuck anymore. I love swimsuits because they mean I’m at the beach or by the pool. My apartment has a pool, and I don’t spend as much time by it as I should. When I first moved to Texas, I had very few swimsuits. Now, I have a whole bunch. It didn’t stop me from buying a few more for my cruise last month, though.

20190322160866465158185305 — Crochet Top | Crochet Bottom | Both from Asos.com

I found several from Asos and JustFab and Target. I love one piece swimsuits; being as tall as I am, they are kind of hard to find. So I have a renewed love in bikinis. I’m a huge fan of high waisted bottoms because I can binge on shitty food and not feel totally exposed. Here are all the swimsuits I brought with me on my cruise. I definitely overbought, but that’s fine. They are all on sale, and I adore all of them. Truly. They look so cute!

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Books, NonFiction

The Bold World by Jodie Patterson

March 25, 2019 RaeAnna

Worth A Read Most Definitely
Length 352
Quick Review A deep dive into gender, race, relationships, and what it means to grow and be human. Jodie Patterson confronts it all when she realizes her daughter is her son, Penelope.

The Bold World by Jodie Patterson is wonderful. Honestly, I loved it. I had never been heard of her before reading the book, which is nice because I don’t have any preconceived notions. All I really knew was it was about being a mother to a trans son. Yay! Supporting women and the LGBTQIA people! It’s what I’m all about, plus I love reading and educating myself about these things.

About more than just her son, The Bold World is absolutely Jodie Patterson’s story. She begins with her early life and family. There is a commitment to family in every page of this book. Patterson allows herself and the people in her life to be as complex as people are prone to being. Never sidestepping the contradictions, feelings, pain, confusion of humanity. Anecdotes are relaid with a matter-of-factness, which leaves no room for question. It happened. She manages to communicate her self-love and mistakes without ever being apologetic for either.

Courageous is how I would describe The Bold World. It takes a brave heart to lay out the complexities of being woman, of being black in America today. To openly struggle with being a strong black woman and a mother of trans son is another level. Opening up about the ups, downs and absolute mystery of mothering well in a world that too often vilifies different is courageous. It is heartbreaking and overwhelming hopeful all at the same time.

The topic of transgender is still such a new concept for so many people. Jodie Patterson is helping to tear down the walls separating normal and other in The Bold World. It is inspirational and necessary. Not only does she tackle trans-issues, she talks about skin color, gender, sexism, family, motherhood, marriage, and being human. It is a remarkable story told with grace and hope.

Memorable Quotes
“The South, I knew had the power to fix anything. There was spirit in the soil.”
“…sometimes the king is a woman.”
“this correlation between money and control, where control is in the hands of men, and women are often excluded, or minimized, from the conversation.”

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Title: The Bold World; A Memoir of Family and Transformation
Author: Jodie Patterson
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Copyright: 2019
ISBN: 9780399179013

Travel, Travel Guides

Cozumel, Mexico

March 22, 2019 RaeAnna

20190223_113942-01 — I really do love staring into the ocean. | Bikini top. | Bikini bottom.

201903224888024445917065014 — I can’t believe my dad is in the ocean with me!!!

201903223106048705503310352 — Hammock at the pool bar. | Sunglasses | Top | Shorts

20190322579993068540176312 — Three generations sipping on drinks at the poolside bar.

It seems like everyone has been to Mexico. Definitely not everyone, but a whole bunch of people. The closest I had been was Calexico, California, which is literally on the border, but it’s still not Mexico. On my cruise last month – I am so behind on the blog posts – I ported in Cozumel. The thing about cruises is that you don’t really get to experience the destination. I was only there for seven hours give or take.

201903226608354750082598009 — My parents are always up for fun in the sun. | Bikini top. | Bikini bottoms.

The ocean was so blue. I can equate it to blue Gatorade. My time in Mexico was spent at a day resort: Nachi-Cocom. Pretty much the thing of dreams. I was ready to move in. I think it was $50 for the day, and it included all food and drinks. I think I drank them out of virgin mango daiquiris. I can’t describe the amount of joy it brought me to sit on the beach drinking a fruity drink and eating french fries brought to me. Joy. The resort had huts on the beach and lots of chairs. There was also a restaurant and bathrooms. A pool and hot tub with a swim up bar was also enticing. There were beds to lounge in. A bar by the beach. Hammocks hanging between palm trees. Really it was fabulous.

I spent the day at the resort with my parents, great aunt, and cousins. I went parasailing for the first time with my seven and fourteen year old cousins. They had both been before, so I’m the old lady. It was quite the experience. Not cheap but super cool. Worth it once, I think. It is a really pretty vantage point to look at the ocean and the island. It was beautiful.

20190223_100057-01 — Parasailing was wonderful.

My poor mom had a restless night on the cruise ship because there was a lot of motion. She was exhausted the whole day in Cozumel. I’m so glad she decided to come with us. Growing up, my dad was never a huge fan of the water. I really only remember him getting in the summer kiddy pool once when I was four after a very long bike ride in the heat. My dad ran into the ocean in Cozumel before I did. THAT NEVER HAPPENS. Watching my dad laugh and play in the ocean with my seven year old cousin and 80 year old great aunt was worth the trip. He and I played and waded. It was an amazing few hours in Mexico.

If you’re ever in Cozumel, I would highly suggest stopping by the day resort. On top of the stunning scenery, there are also massages and spa stuff to enjoy. It is a great place to relax and read a book or catch up with friends. They have a cap on how many people are allowed a day, so you will never be too crowded. Though Nachi-Cocom was something full of dreams, I would not consider it an immersive or even real experience of Mexico.

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The bikini I wore is on super sale on Asos. I love it. It was so comfortable. I could eat fries and not feel expose because of the high waisted bikini bottom. There are low waisted version, which I also own. (TMI warning) The bikini top was comfortable and made my boobs look great!!! I bought all three for under $14 combined. I am obsessed with the lavender sunglasses from Target. The lavender backless shirt is amazing and so soft. Perfect for summer, working out, or sunburn. The high waisted shorts are a favorite.