Hugo: The Beauty of Imagination and Purpose

Happy Advent!! I just got back from watching the movie Hugo in 3D it was one of the best children's movies I have seen in a while. Hugo follows the story of a boy and an automaton and his search for purpose. This film deals with the issues of family, belonging and hope. While I would describe it as a fantasy film in many ways it is the fantasy of reality. There is no magic or secret worlds in Hugo, beyond those found in the mind. I would suggest that you see the movie in 3D while I am not a big fan of 3D movies this one put the technology to good use.
Merry Christmas, Nina

Mental Illness in Fiction

Shalom all. Thanks to the increased awareness mental illness is slowly losing its stigma and people are getting the help and support they need. I have seen quite a few books lately that have dealt with this subject particularly Melody Carlson's Finding Alice, Tracie Peterson's House of Secrets, and DiAnn Mills Attracted to Fire.

Melody Carlson's book Finding Alice was a well written look inside someone suffering from schizophrenia. You follow Alice as the illness take a hold in her life and the struggle that ensues. In the tradition of A Beautiful Mind you watch the story unfold through Alice's eyes. I felt that this book give a good look at schizophrenia and the battle those who suffer from mental illness.

House of Secrets also deal with schizophrenia but from the viewpoint of a family who was affected by a parent's mental illness. I believe the book's message of the problem of secrecy,

the effect of acknowledgment of a mental illness, and support is good. I think it would have been even better if the reader could be shown how someone could successfully deal with schizophrenia and have a good life. I have dealt with depression and anxiety even to the point of hospitalization and it is important that people realize the presence of a mental illness does not have to diminish your life. It has to be dealt with but as I have always been told life is what you make of it and that is very true with mental illness. You might not always feel great but you can always choose joy and make your life that best it can possibly despite the way you might feel inside. Happiness might be fleeting, but joy is a choice.

Attracted to Fire focuses on the effects alcohol, drug use, and lifestyle can aid and abet mental illness. It also deals with the suicidal ideation and cutting which have become more prevalent in society today. It was also a pretty good suspense book that I enjoyed.

If you, or someone you know may suffer from a mental illness please get help. Mental illness is not a death sentence. There are many people out there who suffer from it but have gone on to lead full lives. Just like cancer it must be treated in order for it to be dealt with and is not a matter of mind over matter.

Happy Advent and God Bless,

Nina

Christmas Favorites

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year with all the gift giving, family celebrations, and christmas carols at mass. Today I want to share with you some of my favorite Christmas books. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson is a Christmas classic that is a fun read for the entire family. You will never look at Christmas pageants the same after seeing it done"Herdman style".

Boo Humbug by Rene Gutteridge follows the town of Skary, Indiana's adaptation of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol. It is to be directed by a person who thinks Dicken's is "Unappreciated"(Boo Humbug,14). The new name given to this adaptation, A Very Skary Christmas Carol, describes the tone of the book in so far as Skary refers to the modern slang term for crazy and out there. This book had me laughing from start to finish and is highly recommended for those who enjoy more sarcastic humor.

Have a good read- Nina