Kelly in NC

And the three questions I chose to answer are:

1. J.K. Rowling demonstrates an impressive ability to integrate symbolism throughout her books. Even in her epilogue, James and Albus Severus, Potter’s children, continue the teasing/taunting relationship that is indicative of the people for whom they were named. Therefore, in keeping with the theme of symbolism, if you were a character in Harry Potter, what animal would be your patronus and why?
I think that my patronus would be a labrador retriever. I am a loyal friend who can be depended on to stand up for others. This is an interesting question- because I wonder what my friends would expect my patronus to be.

3. If faced with certain death, would you walk into the situation to save the ones you love - knowing there was no time for goodbyes?
Yes. I mean is there a more significant way to say goodbye than to lay down your life to prove your love? I think that as a mom, I have a much better idea of how much I would sacrifice to save my son.

5. Harry named his son after Snape. Do you think Harry should have forgiven Snape after all he had done? Do you think it was appropriate to name his child after Snape?
Renee’ is this your question??? Because I know that this was your favorite part of the book! I have to admit that I was very moved by this part of the story line. In the last book, I was very angry about Snape killing Dumbledore and couldn’t understand why D. trusted him so much. Once I read about Snapes devotion to Lilly and how that love transcended to Harry, I could only then truley appreciate this character. I think that once Harry could see the real Snape, then he could then understand Sanpe’s motives. In the end, I think that Harry was honoring Snape and the sacrifices he made in order to save Harry. So yes to all the questions!

Well, as I mentioned a few posts ago, I decided to join my friend Angelle’s Blogging book tour. Here is how is works: a book is chosen and is posted on Angelle’s site. She gives a certain amount of time to read the book and a deadline to submit one question about the book. Readers then choose 3 questions to answer from those submitted (also posted on Angelle’s site) and then answers are posted on our own site. I must admit that I am really excited about this book club. I busted my butt to get the book read in time (which I really enjoyed the book by the way) and I would love to see more people participate. Go by Angelle’s site from more info and try to participate next month. She hasn’t posted the next book yet…and I think she is still taking suggestions.

Anyhow here are the questions I chose to answer:

2.As a mother, I can’t imagine subjecting my child to anything like foot binding for the sake of societal acceptance. Do you think there are any practices in today’s world that might indicate a similar symbol of female status in our society? What are they?
I think that there are lots of things that we do because society determines that it is beautiful. A few severe examples are breast implants and nose jobs. I even knew a few girls my freshman year of college whose parents bought them such surgeries as high school graduation gifts. But of course there are less severe examples of things we do to our children to help them “fit” in or to make them more attractive. Braces comes to mind…I mean how many kids do you know wear braces? I must admit that I was one of those kids…and that I later paid to have them put on a second time. So, yes, I do listen to society about what is acceptable when it comes to appearance…and even as an adult I was willing to put myself through the pain (albeit not as painful as footbinding) for the sake of improving my appearance.
But that makes me think of something else while on the topic of footbinding: Did anyone else find themselves scruched into the fetal position with your toes curled under while reading the discription on footbinding? Maybe it was just me. I also couldn’t help but search for pictures of footbinding…and couldn’t believe what those ladies did to their feet. Unbelievable.

3. Why was Lily so forgiving of Snow Flower and her betrayal, yet so angry with her family and Madame Wang? Isn’t the betrayal the same? Why are we so forgiving of friends but not of family members?
You know, I really wondered the same thing. I mean if anything Snow Flower went on and on about her family…so shouldn’t she be even more accountable for the lie? As for why we are more forgiving toward friends than families? Uh, you got me on that one. I think that I am more forgiving of my family members than I am of my friends. I mean afterall I am stuck with my family no matter what! I will admit that I do hold my family to higher standard that I do my friends. For example it aggrevates me to no end when I see my family talk with food in their mouth, or use improper grammer; where I am must less likely to become annoyed when one of my “friends” makes the same mistake. Maybe this is how Lily felt. Maybe she held her mother and Madame Wang to higher standard because they were adults?

4. How do you feel about the concept of “old sames” (being in an arranged friendship)? Were you surprised at the way it turned out for Lily and Snow Flower? Have you found yourself in a “sisterhood” kind of friendship throughout your life? How was it able to last through all of the changes you have gone through in your life?
I was surprised by the ending. I, too, thought that Snow Flower had entered into the friendship with the other girls, but I didn’t understand why Snow Flower did not immediately correct Lily’s mistake…she could have easily corrected her while at the bridal party…but anyhow, I loved the way Lily tried to make things right by Snow Flower and her children. I loved how she became her nursemaid and in my opinion, Lily was forgiven well before Snow Flower died.
As for friendships in my life, it is funny but I feel like for each chapter of my life, for each major change, I have found different friends to get me through those times. While there are a few friendships that always remain consistent, I am guilty of losing touch with friends once our circumstances no longer match. I think that a big component to having a life-long friend is the mutual desire to stay close no matter the distance you live or how different your lives may be. There must be a commitment between the two people. You can be honest with that person and know that they will be honest with you all because you know that they love you unconditionally. On Jacqueline’s blog last week she had a post that said: Friendship is a comfy situation like home. You get home, kick off your shoes, relax and sigh, “Ahh, home.” I like how that post described friendship. It is those friends who make me feel like “Ahhh, I’m home” that I know will last me my entire life time. The are my “old sames”.