ahh, to be young (and to love good fantasy literature!)

so, today i went to the birthday party of my friend aditi's daughter reva. she is one today. it was all very sweet and was a fantastic party (as they are hindu and had loads of yummy vegetarian food). i haven't seen aditi in forever because she and her husband live in baltimore and it was really nice to see her. it was also really nice to finally meet her daughter. she's a doll! really, she gives suri cruise a run for her money (and she's not even a robot!!).

that is reva with her aunt anagha (who is also a doll and not a robot). the whole thing made me feel kind of old. i remember when i was a bride's maid at aditi's wedding (4 years ago) and anagha was 11! i remember being 11 and thinking that i knew everything. thinking back on anagha at the wedding makes me realise how young she was then (especially given that she now looks 20). she's such a sweetheart and i'm not ashamed to say that we have very similar tastes in literature. i remember having long conversations with her about philip pullman's his dark materials trilogy. as some of you may know they are making a film out of the first book, the golden compass, starring nicole kidman. we are both a little skeptical about how it's going to turn out but are excited nonetheless. we've made a date to go see it. fingers crossed that it lives up to the brilliance of the book.

for those of you who haven't read it here is the synopsis courtesy of mr pullman himself--

The Golden Compass follows the ever-expanding adventure of Lyra Bacquela as she travels north in search of a kidnapped friend. The story begins in Jordan College, Oxford, where Lyra is an average eleven-year-old girl who enjoys playing with her friend, Roger. One day, while snooping around Jordan College, Lyra accidentally learns about a mysterious substance known as Dust, which is attracted to adults but not to children. She also learns that the Dust has something to do with the snowy north.
Rumors soon begin about a group known as Gobblers, who kidnap children, take them to the north, and perform experiments on them. The people of Jordan College give little credibility to these rumors, until the Gobblers arrive in Oxford. Several children are kidnapped, and after an extensive search, Lyra returns home to find that Roger is also missing. Soon thereafter, Lyra is given a strange compass-like device known as an alethiometer, and then is forced to leave Oxford.

http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-golden-compass/

obviously, there are many mysteries that must be solved and her adventure does not end when she leaves oxford. feel free to visit that site to learn more about these amazing books.

i will leave you now with a few pics from the party. i had such a good time and i would like to that mr. and mrs. hanumante, the pemmarajus, aditi, naveen, anagha, amayea, and reva for inviting me. it's always such a delight to see you all!!

that's it for now.

book i am reading right now: the gun seller by hugh laurie (yes, that hugh laurie)

last song i listened to: what katie did by the libertines

mysterious magazine i got in the mail today: parenting

days until i have to go back to work: 1 (and 1 night)

days until my birthday: 9

things i want for my birthday: still want that spa day and that jacket. air conditioning in my car-- actually, forget that. i want a prius.

weather outside today: overcast and rainy. 80 degrees, around 97 with the heat index.

storms in the gulf: 1 (dean)

liklihood that it will hit us: slim to none (hurray!!!)