~Question~
Ok, I will admit I haven’t read any of the books ([youngest] is on the last one now). I did finally watch the first movie this weekend and I have some questions for you – since you are an expert on it.

Does Edward essentially stay 17 in thought, maturity level, etc. even though he’s been 17 since (was it) 1918? If he does, that would explain why he is attracted to another 17 year old, despite the fact that he can’t read her mind; which was one of the main reasons he mentioned.

If he does not stay 17 and matures to adulthood over the years, I would think he would be attracted to someone who is more like 40+ years old with more knowledge and life experience. I’m just thinking as far as knowledge goes – he’s been there for every major technological advancement in the last 100 years – in high school or wherever. Obviously has a huge library of music and probably an great appreciation of the arts – having tons of time on his hands not sleeping and all.

Other vampire/immortal stories usually just have adults attracted to adults that are around their own age too. I found this story particularly interesting because there is so much that changes between say 17 and 27.

Well, if it’s just part of the fantasy of the story and doesn’t make much difference that’s fine but I thought I would ask you if you’d ever considered that.

I know, I know, I probably should go and read the books…in all my spare time

~Answer~
Hehe, I love a good Twilight discussion. It’s true that the answers to your questions are in the story, but many things can be missed in a first read.

Edward was born in 1901, so by age 17 in 1918, he’s grown, ready to join the army (or get married if he’d met Bella). By those standards, he is mature. Then he’s the first to join Carlisle and knowing his “father’s” pure respect for humanity, he is mature in how he acts. His first sister, Rosalie, is about the same age in the 1930’s but is extremely vain. Edward is the first she encounters who does not desire her. He hears everyone’s thoughts so he knows how immature people can be. He does experience a lot of the world’s changes because he has no mate and lots of free time to study. Selfishly Edward wants to keep Bella forever but he knows it is selfish so he decides to live with her for her human life. He doesn’t care what she looks like, she will always be beautiful Bella to him.

Bella is raised by a flighty young mother, and cares for her (in #2 her father Billy says Bella cared “emotionally” for her mother) by trying to keep her from senseless ideas, does the grocery shopping and cooking, etc. Her mother calls Bella “her middle-aged daughter” and says the engagement didn’t surprise her because Bella was never a typical teenager and always committed to her decisions. So Bella is also quite mature. She wasn’t one to marry young, her mother actually was very vocal about that issue (but later revealed it to apply to herself). Bella married b/c she thought it was the responsible choice she could make and share with her friends and family (couldn’t share the immortal choice) and then realized marriage was wonderful.

The vampire world rule was to keep the secret, and this meant never changing the very young humans because they could not be controlled.:-D

~Closing~
L: Lovely. The whole maturity level of Edward being ready to go to war, etc. makes total sense for that time. Most people did marry by their late teens or early 20’s (my grandparents were the exception – they were late 20’s/early 30s…old maids by 1935 standards).

I knew that you would have a reasonable, well thought out explanation. Now I really will have to read the books to get the little extra details.

Me: Well, it *was* written by a grown woman with three children.

She’s naturally lovely, something she is completely unaware of (and even disbelieves), and she never tries to change her appearance or impress anyone with cosmetics or fashion.

She is intelligent and does her best at her school-work without showing off, and has a love for classic literature.

She’s been raised in low-to-medium income homes and has no problem with that. Extravagance is unnecessary and unwanted.

She is kind and thoughtful. She thinks before she speaks, if she speaks at all. She doesn’t gossip or say hurtful words to or about others.

She appreciates the good qualities of her parents, loving them regardless of their short-comings, and does her best to fill the need without complaint.

She hates to show vulnerability, but does not act out of character to hide her heart.

She loves those who believe themselves to be unloveable, seeing them for who they truly are, giving them the chance to grow and strengthen.

She is consistent in her actions. After taking time to choose, she sticks to her decisions, defending them stubbornly when necessary.

As Edward realizes by studying her words, actions, and expressions, she is good through and through.

We’ve found a church where we feel familiar. Sara Ellen loves to be in the nursery during the 11:30 service. The people we’ve met there have all been helpful and friendly. The sermons and music are quite similar to that at Calvary. I miss Byron but we’ve found a really great place. It is less than ten minutes drive.

The weather has been lovely. It is consistently warm and sunny. In the mornings and evenings it is cool. The day warms, and the sun is certainly strong, but find a patch of shade and it’s instantly cooler. The absence of humidity makes such a difference. One day in the last few weeks it actually got up to 100F! It was very hot, but not oppressive. On the east coast, it would have been unbearable and I might not have left the house! We’ve gotten a couple weeks at a time of blue skies and then for a few days it’s cloudy and the rain is refreshing. It’s not gloomy. It keeps the greenery moist and the sand areas for play from getting too dusty. When I was looking at satellite images before we moved, I thought it seemed to brown, but it’s not the case. We are in the valley surrounded by hills. Most major roads have lovely median landscaping. There is a great variety of trees and flowers. Most yards are so well kept and have great “curb appeal”. There are parks everywhere. There is usually one is walking distance and they all have playgrounds, room to run, and sand to play in. Adults bringing children almost always have a bag of sand toys; that was one of our first purchases. Toys R Us has a large “Summer Fun” area in the front of the store. Most of the sets are the same but I got one that did not come in a reusable bag and purchased a recycled bag with a panda on it. I really need to keep it all in the trunk along with the stroller and reusable grocery bags. Those are very big around here. It’s probably the same back east but it wasn’t something we used. The large plastic bag, full of other plastic bags was enormous in our CVille home. When we got to our temp apartment, the National Corporate Housing people had a green one for us and I bought two are Trader Joe’s. They are available everywhere; Safeway, Target, libraries, etc. I try to remember to use them. At the temp apartment, we were in very close walking distance to the Cupertino Library, which is part of the Santa Clara Co. system. Now are probably equidistant between Cupertino and the Sunnyvale City Library. I made a mistake going to SCL (only b/c I thought it was a county library and isn’t) but it’s a nice location so I got a card there too. We are probably in walking distance to Woodland Library which is a county location, but it’s tiny. Our new place is walking distance to Trader Joe’s, Rite Aid, Starbucks, and some other places. To tell you the truth, I may have outgrown Starbucks chai. The powder mix at TJ’s is much better, way more flavor! SB does have a nice Green Tea lemonade which I was introduced to in CVille.

I shouldn’t forget to mention our new house. We found it on our own in Craig’s List and is even better for us than any that we visited on our rental tour. The owner’s are a lovely older couple who live across the street, Don and Dorothy. Don is a great gardener and tends our garden. We have two floors with plenty of space. We have a two-car garage which has been great for all the boxes we’ve had to empty. Plus, no more dashing through the rain to get in or out of the car. Though I do tend to misjudge the weather because I’m not hit with it when we step out the door. Don provided a new washer and dryer which are in the garage.
We’ve got more space in our living room than we did in CVille, particularly between the entertainment center and sofa which is nice for Wii Fit. The carpeted area is long and instead of put our dining table under the chandelier, it’s become a play area. We have an office, in which I will eventually have a desk. A large master bedroom with lots of closet space. The fan in the bathroom is pretty noisy, but it seems here you either have a window or a fan. Our bathroom is windowless so the fan comes on with the light. It’s the same in the downstairs half-bath, but the upstairs hall bathroom (aka Sara Ellen’s) has a window. Speaking of Sara Ellen, she very smoothly transitioned to sleeping in her own room. She comes in occasionally but usually spends all night there though she does come in our room earlier than we like. It’s own fault, it’s just that we should have gone to sleep earlier. She doesn’t nap anymore so she’s in bed usually by 9 and up around 7. I’m also very happy to have mail delivered again. We have a slot in the door. We stick out-going mail through it for the carrier. The community has a pool but diapered children are not allowed (I’m hoping that will help the toilet-training efforts).

I mentioned my new friend Kathleen. We’ve talked on the phone more than we’ve met up, trying to get together. Today we got to spend a great visit without prior planning! They were driving through town and stopped at Cupertino Memorial Park. Kathleen called me as I was just stopping at the bank and we were able to meet up. I didn’t have to twist her arm inviting them to our house for lunch and more play. I learned today that we have even more in common – how we communicate with our girls, our attachment parenting/nursing practices, interest in books, temperament. I’ve also been touched that I can be as much of a blessing to her as she is to me. Michaela and Sara Ellen play so well together. It’s a joy to watch. Today they would do things together, and at times find solitary interests. I’ve also been in touch with a non-mom, TwilightMOM. I had already contacted her about her beading project (something we have in common) and I realized she lives in Sunnyvale! We’ve been talking the last few weeks and our plan is to the visit the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose on Sunday. Also through TwilightMOMs, I posted on the Bay Area thread and was invited to join a facebook group by woman who is is a TwilightMOM. She has a 3 year old son and lives in Santa Cruz. We’re trying to get together just the four of us but we might meet as Twilight fans first. I discovered that one of Rob Pattinson’s films, Little Ashes, is opening in San Jose this weekend so we’re trying to get a group of locals together to enjoy it. At least these two locals and I are going. As a huge fan of the movie, I’ve been keeping tabs on the work of the Twilight actors. I recently watched Into The Wild, in which Kristen Stewart plays a great part and I’m hoping to also get her movie In The Land Of Women from the library. Rob Pattinson also filmed How To Be, which I have yet to see.

I’m also so happy to report that the last few days, at least, I’ve been a better mother. I rediscovered that Sara Ellen usually does not like to be alone. She wants to do things with us and she and I both feel better if I am actively involved in her pursuit or in something I suggest that she likes; reading, cutting paper, drawing not so much except if we use sidewalk chalk on the patio (she enjoys hopscotch), learning to jumprope, ball bouncing, dancing, games, cleaning up together, blowing bubbles, wearing my clothes around the house, painting (i just bought some). I fit my interests in there somewhere and I’m definitely happier with her and myself and less prone to anger if I’m realistic about her needs. We visited the Children’s Discovery Museum in San Jose on Saturday. It’s a great place. She loved it and since it’s close, so I got a membership so we can go whenever. I think we might go tomorrow… today, after I get a few hours sleep and drop Tim off at a work-sponsored movie trip! I’m actually jealous he’s going to see Star Trek for free, it looks good.

Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn Thank you Kate for shoving them into my hands!!

Twilight I had not planned to reread so soon, but it was around (after I bought a copy for myself at Target) so I did, with the idea that I’d get the timeline in my head before the movie.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I read all these because I it was another world I knew I could get lost in. I needed something else!

House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubas III. One of a bunch of books I got basically free at a book fair. I really did not like it at all, but the writing kept my attention. I wanted to know what happened and after reaching the pathetic ending, tossed the book in the recycling.

Mansfield Park Revisited: A Jane Austen Entertainment by Joan Aiken. Kind of like (or is) fan fiction. Picks up after Austen’s work. I really enjoyed it! It was lent to me during a camping trip to Rocky Gap November 1 & 2. I’d brougt Lord of the Rings but this was easier to get into.

New Moon After buying it from Target. I don’t remember exactly when that was, perhaps before the above.
Eclipse in Nov/Dec ‘08 after getting it “free” from amazon
Breaking Dawn I’d purchased it soon after it came out b/c I’d only been lent the first 3. This time I stayed up till early morning reading the first night Sara Ellen and I spent in our CVille home on the sofabed. I wasn’t trying to finish it, it’s just wonderful. The Cullen family is the best.

The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood I thought I’d read it before but there were things I hadn’t remembered. I’ve also read (not this year) Little Altars Everywhere and Ya-Ya’s in Bloom

A Wrinkle in Time My first time! Actually, I don’t remember reading any of these particular books by Madeleine L’Engel, except for AAT. I enjoyed them and even Tim read them after my descriptions of the ideas of science involved.
A Wind in the Door
A Swiftly Tilting Planet
Many Waters
An Acceptable Time

Angels and Demons Not because the movie is coming. I just did not want to read TDC but wanted something I knew that was fast-paced.

Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn My third time – Tim has no idea why I’m so obsessed.

Jurassic Park I started this on our plane trip to California January 30 and finished on the trip back Feb 3. I realized I hadn’t read it!

Twilight I now confess, I read for the 4th time in February while Tim was away and am now making it known to him.
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone audiobook Listened to it on short trips between Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Richmond. I really helps keep me focused (music can fade in the background), less nervous on unknown roads (I got crazy “lost” between LBurg and Richmond).

Emma I’d seen the movie Clueless recently and wanted to compare it to the book, as well as read a classic. Took a while to get started in the first two weeks in March but it was fun.
Digital Fortress Took this, an easy read, for our trip to Massachusetts March 12-15.
Congo Also took to Mass. Not as exciting as the movie, which is one of my classic 90’s favorites.
The Notebook Got free at the CVille book recycling trailer (at the McIntire Rd recycling center, and read in a few hours before bed, and finished the next morning.
The Samurai’s Daughter A random find at last year’s Key School Book Fair. I really enjoyed the perspective of Japanese/American woman who grew up in San Francisco. Finished in time to have it packed on March 27.
The Host Finally gave in and got Stephenie Meyer’s only other [so far] non-Twilight book. I started in on the trip to CA, March 29.
The Devil Wears Prada First pick from the Cupertino Library. Not nearly as enjoyable as the movie.
The Jesus Chronicles: Luke’s Story by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. Started slow but got better once Luke was older and hearing the rumors of Jesus and it’s neat to read at Easter-time.

Artic Drift A new Clive Cussler, slow going.

Twilight audio Gave it a chance and don’t love the reader’s voice

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I think it might get better every time

The Other Boleyn Girl Kind of interesting, a *little* easier than watching the movie but I didn’t love it.

New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn

StardustIt was ok, I like the movie better.

Vienna Prelude I haven’t read this in years. Still good but not my favorite anymore. First of nine in the Zion Covenant.

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder Same author at the Ya-Ya’s. I wasn’t sure where it was going for a while I ended up really liking it.

Neverwhere Another Neil Gaiman. I liked it a lot, more than Stardust

Corsair Another new Clive Cussler like this better than Arctic Drift

Midnight SunStephenie Meyer’s work in progress of Twilight from Edward’s perspective. It’s available on her website. I’ve read it three times now. It’s only 12 chapters so far (Twilight is 24) and it doesn’t corresponde exaclty, but it *is* a work in progress. I love the original series but it’s equally amazing reading this way.

I think the interpretations of Bella and Edward are pretty good, but there are many character aspects that have been significantly changed. There are several significant scenes where “Edward” is just too angry. He’s absolutely supposed to show Bella she should stay away or at least be wary but I think he yells and is more disgusted with himself than he should be. I’m really going to get picky here: when he takes Bella up the hill to “reveal” himself, he’s too rough with her. I know from the commentary that Rob Pattinson thinks himself not very athletic or physically coordinated but he really pulls her along. Later they are climbing trees. I don’t think Edward would have put Bella in that situation, he’s too overprotective. She is rather delicate and clumsy, though Kristen Stewart is not. She is apparently plenty coordinated and can even play volleyball well.

The meadow scene itself is quite different because instead of thinking over all she has learned alone, coming to the realization that it doesn’t matter what Edward is, we see this thought process with Edward right there, pressuring her to vocalize what he is. I can understand that the original processes are too internal. They did a decent job bringing in some of Bella’s thoughts as narration. In the same scene Bella is supposed to get her first chance to touch Edward. They adore eachother so strongly, and both feel undeserving of the others love, but we only ever see Edward caress Bella. She rarely, if ever gets a chance.

Other parts that bother me are script related. In some pivotal moments, movie-Bella is not herself. Turns out these are moments where the script had changed or lines forgotten so whatever came out is what was recorded. First is in the escape from the baseball scene. She and Edward are in the car yelling at eachother. That was a bit of ad lib on the last day of filming. Yelling is fine, it fits the mood but she keeps saying she doesn’t know what to do. Book-Bella had all kinds of “diabolical” ideas. She doesn’t want to hurt Charlie, but she knows precisely what to say to get him to let her go. Another script problem was in the hospital after the ballet studio. Edward tells her to go to Florida, sacrificing his happiness for her safety, and instead of fighting only medically-induced drowsiness, she stutters (b/c she couldn’t remember the lines) and can barely get out a few clear words. But the sentiment of each is the same. Half the time when she’s talking to Edward she has trouble with coherency anyway, so I suppose it fits okay.

A couple continuity issues bug me. I do realize how little time they had to make this, and the serious weather problems they had. I do love the movie, but I can also see it objectively. The baseball scene is filmed over a couple days, in a couple different perspectives, and the hair issues they had with the females are clearest in Rosalie particularly right before and after the nomads have arrived. There is nothing a ball cap can do to hide it. From one perspective, her hair is perfect and with large loose waves. From another, the weather has made her hair lengthen into waves with less volume, it goes back and forth. In the hospital, when the camera is right in Bella’s face, the nose tubes come right up under her eyes. When the view is father away, the tubes are lower across her cheeks.

Then there are technological differences, and I don’t mean in how wires were taken out or rain added or removed (and there was plenty of that!). I am referring to all the gadgets Bella and her father own. Book-Bella was raised by a kindergarden teacher and a chief of police. She was going to pool her money just to buy warmer clothes and find an old car to get herself around Forks. She’s described as having a dial-up internet connection (probably on an old computer) so slow that she’ll go back downstairs to get some food or wash dishes (because Charlie has no dishwasher) instead of sitting their while it connects. She has to borrow Alice’s cell phone while waiting in in the hotel and has a walkman/cd player that rests on her bedside table. All these things are different. She has a sleek iMac and iPod, and a fancy cell phone so we can hear her talking to her mother instead of reading emails. And apparently Charlie even has a dishwasher. Tim suggested all her gadgetry might help the target audience more easily connect with her. Her clunky old truck is certainly more visible but all these little things add up to a help us understand her better.

I’ve watched extended scenes as well, and most of what was edited out what not book material anyway. I really hope the next movies stick to the book as much as possible. They should really endeavor to earn all the money they are going to make. There are a least 3 different copies of the dvd available! At each place it’s sold, the features and covers are a little different. I know many TwilightMOMs have bought them all so as not to miss out on a thing. There is also another version of the soundtrack, not the score, but a new cd/dvd with music videos. What gets me is the song that actually starts the credits, is not on either cd! It’s a good song too. I’m definitely going to acquire for my new ipod.

Mom, Dad, Emily and I saw “The Nativity Story” this afternoon. I loved it. Emily and I agree it is rewatchable, several times over.

Tim did not come though he had the day off. I’d forgotten, or didn’t realize that fact so JP babysat. It’s hard seeing your baby go away. It’s one thing leaving her at home… but she was with someone she loves and who loves her back. Tim and Michael (who had seen it earlier) had the house to themselves. Tim spent time bagging leaves from the backyard.

The movie shows what Mary could have been like, as well as Joseph. You see their personalities and circumstances, and how hard their lives are as poor people under King Herod (the Great), the local hand of Ceasar Augustus.

One of my favorite parts is when Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who will be the mother of John the Baptist. When Mary is a few months pregnant she tells Elizabeth her baby is kicking and places E’s hand on her belly. Elizabeth says the same and they are standing there feeling their children communicate.

The journey of the Maji is not really funny, but their personalities do lend humor to the movie. One is determined to make the journey. One concedes to join him. The third does not leave with them, unconvinced of the events taking place and the need to attend. He catches up and his reaction to seeing baby Jesus is very sweet.

I loved seeing Joseph and Mary get to know and appreciate eachother on their way to Bethlehem.

The birth made me cry. Ever since my own wedding, weddings make me cry. New babies and situations with children now draw the same emotion from me. I had always heard about the bright star in the sky. According to the Maji in this movie, it’s brightness came from three stars aligning. Jupiter (father), and Venus (mother) create Babylon (King). That happens as Mary is giving birth and it’s really a powerful moment.

Go see it, I highly recommend this movie.

**Apr 7, 2009** I am including this in the Twilight category because it is directed by Catherine Hardwicke who is now famous for directing Twilight. Most of her direction projects have to do with youth.

I think Rob and Kristen do a wonderful job portraying my favorite characters. It was weird at first, seeing their interpretation, but it’s also wonderful to see what looking at Bella might be like and her quirks. For a mere human, Rob is a perfect Edward. There are so many sides to every character and they come out. The screenwriter, director, etc. didn’t just focus on one aspect. Bella is shy and accident prone but also friendly, caring, and loving. I was taken aback at first by the almost stuttering and lip-biting but it works ok for me now. It’s not something described in the books but then the story is from her point of view. Perhaps in Midnight Sun, Edward might describe Bella doing some of those things. Edward sometimes enjoys his ability to hear others and then is so confused trying to understand Bella as anyone else would with only her body language and chosen words to communicate. He gets so angry with himself and thinks Bella is ridiculous for caring about him but he can’t stay away. She’s intoxicating and so important to him. What an understatement. He knows it’s dangerous but she is the best thing that has ever happened to him, as a mortal or immortal.

Equal with the stars, Ashley is a wonderful Alice. She brings the character to life for me perfectly and I adore her. She’s fun, quirky, and cares so much for Bella. I don’t know if it’s just because Edward is her “brother”, because she’s “seen” Bella will be her sister, or because she’s just a sweet wonderful person when the cold-Cullen act is removed. However, why is there a thunk when she lands in the kitchen scene? She should be spritely and silent.

I think Jasper’s awesome. He can be so funny and he and Alice are so sweet. I definitley love seeing him loosen up in the baseball scene. Emmett is so fun. I hope we get to see more of his “big brother bear” persona. Does anyone really like Rosalie? But Nikki does an awesome job with the character and she does have some great moments with her family and her “monkey man”. It’s amazing how hair and makeup people could make her look so fair and blonde! I think Billy Burke is an awesome Charlie. I also like the energy that Gil Birmingham brings to Billy Black. I don’t like Jacob’s hair at first when it seems all neat and combed but it seems “authentic” in La Push pulled back with a hat and at the prom, a little more wild. I do hope Taylor sticks around to continue playing Jacob.

The effects still bother me some. The showings of strength are a little odd, like pulling back a boat and super fast running. I’m confused when Bella says, “that was the first night I dreamed of Edward Cullen.” She wakes and sees him but then thinks it was only a dream which is what I think it seems to indicate. She does really dream about him. Also, how could Bella Swan stay up in a tree? She seems to navigate branches pretty well and I just don’t think that’s possible. Even if Edward could catch her, I don’t think he’d risk it. I’ve read about some of the editing problems and I think the biggest one is the breathing tube in the hospital near the end. In close ups and shots from her left, the tube is right under her eyes almost touching her lashes. In shots from the front and her right, it’s lower and straighter across her face.

I didn’t notice most of the growling until this viewing, it’s very low. Like when Edward saves Bella from the group of men and when James first smells her after the game. I also noticed at least Carlisle trying not to laugh in the kitchen scene when Bella talks about becoming the meal. That was a fun moment. I didn’t like a lot of the serious close ups and other cinematography, but they sure figured out how to make our favorite vampires look like the most beautiful creatures on earth. I can’t wait to get the DVD and see all the extra features and deleted scenes. Will a third viewing be in my future? A certain real-life husband might object.

I hope I can to sleep. I’m driving to my new home tomorrow!

I really wanted a jacket, or shirt to celebrate the making of the wonderful book Twilight in the movie coming out on November 21. I wanted to wear the jacket and my earrings (which did turn out well) to the midnight premier which I plan to attend with several girlfriends. Hot Topic sells the official shirt and such but they cost too much and I wasn’t thrilled with the photos.

I’ve searched the net for pictures I could use on my jacket. There tons, TONS of pictures, of varying sizes. Only those well over 1000mg are any good. They really have to be huge to show up well as a large print. I finally decided on a picture (while questioning potential copyright issues) and purchased transfer paper for dark stretchy fabric on inkjet printers. When I printed the pic, it turned out darker and a little unclear but I finally decided to use it because I liked it so much and took so long to choose.

I finally bought a jacket but it turned out wrong. I bought medium, but large would be more comfortable. I really wanted a zip up jacket but a pullover would be better because I decided to print the title on the front. It didn’t turn out so well on either side of the zipper as I’d hoped.

I also made it a little too cluttered. My original iron-on transder idea came from Support Midnight Sun.com. They are sending love and encouragement to Stephenie Meyer to encourage her to continue writing the story from Edward’s perspective. Their logo is facing the wrong way on the left arm. I also wanted to advertize TwilightMOMs. The super awesome forum where more mature female readers share they obsession over everything wonderful about Twilight. The logo is too fuzzy because I messed it up, also facing the wrong way on the right arm.

Now what? I can’t change it…. I’ll likely still wear it.

Watch for a new Twilight Saga website theme! It’s going to be beautiful.

What ravages of spirit
conjured this temptuous rage
created you a monster
broken by the rules of love
and fate has lead you through it
you do what you have to do
and fate has led you through it
you do what you have to do …

I know I can’t be with you
I do what I have to do
I know I can’t be with you
I do what I have to do
and I have sense to recognize but
I don’t know how to let you go
I don’t know how to let you go
I don’t know how to let you go

It was so fun picking up on small things that are funny or stand out when you are already familiar. I was also trying to make a “major points” outline so I could keep ideas in mind to see how they are hit in the movie. I know it will be different, adaptations always are, and I’ve seen how lines are given in locations different from the book. I still think it will be awesome! Catherine Hardwicke loves it and I think she’ll do an awesome job. She’s so excited! I think Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson will do a fantastic job as Bella and Edward. I just watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire so I could focus on Robert’s role as Cedric Diggory. He was so good and that made it even sadder when he’s killed. Before I was always focused on Harry’s pain.

While I love all the books in the saga, Twilight is my favorite. I am instantly in Bella’s shoes(though thankfully I’m not so clumsy) and the excitement of her and Edward connecting if infectious! The end is blissful but the beginning is amazing. You know, the incredible beginnings of a beautiful relationship. I haven’t decided if I’m going to keep reading, it just might continue to reel me in.