Wild Swans

As I metioned in an earlier post, I've decided to resit my A level exams in the summer, studying from home. Along with maths and psychology, I'm re-sitting History, and one of thse main topic we study is that of Mao and the Communist movement. At the time I couldn't understand what kind of country would alow a man like Mao to rule, but this time around I actually look the advice of my old history teacher and bought a book called 'Wild Swans' by Jung Chang. I am in total awe of this book! Its the story of Chang, her mother and grandmother and their struggle living in China through the reign of the warlords, Kuomingtang, and the communists. It is impossible for us to understand what the people of China put up with, and more importantly why they put up with it, without going back hundreds of years and understanding the culture. This book paints a perfect picture of a very imperfict world. It makes me so greatful that I live in 21st century England and not 20th century China. It's a heafty read, but really moving.


Here's the "BBC book club"'s chat with Jang Chung about the book - Click
(I recommend if you want to listen to it that you right click and open in a new window)

UPDATE: I found out today that the book is infact illegal in China! There's propaganda for you.

Party time.

Last night we had friends over again and we all got talking about the best parties we'd been to. One of my favorites (for both originality and fun) was in 2008. It was thrown by one of my friends parents and was called "T in the Paz" (Like T in the park, but the last name of the family is Parry.. get it? Or think of it as a T party). Everyone had to come dressed up as something beginning with T and most people put a great lot of effort into it. There are few things better than seeing grown ups let their hair down for a night and really have fun.

 

 

(Yes, the guy in the last one dressed up as a tea bag!)

After laughing and reminiscing we've decided to have a fancy dress party for my mum in may, I'll get the photo's up after.