Apologies if you missed the Curiosity Journal linky these past two weeks. Too much introspection. Not enough blogging/writing. More on that later (this week?); right now, let’s get right to it.

Reading: Half the Sky (Turning Oppression in Opportunity for Women Worldwide) by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.

A book every adult in the Western Hemisphere should read. I don’t like to gush about books, but this one deserves to be read, re-read and then acted upon. Bonus: the stories are riveting. Half the Sky describes the suffering, oppression, poverty, and abuse that women and girls deal with around the world.

This is not a book to breeze through like I normally do. I read a chapter then stop for a day or two to process. Part of the process is me dealing with various emotions ranging from horror to an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

One of the great things about Half the Sky is the encouragement to find an organization to join and do something good.

Playing: Wii Mario Kart: laughable; not my thing. Outburst: My team won; very much my thing, probably because it requires me to talk fast. If perchance we get a chance to meet offline someday, be forewarned – I talk fast unless I make an effort not to do it.

Learning: the Indonesian language. I am happy to report I’m on Lesson 2 at livemocha.com.

I do not talk fast when speaking Indonesian.

Yet. (Ha!)

Reacting: Several events caught my attention recently:

Charlie Sheen:  Sad that a man with much wealth (I heard he’s the highest paid actor on TV) is so lost. Me thinks he lacks no self esteem. I fear for the future of his children.

Libya and Gaddafi. I wish I knew more of the history to properly write about the protesting, why the people desperately want him gone.  I could easily sit in front of the news all day watching this living history unfold. Fascinating. I hope there is not much more blood shed before the last act plays out.

The Discovery shuttle launch: Unnerving. Did anyone else feel that way watching the launch? And did you see the pieces of foam fly off in that one close up shot? I got a bit of eye rolling from one of my kids when I expressed concern. Anyone who clearly remembers the tragedy that took the lives of Christa McAuliffe and her crew wouldn’t roll their eyes, eh?

Rob Bell. Nope, not gonna go there yet. If  I read his new book, only then will I offer an opinion.

Does it bother anyone else that there is such a public outcry over what Bell has written? I get it – within the Church there are many opinions in doctrine, but to watch it play out in public, with criticisms in social media, makes me sad. I’ve always been a Nooma fan, thus a fan a Rob Bell (not sure fan is the proper word there, but I’ll go with it.) Listening on Twitter to the conversation. . . I had to look away.

What did you do this past week in reading, playing, learning. What are you reacting too?

Add your blog post to the linky below or answer in the comments.

Friends, this was not a banner week for the Curiosity Journal. Feeling lazy. And I want spring! Go away, Old Man Winter.

Reading: Unshaken (Rising from the Ruins of Haiti’s Hotel Montana) by Dan Woolley with Jennifer Schuchmann

This was an unexpected gift in the mailbox from Compassion International. Woolley works with the organization, and it was that work that had him on Haiti when the tragic earthquake hit. Woolley tells his story of being trapped inside a small space for 65 hours, not knowing if he would live or die. The most touching moments of the book come when his wife, Christy, tells her side of the story. How she coped with not knowing if her husband was dead or alive.

The Missional Mom (Living with Purpose at Home and in the World) by Helen Lee

A review copy; I’ll have more to say about this later, because this book is . . . stirring up lots of emotions, desires, fears, etc. and will demand a lengthy response.  Honestly, I think Helen wrote this book especially for me.

Playing: Uh oh. What have I played this week? I’m at a loss.

Learning: Told you it wasn’t a good week. What have I been doing with myself? Lazy Monica.

I did find a few good websites for our homeschooling: Livebinders.com and Young Scientist Challenge.

Reacting: Alas, I haven’t been paying attention to the news as much as I did last week. Perhaps the result of overloading on Egypt and her troubles?

There you have it, my week’s Curiosity Journal. If anything, the discipline of keeping this weekly, written record of what I’m doing with my days is bringing home to me how exactly I’m spending my time. It’s embarrassing to admit how little I accomplished over the last week in the above areas.

Not that we don’t have our off days, because we do. Yet was I off because I was busy doing good, worthy endeavors? Of is my lack of good playing, learning, reacting a testimony of me being too distracted by TV, social media or whatever shiny object I could find?

That is a question worth pondering, don’t you think?

Ok. Your turn. What did you do this past week in reading, playing, learning. What are you reacting too? What do you have an opinion about? Write it up at your blog, pop it into the linky below or list in the comments if you have resisted the urge to begin a blog (kudos to you if you have said no to the blogosphere. It’s a bizarre world, we bloggers have made for ourselves.)

A fast update for the ice storm inspired me to go on a photo walk today, taking up my writing time. I’ll be posting more pictures on my Flickr account later if you are interested.

Reading: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

I’m on page 103 out of 426. I can’t say this is the page turner I hoped it would be. Hopefully, if I keep going, it will get better. I hate giving up on books, especially popular fiction.

Playing: Blokus

My five-year-old can’t get enough of this simple, yet strategic game. Win.

Learning: National Geographic: Lord of the Rings : Beyond the Movie

This week we watched a documentary regarding JRR Tolkien and his real-life influences behind Lord of the Rings. Did you know. . . ? Wait a minute, I won’t spoil it for you. If you are a Tolkien fan (and you are, right?), you need to watch the documentary yourself.

Reacting: Egypt, a country in crisis

If you’re like me, then you’ve been keeping an eye on this all week. It’s mesmerizing, isn’t it? Watching a government under protest from it’s people. Of course, all of it accessible to us via Google, Twitter, news channels, etc. I don’t pretend to be a political expert, but I do love a good story, especially one such as the Egyptian people v. a dictator.

God’s speed, Egyptians.

What about you? Have you been following closely what’s been happening in Egypt? Why or why not?

What was your week like in reading, playing, learning, and reacting?

Add your Curiosity Journal post to the linky tool below.

Or if you don’t have a blog, leave your answers in the comment section.