The Marvelous Land of Oz

Hey Chia

Your relationship with lakes sounds beautiful! I saw more photos on facebook and the countryside scenery reminds me of Jane Austin times. Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility.

YOU CHASED Sheep? How did the sheep look like? Did they look different to the sheep in Australia? Did they have black legs? =)

I don't think the locals tire from their beautiful surroundings, but I don't think they appreciate it as much as you, or any visitor does. I can imagine that if they moved, they would miss it terribly. I know that I would miss Australian beaches and weather if I decided to move someone else.

When I haven't been sleeping off the stomach aches, nausea and dizziness from this virus, I have been reading The Marvelous Land of OZ which Kev had bought for us to read. He allowed me to have the first shift as I had been pretty much bound to the house this whole week. Believe it or not, I can't wait to get back to work, and for life to start all over again. I don't want to get this sick ever again.

I had signed up with Jess for the "Amazing Race"  that is being held all day tomorrow, but because I've been unable to hold my food this week, I didn't think that I would have the energy to participate in it properly, which would be unfair to Jess. So I pulled out, last night and Jess has found a replacement. I am really disappointed. I really wanted to sleuth around and explore Perth! I had considered it as training for the day when you and I decide to apply for the Amazing Race on tv! So yea. Boo. I am slightly mopey about that.

Anyways, back in 2009, Kev surprised me on the plane ride home from Sydney with a copy of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. We had seen this in the Kinokuniya bookstore after we watched Wicked - The Musical . I squealed in amusement that Marvel Comics had come out with such a concept, especially because I was in a Wicked/Wonderful Wizard of Oz phase.

It was such a great read- a fun and quirky story with wonderful artwork.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Marvel graphic novel

The Marvelous Land of Oz is the sequel, and it is just as amusing. New characters have been introduced such as Tip a young boy who is running away from a mean old sorceress called Mombi; Jack Pumpkinhead who was created by Tip, can't walk and is a bit clueless about the things he says; The Sawhorse who was brought to life by Tip to carry Jack Pumpkinhead, funnily enough, doesn't seem to like Jack Pumpkinhead; a Woggle-Bug who is super smart; and Jinjur, a pretty girl who leads a girl revolution to overthrow the Scarecrow, to take over Emerald City, so that the girls may raid and wear all the beautiful jewels.

The Marvelous Land of Oz Marvel graphic novel

Here's a little peak on how it looks like inside:

Visually Marvelous! 

The Scarecrow, the Tinman and Glinda all return in this sequel. It's all a little ridiculous. Actually a lot of it is quite ridiculous, but it made me smile when I needed it the most. My favorite character would be a toss up between the Sawhorse and the Woggle-Bug. The Sawhorse is cute and has a little bit of a tongue on him, and the Woggle-Bug's general life story is quite quirky and amusing . I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so I will leave it at that. =)

I quite like the concept of graphic novels depicting stories that I have read when I was younger. In 2010, Kev also gave me a graphic novel of Pride and Prejudice for my admission present, and it's quite good too!

Pride and Prejudice Marvel graphic novel

It is quite well done, and stays true to the original prose. I think I like these graphic novels because I love the artwork that accompanies the stories.

I think these novels are easier to follow than the usual comic series. I don't like having to buy issue by issue, as it seems so troublesome and frustrating to wait for the release of the next issue to find out what happens.

I do hope that Marvel Comics comes out with more graphic novels like these. I think they really work for the female audience that have been neglected/not targeted previously.

Quirky tales

 Hi Anna!

Currently I am reading this book.

 It is an absurd and outrageous book and I've discovered that it cannot be read while eating as food falls through my mouth in my constant state of disbelief.


Thumbs up for batty characters that:
- make domestic disputes comical with a fondue pot.
- eat doggy kibble like popcorn.
- bible dip (If you are undecided about something, you flip through the bible and whatever word your finger lands on, is the answer).

Sometimes characters in books are inspirational. But I'm only willing to try the last one. Actually, I don't have a fondue pot in hand, and I've tried cat kibble before :)

Now remember my uncle from Perth that I bumped into? Well you would NEVER guess but I bumped into him AGAIN but this time in a different area on the streets of London! The first time was in the markets south, and today was when I was walking down the streets back to Notting Hill gate in the west side. Upon hearing this I bet my parents will go out and buy a lottery ticket. How bizarre! One would think my parents have set him up to check up on me.

Anyway on this same street, I saw an old man with a walking cane hobbling with an overweight Jack Russell cruising on his shoulder. I don't know if the cane was to help him balance the dog, or the dog was the reason for the cane and his hobbling.

I shouldn't read the newspaper as it distracts me from getting onto the correct train and taking me to places where walls are covered with graffiti and derelict buildings and not a person in sight.

I was tickled pink when a gentleman working at the supermarket blessed me when I sneezed past him as I was reaching for a basket. I've become accustomed to people not paying attention and locked in their own little invisible bubble and it surprises me when my sneeze gets a reaction. Haha!