Sylvia’s Comments (group member since Sep 30, 2013)

Sylvia’s comments from the READ 96 Group 1 pm group.

Sylvia Plata
Prof. Hughes
Reading 96
25 October 2013
Journal 3: Summary
In A Beautiful Mess by T.K Leigh Olivia and Alexander have fallen in love but it’s not the first time. Alexander and Olivia had grown up together but on Alexander’s ninth birthday a CATASTROPHE occurred. In the mean time of his birthday little Olivia was only six years old when her and her family had gotten into a bad car accident. First, her family called Alexander’s Dad frightened somebody was after them. Next, they immediately tried to leave the city. Then a black SUV had rammed them from behind knocking them out of the freeway. Soon her parents died from the impact of the crash and so did Olivia. So that’s what Alexander believed. That is to say the CAPRICIOUS moment was once Alexander had discovered she had been alive this whole time. He could have found out five years before but he was too afraid of the letter his father had left behind once he had died. Twenty-one years later after the accident, after all the suffering he had been through, he now discovered… she had survived! On account of his father had lied to him and covered up multiple secrets in order to keep Olivia safe. Alexander’s suspicion of his father’s death began to lead towards him protecting Olivia. The family business was a private protection program. In the meantime Olivia and Alexander had moved past their attachment issues from their childhood trauma. Although Olivia isn’t aware of the truth of her parents’ death or of her past years with Alexander she continues to sense a feeling that she knows him from somewhere. So far Olivia doesn’t remember a thing before the accident or even that she grew up with Alexander. However she has these CHAOTIC dreams of the accident but doesn’t realize they did occur once. Alexander and she are too busy falling in love with one another. They spend almost every moment together. Only Alexander realizing there’s people after her wanting her dead. It’s still a mystery not even Alexander knows but pieces are falling into place. Alexander has discovered that before the death of her parents money was transferred into multiple accounts. In other words he needs to be CANDID by tell Olivia the truth before it’s too late but he’s afraid of her reaction. As a result will she run from all her issues or will she face them with Alexander.

Deidre wrote: "This sounds like an interesting book, filled w/personal issues. Please try to include more details and specifics." Could I revise this??

Sylvia Plata
Journal submission No.2
The Beautiful Mess Leigh T.K.
Chapters 9-18, pages 81-155
Tiffany, Brianna, Jennifer, Graydon
Friday, October 18, 2013
Part 1
I love the way Olivia and Alexander are falling in love. Last week’s reading I was trying to figure out what the secret between the two. A CAPRICIOUS turn out is they grew up together but he thought she had died (SUBSTITUTION/INFERENCE). Once it was discovered that she was “his Olivia” I immediately wanted them to be together. It’s like it was their destiny to be with one another from the start. Both characters are ALTRUISTIC by giving to the world rather than being selfish since they are wealthy (OPPOSITION). Even though Alexander is INTREPID Olivia isn't very brave (OPPOSITION). I began to think of the two character’s similarities and differences based on their characteristics. They seemed to balance one and another out equally. I think the majority of relationships that do work are because they balance each other out. I think of their present relationship more than their past relationship as I read.
I was distracted by their love story up until Simon came along. He is a HYPOCRITICAL character who was nice to Olivia until a night where he tried raping her and killing her (SUBSTITUTION/INFERENCE). I wonder if he knows about the death of Olivia’s parents. He’s a very sketchy character that just makes you wonder who he is and what is he up to. I think he’ll come back into the story near the end.
The anniversary of her death occurs and he ignores which leads to this huge problem in their relationship. I predict Olivia is going to be upset by this weekend that he has ignored her. It’s going to end up into a whole mix up of what he was doing and why was he there. I also predict that his actions are going to cost her not to trust him.
Part 2
The time went by quickly as I read about their relationship. I think it’s because it seems like it’s a fairy tale but there’s a whole lie behind everything. I just wanted them to be together already and express each other’s love. Once my characters where together I stopped my reading for the day but I just wanted to pick up my book to know when are they finally going to have sex. I was APPEASED that they were together but not completely satisfied (EXAMPLE). I figured out the author was just going to keep extended the time frame before they can “make love”. I lost track of my reading because the story of their relationship is just so absorbing. You want to know are they going to be together, are going to have sex, and is she going to find out the truth. I stopped reading because I didn't want to finish my book too early because I was just flipping pages after pages. I also stopped reading at times because of INTERFERENCE S referring to noises around me while I’m reading (DEFINITION). I have my son on my shoulder asking me what am I doing and where are the pictures. Then I have my other son crawling all over, smothering me, and then hitting me. I noticed if I read during the day after my kids take a they are no longer tired but EXUBERANT (EXAMPLE). I would reread the part I didn't understand fully then put my reading down. Once I am going to start my reading again I read a paragraph before where I last stopped to refresh my memory of what was going on last. I CORROBORATE referring to confirmation of what is going on before I read any further (DEFINITION).I have my son on my shoulder asking me what am I doing and where are the pictures. Then I have my other son crawling all over, smothering me, and then hitting me. I noticed if I read during the day after my kids take a they are no longer tired but EXUBERANT (EXAMPLE). I would reread the part I didn’t understand fully then put my reading down. Once I am going to start my reading again I read a paragraph before where I last stopped to refresh my memory of what was going on last. I CORRBORATE referring to confirmation of what is going on before I read any further (DEFINITION). I hate when I’m not even reading but just moving my eyes along with the words until I randomly catch myself. What I did to try to improve my comprehension was rereading the sections I didn’t understand then pausing to really think about it. I think it helps to take little breaks and really think about what’s going on in the book. It also gives me time to predict what their relationship is going to lead up to. Also it allows me to think about the whole secret I still don’t know about. I try to think about the clues that have been given so far to put it together myself but so far I keep guessing wrong. I figured out that when I don’t know a meaning of a word often times I can just keep reading and it won’t really affect the story.

Sylvia Plata
Journal submission No.1
The Beautiful Mess Leigh T.K.
Chapters 1-8, pages 1-80
Tiffany, Brianna, Jennifer, Graydon
Friday, October 11, 2013
The time went by quickly because I’m really enjoying this book. Also it’s my first time reading something off of NOOK. I find it more convenient. I have the app on my phone so whenever I’m standing in a long line or waiting for something it helps pass the time faster. I usually stop reading because of being interrupted by my kids. I lost track of my reading several times because my kids would interrupt me. Then I would have to go back a few sentences to reread what I just read to understand it properly. I remember reading something but as soon as I would get distracted I would lose my train of thought. I figured out that I was able to concentrate better during the night time once it was quiet and the kids were asleep. I was able to get more absorbed into the story. During the reading I find myself relating the character's actions to myself. I constantly am comparing Olivia to myself because I don't believe in attachments.I don't like getting to close to people and I don't trust easily. I figured out how the reading was set up in a certain way. Which I really like.

Part 1

Sylvia Plata
Journal submission No.1
The Beautiful Mess Leigh T.K.
Chapters 1-8, pages 1-80
Tiffany, Brianna, Jennifer, Graydon
Friday, October 11, 2013
I began to think of the story relating to myself. The two main characters have attachment issues. I wonder if the writer also has attachment issues with friends as family. I suppose the story can be relatable in a way to all sorts of people. There are people who can’t commit to a relationship or just can’t open up to somebody about themselves. This is why I think I really like this story because it’s so true about people.
I don’t see why every love story has to be in that perfect fairy tale state of mind. In real life every relationship has issues and also both ends aren’t perfect. I hate how in most love stories the guy is the hero and just perfect. The girl has some issues and helps her then they are happy for the rest of their lives. I like something that is realistic. I hate the way love stories are just so perfect and you can predict just about anything. I started to think about my past relationships as well. For example every time there was a chance of commitment for some odd reason I would somehow find an excuse not to be with the person. I would also find some reason to not even associate with them anymore for just any reason I can think of.
I like the way the author has the story set up. It will start out in Olivia’s part, where it’s describing what she’s doing and thinking at the moment. Then it will go to Alexander’s part where it tells you where he is, what he’s doing, and what he’s thinking. It may sound confusing but how she has it set up it’s really easy to understand. She breaks them up in a way so you don’t get confused by having you know the difference between the two. Basically it’s two things going on at the same time.
Also I like how there’s another element in the story besides love. I can’t tell what the other main issue is yet. I’m thinking what can it be by trying to put the clues together but I can’t yet. The author is also splitting this up from the love part of the story. I guess you can say it’s like another scene in a movie. You know it’s something important to the story. For now it’s just a mystery.