Thoughts on Zadie Smith's White Teeth

As I mentioned in a previous Favorite Things post, Zadie Smith's White Teeth (2000) has recently become one of my favorites. Known as the debut novel Smith seemingly sprung up during her time at Cambridge University, White Teeth has raised much controversy by many who claim Smith reaches too far for a first-time novelist.

The story is about the friendship of two middle-aged men: Archiebald (Archie) Jones and Samad Iqbal. Archie is a dull Englishman who is introduced at the start of the novel as he unsuccessfully attempts suicide. Samad, Archie's best friend, is another failure: a devoted Muslim who craves power and fortune, yet has waited tables for the past 20 years. The story unfolds to show how Archie's and Samad's London-born children assimilate to their surroundings, together and apart, in ways their immigrant parents never could (though equally as awkward).

While she confronts the hard issues of urban living within an overcrowded London, nevertheless, Smith bravely attempts to mix together a new scene of London-life. She pays less attention to the individual Londoner and carefully focuses on relationships as a whole. And these quirky relationships across cultural divides make the outwardly flat characters stick with us long after the story is over.

Overreaching or not, by taking us into the overlooked corners of contemporary fiction and confronting such challenging themes, it's easy to see how Smith has made such a notable name for herself at just 24-years-old, while proving to be anything but a stereotypical, first-time novelist. Check it out and see for yourself!

Best,
Gent

A Walk Into the Wilderness

I went for a light hike on east part the Old Highway, and while not nearly as breathtaking as the west part (towards Portland), I still found some pretty exquisite things along the way. It all culminated at a half-frozen waterfall. On the way back, I listened to music from the Lord of the Rings. Do you know what it is like to listen to "Concerning Hobbits" while looking down from hundreds of feet above the Columbia Gorge? It will take your breath away.

x,
Gentre

Silverlake and Griffith Park

As promised, here is the full showing our adventures a couple weeks back. Though I am back at school again (for my last semester ever!), and Gentre is out of California again, adventures like these during my breaks make coming back to school okay. At least I got to see all I wanted to of L.A. while I was back at home.

We first visited our favorite, hippest-of-the-hip place, Silverlake! We love Silverlake because everyone is out-there and dresses truly to their own tastes (i.e. 1970's mustaches, bell-bottoms, and Lady Gaga wanna-be's). They also have really cool thrift shops and novelty stores. Vegan, organic, and cheese restaurants, on top of many other quaint little shops line the main street, making Silverlake that much more inviting.

Around sunset, we made our way up to Griffith Park's observatory (our home away from home) and then set off to hunt down the long-lost zoo that the park used to have back in the day. Though, now it's just an old zoo grave yard with dead and rusted animal cages that will creep you the heck out at night.

During one of our adventures, Gentre and I also went to Griffith (again!) to see the city lit up at night, reminding us that much more why we love our L.A. roots.

Best,

Gent

Outfit #2

Jacket by Zara, Blouse by F21, Jeans by BDG, Shoes by Target

I've been a French history nut for as long as I remember, so when I saw a jacket that reminded me of the little Corsican man that could (i.e. Napoleon) I had to have it. I think the best clothes are the ones that come with character, ones that can transport you  and spark the imagination, and to me this jacket does just that. 

x,

Gentre

Favorite Things

Gentre



1. Plaid. When you watch a little too much Clueless, and you have a little bit of resentment that your private school never made you wear that chic-looking uniform, and you find an old plaid blazer in your mom's closet that you can swear is almost an exact replica to a plaid jacket that ZARA has currently in-store, you start to see in glorious, glorious patterns. 

2. When you're up in the air, Angus and Julia Stone will make you so happy to be on a "Big Jet Plane."

3. I last flew out of the Bob Hope Airport, which has a pretty great collection of retro aviation photography. I've always loved flying, and I am especially fond of the history behind it.

Gent

As it's that time for me to head back to school again, I thought I'd share with you all my favorite things for school:

1. Herschel backpack. I got this backpack last spring and I'm still in love. It has such a timeless and classic look to it, transforming any student into a classy gentleman (or gentlewoman).

2. Sperry Topsiders have been my favorite shoes since long before college. Though they now seem to be the go-to shoes for most college guys, especially all you preppy frat boys, it still is one of my must-have, favorite things for school. Pair them with a sweet oxford shirt and trousers, and you're all set in my book.

3. My absolute favorite things for school have to be my Moleskine notebooks. I'm a bit of a freak for school supplies and these babies are mainly the reason why. I take notes for my classes in these and they're so durable and classy. I know they'll last me forever. (drooling).

A Little Thought

Things have been a little crazy between packing up, moving to Oregon, and then (currently) unpacking, so I will be brief (but everything will be back to normal after today!) and simply, 

Where the trees stretch high,

And the wind swiftly sweeps

O'er where I stand

And where I sleep

Beyond shadowed cliffs

Looming still and sure

So go I 

To the Hood River.

x,

Gentre