Life

A Thai pantry

2011-05-19T00:26:00.000-07:00

Things you won't find in a Thai pantry:
   - cheese
   - peanut butter
   - chocolate
   - a good hearty bread

Which means all of the above tend to be pretty pricey. It also means the typical Thai doesn't have a lot of experience with those ingredients. So my favorite place to get stir-fried vegetables with chicken and cashews, is NOT the place to order pizza. We're talking a sauce that tastes like the sweet Thai version of ketchup, a creamy processed cheese, and pieces of some sort of seafood, all on what almost tasted like pita bread. Not exactly Pizza Hut.

On the other hand, actual Thai food can be super cheap and quite good.  A large plate of the above-mentioned stir-fry is only 45 baht ($1.50). A few blocks from my work there's a place called The Salad Concept, where huge salads are only 50 baht. Five kinds of lettuce and five different toppings (bell pepper, tomatoes, pumpkin, carrots, olives, etc, etc) fill a bowl the size of a bowling ball cut in half. I think the petite little side-salads at McDonalds cost about the same in the states.

Laura Hall

2011-05-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

We've been watching old episodes of "Whose Line is it Anyway" and each time they'd introduce Laura Hall on the piano I'd have this sense of deja vu. What was it about those 3-5 seconds of holding a smile for the camera? It took me a few episodes, but it finally clicked - it's the exact same expression one of my students has when she doesn't know the answer.

K is an adorable 7 year-old little girl from Japan, who I work with for 2 hours each morning during the week. In what I'm sure is an effort to be polite and positive, when she doesn't know what to say she will look at me and just smile. She doesn't look away, she doesn't start to fidget, she puts on a smile and waits. And she has the same curved eyes and toothy smile as Laura Hall. Which would be adorable if it weren't for the fact that it means I won't be getting an answer...

Working with kids

2011-05-11T00:34:00.000-07:00

When I came to Thailand I figured I'd find a job teaching English to help pay for day-to-day things like going to see a movie, eating out, and gas for the motorcycle. I wasn't sure how it would work though - how I'd go about finding people who were interested and where we would meet and how the learning would actually take place. Making random conversation? Having them read something to me? Asking them to write about something? Thankfully I was directed to The Language Corner by a friend of my moms.

The Language Corner is a medium-sized one-on-one English tutoring place. I don't have to worry about finding my own students or scheduling times with them or arranging a place to meet. There are nine classrooms and about 20 teachers who work there off and on. I usually work 9-12, but they are open as late as 8pm on weekdays and 5pm on Saturday. Class sessions are an hour each, with many students coming for two hours at a time. With a fifth-grader, this works fine; with a 7 year-old, it can feel like an eternity!

Now, I've put in my time doing babysitting and working in the church nursery. I've had to entertain and redirect and be patient with kids. But there was never the expectation that they'd have learned something by the end of our time together. With some kids, that expectation makes things easier - they know they're there to learn English and they pull out their workbooks and do what they're told. With other kids, I feel like just keeping them in the room with out breaking anything or hurting themselves is asking a lot! I had one little girl who couldn't seem to sit still. At one point she was actually dancing on a coffee table while watching her reflection in the window.

There's a definite battle of wills that goes on. I ask them to write three sentences about what they're going to do this weekend. And whether they're in first grade or fifth, I always hold my breath the first time. Are they the type of student who will diligently put pencil to paper and scribble something down? Or will they sit and stare at me? And if they stare, is it because they can't think of the words or because they don't want to be stuck in this classroom doing work? It's almost worse when they carefully write the sentences, using some great vocabulary and detail, and I have to figure out how to explain why the grammar isn't quite right. That we don't say "some fever" we say "a fever" and it's not "on the bed" it's "in bed." But great job! Don't get discouraged!

I have nothing but respect for those brave souls who teach a full classroom of students everyday. Every teacher deserves the $100,000 salary I hear the international schools in Dubai offer. No, really. That's the salary I heard from a teacher who's currently working at an international school in Shanghai. Would almost make living in the desert worth it!

the last of Shanghai

2011-04-18T07:03:00.000-07:00

Lunch at Kommune

Our two weeks are up! Friday night we flew back to Chiang Mai, and the heat! Well, the heat really hasn't been that bad, but it definitely feels like the hot season.

I've included a few parting shots. Above is a picture from our lunch while shopping in the Taikang Lu area. Very cute artsy neighborhood.

view from the Shanghai
World Financial Center

The picture to the right was taken from the highest observation deck in the world, located at the top of one of the buildings in the downtown area.

We just got back on Friday and already there's another set of plane tickets ready to go - this time back to Seattle. :) I'm counting down the days until June 8th!

Until then, I'm going to enjoy the sunshine and time with family here in Chiang Mai.

Real Food

2011-04-13T02:44:00.000-07:00

Looking at the food served in Asian cultures has shown me just how far from “home-grown” my diet truly is. In Thai (and Vietnamese) cultures they will sometimes have a large bowl of miscellaneous greens as part of the meal. Thin leaves, fat leaves, big and small, bitter and bland. They could have been plucked from the side of the road and I wouldn’t know the difference. Mushrooms are another food that escapes me – all sorts of different shapes and colors and textures.

Coming to China just ups the ante. I ordered lunch at a place where you select ingredients from a salad-bar-type set-up and they mix it all together and cook it for you in the back. I recognized maybe half of the options, only a handful of which appealed to me.

But moving from plants to animals is where things really get touchy. Fried chicken in the US comes in shapeless crispy batter-covered pieces. At the Yu Garden street markets in Shanghai, tiny birds are submerged in oil and served still intact – beaks and all. In Maine, grocery stores have tanks of live crabs and lobsters to take home and eat. In Pudong, there are tiny turtles and toads bigger than your fist.

Instead of the usual chicken, pork, or beef when ordering a dish at a restaurant, your choices are
expanded to include options like ox tripe, eel, and octopus. For the adventurous, there are fried honey bees, scorpion, and even live “drunken” shrimp swimming in wine.

In America, food is processed and shrink-wrapped in pretty packages kept at controlled temperatures. In an Asian open-air market, you can select from several squalking chickens, or ask the butcher for just the right cut of pork off the slabs on display under the fans keeping the flies away. Blood and guts aren’t Hollywood special effects creations used to get an R-rating, they’re in a bucket next to the counter, or used for delicacies like blood pudding or the tripe mentioned above. Death is so much more real. And maybe that’s really what it comes down to in the end. We don’t like to think about the messy parts of life, and about what people have been driven to try. Or maybe that’s my own interpretation. I’d like to think the situation was desperate when the first person decided to make a meal out of chicken feet or pull a frog out of the mud. But it may just be my own lack of imagination – too conditioned to think of larvae as gross and baby turtles as cute pets.

Shanghai

2011-04-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

Have I died and gone to heaven?

That was my thought a week ago as I prepared for a 40 minute massage after an obscenely luxuriant shower. My aunt and uncle not only have a shower head that feels like you're under a waterfall, they also have a masseuse who comes to their apartment once a week. Breakfast was two slices of thick, hearty bread toasted and topped with blueberry jam and Nutella, respectively. Lunch, at the Carrefour foodcourt across the street, highlighted some of the local dumplings, along with some chow mein and a slice of the chocolate indulgence cake at one of the Western-themed (and priced) bakeries. I'd been introduced to the fitness room for the apartment complex and having put in some time and broken a sweat I felt a hot shower and a massage made a fitting end to the day.

It's now a week later and I've become quite accustomed to that bakery-made bread, the glorious showers, and many wonderful meals. A few of the highlights:

Annie whispering that our taxi driver sounded just like one of the creatures in Star Wars
Lunch at Shanghai Grandma near The Bund: sweet and sour shrimp, eggplant and roasted vegetables, and a noodle dish
Annie getting red Converse-knockoffs for less than half the price the woman wanted (the fact that it was all the cash we had on-hand worked in our favor when it came to bargaining)
The full-scale model of Shanghai on display at the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum

...and lowlights:

walking along The Bund (the picturesque riverfront) on a cloudy day in the freezing wind
getting a cold and staying home sniffling and feeling blah
seeing people with little birds that had been deep-fried whole (this was in the crowded market streets and I didn't actually see how they went about eating them - it was just a shock seeing the little head and beak sticking up out of the paper tray!)

Thailand IV

2011-04-08T23:48:00.000-07:00

(not sure why this was never published... continuation of my visit to Thailand in April 2009. click on the "Thailand" category to the left for the earlier entries.)

An April gathering at Khun Tan is a tradition my mom was a part of more than 40 years ago. Schools are on break during April and the whole family would go up to the mountains to escape the heat. (I somehow missed the part about April being THE hottest month of the year when I was making my travel plans...) Back then they would take the train and walk up to the cabins from the train station.

We took a song taew instead, which dropped us off at Yaw 1, a kilometer up the mountain from the train station (Yaw is short for strategic military point, from their use during World War II). At Yaw 1 we had our bags loaded on the back of motorbikes to be taken up to the cabins. The motorbikes are able to traverse the hiking trail that winds up the mountain, although I'm sure the steep grade takes a toll on the engine and brakes. It's a 1-2 hour hike from Yaw 1 to Yaw 3 where the cabins are located. Another 30 min hike takes you up to Tip Top (Yaw 4) at the top of the mountain where there's a small stone lookout. You have to work for the view and cooler air!

41 people were there at one point during the 6 nights we spent on Doi Khun Tan (doi means mountain). Half of those were under 16, so Annie was in good company. 2 tire swings, badminton, soccer, lots of games and card, squirt guns, and water balloons made for a fun time.

Oddly enough there are no graham crackers to be had in Chiang Mai. The two boxes I brought at my mom's suggestion were very popular when it came time for a bonfire and s'mores.

The mosquitos were relentless! As the number of bites continued to rise I tried being more intentional about wearing long sleeves and pants. Woke up the next morning with a bite on the distal knuckle of my ring finger and another on the side of my little toe. I just couldn't win. =P

It's cooler up in the mountains, but it's still too hot for even a sheet until 2 or 3 in the morning. This leaves you with the dilemma of choosing between the cool breeze and protection from mosquitos. Another family brought a mosquito net, but I hear that blocks the breeze, so it's not a perfect solution.

There is constant noise! I remember getting out of the song taew and asking to make sure I wasn't the only one with a ringing in my ears. The cicada's lead the chorus of bugs and birds in a continual cacophany.

It was quite nice to return to the cool airconditioned luxury of the house in Chiang Mai. While the heat has been rather oppressive at times, I'm not sure I'm ready to come back and face weather that includes snow(?!!) in April. That'll be quite a change.

Thailand III

2011-04-08T23:36:00.000-07:00

(not sure why this was never published... continuation of my visit to Thailand in April 2009. click on the "Thailand" category to the left for the first two entries.)

Wildlife is abundant. Not only do geckos, ginkos and ants make an appearance, there is a peacock family complete with five little babies, a few geese, and a very hungry orange cat.

The sun beats down as the beach and the pool beckon. Annie and I strike out for the open water and end up walking quite a ways on the shallow reef. Ended up with a cool picture of the two of us far from shore, but standing on the reef in such a way we look like we're walking on water. We may have passed some interesting underwater flora and fauna, but we didn't want to look too closely seeing as we were wading right through it. The water is like the wind. Patches of cooler water appear out of nowhere. The sand is coarse and new on the water's edge, with softer sand further up.

One day we rent motorbikes. It's a long way around the island and at one point we're caught in driving rain. The rain drops sting as they hit my arms and face at 40 km/hr, but the cool breeze is welcome. It pours and we're soaked. Then the hot sun comes back out to bake us dry. A very long side road takes us to Treetop Resort on Long Beach. The road alternates between a strip of pavement, dirt, and gravel, and rises and falls sharply. The Treetop has a lovely restaurant area overlooking the beach with hammocks and guests reading in the afternoon breeze. The rooms are only 100-300 baht per night (~$3-10), but the lack of airconditioning makes me tired just thinking about it.

Back on the bike, stopping to take pictures this time. Made the mistake of pulling into a ditch to make sure I was out of the way of traffic and couldn't get the bike back out. It was heavier than I expected and the sides of the ditch were steep. I tried giving it some gas but it just sputtered in the leaves. I cranked the gas some more and the bike shot up the side in an alarming burst of power I didn't feel capable of reigning in. I let go and tumbled to my left. My fall was surprisingly graceful and left me with only a few cuts and bruises. The bike's left mirror was knocked loose, but it seemed fine too. A kind passerby helped me right the bike and continue on my way. It wasn't until I caught up with my mom and Annie that I realized the camera had fallen out during my tumble. Thankfully the dry, weedchoked ditch provided a good cover and I was able to recover a hot, but otherwise unharmed camera.

The problem with cuts and abrasions is they don't mix well with salt water or chlorine. The next day being our last at the beach, I tried out the pool and was pleasantly surprised that it didn't sting. Swimming in the ocean awakened a cut on my shin, but wasn't too bad either. All of this leads me back to our disappointingly lengthened van ride home. You see, getting back at 5 am wouldn't have been such a big deal if not for the fact that we were leaving at 8 am that morning for Khun Tan (in the mountains)...

...to be continued...

Melancholy

2011-02-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

I just read My Personality Tree, about the 4 humors (personality types). I'm a strong Melancholy with a belief in a "right way" of doing things. Which is fine, except for when it comes to things where there is no one right way, like choosing a job or how to relate to people. I inevitably feel there's a "right way" to be doing those things and that my bumbling along is wrong more often than not.

But I'm starting to feel like life is going to pass me by as I sit fretting over what people will think and obsessing over finding that perfect path. My 10 year high school reunion is this summer (...insert jokes about being old and rebuttals from those who are older here...). And I'm more focused on what I haven't accomplished and whether I can face up to that than I am on seeing friends from high school.

Currently on hiatus...

2009-11-11T15:52:00.000-08:00

...in California. Cruising around visiting friends and family. Enjoying the 60+ degree weather. :)

Plan to resume sometime after Monday, November 16th...

sigh

2009-11-03T23:15:00.000-08:00

It's been one of those days.

Discovered my work voicemail has been hoarding messages and only triggered the light once it hit the dubious magical number of 13. Not a great feeling to realize you have unanswered messages from July. And that a supervisor-type called back in September (twice) and must now think you're either a flake or ignoring her on purpose.

Completed my rental car reservation for my time down in California, after several hours, a wrong number, and two calls to disgruntled customer service employees. ...I thought I was suppose to be the disgruntled one.

Sent a Facebook message out to some of the individuals I'll be visiting, after one blank message and a failed send attempt that was only discovered a few hours later and required a total rewrite.

Tomorrow's a new day - I think I may need to use the free Top Pot doughnut coupon my roommate handed me. Thank goodness for the flexibility of working from home!

The Mr. in my apartment

2009-10-31T23:01:00.000-07:00

...being cute.

Where the Wild Things Are

2009-10-25T23:15:00.000-07:00

A review on IMDB claims

"You will never see boyhood captured as truthfully on film as it is in the film's first 20 minutes."

Maybe this is the idea that disturbed me most about the film. Max is all over the place! I've often said I don't think I'd be up for the challenge of raising boys. I can think of a handful of my friends who all have little boys (who of course are all doing a wonderful job), so I think it's fair for me to plan for girls to help even out the ratio... Genetics seem to be in my favor - there are only 2 boys among my 13 cousins. I'll take gossip and pouting over fights and destruction any day.

The actor who plays Max is adorable and I think they did a decent job of making the monsters. It was the desctruction and violence and angst they added that I didn't like. It's no longer a fanciful journey to a place where it's always party time, now it's a story about an angry young boy surrounded by unpredictable, immature, emotionally volatile creatures who will hug you one minute and rip another's arm off the next. I didn't leave the theater wanting to frolic and play, I left disturbed by the many ways people can hurt each other (physically and emotionally). Reading articles about the film you come across the statement that this isn't a children's film, it's a film about children. As another review on IMDB explains,

"These beasts are the manifestations of our sorrow, our frustration, and our demons; they are the voices living within us, kept down by self-control and overcome by happiness and love. However, when those emotions are brought to life, unchecked, the end result can be nothing short of war, retribution, and malice."

How is this a recipe for anything but a rather dark movie?

In short, I'd have to agree with the following reviewer:

"It's an interesting concept, turning a children's book into Freud 101, but is seems dark and oppressive. I realize Sendak's book was visually dark, but emotionally is was vibrant and happy, much like the melody to "Wake Up" by Arcade Fire that was used in the trailer. Unfortunately, this film desperately fails to be vibrant and happy, and for a movie based on a children's book that many parents will take their children to see, it's a major flaw. "

Bit of wisdom

2009-10-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." - Voltaire

I read about people reaching a point in adolescence when they realize their parents are not infallible. And the shock that comes with this. While I don't recall having such a moment myself, I do remember my shock at discovering physicians are not infallible.

"It is easy to get a thousand prescriptions but hard to get one single remedy." - Chinese Proverb

It's tempting to think if you can just explain things the right way, or if they could just feel it for themselves, the diagnosis and appropriate treatment would be obvious.

"Despite all our toil and progress, the art of medicine still falls somewhere between trout casting and spook writing." - Ben Hecht, Miracle of the Fifteen Murderers

Alas, we are all limited by our own senses and experiences. And the body still manages to hide its secrets and evade the simple answer, no matter how much technology we throw at it. And so it goes.

"Doctors think a lot of patients are cured who have simply quit in disgust." - Don Herold

Fall is here!

2009-10-05T02:38:00.000-07:00

Just in the last two weeks or so the temperature has dropped along with a healthy dose of leaves, confirming that it is indeed officially fall. I've pulled out my down comforter and have been eying the thermostat, stubbornly refusing to start turning on the heat quite yet. Sweaters are now useful outside of my office, as well as in it, and the rains have returned.

As a warm-up for Thanksgiving, here are a couple of things I'm thankful for not having:

Classes starting
Lawn maintenance
A job outside

Literature

2009-09-22T12:59:00.000-07:00

Picked up Catcher in the Rye a few weeks ago. I had been tagged on a Facebook note about the top 100 novels and thought I'd try and check a few more off the list. Man is that guy a whiner! The entire 200+ pages were this 17 year-old kid whining about how he can't focus in school and has been expelled again and hates everyone (except for his little sister, which I have to admit was sweet), and he keeps latching on to ideas obsessively and then discarding them. Teenage angst has a lot of potential for readability, but this was just sad. The beginning of the book refers to the similarities with David Copperfield (a young man writing about his life and all) in a dismissive way, but I have to say I'm enjoying D.C. a good deal more than mister Salinger.

I take it as a sign of maturity that I'm now able to start a book and then decide not to read it. In the past I'd be too stubborn to quit once I'd started. Or if it was a book I'd heard a lot about I'd feel obligated to read it. Atonement was on the Top 100 list, but once I picked it up from the library I remembered I indeed had watched the movie and didn't relish the idea of reliving such a bitter story. My Jim I had heard about, but decided I wasn't up for wading through the dialect. Another book I have was written retrospectively(? - starts at the present and each chapter takes a step back into the past) and frankly I'm starting to feel like since I know how it all turns out there really isn't much to keep me interested in finishing it.

With fall coming on, I need to find a reading nook. Somewhere cozy with a window to let the sunlight in. My apartment windows are unfortunately not faced appropriately and I'm still looking for a coffee shop that has both comfy chairs and sunny windows.

Suggestions?

wow

2009-08-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

...one month straight and then one month of nothing. I'll be posting more soon, I promise.

Just as soon as I tear myself away from a couple blogs I've gotten hooked on.

And get the equipment to work from home (finally!).

And finish the books I need to return to the library.

And the thank you cards I've been meaning to send.

...but the thought has to count for SOMETHING, right?

Summer Reads

2009-06-25T13:16:00.001-07:00

Summer is upon us. Walked out the door yesterday and was embraced by a strong warm wind whirling by. I LOVE wind. Feels like a caress and a big breath of fresh air in one.

Need to stock up on some books to take with me on trips and to read out in the sunshine on some soft green grass.

Here are a couple I put on hold at the library.

Seems like a good assortment. I also tossed in some David Sedaris, Robert Fulghum, and the odd memoir of first-year residency in med school. Not as odd as some of the books I was reading a year ago (you'll never look at rice crispies the same way again after reading Stiff):

Or as long as others:

East of Eden was great. I was not a fan of some of the "classics" foisted upon us in english classes (Invisible Man? what was the point? really?). But this is good stuff. Wally Lamb's book was rather dark, but I was determined to finish all 901 pages. It definitely wasn't as enjoyable as the 759 pages of book 7 in the Harry Potter series!

In general, the human body fascinates me. One of my very favorite books is Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey.

I started The Gift of Pain, and set it aside only because of the more pressing need to finish library books reaching their due date. I look forward to getting back to it.

Any others I should add to my holds list at the library?

Hedonists take heed!

2009-06-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

This is the true joy of life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clot of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
- George Bernard Shaw

Happiness depends upon ourselves.
-Aristotle

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
- Abraham Lincoln

FEEDBACK!

2009-06-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

Okay, yes, this blog is for me - for me to blather on about whatever my heart desires. But it's also for those of you out there reading it! Let me know what you think of the various random things I write about. You don't even have to go through the hassle of leaving an official comment! Just check one of the boxes at the bottom of the post:

Yesterday marked the one month anniversary of the creation of this site. I would love to get your feedback from here on out, but don't forget there are also 30-odd posts back in the archives for you to critique as well.

As they say on customer satisfaction surveys - Your feedback is important! :)

TGIF

2009-06-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a long week. I feel a bit like the tattered flower above.

As a 9-5 working adult, I may not have the luxury of winter break, spring break, and summer break, but Friday's are still a joy. I'd even go so far as to say they're more of a joy now that they're free from the entanglements of homework and papers and projects and studying.

Got any plans for this mid-summer weekend?

And you are...?

2009-06-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

In keeping with the "What is this?" theme, here are a couple things I've come across I haven't really been able to understand.

This is a strange plant that's growing under an Aurora overpass. It looks like a skeleton plant. It's black and wirey, but still seems to be alive and happy. It makes me think of The Nightmare Before Christmas - how it's all dark and scary-looking, but tenderhearted.

Hey look - a large lego! Okay, not really. But that's what I think of every time I see these around the city. They're replacing the ramps on the corners of sidewalks and I'm sure there's something to do with traction/non-slip something or other, but I think it just makes it look like Legoland.

Did they bolt the cement to the ground or something? The ironic thing is the cement is cracked wherever these are.

This is just above the bolted cement wall. Behind the fence is a paved playground, so I'm not really sure what this is meant to drain.

Does the fact that I notice these things mean I haven't lost my child-like curiousity? Or that I'm hopelessly naive and out of touch? Hmmm...

What is this?

2009-06-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

Anybody recognize this common sight?

By the way, did you see the faces in the fire in my last post? If you click on a picture it opens up a larger version. The last two pictures in the post are a little eerie when you look closely. And don't leave me hanging on which one is your favorite!

Fire

2009-06-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

Friday night my roommate got some friends together for a BBQ at Golden Gardens. The sun was out, the sand was warm, and the beach was buzzing. I noticed a slackline set up in the woods and had a chance to practice a bit. Enjoyed a fabulous hotdog with ketchup reluctantly provided by the group next to us (so we forgot the condiments, it still seemed a bit stingey for them to begrudge us a dollop of ketchup).

As the sun set, we moved on to dessert. My multi-talented roommate had made homemade marshmallows and brought high end chocolate from her part-time job at Chocolopolis. I've never tasted such decadent s'mores!

We noticed a crowd gathering just down the beach. It turns out Friday nights are the time to gather to watch fire poi. It was amazing to see how the pictures turned out on my camera.

They use flaming swords, and balls of fire on chains.

There is a steady drum beat going in the background, to provide a constant rhythm.

The chains can be either long or short (or you can wrap them around your hands to shorten them temporarily).

A few guys were even juggling flaming batons.

The girl in the middle is using metal fans here, kind of like candellabra.

This looked like a firebird to me.

Which of these is your favorite?

Yep, I'm going to make you pick just one.

Which one is it going to be?

You can choose from all of the pictures, or just one of the last three, but I'm interested to know which one you like best.

To learn more about poi, visit this site: http://www.homeofpoi.com/.

TJ's

2009-06-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

Trader Joes is great. I'm currently only a block from one and have been taking advantage of that fact. They may not have all of your staples (turns out they don't sell powdered sugar, who knew?), but they make up for it by having lots of unique items. The frozen edemame and the sweet potato fries are addictive! I braved a few strange looks to snap a couple pics the last time I was there.

"You put the lime in the coconut, you drink 'em both up..." I love the part in Practical Magic when they dance through the kitchen singing this song. There isn't a clip of that online, but you can see the Muppets reprise the song here. This is just one more example of me reading everything in sight and being rewarded for it with a smile.

I think I'm in love... You think I'm kidding. A few Christmases ago I was given one of the 5lb Hershey's bars. It's the size of a small child. I bought a bag of TJ's chocolate covered pretzels a year or so ago, for the first time, and have to say they do 'em right! None of that drizzle of chocolate nonsense - those pretzels are coated. mmmm....

Speaking of chocolate, looky here: an emergency stash of chocolate to carry around in my purse. Have you seen those at Firework's by the way? Some people carry Advil, others carry chocolate. I've never really understood the purpose of having chocolate mints. Whatever positive effect the mint might have on your breath is only going to be offset by the chocolate. And while I do enjoy the flavor combination of chocolate and mint, breath mints tend to be a bit sharp and overpowering. Why ruin good chocolate that way?

It's 10:30 in the morning and I'm ready for a chocolate fix. I think that means it's time to focus on something else!

Thailand II

2009-06-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

A few days adjusting to the climate and experiencing their daily life was just what I needed. The dreary chill of Washington and weary routine of work quickly faded from my mind.

Our first spring break destination was Koh Chang, an island off the coast of Thailand a few hours south of Bangkok. To get there we started with a 15 hour train ride from Chaing Mai to Bangkok. When I was 7 we travelled through Europe and took an overnight train through Germany. I remember the steady swaying of the train gently lulling me to sleep. This trip was like a ship on the high seas at times, pitching and bucking in a way that tested your sea legs. Either the journey was actually rockier or I've just gotten old...

Disembarking in Bangkok, we made a beeline for the cafe. (can you disembark a train? Or is that term specific to boats? ...moving on) A 4 hour bus ride lay before us. Even in the comparative cool of the morning my face was already damp with a film of sweat. The combination of suncreen, bug repellent, and sweat makes for an unpleasant sticking coating.

We loaded up in a double-decker bus and wound our way through downtown Bangkok. A little way out of the city the bus started to vibrate in a way that felt like a flat tire. We slowed down and pulled to the side of the road, but kept going in the slow lane. We passed one exit, then another. Either the problem isn't as bad as it sounded or they had a favorite tire place. We finally stopped for our lunch break and they openned up the engine. Out came a chewed up plastic fan and an hour later its replacement arrived to be attached by force, including a good dose of hammering (very reassuring). Then we were back on the road for the remaining 3+ hours to the coast.

<- this is NOT the boat we took.

The ferry ride to Koh Chang is quite similar to Washington ferries. The cars load up on the main deck and there's seating on the upper two levels. It's a smaller ferry, though, and all open air. The view was a little different, too. Deep blue water surrounded us and the islands were covered with lush vegetation.

Once on the island we found a song taew (taew is pronounced like the first part of "towel") to take us to the resort. A song taew is a pick-up truck converted into an open air taxi by adding benches down the sides of the truck bed and putting a roof with a low railing over the top. Luggage is tossed up and strapped to the roof, while passengers settle onto the benches or in the coveted airconditioned seats in the cab of the truck.

I don't believe the island is a volcanic formation. It's more like a mountain of sand covered in vegetation. The road wound up and down along the edge of the island, reducing the passenger-laden song taew to a crawl at times.

We stayed at the Chang Park Resort and Spa (Chang means elephant). The place is beautiful! Not bad for something picked at random on the Internet. An expanse of lawn sprinkled with palm trees stretches between the main building and the pool. A small hedge on the edge of the pool is gradually blocking the otherwise unobstructed view of the beach and ocean. Our bungalow was part of a cluster of huts off to the right.

...to be continued.

"Got Humor?"

2009-06-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

I'm one of those people who almost unconsciously reads everything that crosses my path during the day. Sometimes this is informative "oh, I saw the sign for the exit back there." Sometimes it's entertaining "hm, lets see if I can read the poster taped to the window (i.e. backwards)." And sometimes it brightens my day with a private joke. If there are other people around I might share my find, otherwise I just smile and chuckle to myself.

...oh, did you want me to share some examples?

Facial products tend to do all they can to portray their beautiful/gentle/glowing qualities. Which made it funny to see a facial scrub is a "desincrustant" in what I believe was Swiss. Yes, let's get rid of that awful crustiness on our skin, ladies. Speaking of exfoliating, doesn't this tree look in need of a good scrub? (and yes, believe it or not that was exactly what I thought when I passed it, before ever seeing the facial scrub...)

You've probably heard of the fiasco the dairy board encountered when they tried to use their "Got Milk?" slogan outside of the U.S. It's just not as appealing when translated as "Are You Lactating?", wouldn't you agree? But while I got a laugh out of it, it sounds like some people took it too literally and were offended.

Then there are the hidden gems. The things that make all that random reading worthwhile.

This may look like a normal garage, but look closer.

I am only a block away from a Fallout Shelter! Just think how valuable that information will be if I pull a Chicken Little and start thinking the sky is falling!

Boats

2009-06-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

Working in South Lake Union, I often wander down by the water on my breaks. I can't say I've lived very many places in my life, but I am getting pretty attached to the combination of water, mountains, and greenery that the Puget Sound has to offer. It's so refreshing to have the view broken up by rises and valleys and expanses of rippling water. All of this really has a chance to shine when the sun deigns to grace us with its presence.

Makes me want to own a boat of my own. Although I'm not sure if I would go for the luxury liner or the "skill-required" sailboat. Sailing is so much more interactive, but you generally don't have the generous berths of a motorboat. (I am I confusing terms here? Does the term liner refer to the huge cruise ships? Motorboat doesn't sound impressive enough - is there a term in between?)

If I had a boat I'd have to come up with a name for her. Something so permanent falls in the category of tattoos in my mind. I've toyed with the idea of getting a tattoo, but haven't the faintest idea what I'd want it to be of, or where I'd want it. At least with naming kids you have other people weighing in on the decision. ...I suppose that could be seen as a downside rather than a perk. Did you catch the Seinfeld reference in the name of the boat shown above? Did it make you laugh? Crack a smile? Anything?

I've noticed many people keep their emotions tightly in check; which I suppose helps the world run smoothly, but is a bit sad when it prevents a spontaneous burst of laughter. Laughter's good for you! Releases endorphins and exercises your ab muscles! They actually have laughter therapy classes - you've heard about those, right? Even the Pentagon is taking note: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5165226. Okay, I'm getting down off my soap box now.

Oooo...wood paneling. Forgive me if it makes me think of cheesy old cars, rather than something fancy or expensive. Have you seen the PT Cruisers with the wooden paneling on the outside? I guess they're finally embracing the fact that PT Cruisers appeal to an older generation than they were hoping for.

I really shouldn't scoff. They obviously take pride in this boat. Look how shiny it is! You can see the reflection of the dingy next to it. I bought a lovely new laptop and luckily don't have the time or compulsion to fixate on keeping the mirror finish fingerprint free (yes, I notice it. no I don't pull out a polishing rag).

If you're going to go for the wood look, I'd much prefer this one. Nice and rustic looking. But I suppose I'm jumping between a liner and a sailboat here. (did we ever figure out if liner is the correct term? ...anyone?)

Things you never knew you needed, Part 2

2009-06-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

I got another Current Catalog and I was going to share with you the Cell Phone Arm Band (forget your iPod, this is next big thing!) but I couldn't find it on their site. Did they sell out? Was it a flop? Did they have too many other curiosities battling to be promoted?

Then there was a Hercules Hook Set ("Hercules! Hercules!" I haven't even seen the movie, but that's what popped in to my head when I spotted the name). But that one's nowhere to be seen either. Maybe "As Seen on TV" stole it.

But don't despair! There are still kooky, but oddly useful items for me to review for you!

Twist & Spout Garden Pourer. Don't you love it when they make a play on words to create a catchy title? Personally I just use a regular water glass to water my plants, but if you happen to have extra liter-sized water bottles lying around, this would be quite handy.

Pot Protectors. The first time I looked at these I thought they were just for packing things up when you're moving. Turns out they're designed for those who don't want to scratch the non-stick surfaces of the pans by stacking them. Hmm, I guess the space considerations of sharing an apartment with a tiny kitchen make such worries seem superfluous. But hey! It says they can be used as trivets! Apartment living is all about multipurpose goods.

Dryer Lint Brush. So that's how you get to the lint that makes it through the lint trap.

Door Stoppers. According to the makers they "Prevent doors from unexpectedly swinging shut and possibly locking you out of the house!" Unless you live in a temperate climate, I can't see having a perpetually open door being a good thing... However, they go on to say they are "Ideal to use when small children are present - eliminates pinched fingers on little ones." The last time I pinched a little one's fingers they were in the hinge-side of the door. I get the feeling that would still be possible with these. (don't worry! That was years ago - no permanent damage, I promise!)

All photos from http://www.currentcatalog.com/.

Majesty

2009-06-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

The little we do understand, that grain of sand our minds are capable of grasping, those ideas such as God is good, God feels, God loves, God knows all, are enough to keep our hearts dwelling on His majesty and otherness forever.

- Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz

Smile for the camera!

2009-06-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

Random things that make me smile:

Snow that looks like powdered sugar on my windshield.

Finding Superman's car (somehow it isn't as impressive as the Batmobile, but I guess being a man of steel and all, he doesn't need any of that silly bulletproof plating).

Is anyone else struck my the urge to pull this lever? ...I guess that's what the padlock is for.

This construction has been going on for awhile now, and everytime I see it I can't help but think of castles and damsels in distress. You know, the whole Rapunzel trapped in a tower thing.

This one makes me smile everytime I pass it. Who wrote those three words? Who were they intended for? I just like thinking of it as the world telling me I'm loved.

Things that look like other things

2009-06-08T12:59:00.000-07:00

Take a look at these pictures and tell me what you think. What do you see?

1. Doesn't that first one look like little aliens? See the antennas poking up? And that bright green. Definitely extraterrestrial.

2. Maybe my thinking is clouded by the novel I just read set in 1946, but don't those purple flowers remind you of bombs?

3. The first time I saw the flowers in the third picture I thought "these are the kind of flowers a child would draw and an adult would look at and say 'how creative - I wouldn't have thought to only color the petals with a stripe of blue.'"

Any similar finds?

What is this?

2009-06-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

In the interest of making these posts more accessible to those who do NOT live in the Emerald City, I've decided to switch from Where is this to What is this.

Can you tell what this is a picture of? I'm starting you off with an easy one here...

Road Signs

2009-06-05T12:33:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be nice to have some signs to follow on the road of life?

A nice big Stop sign when it's time for a break.

A Wrong Way sign when you start to get off track.

Dead Ends nicely labeled,

With Road Ends signs in case you decided to ignore the first warning.

Heads up when there's an obstacle ahead, with directions of how to navigate around it.

Clear "yes" and "no" signs when you're trying to figure

out which way to go. Impractical or dangerous paths marked Do Not Enter.

Then you'd know if you were going to be thrown for a loop, or experience some Rough Road ahead.

A School Zone Ends sign would let you know if you've accumulated enough education.

If your original plan is not currently an option you can follow the Detour

signs and there might even be a marque to tell you how long it will take to get where you're going.

And if things get really crazy, chances are there'll be someone there directing you through the tough spot.

Yeah, I wouldn't mind a few road signs along the way. But I do know one thing about life - it's a one-way road!

Things you never knew you needed

2009-06-04T11:04:00.000-07:00

A friend from high school recently had twins. I searched high and low for a baby calendar I liked and ended up at the Current Catalog website (turns out my own baby calendar was purchased from Current - I liked the layout and event stickers enough to ask my mom where she got it). As a result of that purchase I now receive the catalog in the mail every month or so. If you ever wonder if people are still inventing little gadgets and securing patents, here's proof we haven't exhausted all of the patent possibilities. (all pictures are from the Current Catalog website: http://www.currentcatalog.com/)

Mini Refrigerator Wind Chimes - "Mini melodic chimes cling to your fridge to alert you when the door is opened."

I wonder if these would wake up a sleep walker. "Amy would come upstairs and she would flop her feet like a duck. We knew she would be sleep-walking. And then she'd have these eyes -- and you knew she wasn't awake . And sometimes she would look at you and scream: 'I'm hungry!'" Can you imagine? That would totally freak me out! And cat food sandwiches? No thank you.

Melon Scoopers - aren't those cute? Are people really that averse to scooping out the seeds with a spoon?

Water Bottle Ice Cube Trays

Ultimate invention? Or ultimate laziness? I'll admit, I've been frustrated by trying to fit large square cubes in a small circular opening. Who really remembers to stick a water bottle in the freezer the night before? Or has those fancy fridges that can crush ice?

Toast Tongs - "Durable bamboo tongs safely remove hot foods from your toaster."

Anyone else hesitate before grabbing things from the toaster? Hey, if your fingers make contact with a particularly crispy spot it stings!

Beverage Can Caps - "Locking flip-top plastic beverage caps keep fizz in, keep insects out, prevent major spills, and color-code everyone's cans!" Do you think they really keep the fizz in? 'Cause the plastic soda bottles sure don't do the trick, no matter how tightly you screw on the lid.

"First Out" Pie Spatula - "Bake your pie with this spatula in the pie tin." To prevent the unsightly pie pile the first piece inevitably turns into from trying to wiggle a spatula under the bottom crust and scoop it all out at once.

And a Pie Gate once that first piece is out.

GreenBags - "Debbie Meyer's FoodFresh System controls humidity and prevents excess moistures, so there's less mold, bacteria, and decay. Plus, the bags reduce vitamin loss, all without any chemicals. ...keep fruits, vegetables, herbs, even cut flowers, fresh for up to a month." Those are quite the claims! Cut flowers fresh for a month? Of course, why would you have them sitting bagged up in your fridge?

I hope you've enjoyed this edition of "Things you never knew you needed" brought to you by http://www.currentcatalog.com/. A great site to keep in mind if you're in need of inspiration! Afterall, doesn't everyone need a set of these for the Fourth of July?

Socialization encouragement for introverts

2009-06-03T08:52:00.000-07:00

You are not a fungus...you are a human, and you need other people in your life in order to be healthy.

-Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz

I don't know about you, but the sun helps me feel like less of a fungus. I don't feel the need to curl up under a log as much during the warm summer months. Having a roommate also helps. Hearing someone else moving around and coming and going usually elicits enough guilt to get me up and out the door as well.

Go be a human today!

Animal sounds

2009-06-02T14:22:00.000-07:00

I love my cat, really I do. He's got a rumbly little motor inside that just won't quit. Sometimes all I have to do is look at him and I can hear the purring start. The vet thinks he may have a little "rag doll" breed in him, which basically means you can pick him up and sling him over your shoulder or prop him in your lap without any resistance. And boy does he love laps. As he's gotten older he's become more insistent in his right to occupy whatever space he chooses. He doesn't care if you're trying to read a book, or if you're juggling a plate of food. All he sees is the opportunity to cuddle up and get some attention.

You've probably heard in the news how having a pet can lower your blood pressure and lengthen your lifespan. There's something so satisfying in being able to please another being with so little effort. And animals are great about letting you know when they're pleased. Cats purr, dogs will get that crazy leg going, rabbits grind their teeth, and guinea pigs warble. How can you not smile when running your hand across a guinea pig's back causes a bubbly little warble to resonate? If you can ignore the video game sounds in the background, this video will give you an idea of what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Gmts8h-7E&feature=related.

As I was saying, I love my cat. What I do not love are his sleeping habits. He has all day to sleep, so he doesn't see the point in sleeping all night as well. And he isn't afraid to tell me so. They make bark collars for dogs, why hasn't anyone come up with a whine collar for cats? Anyway, with the arrival of summer I thought I'd have a few warm months when Midnight could be outside at night and I could sleep in peace.

I have a fan going at night, which helps muffle night noises and can provide a nice breeze. But the past few nights I've also been leaving my window open to let some cool air in. This morning I was slowly pulled awake by a sound I couldn't place. I woke up knowing I had heard something, but not able to remember what it was. 5:00am. Garbage truck? No, those are much louder. Birds chirping? But it had stopped. As I started drifting back to sleep I heard it again. Midnight? It sounds like he's at the door wanting in. I toss off the covers and pad out to the living room, but when I open the front door he's not there. I figure I was mistaken and crawl back into bed. A few minutes later there it is again. It has to be Midnight. This time I walk down the stairs and peer around the side of the building. Sure enough, there he is, serenading me under my window. 'Good grief,' I thought, 'hopefully it only woke me because I'm familiar with his yowling.' Do you remember Heathcliff? That's not really the reputation I was hoping Midnight would have in the neighborhood...

Thailand

2009-06-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

I mentioned spending a few years in Thailand when I was growing up. What I haven't mentioned is that my mom and younger sister are currently in the middle of a 5 year return trip. I had the chance to visit for three weeks last April and thought I would share some of the thoughts and experiences I had while I was there:

Some things can't be captured by pictures or words. The flicker and buzz when you flip on the fluorescent bulbs. The warble of an exotic bird. The thucas (lizards) named for the sound they make. A lai of Thai flowers filling the car with their sweet familiar fragrance. A sweet and lightly fizzy pink soda my sister picks out for me. The incomprehensible chatter my mom engages in effortlessly and my sister is learning more of each day. The transition from air conditioning to the warmth of the outdoors that gradually progresses to a draining heat whose effects you aren't fully aware of until you return to the cool air and are at once refreshed and tired.

One night, my sister and I stood out on the balcony in the warm night air, watching lightening flicker in the distance.

We went to an elephant show where flowers and elephant silhouettes were casually painted by them holding paint brushes with their trunks. The same pliable trunk would then wrap around the shoulders of eager picture takers after relieving them of their offerings of sugar cane and banana bunches.

I revved up a motorcycle and tooled around my childhood neighborhood, recognizing less than I thought I would.

We walked through the night bazaar where I found the sweetened condensed milk wraps I overindulged in when I was young and, while trying on sunglasses, noticed my face was still steadily manufacturing sweat to combat the oppressive heat.

In the interest of escaping the heat, we fled to Koh Chang, an island off the southern coast of the Thai mainland, a short ferry and a few hours bus ride from Bangkok. But more about that later...

Habitat for Humanity

2009-05-31T15:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day to be outside. (and no, this is not a car ad - it was the view from Kerry Park at 7am)

The Post-College group at my church worked on a Habitat for Humanity site down in Federal Way. The house itself was pretty close to being done, but there was plenty of work to be done outside. I spent 6 hours packing up garbage, loading and unloading wood, breaking up the ground, filling wheelbarrows, and taking pictures.

We started by hauling away the empty paint cans, extra lumber, tools, and various odds and ends. Once those were packed away in and behind the storage shed down the block, we started attacking the hardpacked earth with shovels and pick axes.

Inside there was trim to finish, the flooring in the bathroom to install, and various caulking jobs.

I tried my hand at the pick axe, but missed out on the circular saw and nail gun action.

Once the yard was loosened up and the extra dirt and rocks were taken away (and let me just say, they have a pretty sizeable yard), it was time to spread some topsoil.

We made our way through the entire mountain of dirt waiting on the driveway; shoveling and dumping and raking it into place. By the end, I was ready for a Slurpee and a massage. ...one out of two ain't bad.

Dirt under my fingernails - the sign of a hard day's work.

Where is this?

2009-05-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

Anybody recognize this dashing fellow? Hint: he's from out of town, but still a local.

Fan fan

2009-05-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

Is anyone else a fan fan? A fan of fans? As in those electronic things that spin around?

Since we're on the topic of sleeping...Growing up in Thailand I developed a strong attachment to our overhead fan during the hot summer nights. Now I find the soothing sound of a fan is a necessary backdrop to getting a good night's sleep. Without it I feel constantly on alert. Every little sound snaps me awake with a jolt of adrenaline.

Unfortunately, fans and I don't seem to get along. I must have some sort of electrical field around me - after a few months they inevitably become eccentric. The speed of the blades ebbs and flows, resulting in a pulsating sound that of course is never constant enough to adjust to. Or it will develop a clicking noise with no apparent source. The latest twist mirrors the power drain you sometimes see when you turn on a large appliance, such as a vacuum. The fan will be blowing with a force of say 3, then fade to a 2 for anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, only to flare up to a 5 with a sudden burst of energy! Not very conducive to relaxing into a good night's rest.

Do you have anything you depend on to get a good night's sleep? Or are you one of THOSE people who can sleep when and wherever? I always wanted to be one of those people.

Sleep watch

2009-05-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

At a staff meeting a few months ago, a coworker of mine mentioned she and her two kids had been to a sleep specialist and were found to slumber at a level just above "comatose." She's out cold for three to four hours a night and that's all she needs. Can you imagine how much time that would free up? I could be a night owl AND an early bird. I could watch the late late show and still be at work at the crack of dawn. I could get a full night's sleep in the period of time my cat sees fit to snooze, before he's up and whining for attention.

I must fall on the opposite end of the scale. I have been known to spend the greater part of the day lolling in bed either asleep or half asleep. During summer vacations, sleep would occasionally take the place of the time I would have spent at school. Waking up at 2 or 3 in the afternoon was not unheard of. In a gesture of full disclosure (and to prevent my roommate from being the first to bring it up), I'll admit some weekends I still stay in bed until the early afternoon. The crazy thing is, I'm still ready to crawl into bed around 10:00 that night, a mere 7 hours later.

It was this insatiable appetite for sleep that came to mind when I first heard about the Sleeptracker. It would be interesting to be able to get a read-out of exactly what's going on when I think I'm getting a solid 8 hours...that turns into 9 or 10 before I finally drag myself out from under the covers. Am I skimming the surface of unconsciousness? Bobbing up and down like a forlorn buoy? Sleepwalking? (more on that in a later post).

Plus, the idea of an alarm that senses when you're most awake seems so much more pleasant than my current masochistic practice of hitting the snooze button knowing it will go off at the precise moment I fall back to sleep, causing no end of frustration and angst. Although, it doesn't solve the problem of actually exercising the self discipline it takes to remove yourself from the cozy cocoon of covers. Which leads to a few other inventions I've heard of.

We use to have (and I think it's still around somewhere) a game called The Inventors. In this game, you would buy patents and try to make money off of the inventions you selected. The best part was reading the descriptions of things people actually invented and submitted a patent for. I suppose in this day and age gentlemen no longer have a use for an automatic hat tipper. There aren't that many people in need of a Horse Water Wing Jacket. And who really paid money for an Eye Protector for Chickens? But one of the inventions is an E-Z Wake Alarm that actually drops a cage on the bed of the hapless owner, to jar them awake. I don't know about you, but I think such a contraption would only make me LESS of a morning person.

Same with the alarm clock that scuttles around your floor requiring you to chase after it before you can silence it. Seriously! You can watch a v ideo of it, and make sure you have the audio turned on so you can get the full effect of its unbearable chirping, beeping and whirring.

There's even a Flying A larm Clock for those who prefer to wake up to the sound of an air raid alarm, scramble for the propeller top, and reassemble the two pieces to restore peace. Here's a somewhat outdated site with a list of other odd alarm clocks: http://www.bspcn.com/2007/10/20/14-of-the-worlds-strangest-alarm-clocks-for-those-early-morning-risers/.

I have to say, the Sleeptracker is looking more and more appealing! If I feel the need to subject myself to discomfort or just feel ridiculous I'd rather see if there are any Dimple Makers still on the market.

Contentment

2009-05-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

The fountain of content must spring up in the mind, and he who hath so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition, will waste his life in fruitless efforts and multiply the grief he proposes to remove.

- Samuel Johnson

Memories

2009-05-26T12:26:00.000-07:00

What do you remember about elementary school?

Do you remember playing tag all through recess? Or a game of football?

I remember running the length of the field in pursuit of a boy on the other team, bound and determined to catch him, even if he was the fastest runner in our class. Didn't catch him. He scored. Learned a frustrating lesson in limitations. You mean I can't be the best just by wanting it with a passion?

How about four square or tetherball?

There were always those kids who would slam the four square ball, or nick a corner, or nudge it over the line with a bounce that barely cleared the asphalt.

Were you twirling around a bar on the jungle gym? Could you go over backwards?

I climbed up on one recently and walked away with pinched skin and bruises.

Do you remember playing the recorder in music class?

Hot Cross Buns over and over, and that funny little pinkie hole that was actually two holes.

How far did you get on Oregon Trail?

Shooting your dinner, stocking up on supplies, losing family members to random illness or accidents. All on those Apple computers with the black screens and bright green images.

Can you still sing the songs? Miss Mary Mack?

Having lived in Thailand from the time I was 4 until I was 7, I was at a distinct disadvantage upon returning to the States. All of those clapping games, and jump rope skills (double dutch anyone?), and catscradle configurations to learn.

Were you daring?

Picture a stretch of monkey bars similar to those pictured below, only made up of large metal circles.

Now picture an eight-year-old hooking her feet in the circles and dangling upside down. It worked too! At least the first time. Got cocky and tried it again only to end up with a rubberized asphalt burn on my cheek.

Any creative teachers?

Fifth grade we had paper airplane contests. Farthest distance, longest air time, most acrobatic, etc.

Did you have to ride the bus?

The worst was when it was packed and you had to sit three-to-a-seat, buried under your backpack.

Any favorite outfits?

I still remember feeling so cool in my grey and purple t-shirt and matching purple stretch pants. The t-shirt had a extra strips of purple fabric around the sleeves and neck to give it a slight layered look and contrast with the grey. I bought a couple pairs of comfy thick socks at $8 a pop a few months ago and I've already worn holes in the toes. This is why my mother made me wear hiking boots in elementary school - I couldn't wear through them as fast.

What are your favorite memories?

He's Just Not That Into You

2009-05-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

Pets are God's way of saying 'Don't lower the bar because you're lonely.'"

- Liz Tucillo and Greg Behrendt

Pesco-plastic surgery?

2009-05-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

I don't think this is what the Beverly Hills woman in search of the perfect figure has in mind when she's considering a derrière augmentation.

A love of words

2009-05-23T17:24:00.000-07:00

Can I share something with you? Below are two excerpts from In the Woods by Tana French, a book that was gifted to me this Christmas by a cousin who is serious about her book-o-philia (I'm sure there's a latin term for that, but I'm too lazy to look it up). Take a minute and tell me what you think:

Picture a summer stolen whole from some coming-of-age film set in small-town 1950s. This is none of Ireland's subtle seasons mixed for a connoisseur's palate, watercolor nuances within a pinch-sized range of cloud and soft rain; this is summer full-throated and extravagant in a hot pure silkscreen blue. This summer explodes on your tongue tasting of chewed blades of long grass, your own clean sweat, Marie biscuits with butter squirting through the holes and shaken bottles of red lemonade picnicked in tree houses. It tingles your skin with BMX wind in your face, ladybug feet up your arm; it packs every breath full of mown grass and billowing wash lines; it chimes and fountains with birdcalls, bees, leaves and football-bounces and skipping-chants, One! two! three! This summer will never end. It starts every day with a shower of Mr. Whippy notes and your best friend's knock at the door, finishes it with long slow twilight and mothers silhouetted in doorways calling you to come in, through the bats shrilling among the black lace trees. This is Everysummer decked in all its best glory.

...The wood is all flicker and murmur and illusion. Its silence is a pointillist conspiracy of a million tiny noises-rustles, flurries, nameless truncated shrieks; its emptiness teems with secret life, scurrying just beyond the corner of your eye. Careful: bees zip in and out of cracks in the leaning oak; stop to turn any stone and strange larvae will wriggle irritably, while an earnest thread of ants twines up your ankle.

Are you hooked yet? I love how descriptive and vibrant her writing is - covering all the senses. The sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and feel of summer. And how she uses descriptive words in new ways - summer "exploding," the "fountain" of bird calls, the "irritable" larvae and an "earnest" trail of ants. But what I love most about Tana French's books (she wrote a sequel - The Likeness), are the relationships. The easy camaraderie between characters.

So if you're in need of something to read on a warm sunny day at the park, this might be just what you're looking for.

Where is this?

2009-05-22T17:25:00.000-07:00

In the interest of paying more attention to my surroundings and any photo opportunities that may arise, I've decided to attempt a weekly feature. When I find something that seems characteristic of a location or something that catches my eye, I'll post a picture and see who else has spotted said item. To kick things off, here is the first picture:

Name that location! Can you tell me where this picture was taken?

New favorite lunch spot

2009-05-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

Don't you love finding good food at a great price? There's a "Thai Food Cook Truck" that parks near my office that I'm slowly but surely getting addicted to. $7.50 for a combo that feeds two! Hard to pass up when our yogurt parfaits just hit $3. $1.89 to $3, people! We're talking a 59% price increase!

But back to the cook truck. Pad thai, spring rolls, rice and curry. Yum!

Disco garbage truck

2009-05-21T17:40:00.001-07:00

Do you ever have those days where you're just down in the dumps? The world is gray and dreary and all you want to do is crawl under the covers and hope for happy dreams. The silver lining of these dark days is how easily little quirky things can make you smile once you emerge from the gloom.

A few weeks ago, I was on my way to work the morning after one of those dark days and noticed a garbage truck ahead of me. It's a bit of an oversized vehicle, so it has four yellow flashing lights on the back - one at each corner. What caught my attention, however, was the pattern of the lights. They would flash so that the lights diagonal from each other were on at the same time. You've seen the cover of Saturday Night Lights, right? I believe John Travolta's pose comes from The Hustle. Whatever the dance is called, I started cracking up picturing the unwieldy green vehicle in front of me grooving to disco music.

Yep, things were definitely looking up.

About Me

2009-05-21T16:16:00.001-07:00

This blog came about following an introspective afternoon of blog surfing. I need a reason to take more pictures, and a place to practice throwing thoughts together.

So here we go, with a little structure, a lot of randomness, and a healthy dose of humilty (I have no idea what the world at large will think of the crazy thoughts that tromp around in my head)!

Life

A Thai pantry

Laura Hall

Working with kids

the last of Shanghai

Real Food

Shanghai

Thailand IV

Thailand III

Melancholy

Currently on hiatus...

*sigh*

The Mr. in my apartment

Where the Wild Things Are

Bit of wisdom

Fall is here!

Literature

wow

Summer Reads

Hedonists take heed!

FEEDBACK!

TGIF

And you are...?

What is this?

Fire

TJ's

Thailand II

"Got Humor?"

Boats

Things you never knew you needed, Part 2

Majesty

Smile for the camera!

Things that look like other things

What is this?

Road Signs

Things you never knew you needed

Socialization encouragement for introverts

Animal sounds

Thailand

Habitat for Humanity

Where is this?

Fan fan

Sleep watch

Contentment

Memories

He's Just Not That Into You

Pesco-plastic surgery?

A love of words

Where is this?

New favorite lunch spot

Disco garbage truck

About Me

sigh