Because I want to have blogged, but don’t feel very bloggy right now.
Recent Reading:
- Luis Alberto Urrea’s Into the Beautiful North- I wanted to like it, de verdad. And I loved a number of his quirky characters enough to finish the book, but the plot/stlye/pacing was a bit “eh” at points. Would not really recommend.
- Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers- a friend had recommended this long ago and I just now picked it up. It’s a fast (I read the nearly 300 pgs in a night), fascinating read that will change the way you look at geniuses, success stories, and society. Highly recommend!
- Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian- I’m ashamed to say I didn’t read this when it first came out and there was so much press about it. But I just started this and am in love with/in awe of the writing. It’s super engaging, but I’m trying to read it slowly.
Writing:
- Too bad brainstorming doesn’t count. I’m in a mini funk.
Recent Viewing:
- Full episodes of Cuentame Como Paso here. (highly recommended for any of my paisanas) It’s like the Spanish version of The Wonder Years, don’t you think?
- Spirited Away, viewed with the kids. The older two liked it (though not as much as the fabulous My Neighbor, Totoro which we all LOVE), but are a bit worried now that I might be turned into a pig.
- Jon & Kate Plus 8. It’s like a burning building that you can’t look away from.
Memorable Eating:
- A fantastic dinner with my mom at a “seasonally progressive” restaurant where 80% of the menu is locally grown. (Email me if you’re in my area, and I’ll give you the name). I had an apricot arugula flatbread pizza, a salad, and spinach goat cheese ravioli with caponata. So good!
- At home, I taught myself how to make memorable versions of Chicken Tikka Masala and Chicken Saagwala with extra veggies from our farm-share. I have no authority over Indian cuisine, but my husband and older daughter (yeah, she’s 3…she’s loved Indian take-out since she was 18 mos old) particularly love it and we’re trying to save money and calories through less takeout.
- This week, I’m also going to try Marta’s Cuban “Peet-sah” recipe from TikiTiki. Want some, too? Go get it here!
Goings-on:
- Our veggie garden is looking so good! I harvested a ton of Komatsu greens and Persian cress and moved a few seedlings around with the newly-cleared space. I still can’t believe I like gardening this much but I find it so oddly fulfilling and calming.
- I’m also very surprised to find how much I like running. And reading/thinking about running! Like so many of my blog/facebook/twitter friends, I started Couch-to-5K recently- on Mother’s Day actually. C25K helped me so much the first 3-4 weeks, but now I’m finding I can go at my own pace just as well (sometimes this means I run more than I would on the plan at this stage, vs. walking). Anyway, I am signed up for 3 5Ks between July and October!
That’s all for me, for now. What are you up to?
3 Comments
15 June 2009 at 9:43 pm
So you are in a funk now, huh? I just got myself out of one. Visiting family and friend in need recently, really helped me view things (life) much different; To take it easier and focus on the things that are truly importan (my kids, husband, family and me. The latter can be tough, but I am doing it.)
I hope things start to look brighter for you soon.
19 June 2009 at 2:15 am
It’s awesome that you’re running! And maybe it will help get you out of the writing mini-funk? (Though I DO think brainstorming counts! It’s part of the work, chica.)
27 June 2009 at 1:15 am
I came upon your blog through some blog-hopping. Thanks for the link to the Cuéntame Cómo Pasó episodes. I’m always trying to improve my Spanish comprehension, and have never been able to really get into the telenovelas that are shown on TV. I just watched the first episode of Cuéntame, and loved it!