2010 Goals: June Progress

I set specific 2010 goals so here's an update on my June progress.

Read/Write/Blog
1. I read 7 books this month, raising my yearly total to 48. As usual, I started a lot of books but didn't like them enough to finish.

2. My writing group did not meet this month but I have given myself a homework assignment. I'm writing an essay for Real Simple's contest. We are also scheduling a time to meet again.

3. Submit... This really is a chore. I thought I would get to it this month, but I haven't. I know no publication is going to knock on my door and ask to read my work, so I need to get cracking on this!

4. Yes, I am a blogging fool. This is my 107th post of the year, so I am ahead of schedule for 200 blog posts this year.

Healthy
5. I met the first part of my goal, which was to participate in one race and to raise money for a worthy cause. Thank you again all who supported Furiously Walking! The second part of my goal is to go beyond my comfort zone and do something more challenging. This year I have been working on improving my running (and by that, I mean run/walking). A race announcement will be coming soon!

6. I exceeded my goal of eating vegetarian meals 90% of the time by eating veggie 98% of the time. I'm getting more into the groove of eating vegetarian meals. My CSA is providing fresh veggies every week that I am creating yummy meals around.

My Heart's Desire is also excellent on the grill. He grills burgers (veggie for me, meat for him) with fresh asparagus and corn or potatoes at least once a week. Yum! I'm also making summer salads for healthy lunches. My favorite now includes mixed greens, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, chickpeas, blue cheese, and pecans.

Fun & Friends
7. The Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® was new to me and I did it with a friend.

8. Seeing friends. This month I saw friends a little bit less than once a week. I met friends for a mani-pedi, coffee, and a movie. I also had a tummy bug for about 8 days, which slowed me down and I cancelled plans with pals so I could keep it to myself.

9. My Heart's Desire and I had fun this month. We went for a nice walk, and the movies (Iron Man and Get Him to the Greek).

10. Photo taken of My Heart's Desire and I? Nope.

11. Bonus! It's All Relative. My Heart's Desire and I went to Delaware for some family fun with his family. And I went to Baltimore for my cousin's bridal shower.

The Girl Who Chased the Moon

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen is one part Alice Hoffman lite and one part magical realism. A bit overwritten at times, it was a mildly enjoyable story that gave me a hankering for barbeque and hummingbird cake. It wasn't until I finished the story that I realized that, while it wasn't really my cup of tea, it was a pretty good YA novel. 48/100

Today I’m grateful for air conditioning, healthy role models, seeing the wild bunnies in my neighborhood, Trader Joe’s, garage sales, and being able to grow where I am planted.

The Wedding Machine

I picked up The Wedding Machine by Beth Webb at the used bookstore and wouldn't have finished this book but I was home with a bug. Imagine a humorless Steel Magnolias but more religious, dipped in saccharine, and took place in South Carolina. 47/100

CSA Box = Good Eats

Been wondering what comes in my CSA box? Well, wonder no more! My Heart's Desire and I get a half share. We paid for it up front, so each week costs around $14.

Pictured is this week's bounty: peaches, cucumbers (regular and kirby), corn (picked that morning!), potatoes, tomatoes, and blueberries.

One of my favorite things about my CSA is that every week there are choices. First, I fill up a basket with veggies (so I can skip the things we won't eat), then pick a salad-y veggie (salad lettuces, spinach, scallions, cabbage), and finish off with a berry (right now the choices are strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries).

Tonight I made an appetizer with tomato slices, chopped basil from our front window, mozzarella cheese, drizzled the whole thing with balsamic vinegar and topped it off with freshly ground sea salt. My Heart's Desire grilled burgers (veggie for me) with corn on the cob (boiled, then grilled with butter and herbs), and asparagus. I roasted the potatoes and it was all delish.

The One That I Want

I was really excited to read The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch. I really liked her previous books, including Time of My Life (read my review here).

It was more than similar to Time of My Life, it was almost the same. Everything that I found so endearing and original in the previous book, just followed the same formula in The One That I Want. The plot pacing, precious but flawed characters, the surprise (though is it really a surprise when you're waiting for it?), the big reveal, and the growth in this book just felt like... formula. 46/100

Last night's dinner is even better today

Last night's dinner is today's yummy lunch. I took last night's leftover pasta with marinara and added a handful of chopped spinach, some crumbled goat cheese, a spoonful of pine nuts, and topped it with Parmesan. Perfect!

Women In Trouble

Run, do not walk, to get your hands on Women In Trouble. The movie is an ensemble piece about 10 different women that takes place in one day in Los Angeles. I loved it! My Heart's Desire really enjoyed it as well. Don't watch any previews, just add to the top of your Netflix queue.

Prayers for Sale

Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas is one of the books I picked up after the Snowpocalypse. The story is about post-Civil War pioneer women in the Colorado mountains -- I wanted to like it, really, I did. Brave women, quilts, homespun storytelling, baking, I was ready to like it. This book reads like a Reader's Digest version of a good book. Where that good book is, however, I don't know. 45/100

Me of Little Faith

I listened to Me of Little Faith by comedian Lewis Black and found it amusing, funny, random, and rambling. Some of the essays are more right on than others, and I was surprised at some of his experiences, though the old act he included I didn't like. It's probably just as enjoyable to read if you don't like being yelled at. 44/100

Today I am grateful for doing un-fun grownup chores, summer is here, unexpected free time, air-conditioning at home, work, and in the car, being of service, looking forward to family visits this summer, being prepared, that my journey led me here, women with grace and dignity who are doing things I want to do, summer produce (I love it!), the glory of nature in bloom, lovable pets, learning from books, and ice-cold drinks.

Furiously Walking

On Saturday morning I participated in the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® with Allison, a colleague/friend. The other members of Furiously Walking couldn't make it, due to a plumbing emergency and a bridal shower (she was the bride!).

My fundraising goal was $500 and I exceeded it! All of my donors rocked, and I wrote their names on my bib. On race morning I had $510 and I received two donations after the race, raising my total to $560. Altogether, Furiously Walking raised $615. While fundraising, I was touched by how many people have been affected by breast cancer. Every dollar donated made a difference to fight breast cancer. The event raised more than $4.5 million to fund breast cancer programs for women in need throughout the National Capital Area and abroad.

I met Allison at the Bethesda Metro at 7:15am, and it was standing room only, mostly filled with other race participants. When we got to the Mall, it was a sea of pink as far as the eye could see. More than 40,000 people were there! Many of the groups had humorous names, like Walkers for Knockers, Save the Tatas, and Bosom Buddies. Along the route were the "I Am The Cure" cheerleaders, with contagious enthusiasm.

The sheer number of breast cancer survivors, wearing pink shirts and bibs, was really overwhelming. So many women - grandmothers, mothers, wives, sisters, and friends of all ages all wearing pink. The survivors also got a special medal when they crossed the finish line.

We took this photo after about two hours of walking in the heat. The race was more emotional than I expected and I am really glad we did it!

Native Tongue

How do I know summer is really here? Because I just finished Native Tongue by Carl Hiaasen. With his books, you know exactly what you are going to get: Florida corruption, environmentalism, gangsters, dark humor, shady businessmen, tourists, and an enjoyable ride. 43/100

The Confessions of Max Tivoli

The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer is a novel about a man who ages backwards. Interesting story, good writing but just an okay book. 42/100

Fingersmith

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters is a Victorian crime novel with many twists and turns, interesting characters and racier than I expected. It's a good, long book that had me turning pages to see what was going to happen next. 41/100

Today I am grateful for: my hydrangea, which keeps blooming, getting plenty of sleep, AM Yoga, not having to be right, seeing my mentees grow, super-speedy utility repairs, air conditioning, being a nonsmoker, fun plans this weekend, Sarah Vaughan's I've Got The World On A String, my CSA starts this weekend, Nutella, flexible spending, things to look forward to, and friends and family near and far.

2010 Goals: May Progress

I set specific 2010 goals so here's an update on my May progress.

Read/Write/Blog
1. I read 7 books this month, raising my yearly total to 40. Summer is here and I'm planning on spending some quality time on my deck with good books and tall glasses of iced tea.

2. I didn't meet with my writing group this month. We have met three times this year so far, which is great! Goal: Achieved.

3. Submit... Ugh. I actually went into my submissions spreadsheet and found that the things I submitted last year are not on it, so I need to figure out if I just forgot or have another version somewhere.

4. Yes, I have been blogging regularly. This is my 91st post of the year, so I am ahead of schedule for 200 blog posts this year.

Healthy
5. Participate in two races. I participated in a second race, Girls on the Run 5K. It was super fun. I came in a little faster than the Earth Day 5K and received a finisher's medal! Part of my goal was to raise money for a worthy cause. I put together Furiously Walking, a walking team to participate in the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® in the 5K walk on June 5, at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and have met my goal of raising $500! Thank you to all who helped make a difference!

6. I exceeded my goal of eating vegetarian meals 90% of the time by eating veggie 97% of the time. I found that being prepared was really helpful. And the grocery store had my favorite Amy's paneer meals on sale, which made for easy work lunches. I tried some new dishes as well. Oven-baked fries were a big hit and I've made them several times. The recipe is really easy, though I add 10 mins to each side and double the garlic. Healthier than restaurant fries and really tasty. Cut into smaller squares with onions and fresh chives, they double as my brunch potatoes. I've been on a frittata kick as well, the spring and the Greek have made several visits to my table.

I also made Jamaican style Black Bean and Coconut Cornbread Bake (from Vegetarian Times) and it was so spicy that even sour cream and shredded cheese couldn't cool it down. My Heart's Desire was braver than me, he had it for dinner, while I gave up and made a PB&J.

Fun & Friends
7. This month I tried a couple of new restaurants – once with My Heart's Desire and twice with some friends. We went out to a fancy dinner that was expensive but not our favorite.

8. Seeing friends. This month I saw friends more than once a week. This month I met friends for a mani-pedi, brunch, lunch, dinner, entertained at my house, and saw My Heart's Desire's favorite lounge singer. Now that the weather's nice it's fun to be outside more.

9. My Heart's Desire and I had fun this month. We went to a butterfly exhibit at a living museum on opening day that was interactive and a new experience for both of us. We also went to the movies and saw Date Night. It was just okay.

10. Photo taken of My Heart's Desire and I? Sigh.

How Green Is My Monster?

Since March I have been hooked on Green Monsters! I drink one for breakfast almost every day. I know it's hard to believe because it's so bright green, but the banana overwhelms the spinach taste. It's really a banana smoothie with greens. The frozen bananas give it the right consistency.

Green Monster Smothie

Green Monster
1+ cup plain, light soymilk
1.5 measuring cup stuffed with spinach
1 frozen banana, cut in quarters

Blend soymilk and spinach together. Add in the frozen banana. Drink while it's cold.

Another option is to sub out some of the plain, light soymilk with light chocolate soymilk. I did this once when I was out of plain, light soymilk and the results were delicious.

UPDATE: I now use plain, unsweetened almond milk.  Yum!

Knocked Up

I'm embarrassed to admit I read Knocked Up by Rebecca Eckler's beyond fluffy book but I did. Shallow doesn't even begin to cover it. I bought it for a few quarters at the library used book sale and read this book in two hours when I couldn't sleep. I won't get the quarters or the two hours back.

40/100

Greek Frittata

Since I made my first frittata last week, I've been on kind of a kick. Last night I made a broccoli/asparagus/sun-dried tomato/parmesan frittata. I liked it so much that after dinner, I made a Greek frittata to take to work today. And it was really good!

Greek Frittata
1 tsp butter (am out of olive oil)
½+ cup frozen chopped onion
1 tomato, roughly chopped
2 handfuls spinach, rinsed and roughly chopped
1 spoonful of Kalamata olives (chopped if you like)
2 eggs
¼ cup reduced-fat Feta chunks

1. Heat oil, then add the onions until it smells really good. Then add the tomatoes. After a few minutes toss in the spinach. Cook until the veggies are mostly done. Then add the olives.
2. Turn the heat down to low. Beat the eggs and mix in the Feta in a separate bowl. Pour the egg mix over the vegetables. Then leave it alone for at least 10 mins, or longer, until the eggs aren’t runny anymore.

With some soup it was a great lunch!

The Professor and the Madman

The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester is a nonfiction story about the making of the Oxford English Dictionary.

This intriguing book features the lives of two word lovers, a British professor obsessed with the idea of fixing the English language in the first comprehensive dictionary, and an American, a former Army Captain and surgeon, who, while committed in a British prison for murder, ends up being one of the most important contributors to the Oxford English Dictionary.

While this book twines together several plot threads and stories, it does so like a novel, making it a very enjoyable read. I wished I had known this story when I studied Shakespeare as an undergrad and had to look up 10 different words in the OED every week.
39/100

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

I listened to The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe, and it had several elements of a good story: plucky grad student woman protagonist (complete with a found dog), whip-smart roommate, summer love with an over-educated steeplejack, and a personal connection to the Salem witch trials.

More than once I found myself wishing that Alice Hoffman wrote this book so that it would have been good. 38/100

Today I slept in, had peanut butter toast, went for my longest run (and by that I mean walk/jog) ever, but lost my pedometer sometime during the first 20 minutes so have only a rough idea of the distance, came home and My Heart's Desire grilled me a veggieburger with blue cheese, cleaned up a bit, got a splitting headache (maybe from the run? or the cleaning?), took a brief rest, made coffee and punch, frosted cupcakes, saw that my hydrangea plant is blooming, celebrated a friend's graduation from grad school, showed My Heart's Desire the area where the pedometer was lost, he biked it (in the rain) and couldn't find it, came home, read magazines on the couch, had Honey Nut Cheerios for dinner, and read more.

Spring Frittata

Yesterday I was in the mood for a frittata, and made one based on Mark Bittman’s recipe. I had never made a frittata before and was impressed with how good it was. And how easy it was to make! My Heart’s Desire enjoyed it too. This is sure to be a spring and summer standard.

Spring Frittata
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp diced garlic
½+ cup frozen chopped onion
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and roughly chopped
1 can artichoke bottoms, rinsed and roughly chopped
½ bag dried chanterelle mushrooms, chopped
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
4 eggs
1/2 cup Parmesan

1. Heat oil, then add garlic and onions until it smells really good. Then add the asparagus, artichoke, and mushrooms. Cook until the asparagus is mostly done. Then toss in the tarragon.
2. Turn the heat down to low. Beat the eggs and mix in the Parmesan. Pour the egg mix over the vegetables. Then leave it alone for at least 10 mins, or longer, until the eggs aren’t runny anymore.
3. Put the pan (check first to make sure it’s oven safe) in a 350* oven for 4 mins.

My Heart’s Desire had some frittata with a grilled cheese sandwich. I heated up some soup but the frittata was so good I didn’t want it. I just had the frittata with an orange.

Serve two hungry people with a side salad.

Today I slept until I woke up, read magazines in my comfy chaise, went to the farmer's market for strawberries and asparagus, came home, put my recipes into a binder (formerly taped to kitchen cabinets and fridge), did some chores, met a friend for coffee, caught up over a nice chat, went to dinner with My Heart's Desire and some friends (there's something about restaurants with a tiny menu that only take cash), we all went for a walk on a perfect late spring evening, had ice cream outside, returned a book, bought a new insulated cup for my Green Monsters (had a Starbucks gift card), came home and prepared for my 5K tomorrow am, and am going to read then go to bed early.

The Wife's Tale

The Wife's Tale by Lori Lansens reads like a long short story. It's a novel and takes a while to get to the heart of the story. Clever in parts, drags in others. It has some beautiful writing but not enough to make this book more than okay.
37/100

The Opposite of Me

The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen is a good book about who we are, how family shapes our roles, and what happens when the rug is pulled out from under us. The story has a life of its own and I kept reading to find out what would happen next. A satisfying summer book. I read this book in 24 hours!
36/100

Today I am greateful for: early asparagus from the farmer's market, sunshine, watching the cat take a sun bath, being able to laugh at myself, a new toaster (replaced previous toaster which was a fire hazard), being teachable, that working out feels good, lazy weekend days to recharge my batteries, looking on the bright side, and How I Met Your Mother.

Ms. Hempel Chronicles

Ms. Hempel Chronicles by Sarah Shun-lien Bynum is a novel in connected stories that seemed discordant and just not that interesting. 35/100

Juliet, Naked

Juliet, Naked by Nick Horby did not dissapoint. I'm a fan of his books (most of them, anyway) and this was a perfect summer book. It also illustrates drift very well (almost scarily so). 34/100

Girls on the run

I liked my last race so much I signed up for another one! This race is a 5K that supports Girls on the Run, another worthy cause! The nice thing about being such a slow run/walker is that I have nowhere to go but up. Let's see if I can break my PR of 4th to last!

VegWeek 2010

April 24 through April 30, 2010 was Maryland VegWeek. Where did I find out about this? Takoma Park, of course, where the mayor signed an official proclamation declaring it Takoma Park VegWeek.

I haven't eaten any meat for a few weeks and just kept going veggie. Although I do enjoy many Morningstar Farms vegetarian products, including their maple sausage and veggie burgers (and I wish they'd bring back the corn dogs!), their bacon was a serious fail. Imagine if Fruit Stripe made vegetarian bacon strips out of Play-Doh. That's what it was like.

2010 Goals: April Progress

I set specific 2010 goals so here's an update on my April progress.

1. I read 5 books this month, raising my yearly total to 33. As usual, I did not finish a lot of books I started. I'm also almost done listen to a book on CD.

2. I met with my writing group for dinner and a reading by a former professor. The dinner was good, the reading was great. I bought the book (I just remembered) and started it. Goal: Achieved.

3. Submit... This I still have not done yet. May, I've got my eye on you for submissions!

4. Blog regularly — I am on it. This is my 75th post of the year, so I am on track for 200 blog posts this year.

5. Participate in two races. I had a lot of fun at the Earth Day 5K. Another part of my goal was to raise money for a worthy cause. I put together Furiously Walking, a walking team to participate in the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® in the 5K walk on June 5, at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

6. I ate vegetarian meals 90% of the time - meeting my goal. Yay! In March I did not feel good after eating all that meat. So I made sure to have vegetarian meals and snacks on hand. Though pad thai and chicken panang have long been my go-to takeout (and out to lunch) staples, I am now hooked on the spicy eggplant (I had it for the first time in February). I don't know how they prepare it, but it is good every time and I find myself craving it.

7. This month I tried a new restaurant and ordered some hippie stuff from Etsy. I also bought new running shoes at a running store I had never been to before (recommended by an acquaintance). It was ladies' night (unbeknownst to me until I showed up) so there were snacks, extra staff, giveaways (bags, pens, headbands) and 10-min massages. My feet and I left happy.

8. Seeing friends. This month I saw friends a lot! I exceeded my goal of seeing friends at least once a week. In April I met friends for brunch and lunch a few times, enjoyed an anniversary dinner, went for a walk/jog, and for a mani-pedi. It was great to catch up with old friends and get to know new ones.

9. My Heart's Desire and I had fun this month. April Fool's Day is our wedding anniversary and we went out for a fancy dinner that night. Later in the month we had heavenly relaxing massages, which were very relaxing. We also went to the movies and saw Hot Tub Time Machine (exactly what you'd expect) and City Island (a dramedy of the best kind). You can figure out who picked each movie.

10. Photo taken of My Heart's Desire and I? Nope.

Mudbound

My colleague and loyal blog reader Linda recommended Mudbound by Hillary Jordan and I got it from the library. Historical fiction isn't usually my favorite, but this book was intriguing from the start.

An honest and unflinching look at rural life in the Mississippi Delta immediately following World War II, this book alternates narrators with convincing and terrifyingly real characters. A book about families, secrets, and finding one's own truth, Mudbound is not to be missed. 33/100

Little Bee

Little Bee by Chris Cleave is a powerful and moving book. I won't tell you what the book is about, as the front flap reads: Once you have read it, you'll want to tell everyone about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.

I liked this book so much I read it in one sitting. (I read this book in December, so it doesn't count toward my goal of 100 books in 2010). I've since passed it on to three other readers and encouraged them to devour it.

After my colleague Carol Nganga read it, she walked in with the book and said: Wow. Following is her guest review in her own words. Captivating and engaging with a strange turn of events at the end. I felt guilty putting it down for a break.

Women Food and God

Women Food and God by Geneen Roth. Very interesting. I’m still thinking about it. 32/100

Today I am grateful for being able to look on the bright side, getting in 5 workouts this week, the white noise machine near my desk at work, Fage + granola (my favorite breakfast), another walker joined Furiously Walking, plans to visit family this summer, not watching much TV this week, clean towels and sheets that dry on the line, and plenty of sunshine.

Happy Earth Day!

I participated in the Earth Day 5K last weekend and did much better than my first race. I was 4th to last! I ran/walked and though it was a chilly day, I had a lot of fun.

Since today is Earth Day, I've been thinking all the ways that I'm environmentally friendly.

• Turn the lights, TV, computer off when I leave a room
• Take canvas bags shopping
• Joined local CSA
• Shop at the hippie store, where I can buy items in bulk
• Use refillable water bottles (have a Brita tap filter on the kitchen sink)
• Use dishwasher rather than wash dishes by hand
• Replace paper napkins with cloth for most meals (I've also got my eye on some adorable cloth napkins to take to work)
• Eat lots of meatless meals (one of my 2010 goals is to eat vegetarian food 90% of the time)
• Use Tupperware rather than plastic bags for food storage
• Donate used clothes and household to Goodwill
• Buy used books and check out books from the library
• Call catalogs I don't want to get off the mailing list
• Take short showers (the water heater does not provide much)
• Recycle metal, glass, plastic, and paper
• Wash all laundry on the cold cycle
• Hang sheets, towels, and most clothes on the line instead of using the dryer
• Use cool hippie wool dryer balls (use instead of fabric softener to make clothes soft and static-free)
• I just got the Method ultra concentrated laundry soap

My Heart's Desire unplugs kitchen appliances that we are not using, uses rechargeable batteries, plants flowers, veggies, and plants in our yard and in containers, and replaces burned out light bulbs with fluorescents.

The Minotaur

The Minotaur by Barbara Vine. I listened to this book waiting for something to happen... and it took 8 CDs to get there. By the time it did, I didn't care anymore. The only reason I kept listening was to hear more about the library labryinth (10,00 books!). 31/100

Happy Second Birthday, Furiously Writing!

Today I went for a quick walk/job, tided up the house, worked, met my mentor for dinner, shared some delicousness with her from Lavender Moon Cupcakery, considered going to Target, decided against it, came home and watched Everybody's Fine (thumbs down) and now am going to read.

Furiously Walking

One of my 2010 goals is to participate in a race to raise money for a worthy cause. I decided to participate in the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure®. I put together Furiously Walking, a team to participate in the 5K walk on June 5, at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Up to 75 percent of the Komen Global Race's net income stays in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to fund local screening, treatment and education programs for the medically underserved. The remaining dollars support the Susan G. Komen Global Promise Fund, a program dedicated to reaching underserved people in areas where breast cancer mortality rates are the highest.

With your help, there's no limit on how much can be raised and the impact we can make. Help me reach my goal for the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure!

Today I am grateful for clementines, being really happy for other people's good news, a short commute, the bright azaela blooms in my yard (so colorful and springy!), sunshine, green monsters (I am hooked!), health insurance, and doing my best to stay aloha.

Today I got up early and run/walked for 3.4 miles, went to work, smiled every time I saw the pink and yellow gerber daisies on my desk, had a nice chat with my mom, went to Takoma Park, found the perfect birthday gift for my honorary Jewish grandmother at a hippie store, met with my writer's group for dinner, went to a fiction reading at my alma mater, bought the book (will review later, have read a few stories and am really liking so far), connected with some fellow alums and my favorite teacher, left around 10 (on a school night!), spoke with my cousin about her upcoming summer wedding (love is in the air! so exciting!), came home, found my hippie wool dryer balls (use instead of fabric softener to make clothes soft and static-free) arrived from Vermont, and am going to read a little then go to bed.

A Collection of Beauties at the Height of Their Popularity

A Collection of Beauties at the Height of Their Popularity by Whitney Otto is a collection of interconnected short stories. She calls it a novel but I disagree. Short story collections are not my favorite genre but when it's done well I can appreciate it. And this book does it very well. A Collection of Beauties at the Height of Their Popularity is almost hypnotic in its beauty. At times brutal in its honesty, it is tempered by endearing characters. 30/100

In the Sanctuary of Outcasts

In the Sanctuary of Outcasts by Neil White. My colleague lent me this book and I read it very fast, as the writing is very John Grisham-y. The author wanted to make a change in his life but hadn't made it yet. 29/100

2010 Goals: March Progress

I set specific 2010 goals so here's an update on March progress.

1. I read 6 books this month, raising my yearly total to 28. I thought I would read more in March but I ended up not finishing a lot of books. I used to finish every book I started, but now I just give it a chance (a few chapters) then I can abandon it.

2. I met with one member of my writing group (the other member was still away at the retreat) and workshopped his story. We have plans for an April meeting.

3. Submit... This I still have not done yet.

4. Blog regularly — this I am doing. This is my 61th post of the year, which means I am on track for 200 blog posts this year. After I got back from Hawaii I slacked a little bit on posting.

5. Spring is in the air! And I'm ready to lace up my sneakers and walk, jog, and run! I've been training for the upcoming Earth Day 5K with several short walks and one long walk per week. Now that it's nice out, I really enjoy exercising outside.

6. This month I ate more meat than I have in a long time. Mostly because it was easy or I was starving. Also most of the meat-y meals I had were not very healthy and I didn't feel good after eating them. I am now trying to be prepared for such occasions by having easy/fast veggie meals ready in the freezer.

7. & 9. This month I did some new things with My Heart's Desire in Hawaii. We rented a Jeep Wrangler (fun!) and went up to Haleakala National Park, where we hiked and admired the views from the volcano, drove to Iao Valley State Park and enjoyed. We took hundreds of photos on our trip.

8. Seeing friends. This month I caught up with a friend over a mani-pedi, celebrated My Heart's Desire's birthday and his friend's birthday with a nice dinner, met up with pals for cupcakes, had lunch with a friend, had a pre-wedding extremely fancy mani-pedi with the bride the day before the wedding (my nails never looked better), witnessed the wedding, and enjoyed a luau with the bride, groom, and their families and friends. I exceeded my goal of seeing friends at least once a week.

10. Photo taken of My Heart's Desire and I did not happen. We had the opportunity in Maui but didn't take it.

Today I went for a walk/jog in Rock Creek Park (it is so green and alive!), got a manicure (Mademoiselle), met a mentee for lunch at one of my favorite restaurants (Indian buffet nom nom), got the battery replaced in my running watch, came home and hung out, My Heart's Desire and I went on a date (dinner + a movie) and now I'm going to read.

Beach Books

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman. I bought this because I love her previous book Kiss My Tiara, which I get a big kick out of (and even gave a copy to a friend in January). But Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven was simply awful. 24/100

Pieces of Happily Ever After by Irene Zutell is a fluffy book with LA drama and a few laughs. 25/100

Lost and Found by Jacqueline Sheehan tries a little hard, even the stock characters have quirks reminiscent of Ally McBeal, but it was better than staring at the back of the seat in front of me. 26/100

The Monk Downstairs by Tim Farrington was perfect for the beach. A single mom with a precious young daughter (naturally) rents out her basement apartment to a former Monk and of course complications ensue. 27/100


Moloka'i by Alan Brennert was awesome. This book starts in the 1890's and follows 7-year-old Rachel from her family to a quarantined settlement the island of Moloka'i. Well-written and interesting, it took a little while to connect to the story but it ended up being better than I expected. Enjoy this book with a cold beverage (orchid optional). 28/100