Ideas - Walk, Disconnect, Compost and Recycle.
May 30, 2009
Think Green
Here are photos for the May Theme - "Think Green".
Ideas - Walk, Disconnect, Compost and Recycle.
Ideas - Walk, Disconnect, Compost and Recycle.
May 29, 2009
Movies Worth Watching
1. Mamma Mia
Loved this movie. I laughed and sang my way through it. Meryl Streep is awesome. If you are an ABBA fan (and who would not be?!) you gotta check this out. Very campy. First time I think I've seen women in "drag". Quite fun. Have yet to see the stage show - on my list.
2. Angels and Demons
Much much better job by Ron Howard at telling a story. Not true to the book - but then again, after the DaVinci Code stinker there was no way to go but up. And while I'm on the subject why are women characters so unbelievable? Not a great movie, but it is a fun way to spend a couple of hours. And it brought back memories of Roma.
3. Slumdog Millionaire
Am I the only one who did not love this movie? Cute yes. But worthy of the Oscar? Nope. But then again have not been a huge fan of Oscar winners anyway. I liked that it was an indie movie, that it had the sleeper effect of building momentum from word of mouth recommendations. But not worth the buzz in my opinion.
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Another hyped movie that I do not recommend. Okay, the plot is unusual and I love both Brad and Cate, but honestly did this hold your interest? Only reason I finished watching the movie is that I was strapped in at 30,000 feet in an aluminum can hurtling through space and time.
Any movies out there worth watching?
Loved this movie. I laughed and sang my way through it. Meryl Streep is awesome. If you are an ABBA fan (and who would not be?!) you gotta check this out. Very campy. First time I think I've seen women in "drag". Quite fun. Have yet to see the stage show - on my list.
2. Angels and Demons
Much much better job by Ron Howard at telling a story. Not true to the book - but then again, after the DaVinci Code stinker there was no way to go but up. And while I'm on the subject why are women characters so unbelievable? Not a great movie, but it is a fun way to spend a couple of hours. And it brought back memories of Roma.
3. Slumdog Millionaire
Am I the only one who did not love this movie? Cute yes. But worthy of the Oscar? Nope. But then again have not been a huge fan of Oscar winners anyway. I liked that it was an indie movie, that it had the sleeper effect of building momentum from word of mouth recommendations. But not worth the buzz in my opinion.
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Another hyped movie that I do not recommend. Okay, the plot is unusual and I love both Brad and Cate, but honestly did this hold your interest? Only reason I finished watching the movie is that I was strapped in at 30,000 feet in an aluminum can hurtling through space and time.
Any movies out there worth watching?
May 28, 2009
ESMERALDA
Never a dull moment at the marina. Woke up to see this incredible ship coming in to dock. She is the training ship "ESMERALDA" from Chile, and is the currently the second tallest and longest sailing ship in the world. What a beauty. While docking the men were all in dress whites, lined up and singing with a band! Now that is cool. How come our navy does not do that?
May 27, 2009
Recent Reads
1. The Great Gatsby
Having been educated mostly in Kenya, I missed most of what is considered classic American lit. So have been slowly reading my way through them, and must say that I love what I had read so far. This book was no exception. Loved the story, the writing, the images conjured. I listened to the audio version and will go back to read it - such beautiful language. Also saw the movie (the remake) and did not like how Gatsby was played. I hear that original with Redford was much better (how could it not be with Redford as Gatsby?).
2. A Mercy
This is my book club selection for the month, and Morrison does not disappoint. Loved this book. I find it incredible that Morrison can create so much with such sparse language. The story of Europes and slaves, a mother and her daughter, loss. Incredible. On a side note, I got this book in large print from the library - could literally read the text from across the room. Can see how addictive that could be as one ages :-)
3. Careless in Red
I've read several books by the author and am usually disappointed with the endings - she simply seems to run out of steam. Not so in this one. This is a murder mystery with more meat to it than typical in that genre. Can parents really make their children into someone they are not? At what cost? How do people cope with loss? What secrets do we all keep hidden? An interesting read.
4. Buddha 4: The Forest of Uruvela
Reading these remind me of being a kid. Am loving the series.
Having been educated mostly in Kenya, I missed most of what is considered classic American lit. So have been slowly reading my way through them, and must say that I love what I had read so far. This book was no exception. Loved the story, the writing, the images conjured. I listened to the audio version and will go back to read it - such beautiful language. Also saw the movie (the remake) and did not like how Gatsby was played. I hear that original with Redford was much better (how could it not be with Redford as Gatsby?).
2. A Mercy
This is my book club selection for the month, and Morrison does not disappoint. Loved this book. I find it incredible that Morrison can create so much with such sparse language. The story of Europes and slaves, a mother and her daughter, loss. Incredible. On a side note, I got this book in large print from the library - could literally read the text from across the room. Can see how addictive that could be as one ages :-)
3. Careless in Red
I've read several books by the author and am usually disappointed with the endings - she simply seems to run out of steam. Not so in this one. This is a murder mystery with more meat to it than typical in that genre. Can parents really make their children into someone they are not? At what cost? How do people cope with loss? What secrets do we all keep hidden? An interesting read.
4. Buddha 4: The Forest of Uruvela
Reading these remind me of being a kid. Am loving the series.
May 26, 2009
Sea legs
Back home after 5 days on the boat. Looks like I've got my sea legs back for the season. The problem starts when I step back on land. It does not move - so am stumbling around like a drunken sailor this morning. Off to do land-lubber kinds of stuff.
May 21, 2009
Marina
Pics of my brother Sohan and family hanging out on the marina. Jonah is going through a phase where his tongue sticks out whenever a camera is pointed at him.
May 19, 2009
Photos by Luke
Hung out with my brother and family last Saturday at the marina. Here are some of the images that Luke captured that afternoon.
Recent Reads
1. The Book Thief
This young adult book is a great read. I love how the author constructs sentences. The tough part is that everything I was reading or watching that week had to do with Nazi Germany.
2. Sharing Nature With Children
Love this book. Wish I had found it while I was teaching. In any case, have already played some of the games with my nephews. A wonderful guide for adults who want to pass on their love of the outdoors to the next generation. Should be required reading for parents :-)
3. Art Forms in Nature
Love this book. Am blown away by both the skill of the artist and the wonder of nature.
4. Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man
A friend recommended this book to me, and I loved it. First time I've read the author, and she has an incredible way of telling a story. This book, like the Book Thief, is told from the point of view of a young girl. This one also covers really tough stuff, but is told in a humorous way. Laughed out loud at certain sections. And I needed a laugh - so the right book at the right time.
This young adult book is a great read. I love how the author constructs sentences. The tough part is that everything I was reading or watching that week had to do with Nazi Germany.
2. Sharing Nature With Children
Love this book. Wish I had found it while I was teaching. In any case, have already played some of the games with my nephews. A wonderful guide for adults who want to pass on their love of the outdoors to the next generation. Should be required reading for parents :-)
3. Art Forms in Nature
Love this book. Am blown away by both the skill of the artist and the wonder of nature.
4. Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man
A friend recommended this book to me, and I loved it. First time I've read the author, and she has an incredible way of telling a story. This book, like the Book Thief, is told from the point of view of a young girl. This one also covers really tough stuff, but is told in a humorous way. Laughed out loud at certain sections. And I needed a laugh - so the right book at the right time.
May 18, 2009
Random Musings
- A couple of weekends ago was browsing the Sunday paper and found a salmon/pea lasagna that looked yummy. Had our friends A & M over for a test kitchen of sorts. The lasagna was good, but not great - the verdict was that it needed more spice/zip.
- This past Saturday, watched the Volvo race in the harbor - talk about beautiful boats - what a treat to be able to sit in the cockpit and watch the action.
- Don't you just love making new friends? Did just that on Sunday at a brunch in Central Square.
- Am fighting a bug and having a sick day. Dudus be gone.
May 15, 2009
May 14, 2009
May 12, 2009
Need a break
I am currently reading this book and last night saw this movie and find myself steeped in Nazi Germany. This has some unpleasant side effects. For one, I am always hungry. The characters are always starving, and even though my tummy is full, find myself needing to eat. Then there are the nightmares. How can some people treat others this way? I simply cannot get my head (or heart) wrapped around it. Needless to say, I need a break and will be looking for something light to read next!
May 7, 2009
The Promised Land
I cannot quite believe it. First Massachusetts. Now (in no particular order) Connecticut, Maine, Vermont and Iowa (!) Could it be that we will get to the promised land in my lifetime? Way to go New England! Only New Hampshire and Rhode Island to go.
Recent Reads
1. Buddha 2
I gobble up these books in about an hour each. Love the skilled drawings.
2. Buddha 3
Ditto comment above
3. Watercolor Solutions
This is really a great book - though a touch too advanced for me. Am hoping some of it soaked in during the reading. Am sure will dip into this book again.
4. How to Be an Explorer of the World
A fun book complete with experiments. Will certainly be doing some of them.
5. Buddha Book
Since coming back from Thailand, have been checking out a wide variety of books and this is one I stumbled across. It is a book of Buddha images - several of which I saw while in Thailand. Interesting for its depiction of how various cultures view the Buddha.
6. The First Hour I Believed
Would not recommend this book, but it had enough of a pull for me to read all 700+ pages. There so many story lines - the Columbine shootings, 9/11, the Civil War, abolitionists to name a few. Interesting how the author weaved all those themes into the story - almost like he was working through his emotions around these events.
I gobble up these books in about an hour each. Love the skilled drawings.
2. Buddha 3
Ditto comment above
3. Watercolor Solutions
This is really a great book - though a touch too advanced for me. Am hoping some of it soaked in during the reading. Am sure will dip into this book again.
4. How to Be an Explorer of the World
A fun book complete with experiments. Will certainly be doing some of them.
5. Buddha Book
Since coming back from Thailand, have been checking out a wide variety of books and this is one I stumbled across. It is a book of Buddha images - several of which I saw while in Thailand. Interesting for its depiction of how various cultures view the Buddha.
6. The First Hour I Believed
Would not recommend this book, but it had enough of a pull for me to read all 700+ pages. There so many story lines - the Columbine shootings, 9/11, the Civil War, abolitionists to name a few. Interesting how the author weaved all those themes into the story - almost like he was working through his emotions around these events.
May 5, 2009
Random Musings
Been a weekend of highs and lows.
- Love that an unknown 100K horse won the Kentucky Derby. And there were no broken legs so none of the horses had to be put down - an added bonus
- My pal Shanna came for a visit, and it was fun hanging out, drinking wine and galloping
- News from India is that my Aunt Leelama has had a stroke and is in a coma
May 2, 2009
Wat Ratchaburana, Ayuthaya
Ayuthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This was the first wat we visited in Ayuthaya, and I was struck by how different it is in style from the ones in Bangkok. These old wats are simply interspersed with home, markets, etc. It's thanks to UNESCO funding that these structures even exist today and are not torn down. These sites are such an incredible record of human history. The photo set can be seen here.
Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, Ayuthaya
The incredible thing about this Wat is the sheer number of Buddha statues - they circle the entire courtyard. This is the only place in Thailand that I saw the "fat Buddha" that I think of as the "Chinese" Buddha - what is the connection I wonder? To see the entire photo set click here.
Wat Phu Khao Thong, Ayuthaya
It is fascinating to me how similar this Wat is to the Mayan temple of Chichen Itza. The complete photo set can be seen here.
Wat Maha That, Ayuthaya
One of the famous photos of Thailand wats is this one of the head of Buddha encircled by a tree. Much of this wat is being reclaimed by nature. It is sad to see all the headless Buddha statues - courtesy of the Khmer. To see the entire photo set click here.
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