spring?

Wow. What a beautiful weekend. Were you out enjoying it? I definitely was. Sure, I had some errands to run, but I was also out just walking around aimlessly for awhile before those errands. Spring is still kind of a new phenomenon to me, kind of like fall. Though I'm now on my third spring, technically. In Texas we had...maybe a day or two. And since there wasn't this period of about three months (give or take a couple of weeks) at least of really cold weather...those days weren't as appreciated.

But regardless...isn't it so nice to be out and feeling the sun on your skin? And the sun with that nice, cool, spring breeze. Ok...I'd rather spend most of today outside as well. Or the next several, but there will be plenty of time I'm sure.

I definitely wasn't the only one. The restaurants with sidewalk areas were nearly all spilling over into the streets with people waiting for tables. And there were many more people out than I've been used to seeing.

Hope you were able to enjoy it! I'm already looking forward to next weekend to spend my afternoons outside again. Assuming it's nice again.

St. Patrick

Ah...so Tuesday is the glorious, great green day in March when so many people are Irish (either to get a kiss or to not get pinched). But much like Valentine's Day...there's not a lot about tomorrow that's actually related to the saint. Ok, maybe Ireland. And shamrocks...and by a stretch with the two of those...green. Any snakes going to be out and about tomorrow? And what do snakes have to do with anything?

Ok, that last one I still haven't quite figured out.

From what I've gathered, not much is known. There are, of course, a few basic facts that can be attributed to, let's say a year...give a take a couple. But one thing that has been established is that St. Patrick's first introduction to Ireland was as a slave. From a Roman family, he was kidnapped from Britain and taken to "Erin" to herd sheep. During the six years of his slavery, he turned to religion to help him through, and the legend says he had a dream that told him to leave for the coast, which he did, and there he was able to convince sailors to take him back to his family. Shortly after, he began his ordination studies.

After becoming a bishop, he was sent back to Ireland to spread his religion. And this he did successfully, in part, some argue, because he was so familiar with the people, their customs and their language due to his earlier enslavement.

Forty years later...he died on March 17, 461.

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

More on St. Patrick:
The man behind the green beer and myth
St. Patrick Catholic Encyclopedia
Saint Patrick Wikipedia

silence...

So after posting my snow pictures I kind of disappeared, but not by any means on purpose. You see...several hours after posting my snow pictures...my laptop died. And was dead for about a week. Somehow over the weekend my friend brought it back (yay!). He says it in part fixed itself, but considering how it didn't fix itself Tuesday, I'm still giving him credit.

I've been a little afraid to get started on some writing since it was brought back to life, waiting for it to pass away, for real this time, at any moment before my new one reaches me and gets all set up. But it's a cold, overcast day...one of those great days for writing. Plus, my writer's group had some great suggestions last week that I'd like to play around with.

I do need to run to the store too. With St. Patrick's Day coming up I'd like to continue my fairly new tradition of making some Irish soda bread. I make mine without raisins, though I'm a little curious to try it with raisins. And in honor of the day...

Health to you and yours; to mine and ours
If mine and ours ever come across you and yours,
I hope that you and yours will do as much for mine and ours
As mine and ours have done for you and yours.

snow

Ok, so yesterday I'm talking about gelato and how I can't wait for it to open so I can get gelato any time I want (is my joy at this new venture coming through yet?) and then it snows, taking my mind far off ice cream of any kind.

But it was so nice to have an unexpected snow day, and then of course to hang out at home, where it was warm and enjoy the snow falling. Though of course, I didn't do that for too long. I did somehow manage to convince myself to go out around and take some pictures. Though it was a little too cold to go all the way down to the mall again and take pictures in the snow.

And the best part was coming back home, changing into warm sweats with my heat cranked up and making some hot chocolate from Williams Sonoma. I was tempted to go back to ACKC, but at that point I was already closer to my apartment and was cold! Besides, I hadn't made the Williams Sonoma hot chocolate in awhile, and I could make that from the comfort of my own kitchen.

Anyway, it's back now to editing and writing. I'm working on editing a chapter that I think I'll submit to my writers' group, and then I've also had a story in the back of my mind that I'm kind of playing around with. It's still YA, but it's different from the series I'm working on, and so far I really like the two main characters. Who knows, maybe I'll have a chapter for my group for thoughts.

ask and you shall receive

A few people who know me know of my love for gelato. Ok, even if you don't know me, I think I've mentioned it here a few times. However, there really aren't any gelateria places in my neighborhood, at least not that I've found. There are several relatively nearby, but a metro ride away and something that would take planning. Not waking up or hanging out in my apartment and thinking...hmmm...I'd really like some gelato right now.

And yes, I can and have bought some delicious gelato from Whole Foods, but it's not the same thing.

So imagine my delight when walking home the other night I happened to look into a tiny little store and seeing the sign that some gelateria was opening soon.

It will be a very exciting day when it opens. Yes, to reiterate, it is the little things in life.

buying local

About a week or so ago, while doing my weekly shopping at Whole Foods, I stopped in the ice cream section to pick up some more gelato. It wasn't a particularly cold weekend then, which is why gelato didn't seem like such a crazy idea. But while looking over the selection, deciding if I wanted to try a new flavor, I saw a little note underneath one shelf of ice cream: Local brand!

And what struck me were the flavors. There was orange chocolate chip (which is what I ended up buying) and rice pudding, and unfortunately I can't recall the other flavors but they were just as unique. It was the first instance where the local product really caught my attention. I think in the past I've bought some local produce before, and of course the farmer's market in my area each week, but it never really jumped out at me. I think what did it was the uniqueness of the flavors.

And of course...the ice cream was delicious! I don't recall the name of the brand, only that it was from Manassas, and it's definitely one I'll pick up again. About a year ago I'd started following a blog, Local Feast, which at the time was a seasonal experiment. And then I don't think I've really become aware of any such organization, but in NW Montana, there is a Buy Local organization with a logo to really get its point across and increase the recognition of local products and local businesses in the area. It kind of reminds me of the USDA organic labels. At one glance you know it's organic and will pick it up, if that's what you're shopping for of course. And of course the website will list the members so if you're shopping for something specific, and know you want to buy local, then take a look at the businesses.

I think part of the appeal is of course boosting local economies and even getting to know the local businesses on a personal basis. But also...as I discovered with the ice cream, there's more room for experimentation, which is fun. Rice pudding flavored ice cream?

Ah, after a quick search, I did see something in this area: Local First DC, for one. And others that a quick search will yield.

review: just listen by sarah dessen

Some of you may know that I have been reading more and more Young Adult fiction while working on my own writing, and while looking for more reads, particularly those that are talked about a lot to see what works and how certain issues are addressed, there are several writers who come up repeatedly. I read this book a couple of weeks ago after hearing much about Sarah Dessen. And I think that this was a great introductory book to her writing.

Just Listen is the story about Annabel Greene, a girl who, from the outside, came from a close-knit, happy family, was part of the in-group at school and also modeled part-time. But things are not what they seem, and after what appears to be a misunderstanding, Annabel is no longer friends with her "best" friend, and finds herself alone, in part self-imposed. And then there's her family, her beautiful, middle sister who has an eating disorder no one will talk about at first, or face. And rather than bring these topics up, or tell her friends what really happened last spring, Annabel seems to tell herself that, in a way, its better this way.

And then there's Owen. The school loner who she begins to become friends with and who ultimately helps her open up and tell people what's happening, when before she claimed she was only "being nice." And that's a moment I know I've had, when you really should say something, but you don't.

What I liked about Just Listen, other than the writing of course, which was brilliant and fresh, but was the aspect of music. Owen is a music fiend, he loves it and constantly has it playing, saying that it saved him back during his rough time. While I can't pinpoint any moment where I started listening to music more, I did relate. I love music and find the static silence near unbearable. Who knows how many times I've had to put in either my angsty rock music or some Fiona Apple or Tori Amos, and then of course my dance music. And in the evenings to unwind, its either some lounge or classical. But I could definitely relate to the music and the need for its presence.

The writing, as I mentioned earlier, is fantastic. And there's great character development, especially with Annabel but also her sisters and new friends (and some old friends too). Whitney's change was subtle, which it would be if it happened to my sister and me too. Little changes that eventually add up, even if you don't quite notice them as they're taking place. And no matter what age group you're writing for or reading, it's those little things that really make a story real.

valentine's day

When I was growing up, holidays were always a big thing in the house. And not like big, party big, but there was always...something for the holidays, even the smaller ones like Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day. You know, of course we did things for Christmas, Easter and Halloween. But for Valentine's Day, what I remember is that my parents would put little Hershey kisses around the house, and divide up the rooms between my sister and me. When she and I woke up, we'd get to search through our respective rooms for our kisses (and for anyone who is unfamiliar with the whole sibling rivalry thing...having lets say three rooms each ensured that we'd get the same number of kisses).

Last year, flying back from California, I had an unexpected layover in Texas over the President's Day weekend. I first had a four hour layover where my Mom picked me up and took me out to lunch, but when I got back to the airport, I learned that my next flight was oversold and they were asking people to volunteer to give up their seats. Ordinarily it doesn't seem like such a great idea, but an extra, unexpected night back home? Sign me up!

When I got home that night and poured a glass of wine in the kitchen, I saw a Hershey kiss perched on the side of the kitchen counter on a small shelf with some of my Mom's collectibles. My reaction? "Oh my gosh, you're still doing this?!" After all, this was my first Valentine's back home for about six or seven years. I thought it was so awesome that she still put kisses around for my sister. And...when I woke up the next morning, more kisses had appeared throughout the house for me. Granted, my sister and I no longer have to divide up the rooms.

There are some things you just don't get too old for. And while she's no longer able to hide kisses around the house, or my tiny little apartment, I did receive a little package in the mail the other day with a handful of kisses inside. I almost feel the urge to place them along my bookshelves and cabinets, to pick one up whenever I need a little bite-sized piece of chocolate.

rare footage of arctic unicorns

One of the many things I wanted to be while growing up was a marine biologist. I was fascinated by whales and used to check out all the books on whales at the local library when I was little, studying what I could on my own. And even though much of that knowledge has faded away in the last fifteen years, I've still held a fascination with these giant, graceful creatures.

Because they are giant and incredibly graceful.

So I was extremely happy to see this article on the BBC earlier, and to take a look at one of the species I wasn't able to find a lot of information on: 'Arctic unicorns' in icy display.

And I've even thought of what kind of stories I could craft around marine biologists just to delve back into that research and create the career that maybe could have been. I know it would definitely be fun to imagine it.

teaser

Those of us in the District were teased yesterday, and for a good part of today, with the weather. We were given a taste of what Spring will be like when it's here, and I don't know about you, but it made my mouth water for more. Yesterday was one of those days where I just love living here. I went out and window shopped to enjoy the weather, stopped in at Borders, and...I don't know, when I came out and headed up the street...I just felt so good. Maybe it was the way the sunlight reflected off the glass buildings, or the very faint breeze, or the sunshine on my skin again.

One thing I've come to discover about living in the mid-Atlantic is that I really am a sunshine kind of girl. In Texas, I used to love cloudy weather. But now...I crave my sunshine. I don't know, maybe it was those four years in sunny California that did it.

And so I kept my fingers crossed getting ready for work this morning, just hoping that Phil would not see his shadow. But it was not to be. So...I am trying to think positive thoughts about six more weeks of winter. Six more weeks of hot chocolate and staying warm under my down comforter while watching a movie, six more weeks of curling up with a great book, six more weeks where these gem of a day will be even better than a breath of fresh air...

Still...I also try to think that it had to have been cloudy somewhere today, right? Some groundhog had to not see his shadow. Maybe that one will be more accurate. Because...I can still do my reading at a coffeehouse outside in the sun with a glass of iced soy chai...and that would be just as nice.

happy new year!

Again!

It's the Chinese New Year, welcoming in the year of the Ox. And what a good time to enter into the year of the Ox. Ox is said to bring prosperity, but I think some of that is through patience and hard work. Which maybe we, in general, haven't really worked on...judging by the current economic climate.

But I want to steer away from that subject, as there are many who study those kinds of things for a living writing on the topic. I just wanted to wish you all a very good Ox year! And maybe hope for a little oxen prosperity too.

I have always been fascinated by astrology, Western and Chinese. It's a very interesting personality study. As far as Chinese astrology is concerned, when I was growing up I felt I had lucked out by just barely making it into the year before me due to the way the Chinese new year fell that year. I am a dog, just making the cut before the year of the pig. According to Wikipedia, the dog is:

"Dog (Yang, 3rd Trine, Fixed Element Metal): Honest, intelligent, straightforward, loyal, sense of justice and fair play, attractive, amicable, unpretentious, sociable, open-minded, idealistic, moralistic, practical, affectionate, dogged. Can be cynical, lazy, cold, judgmental, pessimistic, worrier, stubborn, quarrelsome."

Which, looking over those, a lot of those characteristics fit in with my zodiac sign, Aquarius (oh, if you look at the Dog page over on Wikipedia, it says that it is roughly associated with Aquarius! Imagine that).

Even though I like being a Dog, I still think it would have been fun to be Tiger or a Dragon. How cool would that be? But...overall, again, I'm pretty content with my signs: Aquarian and Dog. And I think I once read somewhere that in Native American astrology I was an otter. Fun!

ballet

I used to dance. Growing up, I took ballet for several years (along with soccer, which sometimes made Saturday mornings very busy). And then I took dance all throughout high school, which was granted more jazz and modern. But we did do an occasional ballet period after our concerts, and those classes always reminded me of these little muscles in your legs that really don't get worked much on a day to day basis.

But I always loved dance. And whenever I've stopped taking it, I always want to take it back up. And I do plan on it.

Today I made a little progress with getting back to dance. I still remember the ballet workouts and warm ups and all of that, so this morning I spent about 25 minutes working on some basic ballet warm ups. And about midway through, I was already thinking that those muscles I forget are there would definitely be reminding me they're still around come tomorrow and Monday. But it's good. I always feel better after dancing, no matter how tired I feel or how much my legs feel like jelly.

I think I may have to look back into those classes. There were some tomorrow. Hmmm...

And I think I'll be keeping up with the ballet at least. Even if it's just a short workout here and a short warm up there.

coffee cake

I should start off by saying that I don't bake. Sure, Ghiradelli has helped me bake brownies my co-workers enjoy, but that's adding water and oil and an egg. Not exactly baking from scratch, which is what I've really been wanting to do more of. Because...nothing smells better than something baking (which is why I don't mind baking brownies for work). But I had a nice long weekend this weekend and decided to try my hand at something a little more labor-intensive.

I've made several things from Giada's recent cook book: Giada's Kitchen: New Italian Favorites, and have loved almost everything I've made. The other night, just as an aside, I made the spiced Americano...mmmm. Not only did it taste sweet and delicious, but the smell! You make simple syrup, but add several spices to it, and it made my little studio smell almost like mulled wine.

Anyway, back to the baking. So I decided to try making the almond, pine nut and apricot coffee cake. Because...I love coffee and almonds, and pine nuts and a good coffee cake. So when I put the cake in the oven, I snuck a little taste of the batter just hoping to get an idea of what it might taste like. Because I don't know if it was the roasted nuts or the almond extract, but just mixing the batter together made me really hope the next fifty minutes went by quickly.

So when the time was up, and my apartment thoroughly saturated with those smells, and ample cooling time had passed, it was time to taste it. Now granted, Ok, not to give myself applause, particularly since it's not my recipe, but it was delicious. So good. It was just moist enough, and the scent from the almond extract floated up off the cake, and it kind of crumbled/melted in your mouth. And then there's the slight crunch of the toasted almonds on top. I was tempted right then to make another pot of coffee to go with a second piece, but...I somehow restrained myself. But I know what breakfast tomorrow will consist of.

So...here's another book recommendation for you. I'm really looking forward to trying something else. Hmmm...something warm for the winter. Or just maybe another coffee cake when this one's gone. Why not?

texas

I know. I'm late at posting this. But...I've been a little busy and this is the perfect weekend for catching up on things. Nice long four day weekend. And that's what I'm doing. I've been organizing and cleaning, little by little, so that it's not all done at once and feeling a little overwhelming.

But...I wanted to bring you up to date on my trip to Texas over the holidays. o any of you who travel home still feel that way? When I get off the plane and I'm walking through D/FW, it's like a burden has been lifted. No, that's not the way to describe it. But I can breathe easier. I know that I can relax, that things are chill here. It's a different way of life down there. And this trip I was really looking forward to.

Granted, this had also been the longest period of time I'd gone without a trip back there, but also because I knew that the day after Christmas, we were going to the King Tut exhibition at the DMA. I had meant to take a trip up to Philadelphia when it was there, but I didn't and I had kind of regretted that. So I'm really happy it came back to stop at a couple of other cities, and that Dallas was one of them. It was, of course, incredible.

And the one item that really stood out was this...necklace or pendent that really wasn't too big. Maybe a couple of inches. But the reason it stood out was because of the scarab. It had this kind of...pale green glass that the scarab was carved out of. Next to the display case there was a video that said the glass came from the desert, from this area where a meteor had come crashing down and exploded before hitting the earth. And the heat from that explosion melted the glass for miles, and that's where the glass came from. And of course there were more. I mean...the exhibition was artifacts from Ancient Egypt...talk about opulence. But that one item stuck out in my mind because of the glass.

I also of course got to catch up with some friends and had the best time with my sister. I was, I think, the only person in Texas looking forward to it warming up by the end of that week. I wanted some warmth before I came back to DC, and of course...they want their little cold spells to last as long as possible. But I got my wish and it warmed up to about 70 my last few days. And I'm already looking forward to my next trip, only I have no idea when that will be.

Hope everyone had a great holiday season! And here's to a great 2009!

new year's resolutions?

I'm really not big on the whole resolution thing. Because I don't understand why one should wait around for the new year to implement a change. If one wants something to change, then change it. Who cares if it's...November 14 or June 9 or some other random date. I can, and do, understand the whole out with the old, in with the new, of a starting a new year, but...again, change something when it comes to the realization that it should be changed.

That being said, I got to talking to someone the other day about resolutions and something did come to my mind, mainly because it's still within the first few days of January 1. Towards the end of last year, I started slacking in the language department. I studied/reviewed Italian even less than I was doing towards the end of the summer, and my French...well, let's just say that was fading away without even a "au revoir." So...I do have some resolutions, and that's to study my languages.

I'll set aside time each weekend for the Italian, and maybe another time during the week as well for a little review because once a week really isn't enough. And as for French, well...I did get a 2009 desk calendar that has a phrase per day. Granted, some of these in the beginning I already knew, but it's a little something. And I'll watch more French films. Speaking of which...I did hear that Borders was having a big sale so it might be time to stock up on some.

Phrase of the day today: C'est une urgence! (it's an emergency! urgence ). Can I use it in a sentence? Hmmm...c'est uneque j'étudie ma français!

I know, that may not be correct...but hey, I'm trying. Right?

hot chocolate

It's cold outside. Cold, and grey. And unfortunately you have to be out in it. Did I mention that, knowing my luck, it's probably windy outside too?

Thankfully I have finally visited ACKC on 14th Street. I am a big hot chocolate fan. In the winter time, I horde the stuff and during those really cold weeks, I make it just about every night. But a few weeks ago, I was walking with some friends down 14th Street, heading towards the Metro from some delicious Ethiopian food, when we passed ACKC. I had heard about this place, probably about a year ago when it first opened from Daily Candy, but I hadn't been before. So on a whim, we stopped by and stepped out of the cold to pick up hot chocolate. My drink? Bette Davis. It was the coconut flakes on top of the hot chocolate that got me, along with the almond syrup.

Well, that following Monday at work, I told several people about ACKC. We would get to talking about our respective weekends, and I would tell them about this place they had to try.

And right now...I'm really craving another hot chocolate drink, but that's going to have to wait until next week I think. I'm spending the holidays down South (and before you feel a twinge of jealousy, know that it's a little cold here too, at least so far it's been cold). I did just get online and try to Google a hot chocolate cafe, but there doesn't seem to be one. Sure, I can get a cup at Starbucks or Panera, but I want the red painted walls with the artwork and the small tables, and that smell of chocolate in the air. And, ok, I wouldn't mind seeing really wintry weather outside either.

So if you find yourself along 14th Street, I'd suggest stopping in for a cup. And in the summer they have some frozen drinks as well. I know that I, for one, will definitely be going there my first week back in DC. Enjoy!

books

"A written word is the choicest of relics. It is something at once more intimate with us and more universal than any other work of art. It is the work of art nearest to life itself. It may be translated into every language, and not only be read but actually breathed from all human lips; - not be represented on canvas or in marble only, but be carved out of the breath of life itself. The symbol of an ancient man's thought becomes a modern man's speech. Two thousand summers have imparted to the monuments of Grecian literature, as to her marbles, only a maturer golden and autumnal tint, for they have carried their own serene and celestial atmosphere into all lands to protect them against the corrosion of time. Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations. Books, the oldest and the best, stand naturally and rightfully on the shelves of every cottage. They have no cause of their own to plead, but while they enlighten and sustain the reader his common sense will not refuse them. Their authors are a natural and irresistible aristocracy in every society, and, more than kings or emperors, exert an influence on mankind."

- Henry David Thoreau
Walden

help name a novel!

A friend in my writers' group could use some help from you. He's written an FBI thriller, but has been told by some guinea pigs (the people who get to read or hear all about our novels before shopping it around) that the title could use some tweaking.

It's currently titled "The Bubble Gum Thief," and he has a poll going on over on his blog with some other title choices. Of course, even if he chooses another title, it could still get changed during the publication process, but who knows? Maybe the title you vote for will wind up on shelves and then you've taken part in the process.

So if you have a minute or two to spare, please go take a look at some of his other suggested titles and vote for your favorite!

NaNoWriMo

*Just wanted to edit this a little, because I totally met my goal and then some. As I'm writing this little update now, I'm at 22,358 words. And I still have a couple of more scenes in my head to get down on paper.

Yup, I'm a glutton for punishment. I'm participating again this year in the National Novel Writing Month. I'm really excited for the story I'm working on, but I've just been really, really busy so far for November and so I'm a little behind. Right now I'm currently at 18,851 words, but that will change in about half an hour as I'm working on it right now too.

My goal is to be at 20,000 words tonight, at least. I think it's totally doable. What I'm looking forward to is having a couple of days off at Thanksgiving where I'm going to catch up to the word count I'm supposed to be at, in order to be at 50,000 by the end of November.

Like how I'm saying "I'm going to catch up," as opposed to "I hope to catch up?"

fall

Even after three, well, four, falls here in DC I'm still not used to it. I love the crunch of the dried leaves underfoot on the sidewalks, I like seeing them carpet the red brick walkways and a canopy made of ruby and carnelian colored leaves, with the occasional bright yellow in between.

Because, you see...in North Texas, there's maybe a day or two of fall. And the leaves that do change don't change these brilliant colors. They turn brown. And then the next day they're gone. And of course, a day after that, the weather's back up to 70 or 80 (hey! sounds like DC weather lately!).

So I took advantage of the beautiful weather yesterday to walk around and just enjoy the leaves. I had my route mapped out, as I've seen some beautiful picture-perfect scenes on my walk to and from work, but I ended up walking around more than that. I went down to the mall, but as it was packed in anticipation of Veteran's Day (which, by the way, please thank a Veteran!) I skipped most of the monuments and instead came across the memorial to the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

I'd seen this lake before, but hadn't realized there was a memorial there until yesterday. Unfortunately as it was mostly overcast, which was a perfect fall day, my pictures came out a little darker than I had anticipated. But I'm hoping to go down to the National Gallery today and will take my camera with me.

When I first moved out here, I used to walk aimlessly around with my camera, taking pictures of whatever caught my interest. But I haven't been doing that lately. And there have been a few moments where I just think "oh, I wish I had my camera!" I'm going to have to remedy this and bring my camera with me.

Anyway, you can see more of my Fall pictures here. And if you live in DC, then you can also go out and enjoy because winter is approaching! Even if you wouldn't know it by the weather.