Good Reads

I was absolutely giddy in the library today.

Last week I was perusing the library's catalog for my next read, and saw that the status on the latest book by my one of my fav authors was "in progress." In progress, hmmm? Well when I checked today, it seems the progressing was complete and it was AVAILABLE. I raced up six flights of stairs (ok, raced up three and panted up three more) - just in case anyone was vying me for this book. But when I got to the shelf....it wasn't there. Greatly saddened, but not defeated, I thought to check the restocking cart. And there (I know the suspense is killing you) was this beauty...

Barbara Kingsolver's The Lacuna. I am so excited to start this one. But first, I really should finish my current read, The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. It's been interesting, but nearly 500 pages on economics is about all I need for a while (thus, the complete neglect of the required reading assignments for the economics class I am currently taking).

A few (depressing) snippets I've extracted from The World is Flat relating to the job market I am entering include...

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up.

It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed.

Every morning a lion wakes up.

It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death.

It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle.

When the sun comes up, you better start running.

(Maybe I'll just be a monkey or something. Is that an option?)

and...

"Girls, when I was growing up, my parents used to say to me, 'Tom, finish your dinner - people in China and India are starving.' My advice to you is: Girls, finish your homework - people in China and India are starving for your jobs."

But I like this less depressing excerpt too...

There is a saying in China that whatever you put in your head and your stomach, no one can take away from you.

Well hey, I'm pretty good at loading stuff into at least one of those.

Awesome.

Ok, so this came up on my yahoo news feed today...

Oldest person in US dies in NH at age 114

So, before I make some potentially inappropriate comments, obviously this woman is awesome and my heart goes out to her family.

But, couldn't the associated press have chosen a photo in which Mrs. Mary Josephine doesn't look like she's shaking her cane and screaming at us? ?

I'm also curious how the newly crowned oldest American reacted to the news.

According to the article, "The oldest living American is now Neva Morris, of Ames, Iowa, at age 114 years, 216 days."

Is she like, "hell yes, the title is mine!"? I mean, these have got to be feisty ladies to stick it out all these years; I'm sure neither would be opposed to some good-natured competition.

Celebrity Sighting!

I don't get sick often, but today I am yucky. I'm pretty sure that our secretary was getting tired of saying "bless you," and that I got a disgusted look while sniffling in the grocery section of Target. Don't you hate when you're in class or at your desk and can't stop sniffling and you start getting self-conscious, knowing everybody around you is grossed out?

Yes, I'm that person.

And I'm also person that starts freaking out in the presence of celebrities (or in this case, reality TV contestants). Apparently.

Ok, not freaking out, but I was really excited when two former Biggest Loser contestants walked into the restaurant I was at the other night. And I just happened to have my camera in my purse!

For the record, they don't live in Biggest Loser attire; they just came from some publicity event.

Could stalking food blogs be considered virtual cooking?

We got a new kitchen faucet today!! (for those of us who have been without hot water in our kitchen for almost a week now, this is very exciting).

I believe our faucet is now the newest renovation to this kitchen in about 20 years. But we've got bigger issues than a circa 1980s refrigerator (my mom was perplexed to find out that some people still use ice trays). Turn your attention to the great expanse (aka complete lack) of (pale green) counter space...

It really does put a damper on attempts to cook/bake. Not to mention, I don't really have anybody to cook for. Yet, I still have a wee obsession with food blogs (I'm kind of in love with Tastespotting). This has led me to a long list of (untested) recipes under my "bookmarks," just waiting for the day I have my own giant kitchen (or...visit my parents' counter-friendly abode).

Until then, these are just asking to be made...

(Heavenly Banana Pudding Squares)

and this....

(Roasted Potatoes with Apples & Oranges)

And this...

(Eggplant and Tomato Pizza)

(I have a freezer full of eggplant and cherry tomatoes from my garden at my parents' house!)