Queen Nette and King Car

Queen Nette (my favorite cousin) has sent me the beloved King Car. This is a drink I will not offer/negotiate/share/give to anyone. Not even if you're dying of thirst. Well, okay, I'll give you a tiny sip to hold you until we can get another beverage. But other than that, hands off, People. King Car is mine. I don't care if you're part of the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the last, surviving kid on the planet wishes a bottle of this tea. Na-uh--don't come knockin' on my door.



I checked for the tea's online sellers, and they charge about $3 per bottle! More proof that it's damn good. I'd pay, but thankfully Queen Nette has bestowed upon me six beautiful bottles of it. Thank you, your majesty.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I'm glad you're my dad because you're not afraid of new places, new challeges, and new ideas. Plus you've got mad skills on fashion and taking care of grandkids!

Love, Boo

On my mind

Is it just me, or do some people in Human Resource departments think they��re God? Note to a handful of them: Get off your high horse.

I have way-cool self-secrets.

I��ve decided not to call Templeton stuck-up; he is just bashful like me.

I should be getting high school video from an old friend soon; I can��t wait to see it!

Friend Frank makes me laugh.

If you come into a library with kids, supervise them please.

After my blonde brownies debacle, I feel discouraged about attempting another dessert, but in light of my positive thinking challenge, I will attempt chocolate-almond biscotti soon.

I prefer working weekends than weekdays?less crowded at the stores!

I miss Khayleb Cole and Emma Lolita mucho.

Why haven��t I heard from Carla?

I need to buy a set of good-quality knives.

Sometimes I miss working in D.C.

I have to write to two of the librarians I met at the Conference. They��ve been waiting since June.

Anybody want to design a business card for me?

As Khayleb used to say after our Land Before Time skit, "Buh end."

Puzzle me this

Yes, it was one of those days where I just relaxed with a puzz on my layz. Eeboy.

Project LISTEN: The power of positive thinking by N. Peale

This will be the first audiobook review in this blog. Thus it will be named Project LISTEN.

The ideas reinforced throughout this audiobook is to read the bible, memorize powerful lines from the bible for those times of weakness, self-doubt, and insecurity, and obviously, foresee life as a positive journey.

At first the author's voice (old-guy voice, but positive!) was distracting, but he did offer some common sense, easy-to-practice behaviors.

So I'm training my brain's default thought to be: Be + 'yo. I'm going to give the bible a shot by checking out the children's version at the library (I'm trying!) and then see where it goes from there.

Be +. Yo.

See? It's already working. It's all good.

Templeton update

Templeton tends to hide himself beneath the fake plant when I'm around, and I don't know why. I feed him every day before I go to work, tap his glass in an attempt to get him to swim around for me, change his water. Perhaps he's bashful? Perhaps snobbish? It was a challenge to even get this shot because he would always turn his back (fins) to me.


I finally did, but had to turn off the lights and use my flash to get it. And you can tell he's swimming away from me here too. I swear he looks at me with his fish-eyes and wants to tell me something.

Seems fishy to me ... Can you explain it?

Blonde brownies

As promised. Straight out of the oven and into my blog. Is that fresh or what?

Ssssshhhhhhh-ing the librarian

Today a customer put me in my place. I was in my office talking to the computer support guy about various issues, and the next thing I know, a man comes near my doorway and motions to me that it is a no-talking zone.

Whoa!

My reflex was to say, "How dare you!" But I controlled my inner bad-ass because, after all, he was right. There are signs stating that it is a quiet study area. I apologized and proceeded to close my office door.

I am home right now writing this, and I am still a bit in shock. No one has ever ssssshhhhh-ed me. The librarian. Honestly, I'm kind of glad it happened because it reminded me that libraries continue to be a place where people come to do some no-nonsense studying. And damn those that don't read and practice what the posted signs say.

Sorry guy.

Two heads

I just want to kiss 'em!

Project READ: Phi Beta bimbo by Trish Jensen

The only thing I liked about this book was that the plot took place in Virginia, and I knew what locations they referred to since I used to live there. I wasn't too keen on the rest, but I forced myself to finish it.

I don't even want to summarize it further or rate it. Does that say it all or what?!

Project READ: Elements of Style by William Strunk

Once in a while, I need to remind myself of the rules of grammar. Elements of Style is a perfect rule book for writing. If you're still wondering if the punctuation mark goes inside or outside the quotation mark, or if you should join independent clauses with a comma, or if the verb matches the plural or singular subject, or just how to write coherently [not like this paragraph you're reading right now], then this book will do you some good.

Plus the illustrations in it are cool.

I rate it 4 out of 5 bookmarks because I simply like English and would almost buy it for my bookshelf at home.

5 minutes a day

I'm trying out a new, simple concept--for five minutes a day, put things away. Let me tell you, it has done wonders for me.

My dining table is no longer topped with files to put away, old newspapers, and a stapler that doesn't work. My bedroom floor is not littered with shoes and dirty clothes. There indeed exists a flow of dishes and utensils from the sink to the dishwasher and into the cabinets.

All I need to do now is spend 15 minutes a day ironing, and I'll be caught up with all my housework. Aaaaahhhh, it's nice to come home to a decent-looking home with no clutter to stress me out.

Excuse me while I enjoy my shows and work on my puzzle. I don't think my wrinkled clothes'll mind.

When in Rome

September 13-17, that's when! Flight and hotel confirmed today. I haven't been this excited in a long, long time!

I'm so intrigued with the stuff I'm reading so far. There are so many places to see! One of my travel books even offers this advice when eating in Italy:

• Don't ask for salt unless you want to offend the cook.
• Italians dress with impeccable style at most meals, so brush up when eating out.
• In an Italian home you can, and should, fare la scarpetta (make a shoe) with your bread and wipe plates clean of sauces.
• Bite through hanging spaghetti rather than slurp it up.

I'm counting the days until I can say Arrivederci! Send me an email using an Italian word before I go, and I promise to send you a cool souvenir from one of the sights.

Wow-wa-wee-wa

I love the character, Borat of Da Ali G Show; that type of humor is just my kind. If you're in the States, lucky you; you get to enjoy the movie before I do.

For me , the best part of his act is when he exclaims, "Wow-wa-wee-wa!" to the unsuspecting American targets in his skits.

You've gotta watch the show to know what I mean.

Sleepyhead

I'm sleepy. I'm going to sleep. Good night.

[yaaaaawwwwnn]

Destination: Italy

The horrific events in the UK have indeed scared me into not visiting the country at this time. So I'm doing my research on Rome, Italy. I know that change of location doesn't guarantee my safety, but I think the sights are equally worthwhile to see. And did someone say PASTA?

Hotel Borromeo is a perfect location in the city, don't you think? I expect to make bookings by midweek because the more I put it off, the more I put it off.

Note to Mom: I know you want to see Rome. It would be wonderful if you and Dad accompanied me. In the meantime, just think of it as my tour guide preparation for your next visit.

Pedal to the metal

My driving record has been very stable and within the law in the past five years. During my existence, I have been issued eight tickets--six for speeding and two for running a red light, which is essentially speeding if you think about it. The tally is six on Guam, one in Maryland, and one in Delaware. On Guam, I got two speeding tickets within two weeks!

The last year I got a speeding ticket was in 2001, I think. The state trooper got me on his radar, and I had to pay an $80 fine. Since then, I have not been ticketed because I truly have been more cautious. I remind myself to drive defensively,not offensively. Plus I realize that $80 can be spent on a really nice blouse or be used as a VISA payment. Yes, it takes that kind of reasoning to realize that my safety and the safety of others is indeed important on the road.

Why do I bring this whole speeding ticket history issue up? Because I ain't as bad as this woman. She got 70 speeding tickets in five months!

Project READ: Baby proof by Emily Giffin

Giffin's writing style has a rhythmic flow to it. It wasn't an action-packed suspense, but rather a comfortable, I-can-dig-it plot about a woman named Claudia who refuses to have children with her husband Ben (since it was a mutual agreement before the wedding vows). After a divorce, a chunk of time spent apart from each other, and the attempts to move on with her life, the successful, beautiful, 35-year-old grammarian, Claudia, follows her instincts yet again. Read it to find out if she's baby-proof after all.

The Raquel-o-meter:4 out of 5 bookmarks. I am guilty of literally judging a book by its cover many a time, and since this book looked kind of fun, I anticipated it to be a mindless, romance read. I am glad, however, that it turned out to be a mid-deep thought-provoking novel. Nice work, Giffin.

Is it a sign?

The first four words of this headline scare me:
U.K.: Plot to bomb U.S.-bound planes thwarted.

Uh, maybe I shouldn't go to London for that vacation getaway just yet. I don't like to plan my life around what-ifs, but perhaps I should re-schedule or research another destination. I've had my share of bomb threats, anthrax testing, and emergency evacuations. All I want to do is relax and take pictures of pretty things.

World peace, People. Let's do it.

Category: other

In my newfound love for black and white movies, I couldn't help but to frown at this scene in From here to eternity. The sky and ocean just don't look right like that, do they?


I just really love looking at my dining set while I sit on my La-Z-Boy.


In my dessert-making stupor, I made Chocolate Peanut-butter Parfaits last night. Result? Yum, but tripling the cool whip/chunky peanut-butter layer would have made it yummier. Next attempts? Stay tuned for Orange Cheesecake Dreams and Blonde Brownies.

Vacation update: All research point to London, possibly in September!

Fair airfare

I'm doing a bit of research on airfare for a week-long getaway from work, home, etc. Why? Because I am sooooooo due for a vacation.

Oslo, Norway came to mind first. Roundtrip from my airport to Oslo costs only 44.46 Euro or $56.98!

London, UK $25.22
Rome, Italy $48.01
Glasgow, Scotland $125.95
Tampere, Finland $140.96
Dublin, Ireland $217.87

Oh, where to go, where to go? Which destination would you choose? Wanna come with me?

Sweets

I actually made sweets this weekend. Two kinds in one day! Honest, I did. Take a look below. I opened up a recipe book that I had in storage and ta-da ...


Tropical Fruit Bars - Pretty good, but I'd double up on the cream cheese/crushed pineapple layer if I make it another time.


Frozen Apple Sauce 'n Fruit Cup - Perfect for breakfast! And so easy to put together.

Gin, I know you're proud of me. :]

Keep it bold

MY GOD! Librarians forward/send information GALORE! Although it is Saturday today, I have spent most of the day at my office catching up on emails I have set to the side. I am too embarrassed to tell you how many I set to the side. Let's just say that April messages are still in bold in my inbox. Shame on me.

I'm complaining about it now, but I know that the emails contain useful information regarding the "library world." Believe it or not, librarians are very competitive, and we feel the need to share with other librarians what new feature is out there, library-related journal articles, this, that, etc. At least we like to share.

Hey, I just came up with a new phrase: Information Assault. I am a victim of Information Assault.

Shame on me again because I don't even subscribe to library discussions lists like I should! I'd have to live in my office if I did that! Shoot, I've got movies to watch, food to eat, romance books to read, puzzles to assemble, naps to take, a blog to update, shopping to do, and places to see! Laundry too.

I wish had the input capacity of Johnny 5 [more input, more input], but I don't. Oh well, 'Just keep it bold 'til later' is what I think.

I'm taking a break after I read this [freakin'] 84-page article titled: A Fresh Look at Public and Leadership Attitudes About Libraries in the 21st Century. Want me to email it to you? Just read it in December.

Templeton and me

He is doing just fine--alive (so far!) and swimming when I get home.

Outlets in EU

In case you ever need to visualize this information.

This is what European power and phone outlets looks like.

Auntie Terri's kitchen

Auntie Terri and Uncle Jack are visiting Germany again. And boy, I am glad they are here. Why? Because Auntie Terri spoils me with homemade meals. And sometimes she delivers it to my work!

I'm talking about mongos, red rice, barbeque ribs, chicken kelaguen, tatiyas, bread (from scratch!), and best of all, just recently, buchi-buchi (pumpkin-filled pastry)!

I remember my grandmother's mongos. It was the best damned mongos in the entire universe. She would pack it in an empty mayonnaise glass jar to take home for "later."

When I visited Auntie Terri this morning, I told her about my grandmother and said glass jar while she was opening her cabinets. She responded, "Hey, that's what I was looking for!" She didn't have any, but packed "enough" in a tupperware. Then she sent me on my way, arms full with breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

How cool is that?!

Don't get jealous, Mom. :) You know you're my #1.

Weekend with Benny

Blowing bubbles, visiting the toy store, shopping, eating, acting silly, and saying VROOM-VROOM with my toy cars. That's what Benny and I did over the weekend.

Thanks, Alice and Ryan! Or, as Benny would say, "Tha tu." I hope to babysit him again--after I recharge. :)

Screw you, lady

You know when you're in line at the store waiting to hear the word "next" from the clerk at the counter? Sometimes the fellow customer in front of or behind you thinks you're dying to strike up a conversation to kill the waiting time. You try to show, without being rude, that all you want to do is continue reading the book in your hand. But the over-friendly neighbor doesn't get it. She thinks that you were put on this earth to hear her bitch and moan about her internet and cable problems, and each time you try to voice your opinion, she cuts you off as if you were her servant.

Well, after two minutes of that, all I could do was turn my back on the snob and keep my eyes on my book.

She eventually honed in on my vibe, and after a few seconds, honed in on the customer in front of me.

Poor guy. He should've brought a book and his balls.