Book Review: The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow

I was really not impressed by this book (but very happy to have at least added another book to my 2011 Reading List).  The Girl Who Fell from the Sky was like something I could have read in middle school.  The characters seriously lacked depth and the plot, which was really boring and uncomplicated, didn't make up for it. I guessed at the resolution to the main "suspense" early in the book.   It just left me wanting . . . 50 pages left to the  novel and I couldn't wait to get through it in hopes that something, anything would happen.  And it never did.  Also, I found the style of writing to be choppy and all over the place although I can respect that author's attempt at artistry in her writing.  

I wanted to like this book.  It promised to explore issues of race from the perspective of a biracial girl.  I was hoping for a wonderful peek into how a biracial girl, living in an urban (read: predominantly lower-income Black neighborhood) would negotiate her way in this setting.  The main character, Rachel, seems to deal with issues that would not be exclusive to her as a biracial girl.  The teasing is something that anyone who is different (i.e., who doesn't fall into the "normal" category for a particular culture which in this case is low-income, inner-city, Black culture) can expect.  Things like being ridiculed for not being "black" enough or trying to "act white" or being accused of thinking oneself better or smarter or just different.  And the character of Rachel doesn't handle herself in any way that would stand out.  In fact, the main issue Rachel seems to be dealing with is the psychotic behavior of her desperate mom and the repercussions of bad decisions.  And this is heavy stuff but Durrow keeps it at the cotton candy, fluffy sweet level and we never get to delve deeply into theses issues (and, as I was hoping, how they are complicated by the fact that Rachel is half-Black and half-White).  Some real potential there, I thought.  

The book really just fell flat, unfortunately.  Sorry, I can't recommend this one.  

Getting Friendly with Fat

I've deep into learning about the paleo/primal lifestyle and one of the things that's the hardest for me to embrace is eating more fat.  The reasoning behind why we should be eating more healthy fats (such as avocado and coconut oils) makes total sense: eating fat does not translate into one's body making fat (in much the same way eating high cholesterol doesn't mean you'll have high cholesterol).  But after doing Weight Watchers for over a year, it totally makes me nervous.  If I'm building a recipe in the recipe builder and add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to a recipe, the Points values per serving will indeed go up 3 or even 4 points sometimes.  But one thing I'm realizing is that if I eat more fat at a meal I feel fuller which means I look to eat less, i.e. no real need to snack.  So in that way, it all balances out at the end of the day.  But old habits die hard and psychologically I am still struggling to get friendly with fat.

On another note about paleo living, I have decided to take the transition really slowly.  On my 21st birthday, true to my all-or-nothing personality, I went vegan cold turkey.  I just stopped eating meat, eggs, cheese, milk and milk products--any kind of animal product.  And I think I did myself a huge disservice.  Had the transition been more gradual, I maybe would have noticed how badly I felt after eating particular things.  But I went from a standard American diet to a plant based diet just like that . . .  I didn't give myself a chance to compare the two really and kept feeling that I felt bad because I wasn't doing veganism well enough. It was my ideal and I held on to it for dear life until I just couldn't anymore.  So I kind of realize that paleo is basically the flip side of veganism.  In fact, it's probably the polar opposite.  It could be considered extreme but it really makes sense to me right now.  I guess the difference is that now I have all the wisdom I've gained over these years and a clearer perception.  I'm still on a quest for optimal health.  I haven't given up hope that I can get rid of my allergies.  Maybe improve my vision.  But I realize that there are genetics at play and maybe, even with all the dietary changes I could ever make, I may still struggle with these things.  That's okay.  I am willing to give paleo a good try.  30 day challenge.  Read as much as I can.  Listen to as much as I can (I've been listening to the Everyday Paleo podcast which is amazing--I've learned so much and it's perfect for me since the hosts are all parents . . . they relate everything to children and family which is just what I need).  And abandon ship if I feel worse.  But with just the minor adjustments I have made on the way to eating paleo full-time, I can say that my skin is clearer and I have more energy and alertness.  So I have a feeling that it may be for me (with an occasional cheat for organic popcorn)!

Isn't it interesting how much psychology plays into food, eating, weight loss and health? Especially for women.  

Math-u-See or something else?

For math instruction, we've been using Math-U-See.  We started out with RightStart Math which just wasn't a good fit for us.  The lessons were too long and kind of boring and I had way too much to do to prep for each lesson.  So far, we've been very happy with Math-U-See.  We watch the instructional DVD and then practice on our own and then do the accompanying worksheet.  We've learned a lot and I feel like the program is building a good foundation.  

I'm worried though.  Z1 doesn't seem to know how to subtract 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5.  It's very important that he masters them.  Math-U-See teaches these subtraction facts through addition and this approach is pretty cool (to me).  

Here's the method:

When subtracting 9, you need 1 to make hidden 10.

When subtracting 8, you need 2 to make hidden 10.

When subtracting 7, you need 3 to make hidden 10.

When subtracting 6, you need 4 to make hidden 10.

When subtracting 5, you need 5 to make hidden 10.

When subtracting 4, you need 6 to make hidden 10.

When subtracting 3, you need 7 to make hidden 10.

When subtracting 2, you need 8 to make hidden 10.

When subtracting 1, you need 9 to make hidden 10.

So in the example 15 - 9, the student would think "when subtracting 9, you need 1 to make 10 (the "10" in 15) so 15 - 9 = 5 + 1 = 6.  I don't know . . . looks confusing as I type it but the blocks make is so incredibly plain.

Anyway, the fact that Z1 doesn't know these facts makes me think that maybe MUS is not effective for him but I don't want to give up on the program just yet.  I've been drilling these facts on paper and on the computer and over the next two weeks, we will be doing these lessons over.  It's very important that he masters these facts before we move on to subtraction with regrouping.  

Z1 bucks at the idea of "going back" to Alpha level so I'll have to frame it in a different way.  Hopefully, this review will be all it takes to get these facts solidified in Z1's mind.  But I'm doing research and looking into Singapore and Saxon math.  Truth be told, though, I do not want to go down the road of looking for yet another math curriculum.  I hope Math-U-See works for this year at least.  

The 2011-2012 School Year is Upon Us

We're currently on a modified summer schedule for school.  Basically, Z1 is just doing drills and reinforcing what he learned last year and practicing his piano.  We're out and about so much that we can't really fit in much else.  As soon as August comes in though and the boys' activities wind down, we'll pick up the pace with our studies.  

In kindergarten, we'd been working for about an hour a day on math, reading/language arts, and handwriting.  Some days we'd do science or social studies (about twice a week).  Z1 will be entering first grade and so the amount of work we'll have to do is going to increase.

We're basically following The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer.  I will add and modify things as I see the need.

Math

We're going to continue using the Math-u-See curriculum.  Z1 is working on the Beta level.  I will be adding to this program using the Big Math 1-2 workbook (finishing it up), Daily Word Problems (Grade 2), and Lollipop Logic.  We will also continue to use IXL for extra practice and review.

Z2 is going to be doing hands-on math activities.  He will also use IXL and I have purchased a few Pre-K workbooks for him.

3-3.5 hours a week (40 minutes daily)

Reading

Bauer has many suggestions for books we read as part of formal instruction.  We'll be borrowing these from the library and spending about 30 minutes daily reading them.  Z1 will also spend 30 minutes reading "fun" books, meaning books he chooses.

Z2 will be starting on the Hooked on Phonics program which is what I used for Z1 with excellent results.  As a back up and/or in addition to HOP, I will use Progressive Phonics, a wonderful program which I hear good things about.  Also, I downloaded Funnix a while ago.  We'll see what works best for Z2 and go with it.  

2.5 hours a week (30 minutes daily)

Writing and Language Arts

We'll be using The Complete Writer: Writing with Ease (Level 1) and the accompanying workbook by Bauer. For Language Arts, we're going to go with another Bauer book: First Language Lessons.  I want a systematic approach to language arts and this book offers it.  We'll see how I like them.

1 hour a week (20 minutes daily)

Handwriting

Z1 is going to continue doing the Handwriting without Tears program.  He is working in the cursive book.   Z2 is working in the green pre-kindergarten book.

1 hour a week (10-15 minutes daily)

Spelling

Z1 is actually a very good speller.  We're going to finish out Spelling Workout B but I don't think I'll do Spelling Workout C or any other spelling program (I thought I'd give All About Spelling another try but since he doesn't struggle with spelling, why put out the money?)  I will find Grade 2/3 spelling lists online (many available) and do activities with those words.  There's also Spelling City's individualized spelling program so I don't really see myself ever spending money on spelling again.  

1 hour a week (10-15 minutes daily)

Science

Ah, the thorn in my flesh.  I'm going to go with Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding by Nebel at the suggestion of a friend.  We have plenty of books available at our library to supplement our science studies.  We also do lots of hikes.  My plan is to make sure I cover all the science topics suggested for Grade 1 at World Book, in What Your First Grader Should Know, in the NY State Science Standards (grades 1/2) and in WTM.  They all coincide.  As long as I hit all the topics, I feel like science will be solid.  

2 hours a week (one hour twice a week)

Social Studies, Geography, and History

I'm going to follow NY State Standards (grades 1/2).  I'm not buying any materials.  At this stage, SS is straightforward and I can make SS work using the internet and doing field trips.  We'll be using Daily Geography Practice.  Geography is something I didn't learn in school and so I want Z1 and Z2 to learn it.  I will gradually introduce a little bit of history using Mosaic Introduction to World History (we'll be using the A Little History of the World version).  

1 hour a week (30 minutes twice a week)

Music

I intend to continue music appreciation with the boys.  Basically, we listen to a large variety of music and talk about it or draw.  I'm going to start introducing them to different musicians/composer and we may do unit studies on various musicians.  Z1 is playing the piano (taking weekly lessons) and I'm looking for a good music/play program for Z2.  What Your First Grader Should Know provides a good skeleton for music.

Piano Practice: 25 minutes daily

Art

What Your First Grader Should Know will provide the skeleton again but I aslo found that the J. Paul Getty Musuem has a free art curriculum on it's site.  Also, the Met has a program called Art Trek Plus on Sundays (free parking in the city on Sundays) which will be a great way to get us in the museum and familiar with all kinds of arts.  

I'm not sure how I'll work the art curriculum in exactly but we can definitely do Art Trek Plus and hang out at the museum.  I'm going to look and see if I can find some activities that involve the Met.  

Physical Education

Z1 and Z2 are going to continue swimming lessons throughout the year.  Twice a week, we'll be exercising at home (I will just lead them in some basic aerobic, strength and agility training--we may even go for a run on the track) and yoga.  I'm counting our hikes as physical education too.  We may start martial arts.  

Foreign Language

We started learning French using Byki and we'll continue.  I will probably eventually purchase the whole program.  

10 minutes daily after dinner

----------------------------------------------------

Getting it all together was pretty nerve-wracking.  I usually like to hold and look at books in my hands before I purchase them but very few of these books were available at the library.  This is one excellent reason that as a homeschooler, one should be part of a group:  one can see the materials that other have used and discuss, in person, what worked or didn't and why.  But anyway, I did the best I could.  I'm hoping not to go over $350 in total for all the supplies and books we need this year and so far, I'm at just a little over $200.  I need to buy notebooks, some organizational things (like this case that's perfect for the MUS blocks--I got the suggestion from Satori Smiles, an awesome classical homeschooling that I am promptly adding to my reader), and things like paintbrushes.  I'd also like to drop $40-$50 on educational games and toys.  

Some weeks ago, I sent off our letter of intent to the board of education via certified mail.  So this is my first year officially homeschooling!  I'm sure there will be lots of bumps along the way but I'm also sure it will be fun and challenging.  I'm glad that I have a framework or plan to follow and I'm looking everywhere for inspiration.  

In terms of the social aspect of things, we are still trying very hard to build our homeschool community.  It's not coming easily at all but we are putting in the work.  I met another mom who intends to homeschool her two boys and we're trying to put together a weekly homeschool group.  I'm being optimistic . . . this will be my third or fourth attempt to get a consistent, weekly homeschooling thing going.  

So everything is locked and loaded.  I'm looking forward to getting started.  

A Change of Pace

I was doing my usual Sunday long run yesterday and as I neared the end, it struck me:  I'm ready to be in a race.  For a long time, I've avoided races--just not really feeling them.  But yesterday, all of a sudden, it felt like a very good idea.  I have just one more workout and I will have completed the New Rules of Lifting for Women. I have been looking for what to do next in terms of lifting programs and I honestly thought it was settled:  after I finished with NROL4W, I would just take a week off and start NROL4Abs.  But this didn't get me excited at all.  This race?  It does.  So this just seems like the perfect time to start training for a race.  

I signed up for the Yonkers 1/2 Marathon on Sunday, September 18, 2011.  Currently, my weekly mileage is somewhere around 9 or 10 miles and so I have a bit of work to do.  I like the challenge.  Initially, I thought I might like to come in under two hours but as this is my first race, my goal is to finish.  I think that's a good enough goal.  Once I conquer this first race, I'll be better able to tell if races are for me and then I can set other goals.  

The next question is how to train and there are tons of training programs available.  I know I want this to be fun and not interfere with other aspects of my life most especially running my household and taking care of my family.  Over at Black Girls Run, there's a "Run Your First Half Marathon Training Program" and it's the one I've chosen for better or worse.   It's an 8-week training program and I'll train for 5 days (3 days running and 2 days cross training) and rest for 2. On my cross training days, I will lift as I am not willing to completely sacrifice my strength gains (and this fabulous muscle I've put on).  I'm going to just re-start the New Rules of Lifting for Women although I do not wish to to complete the whole program again.  I will also probably do interval training on the stationary bike or elliptical--no more than 20 or so minutes.  On my rest days, I'll practice yoga or just rest altogether.  

I've never been really technical about my runs so I'll be learning a lot of new terms and techniques.  I think this race is just what I needed to shake things up a bit.  So, yeah, I'm excited about it.  It will be a real change of pace.

Backing in versus pulling in

I was reading in last month's AAA magazine that a larger percentage of people [in NY] are backing in to parking spaces instead of pulling in to them.  I'm one of those people who, if I can, prefers to back in to a parking space.  Why?  Well firstly, I have children.  And children are short people.  If a short person were behind my car as I started to back out of a spot, I would not be able to see him or her.  Also, I have to drive by the spot in order to back in to it.  Therefore, I can be reasonably sure there are no people, shopping carts or other random stuff in the spot.  Secondly, I drive a car and not an SUV or other kind of high-sitting car.  If I am flanked on either side by a huge vehicle like a mini-van or SUV, if I have parked head-first, guaranteed I'll be pulling out of my spot completely blind. 

It takes more time, effort and skill to back in to a parking space (which I figure is good mental exercise and hand-eye coordination practice) but I really like how quickly I can pull out of the space.  Even though I don't talk about emergency prep stuff as much on this blog, it's still important to me.  I keep my gas tank half full and back in to parking spaces.  Which brings me to my third reason: should anything pop off, I'm out.  Fast.

Cool article on this topic.   And, who knew folks debated this stuff?  

I have one more reason:  I just like to be difficult different.  :b

When I moved into my current house (the house my husband grew up in until he was about 5 and then moved back into when he was 21).  I inherited a magnificent Magic Chef oven very similar to this one:

It was manufactured in 1958.  This stove was serious.  It was heavy.  The burners were pure cast iron--heavy.  It wouldn't light without matches (or some other kind of lighter).   It was seriously dusty in some areas like the broiler and the little side storage unit (that still had some of the hubby's grandmother's stuff in there).  The clock on the top didn't work.  The oven door was a trick door and wouldn't close all the way.  But I loved that stove.  A lot.  It was old school.  Strong.  And still working (somewhat) all these years later with minimal upkeep.  

The hubby found a used appliance place a few months ago and the place has economically furnished us with lots of reliable appliances to replace the ones we've had for years that have been partially working.  We got a Hotpoint stove very similar to this one:

It's not new new but it's new to me.  So far I'm pleased with it.  Maybe because after my Magic Chef, I didn't have anywhere to go but up.  I still pull out my lighter every time I want to cook.  And I need to look at the diagrams on the stove to know which burner knob belongs to each burner.  But I'm getting used to it.  

I find it so interesting the differences in how a 1950s stove and 1990s stove were produced.  The burners are so much lighter than my Magic Chef!  Still, I really like this new stove and I can't wait to use the broiler.

My kitchen feels so new.  The hubby replaced the floor tiles (peel and stick tiles have come some far) and a "new" kitchen table courtesy of the thrifts store.  I spend so much time in the kitchen.  It's nice to look around and see some beauty.  

On another note, I have been moving slowly to a paleo diet.  I read Mark's Daily Apple and I have read The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf and this way of life/eating really seems to work for many and I suspect it will work for me.  Currently, I don't eat any beans, legumes, rice or wheat.  I still eat millet and oats though and every so often I indulge in Trader Joe's Gluten-free Ginger Snaps, Trader Joe's Salsa Chips and I love, love, love popcorn and really enjoy my plain Greek yogurt (with a touch of honey, strawberries, blueberries and a tablespoon of the hubby's Hemp Plus granola).  Still, having eliminated the things I have eliminated, I feel really good--better than I have felt in years.  And it shows with my skin which had turned dull and dry but is not supple and moisturized.  But Z2 has been really suffering with stomach  issues and it's making me think that he needs a change in diet too.  He loves breads and stuff but is not really into beans/legumes anyway.  So I bought the book Everyday Paleo by Sarah Fragoso and I'm really impressed.  I can't wait to try out some of the recipes.  It's going to be difficult doing paleo.  The hubby is a strict vegetarian and Z1 really doesn't like the idea of eating animals.  But if I can get Z2 and I to at least 85% paleo, I will be happy.  I just want to see what difference it can make for us.

It needs to be fun for all of us!

Where I live, folks really seem to feel very positively about children's museums.  I can't seem to find the love for them.  I can see how they come in handy during the cold winter months but as soon as the weather improves, I see them as pretty much pointless.  But it feels like heresy to say it--to point out that children's museums are really nothing more than glorified play spaces.  And yes, children do learn by playing and I get that this is the premise of children's museums.  But still . . . 

Now, some children's museums are better than others.  I've visited three so far: the Manhattan Children's Museum, the Brooklyn Children's Museum and Stepping Stones in Connecticut.  I find Stepping Stones to be the best and that is really for one reason alone: the resource room.  It's a room filled with all kinds of interesting puzzles, a variety of building toys, and books galore.  Kids can borrow an Ipad for 15 minutes at a time. It's just a cozy, cool out kind of place.  

Stepping Stones Children's Museum

Z1 is almost 6 years old and is rapidly outgrowing the whole children's museum thing.  When he goes to Stepping Stones, he spends a lot of time playing in the water area and the media room (where there's a projection-on-the-floor game) then mostly bypasses all the other areas.  Z2 really likes the water area and gets himself completely soaked.  I spend a great deal of time keeping him from actually getting in the water.  He is my more "active" son and really just wants to run around so when he's done with the water, that's what he does.  Every once in a while, some other activity grabs his attention but mainly, he wants to run around.  And go back to play in the water.  Which, in the summer, we can do better and for free at a playground. 

It takes us about 40 minutes to get to Stepping Stones.  Last time we went, we ended up in 2 hours of traffic on the way home.  I hate to drive. And I hate driving in traffic even more.  But I would suck it up, I would, traffic and all, if I could at least say that I personally derive some enjoyment from going to the children's museum.  The kids like it well enough but I have a hard time getting up enthusiasm to drive to the children's museum when we could just hang out a playground or go on a hike or go to a real museum.  It is just not an intellectually stimulating place for me.  And after you do it once or twice, it actually ends up being disappointing and straight up boring.  Last time I went, I wished I had brought my knitting or a magazine or something.  I kept chiding myself for not getting up and playing with Z1 and Z2 . . . that maybe if I started playing with stuff I'd start finding it fun.  The first time I went, I did find it to be fun--especially the water room.  But the next time, it was ridiculously crowded--we could hardly move without tripping over people (and I don't like crowds at all) and I was totally over it.  I just wanted to sit there and do something fun for me since they were having fun.  

I think what is really annoying to me is the fact that it's called a children's museum.  When I think museum, I think excellent exhibits put together to make you think or to grow your awareness and increase your knowledge.  I can't say for certain what my kids learn at the children's museum.  I can't say that the activities necessarily drive home or really demonstrate the information on the placards.  In the water room, the placards talk about generating power with water but I don't think the exhibit does a good job of showing how--of connecting the pieces.  I guess it's just too basic--I didn't leave with a good sense of how water = power and this is the second time I've seen the exhibit.  I think a more appropriate name for children's museums might be "learning play spaces".  

I love going to science museums (especially Liberty Science Center) and I also enjoy museums such as The Transit Museum.  At a museum like The Transit Museum, there will be some information that is over my kids' heads.  But guess what?  I learn something.  I am stimulated.  I grow.  The Transit Museum is perhaps the most perfect example of a museum that caters to both adults and children--there are plenty of things to touch and play with yet there's plenty of wonderful, historical information.  It is a trip for all of us and not just for the kids and, to be honest, if I am going to put in that amount of effort to go to a museum, I just feel happier to do it if we can all get something out of it.    I want us all to have fun.  It's simply not enough for me to watch them having fun.  

One of my good-hearted friends bought us a membership to Stepping Stones after the first time we visited and I feel rather badlythat I don't love the place more.  I ended up upgrading the membership so we could get reciprocal free admission to the Hall of Science (because that's a museum to which I really like to go).  But I'll make good use of the membership to Stepping Stones--and go on days when someone else can help with the driving.  I can see it coming in useful on rainy days when school is back in session and most kids are in school all day--there won't be as many crowds.  But on a beautiful, warm sunny day, I don't see myself ever choosing the children's museum over the pool or a challenging trail.  

No, I'm not one of those mothers who ignores her own need for fun for the sake of her children having a good time.  Maybe the folks who rave about the children's museum genuinely enjoy it.  I don't.  And 98% of the time, we will need to come up with an activity that we all can enjoy.  Which is why I went out and bought 2 hula hoops.  I might not really like to (or understand how to) play this Pokemon game Z1 got a yard sale the other day but I like to hula hoop and I am happy to do that together with them.  

Interplay

I rarely purchase books without previewing them by borrowing them from the library first.  I went out on a limb, however, to purchase these two books that were not in my library system:  When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron and Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations edited by Josh Bartok.  Chodron's book was recommended to me on a message board I'm on and I'm getting through it slowly.  It makes a lot of sense to me and I really like her writing style.  One thing I've started doing is meditating just as she describes.  I've said before that I like "daily" books, you know, books with something for each day of the year so that's why I purchased Daily Wisdom.  So far, I am quite pleased with it.  Yesterday's entry really spoke to me--enough that I will type the whole thing out:

With all this talk of non-self-existence and the illusory nature of phenomena we might conclude that ourselves, others, the world, and enlightenment are totally non-existent.  Such a conclusion is nihilistic and too extreme.  Phenomena do exist.  It is their apparently concrete and independent manner of existence that is mistaken and must be rejected.  

Take the example of a rainbow.  Does it exist or not? Of course it does, but how?  As something arising from the interplay of droplets of water in the sky, sunlight, and our own point of observation.  A rainbow, then, is an interdependent phenomenon and if we investigate, we can discover its various causes and conditions. 

In a similar way, all existent phenomena are mere appearances to the mind, lacking concrete self-existence, they come into being from the interplay of various causes and conditions.  This is true of ourselves as well.  We and all other phenomena without exception are empty of even the smallest atom of self-existence, and it is this emptiness that is the ultimate nature of everything that exists.

LAMA THUBTEN YESHE, INTRODUCTION TO TANTRA

I've read that passage over a number of times and I still need more time to make sense of it completely.  But what I drew from it is the word "interplay".  I've heard this concept expressed in many different ways but something about the use of the word interplay really resonated deeply with me.  It speaks to the sci-fi lover in me, in a way . . . something only "exists" to the extent that other things "exist".  That's a powerful thought. 

FO: Water Bottle Cozy

So admittedly, I haven't been knitting and crocheting much lately.  But I did manage to finish this water bottle cozy for my 40 ounce Kleen Kanteen water bottle:

Specs:
Yarn used: LionBrand Microspun 100% microfiber yarn (about half the skein)--I haven't been able to find a good project for this yarn until now.  I needed something that would be super absorbent and easy to care for and microfiber fit the bill.  I love the royal purple color (it won't show dirt easily).
Hook: F
Stitch: single crochet with a few embellishments.

It took me about 5 days to complete it which is really ridiculous but it got done and I can't wait to put it to good use.

Book Review: Dreaming in Chinese by Deborah Fallows

I found Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life and Love by Deborah Fallows to be quite an interesting read. Fallows is a linguist who derived some wonderful lessons during the process of learning Chinese.  Now, these lessons are not overly deep or profound. I guess I wouldn't really call them lessons but rather observations.  Nonetheless, the book was an easy and enjoyable read and it served as a great opportunity to learn a little bit about the Chinese language and culture. I found Fallows' writing to be very fluid and comfortable.  It was quite accessible and very funny at times.  Every time I sat down to read it, I was able to read through one chapter--they were short and to-the-point. That helped me to get through the book and really engage with it.  

As for the Chinese language, let's just say that it's a language I hope I never have to learn. Fallows really helped me appreciate how complex it is but I also found it to be very beautiful. She talks about a poem called Lion Eating Poet in the Stone Den that uses the same word to tell a whole story. The only difference is tones. She points out how difficult it is for Westerners to even hear the tones and I've found that to be true.  Igbo is also a very tonal language and it's funny sometimes when I say a word and the hubby repeats it and I say it's not the same word and he gives me a confused look.  But I don't think Igbo is anywhere near as tonal as Chinese so I think it would be challenging for anyone to learn.

Linguistics is a fascinating field and I'm always intrigued by how much language is a window into the life and culture of a people.

A short, interesting interview with the author.

Martial Arts

It seems like martial arts have become just one more activity on the long list of activities the well-rounded American kid should do.  But I've always felt a bit hesitant about signing Z1 up for martial arts classes.  Karate is offered at our local Y and so many parents I talk to have their kids taking some form of martial arts. At a birthday party I went to a few weeks ago, two parents were debating discussing the merits the superiority of the particular form of martial arts her child was learning (one was learn jujutsu and the other tae kwon do).  As I sat there listening to the conversation, I felt rather uneasy and frankly, I wondered how much the parents actually knew about that particular form of martial arts.  How much did they actually know about martial arts in general?  The history.  The purpose.  The discipline.  

Much like yoga in the West, martial arts has changed significantly and a lot of the timesfeels hollow and naked  to me.  Stripped of something somehow.  I saw this video on The World of Ensayn Reality and Mr. Roberto Sharpe really got to the heart of why I feel hesitation about just signing Z1 up for some martial arts classes:

  

I feel equally uneasy about just going to yoga classes.  Yoga, to me, is spiritual.  The martial arts, to me, when practiced in their truest form is spiritual too.  It's not just exercise or something to put on a resume.  It takes time.  Lots and lots of time, patience and learning to reach the heights of the practice (consciousness).  (And the heights of the practice don't necessarily involve a trophy or a certificate.)  And so, if you seriously want to delve deeply into it, you (preferably) need a master.  You need to be committed.  Patient.  Open.

Now maybe that's just taking something that could simply be a fun activity (that as a perk teaches kids some discipline) and making it more complex than it needs to be.  Maybe it's just not that deep.  But to me, it really seems like something I need to think on and meditate on before we just do it.  Z1 is taking piano classes and will soon start swimming classes.  These disciplines also require commitment, discipline and time so I don't feel like Z1 is not acquiring these important traits.  I feel like I have the time, if he expresses interest, to find him a true martial arts teacher.  And that is what I would like to do.  

Review of Two Workout DVDs: Cathe Friedrich HiiT and Shiva Rea Daily Energy Vinyasa Flow

Over the past few months, I have acquired a few more workout DVDs even though I am spending a lot of time in the gym doing the New Rules of Lifting for Women.  (I'm just about finished Stage 5, by the way, and I'm still highly, highly recommending this program.)  The new titles I have acquired in the cardio genre are Amy Bento Advanced Step Challenge, Michelle Dozois Peak 10 Cardio Interval, Cathe Friedrich HiiT.   The new yoga DVDs I have are Shiva Rea Daily Energy Vinyasa Flow Yoga and Power Flow Yoga,  Element AM & PM Yoga, Yoga Zone Flexibility and Stress Release, Rodney Yee Ultimate Power Yoga and Yoga: Spirit of Vinyasa Flow by Deb Dobbin.  Eventually, I'd like to review all of those titles but today I thought I'd review two: Cathe Friedrich HiiT and Shiva Rea Daily Energy Vinyasa Flow.  

Cathe Friedrich HiiT consists of three different workouts, each at a very reasonable 30 minutes (approximately).  HiiT is high intensity interval training and it's one of the best way to stay in good cardiovascular shape without sacrificing your hard-earned muscle.  This DVD is tough.  But a whole lot of fun.  Ms. Friedrich is one of my favorite workout DVD personalities.  Her cuing is perfectly on point and the routines she has put together are challenging but not complex.  What you get is an excellent workout (that includes a great warm up and cool down in a short amount of time).  When you're done, you'll know that you worked out.  

I've also been eyeing Ms. Friedrich's Intensity because I really like these DVDs where you can customize how much time you spend on cardio. I really don't need to be doing cardio for an hour these days so I'd rather do a DVD that gives me a choice.  (And, I don't know, it bothers me to cut a DVD short.)

Shiva Rea's Daily Energy Vinyasa Flow Yoga is really a gem.  I borrowed it from the library twice before I decided I needed to buy it.  There are seven 20-minute practices on this DVD from which you can choose.  There are some pre-set practices or you can make up your own.  If you add the 5 minute warm-up/meditation and then the 5-minute cool-down/savasana, to one of the 20-minute practices, you have a solid 30-minute yoga practice that is energizing but also very relaxing.  Each 20 minute routine is very different from the others.  Some require more energy (Fire) and include lots of push-ups and strength building moves.  Others are more sedate and relaxing (Shanti) which is wonderful for doing after a run because it targets many of the areas that get really tight from running such as the hamstrings and especially the hips.  Shiva Rea's style is always calming and I love how meditative doing yoga with her can be.  I find myself constantly drawn back when my mind starts to wander.  I find my energy to be significantly calmed after doing one of the practices.  

I'm really working hard right now going to the gym three times a week and fitting in short cardio sessions and yoga practices around that.  I'm not going to any yoga classes in part to save money but also because the times for the classes are not all that convenient for me.  (There was a 6 o'clock class on Thursday mornings I was going to for a while but the teacher's style just didn't work for me.)  So yoga DVDs are really the way to go and I have a couple more on the list that I'd like to get soon.  

It's the End!!

So Shay over at BGIM reminded me that today is the day before the last day.  I am cracking up just typing that.  

I've seen the billboards while driving but I really just didn't care enough to investigate who was behind them.  Why?

This Harold Camping guy put me through a lot of shit already back in 1994.  I was getting ready to enter the 7th grade and this dude had me straight convinced that the world was most definitely coming to an end.  I'd listen to his call in show every night on Family Radio (one of the few radio stations that my parents sanctioned) before bed and hear this crazy nut case rant and rave about how according to his calculations, the world was coming to an end in September.  Right before the new school year started. 

Oh, to be sure, I was on my p's and q's.  I was praying.  Reading my Bible.  Fasting.  Getting right with the Lord.  Doing anything and everything I could to make sure that when Christ returned and the roll was called up yonder, I would be there.  I was worried, ya'll.  Stressed because despite knowing (or hoping with all my heart) that I was saved, I wasn't completely sure and what about everyone else?

My mom tried to reassure me.  Telling me that Christ would come back as a thief in the night and that no one knoweth the time nor the hour but boy, that Camping sure was convincing.  And I was impressionable.  

Look, man, I don't know why this dude is still on the air and why after the first prediction did not come true, they'd give this guy the platform to make another wrong prediction?  Who really cares if the world is ending tomorrow?  What can you do about that?  Who knows if the world will end at all?  They say all things come to an end but they also say that God has always existed and will always exist.  I mean, the whole thing is just so outside of our cognitive reach as human beings, does it really make sense to contemplate it?  

I certainly have better things to do with my last 24 hours.  

One thing I really loved when I was trodding RastafarI and I really like about Buddhism is the concept that judgment is not some impending thing.  Your judgment is already taking place the very moment you commit an act.  So I'm not worried in the least bit.  Let the cards fall where they may.   And I hope that on May 22, 2011, they finally kick this dude off the air.  Stop polluting our airwaves and giving people agita.  

Comparing my Travel Mugs

So, yes, this is another post about hot beverages.  What can I say?  I like to drink hot things.  Even in summer.  An avowed tea lover must travel with her tea and so in this post, I wanted to talk about one of my favorite things:  travel mugs.  I have two insulated travel mugs which I love dearly.  Each of them has qualities that I really like. 

The first travel mug I ever purchased was the Contigo 16-Ounce Double Wall Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler.  (I have the green one, green being my favorite color.)  The best thing about this mug is that you absolutely cannot spill it (it doesn't leak at all) and having two young children, this is a seriously good thing.  It keeps tea warm for about 2 hours although it claims to keep hot drinks hot for four hours and cold beverages cold for 12 (but granted I have never tried a cold drink in it). Two hours is not bad but it's not great either.  Really, the only problem with this mug is that it's terribly difficult to clean the lid.  It's one solid piece so no matter what I do, it won't get totally clean.  The best I can do for it it so soak it in warm, soapy water.  I avoid putting coffee or other strongly flavored hot beverages (like the instant ginger tea I sometimes have) in it because I can't get rid of the taste.  

Now, just to show you how serious I am about my hot tea . . . 

One Saturday, I left my Contigo mug at work.  Not being able to imagine going a whole week without my mug, I went back to my workplace on Sunday to try to retrieve it.  Now, if you know me, you know I hate to drive but I was willing to make the trip for my mug.  As luck would have it, the building I work in was locked and I couldn't get in so there I was.  Stuck.  With no mug.  I decided to head over to Target and see if I could get something comparable.  I would have been happy with another Contigo but I was open because I was not completely satisfied with it.  

So I went to to Target and headed over to that section.  They had lots of options but I wasn't really familiar with the other brands (or they were lined with plastic which is a total no-go for something that will be used exclusively to hold hot beverages).  I ended up picking the Thermos Sipp 16-Ounce Stainless Steel Travel Tumbler.  I expected to pay about $25 for it but when the cashier scanned it, it rang up as being $12.  Far be it from me to argue.  I skipped out of there with my new mug thinking I couldn't go wrong with a $12 Thermos brand mug.  And I was right!  Heck, I would happily have paid full price for it.  It keeps my tea hot--really hot--for hours and hours and hours.  Even if I leave some hot tea in it overnight, it will still have some warmth to it in the morning.  I love the way the thing looks and since you can take apart the lid completely, it's very easy to clean.  When it's properly closed, it does not spill or leak--not even a little bit.  And that's perhaps the only drawback: you can spill it and I have a few times.  To drink, you have to depress a button at the top.   There have been times I've forgotten to press the button to close it again and the way the button is, it's difficult to tell sometimes if the top is open or closed.  Also, there are two slits on either side that you can drink from so you have to actually look at the top to make sure you're putting your mouth on the right place or else you can spill it on yourself.  Oh, and then there was that time I forgot to put the lid back together before screwing it onto the top of the mug and hot tea spilled all over the contents of my bag but that's hardly Thermos' fault.  So all-in-all, I have to be a bit more mindful when using the Thermos mug but I think I prefer it to the Contigo just because it works so well at keeping tea hot.  This helps me tremendously because I really like hot tea.  It makes me have to slow down and savor the drink which means that I am less likely to drink more tea which is good because I like to put a teaspoon of sugar and a teaspoon of French vanilla coconut milk creamer in every 16 ounce cup of tea I drink and that adds up in terms of Weight Watchers points.  Also, drinking tea keeps me from mindlessly eating.

So yes, in the contest between the travel mugs I currently own, Thermos wins but I recommend both of them.  

On another note, yesterday at the thrift store, I found a French press.  Now, before my coffee maker's decanter broke, I would not have had the faintest idea of what a French press does but since I had to do research on appliance-free ways to make tea, I discovered it.  It's the Shin Bistro by Bodum and I bought it for $4.99.  This morning I used it for the first time and we had the best tasting coffee ever!  I'm sold!  :)

Yay for hot beverages!!