Stuff of interest to others:
Food
I made a bunny cake. Cute. Moist. Inhaled.
The version I made with Gramma (intentionally misspelled to demonstrate pronunciation) was a bit different because I used one cake round for the body and another for the head and tail, but you can find the general idea here: Betty Crocker Easter Bunny Cake.
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| Why yes, those are marshmallow teeth. |
I made black bean brownies. My picky relatives gobbled and nommed without even knowing they weren't the ridiculously indulgent treats they seemed to be. I found the recipe here at Pennies on a Platter , but I cut the sugar and oil by about half, upped the cocoa powder a bit, and used sugar free chocolate chips. The batch yielded 25 brownie bites made in a cupcake maker. I did some calorie math after my changes and they came out to just over 100 calories per brownie bite. They were the best when they were warm and served with fresh fruit.
Music
Carla Morrison's song "Me Encanta" 32384 overpriced gourmet coffees
The song was available for free on iTunes, so I downloaded it and now I want MORE. Absolutely great. Actually, the first word that came to my mind while I was listening was, "gorgeous". Though she sings in Spanish, her lyrics are simple and sweet, and her voice contains all the meaning a listener really needs. Great folk sounds accompany her with a clean style that enhances her work. I'm definitely getting the album Déjenme Llorar soon.
Alabama Shakes' debut album Boys & Girls 983983 peanut butter sandwiches
This album rocks so hard it hurts. I was a little worried that all of the hype couldn't be fulfilled, but I was pleasantly surprised. After listening to the album, all I can do is drool over the thought that one day, maybe, the world would be lucky enough to have them and The Black Keys at the same concert.
If ever this happens, I will need a change of pants.
Movies
The Hunger Games
I've already seen it twice and am anticipating many more times. The subtle black humor and man's barbarism in this creepy modern society is fascinating. The acting is also quite good. I love that the main character is a strong, smart teen girl. And my favorite part: you never know who anyone really is--actions, motives, inner feelings are all left to the viewer/reader to infer for themselves.
The Lorax
What a great surprise! I mostly saw the movie out of my loyalty to the Great Dr. Seuss, though I was afraid that it might destroy a bit of my childhood if it went badly enough. But as I said, a treat was in store, and I left the theater pleased. My sister who saw it with me left a bit teary-eyed. It preserved the message of the book without being too "preachy", and kept my attention although most kids movies are boring for me. Well done, Danny DeVito.
Books
I haven't listed everything I've read or audiobooked within the last month because it would be creepily/pathetically long, so I just posted the top three coolest.
Memoirs of a Geisha
Yes, I am years behind the times. But I've been slowly expanding my circle of reading to encompass more modern works in addition to the classics, so lay off.
I can see why this was such a popular book for so long. It's a powerful story that uses a mix of humor and emotional drama to lead the reader to see the world in a very different way. Such a vastly different time and society viewed through the eyes of the main character was a great break from my day-to-day. It's a pretty quick read which is well worth the time.
The Joy Luck Club
Again, if you're one of the cool people who read it a long time ago, lay off.
This is a wonderful series of vignettes pulled together by a few common threads: ancestry, immigration, hope, disappointment, and the relationships between mothers and daughters. The stories are told in alternating chunks, by the characters who lived them. I would actually consider this a good present for an aunt, mother, grandmother, sister, etc; and an interesting resource to pull from for a short story unit for junior high/high schoolers.
Dracula
I was honestly shocked. Although there was a certain amount cheesiness due to the era in which it was written, it had a very modern sentiment about it. I was completely engaged. It was very cleverly crafted and interestingly unfolded for the reader through a series of journal entries and dialogues. There's a reason it has been the basis for countless other works after it: it's just a good story.
Personal neatos:
I spent two days in Sevilla, shopped a bit in Badajoz, and went to Paris for 3 days towards the end of the month.
I completed an interview (in French!) as part of an application for graduate school.
I flew home and FINISHED A HALF-MARATHON! *I've updated my "10 Things I would like to do" post to reflect this.* I think I'm going to keep this going. Maybe even something a bit longer is to come...?
I've seen lots and lots of robins' nests, full of eggs.
I stuffed my face with all kinds of goodies not available here in España.
I chugged limitless quantities of any coffee I could find.
I came back to my pueblo and celebrated Easter with my primary students with several belated Easter Egg Hunts.
I was accepted to study at the Université d'Orléans for 2012-2013!
I've put out 2834928734927 job applications in hopes of not being completely impoverished for the next school year.
Happy spring!
Music
Carla Morrison's song "Me Encanta" 32384 overpriced gourmet coffees
The song was available for free on iTunes, so I downloaded it and now I want MORE. Absolutely great. Actually, the first word that came to my mind while I was listening was, "gorgeous". Though she sings in Spanish, her lyrics are simple and sweet, and her voice contains all the meaning a listener really needs. Great folk sounds accompany her with a clean style that enhances her work. I'm definitely getting the album Déjenme Llorar soon.
Alabama Shakes' debut album Boys & Girls 983983 peanut butter sandwiches
This album rocks so hard it hurts. I was a little worried that all of the hype couldn't be fulfilled, but I was pleasantly surprised. After listening to the album, all I can do is drool over the thought that one day, maybe, the world would be lucky enough to have them and The Black Keys at the same concert.
If ever this happens, I will need a change of pants.
Movies
The Hunger Games
I've already seen it twice and am anticipating many more times. The subtle black humor and man's barbarism in this creepy modern society is fascinating. The acting is also quite good. I love that the main character is a strong, smart teen girl. And my favorite part: you never know who anyone really is--actions, motives, inner feelings are all left to the viewer/reader to infer for themselves.
The Lorax
What a great surprise! I mostly saw the movie out of my loyalty to the Great Dr. Seuss, though I was afraid that it might destroy a bit of my childhood if it went badly enough. But as I said, a treat was in store, and I left the theater pleased. My sister who saw it with me left a bit teary-eyed. It preserved the message of the book without being too "preachy", and kept my attention although most kids movies are boring for me. Well done, Danny DeVito.
Books
I haven't listed everything I've read or audiobooked within the last month because it would be creepily/pathetically long, so I just posted the top three coolest.
Memoirs of a Geisha
Yes, I am years behind the times. But I've been slowly expanding my circle of reading to encompass more modern works in addition to the classics, so lay off.
I can see why this was such a popular book for so long. It's a powerful story that uses a mix of humor and emotional drama to lead the reader to see the world in a very different way. Such a vastly different time and society viewed through the eyes of the main character was a great break from my day-to-day. It's a pretty quick read which is well worth the time.
The Joy Luck Club
Again, if you're one of the cool people who read it a long time ago, lay off.
This is a wonderful series of vignettes pulled together by a few common threads: ancestry, immigration, hope, disappointment, and the relationships between mothers and daughters. The stories are told in alternating chunks, by the characters who lived them. I would actually consider this a good present for an aunt, mother, grandmother, sister, etc; and an interesting resource to pull from for a short story unit for junior high/high schoolers.
Dracula
I was honestly shocked. Although there was a certain amount cheesiness due to the era in which it was written, it had a very modern sentiment about it. I was completely engaged. It was very cleverly crafted and interestingly unfolded for the reader through a series of journal entries and dialogues. There's a reason it has been the basis for countless other works after it: it's just a good story.
Personal neatos:
I spent two days in Sevilla, shopped a bit in Badajoz, and went to Paris for 3 days towards the end of the month.
I completed an interview (in French!) as part of an application for graduate school.
I flew home and FINISHED A HALF-MARATHON! *I've updated my "10 Things I would like to do" post to reflect this.* I think I'm going to keep this going. Maybe even something a bit longer is to come...?
I've seen lots and lots of robins' nests, full of eggs.
I stuffed my face with all kinds of goodies not available here in España.
I chugged limitless quantities of any coffee I could find.
I came back to my pueblo and celebrated Easter with my primary students with several belated Easter Egg Hunts.
I was accepted to study at the Université d'Orléans for 2012-2013!
I've put out 2834928734927 job applications in hopes of not being completely impoverished for the next school year.
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