Pretty much friends-only at this point. Comment if you'd like to be added.

Edit: I've been posting public entries again lately. But there's still a good number of friends-only posts, so if you want that, let me know.

Today I ate something I never ever ever eat. I don't normally like it. I can't remember the last time I had this food. But today I ate a whole... serving, we'll call it.

Anyone want to guess what it was? It's not unusual, like that fish that is poisonous and you have to be very weird and dumb to careful about eating. Nothing like that. Nice and normal, but not something I eat. Until today.

So guess!

***
A clue: It's NOT healthy, although technically, there's a bit of vegetable in it.

***

Edit: starleigh is the grand prize winner! (Except there is no prize, grand or otherwise.) But you can let her know what a super puzzle-solver she is. :D

The mystery food was: onion rings!

Honorable mentions to leezechka for guessing Funyons, and to rpeate for figuring it out after putting together Star's guesses and my clue.

Hello.

So I'm following jboyn's meme. This is a list of the 150 top selling childrens books and I've bolded the ones I've read. A few things: I teach elementary school, I loved to read as a child, and I still love children's literature more than any other. In other words, lots of bolding! Quite a few of them I've read multiple times, and some I've read in Spanish as well.

1. Charlotte's Web, E. B. White; illustrated by Garth Williams (1974)
2. The Outsiders, S. E. Hinton (1968)
3. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Judy Blume (1976)
4. Love You Forever, Robert Munsch; illustrated by Sheila McGraw (1986)
5. Where the Red Fern Grows, Wilson Rawls (1973)
6. Island of the Blue Dolphins, Scott O'Dell (1971)
7. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J. K. Rowling (1999)
8. Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret, Judy Blume (1972)
9. Shane, Jack Schaeffer (1972)</b>
10. The Indian in the Cupboard, Lynne Reid Banks (1982)
11. A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle (1974)
12. Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder; illustrated by Garth Williams (1971)
13. Little House in the Big Woods, Laura Ingalls Wilder; illustrated by Garth Williams (1971)
14. The Incredible Journey, Sheila Burnford (1984)
15. The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1968)
16. Johnny Tremain, Esther Forbes (1969)
17. Just Me and My Dad, Mercer Mayer (1977)
18. Go Ask Alice, Anonymous (1976)
19. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. J. K. Rowling (2000)
20. Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Judy Blume (1976)
21. Blubber, Judy Blume (1976)
22. The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Elizabeth George Speare (1972)
23. Superfudge, Judy Blume (1981)
24. Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson (1987)
25. Freckle Juice, Judy Blume (1978)
26. On the Banks of Plum Creek, Laura Ingalls Wilder; illustrated by Garth Williams (1971)
27. That Was Then, This Is Now, S. E. Hinton (1972) (I was so mad at the ending of this book, I threw it across the room. I was a pre-teen, what can I say?)
28. Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Louis Sachar (1985)
29. The Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger (1951)
30. Farmer Boy, Laura Ingalls Wilder; illustrated by Garth Williams (1971)
31. Just Go to Bed, Mercer Mayer (1993)
32. Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak (1984)
33. Goodnight Moon, Margaret Wise Brown; illustrated by Clement Hurd (1977)
34. The Long Winter, Laura Ingalls Wilder; illustrated by Garth Williams (1971)
35. The Berenstain Bears' New Baby, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1974)
36. By the Shores of Silver Lake, Laura Ingalls Wilder; illustrated by Garth Williams (1971)
37. Little Town on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder; illustrated by Garth Williams (1971)
38. The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1983)
39. The Pigman, Paul Zindel (1978)
40. The Yearling, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (1961)
41. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, E. L. Konigsburg (1973)
42. Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad, Mercer Mayer (1982)
43. Just Grandma and Me, Mercer Mayer (1975)
44. Just for You, Mercer Mayer (1975)
45. Sarah, Plain and Tall, Patricia MacLachlan (1987)
46. When the Legends Die, Hal Borland (1984)
47. Bunnicula, James Howe (1980)
48. James and the Giant Peach, Roald Dahl; illustrated by Nancy Burkert (1988)
49. The Berenstain Bears Go to School, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1978)
50. The Night Before Christmas, Clement Hurd; illustrated by Douglas Gorsline (1975)
51. These Happy Golden Years, Laura Ingalls Wilder; illustrated by Garth Williams (1971)
52. All By Myself, Mercer Mayer (1983)
53. Stuart Little, E. B. White; illustrated by Garth Williams (1974)
54. The First Four Years, Laura Ingalls Wilder; illustrated by Garth Williams (1971)
55. Hatchet, Gary Paulsen (1988)
56. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara Robinson (1979)
57. The Cay, Theodore Taylor (1970)
58. Kristy's Great Idea (Babysitters Club #1), Ann M. Martin (1986)
59. The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1985)
60. Then Again, Maybe I Won't, Judy Blume (1973)
61. I Was So Mad, Mercer Mayer (1983)
62. The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1984)
63. The Giver, Lois Lowry (1994)
64. The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1984)
65. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl (1988)
66. The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1985)
67. The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1985)
68. Julie of the Wolves, Jean Craighead George (1974)
69. The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1981)
70. The Berenstain Bears and the Truth, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1983)
71. Gremlins, George Jipe (1984) OP
72. Stone Fox, John Gardner; illustrated by Marcia Sewall (1983)
73. I Just Forgot, Mercer Mayer (1988)
74. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz (1976)
75. How to Eat Fried Worms, Thomas Rockwell (1975)
76. The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Beverly Cleary (1980)
77. When I Get Bigger, Mercer Mayer (1983)
78. The Berenstain Bears in the Dark, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1982)
79. 500 Words to Grow On, Harry McNaught (1973)
80. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred Taylor (1984)
81. Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia, Peggy Parish; illustrated by Lynn Sweat (1987)
82. Number the Stars, Lois Lowry (1990)
83. The Trumpet of the Swan, E. B. White; illustrated by Edward Frascino (1973)
84. The Cricket in Times Square, George Selden; illustrated by Garth Williams (1970)
85. Misty of Chincoteague, Marguerite Henry (1956)
86. It's Not What You Expect, Norma Klein (1976) OP
87. Matilda, Roald Dahl; illustrated by Quentin Blake (1990)
88. The New Baby, Mercer Mayer (1983)
89. The Chocolate Touch, Patrick Catling (1984)
90. Corduroy, Don Freeman (1976)
91. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis (1970)
92. The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1981)
93. The Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1982)
94. Sounder, William H. Armstrong (1972)
95. The Return of the Indian, Lynne Reid Banks (1987)
96. The Kitten Book, Jan Pfloog (1968)
97. Dinosaurs, Peter Zallinger (1977)
98. Wee Sing Children's Songs and Fingerplays (1977)
99. The Truck Book, Harry McNaught (1978)
100. Barney's Hats (1993)
101. The Sign of the Beaver, Elizabeth George Speare (1984)
102. Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself, Judy Blume (1978)
103. The Berenstain Bears: No Girls Allowed, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1986)
104. Farm Animals, Phoebe Dunn (1984)
105. Richard Scarry's Please and Thank You, Richard Scarry (1973)
106. Rascal, Sterling North (1964)
107. Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls (Babysitters Club #2), Ann M. Martin (1986)
108. Just Me and My Mom, Mercer Mayer (1990)
109. Me Too! Mercer Mayer (1983)
110. A Wind in the Door, Madeleine L'Engle (1974)
111. Iggie's House, Judy Blume (1976)
112. Meet Samantha, Susan Adler; illustrated by Dan Andreasen (1986)
113. Poems & Prayers for the Very Young, Martha Alexander (1973)
114. The Farm Book, Jan Pfloog (1964)
115. The Berenstain Bears and the Sitter, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1981)
116. Just Me and My Puppy, Mercer Mayer (1985)
117. Welcome to Dead House (Goosebumps #1), R. L. Stine (1992)
118. The Chocolate War, Robert Cormier (1986)
119. Chocolate Fever, Robert K. Smith (1978)
120. Say Cheese and Die (Goosebumps #4), R. L. Stine (1992)
121. Meet Addy, Connie Porter; illustrated by Dahl Taylor and Melodye Rosales (1993)
122. Frog and Toad Are Friends, Arnold Lobel (1979)
123. The Alphabet Book, P. D. Eastman (1974)
124. The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1988)
125. Rumble Fish, S. E. Hinton (1976)
126. The Little Duck, Judy Dunn; photos by Phoebe Dunn (1976)
127. A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Madeleine L'Engle (1979)
128. The Secret of the Indian, Lynne Reid Banks (1990)
129. Curious George, H. A. and Margret Rey (1973)
130. The Velveteen Rabbit, Margery Williams (1979)
131. Good Work, Amelia Bedelia, Peggy Parish (1996)
132. The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Birthday, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1986)
133. The Zoo Book, Jan Pfloog (1967)
134. 101 Dalmatians, Dodie Smith (1976) OP
135. The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Friends, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1987)
136. The Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma's, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1986)
137. In & Out, Up & Down, Michael Smollin (1982)
138. Amelia Bedelia, Peggy Parish; illustrated by Fritz Siebel (1983)
139. The Berenstain Bears Go Out for the Team, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1987)
140. The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1982)
141. Amelia Bedelia and the Baby, Peggy Parish; illustrated by Lynn Sweat (1982)
142. Just Shopping with Mom, Mercer Mayer (1989)
143. Richard Scarry's Find Your ABC's, Richard Scarry (1973)
144. Grover and the Everything in the Whole Wide World Museum, (1974) OP
145. The Runaway Bunny, Margaret Wise Brown; illustrated by Clement Hurd (1977)
146. Sunshine, Norma Klein (1976) OP
147. Deenie, Judy Blume (1974)
148. The Berenstain Bears and Moving Day, Stan and Jan Berenstain (1981)
149. Meet Kirsten, Janet Shaw; illustrated by Renee Graef (1986)
150. Clifford the Big Red Dog, Norman Bridwell (1985)

So my kids were busy working on something that involved coloring and cutting and pasting, and for Christopher, wearing a paper bag on his head. I didn't disturb him when I noticed his accessory, just quietly laughed and took a picture. The kid was actually in his seat and doing his work! If it takes a paper bag on the head to make that happen, so be it.

I don't know. Work is trying to swallow me whole. I kind of dread going back tomorrow only because I know there is So Much For Me To Do there. This week is going to be nuts. The kids are the easiest part. Actual teaching is a cake-walk for me. It's all the rest that has my head spinning.

I haven't been online much. My apologies to anyone who cares. I told dear Mario that it was mostly due to being so busy at work, which it is. But I remembered another factor. The monitor on our my employer's laptop that usually lives on the coffee table died a few weeks back, so we haven't had that second internet source available to us lately. We're back to sharing the computer at home, and I can't chat at work (even if I had the time, which I certainly don't.)

I just made for myself, and ate, the most delicious dinner. Every single bite was orgasmically good. Seriously. I really can cook! It was simple, it's just that everything was so flavorful and so perfectly well done. I don't always get everything right, but tonight I did. I seared lamb chops and put on top of it a yummy butter-olive tapenade thing, and grilled asparagus and steamed broccoli. Robert didn't have that, except the tapenade on bruschetta (which he just told me was "amazing"), but Matty sure wanted what I had. He's a fan of meat and vegetables.

We're watching the Oscars. Robert and I. It's good, I guess. We do adore Jon Stewart. I made Robert two mojitos so far, and I've been having wine. So we're having a good time over here. I wish we didn't have to go to work tomorrow and be all serious again.

I bought three pairs of shoes yesterday, finally. I've been needing new shoes for work for the longest time, but I seem to have developed an aversion to shopping lately. I only went yesterday because Robert agreed to go with me, and actually pushed me out of the house. Hmm. I used to like shopping. Now I hate it. I wonder what changed?

I'd like some chocolate now.

Another thing keeping me busy is working on Portland plans. I'm going there next month, early next month, for an educators' fair. I registered and got my plane ticket. I tried on my interview suit, it fits, but I need to get it cleaned, and my cousin of course said I could stay with them. I haven't figured out if I'll need to rent a car or not, but I'm hoping not. I'll only be there a couple of days, because I have to come home and go back to work. I need to update my resume and make copies, and think about a teaching portfolio. I haven't made one since I was taking my teacher ed classes. I don't know if Portland people expect that. The fact is, I've never not gotten a teaching job I've applied for. But still, I'm nervous, scared. What if they are looking for something different? What if what I have, what I know, my way of being a teacher, isn't their way? Really, I'm pretty sure I can get a job. But it's still a scary process. I have to keep working on getting my credential there anyway. So much to do. Must prioritize.

For now, I think I'll go back to the Oscars and the couch. 'Nite!

I made cranberry scones this morning. Scones are fun to make, and they are yummy. Especially with that Greek yogurt I got at Trader Joe's and lemon curd. Lemon curd, YUM.

Last night I was flipping through channels and I found Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's New York Minute movie on one of the HBO channels. And then I watched it. Until the end. My only excuse was that I just kept watching to try to figure out which one was the anorexic one. I never figured it out.

Why does Acrobat Reader suck so much? It often kills Firefox for me and ties up the computer. I keep opening it because I'm trying to look at salary schedules and contracts of school districts in Portland and they all use stupid Acrobat instead of just having the info I want on an html page.

I have a bunch of things to do today, or someday soon. I can't keep track. I guess I should make a plan for myself. I think I just want to lie on the couch, though.

There's a supposed chance of rain here this afternoon. How much you wanna bet it won't actually rain?

I'm tired. I feel overwhelmed. There's too much going on at work, too much going on in life. When did my personal lfe get so busy? Social obligations everywhere. Also, I have too many jobs I think. My main job is more than enough, it's wearing me out. The pace is so quick. Things are constantly being thrown at me. And then I'm teaching after school. Those kids, oh my god. They make my regular class seem like geniuses. Angel geniuses. They totally wear me out. And then I still have my job at the gym. It's an easy job, but I'm so tired, I just don't want to go. The union representative thing too. There are a lot of demands for that, and that's unpaid. I'm just too tired. Something's got to give.

Happy birthday to the lovely sulicu! Hope you're having a wonderful day.

Happy birthday youngmario! Happy birthday to you!

Matty and I tried to out-pose each other as one of the events in game we call "Supermodel." He wins every time we play, though, because he's better at puking up his meals than I am, and we all know that's worth more points.

Happy Valentine's Day, friends.

We're currently having our Valentine's party here in the classroom. "Party" for them means they get to eat sweet things and not do work. They are having a good time, eating candy and examining the cards their classmates gave them. And Miguel is wearing a Capri Sun box on his head. I put on a CD with silly kids songs, and gave them a Valentine's Day word search, woo excitement. :)

They brought me all sorts of junk. Little bears and heart things and candy and stuffed animals and I got a bouquet of flowers too. It's nice. They are sweet.

My husband is sweet too. He took me out for dinner last night at The Little Door. It's this terribly nice French place with delicious food. We don't go there often. It's definitely a special occasion kind of place. February is turning out pretty nice. :)

Wow there's a lot of chocolate around me.

But I don't feel like working. :(

Except without little buttons you can click, since I don't have that option.

One of my birthday presents from Robert was a cooking class at Sur La Table. He wasn't sure which one I'd like best, so he brought me the schedule so I could chose. I'm torn between two.

Bread Baking 101
Making rustic bread at home just got a whole lot easier. Our expert instructor Tracy Saltsman will guide you through the basis, including how to mix, form loaves, use a peel, score and improvise on recipes. Plus, she'll give you tips and techniques for making biscuit and muffin batter.
MENU: Good for You White Bread, Whole Wheat Honey bread, Whipping Cream Biscuits, Pumpkin Muffins

Oscar Night Cocktail Party
Get ready to celebrate Hollywood's biggest night with fun cocktail party fare. Phillis Carey will help you create hors d'oeuvres that deliver a winning performance at parties and deserve a spot on the red carpet.
MENU: Croustades with Shrimp Salad and Dill Filling, New Potatoes with Sun-Dried Tomato Olivada, Baguette Pizzas with Roasted Garlic and Cambozola Cheese, Basil and Caesar Dip with Proscuitto-Wrapped Asparagus Tips, Pepper-Smoked Salmon Mousse in Phyllo Cups with Capers, Puff Pastry Squares Filled with Mushroom Duxelles

I don't really know much about making bread and it seems like a good thing to know. But appetizers are fun and what I usually end up making whenever we have people over, so I'm always looking for new, good ones. Or, I could wait and see what they are offering in March. What do you guys think?

Since it's now after 12, it's officially my birthday. I have to say though, turning 34 is not terribly exciting. I suppose it's better than being dead. I guess when I'm in my seventies I'll laugh at myself when I remember how I felt old on my 34th birthday. Maybe. Hopefully I'll make it to my seventies.

I don't know what I'm doing to celebrate. I didn't make any plans. So I guess I'm doing nothing. It should be better than today though. Today I was sick. I spent most of it on the couch. Yesterday too. I seemed to have gotten food poisoning from the soiree on Thursday night. Strangely, I felt worse today than I did Friday. Does that makes sense? I don't think so. I did make it to my haircut appointment. That was my big outing for the day. My only outing. My hair is a lot shorter and lighter and I'm glad. It's not short though. Just shoulder-length. I decided long wasn't really working for me anymore. The curls just weren't cooperating. They were being kind of wild.

I guess I already had my birthday celebration. Because about a week and a half ago Robert surprised me with a wine tasting class at this French market and cafe in the Farmer's Market. That was really cool, and I enjoyed it a lot. That particular night of wine tasting was devoted to wines of Italy. We tried six different wines. I loved them all, except one, a Chardonnay. We had fun, Robert actually drank wine, and there was yummy cheeses and bread too. Best of all, the fee for the class is a credit for the market. So you pay for the class, but then you can put all of it towards wine and other gourmet goodies from the store. It felt like shopping for free, even though it technically wasn't. We bought wine, and chocolate and cheese and pestos. So that was an early birthday present so I guess I can say I had my birthday in January this year. That's different.

Next week, I start teaching after school class, after I teach all day. Bleh. I just want the money, I'm greedy. Actually, I want to pay off debt. And save whatever I can for our move to Portland. Moving is going to be expensive. I planned to use the tax refund to cover that, but now I'm worried were not going to get much of a refund this year. I'm not sure why, but when I got my W2, I was quite surprised at how little the feds had taken for the year. I made more this year than last, but they took out less. I don't remember changing my filing status, so I don't know what that's about, but the one thing I'm sure of is that will mean less refund, if any at all. Well, I'm going to the tax man on Monday, after work, and after after-school class, so I'll know soon enough. Has me fretting though, it does. Plus, I don't get a paycheck in August. That's not very helpful for moving in August either. We'll figure it out I guess.

Hi out there. Long time no type. I've been fine. Just not very interested in being online much lately. I've been neglecting all my usual haunts. I don't know why, I just go through phases. Perhaps an astrologist could tell me why. Maybe Mercury is in retrograde, or possibly Uranus is passing Venus. I'm totally talking out of my ass about this, can you tell?

Last night I did something interesting. Certainly a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing, in the sense that it will never happen again, not in the sense that it was terribly exciting. But it was cool, and fun, and yes, special. I went to a wake. But not for a person. It was for the Ambassador Hotel. It was sponsored by the Los Angeles Conservancy. Diane Keaton left her movie set to attend and speak, before going back to the set to keep working. I stood directly behind her, but I didn't realize it until Robert told me. I should have recognized the beret. She, as a passionate member of the Conservancy, tried to save it. Many did. Mostly it was a party last night, but some spoke and it was moving. People who had lived there as youngins, people who had worked there a long time ago and recently, people who loved it. Many have been documenting the struggle, including my husband with photography of the destruction. And you know who bought the land and ultimately demolished the building? My employer. Sigh. I was sad that a historic building, a part of Los Angeles history as well as a part of the Nation's history with it being the site of the Bobby Kennedy shooting, was going to be gone. But I wasn't so sad until I saw the photo album of a man named Ray who worked there in recent times, not when it was a working hotel but as a site for movies to be filmed. Many movies feature the hotel and grounds. His pictures showed the beauty that was inside, that I had never had the chance to see. The beautiful tile by the pool, gone. The lovely decorative figures made of marble from high in the ballroom's walls, gone. The fountains, the chandeliers, the gorgeous check-in desk, even the cool signs, all gone. So sad.

The next one up is The Derby, the last of the Brown Derbys. And The Derby is lovely, I hope they will be successful. But it's so little compared to what the Ambassador was. It's like a big toe and the Ambassador was an entire body.

Even looking for links for you guys has made me sad. Some of the "Save the Ambassador" sites and pages are already dead. Well, so is the Ambassador.

I'm sorry for no real update. I do have plenty to say, I just haven't gotten to it yet. In the meantime, I give you a quiz:



It's ALL TRUE!

Also, some people on my friends list are pregnant and I'm extremely happy for them. (And a bit jealous, I can't believe I'm saying that yet I feel it. I blame Dorota and her videos of her darling babies.)

But for now, I'm hungry and we are going out to eat, once again to Cha Cha Cha because it's just that good.

This test was amusing. http://www.andrewlipson.com/lstest.html

The results even more so.

ICUE (Mad Scientist/Hacker)

Displaying many of the same traits as the ICUG, the I CUE combines these with a dangerously antisocial streak. May employ someone called Igor and mutter things like "Small minded fools! I'll show them all!" (example: Victor Frankenstein.)

So, we should know what an ICUG is to truly understand all of me, right?

ICUG (Inventor)
The ICUG is given to solitude and shoe staring. He or she loves little puzzles and is often a good source of off-the-wall, innovative ideas. Best left to their own devices with only occasional steering (example: Leonardo da Vinci)

Funny. But probably the first time in my life I've been accused of being antisocial. And not really fitting in any other way either. So quite off the mark, but it was fun to take anyway.

DO IT

Hee hee.

Christy: "How do you spell 'save'?"
Me: "'Save'? That's an easy one!"
Timothy: "She has short-term memory loss."

Kyle was reading to the class. Christy said to him, "Kyle, you read with style!"

Plan for the evening. Robert and I are going to get drunk and watch a (hopefully) funny movie. We just made two tall mojitos, with which I was quite liberal with the rum, and we have agreed on the movie Match Point. In general, I can't stand Woody Allen. But since he's not actually in this movie, and there are people in it that I like, I'm going to give it a chance. The mojitos should help. Not to mention all the eye candy coupled with British accents.

It's nice that we don't have to go to work tomorrow.


(making those links was really hard. the mojito is already working.)