L & Butters: who cleans a bowl better?

It seemed like Butters has been a little picky about his food lately. He hasn't been eating as much or as quickly as he used to. Yesterday, I decided to give him something a little different. I mixed the rice and soup (that I made for L & me) with canned albacore. The soup has cauliflower, tomato sauce, chicken broth, peas, carrots, celery and onions. Butters ate it all up and cleaned up the bowl...unlike someone else who always leaves a pea or two and some grains of rice. Little thing that irks me. Is the last pea not good enough for you to eat? You have something against the last pieces of rice? I guess next time I'll let Butters do it.

3rd book club mtg

It took awhile, but we finally had our 3rd book club meeting at the new apt.

The book was How I Became A Famous Novelist by Steve Hely.

Kathryn chose it because the author gave a really great and funny interview on NPR.

I didn't think it was as funny as it was purported to be. Perhaps it's me because I rarely laugh out loud while reading anyway. Failed on the humor front.

The moral of the story seemed to be sincerity sells books. When the protagonist was not sincere both in his writing and promotion of his book, the sales weren't doing too well. Yet, when he explained his real feelings on popular books, it generated controversy that helped his book sales. However, it came at a price as the controversy created and and lead to bad publicity. His memoir containing his sincere efforts to explain his life sold better that his fiction.

Overall I liked the story up to the point where the protagonist, Peter, began having a change of heart regarding his venture. The change of heart felt contrived, unnatural in the plot, as if it was only there to teach us that lesson. I would have liked it better if he achieved all of his goals listed in the beginning of the book.

Having said that, one issue raised during discussion was whether this was at all possible in real life. I think it's completely possible. Just look at all the different formulaic fiction out there. There are certain themes that lends itself very well to human fancy. Love affairs between gods and mortals, love affairs between vampires and humans (yes, that was a dig at Twilight).

On a related publishing issue, is it possible at all for contemporaries to spot a classic? With so many books published today, even awards are no guarantee which books will endure the generations. If someone writes a book that becomes a classic in the future, how can we know today? My book selections are generally from the classic canon 90% of the time. I've always wanted to figure out what made them endure? I am sad at the thought that I will miss out on good stories written during my lifetime.

It's not a book worth my $14 or even $1 were it on sale somewhere. However, I do appreciate it for making us think about quite a few issues despite the fact it's supposed to be light reading.

First hotpot party in apt

The unpacking continues. We are one box away from done with the kitchen. Luis bought his desk and relinquished control of the dining room table. Closet is still undone. Everything is coming along.

Went to the dog park in the morning and found the weather to be quite warm. I decided that it was warm enough to make bread. The whole process did not take long at all, and in almost no time at all, we had delicious warm bread with thin crispy crust.

G then treated us to hotpot for dinner and it was soooo filling that all I want to do is close my eyes and sleep...

...until I was mesmerized by this from BakingMum. Everything looked incredibly delicious. It also comes with recipes for the more Chinese foods. Will have to make a list of things to try later. Sometime in the near future: SPONGE CAKE!

German Shepherd

While I am happy that Butters is fairly well socialized with most things in life, at times, I wish he just wasn't so darn friendly. Sometimes in the dog park, he lays down next to another person or licks them when picked up or plays with them. Whenever he does that, I call him a little traitor, in jest, but not really.

This got me thinking about a dog that's loyal, not incredibly friendly, obedient, active but graceful, and intelligent but not stubborn. German shepherd. After going through pictures online, I want an-all black German shepherd.

(img from http://www.fouranfass-gsds.co.uk/)

Don't they look cool?

I want to teach it tracking, so I'll never get lost in the woods (I have a horrible sense of cardinal directions, or left and right if I'm unfamiliar with a place, such as the wilderness). I want to teach it to protect me.

Besides things I want to teach it, I also want to play fetch, go hiking, and jogging. I want it to be a reminder that life is not all about work. Do take time out to enjoy relaxation as well.

Don't get me wrong, Butters already does that. However, he's doesn't fetch outside the apartment and he can't keep up on hikes. =( I know he's not really the right breed for it and it's not his fault. I'll just have to wait till I'm more settled in my life to even think about getting another dog. I'll also have to find classes where I can teach it the stuff I want it to learn.

Life update: moving across the street

So L and I moved from our 1bd to a 2 bd in the same complex with G on the 7th and the 8th. The moving only reinforced my hatred of moving. Each time, I want to throw away everything and walk over with my clothes and electronics. How do we accumulate so much crap in our lifetime? Thank goodness for friends who helped us move. Despite the help, I was still sore, tired, and cranky. We didn't finish till 11pm on the 8th.

I am trying to figure out how to make this whole ordeal easier, and the only things I can really come up with is to pack things way ahead of time. Don't organize. If things need to be organized, give yourself even more time. Get plenty of boxes. I cannot emphasize that enough. Get enough of them so everything can go in them. Get a dolly. It will save your arms. Live with some sacrifices, such as not cooking, or wearing the same selection of clothes. *sigh* I hate moving.

Saturday was recuperation. I took a long walk with Butters because the poor thing had been totally ignored and locked in our room while we were moving. He eventually gave up waiting for us and just sat against the wall.

Today, we cleared our bedroom and much of the living room. Tomorrow, we'll work on the closet and the rest of the boxes. I can't wait till it feels like home again.

In the afternoon, we also went to the dog beach. Mona and her humans joined us on this two hour trip. I am amazed that Butters actually really tired himself out. On the beach though, he sniffed as many dogs as he could and chased Mona wherever she went. As soon as he came home, he went to his kennel and laid down. He didn't even follow us around. It's wonderful to see him so tired from having such a great time.

We finally have internet again, and of course, entertainment. Something my generation cannot live without. Yay!

Wisteria bonsai

Isn't that gorgeous?

I've always loved wisteria for the beautiful name, flowers, leaves, and delicate woody vines.

A few months ago, L and I went to Wild Animal Park. I saw the wisteria seedpods hanging in the water-wise garden. When I went back with G and her cousin, most of the pods were gone. My brother finally found one high up and jumped to get it for me.

I think I'm going to try to sprout the seeds, plant and train them into bonsai plants.

I read that it takes ten years for wisteria to flower. I think they are a good symbol for where my life is going. Hopefully, my efforts will come to fruition in ten years as well.

Secret Santa 2009

A little late for true Christmas, but given everyone was busy for the holidays with families and friends, we exchanged gifts Monday after New Years when the spirit of the holidays still haven't flown away yet.

My secret Santa was LP and here are my Christmas presents:

A wooden box hand covered with a beautiful flower print cloth. Wait till you see the inside.

The cover contains a white meshwork. I'll probably put the Secret Santa photo with everyone in there. LP painted the edge of the box with gold paint which matches the deep blue of the cloth perfectly. I can hang my many earrings on the tacked red ribbons. To add to my earring collection, I also received a pair of dainty pink pearl earrings, again handmade by LP. (The three black objects are wisteria seeds. More in next post.)

On the back wall of the box sits a simple music maker, officially making this a wonderful little music box. My first.

I don't know what song it plays, but it sounds incredibly soothing. I especially like it when the spring winds down and the gears slow, like a last contented sigh before a beautiful thing ends.

Thank you LP, I'll also treasure this and it will hold wonderful memories starting with this year's super successful secret Santa.

Random Butters picture: