Monday, August 31, 2009

Found!

Felix's owner is one grateful, considerate person. Not only this sign but others as well were updated with the news of his reappearance. Adorable! 

Friday, August 28, 2009

2-in-1 Tea


I love the weather right now: it's still summer, but it's cool enough for normal activities, such as exercising, wearing real shoes, and drinking tea. Check out this tea kettle: Step 1, add water through the hole in the top and boil on the stove. Step 2, remove from the stove and add loose tea in a cone shaped infuser through the same hole. Steep. Step 3, use the handle to pour. Step 4, sit down and daydream. 

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Travelzoo


It's Wednesday, which means it's Travelzoo day!

This web site sends you a weekly list of the best travel deals in your area. Flights, hotels, spas, vineyards, musicals, trips, etc. In April 2008, I went to the Dominican Republic for a week for less than $900 including tax and travel insurance. For real.

Bad carb, good carb

 Carbs are once again good for you. Apparently, a high-carb diet is better than a high-protein diet for long-term weight loss. Of course, we're talking good carbs, but interestingly, pasta, nuts, milk and yoghurt are on the good list, whereas instant oatmeal, ripe bananas and carrots are on the bad list. (However, let's keep some perspective: a carrot is not exactly a box of Junior Mints.) This is interesting. I'm not trying to lose scads of weight here, but I am trying to avoid buying all new pants when there are so many other things I want to buy. 


When I was in Italy in the Spring, as you can see above, I consumed heaps of chocolate croissants, wine, bread, cheese, pizza, beer and gelato without any waistband-tightening. Might have something to do with the 5 plus hours of walking I did each day. Resolution: More travel.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Je l'aime!

I used to have a French tutor, but she dumped me for this glorious summer we are having. I think I will find a new one in September. 

In the meantime, this shirt from Forever 21 combines three of my favourite things: clothes, French and reading. (If she was somehow eating a cupcake, it would be perfect.)

Cook Me


This has been my favourite cookbook for about 10 years, but I have never owned it until last Wednesday when two of my dear friends gave it to me for my birthday. It's published by the fabulous Rebar restaurant in Victoria, BC. How did I last without it for so long? I give it indiscriminately as gifts, and my roommates have always had it. I also stole it from friends and kept it for ages before sheepishly returning it. I am that girl. Put your names in your books. In ink.

My favourite recipes include peanut sauce, vegan brownies, Monk's Curry, Thai Dragon Bowl, and Chunky Winter Vegetable soup. Mmm.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

How do you say...


Last month, I came back from our daily break, and my students had phonetically written my name on the board in their languages - Arabic, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese. I was impressed!