Friday, August 27, 2010

A visual state of mind....

I haven't felt like writing much lately. I go through waves of expressing myself through words, and then through pictures. Right now I'm more into photos. See below for some of my favorite recent pictures and some oldies but goodies.

The Fair
Picture 164

Thirst Quenchers

Costa Rica
270

136

The Kids
P1010662

P1020360

Friday, August 13, 2010

Little Bee: A book review of sorts

Last weekend I grabbed a new book as I was headed to the pool (a local apartment complex pool I crash at, don’t judge me). I bought this book a while ago but didn’t start it right away. The pool seemed like the perfect opportunity to begin.

After a trip to the book store, I’m always hesitant to start a new book. There is so much pressure for the book to live up to my expectations. I want it to be good. On the contrary, if the book is as good as I expect, I will have to say goodbye to my daily responsibilities. I will devote every minute, dream, thought and waking moment either diving deeper into the book or lost in my own thoughts about the world the author has designed.

Little Bee did live up to my expectations. My house is evidence to this fact, a tower of dishes so high they teeter on disaster, tumbleweeds of animal fur gathering in the corners, shoes strewn about, the grumbling stomachs of hungry pets and husband, and most noticeable, a butt shaped impression in the corner of the couch.

A reviewer on amazon captured the story better than I could: "Little Bee is a 16-year old refugee from Nigeria who is always looking for a suicidal option for "when the men come". Her character provides a unique and captivating narrative; by page three I cared about her, by page nine I knew she had terrible story to tell me and I dreaded it.”

It was a great book that I enjoyed reading. I was rooting for Little Bee, almost audible telling her to be brave and bold. I was disappointed with Sara’s character, but that may have been by design. While she proves she has a good heart, there are times she is painted as self-involved and immature. I was willing her to do the right thing, even though I wasn’t sure if she did, it would be believable.

As with all engaging books, once they are over I continue to analyze the characters, their story, and the relationship (if any) with my own life.

If you enjoy being enthralled in a story as much as I do, I recommended escaping into this story.


P.S. Somewhere I read that this book was marketed as a comedy with a horrific tragedy. I would strongly disagree, this was not a comedy. It makes me wonder if the marketing team even read the book.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

The State Fair

Its that time of year. The time of year when the sun is so hot, everything concrete and steel sizzles. The time of year when the humidity is like a wet blanket that is glued to your skin and amplifies body odor. The time of year when you wear a thin layer of sweat that hurricane-force winds can't dry up. 

What better to do during this time of year than embrace it. Where better to embrace it than at the FAIR. At the fair, everything is HOT, everyone is SWEATY, and everyone STINKS.

As my three loyal readers know, Biscuit and I have a love affair with the fair (read the 2008 posts here and here). We go every year (with only one lapse due to budgetary constraints). For that one day in early August each year, we tease the grim reaper on questionable rides, with heart-attack inducing fried food, and with hyperventilating laughter.

Our risky behavior is contagious. This year, our duo turned into a caravan. Husband, Momma T and Monkers joined the fair celebration.

The Terretts (rineharts) take on the fair


We ate!
  • Corn on the cob (have to make sure they dip the entire ear in the VAT of butter before you eat it)
  • Fried buckeyes (the candy, not the nut)
  • Smoked Turkey Leg (the overall favorite)
  • Fried Pickles
  • Fried Cheese
  • French Fries
  • Lemonade/Gatorade/Water
Picture 094


We rode rides.
  • Momma T did not like the ride that spins you in a circle so fast that centripetal force pastes you to your seat
  • I should NOT try to take pictures during the ride! Broke the camera slightly....but fixed it when safely on the ground.
  • Husbands' stomach is stronger than I thought.
Picture 165

We laughed, perspired and we were tuckered out. It is something that we can only do once a year!