Book Review: Let Them Eat Cake
Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd is a cute, fun novel about “chick-lit” novel that integrates faith elements without being too preachy. Alexandra Smart, better known as Lexi, is on a quest for a life she always thought she wanted: the perfect job, the perfect boyfriend, the perfect apartment. Obsessed with anything and everything French, Lexi finds lands a counter job at a local French bakery.
Lexi is a delightful character, far more interesting than the usual Christian fiction fare. She shoots pool, enjoys beer or a glass of wine, she finds her church single’s group equivalent to a meat market, but realizes that she won’t get anything right until she gets right with God.
Readers will find this delectable mix of faith, fun and fiction has all the right ingredients for a romantic and enjoyable read. While this was my first
Sandra Byrd novel, it definitely will not be my last.
For the Love of Running
I am a runner. That statement has defined me for the past decade. Running has made me joyfully happy, and woefully upset. I have made some of my best friends through running. It has hurt me, but also made me healthy. To say that I have a love affair with running would be an understatement.
I started running the summer I turned fourteen, or better known as the summer before my freshman year of high school. My childhood friend and I both joined the cross-country summer camp for one reason, to stay in shape for the swim team. After each exhausting practice we would count how many days were left until we could quit. Besides, we were swimmers…not runners. The last week before the official season started, the coach convinced us that we needed to stay part of the team – just for the cross-country season. We would be in great shape for swim season in the spring. That was the beginning of the end.
I ran through high school and college. I did marathons, half-marathons, track meets and road races. I did Tuesday/Thursday track workout and races on Saturdays. Nerves kept me up almost all Friday nights. I hated races. The fear, the deep-down-in-the-pit-of-your-stomach-nerves, the starting line all caused me LOTS of anxiety. But, I love the pureness of the sport. It’s just shoes and your physical and mental strength. I love the quietness of a crisp morning – when the streets are silent, the air is cool, and the only sound is my breath. Running gives me time to think, time to distress, time for just me. I like running with friends. It gives us a chance to talk about trivial matters or deeper dreams. I like running alone, give me a chance to visit with, well, frankly…me.
Lately, I’ve been in a funk about running. Not actually about the running, but having to go out running. Even with great running partners or a perfect play-list on my iPod, I have been dreading my run. Honestly, I think it’s because I’m out of running shape. This is where you come in, dear Internet. I want you to help me be accountable. I hope to post my trials and triumphs, so that I can remember my love of running.
Photo Friday: Lake Arenal, Costa Rica
J. and I went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon. Originally, we wanted to go to Italy, but between being “house poor” (we just bought a house, 6 months before our wedding), and the quickly crashing dollar rate we didn’t think we could afford it. So, we picked up our
Atlas of the World, let it fall to a page…and lo and behold, it fell to Costa Rica. J. did all the planning (thanks honey!) and we enjoyed a fabulous honeymoon for a fraction of the cost.
Our tour of Costa Rica included, Arenal Volcano, one of the 10 most active volcanoes in the world. On almost a daily basis, red lava comes crashing down the volcano. During the day, the volcano looks like this:
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At night, we would sit on our patio chairs with a bottle of wine and watch the lava pour down the mountain until the clouds covered our view. (At this time, I unfortunately had a crappy camera that didn’t‘ take pictures at night…so, you’ll just have to use your imaginations for this one!) While, we were lucky to have one clear day with the entire volcano visible (which is touted as good luck!) usually we saw this:
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Besides the awesome scenery La Fortuna (the town’s name) has many activities: hiking, mountain biking, river rafting, bird-watching, soaking in hot springs. We took a day-trip up to Cano Negro, which was a live version of Disneyland’s “Jungle Cruise.” But, that’s another story for another time. Oh, and if you ever decide you have to see Volcano Arenal for yourself…I highly recommend you stay at the Arenal Observatory Lodge. It’s the only hotel which offers front-row seats to the spectacular fireworks display, but you’ll feel safe since you’re protected by the deep gorge of the Agua Caliente River. It was originally built as a research station (so, you’ll feel smart when you stay here) and is the only hotel situated within the Arenal National Park.
Introducing Casey
February 20, 2009, 12:05 am
Filed under:
puppy love 
casey chillin'
J. and I had been married less than one month when this little pup showed up on our doorstep. We (read: ME) really wanted a dog, I felt my house couldn’t be complete without a dog. I called rescue organizations, assuming it would be easy to adopt. We own our home (well, the bank technically owns it), we’re young, active, and the backyard is fenced in. Well, no one wanted to give us a dog….because we both worked full-time. Hello, how are you suppose to own (excuse me, page a hugemunous mortgage) a home without working? So, we (read: ME) put aside my dreams of having a dog to love. On Memorial day weekend we embarced on our first (of many!) home improvement project: painting the office (a beautiful color of lime green). J. and I were in the middle of getting paint everywhere but the walls when a car pulls up, and an old lady and a tiny little puppy emerge.
Her name was Britney and she had a bright orange rhinestone collar. Did I mention that she was from North Hollywood? This lady, who I lovingly refer to as “crazy lady” (and who I never invited over, or ever introduced herself) came in, and put Britney on the floor. Apparently she got my address from a rescue organization…one that didn’t see us fit as “dog owners.” The “crazy lady” then told me how I should make sure to always have a full bowl of “wa-wa” out for Britney, left her leash and said that she would call us the next day.
casey's first day
J. and I weren’t really sure what to do with a puppy, especially in the middle of our little painting party….oh, and did I mention that we were moving into the garage the following week to have the hardwood floor refinished? No? Hum, I must have missed that little detail. But, anyways, our first order of business was to change the name from a sorority girl (sorry if I offended anyone!) to something that fit her floppy-ears, huge paws, and pink nose. Casey was decided on. (Later, I had to add “Madison” as her middle name because she was constantly getting into enough trouble to garner one!)
napping on couch
We’re not really sure of her breed. Perhaps, Greyhound and Bull Terrier? (She’s really fast. In fact, I bet she can run faster than your dog!) Or maybe Black Lab and Pit Bull? I think she looks like a cartoon dog. Casey has so much personality, and is constantly making us laugh.
Xi’an
Ask most travelers heading to China about their itinerary and you’ll generally hear “Shanghai, The Great Wall, Hong Kong and that place with the Terracotta Warriors.” That “place” is Xi’an, home to the famed army, and is the impressive and cosmopolitan capital of the Shaanzi Province. However, there is much to do in this bustling city, besides the visiting the infamous army, which most visitors tend to miss. On my recent trip to China, I traveled with Intrepid Tours and surprisingly my favorite Chinese city was Xi’an, but not for the life-sized clay combatants. From day one, Jack, our quirky and enthusiastic tour guide, he began setting up major expectations about his hometown. And they lived up to every single one.
City Walls
Many of China’s ancient cities have become modernized, but Xi’an has managed to retain a major piece of its history intact. Forming an enormous rectangle around the old imperial heart of the city, the Xi’an city walls date back to the Tang Dynasty, although several sections have been recently restored. You can either enjoy a peaceful stroll or leisurely ride on a bicycle (or a ride bicycle built for two!) with access provided at the major gates.
There are four main gates, although the South Gate is probably the most common starting point. The four gates form a twelve-meter high rectangle with a perimeter of twelve kilometers in length. Our perfect morning started by arriving at the South Gate with juice and pastries bought from a local bakery. After shelling out 40 Yuan for a two-hour bike ride, we spent the better part of the morning exploring Xi’an from the wall. My favorite part of the bike ride was the quiet and stillness of the walls. China is a massive country with massive amounts of people, and Xi’an is no exception, so I was expecting to be fighting the crowds atop the city walls. However, I experienced a euphoric feeling of space being elevated from the daily grind of the city. After biking a bit away from the main gate we found a secluded and picturesque bench to break open our food goodies, and rest our weary legs. Afterwards, as we rounded the last corner and saw the South Gate coming into view, my competitive nature got the best of me and I bet my bike buddy for a race to the finish. A perfect end to a fabulous bike ride – creamy, drippy, chocolaty ice cream cone bought on his dime.
The Muslim Quarter
The Muslim Quarter, comprised of a number of narrow and bustling streets in the vicinity of the Drum Tower, is home to Xi’an Hui population, one of China’s ethnic minorities. Xi’an is the start of the Silk Road which was the major trade route between Europe and Asia bringing wealth, power and Muslims in addition to goods.
While we wandered down through the stalls of the Muslim Quarter smelling the sweet smells of the food markets. We took in our five senses through the foods: the sizzling kebabs, spicy curry, colorful displays of dried fruit, various textures of nuts and enough tea samples to make the Irish jealous. All this unfolded before us like a variable smorgasbord. I had two goals here at the Muslim Quarter; I wanted to buy some authentic tea to take home, and an ornament for my eccentric Christmas tree. Jack, our enthusiastic guide, took those interested to a local tea house for a lesson in preparing and enjoying tea. We discovered that flower tea is not really drank by the locals, and is purely sold for the American tourists and that Oolong tea leaves are processed two different ways.
Nestled in the back alleys of the Muslim Quarter is the Great Mosque of Xi’an and dates back to 742 AD in the Tang Dynasty. The unique architecture is a blend of traditional Chinese and Islamic influences and is the largest and best preserved of the early mosques in China. The mosque has the layout of a Chinese temple with successive courtyards and pagodas adapted to suit Islamic religion. However, the great axis is aligned from east to west, facing Mecca. The narrow side alleys that surround the Great Mosque are packed with vendors selling souvenirs. You can get anything from Mao paraphernalia to jade jewelry – just make sure it’s real!
The Dumpling Banquet
No matter where I travel, the main attraction, the neon sign of life blinking me toward experience after experience, is that most primal of desires – food. In other words, I like to eat, a lot. From the cliché to the unimaginable, the more authentic the dish the sooner I need to try it. The more genuine the dish – the more memorable it becomes. My quest for this trip (and most trips) is to try everything that isn’t readily available in Los Angeles, and I’ve lived through quite a number of stomach aches to prove it. However, I was a bit nervous about China. Shockingly enough, from the first meal through the last was fantastic.
One of the culinary experiences to be had in Xi’an is a Dumpling Feast. The cooking methods for these succulent delicacies include steaming, boiling, pan-frying and deep-frying all including a myriad of flavors from salty to sweet. Anyone who loves to cook knows that we eat with our eyes, and the presentation of this regional delight should be considered an art form. Our table of twelve devoured nearly thirty different types of dumplings. The dumplings were in the shapes of frogs, chickens and exotic flowers just to name a few. The Chinese dumpling has a long history and is an essential part of celebratory meals, and this ancient city is regarded as the birthplace of the dumpling tradition.
That night as I was lying on my train bunk feeling the bumps from the tracks and listening to the low roar of the people, I thought of my experience. It’s rare for a city with such high expectations to not end up disappointing on some level, but Xi’an far exceeded even Jack’s sales pitch.
J. and I went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon. Originally, we wanted to go to Italy, but between being “house poor” (we just bought a house, 6 months before our wedding), and the quickly crashing dollar rate we didn’t think we could afford it. So, we picked up our Atlas of the World, let it fall to a page…and lo and behold, it fell to Costa Rica. J. did all the planning (thanks honey!) and we enjoyed a fabulous honeymoon for a fraction of the cost.
