kapachino

Author: Kathleen

  • Ten (Or Fifteen) On Tuesday

    rr10tuesday

    Today’s Ten on Tuesday is really Fifteen on Tuesday. That’s cool, I’m flexible. I can adapt.

    1. If you could change anything about your physical appearance, what would it be?
    I don’t like to dwell on this kind of thing too much, but I have to say that I would love to have killer legs. Especially calves, like those of a ballet dancer. I don’t think it’s in the cards for me ever to have legs like that.

    2. Is there a habit in others that you find annoying?
    Smoking is the biggest one. Mainly I’m just passionate about helping people quit because of how terrible it is. But I also can’t stand to be around smoke.

    3. What is your favorite recipe using ground beef?
    Enchilada casserole. Yum!

    4. What was your favorite book as a kid?
    Matilda by Roald Dahl. I read it so many times I can’t count. I think it’s the reason I love to read so much. Matilda was only 4 years old and she was reading more than I do now! I wanted to be like her.

    5. Did you work as a teenager and if so, where?
    My parents wouldn’t let me work for most of high school because I was in too many extracurricular activities and they wanted me to do well in school, too. But eventually I convinced them to let me get a job. (Foreshadowing: this was a terrible idea.) When I was a junior the huge Katy Mills Mall opened up nearby, and I got hired at the restaurant Johnny Rockets. I did not thrive in this environment, and let me tell you why: a) ridiculous uniforms, b) mandatory dancing to certain jukebox songs, c) rude coworkers, and d) improper training. After 4 months I couldn’t take it anymore, not even to go in and give notice or pick up my paycheck. I pulled an Office Space and just stopped going. They called me for awhile, but eventually gave up and mailed me my money. The only positive thing I have to say about this job was that it introduced me to the song “Chicago: My Kind of Town” by Frank Sinatra.

    6. Did you work while in college and if so, where?
    Every summer I worked at a Christian camp. During the year I cleaned a couple buildings on campus. I also got paid a pittance to lead the junior high youth group of a local church.

    7. When you go to sleep do you like total darkness or semi? When you go to sleep do you need quiet or is some noise ok?
    I like it very dark and quiet, but since I got married I’ve learned to adjust to a bit of light and noise down the hallway, since I can’t force my husband to go to sleep at the insanely early hour that I do.

    8. When doing laundry, fabric softener or not?
    Not in the washer, but I like to use the sheets in the dryer. I notice that they decrease static electricity immensely.

    9. Open toed or closed toed shoes?
    Sandals are my favorite, but I also like some comfy boots. It just depends on the weather.

    10. Would you rather be blind or deaf?
    Well, I think I’d have to give up a lot more if I went blind. Going deaf I’d miss my husband’s sexy voice and music, but mostly I’d miss being able to hear myself sing. (Does that sound narcissistic? Ah, well.) Still, I’d rather make those sacrifices.

    11. Dangle or stud earrings?
    I am a stud-wearer. I have maybe two pairs of decent dangly earrings, and whenever I put them on I think I look funny.

    12. Bottled water or tap?
    I am particular about what kind of bottled water I’ll drink. Some of them have weird aftertastes. Usually tap water suits me just fine.

    13. What do you put on pancakes?
    Butter and syrup.

    14. On a long trip would you rather drive or fly?
    Fly. I’m not a huge fan of driving, and I usually want to maximize the amount of time I have at my destination.

    15. Do you prefer classic old movies or new?
    Probably new. I like all the visual stuff they can do with movies now. I am easily impressed. Although I must say that since I’ve begun watching all the old Best Pictures, I have discovered some real gems from early on.

    Whew, those 15 questions took it out of me. I need a nap now.

  • #41. Attend A Messiah Sing-a-long

    hallelujahOr, How I Met My New Best Friend.

    I wanted to go to a sing-a-long of Handel’s Messiah because I sang it for four years in college when I was in choir, and I miss it. I wasn’t even going to blog about this event, but that was before I sat next to Gladys.

    My mom and I were looking for the soprano section, as there were no signs and it wasn’t our church. I noticed that many of the people had on maroon collared shirts, so I figured they must be the church choir. We walked up to one of the rows and were pleasantly surprised that we had found the right place. Gladys graciously scootched herself over to make room for us.

    She was an older black woman, slightly hunched over but with a gorgeous smile. I thanked her for letting us sit there and she replied, “Honey, I don’t own any of these pews so you can sit wherever you want to!” As the performance got started I could tell that her voice was probably past its prime, and she was having a bit of trouble reading the music. It made me wonder how long she’d been singing in that church choir.

    During one of the solos, Gladys patted my hand and pointed to my wedding ring. “When?” she whispered, eyes twinkling. I cupped my hand around her ear and said, “A little over a year ago!” For a moment I felt like I was newly engaged all over again. Back when I couldn’t stop looking at my ring, when I knocked it against things and constantly snagged it because I wasn’t used to the weight. Now it’s just an extension of my hand. “Oh, you’re married already? Wow!” Gladys replied.

    A while later, after we had just sat down from singing one of the choruses, Gladys looked at me and said, “You have such a pretty voice. It’s sweet.” I tried to clarify that my voice is soft, but she wasn’t having it. “It’s sweet. And you are so pretty.”

    During the Hallelujah chorus, I noticed that she lost her place in the music and couldn’t find it. She was using a different score than the rest of us and couldn’t go by our page numbers. She searched and fumbled and finally just put her music down and sang. Something about that made me sad, that she tried so hard to find her place but couldn’t. It didn’t seem to bother her, though. Even when she began singing the wrong part, it didn’t matter. She was singing Hallelujah one way or another.

    At the end of the night, after the long Amen, Gladys and I exchanged at least three hugs. I kind of didn’t want to leave, because I will never see this delightful woman again. I don’t know much about her, but tonight she made God proud. I’m sure of it.

  • Obsession: The Rory Gilmore Book Club

    roryreadsIt’s official, I’m obsessed with the Rory Gilmore Book Club on Goodreads.

    I know this because this morning I spent a good hour researching the books on the list in order to make my nominations for what the group will read next year, despite giving myself a hearty pep talk last night and this morning to make today the day I would get everything done on my to-do list.

    First of all, if you aren’t on Goodreads yet, consider this my enthusiastic plug. I keep track of everything I read on it, but that’s just one of its many benefits. You can see what your friends have read, join book clubs (ahem), find out about events, take the never-ending book quiz, learn about authors, and lots more. So unless you’re like my brother-in-law, who went and created his OWN book database in order to customize it to his particular specifications, or unless you hate reading (and if you do, for shame!), JOIN GOODREADS ALREADY!

    Anyway, if you have no idea who Rory Gilmore is, or the significance of the picture at the beginning of this post, allow me to educate you. Rory is half of the Gilmore Girls, who are the leading characters in the TV show of the same name, otherwise known as the Best Show Of All Time. Yes, I went there. I don’t care that it was on the WB/CW and that it seems completely girly, it is quite simply the best. I personally know several males who thoroughly enjoy it.

    The deal is that Rory is a reader, and this book club was started in order to read all of the books that Rory has read. Amazing, right? I lament the fact that I am only discovering it now, two years later. I have already read many of the classics on the list, but most of the modern books I had never heard of.

    So I joined the club and intend to be an active member, although I am a little bit worried about finishing all the books. I still have my own book club to keep up with, as well as trying to read all the books I own, 5 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 5 books David recommends. But what better way to reach my goal of 50 books in 2010?

  • Book Club: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

    PotatoWhen this book was first suggested as our book club read, I had never heard of it before and my first thought was, “What kind of name is that?” Little did I know that this book is actually extremely popular and highly rated. I’m glad I knew nothing of it, because I had no expectations going in.

    The story is set in immediate post-WWII Britain. It revolves around Juliet, a woman in her early 30’s who has recently published a successful novel. She receives a letter from a man named Dawsey who lives on the British island of Guernsey, which is the only part of England that was occupied by the Nazis during the war. Dawsey bought a used book that had Juliet’s name and address inside, and he writes her to ask questions about the author. Juliet begins a correspondence with him, and subsequently with Dawsey’s neighbors and friends as well. Through this we learn all about the lives of the inhabitants of Guernsey during the occupation, and how literature helped them through it.

    The book is made up entirely of letters between the characters, all who are extremely witty. I’m kind of in love with some of them. Though it may be a tad unrealistic, it is charming and adorable to read. And, thank goodness, there is a happy ending–my favorite kind. The whole thing made me want to sit down and write long, handwritten letters to strangers. (I won’t do that, though. My husband wouldn’t approve.)

    I give it 4 out of 5 stars, and definitely recommend it as a quick and enjoyable read. (For the record, some of my real-life book club members loved this book even more than I did.)

     

  • kick start

    Hello. So it appears that I have fallen off the blogging bandwagon a bit. I really thought I would update more frequently than this after NaBloPoMo ended, but I guess it tired me out more than I realized. ANYWAY, here are some things for you to ponder. Or things for you to skim over and forget about, whatever you like.

    ***

    This Saturday I attended The Pioneer Woman’s book signing with Chelsea, Lauren, (non-blogger) Kelly, and Darla. I felt a little bit like an imposter because I’ve only been reading her blog for a couple of weeks. Although I have to say, I am hooked. Also, I am really bad at meeting people in general, and meeting anyone even remotely famous just isn’t my thing. I clam up and come off either awkward, stuck up, or–God forbid–BORING. Thankfully Lauren and Chelsea have been reading my blog so they (hopefully) know there’s an interesting person in there somewhere. Needless to say, I did not say much to Ree other than, “Thank you for making it to Houston.” There might be a picture of us out there somewhere.

    ***

    I finally saw New Moon today. I waited awhile and went to the first showing of the day on a weekday and was rewarded with only 5-6 other people in the theater, and none of them were the screaming type. I will be the first to admit that I loved the books (back when I read them long before the craziness started happening), but I’m not much a fan of the movies. In fact, I am thinking of watching the next one on DVD.

    ***

    The things I’m working on now in my spare time include decorating for Christmas using the least amount of money possible, making and sending Christmas cards, planning my next home project (my in-laws are going to help us out with that as a gift–SO EXCITED), reading (always reading), and eating. Some of these things I will be expanding on soon for you.

    ***

    My brother and I get to do a couple of songs at the Christmas Eve service at our church. He plays guitar, I sing. We already have one picked out, but we’re looking for another. Anyone have any suggestions? The song should be about Jesus, preferably.

    ***

    I cannot stop eating cookie dough. That is all.