Our Moms

I heard Staceyann Chin on Def Poetry one night years ago and started looking into her poetry and writings. Last week I began following her on Twitter: @staceyannchin. I came across this haiku (a form of poetry I love, as many who follow me might already know) today and felt compelled to post it (even though the ethnicity is reversed):

Haiku for my mother

Chinaman left her
black child in her flat belly
rockstone in her heart

My mom's been staying with me since October while her new apartment gets renovated; she moves out tomorrow. Although my happiness knows no end to the news that I get my space back, I'm going to miss the routine we so easily fell into together. She has been through everything, knows almost everything, and is my everything. And despite the fact that I see my mother everyday, that she gets on my nerves, that I cherish my personal space and privacy, I'll miss her. Does that make any sense?! haha

Glad That's Over

I finally finished Mistress of the Sun, and I am too happy that ordeal is over. This book had so much potential and completely lost its way--I'm so disappointed in Gulland for creating such spineless female characters and for focusing on the inconsequential. Mistress was based on an actual historical figure, therefore it should have been that much greater for that little fact. This experience has completely dissuaded me from reading any more books by Gulland--shoddy writing should and will not be supported by yours truly.

On a happier note, our February book for the new book club has been voted upon and the winner is Isabel Allende's Daughter of Fortune. I might have read this book years ago, but can't remember; either way, I can't wait to pick it up. That is of course, after I finish Nefertiti, by Michelle Moran, in order to compensate for the horrible taste in my mouth left over from badly written historical fiction. Nefertiti should do the trick (as I've been told by Racquel who's read both books back-to-back as well). As usual, you can see my updated list of reading material in the right navigation; they're all quick links for your easy reference.

Happy reading and have a lovely weekend, my friends. Besitos!

V

The New Format

Since a couple of the ladies from the original NYC Book Gang and I are going to continue reading together, I've put together a new format that seems very agreeable to us all: we will each be picking a book per month, on ABC rotation, and will also orchestrate the venue and meeting date. I think this will make things more interactive and get participation at 100% (even though this wasn't a problem with them, which is why we're doing this ourselves). In retrospect, maybe the group should have been handled like this from the beginning; however, I thought that I was making it easier for everyone by coordinating everything myself. Was it all taken for granted, were people just not interested anymore, or is everyone just going in a different direction? I don't know, and even though I'll miss the original collective, I'm looking forward to starting anew.

I can't wait to see what the inaugural book is going to be, especially since I can't seem to finish Mistress of the Sun. I'm not saying it's bad per se, just a really tedious read.

My New Makeup Mission

The End of An Affair

Last night was the final book club gathering. We had a lovely time, but I believe my idea has served its purpose for making new friends and exploring our new home. We briefly discussed our December book over gourmet grilled cheese sammies (part of the theme besides candy) and sinfully delicious desserts. Back on my diet as of today, haha. Two of the original--and only consistent participants--and I will continue to read together and dish, but by no means will any of us part ways and never see each other again. I will still host movie nights and I'm sure we'll all include each other in our own activities and outings. Also, my "Recent Reads" section will continue to be updated on a regular basis.

All's well that ends well.

New Year, Better Life

I'm not into the whole "new year, new you" mentality; I prefer to think of "better you" than completely new. Let's be realistic: no one sticks to resolutions and far-reaching goals anyway, right? So I'm going to keep on making the same improvements I vowed to make last year. 2010 was grand and I stuck to my list for the most part, therefore this year can only get better by my estimations. Saving more money (not spending so carelessly), investing that saved money wisely, healthier living, all that good stuff.

These past few days I've already started achieving some of my five-year plan goals: I signed up for spin instructor certification and will have that squared away next weekend--so excited about that! I've bought a photography package so I can finally get my headshots (on last year's to-do list). I've renewed my gym membership and have been already been taking dance classes at Alvin Ailey (LOVING it there) and am planning on adding ballet back into my repetoire. I'm planning on being able to make clothes--or at least hem my jeans and fix buttons--so I've signed up for sewing classes. I'm also trying to be more patient and tolerant toward others. All of this should lead to a better me, yes?

Being this proactive, which is better than I was during years' past, I can only believe that 2011 will be promising.

Oh! Check out my skydiving video that I've finally uploaded on my youtube channel here.

December Book & Goings-On

The book club's December book is The Sugar Queen, by Sarah Addison Allen. This should make for some lighter holiday reading after all the serious books we've done. I'm looking forward to it almost as much as I am looking forward to eating delicious Indian food next week while we discuss Jhumpa Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth, our November book. I've already picked the venue and can't wait to feast.

Meanwhile, let me expound on the dangers of signing up for "daily deal" website email notifications. In the past couple of months my bank account has been seriously depleted as a result of trying to "save" money on deals for things I probably don't need but feel/think/have-convinced-myself I should have in order to enrich my life. However, I'm enjoying all my purchases so much that I can't stop!

I should be a smart and talented bombshell by the end of January, ha!

Recaps

Book Club discussed The Island, by Victoria Hislop, and what a flop that was. None of us recommend that to anyone unless you're a glutton for punishment. The November book was Jhumpa Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth (which I confess to not have even started yet) and I'm excited to talk about this over some delicious Indian food. I've been totally preoccupied with finishing up Stieg Larsson's Millennium Series; the final book is The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. I am trying to hurry as fast as I can so I can see the movie before it leaves theaters. That sums up the reading portion.

The trip to Chicago for Turkey Day was so melodramatic, Joy Luck Club has nothing on my family! That's all I'm going to say about that... Boy am I glad to be back in NY, even though I'm not alone yet. To quote Shakespeare, "Aye me!" "I am Fortune's fool."

I want To Jump Out of a Plane

...and I did! It was one of the most amazing "pinch me" moments of my life. I couldn't have given myself a better birthday present, and recommend everyone to try it. It was so exhilarating that I want to go as many times as I have to in order to get certified to do solo jumps. Jumping tandem is great and all, but now I'm ready to really fly!

Life is beautiful and the view from the top is grand.

October Book

For those of you following my book club: the October book is The Island, by Victoria Hislop.

We are going to be meeting next week to discuss The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I can't wait to hear what everyone has to say about it. I, for one, loved it, and have already started reading the second installment in the series: The Girl Who Played With Fire. I will be going to see the original Swedish movie versions of the books right away before they leave theaters; I hear they're amazing and super intense!

Our Song, Mayhaps...?

He said: "Feeling so Lady Antebellum 4 u right now," and I get it. I so get it.

Sigh.

I can't believe I'm feeling like this. :D

Recaps

Nashville was too much fun for words! We bought tons of cowboy boots, drank JD like fish drink water, fell in love with country music and have decided to repeat this fun every year in a new southern hot spot. Good times.

The August book for book club was 19th Wife, which we'll be discussing next week, and no, I will not be doing a theme-based venue for this one, lol.

The September book is the highly acclaimed international phenomenon The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson. I can't wait to sink my teeth into this book tomorrow.

Went to see a few interesting movies: Takers (purely for the eye candy), The American (which I loved), and Mao's Last Dancer (pretty good).

It's officially football season, so I'm very happy, not to mention in need of a couple of good bets for an adrenaline rush. ;)

Exercising, dating, shopping, exploring and loving life!

Going To the 'Ville

So friggin' excited today. Why? Because I'm meeting up with one of my best friends for a mini-vacay in Nashville this afternoon! We haven't been on a trip together in almost ten years, and that was the only trip we'd ever taken together until now. We see each other briefly whenever I visit Chicago, but a few hours here and there always seems so choppy and never enough. Not being one for girl trips, Ana is the only person with whom I've felt comfortable even contemplating travel (there's only one other person I'm comfortable with, besides dear ol' mom, and she's my other besty in Chicago). We've already planned things to do, see and eat, and can't wait to get into trouble, southern style! This is going to be so much fun. Yay.

Literary Cleanse

I received an email from someone who is no longer in my life yet wants to stay connected with me...to keep tabs on the goings-on in my life? I don't know. Creepy. I really can't stand this person anymore and wish I could purge him completely. Since I can't erase my memories, all I can do is vent.

Green Tea

In the forest of my soul I picked leaves at first light.
Infatuated by your lust I succumbed.
At midday I basked in the rays of your lies.
Your free radicals oxidized my heart and turned it to rust.
If only I had the antioxidants I needed to resist you then.
My once verdant leaves dried in the heat of my anger.
You chopped them up with curses.
They brewed in my blood and I let them steep till dusk; it’s strong enough now.
I take one long swallow and wait for the bitterness to subside.
I sit on the throne and piss your toxins out.

©2005 Vicky Therese Davis

What People Call Me

Insomniac

Maya Angelou

There are some nights when
sleep plays coy,
aloof and disdainful.
And all the wiles
that I employ to win
its service to my side
are useless as wounded pride,
and much more painful.

Seeing Me Naked

I'm sharing my book review of Liza Palmer's Seeing Me Naked, my book club selection for June. I really appreciated how she ended each chapter with a not-too-heavy introspective insight, and didn't rush the ending.

I was surprised, in a good way. I enjoyed this book tremendously, even if it wasn't super original. This is the first chick lit book I've ever read that didn't have any characters that annoyed me. The first person narrative wasn't distracting (a la Bitter Is the New Black), but rather refreshing and smart. I connected with everyone, the story, and the author. This was also the first chick lit book I found to be intelligent and sophisticated, in writing style, choice of character background, and "little details" that amount to a lot when all is said and read, rather than the usual shallow banter and thought processes of equally shallow and self-absorbed (in the wrong, irritating, and oblivious way) characters. Classy. I'm a new few fan of Liza Palmer.

Shed it All

I had several interesting and enlightening conversations this weekend, most of them at this one fabulous rooftop house party (thanks again, Guambi and Danae) in Park Slope. We covered everything from racism, self-hatred within one's own race, relationship problems successful women face, pregnancy issues for singles and married women, gay relationship quandaries, how one's location affects all of the above, all the way to working out and the Kardashians. I was once again reminded that we just have to let all these societal pressures, self-inflicted criticisms, and other people's hang-ups, fall by the wayside and just celebrate who we are. Inside and out.

I Am What I Am (from La Cage Aux Folles)

I am what I am
I am my own special creation.
So come take a look,
Give me the hook or the ovation.
It's my world that I want to take a little pride in,
My world, and it's not a place I have to hide in.
Life's not worth a damn,
'Til you can say, "Hey world, I am what I am."
I am what I am,
I don't want praise, I don't want pity.
I bang my own drum,
Some think it's noise, I think it's pretty.
And so what, if I love each feather and each spangle,
Why not try to see things from a diff'rent angle?
Your life is a sham 'til you can shout out loud
I am what I am!
I am what I am
And what I am needs no excuses.
I deal my own deck
Sometimes the ace, sometimes the deuces.
There's one life, and there's no return and no deposit;
One life, so it's time to open up your closet.
Life's not worth a damn 'til you can say,
"Hey world, I am what I am!"

Books & Books

Book Club is meeting at AmyRuth's to discuss The Help tonight (you know how I like to have themed outings), and I absolutely cannot wait! This novel was so provocative, I have to put it on the same short list as Wench, another group favorite from a couple months past. I already know there will be a lot for us to talk about and debate.

This month's book selection is quite a departure: The Piano Teacher, by Janice Y.K. Lee. The setting is Hong Kong pre- and post- WW2. I just started it last night and it seems promising thus far. I hope it doesn't disappoint. Either way, the food we'll eat for this discussion will be sure to please all our palates. I'm already doing the recon on venues, hehe.

Recently discarded on my own time was James Patterson's Sundays at Tiffany's, a fluff piece that doesn't deserve shelf space in my personal library--it was donated within an hour of my finishing it. This was one book that really did deserve to be in the bargain bin at B&N. James Patterson will not be getting a second chance outta me!

My Fortune Cookie

I can't help it: I had to post my fortune cookie saying. Although its packaging is rather banal, the depth of the message resounds.

"Many a false step is made by standing still."

This couldn't be further from the truth, and I must keep this message at the forefront of my mind whenever I feel myself becoming complacent in accomplishing my goals (which I have been as of late--thanks, trashy reality TV!). I guess this is just the universe telling me to snap out of it!

Book Club

A recent jaunt with a couple of the Book Club ladies at Lady Mendl's for afternoon tea.

The March book for Book Club was Skinny Dip, which was funny and witty, but not the greatest read; good entertainment, but not enthused to pick up another of the author's books any time soon,

This month, we are reading The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, which is showing a lot of promise thus far.