Book Review: The Help

Like many people I saw the movie and then decided to read the book. I highly recommend the movie. I think some of the characters were nominated for awards and I agree with that decision.

I liked the majority of the book more than the movie. I appreciate the change they made to Skeeter's maid story. I was surprised that Stuart did not come back in the end.  I guess it make sense but I always hope for a little more romance. 

The most disappointing part was the ending.  True to form, I always appreciate a 'fairy tale' type story where good completely conquers all. You will have to read it to find out.  I can see why the author ended it that way.  I would have appreciated a five to ten year fast forward.  I enjoyed hearing the different characters perspective. I also wonder what any former maids would have to say about the inter thoughts of Minny and others.

The ending made me question how much we really have changed. Of course now there is not the white verses colored barrier but there are others; dare I say gay marriage, pro-choice verses pro-life, Republican verses Democrat. Perhaps this is all cropping up because I have been watching more news lately.

I would like to end this post with this quote: 

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
― Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

I am going to try to love out the hate although it can be challenging. 

Apple Pie

Today my parents and I made an apple pie. I have come to really love baking. It is nice to carefully work the ingredients put them in the oven and wait for something delicious to come out in an hour. I think I also really enjoy learning from my parents. It turns out I am horrible at pealing apples. 

One thing my family always does is reduce the amount of sugar and butter in recipes. I cannot speak for everyone but I can never tell it's is missing. Perhaps all it does is make me feel less guilty about eating dessert! 

I have to say I thought it would be more difficult to make but it was quite simple. I foresee more apple pie making in my future.

Good Books

Even though I am a college graduate, I am still learning that there is a ton I do not know. I am thrilled that I now have time to read for fun. I am also finding reading a lot more enjoyable than watching TV.  However, I am realizing with the ability to read anything. I need to be more selective on what I am picking off the shelf. There are a ton of good books out there.

I want to be reading the really good books. I also want to do a better job of keeping up with the news. In addition, it would be great if they challenged my thoughts on the world. 

I just finished Water for Elephants. I highly recommend it. I am looking forward to seeing the movie but I am afraid it will not be as good! 

I hope everyone finds time to read.

Up in the Air and down again

Recently I had to extend my travel for work. It was awesome because I learned a ton. However, returning home, I forgot about the food in my fridge. Soy milk after it's expiration date is really disgusting. I also had moldy lemons. If life gives you moldy lemons I don't care what people say THROW them out! 

Needless to say now my fridge is bare. I went looking for my rental car in the parking lot yesterday at work. I was worried I did not clean up enough in the morning for the maid... then I realized I was the maid.

There is a quote in the movie Up In the Air-"All the things you probably hate about travelling -the recycled air, the artificial lighting, the digital juice dispensers, the cheap sushi- are warm reminders that I'm home." 

Well I was beginning to relate to that with regards to many other activities, such as clean-up after myself for the maid and  eating at restaurants by myself or with co-workers. 

Ryan Bingham, the main character in the movie, is right about one thing: "If you think about it, your favorite memories, the most important moments in your life... were you alone? 

Life's better with company."

Published ?!?!

I wrote an article for someone else's blog discussing triathlon training. He decided to publish it. I should also mention if you are interested in surfing reviews check out his blog. (I like it, but I might be bias)  I hope you enjoy reading.

To the article (Triathlon 101)

I copy and pasted it below..

Triathlon 101 – Guest Post

July 28, 2010 by The Surfboard Man · Comments Off
Filed under: General 

What is a triathlon?
It is a distance event which consists of three legs- swim, bike, run.  The distances of each leg vary.  Typically, a sprint triathlon is 400 yd, (1/4 of a mile), 12 mile bike, and 5k (3.2 mile) run.
An Olympic distance triathlon is .93 mile swim, 24.5 mile bike and 10k (6.4 mile) run.
First you have to think about how far you think you can go then pick an event. For sprint be sure you can swim 1600, bike 24 miles, and run a 5k. For Olympic be sure you can swim close to two miles, bike 40 miles, and run at least 8 miles.
What are your goals?-
To finish, to have a personal best time on the swim, bike, or run? Personally, I have always been a swimmer. I always try to start the swim out on a great note. My secondary goal is to improve my run time. Running is my weakest leg.
To train for a triathlon I would suggest swimming three times a week, and the three other days running and biking.  One day a week after working out hard always give your body a rest. It is common mistake to over train but you will be able to train harder with the break.
The distance and time spent training should exceed the time you predict it will take you to race. I compare it to surfing. You do not expect become Laird Hamilton at Teahupoo, if you don’t know how to ride 4ft waves.

Essential Equipment:
All of these pieces should go to the transition area.  The transition area is where you as an athlete store your triathlon equipment. Only athletes are allowed in the area but make sure you keep track of your valuables. You will come back to this location to grab your bike and other equipment.
Photo ID
Race registration confirmation
USTA $10 one-day pass or your membership card
Know the triathlon’s rules
A tri-suit
Googles
Spare swim cap
Bike
Bike helmet with approved safety rating
Spare bike tube
Tube repair kit
Small bike pump that will fit on your bike frame
Broken-in pair of running shoes
Sunglasses- for the bike and run
Sunscreen
Food
Water
Recovery drink
Clean set of clothes
First-aid kit
Big towel
A hand towel
If the water is cold
A wet suit
Body-glide or Vaseline
NEVER use brand new equipment at a race – stick to what has worked for you during training. I have seen some pretty nasty blisters from new running shoes during a triathlon just as one example.

Detailed descriptions of equipment:
Tri-Suit – they are basically bike shorts, and a spandex top. If you want to you can wear a swim suit and put on bike shorts for the bike and a t-shirt for the run. If you buy a tri-sui TRY it on before you buy. You will be in this the entire race if it’s not comfortable it will make the race no fun.
Swim cap – In your race packet you should have the swim cap you are supposed to wear.
Bike helmet – It has to be CPCS approved. Replace a bike helmet at least every three years. If you don’t take good care of your helmet you will have to replace it more often.

During the race you HAVE to have your helmet buckled in the transition area, if not you will receive a time penalty.

A small bike tire air pump which fits on your bike frame. Unfortunately sometimes no matter what you do you will end up with a flat tire. Come prepared and know how to change your bike tire and regular bike maintenance.
Food-
I always tape some power gels to my bike handle bars because I never know when I’ll need it. Although solid food might sound like a good idea on race day with extra nerves eating gels or drinking liquids is a lot easier on your body.  Avoid white starchy food. Know what fuel works for your body; I compare it to putting the wrong kind of fuel in your car.
Water – figure out how much you need. Everyone tends to sweat a different amount.
Recovery drink – After about an hour of the race you need to start thinking about replenishing your fuel source. I have two bottles on my bike. One with water and one with recovery drink.
Clean set of clothes – Lots of people will just chill out in their spandex but I think it’s a lot more comfortable to change into lose fitting clothing.
Body-glide – looks like deodorant but it’s so that your wetsuit doesn’t leave your skin rubbed raw.  Apply it liberally to your neck, lower legs, lower arms, and your lats. From personal experience I received a very nasty looking wetsuit hicky on my neck because I didn’t apply enough Vaseline.  It can also help you get your wetsuit off.  You do not want to have to wear it the whole race.
Wish list items:
You do not have to have these but they are very nice to have.
A bib band clip – you will be given a number which you have to wear on the bike and run portions of the triathlon.  This bib band makes it easy to put on your number so you don’t run the risk of stabbing yourself with safety pins after finishing the swim.
A road bike with clip in shoes – they will help to increase your efficiency but they definitely are more challenging than a regular bike
A water proof watch – it is nice to know how long it has been during the bike and run. If you are aiming for a particular time then at least you will have a rough idea.
Now good luck training, and go out there and TRI!

About the Author:

h2o_gage was a competitive swimmer growing up with over 10 years of competitive swimming experience she decided to try out triathlons. She is currently training for her second Olympic distance triathlon. When she’s not training for a triathlon, she can usually be found near the ocean, hiking or spending time with her family & friends. By day she is a mechanical engineer.

Follow H20_Gage on Twitter

Week One-Post Grad

Well post college was filled with a lot of driving and traveling. I cannot complain! I got to visit the heart of Los Angeles for a bit. I was on the 18th floor of one the sky scrapers for a bit!

I am obsessed with the movie 500 Days of Summer. I often have a hard time rewatching movies unless I find them spectacular. I have watch 500 Days of Summer four times! It was a really cool treat to see the same skyline that Tom and Summer sat at. I did not know that there is a trolley up and down Angels point. I took the stairs :) Bottom line watch 500 Days of Summer and walk around historic downtown LA afterward is totally worth it.

To the Right

To the Left



 The following day I spent some time in San Deigo. It was so beautiful. Since I did not grow up near the ocean I am still in awe of it. I wonder if I grew up near it if I would still appreciate it. The water looks much more inviting than it does on the Central Coast of California. It has this great blue green hue.

San Diego

LAST Day of College

Well today is my last day of class in my college career.... 

As long as I don't end up failing anything. I realize it is a irrational fear of mine but it is still a fear that three weeks down the road when my degree should be complete I will get a letter in the mail saying- you have one more class to take.

I realize this fear is tiny relative to all the other fears people experience. As I look back I feel incredibly privileged to be so close to completing a college education! So many people in the world do not have my educational opportunity. 

Prior to college I did not even live in California and I now have fallen in love with California and San Luis Obispo. I have learn so much in the classroom and outside it. I have made some incredible friends and learned some powerful life lessons!

I leave you with a candid photo from my freshman year.

 

I can't believe it was so long ago.