Delineating Des

A for Antique design A full century is the debate Some in the a rts attempt to halve it To this a lternative a sset-loving a rm An a ntique design is quite a charm. This post is linked with ABC Wednesday .

N ever Let Me Go   Kazuo Ishiguro - a novel I am reading for a book club meeting I am attending on the last week of this month. Being 'pop sci-fi thriller' it's not what I normally read but exploring new nooks of genre is nifty.   Characters of this novel (2005) are children raised in a boarding school in East Sussex, England as clones intended to provide organs for non-clones. A film adaptation of the same title was released in 2010. Never Let Me Go Hazel, Delineating Des   Baby, never let me go Kathy sings as she hugs her pillow Madame watches her and cries Kathy later asks her why And Madame replies: because I see this little girl A new world she is facing An efficient but cruel world But it is emerging Never let me go To the old world The little girl is asking. This post is linked with ABC Wednesday .

Write From Karen For starters, I'd like some milk and whiskey.... A muscle towed my brow upward. "We are talking fine dining, people, and I want you all to go international," I announced to a group of Marketing majors last Sunday. These are what I fancied from their presentation: 1. Red mullet and skordalia (Greek) 2. Salmon sashimi with avocado (Japanese) 3. Braised halibut provencal (French) 4. Chargrilled prawns with lemongrass, tomatoes and coconut (Malaysian) 5. Lamb Steak with tequila and chilli (Mexican) 6. Veal roast with aromatic herbs and potatoes (Italian) 7. Roast mutton with red currant jelly (English) 8. Vermicilli with oyster mushrooms and king prawns (Vietnamese) 9. Somboon crab curry (Thai) 10. Chicken chow mien (Chinese American) 11. Barbecued lamb cutlets with mango and coriander salsa (African) 12. Bulalo (Filipino) 13. Paella vegetarian (Spanish) Never again will I go to work with an empty stomach . Megan and Janet host Thursday Thirteen . Click here ...

Small Talk Six: 6 children's books you love to read out loud Please scroll down for Weekend Funnies Back then my folks were oftentimes willing to free me from doing chores if I read. I didn't show them how much I enjoyed the arrangement. *wink* But the way the publishers introduce these books (#1,2,3) it appears my parents must have had their own motive as well for relaxing those domestic rules. Books 3, 4 & 5 contain fave chapters and stories I read to my son, and the last one, passages I read out loud to myself. 1. Children Around the World (A compilation) "written to inculcate true values to children without being preachy, this volume introduces a child to people in other lands." 2. Mga Kawiliwiling Kwento (My Storybook) "twenty character-building stories...." 3. My Bible Friends . Ten volumes, by Etta B. Degering "this is a reinforcement for value-teaching in a way children will love and enjoy." 4. Children's Treasury of Virtues by ...

One thing I'm trying to control about my reading habit is succumbing to the temptation of buying more books than I can carry in my luggage when it's time to move to a permanent place. The bookcase I got is space-limited, city-ish. My hoarder instinct makes it a major object in my daydreams: ship the contents home when I'm finally through with Bangkok. header by Samulli ; click here for more lists These are book(s) in my bookcase I read: ...devour more like 1. Harry Potter 1-7 by JK Rowling passage by passage 2. A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren in less than 4 hours 3. Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown to satisfy my curiosity 4. Empty Promises Vol. 7 and other true cases by Ann Rule to pass the time away 5. Prince Charming: The John F. Kennedy Story by Wendy Leigh for entertainment 6. The Complete Neurotic by Charles A. Monagan 7. You Don't Say I forgot the author but it's about identifying people who should be credited for famous quotations we know, like...

Two weeks ago I wrote an essay in a bid for a PhD slot in a university in the southwestern pacific. Just when I was about to send it over, I realized that if I were offered a place, the very topic I built a case on would send me back to Thailand for data-gathering. I didn't fancy that and decided to work on something that will keep me afloat should I face drudgery at some point in the research. Since I have always been a fan of a rector's daughter who was a writing machine at a time when a king's son ruled England, I happily spent hours breezing through massive literature on her. Jane Austen, the name that could launch a thousand nights of delightful observations. Except for the titles in bold font, I listed them according to how they appear on Literary History . They should help me nail an idea on how to proceed with brainstorming later. If I ever change my mind about the unfinished essay yet again or even abandon PhD for some reason, I know I won't regret the pleas...

Friday's Fave Five: Regency Period Cake Please scroll down for Mommy Moments Ambience of Banana Leaf Restaurant dinners continue to be the trend for us this week. Rustic charm has always been a big hit to me and Banana Leaf's got it. Buckets of real wheat, garlic and pumpkin hang adorning the wall. Plus the sweet and sour fish and chicken with cashew nuts and mushroom are a real pleasure. J Lo Live This was a gift to me two years ago. Cj is too young to be choosy with scents. He smiles playfully when I spray it on him and I laugh inwardly thinking he is a boy wearing a girl's perfume. This week we both smell the same :) Cyberbanking I finally dragged documents and myself down K Bank to register for online financial transactions. Spending only what I earn suits me best as I avoid debts and the convenience of sorting expenses any time of day in familiar surrounding is always welcome. Music in the air Whatever happened to the PA system at work? An old song was coming off it t...

At night when work is done, two old maids chat. These are random snippets from their late night cyber tete-a-tete, which no longer is in this case. This is six weeks worth of observations of the state of things about and around them. Besides disclosures that one is a mama, and the other a medical doctor, most likely you can easily spot giveaways to infer their general philosophy and theorize their old maid status . Header by Samulli . Megan and Janet have more lists here . 1. My stuttering fingers... 2. I dive feet first... Australia in October ... after suffering and embarrasing myself doing PhD I'd like something lighter like learn how to fly a helicopter and before the luggage joins the cobwebs - PEI: Anne Shirley of Green Gables; Chawton: Jane Austen 3. Happy sabbath, mareng (mareng is slang for matron) ... he probably doesn't know how patrician National Trust staff are 4. You? cry over a guy? no way!... 007 as in James Bond?... and you thought he's in touch with reali...

Friday's Fave Five: Getting Settled with Mothering Please scroll down for Mommy Moments This week flew by very fast! I mean this fast that I noticed it then I couldn't believe it. Yet it was a TGIF greeting for a co-teacher in the lift this morning. It's perhaps because from Monday to Thursday I was like laundry in a washing machine whirling, soaping, rinsing and finally spinning myself to a blessed Friday while snatching faves along the way: i. a write-up finally taking shape It still needs polishing but there it is - 800+ words already and covering almost all points necessary for submission. I strongly suppose Ceejay's full-time stay with me has much to do with its near completion status for I am ii. getting settled with mothering Although having to look after Ceejay without a caregiver now (the ex terminated her services) terrified me at first, I am thankful that my struggling efforts to try anyway are turning out okay. I'm sleeping with a baseball bat and there ...

Whilst strolling the grounds of St Mary' s church in Scarborough, I was humming "parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme..." All I saw though was Anne Bronte's grave in the shadow of Scarborough Castle. Of course Scarborough Fair ended in 1788. Showing up in 2006 was rather late. I didn't get the T-shirt but I got the mug from which I sipped coffee yesterday in the faculty lounge. With Sherri Buck Baldwin's lovely painting on it, moccona has never tasted better. Sarah J Home Decor Either you are like me - curious at what's on a painting or fond of herbs for whatever purpose, 'tis sweet of the manufacturer to have contents of the Herb Wagon written in gothic-like font around the mug: (I collect mugs) 1. Lavender, Angelica 2. Lemon Verbena, Ginger Mint 3. Tarragon, Bee Balm 4. Fennel, Lovage 5. Meadowsweet, Chervil 6. Star Anise, Artemisa 7. Marjoram, Chicory 8. Oregano, Sage, Thyme 9. Dill, Saffron, Bay Leaf 10. Sweet Basil, Coriander, Cilantro 11. Parsley...

Seafood was major in my diet during christmas and new year. Foremost was fish. I hopped from one restaurant to another and had them either deep fried with salads or steamed with lime and herbs. Fish was the star feature of the culinary delights I engaged in, but then I'm a regular fish eater. My are the fish I ate over the recently concluded holidays. Got anything you like on the list? 1. Silver Pomfret 2. Rabbitfish 3. Black Grouper 4. Sea Bass 6. Australasian Salmon 7. Yellow-fin Tuna 8. Chub Mackerel 9. Nile Tilapia 10. Mediterranean Cod 11. Asian Carp 12. Atlantic Halibut 13. Red-tailed Gourami Thursday Thirteen is brought to you by Megan and Janet

Glitter Graphics - GlitterLive.com That's it! We are about to conclude 2009. I am thrilled to have finally begun something I have been curious about for awhile: blogging, and that it turned out to be a wonderful experience. The friends I found and the interaction with them are the highlights of my online social life this year and I intend to have the same or more next year and next.... There are beautiful bloggers to whom I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation through this given to me by Mommy Moments host Chris at the Mommy Journey: Thom, whose playground Thom's Place 4 Well Whatever is a very interesting read; for becoming my no. 1 bloggy friend, always leaving me comments that are guaranteed to put a smile on my face if not make me fall off my chair laughing Lisa of Lisa Notes for her significantly inspiring posts, always well-written and lovingly hits where it is reasonably necessary. I feel blessed every time I visit her blog Anya of KARELTJE en ikke!!! ...

With just a handful of natural exceptions, i.e. an exotic wedding, a nasty divorce and a son to live for, my twelve-year stay in Thailand has been routinely work - home - work - home - repeat . I have had enough. That said I am making some changes. From a bachelor's degree in Education to a master's in Communication, I mull over a doctorate in Anthropology. Midlife crisis or a tap on the concept of self-reinvention: either way I'm still too keen on the holidays to determine it yet. Seriously I only want something that is NOT boring. A few years of it then I'm ready to get back to the grind. So... things I am looking forward to in 2010 -- I. Positive application result from a university of my choice II. Securing a plausible research methodology III. Systematic data-gathering, hopefully a painless process of analyzing finds IV. Fulfilling my Disneyland promise to my five-year old, and V. Getting him home to my mother for better care VI. Executing plans I, II, III, I...

Following someone's midsjudgment of moves on what was supposed to be intense ass-kicking in an Austrian divorce court, I am staying put in Thailand for the rest of 2009. To make up for the cancelled Europe trip, I made sure I had fun right where I was. And I had it in abundance. This week's T13 is a summary of activities that tie up my year: 1 - socialized at a wedding 2 - rode on a submarine 3 - checked out my son's school 4 - discovered that there's more to Sin City Pattaya than just bars and whores 5 - dreamed about making wishes come true (Disney on Ice) 6 - braved a macabre showroom filled with mummified bodies of AIDS patients 7 - travelled back in time (ruins of the French ambassador's mansion in Lopburi) 8 - welcomed the birth of a cousin's daughter 9 - visited an arts and culture centre 10 - threw a party for my son's 5th birthday but bought the wrong cake; he sulked and I ended up promising him Disneyland next year 11 - accomplished requireme...

It's the season and to me it's not complete without the Hallelujah Chorus. The other thing is majestic choirs move me. Here are two videos by the Brooklyn Tabernacle and the Mormon Tabernacle Choirs. I love both versions of what probably is the most famous part of Handel's Messiah . I get gooseflesh on "King of kings! ... Lord of lords ...." Happy holidays, everyone! Walter Cronkite conducts. Choir begins singing around four minutes into the video. Introductory speeches are covered on the first four. They are as beautiful to watch as the rendition. ~ Amy hosts Then Sings My Soul Saturdays . Visit her at Signs, Miracles and Wonders for more uplifting music or to join ~

According to legend, King George II of England rose to his feet when the Hallelujah Chorus was sung. Following protocol his subjects rose up as well. Thus began the tradition of audiences around the world rising during the Hallelujah performace. There are many speculations as to why the king stood or if he even stood at all. The Bangkok Combined Choir is composed of volunteer singers of around twenty nationalities. Every year in December, the choir performs Handel's Messiah. I sang once. (pure luck: there was no audition in 2000) Rehearsals got me thinking of the tradition of standing when the Hallelujah Chorus is sang. I googled what people have to say and my today is a list of opinions about audience decorum during the chorus: 1. The Hallelujah Chorus is like an anthem for the church. Whenever you hear it you are supposed to stand up. 2. Standing for the Hallelujah Chorus just interrupts the performance. 3. People should not be taught that they need to stand up at a certain time ...

Besides a five-year old c hild named C eejay whom I love c heekiness, tantrums and all, I noticed that several heavyweights to me in terms of either fascination, physiological c onnection or sentimental value, c ome with names that start with letter C . Related one way or another, I enumerate them in thirteen sets. The final object in each set is not named but shown in a photo. Feel free to identify them. The obvious c lues are they all begin with letter C and naming them is all for fun :) 1. c hocolate c heese c ake, c offee, c ashew nut, c orn and 2. c ool c ompanions, c ommunication, c olors and 3. C .S. Lewis, C haucer and 4. c ute, c heery, c harming and 5. c lassical c ompositions, c onductors, c hoirs, c oncerts and 6. c handelier, c reative c enterpieces and 7. c hamomile, c itrus, C rookshanks and 8. c ypress, c ottonwood and 9. c ottage, C inderella, and 10. c alla lily, c arnation and 11. c athedral, c hurch and 12. c hiffon, c ashmere...