Reading Log 2010 - September

Well I've been 'reading busy' in September, which should well make up for the nil books I completed in August!


Alexander Pushkin: Selected Works, Prose (Russian Classics)

This is a great book.  Pushkin writes beautifully and in a unique way from writers of books I've read to date.  Tatiana  (the character from one of mine and Nicole's most beloved novel series 'The Girl in Times Square' & 'The Bronze Horseman' by Paullina Simons), and her hero Alexanda delight over reading Pushkin, whose words bring them through some incredibly brutal circumstances.  I have wanted to read some 'Pushkin' for years, then recently found this on Sherwin's bookshelf :)    

Here is a sentence, from Pushkin's short story 'The Postmaster'  that I particularly enjoyed, “The sky was covered with grey clouds, a cold wind was blowing from the empty cornfields, bearing red and yellow leaves from the trees in its passage”.  Poetic.

The Five People you meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

A great short read.   I saw these two Mitch Albom books featured in a huge book shop, then shortly after found them for $6 each at my fave book bargain spot - the legendary Bras Basah.  Just love that place.  This book makes death seem much more enticing, it portrays death (the beginning stages anyway) as a chance to understand your life!

For One More Day by Mitch Albom

Another great short read.  A day with a dead loved one – his Mom.  I found a parallel with my dreams of my own Mum.  These dreams have progressed through many emotional stages and I’m happy to write that the most recent one consisted of joy, love and laughter.  It’s like I get to hang out with her again now and again, which is lovely. There is no valid reason for this being underlined, I just can't un-underline it.

Little Daughter by Zoya Phan

This book is so incredible that I'll need a whole individual blog post for it to fully express what I have to say about this topic of Burma.  Another book that I think every adult should read, and act on.




Buddhist Acts of Compassion by Pamela Bloom

As mentioned in an earlier blog, after our Italian Vipassana experience I resolved to strengthen my compassion for myself and others.  I thought this book would assist me in this, and I believe it has, by providing insight through examples of people practicing compassion in varied and often challenging circumstances.

Another great short read.

Nutritious and Creative in the Kitchen - watch out Julia!

My work start date has been delayed till mid October. I've used some of the remainder of my now very extended holiday (8 months) to up-skill in the areas of Nutrition and Cooking.  I'm really enjoying learning and experimenting creatively, and our local 'Giant' supermarket 'feeds' this new interest very effectively.

Unfortunately for Snowdon, my passion lies more with fruit, vegetables, grains and seeds, than with meat, so he hasn't been quite as excited by my new dishes, although I plan to branch out and treat him a bit more, and fulfill his meal definition of 'it must contain meal to be called a meal', with meatier dishes.  I've begun with the Salmon pictured below.

The national library provided the inspiration with these great books:

•      'You are what you eat cookbook' by Dr Gillian McKeith

'Baked Salmon with Spinach and Leeks' (in our case
broccoli stalks, which very tasty according to Snowdon)'

'Baked Salmon with Spinach and Broccoli' over
'Millet Mash (also starring Broccoli)'

•       'Wonderfoods' by Natalie Savona

I've been the most productive from this book with: Warm Chickpea and Tomato Salad, Frozen Coco Nana Smoothie, and another three which are pictured below.

'Scented Savory Rice', with 'Home-grown Sprouts (Sunflower)'.
Note the token meat dish, tinned rendang, 
in the background (very tasty for a can!).

My favourite so far, 'Carrot and Ginger' soup.

Snowdon trying to look as excited as I was about the yummy soup.
Te he - pretty good effort :)

•       'Eat Well Live Well with High Fibre' by Dr Susanna Holt 

Breakfast Deluxe

Next I'm on to 'The Kitchen Shrink' and 'Eat Well Stay Well'.  I'm feeling good with all the resulting nutrients rushing through my system.  Coupled with all the exercise we're doing, we're well on the way back to optimal health!

Pasir Ris Studio - I've started painting!

A few days ago I took a trip into town and visited one of my favourite spots in Singapore - Bras Basah, which is a  hub of Arts, Culture and Education bargains.  I returned home with some new acrylic paints, paper, brushes, wooden painting palette and a small wooden-female-human-hanging-model!

Here is my first Singapore made creation:

Watch this space - there will be more to come!