Protected: Childhood friends
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Yes, I know this. But, I am not a breakfast fan. I don’t usually like to eat in the morning. I’d much rather drink a cup of coffee or tea (or even a glass of water) and call it good.
Goro Miyazaki‘s “From Up on Poppy Hill”
For my current giveaway, I have a real treat for anime fans. Two lucky readers will win a Blu-ray + DVD combo pack of Goro Miyazaki‘s “From Up on Poppy Hill,” which won’t hit stores until Sept. 3. #WinWithJae
Was Miley Cyrus really that offensive?
I thought that all the hoopla surrounding Miley Cyrus’ performance with Robin Thicke on this past weekend’s Video Music Awards would’ve died down by now. But, it hasn’t. And while there has been some fantastic commentary about the meaning of their performance (as it relates to sexism and racism), I was disappointed to see that the majority of comments boiled down to this: Miley Cyrus is a little slut with a flabby rearend.
Go Away With … Marcus Lemonis
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Marcus Lemonis was adopted as a baby by a Greek family living in Florida. His parents were friends with Lee Iacocca, who advised Lemonis to get into the camping and RV business. After making guest appearances on NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice” and ABC’s “Secret Millionaire,” Lemonis — who’s also the chairman and chief executive of Camping World — caught the attention of CNBC. On his reality series “The Profit,” the 39-year-old entrepreneur invests cash into failing businesses, teaches the owners how to better their businesses and, hopefully, earn a profit
Good breaks run in the family
When my husband and I first started dating, he liked to tell his friends that I broke his arm. Technically, that’s not true. He did that all by himself. But, it is true that I was the one who suggested we go ice skating. Denton is good at most sports. He grew up skiing and won dozens of trophies racing BMX bikes. I skied once my entire life and don’t feel the need to do it again. As for cycling, remind me to tell you about the time I fell off my bike and onto my terrified 3-year-old child.
Kindergarten
Kyle started kindergarten this week. It was all we could do to get that first picture. His friends were waiting for him across the street and he wanted to join them. To say that he was excited to attend the “big” school is an understatement. For the past four years, our little boy would run to the front door when he heard the noisy parade of children marching to school. He would try to open the door to join them.
Go Away With … Lisa Ling
After Lisa Ling gave a speech at Tufts University, students asked her what advice she had for young people. “The best education I have ever received was through travel,” said the California-based journalist. “You’ll become more conversant, poised and smarter.”
Go Away With … Casey Anderson
“I have the best job on the planet!” says Casey Anderson, the 37-year-old naturalist who hosts the Nat Geo WILD series “America the Wild.” “I get to go to some of the most amazing places for work. So when I go on vacation, I go home. There is nothing more relaxing then sitting on my deck, watching the wildlife, the sunsets, and listening to the creek.”
Oprah, the $20 lipstick and me
So, ya’ll have read about Oprah and the salesclerk at some chi-chi Swiss handbag boutique, right? Ms. Winfrey wanted to see a purse that retailed for just under $40,000. The clerk repeatedly told her it was very expensive and wouldn’t show it to her. Have any of you had a similar thing happen? I have, on a much smaller scale.
Christa Wells’ new CD “Feed Your Soul”
A long time ago, when I was a teenager, I was on a roll winning contests. I won tickets to see Culture Club in concert. I was selected for a hair and makeup makeover. I won albums and boxes of chocolate. But, the biggest prize I won was a trip to San Diego to see the Knack (of “My Sharona” fame). #WinWithJae
Go Away With … Christa Wells
Singer-songwriter Christa Wells says that in some ways, growing up in a military family prepared her for all the touring she does today. “I lived for four years in western Europe,” says the 39-year-old musician. “I love travel and seeing the different ways towns and cities have been built, the ways people live and eat and relate to one another — the sounds of different languages. (Travel has) taught me about the beauty of diversity. The world is so big and richly textured. We’ll never run out of new things to try and experience.”
Why I write about the past
Someone privately messaged me and asked why I wrote so much about things that had happened in the past. Do I write about it so much? I’ve been writing professionally for the past three decades and I’d estimate that my pieces surrounding race issues encompass less than 1% of everything I’ve ever written.
“Sunday Girl”
For this week’s contest, I’ve teamed up with author Kalliope Lee. We’ll be giving away two paperback copies of her critically-acclaimed novel, “Sunday Girl,” AND 10 e-books. #WinWithJae
Go Away With … Kalliope Lee
An American expat residing overseas in London, Kalliope Lee makes her novel debut with “Sunday Girl” (Psychopomp Press). Set in 1991 Seoul, the book tells the story of two college-age friends struggling to live with the violent attack they both survived. One of the young women becomes obsessed with the plight of Korea’s “comfort women” — girls who were forced into sexual slavery to serve the Japanese Army during World War II.
Summer meals and memories
This has been our go-to dinner as of late. And so much of it is from our garden. We had a delicious caprese salad with our homegrown tomatoes (nothing like them!) and basil, fresh mozzarella and my balsamic vinegarette drizzled on top. The kid and I made pizza dough in our bread machine, and it tastes so much better than the dough we used to buy from Trader Joe’s.
Newsflash: K-pop bands sing in Korean
Let me start this post by saying that I’m pleased that non Koreans like K-pop. When I was growing up in Chicago, few people knew that Korea even existed as a country. None of my American friends were interested in Korean music and they certainly didn’t idolize any Korean stars.
Justin Roberts’ “Recess”
I’ve teamed up with Justin Roberts. And we’re giving away two copies of the Grammy-nominated kid-friendly musician’s new CD, “Recess,” which is currently in stores. Click on the photo to get instructions! It’s easy and fun! 🙂 #WinWithJae
Go Away With … Justin Roberts
Justin Roberts doesn’t think it’s all that unusual that he went from being a Montessori preschool teacher to a Grammy-nominated musician. The Chicago-based singer-songwriter wrote intelligent, catchy songs to sing to his young students. Roberts has consistently made Amazon.com’s Top 10 Children’s CDs of the Year list, and performed his music on the “Today” show and Nick Jr. His single “Get Me Some Glasses” also was featured on a World Series broadcast. He’s currently touring with his band, The Not Ready for Naptime Players, to promote his latest album, “Recess.”