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Ask Mandi Jo

Tag Archives: books

A Pre-Move Vacation

10 Saturday Jun 2017

Posted by askmandijo in Daily Life

≈ 1 Comment

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Barbara Hambly, books, Coffee, Denver, Dogs, Emily St. John Mandel, family, Flo, Food, Glory, Hiking, Jerusalem, La Marzocco, Maqluba, Oaxaca, Photos, Puppies, reading, Sammamish, Seattle, Shaftoe, Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Falls, Station Eleven, Sushi, The Windrose Chronicles, Toby's Estate, Travel, Vacation, Washington, Yottam Ottolenghi

Dear Friend,

Tidal Basin from the air.

If you follow my Instagram, you are likely already aware that I spent the week overlapping May and June visiting my aunt and uncle in the Seattle area! Part of me felt a little silly taking a week of vacation only a month before I leave my role, but I don’t feel good about taking time off between November and the end of our annual fundraising breakfast’s follow-up process. So it had been a while since I took more than a three day weekend, and I don’t like wasting things… ESPECIALLY things like vacation time! Although honestly, I’ve been wanting to go visit them for over a year so if I could make it happen, I was going to do it.

The anticipation of this trip was heightened more than most. If you don’t believe me, you should ask my mom who was sitting in the car next to me when I was buying plane tickets. You see, as I was doing so, I realized that I could work it out to have an extended(ish) layover in Denver on my way out. So not only was I going to spend a week with my family and their puppies (who I lovingly refer to as my ‘dog cousins’), but I was also going to get to see one of my best friends since high school, who lives in Denver and whom I hadn’t seen in almost a year. (Again this sounds silly given that I’m MOVING to Denver in a month, but a WHOLE YEAR!) The final hour of each of my flights seemed to drag on forever because I just couldn’t wait to see and hug my people.

My time in Seattle (technically Sammamish) was primarily spent reading, relaxing, eating, and hanging out with the puppies. Let me clarify, I refer to Shaftoe and Glory in the LOOSEST sense of the word ‘puppy’. If you were thinking about two young little dogs running around being cute, you have the wrong idea. I am talking about 9-year-old dogs who are both well over 100 lbs. and like to spend their days napping in the living room. Although the fact that he can’t fit doesn’t keep Shaftoe from trying to sit in my lap (not that I mind).

This trip was the first time in too long that I’ve given myself space to read extensively for pleasure. I had been meaning to read Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel for about a year, and it was just small enough to tuck into my purse, so I brought it along with me. Once I finished Station Eleven, however, I needed to find something new and went exploring through their books until I settled on The Silent Tower, which is the first of The Windrose Chronicles by Barbara Hambly. Published in the 80’s and 90’s they were new to me and exactly what I was looking for. In fact, after finishing The Silent Tower, I went on to read the next two in the series (The Silicon Mage & Dog Wizard) before returning home.

On Wednesday morning, my aunt and I visited the La Marzocco Cafe and Showroom. My dad loves coffee and has a talent for finding the best coffee in town, even in places he’s not familiar with (I have no idea how), so I had asked him for a recommendation and this is where he sent us. La Marzocco is an espresso machine manufacturer whose café in Seattle features a new ‘Roaster in Residence’ each month. At the time of our visit, Toby’s Estate from Brooklyn was the featured roaster. When we arrived, I ordered a Cortado Breve, and my aunt ordered a drink off their menu called the Gingersnap. We enjoyed them so much that we got a second round with reversed orders!

Before I went, one of the things I told my dad was that I wasn’t going so that I could be a tourist and explore Seattle. I was going because I wanted to deepen my relationship with my aunt and uncle and better understand what their daily lives look like. Life in L’Arche has taught me the value of dedicating time to simply be present with people. And I don’t just mean that it’s appreciated by the person/people I’m being present with, but also that it is a practice that is and has been meaningful for me. In that vein, part of my time with them was spent visiting/touring/eating lunch at my uncle’s workplace and briefly meeting a few of his coworkers. My aunt, one of her good friends/neighbor, and I also got to have a ‘girls night’ one afternoon and attended a winery concert event together another evening.On Friday morning, my aunt, uncle, and I all went to visit Snoqualmie Falls. If you watch Twin Peaks (which I haven’t) this is apparently the falls shown during the opening credits. We started at the top where the overlook is before hiking down to the bottom of the falls where, in addition to another viewpoint of the falls, you can see where the pipes from the hydro plant come down and join the river. It was stunning. It also made me really excited to be in Denver soon with access to hiking trails in the beautiful Rockies.

If I were an anthropologist, I think I would study the importance of food in forming and creating community/culture. That is to say, like most families (I assume), my family talks and thinks about food a lot. According to my dad, the uncle I was visiting is the one who helped introduce him to more varied and interesting cuisines, and thus the reason that I grew up thinking squid was a completely normal food to eat. So obviously one of the first questions they had for me when I arrived was, ‘What kind of food do you want to eat this week?’ Throughout the week we visited one of their favorite places, Flo Sushi and Sake Bar, as well as a Oaxacan place they hadn’t tried before. The night before I left, my uncle and I also made Maqluba. They had never heard of it but, when they had asked about food I wanted to eat, I had mentioned it was one of my favorites from my time in the Middle East. I think of Maqluba as being a perfect comfort food, and was excited to be able to see what the process of making it actually entails. We used the recipe in Yotam Ottolenghi’s book, Jerusalem to great success.

The morning I left, Shaftoe could tell something was up and waited patiently for me at the top of the landing as I went back and forth between the bathroom and the guest room getting ready and packing my stuff. Then he trotted down the stairs next to me as I brought my suitcase down. Once downstairs he plopped down on the floor and made puppy dog eyes at me until it was time to go. One of my favorite photos of him while I was there is from that morning of him just looking at me. The look on his face seems a bit quizzical and just perfectly fits how I was feeling as I was getting ready to go.

Overall, I think you could say this trip was exactly what I needed before my upcoming transition. Taking a step away from the busyness and chaos of preparing to move across the country for a short time of being with people I love with nothing on the agenda except to be and experience what was before me. What a gift it was!

Lots of Love, Mandi Jo

 

                  

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Identity: Books

15 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by askmandijo in Daily Life

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books

Dear Friend,

By the time I reached my seventh birthday, I was such a voracious reader that all I received for my birthday was book after book. As a child, my parents knew that if they couldn’t find me, I was probably curled up with a book somewhere. I was one of those children that could go to the library, check out the maximum number of books they let you take at one time (Usually 20 or so), and then need to go back for more within a week. I would devour books, like an addict. Before I learned to read, I remember being terrified of learning how. So much so, that I convinced my parents that I needed glasses in an effort to slow down the process. However, once I learned how, I never looked back.

As I’m sure you are aware, there has been one of those obnoxious chain status’ on Facebook going here there and everywhere at an insane pace regarding books. It is the subject matter that convinced me (as if I need much motivation beyond the word “books”) to participate and now expand that participation here. In addition, my dear friend Gennie (visit her at donutsprinkles.wordpress.com ) responded to me asking her to participate with a blog post… and in a weird cycle of encouragement and inspiration here I am, retelling my list here for you to read.

 

Watership Down – Richard Adams

This book is a huge part of my family. When I was younger, my dad would read this book aloud to the entire family every single year. It may be about a group of rabbits, but thematically it’s more about what it means to be a community. Nevermind that this book is like a guide to random things I do like: sing about slugs to the moon, reference characters like The Black Rabbit of Inle, Rowsby Woof and the Fairy Wog-Dog, or call all seagulls “Kehar”… (sidenote: I’m not sure if anyone has even noticed that I do these things), this book is also one of my most highly recommended book suggestions for people of all ages (all though younger audiences may need someone to read to them.)

Song of the Lioness – Tamora Pierce

Within pages of being introduced to Tamora Pierce by my cousin Eileen, I was in love. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for novels that are set in fantastical worlds, kingdoms filled with cultures, places, and people that simply do not exist in the world we know… add in a little magic, and some adventure and I’ll be set for life. What I love about Tamora Pierce, however, is that unlike the majority of novels fitting into this category (see several examples below), Pierce’s protagonists are all female. These are women fighting not only the battles of their kingdom, but for the right to be considered equal to their male counterparts, a fight that is all too real in today’s society. These women display intelligence, compassion, strength, skill, loyalty… the list goes on. These books are the kind of books that I continue to read over and over again.

Harry Potter – J. K. Rowling

I spent years in that “I refuse to read/participate in the Potter hooplah” world. I’m not exactly sure why, but I remember thinking to myself that if I was going to try and pass it off as sub par to the rest of the written word I should at least read it… So I did read it, and realized that “sub par” is about as incorrect as you can be in relation to these beautiful novels. Not only have I found myself in awe at the millions of ways tiny threads weave their way throughout the books and all come together at the end to make a brilliantly crafted tapestry of a tale, and been amazed by the sheer existence of, what seems like, an endless back story for everything and everyone, but the THEMES! When I began reading Harry Potter, I thought I would find the story of a young wizard who went on crazy adventures with his friends, and constantly got in trouble… and I did, but I also found a young wizard who learned what it meant to experience loss, loyalty, friendship, love, anger, confusion, you name it. In the end, I felt as though I had grown up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione… and I don’t know how to express how knowing a friendship like theirs changes you. It just does.

Almost Perfect – Brian Katcher

This book is, in many ways very different from all the others on this list. I’m not going to go into details about the book, because I’ve already written about it (Almost Perfect) in another post. In which I really didn’t really give many details, I know, but somethings need to be read to be understood. What I have found profound about this book is that it doesn’t show how things should be, it shows the reality of how they ARE. Logan’s reactions to his relationship with Sage are what I would expect in a similar situation today. Not how I would hope he would respond, but how I imagine people with similar backgrounds to his character would experience this situation.

Thirteen Reasons Why – Jay Asher

Oh, 10th grade book club… in addition to reading Daphne de Maurier’s Rebecca, we also read this book about a young man who listens to the 13 stories that make up the suicide note of a young woman who was important to him. The stories explore the power of rumors, bullying, and the process of losing hope. What is interesting is the way these stories are heard through the lens of someone who saw PAST the rumors, and truly cared for someone who thought no one cared. I found the story to be powerful and emotionally moving. In fact, I’ve probably read this book every year since that first read in 10th grade. Sidenote: There are rumors of a movie, but the casting choices included in those rumors make me nervous…

Harold and the Purple Crayon – Crockett Johnson

This one one of several children’s books that find’s itself on my family’s bookshelf along with other family favorites like The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord, Shibumi and the Kitemaker by Mercer Mayer, and The Mountains Crack Up by Jasper Tomkins. All of these stories have been important to my reading and general development, but this past year Harold and the Purple Crayon has become increasingly resonant with me. In the story Harold goes on grand adventures and eventually begins to search for his bed… What I love about this story is that Harold comes to the realization that he can just draw his bedroom into existence like he has with everything else he’s encountered. As I’ve been traveling over the last year, and looking towards possible post-grad plans, I’ve been reminded of Harold and how he made stopped looking for home and made “home” right where he was… I too can be anywhere in the world and make myself a home right where I am.

Chronicles of Narnia – C. S. Lewis

Aslan… yup, I think that about covers it. No, but really, Aslan helped me understand Christ as a young child and I continue to wish I too could find Narnia in the back of a wardrobe. On a random sidenote, The Horse and His Boy is one of my favorites from this series and is often underestimated… if you haven’t yet, you should read it now.

Persuasion – Jane Austen

Persuasion is my favorite of the novels by Jane Austen. I don’t know why, but I’ve always favored Anne Elliot. Her personality is more similar to mine than those of other Austen heroines and I can’t help but think that in the Austen world, it is all too often that people point towards Lizzie Bennet and Mr. Darcy as the prime example of romance and whatnot. But forget all of that “liking you despite my better judgement” confusion and look instead towards two people who have loved each other for years, but are not together because of bad advice. It is not a story of looking past class and rank, but rather a story of finding the courage to disagree with the people you care about and to forgive past wrongdoings. I also happen to LOVE the letter Wentworth writes to Anne declaring his love… it’s just so beautiful!

Lord of the Rings – J. R. R. Tolkien

To understand the way in which Tolkien’s much-loved tale was much-loved by me, one would only have to look at my 5th grade bedroom. The walls covered in movie posters, book quotes, sketches from the book (think the Gates of Moria)… today my bookshelf includes a Middle-Earth Atlas, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, all 5 of the released films, a guide to the Languages of Middle Earth, LotR movie guides, The Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales. I once spent an entire school year writing notes with one of my friends in Dwarvish runes. If that overflow of nerdiness doesn’t do all explanation necessary, I don’t know what will.

Walk Two Moons – Sharon Creech

Honestly, I don’t have much to say about this one, but feel as though it is important to include it. You see, in 4th and 5th grade, I fell in love with Sharon Creech. Her novel Walk Two Moon goes down in history as the first book I read that made me cry. I also happen to have weird connections to this story in that in Chasing Redbird, an accompanying novel of sorts, the main character’s name is Zinnia (like the flower). After reading the story I fell in love with Zinnias and at one point my late grandfather, Danny, planted some seeds I gave him around the house that I currently live in. Weird, convoluted story, I know, but nonetheless, Zinnias now remind me of my grandfather.

 

Lots of Love, Mandi Jo

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Drowning in Literature!

24 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by askmandijo in Daily Life

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

2013, Almost Perfect, books, Brian Katcher, Busy, College, Death, EMU, Fallen, Holocaust, Julie Anne Peters, Keeping You A Secret, Lauren Kate, LGBT, love, Markus Zusak, Relationships, She Loves You She Loves You Not, The Book Thief, World War II, Young Adult Literature

Dear Friend,

I’m sure you’ve been wondering about my latest reading adventures, and there have been numerous… Since I last wrote, this is what I’ve read:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

For me the most important aspect of the book, was the narrator. Rather than being a random omniscient being, or the protagonist, or even being a side character who watches the story unfold, this story was told, by death. Set during World War II, I felt that death is what we, as a society, relates to that time period, and allowed for an intriguing perspective. It took me a while to realize that Death was the narrator and this realization came upon me suddenly. I seriously read through a paragraph, and then suddenly reread it because I was so surprised. After I had accepted death as the narrator, however, I began to realize that this knowledge was crucial to understanding the story. At times, understanding Death’s perspective on war, killing, and the characters themselves, gave much more insight into the holocaust than what was actually going on.

Fallen by Lauren Kate

This book was so confusing!!! You know how sometimes you’re starting to read a book and you know what has happened, but you still can’t figure out what the book is about so you just keep reading because surely you’ll understand in a few pages, or the next chapter? That was this book… except you never get to the part of the book that makes the rest of it make any sense. As you may recall, this is a book that I borrowed from my mother and so I asked her about it and from that conversation I gathered that in order to understand what is going on, you have to read the entire series (which is approximately 5 books). Now I can’t imagine an inexperienced reader putting up with this at all, if I struggled to make sense of what was going on, and I’ve been reading practically non-stop for about fourteen years, then I can’t even imagine how someone who isn’t sure if they like reading, much less this book would be able to stay with a series that makes this little sense. It was almost as if the entire first book was the “introductory section” that you read in a book… setting up the stage for what is to come, but never quite getting there.

She Loves You, She Loves You Not by Julie Anne Peters

This book good, but I don’t feel like I can talk about it without comparing it to the other LGBTQ… book that I read by Julie Anne Peters, so look down to the next book and you can hear all about them.

Keeping You A Secret by Julie Anne Peters

I found it interesting to read two books on the same subject by the same author. Not only did Julie Anne Peters focus on a young girl who is learning love within the context of being a lesbian in a straight world in both stories, but in both cases the girls experienced being kicked out of the home after a parent learned of their sexual orientation. In She Loves Me She Loves Me Not, this occurs before the book takes place and is what sort of drives the story along however in Keeping You A Secret, this occurs about 2/3 of the way through the book and is a reaction to the story line. Overall, however what made the most impact on me regarding the purpose and worth of these novels was a letter that the author had written in the back of Keeping You A Secret talking about how at first she was nervous about writing about a lesbian love story because of the backlash it might have on her and her partner, but afterwards experienced an outpouring of support, especially from youth who related to the book and needed to know that they could be represented. This ability to use personal experience and relate to young readers who are struggling with their own sexual identity is something that I think should be celebrated.

Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher

This book was amazing, I almost don’t want to tell you anything about it just so that you will be intrigued and go find it for yourself. I will however give you a quick plot line… Boy meets girl, girl was born in a male body, boy struggles to figure out how to handle this newly learned information and the rest is beautiful literary history. I have never read a book that is able to show this controversial topic in such a subtle and genuine manner. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, but would forewarn that at first glance, can appear to be transphobic because of the realistic way in which Logan reacts to learning Sage’s secret. In a blog post I read responding to this book, there were some questions regarding the end of the book and whether it fit with the rest of the novel, and fortunately for us, the author even responded to the post so you can read what he says about the post as well. Personally I would respond to that post by saying that Logan’s reaction to it is what is important (I am leaving out some bits and pieces here so you can read and discover for yourself) rather than what is actually said or done… Come see me to borrow the book (except wait a little bit, I’m doing a mixed genre project on it) and then have a great conversation with me about it afterwards if you so desire…

I still haven’t updated you on all of the book reading I have been doing, but you’ll have to wait a bit longer for that…

Lots of Love, Mandi Jo

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