Books I’m Reading

Although I’ve been absolutely swamped lately, I’ve been keeping up on my reading and discovering new bands I like. You can check out my blog post about “Why I love MySpace“.

I picked up “The Joy of Doing Things Badly” by Veronica Chambers. I love the way she writes. The words seem to just magically come together in a beautiful well-written narrative that is interesting and touching at the same time.

In a society that puts so much emphasis on perfection, Veronica Chambers mischievously casts aside the guilt-inducing litancy of ‘should, coulda, woulda’ that seems to define modern-day life and replaces it with a resounding call to live with “foolish bravery.”

I haven’t finished the book yet as I’m also reading several others. As some of you know, web design is a topic that I’m very interested in. I’ve taken and will continue to take classes to master this subject. For my latest project, I am reading “Web Design: Introductory Concepts and Techniques“. It’s a great book that can be used as a text in a classroom setting. Like the title says, it covers concepts and techniques. And it even has a thorough glossary.

I also picked up “Art Theory For Web Design” by Jennifer Golbeck. While it is somewhat elementary, it does cover the subject matter well. I found “Neuro Web Design: What Makes Them Click“. I’ve only read part of the first chapter but all ready I’m really excited about this find. I love knowing the why behind human behavior especially when it comes to the Web.

I was looking around Multnomah County Library and stumbled across Anthea Paul’s “Girlosophy: Real Girls’ Stories“. Visually it appealed to me because the design and use of photography was so colorful and bold. The book is filled with different girls’ stories. It has a collage type of design that makes it feel like you are looking at numerous cork boards with cool pictures and stories. It’s a book that I could love to create because I love hearing about people’s lives and the decisions that have gotten them to the place they’re at now.

If you have some great books that you’ve found, please leave me a comment with the information I’ll need to either check it out from the library (preferred) or (gasp!) buy.

I’m Not Mrs. Andy

So I know that it used to be popular for married women to be called Mrs. (insert husbands first name) (insert married last name) aka Mrs. Barack Obama. But folks this ain’t the fifties anymore, I’m not in pearls and an apron, and I have have and exercise all of my constitutional rights.

I am not an extension of Andy. I am his partner, his friend, his lover, and his wife. I am Aleta. I understand that my grandmother, great grandmother, and Andy’s grandmothers address letters, cards, and other correspondence to Mr & Mrs. Andy Fullenwider. They grew up in a different time. But for all you other folks out there, please stop doing it. Seriously. It really gets under my skin.
Thank you!
So after writing and publishing this post, I’ve realized that my tone was very harsh. For that, I apologize dear readers. Sometimes in my eagerness to express myself, I forget that in this medium (Internet) you all cannot see me wildly waving my hands around only to calm down after I’ve made my point. So I apologize for my harsh tone but not my opinion on this subject. I’ve still yet to receive a letter addressed to Mrs. & Mr. Aleta Fullenwider-Good night!

Suddenly My Salad

When I was younger, my mom bought Suddenly Salad. It the Betty Crocker instant pasta side dish that comes with herbs and spices. Personally I think its pretty good although higher in fat and calories than I would like and kinda salty. So I’ve been making my own.

I boil the pasta (whatever kind I have on hand but penne is my favorite for this dish) and then chill it for an hour or so in the refrigerator. I cut long strips of purple onion and red pepper. Then I peel a cucumber and slice in half length wise. After removing the seeds, I cut the cucumber in small bites. I add all of the veggies and the pasta together with Italian dressing, fresh ground pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Cover and let it chill for about twenty minutes and then enjoy.

Letter to My Younger Self

I’ve been concentrating on my other blog, school stuff, and an important project. Andy is stressing out that half of Spring Term is over. He has so many important projects to complete: hydrogen torch, poster for Microbiology, and a national test he has to take for chemistry. We’ve been so busy that we’ve both been going into school on Saturdays! Andy goes into open lab and I make use of the computer lab to complete my InDesign homework.

I’ve been trying to think up a good, positive blog post for all the loyal readers out there. I decided to write a letter to my younger self. Okay, okay I got the idea from watching two minutes of “Lake House” (before I turned the channel to something worth watching). I thought how interesting it would be if I could warp time and space and send a letter to the Aleta that is ten or even fifteen years younger. What would I say? Well, let’s take a look:

Dear My Younger Self,

Don’t freak out. This is a letter that is defying both time and space to give you important advice. Pay attention and focus. First off, that outline you created at age sixteen detailing what you would accomplish at certain stages of your life wasn’t too realistic. Take it out, laugh at it, and put it aside. You aren’t going to win the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature by age 24. I’m sorry. And that also goes for the Pulitzer too. Maybe at age forty or fifty.

Second of all, it doesn’t matter if your family understands you or not. They love you. That’s what is important. Get over all the petty injustices that your brother and sister put you through. It doesn’t matter. Remember that you aren’t the center of everyone’s universe and everyone is basically figuring this stuff out as they go along. Most people are just doing the best they can. Give ‘em a break.

Learn all you can about different pieces of software and computers. It will come in handy when you get older especially the spreadsheets. Say you’re sorry when you mess up. Sometimes that’s all it takes to make amends. Don’t listen to all the naysayers. Follow the path that you are interested in. In the end, it’s your life.

Don’t spend all your cash on beer. Buy stock in companies like Exxon Mobile and ConocoPhillips but stay away from a company called Enron. It’s too good to be true. Go to more concerts (but wear some earplugs when you stand near the speakers!!) and remember that life is a marathon not a sprint. So be good to your knees!

There are tough times ahead of you but there’s a hot guy that you haven’t met yet. You’ll know him when you see him. Try to buy him a beer.

Try to get more sleep and quit smoking as soon as possible. It’s a nasty habit.

Yours,
Your Older Self