For the first time, I’m sad it’s humpday! I’m actually enjoying my quiet week at home…I’m getting to do all the stuff I love but can’t find the time for in Orlando, like long walks, gardening (I re-planted my basil and parsley plants yesterday), YOGA and reading. I’m honestly the biggest homebody you will ever meet. I love just staying home. Always have. This morning I made another bagel for breakfast–the same sprouted wheat cinnamon raisin that I had the other day—and covered it with almond butter and blackberry jam. I had a bunch of strawberries on the side. After breakfast, I took advantage of this gorgeous morning and walked to Starbucks for an iced coffee (my vice!). The walk took about 15 minutes both ways and was very nice and refreshing. Iced coffees always remind me of college because I used to gulp these down for exam study fuel. I rarely drink them anymore, mainly because I hate to spend money on coffee when I can easily make my own at home, but sometimes its nice to just treat yourself. Especially while on a walk.
Today is my last day here. My dad is coming home tomorrow to stay with my brother and I am heading back to Orlando to get my butt to school tomorrow night!! Ryan is coming to visit this weekend and we are thinking about headed to Cocoa Beach for the day on Saturday. Ryan is a surfer and I’m really hoping to learn! As for today, there are things I should do….like clean out my closet….haha. All I have planned right now is yoga at some point.
Here’s my reading update!
I just finished one of the best books I have read all year. It actually might be THE best book I’ve read all year (and I read a TON). It’s called “Souvenir” by Therese Fowler and is a story about a girl and a guy that grew up next door to each other and fell in love very young. The story is about both of their separate lives 17 years later, dealing with the consequences of the decisions they made when they were young. I could not put this book down and I can’t stop thinking about it. It was that good. I’ll be on the lookout for more from this author–this was her first book. I really love picking books from new authors because its important that we support them—so much work goes into writing a novel and this book is something to be proud of.
I’m reading “Change of Heart” by Jodi Picoult now. I’ve read every one of Jodi’s books and really enjoy them. They all follow similar plot lines, which I’m sure yall are aware of if you read her stuff. They deal with a moral/ethical issue and all have a twist. I think the thing I love best about Jodi is her ability to research so immensely the subject matter in which she writes about. I’m enjoying Change of Heart and not quite half way through it yet. I’m actually about to pick it up right now!
ibex hk
May 7, 2008 at 12:46 pmEnjoy your humpday! I’m excited about those books, always love hearing new recommendations. I just bought Jhumpa Lahari’s new book, “Unaccustomed Earth”….I’ve loved all of her books thus far, so I’m looking forward to this new one.
Have a great day, I too am walking to Starbucks in a bit, just something about an iced coffee on a nice day..mmm!
Happy wednesday 🙂
Melissa
May 7, 2008 at 12:46 pm2 Questions – if you don’t mind me asking, where is your family from in Wisconsin? I live in Stevens Point (by Wausau) and get excited when I see others from WI as well.
Also, regarding Yoga: I belong to our local YMCA, and am kind of bummed because the classes offered there are per “semester” and you have to sign up for 2 months ahead of time and pay extra for it. I am jealous when I hear other people saying they can just pop in whenever to a class. It would be SO much easier for me! How does your gym work?
Oh wow, that book sounds really good! I’m always afraid to try new authors unless someone recommends them, so thank you!
Maggie
May 7, 2008 at 12:50 pmHave you read “Hearts in Atlantis” by Steven King??? Its not at all a horror book, he doesn’t write all in that genre. It was probably the best book I’ve read all year, just amazing.
Romina
May 7, 2008 at 12:52 pmI’m glad to hear you’re enjoying your week. =)
Those books sound super interesting. I have such a huge pile of books to read over the summer, but I’ll definitely check these out
Susan
May 7, 2008 at 1:02 pmSalmon eaters help please!
I would like to start eating salmon. In the past I think I have had farmed and found it too fishy and just to strong -yuck! I am a semi vegetarian so too strong of meat or fish is kinda gross to me.
I have no idea what I am doing in terms of buying salmon. I have heard wild salmon can have parasites that farmed does not. Is there a type of wild salmon that is more mild? Any suggestions are most appreciated!
Susan
May 7, 2008 at 1:03 pmJenna,
I have been super busy so I have not really had a chance to read your blog lately 🙁 But I wish your family the best and hope your grandparents get better!
NJ
May 7, 2008 at 1:04 pmEnjoy Cocoa if you make it over… make sure to grab a drink at Coconuts and watch the action.
Stacey
May 7, 2008 at 1:09 pmhi jenna! love the blog!! just wanted to say that i share you’re love for jodi picoult!! i own most of her books and she has yet to let me down 🙂 i actually just got done reading “nineteen minutes” that one was definitley a page turner…i highly recommend it! anyway, best wishes for your grandfather!
NJMOM
May 7, 2008 at 1:09 pmI just finished “Change of Heart”. I really enjoyed it. I am now reading “Remember Me?” Sophie Kinsella.
nicole r.
May 7, 2008 at 1:22 pmJenna –
Have you read The Time Traveler’s Wife? It’s one of the best books I’ve read in quite some time, and I feel like you’d LOVE it. It’s about a man who travels somewhat haphazardly through the past & future of his life (ie: he has no control over when leaves the present for a different time, or to which period of time he goes) and his wife. His wife has known him her whole life, as he once time-traveled to her as a little girl, but he doesn’t obviously meet her until he meets her in his present (which sounds confusing but makes sense in the context of the book). It’s a GREAT story. Also, you should look into On Beauty by Zadie Smith if you’ve not read it, as that’s another book I think you’d be really into!
GreenTea
May 7, 2008 at 1:26 pmPlease let us know how Change of Heart is!!
I really want to read it, especially since I just started My Sister’s Keeper. I can hardly put it down!
Unfortunately, I’m at work and I have to today… 🙁
Cara
May 7, 2008 at 1:36 pmthanks for the reading suggestion. I read a ton of books as well 🙂
raybelle
May 7, 2008 at 1:40 pmSusan,
I’m like you–more of a pescetarian than a 100% vegetarian.
I like salmon, but it’s hard to find wild-caugh–especially where I am in North Carolina. My husband went deep sea fishing in Alaska last year and brought back lots of wild caugh salmon–it was really delicious and not to “strong” tasting.
Do you have a Trader Joes? They have a pretty good fish selection there, you might check it out.
I’d stick with fish like grouper, mahi mahi, tilapia
Swordfish and tuna are too “meaty” for me (maybe it’s the texture).
Hope this helps.
At any rate, fish is a great addition to a semi-vegetarian diet;)
Speaking of varying levels of vegetarianism: Has anyone met a fruititarian? That “diet” fascinates me–not sure I’d ascribe to it, but it’s really interesting.
becky
May 7, 2008 at 1:58 pmJenna, I love when you talk about books on the blog! Thanks so much for the recommendation!
I love Jhumpa Lahari too and have her new book on hold at the library.
Nicole – I second the rec on Time Traveler’s wife – I loved that book too especially since I live in Chicago and totally recognized all the Chicago-specific elements.
Melissa
May 7, 2008 at 2:04 pmHi! I’ve been reading your blog for a while and I think it’s really great. I just wanted to say that Change of Heart is really great but that My Sister’s Keeper is even better if you haven’t read that one. I’ve read all of Jodi Picolt’s books and they’re great! i hope you find time to read more!
jenna
May 7, 2008 at 2:11 pmMelissa,
My family lives in Milwaukee. I love it up there–especially in the summer!
as for yoga—I’ve always tended to steer away from yoga classes at gyms because I prefer yoga studios. When I move back I’m going to get a membership to the yoga studio here instead of the gym. I much prefer doing yoga rather than working out in a gym and feel like I’m in better shape when I do so. Usually yoga studios are set up where you can buy a class package or pay by the month or get unlimited for the year or something. Currently, I’m pretending I’m my mom and using her classes at the yoga studio here in Tampa. I find that yoga at gyms is much more “fitnessy” and, honestly, that’s not why I do yoga. Yoga, to me, is much more than a workout and if I wanted just a workout I would go and do pushups. Yoga is more spiritual to me–it centers me and keeps me grounded. I find that yoga at yoga studios is much more my style because it goes beyond just the fitness realm of it. If I were you, I would seek out a yoga studio in your city and go from there!
Thanks for all the book recommendations everyone! I really have read every one of Jodi’s books…I liked Plain Truth a lot as well as Salem Falls. They all are SO good and impossible to put down. My Sister’s Keeper was the first book I ever read by her and that was years ago so I might have to re-read it sometime soon because I sort of forget what its all about. I’ll have to try the time traveler’s wife. Its one of those books I always pick up at the bookstore and look at, but never buy. I don’t know why. I’ll give it a shot!
cbinkc
May 7, 2008 at 2:23 pmI’ll have to see if my library has a copy of souvenir. Have you read “Tender at the Bone” by Ruth Reichl? She is the editor of Gourmet and it’s a memoir of her growing up. It’s one of my favorite books! I loaned it to a co-worker and she started reading it this weekend and she couldn’t put it down and read halfway through it.
Katers
May 7, 2008 at 2:23 pmThose strawberries look delicious – and huge! I’m so glad is strawberry season – I have a 1 lb carton at my house! 🙂
arimcg
May 7, 2008 at 2:29 pmI loved Change of Heart. I haven’t read many of her other books but I need to work my way through them.
VeggieGirl
May 7, 2008 at 2:39 pmNo worries – you DO still have a few more days left in the week!! Savor every moment!!
Wow, ‘Souvenir’ definitely sounds like it’s worth reading – thanks for the review/recommendation! Enjoy ‘Change of Heart’!
Betsy
May 7, 2008 at 3:04 pmyay-i need new book recommendations badly. 3 hours on the subway per day=going through books REALLY fast.
Jen
May 7, 2008 at 3:45 pmSusan,
I just wanted to let you know that Wild Alaskan Salmon is your best choice, for flavor and for helping the fisheries industry to be more sustainable. And in actuality, farmed fish usually have more wrong with them than do wild fish. Farmed fish get shot up with antibiotics and hormones and farmed fish are actually treated with dye to make their tissues red. Wild salmon eat small red animals which gives them that beautiful pink color whereas farmed salmon are fed fish meal, so they have to be injected with color to look like wild salmon.
Sorry to preach guys, but sustainable fisheries is extremely important to me because right now fisheries is having a huge negative impact on the environment. If anyone wants to learn more about how their fish choices can help the environment, you can go here:
http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp
Em
May 7, 2008 at 4:03 pmhaha im right with you Jenna on being a homebody!!!