Dec 31, 2012

Bye-bye, 2012

I like the idea of having New Year Resolutions. Specially if I consider the the new trends, like make them specific, realistic and time constrained in order to stick to them AND accomplish them. Some ideas have already started to form in my head. More of that soon. I promise.

But the idea of looking back into our accomplishments in the last 12 months also seems a very valid way of closing the year. Specially for those like me who find it hard to remember my accomplishments. It makes me feel grateful.

Here are some of the top of my head, in no particular order:
- Volunteered to teach literacy to immigrants
- Got a job at a language school... teaching! (amongst many other jobs that keep me afloat)
- Attended some craft workshops: initiation to patchwork, ganchillo XL and needle felting, the results of which still surprise me
- Bought myself a little 2nd hand car
- Did 3 runs (Santi Centelles, Cochinilla Trail and Gran Hotel Arrecife ) and volunteered for a 4th one (Lanzarote Music Marathon)
- planted a tree (well, a few plants!)
- helped to co-ordinate a Cochinilla walk and workshop - God knows it took several attempts but the outcome was an extremely enjoyable day! Diane Lawton, who attended the event, used some of my photos for her post on her blog "Journey of a Creative Spirit". Very chuffed about it!
- for the first time in my life I did my own Christmas cards, yippie! Very limited edition, only 5, so consider yourself VERY lucky if you got one
- and I made some new friends along the way, not all of them human!!!!

The most recent accomplishment was as short as unexpected:  I rode a motorbike!!!! Well, only as a passenger. But I did it. Whoa, and the experience's and the repercussions still undetermined!!!! I might have to re-write this one into my NYRs!!!!

In summary faced some of my fears - 2012 was after all the year of living fearlessly - got some scars along the way but ended up smiling at the other end of each tunnel.

May the seeds planted this year bring their fruit!

Happy New 2013!!!!!



Nov 15, 2012

These are a few of my favourite...webs!

Ok, in no particular order, here are a few of my favourite webs:

www.imdb.com
For those of you who know me you know I loooooooooooooove movies. Since a very early age I remember browsing through my grannies album of Hollywood stars and I was hooked.

This website, the International Movie Database, it's brilliant. If you remember as much as an actor on the movie or TV series, or the title or even just part of it, it finds it for you & you have EVERYTHING (well, almost) about the movie/series in question: full credits, plot, pictures, trailer, trivia & music. Although this last bit is not as comprehensive. And that is why, I recently discovered...

www.tunefind.com
...which claims to find the music from TV and movies alike. So far I haven't been disappointed. You search by title and it lists the music featured on it. For the TV series it lists them by series & episodes. And you can even hear a snippet of some of the songs.

www.wordreference.com
This is a dictionary online but it's much, much more. English to Spanish & vice-versa is one of my favourites for obvious reasons, since I teach both languages. But there is also English with English definitions, pronunciation in both British English & American English,  verbs conjugators in many languages and a forum section where you can ask the meaning of things you don't find in the main part, specially useful for idioms.

Now, I'm done for now. Maybe I listed the obvious, but hey, I never claimed I'd be original. And if you didn't know them, you get to use and enjoy these websites as much as I do, well, then is...mission accomplished!


Nov 11, 2012

Bring back that verse VII



"El fruto del Espíritu es amor, alegría, paz, paciencia, amabilidad, bondad, fidelidad, humildad y dominio propio" 
NVI

"El fruto del Espíritu es: caridad, gozo, paz, tolerancia, benignidad, bondad, fe, mansedumbre, templanza."
RVAntigua

"El fruto del Espíritu es amor, gozo, paz, paciencia, benignidad, bondad, fe, mansedumbre, templanza.
RV60

Gálatas 5:22-23a 

 
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meeknes, temperace."
KJV
Galatians 5:22-23a

Oct 26, 2012

Bring back that verse VI




"He aprendido a contentarme, cualquiera que sea mi situación."
Filipenses 4:11b

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
Philippians 4:11b


http://www.bible.com/ (KJV & RV)

Oct 23, 2012

Small random acts of kindness

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katerha/4914478820/

Phrases like: "smile, it doesn't cost you nothing and might do someone's day", "treat others like the way you would like to be treated" and "the best things in life are for free" have been hovering around me lately. And then kindness came to mind this morning.

It got me thinking: what would an act of kindness consist in? 

Of course everything is relative in life - what I consider kind might seem stupid to someone else. And something that wasn't intended as such might come across as rude to the receiving party. 

But in general heart-felt, genuine kindness, shows.

One little thing I do is I let somebody go ahead of me at the bus queue. Only one person, mind you, so the people behind me don't start giving out to me. Think about it: what is the point of starting an argument? "I was here first", "the real queue is THIS way", etc.? The bus is not leaving until we are all on board, anyway. Same applies to planes, by the way. 

And in my experience, everybody seems happier after such small little gesture.

So, what is your favourite small random act of kindness? 

* * *


If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy this other one too: kindness = happinness (post in Spanish, though).

Aug 12, 2012

Diane's journey


I have recently met Diane, a fellow resident in this lovely island of Lanzarote where I currently life.

We met at a workshop on the natural dye obtain from the cochineal organised by Asociación Milana. Having already attended one myself earlier in the year, anotherone was organised for people who didn't make it the first time around or had newly shown interest in the matter.

I had previously written about the process in Lanzarote Information, so this time around I just took pictures of the event. Diane has actually used them in her very interesting blog "Journey of a Creative Spirit" has researched & documented the use of this little bug for natural dyeing.

Check her full article "here" !

Diane inspecting some naturally dyed wool





Jul 4, 2012

A basket case - 2nd delivery

Okay, so I lied the first time around. Well, not intentionally anyway. More of a "non full disclosure / omission of information" type of lie. The first delivery for €20 was shared between me and a friend.

So I only consumed half of the case. Actually, I still have some beetroot and tomatoes & frozen soup from the first case!!! I still haven't finished consuming it completely, what? 3 or 4 weeks later!!! Amazing!

Despite of this, after turning down the weekly reminder to confirm whether I wanted a new basket or not week after week, I decided to go ahead with the smaller version for €13. Just for me.

And it arrived promptly this morning. Again, really excited to check out its contents, small spider included. Here  it goes:
- a medium-sized punet of strawberries
- 4 medium-sized onions
- a big bunch of carrots
- a huge leek
- 2 beetroots
- 4 ripe bananas
- an asortment of different sized tomatoes
- 6 very decent sized potatoes
- 4 sweet potatoes
- 6 small green pepers
- 6 short & rounded aubergines
- 2 lettuce (one lollo rosso, I think, the other one with plainer long leaves)
- 4 pear-melons
- a bunch of basil, flowers and all!

So I wish there had been asparagus and white cabbage like last time. But I got potatoes & basil  instead which I didn't get before. It's the joys of seasonal crops I guess. It adds an element of surprise and excitement to each delivery which I'm kind of enjoying, really.

I already had some thinly sliced breaded aubergines. I hadn't had them in years on account of some sort of reaction I have to them: the roof of my mouth goes really sort, like I have burnt myself. Luckily I seem to have escaped this reaction so far!!!

Now, I'm already thinking what yummy recipes I can come up with!
I'm thinking some summery gazpacho if I supplement the basket with by buying some cucumber.  I might even venture trying to bake some Parmesan aubergines. And what shall I do with the beetroot this time around? Any suggestions?

I will keep you posted of my progress!

P.S. The spider was last seen on the basket when I was putting the veggies away. I decided not to panic. Maybe it will turn out to be a guardian spider and will keep the ever so annoying mosquitoes at bay.

Recipes made with this basket's contents:
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Jun 25, 2012

A basket case - still at it

Well, it's been almost a month since my first & only basket of fresh fruit & veg being delivered to my doorstep.

Believe it or not, I still have some of the veggies like the sweet potato, tomatoes, onions and some beetroot.
Fair enough, some of them went off at the "normal" speed, but what supermarket-bought veg would last for a month, eh?

These are some of the recipies I came up with:
- numerous smoothies & milkshakes
- any of the fruits on their own or mixed with yoghurt (honey optional)
- salads
- veggie soup, two large portions of which are still "cooling" in the freezer
- stir-fries and pasta sauces
- asparagus omelette
- coleslaw
- etc.

Why haven't I ordered another basket just yet? 

Well, I will let you in on a secret: I actually shared this basket with a friend because 10Kg of fruit & veg is a lot for one person. I actually have struggled to finish up half a basket, even if you have the intention of being super-healthy!!!

This is one of the reasons but I really look forward to doing it again very, very soon!

May 30, 2012

A basket case - The 1st delivery

OK, the day has arrived. How exciting!

Ten minutes ahead of the earliest time slot available, my first basket has been delivered. Small talk and money are exchanged quickly. I can't wait to be left alone with my treasure chest. Behind closed doors I start inspecting its contents...


 
Here is the list of what I found inside:
- Green asparagus
- Green lettuce
- Red curly lettuce
- a slice of papaya
- strawberries
 - 3 different types of courgette
- carrots
- green peppers
- leeks
- half a (huge) white cabbage
- red cabbage
- beetroot
- bananas
- tomatoes
- onions

There is a couple of things I can't quite identify:
- the green leaves on the left (they are not spinach)
- yellow tomatoes, maybe ?
Some research will be required. If you know what it is, please, do let me know. 

 My fridge looks like a rainbow now! Doesn't it all look appetizing?



Sure, some of the stuff is a bit bruised and the shapes and sizes are irregular but isn't that what ecological / organic produce is supposed to be? I can't wait to get my fingers dirty washing, chopping and prepearing all this goodness!

Even better news, there is a note attached to the box saying that if I leave a comment on their facebook page, I get a €1 discount on my next order. Happy days!

And happy, healthy eating everyone!






Related articles suggested by Zemanta: 
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May 28, 2012

A basket case - first step towards eating healthier

Ok, so I've done it. I have ordered my first basket of ecological fruit & veg from "Finca Tres Peñas".

I wrote about it for Lanzarote Information but I have decided to actually give it a go, also.


I look forward to the delivery on Wednesday, see what yummy (and easy!) recipies I can come up with for my Thought for food... or not. I'll keep you posted.  Literally. 


Related articles suggested by Zemanta:
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May 6, 2012

A brand new day

... or afternoon, as the case might be. As it is the case, I mean.
Why, oh why do, I do these things to myself? Why do I decide to go ahead with a new geeky-thingy for my blog after a heavy night out, if you know why I mean?

I am no technology expert and I don't drink too much so mixing both, specially the morning after the night before doesn't sound like a sound idea.

And yet, here I am. Because that's the way I am. If I think too much, I won't go trying something new. So maybe it's better this way. Maybe.

The new "thingy" is called Zemanta (which sounds like a German person pronuncing "the blanket" half in English, half in Spanish - I know, I know, it doesn't make sense, I guess it's one of those jokes you had to be there to understand them) and the person who introduced me to it, it is ACTUALLY a German person and dear friend called Barbarella. And this is her blog: http://thekitti.es/



*** Note to Barbarella: Don't worry, I have also added your blog to my list of blogs, so it doesn't get "lost" when I publish new posts :-) ***

On our last drinkies appointment last night she told me about "the blanket" so I decided to give it a try.

I won't go into detail right now about what Zemanta is or does, my head hurts too much. Plus I'm only new to it myself. I'll keep you posted about my adventures with it, though.

Here it is to having a laugh, letting off some steam and fixing the world (or our blogs, to start with)! Cheers!


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Bring back that verse V - Judging

No juzguéis, para que no seáis juzgados.
Mateo 7:1 (RVA)

Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Matthew 7:1 (KJV)




www.bible.com

Feb 21, 2012

50 or nothing - II

Mmmmmm, 49.5Kg but with clothes on...
Not doing so well.

I must confess I'm not following a very scientific approach to this "let's-reach-50Kg-so-I-can-donate-blood" thingy.

I feel I am eating better and more. It might just be a feeling, though. I do have lapsus when I eat less or even stretch non-eating times (sounds better than skipping meals, which I don't like doing, anyhow).

In a couple of occasions recently I have reached 50Kg after a big meal, like New Year's Eve's or last week at a banquet at some friends house. But I felt extremely full afterwards and I knew I wasn't going to be able to "hold" the weight reached. Food binging, no matter how yummy it might be, doesn't do it for me either.

On the contrary, I'm trying to eat healthier by buying raw ingredients and more fruit (if I have it, at least there is a bigger change I'll eat it, I hate seeing food going to waste.

I'm making a bigger effort to exercise as naturally and as enjoyable as I can. I'm trying (not always succeeding) to run more regularly, go for walks with my friends when they walk their dogs and just recently found out that there is a Zumba session literally just around the corner from my house at a suitable hour and even at a more reasonable price. I looooooooove Zumba!I attended my first class there yesterday and I realised how much I missed it. I'm not very good at it, but I have fun while I exercise!


And I have cut down on alcohol. Both my head and my pocket seem to be grateful, and I reckon there is some other unseen organ that might be smiling too.

So there you go, a small little update. Not much. But one step at a time. Slowly. But surely.


*****************************
You might also enjoy reading:
50 or nothing - I
From me to you... with blood 

Jan 20, 2012

Books I've read 2012-


2013

June:

May:
Against all odds by Margaret Sherlock

April:
Seven sisters down under by Margaret Sherlock

February: 
Fifty shades Darker by E.L. James

January: 
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2012
December:
Fifty shades of Grey by E.L. James

July:
El arte de no amargarse la vida de Rafael Santandreu
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

February:
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
La Sirena de Famara de Ismael Lozano Latorre


January:
The Magdalen by Marita Conlon-McKenn











Bring back that verse IV

"Pedid, y se os dará."
Mateo 7:7

"Y todo lo que pidiereis en oración, creyendo, lo recibiréis."
Mateo 21:22

"Ask, and it shall be given you"
Matthew 7:7

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Matthew 21:22

 


50 or nothing - I

3 weeks into 2012 and I have been exercising (gently running) more regularly, although I walked less.
Regarding food, well, judge by yourself with the new easy recipes and menus on Thought for food...or not.

Finally I bought some scales and the news are not good: my weight is 48.5Kg (with clothes on!)

Mmmm, still not quite there I guess...