Book Worm

With a new year well underway, it's always tempting to peek behind the curtain of the past year- in what happened and what was learned. Regarding books, what happened was that I finished more than I thought I could, and what I learned was that it's always good to read a book, or take it with you during your day since you'll never know when you will need it to be your companion and friend for those 20 minutes waiting or wanting some needed inspiration. So finally I will share the finished books I read in 2016, and will specifically highlight the ones I read this Fall.

I have my favorites that I read this year, and that really put a spark in me. These included The Blessed Eucharist, The Pioneer Woman, When Breath Becomes Air, Start Something That Matters, Led By Faith, The Diana I Knew, On The Noodle Road, The Introvert's Way, Our Lady Of Kibeho, Traveling To Infinity, White Jacket Required, and Spiritual Lessons along the Camino. Whew. Great titles and books that stirred up inspiring juices that uplifted, encouraged and gave me a new perspective and world to look into. It's always a treat when books can do that for you. :)

Now for the ones that I read this Fall. My goal was to read 8, but I finished 7.
Looking back at the ones I read this Fall, I realized that most of them are spiritual books, which I also found to be helpful and inspiring:)

The Virgin Mary of Guadalupe

This little book was amazing. I learned a lot about the life of Juan Diego and more about the occurrence of The Virgin Mary visiting him. It was also an easy and quick read. Happens to be one of my favorite apparitions of Mary:)






India Calling: An Intimate Portrait of a Nation's Remaking
Right from the start, this book hooked me into a deeper and hidden perspective of the history of India. I found it to be very interesting, as the author was raised with two different cultures, and going back to India as an adult was an interesting and riveting experience for him. I would like to read more books like this.

Our Lady of Kibeho

A very, very engaging and uplifting book about Mary coming into the city of Kibeho, on the Eastern side of Africa. There was so much power and hope in this book, it was difficult to put down. This was also a fast read, and to be honest was a little sad when it was over. Now I can say that I've read all of her books (Immaculee Ilibagiza's). Such a strong, beautiful and inspiring woman.

The Name of God is Mercy 

Another spiritual read! This one was also quite short, and easy to flip through and read. I liked that I read it at the end of the year of Mercy, and overall an insightful and uplifting book.

Travelling to Infinity

I was so glad to finish this long, detailed and heart hooking book! I had been meaning to read and finish this book for sometime, and even bought it for my Mom for Christmas two years ago. I've seen the movie and really liked it. When my sister read it, I was more inspired to read it as well. Jane Hawking is such an amazing writer and storyteller, this too was a page turner. I recall reading 100 pages in a day practically fluidly. Highly recommended.

Make it Messy 

Aww, Marcus Sameulsson. I always enjoy looking at his cookbooks- I got one of them for Christmas this past year! I've also read his other memoir, Yes, Chef. This book was similar to Yes, Chef, a condensed version. It was also nice because I kind of forgot parts of the story, and what an interesting story he has. He's an interesting, creative and inspiring person and chef. 

White Jacket Required

I found this interesting book first at B&N and remembered and wrote the title down. I was inspired by the author's tenacity, passion and determination in the culinary and then later the pastry field. I could relate with some of those moments and situations of quarter life crises and uphill and downhill battles. She has an inspiring journey.

And lastly, right before Fall ended and Winter started, I finished reading Spiritual Lessons along the Camino.

This spiritual read, hence the title, was one I read in preparation for the Christmas season. She decides to go to Spain, to go on a personal and intimate retreat with herself and learns new things about herself, her faith and others along the way. It was a nice and enriching read when the gloominess of December stopped by for a visit.

So, those were all the books that I read this Fall, and this year. I'm excited for all the reading I will do in 2017, and want to read more this year, finding more time for it and covering more subject areas.

Till next time...

Curry Tomato Chicken

The other night I decided to cook a Chinese- American dish. This cookbook has recipes geared towards the American Chinese homes. I think the mix of flavors and cultures is always a good idea!

I really liked this dish and enjoyed making it, especially since the flavors and smells gave me something that was new, enticing, and exotic all at the same time! This recipe is a keeper, and will be listed among others in my homemade inspired cookbook, where I collect various recipes that I have either tried or not yet, but deliciously waiting so for me to cook up a newbie!

As for this latest recipe, it was easy as whistling to a Lord Huron tune, which I did not have playing in the background this time, but I know it will come again soon! Not only was this chicken dish easy, it was also fairly fast and could go with various side dishes. Mine was stationed next to rice, which is a good idea for most chicken or meat dishes.

Also, something else that made me enthused and excited about this smart recipe was the ingredients which accounted for the overwhelmingly perfume of something so good that makes your mouth water and your stomach grumble, even more so if I went on a run! It was the combination of the curry, the soysauce and the dry sherry making it really nice for my olfacturary bulbs.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe and any suggestions for future dinners??:)

Some more random inspirational pictures, created and found:)

exotic! and still trying to figure out how to create this cool and sheek style!

I agree!

Love that scarf, and all the colors together!

This inspires me!

October Has Come

October is here, finally. I think October is one of my favorite months of the year. It's the true Autumn month and makes me feel warm inside. It's also the time where I can dig out my scarves, boots and nice warm sweaters. October is also considered Mary's month, which is another reason for having a strong connection with the 10th month of the year. I wanted to write about some of my favorite Mary Apparations, which are the appearances of Mary through out the world. I think it would also be good if I could learn some more about each of them as well. :)

Our Lady of China

I find this devotion and apparation of Mary to be very personal and special to me. China has a long history, and part of it being related to the Catholic Church and the politics involved with that. Also, something I should learn more about. Learning Chinese has been part of me for a while now, and I feel that I have a strong connection with it, so Our Lady of China is one of my favorites.












Our Lady of Kibeho

I have heard a good amount about Our Lady of Kibeho, and there is even a book about it that I have started reading a while back and still want to continue reading! From what I know, it's a pretty amazing story and her appearance in Rwanda is not forgotten.












Our Lady of Vailankanni/Our Lady of Good Health

I wanted to research if there ever was an apparation of Mary in India. I know that India does have Catholicism, yet hadn't heard about an appearance of Mary. I would like to learn more about this devotion and appearance of Mary, I only read a little. But since I am pursuing the Hindi language, I feel that it would also be important as well as special to know about.










Our Lady of Lourdes

I have not had the privedlge yet of seeing this amazing holy site, but learning the story as a young girl has helped me have a stronger devotion to this apparation, and has become one of my favorites as well.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe is a very famous apparation of Mary, and I think it's one of my favorites. I see it everywhere, since it's quite popular. I really love the story as well. I have an image in my room, and it was the church where my sister and her husband got married in El Salvador. So personally, it's one of the most special of all.:)

Our Lady of Fatima

I also grew up with learning about the story behind this apparation, and would also call it a favorite of mine. Our Lady of Fatima had such a powerful impact in our world, and I only want to grow deeper in this beautiful and strong appearance of Mary.

Our Lady of Czestochowa

I want to have a stronger devotion to Our Lady of Czestochowa, and I was going to go to Poland this past summer for World Youth Day, but as life always seems to surprise you, Brazil made it's way into the picture instead. The Black Madonna is also another term for this apparation. Although I didn't get to go there, I still would like to read more about it, as well as the affects on Poland.

I think that covers my most favorite apparations of Mary. Of course, there are more that I did not mention that are also recognized. I hope to gaina stronger devotion to Mary espcecially during this beautiful month of October!