Only in Dominica..

Do they have linoleum on the floor of a van..

 

Or decorate their homes with seashells and hot pink paint..

 

Only in Dominica (and China) do they have Corn Candy..

 

But China certainly doesn't have grocery stores 

that open onto the beach..

 Only in Dominica do fishermen announce with a conch shell 

they are selling pufferfish off the sidewalk..

Or make sure they have absurd sayings on their vehicles..

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

The title of this book struck me first.  Followed by the fact it was about the Japanese internment during WWII.  I loved that it told a story about an old man and a child (him as a boy).  However, I became disappointed about halfway through the book when I could easily tell where it was going and how it would end.  It was too predictable for my taste, but I finished it.  It ended just as I thought it would, no surprises.  This would be a good book for a high school student learning more about the Japanese internment, but not as a novel for an educated adult.    

Spouses' Kitchen

My good friend Clare started a recipe blog called Spouses' Kitchen.  The cool thing is it's collaborative!  Anyone who she adds as a writer can post to the blog.  You can view my first post here.  I'm making Beef with Peppers for dinner tomorrow!  Why tomorrow?  Go check it out at Spouses' Kitchen!

Courtesy of Ree at The Pioneer Woman

Corny

There are some things in this world that are just wrong.  For example, the Banana Quenchi.  Imagine a banana flavored laffy taffy.  Now imagine the laffy taffy liquifying and moving into a soda bottle.  The result is plain wrong.

The thing about living in Dominica is that you never quite know what you are going to get.  A caterpillar in your chinese food?  A banana flavored soda?  I thought I had seen it all.

Until.

The Corn Candy.  This little guy baffled my senses.  At first glance you think, "Oh, how cute! A candy corn."

Expecting to have a sweet experience, I popped it into my mouth to find out I was wrong.  This was no candy corn, this was really and truly Corn Candy.  Chewy and sticky like a soft jelly candy, but also savory and distinctly corn tasting.  It is the buttered popcorn of jelly beans.  The maple-bacon of donuts.  The Corn Candy. 

Infographic

One of the assignments in my latest Masters class had me create a Top 12 list of the best websites for educators.  I decided to go the route of an infographic.  Have you guys seen infographics lately?!  Check out this one:

Infographics are art and information mixed together.  They are made especially for viewing on the web and most are long and narrow to fit on webpages and blogs easily. If you want to check out more, go here.  So, you can see why I was interested in trying to make my own.  Even if you aren't a teacher, you might still enjoy some of these sites!

Spin!

Remember this girl?

Me either.  :(  

That photo was taken at the Pasadena Triathlon in 2008.

It's been way too long since I've been in the saddle.

A big thank-you to Jen Jarvie for starting a new Spin Class.

Dominica desperately needed one.

Everyone Loves an Irish Girl

In my 27 years, this is the first time I will be without corned beef 

on St. Patrick's Day.  

My Irish blood is craving a dinner like this:

I looked at every store, I called the island meat guy (Malcom), and I asked my favorite restaurant Pagua Bay to no avail.  There is no corned beef on this island.

I suppose some green beer will have to do.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!