Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

            For a few weeks, I am between semesters. This means I am able to search for books that interest me, not just books that fill an educational need. With this in mind, I browsed through the David R. Parks Lending Library at The Center, looking for a good book about Intersex people. I checked out Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. The synopsis on the back of the book states that Callie is not like other girls because of “the astonishing genetic history that turns Callie into Cal.” I believe in judging a book by the cover, at least by the synopsis on the cover. Based on the synopsis on the cover of this book, I decided to take it home.

            Callie is raised as a girl, and finds out at the age of fourteen that she is actually a male. He changes his name to Cal, changes his clothing, the way he walks, the way he talks, and his mannerisms. In short, everything about himself. Without ruining the storyline, this is not as easy as I make it sound. Additionally, the book is not really about this transformation. Three quarters of the book is really about the family dynamics for two generations prior to Cal. I did appreciate the personal perspective of the emotional changes Cal went through. Additionally, I found it poignant that people in the story think they have Cal pegged as a certain type of person, and "knew it all along", even though they have no idea. Cal takes this all in stride, but I feel this is typical of certain people. This story is obviously fictionalized, but reads as if it is based on a true story.

            I enjoyed the perspectives provided by Eugenides, and I hope you will too.

That’s how I understand things,

Laura

Semester Work Spring 2014 (2)

Here is an update, for all of you waiting with baited breath for the updated essay concerning business ethics

IDS 804: Ethics in Corporate Practice
This is almost completely re-written, and will look and read much differently than the original. I hope I receive a good grade on both of these essays, as I obviously put a lot of research and writing time and effort into both of them.

I will keep my readers posted on my progress.

That is how I understand things,
Laura

Semester Work Spring 2014

During the Spring semester of 2014, I am enrolled in three courses; two of which require a 20+ research essay. I am in the process of rewriting the essay for 804, but I hope the essay for 803 is sufficient.

These can be found by following these links:
IDS 803: Globalization and Las Vegas
This essay discusses the positive effects globalization has had on our fair city.

IDS 804: Ethics in Corporate Practice
This essay describes the research in the field of ethics in the business arena, including how the subject is taught at universities.

That is how I understand things,
Laura

Online Learning

As you are aware, I am enrolled in several online courses this semester.  I have officially begun my Master's Degree.  One of the major requirements for any given online course is the discussion board.  I am really enjoying my discussion boards this semester, and decided to share one of my posts.

The Background: The discussion turned from the official post question to a tangent discussion.  This happens as frequently on the online discussion boards as often as it does in face to face discussions.  I know, shocking, right?  The discussion turned to the topic of online courses.  Some professors exhibit high anxiety concerning the quality of education online learners earn.  Many students prefer the online format.  My response to one of these posts is below.  By the way, I have removed the names of the people I to whom I am responding.

The Response:

I understand the desire for professors to meet with students face to face.  They like to know that the student really does get the concept.  They like to see it in their eyes, and in their body language.  They like to know they pay attention in class and take copious notes.  They like to pry the questions out that the student feels too anxious to ask (many times, they feel it is a stupid question, or will make them sound like horrible, awful people in front of their classmates).  They also know that a student who personally hands in a paper (actual hard-copy), while looking into the eyes of the professor is (at least slightly) less likely to plagiarize.

As an experienced online learner, I understand many of the reasons students prefer online courses.  You can arrange your course work around your "real work" (you know, the one that keeps a roof over your head and food on the table), your kids, and your other obligations.  You can frequently pause the lecture and google the answers to your questions without disrupting the rest of the class, or annoying your professor.  You can bring out your APA style guide and refer to it twenty times during the course of a five page essay without looking like a moron to the rest of your classmates.

For me, sometimes the most important part of online learning is the ability to put everything away when your brain feels so fuzzy, it could pass as a teddy bear.

That's the way I understand things,

Laura

The Polyamorists Next Door

The Polyamorists Next Door

In writing The Polyamorists Next Door: Inside Multiple-Partner Relationships and Families, Elisabeth Sheff tackles a tough topic with objectivity, sensitivity, and grace.  Sheff shows that polyamory is a positive family model.  With personal experience and fifteen years of research, Sheff presents all aspects of polyamory through a deeply informed lens.

I like how Sheff addresses the more positive aspects as well as the less positive.  It is incredibly important to understand fully any chosen way of life; whether that way of life is a religion, a diet, or a family model.  Sheff discusses the difficulties of defining polyamory, and who practices polyamory.  She writes about how adults view polyamory, how children within polyamorous families view polyamory, and how neighbors, schools, and Child Protective Services view polyamory.

I especially appreciate her insight into her own experiences with polyamory.  It is not easy to transition into or out of a polyamorous relationship, and Sheff opens her life for the reader.  This adds validity to her research.  Without the personal stories, this would be little more than a long (well written) scholarly review journal article.  The personal stories show me that this information is not just a theory rather, a true representation of the lifestyle. 

While no book can be the definitive presentation (i.e.: the one to read while ignoring all others), I believe anyone researching polyamory should pick up this one.  I find it true to life, authentic, and comprehensive.

Happy Reading

Laura

OCD Baker

I decided to make Monster Bars this morning.  I have enjoyed success with this recipe in the past.  I liken it to a homemade candy bar.  Very good.

When I follow the recipe instructions, I get a (very tasty) 13"x 9" block of candy which I can only try (but never succeed) in cutting into even pieces with an equal amount of each flavor.

Here is where my OCD kicks in and kicks ... well ... you know what.

I took an idea from my experience with cranberry mousse (another really great recipe I use at least twice per year) and created individual candies.

Each cup holds exactly (or nearly exactly) the same of every ingredient as every other cup.

This method took a lot longer to prepare, but yielded about three times the amount the original recipe would have.  Additionally, it took less of most of my ingredients than the original recipe called for.

I add my recipe with instructions for those who wish to improve upon perfection.

Go forth..sell a hundred thousand cups...make a million dollars.

Start with a graham cracker crust base:
1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs; 1/4 cup sugar; 5 Tbsp soft butter => mash together with your fingers until fully combined
This makes about 72 cups...seriously!

Using a cupcake cup in a muffin tin:
Place 1/2 Tbsp. Graham Cracker Pie Crust (push into the bottom to create a crust)
Drizzle 1/4 tsp. condensed milk (this will use only about 1/4 of the can for all 72)
3 Pecan Halves (scrape the backs with peanut butter)
5 chocolate chips
5 white chocolate chips
1 pinch coconut
2 pinches chopped walnut
5 mini marshmallows
Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes

Enjoy :)

The Taken, Vicki Pettersson

I met Vicki Petterson at the "Books, Bubbles, and Brews Mixer" on October 7, 2013 hosted by the Vegas Valley Book Festival. Beautiful, witty, and funny, I convinced her to sign a copy of The Taken for me [I really had to twist her arm ;)]

As some of you know, I don't have a whole lot of time for novels right now.  If I'm not reading Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class (Healey, 2012; SAGE Publications, Inc), I'm reading Starting & Building a Nonprofit: A Practical Guide (Pakroo, 2011; NOLO), or any one of six other required texts for my classes this semester.

However, once I picked up The Taken, by Vicki Pettersson, I didn't want to put it down.

A good tale is combined with descriptive writing and a gentle love story.

I like the descriptions of the Everlast and the beings within it.  I like the beauty and subtlety of the building love and love-making between Griff and Kit.  I like how Vicki makes you want to appreciate the tiny details in life again, such as during the description of the rose (288).

As for the crime: human trafficking is all too real.  While this particular story may not be based on a real series of events, the general idea is.

I look forward to reading (and then reviewing) the rest of the trilogy...maybe the summer will be less busy.

That's the way I understand things
Laura