I am in week 3 out of 15 of Machine Design II. Just finished my first quiz....12 weeks left to graduate!

Reading another Sherlock Holmes book: The Valley of Fear. Not much to comment on yet, as I'm not far into it.

Kinda falling behind.....

Next week starts the weight loss and health changes part of the list. I'll report more on this later.

Update #35: Watch all the movies on the "AFI top 100 movies of all time" list.

So far, I've watched 33, the latest of which was "The General" (1927). This is a silent film, the second I've watched so far from this list. It was amusing.

Starring Buster Keaton, its the story of a dedicated railroad engineer who loves two things in life: his train (The General) and a girl (Mary?). When Mary's father and brother set off to join the Confederate army, she expects that he will too, and vows not to speak to him until he's wearing a uniform. Unbeknownst to him, he's considered too valuable to the railroad to be placed in the Army. He tries repeatedly to join, yet is consistently turned away without explanation. Through a series of slapstick adventures, he unwittingly becomes the hero of the day. He prevents the impending battle by rescuing the stolen "General" with Mary on board, thwarting the advancing Northern Army, and capturing the leader of the opposition, all while still a civilian.

It was a cute, funny story, and helped me to appreciate the "acting" that went into silent films, when emotions, conversations, and plot all were conveyed through action, and only the most necessary dialogue was written for the audience.

The Complete Sherlock Holmes: All 4 Novels and 56 Short Stories



Goal #74: Read 50 books. Today I finished The Hound of Baskervilles

I've intended to read some Sherlock Holmes for the longest time, but its only been the result of this challenge that I've actually brought myself to do so. I'm so glad I did! I've now read 3 of Doyle's "Holmes" books: The Hound of Baskervilles, A Study in Scarlet, and The Sign of the Four.

I've thoroughly enjoyed them and intend to read the rest of his works!

Despite being written 100 years ago, the stories are completely engaging, and Doyle wrote with such elaboration that I can clearly imagine every detail in both the setting and the characters. Delightful reading!

Regarding the Releif Efforts in Haiti: many employers offer company match on funds that individuals employees donate to a charitable cause. When you consider giving, check first with your employer: you may be able to double your contribution by simply following a link they provide.

CNN reports: "The American Red Cross's efforts to get donations via text messages has raised $5 million for Haiti as of 5 p.m., CNNMoney.com reports. That exceeds the nearly $4 million that was donated to all charities by mobile texts in all of 2009, a Red Cross spokeswoman says."

Additionally, "American Express, MasterCard and Visa say they will waive transaction fees when people use credit cards to donate to charities helping in Haiti, according to CNN's Jessica Yellin. Any transaction fees already collected in those transactions will be given to the charities, the credit card companies say." (CNN)

It is more crucial than ever to help, as survivors are in desperate need of the most basic provisions: first aid, water, food.

As the world looks on in horror at the devastation and loss of life caused by the 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday, aid organisations all over the world are mobilizing to rush in and rescue as many as possible, and provide aid to survivors.

"According to reports, as many as three million people may have been affected by the quake, which collapsed government buildings and caused major damage to hospitals in the area.

The Red Cross is contributing an initial $1 million from the International Response Fund to support the relief operation, and has opened its warehouse in Panama to provide tarps, mosquito nets and cooking sets for approximately 5,000 families." (Red Cross)

You can help support these efforts by: Send a $10 Donation by Texting ‘Haiti’ to 90999.

The Red Cross site also provides this method of donating: Editorial note: You can make a donation by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).

We text one another all the time, but seldom do we have the opportunity to help save lives with a few simple keystrokes...

Please help support this desperate need.

Goal #12: Graduate with a bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. Getting all my ducks in a row...having the last few transfer credits entered into my records, filing my graduation app, scheduling a couple celebratory vacation days from work!!

I started this degree back in 1999, taking 1 or 2 classes a term, year round. I was a single mom with two small children at the time, and was working full time. With few exceptions, I've gone to school every semester, including summer terms, slowly plugging away. Most of my classes have been in the evening, but a few have been on-line classes, which I've transferred to my University. (killers, those! 15 weeks packed into 6 weeks!) Whew! Glad those are over.

I am in the home stretch now!

In support of goal # 84 (Read a feminist blog twice per month), I am searching for feminist blogs to read. This needs a little explaining.

Raised by dyed-in-the-wool conservatives, I've spent much of my life both believing and voting conservative. However, at some point, maybe 15 years or so ago, I started leaning significantly in the direction of being Libertarian. Although to be so is to essentially throw one's vote away (I've voted Libertarian, for all the good it did), since, rather obviously, there are only two "parties" from which to choose in the US. And even more recently, I have voted Liberal, which is to say Democrat. I find myself challenging my own beliefs as issues arise that cause me to feel less and less convicted of my previous stances...which brings up the following:

One of my favorite challenge questions has always been "why do you believe what you believe?" I've had many an interesting conversation with people over the years by asking that. So, posing this question to myself has led me to realize that I've taken many of my own views for granted. I can't really have an honest opinion about something if I've never discovered all the different viewpoints. And the more I discover the viewpoints of others, the more I feel chagrined that I've not challenged myself sooner.

So, to begin this goal, I've selected the following blog to read. I'm not limited to one, so please post suggestions if you have them...

Gender Across Borders

*Posting this a couple days late. Should have been posted on 1/11/2010

Read two books this week, both Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Scarlet, and The Sign of the Four. This is a first for me...never read any Holmes stuff before, so these were a pleasant experience. I don't ever recall hearing anyone mention that Sherlock Holmes was a cocaine ...addict? ...so that was a surprise.

This photo was taken last night in front of our house....we got about 4 inches accumulation before it tapered off.

One of my favorite snow activities is making angels, while its snowing, in the middle of the night...its so very quiet and peaceful and somehow surreal...laying in the snow looking up, watching the flakes fall down towards you and your breath float up and away at the same time. Very cool.

Number 23 on my list is: Make a motivational playlist. These are songs that make me feel good/change my mood when I don't. Some just do so by the way they sound, others specifically have lyrics that help me "check my attitude". I currently have 64 songs on the list, in no particular order of importance. If you have any suggestions, please share...

song, artist
change your mind, sister hazel
walking on sunshine, katrina and the waves
I can see clearly now, johnny nash
somewhere over the rainbow-what a wonderful world medley, isreal kamakawewo ole
I'm a believer, monkeys
lean on me, bill whithers
all-star, smash-mouth
don't worry, be happy, bobby mcferrin
dancing in the streets, van halen
beautiful day, U2
in your eyes, jeffrey gaines
in your eyes, peter gabriel
bohemian rhapsody, queen
sailing, christopher cross
when the night feels my song, bedouin soundclash
celebration, kool and the gang
three little birds, bob marley
girls just wanna have fun, cindy lauper
roll with it, steve winwood
chimpanzees, barenaked ladies
margaritville, jimmy buffet
sexual healing, marvin gaye
suddenly I see, kt tunstall
black horse and a cherry tree, kt tunstall
love train, the o'jays
a beautiful morning, the rascals
stir it up, bob marley
fly, sugar ray
soak up the sun, sheryl crow
you know I want you, pitbull
say hey (I love you), michael franti & spearhead
what a wonderful world, louis armstrong
Feed the world, Band aid concert
amazed, lonestar
into the mystic, van morrison
bitch, merredith brooks
let the good times roll, cars
pretty woman, roy orbison
You gotta be, Des'ree
if everyone cared, nickelback
if today was your last day, nickelback
Jai Ho, slumdog millionaire
gotta be somebody, nickelback
steve mcqueen, sheryl crow
chaiya chaiya, A.R. Rahman
Dil Se (live in LA), A.R. Rahman
graceland, paul simon
Serenata (whole cd), Armik
Diabolic Inventions and Seduction for Solo Guitar, Vol. 1: Music of Astor Piazzolla, Al di Meola
Bubbly, Colbie Caillat
Lucky, Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillat
The Remedy (I Won't Worry), Jason Mraz
"I'm Yours", Jason Mraz
unwritten, natasha beddingfield
we are family, sister sledge
what a wonderful world, izzy (isreal kmakwiwo ole
I did it my way, frank sinatra
respect, aretha franklin
imagine, john lennon
simply the best, tina turner
moondance, van morrison
I hope you dance, leann womack
time of your life, greenday
shine, collective soul

As part of my 101 list, I will be donating to a charity for every list item I accomplish. I've just discovered what that charity will be:

Helping Women Survivors of War Rebuild Their Lives Women for Women International

Please take a few moments to learn about this extremely worthy cause. As one woman put it, "women are the "glue" that holds society together". When she is threatened, by war and its aftermath, society suffers tremendously...

In whatever way you can, reach out to our sisters around the world who are in dire, desperate need of a helping hand.

Tried something new for dinner, and it was a hit.

While grocery shopping this evening, I happened across Vermont extra sharp white cheddar in the cheese cooler. Now, I don't normally by bricks of cheese, since my family tends to opt for easy (shredded), but this just grabbed my attention. And since it was already getting late, and I needed something that would be reasonably easy to make (meaning fairly quick), I decided to make white cheddar macaroni and cheese.

I also happened to have some very nice ham left over from Christmas, and thought that would make a tasty addition.

Here's my recipe:

Baked Macaroni & Vermont White Cheddar Cheese with Ham

1 (16 oz) box of small sea shells pasta
3 cups milk
5 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs (about 2 slices firm white bread)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
16 ounces Vermont Extra Sharp Cheddar, grated (about 4 cups)
2 cups chopped, high quality ham (Dearborn Brand)
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 2-quart baking dish or coat with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

2. In large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente (slightly underdone), 8 to 10 minutes.

3. In another saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Pour 1 tablespoon of butter into small bowl, add bread crumbs and toss together; set aside.

4. Add flour to remaining butter in saucepan and whisk over heat for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in hot milk and continue stirring until mixture thickens and comes to simmer. Whisk in salt, nutmeg, cayenne pepper and 2 cups of cheese.

5. Drain pasta thoroughly in colander. Return to pot, add cheese sauce and mix together thoroughly. Stir in chopped ham.

6. Spread one-half of pasta mixture over bottom of prepared baking dish. Scatter one-half of remaining cheese on top. Top with remaining pasta, then remaining cheese. Sprinkle with reserved bread crumbs.

7. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.

Starting my very last semester for my mechanical engineering degree!! One class left! YAY!