This summer, I will…

• Participate in free and outdoor city events. Chicago has crazy amounts of festivals that attract big and small artists and musicians. Local eateries host vendor stands where you can try their food in small (or large!) doses. Sweets and I always talk about being more active with these festivals, but the reality is we’re not. This year, things will be different.
• Organize that second bedroom. For two years, our second bedroom has served as a catch-all. Sure, the closet in there holds most of my clothes. Sure, there’s a bed in there for guests. So, it is utilized. But, we have random furniture that’s never been properly addressed. We have boxes of stuff we don’t know what to do with. And it just always feels messy. That will change this summer.
• Add more shelves to our laundry room. Rarely do condos come with their own laundry rooms. It was a huge selling point for us when we bought our place. Not only do we have a full sized washer and dryer, but the condo came with built-in shelving (thank you, former owners). However, there’s room for more shelving. And we have a need for more storage space. So, another goal this summer is to figure out how we can add more shelving in our laundry room … and then actually do it!
• Make pillows! When we bought our living room furniture last year, I said I’d make some great throw pillows. I said the same thing when we registered for a new duvet cover and sheets for our wedding (I’ll make beautiful throw pillows for our bedroom!). I have yet to make one pillow for our not-so-new home (though, I have made pillows that have served as wonderful gifts!). This summer, I will make pillows for us.
• Read! I’ve been participating in a book club that meets every 6 weeks or so and that has been a great catalyst to begin reading more than I was before. But, I should still be reading even more. I’ve lapsed in reading The New Yorker and the Atlantic, something I used to love to do. And I almost never read books outside of book club. I’d like to pick things up a notch this summer by reading more.
• Go to the dog beach! There is a wonderful beach along the Chicago lakefront where dogs can run free, without leashes. We bring SoMi over there a few times each summer, but not nearly enough. It’s great exercise for her and though she’s hesitant around the water, once she gets wet, she’s so much fun to watch! I want to bring her there a few times each month, not only on the rare occasion.

So, whaddya think – it’s a doable list, right? For now, I think that’s a really healthy list of things I’d like to accomplish this summer. What are some things you’d like to do this summer?

]]> http://somispeaks.com/2010/06/09/summer/feed/ 21 http://somispeaks.com/2010/04/08/books/ http://somispeaks.com/2010/04/08/books/#comments Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:14:06 +0000 SoMi's Nilsa http://somispeaks.com/?p=3076 I used to be pretty good at reading books. I was never fast at reading them, but I’d usually go through one or two a month. And then, life got in the way and I stopped reading. It’s taken a few years to satiate that itch to become a better reader again.

What helped that change was last year when some friends organized a book club. I eagerly jumped on-board, knowing not only would I begin reading interesting books, but I’d have a platform to discuss them with a diverse group of women.

Although that group has since dissolved, I haven’t stopped reading. And recently, I finished reading two books, both of which I’d highly recommend.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is about racial divides in the deep south in the 1960′s. It follows three women, one white and two black. Each chapter is written from the first-person perspective of one of the three women. The white woman is writing a book about black maids; it takes some time to convince the maids to share their stories and is an endeavor her friends never understand. As someone who spent four years in the south, someone who witnessed a pretty serious racial divide that still exists, I found this book fascinating. And from what I’ve heard from others without that southern connection, they also couldn’t put the book down.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave is another book about women. This time, it involves a Nigerian girl and the editor of a British women’s magazine. The two meet on a Nigerian beach and are reconnected a few years later. Similar to The Help, the narration of each chapter alternates between the two women. By the end of the book, the reader learns why the women met in the first place, what unfolds in the two years until they meet again and what happens after they reunite. Another fascinating read.

Books that draw me in are often fictional tales about people overcoming struggle. Both of these books feature women who are fighting the societies in which they live. These aren’t fairytale books that always end happily. In fact, there are moments in each book when the characters made me feel uncomfortable and even sad about what humans are capable of doing and saying to others. But, the amazing thing about my encounter with these characters is I got a better understanding of the meaning to persevere.

If you’ve read either of these books, what did you think? If not, have you read something riveting lately?

The fresh flowers in my house inspired me to stop and smell the flowers. The last few weekends, we’ve had company in our house. Each weekend, there were some beautiful flowers at the market that I just couldn’t pass up. The Gerbera Daisies are so big and so colorful and so beautiful. I find myself stopping mid-task to look at them in awe. I’ll admit I’ve forgotten a few times what I was setting out to do, because the flowers took my focus away. And sometimes, that’s a good thing. Clearing the mind. So, thank you Gerbera Daisies.

Nora inspired me to run 5 miles at the gym last night. We’re both planning to run the same 10-mile race in May. I’ve taken an interest in her running, because it’s the first time she will run a race of that distance. She said she ran 5 miles the other night in the gym. When I started thinking about it, I realized I haven’t run that far since it was warm outside. Like last October. So, I decided to go for it on the track at my gym. I did it. Thanks, Nora.

Mandy inspired me to read a little more. She picked up from the library the same book I’m reading for my book club. I’ve been reading my book for over a month. In a matter of days, she caught up to me. We both are enjoying the book and just might discuss it when I’m done. I’m pretty sure she’ll be done within a few more days. I will definitely need more time than that, but I’m feeling more motivated to finish it now. Thanks, Mandy.

Sweets inspired me to kick back a little bit and relax. Tuesday nights are generally trivia night. However, we’ve both been exhausted this week, him more than me. When our friend asked if we were heading out to trivia night night, I said probably not. We’re going to the theater on Wednesday (tonight!) and needed Tuesday night to just relax. If it weren’t for Sweets being in my life, I would have succumbed to the opportunity to be social with friends. But, I needed that night in just as much as he did. Thanks, Sweets.

Right now, that’s what is inspiring me. What inspires you this week?

]]> http://somispeaks.com/2010/01/27/inspiration-3/feed/ 24 http://somispeaks.com/2009/12/14/monday/ http://somispeaks.com/2009/12/14/monday/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:53:49 +0000 SoMi's Nilsa http://somispeaks.com/?p=2219 Dear Monday:

Last week, you were but a date somewhere in the distance. I spent much of that week wishing for the days to pass. Sweets and I had yet another weekend full of fun things. And I was excited for them to come.

Friday finally arrived. With permission to leave work a few minutes early, I raced into the city to see one of my oldest, Chicago friends. Though she now lives in Kentucky, she will always be considered one of my besties. A small group met for margaritas and Mexican before we sent her off to celebrate her brother’s 40th birthday.

Saturday morning was an early condo meeting to discuss security after a rash of break-ins in the neighborhood and an intruder in our building. It could have been contentious. Some wanting barred windows. Others refusing to consider it. Amazingly, it was a great meeting. Everyone agreed on a strategy moving forward. There were no hurt feelings. Yet another reason I love living in this building.

Saturday midday, I picked up another Chicago bestie and went to an AAUW luncheon. As we walked into the room, somewhat horrified, my friend asked if we’d be the youngest in the room. Yes, yes we likely were. But, you know what, Mr. Monday? We actually had a great time. Pow-wowing with women our mother’s ages. Talking about housing in Chicago. Life in Chicago. Hearing a speaker discuss the disappearance of tuna noodle casserole from standard cookbooks, like Joy of Cooking, and what that means for our society. Plus, I got to taste some great pot sticker crisps and Asian guacamole. I need to find a recipe for that!

Saturday afternoon, Sweets started a home improvement project around 4:30 or 5:00. You might think he was doing a good deed (and technically, he was). But the reality is, he started it to avoid doing something else. Going to two holiday parties we said we’d attend. I threw him a bone, suggesting we skip one and only go to the other. I told him what time we’d have to leave. He agreed. And yet, he continued with his project and threw a small fit when I insisted he get ready. Can you say People Hater? It wasn’t one of his finer moments, but he finally conceded and freshened up.

The surprise of the weekend? We had a great time at this party. It’s a friend of mine who I met through a personal trainer last year. We’ve socialized with this friend and her husband a few times. We ran into said trainer and his wife (both really lovely people) at the party. We met new people there. We joined a group toast with a shot of grappa. And then proceeded to eat some amazing homemade gnocchi and pasta and sauce. Can you tell my friend’s husband is a tried and true Italian? And what a paisano he is. Great hosts. Great party. Great surprise for the night.

Sunday, we rolled out of bed early. Took SoMi for a long walk. Rushed to the grocery store to do some last minute shopping. Raced home so I could put together my own version of an egg strata (e.g., casserole). I lined a 9×13 pan with croutons, browned pork sausage, asparagus, feta cheese, goat cheese and poured eggs over the mixture. I topped the combination with sliced tomatoes and cooked for about 45 minutes.

It was delicious. Especially since my gal pals came over for our next book club to discuss Impossible Motherhood: Testimony of an Abortion Addict. I was about 75 pages short of finishing the book and didn’t feel as engaged in this conversation as I did in the previous book club gathering. Yet, it was such an interesting discussion. We discussed this young woman who got involved with an older man. He was clear he didn’t want children. She agreed at first. And became less sure over time. We discussed her responsibility for the abortions. And his responsibility for letting her get pregnant. Abortion wasn’t the focal point of our round-table. The psyche of this young woman was. It was an interesting conversation. Once again, book club lasted hours into the afternoon.

While we chatted, Sweets finished his DIY project: putting up our new lights in the living room. I don’t have photos just yet, but will try to get you some soon. Sunday afternoon, we ran to the hardware store to get new light bulbs (11 of them between the two fixtures!) and some materials for Sweets’ next project: tiling our fireplace. It turned into a larger project than expected, but still one he plans to complete without paid help. Sunday night, we crashed in front of the TV after a busy, fulfilled weekend.

And here we are, face to face, Mr. Monday. You snuck up on me. Surprised me. And maybe disappointed me a bit. I’m not ready to face you. I still need time. Time for laundry. And straightening up our home. Finishing the book. And writing thank you cards. Oh yeah, and one important one: time for me. I know I have no choice other than to take a deep breath in and push forward. However, I think you should know, I’m feeling ill-prepared and am lacking eager anticipation.

Yours, Nilsa

As it turns out, this book club is small. Four ladies. Four racially diverse ladies. Four racially diverse and educated ladies. Four racially diverse and educated ladies who are from all corners of the United States. Four racially diverse and educated ladies who are from all corners of the United States who wound up in Chicago. Sitting around one dining room table. Discussing Caucasia, by Danzy Senna (go here to read an article this author penned for salon.com).

The story is simple. It’s about a biracial girl who, at different times during her childhood, is expected to embrace the different sides to her family. It’s about her navigating the blur between races. It’s about her search for family members and her own identity. (Editor’s note: I highly recommend this book!)

I wasn’t sure what kind of book club this would be. I’ve heard of far too many book clubs where the ladies use reading a book (or not reading it) as an excuse to get together, drink wine and gossip about everything other than the book. That’s not the kind of book club I was hoping to join. I wasn’t expecting this book club to be quite that lazy, but I also wasn’t sure.

I quickly realized we were a foursome ready to tackle the issues of the book. Over mimosas and eggs, we discussed race. How the actual color of your skin dictates what society expects of you, regardless of which race you identify with. The need to identify. Sexual exploration. The effect of divorce on children.

We discussed character development. Story lines. The author’s style of writing. Whether we personally identified with any of the characters. Minor disappointments with the book. Major impressions the book made on us.

After about 90 minutes of discussing the book, the conversation naturally flowed to other topics. But, the point was, we did it. We read a book. We discussed it. We were open to other opinions. We disagreed without attacking. We questioned one another about our own life experiences.

It was the first time in a while that I finally felt intellectually challenged. That I felt part of a conversation that really made me think about the world around me. About my place in that world. And about how I view that world based on my own experiences. For a time, I began to see the world through a different set of eyes. It was this existential feeling to see my body, my life, through someone else’s eyes.

And I take it the other ladies equally enjoyed their time around the dining room table, because we agreed to move forward with another book. Our next book is going to be interesting. Very interesting. It’s about one woman’s experience with abortion. 15 of them. Over a 17-year period. A book that will definitely enrage the pro-lifers. But, might also boil the blood of some pro-choicers, too. Go here to read a short essay by the author, Irene Vilar. I’ll be sure to report back in December after we discuss it!