I think I'm starting to run out of cheeses to try in that "brie" section. What am I going to do when I try all of the cheese in that section? Which section would I go to next? Surely not goat cheeses. Blech!
Rang des Iles Meule is another cheese made from lat pasteurise de vache. As written on the label: Fromage fermier a pate molle et croute mixte. Fait de lait 100% suisse brune. Affinage de 30 jours. 1er service. Vin: Cotes du Rhone blanc. (Translated by google).
The cheese was made in Saint-Gedeon in Lac-Saint-Jean (Quebec) at the Fomagerie Medard. As the description says, it's made by milk from a certain kind of cow (Suisse brune). I don't pick up any particular hints of whatever flavour (but maybe my palate is not refined enough to do so), so the only description I have for it is: creamy. There's no particular aftertaste or anything either. It's another one of those cheeses that I spread onto bread and it's like I'm eating butter. So if that's the type of cheese that you like, this would be a good one!
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Cheddar Applewood Fume
Switching it up a bit, I got a cheddar cheese from the market. Most of the cheddars that I tried tasted very similar, but this one (obviously) had a smokey taste to it (which I liked), so I decided to go with this one instead.
This cheddar is from the east coast, Prince Edward Island...the Cows Creamery in Charlottetown to be exact.
Here's what the label said: Fromage a pate ferme fume au bois de pommier (8hrs). Affinage de 2 ans. Gagnant fromage aromatique. "Grand prix des fromages Canadiens". Vin: Chardonnay boise, biere anglaise. (Translated via google)
I mean, what is there to say about this cheese? It's a cheddar, and tastes like cheddar. It also tastes smokey. And apple-ish. And tasty.
This cheddar is from the east coast, Prince Edward Island...the Cows Creamery in Charlottetown to be exact.
Here's what the label said: Fromage a pate ferme fume au bois de pommier (8hrs). Affinage de 2 ans. Gagnant fromage aromatique. "Grand prix des fromages Canadiens". Vin: Chardonnay boise, biere anglaise. (Translated via google)
I mean, what is there to say about this cheese? It's a cheddar, and tastes like cheddar. It also tastes smokey. And apple-ish. And tasty.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Lean In
Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg
Fun fact about me: I don't really do well in bookstores. Like, I'm not good at just going in, wandering around, picking up whatever book looks interesting and just start reading it. So, I don't really venture into bookstores to browse like I might go into other types of shops.
Once, though, I was with someone else who does like to go into bookstores, so what else could I do? I wandered around, just looking at different covers and admiring the pictures on the fronts of books...until I felt like I had done as much as I could do before actually picking up a book. I forced myself to grab one and start reading (because what else could I do to take up more time?) and Lean In was the book that I happened to pick up.
I had time to read about the first chapter of the book and I loved it. But then, it was time to leave the shop and I put the book down. I was kind of annoyed actually that I couldn't finish the book. I'm not good at stopping things partway through. Anyway, I think that was at least 3 years ago that I was in that bookstore.
So, continuing on in my summer of reading, I thought I'd seek out this book again and continue to read it. Also, I had a good hunch that this book would be available at my library at work.
I really liked this book. It discusses so many things that are so relevant in my life. It gave me a perspective about some of the workings of contexts that I am a part of (and better familiarizing myself with) and even some insights into myself. I encourages me to "lean in" and be a little bit bolder than my natural inclination. It makes me think a little bit more carefully about interactions and human behaviour. It reassured me to know that so many things that I've been experiencing, thinking about, and puzzling over are not rare occurences.
Similar to Malcolm Gladwell's books, Sandberg clearly put a lot of thought into her book and did her homework. Not only does she pepper her writing with personal anecdotes and experiences, she also links her ideas to research to really drive home her points.
Reading this book felt like I was watching a really long TED talk. I was inspired, able to make lots of connections and wonder how I'm going to apply all of the thoughts that are going through my head into my life.
Anyway, I'm glad that I was able to finish reading this book. I'm happy that I've been able to get through a couple books already this summer and that I've been able to slow my pace down. Today, when I went for a walk to get some errands done, I walked slower. Maybe even at a typical person's pace. I mean, people weren't passing me, nor was I passing others. I just took my time and I think it's been good for my soul to take my time.
- picture courtesy of www.chapters.indigo.ca
Once, though, I was with someone else who does like to go into bookstores, so what else could I do? I wandered around, just looking at different covers and admiring the pictures on the fronts of books...until I felt like I had done as much as I could do before actually picking up a book. I forced myself to grab one and start reading (because what else could I do to take up more time?) and Lean In was the book that I happened to pick up.
I had time to read about the first chapter of the book and I loved it. But then, it was time to leave the shop and I put the book down. I was kind of annoyed actually that I couldn't finish the book. I'm not good at stopping things partway through. Anyway, I think that was at least 3 years ago that I was in that bookstore.
So, continuing on in my summer of reading, I thought I'd seek out this book again and continue to read it. Also, I had a good hunch that this book would be available at my library at work.
I really liked this book. It discusses so many things that are so relevant in my life. It gave me a perspective about some of the workings of contexts that I am a part of (and better familiarizing myself with) and even some insights into myself. I encourages me to "lean in" and be a little bit bolder than my natural inclination. It makes me think a little bit more carefully about interactions and human behaviour. It reassured me to know that so many things that I've been experiencing, thinking about, and puzzling over are not rare occurences.
Similar to Malcolm Gladwell's books, Sandberg clearly put a lot of thought into her book and did her homework. Not only does she pepper her writing with personal anecdotes and experiences, she also links her ideas to research to really drive home her points.
Reading this book felt like I was watching a really long TED talk. I was inspired, able to make lots of connections and wonder how I'm going to apply all of the thoughts that are going through my head into my life.
Anyway, I'm glad that I was able to finish reading this book. I'm happy that I've been able to get through a couple books already this summer and that I've been able to slow my pace down. Today, when I went for a walk to get some errands done, I walked slower. Maybe even at a typical person's pace. I mean, people weren't passing me, nor was I passing others. I just took my time and I think it's been good for my soul to take my time.
- picture courtesy of www.chapters.indigo.ca
The Tipping Point
The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell
Inspired by Outliers, I decided to read another one of Malcolm Gladwell's books. I don't know if it's reader's fatigue or something, but I didn't find this book as interesting. The style of the book was very similar, but the content didn't seem quite as compelling.
In The Tipping Point, the author described different traits/components/characteristics/contributors to making an event/person reach a point of taking them over some sort of threshold. For example, describing three types of critical "players": Connectors, mavens, and salesmen. He also describes what he calls, "The stickiness factor" and "The power of context". Gladwell uses different examples and case studies to illustrate his points.
I often wonder what the process is for authors writing books. I guess it would depend on the topic and the style of the author, but until a couple years ago, I never considered that an author would need to do research for his/her book (except for non-fiction, which I assumed would obviously need knowledge of a particular topic). I also had a similar revelation about filmmakers. To come up with a finished product must take a lot of background work and with the types of books that Gladwell writes, I wonder how many people are supporting the process. Would he be researching all of the ideas himself, or would there be an academic/researcher (or someone like a research assistant?) who would help provide evidence of his claims. His books have footnotes/endnotes where he's referencing other people's work so I wonder how he goes back and forth between the narrative text and his references. Would it be very similar to the process that I take when I write, I wonder?
Anyway, I thought this book was just as accessible for a hesitant reader as Outliers was, but not quite as juicy. I would still recommend it because it does give further insight into life and interactions and who doesn't want to try to better understand how the world works?
- picture courtesy of www.chapters.indigo.ca
In The Tipping Point, the author described different traits/components/characteristics/contributors to making an event/person reach a point of taking them over some sort of threshold. For example, describing three types of critical "players": Connectors, mavens, and salesmen. He also describes what he calls, "The stickiness factor" and "The power of context". Gladwell uses different examples and case studies to illustrate his points.
I often wonder what the process is for authors writing books. I guess it would depend on the topic and the style of the author, but until a couple years ago, I never considered that an author would need to do research for his/her book (except for non-fiction, which I assumed would obviously need knowledge of a particular topic). I also had a similar revelation about filmmakers. To come up with a finished product must take a lot of background work and with the types of books that Gladwell writes, I wonder how many people are supporting the process. Would he be researching all of the ideas himself, or would there be an academic/researcher (or someone like a research assistant?) who would help provide evidence of his claims. His books have footnotes/endnotes where he's referencing other people's work so I wonder how he goes back and forth between the narrative text and his references. Would it be very similar to the process that I take when I write, I wonder?
Anyway, I thought this book was just as accessible for a hesitant reader as Outliers was, but not quite as juicy. I would still recommend it because it does give further insight into life and interactions and who doesn't want to try to better understand how the world works?
- picture courtesy of www.chapters.indigo.ca
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Outliers
Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell
So, I received this book as a gift in December 2008. And I finally read it. I had started reading it quite some time ago, but for some reason, I never got around to finishing it. I'm so happy that I finally got back to it. It's a great book. Kudos to the person who gave it to me, he guessed that I would be interested in the topics described in the book, and he was right.
Not only did I like the topic, but it was an easy read (check off one of my requirements for my summer reading list). There were short chapters (critical for me as I've been reading in short snippets of time...on the bus, to kick start my day, to end my days, waiting for people to show up for coffee/lunch/brunch/whatever...and also because I'm not good at remembering what's going on in the book, so stopping partway through a chapter really confuses me the next time I pick it up).
This is the first book that I've read by Gladwell. I tend not to be an overly critical reader (especially if the writing is well crafted). I think maybe I should be a little bit more critical...or maybe it depends on the subject matter. I have read things that I think are completely ridiculous. Anyway, my point is, I was happy to follow Gladwell's arguments. I guess I could google what others think of his writing (there must be critics out there), but I don't feel like it's a priority.
As the title suggests, this book is about outliers. The things that make people/things get to that place that makes them extraordinary. Gladwell provides lots of examples of this, talking about being in the right time and place, culture, context, and basically, just explaining how things work. As some who likes to analyse and figure out how things work, I found the book very interesting. I learned a little bit more about luck. I learned a little bit about timing. I learned a little bit more about small things making a difference.
I was thinking about my life as I read this book. About what in my life has contributed to who I am today. I mean, the easy answer is that everything contributes, I to try to get a better sense of how they contributed. I read this book with a lot of interest and wonder. And was happy that it was an easy read.
I've recently been thinking about writing a book. It's something that people in my profession often do. I was at a conference a little while ago, getting inspired and thinking about different things that I'd like to investigate further. I came up with some ideas for a book. But the connection to this book is that I think if I write something, I'll definitely want it to be very accessible. An easy read, and something that people can connect with. Like, a "human interest" kind of story. We'll see if that book ever gets written.
- picture courtesy of www.chapters.indigo.ca
Not only did I like the topic, but it was an easy read (check off one of my requirements for my summer reading list). There were short chapters (critical for me as I've been reading in short snippets of time...on the bus, to kick start my day, to end my days, waiting for people to show up for coffee/lunch/brunch/whatever...and also because I'm not good at remembering what's going on in the book, so stopping partway through a chapter really confuses me the next time I pick it up).
This is the first book that I've read by Gladwell. I tend not to be an overly critical reader (especially if the writing is well crafted). I think maybe I should be a little bit more critical...or maybe it depends on the subject matter. I have read things that I think are completely ridiculous. Anyway, my point is, I was happy to follow Gladwell's arguments. I guess I could google what others think of his writing (there must be critics out there), but I don't feel like it's a priority.
As the title suggests, this book is about outliers. The things that make people/things get to that place that makes them extraordinary. Gladwell provides lots of examples of this, talking about being in the right time and place, culture, context, and basically, just explaining how things work. As some who likes to analyse and figure out how things work, I found the book very interesting. I learned a little bit more about luck. I learned a little bit about timing. I learned a little bit more about small things making a difference.
I was thinking about my life as I read this book. About what in my life has contributed to who I am today. I mean, the easy answer is that everything contributes, I to try to get a better sense of how they contributed. I read this book with a lot of interest and wonder. And was happy that it was an easy read.
I've recently been thinking about writing a book. It's something that people in my profession often do. I was at a conference a little while ago, getting inspired and thinking about different things that I'd like to investigate further. I came up with some ideas for a book. But the connection to this book is that I think if I write something, I'll definitely want it to be very accessible. An easy read, and something that people can connect with. Like, a "human interest" kind of story. We'll see if that book ever gets written.
- picture courtesy of www.chapters.indigo.ca
Watermelon
Watermelon, by Marian Keyes
Total chick lit. Mindless, frivolous, the easiest read. I have to say though, I didn't like how it ended up. I mean, it went in the right direction, but I needed an extra chapter or something to continue the fluff. Fluff is fun and good and there needed to be more to complete the story. For chick lit, it's got to be the perfect storybook ending, right? Sure, this book has some little twists here and there, but when it comes to the resolution, I want them to go all out and lay it on thick.
So if you need a synopsis, here it is (it's basically the same story as every other chick lit). Girl somehow gets shafted by her man. She goes a little nutty and is serious crisis mode. Then she meets some other guy...rebound of sorts. And then the original guy comes back into the picture. But what happens in the end? You'll have to read it to find out! Ha! Oh, and they're British of course. Why is that? Either it's taking place in Manhattan and everyone is so chic and fabulous, or their in the UK where you read the book and imagine everyone speaking with glorious accents.
- picture courtesy of www.chapters.indigo.ca
Total chick lit. Mindless, frivolous, the easiest read. I have to say though, I didn't like how it ended up. I mean, it went in the right direction, but I needed an extra chapter or something to continue the fluff. Fluff is fun and good and there needed to be more to complete the story. For chick lit, it's got to be the perfect storybook ending, right? Sure, this book has some little twists here and there, but when it comes to the resolution, I want them to go all out and lay it on thick.
So if you need a synopsis, here it is (it's basically the same story as every other chick lit). Girl somehow gets shafted by her man. She goes a little nutty and is serious crisis mode. Then she meets some other guy...rebound of sorts. And then the original guy comes back into the picture. But what happens in the end? You'll have to read it to find out! Ha! Oh, and they're British of course. Why is that? Either it's taking place in Manhattan and everyone is so chic and fabulous, or their in the UK where you read the book and imagine everyone speaking with glorious accents.
- picture courtesy of www.chapters.indigo.ca
(Summer) reading
I recently started to read. It'd be great if I can get into a routine of reading regularly (alliteration FTW!).
I will typically have a more relaxed schedule over the spring and summer months. Still, I have tried to maintain a good schedule. I tend to wake up around 8-8.30am (yes, I know, most people are about to start their work day at that time, but for me this is quite a feat to regularly wake up at this hour - I'm often working evenings with my position so my schedule shifts a bit). And slowly ease into the day. Sometimes this entails reading a little bit in bed. And even eating breakfast! I think that these are all very good things to have as part of my routine because during the year, I did neither. I've typically been arriving into work around 10.30am.
Anyway, the point is, I've been reading. I've been wanting to read something light to match my summer schedule. I don't own too many books that I haven't read, especially ones that don't have heavy topics. I did have one chick lit book on my shelf and thought that it was a perfect place to start. And then I went back to a book that I had started reading awhile ago and but for some reason, never got around to finishing. I'm on my third book now, and have a couple more that I picked up from my work library that will hopefully work out. I'll happily take suggestions if people have them. Mindless books were kind of my target reading for the summer, but my work library doesn't seem to have them (or at least the titles and authors that I knew of). But that's ok - the titles that I've got on my lineup should be relatively easy reading still, of personal interest, and will encourage some synapses to fire.
It would be great if I could get through a couple books over these next couple of months.
The nice weather will help me in my quest. I type this as I sit on my balcony, taking a break from my current book. It's a beautiful day outside and reading and my general routine this past little while has helped me to slow down my pace a bit (needed). It's been good for my mental health too, I think.
I will typically have a more relaxed schedule over the spring and summer months. Still, I have tried to maintain a good schedule. I tend to wake up around 8-8.30am (yes, I know, most people are about to start their work day at that time, but for me this is quite a feat to regularly wake up at this hour - I'm often working evenings with my position so my schedule shifts a bit). And slowly ease into the day. Sometimes this entails reading a little bit in bed. And even eating breakfast! I think that these are all very good things to have as part of my routine because during the year, I did neither. I've typically been arriving into work around 10.30am.
Anyway, the point is, I've been reading. I've been wanting to read something light to match my summer schedule. I don't own too many books that I haven't read, especially ones that don't have heavy topics. I did have one chick lit book on my shelf and thought that it was a perfect place to start. And then I went back to a book that I had started reading awhile ago and but for some reason, never got around to finishing. I'm on my third book now, and have a couple more that I picked up from my work library that will hopefully work out. I'll happily take suggestions if people have them. Mindless books were kind of my target reading for the summer, but my work library doesn't seem to have them (or at least the titles and authors that I knew of). But that's ok - the titles that I've got on my lineup should be relatively easy reading still, of personal interest, and will encourage some synapses to fire.
It would be great if I could get through a couple books over these next couple of months.
The nice weather will help me in my quest. I type this as I sit on my balcony, taking a break from my current book. It's a beautiful day outside and reading and my general routine this past little while has helped me to slow down my pace a bit (needed). It's been good for my mental health too, I think.
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