tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42674690926342138512024-03-21T01:19:19.113-07:00Notes by NadineRuminations, recipes, and real life adventures.Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-36903392978429145492012-02-14T21:00:00.000-08:002012-02-14T21:19:41.969-08:00Happy Valentine's Day!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><div style="text-align: justify;">Happy Valentine's Day to all, especially my loved ones in NYC! I'm thrilled about my upcoming celebration with my big sister - we will show our sisterly love by going to a <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/madonna-world-tour-2012-includes-instant-sell-outs-in-berlin-amsterdam-new-york-citys-yankee-stadium-philadelphia-boston-los-angeles-san-jose-seattle-washington-toronto-ottawa-and-vancouver-139255593.html">Madonna</a> concert at Yankee Stadium in September. In the mean time, I'm also super excited that my other valentine (my lovely, handsome, and thoughtful boyfriend) surprised me with Harry and David chocolates and is visiting me this weekend! Looking forward to using up some Groupons to yummy restaurants to give him a taste of DC!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By the way, last weekend's Galentine's Day sip and swap party/Bridesmaids screening was a success! The below photo of our leftover clothes to donate to a local women's shelter proves it - don't be alarmed by the shadow of our living room chair!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here are a few fun links to celebrate this highly commercialized-love fest: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00cccc;"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/conversations/your-washington-valentines/2012/02/07/gIQAJQqrwQ_ugcgallery.html?tid=sm_twitter_washingtonpost"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00cccc;">Washington Post valentine declarations</span></a> </span>– romantic reader-submitted, D.C.-themed one-liners (I knew Washingtonians had to have some heart and/or emotion despite all evidence to the contrary based on how our government functions!)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">New York Times <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/features/style/fashionandstyle/columns/modernlove/index.html?scp=1-spot&sq=modern%20love&st=cse"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00cccc;">Modern Love columns</span></a> – my absolute favorite feature of the Sunday NYT; the perfect accoutrement to the underlying and often-underemphasized foundation for this holiday... actually celebrating our loved ones (as opposed to just buying them gifts, cards, and candy). </div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px; font-family:georgia;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/02/not-for-cynics-or-haters-a-montage-of-hollywoods-most-romantic-scenes/253090/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00cccc;">How to Say Those Three Little Words Onscreen</span></a> - I just saw two incredibly different romantic comedies (<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oleuD8479uM">This Means War</a></i>, which was fantastic and combined action, comedy, and the buddy system to create a very satisfying film - and <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8swF2-R6X9A">The Vow</a></i>, which based on my expectations, lacked depth in the sense that I was not invested in the characters' love story), and this video features classic and blog-appropriate love scenes</div><div style="text-align: justify;">(impressively condensed into four minutes).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_F9NKx1puDHWG_xTbqfRkTTNDbRao4W-jhBU6o1YeDLdDTrJpWdLITc_rl6Ltr6F2DVR_pavpOq6_jxjb5OIRDSELUEDj80FOWDBupQz2PEJqWgY3-GElUqmhnzm_QlJuY6LkPvRIFQW_/s320/tn-2.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709225549404753058" /></div></span></span></span>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-87818054351247671642012-02-11T13:29:00.001-08:002012-02-11T13:49:20.034-08:00Grateful Weekend<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">I'm back! And now living in Washington, DC.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">Welcome to my first Grateful Weekend post, a new section in which I'll count down the top five things I'm most grateful for about why weekends are so wonderful. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">Here goes my favorite things about this weekend:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">1) Yesterday afternoon I started off the weekend with a visit to the doctor - something I usually dread - and I'm happy to report that I'm healthy!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">2) Following this somewhat-stressful appointment, I enjoyed a quiet night in complete with some wine, a messily-done manicure, and a Redbox (the only downside to the evening was that I watched I Don't Know How She Does It - which really should be called I Don't Know How I Sat Through It - and I'm annoyed that I will never get those two hours back).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">3) This morning it was about to snow but absolutely gorgeous and sunny out, so I bundled up and went to a new gym class. I loved how it combined yoga, pilates, and ab work to upbeat music - a nice way to mark my first workout of the new year (yeah, it's mid-February). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">4) My fantastic roommate and I spent the day watching chick flicks, baking, and setting up for our swanky swap party and movie night tonight. We asked our friends to help us celebrate "Galentine's Day" by emptying their<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px; "> closets and drawers, and joining us <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; ">for a girl's night in with yummy hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and girly cocktails. To round out the night, we'll finish with a viewing of the fabulous Bridesmaids. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px; ">The best part of this event is that all unclaimed items will be donated to women in need at a local women's shelter - s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px; ">o not only will we walk away with something recycled, but we can also feel good that other women out there are also getting something that will hopefully brighten their day too!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">5) Last and sort of least, I tried out a new Shabbat service on Friday that was not my scene at all - and even though I didn't have the best time, I really appreciated that the friendly girl sitting next to me performed a mitzvah by helping to guide me through when I realized that there was no transliteration and since I don't read Hebrew, I was completely lost. So thank you, whoever you are!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">Stay tuned for more - and photos from this weekend!</span></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-49973140549004646562010-11-28T20:13:00.000-08:002010-11-28T20:26:58.040-08:00A Few Links for a Quiet Night In.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;">After a lovely Thanksgiving break I'm back in Berkeley and eager to finish up the semester as soon as possible. Here's a few amusing posts from around the internet to let our holiday vacation last just a bit longer:</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://jezebel.com/5700704/post-party-clean-up-service-is-one-of-best-ideas-ever"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hangover Helper</span></span></span></a><a href="http://jezebel.com/5700704/post-party-clean-up-service-is-one-of-best-ideas-ever"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">s</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> is a small business dedicated to supplying a clean up crew and snacks for the morning after. I really wish I thought of that as a post-college enterprise.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I just wrote a paper all about how Facebook is such a successful social networking website that it is truly transforming interpersonal relationships, and wish I could have cited this article on </span></span><a href="http://gawker.com/5693843/now-you-can-pay-to-have-your-facebook-profile-made-into-a-real-book"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">tangible Facebook scrapbooks</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I really want to go see </span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkZK05xfde0&feature=channel"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Tiny Furniture</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, a new indie film about a confused young woman trying to figure out what to do with her life after graduating from college and moving back home with her dysfunctional family (even though I'm really hoping I'm not in the same situation in six months). </span></span></div></span>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-90959001807310669202010-10-11T12:00:00.000-07:002010-10-11T18:46:47.296-07:00College Cooking Class: Beef Chili With Rice<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The spices used to cook up this hearty meal make the kitchenette portion of my studio apartment smell amazing. I also got several of the ingredients at the 99</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">¢</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Store, making it an incredibly affordable dish that included six servings.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ingredients:</span></span></div></span><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- 2 cups rice</span></span></div></span><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- 1 pound ground beef</span></span></div></span><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- 2 cans of diced tomatoes</span></span></div></span><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- 1 can of pinto beans</span></span></div></span><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- 1 can of black beans</span></span></div></span></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- 1 can of kidney beans </span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- spices: salt, pepper, chili powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, oregano (or anything else you like, such as cumin)</span></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- cheddar cheese (as much or as little as you like to put on top)</span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- 1/2 pound of broccoli</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- olive oil</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1) Cook rice and set aside. If you have a rice cooker, I am jealous. If you don't, add two cups of rice and four cups of water in a large pan, bring to a boil, then turn turn and stir slowly until the water evaporates and rice is fluffy)</span></span></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2) Coat a skillet with some olive oil. Brown the ground beef and add a dash each of salt and pepper. Cover and set aside.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3) Combine cans of tomatoes and three types of beans into a large pot on high heat. Stir in small amounts (i.e. a teaspoon of salt, pepper, chili powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and oregano), and then add more of which ever spices you prefer (some people like it really spicy!). Switch to medium heat and cover, but remember to stir occasionally.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">4) Meanwhile, steam broccoli in the microwave by covering it with water and plastic wrap. Then strain in a colander and cover to keep warm.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">5) Strain the ground beef in a colander, then mix into the pot of chili.</span></span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">6) Do a taste test and add a few more spices if necessary.</span></span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">7) Grab a bowl, add some rice, spoon on some chili, and sprinkle with cheese. Don't forget to serve some broccoli on the side to balance out the meal.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCtaFxEx0hCY1Vff6wXICWyDN9yOd4sPiVdqaZzGb5rb6JMXv3ajXfnc_30PBcSRHnjalVvhz0Laht41Vws7SlPVVXwLa7Iqcmi1VxeiwTAMIhOylgwhvG6zEijJyKGKEeWqsBYUvlQ-x/s320/IMG_0070.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526170851325479826" /></span></div></span></span></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-17976650266840252012010-10-09T14:31:00.000-07:002010-10-09T14:43:38.192-07:00Power to the People? I Don't Think So.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here's a link to my </span></span><a href="http://www.dailycal.org/article/110676/power_to_the_people_i_don_t_think_so"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">editorial criticizing Berkeley students' approach to the October 7 protest</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> that appeared in yesterday's issue of UC Berkeley's student newspaper, the Daily Cal. Students staged a sit in at the library that disrupted people trying to study and plan to continue their "activism" through a pillow fight outside of the Chancellor's home next week </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">– </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">further proving my point that this circus atmosphere distracts from the cause and makes students seem ignorant and uninformed about the issues at hand. Here's to educating yourself on the reasons why California is in such a massive budget crisis, and organizing effectively to increase our opportunities for affordable, quality higher education.</span></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-53039863907129985572010-09-18T17:59:00.000-07:002010-09-18T18:13:21.969-07:00Back for a Quick Recap<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All 2.5 of my fans out there must have figured it out by now that the radio silence on my blog meant that I was transitioning back into the school year. Starting my senior year at Berkeley has been more hectic than I expected. It usually takes me about a month to adjust to a new schedule, but I've already begun work on three major assignments due all in one week, and this has definitely disrupted my otherwise calm start to the school year. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anyway, I'd like to share a few great links that have amused me during my study breaks.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You've heard of </span></span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/dining/27yoga.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">food yoga</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naked_yoga"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">naked yoga</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikram_Yoga"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">hot yoga</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, and now there's </span></span><a href="http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/2010/09/health-controversy-would-you-t-1.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">stoned yoga</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Although I can barely keep up with the Sunday </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">New York Times</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> throughout the week, here's a great list of </span></span><a href="http://gawker.com/5636022/what-to-read-this-fall"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">what books to read this fall</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"> </span>(hopefully I can catch up during Thanksgiving break).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm really looking forward to going to see </span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS0PJSKJoxw"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> next weekend. I love that the trailer uses the Rolling Stones song "Sympathy for the Devil" to show Gordon Gekko's return. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That's all for now. </span></span></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-17407930934154637012010-08-05T15:01:00.001-07:002010-08-05T21:33:02.958-07:00Summer's Coming to a Close<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;">With just a few weeks left until school starts, I'm trying to squeeze in a few more adventures in the Bay Area before I visit my family in Los Angeles. Between working, interning, and getting tutored for a math placement test I have to pass in order to graduate on time, this summer has turned out to be much more hectic than I expected. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Still, I'm glad to make time to go to the fabulous<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://sfjff.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">San Francisco Jewish Film Festiva</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">l</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. The theme this year is Tough Guys: Images of Jewish Gangsters in Film, but I choose to go to two very different screenings. On Monday night I got to see contemporary Israeli short films, and tonight I'm planning on watching a documentary. <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><a href="http://sfjff.org/film/detail?id=5165"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">A Small Act</span></a> </span>is<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">about a Jewish woman who donated a few dollars per month to an impoverished young boy from Kenya who later went to Harvard and became a renowned human rights lawyer. He later established a scholarship fund in her name to thank her for helping him. I'm eager to see how the cycle of mitzvahs (good deeds) unfolds.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); white-space: pre; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:10px;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/sfjff30_logo-thumb-230xauto-17049.jpg" border="0" alt="SFJFF" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-1454423555131358152010-07-23T15:55:00.000-07:002010-07-23T16:09:31.849-07:00A Few Links from the New York Times.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When I recently moved into my new apartment, I was incredibly lucky to receive an amazing housewarming gift from my parents: a subscription to the Sunday edition of the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">New York Times</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. I try to read as much as possible and soak it all in on Sunday, but it does tend to pile up on the coffee table and I end up reading various sections later on in the week.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So here's a few recent links from the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">New York Times</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: times, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 255); "><div style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/books/review/Shteyngart-t.html?_r=1&ref=books"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">This piece</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> from the book review offers an excellent analysis on how multimedia and multitasking are affecting our way of life.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Here's a </span></span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/fashion/22SIXERS.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&ref=fashion"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">fashion feature</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"> </span>on people who challenge themselves to wear only six items of clothing for a month.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">If I could pick a place to travel, I'd certainly want to spend more than </span></span><a href="http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/travel/25hours.html?ref=travel"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">36 Hours in Florence</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">. Still, this whirlwind trip looks like a fabulous vacation. </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 10px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); white-space: pre; "><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/GreeceItaly388.jpg" border="0" alt="Florence." /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:85%;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">I took this picture on a trip to Florence!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div></span></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-50102771125813536122010-07-16T15:27:00.001-07:002010-07-16T15:39:33.327-07:00A Few Links to Summon The Weekend.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;">After being sick for a week and a half, I'm finally back to posting a few links to get the weekend started. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'm looking forward to checking out awesome art thanks to </span></span><a href="http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/artsf/target.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">free admission at tons of San Francisco museums</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> this weekend... </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here's the</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://jezebel.com/5587886/james-franco--jon-hamm-are-beat-generation-hotties-in-howl"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">trailer for the highly anticipated film Howl</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, which covers Allen Ginsberg's obscenity trial over one of the best poems of the 20th century. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Finally, for all you bacon lovers out there, here is a creation to whet your appetite: </span></span><a href="http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/07/the-great-bacon-odyssey-bacon-the-other-crispy-brown-meat/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">a burger made of ground bacon</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. I'm torn between loving it and hating it, but you have to admit that it's creative.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); white-space: pre; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:10px;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/Howl_poster.jpg" border="0" alt="Howl." /></a></span></span></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-4441092926864038932010-06-27T13:33:00.001-07:002010-06-27T13:45:56.625-07:00A Few Links for a Sunday Afternoon.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've watched it since the beginning and am excited for the season premiere tonight, but I have to agree that </span></span><a href="http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/06/whats_wrong_with_entourage.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">Entourage has jumped the shark</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Given that the new iPhone was released this week, it's pretty terrifying to realize that phone companies are trying to cover up the </span></span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/opinion/27dowd.html?src=me&ref=homepage"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">connection between cell phone use and brain tumors</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here's the trailer for </span></span><a href="http://gawker.com/5573930/the-trailer-for-the-facebook-movie-is-out-and-it-is-terrifying"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">The Social Network</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, the movie about the founders of Facebook. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/entourage.jpg" border="0" alt="Entourage" /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The boys are back tonight.</span></span></span></div></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-68644941050013955922010-06-25T14:52:00.000-07:002010-06-25T15:10:26.513-07:00College Cooking Class: Shrimp Fried Rice<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); white-space: pre; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:10px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">For one of those nights when you need to use up a bunch of leftovers but still want something filling and satisfying, there's fried rice. The trick is to use rice that's been sitting in the fridge to get the right consistency. Throw in whatever veggies and protein source you have, and eggs if you have some, you've got a quickly whipped up yet delicious dinner.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: normal; line-height: 20px; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:13px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Ingredients:</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">- 3 cups cooked rice </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">- 1 cup cooked but frozen shrimp</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">- 2 eggs</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">- 1/2 cup frozen peas</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">- 1/3 cup chopped baby carrots</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">- 2 tablespoons soy sauce</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; min-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">1) In a slightly oiled pan, lightly scramble the two eggs until soft and not completely done. Put aside on a plate.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; min-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">2) Place frozen peas and chopped baby carrots into dish with water and microwave until heated through.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; min-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">3) Let frozen shrimp thaw in a bowl of cold water.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">4) Add some oil into a large saucepan and add the cooked rice. Stir around.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; min-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">4) Add cooked veggies and eggs, then 1 tablespoon soy sauce.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; min-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">7) When it is uniformly mixed and starting to get crispy, drain and add the shrimp. Stir in the other 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; min-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">8) Mix well and serve. Chopsticks optional.</span></span></span></span></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/IMG_0026.jpg" border="0" alt="Shrimp Fried Rice" /></a></div></span>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-33102828601071509852010-06-10T18:54:00.001-07:002010-06-10T19:25:26.705-07:00A Few Links for a Summer Day.<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; font-size:13px;"><div style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://holyrollersfilm.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Holy Rollers</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> opens this week! I highly recommend this fascinating movie based on the true story of Hasidic Jews smuggling ecstasy in the late 90s. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Is buying overpriced hipster duds worth compromising your conscience? We should boycott </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://gawker.com/5560215/american-apparels-new-standard-no-uglies-allowed"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">American Apparel</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> for its disgusting appearance discrimination.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I just came back from a pricy Trader Joe's run, so maybe I should follow this man's guide to </span></span></span><a href="http://www.grocerycouponguide.com/articles/eating-well-on-1-a-day/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">eating well on $1 a day</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">... </span></span></span></div></span>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-44040185090351505302010-05-29T21:53:00.000-07:002010-05-29T22:07:08.242-07:00College Cooking Class: Pesto Pasta with Chicken<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Tonight I'm sharing a recipe that got me through finals: delicious and healthy pesto pasta with chicken and green beans. It's a balanced meal in a bowl that has protein and veggies. I recommend getting the fresh Genova pesto from Trader Joe's, but you can make your own if you have fresh basil. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; min-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ingredients:</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- 1/4 of a package of penne pasta (or any other noodle)</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- 2 small, boneless, skinless chicken breasts</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- 1 tablespoon pesto sauce</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- 1 cup green beans</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- 1 teaspoon olive oil</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- parmesan cheese to taste</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; min-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1) Turn on the stove and set up water to boil for the penne; defrost chicken in a bowl of warm water.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; min-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2) Rinse green beans and set aside in a bowl with some water. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; min-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3) Let the pasta cook on the stove. When it is done, drain in a colander. Place it back in the pot it was cooked in. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; min-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4) Cut up and cook the chicken in some olive oil for a few minutes on each side. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; min-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">7) Heat green beans in the microwave; then cut up into smaller pieces.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Georgia; min-height: 15px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">8) Add chicken piec</span></span>es and cut up string beans into the pot of pasta. Add pesto and sprinkle on some parmesan cheese. Add more parmesan cheese.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; line-height: 20.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #666666; min-height: 15.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #666666; min-height: 15.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 19.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia; color: #666666; min-height: 15.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/IMG_0025.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 19.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia; color: #666666; min-height: 15.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 19.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia; color: #666666; min-height: 15.0px"><br /></p>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-46395048748315276962010-05-18T20:27:00.000-07:002010-05-18T20:38:43.350-07:00A Few Links to Celebrate Summer Break!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I survived finals and am now starting summer vacation by visiting family in Los Angeles! Here are a few links to ease into the summer.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These </span></span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/05/06/business/businessspecial/20100506-pack-ss.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">tips on packing</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> will help all chronic overpackers actually fit stuff in a suitcase!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I am obsessed with </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">30 Rock</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, but </span></span><a href="http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/05/how_much_trouble_is_30_rock_in.html?f=most-commented-vulture-7d5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">this news</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> might be a dealbreaker...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fans and haters of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sex and the Cit</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">y alike will appreciate </span></span><a href="http://jezebel.com/5541641/sex-and-the-city-2-a-plot-analysis-for-mere-mortals/gallery/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">this interpretation</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> of the soon to be released sequel.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/night.jpg" border="0" alt="Liz Lemon" /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Who doesn't love Liz Lemon as she sings about working on her night cheese?</span></span></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-5688568923985552882010-05-06T19:41:00.000-07:002010-05-06T19:56:08.323-07:00A Few Links for a Study Break.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; ">In the midst of studying for finals I haven't been able to post much, but I do have a few links for those in need of a quick study break.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="text-align: justify;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; "><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">B</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ehold the $500 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/65732/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">100</span></span></span></a></span><a href="http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/65732/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></a><a href="http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/65732/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">layer lasagna</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in all its glory...</span></span></span></span></span></span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Would you spout a racist quote for a</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><a href="http://jezebel.com/5531513/act-like-a-vietnamese-prostitute-get-free-edamame"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">free appetizer</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">? </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/generalities/knbc_newsroom_staffer_wins_mega_millions_160695.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">newly-</span></span></span></a><a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/generalities/knbc_newsroom_staffer_wins_mega_millions_160695.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">wealthy journalist</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">doesn't need to worry about the collapse of the business model. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Keep up all the good work studying </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">— </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> it'll all be over soon!</span></span></span></div></span></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-924916211234942172010-04-18T11:43:00.000-07:002010-04-18T12:09:49.877-07:00Meatless Mondays?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The city of San Francisco has passed a measure to persuade its citizens to forego eating meat once a week! The Board of Supervisors claims that one less meat meal per week will help people develop healthier eating habits and a more eco-conscious lifestyle. Say it ain't so! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here's the thing: I love meat. Obviously, I respect vegetarians for their decision not to eat meat, whether it's a health reason or because they love animals too much. However, I don't think it's right to push one's dietary restrictions onto another person. I have lived in a vegetarian co-op, and the majority of my friends are vegetarian. I have learned to cook savory meatless meals that still pack protein. But that's not my full time choice, and I don't think a city agency should foist its beliefs onto everyone. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The measure encourages </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"all restaurants, grocery stores and schools to offer a greater variety of plant-based options to improve the health of San Francisco residents and visitors and to increase the awareness of the impact a green diet would be on our planet." That's all fine and dandy, but what about people who are just fine chowing down on their bacon cheeseburgers? I consider myself a highly environmentally sensitive individual (I recycle, compost, shop at used clothing stores, etc.) but cutting out meat from my diet is one step I think is taking it too far. If I enjoy eating something, I shouldn't have to give it up because self-righteous vegetarians think their lifestyle is more environmentally friendly than mine. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here's to being open minded about food, and looking at other ways to incorporate food sustainability that don't necessarily involve eliminating the most delicious source of protein: meat. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/20091120CornedBeefHouse-Reubensammi.jpg" border="0" alt="Corned Beef" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hey, it's part of my Jewish heritage to eat corned beef sandwiches! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">p.s. Here's one food item I'm fine with outlawing: rare <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/world/asia/18civetcoffee.html?ref=world&src=me&pagewanted=all"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;">coffee beans found in animal dung</span></a>...</span></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-89188877794968024982010-04-14T22:04:00.000-07:002010-04-14T22:12:18.881-07:00TCM Classic Film Festival.<p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I wish I was visiting Los Angeles next weekend! April 22 to 25 marks the first annual Turner Classic Movies <a href="http://www.tcm.com/festival/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#339999;">Classic Film Festival</span></a>, which will show exceptional films on the big screen.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I grew up watching TCM pretty much since I was in pre-school </span></span><span style="font: 16.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">–</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> most of our family videotapes of old black and white movies began with host Robert Osborne introducing a film with juicy tidbits. I could explain obscure trivia and hum the TCM commercial jingles. As my dad likes to tell people, "My daughter grew up on TCM." I'm sure it was unusual for such a young kid to prefer watching <i>Monkey Business</i> over an animated Disney film, but I'm grateful I was exposed to quality movies when I was so little. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Although the ticket price is steep ($499 for one of the lower end packages), individual movie screenings are $20 apiece and $10 for students. I'm sad to miss out on seeing <i>The Graduate</i> or <i>Singin' in the Rain</i> on the big screen, but hopefully others will enjoy this fabulous four day festival celebrating classic movies!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/thethinmanasta.jpg" border="0" alt="Nick and Nora." /></a></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Thin Man series is one my favorites! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Nick and Nora are an excellent drunk detective duo.</span></span></p>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-23702480014226941382010-04-10T17:57:00.000-07:002010-04-14T21:30:48.466-07:00Berkeley: Always A Protest, Rarely A Point.<p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One of the reasons I chose to attend UC Berkeley was because of the university's role in the Free Speech Movement. I thought it would be amazing to go to college on a progressive campus with like-minded individuals. I was wrong. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am very liberal, but there must be something in the organic granola, because it seems like all Berkeley students do is protest about every single cause under the sun. I'm all for civil rights, fair labor laws, pro-choice ideals, and several other important political issues. But this doesn't mean I want to hear about them constantly, like when I'm innocently eating lunch on campus and trying to take a break from the chaos. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This is why I try to avoid Sproul Plaza at all costs. Sproul is the main site of the Free Speech Movement, where Mario Savio boldly led teach-ins and civil rights protestors tried to speak out for change. Today it is the main stomping ground for myriad daily protests concerning bullshit causes, and student groups trying to recruit you/sell you stuff. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Verdana; min-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I wish the Berkeley I attend was more like Berkeley in the 1960s, but it is anything but. It is much more of an excuse for people to shout about anything they are angry about instead of organizing around a valid cause. I mean, is it really necessary to vandalize our chancellor's on-campus mansion because you're pissed about budget cuts? That lovely protest will cost nearly $14,00 in damages, even though the University of California clearly lacks a rainy day fund. It's frustrating, but it's Berkeley. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Verdana; min-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This is why </span></span><a href="http://gobacktoberkeley.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Go Back to Berkele</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">y</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> is so hilarious. Apologies to militant vegans, Birkenstock-wearing hippies, and slow food enthusiasts, but this website knows what's up. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/UCBerkeley_Campus.jpg" border="0" alt="Cal" /></span></a></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A more serene view of campus. </span></span></p>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-83921148061819747162010-04-04T16:02:00.000-07:002010-04-04T16:33:46.483-07:00A Few Links for a Rainy Day.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">For some laughs during Passover, hear </span><a href="http://oldjewstellingjokes.com/post/472458320/joe-simonowitz-long-island-duck-joe-simonowitz#offset:0;0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">Old Jews Telling Joke</span></span></a><a href="http://oldjewstellingjokes.com/post/472458320/joe-simonowitz-long-island-duck-joe-simonowitz#offset:0;0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">s</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">To count down to a heart attack, check out this </span><a href="http://www.kfc.com/doubledown/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">no-bread meaty sandwich concoction</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">And if you're in the mood to watch the most indie film trailer I've seen this year, here's an interesting take on </span><a href="http://www.breakingupwards.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">breaking up while staying together</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">p.s. Today I had my first ever Easter brunch complete with ham and scalloped potatoes. It was delicious!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/scalloped.jpg" border="0" alt="Ham and Potatoes." /></a></span></span></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-20010154659862128192010-03-23T12:00:00.000-07:002010-03-23T12:00:00.391-07:00Spring Break in New Orleans!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">This year I'm spending spring break in New Orleans on a trip to literally rebuild homes, tutor middle school kids, and explore an entirely new culture! I'm very excited to be in one of the most exciting cities in America, and I really hope that I can appreciate the wonderful food, sights, and music of the Big Easy.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">One of the reasons I'm on this trip is because although Hurricane Katrina was over five years ago, major parts of New Orleans have not recovered yet, and I want to do my part to help rebuild this amazing place. At the same time, I want to forget about the tragic elements of New Orleans and really enjoy all the city has to offer, because it has such a rich history that I want to experience.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">Here's to helping to rebuild, eating beignets at Cafe du Monde, and listening to jazz!</span></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/new_orleans_french_quarter.jpg" border="0" alt="French Quarter" /></a><br /></span></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-84561694341908791972010-03-21T11:00:00.000-07:002010-04-04T16:34:37.849-07:00Cake vs. Pie Contest.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">As a major dessert connoisseur, I love to be adventurous and try new things. At the same time, it's usually something simple and chocolatey that hits the spot. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">One of my favorite blogs, Jezebel, is currently having a contest between two tasty desserts: cake and pie. Although my favorite desserts are chocolate covered strawberries and ice cream brownie sundaes, I still love cake and pie, so I realize how the cake vs. pie tournament certainly creates a dilemma for anyone with a sweet tooth. On the one hand, a decadent piece of chocolate cake with the perfect amount of gooey frosting is the clear winner. On the other hand, in the summertime I always enjoy a delicious slice of strawberry pie with fresh whipped cream. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://jezebel.com/5496714/march-madness-the-cake-vs-pie-tournament"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">Click here</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> to participate in the pie vs. cake showdown!</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/chocolate_cake.jpg" alt="Cake" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/pieStrawberry.jpg" alt="Pie" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-62578383453397559992010-03-20T10:13:00.000-07:002010-03-20T10:36:40.096-07:00Media Fasts.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">Yes, I have an iPhone. And a laptop. And an iPod. And a TV. But that's not so different from most college students these days, and most adults as well. One professor from the University of Minnesota thinks my generation's dependency on electronics has spiraled out of control, and her solution is to assign college students media fasts. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">Media fasts are when people are told not to use "media or gadgets that didn't exist before 1984," which pretty much includes all tech devices we're accustomed to using every day. I think this idea is completely ridiculous. Yes, studies have shown that the abundance of technological gadgets has lead to decreased attention spans. Yes, although I don't take my laptop to class, I do notice that everyone else around me is on Facebook instead of frantically taking notes on the lecture. Yes, just last week a man was killed in a freak accident because he was listening to his iPod and didn't hear an emergency plane landing. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">These are all reasons for us to take a step back to limit our use of technology, but closing ourselves off completely is a rash and unnecessary measure. It's far more important to continue to use these products while also attempting to educate ourselves about their impact in our lives. So instead of a weeklong media fast in which people would not be able to use cell phones or computers, how about having one night per week in which a group of housemates did not have to give up these modern necessities, but chose to hang out together doing something that did not involve Guitar Hero marathons or Nintendo Wii? It's certainly still possible to be tech savvy, enjoy our modern marvels, and still appreciate the moments in life in which we aren't constantly reaching for our iPhones to see if we got a text. </span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/133988-iphone3g.jpg" alt="iPhone" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-41185774719037837892010-03-14T16:49:00.000-07:002010-03-14T20:00:36.294-07:00Champagne & Cupcakes.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">Yesterday I had a small get together to celebrate my 20th birthday. It was a champagne and cupcakes themed late afternoon cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres, dessert, and some bubbly. </span></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">Thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes. I had a great birthday weekend!</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/IMG_4056.jpg" alt="Birthday Girl" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/IMG_4082.jpg" alt="Champagne &amp; Cupcakes" border="0" /></a></span><br /></div></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-86895083906347428522010-03-12T10:46:00.000-08:002010-03-12T11:00:51.962-08:00Obsession: Secret Diary of a Call Girl<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >I have to confess that I am absolutely obsessed with the Secret Diary of a Call Girl, a show based on the anonymous blog and books chronicling the life of a high end escort as she gallivants through London. Originally shown in England but picked up by Showtime picked in 2007, I have been obsessed ever since the series premiere. When I was home last weekend I watched almost all of the third season in one sitting (hey, each episode is only about 20 minutes), and I watched the amazing season finale last night.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Why am I obsessed with a show about a hooker? First of all, it's written in such a captivating way that allows the audience to understand how secrecy and money could prompt a young woman to live such a scandalous life. The main character leads two double lives: the first as Hannah Baxter, who works as a nighttime legal secretary, at least according to her family and friends. The second is Belle du Jour, a sophisticated and high class call girl who satisfies every client's deviant whim. What makes the show so interesting is how she balances being both Hannah and Belle even when her secret life often clashes with her personal life. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >It's also fascinating how Hannah, an educated girl with a college degree, decides she cannot fathom working in a stifling cubicle from 9 to 5, so she would rather experience a luxurious yet explicit lifestyle of pampering herself and engaging in her favorite hobby for her job. Hannah is a warm and compassionate person, but instead of utilizing those skills by becoming a teacher or doctor, she chooses to become a sex worker. But she must keep this secret from everyone she cares about most, except her incredibly supportive best friend Ben, a nice Jewish boy who also happens to be in love with her. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Similar to Sex and the City, the show includes frequent introspective voiceovers and frenzied writing montages, and of course features fabulous hair, makeup, clothes, and shoes. It also has fantastic music by indie artists such as Feist and Regina Spektor. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >The craziest thing about Secret Diary of a Call Girl is that the real life call girl the show is based on revealed her identity a few months ago. Brooke Magnanti is a scientist who now specializes in cancer research. She paid her way while getting her PhD by working as a call girl in London. So when she did finally settle down to a 9 to 5 job, she choose a very worthwhile career. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">If I haven't convinced you by now, I highly recommend watching this show! Enjoy.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/SecretDiaryofaCallGirl.jpg" alt="Secret Diary of a Call Girl" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4267469092634213851.post-32200511865030577322010-03-09T20:28:00.000-08:002010-03-10T11:30:14.761-08:00Back to Berkeley.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">I'm adjusting to being back in Berkeley after a wonderful whirlwind weekend in Los Angeles. I had an amazing time visiting my family, enjoying an early birthday celebration, and just getting the opportunity to relax at home. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and it always makes me realize how spoiled I was to grow up in LA with almost 365 days of sunshine per year. I think the Los Angeles skyline is the most breathtaking sight, even if others think it's just a bunch of tall buildings, seeing and appreciating it is an essential part about going home.</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/LosAngeles.jpg" border="0" alt="Los Angeles" /></a></span><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">When I was home in LA, I especially enjoyed watching old movies with my dad, including Casablanca. It's such a classic film, yet most of my friends have never seen it. I really recommend it – I'll watch it over and over again! It was a fun distraction from the films I'm watching for my film class this semester that focuses on race in American film during the 20th century. We're watching incredibly depressing and intense films, so I'm looking forward to later in the semester when we'll watch The Godfather, another of my absolute favorites.</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/nlevyfield/Casablanca.jpg" border="0" alt="Casablanca" /></a></span><br /></div></div>Nadine Levyfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13134586859957718124noreply@blogger.com0