Thursday, January 27, 2005

Day in the life

The life of a student can be busy, stressful and challenging — just ask Tim Howley, a graduate student who is working on a Master’s degree in teaching. For Howley, however, attending classes is only a small part of his day.

All Things Literary

I’ve always appreciated the complexity of a historical fiction novel, and especially the work of Tracy Chevalier. So, when my good friend offered me her copy of Chevalier’s "The Virgin Blue," I was eager to read the novel. What I found not only was a complex and fascinating modern-day story, but also a paralleled, eerie and intense look into the world of 16th century France — where Protestantism and Catholicism violently were colliding with each other.

At one time or another, most young girls dream of being one of Ann M. Martin’s characters in "The Babysitters Club." A few go out to advertise their services, while others babysit family friends. Many girls have already experienced the stinky diapers and screaming children. But some are still so captivated by young children that they make a part or full-time job out of babysitting.

Cooking 101

During these cold winter months it is nice to enjoy a few recipes that remind us there is a warm end to this frigid tunnel. One of the flavors that always reminds me of a light summer dinner is basil. A versatile ingredient, basil can be the dominate flavor, such as in pesto, or used as a mild garnish, such as in bruschetta. When using basil, the fresher the better — and never use dried basil for these recipes.