I ran. Some business. A music note. And goodbye.

So, as you know, the book I have begun for my "D" week is Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas. Dumas was born in Abadan, Iran in 1965. Her family moved to the United States for 2 years in 1972 as her father was working with an American petroleum company. Her father spent his time entertaining the family with stories of his time in America when he was a Fulbright Scholar. After the two years in America, her family moved back to Iran only to return two years later. Dumas attended UC Berkeley and married a Frenchman. Funny in Farsi has received much acclaim since its publishing date in 2003. Dumas was the first Middle Eastern woman to be recognized as an honor for the Thurber Prize for American Humor; she lost to Jon Stewart. The book is on Recommended Reading Lists for many schools across the country. Dumas has three children and has been married since 1989. Funny in Farsi is on the bestselling lists in Iran. She has a website: Firoozeh Dumas. And btw...ABC is doing a pilot episode of Funny in Farsi.
Today, I managed to read up to about page 40 of Funny in Farsi. I had many laugh out loud moments whilst doing my thing on the eliptical at Bally. I am sure someone has video of me (probably a treadmill dancer). Dumas is someone I can compare my writing style to: witty, sarcastic...some schadenfreude mixed in, as well. I feel like I could be her friend. The opening of the book begins with her talking briefly about her brother coming to America: I, too, had been sad at Farid's departure, but my sorrow soon faded-not coincidentally, with the receipt of a package from him. Suddenly, having my brother on a different continent seemed like a small price to pay for owning a Barbie complete with a carrying case and four outfits, including the rain gear and mini umbrella. Reading this one little excerpt made me realize I am in love with her. From there, it just gets funnier and funnier. I feel like she describes life the way I describe life and probably looks at life with a mouth full of running commentary.

She describes how her father and mother see things in America and how the language barrier for them is pretty funny for her to watch. The book unfolds as the reader gets to watch how an Iranian family transforms into an "American" and becomes part of the culture. She takes you on a journey through product fads, fast food, American ignorance (Where is Iran? We have never heard of that? I have seen Lawrence of Arabia), school and of course, Disneyland. Disneyland serves as a Mecca for her family. She speaks of having gone 15 times in the first two years she was in the United States. The last time she talks about it, she speaks of getting lost and how she got to milk her father for whatever she wanted after that occurrence (Stephanie H...if you are reading...you might take note of this).

The book has been a quick read. I have not invested much time in reading it at all and I am zipping through. Once I am finished with my 26 week span of books, I will have to read the next book, Laughing Without an Accent. I feel as though I need to present this book to my graduate class during our Methods of Teaching ESL classes. I am sure some of the children we are learning to teach will have some of the same life adventures as Firoozeh.

Now...down to some business and I am sorry to be bitchy. But this is where it needs to go. NO. I am NOT Julie Powell. This blog is not Julie and Julia. If I were Julie Powell, I would have boobs...some people would say I do, but those are called pectorals. I would also be cooking a two recipes a day from Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child. I would also be rich, have a movie and not working for Barnes and Noble (even though I probably would). Now, if you would like to fund me on this blog, go right ahead. If you would like to "discover" me or have me "discovered" be sure to tell your friends about me. But, I AM NOT JULIE POWELL. If you want her, here is her website...go on...click on it...you know you want to: Julie/Julia Project. I would also have a donations button on the side of my page. Now, some people have simply mentioned Julie/Julia to me in jest. There was nothing catty meant about it...others had bitchmonster written all over the tone of their voices.
Let me break it down. I am reading 26 books. ONLY 26. The blog would begin with 17 million books, 26 weeks, 26 authors if I were to read EVERY book like Julie cooked EVERY recipe. No. I am reading 26. 26 weeks. If I were Julie, I would be doing 52 WEEKS. Her premises was all recipes over one year. 26 authors. There are more than 26 authors out there. Now the only thing SLIGHTLY reminiscent about Julie/Julia is that I am trying to read my fair share of award winning kids books off to the side of my regulars.

So, for all of you accusers, I am sorry you are jealous. I am just trying to do something fun that will make me smarter. I am not trying to rip Julie Powell. :(

Today at work, music was given to me that I had signed up for...the whole in-store play thing. I ended up with Michael Buble's Crazy Love album and Michael James Battle's Chopin After Midnight. As I was driving home from B&N, I decided to listen to the Battle CD. There are things that I cannot describe that made me so happy whilst listening to his CD. People are trained to hear music. Instruments, voices, whatever. No one ever listens for the music that lies in between the notes; this is my favorite part. Sometimes you hear the conductor/performers breathe. The whole orchestra turns a page at once. The sound of fingers coming off of piano keys. Sax valves sticking ever so slightly after being pressed down. The sounds we make as performers make recordings so real. I love it. It becomes one of those moments when you realize the performer is human. Take an opportunity to listen to Glenn Gould play Bach's Goldberg Variations...or any music for that matter. You will get more than you bargain for with a recording by Gould.

Last but not least, I would like to say a little goodbye. This is not a goodbye forever by any means...it is just a goodbye. Dena, one of our wonderful Merch Managers, is transferring to State/Elm B&N next week. She will be missed so much in the store. I told the GM today that I was losing my singing partner. Oh well...it is now up to Susan and me to entertain. Dena, I know you will read this! Thank you for making everything so much fun at double O squared! Here is a pic of Dena and me at Halloween (to the side...and yes...I am naked again. Whatevs.

Oh...and one side note...hahaha. I told my GM I would go to State/Elm to entertain Dena and hope the store would not find out I worked at Old Orchard. Well, she told me that Evanston B&N manager called her the other week to say that I was talking to one of his employees, my friend John. Now mind you 1) John was working hard. 2) It was not hours of convo. 3) We were just catching up quickly and 4) I always get in trouble for talking (this is the fourth time it has been brought to my attention at B&N and my Gap managers say I talk too much). She asked if she needed to describe me to figure out if it was me or not and she did to a tee and he said it was me. She thinks he has a crush. HA. She told him that he could ask me to leave if I was getting in the way, but I WAS NOT. I know John was doing his work. Well...hopefully he won't connect me with the PI that works there...cause we are friends, too. Sorry, John, if you got in trouble.

Bedtime. It's snowing. Tomorrow.