Happy New Year

 May your 2026 be happy. May you be healthy. Here's to a year of possibilities. My weightlifting continues and the number of repetitions is fine. The weight itself is still not where I need it to be, but in time the number is going to be higher. 

I'm really glad my friend told me about weightlifting. Sports like swimming and tennis are a really good workout, but lifting is more convenient these days. I look forward to swimming soon. Weather may become nicer this week. Last week many were surprised by rain.

That's another good thing about lifting. If it's raining or snowing or too windy, it's easily doable. 

See you back soon!

Christmas Eve

My Christmas Eve includes unexpected rain. Thankfully people didn't drive horribly. All was well within the parking lots and streets. Whole Foods was busy, 99 Ranch Market was not. This was one of the few times this month that I needed to wear a rain jacket. Come to think of it, I haven't worn one for most of  the year. 

Happy Holidays and I hope to write more soon.

Weightlifting!

 A friend of mine kindly and generously told me what I needed to know. We email or text each other about things every now and then. I wanted to find out a good way to be and stay fit. She told me she lifts weights.

So I have been lifting weights, working gradually. Thank you, C for telling me about lifting! 

Also, Thank you to E, M, and S for the suggestion of "Yoga with Adriene," on YouTube. She has an interesting style and her dog looks nice. A buddy of mine from India told me his opinion on yoga. He thinks it's for mental health. He runs and does cardio. Thank you, M for sharing your experience.  

Thank you to E, who worked with me - you know stuff about fitness. I don't think our paths will cross again, but who knows?  

Book review: Tan's Donuts by Maya Cheav

 I read Maya Cheav's book, "Tan's Donuts," weeks ago. The review wasn't one to publish immediately  because I wanted to give thinking about how to write my review more time. Cheav's book of historical fiction about a Cambodian donut shop owner was thought provoking. The setup of the book was creative. Different donuts sold by his store are used to describe his customers and he delves into memories of his life in Cambodia, and how he was affected by the regime of the Khmer Rouge. 

I would like for the book to be read by many because the stories are an intriguing read. What I read made me want to seek out more information on Cambodian history. 

"Tan's Donuts," is a powerful collection of short stories. The thoughts, memories, and feelings described hit hard. I was captivated. 

My purchase of the book was through Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Tans-Donuts-Chestnut-Review-Chapbooks/dp/1965158102 

- This is not an affiliate link - my review is not part of a promotion and I do not receive any profits from purchases.

I also did some research and found the following website: https://mayacheav.com/tans-donuts 

- Again, this is not an affiliate link, and I do not receive any profits from purchases. My review is to give my opinion on a compelling book I feel is important. I sincerely hope people read it.

A Second Time Reading A First-Rate Madness by Dr. Nassir Ghaemi

My initial reading was inspired by a friend, an avid reader. She heard about the book from her psychiatrist. Before retiring, he doctor raved about it. My friend strongly recommended reading the book. Placing trust in her; Dr. Ghaemi's book, which has the heading of "New York Times Bestseller" on the cover, was purchased and devoured.

The author didn't include a picture of himself in the book, but what he did was stated. Dr. Ghaemi's career includes being a professor of psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine and director of the Mood Disorders Program at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. More details of his work are included, but for the sake of brevity, I will simply state that what he does and has done is impressive to me. 

My opinion of A First-Rate Madness? 5 out of 5 stars, A+, and two thumbs ups.

My take away on my second reading? So much rich detail about the history of notable leaders and their psychological lives is described. My decision to peruse Dr. Ghaemi's book resulted in catching details which were overlooked in my quick first reading. Winston Churchill, Gandhi, and Lincoln are among the leaders profiled, and I was fascinated by the author's recounting of their psychiatric history and records, and his psychological opinion of several of the leaders' behaviors. He lays out the following facts for readers of these historically significant leaders: they had mental illnesses and they were great leaders during times of crisis.  A First-Rate Madness is well worth reading, in my opinion.

The next book I plan to read is Tan's Donuts by Maya Cheav. We'll see if everything goes according to my plan.

Review of Troublemaker by John Cho and Sarah Suk

Troublemaker by John Cho and Sarah Suk is an impressive historical fiction novel. Many people have mad respect for John Cho, as he is a trailblazer in American theater*, television, and film. To read the story he and Sarah Suk wrote is really something. The feelings about the 1992 LA Riots in Korea Town are all there. The story of two young friends of Korean descent who are in middle school is relatable. 

Some people remember watching the news about the Riots. There are people who have memories not only of the news, but of their time in LA Korea Town during the uprising. The details written by the two authors ring true to the fears and experiences of many people of Korean descent at that time. People from different backgrounds are also a significant part of the story. Bringing people from other cultures (Black/African-American, and Mexican/Latinx/Latine) into the narrative gives Cho's first novel a strong and thoughtful feeling. While I think his novel is gripping and intriguing, my rating is 4.5 out of 5. One of the Goodreads reviewers, who gives a 4 out of 5 rating, has the same experience of perceiving a slight lag in a section of Troublemaker. That does not stop me from buying a copy for a friend who loves historical fiction; I'm glad I read it. The book's a winner.

*In terms of theater, me and my friend Peter have seen John Cho many years ago in the Euijoon Kim play, My Tired Broke Ass Pontificating Slapstick Funk. His acting can be described as memorable. I don't think either of us are going to forget the hilariousness of his performance. 

Julie

 Julie,

I miss you. I am not the only one who misses you. When I think of you visually, I am going to remember your bright, sunny smile, and beautiful eyes. When I think of you emotionally, I am going to remember your kindness, optimism, and sunny disposition. I am praying for your family. I think you are smiling in heaven and thinking positive, hopeful thoughts for the ones you knew in your time here.