Category Archives: The Daily Laura

5 Things I’m Excited About This Week

1. Duke is offering free online classes starting this fall, including one with Dan Ariely!

2. The Daily Skimm is a great little newsletter that lets you in on all the major headlines and latest water cooler talk, summed up so that you can get to the main points in just a few minutes. It’s proving to be a good companion during 5 am nursing sessions, even though it could never replace the Times!

3. The Arrested Development crew is back together again! I think this might just be a top contender for favorite TV show ever. Each character is brilliantly done. It’s all so good! So smart! So awesome.

4. Alec Baldwin has a show on WNYC called ‘Here’s the Thing’. He interviews fellow celebrities for each podcast. I like it. Jerry Seinfeld also has a web show, ‘Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee”. It’s kind of just him showing off his auto collection while cracking up with his friends, but Larry David comes on for an episode and there’s a soothing, unhurried tone. Like, hey, I’m super rich now, so I can just amble about driving to various diners with my buddies.

5. This easy peach cobbler recipe was both easy and delicious. Sure, it used up half the sugar in my pantry, but who doesn’t deserve a summertime treat?

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Sunglasses Out, Sweaters Away

Update: definitely, officially spring!

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Could it be?

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Buds and bird’s nests in the trees – could it be spring? I mean – we have been suffering through days on end of 50 and 60 degree temps lately ;)

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Photo Challenge: Blue

by Laura

Celebrating being done with my comprehensive exams for my doctoral program with lunch & a walk around the Duke Gardens on this 75 degree February day.

Grey/blue heron.

Heading across the Japanese bridge.

Winter "blooms".

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Photo Challenge Day 14: Love

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Good husband. Big love.

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Photo Challenge Day 11: Makes You Happy

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Being able to keep up my longstanding tradition of seeing Alvin Ailey is a huge treat! Check out Carolina Performing Arts for more great arts events throughout the year.

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Photo Challenge Day 8: Sun

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Sun bathing in February.

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Photo Challenge Day 5: 10 a.m.

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Presented without comment, suppressing just a tiny bit of gleefulness. Okay, a lot of gleefulness. But I’m sure that in exchange, I’ll have to listen to Duke haters griping about the result for many weeks to come. So, for now – GTHC, GTH! The greatest rivalry in college sports just keeps getting better!

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Photo Challenge Day 4: A Stranger

It would have been really odd to take a picture of the actual random family that found my iPhone on the sidewalk and then went through my contacts until they reached Harold & got it returned to me.  But my almost lost, beloved iPhone was indeed rescued by a stranger’s honesty.  Thanks, random family, for going out of your way to make my day a whole lot better!  I guess not everyone in the world is a mean, selfish creep, and it’s nice to be reminded of that sometimes.  Plus, I still have my phone.  Happiness!

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Photo Challenge, Day 2: Words

by Laura

Words.  Here’s what I mapped out today – the next five months of big-ticket to-do’s.  Next step – delegation.  Harold?  Noodle?  Any takers?

Also – a couple of off-topic bonus shots.  We finally tried out Gourmet Kingdom in Carrboro to see if there was actual, decent Chinese food in the Triangle.  The menu is extremely authentic, so if you’re looking for Americanized options, you won’t be too happy here.  But, I did enjoy my yang chow fried rice & Harold liked his beef soup – two of the tamer dishes.  Plus, the portions are gigantic and perfect for sharing.  I wouldn’t give it 5 stars, but for the South, I’ll definitely take it.

We also finally made the trip over to Gimghoul Castle, a creepy old stone structure on UNC’s campus with a mysterious history!  I would recommend pairing the short walk to the castle with a nearby hiking loop in order to get in some real exercise.  There were plenty of folks out enjoying the sunshine/global warming since February has kicked off with spring weather.  Groundhog’s Day just doesn’t have as much meaning when you have yet to see a snowflake!

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Happy New Year

by Laura

The New Year is almost upon us.  I’m not a big fan of resolutions – why should I start 2012 by beating myself up for all the things I could be doing better?  We already know we should be exercising more, eating healthier, and finding our zen.  But, I do wish that my life could become a little bit like it was back when I was in elementary school. I spent lots of time just exploring the world and enjoying the outdoors.  I read solely for pleasure.  I could spend hours immersed in creative projects (hence, the world’s greatest kid-produced family newspapers and neighborhood plays).  I got to see my siblings every day!  I don’t remember worrying very often.  Plus, nutritious, balanced meals were prepared for me.  And, who needed a treadmill when you spent all day running around a giant backyard and climbing trees?

So, maybe it wouldn’t be the worst idea to try and get some of that eight-year old spirit back.  This time, the Triangle is going to have to help me:

Goal #1:  Find more room for creative pursuits.

This goal is closely related to my quest to develop a quirky professor hobby that future students will find slightly weird but mostly endearing.  Unfortunately, although Yarns, etc. has plenty of opportunities for beginners to learn how to use their wares, their intro workshop only taught me that I suck at knitting.  And, I’ve been longing to learn how to bake bread, but I’m looking for something a little more crafty to obsess over.  Plan:  Finally sign up for an ArtsCenter series in the spring.  Pottery, Jewelry-Making, or Darkroom 101, anyone?  Another great resource for shutterbug types: the continuing education program at Duke’s Center for Documentary Studies.

Goal #2: Spend more time outdoors and less time in front of screens.

Ironically, I begin my comps exams in January, which essentially means six weeks of becoming BFF’s with my laptop.  Followed by another year of dissertation writing.  Hmm.  Anyone got any advice on where to buy a new desk chair?  In the meantime, I’ll try and spend my last few remaining days of freedom enjoying some of my favorite local hikes at Jordan Lake.

Goal #3:  Have healthy food waiting on the dinner table.

My loving husband does his best to make several more-than-decent dinners each week.  The only downside is that his repertoire is limited to about five options.  Maybe I should sign him up for cooking classes?  Only problem is that the options at Southern Season include things like “Making Biscuits:  Four Sticks of Butter or Five?”

Goal #4:  Read for fun.

You all, I tried joining a book club, and I totally recommend the local Meetup group for those of you looking to do the same.  But…for whatever reason, I just haven’t loved their literary selections lately – and isn’t that the main point?  What I really miss is going to the library for non-research purposes.  Remember that place?  Do you think UNC’s undergraduate branch will carry the Babysitter’s Club collection?  If all else fails, Chapel Hill’s Monday Night Book Group is also a possibility.

Goal #5:  Spend more time doing nothing in particular. 

Last semester, I tried to hold Fridays completely open, and of course, they soon got filled with all manner of tasks that I couldn’t stick anywhere else.  This semester, I’m condensing meetings, class, teaching & work into just three days of the week.  I’ll have to spend some of the four remaining days writing, writing, writing – but it will be worth it to have a true division between obligations and more personal commitments.

Now, in a few weeks, when I’ve fulfilled none of these goals, perhaps you would consider signing up for my planned reprise of my 1991 production of Cinderella, where I played most of the main characters, directed and promoted the show (triple threat!) and forced my sister to play Cinderella’s dog, a part created mainly for my amusement. Emily?  You still up for it? ;)

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Apple Cider Donuts

Nom, nom, nom!

by Laura

Last month, we picked out some pumpkins, gourds, and mums in preparation for fall. (Or, rather, Harold humored my desire to create seasonal decorations and agreed that my pumpkin was definitely the perfect one.)  While this was delightful, it got me thinking about another essential fall ingredient – apple picking, which is really just an excuse to go to places that sell apple cider donuts.

Apple cider donuts are kind of the best thing in the world.  And although I don’t even particularly crave any kind of donut very often, I immediately put Google to work and tried to find some in North Carolina.  Except…I guess this is not so much of an apple orchard state and the nearest ones were three or four hours away.  I mentioned/demanded that my Dad should see if there were any near his place in New England, and try to send me a few.

At first, he appeared to be taking this task less than seriously, but applying pressure soon led him to promise that he would make this not just his top priority, but his ONLY priority.  As it should be.  This week, they arrived!  Overnight shipped – probably the most expensive (and delicious) donuts ever.

Harold initially tried to say that he didn’t remember these donuts being “that good”, leading me to conclude that perhaps he’s not actually “that intelligent”.   And to think he went to Duke!  But never fear – he appears to be choking down his fair share.

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