Favourite Things

Personal
Main
Essays
Favourites
Photo Album

Education
Main
Writing Essays

JET
Main
Nihon News

ESL Resources
Main

Links
Friends

Other
Guestbook

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with string,
These are a few of my favorite things."

These are my desert island picks; with these things, I find constant joy and no boredom. These are my recommendations to anyone and everyone. If you think there is something else I should consider, do let me know.

Favourite Books

This book was lent to me by a friend who gave it high praise. It was my first time reading a Russian author and I was completely bowled over by the writing. Everything about it was unusual and fascinating. I'm hoping to read another translation of the book soon.

Deadly Feasts - The "Prion" Controversy and the Public's Health
Richard Rhodes
Recommended book related site: 1

This should be a must-read on everyone's book list. The media and the government has talked a lot about Mad Cow Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease but there is so much misinformation out there that the public really isn't told anything useful. This book clears up the issue and make's one realize just how little the governments of the world are doing to protect the people. A very scary read.

Mercy Among the Children
David Adams Richards
Recommended book related sites: 1, 2

A review on CBC radio prompted me to read this novel. I cried but I couldn't stop reading. I felt a tremendous sense of familarity with these characters despite the fact that they led lives very different from my own. This is a beautiful, awful book that I could happily reread over and over again.

Favourite Movies

I was about five when I saw this movie for the first time. I had already done some travelling with my parents and I became completely enchanted with the Bali Ha'i and the South Pacific. Rodgers and Hammerstein's music is one that leaves you smiling and humming for days on end. It's still a classic that I love to watch.

Princess Mononoke (Mononoke Hime - 1997)
Recommended movie related site: 1

My breath was taken away by this beautifully animated Japanese film. Not only is it visually stunning, but the characters are richly developed with genuine feelings and motives. I think what caught my attention most of all, though, was the female characters. These women aren't wimpy, "oh please save me" kind of characters; they are intelligent, strong, willfull characters that are in control of their own destiny. An absolute delight of a movie.

Favourite Recordings

I've owned this recording for such a long time. No matter what my mood, no matter how I feel, I can play this album. Every song is a beautifully rendered story. With every song I can sing along and smile. I love this album.

Tubular Bells II
Mike Oldfield
Recommended recording related site: 1

I am blessed with friends with good taste; it was through a friend that I learned of Mike Oldfield. A great recording to listen to as you drive long distances or cook a meal or simply enjoy on its own. It's a classic. The other two Oldield recordings that I love is "Amarok" and "Songs of a Distant Earth." An artist definitely worth checking out if you've never heard any of his music.