"The Help", by Kathryn Stockett

I finished this story today, and I felt like an old woman who just left a small Mississippi town, saddened at the thought that she would no longer visit her friends, "Skeeter, Aibileen and Minnie.

While I mourn the loss of my new friends with the last page of the book, I realize I have three wishes: I want to know what happened to Miss Celia, is she okay? Does anyone truly befriend her and make her feel like a thread in the fabric of Jackson?

Also, I want to know if Miss Hilly ever gets her just desserts, because I don't believe she has stopped her evil ways... which leads me to my 3rd wish: Maybe Kathryn could write another book, letting me visit my friends once again, and it could just focus on Aibileen writing for the paper, having her own column that includes some of her sassy responses to the ladies writing, such as, "get rid of the ring around the collar by getting rid of that fat, no-workin'-man, honey!"

I give this book 5 stars out of 5, and I hope I get to visit one more time.

"Peony in Love", by Lisa See

Book Review:

If you've read "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan", you will love this book. The three key elements I love the most are: the revelation of Ancient Chinese religion, the fantasy she unveils and the historical facts of female authors in ancient 17th Century China.

Lisa See develops vivid characters, enmeshed in a fabric of ancient China in a number of her novels. This book rates a 5 stars out of 5... Love, love, loved it!

Nick Howe Claims CCAA Male Athlete of the Week Honors

Courtesy UCSD

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - UC San Diego sophomore thrower Nick Howe was named the California Collegiate Athletic Association Male Athlete of the Week for the week ending April 11, it was announced Monday by the league office.

Howe was one of 5 student-athletes representing UCSD at the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational in LA over the weekend and came up with a big performance in the men's javelin throw. Competing against an elite field, he won the event with a toss of 220'6", beating out unattached competitor Aris Borjas by a full foot.

Howe's throw not only set a new program standard in the event, but it was also the top mark in the Division II ranks this season. The Aptos, Calif. native has now topped the school record in the javelin on three separate occasions in 2010.

Howe was named CCAA Men's Track and Field Freshman of the year for 2008-09 and promises to continue successfully for years to come.

Howe and the Tritons will be back in action on Saturday with the Soka Peace Invitational in Aliso Viejo.

Fern P. Le, D.M.D., Inc. Endodontist

Don't let your child eat Abba Zabba's on a weekly basis, no matter how good he may be.

With that said, my sweet son was told he needed a root canal. But where to go? We had not lived here long, and quite frankly, the friends we have made haven't had a need for an Endodontist. So, I turned to our insurance.

I was referred by them to two different Endodontists' in the Watsonville area. I chose Fern P. Le because the other doctor couldn't fit him in for a month. I was nervous.

My husband took him in for a pre-exam, and he found her to be quite professional and informative, so I settled into the idea. Our experience overall was quite positive. My son did not experience a great deal of pain afterwards, such as I've heard from others.

I haven't been blogging as much as I'd like, but I thought I'd put a note into the "Internet Galaxy" for someone who may be researching Miss Le. We think she's quite professional and give her two thumbs up! : )