May Discoveries

Since I spend many of my non work related working hours puttering around, finding books to read on Amazon and trawling around for trinkets to buy, I often come across some excellent little items that I want to share. Each item probably isn’t enough for its own post, so I’ve decided to start doing a “recent finds” series once I get enough together. Here is my first, some recent discoveries that I’m currently enjoying!

The best nail polish top coat. I always paint my own nails and go through clear top coats quite often. I often use the opportunity to try out different brand’s, and Sephora’s is the best that I’ve found so far. Super fast drying and very, very shiny! It keeps my polish chip free for at least five days and I’m quite hard on my hands.

United Global Services. Compliments for U.S. based airlines are few and far between these days, perhaps justifiably so. I usually try to fly with Star Alliance airlines for loyalty status (though I’ll take a flight on Cathay Pacific or Qatar any day) and this year is my first trying out United’s level of Global Services..

So far it’s been a very positive experience – immediate connection to a live and competent agent on a dedicated phone line, easier chances at upgrades, and at some airports agents will seek you out to pre-board as early as possible. In all honesty I probably wouldn’t make the switch to United just to try and get Global Services, especially if you already like your airline and get good perks. But if you’re already flying United, the status can be helpful, especially overseas (I always find agents much more helpful out of Hong Kong/Frankfurt than domestically).

Greenoodle. I am extremely, extremely fond of all kinds of ramen and noodles and it was a very sad day for me when I decided that my body was getting too old to be regularly stuffing it with Shin Ramen like I did in college. I still indulge occasionally in my favorite spicy Korean blends, but much less than before.

I was thus thilled when I happened to be walking through a Japanese market and they were sampling Greenoodle – a vegan, “healthy” ramen made out of Moroheiya plant (my first time ever hearing about it). I didn’t really hear the whole pitch – I tried it out, looked at the nutritional label, and dumped a bunch into my cart. Yummy and much less guilt inducing than Shin Ramen! I like making it cold and eating it with a sesame sauce mix. I would look for these noodles at your local Japanese market, and if you can’t find them, Amazon also sells in bulk.

Nothing to Envy. I don’t have a “real life” picture of this book as I bought this on my Kindle and over the last six months, have read and then re-read the book in light of the latest events involving North Korea. Barbara’s Demick work shares the perspective of multiple former residents of North Korea – their stories and experiences and how they are adjusting to life outside of the regime. It’s really an incredibly well done read that I can see capturing anybody’s interest, on a topic that is certainly very relevant today. Highly recommended.

If you have any book recommendations (or other discoveries) to share, please do! I’m always looking for new areas of interest, and as always – thank you for reading!