Welcome to Litsy!

Hi Friends, since my last posts about the wildfire situation on Maui were focused on the tragedy, I wanted to say something about the recovery efforts. Chef Jose Andre & the World Central Kitchen have long been heroes of mine for their work in quickly getting to a crisis & getting people fed. To be honest, I hoped never to see them in the Hawaiian Islands but WCK is here & helping on Maui to feed those impacted by the fires as well as the many ⬇️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This story was a good (and important) one and easily worthy of five stars. The writing itself was a bit disjointed and repetitive, however. I think a little editing could have done wonders for the book, but it was still one I'm very glad to have read.

I'm loving this book (because I'm learning a lot, not because it's a happy comfy book). But, it's bringing back memories of how truly horrible this 4 year period was. I'd forgotten, or blocked out, some of the more disgusting moments, quite a few of them following on the heels of Hurricane Maria.

#NoLongLinesForYou 🔥

I‘m impressed by the work Chef Jose Andres‘s organization does to help in the aftermath of disaster.

#PersonVsDisaster #ConflictedWorlds

...and hospital workers...and first responders...and travelers stuck on cruise ships...and more. Here‘s José taking part in today‘s virtual open house of European embassies. There‘s a bunch of related events from the participating countries available until the end of the month. http://events.euintheus.org/landing_page/euopenhouse/
#marvelousMay #EUintheUS #strongertogether

The island I love is suffering again, still, the land and the people both. Flight prices have dropped, do I go back before school starts? That was my plan but I felt it would be irresponsible after my income changed. But that trip would have just served me. Now I could be of service to others, rather than watching from 3,000km away. I pulled the Magician while thinking on this tonight. What do you think they‘re saying about it? #tarot

#rwadharderchallenge. Book about natural disasters.

government agencies in the wake of Hurricane María‘s destruction of Puerto Rico‘s electrical and communications infrastructure.

I delivered meals for World Central Kitchen after the hurricane and saw firsthand the joy those warm meals brought to underprivileged communities. ⬇️

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B079WVMBNT/ref=mp_s_a_1_114?ie=UTF8&qid=157501873...

Not a criticism of what he did, which is absolutely admirable, but a criticism of the book. It's too repetitive and this story would be better told by a third party as a nonfiction investigative journalism book/longform article/podcast. I would not recommend it unfortunately.

Awesome interview. If you ever get the chance, see Andrés! He was headed to the airport from here to get to Florida ahead of Dorian. ❤️❤️❤️
#NatBookFest

Jose Andres AND Diane Rehm. Two icons. #natbookfest

Solid three ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Will revisit for some of the types of food, restaurants, and organizations mentioned throughout.

https://open.spotify.com/track/3dskm5fAe8OkBtM9E0VVWx?si=25S6LuORTXKSr3MRVq3CsA
The first time I listened to this song I didn‘t hear the coquí until the very end, the one that chirps into the silence after the music and singing concludes. I‘m tearing up just thinking about the gut punch of it. ??

More from Books in Bloom: the chefs! Edward Lee, Kwame Onwuachi, and later José Andres.

Macabre humor in the midst of bananas details of trying to get food to the Puerto Rican people. Fucked up, indeed.

Returned to this one for some lunchtime #audiocooking 🇵🇷
“If you want to talk to Puerto Ricans, try sharing a meal with them. If you want to tell them you care, try cooking for them.”

“You should never feel guilty about feeling ambitious when you‘re trying to help other people. If you don‘t dream, then reality will never change.”

I lived in PR during the most devastating storm to hit PR on record before Maria, Hurricane Hugo in 1989. They worked to get the schools operational first so kids were able to eat regularly because even living on the navy base, which I now understand had more resources than anywhere else on the island, we didn‘t have water for weeks and electricity for longer. This is going to be an emotional but important listen/read before next month. #STEMinPR

A mini Puerto Rican feast for our last meeting of the semester. Next time we‘re together, we‘ll be on the island! 🌴 🇵🇷

What an amazing man! Thanks to @MicheleinPhilly for bringing this book to my attention!

Wow - I learned a lot of things from this. Mostly infuriating ones about the horrors of bureaucracy during disaster relief, but also uplifting stories about the strength and resilience of Puerto Ricans and the determination of some of those who came to help. Really enjoyed that the audiobook was narrated by Chef Andrés himself. (And thanks to @MicheleinPhilly for bumping this up to the top of my list!)

February wrap-up! 15 books completed and the tagged book was easily my favorite. Unfortunately there were a few clunkers in this group. I started 2 new series, read 4 books in the Bosch series, and abandoned another series (sorry Fiona Barton.) Also completed my winter selections for #Booked2019.

I wish this book was more widely read. It is the absolutely beautiful story of what a passionate, creative, generous, industrious angel Chef José Andrés is. It is also the story of how totally inept government bureaucracy is. Chef José fed millions in Puerto Rico, Houston, Haiti, Napa Valley. His World Central Kitchen organization will get all of my disaster relief donations from this point forward. 5? ??

Current workday audiobook. The story is heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time.

Full quote:
“Here‘s @chefJoséandres sharing his plan to feed #Maria survivors across Puerto Rico with support from federal partners,” FEMA tweeted. After all the struggles and confused stares from FEMA officials and the big charities, it felt like vindication.

“Team, you can be proud!” I told my chefs. “FEMA has just announced that our plan is the plan to follow!”

Later on, I realized I was being naïve. They were just using my image...

This book was written before the revised death toll.

The days—the months if I am honest—after Hurricane María were among the worst my compatriots and I have lived through. I want to say that I am scarred by them, but reading this book has made me realize that the wound is still open. There is no sign of s scab, much less a scar.

I am so glad I am reading this book.

Too many distractions yesterday, but today I plan to make great progress of reading this gem!!!!

Today‘s agenda. I need some inspiration in my life right now. Jose is it!

Today‘s agenda. I need some inspiration in my life right now. Jose is it!

Getting ready to hear Jose Andres talk about this book and his work around the world. So excited!!!

I was fortunate enough to connect with José Andrés‘s nonprofit and deliver food to various communities in Vega Baja who were ravaged by #HurricaneMaria . If it were up to me, this book would become a bestseller to pay back this man who selflessly did so much for my island.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B079WVMBNT/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=