Today I am voting for:
Senate:
***Barbara Mikulski (D) because she is all about protecting Maryland jobs, she supports school loan forgiveness for people who go into service work, she increased breast cancer research by 700% since 1990, she created Office of Women's Health at NIH, she is pro-choice, she co-sponsored original Violence Against Women Act, she advocates for the safety of our military (including better equipment)...
Eric Wargotz (R) did get points because he received $4,800 from Burger King for the campaign (love Whoppers)
Governor:
***Martin O'Malley (D) because his work with the job market lead Maryland to be ranked #2 in the country this year by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, he increased school funding by $1.2 billion and minority test scores are up since 2004 and Education Week ranked Maryland's public schools the best in the nation for the second year in a row, he signed the law to increase mandatory minimum sentencing for sex offenders...
Robert Ehrlich (R) did get points because his website pages loaded faster than O'Malley's, but lost major points because none of his highlighted issues had anything to do with women (so not vogue)
Representative:
***Steny Hoyer (D) because he provided $2 billion to strengthen MD's community colleges, he has secured millions of federal dollars to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, he helped establish the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which helps equip and train local fire and EMS departments throughout the country, he has worked to strengthen the Medicare program and help ensure seniors can see their doctors, he fought to pass the historic GI Bill for the 21st Century, which will provide the 2.1 million members of the military who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001 with up to four years of education benefits...
Charles Lollar (R) did get points for saying that as a nation of immigrants we are strengthened by the diversity of peoples, cultures and religions, but lost major points for being against gay marriage (trying to piss me off)
I hope everyone got out there and voted! Let your voice be heard!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Avon Walk 2010 - NYC
My journey began back in February...
when I decided to participate in my 2nd Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - this time in New York City! After the feeling I had crossing that finish line in 2009, I knew this was an experience destined to be a part of my life for as many years as possible. So, I contacted the 2009 members of Team Tit-Tastic and asked who was interested in doing another year, another $1800, another 40 miles. I'm happy to say that two veterans were interested in signing-up and kicking butt for yet another year - my dear friends of 5+ years - Erin Patterson & Courtney Simmons. While I was sad to say goodbye to the other 4 teammates, I understood their reasons for taking a year off.
So the search was on for new members...
I emailed all the women I thought may be interested and enthusiastically welcomed new members to Team Tit-Tastic - my friend of 10+ years Monica Tarzy, my colleague and good friend Chelsea Bowers, and my two dear friends Katie Stephenson and Melissa Tipton. Our team of 7 was complete, and I had a really great feeling about the drive, passion and friendship heading into this journey. After an initial meeting so everyone could get to know each other, we set forth with big plans and big hearts - so excited about the opportunity to raise a large amount of money for the Avon Foundation. We decided that for the first few months, we would each individually see what we could raise (the minimum to Walk is $1800). By sending out emails, letters and social networking posts, we were well on our way to reaching our goals, but by June, only 1 of us had successfully raised the full $1800. So, we needed another plan of attack.
It was time to start our group fundraising efforts...
The Melting Pot (a fondue restaurant in Gaithersburg, Maryland) is quite the hot spot for delicious cook-it-yourself meals and relaxing atmosphere. Luckily for us, we had a few contacts in Management who helped us organize Team Tit-Tastic's Fondue-raiser! From 5-10pm on a Monday night in July, supporters could come enjoy Ladies' Night specials, including pink cocktails and a discounted 4-course meal. The Melting Pot, a most generous business, offered our team 50% of the profit that evening, which sent us away with $1600, split evenly among the teammates to raise each of our individual totals thus far.
To reach a different crowd, our 2nd group fundraiser was held at The Greene Turtle, a local and very well-known sports bar that many of us frequent on the weekends. Team Tit-Tastic's Burgers, Boobs & Beer Night featured $10 wristbands for happy hour specials, $1 and $5 pink accessories, and free live entertainment. Thanks to our many friends who attended the evening, we successfully left with over $1500, again split evenly among the teammates to raise each of our individual totals.
At this point, it was time to start thinking about training...
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer prepares their Walkers to the fullest - with bi-weekly emails, newsletters, phone calls from "Walker Buddies," packets filled with suggestions and an entire community to converse with. In the main Avon Walk packet, Walkers are provided with healthy ways to prepare for the demanding Walk Weekend, including training modules for up to 12 weeks prior to the Walk. You are instructed to begin training with walks as short as 15 mins, and by the peak of your training, you should be able to walk 22+ miles without feeling like a wretched mess. While our entire team had good intentions and wanted to be top notch by Walk Weekend, we couldn't escape the busy lives and hectic schedules we so lovingly call our own. Most of us being athletic by nature trained by doing what we thought would work best / what we were already comfortable doing. I can only speak for myself when I say that I tried to workout each day (which ended up being about 2-3 days a week), eat healthier meals (although my portions didn't change), and stay off my butt as much as possible (rather hard to do when you sit at a desk for 9 hours each day). Nonetheless, I felt confident going into this Walk Weekend because I had completed the 40 miles once before (last year).
As Walk Weekend approached, we had much to figure out...
First, our team of 7 would become a team of 6 for the actual Walk Weekend - Melissa was 4 months pregnant and chose not to Walk (which we all understood). True to her word, she raised the $1800 she committed to, and continued to attend team meetings and participate in team email chains until Walk Weekend.
Second, we needed cars and drivers to get us to New York City and back (we could easily drive there on our own but our concern was driving back exhausted after the long weekend). Two wonderful men stepped up to the plate: Driver #1 = my boyfriend, Tim, in his parents' large van; driver #2 = Monica's boyfriend, Schyler, in Monica's parents' SUV. These men were our saviors, giving us a chance to relax on the drive up and sleep on the ride back. Not to mention agreeing to sleep on couches and park on crowded streets, just for us!
Third, we needed a place to stay in NYC on the Friday night before the Walk. We booked a hotel (expensive, but necessary) and split the team (and 2 men) up between the hotel room and my sister, Maggie's, NYC apartment. Now, if you're at all familiar with NYC, you'll know that apartments are not luxurious spaces, but my sister and her two roommates generously gave up their small space for a great cause!
Fourth, we obviously needed to complete our individual goals of raising $1800 each. After the group fundraisers, everyone was close, but not everyone was done. So a last minute effort of emails and letters and phone calls went out, and finally, every teammate had raised the required amount - and most surpassed it!
And fifth, we needed to pack everything on the Suggested Packing List (provided by the Avon Walk) to keep our bags efficiently stuffed with gear. We were each allowed 1 bag weighing up to 30 lbs, with an attached sleeping bag. If you think about it - you don't need much for Walk Weekend because all you're doing is walking and then sleeping, so packing was not difficult. Some important things we each purchased before the Walk: excellent sneakers, non-cotton socks, workout pants, under armour shirts, hats, Camelbacks, Glide and bandaids.
Finally, Walk Weekend had arrived...
As we had all taken off work on the Friday, we left Maryland around 2:00pm (a little later than planned), in order to make it to Event Eve before it closed at 8:00pm. Event Eve is essentially the check-in for the Avon Walk - you turn in any outstanding donations, receive your tenting assignment, purchase buttons and pins and Avon gear, and start getting excited for the weekend upon you. {Because I raised over $2200, I received a Top Fundraiser hat (which I wore all weekend); because I raised over $3600, I received a Top Fundraiser Jersey shirt (which I now wear to the gym).} After Event Eve (which was a madhouse), we walked around the corner and had a carbfest - pizza and pasta! Bedtime was quite early that night, as we were about to embark on one of the most challenging physical activities of our lives.
One team - the Wellness Warriors, a team of about 20 women - had a 7-year total of over $100,000 raised! (Yes, I teared up.) A great thing about participating in the Avon Walk for multiple years is getting ideas from other Walkers and other Teams. A _-year total is definitely something I'd be interested in keeping track of for Team Tit-Tastic! (FYI: Team Tit-Tastic's 2-year total is $32,713.)
Another fantastic feature this year was Alumni buttons! At Event Eve, if you had participated in multiple Avon Walks, you received a button to disclose how many years you've Walked. Erin, Courtney and I received 2-year buttons, while this man (a truly dedicated citizen) wore his 8-year button proudly, as one of NYC's esteemed crossing guards.
So, we started getting sore after a few miles, but nothing was too much to handle. Lunch came at the exact right time for us, at mile 9 (we enjoyed turkey sandwiches, chips, apples, cookies) and we ate quickly so we could continue on the correct pace for completing the 26.2 miles on Day 1. I can say this - walking on the streets of NYC was very different from the streets of DC. As DC is more of a busy-weekday city, NYC is a busy-everyday city, so the streets were crowded, taxis were everywhere, and crowds kept us from walking at a constant pace. At mile 13 (half way through Day 1), we were greeted by family & friends at a cheering station along the path! It was so overwhelming to see our loved ones (complete with an incredible banner made by my talented mother) yelling loudly and showering us with hugs & gloves! Although we were only able to stop and say hello for a few minutes (as to keep on pace schedule), we took pictures and admired the banner (which we later learned was a HUGE success - capturing the eyes of all Walkers, many of whom stopped to take photos).
At mile 17, I started feeling some major pain in my hip flexor area. It was difficult to take steps with my right leg, especially on the Brooklyn Bridge which kept us at an incline for about a mile. I was thankful for the rest stops every 2.5 miles to rest, stretch and fill-up on water or Gatorade. During Day 1, there were a few other amazing things to note: (1) there was a male volunteer who posted himself about every 5 miles with a boombox, shaking his groove-thing, making us smile, (2) there was an elderly woman whose sign said "walking for my daughter" whom she lost to breast cancer a few years earlier, (3) while walking over the Brooklyn Bridge, Erin's glove - that she had received from my father a few miles back - flew over the side, so she walked the rest of the weekend with only one glove, (4) the Youth Crew - made up of those too young to walk just yet - posted themselves every few miles and chanted words of encouragement as we walked by.
We finally arrived at the Wellness Village around 5:30pm. After such an intense and demanding day, it took all our strength to set up our sleeping tents, grab dinner, and visit the bathrooms. While most of the team passed out early, I was still suffering from severe pain in my hip flexor area, so I visited the physical therapy tent, where I signed in as #274 (good gracious). I waited and waited, and finally received some painful stretching-therapy which lasted about 20 minutes. Because it was causing me to cry and they had tried all they could think of, they sent me back to my tent to sleep (with legs raised) and asked that I come back on Day 2 to check up. After a restless night, I arrived back at the physical therapy tent at 5:00am, hoping that things would look more promising. Unfortunately for me, the physical therapists expressed that there was nothing further they could do, and recommended that I not participate on Day 2, another 13.1 miles. I absolutely could not believe that my body was doing this to me - I was furious, overcome by a feeling of failure, and so sad to send my team off on Day 2 while I waited for the shuttle. {I must take this time to say Thank You to the Crew member who sat and consoled me as I broke down in tears, embarrassment and frustration that I could not start Day 2.} The 2 injury shuttles took us to the lunch stop, where I decided to hail a cab, go to my sister's apartment, shower and sit with ice. I kept in good touch with my teammates, and after two hours of "rest," I asked Tim to drive me to the 10.5 mile cheering station (where my parents would loyally be holding the banner as my team passed). As soon as I saw Team Tit-Tastic coming toward me, I had this rush of energy, and knew that with their strength and support, I could finish the last 3 miles, no matter how much pain I was in. We packed up the banner and my parents walked along with us! Then at mile 12, after her GMAT class had ended, my sister joined us as well! (This entire time, Tim was looking for parking near the Finish Line.) My parents unfolded the banner once more, and walked with it in front of our team. Team Tit-Tastic crossed that finish line holding hands, after 40 miles of cold weather, sore muscles, laughter, tears and extreme emotions we'd never felt before.
BIG THANK YOUS:
when I decided to participate in my 2nd Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - this time in New York City! After the feeling I had crossing that finish line in 2009, I knew this was an experience destined to be a part of my life for as many years as possible. So, I contacted the 2009 members of Team Tit-Tastic and asked who was interested in doing another year, another $1800, another 40 miles. I'm happy to say that two veterans were interested in signing-up and kicking butt for yet another year - my dear friends of 5+ years - Erin Patterson & Courtney Simmons. While I was sad to say goodbye to the other 4 teammates, I understood their reasons for taking a year off.
So the search was on for new members...
I emailed all the women I thought may be interested and enthusiastically welcomed new members to Team Tit-Tastic - my friend of 10+ years Monica Tarzy, my colleague and good friend Chelsea Bowers, and my two dear friends Katie Stephenson and Melissa Tipton. Our team of 7 was complete, and I had a really great feeling about the drive, passion and friendship heading into this journey. After an initial meeting so everyone could get to know each other, we set forth with big plans and big hearts - so excited about the opportunity to raise a large amount of money for the Avon Foundation. We decided that for the first few months, we would each individually see what we could raise (the minimum to Walk is $1800). By sending out emails, letters and social networking posts, we were well on our way to reaching our goals, but by June, only 1 of us had successfully raised the full $1800. So, we needed another plan of attack.
It was time to start our group fundraising efforts...
The Melting Pot (a fondue restaurant in Gaithersburg, Maryland) is quite the hot spot for delicious cook-it-yourself meals and relaxing atmosphere. Luckily for us, we had a few contacts in Management who helped us organize Team Tit-Tastic's Fondue-raiser! From 5-10pm on a Monday night in July, supporters could come enjoy Ladies' Night specials, including pink cocktails and a discounted 4-course meal. The Melting Pot, a most generous business, offered our team 50% of the profit that evening, which sent us away with $1600, split evenly among the teammates to raise each of our individual totals thus far.
To reach a different crowd, our 2nd group fundraiser was held at The Greene Turtle, a local and very well-known sports bar that many of us frequent on the weekends. Team Tit-Tastic's Burgers, Boobs & Beer Night featured $10 wristbands for happy hour specials, $1 and $5 pink accessories, and free live entertainment. Thanks to our many friends who attended the evening, we successfully left with over $1500, again split evenly among the teammates to raise each of our individual totals.
At this point, it was time to start thinking about training...
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer prepares their Walkers to the fullest - with bi-weekly emails, newsletters, phone calls from "Walker Buddies," packets filled with suggestions and an entire community to converse with. In the main Avon Walk packet, Walkers are provided with healthy ways to prepare for the demanding Walk Weekend, including training modules for up to 12 weeks prior to the Walk. You are instructed to begin training with walks as short as 15 mins, and by the peak of your training, you should be able to walk 22+ miles without feeling like a wretched mess. While our entire team had good intentions and wanted to be top notch by Walk Weekend, we couldn't escape the busy lives and hectic schedules we so lovingly call our own. Most of us being athletic by nature trained by doing what we thought would work best / what we were already comfortable doing. I can only speak for myself when I say that I tried to workout each day (which ended up being about 2-3 days a week), eat healthier meals (although my portions didn't change), and stay off my butt as much as possible (rather hard to do when you sit at a desk for 9 hours each day). Nonetheless, I felt confident going into this Walk Weekend because I had completed the 40 miles once before (last year).
As Walk Weekend approached, we had much to figure out...
First, our team of 7 would become a team of 6 for the actual Walk Weekend - Melissa was 4 months pregnant and chose not to Walk (which we all understood). True to her word, she raised the $1800 she committed to, and continued to attend team meetings and participate in team email chains until Walk Weekend.
Second, we needed cars and drivers to get us to New York City and back (we could easily drive there on our own but our concern was driving back exhausted after the long weekend). Two wonderful men stepped up to the plate: Driver #1 = my boyfriend, Tim, in his parents' large van; driver #2 = Monica's boyfriend, Schyler, in Monica's parents' SUV. These men were our saviors, giving us a chance to relax on the drive up and sleep on the ride back. Not to mention agreeing to sleep on couches and park on crowded streets, just for us!
Third, we needed a place to stay in NYC on the Friday night before the Walk. We booked a hotel (expensive, but necessary) and split the team (and 2 men) up between the hotel room and my sister, Maggie's, NYC apartment. Now, if you're at all familiar with NYC, you'll know that apartments are not luxurious spaces, but my sister and her two roommates generously gave up their small space for a great cause!
Fourth, we obviously needed to complete our individual goals of raising $1800 each. After the group fundraisers, everyone was close, but not everyone was done. So a last minute effort of emails and letters and phone calls went out, and finally, every teammate had raised the required amount - and most surpassed it!
And fifth, we needed to pack everything on the Suggested Packing List (provided by the Avon Walk) to keep our bags efficiently stuffed with gear. We were each allowed 1 bag weighing up to 30 lbs, with an attached sleeping bag. If you think about it - you don't need much for Walk Weekend because all you're doing is walking and then sleeping, so packing was not difficult. Some important things we each purchased before the Walk: excellent sneakers, non-cotton socks, workout pants, under armour shirts, hats, Camelbacks, Glide and bandaids.
Finally, Walk Weekend had arrived...
As we had all taken off work on the Friday, we left Maryland around 2:00pm (a little later than planned), in order to make it to Event Eve before it closed at 8:00pm. Event Eve is essentially the check-in for the Avon Walk - you turn in any outstanding donations, receive your tenting assignment, purchase buttons and pins and Avon gear, and start getting excited for the weekend upon you. {Because I raised over $2200, I received a Top Fundraiser hat (which I wore all weekend); because I raised over $3600, I received a Top Fundraiser Jersey shirt (which I now wear to the gym).} After Event Eve (which was a madhouse), we walked around the corner and had a carbfest - pizza and pasta! Bedtime was quite early that night, as we were about to embark on one of the most challenging physical activities of our lives.
Wake up on Saturday morning was 4:00am! Some of us wanted to shower, and all of us needed to check our bags one last time (putting everything unnecessary in the cars). We put stickers on our faces, adjusted our hats, made sure all our buttons could be seen, and tied Monica-made ribbons in our hair. We looked very pink and ready to rock and roll!
Opening ceremonies was held at Pier 84...
which was absolutely freezing at 5:00am in NYC during the month of October! We huddled together for warmth as the Director of the Avon Walk spoke to us about just how far we'd all come that year - 2300 Walkers + hundreds of Crew members, medical staff, volunteers = $9.4 million raised for the Avon Foundation (in NYC alone)! As per usual, I was extremely emotional during Opening Ceremonies - listening to survivors tell their tales, listening to teenagers recall the battles fought by their parents or grandparents. I felt so honored to be part of this group of philanthropists - showing New York City that we are In It To End It! After a few light stretches, the Walk opened promptly at 7:00am, and we were off! In an interesting move, they had us walking on the paths right near the water, which was utterly freezing. Being the intelligent team that we are, no one except Monica brought gloves, so we had to make an emergency call to my parents asking that they bring 5 pairs of black gloves to us at the first cheer station. As we walked, I was not only checking out the scenic route through NYC, but also the outfits and signs of other Walking teams. 
One team - the Wellness Warriors, a team of about 20 women - had a 7-year total of over $100,000 raised! (Yes, I teared up.) A great thing about participating in the Avon Walk for multiple years is getting ideas from other Walkers and other Teams. A _-year total is definitely something I'd be interested in keeping track of for Team Tit-Tastic! (FYI: Team Tit-Tastic's 2-year total is $32,713.)
So, we started getting sore after a few miles, but nothing was too much to handle. Lunch came at the exact right time for us, at mile 9 (we enjoyed turkey sandwiches, chips, apples, cookies) and we ate quickly so we could continue on the correct pace for completing the 26.2 miles on Day 1. I can say this - walking on the streets of NYC was very different from the streets of DC. As DC is more of a busy-weekday city, NYC is a busy-everyday city, so the streets were crowded, taxis were everywhere, and crowds kept us from walking at a constant pace. At mile 13 (half way through Day 1), we were greeted by family & friends at a cheering station along the path! It was so overwhelming to see our loved ones (complete with an incredible banner made by my talented mother) yelling loudly and showering us with hugs & gloves! Although we were only able to stop and say hello for a few minutes (as to keep on pace schedule), we took pictures and admired the banner (which we later learned was a HUGE success - capturing the eyes of all Walkers, many of whom stopped to take photos).
At mile 17, I started feeling some major pain in my hip flexor area. It was difficult to take steps with my right leg, especially on the Brooklyn Bridge which kept us at an incline for about a mile. I was thankful for the rest stops every 2.5 miles to rest, stretch and fill-up on water or Gatorade. During Day 1, there were a few other amazing things to note: (1) there was a male volunteer who posted himself about every 5 miles with a boombox, shaking his groove-thing, making us smile, (2) there was an elderly woman whose sign said "walking for my daughter" whom she lost to breast cancer a few years earlier, (3) while walking over the Brooklyn Bridge, Erin's glove - that she had received from my father a few miles back - flew over the side, so she walked the rest of the weekend with only one glove, (4) the Youth Crew - made up of those too young to walk just yet - posted themselves every few miles and chanted words of encouragement as we walked by.
We finally arrived at the Wellness Village around 5:30pm. After such an intense and demanding day, it took all our strength to set up our sleeping tents, grab dinner, and visit the bathrooms. While most of the team passed out early, I was still suffering from severe pain in my hip flexor area, so I visited the physical therapy tent, where I signed in as #274 (good gracious). I waited and waited, and finally received some painful stretching-therapy which lasted about 20 minutes. Because it was causing me to cry and they had tried all they could think of, they sent me back to my tent to sleep (with legs raised) and asked that I come back on Day 2 to check up. After a restless night, I arrived back at the physical therapy tent at 5:00am, hoping that things would look more promising. Unfortunately for me, the physical therapists expressed that there was nothing further they could do, and recommended that I not participate on Day 2, another 13.1 miles. I absolutely could not believe that my body was doing this to me - I was furious, overcome by a feeling of failure, and so sad to send my team off on Day 2 while I waited for the shuttle. {I must take this time to say Thank You to the Crew member who sat and consoled me as I broke down in tears, embarrassment and frustration that I could not start Day 2.} The 2 injury shuttles took us to the lunch stop, where I decided to hail a cab, go to my sister's apartment, shower and sit with ice. I kept in good touch with my teammates, and after two hours of "rest," I asked Tim to drive me to the 10.5 mile cheering station (where my parents would loyally be holding the banner as my team passed). As soon as I saw Team Tit-Tastic coming toward me, I had this rush of energy, and knew that with their strength and support, I could finish the last 3 miles, no matter how much pain I was in. We packed up the banner and my parents walked along with us! Then at mile 12, after her GMAT class had ended, my sister joined us as well! (This entire time, Tim was looking for parking near the Finish Line.) My parents unfolded the banner once more, and walked with it in front of our team. Team Tit-Tastic crossed that finish line holding hands, after 40 miles of cold weather, sore muscles, laughter, tears and extreme emotions we'd never felt before.
BIG THANK YOUS:
- To my generous donors, for making this year so successful, you've left imprints on my heart forever: Sophia Franklin... Marj & Jerry Sparer... Ann Senger... Angella Rogers... Hussein Amin & SherriJoyce King... Rebecca & Dick King... Sam McDonald... Marion, Steve & Beth Pardes... Lou King & Harriet Langlois... Aaron Foster... Pam & Rich Finstein... Julian & Sandra Schraibman... Susan Sandler & Howard Eisenberg... Becky Christie... Danielle & Ben Cupido... Jen Mino... Chris & Mike Wenzel... Alan Tupek... Richard Abrams... Allan Newstadt... Normal Wallis... Cecil Mallon... Diane & Fred Tamayo... Mary Moczula... Barry Shrut... Dung Nguyen... Franklin Davis... David Sandler... Joseph Beller... Roberto Almelor... Anita Russell... Harris Stern... Mame Templeton... Trudi, Dave & Sarah Bloom... Edwin Smith... Rob Derubeis... Karl Kozarsky... Giampiero Di Guardo... Len, Carol & Shoshana Eisenberg... Alan Roecklin... George Goldstone... Phillip McKee... Barun & Usasi Chatterjee... Philip Price... Howard Rudnick... David & Ruthie Eisenberg... Yael Sandler... John Csaklos... Eduardo Widmar... Wiliam Bracken... Ralph & Elizabeth Von Dem Hagen... Hock-Chye Ong... Corrie Roberts... Estelle Kluft... Donald Roberts... Esther Sobel... Peter Adams... Maggie Amin... Omar & Karen Helal... Hosni Berzi... Ron Frezzo... Erika Conner... Hugh Mealy... Donald & Billie Orenbuch... David McCue... Frank & Lorraine Lopresto... Kelly Wilmoth... Becca Halperin... Lee Baklarz... Ricardo Mena... Eve Finstein... Lauren Summers... Amr Pertew... Gabrielle Carlson... CustomInk.com... Scott & Jenny Midgley... Lauren & Rich Kimmel... Amy & Bill Ratcliffe... Nikkee Porcaro... Emily Garfinkel... Steffi Wallis... Laurie & Ibby Burch... Tony Weeg... Mary Hall!
- To my parents, sister and best friend Stevie - thank you for being at the cheering stations, texting me throughout the day with words of encouragement, buying gloves for the whole team when we underestimated the cold, holding up that incredible momi-made banner, and being the greatest support system a girl could ask for!
- To my incredible boyfriend, Tim - you supported me throughout the journey by running emergency errands, leaving the house to us girls during Avon meetings, excusing the nights when I was too busy writing donation emails to hang out, driving the team to and from NYC, wearing a button that said "I'm a Boob Man" throughout the weekend, waiting at the cheering stations with a smile on your face even though you had work to do, giving me strength (and ice) when I thought I wasn't going to make it, pleasantly standing for multiple pictures at the finish line, and taking care of me the following week (with hurt muscles, fever and exhaustion).
- To the members of Team Tit-Tastic - I admire you for taking part in a cause as important as the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer; I applaud you for surpassing your fundraising goals, whether it was through individual or group efforts; I appreciate you taking off work for a few days to truly give your all to this experience; I am blown away by your determination to finish the 40 miles with powerful strides; I am proud of you for setting up tents and sleeping in the cold; I am grateful to you for the laughs, the companionship, the positive attitude, and the celebration at the end of our long journey. You are forever a part of me; I love you!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Family Housewarming
As Tim & I moved into our new condo at the end of July, mid-September was finally time to have a Housewarming, to celebrate with our family this new life we've so happily begun. We decided to keep it really small - just immediate family and a few uncles - the perfect size for our 1300 sq ft condo and the beautiful gazebo in our neighborhood.
I organized my pants off for several days - planning the menu, cleaning the condo, filling in the moms on how they could help, orchestrating pick-up and drop-off for those coming from out of town, etc. Luckily I had the help of my parents (who came down from Philly early) and Tim (who came home from NY early) - and I immediately began assigning tasks to make sure we were totally prepared.
I am quite proud of our menu:
There was football watching, cornhole playing, constant eating, story-telling, and laughing. As I looked around the condo (when I wasn't frantically hosting a gathering), I couldn't help but smile. Smile at the 3 small dogs running around... smile at my boyfriend standing by the grill overlooking our first hosting meal... smile at our families engaging in deep and fun conversations with people they met just an hour ago... smile at my sister re-living the suburban life she left 3 years ago... smile at 2-year old Maddie giggling and loving the center-of-attention feel... smile at this home that Tim & I created from scratch, a real gem in the eyes of our parents, who smile back from across the room.
I organized my pants off for several days - planning the menu, cleaning the condo, filling in the moms on how they could help, orchestrating pick-up and drop-off for those coming from out of town, etc. Luckily I had the help of my parents (who came down from Philly early) and Tim (who came home from NY early) - and I immediately began assigning tasks to make sure we were totally prepared.
I am quite proud of our menu:
- Appetizers - 7-layer dip, spinach baklava, salmon dip, strawberry-mango smoothies
- Entrees - chicken/steak/veggie kabobs, fruit salad, corn on the cob, garlic bread, grilled potatoes, rice
- Desserts - chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake, baklava, brownies
There was football watching, cornhole playing, constant eating, story-telling, and laughing. As I looked around the condo (when I wasn't frantically hosting a gathering), I couldn't help but smile. Smile at the 3 small dogs running around... smile at my boyfriend standing by the grill overlooking our first hosting meal... smile at our families engaging in deep and fun conversations with people they met just an hour ago... smile at my sister re-living the suburban life she left 3 years ago... smile at 2-year old Maddie giggling and loving the center-of-attention feel... smile at this home that Tim & I created from scratch, a real gem in the eyes of our parents, who smile back from across the room.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Summer Vacation 2010
This summer my big vacation was with Tim's family, in Isle of Palms, South Carolina. I was super excited for months, knowing that we'd get away from the daily grind and relax in the beautiful summer sun, surrounded by wonderful people and delicious activities. I could barely sleep on Friday night, too excited to pack up and finally get a week away from work (although I did work each day, because goodness knows projects don't wait for us while we sit on the beach)...
Sat. Aug. 14
The alarm sounded at 6am and it was but 2 hours later that we set off on a 9-hour drive with our tail-wagging puppy, Jasmine. Due to a demanding work schedule the week before, Tim was super tired, so I grabbed the wheel and drove through traffic for the first several hours of our journey. All in all it was a fun ride, with Jasmine sticking almost her entire body out the window of the truck to feel the wind in her hair... err... fur, jammin' songs on the radio, Sonic milkshakes, Bojangles chicken & biscuits, and country dirt roads. We finally arrived at our beautiful beachfront property for the week - 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, large pool, direct view of the ocean... for 14 adults, 1 baby, 2 small dogs. After settling into our rooms and changing our travel-clothes, the bride & groom (whose wedding directed us to South Carolina in the first place) set up a wonderful meet-and-greet at an Asian-inspired restaurant called Bambu. The food was delicious, the company was full of laughter.
Sun. Aug 15
Early to bed, early to rise... for a day on the beach with the whole family. With the wedding scheduled for 6pm, we had the entire day to relax by the pool, sit on the beach, and catch-up on life since the last time we were all together. Unfortunately the rain showers came and went throughout the daylight hours, but smiles were not lost. Tim's mom made an incredible chicken salad (and I'm talkin' a LOT of chicken salad) for lunch, the beach was beautiful, and the dogs were having a blast running around. I love Isle of Palms for the texture of the beach. Instead of being soft, flimsy, and hot to the touch, it is packed firm and flat - you can ride your bike, take part in an intense game of Ultimate Frisbee, have a picnic, or just lay in the sun. I can tell you right now - I have been spoiled by that sand, and Ocean City will never compete.
Later that evening, the wedding took place on Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant, SC., just a 20-minute drive from our beachhouse. We arrived on the property a bit early (as it rained cats & dogs) to check out the old house, the guest quarters, the slave quarters, and all the land surrounding. Luckily Tim's truck can handle any kind of weather, so we saw everything from the comfort of a dry seat. After a while of searching for alligators (with no luck), we head over to the guest house for a short and beautiful ceremony. The bride wore a simple gown, with a smile to light up the dreary day. To her - the wedding was about bringing her closest family & friends to witness her commitment to this wonderful man, who accepted her for who she was - a vegan dance-machine! A short ceremony (15 minutes tops), a 3-part buffet (I very much enjoyed the make-your-own-baked-potato section), a photo shoot with the boys on the dock (no, they did not complain), a bridal costume change (into a short navy halter dress), a song selection direct from the bride's ipod (each song was like a blast from the past dance party), and a night full of laughter, amounted to one of the best weddings I've ever been to. No cake cutting, no assigned seating, no garter tossing, short speeches. All about love.
*Shoutout to my generous ex-roommate who offered me her summer-casual-birthday dress for the occasion. Compliments were received.
Mon. Aug 16
Today consisted of what would become the "normal activity" for the week. Waking up between 7-9am, eating breakfast, doing a bit of work, laying on the beach for a few hours, a dip in the pool, lounging around the gorgeous house, and spending time with family. Couldn't ask for a more pleasant, relaxing day.
Tues. Aug 17
Finally we were going to visit Charleston! I was super excited because I've wanted to see this historical southern city ever since my first Gone With the Wind experience. What could give me more intense goosebumps than walking the same streets as Scarlett O'Hara, learning about the entrance of Union troops in 1865 that had her racing by carriage to escape the flames? Needless to say - I was pumped! When we arrived, we took our own tour of the city, walking up and down streets that looked interesting, taking pictures of landmarks, and generally looking like a large group of tourists from a different country. Highlight: the "market" - as one Charlestonian said - filled with all the things we want but don't need. Naturally, I purchased a shot glass (an extravagant one at that) and a deck of cards. Later that night I was surprised with a gorgeous chocolate-colored purse that I'd been eying (to replace the one I've had since 2007) by my sweet boyfriend.
As Tim & Mat left Charleston early to catch their golf tee-time, the rest of us went on a 15-person carriage-ride tour of the city, led by a humorous guide and Larry the horse (who knew when to turn, when to stop, and when to neigh proudly). I will now bullet-point the history I deem most interesting/important:
Wed. Aug 18
Another day of "normal activity" - 9am wake-up, a Kurt-made egg breakfast, responding to work emails, a dip in the pool, and a rousing game of Taboo with the whole family. Later in the evening, the younger generation decided to check out this bar closeby called The Boathouse. While most went to the rooftop for a few drinks, Tim and I had a wonderful "date night" dinner in the fine dining room downstairs. We enjoyed a meal of Caesar salad, soup, chicken fettucini alfredo and steak. It was a delicious and romantic evening.
Thurs. Aug 19
Another glorious day of "normal activity" - 9am wake-up, a consideration of a run but instead a breakfast of bean dip (yea whatever, don't hate), a dip in the pool with the boys who thought a breath-holding contest was of utter importance, then preparation for our "nice" family outting. We got all dressed up and went to dinner at R&B's (a popular seafood restaurant in town). The atmosphere was serene, the service attentive, and the food scrumptious. I realized during that meal how much I adore this family... how special they are... how much they care about each other... how incredible it is to feel the love of a truly happy clan.
Fri. Aug 20
Sad to say this was our last day. Last day awoken by a delightful 2-year old (who just wants to repeat over and over again what color the pink nail polish is and the fact that the clear has "no color")... last day for an egg + bacon + pancake + grit + hash brown breakfast... last day packing up towels & chairs & sandwiches & books for a few beachfront hours... last day throwing Jasmine in the pool to convince her swimming is fun... last day with a most charming and amusing family, whose soul purpose is to keep everyone else happy and healthy. Tim, Mat and I set off on the 9-hour drive home around 3pm (after an annoying flat tire and rain storm). Sad to see the week end... excited for the next countdown to family fun!
Sat. Aug. 14
The alarm sounded at 6am and it was but 2 hours later that we set off on a 9-hour drive with our tail-wagging puppy, Jasmine. Due to a demanding work schedule the week before, Tim was super tired, so I grabbed the wheel and drove through traffic for the first several hours of our journey. All in all it was a fun ride, with Jasmine sticking almost her entire body out the window of the truck to feel the wind in her hair... err... fur, jammin' songs on the radio, Sonic milkshakes, Bojangles chicken & biscuits, and country dirt roads. We finally arrived at our beautiful beachfront property for the week - 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, large pool, direct view of the ocean... for 14 adults, 1 baby, 2 small dogs. After settling into our rooms and changing our travel-clothes, the bride & groom (whose wedding directed us to South Carolina in the first place) set up a wonderful meet-and-greet at an Asian-inspired restaurant called Bambu. The food was delicious, the company was full of laughter.
Sun. Aug 15
Early to bed, early to rise... for a day on the beach with the whole family. With the wedding scheduled for 6pm, we had the entire day to relax by the pool, sit on the beach, and catch-up on life since the last time we were all together. Unfortunately the rain showers came and went throughout the daylight hours, but smiles were not lost. Tim's mom made an incredible chicken salad (and I'm talkin' a LOT of chicken salad) for lunch, the beach was beautiful, and the dogs were having a blast running around. I love Isle of Palms for the texture of the beach. Instead of being soft, flimsy, and hot to the touch, it is packed firm and flat - you can ride your bike, take part in an intense game of Ultimate Frisbee, have a picnic, or just lay in the sun. I can tell you right now - I have been spoiled by that sand, and Ocean City will never compete.
Later that evening, the wedding took place on Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant, SC., just a 20-minute drive from our beachhouse. We arrived on the property a bit early (as it rained cats & dogs) to check out the old house, the guest quarters, the slave quarters, and all the land surrounding. Luckily Tim's truck can handle any kind of weather, so we saw everything from the comfort of a dry seat. After a while of searching for alligators (with no luck), we head over to the guest house for a short and beautiful ceremony. The bride wore a simple gown, with a smile to light up the dreary day. To her - the wedding was about bringing her closest family & friends to witness her commitment to this wonderful man, who accepted her for who she was - a vegan dance-machine! A short ceremony (15 minutes tops), a 3-part buffet (I very much enjoyed the make-your-own-baked-potato section), a photo shoot with the boys on the dock (no, they did not complain), a bridal costume change (into a short navy halter dress), a song selection direct from the bride's ipod (each song was like a blast from the past dance party), and a night full of laughter, amounted to one of the best weddings I've ever been to. No cake cutting, no assigned seating, no garter tossing, short speeches. All about love.
*Shoutout to my generous ex-roommate who offered me her summer-casual-birthday dress for the occasion. Compliments were received.
Mon. Aug 16
Today consisted of what would become the "normal activity" for the week. Waking up between 7-9am, eating breakfast, doing a bit of work, laying on the beach for a few hours, a dip in the pool, lounging around the gorgeous house, and spending time with family. Couldn't ask for a more pleasant, relaxing day.
Tues. Aug 17
Finally we were going to visit Charleston! I was super excited because I've wanted to see this historical southern city ever since my first Gone With the Wind experience. What could give me more intense goosebumps than walking the same streets as Scarlett O'Hara, learning about the entrance of Union troops in 1865 that had her racing by carriage to escape the flames? Needless to say - I was pumped! When we arrived, we took our own tour of the city, walking up and down streets that looked interesting, taking pictures of landmarks, and generally looking like a large group of tourists from a different country. Highlight: the "market" - as one Charlestonian said - filled with all the things we want but don't need. Naturally, I purchased a shot glass (an extravagant one at that) and a deck of cards. Later that night I was surprised with a gorgeous chocolate-colored purse that I'd been eying (to replace the one I've had since 2007) by my sweet boyfriend.
As Tim & Mat left Charleston early to catch their golf tee-time, the rest of us went on a 15-person carriage-ride tour of the city, led by a humorous guide and Larry the horse (who knew when to turn, when to stop, and when to neigh proudly). I will now bullet-point the history I deem most interesting/important:
- Charleston is known as the Holy City, due to the religious freedom not often found in the South. If you congregated 13 people together, you could start or practice any religion you so desired. In fact, Charleston is home to the oldest Orthodox Jewish synagogue in the South.
- The East Coast is actually home to the 2nd largest fault line in North America, and Summerville (20 miles from Charleston) is the center of that fault line. In 1886, a major earthquake destroyed 2,000 buildings, and convinced citizens to put steel "bolts" through homes to keep future structure. Some homes that didn't even need it put little plagues on the outside of their homes that looked like the "bolts" in order to seem more bad-ass.
- Rice was the major cash crop of Charleston, and slaves who had knowledge of rice farming were actually worth 3 times more than slaves who did not.
- In old Charleston, pineapples were a symbol of "welcoming." When men came home from oversees, their wives would put pineapples on top of columns to show the neighbors and community that they were welcoming guests into their homes again. (It was improper to be seen without your husband, or even receive guests while he was away.)
- When the war began, citizens of Charleston were asked to donate their iron (fences, gates) to the Confederacy. They were promised better fences after a Southern victory, which obviously did not occur. Instead of top of the line iron fences, the Confederacy offered wooden fences painted black. This became a symbol of honor - notoriety of contributing to the cause.
- Most homes in Charleston were built with the porch on the side of the house, instead of in front (space issues). They served as "additions" to the living space inside, and frequently became the spot to sit and relax, sometimes even to "let loose" with your pettycoat showing. Because of this, there were doors built facing the street that women (or men) could close when hoping for privacy. To state the obvious - doors facing the street wouldn't block a sideway porch, but people knew that when a door was closed, they should avert their eyes altogehter. Legend has it a man named Tom didn't understand the privacy doors (he was from out of town) and one day, when knocking wasn't working, he peeked around the corner and was later charged with a crime. Hence the phrase- "Peeping Tom"
- The major jail of Charleston homed the city's criminals, most notably the two first-known serial killers. A husband and wife poisoned 24 people, and were set to hang to death. However, because law states you cannot hang a married woman, the government found a way around it - they hung the husband first. Then the woman was no longer married. The major jail also housed free black merchants who came to town on business. They were forced to sleep in the jail for fear they would talk to black slaves and suggest ideas such as freedom and uprising.
- The first slaughter house in Charleston is now the Daughters of the Confederacy museum.
- Because kitchens were usually a separate building from the main house, slaves had to carry dinner to and from, sometimes in the dark. In order to make sure they didn't stop to hand off food to other slaves, they were forced to whistle the entire time. Legend has it the whistling caused dogs from the area to come and try for the food. So the slaves carried rolled up balls of dough to throw and distract the dogs - also known as "hush puppies."
Wed. Aug 18
Another day of "normal activity" - 9am wake-up, a Kurt-made egg breakfast, responding to work emails, a dip in the pool, and a rousing game of Taboo with the whole family. Later in the evening, the younger generation decided to check out this bar closeby called The Boathouse. While most went to the rooftop for a few drinks, Tim and I had a wonderful "date night" dinner in the fine dining room downstairs. We enjoyed a meal of Caesar salad, soup, chicken fettucini alfredo and steak. It was a delicious and romantic evening.
Thurs. Aug 19
Another glorious day of "normal activity" - 9am wake-up, a consideration of a run but instead a breakfast of bean dip (yea whatever, don't hate), a dip in the pool with the boys who thought a breath-holding contest was of utter importance, then preparation for our "nice" family outting. We got all dressed up and went to dinner at R&B's (a popular seafood restaurant in town). The atmosphere was serene, the service attentive, and the food scrumptious. I realized during that meal how much I adore this family... how special they are... how much they care about each other... how incredible it is to feel the love of a truly happy clan.
Fri. Aug 20
Sad to say this was our last day. Last day awoken by a delightful 2-year old (who just wants to repeat over and over again what color the pink nail polish is and the fact that the clear has "no color")... last day for an egg + bacon + pancake + grit + hash brown breakfast... last day packing up towels & chairs & sandwiches & books for a few beachfront hours... last day throwing Jasmine in the pool to convince her swimming is fun... last day with a most charming and amusing family, whose soul purpose is to keep everyone else happy and healthy. Tim, Mat and I set off on the 9-hour drive home around 3pm (after an annoying flat tire and rain storm). Sad to see the week end... excited for the next countdown to family fun!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Old Friends Forever
At least one weekend each year is spent with my family and the Cahn/Sparer family at their home in Annapolis. We gather for delicious meals, intelligent conversation, raucous laughter, silly board games, and of course, taking the boat out and swimming in the pool. I absolutely cherish this time, for they are our oldest family friends... beginning when Maggie & Olivia were in playgroup at age 1. The three of us grew up like sisters... walking to school together (we lived in the same neighborhood), playing after school, having dinner at one another's houses, sleepovers on the weekends, family trips to the beach, decorating the Christmas tree at their house every year. I realize now how fortunate I was to have another set of parents looking out for my well-being, my happiness and my health.
It was so upsetting to see them leave Montgomery County when Maggie & Olivia began 6th grade. Our families were separating by more miles than my young mind could understand, and while it was the best choice for their family, Maggie & I felt like our threesome had been broken and would never repair.
Although the parents stayed in consistent contact, the three of us girls lost touch for several years. It was to be expected, with all that middle and high school keeps your young mind involved in. We had boys to like, sleepovers to attend, girl drama to deal with... not to mention actual classes, extracurricular activities and eventually, thinking about our college futures.
Luckily the three of us grew up healthy & happy, and when college began, as had been planned all along, so again did the sisterly communication. We knew where we were each at school, what we were studying, the names and info of select friends, boys that meant something, and important life events worth mentioning. At that point, I had high hopes that our childhood friendship would surpass most and continue until ripe old age. I know now that I am right...
While I cannot remember exact dates - at some point when Maggie & Olivia were still at college, or maybe shortly after, the family weekends began. Marj & Jerry having a wonderful home right on the water in Annapolis, complete with swimming pool, boat, a large dining room table and several bedrooms, my family gathered our things and spent glorious weekends with our dear old family friends. Myself being the emotional basket-case I am when anything under the sun is "beautiful," frequently cried during the toasts given at dinners, about how special it was to have friends this near and dear to the heart, how proud our parents were watching us grow up to be the young women we were now, and how important it was to have people in life to turn to at a moment's notice, without hesitation, and know they genuinely care what's happening in your life.
Through it all, the consistent knowledge remains - we're there for each other. Even now, I'm brought to tears thinking about how incredibly lucky I am to have these people with me on the roller-coaster ride of life. Whether I'm at my most devastating weight and feel like the whole world considers me disgusting; whether I've just lost both grandparents in a plane crash and am suffering through a deep depression; whether I seem to be lost in my college courses and simply can't graduate without a push; whether I've just been passed over for a promising job and feel as though I'll never amount to anything great.
Today I am thankful for:
SherriJoyce King (my mother)
Hussein Amin (my father)
Maggie Amin (my sister)
Marj Cahn Sparer (my honorary mother)
Gerald Sparer (my honorary father)
Olivia Sparer (my honorary sister)
<3
It was so upsetting to see them leave Montgomery County when Maggie & Olivia began 6th grade. Our families were separating by more miles than my young mind could understand, and while it was the best choice for their family, Maggie & I felt like our threesome had been broken and would never repair.
Although the parents stayed in consistent contact, the three of us girls lost touch for several years. It was to be expected, with all that middle and high school keeps your young mind involved in. We had boys to like, sleepovers to attend, girl drama to deal with... not to mention actual classes, extracurricular activities and eventually, thinking about our college futures.
Luckily the three of us grew up healthy & happy, and when college began, as had been planned all along, so again did the sisterly communication. We knew where we were each at school, what we were studying, the names and info of select friends, boys that meant something, and important life events worth mentioning. At that point, I had high hopes that our childhood friendship would surpass most and continue until ripe old age. I know now that I am right...
While I cannot remember exact dates - at some point when Maggie & Olivia were still at college, or maybe shortly after, the family weekends began. Marj & Jerry having a wonderful home right on the water in Annapolis, complete with swimming pool, boat, a large dining room table and several bedrooms, my family gathered our things and spent glorious weekends with our dear old family friends. Myself being the emotional basket-case I am when anything under the sun is "beautiful," frequently cried during the toasts given at dinners, about how special it was to have friends this near and dear to the heart, how proud our parents were watching us grow up to be the young women we were now, and how important it was to have people in life to turn to at a moment's notice, without hesitation, and know they genuinely care what's happening in your life.
Through it all, the consistent knowledge remains - we're there for each other. Even now, I'm brought to tears thinking about how incredibly lucky I am to have these people with me on the roller-coaster ride of life. Whether I'm at my most devastating weight and feel like the whole world considers me disgusting; whether I've just lost both grandparents in a plane crash and am suffering through a deep depression; whether I seem to be lost in my college courses and simply can't graduate without a push; whether I've just been passed over for a promising job and feel as though I'll never amount to anything great.
Today I am thankful for:
SherriJoyce King (my mother)
Hussein Amin (my father)
Maggie Amin (my sister)
Marj Cahn Sparer (my honorary mother)
Gerald Sparer (my honorary father)
Olivia Sparer (my honorary sister)
<3
Thursday, June 17, 2010
World Cup 2010
I am officially an obsessed fan of the World Cup, taking place in South Africa this year. I feel like I haven't been this excited about soccer in a long time, and I'm so happy to be back! If I'm at home, the bedroom television (and sometimes also the living room television) have the games on. If I'm at work, I sign-in to Comcast and keep the LiveFeed in the top left corner of my computer screen. I don't want to miss anything! It's so fun to sit on gchat with my father and replay certain goals, certain players and certain games with our own personal comments. (This really is a sport that unites my family, and I hope to pass along that passion.)
There have been many incredible games so far, with a few upsets (which are always great). As I was speaking with a friend of mine, I expressed that with this many upsets so far, and this many tied-games so far, it must be a very even playing field. I like that there isn't a favorite who is just taking off with the whole tournament... I want there to be true competition! With Spain having lost its first game, anything can happen!
Many people in America do not understand the history, values or importance of soccer for the rest of the world. It is truly the sport that brings all countries together (sorry to you Americans who think American football is the end-all-be-all... it's only played in America, Canada and Australia). Futbol (or soccer) began in England, and is now played in over 208 countries around the world, according to FIFA. Now let's be serious - 208 v. 3 - no question as to which sport beats through the most hearts in the world. When people say futbol / soccer is stupid or boring or uninspiring, I ask that they take a look at what the sport has done for millions of little kids in Africa with organizations like Soccer Dreams Without Borders, who provides educational opportunities for children living on the street with life-threatening diseases or Grassroot Soccer, who uses the power of soccer to fight HIV/AIDS. Along the same lines, take a look at what the sport has done for entire countries like Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands and Italy who can call themselves the best National teams in the world! (Shoutout to Egypt who is ranked 12th as of May 2010.)
I could continue for hours, but the Argentina v. Korea Republic game is on!
There have been many incredible games so far, with a few upsets (which are always great). As I was speaking with a friend of mine, I expressed that with this many upsets so far, and this many tied-games so far, it must be a very even playing field. I like that there isn't a favorite who is just taking off with the whole tournament... I want there to be true competition! With Spain having lost its first game, anything can happen!
Many people in America do not understand the history, values or importance of soccer for the rest of the world. It is truly the sport that brings all countries together (sorry to you Americans who think American football is the end-all-be-all... it's only played in America, Canada and Australia). Futbol (or soccer) began in England, and is now played in over 208 countries around the world, according to FIFA. Now let's be serious - 208 v. 3 - no question as to which sport beats through the most hearts in the world. When people say futbol / soccer is stupid or boring or uninspiring, I ask that they take a look at what the sport has done for millions of little kids in Africa with organizations like Soccer Dreams Without Borders, who provides educational opportunities for children living on the street with life-threatening diseases or Grassroot Soccer, who uses the power of soccer to fight HIV/AIDS. Along the same lines, take a look at what the sport has done for entire countries like Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands and Italy who can call themselves the best National teams in the world! (Shoutout to Egypt who is ranked 12th as of May 2010.)
I could continue for hours, but the Argentina v. Korea Republic game is on!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Moving ...
So, after a weekend of frustration, I have realized that moving is hard work. The last time I moved, to live with Erin in College Park, I didn't feel this kind of angst and uncertainty. Mostly because we knew the areas we liked, knew what was entailed, didn't have huge standards, and just went with the flow. Now that I'm older, more established, looking to move-in with the man I love and start a life, it's SO different!
Dealing with realtors and appointment times and very specific criteria and commute-time and new areas to live is HARD. I've never lived more than 20 minutes from where I was born, and now we're thinking of doubling that distance (which may not seem like a lot to anyone else, but to me, who has more sentimental-emotion than most, it's a hard transition).
There is SO much more to say on this issue, but I just don't have the time. I'll write again soon...
Dealing with realtors and appointment times and very specific criteria and commute-time and new areas to live is HARD. I've never lived more than 20 minutes from where I was born, and now we're thinking of doubling that distance (which may not seem like a lot to anyone else, but to me, who has more sentimental-emotion than most, it's a hard transition).
I'm sure many of you want to help us move. Here are our criteria, if you find anything in the Annapolis or Crofton areas:
price range of - $1500 - $1800
Modern
Washer dryer/laundry room
Dog
Yard (prefer fenced)
2+ bedrooms, 2+ baths
1400+ square footage
Central air
Patio/deck (prefer)
Good /quiet neighborhood
Parking in front / visitor parking available
Nearby grocery/stores
End unit (prefer)
There is SO much more to say on this issue, but I just don't have the time. I'll write again soon...
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mama, You're the Key to My Heart
Mom, you were there when I learned the ABCs and you will be there when I teach my kids the ABCs. As a linguist, you know and appreciate the power of words, so let's review:
Acceptance - You are one of the only people in the entire world who accepts me exactly the way I am. Yes, you have your suggestions and questions about how I lead my life, but never have I felt afraid that something I've done or said would change the way you feel about me. I admire and appreciate everything your love brings and hope to mimic that purity with my own children.
Baklava - I need your recipe for both spinach and dessert baklava. These family specialties are not only delicious, but an important part of our recent history. I admire you for grabbing the recipes from Nana before it was too late, and thank you for making them for every family occasion. I definitely want to keep the tradition going and hope to make them as well as you do.
College - After 5 years, 2 colleges, 2 degrees, 1 sorority and numerous phone calls and visits, my undergraduate career was a success, and I have you and Papi to thank for that. With your ongoing support, I was able to pursue my dreams of becoming a leader, participating in as many activities as possible, and leaving school with more life experience than I had ever dreamed of. I admire you for sticking with me through the tough times, and pushing me to be the best I could be at a time that was not always easy for me.
Dogs - Regardless of how adamant you are that dogs are not your responsibility, you are willing to take on the motherly duties if they are so needed. I admire that you can suck it up and take the dog for a walk, or clean up an accident in the house, even though you made it clear those were not to be your tasks.
Every day - Whether I say it or not, I love you. I appreciate you. I think of you. I look up to you. I want to please you. I hope to grow old with you. I admire you.
Finances - I cannot begin to thank you and Papi for keeping the family financially stable and happy all these years. There are so many parents around the world who are unable to provide for their families the way you have and continue to do. I admire you for standing your ground on certain spending, teaching us about the value of money, and reminding us that it is not everything.
Grandma & Grandpa - July 23, 1998 was by far the worst day of your life, and only a very few of us share that sentiment. We were struck straight through the heart with that incredible loss, and we each handled it in very different ways. Although it took several years for you to feel normal again, I admire you for taking action via therapy, quilting, family & friends to keep moving forward and bringing about your own happiness in life.
Hands - You have the softest, smallest hands, with beautiful nails that you take care of on a daily basis. I admire that, because mine don't always look manicured and classy. And you don't like when fingers intertwine during hand-holding... it creeps you out, which is why Maggie & I do it just to see you squirm.
Intelligence - Thank goodness I have an intelligent mom. It is so inspiring to watch you reading books, surfing the internet, and asking questions to quench your thirst for knowledge. I admire the outlook you have on life that says, the amount of knowledge had is never enough, there is always room for more. It may have taken me until senior year of high school to realize reading was cool, but now I know you were right the entire time.
Judaism - I have yet to read "Judaism for Dumbies," but I thank you for buying it. I want to learn more about our religion, our ancestors... even if I choose not to observe any holidays past Hanukkah and Passover. I admire you for allowing Maggie & I the freedom to choose, the freedom to learn, and the freedom to pass on, if and when we choose to do so.
King - Growing up, many other kids were so confused that you did not have the same last name as me. I thought it was so simple - she didn't change her name when she got married. Who says you have to do that? Why is it such a big deal? I admire you for taking the correct course of action for yourself, regardless of what others thought or said. I suspect that's why you married an Egyptian, who wouldn't think much of it because his own culture does not practice the tradition (haha).
Liquor - I cannot deny that you are one of the funniest drunks I've ever seen, because it is such a rare and festive occasion. Your one whiskey sour makes you giggle, talk a lot, get a little red in the face, and really loosen up. I admire you for never taking too high an interest in alcohol (or other substances for that matter), which makes it easier to laugh hysterically at those times when you get a little crazy.
MOTHER - Although I consider you one of my best friends, you are my mother first and foremost. I respect and admire the way you have spent your life, the way you raised Maggie and myself, and the hopes you have for the future. You have said before that becoming a mother was the best decision of your life... I concur!
Nutrisystem - As a woman who has now had several bouts with weight-loss myself, I admire you for realizing it's never too late to make improvements. You realize that being overweight can be an issue standing in the way of things, and you'll eat whatever meal they suggest, whether or not it's delicious, to combat the frustration of not feeling your very best.
Orthopedics - Even though your feet hurt like crazy, and you need special inserts for your shoes, you never stop moving. You want to go on walks and sight-see and explore and travel and be active. I admire your willingness to overcome the pain and power through for the sake of showing your family the world and all it has to offer.
Patches - Remember the patch jacket you had back in the day? You collected patches from all over the world, all colors and shapes and sizes. I admire that you wore it proudly, even though it was super heavy, showing off all the experiences we shared together as a family.
Quilting - To you, this is more than a hobby, it's a way of life. I admire how creative you are, how willing to learn, and how genuinely excited you get over new fabrics, new ideas and showing others your hard work. I hope to have an artistic piece of my life to explore, pass on and celebrate when I'm your age.
Raccoons - As our family "code word" and being surrounded by little figurines all over the house, I will always have a soft spot for raccoons. I admire your ability to shovel snow and look cool at the same time - with that grey/blue raccoon hat and sunglasses. Clearly a bad ass.
Socks - As to be expected, your socks stress me out. I know you don't understand the importance of keeping things matched as pairs, but come on... two different colored socks is just plain wrong. I admire that you embrace the rainbow in your wardrobe.
Tshirts - You prefer v-necks or button-ups because you can't stand the choking feeling of regular tshirts. Sometimes this means getting drastic and wandering into your husband's closet for a day's outfit, and I admire how easily you'll wear whatever you want and not worry about what others will think. "Is this my husband's shirt? Well, we share his clothes..."
U.S.A. - While Maryland has always been our home, I am beyond grateful to you and Papi for taking me all over the world. There are not many people my age who have seen France, Spain, Egypt, India, Canada, Cyprus, England, Holland. I have not always been the most pleasant during our family vacations (which I regret), but I admire you for encouraging me to learn about the world and its cultures. Knowing that the U.S.A. is not the only place that matters has made me a stronger leader and a smarter person.
Vagina - You and Papi have been the best role models in the life of a feminist. Always telling me that my "vagina" was not a weakness, not an enemy, and not a responsibility to be taken lightly. I am a stronger woman because you were the biggest cheerleader - for my relationships, my degree in women's studies, and my desire to embrace my female power head on.
White - If you could make it happen, you'd have a full head of white hair. I admire how well you embrace that aspect of "getting older." And of course, I love when you feel inclined to tell any women with a full head of white hair how beautiful it is. I know you do it because you love it, but on another level, you are giving her a huge smile about something she may not so willingly embrace.
XXVII - For 27 years, you have cared for me as one of the 2 most important people on earth. I am honored to be in your innermost circle, and plan on staying there. Family is the end-all-be-all, and I admire you for teaching us that without family, we are but individuals walking alone. I hope you know you are one of the most important people on my earth, and you will always and forever be in my innermost circle.
Yes - It may sound silly, but you have no idea how much it means to me that you are always there to say "yes." Whether it's about transferring money or sewing on a button or listening to me complain about work, you always say "yes, I can." I admire your willingness to be there for me, 24/7, in whatever capacity is needed.
Zzz - I am so glad you are getting the sleep you need these days, and taking fewer naps. Those hours can now be spent enjoying the wonderful life you've made for yourself, truly living it. I admire you for keeping on it and coming up with a way to cut down on the "zzz." I believe you will be a more energetic and happy woman!
I could not ask for more enthusiasm from your corner. Every new idea I have, every new activity or event or mission I want to take on, you are right there to support me. Your unconditional passion behind your children is admired by both myself and Maggie, and many others in our lives who have watched us grow. I believe we are two of your biggest accomplishments, and without you, we would not have been able to achieve our biggest accomplishments. On this Mother's Day 2010, I must say, I admire you!
Womb to tomb. Birth to earth.
I love you!
Acceptance - You are one of the only people in the entire world who accepts me exactly the way I am. Yes, you have your suggestions and questions about how I lead my life, but never have I felt afraid that something I've done or said would change the way you feel about me. I admire and appreciate everything your love brings and hope to mimic that purity with my own children.
Baklava - I need your recipe for both spinach and dessert baklava. These family specialties are not only delicious, but an important part of our recent history. I admire you for grabbing the recipes from Nana before it was too late, and thank you for making them for every family occasion. I definitely want to keep the tradition going and hope to make them as well as you do.
College - After 5 years, 2 colleges, 2 degrees, 1 sorority and numerous phone calls and visits, my undergraduate career was a success, and I have you and Papi to thank for that. With your ongoing support, I was able to pursue my dreams of becoming a leader, participating in as many activities as possible, and leaving school with more life experience than I had ever dreamed of. I admire you for sticking with me through the tough times, and pushing me to be the best I could be at a time that was not always easy for me.
Dogs - Regardless of how adamant you are that dogs are not your responsibility, you are willing to take on the motherly duties if they are so needed. I admire that you can suck it up and take the dog for a walk, or clean up an accident in the house, even though you made it clear those were not to be your tasks.
Every day - Whether I say it or not, I love you. I appreciate you. I think of you. I look up to you. I want to please you. I hope to grow old with you. I admire you.
Finances - I cannot begin to thank you and Papi for keeping the family financially stable and happy all these years. There are so many parents around the world who are unable to provide for their families the way you have and continue to do. I admire you for standing your ground on certain spending, teaching us about the value of money, and reminding us that it is not everything.
Grandma & Grandpa - July 23, 1998 was by far the worst day of your life, and only a very few of us share that sentiment. We were struck straight through the heart with that incredible loss, and we each handled it in very different ways. Although it took several years for you to feel normal again, I admire you for taking action via therapy, quilting, family & friends to keep moving forward and bringing about your own happiness in life.
Hands - You have the softest, smallest hands, with beautiful nails that you take care of on a daily basis. I admire that, because mine don't always look manicured and classy. And you don't like when fingers intertwine during hand-holding... it creeps you out, which is why Maggie & I do it just to see you squirm.
Intelligence - Thank goodness I have an intelligent mom. It is so inspiring to watch you reading books, surfing the internet, and asking questions to quench your thirst for knowledge. I admire the outlook you have on life that says, the amount of knowledge had is never enough, there is always room for more. It may have taken me until senior year of high school to realize reading was cool, but now I know you were right the entire time.
Judaism - I have yet to read "Judaism for Dumbies," but I thank you for buying it. I want to learn more about our religion, our ancestors... even if I choose not to observe any holidays past Hanukkah and Passover. I admire you for allowing Maggie & I the freedom to choose, the freedom to learn, and the freedom to pass on, if and when we choose to do so.
King - Growing up, many other kids were so confused that you did not have the same last name as me. I thought it was so simple - she didn't change her name when she got married. Who says you have to do that? Why is it such a big deal? I admire you for taking the correct course of action for yourself, regardless of what others thought or said. I suspect that's why you married an Egyptian, who wouldn't think much of it because his own culture does not practice the tradition (haha).
Liquor - I cannot deny that you are one of the funniest drunks I've ever seen, because it is such a rare and festive occasion. Your one whiskey sour makes you giggle, talk a lot, get a little red in the face, and really loosen up. I admire you for never taking too high an interest in alcohol (or other substances for that matter), which makes it easier to laugh hysterically at those times when you get a little crazy.
MOTHER - Although I consider you one of my best friends, you are my mother first and foremost. I respect and admire the way you have spent your life, the way you raised Maggie and myself, and the hopes you have for the future. You have said before that becoming a mother was the best decision of your life... I concur!
Nutrisystem - As a woman who has now had several bouts with weight-loss myself, I admire you for realizing it's never too late to make improvements. You realize that being overweight can be an issue standing in the way of things, and you'll eat whatever meal they suggest, whether or not it's delicious, to combat the frustration of not feeling your very best.
Orthopedics - Even though your feet hurt like crazy, and you need special inserts for your shoes, you never stop moving. You want to go on walks and sight-see and explore and travel and be active. I admire your willingness to overcome the pain and power through for the sake of showing your family the world and all it has to offer.
Patches - Remember the patch jacket you had back in the day? You collected patches from all over the world, all colors and shapes and sizes. I admire that you wore it proudly, even though it was super heavy, showing off all the experiences we shared together as a family.
Quilting - To you, this is more than a hobby, it's a way of life. I admire how creative you are, how willing to learn, and how genuinely excited you get over new fabrics, new ideas and showing others your hard work. I hope to have an artistic piece of my life to explore, pass on and celebrate when I'm your age.
Raccoons - As our family "code word" and being surrounded by little figurines all over the house, I will always have a soft spot for raccoons. I admire your ability to shovel snow and look cool at the same time - with that grey/blue raccoon hat and sunglasses. Clearly a bad ass.
Socks - As to be expected, your socks stress me out. I know you don't understand the importance of keeping things matched as pairs, but come on... two different colored socks is just plain wrong. I admire that you embrace the rainbow in your wardrobe.
Tshirts - You prefer v-necks or button-ups because you can't stand the choking feeling of regular tshirts. Sometimes this means getting drastic and wandering into your husband's closet for a day's outfit, and I admire how easily you'll wear whatever you want and not worry about what others will think. "Is this my husband's shirt? Well, we share his clothes..."
U.S.A. - While Maryland has always been our home, I am beyond grateful to you and Papi for taking me all over the world. There are not many people my age who have seen France, Spain, Egypt, India, Canada, Cyprus, England, Holland. I have not always been the most pleasant during our family vacations (which I regret), but I admire you for encouraging me to learn about the world and its cultures. Knowing that the U.S.A. is not the only place that matters has made me a stronger leader and a smarter person.
Vagina - You and Papi have been the best role models in the life of a feminist. Always telling me that my "vagina" was not a weakness, not an enemy, and not a responsibility to be taken lightly. I am a stronger woman because you were the biggest cheerleader - for my relationships, my degree in women's studies, and my desire to embrace my female power head on.
White - If you could make it happen, you'd have a full head of white hair. I admire how well you embrace that aspect of "getting older." And of course, I love when you feel inclined to tell any women with a full head of white hair how beautiful it is. I know you do it because you love it, but on another level, you are giving her a huge smile about something she may not so willingly embrace.
XXVII - For 27 years, you have cared for me as one of the 2 most important people on earth. I am honored to be in your innermost circle, and plan on staying there. Family is the end-all-be-all, and I admire you for teaching us that without family, we are but individuals walking alone. I hope you know you are one of the most important people on my earth, and you will always and forever be in my innermost circle.
Yes - It may sound silly, but you have no idea how much it means to me that you are always there to say "yes." Whether it's about transferring money or sewing on a button or listening to me complain about work, you always say "yes, I can." I admire your willingness to be there for me, 24/7, in whatever capacity is needed.
Zzz - I am so glad you are getting the sleep you need these days, and taking fewer naps. Those hours can now be spent enjoying the wonderful life you've made for yourself, truly living it. I admire you for keeping on it and coming up with a way to cut down on the "zzz." I believe you will be a more energetic and happy woman!
I could not ask for more enthusiasm from your corner. Every new idea I have, every new activity or event or mission I want to take on, you are right there to support me. Your unconditional passion behind your children is admired by both myself and Maggie, and many others in our lives who have watched us grow. I believe we are two of your biggest accomplishments, and without you, we would not have been able to achieve our biggest accomplishments. On this Mother's Day 2010, I must say, I admire you!
Womb to tomb. Birth to earth.
I love you!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Over The Hills / March for Babies
So, there is a marathon of The Hills on MTV alllllllll weekend. Probably to prepare us for the devastation that will be the 6th and final season. I'm sad Lauren is gone, I think she was a sweetheart who got taken advantage of and pissed on constantly. I would hate Kristen, but instead I pity her, because she obviously has a lot of baggage and not much confidence - hence why she feels the need to bitch at every one and every thing. I know some people like Kristen because they think she is who she is and doesn't apologize for it, but let's be serious, why is it cool for someone to be manipulative and not care about anyone else's feelings and scream/shout at people they barely know. I'm eager to see what's going to happen in season 6, although it's already guaranteed there will be drama, hookups, fights, cry-fests, and majorly bad decisions made.
On a happier note, yesterday, 40 of us participated in the March of Dimes: March for Babies in Rockville, MD. The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Our team got started in memory / honor / support of Kelly's devastating loss back in November... losing baby Hayden at just under 24 weeks gestation. Throughout the several month journey before the March, we all realized that we had friends and family who suffered similar losses, and it became all the more personal. The March went extremely well, with all 40 of us walking the 3 miles together, with our green shirts on and hearts open.
On a happier note, yesterday, 40 of us participated in the March of Dimes: March for Babies in Rockville, MD. The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Our team got started in memory / honor / support of Kelly's devastating loss back in November... losing baby Hayden at just under 24 weeks gestation. Throughout the several month journey before the March, we all realized that we had friends and family who suffered similar losses, and it became all the more personal. The March went extremely well, with all 40 of us walking the 3 miles together, with our green shirts on and hearts open.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Today I ran an event for RAINN... a movie screening of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (a murder-mystery indie film that illustrates the effects of rape). Although we did not have the size crowd I was hoping for, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie (like really really really loved), and felt that the post-discussion went well. My mom was amazing in both helping set up for the event and participating in the discussion afterward. I am so lucky to have such a supportive family, I couldn't be happier! I HOPE that the word will continue to spread about this film, and it will truly spark throughout the U.S.
On another note, I absolutely love spending time with my boyfriend Tim's family. They are so welcoming, I feel loved and accepted, and am truly excited about the summer plans we have... weekends at the beach, weddings, vacation in NC. I am truly at ease when we are sitting around the house, everyone is smiling and happy, and I feel totally comfortable.
So, I participated in / attended 4 weddings in 2009, and it seems that 2010 will be the same. I am singing at my good friend Amy's wedding next weekend (From This Moment On, by Shania Twain)... I am travelling to Florida on Memorial Day weekend for my good friend Karen's wedding... I am joining Tim's family in NC for his cousin's wedding... and my cousin Eva is getting married in August. I wonder what 2011 will bring!
On another note, I absolutely love spending time with my boyfriend Tim's family. They are so welcoming, I feel loved and accepted, and am truly excited about the summer plans we have... weekends at the beach, weddings, vacation in NC. I am truly at ease when we are sitting around the house, everyone is smiling and happy, and I feel totally comfortable.
So, I participated in / attended 4 weddings in 2009, and it seems that 2010 will be the same. I am singing at my good friend Amy's wedding next weekend (From This Moment On, by Shania Twain)... I am travelling to Florida on Memorial Day weekend for my good friend Karen's wedding... I am joining Tim's family in NC for his cousin's wedding... and my cousin Eva is getting married in August. I wonder what 2011 will bring!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Happy Birthday Momi!
I'm so excited about this weekend because my mom is coming to stay with me for a few days. Granted, she's coming to MD for a quilting event, not to spend time with her daughter, but I'd like to think I'm a definite perk to the plan! She will arrive tonight and stay until Sunday... with many things planned in between. It is her birthday tomorrow, so I'd like to plan some sort of dinner outting at a favorite restaurant.
I feel like my life has been a whirlwind for the past few weeks, and I'm starting to pick-up the pieces again. Between 2 bridal showers, 2 bachelorette weekends, work being hectic, working out every day, spending time with boyfriend, keeping up with the goings-on of my dearest friends, and of course, watching Biggest Loser, I am just swamped on an hourly basis! I can't remember the last time I just sat around and enjoyed some peace & quiet.
In other news:
~ I started this blog after my dear friend Joe began his own journey. I thank him now for putting this idea in my head, because I do like getting my thoughts out on "paper." I'm also very happy that he's very happy with his life and all the wonderful people in it!
~ I haven't received any feedback on this blog from my wonderful best friend Chris... I hope it's because he loves it and therefore feels no need to enlarge my ego.
~ My weight loss is coming along! I have been working out almost every day (going away for two bachelorette weekends made that difficult), and I'm down 5 lbs! I'd like to slash off at least 20 more lbs... so I have my work cut out for me.
~ The March for Babies walk is this Saturday (4 miles to raise awareness about premature wee ones). I believe our team "Hayden's Loves" is up to 40 people or so, which should make for a fun group walking around Rockville! Shoutout to Kelly for organizing our participation in such a worthy cause!
~ I have yet to start reading again, which is extremely frustrating, and the list of desired books is really getting long.
~ My back pain is getting a lot better with all the working out / stretching / activity that I've been doing, so I'm very grateful for that. I have a back brace to wear at work, anti-inflammatory pills to take each day, Percoset to take when needed, and physical therapy for several weeks. I'm hoping that with the weight loss and really learning about my body, this pain will go away forever!
Happy Hump Day!
I feel like my life has been a whirlwind for the past few weeks, and I'm starting to pick-up the pieces again. Between 2 bridal showers, 2 bachelorette weekends, work being hectic, working out every day, spending time with boyfriend, keeping up with the goings-on of my dearest friends, and of course, watching Biggest Loser, I am just swamped on an hourly basis! I can't remember the last time I just sat around and enjoyed some peace & quiet.
In other news:
~ I started this blog after my dear friend Joe began his own journey. I thank him now for putting this idea in my head, because I do like getting my thoughts out on "paper." I'm also very happy that he's very happy with his life and all the wonderful people in it!
~ I haven't received any feedback on this blog from my wonderful best friend Chris... I hope it's because he loves it and therefore feels no need to enlarge my ego.
~ My weight loss is coming along! I have been working out almost every day (going away for two bachelorette weekends made that difficult), and I'm down 5 lbs! I'd like to slash off at least 20 more lbs... so I have my work cut out for me.
~ The March for Babies walk is this Saturday (4 miles to raise awareness about premature wee ones). I believe our team "Hayden's Loves" is up to 40 people or so, which should make for a fun group walking around Rockville! Shoutout to Kelly for organizing our participation in such a worthy cause!
~ I have yet to start reading again, which is extremely frustrating, and the list of desired books is really getting long.
~ My back pain is getting a lot better with all the working out / stretching / activity that I've been doing, so I'm very grateful for that. I have a back brace to wear at work, anti-inflammatory pills to take each day, Percoset to take when needed, and physical therapy for several weeks. I'm hoping that with the weight loss and really learning about my body, this pain will go away forever!
Happy Hump Day!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
April Thus Far...
A lot has happened since my last blog, but I'm only going to touch on two things.
On Easter weekend, my parents came into town and stayed with my mom's bff, Angella. Their new puppy, Mango, stayed with me and we had a blast! He is such a ball of fluff... so happy to be around people and other dogs... energetic... and oh yea, a PUPPY. As much fun as it was, and as wonderful as it was to see Jasmine have another dog around 24/7, it made me reconsider when I'll be willing and able to get another dog. I was really hoping for this summer. The new timeline is - when I have a fenced in yard for them to run around in. If that happens this summer, YAY... if not, the time will come soon enough.
Easter day was incredible! My parents and I were invited to Tim's house for lunch / egg hunt / cornhole / general hangout. It was the first time the families were meeting, and although I was nervous and unsure as to what I should expect, the entire day went swimmingly and I couldn't stop smiling! Both sets of parents have told me since then that they thought the other was delightful, terrific, and a whole bunch more adjectives that make me excited about the future of family gatherings!
On another note - April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Regardless of the fact that I work for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), this is an important topic that ALL men, women and children should be aware of. This epidemic is all around us. Every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted. Almost half of all victims are under the age of 18, and 80% are under 30. The FBI ranks rape as the most violent crime, second only to murder... this means it is the MOST violent crime you have the chance of surviving. Every day I receive an email from another survivor wanting to volunteer or donate. I find these people amazing and the strongest individuals I will ever "meet." I can honestly say I have no idea what I would do if I were to experience such an incident... I hope I would fight... I hope I would survive... I hope I would speak out.
On Easter weekend, my parents came into town and stayed with my mom's bff, Angella. Their new puppy, Mango, stayed with me and we had a blast! He is such a ball of fluff... so happy to be around people and other dogs... energetic... and oh yea, a PUPPY. As much fun as it was, and as wonderful as it was to see Jasmine have another dog around 24/7, it made me reconsider when I'll be willing and able to get another dog. I was really hoping for this summer. The new timeline is - when I have a fenced in yard for them to run around in. If that happens this summer, YAY... if not, the time will come soon enough.
Easter day was incredible! My parents and I were invited to Tim's house for lunch / egg hunt / cornhole / general hangout. It was the first time the families were meeting, and although I was nervous and unsure as to what I should expect, the entire day went swimmingly and I couldn't stop smiling! Both sets of parents have told me since then that they thought the other was delightful, terrific, and a whole bunch more adjectives that make me excited about the future of family gatherings!
On another note - April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Regardless of the fact that I work for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), this is an important topic that ALL men, women and children should be aware of. This epidemic is all around us. Every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted. Almost half of all victims are under the age of 18, and 80% are under 30. The FBI ranks rape as the most violent crime, second only to murder... this means it is the MOST violent crime you have the chance of surviving. Every day I receive an email from another survivor wanting to volunteer or donate. I find these people amazing and the strongest individuals I will ever "meet." I can honestly say I have no idea what I would do if I were to experience such an incident... I hope I would fight... I hope I would survive... I hope I would speak out.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Matza... YUM!
This past weekend, my immediate family, some cousins and friends celebrated Passover, the Jewish holy day and festival commemorating the Hebrews' escape from enslavement in Egypt. (If you are unfamiliar with the story, regardless of religion, watch the Prince of Egypt, haha.) For the first time since 1998, my immediate family held seder at our home (we haven't much felt up for it since my maternal grandparents were killed). It was wonderful to finally bring the tradition back and look forward to many more years of togetherness.
Although my father is the eldest in our immediate family and should have lead the seder, he asked me if I wanted to do it. I was surprised and honored that the leadership role in this special holiday (my personal favorite Jewish holiday) was being offered to me. All in all it would entail leading the story-telling / prayers / ceremony before and after dinner occurs, and I was nervous as heck to do it. As most know, I did not grow up in a religious household, nor do I consider it the end-all-be-all of life. But there is a certain heart-felt connection I have to my ancestral background, appreciating and loving my Jewish and Muslim heritage. So, yes, this was a big deal.
In true Sara fashion, I took one of the "Concise" Hagaddah's that we use and started highlighting everything I wanted to cover and what queues I needed to remember in order to stay on top of things as the leader. To keep the rest of the folks busy, I fed them 7-layer dip and they were quite content with however long it took me to prepare.
Everything went swimmingly well! I was so happy the whole time to have such incredible people surrounding me on this holiday, and of course (in true Sara fashion), was brought to happy tears during some parts of the evening. Now that I have experienced the leading of the seder, and now that the tradition is back in our immediate household to hold a seder, as opposed to just attending one, I am so excited for each year and the new faces that will sit around the table on this special night.
Although my father is the eldest in our immediate family and should have lead the seder, he asked me if I wanted to do it. I was surprised and honored that the leadership role in this special holiday (my personal favorite Jewish holiday) was being offered to me. All in all it would entail leading the story-telling / prayers / ceremony before and after dinner occurs, and I was nervous as heck to do it. As most know, I did not grow up in a religious household, nor do I consider it the end-all-be-all of life. But there is a certain heart-felt connection I have to my ancestral background, appreciating and loving my Jewish and Muslim heritage. So, yes, this was a big deal.
In true Sara fashion, I took one of the "Concise" Hagaddah's that we use and started highlighting everything I wanted to cover and what queues I needed to remember in order to stay on top of things as the leader. To keep the rest of the folks busy, I fed them 7-layer dip and they were quite content with however long it took me to prepare.
Everything went swimmingly well! I was so happy the whole time to have such incredible people surrounding me on this holiday, and of course (in true Sara fashion), was brought to happy tears during some parts of the evening. Now that I have experienced the leading of the seder, and now that the tradition is back in our immediate household to hold a seder, as opposed to just attending one, I am so excited for each year and the new faces that will sit around the table on this special night.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Oh My God, Ouch!
I really don't want to complain (some of you have heard enough about this), but I am literally at my wits end with this back pain. It's been almost 5 years since I was diagnosed with lower disc degeneration, and I've had enough. Whether it came from all those years of karate and soccer, or is a consequence of being overweight, I'm sick and tired of feeling debilitated.
I'm 27-years old and otherwise healthy... I should be able to run on a treadmill and sit in an office chair at work. But no, both of those things (along with some others) cause me great pain to the point where I'm in tears. I feel so stupid when my CEO walks by while I'm stretching, or my boss is trying to have a conversation with me and I can't sit still. It's the absolute worst when I feel like I'm back in middle school and need a doctor's note because I have to say I'm working from home so I can be in my recliner or on the couch.
I have some calls into specialist doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital, so I'm hoping to get some updated answers very soon.
On a happy note, the NCAA Basketball Tournament continues tonight and I'm excited! My pick-to-win (Kansas) and my alma mater (Maryland) are out, but I'm still pumped because with all the upsets so far this year, there should be some great games still to come...
On a VERY happy note, I'm spending the weekend in Philly with my family and boyfriend, which couldn't have come at a better time. Almost 2 weeks ago, my grandmother fell out of bed and broke her hip. The home is taking very good care of her, and we've had family check up on her at the hospital. We are all still wishing and hoping for her full recovery from surgery last week, and truly wish Egypt was closer so we could go see her ourselves. At age 87, aside from the Alzheimer's, she is in great physical condition, and we'd like the remainder of her life to be pain free.
I need some family time... especially with Passover starting next week!
I'm 27-years old and otherwise healthy... I should be able to run on a treadmill and sit in an office chair at work. But no, both of those things (along with some others) cause me great pain to the point where I'm in tears. I feel so stupid when my CEO walks by while I'm stretching, or my boss is trying to have a conversation with me and I can't sit still. It's the absolute worst when I feel like I'm back in middle school and need a doctor's note because I have to say I'm working from home so I can be in my recliner or on the couch.
I have some calls into specialist doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital, so I'm hoping to get some updated answers very soon.
On a happy note, the NCAA Basketball Tournament continues tonight and I'm excited! My pick-to-win (Kansas) and my alma mater (Maryland) are out, but I'm still pumped because with all the upsets so far this year, there should be some great games still to come...
On a VERY happy note, I'm spending the weekend in Philly with my family and boyfriend, which couldn't have come at a better time. Almost 2 weeks ago, my grandmother fell out of bed and broke her hip. The home is taking very good care of her, and we've had family check up on her at the hospital. We are all still wishing and hoping for her full recovery from surgery last week, and truly wish Egypt was closer so we could go see her ourselves. At age 87, aside from the Alzheimer's, she is in great physical condition, and we'd like the remainder of her life to be pain free.
I need some family time... especially with Passover starting next week!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
I've been warned!
To quote my friend, Chris, "I am following [your blog] now, so you better write important shit."
Thanks dude, that doesn't make me nervous at all. I thought this was going to be a fun and relaxing experience, but apparently I'll be judged and graded each day. It's a damn good thing I'm highly entertaining and full of wisdom to impart on my "followers."
After sending out an email last night about this new blog, many people were supportive and eager to start reading what on earth I have to say. Others were looking for a specific reason that I'd even consider starting a blog. Really, I don't have any specific thing in my life going on that I feel the need to share (although I guess there is a lot going on). As my roommate, Erin, said, "You have a lot to say. This is good for you." And I do have a lot to say. Anyone who knows me knows that I am constantly talking, blabbing, rambling, sharing opinions, sharing stories, discussing experiences... with pretty much anyone who will listen. So I feel that this is a perfect venue to give some of my friends / family a rest from my actual voice. Instead, when they so desire, they can read this blog and know what I'm feeling, thinking, wondering, wanting, needing.
If you are reading this and NEED TO KNOW certain topics that may be discussed within the coming months, I'll name a few:
Thanks dude, that doesn't make me nervous at all. I thought this was going to be a fun and relaxing experience, but apparently I'll be judged and graded each day. It's a damn good thing I'm highly entertaining and full of wisdom to impart on my "followers."
After sending out an email last night about this new blog, many people were supportive and eager to start reading what on earth I have to say. Others were looking for a specific reason that I'd even consider starting a blog. Really, I don't have any specific thing in my life going on that I feel the need to share (although I guess there is a lot going on). As my roommate, Erin, said, "You have a lot to say. This is good for you." And I do have a lot to say. Anyone who knows me knows that I am constantly talking, blabbing, rambling, sharing opinions, sharing stories, discussing experiences... with pretty much anyone who will listen. So I feel that this is a perfect venue to give some of my friends / family a rest from my actual voice. Instead, when they so desire, they can read this blog and know what I'm feeling, thinking, wondering, wanting, needing.
If you are reading this and NEED TO KNOW certain topics that may be discussed within the coming months, I'll name a few:
- weight loss (I won't pity myself, just discuss what changes I'm making and how they are going)
- March for Babies
- Avon Walk
- my relationship (I'll try to keep the corny sentiments to a minimum, but that's hard when you love someone and want everyone to know, haha)
- weddings (I'm attending 2 in May, one at which I will be singing)
- job stuff (oh boy)
- books (I've only read 2 this year, so I'm really slacking)
- summer trips
- friends & family
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
What am I doing here?
I have a dear friend Joe who I met at sleepaway camp back in middle school. Out of everyone from my camp experience, Joe is the only one who has stayed a part of my life... through high school, college, different relationships, the army sending him to war, living several states apart when he was home, and the general obstacles that life provides. Nonetheless, Joe keeps a very special place in my heart, as someone who knows me, respects me, cares about me, and makes me smile.
A few days ago, Joe sent me the link to his new blog. I must say, after over 10 years of friendship, Joe was the last person I'd think to have a blog where he shares his feelings and experiences. I mean come on, his emails from war-torn countries are short and sweet, with little emotion (probably on purpose for those of us concerned with his activities).
I became intrigued by the idea and wanted to know more. I mean, I'm just as cool as Joe, if not infinitely cooler. Joe has a very distinct idea of what his blog is for / what it will cover... do most bloggers do the same? Do I need a "topic" or "theme" for my blog if I were to start one? I asked my colleague Emily how she felt about blogging, and she immediately sent me her own personal link. She indeed had a "topic"... a goal for 2010 for which she would document the journey. So I guess I need a "topic?" Then I thought back to my friend Serita's blog... and it seemed to discuss whatever was going on that day (although it was usually finding the humor in the male species, which I suppose is a "topic").
So, after much deliberating (not really), I decided to start my own blog. No clue what I will write. No clue if a "topic" or "theme" will form. No clue if anyone will read it or how long I'll keep it up. But hey, should be fun!
A few days ago, Joe sent me the link to his new blog. I must say, after over 10 years of friendship, Joe was the last person I'd think to have a blog where he shares his feelings and experiences. I mean come on, his emails from war-torn countries are short and sweet, with little emotion (probably on purpose for those of us concerned with his activities).
I became intrigued by the idea and wanted to know more. I mean, I'm just as cool as Joe, if not infinitely cooler. Joe has a very distinct idea of what his blog is for / what it will cover... do most bloggers do the same? Do I need a "topic" or "theme" for my blog if I were to start one? I asked my colleague Emily how she felt about blogging, and she immediately sent me her own personal link. She indeed had a "topic"... a goal for 2010 for which she would document the journey. So I guess I need a "topic?" Then I thought back to my friend Serita's blog... and it seemed to discuss whatever was going on that day (although it was usually finding the humor in the male species, which I suppose is a "topic").
So, after much deliberating (not really), I decided to start my own blog. No clue what I will write. No clue if a "topic" or "theme" will form. No clue if anyone will read it or how long I'll keep it up. But hey, should be fun!
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