Its Gonna Be a Happy New Year

Well, 2011 is drawing to a close. And all I can say is thank god! This year has been an emotional roller coaster. Life has pitched a couple of curve balls, and although there are a whole lot of things I would have changed, whats done is done and I can not wait to move on. I'm not going to make a whole list of resolutions that I will never be able to keep, like exercise daily or get a 4.0. Because as great as those two things would be I can't even begin to promise to keep them.

So I am setting two goals for myself this year. Don't drink any soda and try to be happy. Not be happy, because that isn't something I can control. I can't mentally force myself to always be happy and anyway how can one realize the good with out living through the bad. I refuse to waste my life any more. I will not live to please everyone, but I will try my hardest not to offend them. My choices are my own, and although I'd like to be friends with everyone I will not change who I am just to please you.

I hope you all have a happy new years eve and a happy new year! Stay safe tonight y'all!

Lets Explore Diabetes with Owls

As you guys read earlier, my dad and I went to a David Sedaris book signing. We decided to get his newest book Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk signed for my grandfather, who's sense of humor is something else. And since Christmas was still a few weeks away, my family decided to capitalize on having the book in the house by all reading it. And before anyone gets up in arms, its something my entire extend family does.


So after the book signing that night, I settled in with Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk and started to read. It is a collection of stories. Animals have been personified and it is assumed that they live like we do. And that instead of animals being different species they are somewhat like different races and can communicate with one another. It seems that only humans can not speak with the other animals. Each story is a few pages, with cleverly drawn, although somewhat gruesome, illustrations. All of the stories have a moral, and they really are like a modern funny version of Aesop's fables.

Love and War: Books I always seem to read?

Sometimes I just have this overwhelming urge to go to the library. Sometimes I slowly go through books and don't realize that I have nothing left to read. This happened a while ago when I had finished all my work early and wanted to settle in and take a long bath and read. But I had no books. So I bugged my mom to drive me to the library to get something good to read. And then I got there and saw that the upstairs was closed for some reason. And the first floor was all picture books. Luckily there are a few carts of books that need to be re shelved after being checked in. Sometimes I look through those to find something to read that I normally wouldn't have found. So that's what I did. And I found a few gems.

Next to Love by Ellen Feldman was one of those books. It drew me in and I could not pull myself away from it. It takes place in a pretty normal town somewhere in the US. I'm sure the name is told but really its unimportant. The plot line revolves around three friends, Babe, Millie, and Grace. Millie and Grace are pretty well to do, although Millie's mother and father both died when she was young. Babe however lives on the "wrong side of town" and although Graces mother did not want them to be friends, a bond was formed. The three of them all have husbands that go off to war, and the book switches perspectives between the three friends, their husbands, their children, and other people in their lives to create a full painting of their lives slightly before, during, and after the second world war. Feldman's writing is captivating and her plot lines excellent. The way they weave together truly mirror the way life works. However in life you normally don't get the privilege of seeing other peoples perspectives.

Quilting and War: an Interesting Combo

Handicrafts are great. Sadly they are becoming lost arts and people move to things like digital design. But I am one of the people keeping them alive by practicing them. Another way that they are being kept alive is by the serge of popular novels that center around knitting clubs and quilters. We've all spotted them in book stores and at libraries and I've been reading a few that have been catching my eye. Most of them are light and fluffy, like Harlequin but if you trade sex for needlework. And normally the plot lines are a little less generic and predictable.

But one handicraft novel that I have particularly enjoyed is The Union Quilters by Jennifer Chaverini. It takes a few things that I love, multi perspective books, historical fiction, strong independent female characters, and quilting and put them into one handy dandy novel. The Union Quilters switches its narrator between a few women in a quilting club and their spouses and lovers. It is just at the beginning of the civil war and many of the men are enlisting. And to help their troops, the women make quilts to donate and also sell them for profit and then use the money to buy supplies for the soldiers. Something pretty new in those days.

The Union Quilters also isn't all happiness and cool patterns. Not all of the women that we grow to love through the course of the book have a happy ending. There is racism, unrequited love, hate, and pain. Just like the real world. Yes there are some cliches but then again there are lots of cliches out there. It seems like my life is full of them.

After I finished The Union Quilters I discovered that it was part of a series. So I am going to read all of them, because it was so enjoyable.

In Which I Discover My Love of Hospitals

Anyone who has been reading this blog for a while knows I want to be a doctor. If your new, quick recap. I've wanted to be a doctor since the age of nine when my mom and dad took away most of the "kid channels" aka Disney and Nickelodeon because I had developed an attitude. The only good channels were TLC, Discovery Health, and Discover Kids and so I watched a bunch of doctor shows.

So about two summers ago when I heard that the local children's hospital was offering a summer volunteer program for kids my age, I obviously applied. I filled out all of the forms, got the required teacher recommendations, mailed everything in, and waited. After a while some of my friends started to get their acceptance letters and I started to become nervous that I hadn't made the cut. But a few days later I got the letter saying I had been accepted for the summer program and that I would be working in urology and physicians billing.

After a brief orientation and TB test I had gotten my work clothes and was all ready to go. I loved spending time at the hospital. The hustle and bustle of people doing things that really made a difference put a pep in my step and I especially loved my time in physicians billing, creating charts with different prices to make things go smoothly. Urology was great but it was a lot of filing and weeding through papers. But in both places my work was really appreciated and in doing it I freed up everyone else to do more important things.

In the middle of the day I ate lunch with my friends who we in different departments and just sat around chatting. For an almost high schooler like my self it was very empowering and freeing. And I found out how much I love to be in a hospital. As long as I am not sick that is.

Oh and Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Winter Solstice, Etc.

Sometimes the Road Less Followed is the Best

I don't know if you guys know this but I am home schooled. I wasn't when I started this blog, and it was an interesting transition. I know I have hinted to it in the past, but since the transition was so odd I don't think that I ever came out and said it.

Regardless I am home schooled. And it's been absolutely wonderful for me. I haven't been this happy and rested in years, and I am doing wonderfully in my classes even though I started mid year. It has also helped me get more organized. When I was in a brick and mortar school I use to forget to write down assignments and even if I did I'd leave my assignment pad at home. I was always forgetting to do things or that I had a quiz the next day. But when you are home schooled, there is no room for that. The teachers are not on your back as much about work and it is really up to you to get things done and turned in in a timely mater.

So I came up with this post it note system:

It might be hard to see, but on the calendar are all the classes for that day. On the poster board on the chair are all of my over due assignments since I started mid semester and am still catching up. Each post it note is a different color according to class and the post it note colors and binder colors are the same except in math because they do not make black post it notes to my knowledge. On the panes of glass are the key to the post it not colors, what I need to do for that day, my goals, my meetings and class connect sessions, notes if I need to email a teacher, and what I have done for that day. If I finish something I move it to the what I have done that day pane of glass. I've found that having this system has really improved my grades and organizational skills in home schooling.

Oh and let me clear something up. I am not in one of those home schooling programs where my mother sits and teaches me everything every day. I am enrolled in George Washington Universities Online High School and have teachers for all of my classes and an advisor. It is like a distance learning course more then home schooling. And if you are incredibly stressed in a brick and mortar school, I would really recommend it. Switching made my very happy. 

It May Not Be on the Top of Mine but It's On It Now

I don't know if you guys have ever heard of Post Secret. If you have hold on a second shall I explain what it is. If you haven't go check it out right after this! Basically Post Secret was started by Frank Warren as a place for people to send in their secrets on post cards as a way to release them and share them with the world, completely anonymously. Some of the best secrets are then compiled into books.

It was a post secret book, given to me by my amazing brick and mortar school big sister, that opened me up to the wonderful Post Secret community. And a few weeks ago, an app came out for it. No longer would I have to wait all week for Sundays Secrets and feel so empty when they were over. Now I could have a bunch of secrets at the touch of my finger tips when ever I wanted or needed to read them. Sure there are some duds, and a whole lot of odd pictures, but there are also a lot of amazing ones.

Such as this:

And it gave me the idea to add this to my bucket list. To take water from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. I'm sure a lot of people have done this, but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't. So on the list it goes!

This City Can Kick Your Booty

I think its really ironic that I read Lost on Treasure Island by Steve Friedman on the way to New York for Thanksgiving weekend. I'd started reading it a few weeks before, and then of course put it down to read something that was due earlier. Because really how many times in the course of this blog has this not happened? I get a good book, start reading and then have to put it down for one reason or another. But I digress.

So by the time I was finishing Lost on Treasure Island I was on an incredibly bumpy plane ride to the big apple. At first I tried to read through it, but the turbulence was so bad that eventually I had to put my book down and pray the plane down. That's how freaked out I was. But eventually we landed, and I got to finish my book.

Lost on Treasure Island was a lot better then I expected. From the looks of it when I grabbed it at the library, it was one of those somewhat random books that drew me too it. And I love New York, so I figured why not. And although Lost on Treasure Island was confusing at points, it was also incredibly good. It follows a young man, who moves to New York and gets a job at GQ. It shows his struggles, his triumphs, but more likely his failures. It isn't always a happy feel good story, but it is real and inspiring. To keep going even if you don't like what you are doing. Because doing something is much better then doing nothing at all.

David Sedaris Gave Me a Bar of Chocolate

I think everyone has read or heard David Sedaris. Maybe not knowingly but it is safe to assume that the majority of today's society has. And about 50% of them have been offended by him. Luckily my family is the other 50% and we all love his works. So when my mom saw he was going to be signing at our local book store she was like YES! and got some tickets. Sadly someone had to stay home with my baby sister, so one rainy December night about a week ago my dad and I stopped our test taking and test grading and went of to see America's Funny Man.

I have never seen the place so packed for an author talk in my life. Finding a seat was difficult, there must have been at least 200 people in there. But it was totally worth it. From the get go David had my father and I rocking back and forth in our seats laughing. His humor isn't for everyone. He had a bit about "making business" in ones hand, but it wasn't said so politically correct. I'd love to share more about it here but my blog is rated G and I don't want to be responsible for taking someones innocence.

After about an hour of crying and almost peeing ourselves with laughter, it was time for the book signing. Pretty much everyone stayed for it, and after one totally failed attempt in which the line went the wrong way, everyone got in a nice orderly singleish file line to wait. And wait we did. David likes to chat with his fans, and although it was pretty annoying, well everyone did have a book in their hand to pass the time.

After a good twenty minuets in line my father and I finally reached Mr. Sedaris. My dad went first, to get a book signed for my 84 year old grandfather, who we like to call Captain Dagger. He also showed a picture to Mr. Sedaris, which I promised I would not put on my blog how ever much I think y'all might enjoy it.

Then it was my turn. Earlier in the show, David had said that his book signing table was an "awesome free zone" and anyone that said it had to pay him a dollar. So naturally I thought to myself, challenge accepted and promptly borrowed a dollar from my father. So when he started to sign my book, I said "Your show was awesome" and handed him a dollar to which he replied "sweet" and stuck it in his pocket. Then he asked "How old are you?" I answered with my age, probably the youngest person there. He grabs his bag and starts rummaging through, saying how he likes to give things to the younger people that come out to his talks. If it hadn't been David Sedaris I would have been totally freaked out, but it was and I was honored. He offered me a choice between chocolate and a bottle of shampoo and like any self respecting woman I chose chocolate.

After handing me the chocolate he turned to my book and started to sign it. As he was I asked him what his advice was for young bloggers, seeing the candy cane pen laying besides him. His advice for young writers was to "always write with a candy cane pencil, because they are the hardest things to write with." Well obviously I can't really blog with a candy cane pencil. His sage words to me were to read and write every day. Then in my book he drew a caricature of me, as a snail, slowly inching towards the carrot of literary success.

A night like this isn't something I could have planned or put on my list. Had someone told me that tonight I would have received a bar of chocolate from David Sedaris, I would have asked them what they were smoking. But its funny how some of the little things we don't plan end up being the most memorable. And I got a bar of chocolate out of the deal. So it was a win win.

Chelsea Can be Such a Bitch Sometimes

Chelsea Handler is quite a conundrum. I love her show, in fact I get the little opening monologue as a podcast on my iPod. Not gonna lie, she's funny. But really, if I knew Chelsea in real life I'd probably hate her. Her antics are funny on TV, and I'm sure she's a nice person sometimes but she can just be a bitch sometimes. Although then sometimes I feel like she would be a blast to be around.

The first time I saw one of Chelsea Handlers books was when I was in the 8th grade. There was a Boarders a few blocks down the street from my school at the time, and sometimes after school my friends and I would walk down and browse the books. One day when my friend and I were looking around, we saw My Horizontal Life by well Chelsea Handler of course. The name shocked and intrigued my friend and me and we started flipping through it. Eventually it was time to leave, and I really never read another Handler book until I saw The Lies that Chelsea Handler Told Me on the new books shelf at my local library.

So I checked it out and started reading. And it made me laugh so much. No it wasn't really written by her, although she has some notes at the end of each chapter written by her. But it was so funny to read up on her antics. But to be frank it all seemed surreal. Like everything was made up. I guess I'll have to meet Chelsea Handler and ask her myself.

Regarding the Duggars

I don't know how many of you follow the Duggars in the news, but a while back I posted that Michelle Duggar, the matriarch of the family, was expecting her twentieth child to be born in April. Sadly the baby passed away recently. This was not Michelle's first miscarriage, she had one after Josh was born. In fact it was that miscarriage that made her and Jim Bob decide to leave how many children they had up to God, as she was on oral contraceptives at the time.

The babies name was chosen to be Jubilee Shalom at the funeral, and it breaks my heart to see how many people are complaining about them online. No one deserves to go through the pain of miscarriage, even if they have 19 children. The Duggars are not on well fare and therefore what they do with their lives is absolutely none of our business. Although it does make for a good TV show.

I am a huge Duggar fan. Hence the Dress Like a Duggar for a Year challenge. And no I am not an Evangelical Christian. I am in fact a Reformed Jew. I think that using oral contraceptives is just fine, but what I do agree with in the Duggars is that they have good principles and their children are being raised to be productive members of society.

Many of the older children have gone on mission trips all over the world to provide for people in need and are also first responders. Which in a town as small as they live in is very important. They are genuinely well behaved, it isn't just for the cameras. They have strong family values and are very tight knit. I don't always agree with their choices but I do believe that they are a wonderful family. And I know they will be strong and support each other in this sad time.

Girls Just Wanna Run

When I used to go to a brick and mortar school sometimes I would see a gaggle of lower schoolers running around the perimeter of the school. I'd be leaving and suddenly they would whoosh by. My mom became intrigued seeing them when she picked me up one day and found out that they were part of this thing called Girls On the Run.

The next year rolls around and my mom tries to sign my baby sister up for Girls on the Run, only to find out that the school team is full, but she could go in for the coach training and set up a second team at the school. So naturally my mom jumped on it and did the training so that my baby sister could have some way to spin out her energy. Because she has a lot of it!

So my mom starts coaching Girls on the Run and telling me about it, and I start to realize what an amazing program it is. For anyone out there that doesn't know, Girls on the Run is a program from 3rd to 5th and 6th to 8th graders although currently in my city we only have the 3rd to 5th grade program. It incorporates running and healthy living with discussions about important things like drug awareness, Internet safely, and positive body image. There are about 22 lessons, one of them being a community service project, and in the end everyone runs a 5k together. That's what the girls are training for, and all of the teams in one city get together and do it as a group. And afterwards there is a party and everyone feels very happy and accomplished.

One night a while back I went with my mom to a coaches meeting to look into Junior Coaching. The website officially says that a JC has to be 16 and shush don't tell but I am about six-ten months shy of that. But I am mature for my age and the head of Girls on the Run in my city said it was fine. So I started JCing at a school a few blocks from my house. Not my old school where my mom coaches and my baby sister runs, but a different one.

And it was one of the most amazing experiences ever. I got to really make a positive difference in young girls lives, and I made friends with the other coaches. All of the girls on my team where always happy to see us and they really looked forward to our biweekly sessions. Even though I started mid season the team welcomed me in with open arms. And having something like that to do twice a week really helped me have a sense of purpose.

This weekend was our end of season 5k. My family and I had to get up super early. Ok around 7 but that is super early for me. All of the girls were tired and grumbly when we warmed up but after a while they started to get excited for the run ahead. Most of the girls had their parents or older siblings as their running buddies, but I ran with one of the girls on my team that didn't have anyone to run with. It was a challenge but we finished the 5k together and all of the girls got water bottles and goodie bags. There was a finish line set up with a group of people cheering as we crossed. My dad was standing by it when I ran through and yelled out "Go Duggar!" in reference to the fact that I was running in a long skirt.

I can't wait to coach next season, which starts in February so hopefully things will start defrosting by then. So far I have volunteered about 3.75 days. So I have a long way still to go!

My Goodness

I've always had unruly hair. Its my dads, and I always said he was lucky that his was always so short. When I was little my friend cut off all my hair after my fourth birthday party. It was boy short, in fact I looked like a splitting image of my cousin Andy (not the same person as my bestie) who is one year younger then me. It was so much easier to handle, and as it grew out I had the most adorable ringlets. But for some reason I have always, baring that, had long tangled hair. It gets in my way, gets in the worst snarls and tangles and is generally just a pain. But there are people out there that have lost their hair because of chemo. From what I've read chemo is a long process of poisoning your body to kill the fast growing cancer cells. It can save your life. But the downside is horrible nausea, loss of appetite, and loss of hair. Many people going through chemo chose to get wigs for various reasons. Problem is human hair is pretty hard to come by. The only way to get it is through donation.

I've thought about donating my hair hundreds of times. Hell I almost went through with it once. But for some reason I never could. I'd give the clothes off my back to someone that needed them but there was something about cutting off my hair that I just couldn't do. I've always had long hair it's part of who I am. Every time one of my friends cut their hair and donated it, I felt this pang of shame that I never could. But that all changed since I started this blog. I've realized how lucky I am to have such long hair, and that its time to give back to people who aren't lucky enough to have long hair like I do.

So here is the before

You can't really see all of it, but you get the idea

It's such a pain to take care of

And here is the after

Its really different, and it feels like my head is a few pounds lighter. If you don't believe me check out how much hair was cut off

John (the man that cuts my father and my hair) says that it is perfect hair for a wig because it hasn't been colored at all. Later on I filled out the forms for Locks of Love and I figured I'd put my blog address in the comments section. Its a total long shot but if anyone from Locks of Love is reading this: hi! Welcome to my blog. I hope you like it. 

So after I filled out the form there wasn't time to stamp it, and I didn't get home till late. Like 11 o'clock late. But I weighed it, and stamped it, and put it out on our mail.

I figured it would get sent out the next day. Wrong I was because there is no post on Sunday's. One of the many ways Harry Potter has enriched my life. Thank you J.K. Rowling for everything! 

And He Said We Would Cry

Last year in history, we studied the second half of world history. From the Enlightenment to Gandhi. And so of course after we studied Gandhi we had to watch the Academy Award winning movie about his life. Appropriately titled Gandhi. And I loved it. The historical accuracy and amazing film combination is something so rare. Most films struggle to maintain that kind of a balance, but Gandhi hit the sweet spot. It was touching and wonderfully shot. My history teacher last year swore that I would cry out of everyone in the class, and although the movie was touching and sad I didn't cry. Nor did anyone else in my class. But that might have been because he warned us about it. So if your going to watch Gandhi I'd bring a box of tissues just in case.

Every Baby Should Have a Home Made Blanket

I know a lot of people say that babies are a blessing no matter what. And I agree with that. But sometimes little blessings are sent to people who aren't quite ready to receive them. That wasn't the case for me. My mom and dad tried for years to have kids before I was born, and when I was my Grandma made me a home made blanket. I will always have that, to remember my baby days by.

But some babies don't have loving grandma's to crochet them blankets that they will have for the rest of their lives. And that is something I'd like to change. I think that every baby should have a homemade blanket. So that's what I am doing.

I'm going to crochet and donate 1,000 baby blankets to babies that don't have them. No, I'm not a 50 year old woman, although when I took my crocheting onto the bus to conclave a few weeks ago about 10 people asked me if I was. In reality, crocheting is really relaxing. As soon as I finish a blanket, I'll post pictures of it. And I'd really recommend you try crocheting, I'm really loving it.

Accidents on the Crazy Road Called Life

I think that everyone loves Jane Lynch. Well everyone that's watched anything she is in that is. But really its hard not to know who Jane Lynch is these days. It seems like she is in almost everything these days. I first saw Jane Lynch with out having any idea who she was in Talladega Knights: The Balled of Ricky Bobby. My mom absolutely loves that movie and I always thought the mom in it (played by Jane Lynch) was a great character. I also loved her character in Julie and Julia, which incidentally I am watching right now. But the first time I saw Jane was in Glee. I was a gleek from the start, and although I don't really watch it now, sometimes I will just watch Jane's scenes. She does such a wonderful job with Sue, making the character hilariously hateful but just when I can't stand her, the tides turn and a plot line tugs at my heart strings.

In Happy Accidents Jane Lynch does just that. There are moments of it where you think that she can be such a bitchy drama queen. Yea that's right I said it. There are moments in Happy Accidents where I just thought that if I had to work with Jane on something it would drive me crazy. But for about 90% of the memoir, I was the biggest Jane Lynch fan girl. Her exploration of what it was that she was feeling as a lesbian when being a lesbian wasn't something in the main stream vocabulary is very commendable, and the story of her falling in love at first sight made me grin. Not only does Jane Lynch have great comedic timing but she also is an incredibly funny writer. If you loved Bossy pants by Tina Fey (and really who didn't) then you'll love Happy Accidents.

It's Your Fault if You Get Stepped On!

Well this is my Thanksgiving post. Yea yea yea its way late, but ah well. Anyway every year my family goes up to New York to visit with family for Thanksgiving, and this year two of my cousins were in the parade. So naturally most of the family schlepped their booties out to the parade rout at 6:30 in the morning to witness it. Now I know, why would anyone ever go to a parade where they don't through things? Well folks I have absolutely no idea, especially because you have to be there UBER early and it is freezing out. Its one of the great mysteries of New York.

So, trying to dress warmly and yet in a skirt presented a sort of challenge. Its not hard to dress warmly in pants, I've been doing it to go skiing for years. But to not look totally foolish, well that's somewhat of a harder task in a skirt. In the end, as you can see in the picture below, I just decided to look totally crazy. I also wore a bright pink hat, pink pashmina, and purple coat. My mom said I looked very bohemian. And I have to say, I agree.

Its like a bohemian and a Duggar dressed as one

When we got to the parade route, it was so crazy. Police men directing people every which way, screaming, confusion, pushing, and caffeine. It was like Mardi Gras day but more organized. Finally the group of 5 I was in got through all the lines and sat down on the grand stand. Well the madness didn't stop there. Soon we were being yelled at to scoot over. My aunt would have none of it, she had kids in the parade and did not want to take the chance of being stuck behind a tree and missing them. And the people on the bench in front of us did not want to move either for some reason. The Macy's employee was very annoyed at us, and at one point I heard the man in front of me say "Occupy Grand Stand"

Eventually the man directing things gave up, and said "Alright its your fault if you get stepped on." After all of that was finished, he was actually quite nice and we shared a few laughs. And yes we did see my cousins and uncle marching. And the Subway ride home...well that's a different story.

Belated Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Convictions are Confusing

A few weeks ago, my mom had to go to a hospital to get something checked out. Don't worry, she's fine it was just a follow up. Anyway, she asked if I wanted to go along with her because she knows how much I love spending time in hospitals. Maybe its the whole future doctor thing, maybe I just like big buildings with a  lot of things going on in them. Well after she was checked out and everything we walked across the street to go to the big library.


When we got there, it so happened that my moms friend Robin (who is the mother of one of the lovely little girls in my Sunday School class) works there. So naturally we went and said hi, and after some talking, Ms. Robin recommended Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks. I had heard of Geraldine Brooks, she wrote a really good book called March about the father in Little Women. But since I haven't finished Little Women I have never read March because well its just not something I do. But I had only heard amazing things of her, and being the risk taker I am, I checked out Caleb's Crossing.

After a while, I started reading the novel. And I fell in love. No Caleb's Crossing did not draw me in and make me read and read till very late at night. Yes there would be days where I would have to force myself to read it. But over all Caleb's Crossing was still amazing. It was based off a true story, and the transferring through different time periods was fantastic. It also shows, it simplistic clarity, the traps and confusions of convictions. There are a few different characters with different points of view and to see them both see and think why they are right and being so confused of the others points of view is just beautiful. Especially because the people whose minds are slowly opening are children. To see the prejudice slowly fade is so sweet and innocent. If only people could be like that now.

Oddest phone call ever

As you guys know by my last post, yesterday was the one year anniversary of a young girl named Abby. Her little sister is in my little sisters class, and I have seen her mom around the school. Of course, I never have any idea what to say. For you people who don't know me, although most of you do, I am a generally awkward person. I'd love to play it off and say that it is just part of me being a teenager but lets be honest its really just who I am.

But one thing that I really do like is that I am willing to be as awkward as it takes to do something that I think is right. And that is how I found myself on the kitchen phone one night calling up the mom of my former classmate and best friend of Abby's mom to find out what kind of cake she preferred. Yes that's right I was going to make a cake for a woman who lost her child exactly a year ago. I don't really know how that idea got into my mind, but once it did it stuck.

Her best friend never did call me back, so I just settled on baking a regular white cake. Easy right? Wrong! First I spilt flour all over the place. Being clumsy and baking isn't a good combo, so you'd think I'd stop doing it. I never learn. Then, just as I thought things were going well, I realized we had four eggs. The cake demanded it have eight, so off the to the store my dad and I went. But it was pretty smooth sailing from then on out, the cake baked in 25 minuets which was nice and my dad and I sat around the kitchen table and read the New Yorker waiting for it to finish. It sat in the spring form pan covered with a plate cooling overnight.

The next day (i.e. yesterday) I frosted the white cake with chocolate frosting to have a sort of yin yang kind of things. The recipe for the icing also came from Joy of Cooking, a kind of two birds one stone kind of thing. It was a real simple icing, chocolate bars and peppermints, and it spread nice and easy. I tried doing some decorations but the icing was too thin, so it just ended up being very chocolaty. Which really isn't a big problem.

Doesn't that look yummy

So originally I planed on dropping off the cake before seeing Breaking Dawn with my friend Aaron. Yea I know why would I spend my hard earned money, OK my dad's hard earned money, on such drivel but if it makes you feel any better I wore my robes, he wore a Diggory Hufflepuff sign and we made fun of it the whole time. I think that the entire theater hated us by the end of the movie. But anyway back to the story. After the movie my dad and I ran some more errands before dropping the cake off at the families house. In the interest of discretion I won't say their names. 

Look at what the mitzvah fairy dropped off

If I Die Young

Its been a year today, since she passed away. Abby wasn't in my class, she was years younger then me and although we had passed in the hall from time to time, neither one of us had any significant presence in each others lives. Well imagine my surprise when a few days after Thanksgiving everyone on Face book was talking about how she had recently been in an accident. I saw these posts right before I left my aunts to go to the airport and fly home. For some crazy reason I thought nothing of it until I got home and saw what was really going on. Everyone was saying things about how she had recently passed. I was so confused, but soon the truth was clear. Abby had been in a horrible ATV accident and was no longer in this world.

School was different that Monday. Somehow there was a hole in everything, like the sunshine was missing. It was weird how someone I didn't really know could cause such an immense difference in the atmosphere of the school. The funeral was Tuesday. Almost the entire school was there, there church was filled to the rafters and overfilling into a back room where the preachers words were said over a speaker. At least 20 or more girls from my school sat on the floor in front of the pews. I was one of those girls. I sat right in front of the family and diagonal from the coffin.

I will never forget that day. Just talking about it brings tears to my eyes. Hearing her family morn the loss of someone taken from this earth far to young will resonate in my mind forever. Her father "walked" her coffin up the isle because he never would get to at her wedding. Her godfather talking about this girl that I had never met, but wish that I had. They decided to play the song If I Die Young by the Band Perry at her funeral. To this day when ever I hear that song, it reminds me of her. Of hearing her older sisters raw jagged sobs as the song started to play.

It started to rain as the coffin was taken into the hearse. It seemed as though even the sky was weeping for a girl taken from a family that loved her far too soon. I didn't go to the burial. I had to get back to school, because I had missed so much that year. I wasn't even planning on going to the funeral because of my illnesses. But as soon as it was made clear that no one would be left at school, and all classes would be a study, I called my mom and asked her to give me and a few other girls rides.

A few days later, thinking of Abby I decided to listen to If I Die Young. And when I looked at the comments this is what I saw.

And on the bathroom wall at school someone scratched in ASN forever. For people who don't know ASN are her initials.

Abby loved to run, and on her birthday someone organized a first annual run. I have the shirt from it, and when ever I feel like I need inspiration. Seeing how many people morned the loss of this young girl made me realize how little impact I have had in my life. I've vowed to live my life in a better way for Abby. She would have done amazing things in this word, and although I can never measure up to her, I can try to make a difference. For Abby. Because only the good die young. And she was amazing. 

Be Prepared to Cry

I'm sure every teen girl reading this has heard of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. The books were in every book store for a while, especially air ports and the movie swept the country. I read every book in the series, as did all of my friends and we all use to wonder what happened to the girls after the series ended and (spoiler alert) the pants were lost. So when I went to the library and saw that there was a new one out, I was elated. Finally a change to see what happened to these girls that I had grown to love like sisters. Sisterhood Forever by Ann Brashares takes place ten years after the last book ends. As always, I don't want to give to much away, but this ones a heart breaker. I'm not really one to cry during books, but after such a long journey with these women, I feel like I am right in the story.

Sisterhood Forever doesn't sugar coat things. Our favorite group of girls has grown up, and the plot line of the book follows that. Don't try reading this amazing novel if you don't have time to spend reading it in order, because it will suck you in. I stayed up late trying to finish because I just had to know what happens. It'd be great for a long plane ride or drive, because I can tell you right now, if you have been with the Septembers since the beginning, you will have to know what happens. Or even if you haven't.

There is a mystery wrapped into Sisterhood Forever, and that is what will draw in readers that haven't necessarily been with the girls since the beginning. And that is why I am recomending this book to everyone, no matter what. Its my personal conviction that everyone should read the whole series before reading the last book, but really Sisterhood Forever is so well written that you dont have to. But still read the whole series, it will make the last book so much more enjoyable.

The Power of the Written Word

Last Friday my temple had a Shabbat Movie dinner thing for the little kids. So my Dad and little sister went, and my mom and I stayed home and decided to watch a movie. She has been a die hard supporter of my blog, I think most of the page views are from her, and so she suggested that we watch one of the movies from my list. So after dropping my baby sister off at temple, and picking up some yummy wings for dinner, we settled down on the couch and I started reading out movies from the list.

Obviously we didn't get very far before settling on Atonement. My friend had read the book a few years ago, and it sounded fascinating. I suggested it to her, and it turns out my mom had read the book also, so we started to watch and eat. Honestly, I loved Atonement. Yes, it was very explicit at times, and not always just sexually. There were some pretty intense war scenes. And yes, sometimes it was a little complicated. But really if you just kept watching, all would have been reviled. It was really funny because as my mom and I were watching, my dad and baby sister came home during one of the more explicit scenes. We started scrambling around for the remote, and it seemed to take forever for it to power up. In reality it took about 3 seconds, but with my baby sister walking up the stairs, it seemed like the remote would not power up fast enough.

Over all, I adored Atonement. But don't watch it if you arnt ready for some of the stuff that happens. Honestly, its worth the wait to see it, because its a beautiful movie. Its artsy but in a way that I enjoyed and the music is just phenomenal. I'd really recommend it, because watching this movie took my breath away at some points.

What is Going on Here?

I think everyone has seen the ads for World Vision. It breaks my heart every time I see them, and in June I decided to break in my debit card by making what I thought was a one time donation. Well fast forward to November, and as I am balancing my check book, I realized that everything wasn't adding up. Now, as a dyslexic, I am notorious for miss adding things, however I keep all my receipts because of that, and after checking and rechecking my additions and subtractions, it just wasn't adding up. And then I remembered that my bank offers an online portion, and after logging on and hunting around, I found that I had been donating $35 dollars a month since June, adding up to a whopping $175.

Now I know that $175 isn't a whole lot of money in the long run, but with what I make it is. I'm really surprised I didn't notice till now, but I chalk that up to my being away for a long time this summer and honestly not using my card that much. My dad, the saint that he is, called World Vision for me and figured out how to cancel it. And then he offered to reimburse me. And I was shocked. Yes it was an accidental donation, but it was to a good cause and so I really didn't mind that much. So obviously I refused very adamantly. But from this, I learned my lesson, always make sure its not a reoccurring donation unless you want it to be.

Has this ever happened to you?

That and a Dollar Will Buy You a Cup of Coffee

Anyone who has ever been to my house knows that I live across the street from a park. Now most of you have never been to my house, but let me describe the park. It has a beautiful fountain in it, and a rope swing that has provided hours of entertainment to myself and my friends. It also is a very popular spot for people who have no where else to go. A few years back, there would be a lot of people sleeping in the park, but these days everyone seems to be gone by 10 at night. During the day however, you never know who your gonna meet. I know that sounds kinda weird but I have lived by the park my entire life, and it really doesn't bother me.

A few days ago, I went out with my dog and a good book to let him run around and play. I sat down on one of the benches and started to read. A little while later, a man came over and asked if he could sit on the other side of the bench. I of course said yes, he looked like he might not have a home, but looked like he had it all there. I continued reading my book, some what on edge, but honestly there was a lot of families in the park and the school near by was just getting out. He asked me what I was reading, and if it was fiction or non fiction, and that started off a conversation.

I found out that his name is Steven, and that he had a degree in trumpet performance. He was surprised of my age, and was filled with some really interesting sayings. I told him that I wanted to be a doctor, and later on that I was going to major in history. He started laughing and said "That and a dollar will buy you a cup of coffee." That made me chuckle, because its true. Degrees like history or music degrees really only help you if you want to teach or do research. Luckily, I don't need to major in anything in particular to be a doctor, but still it got me to thinking about life and how important going to college really is. Steven said to me that I need to just do it, and go through college no matter what because its incredibly important. As the daughter of two academics, that is something that has been ingrained in me from day one, but to hear him saying that, it really hammered in the point. And that is why I am adding getting a college degree to my list, to honor Steven and because really, its important.

Her Eyes

Its no secret that everyone loves Princess Di. Its been over a decade since her death, and it seems like I can't go a week with out hearing about the British Royal Family and some connection to her. Now I know the press must have been absolutely awful to live with, which ironically is where I heard that from. Anyway The Untold Story by Monica Ali is about Diana. It shows her faking her own death and moving to the states, after some intense plastic surgery of course. Obviously it wasn't after the car crash that actually killed her, in the book there is a different story. I'm not going to say to much, because you guys know how I feel about spoilers. However what I will say is that The Untold Story is so confusing. I think its because I know the Diana story so well but still, I am almost 100% sure that Diana's name is never mentioned inside the actually novel. I checked the front flap, and it does say her name there, but my assumption is that Ali just figures that everyone can puzzle the peaces together.

Well for now, everyone can puzzle together what is going on in The Untold Story but I honestly don't think it will stand the test of time. Its well written sure, interesting plot twists and nice characters, there is even a nice little sub plot with good morals. But the complete absence of who Lydia once was, if it was for copyright purposes or just an over site, is what is going to be one of the reasons why The Untold Story will not stand the test of time. But hey, if your reading my blog in present day, go ahead and read it, its not so bad.

Something Beautiful

Hi y'all, I'm here to interrupt your regularly scheduled programing to bring you something that has really touched me. The following video is made by my friend Jonathan. Jonathan and I go way back, farther then either of us really wish to share, and although I don't see him as much as I use to, we are both in the same youth group. Well I went to our second big conclave meeting this year, and he showed me the video that I am about to show you. And let me just say, that had I not been in public, I would have started bawling. Jonathan managed to convey something that I have been bottling up for a long time. The feeling of being labeled and different. And how that leads to depression and feeling alone. Well, my depression was both situational and chemical but that is neither here nor there.

Anyway, hats off to you Jonathan this is truly a work of art. I see great things in your future with a talent like this.

And without further ado, the video. Grab your tissues it is really incredibly beautifully touching.

And One More J Makes... 20!

So I heard on the news this week that the Duggars are expecting their 20th child. Well, I would like to send out my congratulations to them, because in all honestly they are completely self sufficient, what they do with their lives is honestly none of my business. And since all babies are miracles, whether they are number one or number twenty. I hope the baby and Mrs. Duggar are healthy and happy come April, when he/she is due and there are no unforeseen complications.

In other news, the dress like a Duggar challenge is going pretty well. I haven't been as militant about it, but most of the time things have being going well. I have gotten a few comments about my dress choices, but other then that no one has really noticed. It is very nice that I am not so look focused and that I don't really have to worry about my shorts being to short. Over all, I am really liking it. Should be a fun year!

My Word!

Recently I went and met up with my Girl Scout troop leader, Ms. Hahne. As you, my dear readers, can tell I am looking into getting the Girl Scout Gold Award. Although it is often referred to as the Eagle Scout award of Girl Scouting, honestly, it doesn't have the same publicity. Anyway, I have been a girl scout on and off since brownies, but recently myself and a few other girls started up a troop and although we are not very active, we are picking up the pace.

Anyway, I was listening to a podcast about a year ago talking about the Girl Scout Gold Award, but before that I had never heard of it. However the concept and I really agreed with each other, and it spurned me to get more into the Girl Scouting community. Eventually, I got it together enough to go and talk to my troop leader about getting started, and she was really on board with the idea. Another girl in my troop is going to go for the Gold Award also, and so we are going to be doing a whole lot of pre req stuff together. Ms. Hahne and I looked at some of the things that are needed online, and lemme say, its a lot of work. I knew it was going to be but wow, its a good thing I have a few years to do all of this. Anyway, I'll keep y'all posted on whats going on with it.

Have any of you achieved the Girl Scout Gold Award or became an Eagle Scout? 

11/11/11

So Eric reminded me that I haven't posted about 11/11 yet. There has been all this hype about the most powerful wish being today. I'm not going to lie, I made my wish. Will it come true. I hope so, but unlikely. But really, why does it have to be 11/11/11 at 11:11 for us to realize our dreams. Theodor Herzl once said "If you will it, it is no dream." And that's true. You should spend your life thinking about your wildest dreams, and then making them a reality. So enjoy your 11/11/11 guys, and as cheesy as it sounds, make your dreams come true. Dear God its like I'm swimming in fondue or something.

Over 4,000 Miles on a Bike? You Must Be Crazy!

On Columbus Day my dad and I went on a bike ride. My baby sister and mom went to chuck-e-cheeses and we rode and got burritos. Why did I go on a bike ride on my Monday off school? Well let me start with a back story. Its somewhat long so hold tight y'all.

When my dad was growing up, he lived in Carmel. And Carmel has some amazing bike trails. And hills. Basically its all New Orleans doesn't have. And this breed a love of biking. When I was little he use to tell me he would bike up hill both ways to school every morning in 2 feet of snow. Now that's mostly not true, but the biking part is. And when he was 16, he and his three best friends rode across the country on their bikes. How crazy is that?

Well so crazy that he would always tell me stories about that trip. And jokingly say that one day we would do it together. Well, when I was coming up with things to put on my list this summer at camp, and the very first thing I could think of was to bike across the country. My friends thought I was crazy, but also how cool it was. My dad never thought I was serious, in fact the night after I told him I wanted to start training, I heard him talking to his high school friend Belle and said that he would be pretty surprised if I actually meant what I said.

And boy have  been proving him wrong. We have been going on 15 mile bike rides on the weekends, and I have been learning all about what it takes. I've started to really love my bike, and meld into it. I can't even describe the amazing feeling of just getting on a bike and riding. And because of all this training, I have also realized that I love to run, so that is another plus. I'll be going across this great nation of ours in two summers, and I can't wait!

It Took My Breath Away

I think everyone has heard of Jodi Picolt. That movie based on My Sisters Keeper swept through the nation, and made women cry from sea to shining sea. But obviously before there was a movie based on her books, there were the books themselves. And what amazing books they are. I'm not totally sure when I discovered Jodi Picolt but I think it was in 7th grade. I was chilling in the locker room after school, and started talking with my friend MB about what else but books? It turns out that she was reading this book called The Pact by guess who? Jodi Picolt! So little 12 year old me scampered upstairs to the library and checked it out. And promptly fell in love with her writings.


Sing You Home is Jodi Picolt's newest book. Its been out for a couple months now, and I think I saw in in an airport book store at one point or another, but never bought it. But when I saw it at a library last week I figured, what the hay. So I checked out Sing You Home, and actually started reading it in the car. However when I realized that there were other books due before it, Sing You Home was put back on the shelf. But when it came closer and closer to its due date, off it came from the shelf, and I started reading. And like the title said, Sing You Home took my breath away.

I really can't tell you too much about Sing You Home because, well the plot is so fantastic that I couldn't bare to spoil it. But please trust me, Jodi Picolt is an amazing writer. Her novels read so quickly, but have so much depth and heart. Sing You Home is worth buying because of her literary powers, and reading again and again and again. What are you doing still on my blog? Go get the book!

What a beautiful shawl

Recently I read The Wedding Shawl by Sally Goldenbaum. I'm not sure what made me pick it out off the shelf at the library, but something compelled me too. Its been slowly getting colder here and the bright colors probably made me think of the spring and the warmer days to come. None the less, I did and got to reading.

Chick lit mysteries have never really been my thing. I've always been easily scared by things and so mystery novels have never really been my thing. However The Wedding Shawl was the much looked for murder mystery that didn't make my hair curl and hear every creak in the house at night. Not only that, but it was filled with beautiful sea side imagery. Right now, it is starting to get colder, and so reading The Wedding Shawl brought me into a world of warm sand and clicking knitting needles. I was out in the park with my dog running around and sat up in a tree, bundled in a coat, and read. I don't know how long I stayed immersed in that book, but when I reemerged my noes and toes were frozen.

And so accordingly, I would recommend you would read The Wedding Shawl by a fire during the holidays. It'll warm you right up, and with the smell of turkey roasting in the back round well how picturesque is that?

The whole premise of The Wedding Shawl is about a group of women in a mystery knitting group knitting a shawl for one of their friends wedding. At the back of the book it gives you a link to find pictures of what inspired the shawl, and a pattern to knit it. Its an absolutely beautiful shawl, and has become my dream project. Its my goal to be good enough at knitting to knit that shawl, because like I said it is beautiful. And maybe one day, I'll be able to make it.

The Solice of the Library

Right now I am sitting typing at a computer at a library. Yes a library. Yes books still exist. I know, with all of the Internet being used these days its surprising. Oh wait I forgot you couldn't hear sarcasm online. Crud!

Anyway, I am sitting at a library using this dinosaur of a computer with keys so loud I am surprised I have not been kicked out yet surrounded by my favorite things in the world. Books. When I was little, asking my mom to read to me was the only sure fire way to get her to drop what she was doing and spend time with me. As I grew up, my love of books and stories helped diagnose me with Dyslexia because it was weird that reading would be a daily struggle because I loved books so much. Books have been my constant companions since childhood, and every day I feel that love growing. They have honestly saved my life, by providing an escape when life itself got too hard.

Library's, being filled with the one thing I love most, are my favorite places in the world. And the only reason I have yet gone bankrupt. If it weren't for libraries I would have never been able to read as many books I have read without out spending every cent I have. And I know what you are going to say, but I want to own my books and be able to read and re read them when ever I want. Well I do too! And if I love a book enough I will buy it. And then read it so many times that it will fall apart and I will have to buy another copy. Yes that has happened before. But for the most part, I read a book once and am done.

Having access to a library opens up another world for me, and I am sure it does for other people. And that I why I want to open a library where one is needed, to bring stories to people and open them up to the wonderful world that is reading. I mean, who doesn't love a good book right?

Tzadakah? Wait is that how that's spelled?

I don't know how many of y'all know this, but I am Jewish. I guess the whole joining the IDF is a give away, but I was raised Jewish, and have been Bat Mitzvahed and Confirmed. My Dad is Unitarian, so we to to church every Christmas, but I made the choice sometime along the way to follow in the Jewish faith.

Anyway, this year at camp, we talked a lot about Tikiolam or repairing the world. Tzadakah has always been a very important thing in reform Judaism, or really Judaism in general. In fact, my therapist (who is also Jewish) and her family just won the Tzadakah Award at the Jewish Federation recently.

When I was little, every time my mom or dad would drop me off at Sunday school, they would give me two dollars. I'd put that money into a little Manila envelope because that was what I was told to do. I didn't really know what it was for until the end of the year, when the money was totaled up and given to charity. Someone came in and told us what the money would be used for, and that was that. I don't remember where we donated it too, or what it was used for, but I do remember how good it felt to do a good thing. Cheesy right?

Anyway, I know that I do well with goals. Heck that's why I have this blog in the first place. I have so many dreams, so much stuff that I really want to do with my life, but I am also very forgetful. And I don't want to get to the end of my life and realize that I didn't do everything that I want to do. And one of the things I really believe in is spending a lot of time serving others. I'd like all the time I have spend volunteering add up to a year. Or 365 days. So far, it adds up to just about three days. So I have a lot of time ahead to serve the less fortunate and make the world a better place!

What an unfortunate name!

I loved Dick Van Dyke before I even knew his name. When I was little, I watched Mary Poppins just like any kid I knew, and just like all my friends, I loved Burt. It was such a funny character and what a dancer! And then I saw Scrubs years later, and there he was. And it made my day. He just has such an amazing smile and timing and well presence.

So when I was at the library and saw My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business, I was enticed by the title. I didn't know who it was by but when I pulled it off the shelf and saw his face smiling back, I just knew I had to read it. And read it I did. Sure it did take a little longer then I thought, but over all, totally worth it.

My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business isn't the quickest read. It doesn't quite suck you in like I thought it would. I didn't read it in one sit, and I didn't hunger for it when I was away. But I felt compiled to finish the night before it was due. I stayed up till almost midnight finishing his memoir, because I felt like it was just right.

I would really recommend that you pick up Dick Van Dykes memoir at the library. Sure it might take a looming due date to finish reading it, but hey, many many great papers have been written that way. No don't take it on the plane, because I can tell you, the TV is going to draw you in. But still, it is really worth the read, even if it isn't the quickest book.

Oh E Oh AhAh

Today, my family and I went to volunteer at the Gorilla Challenge 2011 in our home city, New Orleans. Its non prophet partner this year was the New Orleans Woman's shelter where my mom volunteers. Well, about a week ago, we got an email from someone at the shelter saying they need some people to work at the Gorilla Challenge. It didn't really say what we were doing, but we just assumed it would be a booth talking about the shelter. Anyway, I had a sleepover the night before and so when my mom picked me up at 8, I went home and slept for a few hours. But at noon, my mom and baby sister and I went back up, and that is when the fun began. For the first bit it was pretty silent. We grabbed some food and things started picking up.

My dad got the first group to get back, and I sort of watched him do it half way through until the second group got back. And since I was the only one around, I nabbed them and pretty much figured my way through checking their photos. And as soon as people really started coming in, it didn't stop.

I can't tell you how many pictures I looked at. There was a horrible glare which made things quite interesting. Anyway my food got to me just about as people really started to get into the plaza we were set up in. And a poster people had to take a picture in front of had been taken off of the arena. Some people did find a picture of the basketball stars that were on the poster and take a picture of them in front of it. Those people, amaze me.

 Sometimes there would be a lag in the stations before me, and I would be able to gobble down a wing or two, which by the way were amazing, but for the most part everything was high paced and fun. The two hours I spent working flew by and I really wish it would have lasted longer.

Afterwards, my family and I took a picture in front of the Gorilla Challenge sign. My dad had been running around the area where the Gorilla Challenge had been going on and if anyone found him, they got a gift certificate to the restaurant that was letting us use their space.

No, my Dad isn't a Gorilla. 

But sometimes...

He acts like one

And so that is why he is wearing a mask in the picture. My mom suggested that we do the Gorilla Challenge next year, but really I loved volunteering during it instead of running around the city, so I might just do that.

Anyway, the Gorilla Challenge is going around to a lot of different cities and so go to www.gorillachallenge.com and see if its coming to your city. Because really, it was a whole lotta fun to participate in. Oh and did I mention that everyone was dressed up? And really, there is no better way to get to know a city then running around it with 11 clues and a camera. 

Of Course I'd Ask You Ms. White!

Although many of you don't know me, I love Betty White. I don't know what it is about her, but she is so amazing. I don't know what it is about her, but I just adore her. So when I went to the library this week and saw that she had written a book, I jumped at the chance to read it. If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't) by Betty White is an amazing read. It is really her writing about what ever she wants, it doesn't have a story pattern. But its Betty White. She can write about what ever she wants, because it was still fantastic! 


Anyway, I loved If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't). Recently I took the PSATs, and since I qualify for extra time, I figured that I would bring what ever book I was reading. And that book just so happened to be If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't). And I managed to not only finish that book, but also go to the library and get a new one and start that with the extra time I had. 


And even though it took me little time to read If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't) I still enjoyed it immensely. It would be perfect for a short plane ride, of about two hours, and that would make the time fly. Pun intended. Although short, If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't) is an amazing read, it I would recommend it to anyone. 

Save the Ta-Tas!

This weekend was the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Breast cancer and finding a cure for it is something near and dear to my heart. Not only is my Grandma Luna a Holocaust survivor but she also beat breast cancer. So bright and early I got up and got dressed and went to City Park to do a 5k. When I got there I met up with some friends then split up. Some of my friends had already done the one mile fun run, but myself and E had not and so we started off on the walk.

It has been cold recently, so I wore jeans for the walk. Remember the leeway in my dress like a Duggar year, if I am doing something athletic it is ok not to wear a skirt. Anyway by the time we had hit about a half mile, it was burning hot and I was parched. Luckily there was a water station close by, and all was well. It was a great way to kick off my charity walks.

So have any of y'all done any good charity walk/runs, comment and let me know all about em!

Your dreams unlock your true self

I had a really weird dream last night. We were driving home from a NFTY event and stopped at Chick-Fil-A. Not so weird yet, because NFTY and Chick-Fil-A are two of my favorite things. But not only did that Chick-Fil-A not have Chick-Fil-A food but Rallies, but also when I got back to the car there was a woman in labor. And I just hopped in the back seat and coached her through it until we got to some family or friends house. And you know what, it felt really natural. Like something I was meant to do. Which I guess is kind of a Captain Obvious statement, because I have known that I was meant to do this since I was 9. But at the same time, a little reassuring never hurt anyone. Right?

How did he get away with it?

Last time I went to the library I picked up A Stolen Life by Jaycee Lee Dugard. Its a small book, with large print, and it didn't take me long to finish it. But what filled those pages were heart breaking. For those who didn't go to a super market or turn on the TV last year, Jaycee Dugard was abducted by Phillip Garrido and his wife Nancy at the tender age of 11. For the next 18 years she was kept in their back yard shed, sexually and emotionally abused, lost her name, and gave birth to two beautiful daughters with out medical attention or help. The first one A, was born when she was just 14. But then, she was found. And reunited with her family. A Stolen Life chronicles that journey in her own words. It is beautifully crafted and heart wrenching to read, but read I felt compelled to finish it. Once I had opened the cover I was drawn into a horrible world so different from my own. And if it hadn't been so publicized, I would have thought Jaycees story was forged. But I know its real, and it breaks my heart that something like that went on for 18 years unnoticed.

Trees for Gilad Shalit

I talked earlier about Gilad Shalit. And before I get on with the rest of the post, I would like to say yet again, welcome home. We are so happy you are home safe and sound now. Anyway I found this link on Facebook, and having nothing better to do, followed it. And what I saw was amazing. The JNF are planting free trees in Israel honoring Gilad Shalit. You can include a personal note and every time someone donates a tree in his name, the family gets a message telling them about it. The trees are free until the 23rd, so everyone who reads this should do that and then comment.

Only 99 trees left to plant y'all!

A Boy's Life, A Man's Memoir

This year in English class we read This Boy's Life by Tobias Wolff. To be honest English and therefore that memoir was really the only enjoyable thing about school. This Boy's Life was amazingly written, it was so fascinating that I read it TWICE! It is really one of the only school books I have read more then once. I loved it so much. I actually enjoyed reading it. Do you know how few forced books I have ever really liked.

Anyway, its kind of hard to describe This Boy's Life without giving it away, so I am not going to try. But you have to trust me on this one, oh wonderful blog readers of mine. This memoir reads like a soap opera. But not a trashy soap. One of the greats, that enthralls you and begs you to read more. Over all, This Boy's Life is the perfect combination of enthralling and literary genius, an air plane read with substance. It is really a fine memoir.

The People Princess

Recently my dad picked up The Queen from Walgreens. The casing was broken at the bottom, and so it was about $6. We brought it home, and I got to work on homework. A few days later my mom and I sat down and watched it.

And both of us loved it. The use of footage from the 90s and of the actors was stellar, the way they were mashed together. It was amazing. I gained this new sympathy for Queen Elizabeth. And I feel like she just needs a hug.

Over my years of studying England and its history, I have heard a lot of details and information about Her Majesty and her family. And I feel like there really isn't much love and warmth involved. Being Queen must be a really hard job. Probably the hardest job she didn't apply for. She was born into it. And for that, I really pity the whole family. It must be so stressful.

Beta club?

Today was the induction to Beta Club at school. I had a bad feeling about going to school today, and really had to haul ass, sorry butt, to get and keep things on the move. Even then, when my dad offered to come pick me up it took a lot to not say yes.

And soon I realized why I was feeling so ominous about today. They were inducting the new members of Beta Club. Now I know what you are saying, who really cares? Well I do. The awkward feeling of sitting with the rest of your class, who many people deem as "slackers" as some people are called up, and grin proudly. And some would say in a gloating fashion.

And I know, this will only get to me as much as I let it, but at the same time, I guess I do let it. This was something I really pushed to have good grades for last year, and because of stuff I will talk about later, didn't. So I am going to put it on my bucket list. I will, either next year or the year after, get into Beta Club. Even if it takes all I have got. I will!

Family Love of Fondue

I'm not sure when this happened but a while back the Melting Pot moved in near my house. It was such a family hit. When ever there was something to celebrate, we would go there. However, it is incredibly expensive. And so after a while we decided to try and make our own fondue. Sometime this summer, my dad and I did. Mom and Baby Sister were at a soccer game, and we started a while before they were suppose to get back. Well lets just say by the time they did, there wasn't much left.

Home made fondue speed up the family favorite list, so much that my mom and dad got me a fondue pot for my birthday this year, and so now we can make it when ever where ever we want.

So the other night, we had a family movie night. Not uncommon in my house. And for it, what else should we make but fondue? And instead of using our normal recipe I tried the one in the Joy of Cooking. In case you were wondering, I am trying to cook my way through the Joy of Cooking. I don't really have a deadline or anything, its just something I'm doing in my free time.

Anyway, making the fondue was somewhat of a disaster. As you can see in the picture below, it doesn't really have the right consistency. First of all, I used WAY to much wine. It was suppose to be two cups, but I put three. And by the time I realized that, the consistency was way off. So my dad poured off some of the excess and we added some more cheese and corn starch. It was still kinda liquidity, but we decided to just suffer through and eat.

Doesn't this look yummy!

And bright yellow. 

Maybe I should have called the EPA instead of eating in 

And you know what, the fondue wasn't so bad. We all kept loosing bread in it, but that could have been the forks. They were new and we got them from a salvation army store so you never know. Over all, I think I'd try it again with the right measurements to make sure I like it, but over all, not bad. 

Gilad Shalit

I am so happy to say that Gilad Shalit is free! For those who don't know, Gilad Shalit and two other IDF soldiers were captured in 2006. The war that they were fighting in has since finished, but Gilad Shalit has been kept captive since then. But there has been a small window of opportunity and the government has figured out a bargain to finally bring him home!

Mr. Shalit was a huge deal at my summer camp. We have had many debates over him and then parlaying that into the war. But one detail that stands out about Gilad Shalit, one that has nothing to do with camp, was back in 2006. Back when he was first captured. I think that I first heard about it at the JCC, when I was there for Wednesday Hebrew School. They were selling these dog tags like what you see below. For about $5.

And I bought one. And then promptly forgot about it. During the summer when we were talking about I remembered the dog tag. But I was in Utica, miles away from my jewelry box. And although when I got home, I remembered and thought about Mr. Shalit, the dog tag was far in the back of my mind. But when I heard about his miraculous return to Israel, I remembered something. The dog tag sitting in the back of my jewelry box. I pulled it out. Its sitting on my desk now. And tomorrow I am going to hang it in my locker, to remind me to never ever give up. Gilad Shalit didn't. And now he is home.

Today during the PSAT, one thing that was asked was what year are you graduating/expecting to start college. And so I called the woman monitoring the test and asked her what I should put, because I will be joining the army for two years after high school. And every time I say that, it come truer and truer to me. And I can't wait to make my dreams a reality. I won't be a hero like Gilad Shalit, but I will be doing my part to help those heroes on their way. 

Ten HUT!

For some reason, I have gotten into watching Army Wives. I think it was Amber from Airing my Dirty Laundry: One Sock at a Time. She is always talking about how great Army Wives is. So the other day, I decided to get the free trial of Netflix, just to see what it is like. I'm making a little money now and it seemed like something good. Anyway I seem to be getting a little of topic here. The reason I brought up Army Wives is that every time I watch it, it reinforces something I have been thinking and dreaming about a long time.

And that is to join the IDF. Not for a long time, the time that girls serve is about two years, nor in a high combat situation, but its still a weird thing to say. I don't think anyone at my school has every joined the army or the navy or the coast guard much less gone to another nations army. But its something that I would like to do. At the summer camp I go to we spend a lot of time talking about the IDF, and how needed every person is that serves.

I don't want you to think that I don't love this great nation of ours. Because I do. But Israel is still my native homeland as someone who is Jewish. I do love the USA, but I feel like I am needed more in Israel.

Talking about this on my blog is something that took great consideration. My mom and dad are not totally on board with it, which makes sense. The view of the IDF is that it is very heavy in death. But its something that I really believe in, and so whether they like it or not, I'll be spending two years between high school and college in Israel, serving for them. For us. And keeping my country safe. And then after those two years are over, I will come back to the US and serve my other country as a doctor.

Modesty Can Be an Amazing Quality

Anyone who knows me knows I love the Duggars. There is something that is just fascinating about that show. I have been watching it since the beginning much to the annoyance of A, who will not listen to why they are so amazing. They are so efficient and wonderful.  Anyway one facet if their lives that really fascinates me is the way they dress.

For those who don't know, the Duggars are very modest. Meaning that girls only wear skirts, long ones, and modest shirts. Men wear long shorts and pants and such. Never shirtless. Its very interesting how they can do everything in such a long skirt.

So I've decided to spend a year of my life dressed like a Duggar. It'll make things a little harder, especially at first. Running and biking will present a challenge, as will swimming. The Duggars wear special bathing suits called Wholesome Wear, however they are quite expensive. So for now I will make an exemption for swimming. It shouldn't be hard in the winter anyway, and maybe by summer I can purchase one. But even when I am swimming, I'll wear a one piece and shorts. This started on October 8th, so there are 364 days left!

How Could She Let Something That Handsome Die?????

Who here doesn't know about the Titanic? If anyone raised their hands, I want you to leave this page immediately and go on a google exhibition about the great Titanic. But really, if you haven't heard of the Titanic and you DONT live under a rock I am incredibly confused. And if you live under a rock, how are you reading this. Anyway, I had heard of the Titanic growing up, the true story and the movie. It took me years to actually watch the James Cameron movie Titanic because I always heard it would make me cry. And I really don't like making myself cry.

I actually became fascinated in Titanic before I saw the movie, which does seem to be in reverse of how it normally works. There was a big exhibit in New York when I was there for Thanksgiving and my dad took me to see it. It was such an amazing exhibit and incredibly well made. Well after we spent a few hours in place, we found ourselves in the gift shop. I ended up getting a book on the Titanic, the first one published after the sinking if fact. As we were paying for it, I spied a TV with some people in freezing water, talking amidst the screen. That's right, in the gift shop of a Titanic exhibit they were playing Titanic. Shocker right?

Anyway, that night for some reason I couldn't sleep. I always have problems sleeping in the city. Everything is just so busy and I just have problems getting to sleep. So after tossing and turning for an hour or two, I decided to get up and go online and watch a movie. And Titanic came to mind. So after searching around the net for a bit, I found a link that I liked.

So late that night I started on the three hour journey that is the movie Titanic. And I fell in love with it. The movie was so well crafted, so artful, and so... well I do have to admit that Leonardo DiCaprio helped a little. Since then I have seen it about a million times. Its on our DVR permanently and I watch it all the time. Even my baby sister loves to watch it.

The last time I watched Titanic I was at my SBS's house for a sleepover. She and I started watching it a little before midnight. Which means that at 3 in the morning we were watching Jack freeze to death. And she and I were yelling at the screen, yelling at Rose to let Jack back on board. How could she let someone so hot die. HOW!

But in the end, Titanic is such an inspiring movie. To try so hard to live, even when the odds are against you. To fight and to live life to its fullest. And that's what I am trying to do. Everyday. So Jack, I'd like to raise a glass. To make it count!

Steve Jobs

I know its weird to feel such a loss for someone I didn't ever meet. Someone who really wasn't in my life, who I never knew. But Steve Jobs was a wonderful person. He was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. And never finish college with boggles my mine ever more. And yesterday he lost his battle with cancer. So Rest In Peace Mr. Jobs, the world will miss you. And thank you for all you have done. Goodbye.

The Obamas

Recently I went to the library after play practice. I rode the street car all the way there with my boat load of stuff, and went in to find that... THE ROOF COLLAPSED! That's right, part of the roof on the top of the library had collapsed. Now the library that I frequent is in an old house, that has been undergoing construction for years. In fact I wanted to have my Bat Mitzvah party there but that is irrelevant.


Anyway, when I got to the library and heard that we could not go upstairs, I looked around and quickly found the only adult books in the floor that was open were the books that had just been returned. So not willing to go home empty handed, I briefly perused the books for any gems. And gems I did find.


One of them being Barack and Michelle: Portrait of an American Marriage by Christopher Anderson. This book showed the readers the lives of Barack and Michelle Obama, before each other, and before they burst onto the political scene. When Barack was a boy living in Hawaii and Michelle was still a young girl in Chicago. We see Barack's troubled childhood and Michelle's hard working perseverance. Over all, we see their lives apart and together. One thing that really bothered me, just like in the Will and Kate book is the focus on Barack. I guess the author figures that the reader is going to be more interested in him, however I would have liked a little more on Michelle.


After I read it I loaned Barack and Michelle to my mom, who also greatly enjoyed it. Over all, its a pretty good read, informational but light and very very easy to get into. I'd definitely recommend it.

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

When I was about 9, my mom and dad switched off cable. Why would they be so evil you may ask? Well they felt that I was getting an attitude from all of the Disney Channel. And in retrospect, they were probably right. But they were gracious enough to let us have a few shows. We had basic cable, probably stopping around channel 20, and then we had Discovery Heath and Discovery Kids. I'm sure there were more, but those are the ones I most distinctively remember. Anyway I got in the habit of watching medical shoes. Why? because 6 years ago was before the revolution of reality TV, and so medical shows, mostly about babies and OB-GYNs were the only good shows on the channels we had.

And just being able to watch medical shows changed my life forever. Although I didn't realize it at the time, watching only medical shows planted a seed in me. The seed was my desire to be a doctor. And that seed blossomed into a strong tree. Since I was around 9 or 10, I knew that was what I wanted to be. Its something I am incredibly passionate about, and I know I can make a difference in the world by doing that. Its a hard job, make no doubt about that, but its something that I think I am destined to do.

At camp I am known as Mama (last name) for a reason. I try to take care of everyone, and that is something I will be able to do as a doctor. Not only that but in Bio, the videos that gross everyone out fascinate me. The videos about Ebola and such. Just my day to day life validates that being a doctor is my calling. And although I have years until I see my first patient, I really can not wait. And I am so grateful that I have found my calling so early in life. Even as a little girl I knew. I would think about another career and would always come back to being a doctor. It just makes sense. Did/Do any of you know/knew what you want/wanted to be when you grew up?