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?