The Prodigal Blogger and Her Adventures with Education

How many times have I said I'd get better at this whole blogging thing? Who knows, I've started writing this post at least 10 times. I can never get the words to sound right or get the motivation to shape them to sound how I want them to.

Things have been interesting around here, to say the least. Some days are good, others are worse but over all things just keep moving forward if I like it or not. I need to start blogging again, writing down what is going on and my opinion about everything.

For instance that Wall Street Journal Op-Ed by Suzy Lee Weiss. Y'all know which one I am talking about, people have been raging about it for the past few weeks. I've read the article a few times and watched a few interview and in all honesty I agree with her. I don't agree with everything she says mind you and I feel like it would be very easy to get offended by that article but she raises some great points.

Like Suzy I don't offer much diversity. I'm a middle class white girl from New Orleans. My parents both went to college, both have masters degrees, and I have never been left wanting. Like Suzy I am lucky, luckier than either of us realize probably. I have plenty to be proud of and have done some pretty cool things in my sixteen years on earth but as far as diversity, I am lacking. Maybe not as much as Suzy is, after all I am Jewish, from New Orleans, and have more volunteer hours than I know what to do with. Hell I'd have a lot more if I tracked my Soldiers Angels work in a more dedicated fashion.

Just like Suzy I am trying to figure out what do to with the rest of my life. After almost twelve years of schooling making a change is a loaded choice that I will spend many sleepless nights thinking about. SATs, ACTs, APs, and personal essays fill my nightmares as well as many of Americas teens. They do tell us to just be ourselves. But being ourselves isn't good enough anymore. Everyone pads their resumes or at least makes things sound more professional and advanced then they really are. Babysitter becomes Child Care Executive, dog walker becomes Canine Care Specialist. I could easily go on.

Even when applying to part time jobs people want to know your experience. Get three professional references and talk about a time where you improvised and it worked. Let me tell you something. I don't have three professional references. Technically I do, but they are from the same job. A job that has nothing to do with the one I am applying for. I just want to stock shelves and save up for college, not cure cancer. Not that any college will want me, I have no work experience! They want us to be ourselves but generally being yourself just isn't good enough anymore.

 I'm not saying I deserve to get into an Ivy League school because honestly I don't want to go to one. But to apply to the schools that are right for me, the ones that I have worked hard to find, I feel like I have to be something more than myself. Being me should be good enough to get a college degree. I have pushed myself to succeed and over come a lot of things. So have many other teenagers all across America who are finding out that just being yourself is no longer good enough. It use to be that having great grades and scores were enough. That is just the starting point these days. Now you need that, plus a great job, volunteer experience, a killer essay, amazing recommendations, and a sob story. Almost no one has all of that so we all lie about it. And it slowly starts to snowball, getting to the point where people aren't being accepted for who they are but who they pretend to be. And the kids that do have everything that schools are looking for? The ones that don't pad their resumes and worked hard at things they loved. They get lost in the shuffle.

I don't want this to get misinterpreted as another whiney white girl  feeling like she deserves more than she has gotten. I am blessed to not have to work just yet, rather to be getting a job because I want to. I don't have to worry about how to pay for college which I know is rare. I truly have the opportunities to do what ever I want to with my life, and I am blessed in more ways than I know. But I also see the flaw in the system like Suzy. And like her I don't want to sit around and pad my resume. I am working hard to be the change I wish to see in this world and to do that I need my voice to be heard. Not because I deserve it, but because I will earn that right. I may be young, and have a lot to learn, but I will make a difference. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, and this is mine. No more would have, could have, should have. This is my first step.

I'd also love to hear your experience with the college application process. Did you pad your resume? Do you still? I'd love to hear about it!

Timmy Boo Part 2

A few months ago I wrote about a rabbit I found on the way home from Starbucks, and promised more of the story then left you guys hanging. When we last left our rabbit friend he was chilling in my room in an impromptu hut, and then on my bed. My dad returned home and was less then happy that there was another animal in the house. We have somehow acquired a lot of pets over the years.

He insisted that we take Timmy to the ASPCA, who said that they would take him. However my dad made the mistake of holding Timmy before we dropped him off, and fell in love. I felt awful leaving him all alone in a cold metal cage, and before I left him promised I'd come back for him no matter what. What can I say, he stole my heart with his big ears and twitchy nose.

And two days later we did just that, paying the ASPCA $25 for the bunny we found. He did get a clean bill of health from the vet though so it was worth it. Timmy has settled in quite nicely at home, residing in the study. I call him Timmy my Study Bunny. We let him roam around the study when we are in there and sometimes out doors. Remus, our little cat, is actually afraid of him, which I find humorous. My dad has taken a shinning to the rabbit, he'll come and say good night holding the bunny in his arms. Timmy is the most sweet natured rabbit I have ever met, and I am so glad we found him.

A Night To Remember

The idea that people are using the sinking of a great liner and subsequent death of around 2,000 has sparked a lot of conversation online. However many people, myself included, used the 100th year anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic as a night of remembrance. And good food.

I've thought about doing a remembrance party for years, and almost didn't end up doing so. But one morning I happened to catch the end of the Today show for some reason and saw the one and only James Cameron talking about his love of Titanic. This reminded me of the party I had dreamed of for a while, and I set to work planning the party.

A cookbook was ordered from my local book store, invitations were sent out, and I set to work cooking decorating and trying to find a costume.

The costume was found in my closet and elaborated with costume jewelry and things of my mothers. Finally the day arrived. I had a 5k in the morning (see United We Stand) diving practice, and then GNOYO before a full day of cooking. By the time my friends arrived in various states of costumed, I was exhausted but excited.

We sat around and ate and drank the fruit of my family and my labors and listened to music from the Edwardian Era. After we had eaten our fill we went upstairs and after some wrestling with cables settled in to watch the movie.

There were a lot of us, so fitting on the couch was somewhat of a problem. Everyone was sandwiched together and some people sat on the floor but the movie was full of laughter and jokes. A good time was had by all in the end, and we remembered one of the greatest man made ocean disasters of our time.

Increadably Authentic

I know I haven't finished blogging about Ev's big new York bar mitzvah but I have to talk about where I was for Mardi Gras this year. My family and aunt, uncle, and cousin from Norway went to Eunice for Cajun Mardi Gras. It was at least a two hour drive, probably more, and by the time we got to Eunice for the night it was pretty late. We stood in the town square, or something like that, and people were standing around under a balcony drinking and having a good time. On the balcony were a bunch of people throwing cups, hats, shirts and most of all beads.

The next morning my aunt, uncle, cousin, dad and baby sister got up early and went to Mamou and Eunice for the scavenger hunt type thing. They ran around, begged for food, and tried to catch live chickens. My mom and I slept in and then drove together to Mamou. We parked outside of the family dollar, and saw this on the door.

Some things you will only see off the beaten track. Right off the parking lot was a field of dandelions, so I stopped, not to smell the flowers but to make a wish.

My mom and I caught up with the rest of the family, who were standing talking to a man with a stand about the origins of the festival. We caught the tail end of it but it was still a pretty cool shpeal. 

After talking to the man, my dad got some of his yummy popcorn balls. I am not normally a fan of that kind of thing, but they were yummy.

My dad seemed to really love it. We moseyed on down for a while, just enjoying the scenery and decided to get some hats. My baby sister and cousin got baseball caps, and I got a cowboy hat. The other two almost did, but couldn't find one that they liked. 

I think I fit right in don't y'all? The town was so interesting, full of life, music, dancing, and good food. At one point the parade rolled through, full of horses, and "floats" which were basically flatbeds pulled behind trucks. Beads were tossed, my aunt even caught one from muses. 

Little bit of local color, a birds nest, and my dads head

Afterwards we went back to Eunice. The parade was over but there was live music and good food. We all laid on the grass and listened to music. It was so picturesque and authentic. An experience I will never forget. 

Timmy Boo

You know how you cant always see how one thing leads to so many others? Well when I left my lovely neighborhood Starbucks to go home I never expected what would happen next. On my way I found a bunny eating weeds on the side of the road. Yes that's right an adorable little bunny. Someone said that they had seem him a few times and a women walking her dogs said that he used to belong to someone but that he lived in an empty field now.

I called the LASPCA. I would have taken him to ARNO but they only take dogs and cats. The women that picked up the phone said that I could bring him in and they would put him up for adoption. So I thought about it and figured that I could at least try to pick it up. My friend Bean has had a few rabbits and they never really liked to be picked up, so I didn't really expect him to comply.

But he did. The rabbit let me pick him up, and I held him and talked softly to him and he stayed in my arms. And I continued on my way home. I got some really weird looks and a few "nice rabbit"s. But the rabbit, who I named Timmy Boo after one of my favorite podcasters, and I made it home safe and sound. He only squirmed when I shifted him to quickly or if he was uncomfortable.

When I got home I grabbed everything I could think of to make an impromptu rabbit hutch. I cleared out a plastic bin, got all of the fresh veggies I could find, something to hold water and newspaper to line the bottom. All with Timmy still in my arms. I went upstairs and got both of the cats out of my room. Remus (my little black kitten) looked at Timmy as if to say "what is this? I don't know what it is but I like it!" He was hot at my feet the entire time and it took a lot to get him out of my room. Milky Way (my large older grey tabby cat) was lounging on the bed and looked up at Timmy as if to say "well finally your apologizing for getting that young black scrap."

I set everything up in the "hutch" and put Timmy in to see if he was hungry or thirsty. He did not like the thing and hopped out so I put him on my bed so I could keep an eye on him and do my work at the same time. My dad was not thrilled that I brought a rabbit home but fell in love when he saw him. And who wouldn't?

The story isn't over yet, so stay tuned to learn the fate of Timmy Boo. 

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.