I was talking about my favorite teacher from high school last week, and was recently challenged to talk about my favorite subject from high school and three reasons why I liked it.
You would probably peg me for a theater person and would say that my favorite class had to do with theater. Of course, musical theater class was a blast and I even cried when the last performance we did had ended. I didn't like having small parts when I had taken voice lessons and theater classes for the past few years. I know I was capable of more than what I was given. It was still nice to be part of an ensemble though. I think I would have enjoyed it even more nowadays with all the amazing musicals to work with over the past 15 years (starting with "Rent," of course). I also enjoyed my directing class a lot, but going hand in hand with it was creative writing. I absolutely LOVED creative writing and looked forward to that class every day. (I'll explain the link to directing class soon.)
1. The teacher submitted some of my work to contests and competitions, as well as the school's literary magazine. She had no obligation to do so, but it felt really good when I found out that she did anyway.
2. I had a fun time coming up with stories and poems. I even felt comfortable enough to workshop them, as most of the people in the class were nice. I usually hung out with the brother of one of my close friends (she and I weren't close at the time) and he was always supportive of my work, as well. He even got me to laugh at myself sometimes.
3. The short play I wrote was not just the ONLY play published in the literary magazine that year, but also chosen by two different students in directing class. It was cool to see it performed in two different styles and I felt so honored. I got more praise for the play I had written than the one I had directed, and I didn't even mind.
I'm glad I got to take this challenge, as it brought back fun memories and also reinforced why I still love to write, even though it's mostly factual. I did try my hand at some short fiction pieces last year and got some positive feedback. I just need the motivation to write fiction again. I really do have a lot of ideas in my head and I'm so nervous about getting them out on paper. Like I won't like them that way. Especially after reading some amazing novels recently. I am not competitive but I also feel like the bar for superior writing has been set so high and I will settle for nothing but the best from myself.
If Ms. Heckel-Oliver is still out there, I want to thank her for giving me confidence in the creative writing department and for making her class something to always look forward to. I wish I had met her in the beginning of my high school years instead of just my senior year.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Funny Friday-8/26/11-MAD about humor!
When "Saturday Night Live" stopped being entertaining for me, thankfully "MAD TV" was around to make everything better. Like I did with SNL, I want to share lists of my favorite recurring characters, actors and sketches.
Sketches:
*Fake Asian Parents
*Tyra Banks pretending to be Jewish
*The Lillian Verner Game Show (recurring)
*Excuses machine
*Intervention to have a guy stop acting like a stereotypical Italian
*"Sesame Street" parodies (recurring)
Characters:
Ms. Swan
*Tyra Banks pretending to be Jewish
*The Lillian Verner Game Show (recurring)
*Excuses machine
*Intervention to have a guy stop acting like a stereotypical Italian
*"Sesame Street" parodies (recurring)
*Abercrombie and Fitch (recurring)
*"Grey's Anatomy" parodies (recurring)
Characters:
Ms. Swan
Lorraine
Stuart
Bae Sung
Depressed Persian Tow Truck Man
Simian Dyson
Mrs. Garrett (Paul Vogt plays her too well)
Luann Lockhart
Stuart
Bae Sung
Depressed Persian Tow Truck Man
Simian Dyson
Mrs. Garrett (Paul Vogt plays her too well)
Luann Lockhart
Leona Campbell
Sean, the floor leader
Actors:
*Michael McDonald (pictured)
*Ike Barinholtz (pictured)
*Stephnie Weir
*Frank Caliendo
*Nicole Randall Johnson (pictured)
*Crista Flanagan (pictured)
*Paul Vogt
*Bobby Lee (pictured)
*Michael McDonald (pictured)
*Ike Barinholtz (pictured)
*Stephnie Weir
*Frank Caliendo
*Nicole Randall Johnson (pictured)
*Crista Flanagan (pictured)
*Paul Vogt
*Bobby Lee (pictured)
Jordan Peele (pictured)
*Alex Borstein (who also does the voice of Lois on "Family Guy")
*Mo Collins
*Alex Borstein (who also does the voice of Lois on "Family Guy")
*Mo Collins
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Saturdays with Bill
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, I picked the topic: Who was your favorite teacher (any year of school) and why?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
When I was growing up, I had some good teachers every now and then. However, none of them did for me what Mr. Fritz, my freshman English teacher (who was a “freshman” himself), did.
On orientation day, Mr. Fritz (or Bill, as I refer to him these days) stood out from all the other teachers I met. He had long blond hair that flopped onto his face, and seemed very young and energetic. I only got to see him for ten minutes that day. He told some fascinating stories about his travels and adventures, including time spent in Africa. When I walked into his classroom the next day, there was a man standing at his desk with short blond hair, looking all clean cut and professional. I asked him if he was the substitute. He explained that he was still Mr. Fritz but had just gotten a haircut. I guess the long hair look wasn’t working for his teacher persona...
In the beginning of the year, we had to write a creative paper about “Tom Sawyer,” the required summer reading. I am not a fan of required reading and was also not a fan of “Tom Sawyer.” (Not because it’s not chick lit, just because it wasn’t my cup of tea…and this was a mild summer requirement. The rest were worse.) However, I decided to have fun with the assignment. I don’t even remember what I wrote, but apparently Mr. Fritz had a ball with it. He decided to give it to the head coach of the Forensics team and I received a letter a few days later, personally inviting me to join the team. I took them up on their invitation and Mr. Fritz happened to be one of the coaches. I decided to do original comedy, which was bold of me. I didn’t have much to work with, at first, but he helped me make my piece into something I would have fun with throughout the Forensics competition season (the meets were on Saturdays). He also laughed a lot, which gave me the confidence I needed to stick with it.
After winter break, I auditioned for a play. I hadn’t felt comfortable on stage in the past, as I would get all shy and giggly or would have a hard time projecting. However, thanks to Forensics and all the time Mr. Fritz spent coaching me, I felt good about my auditioning abilities and I then landed a part in the play! It was a small part, but there are really no small parts...only small actors. I felt like I could take on the world while being involved with that production. I still got to see Mr. Fritz, as I was in his class again the following semester and he was leading the crew for the play.
Over the next few years, I stayed on the Forensics team with Mr. Fritz as my coach. I ended up in his class again junior year. While it’s not his fault that most of the stuff we had to read didn’t interest me at all, he tried to keep things light and fun, even by showing “Star Wars” at one point. When it came time for term papers, I felt stuck with how to proceed. He was very patient in guiding me in the right direction and even allowing me to approach the process in a different way. I was grateful for his assistance and his flexibility in the matter.
While he was my favorite teacher, I also was hard on him at times. It was probably because I got too comfortable with him as a coach or because I was a highly stressed out teenager. I would get mad if he had to miss or reschedule Forensics practice, even if it was for something legitimate. He also tried defending me when someone in the class wasn’t nice to me (something I had been used to for a long time) and I would get mad at him for getting involved. Deep down, I appreciated the fact that he cared at all and I felt bad about getting mad at him. I don’t remember other teachers coming to my defense like that.
When I graduated high school, I was sad to leave him behind. However, I got to judge at speech tournaments during my winter breaks and also would stop by to visit him when school was in session. After I graduated college, I got to judge more often and saw him at quite a few tournaments. That winter, I gave him "Tuesdays with Morrie" as a gift and a note expressing how much I appreciated what he had done for me, even when it didn’t seem that way on the outside.
I hope Mr. Fritz knows the impact he has had on my life and that he is continuing to have that impact on the lives of other students. A real teacher doesn’t just write on the chalkboard. (Or are they just typing on a computer and magnifying it on a screen these days?) They get to know their students and find ways to bring out their strengths and make school memorable for them. Mr. Fritz exemplifies what a real teacher is to me.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Two strange things
Yesterday was the two year anniversary of my late paternal grandpa's passing. When I was a kid, he always gave me Andes Mints and I would call them "Oldsmobile candy" because he worked for an Oldsmobile dealer. Anyway, I was at work and one of my managers had asked me about something, which reminded me that I had to do something related to his question. So I printed out the paper I needed to bring upstairs and dropped it off with our HR assistant. She, like myself, always keeps candy at her desk. So I decided to see what she had. Lo and behold, there were some Andes Mints in the candy dish. I took one to eat in honor of my grandpa. I just found it interesting that I chose that day to get the paper to her and that was what I found. It was like a little present he left for me from beyond.
Today, we had an earthquake! Apparently, the magnitude I felt at work was nothing compared to what was felt closer to the source in Richmond, VA. It definitely rocked the DC area and most of the east coast, people feeling it as far as NYC. I've never felt an earthquake before and it was the strangest and freakiest thing ever. My whole desk started shaking and I could feel it in my body. My legs were still trembling afterward. They evacuated our office building for a short amount of time and then we were allowed back in. It took a while, but I was able to reach my husband and my kids' caretakers, as well as a friend on our street. There's been talk of aftershocks, but I hope that doesn't happen. I feel like something could happen again and any time and I don't know what to expect. It's so unsettling! I'm just going to pray to Hashem to thank him for keeping us out of harm, even with what happened, and to not let this happen again. I kept thinking of the earthquake episode of "Full House" where they can't find Danny and then Stephanie is all clingy to him after that. I felt that way when I couldn't reach anyone by phone. You'd think that an earthquake couldn't happen in the east coast, but it has before and now I've experienced it for the first time. I don't even know what to think about all this. I'm just glad everyone is okay, Baruch Hashem! I hope this isn't some other type of sign from another source. It's a pretty big sign and it impacted a lot of people today!
Today, we had an earthquake! Apparently, the magnitude I felt at work was nothing compared to what was felt closer to the source in Richmond, VA. It definitely rocked the DC area and most of the east coast, people feeling it as far as NYC. I've never felt an earthquake before and it was the strangest and freakiest thing ever. My whole desk started shaking and I could feel it in my body. My legs were still trembling afterward. They evacuated our office building for a short amount of time and then we were allowed back in. It took a while, but I was able to reach my husband and my kids' caretakers, as well as a friend on our street. There's been talk of aftershocks, but I hope that doesn't happen. I feel like something could happen again and any time and I don't know what to expect. It's so unsettling! I'm just going to pray to Hashem to thank him for keeping us out of harm, even with what happened, and to not let this happen again. I kept thinking of the earthquake episode of "Full House" where they can't find Danny and then Stephanie is all clingy to him after that. I felt that way when I couldn't reach anyone by phone. You'd think that an earthquake couldn't happen in the east coast, but it has before and now I've experienced it for the first time. I don't even know what to think about all this. I'm just glad everyone is okay, Baruch Hashem! I hope this isn't some other type of sign from another source. It's a pretty big sign and it impacted a lot of people today!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Funny Friday-8/19/11-Live from New York
When I was younger, I really enjoyed staying up late on Saturday nights to watch "Saturday Night Live." Back in the day, it was fresh and funny and there were some terrific recurring characters. I can't even watch it nowadays, as it hasn't been funny any time I even did catch an episode. There were only two I enjoyed recently....the episodes with Betty White and Jane Lynch.
I wanted to share my favorite funny recurring characters and sketches (regular or one time) from the past. I'm sure they'll bring back fun memories for you if you were ever an SNL fan.
Characters:
1. Pat (I can do a pretty good impression of this gender bender!)
2. Linda Richman (I do a good impression of her too. "I'm all verklempt!")
3. Toonces, the driving cat. (I still have the stuffed animal version in one of my kids' rooms.)
4. Wayne and Garth (They just go together!)
5. Mary Katherine Gallagher ("Superstar!!!")
6. Nick Burns (He's totally me...I can't sit idly by when someone doesn't know what they're doing on their computer. "Moooove!!!")
7. Opera Man (especially when he's trying to be Pearl Jam)
8. The Church Lady ("Well, isn't that special!")
9. Matt Foley (Because he lives in a VAN down by the RIVER!)
10. Spartan cheerleaders ("Call me!")
Bonus: Gap "girls" ("Belt it and cinch it!")
Sketches:
1. Jingleheimer Junction (Sometime around 1999 with Cameron Diaz. They keep trying to spell the F word but get thwarted by the "conductor.")
2. Coffee Talk (recurring sketch with Linda Richman)
3. The one where these guys are trying to be "The Golden Girls" but one of them lands in a coma and MSNBC does a whole special about it. I was laughing so hard I was crying! (2001)
4. The Frank Sinatra Group ("Bells and whistles...clicks and pops." From sometime in the early 90's, as Sinead O'Connor was involved.)
5. The one where these people are at a school assembly and are teaching about what not to do and singing cheesy songs. ("Locked up for life...") It was in 1996 with David Alan Grier.
6. Celebrity Jeopardy (recurring)...especially when Jimmy Fallon plays Adam Sandler!
7. The Hedley and Wyche toothpaste commercial. ("It tastes great on a cracker!")
8. Some of the Robert Smigel cartoons, especially "The Ambiguously Gay Duo."
9. Wake Up Wakefield (with Maya Rudolph playing a 12 year old...from 2001 or around then.)
10. Delta Delta Delta! ("Oh mah gah!" From the early 90's)
Bonus: When they keep showing George H. Bush throwing up and then reversing it. Gross but totally hilarious!
Favorite actors:
1. Mike Myers
2. Adam Sandler
3. Chris Farley
4. Gilda Radner
5. Ana Gasteyer
6. Tina Fey
7. David Spade
8. Chris Kattan
9. Jimmy Fallon
10. Molly Shannon
Bonus: Amy Poehler
I have so many more to list in each category, but then I'd be here all day! Share your favorite SNL memories from way back when till now!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Punky Power!
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, Moma Rock picked the topic: Would you consider plastic surgery? If so, what type? Why would you, or why wouldn't you?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
When I was a kid, I loved watching "Punky Brewster." She was so fun and entertaining and I felt I could relate to her a lot. Later, when Soliel Moon Frye (the actress who was best known for her role as Punky) announced that she was having her "twins" taken in (as opposed to expanded) because they were hurting her back, I felt I could relate to her, as well. It was only years later that I followed in her footsteps.
In junior high, it was deemed cool to wear a bra. However, I had nothing to put into a bra, yet still wore one for show. I felt all sophisticated when I started doing so. Who knew that it would lead me to a double D cup as I got older? By the time I got to college, I was pretty much "stacked." I would get looks from guys when I wore certain outfits that showed off my "twins." Some even held doors open for me. I never met a guy who didn't like them and I'd receive a lot of compliments.
Around the time I got engaged, these "twins" had become a burden. My back and shoulders hurt and all bras felt uncomfortable. I didn't even like to look at myself without a shirt on. Around the same time, I was going to a doctor for my backaches and he kept having me come back on a weekly basis. He kept a file of all my visits and used this to help me get insurance coverage for when I finally got my "twins" taken in. I started going to a plastic surgeon who worked a few minutes away from where my BFF grew up (I had lots of good memories of that neighborhood). He was very nice and professional and told it like it was. He took pictures of the "twins" for medical records and insurance purposes. I somehow got a copy of that picture later on, but didn't like seeing it at all. They looked so huge and overbearing! I couldn't believe I was carrying them around that whole time!
I felt confident about the upcoming surgery, even though I was somewhat private about it in certain circles. (I told my work that I was having back surgery. This did help my back, so it wasn't really a lie.) My friends who knew I was doing this were very supportive and understanding. I was more nervous about going under anesthesia than I was about the actual surgery. The night before the surgery, I finally summoned up the courage to call another girl who did the same thing. She helped me feel better about the whole procedure.
On a sunny day in late June, 2003, my mom and husband (fiancé at the time) accompanied me to the hospital to have my "twins" taken in. The worst part was getting an IV. It was my first time and was so painful and uncomfortable. By the time I was ready to go into surgery, I just wanted to be put out so I could wake up as a new, and more comfortable, woman. When I did wake up, I was definitely disoriented and my mom and sister like to tease me that I said some pretty silly things. They won't tell me what I actually said though. (I don't even want to know at this point.) My husband was great with playing "nurse" by helping me up from the couch and doing something else that I don't want to mention on this blog (but was necessary post-surgery). He also cooked for me and we spent a few evenings sleeping head to head on the (L-shaped) couch so I could stay in one position. We watched a lot of television together and started getting into "Curb Your Enthusiasm" as a result.
The day after the surgery, I was okay getting up and about. I had to go back to the doctor for a follow up visit and to do something pretty painful that had to do with the thing I don't want to mention from the day before. I had to keep the "twins" bandaged up for a few days, as well. I got to stay home from work for a week and it was like a mini-vacation. My friends came over and they took me out for lunch or we watched movies together. The 4th of July was also later that week and my (future) mother-in-law came to town for a visit.
It's been over eight years since that surgery and I don't regret a thing about it. However, if you plan to do the same surgery and also plan to have babies later on, be aware that nursing is not really an option. I learned this the hard way the first time around. I sometimes wondered if I had been selfish to my kids because of this surgery. However, the boys seemed to like formula and the baby practically inhales it. Another "perk" was that I dried up quickly (only I wish I had known about cabbage leaves the first two times). The best thing was that the "twins" stayed the same size through all three pregnancies. They didn't get bigger. I could only imagine being pregnant when they were the old size. It would have been even worse on my back. (Considering how rough my last pregnancy was on my back, I definitely have no regrets about this surgery.)
This week, Moma Rock picked the topic: Would you consider plastic surgery? If so, what type? Why would you, or why wouldn't you?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
When I was a kid, I loved watching "Punky Brewster." She was so fun and entertaining and I felt I could relate to her a lot. Later, when Soliel Moon Frye (the actress who was best known for her role as Punky) announced that she was having her "twins" taken in (as opposed to expanded) because they were hurting her back, I felt I could relate to her, as well. It was only years later that I followed in her footsteps.
In junior high, it was deemed cool to wear a bra. However, I had nothing to put into a bra, yet still wore one for show. I felt all sophisticated when I started doing so. Who knew that it would lead me to a double D cup as I got older? By the time I got to college, I was pretty much "stacked." I would get looks from guys when I wore certain outfits that showed off my "twins." Some even held doors open for me. I never met a guy who didn't like them and I'd receive a lot of compliments.
Around the time I got engaged, these "twins" had become a burden. My back and shoulders hurt and all bras felt uncomfortable. I didn't even like to look at myself without a shirt on. Around the same time, I was going to a doctor for my backaches and he kept having me come back on a weekly basis. He kept a file of all my visits and used this to help me get insurance coverage for when I finally got my "twins" taken in. I started going to a plastic surgeon who worked a few minutes away from where my BFF grew up (I had lots of good memories of that neighborhood). He was very nice and professional and told it like it was. He took pictures of the "twins" for medical records and insurance purposes. I somehow got a copy of that picture later on, but didn't like seeing it at all. They looked so huge and overbearing! I couldn't believe I was carrying them around that whole time!
I felt confident about the upcoming surgery, even though I was somewhat private about it in certain circles. (I told my work that I was having back surgery. This did help my back, so it wasn't really a lie.) My friends who knew I was doing this were very supportive and understanding. I was more nervous about going under anesthesia than I was about the actual surgery. The night before the surgery, I finally summoned up the courage to call another girl who did the same thing. She helped me feel better about the whole procedure.
On a sunny day in late June, 2003, my mom and husband (fiancé at the time) accompanied me to the hospital to have my "twins" taken in. The worst part was getting an IV. It was my first time and was so painful and uncomfortable. By the time I was ready to go into surgery, I just wanted to be put out so I could wake up as a new, and more comfortable, woman. When I did wake up, I was definitely disoriented and my mom and sister like to tease me that I said some pretty silly things. They won't tell me what I actually said though. (I don't even want to know at this point.) My husband was great with playing "nurse" by helping me up from the couch and doing something else that I don't want to mention on this blog (but was necessary post-surgery). He also cooked for me and we spent a few evenings sleeping head to head on the (L-shaped) couch so I could stay in one position. We watched a lot of television together and started getting into "Curb Your Enthusiasm" as a result.
The day after the surgery, I was okay getting up and about. I had to go back to the doctor for a follow up visit and to do something pretty painful that had to do with the thing I don't want to mention from the day before. I had to keep the "twins" bandaged up for a few days, as well. I got to stay home from work for a week and it was like a mini-vacation. My friends came over and they took me out for lunch or we watched movies together. The 4th of July was also later that week and my (future) mother-in-law came to town for a visit.
It's been over eight years since that surgery and I don't regret a thing about it. However, if you plan to do the same surgery and also plan to have babies later on, be aware that nursing is not really an option. I learned this the hard way the first time around. I sometimes wondered if I had been selfish to my kids because of this surgery. However, the boys seemed to like formula and the baby practically inhales it. Another "perk" was that I dried up quickly (only I wish I had known about cabbage leaves the first two times). The best thing was that the "twins" stayed the same size through all three pregnancies. They didn't get bigger. I could only imagine being pregnant when they were the old size. It would have been even worse on my back. (Considering how rough my last pregnancy was on my back, I definitely have no regrets about this surgery.)
Oddly enough, I still don't find bras comfortable. The under-wires bother my scars. I usually wear camisoles under my shirts. I'm able to fit much better in shirts than I used to be. I looked at a picture of myself in 2001 and it was so obvious how big the "twins" were and how horrible they looked, even under a shirt. I didn't go into the surgery for looks though, it was purely for comfort.
In terms of looks, I had once considered getting a nose job but then changed my mind. Everyone was telling me that there was nothing wrong with my nose and that it added character to my face. Yes, it's a little red on top because of the theater incident, but nothing a little makeup can't hide. I saw what a nose job did for Jennifer Grey's whole face and I'm proud to say that I look more like her when she had her old nose. (Better than how Princess Vespa's old nose looked in "Spaceballs.") The only other surgery I had to enhance my life was LASIK in 1999. It was more because my vision was awful. I wore contacts so it wasn't like I was trying to replace glasses with the surgery. However, the contacts were uncomfortable and I went through dozens at a time because they'd irritate my eye or rip a lot. The glasses weren't helping me that much, as they'd break all the time or my vision would still be blurry. So LASIK wasn't really cosmetic. It was still a nerve-wracking surgery and my eyes hurt for quite a few days. However, it was well worth it because I still see 20/20 eleven years later.
I don't think I'd do anything else to my body that involved going under knives. I may weigh more than I'd ideally like to, but I'm not planning on tummy tucks or liposuction. I don't like the idea of face lifts or Botox either. I don't want to see the inside of a hospital or surgical center again other than for cochlear implant surgeries for my kids.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Funny Friday-8/12/11-How can a car fix spelling?
I've seen Damn You, Auto Correct! a bunch of times, but never spent all that much time with it. I recently sat down and read quite a few pages of embarrassing auto correct mistakes from people's iphones. Some were absolutely hilarious. Most of them are very adult themed, but I want to share some of the "clean" ones that are still funny.
Why parents shouldn't text
Let's get some exorcise!
Another reason why parents shouldn't text
If he gets arrested, we'll know why!
They call it mellow yellow...
A hearse is a hearse...
Why parents shouldn't text
Let's get some exorcise!
Another reason why parents shouldn't text
If he gets arrested, we'll know why!
They call it mellow yellow...
A hearse is a hearse...
I hope nobody was pissed off... (or on, in this case)
Seeing that I keep Kosher, I would do this if I somehow consumed pork on accident (not that I even liked it to begin with)
Regarding the "naughty" ones....read at your own risk, but do not eat or drink anything at that time, as I don't want you to choke (or spray liquid all over your computer). Consider that a fair warning. Be prepared to laugh so hard that you'll cry!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
What Merrylandgirl hopes never to forget!
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, Froggie picked the topic: Have the past 10 years been what you expected them to be? Are you where you thought you'd be? What are some of the highlights of the last 10 years for you?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
Earlier this summer, I read an incredibly moving novel called "What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarty. It's about a woman who wakes up from a head injury at the age of 39, but in her mind she is still 29. She has to face her life as she is currently living it without any recollection of the events of the past 10 years. The premise at first is similar to "Remember Me?" by Sophie Kinsella, but there's so much more to this novel.
While I was reading this book, it got me thinking about what it would feel like if I completely forgot everything that has happened over the last 10 years. I also thought about how I'm now 35 and almost completely different from who I was at 25. So if I were to be in my 25 year-old frame of mind and suddenly wake up at 35, I would be in for a huge shock!
For starters, I was single up until the last half of age 25. For all intents and purposes though, I'm basing it on this time of year in 2001 and then fast forwarding to the present time in 2011. So yes, I was single. I lived in a condo in the suburbs that used to be owned by my maternal grandma. I took improv comedy classes and spent almost every weekend in Chicago (Lakeview). It was a blast.
If I woke up in 2011 with no recollection of the last 10 years, I would find myself married to a stranger, as I had not yet met my husband at this point in 2001. What would be even crazier is the three kids in my house, including a baby. And yes, I realize that I said "house." To top it off, I would be living in a different STATE from where I was living in 2001 (and that I had been living here for two years already). Back then, I hadn't even thought of leaving Illinois, EVER! If someone told me that I had spent a couple of those 10 years in New Jersey, as well, I would be gobsmacked!
Furthermore....
2001: Friday nights were for going out, either to the city or just doing dinner and a movie with friends. I spent my Saturday mornings lounging on the couch in front of a TV watching cheesy teen shows (nothing could ever be as good as "Saved by the Bell" though) and then going shopping, checking e-mail, driving all over the place, calling friends, etc. At night, I'd end up in the city, most likely, to go to dance clubs with friends or watch improv shows.
2011: Friday nights are for Shabbat dinners, lighting candles, saying kiddush, eating challah and a filling meal, as well as discussing the parasha of the week. I spend my Saturday mornings walking (with the three kids in tow) to shul and then having Shabbat lunch at home or at a friends' house. The whole day is quiet and relaxing. Nighttime is spent putting the kids to bed and then curling up on the couch in my PJs to watch a movie.
2001: I barely went to temple other than for high holidays and did the bare minimum for those days.
2011: I go to shul unless someone is sick or the weather is awful (and even then I will still go in rainstorms). I am Shomer Shabbos and holidays, meaning no technology, driving, shopping, cooking, etc.
2001: I was a picky eater and avoided most vegetables. I also ate cheeseburgers or would have an ice cream sundae after enjoying a steak. I went to McDonald's all the time.
2011: I like more vegetables now, including asparagus, zucchini and cauliflower. I apparently haven't eaten more than a salad or a few fries at McDonald's since 2003. I eat only Kosher meat now and don't combine it with dairy in any way, shape or form.
2001: I had really short hair. I dressed rather flirtatiously. I had a youthful appearance. My clothes came from New York and Company or Express.
2011: My hair is about neck to shoulder length. I dress modestly and don't wear shorts at all. I still wear short sleeves but most of my flirtatious clothes have left my wardrobe years ago. I cover my hair on Shabbat and holidays (with scarves and hats). My clothes come from the thrift store or Target (if I want to splurge). My figure is different for various reasons, the main one being that I've had three pregnancies. I definitely look older and I'm getting gray hairs.
2001: My family consisted of my parents, sister, three living grandparents, my uncle, aunt and lots of cousins (some being twice or thrice removed)
2011: Aside from those listed in 2001, my family now consists of a husband, three kids, lots of in-laws (with whom I get along), as well as nieces and nephews (on my husband's side). There are also some cousins on my husband's side that we have become close with. My family no longer consists of two of those grandparents, the only living one being my paternal grandma (Nana).
2001: I had lots of friends from various places, mainly high school, college and work.
2011: I still have most of those friends even though a few have fallen off the face of the planet since then. And Facebook has helped me meet tons of new people, some who have become close friends rather quickly. Also, living in a couple of different states has helped. I only get to see my friends from Illinois once a year unless they decide to come for a visit (hint, hint...) but we stay close through e-mail, Facebook, Skype, etc.
2001: I had a really stressful job at a cell phone corporation. I would work lots of late hours and want to pull all my hair out many times. Had some nice friends there, including "Jack," who kept me somewhat sane. And having a Bennigan's in walking distance helped.
2011: I work for a Jewish non-profit and love it there. It's very meaningful and fulfilling to be part of this organization. There's a nice mix of people to work with, as well. My chick lit blog has almost become a second job for me. It keeps me busy and I get paid in free books.
2001: I went to NYC and saw the World Trade Center standing tall and proud from my window on the train. George W. Bush was president and I didn't like him all that much.
2011: The WTC is no longer a part of NYC's landscape and the world has changed in many ways as a result. Barack Obama is now the president and I still like him even if the country is a mess. I don't even know how to explain that logic. I just do.
2001: "Sex and the City" and "Friends" were my favorite shows and they had new episodes. I also started getting into "Six Feet Under." I think "Dawson's Creek" was in it's last season at this point. I liked "Will and Grace," as well, especially since it was so close to my life.
2011: None of these shows are on with new episodes. SATC and "Friends" are syndicated but it's been ages since I've seen SFU. I also don't seem to see "Dawson's Creek" anywhere on TV. I love "Modern Family," "How I Met Your Mother," "Glee," "90210," "Desperate Housewives" (show closest to my life now) and "The Office."
2001: I was listening to a lot of techno music and had written off country, even though I had listened to it in the previous years.
2011: I am a full fledged country music fan, but I also love a lot of other music on the radio.
2001: I was going to Broadway (in Chicago) shows all the time, thanks to some connections from a woman at work.
2011: I apparently haven't seen a Broadway show in over two years.
2001: I bowled in various leagues.
2011: I rarely go bowling as it is expensive and the good bowling alleys are further away. Apparently, I did go bowling a lot one summer in NJ when we did a "Kids Bowl Free" program with special adult rates. I'm not as good as I used to be though.
2001: I never so much as saw the inside of a gym or workout facility.
2011: I apparently belonged to various workout facilities and then we got our own exercise equipment and now I make a point of getting up extra early to work out.
I could go on forever, as there are so many more ways I have changed in the past 10 years. To think, if all the changes in 10 years would have shocked me if I forgot everything, imagine how my life looks to someone I had no contact with for even longer than 10 years! I've had a few such experiences already. It's fun (in a weird way) telling friends I knew from my "Rocky Horror" days that I'm now Modern Orthodox Jewish. Talk about a major change! However, I'm glad that I actually have remembered all that has happened during these 10 years. I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything! It will be interesting to see how the next 10 turn out...
Then............and now:
This week, Froggie picked the topic: Have the past 10 years been what you expected them to be? Are you where you thought you'd be? What are some of the highlights of the last 10 years for you?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
Earlier this summer, I read an incredibly moving novel called "What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarty. It's about a woman who wakes up from a head injury at the age of 39, but in her mind she is still 29. She has to face her life as she is currently living it without any recollection of the events of the past 10 years. The premise at first is similar to "Remember Me?" by Sophie Kinsella, but there's so much more to this novel.
While I was reading this book, it got me thinking about what it would feel like if I completely forgot everything that has happened over the last 10 years. I also thought about how I'm now 35 and almost completely different from who I was at 25. So if I were to be in my 25 year-old frame of mind and suddenly wake up at 35, I would be in for a huge shock!
For starters, I was single up until the last half of age 25. For all intents and purposes though, I'm basing it on this time of year in 2001 and then fast forwarding to the present time in 2011. So yes, I was single. I lived in a condo in the suburbs that used to be owned by my maternal grandma. I took improv comedy classes and spent almost every weekend in Chicago (Lakeview). It was a blast.
If I woke up in 2011 with no recollection of the last 10 years, I would find myself married to a stranger, as I had not yet met my husband at this point in 2001. What would be even crazier is the three kids in my house, including a baby. And yes, I realize that I said "house." To top it off, I would be living in a different STATE from where I was living in 2001 (and that I had been living here for two years already). Back then, I hadn't even thought of leaving Illinois, EVER! If someone told me that I had spent a couple of those 10 years in New Jersey, as well, I would be gobsmacked!
Furthermore....
2001: Friday nights were for going out, either to the city or just doing dinner and a movie with friends. I spent my Saturday mornings lounging on the couch in front of a TV watching cheesy teen shows (nothing could ever be as good as "Saved by the Bell" though) and then going shopping, checking e-mail, driving all over the place, calling friends, etc. At night, I'd end up in the city, most likely, to go to dance clubs with friends or watch improv shows.
2011: Friday nights are for Shabbat dinners, lighting candles, saying kiddush, eating challah and a filling meal, as well as discussing the parasha of the week. I spend my Saturday mornings walking (with the three kids in tow) to shul and then having Shabbat lunch at home or at a friends' house. The whole day is quiet and relaxing. Nighttime is spent putting the kids to bed and then curling up on the couch in my PJs to watch a movie.
2001: I barely went to temple other than for high holidays and did the bare minimum for those days.
2011: I go to shul unless someone is sick or the weather is awful (and even then I will still go in rainstorms). I am Shomer Shabbos and holidays, meaning no technology, driving, shopping, cooking, etc.
2001: I was a picky eater and avoided most vegetables. I also ate cheeseburgers or would have an ice cream sundae after enjoying a steak. I went to McDonald's all the time.
2011: I like more vegetables now, including asparagus, zucchini and cauliflower. I apparently haven't eaten more than a salad or a few fries at McDonald's since 2003. I eat only Kosher meat now and don't combine it with dairy in any way, shape or form.
2001: I had really short hair. I dressed rather flirtatiously. I had a youthful appearance. My clothes came from New York and Company or Express.
2011: My hair is about neck to shoulder length. I dress modestly and don't wear shorts at all. I still wear short sleeves but most of my flirtatious clothes have left my wardrobe years ago. I cover my hair on Shabbat and holidays (with scarves and hats). My clothes come from the thrift store or Target (if I want to splurge). My figure is different for various reasons, the main one being that I've had three pregnancies. I definitely look older and I'm getting gray hairs.
2001: My family consisted of my parents, sister, three living grandparents, my uncle, aunt and lots of cousins (some being twice or thrice removed)
2011: Aside from those listed in 2001, my family now consists of a husband, three kids, lots of in-laws (with whom I get along), as well as nieces and nephews (on my husband's side). There are also some cousins on my husband's side that we have become close with. My family no longer consists of two of those grandparents, the only living one being my paternal grandma (Nana).
2001: I had lots of friends from various places, mainly high school, college and work.
2011: I still have most of those friends even though a few have fallen off the face of the planet since then. And Facebook has helped me meet tons of new people, some who have become close friends rather quickly. Also, living in a couple of different states has helped. I only get to see my friends from Illinois once a year unless they decide to come for a visit (hint, hint...) but we stay close through e-mail, Facebook, Skype, etc.
2001: I had a really stressful job at a cell phone corporation. I would work lots of late hours and want to pull all my hair out many times. Had some nice friends there, including "Jack," who kept me somewhat sane. And having a Bennigan's in walking distance helped.
2011: I work for a Jewish non-profit and love it there. It's very meaningful and fulfilling to be part of this organization. There's a nice mix of people to work with, as well. My chick lit blog has almost become a second job for me. It keeps me busy and I get paid in free books.
2001: I went to NYC and saw the World Trade Center standing tall and proud from my window on the train. George W. Bush was president and I didn't like him all that much.
2011: The WTC is no longer a part of NYC's landscape and the world has changed in many ways as a result. Barack Obama is now the president and I still like him even if the country is a mess. I don't even know how to explain that logic. I just do.
2001: "Sex and the City" and "Friends" were my favorite shows and they had new episodes. I also started getting into "Six Feet Under." I think "Dawson's Creek" was in it's last season at this point. I liked "Will and Grace," as well, especially since it was so close to my life.
2011: None of these shows are on with new episodes. SATC and "Friends" are syndicated but it's been ages since I've seen SFU. I also don't seem to see "Dawson's Creek" anywhere on TV. I love "Modern Family," "How I Met Your Mother," "Glee," "90210," "Desperate Housewives" (show closest to my life now) and "The Office."
2001: I was listening to a lot of techno music and had written off country, even though I had listened to it in the previous years.
2011: I am a full fledged country music fan, but I also love a lot of other music on the radio.
2001: I was going to Broadway (in Chicago) shows all the time, thanks to some connections from a woman at work.
2011: I apparently haven't seen a Broadway show in over two years.
2001: I bowled in various leagues.
2011: I rarely go bowling as it is expensive and the good bowling alleys are further away. Apparently, I did go bowling a lot one summer in NJ when we did a "Kids Bowl Free" program with special adult rates. I'm not as good as I used to be though.
2001: I never so much as saw the inside of a gym or workout facility.
2011: I apparently belonged to various workout facilities and then we got our own exercise equipment and now I make a point of getting up extra early to work out.
I could go on forever, as there are so many more ways I have changed in the past 10 years. To think, if all the changes in 10 years would have shocked me if I forgot everything, imagine how my life looks to someone I had no contact with for even longer than 10 years! I've had a few such experiences already. It's fun (in a weird way) telling friends I knew from my "Rocky Horror" days that I'm now Modern Orthodox Jewish. Talk about a major change! However, I'm glad that I actually have remembered all that has happened during these 10 years. I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything! It will be interesting to see how the next 10 turn out...
Then............and now:
 |  |
Friday, August 5, 2011
Funny Friday-8/5/11-All in the-Modern-Family
When I first heard about "Modern Family," I wasn't all that interested in it. Then everyone kept telling me how funny it was, so my husband and I checked it out...and then we kept watching more and more of it. It's a hilarious show with great lines, comic timing and the best misunderstandings since "Three's Company." I relate to Claire (played by Julie Bowen) the most. She and I are the same person. I think someone was spying on me when they wrote her personality. Knowing this, I have a feeling I'm going to become even more obsessive as my kids get older.
I wanted to share some of my favorite things about this fabulous show. It's only been on for two seasons, which makes my job a lot easier, this time around!
*Mitch and Cam: Probably the best gay duo on TV...ever. I love how they interact. One of my favorite things in season one is when they are talking to the camera (in one of those side interviews) and going on about a time they played charades. Somehow, Cam did something with his hands and Mitch knew that it was "Casablanca."
*Gloria: Proof that Al Bundy can do better than Peg. Really though, Sofia Vergara is hilarious in everything she says and does. I love the Halloween episode from season two where Jay calls her out on how he can't understand her half the time and all her incorrect sayings. ("It's a doggy dog world.") I love when she tries to sound more American but just comes off as scary.
*Luke (Claire and Phil's son): I love how he's in his own little world most of the time and how he'll be all clueless but say something intelligent too.
*When Phil makes up kid's songs to teach things to people. My husband and I have started to do that as a result.
*The misunderstandings, of course! Some of the most hilarious scenes have involved misunderstandings. Like when Phil had an ad put on the car but it made Claire and Hayley out to be prostitutes. He got a call from someone inquiring further about them but he thought it was about his real estate business. The conversation was classic! It ranks up there with the episode of "How I Met Your Mother" where Ted gets a call about being a porn star but he thinks it's about being an architect. Another great one had a "Curb Your Enthusiasm" feel to it, when Cam gets kicked out of a bakery for giving Manny dating advice over the phone, but people think he's a child molester as a result.
*The timing of the lines, which could also be seen as misunderstandings. There's one episode where Cam is talking to some guys about a pretentious person, but the way he says one of the lines makes Gloria think that he's talking about her. And in the first episode where Cam is doing something dramatic and playing loud music and Mitch tells him to turn it down (by it, he means the volume), Cam says "That's just how I am!" Great stuff!
*The side interviews that are similar to those on "The Office." Very mockumentary-like. I love when sitcoms do that.
These are just highlights of how great this show is. I highly recommend watching it. There's still some time to catch up before season three begins on September 21st!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
That's how it goes, a day in my life...
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, Mom of Many picked the topic: What is your theme song? Is this song always your theme song or does it change based on the circumstances?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
Did you experience a deja vu moment because I sure did! Last year, I covered this topic with my previous blog project group that also included Froggie. Then that song became relevant again this spring, when I found out about my younger daughter's hearing loss.
However, hearing this topic come up again, I thought of another song that defines me. I heard this song back in 2002 when I started getting into country music again. Then I got the CD with it in 2004. Somehow, I managed to lose the CD in my Honda (which we sold earlier this year). However, the song still sticks with me. It's called "Frantic" by Jamie O'Neal.
This song definitely applies to me because I rarely ever slow down. Between parenting three kids, working full-time, managing a book blog, preparing for Shabbat, getting dinner on the table, doing laundry, reading (for my blog and local book club), catching up on TV shows and getting up before sunrise to exercise, you could say my life is frantic. And yet, just like Jamie O'Neal, I like it that way. I can't sit still for long and constantly have to be doing something. Stress keeps me motivated and I am at my best when someone lights a fire under my rear end (to put it nicely).
Also, people are always telling me that I seem to be doing it all (or juggling a lot of balls in the air) and they ask if I ever sleep. I have yet to read "I Don't Know How She Does It" by Allison Pearson, but I feel like I live that motto (from someone else's mouth to my ears). It's amusing to me when people tell me that they think I have it all together because they have obviously never seen all the clutter and disorganization in my house!
Hearing the song again (in preparation for this blog post) gave me a burst of energy and reminded me of why I like it and can relate to it so well. I think it will be my "theme song" as long as my kids are still little and I still have stuff going on. Even when they get older, I'm sure there will be other things happening to keep my life going at a frantic pace. The one day I do slow down is Shabbat. It's a day meant for relaxation, away from TVs, cars, computers, stores, etc. I sometimes just sit on the couch with my kids and we all laugh together and cuddle a lot. It's a nice break from the usual routines I put myself through.
I missed listening to Jamie O'Neal's CD ("Shiver") so much that I ordered it through Amazon (good deal on used CDs there), along with her more recent CD. She sings a nice song about being a mom on her more recent CD ("Brave"). I cry whenever I hear it! It's called "Somebody's Hero."
This week, Mom of Many picked the topic: What is your theme song? Is this song always your theme song or does it change based on the circumstances?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
Did you experience a deja vu moment because I sure did! Last year, I covered this topic with my previous blog project group that also included Froggie. Then that song became relevant again this spring, when I found out about my younger daughter's hearing loss.
However, hearing this topic come up again, I thought of another song that defines me. I heard this song back in 2002 when I started getting into country music again. Then I got the CD with it in 2004. Somehow, I managed to lose the CD in my Honda (which we sold earlier this year). However, the song still sticks with me. It's called "Frantic" by Jamie O'Neal.
This song definitely applies to me because I rarely ever slow down. Between parenting three kids, working full-time, managing a book blog, preparing for Shabbat, getting dinner on the table, doing laundry, reading (for my blog and local book club), catching up on TV shows and getting up before sunrise to exercise, you could say my life is frantic. And yet, just like Jamie O'Neal, I like it that way. I can't sit still for long and constantly have to be doing something. Stress keeps me motivated and I am at my best when someone lights a fire under my rear end (to put it nicely).
Also, people are always telling me that I seem to be doing it all (or juggling a lot of balls in the air) and they ask if I ever sleep. I have yet to read "I Don't Know How She Does It" by Allison Pearson, but I feel like I live that motto (from someone else's mouth to my ears). It's amusing to me when people tell me that they think I have it all together because they have obviously never seen all the clutter and disorganization in my house!
Hearing the song again (in preparation for this blog post) gave me a burst of energy and reminded me of why I like it and can relate to it so well. I think it will be my "theme song" as long as my kids are still little and I still have stuff going on. Even when they get older, I'm sure there will be other things happening to keep my life going at a frantic pace. The one day I do slow down is Shabbat. It's a day meant for relaxation, away from TVs, cars, computers, stores, etc. I sometimes just sit on the couch with my kids and we all laugh together and cuddle a lot. It's a nice break from the usual routines I put myself through.
I missed listening to Jamie O'Neal's CD ("Shiver") so much that I ordered it through Amazon (good deal on used CDs there), along with her more recent CD. She sings a nice song about being a mom on her more recent CD ("Brave"). I cry whenever I hear it! It's called "Somebody's Hero."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
