I've been blogging with three fabulous women for almost two years and have been enjoying all the fun topics we come up with week after week. If you want to see what we've discussed in the past, check out our posts here.
This week, Froggie asks: Are you afraid of success? Why or why not? Are you afraid of failure? Why or why not?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
If you didn't already know this, I have tasted the bitter fruits of failure. This wasn't the first time I had failed at something, nor would it be the last. However, I know what to expect from failure and it doesn't bother me so much. I just learn from my mistakes and get back on the proverbial horse. I go into something accepting that there's a chance it could fail, but I want to at least give it a try. This past fall, I wanted to do NaNoWriMo. I started a story but didn't get very far with it. After that, the motivation was gone. It doesn't mean I don't plan to write a story going forward. This just wasn't the right (or "write," in this case) one for me to be writing. When a story gets in my head and truly wants to be written, I think it will make itself known.
I've also tasted the sweetness of success. This is evident with my book blog, Chick Lit Central. Since the point in time when I wrote a post about it being legendary, it has soared to even higher heights! Last year, we were asked to be one of the hosts for International Chick Lit Month. We now have over 940 followers at the blog. There's tons of respect from authors and I get e-mails on a daily basis asking for us to feature certain authors or review certain books. It blows my mind! I definitely couldn't do it without a strong team though. It's no longer a solo effort, but I do still put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into it. And the magical ingredient, passion, takes it where it needs to go. So you can see, success doesn't scare me in the slightest.
What I do fear has something to do with success though. Change. I fear success launching me into some unknown stratosphere that doesn't fit in with the life I'm accustomed to. For example, if I ever were to write a novel and have it become a bestseller (a girl can dream, right?), the idea of touring different cities and being away from my family for long stretches of time would be hard for me to cope with. Sure, I envy people who get to travel and stay at hotels and get a peaceful night's sleep, but I would miss the goodnight kisses too much. I traveled one weekend last year with only my daughter and I missed my husband and sons a lot!
I do feel it is important to dream big, no matter how much I have going on in my life. I shouldn't have to sacrifice something I want for myself just because other things are going well in my life. Or because I'm going to be 40 in a few years. I know I'm capable of doing something that doesn't require a lot of effort because it won't inconvenience my life too much, when it's not necessarily my true passion. When I know I could do more, if given the opportunity, the unknown changes that go along with potential success are enough to scare me right back into that cozy life of convenience I've created for myself.
While I embrace failure and love success, fear of change is the only thing really holding me back sometimes. Then, watching Smash this week and seeing my new crush (Jimmy, played by hottie actor/singer, Jeremy Jordan) get his song performed on stage in front of both live and televised audiences made me think of the wonderful things that are possible in life and how I wouldn't mind having an already successful author endorse the book of my dreams someday. (If that's the equivalent to having a famous singer perform a song someone unknown wrote.)
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
52 Stories: Seeking Mary Poppins
Inspired by One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern, I've decided to ask people some thought provoking questions about themselves, as I feel that everyone has a story to tell. If you're just joining me on this journey today, please check out the previous posts from this series, as well.
I met this week's storyteller through book blogging. She has her own book blog, as well! She's very sweet and I enjoy chatting with her when we have a chance to catch up.
Name you'd like to go by: Pia
Age: 41
Gender: F
Location: Bellevue, WA
What is an experience that is legendary for you?
When I gave birth. You see, my husband and I have been praying and trying for eight years and to experience the joys (and everything else) of pregnancy and finally childbirth is such a God given blessing.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Getting a 90 minute massage.
What is something you've never done but you would like to do?
Start my own business and succeed.
If you could give someone one of your favorite things as a gift, what would it be and why?
This year one of my favorite possessions is my Vera Bradley Bag. One day when I dropped my son to daycare, his teacher saw my bag and had a thousand questions like where did I get it, she kept on admiring it. For Christmas, I gave her a Vera Bradley bag – the Rosie Posie design. Her reaction upon opening her present was priceless.
What is something you did that changed someone's life?
When I gave birth. In 2012 I celebrated first Mother’s Day as a Mother and my husband his first Father’s Day as a Father.
What part of your personality is now extinct?
In my younger years, I loved talking on the phone, my friends and I would talk for hours and hours. Well, now that texting has become such a part of our everyday life, it has become that awkward moment when someone actually calls me.
What is one thing that you find really funny?
My 11 month-old son blowing raspberries, to me it is so funny but I know that when older folks do this – it is not as funny.
Tell me one thing you love about yourself (or a gift you'd like to get yourself, where money is not an issue):
If money was not an issue, I would let myself take a break which would mean, I would hire a nanny to help watch my son then all of us will go to Disneyland and have fun! Since we have a nanny, my husband and I can have a couples massage knowing that our son is being taken cared of.
What TV show, book or movie is most like your life?
I would say, It’s A Wonderful Life especially the quote “No man is a failure who has friends,” to us that resonates constantly in the little ways our friends have always been there for us.
What is something that not many people know about you?
That I walked through fire. I am a firewalker.
I met this week's storyteller through book blogging. She has her own book blog, as well! She's very sweet and I enjoy chatting with her when we have a chance to catch up.
Name you'd like to go by: Pia
Age: 41
Gender: F
Location: Bellevue, WA
What is an experience that is legendary for you?
When I gave birth. You see, my husband and I have been praying and trying for eight years and to experience the joys (and everything else) of pregnancy and finally childbirth is such a God given blessing.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Getting a 90 minute massage.
What is something you've never done but you would like to do?
Start my own business and succeed.
If you could give someone one of your favorite things as a gift, what would it be and why?
This year one of my favorite possessions is my Vera Bradley Bag. One day when I dropped my son to daycare, his teacher saw my bag and had a thousand questions like where did I get it, she kept on admiring it. For Christmas, I gave her a Vera Bradley bag – the Rosie Posie design. Her reaction upon opening her present was priceless.
What is something you did that changed someone's life?
When I gave birth. In 2012 I celebrated first Mother’s Day as a Mother and my husband his first Father’s Day as a Father.
What part of your personality is now extinct?
In my younger years, I loved talking on the phone, my friends and I would talk for hours and hours. Well, now that texting has become such a part of our everyday life, it has become that awkward moment when someone actually calls me.
What is one thing that you find really funny?
My 11 month-old son blowing raspberries, to me it is so funny but I know that when older folks do this – it is not as funny.
Tell me one thing you love about yourself (or a gift you'd like to get yourself, where money is not an issue):
If money was not an issue, I would let myself take a break which would mean, I would hire a nanny to help watch my son then all of us will go to Disneyland and have fun! Since we have a nanny, my husband and I can have a couples massage knowing that our son is being taken cared of.
What TV show, book or movie is most like your life?
I would say, It’s A Wonderful Life especially the quote “No man is a failure who has friends,” to us that resonates constantly in the little ways our friends have always been there for us.
What is something that not many people know about you?
That I walked through fire. I am a firewalker.
Friday, February 22, 2013
My Purse-onality
I've been blogging with three fabulous women for almost two years and have been enjoying all the fun topics we come up with week after week. If you want to see what we've discussed in the past, check out our posts here.
This week, Mom of Many asks: What is in your purse? Empty out your bag, did you find anything surprising? What does this say about you?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
The one good thing this exercise did was force me to clean out my purse. It's much lighter now! I have two bigger sections of my purse and two side pockets.
Bigger section 1:
This had the most random assortment of stuff. I would totally kick butt on Let's Make a Deal! (I used to joke that my late maternal grandma could go on that show because of all the stuff she had in her purse and now it seems like I'm turning into her.) What's that you see towards the top of the picture? Why, it's a pair of kiddie scissors! I was hiding them from my younger son when he was being careless and figured he'd never look there. I should probably take them out before I go to an airport!
And yes, I like to have a stash of Equal packets because they don't have Equal at work all the time and Sweet & Low and Splenda don't measure up! I still have the ticket from when I saw Rebbetzin Jungreis in December. I also have a manicure gift certificate that expires at the end of March. Time to treat myself during a lunch break! The rest is pretty much standard purse fare. I do have a large assortment of receipts. I just stuff them in my purse and forget about them!
Bigger section 2:
My wallet, purchased for my birthday by my sister-in-law. I love it! So many places to hoard even more random items. Seriously, it has room for everything and doesn't feel heavy either! There's also a printout of Hanukkah songs from my kids' school. And of course, more receipts!
Side pockets:
I combined the contents since one side pocket didn't have as much as the other. I collect Box Tops for my older son's school. I used to give them to people who collect them until I found out his school was doing it too. There's the ice skating pass for when my son was taking lessons. It was used for free practice sessions and free skates. I also saved the tickets from when we saw Spring Awakening last weekend. There's even a business card from a really cool magician/mind-reader who performed at my organization's holiday party.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My purse is basically a mini-version of my house (or even my car). Random knick-knacks and other items tend to follow me wherever I go. I really do worry about becoming a hoarder. My grandma did a lot of hoarding and cleaning out her condo was a complete test of everyone's patience. I think it really scared my mom to see all that junk she had. We threw out tons of odds and ends. I almost feel like we were getting rid of her essence. Since her mind was starting to go by that time, this was all we had to really work with. I don't know if my hoarding is about spreading my personality everywhere or just complete laziness. I can part with stuff if I truly want to. I give things away all the time! I just need to find the time to make sense of what I have and this exercise definitely helped in the purse arena.
Oddly enough, the bonus question for a current Chick Lit Central giveaway asks something related to this topic. Answer the question and be entered to win a book! (US/Canada only. Ends 2/27.)
This week, Mom of Many asks: What is in your purse? Empty out your bag, did you find anything surprising? What does this say about you?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
The one good thing this exercise did was force me to clean out my purse. It's much lighter now! I have two bigger sections of my purse and two side pockets.
This had the most random assortment of stuff. I would totally kick butt on Let's Make a Deal! (I used to joke that my late maternal grandma could go on that show because of all the stuff she had in her purse and now it seems like I'm turning into her.) What's that you see towards the top of the picture? Why, it's a pair of kiddie scissors! I was hiding them from my younger son when he was being careless and figured he'd never look there. I should probably take them out before I go to an airport!
And yes, I like to have a stash of Equal packets because they don't have Equal at work all the time and Sweet & Low and Splenda don't measure up! I still have the ticket from when I saw Rebbetzin Jungreis in December. I also have a manicure gift certificate that expires at the end of March. Time to treat myself during a lunch break! The rest is pretty much standard purse fare. I do have a large assortment of receipts. I just stuff them in my purse and forget about them!
My wallet, purchased for my birthday by my sister-in-law. I love it! So many places to hoard even more random items. Seriously, it has room for everything and doesn't feel heavy either! There's also a printout of Hanukkah songs from my kids' school. And of course, more receipts!
I combined the contents since one side pocket didn't have as much as the other. I collect Box Tops for my older son's school. I used to give them to people who collect them until I found out his school was doing it too. There's the ice skating pass for when my son was taking lessons. It was used for free practice sessions and free skates. I also saved the tickets from when we saw Spring Awakening last weekend. There's even a business card from a really cool magician/mind-reader who performed at my organization's holiday party.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My purse is basically a mini-version of my house (or even my car). Random knick-knacks and other items tend to follow me wherever I go. I really do worry about becoming a hoarder. My grandma did a lot of hoarding and cleaning out her condo was a complete test of everyone's patience. I think it really scared my mom to see all that junk she had. We threw out tons of odds and ends. I almost feel like we were getting rid of her essence. Since her mind was starting to go by that time, this was all we had to really work with. I don't know if my hoarding is about spreading my personality everywhere or just complete laziness. I can part with stuff if I truly want to. I give things away all the time! I just need to find the time to make sense of what I have and this exercise definitely helped in the purse arena.
Oddly enough, the bonus question for a current Chick Lit Central giveaway asks something related to this topic. Answer the question and be entered to win a book! (US/Canada only. Ends 2/27.)
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
52 Stories: Cave Dweller
Inspired by One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern, I've decided to ask people some thought provoking questions about themselves, as I feel that everyone has a story to tell. If you're just joining me on this journey today, please check out the previous posts from this series, as well.
I met this storyteller through a mutual friend shortly after moving to Maryland. We've hung out in person a few times and he's super sweet.
Name you'd like to go by: Chris HAHA
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Location: Maryland
What is an experience that is legendary for you?
Two come to mind (although there have been many in my life so far): 1) My first trip to Hawaii (Maui); and, 2) The first time I went to the opera (Salome at The Kennedy Center).
What is your guilty pleasure?
Red wine--but it's not so "guilty" really. :)
What is something you've never done but you would like to do?
Travel to the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, South America, and the Pacific Rim
If you could give someone one of your favorite things as a gift, what would it be and why?
Mixed tapes fell out of fashion years ago, but I still love to give the gift of music. Whether it's taking someone to a concert or performance, sharing a new song that has personal meaning, or dancing with friends, music has a profound impact in my own life, and I love to share that passion with special people in my life.
What is something you did that changed someone's life?
I hope that my volunteer work through the years has had a positive impact on many lives--from Christmas in April with Habitat for Humanity to making meals for those in need at Moveable Feast.
What part of your personality is now extinct?
Back in grade school, I had fairly low self-confidence and had difficulty spending time alone. Now, I love my "cave" time to recharge from crazy-busy work weeks!
What is one thing that you find really funny?
www.damnyouautocorrect.com...Everytime I read through the latest submissions, I wind up doubled-over in laughter. :D
Tell me one thing you love about yourself (or a gift you'd like to get yourself, where money is not an issue):
I love my passion; it sparkles in a world full of apathy.
What TV show, book or movie is most like your life?
Good Luck Chuck
What is something that not many people know about you?
Although often pegged as an extreme extrovert, I'm actually very introverted and quite shy around new people or new situations, especially if I'm not in a leadership role.
I met this storyteller through a mutual friend shortly after moving to Maryland. We've hung out in person a few times and he's super sweet.
Name you'd like to go by: Chris HAHA
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Location: Maryland
What is an experience that is legendary for you?
Two come to mind (although there have been many in my life so far): 1) My first trip to Hawaii (Maui); and, 2) The first time I went to the opera (Salome at The Kennedy Center).
What is your guilty pleasure?
Red wine--but it's not so "guilty" really. :)
What is something you've never done but you would like to do?
Travel to the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, South America, and the Pacific Rim
If you could give someone one of your favorite things as a gift, what would it be and why?
Mixed tapes fell out of fashion years ago, but I still love to give the gift of music. Whether it's taking someone to a concert or performance, sharing a new song that has personal meaning, or dancing with friends, music has a profound impact in my own life, and I love to share that passion with special people in my life.
What is something you did that changed someone's life?
I hope that my volunteer work through the years has had a positive impact on many lives--from Christmas in April with Habitat for Humanity to making meals for those in need at Moveable Feast.
What part of your personality is now extinct?
Back in grade school, I had fairly low self-confidence and had difficulty spending time alone. Now, I love my "cave" time to recharge from crazy-busy work weeks!
What is one thing that you find really funny?
www.damnyouautocorrect.com...Everytime I read through the latest submissions, I wind up doubled-over in laughter. :D
Tell me one thing you love about yourself (or a gift you'd like to get yourself, where money is not an issue):
I love my passion; it sparkles in a world full of apathy.
What TV show, book or movie is most like your life?
Good Luck Chuck
What is something that not many people know about you?
Although often pegged as an extreme extrovert, I'm actually very introverted and quite shy around new people or new situations, especially if I'm not in a leadership role.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Candy Merrylandgirl Wants
I've been blogging with three fabulous women for almost two years and have been enjoying all the fun topics we come up with week after week. If you want to see what we've discussed in the past, check out our posts here.
This week, my topic choice was candy!
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
Since it's Valentine's Day, I decided not to go all sappy in my blog project post. I wanted to keep it light and fun and go with something that V-day always conjures up in my mind....CANDY! (I'm not a fan of conversation hearts though. They're too hard and taste like chalk.)
There's so much to say on this topic and I could be here all year discussing anything and everything about candy. (I have such a sweet tooth.) Therefore, I've decided to give myself a candy themed interview.
Favorite chocolate candy: M&M's!!!! (No offense to Frango Mints, but M&Ms are way more accessible!)
Favorite non-chocolate candy: Jelly Bellies...but only certain flavors. Twizzlers too!
Favorite candy to eat at the movies: Raisinets
Favorite movie about candy: Wreck-It Ralph. "Sugar Rush" is like candy heaven! I love how Vanellope has all the candy in her hair too.
Favorite song about candy: Since most songs about candy are from the 50s and rather silly (or they're children's songs), I'm going with just a song that has it in the title...."Candy Everybody Wants" by 10,000 Maniacs.
Favorite episode of a TV show involving candy (because I can't think of a TV show that's strictly about candy): The Junior Mint episode of Seinfeld. (I'm just realizing that there are quite a few episodes about candy.)
Favorite book about candy: The Chocolate Lovers' Club by Carole Matthews
Favorite holiday themed candy (any holiday): Candy corn! Also...peppermint bark and those jelly candies that look like fruit slices for Passover.
Favorite Jelly Belly flavor: Cotton candy and pink grapefruit
Favorite memory involving candy: Trick-or-treating! What's better than going door-to-door to get free candy? And sorting through it afterward is lots of fun too. Honorable mention goes to my nail-biting bet with Froggie in seventh grade where Bubble Tape was at stake.
Favorite candy store: The Long Grove Confectionery in downtown Long Grove, Illinois. Their chocolate covered strawberries are to die for and it smells so good in there all the time!
Least favorite candy: Anything that combines peanuts and chocolate.
Worst candy idea ever: Candy cigarettes and bubble gum chewing tobacco (a.k.a. Big League Chew). Why not just have candy LSD while you're at it?!?
Candy that reminds me of my youth: The dots that stick to paper. After my Bat Mitzvah party, we had tons of them and I'd eat them all the time. I also remember the ice cream cones where the "ice cream" was actually a marshmallow.
Candy I love but can't eat anymore: Skittles...they're made with gelatin. Why hasn't anyone invented a Kosher version yet? They have Kosher Smarties and those are up there in flavor with conversation hearts. I used to devour bags of Skittles after dance class in high school. I can just taste the rainbow in my mind....
Candy I never thought I'd like but now I do: Sno-Caps or any variety of chocolate with those little dots on them.
Feel free to answer these questions for your own blog. I'd love to hear your thoughts on all things candy!
Happy Valentine's Day!
This week, my topic choice was candy!
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
Since it's Valentine's Day, I decided not to go all sappy in my blog project post. I wanted to keep it light and fun and go with something that V-day always conjures up in my mind....CANDY! (I'm not a fan of conversation hearts though. They're too hard and taste like chalk.)
 |
| The giant basket of candy at my desk. It's always this full! |
There's so much to say on this topic and I could be here all year discussing anything and everything about candy. (I have such a sweet tooth.) Therefore, I've decided to give myself a candy themed interview.
Favorite chocolate candy: M&M's!!!! (No offense to Frango Mints, but M&Ms are way more accessible!)
Favorite non-chocolate candy: Jelly Bellies...but only certain flavors. Twizzlers too!
Favorite candy to eat at the movies: Raisinets
Favorite movie about candy: Wreck-It Ralph. "Sugar Rush" is like candy heaven! I love how Vanellope has all the candy in her hair too.
Favorite song about candy: Since most songs about candy are from the 50s and rather silly (or they're children's songs), I'm going with just a song that has it in the title...."Candy Everybody Wants" by 10,000 Maniacs.
Favorite episode of a TV show involving candy (because I can't think of a TV show that's strictly about candy): The Junior Mint episode of Seinfeld. (I'm just realizing that there are quite a few episodes about candy.)
Favorite book about candy: The Chocolate Lovers' Club by Carole Matthews
Favorite holiday themed candy (any holiday): Candy corn! Also...peppermint bark and those jelly candies that look like fruit slices for Passover.
Favorite Jelly Belly flavor: Cotton candy and pink grapefruit
Favorite memory involving candy: Trick-or-treating! What's better than going door-to-door to get free candy? And sorting through it afterward is lots of fun too. Honorable mention goes to my nail-biting bet with Froggie in seventh grade where Bubble Tape was at stake.
Favorite candy store: The Long Grove Confectionery in downtown Long Grove, Illinois. Their chocolate covered strawberries are to die for and it smells so good in there all the time!
Least favorite candy: Anything that combines peanuts and chocolate.
Worst candy idea ever: Candy cigarettes and bubble gum chewing tobacco (a.k.a. Big League Chew). Why not just have candy LSD while you're at it?!?
Candy that reminds me of my youth: The dots that stick to paper. After my Bat Mitzvah party, we had tons of them and I'd eat them all the time. I also remember the ice cream cones where the "ice cream" was actually a marshmallow.
Candy I love but can't eat anymore: Skittles...they're made with gelatin. Why hasn't anyone invented a Kosher version yet? They have Kosher Smarties and those are up there in flavor with conversation hearts. I used to devour bags of Skittles after dance class in high school. I can just taste the rainbow in my mind....
Candy I never thought I'd like but now I do: Sno-Caps or any variety of chocolate with those little dots on them.
Feel free to answer these questions for your own blog. I'd love to hear your thoughts on all things candy!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
52 Stories: The Story of a Lovely Lady
Inspired by One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern, I've decided to ask people some thought provoking questions about themselves, as I feel that everyone has a story to tell. If you're just joining me on this journey today, please check out the previous posts from this series, as well.
I met this storyteller through an online moms' group when I had my older son. Then we found each other again on Facebook and I enjoy seeing the cute pictures she posts of her kids.
Name you'd like to go by: T
Age: 40
Gender: Female
Location: Florida
What is an experience that is legendary for you?
My resilience after my divorce, I found strength I never knew I had.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Justin Timberlake.
What is something you've never done but you would like to do?
Take a cruise, once with children and once without.
If you could give someone one of your favorite things as a gift, what would it be and why?
My big cozy brown chair, it's the best place in the world for a movie, a book, or a nap (when you're lucky enough to find the time for one!)
What is something you did that changed someone's life?
I moved my children to Florida. It changed many lives, mostly for the good.
What part of your personality is now extinct?
My stay at home mom personality is now extinct.
What is one thing that you find really funny?
My youngest daughter, she is the biggest clown.
Tell me one thing you love about yourself (or a gift you'd like to get yourself, where money is not an issue):
I'd buy myself a vehicle that is big enough to carry 6 people comfortably, that is NOT a minivan
What TV show, book or movie is most like your life?
The Brady Bunch right now
What is something that not many people know about you?
I have a degree in biological sciences that I've never used out in the "real" world
I met this storyteller through an online moms' group when I had my older son. Then we found each other again on Facebook and I enjoy seeing the cute pictures she posts of her kids.
Name you'd like to go by: T
Age: 40
Gender: Female
Location: Florida
What is an experience that is legendary for you?
My resilience after my divorce, I found strength I never knew I had.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Justin Timberlake.
What is something you've never done but you would like to do?
Take a cruise, once with children and once without.
If you could give someone one of your favorite things as a gift, what would it be and why?
My big cozy brown chair, it's the best place in the world for a movie, a book, or a nap (when you're lucky enough to find the time for one!)
What is something you did that changed someone's life?
I moved my children to Florida. It changed many lives, mostly for the good.
What part of your personality is now extinct?
My stay at home mom personality is now extinct.
What is one thing that you find really funny?
My youngest daughter, she is the biggest clown.
Tell me one thing you love about yourself (or a gift you'd like to get yourself, where money is not an issue):
I'd buy myself a vehicle that is big enough to carry 6 people comfortably, that is NOT a minivan
What TV show, book or movie is most like your life?
The Brady Bunch right now
What is something that not many people know about you?
I have a degree in biological sciences that I've never used out in the "real" world
Thursday, February 7, 2013
I go back...
I've been blogging with three fabulous women for almost two years and have been enjoying all the fun topics we come up with week after week. If you want to see what we've discussed in the past, check out our posts here.
This week, Moma Rock says: It's song dedication time! When you hear certain songs, who do they make you think of, and why?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
When Moma Rock first gave us this topic, I immediately thought of "I Go Back" by Kenny Chesney. "Every time I hear that song, I go back..." Some songs immediately make me think of people and others make me think of certain places or events in my life. Please excuse the randomness of this post (and the length).
First off, there are a few songs that remind me of "Will," in one way or another. The first is "True" by Spandau Ballet, since we would add "By Wally Lamb" into the chorus. (I heard it recently at my favorite Kosher pizza establishment and had a hard time not laughing.) Then there's "I Can't Get You Out of My Head" by Kylie Minogue, since he got me her CD when I visited him in Israel and then our bus driver on the Birthright trip would play that song every day, as well. "I Will Love Again" by Lara Fabian reminds me of all the times that "Will" and I would go to gay clubs and that song would be playing. Anytime I hear it, I think of dancing with him on a podium (and how he knocked me off one time). And of course, "Get...in...the...pooooool!" Really, a LOT of songs remind me of "Will," as we have so much history. There are songs from ABBA, Barenaked Ladies, Dixie Chicks, various Broadway musicals, Audra McDonald (probably the least Jewish song possible), etc.
There are also songs that remind me of "Jack." I was listening to Spotify recently and "Around the World" by ATC came on. I was instantly transported back to the days when we would work together and then go to gay clubs on weekends. I also think of him when I hear "Ice Cream" by Sarah McLachlan because we sang it together at Karaoke once. The Little Shop of Horrors soundtrack makes me think of him because we auditioned for a community theater production once and were practicing "Suddenly Seymour" in the car the whole way there. Just like with "Will," there are a lot of Broadway musicals that make me think of "Jack." He gave me the soundtrack from The Last Five Years shortly before my wedding (not the most fitting gift, but I still love it). Anytime I hear it, I think of when we sat in my car by Old Orchard mall and he explained the background behind each song.
Whenever I hear "Perfect" by P!nk, I think of Katydid because I know it's one of her favorite songs and also because she looks like Tina Majorino, who was in the music video for this song. Most Jann Arden songs remind me of her, as well. "AM to PM" by Christina Milian reminds me of Froggie because it's the only song she ever sang at Karaoke and we sang it together. New Kids on the Block and Debbie Gibson make me think of her too. And also, "Heaven is a Place on Earth" by Belinda Carlisle because I bought Belinda's record the first time she and I hung out when we were in sixth grade. (Also, we're a bit like Romy and Michele and that song was played in the movie.) Aside from Barenaked Ladies songs reminding me of "Will," I also think of Cass (a.k.a. Mrs. McCheese), a friend I met at my Voicestream/T-Mobile job. She and I went to their concert together and we'd e-mail each other lines from songs. I could really go on all day with songs that remind me of various friends, but I'll stop here.
Next up is "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie, which I can't even listen to since the summer of 2007. It reminds me of the first (temporary) house we had in New Jersey and all the bad feelings associated with it. The main one being how horribly rude the shul president (at the time) was to us and how utterly unwelcome he made us feel right from the beginning. I think I go out of my way to make people feel welcome in my current community because I don't think anyone should EVER feel the way he made us feel at that time.
Some songs take me way back, such as "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, which I heard at a school dance when I was in eighth grade. It was a mixer dance from Snowflake (this special anti-drug program that all the schools participated in) and some people from my future high school were there. One in particular was this attractive senior named Vance. He asked me to dance to "In Your Eyes" and was telling me how much he loved Say Anything and how I had to watch it. He was really nice to me, which made me feel really good about myself. (Years later, I spent an evening chatting with an acquaintance about him, as it turned out she would "stalk" him at T.G.I. Friday's when he was working there. Small world?)
During my freshman year of college, I was becoming familiar with Toad the Wet Sprocket. Over winter break, I bought Dulcinea on cassette and listened to it non-stop. Hearing it now always reminds me of that time in my life. When I was a junior, I became acquaintances with a guy I had met through one of the online chat groups. He was also a TTWS fan and even made me a mix tape of some rare songs. A few other singers/groups that remind me of college are Jewel, Natalie Merchant, Stone Temple Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins (mainly because a friend and I would joke about Billy Corrigan being Jamie from Small Wonder, after hearing a rumor about it) and Hootie and the Blowfish...amongst a few others. There's also the soundtracks for Clueless, Reality Bites, Empire Records and Pulp Fiction. Jill Sobule reminds me of the summer between sophomore and junior year.
Then there's "One of Us" by Joan Osborn. The first time I ever heard that song, before it became really popular, was on my friend Dave's answering machine. When it started playing on the radio more often, he was back in Utah and it made me miss being able to call him so easily. We lost contact for a while after he moved, but now he's on Facebook. Recently, I heard a song playing at Chabad, where the music group used parts of "One of Us" in the instrumentals. Too funny!
Of course, there are songs that make me think of the most special guy in my life (aside from my sons). The first is "Wherever You Will Go" by The Calling. When we were first dating, I had liked that song a lot and on our first real date (where he picked me up from my condo and drove me to a bowling alley and then dinner), it was one of the first songs I heard playing in his car. Another encouraging sign at the time. On our honeymoon in St. Lucia, they kept playing "Hey Ya" by Outkast at the resort and we now associate it with that wonderful week.
Speaking of travel music, whenever I hear "Rock the Boat (Don't Tip the Boat Over)" by Hues Corporation, I think of my first Royal Caribbean cruise. I thought the song was written for the cruise boat and found it annoying. When I was back at school, I was out one night with my friends and that song came on in their car. I was so surprised to find out that it was a real song!
When I was pregnant with my older son, "Holla Back Girl" by Gwen Stefani would be playing a lot and hearing it now reminds me of those last few months before he was born. "Baby Girl" by Sugarland reminds me of the beginning of the pregnancy. (It's a wonder I had a boy with those two songs being associated so heavily.) Oddly enough, I also would listen to LeAnn Rimes' This Woman CD (with "Something's Gotta Give"). Carrie Underwood's Carnival Ride CD reminds me of my pregnancy with my younger son. I also associate Idina Menzel's I Stand CD and the Spring Awakening soundtrack with that period of time. And even though I got Adele's 21 CD after my daughter was born, I associate her music with my pregnancy. Maybe because I heard "Rolling in the Deep" on the radio all the time...
Finally, hearing Beyonce singing "Independent Women" with Destiny's Child again made me think of 2001, when that was my theme song and I'd blast it in my car on the way to the city for improv classes. I still love that song!
This week, Moma Rock says: It's song dedication time! When you hear certain songs, who do they make you think of, and why?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
When Moma Rock first gave us this topic, I immediately thought of "I Go Back" by Kenny Chesney. "Every time I hear that song, I go back..." Some songs immediately make me think of people and others make me think of certain places or events in my life. Please excuse the randomness of this post (and the length).
First off, there are a few songs that remind me of "Will," in one way or another. The first is "True" by Spandau Ballet, since we would add "By Wally Lamb" into the chorus. (I heard it recently at my favorite Kosher pizza establishment and had a hard time not laughing.) Then there's "I Can't Get You Out of My Head" by Kylie Minogue, since he got me her CD when I visited him in Israel and then our bus driver on the Birthright trip would play that song every day, as well. "I Will Love Again" by Lara Fabian reminds me of all the times that "Will" and I would go to gay clubs and that song would be playing. Anytime I hear it, I think of dancing with him on a podium (and how he knocked me off one time). And of course, "Get...in...the...pooooool!" Really, a LOT of songs remind me of "Will," as we have so much history. There are songs from ABBA, Barenaked Ladies, Dixie Chicks, various Broadway musicals, Audra McDonald (probably the least Jewish song possible), etc.
There are also songs that remind me of "Jack." I was listening to Spotify recently and "Around the World" by ATC came on. I was instantly transported back to the days when we would work together and then go to gay clubs on weekends. I also think of him when I hear "Ice Cream" by Sarah McLachlan because we sang it together at Karaoke once. The Little Shop of Horrors soundtrack makes me think of him because we auditioned for a community theater production once and were practicing "Suddenly Seymour" in the car the whole way there. Just like with "Will," there are a lot of Broadway musicals that make me think of "Jack." He gave me the soundtrack from The Last Five Years shortly before my wedding (not the most fitting gift, but I still love it). Anytime I hear it, I think of when we sat in my car by Old Orchard mall and he explained the background behind each song.
Whenever I hear "Perfect" by P!nk, I think of Katydid because I know it's one of her favorite songs and also because she looks like Tina Majorino, who was in the music video for this song. Most Jann Arden songs remind me of her, as well. "AM to PM" by Christina Milian reminds me of Froggie because it's the only song she ever sang at Karaoke and we sang it together. New Kids on the Block and Debbie Gibson make me think of her too. And also, "Heaven is a Place on Earth" by Belinda Carlisle because I bought Belinda's record the first time she and I hung out when we were in sixth grade. (Also, we're a bit like Romy and Michele and that song was played in the movie.) Aside from Barenaked Ladies songs reminding me of "Will," I also think of Cass (a.k.a. Mrs. McCheese), a friend I met at my Voicestream/T-Mobile job. She and I went to their concert together and we'd e-mail each other lines from songs. I could really go on all day with songs that remind me of various friends, but I'll stop here.
Next up is "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie, which I can't even listen to since the summer of 2007. It reminds me of the first (temporary) house we had in New Jersey and all the bad feelings associated with it. The main one being how horribly rude the shul president (at the time) was to us and how utterly unwelcome he made us feel right from the beginning. I think I go out of my way to make people feel welcome in my current community because I don't think anyone should EVER feel the way he made us feel at that time.
Some songs take me way back, such as "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, which I heard at a school dance when I was in eighth grade. It was a mixer dance from Snowflake (this special anti-drug program that all the schools participated in) and some people from my future high school were there. One in particular was this attractive senior named Vance. He asked me to dance to "In Your Eyes" and was telling me how much he loved Say Anything and how I had to watch it. He was really nice to me, which made me feel really good about myself. (Years later, I spent an evening chatting with an acquaintance about him, as it turned out she would "stalk" him at T.G.I. Friday's when he was working there. Small world?)
During my freshman year of college, I was becoming familiar with Toad the Wet Sprocket. Over winter break, I bought Dulcinea on cassette and listened to it non-stop. Hearing it now always reminds me of that time in my life. When I was a junior, I became acquaintances with a guy I had met through one of the online chat groups. He was also a TTWS fan and even made me a mix tape of some rare songs. A few other singers/groups that remind me of college are Jewel, Natalie Merchant, Stone Temple Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins (mainly because a friend and I would joke about Billy Corrigan being Jamie from Small Wonder, after hearing a rumor about it) and Hootie and the Blowfish...amongst a few others. There's also the soundtracks for Clueless, Reality Bites, Empire Records and Pulp Fiction. Jill Sobule reminds me of the summer between sophomore and junior year.
Then there's "One of Us" by Joan Osborn. The first time I ever heard that song, before it became really popular, was on my friend Dave's answering machine. When it started playing on the radio more often, he was back in Utah and it made me miss being able to call him so easily. We lost contact for a while after he moved, but now he's on Facebook. Recently, I heard a song playing at Chabad, where the music group used parts of "One of Us" in the instrumentals. Too funny!
Of course, there are songs that make me think of the most special guy in my life (aside from my sons). The first is "Wherever You Will Go" by The Calling. When we were first dating, I had liked that song a lot and on our first real date (where he picked me up from my condo and drove me to a bowling alley and then dinner), it was one of the first songs I heard playing in his car. Another encouraging sign at the time. On our honeymoon in St. Lucia, they kept playing "Hey Ya" by Outkast at the resort and we now associate it with that wonderful week.
Speaking of travel music, whenever I hear "Rock the Boat (Don't Tip the Boat Over)" by Hues Corporation, I think of my first Royal Caribbean cruise. I thought the song was written for the cruise boat and found it annoying. When I was back at school, I was out one night with my friends and that song came on in their car. I was so surprised to find out that it was a real song!
When I was pregnant with my older son, "Holla Back Girl" by Gwen Stefani would be playing a lot and hearing it now reminds me of those last few months before he was born. "Baby Girl" by Sugarland reminds me of the beginning of the pregnancy. (It's a wonder I had a boy with those two songs being associated so heavily.) Oddly enough, I also would listen to LeAnn Rimes' This Woman CD (with "Something's Gotta Give"). Carrie Underwood's Carnival Ride CD reminds me of my pregnancy with my younger son. I also associate Idina Menzel's I Stand CD and the Spring Awakening soundtrack with that period of time. And even though I got Adele's 21 CD after my daughter was born, I associate her music with my pregnancy. Maybe because I heard "Rolling in the Deep" on the radio all the time...
Finally, hearing Beyonce singing "Independent Women" with Destiny's Child again made me think of 2001, when that was my theme song and I'd blast it in my car on the way to the city for improv classes. I still love that song!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
52 Stories: C'mon, get happy
Inspired by One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern, I've decided to ask people some thought provoking questions about themselves, as I feel that everyone has a story to tell. If you're just joining me on this journey today, please check out the previous posts from this series, as well.
I sort of met this storyteller at a book signing last summer. We didn't actually talk, we just noticed each other and commented it about online later, as we saw each others' profiles through some mutual friends. Since then, we've been e-mailing sporadically and I recently learned that she'd fit very well into my family. I hope we can meet up sometime in the near future, seeing that she doesn't live too far from me. She seems very sweet, just from what I can tell online.
Name you'd like to go by: JSully
Age: 38
Gender: Female
Location: Arlington, VA
What is an experience that is legendary for you?
I had difficutly coming up with something that would be described as “legendary” in my life, so instead I chose to describe a period of time that changed my life and the way I lived it. In 2009 I spent a month in Djibouti for work. It was during this time I realized I desired a simpler life. By simple, not “needing” extravagance. My experience was a real eye-opener. While I was fortunate to have a driver, a bullet-proof vehicle and a stay in the only civilized and modernized hotel, I witnessed the lives of thousands of Somalian refugees. Djibouti is a very small, but peaceful and independent country located in Africa. Even though living conditions on the streets of Djibouti (desert-like) are horrifying by our standards, the refugees’ lives are ideal in their safe haven where they have freedom.
Each morning I watched refugees awake in their homes made of four stakes in the dry desert floor with a piece of material tied to the top for a roof. The women and children washed clothing in a basin of water. Men… well, they seemed to sit there a lot. It’s so hard to imagine this life is better than what they had. It wasn’t long before I vowed to donate more once I got home. I simplified my life and I don’t shop for clothing and materialistic things like I used to.
To this day when I think of their lifestyle, I constantly look at mine and am thankful that we live here, in America with the “luxury” of freedom and the ability to live in a home – a real one.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Despite my feelings of simplifying my life, I have not been able to rid of ‘most’ of my boots. I have 25 pairs of boots.
What is something you've never done but you would like to do?
Go on a Safari.
If you could give someone one of your favorite things as a gift, what would it be and why?
Happiness. Can you imagine, bottling happiness and being able to give it as a gift? No explanation needed. J
What is something you did that changed someone's life?
Donate blood on a regular basis. I know I still change someone’s life, even if I don’t know who they are.
What part of your personality is now extinct?
The gullibility, being naïve. After being engaged to a con-artist and putting him in jail for ID theft, I have learned to understand what a gut feeling is, and to trust it.
What is one thing that you find really funny?
I can’t think of funny things on command! Perhaps I will come back to this, but I find a lot of things funny.
Tell me one thing you love about yourself (or a gift you'd like to get yourself, where money is not an issue):
I don’t feel I need any ‘items’ so I can’t imagine wanting anything I don’t already have or cannot get on my own. However, one thing I would like, that money cannot buy, is 100% hearing without the assistance of devices.
What TV show, book or movie is most like your life?
I dispute this and I’m telling you only because I can’t think of any on my own…. My girlfriends tell me Sex and the City; a cross between Carrie and Samantha.
What is something that not many people know about you?
I’m hearing impaired; severe to profound. I have never lived in a ‘deaf world,’ and thus this comes as a shock for anyone who has not known another who was hearing impaired.
I sort of met this storyteller at a book signing last summer. We didn't actually talk, we just noticed each other and commented it about online later, as we saw each others' profiles through some mutual friends. Since then, we've been e-mailing sporadically and I recently learned that she'd fit very well into my family. I hope we can meet up sometime in the near future, seeing that she doesn't live too far from me. She seems very sweet, just from what I can tell online.
Name you'd like to go by: JSully
Age: 38
Gender: Female
Location: Arlington, VA
What is an experience that is legendary for you?
I had difficutly coming up with something that would be described as “legendary” in my life, so instead I chose to describe a period of time that changed my life and the way I lived it. In 2009 I spent a month in Djibouti for work. It was during this time I realized I desired a simpler life. By simple, not “needing” extravagance. My experience was a real eye-opener. While I was fortunate to have a driver, a bullet-proof vehicle and a stay in the only civilized and modernized hotel, I witnessed the lives of thousands of Somalian refugees. Djibouti is a very small, but peaceful and independent country located in Africa. Even though living conditions on the streets of Djibouti (desert-like) are horrifying by our standards, the refugees’ lives are ideal in their safe haven where they have freedom.
Each morning I watched refugees awake in their homes made of four stakes in the dry desert floor with a piece of material tied to the top for a roof. The women and children washed clothing in a basin of water. Men… well, they seemed to sit there a lot. It’s so hard to imagine this life is better than what they had. It wasn’t long before I vowed to donate more once I got home. I simplified my life and I don’t shop for clothing and materialistic things like I used to.
To this day when I think of their lifestyle, I constantly look at mine and am thankful that we live here, in America with the “luxury” of freedom and the ability to live in a home – a real one.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Despite my feelings of simplifying my life, I have not been able to rid of ‘most’ of my boots. I have 25 pairs of boots.
What is something you've never done but you would like to do?
Go on a Safari.
If you could give someone one of your favorite things as a gift, what would it be and why?
Happiness. Can you imagine, bottling happiness and being able to give it as a gift? No explanation needed. J
What is something you did that changed someone's life?
Donate blood on a regular basis. I know I still change someone’s life, even if I don’t know who they are.
What part of your personality is now extinct?
The gullibility, being naïve. After being engaged to a con-artist and putting him in jail for ID theft, I have learned to understand what a gut feeling is, and to trust it.
What is one thing that you find really funny?
I can’t think of funny things on command! Perhaps I will come back to this, but I find a lot of things funny.
Tell me one thing you love about yourself (or a gift you'd like to get yourself, where money is not an issue):
I don’t feel I need any ‘items’ so I can’t imagine wanting anything I don’t already have or cannot get on my own. However, one thing I would like, that money cannot buy, is 100% hearing without the assistance of devices.
What TV show, book or movie is most like your life?
I dispute this and I’m telling you only because I can’t think of any on my own…. My girlfriends tell me Sex and the City; a cross between Carrie and Samantha.
What is something that not many people know about you?
I’m hearing impaired; severe to profound. I have never lived in a ‘deaf world,’ and thus this comes as a shock for anyone who has not known another who was hearing impaired.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Know Me Better...in 2013
I am a Reader, Not a Writer is a blog I've been following. The blogger's initiative (which she finally brought back...unless I've been sleeping for a long time and missing a lot of these posts) is to pick five questions off of her author interview list to answer. She invited her readers to share their answers to these questions, as well. One of the ways to do this is through our own blogs. So I'm going to do it right here.
This Week's Questions:
*Is there anything you would like to say to or ask your favorite author?
*Are you a dreamer or a realist?
*Theater or Rental?
*Share a family tradition.
*Favorite late night snack?
Is there anything you would like to say to or ask your favorite author?
I do it (almost) every week on my blog (since I'm not the only one doing interviews anymore). However, I don't think Wally Lamb will be visiting a chick lit blog and I'd love to tell him how incredible his books are and how She's Come Undone still sticks with me 15 years after reading it. I'd ask him why he doesn't write books more often, as he's such a talented writer.
Are you a dreamer or a realist?
A bit of both. I'm a dreamer in that I always look for the positive in everything. I'm also realistic in that I don't expect things to happen the way I wish they would. (Although it would be nice if I had full control over all things happening in the world...again, dreaming!)
Theater or Rental?
Ideally, theater...but only if I get a good price on movie tickets. I love the theater experience from the comfy seats to the smell of popcorn to the zillion (yes, I know that's not a real number) previews.
Share a family tradition.
Shabbat dinner. I light the Shabbat candles when my husband goes to mincha services. When he gets back, we sing, do blessings over our children, wine/grape juice and challah and then we eat. My husband reads the parasha to the boys from a children's book about it while I put the baby to bed. Then we have dessert and say Grace after meals.
Favorite late night snack?
Popcorn, but I am lacking the good kind of microwave popcorn, as the single-serve bags don't pop as nicely and usually burn before they even get all the way through popping.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You're welcome to do this question challenge in your blog and then post the link in the comments section. I'd love to read your answers too!
This Week's Questions:
*Is there anything you would like to say to or ask your favorite author?
*Are you a dreamer or a realist?
*Theater or Rental?
*Share a family tradition.
*Favorite late night snack?
Is there anything you would like to say to or ask your favorite author?
I do it (almost) every week on my blog (since I'm not the only one doing interviews anymore). However, I don't think Wally Lamb will be visiting a chick lit blog and I'd love to tell him how incredible his books are and how She's Come Undone still sticks with me 15 years after reading it. I'd ask him why he doesn't write books more often, as he's such a talented writer.
Are you a dreamer or a realist?
A bit of both. I'm a dreamer in that I always look for the positive in everything. I'm also realistic in that I don't expect things to happen the way I wish they would. (Although it would be nice if I had full control over all things happening in the world...again, dreaming!)
Theater or Rental?
Ideally, theater...but only if I get a good price on movie tickets. I love the theater experience from the comfy seats to the smell of popcorn to the zillion (yes, I know that's not a real number) previews.
Share a family tradition.
Shabbat dinner. I light the Shabbat candles when my husband goes to mincha services. When he gets back, we sing, do blessings over our children, wine/grape juice and challah and then we eat. My husband reads the parasha to the boys from a children's book about it while I put the baby to bed. Then we have dessert and say Grace after meals.
Favorite late night snack?
Popcorn, but I am lacking the good kind of microwave popcorn, as the single-serve bags don't pop as nicely and usually burn before they even get all the way through popping.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You're welcome to do this question challenge in your blog and then post the link in the comments section. I'd love to read your answers too!
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