Whitney Houston Inspires

I use to love Whitney Houston about 15 or 20 years ago like millions of other people and then she kind of faded out of music and into some dark crazy lifestyle with Bobby Brown. I just watched Oprah for a two episode interview and was so inspired by all that she has been through and her new music that she sang on the show today. I don't know where she is headed but I think the music will go on forever and we are lucky for that!

When I heard the song "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" I felt like it spoke to anyone who is going through a difficult time. Life is full of ups and downs and sometimes you don't know how you will make it through something and you do. When you find yourself on the other side of a difficult time in life you feel like you climbed a mountain and you are standing at the top feeling proud and grateful. I wanted to share the new Whitney song to inspire people to realize that they do have the strength within themselves to go on and do great things. And if you have over come adversity or hard times this song expresses what it feels like to have made it through! I also wanted to share two old favorites that Whitney Houston sang many years ago for a little extra kick of inspiration!

Michael Vick

As a Philadelphia girl, an Eagles fan, a teacher and a Pit Bull owner, like everyone else, I have my opinions on Michael Vick playing in the NFL after being convicted of running a dog fighting ring. Everyone here in Philly seems to have an opinion on whether or not he should be back on the field making millions of dollars again. I think the issue is very complicated and we live in a world where I disagree with so many thing that are going on in the media. People whose lives intersect with the world of entertainment have a responsibility to be a little more aware of the fact that what they do in their personal lives will be brought into the public eye.

With that being said athletes are role models and most kids that I know want to be professional athletes when they grow up, just like the ones they see in the stadiums and on tv. These are the people who kids aspire to be, as they are out there playing on their little league teams. On that note, Michael Vick isn't any different from all of the other role models out there who don't think about how their actions effect the young peope who idolize them! Sex tapes, drug and alcohol abuse, and criminal behavior are becoming simultanious with celebrity! If you want to be a big star and make lots of money get naked and cause some controvery! I can tell you that the young black boys that I teach see Vick as someone who can commit a crime go to jail and still make millions and that is the life that they look up to more than another player (eg. McNabb) who follows that rules and walks a straight line.

Obviously, Vick was given a great talent in football and whatever horrific things that he does in his personal life apparently do not impact the NFL's position on reinstating him as a player. Many people feel that Vick paid for his mistakes by paying his fines and going to jail. I agree with that to an extent, but as a role model is that something that we should be teaching our children? Do the crime, do the time and be a star! By the way, the NFL is filled with football players who have committed very serious crimes that are as bad if not worse than what Vick did and they are playing in the NFL right now! Does he deserve a second chance? I do believe everyone does, I do not believe that a second chance for Vick needs to be making millions out on the field in the NFL again. A side note is that we are not talking about an amazing football player here! I personally don't believe that he should be out there on the field, at least I know I wouldn't get my job back after doing what he did!

Another perspective on this hot topic is that of the dog lover. As someone who rescued a Pit Bull, it makes me sick to look at my sweet little pup and think about the way he tortured these helpless animals for money. Hey, I would love to gather a few of my hungry Pit Bull friends and turn Vick into a half time show. It may sound harsh, but I don't believe that 18 months in jail is the means to rehabilitate or punish any criminal.

The bottom line is that everyone has they're opinion on Michael Vick and for a lot of people it comes down to winning games. For all of the talk about him playing again lets see how he actually plays this time around. If he can play better than he did on the Falcons and win some games for the Eagles people are gonna get over it. The fair weather Philadelphia football fans are gonna love him if he can make the big plays!!! There are alot of very strong opinions on this recent issue and these are just my thoughts. Where do you stand???

Destination Wedding

Well, I am engaged and now comes the tricky part. Planning a wedding as the Anti Bridezilla in a world of women with that crazy twinkle in there eye, as thoughts of color schemes and registries dance in they're little heads! No, no, that is not my idea of fun or romance. I choose a different path, one with less drama and more sex! I, like many modern women, never really had that dream of being a princess and meeting her prince. I always dreamed of travel, adventure and a career that I loved with many different kinds of loves to accompany me on my journey! I am very grateful that my life's travels brought a special man who I am thrilled to share in a free spirited journey side by side. On that note, I am planning to go to the beach in Riviera Maya Mexico with a few people that I love the most and share a special day to celebrate our wedding on July 4th,2010.

I look at this event as: Destination Keep It Fun and Fluffy. Still there are so many detail for a wedding, I am limiting many of those by going the destination wedding route. I highly recommend it to all of my fabulous bohemian brides out there! Even with this type of wedding, it is easy to get lost in the details, particularly if you are a perfectionist, like I tend to be. In life I always try to follow the path of being zen and fight my instinct of getting down with the stress balls. Words of wisdom from other people out there are welcome in these coming days of choices involving invitations, music, dresses and whatever other wedding jazz that goes along with the planning. These things must be done, but through it all I keep the focus on the anticipation of the marriage and not the wedding! The marriage is a little longer, at least I would like mine to be!! :)

Like A Boss

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Having a Bad Day

“Life is hard. Then you die. Then they throw dirt in your face. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that order.”
David Gerrold





When I have a really bad day, like today, sometimes I have to try really hard to find the things in my life to be grateful for. I wonder if we all feel like that sometimes. There are some days when its just hard to see all of the blessings in our lives when we feel mired down with the stress.

Some days I have to be grateful just to come home and feel lucky that I have a happy home when so many people don't. I have to really share in the joy in my loving dogs eyes when she greets me at the door. I feel happy to have good friends to call when I need someone to complain to about my bad day. I am blessed to have a man in my life who loves me for who I am. I am fortunate to be employed at a time when many people are struggling to find a job..... Well, I think thats about all I have for now. Right now its all about a brownie and the couch!!

MY TOP 5 FAVORITE BOOKS

"For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die."
— Anne Lamott (Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life)


I thought I would share my top 5 favorite books because they have helped to shape my ideas and have brought deep insight and enjoyment to my life. I hope that if someone reading this post picks up one of these books they may also fall in love with them as I have. As I survey my choices for the top 5, I notice that I discovered each novel at a different era in my life and that they helped to shape my perspectives on myself and others and my perception of the world around me. The top 5 in no particular order are:

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison


Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott


Siddhartha by Herman Hesse


The Color of Water by James McBride


Legacy of Love by Arun Gandhi

Today's Thought....

Eraser

Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again. ~Og Mandino





I had a great talk with my Aunt tonight that I felt was important to share. I discussed forgiveness and how difficult it can be to forgive yourself and the people you care about the most. I have recently made the decision to forgive someone I love and rekindle a romance from the past and welcome them back into my life. The whole situation got me thinking about forgiveness and how toxic it can be to carry resentment for others. It is so easy to retaliate or say unkind things to family and loved ones, particularly when they hurt you, but it takes a much better person to stop and choose kindness. It is important to remember even on dark rainy nights that life is too short to be hurtful and we should be kind to the ones that we love. Beating ourselves and others up just breeds hurt, resentment and pain for everyone involved. The truth is being mean or hurtful never makes us feel any better anyway and eventually pushes the ones we love away. We all make mistakes in this life and the variety of them is endless, but forgiving ourselves and others shows great strength, compassion and integrity.

In school there were times when we needed big erasures to fix a major mistake on a test and in the nick of time we were able to perfect something that could have destroyed our grade. Somehow we figured out where we went wrong, got out the old eraser and made things right just in time. This happens in life when we see our mistakes and learn from them or somehow have the opportunity to stop ourselves and make things right before it is too late. We all pay for our mistakes and even learn great lessons through them.

Sometimes we get a bad grade on a test and sometimes the consequences are much worse. In matters of the heart, it is important to keep in mind that the best kind of love comes from being able to let go of the pain and learn from the mistakes in the past. Be thankful for the moments we have in the here and now by being kind and loving instead of wasting life being petty. I guess I was just thinking that we never really know how many moments of this life we really have. Why not try to make the moments loving, whenever and wherever we can....

God Bless President Obama!

We did it! Change feels so incredible and the energy of this day was so positive! I am looking to the future with great hopefulness and looking to our young people with gladness that they can see that anything is possible for anyone no matter what color they are! I love being able to say the words, if you work hard you can truly achieve anything! Our new president inspires me to make the changes that I need to improve the conditions in my little part of this world and I hope he does the same for you. Lets reflect upon the spirit of hope and renewal and each try to make positive changes through our own small everyday actions, thoughts and words. I have so much more to say about this wonderful day but it is time for me to take off my Obama tee shirt and go to bed!!! Sweet Dreams!









"America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America."
- Barack Obam

Opening The Door...

"To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. To just give. That takes courage, because we don't want to fall on our faces or leave ourselves open to hurt."
-Madonna

Life is totally unpredictable. I would have never guessed that my ex love would want to see me again to "open the door." It kind of made me want to jump out the window! No, I will honestly always love him, I just don't understand what opening the door means. It was 3 years that we spent together and 10 months ago he ended it suddenly to my surprise. I crawled into a deep dark hole when my relationship ended and I had to crawl out using nothing but my fingernails and sheer will to survive. I didn’t want to leave that deep dark hole for months. I actually got the dirt and started to bury myself for a while any way I could. Since then I have been working hard to create solace and beauty for myself through art, reading, design, work, cooking, friends, my dog, and just generally seizing the day. This time since the breakup has been a personal renaissance, where I found a rebirth of learning about myself and creating the life that I truly desire.

I do believe that the major events in life are the things that shape us and allow us to grow. As women, sometimes it is easy to allow other people or circumstances dictate the course of your life. This is my journey and my story and I am the one who makes the important choices about which direction I am taking. My dad gave me simple advice one day not long ago that I always remember when I get off track. He told me to keep moving forward and not to let anything or anyone take me off my course or lead me away from achieving my goals. I think we should all try to look ahead if that is possible, I know that is the general direction I have been taking more recently. Here's to opening the door and never knowing what is going to be on the other side!!


"The path to our destination is not always a straight one. We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn't matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark."
Barbara Hall

opening the door

Satisfy My Soul

Somedays its just this easy to find peace and happiness in a little music from one of my favorite men of all time! A little live Bob Marley and just a few of his great quotes I've picked up along the journey.



"Overcome the devils with a thing named love."

"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our mind."

"One love, one heart, let's get together and feel alright."

"Love would never leave us alone, A-yin the darkness there must come out to light!"

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."

"Some people say great God come from the sky, take away everything and make everybody feel high, but if you know what life is worth, you will look for yours on earth."
- Bob Marley

99 things for 09

Well, I have seen this list everywhere and its interesting to take a moment and realize all of the things you have experienced and a whole slew of new things to try in this life of infinite possibilities. I already did 55 of these things and a whole bunch of crazy things not even included below! The beginning of the new year is a great time to take stock, evaluate and continue living with a renewed perspective and direction!


1. Start your own blog
2. Go camping and sleep under the stars
3. Play in a band
4. Holiday on a tropical island
5. Make a wish on a shooting star
6. Give 1% of your income to charity
7. Go to Disneyland/world
8. Climb a mountain
9. Hold a praying mantis, a spider or a snake
10. Stay overnight in the desert
11. Bungee jump
12. Visit Paris and see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre
13. Watch a lightning storm at sea
14. Teach yourself an art/craft from scratch
15. Walk to the top of the Statue of Liberty
16. Grow your own vegetables
17. Eat ’space’ cookies in Amsterdam and float down the canals in a pleasant daze
18. Sleep on an overnight train
19. Go backpacking
20. Have a pillow fight
21. Travel solo
22. Take a sick day when you’re not ill 23. Tell someone you love them when they haven’t said it first
24. Help bring a life into this world - puppies, kittens, babies anything!
25. Go skinny dipping
26. Run a Marathon
27. Try surfing
28. Ride in a gondola in Venice
29. See a total eclipse
30. Get up to watch a sunrise
31. Pursue a dream
32. See one of the great waterfalls in person -
33. Visit the birthplace of your ancestors
34. See how a traditional indigenous community live
35. Learn a second language
36. Decide you have enough money to be truly satisfied
37. Go rock climbing or abseiling
38. See Michelangelo’s David in Italy
39. Sing karaoke
40. Participate in a demonstration or some form of social/political activism
41. Buy a stranger a meal
42. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
43. Walk on a beach by moonlight
44. Make love somewhere you could get caught
45. Be transported in an ambulance
46. Break the law
47. Do something you know is reckless
48. Get your portrait drawn/painted49. Go deep sea fishing
50. See the Sistine Chapel in person
51. Climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
52. Go scuba diving or snorkeling
53. Come face to face with real poverty and don’t look away
54. Kiss in the rain
55. Play in the mud
56. Fall in love
57. Have your heart broken 58. Get married
59. Have children
60. Buy your own home
61. Go to a drive-in theater
62. Appear on television or in a movie
63. Visit the Great Wall of China
64. Start your own business
65. Take a martial arts class
66. Visit Africa
67. Volunteer to help the needy
68. Sell Girl Scout Cookies
69. Go dolphin or whale watching
70. Buy someone flowers for no reason 71. Donate blood, platelets or plasma
72. Go sky diving
73. Visit a Nazi Concentration Camp
74. Fly in a helicopter
75. Save a favorite childhood toy 76. See the Pope, the Dalai Llama or another religious head
77. Eat Caviar
78. Stand in Times Square
79. See a monkey, tiger or another exotic animal in the wild
80. Get fired from a job
81. See the Changing of the Guards in London
82. Break a bone
83. Ride on a speeding motorcycle
84. See the Grand Canyon in the USA
85. Get a book published
86. Visit the Vatican
87. See the coral of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
88. Buy a brand new car
89. Walk in Jerusalem
90. Have your picture in the newspaper
91. Read the Bible or the Koran or another religious text in full
92. Visit the White House
93. Kill and prepare an animal for eating
94. Save someone’s life
95. Sit on a jury
96. Confront your fears
97. Admit to someone you lied or made a big mistake
98. See the Pyramids of Egypt
99. Swim in the Dead Sea

Thank you for playing!!!

Carpe Diem! Rejoice while you are alive;
enjoy the day; live life to the fullest;
make the most of what you have.
It is later than you think.
-Horace


So I started dating again a few months ago after a long break, I knew exactly what I was looking for and I got all of it. A big JERK wrapped up in a pretty package! Happy New Year!! The universe works so well, it provides us with exactly what we are looking for. On the surface, he totally seemed interesting, but immediately I could tell this was Mr. Booty and thats about as complex a man as I am currently able to deal with. I think my main issue is when a guy works really hard to act like he is interested in more than just the physical, its really annoying; be honest and you will go much further... shoot for the stars. Honesty really is the best policy! It was fun to be out there again, even if it was a short quiet trip. I have never gone to the beach without putting my toes in the water, its fun to just play a little.

In defense of this guy, at this point all other candidates will be towed or just end up becoming serious roadkill on my path to enlightenment. I have turned down a couple of really cute nice guys because I have enough heart to know that I am not sure what I want. I really just want to get back into playing in the game a little, after a long stint on the bench. Personally, nothing turns me on more than intelligence, kindness, good conversation and open mindedness and although this Mr. Booty appeared to have some of these qualities his m.o. was getting laid, veiled with layers of dating bullshit. I am pretty sure this man was living at Baskin Robbins, filling up on all of the flavors of ice cream, so it totally became a 50 first dates situation and it got a little less comfy after a while.

Even my sweet little dog, who is super friendly and loves everyone totally became this fierce bitch when he would come to my house. Animals sooo have the sixth sense, it was pretty hilarious since she is a Pit Bull and it was definately one of the few times I heard her bark or growl! I guess my dog has some of my womens intuition that I like to ignore at times. So, my advice if your dating Mr. Booty, have fun but follow your insticts and don't be afraid to say what you mean! Over the past few months its been a fun, supressed, sexy, annoying, and an enlightening time and so I am onto another journey.... but it was good to be back in the game!!

Playing For Change

I like to post things on my blog that inspire laughter, love or insight in the people who come across it. I wanted to post this video to share the message of the Playing for Change Foundation which supports music education for communities in need around the globe. I was watching this video and was moved by the message of unity through diversity and music. Music and education are both incredible tools to motivate and inspire groups of people to rise above their unfortunate circumstances. Simply a beautiful message!

Christmas Eve...

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." Anias Nin


My friends and I gathered together on Christmas Eve and finally put together my TV Stand. This monumental task was accomplished with a group effort, an 80's playlist and some tools!!! Chistmas is such a nice little reason to sit back and admire and truly enjoy the people who have blessed your life. My contribution to the construction of the TV stand was the traditional Christmas Eve holiday music to get the job done and here it is....

building stuff

I love my Pit Bull!

I decided to post this video because I am such an advocate of Pit Bulls! I rescued my little girl at 10 weeks old from a rescue called Smiling Pit Bull Rescue. The breed has a really bad name because most people hear the rumors and news stories but don't take the time to educate themselves with factual information.If you are interested in learning more about this amazing breed go to www.spbr.org. The stories that you hear on the news about agressive Pit Bulls are usually about dogs that have been raised in harsh and aggressive environments for the purpose of being fighting dogs or guard dogs. This video is simple enough for anyone to understand and also has an important message about this special breed of dog.




Ten Facts About Pit Bulls Every One Should Know


1. Pit Bulls are commonly used as therapy dogs. Whether they are visiting a senior care facility or helping someone recover from an emotional accident, Pit Bulls are making a mark as outstanding therapy dogs.

2. Pit Bulls are used in Search and Rescue work. One example of well known SAR Pit Bulls is Kris Crawford and her dogs. Kris and her dogs have helped save the lives of many people during their efforts. http://www.ForPitsSake.org

3. Pit Bulls serve as narcotic and bomb sniffing dogs. One Pit Bull, Popsicle (named that because he was found in an old freezer) has the largest recorded single drug find in Texas history. Read more about Popsicle here. Including how he found over 3,000 lbs of cocaine in Hildago, Texas.

4. Pit Bulls are great with kids. They weren't referred to as the "nanny's dog" for nothing that's for sure.

5. Pit Bulls are not human aggressive. The American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed is not human aggressive. In fact, quite the opposite is true of the breed. They are gentle and loving dogs. Like any dog individuals can be unsound and have behavior problems.

6. The Pit Bull was so popular in the early 1900's they were our mascot not only in World War One, but World War Two as well. They were featured on recruiting and propoganda posters during this time period.

7. Sgt. Stubby. A Pit Bull war hero. Stubby was wounded in action twice, he saved his entire platoon by warning them of a poison gas attack and he single handedly captured a German spy.

8. Pete the Pup on the orginal Little Rascals was a Pit Bull.

9. Pit Bulls score an 83.4% passing rate with the American Temperament Test Society. That's better than the popular Border Collie (a breed who scores 79.6%).

10. They are dogs not killing machines.

http://www.pitbulllovers.com/pit-bulls-ten-things-you-should-know.html

Dancing And Cleaning Mix...

what Im listening to

The Internet is for Porn...

I thought I would share some wisdom from Sesame Street (Avenue Q) on a nice relaxing Sunday afternoon. Hope you all enjoy the day!

SHOE ATTACK!!!

Shoed not booed!!! Bush was attacked with shoes in Iraq this weekend. Someone actually took off their shoes and threw them at his head! Can you imagine the frustration of someone who is compelled to take off their shoes and hurl them at someone's head in hopes of knocking some sense into the target??? I bet you can. I had to post this in the spirit of the coundown of this rediculous presidency. Yes, there are still 36 more days before we can see a real leader take office. In the meantime, I Thought I would share yet another good laugh at the current president of our country. HA!

Girl Power continued

So only a short while later, SUCCESS. I finished painting my bedroom. Sexy Suede-ness!

Girl Power Home Improvement Edition

Well, today was a big day! I decided that I would paint my bedroom in this very sexy style using suede paint. Suede paint takes some skill to achieve but I was ready to take on the challenge. Having a house and being single I was looking forward to my first real endeavor into the realm of home improvement. In the past, I would hire someone to do the work for me or there was always a boyfriend who was eager to help with the labor that would come up. Ever the feminist, I felt like now is the time for my true girl power to shine and try the independant lady thing, via painting the bedroom. I love decorating and I felt like painting would be a great little way to step into this unknown territory of being handy. Not that painting is really being handy because I am not really fixing anything, except fixing the wall so that it isn't ugly anymore. I have many talents and painting could be one of them except for one small thing.... I have been know to be a little clumsy, which could mean disaster when dealing with gallons of paint (this is forshadowing).

So, here I am writing about the experience, if that is any indication of how my attempt at painting went. It was a little bit like the bloopers of painting. Basically, I will not be offering my painting services as the whole situation became very I Love Lucy. What I mean, is that first, I got a little on the ceiling, but thats fine it can be touched up, no worries. Then a few drops on the carpet, no problem. Then there was some paint on me, my hair, my clothes, my hands but it was cool, I had good music to paint to. Then when I was on the ladder I flipped my little paint tin and about a half a gallon of paint spilled all over the white carpet and thats when I started laughing. I put the paint brush down, stepped away from the ladder, walked carefully out of the bedroom and closed the door behind me. I called my friend who is a contractor and hopefully it was the right number. Basically, I think I will try again later, because I don't want to just give up on something that could be so empowering and out of my comfort zone. I think I just need a really big drop cloth and maybe if I paint naked... I'm doing this for ladies everywhere, or I might just pay someone because I can! To be continued...

My Advice... Take A Class!

My girlfriends call me sometimes with tales of dating/relationship, career, and general life woes and my response to them is usually the best counsel I can come up with that has been passed down to me by my grandmother. I am no Dear Abbey or anything but I am pretty insightful with my random words of wisdom. In my own experience a great way to solve most life problems is to communicate if it involves another person or my latest and greatest prescription is to take a class. Take a painting class, or a class about investing your money or a workshop on something that is of great interest to you. Get out there and have some fun!

I am planning to take my girlfriends to my favorite pole dancing class in the city. I think that this is one of the best classes because you get to wear hot shoes, have fun, exercize and feel sexy. think pole dancing class is a really fun and offbeat way to spend a night out with friends and learn some really cool tricks! So, if your reading this and feeling stressed, go get some stripper shoes and get on the pole. It doesn't have to be a profession, but it will definately get you away from your troubles for a while! Those are my pearls of wisdom for today, ENJOY!!

FUCK YEAH!!! Perhaps... :)

So, to do it or not to do it that is the question. HA! Its not like I don't want to sleep with this person, but, I don't think so. I am content right now, although pretty sex starved at this point. When I shared my latest dilemma to a close friend she said "so, are you gonna get some new sexy outfits?" Seriously!?!?... So to fill in the blanks a bit, I have been dating a nice guy who finally came clean and shared his real intent of wanting to have sex with me. Quite a few (5) very nice dates, 1 dinner, 1 movie, no museums, no real foreplay to mention besides a few kisses..... and apparently the pussy seems to be the real intrigue after a lack of interest in getting to know me beyond the physical. Does any of this sound familiar to the single ladies??

So why not just have fun?? I don't know, that is the question I keep asking myself. What? In my late 20's and suddenly saving myself for the right one, yeah, right... ok. Anyway, this is some kind of ethical dilemma and now I am searching for a resolution. OK, so I'm not sitting down with Israel and Palestine or anything but it's a decision I have to make none the less. This life is for enjoyment, so would it be fun or would I feel strange after I gave it up to some guy who just wanted to bone me? And a better question is, am I the girl who just wants to bone him?... Hmmm, sometimes. Once again, I like the approach of let it go, see if it comes back, then its yours to own, rent, lease or hump as you choose...

Meanwhile, to all of the singles out there, keep your head up and never ever under estimate the power of Bachelor #2. The beat goes on... to be continued....

One love, one heart, two lips...

Wow, I so remember being the most fun little momma at the bar and now I am beginning to realize that I am definately getting older. I mean some of my stories are legendary and now I am happier with the simple things. I will always be that free spirited lady who is up for anything but there is a little difference between the hot little lady I was a few years ago and the woman I am now. I am decorating my house and going on nature walks not so much of the ordering champagne in the VIP section of the strip club! I can't believe I have changed so much, but at this point today... maybe not tomorrow, I am looking for a deeper connection in the way I spend my time. I just think that is where I am at this point in my life.

So, sex is on the brain because I am dating a little and its cool, the game has definately stayed the same since my last taste of dating many many moons ago. On days and weeks when I need a little warmth I get a little fire from the passionate kisses of my date. He is the kind of guy who is probably collecting pretty girls like dick rings but very sweet, smart and sexy. I hate when you start to get the feeling that someone who is so intriguing seems to be a little too interested in your eyes, lips and ass. I can be a pretty good conversationalist but hell, when it comes to kissing I just may be a visionary, sometimes you need to enjoy it for what it is and talk later. Having my mind a little dizzy from kissing feels like just the right kind of trancendence I need on certain days....

Floating Through Life

Well, today I had such a rejuvenating day with my friend. She took me to her favorite local hiking spot. As we started walking up the trail I felt refreshed by the cold air of a crisp November Sunday. We followed alongside the stream to her secret spot that she named Writer's Rock and of course our journey was filled with dirty jokes and uncontrollable laughter. When we got to Writer's Rock we hopped from rock to rock until we sat and reached our destination which was a giant rock, placed in a breathtaking spot alongside the stream. She shared that this was a place she has always done a lot of writing because of its ability to inspire her and it was obvious why. The water was rushing by, splashing over rocks and flowing over smaller stones in the stream. I was overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the last of the bright autumn leaves and the dark brown of the trees and the cool clear stream with its quick paced movement over the rocks.

As I observed the sights and sounds of this beautiful place I took a bright orange leaf and tossed it into the crisp waters below me. I watched the leaf get tossed around my large rock and taken away into the currents and eventually further downstream. I was inspired by the way the leaf moved with the currents in the water; dancing around to an unknown destination. It all made me think of when I had to take swimming lessons in the cedar lake at my summer camp when I was about six. We had to learn how to float on our backs and I really did not want to get involved, it seemed so scary to have my ears underwater with that muffled sound of everyone above the surface, but once I overcame my fears I actually enjoyed floating very much. The sound of the currents also reminded me of when I was 14 years old and I went on a hiking and canoeing trip on the Appalachian Trail and on the Shenandoah River. We went repelling and that same feeling of stepping over the edge of a hundred foot cliff terrified me and their may have been tears but as soon as I started down the side of that mountain I was ok. When I was finished I can say that at 14 years old, I had never felt more of a sense of pride in myself.

Sitting on the rock with my friend today, I realized that we should all be more like that little leaf and move with the currents in life. We should try to remember to just go with the flow and enjoy the ride of this life. It’s a great journey and you don’t want to spend time fighting the current, it will wear you out and you won’t have the opportunity to see all of the beauty in the ups and downs and all arounds. The whole scene sent a powerful message; on the trail, along the stream and even from the words of a friend… keep moving foreward. The past week had been strangely eventful and it was nice to come back to center at the end of the week. I truly felt baptized by the beauty of the day and all of its blessings and the simple wisdom I always come back to that is found in nature.

Seasons of Love

So my good friend L and I were at it again having our regular silly yet profound discussion; this time about the soundrack to your life. The topic came up because she got me the best gift ever, an IPOD for my frequent travel, lately by train. I was sharing my excitement of having the opportunity to have a musical background to my little journeys each day. Of course, I had to include the many great songs from the musical RENT. L and I first saw the movie together and then when I was visiting her, we went to see the musical which was obviously an incredible bff expirience. We have always been very musical ladies from a young age and I do believe we are performers at heart...

Anyway, I was so excited when she got hired to do some work that included her being involved in RENT recently. So, now I have been listening to the songs from the musical alot as I walk through center city thinking about all kinds of stuff. Now today while walking through the halls with one of my students I heard Seasons of Love coming from one of the therapists offices. This was completely random. Then my student started singing Seasons of Love with his amazing voice as we walked down the hall together... It was beautiful and sounded way better then when my friend L and I try it over the phone with our incredible singing voices. I guess what I am saying is try to stop and listen to the music in your day and appreciate the little moments that touch your heart. And in my 525,600 minutes I like to measure my days in cups of coffee and laughter....


COMPANY
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Moments So Dear
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure - Measure A Year?
In Daylights - In Sunsets
In Midnights - In Cups Of Coffee
In Inches - In Miles
In Laughter - In Strife

In - Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure
A Year In The Life

How About Love?
How About Love?
How About Love?
Measure In Love

Seasons Of Love
Seasons Of Love

SOLOIST #1
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Journeys To Plan

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure The Life
Of A Woman Or A Man?

SOLOIST #2
In Truths That She Learned
Or In Times That He Cried
In Bridges He Burned
Or The Way That She Died

ALL
It's Time Now - To Sing Out
Tho' The Story Never Ends
Let's Celebrate
Remember A Year In The Life Of Friends

Remember The Love
Remember The Love
Remember The Love
Measure In Love

SOLOIST #1
Measure, Measure Your Life In Love

Seasons Of Love...
Seasons Of Love

Large Hadron Collider

Recently in the news there has been a lot of discussion about the Large Hadron Collider experiment and all of the exciting scientific possibilities it could hold such as the creation of a big black hole or even a twin universe that could lead us to eventually using a transporter for a little," Beam me up Scotty." Anyway, I love the LHC and now there's a rap for it!!! This is rediculous, so I had to throw it on here and share science rap!

Legacy of Love

"Your mind is like a room with many open windows. Let the breeze flow in from all directions, but refuse to be blown away by any one." Mahatma Gandhi

I was looking over my previous blogging and I noticed that love has been a pattern in my writing lately. Love of food, work, romance and knowledge are just a few of the thoughts that have been strolling around this site these days. Maybe it is the change in season or my life long Bob Marley playlist but I find my mind wondering to to the blessings that I have.

"What we gain from academic studies is knowledge. What we gain from experience is wisdom." Mahatma Gandhi

I just started reading Legacy of Love by Arun Gandhi, Mahatma's Grandson. I am always reading books that will enlighten me a little with a new perspective. This book sheds light on our ability to use anger as a constructive and positive force in the world. I discovered this book for work as a tool to articulate a view of peace and respect through my lessons. The book explains that nonviolence is based on the five essential elements of love, respect, understanding and appreciation. I work to demonstrate these elements in my own words and actions because I believe that living what you teach is fundamental. My work is a blessing in my life and I am hopeful that this book will guide my students vision of love as it has my own.

“When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator” Mahatma Gandhi

Sitting back and taking it all in while reading on the train, I am impressed by Pennsylvania's fall backdrop of all of the shades of color from amber to scarlet. This is my favorite time of year because of all of the crazy natural beauty and my birthday's recent passing. Birthday's have a way of making people reflect on the year before and what is still to come. As I return home after spending time with my close friends and their new baby I am happy to have had a weekend with my little niece, who is a small concentrated reflection of zen in my life. I am so greatful for all of the special people who share my world....

The Assassination Of Romance

I am on the dating scene again out of bordom. Its been pretty good except I hate dating. I guess I have become pretty cynical which is so unlike me, but it's like some strange superficial game of do you meet my standards or something. I'm not really the dating type, more of the relationship type. I am a total goofball, attractive with a big brain and a big heart. I have absolutely no interest in marketing that into some kind of commodity. Where are the flowers and nice dinners??? If my next date includes any liquids I am just getting up and leaving. Have I been spoiled or is it really cool to take a girl out for drinks and call it a date? Maybe its more along the lines of how many drinks do I have to give this girl before I get laid. Try a million, outlook is doubtful. When it comes to dating you could take me to a brewery and its not gonna happen.

Did romance die with my last relationship? Was romance murdered in cold blood three and a half years ago shortly after my last date? I don't really watch the news that often, maybe I missed it. Do most guys not try the romance route in a certain age group? Yuck! I might be staying home with my hot wings more in the future. I am pretty open and would love a little art museum action, its free on Sunday's for god sakes. I miss being able to curl up on the coach in my hoodie and watch a movie with someone... Maybe thats not romance.. maybe I just miss love.

Love your....

My friend J shared the best story with me tonight. She told me about this woman that was on Oprah and shared her unusual baby story. I can't watch Oprah anymore because I am still getting home from work. Anyway, this woman went into the hospital to have her baby, but there were some complications. They delivered the baby and found out that the mother had some kind of flesh eating disease and they had to cut off her arms and legs. On the show they talked about what an inspiration the woman was, having such a positive attitude after such a tramatic surgery. What really left me amazed was that immediately after her limbs were removed, her fiancee married her right there in the hospital! People asked him if he felt apprehensive because of her surgery and how it would change their lives. He explained that she is and would always be the woman that he loves, with or without her arms and legs. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her and raise their child.

I was totally shocked and impressed by the love that this man felt for his wife. The whole situation was a reminder of the power of love and that there are some authentic and honorable people out there. I am a little cynical and I assumed that as they started to cut off one of her arms, her fiancee was halfway to the hospital parking lot. If I ever fall in love again I want the man to love me like that. His love for her was a true inspiration. When my next boyfriend decided to profess his love, I am going to ask if he would love me if I didn't have arms or legs. HA, your typical question after a nice date! I know for a fact that so far I have not met a man who would love me without arms or legs, but someday I hope I do...