My Fair Godmother

Check out my mom's book trailer:

September 11

Eight years ago doesn't seem that long ago to me. But to my 7th graders, it's like an eternity.

I spent hours last night watching different 9/11 tribute videos, trying to find one I could show my class. I cried. My heart felt heavy. Had this really happened, in our very own New York City? How could this happen? Normally 9/11 isn't a big deal to me, but watching all the clips again sombered me up. How could we ever forget?

I asked them (my 7th graders) what they remembered about September 11, 2001. Most didn't remember anything. Some remembered their parents crying, being sad/depressed. But that's it.

I told them what I remembered, and then showed them this video:



After it was over, the class was so silent, you could hear a pin drop.

Never forget.

Good day

Today I ate wild mulberries and danced in the rain.

The rain wasn't as warm as it is in Arizona, but it was still a pleasant experience.

:)

I've been thinking a lot recently. About life, the universe, and everything.

You know, deep thoughts.

They boil down to:
What gives society the right to tell us what is the right way and the wrong way to live our lives
and
Why aren't people friendlier
and
What really matters most, in the end?

Also, I just watched the documentary God Grew Tired of Us. It's about the Lost Boys of Sudan. It will make your heart hurt, but also inspire you. It's amazing what people are capable of (both good and bad)

Pay it Forward

Well, I don't know if anyone reads this anymore,but here is an opportunity for those that do (and I use the word "opportunity" loosely):

How it works: The FIRST THREE people to leave a comment on this post will receive at some point during this year a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive will be a total surprise--to both of us. The CATCH is that YOU MUST PLAY TOO! Before you leave your comment here, write a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (you can cut and paste these instructions). Then come back and let me know that you are going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift. It's THAT easy! Remember, only the FIRST THREE comments will qualify. Good luck!

Bucket Lists

I love experiencing things. There is so much to do, to see, to feel, to accomplish! There are so many things to do on this wonderful planet of ours, it is overwhelming at times. The possibilities are almost endless.

However, people frequently create lists of "musts--" things you must do in life. Some call them Bucket Lists (things to do before you kick-the-bucket aka die) and some just call them "Things to To Do Before I Die" lists.

This got me thinking: What's on your list? What is something that you want/ think everyone should experience before you/they die?

Here's the start of mine:
*New Year's Eve in Time Square
*See the 7 Wonders of the World
*Pay for someones dinner anonymously
*Have your breath taken away by something beautiful/great
*Publish a novel

The Things That I Eat

As a child I was very finicky. I didn't want any of the food on my plate to be touching, and I refused to eat almost anything except for top ramen and a handful or fruits and vegetables (but never beans or mushrooms). I exasperated my mother at many nightly dinners, and she cursed me to have a daughter as finicky as myself. Thankfully, my tastes have expanded since then, but some people think I'm still a little picky. This blog is to prove you all WRONG.

Today while I was at my friends apartment, she asked if I wanted some shrimp for lunch. Uh, let me think about that for a second...YES! So she had me cut up some onions and garlic for the sauce while she started getting the shrimp ready. I was envisioning something like this:

I mean, that's what shrimp look like, right?

When I looked into the frying pan though, I was surprised. I saw this:
"Those have heads!" I exclaimed.
My friend (who is from Kiribati, btw) looked at me like I was crazy. "Uh, what did you expect??" she said.
I blinked. "I've just never seen shrimp like that before."
She laughed and laughed and laughed. "What did you think they looked like?"
Well, to be honest, I've never really thought about what shrimp looked like. I guess it made sense that they had heads and beady eyes and legs and long feeler things. I just never processed that these were all removed before they got to my table.

I didn't really know how to eat shrimp when it was like this...


so my friend had to show me how. It's kind of graphic: you tear off the head, peel off the outer shell, rip off the legs, and then you can enjoy the shrimp part as you tear off the tail.

Here are the remains:


Gross huh? But it was probably the best shrimp I've ever had. It was really, really good. And I'm not a big seafood person.

My favorite part of the lunch was when my friends roommate joined us. She's from Kiribati too, and she had no problem with the shrimp. Hahaha.
My mother would be so proud seeing how far I've come.