Tuesday, November 30, 2010

a little less conversation, a little more action please...

http://staceywasikbenefit.blogspot.com/

One of my old classmates informed me via Facebook that my old neighbor Craig's wife, Stacey, has been battling an inoperable brain tumor. Their friends are also showing support for this family through Take Them a Meal -a brilliant website where you can sign up to bring a meal to a family suffering through tragedy that could use a little extra help. Their particular sign up page can be found on the Take Them a Meal site, searching "Wasik" and typing in the password "1978." You'll then see a calendar sign up and what other people are cooking to bring to the family so you don't double up. If you live far away, it allows people in particular states to send a packaged meal that will be delivered to the family.

I'm honestly speechless over here at what Craig and his family are going through and how many people are donating time to help make their lives a little bit easier.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

you don't win fair, but you win.

Why do people have "online" wars a la twitter and facebook?

-To provide everyone else with mind-numbing entertainment!

I don't understand the airing of "dirty laundry" online and I'm really not that invested in any of it. But I will still sit here, read it, and laugh. See? I can't even remember what I was going to write about it.

Mind-numbing indeed.

Just don't do it. Nothing is worth public shaming. You'll forget what you were fighting with someone else about 2 hours later, unless you have nothing better to do.

Do I not have better things to write about in entry #2? Of course!:

Viva Italia! I remember when international airfares were half the price they are now. That was 12 years ago but still. The only thing that has changed is our level of cynicism. Oh and the way we have to handle security in our airports because of fun-ruiners. Can't we all just get along? Now we have to pay upwards of $400 in taxes just to get somewhere to escape. Ah, escapism at its most expensive. The American dream deflated!

I digress. Ooh, bad segue. Back to Italy. A few months ago, I was trying to choose between Florence and Rome. I chose Florence and returned all of my Rome library books for Florence ones. I even flipped through all of them, only to receive an email that I was indeed going to... Rome. I am fine with that. I got to choose 3 destinations for my overseas experience and Paris was my 3rd choice, as I have already been there. My travels are not extensive- flying between home in CA and my old home in MN in the dead of winter did not count. I went to Europe in high school as part of my French studies. My family was not well-off but found a way for me to go anyway. Going overseas and also moving across the country count as the most life-changing experiences I have had to date.

Which reminds me, I'm getting old and need to go to bed. I do work 7 days a week though so age may not be the problem at all. It's just that thing you say when you realize the concept of time has escaped your memory, even if you look at the clock several times and realize only a couple minutes have passed in your mind's thinking that the gap was longer.

I don't know. I'm tired. Buona notte!

a star is born...

"This is it, kid. SING!" --A Star Is Born (1954)

Here we go! Today marks the beginning of something wonderful: my random thoughts fleshed out onto the internet in more than 140 characters. I have been struggling with the idea of doing this for quite some time and am still unsure there is an audience for the hurricane swirling in my brain. My conclusion is that putting thoughts out into the universe can help organize my mind by realizing certain truths or trivializations when they are right there in front of me.

As soon as my paperwork is all in order, I will be starting my Masters in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language in January, 2011. Please don't judge my grammar 100% in this blog- ha! It is a top goal to produce quality writing but we all know thoughts don't always emerge in tangible form on the internet. I will do my best though.

A fire was lit under me yesterday when a customer came into my part-time job and described me as "reminiscent of Judy Garland"- my idol growing up! I almost cried on the spot but withheld the happy tears until I got home. Then I continued to hold them in while deciding it was finally time to write this blog.

With this introduction finally out of the way- and speaking of fire- I have an important announcement to make: my neighbor does not know how to use a fireplace. I sure hope my renter's insurance is up to date. My nose and eyes sting like an angry beehive. Yeowch!

~S