To be loved.

I guess this is the time of my life where real discovery happens. The point where I learn who I really am and what I really like. Also, this is the point of my life where I need to learn to compromise. Being together with someone else, being someone's girlfriend- means compromise, something I have never been good at.

For 22 years, I have never really had to make compromises with someone else- worry about someone else's needs and actually want to put someone else's needs before mine- until now. I am not stubborn, just have tendencies to like things the way I like them- cook with olive oil, use a specific kind of laundry detergent, sleep on a certain side of the bed, and watch certain late night talk shows. Maybe these little reasons are why I never let boys past a particular point in my life, because I didn't want to have to alter the way I went about daily life- until now.

This discovery happened 2 nights ago- over something simple: the type of milk to drink. My entire life I have drank skim milk. For health reasons- its less calories and fat, and taste reasons- yes it might taste like water, but I don't feel like I am drinking straight from the cows utter. Just a personal opinion. My boyfriend went to the store to pick up some things to make for dinner- he's a much better cook than I am and actually enjoys doing it (I do the dishes and he cooks, its a good trade off). He noticed that the milk I had in my refrigerator had expired and decided to pick some up (very thoughtful and amazing)- but since his entire life he has drank 2% milk and he knew I drank skim, he made the compromise and bought 1%. Now any normal girlfriend would find this very thoughtful and sweet and not make a deal out of it- but seeing as I am never really normal- I decided to go to the store and buy a little carton of skim milk just for me- without thinking anything of it. I figured, he will drink the 1% and I really only use it in coffee and tea, so what does it matter?

Well, it mattered- we can drink different milk, no big deal, but the point that I did not even consider compromising- only thought about myself made me realize that its not all about what I like anymore- I have to take what he likes into consideration.

Its a very comforting feeling that I am not alone- that someone takes the time to think about me before making decisions and has my best interest at heart- that I have someone else to care about instead of myself- this is the feeling that I have pushed away my entire life- the feeling of letting someone else in- letting someone else care and someone else know what I like and don't like. Its a freeing feeling, not to keep everything bottled up in side.

I guess this is what its like to be loved. Why I pushed this away for 22 years is beyond me, but now that I understand what it feels like, I understand- I just get it.

Lesson learned:

1% milk isn't half bad....

peace, love and compromise,

b

Beers and the MARTA Bus

While I lived in New York, riding the subway system was my only mode of transportation (minus the few cab rides). The trains came every few minutes and I never really thought twice about riding them.

The public transportation system in Atlanta is called MARTA. The train system consists of 4 lines, 2 that run north to south and 2 east to west. Unless the place you are going is directly on the line, you must take a bus to get where you are going. Seeing as this would consist of almost ALL places in Atlanta, taking public transportation is a pain in the butt. Atlanta is very car friendly with alot of places to park, and once you are in the neighborhood you want to be in- everything is walkable- downtown, midtown, the highlands, ect. (the list goes on).

There is nothing wrong with taking the MARTA train. Its how I get to the airport, to my boyfriends apartment if I don't want to drive, baseball games and almost all concerts/special events in the city. If it were possible, I would take the MARTA train everywhere. I think public transportation is amazing: it saves money, time and is good for the environment.

But there is one issue with MARTA. That one issue is: The MARTA bus. No one takes the MARTA buses unless its to a special event. YOU WILL NEVER FIND ME ON A MARTA BUS UNLESS ITS FOR A SPECIAL EVENT- EVER. Sorry, i might sound like a snob, but I'd rather walk.

Case in point: Yesterday, my boyfriend, a co worker, his friend and myself went to the East Atlanta Beer Festival. If you know nothing about Atlanta, East Atlanta is a mix of hipsters and the ghetto- a very interesting mix. Its kinda of near the airport.

But anyways- imagine this, myself and crew get off the MARTA train to transfer to the bus (which I wanted to take a cab, but was overruled). We hunt down the bus stop because none of us have ever attempted to catch the MARTA bus- asked a man for directions and then he proceeded to tell us he was poor and asked for money in return for directions, and finally, get successfully onto a bus to the event. We get on the bus and stick out like sore thumbs. Any one could plainly see that we did not belong. Well, almost didn't belong, until we saw a few other festival goer's in the back of the bus. All wearing sun dresses and baseball hats- could totally tell they were going the same place we were.

We made friends with the other group and after a 10 minute ride on the MARTA bus, the driver announced, "Beer festival, you kids in the back, this is your stop." He clearly knew we didn't belong as much as we did. The festival was so much fun, beautiful weather, fun friends and a lot of beer- the best Saturday.

When it came time to go home.... Lets just say that we took cabs. Riding the MARTA bus after dark really wasn't in the cards for us.

Lesson learned:

MARTA trains are ok- think twice about the buses.

Peace, love and public transportation,

b

family vacations

Well, I just got back from a weekend in Hilton Head. It was just another vacation with the family, but as my mom described it, its one of our 'last' family vacations with just the four of us. She explained that now that my brother and I are getting older, we both will have extra appendages coming on vacations with us, its just the way of life. She said, 'well, you will want your boyfriend to come sometimes and your brother will want his girlfriend (whoever it may be) to come with us- so its one of the last ones, just us.' She explained to me that our family dynamic will change, it will shift from the small unit of us, to extras.

But here's the thing, the 'extras' she is referring to, in my mind- is just the expansion and continuation of life. Its cool to watch us grow and evolve. The main dynamic that will change is that we will need 3 rooms in the hotel/condo instead of just 2. And with dinner reservations, just need a few extra chairs. In my opinion, the growth of numbers is good- better than a decrease. At least we all still like each other enough to want to go on a vacation- just the 5 of us (plus the dog of course) for 4 and a half days, just us and actually have a great time. Out little family unit will never break apart, but just expand.

But other than the title of the 'last' family vacation- this trip was much needed. I though about it, and since I moved back to Atlanta from New York, I have not skipped a beat- jumped straight into a new job and a new life. This was my first time to breathe, take everything in.

But of course- our family vacation wouldn't be a family vacation without a few hiccups- it is an Unger vacation of course. Not one meal went smoothly- horrible service, horrible seafood (we were at the beach!! you would at least think the seafood would be good), undercooked food, over salted food (fingers swelled into balloons)- needless to say, we got a few free meals. We went to the nicest restaurant on the island, apparently. Well, the 'nicest' restaurant experience went like this: it started with my brother taking an 'oyster slider shot' (basically bloody mary mix with an oyster in a shot glass) and spitting the entire shot back in the glass after trying to swallow it. Then the salads came- those were fine, how bad can some lettuce and dressing be messed up anyways? But then came the main course.

My dad, brother and myself were served first. The presentation was nice, but then it all went down hill from there. My mom was not served for about 10 minutes after the rest of us. She told us to start without her. My meal was fine, just a stuffed portabella mushroom, not much to screw up there. My brother had shrimp gumbo, again, pretty standard. My dad had mahi mahi- raw mahi mahi. Yes- with sushi, mahi mahi can be raw, but this was not sushi. Once my dad discovered his meal was raw, then out came my mom's meal (finally) she had fish as well....

But when she ordered the fish, she didn't think it would come out basically the way they get it straight out of the ocean, still breathing... (no, it was not really breathing, but it might as well been.. the fish was raw, straight from the ocean). After her fish was brought out raw, we were done. The meal had already lasted for 2 hours and this was the last straw. My dad asked the waiter to send the manager over. My dad retold our entire dining experience to the manager and all he had to say was, 'I am so sorry, we have had a few tables tonight walk out- the meal is on us. I am truly sorry.' This was not the reaction we were expecting from him. Clearly he knows that his restaurant sucked- so much for being the best restaurant on the island.

The only meal that we could count on being delicious and editable was breakfast- we ate at a little local breakfast spot with the BEST omelets and friendliest staff. The waiters were genuinely happy to be working there. I think the staff loved their jobs because the manager of the restaurant actually did the same work as the waiters, she brought out food and helped out wherever needed, seeing that kind of work dynamic was really nice. If I were ever to open a restaurant, thats how I'd do it: everyone takes part to make the business run.

Even the manager from the 'best restaurant on the island' from the night before agrees with me. How do I know? We spotted him at breakfast this morning before we headed back home.... Clearly he cannot even eat breakfast at his own place.

Overall, despite the bad food, our family vacation was great. My mom and I shopped up a storm and my brother and dad played plenty of golf. We all baked in the sun on the beach and went for long walks in the mornings. Never would I replace any of our family vacations, because really- they rock. If I wasn't in my family and saw us on vacation, I would want to be apart of us. Everyone loves their families, but for some reason, I love mine a lot- and we have a good time- makings of a great vacation. Who ever gets to be added to those 'expanded' vacations, aka my boyfriend and my brothers girlfriend are pretty lucky- the vacations never see a dull moment.

Peace, love and so many more vacations,

b

9 years, 7 months.

I know I have told you all about my personal relationship with the Senator of Georgia since the age of 12. Our relationship started with the September 11th attacks on the United States. I wanted to make a difference and he helped me get the money I raised to the President of the United States. Seeing as our country has finally succeeded in finding and killing Bin Laden- I decided to write a note to my favorite State Senator and though I would share with you guys....

"Dear Johnny (Yes, I call our State Senator by his first name... He told me I can call him whatever I want, and to me- hes just Johnny),

Considering the reason we met was because of Osama Bin Laden and his attacks on the United States- he was the reason I wanted to help and raised what I could as a 12 year old in 8th grader- I felt it fitting and proper that I say thank you.

Not only do I want to say thank you to you for all your hard work- and for helping the 12 year old version of me to get the money I raised to where it could help and instilling the idea in my mind that if I tried hard enough and pushed as much as possible, I can do anything; but because you have the direct line of communication to everyone in Washington as well as- I want you to pass my thank you and gratitude along.

In the past 10 years- I have gone to high school, graduated from college, moved to New York City for 6 months and now moved back to Georgia. I have held 2 corporate jobs and continue to strive for more. In the past 10 years, I have received my drivers license, turned 18 and gained the ability to vote in the 2008 presidential elections. I turned 21 and gained the ability to drink legally. I have worked for and raised money for camp Kesem (a camp for kids who parents have had or have cancer), and I have continued to try and make this world a better place. In the past 10 years, I have broken 4 bones, gotten my tonsils and wisdom teeth removed, my dad had cancer, my brother graduated from elementary school, middle school, high school and now onto college, and my mom has never given up on trying to make a better life and never has once stopped working. My brother has now survived 2 natural disasters: the floods in Georgia and the recent tornadoes in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. My grandfather passed away and there have been 8 additions to our extended family. In the past almost 10 years, my life has taken shape. In the almost past 10 years, I went from a 12 year old 8th grader, to a now 22 year old (almost 23 in June) semi-adult, still searching for a purpose and a right way.

Today, I now know that I can still search for that purpose, with public enemy #1 gone- a little bit of me knows I can keep going, if the United States as a whole can see a little shining light of victory, so can I. Even though I will never know a world without security at the airport or medal detectors, I do know a world where there are always people striving for a better place.

In the past almost 10 years (9 years, 7 months to be exact), my life has changed and progressed- but none of this would have been possible without you. And now, today, the man hunt is over. The number one public enemy has been taken out- one step closer to justice and maybe finally putting some issues to rest.

No one knows what will happen in the future- but for today, I wanted to say an extra special thank you- for everything that you do. And if you can pass on my thanks to the president and everyone else who works hard to protect our country, that would be be great. Just like when I was 12 years old, I know that the way to get my message heard is to start with the people who believe in me. And Johnny, since I was 12 years old, I have taken you as someone who believed in me and made some of my aspirations possible. So thank you.

As always, I will continue to do what I can to make this world a better place and do my part, because as today has shown me, you guys are still doing your part.

Thank you always, and God Bless America.

-Brandi"

Lesson Learned:

Can't forget that if I push hard enough- things will get done.

Peace, love and 9 years, 7 months- justice,

B

riding out storms

Finally my boyfriend has moved to Atlanta for the summer. After all the waiting and anticipation- its happened. And him being here has far exceeded my expectations. Instead of having to plan an entire jammed packed weekend, knowing that in 2 days I wouldn't see him for a few weeks- we can now take our time. Do things as they come and finally just be. I can have the though process of us now just being together, adding him into the mix of my crazy life and its so great.

All the things we can do now are endless and this is what we waited 4 months for: we waited for the 'see you later tonight'- or the 'want to meet for lunch'- or the 'lets do nothing and watch movies.' I honestly could go on and on with lists of things that we can do now, and right now- its just right.

But of course his move was not easy- seeing as he is apart of my life, of course nothing could go smoothly. The day he had planned on driving all of his stuff down happened to be the day that the huge storms that had been tearing apart the middle section of the country was moving through the south. He reassured me that he would drive safe and use his best judgement- which he did- but the original 8 hour drive, turned into a 14 hour extravaganza.

Of course he was calm, cool and collective- he told me he was fine. In my mind, all I saw was his car being picked up by one of the tornado and thrown across the Tennessee mountains. That day had already been hectic for me, my younger brother goes to the University of Alabama, in Tuscaloosa- where if you have seen the news, you would know that the entire city was torn apart. My mom had called me asking if I had heard from my brother- she explained that a tornado had hit there and she wanted to make sure he was ok. For a good 3 hours, we all were unsure if my brother had safely survived the horrific tornado. His cell phone service was out and he wasn't responding to text messages, which is unlike him- setting off a small panic in my mind. Thank the heavens, he was fine- but after that 3 hour wait to hear from my brother- the only thing I though about was my boyfriend-he was driving right down the route the storms were taking.

In his 14 hour trek- he stopped a few times to wait out tornado warnings, and he was pretty much free and clear once he got out of Tennessee- but the second he got inside the state lines of Georgia- the stand still traffic started- all due to the debris from the storms. He was stuck on the highway, with his car off, for 4 hours- literally, stand still traffic. He had told me he pulled together all his food and drinks he could find in his car and tried to figure out how long he could survive. In those 4 hours, I did nothing but stare at the TV- not really understanding what show I was watching, only thinking about him, stuck on the high way, in the middle of no where- with his car full of all his belongings- just sitting.

14 hours later- 4am on Thursday morning- he made it safely. Tired and a bit worn down by the weather, but he was safe.

Of course there is no smooth transition in my life and it seems that my roller coaster style spills over to the people I surround myself with- but then again, thats what makes life an adventure- and now he has been introduced to the crazy ups and downs of my life. Its quite a ride.

But, all in all, the 4 month wait and the 14 hours I waited for him to get here was totally worth it.

Lesson Learned:

If you are patient and ride out the storms, good things will always come in the end.

Peace, love and Georgia welcomes its new resident,

b