This is what makes me want to do more for this world, just to help people:
http://inthecapital.streetwise.co/2013/08/22/teach-for-america-baltimore-intern-elijah-miles-delivers-inspiring-i-have-a-dream-speech-that-instantly-goes-viral-video/
Friday, August 23, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Rebel Impulses
I got my nose pierced yesterday. Something I have always wanted to have- and not going to try to justify reasons why, I just like it. Maybe for the same reason I just like the color green, or why I will only paint my nails certain colors: I just like it. Most likely, it will not stay for long, but it was the point of doing it.
Once, in college... I had my nose pierced. I made the decision right after winter break jr. year, went to the parlor, on my own before recruitment, and just did it. I didn't ask my parents, I just went, and I loved it. Casually, a few weeks later, I brought up the thought to my mom about thinking about getting my nose pierced, and the answer I got was, "If you get your nose pierced, you can pay for college on your own" After that comment I freaked out. They were coming to visit a few weeks later, so, the decision was made, I loved college more than the nose piercing, took it out, and no harm no foul. My parents never needed to know.
Until I told them a few years later. Got a good laugh about how much pressure I have always put on myself, and for the most part, have been an easy kid.
Yesterday afternoon, I made the decision that I wanted it again, and you know what, I went, did it, and don't regret it for a second. Here's why:
1) I proved to myself I could do it. I am in control of myself, and if there is something I want, no one, and nothing can stop me
2) Finally, I did something that not everyone agreed with, and I don't care what they think
3) And last but not least, I did this for me. Maybe to feel a little but of pain, or to feel a little alive. But this year, for the most part, has been hard from a personal standpoint. At some point, we all have to be selfish, do something for ourselves, no matter what that is (within constrain of physical harm, of course)- and not think, just do.
And thats what I did. My parents hate it, disagree with it, whatever. T supports it, people at work are mixed. But overall, I did it, I support myself- and what other people think... honestly, don't care.
Peace, Love, and the little rebel inside all of us,
B
Once, in college... I had my nose pierced. I made the decision right after winter break jr. year, went to the parlor, on my own before recruitment, and just did it. I didn't ask my parents, I just went, and I loved it. Casually, a few weeks later, I brought up the thought to my mom about thinking about getting my nose pierced, and the answer I got was, "If you get your nose pierced, you can pay for college on your own" After that comment I freaked out. They were coming to visit a few weeks later, so, the decision was made, I loved college more than the nose piercing, took it out, and no harm no foul. My parents never needed to know.
Until I told them a few years later. Got a good laugh about how much pressure I have always put on myself, and for the most part, have been an easy kid.
Yesterday afternoon, I made the decision that I wanted it again, and you know what, I went, did it, and don't regret it for a second. Here's why:
1) I proved to myself I could do it. I am in control of myself, and if there is something I want, no one, and nothing can stop me
2) Finally, I did something that not everyone agreed with, and I don't care what they think
3) And last but not least, I did this for me. Maybe to feel a little but of pain, or to feel a little alive. But this year, for the most part, has been hard from a personal standpoint. At some point, we all have to be selfish, do something for ourselves, no matter what that is (within constrain of physical harm, of course)- and not think, just do.
And thats what I did. My parents hate it, disagree with it, whatever. T supports it, people at work are mixed. But overall, I did it, I support myself- and what other people think... honestly, don't care.
Peace, Love, and the little rebel inside all of us,
B
Monday, August 19, 2013
Bread with a side of Smile
This weekend was great. I went out to New Jersey and spent some time with a friend from college. She made sure to show me the best parts of New Jersey, the tax free shopping, and the once a year local wine festival near her house. Saturday was a good day. Finally, I was over my cold, and back to feeling like a normal human being. I am also on the last stretch of a countdown- T is coming home this week! He has been on his European adventure, leaving me to explore a few things around the city. And Sunday, I will say, was the best exploration I have done on my own since moving to NYC.
Sunday was an eye opening day, a great day. I decided to sign up to volunteer at a church that gives meals every sunday to homeless people, or just people in need. It has been a long time since I've done something for someone else. I use to tutor in Atlanta some weekends, and I loved it. Not sure why I ever stopped, life got in the way, and time just slipped by. Anyways, Sunday was amazing. Got to the church early, and right away, started wrapping napkins with spoons and forks in them. Then, the real work started. I was in charge of putting the bread, the last and final touch of the meal, onto the tray, and then handing the tray to the guest. Although it sounds like a small job, it was a
a lot of work, and the entire time, I had a huge grin on my face. I wanted every guest that received a meal, to get it from someone with a smile.
And thats all it took, a smile at one of them, and in return, I would hear a 'g-d bless' most of the time, or my favorite, just a smile back. The power of a grin is endless in my mind. I met a woman, who had severe arthritis in her knees, could barely walk to the bathroom. She asked for some help to carry her bags across the room to the bathroom. I took her hand, and walked with her for a 20 minute walk, that would take a fully able person 3 minutes to walk. On our walk, we chatted about where she is from, and what was wrong with her body. It was easy to see that she was in pain. It hurt her to walk, and there was nothing I could do about that. We got to the bathroom, she had me place her bag outside the stall, she looked at me and said, 'I got it from here. Thank you" she gave me the slightest grin, and she continued into the stall. The whole 20 minutes we walked, she did not once smile, until the end. Behind the smile, I could see the pain- but the smile looked good on her.
I have never been a person who really loved volunteering with elderly people, or homeless people for that matter. This is my blog, and I can be honest. They have always made me uncomfortable. But from this weekend, I learned something valuable about myself. When I am put into a situation that might not be the easiest for me, my first reaction is to smile, and mask my nervousness. And from my experience this past weekend, I fell in love with helping. My next goal, help the elderly... it might sound funny, but the more I challenge myself, and pull myself out of my comfort zone, the happier I am.
Peace, Love, and always wanting more smiles,
b
Sunday was an eye opening day, a great day. I decided to sign up to volunteer at a church that gives meals every sunday to homeless people, or just people in need. It has been a long time since I've done something for someone else. I use to tutor in Atlanta some weekends, and I loved it. Not sure why I ever stopped, life got in the way, and time just slipped by. Anyways, Sunday was amazing. Got to the church early, and right away, started wrapping napkins with spoons and forks in them. Then, the real work started. I was in charge of putting the bread, the last and final touch of the meal, onto the tray, and then handing the tray to the guest. Although it sounds like a small job, it was a
a lot of work, and the entire time, I had a huge grin on my face. I wanted every guest that received a meal, to get it from someone with a smile.
And thats all it took, a smile at one of them, and in return, I would hear a 'g-d bless' most of the time, or my favorite, just a smile back. The power of a grin is endless in my mind. I met a woman, who had severe arthritis in her knees, could barely walk to the bathroom. She asked for some help to carry her bags across the room to the bathroom. I took her hand, and walked with her for a 20 minute walk, that would take a fully able person 3 minutes to walk. On our walk, we chatted about where she is from, and what was wrong with her body. It was easy to see that she was in pain. It hurt her to walk, and there was nothing I could do about that. We got to the bathroom, she had me place her bag outside the stall, she looked at me and said, 'I got it from here. Thank you" she gave me the slightest grin, and she continued into the stall. The whole 20 minutes we walked, she did not once smile, until the end. Behind the smile, I could see the pain- but the smile looked good on her.
I have never been a person who really loved volunteering with elderly people, or homeless people for that matter. This is my blog, and I can be honest. They have always made me uncomfortable. But from this weekend, I learned something valuable about myself. When I am put into a situation that might not be the easiest for me, my first reaction is to smile, and mask my nervousness. And from my experience this past weekend, I fell in love with helping. My next goal, help the elderly... it might sound funny, but the more I challenge myself, and pull myself out of my comfort zone, the happier I am.
Peace, Love, and always wanting more smiles,
b
Friday, August 16, 2013
No homemade chicken soup
Well.... I chickened out on the chicken soup. Literally. Again. 2 Nights in a row, I had the thought to make it, but then my sickness just took over. And laziness. Oops.
So last night, to get my soup fix, I bough one of the pre made soups from the store. I was very sadly disappointed. I wanted so bad for the soup to be good.... and it just wasn't. Never again will I do that. Even canned soup would have fulfilled my need for soup.
But on the bright side, I am feeling better. Have big plans for the weekend. Going out to NJ to visit a friend from college tomorrow, then volunteering at a homeless shelter on Sunday to serve a hot meal. Its about time for me to give something back. Do a little good for the world around me. Couldn't hurt my karma..... And any little bit of good vibes could come in handy, not only for me, but for my family.
Peace, Love, and just more love,
b
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Health Food
I watched a documentary last night about how eating natural foods, solid foods, and taking vitamins can help the human body reverse damage and illness. Part of me is still skeptical, but it just makes sense. We are what we eat, so if we are eating chemicals and toxins... then we will become chemicals and toxins.
That just makes me feel gross. Working out, and eating healthy is not enough. At least, not the 'healthy' eating I was doing before. My healthy consisted of trying to lose weight, so, low calorie. No real sugars, essentially, everything was processed. I would have salads, but with low fat dressing, filled with corn syrup.
Making a lifestyle change is something I am toying around with. Not just for only my benefit, but for my families benefit. Maybe if I make this change, my family will start to make the same change, and go on this adventure with me. And the more I think about it, its not that big of a change, and not even that expensive. But another question I ask myself, what is money compared to being healthy and happy? It does not even compare. I would rather be broke and happy, than rich and sad.
Wheels in my brain are churning... time to pop and multivitamin...
More to come.
Peace, Love, and making changes...
b
That just makes me feel gross. Working out, and eating healthy is not enough. At least, not the 'healthy' eating I was doing before. My healthy consisted of trying to lose weight, so, low calorie. No real sugars, essentially, everything was processed. I would have salads, but with low fat dressing, filled with corn syrup.
Making a lifestyle change is something I am toying around with. Not just for only my benefit, but for my families benefit. Maybe if I make this change, my family will start to make the same change, and go on this adventure with me. And the more I think about it, its not that big of a change, and not even that expensive. But another question I ask myself, what is money compared to being healthy and happy? It does not even compare. I would rather be broke and happy, than rich and sad.
Wheels in my brain are churning... time to pop and multivitamin...
More to come.
Peace, Love, and making changes...
b
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Chicken Soup...
Over the past few days I have gotten a cold that just will not go away. All I really want to eat is some homemade chicken soup. Sounds like a simple enough request...
...minus the fact that I have never actually made it on my own. Growing up, my mom made it. In college, Campbell's made it (from the can of course), and post college since moving to NYC, T has made it. But I am now at a cross roads. T is on a vacation with his family....My mom is in Atlanta... Campbell's just sounds gross.... and I am sick. That means, no one to make it for me... but me.
Crap.
I am not the best of cooks. I try very hard. I try to follow the directions as well as possible. But I am also extremely impatient, which does not make for a good cook. I want everything to move faster... meaning I under cook, or over cook everything. Chicken I will initially undercook, notice that its undercooked, and then cook the life out of it, because I don't want to get anyone sick. Which, in turn, I make the chicken look, taste and feel like rubber.
But, right now, the only thing I can think about, is a big bowl of steaming hot chicken soup, to make me feel better. The Jewish Penicillin. And undercooked Jewish penicillin will not do the trick.
I also hate touching raw chicken. Someone about it gives me the willies. When its necessary, I will touch raw chicken (or any raw meat in fact). But if it can be avoided, I run to the hills. I called my mom this afternoon asking how she makes her chicken soup, and her recipe calls for "pulling out the insides of the raw chicken." Gag me now. If having this cold isn't bad enough, touching raw chicken will put me over the edge.
So tonight, when I go home... I am going to attempt to make my first batch of soup. Wish me luck.
Peace, Love, and gotta learn sometime,
B
...minus the fact that I have never actually made it on my own. Growing up, my mom made it. In college, Campbell's made it (from the can of course), and post college since moving to NYC, T has made it. But I am now at a cross roads. T is on a vacation with his family....My mom is in Atlanta... Campbell's just sounds gross.... and I am sick. That means, no one to make it for me... but me.
Crap.
I am not the best of cooks. I try very hard. I try to follow the directions as well as possible. But I am also extremely impatient, which does not make for a good cook. I want everything to move faster... meaning I under cook, or over cook everything. Chicken I will initially undercook, notice that its undercooked, and then cook the life out of it, because I don't want to get anyone sick. Which, in turn, I make the chicken look, taste and feel like rubber.
But, right now, the only thing I can think about, is a big bowl of steaming hot chicken soup, to make me feel better. The Jewish Penicillin. And undercooked Jewish penicillin will not do the trick.
I also hate touching raw chicken. Someone about it gives me the willies. When its necessary, I will touch raw chicken (or any raw meat in fact). But if it can be avoided, I run to the hills. I called my mom this afternoon asking how she makes her chicken soup, and her recipe calls for "pulling out the insides of the raw chicken." Gag me now. If having this cold isn't bad enough, touching raw chicken will put me over the edge.
So tonight, when I go home... I am going to attempt to make my first batch of soup. Wish me luck.
Peace, Love, and gotta learn sometime,
B
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Locks of Love
Since my dad was diagnosed with cancer 8 months ago, I have been growing out my hair for locks of love. At the time, growing my hair out seemed like something I could do, to feel like I was in my dad's cancer with him...
But now, my hair is SO LONG. and although I know it is a great thing I am doing, I am ready for my hair to be long enough. Maybe it is also a emotional thing, and monumental feeling. But will it matter, if I cut my hair, and my dad is still going through treatments? This is an internal struggle I keep going through.
Oh the inter workings of my brain.
But now, my hair is SO LONG. and although I know it is a great thing I am doing, I am ready for my hair to be long enough. Maybe it is also a emotional thing, and monumental feeling. But will it matter, if I cut my hair, and my dad is still going through treatments? This is an internal struggle I keep going through.
Oh the inter workings of my brain.
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