15 Days to Go!

I am heading to London, Paris, and Rome.  My first trip to Europe, and I couldn't be more excited.  I am going alone, but I am also going with a tour group, so I will meet some people when I'm there.  I like that the group that I am going with allows for a lot of room to do things on your own, I only have a few excursions planned with them. And I get the luxury of having all of my transportation and hotels coordinated for me.

Some things I have planned on my own:

• A visit to the British Library to see the exhibit Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy which includes original Magna Carta documents and handwritten copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
• The Twilight Trastevere Food Tour in Rome is a four-hour, ten stop, walking food tour that includes wine, homemade pasta, pizza, and gelato.  My tastebuds are ready to go.

I have plans to visit museums and see lots of art, but I'd rather talk about those things after the fact with pictures, so now I will focus on what I have done so far, which is a lot of packing.  I have done a lot of research on Pinterest and feel like I have the right mix of products and supplies for me (I will let you know when I am home again).  I am planning to carry on a suitcase and a shoulder bag.  Here they are:

Skyway Nimbus 20" Carry-on Hardside Spinner, eBags

Lo and Sons Overnight Medium Gym Bag (O.M.G.)

 

 

I shopped around to get exactly what I want.  eBags has a lot of options for suitcases.  I wanted small, durable and lightweight since I will need to lift it into and overhead bin.  I saw lots of reviews for the OMG bag and it has a lot of pockets and space for all of my things. It sits over my shoulder and hooks well onto the suitcase handle to roll around.  I think they will work well for my trip.

 

Here's what I have inside my bags:

My Carry-On

1. Blanket, Amazon, Travelrest Travel Blanket, for sleeping on an overnight flight to London.
2. Foot Rest, Amazon, Zarcor Portable Airplane Footrest
3. Neck Pillow
4. Sleep Eye Mask, Amazon, Bucky Luggage 40 Blinks Ultralight Sleep Mask
5. Water Bottle, Amazon, Vapur Element Bottle
6. Mint, the YumEarth Organic Wild Peppermint Drops are potent and individually wrapped, great for throwing in my bag on the go.
7. Ear Plugs
8. iPad
9. Headphones, Amazon, AUDIO TECHNICA ATH-ANC27 Noise-Canceling Headphones
10. Aid Kit, Tummy Tabs, Gum, Tissues, Individual use disposable toothbrushes, Nausea bands
11. Anti-Bacterial Hand Wipes
12. Snacks (Kind Bars) 

 Inside My Suitcase

1. Packing Cubes, Amazon, Shacke Pak - 4 Set Packing Cubes, eBags also has a large variety of sizes and colors.  To keep all of my clothes organized and compressed.
2. Umbrella, target
3. Collapsible tote bag, for bringing home souvenirs
4. Dryer Sheets, fresh linen scented to keep my suitcase and clothes fresh
5. Magnetic tripod for iPhone
6. Moleskin Padding for blisters
7. Liquids Bag (see more detail below)
8. Toiletry Bag (see more detail below)
9. Cross body purse, Fossil
10. Slim wallet, Target
11. Antiperspirant powder, Lady Anti-Monkey Butt Powder (for all the sweating and chaffing while walking)
12. Compression socks, RejuvaHealth, Opaque Diamond RejuvaKneeHigh, to prevent leg cramps on the plane.
13. Sink stopper, Amazon, Lewis N. Clark Laundry Kit, in case I need to do any laundry in the hotel sink.
14. Clothes line, Amazon, Lewis N. Clark Latex Clothesline
15. Hair straightener, Amazon, BaByliss PRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron (1 inch), small and multiple voltages for travel
16. Earrings (in a pill dispenser)
17. Camera battery charger
18. Voltage Adaptors, Amazon, Ceptics All-In-One International Travel Plug Adapter  and Travel Smart by Conair M-500E Polarized Adapter Plug Set 

My Liquids Bag

1. Sunscreen for body, CVS
2. Sunscreen for face, CVS
3. Dry Shampoo, Batiste, CVS/Amazon
4. Hair gel, for natural curls, TRESemme
5. Hydrogen Peroxide for wounds
6. Coconut oil, Moisturizer, and Facial Skin Cleanser (red capped containers)
7. Tide pen to go for stains
8. Shampoo, Conditioner, Lotion, GoToobs - these are great, leak proof, and they have a twist portion near the opening to show what is in the tube, Target/Amazon

 My Toiletry Bag

1. Razor, Toothbrush, Dental Floss, Pain-reliever (Aleve)
2. Nail File, Sewing Kit, Band-Aids, Eye Make-up remover pads, Q-Tips, Laundry Sheets (Travelon Toiletry Sheets), Body Wash Sheets (Travelon Toiletry Sheets).
3. Deodorant, Lint Roller, Make-up
4. Toothpaste Tabs, Lush Dirty Toothy Tabs (another liquid substitute)
5. Stick Perfume, Aroamas.  These are made in Australia and are made of natural ingredients, I like really fresh smells so I have the scents: Five Star, Bondi Beach, Lavanderia, One Way Ticket, Mountain Air, and Baby Powder
6. Bobby Pins and a Safety Pin
7. Hair Rubber Bands (on a clip)

The SNAP Challenge - Day Five

This is my meal plan for today:

• Breakfast: Oatmeal with strawberries and two hard boiled eggs.
• Snack: Applesauce
• Lunch: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, salad.
• Snack: Baby carrots. 
• Dinner: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, egg, Hershey's bar.

Welcome to the last day of my SNAP challenge.  My day started early, I had to be at Oak Park Mall at 7:30 am to break down our CANstruction structures (check out Harvesters' Facebook page to see what I am talking about).  It was nice chatting with two of our volunteers who were also participating in the SNAP challenge and hearing their stories.  one works from home and was tempted by the food in his pantry (much like I have been tempted by the food at work!).  

As I got to the end of the week I was craving any food besides what I had purchased at the grocery store.  Lack of choices really got to me this week.  Being on this challenge made me eat everything in my lunch bag as well, so I did get my dollar's worth. Very little waste.

Since I had an extra dollar to spend for the week I stopped on the way home from work and got a Hershey's milk chocolate bar ($ .85).  I loved to have something indulgent to end the week.  This week took a lot of planning and control on my part and I can see why parents would feed their families hotdogs and chips, things that are quick, easy, and cheap after you have worked a long and tiring day.  I only had to take care of myself and it seemed impossible to stand and cook with how much my feet hurt and how tired I was.

A little something sweet.

I will post a wrap up of the whole week sometime this weekend, probably after I run so I have time to reflect on the whole experience.

Thank so much to everyone who has followed along on this journey with me.  

Daily Totals -

Cost: $3.34

Calories: 1,407

The SNAP Challenge - Day Four

This is my meal plan for today:

• Breakfast: Oatmeal with strawberries and two hard boiled eggs.
• Snack: Applesauce
• Lunch: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, salad.
• Snack: Baby carrots. Oatmeal.
• Dinner: Bread, egg and tomato concoction. Rice. Canned carrots.

Day four was a tough one.  I was a little hungry and a lot grumpy.  The lack of choices of food to eat, the seemingly constant struggle to turn down offered food, and having to repeat the argument (quite a few times) on why I can't accept food from others began to get to me.  If you have ever dieted or tried to eat more healthily have you noticed how there are always people trying to get you to cheat?  "One donut won't hurt you" or "you don't need to lose weight" are refrains I have heard fairly frequently on my endeavors.  This is similar to my experience on the SNAP Challenge, people I work with are, for the most part, supportive (major shout out to Teresa!) even if they are not participating, but I have people who have argued with me almost everyday, about accepting the food they are offering, after all they have been on food stamps they know what it's like.  I have to constantly come back to the point that this challenge is for five days and if I accepted food it wouldn't be a challenge at all, I can go without it for five days.  I want to point out these people never seem to actually offer me food, just want to argue with me about it. I can tell I am getting pretty negative here, but that's how Thursday felt. Negative and fuzzy headed.

It did get me thinking about people on SNAP and the challenge of accepting food, I am sure there would be plenty of times that they would and could, but they may not have the abundant amount of opportunities I seemed to have this week (on Thursday a volunteer group offered us leftover pasta, bread and dessert that smelled delicious).  But there are still many people outside of their situation who have opinions on what they should eat and criticize those needing support that end up stigmatizing SNAP recipients.  This challenge is definitely making me ready to double my efforts and speak out more when I hear people make uninformed and insensitive comments about people (our neighbors, friends, families, and coworkers) who are hungry and live in a circumstance that qualifies them for a program that helps them get food to eat.

To finish my day:

I worked out after work and it was a tough one and it felt good.  I ate an extra oatmeal packet before I left work so I wouldn't get too lightheaded.

For dinner I decided to get a little creative and I flattened out two pieces of bread and put them in a ramekin and filled it with an egg and leftover diced tomato from Tuesday's salad.

Two slices of bread with egg and diced tomatoes.

I baked it at 350 degrees and it took over 45 minutes, which was longer than I expected it to cook.  I was hungry after my workout so I also made some more rice and mixed it with the remainder of the tomatoes and ate half a can of sliced carrots.  I ate each item as it was ready instead of plating them all at once.

Daily Totals - 

Cost: $3.29

Calories: 1,685

The SNAP Challenge - Day Three

I can't believe it's day three already!

This is my meal plan for today:

• Breakfast: Oatmeal with strawberries and two hard boiled eggs.
• Snack: Banana
• Lunch: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, applesauce, and cucumber slices.
• Snack: Baby carrots.
• Dinner: Brown rice with diced tomatoes and black beans.

This plan might look familiar because it is the same exact plan as Monday (Day 1).  I already know what I have in store for myself. The only wildcard today is that I will be running 5 miles after work for my half marathon training program, so I hope I will have enough food to keep me from feeling hungry tomorrow.

Daily Totals -
Cost: $2.77
Calories: 1,255

I wanted to talk today about my experience with SNAP.  I qualified for the SNAP program in 2008 when I served in AmeriCorps VISTA at Harvesters.  As part of volunteering for a year with only a small stipend, participants live at the poverty level and to better understand those they serve (I received a little over $800 per month and served 40 hours a week).  Living at the poverty line qualifies one for SNAP benefits.  The process is hard to do, I had a hard time trying to figure out where to go to get benefits and I had to take time off from my service because the office is only open during typical business hours, making it hard for those that have a job.  I know others in my program who have had their paperwork lost or been assigned caseworkers they can never get a hold of, even when they have assigned call-in times.  I feel it personally when people talk about abusing the system because it would be a lot of work to do, to get benefits and to keep up with the process for not a huge payout.  Harvesters now has a department that helps with navigating the application process as it can be difficult and daunting.

Once I received my card I went to the grocery store and used it.  I felt like everyone was looking at me, even though that was probably not the case.  You can swipe the card and it deducts the food that qualifies and the amount you have available and then you pay the remainder with another form of payment.  It is about as subtle as can be, but I still had to swipe twice and that is a different kind of thing.

When I was on SNAP seven years ago and as I am on the challenge now I feel like my experience is pretty unique, most people knew I was on food stamps.  I was encouraged to talk about the services that are available to those that are hungry and provide a first-hand perspective to those in the middle class who do not know how this program works and what a benefit it can be to those who are hungry.  I didn't see it growing up and I probably still have not seen the everyday reality of someone who is using food stamps and feels the need to hide that fact.  I have never had to carry around the weight of that kind of secret.

That is the thought I would like to leave with today, my coworkers and myself have been offered food by our friends and family who are not participating in the SNAP challenge and we turn them down.  Those offering say they would share with someone who was hungry, if we were really food insecure.  We say no.  We have to say no because people may not be so lucky to have friends and family who will happily share their portions.  I am only doing this for five days and if I can't make it through this without "cheating" and eating other food then I am not fully dedicating to the purpose of this challenge. Relying solely on my benefit of $4.50 each day for food and empathizing with those who live with this as their reality.  I can make it a week.

**I was hungry when I got home from work, so I had an additional packet of oatmeal before I ran.
Updated totals -
Cost: $2.92
Calories: 1,415

The SNAP Challenge - Day Two

This is my meal plan for today:

• Breakfast: Oatmeal with strawberries and two hard boiled eggs.
• Snack: Banana
• Lunch: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, applesauce, and cucumber slices.
• Snack: Baby carrots.
• Dinner: Macaroni and cheese with broccoli and chicken. Salad with carrots and balsamic vinaigrette.

My meal plan is similar to yesterday's (it is exactly the same until dinner time).  This is one of my biggest challenges this week.  I am hosting book club at my place and will be serving a meal for 4 people (including me).  This will have the honor of meal with the most ingredients this week as well as the most expensive purchase I made at the grocery store (baby lettuces $1.99).  I am hoping everyone will enjoy the meal, and it will be similar to something I would usually serve, just with a smaller budget.  Everyone who is in my book club is familiar with SNAP and will completely understand what's happening. Even if I cannot provide wine.

Here's dinner:

Macaroni and cheese with broccoli and chicken.  Salad with carrots, diced tomatoes, and balsamic vinaigrette.

It was good.  Everyone cleaned their plates (that may also mean there wasn't quite enough food).  I noticed that canned chicken was vary similar to canned tuna, I don't think any of us could tell much of a difference in flavor.  This is a group who all have worked at hunger relief organizations or with vulnerable populations, so everyone is familiar with the SNAP program.  I had a great compliment that if ever they were going to eat a meal on the food stamp budget they would want me to make it because I am a meticulous planner and can put together a decent meal at a low cost.  Thanks Cindy!  I would say that a lot of time and thought went into planning for the week and now that the challenge is going on I am able to go with the flow.  I used a half of a container of Greek yogurt and some water to mix the cheese sauce into the noodles since I was not able to afford milk and butter on my budget.  Cost: $6.36 ($1.59 per serving).  Calories: 459 per serving.

Daily Totals -
Cost: $8.40 ($3.63 for what I ate)
Calories: 1,292 (just my portion)

Look for other stories by perusing #HarvestersSNAPChallenge on Facebook and Twitter.

The SNAP Challenge - Day One

I was excited to start this morning, because I had done so much preparation.  My lunch box was easy to pack because I already had a plan!

This is my meal plan for today:

• Breakfast: Oatmeal with strawberries and two hard boiled eggs.
• Snack: Banana
• Lunch: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, applesauce, and cucumber slices.
• Snack: Baby carrots.
• Dinner: Brown rice with diced tomatoes and black beans.

Breakfast:

Maple and brown sugar oatmeal with diced strawberries and hard boiled eggs.

I eat 2 hard boiled eggs as part of my breakfast almost everyday, today they are white instead of brown.  I really like the oatmeal and strawberry combination.  The oatmeal did include added sugar though.  Cost: $.79.  Calories: 304.

Snack: 

Banana. Cost: $.22. Calories: 100.

Lunch:

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich with applesauce and sliced cucumber.

 I like that I was able to incorporate a vegetable and a fruit serving.  I would usually use a jam or jelly with no added sugar (I am really trying to cut back on sugar).  The main downside to this was the bread was not very tasty and a little dry, now I am locked in for the week.  You can see some of prep work in this picture, I used a lot of those little containers.  Cost: $.90. Calories: 388.

Snack:

Baby carrots (and me).

Baby carrots. Cost: $.13. Calories: 35.

Dinner:

Brown rice with black beans and diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano.

The main difficulty about dinner was plans to go out and I still did, but I ate beforehand and went and hung out with everyone afterwards, sans chips and salsa and other delicious Mexican delicacies.  What I ended up making for dinner was a large portion, so that was quite nice because I was definitely hungry when dinnertime rolled around.  Brown rice takes 45 minutes to simmer if you make it on the stove, so I had to be quite patient.  It did give me time to open and rinse the beans (and watch some Downton Abbey on my DVR).  I am glad I purchased the diced tomatoes with basil, oregano, and garlic because the spices gave the dish some flavor, since I didn't purchase spices with my weekly allowance, only allowing myself the use of salt and pepper. It filled me up and I was not all that tempted by other people's food at the restaurant.  Cost: $.73. Calories: 422.

I feel like I had a successful day one, I stuck to the plan, which for me is the hardest part.  I am locked in to the groceries I bought for the week and I can't change, even if I want to.  I have enough to eat to keep my body going and not a lot more.  I would say that I am not always eating what I want to eat, but these are the options I have and like those actually benefited by the SNAP program they are limited.

Daily Totals -
Cost: $2.77
Calories: 1,255

Look for other stories by perusing #HarvestersSNAPChallenge on Facebook and Twitter.

The SNAP Challenge - Prep Day

I went shopping yesterday at Aldi and Price Chopper.  I spent a lot of time preparing by looking at both stores' ads online and I did some reconnaissance work and scoped out some prices at Price Chopper last week when I did some of my regular shopping.

I don't think I have ever been as prepared with a list as when I went to the store.  I knew prices and was able to compare at the store.  I am really excited that I was able to buy salad dressing, I didn't know for sure if I would have room in my budget.

It was a very snowy day, but pretty enjoyable.

My first stop was to Aldi.  I remember now that you need a quarter to get a cart (you get your quarter back when you return it).  I didn't have one, so I carried a reusable bag and put all my items in there to take to the checkout.  Since it was a store I haven't been to in probably 10 years it was a little difficult to know where items were.  They make the prices lower by only stoking one or two brands of an item, so there aren't big sections of say mac & cheese to look for, just one spot on one row.  You don't pay for customer service, and that is the point of the store, but it was different from what grocery experiences are typically like for me.  You also bag your own groceries after you check out.  I spent $13.84 at Aldi (you don't include tax) of my $22.50 budget.

I stopped at Price Chopper after that.  I usually shop there so it was similar to my usual shopping experiences.  I didn't look around though, I stayed focused on my list.  They do a really good job of making you want to buy things.  I did weigh my bananas on the scale, I don't usually weigh things when I go to the store, but I had to be on budget.  I spent $7.66 at Price Chopper, putting me at $21.50, exactly $1 left to spend this week (probably on chocolate).

Through my shopping experience I thought about all of the things I take for granted.

Observations:

• Aldi has some great deals, though I shop at the grocery store near my house, because it is exactly one mile from my front door.  
• I used to budget more and look at ads, but I hadn't been doing much of that lately.  
• Coupons weren't very helpful in my experience because they are for processed foods typically and I tried not to go that route, and I was finding them for quantities more than what I needed.
• I didn't purchase a single item over $2.00.

Here is a photo of everything I bought:

I would like to note that I am doing the challenge where I purchased all of the food I will be eating this week, I didn't price out per serving (for instance, the oatmeal box has 10 packets in it, but I didn't subtract the value from the packets I will not eat this week).  I wanted this to be difficult.  

Here is my complete list:

1. Two cans of diced tomatoes.
2. A jar of balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing.
3. Strawberries.
4. Peanut butter and jelly (combined in one jar!).
5. Can of black beans.
6. Maple and brown sugar oatmeal packets.
7. Box of macaroni and cheese.
8. Baby carrots.
9. Baby lettuces.
10. One dozen eggs.
11. Loaf of bread. 
12. A container of yogurt.
13. Bag of frozen broccoli florets.
14. A can of chicken.
15. A jar of applesauce.
16. A can of sliced carrots.
17. A bag of brown rice.
18. One cucumber.
19. Three bananas (1.10 pounds) 

I spent a lot more time on prep work this week, slicing and dicing the strawberries and cucumber and doling out the applesauce.  I used a lot of plastic storage containers.  I am excited to start tomorrow and see what the first day brings.

Remember to look for other stories by perusing #HarvestersSNAPChallenge on Facebook and Twitter.

The SNAP Challenge

I am participating in the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Challenge as part of National Nutrition Month this March.

My food stamp challenge is March 2 - 6.

I am limiting my food expenditures to $4.50 per day, which is the average daily SNAP (formerly food stamps) benefit for an individual in our area.

I am participating with others in Kansas City area as part of Harvesters--The Community Food Network challenging people to see what it is like on a very small scale to be a food insecure person in our region.

The USDA recommends stretching your budget by purchasing raw ingredients whenever possible and preparing those items yourself.  I should note that individuals in the SNAP programs do not have the option of buying pre-made  food.  That leads me to several key points that I think are sometimes misrepresented. If you are on SNAP you cannot buy alcohol, cigarettes, or any toiletry items (including toilet paper and diapers), you can only buy food.  You cannot purchase fast food or prepared items (like a rotisserie chicken).

I am going to go grocery shopping at Aldi and Price Chopper, so wish me luck!  I have scoured their ads and I am pretty confident I can stay under the $22.50 mark.

Look for other stories by perusing #HarvestersSNAPChallenge on Facebook and Twitter.

Out of the Blue Clear Sky ~ George Strait

Blast from the past, am I right?

My blog will be coming out of hiding for two important events:

1. I am participating in the SNAP (food stamp) challenge and would like to be able to send out updates on my journey.
2. I am traveling to Europe this summer and I think some people (I am looking at you Mom and Grandma) would love to see pictures and stories of that trip.

See you soon!

Me

I will stand in the way of a bullet. I will run through a forest of flames. I will climb the highest of mountains just to show you I love you, I will.

An Intellectual Response to The Room, Part 1
By Me

“Oh, hey.” I want to begin by stating what a piece of cinematic brilliance The Room is. Tommy Wiseau (1) is a genius! The Room is the story of a love triangle between Johnny (Wiseau), his "future wife" Lisa, and his best friend Mark.

A major theme you will see throughout the movies is Johnny represents all thing good and Lisa represents all things bad. Further proof is that Jesus starts with J, just like Johnny. Who do we know whose name starts with L? That’s right! Lucifer. Lisa = the devil. Having this knowledge will help you through the film and life. You might find yourself asking “What would Johnny do?” You should always buy roses, toss around a football and ask about your friends’ sex lives.

There are a few “criticisms” (2) of the film. I will comment on a few of these.

Here is one: While the film is rife with continuity errors and several other minor cinematic drawbacks, there are several plots, subplots and character details whose inconsistencies have often been pointed out by critics and audiences. The Portland Mercury has pointed out that a number of "plot threads are introduced, then instantly abandoned" (3,4). Wiseau obviously did this on purpose. He wanted you to think about these instances and not show you how you should react. For example, in an early scene, halfway through a conversation about planning a birthday party for Johnny, Claudette off-handedly tells Lisa: "I got the results of the test back. I definitely have breast cancer." The issue is casually dismissed and never revisited during the rest of the film. The meaning behind this is obvious; in real life cancer is something people don’t like to talk about. By not mentioning it the rest of the film Wiseau is holding up a mirror to his audience and asking us to reflect on the issue. Also, if Lisa is the devil (which she is) then it comes to reason that all women in this film should not be trusted. So, Claudette might be planting lies, you know, doing the devil’s work.

Another issue is a scene in the middle of the film where Johnny, Mark, Kevin, and Denny dress up in tuxes and toss a football around while standing only a few feet away from each other. Some people may be confused on why they do this, besides obvious: showing off Mark’s clean-shaven face. As we know, men do not like to dress up, so it stands to reason the women made them do this. To fight off the evil oppression the women (most likely Lisa “You’re tearing me apart Lisa!”) have thrust upon them (though Wiseau does the majority of thrusting in this film) the men do the most manly (5) thing they can do, toss around a football. What would Johnny do? He will toss around a football and hug on Denny and dote on Lisa (6).

If you have not seen The Room I would recommend dropping whatever you are doing now (besides reading this intelligent thesis) and get your hands on a copy on the film and watching it right away and then a second time. If you have seen it, watch it again you will so many new levels, Wiseau says so, and he plays Johnny, so do it.

1 - Actor, Writer, Director, Producer
2 - Misunderstandings
3 - Wikipedia
4 - Portland Mercury article: "Tommy Wiseau: The Complete Interview(s)”
5 - And fun
6 - Though we later find out this is the wrong decision.


(The title of this post comes from the Song "I Will" by Clint Gamboa, from the illustrious soundtrack from the motion picture "The Room")

I could stay stay stay, if that’s what you want want want ~ Cee-Lo Green, What Part of Forever

So... I am updating my blog, finally.

And also, I have had an amazing couple of weeks.

Times I have seen Eclipse: 3

Recap:

I had two three-day weekends in a row. The first contained 3 days poolside, some shopping, hanging out with Tina and Jennifer (separately though), and giving blood. I also helped my dad repair some of the vinyl on the boat (yeah, the BOAT)!

The week in between held the midnight showing of Eclipse with Tina and Jennifer (this time together) where they showed up dressed exactly the same and not at all Twilight related, thought I can't say the same for myself. I was clad in my Team Edward shirt with Cullen crest earrings in my ears. We stopped and got Cherry Dr. Pepper and peanut butter M&Ms on the way, so the whole experience was awesome. As usual, I loved Edward and was happy to get to see him smile more. Highlights: the leg hitch, the tent scene.

Thursday night I had dinner with Mom and Matt at La Fuente, where I proceeded to drink half a pitcher of frozen margaritas, I blame my mom because she kept refilling my glass.

Friday I had lunch with Cindy at Jerusalem Cafe in Westport where I had their amazing hummus and falafel plate. I was so full, but it was so worth it. Friday night I saw Eclipse again with my stepmom at AMC Mainstreet and we had dinner beforehand at the Bristol. The food was delicious, we had the chef's tasting menu with wine pairings. The movie theater had vibrating seats and the way the audience sits in relation to the screen almost gave me motion sickness (that I had just consumed a lot of food probably didn't help the situation).

I spent Saturday by the pool with the fam. I started reading Eat, Pray, Love and we ate ribs. This is where I need to incorporate the cuteness that is my four (and a half!) year old cousin Shep. When talking about the nationality of the characters of Dora the Explorer he claims that Diego is St. Louis and Dora is Chinese. And, during dinner that evening while eating our beans to accompany our ribs my cousin Madison informed him of the bean song and how they make you toot. He claims if you leave one bean on your plate such gastrointestinal issues will not occur. He left a bean, I finished mine off. He came to me that night after homemade ice cream and sparklers and asked me if I had tooted yet. It was the cutest! My answer (and it's the truth!) was no, not yet.

Sunday we had a Bromley family workout and then my cousin called to inform me that her singing performance in Overland Park would now be at 2 pm instead of 3. It's one and I just worked out. I showered and made my way to my dad's where he sped faster than I had ever seen that "defensive driver" go. We ran up the stairs and up the escalator and made it literally as she was being called to the stage.

On Monday I went to lunch at Red Lobster with my mom's side where I ate no less than 3 cheddar biscuits. I then rode about 9 1/2 miles on my bike with my dad, and we barely missed the rain. That night I saw Eclipse for the 3rd time, with my cousin Lauren. We had a great time, and may have talked a bit during the movie, so sorry to those around us, we sat to the side for a reason, our third viewings were meant for commentary. We may or may not have had Sonic Blasts on our way home.

Yesterday was Tuesday. I finished Eat, Pray, Love. I enjoyed it immensely. I also cooked. I made everything in my CSA bag: zucchini, corn, garlic, beets. I even used by green beans form last week, basil from Mary's garden, and a leftover hamburger I had frozen from my pool party. Yay me!

There will be more more parties on or near water to come.

And I'm going to Happy Hour tonight! I'm living the life. Or maybe just living life.

5,4,3... Open Sesame!! Happy New Year ~Rent

Since I haven't updated in a year, here's just a few facts/tidbits from 2009:

Books I read:
Rant by Chuck Palahniuk
Kaaterskill Falls by Allegra Goodman
Welcome to Your Brain by Aamodt amd Wang
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut
Shooting the Heart by Paul Cody
Idiot's Guide to Investing by Ed Koch
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Twilight: The Complete Illustrated Movie Companion by Mark Cotta Vaz
The Metamorphosis & Other Stories by Franz Kafka
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs

2009 Quiz:

Where did you begin 2009?
Jennifer and Cory's

What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Was apartment hunting

Were you in school (anytime this year)?
No

Did you have to go to the hospital?
No

Did you have any encounters with the police?
No

Where did you go on vacation?
Hollywood Beach, Florida; The Lake of the Ozarks

What did you purchase that was over $500?
Struts for my car

Did you know anybody who got married?
My cousin Molly

Were you in any weddings?
No, I got a break this year

Did you know anybody who passed away?
My great aunt Gloria

Did you move anywhere?
To the suburbs, my own place!

What sporting events did you attend?
Mizzou football games, a couple of Royals games, a Wizards game

What concerts/shows did you go to?
Wicked, Vedera, Better Than Ezra, Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Yallapalooza

Where do you live now?
Lee's Summit

Describe your birthday?
Party at Power and Light!

What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2009?
Met Chase Daniel. Stayed in a yurt.

What has/have been your favorite moment(s)?
Boating on Blue Springs Lake, lounging by my grandpa's pool

What's something you learned about yourself?
I like beets and radishes.

Any new additions to your family?
Nope

What was your best month?
August

Who has been your best drinking buddy?
Jen

Made new friends?
Yes

Favorite Night[s]out?
Tina's Birthday Party, Topsider at the Lake with my Mizzou girls!

Any regrets?
Never

Overall, how would you rate this year?
8

What would you change about 2009?
More traveling.

Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Harvesters (work)

Have any life changes in 2009?
Got a full time job!

Change your hairstyle?
It's getting longer.

Get a new job?
Food and Fund Drive Coordinator

How old did you turn this year?
25

Do you have a New Year's resolution?
Take a vacation this year (hopefully somewhere warm).

Did anything embarrassing?
I'm sure I did.

Buy anything new from eBay?
No, Amazon though, yay used books starting at .01

What was/were your favorite purchase[s]?
New clothes!

Get married or divorced?
Neither

Get arrested?
Not this year

Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
No

Did you get sick this year?
I had the flu, and several colds

Start a new hobby?
Does reading Fan Fiction count?

Been snowboarding?
Nope

Are you happy to see 2009 go?
Yes and No, it was good, but why dwell?

Drank Starbucks in 2009?
Yes, but never coffee!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Where did you begin 2008?
In a hotel room in Dallas

What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Was apartment hunting

Were you in school (anytime this year)?
No

Did you have to go to the hospital?
I took my dad after his bike wreck

Did you have any encounters with the police?
No

Where did you go on vacation?
Dallas, Hawaii, St. Louis, Fort Worth

What did you purchase that was over $500?
Nothing

Did you know anybody who got married?
Melissa and Andrew, Tina and Sam

Were you in any weddings?
Yes, I was a bridesmaid in Tina's.

Did you know anybody who passed away?
My great Uncle Glenn

Did you move anywhere?
To the plaza.

What sporting events did you attend?
7 Mizzou football games (including the kU game and the Big 12 Championship)

What concerts/shows did you go to?
Reba and Kelly Clarkson, Tim McGraw, American Idols Live, Yallapalooza, Howl at the Moon Bash, Birthday Bash, Jake Owen, the Ting Tings, The Christmas Carol

Where do you live now?
Kansas City, MO

Describe your birthday?
I worked. We went out to lunch at PF Changs, I went shopping and had dinner at the Capitol Grille, ate at the Peachtree the night before.

What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2008?
Met Chase's Mom

What has/have been your favorite moment(s)?
There have been plenty, boating with HB, 5 year reunion (and afterwards), Hawaii, Tina's wedding

What's something you learned about yourself?
I really can do anything I put my mind to

Any new additions to your family?
Gus

What was your best month?
October? They were all good

Who has been your best drinking buddy?
Jen, Matt and Ann, Amber

Made new friends?
Yes

A few Favorite Night[s]out?
Tina's Bachelorette Party, Melissa's Bachelorette Party, 5 year runion after party, Homecoming, with Matt and Ann on the Plaza, Ashley's Birthday Party, Jen and Sam's Birthday Party

Any regrets?
Never

Overall, how would you rate this year?
8.5

What would you change about 2008?
Nothing

Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Harvesters (work)

Have any life changes in 2008?
Joined AmeriCorps, moved out of my parents' houses

Change your hairstyle?
It's getting long and I am going back to my natural color.

Get a new job?
AmeriCorps VISTA at Harvesters

How old did you turn this year?
24

Do you have a New Year's resolution?
To get a permanent job and look into buying a house.

Did anything embarrassing?
I'm sure I did.

Buy anything new from eBay?
No, Amazon though, yay used books starting at .79

What was/were your favorite purchase[s]?
My mom 's christmas present

Get married or divorced?
Neither

Get arrested?
Not this year

Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
Yes

Did you get sick this year?
I had like 5 or 6 colds, a motorcycle burn, poison ivy, swollen lymph nodes

Start a new hobby?
Not that I can think of

Been snowboarding?
Nope

Are you happy to see 2008 go?
Yes and No, it was good, but why dwell?

Drank Starbucks in 2008?
A few times, but never coffee, and I never paid for it myself

Get Rhythm

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
So anyhow...here goes:

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Money (That’s What I Want) – The Flying Lizards (Wedding Singer Soundtrack)

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Heard ‘Em Say - Kanye West

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A BOY?
Sweetheart – Jont (Wedding Crashers Soundtrack)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Alma Mater: Old Missouri – Marching Mizzou (vocal)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Video Killed the Radio Star – The Presidents of the United States of America

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
What I’ve Been Looking For – Ryan and Sharpay (High School Musical)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Listen – Dreamgirls (Dreamgirls Soundtrack)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Ardy Party – Incredibad (The Lonely Island)

WHAT IS 2+2?
Look at Me I’m Sandra Dee – From Grease

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Mr. Midnight – Garth Brooks

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Sleeping with the Telephone – Reba McEntire

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
I Put a Spell on You – Creedence Clearwater Revival

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Aunt Hagar’s Blues – Jim Cox (Majestic Soundtrack)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Patience - Dreamgirls

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
My Next Broken Heart – Brooks & Dunn

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Dream Big – David Cook

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
The Star Spangled Banner – Marching Mizzou

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
The Orchard – Thomas Newman (Phenomenon Soundtrack)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET
Cecilia – Simon and Garfunkel

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Mean Eyed Cat – Johnny Cash

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Strangers In the Night – Frank Sinatra

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
The Ballad of Unzer Charlie – Clem Snide

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Why Ain’t I Running – Garth Brooks

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Big Money – Garth Brooks

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Felling – The Righteous Brothers

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
I Know Where I’ve Been – Queen Latifah (Hairspray)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Jumpin’ Jack Flash – The Rolling Stones

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
The Luckiest – Ben Folds

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
We Will Rock You - Queen

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Get Rhythm –Johnny Cash

There's only us, there's only this, forget regret, or life is yours to miss.

This is from the USA Today’s list of best-selling books over the past 15 years.
bold what you’ve read, italicize what you own, star** books on your “To Be Read” list!

1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone - J.K. Rowling art by Mary GrandPre
2 Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution - Robert C. Atkins
3 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
4 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling, art by Mary GrandPre
5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling, art by Mary GrandPre
6 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling, art by Mary GrandPre
7 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling, art by Mary GrandPre
8 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling, art by Mary GrandPre
9 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling, art by Mary GrandPre
10 Who Moved My Cheese? - Spencer Johnson
11 The South Beach Diet - Arthur Agatston
12 Tuesdays With Morrie - Mitch Albom**
13 Angels & Demons - Dan Brown
14 What to Expect When You’re Expecting - Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, Sandee Hathaway 15 The Purpose-Driven Life - Rick Warren
16 The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom**
17 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey
18 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini**
19 Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus - John Gray
20 The Secret - Rhonda Byrne**
21 Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert T. Kiyosaki with Sharon L. Lechter**
22 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
23 Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … And It’s All Small Stuff - Richard Carlson
24 The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd**
25 Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert**
26 Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
27 The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks
28 The Memory Keeper’s Daughter - Kim Edwards**
29 The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
30 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
31 A New Earth - Eckhart Tolle
32 Oh, the Places You’ll Go! - Dr. Seuss
33 The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz
34 Angela’s Ashes - Frank McCourt**
35 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold**
36 Body-for-Life - Bill Phillips, Michael D’Orso
37 New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
38 Night - Elie Wiesel, translations by Marion Wiesel and Stella Rodway**
39 Chicken Soup for the Soul - Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen
40 The Greatest Generation - Tom Brokaw
41 Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
42 The Celestine Prophecy - James Redfield
43 Wicked - Gregory Maguire**
44 Good to Great - Jim Collins
45 Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
46 Eragon - Christopher Paolini
47 Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood - Rebecca Wells**
48 Your Best Life Now - Joel Osteen
49 In the Kitchen With Rosie - Rosie Daley
50 Simple Abundance - Sarah Ban Breathnach
51 A Child Called It - Dave Pelzer**
52 A Million Little Pieces - James Frey**
53 The Testament - John Grisham
54 Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul - Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Kimberly Kirberger
55 Deception Point - Dan Brown**
56 The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho**
57 Marley & Me - John Grogan**
58 Dr. Atkins’ New Carbohydrate Gram Counter - Robert C. Atkins
59 Life of Pi - Yann Martel**
60 The Brethren - John Grisham
61 The South Beach Diet Good Fats Good Carbs Guide - Arthur Agatston
62 The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town - John Grisham
63 For One More Day - Mitch Albom**
64 The Polar Express - Chris Van Allsburg
65 The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald**
66 The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch, Jeffrey Zaslow
67 What to Expect the First Year - Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi Murkoff, Sandee Hathaway
68 Love You Forever - Robert Munsch, art by Sheila McGraw
69 Green Eggs and Ham - Dr. Seuss
70 A Painted House - John Grisham**
71 The Rainmaker - John Grisham
72 Skipping Christmas - John Grisham
73 Cold Mountain - Charles Frazier**
74 The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night-Time - Mark Haddon
75 Life Strategies - Phillip C. McGraw
76 Seabiscuit: An American Legend - Laura Hillenbrand
77 The Summons - John Grisham
78 Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - John Berendt
79 The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien**
80 The Runaway Jury - John Grisham
81 Goodnight Moon Board Book - Margaret Wise Brown, art by Clement Hurd
82 The Perfect Storm - Sebastian Junger
83 Snow Falling on Cedars - David Guterson**
84 The Giver - Lois Lowry
85 Embraced by the Light - Betty J. Eadie
86 The Chamber - John Grisham
87 You: On A Diet - Michael F. Roizen, Mehmet C. Oz
88 The Prayer of Jabez - Bruce Wilkinson
89 Holes - Louis Sachar**
90 Digital Fortress - Dan Brown**
91 The Shack - William P. Young**
92 The Devil Wears Prada - Lauren Weisberger**
93 Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
94 A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini**
95 The Seat of the Soul - Gary Zukav
96 Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul - Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Jennifer Read Hawthorne, Marci Shimoff
97 The Partner - John Grisham
98 Lord of the Flies - William Golding**
99 Eldest: Inheritance, Book II - Christopher Paolini
100 The Broker - John Grisham
101 The Street Lawyer - John Grisham
102 A Series of Unfortunate Events No. 1: The Bad Beginning - Lemony Snicket
103 The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver
104 Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer**
105 The King of Torts - John Grisham
106 The Tipping Point - Malcolm Gladwell
107 The Horse Whisperer - Nicholas Evans**
108 Hannibal - Thomas Harris
109 The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama
110 Running With Scissors - Augusten Burroughs
111 The Glass Castle: A Memoir - Jeannette Walls**
112 My Sister’s Keeper - Jodi Picoult
113 The Last Juror - John Grisham
114 The Devil in the White City - Erik Larson
115 Left Behind - Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins
116 America (The Book) - Jon Stewart and The Writers of The Daily Show
117 The Red Tent - Anita Diamant
118 John Adams - David McCullough
119 The Christmas Box - Richard Paul Evans
120 The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares**
121 Sugar Busters! - H. Leighton Steward, Sam S. Andrews, Morrison C. Bethea, Luis A. Balart
122 Blink - Malcolm Gladwell
123 The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle
124 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life - Don Piper, Cecil Murphey**
125 The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien
126 1776 - David McCullough
127 The Bridges of Madison County - Robert James Waller**
128 Where the Heart Is - Billie Letts**
129 The Ultimate Weight Solution - Phillip C. McGraw
130 Protein Power - Michael R. Eades, Mary Dan Eades
131 Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul - Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Jennifer Read Hawthorne, Marci Shimoff
132 Into Thin Air - Jon Krakauer**
133 Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides**
134 Three Cups of Tea - Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin
135 You: The Owner’s Manual - Michael F. Roizen, Mehmet C. Oz**
136 1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler’s Life List - Patricia Schultz
137 Self Matters - Phillip C. McGraw
138 She’s Come Undone - Wally Lamb**
139 1984 - George Orwell
140 The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis**
141 The Millionaire Next Door - Thomas J. Stanley, William D. Danko
142 The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory
143 The Zone - Barry Sears, Bill Lawren
144 The Pilot’s Wife - Anita Shreve
145 The Lost World - Michael Crichton**
146 Atonement - Ian McEwan**
147 He’s Just Not That Into You - Greg Behrendt, Liz Tuccillo**
148 Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
149 The World Is Flat - Thomas L. Friedman**
150 Cross - James Patterson

When the band plays the tiger war song and when the fray is through, we will tramp, tramp, tramp around the columns with a cheer for Ol' Mizzou!

As the title (an excerpt from "Every True Son") might suggest, this post is about Mizzou. I am a lifelong Missouri Tiger football fan. I have, Saturday after Saturday each fall made treks to Columbia, from before I could walk and it was an easy walk to the game in the five falls I lived in Columbia. I, and fellow Mizzou fans have loved the football team through thick and thin, through losing seasons (there have been a few), and everyone always saying this just might be their year (year after year). Well, this might actually be their year (which you can't say in front of any other Tiger fan because they might accuse you of jinxing the team or getting ahead of the game this Saturday). So when will it be okay to be excited about this team?

We all love Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin, and Derrick Washington and marvel at how wonderful they play on offense. But then we have to always follow up with concern for our secondary if there is any praise. I read an online article recently from an Oklahoma newspaper about the Mizzou/Oklahoma State match up this next weekend where people were allowed to post comments after the article and one OSU fan was saying that Mizzou saw this game as a no-brainer and we probably scheduled them for Homecoming (No, we are playing Colorado for Homecoming [and yes, MU invented Homecoming]) because we were just so confident. I don't know where this person got their information, because if you ask any Mizzou football fan that I know they are worried about this match up just as much as they were for last week's game against Nebraska and as much as they will be for Texas next week. Mizzou fans know nothing if not that a win is never guaranteed for the Tigers. I never hear boasting out of Pinkel, his coaching staff, or any of his players. Mizzou doesn't do a lot of trash talking because we don't have a lot to trash talk about (except kU, but that's an entirely different story).

I seem to be rambling a bit. My point is, I wish Mizzou fans could be happy about the success the team has has this year (which we are). But be more confident instead of nervous because after each victory the Tigers achieve come Monday morning all the fans can think of is all of the ways we could lose next Saturday.

I read a blog this morning that I feel sums up how I and many other Mizzou football fans feel:
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/therundown/2008/10/mizzou_football_has_arrived.php

p.s. I love Chase Daniel. Go Mizzou!!!

Feels something like summertime, Top down ain't nothing but time, Radio's on and you're by my side, Feels something like summertime ~Bon Jovi

Okay, so I haven't posted since July 16th and a lot has happened since then.
I went to a coworkers birthday party;
my brother, his girlfriend and I all went out on the plaza;
I saw The Dark Knight Returns (twice);
my grandma made me a pot roast;
I saw X-Files: I Want to Believe;
I went to a Royals game;
I went out on the boat;
I volunteered for Extreme School Makeover for the Independence School District;
I house sat for my dad and step mom and watched Zorro and Sadie;
I went to the Power and Light District for a bachelorette party;
I went to Mel's wedding;
I went to an open house for Sam Graves;
I went to a Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Happy Hour (my 2nd);
I went to my grandpa's 70th birthday party;
I played some beach volleyball;
I went to my 5 Year high school reunion (and stayed out till 4 am);
I had a family farewell dinner for my cousin who just left for college;
played bartender at a reception we had for our new board chair;
and had a family reunion.
Also, I was obsessed with the Olympics while they were on.

All of the movies I have seen this summer (rented - R and in theaters - T):
Sex and the City: The Movie (T),
Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (T),
I am Legend (R)
Into the Wild (R)
Definitely, Maybe (R)
The Dark Knight Returns (T)
X-Files: I Want to Believe (T)
Gold Rush (R)
The Bucket List (R)
Juno (R)
21 (R)

All of the books I have read so far 2008:
Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robinson
Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne
A Wolf at the Table by Augusten Burroughs
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Magical Thinking by Augusten Burroughs
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Sellevision by Augusten Burroughs
Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous and Broke by Suze Orman
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

I was hoping to go into more detail, but I don't have the time. If you want details (or my opinion on any of the books or movies) just ask!

You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope someday you will join us, and the world will live as one. ~John Lennon

People want to know exactly what I do and wonder what AmeriCorps is. I will tell you.

AmeriCorps (sometimes referred to as the domestic Peace Corps) is an organization that helps meet needs in communities all over the country. There are a lot of things one can do in AmeriCorps: work with kids, help the environment, aid in disaster relief, fight poverty. I am in AmeriCorps VISTA and we focus on the last one, fighting poverty, but before I get into the different branches of AmeriCorps I will tell you in general the benefits everyone gets. I know this is going to sound like an ad or a recruitment tactic, but I just want people to know what I do; I get a lot of questions and it's not the easiest thing to explain.

In AmeriCorps (VISTA, State & National) we sign up for one year of service to the country. We don't get paid a salary, but a living allowance, which sustains us at about poverty level (it's on purpose). At the end of your service you can take a $1,200 stipend or a $4,000 education grant (for paying off student loans or going back to school). I chose the stipend because I don't have student loans and I am not planning on going back to school. If you do have student loans you get loan forbearance during your service and they pay the interest in the interim. You can do AmeriCorps up to 3 years, but you can only take the education grant twice and the last time you have to take the stipend. You can see that they drill all of this into us, because I know about a lot of programs and things that I didn't even use.

Now the branches...

I will start with AmeriCorps VISTA because it's the best (I know that's debatable, but it's the one I know the most about because I am a VISTA)! Vista stands for: Volunteer In Service To America (We take the same oath the president does!). AmeriCorps VISTA is specifically devoted to fighting poverty. We aren't allowed to have any outside jobs or take any classes and must be available if our sponsoring organization calls us, 24 hours a day, 7 day a week. Luckily Harvesters usually on needs me Monday through Friday during regular business hours. We have a PSO (Pre Service Orientation), which is based by region, and ours was in Albuquerque, New Mexico this year. We learn there about poverty, misconceptions, our general and specific roles, networking and how to capacity build. Capacity building is a key term, it's like giving a seed roots so it can grow into a tree. VISTA's specifically have jobs that there shouldn't be a use for when they are done with their service. If you do your job right you should complete your task/s, grow your project, and work your way out of a job. I think we have more rules than the other branches, but VISTA has been around longer that AmeriCorps (which came about during the Clinton administration). Vista came from and is still associated with the Corporation for National and Community Service. I still don't quite know how all that works but VISTA was created in 1964 and is the oldest of the national service programs (include AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve AmeriCorps, and Senior Corps). We do secondary service, we don't work directly with clients. We leverage human, financial, and material resources to increase the capacity of low-income communities across the country (that's directly from the manual). There have been roughly 177,000 VISTAs. Oh, and we can't be political or religious if it's in any way linked to our service. I also applied directly to Harvesters, not to AmeriCorps and then placed somewhere, like I think it can be in State and/or National, but maybe they're all like that. To learn more about VISTA: http://www.americorps.org/about/programs/vista.asp.

AmeriCorps State & National is similar to VISTA because we both serve a year an all of the stuff I said two paragraphs ago. There are some of them at Harvesters too. They can work primarily with clients, mentoring youth, assisting crime victims, restoring parks, and building affordable homes, etc.) Instead of having an end date one calendar year after their start date like VISTAs do, State and National programs count hours and it usually works out to be about a year. I may have gotten some of it wrong, because I am not in AmeriCorps State &/or National. You can learn more about it here: State - http://www.americorps.org/about/programs/state.asp; National - http://www.americorps.org/about/programs/national.asp.

AmeriCorps NCCC is a little different than the other two. I don't know much about it, so I will direct you to the AmeriCorps website for that one: http://www.americorps.org/about/programs/nccc.asp. They live on a special AmeriCorps NCCC is what it says.

Okay, now have I really confused me. Feel free to ask me questions, I would be happy to at least try to answer them.

Here is the link to the AmeriCorps website: http://www.americorps.org/

Good Morning, on this day we become legendary, everything we dreamed of; I'm like the fly Malcolm X, buy any jeans necessary, Detroit red cleaned up.

Those are lyrics from a Kanye West song. I love that it mentioned Malcolm X, I read his autobiography and he had a pretty fascinating life. But this post is supposed to be about the sunrise, so most likely it will be pretty boring, and I am apologizing up front for that. I got up at 5:30 this morning to go for a walk (I am doing a program for work where we count our steps everyday and try to increase our total each week). I usually walk in the evening, but I am busy tonight so I planned ahead. I love the morning, it's much more private. I think about all the people who see the sunset and then this morning I thought of how many fewer people are out and watching the sunrise. There were a lot of people exercising in the a.m., and the people seem to be much more friendly, I got a couple of "Good Morning's" from people and the are no good afternoon's or even hello's if you are exercising later in the day. See, I told you this would be boring. I'll mention some more of the highlights of today, I went to the new Chik-fil-a in Independence for lunch with 9 of my co-workers and I am still very full. I picked up lunch for a meeting from the Mixx and it smelled wonderful in my car all the way back. I am 300 steps away from 10,000, which is the most we are allowed to count for a day, so I am pretty stoked. Last night I finished the book Everything is Illuminated, it was really good. Now I am reading Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robinson (Augusten Burroughs[Running with Scissors]'s brother). I am eating dinner tonight with my dad, stepmom, and their dog Zorro at Spin Pizza (It's doggy night on the patio--complete with puppy pizzas). I won't be able to see one of the new shows I am obsessed with, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, luckily it will be online tomorrow! So are you asleep yet? One more thing about mornings outside, theer is just a feeling of newness and hope (and less humidity) in the air that really energizes you (who needs caffeine?). Hmm... I think I might be asleep now. Peace.

"You Don't Get Harmony When Everybody Sings the Same Note" ~Doug Floyd

I live in the greatest city in the world, okay, at least the greatest in Missouri, that's right St. Louis, I think Kansas City is awesome. I have to give props to HB who wrote a post about how this city rocks, and I am totally just copying her. I have always said that I am from Kansas City, but this is the first time I lave actually lived in the city limits. I am finding a lot to do here too, and am wondering why I spent so much time in the suburbs, oh right, they're great too. Now, as it might suggest from the name of this blog and the title of this post --I love music, I am not totally musically inclined (I can play the piano and sing - in the loosest sense of both). I come from Blue Springs, along with such talents as Vedera, Tech N9ne (honestly don't know their music, but they are from BS), and of course our hometown boy David Cook. But, in the suburbs you can't just walk down the street and hear bands playing here and there. Free live music every Thursday on the Plaza and great free concerts on the KC Live stage in the Power & Light District are what I am talking about. What is it about when music is outside that makes it so much better? Go outside and listen and we'll talk about it later.