younger big brother

I always wanted a big brother growing up - to drive me around while listening to his cool music, to watch his games (and cute friends), to carry me on his back when the pavement got hot, to dance with me when I did and didn't have a date, and to tell me to chill out when I got hysterical. Growing up, my little brother was just that, little. I loved tucking him in at night under all of his stuffed animals, holding his little hand in mine as we crossed the street, carrying him around on my hip as people looked adoringly at his bowl haircut. But he was that much younger that he felt more like my son as I finished my Senior year in high school and he graduated lower school.

And then something happened - time.

Tomorrow he graduates from boarding school as my younger big brother. He drives me around as I ask him what song is playing, I want this for my Ipod. He laughs. At 6'2'' he can carry me on his shoulders. His squash matches are ticket worthy, national champs worthy. He dances with me (us sisters definitely taught him most of his moves) even when he has a date. And he tells me to chill out when some dude I like is paying zero attention to me. He is my best friend, older brother and little brother when I need him to be. I still make him hug me in front of his friends and make him watch Love Actually with me (which I think he secretly likes). Its the best of both worlds.

So younger big brother, tomorrow's a big day. Don't forget that I am still older even though you are stronger and bigger and taller and can beat me up, and sometimes much wiser than me. You better always be available for a dance, even Cruisin'. You have become the older brother that I need and love. I am proud of all that you are and all that you continue to be.  As you end one chapter in your life and begin another, remember to dream big, love always and live strong. - Your adoring little sister.

health - its all in the herb

I am fighting a sore throat with itchy eyes to boot. Not perfect timing for the long weekend and my brother's graduation from boarding school. But bacteria has no manners when it comes to timing. I try and avoid taking drugs unless the other option is a hospital. So when I was told to take Oregano Oil by the dropful and my symptoms would go away in a poof, I said sign me up! Despite the $35 I had to part with at the health food store for a small vile of the magical oil, my fingers are crossed that I will be tearing from emotion not congestion as I watch my brother accept his diploma. There is one side effect that some may find pleasant, though I find embarrassing, and that is the burping. I am sure I smell like I have just engorged an entire pizza. I guess oregano is better than garlic.

If you're feeling a bit under the weather, Oregano Oil is meant to cure lots of things - take a look. Make sure you get the purest and highest quality oil you can find. I tried taking the oil under my tongue as directed by the health man - I do not recommend this as my mouth was numb for about ten minutes. Now I dilute two drops in water. They say you can also add drops to juice if you prefer.

lists

It's Friday wooohooo!! and with this depressing weather, I am loading up my weekend activities to keep me busy come rain or shine...friends, probably a few cocktails, and loads of laundry. I wrote two lists, as I procrastinated from doing anything on them. Notice which one is first and which one is longer - not a coincidence. 

Fun to-do's:

1. Park swings with three of my favorite girls

2. See Bridesmaids (perhaps a matinee depending on the weather)

3. Birthday party for a friend (must introduce myself to three new people as directed by my new acupuncturist)

4. Acupuncture (she gives me homework, such as #3 and #5 - LOVE her)

5. Take a wiffle bat and beat a pillow to let go (that's a whole different post but nothing to do with you, family)

6. Call grandparents (highlight)

7. Brunch with J? Walk with Ash?

8. Girls night on Saturday (fingers-crossed)

9. Museum (except if there are umbrellas involved)

10. Buy a new book

11. Ponder about pondering about job ideas

12. Church (update: remember handsome from earlier? he's so not part of the equation anymore - I mean he's not bad to look at while taking communion but not my type)

Not-so-fun to-do's

1. Laundry (to send out or do in? this is the never-ending debate...not because I am lazy but because the machines in my basement seem to leave my clothes dirtier than they were in my hamper!)

2. Clean Apartment (not terribly difficult considering I am the only one using the towels and opening the fridge but you would be surprised at how much dirt and dust build up)

3. Write checks to the IRS (since when?) 

4. Clean out my closet (fyi...this has been on every list since September)

5. Write thank-you notes (this will be fun once I remember who I owe one to - if you are one of them, please let me know!)

Well, that's it for now. I'll let you know which one I do first/how much I actually accomplish. In the meantime, I think I'll take a coffee break to think of everything else to add to the list (the fun one obviously). I'm exhausted! Happy Friday to Everest and back. xx

On the top of the world

I read Into Thin Air and watched documentaries about various expeditions in amazement. Terrified. So when I heard that my friend Erin was going to summit this Friday, I couldn't quite believe the email. Not because I am surprised Erin is climbing Mount Everest. Not because I am surprised that she will make it to the top of the world. I am surprised because I could never ever imagine climbing Everest, let alone summit. I still can't. Summit. To the top. Everest?!

Courtesy of Aspen Paragliding

Erin was born a climber, a hiker, a glider. An adventurer at heart, she took me paragliding for my 19th birthday...a first for this bear.  Thankfully for her, she glided alone (she is certified). I had Joe on my back, poor guy is probably deaf after being my guide. As Erin landed in front of me looking like a beautiful gazelle, I forgot the only instructions I had to follow upon landing - we gracefully face-planted. I will never forget that birthday, not just because I flew like a bird in the air, but for the enthusiasm she infected me with upon telling me the surprise the day before. Anyone else, I probably would have made up some excuse: stomach flu, low blood pressure, measles. But she made jumping off a cliff somehow seem like jumpin on a trampoline. Because of her, I conquered a fear. I felt on top of the world. Fearless. Accomplished.

So her leading the pack on her expedition is her passion coming through. I admire her sense of adventure and her ability to follow her dreams. I know that her courage and judgement will keep her safe. Check out her team's blog. You will be in awe. The blog and videos chart the progression of their journey. You will even see Erin, hair ribbons and all, looking like it's just another day on the mountain. Erin, your fan club is rooting for you around the world. Sending prayers and hugs to the top of the world and back. My birthday is coming up...sky-diving?

Here is the latest video

Sunday

I hope you are enjoying your Sunday. It's rainy here in NYC and I am loving my morning of nothing and nothing with coffee and the paper. Notice my name - perhaps the barista was telling me something. 

Jobs on jobs

This week, I have been barefoot more than usual, at the office, at home and even in a bar (my heels needed a moment to themselves). I think its a sign of the change in weather. I think its a sign that my feet are restless. Changes are happening in my life. Some that I am controlling. Some that I want to control but which I can't. As I embark on this new transition, I am dedicated to dipping my toes into everything in hopes that I discover an opportunity which feeds me with purpose. I know there is no guarantee that my next career will be "the one". But I do believe in the advice that Steve Jobs gave to the 2005 graduating class of Stanford University in his commencement address to them.

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever...Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the result of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

Happy weekend...enjoy your present dot.

Read the whole speech here:
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html

She that is Mums

When you are little, she reads to you goodnight moon before bed. She picks you up from school and listens to your stories from the playground. She volunteers to be lunch mom. Homework is a priority followed by a family dinner every night. She cheers from the sidelines of the field hockey field, even when you sit on the bench. As you grow up, she celebrates both the milestones and the details. She listens to your stories from the office. She volunteers to drive in to the city when you need a hug at lunch. She is with you when you make roast chicken in your apartment, remembering how she taught you to make everything you know. She cheers you on from near and far with an email, a thought, a phone call. She believes in you when you are to tired to believe in yourself. She gives you a pep talk when you lose purpose. She is the voice in your head that reasons with your own voice to come up with a solution when you need guidance. She bears your burdens, beams your triumphs and carries your heart in hers wherever she goes. 

For the bond we share, the memories we hold and the love we cherish, mums you are part of me. 

I love you. 

Thoughts

I recently became Godmother to a precious little girl. Being P's godmother is one of my most cherished titles. Her Mom sent a picture yesterday of P having her very first time on a swing. Not surprisingly, she is the epitome of young lady at four months with her ankles crossed and her hands in her lap - she must be reading Tiffany's Guide to Manners. Either way, she is a good reminder of what life is all about.  

Made me think of the last time I was on a swing. I was probably still sporting braces. I wish I had a swing in my apartment. Just to rock in while I read or watched TV. There is such a soothing aspect to the gentle rock that eases joints from the normal stiffness that we carry around. Perhaps in my next apartment I can hang one in such a way that hides the swing factor. Or I could get a rocking chair...might be easier. Anyway, happy Friday. Hope the weekend swings in soon.