I just returned from a little trip to Jackson, Mississippi. Okay, not really. But I felt like I had been there when I finished my new book The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I. Loved. It. I couldn't put it down and hated for it to end.
Stockett did a great job telling a story from three different perspectives. The book's main storytellers, Aibileen and Minny, are black maids, and Skeeter is a white twenty-something just out of college. As these three women come together to change things in their own way, the vivid storylines are beautifully woven together.
So what was one really cool thing about getting lost in a story about segregation in the south before civil rights? I finished the book just in time to watch our country's first African American President give his first State of the Union Address. Sometimes it's easy to forget just how far we've come in 40 years. I sure hope the Aibileen's, Minny's, and Skeeter's of the world got a chance to see it.
This book is already a bestseller and definitely gets a 5 on my Sweet Tea Scale! The Help was author Kathryn Stockett's first novel and I can't wait to see what she puts out next!
Snow Adventure
Since I'm a little behind on updates, I decided to rewind a month to the end of December when I survived the Blizzard of 2009 (or the Winter Wallop, as the Weather Channel named it or Snowpocalypse as my roommate called it.)
I posted here about the silver lining of this storm before a single snowflake even fell.
So take a second and pretend it's the weekend of December 19th, 2009, a week before Christmas. If you'll recall, the snow storm hit the DC area hard and we got around 2 feet of snow. Which was more snow than I've ever seen. And of course...us southern girls didn't even have a proper snow shovel. Thank goodness for friendly neighbors!
We hunkered down for a full 24 hours of non-stop snow, eating a lot of junk/delicious food, and taking advantage of the time to rest up for our holiday trips.
Our Winter Wallop survival kit...
There was a guy on our street trying to get his car out so he wouldn't be stranded with his girlfriend. (They might need to reevaluate their relationship.) He was so desperate and clueless of how to do this, that he proceeded to let a group of southern girls push his car all the way down the street. At which point our neighbor said, "Do you think he's going to tell people that a group of girls pushed his car out?" And remember, we had never seen so much snow, let alone know how to dig/push cars in it. Not sure if this shows how dumb the guy was or how awesome we are. I'll go with both. He was lost without us!
Then it was back to shoveling our own path and driveway. I was SO sore from all the hard work!
Some pretty scenery...
Since the metro was closed, and cab companies wouldn't answer, we had to pick up my roommate's sister from Union Station. It was a scary drive, but I snapped this pic of the wreaths in front.
The next day, all that stood between me and my Christmas vacation was digging these three cars out. Please let me call your attention to the fact that the snow is up to our tires.
I posted here about the silver lining of this storm before a single snowflake even fell.
So take a second and pretend it's the weekend of December 19th, 2009, a week before Christmas. If you'll recall, the snow storm hit the DC area hard and we got around 2 feet of snow. Which was more snow than I've ever seen. And of course...us southern girls didn't even have a proper snow shovel. Thank goodness for friendly neighbors!
We hunkered down for a full 24 hours of non-stop snow, eating a lot of junk/delicious food, and taking advantage of the time to rest up for our holiday trips.
Our Winter Wallop survival kit...
Shira pointed out how ironic our mantle decor turned out to be. I was not amused.
We woke up to this, but much more snow fell throughout the day....
There was a guy on our street trying to get his car out so he wouldn't be stranded with his girlfriend. (They might need to reevaluate their relationship.) He was so desperate and clueless of how to do this, that he proceeded to let a group of southern girls push his car all the way down the street. At which point our neighbor said, "Do you think he's going to tell people that a group of girls pushed his car out?" And remember, we had never seen so much snow, let alone know how to dig/push cars in it. Not sure if this shows how dumb the guy was or how awesome we are. I'll go with both. He was lost without us!
Then it was back to shoveling our own path and driveway. I was SO sore from all the hard work!
We ventured out and saw people with skis on the National Mall. It was surreal...
Some pretty scenery...
Since the metro was closed, and cab companies wouldn't answer, we had to pick up my roommate's sister from Union Station. It was a scary drive, but I snapped this pic of the wreaths in front.
The next day, all that stood between me and my Christmas vacation was digging these three cars out. Please let me call your attention to the fact that the snow is up to our tires.
I was home free after praying and slipping and sliding all the way down our street!
"A Lot of Little, Makes a Lot of Lots"
The devastating earthquake and images from Haiti has affected people in different ways. I spent the first week glued to the TV, feeling so much hurt for the people and children. I want to give every penny I have, adopt a child, start an orphanage...ANYTHING to help.
But that is not a reality for me. Many of the reporters have left but the need and recovery effort goes on. I listened to much of the Hope for Haiti Now fundraiser on TV last week. It was a wonderful way to bring the world together for a common cause to help people in need. The performances were reverent and heartfelt, inspiring the millions of people watching to do what they could to help.
We all know the tough economic situation here at home and we're not all able to give a million dollars to the cause. Some of us can only give a little. But as Stevie Wonder said to a donor on Friday's broadcast:
I hope you'll consider doing anything you can...a little or a lot.
But that is not a reality for me. Many of the reporters have left but the need and recovery effort goes on. I listened to much of the Hope for Haiti Now fundraiser on TV last week. It was a wonderful way to bring the world together for a common cause to help people in need. The performances were reverent and heartfelt, inspiring the millions of people watching to do what they could to help.
We all know the tough economic situation here at home and we're not all able to give a million dollars to the cause. Some of us can only give a little. But as Stevie Wonder said to a donor on Friday's broadcast:
"A lot of little, makes a lot of lots."
It is that simple.
We could all give up a lunch or dinner out or doing without some luxury in exchange for a donation to the many charity efforts in Haiti. If you're looking for somewhere to start, I highly recommend purchasing the Hope for Haiti Now album on iTunes for $7.99. You can't beat 20 great songs by popular artists for $7.99! Jennifer Hudson's version of Let It Be gives me chills.
In keeping with Stevie Wonder's "A lot of little makes a lot of lots" philosophy, just look at what this 7 year old kid did!
We could all give up a lunch or dinner out or doing without some luxury in exchange for a donation to the many charity efforts in Haiti. If you're looking for somewhere to start, I highly recommend purchasing the Hope for Haiti Now album on iTunes for $7.99. You can't beat 20 great songs by popular artists for $7.99! Jennifer Hudson's version of Let It Be gives me chills.
In keeping with Stevie Wonder's "A lot of little makes a lot of lots" philosophy, just look at what this 7 year old kid did!
I hope you'll consider doing anything you can...a little or a lot.
Lately...
I have a lot of blog catching up to do! I'm going to do my best to post pics and updates from the last month or so over the next few days. Everything from the blizzard of '09 to how my New Year's to-do list is going. So stay tuned!
In the meantime, here are some completely random thoughts from the last few weeks.
- Life is precious and the people of Haiti need a lot of help. I hope you'll donate what you can and Pray.
- Ricola vs. Halls: Going the "natural" route for cough drops does NOT work for me.
- Sorry, Wheat, but sometimes good old fashioned white bread is what you need.
- Braves Spring Training is less than a month away!!!!
- "Loafing" through a bookstore is some kind of therapy for me.
- The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook will take you on a delicious journey of southern cuisine.
- The idea of "New Year's Resolutions" doesn't have to be a joke.
- If a liberal leaning state like Massachusetts can elect a republican to fill Ted Kennedy's seat, then there may be hope for a conservative state like SC to one day vote for a democrat.
- I prefer real-life blogs and articles such as Matt, Liz, and Madeline rather than celebrity gossip and news. They're so much more inspiring and, well, REAL. Right now, I just don't care about Kate's hair extensions or Heidi's plastic surgery obsession.
- I am glad I held on to my lava lamp from middle school!
- I am a sucker for the Olympics. Summer or Winter...doesn't matter. Cue the John Williams Olympic theme song...21 days and counting!
In the meantime, here are some completely random thoughts from the last few weeks.
- Life is precious and the people of Haiti need a lot of help. I hope you'll donate what you can and Pray.
- Ricola vs. Halls: Going the "natural" route for cough drops does NOT work for me.
- Sorry, Wheat, but sometimes good old fashioned white bread is what you need.
- Braves Spring Training is less than a month away!!!!
- "Loafing" through a bookstore is some kind of therapy for me.
- The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook will take you on a delicious journey of southern cuisine.
- The idea of "New Year's Resolutions" doesn't have to be a joke.
- If a liberal leaning state like Massachusetts can elect a republican to fill Ted Kennedy's seat, then there may be hope for a conservative state like SC to one day vote for a democrat.
- I prefer real-life blogs and articles such as Matt, Liz, and Madeline rather than celebrity gossip and news. They're so much more inspiring and, well, REAL. Right now, I just don't care about Kate's hair extensions or Heidi's plastic surgery obsession.
- I am glad I held on to my lava lamp from middle school!
- I am a sucker for the Olympics. Summer or Winter...doesn't matter. Cue the John Williams Olympic theme song...21 days and counting!
Happy New Everything
Ahhhhhh, a new year, a new decade, a new month, AND a new week. Can you handle all of this newness? I think I could handle it a tiny bit better if I weren't shivering from the blustery cold weather. I am quickly realizing that I should have asked Santa for an electric blanket and long johns! I'm taking the bitterly cold weather as an excuse to hibernate under a warm blanket, read all the books I acquired from my mom's house over the break, and update my Netflix account!
I just returned from a 2 week vacation in SC and am trying to prevent that post-vacation/holiday funk from setting in. Things are already different in 2010 since a good friend has moved away and some changes have taken place at work. It's a good thing that I have a massive size New Year's To-Do list to distract me!
I know it's soooooo cliche to blog about resolutions and organizing and goals for 2010. But I'm loving all the articles and stories about how to stay motivated and tips on how to use all the energy that a new year brings.
After indulging in all the holiday treats in meals- I'm CRAVING veggies and water. After all the clutter and extra "stuff" that the holidays bring- I'm CRAVING empty and organized spaces.
Over the last month, I came across some websites and blogs that I'm looking forward to following this year. They're positive, inspirational, and thought provoking. Just what the doctor ordered for the fresh start of 2010!
I just returned from a 2 week vacation in SC and am trying to prevent that post-vacation/holiday funk from setting in. Things are already different in 2010 since a good friend has moved away and some changes have taken place at work. It's a good thing that I have a massive size New Year's To-Do list to distract me!
I know it's soooooo cliche to blog about resolutions and organizing and goals for 2010. But I'm loving all the articles and stories about how to stay motivated and tips on how to use all the energy that a new year brings.
After indulging in all the holiday treats in meals- I'm CRAVING veggies and water. After all the clutter and extra "stuff" that the holidays bring- I'm CRAVING empty and organized spaces.
Over the last month, I came across some websites and blogs that I'm looking forward to following this year. They're positive, inspirational, and thought provoking. Just what the doctor ordered for the fresh start of 2010!
Do you have any good "New Year's" blog suggestions?
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