I promised all my friends on Facebook a post about Samantha's Sweet Sixteen Bash, so here goes!
Samantha turned 16-years-old at 2:44 this morning. But we celebrated this milestone on Saturday at the home of one of our two best pairs of friends. We live in a relatively small two-bedroom apartment, so there was no way that we were going to fit 25 teenagers and four adults in here. So, Amanda and Eric Lanser graciously allowed us to invade their home and to turn it into Hogwarts.
All three of us are Harry Potter crazy, so the theme was an easy one to land on. It helps that Samantha hangs with a pretty nerdy crew. We chose the theme in October and immediately got to work. My birthdays weren't celebrated from ages 15-19, so it was really important to me that Samantha have an awesome memory. As a result, we had been stashing away little bits of money for about six months so that we could afford to throw her a party.
First, Mark began making wands... and turned into a regular Ollivander. He has become quite the skilled woodworker over the past two years. I should post some pictures of the incredible loft bed, freestanding bookshelves, tables, bathtub caddie tables and other goodies he has made. But he really outdid himself with these wands. Each wand was handcrafted (mainly from poplar, I think) with a unique design. We were total boneheads and didn't take pictures before he set up "Ollivander's Wand Shop" at the party, but I think I can put up some pics of the wands that didn't "choose any wizards" soon. When the guests arrived, they were told to visit Ollivander's. Mark then had each guest choose three wands that they thought might suit them. He then had each guest "test" out the wands by giving them a wave in turn. When a wand had clearly "chosen" the guest in front of him, Mark hit a secret button in his pocket which illuminated a spinning, multicolored light to signal to the wizard that the wand had chosen him or her. The guests (of course) got to take their handcrafted wands home.
Up at "The Three Broomsticks," Amanda, Eric and I set up a dinner of sloppy joes, fruit and chips so that the kids would have somewhat normal food in them before we brought out the goodies. And oh, what goodies there were. We made spiced apple cider, Butterbeer (butter brickle ice cream and cream soda), Pumpkin Juice (pumpkin spiced frappucino mix combined with lots of extra milk and tons of spices), licorice wands, "Nearly" every flavor beans, pink lemonade cupcakes with lemon frosting (Samantha's birthday cake... it was gross, but it was her party, so whatevsies), freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, goldfish, chocolate treats, sherbert and sprite floats, etc. etc. etc. The kids ate a LOT of sugar. Edina parents... I'm sorry.
In addition to screening the two Harry Potter 7 movies, I created a Harry Potter version of the game "Headbands," modified ColorKu to act as "Gobstones," set up the Wii and the ping-pong table, put up posters encouraging each guest to name their Patronus (a very serious business you know... I am an Osprey, Samantha is a Saint Bernard and Mark is a Deerhound... I find it funny that I live with two dogs- one of which is Sirius's animagus), hung up menus and signs and provided all kinds of other things for the kids to do while they were going nuts. And literally the only challenge of the night was that a bunch of the girls insisted on yelling the entire Hamilton soundtrack at the top of their lungs, which got to be a bit much for some of the tamer kids. Other than that, it was brilliant.
The best moment of the evening though, was when Samantha was sitting around opening all kinds of incredibly thoughtful gifts (including a five-gallon drum of nacho cheese from Amanda, because why not?). She looked at me and smiled so brightly and I could tell that in that moment she was completely happy... just to be surrounded by people who loved her enough to show up and celebrate with her in fun and nerdy ways.
I have been thinking a lot about how when Samantha was first placed in my arms, my first thought was, "Oh, it's you! I know you!" because it was like I was being introduced to someone I had known all my life long. It has been such a privilege to get to watch her grow and evolve from a tiny, sweet, precocious girl to a polished, hilariously funny and kind young lady. Especially because both of us have known exactly who she is all along and she has held her identity as sacred through these challenging teen years. I love this kid more than anything. And now she is my sweet sixteen Hufflepuff girl... just as in some ways she always has been and always will be.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
My Year in Books
Goodreads provides this awesome service related to the books each subscriber reads annually. When you join the yearly reading challenge, it tracks what you have read and helps to keep you focused on whatever your reading goal may be. At the end of the year, the site gives you all kinds of fun information... like which book you read over the past year is the most highly "rated" on the site, the most widely read, the least widely read, the longest, the shortest, etc. It also provides you with a list of everything you have read the past year.
My goal for 2016 was to read 75 books. I am currently reading number 75, so I gave myself permission to look over my end of the year list. What I read in any given year says a lot about how that year has progressed. 2016 is not an exception to this rule. As a result, I thought I'd give you a peek into my list and offer some recommendations of titles that have inspired me this year.
This year was pretty Young Adult Lit heavy. I think that has much to do with the fact that I spent so much of this year sick as a dog, and YA is generally pretty darn engaging. When you spend most of your waking hours alone in bed, there are few things more comforting than good movies, good television and good books. I was spoiled rotten in each of these categories this year.
The year was pretty evenly split between lighter and heavier fare. I usually read several books simultaneously, and I usually have at least one "fluffy" book and one serious/challenging piece going in the mix so that I can bounce around depending on my mood.
I also revisited some great series this year. I read "Harry Potter" during the even years so that I don't read it too often and allow its magic to diminish. Thankfully, I seem to get more out of it every single time I read it and ALWAYS want to just start over again the minute I finish. BUT, I exercised some restraint... so, good for me! I also went on a Pride and Prejudice kick this year which was mega fun. Every girl needs a little Elizabeth and Darcy sometimes, you know?
So! Here are my top ten recommendations of books you might not have heard of (I am purposely leaving REALLY popular pieces like "Persepholis" and "Harry Potter" out of the mix because really, who (other than one of my two best friends) needs to have their arms twisted to read "Harry Potter"????). There is hopefully a little something for everyone in this list inspired by my 2016 list. Happy reading!
10(tie). "Endgame: The Calling" by James Frey - Holy moly. This is the only YA text on this list simply because it is the best YA book/series that I have read this year and it has therefore earned that honor. Set during the present day, in an unaltered world (not a dystopia) 12 teenagers descended from the original "lines" of humanity are forced to "play" to the death to determine which solitary line of humanity will survive an apocalyptic event. WAIT! I know, I know it sounds like it sucks. BUT IT DOESN'T. I read this book in a single day because I couldn't put it down. The last in the trilogy comes out on December 27 and I am already wanting to skip over Christmas just so I can read it!
10(tie). "The Royal We" by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan - And THIS is the only "Chick Lit" on this list because it is the best chick lit I read this year and it has therefore earned this honor. I love this book. Both Samantha and I were really frustrated when we finished because we wanted to hang out in this world with these characters a little longer. Thank goodness that Lauren Graham (yep, THAT Lauren Graham) and Mae Whitman are writing the screenplay! Anyone who thinks that they might like a book very, very roughly based on the commoner meets royalty romance of Will and Kate should RUN to Barnes and Noble to pick this up.
9. "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates - The only reason why this book is ranked number nine and not closer to number one is simply that I am still processing it. I read this piece very shortly after reading the "March" trilogy by John Lewis (which IS ranked number one) and it was strange timing. As someone who identifies much more strongly with the teachings of MLK than Malcolm X, I found this piece to be unquestionably important, provocative, passionate beautiful and (at points) really disturbing. I couldn't help but think that Coates would have been one of the figures in "March" who pushed for violence rather than non-violence and may have altered the civil rights movement as a result, had he been alive during that time period. It is undeniably critical to hear the voices of individuals like Coates alongside the voices of individuals like Lewis. I just simply identify so easily with Lewis that it is taking me longer to process the experience and ideals of Mr. Coates. Anyone who wants to read this book and then chat about it, I am totally game!
8. "When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi - An autobiography written as a neurosurgeon lay dying of terminal cancer. It will make you think about your own mortality in ways that are thought-provoking and uplifting, introspective and important as opposed to frightening and upsetting. I applaud the author's efforts and insight... this was one of the few books I NEEDED to read this year given where I am in life and I am profoundly grateful for its existence.
7. "The Looming Tower" by Lawrence Wright - This Pulitzer Prize winner traces the roots of both Al-Qaeda and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But what struck me most about this piece is how much it helped me to understand the roots of Daesh (ISIS). If you are struggling to understand Daesh, please consider checking out this provocative piece.
6. The "Pottermore Presents" trilogy by J.K. Rowling and Pottermore - I saw surprisingly little chatter about this trilogy when it was released and very, very few of my friends on Goodreads have read it. Read it! If you are a "Harry Potter" fan (and come on, I know you are) you will enjoy these short and sweet pieces about J.K. Rowling's original magical world. Unlike "Cursed Child" - (Sorry, had to pause to gag a little) the Pottermore trilogy does not seek to rewrite much of what we know and love about Hogwarts and the characters informed by it. Instead, it sheds a little bit more light on several beloved (and hated *COUGH-Umbridge!-COUGH*) characters, locations and objects without undermining anything related to the reader's original understanding of them. Worth a read!
5. "Me Before You" and "After You" by Jojo Moyes - I wrote a post about these books earlier this year, so I will keep this recommendation brief. "Me Before You" is thought-provoking, heartbreaking and made me laugh out loud repeatedly. Louisa's backstory is far more fleshed out (in critically important ways) in the book, as compared to the movie. Moviegoers who had not read the book likely had no idea why Louisa had never left her hometown. The book gives us these answers and makes the story all the richer for them. "After You" was unexpected in so many ways... and I am so grateful that I took the time to read it. These stories will stay with me forever. And I do not say that lightly.
4. "Alexander Hamilton" by Ron Chernow - I made it my mission to read this massive biography before allowing myself to dig into the Broadway show "Hamilton." I am so grateful that I did. Lin-Manuel Miranda picked up a copy of this book to take with him on vacation after concluding "In the Heights." He was so inspired by the text and the stories within it that he began to write what would eventually become "Hamilton." The piece is as beautiful as it is informative and engaging. Chernow may not have crazy editing skills, but the man can WRITE. And the story he has told has made me appreciate "Hamilton" in ways I otherwise could simply not have grasped.
3. "Rejected Princesses: Tales of History's Boldest Heroines, Hellions, and Heretics" by Jason Porath - A Disney animator has detailed the lives and legends of dozens upon dozens of women who have inspired history. What makes this book unique is that the author has specifically aimed to tell the stories of women whose experiences aren't "safe" and "clean" enough to regularly show up in history books. Each frank, funny and often disturbing description is accompanied by a gorgeous picture of what each "rejected" woman may have looked like as a Disney princess. But there is nothing "fairy tale" about this book. It even contains a rating guide in order to allow the reader warning when sexual violence, abuse, murder and other challenging topics appear. I read virtually every feminist text I can get my hands on and there is nothing quite like "Rejected Princesses."
2. "The Great Big Book of Horrible Things: The Definitive Chronicle of History's 100 Worst Atrocities" by Matthew White - This fascinating and important text details the 100 deadliest "events" in history ("events" caused by the violence of man, not acts of God, epidemics, etc.). The reason why this text is so illuminating is that one of its core purposes is the examination of how "we" (historians, statisticians, etc.) calculate death tolls given the limitations of examining history hundreds or thousands of years after the events in question. Understanding the scale of human injustice is critical if one is to learn from the past and honor lives that have been lost due to ignorance, greed, hatred, bigotry, boredom and other dark forces within human nature. I encourage anyone who is concerned with social justice or with history to allow this book to inspire you with some food for thought.
1. The "March" graphic novel trilogy by John Lewis - This autobiographical graphic novel trilogy primarily set during the civil rights movement should be required reading for the American public. I cannot speak highly enough of this series nor can I express fully just how profoundly this series inspired me. It was a true blessing to read this during the 2016 election cycle... pick up a copy and see for yourself.
My goal for 2016 was to read 75 books. I am currently reading number 75, so I gave myself permission to look over my end of the year list. What I read in any given year says a lot about how that year has progressed. 2016 is not an exception to this rule. As a result, I thought I'd give you a peek into my list and offer some recommendations of titles that have inspired me this year.
This year was pretty Young Adult Lit heavy. I think that has much to do with the fact that I spent so much of this year sick as a dog, and YA is generally pretty darn engaging. When you spend most of your waking hours alone in bed, there are few things more comforting than good movies, good television and good books. I was spoiled rotten in each of these categories this year.
The year was pretty evenly split between lighter and heavier fare. I usually read several books simultaneously, and I usually have at least one "fluffy" book and one serious/challenging piece going in the mix so that I can bounce around depending on my mood.
I also revisited some great series this year. I read "Harry Potter" during the even years so that I don't read it too often and allow its magic to diminish. Thankfully, I seem to get more out of it every single time I read it and ALWAYS want to just start over again the minute I finish. BUT, I exercised some restraint... so, good for me! I also went on a Pride and Prejudice kick this year which was mega fun. Every girl needs a little Elizabeth and Darcy sometimes, you know?
So! Here are my top ten recommendations of books you might not have heard of (I am purposely leaving REALLY popular pieces like "Persepholis" and "Harry Potter" out of the mix because really, who (other than one of my two best friends) needs to have their arms twisted to read "Harry Potter"????). There is hopefully a little something for everyone in this list inspired by my 2016 list. Happy reading!
10(tie). "Endgame: The Calling" by James Frey - Holy moly. This is the only YA text on this list simply because it is the best YA book/series that I have read this year and it has therefore earned that honor. Set during the present day, in an unaltered world (not a dystopia) 12 teenagers descended from the original "lines" of humanity are forced to "play" to the death to determine which solitary line of humanity will survive an apocalyptic event. WAIT! I know, I know it sounds like it sucks. BUT IT DOESN'T. I read this book in a single day because I couldn't put it down. The last in the trilogy comes out on December 27 and I am already wanting to skip over Christmas just so I can read it!
10(tie). "The Royal We" by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan - And THIS is the only "Chick Lit" on this list because it is the best chick lit I read this year and it has therefore earned this honor. I love this book. Both Samantha and I were really frustrated when we finished because we wanted to hang out in this world with these characters a little longer. Thank goodness that Lauren Graham (yep, THAT Lauren Graham) and Mae Whitman are writing the screenplay! Anyone who thinks that they might like a book very, very roughly based on the commoner meets royalty romance of Will and Kate should RUN to Barnes and Noble to pick this up.
9. "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates - The only reason why this book is ranked number nine and not closer to number one is simply that I am still processing it. I read this piece very shortly after reading the "March" trilogy by John Lewis (which IS ranked number one) and it was strange timing. As someone who identifies much more strongly with the teachings of MLK than Malcolm X, I found this piece to be unquestionably important, provocative, passionate beautiful and (at points) really disturbing. I couldn't help but think that Coates would have been one of the figures in "March" who pushed for violence rather than non-violence and may have altered the civil rights movement as a result, had he been alive during that time period. It is undeniably critical to hear the voices of individuals like Coates alongside the voices of individuals like Lewis. I just simply identify so easily with Lewis that it is taking me longer to process the experience and ideals of Mr. Coates. Anyone who wants to read this book and then chat about it, I am totally game!
8. "When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi - An autobiography written as a neurosurgeon lay dying of terminal cancer. It will make you think about your own mortality in ways that are thought-provoking and uplifting, introspective and important as opposed to frightening and upsetting. I applaud the author's efforts and insight... this was one of the few books I NEEDED to read this year given where I am in life and I am profoundly grateful for its existence.
7. "The Looming Tower" by Lawrence Wright - This Pulitzer Prize winner traces the roots of both Al-Qaeda and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But what struck me most about this piece is how much it helped me to understand the roots of Daesh (ISIS). If you are struggling to understand Daesh, please consider checking out this provocative piece.
6. The "Pottermore Presents" trilogy by J.K. Rowling and Pottermore - I saw surprisingly little chatter about this trilogy when it was released and very, very few of my friends on Goodreads have read it. Read it! If you are a "Harry Potter" fan (and come on, I know you are) you will enjoy these short and sweet pieces about J.K. Rowling's original magical world. Unlike "Cursed Child" - (Sorry, had to pause to gag a little) the Pottermore trilogy does not seek to rewrite much of what we know and love about Hogwarts and the characters informed by it. Instead, it sheds a little bit more light on several beloved (and hated *COUGH-Umbridge!-COUGH*) characters, locations and objects without undermining anything related to the reader's original understanding of them. Worth a read!
5. "Me Before You" and "After You" by Jojo Moyes - I wrote a post about these books earlier this year, so I will keep this recommendation brief. "Me Before You" is thought-provoking, heartbreaking and made me laugh out loud repeatedly. Louisa's backstory is far more fleshed out (in critically important ways) in the book, as compared to the movie. Moviegoers who had not read the book likely had no idea why Louisa had never left her hometown. The book gives us these answers and makes the story all the richer for them. "After You" was unexpected in so many ways... and I am so grateful that I took the time to read it. These stories will stay with me forever. And I do not say that lightly.
4. "Alexander Hamilton" by Ron Chernow - I made it my mission to read this massive biography before allowing myself to dig into the Broadway show "Hamilton." I am so grateful that I did. Lin-Manuel Miranda picked up a copy of this book to take with him on vacation after concluding "In the Heights." He was so inspired by the text and the stories within it that he began to write what would eventually become "Hamilton." The piece is as beautiful as it is informative and engaging. Chernow may not have crazy editing skills, but the man can WRITE. And the story he has told has made me appreciate "Hamilton" in ways I otherwise could simply not have grasped.
3. "Rejected Princesses: Tales of History's Boldest Heroines, Hellions, and Heretics" by Jason Porath - A Disney animator has detailed the lives and legends of dozens upon dozens of women who have inspired history. What makes this book unique is that the author has specifically aimed to tell the stories of women whose experiences aren't "safe" and "clean" enough to regularly show up in history books. Each frank, funny and often disturbing description is accompanied by a gorgeous picture of what each "rejected" woman may have looked like as a Disney princess. But there is nothing "fairy tale" about this book. It even contains a rating guide in order to allow the reader warning when sexual violence, abuse, murder and other challenging topics appear. I read virtually every feminist text I can get my hands on and there is nothing quite like "Rejected Princesses."
2. "The Great Big Book of Horrible Things: The Definitive Chronicle of History's 100 Worst Atrocities" by Matthew White - This fascinating and important text details the 100 deadliest "events" in history ("events" caused by the violence of man, not acts of God, epidemics, etc.). The reason why this text is so illuminating is that one of its core purposes is the examination of how "we" (historians, statisticians, etc.) calculate death tolls given the limitations of examining history hundreds or thousands of years after the events in question. Understanding the scale of human injustice is critical if one is to learn from the past and honor lives that have been lost due to ignorance, greed, hatred, bigotry, boredom and other dark forces within human nature. I encourage anyone who is concerned with social justice or with history to allow this book to inspire you with some food for thought.
1. The "March" graphic novel trilogy by John Lewis - This autobiographical graphic novel trilogy primarily set during the civil rights movement should be required reading for the American public. I cannot speak highly enough of this series nor can I express fully just how profoundly this series inspired me. It was a true blessing to read this during the 2016 election cycle... pick up a copy and see for yourself.
Friday, December 2, 2016
What the Heart Wants
When I was younger, I never thought much about my physical heart. I was a very active person and I was healthy, so I suppose I didn't need to. But since my diagnosis, I have thought about my heart quite a bit. Especially now that its function is at odds with what my metaphorical heart wants so desperately.
My doctors are not quite sure why - the main theory is that some of the ultra toxic meds I am now weaned off of did damage and somehow caused this reality - but my cholesterol levels are now about as bad as they can get. From what I understand, it is pretty much unheard of to put a woman in her early thirties who is not truly heavy (I weigh more than I care to, but a weight in the 160s is not terribly unreasonable) on a statin. Most women of child-bearing age who are not truly heavy have natural protective processes that tend to guard their hearts. Also, while I don't eat as well as I'd like to, I certainly don't eat "badly" on any sort of regular basis. But, the reality is that my cholesterol levels combined with some Lupus complications have necessitated that I take a statin and some other meds in order to essentially ensure that I don't have a heart attack or progressive heart disease.
HOWEVER. Statins can cause serious, serious birth defects. So, I had to go off my statin and other harsh meds six months in advance of starting to try for Project Jellybean. Therefore, I have now spent three-quarters of the year off medications that I am in desperate need of.
This morning, I woke up twice because I had such a profound feeling that my heart was swelling and pushing on my front and back ribs that I had trouble moving. Added to that fun was a shooting pain in my left shoulder and upper arm. "Ohhh... crap."
This summer, one of my two best friends provided me with the gift of some of her honest concerns about Project Jellybean. Primary among them was what it could potentially do to my health. This is a completely legitimate concern... and it probably would have been strange if she hadn't been worried. Sometimes, the benefits of something outweigh the risks. And I believe that Project Jellybean does. But I would be lying if I didn't confirm that her voice was in my head this morning as I worked through several visualization techniques for the better portion of two hours in order to get my chest to calm down enough that I could fall back asleep.
The fact that my metaphorical heart and physical heart are at odds is a little poetic and a LOT annoying/frustrating/scary as hell. The heart wants what it wants. And I suppose what I am asking for now is positive energy from all of you in the service of my metaphorical heart winning this particular battle.
My doctors are not quite sure why - the main theory is that some of the ultra toxic meds I am now weaned off of did damage and somehow caused this reality - but my cholesterol levels are now about as bad as they can get. From what I understand, it is pretty much unheard of to put a woman in her early thirties who is not truly heavy (I weigh more than I care to, but a weight in the 160s is not terribly unreasonable) on a statin. Most women of child-bearing age who are not truly heavy have natural protective processes that tend to guard their hearts. Also, while I don't eat as well as I'd like to, I certainly don't eat "badly" on any sort of regular basis. But, the reality is that my cholesterol levels combined with some Lupus complications have necessitated that I take a statin and some other meds in order to essentially ensure that I don't have a heart attack or progressive heart disease.
HOWEVER. Statins can cause serious, serious birth defects. So, I had to go off my statin and other harsh meds six months in advance of starting to try for Project Jellybean. Therefore, I have now spent three-quarters of the year off medications that I am in desperate need of.
This morning, I woke up twice because I had such a profound feeling that my heart was swelling and pushing on my front and back ribs that I had trouble moving. Added to that fun was a shooting pain in my left shoulder and upper arm. "Ohhh... crap."
This summer, one of my two best friends provided me with the gift of some of her honest concerns about Project Jellybean. Primary among them was what it could potentially do to my health. This is a completely legitimate concern... and it probably would have been strange if she hadn't been worried. Sometimes, the benefits of something outweigh the risks. And I believe that Project Jellybean does. But I would be lying if I didn't confirm that her voice was in my head this morning as I worked through several visualization techniques for the better portion of two hours in order to get my chest to calm down enough that I could fall back asleep.
The fact that my metaphorical heart and physical heart are at odds is a little poetic and a LOT annoying/frustrating/scary as hell. The heart wants what it wants. And I suppose what I am asking for now is positive energy from all of you in the service of my metaphorical heart winning this particular battle.
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