8 Things

The goddess Lunanik (she knows why I call her that) has tagged me to do this, for which I am grateful because I was clueless on what to write tonight!

8 Things I Am Passionate About:

1.) My children's education. It's why I'm so passionate about KIPP (oh, wait - should've saved that, huh? Oh, well, not too hard for me to find things for which I'm passionate). KIPP fosters an environment that encourages critical thinking, a passion for learning, teamwork, positive peer pressure, and is the first school that truly treated me like a partner.

2.) The United States Constitution. I wasn't raised with religion; I was raised with the morals and values instilled within this document, as well as the Bill of Rights. While I recognize that some of it is broad enough for different interpretations, I truly admire the thought and detail that our forefathers put into creating this country.

3.) Open-mindedness. I do believe that if we truly try to understand another person's point of view, solutions can be found.

4.) Idealism. If we can't dream the impossible, then how would we ever innovate, progress?

5.) Realism. At some point, one either has to take action to create the impossible, or accept and adjust.

6.) Entertainment. I just realized something - I get annoyed with Sylvia for constantly wanting to be entertained in some way, but really I'm just as bad. Movies, TV, music, the internet, Broadway musicals, books, magazines...entertain me already!!

7.) The power of people - and I don't just mean this politically. I mean this in the awe I sometimes feel driving on freeways that people thought up this thing, and built it, and here we are, millions of us, driving over these bridges, these houses, every day! That's really, pretty cool when you think about it. And, in the negative, people can really tick me off, too! (A lot of times, it's the cars in front of or behind me on those blasted freeways!)

8.) That it really is all about balance.

8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die:

1.) Go see a Broadway show in NY again. We're planning a trip for 3 years from now at Xmas - hope I don't die before that!

2.) See my children graduate from college.

3.) Go to Hawaii.

4.) Take another cruise - this time, as a passenger. I used to work as an entertainer on a cruise ship.

5.) Make some type of major contribution to society. I know, it sounds cliche, but my dream is to build and run a community for single parents (not a virtual community, a real one). Anyone out there want to help? Anyone? Anyone?

6.) Sing again in public before I die. I miss that.

7.) Own property.

8.) I would totally love to argue a case in court one day as a lawyer. Or at least, play one on TV.

8 Things I Say Often:

1.) OMG. Blame it on Legally Blonde the Musical. I do.

2.) Seriously...I'm with you on this one, Lunanik. Damn Grey's Anatomy!

3.) Actually... I didn't realize how much I said it until the girls started saying it all the time.

4.) Girls, I woke up late, we gotta hurry.

5.) I'm so tired. Apparently, I find life very exhausting!

6.) I need more coffee. S'bux gift cards are welcome at any time!!

7.) Girls, stop it! Usually preceded by high-pitched screams. Followed by them, too, actually.

8.) Are we there yet? Yes, I say that. Whenever we go to Disneyland at Autopia. I say it over and over and over. The girls crack up - they're an easy audience.

8 Books I Have Read Recently
I almost skipped this one because I'm embarrassed to confess that I have not read a non-ChickLit book in quite a while. I think I'm still recovering from all the serious reading I did at Antioch, followed by my 2 semesters of paralegal school. Plus, all the non-fiction of late is either depressing or enraging, and I'm not in the mood to be either...at least, no more than I already am! *deep breath* Here goes:

1.) To Be The Best by Barbara Taylor Bradford: So I finally decided to read A Woman of Substance a while back because it had been one of my mother's favorites so I'm blaming my whole Emma Harte series on her!

2.) Knitting Under the Influence by Claire LeZebnik: oh goody! I get to blame my mother again! She gave it to me to encourage both my love of knitting and reading. And it was a fun book.

3.) Hold the Dream by Barbara Taylor Bradford: Part 2 of the Emma Harte series.

4.) A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford: Yes, the one that started it all.

5.) Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner: I loved this book. I've liked all her books! The way she writes about motherhood...humorous, touching, inspiring.

6.) Marrying Mom by Olivia Goldsmith: Not as much as a man-hating book as some of her others, which I found disappointing. I got it 'cause I was in the mood for a man-hating book!

7.) Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie: I've read this book like 10 times now, and still love it. It's stupid, corny, but funny and still gets to me.

8.) Liberated Parents Liberated Children by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlich: While I can't say this book completely changed my life or anything, it did solidify and clarify things I was already trying to do as a mom, and I can't recommend it highly enough (or any/all of their books) to moms who are looking for ways to better communicate with their children.

8 Songs I Could Listen To Over And Over
I definitely have more than 8 of these, but here are the ones that come to mind first.

1.) So Much Better from Legally Blonde the Musical (this one is especially special to me right now because the girls and I have so much fun belting it out together)
2.) Defying Gravity from Wicked (again, fun song to sing, but also inspiring and energizing)
3.) For Now from Avenue Q (whenever I feel like I don't think I can take another day, this song helps me put it all in perspective again)
4.) The Finale from Ain't Misbehavin'
5.) Without Love from Hairspray
6.) anything from Sweeney Todd
7.) anything from Into the Woods
8.) Seasons of Love from Rent

8 Things That Attract Me To My Best Friends

1.) Being able to talk for hours and hours - not just one of us, but both of us.

2.) A wicked sense of humor. 'Cause I'm sick that way.

3.) Something important in common - being a parent, loving musicals, hating Bush...just something! Preferably more than 1, though. There's only so much mommy/musical/madness talk I can take!

4.) An ability to actively listen. To attempt to understand what I'm feeling - not necessarily agree with it, but at least to try and understand.

5.) Someone who will kick me in the ass when necessary! (Figuratively speaking, of course.)

6.) I love it when my friends can take one look at me or hear in the sound of my voice that something is wrong.

7.) Enough self-knowledge to know that they're not perfect, either.

8.) They get it when I just don't feel like talking.

Kori and Kate - I tag you now!