The play's the thing...

Dear Liar, 

I saw your show today. It was fabulous and that's no lie! If you are local to the NEPA region- I strongly suggest heading out to grab a seat at the remaining shows of the Electric Theatre Company's latest performance of "Dear Liar" starring Mary Ethel Schmidt and David Zarko directed by James Langan. Passing along my internet pouboires...

I must let you all know what a positively delightful performance it was. David and MaryEthel were both such a pleasure to watch. So fun! On the way home, I realized that I have never seen either one of them act before and I have to tell y'all I am blown away by the natural talent they both possess. They brought such lovely authenticity to their characters. 

What an intelligent, comical charmer George Bernard Shaw was. We laughed and cried. The scene about his mother's coffin at cremation was very moving, heartfelt, and triumphant. Not to mention that the comedic timing was spot on even down to his little "hrumphs". 

Perfect. 

Mary Ethel was fabulous as well and a joy to watch. You can tell she  had so much fun with such a great role and she looked just beautiful. Her range of emotions was exciting and selfless. I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to see them both in action. 

The audience was enthralled. The two of them held our attention like kinetic magicians... it's a talky piece where very little movement was used; yet we rose like kites and fell like hammers with a mere mixing of words and quick stir of emotions. 

Just like that. 

Just brilliant. 

Jim Langan did a great job directing (the blocking was spot on and if he had a hand in the lighting direction- it really set the mood and tone of the piece and the simple set was very appropriate) and I can tell Ms. Page Clements had her hand in the awesomeness that was the voice of the show (I thought it was especially fun when ME's character's voice (as it was written) had to reach the back of the theatre for GBS - that's so Page!) the "aha" moment from ME was hilarious. 

If you get a chance to see the show- please do! What better place to celebrate theatre than in the heart of Scranton (if you can make it there you can make it anywhere)!

xoxoxo <3> Üdo

Sweet and salty sümmah treats...

What could be tastier than some deliciously delightful summer salad treats? Indulge in these satisfying refreshers for your body and spirit! I love the way the fresh mint leaves, lemon juice, and the prosciutto work together to bring out the ümami in the first salad. The melon mellows out the flavors and adds a subtle summer sunset vibe. The grilled peaches with their sweet and salty buttery goodness melt in your mouth while the sharp tang of the rocket and the rougher texture of the endive add a liveliness to the supah sweet Georgianess of the second dish. Enjoy! 

Üdo's Minty Melon Refresher

• 1 cantaloupe (balled with melon baller)
  
• 1 cup of mini fresh mozzerla balls
  
• fresh mint leaves chopped to taste
  
• sliced prosciutto to taste
  
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  
• lemon juice (to taste) about 1 tablespoon
  

Gently combine all ingredients and serve immediately.

Üdo's Grilled Peach and Rocket Salad

• 1 peach halved and quartered
• 1 tablespoon of butter (the real stuff - salted)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 bunch endive
• 1 bunch arugala (aka rocket)
• 1 cup of tiny fresh mozzarella balls
• sea salt and freshly ground black peppah to taste

Grill the peaches in a non-stick pan with the buttah. Sprinkle with black pepper and set aside. Toss the endive, arugala, mozz balls, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Serve with grilled peaches on the side. To die for. 

xoxoxo <3>Üdo 

A Powerful Noise!

A Powerful Noise

Hanh is an HIV-positive widow in Vietnam. Nada, a survivor of the Bosnian war. And Jacqueline works the slums of Bamako, Mali. Three very different lives. Three vastly different worlds. But they share something in common: Power. These women are each overcoming gender barriers to rise up and claim a voice in their societies. Through their empowerment and ability to empower others, Hanh, Nada and Jacqueline are sparking remarkable changes. Fighting AIDS. Rebuilding communities. Educating girls.

• Hanh learned that she had contracted HIV after her husband and daughter died from AIDS. Bouncing back from despair, she started a self-help group in Vietnam, called Immortal Flower, to give people living with HIV/AIDS a place for support, counseling and health care.
  
  
• Nada is a working mother of three children.  As a refugee, she survived the Bosnian War. Her women’s association, Maja Kravica, is helping ease hostilities between Serbs and Bosniaks in a region marred by war crimes and massive destruction. Nada is building an agricultural cooperative to offer employment opportunities for war widows, and fair trade markets for families to sell their crops and livestock.

• Jacqueline, better known as “Madame Urbain” fights forced labor practices in the slums of Bamako, Mali. Madame Urbain stands up for the rights of powerless girls who are often abused in the workplace or on the streets of the big city. Her organization, APAF, provides girls a basic education, teaches them vocational skills and places them in safe jobs

A Powerful Noise takes you inside the lives of these women to witness their daily challenges and their significant victories over poverty and oppression. Their stories are personal yet illustrate larger issues affecting millions of marginalized women worldwide. A Powerful Noise is a meditation on the inherent potential of women to change the world.

By, For, and about WOMEN!

Each year, LUNAFEST and its board of advisors receive almost 600 film submissions from women filmmakers around the world -- from amateur producers and film students, to aspiring indie stars and accomplished filmmakers. Each film is viewed and evaluated individually on its unique ability to capture the “by…for…about women” mission. 

Great links to positive energy!

• How Women Can Use the Recession As a Catalyst to Change Their Lives
  
• Living a Passionate Life - You Don't Have to Give Up Your Day Job - Yet!
  
• Why Be Optimistic?
  
• The Power of Our Thoughts and Words
  
• Positive Thinking Tips - Taking Control of Your Thinking
  
• Attitude - Yours Trickles All the Way Down to Your Bottom Line
  
• It's Easy to Become Rich, Famous and Happy - Lesson Two
  
• Enjoy Your Life, Enjoy Your Kids
  
• The Simple Mathematics of Happiness
  
• Forest Gump's Mom Was Right
  
• How to Be More Positive Five Minutes at a Time
  
• Having a Positive Attitude
  
• Smile! It's the Second Best Thing You Can Do With Your Lips
  
• The Purging of Negative Thoughts - 2 Strategies
  
• Be Happy to Remain Wrinkle Free
  
• 4 Things to Remember to Stay Positive
  
• 5 Tips to Stop Negative Thinking
  
• Our Worst Enemies
  
• The Secret to Staying Positive in Difficult Times
  
• Positive Attitude - How to See the Good in the Bad
  
• Five Keys to Keeping Your Mind in a More Positive State No Matter What's Happening
  
• How Positive Thinking Can Work For You
  
• Controlling Negative Thoughts - 4 Steps to Stopping Negative Thinking
  
• 4 Steps to Maintain a Positive Attitude When Unemployed
  
• ANTS - Automatic Negative Thoughts
  
• The Importance of Positive Mindsets
  
• How to Change to a Positive State of Mind
  
• Positive Attitude - Get Positive Words and Positive Phrases to Work For You
  
• Turning it Around - How to Conquer the Downward Spiral
  
• Fear and Illness - How to Move Beyond the Fear and Shock of Your Illness
  
• Our Worst Enemies
  
• Positive Attitude - How to See the Good in the Bad
  
• Turning it Around - How to Conquer the Downward Spiral
  
• A Positive Attitude - It's Not the Only Answer
  
• 4 Steps to Maintain a Positive Attitude When Unemployed
  
• The Importance of Positive Mindsets
  
• Birthday Quotes - Bringing So Much Hope
  
• How Positive Thinking Can Work For You
  
• 4 Things to Remember to Stay Positive
  
• 5 Tips to Stop Negative Thinking
  
• It's Time For Thought Change
  
• Fear and Illness - How to Move Beyond the Fear and Shock of Your Illness
  
• Stress Management - How Changing Your Attitude With Self Talk Can Eliminate Stress
  
• Restoring the American Spirit
  
• Create a Positive Mind by Clearing Negative Thought Generators
  

The Girl Effect...

What happens when a girl gets a chance?

Girls living in poverty are uniquely capable of creating a better future. But when a girl reaches adolescence, she comes to a crossroads. Things can go one of two ways for herself and everyone around her. Either she gets a chance, gets educated, stay healthy and HIV Negative, marries when she chooses, raises a healthy family, and has the opportunity to raise the standard of living for herself, her brothers, her family, her community, and her country....

OR

None of these things happen. She is illiterate, married off, isolated, pregnant, and vulnerable to HIV. She and her family are stuck in a cycle of poverty. 

The Girl Effect is about girls and boys. It's about moms and dads and villages and towns and countries. Learn more about the girl effect. When you save a girl, you really do save the world. 

Ullswater! Drink!

Just a quick note to stay hydrated. The weather is getting warmer and that means our bodies can overheat if we don't stay properly hydrated. Second only to the big O2 (oxygen) water is the most vital nutrient the body needs to properly function. I read somewhere that you can only survive 3 days without water. You probably already know that your body is about 60-70% water and that blood is about 80% water! Muscles are 75% water and in case you didn't know the leaner you are the more water you should consume because muscle tissue holds more water than fat tissue.

Are you feeling tired? Depressed? Agitated? Check your fluid intake my friends. Lack of water is the number one trigger of fatigue and headaches.

Remember:

• Water transports nutrients throughout your body making it function properly and ensuring that your cells are getting adequate nutrition
• Water improves digestion and plays a key role in regulating your body temperature
• Water eliminates all those nasty toxins and waste debris from your beautiful body
  

Drink up!

And while you're at it, check out this gorgeous little number by Kohler. Too cüte or vat?

B(earth)day! Yeay!

Yaaaaaahoooooo!!!! YES!! YES!!! YES!!! It's my birthday!!! Yes it is!!! YIPPPPEEEEE!!!! Lücky dücky me!!! I am soooo very happy to report that this is indeed my most favorite birthday everrrr!!! Fo' shizzle. Today I am one year older than I was yesterday. ps: thanks mom and dad for bringing me into this world.

It's a quiet b-day this year for me and my hub-bub and I couldn't be more content. I can't tell you enough how very blessed I am. 

And what I know is this. There is a good and positive force in this universe. There is a loving and knowing presence in this universe and it is real. And true. And good. There is something higher than myself. Something higher than you. Something higher than all the rest of it. I know this. Because I know love. We are so blessed. In our pain we are blessed. In our debts (both literally and figuratively) we are blessed. In our fortunes and misfortunes. We are blessed. 

I look back on the past 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, years of my life and I marvel at the wonders I have witnessed. I marvel at my ability to take each day, one at a time. I amaze and dazzle myself with my ability to forge forward in the face of silent adversity. I confound myself with the exceptional hope and optimism I have been gifted with. I thank God everyday for the grace he has bestowed on me. 

But even more than all of this, I marvel at the mystical and magical humans who surround me. My circle of touch stones. My brilliant husband. My stalwart brother. My amazing mom and dad and my new mom and dad. My sweet sister in-law. My creative cousins, and their cousins, and my husband's cousins. Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents from both sides. My coworkers... My brilliant friends. Joey. Pedro. Carlie. Meemo. Marilyn. And all the rest of y'all... Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. 

Who am I to be blessed with such fortune? Who am I to deserve such love? Such acceptance. Such compassion? Who am I? or rather, Who am I not to be? All of us. Each of us. Deserve all of the blessings we have and then some. I challenge you to remember this. I challenge you to know... to witness... to be present. On this earth day... as I will today- on my birthday. 

Know love. This is one of the miracles of love: It gives a power of seeing through its own enchantments and yet not being disenchanted.

XoxooXOXO - <3> Üdo

Make Your Own Kind of Music!

A little shout out to Mamma Cass... if you're having one of those days where it feels like you just don't fit in... this song's for you. The very first time I heard this song was LOST S2E1.

"Nobody can tell ya

There's only one song worth singing
They may try and sell ya
Cause it hangs them up to see someone like you
But you've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along
You're gonna be nowhere
The loneliest kind of lonely
It may be rough going
Just to do your thing's the hardest thing to do
But you've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along
So if you cannot take my hand
And if you must be going
I will understand
You've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along
You've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music..."

Work from home, eh?

Want to work from home? How about work from the beach! Yo, I can dig it. Not every day but maybe 2 days a week I can dig the telecommute. I'm a people person, so while the thrill of working in my pjs with a cranky cat as my co-pilot on spaceship Macintosh does sound enticing- I know I'd soon tire of playing Street Fighter 4 on my lunch break or running off to hot yoga between phone calls and emails. How do I know? Because I have! Hehehe... In my past positions as a Technical Trainer and ISD (instructional designer) I've had the luxury of working from home before it became the "in" thing to do. In my current position I get the same luxury when it's warranted (which comes in handy when you're feeling under the weather and don't necessarily want to take a sick day but don't necessarily want to go in an spread the germ-love while you get your work done).

Now "with the economy so bad" working from home sounds like an ideal way to supplement your income without tearing up that extra part-time paycheck for gas money. Mostly to work from home you need a skill set. Whether it's writing, crafting, editing, or marketing - these skill sets are transferable to the online community in a way that makes transitioning your google surfing, to a steady income, seamless. I know, I know... there's Google AdSense and all that jazz for your blogs... but really!? Who really clicks those links? I know I don't. I avoid them like the plague. I do so much to avoiding the advert-click that I would rather directly visit mywrinklesaregone.com then click on the ad on MSNBC's website. Why? Maybe I'm just a pisser. Or maybe I just don't feel like it. The point is- Ads are great... but they don't always work. So if you want to actually work and make a few extra bucks this summer- let's explore some ways to do that using the skills you have as a writer et al, (and I bet you didn't think you had it in you)!

For those of you out there still entertaining the idea of working from home- I've put together a short list of WFH opportunities. Most of these links actually link to a million other places with more job listings there. If you think of any others to add to the list- stick them in a comment and I'll update it here with your name as contributor. Happy hunting!
Suite101
The Write Job
Virtual Vocations
Artists Resource
Essay Writers
Writing World

Heal your sore throat naturally

According to health911.com, sore throats are an acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the lower pharynx. Tonsils and the soft palate may also be inflamed. The main indication of a sore throat is pain when swallowing and sometimes a burning sensation and a tightness in the throat. Secretions may be discharged from the mucous membrane or the throat may be very dry.

Causes

Catching a cold is the most prevalent cause for sore throats, but they may also be the manifestation of other diseases.

Breathing through the mouth, allergies and/or pollen in the air are other possibilities.

Remedies

Folk

Aloe vera juice Gargle with aloe vera juice two times daily.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) According to Dr. Jarvis in his classic Folk Medicine, the remedy to use to get rid of a sore throat is to gargle with ACV. The acidity should kill the bacteria on contact. Mix one teaspoon to 2 tablespoons in a glass of water. You can mix it as strong as you can stand it. Gargle one mouthful every hour, swallowing afterward. Repeat twice each time. This treatment can cure a streptococcic sore throat in 24 hours. The acid in the ACV is very helpful in soothing and minimizing the sore throat, and, if you swallow it, the extra potassium is also beneficial. Note: After using this remedy be sure to rinse your mouth with water to prevent the acid from eroding the enamel on your teeth.

• Combine one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, one teaspoon of cayenne pepper and three tablespoons of clover honey in a glass of warm water. Gargle as often as necessary.

Betony is a useful astringent which reduces inflammation. Make a tea and use as a gargle.

Cayenne pepper Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to 1 cup of boiling water; stir well and gargle while mixture is very warm. This brings more circulation to the area and helps draw away the infection. To this formula you can add 4 parts echinacea, 1 part garlic bulb, and 2 parts peppermint leaves to 1 part cayenne.

• Or another remedy is to add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to 1 cup of boiling water; stir well and sip slowly.

Chamomile tea Make a tea adding 1 or 2 teaspoons of dried chamomile blossoms to a pint of boiling water; steep and drink a cup every few hours.

Chlorophyll Use ½ teaspoon to ½ cup of water and gargle three times a day.

Echinacea/goldenseal Add 30 drops of echinacea/goldenseal combination to one cup of warm water; drink every two hours.

Ginger Peel the skin from a small ginger root. Slice the root into thin coins and place the pieces into a small pot of water. Boil the pieces to make tea. The tea should turn a yellowish (straw) or tan color. Add three tablespoons of your favorite honey to sweeten the tea. Sip the hot tea slowly. The tea gives a sharp tingle to the throat after swallowing it. After you sip it, gently clear your throat.This tea also works for trying to get your voice back after a cold. This remedy compliments of Cathy Ekaitis.

Goldenseal Boil a pint of water and add ½ teaspoon of powdered goldenseal root. Drink hot. Goldenseal is well known for its antibiotic properties.

Grapefruit seed extract This extract is a powerful all-around antimicrobial product and is an excellent disinfectant and antiseptic. Add five drops to a glass of water for a soothing gargle.

Honey/apple cider vinegar Mix ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and ¼ cup of honey. Take one tablespoon every four hours or as needed for pain relief.

Honey/lemon juice Take several tablespoons of this mixture several times a day. Let it sit in your throat a little while. This remedy will also help alleviate that irritating throat "tickle."

Hyssop Steep two teaspoons of dried hyssop in one cup of boiling water, covered for ten minutes; strain and drink cool for an expectorant or hot to relieve coughs, congestion, and sore throat. The oils in hyssop are good for mild respiratory problems. Hyssop contains marrubiin, the same compound that makes horehound an excellent expectorant.

Lemon Add the juice of one lemon and one teaspoon of salt to one cup of warm water. Gargle three times a day for one minute.

Licorice Either suck licorice candy or drink licorice tea made by steeping one teaspoon of licorice root in a cup of hot water for three minutes. Drinking the tea will help clear mucus.

Marshmallow root bark Make a tea by putting one or two teaspoons in a cup of hot water. Drink several cups a day or as needed. This tea will coat the throat and relieve soreness and coughs.

Mustard Grind one tablespoon of mustard seed and combine with the juice of half a lemon, one tablespoon of salt, one tablespoon of clear honey, and 1 1/4 cups of boiling water. Leave this mixture, covered, for 15 minutes and use as a gargle.

Myrrh It can be made into a tea. To make the tea add 2 sprigs of coarsely chopped parsley, 3 whole spice cloves, 1 teaspoon of powdered myrrh, and 1/4 teaspoon powdered goldenseal to 1 pint of boiling water. Steep. Stir occasionally while cooling, then strain and use as a gargle or mouthwash.

Pomegranate Boil some pomegranate rinds and drink as a tea. The pomegranate contains astringents.

Slippery elm bark Make a tea by putting one or two teaspoons in a cup of hot water. Drink several cups a day or as needed. This tea will coat the throat and relieve soreness and coughs. Slippery elm lozenges may also be used and are much more convenient if you are going to be away from home.

Thyme Make a tea by lightly crushing five fresh or dried leaves; place in a cup and fill with water cooled to just below boiling; cover and leave to infuse for five minutes; remove leaves and drink. May also be used as a gargle. Thyme has antiseptic properties.

Water/salt Mix a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of quite warm water. Gargle the whole mixture several times a day. This will increase the blood supply to the area by washing away mucus and dilating capillaries, thereby enabling better circulation of infection-fighting antibodies.

Lose an hour, gain... A LOT!

Just in case you forgot... it's here. It's time. It's super dynamic daylight savings time! You know that little phrase Spring forward Fall back; well, at 2am this evening (tomorrow morning- I know) your atomic clock will jump ahead an hour which means we're losing an hour of that all too precious commodity - sleep.  

So what's the trade off? Well for starters we are losing an hour of sleep but gaining an hour of daylight. Yes!!!! Summer is on it's way baby! More daylight means more people will be driving home while it's still light out which means LESS accidents. More daylight means more visibility which means LESS crime will be taking place. More daylight means more time to go for a neighborhood jog which means LESS calories will be stored as fat on your body. More daylight means LESS use of electricity, which means LESS bad stuff is happening to the earth (ok don't get me started on how more daylight might actually mean more driving which means more less good things are happening to the earth) Let's try to stay positive shall we? ::wink wink::  

Sacrifice and Gain Daylight savings time. What a wonderful time to reflect upon sacrifice and gain. How easy it is to focus on what we are losing. How easy it is to blame the loss of an hour for missed meetings, missed calls, missed appointments... missed opportunities. But you and I both know leaders don't take the easy way out. Leaders lead. Leaders take one for the team. Leaders suck it up. Leaders adapt.  

Adapt, Adopt, Adhere Whether it's sacrificing an hour of your sleep to gain a few more hours of sunshine or sacrificing 500 calories a day to gain a leaner physique - we must adapt. Adapt to your circumstances. To be successful we must also adopt. Adopt a positive attitude of gratitude. Have you ever heard that saying, "I'm too blessed to be stressed," well, it's true. When you count your blessings instead of your stressors something physiological happens in your body. A shift occurs that will push you forward. It's hard to stay positive when you feel oppressed by fate, debt, weight, chance, pressure, etc. but adopting an attitude of gratitude works. People don't heal themselves of cancer by thinking about how much their life sucks. They adopt a positive attitude. They can't afford the luxury of a negative thought. They adhere to a game plan. When you start to think of how much you are missing that hour of sleep in the coming weeks, remember to adapt, adopt, and adhere. Whether it's monthly budget you need to stick to, tracking your calories in a journal, or writing down your leadership goals for the coming months- adhere to your plan. Adapt to your circumstances. Adopt a positive attitude.  

Lose an hour and gain.... A LOT It's easy to see how losing an hour of sleep is a hassle and a pain in the neck. But losing an hour of sleep means you gain more time to spend awake with the ones you love. It means you gain more time to play, to dream, to create, and to work on your goals. It means you gain more productive time in the day to live, to learn, to lead. Lead in that extra hour of daylight you are gaining... as my hardworking Grampa G. used to say, "You can sleep when you're dead."

Women's History Month

It’s March and that means its Women’s History Month! In this month we reflect upon the great women of our past and present and hope to inspire those emerging female leaders who are among us in our families and neighborhoods. 

Yes this is a blog post about Women’s History, but that doesn't mean that I feel obliged to comment on the top ten, twenty, 100 list of spectacular women who have made history and have changed history. If you want a list like that, well- that's why Al Gore "invented the internet." Google it. What women’s history month means to me is this: One person can make a difference. One person does make a difference. 

Whether you want to start an organization within your university, or fight to end homelessness within your city, or invent an innovative way to do something, or stand up for yourself against an oppressing force… YOU CAN DO IT! 

Yes, “We’ve come a long way baby,” but there is sill a long way to go with regards to gender equality. The women whom we have come to know as the history changers are proof of this. Each and every one of them has demonstrated to us that women have, and will, continue to do great things! 

The greatest of women leaders have sprung forth from the farthest reaching locations across our globe at assorted times in history. Each of them embraced, struggled against, and endured through dissimilar circumstances while triumphantly pursuing their cause; and in so doing, have aroused and empowered generations of other women to do the same. But dissimilar and assorted as they were, all of these women had one thing in common. They were true to themselves. 

“This above all: to thine ownself be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.” -Shakespeare’s Hamlet 

Remember the story, the Emperor’s New Clothes? It was a parable about a vain monarch whose only concern in life was to wear the best garments constructed by the most popular designers. He hired two rascals posing as tailors who then made him clothes using “invisible magic fabric.” When the royal leader parades down the street in all of his stark-naked glory, nobody can see his clothes… because there aren’t any! 

But the townspeople didn't want to look “stupid” and didn't want to embarrass the emperor or themselves, so they all pretended they could see his fabulous new wardrobe. Finally a young girl, who wasn't concerned about fitting in with the crowd, cried out, “But the emperor has no clothes!” At times we too have pretend to go against our own beliefs to avoid being labeled as a weirdo, a freak, a prude... or the biggey- ::whispers:: a bitch. 

When we do this, we find ourselves following along instinctively with the crowd, not noticing that what we are saying and doing is in fact stupid, or wrong, or disingenuous to our beliefs. To our values. To our self. 

The townspeople in the Emperor’s New Clothes were afraid to go against the crowd, afraid to buck the system; but by pretending to see clothes that weren’t even there, they only robbed themselves of true power. The majority is not always right. Rosa Parks would tell you that. Susan B. Anthony would tell you that. Joan of Arc would tell you that. Erin Brockovich will tell you that. 

What did all of these women who changed history have in common? What can we learn from these magnificent creatures? They were true to themselves. They stayed true to SELF. 

True to self in the face of danger. 

True to self in the face of ostracism. 

True to self in the face of exile. 

True to self in the face of obscurity. 

True to self even in the face of DEATH. 

Each of these women was true to HERSELF. Are you the next woman to make history? To change history? Be courageous today and follow your heart! Let yourself be guided by what you know to be deep and true.

Lilly McElroy...

Ever hear of Lilly McElroy? I looooove Lilly. Love. Love. LOVE. Her. Why? Because she rocks. Yeah. She does. She's tender and tough. She's cute, quirky. She kicks arse. She's authentic. She's a performance artist with humility. Check her out!

Authentic Power...

I gave myself a throbbing headache today because I allowed myself to be overcome by worry. Have you done this before? It could be worry about anything really. Worry about a test. Worry about memorizing lines for a play. Worry about the economy. Worry about a family member's health. Worry about your own health. Worry about what kind of job you'll have when you graduate. Worry about not being able to afford the lifestyle you want. Worry about being single forever. Worry about being trapped in an unhappy marriage. Worry about letting down your family. Worry about letting down yourself. Worry about not achieving your dreams. Worry. Worry. Worry. BAH.  

When do I feel the least worried? When I think of my Grandma's kitchen. My gramma (like many of yours I'm sure) was a survivor who ENDURED so many things: decades of balancing family and labor, endless nights caring for a spouse whose lungs were rattled with emphysema, countless days raising an extensive network of children and grandchildren, fearlessly surviving the Great Depression, battling life with arthritic hands and knees... 

She was more than just a grandmother. She was a teacher, a nurse, a caretaker. She was my friend. My grandmother had the weight of the world on her shoulders and yet... she was always pleasant. Always loving. Always wise. Not just always... but in all ways. This lady had it together! And she never failed to help me GET A GRIP.  

Now when I was in college and I started to feel overwhelmed or worried or scared I'd go visit with Grandma P. We'd have lunch which was promptly followed by hot tea and krumpets. She'd sit at her kitchen table wearing her plaid "house coat" snacking on a MiracleWhip, tomato and ham sandwich. Leaning back in her chair she'd take a sip of RC Cola, and peering at me over her pink acrylic eyeglasses she'd say "Look Red, worry is like a rocking chair. It keeps you busy...but it doesn't get you anywhere."  

Worry is like a rocking chair. Heh. Makes sense, eh? So what's your rocking chair? Is it despair, jealousy, fear, rage, anger, wrath... hey it happens to ALL of us. Something or someone sets us off and these feelings instantly have power over us; or worse yet... it doesn't happen in an instant... it brews. POWERFUL emotions are these, but AUTHENTIC power they are not. In the theatre we are trained to harness these states of mind and summon them at the appropriate time when sensory recall is in order. But what about in real life? How can we get a handle on an emotional tsunami and resist the urge to freak out? How do we bail out of a tidal wave when all we have is a teaspoon? How can we can we use our energy to unleash the authentic power we each have inside of us? 

Below are my 4 A's for reclaiming your authentic power. I like to think of them as a meditative device; only here I'm using the meditative sound of AWWW instead of OMMMMM.....  

AWARENESS: 

The first step towards authentic power is creating awareness. When a painful feeling washes over you. STOP. DROP. AND ROLL. Becoming aware of the feeling is key to owning it.  

AWESOMENESS: 

Ladies and gents now that you are aware of this painful feeling - please place your tray into the full upright position and kindly remind yourself that the plane is not crashing. FEAR is a powerful paper dragon. The thoughts and feelings whirling about your heart and mind are coming from a part of you that's FRIGHTENED by the false belief that "you are not good enough". It's a LIE. You are awesome. FEAR stands for Fake Experience Appearing Real. Let's resist comparing ourselves to anyone. There's only 1 me. There's only 1 you. The world doesn't need another so-and-so. The world needs YOU.  

AUDACITY: 

Webster's defines audacity as: bold or arrogant disregard of normal restraints .... Now realize that the decisions we make when we are jealous, angry, or fearful come from a place (from a part of you) that is FRIGHTENED. Ask yourself- "Really? Do I want my decisions to be made by a part of me that is frightened? Do I want to allow this terrified part of me to react to this situation? What audacity!? What's up with that?" I didn't think so.  

AUSPICIOUS: 

In the theatre we use an exercise called "It's as if..." This exercise helps the actor to imagine how an ordinary being would behave under extraordinary circumstances. Webster's defines auspicious as: attended by good. With that in mind, ask yourself "How would I handle this situation IF I were compassionate, graceful, and wise?" What would Mother Theresa do? What would Michelle Obama do? WWJD? In other words, what would the calm, loving, servant leader in me do?  

Remember that within every decision we make there is a leadership moment; and part of being a leader is accepting responsibility for those decisions.  

Decide to be kind. 

Decide to be graceful. 

Decide to be humble. 

Decide to be brilliant. 

Decide to get a grip. 

Decide to set the example... not become one.

Can I get a holla for some Challha...

My efforts to get to ze gym today have bested me and me thinks the likes of Street Fighter 4 will not equate to a deficit of 500 calories this afternoon. Hrmph. Lückily for me I have a movement class tonight which will indeed bürn several kilocalories.

In other news... this morning I had my first go at baking a new bread recipe. This is challha bread. It is an egg bread that is braided.

Challha is not the type of bread but acutally refers to the "challha" - a part of the bread that is broken off or torn off before the rest is baked and is toasted and burned in a separate oven to symbolize a temple burning. Or something along those lines... Check out that challha... not half bad, eh? Recipe below. Time to toast it up with some lashings of fresh cream buttah and apricot jammy! <3> Üdo

Üdo's Happy Challha Bread

2 pkgs. dry active yeast

1 cup of lukewarm water

Dissolve the heast into the water. Let stand 5 minutes.

2 tbs. honey

1/4 cup of soft büttah

4 large eggs, beaten

1 tbs. salt

6-8 cüps of unbleached white flour ( I used 6 cups)

Set aside 3 tablespoons of the beaten eggs to brüsh onto bread before baking later. Beat the honey,salt, eggs, and about 2 cups of the flour into the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in the remaining flour. Careful here. I had to toss out my first batch because I loaded too much flour in at once... Dough should be light and airy not crumbly! If it gets crumbly then someone made a boo-boo. Toss it out and start over. Just make sure you add the flour gradually and keep that light airy doughy texture while mixing (at first using a wooden spoon and then using hands as it gets thicker).

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead 15-20 minutes until smooth, uniform, and unsticky. Place the kneaded dough in a large buttered bowl covering with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm dark place until doubled. I put mine in the oven where the pilot light keeps it warm. Punch down the risen dough and return it to the floured surface. Knead 5 minutes and divide into thirds. Knead each third into a 2inch thick snake. Line the snakes up and braid. Let rise until double. Seal the ends with a teeny bit of water and pinch closed. Brush with egg and sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds. Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes.

Baking bread once a week is a great tradition....
Fiddler on the Roof- Tradition

Happy Creatüres on my TV Tree...

Word of the Day for Wednesday, February 18, 2009

consternation \kon-ster-NEY-shuhn\, noun: sudden dread or paralyzing terror

With the economy so poor, there's been talk of job loss in nearly every field. Much to my consternation, the division in which I work (within our department) has been put on high alert for possible reduction or complete elimination.

Now, what better way to combat those feelings of consternation than to laugh right in its face? What better way to poke fün at dread than to... well... let's see... what would tick off dread? Ahh, I know! Make it cüte! That's right- CÜTE. Give dread & doldrums ::the finger:: by putting a little bow in it's hair.

Yeah! Go ahead and tie a pink ribbon around it's toe. Put it on a swing and give it a püsh! Make a flower grow out of it's head! Make it sing and dance on a withering tree branch!

And that's exactly what I did. Introducing Blik Wall Graphics...wall art that you piece together. Some can be re-stuck... some can not (alas this one is not re-stickable so it's up for the long haül). This is my personal favorite and most recent addition to our happy home.... The Happy Creatüres graphic by Threadless Designs.

This cürious little creation is one in which to lose yourself. I can sit and marvel at this cranky and cute masterpiece for hours pretending that I'm a part of it (can you guess which creatüre I am?) marveling at my ability to make it my own which was no easy task to construct mind you, despite the simple instructions. Each piece of the graphic must be separately cut from the roll it comes on and coaxed off the sheeting and onto your wall in a pattern that you choose. That's the best part- it's up to you to tweak it to your specifications.

So here I conquered two crabs with one apple... 1). amüse myself while coping with consternation... and 2). turn TV into art.

Why turn TV into art? You know there's something about a television that really irks me. I mean really, what was I to do with this gaping black plate plopped in front of the pristine white canvas of our wall? We've gone without a telly for the last two years and now we finally have a real beauty! But when it is inanimate it sits there.... knowing...seeing... gawking.... like an ebony eyeball in the middle of the room. Aye.... like ze eye of Mordor. Nevermind the fact that the Playstation has turned me into "he who is known as Smeagol".... mmmmmyyyyy precccciouuusssssss.... but I digress...

So what to do to remedy the dark one?

In a previous post I talked about creating a "cozy" for your TV.... but after pondering upon the matter, I finally decided to work with the darkness rather than against it... This Blik wall graphic is a fairly quirky and endearing alternative to covering up ze television with a granny quilt, eh? Cozy up to this... emo.

Kind of reminds me of a nightmare before Christmas...

A Post-Valentine's Breakfast...

A few Valentine's gifts for my brilliant hübby carried over from last night into this morning's festivities.... hehee... Check out the cüteness! Cute v-day mügs brimmed with steaming tea, a crisp red bowl (with hearts on the bottom!) filled with his favorite cereal, a porcelain heart shaped dish of his favorite fruits, a heart shaped ice cübe in his favorite OJ (check out the totally hip depression-era jade vintage Coke glass it's in too!), a peachy crepe made from (almost) scratch (we had these on our honeymoon in St. Lücia at a french patisserie called Josephina's it was just divine!), and an egg-white omelet made with sauteed onions and peppers served on glittered heart shaped plates. Ahhh! Fun or what? Last Valentine's was spent at the Settler's Inn but with the economy so icky and with our trip to Thailand on the horizon we decided to make our own little bed and breakfast experience at home. It was an absolute delight! Last night we had a piggie süshi fest at Blü Wasabi where we feasted on coconüt shrimp appetizer, miso soüps, a Black Dragon Roll, a Kyombie Roll, and an Autümn Roll... then we had Mochi for dessert and two Lychee Bellini's (I also had a cosmojito while we waited). Madone. So, sooooo delicioüs. We are off to walk the lake! Who needs the gym when you can fill your lungs with fresh suburban air, get some vitamin D to brighten the skin, a long hike up a steep hill to develop our muscles, see the blues and greens and hear the birdies sing! XoXo <3> Üdo

If I had a million dollars, today I would büy...

Ohhh yümmy rüg! A true classic, the Williams-Sonoma genuine 4000-gram-weight flokati is exclusive to Williams-Sonoma Home. It is made of ivory New Zealand wool that is hand loomed into long, luxuriant pile then rinsed for 40 hours in the spring waters of the Pindos Mountains. The result is an exceedingly thick, fluffy, character-rich rug. Don't they have the most wonderful product managers? Who comes up with this stuff? This product description is marketing brilliance... and oh yeah- it's free! (the description- not the rug) har! 

Dinner Thyme!

Long John Üdo's Chicken Strips
Defrosted some chicken breasts and tired of the same ol' same thing. So I cut the breasts into strips and figüred out a cockamanie new way to make deliciousness!

1. In one bowl flour up your strips and sprinkle with Goya Adobo seasoning.
   
2. Dip the strips into skim milk.
   
3. Then dip the strips into crushed corn flakes.
   
4. Sautee the strips in a shallow pool of Wesson.
   
5. Cover.
   
6. Cook thru and flip with tongs until finished.
   
7. Near the end, add a swirl of white wine and turn the heat up a bit to cook off the alki and leave the flavor. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm with side of cous cous and spinach.
   

OMG. To die for. So, so, goody!

Mmmm yüm! Cherry Piepoli!

Tonight I made a homemade cherry pie! Crüst and filling all from scratchers. Yahooo! I made a small boo boo by brushing the crust with egg yolk instead of a beaten egg with milk and thüs my crust looks a bit browny toasty. I wanted to use up the egg yolks I have because we've been eating egg white omelets in the mornings and I don't know what to do with these yolks! :\ But other than that it came out just peachy. Check out the little cherry decal I made with the left over pie dough! Pretty nifty, eh? Yeah, I love it! =D

Cherry Piepoli

• 1 recipe pastry for fancy pants pie crüst
  
• 4 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
• 1/8 teaspoon salt (bring out that ümami!)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 4 cups pitted cherries (I used frozen cherries that I had on hand)
  
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tablespoons buttah

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place bottom crust in pie dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine tapioca, salt, sugar, cherries and extracts. Let stand 15 minutes. Turn out into bottom crust and dot with butter. Cover with top crust, flute edges and create lattice work. If desired, create a decal from remaining pie crust.
   
3. Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown.
4. Serve warm with a side of creme brulee ice cream! Oy.
   

Ünd now for something completely different...

An introdüction to our fresh-water-dawter... el rubie!

Errr... she's really not that scary... promise!