Avatar Gets a Makeover

For those of you who have not hear, "Avatar" was re-released this past Friday to theaters with bonus footage.  That's right, because Avatar wasn't already amazing enough the first time, this new edition has bonus minutes, extra scenes, and more of the same brilliancy that "Avatar" possessed the first time around.  

Well I loved it, and I am psyched to see the new version.  However, I also love the fact that "Avatar" is so incredibly similar to "Pocahontas" that a few wonderful people compiled the video:  Avatar meets Pocahontas.  James Cameron is a genious.  Why totally reinvent the wheel when you can make something and just make it better?  And to get enormously rich off that, well, that's just the icing on the cake.


So, again, we shall go down the Avatar path again and be just as amazed.  Thrilled!

Make Shift Migraine Solution

Lately, it seems, I've been suffering from daily migraines.  To say they've been unpleasant would be an understatement.  Like most migraines, they're debilitating, and can easily ruin any and all plans set forth for the day prior to their onset.  Usually dealing with a migraine requires a dark room and the instantaneous need for lots of ice and sleep.


Unfortunately, we're not always in such an easy-to-manage situation.  Today, I found myself out-of-home when it hit.  I don't like taking Advil or Excedrin Migraine, although I keep them on me constantly for emergencies such as this one.  I downed both tonight, which is definitely not ideal, especially for someone who is not a fan of becoming dependent on meds.  Still, knowing I was not at my own house meant I tried to prevent the migraine from worsening.


It didn't work.  :-( 


Now, granted, I was also starving (apparently a two-hour growling stomach meant I was hungry! Who knew?!), but we'll put that factoid on the side for now.  Although eating later helped, I stole away to the couch and laid down, initially.  As the house had no ice packs, a brilliant make-shift remedy ensued.  The brilliant plan, you ask?  Coke cans!  Yup, we took two coke cans from the fridge, and I propped one under my neck, placed my head on the pillow, and held the other can over my eye.  And, honestly, it was perfect!!  I didn't sleep, but the Coke cans numbed the pain just as well as an ice pack would have!!  Granted, sleeping and eating later also helped, but this was a start.


Lesson of the day?  When ice packs are few and far between, grab a refrigerated pop can! So here's to you, Mr. Coke Can, for being my temporary migraine solution!

Teacher - Parent Cheat Sheet

OOOO!  Cheat sheet??? 


Yup.  Absolutely.  Even the best of us (teachers included) enjoys hearing those words.  It's like someone handed you your first piece of candy, or your grandparents handed you the ice cream behind your parents' backs.  It's great.  It makes you feel like you have the "in" others don't, that somehow you are special.


Well, the people at "Good Housekeeping" are continuing in the same vein and giving us grownups our own cheat sheet.  The culprit?  The reason for this oh-so-loved piece of information?  Teachers spoke up.  Yes, that's right (breathe, it'll be over shortly), teachers were polled and determine the list of 9 Things they Wished Parents Knew.  It's a great list, including things like:  Stay involved in your kid's education, even if you don't know the material they are learning.  I love that one!!  No one ever knows everything, and even if you have no idea what an imaginary number is, or how to pronounce that tiny little word in Spanish, you can still show interest and excitement for the things that your children are studying.  And who knows, maybe some of it will come back to you as they explain what they are studying, or at least maybe talking to you will help them verbally study for a test or end up answering a question they had about the material.  Either way, it shows you care and that, in and of itself, is important for children.  


Another one I like, and this is probably the teacher in me coming out, was about giving teachers the benefit of the doubt because they are, ultimately, on your side.  Yes, yes we are.  We want your child to succeed just as much as you do!!  I remember complaining about things in school growing up all the time.  Half the time my parents believed me and half the time they believed the teacher . . . most of the time they realized I just needed to vent and followed up with "Welcome to life.  It's not fair," or "Well you better find some way to get through the class.  You'll have bosses and coworkers for the rest of your life.  Some you'll like.  Some you won't, but you have to figure out how to make the best of it."  All life lessons.  All great...even if I did hate it at the time.


Anyways, enjoy the article.  Happy School Seasons!

Learning to Be Gluten Free

That's right.  As of late, it was decided I should try being Gluten Free for at least 90 days.  This is not a "Fad" following, nor an "Attempt to jump on the latest bandwagon diet", but an attempt to become healthier and fix some dietary issues with my body.  


Like those who turn lactose-free because of an allergy to lactose, soy free due to an allergy to (obvi) soy, most people who follow a gluten free diet have Celiac Disease and are allergic to gluten.  It has not been determined that I am or am not allergic to gluten per se, but the decision was made to start living gluten-free to see if it helped fix some other issues.  The verdict so far?  Not bad actually.  I don't mind being gluten-free.  It's important to stay away from wheat, rye, and barley (also oats because most oats are produced in factories that process wheat, rye, and barley as well), which pretty much means no bread products or processed foods.  Luckily, I'm already a crazy health nut, so that wasn't too hard.  There are some really great alternatives too, which has made it easier.  I shop at Whole Foods, and they do a really great job now of labeling a number of their gluten-free foods.  Here are some new favorite snack foods I'm discovering:

Almond Nut thins.  They are a lot like Wheat Thins in that a serving size encompasses a lot of actual crackers.  This type, the cheddar cheese, is addicting!  Love it!!!  It's like the gluten-free girl's Cheez-it!

Peanut Butter and Company's Peanut Butter!!!  Just in case I haven't praised this company enough, I'll repeat:  LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOVE this peanut butter!!!  Recently, I introduced my boyfriend to this specific one . . . pretty sure he finished off the tub in a day.  Yeah, it's that good.  And some of them are even vegan, too!


Of course, there are always the staples:  Fruits and Veggies.  Love them!  If you don't already love them, learn to.  Live by them.  They can change your body and the way you feel and live dramatically.  Oh, and water, tea, and coffee.  There are corn based tortilla chips and gluten-free pretzels now.  That helps.  I used to think that if you were allergic to gluten then you shouldn't be eating cereal and such in the first place, so why make a "gluten-free" kind.  Now I just realize it's about how those foods are made, and rice flour is under debate for being just as healthy, if not more healthy, than the other food industry staples.  


Also, here is a gluten free Blog I found, based off a woman and her chef husband as well as a gluten free travel blog, which I found fun.  So, happy reading, and let's get eating!

Do Not 'Iron Man' My Child

Oye.  Oye.  Tell all.  Latest news?  Present-day super heroes may not be good roll models to today's youth.


*pauses looking confused*  I'm sorry?  Did I really just read that?  I mean, you had to do an actual study to determine that fact?  Sad, because when I last checked, nothing about Batman's amazing night disguise - ruining cops and property and tearing up the streets without the cop's knowledge - seemed like a commendable idea.  Did I enjoy the movie?  Absolutely!  Would I tell my seventh and eighth grade students to comport themselves in a manner echoing Christian Bale in that movie?  Absolutely not!  And that's just one example?  Need I continue with others?


Well, I don't need to.  A recent study has already done it for me.  Needless to say, they found that these modern day representations are, in fact, poor role models for today's young (young boys particularly).  Maybe their past inspirations were acceptable role models.  Maybe they were even exemplary citizens with high morals and righteous actions.  Today, though, everything has changed for the thrill, special effects, and the need to keep the viewer unconditionally entertained.  Sorry families.  Your kids might have other great outlets for moral learning, but don't rely on their latest viewing of Batman or Iron Man to be the guidance needed for a good, strong upbringing.  Go back to parenting.  Everything works out better that way. 

Salt Away!

Fun fact:  I get most of my news from Yahoo News.  I love it.  They have so many fun articles.  Today's was no exception.  The content?  Salt.

Apparently, there are 46 different uses for salt.  Some make sense, like using it as an exfoliant after cutting an onion to remove the smell, and some ones you might never have expected, like repairing walls or determining the freshness of an egg.  Who would have thought such a seemingly simple household item could have such a wide range of uses!  Incredible little bugger, that salt shaker hanging out in your pantry.  Keep him close.  Learn his secrets, and maybe even keep more money in your pocket.  

Lake Front Fun

I spent this weekend on Lake Michigan with a friend, Chicago style.  The air and water show was either going on or at least practicing, and we decided we would head down to the lake to watch after hearing the planes fly by the apartment. 


However, after making it to the lake, we sat and chatted, watching boats sail, people in wetsuits train, and random tourists, families, and couples pass by us.  We noted two very fun facts.  (1)  People from Chicago don't really think too much about heading to the lake or actually do it.  Most people we saw this weekend were definitely tourists.  We deduced it's probably due to annoyance or logistics.  (2) People watching is an excellent sport.  You see everything:  happy families, people fighting in public, women in clothes they should never be allowed to wear, sunburns that hurt you for looking at them, and people doing funny things when they think no one is watching.  Unfortunately, you also run into people asking you for money or something, but that goes along with the territory I guess.


Overall, great afternoon.  Somewhere between the Jersey Shore boat on the lake pumping music so loudly it became the soundtrack for the afternoon and watching the people walk by us while we chatted, we passed two hours on the waterfront.  Hopefully we'll find our way back there sooner rather than later.  My recommendation? Go enjoy everything the lakefront offers before we all start wondering when double-digit temperatures will return.

Back to School Season

That's right, it's that time of the year again, the time when kids start rearranging their wardrobes for what they'll wear the first day of school, parents go school supply shopping with teens who absolutely cannot have that color folder or pencil because it makes them uncool, and advertisers flood your radio waves with school friendly reminders.  Aaaah, nostalgia.


Okay, so it's not quite nostalgia.  Like all other teachers and students, I, too, am preparing for my "back to school" start.  The countdown has begun and jitters are back.  I'm certain student jitters and teacher jitters vary greatly, but they include butterflies and sleepless nights nonetheless.  It is back to the comforting and dreaded time of year, when you know your freedom comes to a close and the predictability of your days begins.  


I thought about school today, and I instantly transfered that thought to the "You've Got Mail" quote between Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.  

"Don't you just love...fall? It makes me want to shop for back to school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."

I love it, because it makes the entire process seem more romantic and endearing.  I'm not sure that's how students and teachers see it, but that's definitely how Hollywood sees it.  Still, it's fun, and in a perfect world bouquets of newly sharpened pencils would be a sign of happiness.  My back to school happiness includes new highlighters, red and black pens, colored Sharpies, and an organized classroom.  Growing up, however, it included the coolest Trapper Keeper (yes, I said Trapper Keeper...I'm old, and that's okay), mechanical pencils, and five-star, three-subject notebooks.  And of course, plenty of white out.  Maybe the next movie, "You've Got Texts" can include picture SMSs of mini-sharpies on key rings.  Welcome back, School!

Living with B

I wanted to share some really exciting news!  I just received word that the Chicago Sun Times will be featuring an article about my book, Living with B, THIS Wednesday (August 11, 2010) in their Mind and Body section.  It will be on Page 2 in full color!!!!

Look for the article, read, forward to your friends, buy the book online, and, of course, enjoy!

Road Trip US....er....Iowa

Recently my friends and I decided to take two days of our summer and head out to their old Alma-Mater in Iowa City, Iowa.  Although I'd been there once before, I figured why not?  I hadn't left the grand old state of Illinois in over a year, so a cheap, fun vaca with friends was definitely in order...even if it was just to Iowa.  Yes, yes, I'm a city girl, but we'll just put that grand piece of info on hiatus for as long as possible.


I actually miss the days of road tripping with friends.  Road trips with families and road trips with friends are two very different affairs, and I love the ones with friends.  I made our mix cd for the journey and we busted out to some current top 40s hits as well as our old fav's:  BSB and N*SYNC.  Our three hour tour there included one of the girls gawking at the dirtiness of the Mississippi, since she'd never seen it before, as well as another one of the girls plugging away for Iowa and the city like a diligent campus rep.  


The tour home was a greater hassle given the crazy amount of Construction on I-80 and 88, and the fact that our friend happened to come off a pit stop turning west instead of east.  A comment of, "Weren't we driving away from the sun before?" caused a bit of a stir when we realized the closest exit at which to turn around was 15 miles away!  Needless to say, the trip home took as long as a trip there and back would take!  Yay for bladder control, good music, and girl talk!


Iowa City itself?  Fun!  We hit up Brothers, Graze for bubbly martinis, country night, and Marco's for a great, late night, drunken grilled cheese pit stop!  Even in the summer the city is pretty active, which is nice for those students who do find themselves staying for the summer!  Otherwise, if you happen to make it out to Iowa City for anything, I highly recommend heading over to the Amana Colonies for some really great Amish breakfast and shopping.  We, again, got lost on the way there (noticing a pattern?) but we did have one of the best breakfasts I've ever had at the Colony Inn.  They have a number of restaurants, but this one is the girls' favorite and includes fruit, homemade toast, pancakes, eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, and orange juice for one family-style rate.  Yum yum!  And then, if that's not enough, there's always wine tasting, cheese tasting, chocolate and fudge buying, and coffee and tea shopping to take the edge off of breakfast.  


Overall?  Great two days.  The only question now?  Where to next?

Ye Ole Words and Phrases

I love hearing about new words and phrases, or local sayings - the things that give time periods, ethnic groups, or geographic locations their individuality and flair.  For example, today, after hearing about my Mad Men Contest Entry, my aunt told me I had "chutzpah".  Chutzpah!  I love that word!  It's like "gumption" or, as young people today say, "balls" or "guts".  

So, that started me thinking.  What other words and phrases do I know of that aren't really used anymore or that you haven't heard in a while?  My grandmother used to say "Lord love a duck" or "Heaves to Mergatroy" when she would get upset.  My mother would say "fiddlesticks' or "god blessed" when she didn't want to swear in front of us, or "head 'em up, move 'em out" to tell us it was time to go.  Then there's always "fixin to ________'" in the South or "learn" instead of "teach."  Some other good Jewish ones are "schmuck", "shlep", "klutz".  Some fun Chicago terms include:  "Frunchroom" for front room, "tree" of "three", "sammich" for "sandwich", etc.

What about you? Any good sayings you can remember or that you use nowadays?

What Your Favorite Nut Says About You

Fun article of today came from a Good Housekeeping magazine, the August 2010 edition.  What was it about, you ask?  Nuts and personalities.  Yes, according to the magazine, determining which type of nut is your favorite / you tend to eat the most says a lot about your personality and who you are.  The options?  Salted peanuts, Cashews, Pecans, Almonds, and Walnuts.  The results?  


Salted Peanuts:  extroverted, charming, and craving attention


Cashews: dependable and easygoing


Pecans:  generous, considerate, and a devoted, loyal friend


Almond: have high standards, very motivated, and tend to be a perfectionist


Walnuts: competitive, easily annoyed when life's inconveniences get in the way


True for you?  Does your favorite nut encase you correctly??