Because is not an answer

Alright it’s the final countdown (cue music and a dancing Gob.)

It’s one more Back2Blogging (at least I think…I can’t be bothered to go to the first page with the description to see how many prompts they’re actually are…)

(You can even "Like" Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances on Facebook!)

And you can bet us girls are putting the "Back" in Back2Blogging (along with Butts, Minds, and Sore fingers) to work.  I mean…five posts in five days?  That’s like a record for me! And just when you think you can go no further, and you’d rather eat your soup and watch TV, those SITS girls give you this prompt…

Why do you blog?

Wow…well if there’s one to make you think and then motivate you to write, I guess it would be this one.

Ok well let’s start with the obvious…why I started this blog.  A couple of my friends traveled after their graduation and their blog was how I kept up with them.  They didn’t post often, and usually, just pictures or a quick description of where they had last been.  But I was still able to keep in touch with them through it…oh the joys of the technology age.

So I thought…why not?  My Grandparents can use a computer, my parents are at one every weekday from 9-5, and the majority of my friends spend more time on the web than they do at school (or often at the same time.)  So that’s how I’ll keep my friends and family close while I'm far away.  (Of course facebook doesn’t hurt either.)

But then it happened…and I know it’s cliché and starry eyed…but I saw Julie & Julia.  And there’s that line where she says “I could write a blog.  I have ideas.”  And I thought…hey!…I write a blog…and I have ideas.  And I’m not saying that this blog should become a movie starring Meryl Streep (and by that I mean, Meryl Streep PLEASE make a movie about my blog) but I do think that people would enjoy what I had to say.

But why do I blog now?

Well…it is to keep my family informed.  And I think  do a pretty good job of it (we’re ignoring the fact that I have yet to write about my trips to London or Paris.)

But there are other reason…

Because Fien is adorable.  And what “parent” doesn’t like showing off and telling funny stories about their kid.  Because she is my baby.  And she’s also hilarious.

And because I like writing.  I like that I can type fast enough that the ideas that spill out of my head can be transcribed in some way for me to make sense of later (or let’s face it…never.)  I like writing exactly what I’m thinking or what I’ve said.

And because the blogging world connects everyone from all over.  Regardless of whether you live next door…or maybe just 5371 miles away.

Word of the Day: Datom - because

To influence, move, or guide

Ok this one is harder.  It's day four of SITS Back2Blogging.

Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances are going to give these to me...I've already decided it.

And we have to do something that I have always dreaded doing...which seems weird when you hear what it is...but its true.
We have to write about a woman who inspire us.
In second or third grade we had to do this timed essay where we had to choose someone to write about.  And I don't actually remember who I wrote about.  I think a dancer.  But a friend informed me that she wrote about her mother.  And I immediately felt guilty.  Because I hadn't written about her.
Then in sixth grade we had to organize a "dinner party" for a project.  I invited historical figures such as Betsy Ross and George Washington.  But a friend informed me that she had invited her family.  And I immediately felt guilty.  Because I hadn't invited them.

Then I tried looking up the definition.  I don't know how you would define "inspire." But I don't know if any of these definitions quite covers it.  What is it that...inspires?

Then I read Life in the Pitts and I finally realized something...the prompt does not say "write about your mother."  Sorry Mama.  Because you know what?  I know that my mother knows I love her.  And I'm fairly sure that she knows she inspires me.  You do right Mama? She is the woman who made me the woman I am today.
But it's the women my mother allowed me to be introduced to; the ones she urged me to interact with, watch, study, talk to, and, by example, have a wonderful relationship with.
Those are also women who inspire me.  And that's allowed.  And they are...

The women who showed me what "family" meant - Grandmas, Aunts, Sister, Cousins Great Grandma, Family Friends, Best Friends
The woman who told me to become an actress - Mrs. Delegeane
The women who showed me what it means to be a survivor - Aunt Mary and Eva
The women who fought the system - Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Rosa Parks
The women who make me laugh - Ellen DeGeneres, Elaine Stritch, Bea Arthur, Tina Fey
The women who are stars - Meryl Streep, Julie Andrews, Liza Minelli
The women who made me want to dance - Ginger Rogers, Debbie Reynolds
The women of today - Michelle Obama, Oprah, Tyra Banks
The women who looked good - Coco Chanel, Jackie O
The women who ruled - Eva Peron, Princess Di, Queen Elizabeth
The women who took me to far away - Beatrix Potter, Louise May Alcott, Laura Ingalls Wilder
The women who paved the way - Amelia Earheart, Juliette Gordon Lowe, Madeleine Albright
The women who were girls - Anne Frank, Shirley Temple
The women who I remember idolizing - Kristi Yamaguchi, Martha Graham
The hundred upon hundreds of women that deal with oppression, and ignorance every day.
The thousands upon thousand of women who have fought for this country
The millions upon millions of women who have died for their country

These are all women who inspire me.  Every one of them has added something that has shaped me into the person I am today.  I will not pick just one.

But you know...
There is also my Mom.

Word of the Day: inspireren - inspire

Feed, Starve, and Inebriate still apply here

Wow those SITS girls don't let up!  We have to do ANOTHER post for Back2Blogging today.

 (I blame Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances for this forced typing event)

Ok we don't have to.  But you know...I want to...so I will.
Plus this one is easy.  Well, actually it's Tuesday's.  But remember I did blog titles yesterday.  So...anway...You have to re-post on that you wish more people would have read.
And I find this one highly appropriate seeing as I've spent the last three days getting over a cold.  I'm much better, don't worry.  I spent the whole day drinking tea, watching Absolutely Fabulous, and doing a 1000 piece puzzle (not finished with it yet.)
So here it is...
Originally titled...

Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever, Inebriate everything else 

Well…it finally happened. I got sick. I wasn’t feeling too good yesterday and my stomach was kind of queasy which was not helped by the fact that Fien chose yesterday of all days to conduct her “How high can I jump and land on Libby’s stomach” experiment. I spent the majority of the day lying on the couch praying for a break and even left dinner early (meaning leaving some delish potato leek soup) hoping to get some sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.

Fast forward FOURTEEN HOURS later, when I wake up to a text from the mother – “Libby, how are you feeling? We are all sick as well!” Laughing, I pulled myself out of bed, took a long and deserving shower, and went into the house to get ready to pick up Fien from school. Suzan had stayed home from work and was waiting for me so that she could drive me. On the way there, we attempted to figure out if it was something we ate, but since it had just been the weekend, we had eaten all meals separately. We also commented on the fact that when men get sick they are complete and utter babies. It’s true...
After picking up Fien (the only one feeling ok) we went home, had lunch, had a nap, and was mercifully allowed to put Fien in front of the TV for the day. That Dora is a lifesaver I tell you…
What I long for now, was our never-fail college remedy, passed down from someone’s Grandma, and stupidly into the minds of ready and able college students – “Take two shots of brandy, put on sweats, and sleep it off.” I swear this always worked. Unfortunately I do not have brandy on hand, and I’m not sure how good it would look if I asked my host family for it. Even more unfortunate is the unbelievable memory that, as college students, we almost always had brandy readily available – well at least the Yacht Club did. It must have been the extreme amount of class we embodied…or perhaps it was the sneaky punch. Or maybe it was both...Since I have enough brains to know that the equivalent of two shots of brandy in the form of alcohol that I do have on hand - one of the red grape persuasion - would not help, but hinder my current health status, I make do with a cup of hot tea, another episode of Cheers, and the knowledge that tomorrow at 10:00, Fien will be at Oma’s for the rest of the day.

 Word of the Day: Tee - tea

Top Ten: Blog Titles

It's another Back2Blogging entry!

 (And thanks Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances for bribing us to write with the promise of appliances!)

I've decided to go a little out of order.  Because...you know...I can.
Plus it's Tuesday.  Which means it's a...

So I'm using Wednesday's topic which is all about blog titles.  And why you like titles.  I mean they really are what sometimes draws other people to read it.  I know that's how I function.
Ironically...this title is a bit boring...I guess most of my Top Ten and Pieces of Me's are.  Oh well.
So here are the...

TOP TEN BLOG TITLES I'M PROUD OF (and why)

8/20/2010 - It's a Pocahontas Reference
The entire entry has nothing to do with Pocahontas except for the final sentence which is one line from one song.

8/1/2010 - You can also watch it on the Ocho
I like titles with obscure references to movies.  I like it even better when people get them...


4/17/2010 -  I Want You to Hit Me as Hard as You Can
I like this because it started off my IMDuBit series and the idea to just use a movie quote for the title instead of the actual movie title or some sort of commentary.  I also tend to do that with my television series entries as well which is also a good sum up of the time I've put into watching them.
4/11/2010 - From Spring to Sisqo in ten steps or less
There are no steps involved in the entry.  But I do mention Spring, and end with The Thong Song.

3/17/2010 - The Luck of the Hollish
I had already explained what Hollish meant at this point in my history of bloggingbut that doesn't mean that everyone knew that I knew it was "Dutch" not "Hollish."  At the same time "Luck of the Dutch" just doesn't seem to work as well.

3/10/2010 - Are the Made with Real Girl Scouts?
Again...obscure movie reference.  But I like it.

2/24/2010 - There are no Kangaroos in Austria
Nothing about marsupials in this blog...I just had to clear up any confusion between Central Europe and the land Down Under.


2/20/2010 - Czeching out Prague
Haha...it's funny because it's a play on words...

12/21/2010 - My Happy Ending...To Be Continued
I think this one describes everyone's life.  There is no ending...there's happy beginning, happy middles, but there is always something after it.  And it's up to you to keep it...well...happy.

12/17/2010 - Blog of a Young Girl
I think this ones sums up my entire blog, not just the post.  Granted 5371 Miles Away sums it up pretty well too...but this one has a little more sentiment.

So there you go...what do you think?  Don't you just want to read them ALL?!?!?

Word of the Day: titel - title

5 Reasons you should decide to go abroad

So over at SITS, they're doing this thing called "Back2Blogging." They even have a cute picture for it.  See...

(And yes...I could possibly win that washer and dryer (for that er...house...that I have...) thanks to Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances.) 

And I'd like to think that picture is the direct result of ME.  Mainly because I left a comment that said "you should make a picture!" And then I got a response that said "We'll get on that!"  And then look!  They did!!!

Anyway, back to blogging is a way for all of us to start blogging again after what commonly happens during the summer when you have slightly more exciting (read: France, Spain, England, family, etc.) things to do than stare at your computer screen.
Not that blogging isn't exciting.  I mean it's part of the reason I do it.  Which brings me to tonight's topic...
My very first blog post.
First of all you should go read it here...
It wasn't the first one I posted...it's true.  But it was the first one I wrote.  It started out as a journal entry.  Just something I typed while sitting on a balcony in a time share in Vegas waiting for a skype call on what was a free (but possibly not legit) internet connection from an aupairing family in Finland.
And I decided to work out why I wanted to go.  And what I had told my friends as my reasons for going.  And what they had told me as a reason to go.
Now I could talk about how I think it's written, or why I wrote it, or various other things. But instead I've decided to do a rewrite.  A look back at you will.  And so one-year-younger-Libby-who-has-found-a-way-to-time-travel-and-can-read-this-in-the-year-2009...here are the

5 Reasons you should decide to go abroad

1.  The passport
You don't actually know much about European border regulations, so it turns out your passport only has two additional stamps and a temporary visa sticker in it.  But that doesn't mean you won't visit places...and by places I mean over ten different countries with different cultures, different foods, and different people at every stop.

2. The economy
You think you have it bad right now trying to keep up with being a student, having little to no bills, and trying to find a job at that time?  You will learn to live on the equivalent of 400 dollars a month.  Sure you'll get food and a place to live, but budget takes on a whole new meaning.  Comparison of cheap versus extravagant comes into play in so many ways as you research train tickets, hostel accommodations, and having to PASS on bags of peanut M&Ms (side note though...you are starting to look gooood.)

3. The best friend
Suzee is still there.  So is Pat.  And so are the people who matter, because if they matter, they will remain in your life.  It'll take a lot more than 5371 miles to break that bond.
AND...you're going to make new friends.  Tons of them.  From all over the world.  In all different environments.  Of all different ages.  And you will have wonderful passing days and nights spent with each of them that you will never forget.

4. The boy
Forget the boy.  You may have hoped to have your heart stolen.  And the truth is...you will...by a three year old girl.  You will have a bond with this girl that is unlike any other.  Most of the aupairs will tell you that they no longer want to have kids after working abroad.  Do not listen to them.  Because that feeling of loving someone so completely is something that you will want...and don't worry...will eventually have one day.

5. The family
There really is no change to this one.  You were completely right...they are going to be there for you...always.

Word of the day: gelukkig - happy