Sunday, May 31, 2009

iM a work in progress

When I look at my life, where I am, what I am doing and how I got here, I realize that I am turely a work in progress. In line with that realization I was asked What Women has influence your life the most?





I HATE this question. I don’t mean to be [annoying/rude/insubordinate] but can you really choose just one woman…Each woman out there has such different strengths and talents. Each woman has such different circumstances, limitations and dreams.




So for the woman that have influence me the most I choose these ladies.












  • For her ability to see the best in people: Lita Alger, my mom
  • For her compassion/charity/kindness/faith strength/courage: Mother Teresa
  • For her gumption: Rosa Parks
  • For her example of unwavering faith, strength and beauty: Gaylene Kennington
  • For her ability to make me laugh and stop me from crying: Kristen Cunningham
  • For her ability to champion people with special needs: Eunice Shriver

Lastly I choose my grandmother, Joyce M Alger. For her example, her friendship, and her ability to make me feel important.


My grandmother was kick ass. And not kick ass in the way most grandmothers are. She was a force to be reckoned with.








My Grandmother grew up in Contra Costa County, living in Antioch and Walnut Creek, Ca. She graduated from the academically exclusive Acalanes High School. Upon graduating she received a full scholarship and her degree from Merritt Hospital School of Nursing in Oakland, CA. In a time when education for women wasn’t a huge priority she graduated as class valedictorian in the spring of 1955.




My Grandma was a bold woman. She met a fortune teller who told her that her future was with a Red headed, left handed carpenter. Little did she know that when she agreed to join her roommate on Valentine Day blind date that she would be meeting her future husband, Merrial H Alger. His nickname was RED and he fit the description perfectly (I have the cedar chest to prove it).




My grandparents married and as newlyweds lived in San Francisco where they started a family. She went into labor with her first son, my Uncle Glenn on the eve of the presidential election in 1956. On her way to the hospital, she insisted on stopping to cast her vote. Reportedly for Eisenhower.



My grandmother had four sons and a daughter. Her home was full. Money was tight and she was a working mother. Yet their home always had room for family. Growing up my father vividly remembers how there was always room for one more, with no questions asked. My grandma helped raise nieces, nephews and foster children. She love these children as her own. She provided for them as her own. She counseled them as her own.


She counseled nephews, nieces and neighbors, just as she did her own children, to believe they could accomplish anything if they worked hard and believed in themselves. Soon she found herself surrounded by neighborhood teens looking for counsel, support, and encouragement. She gave great advice. She was honest. She let you know how important you were, how strong you were and then kicked you in the butt to get you going.



My grandmother took her first position in long-term care by delivering training to nursing assistants at a convalescent home in San Mateo, CA. That experience started what would become a life long passion of caring for the elderly. She joined a small pharmacy, where she used her expertise to implement long-term care training at convalescent homes, first locally, then statewide and eventually expanding the business to Oregon, Minnesota and Georgia.





Joyce Alger was a career woman before they invented the term

. Balancing work and the demands of a growing family might be challenging for some, but not for her. She simply brought her kids to work and had them washing wheelchairs or packing pills after school (my father later followed in her footsteps, working his entire career in long term care).




She gained national notoriety when she was asked to serve on the White house committee reviewing long-term care regulations during the Regan Administration.




In 1989 my grandmother founded Alger Health Services and continued to serve the long term care industry. Just as she counseled her children, she mentored her co-workers and encouraged them to pursue their careers, reminding them that they too could accomplish anything if they simply worked hard and believed in themselves. Alger Health Services became the largest independently owned pharmacy in the state of California, and was eventually acquired Capstone Pharmacy. The pharmacy she built. The pharmacy she created. What a thrill to see your hard work pay off.




In 1995, my grandmothers work was acknowledged nationally when she was granted Honorary Fellow status by the American Heath Care association in recognition of her lifetime devotion and service to the elderly (I got a trip to Disney World to see her accept her award).




While her accomplishments are many, she was also a loving and kind grandmother. She loved to spend time with her grand children.



She would often times have us over for sleepovers- the best part, if we counted her change we could keep it.




She wasn’t known for her cooking(EXCEPT for toast and eggs) but she WOULD let us pick whatever we wanted for dinner, and then driver all over to several different places to get it.




She might not have been warm and fuzzy (like tons of hugs and kisses, and pet names) but she did give amazing presents. Most of all she made you feel like you could do anything. She empowered you, she challenged you, she supported you.




She encouraged me to get an education.

When I became the first college graduate in my family, I was sad she wasn’t around to see me cross the stage. She challenged me to serve, and I have been unbelievably blessed because of these opportunities. She showed me how to work hard, and I have seen much success in personal life and employment because of her example. Most of all she taught me it was ok to be me. ME. Celina. The girl with the crazy curly hair, the goofy laugh and the big butt. Because she believe in me, I believe in myself. That is a gift worth more than gold.




For that I miss her, love her and hope to make her proud.

♥ Sinlge Girl

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Button or no button?

Hello everyone!

Brittany from papermoonies had asked about a button for this blog.
So, I was wondering what everyone thought about this one:

I managed to work with the pic and the link so once this button is clicked, you will get directed to this lovely blog.

If anyone has suggestions/ideas/comments let me know. For now, I have this button set up on my own blog. If we agree it is a good button, then we can share the link with others. Making this blog reach more people everywhere.

Ok. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts.

Please let me know yours!

Have a great weekend!

~Sofia @ Smiling at every Sunrise

P.S. let me know if you'd like the html/link for this button. thx!

Friday, May 29, 2009

What women influence me?


A lot do!


My mothers, my sisters, and my grandmothers, my friends and artist friends, the women who work so hard, moms and single moms, and caretakers, the list goes on and on. It includes the women that you see on in this blog, the famous and not so famous, too many to list.

But when I get right down to it, the bottom line I would have to say it is…my daughters.
When I look at them, I say to myself, “self, you must have done something right”.
That right there gives me confidence when I am feeling down.


My children are my greatest works of art. I had no idea what I was doing. But do any of us really have any idea of what we are doing?
Maybe their father is responsible for the brilliant women that they are. He is a very good man. He has always been there for them when they were growing up and is to this day.

I get to take some of the credit though. Equal in marriage you know. I was the one that got to play with them, they helped me make things. We played with clay and they made things while I did. I treated them like the smart people they were. They were both with me and my husband all day at work and at home, everyday. It was not the way you did things when I was raising them. I questioned our method constantly.


Quantity was our parenting way. I don’t feel it was right or wrong. It was just the way we did it.
I thought that I was a pretty understanding and accepting person, until I met my girls. My girls see no color, they see no religion, they see no hate, and they see no handicaps. They do see fairness, justice, kindness, and have talent, personality, and love in their hearts.
They are nice to strangers and old people, and they are my dear friends now.


We go shopping together. We go out together. We do silly stuff together. I like it and I have tons of fun. I just enjoy their company.


When I watch them and see how they do things, my heart gets big, real big! I can not believe that I helped them become this wonderful.
All I did was love them with all of my heart, in the only way that I knew how at the time, and with the tools that I had.
“Self you must have done something right, very right.”


When I look at how I did it as compared to how my parents did it, it was very different, but I understand my parents more now too. All they did is love me with all of their hearts, the only way they knew how at the time, and with the tools they had.


When I think that my grand children might be even better versions of my kids…I think this whole world might just be OK!
The world is changing, can you feel it? Even with all the strife we have right now, underlying all that, can you feel the change? I can and I know.

When you spend time with your children or any children, take a moment, breathe, and bring your whole self to the space. For that one moment give them all the love you can, the only way you know how at the time, with the tools you have and listen. They are smart and you my friend can change the world, one child at a time.

I want to be better, I want to love stronger, I want more tools, I want to do the best that I can at the time I am in, and I want to change the world.
That is why my daughters influence me.

Think about this,

A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.
~ Diane Mariechild ~


I chose my daughters as the women that inspire and influence me because in reality it is too hard to choose just one woman; I am constantly being inspired by many women on a daily basis and believe it or not, sometimes even a man.

What Every Mother Thinks, But Is Afraid to Say.

I'm going to say something on this blog that most Mothers are thinking but are afraid to say to another human being or even think in their own heads...
"I do not always love attending my son's sporting events."
There. I said it.
Out loud.
Especially baseball. The 2 minutes Little Man is up to bat, I find thrilling and exceptionally wonderful. The next 30 minutes I have to wait until he's up to bat again, I find excruciatingly dull. I like your kids. I really do. But I am not the least bit interested in their development and progress. I could care less about their home runs and caught pop flies. I want to see MY son play.Thus my loathing of baseball.
In other sports like basketball and football, even if he doesn't have the ball - at least he's on the field and has an opportunity to make a play and that makes it interesting because you never know what's going to happen. In baseball, not so much. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Does that make me a bad Mother. Nah. It just makes me an honest person.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Welcome Brittany!




NAME:


Brittany Heskett but I prefer to be known as "Papermoonies"
branding you know...




LOCATION:

Sunny but oh so dry California
Lets do a Rain Dance....shall we...





AGE:

oh, who the crap cares. I am 42 and going through menopause, right!!!






HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING FOR:


I am a newby, I think I began April 2009. And Love it!






WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION THE MEDIA GIVES OF WOMEN:

That we need to be perfect. We must strive for it and if we dont then there simply must be something wrong with us..Wonder why so many of us are taking anti depressants?








WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST:


Other Artists, their Interpretations and creations. Some of the things my 16 year old will say, do enlighten me as well.








WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME:


Oh, drinking Coffee and chatting it up with fellow Sisters!! And of course anything at all to do with creating art.










WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS BLOG:


My really coooooolio new friend Marie, who is on here too told me about it and I thought I would like to see what direction this will go in.










DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DISH:


Um, well I love chocolate and pretty much anything to do with it.











YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SPEND TIME:

Hanging with my family, Blogging and of course Arting. Galleries, showings of other friends arty stuff. Arty workshops and teaching them. Being with my girly friends doing nothing but bonding. And walking in nature reveling at what God has created.










WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE A WOMAN:

My ability to nurture, the gift of life and all the complications that come with that.











BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED WAS:


Pray, and when your done Pray again.
Always Draw.
Its ok to emulate until you find yourself in the process, then when you do, just be you.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Welcome Sofia!



NAME:


Sofia



LOCATION:

Eastern, PA



AGE:

Just turned 23! Yay!



HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING FOR:

I started my blog Smiling at every Sunrise on July 2008.



WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION THE MEDIA GIVES OF WOMEN:

One of the biggest misconceptions is that women are too emotional and let their emotions get in their way of succeeding or getting further in their careers. It's as if emotions aren't important and if women show the slightest bit of emotion and lose control they are weak. Especially if they "lose themselves" and start wearing baggy clothing, no make-up and aren't social. I would hope that women would be strong enough to give themselves those days, weeks, months to just be themselves and if wearing sweats everyday makes them happy then why not??? Even celebrities have their bad days and can't look great all the time. Don't judge a book by it's cover they say right? Because even if the cover has no make-up on or high heels everyday, the story can be more fascinating and interesting than you could ever imagine.



WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST:


Most of my inspiration comes from seeing women from around the world achieve so many things. My family originated from a third world country and I am so inspired by what my grandmother's did for all of their children when they had nothing - literally nothing - to help them achieve goals and dreams. They were very hard workers and everything they eventually had was from the sweat of their brows. They also inspired not only their children, but others of their towns, to be all they could be. Reach high and work hard to get what you want. They are my inspiration to be the best woman I can be and hope to keep inspiring my future children and all my young girl cousins.


WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME:

I love photography and enjoy taking many pictures of my family, friends and of course nature. I love the different lighting of the sun and capturing it with my camera brings me joy and delight when I need it the most. I also love spending time with family and friends even if it's just a couple drinks and chips and able to talk and catch up on our very busy lives. And when I have time {mostly done at night} I love reading all the blogs I follow and subscribe to. I love seeing and reading all the fantastic things that so many great bloggers post everyday.



WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS BLOG:

I really liked the concept and idea of this blog showing different stories and lives of many women around the world. I love learning more about different cultures and countries and the women who live them every day.


DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DISH:

My favorite dish includes many different things! haha
I love food but food does not love my body!
But mostly I love yummy salads with croutons, I love meat, I love seafood, I love chicken and I love rice.
Bread and cheese are a good combo for me and I think I was meant to live somewhere in Europe just to try all the different food the continent offers me!
Dessert is my fave {yummmm} and if chocolate is included - even better! I love dark chocolate!!! So good!
See? So many different food options, so little time!



YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SPEND TIME:

I love being at home and relaxing with my boyfriend/family/friends.
Nothing is better than just being around people I love and have fun with.
Don't need mega bucks to have fun with great people - just a small get together at home is all it takes.



WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE A WOMAN:

Women are amazing at everything we do and do it without complaining {most of the time}.
We can do so many things with our lives that no one can tell us otherwise.
Women are courageous, thoughtful, intelligent, beautiful, strong, and are not afraid to show the rest of the world everything we can be and do!
I am so proud to be a woman because of all that women have accomplished and what we will keep doing in the future.



BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED WAS:

"Don't trust anyone but yourself." This was told to me by my grandmother and even though it sounds bitter, I completely believe it.
Because you don't ever know what anyone else is thinking or planning on doing. Even if it is your best friend or your parents - you just never know. But you can trust yourself at the worst, at the best and all the in betweens!

Thanks Michelle!

For the wonderful new links =)

Monday, May 18, 2009

Thanks Marie!

http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/ - You are truly wonderful!

Welcome Sarah!


NAME:
Sarah Darling
LOCATION:
All over, but soon to be NYC again....but how long for? Who can say.
AGE:
27
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING FOR:
A little over a year. I started my blog, gypsy girl, because I have been traveling all over the country with some broadway shows, and I wanted a place to record all of my adventures, thoughts, pictures, good finds and share them with family and friends and then my audience started to grow.....
WHATS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION THE MEDIA GIVES OF WOMEN:
I think there is a lot. The one that bothers me the most is that it's not okay for women to get older. Life is an adventure! We as women should be able to enjoy every part of that adventure, and getting older is a part of it. We shouldn't be made to feel ashamed of that. Men in films, ads and even news anchors, are aging and it's totally acceptable. But as women get older, they seem to disappear from the media or show up with too much botox or plastic surgery. Also, the endless depiction of older men with younger women in television and films, sends a message that we were disposable after a certain age. This double standard is certainly not fair. I don't want to feel like I need to disappear as I get older, or that my worth diminishes! I want to be proud of getting older! Goodness know I've already earned the wrinkles I have now, and I want to be proud of every one I earn along the way. It's gonna happen to all of us, so why does the media keep sending messages that it's not okay? Let's bring back the Golden Girls!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST:
I try to find inspiration wherever I can. It's the little inspirations found in a cup of coffee or in a piece of chocolate that make life pleasurable on a daily basis. But I would say good art inspires me the most .... whether it be in a museum , photography , a film, dance or theatre .... whether it be happy or sad ... It inspires me, but also the human capacity for creativity and self expression is inspiring. The portrayal of the shared human experience found in art inspires me to keep on going in this crazy world, knowing we are all in this together.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME:
I enjoy doing physical things, like running and doing yoga. I also enjoy blogging and reading blogs. I enjoy finding new hobbies. My newest being the guitar and photography.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS BLOG:
I love what this blog is all about. Too much time in history has gone by without women getting to share their voices. We are all incredible creatures, and were all so different. We have so much to learn from one another.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DISH:
I really like ethnic foods. As a vegetarian it's just easier to find things that I can eat among Indian and Thai foods. I love a good curry with vegetables and brown rice. yummmmm.
YOR FAVOURITE PLACE TO SPEND TIME:
The theatre. Whether it be watching it or performing.
WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE A WOMAN:
Everything. I love what woman are all about. I love that women represent nurturing, beauty, sensitivity, compassion, gentility, and that we are showing the world how intelligent, brave, strong and powerful we are.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED WAS:
"This too shall pass" Whether it be a good or a bad thing. Life is ever changing, so take comfort in that fact when things are rough, and appreciate it when things are going your way.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Welcome Mango!


NAME:
Sweetmango aka 'Mango' MacKenzie

LOCATION:
Australia

AGE:

hmmm depends really on my mood and the situation I am in. Sometimes I view the world through the eyes of a 4 year old and sometimes through the eyes of an 80 year old and on other days I can view the world through the eyes of any age that seems either appropriate or necessary!


HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING FOR:

I started blogging in June 2008. I was inspired by another artist who had a blog. I had never heard of blogging but soon began to see the potential of running a blog. I loved the idea of sharing who we are with the world, not the person people create in their minds when they view us, but the person who resides in our own hearts and minds...our true authentic self.


WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION THE MEDIA GIVES OF WOMEN:
I think that it has to be the idea of a woman's body and what it looks like. Our physical appearances have been so manipulated and distorted by the mainstream media that women no longer really know what their body is supposed to look like, it has created generations of women who have no idea how to be comfortable in their own skin. Even when someone who loves them deeply tells them how beautiful and attractive he/she finds them they are unable to believe that he/she is able to see them as beauty itself....the media and the advertising industry has a lot to answer for in regards to disfiguring the bodies of all women. I am comfortable in my own skin and I think that I help other women to change the way they view their own body, the vessel that carries their true identity....oh and if someone hasn't already told you today....I THINK YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.



WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST:

Without a doubt, the one thing that inspires me the most is nature and all things residing on the planet. I cannot remember a day in my life when I did not have my breath taken away by some divine interpretation of nature. The way the light plays upon the planet, the beauty that exists all around us at any given time .... we just need to open our eyes and our hearts and we will see beauty in the most unexpected of places. The beauty of nature creates love within us and that love creates a calmness of being that exudes itself to all around us. Nature and Love are the balm to the soul for all who reside on the earth. Yes, without a doubt it is nature that inspires me.


WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME:

I'm sorry...hahaha spare time did you say? First, everyone should create time out in their lives, time to just BE. Sometimes that proves to be more difficult at certain times in our lives and that is what it is like for me right now. Spare time is a rare commodity in my life, however I am working on creating a more streamlined existence which will allow me the opportunity to have time out for for me. Having said that i do still find time to do the things that I enjoy and love, I would just like to have more time to follow those pursuits. I love art, all forms of art and my life is filled with art. I also love the outdoors and physical pursuits...but that is proving to be the hardest thing for me to fit into my life, but once again I am working at finding a happy medium which will enable me to have time to play in the great outdoors with much more frequency. I don't watch TV, I would love to read more, I listen to music a lot, I adore the beach and the mountains...overall I do what makes me feel happy, whatever that may be on any given day.



WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS BLOG:

Oh I love and admire anyone who wants to make change in this world, bring about change through education in any form. I admire Carlys determination and spirit and I am honoured to be a part of this team of women.




DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DISH:
Oh I love food, end of story. I can be quite vocal when I eat, I will describe the taste sensation, I will let you know that it is the most divine dish ever made with each mouthful much to the amusement of my lover friend 'the poet', he loves to watch me eat! I am vegetarian by choice as part of a Buddhist lifestyle so my kitchen is full of vegetables, all types, all colours and flavours, I despise take away food and I love 'slow food'. Off the top of my head the first dish that comes to mind when it comes to a favourite dish is my very own recipe for fresh baby spinach and mushroom cannelloni....mmm DIVINE.....



YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SPEND TIME:

My favourite place to spend time is at home. I love being at home, it is my sanctuary, everyone should create their homes so that they become a place of relaxation and comfort, a place that is a joy to spend time at. That is how I view my home, it is my cocoon that allows me to breath out and be me...I love to spend my time at home with the people I love.



WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE A WOMAN:

My ability to multi task!! Women can do so many things at once and remain focused on all the tasks and as cool as a cucumber no matter what is going on....I love that.
Overall though I have to admit I am more proud of who I am as a person, I believe in the soul and the soul is neither woman nor man it is love, it is a pureness of being that transcends all else. As a person I like that I am learning to be loving in all that i do and to all who cross my path no matter who they are. I am proud that whether you are a king or a beggar I will see you with my heart and you will be treated with the respect you deserve. I am proud that I can SEE those around me who others in society fail to see whether they are people, animals or plants... I see them, I care about them, I love them and if they need help I will always help, I will never be too busy to 'see' you or to offer a helping hand to you.


BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED WAS:
Oh I have so many and each piece i received was necessary for the stage of my journey that I was on. At a guess I would say the most enduring pieces of advice would be:

I will not be the silent majority.

The silent majority are as guilty as the perpetrator for not standing up to oppression in any form
closely followed by:

Justice is an Action not a Reaction

and:

I have learned
kindness from the unkind
Patience from the impatient
tolerance from the intolerant

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Introducing Me!



NAME:


Carly Portch

LOCATION:

Australia

AGE:

About to celebrate my 21st!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING FOR:

Not long had other blogs before but was not as passionate about them as this one

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION THE MEDIA GIVES OF WOMEN:

That only the women that achive the 'star' status such as fame or money deserve to be written about, I feel that they are not the only women making achievements yet they are the only ones that are being given a stage. I think the media is very much lacking diversity and its my personal mission to change this!

WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST:

This blog and how it is being received! I always believed that this kind of thing was exactly what women needed, to enhance themselves and celebrate it not being told how to change it! I am also inspired by random acts of kindness as cheesy as that sounds it always pulls at my heartstrings.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME:

Blogging, Research, Friends, Family, Beach, Travel, Read and I love a good poker game!

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO START THIS BLOG:

The fact that I feel women need to realise how fabulous they really are and that they dont need to spend a lot of money or date a lot of men or change their appearance to see this! This stuff is all fun but it is not the essence of what women are really about we are natural multi taskers and the amount of amazing stories I have heard of women around me and what they achieve and have to share made me realise that it needs to be shared and nurtured in a positive way! I also feel that womens cultural devides can be closed a lot through sharing, we are not as different as we think reguardless of our geographical location. I hope that any woman who comes across this blog shares, that is my main aim. To share and learn which ultimately leads to understanding and then growth.


DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DISH:

I am a woman of simple tastes a good curry (not too hot) or curly fries suits me just fine!

YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SPEND TIME:

The beach so relaxing!

WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE A WOMAN:

EVERYTHING!

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED WAS:

Honestly, it would have to be follow your dreams as cliche as that sounds. It means a lot for me because I feel that even if you dont suceed if you give them a chance you have been true to yourself and can have no regrets!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Welcome Celina!


NAME:
Celina Alger AKA: Single Girl

LOCATION:

Provo, Utah


AGE:
26 and LOVING IT


HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING FOR:
for a year at yesimsingle and 5 years with my girl friends!


WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION THE MEDIA GIVES OF WOMEN:
That we won’t be [happy/loved/successful/important/valid] unless we are blond, thin and an actress. I think there is this idea that money and fame make women happy.


WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST:

Seeing people do small things everyday to impact the world.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME:

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I love a good book either tucked under a blanket or laying out by the pool. I love to travel, see new places and have new and exciting opportunities. I spend a portion of my free time working with a humanitarian group that does work in Ethiopia, and the rest I spend trying to find a husband, SCUBA diving, watching silly TV shows or doing nothing at all.


WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS BLOG:

I really enjoying the blogging community and think that the more platforms we have for women to learn, grow, network or express their opinions, the better off the world will be. As women we shape the generations to come.


DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DISH:


To eat or that I can cook in real life? I love mussman curry and anything Thai. In real life I make turkey burgers, enchiladas and sandwiches.


YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SPEND TIME:


At home, surrounded by all the people I love in the world.
A close second is poolside.




WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE A WOMAN:

Seeing strong, confident and educated women in real life. I am constantly in awe of the women around me who are real people, work real jobs, and have real life successes.




BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED WAS:

As a college student I took a personal finance class which I remember very little of except for this:

If you can’t learn to give of your time, talents and resources when you are young and poor
You will NEVER be able to give when you are Old and Rich.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Welcome Marie!


NAME: Marie Segal
LOCATION: Southern California
AGE: 52
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING FOR:1 year in august
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION THE MEDIA GIVES OF WOMEN: That we are all thin. And that we will be loved and loving if we are thin, oh and don't forget, we will be rich if we are.
What it doesn't tell people is that we are smart, creative, beautiful in our own way, talented, sensitive, aware, fun, worth knowing, caretakers, manifesters, loving and so much more than the beauty we see on the outside.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST:
Seeing someone blossom with their talent, creativity, and knowledge. Seeing someone triumph over adversity.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME:
Creating
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS BLOG:
I love the idea of it and the fact that I might learn something from other creative beings of light.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DISH:
I like my own food.
Chips and my homemade salsa
my own hummus
stir fry
I like to cook and I am gluten free
YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SPEND TIME:
My studio, Photoshop, and taking pictures
WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE A WOMAN:
Being able to be strong and soft and the same time.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED WAS:
The Birds of despair fly over our heads daily, but whether we choose to let them nest there is totally up to us!!!
One of my employees, Nano

Welcome Cynthia!

NAME: Cynthia Smoot
LOCATION: Dallas, Texas, USA
AGE: 42 (but look 35!)
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING FOR: 2 years at Oh So Cynthia
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION THE MEDIA GIVES OF WOMEN: That all we care about is baby food and shopping.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST: My son. Looking at him every day makes me want to be a better person and achieve the most I can to give him a good example to follow.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME: Spare time? Ha! You are funny. I'll say: Blogging, watching Reality TV shows, attending my sons sporting events, fitting in the occasional mani/pedi and lunch with girl-friends.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS BLOG: I can relate to your vision and wanted to help you succeed! I love the idea of having women from different parts of the world, coming from different backgrounds talk about life.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DISH: If I knew I was going to die tomorrow, my last meal would be traditionally Southern: Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes with cream gravy, fried okra, sweet corn, biscuits with honey, home-made apple pie with vanilla ice-cream and a tall, cold glass of sweet tea.
YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SPEND TIME: Any beach with white sand, a sunny day and sea shells waiting to be found
WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE A WOMAN: That we can do everything a man can do, and have babies. We are by far the superior sex.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED WAS: I love this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail".