Here they are.
How is that possible?
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Freedom of Speech
I had a recent encounter with a particularly ignorant individual that I feel the need to rant about to you, Reader.
Though I was not discussing writing or blogging with this man, a young marine who had not introduced himself to me or my conversation interrupted upon listening in with:
"You take an actual class on blogging?"
"Yes, I am an English major," I replied promptly.
"You waste tuition money on a class on blogging?" he said. Not really a question at all.
"Yes I do. I am a writer," I explained.
"I am sorry to hear that," he said as he laughed. Mocking me.
"I am sorry to hear that it bothers you," I told him before turning away.
I overheard him later explaining to no one in particular, "When shooting, it's best to shoot from a place of pain than of fear."
Dearest Marine,
If after serving our country you feel the best you have to offer is stale language about firing guns or misplaced judgment about how I use my freedoms to write, then I suggest you stay out of my conversation. You weren't invited in the first place, and you may have noticed I did not ask what you go to school for free to do because I do not give a fuck.
Sincerely,
Concerned American Woman
Monday, March 26, 2012
I know...more flowers.
I told you I love flowers.
I have never seen 90 degrees in March in all of my 22 years of existence, and I have to say I have never been happier to see 90 degrees. Period.
I confess...I stole a few of these flowers from the tree I found them on and used them to garnish my hair for a formal event I attended on Saturday. They wilted for a good cause.
What spring things did you see this weekend, readers?
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Daffodil Days
I love surprises and (as I have already shared) I absolutely love fresh flowers. And so, I literally squealed like a piglet with excitement when I found that my boss had surprised me with a bunch of daffodils he bought me from Daffodil Days.
The Daffodils are beautiful and fragrant, but most importantly buying a bunch of Daffodils from Daffodil Days means giving to an important cause. The Daffodil Days program promotes cancer awareness while raising funds for the American Cancer Society.
These flowers are inexpensive and a wonderful way to surprise someone you love while still making a meaningful donation. Buying fresh flowers can often feel like a frivolous act, but buying from Daffodil Days means helping patients and families in need, and there is nothing frivolous about that.
Click here to read more about the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days and to find a campaign near you!
The Daffodils are beautiful and fragrant, but most importantly buying a bunch of Daffodils from Daffodil Days means giving to an important cause. The Daffodil Days program promotes cancer awareness while raising funds for the American Cancer Society.
These flowers are inexpensive and a wonderful way to surprise someone you love while still making a meaningful donation. Buying fresh flowers can often feel like a frivolous act, but buying from Daffodil Days means helping patients and families in need, and there is nothing frivolous about that.
Click here to read more about the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days and to find a campaign near you!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Something I Learned From Lending Hearts
Now that our bellies are full of flavored ice and eyes full of sunshine, I would like to share something very important and special that took place this weekend.
On Sunday I went to an event with my mother, sister, and my sister's Daisy troop that was nothing short of beautiful. My sister's troop decided to donate their extra Girl Scout cookies to an organization known as Lending Hearts. This Pittsburgh-based non-profit group aims to provide support for families and patients affected by childhood cancer. To read more about Lending Hearts, please go here.
We delivered the cookies at an event held by Lending Hearts, and the event was wonderful. There was catered food, desserts, raffles, crafts, and face-paint. In true Pittsburgh fashion, there was a Penguin theme to the event. Sunday's game was aired while the Daisy's and small survivors chased roaming balloons.
The surprises Lending Hearts had arranged for the children, however, was the best part of the event. Iceburgh, the Penguin's mascot appeared at the event, giving high fives and blowing kisses before playing a game of corn hole with the kids.
Iceburgh was followed up by a visit from an actual, live penguin brought in by the National Aviary.
His name was Simon. He was just as cool as he looks.
While participating in this event would have been touching to anyone, I must share with you all that there is a specific reason why I was so inspired by this event.
I myself am a young adult cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when I was 18 years old, and thankfully I recently celebrated 3 full years of remission on March 11th.
I did not share this in my previous posts until now because I wanted to try to write about the other strange but wonderful parts of my life. I wanted to write about experiences that I felt other twenty-somethings could relate to and understand.
I guess if I am honest, I wanted to avoid creating a blog in which the entire focus was cancer. I believe that there are a lot of components that make up a person, and I wanted you to know other things about me before knowing one thing that will always stay with me and define me: I am a cancer survivor.
I watched a mini survivor on Sunday point to her knit penguin cap that covered her soft, baby bald head. She gestured to Iceburgh the mascot to show him that she’s just like him, she’s wearing a penguin face too.
I watched her and I imagined her future. Her hair will grow back long, until she decides to cut it into an edgy bob or throws it up into a pony tail, kisses her mom goodbye on the cheek before she runs out the front door to meet her friends. She’ll go to the movies and throw popcorn at strangers. She’ll look up to see stars above stadium lights and football fields. She’ll kiss boys who she’ll hate later.
Whatever amazing or ordinary thing she does, whichever special woman she decides to be, she will always be a cancer survivor. She reminded me on Sunday, I will be too.
On Sunday I went to an event with my mother, sister, and my sister's Daisy troop that was nothing short of beautiful. My sister's troop decided to donate their extra Girl Scout cookies to an organization known as Lending Hearts. This Pittsburgh-based non-profit group aims to provide support for families and patients affected by childhood cancer. To read more about Lending Hearts, please go here.
We delivered the cookies at an event held by Lending Hearts, and the event was wonderful. There was catered food, desserts, raffles, crafts, and face-paint. In true Pittsburgh fashion, there was a Penguin theme to the event. Sunday's game was aired while the Daisy's and small survivors chased roaming balloons.
The surprises Lending Hearts had arranged for the children, however, was the best part of the event. Iceburgh, the Penguin's mascot appeared at the event, giving high fives and blowing kisses before playing a game of corn hole with the kids.
Iceburgh was followed up by a visit from an actual, live penguin brought in by the National Aviary.
His name was Simon. He was just as cool as he looks.
While participating in this event would have been touching to anyone, I must share with you all that there is a specific reason why I was so inspired by this event.
I myself am a young adult cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when I was 18 years old, and thankfully I recently celebrated 3 full years of remission on March 11th.
I did not share this in my previous posts until now because I wanted to try to write about the other strange but wonderful parts of my life. I wanted to write about experiences that I felt other twenty-somethings could relate to and understand.
I guess if I am honest, I wanted to avoid creating a blog in which the entire focus was cancer. I believe that there are a lot of components that make up a person, and I wanted you to know other things about me before knowing one thing that will always stay with me and define me: I am a cancer survivor.
I watched a mini survivor on Sunday point to her knit penguin cap that covered her soft, baby bald head. She gestured to Iceburgh the mascot to show him that she’s just like him, she’s wearing a penguin face too.
I watched her and I imagined her future. Her hair will grow back long, until she decides to cut it into an edgy bob or throws it up into a pony tail, kisses her mom goodbye on the cheek before she runs out the front door to meet her friends. She’ll go to the movies and throw popcorn at strangers. She’ll look up to see stars above stadium lights and football fields. She’ll kiss boys who she’ll hate later.
Whatever amazing or ordinary thing she does, whichever special woman she decides to be, she will always be a cancer survivor. She reminded me on Sunday, I will be too.
GET OUT NOW
In case you didn't already know...today is the first official day of spring! Which means Rita's is giving away FREE italian ice today.
GO TO RITA'S NOW. You're welcome :)
I got mango and it was delish.
What's your favorite Rita's ice flavor?
GO TO RITA'S NOW. You're welcome :)
I got mango and it was delish.
What's your favorite Rita's ice flavor?
Friday, March 16, 2012
Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites
My experience with this new fangled dubstep is minimal. A lot of it makes me want to jump out of a window head first.
Yet, this Skrillex song has grown on me. Maybe it's because I am a sucker for both monsters and sprites. It makes me sway and cringe at once, so I guess the title is fitting...
I don't understand it. And I don't think that I want to.
What do you think about dubstep?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Dart Frog Love
Fun fact about me: when I was young I had a fascination with an adorable yet threatening creature known as the Poison Dart Frog.
See? Like I said, adorable.
I love them because they are tiny and brightly colored (like Tinkerbell). Not only are these little guys cute as a fairy, but they're also kind of magical. These frogs secrete toxins through their skin that have been used to poison the tip of blowdarts.
Even better though, their poison can be used for good too! Chemicals extracted from some species of Poison Dart Frogs can be used for medicinal purposes. I've read that scientists have used their poison to create potent pain killers-- one of which was reported as 200 times more powerful than morphine. Sounds like fun.
While being introspective about this, I have noticed a trend. My interest in adorable but dangerous creatures has stayed with me well into my twenties. Look no further than this guy:
Robert Downey Jr., you are as beautiful as a dart frog. Call me.
See? Like I said, adorable.
I love them because they are tiny and brightly colored (like Tinkerbell). Not only are these little guys cute as a fairy, but they're also kind of magical. These frogs secrete toxins through their skin that have been used to poison the tip of blowdarts.
Even better though, their poison can be used for good too! Chemicals extracted from some species of Poison Dart Frogs can be used for medicinal purposes. I've read that scientists have used their poison to create potent pain killers-- one of which was reported as 200 times more powerful than morphine. Sounds like fun.
While being introspective about this, I have noticed a trend. My interest in adorable but dangerous creatures has stayed with me well into my twenties. Look no further than this guy:
Robert Downey Jr., you are as beautiful as a dart frog. Call me.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Things I Actually Think About...
I went to put on one of my favorite pairs of cheap sunglasses and for the first time since purchase I read the fine, white print on the inside of the shades.
While "UV PROTECTION" has rubbed off over time, the text that follows reads "AGES 14 & UP" and I have to ask myself what exactly does this mean?
How does one determine the appropriate age for sunglasses?
Why don't my red, heart-shaped sunglasses say "AGES 13 & YOUNGER?"
What does this say about me?
I've always felt that if I can fit them on my face then they're age appropo, but now I am giving this second thoughts.
Furthermore, the fact that I went through this line of thinking makes me think I need to reconsider my use of time and brain power.
While "UV PROTECTION" has rubbed off over time, the text that follows reads "AGES 14 & UP" and I have to ask myself what exactly does this mean?
How does one determine the appropriate age for sunglasses?
Why don't my red, heart-shaped sunglasses say "AGES 13 & YOUNGER?"
What does this say about me?
I've always felt that if I can fit them on my face then they're age appropo, but now I am giving this second thoughts.
Furthermore, the fact that I went through this line of thinking makes me think I need to reconsider my use of time and brain power.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Pizza Party!
I spent my Friday night indoors playing Arkham City and cooking a scrumptious Cali-style chicky avocado pizza. It was just as good as it sounds.
Being the self-less woman that I am *ahem* I thought I would share the delicious recipe with you all.
You will need:
1 12 inch pizza crust
1/2 cup of pizza sauce (I use a lot more and my favorite sauce is Boboli)
1/4 teaspoon Frank's Red Hot wing sauce, Buffalo
1 cup cooked shredded chicken
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 fully ripened avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and sliced
1. First heat oven to 425 degrees F. Place pizza crust on a greased baking sheet, and bake crust for 7 minutes. I used Jiffy pizza crust mix to make the dough for our pizza crust, but a pre-made crust will work too! If you decide to make the crust using a mix like Jiffy, I recommend seasoning the crust before baking it. I used salt, pepper, garlic power, and a basic Italian seasoning mix (with oregano and basil).
2. In a small bowl, combine pizza sauce and Frank's Red Hot wing sauce. I used a little more hot sauce than the recipe calls for.
3. Spread pizza with sauce, top with chicken, avocado, and cheese. I added chopped red onion and two minced cloves of fresh garlic to my pizza (mine is the one on the right!).
4. Bake until crust is crisp on the bottom. If using a pre-made crust this should be 4 to 6 minutes longer. If using a crust mix like Jiffy to make dough, bake for 20 minutes.
5. Voila! Your Cali-style chicky avocado pizza is complete! As you can see, I was so hungry by the time this was ready that my after picture ended up being of a single slice. I dropped the ball and ate a few pieces before I remembered to take my photo.
Enjoy!
Being the self-less woman that I am *ahem* I thought I would share the delicious recipe with you all.
You will need:
1 12 inch pizza crust
1/2 cup of pizza sauce (I use a lot more and my favorite sauce is Boboli)
1/4 teaspoon Frank's Red Hot wing sauce, Buffalo
1 cup cooked shredded chicken
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 fully ripened avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and sliced
1. First heat oven to 425 degrees F. Place pizza crust on a greased baking sheet, and bake crust for 7 minutes. I used Jiffy pizza crust mix to make the dough for our pizza crust, but a pre-made crust will work too! If you decide to make the crust using a mix like Jiffy, I recommend seasoning the crust before baking it. I used salt, pepper, garlic power, and a basic Italian seasoning mix (with oregano and basil).
2. In a small bowl, combine pizza sauce and Frank's Red Hot wing sauce. I used a little more hot sauce than the recipe calls for.
3. Spread pizza with sauce, top with chicken, avocado, and cheese. I added chopped red onion and two minced cloves of fresh garlic to my pizza (mine is the one on the right!).
4. Bake until crust is crisp on the bottom. If using a pre-made crust this should be 4 to 6 minutes longer. If using a crust mix like Jiffy to make dough, bake for 20 minutes.
5. Voila! Your Cali-style chicky avocado pizza is complete! As you can see, I was so hungry by the time this was ready that my after picture ended up being of a single slice. I dropped the ball and ate a few pieces before I remembered to take my photo.
Enjoy!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Something Fun for the Readers
Dearest Readers,
I feel like this is getting kind of serious between you and I. So I bought us our first pet(s)!
Use your computer mouse to feed the fishies!
XOXO
Sarah Ann Rose
I feel like this is getting kind of serious between you and I. So I bought us our first pet(s)!
Use your computer mouse to feed the fishies!
XOXO
Sarah Ann Rose
The Dress You Only Wore Once
In honor of spring I recently purchased two girly dresses.
What do you think, dearest reader?
Though I am typically a denim kind of gal, I absolutely love the feel of a dress.
And while many women acknowledge the LBD (little black dress), I would like to take a moment to pay homage the other important dress in a young woman's life: the dress you paid too much for and never wear again.
I have not one, but two of these babies hanging in my closet, both totaling at a cool grand in feverish spending back in the day.
While I am not sure how practical it was for me to spend almost $500 on a lime green tulle ball gown, that was exactly what I did in spring of '07. Hell, I had so much fun that I did it again spring of '08 (trading in the neon tulle for leopard print satin). Alas, the beauties still sit under protective packaging in my closet since their return home the morning after prom.
I haven't the heart to sell them even though I am sure I have no event which calls for me to wear a gown (with the exception of my wedding where I will likely avoid animal prints of any kind).
Tell me, ladies: what's the most you've spent on a dress that you have only worn once?
What do you think, dearest reader?
Though I am typically a denim kind of gal, I absolutely love the feel of a dress.
And while many women acknowledge the LBD (little black dress), I would like to take a moment to pay homage the other important dress in a young woman's life: the dress you paid too much for and never wear again.
I have not one, but two of these babies hanging in my closet, both totaling at a cool grand in feverish spending back in the day.
While I am not sure how practical it was for me to spend almost $500 on a lime green tulle ball gown, that was exactly what I did in spring of '07. Hell, I had so much fun that I did it again spring of '08 (trading in the neon tulle for leopard print satin). Alas, the beauties still sit under protective packaging in my closet since their return home the morning after prom.
I haven't the heart to sell them even though I am sure I have no event which calls for me to wear a gown (with the exception of my wedding where I will likely avoid animal prints of any kind).
Tell me, ladies: what's the most you've spent on a dress that you have only worn once?
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