National Kick A Ginger Day- Nov. 20

Being a Ginger myself, when I heard on the news about National Kick A Ginger Day I was quite amused at first. Although I don't really watch TV, I did happen to catch the South Park episode referring to Gingers. In case you didn't know, according to the episode, Gingers are "people with red hair, freckles, and pale skin - are disgusting, inhuman, inherently dumb, have no souls, and are unable to survive in sunlight." I can appreciate that type of humor and I thought nothing of it, knowing that it is just a silly TV show. That is until I heard about all those who took it upon themselves to act violently towards "Gingers" by beating up redheaded children at school on National Kick a Ginger Day, which began from that South Park episode.



The following article is only one of the many regarding this past Nov. 20, Kick A Ginger Day:

Kids Attack Redheads on 'Kick a Ginger' Day
By Katherine Thompson| Posted Nov 23, 08 4:31 PM CST

Inspired by a Facebook page, kids in Vancouver spent a day kicking and punching redheads for fun, the Vancouver Sun reports. Trouble is, being hit hurts. "I was amazed by the amount of people that kicked me," said 13-year-old Aaron Mishkin, who figures he was assaulted about 80 times. An online group promoting "Kick a Ginger" day started it all.

The group's 14-year-old creator, who based the page on a South Park episode, apologized and said it was intended as a joke. But after students went home with injuries and 20 kids were suspended at one middle school, the RCMP is investigating the group, saying it may have spurred a hate crime. "It's really unprecedented," one cyber-bullying expert said.



This type of behavior really struck home because when I was younger I was made fun of a lot for having red hair and freckles. Being from Ohio and attending private schools, I was pretty much the only person in the entire school that was a redhead and I always got teased and made fun of. I got called carrot top, red hot, fire crotch, big red... you name it. Boy are kids cruel!

Now I look back at the names I was called and I laugh because people now compliment me more than ever for my red hair. I don't think I have ever gone into a hair salon without people commenting on how gorgeous and healthy my hair is. They always tell me that they can tell I don't dye it because of how shiny it is. I have even had several friends try to dye their hair my color, which we have learned is impossible to match (just ask my friend Meghan... poor thing!).

So for all you Gingers out there, keep your heads up and don't let anyone tell you that you are anything but beautiful.

As my idol Lucille Ball put it, "Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead."

Eve of the Eve

For those of you that don't know, I am going to Chicago for New Years to spend it with my best friend, Ashley (from NY). We try to spend every New Years together and this year we are visiting her brothers who live in Chicago. A couple of my other friends from NY are meeting us there as well. On Dec. 30th, we are going to a large black-tie event called Eve of the Eve. I have heard great things about it and can't wait. If you know me at all, you know that I love to dress up! Sooo excited! :)

Here are the details:



UNION STATION

The EVE of the EVE takes place the night before New Year's Eve and all proceeds benefit HighSight's scholarship program. This black-tie optional event offers more than 2,000 young, hip, urban professionals the opportunity to mix and mingle, while jump-starting their New Year's celebrations. The party takes over the entire Great Hall of Union Station, where guests enjoy cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres, a live band and dancing. This much-anticipated event is truly one of Chicagoland's hippest extravaganzas and the premiere holiday choice for partygoers year after year!

My Bucket List

I know I am young but figured I may as well write a list of things that I want to do before I die. Tomorrow is never promised! :) P.S. They are in no particular order.

1. Swim with a dolphin.
2. Learn to speak a foreign language.
3. Learn how to play an instrument, preferably the guitar.
4. Learn how to surf.
5. Visit Australia, Costa Rica, Paris, London and Thailand.
6. Move out of the country.
7. Learn to ballroom dance.
8. Fall deeply in love--helplessly and unconditionally-- and get married.
9. Have children.
10. Drive across America from sea to shining sea and see all 50 states.
11. Visit the Mall of America and shop my heart out.
12. Run with the bulls in Pamplona.
13. Drive the Autobahn and speed as much as I want.
14. Run a marathon.
15. Go on a hot air balloon ride.
16. Go snorkeling and scuba diving.
17. Visit the Holy Land.
18. Write a book. You know I have stories! :)
19. Ride in a helicopter.
20. Be on TV and on the radio.
21. Host a radio show.
22. Learn to cook well.
23. Dye my hair.
24. Learn to sew.
25. See the 7 Wonders of the World.
26. Adopt an orphan.
27. Send letters to a prisoner.
28. Set foot on each of the 7 continents.
29. Volunteer at a homeless shelter.
30. Go on a cruise.
31. Learn to become more artistic.
32. Go on a mission trip.
33. Teach a class.
34. Own my own house.
35. Stay in the ice hotel.
36. Complete a triathlon.
37. Go sailing.
38. Get my pilot's license.
39. Read the Bible from cover to cover.
40. Go on a safari.
41. Get a picture published.
42. Try fencing.
43. Swim with sharks.
44. Go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
45. Go couchsurfing.
46. Become a Wine Connoisseur.
47. Watch Turtles hatch and run for the ocean.
48. Participate in La Tomatina: Food Fight!
49. Collect something.
50. Buy something for someone that I can not even afford for myself.
51. Swim with stingrays.
52. Catch fresh Tuna and eat fresh sushi on a boat.
53. Go horseback riding on the beach.
54. Go para sailing.
55. Go base jumping.
56. Climb a pyramid.
57. Buy a round of drinks for everyone at the bar.
58. Tip a server an extra $100 for no reason.
59. Learn to drive a 5 speed.
60. See the Northern Lights.
61. Go rock climbing.
62. Save someone's life.
63. Go caroling.
64. Go to a film premiere.
65. Invent something.
66. Have a job that I love.
67. Free an animal.
68. Shower in a waterfall.
69. Be arrested for doing something I believe in.
70. Visit a desert.
71. Discover something that has never been discovered.
72. Become financially stable so I don't have to work again.
73. Walk for Breast Cancer.
74. Live on the water.
75. Take a vacation on a private yacht.
76. Stomp on Grapes.
77. Solve the Rubik's Cube.
78. Get my own motorcycle.
79. Take a spontaneous trip for no reason.
80. Become a Grandma.
81. Help someone in need.
82. Go dogsledding.
83. Become a cowgirl for a weekend.
84. Fish for blue marlin.
85. Visit a rainforest.
86. Go back to school to get my Masters or PhD.
87. Change someone's life for the better.
88. Go to a nude beach.
89. Kiss at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
90. Learn to belly dance.
91. Buy a big hat and go to the Kentucky Derby.
92. Go on a pub crawl.
93. Take lots of pictures and actually print them out and use them.
94. Blow a month's wages on shoes.
95. Spend a night at the Opera.
96. Try to trapeze.
97. Take pole dancing lessons.
98. Build something.
99. Send flowers to someone for no reason.
100. Live every day as if it's my last.

Strong Legs 10k at Turner Field

This past Saturday, I ran the Strong Legs 10k at Turner Field. It is one of my favorite races. This is the third time I have run this race in the past couple of years. My all-time favorite race to run is the Peachtree Roadrace, which is on the 4th of July. This year would have been my 10th year running it, but I was in Ohio for my family reunion. Someday I hope to run a marathon, if my feet will allow me. Hopefully this upcoming spring I will run a half marathon. For those that don't know, I have plantar fasciitis in both of my feet. It has been a challenge (and quite painful) running with such bad feet.

In case you don't know, Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves pain and inflammation of a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, which runs across the bottom of your foot — connecting your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing pain that usually occurs with your very first steps in the morning. Once your foot limbers up, the pain of plantar fasciitis normally decreases, but it may return after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position. Plantar fasciitis is particularly common in runners. People who are overweight, women who are pregnant and those who wear shoes with inadequate support are at a higher risk of plantar fasciitis.

"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." - Jesse Owens

Live everyday like it's your last....

Today we have higher buildings and wider highways, but shorter temperments and narrower points of view.

We spend more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses, but smaller families. We have more compromises, but less time. We have more knowledge, but less judgement. We have more medicines, but less health.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk much, we love only a little, and we hate too much.

We reached the moon and came back, but we find it troublesome to cross our own street and meet our neighbors. We have conquered the outer space, but not our inner space.

We have higher income, but less morals… These are times with more liberty, but less joy… With much more food, but less nutrition…

These are days in which two salaries come home, but divorces increase. These are times of finer houses, but more broken homes.

That’s why I propose that as of today -- You do not keep anything for a special occasion, because every day that you live is a special occasion. Search for knowledge, read more, sit on your front porch and admire the view without paying attention to the needs. Pass more time with your family, eat your favorite food, visit the place you love. Life is a chain of moments of enjoyment; it isn’t only survival.

Use your crystal goblets. Do not save your best perfume… use it every time you feel you want it. Take out from your vocabulary phrases like, “one of these days” and “someday”. Let’s write that letter we thought of writing “one of these days…”

Let’s tell our families and friends how much we love them. Never pass up a chance at adding laughter and joy to your life. Every day, hour, and minute are special… Because you never know if it will be your last…

Makes Me Think

I am obsessed with stumbleupon.com. As I was "stumbling" this morning, I ran across a cool website that is the opposite of FML, called Makes Me Think (MMT). Just thought I would share it. You guys should check it out if you have time. The site is makesmethink.com. Enjoy!

Freckles

As I was washing my face this morning, I looked into the mirror and noticed my freckles more than usual. Since I have been tanning recently, they have come out more because the formation of freckles is triggered by exposure to sunlight. Most of you know that I hate my freckles, as it characterizes me as being a ginger- pale skin, freckles and bright red hair. As I looked into the mirror I noticed the faded white line on my nose that did not contain freckles and was reminded of a story of my childhood.

Back in the Summer of '92, my family and I lived on Marco Island in Florida for the summer. My Dad was taking a sabbatical from preaching and we lived in a sweet little condo right on the beach. Although I remember it being tough having six of us live in the small condo, it was one of the best summers of my life. My brothers and I ran around catching lizards, fishing with my Dad, and shopping at Piggly Wiggly with my Mom. Now, being from Ohio, I thought that that was the craziest name ever for a grocery store but I loved it. That summer we spent nearly every day at the beach and I was the most tan little red head you ever did see. Although my body would tan, sometimes my face would burn. One day, I remember getting burned on my face and then having a blister form on my nose. I began to pick at my blister and realized that a couple of my freckles were coming off. Not realizing the full effect of my actions, I began peeling the blisters to remove my freckles. My Mom caught me doing so and made me stop, but my full intention was to peel the freckles off of my entire face. That's how much I hated them. Later that summer, for some reason my Mom had a bad feeling and thought that we needed to leave Marco Island a couple days early. Just three short days later, Hurricane Andrew struck without warning and demolished the island. God was definitely looking out for us because our whole condo was washed away.

It is amazing to me how one glance in the mirror can bring back so many vivid memories.