Family Love

I am currently in the middle of Little Women.  I read the book in high school, but I think I was way too young to understand the importance of the book.  At 23, I am the perfect age to read it.  From the moment I started reading the novel, I cannot stop thinking about it.  It's magical, sad, frustrating, romantic, family focused, and so much more.  Little Women has really made me think about everything I have in my life: both my parents home with me, a brother, money/time for school, a nice home to live in, mine and my family's health, an extensive wardrobe without holes and stains, and as much food as I want to eat.   (Promise to write more about Little Women in a later blog!) 

My brother left for his second year of college last Thursday.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying having the DVR all to myself and not having to share a bathroom with anyone, but I do miss him while he's away.  When we were younger, the two of us would fight like crazy.  My brother always thought he was older than me, and would try to tell me what to do.  I of course would refuse to listen to him, and try to push him around.  It was fun for us to push each other's buttons, but I'm sure my mom did not enjoy it.  As we got older the fighting stopped.  We both respected each other's spaces and each other.  Now our relationship is close to great.  We are able to talk openly about whatever.  We've both realized that the other isn't as innocent as we thought.  Through the years my brother and I have bonded over baseball, my parents' constant discussions about my dad's business, The Office, and of course the love of our lives, our dog Pudge.  

In Little Women the four sisters are best friends, and spend a lot of time together.  They love to perform plays for their mother, they sit together at night sewing for the men at war, and they sing before going to bed.  No matter what kind of day they have, they are always there for each other at the end of it.  When Jo has to complain about Mrs. March she has three pairs of ears listening to her.  When Amy was punished in school, she had all her sisters and her mother comforting her.  When Meg focuses too much on appearances, she has three sisters to help her become grounded.  Each new song Beth learns, she is able to perform it for her sisters.  These four girls are always together, and always relying on each other.  My brother and I listen to each other’s complaints, comfort each other when we are mad and upset, try to keep the other one grounded when we become so consumed with something, and enjoy each other’s hobbies and talents.  The only thing we don’t do like the sisters of Little Women is actually spend much time together.

My brother was home for three full months.  When he first came home, we spent some quality time together.  We watched all season 5 of The Office.  Once we finished season 5, we stopped hanging out.  We both became very busy.  I would leave for work in the morning before my brother woke up, and I would already be asleep by the time he came home at night.  There were times when we went days without seeing each other (by the way our rooms are right next to each other, and we share a bathroom.  Not sure how we kept missing each other).  On days when I had some free time, I hoped my brother would be home to hang out.  He wasn’t.  Finally August 1 came and I realized that my brother would be heading back to school in a few weeks.  Time to make an effort to hang out with my brother.  The first two weeks of August were a failure for my brother and I. 

Eventually my brother and I found some time to hang out.  We watched Entourage together, watched Monsters Inc., had dinner together, and packed my brother up for school.  I always have a great time hanging out with my brother and was bummed when he went back to school.  At least we have iChat and BBM. 

Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy have shown me how important it is to make and spend time with those you love: family and friends.  Life is too short to spend it doing something you’re not enjoying, and with people you don’t even like that much.  The lesson I learned this summer is to make sure I spend time with those most important to me.  I spent a lot of time with most of my best friends, but I do regret not spending a lot of quality time with my parents and brother.  My goal this year is to spend my time equally with all my friends, and to make sure I have time for family.  Let’s see how well this works out for me!! 

Build Me Up Buttercup

So on Thursday I was sitting at my computer, getting ready to leave my house for my first day of class, and I realized that the date was September 2.  Now the whole day I knew the date, but while looking at the birthdays section on Facebook, I realized what the day was.  It had been exactly 10 years since my Bat Mitzvah.  I still can't believe it's been ten years.  I can still remember the summer of 2000 perfectly.  That was the summer I first started Camp Lindenmere.  That was the summer before starting 8th grade.  That was the summer I grew up, and came out of my shell a little bit.  That was a very influential summer for me.

As we all know, I love summer.  It's my favorite season, and I'm not sure if it's because of the weather, or because of my memories of camp.  Until I was 15 years old, I went to camp every summer.  I will be honest (especially since I know Sara will be reading this), I did not always enjoy camp.  For the longest time I went to Ramapo Country Day Camp and I was forced into "playing" soccer, baseball, basketball, and hockey.  I put playing in quotation marks because what I did could not be considered playing at all.  I was the one who was running away from the ball.  I can promise you it was a very funny sight.  As much as I hated those activities, I loved everything else about Ramapo.  I loved having a counselor who was in her teens/early 20's.  I loved going to cooking class, and making yummy treats (like cookie pizza).  There was ceramics, arts and crafts, jewelry making, lanyard, theater, go carts, horse riding, and the list continues.  This list is partially what made me love camp.  The other reason why I love camp so much is because I love being part of the "bunk".  Yes girls can be bitchy, but I have made some very good friends over my summers.  I think summer camp is also the place to become friends with girls you think you would never talk to during the school year.  

After my long stunt at Ramapo, I attended Camp Lindenmere for four years.  What I wouldn't give to go back for another summer.  I miss every night sitting at the flagpole staring up at stars and bats.  Having a nap time after lunch to rest, read, or gossip.  Sitting on our porches, shaving our legs, listening to music.  International male counselors.  Gossiping with my bunkmates and counselors about the International male counselors (Pee Wee and Richy Rich anyone??).  Attempting how to ice skate.  Being super bored at the evening activity.  Color War cheers.  Mr. and Mrs. Lindenmere.  Talent shows.  I wish I was still 13 years old, attending Camp Lindenmere.

My first year at Lindenmere was the hardest.  I had never seen the  camp before the bus dropped me off, so I had to figure out where my bunk was, as well as how to get everywhere else.  Then I had to figure out which bed I wanted for the next six weeks.  Difficult decision.  Luckily the girl on my right became one of my best friends, and I still talk to her this very day.  A lot of the girls in my bunk already had their friends, since they had been to Lindenmere before.  I had to figure out how to break into the groups already made.  Let's add to the fact that I had to practice for my Bat Mitzvah a few times a week.  With all that stress of finding friends, and learning my Haftorah, I thought I would have a horrible time.  Luckily that was not true.  I had the best time.  Leaving my comfort zone was the best thing for me.  Sometimes you need to shake up your life, and put yourself into different/unique/difficult positions.  You never know what you will learn about yourself.

That first summer ended way to quickly.  I signed up for six weeks, thinking that was way too long to be away from my parents.  Not true.  I couldn't get enough of Lindenmere nor my new friends.  But the fun had to end.  Back to 24/7 Bat-Mitzvah practice.  I honestly never thought September 2 would come.  I just couldn't picture myself standing on the bimah in front of friends, family and congregation members, having to SING to them, especially in another language.  The day came and went, and I survived.  I could not believe that I was able to get through the service.  Little, shy Samantha made it through.  

Those four summers spent at Lindenmere taught me a lot about myself.  I learned how to be myself, and not worry about people judging.  I learned that I could talk to all 16 of my bunkmates about different subjects (which helped with sorority recruitment).  I learned to pick out what I enjoy the most and not do what everyone else wants me to do.  I learned to take chances, and try something that is new to me, or something that I am horrible at, like ice skating.  I learned how that I can be in dance performances in front of friends/family/strangers, and even speak publicly.  I learned that sports could be fun when the counselors are hot international men.  

All these life lessons came out of the summers between 2000 and 2004.  Camp Lindenmere thank you for all that you have done for me, and all the friends you have given me.  As for my religion, thank you for helping me overcome my shyness for my Bat-Mitzvah and on.  Thank you for teaching me that when I set my mind to something, I can accomplish it.  No matter how much work has to go into it, and no matter how much I have to learn, I can do it.  Reflecting on those four years always gives me encouragement.  Whenever I feel nervous, or discouraged, I think about what I have done already.  There is nothing that will stop me from accomplishing my goals and dreams.  Hopefully the next few summers will be as influential to me as the ones I've already had.

I would like to leave my fellow Camp Lindenmere campers with one last thing:

Why do you build me up (Build me up)
Buttercup baby just to
let me down (Let me down)
And mess me around
And then worst of all (Worst of all)
You never call baby
When you say you will (Say you will)
But I love you still
I need you (I need you)
More than anyone darlin'
You know that I have from the start

So build me up (Build me up)
Buttercup
Don't break my heart
I'll be over at ten
You tell me time and again
But you're late
I wait around and then
I went to the door
I can't take any more
It's not you
You let me down again

Baby Baby
Try to find a little time
And I'll make you happy
I'll be home
I'll be waiting beside the phone
Waiting for you.

Why do you build me up....
To you I'm a toy
But I could be the boy
You adore
If you'd just let me know
Although you're untrue
I'm attracted to you
All the more
Why do I need you so Baby Baby.....

ooh ooh ooh
Why do build me up .....

You're Love is my Drug

Peach Tree

Summer is like a natural upper for me. From June 21 until the first day of Fall semester, I feel like I am on drugs. I give up sleeping just to spend time outside under the stars (I miss the days of Camp Lindenmere). My nights after work usually involve me getting drinks with friends, no matter how long my workday was. My weekends are booked at least a month in advance, and I look forward to every single activity. Summer 2010 did not fail me this year. My nine weekends this summer were filled with: BBQ's, the Shore/Hamptons, an engagement party, a graduation party, peach picking, birthdays, Rhode Island visits, completing all five seasons of Weeds, reuniting with old friends, reading some fabulous books and trying desperately to spend quality time with my brother (which I failed at doing).

Even though I spent most of my weekends with the same people, I would not trade a single minute of it (although I do wish I had more time to spend with other friends). It was great seeing which of my friends made an effort to see me often, and I am sure they were happy to see me make an effort to see them regularly. I hope I can continue to see my friends often, as well as see/visit more friends that I didn't get to see during the summer.  I also enjoyed all the parties my friends and I had/attended, and I hope we can continue our partying all year long (I have a lot of confidence in us).

One of the BBQ's that I had this summer, was my First Annual BBQ for a Cause. I signed up to participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer happening the weekend of October 16th. My BBQ raised over $400 to help in the fight to end Breast Cancer.  I am so proud of all my friends for coming together and donating money to support me!  I am also very proud that my friends are champs at drinking, and enjoyed the Sangria that had way too much wine, and not enough juice (none, at all).  If you would like to donate to help fight against breast cancer, please visit www.avonwalk.org/goto/sammykaps.  Your support means the world to me!  I am also planning on having another BBQ next summer, or maybe a holiday party to raise money for another foundation.  If you have any suggestions of where to donate the money, please let me know!   Donating money makes me feel fabulous!

Perfect Peach

Something else I did this summer, which was new to me, was peach picking.  I went with a good friend of mine from Montclair.  We had a blast, even with all the flies swarming around.  We went to a place in Hillsdale, NJ called Demarest Farms.  In order to get to the peach trees, we had to take a "hay" ride, minus the hay.  We were a little disappointed that there was no hay, but at least we weren't itchy on the ride to the peaches.  There were three different types of peaches that we could pick.  Unfortunately we forgot the names of the peaches two seconds after our tractor guy left us.  I loved getting to see what a peach tree looks like (especially since in Gone With the Wind Scarlett resides on Peachtree Street while staying in Atlanta).  They aren't very tall, probably six and half feet tall, and the peaches weigh down the branches a bit.  The best part about picking peaches is that you get to eat them while you're picking them!  Just a word of advice: bring wipes.  The juice was dripping down our faces, there were bugs all around, and it was a very hot day.  Needless to say, we couldn't wait to get home and shower after we picked our peaches.

Before I finish this blog post, I want to mention a fabulous book that I read: Water for Elephants.  I fell in love with this book during the prologue, and my love continued throughout the whole book.  It took me about 5 days to read it, and that was only because I worked during those days.  The story is about a 23 year old guy who leaves college right before finishing his finals.  He winds up on a circus train for three months.  The novel takes place during those three months.  I honestly cannot tell you if I loved the story more, or if I loved the writing and imagery.  Throughout the whole book, I could imagine myself standing right where the main character was.  I was able to clearly see the whole book in my head.  As for the story, it's very magical.  The love the main character feels for the animals on the circus makes you want to work with animals (or live at a zoo).  I love the connection he has with each of the animals, and how he understands them, and talks to them.  Honestly, I felt like I was in another world while reading this novel, when in reality I was transplanted to the 1930's, riding on a dirty train, stuck in a room with horses.  I want to keep talking about the book, but do not want to give away what happens.  When you do read it, please update me on how you felt and thought about the book!!!

I feel like I have so much more to write about my summer, but this blog entry is long enough already.  I promise that I will continue writing about what I did this summer.  With school starting, I will be missing summer, and need to relive it through my blog.  I will probably also be wicked bored during my classes, so I will be writing while "listening" to my professors.

As awful as this sounds, I am ready for fall. My Uggs (esp my BRAND NEW ones), are calling my name, and my feet are equally excited. My DVR and Netflix queue are also screaming my name. I have fallen behind on too many shows to count, and my Netflix list has reached about 300 movies, and I've watched about 3 this summer. Complete failure. IThe only thing I am not ready for this fall is class.  I have seen a syllabus for one of my classes, and I'm not very excited.  I am ready to go to another school, preferably outside of NJ.  I am also excited to do another program.  I just have to keep reminding myself that there are only a few more months at Montclair, and then who knows where I will be.

In order to keep my spirits up this semester, I have already started mentally creating a bucket list of what I would like to do this fall.  Unlike my Summer 2010 list, my Fall list will be accomplished by the start of winter.  The list isn't too long because I have learned that I'm not good at completing my lists.  Currently there are 6 things on my Fall Bucket List.  Let me know which activities you want to do with me and when.  Also let me know what else to add to it!!

Fall 2010 Bucket List

Apple Picking/Making candied apples

Bronx Zoo

Whitney Museum

MoMa

Met Museum
Museum of Natural History (yes I want to go back!)

Knick, Knack, Nook

Hi everyone! I have returned to the blogging world! This has been one super busy summer for me, and it's not over yet! In my next blog entry I will tell you all about my summer events (and include pictures!). This entry is dedicated to the new Nook I just bought two days ago. I am still getting used to it, and haven't figured out how I truly feel about the Nook.

Before I express my feelings about the nook, let me express how I feel about books in general. It's hard for me to wrap my head around reading a book off of an electronic device. I love walking into Barnes & Noble or Borders, and just seeing all the books. I love holding the books, looking at the covers, reading the backs of books, information about the author, and scanning through the book to see if it looks exciting. I love holding the book in my hands, seeing how much I've read, being able to flip the pages. To me, a book is something magical. It holds all these special characters, events, and words. Books hold information about the author. They are also a separate, special world. Whether it take place on Earth or underwater, or in space, we are transported to that location. We are able to leave our worry and stress behind and enter into this new world. We, the reader, visit new locations, make new friends with the characters, and learn about ourselves. Open up any of my favorite books, and you will see colorful highlighting, blue underlying (yes blue, I have OCD when it comes to marking up my books) and notes in the margins. Those marks aren't there just because a paragraph is important to the story, but because it meant something special to me. Yes, the nook offers all of this, you can even highlight, but it is not the same. When I begin to think about books being replaced by the nook, or the kindle, or whatever device, I become depressed.

But now back to the pros and cons of the nook. Yesterday I went into NYC to meet up with a friend. I took a bus and subway to get to the meeting location. It was great having my Nook. I have ruined many bags by carrying around heavy books. The nook is nice and light, and fits very well in my bag. I also enjoy the fact that my nook remembers my spot in the book. I am very bad with bookmarks (I always lose them). All I have to do is turn on my nook, press a button, and it goes right to my spot. Fabulous. I also like the nook because I can hold thousands of books on it. I am the type of person who can read more than one book at a time. I usually read two books at a time. I will either alternate days, or depending on how I feel at the moment, I will decide which book to read. With the nook I don't have to worry about carrying around two books with me. I can just carry one device, and read whatever I want.

As for what I do not enjoy about the nook, I still can't believe I spent $150 when I can go down to the library, take out a book for free, and read it. And even though I still have the nook, I will be visiting the library very often. There are a lot of new books out that I would love to read, but I don't want to spend the money unless I know how great the book is. I also do not like the fact that you can only borrow books from friends for 14 days. Some books take longer to read than others, especially when I have schoolwork to do. If I don't finish that book in the 14 days, than I either have to buy it, sit in Barnes & Nobles and finish the book, or rent it from the library. I am not opposed to the last two, but it would be a lot easier if I could just keep it on the nook for a little longer.

Now that I am done with my issues about the nook, I will move on to my issues with electronic reading devices. Since I am going to school to be a teacher, we hear a lot about illiteracy, and schools and families not having the money for books. Since these electronic reading devices are so expensive (plus the cost of books), not everyone will be able to afford them. Also people who have electronic devices will stop buying books, meaning there won't be as many books to donate to schools, shelters, libraries, etc. I feel like in 10 years people will be judging each other based on if they read from books or from electronic devices. Hopefully I am proven wrong.

I feel a lot better now that I have vented. All these thoughts about the nook have been swirling around my head. One minute I feel guilty for buying such an expensive device when I can just go to the library. The next minute I am excited to whip out my nook, and read through. Since there is less space in the window than on the page, I feel like I am reading a lot more quickly. This makes me happy. I would love to know how other people feel about their nook and electronic reading devices.

Books

So I went to the book expo in May, and found tons of books that are coming out this summer and fall. Below are the books that I collected. Some books are out already and some are not. Let me know if you would like to borrow any!

Sima's Undergarments for Women - Ilana Stanger Ross

The Slap - Christos Tsiolkas

Bliss, Remembered - Frank Deford

Voice of America - E. C. Osondu

Think of a Numb3r - John Verdon

Ape House - Sara Gruen

A Call From Jersey - P.F. Kluge

I also have magazines of the books that are coming out in 2010. If you want to see what different publishing companies are coming out with, let me know!