Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta.
Here are some quotes to ponder: "History teaches that grave threats to liberty often come in times of urgency, when constitutional rights seem too extravagant to endure." -Thurgood Marshall, US Supreme Court Justice (1908-1993)"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." --John LennonRead my VisualDNA ™ Get your own VisualDNA™Here's a poem I really like: Desiderata Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
My favorite movies of all time include The Shawshank Redemption, Fried Green Tomatoes and Bridget Jones's Diary. I love to go to the movies by myself (I also love to go with other people, but that just doesn't happen as often!). There's almost nothing better than escaping from the rest of the world in a dark movie theater.
I watch way more television than I should! My very favorite show is CBS Sunday Morning, and I regularly watch a certain 90's show that only my closest friends are privy to know about (it's a guilty pleasure, Erik always rolls his eyes when he catches me watching). I still love Thursday nights on NBC, but now I also record Thursday nights on ABC. I will always turn to a re-run of Sex and the City before any of the other late night sit-com re-runs. I used to like Letterman, but now I have to admit I prefer Leno. However, I get depressed if I'm still up when Conan arrives on my screen. He's creepy.
I used to joke that it would be cheaper for me to have a drug habit than my book habit. Thank goodness for libraries. I love to read and I could spend all my time with my nose in a book if not for real life getting in the way. I'll readily admit I'm a fan of the "chick lit" genre, but I'll pick up almost any fiction or decent memoir.I read so much more before I became a mother, though. Now I have Go, Train, Go and Goodnight Moon memorized. In the last few years, I have developed a book habit of another kind: Sudoku. I start at the back on the hardest puzzles and work my way to the front.
I think we bestow the "hero" honor on far too many people, but I have to say one name comes to mind over and over again when I think of a hero: Alysa Stanton. Alysa is a role model and a hero because she keeps working toward a goal, no matter what obstacles are put in her path. Not only is she a trailblazer, she is smart, tenacious, thoughtful and kind. When Alysa becomes the first African-American female ordained rabbi, she will be in the history books. Her incredible spirit and undeniable beauty have been inscribed in my heart for many years already.