Zsa Zsa Gabor:

Okay, you're beautiful. Can I be you?

Ten Things I will never understand:

1. Why some people don't like chocolate.
2. Why people my age (and older) love Pixar movies so much.
3. Why my extended family assumes I must have the same wacky, conservative views as my dad.
5. Why cats are so cute.
6. Why people ask questions like, "How are you?" without caring about the response.
7. Why people have such a hard time with contractions versus possession.
8. Why my mom let me quit dance.
9. Why I don't have more money.
10. Why people get married so quickly.

September 11, 2001

As a child, there was a distinct moment when I realized that the world was not all rainbows, barbies, and hair bows. The moment when I realized there are bad people in the world who do terrible things. There is no monster in bathtub drain or sharks under the bed, but there are real people who seek to hurt people. And every generation shares a day of tragedy when that epiphany is realized or relived. For our grandparents, it was December 7th, 1941; for our parents is was November 22nd, 1963; and for us it was September 11, 2001. I know this post is a few days late, but I felt like I needed to add to the conversation. To me, the memory of 9/11 doesn't entice me to hatred or fear. It was a terrible day, but once the dust settled, we chose to crawl from the rubble, stand tall, and be strong. The country was a country of hope after the attacks, and that entices me to be proud.

There is power in femininity:

"Being tender and open is beautiful. As a woman, I feel continually shhh’ed. Too sensitive. Too mushy. Too wishy washy. Blah blah. Don’t let someone steal your tenderness. Don’t allow the coldness and fear of others to tarnish your perfectly vulnerable beating heart. Nothing is more powerful than allowing yourself to truly be affected by things. Whether it’s a song, a stranger, a mountain, a rain drop, a tea kettle, an article, a sentence, a footstep, feel it all – look around you. All of this is for you. Take it and have gratitude. Give it and feel love."

- Zooey Deschanel

Jackie Kennedy:

Today's post is about one of my favorite women: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. This woman was gorgeous, brilliant, strong, elegant, independent, and fashionable. I would love to be like her. And if that means becoming first lady someday, well then yes please. She was one of the greatest first ladies this country has ever had. Jackie was admired by visiting diplomats, including good ol' Khrushchev, revered for her restoration of the White House, and adored by the American public. Jackie may have been beautiful and the most important woman in the United States, but she was also real. She was well loved by us because her life was so imperfect. When she experienced a miscarriage, we wept with her; when her husband's infidelities became known, we suffered with her; when her husband was assassinated, we mourned with her; and when she married Aristotle Onassis, we rejoiced with her. If I grow up to be half the woman, mother, and wife she was, I will feel like I've made it.