PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian

Bohemian Hippie Gift Guide 2011

2011-11-26T15:44:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again! The holidays are upon us it's time for us to do a little hippie, bohemian, free-spirit shopping. Whether you are the hippie, bohemian, or free-spirit or the people you buy for are, this guide can help you find all the best gifts for the holidays. You can even do a lot of your shopping directly from this blog! So sit back, relax, & enjoy as I present you with the Bohemian Hippie Gift Guide 2011.

BOHEMIAN HIPPIE GIFT GUIDE 2011

Books

DVDs

CDs

And of course it is always important to buy the music of local musicians, world musicians, indie acts, etc.

Clothing and Accessories

Misc.

Classic 1960's Peace Sign Toaster - Make Toast, Not War!

RoomMates RMK1437SCS Glitter Peace Signs Peel & Stick Wall Decals

Dci Peace Sign Silicone Ice Tray

Makala MK-S Soprano Ukulele

Homemade DIY Gift Ideas

Blankets, towels, scarves, purses, socks, hats, sweaters, slippers, etc. (crochet or knit)

Candles

Soaps, scrubs, body washes, lip balms, perfumes, etc.

Gift baskets

Artwork

An original song

Baked goods (sugar cookies, fruitcake, breads, etc.)

& so much more! Be creative!

Eco-Friendly Gifts that ROCK!

To-Go Ware RePEaT Reusable Bamboo Utensil Set, Avocado

Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi

Maxim EverEarth Amazon Building Blocks

Wild Science Worm Farm

Sprout Unisex ST2002BLBKBL Eco-Friendly Corn Resin and Blue Organic Cotton Strap Watch

Kiss Naturals Make Your Own Bath Fizzie Craft Kit. Made in Canada

EverEarth Six Sided Garden Activity Cube

For even MORE amazing green gift ideas (& more information on some of the eco-friendly products above) check out the Treehugger Green Gift Guide 2011!

Great Websites to Shop On

Amazon

The Tree Huggers Store

Zazzle

Cafepress

UGG Australia

Hautelook
Brilliant Earth
New Directions Aromatics
Uncommon Goods Recycled Gifts
Green Gifts from The Hunger Site
Soul Flower Online Store

Great Gift Ideas from Target

Helpful Resources

The Top 50 Christmas Movies

The Top 5 Reasons to Donate to Toys for Tots

The Top 5 Books for Hippies, Bohemians, & Free-Spirits

The Top 5 Places to Find Cheap Books

The Top 5 Things You Should Know About Better World Books

Great Holiday Ideas from the Modern Bohemian

15 Gift Ideas for your Hippie, Bohemian, Free-Spirit Friends

More Great Ideas for the Holiday Season

More Holiday Help from the Modern Bohemian

Bohemian Hippie Gift Guide 2010

Great Lakes Candle Company

Making Soap for Fun & Profit

Treehugger Green Gift Guide 2011

Christmas Gift Ideas for Hippies (eHow.com)

The Top 5 Flowers to Give to a Friend

The Top 5 Flowers to Give to a Lover

The Top 5 Scents Hippies Love to Smell

The Top 5 Signs Your Kid is a Hippie, Bohemian, or Free-Spirit

The Top 5 Online Shopping Resources for Hippies & Bohemians

Hippie & Bohemian Stores in Michigan

The Better Business Bureau

Shop Amazon's 100 Best Books of 2011

Charitable Giving Ideas

Toys for Tots

Tis Best Gift Cards

National Wildlife Federation Symbolic Adoption

Heifer International

It's always a nice idea to give in your own name too. Perhaps you can donate to a local food bank, homeless shelter, or animal rescue this year. You can always donate to your favorite charities as well, during the holiday season & all year round.

Other Groovy Gift Ideas for Hippies, Bohemians, & Free-Spirits

Lava Lamps

Glow in the Dark Stars

Pay for a friend or family member's recycling services for a year

Gift cards

Ponchos

Artwork, posters, & wall decals

Incense

Pipes, water pieces, vaporizers, one-hitters, grinders, & other "tobacco" paraphernalia

Tickets to a play, musical, art show, concert, festival, etc.

Door beads

Bean bag chairs

A variety of teas and/or coffees

Anything with peace signs on it

I hope that this guide will help you out this holiday season & I hope everyone enjoys this beautiful season of giving & sharing. Remember, it's not about the tangible gifts you can hold in your hand, but about the gifts of love you share between humanity, family, & friends.

Happy Holidays!

Peace & Love,

Meagan

Wow...it's been awhile

2011-11-19T13:29:00.000-05:00

Hello friends. Wow... it has been a LONG time since I updated the blog. This is probably for many reasons, some of which include just being super busy living, the fact that my blog was semi-hacked for a bit, & the fact that we have had issues with keeping our internet over the past few months. But I am here now, so I will give you an idea of what life has been like.

Well, back at the beginning of the summer I made an interesting choice to quit my job (with no back-up plan, really) because I was unhappy with the amount of work as compared to compensation, the wear & tear on my car, & the dishonesty that I had to endure (& be a part of) while I was there. Maybe it wasn't the smartest choice just to pick up & quit, but it is what it is.

So to make ends meet, I donated plasma often, sold a lot of my stuff, taught music lessons, & began modeling for art classes at Michigan State University & for local photographers. I also took my 403B money from when I was teaching & used it to pay lots of bills. But... I was (& still am) pretty broke anyway.

But even though I had no money & no prospects, I lived a happy existence. I was in "Annie" at Riverwalk Theatre (as Bonnie Boylan, Cecille the French Maid, a homeless person in Hooverville, & an NYC resident), I made a lot of new friends, & I even entangled myself in a bit of a backstage chemistry with a charming & handsome 37 year old. I also went on an amazing getaway with my mom to The Homestead Resort in northern Michigan. We climbed Sleeping Bear Dunes, got massages at Spa Amira, had an elegant dinner at the fancy dancy restaurant at the resort (where I was charmed by a handsome waiter who looked kinda like Robert Downing Jr.) & visited the Amber Elk Ranch, where we got to feed Elk as we road on a wagon through their habitats. It was awesome.

In addition to all that fun & intrigue, I also became an official member of the band The Sunset Club. So I started gigging with them more & being more involved in the song writing process. (I even got to be on the radio with them for an interview & two live songs. AWESOME!) I also started working on my songs with Will (which we will be recording soon. I'll keep ya posted.)

(The Sunset Club after our radio interview/live set)

So the summer went by nicely, with "Annie" & the trip & The Sunset Club & just getting to hang out with all my new friends at parties, concerts, & incredibly fun (& occasionally wicked) bar nights. But when "Annie" came to a close, the weather began to change, & the 403B money ran out, I started to get a little depressed. It didn't help that Will & I were having problems either...

So what did I do? I broke things off with Will (with the condition that we could still date to try to work things out in the future), I did more modeling, taught more music lessons, & I got a new job as a nanny to two amazing kids!

That kind of gets us up to speed. I am still working as a nanny, still teaching lessons, & still modeling. I am also taking more responsibility in The Sunset Club & gearing up to audition for another show at Riverwalk. So I am pretty happy, & grateful that I have what I do. But I am a bohemian... so I simply crave more.

What more could I want you ask? Well... a job that pays better would be nice. Benefits would be nice (especially dental insurance as I need to get pretty much all my teeth capped.) I could really use a different place to live with fewer people coming in & out all the time. (Don't get me wrong... I love having people over. But sometimes it ends up feeling more like a hostel, a cheap motel, or some kind of "magnet house" for all the other poor hippies & it's just too much to handle.) I would also like to do more acting, singing, & modeling & of course finish my book!! I also want a garden someday soon... & a dog, & hopefully in the next few years, a baby. That's right, I said it. A baby. My sister & my best friend are both pregnant right now, so I know I have a bit of baby fever, but honestly I never imagined having my first kid past 30 anyway, & I'm getting close & it's making me worry that I won't ever be stable enough financially & romantically to have kids. So I'm thinking about it a lot.

I'm sure there's more. But this is getting pretty long winded as it is.

I hope you feel a little more up to date on my crazy Bohemian lifestyle. Come back soon; I promise not too wait as long to write again.

Peace & Love,
Meagan

Bohemian Crazy Busy...

2011-05-14T13:02:00.000-04:00

I know it has been a long time since I last posted an official blog entry. But the truth is, I have been a very busy bohemian lately. I got a part time job at Guido's Pizza... well, more officially, a Guido's Pizza that offers gluten-free food options! No joke! It's so cool. (You can check out the website for our gluten-free stuff here: Guido's Gluten-Free) In addition to that, I have still been writing (a little), performing with the amazing band The Sunset Club at a lot of gigs, working on Guys & Dolls with the Holt/Dimondale Community Players, having crazy fun nights with friends, donating plasma, etc.

I also did the March for Babies (for the March of Dimes) and as always, it was a great time. I didn't raise three hundred dollars (my goal amount), but I did raise $95, so I feel good to have contributed. Thanks again to everyone who donated!

But back to the artsy stuff. hehe Like I said, I've been performing with The Sunset Club, and I have to say, it is a thrilling experience to sing harmonies with such an epic & powerful band! For real. And singing with Jory (the lead singer) is a dream come true, because he has so much emotion and expression in his voice. It's so beautiful! So yeah... I'm loving it!

But at the same time, I still want to get my own stuff going too. So as much fun as I have with them, they can't get all my musical focus. I'm actually playing a gig in June or July that will be just me and my ukulele, so that's pretty crazy! I've been working on a lot of stuff to get ready (and get better!) and so far, I have 5 original songs on the uke to work with, 3 of which you can hear rough cuts of here, and I am pretty good at the following covers:

"Rhythm of Love" -Plain White Ts
"Hey Soul Sister" -Train
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" -Glee Version

"Down on the Corner" -Creedence Clearwater Revival
"Pricetag" -Jessie J
"I'm Yours" -Jason Mraz
"Let it Be" -The Beatles
"I Will Follow Him" -Little Peggy March
"Get Together" -The Youngbloods
"In My Life" -The Beatles
"Marry Me" -Train

But there's still lots of work to be done. I have lots of songs I wrote on piano too that I would like to get recorded. So hopefully, I'll be able to do a little of that this summer.

What else is there to tell you? Oh yes, for Mother's Day, my mom, sister, and I went to see "Water for Elephants." It was really great! Will's mom says the book is amazing too, so now, especially after seeing the movie, I really want to read the book. You can buy it for me here: Water for Elephants (Or... you could buy it for yourself I suppose! haha) Has anyone else seen this or read this already? If so, tell me what your thoughts.

If there's more I forgot to tell you (and I'm sure there is) I will try to get it up in the next few days. For now, I'm outty. :)

Peace & Love to ALL,
Meagan

March of Dimes-March for Babies!

2011-03-13T14:23:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year again. That time of year when this modern hippie, bohemian, free-spirit gears up for giving! The March of Dimes March for Babies in the Lansing area is on April 30th this year, and I am starting to take donations now.

So please, consider making a donation to the March for Babies! My goal this year is $300, but really, my goal is as much as I can get! Can we raise $500? $1,000? I would like to. The March for Babies is such an amazing cause.

For more information and to donate, please check out my March for Babies page: http://www.marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?pp=2915584&ct=4&w=4640989&u=MeaganE

Peace and Love,
Meagan

P.S. -You can also help me raise money for the March of Dimes by buying some of these amazing March of Dimes themed items through my blog:

Barbie March of Dimes Walk America 1997

Gund Baby Sweetness Baby Rattle Bear - March of Dimes - Pink

March Of Dimes - Share Women's Pink T-Shirt

"Money, Money, Money... Must be funny... in a Rich Man's World."

2011-02-15T16:34:00.000-05:00

My title comes from an ABBA song about, well... money. This is because I have money on the brain. Not that I WANT to have money on the brain. But when you have no money and need money, money tends to be on the brain.

"Oh... all the things I could do, if I had a little money. It's a rich man's world!"

Why do I NEED money? Well, the way I live requires that I pay rent, utilities, etc. Not to mention that I have a car I occasionally drive, debt up the wall, and 2 pets to take care of. As much as I would sometimes like to give up the house and car and live in some commune somewhere, I know that as a modern bohemian, I need access to my technology to thrive. And I like living in a house as opposed to a tent or my car again.

So I need money. This is true.
And it's been frustrating because I have a hard time getting money. Yes, I am on unemployment. But I constantly run into problems with getting my money on time. Like right now? No unemployment money since mid-January. Grr...

But I am doing everything I can (legally) do to make money. I am still writing, I worked with my friend at an Expo for $50, I take back cans and bottles from home (and those I gather), I sell stuff to pawn shops and second hand stores, I advertise with Adsense, Google Affiliates, and Amazon Associates, I have many online stores, including at CafePress and Zazzle, and I recently started donating plasma. I am still also doing some extra work in television and movies (but those opportunities are few and far between), I still sell on Etsy from time to time, and I am a part of Sponsored Tweets and MyLikes. But I tell ya... for as much as I do, the money is still hard to come by.

I AM looking for a part time job too! (For all you haters out there who think hippies, bohemians, and free-spirits are just lazy...) But the problem is that I am "unqualified" to do a lot of the jobs available. (Funny, since I have a college degree and 12 years of work experience...) When I DO get interviews, they always go with the person with "more experience." IE: NOT ME. Frustration!!!

It's awful that a lot of people (friends even) don't understand the stress I am feeling or how desperate things can get around here. Most of them don't truly seem to realize that I can't really go many places because a.) I can't afford to drive there b.) I can't afford to spend money once there and c.) I am not a person who easily accepts others' offers to "cover it" because I have been burned BAD in the past. I just want them to understand.

I love my friends and family, but I am in a tough spot. And until I can somehow dig myself out of it (and I WILL) I hope that they can provide me with a little more understanding.

Anyone else struggling to get by? What are you doing to pay your bills? Let's help each other out!!

For now, I have to go try to make some more money.

"I work all night, I work all day, to pay the bills I have to pay... ain't it sad?"
Yes, ABBA. It is sad.

But positivity still rules the day (for now) so I am off to make it happen!!!
Peace and Love,
Meagan

My Hippie, Bohemian, Free-Spirit Lifestyle in 2011

2011-01-18T18:57:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! How is 2011 treating you so far? This modern day hippie/bohemian/free-spirit is doing pretty well so far this year. I was a little worried there at the end of December, when January 1st was rolling around and I still didn't have rent money... but just as things usually do for me, it worked out somehow! Now I am actually getting unemployment money, making a little more money with my online writing, and I am able to actually have the time to seek other employment that is suitable for me. (Though... I am still not sure what kind of employment is suitable for me!)
Most importantly though, I am making sure that I am continuing to become a better person in 2011. And I'm starting close to home; with the people who I always seem to hurt the most: my family. In 2010, I missed birthdays, I cancelled things at the last minute, and I didn't communicate with my mom, dad, sister, and bro-in-law more than once a week sometimes. That is simply unacceptable!
My biggest problem is that I tend to give and give and give to friends and strangers and then there is simply not much left for my family, and this isn't fair. So I need to find some balance (something that is VERY hard for me.)
I am improving already though; I celebrated my mom's birthday with my whole family, I have talked to my mom and dad on the phone and in person several times, and I just went to a game night at my sister's house, hosted by her and my new bro-in-law. So.... it's progress.
Even though my family doesn't quite understand that I would rather live out of my car than move home (it's something about the crazy bohemian belief in freedom, creativity, and the "open spirit" I think) or that I don't want to work just for money but to feel empowered, creative, and fulfilled; or why exactly I dress the way I do; I know that my family loves me and I need to show them my love in return.
This does not mean that I am going to stop giving to friends and strangers. I couldn't stop that either! I am of the belief that I have a life mission to spread peace, love, and creativity to this world, so I cannot give up on that ever! Ever!!
So it comes back to balance. Perhaps if I get back into Pilates, I can find a little balance (and keep my bod smokin'!)
What else am I working on besides this "balance?" Well, I would like to see some of my art reach the world on a bigger scale. (My "art" being my writing, my music, my acting, modeling, and performing, and my actual art and arts and crafts.) How to do that is the next question!!
I mean... "art" is very important to a modern day hippie, bohemian, and/or free-spirit, and I am no exception to this. As Laren Stover said in Bohemian Manifesto: A Field Guide to Living on the Edge (this is NOT verbatim) bohemians want to be known for their work, for their "art," even if it is not until later in life or after death (though most want a bit of fame while they are young and really able to live it up and enjoy it!) I am not an exception to this either. From a young age I had dreams of fame. I wanted to be a country singer, then a Broadway star, then a top selling author, a poet, an artist, a pop singer, a model, an Oscar winner, a famous blogger, a world peacemaker, etc... the only "non-fame" role I have ever pursued was "teacher." But even teachers can go on to become famous! (Sheryl Crow and Tim Gunn anyone?)
So what am I really after here? Recognition for my art? Money? Fame? Acceptance? Peace and love? I think it may be a combination of all of the above.
So we'll see what 2011 has to offer this modern hippie, bohemian, free-spirit. Will I gain balance? Will I make a difference in the world? Will I become rich and famous and bigger than Justin Bieber? (Probably not...) We'll see...
Peace and Love,
Meagan

By the way, speaking of Tim Gunn (as I did above)... I am reading Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work and really enjoying it. His point of view is interesting, but actually pretty basic: people should be good to one another (and have good manners!) So if you're looking for another book to add to your reading list, I would suggest checking this one out.

PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian's Guide to a Happy New Year

2010-12-30T05:30:00.002-05:00

The new year is almost here! Oh the excitement! Oh the anticipation! Oh the fear of those new year resolutions!
To help get you all ready for the new year, I have some great resources for you. Enjoy!

New Years Eve Entertainment

The Top Five New Years Eve Movies

The Top Five Movies for a Girl's Night

The Top Five House Music DJs

Make Money Online in the New Year

Ten Websites to Write for and Make Money

The Top Five Writing Websites to Make Money On

Why I Write for List My Five

The Top Five Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Blog or Website

How to Get More Traffic to Your Blog: Ten Tips that will Help

The Top Five Ways to Earn Money Online

The Top Five Websites to Join When Making Money Online

Making Soap for Fun and Profit

Work Towards Your Fitness Goals

How to Work Out Without Going to the Gym

The Top Five Tricks for Toning Your Body at Work

The Top Five Drinks for Weight Loss

Lose Weight and Tone Muscle at Home with NO EQUIPMENT!

Be ALL About Self-Improvement

50 Ways to Be a Better Human Being

The Top Five Things You Should NEVER Do Online

How to Make a Good First Impression

How to Be Positive in Your Interactions with Others

How to REALLY Love Yourself

How to Become More Involved in Your Community

Improve Your Singing Daily

How to Manage Stress: Ten Tips That Really Work

Go "GREEN" in the New Year

How to Make Small Changes to Make Your Home More "Green"

How to be "Green" When You Clean

The Top Five Things You Should Know About Better World Books

Happy New Year!

Peace and Love,

Meagan

P.S.- I thought I'd share a few of my favorite pics from the blog this year as well. Are any of these some of your favorites too?

My baby Ava!

Baby L. at the March for Babies

My first REAL Tigers game! (As in... not on TV)

Grand Rapids' Electronic Music Night

My homemade Halloween costume.

Yay, Squirrels!

Poo Poo Paper!

Bohemian Hippie Gift Guide 2010

2010-12-09T21:38:00.001-05:00

Modern Hippies, Bohemians, and Free-Spirits appreciate gifts. As much as many of us want to "fight over-indulgence and an obsession with material things..." we also tend to be pack rats, collectors, and shopaholics. Ever contradictory in nature, I know. Exciting...

Anyway, hippies, bohemians, and free-spirits like gifts. But what to get them, you ask? Eco-friendly gifts? Vintage gifts? New gifts? Handmade gifts? Don't worry... I have some suggestions.
Here it is: My Bohemian/Hippie Gift Guide for 2010!

PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian's Bohemian / Hippie Gift Guide

for Modern Hippies, Bohemians, and Free-Spirits and Friends (2010)

Hippie, Bohemian, Free-Spirit Gift Ideas!

Apple iPad MB292LL/A Tablet (16GB, Wifi)

Amp Solar Charger Bag Color: Charcoal Panels

Life

ZooBorns

Bohemian Manifesto: A Field Guide to Living on the Edge

The Hippie Handbook: How to Tie-Dye a T-Shirt, Flash a Peace Sign, and Other Essential Skills for the Carefree Life

Hippie Crafts: Creating a Hip New Look Using Groovy '60s Crafts

Poo Poo Paper Products

Store

Hands All Over

Save Me, San Francisco (Golden Gate Edition)

Puff

Vintage Boho Mosaic Ring

Recycled Jute Rice Bag Backpack

NEW & UNIQUE GIFT IDEA ~ Peace Sign Toaster ~ Hippie Approved ~ Peace & Love ~ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Hippie

Chronicle, Vol. 1: The 20 Greatest Hits

Chronicle Vol. 2: Twenty Great CCR Classics

Hippie, Bohemian, Free-Spirit Shopping Resources

and Charitable Giving Options

The Top Five Online Shopping Resources for Hippies and Bohemians

PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian's Amazon Store

Hippie, Bohemian, Free-Spirit Homemade Gift Help

100 Home-Made Gift Ideas

The Top Five Kinds of Homemade Christmas Candy by Nancy Hardin

Making Soap for Fun and Profit

Homemade Gifts for Under $10 by WeddingZazzle

More Great Hippie, Bohemian, Free-Spirit Gift Ideas!

1. Find something at a secondhand or vintage store, like cool old plates, vintage ashtrays, artwork, crocheted and knitted blankets, a sexy vintage dress, or a classic or unique board game or puzzle.

2. Get a gift subscription to a great magazine like Natural Health.

3. Give someone you love something of great sentimental value to you and enclose the story of the item and its significance when you wrap it.

4. Offer your services for free as a gift (free music lessons for your friends' kids, making a scrapbook with their pictures, etc.)

5. Name a star after someone at The International Star Registry

Everything Green Living Book: Easy ways to conserve energy, protect your family's health, and help save the environment (Everything Series)

100% Hemp Bi-Fold Wallet

LiViTY Men's Fireball Fedora,Brown,Large/X-Large

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps Pure-Castile Soap, 18-in-1 Hemp Lavender, 32-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 2)

Fred and Friends Peace of Cake

Peace Sign Socks

Love Mosaic Mirror Wall Hanging with Peace Sign New

Avatar (Three-Disc Extended Collector's Edition)

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race

Greenpeace Calendar 2011

Cheap, Easy, and Eco-Friendly Wrapping Ideas

How to Wrap Gifts Without Using Expensive Gift Wrapping by Terria Fleming

9 Ways to Green Your Gift Wrapping

Recycled Paper Wrapping and 4 Alternative Gift Wrapping Ideas

Top 10 Green Gift Wrap Ideas

Additional Resources

Great Holiday Ideas from The Modern Bohemian

More Great Ideas for the Holiday Season

Sponsor a USO Care Package

Hippie/Bohemian Lifestyle (Resources)

The Top Five Books for Hippies, Bohemians, and Free-Spirits

The Top Five Places to Find Cheap Books

The Top Five Movies of My Childhood

The Top Five Reasons to Donate to Toys for Tots

The Top 50 Christmas Movies

50 Ways to Be a Better Human Being

And of course, give the gift of love this holiday season. Spread peace and love across the whole world. Donate to your favorite charities, send e-cards, post happy holiday wishes on Facebook and Twitter, and do nice things for people, even people you've never met.

Peace and Love,
Meagan

What the Modern Bohemian's Been Up To...

2010-12-09T14:36:00.001-05:00

I am a lucky girl. So much good stuff has happened recently!

First, I got to go to Grand Rapids and work on a movie with 50 Cent! That was really awesome. I had a great time. Then, that same day, I got to go see "White Christmas" at Cornerstone University (for free!) with my friend Kelsey, her hubby, and another friend of theirs (Rb). I was surprised to see that I knew someone in the cast... a young lady I've known for years and years since she was just a little thing. So that was amazing too!

On Saturday, I went back to Grand Rapids to see the exhibit at the Grand Rapids Art Museum on Princess Diana that is touring around. It was such a moving and worthwhile experience. Princess Diana has always been an inspiration to me because of her volunteer work, her positivity, her support of the fine arts, and her sense of beauty, grace, and class. Seeing her gowns, letters she received and sent, pictures, videos, and all the condolence books that were sent to her family (among many other things) was just an indescribable experience for me.

What else have I been up to? Ah yes... working.

I have been assembling a gift guide for the blog that should be ready soon. Yay! I've also been writing articles (like this one on Wilhuff) and promoting. I'm also WAY into Sponsored Tweets. I like Sponsored Tweets because I get to pick what I advertise and how I do it. So I promote companies, products, and ideas I believe in, not just whatever ends up being offered. Plus, it's been pretty steady work so far and I'm obsessed with Twitter, so it's a good combination! haha

Last night, I had a singing gig where I got to sing Holiday songs and Christmas carols for two hours! It's my 3rd year doing it, and I just love it! It's so much fun! Getting to go caroling (inside where it's warm) and getting paid for it. Pretty groovy.

I think you're caught up... though sometimes I forget things... that's okay. I can keep things mysterious and keep ya coming back for more! ;)

Peace and Love,
Meagan

List My Five Lists: Christmas Quotes, Christmas Movies, How to Shop for Hippies & Bohemians, & More!

2010-12-04T23:45:00.000-05:00

I write for List My Five, an amazing website where you can share fun lists (and even make some money too!) I wanted to share some of my recent lists with you, as they relate to December and the Holiday season. I have more to do, but here is what I have so far:

If you were born in December (or just want to know a little more about December) then check out:

The Top Five Things to Know About Your Birth Month of December

If you're looking for some great Christmas Quotes, check out:

The Top Five Christmas Quotes

If you're looking to donate to charity, check out:

The Top Five Reasons to Donate to Toys for Tots

If you are looking for some great ideas for Holiday party food, check out:

The Top Five Appetizers for a Holiday Party

If you are looking for some great Christmas movies to watch, well...

let's just say, I have a LOT of options for you:

The Top Five Christmas Movies I Will Be Watching This Year

The Top Five Christmas Movie Classics

The Top Five Christmas Movie Classics for Kids

The Top Five Animated Christmas Movies

The Top Five Christmas Movies for the Whole Family

The Top Five Funny Christmas Movies

The Top Five Christmas Movie Musicals

The Top Five Romantic Christmas Movies

The Top Five Non-Christmas Christmas Movies

If you need some ideas for shopping for your hippie, bohemian, free-spirit friends and family, the following lists should help you out immensely. One is Michigan specific, but if you live in Michigan, it's an awesome bonus I guess! haha Check them out:

The Top Five Things You Should Know About Better World Books

The Top Five Hippie and Bohemian Stores in Michigan

The Top Five Books for Hippies, Bohemians, and Free-Spirits

The Top Five Online Shopping Resources for Hippies and Bohemians

I hope my lists can help you out this December.

If you want to read my other lists too, just look through all of them by going to my

List My Five Profile

Peace and Love,

Meagan

PonchoMeg's Thanksgiving Weekend of Greatness

2010-11-29T12:28:00.000-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday (if you are in a place where you celebrate Thanksgiving that is... otherwise, I hope you just had a wonderful weekend). My weekend was pretty stellar.

It all started on Wednesday for me actually, as I had to prepare my very own gluten-free Thanksgiving dinner to take to my mom and dad's house. My mom bought me groceries so that I would be able to make it all, and I am so grateful for that. So yes, Wednesday, I started cooking. I made the GF spinach and artichoke dip and GF bread. It was fun, and... a success!

On Thursday morning, I got up early, made half of my bread into gluten-free stuffing, stuffed my GF turkey (there is meat with gluten in it, believe it or not), and got my turkey in the oven. While it cooked, I did laundry, watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the dog show, did some writing, and reflected back on Thanksgivings from my past. It was awesome!

Finally, once everything was cooked and ready, I hauled it out to my parents' house and got to have a nice, family dinner with my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, and Kiki (my parents neurotic but lovable calico cat). We also watched home movies and played Scene-it Squabble (girls won!). It was a great time.

Friday was fairly uneventful, but I did get to see my former roommate, A. (who I miss constantly) so that was cool. Oh and I faxed my stuff back to the unemployment office again. (Hopefully this time everything is clear and I can get paid.)

Saturday, we celebrated my dad's birthday early (his actual birthday is today) by taking him to see "Megamind" (WAY good movie, btw) and eating dinner at Outback Steakhouse . Why Outback? Well, originally, we were going to go to Applebee's, but they don't have a gluten-free menu. Outback does, and has great food all around. Plus, my dad got a free Birthday sundae (and no singing or clapping, which, as someone who used to work in the food service industry, he finds to be embarrassing and degrading) so that was good. After that, I got to hang out with my friend Chin and a few other friends and we watched The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard. It is a WAY funny movie! If you haven't seen it yet, check it out.

That leads to Sunday. Sunday was another awesome day. Will's parents took us to see the Children's Ballet Theatre production of "The Nutcracker". And with that, the Christmas season officially started for me. It was awesome. Sunday night we hung out with some friends and watched "The Walking Dead," which, if you aren't familiar with it, is an amazing show on AMC. I am so into it, but there's only one episode left in the season I think! Ahh!! What will I do!?!?

Then this morning, I had an interview. An interview!! Oh, I am so excited. It's been awhile since I've had an interview, so that was amazing. Not only that, but the place is awesome! If I get the job, I will be teaching but without having to constantly fight for my job or for validation like I've had to do in the past as a music educator. Wow... that would be so awesome...

Anyway, now I am home, ready to work on some writing (even if I get this job, I'll still be doing my writing). But I also have to prepare for my second interview tomorrow. (That's right, they want me to come in for a second interview! Ahhh!!! :) haha) Also on the agenda for tomorrow... watching myself on Detroit 1-8-7! Yes, that's right: the episode that I was a part of is airing tomorrow at 10:00 pm (Eastern/Standard time) on ABC! I am SOOOO excited! If you watch Detroit 1-8-7, look for me and my car. My car is a maroon/wine colored Saturn Ion that should be in some shots and I am wearing a goldish-brown dress coat over skinny jeans and a printed shirt. Good luck spotting me! haha

Well, I think that's about it. But before I go, I'll leave you with a few new websites to check out:

Becoming Peace with Neal Arbic

Greenmi.net

Here's to a good week. :)

Peace and Love,

Meagan

Peace & Love & Follow Friday

2010-11-19T18:12:00.001-05:00

Hello all. Well, it's been a pretty interesting week. I'm learning the ropes of being poor and realizing how many things I took for granted the few times I have had money as an adult. This is good, because one day, when I do actually have money again, I will know how to make it stretch AND I will be more grateful for all of the things that I will get to do that I can't do now (like... going to the movies or being able to buy craft supplies or going to P.F. Chang's or being able to buy things with cash instead of pennies...) So yeah... it's definitely a good learning experience.

So what's been happening. Well, I have been doing a LOT of writing. Not a lot of sleeping. And I've been hanging out with friends, cuddling with Ava Boo Boo, and just living my crazy Bohemian life. :)

And the Westboro Baptist Church came to town. But not in great numbers. Apparently, there were only about 3 of them outside of East Lansing High School yesterday. (I decided not to go so as not to give them any fuel for their fire. I really do just want peace and love.)
In any case, the students showed them that we didn't need any hate coming from them in our community by doing their own peaceful counter-protest. Read more about it here: NBC News Article on WBC in East Lansing

Anyway, on to today. Well, today is Friday, and as some of you might know, Friday is "follow friday" on Twitter. So, I, like many others, having been finding new people to follow today and promoting people to follow as well. In my "follow friday" adventures, I found a lot of interesting websites to check out. Here's what I came across:

Lake Erie Artists Gallery

Located in Ohio. Seems like a neat place. Plus, I gotta represent for anything "Great Lakes." haha

Sow Peace

I get excited whenever I come across people trying to promote peace.

Enlighten Your World

I'm a follower! I can't wait to read more. It seems like there's a lot of stuff here to help people & the world.

The New Pursuit

One Life. One Planet. Live Deeply.

I am definitely interested in knowing more...

The Peace Alliance

I will definitely be spending more time on this site too. Check it out if you want peace.

Peace Love World

Clothing for people who love peace and love.

Ecstatic Peace Records

I know nothing about this site yet, but I like the idea of a record company promoting peace. So yeah... I'll have to look into it more...

Veteran's For Peace

Heroes working for peace. Awesome.

Tez Osman's Site

He appeals to me because he believes in sharing creativity, thoughts, and ideas on the web.

Jay Hampton Books

If you're looking for a new book, here's an author I came across today.

Lee Stacey

Musician / Geek / Thinker / Blogger

And these next two are not new finds, but two sites I just think you should check out. :)

Google Translate

Google offers helpful tools to communicate with people all over the world; even if they speak a different language.

PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian.com

My brand new website. All about PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian on the web & in life.

And I really don't know what else to write about. So I will leave you with all that for now. Now, if you have any great sites about peace, love, creativity, giving, writing, hippies, bohemians, etc. that you like, please share them in the comments so I can check them out too. :)

Peace and Love,

Meagan

2010-11-17T00:17:00.002-05:00

Hey... It's Alright: A Hippie Anthem by Meagan Earls

My very first upload to Youtube!! I am so excited. Please check it out and let me know what you think.Peace and Love,Meagan

Highlights of My Bohemian Weekend (Featuring Furry Friends)

2010-11-16T02:12:00.000-05:00

This weekend had a lot of good things in it. I saw a lot of friends, my sister and her new husband got back safely from their honeymoon, Tum won some pizzas for all the guys, and Will bought some groceries. Mmm... real food.

In addition to all that, I also got to go to a craft show with my mom in Mason, MI. It was a great time. She got a lot of cool stuff and even bought me a snowman! I love him. He's sitting on top of my entertainment center smiling down at me as I write.

My favorite part of the weekend though? Putting out the pumpkins from Halloween. Why? Well, because when we busted them up and put them out back, the squirrels loved them and went crazy over them! Check it out:

I LOVE SQUIRRELS!!!!

I know some people have a hard time understanding my love of squirrels and my desire to feed them (most notably, my mom) but there is just something so magical and cute about squirrels. Maybe it's the puffy tail. Or... maybe I like squirrels because they are like gypsies. Hmm....

Anyway, the other thing I did this weekend was research, write, and read. When I wasn't at the craft show or outside with the squirrels I was working. But I think it's gonna pay off. I got an interview with Wilhuff I can work with, lots of new ideas and outlines, and most impressively (maybe): a series of 12 lists on List My Five that give fun and helpful information on your birth month. If you want to check them out, just click on your birth month below:

May

June

July

And that's about it. Oh, except I forgot to tell you... I got a call from the unemployment office today. I have to call them back tomorrow. And talk about what? I don't know... maybe I just have to beg them to help me! In any case, please wish me luck! This Bohemian needs some money soon!!

Peace and Love,

Meagan

The Westboro Baptist Church Has Decided to Protest in East Lansing

2010-11-12T17:29:00.000-05:00

Yes, that's right. The Westboro Baptist Church, best known for their hate, their unwelcome attendance at military funerals, and their ridiculous need for public attention have decided to protest a high school in East Lansing, MI. Really?

Apparently, they believe that the students at East Lansing High School are horrible people because a large number of the students e-mailed WBC and told them of their disapproval of their methods, actions, and statements, especially the protesting of military funerals. Instead of taking these e-mails as constructive criticism and positive outreach (or as a wake-up call!), the WBC has decided that East Lansing High School students are, as one person apparently said, "sinners and brats." What?

Here's a article from the State News that will give you a little more information on this event:
Westboro Baptist Church to Picket East Lansing High School

So what am I going to do? Well, first of all, to all the people at WBC, I hope you know that I still love you, even if you think I'm a sinner and you don't love me. I believe that you have a right to your beliefs, even if I disagree, and I believe that you have every right to express your beliefs... but I too question your methods, actions, and statements. There is a better way to bring people to God for sure!

I am reminded Rev. Rick Boyd at First Christian Church here in Lansing. One of the times that I attended services there, he told the story of Jesus and his meeting with a woman at a well. It goes a little something like this: there's this well. A woman is there, all alone, getting water and Jesus offers her life water (not like the brand... but like, eternal life water. God stuff.) He doesn't ask her to change, he doesn't ask her to be something she is not, he simply offers her all the goodness and greatness of God with no judgement, no conditions, and no hesitation. WBC, if you are as close to God as you seem to think, you should know that the way to move people, to inspire people, and to save people is to love them as they are, without judgement and without hate. You may offer to tell them about your points of view, but you have no right to ask them to change... or to hate them if they don't.

Now I am not really a Christian, and even I am appalled by some of the things that the WBC has said and done. I can only imagine what it must feel like for someone who is a good, upstanding Christian to see this group go against the teachings of Jesus Christ so often and so aggressively. To those people, I say stand strong. Don't let this group bring down an entire culture of people who are good and true and strong in their beliefs. Love them, learn from them, and just continue to be good Christians.

As for me... I am contemplating attending as a "counter-protestor," but only if it will all be peaceful. As of right now, it seems like it might be, so maybe I'll be there. If I am, I'll be covered in peace buttons and spreading love. Maybe I'll have a sign or maybe I'll bring my ukulele and sing or something.

If you want to protest this awful behavior as much as we Lansing/East Lansing residents do but you live far away, you can still do your own protesting AND have a positive impact on society. Donate to some great causes that the WBC would probably say were... not so great. Some suggestions:

Donate to the Human Rights Campaign
Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equal Rights

Donate to Organizing for America
Developed by the Democrats to help with campaign costs. Basically... if you like Obama, and you want to show WBC what's up (since they think that he is the Anti-Christ), donate to something that could maybe put him in office for a second term. That'll show 'em!

Donate to one of the amazing charitable organizations on this list: Support Our Troops
From giving financial aid to families of service members who have been killed in action to showing your support with a yellow ribbon to learning how to send care packages and donations to both wounded soldiers and those still in action, everyone can find a way to help out here.

Check out the Three Faiths Exhibition at the New York Public Library, now until February 28, 2011.
Co-sponsored by the Coexist Foundation, "Three Faiths" will set, side by side for the first time, the New York Public Library's collection of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim manuscripts. Awesome!

While you're at it, buy the Coexist Bumper Sticker. Put it on your car or on your fridge or on your guitar case or wherever!

And I'll let you know how it all turns out.

Peace and Love,

Meagan

Uplifting Stuff (I need it!)

2010-11-12T03:11:00.000-05:00

Uplift: to improve the spiritual, social, or intellectual condition of...

Words of Wisdom:

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." -James Dean

"Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other road, no other way... no day but today." -Rent, Jonathan Larson

"I will not fear. Fear is the mind killer..." -Dune, Frank Herbert

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." -Jimi Hendrix

"Those who wish to sing always have a song." -Swedish Proverb

More Uplifting Stuff:

Uplifting Connections: This place seems awesome. Too bad I don't live around there... or even in that state. But if I ever do go there, I want to check this place out.
I really like what the owner has to say:

“Our Goal is to increase positive energy in the world - to help people feel healthy, happy, strong, and centered with more balance in their lives.”

Ellie Bassick-Trovato, UC Owner

Groovy, right?

Beliefnet is THE site for spirituality, inspiration, and faith. There's a lot of good stuff on this site.

Google search either "funny animal picture" or "funny pet picture" and enjoy what you get. They are funny, stupid, uplifting, inspiring, and so much more!

This song is AMAZING! It helps me feel better. True Believer always cheers me up too (of course). Other great ones? "No one is Alone" from Into the Woods, If I Had You (and really... anything Adam Lambert), and Get Together by The Youngbloods.

"Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now..."

I made $23.00 today selling CDs, DVDs, and old games. Money in the pocket is definitely a step in the right direction.

My Baby Boo-Boo!! It's Ava! She makes me happy and keeps me going!

Peace and Love,

Meagan

"Hippie" Books that Caught the Modern Bohemian's Eye

2010-11-11T05:09:00.000-05:00

I like to do searches every once in awhile for sites, products, and other such things that relate to hippies, bohemians, and free-spirits. This time around, I searched for hippie books and found a whole bunch that I would love to read (if only I could afford them. Sigh... maybe someday) and that maybe you might be interested in reading too. Here they are (in no particular order). If you want to know more about them and/or purchase them, simply click on the picture.

I want them all! haha Enjoy everyone.

Peace and Love,

Meagan

Living the Bohemian Life...Random Tidbits From the Past Few Days

2010-11-09T19:00:00.000-05:00

I feel like I am such a downer... even though I am grateful for what I have and I still have hope that the future will be better, right now... I just feel... down. My unemployment is being held up again. Why? I don't know. I don't know what else I need to do to convince them that I have nothing. But, oh well. If I can't get unemployment, I will just have to make money somehow myself, and more than the $30-$40 a month I make with my online writing right now. But how?
I don't know. But here's what I would like to see happen:

*More royalties from eHow.com (My average right now is $10-$30 a month...)
*Write more articles for List my Five and have them bring in at least $100 a month (this is possible, right?)
*Make more money off of my blog. (Right now, I haven't even reached the payout with my blog advertising... and the payout is only $10! After almost 2 years, I have made $7.09 off of my blog... wow...)
*Write more articles for Hubpages, Squidoo, Bukisa, and The Examiner and somehow drive lots of traffic through so I can make some real money off of them. (I've made $0.75 on Squidoo, plus some money for charity, a couple bucks on Bukisa, and a big $0 on Hubpages and The Examiner.)
*A part time job! (I AM willing to work out in the "real world" too.)
*Get paid to sing, teach, act, write, perform, inform, help, craft, create, or even babysit! I feel like I have a lot of talents that people could make use of.
*Become rich and famous and never have to worry about money again (This is probably the least likely thing on this list, but I don't want to count it out...)

We'll see how it goes...
But I have to rant a little before I continue. What is the deal with unemployment!!??!?!? I understand that there are people who cheat the system, but I am not one of those people. So why is it so hard for me to get them to help me? I just don't understand. Am I an idiot? Do I not know how to do something I'm supposed to be doing, and if so, couldn't they just TELL me, so that I could get some money to actually eat a decent meal? (The most food I've eaten in two weeks was at my sister's rehearsal dinner and wedding!) And what about a "bridge card" (food stamps)? Why am I not getting that? When I know people better off than me that have it? People who don't need it! People who have jobs, people who have people to pay for stuff for them, or students who have no cares in the world. Why do they have this help and I don't? I just don't understand...

Alright. End Rant. It won't help anything to be upset.

So let's look at the positives:

My sister got married this past weekend. Both the ceremony and the reception were amazing and my sister looked SO beautiful! She and her man B. got married at the Bridge Street Wedding Chapel in Grand Ledge, MI and then had a great reception at Walnut Hills Country Club in East Lansing, MI. It was magical. Walnut Hills even made sure that I had all gluten-free food.

Speaking of gluten-free food... the restaurant that we had the rehearsal dinner at in Grand Ledge, Cugino's, did NOT have a gluten-free menu. HOWEVER... a nice gentleman at the establishment (Chef, perhaps owner?) helped me out over the phone and in the restaurant, checking labels with me and everything, to make sure that I had a gluten-free experience. I can't tell you how grateful I was for that. So, if you are ever in Grand Ledge and are feeling hungry, please visit Cugino's. The amount of attention, respect, and compassion that they showed me makes them very deserving of some extra business. (My food was really yummy too. When I couldn't use the margarine spread or sour cream on my baked potato, we even got inventive with some cheddar cheese and real butter, and it was delish!) So yeah.. go there. Eat. And enjoy!

Other positive things...

Let's make a list:
1. Over 100 fans on Facebook for PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian. I will be having a contest soon to celebrate!
2. New friends! I have made some new friends around the web and have a lot of new followers on Twitter. Yay!
3. A donation to my blog was made by msfullroller, a blog follower of mine and a super nice person, who told me not spend the money on blog costs or charitable donations as I normally would but instead she said "Please use this for yourself." Amazing. To her I say: Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Your level of compassion for those who are struggling is inspiring.
4. Fun/Interesting/Important stuff I have found online recently and/or long ago and want to share with you:

Rusty Zipper - Vintage hippie clothes abound. I love it. Too bad I can't afford it! haha

New friend Hunter Pecunia's website: Hunter Pecunia

To Where Now - Just check it out. This is another new friend's page.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Just in case you know someone who is struggling and contemplating suicide. (Note: I am not one of these people. I may be struggling, but I'm not really into "death," so... I don't think about suicide as a way out. I thought that was important to note.)

Minecraft - Amazingly addictive simple game of building stuff with blocks. I am obsessed! haha I've built a giant castle, a "hippie den," an underground tunnel system under a theatre, and some sweet walkways and gardens. I love it. You can play for free or buy it. I play for free right now. So fun!!

Erica.biz - She seems very helpful and nice. She has some good (free) online advice.

This is not fun, but important. I found real people's stories of hard times on this Oprah forum. They made me cry. Some of them hit home pretty hard too. Check them out here: Oprah.com Community Forum

And... that's about all for now I think.

Peace and Love,
Meagan

Nothing Like Being Kicked When You're Down

2010-11-05T13:31:00.000-04:00

So Will came in this morning and said, "I have some bad news?"
"Oh no..." I thought, "the bathroom flooded again..." But that was not it.
"Unless something else happened that I'm unaware of, like someone moving it or something or... I don't know..." :::WAY LONG PAUSE::: "Someone stole your cooler."

Okay. Not the end of the world. Sure, it was a gift from my parents. Yeah, we use it for camping. And it was full of cans and bottles that still had to be returned for money. But, it's not that big of a deal. It's an object! A cooler!

So why did I start crying?

I think it's because it's not about the cooler. I mean... it sucks having my cooler stolen, but maybe whoever stole it really needed it. It WAS dirty and full of cans, so maybe they thought we didn't want it and they just really, really needed it. (That's what I would like to keep thinking.)

But if the crying didn't come from the fact that a material object of mine was gone, where did the tears come from?

Well, when he was done telling me what had happened, I said to Will: "It's okay. We can always get a new cooler," and suddenly my heart hurt, because all my financial worries flooded over me like a wave crashing against the shore, and I knew that it wasn't entirely true. I mean yes, maybe someday I will be able to buy a new cooler, but not now. Not soon. Who knows when really? So I just kind of felt like... well, like someone was kicking me when I was down! And that is not a good feeling. And so the tears came.

But here I am, a few hours later. The tears are gone, and I am only a little hurt still by my loss, but I have to remember that it IS just a cooler after all though. Even if I can't buy another one anytime soon, I have other options for hauling around food, so I just need to take advantage of those and not complain. I mean... a cooler is a luxury anyway, right?

So instead of lamenting the loss of my big, plastic, insulated box with wheels... I am going to be grateful that they only stole my cooler. They could have broken into my car. They didn't. They could have stolen Tum's bike. They didn't. They could have broken into the house. They didn't. All they did was take a cooler (that maybe they really needed.) So I am grateful.

And as I am grateful, I want to send some positivity out in the world to give back a little. So first of all, I have a great site to share with you: New Age Journey. This is a great site, full of positivity and helpfulness. Click on ABOUT to read about Greta, and allow her and her positive outlook, her great sense of self, and her dedication to influencing the future in a good way, inspire you too. She inspired me. While I was down about my cooler, I read this:

"So then I finally realized through my experiences that I can not change the past but only influence the future. Whatever life throws at you it’s how you handle it that counts. I am grateful for each day and every day is a new day." -Greta, New Age Journey

I think sometimes it helps just to be reminded...

So since I can't change the fact that my cooler has been stolen, I can at least change my reaction to it. No more tears, no more fears (Fear IS the mind killer), and no more feeling sorry for myself. I mean, how can I feel sorry for myself when there are people in this country and around the world who have never even SEEN something like a cooler, let alone had one to be stolen. So, instead of feeling sorry for me, I decided to be grateful, and try to offer some hope to them.

So I made the rounds to all my free donation sites that I love so much ( by the way, if you want to donate as well, the banners are at the top of the blog) and I sat down to write my blog, with the hopes that I can somehow inspire you all to be grateful and go out and do some good in the world... even if you too are feeling "kicked when you're down."

Have Hope. Be Strong. Be Grateful. And know that you are not alone.

Peace and Love,
Meagan

PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian is Getting Read Around the World!

2010-11-04T08:48:00.005-04:00

Visitor Demographics for

PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian...

United States 78.0%

United Kingdom 9.0%

Romania 3.0%

Denmark 2.8%

Russia 2.0%

Canada 1.5%

Brazil 1.1%

Australia 1.0%

South Korea 0.5%

France 0.1%

Apparently, PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian
is read in all sorts of places around the world.

This cheers me up a little, knowing that I really
can reach the world... little by little.

I will say, I am surprised at how low Canada
is on this list. Where all my Canadians at?

You all live right next door! haha

Just playin' Canada.
But seriously, let's see if we can spread
this Modern Bohemian love a little further.

I'd like to see a few more countries on this list. :)
Like Germany... where's Germany!?!?!

Ich liebe dich, Deutschland!
Kommen Sie zu meinem blog! Bitte!

What about Italy?
Visita il mio blog! Per favore. :)
(I hope I said all that right! haha)

Keep it coming world.
And I will keep sharing with you.

And together we can spread
peace and love and understanding
and show that all people,

from all walks of life,
from all over the world,
CAN come together as a community;
in peace.

Peace and Love,

Meagan

P.S. - Here are some helpful resources
if you want to be a world traveler...
or at least feel like one. :)

And/or for if you just want to
connect with other people around the world,
like I am apparently doing with

my little blog here! haha Enjoy:

World Travel and Tourism Council

Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips

New Concise World Atlas

Rick Steves' French, Italian and German Phrase Book

Google Translate

Top 5 English Words and Phrases to Learn in French

Top 5 English Words and Phrases to Learn in Spanish

Top 5 English Words and Phrases to Learn in German

Top 5 English Words and Phrases to Learn in Italian

The World's Best Eco-Lodges: Earth-Friendly Hotels

PonchoMeg's Guide to Everything Michigan

The Essential Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide

The Downsides of a Bohemian Lifestyle

2010-11-03T19:12:00.000-04:00

I love my life. I love my lifestyle. And really, I like pretty much everything exactly the way it is. But there are downsides to the Bohemian life.

The biggest downside? No money. Financially, I am wrecked. I'm in debt from college (yay for that degree I'm NOT using...), I have credit card debt, and I owe my family and friends money. It feels crummy. I have the dream, of course, that someday my artistic talents or my performing or my writing skills will give me the big break I need to make tons of money, and then I will pay off all my debt, buy stuff for everyone I love, travel the world, and donate time and money and resources to charities all over. Will that happen? The rational side of me (yes, I DO have one...) says "Don't bet on it." It's unlikely for someone like me to have massive success. With that being said though, the dreamer in me keeps saying "Anything is possible." So I keep on going...

But it's hard NOT to stress about money. Especially when you only have $1.44 in your bank account and no idea when more money will be coming your way (as is the case with me right now). And when there is little to no food you can eat in your house (as is also the case with me right now). And when you owe friends money and you feel like you can't see them because it is just too embarrassing (as is also the case... well, you get the picture...)

But having no money is just one downside. There's also this whole thing of people not really respecting me and my life choices. Now, part of me... doesn't care. Let people think what they want. If they don't like it, they don't like it. I will still love them, but I don't want to change just to please them. But this is a hard road, this road of "I don't care." Because part of me does care. I mean, who doesn't want their parents to be proud of them? Who doesn't want people talking about their successes... instead of always talking about their failures? And who doesn't want respect? I want respect. I want success. And I want to make my friends and family proud of who I am and what I do.

But maybe for now that is a battle I must lose... I don't want to change who I am, compromise my beliefs, and work some 9-5 office or factory job just to please everyone else. I can't. It's not me.
So instead it remains a big downside for me.

Final downside? I feel like there's not a lot I can do to change the things that I actually DO need to change. Every time I try... I get screwed. Example: Tried to get food stamps. They called me while I was on Mackinac Island and couldn't talk, and now they just can't seem to find time for me.
I was finally getting unemployment. I worked one day on Detroit 1-8-7 and suddenly they say I may not qualify for unemployment anymore! I have no part time OR full time work and $1.44 in my bank account! How can I NOT qualify? So I start to feel like the world is out to get me. Like I am looked down upon. And like because I don't know how to "work the system," that I will continue to get screwed. It sucks. I've worked since I was 14 years old and I just want help. Is it so hard to help people? Maybe for some people it is...

Sorry to be so down. But if I am going to represent my life honestly, I need to talk about the bad stuff too. Maybe I am just thinking about it a lot because I just used my last bit of money on rent, our bathroom flooded today, and I'm hungry. But while it was on my mind, I figured I would share. Maybe some of you out there feel like you're in the same (sinking) boat. And maybe if you are out there, we can help each other to reach the shore. :)

Peace and Love,
Meagan

My Homemade Halloween Costume

2010-11-02T00:25:00.002-04:00

Take some old clothes, rip them up some more, apply red paint and smear with hands, take outside and rub in the dirt, shake out, dirty them up more with some bronzer, and then put them on. And do wild hair and "make up." And then you have my costume. That is pretty much exactly how it came together. The idea was zombie, but it definitely turned into Zombie Killer. I looked pretty badass. I think. haha What do you think?

Too bad that I didn't have The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead (I have a friend who has it. Reads it. Maybe even lives
by it! haha) But from the looks of me, I didn't need it. I was definitely channeling the "kick-butt chick" in the movies who gets battered and bruised and beat up and abused... and comes out stronger and deadlier than she started.
I liked the power of it. Makes me want to keep working out! haha

Did anyone else make some homemade costumes or dress up at all for Halloween? Please share if you did!

Peace and Love,
Meagan
The Zombie Killer

PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian's Great Glorious Gluten-Free Day!

2010-10-30T18:01:00.000-04:00

Every day is filled with gluten-free food for me, but some days, I get super excited... because some days I discover new, delicious, gluten-free food and I don't feel so restricted anymore! It's the feeling of freedom. Of pure joy!

Okay... I know I sound a little overly dramatic, but you have to understand... I ate food with gluten in it for 25 years! And food, just like music, clothing, art, movies, etc., brings with it special memories, feelings, and traditions for me.

For example, Fall weather is perfect for cider and donuts. Except traditional donuts are like Gluten Monsters; filled with gluten and ready to sicken. ( But oh so tasty. ) I can't eat those! And gluten-free donuts? Just not quite the same... at least, I haven't found any as tasty as the Gluten Monsters out at the Cider Mill. I haven't found any that even come close! So disappointment sets in. Cider and donuts is a part of family tradition. So I'm left out a little, and it makes me sad.

But yesterday, that DIDN'T happen. And we were kind of afraid it would. I'll explain.

Will and his family took me with them to Frankenmuth yesterday and we went to the Bavarian Inn for an early dinner. Now, at Bavarian Inn, you can get an amazing family style meal to share, but of course, it is filled with gluten. You must imagine my joy then at discovering that the Bavarian Inn has a fairly extensive gluten-free menu that includes salads, beer, wine, at least 5 entrees including chicken, fish, and steak, and even dessert! I was thrilled! I was able to celebrate a special event (Will's uncle's birthday) with people I care about and not feel left out (or hungry!). I also got to enjoy the awesome atmosphere of the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth, Michigan, one of my FAVORITE places to go in the Fall. But it gets even better.

Later that night when Will and I were back home, I tried Ian's Wheat Free, Gluten Free Cookie Buttons (Chocolate Chip). Will's mom bought them for me, but I was hesitant to try them because I have had a LOT of bad, packaged, gluten-free cookies. But I tried them. And WOW they are amazing! I mean... they are really yummy AND gluten-free AND they are really not that bad for you! Really! One bag is less than 150 calories (and for people on Weight Watchers, I saw somewhere online that it was only 2 points. But don't quote me on that, I only saw it at one source. You may want to research it yourself.)

How exciting is that? Two gluten-free moments of pure happiness and satisfaction! What a great, glorious, gluten-free day.

While we are on the gluten free subject, here are a few gluten-free lists I've published on List My 5:

The Top Five Gluten Free Recipes for Thanksgiving

The Top Five Foods for a Gluten Free Thanksgiving

The Top Five Gluten Free Candies for Halloween or Anytime

The Top Five Somewhat Healthy But Yummy Gluten Free Snack Foods

If you had a great, glorious, gluten-free day where you discovered and enjoyed something new, please share it! Leave a comment. :)

Peace and Love,
Meagan

Trick or Treat for Unicef

2010-10-28T12:38:00.000-04:00

Trick or Treating is such a fun activity for kids and parents to do together. But did you know that you can have fun and raise money for a great cause all at once? For 60 years, children and their families have been "trick or treating for Unicef," and making a huge difference. If you haven't yet, your chance to start is now. Just head into Toys"R"Us or Babies"R"Us between now and October 30, 2010 and pick up a collection box for Unicef at the Guest Services desk. Then take it door to door with you as you trick or treat and ask people to donate their pocket change to Unicef. (Also, check out the website to see how else you can help, even if you don't have kids!)

Why do this?

Well, first of all, Unicef is a worthwhile charitable organization to raise money for, as they do work to help children around the world. Money donated to Unicef goes towards research, education, disease prevention, family support systems, child protection, AIDS/HIV relief efforts, and so much more.

Plus, many of our world's problems could be solved if we solved them earlier in life. By helping children around the world, we are preparing the world for a better future with fewer problems.

And think about the message that you are sending to your own children at an early age. Teaching your children to help others who are less fortunate than they are is so important for their development, and this is a great way to do it because it's fun, you will be able to see the results of your hard work, and the best part: you're helping children! Children helping children is so important because it helps them to see that people who are their "peers," and perhaps considered their "equals," can still be in need of assistance and it shows them that it's okay to reach out.

So please, this Halloween, think about doing some trick or treating for Unicef!

Peace and Love,
Meagan

Oh Life... oh ever changing life...

2010-10-28T01:38:00.000-04:00

This has been, and continues to be, a time of interesting highs and lows for the Modern Bohemian.

We'll start with the lows...

I've been sick, and it worries me. (See earlier post)
A friend's father just died
I don't have enough money to pay my rent
I can't seem to be able to get even a part time job out in the "real world" (only online)
and the State wants to cut back on and/or take away my unemployment benefits... which I've received for less than a month.
Etc. etc. etc.
Boo.

But then there are the high notes! The happy points! The exciting moments! Including:
Getting hired to be the Lansing Electronic Music Examiner on Examiner.com. (Check out my first article with them here: "Macs Bar supports electronic music in Lansing")
Getting my article, The Top Five Zoos in Michigan, featured on the front page of List My 5.
Getting more followers on Twitter
Getting approved as an affiliate for and and
and seeing Wilhuff succeed in the online, social networking world.

But where's the in between? I can't go through life like I'm on a rollercoaster; up and down, up and down! Sometimes I need some in between.
The ideal ratio would be 70% good things (the highs), 10% bad things (the lows... you know, so that I can still appreciate the highs), and 20% in between (in between. Neither bad, nor good, just a normal, smooth sailing kind of boring regularity that sometimes help to keep a person sane.)

For now, I probably just have to deal with the rollercoaster ride. Maybe eventually the good things (like, my writing) can help with the bad things (like... my lack of money), but until then, I just have to keep trying my best and plugging away and working hard to survive and keep hope alive...

Peace and Love,
Meagan