What's Next?

A Novel Project

2011-04-27T16:08:00.000-07:00

Every now and again I overhear people discussing potential projects they want to take on. They feel as though they need to begin something new and completely separate from their every day schedule and life to make life more meaningful...
Or something like that.

I have had a project in my mind for almost a year now. I keep telling myself I will not only start it soon, but that I will have it complete by June 2012. However, the advantage I have is that I will be completing this project with a group. Landmark Education's Team Management and Leadership Program (better known as TMLP or Team) will be my backbone and support.

Landmark is an education that provides its participants with tools and techniques to live an extraordinary life. Somewhere along the road an incident occurs where life begins to control us and our actions. What a lame and totally uninviting reality to live into. Our other big problem? We let our past dictate our future, something that does not exist. Landmark helps you work through all that and opens the opportunity to become the author to your own life again.

Video Introduction to Landmark Education

Anyways, I am a Landmark alumni. I completed the course when I was 9, then again at 16 and then again at 19. I have also taken two of their seminars, completed the Curriculum for Living and completed the Communication Curriculum. June 3, 2011 will begin my first official day into Team.

One of the biggest advantages of taking Team is being able to create a project that is both manageable and feasible to complete within the year. My project? To write a book, hence a novel project. I have two book ideas in my head and I am eager to start.

My book ideas are meant to have a purpose and create a global phenomena where people are no longer judged by titles, labels, race or gender. One book creation is meant to bring peace and serenity to the world. The other, a more fun and playful read, is meant to create wisdom and healthy steps for children, parents and nannies to grow together.

No more war. No more ignorance.

I encourage you to sit down in a quiet space. Take out a timer and give yourself 3 minutes. Take out a piece of paper and pen and don't stop writing. Write as many ideas as you have for projects, a bucket list, etc. At the end of the 3 minutes, look over your list and choose your favorite. Start your project today. Tomorrow is never guaranteed and all we have to live for is right now.

Share with me your project ideas, hurdles and obstacles, helpful hints and ideas and your overall journey with your project.

Good luck!

M.I.A.

2011-04-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

Me In Action

Made by Sydney Grossman

Yes, that's right. It has been a while since my last blog post (hence me now being in action) and it's time to have a catch up post.

I don't know where to begin and I am worried that all I want to share will wind up sounding scatterbrained. Hopefully, I will keep my paragraphs short and to the point. So grab your glasses, cozy up with your comfort drink...
and read along!

CSUN: When I was accepted several months ago, everything changed. I not only was excited to be going to a 4-year university, but I realized how much I love learning, education and my classes. I became aware of how in touch I have been with my studies. I quickly began to realize that I have had the very good fortune of being in classes at Pierce College with some extraordinary professors. No joke. It's because of 3 people that I am where I am today scholastically. Because of them, I have chosen to aim to get my doctorate in English. My dream is to write novels that will affect parents, children, students, teachers, politicians, etc in making our world a better place. I want to expand horizons, broaden perspectives and opinions and create a world that lives in peace. Now going back to my excitement about CSUN— I have registered my last lower division general education class for the summer, I have chosen my major and minor, I have had my advisement meeting with my advisor and I am underway with planning the classes I need for the fall semester. Folks, I am ready to take on my classes and I am aiming to graduate in May. Ahh!

WEIGHT LOSS: When I first started my journey almost four months ago, I didn't expect to see results so fast. I knew that it would be good for my overall health to start working out with a trainer four times a week and be conscience about what I am eating, but I figured that I would need a year to see results and change. NOPE! What I have learned, is the number on the scale is not as significant as we (society) makes it to be. How do you feel in your body? How are you enjoying the way your clothes fit and look on you? That is what matters. Furthermore, with four months into my training and nutrition, I have lost 16 pounds and I have gained a toned and muscle-y body. Cheers!

LOVE: What's a blog post about being in action and happy without a note regarding love? Could my relationship be any better? April 13 marked the two year anniversary of my relationship with my girlfriend. Really unaware that so much time has gone by, I couldn't be happier. We are healthy, young and happy. We are committed, funny and still cutesy-romantically-mushy in love with each other. We have vacations planned, birthdays to celebrate and our relationship to each others families are stronger than ever. I love...love. And, I love Brit. Kisses!

PIERCE: Last, but certainly not least, my right now. I have made Dean's List for last semester and will make it again this semester. Besides my academic struggles my whole life, what I learned about making Dean's list is that it goes on my permanent academic record. I have worked so hard, struggles and jumped over obstacles and have failed so many times with school. With having to overcome a learning disability, I have paved my way to a successful scholastic future. It's very exciting to be self-motivated, self-encouraged and proud of myself in where I am now and where I am headed. Hallelujah!

That's all for now folks. I look forward to and hope you comment and tell me what has been exciting and good in your life. Everything counts. Nothing is too small to be acknowledged. Plus, once you start your list, you'll notice how quickly it grows. Just by putting in the universe all you have accomplished, will cause you to be even more in action and encourage you to live a life you love.

Production Day

2011-03-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

Tuesday's are the infamous deadline day. The newsroom is full of editors, reporters, photographers and our advisers. It's not easy, that's for sure, but it's rewarding.

After recent changes, the overall production of the paper seems to be moving forward slightly faster. All very good news. It comes down to keeping the mood in the room light and fun while maintaining integrity to finishing the pages.

With only two hours away from deadline, one page is left to be completed. I'm impressed with everyone. We constantly give shout-outs to one another, but everyone pulls their own weight and comes together to produce a piece of work that we can all be proud of.

As we get older, it seems that working together and this idea of a team is harder to construct and maintain. Somewhere along the road between being a kid and becoming an adult, a new mentally is born. People become needy and make everything about them. That shouldn't be the reality we live into. That's only not powerful, but no one will be enrolled in what you have going on in your life.

Including others and learning to remain flexible and calm are key. Listening and hearing are just as important, if not the most important. For every one person, there can be a handful of meanings to one statement.

Take the time to make sure the people around you have been heard. Take the time to listen and ask what more you can do. Take on the role of leadership and create leaders around you. Operate as a whole and not as individuals each trying to succeed. Have one goal in mind and don't be afraid to fail.

"Trying is having the intent to fail. You have to say 'just do it.'" — I Love You, Man

Behind Closed Doors

2011-03-03T16:13:00.000-08:00

Well, I came to realize that in a school with more than 22,000 students plus faculty and staff, students outside of the Media Arts Department do not have an understanding of what goes on behind the closed doors of the newsroom.

First, I want to reiterate a very important fact that an advisor to the Roundup continuously points out to staff members at Pierce College. The paper is 100 percent student-run. This means that the stories and photographs are chosen by student editors and the professors/advisors have no editing rights until after the issue comes to print.

So...
before people go off on spelling errors, grammar malfunctions and the once-in-a-while-not-so-good-photo, I would like them to be on a deadline for one semester with multiple stories due within a two to three day turn around, have their work corrected by peers and then produce a print publication.

Our paper consists of five section editors (news, opinion, arts and entertainment, features and sports) as well as a photographer editor, online editor, multimedia editor and of course the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor (me).

We meet as a group every Monday and Wednesday morning for an hour and a half where we discuss editorial ideas, stories that will be published on print versus online and where we can work on our column writing abilities.

We run a business here. These are jobs for us (non-paid) and we work hard. However, the paper would not be deemed a success without the help of the students in Journalism 202 (reporters), Journalism 218 (senior staff reporters), Photo 20 and Photo 21 (photographers). These students are the ones who choose to be in a class where they are graded on writing a minimum of 250 inches (35 words = 1 inch) or who need to be turning in different style photographs weekly.

That's the business side of it all. Monday and Tuesday are usually the days most editors designate to be production day. We use a program that lays out what a newspaper page looks like and we, the editors, can plays headlines, stories and photos.

Our first issue of the semester came out in print yesterday, March 2. Not only did we finish earlier then most weeks of last semester, it was a good issue. Solid photographs, good story content and a wide range of reporters had their stories in print.

The paper is out on news stands all over the Pierce campus and I encourage you to pick one up, follow us on Twitter @Roundupnews, and/or visit our website, http://www.therounduponline.net/.

Please lead me your feedback! Enjoy!

Social Media, Social Networking, Social Butterfly

2011-02-22T13:36:00.000-08:00

It is not very often that students have the opportunity to meet and speak with one of Time's most influential people. Arianna Huffington is someone to admire and be inspired by. She is a person who exudes intelligence, humor, and sincerity.

I was fortunate enough to see her speak at the Valley Performing Art Center at CSUN this past weekend. Talk about inspirational and motivational...
My generation is both very lucky and at a slight disadvantage with the technological advances that have been made. First, let's speak about the luck we have. Social networking and social media is a gift. We are able to communicate with friends, alliances, co-workers, family members, etc from across the world. It's been an incredible invention. But what's more, we are getting news updates instantly. Whether the information is found online, our smart phones or with Twitter updates, news can be viewed in so many different lights.

Being a journalism major is scary though. As much as I love using the internet to find out what's new and breaking, I'm in love with print. The smell of the paper, the ink on your hands...picking up the paper in the morning is a part of daily schedules. There is no guarantee that print will survive forever. And I do love updating news feeds via Twitter and the paper's website, but there is such an enthusiasm and thrill seeing your byline in print.

That now leads to the disadvantage. But aside from print slowly moving to the backseat, and that goes for newspapers, books and magazines, there's a bigger problem. People are now having to learn to disconnect from technology. Arianna said it best when she informed her audience on the importance of NOT keeping cell phones, lap tops and other tech-y stuff charging next to the bed. It distracts us from sleep, our loved ones and being present to life!

She continued to say that the next new invention that needs to be created soon is a button, an e-tool of some sorts. This button allows for complete disconnect from technology and submerges the individual into being with whoever and whatever is present. It's brilliant and very much needed.

To conclude with a solid point, the ease and ability to network and reach out to millions of people is remarkable. It's a privilege and it's fun. There is no limit to finding information and learning. We, humanity, are constantly growing and discovering. The word "no" is now just another stepping stone to getting to that successful platform. There is no time limit on making a difference in this world. There is no age limit on how successful you can be. Take charge of life now and cause a change.

What's getting in your way? What legacy are you going to leave behind?
Ready, set, go!
Cheers!

Back to School

2011-02-16T15:29:00.000-08:00

A new semester means a new start. No "F" has been given out yet, no big tests to stress about, and new people to meet. This semester though, feels different than all the rest. Why? I know that I wont be at my community college anymore. Don't get me wrong, Pierce College has provided me with such incredible opportunities and has given me some of the most special and memorable professors. But, it's time for a change. It's time for me to go to "big kid" school...
It's time for CSUN. Not to mention I have been waiting one full year to get accepted.

With budget cuts running rampant through the California universities, I have been denied twice. Budget cuts caused CSUN to close the option of spring transfers (and has been lifted in recent months). Thus, this pushed my acceptance to fall 2011. Knowing what I know now however, I am happy with the way things worked out.

Being at Pierce, I was able to join the media arts department and was given a voice. I joined the Roundup, the student-run newspaper, as a reporter, Features Editor and currently, Managing Editor. I was able to form friendships with my advisors and several other professors who saw me as more than just a name in a roll book. I was a student with a bright future. Because of them, I get to live powerfully into my future.

...Not to mention (and to brag) I have been awarded three 1st place awards, two 2nd place awards and an honorable mention through the journalism department for my writing. It's exciting and causes me to want to do more and to do better! That's good! Very good! That is what education should be like for students everywhere.

So here is to another semester. A semester full of success and happy memories. To my last few months as a student of Pierce College. Ready, set, go!

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T13:09:00.000-08:00

Today is here and there is no escaping it. I remember a time when I hated this holiday. I never got to walk around my school's hall with a teddy bear and box of flowers. I wanted to pretend to be embarrassed by all the cards and balloons, but no such luck. Therefore, I hated Valentine's Day.

My, my, my how things have changed. Being in love...
can do that to you. But first, my love for this holiday did change before I was in a loving and committed relationship. It changed in 8th grade when my best friend (who I had met only five months prior to February 14) and I decided to be each other's Valentine. It lasted until our senior year of high school.

This year has been a fun year to plan. It started off with a one day wine tour in Temecula. It was beautiful and fun! We toured three wineries in a bright yellow jeep where we had six tastings at each place. At the first winery, I tried a red port! Mmmmmmmm. Talk about tasty! The day was beautiful too!

For lunch, Brit and I shared a margarita pizza and a pear and gorgonzola salad with spinach leaves. We bought a beautiful bottle of Mascart white wine with a box of dark chocolate squares. It all just melted in your mouth. The barrel room we saw was dark and romantic. The whole package was perfect.

Next on our list of Valentine activities was a family adventure out to Burbank where we saw Cavalia. Imagine cirque du soleil with horses. I sat at the edge of my seat with my jaw open. It was spectacular. It was held in a castle-like tent and the horses were magical.

Finally, our fun runs out today with a nice dinner and movie date. Tonight will be fun! But before we get to tonight, yesterday Brit and I exchanged gifts. I gave her a 12 month calendar using photos of me from a photo shoot. She was in shock. (A nice ego boost for me!) She took me to Lake Balboa for a sushi lunch picnic. Another beautiful day of perfect weather.

Valentine's Day is here again and I couldn't be happier. Be mine forever Brit!

No Strings Attached

2011-01-31T15:51:00.000-08:00

It's a phrase many of us have heard as we grow and try new relationships, and now, it's become a blockbuster hit starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman. Before I go on, let me say that I loved the movie for many different reasons. It was witty, smart, edgy and fun. It's a love story and one that I thought could have been mine several years ago.

In high school, I was sure that one of my guy friends, a best friend really, would be the one. I was sure that somehow I could win him over. He was cute, funny and new me better then most people. Not only did he open up with me and allow himself to be vulnerable with me but he let me in to his life. His mom and dad and little brothers are now apart of my life. They are my second family.

I thought that if I could become a part of his life that he would want me. I was willing to do just about anything for this boy. I even thought that having a relationship with no strings attached would work. I would win him over with my charm and the intimacy. It would make him realize who I am and how lucky he could be.

Without giving too much away about the movie, let me just say that NSA rarely works. It could work for a while, maybe could even be ideal for some people who live hectic lives, but for people looking for passion, commitment and love, it's a big no no! I think the biggest lesson I learned from him and from growing up, is that for both girls and guys, having sex can be one thing, but to use it as a means to make someone like you or thinking it will better yourself is silly.

Sex makes things complicated. It is important in any relationship. Chemistry needs to exist so that the spark never dies, but it isn't everything. Communication, trust and honesty are just as important. And by the way, yes this blog is meant for me to fully self express my thoughts, but I also hope to inspire you to learn and view things in a different light.

Moving forward...

Go figure that...
five years later I am in a a beautiful relationship, it's with a girl and I couldn't be happier. In a fantasy world, having a carefree and burden-free relationship could sound like fun, but lacks so much.

Not only have I grown up from who I was when I was 14, 15 and 16, but that boy has become so much more to me. He is my best friend. Although my heart was broken throughout high school with relation to him, he really did me a huge favor. He has given me the realization that I am worth being loved.

You know who you are. I hope when you read this that you not only hear my acknowledgment but also realize that because of you and because of our past, you have given me a gift. I wish for you the happiest life full of love, laughter and dreams fulfilled. You are a great man. I have loved the last eight years of our friendship and I am looking forward to the next 80 years together. I love you.

Teachers, Mentors, Friends

2011-01-20T00:22:00.000-08:00

What matters?

We think of life as being this long road or journey. The truth of the matter is, life is pretty short for us. We live to be 60...70...80...90...and for some, more than 100. But in relation to how long human kind has been in existence, our life span is very short.

How do you make your life count? How do you choose which path to go down? What legacy are you going to leave behind?

For me, a big part of who I am is those who have helped me along my way. Although my family means everything to me and everyone in my family has been my biggest support, this post goes out to some memorable, mentionable and extraordinary human beings.

1. Dr. Richard Follett
My English professor for two semesters and confidant. He is both remarkable and kind, bright and wise, charming and brilliant. My life has changed since I have met him. I write because of him. I want my Ph.D. in education so I can teach and share the knowledge I have gained with the hopes of inspiring at least one other person.

2. Professor Stefanie Frith
It's not every day that you find yourself in a classroom with a teacher so excited to be there that they want their students to visit. Yes, visit. Stefanie is the type of professor who encourages her students to stop by her office just to talk. She is interested. With a young teacher who is motivated and always has a spring in her step, it's hard not to want to succeed.

3. Michal Marks
Since I was 12 years old, Michal has been in my life. Truth, honesty, charisma and intelligence are only a few of the many words that come to mind when I think of her. She pushes her students and friends to raise the bar, shoot for the moon and has no doubt in her mind that any of her pupils will fall short of their dreams.

Teachers are underrated, underpaid and overlooked. Make every day count and never be afraid or modest to use the words love and thanks. Saying I love you and thank you are never overrated.

Who are you grateful for? Who inspires you?

NEW UPDATE: An acronym...
A

T thoughtful, teaches, tough love
E energizing, eager, excellent
A amazing, artists, actors on stage
C charming, cheerful, chatty
H humble, happy, honest
E empathetic, eager, evolved
R radiant, radical, resilient

A

F fabulous, fearless, forward
R rambunctious, relentless, ready
I intriguing, intricate, intelligent
E ecstatic, elated, enchanting
N nice, nurturing, noble
D divine, delightful, daring

Better to Love...

2011-01-19T00:07:00.000-08:00

And so the saying goes, "it is better to have loved then to never have loved at all."

He is 19 years old, recently heartbroken, but still very much in love. Here is the kicker, his ex-girlfriend was my best friend and 'he' is my younger brother. Let me explain...

Since the first day of 8th grade, A and I have been joint at the hip. We stood by each other all through high school and maintained a close relationship while I was 10,000 miles away in Israel for one year. When I came back home, we went out clubbing together, had sushi dates, etc. We were always there for each other.

Traveling back in time again, for my 15th birthday my parents took me to Mexico. It was my family and A. It was fun! The weather was beautiful and there is nothing like making memories with a friend, especially when you are abroad!

The day my family and I came home, my brother (the one who is currently 19 was 13) told me that he had a secret and I couldn't tell anyone. The secret was that A and he had kissed. They waited until I was asleep and hooked up behind my back.

Fine. I let it go. Fast forward to a year ago. I have been home for a few months and A and I are back to our nights out and sleepovers. I remember waking up in the middle of the night and she wasn't next to me. Early the next morning, she comes walking back into my bed in my brothers t-shirt.

She had slept with my brother. Next thing I know I...
am browsing my Facebook and my news feed refreshes. It says the following: Eric is now in a relationship with A.

So in case you are confused, here is what happened. They kissed. They &^@%$#. They dated. All behind my back. I still stood by both of them. One, he is my flesh and blood and I will love my brother unconditionally. Two, she's my everything. It wasn't about my best friend dating my brother, I just wanted to be included.

Things weren't the same and still aren't. For better or for worse. Eric has become vulnerable and softer. He loves love and checks in with me every week or so just to say hi. That's different, but I love it. A and I have had a few hang-out sessions but the chit-chat was table-talk. We spoke about school, shoes and dipped our pinky toes into the relationships we are in. But honestly, there is only so much I want to hear about my brother intimately.

It was hard. But what hurt me the most was the secrecy. I am not one to get in the way of people liking each other. That's absurd. If the two of them were honest with me, I would have been on board the whole way. For my brother to date a friend of mine could have been fun. Regardless, I showed up for them. Or I'd like to think I did.

January 1, 2011 they broke up. How did I find out? My dad-- not her and not him. Still, I called them both. Eric was sweet and sad. He appreciated the call and has reached out to me since then. Two weeks later, and still not a word from A.

So now to the point of this blog. It is better to have loved then to never have loved at all. For Eric to have been in love is a gift. For me to have had an 8 year-long friendship is also a gift. I would rather have had to go through the many obstacles to learn important lessons on communication, honesty and brevity than never have the experience.

Eric-- I love you. I tell you every time I speak with you and I will never stop. You are my little brother and yet you are growing up very fast. Sometimes I fear that you feel that you have to live in my shadow. I don't know what that feels like for you, but for most of my life I have lived in yours. And I mean that in the nicest of ways. You are bright and smart, creative and innovative, creative and artistic. You have taught me to persevere when times are hard and to love myself and who I am even if others don't.

A-- I love you, too. You know me better then most people in this world. You know how to approach me and how to peel the layers away without overstepping any boundaries. I want you to know that I miss you and that I wish you the best of luck with your last semester of undergrad. I wish you success and happiness--for yourself-- not for your family.

...Better to love...

A New Meaning to Mars...Bruno Mars

2011-01-17T19:46:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but there are definite times in life where I like to believe that my life is indeed a movie. It has drama, a rich story line, friends, love, family, heartache, happiness, sadness...You name it and I have it.

In those cinematic moments, there seems to always be a new single or a break-out artist. It just so happens that the music fits my life in the moment and I attach my emotional and mental being to the song(s).

It's happened again.

But before you decide this post isn't worth reading anymore, thinking that I'm just another blogger talking about music, hear me out (no pun intended). I love to sing, listen to the radio and blast music in the car. I am easy-going when it comes to music and genres. I enjoy it all. No, not because I have no opinions and would rather say yes to all music. Each artist has created a life for him or her and they openly share their life with the world.

To some people, that may sound fun and great. To others, opening up can be scary. I love all music because there is a story behind every song. There is meaning and depth, and millions of people can connect to the same lyric. It's a gift.

For me, I feel as though I woke up recently and Bruno Mars has surfaced over night. He hasn't, but he is all I hear and he is all I want to hear. I have downloaded his first album (yes, legally) and I don't want to stop.

Sure, some of the lyrics talk about love, but in his voice you hear the passion radiating. He sucks you into a new realm where it seems as though anything is possible. He makes me believe that all the fairy tale dreams I have ever had about love and marriage can be real.

Bruno, if you ever read this, thank you. I hope you continue to share your music and hope that your passion and love can someday create a beautiful world where war no longer exists. You are real and I wish you the best.

Grenade

Just The Way You Are

Marry You
(This one is Glee's edition, but I heard it here first. Props to the Glee Cast and Bruno Mars!)

A Mother-Daughter Kind of Thang

2011-01-12T21:57:00.000-08:00

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Before I get to the news that made my day/week/year/life let me give you some context. For those of you who are my new followers and for those of you who don't know me too well, writing used to be a terrifying assignment for me. I was never taught how to write well. Year after year my teachers taught the same thing.

Object. Subject. Verb.

No one taught me how to write in a structure that would help all my thoughts be focused. My parents and teachers all said the same thing to me. "You have great ideas, but your paper is very scattered."

Fast forward to yesterday. My mom is going back to school to earn her Ph.D. She had a midterm paper due today for a Freud class she is taking. This is the email I received yesterday:

Hi!

I finally finished my midterm and thought you might be willing to give it a look and let me know if there's anymore editing I should do. It's supposed to be 3-5 pages and highlight some of the ideas we've touched on this quarter in Freud with our case material. It is supposed to show that we understand the concepts we are learning about.

I'd love your feedback before I print it tonight, otherwise, we can talk about it another time, and I'll print it anyways. I don't think I can look at it anymore (I'm smiling).

I love you,

Briar

OKAY! First, she signed it Briar. That's her name but to me she is Mommy. That made me laugh. Anyways, the real miracle here is that she came to me for help. After I was done editing her paper we spoke on the phone. When we were done she said she was "grateful for my editorial mind."

Life really doesn't get any better for a mother-daughter relationship when your mom turns to you for help when in the past it was the biggest hurdle for the both of us; Me with writing the assignment and her staying up past midnight to help me edit it (a.k.a. redoing the paper).

That's all for now folks!

My Dad, My Hero

2011-01-12T18:44:00.000-08:00

Enough about me for a moment. This is a video clip about my dad and Ted Williams. For those of you who do not know, Ted Williams is the man with a "golden voice" who has recently been discovered. He is a treasure, but has been living on the streets for several years. My dad is a well-known dentist and saw Ted so he could help restructure his mouth. Here is the clip.

My dad is an extraordinary man by every definition of the word. In fact, tonight at 7 p.m. pacific time my dad will be on Entertainment Tonight, Channel 2.

Enjoy!

Chef BoyarMEE

2011-01-12T00:33:00.000-08:00

Sticking with this new theme of healthy living and weight loss, I have decided to fall in love with cooking thanks to David, Joe, and Jen. Who you ask? David, as in David Tutera party planner/wedding planner galore; Joe, as in Trader Joe's (YUM); Jen, as in Jennifer Hudson, the newest spokesman for Weight Watchers.

Now for those of you who don't know me, I am not a cook. That doesn't mean I'm a bad cook though, because I'm not, it's just that I enjoy eating out and having sushi or lobster or upscale Italian meals. Let me just say that it's a good thing I am having my wake-up call now.

I'M IN COLLEGE. I SHOULDN'T WANT TO EAT OUT. I WILL HAVE NO FRIENDS. NO ONE CAN AFFORD IT. IT'S A BIT RIDICULOUS--TO SAY THE LEAST.

Well now that we have that out of the way, I can continue. Since starting Weight Watchers, I have been into shopping at Trader Joe's and even began using the new Weight Watchers Point Plus Cookbook. The cookbook comes with recipes that are broken down into breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and offers a range of difficulty levels for each dish.

With the addition of watching my guilty pleasure, My Fair Wedding with David Tutera, I get to see some of the amazing catering services he hires for the weddings.

My newest and most favorite meal is now listed below for all of you to enjoy. For those of you who are into WW (Weight Watchers for short), this meal is a whopping 5 POINTS!

Ingredients:
1. Trader Joe's frozen Grilled Vegetables
2. Trader Joe's Low-Fat Ricotta Cheese
3. Tofu (Marinated or not and optional)
4. Watermelon
5. Tomato
6. Balsamic Vinaigrette

The Salad:
Thinly slice the watermelon and tomato and layer on top of one another. Drizzle some balsamic vinaigrette on the salad and, walah! you have a 0 POINT starter course.

Main Dish:
For one person, use 1/4 of the grilled vegetables and put straight onto the frying pan-NO OIL. Once the vegetables start to sizzle and heat up, add (if you want) the tofu. When the vegetables and tofu seem to be almost ready, add one scoop of the ricotta cheese. Once the cheese has melted, your dinner is done!

There you have it folks. Seeing David Tutera's caterer make the watermelon and tomato salad and with the help of the cost efficient and tasty Trader Joe's market, dinner is satisfying, healthy and yummy!

Don't hesitate to add some of your favorite dishes! I'd love to learn...

Setting Goals

2011-01-06T11:41:00.000-08:00

There really seems to be very little reason to wait until December to look back onto the best and worst of that year. Instead, people should be focused on what they wish to achieve by December. Yes, it sounds easy, just say what you want. But it's much more than that.

Stand in the future, in December 31, 2011. What do you see? What do you have? Who have you helped? What goals have you achieved? Are you happy? Do you see yourself in a relationship or with more money? Whatever it is you want, picture it in the future.

Great! See, that was the easy part. Now it's time to work backwards. Let's go back three months from December. Standing in September, what are you going to do in order to have all the things you saw in December? What last-minute or fine-tuning goals do you have to finish the year with a 'hoorah!'? Once you have made your checklist for September, rewind until June, then March and finally, today.

For any goal or goals you wish to have, stand in that future and create all that you desire. Nothing is too big or too small. Once you have created that list, rewind the clock (baby steps here) so you can begin to put yourself into action. When you are in the moment and you have created your future the way you see fit, meaning not your parents of your friends or your family, then you get to live a life of fulfillment, happiness and joy.

Challenge yourself and set a goal for the future. It could for next month, next year or five years from now. Leave a comment of what your goals are and the steps you are going to take to reach them. The more you share openly, the more people you have to hold you accountable.

Good luck!

Why Weight?

2011-01-05T13:11:00.000-08:00

We live in a country where obesity is the leading cause of death for Americans. 50 percent of American families are overweight, unhealthy and are on more medications than you can imagine in order to maintain being alive. Not only are we as a country significantly unhealthy and overweight, we are dying before the age of 50.

When is enough going to be enough? When should parents intervene in their children's life? When will those in charge change our food chains and alter portion sizes in restaurants? How many people need to die to wake America up? The questions can go on and on. But who cares? It doesn't seem as though anyone is listening.

The Biggest Loser is in its eleventh season. The first family has a garden that produces fresh and organic vegetables to their community. Iron Chef America hosts special battles promoting healthy eating. Is any of it really working? Sure, friends and families of contestants watch, but how far does it go? Whatever the rate, it isn't fast enough.

We are fresh into the new year and a number one resolution for many people around the world is to lose weight. Guess what? IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO WANT IT! You need to put your words into actions and start moving. Walk around the block every day. Run one mile. Eat one salad every day for lunch. Join a dance class twice a week. And no one said you have to do it alone.

Did you know that starting a habit is easier than breaking one? It takes more than three weeks to break a habit. After one month of intense cardio and kickboxing with my trainer and joining Weight Watchers for $1 (only available until March) my body had kicked into gear.

I challenge you to check out their new program. It allows you to eat around 30 points a day, with an additional 47 for the week to be used as you wish and extra awarded points for any activity or workout. Don't sit around and wait for your life to change. It won't. Be true to your word and have integrity for your own life and the lives of your family and friends.

Cheers!

A Job Well Done

2011-01-04T23:01:00.000-08:00

Firstly, let me say Happy New Year. It's been some time since my last post but I'm back. The title of this post will slowly be explained as you read along.

If I have learned anything from my parents, teachers, friends and life itself it's that acknowledgments are important, if not vital. Why do I say this to you? Sometimes people get lost in their world of what perfection should like. Whether it's living in an older siblings shadow or a parents life-long dream for you, it can become difficult to appreciate the baby steps.

As you know, if you have read my whole blog and kept up with me, I struggled immensely in elementary school, middle school and high school. It wasn't until college where my grades significantly shifted and I understood the importance of education and the benefits of working hard.

I was brought up and taught that it wasn't always about the grade but about my effort. Still, when my brother was bringing home straight A's without any effort, it was hard for me to accept that I was smart. I now write to you, my loyal readers, as my fall grades are officially in. With 5 A's and one B, I sit before my computer as a 3.8-GPA student.

Although I'm struggling to find my next step in life, right now I know it's okay to just bask in the glory of a job well done. Whether I chose law school, an internship for six months in New York City or earn an incredible job as an editor/writer, life will work itself out and I will be okay.

This post is for those of you who have struggled, are currently struggling and those who want to make someone else's life easier. I commend you on not giving up and wish you the best in your endeavors.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I challenge you to click on the link below and watch the video. See where it takes you and never forget that your life is not over and your future is as bright and wonderful as you say it is.

http://www.landmarkeducation.com/introduction_to_the_landmark_forum_video.jsp

It's Tee-Shirt Time

2011-01-01T18:28:00.000-08:00

Season three of Jersey Shore is five days away.

Today is the first day I have ever seen an episode. I am home, deathly ill, and MTV is showing the entirety of the second season. I'm currently on episode 23 and I am at the point where I need blog about it.

I was definitely against watching this show. The Situation made $10 million last year for being on the show, I knew several people who were Snooki's poof for Halloween and it's about friends living in one house with screaming. It seems overrated.

That was before I watched the show. Now that I am half way into the second season, I find myself laughing and screaming at the TV too. And for the record, I really enjoy Situation's commentary. Yes, he can be a bit dirty when he is at the clubs or in the Smush Room, but he's pretty insightful, despite the washboard abs.

What I find most interesting, as someone who is attracted to both guys and girls, no one on the show is that attractive. Like, really! They are orange, for one. And the add on the loud voices, tacky outfits and sunglasses-at-night look, it's unflattering. The show barely has any dialogue since every other word is a cuss word and is bleeped out.

All in all, this is what is comes down to.

Sick weekend and medicated + Jersey Shore = A Guilty Pleasure.

or, make life simple and cheap --->

If Jersey Shore has made it onto my blog, What's Next?

The Winning Circle

2010-12-30T18:34:00.000-08:00

What time is it?

Game time!

What time is it?

Game time!

Family time at parents house means game time: Scrabble, Taboo, Apples to Apples, Scene It, Pictionary.

You name it, we have it and play it. Today's choice was Scene It.

Here is how you play: The first one to the end wins. Get it? Good. There were two teams in today's game extravaganza. One consisted of mom, dad and girlfriend, Brit. The other team, the better team, were the siblings, Eric, Ari and me. The first round of this game was uneventful--they won.

However, the second round was a-mazing! Yes, my team won. But let me tell you how. Both teams were neck in neck and both teams were one question away from winning. My team was up and we landed on an "all play" meaning members from both teams can guess.

The objective for the final question was to guess the name of the movie from random pictures that were being displayed of that movie. The first photograph was a picture of an LSAT book next to a test with the number 139 circled. Do you know what it is yet? (I did!)

The next photograph was a picture of a welcome sign to Harvard Law, followed by a manicure and pedicure sign and lastly, a picture of a Chihuahua.

Now do you know? The answer was (drum-roll please)...

Legally Blonde!

Who knew that this movie would save my team from losing? Maybe not as exciting to those of you who despise "chick flicks" or "girlie" movies or even Reese, but to me, this movie was my all-time favorite back in the day.

What is your favorite game to play? Do you have a competitive streak? Tell me your stories!

From Oprah's Lips to Our Actions

2010-12-29T00:58:00.000-08:00

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”

Get out your journals, diaries, notepads, anything to write on and a pen! It is time to create the infamous new year resolution list.

What's is going to be for 2011? Weight loss? A relationship? Better grades? More money?

Yes, those are all wonderful things. We would all love to be 15 pounds lighter, in love and rich. But instead of creating a list that caters just to personal needs, let's expand and better our family, friends and community. For every one listed item that is personal, write two that cater to someone else.

Need help? Request ideas (or offer some) in the comments area.

Ready?...

...GO!

Be Mine, Sweetheart, Love...In December?

2010-12-28T21:52:00.000-08:00

Is Valentine's Day tomorrow?

November might be one of my favorite months (aside from June, my birthday month). It's special to me because it means Thanksgiving is around the corner and that is my favorite holiday. It's time for family, friends and loved ones to get together and just be thankful. But my Thanksgiving traditions and stories are for another time. After turkey day comes Hanukkah/Christmas/Kwanzaa. Another fun time filled with good food, gift exchanges and more family time.

That brings us to now. All the holidays are over and the new year is three days away. Yet, when I walk into my grocery store, Michaels ( a craft store), or even Target, I am blinded with hearts, red decor and other Valentine's Day memorabilia.

No pressure or anything! I see the cards, the candy and the red teddy bears lining the shelves of every store I walk into. It's borderline absurd. On the plus side, I am in a relationship so it isn't too bad. But now I know it is time to book a reservation, find a gift, lose weight, get my hair done, treat myself to a manicure and pedicure and buy a new outfit. Did I miss anything? Oh wait, and make more money.

The funny thing is, I already have my gift idea lined out. I'll share with you all after Valentine's Day. But for now, we can openly discuss gift ideas and great restaurants you have.

Want to know what I am giving my girlfriend? Email me: sgrossman.blogger@gmail.com
Talk to you soon!

Angels on Your Pillow

2010-12-27T00:20:00.000-08:00

Good evening readers!

I am finally home after a very long yet very needed day with my parents and family. The conversations were lively, the banter funny and I did indeed win some games! So for that, I thank you to those who did wish me good luck.

Tonight is a short post. I am very tired and helped both my mom and grandmother create their own blogs. My mom is a therapist and wants to reach out to as many people as she can to cause changes and make differences in this world. My grandmother is doing something similar. She graduated from college with an MS degree in Mental Health Counseling. I am helping her get on track, per her request, with creating a blog and eventually work one on one or in a group setting to help people clarify what their dreams are and how to achieve fulfillment in life.

I know! Pretty extraordinary human beings AND I am related to them!

Now I am off to watch Law and Order: SVU and fall asleep.

Sleep tight!

Eat, Play, Love

2010-12-26T18:16:00.000-08:00

Before you begin to think this post is going to be sentimental, I should warn you that this is normal for me.
I moved out of my parents house just over a year ago. We only live 20 miles away, but in Los Angeles traffic that means 45 minutes. It's perfect. I'm far enough way to live my life and be independent, yet close enough to home to have a weekly dinner. Plus, you can't get better parents than mine.

I have grown up in a family where I was given an abundant amount of love and unconditional support. Whether it was my changing of schools, coming out and dating a girl or my half a dozen major switches my family didn't hesitate to lend a shoulder or an ear.

Getting back on track, my parents called me a week ago. This was the conversations:

Dad: "Hey sweetie, what are you doing next week?"
Me: "I don't know. Work? Friends? Why?"
Dad: "Your mother and I want to take you out, just the three of us."
Me: "Am I in trouble?"

Yes it was funny, but the real reason for the call was to invite me out to lunch so they could acknowledge all my hard work. Yes, this is a normal conversation between my parents and me.

Today is that day. They took me out to this beautiful restaurant, Saddle Peak Lodge, where we sat for over an hour and shared. I'll spare you the details. I'll tell you more if you request it in your comments or an email to me.

Now my mom is making a home cooked meal: grilled white fish, roasted artichokes and a fresh salad with figs. Meanwhile, I am sitting in the living room watching Eat, Pray, Love with my grandma and dad. My brothers are in their rooms playing video games and watching SNL episodes.

I always love visiting home. Dinner is about ready so it's time to go. But later, it will be time for Taboo and Pictionary! Wish me luck!

------> Check them out! Totally worth it!

Judaism, Philosophy, Communications and Journalism

2010-12-26T00:47:00.000-08:00

My majors!

Since coming home I have changed my mind several times. However, I have chosen a journalism major and I have yet to change my mind since last year. I struggled to find my way to this point and my journey was anything but easy.

In second grade, I was diagnosed with a learning disorder, a form of dyslexia is what the doctors said. I process information slower than others and it becomes mashed up in my head. For example, with standardized tests I will read my options, A, B, C and D. When I process my options, my brain says C, A, D and B. As you can see and probably have already assumed, testing was never and will never be my strong suit. It is so unfortunate for people like me to take tests such as the SAT, ACT, ERB, CAHSEE, etc and be graded as that result.

That's one part of the story. The second, and perhaps most difficult aspect I had to struggle with was my writing style and technique. All my life I have been told that I had great ideas and thoughts but that I was very unorganized in my writing. I slowly began to give up my love for storytelling because I had made meaning out of being a bad organizer. I made it mean that I couldn't be fixed or changed and so there is no point in trying. Plus the endless hours of staying up late in middle school with my mom correcting essays didn't help. No one ever encouraged me to learn to write properly until Dr. Richard Follett, my English professor.

I took his English 28 course which re-teaches students the basics of a proper writing format. I remember my first assignment. I had finished typing up my final draft and my first thought was to email it to my mom to look over and edit. For the first time in my life I stood up against my scared self and didn't do it. I turned it right into Dr. Follett. The next week I received an A on the assignment. In fact, the lowest grade I received in his class was an A-.

The momentum didn't stop there. The following semester I enrolled in a Journalism 100 and a Journalism 101 course to fulfill the requirements for my undergraduate units for communications major. Those classes opened up a whole new world to me. It was better than Jasmine's carpet ride. I was able to write and rewrite stories, grasp history in a media perspective and even was published, twice. My professors saw something in me that Dr. Follett saw in me the semester before. I was being seen as more than a student. They saw me as a writer. I went on to finish the semester earning a first place award for one of my published articles. I was honored, and I still am.

By the end of February 2009 (only one month into that semester) I was a journalism major.

Fast forward to August 2009.

I had one more week left of my summer break when I received an email from the Editor-in-Chief to be at my school's newspaper. He had contacted to me to ask if I wanted to be the future Feature's Editor. I was hesitant and nervous. My palms had already begin to sweat, my stomach was in knots and my head was pounding. What if I failed? What if my pages were blank by the time we go to print? What if I can't find a good story? Will I be any good? Despite it all, I said yes.

The semester flew by and I did it. At our end of the semester banquet I received two first place awards, two second place awards and an honorable mention for my writing and page designs.

So what's next? I ran for Editor-in-Chief for the spring semester and lost. I was up against a reporter and the current EIC. The reporter won. I was saddened and hurt. I felt as though I had worked hard and that my efforts went unnoticed. It turns out that my outside life was too busy and the panel thought I was better suited to be Managing Editor.

Not bad, eh? So you are reading the current Managing Editor's blog! I am excited. We have a great team in tow and it's going to be an interesting and exciting adventure.

And just so you all know-- my life doesn't revolve around the newsroom, although that sounds amazing! I nanny part time, I am in a committed full-time relationship and always make room my friends and family.

Good night!

To see my published work, check out my online portfolio or my newspaper's website.

The Roundup (Don't forget to type my name in the search engine, Sydney Grossman.)

My Portfolio

Home At Last

2010-12-25T16:17:00.000-08:00

Get ready everybody-- this is going to be a long-ish blog.

It's crazy to think that I am coming up on being home (in California) for two years now. I landed at LAX on December 26, 2008. I remember feeling so happy to be in a familiar place and yet, at the same time, I began to have that uh-oh feeling in my tummy. Who am I going to be friends with? What friends from high school are still in town? Did I make the right choice?

The day after I landed I registered for classes at a local community college where my best friend, Anna, from high school was going. Thank goodness! I had at least one person in my life where I knew I wouldn't have to be alone. Now, before you start to think that of me as that girl who is clingy or needy, let me explain...

I have always been a social butterfly. In fact, I was the person in school who had friends in every clique and got along great with everyone. I was loud and fun, perky and silly, and grounded and friendly. But something changed when Year Course ended. I had been waiting my whole life for that year to come and it was over so fast. I lived in a beautiful country where I was making a difference and having the time of my life with my best friends. Subconsciously, I made a choice that no other experience in college would compare. Thus, my attitude and confidence changed.

Anyways, like I was saying, thank goodness for Anna. She began to bring me back to life. We went out and danced, had regular sushi dates and put back the pieces of our friendship since I had been gone. So many things had changed over the year and half we were apart, but we got right back on track immediately.

Now, one of our hot spots for a night out was at the Canyon Club. It's a rather large venue located in Agoura Hills that caters to every age group: Bar Mitzavah parties, 80s night and a cover band for every type of music. Hopefully you can guess that Anna and I hit up the 80s night every Thursday. It's a 21 and up event but we had connections. Remember I told you I had two friends that kept me strong when I was at McDaniel? Well, one of them worked there. She also is one of my best friends from high school.

This charade went on for nearly three months; dancing on the stage, a Sex on the Beach in our hands and endless flirting. Spring Break came so fast. A good friend of mine came into town to visit for break. During the week it was Talya, Brit and me spending our time shopping, dancing and eating at yummy restaurants.

Well, one day it was just Talya and me. Brit had a busy day and wasn't able to join us. The second Talya was in my car and we began to drive, the first thing she said to me was, "Syd? Are you and Brit hooking up?"

I KNOW! What a shock! I didn't know what to say. We weren't hooking up and I had only ever been with guys before, but for some reason, I started to blush. Turns out that I had been crushing on her for a while.

Come April 4, 2009 I had my first kiss with Brit. It was such an incredible night. It was everything I had wanted. I had never felt so comfortable with someone before. It felt right. A week later she asked me to be her girlfriend. We have been dating ever since.

*SIDE NOTE: Prior to the two of us hooking up, Brit had made a bet with some friends. The bet was that Brit had to go two months without drinking or touching a girl (holding hands is okay-- but that's it! Literally!). Clearly this was silly. What good would that do her? So we all called her two months of good behavior, 60 Days of Bullshit. Anyway, long story short, Brit broke her 60 day mark one week early with me!

More to come later about the scholastic part of my life. For now you are all caught up with my love life, which is relatively important considering that is where half of my venting will come from.

Merry Christmas! By the way, I am Jewish but I love this time of year and the merriment of it all. Today it's Chinese food and movies with my friends!

Ta ta for now!