M.I.A.

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...

Happy Valentine's Day

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...

No Strings Attached

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...

Teachers, Mentors, Friends

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...

Better to Love...

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...

A New Meaning to Mars...Bruno Mars

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!)

From Oprah's Lips to Our Actions

“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?

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!

Home At Last

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!