Six Words Describing Me, Marvelous Melissa

I recently read an article on NPR's website that inspired a little writing exercise.

My life summarized in six little words:

"Big family. Big heart. Big mouth."

"Exotic adventurer pausing in sunny suburbia."

"Thirty, flirty and thriving... sort of."

"Good book + hot tea = happy me."

"Passionate lady seeking modern Mr. Knightly."

"Passionate fickle lady seeking Mr. Darcy."

"Hottie seeking roll in the hay."

I think that this one is the current winner: "Delicious Pam hoping for Tender Jim."

Please feel free to comment with any suggestions or one of your own. It's a fun little exercise!

Please let my future husband know...

that I both desire and fear this.

Life of Pi & National Pi Day Unite!

So I have officially started a book club. The original plan was for it to be a Jane Austen Book Club... but the opportunity to celebrate National Pi Day by discussing the book Life of Pi AND eating PI(e) was just too much to pass up. So if any of my dear readers are interested in joining the group, please feel free to contact me. All book lovers are welcome.

The Office

I have been loving watching The Office instantly on Netflix. Season Two is my favorite. I loved the British version too. I cried at the end... I am totally the Pam at my office... but I haven't found my Jim yet. Perhaps we'll hire someone new soon who likes to put other people's staplers in Jello. I can only hope.

I freaking love this!!!

Jane Austen Quote of the Day

Seldom, very seldom does complete truth belong to any human disclosure; seldom can it happen that something is not a little disguised, or a little mistaken.

- Jane Austen, Emma

Why My Mommy is Awesome!

My mom leading our Adult Brownie Field trip to the casino!!!

A poem in honor of my mother on this the anniversary of her birth:

M_A_U_R_E_E_N

M - My Musical Momma
My parents are much hipper than I am when it comes to music. My mother owns all of the Grammy Nominees CDs. She loves concerts and is practically a groupie. She always tries to pull the "old lady" card to get better seats. Her and my dad plan their vacations around concerts... how cute is that?

A - Abundant in Fun
My mom is FUN! She loves games, parades, marching bands, Christmas morning, Hannah Montana and Disneyland... in fact, TODAY, on her birthday, she is gallivanting at Disneyland. I think my parents went there on their honeymoon as well. My mom is fun! Just try and hang out with her and not have a good time... it's not possible.

U - Understanding and Kind
Mom is the queen of empathizers. She is always there with a listening ear. I am amazed when I watch her as a friend, sister, daughter and sister-in-law. Many of her friends have been in her life forever... and a few of them, I'm not sure why she keeps around, but she does... and she loves them. She is a better woman than I!

R - Roadtrippin' Adventurer
I don't know too many other Moms who are willing to drive twelve hours straight and sleep in a car on the side of the road. My mom is game for anything at just about anytime. She is probably the most adventurous of us all... we don't give her enough credit for all of the times she jumps up and says "Let's go!" She is not only super fun, but she is pretty hardcore. Her and my aunts stayed up all night in line for the Price is Right. Troopers. I come from a long line of troopers.

E - Every one's Favorite
I can't even count all of the times I've heard a variation of this sentence: "I love your mom!" She is the favorite child, in-law, aunt, mom, friend, etc. of many people. I may be biased, but I think she's the best!

E - Engaged in the World
As a kid, I watched my mom try and influence my neighborhood and community with her in the Parks and Recreation Committee, PTA, city council, and brownie troop meetings. She taught us to be involved and engaged if we want to see things happen, we have to work for the change, not wait for it.

N - Napping Queen
While she may be trooper who can stay up all hours of the night and then trek around Disneyland the next day... she eventually hits her wall and could easily sleep for days. I have to admit that this is one of the many gifts she has passed along to me. Yeah for Momma, my napping queen!

Happy 92nd Birthday, Constitution of Mexico!

The Political Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1917 is the present constitution of Mexico. It was drafted in Santiago de Querétaro by a Constitutional Convention during the Mexican Revolution. It was approved by the Constitutional Congress on February 5, 1917, with Venustiano Carranza serving as the first president under its terms.

I know what you, dear reader, are thinking "Melissa!!! Why are you filling your blog with BORING historical facts!?!?!?"

I'm so glad you asked... BECAUSE this constitution was ground-breaking and it is interesting. Just read a few of the things that changed for Mexico...

- Education became available and free for all!

- ALL of the resources (land, soil & water) in Mexico now officially belonged to the people of Mexico.

- And my favorite:
"Article 123 protects the workers. It states that the working day may not exceed eight hours, instead of the twelve or fifteen hours in force beforehand, and that there must be an obligatory day of rest every week. It prohibits women and children from engaging in activities that are not suitable for their gender or age. It also recognizes that workers have the right to form trade unions (associations to protect their interests), and to strike (stop working to pressure their employers when labor conflicts arise)."


I know that many of my friends have lovingly labeled me the Little Socialist... but this kind of stuff truly excites me. I am aware that things aren't perfect in Mexico... most of the time it's not even close to perfect. BUT I think that the most progressive constitution of its time deserves a shoutout on it's birthday. Don't you?

Check out Wikipedia's entry on the Constitution of Mexico.

This one is for kids BUT is the clearest.

My current obsession...

... is a show about a red-headed serial killer!!!

I Recommend

I watched The Visitor this week. (I love Netflix! It delivers whatever I ask for right to my front door.) I tend to get excited about movies... but I really loved this film. I will probably own it. I don't buy a lot of movies, so this is a big deal and means I would be willing to watch it over and over again.

The simple intro to Thomas McCarthy's film is: A widowed college professor travels to New York City to attend a conference and finds a young couple, who turn out to be illegal immigrants, living in his apartment.

My summary is: A sad and empty widowed college professor finds joy and life in his new relationships with his illegal roommates.

The movie is thoughtful and sweet. Richard Jenkins hits every note just right as he finds his emotions again... and learns to live and breathe. Haaz Sleiman is exuberant as Tarek, the young drummer. Danai Jekesai Gurira is breathtakingly beautiful as his girlfriend and manages to appear wise and controlled even in times of devastation. I adored Hiam Abbass who plays Tarek's mother. Some of you will recognize her from Munich. This film is so simple and character driven that it is reminiscent of a play. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of watching it and was even more thankful for the pondering that it inspired in me.

Basically the moral of my story is; I loved it and I think you should see it!