My Youth Part 1 - New Kids on the Block

On Monday I attended my 2nd NKOTB concert in 7 months. Crazy! Right? I can't explain it. The music isn't that good, they can't really sing or dance. Despite these obvious truths, I had the best time in long time. Why? My youth. I remember when I attended my first NKOTB concert, I was 13 and wasn't really familar with them. A friend, invited me to go to the concert and her older sister agreed to accompany us. We stood in line for over 7 hours to buy our tickets (no internet then). At the time, I didn't undertsand what all the fuss was about, and then the day of the concert arrived. The lights went down and then they took the stage, one look at Jordan Knight and I was in love. I still don't know what came over me, but I was a fan immediately. Two years later I was over my love, replaced with Nirvana, U2, Sinead O'Connor or anything else that was playing on the radio, or so I thought. Last spring, Ingrid and I discovered that the Kids, at the ages of 36-40, would be going on tour again and the love returned. So I danced, screamed and jumped my way back to a teenager, and it was a wonderful time. And I still can't explain it.

My favourite teen crushes:

1. Ralph Macchio

2. Jordan Knight

3. Dana Ashbrook

4. Ethan Hawke

5. Robert Sean Leonard

Cooking Tip of the day: Pizza was delicious and a favorite when I was a teenager and still is, especially with bacon.

International Women's Day

Today is International Women's Day. Does this mean anything to you?   Why do we celebrate it?  I think sometimes living in a privilaged western society we forget about it's importance. Are women still treated equal in our society?  No.  When male managers comment on the colour of my blouse instead of my record breaking fundraising totals, I would say no.   When a hiring manager deciedes against a woman is their 20's or 30's, because they may get pregnant, again I would say no.  When many woman feel that they are not adquate because they do not look a certain way, I would say no. I am sure you can think of millon more examples. What's upsetting is you probably know some examples from personal experience.    As cheesy as this may sound, I guess  one thing we can do is think about these issues and act accordingly.  I truely believe many of the worlds problems will be solved once woman and men are truely viewed as equals.

Many of the reasons, why I am lucky to be me:

1.  I love my job and the people I work with

2.  I have amazing friends and family

3.  I get to do what I want when I want, no restrictions (although I may change my mind one day)

4. I think for the first time I am starting to be comfortable in my own skin

5. I have freckles

Cooking tip of the day:   Don't beat yourself up  if you come home and you don't feel like cooking, you are not lazy.  Instead  pick an activity you love (watch your favorite TV show, read a book or a magazine, spend some time with family or friends) and order some take out from a new place you have been meaning to try, and enjoy!