Friday, February 25, 2011
An Oldie But a Goodie
For those lucky souls born into an era of pure innocence and entertainment, remember when making decisions where deciphered with a simple "eeny-meeny-miny-mo," nobody was prettier than Mom, kisses made scrapes and bruises all better, the local hangout was at the diner down the street, catching fireflies occupied an entire evening AND it was fun, going steady was a HUGE deal, bobby socks made any outfit look good, 5-cents was able to get you a cup of coffee or Coke in a bottle and ice cream was 5-cents a scoop, admission to a Sunday matinee was bought with can wrappers, can goods and old saved bottle caps, people sat around their record player and listened to their 45s and LPs, you couldn't wait to watch American Bandstand, milk was delivered to your doorstep in bottles, girls and boys spent all night getting ready for those sock hops in their school gymnasium, the worst thing you could do in school was chew gum, smoke in bathrooms or flunk a test, you were able to leave your car unlocked with the keys in the glove box or ignition and that was okay, drag races and drive-ins were one of the most exciting things to do, Dairy Queen had the best cherry cokes and shakes, the thing to fear was your parents and grandparents and not drugs, gangs or shootings, and when moonpies and RC cola was the perfect snack?
Seeing as though I was born 36 years after that era, I can't say I remember. Although, I really wish I did.
I have always said, since I was about 5 or 6, that I was born into the wrong era. I grew up in my household sitting in my room, on my floor surrounded by my parent's 45s and LPs, listening to endless tracks on my very own record player that was given to me at that prime age. I looked up to artists like Dion and the Belmonts and Elvis Presley, hoping that one day everything would be as it was.... when one was able to take a drive in that 56 Buick Special to the local diner and grab a shake and play a song on that jukebox, and just BE. I envy those who were able to experience the 50s. Although, I wasn't born in that era, I carry it with me in my heart everywhere I go... always. My music player has more bands from the 50s than modern day artists (I prefer The Everly Brothers and The Temptations over today's bands like Fall Out Boy or Foo Fighters), my taste in clothes stems from the pointy glasses, skirts and saddle shoes that were ever so popular (I take dresses and saddles over jeans and boots any day), my love for cars comes from the classic and detailed body shapes of the 51 Cadillac and 55 Corvette which I would take over any modern day car (which I am not a fan of... today's cars that is) and if I had a choice, I would have milk with my dinner instead of Pepsi, and moonpies over chocolate molten lava cake (boy, have we come a long way).
There aren't nearly enough 50s styled diners (with the exception of Johnny Rocket's which I AM a fan of, but it isn't nearly as good as Nifty Fifties in Turnersville, NJ which is unfortunately nowhere near my abode). I can't even bare to imagine rolling up in a deuce in front of a diner, excitement ringing in my ears and a twinkle in my eye, as I catch a glimpse of the rest of them parked out front with their drivers and dates clad in leather jackets and dresses.
My obsession with the 50s and everything associated with it, is none other than love. I will spend the rest of my life appreciating and admiring everything from this golden era and bringing it back with my natural love for the music, clothes, cars, styles, etc. In the future I plan on opening up my own 50s style diner named after my parents (who were fortunate enough to experience the 50s) and owning a home that's an exact replica of a classic with a checkered kitchen floor, sofas with spindle legs, big starburst wall clocks, boomerang-shaped coffee tables, old fashioned telephones, and a jukebox. And I'm going to love my life... maybe a bit more than I do now ;)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Whatever You Want Your Pen Name to Echo
There are no combination of words for me to say when it comes to true talent and eccentricity. I know several people who exhibit that kind of talent that deserve to be marketed and presented to the world for recognition. It's those people who take their passion and drive, and put that into their work and in return, gain the acknowledgment they need in order to triumph. Sure, there are thousands of people who act and model and sing and dance, and do it very well. And not only do they do it well, but they do it because of the fame and fortune that comes along with it. But doing something well, and because of the fame and fortune unfortunately doesn't get them very far. Those remembered; those legends do it with heart. I for one do that in my writing and my modeling. Don't get me wrong, it would be spectacular if some kind of fame came with it (only because I want the world to know where I came from and how hard I worked to get there), but at the same time if you don't do what you love with heart, than it is almost impossible to be great.
One of the things that I love to do is advocate those in my life who, like me, work with heart and just have fun doing what they love and what they were born to do. This person that I am advocating is very dear to me. He is full of ambition and holds deep inside of him a bag of aspirations that he continually unties when he is creating his art form. He has come a long way and deserves this recognition because I admire his diligence and zeal, and truly believes in himself the way he believes in me and my craft. With a sparkle in his eye and a name like Chris Spurrier, this upcoming actor is filled with ingenuity, perception and fortitude, and more. He encompasses this brilliance in his work that isn't apparent even in some of today's Hollywood's stars. All I'm saying is, watch out for this talent because i know in my heart, he WILL make it on the big screen.
Here are 3 of his videos - Please check them out and comment on them (critique is always appreciated and valued. It's what molds talents into becoming that much more better at their craft).
Whatever You Want to Hear
Pen Name
Echo of Silence
Thank you for your time and support. It is greatly appreciated! It is important to recognize true talent in the making. Never give up and do what you love regardless of the outcome. If he can do it, you can too. Keep an open mind and an open heart, and take that talent (even if you feel like you're not good enough) and run with it. Straight to the stars!
A Star is Born
Marilyn Monroe thought it. Ginger Rogers did it. Audrey Hepburn succeeded it in. Billie Holiday sang it. Jean Harlow wanted it. Jayne Mansfield said it. Greta Garbo cried for it.
What do I and these women have in common?
One word: DREAMS.
We've all got dreams. Dreams of becoming the next Betty Grable - The Pin-Up Girl. Or even Kim Novak - Hollywood's Starlet. Maybe even Sarah Vaughan - The American Jazz Singer. Something all of these legends had in common was that not only did they dream, but they did. They took their dreams; their talents, disregarded what other people said or thought, and did what they wanted to do. I am a firm believer that we were all put on this earth with a purpose... with a talent for us to find and utilize and make known to the world. Whether it's an artist, a model, an actor, a singer or dancer, or even an acrobat. Whatever it is, it's worth something and it's beautiful.Because I am an old soul (and definitely born in the wrong era, may I add) I look up to many of these women. I can only imagine how difficult it was to be a woman in the 20s-50s struggling to be an actress, singer, model [pin-up girl], etc. Between the fear and rejection that society constantly brought upon these women, I don't know which is worse. And yet they STILL managed to master the skill of becoming that starlet that graced the camera and the walls of many people, and even today, continue to do so. That is what you call a Dream.
As a woman in today's society, it is still a difficult task to become that someone. There is constant competition and rejection, but that is part of life. This may sound cliche, but if it were easy everyone would do it. This is what I think: Whatever your dream is, if you want it (and I mean, real bad) and you're willing to work hard for it - you CAN and WILL get it.
I've got lots of dreams too. I want to become a great, well known writer known for my novels, stories, poetry and inspirational words that have changed lives in the smallest way possible. I want to become a model, who graces billboards, magazines, television screens, and the walls of people who see me and think: She is indeed a hardworking, independent starlet of this era.I want to be the next Greta Gable - The Girl With The Million Dollar Legs. I want to be the next Marilyn Monroe - The Most Celebrated Of All.
I've been doing a lot of thinking. A lot of working. A lot of shooting. And the more I accomplish, the more I know I will get to that special place. All I know is this:
"There must be thousands of girls sitting alone like me, dreaming of becoming a movie star. But I'm not going to worry about them. I'm dreaming the hardest."
-Marilyn Monroe
And I won't EVER stop dreaming the hardest. I've got people in my life (you know who you are) who believe in me and constantly tell me how great I am and how I'm going to go places and become someone big. And in my heart, I know it will happen. It's been happening slowly. I just can't see it because I'm too busy working toward a bigger and better future aside from raising my talent privately.
My inspirations. My muses. My reason for succeeding.
Marilyn Monroe
Ginger Rogers
Audrey Hepburn
Jean Harlow
Jayne Mansfield
Greta Garbo
Betty Grable
Kim Novak
*Me!*
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Wanderful Wanderlusting
Traveler. Wanderer. Adventurer. Expeditionist. Vagabond. Sightseer. Journeyer. Roamer. Explorer. Excursionist. Whatever you want to call it, I want to be it. I want to travel the world with my camera and companion beside me, capturing the beauty and refinement the world beyond this city has to offer.
I want to admire the kaleidoscope of colorful lights embracing the sky at night in Moscow, Russia.
I want my feet to kiss the cobbled stone steps that lead to a town of magic in Robin Hood's Bay, England
I want to lay down and be engulfed in a sea of purple flowers, gently brushing against my skin in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand.
I want to be blinded by the red leaves against the backdrop of the white sky in a Wintery British Columbia, Canada.
I want to dip my fingers and toes inside the smooth waters of Lake Olden, Norway.
I want to wanderlust. For the rest of my life.
Friday, February 18, 2011
The Last Lions
After attending the VIP special screening of "The Last Lions" in Chelsea followed by a Q&A with both filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, and narrator, Jeremy Irons, I must say I was deeply captivated and impressed with its entirety. The story alone encompasses an incredible insight to the daily struggles and risks that need to be taken in in order to survive. This emotionally stimulating yet heart-rendering tale is, in truth, quite the attention getter providing the audience with a sound and picture quality that put [us] in Botswana both physically and mentally. A wildlife adventure would be an understatement if one had to describe what Ma di Tau and her cubs had to relinquish.
This movie made me aware of just how humanistic these animals can be when it comes to protection, survival, loss and gain and love. Not one time did I get bored or divert my eyes away from the screen. I took a second to look to my left over at the long row of people who sat looking up at the big screen before them, almost catching a glimpse of hope in their eyes as they awaited for the next scene to play out what would happen next to this struggling family. I remember smiling to myself at just how engaged the audience was when certain scenes illustrated their way of life. I remember thinking: These beautiful animals, who have minimized in size over the past 50 years from 450,000 to as few as 20,000 are astonishingly amazing in every way. Even when they fight and kill. I am still rendered speechless at just how unbelievably proud they are of who they become with age and experience. Thanks to the Joubert's and Irons, we got a "real" feel of just how captivating this entire journey was - 2 years in the making.
Dereck and Beverly Joubert were two of the most down to earth people I could have had the privilege of being in the same room as. They answered each question clearly and even hung around for a bit afterward to speak to some of the audience members and/or people they know. I, of course, was too shy to even say Hi, but after realizing how friendly and approachable they were, it eased the tension floating in the air around me. I had asked Beverly if she was thinking of returning back to the land where they had filmed Ma di Tau and her cub for a sequel, and she kindly said that she didn't think they would (but who knows, right?). Jeremy Irons, well known actor known for his role in the voice of Scar from "The Lion King," was also present which was a nice surprise after finding out who he really was. He too was a helpful soul who provided humor and the like to the Q&A portion proceeding the film. After much communication, we followed the them down to the 2nd floor lobby and said good-bye as we walked off thinking of a million other questions we could have asked. It's an overwhelming experience that I am PROUD to say that I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Because I am such an avid animal activist, I had the privilege of being a part of this event, so once again:
Thank you National Geographic and Botswana Tourism Board for inviting me to your special screening. I had the BEST time ever! (And many many thanks for providing the audience with a "travel Botswana" CD that I will most definitely use when I plan my safari trip to Botswana... Which I intend to do a lot sooner than I anticipate).
The diligence and effort placed into this documentary film is unlike any other I have seen. If you have the chance to watch it, WATCH IT. You will NOT regret it. Five Stars!
Watch The Last Lions trailer on YouTube and National Geographic will contribute $.10 for each viewing until we hit one million views.
Also, please don't forget to visit causeanuproar.org to find out how YOU can help save these beautiful big cats. Thank you!
Ink Not Mink
Rue McClanahan once said, "Cruelty is one fashion statement we can all do without."
I have been an animal rights advocate for as long as I can remember. Spending almost as much time in New York than I do in my own home state of New Jersey, I have seen countless advertisements advising the public on the issue of animal cruelty. PETA is one of those organizations that constantly advertise their take on the issue. I both agree/disagree with some of their findings, but I will say that their campaign against fur is my absolutely favorite. I for one am entirely against using real animal fur as part of a fashion. They need their fur just the same as we need our skin. It makes them who they are the distinguishes them from the rest of the beautiful animals in this world. That is why I LOVE the campaigns of : "Ink Not Mink."
PETA has had a series of tattooed artists (of all kinds) model their beautifully decorated skin as an advertisement almost suggesting that getting tattooed is the way to go as opposed to wearing fur. Do I think this is a legit message to carry out? Absolutely. I have always wanted to participate in a campaign such as this because it establishes a sort of foundation surrounding the various options one can take to beautify ones fashion or make oneself feel beautiful without having to wear that dead rabbit around your neck.
Tattooed or not, I am here to state my opinion and proudly say that I will never wear real animal fur.
I have been an animal rights advocate for as long as I can remember. Spending almost as much time in New York than I do in my own home state of New Jersey, I have seen countless advertisements advising the public on the issue of animal cruelty. PETA is one of those organizations that constantly advertise their take on the issue. I both agree/disagree with some of their findings, but I will say that their campaign against fur is my absolutely favorite. I for one am entirely against using real animal fur as part of a fashion. They need their fur just the same as we need our skin. It makes them who they are the distinguishes them from the rest of the beautiful animals in this world. That is why I LOVE the campaigns of : "Ink Not Mink."
PETA has had a series of tattooed artists (of all kinds) model their beautifully decorated skin as an advertisement almost suggesting that getting tattooed is the way to go as opposed to wearing fur. Do I think this is a legit message to carry out? Absolutely. I have always wanted to participate in a campaign such as this because it establishes a sort of foundation surrounding the various options one can take to beautify ones fashion or make oneself feel beautiful without having to wear that dead rabbit around your neck.
Tattooed or not, I am here to state my opinion and proudly say that I will never wear real animal fur.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Happy Stupid Cupid Day... Yesterday.

The Rosette Nebula is red
The Pleiades Star Cluster is blue
The universe is expanding
Like my love for you.
xo
The kind of plaque you just can't wash away.
After awaiting almost 3 long months, I have finally received my second place plaque from Eber & Wein Publishing! After winning second place in the National Amateur Poetry Competition for my poem, "7:10 A.M." November 2010, I was consumed with excitement, hope and incentive for more successes. I had put so much of myself into my self-published book, "Down the Rabbit Hole," that I couldn't just stop there. I am currently working on the sequel hoping to capture the essence of perseverance and rigor that I brilliantly (if I may say so myself for you see I am very proud of my work) placed into the first.
My aspirations stem not only from my hard work and diligence, but from my heart and experiences. I only hope to touch the lives of those who have something in common with me and my creations. Thank you Eber & Wein, again, for starting me off on the right foot down a path toward confidence and most importantly, happiness.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Love Looks Not With The Eyes, But With The Mind
Poetry is one of my specialties. So much so, that I teach poetry twice a week to my 6th graders and since Valentine's Day is drawing near, I decided to assign them a free-write poem that had to be called, "Thinking of You." I told them that the poem had to be over 10 lines and could be about anyone in the world. I told them that it could be about a friend, family member, pet, boyfriend/girlfriend... anyone, and that they didn't have to mention this person or pet's name. The point is for someone to read this poem and leave behind a mystery as to who it could be about. That's the beauty of poetry - it can have a million different meanings and it's never wrong.
I always write with my kids and give them time in class (using a timer). My kids always ask me to read my poem first before I pick on volunteers who would like to share their poems with the class. Well, this past Thursday, I wrote mine and I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed writing it just as much as they enjoyed hearing it. Here's to blushing in front of my 6th grade class and having to be the adult here and deal with them "ooooh-ing" and "ahhhhh-ing."
I always write with my kids and give them time in class (using a timer). My kids always ask me to read my poem first before I pick on volunteers who would like to share their poems with the class. Well, this past Thursday, I wrote mine and I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed writing it just as much as they enjoyed hearing it. Here's to blushing in front of my 6th grade class and having to be the adult here and deal with them "ooooh-ing" and "ahhhhh-ing."
Thinking of You
I'm thinking of you.
Your blue eyes like waves
crashing against my heart.
My breath caught in a bottle
thrown into the ocean, sealed.
Hoping it reaches you in time
and once released,
you'll hear my whispers
thanking you for existing.
I'm thinking of you.
You hair, yellow like the sun
blinding my bad days
and brightening my future.
My thoughts turned into clouds
so when you look up to the sky,
I will be there
showing you images of my future.
Our future.
And it is up there,
that I will be thinking of you.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Cause an Uproar!

Not too long ago, I decided to donate to the 'Cause an Uproar" organization by National Geographic that focuses on saving big cats all over the world in places like Botswana, Africa for example. I have always been an animal lover. I would have to think that the majority of people in this world are. I mean, who wouldn't want to hold a soft, furry koala bear? Or allow a sloth to latch itself onto you with its lanky arms around your neck... looking up at you with those endearing eyes. Okay, so maybe that's just my dream, but the whole point is there are more to "animals" than just the normal house pets. Not that they don't need help too because they do. By all means, they do. But you have to look at the bigger picture. People hunt and kill lions and tigers for their fur, elephants for their tusks, rhino's for their horns, alligators for their skin. It's a shame. It deeply saddens me to know that wild animals, the creatures that make this world so unique and BEAUTIFUL, are becoming extinct. What's going to happen to this world, to the food chain, when big cats are going to be the next dinosaurs? Nothing but a memory. I refuse to let that happen. Not let's be real here. How am I going to make a difference? I'm only one human being. A young struggling-with-money 24 year old woman who wishes she had all of the money in the world to help save all of the animals. There isn't much I can do. I think about it sometimes. But then I realize, there IS something I can do. I can continue to donate, knowing my money is going to great causes AND I can let other people be aware of the issue. I can educate. Which I have. Although, I know I won't be able to save every single animal, let alone one, but my contribution is a lot better than nothing. People like me, LOVE animals. But for some reason, many do nothing about it. Whether it's because they don't have the money to donate to charities and organizations, or because they don't think it's a big deal, people simply do NOTHING. They don't spread the word about issues on extinction or animals in danger of being wiped off of the planet. This is where I come in...
Cause an Uproar is a fantastic organization based solely on the fact that big cats such as lions, need all of the help and support they can get to prevent from disappearing. YOU can make a difference. Every little bit counts. I'm not asking you to donate hundreds and hundreds of dollars. I would if I could. But even something as little as $5 CAN and WILL make a difference.
Now, because I donated to this fund a while ago, I was recently invited by the National Geographic organization to attend a special screening on Feb. 17th at 7pm in NY at the Chelsea Cinema to see the film "The Last Lions" followed by a Q&A by the 2 filmmakers. I AM absolutely ECSTATIC! Not only am I looking forward to seeing this incredible true story on survival, but I am even more excited to speak with the filmmakers and get their intake on the matter and their experience on filming such an invasive topic. I would do anything to travel the foreign lands and see these beautiful creatures face to face. And I will. I WILL go on an African safari and take miraculous pictures of the creatures that bless our lands with their presence.
This is why I dedicate myself to amazing causes because although I ask for nothing in return, I still get the gift of being a part of something absolutely worth my time, money & dedication! It's an amazing world we live in.
Please visit the site and donate anything. If you can't, at least spread the word to people who can. This really is a great cause. Do you really want to see these big cats disappear? I don't. Thank You.
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