Top Five of the Internets

Yes.

5.  Morbid design genius <-- *hint hint* to whomever's in charge of my funeral arrangements.

4. Grumpy Charles Darwin is grumpy (geniuses have terrible-no-good-can't-even-write-a-full-sentence-bad days, too).

3. New DIY fashion goal -- I need fabric markers and a white shirt, STAT.

2. Nietzsche's Family Circus. Yes, yes, and more yes. I could spend hours refreshing this thing.

1. My new favorite awkward .gif icebreaker -- for that special internet someone who you've always wanted to get to know better.

Vintage Five:

Some Christmas cookies to get you in the holiday mood.


Do you have any cyber-space gems from the past week?

X marks the Talk

It's been a month of TEDxing. First, for a big, brilliantly produced conference at Sydney Harmon Hall and just this weekend, as part of TEDxYouthDay in San Diego, California. I was totally stressed out. From my choosing my outfit (which my friends helped me do -- thank you instagramers and tweeple) to what I was going to say, to the sweet makeup artist ironing my shirt with a flat iron, it was all very overwhelming and exciting. But once I got there, it was fantastic. The kids were amazing -- so enthusiastic, kind and helpful. The other speakers touched my heart -- the man who started my session off is the go-to guy on evolution in 3-D printing of organs and another guy who should have been paralyzed from his chest down, walked onto stage, with canes. It was pretty great. When I went out and sang my aria, the crowd went wild. We talked about working together to make our dreams come true and three standing ovations later, I was blushing. It was a wonderful day and I was so happy to be there. Now it's back to work, but I just wanted to say thank you to all of my new friends in The Mid Atlantic, San Deigo and all of the old ones who were there supporting me.

Thankful

 We are soooo very excited to be heading back to D.C. this week. Wheee!

The Perfect Hostess Gift

I've always had a soft, squishy place in my heart for Hostess treats. Even though I didn't eat them that often, I knew that I loved them deeply. Today, Hostess died. They will no longer grace supermarket shelves with their neat little cellophane calorie pouches. I stumbled to the supermarket today after a bona-fide all-nighter to get all of the treats before they can't be gotten anymore. I figure that the best gift I could give to Hostess now is to let them give a gift to me. . .you know, the gift of cellulite. 

Now I feel sick. With grief.

Go out and get a Twinkie while you still can.

And get as many as you can, because I hear they last indefinitely. . .

. . . it can be like they never left.

New Traditions or Diwali Cross-Culturized

Today is the second day of Diwali, the Indian festival of light. Depending on what region you're from, and what religion you practice, the specific meaning of the holiday may be different, but the ways it's celebrated are relatively standard. Lights are hung, candles and lamps and fireworks are lit, sweets are shared, and families try to be near one another.

This is my first Diwali as a member of an Indian family, and thus far Dr. P and I have done little by way of celebration. Our little family has inherited a robust collection of cultural identities, from Momo's Jewish ancestry, to Dr. P's Hindu culture, or the traditional Anglo-Christian customs from my Dad's family. Each branch carries a distinct calendar of festivals and holidays, and rites and passages, and while the prospect of paying each their due respect can be a bit daunting I also realize that our observance of any or all of these things will be a choice. So this year, instead of charging forward into the cultural bounty, we're taking things slow and thinking hard about forming an identity as a family unit.

Which brings us to last night. In honor of Diwali, Dr. P and I lit a few candles and discussed what Diwali meant to him as a child, what it means to him now, and what we hope our children will someday cherish about this celebration of light and new beginnings. We came up with a list of traditions, some new and some ancient, that we plan carry on with our family. The plan is to repeat this process with pretty much every holiday this year. Maybe we'll even share a few of our ideas here on the blog.

Cross-cultural marriages are becoming more and more common, and I often wonder how others have chosen to manage merging experiences? We'll be sure to let you know how it goes for us, but any experienced-based wisdom would be much obliged!

Happy Diwali!!

A little thanks for the people who care

I usually perform on big stages or in concert halls but this week I had a very special performance for a little family that reminded me a lot of my own. M. developed Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension as a baby and doctors gave her no chance to live. But it's always fun to show people that miracles are where ever we will look for them and M. is a very clear reminder of that. Her mom, her twin and little sister are as amazing with M. as my mom and sisters are with me. They are total rock stars. So we had a little impromptu performance in their living room to say thank you for being so amazing.

I know in my life, I have lots of people caring for me in little and big ways. Mr. One has helped me (and the entire TD clan) with all of the paperwork I hate for years. Dr. P often serves as my personal medical researcher. My husband is whatever I ask him to be. My siblings at any given time have unofficially served as editors, fashion consultants, drivers, therapists, nurses, maids, cooks, and baby sitters. My mother has made keeping me alive her top and occasionally only priority since that life seemed to be in jeopardy. I know that my experience with illness has changed the dynamic and the cadence of our family life a great deal. There can be guilt and resentment that very naturally flow from these things. But I am so deeply grateful that despite everything my family has not only remained close through these challenges; we've become closer. 

If you've ever been a care taker, had a sibling or a parent or a family member who suffers with physical, mental or emotional challenges or illness, please know we really appreciate you. Your patience, your work, your care and effort. We know we wouldn't be the same (or alive) without you and we know we're not always the best at showing appreciation for all that you do. Sometimes it gets annoying to have to be appreciative for things one would never ask for and never want. But we see what you do for us. We love you. We are sorry you don't always receive the laurels and praise you deserve because you are the super heros. You wear all sorts of masks: from sibling to demanding relative to friend, but you save lives. Your prize is knowing that someone woke up, someone got out of bed and someone lived a better life because of you. But make no mistake of it: in our lives, you are the rescuer. You wear the cape. And for that, you deserve more than a little thanks.

With much love and appreciation,

Two  

Seven Semites Snack on Sprout Slaw near the Sea Shore

My sweet husband and I have been on our own little exodus from the clutches of Hurricane Sandy to sandy beaches of LA (more pictures on that one soon!) for some projects I've been working on. It so happens that a number of my man's best friends from childhood have created their own little Long Island on the west coast. Sunday night, we all got together and had a fantastic dinner. My contribution was a Garlic Brussels sprout slaw, which was good enough that I want to share the recipe with you. So here it is!

15-20 fresh Brussels Sprouts
4 large cloves garlic
1/4 cup Whole gran Mustard
1/4 apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider or juice
1/4 cup toasted and chopped pecans
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp mustard seeds
Salt and pepper to taste

After cleaning, finely shred raw sprouts and thinly slice garlic. Heat pan and add garlic. When it begins to brown, add shredded sprouts and saute. Add juice and let sit for 2 to 3 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and remove from heat. Meanwhile, mix mustard, aioli, mustard seeds, honey, oil and vinegar.  Toss with sprout slaw and garnish with roasted pecans.