Wearing my heart on my Pinterest board

It's not so difficult nowadays to know what's on someone's mind. All you have to do is check out what they've been pinning lately on Pinterest.

Although Superman defines Pinterest as a whole bunch of random STUFF that threw up on a website, I tell him that only multitasking overthinking women like me know that there's a method to the madness.

A few months ago, all I could pin about was home renovation ideas. Now that we've OFFICIALLY entered our nesting phase (more on that another time), it's all Bebe. 

I don't consider myself crafty, or a DIY expert. I've done a little, but nothing to brag (or blog) about. Besides, that's what Superman is here for. I point. He does. Sometimes he lets me hold a tool or two. But not the scary ones. 

Still, Pinterest stirs my imagination of all the fun things to do with Superman... even someday with Bebe... even some amazing party ideas for the future pregnitos in my life...

Admit it, ladies. You too wear your hearts on your Pinterest boards. 

The World is Your Stage

When you feel like you've lost inspiration in the Apple -- or even just writer's block -- chances are you'll stumble upon something that will reaffirm that anything is possible.

For example, Shakespeare in the Parking Lot. An entire Shakespeare production... in an East Village parking lot.

No, but really though. It's an actual production. With unionized actors. And legitimate acting (from actors that got their degrees from my Alma Mater!). And it draws a crowd of curious and "in need of inspiration" Appleites.

My cousin Yaman (a better Appleite than I) recommended that we check it out, and I'm glad we did!



That's Hamlet...

The whole experience got me thinking... forget those people who say you can't do something! And forget that little thing in your head that says, "If only I had more... then I could do..."
Hamlet just played out in two parking spots in the East Village. Get inspired.

In the Apple -- and out -- you can do whatever the heck you want. There is no one two three go.

Homes for Our Troops

With all of these charity events coming up that require donating money, it's hard to keep track of the "good" organizations (the ones that really do amazing things) and where the money will go - especially with military organizations. In good faith, we donate and tell ourselves that we have to believe that our tiny contribution will make a difference.

But Superman and I have never seen a better organization in action than Homes for Our Troops (HFOT). HFOT builds specially adapted homes -- completely mortgage free! -- for severely injured veterans. The work HFOT does is amazing -- and entirely based on volunteer work. In fact, Superman had the chance to help build one of these homes for a soldier in his unit who was hit by an IED and lost both of his legs.

He, along with hundreds of other soldiers, civilian volunteers, and local businesses, built entire one level house from the ground up.

We attended the "welcome home" ceremony for the soldier and his family -- when they saw the house for the first time. It was a real-life "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Except, instead of crying tears of joy at the TV screen, we cried tears of pride because we had a direct hand in helping this family. The house came complete with doors wide enough for his wheelchair. Countertops were also sized at a level that was convenient not only to him, but to his wife and three kids.

We were so moved by our experience with HFOT, that we decided to allocate the money that we would've spent on wedding favors for our guests to HFOT. It was one of the best "wedding-related" decisions we made.

Now, I've set up a little 'tip jar' on the right column of this blog. I don't want to stop giving to HFOT -- if not financially, then physically! A majority of the proceeds raised through that jar will benefit HFOT. I hope you will consider donating.

** P.S. - I do NOT work for HFOT, nor do I know anyone who works for HFOT. We were just completely moved by our experience with them -- one of a dwindling number of organizations who spend less money on overhead costs, and more on helping military families in need!!!!

Back to School!

Remember when back to school meant back to school SHOPPING!? You couldn't leave the store with less than 8 bags of shtuff.

Office Max was like the Gucci of the 4th grade me. Okay, who am I kidding. More like the DSW.

Well, a few days ago I did my back to school shopping. And it really only amounted to one bag. Dang technology has us replacing paper with laptops and pencil sharpeners with... well, nothing.

You might be thinking: What the eff! You're more educated than 85 percent of the world's population. You dang out lapped your husband in edu-macation. You're borderline over-educated!

Well yes and no. I have an absolute addiction to teaching and learning and teaching and learning. Even though I can quit whenever I want to (ha!), I'm not gonna. Because I love it.

This week I'm starting my first class at NYU (my 8th grade dream school) to get a certificate in creative non-fiction writing.

You also might be thinking, what the eff! You're already a professional writer in the big bad apple -- what more could you possibly ask for!??

A chance to tell a few good stories I've got tucked away to a different kind of audience. In a journal, a magazine, maybe even a book (holy grail!).  Whatever it takes, I'm going do it.

The super household is so excited. I think secretly deep down Superman LOVES the fact that I can't sit still for one minute of my life. I mean, I got Superman excited enough to diligently go through a Pottery Barn catalog and design me a home office. It's a necessary school supply, I say.



So I didn't have that many supplies. But at least I kept it colorful!



Simplicity

Traditional Armenians believe there are a few among us that have the extraordinary gift of reading your fortune by just looking into your coffee cup.



(My work mug)



I should take heed and embrace.