tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53981837770781748742024-03-13T11:00:48.123-04:00NYC Taught MeSharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.comBlogger674125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-11435782539348139332017-05-22T14:46:00.000-04:002017-05-22T15:02:14.552-04:00First semester is done. (Wrote but never published)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXd8raBbaLnGoIr0B056xJj8IoRAGQLRccsMP1hzBclSWjJlu4_GV8fisbhW4t9_XeBHh8RsW_DT7KLjhKwSUHI8krrz8JgBHABmh1SJNTN9nM6gYzrrWr2-G2YnGj4wVAOZ7VznVmDQ/s1600/Race-Photo-Nail-Salon-Asian-Women-Chris-Buck-Oprah-Magazine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXd8raBbaLnGoIr0B056xJj8IoRAGQLRccsMP1hzBclSWjJlu4_GV8fisbhW4t9_XeBHh8RsW_DT7KLjhKwSUHI8krrz8JgBHABmh1SJNTN9nM6gYzrrWr2-G2YnGj4wVAOZ7VznVmDQ/s640/Race-Photo-Nail-Salon-Asian-Women-Chris-Buck-Oprah-Magazine.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love <a href="http://elitedaily.com/life/culture/lets-talk-about-race-photos-chris-buck-oprah-magazine/1954524/" target="_blank">this series </a>where Chris Buck flips the script on race and power </td></tr>
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<b>*I wrote this post a year and a half ago and never published it. Looking back on it now, I see clearly that I outsourced many household tasks and other responsibilities to either immigrant people or people of color. I bolded those tasks. I'm coming to terms with the idea that, like most wealthier people, I tend to outsource chores to poor immigrant women. This isn't a solution I'm comfortable with anymore. This morning, I read <a href="https://english.emmaclit.com/2017/05/20/you-shouldve-asked/" target="_blank">You Should Have Asked</a>. It's obvious where the change needs to happen. Read it and pass it on to *whoever* needs to hear it. :)</b><br />
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<b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <b>The following is the post I wrote 1.5 years ago:</b><br />
<b><br /></b> <b>What I did:</b><br />
Took 17.5 credits plus a pass/fail statistics class<br />
Worked at my internship for 21 hours a week. I have 5 clients coming to me for therapy. I love it more than I ever thought.<br />
I learned how to write in APA style.<br />
I wrote so much.<br />
I read things that have changed me. I will never be the same person.<br />
I rode my bike to the South Bronx 3 times a week. Every time I passed the Apollo Theatre and saw a group of white people huddled together with a tour guide, I knew I was half way home. Really interesting to observe the divide where white tourists felt comfortable in NYC and where they don't. Under the Apollo marquee was one of them. I never saw them venturing beyond that. It made me squeamish to observe this happening.<br />
Columbia did a really good job providing opportunities to gain self-awareness.<br />
I moved mid-semester. It was necessary but exhausting. It took me 2 months to unpack.<br />
I took advantage of Columbia's 24 hr library multiple times.<br />
<br />
<b>Here's how I was able to do everything:</b><br />
<b>-I hired a moving company to pack and move everything.</b><br />
<b>-My family ate out every single night. I didn't cook the entire semester.</b><br />
<b>-I hired a maid to come once a week. I adore her. She goes well beyond what is expected of her.</b><br />
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<b>-I never did laundry. The entire semester I signed up for a wash and fold service each week. </b></div>
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<b>-I learned what my drink is at Starbucks (grande skinny cinnamon latte with skim), at Dunkin Donuts (medium macchiato with one pump vanilla and skim), and at my school's vending machine (vanilla cappuccino--only 75 cents!)</b><br />
-I paid someone to drop off my kids at school every single morning. Some people hire a dog walker, I hired a kid walker. I pay her a flat rate of $20. Sometimes it takes 45 minutes. Mostly it's an hour. Sometimes longer if the train is delayed. Sometimes she buys them muffins. I pay her back when that happens.<br />
-Went to therapy once a week. The school actually recommends it to help process all the things we see and experience. I found the best therapist in the world.</div>
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-14854976312353624102015-06-05T15:54:00.001-04:002017-05-22T14:59:27.080-04:00Another Edition of Sharon the Feminist: The Feminist Booklist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Men have done some amazing things. I'm so glad I spent 33 years learning about them. Almost all the stories I heard at church were about men or were trying to get me to worship one. The last time I went for the entire block of church, I waited for a story about about a woman to be mentioned. It never came. 3 hours worth of stories about really great men! It's so fun to look around at all the men and wonder if I'll ever be as fabulous as them. The most ironic thing is when I went to the Relief Society (their women's organization) hour and we only talked about men. I almost exploded.<br />
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I can only imagine how that formed me into the person I am today. I try not to think about the damage it's done. I also thought back to my school days. Almost all the stories I heard at school were about men's heroic deeds in government and war. Thank you men. <br />
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But now I've moved onto a new subject. This year, I've made an effort to seek out books, TV shoes, and movies that feature strong female characters. I've become such a snob about it. I just<br />
don't want to hear another story about a man. Especially a white one. Ugh. Enough is enough. I get it. You're great.<br />
<br />
It's been wonderful to have women's stories floating through my head all day long. I can feel myself changing.<br />
<br />
I noticed the way I stand can be slouched over and the way I talk can be meek and extremely self depreciating, especially around people I'm intimidated by. I'm trying to stop that. Also putting my hands into the sleeves of my sweatshirt when I'm cold. It's so childlike. I actually do that! I now put my hands in my pockets. I'm also trying to stop complimenting women on how young they look. Just doesn't feel right anymore. I've stopped calling a group of people "guys", unless they are guys. Those are the top things I've noticed. Subtle things. I'm sure there are more.<br />
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Here's the books I've enjoyed in the last few months. I read them quickly so brainwashing would be the most effective. It worked.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Feminist-Essays-Roxane-Gay/dp/0062282719" target="_blank">Bad Feminist</a> (Interesting)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Found-Pacific-Crest-Trail/dp/0307476073/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433532920&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=wiuld" target="_blank">Wild</a> (Fun read)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Year-Magical-Thinking-Vintage-International-ebook/dp/B000OI0FS0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433532943&sr=1-1&keywords=a+year+of+magical+thinking" target="_blank">A Year of Magical Thinking </a> (So good)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Color-Purple-Alice-Walker/dp/0156028352/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433532960&sr=1-1&keywords=the+color+purple" target="_blank">The Color Purple </a> (THE BEST. How did this book escape me for so long?)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Train-Novel-Paula-Hawkins-ebook/dp/B00L9B7IKE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433532981&sr=1-1&keywords=the+girl+on+the+train" target="_blank">The Girl on the Train</a> (beach read, not really my style. Felt like I should read it because my friend were.)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Story-Life-Dover-Thrift-Editions-ebook/dp/B00A73BIN8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433533004&sr=1-1&keywords=the+story+of+my+life+by+helen+keller" target="_blank">Helen Keller: The Story of My Life</a> (LOVEEEEEE)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Member-Wedding-Carson-McCullers-ebook/dp/B003JTHWG4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433533030&sr=1-1&keywords=the+member+of+the+wedding" target="_blank">The Member of the Wedding</a> (kind of boring, but effective.)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Handmaids-Tale-Margaret-Atwood-ebook/dp/B003JFJHTS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433533049&sr=1-1&keywords=the+handmaid%27s+tale" target="_blank">The Handmaid's Tale</a> (How did I miss this in High School? So good.)<br />
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-20827162643188121422015-05-27T12:12:00.002-04:002015-05-27T12:14:14.190-04:00We Went Camping <br />
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We rented a car and went camping in <a href="http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/burlingame-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=RI&parkId=252711" target="_blank">Burlingame State Park</a> in Rhode Island for Memorial Day weekend. While the campground was a zoo (800 sites booked solid for the weekend), it plopped us in a part of the US we've never experienced. We spent most of our time exploring the area rather than hanging out at the camp fire. There were moments of perfection (our meal at <a href="http://www.rhodyoysters.com/" target="_blank">Matunuck Oyster Bar)</a> and moments of frustration (the boys woke up at 5am every day whyyyyyy). All the gear is still out in the front hallway. I want to go camping again this weekend so I don't have to put it away. I was thinking <a href="http://www.watchhillfi.com/camping.html" target="_blank">this spot on Fire Island</a>. Or <a href="http://parks.westchestergov.com/activities/camping" target="_blank">this spot upstate</a>. Both are accessible by train. Seriously looking into it.<br />
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-10252936325816695972015-05-26T14:09:00.001-04:002015-05-27T09:27:32.776-04:00Best Mother's Day Ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mother's Day seems forced to me. There's always a nervous energy my house that day. Everyone has to be nice to mom! No fighting! Make her breakfast! Clean the dishes! Isn't she so special?! WE LOVE YOU!!!!<br />
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Ok. Thanks everyone. I know you do and I love you too. I feel it all year. But today you're all making me squirm.<br />
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And I always miss my mom on Mother's Day. Last week I was in Central Park looking at everyone walking by <a href="http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/bethesda-terrace.html" target="_blank">Bethesda's Terrace</a>. There had to be hundreds and hundreds of people visiting the park. I would trade anything to have one of them be my mom. There's so many people on this planet and none quiet fill the hole my mom left in my heart. Mother's day reminds me of that hole. Makes me sad.<br />
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After trying to make this day work for so many years, Rob thought of an idea to make this the best Mother's Day everrr. I shouldn't be, but I'm always surprised when he does something that shows he knows me better than anyone. Like last Christmas he bought me a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062282719/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0062282719&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=THDQII3P3NWHVNIL">Bad Feminist</a>. I almost cried at his thoughtfulness. It was so good. And last week, he knew I needed to escape all this Mother's Day madness. I never said I needed to be shipped out, but that's exactly what he did. He surprised me with plane tickets to Puerto Rico. He left the hotel reservations up to me because he knew I would want to pick one. And he bought travel insurance just in case I thought it was a terrible idea and wanted to cancel. I thought that was a sweet gesture. But there was noway I was going to cancel.<br />
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So I woke up at 6am on Mother's Day, skipped breakfast, threw on my backpack, squeezed my family and said goodbye. I caught the train to Newark International Airport and was off to Puerto Rico by myself. I arrived starving in Old San Juan five hours later. The next three days were spent exploring, eating, relaxing, and even missing my family. It felt wonderful.<br />
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I would have never thought of flying away from my family on Mother's Day. It's seems rude, even sacrilegious. But for the first time in 15 years, I'm looking forward to next Mother's Day. I wonder where Rob will ship me next time.<br />
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Photos to follow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found a better looking version of Rob and me at my favorite cafe. I couldn't stop staring at them. I stopped after making awkward eye contact with the girl. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best thing I ate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my hotel lobby</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't tell here, but the streets have blue bricks. So pretty. </td></tr>
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-60909384109441306692015-04-28T08:38:00.001-04:002015-04-28T08:42:39.176-04:00College Update and Ordain Women<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm so excited to attend Columbia University to get a masters in social work this fall. I'd like to think my college essay played a big part in my acceptance. I wrote mostly about my experience as a Mormon woman. Last Friday, I decided to edit it into a suitable profile for the <a href="http://ordainwomen.org/" target="_blank">Ordain Women</a>, an organization of Mormon women seeking equality. I've resisted their movement in the past, but I've changed my mind. I want to help make the LDS church a healthier environment for everyone, especially my daughter. My sons. My family. Everyone. Gender Equality is one of the ways to make it happen. <a href="http://ordainwomen.org/project/hi-im-sharon-3/" target="_blank">Here's the essay I wrote for Ordain Woman</a>:<br />
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Hi, I’m Sharon. A month after my mom died of breast cancer, I flew across the country to attend BYU-Idaho. The year was 2000 and I was 18-years-old. While I mourned her death, I was drawn to messages about motherhood. I read quotes in my college textbooks that said, “Of course, as a woman you can do exceptionally well in the workplace, but is that the best use of your divinely appointed talents and feminine traits?” And, “The divine work of women involves companionship, homemaking, and motherhood” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/eternal-marriage-student-manual/womens-divine-roles-and-responsibilities?lang=eng" target="_blank">Eternal Marriage Student Manual, 2001, pp. 347-349</a>). As a life long member of the church, these types of statements always seemed complementary and I accepted them.
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Since I was convinced motherhood was God’s plan for me, I naturally made my goals centered around getting married and becoming a mom. By the age of 25, I was married, staying home to raise my three kids, and had callings in the primary and relief society presidencies. I was living the mormon dream. I knew unfavorable economic, political, social, and cultural institutions to women existed, but if asked, I would have denied I was experiencing one first hand.<br />
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It wasn’t until I trained for the 2012 NYC Marathon that I took the time to process my role as a woman. The more I ran, the stronger I became. On my long runs, I was able to spend a lot of time thinking about my role in the LDS church and realize the messages I received during my formative years were damaging, hurtful, and sexist. Over the next 3 years, I would spent a lot of time researching and redefining what womanhood means to me and what roles we should have in the world.
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Through it all, I’ve come to this conclusion:
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Even though BYU-Idaho still includes the same sexist quotes in their textbooks, I’m grateful for my time there. It’s where I met my wonderful husband, which led to having three amazing kids. It also gave me a strong desire to help eliminate all forms of discrimination and be empathic to issues women face today. Because of that, I regard my life in the LDS Church and my time at BYU-Idaho as a gift. Without these experiences, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. And I quite like myself because I realize what needs to be done.
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<br />
Women need to be ordained. Not only in the LDS church, but in all religions. Gender equally needs to happen in all organizations. I want to help women, especially my daughter, live in a world where there are no limits. If submitting my profile here helps do that, sign me up! I’m here to support Ordain Women. I’m excited for change.
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4067296" title="Follow NYC Taught Me on Bloglovin"><img alt="Follow on Bloglovin" border="0" src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4067296" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- FM Content Series Zone -->
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-75064475754180517912015-04-06T10:37:00.001-04:002015-04-23T15:11:49.514-04:00Podcast 3: The Diet and Exercise Episode<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBM9c0b3-ROLJcXhRYO4gU1DsJxFVioJ7PTBSVXbFbxB9oxX1AQuntdWmP3pHEbmtiR1aM3l0eeSjC7gyb0e40Mg5idgJgip3d08baDKFcAlFaM2atEGRpyW7yxKd_jeqmkD7sX4EaFo/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBM9c0b3-ROLJcXhRYO4gU1DsJxFVioJ7PTBSVXbFbxB9oxX1AQuntdWmP3pHEbmtiR1aM3l0eeSjC7gyb0e40Mg5idgJgip3d08baDKFcAlFaM2atEGRpyW7yxKd_jeqmkD7sX4EaFo/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" height="632" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not me. I know. </td></tr>
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Rob and I discuss our struggles with weight-loss and exercise in the latest episode. Check it out our goals and what motivates us. It's sure to inspire. Sort of. <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/weight-loss-exercise-episode/id980959233?i=338701477&mt=2" target="_blank">We're also on iTunes now. </a>:)<br />
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Here's Erika and Mason. We mention them in the podcast.
Erika is <a href="http://www.erikadawnfitness.com/" target="_blank">an amazing personal trainer</a>.
And Mason's the guy with the good bod . . . errr work ethic. ;) <div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- FM Content Series Zone -->
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-18937285035237625372015-03-03T11:42:00.001-05:002015-03-03T11:49:26.527-05:00Podcast 2: The Point is Rob Doesn't Care<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Last podcast Rob and I declared our love for each other, this one ends in a fist fight. Enjoy! It's about our adventures staying in a hotel 10 minutes from our apartment. The indoor swimming pool and hot tub supplied us with almost all the material we needed to make a 15 minutes podcast. Thanks to everyone who listened to the last podcast. Hope you like this one. Feel free to turn it into a drinking game every time Rob says "The point is." or "I don't care." Double up when you hear him sing. It's sure to be a good time.<br />
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-75230010455284847362015-02-24T11:23:00.000-05:002017-01-01T23:15:31.440-05:00Take a Break with Kyle Mooney<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UfhTPwEPqK8" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
SNL Made this video for their 40th Anniversary Special but never aired it:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UXVxDo2iM-I" width="560"></iframe>
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I still think my roommates are the worst. I say we keep 'em.<br />
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com330tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-38955809400360719172015-02-17T11:10:00.003-05:002015-02-17T11:53:50.325-05:00NYC Taught Me the Podcast: Episode One, Rob and I Declare Our Love For Each Other Sort-Of<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6TVpqb4QjisWB_FeG8lhnLR28p3vTslw3kfgAvu1nPc5YNZ6yQEDuPe7m68QBF-kNKnUE10JMQDhaLquNLT7vtBCcMCQSp1_xqN7Q5WYLLRUklQdeGahkq0slgfX6CXhk-skLWUluuY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-17+at+11.08.00+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6TVpqb4QjisWB_FeG8lhnLR28p3vTslw3kfgAvu1nPc5YNZ6yQEDuPe7m68QBF-kNKnUE10JMQDhaLquNLT7vtBCcMCQSp1_xqN7Q5WYLLRUklQdeGahkq0slgfX6CXhk-skLWUluuY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-17+at+11.08.00+AM.png" height="636" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last Friday I came up with the idea to start a podcast with Rob. And we did it! It's short, 15 minutes. Hope it makes you smile while doing an otherwise boring job like loading the dishwasher. We had fun making it and exposing our unconventional love for each other. We plan on publishing one every Tuesday. Click play below. Links to some of the things we mention in the podcast below.<br />
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1. If it sounds like I was disappointed with Valentine's Day, I was. Because, I expected <a href="http://www.theonion.com/articles/nations-girlfriends-admit-absolutely-everything-ri,35270/" target="_blank">"an amazing, thoughtful, nearly flawless experience, one that is simultaneously fun and romantic, and a night I will remember for the rest of my life."</a> There's no winning.<br />
2. Rob nailed the clothes he got for me though. Here's <a href="http://store.americanapparel.net/boucl%C3%A9-shawl-cardigan_rsa0330?c=Black%20Cotton%20Boucle" target="_blank">the awesome cardigan</a> and <a href="http://store.americanapparel.net/wool-floppy-hat_floppyhat" target="_blank">floppy hat</a> he got me.<br />
3. The article on <a href="http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2015/02/are-you-okay-with-conversational-pauses.html" target="_blank">Cup of Jo about Finnish people enjoying a quiet lunch</a>. Sigh.<br />
4. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VA464S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002VA464S&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=XJL6BXN43MIVDREM">microphone</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ntm05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002VA464S" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> I bought Rob for Valentines day.<br />
5. <a href="http://www.opentable.com/start/home" target="_blank">Open Table</a> and <a href="http://www.yelp.com/manhattan" target="_blank">Yelp</a> because Rob thinks he discovered them.<br />
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com131tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-67718872755811195092015-02-10T13:24:00.000-05:002015-02-10T14:02:48.620-05:00Just One Good Picture<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVgOHSzmYc-NOzb2giv_pzIaIHwktZ7pIuIvCIO6QUm__tFCEmV68zLzKMwzwAuWc_dzxuyTooxMunUrv7IvVFcXpGBEMLPFj6IyYRpybXnNzVRG1AkeoXAOf_D4WSDwkL_vOrzTKaS0/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVgOHSzmYc-NOzb2giv_pzIaIHwktZ7pIuIvCIO6QUm__tFCEmV68zLzKMwzwAuWc_dzxuyTooxMunUrv7IvVFcXpGBEMLPFj6IyYRpybXnNzVRG1AkeoXAOf_D4WSDwkL_vOrzTKaS0/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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On a hike with my family last week, I announced the time has come. I want one good picture of myself. It's been long enough. I'd estimate it's been a good solid 6 months of awful pictures. If I took a good picture, I'd stare at it and marvel. This is the best one I got from the hike. Still on my losing streak. It's so bad. What gives me hope is when I see average people on the cover of magazines looking amazing. I want what Lena's having. And Tina and Amy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXqYtzgSLXk2P52IpqoI36mqDcZuu_1MTRt0TawxLrhmXPERs71iS0sq67f3DyOfT7HnSZoVKVtNg_JhToWpTsMRhdKP9mYvGYU2UxPe3NtEkJ96kMdV7wwB56hbwUbLrTe6nXxzbmCg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-10+at+1.00.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXqYtzgSLXk2P52IpqoI36mqDcZuu_1MTRt0TawxLrhmXPERs71iS0sq67f3DyOfT7HnSZoVKVtNg_JhToWpTsMRhdKP9mYvGYU2UxPe3NtEkJ96kMdV7wwB56hbwUbLrTe6nXxzbmCg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-10+at+1.00.38+PM.png" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The worst? THE WORST is when beautiful people make ugly faces in photos to be relatable or something and still look amazing. Ok. We get it. You're pretty even when you try not to be. You're not afraid to be ugly. Cool. Thanks for mocking us.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEl4TUkyaYLYqTKsXs4yc_E-bMFIVKsJ2TJ3daqnmZC-TwUcvtYAGgtdxKdt3NkjjZmB6NwtQcBKILN6wS6AG-6KuLHEetbBME1yembF3cq6-uy5LSYPl4e1wX3SPjFyectlxn0liwHM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-10+at+12.42.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEl4TUkyaYLYqTKsXs4yc_E-bMFIVKsJ2TJ3daqnmZC-TwUcvtYAGgtdxKdt3NkjjZmB6NwtQcBKILN6wS6AG-6KuLHEetbBME1yembF3cq6-uy5LSYPl4e1wX3SPjFyectlxn0liwHM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-10+at+12.42.36+PM.png" height="416" width="640" /></a></div>
I fear I'll have to go to a Glamour Shots Studio to solve this problem, but I really don't want to. I want the photo to be taken by accident. After a team of stylist and photographers and graphic designers take care of it. Start snapping.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- FM Content Series Zone -->
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-63156760945721556652015-02-09T13:57:00.005-05:002015-02-09T14:00:27.561-05:00Career Update: Grad School Applications are IN!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bQBXK_Ar_4Ddi_XmDpu8gmYim8Yly5C_dGmHkGzDykrWoEzT7tOQDlPl_krplkHIVNohz6cxzVgDO2g08Xfwrh8KGmDvwti_gsQlBe4KvPG6Gor9SZ2NS6P5P6eCpMcMoOsvDiPAj_U/s1600/Success+Looks+Like.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bQBXK_Ar_4Ddi_XmDpu8gmYim8Yly5C_dGmHkGzDykrWoEzT7tOQDlPl_krplkHIVNohz6cxzVgDO2g08Xfwrh8KGmDvwti_gsQlBe4KvPG6Gor9SZ2NS6P5P6eCpMcMoOsvDiPAj_U/s1600/Success+Looks+Like.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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On New Years Eve, my family and I told each other our biggest fears of 2015. Mine was that I wasn't going to fill out my social work grad school applications. I was worried the deadlines would pass and I would shrug my shoulders and tell everyone, "Maybe next year." But I don't have to because I've submitted my applications on time! Now I just have to wait for the results. They should come in around March. I'll be devastated if I don't get accepted, but at least I tried. If I get in, 2015 will be marked as one of my favorite years ever.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- FM Content Series Zone -->
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-5141902003547942522015-02-04T12:25:00.000-05:002015-02-05T00:28:26.373-05:00Frances McDormand: Adding to the list of people I want to meet on the street of NYCSomedays, when I'm feeling low, I think to myself: You know what I need right now? A celebrity sighting because that'll perk me up. Rarely does this happen. Actually, it's never happened when I needed it most.<br />
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Celebrity sightings usually happen when I'm with Rob. He can spot one from miles away. He'll be like, "Oh, there's Jerry Seinfield." And there's Jerry crossing 81st St. wearing ill fitting jeans and a stupid baseball cap. Or Rob will whisper, "You're standing next to Tina Fey." And there she'll be, dressed in the frumpiest cream sweater you ever saw and I look down at my hand and what am I holding? A butcher knife my friend just gave me after she realized she accidentally packed it in her suitcase. Act cool.<br />
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I always get jealous when people see celebrities that are on my list. I just went to breakfast with a friend who saw both Louis CK AND freakin Mark Ruffalo. I about flipped out of my chair when she told me she saw them because I HAVE SPEECHES IN MY HEAD FOR WHEN I MEET THESE TWO.<br />
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Another person told me she went to a private school interview and guess who was there with his daughter for an interview? Woody Allen. Now I know. I know. <a href="http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/01/an-open-letter-from-dylan-farrow/?_r=0" target="_blank">Woody Allen :(</a>. But still. Annie Hall changed my life at age 20 and I would at least like the see the man who was apart of that.<br />
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I'm geeking out and writing my list of people I want to see on the street. Here it is:<br />
1. LOUIS CK (WHY HASN'T THIS HAPPENED ALREADY?)<br />
2. Mark Ruffalo.<br />
3. Keri Russell (I haven't even seen all the episodes of Felicity and I have no idea who she ends up with, but when I was in high school, I would imagine at my prettiest, I looked just like her. I never did. My face instead erred more to the other curly haired celebrity at the time: Chelsea Clinton. Which is fine, whatever, but seeing Keri Russell on the streets would make all my high school dreams come true. I loved her so much and my sister knew it and made fun of me like crazy for it. Which, looking back on, I totally deserved. :)<br />
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4. Tina Fey (check)<br />
5. Lena Dunham (check, <a href="http://www.nyctaughtme.com/2012/11/my-birthday-present.html" target="_blank">I wrote about it of course.</a>)<br />
6. Katy Perry (I'm stretching here. I want to beef this list up but I can't think of anymore. Katy, you're on.)<br />
7. NEWEST: Frances McDormand<br />
I knew it was bad when I was walking home from school today and started thinking about what I would tell her. Something like, "Wow. Frances McDormand. I love your work." Totally unoriginal shiz, I know. Nothing flashy, just something quick. I have to rehearse my speech so when it happens, I don't blurt out, "Wow. Hello Frances Mcdormand. I've never watched Fargo!" And then start mumbling about how it's on my list of things to do this week and I don't know how I've gone this long without watching it and I don't even know what it's about, only that she wins best actress for it. Then go on to tell her only reason I know that is because I went down a severe Frances Mcdormand internet worm hole yesterday, which eventually led me to view her SAG acceptance speech. It's awesome. Posting it again. Totally impressed how she self promotes her work.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UlBb1RHrXB0" width="560"></iframe>
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Notice at the end of the speech, she mentions she's performing in the <a href="http://thewoostergroup.org/twg/twg.php?early-shaker-spirituals" target="_blank">Early Shaker Spirituals</a> and tells everyone to see it? I googled it and found out it's coming to NYC. Yay. Why wait to have a Frances McDormand celebrity sighting when I can pay to have one instead? So I bought tickets to see her perform. I can't wait. <a href="http://thewoostergroup.org/twg/twg.php?early-shaker-spirituals" target="_blank">There's still a bunch of $25 tickets available.</a> Go. I don't know what it's about, only that I can't get enough of this woman. Before I see her, I hope to watch all the movies she's be in--everything from Fargo to Madeline to rewatching Olive Kitteridge with Rob. Where has this woman been all my life? I'm so glad I found her.<br />
<br />
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-19268566536460656572015-02-02T11:37:00.001-05:002015-02-03T11:29:59.243-05:00And What's Your Vegetable?: Frances Mcdormand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over Christmas break, I stayed up until 3am watching all four episodes of <a href="http://www.hbo.com/olive-kitteridge#/" target="_blank">Olive Kitteridge</a>. Frances Mcdormand plays Olive, one of my favorite female characters ever portrayed on film. I was captivated the entire time with her honesty, whit, and sadness.<br />
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In the first episode there's a scene when Olive marches into her neighbors Rachel's house and wakes her up. Rachel is clinically depressed and won't get off the couch. Olive ends the conversation by telling her to get up and asks her about dinner. Rachel starts sitting up and mumbles, "I guess I can make some chops." Olive goes further, "And what's your vegetable?" Rachel sighs. She looks at Olive as if she must be kidding. She's not. Rachel finally picks peas and this satisfies Olive. She starts leaving Rachel's house and says, "I gotta go. I've got my own dinner to make. By the way. Your son got a 98 on his math test. You could praise him for that." Olive walks out.<br />
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The directness that Olive talks to Rachel is so refreshing. What Olive lacks in warmth, she gains in her overwhelming love for Rachel's life.<br />
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Out of all the scenes from the series, this is the one I think about most often. While I don't suffer from depression, I do find myself getting overwhelmed with motherhood, especially at the end of the day. Dinner is too much to handle sometimes. But if I can narrow it down to a simple ingredient, I'm ok. What vegetable will I be serving? There needs to be one. Pick it. I hear Mcdormand's voice saying, "Get up! Got to start thinking about dinner. You set for something? Come on. What's your vegetable?" It's just the motivation I need. <br />
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Today I chose green beans. Tomorrow is still pending. And that's ok.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZTHtPIilE6c" width="560"></iframe>
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"I'm waiting for the dog to die so I can shoot myself." Her delivery is so funny. Bill Murray's reaction seems genuine. Makes me giggle every time I hear it too.<br />
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UPDATE: If you don't have HBO, you can buy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P32L0HM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00P32L0HM&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=AJIW2XPI64UZKIVG">Olive Kitteridge</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ntm05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00P32L0HM" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
DVD on February 10th. Yay. Valentine's gift idea. <br />
<br />
And More Frances Mcdormand:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UlBb1RHrXB0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
On Aging: LOVE THIS
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NZLQ0jPcuwQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
On women on film. LOVE THIS TOO
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bdri8afDr2k" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-42413404643280399882015-01-20T23:01:00.001-05:002015-01-21T00:49:21.307-05:00NYC Tourist Trap I Approve: Jekyll and Hyde Club<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today my kids and I stumbled upon the <a href="http://www.jekyllandhydeclub.com/home.html" target="_blank">Jekyll and Hyde Club</a>, a haunted restaurant in Times Square with live entertainment and special effects. There's all this weird stuff on the outside that lured my boys in: skeletons, creepy lettering, and an old phone booth. Ella was a bit reserved, thinking it was an actual social club for mad scientists. Then I spotted 3 middle-aged women walking out with doggie bags, and she knew it was going to be ok. It was.<br />
<br />
We walked up the stairs and were greeted by a waitress named Crystal. Salt of the earth. So kind and welcoming. With her southern accent she asked what brought us to NY. She was shocked that we were locals. I suspect tourists supply most of the action at this place. Even though we had no intentions of eating anything, she smiled and told us to take a look around.<br />
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It was around 2pm and the restaurant was practically empty. Only three other parties were in the massive space. My kids walked from booth to booth checking out all the displays: siamese twin girls with curly hair sitting on a fancy chair, a statue of Zeus spinning circles, and a scuba diver getting eaten by a shark. It felt like the haunted mansion at Disney World, until one of the statues came alive. It was a doll holding a knife with a creepy voice that said, "Ossscaar, is that you? I've been waiting for you!" He totally freaked. The doll continued using information she gathered unbeknown to us. The doll ended by saying she was going to hide under their beds tonight. "See you at 12am!" Then her head spun around to show a gory face and she turned off. My kids giggled with delight. We needed to order food to have an excuse to stay longer. <br />
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I knew right away this wasn't going to be the type of restaurant you go to for the food. <a href="http://www.jekyllandhydeclub.com/menu.html" target="_blank">The menu</a> has typical American fare. Which is fine and expected for this part of town. We played it safe and ordered a chicken Caesar salad and a cheese burger with fries. I'm baffled when I read <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/jekyll-and-hyde-club-new-york-4" target="_blank">the Yelp reviews of this place</a> and people complain about the food. Really? I wish people reviewing could know the difference between a place you go for the food and a place you go for the experience. It seems so obvious to me. That said, my cheese burger was good. The fries were good. The salad was fine. But it didn't matter! This place had so much more going for it than the food.<br />
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You know the doll who personally talked to my kids? It didn't end there. They got personal conversations with a shrunken head, a giant elephant, a mad scientist, an explorer guy, and just about everything else in the restaurant. I lost count after awhile. We were in the presence of people passionate about their jobs. They committed 100% to their characters. I wanted to speak to the managers and praise them in their hiring efforts. I don't know where they found these people, but I was blown away. There was really no reason for them to be giving us so much attention. Not just us, they kept everyone in the restaurant smiling and laughing. With so few costumers, you would think the actors wouldn't care. But they worked that restaurant as if it was filled to capacity. There was even a Frankenstein inspired stage production!<br />
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It was such a fun and unexpected afternoon in the city. The blood and guts, the spiders, the secret bathrooms. It was all kitschy and great. And while my kids are probably having nightmares as I write this, I go to bed with my heart filled. My love for humanity grew a little more after an afternoon at the <a href="http://www.jekyllandhydeclub.com/home.html" target="_blank">Jekyll and Hyde Club</a>.<br />
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-77001569873115727632015-01-04T04:56:00.001-05:002015-01-04T05:29:14.478-05:00Strand Books Wrote My New Years Resolution: Read/Listen More<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The only way I clean my house (shown above) or exercise or do any other hateful thing is if I listen to an audio book. It makes me feel like I'm not wasting my life away. Here's a list for 2015 inspired by an email I got from <a href="http://www.strandbooks.com/" target="_blank">Strand Books</a>. All are either written by a woman or about women. Sometimes both. <br />
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1. A book that intimidates me: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Z7FH38/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Z7FH38&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=KU5V55J4IZF5DYGM">The Fountainhead</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ntm05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000Z7FH38" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MXQ7AQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001MXQ7AQ&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=CMDJYQUPHL6IXDTU">Atlas Shrugged</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ntm05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001MXQ7AQ" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
2. A book I've lied about reading: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JS9JJGK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00JS9JJGK&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=2HTWGQNEHQFLQGEZ">The Scarlet Letter</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ntm05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00JS9JJGK" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
3. A Short Story Collection: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009YB0VK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0009YB0VK&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=D3OF3CIBKJPYE3CZ">Best of Women's Short Stories</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ntm05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0009YB0VK" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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4. Read a book before the movie: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007MIWUG0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007MIWUG0&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=BWKYYOVGS6IAN5BI">Wild</a><br />
5. A book over 100 years old: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QKBHLY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001QKBHLY&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=X7SCOCBZADJZVM4C">The Awakening</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ntm05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001QKBHLY" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
6. A debut novel: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010BA7O2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0010BA7O2&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=IC6YNMDVFDVYSK4N">The Edible Woman</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ntm05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0010BA7O2" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Strand made <a href="http://www.strandbooks.com/resources/strand/images/uploads/Home-Page-Banners/strand_2015_reading_resolutions_LIST_small.pdf" target="_blank">an extended list</a>, but this should get me started. I already finished listening to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007MIWUG0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007MIWUG0&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=BWKYYOVGS6IAN5BI">Wild</a>.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ntm05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007MIWUG0" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Loved it. Now I just have to watch the movie. I especially like that it's starring <a href="http://www.nyctaughtme.com/2011/06/silliness-really.html" target="_blank">my daughter's doppelgänger.</a><br />
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com190tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-68035162958152001032014-12-17T10:53:00.000-05:002014-12-18T13:43:38.459-05:00How My Thoughts on Motherhood and Womanhood Were Formed And What I'm Doing to Change ItA month after my mom died, I flew out to attend BYU-Idaho. I was 18-years-old. I've always been an impressionable person, but during those years I was extremely vulnerable to any messages about womanhood and motherhood. Each message reminded me of my mother and the religion she believed was true. I wanted to honor her life so I clung to anything that was said over the pulpit. Below is a mash-up of what I was hearing. To say that they are damaging and wrong are an understatement. I've spent my 30's reprograming everything I know about motherhood and womanhood. It hasn't been easy, but I'm happier and healthier for doing it. I respect the women in the LDS church who heard the same messages and were able to disregard them. I wish I was one of them. I have empathy for the women who didn't. I was one of them. It is my hope that someday I can help women in suppressed situations get out. It's so much better on the other side! I'm currently filling out applications to get a masters in Social Work. It's videos like these that assure me I'm doing the right thing. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/114461160" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br />
The author, title, and full transcript of each talk seen in this video can be found <a href="http://www.colleenkellypoplin.com/home/faith-the-privileges-and-responsibilities-of-sisters">here.</a> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- FM Content Series Zone -->
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-71211376867012861022014-12-11T16:22:00.001-05:002014-12-12T12:17:54.189-05:00I'm Exercising my Way through the City<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2tALs0wOZj18EKcQvj9ymKwjLzQSTdEsdAtFm1dfJN7G34UHOouq9bSr_PLqiO2LBf_VxijEorhauGZB7X3LoQ_QnvzWTTx1coBJbcheopyBjnTjsE2g8Ux6oey40gdG1z0vNqlN584/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2tALs0wOZj18EKcQvj9ymKwjLzQSTdEsdAtFm1dfJN7G34UHOouq9bSr_PLqiO2LBf_VxijEorhauGZB7X3LoQ_QnvzWTTx1coBJbcheopyBjnTjsE2g8Ux6oey40gdG1z0vNqlN584/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Before Picture. After is yet to come. I like <a href="http://www.nyctaughtme.com/2013/09/impeding-doom-fall-fashion-and-moms.html" target="_blank">before pictures better anyway. </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After not exercising for around 6 months, I find myself heavily immersed in fitness. I used to <a href="http://www.nyctaughtme.com/search?q=run" target="_blank">run a lot</a>, but I got bored with it. Running doesn't work for me anymore. I wanted to try something new so I decided to do some research. True to form, I took the research seriously. I signed up for 6 diverse classes across the city. Here's my thoughts.<br />
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<b>Bikram Yoga:</b> What Hell feels like. Literally, it was 105 degrees and humid and went forever (90 minutes). I kept hoping I would faint so I could leave. 60 minutes into the class, I started to feel light headed and I was ecstatic. But I never fainted. Or died. It took every bit of will I had to stick with it. By the end of the class, I had nothing left in me. I was exhausted. I was thirsty. I was starving so I ate a Chipotle burrito and large slice of cheese pizza. The sad part is, the calories I burned during the class did not justify this binge. I just needed something satisfying to make up for the traumatic experience that is Bikram Yoga is to me.<br />
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<b>FlyWheel (stationary bike class)</b>: I enjoyed it, kind-of. The instructor was funny, the lights were low, and the music loud enough for me to sing without anyone hearing me. That was the biggest perk of the class. But mostly I didn't know what I was doing. I hate that feeling. I had no idea what the instructor meant when he called out, "First position!" or "Second position!" Am I at ballet class? And I peed my pants every time I had to stand and petal. I felt bad for the people around me. I must have smelled like a subway station by then end of class. The person I didn't feel bad for? Anna233. Even though it was my first time, I decided to include my name on the leaderboard. I was in last place the entire class no matter how hard I tried. Anna233 was always just right head of me in 12th place. I'm sure I made her feel super good about herself. And for that I'm happy. Always here to help.<br />
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<b>EVF Performance: </b>EVF performance? I didn't know either. I signed up for it and hoped for the best. The image on the website had a man smiling while lifting a small kettle ball. I could do that. I was 10 minutes early so I looked around the gym. There was a class finishing up their last rotation of pushups, jumping jacks, and squats. No one was smiling or enjoying themselves. There was a chalkboard listing the exercises. And the instructor had a shirt that read Crossfit in capital letters. Oh geez, I thought, I'm in a damn Crossfit gym. I'M IN A CROSSFIT GYM. I'M ABOUT TO TAKE A CROSSFIT CLASS. I stayed anyway. And learned it wasn't exactly crossfit, but it was. I squatted. I jumped. I lifted. The instructor for this class was new to NY, built like an ox and totally dreamy. Who knew I would find a beefcake dreamy? Not enough for me to go back though. This class was too intense for me. But out of all of them, it was definitely the best workout. I felt sore for the next few days.<br />
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<b>Pilates Mat: </b>If I didn't know what I was doing during FlyWheel, I certainly was lost in this class. Suck your stomach in, shoulders down, lift your back slightly. It all seemed more difficult than it had to be. And plus, the exercise I hate the most is a plank and that's all Pilates seems to be. One giant plank position. I get why. It works everything in the body and is the best exercise and <i>hold it for 15 more seconds!</i> It's so awful. I loved the music they played during the class, but it was actually a radio. So half way through a plank, a commercial came on and I wanted to die. I don't need commercials during a plank. I need freaking Talyor Swift telling me to Shake it Off. Something! My motto for this class would be, "Exercise is hard and not fun."<br />
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<b>Boxing:</b> Oh my God. I had to buy wraps for my hands. I had to wear fat red boxing gloves. I had my own personal punching bag. The kind Ali probably used. No matter how hard I tried, I could not take this class seriously. I kept giggling every time I hit the punching bag. Am I suppose imagine this bag is a actual human body? Like this is the ribs, this is the stomach. Bam! Bam! I'm going to get you human! The bag gave in a little every time I punched it. Is this what it feels like to hit a body? Do they fill it with just enough sand to make it feel the most accurate? I couldn't stop with these outrageous thoughts. I'm so messed up. The class ended with a plank contest. Of course. Whoever held it the longest won a free class. Even if I won, which there was noway, I wouldn't have gone back. I did feel tough when I washed my hand afterwards and my knuckles stung. Is this what warrior hands feel like? Am I a warrior now? My wacky thoughts continued for days.<br />
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<b>King of the Jungle:</b> Again, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The class description mentioned something about swinging through the streets of NY like a monkey. Got it. It started with us all jumping and quickly moved onto forward rolls, then handstands, then cartwheels, then round offs, and within minutes we were all instructed to do front flips and back handsprings. There was no holding back. The instructor showed us how to do the trick once and then we were all expected to try. I was shocked. Whoa whoa whoa. Don't we have to build up to this? Apparently not. I followed the instructions and surprised myself the entire time. I could do everything he asked. I quit gymnastics when I was 14 and thought that was the end of it. Conclusion: Muscle memory is real.<br />
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My ego had be hurt after being the worst all week at my gym classes. I always think of myself as a moderately athletic person, but for years I had been going to the gym or running in races and felt like such a loser. But I'm not a loser! I can do back flips! Losers don't do backflips! <br />
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And now for a motivational ending. I'm not used to doing this, but I feel inspired today. I think it's really important to experience as much as we can in this life. All these Christmas presents and things around the house mean nothing. They all are going to break or get lost or get outdated. It's experiences that have the most value to me. Now when I see someone post their Crossfit goals on Facebook, I'll understand a little of what it took to get there. Or when I pass a bikram yoga class, I'll know what it felt like to be in a sweaty hot room with strangers. Or when I see a boxing match on TV, I'll know what it feels like to hit a punching bag. That means something to me.<br />
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I encourage you to look up the random classes your city offers and try it out this next week. Do it before all the new years resolution people come and fill up the slots. You might surprise yourself and be good at something you did as a kid like softball or soccer. If not, there's always laughing at yourself. Which might be better than anything else. There's nothin' funny about this though:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aTCWMmPsKtw" width="560"></iframe><br />
This whole post was written as another excuse to post this video.<br />
<br />
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-87576583228927146412014-12-09T12:27:00.001-05:002014-12-09T12:32:32.016-05:00Matching Sleepwear on Christmas Day <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR_LFQWkkputT5LueOVkcLk2rNkcWFkkUKK6kDEo2Dnw2hNFeFTYm6VgsKJljhZ-hQGLfG2Hauv1ulI8tyZKmNruvHpZd06AnKyZaEfN7JC_BhLF8T6-T_znZ9YNH0U0L3DxjMNayhTA/s1600/christmasjammies3.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR_LFQWkkputT5LueOVkcLk2rNkcWFkkUKK6kDEo2Dnw2hNFeFTYm6VgsKJljhZ-hQGLfG2Hauv1ulI8tyZKmNruvHpZd06AnKyZaEfN7JC_BhLF8T6-T_znZ9YNH0U0L3DxjMNayhTA/s1600/christmasjammies3.jpg.jpg" height="198" width="640" /></a></div>
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Photos from previous years have been found!!!!!!!!!! Only took me 3 hours. I swear I put them in a labeled folder, but I couldn't find them anywhere. It's the same thing every year. Whew. I need a nap after working so hard. Good thing I ordered 2014's pj's months ago. Otherwise I might have had a complete nervous breakdown over my favorite holiday tradition. I just have to remember where I put those pjs. </div>
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Here's some Christmas sleepwear suggestions if you're planning on following this tradition too. Buy the fitted ones. Kids look so cute in them. Adults? It takes a special person to pull that off. I'm not one of them. But if you are, Target has you covered. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFf0N6lb7VFKRpj4TaQ6ZkNBY6C66Pq5BhLrfBd7efWhf2_BpH0PWjLJbFRirZmUn8fHzODYQALz7Q7Qytg6Jge_2YW5X5yRhkW7WvlDsgVedwWKGI6jqDus2yCog8oroO5Jw3Zyb2Jg/s1600/jammies.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFf0N6lb7VFKRpj4TaQ6ZkNBY6C66Pq5BhLrfBd7efWhf2_BpH0PWjLJbFRirZmUn8fHzODYQALz7Q7Qytg6Jge_2YW5X5yRhkW7WvlDsgVedwWKGI6jqDus2yCog8oroO5Jw3Zyb2Jg/s1600/jammies.jpg.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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1<a href="http://www.target.com/p/red-stripe-family-sleep-collection/-/A-16452477#prodSlot=_1_5" target="_blank">. Target // $14.99</a></div>
2<a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1001477&vid=1&pid=987086022" target="_blank">. Gap // $29.95</a> (take additional 40% off, ends tonight)<br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/210851057/organic-jammie-jam-set-elk-baby-and?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">3. Etsy // $50</a><br />
<a href="https://www.jcrew.com/girls_category/sleepwear/sleepsets/PRDOVR~08648/08648.jsp" target="_blank">4. J.Crew // $52</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- FM Content Series Zone -->
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-83399778335742821102014-12-02T14:46:00.000-05:002014-12-02T22:04:03.454-05:00Where I've Been Lately: STARVING Mostly<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8NTg4BZyP9lCDvHO2epoY0sULvY6eBrQDLPjTB2MOC5hoMr8wUYGa3T9qhKRLzSzcep5M7yWYPZqIpNJWIaIBGVgwl2qoFfLDCEVhyvwjo66jgedISuktEAUbAPE63H9foKWaFZVd2s/s1600/10616916_1491348444479320_1250838211_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8NTg4BZyP9lCDvHO2epoY0sULvY6eBrQDLPjTB2MOC5hoMr8wUYGa3T9qhKRLzSzcep5M7yWYPZqIpNJWIaIBGVgwl2qoFfLDCEVhyvwjo66jgedISuktEAUbAPE63H9foKWaFZVd2s/s1600/10616916_1491348444479320_1250838211_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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While at the library last month I found this gem: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1455507423/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1455507423&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=TP3FGMQK3AIK3WEC">10 Pounds in 10 Days: The Secret Celebrity Program for Losing Weight Fast</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ntm05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1455507423" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by good old Jackie Warner. I wanted it, but was too lazy to walk over to the counter to check it out. So I asked Ella to do it for me. It would give her a sense of responsibility. And plus, I would be working off 10 pounds soon. I needed to reserve my energy.<br />
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She read the title, then looked at me with concern and said, "Mom, these never work."<br />
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And I replied, "GET IT!!!!!!!!"<br />
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She rolled her eyes and checked it out.<br />
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I got home and tore through the book. I learned that for 10 days I would eat around 900 calories a day and as a result my ass would fall right off. I loved reading all the rules and restrictions. Rules and restrictions are my jam. It's what made me such a good Mormon for so long. Naturally, I followed the diet exactly. I looked forward to my hearty breakfast of 1/4 cup oatmeal and one walnut everyday. ONE WALNUT. I broke it up into tiny pieces so each bite included a morsel of it. It was heaven.<br />
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It was awful. The day I took this picture, Rob put Ella to bed because I was not in the mood. As she was about to fall asleep she asked him, "Why does mom gotta try to eat healthy? She used to be so nice! She wasn't even that fat."<br />
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I wasn't that fat, but now I look amazing. Who cares if all of Ella's eating issues stem from this moment in her life? Who cares if I prematurely started an eating disorder in her? Who cares about all that nonsense because I lost ten pounds! Totally worth it if you ask me. So proud of myself right now. Really everything couldn't be going any better over here. Mostly because I'm so skinny!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- FM Content Series Zone -->
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-62558516610960074312014-11-29T01:06:00.001-05:002014-11-29T01:08:07.138-05:00A Very Detailed Update<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zFgSK7Qtt1k" width="420"></iframe><br />
This has been the best week of my life.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- FM Content Series Zone -->
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-33259474148743330922014-10-08T10:08:00.001-04:002014-10-08T10:24:43.186-04:00Hallowehn Decorations from CVS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Like all good Nyorkers, most holidays I find myself strolling down the aisles at CVS daydreaming about the upcoming celebrations. Like my husband's <a href="http://www.nyctaughtme.com/2012/06/drug-store-birthday-8-gifts-i.html" target="_blank">birthday</a>. <a href="http://www.nyctaughtme.com/2013/01/flash-back-awful-wrapping-paper.html" target="_blank">Christmas</a>. <a href="http://screencrush.com/snl-valentines-day-cvs/" target="_blank">Valentines Day</a>. And most recently Halloween. My house is now filled with the finest Halloween decorations you've ever seen. Starting with a plastic door cover to set the mood.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfULoVE95eofHYECUhDBFr45_P4y24L__viHYcTww9iWu8RzYqAw9Sw_GcSks_E9r68-17NWFbnkwq7SO298qhA3VmWIT7dBsGrxY8Bh5SpeJCaOQhQKkqEyDQnUMRkZt46RfxYorO0Dg/s1600/photo+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfULoVE95eofHYECUhDBFr45_P4y24L__viHYcTww9iWu8RzYqAw9Sw_GcSks_E9r68-17NWFbnkwq7SO298qhA3VmWIT7dBsGrxY8Bh5SpeJCaOQhQKkqEyDQnUMRkZt46RfxYorO0Dg/s1600/photo+(11).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
And then moving to spooky cutouts to line the hallways.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVXQFkyNXHNkXIuRVOSjFg_SYOKst6PUxkOEe9cbLACaqV7W1-6SJwNd3RcXqmG6AEoVUkt2_dETs3DHMfB2Y6wFwyJM0YPk5oMzXylSBjJ0oZOzfPmZT_LCWdJLq7JQ3ZUpnxnss6Rc/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVXQFkyNXHNkXIuRVOSjFg_SYOKst6PUxkOEe9cbLACaqV7W1-6SJwNd3RcXqmG6AEoVUkt2_dETs3DHMfB2Y6wFwyJM0YPk5oMzXylSBjJ0oZOzfPmZT_LCWdJLq7JQ3ZUpnxnss6Rc/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0gvi-6yJJw-mqjGhu7pHf2V2B1QAVnjV_B0_qCMebIqzQLpmJlfbejS8ML1_Ucv4Bagetd3XHsTAHZ1p9i8cdkZbXFbvNRXGV-0ZRHAOIL-H9IWnlu8nDi_dS0nvqKoP4OYx9Gg-A-o/s1600/unnamed-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0gvi-6yJJw-mqjGhu7pHf2V2B1QAVnjV_B0_qCMebIqzQLpmJlfbejS8ML1_Ucv4Bagetd3XHsTAHZ1p9i8cdkZbXFbvNRXGV-0ZRHAOIL-H9IWnlu8nDi_dS0nvqKoP4OYx9Gg-A-o/s1600/unnamed-3.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8DkI7yvpiTtihDKeIDt5DAXfLUlm7UWiSyjzfFixx8VXgPW_gwiJ40JJKV2gu_VukQCtNMnV-jtqxXWdOzNBQMRVS1SBA29KBVE8szXupxq67AvbaSKM43yjv58UkE4tdvPARjAWvxQ/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8DkI7yvpiTtihDKeIDt5DAXfLUlm7UWiSyjzfFixx8VXgPW_gwiJ40JJKV2gu_VukQCtNMnV-jtqxXWdOzNBQMRVS1SBA29KBVE8szXupxq67AvbaSKM43yjv58UkE4tdvPARjAWvxQ/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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But Nothing says Happy Halloween quite like this CVS banner. It comes premade and ready to hang. It starts off fine, but the twist at the end is really quite the shock.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY8eXYN7ZRRJVXz3xnqJ-UkShETJkJZpLUx54KYgYeNdGH1QZrGjYh_Z7jxY3VpF9ldodNXpOItNPXNtQCpAs3ahcwiQX6ZJ2JFmjKHsr_01mjZF1wk7wEUNbFaQxvKI0RF91lYTT6_I/s1600/photo+1+(19).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY8eXYN7ZRRJVXz3xnqJ-UkShETJkJZpLUx54KYgYeNdGH1QZrGjYh_Z7jxY3VpF9ldodNXpOItNPXNtQCpAs3ahcwiQX6ZJ2JFmjKHsr_01mjZF1wk7wEUNbFaQxvKI0RF91lYTT6_I/s1600/photo+1+(19).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvsYtJu88M-iTA2Oo2aOANSlruLwmRrTcFbnUbz1sc80aIXUfagKoK6LHMCn-JXLYpvyrmuZX-h3M-B6JRfxc11KSLAwgl3WkDfraPdO-GFFx87F9q5DGWn4sH5XJlT0TfgF51fOsR0A/s1600/photo+2+(14).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvsYtJu88M-iTA2Oo2aOANSlruLwmRrTcFbnUbz1sc80aIXUfagKoK6LHMCn-JXLYpvyrmuZX-h3M-B6JRfxc11KSLAwgl3WkDfraPdO-GFFx87F9q5DGWn4sH5XJlT0TfgF51fOsR0A/s1600/photo+2+(14).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
So many things are wrong with this. First, that I buy decorations from CVS. I truly have no standards. Second, that I didn't notice the spelling error until it had been hanging in my house for a week. And third, that I googled Hallowehn to confirm it was spelled incorrectly. It is. And it could have been worse. Somewhere in this world someone has my E. I just hope they noticed the error faster than I did. If not, I hope they have a very Eappy Halloween.<br />
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com105tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-50230604552394163452014-10-06T15:17:00.000-04:002014-10-06T15:26:35.085-04:00Halloween DoneThis is what my kids want to be for Halloween and so that's what they'll be. A bunch of tacky costumes from the Halloween store. I've decided to make my own costume.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n6vz3vO1S1hJ6KAYRtxQGsLgfDiJr1fU4lNTr96-HNOj98PWfsRF13A5ur2QV0I4VS9aAh6MM4qoFJ6id0BmoeBLOT7y-rUNqdWpZIU8cin5EDyyEyo9TP1PHMBpbfg7BVW20T9Ll5Q/s1600/owenscary.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n6vz3vO1S1hJ6KAYRtxQGsLgfDiJr1fU4lNTr96-HNOj98PWfsRF13A5ur2QV0I4VS9aAh6MM4qoFJ6id0BmoeBLOT7y-rUNqdWpZIU8cin5EDyyEyo9TP1PHMBpbfg7BVW20T9Ll5Q/s1600/owenscary.jpg.jpg" height="374" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Owen will be <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WCVZZK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000WCVZZK&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=DBFJU7T7CA46CZDV">this phantom</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ntm05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000WCVZZK" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> with light up eyes.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9cy30I8wDNGqggNCZd1MNKc-y1KGFqF4kJEy8yaX2GfiBv8FGG0BMeatyUI43jmZhi3oCyg-74zgg1vlvEgF5W0L-NB8ZNt8mdxFp3LnuOMDV_mvSEr09Wfp0vu0rfeOvJS5I3RF-uI/s1600/oscarheadless.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9cy30I8wDNGqggNCZd1MNKc-y1KGFqF4kJEy8yaX2GfiBv8FGG0BMeatyUI43jmZhi3oCyg-74zgg1vlvEgF5W0L-NB8ZNt8mdxFp3LnuOMDV_mvSEr09Wfp0vu0rfeOvJS5I3RF-uI/s1600/oscarheadless.jpg.jpg" height="374" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oscar will be <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0082VDBOG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0082VDBOG&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=UAYF2AKALQO7SZWO">this headless horseman</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ntm05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0082VDBOG" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQEhDNGe4Yso1dqGmTXy6YJ0asMULje0aFyXfyawTKEcU9UMflcVgkP3RCMOQ0P3qDsV-Ps-HXlBonYMaFSuqQeK2xigNqPDFdJzjW8xNLbzy0XPCCE9kJT8HYwt3OluvT2a0bc-KM54/s1600/ellaflapper.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQEhDNGe4Yso1dqGmTXy6YJ0asMULje0aFyXfyawTKEcU9UMflcVgkP3RCMOQ0P3qDsV-Ps-HXlBonYMaFSuqQeK2xigNqPDFdJzjW8xNLbzy0XPCCE9kJT8HYwt3OluvT2a0bc-KM54/s1600/ellaflapper.jpg.jpg" height="594" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ella will be a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KJKNCI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003KJKNCI&linkCode=as2&tag=ntm05-20&linkId=FHX5YJJ3YQ42B2J6">flapper</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ntm05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003KJKNCI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. </span></td></tr>
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And of course, I'll be you know who. My twin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidH5I8OoJBZON9Ilb6TNYJu9M4yFcuG3Vcyg6DFP_RnZb9Zg7_e0zgtqXbQpH36PnWmeUncCPjqMUdRWQq2TpAgRKha0NArhT1wQDx4WVrGl7JY3SViJ4PTgncQklngJyrjJBIZBj0y7k/s1600/sharonbeyonce.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidH5I8OoJBZON9Ilb6TNYJu9M4yFcuG3Vcyg6DFP_RnZb9Zg7_e0zgtqXbQpH36PnWmeUncCPjqMUdRWQq2TpAgRKha0NArhT1wQDx4WVrGl7JY3SViJ4PTgncQklngJyrjJBIZBj0y7k/s1600/sharonbeyonce.jpg.jpg" height="374" width="640" /></a><br />
I've got the hair . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrpbpw-L6FZ9Nm3imkxB0ckVGsaYDAnFnpOoXvmNWtdgbfaP3Zcf0BRP9VkBmYernlCQ1pPALeXJZla45itBKMTDM2KJyVc2BStkrtwCCCuMZ9I7N-gS689NK4mvJdVcLFv13ELL3r0g/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-10-06+at+3.01.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrpbpw-L6FZ9Nm3imkxB0ckVGsaYDAnFnpOoXvmNWtdgbfaP3Zcf0BRP9VkBmYernlCQ1pPALeXJZla45itBKMTDM2KJyVc2BStkrtwCCCuMZ9I7N-gS689NK4mvJdVcLFv13ELL3r0g/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-10-06+at+3.01.25+PM.png" height="484" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And the ass. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Happy Halloween.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4067296" title="Follow NYC Taught Me on Bloglovin"><img alt="Follow on Bloglovin" border="0" src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4067296" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- FM Content Series Zone -->
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-20626707973056958442014-09-22T11:08:00.002-04:002014-09-22T16:17:50.520-04:00A Saturday at the Whitney Museum with KidsThis trailer makes absolutely no sense. It's trying so hard to be the Breakfast Club. I could have taken some creative liberties and changed the template. But I didn't. I trust the geniuses at Apple know what they are doing. It stars my kids and the Jeff Koons exhibit at <a href="http://whitney.org/" target="_blank">the Whitney Museum</a>. I couldn't love it more. <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yCuB42RoIVI" width="640"></iframe>
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FYI: The Jeff Koons exhibit is your last chance to roam <a href="http://whitney.org/" target="_blank">The Whitney Museum</a> before it moves to its <a href="http://whitney.org/About/NewBuilding" target="_blank">new downtown location</a>. Go before it's too late! If you have kids, I suggest going this Saturday, September 27th for a <a href="http://whitney.org/Events/JeffKoonsFamilyDay" target="_blank">special Family Day from 9am-1pm</a>. You will not be disappointed.<br />
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After we ate breakfast at the museum, roamed all the floors, and then walked through Central Park, we came home for a few hours to rest. That's when Owen had the nerve to ask, "So is this going to be a stay-at-home day?" Ahhh. Sometimes I want to move to the middle of Nebraska. These kids don't even remember half the stuff they see anyways. Even on the actual day. What's the point? <br />
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com217tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-87562230770389735712014-09-18T14:19:00.001-04:002014-09-18T14:41:21.123-04:00Meals I Thought Were Worthy of A PhotoPresenting food I thought was worthy of a photo . . .<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebTRlIXOORHgqieXnQcm68qw1R146ZveQH2Mh4artu-cgwJnkBbcadnd46s_z4rgg1JDF5Vw7gXFn_whu24ppQMR5zF9iZ8MCsHaZdemXhJ3H2KjXTjX5Mivs42YGlh21FBZWzdOTQFc/s1600/2009+july+9.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebTRlIXOORHgqieXnQcm68qw1R146ZveQH2Mh4artu-cgwJnkBbcadnd46s_z4rgg1JDF5Vw7gXFn_whu24ppQMR5zF9iZ8MCsHaZdemXhJ3H2KjXTjX5Mivs42YGlh21FBZWzdOTQFc/s1600/2009+july+9.png" height="434" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't worry. It's organic. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqf8aQN7PRuPgbsg9xeUHemfFDbyb0mlnOGShMs5rBphIhlKODudlzLzPkLLxZWVZnA46g0kwAEpAPz_hxgXUmB4kpBWBTY5eyg0zF_cOEZP4g7exuKLFvdK1jd8ZdQMR0SmMT9Gy4CU/s1600/2009+oct+31.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqf8aQN7PRuPgbsg9xeUHemfFDbyb0mlnOGShMs5rBphIhlKODudlzLzPkLLxZWVZnA46g0kwAEpAPz_hxgXUmB4kpBWBTY5eyg0zF_cOEZP4g7exuKLFvdK1jd8ZdQMR0SmMT9Gy4CU/s1600/2009+oct+31.png" height="640" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let's see here. We've got candy corn, a veggie tray, chips, and ritz crackers. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Was this pic taken at a party from 1979? Nope. My house party, October 31, 2009. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Was I trying to be retro? Nope. I was trying to be fancy. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK5mgzEY4n2yQRzYS8n5R8zqlQp2foxhPF49zOkET7QDveQO3pKHDIMjRPTPc7zAaK9ZpcqKyGDgWZqMPpVNP2wM0-MLeVT5Nq0MZc0eRmzrJUgLc2gAH_nLvlk2fySL6NxcbLnfBJTg/s1600/2010+feb+22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK5mgzEY4n2yQRzYS8n5R8zqlQp2foxhPF49zOkET7QDveQO3pKHDIMjRPTPc7zAaK9ZpcqKyGDgWZqMPpVNP2wM0-MLeVT5Nq0MZc0eRmzrJUgLc2gAH_nLvlk2fySL6NxcbLnfBJTg/s1600/2010+feb+22.png" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quick! Get the camera. My kids are eating artisanal ice cream from the local creamery. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4Q_EYFwdnsxNV_fC1Cz94OVbMJPu992bLQLhmZRWszWv33uV-ES4RoMptuzJfPeyyHapDilTYJr1z1clo31vBhW6CpKQMqgENBtkpH8IwKHJPXV0cJl9-TgR8sjoXYMDRCq_93_6ALs/s1600/2010+feb.+27.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4Q_EYFwdnsxNV_fC1Cz94OVbMJPu992bLQLhmZRWszWv33uV-ES4RoMptuzJfPeyyHapDilTYJr1z1clo31vBhW6CpKQMqgENBtkpH8IwKHJPXV0cJl9-TgR8sjoXYMDRCq_93_6ALs/s1600/2010+feb.+27.png" height="640" width="470" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I forget the reason for this picture, but I hope I was trying to be ironic. Otherwise, I have problems.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_J_wkfd7-kWcDXxKJRyntYbqk-rBzY264q94RQBjxD0xtl5IpDjRddSVxyCHFJcJLVDDoQXrLDRZfQ5jyRX1i-d4TwVmkZ90WYAd54zw-PIVW4CKDcCLbTdnc5dh9BXjy4l0KkS0OPQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-09-16+at+10.58.58+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_J_wkfd7-kWcDXxKJRyntYbqk-rBzY264q94RQBjxD0xtl5IpDjRddSVxyCHFJcJLVDDoQXrLDRZfQ5jyRX1i-d4TwVmkZ90WYAd54zw-PIVW4CKDcCLbTdnc5dh9BXjy4l0KkS0OPQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-09-16+at+10.58.58+AM.png" height="474" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My only request that night: Eat a sundae that mimics my hair color and style.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Done and done. </span><br />
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</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4067296" title="Follow NYC Taught Me on Bloglovin"><img alt="Follow on Bloglovin" border="0" src="http://www.bloglovin.com/widget/bilder/en/lank.gif?id=4067296" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- FM Content Series Zone -->
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com134tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398183777078174874.post-54686304623613626732014-09-17T12:13:00.002-04:002014-09-17T12:56:01.260-04:00My Glorious Twenties<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bVywEUZ1xl4?rel=0" width="480"></iframe>
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This is what a typical house party in my 20's looks liked. The video was taken 2009 in my house in Belmont, CA. I was around 26 years old. Such a bizarre time in my life. Tons of screaming babies, not just for me, but my friends. It felt like we were all living the dream. The mormon dream! Young and happy and married with kids. This video captures the chaos perfectly. I'm so glad it's over.<br />
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PS The only reason I'm skinny is because I got free child care at my gym from 9-12pm and 3-6pm. I went twice a day to escape my kids. It was the biggest motivator to get me in shape. Don't let all these fit mammas fool you. It's the free childcare! Now that my kids are older, I haven't set foot in a gym in years.<br />
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<!-- FM Content Series Zone --></div>Sharon Beesleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01216815786961720884noreply@blogger.com25