Monday, May 31, 2010

What happened?

There used to be three followers, and now there is one...did I offend somebody?

I Remember

On this Memorial Day, I remember...

The soldiers who bravely gave their lives for our country.

That we are currently fighting at least one war in the Middle East.

The courageous, selfless men and women who serve our country every day.

And I bear witness...

To all those who are hiding a part of who they are in order to serve.

To the boyfriends and girlfriends left behind, their love never acknowledged.

To the 14,000 military careers claimed by "Don't Ask Don't Tell".

In closing, "When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one." ~Epitaph of Leonard P. Matlovich, 1988

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Lesbian and Loving It

I am proud of being lesbian.

Yes, you heard me: I am proud of being lesbian.

I am PROUD to be crushing on girls, with all the heartache it brings.

I am PROUD to keep up with news in my world via gayrights.change.org.

I am PROUD of the courage of my people, standing up for our right to life in Africa and our right to marriage in America.

I am PROUD to be different. I am PROUD to be "out". I am PROUD to be a color of the rainbow.

I am lesbian and I am PROUD, and I will shout it from the rooftops!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Unexpected Expenses

$3.00 at the zoo for powerade to prevent lithium toxicity

$3.00 splurge on ice cream at the zoo

$3.00 for a party for my Hebrew class.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Raising Awareness

http://gayrights.change.org/blog/view/missionaries_of_hate_details_harms_of_ugandan_bill

Apalling...makes me glad to live in America. I cannot say that I am yet proud to be an American, but I am glad to live in America.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Identity Dress-Up

Sometimes I feel like a little girl trying on dresses as I explore and experiment with various parts of my identity. Yesterday I discovered a national marriage boycott (marriageboycott.ning.com) and of course I signed up. I will shortly be ordering my equality ring (see the website) and the day I get to discard that ring will be one of the happiest of my life.

I am lesbian. I know that.

Yet three weeks ago I was battling random waves of rage as I struggled to remain socially acceptable.

I am bipolar. I know that.

I am a bipolar, lesbian Jew.

Or a lesbian, bipolar, Jew.

Or a Jewish, bipolar lesbian.

Or a Jewish lesbian with Bipolar Disorder.

Or...

It's a lot to wear all at once.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Treasured Conversation Snippet

Me: I love you a lot.

"John": Sarah, we are the dearest of friends.

Me: You kow you're one of two friends I count as family, right?

"John": You know you're one of two friends I count as friends?

"John": That didn't make any sense, did it?

Me: No.

"John": That's OK. It didn't need to.

[I love conversations like that!]

Sunday, May 9, 2010

My Favorite Things

(Inspired by this [http://themourofamily.blogspot.com/search/label/random%20thoughts] post at the Mouro Family Blog.)

1. My best friend "John": He has been there for me through everything--good and bad, usual and not-so-much--from day one. He has seen me through chronic pain, great test scores, Bipolar Disorder, my amazing religious experiences, etc. He's been there to wish me luck for plays and interviews and tell me he knew I could do it, no matter what "it" was.

2. Music by Steven Curtis Chapman: I have had to be a bit careful with this one because he is a Christian music artist and I don't want to be blasting Christian music at this school, but his songs are all amazing and I've managed to find a sizeable playlist. My favorites are "God is God" and "Fingerprints of God".

3. "Battle Hymn of the Republic": My favorite song ever. It is such a powerful poem!

4. Jewish philosophy: There is more to being spiritual than simply praying. I like to read about God (or rather other people's metaphors for God) too.

5. A good rain storm: I love to watch rain, feel rain, play in the rain.

6. Clean, cold water: There is nothing so refreshing in the world, and I know how lucky I am to have it.

7. Sewing: I love to sew, especially when I am doing something practical, such as repairing clothes. That just makes me feel so productive!

8. Sculpey III modeling clay: I got my first pack for my sixth birthday...let's just say I've been hooked ever since!

9. My favorite nightshirt: It's from a klezmer (Jewish folk) music concert in 1997. It is a mens' extra large and I will never outgrow it! It's actually been my favorite nightshirt for thirteen years.

10. Reece's Rainbow: I just love the work of this organization! What a worthwhile cause! And of course, I feel very attached to the little boy, Grady, for whom I am praying.

*Just one more: Meir Panim: A charity that works in Israel to provie hot meals and more to Israeli children living below the poverty line.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Randomness

I feel the need to blog but I'm not sure about what I should write. In no particular order:

I am studying for the AP Language exam, twenty pages of study guide per night.

I am making a scarf as a surprise present for a special someone. (No, just in case you're reading this, not the someone who already has one.)

I am rereading a biography of Mother Teresa; this is the book that inspired my Challenge, my shoe drive, etc.

I plan to start studying for finals the day after prom.

Hmm...this still has not generated a real blog post. Oh, well. We can all deal with it.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Challenge Day 73

Today I bought my prom ticket (ten dollars) and entered a raffel for a thirty dollar gift certificate to a local restaurant (two dollars). This Sunday I need to go to Target and buy conditioner and earplugs (probably under ten dollars). This will leave forty dollars to donate at the end of the year.

Monday, May 3, 2010

My Plans for This Challenge

Oddly enough, I am no longer finding "The Challenge" challenging at all. Over the past two and a half months, I have grown accustomed to it, and I now derive great joy from treasuring my possessions, using things until the very end, and saving money to donate to people who need it so much more than I. The thing is that, although in some ways I've given up so much, if we divided the world's resources, opportunities, and "things" evenly, I still have much more than my fair share. I feel called to right that balance wherever, whenever, however possible, with Mother Theresa as my role model and inspiration.

Also, life just tastes sweeter with less. Everything is appreciated more.

The Challenge Day 72--Patching

So yesterday I repatched a skirt that was the first thing I ever patched because I have learned so much more since then. Here are some tips about patching:

1. Cut the hole into a square or some other basic shape. This makes it easier to work with.

2. The edges of the patch should far exceed the edges of the hole. You'll need more than you think, and you can always trim the edges later.

3. All fabrics are not created equal. Think about where you are patching. A hole in the knee of your jeans needs a nice, stretchy patch. A hole in a skirt just needs newish material without too much stretch.

4. Sew twice around the patch for extra durability.

5. Fabric: You may attempt to match the clothing fabric or go for something obvious and wild. I like to have fun with material; my blue skirt now has a purple, flowered patch.

6. Wear your patched clothes with pride! It's a great way to show off sewing skills.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

The Challenge Day 71--A FREE show!

My school is putting on a play! I'm going to see it today, because it's FREE! SO excited.

Also, please all pray for Grady. His third birthday is in less than two weeks, and after that he will have only one year before being sent to a mental institution, possibly for life. How awesome would it be if he could get a family before that?!

(See earlier post titled Introducing Grady for further information.)