Re-Vamp

Chinatown, San Francisco 

Washington, D.C. taken when I was in the city for the

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert rally 

Somewhere over New York State on the way to California 

Driving along the California highway

I was fooling around the other day while editing some of my old photographs and I really liked how these four pictures ended up once edited. I am experimenting more with photography since I hope to pursue it as a career, however we shall see what the fates have in-store for me.
Jem

The Social Network

Look at that face... how could you not love it? 

I know I am a bit late on this bandwagon but I must say I loved the film, The Social Network. I had wanted to see it for months but never found the time to until today. Also, what was really awesome about the theater where I saw it only charged a two dollar entry fee. They only play films which have been in the theaters for a few months. Anyways, back to The Social Network. The film is about the founders of Facebook, the relationships which they have with one another and creation of one of the most popular websites ever. I was so interested to see how Mark Zuckerberg would be portrayed by Jesse Eisenburg. I mean this is the man who created Facebook, only one of the most popular social networking sites of all time (take that MySpace!). So obviously, people are going to have a lot of ideas of what sort of man he is. In the film Zuckerberg comes off in a really serious, smart, brilliant, slightly cocky and pompous fellow. Now whether or not the real Zuckerberg is really like this, who knows. All I can be sure of is that Eisenburg did a fantastic job and honestly deserves all the accolades.
Also as a side note, it must be said, Jesse Eisenburg is such a cutie. Gosh, I love cute, nerdy Jewish boys! Eisenburg also has a really great sense of wit which really comes off in his interviews well at the same time maintaing an air of nervousness. Its rather endearing actually. Besides appearing in The Social Network the actor has been in films like Zombieland (which I LOVED), Holy Rollers (I'm in the middle of watching it), and The Squid and The Whale. He was just on SNL tonight- which I haven't been able to see yet (except for the opening monolog) but I bet its hysterical. Check out the monolog to see a special appearance of the real Mark Zuckerberg chatting with the fake Mark Zuckerberg. Hilarity certain ensues.
Jem

Simple Pleasures

This photograph was taken from the window of my

dorm room one day when I was up early- Isn't it

gorgeous? 

Sometimes we just need to enjoy the simple, wonderful things which life brings us. Life can be so hectic that we sometimes forget to enjoy the little things which bring us joy. The list that follows are just a few of my favorite things. I cannot help but marvel at and smile while doing these things since they bring me so much happiness. 


-Feeling the breeze and the ocean air when at the beach 
-Spending hours in a used bookstore marveling all the rare and special books
-Eating an ice cream from a cone on a summers day
-Painting my nails, especially when they actually look good in the end
-Listening to an upbeat selection of music
-Dancing when no one is around
-Drinking tea while reading a really good book
-Wearing cashmere sweaters 
-Eating mini Babybel original cheese (YUM!)
-Laughter 
-Writing a letter or receiving one in return 
-Having a picnic 
-Watching the sunrise or sunset


Jem 

J'aime Beauté

www.operationbeautiful.com 

One of the best websites on the Internet for boosting self confidence and teaching people to love themselves is operationbeautiful.com. I first discovered this amazing website months ago, just when it was starting out. It has been such a joy to watch the website and concept grow and become more popular. The idea for operation beautiful is that people write little notes on post-its and leave them in random spots for others find them. They are cheerful, eye catching, and thoughtful notes which have actually helped people realize that they are beautiful and to start loving themselves for who they are. A simple note can truly make a difference in someones life!

I have been posting notes with operation beautiful approved sayings where ever I go in the hopes that it might make someones day. This particular note I stuck on the door of the bathroom stall on my floor at college. What truly amazes me is that it has been on this door since around Thanksgiving time (I think it was before the holiday but I can't exactly remember). No one has taken it down; none of the girls on my floor nor the cleaning staff. In fact the people who clean our bathroom are men. I am pretty sure that it was also one of these men who put a little bit of this tape on post-it since it was nearly about to fall off. Isn't that amazing? I love that no one has any idea who did it (well except for me! hehe) and clearly no one has a problem with it. I really hope that this one post-it note was able to help someone feel better, that it made a difference to someone. In fact, I know it already has, it made a difference to me. It gave me the confidence to continue with this project and yes, I feel beautiful!

Jem

P.S. For those of you who might not know French the title of this blog posts means I Love Beauty! 

The Faith Club

My carmel frappuccino which I enjoyed while 

reading this wonderful book!

As I have mentioned a few times before on this little blog of mine, I am very interested in other religions and creating an interfaith dialogue. I think this is in part because of my own background- I was raised in a Jewish household. My sister and I, ever since we were little tots attended Sunday school, then eventually every Wednesday night for five years Hebrew school. It was during these classes and general celebration of my faith that I became more interested in what it means to be Jewish, my own relation to g-d, and so an interest in religion developed. Yet, I wasn't just interested in Judaism but also Islam, and Christianity. My parents raised me to be curious about the world around me, to ask questions, and to accept other people even if you have differences.

So with these thoughts and beliefs in mind I looked to start and interfaith group on my college campus. I started talking with the coordinator of Hillel (the Jewish student organization on campus) about creating a place where dialogue could take place. After all, without dialogue and understanding their can be no hope for peace. Luckily, for me, she was also interested in starting such a group at my college! We have yet to have our first meeting, yet I already feel like I am on the road to dialogue. Our group assigned everyone to read The Faith Club.

The Faith Club is an amazing book, it honestly changed my life. Before I was interested in creating a group just like the three women (a Muslim, a Jew, and a Christen) but I didn't know how to go about it, what questions to ask, what sort of reactions people might have, etc. However, this book gave me a sense of peace. A feeling that if these three women can do it then so can I! I really believe that religious dialogue between different faiths is key in understanding one another which will lead to peace.

I am looking for something more then tolerance. A lot of people say, why not try to be tolerant of one another but honestly I don't like the word tolerance. Tolerance is getting along just for the sake of getting along, not because you truly understand them and are their friend. Why would I want to tolerate someone when I could accept them for who they are?

As the three women of the original faith club soon learned (and what I hope my group will also learn) is that although they had differences they also had similarities. They were raising their children in NYC after 9/11, were working mothers, interested in their religion and others too, etc. Soon enough, they were not just simply three women of different faiths working together on a book but they were also friends. I highly recommend this book, after all, we need more faith clubs in the world. So get the dialogue flowing!
Jem

Playing The Game

I am currently watching the film The Young Victoria and I was blown away by this scene. Its terribly romantic, don't you think? Prince Albert wins points for telling Victoria to find a husband to play the game with her, not for her. He was quite the feminist in that sense I think. Most men of that time would have been horrified to see their wife as their equal, it just wasn't thought of. To see Albert say this to Victoria, is quite wonderful, and romantic. Honestly, no wonder they are one of my favorite royal couples. They truly loved one another which is beautiful considering how many royal matches fall to pieces. So here's to Victoria and Albert, one of the greatest love stories!
Jem

Show Me Your Skins

The first generation cast 

The lovely, gorgeous, and talented Nicholas Hoult! 

A screen clip of Cassie

Lately I've been obsessively watching the British television show Skins. First off can I just say, its fucking brilliant! I don't normally swear but honestly, that's the only way to describe the show, with swear words. Skins is such a great show about being a teenager and the crazy things we do. I love how the show was so groundbreaking, I can't think of any other show of this genre which has portrayed teenagers so honestly. I really loved the first generation cast, two names you might recognize are Dev Patel (of Slumdog Millionaire fame) and Nicholas Hoult (from About A Boy and A Single Man). However, at the moment I think my favorite character is Cassie (its always changing though). Their something so real and perplexing about her. Cassie is struggling with an eating disorder throughout the show, and while I've never had such an illness, its her honesty which I like. Also for some reason, Cassie reminds me of what Luna Lovegood would have been like if she was a muggle, they are both a bit airy and are dreamers for sure. Also as a side note, can I just say, Nicholas Hoult is freaking gorgeous! I mean, seriously, WOW!
Obviously if you live in America and ever watch MTV you have seen promos for an American version of Skins. I would recommend just staying away from it, its going to be complete rubbish. I've always thought that the original of a television show or movie is always better, most remakes never live up to the first one. So, go watch Skins if you want to get a good look at British teens, Nicholas Hoult, or just need something to entertain yourself with.
Jem

The Greatest Unknown

I was on the site, Jezebel (where I go for some of my pop culture information with a feminist spin), when I stumbled on a link to a video about one of the greatest street photographers ever. I've always been very interested in photography so I clicked on it. What I found was surprising and amazing too. Vivian Maier is probably one of the best photographers of the 20th century. Yet, her work wasn't discovered until a few years ago. The nanny/photographer took over 30,000 pictures, and many more images are still not developed. When I watched this video it struck a chord with me, I was amazed that this women had captured so many beautiful moments in peoples everyday lives. Even if you don't care about photography, you can't not watch this video and not be amazed by these stunning images. They were so beautiful that I actually got choked up- I've never cried over works of art before- so that's saying something! If you want to learn more about Maier check out the blog, http://vivianmaier.blogspot.com/.
Jem

Cheer's To A New Year

Tere Arigo (Tumblr)

So.... Hello....2011! It seems that you snuck up on me and caught me by surprise. 2010 was a blur of exciting events and chances for personal growth. 2010 was a pretty spectacular year so you have a lot to live up too (but I'm sure you can do it). Some of my favorite moments from 2010 are memories which I will cherish forever. I will always remember 2010 as the year I went to prom and danced the night away with my school mates, graduating from high school, celebrating N and M's wedding, dancing with all my cousins and sister to "We Are Family," my trip to Disney with five of my besties, starting college, meeting some amazing people, attending my first hockey game and loving it, amongst other things. I hope that 2011 is even bigger and better then previous years. I hope that this year I am able to be more fearless, to do things I've always dreamt of, to make this the year of magical events. So 2011, are you ready? I say; BRING. IT. ON.

Jem