KONY 2012!!!

Hey everyone!!!  I have something that I want to share with all of you, and it has an importance on a global scale.

A few years ago I had the privilege to read the memoir of Ischmael Beah, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldiers, and later hear him speak as a part of the Distinguished Lecture Series at UW-Madison.  His work greatly impacted my like, and I could honestly say that there was not a dry eye in the auditorium the night he spoke.  If any of you are unfamiliar with the usage of child soldiers in Africa I suggest you become familiar.  This heinous practice influences 10's and 10's of thousands of people.  And this year there is a new campaign, started by an American Documentist, to bring this subject to the light, and to more specifically arrest one of the biggest warlords in Africa that utilizes children for soldiers and sex slaves.  All that you have to do is watch the video, KONY 2012, and share it with others. Congress only looks at an issue if it is a repeated concern of the majority.  So please help spread the word, and don't let the steps already taken to apprehend the criminal that is KONY go unnoticed and fall by the wayside.

I know that each of you will be touched by this film, and I hope you're compelled to further share the video and the information with others!

KONY 2012: www.KONY2012.com
Watch the film HERE: www.invisiblechildren.com

Here's a link the Ischmael Beah's website:
http://www.alongwaygone.com/

THANKS SO MUCH MY FELLOW BLOGGERS!!! 
More posts of my shenanigans to follow this weekend! :)

RagazzaC
Carpe Diem

Making Banana Pudding, Pretend Like it's the Weekend Now, We Could Pretend it all the Time!

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.  Since there's no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let is snow.  (I'm in a sing-songy mood, as shown by my need to Christmas carol and revamp some Jack Johnson lyrics in the title.)

And snow it is!!!  Southern WI is in the middle of a big snow storm and I LOVE it!!!  If you've never been in a WI blizzard you are sincerely missing out!  While most people are complaining about the snow and driving conditions, I'm loving the time being forced to stay inside.  Everything is white and the snow covered trees are like something out of a dream.  Something about the chaos outside makes my life magically get organized.  I am so productive during this time being cooped up!  Bills get paid, schoolwork gets done, chores are completed, and I get through the mountainous stack of Cosmo magazines taking over my coffee table.

As for the rest of a WI winter...I could go into a state of hibernation, and I end up eating enough to get me through the winter on fat-stores...Everything is grey, overcast, and frigidly cold.  Edgar Allan Poe, most definitely, had to have lived in WI, in the dead of winter, while writing pretty much any of his dark and dreary literary works.  (I think he's actually from Boston...wikipedia that ish!)

So the last few days I haven't blogged due to the "funk" the weather put me in, but what I did do was make some AHHHH-mazing banana pudding.  Sitting on the couch, watching Sex and The City, I ate that banana pudding, adding to the winter-induced tire that has formed around my mid-section.  Early Spring, my ass, Jimmy!  (Jimmy's the local groundhog.  I'm actually pretty jealous of the big fuzzball.  I mean, he rides around town in a limo...a groundhog...in a limo...driving around a town that's smaller than a NYC basement studio...again, in a limo.)

I feel it is my duty, even if it means contributing to America's obesity problem, to share the recipe for my banana pudding!  (There will be no actual pic of the dessert due to the fact that I dove into it before I thought to take a pic for ya'll.)  :)

Ingredients!

BANANA PUDDING

Ingredients:

1-8 oz. package of cream cheese (room temp)

1-14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk (I only used 3/4 of a can)

1 small box of instant French Vanilla pudding

1 small box of instant Banana pudding

1 1/2 cups cold milk

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1-8 oz. container Extra Creamy Cool-Whip, or other whipped topping

4 bananas, sliced

Nilla wafers (I use the bite size so that you get a cookie with each bite. Didn't say this was for you, calorie counters!)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy.  Beat in condensed milk, pudding mixes, cold milk and heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth.  Fold in half of the whipped topping.

2.  Line the bottom of a 9x13" serving dish with Nilla wafers.  Arrange bananas evenly over the wafers.  Spread the pudding mixture over this "crust."  Top with remaining whipped topping.  Place in the refrigerator to chill.

*I recommend only making this if it will be eaten up in the following 2-3 days.  You can also drizzle the bananas with diluted lemon juice to prevent them from browning.

ENJOY!!!

Until next time!

RagazzaC

Carpe Diem

Now Taking Apps for a Daddy Warbucks!

Hello, hello! It's the post you've all been waiting for, the big hair reveal. But first I'll tell you a bit about my experience at the salon.

I concocted the initial idea to get my hair chopped off when a deal at a local salon came up on my Groupon. I love, love, love Groupon! Because of it I have become a practicer of Bikram yoga, gone hang gliding, and eaten at some amazing restaurants that I would've had no idea existed.

Back to my hair experience:

I arrived to my appointment a few minutes early to flip through some books to see if any hairstyle struck me. The interior of the place was so fun, vibrant, and eclectic. All of the girls had edgy and super cute hairstyles. I loved that many were very "out-of-the-box" and had lots of color! I was ecstatic and felt confident that these creative minds could come up with something for me.

I gave my stylist full-reign. She asked lots of questions, being in unfamiliar territory with having a customer tell her to do whatever she thought would be great. I was open to anything. Once she started cutting we both relaxed, she got into the process and my Chatty Cathy side came out. I firmly believe that cosmetologists deserve to be awarded a degree in psychology. They can get you talking about even your most long-harbored, deep, dark secrets in a matter of minutes. I connected with the chica transforming my tresses instantly. In the hour and a half that I was in her chair we discussed our careers, childhood memories of growing up in small town WI, our boy problems, our pets, both of our desires to be more hippy-dippy-ish and eat more organic if it weren't so flippin' expensive. We even solved Greece's economy issues, got to the bottom of Iran-US relations, and concluded that pumpkin anything (scones, pies, ice cream, soup, etc.) makes the world a better place. The most important thing I learned of the night came about when she suddenly stopped cutting, looked at me through the mirror and said, "I just have to say that you have the most perfectly round head! It's always shocking when you get someone with a 'normal' head!"

 

I giggled and thanked her...it's not every day that the shape of your head receives admiration.  Leave it to head-shape to make me think about how radically different everyone is, even if on the surface, literally and figuratively, they are all sporting the same perfect, fly-free bob haircuts. And on a less serious note I got to thinking, "what causes all of those different shaped heads?" Hey, I'm not Aristotle.

Before I knew it, I was being handed a mirror to look over the 'do because she was finished. I hesitated to put up the AFTER pic until now because I, quite frankly, had a bowling ball suddenly drop in my stomach when I initially saw it. Overall, I liked the cut, but the way it was styled made me panic, and I wasn't expecting to see that 8'' had disappeared. The girl could tell that I was apprehensive despite my "I like it's" and "it looks cute's." I figured I would just give it a few days, play around with it, and do some of my own styling before I concluded that it was atrocious.

It has now been 5 days, I like it, not love it. I have had long hair for as long as I can remember, so I am just getting used to finding new ways of playing with it. I can say that I am so excited to be getting into using more and more hair accessories. There is an amazing store in the West Towne Mall called Charming Charlie's. Each time I walk in there my vision goes foggy, an angelic glow surrounds everything, and I can hear violins and harps playing from above...THIS PLACE IS HEAVEN!!! Every accessory, in every color is here; it's like crack for women- gives you a rush and quickly becomes an addiction. I dropped about $100 just on new headbands, clips, and scarves to jazz up my new coif.

Last Saturday evening I styled my hair to go out to meet my friend, David. He was the first of my friends to see it, so it couldn't disappoint, and here is what he got (drum roll, please):

AFTER:

(for the BEFORE pic see post "Getting My Ears Lowered!!!")

What do you think? First thoughts?

The funniest reaction that I have received so far was from my close friend, James. James is my completely uncensored and unbiased gay friend. I can always trust him to give it to me straight (uhhh...) and uncut. The second he saw it he started singing, "It's a hardknock life for us, it's a hardknock life for us!" I have gone from being called beautiful to being cute and adorable...ehh, I'll take it. I could've come out looking like I got stuck in a garbage disposal.

Tomorrow I'm going to hash out my weekend and my Saturday evening with David. Every time I see him it gets me thinking about guy-girl relationships. Can there ever be a strictly platonic relationship between a heterosexual couple? I have to do some more thinking and organizing of my thoughts. So come back tomorrow to find out what I have come up with. I am so interested in hearing what you think on the subject too!

Stay curious!

RagazzaC

Carpe Diem

Getting My Ears Lowered!!!

Hey Hey pals!!!  I'm so stinkin' nervous, ecstatic, giddy, and feel just a smidge like rabid raccoons are wrasslin' around in my insides!  I am getting my hair drastically cut tonight at 6pm!  I haven't gotten my hair cut like this since...umm...uhhh...I can't remember...in junior high, I think...I know I still had braces, wore glasses, and boys were no-good, cootie-spreading enigmas (insert obvious prepubescent nerd joke).  But then it was something like 14" for Locks of Love.  Tonight I am getting about 3-6" off.  I have no real style in mind, I'm just plopping my fanny in the chair and saying, "Chop it off, just don't make me look like a PTA mom!"  Here's a BEFORE pic:

*Side note: Aren't my friends gorgeous?  ;)

Stay tuned for an AFTER pic.  Other upcoming things to look forward to: anecdotes from the weekend's upcoming debauchery with the Madison Hash House Harriers!!!

Stay classy, ya'll!

RagazzaC

Carpe Diem

If Living Off of Sugar is Wrong, Then I Don't Wanna Be Right!

Hello, hello!  Nothing too exciting to report to you guys this week...I have been preoccupied with school this past week...first round of mid-terms are this coming week and I am definitely feeling the pressure!
And I know that you have all been bombarded with the Valentine's Day stuff this week so I just want to share some recipes for the treats I gave out to my valentines :)

"DEATH BY OREO" Cupcakes

ReCiPe:

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2VVDBn/www.instructables.com/id/Death-By-Oreo-Cupcakes/

Note: Mine are nowhere near as cute as those pictured on the link, but they taste heavenly, which is good because you may just end up there after eating these "Death" cupcakes.
I tweaked a few things in the recipe.  I only used 3 cups of powdered sugar in the frosting, and I'm thinking I will use even less next time (I'm not a fan of the "industrialized" taste of powdered sugar).  I also added a tsp. of vanilla to the frosting to cover up some of the powdered sugar taste.  I added red food coloring to the frosting, which when mixed with the crushed Oreo's actually turns out kinda purpley...My slop-looking frosting is due, I believe, to being too warm when I tried piping it on, so I'd pop the frosting in the fridge for awhile to firm up.

Here's my second treat:  JOLLY RANCHER LOLLIPOPS

ReCiPe:

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/64exFY/artcanthurt.typepad.com/blog/2009/11/lollies.html

These were super fun and easy to make!  I will definitely be making these for all sorts of occasions.

Adios!  Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!

RagazzaC

Carpe Diem

"I was nauseous and tingly all over. I was either in love or I had smallpox" ~Woody Allen

Being new to the blogging medium I'm a bit excited and overzealous, wanting to write down every little thing that pops into my head, assuming you want to know those things.  This will die down, in fact, I'm thinking that I will limit my blogs to 2x/wk max, just so that you aren't getting a bunch of random, incoherent ramblings.  But today I want to hash out a topic that is weighing heavily on my mind: Dating, Relationships, and general Male-Female interactions.

Here's the situations that have got me thinking about this stuff:
1.  Quite recently, 2-days-ago recently, my man and I ended a 15 month relationship.
2.  One of my best friends, let's call her Cassie, has, yet again, informed me that she drunk texted one of the many guys she "has sworn off and deleted their number...again."
3.  Another bestie repeatedly turns down this authentic, kind-hearted, and attentive man when he asks her to be exclusive.  She isn't dating anyone else though, and hasn't since they started seeing each other.
4.  The friend I've had since 4th grade started seeing a guy nearly a year ago and since then she has committed the cardinal sin of brushing aside her friends and becoming all-consumed with her man.

There are the obvious themes of repetition and reverting to old habits.  For situation #1, we had been in this stagnant place for quite a while.  I know that he is my match, but he was afraid of fully committing.  And it felt a lot like the "not wanting me, but not wanting someone else to have me" type of a situation.  My question is, from his point of view, "Why settle?"  Not to be self-detrimental, but if he knew that he didn't want to move forward (though he says that I, too, am his match), then why just settle for what we had?  If he wants something else than what I want then why not end the relationship and pursue what he needs from a relationship?

Situation #2 always has me rolling my eyes and trying to be supportive of my girl, but Cassie needs to stop reverting back to these men who treat her like crap.  Why is it that a man can make an incredibly intelligent, beautiful, and compassionate woman turn into a self-doubting and irrational one?  And why is Cassie willingly letting these men run her over?  Are women masochists?

Situation #3:  This woman is incredibly self-assured and has her life in order.  But when it comes to men she always keeps them a yard stick's length away.  And the man in her life now is so attentive and kind to her.  For the past 7 months he has done everything the ideal, stereotypical Prince Charming would do and then some, but she refuses to let him in.  If it is real, why deny it?

Situation #4 is only upsetting because when I jokingly told my friend, Scarlet (again, not her real name), that I and the other 3rd of our trifecta gal circle need to "okay and approve of her man" she responded by saying, "Why? It's not like you're going to be a real part of our lives anyway." ...uh, what?!?!  She played the "Supreme Executor on Man-friend Approval" role with such authority over the other 2 of us in the group, that if she disapproved, more often than not, the man went running scared.  I understand that she lives 3 hours away now, but for her to totally write-off her best friends?  What makes a person give up who they are for another person?

The 4 situations cover the spectrum of relationships: From openly accepting toxic men, to being caught in a passive, dormant relationship, to being completely consumed by another, to snubbing genuine romance.

One of my all-time favorite quotes is from the television series Sex and the City, episode La Douleur Exquise!:  ...was I addicted to the pain, the exquisite pain, of wanting someone so unattainable?

Love is such an "exquisite pain."  It can make you feel like moving across the country for someone.  It makes you think about nothing else but what the other person is doing and thinking about.  It makes you only see the good, fun parts, in a destructive situation.  It makes you hold out for the change in the other person that will "undoubtedly" come...that has to come.

As apparent in the dissimilarity of the situations, love or the idea of it effects us all differently.  What is it that determines how it will effect each of us individually?  One thing, LOVE, has such power in wildly different ways!  It's absolutely incredible!

As I write I realize that I have no clear idea or answers as to how love works.  I actually feel more confused than when I began...Because of it's profound impact on us all, I am really interested in your opinions of love and it's influence.  Your thoughts don't even have to be about the love between two people in a relationship, it can be your general observations of the idea.

Passionately curious and compassionately confused,
RagazzaC
Carpe Diem

I'll Have Some Plastic with my S'more!

So, I thought I'd give you a little background info on myself before I tell you about my mini adventure this morning.  I graduated from the UW-Madison (Go Badgers!) two years ago with B.S. degrees in Zoology (pre-med) and English Literature w/ an emphasis in Asian American literature.  The last two years I have been working to save up for medical school, but have since discovered that a career in physician assistant studies is more suitable for me.  Currently, I am taking a few courses to fulfill PA school prerequisites...I would have thought that if I was qualified to apply to med school that I sure as heck as was for PA school...nope, nada, nien.  So, the majority of my time is spent working, in school, or studying.  But to maintain my sanity I need to get out, get a little wild, and kick off my shoes sometimes.
My posts are going to be a meshing of all of these areas in my life, but greater emphasis will be placed on my freetime shenanigans.  Because who really wants to read about the life cycles of nematode worms, over anecdotes about a girl who, while out running is offered a beer by an onlooker, takes it and continues running; all the while sipping the ice cold Miller Lite?  (Which I did, but that's a tale for another time).
Okay!  Now for the deets on my mini adventure today!  I have the cutest baby in the world: soft blonde hair, looks so damn charming in her sweaters, and has teeth that can crack a cow bone in half.  Bella is a 2.5 year old yellow lab mix.  The mixed part is a bit of a mystery, but the general consensus is that there is definitely some Whippet in her.  I adopted Bella 5 months ago from a Hi-Kil shelter in Illinois.  Every weekday we run around at a dog park, we rotate between two different parks that are close to home.  But on the weekends we venture out to explore the many other gorgeous off-leash dog parks in Dane County.  Today, we explored Prairie Moraine Parkway, in Verona.  It felt good to get out and hike the wooded, hilly trails of the park.  And Bella enjoyed the fresh layer of snow that fell yesterday.  The snow has an effect on both her and I; it gets me giddy, feeling refreshed, and nostalgic for childhood winter activities.  Any moment  in which snow has fallen during this highly unseasonably warm winter has been monopolized and taken advantage of!  Here's a few pics from our hike!

Bella ready to get going!

Racing down the trail with a new found friend!

When we arrived there were great, dark plumes of smoke in the near distance.  A bright orange sign on the entrance gate informed park-goers that the Madison Fire Department was using the nearby farmstead for "Live Fire Training."  Initially, I loved it!!!  Images of soot-smeared, fearless, handsome firemen going head to head with the roaring fire filled my mind, plus it smelled like campfire and s'mores.  MMMM!  But that quickly changed to a staggeringly strong smell of burning plastic and rubber.  My exquisite daydreams of bravery and machismo turned to scenes from the post-apocolyptic film "Waterworld," and the characters called "smokers" (please don't judge me for knowing this movie)

But once we got towards the back-half of the park the smell was gone and there were no more clouds of smoke to walk through.  Overall, I had a blast getting outside and doing a little hiking, and Bella enjoyed playing in the snow and with the other dogs.

The rest of my afternoon is going to be spent in my local favorite coffee shop, eating too many delicious desserts, and studying some physiology!  Adios chicos!

RagazzaC
Carpe Diem
PSA:  This blogger enjoys tossing in some Spanish and Italian haphazardly, whether writing or talking.  Enjoy your Span-ita-glish salad!