In four days, I am getting married. FOUR DAYS!! There are so many emotions running through me right now that it would be impossible to describe them all. The strongest is what I would call nervous excitement. The nerves are a combination of the fact that I’ve been planning this day for more than a year, and the “whoa, I’m going to be married” realization. The excitement is everything else.

To be honest, being married isn’t going to change much about our everyday lives. We’ve been together more than six years, and lived together more than two. I’m changing my name, and adding soon-to-be husband to my insurance…but that’s about it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I’m not excited about getting married…I’m really excited, that’s my point!  Just because it’s not a drastic day to day change doesn’t mean it’s not an awesome, important, happy one.

I’m also incredibly excited for the wedding itself. I’m sure you can all relate to planning something extensively and looking forward to it for a long time. I’ve been praying to the weather gods, and I hope everything comes together, but even if things aren’t exactly perfect, I know it will still be a beautiful day. What I’m really looking forward to, aside from wearing my pretty dress and being princess for a day, is having (almost) all of our family and friends in one place to celebrate with us. There have been far too many sad things in my life the past few years, and I am so glad that we will all be together for a happy reason this time.

It’s funny, in a way, that I’m getting married before most of my friends. When I first started to look at boys as more than just cootie catchers, I was awkward and tall. I grew to my current height at around 5th grade. I’ve always been on the quieter side, and often found myself the best friend of the pretty, outgoing girls. I never really resented my friends for getting the guys’ attention, but it did get old after a while. I didn’t have my first kiss until I was 16 (yes, really), and my first boyfriend was a summer love at overnight camp. I met Rob the summer before sophomore year of college, and as cliche as it sounds, I knew pretty quickly that this was something special. Let me tell you, I wouldn’t have driven five hours back and forth to Ithaca so many times if I didn’t think we were in it for the long haul. When we met, neither of us was looking for a relationship. It’s just proof that sometimes it’s when you stop looking for something that it finds you.

It’s going to be weird once the wedding is over. Planning has taken up a lot of my time in the past year, and to not have that is a bit hard to imagine. Not that I’m complaining. It will be nice to be able to re-prioritize and work on some things that have been on the back burner. Despite the stress, I’ve really enjoyed spending extra time with my parents, and it’s been kind of nice that they’ve had to collaborate and focus on their love for me. There’s been a little less negativity, and I’m scared that won’t be the case anymore, but I guess we’ll see what happens.

This is going to be my last post for a week or so. I’ll be a little busy But, I will still be around Twitter for a few days, and I will be sure to post a picture on Sunday! Thanks to all of you for supporting me and this blog! Much love.

After four and a half months of unemployment, I am so happy to tell you that I have accepted a job offer!! I will be working in Development for an organization called ARZA. The acronym stands for the Association of Reform Zionists of America, and their mission is to connect Reform Jews with Israel, and further enhance Israel as a pluralistic, just and democratic Jewish state.

I was raised in the Reform Movement, and Judaism has always been a big part of my life. I’m fortunate to have been to Israel twice, and I can’t wait to go back again. In this position, I will be keeping track of donations, assisting with fundraising and establishing and maintaining donor relationships, as well as introducing ARZA to the wonderful world of social media marketing. This will be a great opportunity for me to learn and grow, and I’m so excited!

Thank you all so much for your support over the past few months! It’s been difficult to say the least, but I managed to stay positive and keep on going. I am truly, truly grateful for my amazing friends and family. I couldn’t have made it through this without you!

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When you’re unemployed, you learn a lot about yourself. One of the most important things that I’ve learned is that I need to have things to do or else I drive myself crazy. As amazing as this blog is, I also really miss writing professionally. So, I’m pursuing an opportunity to write about something that I really enjoy. I am now the New York Gift Giving Examiner on Examiner.com! I admit, the title sounds a little silly, but giving gifts is something that brings me great joy. I know that most people don’t enjoy it as much as I do, and some even dread the task. That’s why I want to share my tips and advice on finding the perfect gifts, plus info on gift giving traditions and bargain hunting. I hope you’ll subscribe to my Examiner page, and help me promote my articles on Twitter and Facebook.  Even though I’m technically a “New York” Examiner, you can easily translate my tips to your city. Thanks in advance for your support!

Check out my first article Three Gift Giving Myths That Just Aren’t True!

Okay, so I haven’t actually “gone fishing,” but I am on vacation. By the time this post is published, I will be on my way to beautiful Ogunquit, Maine. It’s our favorite summer vacation spot, and my mom and I are spending most of this week up there. If Mother Nature cooperates, we will be spending most of our time relaxing by the pool. If she doesn’t, there are some great outlet stores  We’ll also be spending time with friends and family. It will be a welcome break from the stress of unemployment, and our first legitimate vacation in about a year and a half. Well-deserved, if I do say so myself. So anyway, I hope everyone has a fantastic week! Catch ya on the flip side!

1. I like to cook (and bake-see above cookies), and I make it a point to make a healthy, home-cooked meal for me and my boyfriend at least a few nights a week. Cooking Light is my favorite recipe resource. If you come visit me in NYC, chances are I’ll cook for you. Right, Ben?

2. I used to play basketball. When I was in middle school, I played in town league. This was during my “tall phase,” before everyone caught up to me. I’m still a pretty good shooter, and I definitely enjoy a good game of horse.

3. I like arts and crafts. In my free time, I have been known to color, scrapbook, and bead. My mom just taught me to knit, so I’ve been working on that too.

4. When I was in middle school and high school, I tutored Hebrew at my temple. In Massachusetts, I worked with kids preparing for their Bar or Bat Mitzvahs, and on Long Island, I worked with the slower learners who needed more individual attention to learn letters and sounds.

5. I can’t wear black and brown together. I know that supposedly it’s an acceptable thing now in the world of fashion, but it still makes me twitch. (P.S. Shameless plug for my fashion photo blog)

6. I have never been in the hospital except when I was born. Knock on wood, I haven’t even sprained anything.

7. Hippos are my favorite animal. I know it’s weird, but they are.  You would love them too if you saw the stuffed hippo my boyfriend got me for my birthday four years ago. He’s the cutest thing ever!  (My IRL friends Andrea and Dan will confirm this fact!)

8. I have five first cousins and they are all boys. I guess it makes up for the lack of brothers?

9. I really love ice cream… a lot. Low fat only, and my favorite flavors are: Cookie dough, cookies and cream, and cake batter.

10. I have five piercings, all in my ears (doubles in each ear, and cartilage in my right). For a while, I wanted to get my belly button pierced, but after I saw the hell my best friend went through, I wimped out.

I hope you learned something new and interesting about me!  Now, it’s your turn. What’s something (or some things) I/we don’t know about you? Leave your answer(s) in the comments and/or write a post of your own and share the link below. Looking forward to learning more about you

A special 1st Blogoversary message from yours truly:

Where It All Began:

• Entering the Blogosphere
• Opinions Can Change: My Journey From Blogger Hater to Blogger

Some of Your Favorites:

• Life Is Precious
• Are Men Defying Gender Stereotypes in the Digital World?
• If I Am Not For Myself, Who Will Be For Me?
• When Does Personal Branding Go Too Far?

Some of My Favorites:

• The Appreciation Revolution (yep, the whole darn thing!)
• Honoring Max: The Story Behind My Mission of Appreciation
• How to Be Nice Without Becoming a Pushover
• Ignorance Fuels Hatred, But Knowledge Can Put Out the Fire

I can’t wait to see what year #2 will bring! Thank you so much for all of your support!

Now, go out and eat a piece of chocolate to celebrate

This week, I was lucky enough to meet up with fellow blogger Akhila Kolisetty for coffee near my office in Manhattan. Squished at a table by the window, we discussed relationships, social media, college, and the job hunt, among other things.  Somewhere over the course of our conversation, Akhila asked me about the personal nature of some of my blog posts, and how and why I am willing to share my personal life with the world. Although I’ve gotten questions like that before, I realized that I’ve never really thought it out.  So, here it goes…

I’m only 24 years old, in my first job out of college. I am by no means an expert on anything at this point in my career.  I value honesty and authenticity very highly, and I strive to embody both of these qualities. There aren’t any particular hot button issues that are of special interest to me. I’m passionate about writing, and people, and appreciation…so I write about people and appreciation. In my opinion, the greatest knowledge comes from experience, not from textbooks or seminars. I’ve had plenty of experiences. I’ve gone through things that many of us face in our lives: losing a friend or a relative, being in a long distance relationship, moving, finding faith, and more. I can understand why some people wouldn’t want to write about their personal lives, in fact, even I have drawn a line. There are certain personal issues that I have never written about here, and it’s possible that I never will.

When it comes down to it, I bare my soul to all of you FOR YOU. Watching my grandmother suffer from dementia was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. I have a friend who had a similar experience with her grandma, and I know talking to her made me feel better. I want to be that friend for you. I want you to connect with my posts and get something from them, whether it be a friendly reminder, something you never knew, or the feeling that you’re not alone. Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. Hopefully this blog is like the guide on the box top, helping you navigate the different kinds of chocolates that come your way.

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Recently, I had the pleasure of talking to Jun Loayza: great person, driven entrepreneur and fantastic blogger. (Are you blushing yet, Jun?) A while back, Jun decided that he wanted to actually get to know his fellow bloggers, so he started a video interview series called Awesome Bloggers.  He’s interviewed a lot of awesome people, so I definitely recommend visiting the Viralogy blog and checking them out.  Jun asked some fantastic questions, so just press play to find out more about me and Life’s Chocolates!

I’m a pretty nice person. Modest, too! Seriously though, being nice is something I pride myself on. I like to do things for other people, because seeing them happy makes me happy. I send cards and give presents, I draw attention to the achievements of my loved ones when they’re too shy to do it themselves. I usually have to change the channel if I’m watching something where the main character keeps getting made fun of or embarrassed.  I give compliments often, recognize those who inspire me, say thank you, and make sure the people in my life know that they are important to me. Frequent topics on this blog include friendship, appreciation, kindness, and overcoming obstacles.  I try my best to be open and honest, and I have shared some pretty personal stories because I believe others can learn from my experiences. 

People have told me that I’m too nice sometimes, and they’re probably right. But, let me make one thing clear, I am not a pushover. I don’t see the world with rose-colored glasses, and honestly, I’m not always nice. I do nice things because there is so much going on in our world that isn’t nice. Watching the evening news has become so depressing, and it’s easy to lose faith in humanity. People deserve to have some happiness in their lives, especially when they’re doing great things and making a difference. 

You may be thinking, “Wow, what a sap! People must walk all over her.”  But, you’re wrong. Yes, I admit, I’m probably too nice sometimes. I put a lot into my relationships with people, and it’s rare that my effort is fully reciprocated. I make a big deal of birthdays, but sometimes my own special day passes by with only a few phone calls from friends. I’m there for people, I listen, I give pep talks, and do my best to be supportive when someone is down. Sometimes people do the same for me, sometimes they don’t.  

Here’s the thing, I do all of these things because I want to. I do it without wanting anything in return, and without expecting it. Maybe this is weak or stupid, but I believe in the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. There are too many selfish assholes in the world. And, my niceness is not without limits. There have been people who have totally taken my friendship for granted, and they are not in my life anymore. It’s one thing to never send me a birthday card or thank me for the ones I send you, but it’s quite another to tell lies about me to cover your own butt.

I’m sure there are people who visit my blog once and never come back because they think it’s too hokey, too fluffy, too nice.  That’s okay, I’m not looking to please everybody. What matters most is that this blog represents me, and the person that I am, and that I’m able to bring something to the blogosphere that people get value from reading.  I believe that this blog does represent me, but it’s certainly not all that I am.  If you want to know more, I’m always open to chat. As for bringing value to my readers, I really hope that I am, but I can’t speak for you. So please, speak to me:  

Have I written at least one thing on this blog that spoke to you? Are there things I write about too much? What about things I haven’t written about enough or at all? What makes you keep coming back to this blog, or others for that matter? Is there anything I can do to improve? (Honesty is always welcome and expected, but please be nice (fitting, I know))

I write because I love it, but the reason I write here is so I can reach people like you. Thank you for reading, I truly appreciate it!

I am a sports fan.  Born and raised in Massachusetts, I’m Pats/Sox/Celts all the way. Even moving to New York seven years ago didn’t sway my allegiance. Football is my favorite sport, and I would call myself a die hard Patriots fan.  My dad taught me young what it means to be a true fan, and I have supported my teams through many seasons, good and bad. I loved the Sox and the Pats long before their recent streaks of championship seasons.  I yell at the TV, I actually watched the NFL draft, I have quite the collection of team gear. I am a sports fan.

I am also a woman, and I am well aware of the generalizations that tie the two together. It was these stereotypes and generalizations that motivated me to write an editorial for my senior seminar last year. The class was called Sports, Media, and Society (yeah, pretty much the coolest class ever), and this particular assignment gave us the opportunity to examine a particular issue in sports that we felt needed to be discussed. I went through the team stores of every NFL and MLB team and examined the content of the womens’ sections of these sites. I found that the majority of womens team apparel was either pink, sparkly or sexy, and most items had some sort of cutesy or suggestive name.  Among the items I found were tube tops and thongs, emblazoned with the team logo of course. Alyssa Milano even has a line of womens sports apparel called “touch.”

So what?  You’re probably wondering, what’s the big deal? Here’s what I think: marketing these kinds of products to women fans implies that in order for them to wear any sort of sports gear, it must be feminine, or pretty or sexy. I own quite the assortment of team apparel, from jerseys, to t-shirts, to pants, to hats. With the exception of one or two things, every item is from the mens or boys department, and there is not a sparkle in sight. I wouldn’t want something pink because pink is not one of my teams’ colors. When I’m watching a game, the last thing I’m thinking about is how I look. When my dad and I went to see the Patriots play the Jets one cold December night a few years ago, we bought Winter hats so we could still support our team without freezing. There I was, surrounded by thousands of drunk Jets fans, with layers of Patriots sweats under my big puffy jacket, rockin’ a winter hat that matched my dad’s, and all I cared about was the game.

I realize that there are some sports fan stereotypes that will never go away. I’m used to defending my fandom with stories of devotion (like how I watched the Pats lose to Green Bay in Super Bowl XXXI with all the dads at a family friend’s house, while the moms and other girls went to a show in Boston). But, please take the sparkles away.  Now, a disclaimer: there are plenty of items of clothing that are not blantantly feminine or cutesy. In fact, since I wrote the paper, the ratio of pink to non-pink has improved quite a bit, and I am in no way attacking the sports industry or saying “woe is me, I’m a female fan.” Actually, the reason I’m drawing your attention to this is issue is quite the opposite. Here’s the bottom line: I am a sports fan. Period. That phrase shouldn’t need a gender qualifier, it should mean enough as it is.

Fan or not, what do you think of these marketing techniques and trends?  How do you feel about the pink and sparkly? Are you a male sports fan? If so, would you rather have a girl who looks sexy in your team’s gear, but couldn’t care less about the game, or a girl who will cheer right along with you in her oversized sweatshirt?