Rachel Ann

McLachlan Melodies Day 26

February 25, 2015February 25, 2015 Rachel AnnLeave a comment

Excerpt of the Song Angel By Sarah McLachlan:

“In the arms of the angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You’re in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here

So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There’s vultures and thieves at your back
And the storm keeps on twisting
You keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack
It doesn’t make no difference
Escaping one last time
It’s easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
This glorious sadness that brings me to my knees”

Today’s writing is a memory and a reflection from a present moment in time for this sisterly blog.

I had one of those days when I was ready to run into the wind screaming, or grab a big fluffy pillow and a glass of water as she says in the movie, “Thirteen going on Thirty.” I had, had enough in essence. I am very tolerant human being. When my patience are tried I can generally deep breathe my way through it. Sometimes I go to my happy place in my brain. Other times I will use my flogging tongue and whip a real good quip out if I feel it necessary. However, today, I breathed and then I flogged in the car. Thank you to my family for being such great listeners and supporters. Sometimes I am brought to tears and other times to the point where I have no words. That’s never a great place for me as a human being, however, I realize we will all have days like this, and that is ok.

As Miss Stacey said to Anne Shirely, “Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it.”

So, with this being said, what’s this blog’s title and opening stanza of a song all about? I was brought back to moments in the past when I have felt like this. I reflected and realized one things that has always brought me through it was, music.

Through melodies, through song, through verses being sung I have made my way through life and begun anew each day. Often times music is the sweetest and best release for people. I am not saying this to be clever because elements of Sarah McLachlan’s song have the concept of, “release,” in this particular song. I say this to be honest.

When I was about fourteen years old I began listening to Sarah’s music because of you Debbie. You introduced this wonderful female song writer into my life and I have loved her ever since. I can remember popping in my cassette tapes of her early albums and just turning the volume up and drowning out the stress of my adolescent day with her melodies. There is something cathartic about releasing what has occurred in a day and using one’s voice to exert those feelings into existence.

Moving to Oregon in 1999 I discovered the vast plethora of music stores in the greater Portland metro area. I purchased a copy of the sheet music for, “Angel,” and learned, ever so slowly, how to tinker away the accompaniment for the piece.

In late August of 2007, we had the opportunity to attend the revival of Lilith Fair together. I had THE BEST time hanging out in the rain with you and Christine. Sarah performed last, the wondrous head liner being saved until the end of course. However, the female artists leading up to her performance were especially spectacular. I absolutely adore Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, Erika Badu, Cheryl Crow and Colbie Cailat. What’s not to love about that line up of musicians?! When Sarah stepped onstage at just past dusk. Her face filled the jumbo screen and I felt completely elated to see my musical idol before my very own eyes. Her ability to transcend emotion into a song is purely glorious.

So I sit here this evening, writing to you and thinking back on that positive moment in time. I feel calmer just typing away and allowing music to change the rhythm of my heart at this present moment in time. Life is made up of these little moments. The choices we make within these moments in time provide us with opportunities from which we can grow and learn as human beings.

I hope that today, in treatment, you can think of the words from one of your favorite songs and channel the peaceful emotion that Sarah’s words and music provide us. I love you! xoxo.

Beautiful sunset to visualize with song. 🙂

The music of the night Day 25

February 24, 2015 Rachel AnnLeave a comment

“Think of me, think of me fondly, when we said goodbye…”

Phantom of the Opera, by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Do you remember seeing this musical with me? I don’t even remember what year it was. Perhaps 2000, or 2001? It was on tour in Portland and you asked me if I would want to go see it with you.

Let me just take a pause for a moment to think about my response, “Ummmm, YES!”

For years we had listened the original Broadway cast album with Sarah Brightman, Crawford and Bartman. Over and over, and over again on road trips and to and from places around town. I loved singing and trying to embellish lyrics on the soprano songs. It was one of the musicals at the time that was taboo to sing at auditions or at recitals, “Too over done…tsk, tsk, who do you think you are? Sarah Brightman?”

Well I never listened to that. I ended up performing the role of Christine at a child’s birthday party in 2004. Yes, I said birthday party, that was correct. The parent was a bit indulgent shall we say. It was my first paying gig and I was absolutely thrilled. Someone has a home video floating around their shelves in Beaverton…not sure who or where. But the evidence exists. I wore my bridesmaid dress and earned a few hundred dollars to glide down the stair case and sing songs I loved. What’s not to love about that?!

Back to the memory. There I go digressing. Story of my life I’d say. 🙂 “The road less traveled…” Oh, whoops, there I go again.

I was absolutely thrilled to see the production with you that spring day. I can keenly recall mom and dad seeing it when I was about 9 or 10 in Anchorage, 1993 or 1994. Mom said I was a bit too young to see it because of the ‘scary’ elements in the production. I had heard about the chandelier falling and the whole mini-explosion bits here and there. I could not wait to see the spectacular with my own eyes. I can remember sitting in the Keller Auditorium with you, anxiously awaiting the beginning of the production. We flipped through the concert program and read through biographies for the performers and musicians.

The lights dimmed.

That faint chiming started and that melody that I can hear in my brain now, then the auction scene began. Finally the chandelier and that grand organ sound resounded. Chandelier glides upwards above the stage. Not over the audience yet, my heart still jumped into my hands, ok mom was right. 🙂

I don’t care what any one else thinks. I’m sorry, I think Sir Lloyd Webber did a spectacular job with his production. I absolutely adore the musical and am thrilled any time I hear the tunes. I know it’s rather faux pas or what not amongst the musical theatre community to be forthright with my accolades and taste. To each his own thought I say! I don’t know anyone personally that has written a musical that well done, performed THAT many times, and with such a resounding crowd pull for every show. Perhaps it is also the element of Paris that intrigued me ever so.

Having been lucky enough to spend time there, I can see why. It was a musical, architecturally enthralling, and culturally immersing city to experience. Perhaps one day we could share the experience together Debbie?! I would love to roam the streets of Paris with you and paint at the top of the Montmartre together. There is something to be said about being in Paris and enjoying what the city has to offer.

Thank you for the musical tapes, the musical production memories, and for sharing these glorious experiences with me. I can’t wait to see a musical with you again soon. I love you ever so!

This was a photo taken outside of the Keller, circa 2007-ish before enjoying, “Avenue Q.” Yet another musical you introduced into my life. 🙂

Visualize Day 24!

February 23, 2015February 23, 2015 Rachel AnnLeave a comment

Brush in hand, gentle strokes, dip, wipe, repeat. The art of painting itself…

When painting I often find myself getting into a rhythm of sorts. There is something cathartic about putting brush to paper or palette and letting go of expectations completely. I rediscovered painting with a dear friend and previous colleague. I saw her pictures of beautiful paintings via social media and I immediately became interested. I wanna do that! So we did!

When you visited last summer Debbie, I knew we had to go paint together. It was so much fun. And also funny. Looking back later upon my work I noticed how crooked certain things were and then I laughed at myself and thought, “There I go placing expectations upon my art, versus appreciating it for what I created.”

These reminders can be taken and applied into so many scenarios in life.

“There are no mistakes in art,” is what I like to tell students when they want a new paper, a new palette, a new this or that, when they experience the unconformability of creating visual art. I tell them how brave they can be if they push through and believe in their ability to create.

Our grandmother was a visual artist who blossomed later in life.

Perhaps if there was a fun term for inheriting art capabilities we could call ourselves that, Debbie. Such as, having a green thumb, or being ambidextrous or something or other. We both inherited visual capabilities and craftiness from mom and Grandma.

The idea of using one’s hands to create something from your imagination or an inspiration in life is essential to keep the spark of life alive. I love sitting down and even taking time to allow creativity to flow just for a few moments. Sometimes stopping your to-do list in your brain, really being present in the moment in time can allow unexpected journeys to take place. I love when I stumble across an idea, or I draw a little sketch for a student. These are the moments to appreciate and celebrate. Small joys each day, help me to keep going and power through what can at times, be a daunting week or job filled hour.

Making time for this each day for art is essential. Even if it is appreciating a pretty picture on a calendar, or meme while scrolling a social media feed. Take time to look at art today and allow yourself to enjoy those subtle moments in time. We are Renaissance women aren’t we. Putting our arts together collectively to share and create. I love you big sister! xoxo

Library Day 23 or something like that… :)

February 21, 2015 Rachel AnnLeave a comment

How many of you know your library card number, or should I say numbers by heart? I DOOOOOOOOOOO! I know ALL THREE by heart. I say quite proudly to strangers, and I don’t know my driver’s license. Go figure?! Priorities in life= library visits.

I ran into a woman at the library about a month ago. I couldn’t place how I knew her in that brief moment of time. So I said, “Hi! Do you work for the Multnomah County libraries?” We had this little three minute conversation and then both went on our merry way. Later in the car the light bulb moment took place. “OOOOOOOOH!” THAT’s who she was! Long story short, she knew my sister, she was a librarian, and we had met at the Eric Kimmel talk recognizing Beverly Cleary’s work last summer. All of these little light bulbs went off too late though. She was in her car, and I in mine. I really had a strong desire to call Debbie at that moment and share my little story.

I had to be happy with emailing it later in the evening. But it wasn’t the same.

The funniest part of the encounter was my parting words with this woman, “I love the library, it’s like shopping, but for free!”

That pretty much sums it up for me.

I can shop for three of my favorite things: books=knowledge, music, and movies. Yes please!

Whenever I take my classroom students to the library which is unfortunately only every other week for, “check out time.” I help guide them through, “Book recommendations.” This is where I pick their brain about passions, interests, and which author they have yet to discover. We talk about good fit books and then I help them find a new genre along the way. I also encourage them to check out a non-fiction book each week. I’ve had some students take on the biography challenge this year, and branch into wild weather and now animal fact books for their research reports.

The library is my happy place and it always has been.

When I was super small we would visit our beloved Lusac Library in Anchorage about once a week. I loved walking into the children’s section, pulling my favorite books by familiar authors into a giant pile. I loved laying down in the fun reclining chair circle and pretending to read all the picture books laid out beside me. When I later became a strong reader, I would go through periods of obsessively reading all of the books by a certain author. Here is where our tastes in literature part ways at times Debbie.

I was obsessed with all forms of narratives, historical fiction, biographies, and fictionalized human experiences. Anything science fiction, dystopian, or set in a far off land did not interest in me in any way. Unfortunately I was stubborn and didn’t branch too far from my literary tree of preference until later in life. However, with all this being said, our library beheld the keys to all of our literary desires.

I go to the library some weeks, two or three times. I am a fervent believer in the public access system and I encourage my students and families to support their local library every year. A favorite quote from a fifth grader, which was overheard by a colleague of mine, always brings a smile to my face.

“Hey man, I went to this place dude, and like, they GIVE you cd’s, movies, and books for free. For free man!” “Oh yeah? What place?” Student looks around, “The library, the library does!” 🙂

Let’s make a series of commercials for t.v. about the library, I’m ready to write a screen play and shoot it! Needless to say, I support all libraries and feel immediately at home in them. Thanks for sharing your library in H.K. Debbie! I love you! xoxo

This hangs in my classroom and it is a daily reminder for me and my students about the choices we make. Food for thought today. 🙂

December 12, 2006 Day 22 and counting!

February 18, 2015 Rachel AnnLeave a comment

My nephew’s birthday was and is still one of the most impactful days of my life. I had never before had a sibling give birth. I was beyond ecstatic to become an Auntie. Every moment I have the opportunity to share with him is a gift. I love him to pieces.

I fondly remember you telling me a secret all those years ago sister. You had told me that after visiting Europe, Doug and yourself were thinking about trying to have a baby. I was listening well you see. I knew….

Andy and I walked into mom and dad’s house that evening and I knew. I saw you sitting with Doug on the couch. You said, “We have some news that we want to share with all of you together. I’m pregnant!” Oooooooooh the elation I felt was something surreal. A BABY! I love babies!!!

Your pregnancy was not an easy one indeed. From the physical challenges you faced to our last remaining Grandfather passing away the Fall before his birth, it was a rough go indeed. You held steady to the fact that the baby boy was healthy and growing strong. Feeling Declan’s little kicks was something else too. A moment to remember fondly for all these years. As the days of anticipation grew closer to December you and Doug prepped and prepped all that you could. I remember getting a call from you about being at the hospital, something was going on with how you were feeling that day … the moment of truth came when you couldn’t leave, you were admitted and induced for labor!

The running around commenced…

I ran over to your house and gathered things from your emergency bag, snuggled with Dulcie and met you both at the hospital that evening. I can still see you walking around a bit and that tight smile and I thought to myself, “It’s time to go…” Hours later, the phone rang again and he had arrived.

Andy and I drove to you three immediately. Declan was only the second infant Andy had ever held. I think what struck me the most was seeing his tiny little face and body all swaddled up like a little glow-worm doll. His diapers were so small and delicate. It’s hard to imagine that he’s now nine years old.

Every curl, every cry, and every blast of laughter from your boy is a special gift to share. I love him ever so. He’s a riot and talker all rolled into one. His spirit and inquisitive nature is a demonstration of both your love and creativity throughout the years. He brings joy to so many people and gives love to others freely. Go give him a hug from me now please! I can’t wait to play monopoly, tell him jokes, and play this summer! He’s my favorite little guy to hang out with!! Have a wonderful day and channel his loving spirit in treatment. xoxo.

Obsessions of the 80’s and early 90’s through the present 2000’s because of you…. Day 21

February 17, 2015 Rachel AnnLeave a comment

Here is a list of inherited obsessions you originated and I carefully crafted after you:

(Well most of them that is! Thank you very much dear sister.)

The color red, it looks good on both of us, what can I say?
Lips: it started with that pink lip phone, continued onto any clothing, lipstick, purse, or shoe with a lip print. In fact I purchased lip blocked shoes in HK with you! haha!
Hedgehogs: Now THIS is your obsession alone, but I indulge and purchase items for you of any hedgehog relate-ability.
Dolphins: Another copy. “What your favorite animal Rachel?” “Dolphin!” “Why is that?” “Well….it’s my sister’s too!” (Insert giant grin here. 🙂 lol.) circa age 8-11.
Red backpacks: I owned say, 3 of them, I think there is one buried in the closet some where. Shhh, don’t tell.
Jeans: Me=bell bottoms, You=tapered leg, we both love jeans, what more can I say?!
Socks: Mom started it. End scene.
Drawing symbols after I sign my name on any letter to family or friend. I must insert the following: a heart, Star of David, music note, smiley face, flower, and sometimes a tear drop.
Stickers: see previous blog if feeling confused.
Judy Blume: Thank you mom!
Laura Ingles Wilder: Thank you mom, x3!
All of a Kind Family: Thank you mom, x4!
Noel Streatfeild: T.Y.M.!x5!
Swing dancing: copied beginning in 1998, took lessons for two years with friends at a Fred Astaire studio along with some tango and ballroom; then 1999, seeing you dance at the Crystal and Andy too, who knew?! 🙂
Thai food: thank you, I like it very much now…. Not the first time in 1995, but what can I say, crocodile tears were real with those hot pepper flakes in that soup!
Piano: TYM and Dad x6.
Driving: That was all you in 2002, thank you for being EVER so patient and teaching me. I check all three mirrors EVERY time I switch lanes and back up, 2x’s.
Portland: All you. ❤
Sign Language: I ❤ you.
Blue, turquoise, and anything boutique-y type of fabric.
Saying, “Groovy!” When I really mean cool.
Not saying,”Like, or sorry,” and paying close attention to when I slip back into previous language habits, thank you for this keen eye to detail.
Learning how to use iPads, technology, and other varieties of this nature.
Introducing me to the one and only, Sarah McLachlan.
Seeing Savage Garden as my first concert in Seattle. Trying to win tickets to it while visiting you in Vancouver with Mom and Laurie and her kiddos. 🙂
Learning how to navigate traffic on any given bridge and maintain speed. This goes along with #17. As well as knowing how to change: radio, cd, brake, gears, and air-conditioning without taking my eyes OFF of the road.
Circumnavigating the world of resumes, cover letters, and interviews with practice and an editors eye.
Being brave enough to start a blog, case in point.
Airedales: all things airedales, all the time, and bringing Ari into my life in 1994. Eternally grateful for this and my furry faced best friend for 14 years.
Anything sister related goes without saying: I love because of you!

The list could quite possibly continue on and on, however I felt that capping it was necessary for this occasion. Just know how grateful I am to you for sharing so many wonderful things over the years. I am eternally indebted to my big sister for sharing her loves in life and her love in general! Have a stellar major day! xoxo.

Alef, Bet, Vet, Day 20

February 16, 2015February 16, 2015 Rachel AnnLeave a comment

When you are a young child, who teaches you information? Who guides you along the way? Your parents, or guardians, yes, yes of course, well one would hope that they do. However, your siblings provide the examples.

Watch a child, any young baby, or toddler when they are amongst other people. They are fascinated by the alternative human beings beyond those in their small niche. They are most intrigued by other young people. They can distinguish between adult and child. Their stares and interest are paired with a hard wiring in the brain that encourages them to try to emulate the behavior they see. This is the learning process folks.

My guide was Debbie. Now I realize I have already touched on this subject a bit in previous blogs, but this topic of learning is different.

Debbie taught Hebrew classes at our synagogue in her late high school and early college years. I loved it. I can still see you walking down Temple Beth Shalom’s hallways with a giant Hebrew alphabet board and a bag of books slung over your shoulder. You sang the alef, bet, vet, with my kindergarten class, I’m not sure if you remember.

My teacher was Joy Grisan. I loved her. I felt special in her class and I enjoyed her story telling and art projects combined into one. I can fondly recall the story of baby Moses in the reeds. We used pipe cleaners to fashion our tiny Moses baby and made itty-bitty baskets to hold him within. I can see the tiny dixie cups filled with grape juice for snack time. Our mom was the executive Hebrew School coordinator and long time volunteer for years. Sunday school was a familiar affair.

Correct me if I’m wrong, I mean, I was little, but I think Joy took you under her wing and showed you some ideas, lessons, and helped you organize yourself as a traveling Hebrew teacher. I know that this was one of your part-time jobs in Bellingham during your first few years of college, or maybe it was all four years. Your days at Temple Beth Shalom helped shape your abilities as a teacher. Early classroom management, choral reading, and literacy skills were being fostered under your tutelage.

I used to sing the Alef, Bet, Vet, with you along with Debbie Friedman’s music. I loved those times in the van with you. Singing was always my favorite and still is. Go figure… 🙂

Sharing in this same experience of Jewish culture with life in Hong Kong was so important to me this past fall. I am grateful for the Shorashim experience we had together. I loved it. Every minute of sitting with you and Declan. I loved how he’d look up at me and see if I was singing along too. He was adorable. I loved sitting in services and being given the gift of a community experience to question the Torah and think together. This is one of the most important things, I believe about our culture. The ability to question and have a shared learning with other people. It all goes back to education, and the connectivity of all of this with music.

I love you Debbie! Have a Happy Monday of vacation. xoxo.

Socks, Day 19

February 13, 2015 Rachel AnnLeave a comment

Nineteen means almost a count down to 10!!!!

Who doesn’t love socks? I mean truly, they are the all time easy gift to give and receive! It’s not a secret that I have quite an extensive collection and or obsession with socks. I realized this when I was in middle school. I was required to wear white socks for my choir uniform. I did not own plain white socks. We had fun rainbow colored socks, printed socks, argyle socks, tights, polka dotted socks, but not WHITE socks.

It all started when we began celebrating Valentines day. Instead of giving us chocolate and candy, our mom decided to begin a tradition of giving socks for fun holidays.

Right, Debbie?! 🙂

We both have a plethora to choose from a few years after the tradition began. When I visited her in H.K. I came bearing a gift with 2 pairs of socks for us! Naturally, they were fun ones with a print and pattern. I arrived on Halloween and we wore multi-colored wigs with our multi-colored festive socks.

Stated in Valley Girl accent: “We, are so cool! I know, right?”

There isn’t a time in my life when I don’t feel it not appropriate to wear crazy socks, leggings, and socks, or stockings and socks. I mean, life’s too short not to layer people. So layer it up! Be bold with your bad self and get your socks on!

Well, I have a secret…the trend is spreading. I swear we started it though. I walked into the dollar tree a couple of weeks ago, because THAT’S what you do when you are a teacher on the hunt for a sale of creative supplies.

And BAM, there was a whole rack of, wait for it….

wait for it….(to quote Barney Stinson, aka, best character on, “How I Met Your Mother.”)

S-O-C-K-S.

SOCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It would have been funny if I spelled it wrong…hahahaha, oh wait, mainly in my head it was funny, or quite possibly had it been read aloud, or as a monologue. Oh, never mind.

But seriously, it’s catching. I give socks to people I love.

I gave all of my family socks for the holidays, I gave my husband what I THOUGHT were cool bike gear socks, he says robot, potato, potato-h. I even found fuzzy moose socks for mom. I gave my bff socks, I mean the list could tick on forever. If the cat would wear socks, she’d have socks too.

I think one of my favorite sock finds was ninga socks for my dear friend who is an amazing life ninga, I love her to pieces.

With all this being said…socks are great. BUT YOU, Debbie are greater. I love you! I love that you wear socks with your sandals, and I embrace the sock wearing, and do the same on occasion. We just can’t help it, we get cold, we’re from Alaska. You dress in layers to be prepared! Go hunt down some socks and have a fantabulous-errrrrrrrr-ific weekend! You deserve it! I love you!! 🙂

5, 6, 7, 8, Day 18

February 12, 2015February 12, 2015 Rachel Ann1 Comment

Learning to walk, learning to dance, learning to bogey down baby! Debbie was there for it all. She sat through endless hours of me practicing my beginning ballet, prancing around the house in tutu’s and tap shoes. I can keenly recall dancing in our front entry hallway in our Anchorage house. It had 4 sliding mirrors. It was perfect for the emerging diva extraordinaire, moi!

One of my fondest moments in our home involved walking into a giant Passover seder with my child’s accordion strapped around my back, and serenading folks with song and dance. Only the uninhibited folks. That was me!

Flash forward to the most awkward years of my life and the years of settling into oneself for my sister. I was 15, shy, and a desperate fashionista who chose to wear overalls…yes overalls, why? I have no idea. Apparently I thought overall shorts were cool especially in the hot and humid August air of 2000 in Portland, Oregon. My sister had invited me to a swing dance class at, The Crystal Ballroom.

Two amazing things transpired that evening:

I learned that I really loved to dance, but needed confidence.
I saw my husband for the first time, unknowingly, I thought he was the cutest guy with the best moves. Little did I know that it would be a mere 4 years later before we’d meet again.

My sister has amazing groove if you didn’t already know this. She and her husband Doug met while at a Salsa club. They fell in love dancing and have been partners ever since. One of my favorite memories of the two of them was their swing dance at their wedding. It was ABSOLUTELY amazing and beautiful. They were made for each other. I loved watching them glide, smile, and spin around the dance floor.

Back to the swing dance lesson: Debbie was so patient. She stayed through the whole hour class before the “real” swing dancers came to get down and groovy. I keenly recall the tall gangly guy who I danced with for about 15 minutes of the lesson session. He later sauntered over during the band portion with all the amazing dancers hopping about the floor. I smiled shyly and agreed to go out on the floor and work on the few moves we learned. Debbie encouraged me with a smile and I stepped onto the floor. Little did I know that my attire would get in the way of my movement. Tall gangly guy decided it’d be fun to spin me and rotate me with the other hand. However, he didn’t plan for an overall strap to hinder his spin ideals. Well, needless to say, we got quite tangled into one of the most precarious situations I’ve ever encountered. I squirmed, removed myself from his grasp, and slid back to my spot on the side lines beet red and panting. I happily tapped my toes and watched Debbie get asked to dance again and again.

Then, someone caught my eye. A flash of blue eyes and wide smile. A white wife-beater tank top, suspenders, and a classy fedora just slightly tilted forward. “Man he’s cute,” I thought to myself. Debbie had just spun back over to me and caught my gaze. “Ohhhhhhh they’re just show off’s Rachel.” “They’re so good….” “Yeah, they’re a bit cocky, and good that’s true,” she replied.

Cut to a scene change to the second term of college for me. There, standing before me and Lincoln Hall 75 was him. Show-off man, Andy. Now, my hubby. I am proud to call him my swing dancing king.

You see, Debbie first helped me to get into dance. She later introduced me to zumba which helped transform my work out routines. I am eternally grateful to her for sharing this passion with me. I can’t wait to zumba with you again Debbie! I love you, and I hope you shake or shimmy a bit today. Just a few steps will lighten your mood.

Be spark-lar-ific! I love you big sis!

Boing boing blonde Day 17

February 11, 2015 Rachel AnnLeave a comment

“Hey (hey)
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am not your expectations, no (hey)
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am the soul that lives within”

-India Arie

Grooving to her song for the first time in the mid-2000’s I always felt a kinship with her words. Why is that we are so deeply connected to hair ladies? I do realize our hair is part of our physical characteristics, attributes, and identity of our selves. Although, for women it can often take on this higher power of how we view ourselves. I remember getting a random hair cut before the 5th grade school pictures. “Wahhhhh wahhhh,” moment early on in life. It was the beginning of the brick cell phone age and the hairstylist was pre-occupied with his telephone call. A few snips too many later, my bangs were two inches from my hair line, or so it felt like. My poor self circa age 11 was traumatized. “Oh the horror…” 🙂 Mom solved it like any hair issue should be solved, she pulled out a bow with fun twisty colored tendrils and clipped it into my half up and half down ‘do. Easy fix, except for…my forehead was cold for a few weeks.

I know I already wrote about your hair crisis with the hair dryer, but I have one other favorite hair memory for you Debbie. It took place in the basement of Charlene’s beauty parlor. I had been playing upstairs after getting a quick hair trim. I meandered down stairs into the beauty parlor and you turned around in the swivel chair. You had this crazy nude colored hair cap on with a few long strands of hair pulled through. Here’s a photo to set the idea in place…

This was the 90’s version of highlighting hair folks. Enter…the cap.

Now, how many of you got your hair colored this way? One strand of hair crotched through at a time? Oh my well…needless to say, I went into a sheer fit of giggles that lasted until you gave me a look as if to say, “You can either get out or shut up, or I’m going to shut you up …” 😉 I had such a way of being endearing, I KNOW… insert eye roll here: < …. >

Hours later… you emerged a new lady, with bouncy, boinging curls. Delicately highlighted brown hair with blonde streaked through your hair for all to see. I’m pretty sure you loved it for the first while, but I don’t remember if you ever tired of it. I thought it looked amazing of course. As anything that you did, I considered pretty much the end all be all of cool! I’m pretty sure I asked if I could get high lights and the response was when you’re Debbie’s age then: yes.

I hate to admit it online, but ok it’s fine to be honest here: I’ve never highlighted or dyed my hair. I have been considering trying some fun color, but then I always feel like, ehhhhh, no thanks, I’m finicky and will get bored of it.

Who knows…maybe when you come back we could have a little box of color hair dye par-TAY. 😉 Could we dye the little guy’s hair a fun color too? Maybe some blue streaks??? heheeheeee. Maybe not.

Next time you want to try out a color, remember to throw on the blue or pink style from me! Sparkle on sister. I love you! Have a fantastic day! xoxo.