Sunday, January 31, 2010

Kreativ Blogger Awards


Cate at Budget Confessions honored me as one of her seven choices for a Kreativ Blogger award. I am humbled and touched.

In the spirit of the award, I'm revealing seven things about myself, and picking seven blogs to recognize.

1. I once contemplated going to culinary school and worked as an apprentice for seven months in a fine French restaurant, but decided it wasn't for me. I miss the creativity of the kitchen, not the 80 hour work weeks, low pay and lack of benefits. I have no regrets. I can at least say I tried my dream job out. Sometimes, the grass isn't always greener.
2. I've been dancing for years, and can do hustle, west coast swing and even the country two-step.
3. While working as a waitress there in high school, I was named a Friendly's employee of the month! Will modern science veganize the Fribble and the Reese's Pieces sundae in our time? I hope so.
4. I've been a blonde, red-head, and a brunette. I even streaked my hair with blue Manic Panic in high school. I'm back to my natural state: brunette.
5. I have a very loving, very non-vegetarian boyfriend, and I detest when other people say "My sweetheart learned about factory farming and never ate meat again. He's the perfect guy!" Who are these fairytale men? We've visited two farm animal sanctuaries, and he still orders meat every time we go out. Ah, the challenges of being in an inter-dietary relationship.
6. I have always lived in New Jersey. Please, world, we are not all like what you see on the Real Housewives of New Jersey or the Jersey Shore. When traveling around Europe, people would say, "We know New Jersey. We watch the Sopranos." Nooo! Although we can laugh at ourselves. In our last gubernatorial debate, the three candidates were asked, "Bruce Springsteen or Bon Jovi?" I answer as they all did, Bruce.
7. I lost a job once and it's one of the best things that ever happened. As a result, I'm so much more conscious with money, I met my boyfriend, and I now have a job in New York City and work with amazing people. But it was a dark, uncertain time when I went through it. If you have job struggles, have faith there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

In no particular order, here are my recipients.
. The Thrifty Chicks
. My Year Without Spending
. Budget Confessions
. Confessions of Young Woman
. Making Hay
. On Loving Animals
. Mad on a Gray Sea

The media, television in particular, projects a world overly concerned with pursuits of materialism and a vapid quest for a youthful appearance. Think everything from spoiled teens getting six figure Sweet Sixteens to Botoxed housewives who would look much better with the wrinkles than the Botox.

These bloggers give me hope. There are more important things to pursue and support....thriftiness, environmentalism, farmers, a better world for animals, travel, reading, wisdom, family, friends, and love. Would we all eat the same thing at a dinner party? Definitely not, but the conversation would be lively.

7 comments:

ConsciouslyFrugal said...

Congrats on getting the shout out and thanks for sharing these blogs. Can't wait to read them. (I'd say Bruce too!)

Catherine said...

Thanks so much. The very wise Chessbuff pens On Loving Animals. He does so much admirable shelter work.

And sorry Bon Jovi!

Angela said...

Thanks so much Catherine. I love what you said about bloggers giving us hope and that there are so many other, more rewarding things to live for. I agree!

MaddyG said...

Thanks Catherine! I feel like I've been nominated for an Oscar or something.
I'm glad to see that we also share a passion for DANCE. Dance like no one is watching! ; )
And although I appreciate the Boss for his politics, I say rock on Bon Jovi.

Catherine said...

Angela: I so agreed with Alea's comment on your blog about how you break your lifestyle down into baby steps (and how accessible and important this is). All these steps will pave the way to big change.

MaddyG: I love your 'baby steps' efforts too, and your amazing photography (especially those stunning nature shots). Makes me want to get a better camera (or at least take better shots)!

Glad to know another dancer! It's such a great skill, it would be wonderful to see it taught in schools (think Mad Hot Ballroom, although I'm not a ballroom dancer).

I probably have a cassette of Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet from the 80s at my parents' house in my old room. I can still remember slow-dancing at my friend's party with a boy to "Never Say Goodbye." What a decade!

Ted Teodoro said...

I am used to receving citations, but from the cops. Thank you, Catherine, for the mention. I appreciate your appreciation. If you dance as good as you look, then surely you can command the dance floor.

Catherine said...

Chessbuff: you are one of the reasons I'm blogging! You told me at the Chinese dinner how easy blogger.com was, and here I am!

I admire so much your work with those shelter dogs, your feeding of the ducks, and your general goodwill.

Not to mention, you are an independent and critical thinker. We need more of that in this world.