Softie With An Edge

Today, my 3 year old son looked at me with doe-like eyes and asked "Mommy...can i have more cereal?" He had already had 3 previous helpings so the answer was clearly "no", especially since it was the cinnamon/sugary kind of cereal.


I responded "Yes, but this is the last portion you are going to have of cereal. Okay?" He nodded his head enthusiastically and ran to the table. Of course I said that the last time he asked for cereal for the third time (a half an hour before).


When did this tough city chick turn into a softie?


My hubby jokes with me every now and then, stating "You've lost your edge. That urban edge in you is gone." The edge being that urban "toughness" that I grew up having. The one I acquired while living and growing up in New York City. It's not a rudeness, just a tough, "I don't take no stuff" kind of attitude. One that tells others, "Don't mess with me. I know what's going on." It's a form of confidence that sometimes is acquired after having navigated your way through city living for many years -- whether you find yourself walking down a sketchy street in the middle of The Bronx (or Manhattan or Brooklyn, take your pick) or as you're pushing your way through the throngs of people you're surrounded by on your way to work. There is sort of a facade you acquire in order to handle the throngs of pushy (sometimes rude) people and the speedy cabs/cars that are constantly "almost" hitting you while you cross the streets on the way to work, home or whatever destination you're headed to.


After 4 moves in 6 years -- each move taking us futher away from living in the city, hubby delights in taunting me (in a lighthearted way). We've lived in two small towns and now a bigger, college town so it's been awhile since I have lived in the city. My many years in the Bronx seem almost foreign to me. Though it's funny, when I go back to visit, I go right back to having my tough edge (with a few holes in it).


"No, I haven't!" I say back defensively . "Never. I'm tough, city girl. You can take the girl out of the "city" but not the "city" out of the girl."


Except when I look into my son's eyes (any one of the three sons at any given moment) or I get the sweet request for a third glass of chocolate milk or a snack from their favorite fast food joint (I actually go out of my way to get them those mandarin oranges from Wendy's upon a moment's request!).


Am I a softie or is it a mama thing?


Right now my 3 year old is laying on me, insisting that my arms be around him as he watches his favorite t.v. show. I give in and put one arm around him as I decide to continue to type this blog entry with one hand (no easy feat for me). A few years ago, the person who wanted my affection in such a moment would just have to wait until I was done. Not anymore, I guess...


Ah...what birthing three babies has done to me (and possibly all those years living outside of the uban jungle). This tough, no-nonsense city girl is putty these days.


Maybe I have lost my edge?


Okay, I wouldn't quite say "lost".


Just call me a softie...with an edge.

A New Love

As a writer, I have an extreme love for words. They are my passion. Letters make me smile. Film is a close second.  I love seeing images on the big screen (and small screen).   My heart warms when I see the open credits of a movie. I can't help it.  I wait in anticipation to see what's coming up next.  I have a deep love and appreciation for both. 

Photos are great too.  I could look at photo albums all day -- mine's as well as other people's.     Recently, I have embarked upon a personal 365 photography project, an idea I stole from my dear friend Gina, at The Daily B.   Commit to taking one photo a day, for 365 days.  I'm not a photographer by any means, and was attracted to the idea because of how I could chronicle my year in photos, one day at a time.  And I was curious as to what kind of pictures would come from me - a little personal experiment.   What kind of eye do I have?  Do I even have one?

 

Well, to my huge surprise, as I embark on this project, I find that I am developing a deep love and appreciation for photos.  Like with words and moving pictures.  Who knew?  As I chase my kids around the house with the camera, I realize I am so excited.   I found a new love. 

Below are a few of my favorites from my 365 project -- I call them my "beautiful accidents" because there are days where I just luck out and get a cool photo:

Have you found a new "love"?   A hobby or task that just excites you?  Please share.  Would love to hear about it.

Hello, This City Girl's Glad to Read You

I read an article this week, thanks to Gigi over at Kludgymom.com, on 10 networking tips for new bloggers and what stood out to me was the bonus tip which suggested you read 2-3 blogs for each follower that you have. That excited me because I'm a reader. As I live and breathe, I also read. Truly. It's why I write book reviews for a national magazine and it's why if I do nothing else in my day besides take care of the kiddos and the hubby and check in on Facebook, reading is definitely what gets done. It even comes before my writing sometimes, I'm almost ashamed to say, and writing is up there on my list of the top three things I'm passionate about.


So seeing this tip, I thought, I can definitely do this and I went about setting a goal. Based on my 11 followers it would mean reading between 22 and 33 blogs per week which equates to about 3 to 4 blogs a day. Something I can actually do while holding my baby, who refuses to be put down for any reason whatsoever, and feel like I'm doing something productive (not that holding the baby isn't, of course). At the same time, I get to enjoy my favorite pasttime. Not to mention getting some adult interaction. Being with my three adorable boys all day limits my conversation to "more cheese crackers?" and "how many stars is Dora holding up now?" I look forward to adult exchanges, via email and blog comments. I think too, what a great way for me to connect with my fellow bloggers, especially since I still feel so green within this new blog world I'm in.


And I get to leave comments on the blogs that move me, another favorite thing to do of mine's.


I'm excited for this goal. Excited to expand my network of blog friends. Excited mostly to meet and get to know new blog friends. The idea of "networking" doesn't move me but meeting and making new friends within the blog community does which will make the networking thing eaiser to bare I suspect.


Even as I write this, I feel that excitement rising through me. I can't wait.


I take out a sticky note and write down my goal. I stick it to a spot on my laptop.


Here I go.


Yes! I look forward to reading (your blogs) and meeting you all.