Monday, October 1, 2007

Colleen's Top Ten

Topics, moments, and subjects I've always wanted to write about:

1. my childhood memories (especially those involving my sister)
2. important women in sports, politics, and science
3. eating disorders
4. spirituality
5. nature
6. rape and sexual assault
7. nutrition science and policy
8. health and well-being
9. my family history
10. relationships between people (including family relationships, romantic relationships, and friendships)

Loving Meals I've made or that have been made for me:

1. chocolate chip cookies
2. mom's chili
3. beef stew
4. Christmas cookies
5. a pasta, tomato, and asparagus dish
6. chicken soaked in red wine, coated with cinnamon
7. lemon-pepper chicken
8. pumpkin mousse
9. pancakes, eggs, and sausage
10. pizza

My Most Significant Moments:

1. meeting my now-boyfriend for the first time
2. crying after my big sister left for college
3. reading on the porch hammock in the summer
4. yearly family vacations to Ocean City, Maryland
5. graduations: from high school, college, and graduate school
6. meeting my niece Amanda for the first time
7. running my first (and second and third) marathon
8. seeing the David while in Florence, Italy
9. long conversations with my sister, brothers, and old friends
10. funerals: my grandpa's, and two friends from high school

Most Significant Conversations in My Life:

1. My brother called me to tell me he joined the army
2. My brother called me to tell me he might be going to Iraq by the end of the year
3. My sister called me to tell me she was engaged, and then when she called to say she was pregnant
4. Discussing whether or not to move to Buffalo with my boyfriend, which would mean leaving behind friends and a job
5. Various interviews for various jobs, some of which I got offers for and some of which I did not
6. Opening up to a friend, and then my parents, about my struggles with an eating disorder
7. When I called my grandmother after I found out my grandpa had passed away
8. Anytime that I tell someone I love them- close friends, family, or my boyfriend
9. Anytime that I apologize for something I have done wrong
10. Any conversation I have with my youngest brother or oldest friend- I always end up laughing a lot

Things I love the most in this world:

1. Family (my brothers, my sister, my parents, my nieces, and my extended family)- for all of their support and love through the years.
2. Friends (those I met in kindergarten to those I have met in the last month)- for their laughter and joy, and for being there when I need them
3. My boyfriend- he's been very supportive and nurturing to me, but also pushed me to grow
4. My three nieces- they may be covered in the family category (#1), but they are all so special to me. It's amazing to see the siblings I care about so much having their own children.
5. My alone time- I am so busy, so a chance to sit still, nap, be peaceful, read, or write is nourishing.
6. Running- it keeps me physically in shape and mentally stable!
7. Traveling- I love seeing the world, meeting new people, and exploring new areas
8. Holidays- I love decorating for and celebrating a holiday. It reminds me of my childhood, since my mother would do the same thing.
9. Learning- I love to learn about myself, about others, and about the world around me. I think it keeps you young.
10. Animals- I have always loved animals, as they have been a source of unconditional love to me.

4 comments:

Frank said...

Greetings Colleen: Your lists are intriguing. I’ve selected the top three I’d be interested in reading more about:
From Topics to Write About, #7, because this is an area needing very strong advocacy in our nation. Nutritional science is somewhat of an oxymoron in the U.S. because we really don’t have a reasonable policy on nutrition and many think that these diet fads are ‘science.’ Did you hear the recent news blurb about Frito-Lay trying to figure out how to get the junk out of their food? How about not putting it in! Please write on this - if not now, later.
From Conversations, #6 (and Topics to Write About, #3). It may be a bit theme-ish, i.e. the tie with nutrition, but this is a very delicate topic that deserves better understanding among all of us. I’m particularly interested in how one helps motivate others to eat sensibly.
From Topics to Write About, #2, because women’s achievements are severely under-communicated. It will take great public relations and story-telling to encourage females, young and old, to keep reaching for equality. There are cultural, religious, and ethnic barriers to overcome so the more positively written in this area, the greater the opportunity for change.
Regards, Frank

beth said...

Colleen - this is what I found compelling:

When I called my grandmother after I found out my grandpa had passed away. I find this topic compelling because taking to someone about death has always been very difficult for me, especially over the phone. I know I always struggle and feel awkward. I what to know what to say? What you said that was meaningful. Reading about someone else’s experience would be very enlightening.

Reading on the porch hammock in the summer. It sounds so welcoming and intriguing. I want to know what you read, what it felt like, and why did you remember this?

Holidays- I love decorating for and celebrating a holiday. It reminds me of my childhood, since my mother would do the same thing. I used to like decorating during the holidays and now I view it as a chore, so I would like to hear why you like it? Do you decorate the same or different than your mother?

elisabetta said...

Dear Colleen,

Thanks for your list...very personal and emotional. If I were to choose the top ones that would inspire a great story or book or essay I would choose the following:

David in Florence: I may be biased because I am Italian but the feeling you get when you look at the David is overwhelming. When in real life you see the veins and muscles sculpted out of the marble it is really inspiring. Plus you are in Florence which is also a wonderful place. I get emotional also when I see the Bernini statues in Galleria Borghese in Rome (if you ever go).

6. Opening up to a friend, and then my parents, about my struggles with an eating disorder This is obviously a very personal and complicated topic. However, I am more interested in understanding how you finally got the courage to talk about it and how your friends and family supported you.


7. When I called my grandmother after I found out my grandpa had passed away. I think Beth picked this one too. I just find it so hard when life takes away a partner from an elder couple. It creates such a vacuum and your whole life and all the daily routines done together need to be revisited... It must have been a hugely emotional conversation with your grandma. What did you say? What was their relationship like? How did you give her strength...

Unknown said...

Hi Colleen

I'd love to hear about:

1. the moment you met your niece for the first time (as a way to talk about your important relationships)
2. the experience with eating disorder
3. your move

Any of these topics (and these are just my personal picks--what you are interested in writing about is most important) would provide a way to write concretely about the big themes, which are more abstract, of your life.

There are so many amazing stories to tell from your life and I can't wait to read your work.