#loveforlexi

The past four years at Penn State I have been involved with the largest student run philanthropy in the world, the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance MaraTHON! THON is a yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer.  This amazing philanthropy has over 15,000 student volunteers who put in countless hours to raise money for a cure.

Every February, THON weekend takes place. A 46 hour no sitting or sleeping dance marathon, for the fight, FOR THE KIDS.  This past year, I was lucky enough to be one of 700 dancers in Happy Valley to stand up for the fight for 46 hours.  This was truly the most amazing weekend of my life.  Seeing so many people come together for one cause is truly inspiring.

The Penn State student body involved with THON continues to change lives each day.  And today is no different.  I came home to an email today from a member of my THON family asking for help.  One of our precious little girls, Lexi, is fighting the battle of her life.  She has stage 4  neuroblastoma cancer.  Lexi is 6 years old, soon to be 7 in September, and has been battling cancer since she was 3.  Lexi is a huge Taylor Swift fan.  Her only wish is to meet Taylor Swift.  The students of THON and Penn State have begun a Twitter campaign to reach out to Taylor and make this little girl's dreams a reality.

So this is what I ask: If you're on twitter, send a shout out to Taylor Swift. It's that simple.  Help us spread the #loveforlexi. And keep this little girl in your thoughts and prayers.

One of my favorite THON quotes  is "One day we will dance in celebration, but until then, we dance for a cure."  Help us in our fight against pediatric cancer--support Lexi, and support our cause.  Together we can make a difference.

Visit http://www.thon.org/ for more information and to donate to the fight!

Here's a taste of THON 2011--"From the outside looking in you can never understand it, but from the inside looking out you never explain it." #lifechanging
THON 2011

always love,
becca

Be a Nerd.

So this one goes out to all the gLeeks.  If you're familiar with the fox show gLee then you know that it celebrates the underdog.  High school was difficult enough without being judged by others based on the people you hung out with or the things you were involved with.  gLee recognizes this and the underdogs.  The students involved with "New Directions" are the real stars of high school.  The cast is built with individuals from all different backgrounds, races, gender, and sexual orientation.  You will instantly fall in love with this television musical comedy from the hilarious lines of Sue Sylvester, to the absolutely phenomenal renditions of  music legends, the story line, the lessons taught, and the celebration of the geek in us all.

This summer, gLee creator Ryan Murphy has provided my gLee "summer fix" with the reality show The Glee Project.  This is a reality competition where the final contender wins a 7 episode role on the hit show gLee.  If you're not a gLee fan, I suggest you catch up.  I guarantee you this: no sooner than you begin to watch, you will be hooked.  And if so, watch #TheGleeProject Sundays at 9pm on Oxygen.

So the purpose of this post was not to plug for gLee, but rather to shed some light onto one of the contenders of The Glee Project, Cameron Mitchell.  Cameron was recently "not called back" for another shot at becoming The Glee Project winner.  Not because he couldn't sing, far from it in fact.  And not because he didn't quite make the cut after this week's homework assignment, because after watching it, all of the contenders did great.  No, it wasn't either.  Cameron Mitchell made a decision, probably one of the hardest of his life, between his beliefs and what he felt was right in his heart, and the opportunity to continue his gLee project journey.  Since the beginning Cameron has been a  favorite of mine.  He has a great voice, but even greater character, personality, and charm.  And so with this past episode being his last, I just wanted to commend Cameron on his journey, his courage to stand up for his personal beliefs and priorities, and say your journey is far from over.  Cameron is already a star, and his talent will carry him far.  There are not too many people in the world today that you can honestly say would stand so truly to what they believe in, and that alone will take him far. 

He once said in the beginning of the competition that he was a nerd, and maybe that's part of the reason he could see himself fit with the show, but it is also good advice and takeaway...Don't be afraid to be who you are.  And stand up for what you believe.  It is the individuality of everyone that makes the world so unique. If you're a nerd, so what.  There is a little bit of nerd in us all. 

E.E. Cummings once wrote; 'To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.'"

So Cameron, Thank you for being that inspiration to me and [the world]. I'm definitely proud to be myself, which in many cases is "nerd."

Check out Cameron's album Love Can Wait on iTunes. Like I said, this guy is a star.

always love,
becca

Send-off Sunday

Here's your Sunday Send-off~Make the most of your week, and don't mistake the opportunities before you that may come disguised as work.  Do your best, wear your passion on your sleeve, and seize the day (or week).

always love,
becca

Closing Time

So this past Thursday and Friday, I spent the day travelling to my Alma mater Penn State. It's been about 2 months since graduation, and actually, for the first time, the feeling has kicked in....I'm not going back.

I was at Penn State to close the apartment, clean house, and pack up.  And while this trip was anything but enjoyable for those stated reasons, it got me to thinking...how much I love Penn State, how much I'll miss Penn State, and how many wonderful memories I did have there.

4 years came and went so quickly, and I am blessed and lucky to have had the opportunity to go to school there.  The people I met, the experiences I had, and the memories I made, I definitely wouldn't change that for anything.  And while, I will not be returning to Happy Valley as a student anytime soon, Penn State will forever hold a special place in my heart.  And like any true Nittany Lion, I will bleed blue and white forever.

Being nostalgic and all, just a few of my favorite Penn State memories.  And thanks to Semisonic being on repeat for my roadtrip.  It pretty much sums up this point in my life.  Onward to the next chapter. Love you dear old state.

"Time for new beginnings and for some other beginning's end."


always love,
becca

Send-off Sunday

What we should be saying is "Happy Sunday," but what most are probably thinking (or dreading) is Monday.  The start of the week, the can'tgetupsoi'llhitthesnoozebutton10times, 8 hr work day--different week, same story.  Everyone knows what I'm talking about, but who knows the cure? I know I'm still working on that one, but in the meantime I'll be giving you my Sunday Send-Off.  Maybe it will be the that little something to make your Monday amazing, or maybe it will just give you the motivation to wake up, grab your coffee, and face the day with a little more determination and a lot more enthusiasm.  Either way, here's your first Sunday Send-Off:-)

always love,
becca

Friday Favs

So it's been about a week since I created the blog, but I finally got the chance today to create my header.  Now, I can officially begin blogging (Insert excited squeal here)!

This will be the first of my many Friday favs, so get excited, and of course happy Friday:-)

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks--I'll be making these tonight for a dinner at my neighbors--the perfect summer treat if you have fresh zucchini from the garden.

Photo and recipe courtesy of Aggie's Kitchen



My Water Bobble--With the temperature already soaring past 90 degrees, staying hydrated with my bobble is required.  Visit waterbobble.com to learn more about bobble and check them out on twitter and facebook to get the scoop on what's new at bobble.

  The "main squeeze" ad was featured on Valentine's day for bobble, but on a day like today--my red bobble and I are bffs.

Sinful Colors in Dream On--I've recently discovered this line at Target for only $1.99.  The colors are so bright and perfect for summertime.  I've also tried Cream Pink.  If you're looking for that finger nail pick me up, this is it.

always love,
becca