The Art of Womanliness

Thanks to the wonderful networking of Facebook and my abilities to be a creepy stalker on it, I managed to stumble upon a most delightful, enlightening and entertaining website: The Art of Manliness. I was so hoping to discover a link to a sister site regarding womanliness but alas, none such website exists.

After reading on the forums that I was not the only woman to express an interest in a such a site, I have decided that perhaps there isn't one because women are so complex. Not that men aren't, just that there are some interesting dimensions to take into consideration. Feminism, for example raises some issues about what to include or not include. Just exactly what is the perfect woman? Personally, I don't feel that just because I like perfume and high heels, and baking it means that I can't like swinging a hammer and playing football. I happen to do all of the above and then some. But I do feel there is something to ettiquette, grace, and how to handle oneself with respect and dignity. There inherently are differences between men and women. One can not avoid that.

It would be wonderful to have a place that celebrates all those aspect of womanliness. Things to include could be being a good hostess, running a business, running a household, organizing, etiquette for all kinds of social situations, how to change your flat tire, fashion....you name it. In the words of one contributor to the thread, "The Art Of Womanliness should be a site that teaches,edifies and encourages woman to learn how to become real with themselves and the people that love them. Strong character with a strong back-bone. Beauty within and grace that can be seen."

Women today are often presented with confusing and often time contradictory ideas of what it means to be a woman. Many women struggle with traditional roles for women and others struggle with the intense pressure of modern society to have it all; house, family, career when all they really want is to be a stay at home mom. This can lead to guilt at "betraying" the good aspects of the feminist movement that helped to give us the rights we have today. The bottom line is this. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be the CEO. There is nothing wrong with wanting to shape the people who will become our future. There is nothing wrong with wanting it all. I feel like it all comes down to what was mentioned above. You have to be true to yourself. As long as it it your decision, go for it!

To be womanly is many things. It is confidence. It is grace. It is knowing how to create that balance for yourself, never compromising your beliefs and recognizing when you are wrong. It is respectful and caring. Sometimes it means pulling off the perfect diner party for your husband's co-workers and sometimes it means changing the oil in your car.

Making Progress

15 pounds lost! Thank you Curves! That's in about 3 weeks. Now to get motivated about the home workouts to target my hips and butt! Wedding gown, here I come!

Take That, Pachelbel!

Since I can remember I have always harbored a secret love for Pachelbel's Cannon in D. Yes, I know what you may be thinking. "But Bridget, aren't you the one who rants and raves against it! Are you not the one who proclaims it to be the worst cello part ever written?" The answer is yes. I do rant and rave about it to anyone who will listen. I announce that no such abomination shall ever be played at my wedding. But secretly I love that piece of music. It is one of the most beautiful compositions I have ever heard. I have found a way around Pachelbel's nauseating cello part. Have it arranged for cellos! All parts! 4 or six I don't care how many cellos there are so long as the only instrument to be heard is a cello! Take that Pachelbel! I shall indeed have all cello music at the ceremony and yes, I will have your Cannon in D as well!

State Dinner

Just as the White House prepares for President Obama's first official state dinner, the Haenicke Institute hosted our own version, even if on a much smaller and less stately scale. The evening began with the singing of the American and Chinese national anthems and the alma mater and concluded with performances of traditional chinese dances and music. With the opening ceremonies of the Confucius Institute at Western Michigan University concluded, faculty, staff and distinguished members of the community made their way to the Kalamazoo Country Club for dinner. The Haenicke Institute played host to a Chinese delegation that included the Vice Cousul General from the Chinese Consulate and distinguished guests from Beijing Language and Culture University. Toasts, placecards, and more forks than one really needs set the mood amid a crackling fire and votive candles. Goodwill and friendsdhip between our two countries!


I love my job.

New Co-worker

Everyone, meet Brutus.....
or Nox, or Sashimi. Okay so I haven't named him yet. But so far he's been making my work day much brighter. Way to go fish!

I've always wanted a betta. I have no idea why it never occurred to me to have one at work. So yeah, here's my new fish and desk buddy.

My Not So Secret Garden

Okay, since we moved I know I haven't taken any pictures of the new place. I promise those are forthcoming; I am just waiting for the new furniture to arrive before I do so. In the meantime, here are a few pictures of my balcony garden taken on a rainy day. Hopefully these will tide you over. ;)

Bridget's not so secret garden

Shark Week!

Discovery Channel's Shark week is back.... and it's got bite! Every year in the first week of August television screens across the nation are filled with images of flashing teeth, extraordinary feats of escape and capture, and shadows lurking in the murky waters that strike fear into the very core of our bodies. Deep, resonating chords of drama shake your nerve and build an almost intolerable anticipation as you listen and watch, waiting for the moment when the lone swimmer will be snatched from the surface in an onslaught of fins, force and gnashing teeth. The 2 hour premier Blood in the Water lived up to the hype and chronicled the bloody Shark attacks off the New Jersey coast in 1916 that inspired "Jaws". Instead of the stereotypical photographs scrolling across the screen with voice overs it was a 2 hour reenactment worthy of the silver screen.
Okay, enough of the drama. In the summer of 2006 Jesse and I used Shark Week as an excuse to spend time together in the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity house. Staying up late in the common room watching sharks on TV allowed us to talk and get to know each other without all the rowdy fraternity brothers. It also marks the first official week of our relationship. So now, it has become tradition as part of our anniversary celebrations to watch Shark Week.
I have been storing a Martha Stewart cupcake idea for about a year so that I could make fabulous theme desserts for the opener. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you shark infested waters off a tiny island..... err in other words dyed blue frosting with construction paper fins and a crushed graham cracker topping and a fun girly drink umbrella. I also made a fabulously cheesy shark card for Jesse. The start of Shark Week was amazing and so were the cupcakes!
Thank you Martha, I heart you!