A Brother From Another Mother, and a Sister From Another Mister

The dictionary describes the word "cousin" as "A child of one's aunt or uncle" (The American Heritage Dictionary 203). The way I see it, the dictionary has it all wrong. A cousin is more like a brother or a sister, just born of different parents. I say this because the bond I have with my cousins is so strong, and they basically are my brothers and sisters. We know each other's habits, likes and dislikes, and as weird as it may seem, we know each other's smells. Last weekend was my grandpa's 80th birthday, and my whole family had a wonderful celebration in his honor. The weekend was so awesome, though, because all of my family got to be together, and that means I got to be with all of my cousins. We laughed and had a great time, and it was just great to all be together. What's so amazing about being with your cousins, though, is that you can truly be yourself when you're with them. For example, at my grandpa's celebration, my whole family rented a karaoke machine, and we all had so much fun with it, unafraid to express ourselves and be crazy in front of our family and cousins. At the same time, it is also important that you can be sensitive in front of your cousins. At the same party, my cousins and I shared sentimental speeches about my grandfather, and just as we weren't afraid to be crazy in front of each other, we also weren't afraid to be serious within the presence of one another. This is what's so incredible about cousins. They allow you to be your true self, and really bring out your character. Cousins are there for you when you need a hand or a shoulder to lean on, and they are also there when you need a good laugh or when you just want to have fun. I feel privileged, because I get to see two of my cousins at school every day, and it's nice when I can talk to them in the hallways or in class, because it is like I am conversing with my brother or my sister. 

Oh Brother...

"Hey, Scottie. How are you?"

"I'm great, thanks. How are you?"

Nothing exciting about this conversation so far. It's probably just going to be one of small talk, and to top it all off, my head and mouth will probably start hurting from nodding and smiling too much. Oh brother, what have I gotten myself into...

"Superb! Thanks. Hey, how's your family? What's your brother up to these days? I haven't seen him in a long time!"

All of the sudden, the conversation takes a turn for the better, and my face lights up like a pumpkin glows as a child puts a candle in a Jack O Lantern. It's as if the words took a right-hand turn from boring avenue onto thrilling lane. And why, you may ask, did this small talk suddenly turn into big, exciting, fantastic talk? Well, it's because of my brother.

Not many people can gloat and say that their brother is on television and reports the sports on the tube for a living. I love when I get to say to people that my brother is a sportscaster on television, because I, just as the rest of my family does, think it's awesome! My brother, Mikey, who goes by Mike on TV, is 28 years old and lives in Austin, Texas. Down south, my brother reports and anchors the sports segment of the news for News 8 Austin, an affiliate of Time Warner Cable. He works so hard, and has difficult hours, and I respect him tremendously for being determined, and sticking with his job.

You know, it's not easy being in this business. You have to work your way to the top, and you have to work in places that a lot of the time aren't ideal. My brother has previously worked in Springfield, Illinois, and now works at his current position in Texas. What is also amazing about his dedication, is that he went down to Texas knowing just a few people, and he has made so many friends, is respected at his job, and is always willing to work, even at 11:00 at night.

My brother, in addition to having a sweet job, also gets to do some pretty awesome things because of what he does. For example, this weekend, he gets to attend the Super Bowl in Dallas, because it's in close proximity to Austin. I think that's the coolest thing in the world, and I hope he has a great time. He has also interviewed ex-Colts coach Tony Dungee, and has been at the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York.

My brother and I have a great relationship. He not only has an awesome job, but he is also a magnificent role model. He is determined, willing, and works very hard, and through his success, he has showed me that hard work pays off. Mikey is very modest, and I respect that about him. He'll never tell you that getting to go in the locker room and interview players for a certain team was cool and exciting. What he'll tell you is that it was just a part of the job. I have tremendous respect for this professionalism that he posses, but I'm on the other side of the TV, and from my perspective, what he does is the coolest thing in the world. 
 

My Dog Tootsie

There is no companion like that of canine friend. My standard poodle, Tootsie, is twelve years old, which means I've shared my life with her since I was 5, and every minute has been all the better because of her. You know, I was just watching the movie "My Dog Skip" for a little while, and it just made me think of how much my dog has been a part of my life. She was there for my first day of kindergarten, my bar mitzvah, my first day of high school, and every other occasion in between. She has always been there for me, through thick and thin. She is my best friend, and there is no way to describe how much I appreciate her. Sometimes it's nice just to hug her. It makes me feel good. And sometimes it's nice just to see her after school. It's the simple, little, insignificant things that she does that make me so happy. What other aspect of life can do that? I thought I'd give a shout out to Tootsie in this post, because recently, she's been a bit annoying to my parents, always wanting food/attention/to go to the bathroom, and this is totally understandable, seeing as how she wakes them up constantly in the middle of the night. She deserves some cheering up, though, because she is truly a wonderful addition to the family, and gives us joy every day of our lives. There truly is no replacement for the unconditional love of a dog, and I thank Tootsie for giving that to my family and I for the past twelve years. 

This isn't Tootsie, but it looks exactly like her. She is the cutest thing that ever lived!



The Sister Sleepover

Today is Sunday, and that means a couple of things to me. First of all, it means lazy, football, and homework. It also means the last moments to salvage before having to go back to school. Lastly, though, and most importantly, it means that my sister gets to come home and sleep over! My sister has an apartment in the city, but she works in the suburbs. So, every Sunday evening, she comes over for dinner, and she sleeps over, so her commute to work is much easier in the morning. This is really nice for my family and I, because we don't see her anytime during the rest of the week, and it's nice to spend time with her. I am the third and last child in my family, and am truly the baby, being separated by 7 years from my sister, and 11 years by my brother. I have been an "only child" for a while now, and because of this, I don't even think about the fact that my siblings aren't in the house. When my sister comes home, though, on Sunday nights, I then realize how much I miss having her around, and it is a nice way to rekindle the past, if you will, and have more people in the house, like it was 8 or 9 years ago. Sunday evenings are a nice privilege for me, and I really enjoy them, because I enjoy having my sister around. She is really funny, and always has funny stories to tell about work, and although I have to share the dog with her, I am still very excited when she comes over for her Sunday night sleepover.

My Parents

As I sit here writing this blog post, I am being serenaded by my dad's piano playing. My dad picked up the piano (not literally) about 4 to 6 years ago, and since then, with some breaks here and there, has probably practiced for at least an hour every day. This is determination at its finest. My dad has the greatest work ethic of anyone I know. He works extremely hard, and it shows in his piano playing. Before my dad started playing the piano a few years ago, he didn't know how to read music very well, and now, he's a pro! Most people wouldn't have the perseverance to keep up with a hobby like this, seeing as how music is not easy by any stretch of the imagination, and I respect him for that. It's truly remarkable that he has come so far in his playing ability, and I thank him for that, because his work ethic he shows on the piano bench, has taught me a good work ethic myself, and I am better because of that.

Also, as I sit here writing this blog post, my mom is currently taking time from her day off to help set up for a band event that I am partaking in tonight at school. My mom is such a wonderful person, and is one of the most selfless people I know. She is willing to help set up for an event for me on her day off, and for that I am grateful. She is a wonderful mother, and works so hard to help give me a wonderful life. Her willingness to help out today is a perfect example of how she puts others before herself, and she has taught me how to be a good person as well, and for that, I am eternally grateful. My mom doesn't get enough credit for her hard work every day, not only in her office, but to help me live the best life possible. My dad doesn't get enough credit for his hard work everyday, as well. He works so hard at work, and then comes home and works more, and works to make my life a wonderful one, and I will never be able to express how much I appreciate that.

I am writing this post today to give a shout out to my parents, because they don't get it enough. The hard work that they do everyday, and their willingness to give me a wonderful life, can never be praised enough, and by writing this post, I hope to scratch the surface in the gratitude that deserves to be given to my wonderful parents, whom I love and appreciate so very much.

Grandparents- They truly are "Grand Parents"

I write this blog to all who are following from my grandparents house. My parents are out of town for a wedding this weekend, so I am staying at my grandparent's house for a few days. It has occurred to me, though, that this isn't really my grandparent's house; it's my house. I can walk around their house- our house- because I know where everything is, and in all reality, my grandparents are my "Grand Parents." What I mean by that, is that they're wonderful parents, and love me unconditionally, and always take care of me. My grandma got me what I really like for lunch today, and treats me as if I am her own son, because it is almost like I am. I really cherish the relationship I have with my grandparents, and know that I will always have a special bond with them. They are my second set of parents, and I can never thank them enough for that. I love them very much, and am forever grateful to have them in my life.

Me, My cousin, and my grandpa having a jam session!

Water and Electricity- Not what Einstein had in Mind...

Water. We drink it, we're made of it, and we're surrounded by it! Water is one of the most key parts of everyday life, and it holds the capacity for endless possibilities. Contrary to popular belief, H2O even works well with electricity. If certain products are made for water power, just small amounts of water can power electronic items such as calculators and digital clocks. Water is even being tested to power cell phones (maybe next time I jump in a pool with my phone in my pocket, it won't be such a big deal)! The way water powers an electronic device, is by creating a chemical reaction in a fuel cell, and when the water runs out, you can just refill it. The benefits of water powered gadgets are endless. The money that could potentially be saved is remarkable, and the environment could be properly maintained without batteries having to be thrown into landfills, because there will be no need for them. Water is truly a wonder of the world, and should always be respected and not taken for granted.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
I got this information from About my Planet