#159. April 30th, 2013: Professor Roger Whitaker

Roger Whitaker is by far my favorite professor at GW. Hands down. I remember the first class we had with him and I was immediately entranced by the stories he had to share. This man has been EVERYWHERE on this planet! 🙂 I actually remember him saying that he tries to make the number of countries he’s visited higher than his age, and I think that’s awesome. Professor Whitaker also has such a phenomenal way of teaching. He promotes discussion and open dialogue and allows for everyone to speak and have a say. We discuss such interesting topics and different styles of leadership and we get to listen to and tell stories all the time. It’s by far the class I have been most engaged in since college started and I appreciate his style so much. it’s funny because our class is about principles of ethical leadership and it’s so clear the he is an incredible leader. He portrays most of the qualities we talk about in class and he just in general seems to have lived such an exquisite life. He is RICH beyond belief with stories and experiences and when he shared those with us it was fantastic. He inspired me to be a better person and to continue forward with my passions. Even today when I visited him in office hours he made me feel welcome and comfortable and supported. I also love the way he focus on the quality of your work rather than when it was turned in. He knows we have busy lives and that because of that we should take our time on our work and complete it with care. Anyway, I just want to reiterate that Professor Whitaker is a remarkable man and I am so fortunate to have had him as a professor. He is a mentor and a storyteller and if I wrote a blog post on just his stories, from Mandela’s daughter to his wife in the Peace Corps, it would be made into a novel. Professor Whitaker, thank you so much for making this semester so enjoyable and for making me so excited to come to class. Thank you so much for commenting on the Before I Die Wall and for having such a great sense of humor. I hope your knee is better and that you can finally take the stairs and not the elevator 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and time with us! Thank you for a great semester overall!

#158. April 29th, 2013: My Whole Foods Cashier, Reg. 1 :)

Today was a busy day, and in the heart of it all, I went to Whole Foods with Kayla to grab a quick bite to eat. Before I could taste the delicious food on the plate in front of me, I had to pay of course. The TV binged and said Register 1 and that’s where I went. I’m bummed I couldn’t catch his name but I want to say thank you for how polite he was and for the short interaction we had! 🙂 He asked how my day was and I told him I was stressed and he was so encouraging 🙂 He had a great big smile on his face and was so kind. It’s really the small things that matter in life and I can honestly say that the 30 seconds with him today was exactly that 🙂 Thank you so much Mr. Whole Foods man! 😀

#157. April 28th, 2013: Grady O’Leary

Where do I even begin with a superhero like Grady? Say his name to anyone who has even heard of him and they’ll freak out, say he’s incredible, and then say they miss him. Well, I agree. Grady is something else. He’s a greek god. A role model. A leader. Someone you go to for advice. Someone you know will be there for the rest of you life, no matter what. Grady is a humble and modest man who would never do anything bad, ever. In fact, he’s saved a man’s life before. Literally. Grady is also one of those people who you can have incredible conversations with. He can be goofy, he can be serious and intellectual, and he knows how to have fun. From running on the beach at 1 AM in the bright moonlight to standing quarters on their sides for hours at Starbucks, Grady is honestly one of the best people in the world. You can sit in silence with him and feel comfortable. You can even drive to Mexico and back and have it be a regular adventure 🙂 Like I said, Grady is something else. Grady is one of my biggest mentors and role models in life. He inspired me to come out in high school and he inspires me every single day to be a better person. To focus on having integrity and being genuine. To be honest and responsible. Grady demonstrates every great quality in the book. He is honest and fair, he’s rational and a dreamer. He’s a doer and a visionary. He’s a listener and someone that actually cares about what you have to say. He has a presence in everyone’s life even when he’s not around. You know that Grady is there for you, and you appreciate it so much. Grady is also one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. He knows 5 million languages and can tackle any academic task you give him. He is driven and dedicated and will not stop until he’s finished with something. The most unbelievable part? He will never talk about himself. He is modest beyond belief and he will compliment you with any chance he gets. He is a remarkable human being. Grady, thank you so much for being a part of all of our lives. Thank you so much for being the exquisite individual that you are. Thank you so much for brightening my life and for being someone who I know I can learn from and who I know is going to do so many special things in life. Thank you so much for putting up with my ridiculousness all the time and thank you for dealing with my quick white lie before the phone call tonight 🙂 Thank you for making my visits to NYC absolutely awesome with your dinner ideas and just dealing with my touristy-ness. Thank you so much for being so rich with stories and perspectives and for having such a colorful view on life. Thank you for being you, Grady. 🙂

#156. April 27th, 2013: Capital Funk

No words can accurately describe what I witnessed tonight. The art, the movement, the beauty; all of it was just gorgeous and indescribable. Tonight was the Capital Funk Showcase and it absolutely blew my mind. The men and women on stage were fantastic, moving their bodies in magnificent ways. It’s honestly so inspiring to see the human body do the things they did tonight. Ahh I wish I was a dancer! Anyway, I want to say thank you a million times over to Capital Funk for organizing tonight’s showcase. It was the best 2 hours I have spent in awhile and it gave me a lot of pride for being a part of the GW community. Also, I want to say thank you to C-Funk for not only having dancers, but for also getting spoken word poets and singers. Tonight was spectacular and I can’t say thank you enough for all those who helped to organize it and put it all together! Thank you! 😀

#155. April 26th, 2013: Jason Segal

Over a year ago, I asked Jason if could he get me just the audio of a performer we had at TEDxYouth@SanDiego. In less than a few hours, he sent it to me and it’s playing as I write this 🙂 The album on that song is Jason Segal Rocks! 🙂 Jason is something different. He has a smile that can light up a room but one that can also make everything seem so real and present. His presence alone makes you feel special and welcomed. He makes you feel like you matter and that the world is beautiful. He is extremely mature and carries himself with such integrity and he is ridiculously down to earth. He goes with the follow, stopping to smell the flowers and to appreciate the beauty around him. Jason is also incredibly talented, having make tons of videos that are such fantastic quality, a few of which have made me tear up 🙂 Jason is undeniably dedicated to everyone he cares about in his life and has such strong and wonderful relationships with the people he loves. Oh, don’t even get me started about how phenomenal he is when it comes to taking care of his girlfriend. My goodness does he deserve an award. They both do. Anyway, Jason is also one of the strongest guys I’ve met, having already gone through a lot in his life. And yet Jason keeps such a youthful spirit about him and he literally walks around smiling to greet the world. Jason is someone who I feel honored to know and I am so happy to have him in my life. Jason, thank you so much for being the rockstar man that you are. Thank you so much for making me happy all the time and for bringing joy and beautiful creations to this world. Thank you for being you 🙂

#154. April 25th, 2013: Vinni Brown

About 3,000 miles away from me right now, in the wonderful city of San Diego, California, there is a woman named Vinni Brown, and it’s her birthday today! Vinni is one of the strongest women I have ever met. Armed with her natural beauty and a fantastic smile, Vinni is also one of the most compassionate people I’ve ever met, giving everything she has for those around her. To be more specific, never have a met a woman who cares more and dedicates herself more to the benefit of her sons. She executes her passions and skills in life, all while providing for her superb family. Vinni is seriously a phenomenal human being. To my knowledge, she is at just about every play or sporting event that Hunter, Grant or Harrison are taking part in and she is always the biggest supporter in the crowd. She is an honest and trustworthy individual, someone who will tell you how it is when it’s needed and someone who will compliment you when you deserve. Vinni never ever fails to make you feel welcomed. She is always willing to make you happy and feel comfortable and for that I am so thankful 🙂 I can remember countless times in her old house when I would come over and she would end up showing me some of her newest designs that she’d made, or I’d end up playing card games with Hunter, herself, and the grandparents! Her home was always so welcoming and warm and I am so happy that I could experience that. Vinni is also someone who I admire dearly in regard to her tenacious spirit and ability to continue through every situation handed to her. Vinni always has a positive outlook on things and is always trying to do what is best for her kids and I am so in awe of that effort and dedication. She’s basically Wonder Woman in disguise so no one say anything 🙂 Anyway, Vinni, thank you so much for welcoming me into family these past few years and for all of the small and wonderful moments I’ve been able to share with you, Hunter, and the rest of the family! Thank you for the unconditional support through everything I have ever done, and thank you for always asking how things are going in my life when I talk with you! It means more than you know. Thank you so much for being the beautiful and remarkable mother and role model that you are! You are such an inspiring soul and I know I am not the only one who thinks that! Thank you for raising some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. Grant, Harrison and Hunter are all spectacular, both in terms of their talent and their character. Thank you so much for staying strong and staying happy and thank you so much for leading by example with everything in your life. Thank you so much for teaching me the true definition of care, commitment, and love and thank you so much for being in my life! Thank you so much for being you 🙂 For all of that, Vinni, I thank you 🙂

#153. April 24th, 2013: Matt Ferrer

Oh you do Brian, you REALLY do! Yes, Matt and I have a bunch of inside jokes, and I love it 🙂 Matt is an awesome human being who is genuine with his words and actions. He cares about everyone in his life and he puts in quality effort to his friendships, something that can be rare at times in life. Matt is also quite hilarious, as he always found ways to make me laugh on or off the volleyball court. From Dark Knight references to just making fun of any situation, Matt and I could laugh for hours on end and that’s fantastic 🙂 In regard to volleyball, Matt is unbelievably determined to always be better, and he’s crazy dedicated to the game and to helping his team. He was always someone I could count on to make me smile and to make me feel better when I didn’t play too well. He always has something kind and compassionate to say. Matt, you are just an all-around rockstar. Also I should mention that Matt is incredibly intelligent and he deserves to be recognized for that. AP Psych class was so so so much fun with him and and the rest of the gang. Anyway, thank you so much Matt for being such a quality man and such a great guy to be around. Thank you for the phenomenal memories from high school and thank you for the check in texts! Thank you for being who you are and for being so understanding and supportive of not only me, but also those around you. Thank you for being in my life! For all of that, Matt, I thank you 🙂

#152. April 23rd, 2013: Keegan Doherty

If you’re ever in need of a deep voice, contact Keegan Doherty. Actually though, he’s got one of the best voices in the world, but that’s one small part about him. When Keegan and I worked on TEDxYouth@SanDiego together, I really got to see what a phenomenal man he is. Keegan is dedicated, always willing to help out the team and never interested in promoting himself. He’s kind and compassionate, always there to listen to you and actually care about what you have to say. And might I add, he’s good looking, and most ladies agree with me 🙂 Anyway, Keegan really is quite the superstar. He’s a fantastic friend to so many people and I know I speak for myself and others when I say that he inspires people to do better and enjoy life to its fullest. Keegan is filled with incredible energy and humor and he is excellent at making people laugh and smile. He’s never afraid to make fun of himself so that people around him can be happy and I think that’s awesome 🙂 He’s a big goofball with a giant heart and he deserves to be recognized for how awesome he is 🙂 Keegan, thank you so much for being the superb individual that you are! Thank you for being in my life and for being part of the amazing TEDxYouth journey. Thank you for making so many people feel welcome in life and thank you so much for being who you are! For all of that, Keegan, I thank you 🙂

#151. April 22nd, 2013: Roma Shah

Being on House Staff this year has been one of the most transformative and beautiful experiences of my life, and I would not be saying that were it not for the one and only Roma Shah. Roma was my House Staff last year, and she hands down changed my life. Right from the start she was there for me, offering us cookies and milk, late night conversations, and just overall comfort. I can remember many, many instances where I was in her room talking with her about how hectic my schedule was and what I really wanted to be doing and she was always able to help me put things in perspective and calm me down. She even had me make a time table once and that helped 🙂 Roma is just such a giving person. She gave us her time, her patience, and her love all year long and I honestly mean it when I say that she is the number factor that I am doing House Staff this year and that I am loving this university. She is absolutely beautiful, has a wonderful laugh and a spectacular personality, and can make anyone and everyone feel welcome 🙂 She is such a great friend and I am so pleased to have her in my life! 🙂 It was super hard having her abroad in the fall though, but now that she’s back life is good 🙂 Roma, thank you so much for being the incredible young woman that you are! Thank you so much for all of your support last year and for always being there for me! Thank you for making me happy and feel appreciated. Thank you for being such a phenomenal human being and for getting an A+ at life 😀 You really are so wonderful and you deserve to hear that so much more! Thank you for being you, you intelligent and compassionate bundle of happiness 😀 Thank you so much 😀

#150. April 21st, 2013: Patti Malmuth

I have been so blessed in life to have an amazing mother with such incredible friends. Patti is one of them who has acted like a second mother to me throughout my life. She is absolutely wonderful in so many ways. She’s funny, kind, always supportive, and super easy to get along with. Patti has also been a phenomenal mother to her three kids, and specifically my best friend Daniel! She would always be there at 4:30 AM to drive us to the lake to go fishing. She always would take us to Carl’s Junior if we asked nicely 🙂 She and her family invited me to Missouri with them and I had an absolute blast. She and Brian invited my sister, Grandma, and I into Brian’s place during the fires years and years ago. She would always drive us to soccer tournaments that were miles and miles away. Overall, Patti is such an understanding and motherly figure who I appreciate so much. Hanging out with Daniel was always so much fun because of the incredibly “home” environment her house had, and the fact that lemonade was always in the fridge 🙂 Aside from all these food jokes, Patti really is an amazing human being. Filled with love and kindness for all, Patti is hands down one of the best mothers in the world and someone who I trust with so much. Her family is my family and I am so grateful for that. Patti, thank you so so so much for being the exquisite individual that you are 🙂 Thank you so much for always being there when I needed you and your family and thank you so much for being such a support to lean on over the years. Thank you so much for all the wonderful shabbat dinners and celebrations at your house! Thank you so much for having one of the most spectacular laughs I have ever heard and thank you for just being who you are 🙂 Thank you for everything 🙂