Day Three. 12/8/12

December 8th, 2012.

To: Jason Bellet

New school, new community, no friends, no way to know where to go...It feels as if a century has passed since I began my time at Berkeley but it's actually only been a year. The feeling of being lost in Berkeley has diminished over the past year and I can pinpoint exactly who helped me get here.

Jason Bellet! Senator, Big Brother, Son, Boyfriend, Friend, Leader, Student, Peer, he plays so many roles and excels in all of them. I am so proud to get to call Jason Bellet a close friend of mine. We met during my first week at CAL and ever since then he has helped me in finding what it is I want to pursue and how to do it. Picking me to intern for Perspectives Showcase last year, supporting me as director this year, introducing me to his bros at the Pi, meeting up for coffee dates and giggling during night time strolls through Berkeley...I am SO LUCKY to have Jason as a friend and mentor here.

So this one is to you Jason, for being a pal and a role model! I know you will go on to do important and beautiful things in your life. Never forget who you are and what makes you so special. Love you a lot Jas!

 Jason and I campaigning (For his senate position) on Sproul Plaza last year!

Day Two. 12/7/12

December 7th, 2012.

To: Simon Gertler

Today's post is dedicated to my friend, Simon Gertler. He is a man who has experienced so much and never fails to show me how strong he is. Simon and I met just this year but I have already grown to respect his honesty, loyalty, and genuine character. There's no way I would have attended as many PACS lectures as I did if the promise of sitting next to him every class didn't stand. :] Simon always supports his close friends and makes rational, well thought out decisions. He also refuses to support the vicious competitive industries that exploit workers and our environment, something I really admire. He is dedicated to justice and such a hard worker. 

 Anya Schultz and Simon Gertler

Thanks for your friendship Simon! You are unique and talented! 

Day One. 12/6/12

December 6th, 2012.

To: Femsex Classmates, Fall 2012

This first post is dedicated to all those who inspired me to write this. To all my femsexies, you all inspire me so much. I cannot believe how much I learned throughout this semester with y'all and I feel so different. I want to thank all of you for bringing so much love, energy, and support to every class section. 

To each one of you:

Smirti: I can't believe you! Your willingness to share has always impressed me. Your life is so vastly different from mine it was always great to hear what you had to say because I learned so much. You will be in a history book someday, I know it! Keep going girl! Thanks for all the support this semester! 

Caitlin: Girl! You are the best! You are not afraid to speak your mind and you keep it real. I have grown so much from listening and talking with you. I feel so comfortable around you and I value your input. I'll never forget sharing vending machine food with you, finally I found someone who shares my love for junk food! I wanted to tell you that I'm proud of you. I can tell that you've grown so much this semester and you've been brave in moving forward and sharing your light with our class. 

Jasmine: Jasmine, you are such a sweetheart! I can't think of anyone who is as kind and welcoming as you are. I have never felt intimidated or ignored when I am around you. You have a talent for making people feel heard, valued, and special. In listening to your stories, you have humbled me. You are a strong woman and you should be so proud of who you are.

Brandon: BRANDON!!!!!!!!!!!! I think you are wonderful! You're gender provided our class with excellent insight. Never did I feel uncomfortable saying (or showing) anything around you just for being a boy. I think that really speaks to your gentle and friendly character. You've been a light in my life this semester. I always look forward to sitting next to you in class and giggling. I am SO looking forward to living in your house next year/summer and I can't express how much you've given me. I was worried that I wouldn't find new people at CAL this year but I have and you are definitely someone I know I'll be seeing around a bunch! Thanks for your smiles! Keep writing, it is beautiful!

Corrie: Girly! Your softness is so special! I really identified with a lot of what you mentioned this semester. I respect your calmness and admire how well you articulate your thoughts and feelings. I think you're a true California Cutie!!! I love the mix tape you made for us and I hope you keep playing guitar (especially in front of people cause you were so good!). I know I can always count on you for advice, support, and a smile. You should be so glad to be you because people are drawn to your spirit! 

Canaan: Canaan! Your work with CalDems is SO impressive! I loved hearin' all about what you were up to and I felt so lucky to have you around during election season. Your passion for what you do is so evident. I can hear it in your voice when you start speaking you get so excited and your energy is felt! Your presence commands attention yet you are still so friendly and relaxed. You are a role model to me. Your involvement, warmth, and genuine interest are all traits I aspire to embody.

Kendall: Kendall! "I'll go first! I'm lovely..."Talk about HAPPY! Kendall, you taught me how to be positive. I watched you smile the first day of class and I watched you smile til the last. That smile never faded and you honestly showed me what it means to be content with what I have and where I am in my life. I admire your great sense of style, friendly attitude, and positive perspective. You will bless so many people with your terrific personality.

Isabel: Hey you! I remember meeting you on the first day of class when we weren't even sure what we were doing and where we were supposed to be. You were quiet but friendly, interested but subtle. It was great. You make people feel respected and you show them that you care. I could tell you were always listening to others and happy to be where you are. Thanks for your kindness and respectfulness throughout the semester.

Haley: Awwww man! Girl, I don't know if you feel this too but I feel like we held a lot of opposing views throughout the semester. But let me tell you, you are possibly the person I admire most from this class. Your ability to show emotion, express your passions, articulate your thoughts, and argue your beliefs makes you someone I adore. I respect you so much and feel like you have taught me so much about myself, my family, and humans in general. I hope that we keep getting to interact because there is still so much I want to hear from you about and learn from you. Be proud of you because you are wonderful in so many different ways.

Danielle: I'm laughing just writing this. Walking buddies! Spanish teacher discussions! Which GSI would you rather bring home? The list goes on! Thanks for being so full of energy and you willingness to share. You have wisdom and desire to change the world! I know you will! I can feel it every time I'm near you. You inspire me with your passion and fashion (oh hayyyyy trying to do a clothing swap soon). I am so glad we are homiez now and I want you to know I am always rooting for you. I can't even express how much I think you're great and how much I look up to you. Thanks lady!

Alana: You are such a kind and open soul. I always feel like you are really listening to what people are saying and feeling what that person is feeling. Your ability to empathize is what makes you who you are. I'm so glad I get to see you all over campus all the time because I will miss your kindness so much! Also, your story is amazing and you must be so strong to have gotten to the point you are at today. Keep it up!!!

Sara: YOU ARE SUCH A CUTIE. I may or may not be watching you while I write this...But really, you are the best. You have a sweet character that draws people towards you. You are beautiful inside and out! I always feel safe sharing my thoughts and feelings with you and know that you are really thinking deeply. I trust you and look up to you as a mentor because it seems like you always know the right thing to say and when to say it. You are sweet and people feel safe around you. Thanks for all your gentle love!!!

Lisa: Lisa!! You are so awesome! You are someone who has really inspired me to be unique and confident in my own way. Your subtle awesome-ness has taught me that there are so many different ways to show personality. I appreciated all the insight you provided to our class and I love getting to see you around campus occasionally. You never fail to show me a different perspective and it teaches me so much. I think you are kind and accepting and there is no better quality to embody as a friend! 

Jenny: Jenny! You are quiet but bold! You show character in so many special ways that. Your actions are more telling than words. I always love hearing what you have to say because I know you have really thought it through and say only what you know is worth saying. You are articulate and thoughtful. You are also someone that I look up to because you don't overwhelm others with your opinions or voice but still express what you want to convey. You know how to have fun and when to be serious. You know when to speak and when to listen. I hope you realize how special and comforting you are. So much love to you.

Rubi: Hi Rubi!!! You are such a wonderful girl! You story amazes me and everything that you wrote was so beautiful. I am proud of you for sharing what you did. I'm also proud of you for being brave for so long. And more than anything, I'm proud of you for still managing to be a cool, welcoming, and open friend. I trust you with so much and know that you understand what I'm going through when I say certain things. For some reason I just feel like we connect in a different way than I do with others. You are confident but humble at the same time and that is something really hard to do! 

Chihiro: You are such a ball of sunshine! Your bubbly personality makes people feel energetic and warm when you are around. Not to mention the fact that you are honest. You're never afraid to say when you've had a bad day and you show how resilient you are when you come back to class the next day with a big smile on. That is a quality I really admire. Your cultural background provided our class with an amazing opportunity to break down pre-existing stereotypes and understand another way of life. Thanks for sharing so much with us. 

Alyssa: You are so strong. I can't believe all that you have been through yet still manage to be kind, respectful and aware. You expressed yourself beautifully throughout the semester and I loved hearing your writing. Keep writing because it's so interesting and perfectly crafted. I hope that I continue to see you throughout our time at Berkeley because I feel like I still have so much to learn from you. I think you have a lot to share with the world and have the power and experience to make a lot of healthy changes. I know that sounds like a big burden but I only say it because I believe in you. Thanks for bringing such power to our class.

Megan: ROLE MODEL ROLE MODEL ROLE MODEL. I want to be you! Confidence, grace, intelligence, humility...You have it all girl. I have learned so much about how to support others just from watching you interact with other classmates throughout the semester. You pay attention to the details, you recognize people's feelings and comfort levels, and you make great popcorn! I think you are an empowering person to be around. You provide people with the support to feel confident and capable. It is people like you who can help those who most need support. I trust you with everything, knowing you will never judge me. Love you girl!

Bei: I couldn't have asked for better facilitators. You guided us students with such ease and calmness. I always felt comfortable around you and thought you had awesome insight for us to think about. You are doing great things (your job is teaching the med students so much!) and you have dedicated yourself to the well being of others and I want you to know that it is so clear that you are helping out our world. I appreciate all you shared with us and it made me really understand some of the realities of our society. Thanks so much for everything you put in to this semester, our class has definitely changed my life and I attribute so much of that to you.

Natasha: Tashy! I admired you so much last year when I first saw you perform at perspectives. I am glad I finally got the opportunity to meet you and excited that we get to work together more this year in Perspectives. Your words constantly comforted us throughout intense and triggering moments in Femsex. You shared just enough to show us what you were going through but also maintained your position as a leader and someone to turn to in a time of need. I know you will do great things and I want you to know how much you have impacted my life. You are a beautiful writer, daughter, sister, leader, and poet. Thanks for giving everyone so much. 

This is the only picture I have with some of you! Wish I had more... Someday!

From Left: Sara, Alana, Canaan, Me, Smirti

Startin' Up!

I am so excited to be writing my first post! 

After a compelling Femsex class about empowerment I thought long and hard about what empowers me most. I realized I feel most empowered when helping others, showing them how great they are, and helping them reach their goals. This inspired me to start this project: reaching out to one person daily and letting them know how I feel about them! Shout out to Brian Doyle for doing a similar project and giving me the idea. 

So, here we go! 365 Days of Thanks and Bakes begins today.This blog is dedicated to everyone wonderful and everything that tastes wonderful. I have been feeling so blessed to have such amazing people in my life and I am going to start letting them know how much I appreciate them. Once a day for the next year, I will be writing about someone special. For an added twist I will also be featuring a bake section! Once a week I'll cook up a new treat to experiment and share with everyone. Stay tuned!

Here's the Bakes! 

Ready to get rollin' with these thanks and bakes!