Day #365: One year later…and turning 30.
Dear Ellen,
Exactly one year ago today, I set out on this blogging expedition without much expectation nor idea of where it would take me…
And after 365 consecutive days of sharing my thoughts, my likes and dislikes, my life’s work, and hopefully some laughs, I have done this:
Accomplished. Entertained. Cultivated. Celebrated. Given.
In a year filled with ups and downs, though more of the latter than the former…a year in which I lost my beloved Nani, lost a job which gave my life such identity…I always had this to come home to. Writing to “you”, Ellen. Yes, I complained from time to time about my daily blogging duty’s resemblance to “homework”, but in truth, it was my rock, my “constant” in a constantly shifting world.
And now, I arrive at this final 365th day with unexpected sadness, a tiny bit of relief (I’m not going to lie about that), and obvious wonder as to what the next decade will bring.
Ellen, I strongly suspect that you know nothing of me; all my letters, blogs, and emails likely never made it past the “first cut” of your staff’s screening process. That’s okay. Because, in the end, it really was about so much more than the recognition that I originally sought. If not for the way that this year has played out, I wouldn’t have raised the nearly $3,000 that I did to help improve the lives of women and Mothers in the poorest of countries. Because of you, Ellen, I created goodness in the world.
Cheers and G’night,
Katie Simms
Day #364: T-One!
Dear Ellen,
This morning I woke up, a person about to turn thirty, having written to you every day for the past year, requesting tickets to your show as an as-of-yet-ungranted birthday wish; an adoring, unwavering fan who has admired all the good that you do for others from a comfy spot on my living room sofa, day after day.
My birthday is two days away but tonight I will go to sleep, not quite yet thirty, still an adoring and unwavering fan, writing to you once again, Ellen, this time with my early birthday wish granted.
I was there today, Ellen! Did you see me? Red cardigan, gray shirt with a black sequin penguin, black pants; third row aisle seat. You danced right by me. No? Alright, fair enough. But I was really there!
While I can’t deny my disappointment that VIP tickets didn’t equal a meet-and-greet with you, Ellen, it was still more tremendous to be there than I could have imagined, dancing and screaming, from only feet away rather than the usual 3,000 miles! Tonight at dinner, my Mom, Molly, Sara, and I were all discussing our “favorite part” of the show. Mine, without question, was the moment that you walked through the partition in the big, glowing wall and on to the set. Holy shit. Ellen is right there. That must be what it felt like when I was 4 years old, on my first trip to Disneyland, and seeing Mickey for the first time. Pure, innocent, unadulterated joy.
So, thank you, Ellen, for granting millions of people, one hour every day, when they can escape the chaos of their lives and be immersed in this childlike exuberance and delight.
Sincerely,
Katie
Day #363: T-Two!
Dear Ellen,
As I type, I’m resting my head right underneath the famous “Hollywood” sign, overlooking Los Angeles. Ok, not literally right underneath, but pretty darn close.
Anyhow, what that really means is that I’M HERE! Three-thousand miles later, after leaving from Baltimore five days ago by car, and raising $2,930 for the United Nations Population Fund, I’ve pulled in to the City of Angels.
And after three-hundred sixty-two days of daily blogging, I simply don’t have much else to say. It’s all come down to this…
Oh, one thing to say…how did I ever manage the last five years in Connecticut without an In-n-Out Burger down the street?
See ya tomorrow, Ellen!
Sincerely,
Katie
Day #362: T-Three!
Dear Ellen,
Greetings from hot Phoenix! Ninety-six degrees here today…that’s pretty standard around these parts in October. Let’s just say, I’m glad that I don’t live here. Clearly I’ve grown spoiled by the tepid New England fall.
My fabulous friend, Shauna, aka “Momma Bean”, however, does live here. And I couldn’t be happier about that because it means that I get to spend a much-awaited visit with her tonight…along with her giddy husband, Josh, and their snuggly 5-month old, Ella, aka “the Bean”.
Shauna and I met in college as RA’s and quickly became joined at the hip along with a third member, Sara. It should be known that we were not good RA’s. I speak for myself here, but I suspect that we were all in it for the free room and board. My regular advice to my freshman residents: What I can’t hear coming from your dorm or see through the window, isn’t happening. Essentially, keep your mouths shut, blinds closed; I won’t ask, you don’t tell.
In the end, I came away with free room and board, two lifelong friends, and lots of great memories…many of which we were reminiscing about earlier. [Though most involved being way too intoxicated and puking in bar bathrooms so I’m not sure why we’d want to relive those. Sorry, Mom; I wasn’t perfect.]
Fast forward almost ten years; we’re turning 30, having babies, and feeling like those college days were a lifetime ago. Yet, being around Shauna always takes me back; makes me feel like time has stood still and we’re 21 again. Nothing like being with the best of friends…
See ya in two days, Ellen.
Sincerely,
Katie
Day #361: T-Four!
Dear Ellen,
May I introduce an encore guest-blogging presentation…My BFF, Molly Stark, aka “Sunny”:
Dear Ellen,
Now that we are acquainted with one another, I felt it only appropriate to explain the nickname that Katie is known by [and Molly, too]…”Sunny”!
When Katie and I first met, we were in our first year of nursing school at Yale and had classes fairly early in the morning. It was like being a freshman in college again, having 8am classes Monday through Friday. Yuck! Both of us lived fairly far away from school…not a feasible walking or biking distance in my opinion…so we drove. Katie, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, would always begin our day with the following greeting: Good Morning, Sunshine! Imagine a high-pitched, child-like tone…one that made me feel like I was about 5 years old and being called something like ‘Molly the Mole’ again (sorry, no time for that explanation). Anyways, I hated it. And, of course, it stuck. Katie would call me ‘Sunshine’ more and more often. I think she enjoyed saying it and witnessing every wince, whine, and moan that would follow.
After awhile, however, it became so routine that it didn’t bother me as much. And now, she calls me by this nickname more often than my real name! Shortly after Katie and I realized we were forever best friends, I started greeting her with ‘Good Morning, Sunshine’ in the same annoying voice.
I bet you are probably wondering at this point, “I thought it was ‘Sunny’ for both of you.” Don’t let Katie fool you; she calls me the wrong name. Her nickname is ‘Sunny’, mine is ‘Sunshine’. She is just lazy. She liked saying ‘Sunny’ because it is one syllable and easier to say so she shortened ‘Sunshine’. I gently remind her that you just can’t do that.
Best friends…’Sunny and Sunshine’. Now, best friends ‘Sunny and Sunny’. We all know which one sounds better. You may want to pass that along when you meet her. Be careful, though, she has a history of stealing names…watch out!
See you soon, Ellen!
Cheers,
Molly Stark
Ellen, I offer this in rebuttal to Molly’s blog: If it weren’t for me, there would be no Sunny, no Sunshine. There would be boring ‘Molly’ and boring ‘Katie’. And, I’ll have you know, Molly loves being called Sunny…by me.
Sincerely,
Katie
Day #360: T-Five!
Dear Ellen,
Greetings from Amarillo, TX! It’s my first time in the state of Texas but so far the scenery is nearly indistinguishable from that of Missouri and Oklahoma- the two states we drove through to get here tonight.
Molly and I were on the road about 12 hours today. That makes for two, very sleepy ladies now that it is 9pm and our bedtimes! Miles down: 1600-ish. Miles to go: 1400-ish.
I leave you, Ellen, with some scenes from the drive:
Sincerely,
Katie
Day #359: T-Six!
Dear Ellen,
First, Happy October, Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Happy National Midwifery Week! Yay! So much to celebrate besides my impending 30th birthday. And, to top it off, I have a very special treat for you today, Ellen…
I’ve written about her so much over the past year that you probably feel as though you already know her. And, quite frankly, everybody should know her. So, for the first time, in her debut as a 365 Days of Dear Ellen guest blogger, I introduce to you my very,very BFF, my “Sunny”, Molly:
Dear Ellen,
Well, I thought it would be about time that I show my face…or rather my words…to not only help my best friend take a break from thinking up those amazing blog posts, but also to give you another point of view; yet another reason for Katie to not only go to your show, but also be on it!
Over the past year, I have witnessed some truly unique events occur to my best friend Katie, also known fondly as “Sunny”. I will explain the nickname in another post…stay tuned. At first, I noticed a fear of turning 30 from her. It then turned into a challenge. Katie thought, ‘I wonder if I could even write a blog every single day?’ And then the birth of ‘365 Days of Dear Ellen’ came in to fruition…along with the journey across the country that we are about to embark upon.
Over the past 359 days, I have laughed, cried, pondered, and thought to myself, ‘I totally agree with that.’ I have been amazed by my best friend’s dedication, insight, and true writing talent that she shares with all of us each and every day. I look forward to the ‘365 Days of Dear Ellen’ emails I read on my phone (via my synced email address of course!) because I can’t wait to read what is next.
In about one week, we will arrive in L.A. and bear witness to one of TV’s most popular shows…that would be yours, Ellen! And I have just one favor to ask- meet Katie. You’ll never regret it. She just happens to be one of the best people I know…and not just because she is my best friend. Just wait, you’ll see.
Next week will be the start to what I know will be the beginning of Katie’s best decade of her life. And meeting you will be the perfect start.
Cheers!
Molly Stark
Day #358: T-Seven!
Dear Ellen,
The first leg of my historic Drive to Ellen is in the books. Six-hundred miles down, 2,400 to go…approximately speaking. Besides one minor bump in the road (namely, a small part of dragging undercarriage on the car that needed some wiring back together), it was a smooth ten hours. Lots of controlled-cruising (or, if you’re more familiar, “cruise-control”) through parts of the country that I’ve not travelled before; always nice to step foot on new soil. As it turns out, when one (me, in this case) is in a car…alone…from nearly sunrise to sunset…a few thoughts traverse your mind…
- Driving in pouring rain requires significantly more concentration than driving in clear conditions. Texting while driving in a monsoon is really unsafe.
- Sirius XM (satellite) radio is better (dare I say?) than sliced bread. Why did I not know anything about this sooner? Who has been keeping me in the dark? I wonder if my measly unemployment check would cover the cost of one for my car?
- There’s a town in Pennsylvania called Lovers (and, incidentally, another one called California). It’s right past a giant, roadside sign that reads “Jesus is Real” and before another that says “Pray. It works.”
- I don’t understand the immense amount of tire-tread that litters the side of major, middle-of-nowhere highways; you know the ones. Presumably, they come from all the 18-wheelers that clog up the major, middle-of-nowhere two-lane highways and which you inevitably get stuck behind for miles. However, you never see those gas-guzzling monstrosities pulled over with shredded and deflated tires. Can someone please explain this curiosity to me?
- I am fascinated by the Amish. Maybe that’s not “politically correct” to actually admit….but I’m just saying what we all thing anyways. There should definitely be Amish communities throughout the United States and not just clustered in a few Midwestern states. What’s better than pulling up alongside a horse and buggy at the gas station? (I know what you’re thinking. And, in response, I don’t know. They were not filling the buggy with gas, but rather purchasing something in the convenience store. Pringles, perhaps?). Regardless, that sight was definitely the highlight of my day.
More from the road later, Ellen.
Sincerely,
Katie
Day #357: T-Eight!
Dear Ellen,
It has begun. The first leg of my trip out to see your show, my fundraising cross-country drive, is in full swing…
I am sitting at Bradley International airport in Hartford, about to board a quick hop of a flight down to Baltimore for the night. Tomorrow morning, I will wave goodbye to the city known for its exquisite crab cakes (of which I, unfortunately, won’t have time to enjoy) and head west to Indianapolis. I’m bracing myself for ten long hours of solo road-tripping.
So, that’s it. It’s all come down to this last week. Hollyyyyyywoooood, here I come.
Since I am making this arduous, several-day trek out to California to raise money for a cause about which I am incredibly passionate instead of simply…flying…for a few hours…let me take this opportunity to share with you my fundraising update….As of right this second, the generous donations of family, friends, and colleagues totals $2,331 (of a $3,000 goal)! I have been so fabulously stunned by the feedback that I have received and by the outpouring of support from every corner of my life, both personal and professional.
Though, of course, it’s not about me. The donations go directly to the United Nations Population Fund, an international development agency that gives vital assistance to women in developing countries with regards to maternal health, HIV/AIDS, and contraceptive access. Just this morning on NPR, there was an incredible story about the work of local midwives in Afghanistan (one of the countries that benefits from the Fund’s efforts and is also considered to be one of the “riskiest” places in the world to give birth); you can listen to the story here.
Thanks to those (who may be reading this) who have donated; if you’d like more information on how to donate to my fundraiser, (3000) Miles for Mothers, click here.
Otherwise, watch for me on the road…I’ll be the one in a Toyota Solara, Ellen flag flapping in the wind, and the “womb” sticker on the bumper…Honk if you love a/your Mother!
Sincerely,
Katie
Day #356: T-Nine!
Dear Ellen,
We had a fashion show here tonight. Otherwise known as Katie trying on outfits to wear to the Ellen show.
For a moment, I was standing in the shoes of some glamorous Hollywood celeb preparing for a red-carpet arrival. Except, I assure you, Ellen, that I wasn’t trying on couture gowns. That would be awkward; sitting in your audience wearing a gown.
I also assure you that I’m thrilled to not be a glamorous Hollywood celeb. For one thing, I don’t do glamorous well…after all, the tentative winning outfit after my runway (or staircase, as it were) debut this evening includes an argyle sweater vest. Secondly, I’m certain that the paparazzi would drive me to insanity. And third, I simply do not enjoy the process of dressing and undressing, dressing and undressing, parading around and twirling….you get the idea. (Have I written to you about this before? I might have. Well, I must feel strongly about it, then.) Hence, my lack of interest in red-carpet fittings and preparations…were I a famous Hollywood celeb.
I’m glad to just be me; a simple, sweater-vest wearing, happily unknown, about-to-be-Ellen-show-audience-member 🙂
Sincerely,
Katie
365 Days of Dear Ellen 