Somehow made it through the whole book, feeling like I was this seventeen year old, who was never even given a name.

Enter the book through the eyes of this young one, freshly landed in Venice, CA from London to attend the funeral of her recently passed mother who had abandoned her at the age of three. No one knows who she is, or that she even existed. She slinks in, in an invisible way, makes away with a suitcase full of her mother’s belongings, and away her journey begins through LA, tracing the life of, and becoming involved with, people who loved a mother she never knew.

…and how the heck did the author get into my head and pull this out?! Chapter 10.

Walking up 34th St. Enjoying the glorious heat from the sun on my skin when a mid-thirties man comes up from behind and says, “Excuse me, I’ve never seen shoes like that before. I had to catch up with you to ask, what kind of shoes are those?”

I laughed (out loud) and choked out, “Seriously? You want to know what kind of shoes I’m wearing? Why?” as I give him the up and down to see if he’s the kind of guy who would actually wear the shoes. Wrinkled shirt, ill fitted suit, nope, not that kind of guy.

He replied, “It’s Mother’s Day soon. I think my mom would like them. Would you like to come over? She can cook us dinner and you can show me what other adventurous things you like to do with your feet.”

Not sure which is worse, throwing Mom into it the mix or wondering if I’d be the meal! Norman Bates in NYC!

That being said, one of the best things about this book is you get some of her personal recipes, from a journal of hers! And here is one I’m excited to try.

Aimee Mullins is an inspiration not only as a woman but as an incredible human. I personally draw inspiration from those who do not let the sea of life uncontrollably toss them around and instead use the waves to further their journey in this life. Some people take it even further and along the way are forging change for the betterment of others.  Aimee is an athlete, actor, model and activist. She’s created dozens of amazing prosthetic legs, each possessing a unique superpower: speed, beauty, an extra 6 inches of height… She never let life’s inequity stop her from walking, running, talking, changing or helping. She is deserving of a superhero title. Aimee doesn’t see herself as disabled, she sees herself as ABLE!

“Pamela Anderson has more prosthetic in her body than I do, nobody calls her disabled.” Aimee Mullins (I love this!)

Aimee Mullins was born without fibular bones, and had both of her legs amputated below the knee when she was an infant. She learned to walk on prosthetics, then to run — competing at the national and international level as a champion sprinter, and setting world records at the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta. At Georgetown, where she double-majored in history and diplomacy, she became the first double amputee to compete in NCAA Division 1 track and field. After school, Mullins did some modeling — including a legendary runway show for Alexander McQueen — and then turned to acting, appearing as the Leopard Queen in Matthew Barney’s Cremaster Cycle. In 2008 she was the official Ambassador for the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival. She’s a passionate advocate for a new kind of thinking about prosthetics, and recently mentioned to an interviewer that she’s been looking closely at MIT’s in-development powered robotic ankle, “which I fully plan on having.”

Kat Dahlia, (my favorite last week) Lorde, Adele vs Daft Punk (Carlos Serrano Mix), Laura Mvula, Chlöe Howl, Benzel & Jessie Ware, FJK, Powel, SOHN and Rhye.

We look forward to seeing the world forget gender inequalities and embrace all for their value as a human being. This year the United Nations’ made, “A Promise: Time for action to end violence against women.” And in that in mind we wanted to share some of the best Links for Women from around the web. Happy International Women’s Day!

The Girl Effect “It’s a GIRL”

We posted this back in 2010 but it’s worth a revisit: It is heartbreakingly beautiful to hear Zainab Salbi of Women for Women International, tell the stories of women surviving and thriving, in the midst of war.

Message from UN Women Executive

Women’s Day: Taking a stand with women in the Middle East. Support Saudi women to drive their way to freedom

And anything on MAKERS! MAKERS: Women Who Make America

http://www.makers.com/documentary/

Lastly, one for the men out there who want to raise their voice for the women: Ring The Bell One million men. One million promises calls on men worldwide to promise to take concrete action to end violence against women. Men, their allies, and their actions, can create that global tipping point, today.

Reshma Saujani: The New Feminism

Saujani talks about the changing definition of feminism and how her father read to her about change makers, and how  she has become a change maker herself. And of course, Girls Who Code, one of our favorite programs!

I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.

Frida Kahlo