FINALS!

YAY! Finals are over. Ready to started Winter break...

What to do? What to do?

Might play with my new smartphone.. Still deciding I-Phone or Android?

Book suggestions?

Will be nice to have some free time.

World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS day.

Today I think about a family member that we lost to AIDS. I remember watching this person dying. It was heartbreaking. I also think about family friends. I remember one guy that was getting his medical "cocktail" right in the process sadly he would have psychotic breaks.

I was in a class and learned that most of the students had not taken an AIDS test.

I just want to encourage people to get tested. Just so that you know your status. AIDS is real, people are living with AIDS and are still dying from AIDS.

Protect yourself, use condoms, get tested, Know the risk factors.

AIDS can happen to the rich, poor, gay straight, young and old.  

  

Cooking

I know my blogs seem odd and random but hey that's kinda me..

I love to cook. My cooking Idol is Ms. Paula Deen. I would love to cook with her or go to her restaurant or hell just watch her cook.

She has such a sweet personality and she is funny. I have also read her biography not a bad read.

Not sure if Paula Deen will ever read this but.. Your awesome!

By the way: The Lemon Blossoms were a huge hit the Non-Traditional Student Organization Thanksgiving Potluck and Justin can't get enough of them.

My mom Joanne loves your Streak Diane.

I love most of the things I have tried from your cookbook.
 

Sadly, a small apartment and being a student does not leave much room for cooking.
 Can't wait to cook over break semester!

Holidays

Well The holidays are here and I realize that they still kinda... SUCK.

I miss how thing were before my mom died.

Justin and I are able to make Holidays special but things are different.

So I don't want this post to seem too depressing but sometimes things can just Suck.

If you have lost someone and are missing them.... sometimes things can just suck and that's ok.

Football

I am a Texas girl. I love love LOVE me some football.

Going to the High School game just around the corner from our house. Standing on the Bleachers yelling at the coach when I was 3 ( So my mom Sally told me).

Now Justin and I watch football together most Sundays. Unless school or work was more pressing.

So here are the teams I like (NFL) :



N.O. Saints



College:






High School:


TUFFY!


Love'em or Hate'em.. Those are my Football Guys! :)

Boyfriends

Time for the good stuff... kidding.

So boyfriends... oh the boyfriends... well

I have not really had many serious boyfriends. Mainly 2 really serious guys.

The dating world and guys was always a stranger place for me. I know a lot of my insecurity stems from the bullying and being (to a degree) self conscious.

One guy I date for 2 and half years. He was a good guy. We ended on good terms and were friends after. We have since lost touch. No real reason just life.

My boyfriend Justin is an amazing guy. He really surprised me after our first meeting a few days later when he came up to me (yep he approached me) and said "do you remember me?" In my head I was like "Heck yeah your super cute and you  were fun to talk to. " I tried to play it cool and say "Oh yea, hey what's up?"

I soo am not able to play it cool EVER.

But we hit it off. We have been a couple for a year and a half. He helps me to feel more confident and not worries about being self conscious.


Justin and Sara (yes I know he's good looking)

 We went to the River with some friends a while back and I wore a bikini.. I have never been that naked in public since I was maybe 5 or 6 but with him I didn't feel self conscious.

I know I can find strength within myself to feel less self conscious but having someone (family, friends, boyfriend) can help push you more out there.

Everyone needs a good support system. Does not have to be a relationship. 

Making Friends

Making friends can at times be tricky. I know people want to say and sometimes I just come right out and tell them.

Sometimes my new friends feel bad about asking but what happened is part of me.

I have some friends  I have been friends with for a long time and they tell me they don't see the scars anymore. That still blows my mind. It's sweet and interesting.

I still see the scars and I have been living with them the last 27 years... How could my Friends not see them?

But it's nice they are not focused on them.

If there are any thoughts or comments please feel free to leave them.

Transferring To Texas State University

Transferring to Texas State University was a bit nerve racking. I was worried would people like me, could I find my classes, what if I got lost, Would I fit in? Normal college leavign home questions.

Worries that plagued me the most were... What would I say about my scars? How will people react to them? Would I get stared at alot? Would I get bullied? How many times would I have to to tell my story?

These question are ones that burn survivors have to deal with in any new situation. I knew how to handle myself at home in Galveston. It was easy there one it was home, two Shriner's Burns Hospital is there and three I had my established myself at home.

I was surprised and pleased to find that Texas State and most of the student body were quite execpting  of me. San Marcos was execpting.

So far I have made good friends, enjoyed the school, I am part of two Student Organizations (Public Relations Officer for Non-Traditional Student Organization and Treasurer for Organization of Student Social Workers), I have done well in classes.

Yesterday I was working for the Non-Tradtional Student Organization, a girl came up to me and said "I see you everywhere on campus." So I have a memoriable face which is good. 

I am Bobcat proud!



MICHELLE AND I AT TAILGATE! TXSTATE!



Forgetting

I sometimes forget that I have burn scar on my face. Maybe it's because I see the ones on my hands and arm but not my face.

For a while when I was a teen I didn't look in the mirror. I am not sure why. I was not disgusted with what I would see just not comforatble with it, yet, 

I still get shy and sometimes get that "Oh yea that is what I look like." Then I inspect my scars and smile. Not much to do about it and I am not rushing to have surgery anytime soon.

I joke around the my face is recongizable. Some people can blend in in a crowd not me.

In truth I kinda like that and sometimes don't.

But sometimes I forget about the scars.

Scars

Scars, Scars, interesting Scars.

I have tried cover up Make-up and that is fine for other but for myself I don't look like me. I have always had scars. One side of my face is on color the other side is a few more. It's not easy to even out my scars. I either look 2 shades lighter than I am or a shade darker.

Yes I have had my make up professionally done but still it's not me.

My scars are part of me but not all of me.

I will stick to lipstick, some eyeshadow on special days.

Oh the scars, the ones seen and unseen, but they are mine.  

My Patrick Story

I have the most interesting family. My sista (yep that's how my family rolls) Christy has a kind, sweetheart of a young man my nephew Patrick. Well this is the most precious story. I hope my sister and nephew are ok with me sharing it.

One day my mother got a call from my sista Chrsity. Christy had to tell Mom a story about her and Patrick in Wal Mart.

"Patrick and I were in Wal Mart and we saw a little child with Jobst pressure garments on. (These are used to make sure that burn scars do not rise and makes the scaring less.) Patrick asked me 'Mama what happened to the little kid?' I told him 'It's the same thing that happened to Aunt Sara. He was in a fire and is now getting treated.' At this point Patrick according to Christy kinda freaked out! He thought that something had recently happened and his mom hadn't told him."

Chrsity was in tears by this point telling us the story. My sister is such a sweetheart.

It was sweet that Patrick doesn't see or notice my scars. I have been around Patrick since he was a baby. He is now a 13 year old young man. I know there have been time that his friends have notice something different about me but I am not sure how he handles it. But it boggles my mind and makes me smile, for him I am Aunt Sara not Aunt Sara with Burn Scars.

If Christy and Patrick are reading this I love you both and miss you. Christy don't tear up too much, road dog. :)

Lake City, Co

I was very lucky to be able to vacation every year in a wonderful litte town. Lake City, Colorado is my second home.

The Pink House.

I love Lake City. I never felt out of place or judged here. The people of Lake City welcomed me. For my friend Elizabeth I was never bullied in Lake City. Not that I can remember. I have made life long friends here. It is a great small town and I hope it stays that way. I remember playing in the park as a kid, walking to the Arcade, getting Cherry Limeade's from the Soda Shop.

Hanging out at Mammy's till the early morning, the Suburban rides up to American Basin (the top of the world and heaven meet). Driving around with friends from one end of town to the other multiple times.

Lake City Cafe, chillin under the bridge at Henson Creek. Reading the Silver World, The Stick Horse race. I will also never forget 4th of July in Lake City!

I love this town. If you get a chance to visit your a luck duck! I could write page and pages about Lake City.

To All of Lake City: I love you all and miss you tons! Hope to visit soon.

Bullying (Short and Sweet)

I have thought about bullying and the one phrase I wish parents, grandparents, siblings would stop telling young kids is:

"Sticks and stones may break my bone but words will never hurt me"

Sorry for the language but This phrase is Bullshit.

Words do hurt and sadly in recent years many young children have hurt themselves to get away from the words. I am not by any means advocating violence.

What I am advocating is let's teach kids that words can really hurt someone and the hurt can last as long or longer than a black eye.

Stepping off my soapbox. 

 

 

(aren't my boots cute!)

Open Letter to J.R. Martinez

Dear Mr. Martinez,

I am a burn survivor and I have been for the last 27 years of my life. After my accident my whole life changed.

I have met other survivors but there have been few role models or people to look up to. One day I was flipping through the TV channels and saw someone like me(!) on a Soap Opera.

Now you are the winner or Dancing with the Stars and one of the People's 2011 Sexist Men Alive. You will be so helpful to many young survivors that can now look and see someone like them being accepted by the nation and media.

You have been inspirational to myself. When you joked about your ear on Dancing with the Stars I was rolling on the floor. My friends and I will joke about things that others may view as insensitive but it helps in dealing with the scars.

I want to give you my deepest thank you. I would love to hear one of your Speeches. Thank you for being so brave and for not letting your scars dictate your life.

Sincerely,
Sara Mallett

Winners Karina Smirnoff and J. R. Martinez after the Season Finale of 'Dancing with the Stars' on Tuesday, November 22, 2011. (ABC/ADAM TAYLOR) (Adam Taylor)

Isn't he cute?! He will also be the Grand Marshal at the Rose Parade.

Healthcare Administration

I am studying 3 minors to form a General Studies Degree.

One of my minors is Healthcare Administration.

This sememster we had to read a book titled "Mama Might be Better off Dead: The Failure of Healthcare in Urban America"

It has been an interesting book and also sadding. If anyone has a chance to read it is an important book.

See full size

It's HOTT In HERRE (Yep Nelly reference)

Heat and Burn Scars.. (sigh) Let me get my fan.

It is interesting the things my scars have affected me.

Confession time:

I can not take the HEAT!

Why?

Because of my scars, I do not sweat. I don't perspire or glisten.

YAY! HAPPY DANCE! wait... But no Yay this means that hot, steamy, Texas Summers are life threatening and dangerous for me. My body can not regulate it's own internal temperature.

Never fear I have learned methods of regulating my temperature (these work for me) I drink water, stay in the shade and try not to be hot during the hottest times of the day.

I also have to be sure to wear sunscreen. I am a fan of  Water Babies. I make sure to put it on because sun burn and burn scars.. OUCH.. never never should mix!

Those are my tips for with standing the heat.

Plastic Surgery

I have a like and dislike relationship with Plastic Surgery. I like my eyelids and nose plastic surgery gave me. I dislike the out come of one surgery that I had, it is still tough to talk about but I was a painful and altering surgery.

I dislike that some suggest Plastic Surgery to fix me. I didn't know I was broken or in need of repair?  I dislike the limited access some have to plastic surgery, those in need of plastic surgery to improve the quality of life are unable to receive it. But people who want it because they are bored, need a touch up, have more money than common sense or sadly have an addiction to it have easy access to it.

I was very angry and upset when Heidi Montage was on several magazines proudly proclaiming she had 19 or 20 procedures at one time. I challenge the print media to put someone on a cover that had  as many or more procedures because it was a reconstructive surgery.

Maybe the next time someone wants Plastic Surgery just because they will think about donating the money they would spend to organizations that provide Plastic Surgery to those less fortunate.

Here are some of my personal favorites (places or people that helped me):

Shriners Hospitals for Children
http://support.shrinershospitals.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HowYouCanHelp_v2

International Craniofacial Institute (founded by the Dr. Salyer he did my nose and eye lids)
http://www.craniofacial.net/

Bullying (kinda long post)

As a child I remember people looking at me. I loved the attention, I was always a "pill" as my sister lovingly refers to me. But sometimes when I was being looked at I was actually being stared at.

Eyes of disgust, eyes of pity, eyes questioning all focused on me. As a child I didn't fully understand why adults and kids looked at me this way. Kids were more likely to follow the looks up by vocalizing disgust "eww, yuck, What happened to her? Why does she look like that? What is on her face?" Finally the most painful and least favorite "She looks like Freddy Krueger."

 My sister Cathy would catch the stares and "I know my sister is beautiful. Want a picture?" Most adults would be stunned by the comment and smile. Also leave as fast as possible. 

When school started, I learned about Bullying. That damn Freddy Krueger label stick. In school the kids proclaimed "If she touches you, you will burn up and look like her" But what I always found odd was that if they poke (yep poked pre-Facebook) my scars or touched them and scream running away that would not result in them getting scars. It was only if I touched them. (Interesting)

Some say bullying is something one can get over. Rise Above. This can be partly true.

On one hand I have never allowed bullying or a bully to stand in the way of my goals or stop me from doing something.

On the other hand I have been hindered by bullies. I have not forgotten the bullies. I have seen them around town and can be stopped in my tracks just by seeing them. I don't always look people directly in the eyes unless I have already rapport with them. Thanks to a quote from Elizabeth Taylor I can seemingly look people in the eyes. At times it surprises me when people are comfortable touching me. Espcially if they are willing to hold my right hand.

So here is my stance,  Bullying is bad. For those who are being bullied it can be hell and may have underlining effects. For those that are the bullys the person or persons you are attacking will never forget you, the image of yourself that you have placed in thier mind won't completely change.

Don't be a bully! Don't tolorate bullies! Speak out against bullying. If you are being bullied it does get better, you will get stronger.

My Best Friend.. Ms. Virginia

My very first and longest friendship has been with Ms. Virginia Fuchs (pronounced Fox). We met in Lake City, Co. I was four years old and she was three years old. There was a wonderful park across the alley from our summer house. I met Virginia in the park, we played together and the friendship started there.

Years later we met in Galveston, We both attended Satori School. It was great to start a new school and have a good friend already there. I remember a few people that were courious about my scars.  But I dont remember there being much conflict. Sometimes if a new student came in then my friends and Virginia would rally around me and not allow them to be rude or mean to me.

When we are about 8 and 9 we made a video for Shriner's Burn Institute. It was then I found out more about our first meeting. Virginia's Mom said that when we met Virginia stopped playing touched my face and then went on playing. That pretty much was the most we had ever discussed my burns.

Virginia and I are still very close friends. We have, as with most friendship, had our ups and downs. Through it all she has been a great friend. I never felt different around her. She never stared, gave me ugly looks. She was like other kids that would snear at me, that would say "Eww", "Why does she look like that?" "What is wrong with her face?" I have always been greatful that I had a good friend as a child. I am also glad that we are still good friends.

Home Sweet Home

After returning to the US, I continued to stay at Sally and Joanne's house. I am not sure about the time line but at one point when Joanne was changing my my diaper, I looked up at her and said "Mama". Over the years Sally said she thought I called her mom first but I think most parents joke about that.

At this point Joanne decided to adopt me. We had family visits from a Social Worker, My future siblings and Ms. Nancy were interviewed about adding me to the family. No matter what they may say now, they all wanted me. They had time to get use to me. I talked to the social worker and the judge, I told them I wanted Joanne to be my mom.

Finally, I think it was May 31, 1983, Joanne Mallett was officially the mother of Sara Mallett (formerly Olga Sanchez). I think Mom everyday for changing my name. I think Sara was a good pick. Also when I was adopted I became a US citizen.

I was now part of a huge, funny, loud, crazy, fiercely loyal, loving family.

My Family, Sally (my other mother), Mom (Joanne); Four sisters Rachel (Same Birthday just 18 years apart), Laura, Cathy, Christy; Two brothers Richard(closest in age 13 years older than me), Albert and Ms, Nancy (our housekeeper and my Black Mama).

I am so lucky to have this family. That is part of my struggle with my accident had I never been burned, I would have never been with this family. I have worn these scars since I was tiny but as a child it was hard to understand why people didn't like me because of the scars. Sometimes I still struggle with the stares and looks of disgust.

Where I was when that world stop turning? 9/11

I realize that my blog may at times be out of order in the timeline of my life but I felt moved to write about 9/11/01. I am still shocked and surprised that is has been tens years. So much has changed and yet some things I will admit I still don't know or understand. I may never understand them.

9/11/01 : I was a senior in High school. I attended The Grier School in Tyrone, Pa. It was I believe our first or second week of school. I had attended the morning assembly and then went to my room, no first period class. This was before a lot of the social media that was out now. I was on my yahoo messenger and saw some new that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. But I couldn't find anything for certain.

I went to my next class and chat with friends. Most of the school was buzzing about a plane hitting the World Trade Center but it was still a rumor then. I remember my Math class was in the library. I still to this day can't remember why there was a TV in the assembly room? The TV was on and we peeked out of the library to see any news. Then we saw the attacks were real.

My classmates and I ran to the assembly room and watched in shock. As seniors we had little sisters (underclass women) that we had been assigned. I remember sitting with one of my little sisters as she sobbed wacthing the news. I don't know how all or most of the students made it to watch TV. I was hugging my little sister when the first building fell.

I don't remember crying or sobbing while watching it all happen. I don't remember much from that day just bits and pieces.

Key things I remember from 9/11/01:
1. One of our history teachers telling us about Al-Quida, Osama Bin Ladin, and the history behind the possible reason for the attacks. By no mean justifying the attacks but educating us. Most of us then had no clue who, or what these people were.

2. Glad that I had built close relationships with my classmates. May I still consider close friends.

3. No being able to make calls home. Praying that my family in Texas knew I was safe. Then my brother called the school. To this day I have no clue what he said to the Dean of Students but he was persuasive enough to get her to find me. I just said "Hello?" "Your alright?" he said  "Yes I am ok" I said. That was all he needed to hear and the same for me.

4. I knew how great fireman. EMS, police, first responders were before the attacks. On that day I knew they would do anything to save one life. I still thank God for people that brave and selfless. I also pray for the families that lost so many dear loved ones.

5. Weeks after 9/11/01 I  saw the darker side of our country, hate. Hate for Muslims, hate for people that may or may not be from the same ethnic decent as the hijackers and hate that imprisoned my best friends. I was ans still am close friends to 4 amazing girls from Saudi Arabia. A few weeks after the attacks I went with the girls into the local town to buy groceries and such. I remember my friends having concern that someone might attack them. I remember walking with them and having a male teacher from school follow us just in case. These girls had done nothing wrong. I was angry, scared, hurt. I had never experienced that before I pray it doesn't happen again.

6. I remember how proud and honored I felt to be an American. I felt I could learn more about other cultures and religions from this awful attack. Instead of hating those I didn't understand I wanted to learn about them. Figure out where so much hate came from. I haven't found too many answers. Some people just hate and that is not a reflection of all people that pray like them , look like them or even come from the same country as them.

I will never forget 9/11/01, the lessons of love and caring, lessons of hate and fear. I am proud to be an American, I am proud to live in a country were we do not all have to agree but when a bully has our back to the wall, we stand united. Today I will pray for those that lost someone dear to them that day in New York City; Washington D.C.; and Pennsylvania. I will remember to be more great full for everyday that I wake up can tell my loved ones that I love them.

NEVER FORGET 9/11/01

First Things First..

Hi. my name is Sara.

 Well first things first a small disclaimer: this is my own personal story of being a Burn Survivor. My story is not the same as another persons. I am not speaking for all burn survivors. This is just about me, my life, my trials and tribulations. I will talk about anything from being a survivor to day to day junk I deal with. I may curse at times and may talk about things that are painful but this is all part of my journey. It has been an interesting trip.
 
I was born in Honduras in December 1982. Two weeks later my life changed forever. The story of my accident is what I have been told since I was little. I was asleep in  my hammock and my nephew or brother was playing with a blanket. The blanket caught fire from a candle near by. He got scared and throw the blanket.

The blanket landed on my hammock and burned my right arm, head, face, and left hand.

I don't remember any of this. I don't remember my biological mother saving me, the hospital or being sent to Shriner's Burns Hospital in Galveston, Texas.

I arrived at Shriner's and was treated by a great doctor Dr. Sally Abston. She treated me for the next year or so, she would also take me home on weekends. Who knew this would lead to my new home.

After being at Shriner's for a year I was sent back to Honduras  but I couldn't handle the food or bugs. My biological father realized that to give me a chance at life he would need to give me up. He signed over his parental rights and I was sent back to the US.