Bek's lab

9/11

2008-09-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to remember!

What do you think?

2008-09-03T17:30:00.000-07:00

I know I need to get to my trip and my move and my new house, but I felt compelled last night to write a note on facebook to see what my 20-something conservative and liberal friends, spread all over the country, are thinking. I thought it would be interested to get some further imput. I titled it simply "Leaders."
I have been watching all the political hooplah of the past, well, year and a half (waaay too long, if you ask me), but particulary the last several weeks. All the pundants and candidates have been dishing out their best sales pitches. I will say, upfront, I'm pretty moderate generally, but a bit right leaning. I will also say that throughout the primary season I had trouble finding someone to really get excited about. I think that what may help, if anyone in my age group demographic may still be undecided, is to remove yourself from the parties and the candidates specifically, and think more broadly, and ask yourself this: What is important to you in a leader? Think about electing someone on a smaller scale. When electing president of the Home Owners Association, the PTA, your sorority or fraternity board members, what do you look for? Think about what you like about your boss and what you don't like. If nothing else, we will probably see that we all have a lot in common. I urge you to help me compile a list of good leadership qualities. PLEASE don't think of which candidate you like, and then come up with something about them you like. If someone says "I want someone who will change things" or "I want someone who will reach across the aisle" I'll take it down! Those are not general leadership qualities. I have liberal and conservative friends on facebook here, and I'm looking for list of leadership qualities. Com'mon girls, what do you think?

I'll update this post as I collect some feedback.

On the Road Again

2008-07-11T22:45:00.000-07:00

My hubby and I are once again in transit. We were out of our townhouse on June 30. Since then, we spent several days with his family, a long 4th of July weekend with my family in Atlanta, and hit the road, heading west, on Monday, July 7th. Since our arrival in Atlanta, we have taken 218 pictures and mini video clips...well, we aren't really sure how many we've taken, but that is how many are in my album for this trip thus far. We won't be to our final destination, Oahu, Hawaii, for another week! Let me tell you, this is one for the books.

We will get our car faster if we ship it from the west coast. Also, if we drive, we get paid per diem and mileage. So, we decided to take the opportunity to get a relatively free vacation. We started out, like I said, in Atlanta, spending the 4th with my parents and grandmother in the cutest, most quintessential all-American small mountain town. Then, headed north to Tennessee for a couple of days, then west. We drove from Memphis to the Grand Canyon in 2 days, stopping for less than 12 hours in Amarillo, but detouring to see the 4 Corners. Tomorrow, we'll continue on to Vegas for the weekend, then to Southern California for the rest of the week, where we'll fly out of Friday.

Now, I have tons of pics and stories to share about this trip, but it really got me thinking tonight about all the great things I've seem. I grew up with a travelling family. We had a pop-up camper, and camped all over, the northeast in particular. But we've also moved a few times, and that too allowed me to see more of the country. Now, I'm married to a military man, and we're on move #6 in the past 3 years. As much as we did see as a child, there were some biggies close by that we didn't take the opportunity to see. I've made a concious choice that I will take advantage of opportunities, like we're doing here. I've never been overseas, either, but this country has so much to offer, and I realized, I've seen a lot!

I've done the northeast, the south, the midwest, and now, the southwest, and heading for the westcoast. Pretty much all that remains is New England and the northwest.

I've camped in the Appalachains and the Rockies, I've napped through the cornfields of Nebraska, and I've hiked the Grand Canyon.

I got engaged at Disney World, utilized an annual pass to Universal Studios, and saw Graceland, "Where Elvis Lives."

I've had a cocktail on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, on 6th Street in Austin, and on Beale Street in Memphis.

I've seen countless places where the history of our country was made: Jamestown, Williamsburg, Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Valley Forge, Savannah, Charleston, Atlanta, Washington DC, and the Alamo.

I've jetskiied in the Tennessee River, skiied in Colorado, and seen a rodeo in Cheyenne.

I've put my feet in the 4 Corners, the Great Lakes, the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the mighty Mississippi (and this time next week, will have added the Pacific to the list.)

I've done just about everything "to do" in New York City...Broadway, Off-Broadway, Empire State Bldg, Statue of Liberty, UN, Soho, Greenwich, Central Park. I've eaten hotdogs from a vender and pizza by the slice.

I've shopped on 5th Avenue and in Buckhead.

I've been to the beach in Ocean City, NJ, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Myrtle Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Daytona Beach, Ft. Lauderdale Beach, Perdido Key in Alabama, Pensacola Beach, and Padre Island National Sea Shore in Texas.

Give me 1 more week and I will be able to add the Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Honolulu, Waikiki, and Pearl Harbor.

Heck, I've lived in Alabama, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Texas.

I guess what the point of all this is, is to tell others to take advantage! Take advantage of what's close by. See things, go places. Do the "touristy" stuff in your own neck of the woods. My husband and I lived in San Antonio for 7 months and did things and saw places people who lived there their whole lives never saw. It's just there and they never think about it. My family lived in Philadelphia for 9 years and I didn't go to New York until we moved to North Carolina (although, to their defense, we were probably too young and DID do all the stuff to do in Philly.) Encourage your kids to see things. I'm only 25 and I've been to about 3/4 of the states in this country! Go, this weekend, and do something new!

What matters to get your vote?

2008-06-19T21:46:00.001-07:00

I don't care who you vote for, but I love anyone who will make an idiot out of himself!
Enjoy, McCain singing Streisand, courtesy of good ole SNL!

SURPRISE!

2008-06-09T16:19:00.001-07:00

This past weekend, my family and I successfully pulled off a long-distance surprise party for my mom's birthday. I'll spare her the number, unless she chooses to disclose. I've never actually heard of a surprise party where the person really had no idea, but she truely was clueless. You can't fake that face!
The room was filled with about 50 of her closest family members, and a few friends from way back, in her hometown in Alabama, including all of her kids, her mom, and both sisters, all of whom secretly travelled at least 5 hours to be there. She didn't even know any of us were in town. The token question was "how did you get here?"
It was a memorable evening, with lots of pictures, good southern food, and hours of "visiting." It's always nice to get together with family, especially when you don't get to see each other very often. I have to admit, I'm very proud of what we accomplished!
The added bonus was that my husband, after we've been married for 2 years, and together for 7, finally got to visit the town I was born in, and meet most of the rest of my family. I only have 1 aunt and uncle to go!
Happy Birthday, mom!

Pray for the Chapmans

2008-05-22T21:06:00.001-07:00

If you pay any attention to any news outlet, I'm sure you're heard about the musician, Steven Curtis Chapman, and his family tragedy yesterday. His 5-year-old daughter was hit by a car, driven by her older brother, and killed, in the driveway, with other family members witnessing this horror in the yard.
The family was celebrating the engagement of the oldest daughter, and getting ready for the graduation of another child. This is a large, blended family of 3 biological children, late teen-early 20s age, and 3 younger, adopted Chinese children.
This story really upsets me and I can't begin to imagine what that family is going through. Keep this family in your prayers. I can't think of anyone who would need it more.

Reunion

2008-04-07T20:22:00.000-07:00

"Moo, eyeshadow...did I just moo???"

"I was trying to figure out what he was saying, then I realized, he wasn't drunk, he's just German!"

"It stinks in here...it smells like fart...I think it's chicken."

Silly things are said when a group of girlfriends get together. Since I got married (2 years on the 8th, btw), I haven't had very many of my friends around. Pretty much we have hung out with his friends, who became my friends. I have had a couple of brief visits with my friends, but 1 overnighter was about the most of it. All of us have not been in the same place at the same time in 2 years.

Since my hubby and I are back in FL, my college roomies and I decided to get together for a little reunion. The 4 of us (technically 3 of us lived together at a time, but the 4th was a former roomie of my roomies, and lived alone, so she was over a lot) make a geographical T in the state, each living in a different city, with one still in Tallahassee. So, we decided to converge in the middle, in our old college town. One of the girls was in the FSU circus when she was in college, so she picked this weekend so we could be there while it's going on.

We all arrived Friday afternoon, sat around and chatted before heading out to dinner and hitting up our favorite night spot on the strip. Saturday we went to the circus, got some dinner afterward, then went home, on a very rainy day, to curl up in our jammies for a bottle of wine and a Diane Lane-fest. We hit the road Sunday, after lunch.

It was kinda weird. I moved into that apartment alone, getting a random roommate assignment. I had been through a not so great living situation before, and even took a semester off from school. When I left, I didn't really keep in touch with anyone. I moved back to finish my senior year and didn't really know what to expect. The other girls had lived together for a year already. I was fully prepared to spend the weeks locked in my room and the weekends at home or with my boyfriend. The Big Guy was looking out for me. The 3 of us hit it off great. Both girls were bridesmaids at my wedding. We spent a mere 8 months living together, 1 weekend together, a year later, for my wedding, and then 2 years mostly keeping up just online and over the phone. This weekend, it was like there had been no time away from each other at all. Our relationships have not changed...laughing at the same stupid stuff, talking about everything from work to guys, our health and our families. It was great to spend time with my girls. Hopefully it won't take so long for all of us to get together next time!

On an unrelated note, before I left, I lost something, or had it stolen, that is very precious to me. We are working the channels to do what we can to find it, but please pray that it will turn up! It almost ruined my weekend, but luckily, my wonderful hubby and my girls were there for me!

Valentines Day in the books

2008-02-21T17:51:00.000-08:00

We had a good one. how bout you??? We have a tendency to stretch out our fun...

We started last thursday. I woke up to flowers. And not the standard roses (not that there's anything wrong with roses, I love them!) But this was a sunny mixed flower bouquet of orange lilies, multi-colored gerbera daisies, little purple flowers, and lots of green. Very me. Then, it was a japanese dinner. We're big hibachi fans, but rarely go. The evening was finished up with a little dessert of italian ice at the beach, even though it was a little chilly ;)

We decided, a little late, I guess, that we were going to go away for the weekend. Both of us were off on Monday and we mulled over where to go. We live in FL now, so there are lots of things close by. We decided on an old favorite we hadn't visited in a while...Universal Studios. We got tickets through the base, which is a deal, and decided to splurge on 1 night in a super nice hotel (yep, that's right, we live close enough to Orlando to go for the day!). We stayed at Universal's Royal Pacific Resort, which ended up being the best deal of all. I have quite an affinity for tropical decor and this hotel was awesome! The rooms were beautiful. I want their vanity in my own house! They had a great lounge area, appropriately called the "Orchid room" where they had breakfast, and on the evenings had a sushi bar. We drove down Saturday afternoon and checked in late in the afternoon. We hit up the hottub and the pool before heading out to the hotel's river taxi City Walk for dinner at HardRock Cafe. We walked around the city walk for a while, enjoying the concert going on there for the Mardi Gras events there. We went back to the hotel and had a fun frozen cocktail amidst the orchids.

The next day, Sunday, we got up to hit the parks. The weather was gorgeous! I wore a tank top and capris and was very comfortable. It actually got pretty warm in the afternoon. We were able to leave our car at the hotel, and take the river taxi again to the parks. Then, we utilized the best deal of the weekend...our room keys were express passes for every ride. We got to skip all the lines! We were able to ride everything, at both parks that we wanted, and some things twice! We even hit it on the right day... we were there at a time of year when it gets dark earlier, and on a holiday weekend, where they stay open late, so we got to ride the Hulk, their big roller coaster in the dark! I don't know anyone who's done that. It was a long day, but super fun!

I highly recommend the little vacation we took. Like I said, we splurged a bit on the hotel, but only stayed 1 night, and still were able to take advantage of the perks! We're spoiled, aren't we?

Never a Bridesmaid, Only a Bride

2008-01-25T21:15:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit backwards from most people. I'm a married woman, for nearly 2 years now, who has yet to be a bridesmaid. We had only 1 friend-couple who were married before us (we got engaged at their wedding, actually.)
I don't currently, nor have in recent years, have very close girlfriends. I wouldn't say I had to scrounge for bridesmaids, though. My hubby was in ROTC in college, and went to college with a number of high school friends so he had a huge panal to choose from for his side of our wedding party. I had quite a few girlfriends, and I was happy to have each girl who was in my wedding. (The picture is me, on the far right, with my bridesmaids, at my bachelorette party.) We all have a great history and we had a great time. I've just, kinda drifted. I guess it's the moving. I'm not as tight with anyone anymore. One of my bridesmaids was married last year, as was 1 of my hubby's groomsmen. I have 2 more bridesmaids getting married this spring...and still no bridesmaid dresses hang in my closet. I'm kinda the opposite of Katherine Heigl, I guess. It makes me feel a little sad, a little lonely and left out. I've always really loved my friends, even if we aren't super tight, and I wanna help! My hubby was a groomsman in his buddy's wedding last year and had 2 more guys to stand up for this spring. Ooo, isn't he just everyone's best friend...

Well, I'm finally going to get my chance! My brother-in-law (My hubby's only sibling) proposed to his very long-time girlfriend on Christmas Eve. (they've been together longer than me and my hubby) Even if we aren't best friends, we have known each other for a long time and now, we're family. She doesn't have any sisters, so the closest she's ever going to have is me! They are getting married in November and my hubby is going to be the best man, of course, and even though I'm not gonna be top dog--and I wouldn't expect to be--she has asked me to be 1 of her 3 attendants. She was in our wedding, as a bridesmaid, so now we have the both weddings, family connection.

I had so much fun planning my wedding, and I have so little going on, I really want to do stuff for her wedding now. I love craft projects and I want to make centerpieces and shop for dresses. I'm trying to be patient and stay in the back seat. But I am excited!

It's 2008 and I'm back!

2008-01-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

Woohoo!! Man, it's been forever! So much has been going on. I think I wrote last from TX. My hubby finished his training there and finally got his wings!!! We moved again, back to FL. We've spent the last 2 months settling in, as we travelled for holidays. We went to visit my family in ATL for thanksgiving, then, my hubby went away for a 2 week training, and I went back t visit my family for that time. Then, it was Christmas! We were home for about a week over Christmas, then, it was off to Colorado for our newish annual friend new years trip. Last year about 10 of us rented a condo in Palm Coast, FL and spent about 4 days together. This year, 14 of us rented a big mountain cabin and went skiing in Winter Park, CO. We were gone for 6 days this time. Isn't it beautiful? I hadn't been skiing since I was too young to remember, but I think I did pretty well. Sore, but well. We skied for 3 days, which was more than enough for some of my Ft Lauderdale friends. I was well prepared, though. I was hardly cold at all, and it was FREEZING! I think the warmest it was the whole time we were there was 25 degrees. We sat by the fire, went in the outdoor hottub (yes, it was cold enough to make our hair freeze!), drank hot cocoa, went sledding, tried to build a snowman...ya know all the fun, cold-weather stuff I don't get to do here. It was an amazing trip. And best of all, we all got to ring in the new year under 1 big roof together. I'm really hoping we can make this a real tradition, at least with the core of friends who have done it both years now. Some of these people we have been friends with since high school, my hubby, even longer. We are all out of college now, people are getting married and moving around the country. Between these trips, and everyone's weddings, we only get to see each other a couple times a year. Next year, we're hoping to shoot for Hawaii! Fingers crossed, hubby and I will be moving there this summer!!!
Anyway, we're home now. He's started back to work, I've started back to school, part time, and I'm looking for a job. I should be blogging more often, now that things have settled. Hope everyone enjoyed their holidays!

Can we please find some logical middle ground?

2007-10-18T20:00:00.000-07:00

I had saved a few news articles lately that I wanted to comment on, but I felt so strongly about this that I couldn't postpone it.
I started another post similar to this one not too long ago...Do you remember middle school? What was on your mind when you were 11? How mature were you? Do you think you were still a child? I was!
I don't know where you get your news, but I didn't see this story tonight on either msn.com or yahoo.com. I searched out an article to post here myself. I heard it first yesterday on Glenn Beck, and then today on CNN a few times. It's about a middle school in Portland Maine whose school board, last night, voted to make birth control pills and patches available to its students through the school's health center. That's right, MIDDLE SCHOOL. Ya remember how old you were when you started middle school? 11 maybe 12? I had just started my period when I turned 12. I wasn't thinking about sex. It, and boys, were still pretty icky.
Let me outline this little policy for you...First of all, a student must have parental concent to even go to the health center, but not for each visit. There is 1 blanket concent form, which now lets your kid go to the nurse for everything from pepto for a belly ache to the pill (BTW, condoms have been available at this health center since 2002!) So the proponents' argument is, if you don't want your kids to get the pill, don't sign the form! Sounds easy, right? Until they fall in gym and can't receive medical treatment because you didn't sign the damned form!
Second of all, whatever treatment the student receives is not reported to the parents under privacy rules. So, your kid is the one responsible for telling you that she's decided to start the pill in 7th grade, but she didn't want to come to you and ask in the first place. How many kids do ya think will fill mom and dad in?
This is so outrageous on so many levels, I almost don't even know where to start. I think a good place to start is with the legal, emotionally and morally uninvolved perspective. Maine's own state law makes sex with an 11-year-old a felony sexual assault! So, let's see, the school board is now promoting the delinquency of a minor, and I may be wrong, but isn't that a crime?
People in favor of this new policy argue that it doesn't promote sex, it simply protects kids who are going to do it anyway. These are probably the same parents who buy beer for their high school kids' party because "they're going to drink anyway and I'd rather them be safe." How do they not understand that allowing this kind of behavior and enableing it is the same as promoting it. It's sad that it has gotten to the point where you have to talk to your kids about sex and drinking and drugs at such young ages, but your kids need to know that those behaviors at those ages are dangerous and inappropriate. You'd better believe if they were talking about parent providing alcohol or drugs or a getaway car, because their middle-schooler is "going to do it anyway" the public would be all over that parent ready to take the child away! Sex at that age is just as dangerous, if not more so. It can be so emotionally traumatic for these girls.
The thing about all of this that really scares me the most is where the line is drawn with regards to children and sex. If a public institution is allowing sex among minors how can we reconcile that notion with increasingly harsh reaction to pedophiles? How can there be any consistancy? If a 12-year-old is having sex with a 15-year-old it's ok, but if a 20-year-old does it with a 16-year-old it's rape? A child can concent to sex with another child, but not with an adult? It blurs the line between "child" and "adult" which is so incredibly dangerous for our kids. It really starts us down a very dangerous road. It's going to perpetuate the victimization of our young girls and women by saying it's their choice when they are too young to be capable of making that kind of mature choice. There is a kindergarten teacher in Norway who wants to allow her students (now this is 5- and 6-year-olds!) to be able to "explore their sexuality" including explore each others bodies and masterbate. Kids that age have no concept of their sexuality. Being curious about the parts on other little bodies that they don't have is one thing. It's an innocent curiosity. They are just as curious about adult bodies with hairy armpits. But to think they are recognizing sexuality is insane! And again, it takes us down that road that aleviates how we should treat pedophiles. If children are aware of their sexuality and it's all good, how can we say they cannot concent to sex, and therefore are victims of sexual assault and statutory rape?
Bottom line, even if you take the details out, no one should be able to provide medical care to a minor without the parent or guardian knowing and approving that care. The school board has no right to be parents to the students, and medical care is a parents' responsibility.
I wrote a blogpost recently called Hands Off! about another school who had banned touching altogether...no hugs, no high-fives, for fear that it could lead to other things like fights, or excessive pda or even sex. So let me get this straight, just so we're clear...one school is offering birth control to middle schoolers, while another won't let them touch at all. Nothing seems to gain any ground these days unless it's extreme to one side or the other. When did the middle-of-the-road majority get so lost? We are allowing our common sense to be hijacked by -ists. Anyone with an extreme agenda seem to be the only ones who get press. They seem to be the only ones who get anything accomplished. I say to you once again, it's time to get fired up and let 'um know how you feel!

Sick and Tired but Thankful

2007-10-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

I know I've been a terrible blogger lately. I'd be lying if I said I was too busy. I am working and getting ready to move (Halloween's the big day, again, btw, back to FL), but I'm not SO terribly occupied that I have no time. I'm a little embarrassed that my mom blogs more than me! I think my main thing has been a lack of inspiration. I have to feel compelled to share something or vent about something to sit down and write.

I'm feeling very conflicted today. I'm sad and worried and relieved, begging God for help and direction and thanking Him for his grace amid near tragedy, all at the same time.
I was watching Headline news today...ya know the quickie, all-the-day's-news-in-30-minutes news. Story after story was something horrible, but with a small blessing wrapped inside. I found myself saying several times, "wow, that was a miracle!" First was that story about the school shooting in Cleveland...4 injured, but only the gunman died. Second, a utility worker working on a traffic light hit a natural gas line that exploded...big fire, no one hurt. That train that derailed in Ohio...chemical cars, big mess, no one hurt. Next, a family, including a 10-year-old boy, notice a man at the beach acting weird..they keep an eye on him as the see him leaving with a small girl, they follow him and catch him as he's starts to molest her. Police found a gun in his vehicle and he has a record as a pedophile. Terrible act, but they stopped him before he went too far and she was home with her family tonight.
I am thankful everyday for small miracles. Bad things happen but they can always be worse. God often lets us fall and skin our knee, but catches us before we break our wrist. It's that fine line that any parent toes between letting young ones learn and protecting them.

My frustration comes, as usual, with politics. People are really losing it here. Does anyone know how to start a .org webpage? I want to start one where you can go and fill out a form that starts with this line..."I will NOT vote for you again if..." and you enter your first name and zip code so it will go to your congressmen. I seriously want to go to Washington, grab some of these people by the shoulders and shake them! Ask them, seriously, "What are you thinking?! Have you read the Constitution?! Do you remember all those millions of people who you are supposed to be serving? The people who voted for you? the people you work for? WE ARE THE BOSS!" They don't seem to take the American people seriously anymore. They bicker and rant about how the other side conducts themselves, and don't hold their own party to the same standards. It may as well be treason is a political enemy does something worng, but a political ally...psh, no biggie! Hypocrites! Both sides! Politicians are so disconnected, so disillusioned, so cocky, so absorbed with power and keeping what they have and getting more of it, that they are basically useless to the general public.
Everything on the news that's politically related just infuriates me. But I still think it's important to watch, to stay informed. Remember how outraged people got over the "bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform?" It got shot down 10 ways to Sunday. We the people, for once, got fired up, collectively and guess what...it worked! Who knew WE THE PEOPLE had the power???
Anyhoo...on that note...have you heard of the Dream Act? This is an amendment to the defense spending bill (the connection to which I have yet to figure out) that will allow for in-state tuition to any school for illegal immigrant kids. Not only does that mean they will have BETTER educational opportunities than American citizens, but these illegal kids, and their families, will get green cards with this program. I'm not sure how they reconcile the idea of them receiving these "illegal benefits" once they have green cards already...does that mean only the 1st child who goes to college gets this deal? Anyway, that is beside the point. This is just a piece of the illegal immigration reform that is being snuck into our lives. California legislature has already passed the bill to do this in thier state. Unless the Governor vetos it, it will go into law there. This is just one of many examples of how US politicians do not have the best interest of the American people in mind. Between special interest groups and foreign leaders, they don't know who to cater to first!
Do you realize the Supreme Court is hearing a case right now on whether international treaties supercedes our own laws? Should we take international law over our own? Should we delete the second amendment because there is a convention somewhere that doesn't condone guns? Or dictate to the states that they cannot execute people? It's backwards, really. We should not enter into any international agreement that violates our laws. The case they are hearing is that of an illegal immigrant from Mexico who admitted he was the head of a gang, and participant, who abducted and brutally raped and murdered 2 teenage girls. He's been on deathrow for 13 years! The issues is should he confession be tossed because he did not consult the Mexican Consulate before he opened his big mouth? If the Supreme Court throws out his conviction (which seems a liberal perspective, but is actually supported by the President) this will set precedent against incarcerating any illegals. They should have no more rights as the rest of us..ya get your mirandas, your lawyer if you want, and there ya go. If they want the protection of the Mexican government, they should stay there. If they want the rights afforded us, they should come here through the right channels. They can't have it both ways! Then again, if the government gets it way, we'll be the United States of North America before ya know it!

So there ya have it. In small, everday life there are small miracles happening all the time. The biger picture, however, if headin to hell in a handbasket. Get fired up and let 'um know how you feel!

Sept 11, 6 years later

2007-09-11T21:42:00.000-07:00

I know I owe a post on the 'rents visit, but I had to do this first. I found this link today and thought it summed things up nicely. I feel it's SO important to remember 9/11 and what has happened since then.
http://www.cwv.org/911tribute/tribute.htm

I also think it's crutial to recognize where we are now and analyze how much more safe we really are...or are not. Truth is, not a whole lot has changed on the security front. Truth is, as scary as it may be, we could go through this all again tomorrow. The government has shown they aren't either willing or maybe even able to protect us the way we need to be protected. The real changes in security are going to come from us. From our demanding changes. From our vigilance, like at Ft Dix or Circuit City. So inform yourself and your family. Keep your eyes and ears open. Don't be strapped by political correctness. Listen to your gut. And keep us all safer!

Happy Labor Day...aka...fun and no work for no particular reason day!

2007-08-30T15:47:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow's the big day! Mom and Dad are finally coming to visit for the first time since I got married! They are actually getting on a plane, taking days off from work, and have nothing to do once they get here except hang out! I don't know if you realize how big a deal this is. I've been married about a year and a half now. We spent 5 months a 5-hour drive away, and things kept coming up to where they never made it down. This is a very rare occasion. The stars have alligned! First of all, flying is not cheap, and I can't blame them for not travelling by plane very often. I! don't either! Secondly, historically, my dad has worked on commission, so taking a day off can cost ya big time. Luckily, he is in a job now that is more family-friendly in that he is salary+. He is taking 3 days and my mom is taking 2. Thirdly, many of our travels when I was young were dictated by work. My father was a minister and we often times travelled to visit other churches, or church people. My parents didn't get many vacations. They were "working" vacations. But, no work this time! We're going to see the sights, eat out, go shopping, and just hang out together.
I'm glad we're taking advantage. Who knows where I'll be this time next year. I could be (and hopefully will be) on the other side of the world! It's getting harder and harder for us to spend time with all the people we want to see as we all get more involved in our own lives as adults.
So, in case you can't tell, I'm pretty excited. I'm sure she and/or I will have some pictures up in the next week or so. I hope you all get to spend some time with people you love this holiday weekend. Now, I've got to go clean my room!

I think I'm getting the message!

2007-08-16T19:57:00.000-07:00

I got this in a forwarded email on Monday, just the day after my last post (from someone who doesn't read my blog, btw) ...seems to be harping on a point, doesn't He?

Thought for the Day:
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring.
He sends you a sunrise every morning.
Face it, friend - He's crazy about you!

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Read this line very slowly and let it sink in ...
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Where would you be?

2007-08-12T20:57:00.000-07:00

Roaming my few frequent blog friends over the weekend, a message has resounded with me. I have made the same comment to a few people within just days of each other. This is a statement, or a question rather, that I have thought about before, and don't really have a clear answer to, but I fear I should take it to heart once again:

Where would you be if you'd always gotten what you thought you wanted?

I have found friends who would never have met their spouse, who would have been stuck in a career they didn't like, not met a multitude of friends they have now. Most of all, they would not have grown into the person they are today. I am in all of those boats myself.
When I was 12 my family moved. It was a very difficult time for me. I was under the impression that our move may be temporary. So, I braced myself for 2 years, wishing and hoping to go back. But, things didn't work out that way. We thought we'd be settling in there and I started high school with that attitude. I became very involved in theatre there. We had a great program, one of the best in the state, that even took us on field trips to New York City. Those 2 trips were some of the best cultural experiences I've ever had. Near the end of my freshman year my parents brought up the prospect of moving again. I literally cried for about an hour. Much to my dismay, we moved a year later, just in time for my junior year of high school.
I had learned this time, though. I decided to embrace things right off this time. I dove in socially, in extra curricular activities, namely drama. I made friends with drama kids, especially the ones who were in my classes, which included this one cute guy in particular...did I mention we're married now? I learned about a scholarship offered exclusivly though the state to state residents to state universities. With my grades, and SAT scores, I was eligible for 100% tuition and fees, plus a book allowance, for all 4 years to any state school in Florida, which I did cash in on, and now, am nearly debt free from my college education, and my parents are completely!

So, let's recap...of the major things I know about, I would not have met my husband, or any of the friends who were in my wedding, for that matter, nor gone to the college I went to, nor gone to college basically for FREE, nor gone to the college I went to, if I had gotten my way and moved home instead of moving to Florida. On top of all that, all that moving prepared me for military life. I'll be a better wife and mother because of it. And keep in mind, that is the short list of things I can easily point to.

Now, I know that it may be hard to see all the time, but God really does know what He's doin with me. As much as I may fight Him, I always end up in a good place. He especially takes opportunities that are out of my hands, like my childhood moves, to plae me strategically. But now, having this message standing out at me, I fear I'm in for another fight. I don't know why I'm afraid, though. Maybe anxious is a better word. I guess it's in our nature to want things our way. My husband finishes his training in October. We'll find out early next year where our first permanant station will be. Let's just say, we have a strong perference...we want to go to Hawaii. It is the one choice that we #1, haven't live before AND #2 I can go to school easily. We only have 3 choices...one is where we went to high school and the other would make each of our commutes long, for me to be able to go to school. Besides, it's Hawaii!!! How cool would it be to be paid to live there?! And, it's only temporary, so we'll be moving back close to home once we start havin kids. It's ideal. We wanna see the world! That's part of what you sign on for with the military, isn't it?
So now, I'm afraid that we aren't going to get it. That would be right in line with us. We're the kind of people who are good people, we work hard and try hard, and often end up getting screwed over. For example, when my husband was in ROTC in college, every summer they take a trip, a sort of internship, to check out different jobs in their branch. His first trip was basics...everyone did it. His second, he put down travelling as his first preference. He didn't care what he did so much, as long as he got to go somewhere. He got a sub trip that went in and out of a base less than an hour from home. His last year, he actually got to go to a jet squad. 3 full weeks hanging with the jet guys. But, he didn't get to fly. Not once. His CO back at school was, let's say, not happy when he heard. That's what he was there for!
Anyway, I'm just waiting for something else to go not according to plan. And I keep telling myself it will all work out for the best, even if we don't get where we want. God knows what's going to be the best place for us. Maybe we'll end up back in Florida afterall, which is close to both our families. Maybe we're supposed to go there because I'll end up pregnant while he's deployed and God knows I'll need to be close to my family. Maybe He wants to protect hubby from having to work in the Pacific rim. Maybe, 3 years from now, that will be the dangerous area with Korea or China. But none of that will keep me from being disappointed come next spring when we finally get word. On the other hand, what we want may be in sync with what God wants for us, and He just wanted me to speak to one of you...
He does work in mysterious ways, doesn't He? So, where might you be...?

Wow, time flies...I hope!

2007-07-23T20:33:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I didn't realize it had been a whole month since my last post. I promise not to rant on politics this time ;)
I've been just busy enough to be lazy when I'm not. Does that make sense? I'm one of those people who thrives the more that is on my plate. Right now, I'm working about 30 hours a week, mostly mornings. And that's really it. I am not a morning person, so I come home, have lunch, nap (or fight it and wish I did), watch some TV, have dinner with the hubby, shower and go to bed. If I was working more, or doing something else, say, going to school, I'd probably write every other day! It's like housework. If I have so much to do that I schedule it, it gets done all the time, but if I have tons of free time, I continue to put it off.

My senior year of high school is my best example. I was a maniac! School started at 7:15am. I had 3 AP courses, was a member of National honor Society, and president of the drama club. I was in 3 school plays in a row, meaning I had rehearsal until at least 5pm almost every day from the beginning of September until the end of April. I still managed to get all my homework done, pull off A's and B's, work part time on weekends, do my 75 hrs of community service for my scholarship, and have a boyfriend and plenty of high school drama with my friends. I met all of my college deadlines, even travelling for interviews (they were impressed with my time management skills).

So, right, with just a part time job on my to-do list, time is just dragging! But, that's only for another 5 weeks. Things pick up after that, for the forseeable future, and I'm SUPER excited!

Come the first of September, my parents are finally coming to visit us for the first time sinceI got married! They're coming out to TX for an extended Labor Day weekend. We have seen them since the wedding, almost a year and half ago, but they have yet to see the little home we've set up. (That's right, mom, I'm callin you out ;)) I'm glad they're going to get a chance to see the city we're in. We like it a lot and we've found lots of places we want to show off and restaurants we want to eat at.

My hubby's birthday is also in September, so I'm sure we'll do something fun for that, even if it's just for a weekend. Then, I can start getting ready for the holidays! I absolutly LOVE Christmas. I'm so anxious for fall it's getting a bit ridiculous. There is a bit of a lull in October, but November kicks into high gear.

My birthday may be the first thing. Then, maybe the same weekend, my hubby finally gets his wings! His family will be coming out for that, so we have, yet again, the excitement of our family, who also has yet to visit us since our marriage coming to spend a few days in our fun city. This is a huge deal, for those who may be unfamiliar (the wings, I mean). He's been working for this for 2 years now. He will finally graduate from being a student and get to move into the real world, so to speak. But with the wings comes yet another move...So that's next on the list. We'll be moving back to Florida, again, probably by thanksgiving. But once we get to FL, I'm planning to start back to school. I am planning to take some pre requisite courses in the spring and summer terms there before we move yet again, probably at the end of next summer. It'll be our first 'permanant' station and we'll either stay in FL, or there are 2 other choices. That will be the last move (if you're keeping track that'll be 6 moves in about 3 1/2 years for me) for a few years. I'm already inquiring about finishing school in the 3 cities we could end up.

So, I'm looking forward to things picking up. I'm very excited to get back to school (actually really excited to finish school and get a real job!). Now that I've decided what I want to do, I'm very tired of wasting time. I feel like that's all I've been doing since I graduated. Just killing time until the next thing comes along. I'm really sick of it and ready to start my life! I just feel like I've had the pause button on, ya know. It's not my fault...it's no one's fault really. Just circumstance. But, the pause button comes off very soon, and then, I'm sure I'll be longing for the days when I could lay around...it'll be school, then career, then babies... and it'll all be over! No more peace and quiet. I guess it's true...the grass is always greener...

*Update...winging date is set for October 26! Sooner than expected! We're very excited, esp the hubby!

Hands off!

2007-06-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, apparently I'm only blogging nowadays when something ticks me off. I'm up for another rant. It seems I have found another glaring example of how common sense has died. Sorry.
A school in Virginia has now banned touching between students. All touching. Now, at first glance, you can concede this may not be so bad. You don't want your 13-year-old making out in the halls. But this rule goes as far as to ban high fiving and putting your arm around a fellow student. Punishments for giving your pal a high-five include up to suspension, if you've been "previously warned." Really!?!
I saw an interview with the PTA president of this school. The first question was, naturally, "Do you support this?" She replied, "Well, it's common sense...of course I do." What?! Common sense tells you the opposite! Her point was a fear of escalation...one kid puts his arm around a "girlfriend," the next kid wants to hug, the next wants to kiss, and so on. One boy high-fives, it turns into bumping chests, it grows to several kids bumping chests, and so on. Where are the teachers in this school? Are these kids unsupervised? Maybe the teachers are just lazy. Or afraid of being sued for telling kids to quit suckin face during lunch. Maybe the students have too much time between classes and their lunch is too long. If they want "touching" rules, make it an "inappropriate or unruly touching" rule. At least then, there is a little wiggle room. Teachers can use ::key word:: common sense to determine whether a situation can escalate to be inappropriate or needs to be addressed, or whether it's harmless growing up. Going through the chain of command on punishments that my school had would serve as a checks and balances system against faulty sense. I'm a believer that as individuals, many of us have good sense. We know when something is generally right or wrong. It's only in numbers that our sense dwindles.
Kids learn through interaction. They have to make mistakes and they have to be able to progress naturally with their friends. Remember your first "boyfriend" or "girlfriend"? Mine was in middle school. Holding hands during lunch...Forget your boy/girlfriend. What about your best friend? How many times did you hug your best friend after passing off a note in between classes? What about when she broke up with her first boyfriend and was so upset? Didn't you console her with your arm around her, giving her a shoulder to cry on?
On top of all this, middle school kids are at a very rebellious age. I remember in 7th grade, my mother wouldn't let me dye my hair. So, at school one day, I colored a fat streak in my blonde hair with a pink highlighter. I didn't dye it, did I? So, yea, lets tell them NOT to touch. Don't most middle school kids do the opposite of what they're told, or at least try to find a way around it? The bigger deal we make of not doing it, the more they will want to.
If there are kids touching inappropriatly in schools, this is not a student body problem, this is a parenting problem. The situation should be addressed and parents notified of what's going on and that it's unacceptable school behavior. You don't need a touching ban to deal with that. All you need is a little common sense!

I've been tagged!

2007-06-05T20:43:00.001-07:00

Crystal tagged me here. I don't know if I have 5 blogger friends...at least, not 5 who are on regularly...we'll see how it goes..

Here is what you do…remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump the others up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom spot.
Erin
Wendy
Donna
Crystal
Bekaboo

Next, select five people to tag.

Mom

Joni

Mim

Colleen

Sarah

What were you doing 10 years ago?
10 years ago I was a whopping 14. I had just finished middle school, living in NC and going out with my first real boyfriend. What a special time ;)

What were you doing a year ago?
1 year ago I had just been married. I was living in South TX, hanging with my hubby, eating out and tanning at the pool.

5 snacks that you enjoy
I'm not really a big snacker...
smartfood popcorn!
Auntie Anne's pretzels
french fries
honey nut cheerios
candy?

5 songs that you know all the lyrics to
I think it would be harder for me to think of 5 songs I DON'T know the lyrics to (I've been accused of knowing every song ever). I think I'm going to cop out on this one ;) It's simply not a good gauge of me, but maybe I'll try a fun cross-section...
Michael Jackson's album of #1 hits
the score of Newsies
Best of the Beach Boys
Yeah! by Usher (including the Ludacris rap part)
Faithfully by Journey (our wedding song)

5 things that you would do if you were a millionaire
crafts
travel
pay off everything
save some for the kiddos
help out the fam

5 bad habits
procrastination
eating out
staying up too late with no reason
watching too much crap on TV..even though it frustrates me, I still watch!
caffeine and sweets too late in the day

5 things that you like doing
crafts
pretty much anything with my hubby
snuggling with my kitty
baking
playing sudoku online

5 things that you would never wear again
Dry clean only clothes (me too, Crystal! I check all labels!)
short shorts
heavy makeup and liquid foundation
bell bottoms
jeans with no back pockets

5 favorite toys
Camera
my kitty
the magic bullet
my paper cutter
fun cut scissors

Have fun girls!

The endangered species not caused by global warming

2007-05-29T23:12:00.001-07:00

I know it's been a long while, but hey, cut me a little slack...we just moved again! We're settled in back here in TX and I'm hoping to start up my job the first of next week. It's just a part timer, but since we're moving again in 5 or 6 months, I figured this way I wouldn't feel bad bailing on them ;) I've really just been unpacking and settling in and haven't felt very inspired lately to write much. But I got inspired over the past week, culminating today.

*Warning* ...Bek's hopin up on the soap box and ready to rant!
*Attention* ...anyone who thinks they are "middle class"

I've prefaced myself on here before saying I'm not usually one to get really worked up about things and I'm not one to be very political. Today, I am worked up and political!
This latest joke of a bill they are calling a 'comprehensive immigration bill' has me furious! It's like everyone in Washington is sharing each other's crazy pills! I don't think a one of them has a lick of common sense left in them. I have so many problems with this whole thing, I don't even know where to start. Doesn't anyone have any common sense or spine anymore, or are these politicians so blatenly just doing what it takes to keep their jobs?
What really got to me most recently was the President's speech about the bill I saw today. Now, I'm a republican. I voted for Bush. I've supported the war (maybe not how everything has panned out) and the troop surge and I think a lot of people have cut and run on the war issue and hung him out to dry. But I don't understand how he can preach on supporting our troops and attacking our enemies abroad so they don't get us here (both of which I support) and then turn around and let millions of people sneak in the back door. The two concepts are so contradictory it's unbelievable! Forget 'comprehensive,' let's just take it one step at a time. Let's focus on the biggest, in my opinion...SECURE THE BORDER!
This bill not only does not secure the border, but it allows a "path to citizenship" for millions of unskilled felons! (Btw-just because you don't call it "amnesty" doesn't mean that it isn't!) In case these politicians forgot, the word "illegal" means against the law, and therefore, criminal! They conveniently overlook the fact that each of these people has committed a crime simply by coming into the country undocumented...not to mention, forging documents, stealing identities, ect. What gives them the right to think the law doesn't apply to them? The fact that they aren't Americans? Well, that's a slippery slope. What gives them the right to circumvent the system--the same system that each of our ancestors went through with each wave of immigrants in American history? What gives them the right to jump the line of the thousands who are going through the proper channels to become American citizens? If they want the benefits afforded to those in this country, they should have to follow the rules, like everyone else, or be punished, like everyone else. What gives them the right to not assimilate so rigidly? There are plenty of immigrants who have maintained a sense of their own culture, while at the same time, embracing "being American," including learning the language. You can't have it both ways. Either be Mexican or be American! We simply cannot afford to take in everyone around the world who isn't as well off as we are, or don't have the opportunities we do. We'd have to take in over half the world!
I hate the arguement that deportation breaks up families. Any time someone is caught committing a crime and is punished for it, it takes them away from their families. It is one of the consequences of breaking the law. You know what else takes people away from their families? Immigrating illegally into the US. A large number of immigrants are men. The desert their families, leaving poor, single mothers all over Mexico.
I hate that people are making this a race issue. It is not racist to oppose illegal immigration. Anyone who says differently is race-baiting. Our polarization and our political correctness have gotten so out of hand we can't even call things the way they are anymore for fear of being labeled negatively. It is a fact that most of the illegal immigrants in this country are hispanic. It is a fact that most of them are unskilled workers. It is a fact that illegals are costing American taxpayers millions, paying for their healthcare and educating their children, while they fail to pay income tax themselves. It is a fact that illegal workers are killing the American middle class. The government is selling out the middle class to satisfy corporate America.
Just think about this logically for a minute...wages are steadily going down in the main fields that employ immigrant workers, including construction, hospitality, and restaurants, because employers hire more illegals who work for less money doing the same job. Americans aren't in these jobs and aren't hired because they demand higher wages. It's not that illegals do jobs Americans won't do, it's that they do jobs at a wage Americans can't afford to do them at. All of this simply increases profits for the corporations who own these businesses. The corporations are leaning on the government, via their money and lobbies, to allow illegals to continue to work here so they can keep lining their pockets, and hence, we have this bill. This bill will allow an increase in hundreds of thousands of "guest workers," increasing the problems we already have. This all creates a dip across the board in wages and, along with the tax issue, shrinks the middle class closer to the lower class. I have applied to jobs, as an experienced, college educated, overqualified candidate, and not even gotten a phone call simply because I am worth too much money; I demand too high a wage. If everyone was demanding higher wages, the companies would have to pay up or do without. (Ironically, Congress just passed a bill to raise minimum wage.)
Besides all of this, the government isn't even listening to the American people. "Only 26% of Americans favor this bill," according to Rasmussen poll. In another recent poll, a staggering 69% of Americans support deportation of illegals. You don't get more of a mandate than that. A mere 20% support the increase of immigration. These numbers are not a party line division. They don't indicate a metro vs country opinion. I don't ever remember hearing so many people in this country feeling the same way.
The President did say something right in that speech he gave...it's time to do what's right for the American people. He was just wrong about what's right. Lou Dobbs on CNN and Glenn Beck (who's a bit more irreverant) on Headline News, I know, are 2 news people who feel like I do about this. Check them out if you want more info. Also, NumbersUSA also has a lot of specific information on this topic, includingpoll data, which congresspeople have voted for what, links to the actual bills in their original language, and data about the effects of the overpopulation, partially caused by illegal immigration. All 3 sites also have information, or at least links, to find out about your specific congressman or woman and ways to contact them and tell them how you feel. You can use the "do-what-I-have-to-to-keep-my-job" mentality they have to your advantage! This is a very serious issue with far-reaching consequences that will depend on how it is handled.

I realized I forgot to mention quite possibly the most ludicris aspect of this bill..the path to citizenship requires illegals to come forward, pay a fee of up to $5000, go back to Mexico and wait for their visa. Do ya seriously think ANY of these people are going to comply. They're doing just fine now as illegals, why would they change now? Who of them is going to volunteer to pay out as much as 1/3 of their annual income and go back? It's crazy! Like I said...commons sense has gone out the window.

A Matter of Life and Death

2007-04-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

The juxtaposition of life and death has kind of haunted me the past couple of days...heavy on the death side, obviously.
I thought about writing on the VaTech subject. It scares me, frankly. My husband and I both went to very similar schools...large, state, public schools, that are easily accessible. It frightens me to think of how vulnerable I really was, how vulnerable my friends were, and still are. This could have easily happened at any major university in the country. It bothers me that, especially since the shooter killed himself, everyone is looking for someone else to blame. The boy removed himself from the aftermath, from the healing process that comes with the process of justice. It was this man's fault. The school may have not done everything they could, but remembering back to my schooldays, it would be incredibly difficult for the university to react and respond and inform students quickly to any major incident. They didn't cancel classes on 9/11 until around noon. It wasn't the gun's fault, it wasn't the school's fault, it wasn't the students' fault, it wasn't his family's fault, it was this one student and him alone.
Last night I was watching a rerun of one of my favorite shows...Scrubs. The subject of the episode was the balance of life...when someone dies, someone else has the chance to live, even if the situations are totally unrelated. The doctor lost a patient waiting for a heart transplant, but an emergency C-section saved the lives a mother and baby. The doctor was talking with the heart patient about death. I'm sure someone in her position was forced to deal with the thought a number of times. She said she imagined death to be like the finale in a Broadway show, everyone singing gloriously to the rafters on their way out to their final bow. A lot of the show takes place in the doctor's imagination and as she died, he saw her singing. Quite an uplifting view, actually. Not sad at all.
But, the idea of this balance didn't click with me until I heard the news today. Today the US Supreme Court upheld, and effectivly enacted the law that bans partial-birth abortions. It was signed into law a few years ago, but has not been really recognized since there were already 2 cases in progress in State Appeals Courts on that issue. Those are the 2 cases heard by the Supreme Court last fall, and the ones this decision goes to directly.
So, amidst the tragedy of death, we are also getting news of the promise of life for the future. Today, I heard the Lord in the voice of that heart transplant patient, singing her finale (Colin Hay's, Waiting for My Real Life to Begin)... "But don't you understand, I already have a plan?"

On the Road Again...

2007-04-17T20:13:00.000-07:00

For those of you who've been hangin with me for a while, ya know we just moved back here to Florida in December after 8 of the looongest months in TX. Well, we're going back, baby! We're moving in less than 3 weeks. Military training is a funny thing...back and forth... When all is said and done, he will have gone from FL to TX, to FL, to TX, and back to FL. Now that's not normal. My hubby switched jobs during last time in TX within the navy, and that brought us back here. It's with this new job that we're going back. But this time, things will be different!
Last time, roadblocks kept being thrown up to keep us there. Last time, we were "hopefully moving next month" for about 5 months. Last time, we lived in a small city in south TX where they brag you can drive anywhere in 20 minutes. Last time, we spent so much time doing nothing in a teeny apartment with our guest bed standing up against the wall in the "dining room" (it was a corner of the living room with an extra light fixture.)
This time, we have a set time frame...One set by sticklers for schedules. This time, we know where and when we're going next. This time, we're living in a real city, close to 2 other real cities. We'll have lots of time to do. This time I'll be in school, and hopefully someone will finally hire me! This time, we can afford a nice, roomy apartment. This time, also, we're counting on some family visitors. My hubby will have his big training graduation out there, so we'll have a real excuse for them to all come! We're actually getting excited about it.
So, now, I'm working on finding us a place to live. We got some 'house-hunting' leave. We're planning to get up to see my parents for a couple of days before we go and planning to go house-hunting. It'll be lots of travelling in the next few week...many hours in the car...lots and lots to do in the next few weeks!

Anniversary Trip

2007-04-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

As I'm sure you can gather by the previous post, we had a great trip for our anniversary. It's the first time we've been able to just go where we wanted for the fun of it since we got married. Every other time we've left town it was to visit family for the holidays or go to a wedding or move. It was nice to make our own plan and just go. The timing worked out great, the weather was beautiful when it needed to be, and the money made it!

We left Thursday (later than we planned, but that's nothing new!) We stopped in my hubby's old college town for dinner with a couple of friends. He went to UF and as you may know they won yet another championship last week. It always fun to drive through a college town, but right after a championship...the whole town just has an extra buzz. After dinner, we continued down to Orlando.
Friday we went to Disney's Animal Kingdom. Neither of us had been to that park before. It was really neat. If you like the zoo and theme parks, you will LOVE it. That's us, in the pic, in front of a waterfall. We spent so much time just walking around, enjoying the animals and the sun and all the greenery. My favorite part was probably the safari. They have a "ride" that loads you up on an open bus--it's not on a track or anything--and drives you through a preserve of African animals. The weather was perfect and all the animals were out enjoying it. We had to stop at one point to let what looked like a bull cross the road we were on! And it wasn't like the zoo where there's only a couple of animals per exhibit. Oh no...there were LOTs of most of them, and up close. And many of them were hanging out together. There are so many pictures I want to post! I can only get a few. But you can see how close everything was!

Can you see the rhinos(UL), giraffes(UR), and monkeys(L)? The monkeys weren't on the safari. They were just off the pathway in the middle of the park. No ride, no line, just here, hangin out. How cool is that?!

Anyhoo...after the day at the park, we met up with my brother and his girlfriend for dinner. He just moved to Orlando a week before we got there. We had a great visit, as usual. I don't get to see him all that often, so it's always nice to spend time with family.

Saturday, we headed up to Jacksonville to see the Lion King. I talked about that last time, though. It's awesome and beautiful and inspiring. If you ever have the chance, really to see anything Broadway, GO! I've been about a dozen times to Broadway shows, either in New York or on tour, and it never fails to impress. Every show I've seen has something memorable and impressive about it.

We came home to our lonely kitty who missed us dearly. We watched our favorite TV show, 24, and busted out our wedding cake. I got out our unity candle, our cake topper, and my veil. We ate our cake and looked through our album. We had a great wedding. It was so fun. It was really fun to reminisce.

Happy Resurrection

2007-04-09T21:14:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful weekend, celebrating our anniversary. But, before I delve into that, complete with some fun pictures, I wanted to acknowledge the event that drew celebration from the collective Christian community this past weekend. I know, it can't always be all about us, right ;) of course. It's great how even when you aren't paying attention, He finds ways to remind you of Him. Of course we saw many of God's great creatures and had a glorious day at the Animal Kingdom of Friday, but what really stuck out at me was from the theatre.

We went to see Broadway's Tour of the Lion King on Saturday night. The Lion King is a special show for me. It was the first show I ever saw. It was 9 years ago in New York City. And now, it's the first show my husband has seen. It's unique and amazing. One of the most fun parts of it is that we are all so familiar with the movie and playing the "How are they going to do that" game with yourself. Translating from animated movie to live on stage is a couragous undertaking, to say the least...especially since the characters are animals! Anyhoo, they had to add some scenes and songs to stretch the time out. One of these "new" songs is the thing that really popped out at me this go-round. For those of you who read on my mom's blog, you may now have an idea on the role of music in our family. It can be very powerful. Theatre may be the most dramatic route of administration of music...for me, at least. It just comes at you. I think it's the impact on more of your senses at once.

But back to the song that reminded me to think of Him...well, for starters, it's called He Lives in You...It's hard to go wrong from there. I looked up the lyrics, along with the translations of the African lines (in brackets). I know it's only words on a page, and not being belted out by broadway singers, but hopefully, you can see something powerful in it.

Night

And the spirit of life

Calling

[Listen]

And a voice

With the fear of a child

Answers

[Listen]

[Throne of the ancestors]

[Oh, son of the nation]

Wait

There's no mountain too great

Hear the words and have faith

Have faith

[Listen]

(Chorus)

He lives in you

He lives in me

He watches over

Everything we see

Into the water

Into the truth

In your reflection

He lives in you

A Year Already!

2007-04-04T21:44:00.000-07:00

It's been a whole year since I got married. Our first anniversary is on Sunday. We haven't had a honeymoon yet, but we were determined to do something for our anniversary. We're hitting the road tomorrow...Disney World (where we got engaged--not the same spot, but it's still a nice idea) and The Lion King on Broadway. I saw the Lion King it's first year on stage in New York. I was a bit of a theatre junky in high school and it was the first Broadway show I ever saw and it's absolutly incredible! It's still the best, some 10-12 shows later. It's gone on tour now and is going to be within driving distance, so we're there! Besides, we met doing drama together after school in high school in the city we're going to see the play, so, once again, it's appropriate. Another bonus, my hubby finished this leg of training on Monday! We won't know about the enxt part until the 13th, so it's a perfect time to take a little leave. And finally, we got our money from the military for our last move last week. The only part of our trip we're going to have on a credit card is our theatre tickets, which we bought almost 2 months ago! We're going to be staying in nice hotels for 3 nights, eating out, and going to Disney. Not too shabby, I'd say. Thanks, Lord, for letting things work out so nicely for us!
I promise to write more about my thoughts on my SUPER fun wedding, my marriage and our trip next week. I do have a bit to do still, though, to get ready to hit the road. Enjoy your weekend, but good luck enjoying it as much as I will!

PS~ On a much more somber note, my friend, Shannon's father died last week in a motorcycle accident. She's my age and I just can't imagine what it must be like to lose a parent, much less so suddenly and tragically. This is the second friend I've had lose her father to a sudden, tragic motorcycle accident. Please keep Shannon and her family in your prayers as they grieve. Thank you!

Would you take parenting advice from Gene Simmons?

2007-03-21T23:51:00.000-07:00

I am finding myself pleasantly surprised, once again, by someone in the public eye. A few weeks ago I wrote about the whole Britney Spears mess and how impressed I was with her estranged husband for stepping up and trying to do what's best for his family. Today, I heard a comment, sort of about her general situation, from a very unlikely source that really surprised me.
I saw an interview with KISS frontman, Gene Simmons, and his commonlaw wife (they brag they have been "happily unmarried for 20 years"), pinnup girl, Shannon Tweed. The two were not only doing press for the new season of their reality show on A&E, but discussing their his and hers face lifts. During this interview, the commentator pointed out that throughout his career and lifestyle as a rockstar, Gene maintains he's never had a drink and never smoked. The guy brought up how everyone is talking about Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan (esp her mother's most recent comments about how she likes to party too and doesn't want people to know she's Lindsay's mom when they're out--the girl is 20, by they way...not even legal!) Everyone's talking about their getting out of rehab and partying reputations, and he asked Gene and Shannon about their own children (they have an 18- and 14-year-old). How do they keep their kids in line and in control and keep them from being these wild, rich, Hollywood kids we see in the press all the time? Their response was surprising..."The question should be, 'How do those other parents let this happen?' These parents have to be responsible." They went on to discuss how our sociey has become so tolerant and lax on parenting issues and so many parents are too busy trying to be friends with their kids they stop being good parents. Kids have to respect their parents and have to have boundaries and be told "No." They have to know there are consequences for things they do wrong. Gene said "No is no, whether it's killing someone or leaving crumbs on the counter. You just can't do it." Who knew Gene Simmons was so stable and normal?
Once again, I pose the question: 'Who'd have thought?' Who'd have thought a rockstar and his Playboy Playmate girlfriend would have some of the best parenting advice for rearing good, stable, wel-behaved kids? Just goes to show, ya never can tell about people. Looks like we all could take a little advice from the Kiss man himself.

Silly weekend

2007-03-18T22:26:00.000-07:00

My hubby and I have a very similar, silly sense of humor. This weekend we found something we both found hilarious. It is inspired by a local fast food chain's (Checkers/Rally's) ad campaign. Apparently it has gone over well cause now they have designed a whole web page around it. It's just absurd and ridiculous, and incorporates my favorite pet...kitties! Check out www.rap-cat.com. Make sure you read the bio section. We got the biggest kick out of that. Hopefully, it'll make you laugh this Monday morning!

Another attack on Christianity, or are they right this time?

2007-03-04T20:17:00.000-08:00

My hubby was watching the news today and told me they were reporting on a movement to change the "Easter Bunny" to the "Springtime Bunny." He said they were reporting that this is yet another attack on Christianity and Christian holidays, similar to the "Merry Christmas" and "Christmas tree" incedents of recent years. I think he was surprised to hear me disagree and admit that I could get on board with that.

With a Christmas tree, you have an tradition of a Christian holiday that aids in promoting a fundamental idea of the holiday...giving gifts to remind us of the gift God gave us in His Son. The tree has nothing to do with the rest of the holidays that are celebrated that time of year. Everyone has them in time for Christmas morning, with the purpose of putting presents under them. Then, they take them down after Christmas. It is, in all reality, a Christmas tree.

The Easter Bunny, however, is an entirely different story. Every year I find myself questioning what on earth bunnies and eggs and candy has to do with the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. The truth is absolutly nothing! I looked into it! The "springtime hare" that developed into the Easter bunny and left baskets of goodies for children began as a celebration of springtime and a wish for fertility and abundance of crops for the coming season. How it got to be associated with Easter itself is kind of a mystery. (Seriously, if you know, please inform me!)

Now, I have nothing against bunnies or eggs or candy, but I also have nothing against moving "Easter," as it is commonly celebrated today, to March 21 and acknowledged as a celebration of spring. I don't know why Christians would be offended by this. The word "easter" even supposedly has pagan origins. The crucifixion and resurrection is what makes Christianity unique to all other religions. Many others will acknowledge Jesus existed, even that He was a great prophet. But it is Christians' recognition of His divinity, that is validated for us by the resurrection, that fundamentally distinguishes them. Easter should be our most holy and sacred of holidays. I think we should be offended that the rememberance of the crucifixion and resurrection has been reduced to chocolate bunnies, painted eggs, and peeps. I am all for the separation of these two holidays!

Who'd have thought?

2007-02-26T21:05:00.000-08:00

I am a bit of a pop culture/celebrity news junky. It's a guilty pleasure, if you will. I don't waste my money on tabloids or spend hours on TMZ.com, but I do often watch ENews and check in on the entertainment sections of MSN and Yahoo. I just like to know what's goin on. One major thing, I'm sure lots of you have heard about, that's been going on is the Britney Spears saga. Since she filed for divorce at the end of last year, she's out partyin like crazy, in and out of rehab, had that whole head-shaving incident...quite a mess of a girl right now. Really, if you ask me, I think her life has been spiriling more and more out of control since her first marriage 3 years ago. The 55-hour quickie to her childhood friend in Vegas. I think she should have just stuck with him in the first place! Or at least that's what I had thought until the reports from this weekend came out today.
I heard today that Kevin Federline, her estranged husband, has visited her twice already since she went into rehab last Wednesday. He apparently took their 2 kids to visit her on the latter trip. The rumors have been that she shaved her head after a fight the 2 had where he said he was going to have her hair tested for drug use. Then, there was the episode where she attacked a car with an umbrella outside his house where he had their children and wouldn't let her see them. He seems to be genuinly concerned for her well being and is using the potential of losing her children to make her get help. He threatened to have an emergency custody hearing if she didn't go back to rehab last week. He still has that card hanging over her head, and can use it until she finishes rehab.
Now, for all the crap this guy has endured over the past 2 years, you really have to give him his due. He was accused of being a bum, a leech and a gold digger, of mooching off his wife and her success and money. But, the guy has really stepped up and seems to be doing all he can for his family. I have to admit I am impressed. He took quite possibly the only leverage that could be used against her and had the guts to play that card, without exploiting it. He could have easliy just gone to a judge and made his plea for sole custody and probably won. Would that have done her any good? It may have made things worse, actually. Now, she may have a drug problem of some kind, but having 2 babies in a year (the younger one is less than 6 months old!), getting divorced, not having anything resembling a career in years, and living in the constant fish bowl she's in is enough to make anyone kinda lose it at least a little. I mean, the poor girl is only 25! She's had her life publicized and scrutinized for 10 years now. Who can handle all that? How much can we reasonably expect from these people?
Luckily, the people in her life, namely her parents and soon-to-be ex-husband have taken an active role in helping her get the help she needs to cope with life. Hopefully they have caught her soon enough that she doesn't become the next Anna Nicole Smith. I'm with ya mom...she's on my heart as well. I feel so badly for her. I really hope she can pull herself together.

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-14T11:18:00.000-08:00

"Thankfully, people keep coming back to the beach,

and to that matter, to love, for this lesson:

Sometimes it is best to let your walls get knocked down

and lose your most cherished constructs

and be fully swept away."

--How to Live at the Beach, Sandy Gingras

5 years ago I read this quote in a book my mother brought home and it changed my life. I had been afraid to let myself be swept away and afraid to admit I was in love, to my own detriment. I had lost many friends in my life, simply due to geography and was afraid of it happening again. As a result, I had built up many walls. I am so happy I finally let myself be fully swept away.

Hope you're loving, and allowing yourself to be loved whole-heartedly today!

NFL or NBA?

2007-02-11T20:42:00.000-08:00

I received this email as a forward a couple of months ago, and for some reason, felt compelled to keep it. Maybe I was just so floored by it. It kind of goes along with my previous post...so play along if you like...

NBA OR NFL?
36 have been accused of spousal abuse
7 have been arrested for fraud
19 have been accused of writing bad checks
117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses
3 have done time for assault
71, repeat 71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
14 have been arrested on drug-related charge
8 have been arrested for shoplifting
21 currently are defendants in lawsuits
84 have been arrested for drunk driving in the last YEAR

Can you guess which organization this is?

Give up yet? . . .

The answer is NEITHER, it's the 535 members of the United States Congress. The same group of idiots that crank out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in line.

Are you appalled? Are you shocked? Are you in disbelief? With a Presidential election on the horizon, PLEASE pay attention! Investigate these people on your own... AND VOTE!

What has happened here?

2007-02-07T16:15:00.000-08:00

I'm not what you would consider a "politically charged" person. I try to follow loosely what's going on in the world, watching national news almost daily. I know how I feel about some issues, others I have mixed feelings about. While I am often sure in my convictions, I can sometimes be swayed, or sometimes, I find it better to agree to disagree. I usually don't get too worked up about anything, but I've seen a few things lately and I saw something specific today that just set me off. Something that makes me say, "what has happened in this country? When did a country founded on the ideals of freedom become a place to be afraid of expressing your feelings and beliefs freely?"
I saw today that former Vice President, and newly best friend of the environment, Al Gore, said that scientists who are taking a "skeptical view" of the extreme extent of man's contributions to global warming are being "bribed by the government to betray science." Now, I've never been one for consiracy theories, but these scientists, who may or may not be a majority (every report is different, ya know), are being bashed, and in some cases, even having their jobs threatened because of a difference of opinion. Any scientist will tell you it's nearly impossible to determine science as fact. Things that are determined as "laws" simply have held up SO FAR. They haven't been disproven YET." Now, I'm not saying either side is right or worng. Personally I think they are all right to a degree...yes, fossil fuels haven't helped, but I bet if we lived during the ice age we would have found people to blame for that too and thought it would have ended the whole world. But history says that the earth goes through global shifts. The big problem with science is that we may not know how or why things work they way they do until years down the road.
But that isn't the point! The point is, in THIS country, we are all allowed to believe what we want! Science and statistics can be interpreted differetly. Our country is stabilized, ultimatly, by conflict and disagreement. If our "specialists" and "experts" weren't allowed to contradict popular opinion, where would we be? Would we have a flat earth picture still? Would we think we were part of Asia? Would we have theories of physics? Would we still have slavery? Working through difference of opinion is how progress is made.
Another thing I saw this week was in response to the remark democratic presidential candidate Sen Biden made about Sen Obama, saying he was happy to see a nice, charming, clean, black man entering the race. Does that sound like a compliment to anyone else? Well, former presidential candidate Al Sharpton took offence (who's surprised?) I guess he figured Sen Biden was implying that no "nice, charming, clean, black" men had run for president before. I guess that's what he's figured. Even Obama said he knew what Biden meant and was not offended. The spot I saw on the news included a guest appearance by the black author of the book, White Guilt. He said something that stuck with me..."Political Correctness is the language of white guilt." He said whites are automatically stigmatized as being racist and are constantly having to disprove that and overcome that.
Now, I like black people just fine. My niece is a mixed child and her black side of the family is darling people. Her grandparents are financially stable and still married to each other. I've had black friends. But I did nothing to purpetuate the high percentages of black families on government support. I did nothing to promote the high percentages of gangs that have black members. I did nothing to purpetuate the amount of black single-parent homes. When did we become afraid of noticing things that are true? Why is it we are racist for simply making an observation? And yes, the system isn't perfect, and it's hard to break a cycle you see all around you, but it isn't automatically someone else's fault. My family has never been rich. No one in my family had been to college. I worked my butt off in high school and got a scholarship available to any state resident, to a state school. Anyone can.
When did we become afraid of voicing our free thoughts? When did the "American Dream" become winning a reality show to become rich and famous? When did we all become so entitled? When did we become so lazy? When did politics and political correctness poison our national identity? No one seems to get anything accomplished for all the sales pitches and finger pointing. I am already dreading the next year and a half of campaigning. It's all so ridiculous!

I'm a Terrible Mother!

2007-02-06T22:14:00.000-08:00

Why are people so nuts about their pets? Have you noticed, it seems to me, in recent years, people have gone pet crazy? Bringing dogs to the mall in purses, buying special stairs so your small pet can get on the bed or sofa with you, putting them up at "Pet Resorts" when you go out of town. If you ask me, it's all a bit overboard.
Now, I'm a pet fan, don't get me wrong. I've always especially loved cats. I got my first cat as a huge surprise when I was about 6. He had to be put down toward the end of high school and I was heartbroken. This is my baby now, McCoy. I got him a little over 4 years ago when I was in college. He's a big boy and always has been. When he was a baby his hind feet looked like rabbit's feet. He's also very long with a big bushy tail to go with his medium hair, so his weight is easily masked--he always looks big!
He had his annual check up today (we missed last year amidst all the craziness of the wedding and moving). The last time he was at the vet, about a year and a half ago, he was sick and they never really figured out what was wrong with him. While he was sick, he also lost a couple of pounds the vet had recommended he lose, just a couple of months before at his check up then. Apparently he's gained them back and then some! The vet said he could stand to lose up to 5 pounds! He weighed in at 20.6 lbs!!! I had changed his diet before, when the vet wanted him to lose weight. This vet wants us to put him on a canned food diet. Do you know how much more money this will cost? Besides that, I've become one of those people Dr. Phil yells at for being an enabler mothers who lets her kid get fat and at risk for health problems! (yes, pets can have health risks that go with being overweight...including diabetes)
As kids, my brother, sister, and I always had good metabolisms, but we also had fruits in our lunches, veggies with dinner, and limits put on our sweets intake. We also lived in a quaint suburb with lots of kids, playing sports outside and riding bikes around the neighborhood. As a result of all of these things combined, none of us had to worry about being overweight. I like the way I grew up and always hoped to be able to provide the same for my kids.
So, I will spend a little more on kitty food to start doing what I have to do to take care of my baby. I'll do what I can to help him lose a few, even if it means I'm being a little "pet crazy." It's good practice, right ;)

Heartbreak for the Future

2007-01-29T00:24:00.000-08:00

I am sometimes surprised by my reactions to things or events that happen in my life. Sometimes things don't bother me like I think they should, or I laugh at something I didn't expect to be funny. In the last couple of weeks I've been sorting through the physical remnants of my past...dolls my dad brought me from around the world, birthday cards, pictures, my old barbies. I've been on a mostly pleasant sentimental ride. It's really made me want to reconnect with people I've moved away from. And I even found stationary to do it on! I found all those memories I can't wait to share with my kids someday.

Have you ever had something you wanted to share with your kids someday? Some special toy or vacation spot or maybe just a memory? Something you loved so much when you were young you just could wait to share it? It made you feel special and everyone was interested in what you had for once. One of those things for is my pointe shoes from ballet.

Isn't she lovely? I always thought those dancers were so glamorous. So graceful and beautiful. I started ballet when I was in first grade. A year after I quit I regretted it. I even took a ballet class in college. As a child, I couldn't wait to get those point shoes to be a real ballerina. I had to wait until ballet 5, before I could get them. Our teacher made us wait until everyone was 10-years-old (it was a foot development thing). I remember my mom taking me to get my shoes. I remember the first class where our teacher showed us how to lace them up. I remember that recital. My little sister always wanted to try them on, and I never wanted to let her. In fact, every little girl who's seen them since then has wanted to try them on. Is there a girlier thing to pretend than ballerina? Even the most tomboy of all those little girls was drawn to those shoes.

Even though I am a bit of a pack rat, keeping those shoes wasn't like keeping old birthday cards or postcards. These had meaning. These have a destination. They will someday be dress-up clothes for my little girl (or my niece.) One day she'll come running in asking if she can wear my special shoes...well, not anymore!

We had stored my things in my parents garage. A few of the boxes were apparently, not sealed up very well and they had a little rodent visitor a couple of times. Yep, you see where this is going...my beautiful shoes are destroyed. One shoe is wearable, but the other, over half of the satin is missing and the toe block is damaged. It is the only thing in all the boxes that is flat out ruined. A few other things have a little damage, but nothing so extreme. There I was, sitting on the floor, holding what's left of my toe shoes, balling at 2am. I felt a little silly that I was so upset, but I was absolutly heartbroken. My hubby woke up to go to the bathroom and heard me. "Are you ok, babe?" ... ::sniff, sniff:: "I'm ok..." I didn't even really know how to explain why I was sad at the time. I even got emotional again telling my mom about it...and a little bit again now! I thought I was composed enough to write about this now.

Of all the crap I threw out in the last couple of weeks, I chose to keep the point shoes. I still can't bear to part with them, even though they are useless now. I don't know what the point of all this is. I just wanted to get it off my chest, I guess. It makes me sad, but I see the silliness in it at the same time. Something so seemingly minor just broke my heart. I guess I just wanted a little confirmation that I'm not so silly. Thanks for listening!

Stressors and Coping

2007-01-22T22:49:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, my husband and I drove up to my parents' (yes, we can do that now!) to retrieve my stuff. Well, some of our stuff too, but mostly my stuff. They had nearly everything I own...my childhood memorabilia, decor and furniture from my 2 bedrooms (home and college), wedding gifts and decor, a washer and dryer...everything!
So, when I say we got "my stuff" I mean LOTS of stuff. I have to admit, I'm a bit of a pack rat and I spent last week sorting through my life. It was very overwhelming having all these boxes stacked in the "dining room" in our apartment. I've had various stacks of stuff throughout our place...things to go in the storage shed, boxes to go to the trash, wedding stuff, stuff to go to Goodwill...it was such a mess! We also had one issue after another hooking up our washer and dryer. After 3 trips to Home Depot, mopping up 3 floods in the laundry room, and emptying the washer by bucket twice, we finally thought we'd finished. Oh, wait. Nope! The supply isn't giving us any cold water, so we can't actually wash anything but towels. I did get a work order put in today for that. I also managed to break one of our champagne flutes from our wedding while I was handwashing it at 2:30am. It was a long week!

Friday, I decided I needed a break. The mess, on top of everything, was really getting to me. I got rid of all the trash and consolidated boxes and went out! (I still haven't finished all of the baby doll and yearbook boxes yet, but I at least have things organized.) I hit up one of my favorite stores...Hobby Lobby. If you don't have one near you, it's sort of like a ware-house-ish mega Michaels, with a lot more home decor. I had found a few places in my home that needed a little something (I know, amist all my stuff, how could I think 'I need more'). But I was in search of specific things for specific places. For example, the flowers for this vase...I also decided I wanted to make curtains. I've been pretty crafty since, I guess my senior year of high school. I was getting ready to go to college and decided I wanted to take all my friends with me, in the form of pictures. Frames were getting expensive, so I decided to start making my own. I decorated mattes and glued the backs on 3 of the 4 sides so I could slide the pics in and out, then, attach a string or magnet to the back for mounting. Since then, crafting has been a big hobby of mine. I have tried to apply this toward useful things, for the most part, not just nic nacs I'll have to find a place for and dust. This time, I wanted to break out my new sewing machine and give our room a little color. I had seen this trick on Design Remix where they used some branches to make a curtain rod, so I adapted that for my tropical oasis in our room and used bamboo rods. I also tied the curtains on with raffia. I love how it turned out (here's your pic, mom).

I frequently get compliments on the things I've made, but I never really saw the big deal. I think the real key is not talent so much as it is inspiration. Mosaic an old tabletop to spice it up--you can get tiles in any color and design it to suit your own decor. Get a cheap frame at a discount store and glue on overlapping buttons, or shells you've collected from the beach, or puzzle pieces in whatever colors you like (I find Tacky Glue works best). Get a shelf in unfinished wood from a craft store and paint it or stencil it or even stain it. Find a fun margarita glass or mason jar (they're starting to have fun summery cups out at places like Walmart) and add a couple drops of food coloring to melted parafin wax to pour a fun candle (wicks are available very cheaply at any craft store).

I guess I have always been blessed with a can-do attitude and have just played around with things to figure out a way to make it happen. You can do it too! You don't have to be a knitter or a scrapbooker to do something fun and crafty. I hope I have inspired you to try something new, maybe with the kids, this weekend, because, like I said earlier, I think the inspiration and idea is the key. Happy Crafting!

Fat and Happy

2007-01-10T21:05:00.000-08:00

I'm finally back! I didn't realize it had been a month since I last wrote. I hope everyone had great holidays. I know we did!

We got moved in here in Florida just in time to get all the boxes emptied and leave town again. My hubby and I had our own private Christmas the night before we left town...the first of 3! We spent about 5 days with my family over Christmas in Atlanta. My mom has all the pictures, so if you wanna check them out, see here. We really had a great time. We spoiled my 3-year-old niece, pigged out on good food and holiday goodies, went shopping, and watched football in front of the fire. I haven't been able to spend time with my family since my wedding, if you can even say that. It was a very busy time, but it was all of us in one place for a couple of days. It's a rare occasion and every time it happens we wonder how long it will be until it happens again.

Hubby and I left my 'rent's a couple of days after Christmas and headed to FL to see his family. His mother had the stomach flu on Christmas, so it worked out nicely to postpone it a little. Although she was still a little worn out, and his dad caught it while we were there, we managed to get a little QT in. We've spent time with them more recently, and his only sibling, an older brother, also lives in town, so we hit them both in 1 shot. Those gatherings are a little easier to come by than my family assemblies. We had a very nice time eating leftovers, going to the movies (A Night At The Museum was great!) and watching even more football.

For New Years, my hubby and I, along with 7 other friends rented a condo at Cinnamon Beach (Palm Coast, FL) down between St. Augustine and Daytona, for the weekend. We had beautiful weather, even eating dinner outside across the street from the Spanish Fort in historic St. Augustine on New Year's eve. It was so nice to spend time with a group of friends again! We played jenga, watched "Best of Saturday Night Live" dvd's, cooked a HUGE breakfast, played football on the beach (well, watched the boys play, at least), and rung in the New Year with good friends and cheap champagne. You can't beat that!

We were gone for less than 2 weeks, but as you can see we crammed a lot in, as usual! We've done quite a bit since we've been back too. I had a nasty cold for the rest of the week after we got home. I didn't feel like doing anything but laying in bed. I have since mostly recovered with only a slighty stuffy nose and occasional cough lingering. Thank God I didn't get that stomch flu! Since then, I think my hubby has had the most exciting day one can have, aside from marriage or the birth of a child!
First of all, we donated his 94 Buick before we left TX. We've been saving up for a new car that we can start a family with. So, once I started feeling better, we hit the lots. We tried to hard to play it cool..."we're looking to get into something in the next month or so, so I can get back to work and back to school..." Saturday we found it. THE car. We knew it when we left. But, we walked away. The guy was amazing about it, actually. He said, "ya know, tomorrow's Sunday, a lot of the lots are closed. Go look around without being hounded by a salesman." He didn't even ask for our phone number. We took his advice, and did a little more consumer report-type research, but we knew we'd found it. But Monday ended up being his big day. He started the day with his first day back to work at his new training wing. Got the tour, met the people, all around easy day. Then, when he got home, we went back to the car lot. Walked away with a 2006 smoke gray Nissan Altima, special edition (my hubby's never bought a car, period, let alone had such a nice new one. He's SUPER psyched! I'm sure I'll have pic to post of him and his new toy soon.) We got a good deal, lots of warrenty left, and had a very plesant experince.
We immediatly left the dealership, dropped one car off at home, then headed to meet up with some of his fellow University of Florida alumni. Yes, that's right, he went to UF! Heading to the game he said he didn't know what he was more excited about, the car, or the game, or starting work! The game, of course, was super fun. He is almost the definition of a superfan. He doesn't paint his face or anything, but he knows all the players by number, where they're from, and all their recruits for next year. He's very enthusiastic, to say the least. He is also a HUGE Chris Leak fan (that's the senior QB who hasn't exactly gotten great press in his career, even though he's a solid qb. He's just not fantastic.) Hubby's been complaining that not only the gators, but Leak hasn't gotten their due from the media, and he's right. Well, they earned it this time! Leak had a near perfect game, as did everyone else on the team, heading up a shocking 41-14 victory over undefeated Ohio St, lead by Heisman winning QB Troy Smith. It was pretty fun to see the entire world of sports journalism backpedal simultaneously! People had been saying maybe Michigan deserved a rematch and that Ohio was going to blow them out, and were proven VERY wrong on both accounts. It's always fun to root for an underdog (did you see the Boise ST game?!?! My fave of the year!!!). It's also nice to see a team who is just clicking on all fronts to come out on top. It seemed like every player on the team was on his game, was focussed, and was doing his job well. And besides all that, it was our home team!

So, we end the holiday season, and begin the new year full of good cheer, good food, good memories, and very, very happy! Hope you're were good as well! Next mission...finding a job!

Moving!

2006-12-10T16:08:00.000-08:00

Ok everyone...Tomorrow's the big day! We'll be leaving Texas in our rear view once and for all...for now at least ;) Who knows where we may end up someday. But, as my husband put it, "We're heading for the Sunshine State of Florida!" (He's a big goof)
We have about a 13 hour drive to start tomorrow. We're only planning on going about 8hrs tomorrow, though. Once we get there, we'll be staying with a friend until Friday, when we can move into our new, bigger place! We will finally have somewhere to bring all our wedding gifts home to, somewhere to put the spare bed, besides the "dining room" aka, the other end of the living room. We'll be able to both be in the kitchen at the same time and we won't have to store a pot on the stovetop. We, including the kitty, I'm sure, are really excited, too, for out little screened porch. We are moving into a very nice place. And we're moving close to more friends. They are excited for us to be there. I'm going to be back in the company of girlfriends! I've really missed them. 2 of my bridesmaids will be within 45 minutes of us. It's good timing too. I've had some trouble Christmas shopping for my hubby with so few friends around and only 1 car between us. We hang out together all the time! I do, however, now, have plenty of gift ideas.
Our parents are excited, also, for us to be closer to them. We will also be in the city my parents lived in when they first got married. I know my mom is looking forward to visiting us there. The mall she worked in is still there and kickin. It'll be fun sharing a new place with them.
I need to get some more work done before we head off to bed. But I don't really know how much access I'll have to computers in the next few weeks. Hopefully we'll make it to see our families (I can definitly write from there). My hubby knows how much I love Christmas and family and is afraid the navy is going to ruin my Christmas. I told my hubby, as long as I'm not alone and I am able to give to all those I wish to give to you can't ruin my Christmas. If I don't make it back I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I hope you enjoy the ones you're with and thank the One who makes all things possible.

Our first Christmas

2006-12-02T13:18:00.000-08:00

I LOVE Christmas. And I do mean that in every way. I love everything about it. It is my husbands and my first Chrismas as a married couple. So, when our orders finally came through to move, it was a bittersweet moment. We have been waiting to leave for months now. It is a great gift to have a date set. However, the report date is December 15. We are leaving Texas December 10. We are thrilled to be moving on. To have the ball rolling. To quit doing nothing useful. But, this does complicate our Christmas.

We will not have as much notice to request leave to go visit our families. But, as long as my hubby doesn't have watch, he doesn't technically have to take leave. Our families will now be close enough that we can just go for a few days.

We will not be able to decorate all out like I love to do. We can't get a big tree. We will be leaving here the 10th, we'll be homeless for about a week, then, we'll hopefully be leaving to go to see my family the next week. We had already bought a few ornaments and a little decor, so the other night we bought a little 24" tree and string of 35 lights and went at it. We did what my family always does. We put on a Chrismas CD, lit pine scented candles, strung the lights, tried to share our dozen ornaments or so, and tried to rig our little tree so it didn't topple over, all front heavy. After we were finished, we turned out all the lights, except for the tree and drank hot chocolate on the couch. It also happened to be the coldest day we've had. Sure, technically, the high was about 60, but that was at about 10am. Then, that front that's caused such problems throughout the country blew through here. It was in the high 30's without the 30ish mph winds. It really made it cozy. Our windows were even fogged up, and our giant kitty proceded to lick the condensation off. He acts like a poor deprived child when it comes to water. He can't get enough of it. I love my cat. He's so stinkin cute! If you can see this picture at the right angle, you can see the smudges on the window in front of him from his tounge and whiskers. He has also managed to turn the tree over already. He, like all kitties I've ever seen, loves Christmas decorations too. His first Christmas, he climbed the tree. All the way to the top, inside, close to the trunk. You could see him peeking out the top, right beneath the bow. It looked like a Christmas card. Of course, he also batts at ornaments and hides under the tree. But not at my house this year!

So, we may have a strange holiday season this year, but our first has already, and will continue to definitly be momorable!

Happy Turkey Day!

2006-11-22T00:09:00.000-08:00

Everyone enjoy your holiday! I'm heading down to FL to see the fam. Everyone but my bro and my niece will be in town, at least for a couple days. Hubby and I will be spending the big day with his parents, but are planning to see my family, see some friends, and see our big rivalry football game on Saturday! Florida/Florida State...go Noles! Our flight leaves at a frighteningly early 6:30 am, so I'm gonna try to catch a nap here. This may be just what I need to knock my sleeping schedule back on track!
I hope you all enjoy friends and family this weekend. I know I will be celebrating all I have to be thankful for!
~PS~for those of you who've been following my hubby and I and our never-coming-but-still-pending move...it is definite now! We're heading back to FL and we have a projected (aka, not set in stone) report date of Dec 15! Thanks for the prayers for strength during limbo!

The big 2-4?

2006-11-16T20:39:00.000-08:00

That's right, today's my birthday. I'm a whole 24-years-old. This one is kinda weird for me. When I was a kid, playing pretend, I always envisioned 24 as the ideal "grown-up" age. I just don't feel as grown up as I always thought of that age. I mean, yea, I graduated college and yea, I'm married, but to be honest, my husband an I still live very a college-style lifestyle...we don't spend all day at work, but we still have money to pay the bills, we eat out, hang out with friends on the weekend, and stay up late. It's like college without the classes and homework..and not as many friends around or as many people living in our apartment. But, I don't have kids or a career started yet. I don't hang out at swanky bars, all posh and sophistacated, with my girlfriends, like ya see on TV. And that's ok. I guess I'll feel my age someday.
But the birthday went well. I was a little nervous about the family...I got an email from my mom and my sister, who's having phone problems. But, come 10:30 PM central time, no one in my family had called me :( But, then my mom called. And while I was on the phone with her, my brother beeped in from California. He's on the road, like he always is this time of year. He always manages to call, though. I got lots of messages from friends all over on the facebook. Got some phone calls from the family. Got some goodies...parents got me a snuggly shirt set, courtesy of that Lands' End boutique, got an FSU purse and earrings from the in-laws (they sent some christmas ornaments too). The hubby not only baked me a cake all by himself (he separated eggs and everything) but he got me a cool vintage version of Clue, a game I always wanted, but never managed to get my hands on, a CD I've been eying, and a bottle of wine from the World Market I've been wanting to try. We also went to dinner at our favorite place, a local Japanese Steakhouse, ya know, where they cook on the table. Aren't those fun? He did good ;) Overall it was a good day, and I have plenty of time to grow up ;)

November 11, once again

2006-11-13T18:31:00.000-08:00

Remember a our current and former military personnel:

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen."

All I want for Christmas is...uh...

2006-11-04T23:23:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a little longer than normal, but I just haven't felt very inspired lately. Nothing has struck me as profound. We haven't done anything special. The leaves aren't changing. Football seasons continue uneventfully. We haven't seen any good movies lately. Well, we saw The Departed a couple of weeks ago. It was violent but good, I guess, in a Scorsese kind of way, and had a great cast.
We're still waiting on orders. Any day now...still...We were hoping to move before Thanksgiving, but I don't know that we'll make it. The clock is tickin, ya know. When we move back we'll be close enough to drive home. Pray for plane ticket prices to drop a little for us so maybe we can make it home anway. I haven't seen my parents since my wedding 7 months ago. That's the longest we've ever gone. And, we especially want to go now since we found out all of our friends are leaving town. If Thanksgiving doesn't work out, we are definitly making Christmas plans.
I can't wait for the holidays. I absolutly love them. I love going to the stores and seeing all the decor out. I've been checkin in out for several weeks now. Another reason I can't wait to move: so I can buy holiday decor and decorate! I still have to figure out what I'm getting everyone and what I want. See, it's tricky for me. My birthday is in less than 2 weeks. I have to come up with all my presents all at once. I usually don't know what I want. I'm not a snooper and I like to be surprised. I don't like making a registry for my gifts. I like picking out gifts for others without them being specifically dictated. I like being creative and using what I know about a person to select a gift and I want the same from others. My family can be difficult though. The girls are pretty easy. The guys are tough. I think I'm easy to shop for, but I've been told otherwise ;)
I guess all I want for Christmas is to move and settle in, go home and see my family. What are you asking for this year?

Good Riddence to the Guilt!

2006-10-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

I have made a command decision: I refuse to feel guilty anymore. And, I have told my husband to do the same.

I am the definition of a night person. I have been my whole life. It can take, quite literally, hours of laying in bed for me to fall asleep. I have tried all the tricks...reading, watching TV, not watching TV in bed, listening to the radio, cutting back on caffeine, cutting out caffeine late in the day, showering early in the day, eating early enough to digest, but not so early that I'm hungry, melatonin, Tylanol PM...you name it, I've tried it, short of prescription pills. I have probably tried some things you wouldn't think to name. I've heard some horror stories about pills. I am afraid of addiction, to be honest.

I love night time. I always get motivated to do things at night. I would rather stay up and so something than get up early to do it, including showering, cleaning, laundry. I also like the TV at night better than TV in the morning. I like lunch and dinner better than breakfast. Breakfast food never holds me very long. I am always tired in the mornings. Even when I was living in ATL...I didn't work until 10am, I worked until 7:30 or 8pm, I had wedding plans to work on and a nice long day to wear me out, I got into a good routine and I was still tired and cloudy-headed until after I had lunch. I just function better in the afternoons and evenings.

Since I got married, I have not been working. As I have said before, we were only supposed to be here a couple of months and I figured not only was it not worth my time to look for a job, but I could use a little vacation. It has now been 6 months and we are still hoping to be leaving in the next few weeks. But in the meantime, I have fallen into a horrible routine. I stay up VERY late, lay in bed an hour or so before I fall asleep, then, sleep for hours, into the afternoon. I would feel guilty everyday when I woke up, that it was so late. That I had wasted my day somehow. It's just been engrained in me, I suppose. But also, my hubby has to get up in the mornings, not too early, and go into work for an hour or so (I know, we have it rough;) ) But, he ends up sitting on the couch just waiting for me to get up. He would wait for me to work on lunch and he said he didn't want to go do anything, like go to the gym, and then I'd be stuck home alone when I got up.

So, I decided to quit. I will not be haunted by my guilt anymore! I told my hubby not to wait for me. If he wants to go work out, go. I can stand to be home alone for a little while. If he's hungry, eat. I can eat when I get up. I'm a big girl. I have decided I am going to sleep when I am tired and eat when I am hungry. I have nothing I need to do, so why can't I sleep in an "off" schedule. People do it all the time. They work second and third shift and sleep during the day. Let's be honest, I'm not really missing anything. All it does is give me less time to waste. And I do mean waste. I mean, we have bought more clothes than necessary, wasted more gas money, and eaten out too many times in the last 6 months just to get out of the house. I know, it's sounds kinda sad, but it's our life right now. We just spend all day, everyday, killin time together (It's nicer than it sounds). I realized this is may be the last time in my life when I can sleep when I want, and for as long as I want. As soon as we get moved and settled, I plan to go back to school and probably get a job. After that, it'll be career and kids. So I decided to drop the guilt and savour the moment!

Is This the Day?

2006-10-17T16:59:00.000-07:00

I had a bit of a moment like my mom last night. It happens to all of us from time to time. But this one wasn't frightening as others could be ;) I know a lot of you keep up with her blog and you know about her Lyrics I Feel posts. I had a song pop into my head last night that resonated with me. Like everyone in my family, music is special to me. I've been accused of knowing every song, ever. The most minor things trigger songs that stick with me. But this one was really out of nowhere. It was really late, about 4am (yea, I basically stay up all night and sleep all day since I'm not doing much. But, even 4 is late for me, mom!) I was getting ready for bed. Now, remember way back to Sunday school...
This is the day
That the Lord has made.
I will rejoice
And be glad in it.

I've been really frustrated lately with this limbo I've been in. We have been "supposed to be leaving" this town "probably next month" since I got here...6 months ago. But, my husband has had a change in work. Sort of. He's in the military and was dropped from the program he was training for a few months ago. It's a really long story and basically it was a series of unfortunate events, plus he was screwed over a little. Anyway, since then, he's been trying to get into a different program. He went 2 weeks ago to interview for the new program, his first choice, and the guy there told him they'd probably have some news for him in 7-10 days. But he also told him the guy in charge at that base would have to approve it if the interview people voted to accept him. If they voted no, it would end there. Well, today is Day 14. We are taking the delay as more likely good news. But, since this song popped into my head, I though, hey, maybe "This is the Day!" I was getting kind of excited. I'm really anxious to know. I'm ready for news. Any news. I feel like we are just stagnant and I can't move forward in anything until I know what we're going to be doing and where we're going to be living in the next few months.

Unfortunatly, today was not the day. It was a little bit, I guess. He found out there was some clerical mishap on some paperwork and the new base has requested they make a couple changes. Nothing was wrong, it was just a matter of 2 offices doing things differently. At least we know why there's been a delay. But I was disappointed about my song. Then, I realized that this day too, this Day 14, is the day that the Lord has made. I was too focused on that first line of the song. I should rejoice in this day also, and be glad in it. Rejoice that we are together. Be glad that we have time to spend together.
So, whether it's big-good-news-day or just another day, we should rejoice.

Local News Makes National Headlines

2006-10-11T00:37:00.000-07:00

Now, when I lived in Atlanta with my parents, or even in Florida, it was not uncommon for a local incident to make national news. You've all heard about missing children from Florida or about that courtroom shooter in Atlanta. But, down here, in South Texas, it's a bit more rare, unless of course, we are talking about immigration. I don't know if you've heard about this story or not, but it's definitly noteworthy.
One day last week, a 14-year-old boy stayed home sick from school with his mother. An assailant broke into the home to rob it. He tied both residents up. He was armed and threatened to kill both of them as he pillaged the house. The boy managed to get free and get his father's shotgun. He shot and killed the burglar and called the police.
Having shot and killed a man, the boy was taken into custody, but today, the grand jury decided not to file charges against him, and I applaud them.
I studied criminal justice in college, and too often victims who fight back end up being victimized by the system. Most women in prison for murder, in particular, are ones who murdered an abuser. Rape victims are often put through the wringer and doubted every step of the way. There is so much protection out there for "suspects" and "defendants" that so often, the victim and victims' rights are lost in our pursuit of offenders.
I am glad this grand jury did not forget that this boy was a victim. We do still have the right to defend our lives and our loved ones. What do you think?

Wedding #2 pictures

2006-10-04T13:31:00.000-07:00

Here comes the bride!
Here is the wedding party at each venue. Wasn't it a beautiful Florida day?

Also, here is a nice colorful shot of one of the floral centerpieces.

I love this picture of them dancing, stealin a little kiss.

And how about that cake? Yay for Publix!

Yay, also, for the cooperative blogger! I got through all my pictures! Enjoy!

Wedding week + Wedding Weekend #2

2006-10-03T15:23:00.000-07:00

I know it's getting a little old by now, but I really want to finish me week!
Tuesday, September 19: I went shopping for things to make a bachelorette veil with.

Wednesday, September 20: Met up with my wedding photographer to pick up my album, finally! (It was my fault for not getting my picture selections in sooner). I absolutly LOVE it. It's a "montage album." Basically, that means the pictures were sort of collaged or scrapbooked digitally. It's really very cool.

Thursday, September 21: Bachelorette party! Drove about 2 hours down, back to college town for the party for bride #2. There were 6 of us. We made tshirts to wear, each with different slogans on them (mine said "retired" since I'm already married). We also had a sort of dare list that we split into 2 teams to complete: team varsity (the 3 of us graduates, on the right) and team JV (the 3 girls who were still in college, on the left). Hanging out with the girls is always fun and something I don't get to do very often since I graduated. And, once again, I sat up all night chatting. This time, it was with my friend, Sherri, who was supposed to be in my wedding but couldn't get leave. She lives in CA and I hadn't seen her since we went wedding dress shopping about a year and a half ago.

Friday, September 22: Spent a lot of the afternoon with 2 of the JV girls helping one of them shop for a dress for the wedding. I left them around 3:30 and drove about 2 hours to Tampa to visit one of my best friends. She was my roommate my senior year of college and one of my bridesmaids. I hadn't seen her since my wedding, so I took advantage of the opportunity. We had a chill night, going to dinner and her little brother's high school football game. Then, we just went home and hung out in our PJ's.

Saturday, September 23: Got up and had brunch with my friend in Tampa before hitting the road for the wedding. It as about a 3 hour drive back across Florida. I was staying in the "bridesmaids room" since only 1 of them was going to be using it, and she's my girl Sherri. This place was phenomenal! They had temperpedic beds! I probably took 5 pictures of the hotel suite!
Anyhoo...wedding was at 5. Outside, almost beachfront. There was a lawn between the patio we were on and the beach. But, we could hear the ocean in the background and it was just lovely. Still pretty warm this time of year in FL, but luckily, we were pretty much shaded. She used a very interesting color combo: the maid of honor wore a fushia/bubblegum pink color and the other bridesmaids wore chocolate brown. The girls carried a hand-picked looking bouquet of fushia roses, orange roses, purple cornflower, purple delphennium, with lots of greenery. It was very pretty. It managed to be very summery and very fall, and very Florida all at the same time. Being on the first day of fall, it was very appropriate. She used larger versions for centerpieces for half the tables. The other half had 3 different height pillar candles encircled with a dense ring of fushia rose petals. The bride's dress was unique. It reminded me of the dress Richard Gere bought Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride, with the satin stripes around the skirt. It had no train, but she wore an 80" veil. She carried white callas. Very pretty. The cake was very classy looking. It was 4 tiers. Each tier had a 3" brown ribbon around the bottom and little pink dots on the top half. Their topper was sort of monogramed with S & K, the bride and groom's first initials. We had an absolutly DELICIOUS dinner and danced away.
Afterward, we all met up at a piano bar downstairs in the hotel I was staying in. Once they kicked us out, around 1:30, the crew staying in my room headed upstairs. I sat up, once more, all night, chatting with a guy who's a good friend of mine and my hubby. He and I have done that from time to time when I would visit my hubby at school. He was one of DH's roommates for 3 years in college. We have an interesting relationship. We can actually hash out disagreements without getting mad at each other and ultimatly agree to disagree and move on. I don't think I've ever met someone who didn't like him, unless they were around him only at parties when he'd been drinking (he got a bit out of hand with that in college, but he's doing better). Those of us who knew the sober and the drunk versions just tried to help control and contain him when he got out of hand. Anyway, we had a good long chat out on the balcony.
(blogger is once again fighting me on pics...hopefully tomorrow...)

Sunday, September 24: Drove back to my sister's Jax. She was going to watch the football game, but I decided to take a nap first. This was when my cold was really settling in. I told you I had really hit it hard. It caught up to me and I slept for about 4 hours. After I got up, I returned my mother-in-law's car and picked up dinner with my sis and my niece. Once again, I was in for a chill night, as I got sicker. I think Sunay night was the worst I was. I was like a NyQuil commercial. It was kinda funny actually.

Monday, September 25: I got up, showered and packed. My aunt picked me up with my grandmother. We picked my niece up at daycare before heading off to the airport. Then, it was homeward bound. The flight was kind of painful with my stuffy head. But the trip was easy enough and soon, my trip was over. Back home with my hubby and my kitty. I really had a great time and I'm so glad I got to do everything and see everyone. Hopefully it won't be too long before I see everyone again.

The new 'Do

2006-09-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

Since the pictures are working for me today...

Before: (that's me in the black and white dress)
It's not terribly long, but, that in front is the shorter layers and they are pulled up in clips. It was definitly about armpit length. It's the best I've got!
PS~from L-R, that's my hubby, one of our best friends from high school, me, and our friend's girlfriend, who also went to high school with us. Both the boys were in the wedding, hence, the peeling down of tux layers ;)

And my after pic is a double whammy...
That's right, not only the short hair, but that's miss Jadabear herself. I took her for her first time at a Japanese steakhouse. She told her Popi, "the man cooked fire!" She even tried to eat with chopsticks. How cute?! I know it's not the greatest pic of my hair, but it's a cute picture. And I still have a "wedding weekend #2" post to go, and the hair will continue to be showed off. I just wanted to get it out there and show you just how brave I am! Ha!
(I forgot to mention that I have had this style before...hehe. I grew it out for my wedding and just got tired of it. But it is drastic!)

Wedding weekend #1, complete with pictures!

2006-09-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm getting the pictures to work a little better today. Isn't that dress stunning? And look at him, hiding back there in his dress blues. They even cut the cake with his sabre. The ceremony was at 6:30pm, so yes, right around sunset. As you can see, she used that beautiful, rich red color. The girls carried white roses and the bride had red. The did that unity sand thing too. Have you heard about this? They poured 2 flutes of sand, his was red, and hers was white, into one container, instead of the more common unity candle. The opening on the new container was pretty small, so they alternated colors. It came out really well.

And here, on the right, is the Korean outfits. I thought it was a very nice touch. Her mother and her sister wore the traditional frocks for the entire event. Her mother was adorable. Speaking basically no english, she got out there and danced with the rest of us! When this couple first got together, everyone was a little concerned, considering the circumstances, but they and their families seemed truely happy and excited for their future. We, of course, wish them the best, and all bets are on them to have the first baby ;)

They did the sweetheart table thing, which was lovely. And the cake had a rasberry filling...mmm. We all danced into the night and threw rich red rose petals to see them off at the end of the evening. I'm sure a fun time was had by all ;)

(PS, mom, it's Hyesung)

Wedding weekend #1

2006-09-27T19:49:00.000-07:00

I'm going to go ahead with the timeline and see how far blogger will let me go with the pictures.
Thursday, September 14: DH and I flew into Jax. We stayed the night with his parents and had a lovely visit.
Friday, September 15: DH and I make the 2 hour drive to his college town where we are staying with friends for the weekend. After showering and cleaning up, we head down another 45 minutes south to the city where wedding #1 will be. DH and the friend we stayed with are both in the wedding and we had to pick their tuxedos up before rehearsal. We had a lovely, but somewhat lengthy rehearsal and went on to dinner. After dinner, we drove 45 minutes back to the city we were staying in and went out for a bachelor/bachelorette party/reunion. We got home really late and I ended up sitting up all night chatting with 2 girls who were staying with us. I went to high school with both of them and hadn't seen them in a while.

Saturday, September 16: I wake up about 9am and haul it 2 hours to a bridal shower for wedding #2. The shower only lasts about 2 and 1/2 hours, but she's a very dear friend. I turn right around and haul it back the 2 hours to where we're staying to get ready for wedding #1. We make it just in time for the wedding to start (remember it's 45 minutes away!) It was a beautiful wedding at an equestrian club in horse country of central Florida (isn't it beautiful?!) The groom is a dear friend of my hubby and he was in our wedding. He's a military man. The bride is Korean and about 10 years older than us. Her family made the trip and were just adorable. It was still a very "American" wedding. Since he's in the military and she's not exactly familiar, I think his mother did a lot of the planning. She's a very proper southern woman. She was so cute! His father is a "good ole boy." Seriously! He's in the social club. Things were quite traditional for the most part. The bride's father had past away years ago, so she danced with his father, which I thought was nice. A little later in the evening, the groom danced with her mother to even things out. Also, halfway through the reception, they changed into traditional Korean garb. Very festive and very fun.

Sunday, September 17: DH and I got up, once again, and drove back up to Jax. We met up for lunch with my family. My aunt happened to be in town from SC and my grandmother happened to be in from Atlanta. We got together at my sister's new place with them and my other aunt and her family. Little family reunion (those of you who check in the Jada's Gigi, aka, my mom, and with T Texas Red, my aunt, are familiar with our family). I got to see not only the extended family, but we got to play with little Jada herself. She's so big! We went on to have dinner with my hubby's family.

Monday, September 18: We had a lovely morning of sleeping in! I went that afternoon to get my hair cut off! I had to do a rehighlighting after I tried to touch up my roots myself. oops! Anyway, I love my new hairdo. Then, I took my hubby to the airport and sent him home to TX. He couldn't take enough leave to say the whole time with me.

Ok, blogger won't let me post more pictures, so I will be sure to post a pic of the bride and groom, and before and after pics of my hair (believe me, it's drastic!), and fill you all in on the next week! It was a long trip...

We're Baaaack!

2006-09-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

What a success! I don't think I could have possibly crammed in more fun, or seen more people than I did in the last 11 days. Dh only stayed for the first weekend, but I didn't let that stop me. I got to see college friends, high school friends, and relatives, and even made a handful of new friends. I stayed up 5 separate nights til, oh, 4 or 5am just chatting and catching up with different people. I cut off all my hair too! It's super cute and I like it a lot.
Wanna hear something funny...I actually made myself sick from lack of sleep, eating junk, dehydration, and singing and dancing at the weddings, rehearsals, bridal shower and bachelorette parties. It was a blast! I figured I could sleep when I got home, right? But, I did come home with a nasty little cold. Hopefully it will be short lived and there will be nothing to make me regret my awesome week.
It was nice to get home to my hubby and my kitty. I really missed him at the wedding he missed. I probably have about 150 pictures and access to at least 1-200 more (yay for digital cameras!), some of which I will plan to post after I get some more sleep. Hope you all enjoyed your weekends nearly as much as I did ;)

Sunny Florida, here we come!

2006-09-13T20:48:00.000-07:00

I know it's hot and sunny here in Texas, but there is nothin like good ole sunny Florida! We have felt very home sick for FL lately. We're finally going for a visit! We have weddings 2 weekends in a row. We have seriously been looking forward to this trip for weeks. I've wanted to pack for the last 2 weeks. Now, I am about finished! We fly out tomorrow! We have a long list of friends and family we'll be seeing. Most of them we haven't see in the 5 months it's been since our wedding. A few, it's been even longer. I think one girl I'm going to see I haven't seen in about a year! She was supposed to be in my wedding, but the navy confiscated her from me (she's a nurse, and they were understaffed, she couldn't get leave...ect...) Anyway, have I mentioned we're excited? We're going to see so many people and do all kinds of things. DH doesn't get as long of a trip as me. We need to save some of that time off for the holidays coming up. But, I/we have a rehearsal dinner, a bridal shower, a wedding, a bachelorette party, a joint bachelor/bachelorette party, football games to watch, good southern BBQ we can't get in TX, dinner with family, hot tubbing, and slumber parties. We plan to cram in as much funness as we can! Enjoy your weekend! Mine starts tomorrow!

A Word of Advice?

2006-09-11T23:10:00.000-07:00

Like I've said in a previous post, I have several friends getting married soon. In fact, the next 2 weekends I'll be wedding-it-up. We are super excited. I have to go to a shower for the latter wedding the first weekend before the first wedding (we're going to be very busy). Part of the festivities of the bridal shower is that we are supposed to write messages of advice on cute little pieces of stationary for the bride-to-be. Now, my hubby and I have been together for a good 5 years, but we've only been married for 5 months. I've learned some valuable things and received lots of good advice at my wedding, but I know a lot of you who check in with me have years on me in this department. What advice would you offer a newlywed? This is the couple who are both in the Navy and in the same community. They will be apart for at least several months just starting out. She's ''hoping to see him at thanksgiving and Christmas" (how sad is that?!) So, I have a few words to offer myself, but I am interested to see what all of you have to say. She, and I, will appreciate your encouraging words.

"Lest we forget"

2006-09-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

Where were you? I was a new freshman in college. I rolled out of bed, my roommate still asleep, for my 9:30 class. I'm not a morning person, and lamented the hour. I dragged my feet the 2 blocks to my theatre class. I slumped in my chair for the hour and dragged my feet back, looking forward to returning to bed. Once I walked back into my building, I woke up almost instantly.
In the lobby, they had dragged the big screen TV out from the "event/ballroom." A few members of the staff and a handful of other tenants were standing, staring. No one was speaking. It was nearly 11am at this point. The second tower had just collapsed. Everyone on TV was frantic. So much so, I couldn't tell what in the world was going on. I just knew it was bad. I ran upstairs to my room, turned on the TV, and called my dad. I was finally getting a grip of what had happened. My phone conversation and the noise of the TV had disturbed my still sleeping roommate, Jen. She was from North New Jersey and woke up a lot quicker than I had earlier that morning. She panicked. "Who do I know that could be there?" One of her best friends from home, her father worked at WTC. He was OK.
All classes for the rest of the day were cancelled. Jen and I spent the day watching the news and talking off and on with family on the phone. We watched the fear in Washington. We watched lower Manhattan evacuated. We watched the false alarm of a car bomb in Washington. We watched the empty 5th Tower collapse. It was like we were waiting for something else bad to happen. We were a little afraid for our own little city. Yes, it is small, but it is the Capital city of a somewhat major state where to President's brother is the Governor. If we've learned anything from that day, we learned not to be naive about their capablilities.
By about 8pm we were exhausted. We had to get out of our little dorm room. We decided to go to Pizza Hut to get some dinner. There was no one out. There was no one there. They were out of everything! We ended up with a thin crust pizza. I guess we shouldn't have picked a place that delivered.
Where were you?

Happy Birthday, Babe

2006-09-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

He's my best friend and my husband. He's the funnest and funniest person I know (notice the goofball lounge to the right!) I've known him for 7 years, we've been together for 5 of those, and married for 5 months. He's had a rough time with his job the past few months. I just want him to be happy and he wants the same for me. Because of the job mess, he's usually basically off from work and we've been able to spend all kinds of time together...a nice change from the last 5 years (we went to different schools for college). But today he had a lousy 12-hour shift. On his Birthday! It did give me time to bake him a cake and clean up a bit. We also went out to eat with our 1 friend left in town. Kinda sad really. But we were together, mostly, and that's what's important. Happy Birthday, babe!

The Tides Have Turned

2006-09-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

I graduated from Florida State University in the spring of 2005. If you follow college football at all, you know FSU has quite the legacy. There is no other sport in the country like college football. The fans are so invested. There is a sense of ownership among the students. We are all die-hard forever. Every loss is a result of bad calls. Your team is perfect.

We have 2 major rivals: University of Florida and University of Miami. We are developing a new one with Clemson thanks to the coaches (our coach, Bobby Bowden's son now coaches at Clemson) and they are in our conference. Historically, no matter how good one of these teams is, or how bad, or how good or bad we are, the outcome of the game is always unpredictable. Each series has run pretty close, with nearly an equal number of wins over the years. My class was the first and only class to graduate losing to Miami in football 5 times in 4 years. That's right, we actually played them in a Bowl game and lost then too, making it twice in 1 year. Pretty heartbreaking. Their fans are so vicious too! It's a common bond we have with UF...we are both against Miami.

Well, yesterday started a trend. We beat them for the second year in a row! 13-10. Once again, it was close, and wasn't over until the last drive, but we won. The tides are changin, my friend. The streak has switched! And we had such a rockin defense. We're goin all the way this year, baby! Watch out for them NOLES!

*On a little side note, my hubby went to rival school, UF, and we root for each other, except when we play each other ;) His team decisively won their season opener against S Miss 34-7. Yay for them! Until November, at least!

Which Classic Starlet Are You?

2006-08-31T19:26:00.000-07:00

I got this in a forwarded email. I thought it was pretty fun. Sorry, but this one is ladies only! Mine was pretty accurate, I guess. I got Debbie Reynolds.

Number your paper from 1 to 10, then answer each question with the choice that most describes you at this point in your life, and then add up the points that correspond with your answers. Don't look ahead or you will ruin the fun!

1. Which describes your perfect date?
a) Candlelight dinner for two
b) Amusement Park
c) Rollerblading in the park
d) Rock Concert
e) Have dinner & see a movie
f) Dinner at home with a loved one

2. What is your favorite type of music?
a) Rock and Roll
b) Alternative
c) Soft Rock
d) Classical
e) Christian
f) Jazz

3. What is your favorite type of movie?
a) Comedy
b) Horror
c) Musical
d) Romance
e) Documentary
f) Mystery

4. Which of the following jobs would you choose if you were given only these choices?
a) Waiter/Waitress
b) Sports Player
c) Teacher
d) Policeman
e) Bartender
f) Business person

5. Which would you rather do if you had an hour to waste?
a) Work out
b) Make out
c) Watch TV
d) Listen to the radio
e) Sleep
f) Read

6. Of the following colors, which do you like best?
a) Yellow
b) White
c) Sky blue
d) Teal
e) Gold
f) Red

7. Which one of the following would you like to eat right now?
a) Ice cream
b) Pizza
c) Sushi
d) Pasta
e) Salad
f) Lobster Tail

8. Which is your favorite holiday?
a) Halloween
b) Christmas
c) New Year's
d) Valentine's Day
e) Thanksgiving
f) Fourth of July

9. If you could go to any of the following places, which would it be?
a) Reno
b) Spain
c) Las Vegas
d) Hawaii
e) Hollywood
f) British Columbia

10. Of the following, who would you rather spend time with?
a) Someone who is smart
b) Someone with good looks
c) Someone who is a party animal
d) Someone who has fun all the time
e) Someone who is very emotional
f) Someone who is fun to be with

Now total up your points on each question:
1. a=4 / b=2 / c=5 / d=1 / e=3 / f=6
2. a=2 / b=1 / c=4 / d=5 / e=3 / f=6
3. a=2 /b=1 /c=3 /d=4 /e=5 /f=6
4. a=4 / b=5 / c=3 / d=2 / e=1 / f=6
5. a=5 / b=4 / c=2 / d=1 / e=3 / f=6
6. a=1 / b=5 / c=3 / d=2 / e=4 / f=6
7. a=3 / b=2 / c=1 / d=4 / e=5 / f=6
8. a=1 / b=3 / c=2 / d=4 / e=5 / f=6
9. a=4 / b=5 / c=1 / d=4 / e=3 / f=6
10. a=5 / b=2 / c=1 / d=3 / e=4 / f=6

NOW, take your total and find out which Movie Star you are:
(10-17 points) You are MADONNA:You are wild and crazy and you know it. You know how to have fun, but you maytake it to extremes. You know what you are doing though, and are much incontrol of your own life. People don't always see things your way, but thatdoesn't mean that you should do away with your beliefs.Try to remember thatyour wild spirit can lead to hurting yourself and others.
(18-26 points) You are DORIS DAY:You are fun, friendly, and popular! You are a real crowd pleaser. You haveprobably been out on the town your share of times,yet you come home with thevalues that your mother taught you. Marriage and children are very important toyou, but only after you have fun. Don't let the people you please influenceyou to stray.
(27-34 points) You are DEBBIE REYNOLDS:You are cute, and everyone loves you. You are a best friend that no one takesthe chance of losing. You never hurt feelings and seldom have your own feelings hurt. Life is a breeze. You are witty, and calm most of the time. Just keep clear of back stabbers, and you are worry-free.
(35-42 points) You are GRACE KELLY:You are a lover. Romance, flowers, and wine are all you need to enjoy yourself. You are serious about all commitments and are a family person. You call your Mom every Sunday, and never forget a Birthday. Don't let your passion for romance get confused with the real thing.
(43-50 points) You are KATHERINE HEPBURN:You are smart, a real thinker. Every situation is approached with a plan. You are very healthy in mind and body. You don't take crap from anyone. You have only a couple of individuals that you consider "real friends". You teach strong family values. Keep your feet planted in them, but don't overlook a bad situation wh en it does happen.
(51-60 points) You are ELIZABETH TAYLOR:Everyone is in awe of you. You know what you want and how to get it. You have more friends than you know what to do with. Your word is your bond. Everyone knows when you say something it is money in the bank.You attract the opposite sex. Your intelligence overwhelms most. Your memory is the next thing to photographic. Everyone admires you because you are so considerate and lovable. You know how to enjoy life and treat people right.

Go Away Paris Hilton!

2006-08-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

I know it isn't just me, but I can't stand this girl. I've never been a fan. She hasn't done anything for me to be a fan of! I hate that she's famous. I hate that the media wastes time telling us what club she went to last night. I hate that she has added herself to the list of celebrities who should not have attempted a music career (did you know she had to start her own record label just to get it produced? How lame is that?!) I part of me wants to meet her just to I can tell her off. That's not very "Christian" of me, and I know I'd never do it.
In some small way I do pity her. Will she ever be able to trust anyone? Will she ever have a genuine relationship? Will she ever have the satisfaction of earning something? She's pretty pathetic, in that light. I feel sorry for her that her sex tape was leaked out, but she does really put herself out there.
Ultimately, I am tired of seeing her all over everything... TV, magazines, and now, she's invaded the radio! And apparently, I am am not alone. She has actually made it in the Guiness Book of World Records are the most overexposed star. I took a poll on www.tmz.com, and apparently 88% of the +11,000 people who voted said they wouldn't miss her if she dropped out of the spotlight. They also had a link to this song, Go Away Paris Hilton by a band who also named themselves after her, "The OK Go Away Paris Hilton Apparatus." I got a kick out of it. I hope you do too.

Spy in America

2006-08-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

With 9/11 anniversary approaching, we are analyzing the progress that has been made to fight terror. We are still analyzing how they infiltrated us so deeply and pulled off such a tragedy. My husband and I saw this man on TV twice in 1 day: once on Fox news, once in an entire special on National Geographic Channel special, Triple Cross: Bin Laden's Spy in America. This man may have one of the most terrifying stories of all the terrorists we know of. His own actions are not as terrifying as how easy they have been for him to accomplish. His is an unfamiliar face of terror.
You can read a more thourough bio here.
I just wanted to get to the bottom line...no one really knows where this man is right now. He was arrested and plead guilty in 2000 to his role in terroist bombings in 1998. Sentencing was scheduled for July 2001. As of October, he was still "awaiting sentencing," but has since "vanished from the federal prison system." He has high contacts within Al Qiada, the FBI and the CIA, he is directly and indirectly responsible for many attacks against America. Presumably, he is in witness protection wing of federal prison. He was supposedly consulted after 9/11 and many assume he is still consulted today for his insight into the extremist world and mindset.
Part of the reason this man was so successful was that within our government, the CIA, FBI, and other counter-terrorist units, weren't communicating with each other. The right hand didn't know what the left was doing, so to speak. This allowed him to exploit the system, playing one branch against another. Since 9/11, that has been one thing we are working on.
I don't know about you, but this terrifies me. Someone found holes in our systems, exploited people and things our society values, and used all of these things from within and without, to murder and terrify. AND he's disappeared. How many others like him are out there? How close are we to another domestic attack? Have you seen the movie The Seige? How close are we to that kind of thing?

A Nation Divided?

2006-08-25T16:22:00.000-07:00

I have noticed a troubling trend in our country lately. There seems to be divisions of all kinds being made more and more clear, economic, social, racial, and political. In the last week, I have seen several thing on TV regarding the differences between us in this country. I don't know if this is a rolling trend that I am too young to remember, or if this is something new. I have to say, I hope for the former.

I was watching a re-run of an Saturday Night Live episode that originally aired during the 2000 Presidential campaigns. It was practically a race to see which candidate could be more moderate. However, the last 4 years, especially, since 9/11 and the subsequent war, has brought on a political polarization that will be evident in the upcoming mid-term elections. There is also the ongoing immigration debate and terrorist threats, both of which stimulate racial prejudice. Now, I know that in politics, there are ebbs and flows of moderation, and division, but this is just one of many divisions plaguing us right now.

I very rarely catch Oprah. But yesterday, she did a show on class in America. According to statistics, 1% of America controls about 40% of the money. That top 1% makes an average of about $850,000 a year. The rest of the 99% makes an average of $34,000. Tragic, isn't it? And we have such a skewed view of how many rich people there are, and how easy it is to get rich. We are in a celebrity-obsessed culture. After shows like American Idol, everyone thinks they can be rich and famous, but after the hundreds of thousands of people who have auditioned in the last 4 years, only about 8 or so have gone on to successful, money-making careers. This show was initially about stereotypes and people judging strangers: who is in which class based on what they look like. But the point was basically the same: it's harder now to fake what class you are in. They also pointed our how it has become more difficult to move up the social ladder, that the gap between lower and upper classes is broadening, and that the middle class is shrinking. When I was growing up, we were on the lower edge of middle class, but my parents still pulled off private schools for elementray school, and a nice minivan. Each of us kids had a vehicle to drive in high school. I consider my parents to be a respectable, stable, solid, middle class family. But, as this show points out, I doubt my siblings or I will get much higher. We may each get to upper-middle class, but I don't forsee any of us being upper class.

The show that came on right after Oprah was Primetime. I only watched the first few minutes of it, but that was enough. The were talking about HIV. African Amercans make up about 13% of the population (I can't quite come to grips with that number, but whatever they say...) but that over 50% of new HIV cases are in African Americans. The largest growing population of new HIV cases in the US is black women. I also heard about the new season of Survivor. They will be dividing the contestants into 4 groups based on race: white, black, asian, and hispanic. They are catching a lot of flack for this, but I don't know. I think it could be interesting. I think people have become so obsessed with being PC that is is now driving more of a racial wedge amongst us, like social a backlash. What happened to recognizing and embracing our differences? They did the gender thing didn't they? Men vs. Women? I don't really see the difference. They may as well group people together by hair color or people with freckles against those without. There are fundamental, genetic differences in all of us, and that's the truth. I don't know why people are so afraid of that? Did you know that a pathologist can almost always accurately determine sex, ethinicity, and an approximate age base only on bones? Bones is all it takes to identify the most fundamental and recognizable things about each of us.

I hope this is just a rotation in society. If not, it looks like we are poised for even more severe division, which just cannot be good for us. Hopefully it will not take a major tragedy to unite us. 9/11 and Katrina were helpful, and devestating, but we just forget so quickly. We end up blaming each other once the shock wears off. Hopefully society can come full circle and end up more united than ever.

A New Start...eventually

2006-08-25T16:13:00.000-07:00

A new path is in our future. My hubby got the final ka-bosh on his piloting career today. He still has the opportunity to pursue a back seat in the plane, which is the first avenue he will approach. We will hopefully have some news on that in 4-5 weeks. If that doesn't pan out, intelligence is backup choice number 2. He seems to be ok. He had some time to prepare himself for the news. He wasn't very hopeful. But he is also excited about the options still available for him. We just have to trust that God has a different plan for us. It's a long road yet, so please pray for patience and stamina. I know God will put us where we need to be.

TV returns!

2006-08-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

As I have said before, I watch WAY too much TV. Even when there's nothing on, I find something to have on. We got into 1 "summer series," Rescue Me on FX, but that's the only one. They only have 1 episode to go and it has definitly been exciting! I don't know how they can do next season with the way this one is shaping up. Tommy says he's leaving FDNY!
Anyway, my re-run days are over! New seasons of TV are back, starting with the season premier of one of my favorite shows, Prison Break last night. This show is so exciting, and stars one of the hottest guys on TV :) It quickly became one of my favorites last season. The guys have escaped from prison, and are now on the run! A manhunt makes for some of the most exciting and suspenseful entertainment out there. Remeber the Fugitive?
Dancing with the Stars is a guilty pleasure that announced their new line up for this season. It's going to be down-right hilarious! Including such "dancers" as Emmitt Smith, Jerry Springer, Joey Lawrence, Mario Lopez, and Vivica A. Fox, they have another winner lined up, I'm sure.
The other show I'm really looking forward to is Gray's Anatomy. I started watching this show right from the beginning. My roommates were into the Desperate Housewives craze. I never cared for it, myself. But I sold my mom on Gray's with their gripping Super Bowl episodes. A man came it with live bazooka ammunition inside him and the crew had to remove it without killing themsleves. If you haven't seen this show, you should check into it. They didn't get all those Emmy nominations for nothing! They are running re-runs on it's new night, breaking people in, I'm sure. It's on Thursdays, now, up against CSI. This disappoints me. I'm a big CSI fan, given my desired career. But I can catch it in syndication, so I think Gray's will win out for me.
The other favorite I share with the Emmy's is 24. Sadly, it will not be back until January, but it's worth the wait! Once they start, they go non-stop until the last episode. No re-runs, no specials, no nothing but 24, Mondays at 9.
A couple of shows I've been watching for some time are undergoing big changes and I'm interested to see how they will pan out. The creators and writers of Gilmore Girls have left the show after a contract dispute with the new network. I have kind of grown up with Rory and I'm really interested to see how different the show will be. I really hope they can maintain that quick, witty repartee the show is famous for. The other show making big changes is SNL. I have been a fan of this show for a long time, catching up with episodes before my time on E! Head writer for the last 7 seasons, Tina Fey, is leaving for her own sitcom. SNL is famous, though, for changes and overhauls. I'm sure they will pull through this, as they have many others. I am just interested in what changes.
It seems last year, I had found something to watch nearly every night. Gray's on Sunday, Monday was Prison Break and 24. Tuesday was American Idol, which is still a ways off, and Gilmore Girls, a holdover from my younger years. I watched American Idol and One Tree Hill, another teenaged hold over, on Wednesdays. I was a Friends and Will and Grace fan on Thursday's "Must See TV," as well as CSI and That 70's Show. But now, Thursdays will be Gray's Anatomy. This season, I'm looking forward to Twenty Good Years, the new John Lithgow comedy series. I loved 3rd Rock and think he is just hysterical.
Hopefully there will be some interesting new TV this year.

My friends are in love with marriage

2006-08-20T01:05:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are at an age where many of our friends are becoming "grown ups." We have graduated college and people are starting to get married. We have 2 friends getting married next month and 2 others recently engaged, with no dates set yet. That's 4 couples, to be clear. My hubby and were talking about all our friends last night, after I bought my plane ticket to the September weddings, and we decided we are genuinly concerned for each of their futures. We have one other friend-couple who married a year before us. Neither ourselves nor that couple worry us. In both cases, we were dating for a few years and known each other longer. All of these couple are young and moving fast for bad reasons.

Couple number 1: P & H
P is probably the smartest, cutest, sweetest, most polite and charming guys I've ever met. He had 1 girlfriend in high school and none in college...too busy with school. He's a military man also. He went to Japan on a summer exchange trip through the military and fell in love with the country. He went back through school the following summer and stayed with a host family. He met one of their friends and fell in love with her. This was last summer. She is 9 years older than he. She is Korean. She is well educated. She is very sweet. She is not a citizen. They are getting married in 4 weeks. Everyone has been thinking the same thing, and you're thinking it too. She came into the country in April, for my wedding, and has stayed on a "fiancee visa." They had 6 months to get married after the visa was issued. My hubby has tried to take the better-friend route but trying to support his friend while everyone else was doubting the woman he loved. He's starting to doubt his position. He's thinking maybe the better friend would have warned his friend if he thinks he's making a mistake. We have no legitmate reason to question their relationship other than it just sounds sketchy. The other thing that concerns us about this couple is that she is in her early 30's and they have discussed poppin out a couple of kids in the near future. Only time will tell.

Couple #2: S & K
K is the friend here. She has been a friend of both dh and I for almost 5 years now. She was in my wedding. She is, once again, a military friend. She is marrying a military man. This guy, we all met together as a friend of a friend, on a New Years trip nearly 3 years ago. They did not start dating until last summer. They have never lived in the same city, ever. They will not be able to live in the same city for months still. They are in the same community in the military and if they are married the military will give them priority on assignments so they can be together. AKA, he probably won't have to Japan while she's training in Florida. So they are going to "go ahead and get married." They have been dating for just over a year and engaged since March. I'm afraid they just don't know each other as well as they think they do. They are marrying next month.

Couple #3: P & J
P was our friend first, nearly 5 years ago. Since he brought his girlfriend into our lives, she's become a friend too. With the other 2 couples, the significant other hasn't been in their lives long enough for us all to be friends! Both P and J were in our wedding. They are both military, but in different branches, which will make life together complicated. They have been dating around 2 years and aren't planning a wedding any time soon. J is a beautiful, sweet, cool "guys' girl" kind of girl. She enjoys havin a beer and watchin the game. She's in an environment with a lot of guys around and she attracts lots of them. He knows it too, and it makes him uneasy to say the least. It is quite obvious, to those of us who know him, that he thinks she's too good for him. She is going overseas for about 2 years with the military in a few months and he surprised her with popping the question for her birthday last month. I think he wanted to slip that ring on her finger before she's on the other side of the world. He is very insecure in their relationship and if doesn't hold up, I bet that will have something to do with it.

Couple #4: M & Z
This couple, in my opinion, has the worst shot of making it down the aisle. M is one of DH's best friends. Since our engagement, he has hopped on the bandwagon. He wants to get married and have a family so badly. He studied abroad and met a girl, who went to school with him in the same program. They started dating that summer and continued into the school year. By the end of the school year, he was looking forward to graduating and leaving her behind with an excuse to break up with her. He complained about her clinginess and constant need for affection. He graduated and broke up with her, but they "stayed friends." Yeah. right. Well, they really did. He left for his military training and got lonely. She went to visit him and they were back together. She visited him again a couple of months ago, and they were sitting around chatting. He said something to the effect that they should get married, ya know, kind of feeling out the water, I guess. Don't most couples discuss marriage before an acutal proposal? Apparently, she took that as a proposal and said "I'd love to marry you!" They don't even have a ring yet. Charming little story, isn't it?

I only want the best for the people I care about and so you can understand my concern. I'm afraid they are all rushing into this for bad reasons. I hope they will not be disappointed. I can only pray that God bless their unions, if they make it that far. I pray for wisdom and courage to do the right thing, even if it is painful or awkward. Sometimes, we get comfortable in our relationships and it's easier to stay in them than to confront demise. We are afraid of losing someone special, of not finding someone else, of being alone. Fear is not a good reason to get married. Another couple-friends of ours were supposed to be married several months ago. They had been together, off and on, for about 5 years. Through their relationship, however, both of them made changes in their life, one of which included a serious redevotion to religion, that changed the dynamic of their relationship. She was wise enough to realize that they were not the same couple they had started out to be, and had the courage to call off their wedding just days before the big day. Now, they may work through things, and they may not, but they did not get married because they thought they should, and for that I applaud them. I hope for everyone to be honest in all of their relationships .

What government agency would you run?

2006-08-17T22:50:00.000-07:00

I was the "smart kid" in my house. My father was especially ambitious for me. When I got to college and expressed an interest in forensic science, he immediatly had me promoted to the "first female head of the CIA." I had to correct him. If I could be in charge of any government department it would have to be the DEA. Somewhere along the line, I developed a fascination with drugs. I find them interesting in their relationship with society. My favorite class in college was called "Drugs, alcohol and crime," which is really a silly title, considering alcohol is a drug. I kept all of my books from that class. I've also enjoyed mini-series on VH-1 and the History Channel about drugs in America. Whatever the drug, they tend to have a similar pattern that they go through, from introduction and legitamacy, to popularity, to stigma, to illegality and persecution. They also have an interesting relationship with wars. Historically, a drug is, somehow or another, made popular among soldiers, then causes social upheaval once the war is over.
What really strikes me today is the intense degree of education we have today about drugs and the effect it seems to have had, or in some way, lack-there-of. I grew up in the 80's and 90's, during and post "Just Say No" era. And each drug has undergone its turn with popularity. I grew up being terrified of crack. Pot was associated with hippys, but was making a comeback when I was in high school. Even though we all know what crack, cocaine, heroin, and pot will do to us, my generation has found a new lesson to learn in methamphetamine. They seem to think it will not undergo the same pattern of its predecessors. I don't understand how, based on all of the education we have had on drugs, that people can still try something like that. I guess as long as rebellious young people and scientists coexist, we will always have a "drug problem."
Usually, society gets at least close to right that drugs are dangerous. With abuse and over use, many things can be dangrous including some "legal drugs." Did you know that after long term use, followed by long term abstinance, a medical professional cannot tell if you ever used heroin, but they can tell if you have abused alcohol? On occassion there is a degree of over reaction, for example, marijuana. It is currently classified as a schedule 1 drug. That means not only is it completely illegal, but has no medical utility, and is intensly addictive. Now, some kids you know may argue that latter point, but, make no mistake, it is only a matter of time before marijuana is rescheduled based on the medical utility point. People sick with HIV/AIDS and cancer patients on chemo will argue that pot stimulates their appetite and eases nausea.
I think the real successed against drugs will come with valid education. In the words of Phil Donahue, "we told our kids that pot and heroin were basically the same thing." You can't just say, "drugs are bad" and be done with it. We have to validate our education and be honest with our kids. Learn for ourselves what the dangers of each drug are. Drugs cycle in their popularity. Watch out for the continued rise of methamphetamine. After that, we should be into an upper, cocaine like drug, probably in the form of a prescription, or even, over the counter pharmaceutical.
But take comfort that the general "war" and regulation and education have had an impact. Statistically, the lowest national use of alcohol was during prohibition--it does work. Overall drug use is down. The idea of other teens harassing you to take drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol just isn't something that I experienced or saw used on other teens. I was offered my first cigarette when I was 14 (we live in smokers capital of the US--North Carolina). I was offered my first drink and my first hit of pot my senior year of high school. "Offered" is the key word here. In none of these situations, or ones that followed through college, did I ever feel pressured to do something I didn't want to. It was more I was around other people using and they were being polite, like offering a guest in your home something to drink. So, educate yourself, educate you kids, and trust them and their friends.

There is a season, turn, turn, turn

2006-08-16T22:46:00.000-07:00

I love all of the seasons. After about 2 or 3 months of one, I'm done and ready to move on to the next. My favorite season is usually the opposite of the one I'm in, which now, would be winter. But, I love them all for different reasons. I have very fond memories of each. Each brings its own excitement and reminiscence.
I was in the craft store today and saw Christmas decor out. At first, I was really excited. I LOVE Christmas year-round. I love the whole holiday season. I love the family-ness. I love the craziness at the mall, when it's all decorated with carols playing. I love shopping. I love baking. I love holiday crafts. I love the music. I love decorating. I just love everything about Christmas. But, I realized it's really quite tragic how they keep extending the holiday season. Now, a craft store is almost tolerable. If you are going to make your own ornaments, or wreath, or whatever, you need a little time. But seriously...it's AUGUST! And, whoa! What happened to fall? Introducing the holiday season before the Back-to-school madness is over is a bit much. And I'm sure you can imagine the kind of success they must be having here in Texas where it's still 100 degrees everyday! But, they are skipping fall entirely! I like fall. I like the air getting crisp. I like apple pie. I LOVE the smells of fall...burning leaves, the cool air. I like football season (DH and I went to big college football schools). I don't wanna skip fall. I want to wear sweatshirts and spend all day watching football with friends. I want to enjoy my sugar maple air freshener. I want to see leaves change...even if it's only when I visit my parents.

Like I said, I like each season, in its turn. I won't like winter as much if I don't get my fall in first. There is a process here, a natural order to things. So, instead of buying into the corprate abomination of autumn (wow, I'm really not that 'anti-establishment'), I'm going to savour the season...just as soon as we see a day under 90.

Any news is better than "w...a...i...t...i...n...g..."

2006-08-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

Ain't he good lookin in at uniform? Now, this is an old picture, but the uniform is still a part of his life. Of our life. We weren't sure for how much longer, though. Still in our early 20's we already owe a lot to the military, including virtually no student-loan debt. The deal he signed, after he selected to be a pilot after graduation, obligated him to be an officer for approximatly 10 years. After a 4-year degree, and nearly a year of training, it looked like we may be on our way out. The grading system in use is pretty screwy. It's very subjective and they use 2 seemingly unrelated systems to determine your fate. One system is the old navy system, one is the new air force system. One grades you on a number of things each flight. The other is an overall sort of average. It would take me forever to try to explain, so just know that dh (dear hubby, as the lingo goes on another site I use) was passing and getting good comments on each individual flight, but somehow, his overall "average" was too low. Dh was then "attrited." Basically, that means he is officially no longer in training to be a pilot. Needless to say, he was devestated. All the other students we know agree that he's been screwed over. They said, "tell them to look at your grades, and look at some of the people who've gone through."

We decided to not go out without a fight. The commadore who attrited him did so, referring to dh's squad CO, on basically his last day of work. Dh called his CO from ROTC in college and told him the whole story. The CO made some phone calls on his behalf, including the chief aviation training office. This office agreed to review his grades and look into it for him. The CO said he didn't want to get our hopes up, but he gave us about a 10% chance of being reinstated. He said he's seen a number of people "rise from the dead" in the military. This was 2 weeks ago. Dh has been calling him weekly since, to check in and see if there's any news. Last week, the CO told him the guy at the training office has a second person reviewing his case also. Positive news...I guess.

CO called today. He said the training office has decided to refer his case back to the new commadore. This is postive news. Dh was a duty driver for him a couple of weeks ago, which means they've met. Any face time is good. This is such positive news, we are trying hard to not get too excited. At this point we want some resolution. We've just been waiting. When I moved here, we were planning on being here for about a month. It's been almost 5. We don't even know if he was going to stay in the navy after this. If the re-instatement doesn't work out, he can redesignate to another job within the navy, or be out altogether. We've been waiting, for only God knows what. Waiting to see not only to see what my husbands job will be for the next 5+ years, but if he will have a job at all!

So, we're still waiting. But, at least we know there is progress being made. Something is being done. Someone who knows something agrees that this is worth looking into further. That's comforting. We could know by the end of the week! That is exciting! Then again, if the commadore decides not to reinstate, we will be back to the waiting. Waiting to see if a redesignation pans out. So, pray for us as we wait. Pray for patience. Pray for resolution. Pray for strength to handle what is thrown our way, so early in our marriage.

"Dear sweet, 8lb 6 oz, tiny, infant Jesus..."

2006-08-13T00:24:00.000-07:00

You may not have seen the movie, but you surely know the man...Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Starring Will Ferrell. This man is one of the silliest stars in Hollywood today. If you are familiar with him at all, you know not to take any of his projects seriously. I was watching Fox News this week and saw clip of a film critic from movieguide.org talking with an anchor about this movei. The topic was so absurd I had to stay and hear the man out: the critic was saying that not only is Will Ferrell a racist, but the film is anti-Christian. He said Ferrell should apologize for the film, like Ron Howard should apologize for the DaVinci Code and Mel Gibson for his drunken tirade (which, may I point out, he has.) The anchor pointed out that this is comedy, it is satire. The critic rebutted with the point that Jewish persecution in Germany began wth satire. This man actually likened Will Ferrell to Hitler! He continued, saying anti-Christian messages are permeating our entertainment and corrupting our children. Now, the latter point I am not totally against. I don't know if it's there is an active anti-Christian message in entertainment today, or just an apathetic one. But the idea that a white man is racist against white males is just silly. The idea of a Will Ferrell comedy being taken seriously is just ridiculous. This film makes fun of a slice of the population. What comedy doesn't? Remember the movie Friday? No one accused Ice Cube of being racist against black people. A great gift in life is the ability to laugh at yourself. But this movie makes fun of Southerners, not Christians. Being raised not only Christian, but southern also, I was not offended. On the contrary, I was quite entertained. I may have gotten more of the jokes than many of my friends. I think rednecks are funny. Many Americans do. Heck, Jeff Foxworthy, a self-proclaimed redneck, has made a career out of making fun of rednecks! The news anchor conducting the interview referenced Ferrell's previous hit, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy, saying it made fun of news people. He said it did not offend him, as a news anchor, nor did he believe it made people dislike news people any more than they already do. He wasn't buyin this any more than I am.
During the first part of the movie, Will's character, Ricky, is obsessed with winning. He loves making money, having a "red hot smokin' wife" and disrespectful children. He claims he's "raising winners." Their names are Walker and Texas Ranger, for goodness sake! That should prove to anyone the silliness of the film! This character also prays before dinner...just before listing to his 10-year-old tell him he "made that prayer his b****." I don't know if the paradox is intentional or not. Knowing the wit of Ferrell, it probably is. I guess people don't realize that praying before dinner is not just something "good Christians" do. In the south especially, being any kind of "Christian" at all can be social or just habit. I'm not saying Southerners are not devout, sincere Christians. If you've read my mother's blog you know that the 2 often coexist. But, the movie mocks southerners, not Christians. And, yes there is some overlapping of sorts, but the message is hardly 'anti'-Christian. If the critic had bothered to pay attention to the second half of the movie, he would have noticed that Ricky's mother uses church and Sunday school to reform her wild and disrespectful grandchildren.
Now, I will contend there was some irreverence, but again, that is to be expected of Ferrell. When Ricky prays, he insists on praying to the "baby Jesus." In the middle of his dinner prayer, after he has made a number of references to the baby Jesus, he wife interrupts, "baby, you do know Jesus grew up? He's not a baby anymore," to which Ricky replies, he likes the Christmas Jesus the best and he will pray to whichever Jesus he wants. I think it is totally valid to think of Christ in different forms. He embodies all forms. I don't see why it is unreasonable to think a man cannot talk to Jesus in the manner that makes him most comfortable. I find it offensive that this critic implies there is a right and wrong way to talk to God. His prayer may be mildly irreverent, but he is heartfelt, and thanks Jesus for each member of his family, for his friends, for his successful career.
Bottom line, as a Christian, or more appropraite to this film, as a Southerner, I was not offended. I think by now we are all familiar enough with Will Ferrell to expect nothing less and nothing more than silliness and entertainment. He's no master of social commentary but of social scrutiny. Honesty is sometimes the funniest and hardest pill to swallow.

America, will you see it?

2006-08-11T20:50:00.000-07:00

In the wake of yesterday's reiteration of global terrorism, Paramount Pictures considered scaling back promotion for the new Oliver Stone movie, World Trade Center. They have decided to proceed as planned, with the film opening this weekend. After the depressing reviews of United 93, many are skeptical. With the 5-year anniversary of 9/11 right around the corner, as heart-wrenching as the memories are, the last thing we want is to be brought down any more than necessary over the tragedy of that day. I know I still cry over it. But all reviews and trailers for WTC tell us a different story. This is supposed to be an uplifting tale of the last 2 survivors pulled from the rubble after the collapse of the towers. Oliver Stone has left out everything that happened after that fateful day and just tells the story of these 2 men. The film is being described as "a story of hope, survival and selflessness," and about "heroism and the best in all of us."

So, as with all other films that come out, do we listen to the critics? Do we see it in spite of them? Or because of them? Do we take the chance? This is not like other films, however. It is a special circumstance. It reopens a wound that, hopefully, to some degree, is not fully healed. Reminds us of a painful reality. Maybe you lost someone that day. Maybe you merely sat glued to your television that day. Undoubtedly, you remember, if you only pause and take the time. That is what I challenge you to do. Pause, and take the time to remember.

My opinion? This is film is important. Anything that reminds us of the dangers that haunted us and still plague us is important. We are niave if we thing this fight is over. As yesterday proves, we cannot afford to forget. Americans have a habit of forgiving and forgetting. Maybe that's not always a bad thing. But in cases such as these, our memories are the most important thing we have. It is important for us to be reminded of how we all felt that day. So, whether you like Oliver Stone, or hate Nicholas Cage, see the movie. Talk about the movie. And, most importantly, remember that Day.

I waste my life on TV!

2006-08-11T16:43:00.000-07:00

I really watch WAY too much TV, and I'm sure many posts to follow will have to do with things I see. It's how I retain information really. My best learning style is a combination of auditory and visual information. Therefore, TV is the perfect teacher for me. I don't waste it all on useless things. I watch my share of the History channel, the Travel channel, and Food Network (boy, do I LOVE food network!) I keep up, usually, with the news too. I just enjoy TV and I'm not afraid to admit it! I pride myself on knowing what movies are coming out, TV schedules, which celeb is pregnant and who's dating who. My hubby and I were watching the World Series of Pop Culture on VH-1 the other day, and we kicked butt! I have become a wealth of random information, mostly due to TV. My husband says I could write a "Did You Know?" book with all the randomness in my head. When put on the spot, though, I can never think of a good one. It has to be stimulated. I will try to comment on others with my Did-you-knows.
What leads me down this path now is a commercial I just saw. It's a new cingular commercial with a mother and daughter. It sounds like they are fighting, but the words they are using are so agreeable. Cingular boasts, they are "changing the conversation about cell phones." It's really very funny. Once in a while, something very clever shows up amidst the plethera of commercials taking up our time. With my apparent expertise, I just thought this was something new and different.

Newbie

2006-08-11T00:50:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm going to give this a shot. I created this thing over a month ago and have yet to write anything. I realized there isn't much going on in my life right now worth reporting. Oh well. It will be a place to vent. I can talk, that's for sure. I found this page though my mother. She is a great writer and this has been a good outlet for her. My aunt has joined her now so I check in on their blogs regularly.
I'm a newlywed and my husband are stranded far away from pretty much everyone we know thanks to the US Navy. I mean, I knew what I was getting myself into when I married him, but things have gotten, well, turbulant latelty. It's a long story that I'm sure I will get into later. But I thought, in the meantime, while I have so few people around to talk to, I could use this forum to spill to. If you're interested in my various ramblings, tune in. There may be some substance amidst the chatter. I look forward to getting things off my chest!