Merry Christmas Everyone

I never actually sent Christmas Cards out this year. This is as close as I will get to one, using my paint on my computer. This is the first time I've used it. I now have my house decorated for Christmas and my blog:) Merry Christmas Everyone!

Looking for a dog

Since I've finished doing my incompletes I have been loooking for things to occupy my time with. It ends up that I do have plenty of things to unpack since I'm not completely moved into the house yet, but that isn't what I want to talk about. I have decided that I want a dog. I originally wanted a cat, but my fiance is incredibly alergic to cats and you can tell here that he thinks that cats are evil. The animal that I called my own since I was in 1st grade was a cat, and she died a few months ago. Other than that I helped raise a dalmation(Mulder), which my parents have now and I helped my brother with his pitbull Soja. Now I take care of a St. Bernard (Sebastian). I love Sebastian, but he isn't one to sit in your lap (though I know he would be more than happy to do so). Now I don't want to make a mistake in what breed of dog to choose again. I chose the dalmation and though he is a definate part of the family now, I can tell you he wasn't the best dog for me. He dragged me when I was younger and broke my foot. Since then I refuse to walk him or any dog that is bigger(including Sebastian). I was afraid of walking Soja for awhile, but I found that she really wasn't too bad on a leash. So here are a few of the breeds that I think might work so far. I really would want a small or medium size dog that doesn't bark everytime something moves, and I want one that is really good with a family. I can't have a mean dog. Here are a couple of breeds that I've looked good, but I'm not positive about one yet:

1. A beagle



I have little experience with this type of dog. He seemed very sweet, but he ate constantly. He had a sweet tooth. Other than that he was very friendly and didn't seem too annoying. I've looked up information on the breed and it says that the worst trait about these dogs is how stubborn they are, so they are difficult to train.

2. A pug



I've only been around a pug once and he came up to me and jumped in my lap. I find that they are very cute even though they have a horrible snore. I'm afraid of this dog being yappy though, I've also noticed that they have many health problems.

3. A Cavalier



This is one I was just looking into today. It is named after King Charles II and I noticed that it is a dog that has been loved by the aristocracy. Other than that, what I've seen about this dog is that it doesn't bark as much as other toy breeds and it is known to be very affectionate. It has a few possible health problems and it says that it needs to be groomed often. The major probem to me is that I've never seen this dog before or known anyone who has had one.

These are the only dogs that look appealing to me at this point. I've been interested in Golden Retreivers and some other mastiff breeds (which would make Art happy), but they just seem to big to me. Not a very good substitute for a cat. Well, let me know what you think about these breeds, or if you know another that would be better. Please don't say Chihiahia either. They can be sweet, but they bark more than any dog I know. That would give me a headache and I know Art would hate it. I'll let you know if anything new comes up with this subject, but I imagine I'll be looking through for the best type for awhile. Later!

I'm done... Almost

Yes!!! I finished 4 incompletes! I have one more, but it is an independent study that requires me to meet with my prof some more. But the most important part about this is, they will take me back! I can finish my masters! Yes, there are a lot of exclamation points! I don't care! I am done! Now I will crash.....

I'm writing, and writing...

Again I have Aristotle on the brain and I can't get to sleep because of it. I haven't had anyhting like this happen to me in quite awhile. I've discovered that I can write much about him without refering back to his texts. I guess it shouldn't suprise me. It just did because it has been awhile since I actually payed attention to my work. Now it seems possible again. Maybe if I get these last papers in. The Masters isn't as far out of reach as I thought it was to begin with. Nine hours next semester and boom... I'm finished. Then what? I don't really care right now. Maybe law school. I see no PhD program in my future though. Nope. I gave up on that one. Just doesn't seem as appealing as it once was. Well, I must sleep. Don't have time to play.

I'm torn between blogs

Nothing new today since I have stuff to work on, and I spent time posting elsewhere. My fiance has invited me as a guest blogger on his blog until he gets out of the Navy. So for about the next month I will be posting on both. Go see! Remember it is SA Sea Stories on 'Blogs to Check Out'.

Another Meme

As I try to wake myself up before I finish this paper I've been working on I thought I'd do another meme. I saw it on Anastasia's blog. A regular post will come when I have time for it. Till then, irregular posts... I guess.

TEN random things you might not know about me.
1. I've had the flu for the past week.
2. I probubly am too opinionated when it comes to Christmas decorations.
3. I own jeans size 9-18.
4. I have an SWT sticker on my car.
5. My favorite sports are skiing and swimming.
6. I can't whistle.
7. I've been certified as a life guard two times, but have never actually been one.
8. I had seizures when I was born.
9. I've played the clarinet and the saxaphone.
10. I was a blonde until middle school.

NINE places I've visited
1. Miami, Florida (Art's family)
2. Fayetteville, Arkansas (my family)
3. Durant, Oklahoma (still my family)
4. Santa Fe, New Mexico (vacation spot for people from Amarillo)
5. Chorpus Christi, Texas (vacation for people from San Antonio)
6. Pheonix, Arizona (Spring training for Cubs and Giants years ago)
7. Fairfax, Virginia (random trip with friend that moved back home)
8. Durango, Colorado (favorite ski destination)
9. Seattle, Washington (I was there a year ago, its nice for Christmas... traffic's a bitch)

EIGHT ways to win my heart
1. According to Art, buy me food
2. Discussion on religion
3. Help me organize my stuff (I'm a slob)
4. Red roses
5. Get along with my brother and parents (yes, in that order)
6. Icecream (I know that falls under food)
7. Call me
8. Compliment me

SEVEN things I want to do before I die
1. Marry (will happen soon enough)
2. Travel (I have no real destination)
3. Have my own family
4. Have a real job
5. Finish my Masters (at least)
6. Play my piano in my own house
7. Live outside of Texas (at least for a short period of time... its all I know)

SIX things I'm afraid of
1. Flying insects
2. Being in the middle of the ocean
3. Mirrors in the dark
4. I'm simply afraid of the dark.
5. Being alone
6. Driving in hard rain.

FIVE things I don't like
1. Jager
2. Basketball
3. Cleaning up dog crap
4. Taking out the trash
5. Mayonnaise

FOUR ways to turn me off
1. Being a vegitarian (just don't get it)
2. Criticizing the Catholic church when you know nothing about it
3. Watching sports (At least I can't take it when I first meet someone)
4. Ignorance

THREE Things I do every day
1. serve a St. Bernard
2. talk to my mom (I think its every day)
3. read things online or around the house

TWO things that make me happy
1. Art
2. art (ha, ha)

ONE thing on my mind right now
1. I hope my brother can make it here okay.

Random Political Cartoon

Pual Nowak

Meme

The Meme: Quote the Gospel verses of your birthday
From Idle Mendacity

Matthew 4:30- doesn't exist

Mark 4:30- And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

Luke 4:30- But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

John 4:30- They went therefore out of the city and came unto him.

If you read this, you're tagged!

Need a book? Look it up.

I'm just amazed about how many books you can read for free online. I have Summa Theologica linked off my side bar. That was one I just printed off parts at a time as I had to go to class. I also confess I did the same for The Politics. This one just suprised me. I looked up We Hold These Truths, and here it is! I've already read it. I was just looking up what people wrote on it. I just didn't think I'd find this one online for free. Maybe I'm just easily amazed.

Update on job search

I went to take a couple of tests this morning to see if I can qualify for getting a job for Immigration. As I was standing around during break I noticed that I was one of very few white people in the room and that there were at least a couple groups of guys around me speaking spanish. Does that seem right to you? I'll just shrug it off as something usual for San Antonio.

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is only a few more minutes left of it for me. Regardless of the turkey I am having a bit of trouble falling asleep. I had the usual traditional Thanksgiving at home with the family and a few relatives from out of town. Everyone started to go around the table saying what they were thankful for. Though there were distractions and it never made it to me. I really don't care for the corny tradition and rolled my eyes at it when my mom brought it up. I'm not sure why I'm thinking of it now. I guess it is a good thing to post on for today. So what am I thankful for? Many things. The stresses of my life are a couple of classes I need to complete, a house that needs to be organized and a wedding that I have yet to start planning. I know some people right now that are having much worse problems right now. I am very thankful that my stresses are not severe and that no matter what I know I have my family behind me. As the night ended we watched a comedy... Ever seen Eulogy? If you haven't, I suggest it. It was very funny. Anyway, I hope everyone had a great day. Happy shopping tomorrow! I know that is what a majority of the country will be doing. Now I will try and get some sleep again. Maybe I need more turkey:)

A few things I wish to get of my chest...

There are a few things I've lied about in the past. Since I've recently decided to stop doing that I thought I'd publically announce a few of the past lies that I don't care if people know. Some of them are no suprise to those who know me:

Lie #1- That I like any type of industrial or hard rock music (I also add most techno to this one as well).

This is what I call "migrine music". If you think that Trent Reznor is part of that group then you can exclude him. I still like NIN. I have a thing for his rather depressing music about the whole world sucking at some points of the year. All others just suck. I won't take the time to list them because I'm horrible at remembering the names of music groups or their song names either. I added techno because this is something I use to say that I really liked as well. Honestly all of this music was stuff that I use to listen to so much that I thought that I liked it. You know, that annoying song that plays on the radio over and over again, and after awhile you think that you want it. That is what that music was like to me. I still love most rock music and I have a thing for "angry female music". That might be my mother's fault. No other feminist stuff stuck to me except for that.

Lie #2- That I'm liberal.

I came clean on that one earlier actually. No suprise there. At one point I did believe I was liberal, but after I discovered I was wrong I still told people I was liberal for awhile. Think it is stupid? You should meet my family then.

Lie #3- That I'm never going back to the Catholic church.

This may be suprising to some who just read the blog. There was a point in my life when I was incredibly confused about what I was going to do religiously. I had been mad at the church. My anger was misplaced and it was someone else's fault. I'm not really going to blame someone else for my falling away from the church. It was stupid of me to say that I wasn't going back though. It is part of my identity. Part of me always knew I was going back. I was lying to myself as much as to everyone else.

Lie #4- That I like the taste of any type of hard liquor.

One time I took a shot of Jack and it came right back up on me and onto the floor. Ever since that incident I have been happy that I can use my reflux as an excuse to not take shots. ALL HARD LIQUOR IS GROSS! I can only take mixed drinks, some beer and wine.

Lie #5- That I have a good memory.

I swear I've said that to someone before, I just can't remember when. I'm serious! Maybe it is that my memory was good and it has failed me recently. I don't know.

Lie #6- That I was ever sexual or slept around or anything of that nature.

I have to put that up because of past things on this blog and others. Other than a few bad experiences from having too much alcohol, I kept to myself most of the time. I'm not a sexual person. I was looking into convents at the same point because I was so upset the way my life was going. I didn't write about it, but its the truth. Now I'm with Art. If it wasn't for him there is a possibility I'd be a nun right now or becoming one. Not that it would have been a bad thing; I know it was not the direction for me.

Lie #7- That I don't want to learn Spanish.

That use to not be a lie, but it is more recently. In high school I could understand some of it and now I don't understand it at all. It really frustrates me. I don't want to take the time to learn it though. I don't think it would work anyway.


That is it for now:)

Working and waiting on an annulment

I love the holidays! I don't really wish to be too busy through them. This means that I am actually getting through work that I should have done months ago. That is the reason for the lack of posts. I have commented on blogs here and there, but I was told I don't get my present if I don't finish my work. Is that all it takes, no. I think its actually the thyroid medication I started taking helps with my focus. My mind has been working better recently.

No update on wedding plans. I have to wait on an annulment between my fiance and his exwife. It is good that I am rather patient. I will wait on having my Catholic wedding. If the Catholic annulment is new to you, I can explain. Yes, my fiance is legally divorced. I have been asked that several times. He has been divorced for awhile as far as I know. This still does not allow you to get married in the Catholic church. Once you are married, it is till death do you part. It doesn't matter if the state sees you as divorced or not. If a person wishes to marry again through the church they have to get the church to approve that thier previous marriage was not acceptable as a true marriage by the church. This is a better definition:

A declaration of nullity states that, according to Church law, a given marriage was not valid (and therefore not binding) at the time a couple spoke their marriage vows. A person asks this Office to look at a previous marriage which has ended in divorce, and, if possible, to issue a declaration that this previous marriage no longer binds either party to the union. In no way should this process be thought of as a type of "Catholic Divorce." A declaration of nullity states that a marriage was invalid from the beginning. A civil divorce, on the other hand, asserts that a marriage, valid or not, is dissolved. The Catholic Church does not grant divorces.
Neither is an annulment a statement that a marriage never existed civilly. Rather, it is a determination that certain conditions were present at the time the marriage was entered that made it an invalid union according to Catholic Church teaching. The civil effects and recognition of that marriage remain intact and unchanged.
Moreover, an annulment is not a statement that the marriage was entered into in bad faith by either of the parties. It is not a statement of who caused the marriage to fail or who was most guilty for its failure. Those are certainly important questions for a person to ask. But they are not the questions a Tribunal must answer.
The annulment process, in its most simple form, involves any person coming to the Church and asking to be heard. Information is gathered by us and in the end, we answer that person’s request: the marriage was invalid or valid according to the laws of the Church.

I'm not sure of how long this is going to take. I hear that it is usually about a year. I think it depends on the amount of witnesses you have and the length of the marriage. Art's marriage was only for a few years, and I hope it won't take too long. One of the statements they make on the tribunal page that I linked to above is that it is not a good idea to set a wedding date until the declaration of nullity is given. Till then there is the possibility they could say that the marriage was valid. So there is no reason to even start with plans. I'm not too worried about it being declared nullified. I just pray that it doesn't take a year to happen. I don't mind waiting, but that may drive the rest of my family crazy that are waiting to here about my plans.

I need to get back to work. Will let you know if there are any new developments.

Random Political Cartoon

Mike Lester

I don't believe this

My blog is worth $9,597.18.
How much is your blog worth?

I'm a hypochondriac interested in elections

I didn't vote this election. This time it had nothing to do with me simply forgetting to vote, but the fact that I've recently moved to Bexar county and haven't registered here yet. I've also been running between doctors appointments for both my mom and I. I've done more driving these past few days than I had probably done the entire month before. I went over the election results, and I don't really think it matters that I voted this time. The biggest thing in the local news about this election was Proposition 2:

"The constitutional amendment providing that marriage in this state consists only of the union of one man and one woman and prohibiting this state or a political subdivision of this state from creating or recognizing any legal status ideantical or similar to marriage."

It passed. Doesn't suprise me. Sometimes I forget how conservative the rest of the state is being around central Texas. The little, blue liberal island (mostly Austin) in the huge, red conservative state. My mother told me in the car the other day, "Vote no on proposition2." I had no idea what she was talking about. She told me what it was about and I looked at her rather confused. "Why should I vote no? Isn't that what marriage is, the union between one man and one woman?" She told me that it was good that I wasn't voting. I shook my head and went on driving. Evidently my view is more popular in the state than my mother's.

Other than the election results, as I said before, I've been going between doctors. My mother had vision problems, but (thank God) the doctor said she'll be okay. I found out I have hypothyroidism. So I take a pill and have more energy. Woo-hoo! I just went to the spine doctor and he reminded me of my congenital spine abnormalities. They just keep me away from contact sports, and evidently I'm not suppose to jog either. Why I am telling you all this, I do not know. It would be cool to put up a picture of my xrays though. I always thought xrays looked cool. My favorite one was the one I had of my brain one time. I wish I could get a copy of that... just to look at it. I took one similar to the one up above today. Mine doesn't look like that though. The c1 and c2 of mine doesn't have its back. It is cool looking. Okay, that is enough. I tend to be fascinated with my own medical problems. Maybe I'm a hypochondriac... I just took a test and it said I have minor hypochondria. Maybe just the fact I took the test proves my hypochodria.... Okay, time to stop typing again.

E.L.

Thanks to Jonathan Bennett!

Bored at my parents' place

The only thing I can think to do is to post old photos. So here is Mulder the three legged dog...



He had one of his back legs amputated not too long ago. The next one is when I tryed to draw him...



I think I gave up once he moved. I thought maybe I could draw him completely without him moving. He doesn't move much. But dogs tend to be curious when you sit across from them and look at them for too long... It sounds like my cat's ghost is here. She use to claw on the window to let us know she wanted back in. I swear I just heard that noise again. Anyway, I miss her. I also miss Art...



I just found this picture of him. It is difficult to get a good picture of him smiling. I think I actually found a good picture of him. That is difficult as well. Here's anoter one of us. We really need an actual good picture of us I think there are only two in existence. I don't know where they are right now. So here is this one...



Okay, I'm falling to sleep now. I can't type anymore.

Unemployed Blogger

Hunger is not the worst feature of unemployment; idleness is.

~William E. Barrett

Martyrs, Virgins and Grapes

(I was going through my old emails and I found this article a friend emailed me awhile back. Tell me what you think.)

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

Published: August 4, 2004

The virgins are calling you," Mohamed Atta wrote reassuringly to his fellow hijackers just before 9/11.

It has long been a staple of Islam that Muslim martyrs will go to paradise and marry 72 black-eyed virgins. But a growing body of rigorous scholarship on the Koran points to a less sensual paradise - and, more important, may offer a step away from fundamentalism and toward a reawakening of the Islamic world.

Some Islamic theologians protest that the point was companionship, never heavenly sex. Others have interpreted the pleasures quite explicitly; one, al-Suyuti, wrote that sex in paradise is pretty much continual and so glorious that "were you to experience it in this world you would faint."

But now the same tools that historians, linguists and archaeologists have applied to the Bible for about 150 years are beginning to be applied to the Koran. The results are explosive.

The Koran is beautifully written, but often obscure. One reason is that the Arabic language was born as a written language with the Koran, and there's growing evidence that many of the words were Syriac or Aramaic.

For example, the Koran says martyrs going to heaven will get "hur," and the word was taken by early commentators to mean "virgins," hence those 72 consorts. But in Aramaic, hur meant "white" and was commonly used to mean "white grapes."

Some martyrs arriving in paradise may regard a bunch of grapes as a letdown. But the scholar who pioneered this pathbreaking research, using the pseudonym Christoph Luxenberg for security reasons, noted in an e-mail interview that grapes made more sense in context because the Koran compares them to crystal and pearls, and because contemporary accounts have paradise abounding with fruit, especially white grapes.

Dr. Luxenberg's analysis, which has drawn raves from many scholars, also transforms the meaning of the verse that is sometimes cited to require women to wear veils. Instead of instructing pious women "to draw their veils over their bosoms," he says, it advises them to "buckle their belts around their hips."

Likewise, a reference to Muhammad as "ummi" has been interpreted to mean he was illiterate, making his Koranic revelations all the more astonishing. But some scholars argue that this simply means he was not "of the book," in the sense that he was neither Christian nor Jewish.

Islam has a tradition of vigorous interpretation and adjustment, called ijtihad, but Koranic interpretation remains frozen in the model of classical commentaries written nearly two centuries after the prophet's death. The history of the rise and fall of great powers over the last 3,000 years underscores that only when people are able to debate issues freely - when religious taboos fade - can intellectual inquiry lead to scientific discovery, economic revolution and powerful new civilizations. "The taboos are still great" on such Koranic scholarship, notes Gabriel Said Reynolds, an Islam expert at the University of Notre Dame. He called the new scholarship on early Islam "a first step" to an intellectual awakening.

But Muslim fundamentalists regard the Koran - every word of it - as God's own language, and they have violently attacked freethinking scholars as heretics. So Muslim intellectuals have been intimidated, and Islam has often been transmitted by narrow-minded extremists.

(This problem is not confined to Islam. On my blog, www.nytimes.com/kristofresponds, I've been battling with fans of the Christian fundamentalist "Left Behind" series. Some are eager to see me left behind.)

Still, there are encouraging signs. Islamic feminists are emerging to argue for religious interpretations leading to greater gender equality. An Iranian theologian has called for more study of the Koran's Syriac roots. Tunisian and German scholars are collaborating on a new critical edition of the Koran based on the earliest manuscripts. And just last week, Iran freed Hashem Aghajari, who had been sentenced to death for questioning harsh interpretations of Islam.

"The breaking of the sometimes erroneous bonds in the religious tradition will be the condition for a positive evolution in other scientific and intellectual domains," Dr. Luxenberg says.

The world has a huge stake in seeing the Islamic world get on its feet again. The obstacle is not the Koran or Islam, but fundamentalism, and I hope that this scholarship is a sign of an incipient Islamic Reformation - and that future terrorist recruits will be promised not 72 black-eyed virgins, but just a plateful of grapes.

The artist and the writer, it works!

You scored as The Notebook. You have strong, passionate love like the notebook! The Notebook 67% A Cinderella Story 33% Legally Blonde 0% Charlies Angels 0% Mean Girls 0% What Chick Flick is just like Your Life? created with QuizFarm.com

Please check this one out

I have stopped posting when I change my blog links. This one I really want people to check out though. I came across this thanks to Jonathan Bennett. It is a high school girl in Sacramento that was expelled from a all girls Catholic school for her activity as a pro-life advocate. I found an article on it:

A 15-year-old girl at a Catholic school who was responsible for alerting her bishop to the presence of a pro-abortion activist teacher on staff at her school has been expelled from the school....Katelyn informed her mother after she recognized Marie Bain, one of the teachers at Loretto, as an escort at a Planned Parenthood abortuary where Katelyn and her family had regularly taken part in pro-life rallies. After unsuccessful attempts to quietly have the school address the situation of Mrs. Bain, Katelyn's mother Wynette Sills sent photos of Bain escorting women into the abortion center to Bishop Weigand....The diocese says it is unable to act on the matter of Katelyn's expulsion. Rev. Charles S. McDermott, S.T.D. Chancellor and Vicar Episcopal for Theological Affairs for the Diocese of Sacramento, explained to LifeSiteNews.com that the school is run by an order of nuns popularly known as the Loretto Sisters. Rev. McDermott described the order as "A religious institute in the church which is of pontifical right," explaining that "they are subject in their internal affairs directly to the Holy See and not to the local bishop."

Anyway, I am going to add her to my "Blogs to check out" list. So, please do check it out:

Stand Up and Speak Out

Pretending I know something about International Law

Once upon a time I thought that I might be interested in International Law. In fact I was stupid enough to take it as my first upper division class as an undergrad. To this day the prof who taught that class is one of my favorites at Texas State. He later introduced me to political philosophy and I can give him partial blame for me being more of a conservative. But that class, it was a pain in my ass.

I was reminded of this class because of an article I saw earlier thanks to Pizza Poems' post. It reminded me of a major case study I was required to do for a major grade. It had to do with the Guantanamo Bay prisoners. Now I was actually excited about this one. It was something major in the news at the time and I was also not a big fan of Bush. I was wanting to show that what the administration was doing was a violation of the Geneva Convention or have some other kind of horrid conclusion. That kind of makes me laugh now as I think of it. So I did my research. The biggest problem I had, if I remember correctly, was categorizing a terrorist. He was not a member of any military force. He did not wear a uniform and did not have the protection provided for a prisoner at war. In fact I could find absolutely no protection for these people. The closest categorization I could find for a terrorist was a pirate. I have to tell you, a country can do whatever the hell it feels like with a pirate.

I don't remember right now what I answered for the paper. I just remember being confused. Shouldn't there be some sort of protection for these people? Shouldn't there be a way for the countries that these people are citizens of to have some sort of say in what is happening to them? Well, no. There was nothing about civilians that take action against the military. At least I don't think there was. All I do remember for certain right now is that I made a really bad grade on that case study, somewhere between a C and an F. It could be because even when I couldn't really find evidence of there being any violation of international law, I bullshitted my way into a crappy grade for my own beliefs.

After that class I was certain I did not want to go into international law. The main reason being, the uncertainty of the law. I went into the class, and the case study, being quite ignorant of the way the international community interacts. I wanted to believe that there was some authority. I wanted something to say that what this country is doing is wrong. I know there are others that want this same thing. That is the reason for the development for such things as the International Criminal Court. But then again is it good to have something there that has authority over the nations of this world? That would mean that other countries could have control over what type of laws we make in our own country. Now that scares me right there.

Another thing I wonder now: What reason do we have to be so concerned with the rights of these terrorists? I remember what my concern was back at that time. It was the possible innocence of the people imprisoned. I was also concerned with their being American citizens held prisoner without the rights that are there for all citizens. But what about those who are guilty? Should there be standards on how we treat those prisoners? The more I think about it, I think they should be treated as pirates. I don't think I'm wrong in saying that you could make a treaty with terrorists as easily as you can with pirates. In other words, no treaty. They are outlaws from different countries. There is no reason to treat them in the civilized manner that we expect. They would not and do not give us the same treatment in return.

Again, after I was done with that class I never again touched International Law. I did gain interest in Islam and the Middle East for a time. Of course, I also was interested in Japan. I think I wanted to know of every culture. I knew little of anything that wasn't Western. Well, it is interesting to learn. Now, I honestly don't know what else to write and I have no idea why the hell I am still awake. I hope this post made sense. I guess I'll check and see in the morning.

Random Political Cartoon

Mike Keefe

Stupid Sidebar!

I have just discovered that I have messed up the links to my sketches on the sidebar! It can be kind of confusing trying to learn html on your own. Till I get to fixing it if you want to check my more recent sketches out you'll have to use my archives. I'm sure I'll get to fixing it tommorow. I haven't been the best at keeping up with the blog recently, at least with the sidebar. This is a cool hobby, but it takes time to figure out:)

Changing picture on sidebar

I took this picture of myself over a year ago.



I think this was one of the first pictures I put on my blog. So I've decided to update the picture on my sidebar.



This one was taken today on the way out to a job interview. Unsuccessful interview, but I'm still trying. I have to say if you are unemployed, whatever you do, do not come to San Antonio! Okay, there is the exception of the jobs in sales, marketing and other areas that I have no experience in. But that is my main problem in the first place, I have no experience. I'm sure someone will want a woman with almost no job experience and a bachelors eventually. Well, that wasn't what I wanted to write on. It was just time for another change:)

Just listening

Three stories that just popped to mind. I am either incredibly nosy or I look like a psychologist. It could be a combination of both. At least once a year I have someone come up to me and tell me their life story. I have no clue who these three people are. Two of them mostly has to do with alcohol and the other was because she was a complete stranger:

Story 1

I stayed at this small town woman's house once a few years ago. Her family ran the gas station/ restraunt in town. She was a sweet lady that hugged me once I walked through the door, even though she didn't know me. I was just traveling along with a friend and her son and my friend were close since they were both little. I spent most of the trip talking to her. We stayed up drinking and I listened to her life story. She told me she almost died once. She remembers floating above her body during an operation. She could describe at that time the music the surgeon was playing and everything in the room. From that point on she was certain of the afterlife, but it wasn't her time. That was before she had her son. Then the story went to her brother. According to her he was wrongly accused of molesting a child when he was a school teacher. I know there is a movie about a case like this. She described the horrid nature of the judicial system and how screwed over he was. She loved to tell the story in hoped that someday someone could help him. She said that she did all that she could and nothing worked. I was drunk by that point so all I remember is that I told her that if I was ever in such a position I would do what I could to help and that at some point she talked about a lawyer smoking crack. Maybe I'm a little confused on this one.

Story 2

I was studying late at night at a restraunt in town. I was just about to go home when I saw the girl a table across from me was almost in tears. Usually I would leave it alone, but my curiosity got the better of me so I sat at her table and asked her what was wrong. She was eager to talk. Her father had just passed away recently. She carried his erne in her backpack and took it around where ever she went. He was all she had left. She did have one living relative left, but it was her uncle that wanted nothing to do with her. Her father had some sort of terminal illness, and he did not wish to be kept alive by machines. He wanted to go home and pass away with his daughter. So that is what he did. His brother, or this girl's uncle, did not believe that this was the right thing to do. He blamed her for taking her father out of the hospital to pass away at home. She was pleading with me that was what her father wanted. It seemed she wanted someone to believe her. So I asked her what she was going to do with the ashes. She said that her father loved the ocean or this certain place by the ocean, I don't remember which. She said when she could get enough money she was going to take him there to spread his ashes. Until then she would still take him around with her everywhere. I didn't bother to ask to see the erne before I left. I honestly thought it was kind of creepy. Seeing a backpack with her was quite enough for me. I told her that I would pray for her and went on.

Story 3

This was when I was in England. I was staying at the University of Kent. I had just made it back earlier that day from Dublin and I could not sleep. The pub was closed and the only other person there to talk to was an older woman (another American) who didn't quite fit in with the other girls in the trip. I invited her to drink with me. I had a bottle of whiskey I had bought in Ireland I wanted to drink. We sat alone away from the dorms to drink. She told me that years ago she had caught her husband cheating on her with another woman. This upset her greatly. She had given herself to him and he betrayed her. So to get back at him, she decided to sleep with a different man every weekend for... I don't remember how long. She said she had a blast with it and she was sure to tell her husband all about it. Of course that marriage did not last. Then she told me about her children. She had a girl and a boy. She said that she believed that it is important for children to learn about sex and especially safe sex from an early age. One day she walked in on her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend messing around. She said that she went in the room and started lecturing them both on safe sex and told them if they were going to do it anywhere, that it at her home was the best place. Next she told me about how she educated her son on sex. She decided the best thing to do was to get him a prostitute. Yes, she took her young son to a prostitute when he came of age. I think probably 18 or something. I kept edging her on and was basically going along with her when my prof walked around the corner. Evidently he heard the entire conversation. We decided it was time to call it a night.

Why I thought of these? I don't know. I was trying to remember the first lady and then the others just came to mind. If I thought of it enough I'm sure more would come to mind. I've always loved sitting and listening to people.

New Painting

A meme

I saw this meme on Anastasia's blog. You put "[your name] needs" into google and list the first ten responses, then put "[your name] wants" and "[your name] gets." I think this is the first time I've done a meme. I thought this one looked interesting

El needs a load hook
El needs to be touched
El needs sanitizing
El needs full rethinking
El needs definitive answers
El needs an army of like-minded Flying Spaghetti Monsterists
El Needs Hillary
El needs your help!
El Needs a General Manager That is on top of things
El needs volunteers

EL wants home run with new fields
EL wants more chain stores
El wants to save Clark
El wants to make history
El wants newspaper Dobriye Sosedi to be stripped of its license
El wants to do 1 thing
El wants to make sure no one can tell the difference between Clark and Superman
El wants revenge for the death of his family
El wants them
El wants to send a message

El gets critical use permit
El gets council's approval
EL gets into swing of dancing
El gets loaded on Mac OS X
El gets a new trial
EL gets funky with Chicago band
EL Gets the List of Subjects
EL gets baby-wise
EL gets private helicopter service
El gets a piece of Martha

I was originally going to use my full first name, but I have a thing against Ellen DeGeneres. Most of the searches were something about her. So I stick with El. Later!

Thoughts on life

I was walking through Target today in the middle in the afternoon. The crowd that was around me stood out a little more in my mind than in the past. There was a small crowd of women there. Most of these women were there with small children and there were a few older ones with a bunch of coupons. A couple of things went through my mind when I was checking out today. One, this is the most incredibly annoying group to wait through a line with. Two, I strangely enough seem to fit in with this group. I have no children and I do not have fifty coupons with me, but I was not out of place. Would you call me house wife? Well, I'm not married. I am a home owner for the first time in my life with my fiance though, and I also do everything at home. I spend most of my time working on the house and or doing things at the house. So call me what you will. It was just a strange realization today in the check out line. If you don't understand what I mean, just browse the first few months through April of my blog. The blog has changed with the rest of my life. I know the change has been for the better. I'll write again later:)

Playing with flowers

I went on a short trip to Washington the summer before last. There was a little port town there that had several great art exhibits. There was a lady at one of the exhibits that would create her art out of flower pedals. That memory came to mind last night. This is my first try with it. Kind of cool. I used rose petals and a few leaves on construction paper. I may try it again later.

Random Political Cartoon

The Leftersons

Evidently I have no style (or I've started looking at wedding dresses)

Wedding preparations are on my mind. Its as good of a time as any to start thinking about it. I am engaged, have the ring on finger and both families have been notified. Plus if I don't start thinking of it soon I'm sure my mother and all of my aunts will end up trying to take charge of planning it without me. I would get a call a few months from now from my mother,

"Just show up here at this time. Everything is already planned. Oh yes, we even picked a wedding dress for you from that place in Arkansas on our way to (the festival they go to name goes here)."

Maybe I'm just being paranoid. Regardless, I have started with buying bridal magazines for the first time and looking for such things as wedding dresses. There has been one thing that I find slightly disturbing while looking through the dresses. For example:

Now this one I actually found online. I am completely shocked that they have wedding dresses in red. The first thing that comes to mind when I look at this is Scarlett O'Hara...



Now, she wore that dress because Rhett wanted to show what whore she was, or something like that. Now why the hell would someone want to wear red like that on their wedding day? I always thought of women wanting to dress up like a princess or wearing white because of the image of purity. Red seems to give off the opposite idea.



These are from a bridal magazine. I use to get teenage magazines growing up. I've never been one for Cosmo, so I haven't invested in getting girl or women magazines in years. These pictures bring back memories of those magazines. The reason why, the horrible makeup and the stupid styles. I think it is suppose to be top of the line or something, but who the hell would want to look like that? Especially for their wedding day? I don't think these pictures really bring out how bad the make up job is. I think the artist was going for the corpse bride look with how dark the eyes look. And come on, who would not make fun of that chic for having that thing on her head. Is it part of chandelier or something? Well, I can give them credit for putting the girl in white at least. There was another where the girl wore a black dress with a black veil. I think the designer was confused about the difference between a funeral and a wedding. I would put that one up, but I don't want to look for it right now.

I don't think I'm going to find the dress of my dreams in the magazine. Even if I did I'm sure I'd be paying a good amount for it. I don't think that I want to pay anywhere close to $3000. Maybe x-out one zero and that would be a bit more reasonable. What can I say, I'm cheap! I found my prom dress for $60. I guess weddings end up costing a bit more though. I'm not stressed though. I'm sure I'll find what I want. And this isn't really a put down on bridal magazines, they've been helpful in other areas of the wedding (and there are also some pretty dresses, the odd ones just stand out more). It just seems that according to them I'm not nearly skinny enough and I have no style. But that's what I should expect, right?

I have a confession

If you asked most of my family and friends to this day about my political beliefs they would tell you that I am a liberal. They would tell you that I hate Bush and everything about being a Republican. Some would even still remember me being pro-choice and also quite the pacifist. I was a supporter of Howard Dean in the last presidential election, and I even volunteered to help with his campaign in Texas. It was around that time that the change started. I wouldn't say it was much of a change really. It was more of a true insight into the real differences of the two political parties of our country. I was raised to be a liberal. I think I posted somewhere before that I came from a family of liberal Catholics. I have been taught from a young age that if you are a conservative you must be either stupid or crazy:

"Just ignore Uncle Frank. You know he is a bit insane, spouting out his conservative beliefs." **actually he is either insane or he is simply rebelling against the rest of the family**

"I can't believe how stupid those poor people are voting for the Republican party. Don't they know that the Democrats are the ones that are more supportive of them."** I have learned that if you are poor or black you are simply a dumbass if you are not a Democrat**

About the time that I graduated from Texas State my curiosity started to grow about the republican party. I think it is mainly because I am from a red state and I wanted to know as much as possible about the other party so as to argue against them more effectively. I was also curious as to why so many people were voting Republican? Do we really have that many stupid and/or cold hearted people? Are a majority of Americans really so easily deceived?

In Texas you always have plenty of Republicans to talk to, especially around San Marcos and College Station. I found that conservatives can be rather quiet or defensive when approached with questions about their political beliefs. The main reason being that liberals think that all conservatives are automatically stupid or crazy. They are attacked from the start or are ignored. Not many people would actually discuss politics with them unless they were conservatives as well. I noticed this mostly when I was an IA. I was required to assist and talk with the students at events and such. At one of the events we could not find Republicans who were willing to join an on campus debate. The reason being, the year before they were harassed and chased off stage before they got far at all into the debate. On election night I went around and talked to everyone about why they voted the way they did. Most of the people who voted for Bush seemed surprised when I didn't start attacking them from the first.

Now to my confession. I discovered through talking with many of both parties that I actually side more with the Republican party. Yes, once my family reads this I expect hate mail. That is okay. Just wanted everyone to know that I wasn't brain washed by Art. He actually came along after I decided that I was a conservative, or we probably wouldn't have got along very well from the first. If you want to blame on anyone I'd put it on the other Republicans I have been talking too through the time of the past presidential election and through my growing love of political theory. I would put most of the blame on writers such as Burke, Aquinas, Rawls (because he makes me so angry), and Aristotle(to name a few). Yes, they have had quite an influence on my political beliefs. I am a religious person who studies natural law. It is not possible for me to be a Democrat and have such beliefs. I started to really question my political stance when I took a political quiz awhile back and it put my beliefs closest with Dick Cheney. I thought it was hilarious at the time.

So here I will put a few of my political beliefs on the blog for the first time. I am not much for writing about them because I am a perfectionist in my writing. I want to make sure I get everything right, and the blog is not something I want to put a lot of time and research into. But here we go, I won't post too many. I guess just the hot issues:

1. I am pro-life. I did put earlier that I use to be pro-choice and that is true. My opinion changed, so sue me. Why did it change? Well, I find that no woman really wants an abortion. No, it is not something that a person seeks, it is something that you grudgingly go to as a last choice(unless you are sick). I think it is wrong to give women that option. I think it is cruel for women to be put in that position. It is not an easy out either. You are killing a child. The child is not born yet but it is a human being. I also do not think that this is a woman's issue. A child comes into a family. It is created by a man and a woman both. I think putting it simply on women takes the value away from the family. In short, abortion adds problems and solves nothing.

2. I am not against the war in Iraq. I was not happy about us going into Iraq to begin with, but I believe that it shows cowardice to pull out at this point. We need to show that we can complete what we have started. I think it is important to have stability in that part of the world for our own safety and if we do not insure stability to that region then it will only increase terrorism. I don't wish to spend much time on this topic because I am still more of a pacifist. I just realize that military action is still needed at times. This is one of them.

3. I am a firm believer in religious education. What can I say, I went to both public and private school growing up and I know there is no way in hell I would have my own children (the ones I will have several years from now) attend public school. Religion is very important for a moral basis of a person and should be part of the education process. That is all I will put for that one right now.

I would go on, but the post is already long enough, and it has taken forever to write. If you actually made it through the post thanks for reading. This is the first time I felt like typing something political. Would you guess that I am a political science major?

My baby

I'm taking a short break from painting. The things I will do for a piano. You see, I have a black Wurlitzer baby grand. I adore my piano and I have missed it terribly. Since I haven't lived in a house since I graduated highschool the piano has resided in my parents' house. But now I am moving in with my fiance! A place to put the piano!

Here is an example of how important to me this is. When my parents, Art and myself were toasting a week ago to the engagement. My mothers toast was, "To having a house for the grand piano." That is no joke. And I have been preparing for the move of my piano ever since. You see, a grand piano is exspensive and difficult to move. Once you move it, that is it. It isn't something you want to move in and out for redoing the room. So this has given me incentive to start working on the house. It needs to be done anyways, and I want it done before the piano makes it here. So I'd say that the piano started all of my work.

Speaking of work, I need to get back to it. Paint, paint and more paint...

P.S. Thank you everyone for the congratulations:)

Random Political Cartoon

Politically Correct

"Daddy, Daddy! I met a sailor in a bar and we're getting married!!!"

Ha, ha! Yes, it is true. Arthur proposed to me about a week ago. That is why I haven't been posting as frequently. I had to be sure and inform all of my family before hand.

He asked me the day of the opening of a new mall here in San Antonio. My ring is a solitaire, white gold and the diamond is a round. I'll have a picture up later. Right afterwards we went out to eat at a nice Italian restraunt at the mall and ordered Champaign. We were obviously the first people to order Champaign there. No one was sure what selection they had and it took them awhile to get us a bottle. The hostess asked Arthur what the occasion was when he went to the restroom. After he told her about the engagement the manger came and the chef came to congratulate us. The manger told us the entire meal was for free. That was quite a shock considering we didn't go cheap. It was very exciting!

Since then I've been trying to inform everyone of the engagement. The blog has come last on the list. We went to Brenham this weekend and Arthur asked my father for my hand in marriage when I had my mom distracted in the other room and then we switched. My parents were happy! It was wonderful. We celebrated with more Champaign.

Now I am preparing to move in and planning changes for the house. Yes, first it is time to paint! Arthur said that he thought his house was fine until the engagement. What can I say, its my first time in my life that I have been told that I have complete control over decorating of a house. This will be fun:)

Can life get better?

Life is great!

No, I still have no job. I am still sitting around waiting for a call or something, but life is still great. Yes, there is a hurricane coming to the Texas coast with my parents having to stay in a little town outside of Houston, but they are fine. They are at home taking care of the three legged dog, my brother's pitbull or at work with a bunch of mentally retarded folks. Exciting times. I think they'll be okay though.

I'm not being sarcastic or anything. Everything is trully just going great. I have absolutly no stress! Its true that it might change just after this weekend, but for now everything is calm. My exciting life consists of reading whatever I wish and watching different programs on the tv. Its mostly been news or comedy.

So here lies the problem... When life is great, when I feel fine, there is nothing to write about. I think to write when there is something bothering me usually or if something interesting happens. What interesting thing can happen when I am sitting on my ass in my pjs ( as I am right now)? Not like that is all I do... Everything I've been up to is equally as exciting though.

Till something happens or till I have something of interest to write about...
Uh... I guess that is it for now. But hey, just letting you know I'm still alive.

Random Political Cartoon

Politically Correct

Who would you be in 1400 AD?

The Prioress

You scored 7% Cardinal, 64% Monk, 61% Lady, and 37% Knight!

You are a moral person and are also highly intellectual. You like your solitude but are also kind and helpful to those around you. Guided by a belief in the goodness of mankind you will likely be christened a saint after your life is over.

You scored high as both the Lady and the Monk. You can try again to get a more precise description of either the Monk or the lady, or you can be happy that you're an individual.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 0% on Cardinal You scored higher than 90% on Monk You scored higher than 97% on Lady You scored higher than 20% on Knight

Link: The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test written by KnightlyKnave on OkCupid Free Online Dating

Thanks to Idle Mendacity for this one:)

What makes me happy?

This is my attempt in getting myself in a better mood. You could say I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I woke feeling as if it were the middle of the night and I turned slowly to the clock to see that it was ten a.m.... I hate that feeling. It feels like you had little sleep, but in reality you had too much sleep. I rolled out of bed with my limbs feeling incredibly heavy and I contemplated just going back. The bed was warm and soft and the room was freezing. Well, I made it out of bed and woke my ass up, but I can't get that damn grumpy feeling to go away. It could be that I have no calls from where I've sent my resume and I've had no emails as well... Except one from my mom... Not about a job though, but about a conference when I have no papers written and am not even in school. So it goes.

I decided to make a list.... What of? I think of things that I enjoy. Things that make me happy. This is in no order. I'm just writing whatever the hell comes to mind.

1. I love drawing. I love painting. I love creating art in general.


Hey, it goes with the puppet:) I think that this is an obvious one to anyone who comes to my blog... Or just looks down the sidebar. I haven't had the urge to pick up my pencil, my pen, my charchoal or my brush recently. It has actually been quite awhile. I haven't made a move to making anything since before I went to Miami. Arthur has commmented that this is rather unusual considering I usually am always drawing something. I just haven't felt inspired to do so... I'm sure it will come back to me later. Anyway, the point is, being an artist makes me happy.


2. I love philosophy. This is something else that seems to have been almost dropped from my life recently. I can think about going to my political theory classes and the feeling I had doing so. Also when I was a TA, teaching a class about Machiavelli... It makes me excited. It keeps my blood running. I can't stop talking about it. I thought that it was a problem that I had night classes before because whenever I got out of class I felt inspired. I felt awake and alive, and it was time to go to bed. I wouldn't mind having that again. Philosophy makes me happy.

3. I love wild flowers.


(One of my old bluebonnet pictures)

Again this shouldn't be a suprise to anyone who reads my blog. If I ever leave Texas(which I don't see happening anytime soon), I'd have to say that central Texas in the spring is something that I would miss the most. When I drive between San Marcos and Brenham, the road sides are covered with flowers. My favorite being the Indian Paint Brush... and of coarse the Bluebonnet. At that time of the year driving for a couple of hours through the country actually lifts my spirits. Wild flowers make me happy.

4. Reading history makes me happy... Learning more of history makes me happy. I especially love military history. It could be that I loved the prof that taught it at Texas State, but I was always excited to learn... Unless it had something to do with anything past World War I. I was reminded of my favorite person to study in history yesterday when I was reading The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis:

"'Walking up and down- up and down all the time- left-right, left-right- never stopping for a moment. Thetwo chaps atched him for about a year and he never rested. And muttering to himself all the time."It was Soult's fault. It was Ney's fault. It was Josephine's fault. It was the fault of the Russians. It was the fault of the English." Like that all the time. Never stopped for a moment. A little, fat man and he looked kind of tired. But he didn't seem able to stop it.'"

It's Napoleon of course! By the way, if you haven't read The Great Divorce yet, I highly recommend it. I think I've found another favorite. By the way, if you happen to know of any other good book to read by C.S. Lewis I'd love to know about it. I don't really know much of his work, but I'd like to read more of his stuff. Back to the point, oh yes, Napoleon. I love reading more of his earlier campaigns.... I won't get into it now though. The point really was, reading and learning history makes me happy.

5. My faith makes me happy. It is what is most important to me. It has caused me to gain interest more in St. Thomas Aquinas. It is the reason why I picked up C.S. Lewis and it is what keeps me going. I love theology. I love finding out more about my faith. I realize that this is something that I've lacked knowledge of in the past. But it inspires me. It shows up in my art and in my writing. For I believe that God is the only way to happiness. So it keeps me going.

6. Arthur makes me happy. He's home once again and I honestly feel better now. I love him.



See, doesn't he look like the sweetest guy ever:) Ha, ha!

7. Getting a job interview makes me happy. I say this because I just had an interview over the phone (while typing this)and I honestly feel great now. Whew did that change my mood!!!

Okay, that does it for now. I can say that it has helped plenty. I think my mother is the one who got me into the habit of making lists whenever things go wrong. It works sometimes. With me it is like I trap myself into the mood with my actions and with closing myself off from what makes me happy. Well, now that I'm happy my post is done. Bye!

Sweet Dreams

My brain torments me at night. There are a number of things that happen.

1. A scene pops to mind. It usually has something to do with a crappy situation that happened to me where I thought I was going to be killed by my ex, or some other interesting experience. I'm sure he'd say that he was possessed by a demon at that point or some bulls@#t like that. Yes, full of excitement.

2. This is the time I think most about my current state of being unemployed and out of school. Wow do I feel like a loser.

3. If I actually get to sleep early, then I wake in the middle of the night from wierd dreams. Let's see... I've had the total destruction dreams. I've had the rape dreams. Not always me being raped, sometimes its others. I've had the torture dreams. That is usually me watching others being tortured. They are all quite lovely.

Maybe these things are related. Right now I just feel annoyed. This reminds me of a journal entry I made once awhile back. This will be the rare occurance where I share this with everyone. I drew a rotting corpse and I wrote, "I don't want to dream again of swimming with rotting corpses all around me. Especially when there is someone there telling me to eat them. I pray to you Lord to help me." Yeah, that about sums it up.

Sweet Dreams:)

Random Political Cartoon

The Leftersons

Dante Quiz

The Dante's Inferno Test has sent you to Purgatory!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Very High
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Moderate
Level 2 (Lustful)	Very High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Low
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Very Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Very Low
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very Low
Level 7 (Violent)	Low
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Low
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Low

Take the Dante's Inferno Test

I was told about this one last night and I had to put it up. Unfortunatly it seems that Arthur and I would be seperated. He would be going to Level two... If this were true I can't say I'd give up going to heaven to be with him. As much as I love him that is a bit much. Sorry Arthur.

Birth of new ribbon

I'm sure you have noticed that there is a ribbon for everything now a days. Any cause that you can possibly think of there is a magnetic ribbon out there made by the friendly Chinese so that you can put it up on your car window and show to all other drivers your support. There is one issue that I think is not addressed enough and I'm sure you could not find a ribbon on this issue till now. I present the unemployed blogger ribbon!


(If you want button the code is here. Copy and paste it to your page.)

I felt this is a cause that needs to be addressed. There is not enough support out there for our poor unemployed bloggers. To address this issue I will ask others to please put this ribbon up on thier blogs to recognize the great importance of emploment for all bloggers. How exactly will this help? Well, I'm sure it will open up people's minds to the reality that there are unemployed bloggers out there and maybe it will give the employers incentive enough to hire us. It is something that needs to be on others hearts and minds. Yes, I know it doesn't get money directly to unemployed bloggers (like myself), but doesn't all that matters is that you feel like you are making a difference?

Maybe, just maybe if enough people put up these ribbons up then me and others like myself will be able to get a job. Is it not worth a shot:)

Blog's new puppet

I'm taking Arthur's advice. Here's a puppet for the blog! I was thinking that the artist route would be a smart way to go... So here is my Vincent Van Gough puppet. Unfortunatly I don't think it comes with the detachable ear. Oh well:)

Random Political Cartoon

Dick Wright, The Columbus Dispatch, OH

Me in Catholic School and Bolormaa

Have you ever looked yourself up online? Well, I have... Yes, I am bored. Anyway, I looked up my name to find pictures of me in high school(through the Amarillo Globe News). I went to a small Catholic school in Amarillo, Texas. So the only picture I can find of myself online (other than the ones on blogs) are of me in my uniform. Actually mostly you can see my letter jacket...



Since I mentioned letter jacket (and from the other pictures up of me) I'm sure you can guess which one I am. Here's another, though I am really barely in this one...



This was the class I graduated with. I think the class was made of about twelve to fifteen people. Most of them being Brazilian and Mexican. Oh yes, and one Mongolian. She is cut out of both pictures. The last picture shows most of the Americans in the class. You see three white girls? Yeah, there were only two other Americans in the class. All of the other students were exchange students or they were the two Mexicans who came to stay with thier rich uncle in Amarillo. Does that not seem rediculous? It did to me. The school brought in foriegners to increase the funding, I think.

The reason I mention the Mongolian is because I had the pleasure of living with her for a semester. Her name was Bolormaa. I think I never really pronounced it right. We shared a room and she was around me all the time for a semester. I had fun with her at times. She cooked for my family once. I had the pleasure of learning about Ghengis Khan... They all think very highly of him still. I think he's on thier money. She tried to make it through school while getting a hold of the english language. I really do hope she figured it out eventually. I know she didn't in my house. My mom was always helping her with her work and also had the pleasure of paying for almost everything. From what I gathered, Mongolian money is not worth much in comparison to U.S. money. Two of her uncles saved a bunch of money to come to America and they wound up in Chicago with all thier money only transfering to $1,000. Bolormaa was wanting my family to help. Well, my parents had already felt they helped enough. It was like she was trying to use us to get her family over. I had enough of her as well simply because of cultural differences. I like to have space... She was in my room, she read my diary, she was in my car, she would sit right next to me at lunch and then she would be there to complain about me not serving my parents enough when I got home. I moved to a couch in the sunroom st the end of the semester and she moved out by December.

It was an interesting experience. My parents felt that it would be a good idea to take in an exchange student to open me up to different cultures. I have learned that either that Mongolian was a bit off or I should stay out of Mongolia. Not like there is reason for me to go there. They have one city, Ulanbatar. Other than that I know the peace corps goes there. I'm not planning on joining that anytime soon.

Well, I didn't mean to go on about Bolormaa. I haven't really thought about her in awhile. As I said before, I do hope she is doing well. I haven't heard anything about her since she left the house. I haven't heard much about anyone since I left that school. My friend Viv keeps me posted on what goes on there every once and awhile. I just know my high school is no more. I was the last graduating class I believe. No high school reunion. Oh well, it is still neat to look back.