Moving

We went to our new place to get ready to move. Here is another picture that I took of the beach. It was cloudy, but it is cloudy every day. Regardless, there were still people out playing at the beach. I can't wait till we are settled down in our new place.

This is a picture I found online of the lighthouse in the area. There will probably be plenty of drawings of this once I have enough time to draw. Anyway, wish me luck! Hopefully we will have everything ready in our place by the end of the next week:)

Corinthians 8: 7, 9, 13 - 15

Now as you excel in everything -- in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for us -- see that you excel in this gracious work also.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality.
As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack."

Close to home

Taken by Art

2nd Bluebonnet watercolor

Bluebonnets

My pet

Anne Rice's new book and other thoughts

I started to read Anne Rice when I was in middle school. Since then I have read most of her Vampire Chronicles and some of her Mayfair Witch books. As a result, I did have a slight obsession with vampires through high school. When I heard about her newest book Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt I had to read it. It took me awhile to get through it, though it is a short book. I think the main reason is because I read it during a time in my life of constant change. Art and I got married, moved out of Texas and then I went through the process of finding a new job while staying at my inlaws. But I was happy when I finally was able to spend an afternoon to read through it.

Like all of her work, it was easy and quick read. I get pulled into her work very easily. What I find amazing about this particular work is how she pulls you into the life of the Jewish community in Nazareth during the time of Jesus' childhood. You can tell she did her research. There are details of how the people reacted to each other in day to day life, how they practiced religious life and the political situations from the time of Herod's life. I found it all together amazing reading the details of how Jews lived at the time of Jesus. I know that it is fiction, but there appears to be truths to the everyday actions of those different characters in the book. In fact in the last of the book she wrote about how much research she did for the book.

The main part of the book which I found quite amazing is when his older brother goes to the temple goes to give a sacrifice. I'm sure that most of you have no idea of what I am talking about, but it was a description of this ceremony of the Jews where they went to Jerusalem to give sacrifice for their sins. The way she described it (I believe, I read it a couple of weeks ago and I don't have it in front of me) is that they brought two animals to be sacrificed. One was killed and the other was wet free into the woods. It was a way of God releasing one's sins. To me it seemed that there was a direct relation to this ceremony and the idea of the purpose of Jesus' life. Jesus was born of God to sacrifice his life for us all. He was born as a sacrifice. He was the one who released us from our sin. Not saying that he was born strictly for the sacrifice. He was also an example for us all. Jesus lived his life as a human and had the same feelings of a human. He was the human part of God.

Later on I talked with Art on a subject that made me think more of the book. He asked since Jesus received the Holy Spirit as all of us did, how is he really that different from us? Why is it that we do not have the same capability as him? When I was thinking about it I realized that there really was a stronger relation between us and Jesus than I had really thought of before. The main difference is that he was directly from God as His son. Though he was still born of Mary. Mary was human and was a good woman, but was a woman. She created the human part of Jesus. She is the reason that we have so much in common with Jesus. So in a sense we are not that different from him. We have the guidance of the Holy Spirit just as Jesus did. Am I wrong in this assumption? That is not something that came from Anne Rice's book, but just something on my mind as a result of reading her work.

I think of Jesus as the most important figure in history. From the religious position that he maintains it seems to escape most that he was still human. I really loved that Anne Rice decided to write a book on Jesus, and from what I read it seems that she is going to write an entire series of books on his life. I think that it is quite a character to take on to write about and she did it well. I'm also glad to see that she came back to the faith of her childhood and using her talent in such a way.

The Best Spiritual Book of the Year

Part 2: Nazis and Republicans do not mix

I was listening to the radio on the way home from work the other day. It is an hour drive so I either listen to comedy or the news so I don't start nodding off. I love satellite radio! Anyway, I heard something about how there was a group that was trying to pass through a fat tax. It would be a tax to encourage good health and to discourage the consumption of fatty foods. I don't remember what exactly they are wanting to tax, but the point is to enforce health standards for the community. To have the state in charge of the promotion of healthy living. This made me think of my last post on Nazis and Republicans. The point that I was getting at was that there are more comparisons between the Democratic party and the Nazis than the Republican party. The main reason is because that the Nazis were socialists. In that earlier post I put up some of the 25 points that Hitler went by. One of them reminded me of the fat tax....

The State is to care for the elevating national health by protecting the mother and child, by outlawing child-labor, by the encouragement of physical fitness, by means of the legal establishment of a gymnastic and sport obligation, by the utmost support of all organizations concerned with the physical instruction of the young.

It is not exactly same thing as the fat tax, but the basis of the ideas are the same. Hitler believed greatly in the promotion of physical health. It is also a known fact that he was avidly against smoking. He made it the state's responsibility to keep people in physical health. The idea behind the fat tax is the same thing. The idea is to find a way to keep people on a national level from consuming fatty foods. I found an article that said the main reason that Bush was against this fat tax was because it went against personal responsibility. In this article it said that this was something that the WHO (World Health Organization) was promoting, for the state to regulate people's health in that way. The point is that this is a socialist idea, and not something that conservatives encourage.

I'll continue with another point that I put up....

We demand freedom of religion for all religious denominations within the state so long as they do not endanger its existence or oppose the moral senses of the Germanic race. The Party as such advocates the standpoint of a positive Christianity without binding itself confessionally to any one denomination. It combats the Jewish-materialistic spirit within and around us, and is convinced that a lasting recovery of our nation can only succeed from within on the framework: common utility precedes individual utility.

This one was the main one that I wished to discuss. I was reading about the Anglicans and their dispute with homosexuality. Art told me how there seemed to be so much contraversy over this that it seemed that there might be a split into a American Anglican Church. We were talking about how it seemed that there was a trend of churches splitting in American society. I know that there were problems in the American Catholic community with giving communion to politicians that are known to be pro-choice. There is a trend of people trying to force homosexuality and women priests on the Catholic Church, and I know it is happening with others as well. Positive Christianity has its similarities. It was a promotion of how Jesus as an "Aryan". Also, according to Wikipedia...

They attempted to separate Nazi officials from church affiliations, banning nativity plays and calling for an end to daily prayers in schools.

This was only after the Positive Christianity movement seemed to not catch on. It ended in 1945. Now how many times have you heard reference to Jesus being gay or think of how the ideas of women leadership in the Catholic Church are promoted with either Mary Magdalene or Mother Mary. The point is the distortion of the ideas of Christianity to the personal goals of the state. When they do not conform there is this eradication of the church. United States was referred to as a Christian Nation at one point, but it seems to be widely accepted today that we are secular. In a socialist country it is difficult to keep with the ideas of Chistianity because it promotes the importance of the individual within the community. It does not promote the supreme importance of the state. I was taught at one point about the points of government structure in the Old Testament. Even within that structure there were levels of checks and balances that made sure that God was being followed. I think it should be noticeable how the Democratic party goes along with this. There seems to be a movement in this country to both eradicate Christianity from public view and to change the church to go along with other's political agenda.

Well, I wouldn't say that the Democratic party is the same as the Nazis, but the point is that they are socialist. One thing that I was taught from my first political science class in high school is that the difference between the main two countries in our country is one believes in more control of the state and the later the control of the individual. It is known that the Republican party is for reducing taxes and not for promoting more and more social programs. The democrats are for the central power of the state. They inherently do not trust people to take responsibility for what they do. With that comes welfare programs and the regulation of the day to day things of society. The main difference is that the Democrats are anti-military. Is there a situation which the liberals would be for military action? That is good question that is for another post at another time.

Well, I'm just finishing up on what I started a week ago. I can't stand the remarks of conservatives being Nazis. Maybe you guys can give me a better idea of how the Republicans could be seen as Nazis. Of course that means proposing an argument, not calling me a dumbass... So let me know. I'll actually comment back this time.

Part 1: Nazis and Republicans do not mix

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Nazis? I'll give a few that come to my mind: Hitler, World War II, The Holocaust, The Third Reich, The SS, and ethnic cleansing. There are a couple that I read recently that are new to me: The Nationalist Socialist Program and Positive Christianity. The only reason that I have come across these sites is because of my curiosity in why there are constant references between the Republic Party and The Nazis. I'll give examples here and here:



If you look it up online or just go to various liberal political blogs you will find plenty of remarks of comparing Bush and other republicans to Nazis. The reasons I see for these comparisons so far are because republicans are accused of being fascists, racists (homophobes as well), militaristic and nationalists. The reasons for using the comparison between Hitler and Bush seems to be solely on the shear hatred that people on the left have for him and there are references to his grandfather being connected to Nazi Germany. That is also including the other reasons above that are associated with all republicans or conservatives. The only one I will not respond to is the referece to his family connection. Do you take on the burden of your grandfather or even your father's sins? Why should he?

So to start off. What are the Nazis? They were the Nationalist Socialist German Workers Party. According to Wikipedia (which I love to use if you cannot already tell):

"The National Socialist program also contained a number of points that supported democracy and even called for wider democratic rights. These, like much of the program, lost their importance as the Party evolved, and were ignored by the Nazis after they rose to power".

I'll give an idea of what some of the 25 points were. All know that the party believed in the superiority of thier race and were not a fan of foriegners. Here are others...

"All citizens must have equal rights and obligations".

"Abolition of unearned (work and labour) incomes. Breaking of rent-slavery".

"In consideration of the monstrous sacrifice in property and blood that each war demands of the people personal enrichment through a war must be designated as a crime against the people. Therefore we demand the total confiscation of all war profits".

"We demand a division of profits of all heavy industries". "We demand an expansion on a large scale of old age welfare".

"The state is to be responsible for a fundamental reconstruction of our whole national education program, to enable every capable and industrious German to obtain higher education and subsequently introduction into leading positions. The plans of instruction of all educational institutions are to conform with the experiences of practical life. The comprehension of the concept of the State must be striven for by the school [Staatsbuergerkunde] as early as the beginning of understanding. We demand the education at the expense of the State of outstanding intellectually gifted children of poor parents without consideration of position or profession".

"The State is to care for the elevating national health by protecting the mother and child, by outlawing child-labor, by the encouragement of physical fitness, by means of the legal establishment of a gymnastic and sport obligation, by the utmost support of all organizations concerned with the physical instruction of the young".

"We demand freedom of religion for all religious denominations within the state so long as they do not endanger its existence or oppose the moral senses of the Germanic race. The Party as such advocates the standpoint of a positive Christianity without binding itself confessionally to any one denomination. It combats the Jewish-materialistic spirit within and around us, and is convinced that a lasting recovery of our nation can only succeed from within on the framework: common utility precedes individual utility".

Basically, you could take these points from any socialist platform. Germany was a democracy that optionally gave over to a socialist party. I like this explanation of the Nazis. Hitler was avidly against the use of tobacco and rose to power in support of the working class. He was for nationalization. In what way is this possibly conservative?

I'll split this one up into more than one post. I'm big on research and I couldn't in good conscience continue with any argument without some sort of backing. The next post I will continue on how some of the ideas of Nazi party are still alive today, but it is not with the conservative or religious right population. The reason... moral relativism. I'll update soon.

Watercolor from wedding photos

Its that time again....

Yes, I know that hurricane season started a few days ago and I don't know if the rest of the country is receiving the predictions like we are down here. I assume you are based on the cartoon, but we had a special program on it the other night on the weather. There is no doubt that it is time to prepare. I've decided from my last experience with Katrina that what I want more than anything else is a battery powered fan. I'm not sure where I can get one, but I believe that is essential to surviving the Miami heat when the electricity is out. It gets very very hot, and they take days to turn back on the electricity. I just think it is kind of funny that everyone thinks that this season will be devastating. I personally think things should be good if you take history as a guide. Before last season the last time there was a major hurricane to hit south Florida was Andrew. I'm not too worried... But I'm still getting the fan. We will also be as prepared as anyone else. I think. If you are interested at all in what will happen this hurricane season, even if you are not, then you should read this article. It is Carl Hiaasan and it is about a guy who does quite well in predicting hurricanes, but has a real unconventional way of doing it. And if you do live near the coast it is always good to be prepared for such events, but you know already that it is just part of the normal life of your home.

Seby

Napoleon

Nothing really happened

So we drove to Key Largo this afternoon. It is still amazing to me to live so close to the water. Of course, it is impossible to make it to the water. The beach is blocked off to public except for certain sections. We were driving just so I could see my new home. I haven't been to the beach since I've moved here. I went out to eat at South Beach once, but I really didn't feel like going down to the water. So I guess it just hasn't really hit me where I live. The keys are close. They are accessible. I remember going to the Keys when I was a little girl. I loved Florida and thought it was the coolest state ever. Of course I remember thinking that Miami was ugly.... That really hasn't changed much. Florida was also only the third or fourth state I had seen at that time.

So we are driving down and I'm hearing constant complaints from my husband about how ugly Florida is and how it there is nothing but green. This whole time I'm looking to the side of the car in amazement about how dense the trees were around us the whole way. I know its been years since I have lived in Amarillo, but my appreciation for trees hasn't died yet. I remember first moving to San Marcos, I thought it was paradise in comparison. I think I vowed to never underestimate how my surroundings effects my moods, and to never allow myself to move to a grassland/desert area again. The general dryness just sucks. Well, I'm definitely don't have to worry about being dry here. It certainly is not ugly, at least the vegetation. Art also points at the downtown area about the beauty of skyscrapers. I can't help but look at them blankly. I think historic sections of cities are pretty sometimes, but I don't really care for skyscrapers.

Oh well, it was a nice drive today none the less. I need to go to sleep:)

Postmodernism

I have a question for my small audience. Is there anyone who truly understands the meaning of postmodernism? I know no other term that within the definition it says that this is a hard word to define. But there it is hovering over all of us as a defining point of our way of thinking. More of a defining point of our generation. It seems impossible to get rid of because of it having no real position. And why do I feel there is a need of getting rid of it? That is simple, there is nothing positive about it. It shifts with all positions, because its position is that there is no "right" and "wrong"; there is only the moment, or only an opinion. At least that is what I understand of it. Knowing that it is hard to define, I will give in to the possibility that I might be mistaken. All I know is that it is something the sucks beauty from art and meaning from philosophy. What I find sacred, with postmodernism turns simply into a cultural querk or a "point of view". It really gives a hollowness to everything, because there can only be what you are thinking now. There is nothing else.

If I am going about this in the right way I will go further with my questioning. How can people stand for this? How can people fall into this trap? To me it seems that the political correctness of today is greatly related to postmodernism. No one can say to a group, "what you are doing is wrong." Political correctness has the stance that morals are relative and that we have no place to judge. Where else could this have come from other than postmodernism? There are so many people that simply go along with this. I have to admit that I am silent on issues most of the time simply from fear of being berated. I have also always wanted to see myself as "openminded". One thing I always have to keep in mind is that it is one thing to be openminded, but something entirely different to be moral relativist. You can hear all views, but what means do you have to judge by if you lack the belief in "right" and "wrong"?

But it is wrong to think that there is this objective morality to postmodernism. I would think that belief in objective morality, more of a belief in God could do away with this... this... philosophy. But maybe not. Would you consider this continuing division of faith and personalizing of faith to be part of postmodernism? There is the belief in God, but it is more of a belief of God "on my terms". I can't tell how many times I have heard someone say that they believe in God, but they do not believe in any organized religion. I know many Catholics that pick and choose at what beliefs they wish to go by. Maybe I'm not too far off from them myself since I did not get married in the Catholic church. But then, how far off is Catholicism from postmodernism since it has accepted marriages of other faiths as valid?

I feel myself writing into a disorienting series of of facts and questions. All I've been thinking of is how to define and categorize postmodernism. It seems like that is critical in moving past it. But then again, maybe postmodernism is simply a product of globalization that cannot be moved past until we continue on to the next stage of human development. It survives on the fact that all cultures believe that they are right, and that there is none superior over another. But maybe in the last sentence is the answer to the end of postmodernism. The idea that there is one group out there that has it right. There is a possibility that there are cultures inferior to others. Why is that so wrong?

God help me I'd continue on this if I weren't so tired and disoriented right now. This emerged from a conversation in the car. Now I need sleep and peace of mind.... Well, at least sleep. I am sorry for the spelling, grammer and other nonsense that might appear in the post. As I said, I need sleep. Good night, or good morning:)

Weird Miami

I have yet to feel any pride or enthusiasm in regards to my recent move from central Texas to south Florida. There is the fact that I have only lived in the place for two weeks, but think about it... The most important news event from my new home recently is the gator attacks. What can I say, maybe you should take a break from your daily jog next to the canals during the gator mating season. Yes, we live close to big dangerous reptiles. I imagine it couldn't be too hard to avoid them. But it is things like this that stand out in my mind when I think of my new home: it is a strange place. Now Texas has its weird places and such, but it does not have a city that was originally settled by Russian circus midgets or a famous retirement area for Latin American dictators ("dictator's row"... I may wrote more on it later). Yes, these are true facts and I'm surprised that they don't advertise more on their circus midget history. I no longer have to wonder how comedic writers such as Carl Hiaason and Dave Berry get their material. They could get a majority of it simply by driving down the Palmetto or picking up the Miami Herald. Hell, thinking of midgets, I have a short comedic story for you just from going the store the other day. We have been sick for the past week. I was blessed by getting an interview because of a hook up through one of Arthur's friends, but unfortunately that same person gave me a cold that I have yet to fully recovered from. I'll have to remember to thank her, but I digress. We were on one of many trips to the store when we both noticed two people suspiciously crawling out of a fence. Right when they made it to the side walk a midget came up quickly on a chopper/small motor bike and almost ran them over on the side walk. The only thing I could think to say is, "Was that a midget?" Arthur and I just looked at each other and laughed. Short, but it was amusing at the time. Oh yes, in regards to my previous post on Baskin Robins... I have discovered that this sort of thing is common in Miami. As in Art's comment, I agree we hadn't been to enough places yet to notice most people in Miami seem incapable of customer service. We went out to eat on South Beach for my birthday and it took them an hour to get out the food because they had put the order in, but it was somehow lost. There are two things you can expect from stores in Miami: no english and no service... There is the exception of some tourist areas. Well the one thing I can give the city is that it is unique, backwards... But unique. Maybe that is the positive part of the city, the fact that it is so damned weird. If nothing else it does make it an interesting place to visit. I am still rationalizing how it makes it a good place to live. I go back to what Arthur had me watch before I came down to Miami, Big Trouble. I could believe that this story is based off of truth. If you don't believe it still just look up the terrorist group Alpha 66 (as shown in picture... Pretty much the regulars of Miami). I drove past its headquarters the other day in Little Havana. Good night!

Baskin Robbins( why you should be wary eating it in Miami) and my luck with the job market

I've got two stories for you. The first happened tonight just a little while ago. First, how many people at Baskin Robbins does it take to make a sundae? Well, my first response would be one, but tonight I had three people attempt to make one and they all FAILED. I walk in and point out this sundae that I want with bananas. The guy looks at me and says that he doesn't know how to make it. I looked at him in suprise. I called over my husband to tell him. I couldn't believe that there was someone so stupid that he couldn't make a sundae. Then he went over and got a second person. That guy cut up the banana and told the other to get three scoops of ice cream. The ice cream was new and after of five minutes of him banging one scoop into the other to get into the ice cream, I leaned over the counter and told him he might want to run the scoop through hot water. It took him probubly another few minutes to get the cup half full with ice cream. Then he went over to chat with the other guy about how to put bananas into the sundae, which neither of them knew how to do. Then they told me that the carmel was out and the hot fudge was burnt, and by the way "we don't know where the cherries are". By that point I gave up. We had been there for at least twenty minutes and the manager was over there trying to help them. I have to say she was getting no where. So we said, "refund our money". Of course, I made a few comments about how ridiculous this was and my husband got back the money. As we walked out the guy told my husband to go f*ck himself. I would have cussed the guy out if I had heard it, but I was already outside and didn't know why Art was still inside. Anyway, I have to say that was my worst experience at an ice cream place ever! These people were not mentally ill or anything either. They were just lazy idiots. I simply went somewhere else and got my sundae in 30 seconds. I had to get that out of my system and I hope this pops up on google when someone looks up Baskin Robbins:)



Now for what I refered to yesterday. I am once again unemployed. I worked for the airlines industry for three months. It was a pretty cool job if you are good at customer service. There is never a boring day. I guess that is why Southwest has a show on it (I worked for United though, never Southwest!). Unfortunatly I needed to leave that position so that Art and I could go on to our new home. But this means I am on the job search once again. And there is something that I must warn all my fellow unemployed bloggers in their common search for employment. Beware of scam jobs! I know this is everywhere. I had a similar problem in College Station, but now I'm in a big city it is much more prevelant. These jobs will contact you before anyone else. In my situation an hour after I sent my resume through monster. They also have a ton of adds that do not say what the job is about. When you talk to them at the interview they usually say something about sales for fortune 400 company. The two I have encountered here are the Niko group and Miamimarketingworks. I'll let you know if I find anymore. They lie about benefits and have horrible pay. From what I have heard their product is no good either. A good way to find this information out, and how I discovered this was looking the company up on ripoffreport.com. Here is also a list of how to avoid jobs scams. I unfortunatly wasted my time with my first interview with one of these companies. I only discovered it was a scam after looking it up later. At least I got the experience of driving in the city. But still, no job and more interviews next week. It is looking promising though. It is definatly going quicker than in San Antonio!

So, no idea on what I will write on next time.... I'm sure something will come up:)

How is Miami?

I have to admit I have not had the best image of Miami. When Arthur and I decided to move here I was not jumping up and down and screaming in joy. On the contrary, I told my then future husband, "Please, just tell me something positive about the place". All I asked was to feel better about the place I was going to move to. I'll tell you what I have learned of Miami from those native to the city. First of all, the place is over run with Cubans and other latin immigrants. Now this did not mean much to me when I first heard this. I have one friend that is half Cuban and from DC. All I know is that he spends every summer in Miami and when I visited his home his mom was certain to teach me the evils of Castro. She thinks it is an important thing that all people should know. Since then I have been told everything else about this group, and the most important thing is that there is great amount of them that don't bother to learn english. I won't bother to go into the other stereotypes of this group in Miami. Though they involve illegal activities and too much government support. Since I have been here I have noticed that there are many different immigrants here that don't speak english, but I've honestly even now do not have much experience within this city. There is also the matter of driving within Miami. It has been said, I don't remember by who, that in Miami that everyone drives according to thier country of orgin. My dear husband has also had several stories to back this up. I heard so many stories on this that for my first job interview yesterday, I felt worse about having to drive by myself for the first time than the actual interview. Though after it was done I found it to be about as bad as driving in any other city. The truth is I am still very unsure of what to think of my new home. The people who are from here don't exactly paint the best picture of place, and with the hurricane I went through the last time I am still very unsure. What I am hoping is that the city is not as bad as everyone says, like the driving within the city. Well, we will see how it is driving for the second time. I'll do that for my second job interview...

Next topic is on finding a job within this city. Hopfully it will be done tommarow, but there are warnings that everyone should here. Consider it a continuation of my unemployed blogger ideas:) Till then!

New Home

Well, we're not in our new home just yet. That'll probably happen in a month or so, but I made it to Miami. A two and a half days car trip with a St. Bernard in the back seat. I have to admit that Sebastien is a great dog and really easy to travel with, but I don't recommend such a long trip with a large dog. You can't really stop and do anything. We were originally planning to go through Savannah, Georgia, but Seby doesn't do too well in strange places by himself. Plus, no place really allows St. Bernards. The first place we stayed at was in Mississippi, and we were told that there is a 15 pound limit but no one checks. The second place we stayed at was about 100 miles out of Miami and the guy was new and let us take him in. So it was luck both times.

Other than that we stopped in Vicksburg, Mississippi for the Military Park for the Seige of Vicksburg. I've only been to three battlefields so far and I have to say that I am very impressed with this one. Arthur pointed out that it was probably because this was one where the union won. I really need to see Gettysburg, I'm that one would be even better. I may have pictures up from it after awhile. Though I accidently packed my digital, so I have to use my regular camera till then.

So... now I'm in Miami. It is wierd thinking that this isn't a place that I'm moving for my parents or for school. I'm not sure how its going to be. Honestly the city scares me. It takes me awhile to have any city grow on me. I am much more of a small town girl. Well... I guess I will update on what happens from this new move. It is too early to write anything about it now. We are just incredibly happy to be out of the car. Till next time:)

I'm leaving Texas

I am doing what I usually do before I leave Brenham, or in this case leaving Texas... look at photos. Tommorow we are taking off with the St. Bernard and are driving to Miami. Quite a car trip, and I'm curious how the dog will take it. Anyway, these are the old pictures I managed to scan. This is so I don't have to take the album with me in the car.

That's it for now. Goodnight! I'll write again in Miami:)

The Alamo Street Victorian Inn

When I imagined myself getting married as a little girl, I have to say that this was not the place I thought of. No disrespect to the owner, but its a bed and breakfast and I am a Catholic. But when such things as annulments get in the way you must think of an alternative. I know God must have forgiven Arthur and I for this though, because everything was beautiful. It went off so well that I've had a request for everyone to meet up at the same location for our one year anniversary. This would be strange considering we won't even be in San Antonio at that time, but I did greatly appreciate the compliment. The weather was perfect, it was in the 70s and not a cloud in the sky. Nothing went wrong the whole day. I was just suprised how quickly it went. In the morining I was getting my hair, makeup, manicure and peticure done. I was wondering around the spa talking with my mom and the other bridesmaids. I got several comments about how calm I was. My nerves didn't get to me till right before it was time to walk down the aisle, and that was my usual nervousness of having to do something in front of people. After I made it to Arthur, I calmed down. Everyone was suprised that I didn't laugh or cry through the ceremony. Only reason I can give is because everything was kind of sureal to me and I hate showing too much emotion in public. The wedding was small. I have to say no more than 40 people were there. It was perfect for me. I was afraid that too many people would show honestly. The bed and breakfast fit everyone comfortably. It was a nice little place with antiques all around. I chose it because it was comforting like my grandmothers house that I grew up in. I was glad to find that the rest of the guests loved it just as much. The only thing I was upset by was that I hardly ate anything. Arthur and I met up with the family later on though to eat on the riverwalk. It was a good idea to have everything near the downtown area. So if you do have your wedding in San Antonio, I do recommend this place. It is especially good if you don't want to handle every little detail yourself. Now I get to enjoy being a newly wed, but not in Texas. I am moving. Actually our stuff is already packed up and is probably on its way now to Miami. We will be going down after spending the holidays with my family. So, Happy Easter to everyone!

Wedding Pictures

Bridal Portrait

To all people in Texas...

What you should see from the Huffington Post. Just to let you know there are eight pages of comments.

In Loving Memory

MULDER: 1995-2006

Who knows:)

So I had this image come to mind. It is me, standing naked in... Where? Maybe I'm just sitting on my bed. Anyway, I have my glasses on and my hair is tied back as I do most of the time now a days. The front of my body is opened up like a doll house. In fact it looks exactly like a doll house inside my chest area. I am looking down inside myself and am setting up little chairs. Nothing stressful, just playing. I'm kind of layed back with my legs crossed and leaning my weight on one of my hands. For some reason that makes me think of Frida. Does she have something similar? I just remember she loved painting herself. Sometimes I wish that I had better images come to mind. I've tried to do landscapes recently. I'm not sure how well that is working for me. I need some kind of art class. I wish I had more beautiful images that would come to mind. At least I have no more disturbing images. Instead they are rather simple. Usually I just think of a bride trying on her dress or something similar. That should be no suprise. Till I have my wedding those images will remain. Till recently I would not actually see myself in these images. Yeah, I know it is usually some weird naked chic and a muscular guy. My mom is disturbed by my naked people art. I've just had this idea that drawing these people naked gives them more vulnerability. It shows what is real on the inside and there are no possibility of masks. Funny to think my main drawing where there are clothes the characters are wearing masks:) Where was I? Yes, till recently the images that came to mind were rarely actually of me. Now it seems that all of them are of me. I'm not sure if will actually get myslef to draw them. The only drawing I've done recently is the one that is up of the bride and groom kissing, or Art and I. Maybe I'll draw this image that is in my mind later. At least I have this post to remind me of it. I must get to bed now. I have to wake up for work in a little over five hours.

A painting and a dream

I stepped out of the elevator and saw a man who was sickly and lying on the floor with a bandaged face. Another man was with him to help him along. I walked up to him and took off his bandage and he was healed shortly after that. I don't remember what I said to him. He rose to stand on his own. He asked me what would he have to do for this gift? I said to him, 'Love God'. He laughed at me. He said it was pointless, or something like that. I pointed at him and he went back to his sickly state. He sulked and I didn't give him anymore attention. I felt sad, but went back to the elevator.

Just another dream. My wedding is coming up soon. The dream has nothing to do with the picture. I did this awhile back. I'll write more later:)

Happy Texas Independence Day!

This is my picture from Washington on the Brazos from this past Christmas. This is the place of Texas independence from Mexico on this day in 1836.

Wedding Sketch

It is on my mind...

Later:)

Back home, another quiz

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Training with Bob

I am in a classroom setting most of the time recently. Shouldn't I be use to it by now? It feels more like high school than college. That could be what is getting to me. I think its just the way people treat each other. I'll give an example. There is this one older gentleman, I'll call him Bob. Bob has been with the company for years. He thinks he is superior to everyone else in the class. He makes a point to mumble the answer to everything that the instructor says just to prove that he already knows everything. I know this because I usually get stuck next to him. Let's just say Bob has a big mouth in general. I think he uses it mostly to make himself look superior. There was a lady that was fired a couple of days ago because she tried to do her college classes with the classes here, and she didn't make it in one day... maybe two, doesn't matter. Bob made a point to yell about how much of a "stupid ass" she was for taking this job and wasting the company's money if she was going to put her school work over this. Another instance today Bob told us in class that we were wasting his precious classroom time. We were questioning the instructor about the company, and it was not interesting enough for Bob since he has been with the company for years. Of course, I don't understand how Bob can feel so important when at his age he is going into the same position as I am after working for this company for years. Well, Bob is one of several people that make me feel like I'm in high school. I go along with my mouth shut most of the time. I just hope I don't pop on someone... especially during class. If I get too pissed I have a tendancy to do that. And what if Bob ends up being my supervisor later on? I think it is best to keep quiet because of that. I just dump everything that is bothering me on Art. I need to be the usual quiet sweet little girl that I am. I use my cheerleader smile and go on with my day. I just wish they could of had the training at home.

I'm looking for a car

You Should Drive a Jaguar XK 4.2

You don't care how you get there as long as you get there with class. And having a little power doesn't hurt either!

What 2007 Car Should You Drive?

My fiance drove my car and decided that I need a new car as soon as it is possible for us to get one. I have to admit mine is not the most comfortable car out there. It doesn't have cruise control or even power windows. In fact you really don't have any control over the volume in the car. When you slow down the volume goes down, and then when the music is really bad it decides you should listen to it at a volume that would bust your ear drums. I actually am okay with the car. As long as I have little travel time, I don't care much about what I drive. The air conditioning works and it doesn't have random acceleration like one of my brother's older cars had. But it isn't like I am going to refuse the offer of getting a new vehicle either. We went to look at cars and I have to admit something, GPS is the best. One of the first cars that I test drove had a GPS system that you could talk to. From there on out I compared every car to it. I would hear of all the benefits and then I would ask, "Yeah, but can you talk to it?" Well, I'm not sure what I'll get or when. I have a feeling it won't be a Jaguar. I am looking at a BMW, but I don't think we could get one that I could talk to. Damn that one car was a spoiler!

I'm not very observant

Your Observation Skills Get A C-

You tend to notice the big things in life... But the details aren't exactly your forte

How Observant Are You?

I was honestly suprised I even passed. I've been told before that I could be a decent absent minded proffesor. Hell, that use to be my goal in life. Pretty cool quiz though.

God save me

Stupid people. I can live with them, but at times I can't stand them. I know they are a regular occurance in whatever area you work in and in whatever area of the world you live in. Hell, I'm sure there is one or two of you out there reading this blog. Still, that doesn't make thier existence any less annoying. This is especially the case when they are together in large numbers, because their logic becomes dominant regardless of them being right or wrong. I'll give an example. I can tell you that the company that I work for has part of their customer service in India. I have to admit this usually annoys me. Whenever I call for service and I hear that Indian accent I get the impression that the company does not care for their customers. I think it really effects the quality of service that is given and it is a horrible trend for companies to take. This was a discussion in class today. Those were the reasons that I saw for it being a negative thing, but the class spent a few hours discussing the poor Indians making the same amount of money in India that we make in an hour here in the US. These people are not working in sweat shops either. They have benefits of working for our company and are payed a reasonable amount for where they live. That wasn't good enough for my genius instructor and the class that followed. They wanted the people in India to make the same amount. "How would those poor Indians feel if they came here and noticed they make so much less than we do here in the US?" Also, "Isn't it horrible that they have them use American names for their job". The instructor's response, "I refused to go train them in India when I was asked. I thought it was just wrong." Isn't that great for the company. Think about how much money the company is saving from doing this. What are they wanting, to inflate the economies in the rest of the world so they can be just as outragious as California. I think the most annoying part of this is the length of time they spent on this subject, and me saying anything contrary to them makes me look like a jack ass. I just need some rest. I'll be dealing with people like this for the rest of my life. I thought I'd be use to them by now. I need sleep.

Quick post

I discovered i can do this from my phone. Im at work. Already have to go.

My Soul

You Are a Seeker Soul

You are on a quest for knowledge and life challenges. You love to be curious and ask a ton of questions. Since you know so much, you make for an interesting conversationalist. Mentally alert, you can outwit almost anyone (and have fun doing it!). Very introspective, you can be silently critical of others. And your quiet nature makes it difficult for people to get to know you. You see yourself as a philosopher, and you take everything philosophically. Your main talent is expressing and communicating ideas. Souls you are most compatible with: Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

I picked this one up from Idle Mendacity. Thanks!

I'm a little busy

I'm still not use to this, but I'll get paid for it and that is all that matters. I'm still out training. I dream about training and then I wake up startled a couple times in the night thinking I'll be late. That happens to me no matter what I have planned in the morning. I'm usually late for things, and work is one thing I never want to be late for. In my job they are rather anal about it. I told them I was punctual. So far I haven't let them down. What will be difficult is if I get the 4:30am shift. At least there will be no traffic to work. Anything new? Nothing to post about. No new dog. No reason to get one when I'm away from home so much. Maybe after I get back home.

Something completely unrelated...

(PSR) Progressive Cognitive Disorder

1. utopian thinking

2. anthroplastic ideas

3. antitheistic rebellion

4. naturist delusion

5. environmental spasm

6. control obsession

7. ....

I've got to go . List continues on the link above. It explains it better on the site as well. Just thought it was funny. Good day!

Disney Personality

You scored as Sleeping Beauty. Your alter ego is Princess Aurora, a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty! You are beautiful and enchanting, and as sweet as ever. Sleeping Beauty 75% Goofy 56% The Beast 50% Donald Duck 44% Cinderella 44% Peter Pan 38% Cruella De Ville 38% Pinocchio 31% Ariel 25% Snow White 25% Which Disney Character is your Alter Ego? created with QuizFarm.com

Southern Pride

I've posted on being a Texan once before. Being outside of the state brings that post back to mind, and specifically a side point I made about southern pride:

Even I, going over seas, would call myself a "Texan" rather than an "American"... Then I get extremly offended when they call me a "Yank". I knew that they wouldn't understand, but I was drunk and I thought they should know that I am from the other side!

There is also the fact that Art reminded me, "that I am on the other side now." Yes, I am in Yankee territory. I have to admit that is a rarity for me. And you might be wondering right now, why the hell should this matter? In reality it doesn't. It isn't something on my mind day to day as I go to and from training. I don't sit there and curse the locals, "Damn Yank!" Though I have to admit that would be funny to see. You wouldn't expect it from a young woman in a buisness suit, would you? Back to the point. We are a Union and have been for quite awhile, but there is a southern pride as well. I've been told, we lost the war why don't we get over it?

I'll give my reason for southern pride. I am a history buff and I also love to study geneology. With my family history I am both eligible to join the Daughters of the Confederacy and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. In other words, my family has quite a history with this state and in the south. Art pointed out to me that my family seems to have a long history of southern women marrying northern men who never again leave the south. Regardless, I think of my family's involvement when I think of the Civil War. Why did my family fight for the south? I think it is fairly easy to say why, it was their home. No one at that time would associate themselves as being a part of the U.S. when asked. They were a Texan or Virginian or whatever state they lived in. That was part of their identity. Texas is one place that still holds on to that tradition. That was the reason in my drunkeness overseas I was offended being called a Yank. When I leave the state, I do leave my home. Though most Americans in other states see little difference from living on the opposite sides of the country (at least that is what I've been told). I think it is good to have such pride. What else am I going to associate myself with? No one really wants to simply think of themselves as a white American. Most want some identity with their roots. What am I going to use? Irish/Scottish/Welsh/Austrian American??? I usually just say I'm Irish Catholic, but I've been told that is what many use. When I look back at my family history, why not have pride in my roots in southern part of the U.S. as well?


Enough of that. I don't fly the rebel flag in front of the house or anything. I'm just stuck here by myself with nothing to entertain me other than this computer. Though any image that would be shown of someone flying the rebel flag would no doubt be a racist redneck in a big pick-up truck. That reminds me of the conversation about not all women who drive pick-ups are lesbians, but that is another post for another time.

Using my camera phone

I am so tired. I've been up since 3am and have to be up again at six. I've been in training all day. Here I am at my hotel. Yes, I have a camera phone. Lovely picture. I am sure I'll post more later.

Picture Meme

This one I got randomly off the internet.

Here's what you have to do:

Do a Google image search of the following and post the first (or favorite) result for each:
* The name of the town where you were born
* The name of the town where you live now
* Your name
* Your grandmother's name (just pick one)
* Your favorite food
* Your favorite drink
* Your favorite song
* Your favorite smell

Where I was born:

Where I live:

My name:


My grandmother's name:


My favorite food:


My favorite drink:



My favorite song:
My favorite smell:



Goodnight!

Happy Birthday to My Blog

I needed a reason to put up a countdown.

The day I spent in waiting rooms

I'm giving up on sleeping until this decogestant kicks in. Don't you hate it when you wake up really early in the morning and you can't breath? Have I always had so many sinus infections? Well, I spent most of the day yesterday at different doctors' offices. It was not on purpose. I had one schedualed a week before hand and then other things happened and I needed more appointments. It wasn't too bad since Art was availiable to drive me around all day, and sit in different waiting areas with me most of the day. At my regular doctor, some lesbian mexican lady passed out from an alergey shot and the doctor had to call the paramedics. I was in the damned place for over two hours, and they didn't even have to take her out in the ambulence! I wondered if this should be a sign about the reliability of the doctor, and I was frustrated to say the least. Art blames it on the fact I have a Canadian doctor. At least that is where she recieved her degree. She seems fine to me, or basically she hasn't done anything terrible and she is covered by my insurance. It was my second appointment of the day, but she felt I needed x-rays. So we had enough time to eat before I had to go off again to another appointment. All in all, we spent from 10am to some time past 5pm at different appointments. I gathered 5 new perscriptions and an incredible fear of ever not being on medical insurance. I've always been exspensive in that area. I think my mother even warned Art on that one. I just hope I'm better by Monday. I fly off for job training for three and a half weeks. That is just enough time to miss my fiance's birthday and Valentines Day. In fact, I was told I'll be back the day after Valentines Day. Oh yes, that also means I miss my brother's birthday. The job is worth it. Well, I'm going to try and sleep again. I'm sure I'll write when I'm in training. I'll have wireless internet, a laptop and nothing to do after training. I've still recieved complaints on not using spell check. I just want to let those upset by that to know I just tried and my computer blocked it. I don't care to spend that much time on these posts anyway. Till next time...

Since I always copy Memes from her...

This is the meme of four from Anastasia! I can't seem to sleep. I need something to entertain myself with. Here it is:

Four Jobs You've Had

1. Library Assistant
2. An editor for college newspaper
3. Cashier at a place that sells cigarettes
4. Instructional Assistant

Four Movies You Could Watch Over and Over

1. Hudson Hawk
2. In The Mouth of Madness
3. Father of the Bride
4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Four Places You've Lived

1. Amarillo, TX
2. Terrell, TX
3. San Marcos, TX
4. College Station, TX

Four Shows You Love To Watch

1. Malcolm In the Middle
2. South Park
3. Sopranos
4. Design On a Dime

Four Places You' ve Been On Vacation

1. Seattle, Washington
2. Florence, Italy
3. Durango, Colorado
4. Inverness, Scotland

Four Blogs I've Been Reading Longest

1. Umbrae Canarum
2. Blog Is A Dumb Name
3. What Me Worry?
4. Ancient and Future Catholic Musings

Four of Your Favorite Foods

1. Ice Cream
2. Pizza
3. Quiche
4. Chiken and Dumpling Soup

Four Places You'd Rather Be

1. Canterbury
2. the highlands
3. skiing... anywhere
4. Where there is snow

Four Albums You Can't Live Without, Lately

This doesn't really apply to me. I'm pretty flexible as long as the music is not annoying.

Four Vehicles You've Owned

None really. My parents have owned them. Oh wait, I have owned bikes:

1. Mongoose
2. Schwinn
3.....

That is it. Later!

The Family Stone

I'm not much for movie reviews, but after seeing this movie I feel obligated to warn as many people as possible to not watch this. I am a big fan of the family get together comedies like Home For the Holidays. You know, the movie that makes fun of how crazy the main character's family is (who they were reluctant to see in the first place) but they discover by the end of the movie they aren't so different from thier family. It usually ends on a pretty good note. Well, this movie is not one of those movies. Some reviews try to put it up as one of those movies, but I warn you now to not believe them. There are a few things I wish the trailer had warned me about:

1) One of the brothers of the main character in the Stone family is a gay deaf guy with a black lover who by the end of the movie adopted a baby. They sure tried to shove as much political correctness bull sh-t into that couple as possible. Oh yes, they are portrayed as the most reasonable loving couple in the movie.

2) There is only one funny scene and part of it is shown in the trailer.

3) The movie has a political agenda, and it is very liberal. They make it very, very obvious. In the first few minutes of the movie the daughter comes in with a NPR tote bag and one of the brother's is casually warned not to have marijuana in the house. Plus look back to 1. Oh yes, I can't forget when the mother says she wished that all her sons were gay.

4) It tries to be a drama with a mother dying of cancer. It is not very successful.

Here is another review that I thought was done well:

’Twas the week before Christmas
and all through the house
was cast full of clichés
not fit for a mouse.

Mom was all foul-mouthed
and dying of cancer.
One daughter was pregnant
The other with too much to say
One son was laid back
Another was gay.

When all of a sudden
There arose such a fuss
A possible fiancé arrived arrive with son two
And the family all complained until they were blue

But I in my chair looked at my watch
Only one hour had passed, how could this be?
Hadn’t I been there already a full century?

That is the best I can do to warn you. It is a waste of money.

I hate this

I wish I had an anonymous blog. I can't vent about what I want to vent about. I did get a job though!

Drawing myself

First one from 2/22/05...



Second one from 3/2/05...



My latest one I just finished a few minutes ago...