Did anyone else notice the Christmas—I’m sorry—holiday stuff out before Halloween?
It seems to me that marketers only want to market holidays when people buy a lot. For example, Halloween. You must buy lots of candy to hand out to children. You must buy a costume. You must buy decorations for your house.
How many Halloween-themed commercials did we see around September-October time? More than you would for Thanksgiving.
And what do you buy for Thanksgiving? A turkey, if you like turkey (I’m not a turkey person myself, I prefer ham, in which case, a ham is in order). Stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes, pies, etc. Food, stuff you’d get at the grocery store.
I don’t remember many Thanksgiving-themed commercials. Or much Thanksgiving advertising and marketing.
What happened in department stores right after Halloween? Out came the greens! Deck the halls with boughs of holly! Christmas comes after Halloween!
But wait! What about saying thank you? What about the time spent with family and friends, where we can all sit and relax, not worry about the shopping list and enjoy one another’s company?
And after Christmas—I’m sorry—the red-and-green-holiday, we’ll be seeing lots of pink and red hearts, TWO months in advance.
Because what would you buy for New Years? If you’re going to have a party, food. And that’s about it. It’s a lot like Thanksgiving, but since there’s a big party on Times Square we pay some attention to it.
It’s so unfortunate that we follow the marketers holiday-wise.
One of the kids I teach at gymnastics asked me the Tuesday before Thanksgiving why we still had a turkey decoration up. “Why do you still have a turkey up? It’s almost Christmas.”
I could hardly believe it. Our children, because of what marketers do, forget the significance of saying thank you in lieu of “What do you want for Christmas?”
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Smokers at Work
So let's reward people for killing themselves!
I guess it's a form of population control...
At my mom's work, where I spent my fall break shredding papers, there are a LOT of smokers. They come out every few hours for ten to twenty minutes, however long it takes to smoke a cigarette (which is supposed to be equal to the amount of time it takes off your life) and chat with the other smokers, and go back to work. Then they get the same one-hour lunch break as everyone else.
In a normal work day at the company, the day starts at 8:00 am and finishes at 5:00 pm, with an hour break for lunch. It's a normal eight-hour work day.
I studied one individual who smokes there. She came out once an hour for at least ten minutes. Sometimes as long as twenty.
If she spends, say ten minutes for every smoke break and works an eight-hour day, that gives her...eighty extra break minutes. The company wastes nearly an hour and a half's pay on her killing herself.
In my humble opinion, that's not too fair.
If I wanted to take a break every hour to eat, or comb my hair, or talk on my phone, it wouldn't happen.
This isn't just at my mom's work. It happened when I worked retail two years ago.
The managers would take smoke breaks at least every two hours, and spend a long time out in the back, polluting the air around the corner from the pharmacy drive-up window. If there were two managers working, they would take the breaks together.
Yet if one of us under-aged customer service associates were caught on the phone, eating at the register or standing at the register, not straightening or cleaning or something, we were told to do something productive and not waste company money.
Um...
Personally, I don't like to follow orders from hypocrites.
But that's just me.
I guess it's a form of population control...
At my mom's work, where I spent my fall break shredding papers, there are a LOT of smokers. They come out every few hours for ten to twenty minutes, however long it takes to smoke a cigarette (which is supposed to be equal to the amount of time it takes off your life) and chat with the other smokers, and go back to work. Then they get the same one-hour lunch break as everyone else.
In a normal work day at the company, the day starts at 8:00 am and finishes at 5:00 pm, with an hour break for lunch. It's a normal eight-hour work day.
I studied one individual who smokes there. She came out once an hour for at least ten minutes. Sometimes as long as twenty.
If she spends, say ten minutes for every smoke break and works an eight-hour day, that gives her...eighty extra break minutes. The company wastes nearly an hour and a half's pay on her killing herself.
In my humble opinion, that's not too fair.
If I wanted to take a break every hour to eat, or comb my hair, or talk on my phone, it wouldn't happen.
This isn't just at my mom's work. It happened when I worked retail two years ago.
The managers would take smoke breaks at least every two hours, and spend a long time out in the back, polluting the air around the corner from the pharmacy drive-up window. If there were two managers working, they would take the breaks together.
Yet if one of us under-aged customer service associates were caught on the phone, eating at the register or standing at the register, not straightening or cleaning or something, we were told to do something productive and not waste company money.
Um...
Personally, I don't like to follow orders from hypocrites.
But that's just me.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Friday, June 1
The Day Before I Leave
I'm so nervous. My stomach was upset earlier. I got to spend the day with Jimmy, & it was very hard to say goodbye to him.
My parents & I ate hamburgers for dinner. Well, they were really turkeyburgers, & my last taste of America for a while. Afterwords, we played Scrabble.
I'm so scared & nervous & excited about this trip. This is something I always hear others talk about. It's going to be life-changing, I know. I pray God will move mountails within me. I know I've got a lot of people here at home praying for me, & that's so comforting.
It was difficult to say good night to my parents, knowing it was the last time until next Sunday. I feel badly, but I'll be counting down teh days until I get back.
The hardest thing tonight was hanging up with Jimmy. He's so worried about the trip. I know I comforted him, though, when I told him that Nicaragua is in Central America, not Africa. He was relieved to know that I'd be on the same contenent & in the same hemisphere (barely).
I'm sad to say goodbye to my guitar, my car, electricity, cleanliness, & air conditioning. But I kow it's temporary & totally worth it.
I'm still nervous.
I'm so nervous. My stomach was upset earlier. I got to spend the day with Jimmy, & it was very hard to say goodbye to him.
My parents & I ate hamburgers for dinner. Well, they were really turkeyburgers, & my last taste of America for a while. Afterwords, we played Scrabble.
I'm so scared & nervous & excited about this trip. This is something I always hear others talk about. It's going to be life-changing, I know. I pray God will move mountails within me. I know I've got a lot of people here at home praying for me, & that's so comforting.
It was difficult to say good night to my parents, knowing it was the last time until next Sunday. I feel badly, but I'll be counting down teh days until I get back.
The hardest thing tonight was hanging up with Jimmy. He's so worried about the trip. I know I comforted him, though, when I told him that Nicaragua is in Central America, not Africa. He was relieved to know that I'd be on the same contenent & in the same hemisphere (barely).
I'm sad to say goodbye to my guitar, my car, electricity, cleanliness, & air conditioning. But I kow it's temporary & totally worth it.
I'm still nervous.
June 2
In Flight
The whole thing still seems surreal. Maddie & I still haven't grasped that we're about to land in a foreign country to do mission work.
I'm starting to get excite, though, rather than the itinal dread I felt yesterday. I'm trying not to focus on what I'm giving up, but on what I'm gaining. The things I'm leaving behind--my family, Jimmy, the luxuries of America--are really what I need to give up for Christ anways. I'm experiencing in a physical way what I need to be doing in a spiritual way. It's hard. But I'm gaining so much. I'm going to learn about another country & do something I've always wanted to do. I know this will be life-changing & I can't wait to se how.
My First Night
This is so hard.
The bus ride was...we were in an old school bus. After exiting the plane, we had to wait a little bit for the bus, but that's how it works in Nicaragua. The airport is tiny. There are two baggage carosels with several ads in English.
We stood outside for a while waiting for the bus.
The twomost used parts of vehicles around here, I'm convinced, are the gas pedal & the horn. Our bus driver honked at everything. There are no real road names or speed limits here.
We stopped at a gas station to get some food & water. I bought a five pack of gum, a 1.5 Liter bottle of water, a small can of Pringles, & a Milky Way candy bar. My total was $2.97.
The house is called Casa Blanca, White House. It's a stucco off-white color with windows everywhere. The long-termers came out to greet us, & that was cool.
The main room of the house has huge windows. The showers are outside. When we arrived, the water wasn't working. It just started.
I'm so homesick. I had to "use the bathroom" earlier for crying. Maddie is really homesick, too. Stephanie is happy to be away. I'm envious yet heartbroken for her. I wish I could do this with no problems or tears, but I love that I miss my parents & Jimmy so much.
Dinner consisted of steak, salad, strange blackish beans, rice, & tasteless wrap things. I didn't eat much, & now I'm super thankful I packed so much food.
Everyone gets one cup for the week & is responsible for keeping up with it & keeping it clean.
I can't wait for this time next week.
I came upstairs after dinner before the devotion time & found my bed covered in bugs. My bed happened to be right under the light. One of the hair cutting ladies, Angie, helped me move the bunks away from the light & me move beds. I can feel every rod through my thin mattress. Luckily Stephanie had three extra pillows, so I got one & now I have two. Small comforts.
I wish so much I could email or call (for like 5 minutes) my parents & Jimmy to say how much I lvoe & miss & take them for granted. Ok, Jesus, I understand how much I do love them...can I got home now?
There are so many different reasons that people are here. Most of them are here for the kids. I'm eager to meet the kids who make it so worthwhile...
I was reading in Lamentations & found this verse, which really helped me...
"You came near when I called to you, you said, 'Don't be afraid.'" (3:37)
The whole thing still seems surreal. Maddie & I still haven't grasped that we're about to land in a foreign country to do mission work.
I'm starting to get excite, though, rather than the itinal dread I felt yesterday. I'm trying not to focus on what I'm giving up, but on what I'm gaining. The things I'm leaving behind--my family, Jimmy, the luxuries of America--are really what I need to give up for Christ anways. I'm experiencing in a physical way what I need to be doing in a spiritual way. It's hard. But I'm gaining so much. I'm going to learn about another country & do something I've always wanted to do. I know this will be life-changing & I can't wait to se how.
My First Night
This is so hard.
The bus ride was...we were in an old school bus. After exiting the plane, we had to wait a little bit for the bus, but that's how it works in Nicaragua. The airport is tiny. There are two baggage carosels with several ads in English.
We stood outside for a while waiting for the bus.
The twomost used parts of vehicles around here, I'm convinced, are the gas pedal & the horn. Our bus driver honked at everything. There are no real road names or speed limits here.
We stopped at a gas station to get some food & water. I bought a five pack of gum, a 1.5 Liter bottle of water, a small can of Pringles, & a Milky Way candy bar. My total was $2.97.
The house is called Casa Blanca, White House. It's a stucco off-white color with windows everywhere. The long-termers came out to greet us, & that was cool.
The main room of the house has huge windows. The showers are outside. When we arrived, the water wasn't working. It just started.
I'm so homesick. I had to "use the bathroom" earlier for crying. Maddie is really homesick, too. Stephanie is happy to be away. I'm envious yet heartbroken for her. I wish I could do this with no problems or tears, but I love that I miss my parents & Jimmy so much.
Dinner consisted of steak, salad, strange blackish beans, rice, & tasteless wrap things. I didn't eat much, & now I'm super thankful I packed so much food.
Everyone gets one cup for the week & is responsible for keeping up with it & keeping it clean.
I can't wait for this time next week.
I came upstairs after dinner before the devotion time & found my bed covered in bugs. My bed happened to be right under the light. One of the hair cutting ladies, Angie, helped me move the bunks away from the light & me move beds. I can feel every rod through my thin mattress. Luckily Stephanie had three extra pillows, so I got one & now I have two. Small comforts.
I wish so much I could email or call (for like 5 minutes) my parents & Jimmy to say how much I lvoe & miss & take them for granted. Ok, Jesus, I understand how much I do love them...can I got home now?
There are so many different reasons that people are here. Most of them are here for the kids. I'm eager to meet the kids who make it so worthwhile...
I was reading in Lamentations & found this verse, which really helped me...
"You came near when I called to you, you said, 'Don't be afraid.'" (3:37)
Sunday, June 3
My First Full Day. One Week Left.
I can't wait to get out of here. I can't stop thinking about my parents, Jimmy, & home. I almsot wish they hadn't allowed me to come.
Dawn came quickly & early. I think I woke up around 5 a.m. There were many strange sounds outside. I think they sounds were coming from birds, but I can't be sure.
I'll probably shower tonight. The water still isn't working, so it'll be out of a bucket.
We're walking to church in a little bit. My homesickness wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't so much free time for my mind to wander back home. Only six more full days.
Stephanie forgot church clothes, so she's going to use my shirt. I'll wear a skirt & a t-shirt, something I promised myself I'd never do. But I guess that's what happens when you're roughing it.
I have full cell service here. It's so tempting to call him, but I know I'll loose it if I do.
Breakfast was crepes, mango, raison bread, pineapple, watermelon, & (what do you know) rice & beans. The pineapple was amazing.
I smell like sweat & bug spray. Apparently tis' working, though, because I haven't been bitten yet.
The humidity has already caused the pages of my Bible & journal to start curling.
Mass today will be in Spanish, so I may take my Bible & read by myself the whole time.
I've been sweating since I got here. It's not so bad upstairs, where the girls sleep, because of the fans. There are no fans downstairs, & there is a section of "outside" in the main room, where we eat. So there are lots of flies & other insects.
There is already dirty under my nails & we haven't done anything yet.
I've decided to try to do things day by day this week. Conquer one thing at a time. Today: no crying, less thinking of home, make it through Mass, climb the volcano. I hope I can do it.
I can't believe how much I miss home. Not home so much, by my mom & dad & Jimmy. Maybe God's purpose for me was to show me how much I love these people but how little I show it.
We climbed the volcano today. I went the "easy way," which proved to be very difficult. About 1/2 way pu I decided I was finished. It was raining on & off & it was so hot. But although I wanted so badly to be done & I was seriously crying (though no one knew because of my sunglasses), my group wouldn't let me go by myself, so Mr. Dubus helped me.
We walked through some gross sulfur air. It was hard to breathe. I had forgotten my inhaler.
We made it to the top & it was freezing. Several clouds blew over us & it was like a blizzard, but without the snow. I was suprised to see so many bugs at the top of the volcano, but they were everywhere. I kept having to smack them off my bag & legs.
When almost everyone made it to the top, we went down. I clutched Mr. Dubus's hand, & he taught me how to climb (ski, really) down, sideways, filling my shoes with volcanic ash & rock. I rubbed some of the skin off my ankle from it.
I took my first shower when we got back to Casa Blanca & it was very cold.
I'm so tired & homesick.
I can't wait to get out of here. I can't stop thinking about my parents, Jimmy, & home. I almsot wish they hadn't allowed me to come.
Dawn came quickly & early. I think I woke up around 5 a.m. There were many strange sounds outside. I think they sounds were coming from birds, but I can't be sure.
I'll probably shower tonight. The water still isn't working, so it'll be out of a bucket.
We're walking to church in a little bit. My homesickness wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't so much free time for my mind to wander back home. Only six more full days.
Stephanie forgot church clothes, so she's going to use my shirt. I'll wear a skirt & a t-shirt, something I promised myself I'd never do. But I guess that's what happens when you're roughing it.
I have full cell service here. It's so tempting to call him, but I know I'll loose it if I do.
Breakfast was crepes, mango, raison bread, pineapple, watermelon, & (what do you know) rice & beans. The pineapple was amazing.
I smell like sweat & bug spray. Apparently tis' working, though, because I haven't been bitten yet.
The humidity has already caused the pages of my Bible & journal to start curling.
Mass today will be in Spanish, so I may take my Bible & read by myself the whole time.
I've been sweating since I got here. It's not so bad upstairs, where the girls sleep, because of the fans. There are no fans downstairs, & there is a section of "outside" in the main room, where we eat. So there are lots of flies & other insects.
There is already dirty under my nails & we haven't done anything yet.
I've decided to try to do things day by day this week. Conquer one thing at a time. Today: no crying, less thinking of home, make it through Mass, climb the volcano. I hope I can do it.
I can't believe how much I miss home. Not home so much, by my mom & dad & Jimmy. Maybe God's purpose for me was to show me how much I love these people but how little I show it.
We climbed the volcano today. I went the "easy way," which proved to be very difficult. About 1/2 way pu I decided I was finished. It was raining on & off & it was so hot. But although I wanted so badly to be done & I was seriously crying (though no one knew because of my sunglasses), my group wouldn't let me go by myself, so Mr. Dubus helped me.
We walked through some gross sulfur air. It was hard to breathe. I had forgotten my inhaler.
We made it to the top & it was freezing. Several clouds blew over us & it was like a blizzard, but without the snow. I was suprised to see so many bugs at the top of the volcano, but they were everywhere. I kept having to smack them off my bag & legs.
When almost everyone made it to the top, we went down. I clutched Mr. Dubus's hand, & he taught me how to climb (ski, really) down, sideways, filling my shoes with volcanic ash & rock. I rubbed some of the skin off my ankle from it.
I took my first shower when we got back to Casa Blanca & it was very cold.
I'm so tired & homesick.
Monday, June 4
My Second Full Day. 2/7 of the way through.
Most of the group are going to another city, El Capulin, until Wednesday. I feel sick, so I'm staying home. I'm not hungry or thirsty & I feel clammy, & my stomach hurts. Several women are staying to cut har & wash clothes, so I'll have plenty to do, & a good bit of rest time to recover from whatever I have.
I'm excited about the hair cutting thing. There will be children to play with. Maybe I'll find the joy everyone else gets from being here. Maybe I'll learn to cut hair & even some Spanish.
I miss Jimmy, my parents, my bed, my shower, my bed, & Mercutio. I even miss my retainer. I clentch my teeth a lot, & the retainer made it so much easier not to hurt.
While everyone else is gone, I want to see if I can use a computer to email Jimmy & my parents. I think that if I can just tell them how much I miss them I'll be better. But I'm not sure.
I'm the only one inside staying, so I get the fan all to myself. :) And I get to learn to cut hair. Maybe I'll even knit.
I'm actually looking forward to this. I'm independent & worn out by people, so this is a great opportunity to be alone & recharge.
The nurse came up & told me to use today for recovery. She has me drinking a 1.5 liter bottle with one pack of Propel. I have to drink two of those today. I get soup for lunch! She is pretty sure I'm dehydrated, but says I may have a bug. If it's just dehydration, & I do what she told me, I'll be better by tomorrow.
"Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot is the theme song for the week. I've heard it every day so far. But I like it, so it's okay.
I think I'll take a nap.
I did sleep & drink A LOT & finally go #2. I feel a lot better. But I can't stop sweating.
I'm thinking about going downstairs & eating those Ramen Noodles the nurse left for me. Besides, I need to refil my water bottle.
Most of the girls are predicting that Tuesday will be the hardest day. It'll be their full day in El Capulin. They left earlier this morning & won't be returning until Wednesday. I'm excited about tomorrow. As long as I'm feeling better, I'll go with the ladies into the city & learn about hair cutting & play with the kids (hopefully).
It seems that this week is starting to pick up speed finally. I still think of home & the flight back, but I'm not nearly as weepy & homesick. I think I hit my low point of the trip & now I'm starting to get back up.
I ate my soup & it was good. The youngest girl here, Zoe, has started talking to me. She's 6 & very cute.
The ladies are back & Zoe wants to play hide & seek. Later, we're going to the city. I think it's siesta time right now. The ladies are sleeping & panning on eating at some chicken place later, before heading to the villa.
I really can't wait to go home. I'm longing for my bed & ability to talk to Jimmy. I forgot about asking to use a computer for email because I fell asleep. I can't wait to hug my parents & Jimmy & to do laundry & go to the spa & get my nails done & take a real shower.
I don't know how to spell it, but soup in Spanish is soap-a. I also learned that cow is vaca. I really prefer French over Spanish, but Spanish is a little easier to speak. Except for the part about rolling your r's. I can't do that.
There is another girl here. She just flew in today because she just got her passport last night. She's a nice girl & we get along.
I really really want to go home. I seriously don't think I can make it the whole week. My dad emailed me earlier today. I logged on a little while ago & replied. Unfortunately, it was his work email & I can't remember our new home email address. But I asked if it was expensive to get a flight change.
I want to go home more than I think I've ever wanted anything. I'm willing to pay whatever it costs to have my ticket changed, to get a taxt & go to the airport here alone, & to take an international flight alone. I want to be home so badly.
I'm thinking about calling my parents...but I may have just remembered our home email address...Yes! I'll email them now...
Most of the group are going to another city, El Capulin, until Wednesday. I feel sick, so I'm staying home. I'm not hungry or thirsty & I feel clammy, & my stomach hurts. Several women are staying to cut har & wash clothes, so I'll have plenty to do, & a good bit of rest time to recover from whatever I have.
I'm excited about the hair cutting thing. There will be children to play with. Maybe I'll find the joy everyone else gets from being here. Maybe I'll learn to cut hair & even some Spanish.
I miss Jimmy, my parents, my bed, my shower, my bed, & Mercutio. I even miss my retainer. I clentch my teeth a lot, & the retainer made it so much easier not to hurt.
While everyone else is gone, I want to see if I can use a computer to email Jimmy & my parents. I think that if I can just tell them how much I miss them I'll be better. But I'm not sure.
I'm the only one inside staying, so I get the fan all to myself. :) And I get to learn to cut hair. Maybe I'll even knit.
I'm actually looking forward to this. I'm independent & worn out by people, so this is a great opportunity to be alone & recharge.
The nurse came up & told me to use today for recovery. She has me drinking a 1.5 liter bottle with one pack of Propel. I have to drink two of those today. I get soup for lunch! She is pretty sure I'm dehydrated, but says I may have a bug. If it's just dehydration, & I do what she told me, I'll be better by tomorrow.
"Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot is the theme song for the week. I've heard it every day so far. But I like it, so it's okay.
I think I'll take a nap.
I did sleep & drink A LOT & finally go #2. I feel a lot better. But I can't stop sweating.
I'm thinking about going downstairs & eating those Ramen Noodles the nurse left for me. Besides, I need to refil my water bottle.
Most of the girls are predicting that Tuesday will be the hardest day. It'll be their full day in El Capulin. They left earlier this morning & won't be returning until Wednesday. I'm excited about tomorrow. As long as I'm feeling better, I'll go with the ladies into the city & learn about hair cutting & play with the kids (hopefully).
It seems that this week is starting to pick up speed finally. I still think of home & the flight back, but I'm not nearly as weepy & homesick. I think I hit my low point of the trip & now I'm starting to get back up.
I ate my soup & it was good. The youngest girl here, Zoe, has started talking to me. She's 6 & very cute.
The ladies are back & Zoe wants to play hide & seek. Later, we're going to the city. I think it's siesta time right now. The ladies are sleeping & panning on eating at some chicken place later, before heading to the villa.
I really can't wait to go home. I'm longing for my bed & ability to talk to Jimmy. I forgot about asking to use a computer for email because I fell asleep. I can't wait to hug my parents & Jimmy & to do laundry & go to the spa & get my nails done & take a real shower.
I don't know how to spell it, but soup in Spanish is soap-a. I also learned that cow is vaca. I really prefer French over Spanish, but Spanish is a little easier to speak. Except for the part about rolling your r's. I can't do that.
There is another girl here. She just flew in today because she just got her passport last night. She's a nice girl & we get along.
I really really want to go home. I seriously don't think I can make it the whole week. My dad emailed me earlier today. I logged on a little while ago & replied. Unfortunately, it was his work email & I can't remember our new home email address. But I asked if it was expensive to get a flight change.
I want to go home more than I think I've ever wanted anything. I'm willing to pay whatever it costs to have my ticket changed, to get a taxt & go to the airport here alone, & to take an international flight alone. I want to be home so badly.
I'm thinking about calling my parents...but I may have just remembered our home email address...Yes! I'll email them now...
Tuesday, June 5
My Third Full Day. 3/7 of the way done. Almost 1/2 way there.
I was so humesick last night. I did remember & email my home email.
I told the ladies I had a family emergency & needed to call home. I called my mom, but they were at the grocery store & had to call me back later.
The earliest flight I could have gotten would have been Thrusday. I didn't have enough money, plus, that's almost Sunday. So I have to stay.
I have to admit, I feel a little abandoned.
I slept outside on the porch last night. It was nice.
Today I'm going out with the ladies to help teach hair cutting.
Today was pretty fun. I did learn a little about hair cutting, but I also got to play with the kids. They wore me out fast.
There was one girl named Jessica who attached herself to me. She's 6 & so sweet.
There was a strong thunderstorm today. We were shut in the library, where Wendy was teaching one woman to cut hair & Angie was teaching another to do nails.
The library (Bibliotecho) is tiny. There are a lot of books, though. The kids loved it when Stephanie D. read to them. I would have, but I don't speak Spanish.
Zoe, Wendy's daughter, loved playing with the kids too. She was so tired later, though, she climbed into my lap & took a nap.
I had my first taxi ride today. Some parts of the road aren't paved, & they had big holes & they were filled up with water from the rain. We fit eight people into a tiny Kia. I don't think there are any road laws here, so it didn't matter that several people were doubled up in seats or that we passed a police car with its lights on...
Stephanie D., Angie, & I walked to a store today. I found a skirt I really like, but it was too small. We're probably going back tomorrow & I may try to find another one.
Dinner tonight was salad, rice, chicken, & french fries. Nice & American.
Angie, Stephanie D., & I played poker for Dum Dums & we're all a little giddy. Probably because it's so late. We've been spending time out on the roof. It's really nice and relaxing.
I've been emailing my parents & Jimmy, so it'd be a wast of time & paper to write what I told them already. Plus, I'm tired.
Hopefully we'll go to the stores tomorrow. There are several others in the market Angie says are good for souvenirs.
I'm excited.
3/7 of the way done.
I was so humesick last night. I did remember & email my home email.
I told the ladies I had a family emergency & needed to call home. I called my mom, but they were at the grocery store & had to call me back later.
The earliest flight I could have gotten would have been Thrusday. I didn't have enough money, plus, that's almost Sunday. So I have to stay.
I have to admit, I feel a little abandoned.
I slept outside on the porch last night. It was nice.
Today I'm going out with the ladies to help teach hair cutting.
Today was pretty fun. I did learn a little about hair cutting, but I also got to play with the kids. They wore me out fast.
There was one girl named Jessica who attached herself to me. She's 6 & so sweet.
There was a strong thunderstorm today. We were shut in the library, where Wendy was teaching one woman to cut hair & Angie was teaching another to do nails.
The library (Bibliotecho) is tiny. There are a lot of books, though. The kids loved it when Stephanie D. read to them. I would have, but I don't speak Spanish.
Zoe, Wendy's daughter, loved playing with the kids too. She was so tired later, though, she climbed into my lap & took a nap.
I had my first taxi ride today. Some parts of the road aren't paved, & they had big holes & they were filled up with water from the rain. We fit eight people into a tiny Kia. I don't think there are any road laws here, so it didn't matter that several people were doubled up in seats or that we passed a police car with its lights on...
Stephanie D., Angie, & I walked to a store today. I found a skirt I really like, but it was too small. We're probably going back tomorrow & I may try to find another one.
Dinner tonight was salad, rice, chicken, & french fries. Nice & American.
Angie, Stephanie D., & I played poker for Dum Dums & we're all a little giddy. Probably because it's so late. We've been spending time out on the roof. It's really nice and relaxing.
I've been emailing my parents & Jimmy, so it'd be a wast of time & paper to write what I told them already. Plus, I'm tired.
Hopefully we'll go to the stores tomorrow. There are several others in the market Angie says are good for souvenirs.
I'm excited.
3/7 of the way done.
Wednesday, June 6
My Fourth Full Day. 4/7 done.
Only three more full days.
This morning we woke up late & returned to Villa Catalina. I didn't see many of the children from yesterday. They were skipping school, we found out today, & so a lot of them didn't get to eat.
Angie was teaching a woman to do nails, so she practiced on mine several times. I never guessed I'd go on a mission trip and have my nails done.
Stephanie D. & I talked about the first thing we' do when we get home. I decided I want some ice cream, then a shower. I'd like to have my long bath, but I'll want to spend time with my parents & Jimmy. So I'll probably take a quick shower.
The rest of the group are back. I'm glad we only have a few more days. I don't like being around so many people constantly. It freaks me out.
We're not going to get to go shopping! I'm glad I got everyone volcano rocks!
We're ordering pizza tonight. I'm sure the cooks are happy about that.
I want to be home so badly. I miss everyone & everything so much. I know I'm doing a wonderful thing, but...I miss home.
I can hardly hold in all this emotion. I'm so glad I didn't go with the bigger group to El Capulin, the fishing village. I don't think I would have survived.
I've still been homesick, but it's returned full-force with the arrival of this big group. I feel so lost among them, & I just want to go home, where people know, understand, & care for me. They may here, but I want to be with people I really love. I want to hug my parents & curl up on the couch with Jimmy's arm around me, take a real shower...I've never wanted anything more.
No more foreign mission trips without Mom, Dad, or Jimmy for me!
Only three more full days.
This morning we woke up late & returned to Villa Catalina. I didn't see many of the children from yesterday. They were skipping school, we found out today, & so a lot of them didn't get to eat.
Angie was teaching a woman to do nails, so she practiced on mine several times. I never guessed I'd go on a mission trip and have my nails done.
Stephanie D. & I talked about the first thing we' do when we get home. I decided I want some ice cream, then a shower. I'd like to have my long bath, but I'll want to spend time with my parents & Jimmy. So I'll probably take a quick shower.
The rest of the group are back. I'm glad we only have a few more days. I don't like being around so many people constantly. It freaks me out.
We're not going to get to go shopping! I'm glad I got everyone volcano rocks!
We're ordering pizza tonight. I'm sure the cooks are happy about that.
I want to be home so badly. I miss everyone & everything so much. I know I'm doing a wonderful thing, but...I miss home.
I can hardly hold in all this emotion. I'm so glad I didn't go with the bigger group to El Capulin, the fishing village. I don't think I would have survived.
I've still been homesick, but it's returned full-force with the arrival of this big group. I feel so lost among them, & I just want to go home, where people know, understand, & care for me. They may here, but I want to be with people I really love. I want to hug my parents & curl up on the couch with Jimmy's arm around me, take a real shower...I've never wanted anything more.
No more foreign mission trips without Mom, Dad, or Jimmy for me!
Thursday, June 7
My Fifth Full Day
5/7 of the way done. Only two more full days after today.
This big group is so overwhelming. I decided to go with the medical group in the ambulance today. It's a much smaller group. Three college "adults" & me, Maddie, & Angie (not the haircutter).
The doctor is late in arrival, so we're just waiting outisde. One of the guys is on the computer. I hope he gets off soon so I can sneak on for a few minutes.
I'm really bonding with Maddie & Angie. It's unfortunate that they live in Atlanta.
We squeezed into the back of a small-ish van, among sweaty bodies & boxes upon boxes of assorted pills, prescriptions, and KY. Yes, sex lube. We use what we can get.
We made several stops on the way to the destination villa to let the doctor out to talk to patients & drop stuff off. It started raining & that cooled things off a lot.
Angie, Maddie, & I counted out pills based on the prescriptions given to us for the patiencs by the doctor.
I took a lot of pictures of the children One of the little girls drew & colored me a picture.
We arrived back at Casa Blanca around 4. I was able to send Jimmy a quick email.
The rest of the group was expected to return from Villa Catalina at 4:30, but they didn't get back until around 7. The tractor got stuck in the mud & one of the trucks blew two tires, so the group had to get out & help accordingly.
We ate lasagna for dinner. It was one of the long-termers' birthday tonight, so we also ate ice cream & she beat a pinyata. Or however you spell it.
I'm pretty excited about tomorrow & Saturday. But mostly Sunday. I have so much training to catch up on.
We payed card games tonight. Angie & I found guitars & I taught her "How Great is Our God." She sorta taught me "Time of Your Life," bit it's hard to teach.
5/7 of the way done. Only two more full days after today.
This big group is so overwhelming. I decided to go with the medical group in the ambulance today. It's a much smaller group. Three college "adults" & me, Maddie, & Angie (not the haircutter).
The doctor is late in arrival, so we're just waiting outisde. One of the guys is on the computer. I hope he gets off soon so I can sneak on for a few minutes.
I'm really bonding with Maddie & Angie. It's unfortunate that they live in Atlanta.
We squeezed into the back of a small-ish van, among sweaty bodies & boxes upon boxes of assorted pills, prescriptions, and KY. Yes, sex lube. We use what we can get.
We made several stops on the way to the destination villa to let the doctor out to talk to patients & drop stuff off. It started raining & that cooled things off a lot.
Angie, Maddie, & I counted out pills based on the prescriptions given to us for the patiencs by the doctor.
I took a lot of pictures of the children One of the little girls drew & colored me a picture.
We arrived back at Casa Blanca around 4. I was able to send Jimmy a quick email.
The rest of the group was expected to return from Villa Catalina at 4:30, but they didn't get back until around 7. The tractor got stuck in the mud & one of the trucks blew two tires, so the group had to get out & help accordingly.
We ate lasagna for dinner. It was one of the long-termers' birthday tonight, so we also ate ice cream & she beat a pinyata. Or however you spell it.
I'm pretty excited about tomorrow & Saturday. But mostly Sunday. I have so much training to catch up on.
We payed card games tonight. Angie & I found guitars & I taught her "How Great is Our God." She sorta taught me "Time of Your Life," bit it's hard to teach.
Friday, June 8
My Sixth Full Day. 6/7 of the way done.
Last night, I fell asleep in the bunk above Maddie. Stephanie D. was sitting with me, reading, while I was writing. I took off my glasses, put down my pen, curled up, & apparently fell asleep. Maddie took my glasses & pen off the bed so I wouldn't crush them if I rolled over, but she couldn't wrench my journal from my grasp. I know I clench at night, but wow.
I ended up waking up in the middle of the night. I walked back & forth between the my bed outside & the bed I had fallen asleep on, eventually falling into the one oustide and sleeping until the sun & birds woke me up.
Today was a good day. I woke up late & hastily jumped into the truck with about 15 others headed for the rock quarry. It was a big flatbed truck with bars for us to hold onto and sides that could be taken down.
The rocks in the quarry seemed to be mostly volcanic rocks. The fact that we were told to retrieve rocks from a volcano assures me that there should be no problem in taking my few small rocks from the volcano we climbed Sunday.
I got hit twice by rocks being rulled down the hill. I have a pretty big bruise, & it beld a little. After we did the back-breaking job of filling the truck, we had to stand on top of the rocks and ride to Villa Catalina.
When we arrived at the Villa, we had to unload the rocks. There is a trench that had been dug a few years ago but filled back up because of rain. Some of the large group were digging it, making room for a new rock wall.
After we unloaded our rocks, we had to move another previous pile because the rocks were in the way of the dirt that was being dug out. Apparently, stuff like this happens a lot in Nicaragua (with a few expletives, as described by a guy who does this a lot).
After we moved the pile, seven of us went back to the quarry. There was a catepillar construction thing moving rocks & dirt, so we all got very dirty. I looked Nicaraguan because my skin was so coated in dirt.
It didn't rain at all today.
After we emptied the truck of rocks, the trucks & several other groups went out to get cinderblocks and sand. I hung out with the villagers. Most of the kids seemed scared of me. I guess it was my leg. I got cut twice. I tried to put bandages on the cuts, but I sweated them off, so Stephanie D. put some pink cream on them, & the children seemed to think something of it.
At the end of the work day, the Nicaraguans & Americans played each other in baseball. The Nicaraguans won.
I left with the first truck, before the game ended. Upon arrival at casa Blanca, I took my first shower since Tuesday. It took a little while to scrub the dirt off my skin, but I succeded.
I'm extremely tired now.
Tomorrow is the last day.
I can't wait to be home.
Last night, I fell asleep in the bunk above Maddie. Stephanie D. was sitting with me, reading, while I was writing. I took off my glasses, put down my pen, curled up, & apparently fell asleep. Maddie took my glasses & pen off the bed so I wouldn't crush them if I rolled over, but she couldn't wrench my journal from my grasp. I know I clench at night, but wow.
I ended up waking up in the middle of the night. I walked back & forth between the my bed outside & the bed I had fallen asleep on, eventually falling into the one oustide and sleeping until the sun & birds woke me up.
Today was a good day. I woke up late & hastily jumped into the truck with about 15 others headed for the rock quarry. It was a big flatbed truck with bars for us to hold onto and sides that could be taken down.
The rocks in the quarry seemed to be mostly volcanic rocks. The fact that we were told to retrieve rocks from a volcano assures me that there should be no problem in taking my few small rocks from the volcano we climbed Sunday.
I got hit twice by rocks being rulled down the hill. I have a pretty big bruise, & it beld a little. After we did the back-breaking job of filling the truck, we had to stand on top of the rocks and ride to Villa Catalina.
When we arrived at the Villa, we had to unload the rocks. There is a trench that had been dug a few years ago but filled back up because of rain. Some of the large group were digging it, making room for a new rock wall.
After we unloaded our rocks, we had to move another previous pile because the rocks were in the way of the dirt that was being dug out. Apparently, stuff like this happens a lot in Nicaragua (with a few expletives, as described by a guy who does this a lot).
After we moved the pile, seven of us went back to the quarry. There was a catepillar construction thing moving rocks & dirt, so we all got very dirty. I looked Nicaraguan because my skin was so coated in dirt.
It didn't rain at all today.
After we emptied the truck of rocks, the trucks & several other groups went out to get cinderblocks and sand. I hung out with the villagers. Most of the kids seemed scared of me. I guess it was my leg. I got cut twice. I tried to put bandages on the cuts, but I sweated them off, so Stephanie D. put some pink cream on them, & the children seemed to think something of it.
At the end of the work day, the Nicaraguans & Americans played each other in baseball. The Nicaraguans won.
I left with the first truck, before the game ended. Upon arrival at casa Blanca, I took my first shower since Tuesday. It took a little while to scrub the dirt off my skin, but I succeded.
I'm extremely tired now.
Tomorrow is the last day.
I can't wait to be home.
Saturday, June 9
7/7 done. The Last Full Day
It's finally come.
And, of course, because we're going to the beach, I started my period. That stinks.
Leon, a good shopping center is on the way to the beach, so hopefully we'll be stopping there. I'd love to, since the only thing I've been able to get people so far are volcanic rocks.
I think one of the reasons I haven't liked this trip so much is because it's a lot like school. The people profess to be Christians & they serve on mission trips, but they cuss like sailors! I really hate that.
But I only have to endure one more day!
Today was so much fun! We spent a little time in Leon shopping, then drove to the beach. We ate lunch, tanned, & got inot the water. It was suprisingly warm for the Pacific, but we were near the equator.
After we rinsed & dried off, we played volley ball on the beach. It was awesome. The sand was dark & soaked up heat, so it was difficult to walk on at first. But after spending time in the water & the temperature dropped due to teh oncoming evening, it became bearable.
My team won by one point in volley ball. I am very tired. I think I may have twisted my back (again), so I took three Ibuprofen & have a heat pack on it.
I got a pretty good tan, though I still have racoon eyes from my sunglasses.
We're leaving very early tomorrow.
I can't wait to be home!
Oh, yeah, it rained tonight while I was taking my outdoor shower...that's something I won't miss!
It's finally come.
And, of course, because we're going to the beach, I started my period. That stinks.
Leon, a good shopping center is on the way to the beach, so hopefully we'll be stopping there. I'd love to, since the only thing I've been able to get people so far are volcanic rocks.
I think one of the reasons I haven't liked this trip so much is because it's a lot like school. The people profess to be Christians & they serve on mission trips, but they cuss like sailors! I really hate that.
But I only have to endure one more day!
Today was so much fun! We spent a little time in Leon shopping, then drove to the beach. We ate lunch, tanned, & got inot the water. It was suprisingly warm for the Pacific, but we were near the equator.
After we rinsed & dried off, we played volley ball on the beach. It was awesome. The sand was dark & soaked up heat, so it was difficult to walk on at first. But after spending time in the water & the temperature dropped due to teh oncoming evening, it became bearable.
My team won by one point in volley ball. I am very tired. I think I may have twisted my back (again), so I took three Ibuprofen & have a heat pack on it.
I got a pretty good tan, though I still have racoon eyes from my sunglasses.
We're leaving very early tomorrow.
I can't wait to be home!
Oh, yeah, it rained tonight while I was taking my outdoor shower...that's something I won't miss!
Sunday, June 10
In Flight...HOME!
It's over. I can't believe I made it. It didn't got by as quickly as I had hoped, but it's finally over. I get to go home & contine my mission.
I don't believe I've been called to mission to foreign nations, to build foundations & tote around large rocks. I'm a listener and a writer, not a hard-core tough worker type of girl.
The experience was incredible & wonderful. It's certainly something I'm glad to have done.
I don't think I'll be going back to Nicaragua on a mission trip again. If I ever go on a foreign mission trip again, it'll be somewhere that has a national language of English or French. I hated going most of the week unable to understand the children and not being able to order food on my own. Most of the others on the trip berated me for not knowing Spanish.
I'm kinda proud of myself, though. When speaking to the natives, I kept poping out French phrases. They came almost naturally. One of my long-term goals is to be able to speak French fluently. That I was able to unconsciencly speak & think in French brings a smile to my face.
It's wonderful to be in this air conditioned plane. Most of us breathed a deep sigh of relief as we stepped into the Managua airport. It was actually kind of COLD. I loved it.
We're flying over the ocean, and it reminds me of how eager I am to continue training for Nationals. I am extremely pleased tha tthe cold shower, three Ibuprofens, & heat pack relieved my back. It's only slightly harder on the right side than the left. This comparison is based on last night, when my right side was knotted as hard as a rock.
I'm excited about starting to work again. I'm considering taking a second job at CVS or Walgreens. I'd love to work in the photo lab again & since I'm 18, there's the possibility of becoming a lab tech.
The plane meal was excellent, & I ate it up like a starving person.
We've flown over several bodies of land (small islands) that I couldn't find on the map of our route. I'll have to look it up when I get home.
Home...a few more hours. I can't wait to run to my family...my mom, dad, & Jimmy. I can't wait to snuggle up in my bed, to brush, floss, really clean my teeth, to take a long, warm shower & to shave...these are the things I've missed, & the things I'll find soon.
It's over. I can't believe I made it. It didn't got by as quickly as I had hoped, but it's finally over. I get to go home & contine my mission.
I don't believe I've been called to mission to foreign nations, to build foundations & tote around large rocks. I'm a listener and a writer, not a hard-core tough worker type of girl.
The experience was incredible & wonderful. It's certainly something I'm glad to have done.
I don't think I'll be going back to Nicaragua on a mission trip again. If I ever go on a foreign mission trip again, it'll be somewhere that has a national language of English or French. I hated going most of the week unable to understand the children and not being able to order food on my own. Most of the others on the trip berated me for not knowing Spanish.
I'm kinda proud of myself, though. When speaking to the natives, I kept poping out French phrases. They came almost naturally. One of my long-term goals is to be able to speak French fluently. That I was able to unconsciencly speak & think in French brings a smile to my face.
It's wonderful to be in this air conditioned plane. Most of us breathed a deep sigh of relief as we stepped into the Managua airport. It was actually kind of COLD. I loved it.
We're flying over the ocean, and it reminds me of how eager I am to continue training for Nationals. I am extremely pleased tha tthe cold shower, three Ibuprofens, & heat pack relieved my back. It's only slightly harder on the right side than the left. This comparison is based on last night, when my right side was knotted as hard as a rock.
I'm excited about starting to work again. I'm considering taking a second job at CVS or Walgreens. I'd love to work in the photo lab again & since I'm 18, there's the possibility of becoming a lab tech.
The plane meal was excellent, & I ate it up like a starving person.
We've flown over several bodies of land (small islands) that I couldn't find on the map of our route. I'll have to look it up when I get home.
Home...a few more hours. I can't wait to run to my family...my mom, dad, & Jimmy. I can't wait to snuggle up in my bed, to brush, floss, really clean my teeth, to take a long, warm shower & to shave...these are the things I've missed, & the things I'll find soon.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
In Memory
I'm so sorry for what happened at Virginia Tech this week.
I hate that people at my school scoffed at the memorial slide show we had this morning.
I'm sorry that there are multiple copy-cat threats everywhere.
It disgusts me that my school is under a threat for tomorrow, so it's going to be a throw-away day.
I'm sorry that we're giving this so much attention, but it is a lose-lose situation.
Everyone wants to know what's going on, and everyone wants to send their condolences to the families and friends, and everyone wants to analyze the events.
We all want someone to blame, someone to hold at fault and punish for this horrendous act.
But we do have that person, and his punishment will be very fair. It's not going to be immediate, but it's going to happen. I don't know when it will happen. But I have faith that it will.
I hope that by publicising this so much, we're not encouraging others to do the same.
What difference does it make if your name and face is plastered and played over and over on the news? You're dead!
And why do people like this assassian and others (like Columbine and the Muslims of 9-11) have to kill others before they can kill themselves? Why not just kill themselves? I know it sounds morbid and pessimissitic, but honestly...
I believe that the reason people like this assassian kill others before killing self is because they want to be rescued. They're in so much pain that they want others to know and save them. They don't want to die. They want to know and experience love. Why else would he have written those kinds of things in his English class, and made several threats, and waited 2 hours to start another round of killing? Why else would he make such a disturbing video and take those pictures, and send them to the post office? And why did the post office send them to MSNBC first?
That's beside the point.
This was an eye-opener. To me, it shows that it can happen anywhere. That we shouldn't push around the loner who has no one. Forget being politically correct! If someone needs help, get him help! Pay attention to what's going on. Don't overlook small details that could lead to something bigger and more terrible, like what happened this week.
Pray for the families. Just because you're not a victim to these tragedies doesn't mean you don't have to think about it or relate it to your life.
If a crazy gunman came into your classroom or workplace, what would you do?
Would you be ready to die?
I hate that people at my school scoffed at the memorial slide show we had this morning.
I'm sorry that there are multiple copy-cat threats everywhere.
It disgusts me that my school is under a threat for tomorrow, so it's going to be a throw-away day.
I'm sorry that we're giving this so much attention, but it is a lose-lose situation.
Everyone wants to know what's going on, and everyone wants to send their condolences to the families and friends, and everyone wants to analyze the events.
We all want someone to blame, someone to hold at fault and punish for this horrendous act.
But we do have that person, and his punishment will be very fair. It's not going to be immediate, but it's going to happen. I don't know when it will happen. But I have faith that it will.
I hope that by publicising this so much, we're not encouraging others to do the same.
What difference does it make if your name and face is plastered and played over and over on the news? You're dead!
And why do people like this assassian and others (like Columbine and the Muslims of 9-11) have to kill others before they can kill themselves? Why not just kill themselves? I know it sounds morbid and pessimissitic, but honestly...
I believe that the reason people like this assassian kill others before killing self is because they want to be rescued. They're in so much pain that they want others to know and save them. They don't want to die. They want to know and experience love. Why else would he have written those kinds of things in his English class, and made several threats, and waited 2 hours to start another round of killing? Why else would he make such a disturbing video and take those pictures, and send them to the post office? And why did the post office send them to MSNBC first?
That's beside the point.
This was an eye-opener. To me, it shows that it can happen anywhere. That we shouldn't push around the loner who has no one. Forget being politically correct! If someone needs help, get him help! Pay attention to what's going on. Don't overlook small details that could lead to something bigger and more terrible, like what happened this week.
Pray for the families. Just because you're not a victim to these tragedies doesn't mean you don't have to think about it or relate it to your life.
If a crazy gunman came into your classroom or workplace, what would you do?
Would you be ready to die?
Monday, April 16, 2007
I'm Concerned...
I'm a little worried about the political future of our nation.
Here are two "now" presidential candidates:
1. Hilary Clinton. Former first woman (I can't bring myself to call her a lady) who didn't mind that her husband was a man whore. Not only that, but she doesn't mind all the vulgarity of rappers, who support her campaign. What's her stance on our war in Iraq? The same as any liberal. Pull out the troops. Basically, leave the Iraqis when they need us most.
2. Barak Obama. Mr. Unelected into the House of Representatives. He hasn't had many years of expierence in office, or around the political arena. Did I mention he abused alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine during his teenage years to "push questions of who I was out of my mind." If that's his excuse for abusing not only illegal drugs, but alcohol UNDERAGE, what kinds of excuses do you think he'll use when he's in office?
Many students are told that voting liberal is good. Most students go to college, which is where they are told that voting liberal is good. Most students don't care about politics and will vote for whoever they are told to vote for. I'm a senior in high school. That means I'm 18. When adults ask me what I want to be when I grow up, and I tell them that I want to be a political talk-show host, they're so impressed because I've "already got opinions about politics." Hello! The voting age is 18. Of course I've got opinions. Shouldn't every 18-year-old?
I worry that our nation will be overrun with "free, open-minded" liberals who are only liberal because they were told to be. And any critically-thinking conservative will be shushed.
Any conservative who has a family needs to start seriously talking to his children. And anyone who hasn't talked politically needs to start thinking about it and looking for evidence to support whatever stance he has taken.
In the mean time, I'll be praying for the future of America.
Here are two "now" presidential candidates:
1. Hilary Clinton. Former first woman (I can't bring myself to call her a lady) who didn't mind that her husband was a man whore. Not only that, but she doesn't mind all the vulgarity of rappers, who support her campaign. What's her stance on our war in Iraq? The same as any liberal. Pull out the troops. Basically, leave the Iraqis when they need us most.
2. Barak Obama. Mr. Unelected into the House of Representatives. He hasn't had many years of expierence in office, or around the political arena. Did I mention he abused alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine during his teenage years to "push questions of who I was out of my mind." If that's his excuse for abusing not only illegal drugs, but alcohol UNDERAGE, what kinds of excuses do you think he'll use when he's in office?
Many students are told that voting liberal is good. Most students go to college, which is where they are told that voting liberal is good. Most students don't care about politics and will vote for whoever they are told to vote for. I'm a senior in high school. That means I'm 18. When adults ask me what I want to be when I grow up, and I tell them that I want to be a political talk-show host, they're so impressed because I've "already got opinions about politics." Hello! The voting age is 18. Of course I've got opinions. Shouldn't every 18-year-old?
I worry that our nation will be overrun with "free, open-minded" liberals who are only liberal because they were told to be. And any critically-thinking conservative will be shushed.
Any conservative who has a family needs to start seriously talking to his children. And anyone who hasn't talked politically needs to start thinking about it and looking for evidence to support whatever stance he has taken.
In the mean time, I'll be praying for the future of America.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Fire Imus?
As I'm sure you've heard by now, Mr. Imus, a radio host, called some African American females (to be poltically correct) "nappy-headed hos." And he was fired for it. This is huge. It's all over Google, the news, talk shows...
Why? Why was he fired? He apologized.
Because he's white.
Because blacks can refer to other blacks as the n-word, ho, or the b-word. Have you listened to mainstream hip-hop songs lately? Allow me to enlighten you on some of the things BLACK rappers say in songs...
"...That hoe fine but this hoe killer
She leakin, she's soakin' wet...
Shake it like a salt shaker...
Pussy poppin, till you percolate
First booty on duty no time to wait
Make it work, with your wet t-shirt
Bitch you gotta shake it till ya calf muscles hurt..." (Ying Yang Twins)
"I've got hoes (I've got hoes)
In different area codes (area) area codes (codes)
Hoes (hoes..hoes) in different area codes (area) area codes (codes)" (Ludacris)
So why is it that male black rappers are allowed to call women hos but white men aren't? The lyrics in the first song talk about how much this guy wants to have sex with a girl. And we have scandals, like the one with the Notre Dame lacrosse team. Women advertise themselves as nothing more than a vessel of sex. Then they get angry when men take advantage of them.
But I digress...
The point is: Are we one or two Americas? Why do we live by a double standard? Why is it okay for a black man to call another black man the n-word, and for a black man in a song to call a woman a ho or the b-word?
This is unbelievable, how our society allows special intrest groups to be treated so carefully, while we use reverse discrimination to fire a white male for a comment that was supposed to be funny!
I think the lyrics speak for themselves. You decide what you think, and act on it.
Why? Why was he fired? He apologized.
Because he's white.
Because blacks can refer to other blacks as the n-word, ho, or the b-word. Have you listened to mainstream hip-hop songs lately? Allow me to enlighten you on some of the things BLACK rappers say in songs...
"...That hoe fine but this hoe killer
She leakin, she's soakin' wet...
Shake it like a salt shaker...
Pussy poppin, till you percolate
First booty on duty no time to wait
Make it work, with your wet t-shirt
Bitch you gotta shake it till ya calf muscles hurt..." (Ying Yang Twins)
"I've got hoes (I've got hoes)
In different area codes (area) area codes (codes)
Hoes (hoes..hoes) in different area codes (area) area codes (codes)" (Ludacris)
So why is it that male black rappers are allowed to call women hos but white men aren't? The lyrics in the first song talk about how much this guy wants to have sex with a girl. And we have scandals, like the one with the Notre Dame lacrosse team. Women advertise themselves as nothing more than a vessel of sex. Then they get angry when men take advantage of them.
But I digress...
The point is: Are we one or two Americas? Why do we live by a double standard? Why is it okay for a black man to call another black man the n-word, and for a black man in a song to call a woman a ho or the b-word?
This is unbelievable, how our society allows special intrest groups to be treated so carefully, while we use reverse discrimination to fire a white male for a comment that was supposed to be funny!
I think the lyrics speak for themselves. You decide what you think, and act on it.
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