A Post: A Long Way to Thursday

Thanksgiving is Thursday, but I feel like I have so much that needs done, that I can't even think about it. I don't understand why some people don't check or reply to their emails when they are professors. Isn't that one of the most efficient ways to communicate in such a schedule clashing environment? I thought so at least. I have so many articles that are dependant on emails, and those aren't very reliable, but every time I go IN to the office (taking time off my other job) they are never there.

Enough! No more work talk. Thanksgiving is on its way and I was able to get most of my Christmas shopping done this past weekend. I really love Christmas shopping. I hate the crowds and pushy people (and when did parents stop holding their children's hands?) but I love picking things out for people and wrapping and the whole altruistic feel of Christmas. I would love a new holiday outfit, but buying a cute sweater for Scarlett fills me with more gratification that the perfect office holiday party dress. There is supposed to be cool weather and loads of food. Beth, Dave, and my niece Haylie, are coming down from WV to celebrate with us, and I am really excited about the blending of Jimmy and my Family's holidays. I only wish that these term papers and group presentation would finish themselves.

I hope you all have the most fantastic of holidays this Thursday. Even if you may not celebrate Thanksgiving per say, I recommend taking a moment out of this busy time of year and reflecting on the positive. In a time of hardship, it is most important to realize how lucky you are.

All my love!

A Post: Strictly nonesense

I don't have time for a good post here, but I would like to leave some words of my wisdom.

One: only two men can get away with ponytails, Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp.

Two: I worry about the youth sometimes. I know, I am but a youth myself (somewhat) but really, these young people that come in to see me, some of them just don't want to be here and I wonder why they even bother. And then I cry a little inside. Luckily, some are really awesome too, so I don't get too upset.

That's all.

Panel discussion tomorrow, scary. I hope that people show.

A Post: A Nonsense Post to be exact

Today is Friday. I love and loathe Fridays. I have a little more freedoms on Friday's because I don't have any classes and I don't have to go back to work at BAE. Unfortunately, today I have to do some running around for the magazine. I need to make some phone calls and I need to visit a professor. I worry about having to talk and interview people, and this scares me, because I know that mentoring is a big part of grad school and I know that what I want to do requires me to make contacts. I hope that maturity will bring more confidence in my ability to captivate people. That sounds weird... what I mean is that I tend to have some sort of strange physical change that happens every time I see someone where I don't look the same. I can't tell you how many people I have had to introduce myself to more than twice. I don't know if this is because I am soft spoken at times or if I am forgettable for some reason. That's not a good quality to have in someone that needs to have contacts for a career. *shrug* I have developed into a more assertive person over the past five years, and perhaps, that will continue without faultering my plans.

So, there is that. Otherwise, I am having to plan a wedding. This is slightly stressful. Plus, I don't know how money will be. I think we will be fine, but I am the type of person that needs a lot of emergency fund buffer. And I love shoes. There's my problem. I have the church, reception hall, cake plans, dress, shoes, rehearsal dress, and favors planned or purchased but I still have a lot to do. If anyone knows about good flower places, please let me know.

And still another note, I promise to get into the holiday spirit, as long as I can finalize some sort of research and an outline for BOTH of my term papers. Please, I don't care how bad the economy is, don't pressure me any earlier than normal to accept the end of the semester and beginning of the holiday season, marketers and radio stations!

Have a happy weekend all!

A Post: A bunch of random opinions. you've been warned

First thing first, Prop 8. I had a very interesting conversation about this at a friend's house this past weekend. I find it deplorable that there are enough people in this country to determine the lawful rights of others based on religion. I do think, however, using their logic, that there is still no reason for everyone to enjoy the rights and other benefits that "married" couples do. Here I go: If, a homosexual couple can not get married strictly based on what the Bible says, then civil unions should become the lawful term for any "marriage." I maintain this because at my friend's place, she made the observation that she wouldn't want to be married in a country that defines it religiously because she, though heterosexual, is an atheist. Though, I don't even want to start in on how the religious zealots might feel about this issue and what they happily turn a bli9nd eye to, I would like to point out that if they feel that marriage is a religous act, then marriage should only be recognized by the church. Otherwise, it is unconstitutional. But really, my thoughts, homosexal or not, the rights of Americans are being supressed and as long as marriage in any combination of sexes is not mandatory, there is no reason to deny anyone.

I'm done.

In other news, Thanksgiving is only two weeks away as of tomorrow. I need to have my papers done. I haven't even started one. Damn it. I'm just super stoked to see family soon.

The holidays may suck a little being that it is the first year without family, but I'm looking to make the most of it. Anyone wanting to spread cheer after I finish my term papers are more than welcome!

A Post: A Toast

To America. Not for who you voted, this post was bound to happen whoever sat in their respect seats of power, but for how many of you voted. I waited til after work to vote, so it only took me 15 minutes from the time i parked to the time i was driving out of Tallwood Elementary. It kind of pains me, mostly because I don't think a lot of people who voted voted as informed voters, more like rebels without a cause, but I am encouraged to see something that ignited this nation. I have been feeling like there is no passion left in America. Myself included. I feel like the average American has turned into a me-first-make-my-money type of person who doesn't feel humanity and couldn't care less of what happens to their neighbors as long as it doesn't take their Hummer and big screen TV away.

America, please build off of this passion, please find causes and altruism to be proud of. Fight for those causes. Fight injustice and learn how to be active in life. Stop being controled by TV and politicians and organization leaders and tabloids and newspapers and journals.... just start finding what you believe in and please follow that as you would if your life depended on it. Because it does.

A Post: For tomorrow, but really, for the future

This can be cool to check out tomorrow night while the votes are rolling in. Who ever gets elected, I think as Americans, we need to re-evaluate how we view our rights and how we fight for them. (or don't fight for them)

A Post: The first, the introduction

Hello all. I figured that with Halloween announcing the start of my first holiday season without most of the family, more specifically, without the nieces and nephew, it would be nice to start this public blog and keep in touch.

I'm not sure where all I will be going with this blog- random updates about my life, philosophical inquiries, or simply a "hi what's up" to everyone that may read this, but I would like to try to keep in touch with all of the family, friends, and colleagues that are spread across the world.

I am currently involved in a lot. It's been overwhelming and I feel like I have no social life. I seem to be using my weekends to catch up on sleep that I forgot to schedule into my weekday itinerary. I am still working at BAE Systems and also ODU as the writer for the Arts & Letters Alumni magazine and a freshman A&L adviser. I don't really feel like I'm the most qualified despite my degree in English. I guess I'm just overly aware that my writing is nothing special compared to so many people that I have read. I'm trying though, and I guess that's all I can do. It also doesn't help that I've had very little interest in reporting ever since I realized embellishment in articles is strictly prohibited. On top of that, I'm not writing editorial work, strictly reporting. In other words, I'm enjoying getting out and about, but I'm feeling constricted. It will look great on my CV, though, and I am meeting some great people.

Grad school is exhausting. I'm not even sure I'm qualified to talk about it right now. Plus, I'm scared of the grad school karma gods, and if I talk bad about them, they might smite me. So that ends that right now.

This is getting a bit long, so I will just leave with this- I will be trying my best to update this, I really admire those people that can update once a day, but I'm going to shoot for once a week, and I hope that I can start keeping in touch with you all a little better than I do now. Here's a picture of where my heart is this season, just because, well, they're friggin cute!