On an even more grim note, I was reading a blog about the CPAConference going on in DC and a roundtable discussion on abortion. Did you know that, since the inception of the ultrasound, which can indicate the sex of a child, over 100million girls have been aborted in China? Just let that sink in. Heartbreaking. I've always said that if T and I ever adopted, we'd try for a boy, but in the past year or so I've had a heart change with a bent towards girls. Why so undervalued?
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Honk
I saw this on FB tonight and couldn't resist putting it up here. The Tennessee Republican Party is selling these bumper stickers in response to the astronomical spending that is going on in Washington. I cannot fathom how any of it will really help and worry about how this will impact the quality of life for my children and grandchildren. Our country needs a massive amount of prayer.
On an even more grim note, I was reading a blog about the CPAConference going on in DC and a roundtable discussion on abortion. Did you know that, since the inception of the ultrasound, which can indicate the sex of a child, over 100million girls have been aborted in China? Just let that sink in. Heartbreaking. I've always said that if T and I ever adopted, we'd try for a boy, but in the past year or so I've had a heart change with a bent towards girls. Why so undervalued?
On an even more grim note, I was reading a blog about the CPAConference going on in DC and a roundtable discussion on abortion. Did you know that, since the inception of the ultrasound, which can indicate the sex of a child, over 100million girls have been aborted in China? Just let that sink in. Heartbreaking. I've always said that if T and I ever adopted, we'd try for a boy, but in the past year or so I've had a heart change with a bent towards girls. Why so undervalued?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Lockdown Drill
I just got this little eschoolnewsletter a few minutes ago:
This afternoon we had our second lockdown drill of the school year. During a lockdown drill the students sit quietly on the floor of their classroom with all the lights off. Mrs. McN and I went around and checked on all the classes and the students did a wonderful job during the drill. At the end of the drill I got on the PA system and complimented the students for doing such a great job. I also told them that it was a drill and there was no emergency. I know that lockdown drills can be scary to some students, but we do them to make sure everyone is prepared if an incident that required an actual lockdown ever took place. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at school or email me atI can't wait to hear what the girls have to say this time! I always hear the funniest stories after days like this. The kids have NO IDEA why they are doing these. Of course, the absence of doors on the classrooms might lend itself to some funny answers if they really knew!! Thank goodness they will be fixing that security issue this summer with the final renovations. Next year, these drills might actually have more of a purpose. Now, I'm just thankful they are only drills.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Birthdays and Beaches
Just got back from a short birthday trip to Daytona Beach. It was cold but fun, hurried but relaxing, short but significant. Sort of like the birthdays. Mine was Friday, my dad's was yesterday... of course, we don't celebrate his anymore, although we did have a little fun remembering him on our trip!
While I was a bit chilly, I enjoyed a walk on the beach, the heated pool, hot tub, time with my family, seeing St. Augustine again and visiting with old friends and new. I can't think of a better way to spend a birthday - other than on an island somewhere hot!!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Fun in the Sun
I am pretty much packed and ready to head down to Florida for a couple days. While it's not expected to be the best weather or even hot, it's snowing here. Need I say more? And we'll be right on the beach. I've loved beaches all my life, every season of the year. I'm so excited to get away for a bit - a much needed escape. And my mom is coming along - yay!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Clarity
Today's sermon was the conclusion of Jonah. Great series, love the lessons, insight. On the conclusion of this book, Chapter 4 of Jonah, probably one of the "lamest" endings to a book ever. It begs so many questions, but today we saw it from the perspective of clarity - comparing God's concern over Jonah's (or ours) concerns. Some good, thought provoking clarity.
Of course, I've been following the process of this "bail-out" and am entirely underimpressed with the process, the misrepresentations and the conclusion of this economic event. It was flawed from the start, but I don't need to get into any of that because every political pundit has beat me to it!! Instead, I decided to meander through the bacon of the bill to see if there is anything for me in it. I found one item that caught my attention: tax rebate for energy efficient windows or insulation. Intriguing, since we are just about to collect on our refi of this house, taking some money out to make some home improvements. I decided to research the qualifications of such a tax break, so I googled "energy efficient window tax breaks" which sent me to this site.
Imagine my surprise at finding a list of MANY energy efficient items you, too, can receive a tax break on. Of course, they don't have anything to do with the bail-out, as they were signed into effect by Bush back in October. Naturally, this begs the question.... why is it in the bail-out bill??? Or does it. I mean, I think we understand now that most of that bail-out bill was thrown together with nary a thought for anyone but a lobbyist! It will be signed by Obama, who will claim to have made all these wonderful improvements... or did he?? Wow. Politics.
Again this afternoon I read the headline, "Obama to End the Ban on Stem Cell Research", once again, very misleading. You see, there is currently, nor has there ever been, a ban on any kind of stem cell research here in the US. That's right - you are reading this correctly. If you want to, you can go out tomorrow and collect as many embryonic stem cells as you wish and go ahead and start researching them and you are well within the laws of the land. What you cannot do, however, is ask for federal tax payer dollars to do this. Some states, like Maryland!, will you give you money and any private institutions who would like to support you may do so. The only thing you cannot do is use tax payer money. So... is Obama going end the ban on stem cell research? Nope. He IS going to use MORE and MORE of the taxpayer's money to fund something controversial. Because, I mean, he's working with a surplus! At least until Tuesday!
Clarity is something I have a real issue with, so like Jonah, I think I need to step back and ask myself what I think God's concern is in these cases. I'm thinking God probably doesn't care so much if Obama or Bush gets the credit for giving us back some tax money for improvements on our home. I think He probably has more at stake with the possibility of spending money to create/take away life for research. Of course, He cares about the heart of those making important decisions, and He commands me, and you, to pray and support those making them. So.... pray. For the many who hold the power to make changes that concern the heart of God.
Of course, I've been following the process of this "bail-out" and am entirely underimpressed with the process, the misrepresentations and the conclusion of this economic event. It was flawed from the start, but I don't need to get into any of that because every political pundit has beat me to it!! Instead, I decided to meander through the bacon of the bill to see if there is anything for me in it. I found one item that caught my attention: tax rebate for energy efficient windows or insulation. Intriguing, since we are just about to collect on our refi of this house, taking some money out to make some home improvements. I decided to research the qualifications of such a tax break, so I googled "energy efficient window tax breaks" which sent me to this site.
Imagine my surprise at finding a list of MANY energy efficient items you, too, can receive a tax break on. Of course, they don't have anything to do with the bail-out, as they were signed into effect by Bush back in October. Naturally, this begs the question.... why is it in the bail-out bill??? Or does it. I mean, I think we understand now that most of that bail-out bill was thrown together with nary a thought for anyone but a lobbyist! It will be signed by Obama, who will claim to have made all these wonderful improvements... or did he?? Wow. Politics.
Again this afternoon I read the headline, "Obama to End the Ban on Stem Cell Research", once again, very misleading. You see, there is currently, nor has there ever been, a ban on any kind of stem cell research here in the US. That's right - you are reading this correctly. If you want to, you can go out tomorrow and collect as many embryonic stem cells as you wish and go ahead and start researching them and you are well within the laws of the land. What you cannot do, however, is ask for federal tax payer dollars to do this. Some states, like Maryland!, will you give you money and any private institutions who would like to support you may do so. The only thing you cannot do is use tax payer money. So... is Obama going end the ban on stem cell research? Nope. He IS going to use MORE and MORE of the taxpayer's money to fund something controversial. Because, I mean, he's working with a surplus! At least until Tuesday!
Clarity is something I have a real issue with, so like Jonah, I think I need to step back and ask myself what I think God's concern is in these cases. I'm thinking God probably doesn't care so much if Obama or Bush gets the credit for giving us back some tax money for improvements on our home. I think He probably has more at stake with the possibility of spending money to create/take away life for research. Of course, He cares about the heart of those making important decisions, and He commands me, and you, to pray and support those making them. So.... pray. For the many who hold the power to make changes that concern the heart of God.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Facebook Fun
I've been having the best time on Facebook, hence my blog absence! My college friends, who are scattered about the US, are hysterical and it's so wonderful catching up with everyone. It's great to laugh at ourselves and remember all the sillyness that was college, roomies, really bad food, boys, MONET, '80's.... just pure fun!
This past week, my sister has finally joined the fun that is Facebook. She has resisted the movement for over a year, but she finally caved!! Tonight I chatted with her for the first time, and I was crying I was laughing so hard. I can't wait until we're all older and sit back and laugh at the things that irritate us now. It will be like looking back at college. Here's a sample of our chat:
Stef
Stef
Stef
Stef
Stef
Stef
Stef
Stef
Stef
Stef
This past week, my sister has finally joined the fun that is Facebook. She has resisted the movement for over a year, but she finally caved!! Tonight I chatted with her for the first time, and I was crying I was laughing so hard. I can't wait until we're all older and sit back and laugh at the things that irritate us now. It will be like looking back at college. Here's a sample of our chat:
De
katie just came up here to ask if she could watch the movie "House Bunny"
Stef
never heard of it
7:33pmDe
it's a movie about an ex-Playboy bunny!
she's all mad that Tony said no, because we're the most uncool parents EVER!!
Stef
OH NO!!
Does she know that's what it's about?
7:34pmDe
no, she doesn't
she only cares that we said no
we are now "stupid, dumb" parents who make her go to bed too early, don't give her enough money and never let her watch anything!
remember when our parents were exactly the same thing?
Stef
well tell her it's not appropriate
hmmm... I can't see Katie thinking that - SWEET SMART KATIE???
7:35pmDe
someday she'll thank us! LOL
Stef
Not MY niece!!
7:36pmDe
oh, you should hear her!!
Stef
Remind her that she's been to Europe TWICE!
7:36pmDe
her best friend called here at 10:15 the night of the Super Bowl - we let her talk to her and after about 5 minutes, we told her she needed to get off and go to bed
she yelled into the phone, "My stupid parents are making me go to bed, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!"
she got in pretty big trouble for that one!
Stef
WOW!
I dont' believe it
But I see Skyler in her - in the not too distant future
7:38pmDe
well, when she came home, as she does most days, to tell me, "Guess what so and so gets..." I said, "Well, so-and-so also does a lot of chores around the house... How about I call and find out what they have to do and we'll make it really even!"
yup... you're in for it! trust me!
Stef
I already am
7:38pmDe
yeah, she's a smart one!
Stef
Mine quit Tai Kwon Do b/c of the outfit. Where did she get her fashion sense?
I'll have to post that on my "status bar"
7:39pmDe
I'm totally laughing, as is Tony
that's hysterical
they wouldn't let her do it in her ballet clothes?
Stef
We dressed her all up in her outfit which WAS a bit big, but I took karate - it's so they can MOVE in it and do their kicks and such
Well, no, no, no... we got to the dojo and I wrapped her belt (the proper way) and just before we walked in, she burst out in tears
she said, "It's too big!" Plus, she doesn't like shirts that go below her waist and this one, of course, goes below her butt
7:41pmDe
i'm crying i'm laughing so hard!
Stef
I said, "They won't get you do it if you don't wear this." Last week, she got a few free classes and for simply trying out, got to wear her sweats and favorite shirt
So standing outside the dojo, watching all the other moms walking in with their little Pre-Kers wearing their outfits, I pointed out to her that everyone's were too big
That didn't do. So I told her if we left, we would never come back. I couldn't even pull her inside so we turned around and drove home.
She cried all the way home. She wanted to somehow shrink it. I said that wouldn't work. Well, she saved me from paying for 6 months of it at $800 (which I was going to do that night!)
7:43pmDe
wow - that's a lot of dough
Stef
I had to talk to the owner, who called me last night after not seeing her and had to explain that she simply didn't like the outfit and that we'd return it and try again next year. He said he understood as he also has a 5 year old who he said has clothing issues, too.
No kidding. I was hesitant about it - it's a HUGE commitment from the parents at 2 nights per week, but she just LOVED the classes she took last week and I thought it would be great for her confidence
7:45pmDe
awww... it's too bad they make them wear that - but still, mucho buckeroos!
My neice - she's a funny one!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
4 in 10
That's it? You'd think with all the hoopla over the necessity of teaching the theory of evolution that more people would have a stake in it! This article is interesting, worth reading. Still shocking that only 39% of Americans even believe in this theory that is widely taught as truth.
Per Kathryn's comment, here is another very interesting article about how non-religious groups and atheists have "hijacked" Darwin's ideas and theories. Interesting.
Per Kathryn's comment, here is another very interesting article about how non-religious groups and atheists have "hijacked" Darwin's ideas and theories. Interesting.
Blog Slacker
That's what I am. Lately, I haven't thought of much to write here besides what is going on in the world of politics, so I've been keeping my mouth shut! I also enjoyed a bit of beautiful weather here yesterday - 70 degrees! =) A global warming event I actually enjoyed.
I've spent a few days taking care of the travel details for our trip next week to Daytona Beach. The weather could pose a problem here - snow! Down there, only in the 60's, but no snow!! Especially not on my birthday. Last year, T and I got stuck out in the snow on my birthday, so I'm happy we're not having a repeat of that event. Maybe I'll get stuck in the sand.
As for the mess our country is in right now, I have so many opinions, but it's really all summed up by this guy... on CNN, of all places. While I think we're on the edge of making a mistake that our children and their children will pay dearly for, it is comforting to know that God is so much bigger than this. He is in control and right now, I'm His audience. And every once in a while, he sends some nice weather my way to take my mind of this mess. ;-)
I've spent a few days taking care of the travel details for our trip next week to Daytona Beach. The weather could pose a problem here - snow! Down there, only in the 60's, but no snow!! Especially not on my birthday. Last year, T and I got stuck out in the snow on my birthday, so I'm happy we're not having a repeat of that event. Maybe I'll get stuck in the sand.
As for the mess our country is in right now, I have so many opinions, but it's really all summed up by this guy... on CNN, of all places. While I think we're on the edge of making a mistake that our children and their children will pay dearly for, it is comforting to know that God is so much bigger than this. He is in control and right now, I'm His audience. And every once in a while, he sends some nice weather my way to take my mind of this mess. ;-)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Australia
It's heartbreaking, the news out of Australia these days. Fires in the south, flooding... we met a couple this summer, Deb and Alan Hirsch, who are from Australia. Deb posted this site on Facebook yesterday - devastating. I also have a friend from high school youth group who moved his family to pastor a church in Australia last year, Kevin Butterfield. Some of his church body have lost their homes in these fires. I'm joining them and many other who are lifting up that country in prayer - for safety, for comfort and for an end to the horror. I can't even imagine.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Good Laugh
I watched this on Facebook tonight and seriously - I was crying I was laughing so hard.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Hopeless
I think we've all felt desperate or hopeless at times, but the feeling I'm thinking of can't possibly be what those who have taken their own lives have felt. We had such an occurrence this past week and it's heartbreaking. If we can't offer hope as a body of believers, we're completely missing the point.
I love this organization, To Write Love on Her Arms, and the many links they offer. I just wish it was enough - but we need to be Christ in the world - we can't leave that up to a website! And pray... for hope and peace.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
First Child Syndrome
I think I've always suffered from First Child Syndrome, or at least various forms of it. I can remember being so overly compliant as a child that I was in shock when my sister dared to do anything rebellious, such as not do her homework (intently!), stay out later than her curfew and not really care what my parents thought or her being able to hide a tattoo for weeks and months without my parents ever finding out. My brother was even better at deception, which I'm sure began in his early years, but I wouldn't really know because I was too busy obeying to even notice! Call it naivety or just plain goodie-two-shoesness, I am just completely stunned when I find out people get away with things that I was sure I'd be punished for - lock me up and throw that key far away.
Thus it has been for me this past week. Do people really get away with not paying thousands upon thousands of dollars in taxes?? Can they really break the law and not be penalized?? On top of that, will they then, after being publicly lashed with a wet spaghetti noodle, still receive the job of making sure all us little folks pay our taxes?? For sure, I do not understand politics or the economy... but I recognize a criminal when I see one!!
Thankfully, God is much more merciful with me than I am with other. As another side effect of First Child Syndrome, I have this insatiable need to practice mercy and grace with others instead of my knee-jerk reaction, which is justice and revenge! God is patiently teaching me to leave those things to Him, and to practice those virtues which I lack as was portioned to me by my birth order.... confounded by my need to always be right. Someday, attitude and all, each of us will have to account for our actions and reactions. We will all want grace where we are concerned. As for the others, I plead the 5th!
Thus it has been for me this past week. Do people really get away with not paying thousands upon thousands of dollars in taxes?? Can they really break the law and not be penalized?? On top of that, will they then, after being publicly lashed with a wet spaghetti noodle, still receive the job of making sure all us little folks pay our taxes?? For sure, I do not understand politics or the economy... but I recognize a criminal when I see one!!
Thankfully, God is much more merciful with me than I am with other. As another side effect of First Child Syndrome, I have this insatiable need to practice mercy and grace with others instead of my knee-jerk reaction, which is justice and revenge! God is patiently teaching me to leave those things to Him, and to practice those virtues which I lack as was portioned to me by my birth order.... confounded by my need to always be right. Someday, attitude and all, each of us will have to account for our actions and reactions. We will all want grace where we are concerned. As for the others, I plead the 5th!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Super Bowl
There's going to be a Super Bowl party at the White House. Let's crash it! I'll admit - this is new and different. I don't believe there's ever been a president who used a Super Bowl to host a fun get together in the White House while trying avert the most catastrophic economic crisis of our lifetime... two wars with scores of our men in danger... and thousands of Americans out of work, unable to afford a Super Bowl party of their own. Wow. What a cool guy... I'm starting to believe in this. It might just work. Now, if he can just get them all to sit down and do their tax returns while watching the game, we might actually get something accomplished!
Transparency
I am really struggling these days with the hypocrisy of the Obama administration. Oh, how I wish I lived far away from Washington, D.C., where national news is my local news... get me out of here!! I see nothing new happening in Washington, just the same old corrupt politicians being given more and more control over my life, bad decisions being made on a the whim of trying to look "new" and a general reluctance to accept any constructive criticism.
Closing Gitmo?? Why?? The only reason I've seen come up over and over for closing Gitmo is because it's a "blemish" on America. Really? Who says? Human rights groups (who say that about any prison), terrorist groups (who would love to embarrass America if it means we go easy on them AND they get their key players back) and Americans who don't believe in war (but don't want another 9/11.... by negotiating, not fighting, with terrorists). My question: if you are embarrassed by the Bush Administration and feel like what happened in the White House for the last 8 years is a blemish on our country, should we shut down the White House??? Move it to, say, Chicago? Duh. Don't close Gitmo - it's absolutely strategic for us to keep these high profile terrorist enemy combatants off our shores. Change the way it's run - YES!! But why close it?? I'm not understanding the necessity here.... As for giving up our land on Cuba.... no way. Too strategic, but Obama certainly has opened up a can of worms with this executive order!
Fund Abortion Internationally for Population Control?? Even Bill Gates knows this is no solution. Not to mention, this is NO change... it's Clinton regurgitated. No thought, no ethic involved in this one.
Waivers for Lobbyists? Don't make an executive order and then turn around and abuse your power with it. No waivers... just follow your own rules. It's that simple. You can find someone who is better suited and not look hypocritical while doing so. I have zero tolerance for inconsistent, unapologetic arrogance.
Meanwhile, we're cutting defense spending once again... because we're not involved in two wars and weapons proliferation or anything. I mean, if we want to keep America safe, by all means cut the spending where defense is concerned. No red flag there! Just a big old white one!
I need a vacation. A long vacation!
Closing Gitmo?? Why?? The only reason I've seen come up over and over for closing Gitmo is because it's a "blemish" on America. Really? Who says? Human rights groups (who say that about any prison), terrorist groups (who would love to embarrass America if it means we go easy on them AND they get their key players back) and Americans who don't believe in war (but don't want another 9/11.... by negotiating, not fighting, with terrorists). My question: if you are embarrassed by the Bush Administration and feel like what happened in the White House for the last 8 years is a blemish on our country, should we shut down the White House??? Move it to, say, Chicago? Duh. Don't close Gitmo - it's absolutely strategic for us to keep these high profile terrorist enemy combatants off our shores. Change the way it's run - YES!! But why close it?? I'm not understanding the necessity here.... As for giving up our land on Cuba.... no way. Too strategic, but Obama certainly has opened up a can of worms with this executive order!
Fund Abortion Internationally for Population Control?? Even Bill Gates knows this is no solution. Not to mention, this is NO change... it's Clinton regurgitated. No thought, no ethic involved in this one.
Waivers for Lobbyists? Don't make an executive order and then turn around and abuse your power with it. No waivers... just follow your own rules. It's that simple. You can find someone who is better suited and not look hypocritical while doing so. I have zero tolerance for inconsistent, unapologetic arrogance.
Meanwhile, we're cutting defense spending once again... because we're not involved in two wars and weapons proliferation or anything. I mean, if we want to keep America safe, by all means cut the spending where defense is concerned. No red flag there! Just a big old white one!
I need a vacation. A long vacation!
Friday, January 30, 2009
School Days
Last night, Em and I finished up her Frindle project, which turned out really cute. She had a great vision for this project (once I steered her away from the song she wanted to sing... which consisted of one line!) and really did a super job. I just hope she's as happy with it when she comes home today.
Kt is in a spelling bee today. This was supposed to be on Tuesday, but with all the snow delays and ice, they rescheduled it for today. I'm a bit uncomfortable about this one because I really didn't help her at all with this, and I feel really guilty about it!! Kt is an overachiever, who is always busy doing something. She rarely asks us for help, organizes all her own work and only occasionally "messes up", or forgets something. Our last big mess up was when she missed a deadline to submit an essay for a scholarship - and you would have thought it was the end of the world!! I assured her that, as a fifth grader, there would be many, many more opportunities to do these extra projects.... Anyway, she and another classmate won the class spelling bee, so today is the spelling bee to send a student on to the county wide spelling bee. If she wins today, I promise to be a better mom and actually help her. If she wins today, she will officially be the most over committed fifth grader I've ever met!
As for me, I'm really enjoying my job, although for the past two weeks, I've only worked one day weeks! Last week, I had MLK birthday off and inauguration day off. This week, I went in on Monday, then had two snow days. Of course, that gave me time to do my midyear student reviews, which took quite a lot longer than I'd anticipated!! Next week, my first graders will be on a field trip one day.... I'm actually looking forward to an uninterrupted Feb and March! I need some consistency with these kids!
Kt is in a spelling bee today. This was supposed to be on Tuesday, but with all the snow delays and ice, they rescheduled it for today. I'm a bit uncomfortable about this one because I really didn't help her at all with this, and I feel really guilty about it!! Kt is an overachiever, who is always busy doing something. She rarely asks us for help, organizes all her own work and only occasionally "messes up", or forgets something. Our last big mess up was when she missed a deadline to submit an essay for a scholarship - and you would have thought it was the end of the world!! I assured her that, as a fifth grader, there would be many, many more opportunities to do these extra projects.... Anyway, she and another classmate won the class spelling bee, so today is the spelling bee to send a student on to the county wide spelling bee. If she wins today, I promise to be a better mom and actually help her. If she wins today, she will officially be the most over committed fifth grader I've ever met!
As for me, I'm really enjoying my job, although for the past two weeks, I've only worked one day weeks! Last week, I had MLK birthday off and inauguration day off. This week, I went in on Monday, then had two snow days. Of course, that gave me time to do my midyear student reviews, which took quite a lot longer than I'd anticipated!! Next week, my first graders will be on a field trip one day.... I'm actually looking forward to an uninterrupted Feb and March! I need some consistency with these kids!
Ledbetter Law
Obama signed a law today for equal pay for women who do equal work for me. He added his little caveat about how fitting it was that his first law signed into action was based on a premise he ran his campaign on, that we are all created equal. In the back of my mind, I kept remembering an article I read during the campaign about the way Obama paid his staff while in the Senate... and it's not exactly congruent with his words today. In case you want to read that as well, I found it... he may need a waiver so he can continue his payroll practices after signing his first bill today!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Rice
This is not my favorite food, but for many in the world, it's a staple of life. This article today demonstrates an amazing persistence to help feed the world in a way that was sustaining, rewarding and specialized. We need more people like this:
It's a great read... hopefully inspiring to those who have talent, vision and a heart for the world. There are always more possibilities.... limitless!
"I feel a great sense of gratitude that I was able to contribute in this way," she (Pamela Ronald) said. "But the farmers have asked us, 'Can you develop varieties that are drought tolerant, salt tolerant? Can you develop varieties that are insect resistant?' There are always more things to work on."
It's a great read... hopefully inspiring to those who have talent, vision and a heart for the world. There are always more possibilities.... limitless!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Is Obama Really Black?
Sounds really racist, huh?? Well, it's a question I've heard of late with the silly explanation that, because Obama's mother was white, he was raised by his mother and his mother's parents that he's more white than black.... and I think the whole idea is absurd!! What I find even more offensive is that people tell me this not really taking into consideration that, while my children are not black, they are half Asian. I haven't been brazen enough to say this, mostly because these conversations take place in public, but if given the opportunity to say this in private, without embarrassing them, I will ask... then what are my children?
I have always told my girls they are Chinese and American, and we don't really give that a percentage. In truth, I'm 1/4 Scottish, 1/4 British, 1/4 Austrian and 1/4 Swedish.... and my mother always said, "You're American!!" My favorite was when Kt, at the age of 5, told her kindergarten class that she was half Chinese, half Connecticut! The truth is, they can choose what they would like to be listed as on their silly standardized tests, but they are free to choose how they identify their "nationality". If they want to say they are part Asian and they are American, that's fine. If they want to say they are part Scottish and American, that's fine as well. Who cares?? But to say they aren't Chinese.... would be absurd.
I don't know if I find the reasoning offensive, however, as much as I find the hatred infused in the wording of this claim. When I see the first family, I have no doubt in my mind that I see and African American family, no matter what they wear or who their parents are. To try to convince me otherwise would be a difficult thing to do. What will stand out to me about the first family and my own is that we are Americans, and our heritage is something we should be proud of, we should strive to educate our children to be proud of it and we should not be using it offensively. I'm sensitive here because for me, it's my kids you're talking about, too!
I have always told my girls they are Chinese and American, and we don't really give that a percentage. In truth, I'm 1/4 Scottish, 1/4 British, 1/4 Austrian and 1/4 Swedish.... and my mother always said, "You're American!!" My favorite was when Kt, at the age of 5, told her kindergarten class that she was half Chinese, half Connecticut! The truth is, they can choose what they would like to be listed as on their silly standardized tests, but they are free to choose how they identify their "nationality". If they want to say they are part Asian and they are American, that's fine. If they want to say they are part Scottish and American, that's fine as well. Who cares?? But to say they aren't Chinese.... would be absurd.
I don't know if I find the reasoning offensive, however, as much as I find the hatred infused in the wording of this claim. When I see the first family, I have no doubt in my mind that I see and African American family, no matter what they wear or who their parents are. To try to convince me otherwise would be a difficult thing to do. What will stand out to me about the first family and my own is that we are Americans, and our heritage is something we should be proud of, we should strive to educate our children to be proud of it and we should not be using it offensively. I'm sensitive here because for me, it's my kids you're talking about, too!
Snow!
It has finally arrived - lots of snow! Well, a humble amount measuring around 3-4 inches. Unfortunately, there is more on the way that will switch to sleet, then freezing rain and then rain tomorrow as the temperature supposedly goes up to 40 degrees.
I've enjoyed the day inside! =) Em has been out with her friends, shoveled half the driveway and is now goofing off with the other hibernating creature in our house - Kt! The older I get, the less excited I get about weather events, cold, wool, fleece and hot chocolate. Crazy, I know. I've got my eye set on white sand beaches, pina coladas and sun, sun, sun!!!
Still, every time I've driven by a half frozen pond, fond memories of ice skating as a kid at our local park and sledding down the big church hill we lived on pop up in my old head. It was kind of fun as a kid being able to do all that so close to home. I also recall that my parents did not join us!! Well, maybe for ice skating, but not for long. So I don't feel guilty about not running around, making tiny snowmen or sledding. Just not my thing. They'll have to wait until their dad is home! =)
Looks like round two has begun, ahead of schedule. More snow and sleet on the way. Stay warm, everyone!
I've enjoyed the day inside! =) Em has been out with her friends, shoveled half the driveway and is now goofing off with the other hibernating creature in our house - Kt! The older I get, the less excited I get about weather events, cold, wool, fleece and hot chocolate. Crazy, I know. I've got my eye set on white sand beaches, pina coladas and sun, sun, sun!!!
Still, every time I've driven by a half frozen pond, fond memories of ice skating as a kid at our local park and sledding down the big church hill we lived on pop up in my old head. It was kind of fun as a kid being able to do all that so close to home. I also recall that my parents did not join us!! Well, maybe for ice skating, but not for long. So I don't feel guilty about not running around, making tiny snowmen or sledding. Just not my thing. They'll have to wait until their dad is home! =)
Looks like round two has begun, ahead of schedule. More snow and sleet on the way. Stay warm, everyone!
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