**So I saw this article and it's distrubing enough, but pay attention to the last line...nuts!**
Day care stabbing spree suspect had black-and-white painted face
By Slobodan LekicAssociated Press
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DENDERMONDE, Belgium -- A young man with a gruesomely painted black-and-white face went on a rampage at a Belgian day care center Friday, stabbing two babies and a female worker to death and seriously wounding 12 others. VideoSobbing parents rushed to the scene and to nearby hospitals. Shocked rescue workers spoke of finding crying, bleeding toddlers scattered inside the center. Medical workers at six hospitals sprang into action, performing emergency operations to save the 10 children and two adults badly wounded in the attack.“This was a particularly violent attack. All the kids had multiple stab wounds on their legs, arms, and all over their bodies,” Dr. Ignace Demeyer, head of emergency services at Our Lady Hospital in nearby Aalst, told reporters.The shocking assault caused panic and outrage in the town 20 miles (30 kilometers) northwest of Brussels, where the day care center sits on a residential street.“An act of great brutality has happened here against our weakest citizens,” said mayor Buyse Piet. “The whole city is united in support for the parents who are in deep grief.”Prosecutor Christian Du Four said the 20-year-old attacker rode his bike up to the Fabeltjesland day care center about 10 a.m., found it unlocked and went in.“After he entered he started slashing at everyone he ran into ... the day care workers, the children,” Du Four told a news conference.He said the man wielded one, nearly 8-inch (20-centimeter) knife and had painted his face white with black patches around the eyes.One worker tried but failed to disarm the intruder and another was stabbed to death, Du Four said. In the mayhem that ensued, the attacker simply walked out and got back on his bicycle before being arrested in a nearby supermarket shortly afterward.Theo Janssens, a Dendermonde city councilor, arrived with first aid workers. “The situation was horrible. There were bloodstained babies and staff workers everywhere,” he said on the VRT television network.Police had to show distraught parents digital photographs of those taken to the hospital, asking them to identify their children.Demeyer said all the wounded needed surgery but by Friday night, all were in stable condition.Nine of the 21 children at the center during the attack were unharmed, Demeyer said.Du Four did not name the suspect but said he had no criminal record and was uncooperative under questioning. The man was to appear before a magistrate later Friday or on Saturday to be indicted.Residents told The Associated Press the suspect was a local man with a history of mental illness.Officials opened up a nearby community center to provide psychological counseling to family members and witnesses, and police cordoned off the area. Later Friday, Crown Prince Philippe and his wife Princess Mathilde met with relatives of the victims as well as traumatized first aid workers.“People are totally in shock,” said Leene Du Bois, a spokeswoman for the regional government of Flanders. “Nobody would have imagined anyone could do so much harm. There is much grief.”She said the perpetrator had no connection to the day care center.Veerle Heeren, social welfare minister for the regional Flemish government, said she would be investigating security measures at the center.Residents were flabbergasted, thinking at first that all the police sirens meant a repeat of the 2007 prison break at a nearby jail.“(It’s) something you hear about from America, not here,” said bake shop owner Bie Hoornaert.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Pumped Up
First thing's first, 17 hours until Obama swears in! I'm getting pretty excited. I haven't watched much TV today, but I'm watching my recorded Oprah show and starting to get pretty pumped up. I'm thinking ahead to how to arrange my kids tomorrow so I can watch the innauguration!! LOoks like they'll have to be seen more in the afternoon!
OK, moving on, I'm also excited because we just got a Wii Fit! If you haven't played this you need to get one. It's so much fun, and also surprisingly, a good work out! I don't think I expected that. I have a new appreciation for yoga now :)
Today I'm off school for MLK day. So I went and got a 2 hour massage. It was amazing. I always leave glowing. It's funny to watch people come out of the massages because we all look like we're floating around in bliss or something. So I had my friend Gretchen come with me to use a guest pass, so when I came out to her glowing we had some lunch, and it was yummy. Great day. Did I mention that it's in the 80's here? The weather is perfect!!
OK, moving on, I'm also excited because we just got a Wii Fit! If you haven't played this you need to get one. It's so much fun, and also surprisingly, a good work out! I don't think I expected that. I have a new appreciation for yoga now :)
Today I'm off school for MLK day. So I went and got a 2 hour massage. It was amazing. I always leave glowing. It's funny to watch people come out of the massages because we all look like we're floating around in bliss or something. So I had my friend Gretchen come with me to use a guest pass, so when I came out to her glowing we had some lunch, and it was yummy. Great day. Did I mention that it's in the 80's here? The weather is perfect!!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Being John Malkovich
Ok, so I'm 10 years late on this one, but this movie was amazing.
I kept hearing it referenced on TV shows and in other movies so I finally rented it. I didn't have any idea what it was about or anything, but it's pretty freakin' amazing.
I kept hearing it referenced on TV shows and in other movies so I finally rented it. I didn't have any idea what it was about or anything, but it's pretty freakin' amazing.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
221.5
“Well if you don’t know, now ya know,” (that’s from a song in case you wondering; woo Biggie). Yes, that is how much I weigh. My head is all hung down in shame. Actually it’s not, but it might be right after I hit post and wish I hadn’t done that!
For real though, it’s no secret that I’ve always been up and down, I’ve had trainers, boot camps, diets, doctors, Nutri-System, and whatever else you can think of. I absolutely know what to do and what not to do. I could probably train most of you with all the things I have learned. And I’ve always said that losing weight is not hard, keeping it off is the problem! That’s where I always fall. I can drop 30 like nobody’s business, but I can gain back 40 even more easily! One of the problems is that I get all manic about working out and losing weight. It is addictive. But then one day I give myself a little time off and it turns into 2 years and 40-50 pounds in no time flat. Part of the reason it turns into 2 years is because I have psyched myself out that I KNOW I won’t stick to it, or that I KNOW eventually it will all come back, I KNOW that this is something I’ll have to do for the rest of my life and I don’t want to. Flat out just go, geez, if I had to work out and eat right for the rest of my life why bother? I don’t really want to do that! (Hence the problem with looking long term and not shooting for short term goals!)
I’m at that point right now where I’m feeling pretty motivated. I’m at that point where it’s not about wearing a certain size for looking good, it’s a health thing. 220 on a 5’3” frame is way too much. I’m at that point where I’m tired all the time. Wouldn’t you be if you were hauling around that much extra weight? It’s getting to the point where I don’t even like kneeling or sitting a certain way because it’s uncomfortable to sit that way or get back up. My feet, knees, and back hurt more easily than they should! I’m freakin’ 26 ya know? And I know what needs to be done. I’ve just psyched myself out.
So I’ve been trying to think back to when I lived in Rancho Cucamonga at what was motivating for me and what worked. That’s when I was at my best; although I was working out like a fiend there were aspects of it that were all the right things. Ivan & I worked out all the time, because we liked it. We liked going to the gym, and we went all the time. I had Breigh to work out with and she pushed me to go to the gym or hiking all the time. That was nice to have someone to workout with. So I’m trying to pick aspects of it that worked for me.
Thursday night I stopped by the gym across the street from our apartment and took a tour, got the prices. We’re going to go sign up today. I’ve been opposed to getting another gym membership because our complex has a fitness center, but truthfully, the gym really is a very motivating place. Once I was in there I wanted to work out, and was just really motivated to get going on all of this. I’ve barely used the fitness center here so I can stop using that as an excuse! And I have a couple friends who are members there so hopefully they can be my Breigh!
So I need to look at some short term goals. And really the big one right now is that I’ll be taking a trip to Europe in June, backpacking. I know it’s going to be an active trip, and I like all that stuff—hiking and biking. But I know it will be so hard for my body to do those things with the shape it’s in right now. On top of the fact that I want to do all of that stuff, I don’t want to drag Megan down either. Those of you reading who know Megan know she’s in great shape and I just want to be able to keep up with her even a little bit! It’s not so much about the weight, but building some strength and cardiovascular endurance. Even at heavy points I’ve still been able to complete marathons and things like that because I was still training and always moving.
So anyway, I write about what’s on my mind on here, and that is forefront, so I thought I should share. I’ll keep ya posted :)
For real though, it’s no secret that I’ve always been up and down, I’ve had trainers, boot camps, diets, doctors, Nutri-System, and whatever else you can think of. I absolutely know what to do and what not to do. I could probably train most of you with all the things I have learned. And I’ve always said that losing weight is not hard, keeping it off is the problem! That’s where I always fall. I can drop 30 like nobody’s business, but I can gain back 40 even more easily! One of the problems is that I get all manic about working out and losing weight. It is addictive. But then one day I give myself a little time off and it turns into 2 years and 40-50 pounds in no time flat. Part of the reason it turns into 2 years is because I have psyched myself out that I KNOW I won’t stick to it, or that I KNOW eventually it will all come back, I KNOW that this is something I’ll have to do for the rest of my life and I don’t want to. Flat out just go, geez, if I had to work out and eat right for the rest of my life why bother? I don’t really want to do that! (Hence the problem with looking long term and not shooting for short term goals!)
I’m at that point right now where I’m feeling pretty motivated. I’m at that point where it’s not about wearing a certain size for looking good, it’s a health thing. 220 on a 5’3” frame is way too much. I’m at that point where I’m tired all the time. Wouldn’t you be if you were hauling around that much extra weight? It’s getting to the point where I don’t even like kneeling or sitting a certain way because it’s uncomfortable to sit that way or get back up. My feet, knees, and back hurt more easily than they should! I’m freakin’ 26 ya know? And I know what needs to be done. I’ve just psyched myself out.
So I’ve been trying to think back to when I lived in Rancho Cucamonga at what was motivating for me and what worked. That’s when I was at my best; although I was working out like a fiend there were aspects of it that were all the right things. Ivan & I worked out all the time, because we liked it. We liked going to the gym, and we went all the time. I had Breigh to work out with and she pushed me to go to the gym or hiking all the time. That was nice to have someone to workout with. So I’m trying to pick aspects of it that worked for me.
Thursday night I stopped by the gym across the street from our apartment and took a tour, got the prices. We’re going to go sign up today. I’ve been opposed to getting another gym membership because our complex has a fitness center, but truthfully, the gym really is a very motivating place. Once I was in there I wanted to work out, and was just really motivated to get going on all of this. I’ve barely used the fitness center here so I can stop using that as an excuse! And I have a couple friends who are members there so hopefully they can be my Breigh!
So I need to look at some short term goals. And really the big one right now is that I’ll be taking a trip to Europe in June, backpacking. I know it’s going to be an active trip, and I like all that stuff—hiking and biking. But I know it will be so hard for my body to do those things with the shape it’s in right now. On top of the fact that I want to do all of that stuff, I don’t want to drag Megan down either. Those of you reading who know Megan know she’s in great shape and I just want to be able to keep up with her even a little bit! It’s not so much about the weight, but building some strength and cardiovascular endurance. Even at heavy points I’ve still been able to complete marathons and things like that because I was still training and always moving.
So anyway, I write about what’s on my mind on here, and that is forefront, so I thought I should share. I’ll keep ya posted :)
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Funny coincedences...
So, I have been doing my wedding research, because when I get excited about something I research to no end and nonstop until the event or whatever occurs.
Anyway, apparently I registered for some give-away from David's Bridal, and I won! It's just a make-up consultation, where she'll do some different looks on me and give me some free stuff. Funny thing is that the consultant is from Peoria, Illinois! And she now lives out here with me!
Funny thing #2-- I'm trying to find a wedding planner (as long as it's a reasonable cost) and have some phone calls set up with a few different ones based in St. Louis. I just got an email from one confirming our phone call, and she noticed my 309 area code, and apparently she too is from Peoria!
What are the odds? Just thought it was funny...
Anyway, apparently I registered for some give-away from David's Bridal, and I won! It's just a make-up consultation, where she'll do some different looks on me and give me some free stuff. Funny thing is that the consultant is from Peoria, Illinois! And she now lives out here with me!
Funny thing #2-- I'm trying to find a wedding planner (as long as it's a reasonable cost) and have some phone calls set up with a few different ones based in St. Louis. I just got an email from one confirming our phone call, and she noticed my 309 area code, and apparently she too is from Peoria!
What are the odds? Just thought it was funny...
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Taurus 2009 Overview
This is totally how I thought the year would go:
Year 2009 Overview
It's time to celebrate yourself, Taurus! You are pouring yourself into your life's mission and rejuvenating yourself with abundant thinking, which attracts great things to you. You're diligently creating a public arena where opportunities will emerge for you to be a teacher or messenger. Engagements for speaking, writing and sharing your thoughts will open up. Other people will be inspired by your enthusiasm and insight, and will support you in accomplishing your goals.
Taurus's excitement radiates more than ever this year, bringing with it a magnificent energy the world has been lacking. As you embrace the power of your heart and spirit, you are allowing yourself to transform and align with a universal energy source. You discover the space for your creativity to flow and abundantly bring the truth of your being into the world. Your focus on your connection with a higher purpose brings out the best in you and refines your self-expression.
You appreciate all the expansive shifts that are taking place in your life, and you are learning to break up routines and old patterns of rigidity. This allows you a new level of awareness and acceptance of your ultimate purpose. Pay attention to what has heart and meaning. Express your truth and you will advance. You will find avenues to bring your talents and belief systems to philanthropic endeavors. By the end of the year, you will be able to slow down a bit and find more time to enjoy the new you that you have created.
Year 2009 Overview
It's time to celebrate yourself, Taurus! You are pouring yourself into your life's mission and rejuvenating yourself with abundant thinking, which attracts great things to you. You're diligently creating a public arena where opportunities will emerge for you to be a teacher or messenger. Engagements for speaking, writing and sharing your thoughts will open up. Other people will be inspired by your enthusiasm and insight, and will support you in accomplishing your goals.
Taurus's excitement radiates more than ever this year, bringing with it a magnificent energy the world has been lacking. As you embrace the power of your heart and spirit, you are allowing yourself to transform and align with a universal energy source. You discover the space for your creativity to flow and abundantly bring the truth of your being into the world. Your focus on your connection with a higher purpose brings out the best in you and refines your self-expression.
You appreciate all the expansive shifts that are taking place in your life, and you are learning to break up routines and old patterns of rigidity. This allows you a new level of awareness and acceptance of your ultimate purpose. Pay attention to what has heart and meaning. Express your truth and you will advance. You will find avenues to bring your talents and belief systems to philanthropic endeavors. By the end of the year, you will be able to slow down a bit and find more time to enjoy the new you that you have created.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Trip Home
So ths trip home has been good. I'm heading back to AZ in the morning so I thought I'd recap. After I wrote the last blog when I was iced in the house, I did go to my brother's to see my nephews...when we got to his house my brother grabbed my arm to hold on while we walked in, like I'm an old woman, and I was thinking...I can do this, I don't think that's necessary. Wrong. Such a good move on his part! At one point the wind was just whipping us and we just stood there arm in arm for like 3 minutes laughing, unable to move because the ground was solid ice and it was just a crazy situation. So, then Celeeste braved the ice to come get me! So I went to her house, talked and hot tubbed all night, and my mom picked me up the next afternoon. While at Celeeste's I was able to go on a late night run to Toys R Us after the ice melted and get the little ones gifts, and the older ones really did get money wrapped up, but they liked that too. Christmas Eve was at my grandma's with my dad's side of the family, always a nice time. Christmas morning was chaos as usual with all the kids opening gifts, a great breakfast, and then laying around all day. That night we spend with my mom's side playing Bingo (which is sooo fun!) Friday I met up with high school friends for drinks. Then came Saturday, the big day of the in-law meet & greet. Ivan's mom Jeanette, his sister Leah (lives in Austin, TX), his sister Kim (lives in Cincinnati, OH), her husband Wade, and their two kids Drew & Dawson, all came to my parents to spend the afternoon and have dinner. My parents have met them once before at Ivan's graduation in 2005, but other than that our families haven't had an opportunity to spend time together. As it is, I don't think I've seen Ivan's mom for a couple years and when I did it was probably just a few hours, I haven't seen Kim since his graduation, and I don't think I've seen Leah since 2006...So I was excited and nervous at all once because I just didn't know if everyone would have anything in common you know? But I'm so happy they came and everything went so well beyond my best expectations. It was great. Everyone had a lot to talk about, got along really well, and I think just had an overall good time. Ivan's nephew and my nephews got along great. I suggested they be penpals and I hear there are already letters written!! Fun stuff.
So we know I've gone back and forth about what kind of wedding I would like, something big in St. Louis, or something small in Vegas or somewhere like that. The way things went with our families made me want a typical wedding (well at least a typical reception, I'm steadfast that I want a very small wedding). But it get's so expensive. So I've just been doing some research online and there are some beautiful places in St. Louis. I have a lot of thinking to do...
So anyway, Sunday I went to Chicago with a friend from high school, Heather, to see another friend from high school, Rosemary. The interesting thing is that we all just reconnected on myspace and realized we now have a lot in common, even though we weren't very close in high school. It was a great day though. Heather & I took the train to see Rosemary who now lives in the city. We had lunch at this really cool place, did some shopping, went to the Field Museum, Navy Pier, and out to eat again before heading back. I've fallen in love with train by the way! So easy, and relaxing. Heather and I were able to just sit and talk for hours without having to think. And even though I've always only lived a couple hours from Chicago, aside from a concert and a 1 day trip in '99, I haven't been to Chicago since I was like 7 or 8. After having moved away and traveling more I wonder why I didn't go more?? Oh well. It was a good day and nice to do something different than my totally standard trips home like usual.
Yesterday my friend Becky & I went to the movie "Four Christmases." Which I really enjoyed. And parts of that movie reminded me so much of myself & Ivan. This couple is totally into each other and never go to see their families and talk about how their families bring out the bad in them and their lives are so much easier without them and everything. I don't totally identify with that, but it did make me think about how easy it when it's just the 2 of us. We live far away in our bubble and all we have to do is make ourselves & each other happy. It's nice! haha The trouble is when I come back to the real world and there's gossip that I don't ever have to deal with! Oh well. You'll have that.
Anyway it has been a totally great trip home, I missed seeing a couple people due to the early car troubles & weather but I saw most everyone. I head back early in the morning and don't know what we're doing for New Year's... I got tickets to the Insight Bowl (free ones) so I don't know if we're going or not, but I wanna do something!
Happy New Year!
So we know I've gone back and forth about what kind of wedding I would like, something big in St. Louis, or something small in Vegas or somewhere like that. The way things went with our families made me want a typical wedding (well at least a typical reception, I'm steadfast that I want a very small wedding). But it get's so expensive. So I've just been doing some research online and there are some beautiful places in St. Louis. I have a lot of thinking to do...
So anyway, Sunday I went to Chicago with a friend from high school, Heather, to see another friend from high school, Rosemary. The interesting thing is that we all just reconnected on myspace and realized we now have a lot in common, even though we weren't very close in high school. It was a great day though. Heather & I took the train to see Rosemary who now lives in the city. We had lunch at this really cool place, did some shopping, went to the Field Museum, Navy Pier, and out to eat again before heading back. I've fallen in love with train by the way! So easy, and relaxing. Heather and I were able to just sit and talk for hours without having to think. And even though I've always only lived a couple hours from Chicago, aside from a concert and a 1 day trip in '99, I haven't been to Chicago since I was like 7 or 8. After having moved away and traveling more I wonder why I didn't go more?? Oh well. It was a good day and nice to do something different than my totally standard trips home like usual.
Yesterday my friend Becky & I went to the movie "Four Christmases." Which I really enjoyed. And parts of that movie reminded me so much of myself & Ivan. This couple is totally into each other and never go to see their families and talk about how their families bring out the bad in them and their lives are so much easier without them and everything. I don't totally identify with that, but it did make me think about how easy it when it's just the 2 of us. We live far away in our bubble and all we have to do is make ourselves & each other happy. It's nice! haha The trouble is when I come back to the real world and there's gossip that I don't ever have to deal with! Oh well. You'll have that.
Anyway it has been a totally great trip home, I missed seeing a couple people due to the early car troubles & weather but I saw most everyone. I head back early in the morning and don't know what we're doing for New Year's... I got tickets to the Insight Bowl (free ones) so I don't know if we're going or not, but I wanna do something!
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Early Merry Christmas!
Hey all! Thanks again for all the congratulations and everything. They are much appreciated.
When we got back to Surprise I still had all last week of work...talk about unable to focus! It would have been bad enough from the great weekend but of course it was also the week before Christmas, myself and the kids were checked out! I did pretty well I think considering all the excitement.
So Saturday was me & Ivan's 7th anniversary, and the day we had set aside to celebrate Christmas together. Ivan's knows what he's getting from me (an Xbox 360) but it's coming after the holidays, simply because I wanted to make sure I had enough money for everyone else and the trip. But I wanted him to have something too that day, so I got him this bartender's kit for making the perfect cocktail (a two-in-one gift, 'cause I will definitely see the benefit of that!) haha It came with a recipe book, a pourer, a shaker...and the first drink he picked was AMAZING! It's called a Mustang Sally-- had vodka, Watermelon Pucker, Raspberry Liqueur, and lemonade. Seriously one of those drinks where you cannot taste the alcohol at all. He got me a 3 month membership to our massage place! Basically that is 1 massage per month and then any more you buy are discounted, so like an hour long massage only costs $39! Madness! So Sunday I went and got my first one (lovely!) and then I picked up my friend Kametia and we got manicures & pedicures. (More lovely!) Oh we also rented some movies over the weekend. We watched Hancock (loved it) and Wanted (I was unsure at first but ended up really liking it). Then we went over to Gretchen's and watched Tropic Thunder (as everyone should enjoy this movie!!)
Yesterday was my travel day back home. At the time I bought my tickets, they were cheap flying into Bloomington, so I booked them there. Normally I fly into St. Louis and someone comes to get me, it's a direct flight which I like, and usually cheaper. So anyway, I made it to O'Hare with no trouble and surprisingly (not) this is where it all fell apart. The flight kept getting pushed back like every 20 minutes for almost 2 hours, and we changed gates 5 times! They gates were all fairly close to each other but we ended up back at the gate we started at! I'm convinced they did this just to keep us all busy and annoying different people rather than the same ones for a few hours. We finally get on the plane, back at good ole' H3A... only to sit there for almost 2 hours waiting for our baggage to be loaded...wow. Finally we start to take off, and then we slow down again, then we start to speed up, then we slow down...speed up, slow down, you get the picture. We pull off to the side of the runway and are told something's not right...duh. Finally we're told we will be going back to the gate and switching planes, but it's all ready for us! We go in and wait in the airport again for like an hour, and get back on the plane...to wait another hour for the luggage to be moved. Now...our old plane has just been sitting at the gate, and so has our new one...no passengers coming off or on so what were they doing the whole time we were waiting in the airport?? And why does it take an hour to do baggage? Anyway...after an hour we were finally, successfully in the sky, and landing in Bloomington after our measly 25 minute flight, 5 hours late... Oh well. I didn't have plans last night but it was entertaining to watch people. People in airports are just funny in general--rushing here & there, thinking that their time is more important and complicated than anyone else's. Every 30 seconds calling someone new with the play by play as they sit in the airport.. "ugh another gate change," "Uggh we're delayed again!" Not to discredit how annoying it is but you have to watch sometime and just laugh. I've come to the conclusion that people secretly love the 'drama' that comes with delays and changes, they re-tell it (as I am now!) and I think it makes them feel important.. "Oh I'm FLYING today, just sitting at O'HARE, and my flight is DELAYED" yada yada yada. It's interesting. Amusing. I'm guilty of it I know. (To be fair, I re-tell everything!!! haha)
So today my plan was to Christmas shop and see Celeeste, eat some Steak-n-Shake (can I get a hell yeah-- we don't have those in AZ or CA but the closest thing to it is Johnny Rocket's for those who don't know, and I think Steak-n-Shake is right up there with McDonald's for curing hangovers) Anyway...my mom's old car that I always drive when I'm home wouldn't start. I don't know what the deal is, good chance it's because it's ridiculously cold maybe?? So I've been stranded at home with my mom's Bichon Frise-- Bo, who is a cuddly, warm companion for nap time. And you guessed it, now that my mom will be home from work, the roads will be so bad I don't want to go anywhere anymore. It's been freezing rain so that equals like a 1/2 inch of ice on the roads, at least that's what my brother's telling me. So I'm sending out an SOS for a freakin' grilled cheese with bacon and a bowl of chili from SnS!! Tak-Chels-a-Sak! That's all I really want. And yet I don't want to ask anyone because I wouldn't want to be driving on the ice either. So I will munch on waffles (mom, we need syrup!) and candy canes (did you know the guy who made candy canes made them to represent Jesus--hence they are in the shape of a J and the white & red represent the body & blood-- suck on that!) I think my brother will be passing by soon and he's gonna pick me up and take me to his house so I can at least see some of my nephews.
So I'm thinking this Christmas will be $20 bills wrapped in little boxes! Good things these kids love money right? All my Christmas shopping done in 30 seconds at the ATM...but I still need me or my card to at least get to the ATM... dang. Oh well.
Anyway, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! This is what being home (when home is the Midwest) is all about!! Talk soon!
Chels
When we got back to Surprise I still had all last week of work...talk about unable to focus! It would have been bad enough from the great weekend but of course it was also the week before Christmas, myself and the kids were checked out! I did pretty well I think considering all the excitement.
So Saturday was me & Ivan's 7th anniversary, and the day we had set aside to celebrate Christmas together. Ivan's knows what he's getting from me (an Xbox 360) but it's coming after the holidays, simply because I wanted to make sure I had enough money for everyone else and the trip. But I wanted him to have something too that day, so I got him this bartender's kit for making the perfect cocktail (a two-in-one gift, 'cause I will definitely see the benefit of that!) haha It came with a recipe book, a pourer, a shaker...and the first drink he picked was AMAZING! It's called a Mustang Sally-- had vodka, Watermelon Pucker, Raspberry Liqueur, and lemonade. Seriously one of those drinks where you cannot taste the alcohol at all. He got me a 3 month membership to our massage place! Basically that is 1 massage per month and then any more you buy are discounted, so like an hour long massage only costs $39! Madness! So Sunday I went and got my first one (lovely!) and then I picked up my friend Kametia and we got manicures & pedicures. (More lovely!) Oh we also rented some movies over the weekend. We watched Hancock (loved it) and Wanted (I was unsure at first but ended up really liking it). Then we went over to Gretchen's and watched Tropic Thunder (as everyone should enjoy this movie!!)
Yesterday was my travel day back home. At the time I bought my tickets, they were cheap flying into Bloomington, so I booked them there. Normally I fly into St. Louis and someone comes to get me, it's a direct flight which I like, and usually cheaper. So anyway, I made it to O'Hare with no trouble and surprisingly (not) this is where it all fell apart. The flight kept getting pushed back like every 20 minutes for almost 2 hours, and we changed gates 5 times! They gates were all fairly close to each other but we ended up back at the gate we started at! I'm convinced they did this just to keep us all busy and annoying different people rather than the same ones for a few hours. We finally get on the plane, back at good ole' H3A... only to sit there for almost 2 hours waiting for our baggage to be loaded...wow. Finally we start to take off, and then we slow down again, then we start to speed up, then we slow down...speed up, slow down, you get the picture. We pull off to the side of the runway and are told something's not right...duh. Finally we're told we will be going back to the gate and switching planes, but it's all ready for us! We go in and wait in the airport again for like an hour, and get back on the plane...to wait another hour for the luggage to be moved. Now...our old plane has just been sitting at the gate, and so has our new one...no passengers coming off or on so what were they doing the whole time we were waiting in the airport?? And why does it take an hour to do baggage? Anyway...after an hour we were finally, successfully in the sky, and landing in Bloomington after our measly 25 minute flight, 5 hours late... Oh well. I didn't have plans last night but it was entertaining to watch people. People in airports are just funny in general--rushing here & there, thinking that their time is more important and complicated than anyone else's. Every 30 seconds calling someone new with the play by play as they sit in the airport.. "ugh another gate change," "Uggh we're delayed again!" Not to discredit how annoying it is but you have to watch sometime and just laugh. I've come to the conclusion that people secretly love the 'drama' that comes with delays and changes, they re-tell it (as I am now!) and I think it makes them feel important.. "Oh I'm FLYING today, just sitting at O'HARE, and my flight is DELAYED" yada yada yada. It's interesting. Amusing. I'm guilty of it I know. (To be fair, I re-tell everything!!! haha)
So today my plan was to Christmas shop and see Celeeste, eat some Steak-n-Shake (can I get a hell yeah-- we don't have those in AZ or CA but the closest thing to it is Johnny Rocket's for those who don't know, and I think Steak-n-Shake is right up there with McDonald's for curing hangovers) Anyway...my mom's old car that I always drive when I'm home wouldn't start. I don't know what the deal is, good chance it's because it's ridiculously cold maybe?? So I've been stranded at home with my mom's Bichon Frise-- Bo, who is a cuddly, warm companion for nap time. And you guessed it, now that my mom will be home from work, the roads will be so bad I don't want to go anywhere anymore. It's been freezing rain so that equals like a 1/2 inch of ice on the roads, at least that's what my brother's telling me. So I'm sending out an SOS for a freakin' grilled cheese with bacon and a bowl of chili from SnS!! Tak-Chels-a-Sak! That's all I really want. And yet I don't want to ask anyone because I wouldn't want to be driving on the ice either. So I will munch on waffles (mom, we need syrup!) and candy canes (did you know the guy who made candy canes made them to represent Jesus--hence they are in the shape of a J and the white & red represent the body & blood-- suck on that!) I think my brother will be passing by soon and he's gonna pick me up and take me to his house so I can at least see some of my nephews.
So I'm thinking this Christmas will be $20 bills wrapped in little boxes! Good things these kids love money right? All my Christmas shopping done in 30 seconds at the ATM...but I still need me or my card to at least get to the ATM... dang. Oh well.
Anyway, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! This is what being home (when home is the Midwest) is all about!! Talk soon!
Chels
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Vegas Baby!
So....here's how the weekend went...
We got there Thursday afternoon and checked in to our amazing room. Maybe I'm just easily pleased but we got there and didn't even know we were actually staying in these condo's attached to MGM Grand. There was a kitchenette and jacuzzi tub, all good things. But there was also this weird smell on the whole 18th floor. So, we called and asked if there was anywhere else we could be moved to. The only room available was an upgrade...dang right? So we moved and it was a 1 bedroom suite--living room, balcony, full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, jacuzzi tub with the TV in the bathroom, lovely king bed (very comfy) and one of those TV's that comes up out of the desk!! Long story short, very nice. So that night we gambled a little bit and were gonna go out to a dueling piano bar...but a little too much vodka mixed with heat from the jacuzzi made us think we should just stay in! haha Possibly the most boring people to go to Vegas, however, I love hotels, so give me a big comfy bed and that's about all I need.
Friday morning we ordered breakfast in bed, a little pricey, but you do it for the fun right? Plus the food was yummy. Then, I went and got a massage which was also amazing; again a little pricey, but that's the point of going out of town right? That night we went to the Stratosphere for dinner. If you don't know, this is the hotel/restaurant that's super high and rotates so you have a view of the entire city--which you know, with all the lights is very pretty. We ordered and then Ivan went into his speal about loving me :) haha He does this a lot so it wasn't out of the ordinary, and then he popped the ring up on the table, I said yes, and there you have it! So a lot of people have asked if he got down on one knee, the answer is no, but for a couple reasons. One is that I always said I didn't want him to because I would probably freak the crap out. And also, we were by the window and the only place to kneal was the moving part, so if he got down on one knee, me and our table woulda kept on moving! haha Funny to think about it now. We were joking that he should have run ahead a bit like he was going to the restroom and my table would have met up with him eventually! hahaha And yes, the ring is beautiful. Over the course of 7 years we've looked at rings here and there, so yes, I did pick it out, but I picked out a much smaller one! haha Worth the wait I guess huh? So anyway, after that we went to the Venetian took a gondola ride which was super fun--and made me very excited for my trip this coming summer to Europe!
***Little sidenote for the FAQ's: No date set, but we're guessing sometime in 2010, which is not nearly as far away as it sounds! Our anniversary is in December so we're going back and forth between that and June or July. Still debating on a small destination wedding, or a biggie in St. Louis. Next year's ruled out as I said I'm going to Europe for a month so that's a lot of time and money already unavailable, plus we're going to be moving into a house (to rent) and buying new furniture. So that should cover the FAQ's!!***
Saturday morning we decided to just walk the strip, this also happened to be the day a wind storm flew into Vegas! Needless to say, we didn't do a whole lot of walking around! That night was the Blue Man Group, which was amazing! I highly recommend seeing them. Awesome show, funny, entertaining, everything you'd want.
Overall, awesome weekend for every reason, great first time to Vegas, and I plan on going back many more times! Oh, we did do a little gambling of course...but as you can imagine we didn't leave big winners :) Anyway, thanks to everyone for the congrats and well wishes, it really means a lot to know so many people care about us and support us!!
See you soon for Christmas! Oh and here's a link to some pics from the weekend...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2035012&l=8971a&id=197103045
We got there Thursday afternoon and checked in to our amazing room. Maybe I'm just easily pleased but we got there and didn't even know we were actually staying in these condo's attached to MGM Grand. There was a kitchenette and jacuzzi tub, all good things. But there was also this weird smell on the whole 18th floor. So, we called and asked if there was anywhere else we could be moved to. The only room available was an upgrade...dang right? So we moved and it was a 1 bedroom suite--living room, balcony, full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, jacuzzi tub with the TV in the bathroom, lovely king bed (very comfy) and one of those TV's that comes up out of the desk!! Long story short, very nice. So that night we gambled a little bit and were gonna go out to a dueling piano bar...but a little too much vodka mixed with heat from the jacuzzi made us think we should just stay in! haha Possibly the most boring people to go to Vegas, however, I love hotels, so give me a big comfy bed and that's about all I need.
Friday morning we ordered breakfast in bed, a little pricey, but you do it for the fun right? Plus the food was yummy. Then, I went and got a massage which was also amazing; again a little pricey, but that's the point of going out of town right? That night we went to the Stratosphere for dinner. If you don't know, this is the hotel/restaurant that's super high and rotates so you have a view of the entire city--which you know, with all the lights is very pretty. We ordered and then Ivan went into his speal about loving me :) haha He does this a lot so it wasn't out of the ordinary, and then he popped the ring up on the table, I said yes, and there you have it! So a lot of people have asked if he got down on one knee, the answer is no, but for a couple reasons. One is that I always said I didn't want him to because I would probably freak the crap out. And also, we were by the window and the only place to kneal was the moving part, so if he got down on one knee, me and our table woulda kept on moving! haha Funny to think about it now. We were joking that he should have run ahead a bit like he was going to the restroom and my table would have met up with him eventually! hahaha And yes, the ring is beautiful. Over the course of 7 years we've looked at rings here and there, so yes, I did pick it out, but I picked out a much smaller one! haha Worth the wait I guess huh? So anyway, after that we went to the Venetian took a gondola ride which was super fun--and made me very excited for my trip this coming summer to Europe!
***Little sidenote for the FAQ's: No date set, but we're guessing sometime in 2010, which is not nearly as far away as it sounds! Our anniversary is in December so we're going back and forth between that and June or July. Still debating on a small destination wedding, or a biggie in St. Louis. Next year's ruled out as I said I'm going to Europe for a month so that's a lot of time and money already unavailable, plus we're going to be moving into a house (to rent) and buying new furniture. So that should cover the FAQ's!!***
Saturday morning we decided to just walk the strip, this also happened to be the day a wind storm flew into Vegas! Needless to say, we didn't do a whole lot of walking around! That night was the Blue Man Group, which was amazing! I highly recommend seeing them. Awesome show, funny, entertaining, everything you'd want.
Overall, awesome weekend for every reason, great first time to Vegas, and I plan on going back many more times! Oh, we did do a little gambling of course...but as you can imagine we didn't leave big winners :) Anyway, thanks to everyone for the congrats and well wishes, it really means a lot to know so many people care about us and support us!!
See you soon for Christmas! Oh and here's a link to some pics from the weekend...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2035012&l=8971a&id=197103045
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Vegas here we come!
We're going to Vegas tomorrow!! You'll get a full report on it after we atually go but I'm really excited!! We're staying at MGM Grand, and we have tickets to see the Blue Man Group. I saw them years ago in Chicago before they were really famous and it was an awesome show, so I'm pumped to see them again, and in Vegas--I bet it'll be amazing. We have reservations for dinner at the top of Stratosphere :) Other than that we're going to do a bit of gambling, likely a bit of drinking, and we want to take a gondola ride and just walk around a bit. YAY! We haven't gone anywhere in forever it seems like. When we lived in California we did some overnight trips here & there but since moving to AZ we haven't really. I'm just anxious for the time away from work, to stay in a hotel (I love hotels!!) and for everything Vegas has to offer. YAY! You may be wondering why we're going and the answer is, just because, kinda. Ivan is a member of this thing called "Dream Trips" and basically you pay a little for big savings on vacation packages. They have them all over the world, and all throughout the year. So this is one of those. Plus we've talked about going to Vegas for years and years and just haven't. Plus our anniversary is next weekend (the 20th, it will be 7 years!) so it's a little early celebration I suppose. Anyway, I'm so stoked.
Friday night we went and saw Chelsea Handler perform. She was super funny. If you don't know who she is, she has a show on E! called "Chelsea Lately" and she's pretty damn funny--especially during the roundtable (just watch it). And for those of you who watch the show, Heather "Long Boob" McDonald opened for her, and she was super funny too. Good times.
Last night we went to the Suns game. When we went last year they didn't have Shaq on the team yet so it was kinda cool to watch Shaq play, since he's so famous and everything ya know? There was about 10 of us that went. Good times once again.
Well anyway, I'll get going. Will post some pics and Vegas update next week :)
Friday night we went and saw Chelsea Handler perform. She was super funny. If you don't know who she is, she has a show on E! called "Chelsea Lately" and she's pretty damn funny--especially during the roundtable (just watch it). And for those of you who watch the show, Heather "Long Boob" McDonald opened for her, and she was super funny too. Good times.
Last night we went to the Suns game. When we went last year they didn't have Shaq on the team yet so it was kinda cool to watch Shaq play, since he's so famous and everything ya know? There was about 10 of us that went. Good times once again.
Well anyway, I'll get going. Will post some pics and Vegas update next week :)
Thursday, December 04, 2008
IRC
I'm so excited! For my class right now I had to interview someone at a human services agency, so I called up the International Rescue Committe. Which I've mentioned before-- is a place that resettles refugees from all over the world in the U.S. I've been in contact with them for a year and a half about volunteering. I was put on a waiting list to be matched with a family, then I was traveling, and now I have the second job, so long story short, I've yet to volunteer with them. I'm hoping to volunteer or intern with them this summer after I get back from Europe.
After my interview, even though we talked about a lot of things I already knew, I'm so excited to get involved with them. It just made me realize what kind of work I want to be doing and where my focus really lies.
After my interview, even though we talked about a lot of things I already knew, I'm so excited to get involved with them. It just made me realize what kind of work I want to be doing and where my focus really lies.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
More Africa Pics!
So my friend Stephanie just posted some more pics from Africa and I thought I should share them :)
The bottom one is of another volunteer, Rhian from Wales, who is holding this little girl I saw when I was at Vicky's. You may remember me saying I saw a little girl there who I thought was the most beautiful kid in the world and have been kicking myself for not getting a picture of her. Here she is!!! I'm so excited that Steph had this picture!
And then there's more of the babies, my Lona of course, and Ntlanta :) And at the top, that is Stephanie in the red shirt.
Monday, December 01, 2008
World AIDS Day
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) -- Church bells tolled, workers put down their tools and court proceedings stopped Monday as South Africa marked a minute of silence for AIDS victims and ended a decade of denial about the epidemic.
Activists hold balloons, reading: "Protecting Oneself Is Also Getting Infromed," during a rally in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Monday.
Peter Piot, the top U.N. official dealing with the disease, joined political leaders and hundreds of AIDS activists at a rally in the coastal city of Durban to show his support for a government that has made a break with the discredited AIDS policies of former President Thabo Mbeki.
"We are the first to admit that a lot still needs to be done," said Baleka Mbete, the deputy president, as she lit a candle in remembrance of the victims.
South Africa has an estimated 5.5 million people living with the HIV virus -- the highest total of any country in the world and more than one-sixth of the global total. About 1,000 South Africans die each day of the disease and complications like tuberculosis. Even more become infected because prevention messages haven't worked.
And yet for years, Mbeki's government downplayed the extent of the crisis. Mbeki himself doubted the link between HIV and AIDS. His health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang openly mistrusted conventional AIDS drugs and instead promoted the value of lemons, garlic, beetroot and the African potato. Watch as reality TV star describes living with HIV »
Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health last month calculated that government delays in introducing AIDS drugs between 2000 and 2005 cost more than 330,000 lives in South Africa. The study said that an additional 35,000 babies were born with HIV during the same period because authorities were reluctant to roll out mother-to-child prevention programs.
"We have to mourn the lives of those we have not saved," said Barbara Hogan, the health minister who replaced Tshabalala-Msimang after Mbeki was ousted in October. She cited the example of an 8-year-old boy battling both AIDS-related TB and meningitis who was on a waiting list for drugs when he died.
"We could have saved his life," Hogan said. She promised to improve HIV treatment and prevention programs, and to increase the supply of drugs to HIV positive women to stop them from passing the virus on to their unborn children.
South Africa has the biggest program for AIDS drugs in the world. And yet, about half the 800,000 people who need drugs are not receiving them. Experts estimate that within five years, about 5.5 million people with HIV will need medication to prevent their immune systems from worsening.
The government wants to halve new infections by 2011 and ensure that 80 percent of people with the disease get treatment and care.
But it faces a mammoth task. The Global Fund on AIDS, TB and Malaria has rejected a South African request for nearly $92 million over the next two years for AIDS projects and $68 million for TB prevention and treatment. AIDS campaigners blamed the former health minister for failing to respect the fund's strict operating rules.
The Durban ceremony marked an unprecedented show of unity between government, big business, trade unions and activists. In the past, activists and doctors had to resort to the courts to force government to provide AIDS drugs.
Church bells rang for a minute's silence at noon, and all banks agreed to cease business for that time. Murder trials were briefly interrupted. Trade union and business chiefs said they would have a 30-minute work stoppage to talk to their employees and encourage them to be tested -- which still remains largely taboo among men. Cell phone services sent text messages to their teenage subscribers.
"With the young and working age dying in droves, South Africa's death statistics resemble those of a country in a terrible war," the Confederation of South African Trade Unions said.
Activists hold balloons, reading: "Protecting Oneself Is Also Getting Infromed," during a rally in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Monday.
Peter Piot, the top U.N. official dealing with the disease, joined political leaders and hundreds of AIDS activists at a rally in the coastal city of Durban to show his support for a government that has made a break with the discredited AIDS policies of former President Thabo Mbeki.
"We are the first to admit that a lot still needs to be done," said Baleka Mbete, the deputy president, as she lit a candle in remembrance of the victims.
South Africa has an estimated 5.5 million people living with the HIV virus -- the highest total of any country in the world and more than one-sixth of the global total. About 1,000 South Africans die each day of the disease and complications like tuberculosis. Even more become infected because prevention messages haven't worked.
And yet for years, Mbeki's government downplayed the extent of the crisis. Mbeki himself doubted the link between HIV and AIDS. His health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang openly mistrusted conventional AIDS drugs and instead promoted the value of lemons, garlic, beetroot and the African potato. Watch as reality TV star describes living with HIV »
Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health last month calculated that government delays in introducing AIDS drugs between 2000 and 2005 cost more than 330,000 lives in South Africa. The study said that an additional 35,000 babies were born with HIV during the same period because authorities were reluctant to roll out mother-to-child prevention programs.
"We have to mourn the lives of those we have not saved," said Barbara Hogan, the health minister who replaced Tshabalala-Msimang after Mbeki was ousted in October. She cited the example of an 8-year-old boy battling both AIDS-related TB and meningitis who was on a waiting list for drugs when he died.
"We could have saved his life," Hogan said. She promised to improve HIV treatment and prevention programs, and to increase the supply of drugs to HIV positive women to stop them from passing the virus on to their unborn children.
South Africa has the biggest program for AIDS drugs in the world. And yet, about half the 800,000 people who need drugs are not receiving them. Experts estimate that within five years, about 5.5 million people with HIV will need medication to prevent their immune systems from worsening.
The government wants to halve new infections by 2011 and ensure that 80 percent of people with the disease get treatment and care.
But it faces a mammoth task. The Global Fund on AIDS, TB and Malaria has rejected a South African request for nearly $92 million over the next two years for AIDS projects and $68 million for TB prevention and treatment. AIDS campaigners blamed the former health minister for failing to respect the fund's strict operating rules.
The Durban ceremony marked an unprecedented show of unity between government, big business, trade unions and activists. In the past, activists and doctors had to resort to the courts to force government to provide AIDS drugs.
Church bells rang for a minute's silence at noon, and all banks agreed to cease business for that time. Murder trials were briefly interrupted. Trade union and business chiefs said they would have a 30-minute work stoppage to talk to their employees and encourage them to be tested -- which still remains largely taboo among men. Cell phone services sent text messages to their teenage subscribers.
"With the young and working age dying in droves, South Africa's death statistics resemble those of a country in a terrible war," the Confederation of South African Trade Unions said.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Hey there. Not much to say, but I kinda felt like it's been awhile since I wrote... let's see...
Joel McHale was funny. Duh right? He's a comedian...so yeah, he'd be funny. One night last week me & Kametia (the girl I'm mentoring) went to a hockey game. That was fun. Right now I'm just ready for Thanksgiving, more so I'm just ready for the time off work. I'm so exhausted just from work, the second job, and with my classes starting back up again. I think I might be back in the groove a bit. The first week back I was like...wow...I'm never going to graduate because I don't want to do the work one bit! It's getting better each week. I don't have to work at all this week for the second job and it's so weird...I keep looking at my calendar and thinking, "Ok what night do I have something going on" and then it's NO night!! Such a great feeling :) And to know only one more day of work, ahhh.
***Ok, so I started writing this last week and apparently got sidetracked. The 4 day break was exactly what I needed. Wednesday night me & Ivan went out with Breigh, who is a friend from California. She was in town visiting her boyfriend's family. So that was so much fun. On Thanksgiving we went over to Ivan's friends/co worker's house (Chris & Heidi) to eat with their 2 kids, and Ivan's friend Ryan, his fiance Kathy, and their 2 kids. The food was awesome, and we all totally knocked out on the couch after we ate. Perfect. Friday Ivan & I braved the sales to see what we "needed." Needed clearly isn't the right word for a new TV! hah But since Circuit City is closing they had everything like 40% off. So that was our big purchase for the year :) We also looked at furniture and put a couch on layaway, so I'm pumped for that. Then I went on a slight splurge at Pier One, which was very exciting. You can just never have too many vanilla candles right?
I think that kinda catches us up. Only 3 weeks until Christmas Break, can you believe it? I'm pumped. Before all of that though we have a Christmas Party at one of my co-workers and I'm pretty excited about that, we're going to see Chelsea Handler, going to a Suns game, going to Vegas for 4 days, AND celebrating our 7 year anniversary! So much to be excited about. And then, I'll be coming home too :) And can you believe it's been 7 years? Me neither. I'm very happy with us and how well we work together. YAY!
Just wanted to take a second to remind everyone to be in that giving spirit this holiday season :) I know, I know, that we're in "hard times" but I GUARANTEE you can afford to give a little money and/or time. Ivan & I are able to and we don't have anything on you guys, so trust me that I know you can do it. And with the hard times, that means we need to more than ever. If you're hurting, just imagine how bad someone else is. A friend of ours has recently come on hard times and was informed that government services we've always depended on just aren't there! Either no money, or the manpower to process the amount of help that is needed right now. The charities are suffering too, because those who normally give, aren't in the best position to do so, and there's a growing number of people in need also. Now is the time to help each other out.
Ok, that's my two cents for the moment. Peace!
Joel McHale was funny. Duh right? He's a comedian...so yeah, he'd be funny. One night last week me & Kametia (the girl I'm mentoring) went to a hockey game. That was fun. Right now I'm just ready for Thanksgiving, more so I'm just ready for the time off work. I'm so exhausted just from work, the second job, and with my classes starting back up again. I think I might be back in the groove a bit. The first week back I was like...wow...I'm never going to graduate because I don't want to do the work one bit! It's getting better each week. I don't have to work at all this week for the second job and it's so weird...I keep looking at my calendar and thinking, "Ok what night do I have something going on" and then it's NO night!! Such a great feeling :) And to know only one more day of work, ahhh.
***Ok, so I started writing this last week and apparently got sidetracked. The 4 day break was exactly what I needed. Wednesday night me & Ivan went out with Breigh, who is a friend from California. She was in town visiting her boyfriend's family. So that was so much fun. On Thanksgiving we went over to Ivan's friends/co worker's house (Chris & Heidi) to eat with their 2 kids, and Ivan's friend Ryan, his fiance Kathy, and their 2 kids. The food was awesome, and we all totally knocked out on the couch after we ate. Perfect. Friday Ivan & I braved the sales to see what we "needed." Needed clearly isn't the right word for a new TV! hah But since Circuit City is closing they had everything like 40% off. So that was our big purchase for the year :) We also looked at furniture and put a couch on layaway, so I'm pumped for that. Then I went on a slight splurge at Pier One, which was very exciting. You can just never have too many vanilla candles right?
I think that kinda catches us up. Only 3 weeks until Christmas Break, can you believe it? I'm pumped. Before all of that though we have a Christmas Party at one of my co-workers and I'm pretty excited about that, we're going to see Chelsea Handler, going to a Suns game, going to Vegas for 4 days, AND celebrating our 7 year anniversary! So much to be excited about. And then, I'll be coming home too :) And can you believe it's been 7 years? Me neither. I'm very happy with us and how well we work together. YAY!
Just wanted to take a second to remind everyone to be in that giving spirit this holiday season :) I know, I know, that we're in "hard times" but I GUARANTEE you can afford to give a little money and/or time. Ivan & I are able to and we don't have anything on you guys, so trust me that I know you can do it. And with the hard times, that means we need to more than ever. If you're hurting, just imagine how bad someone else is. A friend of ours has recently come on hard times and was informed that government services we've always depended on just aren't there! Either no money, or the manpower to process the amount of help that is needed right now. The charities are suffering too, because those who normally give, aren't in the best position to do so, and there's a growing number of people in need also. Now is the time to help each other out.
Ok, that's my two cents for the moment. Peace!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sound familiar?
Here's an article from the Pantagraph that goes along with my posts about kids needing to be able to play more:
No fooling: Experts bemoan loss of kids' play time
By David CraryAssociated Press
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NEW YORK -- In one classroom, a group of preschool teachers squatted on the floor, pretending to be cave-dwelling hunter-gatherers. Next door, another group ended a raucous musical game by placing their tambourines and drums atop their heads.Silly business, to be sure, but part of an agenda of utmost seriousness: To spread the word that America’s children need more time for freewheeling play at home and in their schools.“We’re all sad, and we’re a little worried. ... We’re sad about something missing in childhood,” psychologist and author Michael Thompson told 900 early childhood educators from 22 states packed into an auditorium last week.“We have to fight back,” he declared. “We’re going to fight for play.”After his keynote speech at New York’s 92nd Street Y, the teachers dispersed into dozens of workshops, some lighthearted, some scholarly — but all supporting the case that creative, spontaneous play is both vital and endangered.It’s not a brand-new cause — two years ago it was endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. But social changes and new demands on kids’ spare time confront free-play advocates with an ever-moving target.Among the speakers at last week’s Wonderplay conference Y was Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a Temple University psychologist who contends that lack of play in early childhood education “could be the next global warming.”Without ample opportunity for forms of play that foster innovation and creative thinking, she argues, America’s children will be at a disadvantage in the global economy.“Play equals learning,” she said. “For too long we have divorced the two.”Some of the factors behind diminished play time have been evolving for decades, others are more recent. Added together, they have resulted in eight to 12 fewer hours of free play time per week for the average American child since the 1980s, experts say.Among the key factors, according to Thompson:— Parents’ reluctance to let their kids play outside on their own, for fear of abduction or injury, and the companion trend of scheduling lessons, supervised sports and other structured activities that consume a large chunk of a child’s non-school hours.— More hours per week spent by kids watching TV, playing video games, using the Internet, communicating on cell phones.— Shortening or eliminating recess at many schools — a trend so pronounced that the National PTA has launched a “Rescuing Recess” campaign.— More emphasis on formal learning in preschool, more homework for elementary school students and more pressure from parents on young children to quickly acquire academic skills.“Parents are more self-conscious and competitive than in the past,” Thompson said. “They’re pushing their kids to excel. ... Free play loses out.”The consequences are potentially dire, according to Thompson. He contends that diminished time to play freely with other children is producing a generation of socially inept young people and is a factor behind high rates of youth obesity, anxiety, attention-deficit disorder and depression.Many families turn to organized sports as a principal non-school activity, but Thompson noted that this option doesn’t necessary breed creativity and can lead to burnout for good young athletes and frustration for the less skilled.Vivian Paley, a former kindergarten teacher at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and now an author and consultant, argues that the most vital form of play for young children involves fantasy and role-playing with their peers.“They’re inventing abstract thinking, before the world tells them what to think,” Paley said in her speech to the conference. “It gets them thinking, ‘I am intended to have my own ideas.”‘She worried that preschools, in the drive to prepare students for the academic challenges ahead, are reducing the opportunity for group fantasy play — and thus reducing children’s chances to learn on their own about fairness, kindness and other social interactions.“The theater of the young receives the least attention from those planning the curriculum of our nation’s schools,” Paley said. “This very activity is being dismantled in our schools to make room for early phonics. ... Preschoolers are being asked to practice being first graders.”Fretta Reitzes, director of the 92 Street Y’s youth and family center, which serves more than 6,000 children, says many of the parents she sees are struggling to find the right balance for their kids’ schedules, asking “How much is too much?”Preschool teachers need to lead by example, Reitzes said.“Bringing play back into the lives of children, it’s not just OK,” she said. “It’s really good for them.”
No fooling: Experts bemoan loss of kids' play time
By David CraryAssociated Press
Advertisement
NEW YORK -- In one classroom, a group of preschool teachers squatted on the floor, pretending to be cave-dwelling hunter-gatherers. Next door, another group ended a raucous musical game by placing their tambourines and drums atop their heads.Silly business, to be sure, but part of an agenda of utmost seriousness: To spread the word that America’s children need more time for freewheeling play at home and in their schools.“We’re all sad, and we’re a little worried. ... We’re sad about something missing in childhood,” psychologist and author Michael Thompson told 900 early childhood educators from 22 states packed into an auditorium last week.“We have to fight back,” he declared. “We’re going to fight for play.”After his keynote speech at New York’s 92nd Street Y, the teachers dispersed into dozens of workshops, some lighthearted, some scholarly — but all supporting the case that creative, spontaneous play is both vital and endangered.It’s not a brand-new cause — two years ago it was endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. But social changes and new demands on kids’ spare time confront free-play advocates with an ever-moving target.Among the speakers at last week’s Wonderplay conference Y was Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a Temple University psychologist who contends that lack of play in early childhood education “could be the next global warming.”Without ample opportunity for forms of play that foster innovation and creative thinking, she argues, America’s children will be at a disadvantage in the global economy.“Play equals learning,” she said. “For too long we have divorced the two.”Some of the factors behind diminished play time have been evolving for decades, others are more recent. Added together, they have resulted in eight to 12 fewer hours of free play time per week for the average American child since the 1980s, experts say.Among the key factors, according to Thompson:— Parents’ reluctance to let their kids play outside on their own, for fear of abduction or injury, and the companion trend of scheduling lessons, supervised sports and other structured activities that consume a large chunk of a child’s non-school hours.— More hours per week spent by kids watching TV, playing video games, using the Internet, communicating on cell phones.— Shortening or eliminating recess at many schools — a trend so pronounced that the National PTA has launched a “Rescuing Recess” campaign.— More emphasis on formal learning in preschool, more homework for elementary school students and more pressure from parents on young children to quickly acquire academic skills.“Parents are more self-conscious and competitive than in the past,” Thompson said. “They’re pushing their kids to excel. ... Free play loses out.”The consequences are potentially dire, according to Thompson. He contends that diminished time to play freely with other children is producing a generation of socially inept young people and is a factor behind high rates of youth obesity, anxiety, attention-deficit disorder and depression.Many families turn to organized sports as a principal non-school activity, but Thompson noted that this option doesn’t necessary breed creativity and can lead to burnout for good young athletes and frustration for the less skilled.Vivian Paley, a former kindergarten teacher at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and now an author and consultant, argues that the most vital form of play for young children involves fantasy and role-playing with their peers.“They’re inventing abstract thinking, before the world tells them what to think,” Paley said in her speech to the conference. “It gets them thinking, ‘I am intended to have my own ideas.”‘She worried that preschools, in the drive to prepare students for the academic challenges ahead, are reducing the opportunity for group fantasy play — and thus reducing children’s chances to learn on their own about fairness, kindness and other social interactions.“The theater of the young receives the least attention from those planning the curriculum of our nation’s schools,” Paley said. “This very activity is being dismantled in our schools to make room for early phonics. ... Preschoolers are being asked to practice being first graders.”Fretta Reitzes, director of the 92 Street Y’s youth and family center, which serves more than 6,000 children, says many of the parents she sees are struggling to find the right balance for their kids’ schedules, asking “How much is too much?”Preschool teachers need to lead by example, Reitzes said.“Bringing play back into the lives of children, it’s not just OK,” she said. “It’s really good for them.”
Monday, November 17, 2008
News from Vietnam/Cambodia
Remember my friend the Scot--Heather--who is traveling the world still? (So jealous might I add). She sent this email and I wanted to share it. There's a couple links to another blog and a website about an orphange and a hospital in Vietnam and Cambodia. Heartbreaking! Again, just raising awareness. So here's her email:
"OK y'all listen up. This is not my usual official group mail- this is an extra just cos you are lucky people. Here are a couple of websites that I want you all to visit. Thats all you have to do is look andr aise your awareness. If you want to do more than that then great. The first is http://vietnamorphanagedonation.blogspot.com. This is ablog written by Jack Sanderson who I volunteered with in Vietnam. Heworked full time at the Ky Quang orphanage for special needs kids. I'msure you all remember my statements in the email about this place andanyone who has read by blog will be left in no uncertain term abouthow I feel about it. Jack is only 18 but thinks behaves and writes assomeone much older. Please check it out.
The second is www.beatocello.com. This is a website set up by Dr BeatRichter, a Swiss doctor living in Cambodia. He raises funds andprovides medical services free to the poor families and children ofCambodia. He has been doing this tirelessly since the 1970's. He holdsBach concerts once a week for free in the hospital in Siem Reap mailyfor tourists to let them know more about the hospital. I attended oneon my last night in Cambodia and he was wonderful, warm and humourous.I donated blood and also a small amount of money- but I just wanted tolet everyone else know and hope that they check up on these 2 sites."
"OK y'all listen up. This is not my usual official group mail- this is an extra just cos you are lucky people. Here are a couple of websites that I want you all to visit. Thats all you have to do is look andr aise your awareness. If you want to do more than that then great. The first is http://vietnamorphanagedonation.blogspot.com. This is ablog written by Jack Sanderson who I volunteered with in Vietnam. Heworked full time at the Ky Quang orphanage for special needs kids. I'msure you all remember my statements in the email about this place andanyone who has read by blog will be left in no uncertain term abouthow I feel about it. Jack is only 18 but thinks behaves and writes assomeone much older. Please check it out.
The second is www.beatocello.com. This is a website set up by Dr BeatRichter, a Swiss doctor living in Cambodia. He raises funds andprovides medical services free to the poor families and children ofCambodia. He has been doing this tirelessly since the 1970's. He holdsBach concerts once a week for free in the hospital in Siem Reap mailyfor tourists to let them know more about the hospital. I attended oneon my last night in Cambodia and he was wonderful, warm and humourous.I donated blood and also a small amount of money- but I just wanted tolet everyone else know and hope that they check up on these 2 sites."
Friday, November 14, 2008
Kathy Griffen Update
It just occurred to me that I never wrote about how amazing Kathy Griffen was! I realize she's an acquired taste. Some people can't stand her. I used to think she was annoying and all of that. But then I started watching her show, "My Life on the D-List" and I quickly started falling in love with her. And then here and there I would catch one of her specials...and again...she had me laughing my ass off.
So we went and saw her and she was so flipping funny. I think the reason she's so appealing is that her comedy is like no other. It's literally like you are catching up with an old friend. Like she just runs into the room and is like, "OMG! I love you, I haven't seen you in forever, we have 2 hours to catch up, let me tell you everything!" And away she goes, and everything just happens to be hysterical.
The other thing Ivan and I think...is that a typical comedian will say--they take everyday situations and make them funny. With Kathy is just seems like her everyday situations just ARE funny. She doesn't even try. I don't know. She's the number 1 female comedian in the world right now, and I know why :)
One funny thing to note--Kathy has a huge gay following--men & women alike. On the way to the show I told Ivan that just to see if he'd react. I probably didn't even need to tell him because within 2 blocks of the theatre you could just tell ya know? And when Kathy came out she always says, "Ok, where are my gays at?" And I swear to you, at least 75% of the audience was on their feet cheering. I thought it was too funny. Ivan did too...probably not as funny as I did though. And then she asked where the women were, and finally, "Where my straight guys at?" Just a few people in the room. She follows up with, "Yeah I got nothing for ya! Sorry, I know you were bribed here tonight"..etc etc etc. Too funny.
Tonight we're off to see Joel McHale. I'm anxious to see his comedy style because I only see him hosting shows ya know? Regardless, he'll be funny, and hot, and I love him.
So we went and saw her and she was so flipping funny. I think the reason she's so appealing is that her comedy is like no other. It's literally like you are catching up with an old friend. Like she just runs into the room and is like, "OMG! I love you, I haven't seen you in forever, we have 2 hours to catch up, let me tell you everything!" And away she goes, and everything just happens to be hysterical.
The other thing Ivan and I think...is that a typical comedian will say--they take everyday situations and make them funny. With Kathy is just seems like her everyday situations just ARE funny. She doesn't even try. I don't know. She's the number 1 female comedian in the world right now, and I know why :)
One funny thing to note--Kathy has a huge gay following--men & women alike. On the way to the show I told Ivan that just to see if he'd react. I probably didn't even need to tell him because within 2 blocks of the theatre you could just tell ya know? And when Kathy came out she always says, "Ok, where are my gays at?" And I swear to you, at least 75% of the audience was on their feet cheering. I thought it was too funny. Ivan did too...probably not as funny as I did though. And then she asked where the women were, and finally, "Where my straight guys at?" Just a few people in the room. She follows up with, "Yeah I got nothing for ya! Sorry, I know you were bribed here tonight"..etc etc etc. Too funny.
Tonight we're off to see Joel McHale. I'm anxious to see his comedy style because I only see him hosting shows ya know? Regardless, he'll be funny, and hot, and I love him.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
How can it be?
How can it be that I am so in love with a freakin' TV character? That would be Denny Duquette on Grey's Anatomy. It was love at first sight. And if you're watching you'll see that he's back. I could watch this show for the rest of my life with no other characters at all. Just Izzy and Denny hanging out all the damn time. I love this man. It's pretty freakin' pathetic. I mean I love the real man too, Jeffrey Dean Morgen...but I love love love Denny Duquette.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
WE DID IT!!!
YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!
I couldn't even speak when Charles Gibson said, "It's 11:00 o'clock on the east coast, the polls are closed in California...ABC can project that Barack Obama will take California and several other western states, Barack Obama will be the 44th president of the United States of America..." Believe it or not I started crying. Which shocked me!!! I didn't realize how much I wanted it I guess. I'm so happy. And I'm happy Obama won by soooo many votes. We needed that. We needed it to be a clear win.
And now we're at that point where the bitter McCain supporters spew their feelings, judgements, and skepticism for the future. Which although is hard to stomach, is only natural and expected.
But McCain himself said it best in his speech tonight. Now is the time to come together. That is exactly what we need. What we've always needed. It may take a minute for people to get over their loss, but the end result is that we all need to come together. No matter what my views have been I've always believed in a united front.
Did I mention I'm happy?
I couldn't even speak when Charles Gibson said, "It's 11:00 o'clock on the east coast, the polls are closed in California...ABC can project that Barack Obama will take California and several other western states, Barack Obama will be the 44th president of the United States of America..." Believe it or not I started crying. Which shocked me!!! I didn't realize how much I wanted it I guess. I'm so happy. And I'm happy Obama won by soooo many votes. We needed that. We needed it to be a clear win.
And now we're at that point where the bitter McCain supporters spew their feelings, judgements, and skepticism for the future. Which although is hard to stomach, is only natural and expected.
But McCain himself said it best in his speech tonight. Now is the time to come together. That is exactly what we need. What we've always needed. It may take a minute for people to get over their loss, but the end result is that we all need to come together. No matter what my views have been I've always believed in a united front.
Did I mention I'm happy?
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