Some of my favorite things at the moment:
Hulu --- a great site for watching uninterrupted tv shows old and new - FOR FREE!!!
Exploring with Derek --- a great way to waste gas and contaminate the environment which isn't good BUT it gets us out of the house and we see a lot of interesting things along the way.
No Late Fees at Movie Gallery --- For $15.00 a month we can rent at least 5 new releases for no extra charge and keep them as long as we want with no late fees. Excellent.
Chipper Jones --- he is so incredible and the Braves are winning a lot because of his efforts!
Clean House --- My house has never been so tidy! I Love It!
Exercise --- Derek and I joined Wellness and have been exercising everyday. I feel so good after I exercise! Bonus: Another thing Derek and I found to do together in Sandersville.
GPS on iPhone --- It works in Friendship, Linton and even Beulah, Georgia. Fantastic!
Planning a Road Trip --- Me and Derek along with Carlye and Patrick will be taking a road trip in September to see Robert AND to go to NYC or DC. Very excited about this!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Finishing Up
I am done with my Masters pretty much. Looking for a job is pretty depressing, but I am sure it will all work out.
Right now, Derek and I seem think we may be sticking around Sandersville due to the economy. He has a good job here, we have a nice and affordable house and I can probably find a job where the commute is no more than an hour and fifteen minutes. We had really hoped to move, however, to be closer to his parents and to live in a place that has a little more going on. But - if truth be told - Sandersville is not horrible or anything. We enjoy the friends we have here and we also enjoy Derek's soccer team and the one-screen theatre down the street. We just still kind of feel like outsiders - even though we have been here for two years. It is partly our fault. We have been incredibly busy and when I get stressed I seclude myself. It's just my nature. On top of it all - everyone we are friends with goes to the same church. Being that Saturday nights have either been soccer game nights, leaving us Sunday morning to have "us" time OR being that we use the remaining non-soccer Saturday nights to actually get out of town and go have some fun (in Augusta or Savannah - or most recently, Orlando!!!) we just haven't been to church so I think that has put a little damper on our Sandersville interactions lately. It may not change much over the summer though as we have 3 vacations planned (2 of which are education conferences) and have tickets to 18 Braves games. So...we will see what happens. We still have a few weeks to pretty much settle in on our decision.
If we do stay here, however, I have a list of things I NEED to be perfectly content:
PAINT for all the walls and permission to paint them
Everything necessary for a sports room in our office for Derek
new couches and coffee table (not necessarily brand new, just new to me, clean and NOT PLAID)
at least 6 bookcases
a storage unit
new bedspread and accompanying items for both rooms
the carpets cleaned
an idea on how to keep my cats inside without killing them and with the house staying cleaner...
Not too much to ask right? I kept saying that I was going to wait to do all this kind of thing until we got a place we knew we would stay for 5 or 6 years. BUT - there is no way I can live here without it being exactly what I want in a home anymore. These white walls depress me and without the storage we need the house gets cluttered SO easily. So, I have a lot to look forward to in whatever decision we make.
All of our friends are having babies. Now, this baby bug has not spread to us yet - but I am excited for everyone that I know who have had or who are having babies. All of them are so adorable. I have been helping Brittany with her shower and a little on her nursery one day. I went to see a friend, Cynthia, the other day who has a precious (but early) newborn and I know three others who are expecting. So. A lot of excitement going on around us right now, and it is always nice to have good news like that around!
Derek is doubly certified now! Math and Social Studies. This is excellent because he is much more marketable this way - not to mention I am just so proud of him for being so dedicated to his job. Next certification: Spanish. Next Degree: MASTERS! (That is why I am not doing my doctorate right away - he needs a chance to do his masters, =) ).
Well...back to the job search...
Right now, Derek and I seem think we may be sticking around Sandersville due to the economy. He has a good job here, we have a nice and affordable house and I can probably find a job where the commute is no more than an hour and fifteen minutes. We had really hoped to move, however, to be closer to his parents and to live in a place that has a little more going on. But - if truth be told - Sandersville is not horrible or anything. We enjoy the friends we have here and we also enjoy Derek's soccer team and the one-screen theatre down the street. We just still kind of feel like outsiders - even though we have been here for two years. It is partly our fault. We have been incredibly busy and when I get stressed I seclude myself. It's just my nature. On top of it all - everyone we are friends with goes to the same church. Being that Saturday nights have either been soccer game nights, leaving us Sunday morning to have "us" time OR being that we use the remaining non-soccer Saturday nights to actually get out of town and go have some fun (in Augusta or Savannah - or most recently, Orlando!!!) we just haven't been to church so I think that has put a little damper on our Sandersville interactions lately. It may not change much over the summer though as we have 3 vacations planned (2 of which are education conferences) and have tickets to 18 Braves games. So...we will see what happens. We still have a few weeks to pretty much settle in on our decision.
If we do stay here, however, I have a list of things I NEED to be perfectly content:
PAINT for all the walls and permission to paint them
Everything necessary for a sports room in our office for Derek
new couches and coffee table (not necessarily brand new, just new to me, clean and NOT PLAID)
at least 6 bookcases
a storage unit
new bedspread and accompanying items for both rooms
the carpets cleaned
an idea on how to keep my cats inside without killing them and with the house staying cleaner...
Not too much to ask right? I kept saying that I was going to wait to do all this kind of thing until we got a place we knew we would stay for 5 or 6 years. BUT - there is no way I can live here without it being exactly what I want in a home anymore. These white walls depress me and without the storage we need the house gets cluttered SO easily. So, I have a lot to look forward to in whatever decision we make.
All of our friends are having babies. Now, this baby bug has not spread to us yet - but I am excited for everyone that I know who have had or who are having babies. All of them are so adorable. I have been helping Brittany with her shower and a little on her nursery one day. I went to see a friend, Cynthia, the other day who has a precious (but early) newborn and I know three others who are expecting. So. A lot of excitement going on around us right now, and it is always nice to have good news like that around!
Derek is doubly certified now! Math and Social Studies. This is excellent because he is much more marketable this way - not to mention I am just so proud of him for being so dedicated to his job. Next certification: Spanish. Next Degree: MASTERS! (That is why I am not doing my doctorate right away - he needs a chance to do his masters, =) ).
Well...back to the job search...
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Happy Holidays! Yuletide Greetings! Season's Greetings and of course, Merry Christmas!
So... hear the news lately about the atheist sign beside the Christmas tree and manger scene in the Washington State Capitol? Well, an atheist group was allowed to put up a sign saying that there is no religion, no god, no angels no heaven or hell...etc...and that religion enslaves the mind. At first I though - freedom of speech, freedom of and freedom from religion, etc.etc. But, then I thought about it. This sign came up for the Christmas holidays - a national holiday. If Atheists do not like it as a national holiday, they should petition the government to get rid of the holiday - they should not, in direct contradiction to the holiday, post an anti-religion sign. It is sort of like hate speech or discrimination - for example, on Martin Luther King Day we do not allow KKK groups to post signs or hold demonstrations, on Presidents Day we do not allow anarchists to display their beliefs everywhere. National holidays are not necessarily "religious" but honoring people who deserve it.
The Christmas national holiday does have religious undertones but the National Holiday part of it is that we are honoring a prophet, philosopher and to some people savior who influenced the world more than most anyone else in history. Just like MLK day or Columbus Day (which I have problems with but whatever) or Presidents Day or Veterans Day the Fourth of July - we are honoring something. You do not have to participate in the ceremonies or celebrations. For example, I normally do not adorne my house with American flags or wear red white and blue on military-related holidays but I also do not go and post signs that say "Make love not war" on the state capitol building. It is disrespectful.
It should also be a violation of rights. In John Locke's philosophy of government - where the main portions of our Constitution and Bill of Rights as well as state's Constitutions come from - he says that your rights end where another person's begins. In other words, you have freedom of speech, religion, press UNTIL it interferes with anothers' rights. So... just like I cannot use my rights to hurt someone else, the Atheist group who posted the sign should not have because it interferes - or denegrates - the religious rights of others. A sign that said "We Worship No One" or even one that explained atheism would be perfectly fine. But, when you begin to discriminate and denegrate anothers' beliefs, you cross the line of your rights. Therefore, I think the sign should be taken down - not because I disagree with them, per se, BUT because they are not within their legal rights to post it, as I see it. I believe in free speech, and freedom of religion (which also means freedom "from" religion) but I do not believe in free hate speech or freedom to slander anothers' beliefs.
However - remember this: Whatever you believe and whoever you are is not, or should not, be influenced by a contradictory sign or demonstration. People can believe what they want and express it - in a respectful way.
The Christmas national holiday does have religious undertones but the National Holiday part of it is that we are honoring a prophet, philosopher and to some people savior who influenced the world more than most anyone else in history. Just like MLK day or Columbus Day (which I have problems with but whatever) or Presidents Day or Veterans Day the Fourth of July - we are honoring something. You do not have to participate in the ceremonies or celebrations. For example, I normally do not adorne my house with American flags or wear red white and blue on military-related holidays but I also do not go and post signs that say "Make love not war" on the state capitol building. It is disrespectful.
It should also be a violation of rights. In John Locke's philosophy of government - where the main portions of our Constitution and Bill of Rights as well as state's Constitutions come from - he says that your rights end where another person's begins. In other words, you have freedom of speech, religion, press UNTIL it interferes with anothers' rights. So... just like I cannot use my rights to hurt someone else, the Atheist group who posted the sign should not have because it interferes - or denegrates - the religious rights of others. A sign that said "We Worship No One" or even one that explained atheism would be perfectly fine. But, when you begin to discriminate and denegrate anothers' beliefs, you cross the line of your rights. Therefore, I think the sign should be taken down - not because I disagree with them, per se, BUT because they are not within their legal rights to post it, as I see it. I believe in free speech, and freedom of religion (which also means freedom "from" religion) but I do not believe in free hate speech or freedom to slander anothers' beliefs.
However - remember this: Whatever you believe and whoever you are is not, or should not, be influenced by a contradictory sign or demonstration. People can believe what they want and express it - in a respectful way.
Monday, November 24, 2008
It's 3 AM
It's 3 AM.
Finishing with some thesis revisions.
I have stitches from a mole Dr. Loeble cut out today...gross. They itch.
Mr. Wilcox is improving...must have been the Coke and Snickers bar.
Spent the day with Emily over the weekend - had a good time, she seems to be holding it together well.
Went to see BOLT and loved it - you should go see it, it is mucho fabulous!
I am going to bed now, even though I should do more work on the thesis.
Finishing with some thesis revisions.
I have stitches from a mole Dr. Loeble cut out today...gross. They itch.
Mr. Wilcox is improving...must have been the Coke and Snickers bar.
Spent the day with Emily over the weekend - had a good time, she seems to be holding it together well.
Went to see BOLT and loved it - you should go see it, it is mucho fabulous!
I am going to bed now, even though I should do more work on the thesis.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Bad things happen...but why do they happen all at one time?
So Mr. Wilcox is in the hospital again. Two years ago he was diagnosed with cancer and almost walked through death's door but didn't. Recently he has been doing so well - he bought a new car, drove to Bible study twice a week and was even substitute teaching! We were all so excited to see him doing so well! Well - of course I trek off to San Diego without going to see him in about 6 weeks. I thought about it and thought, you know, I will go see him over Thanksgiving so we are not rushed. I got a call Wednesday morning, however, explaining that Mr. Wilcox had suffered a stroke and was left unable to speak and very confused. I couldn't get to Augusta, obviously, so Meagan Borum went, thank goodness. Meagan and I have a gift at making Mr. Wilcox smile.
Anyway I promised to sit with him on Friday, tomorrow. This morning, though I got more news. Mr. Wilcox has developed MRSP induced pneumonia. In other words he has a bacterial infection that has progressed pneumonia in his body leaving it hard for him to breathe. Additionally he has an infection in his foot where he had two toes amputated during his last hospital stay. They gave him antibiotics and said he need to wait 24 hours to see results. MRSP is very contagious - through casual contact - and they are warning people who come to the hospital to be very cautious but recommend that they do not come. Well, I have to go. I cannot stay away from the hospital with Mr. Wilcox in this condition.
Over the past two years he has been such a good friend to me. I visit him and we talk and watch the History Channel. He always makes me laugh and is so sincerely interested in what I am doing, in my thesis and in Derek's life too. I am so worried because the prognosis is so bad - I don't want to think negatively but it is hard not too with the bacterial infection being so dangerous. It makes me think about November a year ago when we lost Michael to a bacterial infection - what is with November??? Every year someone I love gets seriously ill, hospitalized or dies during this month.
I want him to get better so much. I will eat a Snickers and drink a Coke in honor of him and in hopes that he pulls through this today.
Anyway I promised to sit with him on Friday, tomorrow. This morning, though I got more news. Mr. Wilcox has developed MRSP induced pneumonia. In other words he has a bacterial infection that has progressed pneumonia in his body leaving it hard for him to breathe. Additionally he has an infection in his foot where he had two toes amputated during his last hospital stay. They gave him antibiotics and said he need to wait 24 hours to see results. MRSP is very contagious - through casual contact - and they are warning people who come to the hospital to be very cautious but recommend that they do not come. Well, I have to go. I cannot stay away from the hospital with Mr. Wilcox in this condition.
Over the past two years he has been such a good friend to me. I visit him and we talk and watch the History Channel. He always makes me laugh and is so sincerely interested in what I am doing, in my thesis and in Derek's life too. I am so worried because the prognosis is so bad - I don't want to think negatively but it is hard not too with the bacterial infection being so dangerous. It makes me think about November a year ago when we lost Michael to a bacterial infection - what is with November??? Every year someone I love gets seriously ill, hospitalized or dies during this month.
I want him to get better so much. I will eat a Snickers and drink a Coke in honor of him and in hopes that he pulls through this today.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
You Can't Say "I Told You So"
You know it seems like when someone does something that you know is not a good idea you LIVE for the day you can tell them "I told you so" or at least whisper it to yourself.
Well...when that person actually faces the reality of your warnings, the urge to say that immediately goes away.
My cousin is 21. Three days ago she was a married woman to a man we all told her would hurt her when she was married a few weeks out of high school, at 18. Today she is in the midst of a divorce, brought upon her by this husband out of the blue. He left her Tuesday night and had divorce papers ready today. They had been on a date and shopping just Monday.
None of us can actually believe that our warnings actually came true - and we really wish they hadn't. We all feel so horrible and can't imagine being married for two years and being divorced by the age of 21. I just saw her, hugged her and cried with her. I want her to be okay and I want her to have a life now - to have friends and to meet a good-looking perfect guy and actually get to go on dates. I just don't know how she will do it. She seems like she is being "strong" but she has no obligation to be - this is hard stuff, not something you get over in a few weeks...it will take a long time.
Well...when that person actually faces the reality of your warnings, the urge to say that immediately goes away.
My cousin is 21. Three days ago she was a married woman to a man we all told her would hurt her when she was married a few weeks out of high school, at 18. Today she is in the midst of a divorce, brought upon her by this husband out of the blue. He left her Tuesday night and had divorce papers ready today. They had been on a date and shopping just Monday.
None of us can actually believe that our warnings actually came true - and we really wish they hadn't. We all feel so horrible and can't imagine being married for two years and being divorced by the age of 21. I just saw her, hugged her and cried with her. I want her to be okay and I want her to have a life now - to have friends and to meet a good-looking perfect guy and actually get to go on dates. I just don't know how she will do it. She seems like she is being "strong" but she has no obligation to be - this is hard stuff, not something you get over in a few weeks...it will take a long time.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Election Night
Election Night is always one of my favorite nights. My parents always emphasized it growing up and the last 2 elections plus this one have been very interesting to me and I have followed them minute for minute.
Although I have my disagreements with the McCain/Palin ticket - mostly with the Palin part - I could live and be happy under a McCain presidency. It doesn't seem that way for many people who voted for Obama. But on that same note I know many many many people who are being ridiculously dramatic about an Obama presidency - calling it the end of America and calling him worse from racist to terrorist to the AntiChrist.
No matter what side we chose we need to get on board the American train and off of our partisan high horses. Anti-Obama people need to realize if he were all of those awful things there is no way he could run for President with such support. Anti-McCain people need to get over themselves...and I guess us Anti-Palinites too...and not fuel any fire that may exist after Obama wins tonight (because he is almost to 270).
Get over the hate and begin the healing. We need to support our leaders because if they fail, we fail.
Although I have my disagreements with the McCain/Palin ticket - mostly with the Palin part - I could live and be happy under a McCain presidency. It doesn't seem that way for many people who voted for Obama. But on that same note I know many many many people who are being ridiculously dramatic about an Obama presidency - calling it the end of America and calling him worse from racist to terrorist to the AntiChrist.
No matter what side we chose we need to get on board the American train and off of our partisan high horses. Anti-Obama people need to realize if he were all of those awful things there is no way he could run for President with such support. Anti-McCain people need to get over themselves...and I guess us Anti-Palinites too...and not fuel any fire that may exist after Obama wins tonight (because he is almost to 270).
Get over the hate and begin the healing. We need to support our leaders because if they fail, we fail.
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