Thursday, November 30, 2006
making plans
Ok, so I found the dress. But how should I do my hair? 
And if anyone has suggestions for a groom... I guess that would be helpful, too.
And if anyone has suggestions for a groom... I guess that would be helpful, too.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
it feels like home to me
Sometimes I wonder if certain places will retain their homey feel forever, regardless of how long ago you left them behind. When I think about places like Virginia, Oregon, and even Utah, it's hard to say that they feel like anything but a little piece of home.
A few days ago I was thinking about my house in Virginia and imagining who must be living there now. I was trying to imagine who inherited my bedroom, what color (if any) it has been painted, who is enjoying my newly renovated bathroom, if the kids like running and sliding in socks on the wood floors as much as I did, etc. I played out the whole scene in my mind, when a sudden flash came to my memory. In my closet there was a small panel of the side wall that could be removed, revealing the studs and space between walls. In that small opening, there happened to be a ledge just beneath it where I once placed a letter I wrote to myself several years ago. I'm sure it must have contained the deepest, darkest secrets of my 15 or 16 year old self. The things you think of months after moving out... So more than wondering if the wood floors are still as slippery, I can't help but imagine who must have discovered my letter.
A few days ago I was thinking about my house in Virginia and imagining who must be living there now. I was trying to imagine who inherited my bedroom, what color (if any) it has been painted, who is enjoying my newly renovated bathroom, if the kids like running and sliding in socks on the wood floors as much as I did, etc. I played out the whole scene in my mind, when a sudden flash came to my memory. In my closet there was a small panel of the side wall that could be removed, revealing the studs and space between walls. In that small opening, there happened to be a ledge just beneath it where I once placed a letter I wrote to myself several years ago. I'm sure it must have contained the deepest, darkest secrets of my 15 or 16 year old self. The things you think of months after moving out... So more than wondering if the wood floors are still as slippery, I can't help but imagine who must have discovered my letter.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Women and Goats
"A son will always be a son, they say. But a girl is like a goat. Good as long as she gives you milk and butter. But not worth crying over when it's time to make a stew."
This is a quote from a book that I recently finished reading. The book is Sold by Patricia McCormick. It has gotten quite a bit of publicity since it came out because it is an adolescent book that tells the story of a young girl in Nepal who is sold by her stepfather to work in a brothel in the red light district of Calcutta. The author spent a lot of time studying the topic and interviewing people in Nepal and India before writing the book. I would definitely recommend that you read it. I guess it just paints a picture of what we talked about so many times last year when I would talk to you all about trafficking in India, and other such topics!
This is a blog entry with a purpose. I have decided that since I don't really get the opportunity to share things like this with you anymore, there are a few things that I thought you might like to know about that are happening worldwide that have to do with women. Just a couple of little updates to keep everyone up on the current news.
Pakistan: Pakistan has taken a step in the right direction in trying to amend it hudood laws. These are the infamous laws that deal with rape in Pakistan. Currently, a woman must have four witnesses before a man can be convicted of raping her. If these witnesses cannot be found, the woman can be found guilty of adultery and suffer the consequences of that. The new revision of the laws allows rape to be taken into the criminal court (not just religious court) where the punishment can be decided by a judge. It also reduces the punishment for adultery to 5 years in prison or a $165 fine. Mind you, these revisions still need to be approved by the legislators. Many Muslim policy-makers walked out because they were so upset at these changes. On the other had, many groups are upset that the laws are not being totally eradicated instead of just reformed. Either way, at least it is something! I hope that it shows some positive movement in the right direction. Here is a link to a BBC article on the subject if you are at all interested (which I hope you are!), http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6153994.stm
The next piece of information is regarding the company Nestle. I actually saw a little article about this in the BYU Political Review, which I thought was so great (written by a guy, no less)! In LDCs (lesser-developed countries) around the world, Nestle has been running huge marketing campaigns regarding its breast milk substitutes. Apparently, women's increased us of these breast-milk substitutes are causing increased infant deaths. In these countries, the only water available for women to mix into these substitutes is incredibly unhealthy and causes more disease and death. Through these add campaigns, women are led to believe that formula is healthier than breastmilk. The problem is that formula is so expensive that women dilute it more than they are supposed to and so the babies do not get the nutrients that they need, anyway. Also, the families tend to suffer because they have to spend so much money on formula that they can't afford as much food for the rest of the family. In some countries, Nestle provides a free gift package of 4 days of formula for new mothers that they use in the hospital. Apparently, by the time they get home, these mothers can no longer breastfeed, and, not knowing how to induce lactation again, they end up being compelled to buy formula that they can't afford.
Anyways, ladies, I just wanted to give you some food for thought. Feel free to read up on any of it if you are so inclined. I love you ladies and am excited that we will be reunited in about a month!
This is a quote from a book that I recently finished reading. The book is Sold by Patricia McCormick. It has gotten quite a bit of publicity since it came out because it is an adolescent book that tells the story of a young girl in Nepal who is sold by her stepfather to work in a brothel in the red light district of Calcutta. The author spent a lot of time studying the topic and interviewing people in Nepal and India before writing the book. I would definitely recommend that you read it. I guess it just paints a picture of what we talked about so many times last year when I would talk to you all about trafficking in India, and other such topics!
This is a blog entry with a purpose. I have decided that since I don't really get the opportunity to share things like this with you anymore, there are a few things that I thought you might like to know about that are happening worldwide that have to do with women. Just a couple of little updates to keep everyone up on the current news.
Pakistan: Pakistan has taken a step in the right direction in trying to amend it hudood laws. These are the infamous laws that deal with rape in Pakistan. Currently, a woman must have four witnesses before a man can be convicted of raping her. If these witnesses cannot be found, the woman can be found guilty of adultery and suffer the consequences of that. The new revision of the laws allows rape to be taken into the criminal court (not just religious court) where the punishment can be decided by a judge. It also reduces the punishment for adultery to 5 years in prison or a $165 fine. Mind you, these revisions still need to be approved by the legislators. Many Muslim policy-makers walked out because they were so upset at these changes. On the other had, many groups are upset that the laws are not being totally eradicated instead of just reformed. Either way, at least it is something! I hope that it shows some positive movement in the right direction. Here is a link to a BBC article on the subject if you are at all interested (which I hope you are!), http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6153994.stm
The next piece of information is regarding the company Nestle. I actually saw a little article about this in the BYU Political Review, which I thought was so great (written by a guy, no less)! In LDCs (lesser-developed countries) around the world, Nestle has been running huge marketing campaigns regarding its breast milk substitutes. Apparently, women's increased us of these breast-milk substitutes are causing increased infant deaths. In these countries, the only water available for women to mix into these substitutes is incredibly unhealthy and causes more disease and death. Through these add campaigns, women are led to believe that formula is healthier than breastmilk. The problem is that formula is so expensive that women dilute it more than they are supposed to and so the babies do not get the nutrients that they need, anyway. Also, the families tend to suffer because they have to spend so much money on formula that they can't afford as much food for the rest of the family. In some countries, Nestle provides a free gift package of 4 days of formula for new mothers that they use in the hospital. Apparently, by the time they get home, these mothers can no longer breastfeed, and, not knowing how to induce lactation again, they end up being compelled to buy formula that they can't afford.
Anyways, ladies, I just wanted to give you some food for thought. Feel free to read up on any of it if you are so inclined. I love you ladies and am excited that we will be reunited in about a month!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Frosted Windows
Ok, so I figured that this is the best format to relay information to all of my four white mothers. I don't really know if you want to know all of this, but it's an important step in my emotional development. Are you ready? :)
Last week, we (as in boy and I) got back from a concert, and there were no parking spaces below. I moaned about having to scrape my windows in the morning because I would have to park in the back. He laughed.
Well, come morning I walked out to my car only to find that all of the windows have already been scrapped. I smiled and thought, "Wow, I'm dating someone wonderful." I then drove to school and later sent an email to all of my sisters explaining that I was now dating someone. I made it vocal (or as vocal as internet can be). This is a huge step for me. I voluntarily offered the information whereas I typically allow people to pry it out of me.
All in all, I'm good. :)
Friday, November 10, 2006
cinquain for late autumn
sometimes
i remember
how warm the winters were
as we dimmed all lights but christmas
and i
want to
curl up in those
moments forever with
jenny, joanna, and whitney
my girls
i remember
how warm the winters were
as we dimmed all lights but christmas
and i
want to
curl up in those
moments forever with
jenny, joanna, and whitney
my girls
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
ON THIS DAY...(PART II)
So, since Sarah was so sweet as to let us know what happened on this day in history, I thought I would add my own little play-by-play. On this day, November 8, 2006, I got up and went to the dentist. Once at the dentist, I received the joyful news that I needed ANOTHER root canal! Apparently the filling that I got a week ago was too deep and was touching the nerve, which has been the reason for all of the pain I had been experiencing up to this point. At this point, I was really feeling that I should just do these things myself, since the problem apparently wasn't being taken care of (hence, the kit above). I also had the opportunity to see a lot of x-rays and feel a lot of digging around in my teeth.
After leaving the office with the numbness wearing off into pain, the assistant said, so sweetly, "I hope we got the right tooth so that you don't have any more of that pain!" Well, thanks for the optimism! I am being unnecessarily rude; the assistant really was nice during the whole ordeal.
So, the plan for my GRE tomorrow is to sit in a room (like the one shown, but with computers and not so many males), and hopefully not feel ANYTHING coming from my mouth.
Oh well, I can always take it again, right?
Luckily, even though I am not attending classes again today to my own detriment, I am excited for my birthday "event" tonight. Apparently, it is the first-ever BYU spelling bee. Jenny is taking me for my birthday. Does it get any better than that? I don't think so! I do have to say, though, that things really are going fairly well. I can't believe I am 25! When did that happen? Watch out - it just sneaks up on you! I love you girls!
On This Day...
There are some things you probably don't know about November 8th. So much good (and maybe some bad, too) has happened historically on this day. Here are some of the highlights:- 1576 - Pacification of Ghent - ok I don't really remember what that means, but Ghent is like 40 minutes from my house!
- 1674 - John Milton dies - had to throw the english major in there somewhere
- 1793 - The Louvre opens to the public as a museum -- aren't we all thankful?
- 1864 - Abraham Lincoln is re-elected -- if only we had leaders like him today
- 1889 - Montana is admitted as a the 41st state -- eh, why not?
- 1965 - Days of Our Lives debuts on NBC - how did such a show last so long?
- 1971 - Led Zeppelin IV is released - aww yeah
- 1974 - Carol DaRonch narrowly escapes abduction by serial killer Ted Bundy in SLC - random, but somewhat local
- 1978 - Norman Rockwell dies - oh, sad
- 1981 - Joanna London is born - oh happy day!
- 1994 - for the first time in 40 years the Republican Party takes control of the House and the Senate - and then lost it again 12 years later...
- 2006 - Jo celebrates 25 years of coolness! - wahoo - finally you can rent a car!!!
Happy Birthday, Jo!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Call me the rubberband...
...that lost its elasticity for a bit. However, after fierce reprimands from Joanna about not being a diligent ex-roomie, I am sacrificing lunch with the faculty to post a blog. "I assure you the pain is not acute." I'd rather write anyway. So far life is good. My students are well-behaved today, which is quite the departure from yesterday. I was dealing with a pack of howler monkeys. At one point I debated leaving the room, so I could just breathe and not scream. I didn't scream, but I stood there for about thirty seconds, collecting my dignity before I actually just started to laugh. That freaked them out even more, and they started laughing too. It seemed to help the mood quite a bit.
On the non-teaching side of things, I want to concur with Jo-Bo by saying that HBW is the dating machine we all knew she would be. Honestly. She can not even REMOTELY deny it anymore, and there are two witnesses to prove it. She's hot. We all knew that. As for me, the tall young man is great. However, I refuse to publish things like this over the internet, so ask me in person for details.
Jo and I can't wait for December when we can all be reunited. By the way, when do you get home, Sarita? We are trying to plan out amazing slumber party, complete with Oreos, milk, movies, and laughter. (That just sounded like the back of some really lame/cheesy book.) The sentiment is sincere. And I do miss the Oreos...
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Boo.
Jo! I loved the Halloween update! Those pictures were fab - you girls are as hot as ever. :) As you can read on my blog, my halloween started slow and ended fab. Luckily my roommate and I were both bound and determined not to let it go to pot -- even if we weren't going to have trick-or-treaters, candles to light our pumpkins, or a barn dance. I'd say we did pretty well for ourselves. I tried to post my favortie from our dance party, but blogger isn't letting me. Oh, and I'm sure you all have heard of okgo, but have you seen their videos? I have been watching them pretty frequently since this summer, whenever I want some quick entertainment.
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