Sunday, December 21, 2008

Hey um um um a heyyyyya....life in a Northern Town

Yes, I realize that song (See end of entry) is about impoverished northern England, but it's the first thing I thought of when I titled this entry.

I'm back in Connecticut and freeeeezing. I stepped off the plane at Westchester Airport in White Plains and had immediate urges to turn around and head back to Tampa. However, it's good to see family and friends, as I did before I even stepped foot in my house last night. I went right from the airport to my dad's sister's house for their side of the family's Christmas party. From there, we went to see family friends in Roxbury and had a few drinks with them. It was a very satisfying night.

My aunt gave my mom and dad, brother, and me very thoughtful gifts this year. They were old family pictures of my dad's family that she framed for each of us. I'll take a picture (with the FANTASTIC new camera I got last night!!) and post them later.

I wanted to share something from my local weatherman's blog. To credit him, he is at geofffox.com and he's quite the photographer and a funny read. Here's what he had to say about the weather outside:

"The day after it snows Connecticut is beautiful. There hasn't been time for the piles at the side of the road to get brown. Everyone is still in a good mood. No cabin fever--yet."

That is pretty much how I feel too, Geoff.

Going with that theme, I thought I'd share some photos with you, my faithful following of reader(s). These are taken with my brand-spankin'-new camera!



Yes, folks...that is 11 inches of snow!








My Katie-koo, the best dog ever.



As you can see, I wasn't exactly successful in getting a picture of Abby and me. A little MySpace-ish..oh well.






Alrighty, best be going. Mom and I are going to brave the snow and do some last minute errands :-)











I realize this is a remake, but I prefer it. Enjoy!



Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Things I'm thankful for

Sunshine ~ my health ~ friends ~ my family~ rainy lazy days ~ my home ~ my safety ~ the troops ~ having a job ~ sheets straight from the dryer ~ Disney ~ the internet ~ text books ~ glue sticks ~ cameras ~ concerts ~ Target ~ iced tea ~ my glasses ~ airplanes ~ grass ~ blue skies ~ apples ~ baseball ~ my diploma ~ my past ~ the beach ~ Woody's ~ lip balm~ cheap gas ~ fireplaces ~ Roxbury ~ Santa ~ flowers ~ music ~ everything bagels ~ strawberry frosted doughnuts ~ Rascal Flatts ~ movies ~ giggling ~ luminaries ~ sunglasses ~ London ~ the Rockefeller Christmas Tree ~ the Rockettes ~ my birthday ~ my computer ~ New York City ~ red wine ~ candles ~ cookies ~ phones ~ letters ~ hugs ~ kisses ~ Jon and Kate +8 ~ American Idol ~ coffee ~ iced cream ~ cake ~ sparkly things ~ art ~ peace ~ love ~ happiness . . . . . plus much more.


Remember to give thanks for all that you have, today and every day.

The Bucket List

I got an email from Paul's mom today and she mentioned that she wanted to go to the Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC next year, as it was on her "Bucket List." That got me thinking that I should really get around to making one for myself.

So I've started to compile different things I want do do in my life. This list is fluid and subject to change. I know it's not much to look at, but it's a work in progress. Also, I've tried to limit the list to things at least 1/2 way feasible.


My Bucket List



Accomplish:
  • Earn my master's degree
  • Pay off my student and car loans
  • Own a brand new car
  • Own a brand new house
  • Have at least two children
  • Coach said childrens' t-ball team

Travel:
  • Visit all 50 states
  • See the Mona Lisa
  • Ride the London Eye
  • Attend mass at the Vatican
  • Look out at Paris from the Eiffel Tower
  • Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef
  • Go to Disneyland
  • Have a Guiness at the Guiness factory in Ireland
  • Play blackjack in Las Vegas
Events
  • Go to a World Series game
  • Go to a Superbowl
  • Get married (preferably on the beach)

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Separate but equal?

Prop 8.

That name can evoke much emotion from both sides of the fence. For those who are unaware (or living under a rock), Californians voted on November 4th to re-ban gay marriage in the state. Arizona and Florida also passed similar measures.

I have very mixed feelings on this issue. First and foremost, one of my very best friends is gay. Who am I to say he isn't allowed to marry his boyfriend? If they got married, would it make other, more conventional marriages of a man and a woman less significant? On the other hand, I was raised to interpret marriage as between one man and one woman.

I believe people: gay or straight, male or female, red, purple, white, black, or yellow, should have equal rights. I believe that people who are in a committed relationship should have rights should they choose to make their relationship permanent. They should be allowed to visit one another in the hospital, have access to health insurance, and have legal responsibilities to any children they choose to bring into their family. However, I take issue with calling it marriage unless it is between a man and a woman. Call me ignorant or close-minded, that is just my personal philosophy.

Yes, I know I'm a teacher and I am well-versed on the Brown v. Board of Education lawsuit. I realize separate does not mean equal.

I want it to be known that I voted no on Amendment 2, which was the measure in Florida. I did not want to close discussion on the issue, which I felt would happen if Amendment 2 passed.

Florida effectively shut the door on discussion of marriage/civil unions/whathaveyou when Amendment 2 passed. I, along with many of my friends, shook my head. (Blogger's note: let's just say that's not the ONLY thing I shook my head at that night.)

However much I disagree with the voters' voices, I have to accept that they have spoken. The majority of people in those states voted against their version of Prop 8.

On that day, Barack Obama was elected president. It was a very historic day, and while I did not vote for him, I respect the reasons why people voted for him and I also respect the people themselves. I will support him as my president (and boy will he ever need it.)

The American people spoke. We elected Barack Obama president. You do not see McCain supporters staging protests in the streets demanding another election. So why in the world are those opposed to Prop 8 (and its affiliates) staging 80-city protests demanding a re-vote? THE PEOPLE SPOKE! Yes, I agree that what they had to say is ignorant and ridiculous, but we have to respect that it was the MAJORITY of voters in those states that chose to ban gay marriage.

If enough people want the issue re-addressed, bring it up again in the next voting cycle. Cynthia Nixon, an actress from Sex and the City and an open lesbian, recently said on Larry King Live that 8 years ago, the difference in opinion was 20% more people in California were against gay marraige, and now it's something like 4%. As she said, time is definitely "on our side." (I am not a gay person, but I believe in equality.)

Let's vote on it next cycle. Protesting and not accepting the voice of the people (for now) will only make the opposition grow stronger.

And so it begins

I have wanted to post a published blog for some time now, I just have never quite gotten around to it. Well, I guess excuses got in the way, but that's in the past now.

What spurred me to create this blog today is that I found an old link to a blog I kept religiously all through high school. My writing was so much better then - full of eloquence. I also had fun traveling down memory lane.

Also, I was inspired by many friends who have, as I now proclaim, way cooler and better blogs than I. :-)

This blog will be about my life and observations of others. I will probably talk about current events and other important things that are going on.

I want to focus on getting my thoughts down so I can read my past from time to time. So come along for the ride.