Politics

I received my Illinois voters registration card in the mail on Thursday. I was very excited - I've been very excited about this election, because I can't wait to get Bush out of office. I figure, even McCain might do for a president, despite the fact that he seems to have totally bowed down to right-wing, religious, conservative types. But I at least figured that 1) he's a veteran, which I really respect, even if I don't think it should matter quite as much as it does to some people and 2) he doesn't seem as horrible as Bush. Those are basically my reasons - I don't respect his politics but I respect the man. But I've made no secret of the fact that I'm very much an Obama supporter: from before the primaries even. I AM worried that he's losing his zest to be a "different" president, but I get that it might be somewhat necessary to win. But I am a little disappointed about the VP pick this morning. I don't remember much about Biden, and so now of course, I'll do my research and all. But to be perfectly honest, I was hoping for Governor Richardson or Sebelius. Secretly, though I know rationally that this country isn't ready for it, I was hoping for Sebelius - first woman VP, first black president - the campaign of progressive change for a stronger party. But I will, hopefully get over it. And I'm getting excited again, because now, it's time to get the rally really going. Since Obama's from Illinois, there's tons of stuff going on around here and once I'm settle with school and work, I'm thinking I'll either volunteer for the campaign, or at least stuff envelopes one night a week telling people to get out and vote, even if it's NOT for Obama. So I'll start on my blog: GO OUT and VOTE in November!!!! I honestly don't care who you vote for, just get out and do it. I think it'd be awesome if voting turnout was absolutely, insanely huge this year, just to show people who say that Americans are apathetic to their own government and political process that they're wrong.

More School

It starts on Monday - not that I have class that day, just Tuesday through Thursday. I'm actually getting excited. I have one of my books and am planning on getting the others as soon as I can, probably tomorrow. I am also still looking for an assistantship and new job or new jobs. There's one at the public library that would be PERFECT, but I'm very tentative about it, because for some reason I'm not getting calls back. I'm revamping my resume, just in case that's dragging me down for some reason. The apartment is a disaster because I'm trying to organize and clean at the same time. Should have thought that through. Also, I have student health insurance! So exciting, because it's been awhile since I've been covered by a plan. And I was happy to see that my plan covers abortions, which is really rare. I'm proud to be a part of something so progressive, not that I think most of you will agree. Also, I'm getting ready to sell some of my Harlequin SuperRomance books, so if anyone's interested in buying I'd be glad to have you do that, before I head to a used bookstore anyway.
I'm missing Nick quite a bit, and honestly, no matter how excited I am about school starting and new books to read and new professors and students (possibly friends) I'm anxious to get it finished and move back to Iowa City and start my career.

School

I've barely started, ok, haven't really started yet, and I'm ready to be finished with school. I miss Iowa City. I miss my family. I miss my boyfriend. But despite this, I just started a new journey: I've decided to go ahead and in addition to my master's degree, I'm going to be a certified teacher librarian. I wasn't sure when I saw all the stuff you have to do, I thought about just getting my MLS and then getting certified in Iowa. But I've made the big plunge and decided to just get it all over with. Now that I'm committed: in the form of registering for a Basic Skills Test, I can't back down. And I'm kind of excited. And scared. And ready to be finished, despite having barely started at all. So wish me luck, cause I'm sure I will need it. And also, just so everyone knows and is appropriately respectful of my brain, I read in U.S. News and World Report that my program is the best in the country - even, the world. How awe-inspiring is that? They must have made a mistake when they let me in, eh?! Also, in one of my classes, I am expected to have and read 45 books in one semester. Pretty cool huh? I'm getting more excited than scared now.

Demonization.

So many people want to demonize Planned Parenthood, and I'm sure it has its faults. But I don't see how these endorsements lead to demonization. They're logical, rational, informative, and democratic. All good things. Education shouldn't be religion-based; how could a teacher possibly explain your religious values. They should be taught at home. But sex education is about societal health: making sure the population understands the science behind sexual health and sexual activity - it's a public health issue. We make sure people understand about their health in other ways: preventing heart disease, staying healthy habits, how to prevent communicable diseases and infections. Isn't MORE solid, medically-accurate information better?

The following value statements about sexuality were endorsed
by the membership of Planned Parenthood:

Sexuality is a natural, healthy, life-long part of being human.
Every individual has a right to pursue sexual health
information and services without fear, shame, or exploitation.
That right involves access to adequate, accurate, and age-
appropriate information about sexuality, including the
advantages and disadvantages of sexual expression.
All people, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, have
rights that need to be respected, and responsibilities that
need to be exercised.
It is unacceptable to sexually pressure, force, or exploit
another person.
In a pluralistic society, we must respect diverse sexual
attitudes and behaviors, as long as they are based on ethics,
responsibility, justice, equality, and non-violence.
Information about becoming pregnant and about postponing,
preventing, continuing, or terminating pregnancy should be
easily available; the choice of whether or not to parent
should be free and informed.
Every child deserves to be wanted, loved, and cared for.
Abstaining from sexual intercourse is the most effective
method of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted
infections.
Young people explore their sexuality as part of a process of
achieving sexual maturity; adolescents are capable of
expressing their sexuality in healthy, responsible ways.
There are many healthy ways to express sexual feelings,
alone or with a partner; sexual intercourse is only one form
of sexual expression.
Uninformed or irresponsible sexual behavior poses risks.
Women, men, girls, and boys benefit from fairness and
flexibility in gender roles.
Individuals and society benefit when children are able to dis-
cuss sexuality with their parents and/or other trusted adults.
Individuals and society benefit when childbearing is postponed until maturity.

Most parents say they want their children to receive
sexuality education in school. According to a 2004
study, a majority of Americans favors more
comprehensive sexuality education over abstinence-only
education. Namely, 94 percent of the parents surveyed
believed it was appropriate for students to learn about
birth control and how to deal with the issues of being
sexually active, 91 percent thought it was appropriate to
teach about making sexual choices based on individual
values, and 83 percent supported students learning how
to use condoms. (Sex Education in America, National
Public Radio/Kaiser Family Foundation/JFK School of
Government, Harvard University, 2004.)

No Title

Well, it's been a crazy week and a half. Found out some bad news from Nick's family. But I did successfully register for classes (yay!) and found out that to get my school library certificate there's a lot more involved than I thought, so I keep going round and round about whether I should do it or not. I keep thinking yes, cause then I have more options, job wise. But I'm tired of waiting to get to my career and not having money, and anxious to get out there and start getting kids to read, etc. So that means I should get it done in a year instead of a year and a half or two, which is what a school library certificate would take. I'm still having no luck with the assistantship thing and it's kind of freaking me out a bit. I'm sure I'll be fine without one though it will be tough, but my job just doesn't pay enough and I would love something on campus so I'm not using a bunch of gas. Anyway, that's pretty much it. Oh, Nick did get good news: he'll be staying in Iowa City and getting his PhD in Informatics. I'm so proud! And it means that if I can just get done with this program, I can live there again. Cause I miss it.

Vacation

I got back from vacation. To be honest, I didn't want it to end. I could have used another week with my family. Of course, Nick and I got back and things started getting bad. It's like we had a fantastic time, so THIS week bad things would happen. In Nick's case, it was bad family news regarding a health issue. I won't go into the details here so don't ask. In my case, it's the fact that I haven't heard from any of the assistantships I've applied for, my insurance rate went up a bit, the driver's side speaker went out on my car, I still have a month until school so I have to work at a job I don't really like until it starts and I can start having days off, the video camera we bought for our trip and took video on isn't compatible for our computers, just little things that combined with Nick's news are making this a week NOT that relaxing. I kind of figured that this week would be semi-relaxed since I did just get back from vacation. But I digress.
Vacation was fantastic! It went WAY too fast but it was great. Eventually, I will be able to post pics on Facebook or send them out or something, but I haven't done that yet, cause Nick has the camera. Since Nick hadn't ever 1) Met my family or 2) Seen the Black Hills we had a great time exploring and spending time with family. Some highlights: not in any particular order:
1) He found out I'm pretty much fearless when it comes to climbing stuff when we went through the Badlands and he saw me walk along this ledge that was pretty narrow to get to a huge rock that was extremely high. Also, loved the Badlands and their geology.
2) Seeing Grandma. Well, okay, family.I think that one is carried throughout all of these highlights cause it was just so great. Oh, and of course, having Nick meet Grandma, cause that was also cool.
3) Alyssa + Floating Shoe = Hilariousness!!
4) Waterfights with extremely cold water.
5) Seeing Devil's Tower with Nick and hiking around it. We went alone and met up with people later that day, so it was neat to experience something that was just ours on our first real, long, family vacation together.
6) The buffalo herd that walked in between our car and Chris's car. That's right, I said buffalo herd. I could have touched one of the calves (if I had wanted to no longer be severely maimed).
7) Winning at the casino after only five minutes and putting in only $8. I won $100.
8) Times spent with family: talking with Colin on a water float at the lake, taking Dalton on go-karts and bumper boats, talking with everyone and catching up, riding with Chris on the 4-wheeler and discovering a cool track, having breakfast with dad and Pat and talking about his childhood growing up there, rafting with Alyssa (and everyone else), eating tons of roasted marshmallows over the campfire where we'd meet almost every night, meeting the kids I hadn't met yet, having Nick meet everyone and get to know them better.
9) An upside down shower. Ha! It's funny now.
10) Having a vacation that I didn't want to end: cause that's the mark of a great vacation and I hope we do it next year!

I'm trying

I scold myself for being just as lazy as everyone else. Apparently I was too ambitious - a post every day - what was I thinking!? Still, July is going to be over soon and I'll be on vacation for 8 days or so, so I need to get some posts up now. Let's see...the store here is different. If you want more details (so my boss won't see it, cause now I'm paranoid) feel free to email me or call me, or send me a letter via snail mail. My apartment is a bit messy and I have the pet sitter coming tonight to meet the cats so I need to be cleaning up but instead am posting. I have been sleeping better - perhaps stress and anticipation mixing makes me sleepy - but I guess that's a good thing. I desperately wish it were Friday, cause then I'd be back in Iowa City checking out books at the public library and eating chicken and noodles in peanut sauce at Z'Marik's. If I could get an appointment, which I'm going to try of course, but it's probably impossible, I would get one at Zender's for a hot stone massage, cause after this week at work, and especially last night, I need one. My left shoulder feels like it's about an inch higher than my right, merely because of knots of stress in my muscles.
Also, I have a question: Can someone clue me in to the "homosexual lifestyle" I keep hearing all these close-minded conservatives talking about - cause I know some homosexuals and their lifestyles really don't seem all that different from mine, except perhaps they are actually a bit better in terms of salary, housing, school, etc. So what exactly do people mean when they talk about a "homosexual lifestyle?"
Is it just dating people of the same sex? Cause that seems so insane to me. I just wish someone could explain it to me in rational terms instead of fire and brimstone they're going to hell speak...they never seem to explain, they just assume you know. I hate that. I may be guilty of it from time to time, but I don't mean to be - so someone please, explain to me what they mean!
I have to do a presentation for an interview at Kaplan: a how-to in five minutes....any thoughts on subjects (let's keep it clean people!)

I Needed a New Post

We're getting lazy people! The only person who has written something new on a blog is Kristi (good job, by the way!) but still, is it cause it's summer? I'm missing my new posts almost everyday. So, I'm taking the initiative and writing something new. Hopefully, I can continue this until I leave for vacation next week. I seriously CANNOT WAIT! I haven't visited South Dakota to see my family since, my grandma's birthday three or four years ago (when was that?!) And it looks like everyone I love is going to be there, pretty much openly available to hang out with and have fun with and laugh with - cause my family is awnry. How do you spell that anyway? I think that's correct.
Anyway, I've been working out almost everyday: running, swimming, doing strength workouts from Self magazine. I can kind of tell a difference too, but since it's only been two weeks, I imagine I have a lot more to go to get to my goal. But I certainly feel a lot better and healthier. If I get more toned and lose a little weight (the "Dan" weight) then I will be happy. I'm being careful about what I eat too - but it's hard, since I grew up not having to worry about NOT eating things and now I do. I guess it's one of those parts of getting older that sucks.
I have a job interview for Kaplan when I get back; to teach test prep. It's pretty good pay, and hopefully will really help me out. I also found out that one of the assistantships I applied for is actually NOT closed, so maybe I'll get an interview there. I'm really hoping I do: I would have loved one at the Center for Children's Books or the public library, but they've both been filled. Maybe next year? Anyway, keep fingers crossed and think good thoughts that I will get an interview and get that assistantship. It will really make my school year be that much better.
Did anyone else read in the New York Times today about the differences between professors coming into positions at universities are losing their "radical edge" so to speak, because more radical, liberal, baby-boomer generation professors are retiring or dying? It was really interesting. It's sort of sad for me, because my favorite professors were of that generation: very liberal, very good at getting excited about a cause and teaching too - because they had all the experiences and knowledge that comes from that. Not that conservatives and moderates DON'T have those experiences; but it's just not the same as having a professor actually telling what it was like to be at the March on Washington with King, for example; because moderates and conservatives aren't really protesting in that way anymore (I'm talking this younger generation). It was a really good article; if you haven't read it, you should.
I had my nieces visit me this weekend, which was really fun: one of them is really into this band from Germany (I think) and I would love to take her to a concert they're having in Chicago, but unfortunately tickets are sold out and really expensive. I don't remember being fifteen and loving a band like that; it's kind of cool. She's a cool kid. And my youngest niece is so cute, cause she wants to be like her big sister and tries so hard to be grown-up; but she's still a little one, so it's funny.
I guess I don't have much to write about. I haven't really done much. OH! I did start work on Tuesday. It's weird - it's like deja vu, but without the place that's exactly the same. Weird, actually. The store is different here - bigger, for one thing. And they don't leave until 10 at night! Which to me is crazy! I have to do that tonight actually. In fact, I have to work from tonight until next Thursday - I have shifts everyday until my vacation. How horrible and yet good is that? I'll be exhausted, but at least I'll be somewhat busy, and getting money too!
Well, I guess that's all.

Illinois

You know, five years ago, if somebody had asked me where I'd be, I doubt I ever would have said Champaign, Illinois to get a master's degree. But here I am. I got here Monday. I've been making a list of the things I need to finish: unpacking, getting new car registration and drivers license, etc. It's a huge list. I hate moving. I've already met a couple of my neighbors and they seem ok. I haven't been introduced, but I was able to witness some people in one of the other buildings as they apparently sat at the pool ALL DAY. I got there at like 4 or 4:30 and they were there, in the pool, as were a couple of teenage boys...so I decided to wait and work on my tan a bit and read, thinking, they've all been here longer than me and I'll wait to swim laps when they leave. They DIDN'T LEAVE! Well, actually, the teenage boys left, but the other girl (who is way too interested in strangers knowing about her romantic entanglements) just stayed there. Had a cooler and everything. I was wondering why 1) they didn't like their apartment and 2) is she wearing a bikini? She really should NOT have been wearing a bikini. I sometimes think I shouldn't wear a bikini, so this woman SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN WEARING A BIKINI!
I did go for a run on the running path around the apartment complex. It's not nearly as cool as my old one, but it's there. Unfortunately, it's much shorter, so to get the same workout I have to run it back and forth about 7 times. But for a quick run it's ok. I'll probably try a different way tomorrow, get out on the sidewalks and streets of the neighborhood and head toward one of the parks.
It's sort of lonely here too, cause I haven't started work or school yet and I don't really know anyone. I'm pretty much ok at being by myself in most circumstances; I like to read and stuff alone. And I'm not into partying. But it'd still be nice to know someone to go see a movie with or go try out a restaurant. Not things I CAN'T do alone; just things that are more fun with a friend. Nick won't be visiting for two weeks; so that sucks. But I am sure I could get my sister to visit and have my niece Alyssa stay a few days (hint hint!) since I rarely get to see her.
I am very excited for school. Financial aid is taken care of - I haven't heard about assistantships yet, but I hope to. And if not, well, I'll just work like others do. It'll totally suck and be much harder, but I'll manage. Anyway, I'm settling in slowly but surely. I miss my friends and they seem much farther away; but I'm sure eventually it'll feel more like home. And I'm only a two hour train ride to Chicago, so I'll be able to visit there, once I get my courage up.

Flooding

I'll try to link some of the photos Nick and I are taking and some video as well. But if you're interested, this is what's going on right now where we live. Major flooding and now the water is going over the spillway of the reservoir so there's going to be more. Wish everyone here good luck, cause we're so going to need it.

www.press-citizen.com

It's on the front page. Oh, and Nick and I should be okay where we're located unless it gets much worse that they plan (which is possible because we have rain coming up in the forecast) but we should be fine.

Moving and Other Woes

I am so tired of packing. I don't have a lot of things, but apparently it's enough to drive a person crazy. Also, I don't want to pack something I might need or want in this last week here in Iowa. *tear*. I'm so going to miss Iowa. I already have a job and financial aid lined up. I haven't yet heard from my advisor, but I have plenty of time to start choosing classes for next fall (YAY!). Obama won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have a presidential candidate for the party! I'm not too sure about this whole Clinton as vice-president thing. Nick and I have been discussing Richardson or even Sebelius; but Clinton might bring in those voters that Obama doesn't appeal to and maybe even swing some of those crazy Republicans over to the good side hehe.
Those wacky anti-choicers are at it again with something called "Protest the Pill" day. Cause the pill is "bad." But it does prove that some of the pro-choice arguments are correct: that those arguing against the pill and abortion aren't anti-abortion, they're anti- women's reproductive freedom, anti-choice. Apparently, the claim is that, despite the medical definition of pregnancy as starting at implantation (cause we all know that doctors don't really know any science), pregnancy REALLY starts at fertilization. Which you can't detect. So the pill is somehow a chemical abortion - even though the medical dictionary describes an abortion (spontaneous or induced) as the "loss of a pregnancy." (www.medterms.com). I have no idea how someone who isn't pregnant (at least the actual definition of pregnancy, not the anti-choice one) can have an abortion by the pill.
The pill can prevent implantation, but that's preventing pregnancy, not ending one, because implantation is the definition of pregnancy. At least, medically. Not that it matters, cause science isn't really high on the list of important things to know when you're anti-choice. But I'm getting all sarcastic and I apologize. I just couldn't believe the ignorance and sexism that comes out of this and while I realize people in general don't agree with me on my pro-choice stance regarding abortion, I can't believe that a majority of people would agree with this anti-choice stance on birth control.
So a new subject to get off my high-horse and lecture: Nick is back from Paris. Apparently, he has bought me French chocolates (that's the only thing he would tell me he got me, the sneak!) Next summer, instead of Ireland, we may be heading to see my sister get married in San Diego. But I'm hoping that we might be able to find a cheaper international trip to Belize or Canada. Europe is so expensive lately thanks to our lovely dollar decline. Or maybe we could go to Budapest - it's pretty inexpensive in the former Soviet bloc, even though they're having a major revival. Any thoughts on this?

I just finished rewatching all of the Gilmore Girls on DVD. The last episode always makes me cry. And watching it got me to thinking...life seems somewhat imbalanced when it comes to rites of passage. They seem to take place more when you're young. For example: kindergarten, high school graduation, getting accepted into college, first kisses and sexual experiences, graduation from college, graduate school acceptance, graduate school graduation, first real job, first marriage, first kid...it all seems to be in those childhood, teenage, twenties years. After that, what exactly are the rites of passage - or do you just start like a rite-of-passage by proxy; you know, through your kids lives if you have any...and if you don't have any or don't want any, then what? Very maudlin thoughts. Well anyway.

Is anyone else excited about California overturning the gay marriage ban? It's so sad that only two states are willing to give everyone complete civil rights...still it's a step in the right direction I think. So yay California! You are totally awesome. Also, I have to think of something to wear on Saturday for a special occasion - nothing too fancy. I'm torn between two really fantastic ideas: a dress and a skirt/tank/cardigan outfit...I guess what will really matter is the weather. Well, I'm off. Sorry for the short post.

No Title

So I went to the army of god website today. Talk about crazy people. I'm not surprised; but I am horrified. Not that that has anything to do with my latest post. I got to see my sister graduate this weekend with her RN degree. YAY sis! Rick and Charlene and their kids came up so it was a fun family weekend. Went a little deaf at car races, but I think the kids enjoyed them. I'm still working on all of my financial aid stuff and hoping for an assistantship and maybe a lottery win. Still...I'm lucky it's just me. Well, and the cats, but basically just me. In this economic climate I am glad I don't have kids on the horizon. Though most of the people I know who have kids are doing just fine - go Sara and Brad!! Nora looks fantastic - of course, she has me as an honorary aunt, so she really can't do any wrong :-) I haven't heard anything lately about the investigation from the senate committee of abstinence-only education. Still, I was heartened by the fact that they even had one. I realize you can't lump all abstinence-only ed classes together, most seem to be about misinforming, ignoring science, and lying. And it really makes me angry. If anyone has heard any news let me know. Well, that's it. I'm getting ready to watch Voyager and play Trivial Pursuit with Nick - I totally need to kick his butt tonight cause he's one up on me in our tournament.

Woe is Me and Other News

So far I haven't heard anything from Financial Aid and I'm always looking for new assistantships, so hopefully all will be well on the graduate school front. Please keep your fingers crossed, do a spell, pray, whatever that someone out there will say, "hey, let's give her a huge bag of hundreds!" Anyway, that's the woe is me part. Nick and I drove to Champaign-Urbana this past week and stayed over one night to find me an apartment. After two days, one of the last places we looked (naturally!) was a perfect fit. It's larger than the one we live in now; only slightly more expensive; has a balcony, a fireplace, and a bath and a half. There's even a special storage/pantry area that we can put the kitties beds and stuff so they have their own room. Oh, and the kitchen/dining area is huge. I'm very excited about my new place, though amazingly I'll miss this one. It has been my home for the past two years. Anyway, good luck to SML (you know who you are!) and thanks for the encouragement anyone who actually encouraged me. Now, I'm going to go drink a glass of wine, watch some Gilmore Girls and relax after my day of working hard.

Umm...

Pennsylvania primary people!! I'm very excited; although I don't really know why, cause it'll probably be a Clinton/Obama win - they're very very close in the polls. In other news, I now have an advisor so I can start picking out classes for next year! I haven't really heard anything yet about financial aid, but I'm still looking. I really don't have anything new to add or talk about except maybe that whole fundamentalist Mormon religion thing. Oh, and I read an article about an 8 year old girl who filed for divorce from her 30 year old husband. I'll try to find it; it's very depressing. Stupid religion. And ignorance. Really, it's the two combined with traditional cultural practices that people can't let go of that makes me so angry; mainly just because of situations like child marriage and genital mutilation and pedophilia. Anyway, on a happier note, I'm already one run ahead of my goal - I set a goal at Nike.com to run 10 times in four weeks. I've been doing great, and plan on beating it. Maybe. Wish me luck. And I hope you enjoyed seeing a new post. I know I do.

It's Been Too Long

It really has been too long since I posted. I wanted to kind of get away from my complaining about dental work - though it is the one thing I dread equally to snakes! - and talk about something else. But I don't know much about baseball, football, or other sports teams or any of their prospects so I am going to have to go back to my old boring standby of women's issues/politics. Who ya gonna vote for?
Anyway, today at work my boss asked me to read a section of a book about being Muslim. There was a chapter on women and a sub chapter called Genital Mutilation. So I read the section, even though it always gives me chills to read about that topic no matter how important it is to know, and he asked for my view. I told him it's one of those necessary evils; people, even teens need to know about world/women's issues and it wasn't extremely graphic or anything. But what he was really getting at was this: Would that section be offensive to Muslims, since SOME (not all, in fact, I don't think most Islamic sects believe in it cause it's not in the Qu'ran) practice it, especially in Africa? So I re-read the section and they totally stressed the part that it wasn't a mainstream practice and I assured him that I thought it wouldn't be offensive. He's getting a second opinion. So I thought maybe you all could weigh in. I know that you haven't read the actual section, but just offhand, with my assurances that it wasn't extremely graphic or anything, do you think that kids should 1) Know about this stuff (I'm not talking kindergartners or anything, but more mature young adults) and 2) What if something MIGHT offend a certain religion - should that be taken off the shelf or not put out in the first place merely because it MIGHT offend someone of that faith or should you wait to see if there's complaints and if there ARE, should you yank it?
I'm sure I'll cover censorship and ethics and community, etc. in some of my classes next semester, but what do you think?

Tips on How to Lose Weight

Here's a good way to lose weight:
1. Go to the dentist and let them give you four shots to the same side of your mouth
2. Let them drill and polish and take out a filling for one tooth and put in a filling in another
3. Have dentist use nasty tasting fake cement stuff to put in temporary crown on broken tooth
4. Be terrified of losing said temporary crown and do not eat anything that is not in liquid or semi-liquid form : soup, yogurt, smoothies, nothing solid or chewy.
5. Have weird reaction to said shots and feel nauseous, dizzy, faint, and achy - too tired to eat.

By my next appointment, I should have lost about 5 pounds. I wonder if I can keep that off afterwards?

Question

So, I often read blogs. I think this is no surprise. But I've been thinking lately that in my reading and encountering experiences I have noticed that some Christians drop god's name every other sentence or word. And usually, though not always, I've found what they're saying or trying to say in these sentences is less and less intelligent the more they invoke god's name. I don't know if this means anything or not. Has anyone else had this experience? I mean, seriously, the arguments, the sentences, every other word?!! I get that some people are Christian. But what is with having to hit people over the head with it? What happened to humbleness, and meekness, and showing people by action not words? Is it really hard for Christians to ACT appropriately so they have to drop god's name in every which way so people will know that they consider themselves good people or something? Maybe I'm anti-Christian. I don't like to think I am, but more and more I tend to roll my eyes whenever I hear people talking about bringing their children up to be good Christians, or how they have such a good relationship with god, Christ, Mary, whomever. I find it so stupid lately. I don't think people who believe in the Christian god, or any god for that matter, are stupid though and that's what I have so much trouble with, cause I know some really good people who happen to be Christian. I also know some extremely horrible people who happen to be Christian. And it always seems that their religion is what enables them or makes them extremely horrible. That they're being horrible - or in some cases mildly mean: ignorant, close-minded, intolerant, judgmental, etc. - BECAUSE of what they believe. As though religion has closed off that part of the brain that seeks logical, rational, I've looked at this from every angle, learned what I could, etc. answers and instead just focuses on - well, my religion says this, so I HAVE to believe it; even if I don't necessarily agree with it, or like it, or have even thought about it enough to actually find out what I believe rather than what the church or the religion or the bishop, pastor, minister, rabbi says...
Does anyone else think this? Maybe I'm just hyper-focused on this all of a sudden and it'll go away. But I'd love to know what people have experienced? Is it possible that the more people invoke god, the more ignorant they are?

Update

It's been forever since I posted. Please forgive me, because I've been busy. Or lazy. Sometimes both, if that is at all possible. Anyway, I do have news and topics to discuss.

1. The most important thing - I got accepted into the best Library and Information program in the country!!!!!! University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Very excited and nervous (it's the best, and the fourth largest school in the nation, I think...yikes!). But they really liked me...now I just have to figure out how to pay for it. Going into debt though seems totally worth it, considering that after two or three years there I can pretty much write my own ticket for a job. How awesome is that?!

2. I'm reading several books - many are young adult fiction, because I like to know what the students are reading at the school I work and it's just fun. I also bought a book of essays about motherhood - the essays are all accounts of either stay-at-home moms or working moms, trying to figure out why it's so competitive and bitchy. If you're a stay-at-home mom you think working mothers are missing out; if you work, you think stay-at-homes are bored. Either way, not good for respecting and supporting choice, which I think is part of my whole pro-choice philosophy. Not that I'm immune to judgement. I tend to think that both sides are right to some degree; but I ALSO very much agree that working mothers are better for their kids. PROVIDED THAT THEY REALLY ENJOY WORKING and not because they HAVE to work. There's a big difference. Before anyone jumps down my throat, I thought maybe I'd ask people to weigh in then go into my reasons during the comments section.

3. I accidentally picked up a Christian romantic comedy. I didn't realize it was Christian until I actually started reading it. I try not to read Christian fiction, as it's usually too preachy for me. I don't want to be preached at in real life, much less in my fiction. But I tried to read it, figuring maybe I was being judgmental. In this particular case, I was totally right. Bible verses, descriptions of "good Christians," and all the humor was lost when some guy character started talking about "accepting Jesus into your heart." As in, asking someone else if they have. This drives me crazy - keep your religion to yourself. Christians seem to be far too eager to seduce people. And they don't stop either; this has just been my experience. I am not trying to diss Christians.

4. Does anyone really have a rational, good reason for gay marriage to be illegal? Something NOT based on the Bible or their own personal horror at the concept. I mean, the whole love the sinner hate the sin thing might work, but considering that means discrimination on a whole group of people, whom even the Catholic Church admits doesn't CHOOSE their sexuality - unless I read the Catechism wrong -always possible!-(though why god, if god exists, would make a whole group of people that most Christian religions and societies discriminate against and in general do not provide acceptance is beyond my comprehension. That smacks of unjustness.) Asking this leads me to one of my favorite episodes of the West Wing. I think we all know what I'm talking about and if you're like me, just revel in that episode and smile and laugh.

Okay. So I'm ready for congratulations and well wishes and honestly, hopefully death threats of some sort. Also, please use the link titled, I'm Not Sorry. If nothing else, it will start some good debates or posts on other people's blogs.