Am I a feminist?
After posting my link to my opinions on fairytales and my personal analysis of the Disney version on indiebride I had a few responses to me that got me asking myself that question. I never considered myself one. To me the average feminist was extremely politically active, extremely aggressive, man-hating women.
In order for you to understand where I stand I suppose I need to go a bit into my family history.
My mother grew up with a single mother. Her parents divorced when she was only six years old. She and her mom hopped from house to house calling totally unrelated people her "aunt" so that she and her mom could stay with them. Apparently it was really hard for her going through school the product of a divorced family in the 1960s to 70s. I don't know much about this time and there are almost no photographs of my mother earlier than middle school because of an eviction but it thoroughly informed my mother's decisions for us kids later in life.
My dad was not my mom's first husband. I remember finding some papers from when mom had been attending one of the local community colleges back in the 1970s and it had a different name from my what I knew to be her maiden name. I asked her about it and found out that she had had dropped out of college (at that time going for an education degree) to support her fiance who was going to college at the time. I asker her what broke them up and it actually had to do with wanting children. She did but he didn't. She also said that it had been (in her mind) the best choice.
I remember talking with my dad about when he and mom made the decision to have kids. By that time my mother had passed away from a long up and down struggle with breast cancer so I could not ask her about it personally. Dad had said that they had wanted to have kids but they weren't exactly sure they had wanted them so soon (I was born exactly nine months after they got married).
A few years after my brother was born mom made the decision to quit here job working at Sears in favor of both going back to college and staying home with us. Now make no mistake, there were plenty of women who "gave her flack" over that decision from the room moms at school. They reacted in a manner which I sometimes view as feminist. That is: "why would she stay home when she could earn money for herself?" She always felt a little defensive about it but held true to her decision and I don't think she regretted it too much (although reading one of her journals recently there had been moments).
I grew up under her view point, which she never described to be feminist. I never saw her reading feminist papers or anything. My mom and dad never divorced even though plenty of kids' parents around me that I knew were divorced or getting divorced. I saw the standard view of marriage working (the "stay at home mom and working dad with three kids and a pet") so I never imagined a huge amount of difference between the old view of society (almost) and a working model of it.
Make no mistake, my mom did seriously consider using her degree but every time she was going to do so she found herself in a quandry. They wouldn't hire her because she hadn't been working in the meantime. It was a catch-22. That to me is the worst thing. It's not like she wasn't organizing and creating in the meantime, it's just not stuff that a person would put on a resume. A portfolio perhaps, but not a resume or cover letter.
When I graduated from high school there was no idea that I wouldn't go to college. I hadn't always been that way. I had wanted to be a dancer up until I was fifteen (when I had reality come crashing in). Looking back I made the right choice but it doesn't mean that I don't wish I had gone the dancer's route. I am just glad that as a 120 pound adult I won't be considered "fat."
I believe when wrote that post I misused a few words. I think I should have said, "I don't consider myself a feminist" rather than "I'm not necessarily a feminist." I suppose everything I've written is the view of a feminist here but I've never thought of it as such. I have always thought of it as the view of a strong, intelligent woman. Nothing else.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Review of "Becky: the Loves and life of Becky Thatcher
If you remember reading a while back I signed up for a website which allows me too put up a list of books that I own. In addition to the online library they have a program where you can sign up to get free books as long as you write up a review on it. I decided to give it a try and early last week I received my first book to review. It was called "Becky: the loves and life of Becky Thatcher" by Lenore Hart. Here is my thoughts on it. It comes out on the mass market January 8, 2008.
Occasionally there are romances which seem to transcend time. In most stories I’ve read they are always fated to marry. This is the first the echoes the lost and unattainable romance of young love. Becky has in some ways moved on from her wild (for a young girl in the 1800s) activities with Tom, Huck and the Freebooters. Married to Tom’s cousin and with children of her own she tries to be a decent wife but some things of her past always come back, like a bad habit.
The Civil War is taking its toll on the Missourians. With her husband off at war and her father thought of as a Confederate spy (even though he had been one of the first to free his own slaves before the War) she calls on Huck Finn to help her. The first half of the book flips back and forth between the present day Civil War and her past marrying Sid despite her continued love and attraction to Tom.
Becky, Sid, and young Gage find themselves making their way onto Nevada where Sid purchases a claim which hits silver. After things happen a while, Becky and her children travel to San Francisco where she sets herself up in a nice home and raises her children. But when a telegram comes bearing news of her past, what will she do?
This story sets up a feeling of “if you love someone, let them free. If they come back then it’s meant to be.” Back and forth Tom and Becky have a point-counterpoint which is shown in their past history and reaches a sad resolution at the end. I had a hard time setting this story down to study up for finals so I hope you consider picking up this sweet tale of a true love.
If you remember reading a while back I signed up for a website which allows me too put up a list of books that I own. In addition to the online library they have a program where you can sign up to get free books as long as you write up a review on it. I decided to give it a try and early last week I received my first book to review. It was called "Becky: the loves and life of Becky Thatcher" by Lenore Hart. Here is my thoughts on it. It comes out on the mass market January 8, 2008.
Occasionally there are romances which seem to transcend time. In most stories I’ve read they are always fated to marry. This is the first the echoes the lost and unattainable romance of young love. Becky has in some ways moved on from her wild (for a young girl in the 1800s) activities with Tom, Huck and the Freebooters. Married to Tom’s cousin and with children of her own she tries to be a decent wife but some things of her past always come back, like a bad habit.
The Civil War is taking its toll on the Missourians. With her husband off at war and her father thought of as a Confederate spy (even though he had been one of the first to free his own slaves before the War) she calls on Huck Finn to help her. The first half of the book flips back and forth between the present day Civil War and her past marrying Sid despite her continued love and attraction to Tom.
Becky, Sid, and young Gage find themselves making their way onto Nevada where Sid purchases a claim which hits silver. After things happen a while, Becky and her children travel to San Francisco where she sets herself up in a nice home and raises her children. But when a telegram comes bearing news of her past, what will she do?
This story sets up a feeling of “if you love someone, let them free. If they come back then it’s meant to be.” Back and forth Tom and Becky have a point-counterpoint which is shown in their past history and reaches a sad resolution at the end. I had a hard time setting this story down to study up for finals so I hope you consider picking up this sweet tale of a true love.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Fairy Tale Discussions Pt. 1
For almost two years I've been on a forum called "indiebride." I started glancing at it when John and I began considering setting a date to get married. One of the topics has to do with the icon of princesses (specifically the marketing of the "Disney Princesses") and how it affects feminism. Now I'm not necessarily a feminist but I've been raised in the post-feminist world. At the same time I had a mother who after working for a while made the decision to stay home with us until my youngest sibling was six years old when she decided to go back to college to get her degree. Again, not necessarily feminist but most certainly a strong, intelligent women archetype in my mother. In addition my sister and I were little bookaholics. We would regularly check out books from the kids side of the library which either had the tales of the Greecian myths or the early fairy tales. I don't know how much it affects me today as a 25 year old married college student.
While I liked the stories of most of the Disney princesses, none really gelled with me until Cinderella. She was the first somewhat feisty "princess" to click with me as an average girl. I had to clean my room. I had to listen to my parents even if I didn't want to. There were times that I wished I had a fairy godmother to help me out of the house for a bit.
The first Disney animation that I remember watching in the movie theater was "the Little Mermaid." Again the idea of escape gelled with a little girl and the idea of a crush on a man was only just coming into my head (albeit in the traditional "Fairy tale" sense).
In seventh grade I retreated into my shell and books when I felt like I was an outsider within my small school. I became even more a bookaholic, even letting my grades slip in favor of reading (even if the books were educational). During that time I found myself identifying with Belle. I borrowed a cassette tape of the Disney soundtrack from library and would dance to it all the time. At that time I had been about two years into toe dancing and began creating my own choreography to what I used to call "The Town Scene" (on the cassette tape it was called "Belle"). I identified with the well-read girl in a town of unintelligent people. My school was really small so the conversations in the small town always seemed to be the same sort that I saw and felt around me. The strength and intelligence that I saw in Belle was something that I wanted to emulate in everyday life.
In 2000 my high school marching band went to Disney World I made the decision that I would begin collecting Belle, but only Belle in Blue. For some reason it was the only outfit that I felt fully emulated her in her intelligence and silent strength. I found that there were few things with her in Blue and found it a little odd. They had begun the process of celebrating the ten year anniversary of the premiere of "Beauty and the Beast" and yet just about all I could find of Belle was Belle in the gold dress. Too me it just didn't fit with the part that I loved about her in the first place; the passion, the strength and the intelligence. The Belle in gold was the meek, quiet Belle to me. When I tell people what I collect I always have to explain why I choose Belle in Blue over the gold. If they give me Belle in gold I accept graciously but will never buy it unless it shows her with that outfit either reading a book or in the library. In that instance the Belle in Gold becomes and intelligent woman, not a simpering princess of yore which many of the Disney princesses are played to be today.
More recently Disney has released a new movie which in some ways shows both and old and new Disney princess. I have yet to see it but from what I can tell the movie itself is a commentary on their own princesses. I plan to go see it and hope you will as well....if only to give me someone to talk to about it.
For almost two years I've been on a forum called "indiebride." I started glancing at it when John and I began considering setting a date to get married. One of the topics has to do with the icon of princesses (specifically the marketing of the "Disney Princesses") and how it affects feminism. Now I'm not necessarily a feminist but I've been raised in the post-feminist world. At the same time I had a mother who after working for a while made the decision to stay home with us until my youngest sibling was six years old when she decided to go back to college to get her degree. Again, not necessarily feminist but most certainly a strong, intelligent women archetype in my mother. In addition my sister and I were little bookaholics. We would regularly check out books from the kids side of the library which either had the tales of the Greecian myths or the early fairy tales. I don't know how much it affects me today as a 25 year old married college student.
While I liked the stories of most of the Disney princesses, none really gelled with me until Cinderella. She was the first somewhat feisty "princess" to click with me as an average girl. I had to clean my room. I had to listen to my parents even if I didn't want to. There were times that I wished I had a fairy godmother to help me out of the house for a bit.
The first Disney animation that I remember watching in the movie theater was "the Little Mermaid." Again the idea of escape gelled with a little girl and the idea of a crush on a man was only just coming into my head (albeit in the traditional "Fairy tale" sense).
In seventh grade I retreated into my shell and books when I felt like I was an outsider within my small school. I became even more a bookaholic, even letting my grades slip in favor of reading (even if the books were educational). During that time I found myself identifying with Belle. I borrowed a cassette tape of the Disney soundtrack from library and would dance to it all the time. At that time I had been about two years into toe dancing and began creating my own choreography to what I used to call "The Town Scene" (on the cassette tape it was called "Belle"). I identified with the well-read girl in a town of unintelligent people. My school was really small so the conversations in the small town always seemed to be the same sort that I saw and felt around me. The strength and intelligence that I saw in Belle was something that I wanted to emulate in everyday life.
In 2000 my high school marching band went to Disney World I made the decision that I would begin collecting Belle, but only Belle in Blue. For some reason it was the only outfit that I felt fully emulated her in her intelligence and silent strength. I found that there were few things with her in Blue and found it a little odd. They had begun the process of celebrating the ten year anniversary of the premiere of "Beauty and the Beast" and yet just about all I could find of Belle was Belle in the gold dress. Too me it just didn't fit with the part that I loved about her in the first place; the passion, the strength and the intelligence. The Belle in gold was the meek, quiet Belle to me. When I tell people what I collect I always have to explain why I choose Belle in Blue over the gold. If they give me Belle in gold I accept graciously but will never buy it unless it shows her with that outfit either reading a book or in the library. In that instance the Belle in Gold becomes and intelligent woman, not a simpering princess of yore which many of the Disney princesses are played to be today.
More recently Disney has released a new movie which in some ways shows both and old and new Disney princess. I have yet to see it but from what I can tell the movie itself is a commentary on their own princesses. I plan to go see it and hope you will as well....if only to give me someone to talk to about it.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Accident on Northbound 55 close to Cape Girardeau
As John and I were driving home from Eric and Sarah's wedding going Southbound. I had been napping since around Arnold but John woke me up and pointed out a vehicle on the southbound side going the same direction as we were. We were keeping pace with him going 80 MPH. In one instance there was a spot where an accident nearly occurred with him slipping between the two vehicles. Eventually fate came back and the vehicle slammed head on into another vehicle with the third sustaining some damage but as far as we could tell no major injuries.
John and I ran out to the white vehicle in the grass median and were trying to find out of the driver was verbal and responsive. Initially there was no response from the female driver but eventually she was at least verbal. I don't know how responsive I would have considered her to be. We then noticed the second car involved in the head on accident and jogged over to it on the other side of the Northbound highway. Jogging over to it and eventually getting the driver's attention. The guy had a vehicle with New Jersey license plates. After the guy came to he was not showing any signs of pain and was in fact quite coherent.
After standing around for about a half an hour while watching the firemen cut out the battery of the New Jersey vehicle, cut the door off (as it had been stuck and we couldn't get it open) and take the driver and place him and the female in the white car on backboards and off in the ambulances. Eventually the count sheriff on site got our contact information (and that of an eighteen wheel driver who saw and had called it in to the sheriff's office) and our statements. After checking to see if the sheriff got all of the info that the state trooper needed we were let go for the time being. I suspect that we might well be called up assuming the guy survives this. It was right at midnight when we got home. Don't know if it will make the local new considering but if it does be sure to check here for a link.
As John and I were driving home from Eric and Sarah's wedding going Southbound. I had been napping since around Arnold but John woke me up and pointed out a vehicle on the southbound side going the same direction as we were. We were keeping pace with him going 80 MPH. In one instance there was a spot where an accident nearly occurred with him slipping between the two vehicles. Eventually fate came back and the vehicle slammed head on into another vehicle with the third sustaining some damage but as far as we could tell no major injuries.
John and I ran out to the white vehicle in the grass median and were trying to find out of the driver was verbal and responsive. Initially there was no response from the female driver but eventually she was at least verbal. I don't know how responsive I would have considered her to be. We then noticed the second car involved in the head on accident and jogged over to it on the other side of the Northbound highway. Jogging over to it and eventually getting the driver's attention. The guy had a vehicle with New Jersey license plates. After the guy came to he was not showing any signs of pain and was in fact quite coherent.
After standing around for about a half an hour while watching the firemen cut out the battery of the New Jersey vehicle, cut the door off (as it had been stuck and we couldn't get it open) and take the driver and place him and the female in the white car on backboards and off in the ambulances. Eventually the count sheriff on site got our contact information (and that of an eighteen wheel driver who saw and had called it in to the sheriff's office) and our statements. After checking to see if the sheriff got all of the info that the state trooper needed we were let go for the time being. I suspect that we might well be called up assuming the guy survives this. It was right at midnight when we got home. Don't know if it will make the local new considering but if it does be sure to check here for a link.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
First NaNoWriMo story excerpt...
I've been trying to write a story for National Novel Writing month for the first time so here's a link to my first posted excerpt. I'll admit there isn't much do tell from the excerpt I posted but take a look anyway and tell me what you think.
I've been trying to write a story for National Novel Writing month for the first time so here's a link to my first posted excerpt. I'll admit there isn't much do tell from the excerpt I posted but take a look anyway and tell me what you think.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Storywriting Stuff
Just began my story early this morning. I've decided to call the story "The Cheshire Inn" and takes place in a renaissance-themed pub and inn in the modern-day. The look of the Inn is based off of The Cheshire Lodge and Inn in St. Louis (at the corner of Forest Park)
Here's some other pictures of the Cheshire Lodge.
Here, here and here.
Just began my story early this morning. I've decided to call the story "The Cheshire Inn" and takes place in a renaissance-themed pub and inn in the modern-day. The look of the Inn is based off of The Cheshire Lodge and Inn in St. Louis (at the corner of Forest Park)
Here's some other pictures of the Cheshire Lodge.
Here, here and here.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Storywriting....
I'm going to try and write a novel. My sister talked em into it. If you don't know already, National Write a Novel Month (NaNoWriMo) begins November 1st. As I've forbidden myself from buying new books this year I'm going to use time that would usually be spent reading online or fascinated by a brand new novel working on a mini-novel for NaNoWriMo.
Now the only problem is figuring out characters, plot and not messing up my tenses and getting about 1,667 words per day (a 50,000 word count by the end of it). Wish me luck!
I'm going to try and write a novel. My sister talked em into it. If you don't know already, National Write a Novel Month (NaNoWriMo) begins November 1st. As I've forbidden myself from buying new books this year I'm going to use time that would usually be spent reading online or fascinated by a brand new novel working on a mini-novel for NaNoWriMo.
Now the only problem is figuring out characters, plot and not messing up my tenses and getting about 1,667 words per day (a 50,000 word count by the end of it). Wish me luck!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Time to reinvent this blog...
It's been a long while since I've done anything with this blog so I'm going to try and take about fifteen minutes out of my day once a week to write something...it doesn't matter what.
Before classes started this semester, I began working on a 101 Goals that I want to achieve in life. I plan on letting everyone who watches this blog know what I'm doing. Thus far I only have 58 thus far so if anyone who reads this blog has ideas, please leave a comment suggesting them.
1. Visit the Tropical Rainforest (preferably either the southernmost tip of Costa Rica or the Amazon)
2. Visit Europe
3. Open an outdoor recreational equipment shop or work at a non-profit in a full-time capacity (either in management, marketing or membership)
4. Stay overnight in Yellowstone National Park
5. Go on a week-long backpacking hike
6. Graduate from college with at least a 3.0 GPA
7. Learn and master the requirements to take the cave rescue certification course
8. Get certified for cave rescues
9. Visit New York
10. Visit all of the Smithsonian museums
11. Visit Carlsbad Caverns (in New Mexico)
12. Write a grant
13. Have children
14. Buy a home
15. Decorate said home
16. Get all kids into college (or in decent jobs)
17. Plant and grow peaches and apples
18. Plant and care for a lilac bush
19. Plant a couple of *wild* grape vines
20. Learn to make wine
21. See Kansas City around Christmas time
22. Find a mentor for my business
23. Pull out and play your flute at least once a year (even if it's nothing more than scales) (for five years)
24. Learn to play classical guitar
25. See Mount St. Helens from across the lake
26. Pack out my lunch for at least one month
27. Go on a nice romantic date with John once a month for a year
28. Take a walk along Willamsburg and Jamestown
29. Go see the original Tiki Room in Disneyland.
30. Hike Crater Lake
31. Ride Amtrak
32. Hike/bicycle the whole Katy Trail
33. Go on an all girl-retreat
34. Volunteer one summer at Shannondale
35. Create an expedition first aid kit for the grotto
36. Buy property with a cave entrance on it.
37. Build our buy a mini wine cellar
38. Organize the library
39. Pay off my student loans
40. Volunteer at an archaeological/paleontological dig
41. Visit Las Vegas
42. Ride a gondola with John
43. Hike Machu Picchu
44. Stop buying new/used books or magazines for six months (i.e. 182 days) (will state date that I formally do this here) (exceptions to this will be books needed to research for my major, for cave rescue or starting a business) (DONE!)
45. Stop reading all fan fiction for six months (182 days) (i.e. Stop visiting livejournal.com)
46. Get a 3.125 semester GPA At least one time
47. Put a dollar a day away for a full year (a total of $365 or $366 depending)
48. Find out if there is an Open Office PPT (and download if so)
49. Visit all US National Parks
50. Go to DisneyWorld
51. See “Hurricane on the Bayou”
52. Go for a walk along the Oregon Coast (especially either close to Yaquina Bay or one of the state parks close to Newport, OR)
53. Hike 1 ½ miles per day (average) for one month
54. Go to the rock climbing wall once a week for a month
55. Go on an overnight caving trip
56. Visit a Temperate Rainforest
57. Build (i.e. make or buy) two sets of renaissance garb (one lower nobility and one upper working class)
57. Write a 50,000 word count story
58. Ready 50 books in a year.
59. Learn how to create and build a three-sided log cabin and fireplace
60. Learn dances from the Renaissance Period
61. Create a renaissance character (hopefully a Dance Mistress)
It's been a long while since I've done anything with this blog so I'm going to try and take about fifteen minutes out of my day once a week to write something...it doesn't matter what.
Before classes started this semester, I began working on a 101 Goals that I want to achieve in life. I plan on letting everyone who watches this blog know what I'm doing. Thus far I only have 58 thus far so if anyone who reads this blog has ideas, please leave a comment suggesting them.
1. Visit the Tropical Rainforest (preferably either the southernmost tip of Costa Rica or the Amazon)
2. Visit Europe
3. Open an outdoor recreational equipment shop or work at a non-profit in a full-time capacity (either in management, marketing or membership)
4. Stay overnight in Yellowstone National Park
5. Go on a week-long backpacking hike
6. Graduate from college with at least a 3.0 GPA
7. Learn and master the requirements to take the cave rescue certification course
8. Get certified for cave rescues
9. Visit New York
10. Visit all of the Smithsonian museums
11. Visit Carlsbad Caverns (in New Mexico)
12. Write a grant
13. Have children
14. Buy a home
15. Decorate said home
16. Get all kids into college (or in decent jobs)
17. Plant and grow peaches and apples
18. Plant and care for a lilac bush
19. Plant a couple of *wild* grape vines
20. Learn to make wine
21. See Kansas City around Christmas time
22. Find a mentor for my business
23. Pull out and play your flute at least once a year (even if it's nothing more than scales) (for five years)
24. Learn to play classical guitar
25. See Mount St. Helens from across the lake
26. Pack out my lunch for at least one month
27. Go on a nice romantic date with John once a month for a year
28. Take a walk along Willamsburg and Jamestown
29. Go see the original Tiki Room in Disneyland.
30. Hike Crater Lake
31. Ride Amtrak
32. Hike/bicycle the whole Katy Trail
33. Go on an all girl-retreat
34. Volunteer one summer at Shannondale
35. Create an expedition first aid kit for the grotto
36. Buy property with a cave entrance on it.
37. Build our buy a mini wine cellar
38. Organize the library
39. Pay off my student loans
40. Volunteer at an archaeological/paleontological dig
41. Visit Las Vegas
42. Ride a gondola with John
43. Hike Machu Picchu
44. Stop buying new/used books or magazines for six months (i.e. 182 days) (will state date that I formally do this here) (exceptions to this will be books needed to research for my major, for cave rescue or starting a business) (DONE!)
45. Stop reading all fan fiction for six months (182 days) (i.e. Stop visiting livejournal.com)
46. Get a 3.125 semester GPA At least one time
47. Put a dollar a day away for a full year (a total of $365 or $366 depending)
48. Find out if there is an Open Office PPT (and download if so)
49. Visit all US National Parks
50. Go to DisneyWorld
51. See “Hurricane on the Bayou”
52. Go for a walk along the Oregon Coast (especially either close to Yaquina Bay or one of the state parks close to Newport, OR)
53. Hike 1 ½ miles per day (average) for one month
54. Go to the rock climbing wall once a week for a month
55. Go on an overnight caving trip
56. Visit a Temperate Rainforest
57. Build (i.e. make or buy) two sets of renaissance garb (one lower nobility and one upper working class)
57. Write a 50,000 word count story
58. Ready 50 books in a year.
59. Learn how to create and build a three-sided log cabin and fireplace
60. Learn dances from the Renaissance Period
61. Create a renaissance character (hopefully a Dance Mistress)
Monday, April 16, 2007
As I sit listening to the computer clacks in the computer lab......
I have been listening to the NPR coverage that has been posted on their website on what happened today. If you don't know, there were two shootings at Virgina Tech University with at least thirty individuals killed and more injured. I'm having a hard time to decide what to write about on this. Shock.....Wondering just what I might do..... Something tells me that Southeast Missouri State University might never have something like this but I bet this is exactly what every one at Virginia Tech would have thought. I am always on campus around eight am. The first shooting was in the dorms around 7:15am (in Virginia) and then again at 10ish (I don't remember the time).
As I look around the computer lab I see a multitude of students working on various papers and assignments. I wonder if they know about what happened.
According to NPR it is the worst campus shooting in American history. If you are interested in hearing what I heard Go to NPR and click on the "Talk of the Nation" link. Usually they have intersting topics where people can call in and add their two cents worth (or a question for the "expert" of the topic) but I guess they decided to forgo it in favor of interviews with people at Virginia Tech.
I have been listening to the NPR coverage that has been posted on their website on what happened today. If you don't know, there were two shootings at Virgina Tech University with at least thirty individuals killed and more injured. I'm having a hard time to decide what to write about on this. Shock.....Wondering just what I might do..... Something tells me that Southeast Missouri State University might never have something like this but I bet this is exactly what every one at Virginia Tech would have thought. I am always on campus around eight am. The first shooting was in the dorms around 7:15am (in Virginia) and then again at 10ish (I don't remember the time).
As I look around the computer lab I see a multitude of students working on various papers and assignments. I wonder if they know about what happened.
According to NPR it is the worst campus shooting in American history. If you are interested in hearing what I heard Go to NPR and click on the "Talk of the Nation" link. Usually they have intersting topics where people can call in and add their two cents worth (or a question for the "expert" of the topic) but I guess they decided to forgo it in favor of interviews with people at Virginia Tech.
Monday, January 01, 2007
And now for a New Year....
I hope everyone has had a wonderful new year. Last night John and I decided on a night in. I rented two movies heated up and messed around with some chocolate to try and flavor it (finally had to have John step in when I had two attempts seize up on me due to the water that I was putting in it). We watched "Clerks II" and "the Grimms Brothers." By the time we finished the two films it was exactly thirty seconds before midnight. We watched the countdown and then enjoyed some champagne and -of course- a new years kiss.
My resolutions for this year are as follows...
1. Work on my abdominal strength by doing floor barre once a week (besides in ballet class)
2. Write in this blog at least once a month
3. Try and read at least one book not directly related to classes a month
4. Get the library catalogued and organized (I have LibraryThing to help on the cataloging but the organizing is where things start to break down) and...
5. Get an A average in all of my classes (lol...I'll work towards that but I think I'm going to have to hbope for a B average there).
I hope everyone has had a wonderful new year. Last night John and I decided on a night in. I rented two movies heated up and messed around with some chocolate to try and flavor it (finally had to have John step in when I had two attempts seize up on me due to the water that I was putting in it). We watched "Clerks II" and "the Grimms Brothers." By the time we finished the two films it was exactly thirty seconds before midnight. We watched the countdown and then enjoyed some champagne and -of course- a new years kiss.
My resolutions for this year are as follows...
1. Work on my abdominal strength by doing floor barre once a week (besides in ballet class)
2. Write in this blog at least once a month
3. Try and read at least one book not directly related to classes a month
4. Get the library catalogued and organized (I have LibraryThing to help on the cataloging but the organizing is where things start to break down) and...
5. Get an A average in all of my classes (lol...I'll work towards that but I think I'm going to have to hbope for a B average there).
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