President Ashley Responds to Governor Patrick's 9C Budget Cuts

As found on the WSC website: For Immediate Release Contact: Lea Ann Erickson Assistant Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing Phone: 508-929-8018 October 29, 2009 Due to today’s announcement of 9C budget cuts, Worcester State College will see a 7 percent reduction in state appropriations. This brings the college to pre-1999 funding levels. The college has seen a 22 percent reduction in state funding since FY 2008. All of the $1.5 million reduction will be offset by federal stimulus dollars. This one-time allocation will be primarily used to fund college utility costs. In addition, unfunded fringe benefit costs due to the 9C cuts must be provided for within the existing operating budget. We will strive to reduce the impact of these cuts on student and academic programs. Moving forward, the college will be formulating its strategy for FY 2011 and FY2 012 budgets. This poses a significant challenge as no federal stimulus dollars will be on the table beyond FY 2011. The college’s leadership team will be meeting weekly through December to address this issue. We will be reaching out to departments for their input. We look forward to working with all of you in an inclusive process. Sincerely, President Janelle Ashley

MY QUESTIONS:
- How has our funding and usage of monies shrunk back to what they were ten years ago?
- If the reduction is being offset by stimulus money (a one-time payment) and the college aims to reduce the impact of these cuts on student and academic programs, why the hell would we spend it on "utility costs"?
- What are those mysterious unfunded fringe benefits?
- The college is planning ahead for FYs 2011 and 2012. President Ashley mentioned that there will not be stimulus money on the table. What did the college do before all this stimulus business and why is it being considered as part of the long-term equation?
- Who are the members of the leadership team?
- President Ashley hopes for an inclusive process, but does that include students?

All of this financial talk has motivated me to write and submit a formal letter to the President, expressing my concerns and those of my classmates. Next, I plan to petition to collect names and signatures of other students to join me in these efforts. Alone, I will have the effect of a pebble on a lake's surface, but with the support of others I should be able to create a monsoon.

Can I do it?

28 years...and growing!

MY BIRTHDAY IS TOMORROW, YIPPEE!!!
Party Friday with friends at the apartment.
Snacky foods and face painting.
Balloons and streamers.
Sounds like I'm turning 8 right?
:) Maybe I am :)

Things worth fighting for...

1. Happiness!
2. Fixing broken systems (judicial, educational, legal...)
3. Equal education and improved distribution of funds for state-supported colleges and universities (thank you to Drs. A.Darder, J.Mandell, G.Elissondo, J.Orbe and P.Marshall for planting the seed...now what can I do with it?)
4. Renewing a sense of "family" from which many urban communities have strayed
5. Integration and acceptance (overcoming our fears so that we can live as equals)
6. The survival of humankind (sure, the environment needs help, technology is important and commercialism has taken over our American lives...but what about PEOPLE? Have we lost our compassion?)
7. The list goes on....

Urban Studies 101, insights into "real life" in the Middle East, eye-opening intercultural experiences, diversity lectures and honest professors - these are the things that keep me aware and passionate. There are so many things that I want to fight for, but how can I choose just one or two? I know that I cannot spread myself so thin as to join every activist group existing. Is there a way I can integrate these like-minded passions into one focused path? What do I want to fight for? If only there were multiples of me, I would be picketing, protesting, interviewing and fighting for justice on all levels. Oy, to have a humanitarian heart can, in itself, be heartbreaking sometimes...one just cannot do enough. For now, I will see where these passions take me and remain focused on that B.A. that is one short year away from being in my possession! Collecting bachelor's degrees and realizing that I will be a forever student is starting to really entertain me :P

Rain

Rain. Confusion. Distress.
Pensive. Concerned. Worried.
Love. Distraction. Mistake.
Did I lead or did I follow?
Simple conversation.
Misinterpretation.
Care. Respect. Respect.
Respect. Care. Care.
Hope for the best.
Was this a test?

We are kindred spirits

Lindsey: you give me hope that the world isn't all mad

Sarah: well the world is mad and crazy and loco and however you can say it in every language - but there is always a silver lining if you keep your eyes open and live positively... good things come to those who appreciate the life that is given to them... I love life and I love the people and experiences I have or have had in it... life is my religion - I live it, breathe it, eat it and share it with other people :) welcome to Bonito Philosophy 101 :P

Lindsey: omg I am your new follower

hehe We are kindred spirits....

Friday's Gratitude Writing

1. The soft feel of his skin next to mine.
2. A tall glass of ice-cold organic milk.
3. My favorite tan leather high-heel boots.
4. Mom's homemade food in my belly :)
5. The smell of Autumn.

Underrated

Things that are underrated and thoroughly enjoyable:
- toast
- making out
- awkwardness
- pickled tomatoes
- eating berry preserves by the spoonful
- hanging your own art up in your bedroom
- squealing like a schoolgirl when you're excited
- hoodies
- staring at clouds
- doing homework because you love it
- ...which leads me to - being a nerd
- cheese sticks
- the smell of humus (mature compost)
- cactus gardens

...and the list goes on! This is just a taste ;)

Gratitude Writing

Today's five:
1. Lunch, then nap in the sun on the lawn outside the gym building.
2. Meeting Costica, my new freshman Albanian friend, at the picnic table outside the student center.
3. Buying some incredible-looking, antibiotic- and hormone-free steak tips at the local butcher.
4. Hummus on celery, mmm!
5. Meeting Debbie...my new sounding board.

Requisitos - Requirements

A friend and I were chatting over email tonight and he joked that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. For him, the way to his heart is through love, sex and food. I thought, "How wonderful and simple...and easy!"

Of course, I am not that simple. So here are some of the things that come to mind when I think about finding my life partner. There are probably a few more things that I've momentarily forgotten, but they might not be as important as these. Enjoy!

When it comes to finding a partner, I have a lot of requirements, because I am NOT an idle person. He must be intelligent, willing to have academic discussions/debates (and a good science background helps b/c I am a TOTAL BIO NERD). He should love the outdoors, love camping/hiking/rock climbing/running/water sports/SPONTANEITY, etc. or at least be gung-ho to try them, and do them well...I don't do well with wimps. Rhythm is important for many reasons - I'd like someone who can dance, because it is a big part of my life...though if he's not the best dancer and isn't afraid to get down, SOBER, then I will love him even more! With that, comes love of music, art and culture...all important things. Sexy is good, hairy chest, nice pecs, I prefer darker features (hence my obsession with Latino culture), though there are many good looking blondies and reds out there. Oh, and I love a good butt :) Last but not least, HE MUST ABSOLUTELY LOVE HIS FAMILY AND HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. Family is #1 in my book, because without them, I am nothing.

Okay, enough for now...you already know too much!

......I was just reminded that I forgot to mention "witty and a good cook" (thanks Bill!)...and of course willing to share chores, keep a garden, have house pets, make babies, blah blah blah. Again, you know too much! :)

Joke of the week

In memory of our beloved Ken Greenberg, who would have been so proud....

In a large Florida City, the rabbi developed quite a reputation for his sermons; so much so that everyone in the community came every Shabbat. Unfortunately, one weekend a member had to visit Long Island for his nephew's bar mitzvah. But he didn't want to miss the rabbi's sermon. So he decided to hire a Shabbat goy to sit in the congregation and tape the sermon so he could listen to it when he returned. Other congregants saw what was going on and they also decided to hire Shabbat goyim to tape the sermon so they could play golf instead of going to shul. Within a few weeks time there were 500 gentiles sitting in shul taping the rabbi. The rabbi got wise to this. The following Shabbat he, too, hired a Shabbat goy who brought a tape recorder to play his prerecorded sermon to the 500 gentiles in the congregation who dutifully recorded his words on their machines. Witnesses said this marked the first incidence in history of artificial insermonation.

Gaining Citizenship

When I was a little kid, I probably didn't know what citizenship was. When I was a teenager and college-aged, I didn't think much of it. I never looked around my high school or university thinking, "Gee, I wonder if everyone here is a citizen, or has a green card." I just assumed that some of my classmates (and their families) had immigrated here from other countries, were studying abroad, or were on foreign exchange programs.

Nowadays, I find myself surrounded by folks, young and old, who are faced with citizenship decisions. Today, at the Latino community center, a woman came up to me with papers stating that she was ineligible for health insurance coverage due to her immigration status. She was slightly exasperated, explaining that she's lived here for five years...but...I don't think she's established citizenship yet.

The other day, I was in the library with my buddy and we were discussing our future job options after our current studies. He's Syrian-born and came here on scholarship to get his Master's Degree at Clark U. Good for him! BUT, his only choices of gaining citizenship post-Master's are (1) join the U.S. military, or (2) continue on for his Ph.D. (and get sponsored), neither of which he'd like to do. So what does it come down to? He's applying to become a Canadian citizen! I never would have imagined that to be the third option, but apparently it is.

This is just one more topic that my little American brain has never had the opportunity to ponder until now. What would I do in that situation?

"What I wouldn't give just to forget..."

This is proving to be quite a difficult summer for me, emotionally. I am up, I am down...when it's good, something comes around and knocks me down. I am strong, I wake up and appreciate every single moment that I have, even when I'm in a miserable mood.

Today I was knocked down pretty hard.... Around 4:30 in the morning there was a car accident. By midday, everyone in town had heard about it. My former boss, Jonathan VanAllan, a 24-yo self-motivated entrepreneur from New York State had died in that very car accident along with one passenger. I have no idea what happened in that car, but I do know that there was a loss of control and they hit a tree. No survivors.

People say life is short...life is precious...live each day like it's your last. I learned these things six years ago when I first worked in Oncology. I met amazing people who completely changed my life, and I, in turn, affected theirs. I have lost many of them, and received so much love from even more of them. "My patients," I used to call them. They were my loves. They taught me so much about death and coping...and healing. Most of all, they taught me how to live.

Jonathan's death really struck a chord with me and I have been crying off and on all night. I have been very introspective lately, even before this news. Tell your family you love them, send more letters, make more phone calls, "don't sweat the small stuff." Only in this moment do I feel these things are in me even stronger than they were before.

When Mark and Kenny passed away I was sad, oh so sad. But something about Jonathan's death has just made me reflect again, in a different way...not knowing what the future holds for any of us...it's just amazing, that another person so motivated and alive could just die, just like that.

So of course I am home, reflecting, crying, surrounded by a messy desk, things on the floor, unfinished projects all around. I'm listening to low-key, sappy music about life and love. I am tired. Sitting next to me is a beautiful picture of my beloved family. If everything else in this world disappeared, I would want to know that they would be what was left for me, for without my family, I am nothing.

Finding Your Roots

I've just been skimming over the public library's list of new books and came across a non-fiction called In Search of Our Roots: How 19 Extraordinary African Americans Reclaimed Their Past by Gates, Henry Louis, Jr. I read the publisher's (Crown Publishing Group, NY) excerpt on the material and came across a mind-opening statement. It is something that I, as a white American, have never been forced to think about...yet occasionally have sympathized with, having a partial European Jewish heritage. Here is the section that really made me think:

Unlike most white Americans who, if they are so inclined,
can search their ancestral records, identifying who among
their forebears was the first to set foot on this country's
shores, most African Americans, in tracing their family's past,
encounter a series of daunting obstacles. Slavery was a
brutally efficient nullifier of identity, willfully denying black men
and women even their names.

Even though I haven't yet tackled the family tree to trace my ancestry, I cannot imagine not having access to such simple facts. Names. Countries of origin. Wars involved. Immigration waves. Diseases and illnesses. And the more intricate details that come with them: cultural pride, heritage, recipes, songs, stories, and most importantly, that feeling of being connected, knowing where you came from.

I am sorry for any of the people in our country who are unable to reach back into time and discover their roots, for our histories and the histories of our bloodlines are part of what make us who we are. How many times do kids and adults have conversations with their peers about which nationality they are, where their grandparents came from, which recipes they learned from their moms, who learned from their moms, who learned from their moms?

Just think about it a little...have sympathy - and empathy - for those around you who may secretly be struggling to figure out who they really are.

Worcester delights

Worcester has some fun little places to check out. There's karaoke at Ralph's Rock Diner, dollar drafts at the Hotel Vernon, cheap, greasy Puerto Rican food at Sazon Latino Restaurant, tasty sushi at Takara (excellent service but the atmosphere is sometimes lacking) and mixed Asian cuisine at Nancy Chang Restaurant (the spicy salt and pepper prawns are delicious and they give you a heaping plateful!). There are yummy turkey burgers and beers at Brew City (though I am sure most people go for the beef burgers), salsa dancing at Bocado Tapas Bar & Restaurant (live band on Thursdays!) and also there are Noches Calientes at the Hanover Theatre on Thurs through the summer. I have yet to find a good pizza place. I think in the 6.5 months that I've lived here I haven't ordered pizza once! I've heard that Kelly Square Pizza has some tasy pies but I haven't experienced them yet. Oh boy, look at that list of culinary delights! Are you on your way to Worcester yet??

Upon reflection...

She said, "Be gentle with yourself."

Engagements. Reunions. A back-log of assignments.
Body-fit competition. Eating healthy. Living a little.
Searching for Mr. Right. Discovering myself.
Getting to know me. Getting to know you. Reminders.
Finding god. Someone to talk to. Getting a kitten...or two?
Sleep more. Slow down a bit. Time is what you've got.
You ARE making a difference in their lives.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Even Dr. Suess knows the answers :)

Manda's engaged!!!

And I am her Maid of Honor...or at least one of two :) But Maria lives in Sweden and will probably find it difficult to do all the bride's maid-ey things. I guess I'll have to email and Skype her for any advice or ideas that she may be able to offer. YAY!

Late Blight

Sadly, today we had to pull 24 just-fruiting, beautiful tomato plants from the field because they've been infected with Late Blight, a fungal pathogen. We've had so much rain lately, which is probably what created the perfect growing conditions for the blight. Fingers crossed that removing that bit from the fields put a stop to the spreading of disease....
On the upside, Wayne and I stopped by the Grafton Farmer's Market for the opening day today and shared a delicious mini strawberry-rhubarb pie, mmmm! Also, two stink bugs were mating on my shirtsleeve today, but then I lost the male and just got a pic of the female. Then an inchworm visited Wayne and I whilst we were eating our yummy pie. Enjoy!

Dealing with loss

I'm finally starting to recognize my feelings of sadness and loss that I've been carrying around for the last few weeks. My former roommate Mark passed away, in his early 30s, after fighting brain cancer for about five years. It's like a big flashback to one year ago when my cousin Mark died at the age of 38, also from an about-five-year fight with brain cancer. I realize now that for me to deal with a loved one's death requires keeping some part of that person alive, whether it be through a memory I talk about or a symbol that I carry around.

With my cousin Mark, it was tye-dyed shirts, a piece of pottery (handmade plate) and some old school rap CDs :) And with my roommate Mark, it is finally putting a picture of him up on my desktop to see his beautiful smiling face, riding my bike, appreciating a good piece of furniture and gardening. I did not share all of these pleasures with my Marks while they were alive, but now that they have passed, these items have risen to be more meaningful in my life.

It is the same with my grandparents who have passed. To remember Grandma Ethel, I have a hideously bright green hand-knitted shawl, hand-knitted quilts, some great photos and a collection of seashells (she used to collect them in Florida, and now I collect them world-wide in her memory). For Grandpa Moe, it is corny jokes, a good, big meal and sending cards to loved ones...usually with really corny poems inside. And for the most recent passing of Grandma Alma, I have a beautiful brass bell (that I was drawn to at almost every visit to her house), old pots and pans of hers, gardening, and the skill of making a stitch.

I'd like to say that I deal with my emotions when they happen, but I know that my feelings of loss always hit me a little bit later than the moment. I want to live in the moment, and not grieve in it. I take my time with many things in my life...getting a formal education, finding a career, establishing roots - these things take time for me. And that goes for my grieving too. So now, I grieve. And next week? Perhaps the sun will shine again :)

In the funk.

Gotta get out of this space. It's been raining for weeks straight...almost the whole month of June it rained. I worked very little, moved into a new place, and got behind on my writings for my internship. There's so much to be done. I haven't been running, or walking or even to the new rock gym that I am dying to check out! Feeling this negative cloud yet?

My friend Eric told me that I am 75% solar-powered and I am sure he's correct! My wet boots never dry fast enough after the rain, my veggie garden is still too small, but beautiful just the same. My house has a funny, moist feeling in the air b/c of all the damn humidity. I know this barely compares to the wet season in Australia or even the crazy humidity they've got in Lima in the springtime...but I am not accustomed and really not liking it. I wanna don my boots, go for a hike, cycle to work in the morning, wear flip flops and tanks, play outside!

Time to do some homework. I am inundated and it's only summer. Oy!

The Dreaming Tree...

...keeps growing. Especially this week.

Wednesday night: "finding god" and killer cows (a result of (1) eating beef as three folks from India sat at the next table and I continually made eye contact with one of the guys...thinking perhaps they were Hindu, instantly my guilt of eating their holy cow set in, and (2) eating garlic before bed...there you have it)

Thursday night: dreamt of trying desperately to visit my friend Mark before his death, which was actually two weeks ago...he was there, smiling, happy and glorious, as he was in his living years while I knew him...it was like seeing him in the flesh again, beautiful, radiant, positive...not enough words can express what an amazing person he was and always will remain in my memory and those of others...life would simply not be the same if I had never met him. I love you Mark, I miss you dearly, and I will always think of you from week to week - whether it be on my bike, in Whole Foods, eating granola, cooking with my cast iron pan, composting, trying out new couches...all of the above, mate, your love and spirit shine through them all.

Finally

I slept incredibly well last night, despite the circumstances and sad news of Mark's death. I was all cried out. Plus, it has been cooler than usual this week (being it's almost the middle of June, it's much too cool) and I actually put the down comforter back on my bed so I would feel safe and protected. It's not unusual to want to feel those things when an extremely emotional event has occurred...I even think I fell asleep dreaming about hugging my mom....

Even though I was feeling a bit ragged last night, I ended up going out for supper with a new friend of mine, Rishi. We went to a restaurant called Rasoi in Framingham. We ordered chili paneer and the house special chicken (it was cooked in a sweet, mango-flavored sauce with veggies). Of course there was basmati rice and we also had Peshawari naan, stuffed with raisins and nuts. Everything was tasty! After the meal started Rishi ordered two drinks called Mumatz Mahal...made with cranberry juice, vodka and mango juice. It was sweet and strong! The conversation was good and I learned a lot about Indian culture and Hinduism. A few years back (summer of 2003) I took a religion course at the community college, but can't seem to remember much about the religions we studied. I find Hinduism fascinating from what Rishi mentioned last night, and he has a great outlook on life (do good), practicing one's religion (go if you need guidance and focus) and "god" (where one might find god). When we left the restaurant it was POURING OUT...haha...and we grabbed hands and ran across the parking lot to the other side of the building where we had parked. It was like being a kid again and absolutely hilarious! :)

Today is another cool, rainy day...perhaps day #3 or 4 of this weather this week. I've got to run a few errands and will probably head to the shoppes nearby. Argh...gotta find shoes for work and had no luck yesterday. Well, I am off.... Cheers and have a wonderful Friday!

Resting in peace....

My friend Mark died yesterday.

Mark Louis Francis Nicholson.
Beautiful, kind, generous, motivated.
Genuine, truthful, wise beyond his years.
A speedy cyclist.
A meticulous furniture designer.
A wonderful husband.
Most of all, an incredible human being.

Not enough words can express the impact that knowing Mark had on my life. Every time I hop on my bike, I think of Mark. Every time I look at my garden or water my plants, I think of Mark. Every time I take the vegetarian option, I think of Mark. These are just a few examples of the daily parts of my life that remind me of someone so close to my heart.

Mark knew me...and we hardly lived together for long. He advised me...based on his intuitive knowledge of the person I am. He inspired me...in ways he never even knew.

Perhaps the next owl you or I see will contain Mark's spirit. Wise. Liberated. Patient. And perhaps there will no longer be any suffering for Mark and he will continue on with that positive nature of his that we all love so dearly. That smile. Those kind eyes. That really good hug.

I'm sure gonna miss you buddy...xoxo. Always.

The Makeup Artist

You know, I never really thought about the application of makeup as an art. Then I started thinking about the title, "Makeup Artist." Those that know me know I rarely wear makeup...occasionally mascara, possibly blush, but definitely lip gloss when I go out on the town. I recently discovered that a classmate from high school works for Jane Iredale cosmetics, so I visited the website to check it out. Despite my skepticism of what I would find, I encountered some helpful makeup tips! The most interesting part of the website was the description of the makeup tips. When I read them, I instantly translated them in my mind into art! I pictured the layers of color and their careful application, the shadowing and the effects of dark lines around the lashes - effectively opening the eyes, or if applied incorrectly, adding years to one's face. This thought transformation was pretty amazing for me, considering I usually scowl or roll my eyes at the thought of someone talking about makeup as if it really mattered. In fact, I think now I have a bit more respect for all those makeup artists out there because they take art off the paper and apply it to the skin (not to say they're all good at what they do, because we all know that's not true!). Now that I've totally girlified myself, I should go...lest you think that I might actually start wearing anything more than mascara and lip gloss :P

Here's a Haiku from me to you!

Cold sweat on warm skin
A great run I had with James
Can't wait for Monday!

Ran 4 miles today with my buddy James. He's getting back into shape for boxing and I'm training for next month's memorial 6k that I'm running with my buddy Dante.

Now I bid adieu
Roaster chicken here I come
Gotta dry my hair!

:P

Adivinanzas

(1)
Agua pasa por mi casa
Cate de mi corazón
Lleva verde el vestido
Y amarillo el corazón
(2)
Oro parece
Plata no es

Hay más aquí en éste sitio: http://www.adivinancero.com/





Las respuestas:
(1) Aguacate (palta)
(2) Plátano

Busiest weekend ever!

First of all I want to share my 5k results from a few weeks ago. I totally forgot to write them as I was in the beginnings of a terrible, emotional break-up. Actually, it felt like he dumped me off at the curb and drove away laughing, heckling, in fact. Big ouch.

So here are my St. Pat's 5k results:
Gun time: 25:48.5
Pace: 8:20 (YAHOO!!)
Overall place: 653 (out of 2104)
Division place: 146 (out of 758)
Gender place: 185 (out of 1176)

This past weekend was full of excitement and busy-ness. Friday afternoon I stayed on campus and watched "Y tu mamá también" which proved to be quite an entertaining movie. I recommend it if you think you can handle a movie about two teenage boys and an older woman finding their ways in life in regards to friendship, adventure and sex. Three things I admit are worth enjoying! Later that night I met my cousin Angie for Rachel's play, "Stepping Out". It was hilarious! It was about a group of adults taking tap dance lessons and bringing all their personal baggage with them...I'm sure you can imagine the drama that ensued! Not to mention the dance class had one male, the poor bugger. After the show Angie and I hit up a local pub, shared some fried mozzarella cheese sticks (can you believe I ate those!?!) and a drink. We got checked out by some skeevy local old dudes, who claimed that even they needed to get laid...and as one guy ogled my body I felt a strange urge to give him the stink eye and spit in his face. But I didn't, and all ended peacefully.

Saturday morning I volunteered in the community - in a place that is a foster home for young males who exhibit inappropriate sexual behavior (i.e. they've sexually abused others) and also for new immigrants without parents. I may not have that description correct, but it's my best recollection of facts. I was with a group of about 12 fellow students, painting three rooms and a porch, cleaning the yard and tearing down a shed. I did the indoor painting and some of the porch painting. It was C-C-COLD that day and I did NOT want to be outside! It was good and I met a very nice guy (who's very easy on the eyes!) who works in the center as a program leader.

After my community service I came home to shower and eat lunch. I ended up cooking an African stew called Berebere stew. It's meant to be made with lentils and chunks of beef, but I used black, kidney and lima beans and ground turkey instead. I use what's on hand! It has an interesting taste and I will eat all of it, but I might not make it again :) Half of it is in the freezer for the next showing, haha.

Sunday morning I went to the lake to watch my alma mater team race against WPI and Bates...f*ing Bates. I will always be bitter against them for winning the silver at New England's freshman year by a bow ball, and leaving us with the bronze. I am sure they were on the drive while we were on the recovery. Not intentionally of course! Alas, a medal is a medal and they produce good rowers, thus deserve what good results come from hard work. But this time our guys won some Bates shirts - YAHOO! Way to go boys!

After the races I changed up quickly and head to Clark for the Latino Film Festival. I watched two movies: "Morirse está en Hebreo" y "Tocar el cielo". La semana pasada miré "Nuestros Desaparecidos," un buen documentario sobre los desaparecidos del Argentina como resultado de la dictadura militar de los años 70. Oops, sorry about that...I guess I'm thinking in Spanish, jeje. I just said that last week I saw "Our Disappeared," a wonderful documentary about the Argentinians who went missing during the military dictatorship of the 70's. All of the movies I saw at the film festival were impressive, and individually unique. I cried and laughed a lot, alternating between the two. I hope that you will be able to see these films someday. Actually, "Nuestros Desaparecidos" will be shown soon on PBS, so keep your eyes open and remotes ready! It's worth a view, especially if you're like me (and most people in my American generation), and don't know anything of the history of Argentina's dictatorships, military rule and concentration camps. Yes...concentration camps.

At the end of the day J and E were having a party at the house to celebrate J's quarter of a century birthday, yippee! I cleaned my room, mingled with the party, enjoyed a Strongbow and we played Rock Band all night. I was the lead singer with a bandful of guys (we rocked!) and when the guests left J, E and I came together for a Partridge Family-style band night. Awww, how precious!

All in all, a fabulous weekend. But full to the brim and lead to a Monday of being WAY TOO OVERTIRED (and grumpy, hehe) but I am relaxed and now going to bed! Chau chau for now now!

When...

When new love quickly becomes old love, lost love, why do thoughts of previous lovers re-enter our minds? Do we seek our "security blankets" with whom we had shared so many past experiences? What could they possibly offer us when we had so quickly pulled the rug up from under their feet? Isn't it just an endless web of giving and taking our love...sharing and separating...wanting and then losing? At some point, this vicious cycle ends for most people. I know that for me there will be a day, and until that day comes I wait patiently...re-visiting old memories, discovering new hopes and dreams, continually searching my soul for who I am now and who I will be when....

Crumbling down...

...the walls, the support beams, the structure of what we've built over the last month and a half. When you got back you said you'd never go back. You said you'd be done in two, and we would be one. I would have relocated...it was that serious. We would have been together. But now, now you may go back, you may make this your life. You asked if it could be mine, too. I thought love was unconditional, sacrificial, but this feels like suffocation...just thinking about that life closes the windows and doors on me and the walls come crumbling down. We had a love that felt like none other. You threw me a curve ball that scared me out of my boots, boots that were tied with double knots. Now those laces are lying open on the ground...vulnerable and exhausted from holding on.

Focused on my run

Saturday I am running the St. Pat's 5k in Providence. The map of the course is below. I am so excited, weeeee!

The Watchmen

I have yet to read the graphic novel or see the movie, but a friend suggested "The Watchmen" to me tonight. He said I'd not regret buying the book and seeing the movie. He also said that if I love dark, then I will love this movie. I love dark. I am sure he's correct about me loving this story. The last dark, superhero movie I watched was The Dark Knight...excellent if you haven't seen it!

Here is what Jeffrey had to say about the movie:

A disgusted, disillusioned superhero is complaining about what society has become, and says:
"The city is afraid of me. I have seen its true face. The streets are extended gutters and the gutters are full of blood and when the drains finally scab over, all the vermin will drown. The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, "Save us!" and I'll look down and whisper, "No.""

Oooh, just puts a shiver in me...I can't wait to read and see it! :) Thanks J.A.!!!

Hunger Awareness

Today I came across the website for Family Green Survival, a project founded by Gopal K. Kapur, a former civil engineer turned management consultant. Mr. Kapur has a deep interest in living a green life and also the importance of having empathy for the world's low income and poor population. This empathy can be experienced very easily, by Eating Green one day per month and also by practicing Survival Eating at least one day per month. I think it's a fabulous idea! Instead of fasting, which can be easier than actually adjusting one's diet, he is suggesting something deeper...something to remove us from societal norms and routines and the energy drain of daily life...challenging us to make a more serious effort on just one day!

In the image below, Mr. Kapur states: "The larger pan on the left represents 3,654 calories, what the average American eats per day. The pan or the right represents between 800 to 1,400 calories the poor population in developing countries eats per day. The pan in the middle represents what everyone in the world should be eating." (This excerpt taken from his "About Us" page.)
Check it out! I think I am going to give it a try...after all, it's only ONE DAY per month. My boyfriend Jeff was in Afghanistan for one year with the Army and while he lived there, in mud huts with the local Afghanis, he ate only rice and onion three times a day. He lost almost 40 lbs. in the year he was there and was able to experience what the truly "poor" experience on a daily basis. If he did it for one whole year, then I can do it for 12 days per year. Perhaps it will be part of the new religion that I am creating for myself?

Religion

I am writing a short paper for my intermediate Spanish class and the topic is: Es importante la religión en tu vida? --> Is religion important in your life? It is probably one of *the* most difficult one-page papers I've ever been assigned! I haven't believed in god in about fifteen years and about the same time I stopped believing, I started doubting organized religion. I was very involved in youth group activities when I was in high school - but mainly because I loved the socialization and of course there was some incentive. If I attended high school religious classes I was almost guaranteed a small amount of scholarship money once I got to college. Un-ethical? Perhaps...but I wasn't the only one doing it or making that decision. They (the temple) wanted youth in the synagogue...we wanted scholarship money. It sort of worked out for all of us. A business transaction. How shameful!

Now I look back and I wonder how my life would have been different if I hadn't gone to those classes. I almost feel as if they never happened. The only day I remember was the day we had discussions with Rabbis Ross and Small about sexuality. I was a teenager who didn't believe in god...do you really think I would have remembered the religious crap we talked about? Nope.

I don't know exactly why I stopped believing in god. Perhaps it was all those science classes I was starting to take - learning about research and concrete evidence...of which there is almost none when you're talking about the Old Testament. Perhaps it was the death of Grandma Ethel - mom's mom - who was so special to me, but died when I was 12, two months before my Bat Mitzvah. At that point I became very angry at the world, at the rabbi, at Judaism and the concept of "God" just didn't make sense anymore.

Despite those feelings, I continued with my Jewish education (remember the incentive) and began attending Jewish summer camp, eventually working there too. The summer camp was an outlet for socializing with Jewish friends, working with kids and avoiding having a "real-world job" until later. I loved camp! I strongly disliked having services everyday, talking about god and Jewish themes...perhaps I stopped liking the idea of Jewish camp? Who knows, but it was my friends and the amazing experiences at camp that kept me coming back for more each summer. I even went to Israel with a camp group, and what an amazing trip! I would never give up my history at summer camp...though I definitely struggled with my religious beliefs the entire time.

One of the best things anyone has said to me was that even though I don't believe in god, I would always be welcome at the temple. That was a great thing to hear, though at that point I didn't have a community there anymore. All my childhood Jewish friends - not camp friends - had gone elsewhere and were no longer attending temple. I would go with mom and my sister if they had a strong desire for me to join in a social activity, but after high school I pretty much gave up going to temple for the high holidays. It didn't mean anything to me!

Argh...all of this is so frustrating. I deal with it constantly, day to day. I am sure I struggle so hard because I want to believe in something *so badly* but none of it makes sense. Not god. Not Allah. Not any Christ-based religion. Perhaps I will check out the Zodiacs and see if there's any validity in that field of beliefs. All I know is that I will struggle with this for a very long time.... Especially once the time comes that I start having children. What the heck am I going to do then?

Zeitgeist, Totalitarianism & Micro-chipping

I am watching Zeitgest, The Movie, on google video right now, wondering what the heck the Zeitgeist movement is all about. The movie is trippy, frightening and shocking...not to mention has very intense music. The more I see of it, the more fascinated I become. Perhaps you will think I am a heretic for enjoying the movie. If you have two free hours, I suggest checking it out. Be patient though, because the beginning might make you want to close your browser and walk away.

Earlier, I watched an interview with Aaron Russo, a now-deceased former film producer, libertarian politician and activist. I believe on one webpage it said that he often referred to himself as a "freedom fighter," but don't quote me on that. In the interview he discussed his opinions on the current development of a totalitarian, corporate-driven society we live in here in the United States. Those are some strong accusations and mind-blowing to someone like me who is slowly getting involved in American politics and trying to see all sides...even of those most extremely opinionated people. Russo and others believe that religion and the Federal Reserve have a stronghold on our identities and beliefs as free thinkers. I haven't yet formed my opinion on this topic.

Supposedly in 2005 there was the creation of the "North American Union", in which the Canada, the U.S. and Mexico have essentially erased all borders, becoming one large union. Following that would come the Amero - our version of the Euro. It all seems so ridiculous and crazy to think about...based on silly conspiracy theories...but interesting nonetheless.

In addition, I watched a few videos this morning about micro-chipping. I found one on the Organic Consumers Association website about NAIS: the National Animal Identification System. Once again, I come across an extremely controversial topic in the minds of many Americans today. I am in complete opposition to this idea for many reasons...none of which I feel like discussing right now.

All in all, it's been an interesting, informative and entertaining morning. The perfect way to start a snow day! :) I hope you enjoy the reads and please let me know your opinions if you do decide to browse any of the links.

Cheers.

The Weird Body Quiz

--- This article is copied from The New York Times website blog called "Well"---


November 3, 2008, 9:36 am

The Weird Body Quiz

by Tara Parker-Pope

Kids are fascinated by their own bodies and often ask a lot of questions that even their parents don’t know the answers to. Why do we have earwax? What’s a scab? Why do mosquito bites itch?

Dr. Ditkoff with daughters Julia (left) and Andrea.

Prompted by the tough questions her own children and patients have asked her over the years, Dr. Beth Ann Ditkoff, a former New York surgeon, decided to find some answers. With the help of her fifth- and seventh-grade daughters, she compiled a list of unusual medical questions about the weird, ugly and gross. The result is “Why Don’t Your Eyelashes Grow? Curious Questions Kids Ask About the Human Body” (Avery, 2008), a clever exploration of the anatomy and health issues that most matter to children. Boogers, hiccups, pee, warts and farts are just some of the topics covered in this handy guide.

The book is fun, easy to read and seems to appeal to kids, at least it did to the kid in my house. My 9-year-old daughter spotted it while I was working and asked if she could read it. “Why Don’t Your Eyelashes Grow?” provides the questions and answers for the Well blog’s latest health quiz. To test your weird body knowledge, click here to take the quiz.

If that link doesn't work, here's a direct link: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/10/31/health/20081031_WELLQUIZ.html

It's a fun quiz, I suggest you try it!!!

The Bucket List

My friend Eric A. keeps telling me that I have an amazing bucket list and that I already have a great start on it. I found this list on FB...we'll see if I have a good start! :)

Items marked with an "x" are things I've done during my lifetime (thus far!)....
(x) Gone on a blind date
(x) Donated Blood
(x) Skipped school
(x) Watched someone die
(x) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
(x) Been to Florida
( ) Been to Hawaii
(x) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a helicopter
(x) Been lost
( ) Gone to Washington, DC
( ) Hugged a homeless person
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Swam with Stingrays
(x) Been sailing in the ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons
( ) Ran a marathon
(x) Sang Karaoke
( ) Volunteered at a soup kitchen
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
( ) Seen the Northern Lights
( ) Been Para sailing
(x) Been on TV
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(x) Made prank phone calls
( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(x) Fed an elephant
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Fired a gun
(x) Danced in the rain
( ) Been to the Opera
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Serenaded someone
( ) Seen a U.S.President in person
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sunrise with someone
( ) Driven a race car
(x) Been to a National Museum
( ) Been to a Wax Museum
(x) Eaten caviar
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
(x) Gone to the movies
( ) Been deep sea fishing
( ) Driven across the United States
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
(x) Lived in more than one country
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
(x) Seen the Grand Canyon (from a plane, hehe)
(x) Seen the Statue of Liberty
( ) Gone to the top of the Seattle Space Needle
(x) Been on a cruise
(x) Traveled by train
(x) Traveled by motorcycle
(x) Been horse back riding
( ) Ridden on a San Francisco cable car
(x) Been to Disneyland OR Disney World
(x) Been in a rain forest
(x) Seen whales in the ocean
( ) Been to Niagara Falls
(x) Ridden on an elephant
(x) Ridden on a camel
( ) Swam with dolphins
( ) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf
( ) Been spinnaker flying
(x) Been water-skiing
(x) Been snow-skiing
( ) Been to Westminster Abbey
( ) Been to the Louvre
( ) Been to the Taj Mahal
(x) Swam in the Mediterranean
(x) Been to a Major League Baseball game
( ) Been to a National Football League game
(x) Swam with sharks
(x) Been White Water Rafting
( ) Written a book or screen play
(x) Been ("I can't live without you") in love

Jeff's Joke of the Day (hehe)

I took my dad to the mall the other day to buy some new shoes (he is 92).

We decided to grab a bite at the food court. I noticed he was watching a teenager sitting next to him. The teenager had spiked hair in all different colors: green, red, orange and blue. My dad kept staring at him. The teenager would look and find him staring every time.

When the teenager had had enough, he sarcastically asked, "What's the matter old man, never done anything wild in your life?"

Knowing my Dad, I quickly swallowed my food so that I would not choke on his response, knowing he would have a good one; and in classic style he did not bat an eye in his response....

"Got drunk once and had sex with a peacock. I was just wondering if you were my son."

Saturday's pleasures

"I'm so f*ing pissed right now!" exclaimed Jaime. She wants to go hit something. I completely understand. I told her about Jill's 'friends' from ENC back in the day and how they told her she wasn't Christian enough. Jaime's mom was just telling her about some similar-minded folks...ignoramuses.
It's been a while since I've written, a couple weeks. Things with Jeff are amazing! The picture above is from the weekend he came home with me to "Meet the Parents"...though it was nothing like Ben Stiller's experience! We woke up early Saturday morning to watch the sunset over Onota Lake...gorgeous. After coming home to see my family, I spent another night with him and his. We had fun taking cute pics in the bathroom after washing up for bed...
He's in LA once again but, surprisingly, the distance hasn't been too bad. I haven't seen him in 11 days...so the Cloud 9 feeling hasn't worn off yet. I even had my "time" last week and didn't get depressed over it all. That must be a sign :)

I've got two exams coming up next week in Intermediate Spanish II and Conversation II. I tried to get some clues out of Prof. P-M yesterday but she wasn't too revealing. All she said was that the exam would be easy. First tests are always a bit stressful though, don't you think?

I'm trying to fight off a sore throat/swollen nasopharynx, ugh. I've been pumping my body with fluids and vitamin-rich foods. I've also been running the humidifier all day...which makes the air colder in the apt but I'm sure will be worth it in the end. We have forced air here and it doesn't seem to warm the air as well as other types of heat I've lived with...not to mention it feels like a cool breeze carrying a few spare warm air particles around. The cons (for people other than me) is that forced air is good for a unified system of heat and A/C. Blech to A/C...unless I'm on a really long car ride in the super-hot summer sun. Then it's okay :)

Tonight's supper consisted of quinoa with a mushroom & onion cream sauce (picture is from before I added the quinoa) and a side of sauteéd spinach and garlic...mmm! Joined with a tall glass of ice cold milk, who could ask for more?

Now I'm off to call Jeff-fa-fa and relax for the rest of the night. Chau!

En la escuela...In school

SPANISH
Ahorita estoy en el centro de los estudiantes y estoy demorando en hacer mi tarea, jaja. No me importa porque me voy en un minuto a escribir las repuestas en mi cuaderno. Hoy Victor (un amigo de la clase) me dijo que necesitamos hacer los ejercisios en el cuaderno por usando el internet. La casa editorial del libro tiene un sitio en que hay las preguntas auditivas para todos los capítulos. Bueno, no tengo más noticias interesantes...¿piensas que ésta entrada está interesante? No yo. Me voy. ¡Ciao por ahora!

ENGLISH
Right now I am in the student center and I am procrastinating doing my homework, haha. I don't mind because in a minute I'm going to write the answers in my notebook. Today Victor (a friend from class) told me that we need to do the exercises in the notebook by using the internet. The book publisher has a website in which there are auditory questions for all the chapters. Okay, I don't have any more interesting news...do you think this entry is interesting? Not me. I'm going. Goodbye for now!

P.S.
What a TOTALLY boring entry, HAHAHAH and random and nonsensical. Ah well. Such is life! :)

Is this bliss?

I think so.

Check out the cute photo...

Let's look forward, no longer behind.
The time has passed, and the memories remain.
That first zing of knowing is confirmed in a smile.
A big, warm embrace, that feels just like home.
It's a long road ahead, with miles in between...
A few years to get through, adventures to have.
But someday we'll get there, our time will come.
When the distance is gone, we'll be right here.

"I'm ready to love somebody, love somebody like you."
~Keith Urban~

El gimnasio - The gym

Yesterday I worked out three times! The first time was in the morning before my classes - a little bit in my apartment - push-ups, crunches and jumping jacks. After classes I went to the gym at school for two more hours - I ran, lifted weights, did [more!] push-ups and pull-ups, crunches and I stretched. At night, after my buddy Hector and I saw a movie - ''The Pineapple Express" so funny! - and after eating some cake in a Brazilian bakery, we went dancing at Club Red. It was so much fun and we danced for two or more hours.... I look forward to the next super late night of dancing! And of course, I forgot to mention, there were a few tequila shots in there too, haha :)

¡¡¡Ayer hice ejercisio TRES TIEMPOS!!! La primera vez estaba en la mañana antes de mis clases - un poquito en mi apartamento - flexiónes (de brazos/pechos), abdominales y salto con palmada. Después de mis clases fui al gimnasio en la escuela por dos or mas horas - corrí, levanté las pesas, hice flexiónes [¡más!] y dominadas, abdominales y me estiré. En la noche, después de mi amigo Hector y yo miramos una película - "The Pineapple Express'' ¡que gracioso! - y después de comiendo postres en una panadería brasileña, fuimos a bailar en Cantina Roja. Estaba muy divertido y bailemos por dos o mas horas.... ¡Miro hacia al futuro para la próxima super tarde noche de bailar! Y por su puesto, me olvidé mencionar, también había algunos tragos/chupitos de tequila, jaja :)

Coca-Cola and the corporations...

I'm sitting here in the commuter lounge watching the Coke man refill the machine, and wondering to myself, "How can he be happy with that job?" It's not the mundane task of removing the earned cash or refilling the bottles that I don't understand - it's having a job in which you're selling absolute shit to people, which in the long run is adding towards bad health and poor nutrition. Perhaps it's job security. I doubt that Coca-Cola will ever go out of business (though I wish they would), thus this guy's got it made. I just couldn't ever see myself working for a company that doesn't do anything positive for the health of it's clients.

I have this professor, Sra. Elissondo, who was born in Argentina and is a left-winger. She's absolutely one of the most liberal women I have met in my life. She despises multinational corporations and feels very strongly towards equality rights for all. And, like me, she just doesn't get - or care about - the business world, how it works and all of its money-making schemes. Already, on my second day of class with her, I have developed a deep respect for her and her openness with her opinions of the world in which we live.

Oh yeah, did I mention that I learned all these things in Spanish? :) All my classes are conducted in Spanish and I am learning lots of social and cultural themes that I may not have encountered before in any of my English-speaking classes. What a shame I never took more social-minded classes.

P.S. What a shame about Coca-Cola owning Fanta and it containing heaps of HFCS because I discovered its orangey goodness for the first time when I was in Israel in summer of 1997. Tasty...but I no longer partake in its goodness (or badness?).

Argh.

Today I discovered that the books I bought for my Level II Intermediate Spanish class didn't come with the audio CD as I had hoped...and as it seems like I'll need them to do the exercises in the workbook. Sans CD, the textbook and workbook still cost $159!!! Outrageous, right? Well, just now I looked on Amazon.com just for the heck of it and saw an offer for all three - the textbook, workbook AND audio CD - for $154.15!!!!! How pissed am I?! Yeah, and of course now I can't return my textbook and workbook because they came bound in plastic and I already unwrapped them, argh. I want to get the CD but really don't feel like spending another $20+ on the disc and S&H. Bitch. I just want to yell at the publishing companies for screwing us over all the time!

Ahhh...to be a student again.

El primer dia - The first day

Hoy estuve mi primer día de mis clases del semestre primavera - Today was my first day of spring semester classes. En la primera clase, estuve muy nerviosa y anxiosa - In my first class, I was very nervous and anxious. Hace nuevo años desde mi última clase en que estaba estudiando la gramática de español - It's been nine years since my last class where I was studying Spanish grammar. La clase se llama Español Intermedio, Nivel II - The class is called Intermediate Spanish, Level II. Después de la clase me descansé en el centro de los estudiantes, estudiar y tomar una siesta, jeje - After class I relaxed in the student center, studying and taking a nap, hehe. Los dos mas clases están Conversaciónes I y II y en las estuve mas relajado, con confianza en sí mismo y en mis habilidades - The other two classes are Conversation I and II in which I was more relaxed, with confidence in myself and my skills.

Ahora me voy a leer algunos de mis apuntas y acurrucarse con mi oso de peluche, jajaja - Now I'm going to read some of my notes and cuddle with my teddy bear, hahaha. ¡Estaba un día con mucho estreso y necesito dormir mucho para mañana! - It was a stressful day and I need a lot of sleep for tomorrow!

Hasta luego... See you later...

So many things.

Life has been hectic-ly lovely lately. I finally moved to Worcester, started and finished one winter session course and met some great people. My class started before I had an apt, so I stayed for a week with my new friend Mollie. We met on Craigslist. She has an adorable dog Blucka and a super-cuddly cat Burgle. Then Nart moved in, he's fun. We all have fun teasing each other and joking around. Then I moved out and into my new place a few miles away. Now the three of us bug each other on Facebook and I show up unannounced to visit when I can. It's great!

My winter session course was intense and I loved every moment. Okay, I got sick of memorizing after the first week, but it pays off! It was a great ice-breaker for getting back into a college degree program. I realized, though, that I need to do a LOT of grammar and verb reviewing this semester. I intended to study my verbs this weekend but instead finished unpacking, put away the boxes, did laundry, cleaned the apt and went shopping (grocery and other). They were all tasks that needed to be done. I was about to start nibbling on the counters if I didn't make it to the market, haha.

My Spanish professor thinks I'm a klutz...I think she's right....
I spilled a mug of tea today, all over the floor.
Prior to that I spilled water while I was watering my plants.
A few years ago I sprained both ankles, on two different occasions.
I fell off my bike when I was 8 or 9 and had major stitches.
One time I ran to get the phone and smacked into a pole.
In high school I walked into a screen door (I didn't see it!).
Oh there are so many more, but I can't think of them right now.

Last week Hector (a friend) and I went to dinner at the Boynton for salad and pizza. It was good, but not the best. I will find the best pizza in Worcester...even if I have to eat pizza every weekend for the next three months! Okay, that's not likely, and not in my budget, but I love pizza so much that I'd be okay with it!

Tomorrow night Rich is coming up from Providence and we might have dinner at the Sole Proprietor. If not, we might go somewhere else. The Sole serves a lot of fish, which I normally don't like...but they have sushi and I am happy with that! I guess my last statement could be confusing to some; let me clarify. I love sushi but not [most] cooked fish. I will eat cooked squid, tempura soft-shell crab or shrimp and crab cakes (i.e. fried dough with bits of clam that you can't taste anyway). BUT, I will not eat Salmon in any way, shape or form. Too fishy. Nor scallops. I've downed a few cherrystones with lemon juice and Tabasco in my time, but they just gave me a belly ache.

I was just checking out other people's photos on Flickr and I came across "muskrat love". It reminded me that I've always wanted to have my body painted...perhaps Halloween 2009?

I'm feeling tired and think I'll have a short nap. Last night's (this morning's) sleep was interrupted just past 4 a.m. by a text message from Pete, saying he didn't think he'd come visit today because he was up plowing and hadn't been to sleep at all. Then our plow guy called at 8:30 a.m. while I was trying to sleep in. I was prompted to go downstairs to move mine and Jaime's cars so the plow guy could clean out the driveway. Not a bad reason to get up I don't think.

Ta-ta for now....