Health Care

Don't even get me started.

Homosexuality and Homophobia

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8578787.stm

I have a lot of gay friends, both in Jersey and in the States, including my little sister. I reacted badly the first time that a really good friend came out to me. I didn't know what to do, and it went badly, and it ruined a friendship. This kid was one of my best friends, and I screwed it all up. I still feel bad about it. However, it was a valuable learning experience, and when my sister came out, I was okay. I supported her. I didn't freak out, I just accepted it.

Due to my religion I don't necessarily agree with homosexuality, but I can accept someone for who they are and not judge them for the things that they do. I don't believe in marriage for gay couples, but I am okay with civil partnerships. I just think that marriage has religious connotations and should be reserved for a man and woman. Civil partnerships give the same rights as marriage. Compromise...it makes the world work.

Anyway, I just read the above article on the BBC. Now, why I understand the point of the couple in the article, I also see the point of the woman. And I don't think that the government should be able to force her, or anyone, to give up their convictions, it doesn't matter if they're right or wrong. It's her business, her house, and if that's the way she wants to run it, then it's her prerogative. Her business with either suffer from the backlash of the homosexual community or it will thrive from those who are of a like-mind.

I think it's commendable in this day and age to have convictions and hold to them. They're are too many people who allow society to dictate what is right in this day and age. Even if I don't agree with the actions, I agree with the sentiment. I wouldn't do what she did, but there are other things that I might do that could be just as politically incorrect.

Sorry for offending anyone. /end rant

Fat girls, shopping, and jobs

I'm trying to find an outfit for this wedding that I'm going to next month. Being Mormon and being fat are putting me at a distinct disadvantage. And that's not to mention being short. Plus, I'm picky. I don't like most of the things I've seen. I know waht I have in mind: a nice, spring knee-length skirt with a bright colored top to go with it. But I can't seem to find what I want. I found a black winter skirt that I'm thinking of buying, but it's black, and I don't think that I should wear black to a wedding. It's not a funeral...or is it? And I'm between sizes. The size above me is just a bit too big and the size below me is just a bit small. And I like food too much to fix that. Oh, well. I'll find something I'm sure. It's just that there's not a lot of choice in Jersey. Maybe I'll find something in Liverpool.

I spent this morning looking for jobs in England. I don't want to go to England and leave Lyndon for a year, but it doesn't look like there's anything in Jersey. Maybe something will still come up. Who knows? But I don't want to leave it too late either. So, I sent off about 50 e-mails this morning to 50 different schools. We'll see how it goes, I guess. I find the whole situation depressing. I'd rather just stay at LRS with the kids that I know and do my NQT year there. I don't really want to do my NQT year somewhere else. Besides, I finally have friends.

I've found it really difficult to find people I actually like and want to hang out with in Jersey, but now that I have, I'm going to have to go somewhere else. Kind of sucks, in my opinion.

I met up with Gilles today for a drink and had a chat. We sat and made fun of people as they walked by. It was kind of fun.

Rugby now. Fun. Wales won the first match. I hope Scotland beat Ireland and England beat France. Yay for rugby boys. Soooo yummy.

Snail Mail and Nostalgia

So, last month I got two snail mail letters; the first in a very long time. One was from my very good friend, Starphish, and the other was from a friend that I haven't really spoken to since high school.

Well, with being sick and then going back to school, I never got around to writing back, so I've just sat down to write a couple of letters.

What is it about writing letters that makes me nostalgic? It brings back loads of memories. For example, writing to Phish I thought about all of the fun times we had together over the years. I remember the notes we used to leave in each other's lockers in high school for inspiration and encouragement. The sleepovers we used to have. Phish coming to visit me at college and us hanging out together, giggling about boys, life, and church. Fun times.

Writing to Stephanie, it made me remember times even further back. In 9th grade, we hated each other. Then, after that, we realized that we had a passion for the same types of music. We used to go to concerts together. We drooled over band members together. There were four of us back then who used to all go to the shows and then crash at Stephanie's house before school the next day. Those were more simple times.

Stephanie joined the Navy. So, I wrote to her when she first went in. I was really proud of her. I mean, at 27, it can't be an easy thing to do, you know? So, she wrote me back, and I've just written her another letter.

Hmmm...nostalgia...it's fun and depressing all at the same time. For someone that's only 26, I feel like I have too many memories. Most are good. Some aren't. There are a few regrets. But it was by far, an easier time in life without as many responsibilities and worries as there are now.

I miss some of my friends from high school and college. A lot of them I have on Facebook, but it's not the same as hanging out like we used to. Some of them I haven't spoken to in years. A few of them are drug addicts. Some are in the military. A couple have passed away. Growing up sucks. lol.

Here are a couple of pictures from back in the day:

I'm in the front row, and Phish is in the back totally not looking at the camera, or anywhere at all, really. This was taken at Baccalaureate. Also in the picture is Erick, Mark, and Stevie.

This is me with Marinda, senior year. I was Student Government President. This photo was taken during Homecoming Week, which is why I'm dressed like this.

Unfortunately, I don't have any scanned pictures of me and Stephanie. I think I might have to dig some out. Actually, I don't have any scanned high school pictures at all. These I've stolen from other people. All my high school pix are in a box in a closet somewhere. So much for nostalgia.

Books

Books = love
Books = joy

I love books just about more than anything in this world. Seriously. I spend all of my money on books. In fact, I wish I had more money so that I could spend it on books. I love the way the look, the way they feel, the way they smell. To me, there's nothing better than getting a brand new book to read.

Granted, my book reading is usually confined to the fantasy genre because it's an escape from the real world, but I will read just about anything. Besides, fantasy is just so FUN! And I think that reading should be about having fun and enjoying yourself. If more people realized how fun it is to read and get lost in another world, I think there would be more readers.

On Wednesdays at school we have silent reading during form time. My kids hate it. It's a battle every week to get them to a) be silent and b) actually read. I started off the year reading to them. We tried reading The Hunger Games. They didn't listen and didn't want to know. That was quite frustrating, as it's a really good book that I thought would interest them. So, now, I've just decided to give up on that battle and just make them sit in silence. If they don't bring a book two weeks in a row they get a DT. When coercion doesn't work, I guess punishment does. It's just a shame that kids see books as bad.

I remember being a kid and always loving books. Sure, I can admit that that's probably not normal, but I had fun doing "normal" kid stuff too like riding my bike, playing on the Nintendo, watching TV, etc. But there was nothing quite like reading. It's like a movie but better, and it lasts longer.

Anyway, I finished another book last night. I'm not reading as much as I'd like to this year. I've been super busy, and I'm working on my MA. However, Lyndon begged me to read "Nation" by Terry Pratchett. I'm not a huge Pratchett fan, so I was a bit reluctant to read it. Surprisingly, it was okay. It wasn't my favorite book, but it was entertaining and interesting. It was a good premise for a book, even if it didn't end quite the way that I thought it would.

I am now looking forward to a couple of new books, coming out this year. Two of them will be out in April, so look forward to me talking more about books come April-time.

Food is Yum!

There's a reason I'm a fat girl...I love food! I do. I make no apologies for it. There are so many different types of food that are just so good, and I love to try them all. Believe it or not, though, I don't often cook. Lyndon does most of the cooking. But since he was working today, I decided to cook.

I made homemade chicken soup to use up some of the leftovers in the freezer, sun-dried tomato bread, and homemade ice cream. The ice cream was supposed to be vanilla, but I ran out of vanilla extract, so I chucked in some almond, too. It's really good, if I do say so myself. And Lyndon seemed quite pleased, so that's all I can ask for, I guess.

On Themes

Does a blog have to have a theme? I mean, seriously, is it in the rules or something? Can't I just be narcissistic and write about myself? More of a journal than a blog. That's why my LJ was for.

However, saying that, the blog is probably going to contain more social commentary than anything.

For example, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,587980,00.html. This article is all about an extra-small condom that is being made for 12-year olds. Does it not strike anyone as socially irresponsible to give a 12-year old blanket permission to hump anything in site? Yes, yes, I know all of the arguments about abstinence and teen pregnancy, but still, 12-year olds should be more concered with holding hands and getting their first kiss, not losing their virginity. I'm not stupid, I know that kids are having sex younger and younger these days. I understand that. However, I feel that by giving them the means to do so, we are, in effect, giving them the permission as well. More should be done on prevention of this type of behaviour. It goes back to what I said on Facebook the other day...society would be a much better place if parents beat their children.

Sleepy

I just woke up. It's almost 8. I fell asleep about 6. I meant to be up a long time ago. Oops.

Do you know what scares me?

I can't find the really freaky picture from the text book I was looking at earlier, but gas masks are creepy. Seriously, they're just wrong. The picture at school has a load of teenagers on a Nazi Sports Day in 1935 running in gas masks and uniforms. Ick.

Sam got the SLT job today. I'm really happy for her. Team Parker, represented by me, was in the staff room to cheer her on. I'm about to go to her house now to celebrate.

I thought a student was going to hit me today. It was actually quite scary. I was told to let her hit me so that she can be suspended for 15 days, but I have to admit that I don't relish being hit by anyone, even if she is a 13-year old girl.

Oh, I finished my application for Vic completely and sent if off. Woohoo. Glad that's done.

Vic, French, and Me

I was really hyper at school this afternoon. I was bloody excited because I spent the whole day working on an application form for Vic College to teach history. Fun. Not. But then I was happy when I finished it. I hate filling in application forms. They take so long, and it's the same thing over and over again. I doubt I'll get the job, but it's fun to dream.

I just came home from French. I've only got like, two months until my oral exam. I finished my presentation tonight, which I'm chuffed about. And I'm done with all of my questions. I'm sick to death of them, but now I've got to memorise them. I think I might start taking them to school with me and getting Gilles or Marylene to practice with me.

My nephew is joining the Army. I'm really proud of him. He's a good kid. His birthday is today, too. He turns 24. Happy birthday, Lyle. Love you.

Skins tonight. Effy tried to kill herself last week. Fun.

Check out The Baseballs. Cool music covers. Lyndon loves them. Here's a sample.

Attempt #1

I miss my LJ, but no one is on that any more, so here we go. I'll be a sell-out I guess.

I, um, was looking at tickets to go home at some point this summer, but they're still ridiculously expensive. It doesn't look like I'm going to get back to Florida any time soon. Still hoping to get down to the house in France, though. Lyndon and I need a holiday together. We haven't had one for just the two of us since our first Christmas together in 2006. Need a break.

My life seems so boring these days with nothing to really write about. I'm really looking forward to my trip to Liverpool in April. It'll be a chance for Lyndon and I to get a short break together and just a chance to get off this God-forsaken rock.

I've been in Jersey too long.

I'm going nuts.

But our MFL night out is coming up soon. Happy day! I'm a bit pathetic...

Speaking of, bed time now.