Friday, April 1, 2011
Nineteen Minutes
Two blogs in one week! I know, right? This week, I have chosen another book by Jodi Picoult entitled, "Nineteen Minutes." This is another one of my favorites. It tackles a subject that I have always found interesting: school shootings. I have, for a while, wanted to piggy-back on research that purports to explain the societal influences in school shootings, both before and after. This book approaches some of those ideas by introducing the rare scenario of the shooter being caught and arrested. However, this story is not just about the shooter, or bullying, or the juvenile justice system; this story is centered around another character, Josie, who grew up close friends with the shooter, Peter. During the shooting, Josie was found in the same room with Peter when he was arrested. She had fled into the room with her boyfriend when the shooting started. Nineteen minutes later, Peter ran in and confronted them in his final moments of his rampage. After he was arrested, Peter has to combat the justice system as a teenage murderer. Everyone associated with him post-shooting is ostracized by the community, including his attorney, a character from another of Picoult's books. Presiding over his case is Josie's mom, Alex, whom endures criticism as to whether or not she can remain objective since her daughter was injured (minorly) in the shooting. Investigating the shooting is a local detective who has been involved in the case from the first 911 call from the high school. As he is putting the pieces together to construct timelines of the events of that day, he notices glaring inconsistencies regarding the stories from Josie and Peter about what happened in that room that day. This is the primary focus of the story. This book is definitely touching on sensitive subjects, a hallmark of Picoult, but she approaches these subjects with a reverency and respect and never once does the reader get the idea that things have been watered down or diluted to appeal to a greater audience. This story is multi-dimensional and filled with twists to keep the reader guessing at the motive for such a terrible act. A lesson in the often far-reaching effects of bullying is also garnered from this book, a lesson we sometimes need to be reminded of from time to time. On a much more different note, the Medieval Fair is in Norman this weekend. I have plans to attend and take pictures and will share those pictures with the world with my next review, an homage to ye olde literature, sort of.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Transition Time!
Well, I said it would be two months until I wrote another post...I was close. Two and a half months later.... I've decided that my issue with this blog is that I have no focus. Enter: focus! After a long two months of contemplation, I've finally settled on a focus for my blog. I love to read. I think I may have mentioned this before. I have decided to share my love of books with the world. Therefore, I will, from this point forward, begin providing commentary on my veritable library of literature, beginning today!
The first book I want to share is the first book I read by an author named Jodi Picoult. She is a fantastic storyteller who utilizes contemporary issues to weave stories that affect families, always with a twist at the end. Don't worry, I won't ruin it.
This book is titled, "My Sister's Keeper." I know there is a Cameron Diaz movie that recently came out but believe me, read the book. Regardless of whether or not you have seen the movie, do yourself a favor and read this book.
It centers around a girl named Anna Fitzgerald. She has an older sister, Kate, and an older brother, Jesse. Kate has cancer, an aggressive form of leukemia that will eventually kill her without multiple stem cell transplants, a kidney transplant, and multiple other procedures that require a donor with a similar genetic makeup in order to reduce the likelihood of rejection of the donor cells/organs. Kate's parents found out about her cancer before they had Anna. Anna was conceived for the purpose of being a donor for Kate. Picoult has tackled the issue of eugenics in this book, I think because it has a place in this situation. I have a feeling that many families dealing with the issue of an incurable disease in which donor material is needed have had a thought about the convenience of having a genetically matched donor always available. There is, obviously, a down side, which is the primary focus of this story. Anna is tired of her life revolving around Kate. Anna's first donor surgery was when she was three days old and they have not stopped since. Anna is thirteen now, Kate is sixteen, and she wants her parents to understand that she does not want to go through the often painful procedures anymore. Unfortunately, Anna also realizes that once she stops being the donor for Kate, Kate will die. This is something that Anna struggles with; obviously her parents are troubled by this as well. Regardless, Anna decides to hire an attorney and pursue a court case in which she hopes to be emancipated from her parents in order to make her own medical decisions. The judge, unwilling to simply hand over emancipation to a thirteen-year-old, decides to investigate this matter, so he assigns a guardian ad litem to help him decide what is the best decision to make.
A guardian ad litem is a person assigned to a family court matter whose sole role in the case is to look out for the best interest of the child(ren). Often, in family court cases, the parties get distracted by other issues (money, property, custody, affairs, etc.) and have a hard time keeping the interests of their children at the forefront of their conscience. A guardian ad litem is assigned to perform interviews, visit the home, talk with all parties, and eventually make a recommendation to the judge as to what would be in the best interest of the child.
The guardian ad litem, Julia, has a past with the attorney for Anna, which provides the romance edge that pretty much every good book has to have. The story basically revolves around the decisions involved with caring for a sick child, focusing on a child who wants to be emancipated from her parents, as well as a troubled son who is attempting, in all of this, to get attention. Also, this story takes place within the time span of a week.
So in this story, Picoult approaches eugenics, family law, oncology issues, death, and juvenile delinquency all in this book. A drawback for me is that she structures the chapters as each chapter being from the perspective of a different character. I feel like this interrupts the flow a little, but does not necessarily take anything away from the story itself.
I highly recommend this book; it is one of my favorites. I don't think you necessarily need a box of tissues with you, but maybe at least have access to them. Enjoy and I would love to hear any thoughts on what you think!
The first book I want to share is the first book I read by an author named Jodi Picoult. She is a fantastic storyteller who utilizes contemporary issues to weave stories that affect families, always with a twist at the end. Don't worry, I won't ruin it.
This book is titled, "My Sister's Keeper." I know there is a Cameron Diaz movie that recently came out but believe me, read the book. Regardless of whether or not you have seen the movie, do yourself a favor and read this book.
It centers around a girl named Anna Fitzgerald. She has an older sister, Kate, and an older brother, Jesse. Kate has cancer, an aggressive form of leukemia that will eventually kill her without multiple stem cell transplants, a kidney transplant, and multiple other procedures that require a donor with a similar genetic makeup in order to reduce the likelihood of rejection of the donor cells/organs. Kate's parents found out about her cancer before they had Anna. Anna was conceived for the purpose of being a donor for Kate. Picoult has tackled the issue of eugenics in this book, I think because it has a place in this situation. I have a feeling that many families dealing with the issue of an incurable disease in which donor material is needed have had a thought about the convenience of having a genetically matched donor always available. There is, obviously, a down side, which is the primary focus of this story. Anna is tired of her life revolving around Kate. Anna's first donor surgery was when she was three days old and they have not stopped since. Anna is thirteen now, Kate is sixteen, and she wants her parents to understand that she does not want to go through the often painful procedures anymore. Unfortunately, Anna also realizes that once she stops being the donor for Kate, Kate will die. This is something that Anna struggles with; obviously her parents are troubled by this as well. Regardless, Anna decides to hire an attorney and pursue a court case in which she hopes to be emancipated from her parents in order to make her own medical decisions. The judge, unwilling to simply hand over emancipation to a thirteen-year-old, decides to investigate this matter, so he assigns a guardian ad litem to help him decide what is the best decision to make.
A guardian ad litem is a person assigned to a family court matter whose sole role in the case is to look out for the best interest of the child(ren). Often, in family court cases, the parties get distracted by other issues (money, property, custody, affairs, etc.) and have a hard time keeping the interests of their children at the forefront of their conscience. A guardian ad litem is assigned to perform interviews, visit the home, talk with all parties, and eventually make a recommendation to the judge as to what would be in the best interest of the child.
The guardian ad litem, Julia, has a past with the attorney for Anna, which provides the romance edge that pretty much every good book has to have. The story basically revolves around the decisions involved with caring for a sick child, focusing on a child who wants to be emancipated from her parents, as well as a troubled son who is attempting, in all of this, to get attention. Also, this story takes place within the time span of a week.
So in this story, Picoult approaches eugenics, family law, oncology issues, death, and juvenile delinquency all in this book. A drawback for me is that she structures the chapters as each chapter being from the perspective of a different character. I feel like this interrupts the flow a little, but does not necessarily take anything away from the story itself.
I highly recommend this book; it is one of my favorites. I don't think you necessarily need a box of tissues with you, but maybe at least have access to them. Enjoy and I would love to hear any thoughts on what you think!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
2010
I realize I am a little late in reviewing my year. Obviously my resolutions for 2011 are going as well as expected. That's another post. Most likely in another two months.
2010 was - in a word - terrifying. 2010 was a year of dramatic changes for not only myself but for my relationship with Austin and those surrounding me as well. A year ago we had applied and already been accepted into OU, so we were beginning the planning stages of exactly what was going to happen when we decided to come to Oklahoma, and when we were going to do it. Little did we know how much of our lives were going to change during the course of 2010. The process of, for a lack of better word, ending our lives in Birmingham and preparing to essentially start over was really scary. I had a great job and worked with wonderful people. We had a well-established core group of peers whom we loved. My entire family lives in Birmingham. We were taking outselves out of a place of comfort and putting ourselves in a place of unpredictability. I am many things, spontaneous is not one of them.
Which is one thing that I was taught during the course of 2010. As much as I can plan, there really IS a bigger picture that supercedes anything I can superficially write in a calendar. Moving to Oklahoma wasn't just about Austin going to OU; we had to learn to be a married couple again living in close proximity to each other without the everyday distractions afforded to us by work, family, bills, friends. I had to learn to trust in a power outside of my control. With these lessons has come a new Sarah. I seek every day to be a better wife to Austin, a better daughter to my parents, a better sister to my sisters (and sisters-in-law), a better daughter to my Father in Heaven, a better coworker to my fellow coworkers, and a better friend to my friends (new and old). There are days where I fail miserably time and time again. However, there are also days where it seems like the world falls into place and things are just as they are. I cherish those days. And so, with 2011 I seek all of these things and more.
2010 was - in a word - terrifying. 2010 was a year of dramatic changes for not only myself but for my relationship with Austin and those surrounding me as well. A year ago we had applied and already been accepted into OU, so we were beginning the planning stages of exactly what was going to happen when we decided to come to Oklahoma, and when we were going to do it. Little did we know how much of our lives were going to change during the course of 2010. The process of, for a lack of better word, ending our lives in Birmingham and preparing to essentially start over was really scary. I had a great job and worked with wonderful people. We had a well-established core group of peers whom we loved. My entire family lives in Birmingham. We were taking outselves out of a place of comfort and putting ourselves in a place of unpredictability. I am many things, spontaneous is not one of them.
Which is one thing that I was taught during the course of 2010. As much as I can plan, there really IS a bigger picture that supercedes anything I can superficially write in a calendar. Moving to Oklahoma wasn't just about Austin going to OU; we had to learn to be a married couple again living in close proximity to each other without the everyday distractions afforded to us by work, family, bills, friends. I had to learn to trust in a power outside of my control. With these lessons has come a new Sarah. I seek every day to be a better wife to Austin, a better daughter to my parents, a better sister to my sisters (and sisters-in-law), a better daughter to my Father in Heaven, a better coworker to my fellow coworkers, and a better friend to my friends (new and old). There are days where I fail miserably time and time again. However, there are also days where it seems like the world falls into place and things are just as they are. I cherish those days. And so, with 2011 I seek all of these things and more.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Blogging
Is it ironic to blog about blogging? I've learned, after a few months of contemplation, that I need to release some of the thoughts swirling around in my head. (And by contemplation, I mean laziness, fyi.) I spent much of my day today perusing Pioneer Woman's website. She has inspired me to be more judicious and consistent with my blogging. One of her tips was to blog even when you have nothing to blog about. This is my issue. I have felt like I do not have much to blog about, at least, nothing anyone would care to read about. So, I'm just going to write about what has been on my mind recently.
Lately I have been plagued with such thoughts like, "If I died tomorrow, what difference will my life have made?" I know this is a pretty deep thought, and I assure you, nothing that I have just thought about one random last week. I started this process by reading Max Lucado's newest book, "Outlive Your Life." It's a wonderful call to action to the Christian church to take on the mission of the early church to serve others. I've been inspired to take my talents, what few there are, and to help others. I found this to be harder than it originally seemed. When it comes to coming up with ideas on how to help out others, I can develop elaborate plans. The problem is that many of those ideas are just out of my reach as far as their implementation. I have settled on my most recent idea, which is to take my love (read: LOVE) of reading and to spread that to those who may not have the same passion or knowledge to appreciate reading as I do. I contacted our local library in town and asked whether or not they had an adult literacy program that I could hook into and volunteer with. They did. I am going to receive my training on Saturday. All it took was a little bit of research and a telephone call to turn this into reality. I'm excited and proud to serve the community in this way.
A few of my other ideas include:
- Knitting hats for children receiving chemotherapy treatments (one of the side effects of the chemo is a lowering of the body temp.)
- Transcribing written memoirs, letters, diaries, etc. for senior citizens for a more permanent record of these memories
- Hosting an Alzheimer's Awareness seminar
- Organizing a mentor program for high schoolers to mentor younger junior high students during their teenage years
These are a few of my more long-term ideas. I encourage everyone reading this to consider purchasing Outlive Your Life and volunteer with a program that showcases your talents. Let me know if you would like to borrow it, and I will send you my copy. Think about it, what will you be remembered for after you are gone?
Lately I have been plagued with such thoughts like, "If I died tomorrow, what difference will my life have made?" I know this is a pretty deep thought, and I assure you, nothing that I have just thought about one random last week. I started this process by reading Max Lucado's newest book, "Outlive Your Life." It's a wonderful call to action to the Christian church to take on the mission of the early church to serve others. I've been inspired to take my talents, what few there are, and to help others. I found this to be harder than it originally seemed. When it comes to coming up with ideas on how to help out others, I can develop elaborate plans. The problem is that many of those ideas are just out of my reach as far as their implementation. I have settled on my most recent idea, which is to take my love (read: LOVE) of reading and to spread that to those who may not have the same passion or knowledge to appreciate reading as I do. I contacted our local library in town and asked whether or not they had an adult literacy program that I could hook into and volunteer with. They did. I am going to receive my training on Saturday. All it took was a little bit of research and a telephone call to turn this into reality. I'm excited and proud to serve the community in this way.
A few of my other ideas include:
- Knitting hats for children receiving chemotherapy treatments (one of the side effects of the chemo is a lowering of the body temp.)
- Transcribing written memoirs, letters, diaries, etc. for senior citizens for a more permanent record of these memories
- Hosting an Alzheimer's Awareness seminar
- Organizing a mentor program for high schoolers to mentor younger junior high students during their teenage years
These are a few of my more long-term ideas. I encourage everyone reading this to consider purchasing Outlive Your Life and volunteer with a program that showcases your talents. Let me know if you would like to borrow it, and I will send you my copy. Think about it, what will you be remembered for after you are gone?
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Employment
This entire process of unemployment and, ultimately, employment has been humbling, enlightening, educational, and stressful. I have a lot of respect and compassion for people who have been on the search for a job for longer than 2 and a half months, which is how long it took me. During this process I have learned not only a lot about myself, but also a lot about the type of person I want to become. My work ethic has been strengthened exponentially. I never realized how much I enjoy working until all of a sudden I wasn't.
I also never realized how hard it would be to convince someone that I am a worthy employee. At the time, I was convinced that the reason I wasn't getting the types of offers that I wanted was due to my lack of extensive experience, or my age. As it turns out, I simply was waiting on the right job to come my way. I feel compelled to tell the story of how I came about finding what I believe is the perfect job for me.
Since moving here, Austin and I have been itching to find a church home. We both come from church-going families and appreciate the importance, not only spiritually but also socially, of finding a good group of young marrieds with which we can associate. One Sunday we decided to visit a church in the area that we hope to purchase a house in. When we arrived at church that morning to attend the later service we were surprised to find the sanctuary already packed with people who were seemingly coming to the closing of a service. Confused, we decided to grab seats in the back anyway and figure out what was going on later. I realized that this was the special post-VBS service where all of the kids come and sing their songs, share what they learned, etc. to the church as a whole. After the dismissal we went to the welcome center to make sure that there was not going to be a later service. There wasn't. Instead of simply returning home, we were invited to attend the Sunday School session that was scheduled to start within the next few minutes. Reluctantly, I agreed. Upon attending the Sunday School session and meeting with the teacher, an attorney in the City, we were told of a service provided by the Oklahoma City Bar Association where they place legal assistant candidates with employers. This was what we were looking for. Within a day of submitting my resume I had a meeting with their Director of Legal Placement, and within a week had two interviews. Less than 24 hours after the interviews, I was afforded the opportunity of choosing between two fantastic job offers. I am aware that this process was a blessing. After two long months of stressing and becoming quite agitated at having to turn down job offers because they were not right, I have finally found a place where all of mine and Austin's needs will be met. I even will receive a small raise when comparing my old salary with my new one. We have been provided for over and over again from family and friends but this is the furst time I can remember in a while when we have so obviously been provided for through God. No other explanation even begins to justify it. And that is truly enlightening.
It is poignant that I start work tomorrow at my new job. On July 21, 2008, precisely two years ago from tomorrow, I started work at Balch & Bingham. Balch was the first and only interview I had upon graduating college. I kind of fell into work there and from there I naturally fell into work as a legal assistant. This is what I am called to do: to assist. And I think I am pretty good at it. I have always felt as if my personality lent itself to be more of a helper than an initiator, and this entire experience has made that feeling more concrete than ever. Some people are called to medicine, some are called to music, others are called to the ministry; I, however, am more convinced than ever that I am called to be a legal assistant. It is what I am good at; it has afforded me the opportunity to meet wonderful people; it has also allowed me to learn more than I ever thought was possible. Law comes naturally to me, just as surgery comes naturally to a surgeon, or playing the piano comes naturally to a musician. It's not the most glamorous; but it is fulfilling, and I enjoy it. I have had the fortune to, while at Balch, to perform a variety of tasks: everything from competing a 9th grade project on photosynthesis (it got an A, thank you very much) to organizing a database for a large class-action lawsuit of documents, info on each plaintiff, dates, etc.
I am confident that what I want to do with my life has already been made clear to me, and that is information that I do not take for granted. I realize that at my age and with my life experience that I am in the minority. It is my sincere wish that everyone I know come to this kind of acceptance and peace.
I also never realized how hard it would be to convince someone that I am a worthy employee. At the time, I was convinced that the reason I wasn't getting the types of offers that I wanted was due to my lack of extensive experience, or my age. As it turns out, I simply was waiting on the right job to come my way. I feel compelled to tell the story of how I came about finding what I believe is the perfect job for me.
Since moving here, Austin and I have been itching to find a church home. We both come from church-going families and appreciate the importance, not only spiritually but also socially, of finding a good group of young marrieds with which we can associate. One Sunday we decided to visit a church in the area that we hope to purchase a house in. When we arrived at church that morning to attend the later service we were surprised to find the sanctuary already packed with people who were seemingly coming to the closing of a service. Confused, we decided to grab seats in the back anyway and figure out what was going on later. I realized that this was the special post-VBS service where all of the kids come and sing their songs, share what they learned, etc. to the church as a whole. After the dismissal we went to the welcome center to make sure that there was not going to be a later service. There wasn't. Instead of simply returning home, we were invited to attend the Sunday School session that was scheduled to start within the next few minutes. Reluctantly, I agreed. Upon attending the Sunday School session and meeting with the teacher, an attorney in the City, we were told of a service provided by the Oklahoma City Bar Association where they place legal assistant candidates with employers. This was what we were looking for. Within a day of submitting my resume I had a meeting with their Director of Legal Placement, and within a week had two interviews. Less than 24 hours after the interviews, I was afforded the opportunity of choosing between two fantastic job offers. I am aware that this process was a blessing. After two long months of stressing and becoming quite agitated at having to turn down job offers because they were not right, I have finally found a place where all of mine and Austin's needs will be met. I even will receive a small raise when comparing my old salary with my new one. We have been provided for over and over again from family and friends but this is the furst time I can remember in a while when we have so obviously been provided for through God. No other explanation even begins to justify it. And that is truly enlightening.
It is poignant that I start work tomorrow at my new job. On July 21, 2008, precisely two years ago from tomorrow, I started work at Balch & Bingham. Balch was the first and only interview I had upon graduating college. I kind of fell into work there and from there I naturally fell into work as a legal assistant. This is what I am called to do: to assist. And I think I am pretty good at it. I have always felt as if my personality lent itself to be more of a helper than an initiator, and this entire experience has made that feeling more concrete than ever. Some people are called to medicine, some are called to music, others are called to the ministry; I, however, am more convinced than ever that I am called to be a legal assistant. It is what I am good at; it has afforded me the opportunity to meet wonderful people; it has also allowed me to learn more than I ever thought was possible. Law comes naturally to me, just as surgery comes naturally to a surgeon, or playing the piano comes naturally to a musician. It's not the most glamorous; but it is fulfilling, and I enjoy it. I have had the fortune to, while at Balch, to perform a variety of tasks: everything from competing a 9th grade project on photosynthesis (it got an A, thank you very much) to organizing a database for a large class-action lawsuit of documents, info on each plaintiff, dates, etc.
I am confident that what I want to do with my life has already been made clear to me, and that is information that I do not take for granted. I realize that at my age and with my life experience that I am in the minority. It is my sincere wish that everyone I know come to this kind of acceptance and peace.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Fireworks!
On July 4th, it is tradition in my family to attend fireworks. Therefore, it was imperative that, even though we are here in Oklahoma, we attend fireworks. So tonight, Austin and I watched Chickasha, Oklahoma's fireworks celebration.
Fireworks in Oklahoma are vastly different than those in Alabama for one reason: the landscape. No mountains, hills, and Vulcan statues interfere with firework viewing. I never realized how much they get in the way. The sky is huge here, therefore the fireworks appear much larger. Watching fireworks in Alabama will never be the same, I'm afraid.
Viewing these fireworks also reminded of previous firework-watching experiences. I have a few fun memories from my different experiences with my family. Take for instance, the one year we watched fireworks in Demopolis, Alabama. There I encountered a boy obsessed with a certain type of firework. His favorite were the ones were a large firework would burst, and then a smaller, louder firework with no light trail would "sneak" up and go off unexpectedly. Whenever these would occur during that particular show, this boy would yell, "SNEAK ATTACK!" It was funny about the first 4 times. Then it got annoying.
This particular experience was not without fond memories, either. When the fireworks started this one kid started screaming at the top of his lungs; not in terror, but in shear excitement. I laughed. Hard. Because it was funny.
Which brings me to an impromptu list of Fireworks Etiquette:
1) When watching fireworks, it is advisable not to bring the car with the insanely bright headlights and proceed to, every five minutes, open the car door to root around for unknown objects therefore blinding innocent patrons with aforementioned bright headlights.
2) Dogs do not belong at a fireworks show. Neither do infants. That's just cruel. Toddlers are a little more difficult to judge. The cute 3-year-old who yells "Daddy, I want to touch the lights!" is cute for about a minute. Then it's not. Althought, there are some cool toddlers that could care less about the sound, nor the bright lights. I want a kid like that.
3) While the fireworks are going off, please do not launch your own. It's distracting and will never measure up. So don't even try.
4) Please do not applaud after the fireworks show. It's about as useful as applauding at the end of a movie. In other words: Don't waste your time.
5) Finally, while a fireworks show is going on it is not cool to drive your car without a muffler along the main drag and try to rev your engine. No one is paying any attention to you, I promise.
And I feel compelled to say to all fireworks display designers: A finale is mandatory. Ending a fireworks show without a finale is pretty much un-American.
This was fun.
Fireworks in Oklahoma are vastly different than those in Alabama for one reason: the landscape. No mountains, hills, and Vulcan statues interfere with firework viewing. I never realized how much they get in the way. The sky is huge here, therefore the fireworks appear much larger. Watching fireworks in Alabama will never be the same, I'm afraid.
Viewing these fireworks also reminded of previous firework-watching experiences. I have a few fun memories from my different experiences with my family. Take for instance, the one year we watched fireworks in Demopolis, Alabama. There I encountered a boy obsessed with a certain type of firework. His favorite were the ones were a large firework would burst, and then a smaller, louder firework with no light trail would "sneak" up and go off unexpectedly. Whenever these would occur during that particular show, this boy would yell, "SNEAK ATTACK!" It was funny about the first 4 times. Then it got annoying.
This particular experience was not without fond memories, either. When the fireworks started this one kid started screaming at the top of his lungs; not in terror, but in shear excitement. I laughed. Hard. Because it was funny.
Which brings me to an impromptu list of Fireworks Etiquette:
1) When watching fireworks, it is advisable not to bring the car with the insanely bright headlights and proceed to, every five minutes, open the car door to root around for unknown objects therefore blinding innocent patrons with aforementioned bright headlights.
2) Dogs do not belong at a fireworks show. Neither do infants. That's just cruel. Toddlers are a little more difficult to judge. The cute 3-year-old who yells "Daddy, I want to touch the lights!" is cute for about a minute. Then it's not. Althought, there are some cool toddlers that could care less about the sound, nor the bright lights. I want a kid like that.
3) While the fireworks are going off, please do not launch your own. It's distracting and will never measure up. So don't even try.
4) Please do not applaud after the fireworks show. It's about as useful as applauding at the end of a movie. In other words: Don't waste your time.
5) Finally, while a fireworks show is going on it is not cool to drive your car without a muffler along the main drag and try to rev your engine. No one is paying any attention to you, I promise.
And I feel compelled to say to all fireworks display designers: A finale is mandatory. Ending a fireworks show without a finale is pretty much un-American.
This was fun.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Roll Tide!
Austin and I are officially Oklahoma citizens. It's weird. In the month and a half since moving here, I have rarely had an oppurtunity to acknowledge my Alabama roots beyond the obligatory questions such as, "How is Oklahoma different from Alabama?" (Answer: Definitely more flat.) However, while at the DMV getting Oklahoma licenses, the guy behind the counter asked me about Alabama's football team. It is ironic that the first time someone acknowledges my Alabama-ness is the day that I am renouncing my citizenship. It was definitely an eye-opener, and very poignant.
In other news, the job search is coming along. Right now I have two possibilities up in the air. One is a job that I really want and would be a fantastic opportunity; the other is a job that I would be content with, but would have to eventually change. So I'm experiencing the waiting game. It's no fun. I've definitely had to learn how to manage stress. I finished knitting a Gryiffindor scarf in almost record time because of this. I find knitting to be a successful outlet to my stress because I tend to carry my tension in my hands. I attempted to upload a picture of my scarf but it didn't work. Maybe it will work later. In the very least, I guarantee a posting later today or tomorrow with the picture. It's pretty funny because I made Austin model it. It does not disappoint.
In other news, the job search is coming along. Right now I have two possibilities up in the air. One is a job that I really want and would be a fantastic opportunity; the other is a job that I would be content with, but would have to eventually change. So I'm experiencing the waiting game. It's no fun. I've definitely had to learn how to manage stress. I finished knitting a Gryiffindor scarf in almost record time because of this. I find knitting to be a successful outlet to my stress because I tend to carry my tension in my hands. I attempted to upload a picture of my scarf but it didn't work. Maybe it will work later. In the very least, I guarantee a posting later today or tomorrow with the picture. It's pretty funny because I made Austin model it. It does not disappoint.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
