Excess

A girl's gotta have dreams. Though I've never considered myself a materialistic person, there are some things that I want. Really, really bad. One of these things I'm determined to own before I die are a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. I love shoes alot, but I find even these to be a bit excessive (hence why I don't own a pair--not to mention they cost more than I pay in rent). The ones I have pictured here will set you back $795. But aren't they hot?


On another note of excess, I just got back from grocery shopping. The woman put every item I purchased in a separate bag. Only the pork and bacon were allowed to share a bag.

It occurred to me to let her know that the strawberries would be perfectly happy sharing a bag with the oranges. And to let her know that each of the bags she was giving me would never fully break down into their original organic state.

I decided against bringing up both of these things. Not only would she likely think I'm crazy, but also she would likely not understand what I'm saying. It's okay because I will recycle them. But I can pretty much guarantee the people in front of and behind me in line (who received more bags that I did) will not. Bummer.

Also,
Pitchers and Catchers: 13 days
Opening Day: 65 days

I'm a big girl now!

Today I bought car insurance! It sucks and wasn't particularly fun, but it made me feel quite grown up. I had to talk to the agents, apply for quotes, and evaluate the coverage. Real. life. grown-up stuff. If you can't tell, I'm proud.

Pitchers and catchers: 14 days
Opening Night: 67 days

Love it.

Today is a SNOW DAY! In a previous post, I mentioned how much I disliked getting the call outs from the district--they often just inform me of something useless. I have stopped getting them, which was somewhat annoying this morning. I woke up at 5:45 and groggily turned on the TV. It took me something like 15 minutes of watching to figure out that we did NOT have school. That obnoxious call out would have allowed me to sleep for the whole morning without interruption. Darn it.

So, today I've committed myself to reading and grading papers and watching Full House. I might get ambitious and work out (doubtful).

You know the only thing that could make this day better? Baseball.

Pitchers and catchers: 15 days
Opening day: 68 days

Centenarian

When I'm 100, Willard Scott will feature me on the Today show. Okay, probably not Willard, but maybe his son? Anyway, when I'm featured, my "Key to Living Long" will be eating a handful of sunflower kernels everyday. Some people claim it's eating honey, taking a bath, or having a scotch nightcap. Mine will be sunflower kernels. I like them a lot.

The Rites of Spring

"'Pitchers and catchers report.' It's one of those sports phrases that true baseball fans understand has magical qualities. That is the day each year that baseball fans look forward to because it is so full of symbolic meaning. It signals the return of baseball and the approaching end of winter. Exhibition games will soon be played in Florida and Arizona, and later real games will begin. There will be standings to peruse, box scores to examine, and that day's probable pitchers to speculate about."

To help me through the long winter, I'm reading a book my dad got me for my birthday last year. It's called Living on the Black by John Feinstein, and it's seriously amazing. It follows two future Hall of Fame pitchers as they make their way through a year of playing for New York teams. It's pretty great.

I love sports. We all know that. Football and college basketball are fun. But baseball will always have my heart. It's magical for so many reasons that I won't go into now. You will see a happy girl when I get to hear the first ball hit the mitt.

Countdown to pitchers and catchers: 18 days
Opening night: 71 days

Good words

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain:
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

--Emily Dickinson

Infuriating.

In general, I avoid talking about politics in my blog. Mamma always taught me there are three things never to be discussed in mixed company: money, religion, and politics. I am passionate about two of these things (money--not so much), but manage to avoid talking about them often out of fear of alienating friends I have come to value. However, there is a political issue happening in Nashville right now that simply can't be overlooked.

I just got back from voting. I know that it's the end of January and the president is about to be inaugurated, but there is a very important referendum up for approval. Some idiot has decided that English should be the only language allowed in Nashville/Davidson County. This means that all official documents would only be available in English, and that "no person shall have a right to government services in any other language". Are you kidding me? This infuriates me for so many reasons.

There is simply no way you can decide in good conscience that people who are not fluent in English do not deserve our government services.

I have tried to understand the logic behind the amendment, and I think I get it. I agree that English should remain the primary language in America as a whole. It is OUR language, after all. However, this is completely the wrong way to go about it. It is difficult enough for non-English speakers to figure out the American ways. We do not need to compound the problem by adding another roadblock.

As a teacher, I come in contact with numerous non-English speaking students and families. These students are rapidly learning English. Their parents were able to enroll them in our school system (and provide them the opportunity to become fluent English speakers) because MNPS is allowed to provide translators in 30+ languages. Are they in our country illegally? Yes, some of them, but not all. These children are realizing the American Dream. Really. This opportunity would not be allowed to them if their parents were required to enroll them in school in English. It couldn't happen.

Can you imagine a city where our entire (very large) immigrant population was not allowed to access any services in their native language? I would argue that ratifying this amendment could be the most detrimental decision this city could make. I am picturing a city where immigrant children are wandering the streets when they should be in school. I am picturing a city where immigrant parents can't access the food stamps and government benefits they desperately need. I am picturing a city where we are going against the "Southern hospitality" that we pride ourselves on.

I have admitted that I understand, and even support, the idea behind the amendment. However, the way it's being approached is completely wrong. Let's provide free English classes to those who wish to learn our language. It's a myth that the majority of non-English speakers prefer being unable to communicate. Don't cut back on translating services. Instead, let's provide additional services to these people. Make them feel welcome and allow them the opportunities that our ancestors were allowed years ago.

America is a country built on immigrants. Anybody remember Ellis Island? Early voting is over, but the official day for voting is this coming Thursday, January 22. Please, if you haven't yet, go vote.

If you want to see the ballot, click here.

Season of Joy

My first Christmas tree! Since I have a severe aversion to fake foliage, I went and got a real one. All by myself, too. I told the guy at the roadside stand that I was looking for a cedar tree, and he laughed in my face. He told me I could "cut one of those down off the side of the road". I wasn't exactly dressed to be roughing it to chop down a tree, so I chose one that bore a slight resemblance (if you use your imagination). We always used to cut down cedar trees from my grandparent's farm for Christmas. Oh well, my white pine could sort of take it's place.


It's January 10th, and the tree is still up. Partially because I don't know what to do with it, but also partially because I love it so much.

"She asked me when the season of joy was supposed to end & I said I didn't really think there was an exact date, so we left the tree up till June that year."
--Brian Andreas, "Season of Joy"