It's 2:30 in the morning. I'd love to be asleep. I got up and poured a medicinal glass of chardonnay - it's too close to wake time to take a benadryl (my old restless night standby - it's actually the active ingredient in many over the counter sleep aids, such as Nytol, Sominex, and Tylenol PM).
This promises to be a busy semester, but the reward is graduation. Seems like a fair trade-off.
I am keeping my desk job through the end of the year, and over the summer I forgot how that gives me just two days off out of every fourteen. Kind of a bummer.
Okay, wine is gone, time to try for sleep again. G'night!
Monday, September 08, 2008
Saturday, September 06, 2008
No glass ceilings being broken there...
Thus far I've managed to keep politics largely out of my blog, mostly because I understand that there are some issues that we as people will fundamentally disagree upon, and I'd rather not open that can of worms here.
That being said, I would like to address Governor Sarah Palin's comment suggesting that, "maybe that glass ceiling will be broken after all" in this years' presidential election.
American history was made this year when a woman, Senator Hillary Clinton, through hard work, dedication, and years of service to our country, made it almost all the way to the top of a presidential election - on her own platform, with her own vision and ideas for our country. This was monumental in our nation's history, whether you agree with Senator Clinton's views or not. This was monumental for women.
Recently, a woman was chosen for a vice presidential bid, in large part because she is a woman - that's exactly the opposite. That is not progress, that is more of the same - relegating a woman to a position or duty because she is a she. If the governor of Alaska had exactly the same limited resume as Palin, but was male, he would never have been considered as a vice-presidential candidate. Not selecting someone for a job based on race, color, creed, or sex is discrimination - but so is choosing someone for those same reasons. She's a pawn in the game, nothing more. I read an article the day Palin was announced as McCain's running mate, and there was a quote from a McCain aide that read, "Either we get Hillary's votes and we win, or we don't and we don't." They weren't even embarrassed to be using such a blatant tactic.
I'm disappointed that anyone in this country would assume that because a woman voter supported Hillary, she'll vote for anyone with breasts in Clinton's absence. That's a political strategy based on sexism - believing that women will think or act a certain way because they are female. I'm offended on behalf of all women. If you agree with the McCain/Palin platform; if you believe that they can provide the necessary leadership to bring our country out of the nosedive it's currently in; and if you are confident that Palin has the knowledge and skill and decency we would expect in a president (because, as you recall, the vice president has the solemn job of acting in the president's stead should it become necessary), then by all means cast your vote for their ticket.
But please don't vote for them simply because she's a woman.
That being said, I would like to address Governor Sarah Palin's comment suggesting that, "maybe that glass ceiling will be broken after all" in this years' presidential election.
American history was made this year when a woman, Senator Hillary Clinton, through hard work, dedication, and years of service to our country, made it almost all the way to the top of a presidential election - on her own platform, with her own vision and ideas for our country. This was monumental in our nation's history, whether you agree with Senator Clinton's views or not. This was monumental for women.
Recently, a woman was chosen for a vice presidential bid, in large part because she is a woman - that's exactly the opposite. That is not progress, that is more of the same - relegating a woman to a position or duty because she is a she. If the governor of Alaska had exactly the same limited resume as Palin, but was male, he would never have been considered as a vice-presidential candidate. Not selecting someone for a job based on race, color, creed, or sex is discrimination - but so is choosing someone for those same reasons. She's a pawn in the game, nothing more. I read an article the day Palin was announced as McCain's running mate, and there was a quote from a McCain aide that read, "Either we get Hillary's votes and we win, or we don't and we don't." They weren't even embarrassed to be using such a blatant tactic.
I'm disappointed that anyone in this country would assume that because a woman voter supported Hillary, she'll vote for anyone with breasts in Clinton's absence. That's a political strategy based on sexism - believing that women will think or act a certain way because they are female. I'm offended on behalf of all women. If you agree with the McCain/Palin platform; if you believe that they can provide the necessary leadership to bring our country out of the nosedive it's currently in; and if you are confident that Palin has the knowledge and skill and decency we would expect in a president (because, as you recall, the vice president has the solemn job of acting in the president's stead should it become necessary), then by all means cast your vote for their ticket.
But please don't vote for them simply because she's a woman.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Last first day.
Today was my last first day of school. Every autumn since 1985 I have carefully put on my favorite new outfit, gathered up my binders and pencils, and headed to a classroom for the first day of a new school year. It occurred to me the other day that perhaps this is why fall is my favorite season. Fall to me feels like a fresh start - with the crisp wind and leaves come new opportunities to learn, to grow.
It's funny to me that after eight years of college (all as undergraduate, mind you), I will still be, in some ways, a service industry worker. Nursing, though an intellectually demanding profession, is still viewed as a caregiving role. Historically, nurses were primarily caregivers, but when nurses moved from the home to hospitals the need for knowledge grew, and the programs teaching nurses grew to accommodate that. Today nurses are well equipped with knowledge about the human body, illnesses, pharmacology, and medical technology, as well as how to foster growth, adaptation and healing in patients and families. Nurses utilize that knowledge to provide safe, competent care in today's highly complex health care systems. Studies have beat into the ground that good nursing care equals good patient outcomes, and poor or understaffed/undereducated nursing care equals poorer patient outcomes and higher patient mortality rates; yet somehow nurses still aren't truly accepted as an educated, important member of the healthcare team. (More on this issue/rant as time allows...) There's a push by professional nursing organizations to work on changing the perception of nursing, which I'll contribute to any way I can.
Whatever the national views on nursing, I am excited to begin my career in this field. The opportunity to care for people during such times of need in their lives is an honor. My goals as a nurse will be to ease suffering, provide knowledge, encourage growth, and foster independence. I am excited to help people.
I haven't ruled out graduate school in the future - I don't see myself as a hospital staff nurse for my entire career. There are so many career options for nurses, and I want to continue to learn and to grow. I don't know where my career will take me, but I'm very interested in the possibility of teaching nursing. The nursing shortage extends up through the nursing educators - there just aren't enough of them to go around. And somehow, this idea seems to bring my life full circle, like perhaps it's where I'm supposed to go. That will be a distant possibility, as the only way to teach nursing is to be a nurse first. Experience is the best teaching tool for a nursing professor. Today was the first day of my last semester as a nursing student, and from here the possibilities are endless.
It's funny to me that after eight years of college (all as undergraduate, mind you), I will still be, in some ways, a service industry worker. Nursing, though an intellectually demanding profession, is still viewed as a caregiving role. Historically, nurses were primarily caregivers, but when nurses moved from the home to hospitals the need for knowledge grew, and the programs teaching nurses grew to accommodate that. Today nurses are well equipped with knowledge about the human body, illnesses, pharmacology, and medical technology, as well as how to foster growth, adaptation and healing in patients and families. Nurses utilize that knowledge to provide safe, competent care in today's highly complex health care systems. Studies have beat into the ground that good nursing care equals good patient outcomes, and poor or understaffed/undereducated nursing care equals poorer patient outcomes and higher patient mortality rates; yet somehow nurses still aren't truly accepted as an educated, important member of the healthcare team. (More on this issue/rant as time allows...) There's a push by professional nursing organizations to work on changing the perception of nursing, which I'll contribute to any way I can.
Whatever the national views on nursing, I am excited to begin my career in this field. The opportunity to care for people during such times of need in their lives is an honor. My goals as a nurse will be to ease suffering, provide knowledge, encourage growth, and foster independence. I am excited to help people.
I haven't ruled out graduate school in the future - I don't see myself as a hospital staff nurse for my entire career. There are so many career options for nurses, and I want to continue to learn and to grow. I don't know where my career will take me, but I'm very interested in the possibility of teaching nursing. The nursing shortage extends up through the nursing educators - there just aren't enough of them to go around. And somehow, this idea seems to bring my life full circle, like perhaps it's where I'm supposed to go. That will be a distant possibility, as the only way to teach nursing is to be a nurse first. Experience is the best teaching tool for a nursing professor. Today was the first day of my last semester as a nursing student, and from here the possibilities are endless.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tea.
Early this summer, my friend Theresa gave me a tea kettle as a birthday gift. Because of its' kitchen-ey nature, it found a home (still in its' box) in the pile of wedding gifts slowly taking over a corner of our dining area. Recently I finally started unpacking and organizing all of the wonderful gifts we received, and last week I unpacked the kettle. I have always been an iced tea drinker, but I never ventured into hot teas. Lots of my friends around here drink hot tea, and after a few warm mugs full at friends' houses, I decided that hot tea was something I could get into.
After opening my shiny new red kettle, I went to the grocery store and bought three different kinds of tea; a white tea with lemongrass, green and white tea blend with vanilla, and a black spiced tea. I brought the tea home and began assembling a basket full of a variety of wrapped tea bags (I haven't ventured into loose leaf tea just yet), including several I already had at home. I've been sampling the different varieties this week, and enjoying the warm, aromatic coziness a cup of tea brings.
Luis enjoys hot teas too - well, some of them. This morning, as he was drinking his mug of green tea, I brought him my cup to smell. I was trying this India spiced chai I had in the cupboard (a gift from a friend some time ago...) and it had the most wonderful spicy aroma. I held the mug out to him and he leaned forward and inhaled, then pulled back quickly with a crinkled nose and exclaimed, "it smells like a god damned ham!"
I guess maybe he'll stick to the plain green.
It's been a week, and already I have no idea how I ever survived without a tea kettle. To make tea in the past, Luis and I used to boil water in our old stock pot and then try to pour from that into mugs or a pitcher. It was a mess. The kettle makes making a cup of tea so easy! I'm sold.
After opening my shiny new red kettle, I went to the grocery store and bought three different kinds of tea; a white tea with lemongrass, green and white tea blend with vanilla, and a black spiced tea. I brought the tea home and began assembling a basket full of a variety of wrapped tea bags (I haven't ventured into loose leaf tea just yet), including several I already had at home. I've been sampling the different varieties this week, and enjoying the warm, aromatic coziness a cup of tea brings.
Luis enjoys hot teas too - well, some of them. This morning, as he was drinking his mug of green tea, I brought him my cup to smell. I was trying this India spiced chai I had in the cupboard (a gift from a friend some time ago...) and it had the most wonderful spicy aroma. I held the mug out to him and he leaned forward and inhaled, then pulled back quickly with a crinkled nose and exclaimed, "it smells like a god damned ham!"
I guess maybe he'll stick to the plain green.
It's been a week, and already I have no idea how I ever survived without a tea kettle. To make tea in the past, Luis and I used to boil water in our old stock pot and then try to pour from that into mugs or a pitcher. It was a mess. The kettle makes making a cup of tea so easy! I'm sold.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
This American Life.
If you have never listened to it before, I highly recommend you check out This American Life, a weekly radio show distributed by Public Radio International. The show can be heard on public radio stations (it airs Tuesday evenings at 7:30 in Missoula), and is also available as a free podcast both on their website and through iTunes.
Each week the show features a theme and tells stories that surround the central idea. The stories are bits from everyday lives, told in a completely captivating way. Host Ira Glass introduces the different stories, tells interesting anecdotes and weaves the short excerpts into a cohesive show. This description doesn't do it justice, of course - it's so much better than I can possibly describe in a few sentences. If you want a better idea of what the show is like, here is a link to their about the radio show page.
If you're interested but don't know where to start, they have a list of their favorite shows posted on the website, and these archived shows are available for free in streaming audio, or available for download for a small fee.
Listen to it - seriously. It'll be one of the best spent hours of your week.
Each week the show features a theme and tells stories that surround the central idea. The stories are bits from everyday lives, told in a completely captivating way. Host Ira Glass introduces the different stories, tells interesting anecdotes and weaves the short excerpts into a cohesive show. This description doesn't do it justice, of course - it's so much better than I can possibly describe in a few sentences. If you want a better idea of what the show is like, here is a link to their about the radio show page.
If you're interested but don't know where to start, they have a list of their favorite shows posted on the website, and these archived shows are available for free in streaming audio, or available for download for a small fee.
Listen to it - seriously. It'll be one of the best spent hours of your week.
Ira Glass.
Ira Glass is the host of This American Life, and I'm a big fan of both the show... and Ira himself. I am not alone in my crush on Ira - plenty of women (especially liberal, hipster, college girls) dig his geeky, intelligent persona and his soft, slightly froggy voice.
_________________________________
My mom has a blog, and she recently wrote a post about Ira Glass' nonviolent takeover of her life. Too funny! In honor of her newfound interest in this little radio show and its' host, I drew up a pair of bumper stickers for us:
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Snibble, No. 4
I had a breakthrough discovery yesterday: I’m a grown up. An adult. Old(ish)...
Around two o'clock yesterday I left work and headed over to Subway to grab a quick lunch. As I was standing in line, I turned to my right just in time to see a teenage couple avidly making out. The guy wore this focused, intent expression; a “Yeah, I’m doing this” sort of look. The look, combined with the licking-the-entire-inside-surface-of-his-girlfriends’-mouth kissing technique employed by teens (and frat boys) everywhere, was more than my almost-thirty self could handle. I shuddered and looked away quickly, and my mind automatically bounced to the phrase “damned kids.”
Usually, when I see public displays of teenageness, I smile and fondly recall my former curious teenage self. I think about kids learning and exploring, constantly testing boundaries, and what a normal thing this is. I see their defiance, their sullen expressions, their need to both fit in and to stand out, and I always think of this awkward stage as an important part of growing up. (I can’t help thinking this kind of crap – stupid psych classes…) I don’t know what it was about this situation – the overcrowded restaurant setting, the especially unkempt appearance of this particular set of teens, or perhaps it was the sweaty, oxygen-deprived, beet-red face of the boy –
but it grossed me out.
Damned kids.
Around two o'clock yesterday I left work and headed over to Subway to grab a quick lunch. As I was standing in line, I turned to my right just in time to see a teenage couple avidly making out. The guy wore this focused, intent expression; a “Yeah, I’m doing this” sort of look. The look, combined with the licking-the-entire-inside-surface-of-his-girlfriends’-mouth kissing technique employed by teens (and frat boys) everywhere, was more than my almost-thirty self could handle. I shuddered and looked away quickly, and my mind automatically bounced to the phrase “damned kids.”
Usually, when I see public displays of teenageness, I smile and fondly recall my former curious teenage self. I think about kids learning and exploring, constantly testing boundaries, and what a normal thing this is. I see their defiance, their sullen expressions, their need to both fit in and to stand out, and I always think of this awkward stage as an important part of growing up. (I can’t help thinking this kind of crap – stupid psych classes…) I don’t know what it was about this situation – the overcrowded restaurant setting, the especially unkempt appearance of this particular set of teens, or perhaps it was the sweaty, oxygen-deprived, beet-red face of the boy –
but it grossed me out.
Damned kids.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Dave Matthews - So Damn Lucky
So Damn Lucky is one of my favorite Dave Matthews songs. When Dave introduces this song in his performance at Radio City, he describes it as being about the frozen moment after you've tripped and realize that you're going to smack your face into the wall, but can't do anything to stop it. But, he says it's also remembering to count your blessings.
(This version is from Farm Aid, but the version from Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds at Radio City is my favorite recording of it...)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Mr. and Mrs.
After nearly seven wonderful years together, Luis and I were married last Saturday. We were delighted to have friends and family from far and wide visit Missoula to join in our celebration - it was exciting (and a bit surreal) to have so many of the people we love here at the same time.
We would like to thank everyone for their love, warmth and generosity, and for making our day so special.
We would like to thank everyone for their love, warmth and generosity, and for making our day so special.
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