Here he comes to save the day!

Grad School

I should note that Alabama has an entirely online program. We aren't moving out of Kansas!

Grad School

It's decided. I'm applying to the University of Alabama. I'm taking the GRE next month and have to get all my application materials in. I'm a bit frantic, but so far it's in a controlled way. The studying is somewhat loopy. I am expanding my vocabulary, however. The application materials require a bit of running around (especially when you've gone to 5 universities), but other than that the process is illuminating. It's healthy to have to write who am I and why do I want to go to this school. I've written these things in the past and focused on what they want to hear. I feel like this time, I'm really asking myself the questions. I've debated and considered for at least a year whether or not this is the right step to take, so I feel more confident in my decision. If only I could feel as confident in my GRE score and their opinion of my plethora of transcripts!

Before breakfast today

as I wandered into the kitchen I heard on the radio:

1. Fidel Castro resigns
2. Mostly uneventful elections in Pakistan

then this
3. Mr. Rogers Neighborhood debuted 40 years ago today

followed by
4. "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood..."


Today: Sunny and 50 degrees - gardening time approaches!

Creepy Crawlies

We had great fun at KSU Insect Zoo today looking at tarantulas, bees, ants, and beautiful butterfly displays. Who can resist something educational, inexpensive, and inside

flashback - yikes!

Where were you in 1983? Have a few spare minutes - or an hour and half? Found this while jumping around NPR's music website. Complete with videos (Police, ZZ Top, Huey Lewis, to name a few), commercials!!, and other MTV footage. . Teaser: in case you've forgotten, you can see Michael Bolton (why remember?!) at the 52 minute mark and just before the end is, oh yes, Madness!!!

Giving Up Oil For Lent

I'm cutting down on oil for lent. I'm focusing on not ever driving to work and not bringing any extra plastic bags from the store. I read was inspired by these Mennonites in Virginia that went together as a church to reduce their oil usage. I usually don't drive often to work, except when it's icy or actively precipitating. I'm having to be creative, which is OK, but I'm ready for some warm weather.

As for plastic bags, I'm just forgetful. Dillons has some great new reusable bags for 99 cents. They even stand up nice like paper bags.

I know this doesn't sound very religious, but I think it is. I think that if the climate changes significantly people will be hurt and it ain't gonna' be rich people like me. It's going to be the most disadvantaged. I know that my little steps aren't going to change the world, but I also think it's lame to not do anything just because you can't do everything. I think God calls us to do what we can.

Boy Update

I hadn't posted any pics lately. Here are the boys rockin'
out at Grandma's house.

New Blog

For everyone who eats, here's a new blog by Mark Bittman - New York Times food writer and author of How To Cook Everything and How To Cook Everything Vegetarian.

Bon Apetit.

My First Caucus

I braved the foul weather tonight to get to state my opinion on who should represent the Democratic Party in November. It was so exciting! There were over 1,000 people crammed into the union ballroom at KSU. They had planned on 300 so everything was in total chaos. Obama won the night about 800 to 200. It was just so cool to actually have a say in a national election. Those of you who are out of state reading this may not realize that Democrats in KS may as well not vote for president. The republican candidate always wins the state, so it's really an exercise in futility. So, this was really exciting for me. There was so much energy in the room, so much hope.

Presidential Humor

Courtesy of my friend Julie:

With less than a year to go....the George W Bush Presidential Library is now in the planning stages. You can be the first to make a contribution to this great man's legacy ("this man's great legacy"?).

The Library will include:
The Hurricane Katrina Room, which is still under construction.
The Alberto Gonzales Room, where you can't remember anything.
The Texas Air National Guard Room, where you don't have to even show up.
The Walter Reed Hospital Room, where they don't let you in.
The Guantanamo Bay Room, where they don't let you out.
The Weapons of Mass Destruction Room (Which no one has been able to find).
The Iraq War Room. After you complete your first tour, they make you go back for a second, third, fourth, and sometimes fifth tours.
The Dick Cheney Room, in the famous undisclosed location, complete with shooting gallery.
Plans also include: The K-Street Project Gift Shop - Where you can buy (or just steal) an election.
The Airport Men's Room where you can meet some of your favorite Republican Senators.
Last, but not least, there will be an entire floor devoted to a 7/8 scale model of the President's ego.
To highlight the President's accomplishments, the museum will have an electron microscope to help you locate them.

When asked, President Bush said that he didn't care so much about the individual exhibits as long as his museum was better than his father's.