Save the History!

I'm home for Thanksgiving, and it feels weird to be here without a lot of stress and work that needs to be done. I always had homework and books that I had to bring home with me, research papers to work on, etc, but I don't have that this year, and it feels...different.

I don't really pay attention to the news or things like that, but I was looking at the newspaper today, and our governor, "Rod," is closing down historical sites and parks due to the budget. I am mad! Among those closing is a site in my area. They are also closing several forts, an Indian museum, and places in Cahokia and Vandalia. (not Cahokia Mounds, though) These are good and pertinent aspects of Illinois history, and he is just going to cut funding and shut them down. Now, I am in favor of privately owned sites, but I realize that is not always possible, and since they are already state funded, it is not fair, especially at this time, to cut funding. Isn't there other pork that could be cut? Some places have raised the funds, but with the economic situation, I think it would be harder to raise funds for a historic site. With things as they are, I think it more likely to give to places that provide aid for those in need over a historic site. Is he punishing the downstate areas because we are not a democratic bastion? Can't he get rid of his excess jets? No one needs 3-4 private jets to get from Chicago to Springfield. No one. Our state is such a mess.

Bullseye

My brother downed his first buck this morning, a two year old nine pointer. It's been a long time coming. Congrats!

I just found the coolest thing ever. I was looking at someone's blog who takes really good pictures, especially wedding pictures, and she photographed a wedding that had a reception in a library! It is a beautiful, turn of the 20th century library with several stories of stacks and stone and everything. I'm not a fan of having a banquet in a library, but I would love to 1) have access to such a cool library and 2) have wedding pictures taken in said library.

MelCat, How I Love Thee

MelCat is amazing. For those who do not live in Michigan, this state has an amazing interlibrary loan system where libraries within the state lend to other libraries connected on MelCat, which stands for Michigan e-library Catalog, I think. Right now, I have a record of Revolutionary War songs, a book of Greek war songs and anthems, several CDs, and a book on mullets. I'm also waiting for other holdings, among which is a book on the Norwegian resistance in World War II. Having a strong Norwegian heritage, I am looking forward to reading it. Hopefully it is well written. I really enjoy having access to music, as my library doesn't have the best eclectic and world music, which is what I like. And, I have found Brave Combo on MelCat! Brave Combo does polkas like no other. They are part of what I call "fringe polka." They have a mix of polka, Latin, and possibly some Jewish. They have quite the blend, and their songs have crazy fun lyrics. For those who have wondered, my title is lyrics from one of their songs, "Mystery Spot Polka." Their Christmas CD is great too.

Time has really gotten away from me. I can't believe it is almost Thanksgiving and November is soon to be over. Aaah! I am very excited to go home for Thanksgiving though. Turkey legs!

I am doing pilates, and I enjoy it. This week has been brutal. But that's not a bad thing.

They are doing the Messiah again. Yay! It's so beautiful. They did it my freshman year, and now I get to hear it again. I lucked out on the 4 year rotation. :-)

The Purpose of Education

I read an article about a community college that is thinking about starting a program for students that are undereducated and not ready for college but still want to attend college. They plan to use non-conventional teaching methods like gaming technology or simulations and it would be for people who have a middle school or low high school skill level/education. I am not necessarily against the program, as I believe that all people should have a chance to be educated and succeed. I do, however, have a problem with what the director of this program said. He said, "Our real goal isn't for us to get them educated. It's to get them employable." Going to a liberal arts school, I was taught about the liberal vs. the servile arts and how education should be for its own sake and not necessarily for the sole purpose of getting a job after four years. I believe in a balance of both. It is important to be an educated human being and learn how to think, contemplate, and discern the good, the true, and the beautiful. But, most people don't get paid to sit around and read and contemplate all day, so it is also important to get a job and work, hopefully in something that you enjoy and that elevates and edifies you as a person. It is important to have both aspects to an education, and that is why it disturbed me when I read the above statement. If a program is only caring about the servile arts and how to get someone a job, then they are leaving out a very important aspect of life and humanity: the ability to think, reason, and contemplate. Not everyone enjoys reading great literature or learning about important persons and events from the past or the underlying ideas in our society, culture, and heritage, but I believe that these things are essential for a person to know to be a good citizen. To be a good citizen, one must make informed and good decisions personally as well as collectively. And to make those decisions, a person must be well educated. If a school only seeks to teach a skill so students can get a job, then they are neglecting the soul and "inner self" of those students. I believe, however, that a modern secular education, even if it is a liberal arts education, does neglect the soul and "inner self" of the students because it does not provide them with a source of morality and truth.

It has gotten very November. Rain. Snowy rain. Complete cloud cover. November is my least favorite month. Fall is over but winter has yet to begin.

Stop Here, I Want Out

I am sick of the economy and politics and world events. Everything is worry, but there's nothing I can do about it, so I try not to think about it, and I do ok at that, but then someone brings it up. Or I do. And then its in the consciousness. It's almost enough to make me want to be a farmer in the old west. Just worry about the basics: survival. But I don't really want that, it's just tempting sometimes.

I had believed the saying that if we were never sick we couldn't appreciate being well, but now I don't think I believe that. Being sick makes you appreciate good health more, but when you have good health, you still appreciate and enjoy it. I would much rather appreciate the good without having any bad mixed in, but it will always be there. Situations, no matter how good, are never perfect. There is always something missing, some way that it could have been just a bit better. I think it works the same way with the bad, though. Things could always be worse. There's usually a little good in with the bad.

I may fail at many things, but at least I know I can make a mean chocolate chip cookie.

I'm Back

Well, I'm back from DC. I had a good trip and survived my first (and second) flight. Because I am oh so subtle, the girl next to me could tell that I was nervous and she was nice, though really tired from campaigning. Flying is like a bus ride, only not on the ground. I liked the return flight better. It was less crowded and I was less nervous. It was really good to see my friends again. I wish that I had more time to spend with them, but our grown up jobs get in the way. :-) Things are a lot different. It's hard to believe that they live in DC. It was kind of hard for me to believe I was in DC. One thing about plane rides is that you are simply plopped into a new area without having the assimilating factor of seeing the scenery flash by and change as you enter the new place. Driving gives more of a sense of arrival and belonging and understanding the new area, I think. We were able to eat at good restaurants in the area, however. I had Vietnamese, Italian, and American. The Italian had good atmosphere, we ate outside, but I think I enjoyed the cheeseburger and fries best. :-) The Italian bread was really good though. The show went well too, which was good. I enjoy talking about the college and my job, so that was good. The hotel was really big. I'd never stayed in such a large hotel. There was a lot of staff. The first night I was kind of pacing, looking for a friend and one of the workers kind of yelled at me. I guess I was making him and the guests nervous? Anyway, I think he thought I was a high schooler running around. Oh the joys of looking young. Sigh. That night I was awoken by my neighbors who came in at 1 AM loud and possibly sloshed. I was not impressed. Then, at 7 AM, I heard knocking and "Room Service." I did not order room service. I thought about it, but I did not actually make the call. So, I got up and through the door told him that I did not order room service. This went on for a bit, and I even asked what it was, thinking I might have ordered in my sleep or something. Nope. I then informed him I was not a Mr. and went back to bed. The rest of the conference, however, went much better. My floor was invaded by lawyers, however. A law school association. So I had a bunch of lost wolves running around in suits. ;-) I also got to go to the zoo, which was really close and FREE! Yay! So, all the pictures I have are of the zoo. I am really bad at taking pictures. I have a bunch of pics of flamingos, otters, and a multi colored squirrel, but no pics of friends. I am really bad at that. Sigh. I have yet to upload. I'll try to get a pic of my glasses soon. Sorry for the suspense. I can't wait to see everyone in February. And yes, I am coming home for Thanksgiving.

Pictures will be coming this weekend. Sorry to make you wait that long.

I Can See

Things are much brighter with my new glasses. I'm still adjusting, but I really like them.

Retro Sunday

Today was retro Sunday. No, we did not dress up in 60s and 70s style clothes. The computer and media center went down so we did everything "old style" with the hymnals. It was so good! We sang all hymns. I liked it so much! There is nothing wrong with going retro, back to the hymnals. We had organ too, and I didn't mind it. I'm not a big organ fan, but it was beautiful today. The sermon was very good, as always. It was about Jesus as Lord of our education. In Sunday school, we went over the story of Mary and Martha, and the leader made us raise our hands as to whether we think we are a Mary or a Martha (in regards to hospitality). I think I was the only female to raise her hand for Mary. Most of the men considered themselves "Marys," though there were some confessed "Marthas." :-) I don't know if it's because I haven't had much experience with being a hostess yet, but I'd rather talk and converse than worry about the meal. Though I do like to cook for friends and serve a meal. I just think the conversation is the best part, which is supplemented and heightened by the food.

I'm making chicken right now. Almond and parmesan crusted and fried in butter. It smells so good! I hope it turns out. It worked for fish, I figure it would work for chicken. My main worry is to get it cooked through.

Please pray for me on Wednesday. I guess there is a first time for everything and Wednesday is my first flight.