Politics

As I scroll through my facebook feed I see a lot of political posts. Usually anti-Obama, pro-Romney. (Not surprising, as most of the people I know live in Utah, most people in Utah are Mormons, and most Mormons are republican. So, with Romney being both republican AND Mormon, he might as well be a saint, right?)
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the occasional political thought expressed over facebook. And I don't mind at all when people post something political but are very open to other ideas or really just want people to get along. It is the hateful, pointless, flimsy, holier-than-thou arguing that gets on my nerves the most.

So I'm going to post my hateful, pointless, flimsy, holier-than-thou argument on my blog instead of on facebook!

1. I love Obama. I think he is dignified and carries himself well. I'm not stupid. I know this isn't the only thing that makes a president a good president. But it makes it a helluva lot less embarrassing than when Bush would go on foreign trips and meet ambassadors and presidents of other countries. And hey, if the Norweigiens like him, so do I.

2. Despite popular belief, Obama is NOT socialist. With that said, I don't really see what is so bad about socialism. Would living in Canada really be that bad? Or Norway? Denmark? Sweden? Finland? We're not talking about China or North Korea here. We're talking about some of the most advanced, forward-thinking countries in the world. Did you know that in Norway (and I'm sure other Scandanavian/European countries) it is FREE to attend university? It is FREE to get health care? I'm not sure why people would argue this, unless they have some ridiculous concept that there are some lazy bastards who don't deserve health care because they didn't work for it. They are just living off food stamps and taking advantage of the system and us taxpayers are paying for it. OUR hardwork is going to waste on the lazy, stupid single mothers and scared kids kicked out of the house. It is this individualistic, prideful and selfish side of republicans (at least the republicans that post on my facebook wall) that I can't stand. You aren't better than anyone else, including that single mother using those food stamps or anyone else. Yeah, sure, I'm sure there are people who abuse the system. But does that mean you have to assume everyone does? This concept of "Well I had nothing, but then I worked hard and so I deserve health care and those who didn't pull themselves up by their bootstraps don't." is so maddening to me. Chances are you got lucky. Chances are you weren't born into poverty. REAL poverty. Chances are you probably are white and middle class. So get over yourself. Whatever happened to equity? Isn't that something that is supposed to be an American hallmark?

3. I find it ironic that many of the most hateful crap that I hear usually comes from Christians. If you really believe in the teachings of Christ, why is it that you can't apply charity, empathy, tolerance and love to anyone that is different than you? Gay rights? No, they should burn in hell. Health care to all, not just to those that can afford it? Why? The poor don't deserve it. They wouldn't be poor if they just worked harder. Trying to halt human impact on global warming? Who cares? EVEN THOUGH we believe God created everything, it is at our disposal, so he'll just take care of us and who gives a shit about any other creature on Earth except us? (cough. this one has annoyed me for a very long time.)

4. And going off of that last point-I have plenty of family and friends who are Mormon. So this isn't a Mormon-bashing session. But honestly, if you are voting for a candidate for the sole reason that you share a religion, that isn't a very good reason. And really, I don't think Mitt Romney really represents Mormons very well. For one thing, I think he is excessive, gluttonous and prideful. No one, and I mean NO ONE should need a 10,000 sq. ft house with a car elevator in the garage. That is so extravagant and stupid it sort of makes me sick. And that leads me to my next point!

5. I don't think Mitt Romney has a true grip on what life is like for the average American. Because the average american does NOT make that much money. I'm not saying Obama is poor. But I think he is a little more aware and socially-fluent than Romney. Okay. That is my rant. I obviously am going to vote for Obama. I hate all the bashing. I hate Fox news. I hate any news that's sole purpose is to rile people up, for either side. I hate all of the hate. Just shut up and be reasonable. It isn't the end of the world, America isn't going to collapse under Obama, America isn't going to become Orwell's 1984. Just calma llama down. I think I'm going to start posting subtle things on Facebook. Things like "Man, I wish school was just free." or "Just one little check up at the doctor and I get billed a ridiculous amount. Grr!" or "I just wish everyone had equal opportunity to enjoy basic comforts like adequate medicine, education, decent paying job as I do." or "Wouldn't it be nice if we actually took care of the land we have left?" or "It must've been really hard for my ancestors to have to adapt to immigrating to a new land and have to face all the racism" or "Ugh, why do people think it's their business what my love life is like?" and see what people have to say. Chances are my republican friends will 'like' it or something. And not even realize that I'm talking about pell grants, Universal Health Care, National Park protection, Obama's immigration policy, and gay marriage.

I honestly believe the Republicans probably do have some good ideas and points. But the rational, reasonable side now is being drowned out by the hateful, obama-is-a-nazi, tea-party idiots. And for that I kinda feel bad for the Republicans. At least the sane ones.

Chocowalla

Having a serious craving for chocowalla bars.

Fall Schedule

I am taking the least amount of classes I have ever taken before! Only 9 credit hours. I am actually pretty excited because hopefully with less classes there will be less stress and I can focus on working on my senior capstone project. My classes are History of Mexico, Spanish 2020 and Senior Seminar! I am really excited for History of Mexico. And look at how pretty the cover art of my history text book is.

200!

This is my 200th post! Congrats to me! :D

August

Two more weeks of summer classes, one week of vacation, and then 4 months of fall classes and then I graduate! It doesn't seem like I should be allowed to graduate, honestly! I think everything is lining up pretty well in terms of the bigger picture. Feeling very optimistic! In other news, I have started to go to a strength training class, and plan to take a cycling class in the fall. That combined with a schedule I have put together for exercise will hopefully pave the way to my ambition of running a half-marathon. :) And honestly, in a way, I would like to run a half-marathon, but more than that I want to be healthy and fit and confident!

Skyfall

Truth

It is hard to accept that love can not, in fact, solve everything.

Anxiety

I have been feeling a lot of up and down lately. From calm, content, and happy, feeling like everything is going to work out and be great and wonderful to anxious, frustrated, and furious and like everything is stupid and pointless.

Blah.

Favorite Couples

I usually don't really care about celebrities or their personal lives. But there are quite a few couples that I think are adorable and I like seeing. I don't go for the usual "Tom-Kat" or "Brangelina" or whatever stupid combo there are. The following are some of my favorite couples.

Alex Turner (The Arctic Monkeys) and Alexa Chung. (TV Presenter) 

Albert Hammond Jr. (The Strokes) and Agyness Deyn. (Model) 

Fabrizio Moretti (The Strokes and Little Joy) and Binki Shapiro (Little Joy)

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spiderman)

Sadly, Emma and Andrew are the only one of these couples that are still together. :( 

Who are your favorite couples?

Life Update + Goals Revisit

Summer is going by really fast and I am starting to realize that I haven't done most of the things that I want to do. Which means I have to pack in a lot! I am currently taking 1 class this second block of summer semester but because it is face-to-face it stresses me out a lot less than my online classes. It is also an entry level class so there aren't huge papers to write or anything. It IS a requirement for graduation though, so I can't take it too lightly.

1. Exercise more! Not doing so great. I need to really focus on this one. It would be best if I had an exercise buddy because I seriously have zero motivation. I want to do more cross-training than in the past. Maybe run/bike/yoga.

2. Eat better! I have done better at packing lunches for work, although not every day. I have been using a website called myfitnesspal.com and it helps out a lot with keeping under a certain amount of calories. I think this, combined with exercise will help me meet my weight goal. (I would be SO happy losing ~10 pounds, but if I could lose an additional 5 on top of that, I would be ecstatic. I don't know if this is manageable, but I know it is possible because I've been that weight before.)

3. Cook! Not much progess here. I really need to finish my project of copying down our family recipes onto recipe cards that I got for Easter. I think that will help motivate me. For one thing I could just randomly draw a card and make it for dinner. This way it can be sort of a challenge instead of a chore.

4. Spend less! I am sort of off and on with this. I have recently had like 5 dollars left in my account, but I just got back from a road trip that cost a lot in gas, and I also have a habit of spending money on other people. Because then somehow it is justified. I am working at not making unnecessary purchases and saving up. I also think I might need an additional job or a new job that pays more. For now I'll stay where I am because I need to get through the semester and a campus job is flexible with students.

5. Sew/Crochet! Okay, basically I haven't done any crocheting BUT I did sew 2 blankies recently for my friend's cats. So that counts, right? I have several projects with sewing.
A. I want to make a t-shirt blanket with all my old t-shirts from vacations or family reunions that I don't want to give to D.I. but that I don't fit in or is clogging up my closet.
B. I want to sew dresses and skirts because I want to sort of push my comfort zone of showing my legs. Haha, this sounds dumb, but I want to learn to accept that I have thunder calves.
C. I want to crochet little animals. My great grandma hill made me a little lamb and my mom still has the pattern. I want to make personalized animals. Also the site that I found has other super cool patterns like succulents and cacti.

6. Clean & Organize! I just cleaned and organized my room, but I want to go through my closet again and get rid of clothes I never wear. I also need to thin out my shoes and maybe also go through under my bed and window seat. Need to do the same in the bathroom as well.

7. Treehouse! Sort of feeling like this is a lost cause. It is way too hot to work out there. But maybe I'll have the kids across the street clean it up for like 5 bucks or something.

8. Garden! A little late for this. But maybe I'll start an indoor herb garden or something.

9. Reading! I am currently re-reading the Harry Potter series! And after that I'll maybe start on something I haven't read for a change!

10. Logic puzzles! I haven't made any. I should start that up again.

11. Document Life! I lost my camera in the San Diego Zoo. :( Until I get a new one this is on hold.

12. Communication! A lot of progress that comes with a lot of struggle. Definitely improved, though.