Ignorance is bliss!

I know this is hard to read, but I tried to hyperlink to the article. I think she was exceptionally kind... I'm sure you all could have some choice words for this "friend". :)

Right on, smart man!

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."  

~Albert Einstein

What to say?

I want a job.  I did get an official rejection letter from one school I applied to (although, sour grapes aside, I came to the conclusion yesterday after subbing there that it is indeed the kids who are running the school, it wasn't just that I was a sub.  The teachers tell me "that's just the way it is."  NO THANK YOU!).  

The other job I applied to is the one I had applied to for the full time sub half way through the year and did not get (the one where I should have known I wasn't going to get it when the Assistant Principal/Athletic Director told me he hadn't read my resume and yawned during the interview!).  Interestingly enough, they were very keen to point out during that interview, that it was only for the remainder of the year and couldn't guarantee that an internal candidate wasn't going to take it for next year.  I saw that the person they were hiring turned in his letter of resignation immediately upon hiring.  

This is the job that the Principal went out of his way to tell me in February he thought it was going to be open for next year and to watch for the posting.  And I did with excitement.  Then I applied.  And it's been forever and I have not heard!

I took a 2 week sub job for a small Catholic middle school and was telling the principal that I had applied for this job.  And she told me then to not take it personally, but they were probably going to hire the social studies teacher from the Catholic middle school in that town, because he was the Basketball coach there.  And putting two and two together, I bet he's buds with the Assistant Principal/Athletic Director.  And I bet this has been in the works from the start.  SIGH!  To be fair, I hear he is an excellent teacher, and it does make sense, but come on, I feel like I was played.

So, if they would ever send me a rejection e-mail, like they did last time, I would know what's going on.  But I need to move ahead, so I've been thinking of my next move.  I will be sending a resume and cover letter to the Catholic middle school that the teacher might be leaving.  The principal there knows me and has observed me subbing there, and the principal at the 2 week job put in a good word for me to her.  

I also want to speak to the principal at the nearby Catholic high school.  I haven't heard of any openings, but I want to let him know I'm interested if anything comes up.  I've never subbed there before and I haven't met the guy.  

So I feel like an idiot, because I don't know what to say.  "Hi!  You don't know me, but I would like to teach at your school.  Do you know if any of your Social Studies teachers are leaving, bit the dust, or just generally suck and you want to replace them?"  I'm so shy and bumbling when it comes to this.  

I'm going to give it a go when I get home this afternoon, if the stars align and my children are quiet, and my heart doesn't give out from adrenaline.  Wish me luck.

Chalk another one up for stem cell research!

My opinions on reproductive issues became clearer the instant I saw a plus sign on the first pregnancy test I took. Suddenly the whole, "life begins at conception" idea really made sense. My thoughts on abortion in this country are still a work in progress. I think it's wrong, and the few people I know that have had them deeply, deeply regret them. However, the problem I see with it is not a constitutional issue and the government should keep its morally dejected nose out of it. Dealing with this issue needs to start before a woman feels a need to make the choice. We are missing the point when we focus on Roe vs. Wade and all the freedom of choice rhetoric.

And I oppose fetal stem cell research, and am really irritated that our tax dollars can go to this. However, I don't know what to do with the "left over" fertilized eggs just sitting around. Again, this is an issue that needs to be addressed before it comes to the question. You would think that the scientific genius that figured out how to get a non-working penis to work again would be able to accurately implant the perfect amount of fertilized eggs with minimal loss, but really, what's more important?

I have done a bit of research on this and the biggest problem with fetal stem cell use vs. adult stem cell research is that we are already there and have had several big successes (reversal of type II diabetes, for example) with the adult stem cells. Here is the latest: Horse stem-cell technique to be tested in people

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthcareNews/idUSLF52502720090415?feedType=RSS&feedName=rbssHealthcareNews&rpc=22&sp=true

The problem with fetal stem cell research, besides the destruction of a life, as small and worthless as some deem it to be, is that even after they figure out how to train them to be what they need to be, they still have to figure out how to get it to work without the body rejecting it. It is the same issue as organ donation today, it has to be a match. So, one theory they are considering is to "clone" a person, take a fertilized egg, strip the DNA, insert the persons own DNA, and harvest the stem cells that are produced, IF they can get it to work, which they haven't figured out yet.

So, even if they use all these eggs, and figure out how to train them, none of them will be saving any lives. And for me, with an alternative already being tested with success, the ends do not justify the means.

Easter pics

Because I know you all want to "ooh" and "ah" over my adorable children in all their easter cuteness!

Here they are!

Would you care for a spot of tea?

I am going to take part in an historic event in my own time! That's right! I am going to get my fat lazy ass off my couch (that's for you Trinity!) next Wednesday, Tax day, and stick it to the man!!

Yeah!

How clever a protest is a Tea Party? How frickin' cool is that?!?! My nerd juices are just flowing!

And so many to choose from! I will go to Waterloo, Iowa City, or Dubuque to show my dissatisfaction with our runaway government and their stupid crazy spending!

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!!!!

I will be taking part in the MAKING of HISTORY, of which, in case you haven't noticed, I LOVE!!!!

I'm so excited!!!!!

Now, what to wear? I'm thinking feathers...

OR

Maybe this...

Or maybe

THIS...

Oh,

definitely

THIS!

Judas

What do you think about this guy? You know the story; becomes an apostle, gets a little greedy, sells Jesus up the river for 30 pieces of silver leading to the ultimate glory of God, regrets his actions and gets his comeuppance, hanging from a tree. (Or falling on a plow, depending which story you read.)

We look at Judas with contempt and ask how he, one of Jesus' closest and most trusted 12, could betray him so vilely. But aren't we all a bit like Judas? This is why on Palm Sunday during the gospel reading, where there is crowd participation, I have always hated the part where the congregations part is to say out loud, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Some years I have refused to say it. I think, if I had been in that crowd, worked into a frenzy by the greedy, jealous, evil Pharisees, I would have said no. But would I have? Do I do it today?

If Jesus is in each of us, and we look for Jesus in each person that crosses our path, are we not shouting "Crucify him!" when we say something or think something against them? When we exclude others or are intentionally mean? When we lose patience, trust and faith? When we turn away from what is right? Are we collecting our 30 pieces at that moment?

Judas went down in history as the most despicable human, but here we are, judging. I feel a little sorry for him. In this story he is the warning, but also the whole point. Why did Jesus even associate with him if he knew all along what he would do? Was it that he was hoping he would change his mind?

Nope! He knew, and understood, and wouldn't have it any other way. Judas is the poster boy for "things happen for a reason" and this was a big reason. The final triumph over death, so that it held no power for us, a bunch of Judases. He was the ultimate sinner, and Jesus even forgave him! In the big picture, love is the reason... for everything.

Deep thoughts

If you lived in outer space, would it change your perception on things? Looking back at the Earth, would you have a different take on God, politics, love or war? Or would it be just like looking out your kitchen window, only a different view?

I would think it would be life changing. Because sometimes, when you are so far away from something, you see it in such a different light. I think I'd like to try it, but I'll wait for teleportation.

What do you think?

Moms

I had a wonderful time on my trip out to Boston and New Bedford. I got to smell a new baby head, visit loved friends, and help a new mommy out. Which is the reason I went, because after I was inducted into the mommy sorority, I had tons of help to do all the non-baby stuff. I was eternally grateful for the food, laundry, company, advice, dishes and shoulders to cry on or hand my babies off to. And what better way to repay that than to be there for another new inductee!

Upon reflection of this journey I was thinking of all the mums I had the pleasure of keeping company. First, the new mommy. How surreal was it to be sitting with one of my oldest and best friends while she held her brand new baby, and I held (or restrained, man handled and wrangled) my 2nd baby? Completely aware that unsolicited advice is annoying to new moms, I tried to restrain myself, but couldn't help it sometimes. I hope she will take what she wanted and ignore what she didn't. Watching her reminded me so much of when my babies were that little, and made me sad, proud, envious and relieved all at the same time. T will be a very good mommy. The love she has for her baby is very evident in the way she plays with and smiles at him, holds him and gazes at him. He will be loved!

I had the chance to visit with a soon to be mommy. She looked really good... you know, the type of good where she is only showing in the cute, tiny, miniature basketball sort of way with a definite pink glow to her skin and no signs of sleeplessness, unease or vomit on her. I'm so happy for her, but I hate her at the same time. And people like me say, "well, she'll have it easy now, but then the baby will come out! Ha!" I know, I'm evil, but I was "all day" sick for 5 months, swelled like Violet Beauregaurd in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, and was generally miserable... it's a damn good thing I think my kids are cute! I think Emily panicked these soon to be parents as she ping ponged around their living room from one life threatening hazard to the next. First the outlet, then the giant ladder like bookshelf not screwed to the wall with tiny choking hazards and breakables perched on its ledges, to the drawing charcoal and oils set up for painting, to the obscenely pointed coffee table, to the coat hanger with long thin scarfs set to either topple or become a noose... 9 months will be here before you can blink, I told them, but it's fun, and you will have time. It will change your life, but it will give you a life you will never want to give back! The joy of parenting far out ways the worry, stress, sleeplessness, and pain. That's why we have more! I can't wait to share that joy with them! This baby is also very lucky to be born to their family.

I visited with a new grandma. My good friend and co-worker from last year now has a grandbaby, and she has such an easy handed way of loving him. I did not get to sniff his head, much to my disappointment, but I was able to take her to coffee and grill her for information. I asked her how she delt with her daughter doing things in ways that she did not do, and how she gave advice. Very wisely she said she gently offers it by saying, "This is how I used to do it that worked." and bowing out when her daughter says, "The pediatrician says to do this." I greatly admire her and hope that she sucks all the joy she can from her grandbaby!

And then there's the experienced Super Mom, Carrie. PTO and town council leading, fund and hell raising, cupcake assembling, kid chauffeuring, supper making, Martha loving, curtain changing, man eating, goal achieving, I AM WOMAN roaring, friend extraordinaire! She juggles all this and more with three children (because, come on, husbands are sometimes like another toddler)! I loved sitting with tea or wine and comparing notes, sharing plans, hopes and dreams, and learning from her. And again I think to myself, her children are so lucky to have her, and any child that blesses their life will be loved. And that is as good a reason to have another, sweet pea, because you guys make and raise great babies!

To all moms; for the things you do that go unrecognized, great and small, that lead to the raising of spectacular kids, that spreads love in the world and makes it a better place, may you find happiness, peace and God's blessings in your accomplishments as the human race's core and foundation!