Random About Me Facts

Because I am bored, I decided to steal this from someone's blog.

1) What is your salad dressing of choice? Ranch
2) What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Texas Road House
3) What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of? Mashed potatoes
4) What are your pizza toppings of choice? Italian Sausage and Pineapple
5) What do you like to put on your toast? Grape Jelly and Vegetable Oil (I call it butter but it isn't)
6) How many televisions are in your house? 3- but they are all my dad's
7) What color cell phone do you have? Grey/Black
8) Are you right-handed or left-handed? Left.
9) Have you ever had anything removed from your body? Yes, tonsils and wisdom teeth
10) The last heavy, item you lifted? Wookie. I like to pick her up and fake body slam her.
11) Have you ever been knocked unconscious? Not that I know of.
12) If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?Maybe the day, but not how.
13) If you could change your name, what would it be? I always wanted to go by my middle name when I was younger, but I'm comfortable with my name now.
14) Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? Depends on the bottle.
15) How many pairs of flip flops do you own? 2- one brown, one black
16) What’s your goal for the year? Save at least $25,000 between mine and A's paychecks
17) Last person you talked to? Wookie- oh wait, person would be A on Skype
18). Last person you hugged. Wookie, prior to that, I don't remember my last hug.
19) Favorite Season? Fall
20) Favorite Holiday? Halloween
21) Favorite day of the week: Mondays and Wednesdays right now because of Ceramics
22) Favorite Month? October- wedding, birthday, and halloween
23). First place you went this morning? back door to let Wookie outside.
24) What's the last movie you saw? A Very Brady Sequel was on TV today, and there really wasnt anything else on. 
25) Do you smile often? Yes. 
26) Do you always answer your phone? If someone actually calls me
27) It's four in the morning you get a text message, who is it? Maybe my brother after work if I had sent him something earlier in the day, or a friend in a different time zone.
28) If you could change your eye color what would it be? Green!
29) What flavor drink do you get at Sonic? I really like the DP but I'm trying to not drink cokes so lately its just powerade
30) Have you ever had a pet fish? No
31) Favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night
32) What's on your wish list for your birthday? My husband to be home!
33) Can you do push ups? No
34) Can you do a chin up? Yes
35) Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Excited!!
36) Do you have any saved texts? No, but I had to look to know
37) Ever been in a car wreck? Yes
38) Do you have an accent? Apparently I do, even though I don't hear it
39) What is the last song to make you cry? No idea
40) Plans tonight? Hopefully finishing my quilt, working out, and watching the Buffy marathon on Chiller.
41) Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? Yes
42) Name 3 things you bought yesterday. Nothing, I didn't leave my house.
43) Have you ever been given roses? Never just roses, but I have gotten them in a bouquet with other flowers
44) Current hate right now? boredom and sore muscles
45) Met someone who changed your life? Yes!
46) How did you bring in the New Year? Went to my brother's house
47) What song represents you? I always thought it was Seven Years by Norah Jones or On My Own from Les Miserables
48) Name three people who might complete this? Probably just Holly or Tammie if anyone
49) What were you doing 12 AM last night? watching TV- but I cannot remember what I watched.
50) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? "Wookie! You're stealing my pillow!!"

Insanity Day 2

So I repeat my whine that I am in such horrible shape from yesterday. Today, Day 2 was a 44 minute workout called Plyometric Cardio Circuit. I did pretty good, didn't survive the entire thing, but I did make it through 24 minutes. Its progress. Especially when I was already sweating and gasping for air after only the warm up.

I do love the set up of these exercises. A timer to let you know how long until your next 30 second water break. A total time count down, and an instructor who actually speaks to the camera the way one would to an actual person.

The work out starts with jogging, then jumping jacks, high knees, butt kicks, the heisman, 1-2-3 (side stepping and doing the heisman), then mummy kicks. I must admit that the most difficult one for me to do is the 1-2-3. I am not coordinated enough for this movement. I nearly trip and fall everytime. It would actually be pretty funny to watch me attempt.
I'm getting better, this 60 day program may take me a little longer than 60 days to get the desired results, but at least I'm working on it. I'll keep y'all posted.

Insanity Day 1

So tonight I decided I have had enough with being lazy and out of shape. Plus A comes home for 2 weeks in July and I don't want him to run screaming in the other directions because I have gotten someone fluffy. Almost 2 years ago A bought the Insanity 60 day workout series, and prior to our wedding I worked out a tad to it. Completely out of order, I just picked the workout I wanted to do and was done with it.

Tonight I attempted to start the workout in the correct fashion, beginning with the Fit Test and following the recommended order of discs. Tonight I also failed at completing the Fit Test. Of the 8 exercises that you complete for 60 seconds each, I accomplished the first 4 before I thought I was going to die.

As of right now my Day 1 FitTest Results are as follows:

1. Switch Kick- 39

2. Power Jacks- 40

3. Power Knees- 47

4. Power Jumps- 22

5. Globe Jumps- 0
6. Suicide Jumps- 0

7. Pushup Jacks- 0

8. Low Plank Oblique- 0

I know that this is horrible, but I will continue with the workouts and go from here, in 2 weeks, even if the number of exercises 1-4 I complete stay the same, if I am able to make it through those without dying and do anything for 5-8 I know I will have improved.

My family will tell you that I am in great shape, that I have no reason to worry about my weight or tone, but that is just ridiculous. Everyone can stand to be in better shape, and I do not want to get to the point where everyone notices 100 yards away that I can stand to lose a few before taking steps to change it. I will actually post a picture of my Day 1 Self and hopefully in 60 days we will all see an improvement. I am hoping that by making all of y'all witnesses to this process it will force me to work at it. I am not the best person at sticking with something if I am not being held accountable. So if you see me slacking (not posting at least an affirmation daily about my pain) then please feel free to get on my case.

And by the way, in the picture facing the camera, no- those are not the outline of nicely sculpted abs, they are creases. But they are deceptive if you are far away..

A True Apocalypse

I do believe though that we as humans will eventually lead to our own apocalyptic fate. As seemingly impossible and unrealistic as they may be, movies like 28 Days (Weeks) Later and even the Resident Evil movies are truly the most probable depictions of what could come. Not because I think the dead will suddenly walk and decide to eat our brains, but simply because they are the results of human interference with gene development. I'm not misinformed about the wonderful advances to our existence that comes from the manipulation of genes, but I am also aware of the risks involved. Changing just one tiny aspect of a gene can turn a good protein into a poison, so whats to say that one misstep wouldn't turn normal, healthy people into primal, apathetic sociopaths? I guess I really just don't have very much faith in the "good intentions" of our society, and not just the United States but the world society.

Does anyone truly doubt that as we, as the human race, are moving closer to the end of our world? I'm not suggesting an end of the world as we see in movies like The Day After Tomorrow, 2012, Dawn (Day) of the Dead, or even Zombieland. I do not believe that a random asteroid will plummet to earth creating massive disturbances or that we will experience freak weather patterns that will drop our temperatures until we are frozen mid breath.

 Is anyone really naive enough to believe that anyone else, any "higher" government official is actually looking out for your well being? The government, including every elected official, is simply an employee of a very large, unrestricted business that is in the business of making money and keeping power. I do believe that it was established with initial philanthropic motives, but even then with all the restrictions to it, it was still an elitest establishment. To get into government, one must have money. People with money are not like the majority of us who live paycheck to paycheck, praying that we don't lose our jobs and in turn our homes and cars and ability to feed our families.

 Its funny that preparing for the seemingly unrealistic "zombie" apocalypse is easier than preparing for a life in the real world. I know how to take care of my family in such a "society." I know that should something happen, my husband and I would be able to survive and take care of our own- no matter where we are at the time. I know that I could protect the ones I love and that the "enemy" would be far easier to recognize and fight instead of the confusing and undefeatable corporate policy that truly dictates all aspects of our lives.

I have primary, secondary, and even tertiary plans for what needs to be done in case of some type of massive fall out or government collapse. I just wonder what will happen to the very government dependent people who have no idea how to take care of anything themselves. Without television, computers, repairmen, telephones, and always having someone to cook and deliver food to them. What happens to those people who have never learned how to survive without the joys of electricity, running water, and all the modern conveniences that have crippled us as a people. Honestly, it doesn't bother me to think of this. It doesn't scare me to remember that such an event will determine who is left, who can survive and who carry on.

The Downfall of Our Society

A Teacher Worth Keeping
There have been many issues in the news lately regarding our nation's educational system. I have always looked at teaching as an ideal career for myself, but with the regulations and new policies being implemented in the last decade, I am not so sure anymore. I know that people always been saying "well when I was younger" since the beginning of time, but I know that things have changed dramatically since I was a child.

My parents never negotiated with us when we were children, they never begged or pleaded with us to do what they told us. Punishments were actually punishments instead of a 30 second concern. While growing up, I do know that I hated our disciplines, but that is how it should be. We did receive spankings, had our mouths washed out with soap- both bar and liquid, bed without dinner, bed super early, time outs, etc... Today, so many people do not discipline their children- they have televisions in their bedrooms, multiple gaming systems, outrageous amounts of toys which maybe receive an hour of use before they want something else. This was not how I was raised.  It was such an amazing day when we would get to pick out A new toy. Usually for me, it was Barbie, or Barbie clothing. At Christmas we did receive a few toys, but primarily we received practical gifts, like clothing, coats, shoes, etc...  I know some women, and no offense to single moms by any means, who feel the need to buy their children (under the age of 3) $500 worth of TOYS for Christmas when they complain constantly that they are so broke. It seems to me that that much money for a 1-2 year old child is such a waste. They grow so quickly that they do not keep those toys for more than 3 months before they are already looking for something new.

Since most of my readers do have children, please tell me if this is not a ridiculous decision for people to make? I am not saying that it is all single mothers, but this is actually a specific example of one person that I know who literally spent that amount of money this year, as well as last year and the little boy doesn't turn 3 until June. I do know about wanting so spoil your children, A and I spoil our "surrogate baby" G and he is only 1 1/2 years old. He is the son of our best friends and we have enjoyed being able to spoil him, BUT we are not spending $500 for holidays/birthdays and neither are his parents.

Anyways, back to the educational system, although inter-familiar relationships does play a major part in how our schools are shaped. Children who have no responsibilities at home translate that behavior into their school life. The fact that students can no longer fail or receive a zero in school is only setting our children up for the idea that life has no set rules to follow. They do not have to do the work when it is required, but are constantly being given every opportunity to try again. I am not saying  that people and children should be given one chance to do something and do it perfectly, but there has to be an accountability system established. Children are lazy when it comes to school work, this is nothing new. The issue comes from parents not forcing their children to do their work, not checking the work, or simply helping to the point of doing the work for the child.

My father was the worst (through the eyes of a child) person to ask for help on homework. I wanted him to simply tell me the answer and then move on. This was not how it worked in our house. If I asked him what 2x3 was, he would ask me what that meant, how would you solve it, how else can you write this, etc... I would have to teach him what I learned in school before he would "help" me. I realized later on that by making me "teach" him, I was reinforcing what I knew and could more easily solve the problem.

I took a break from writing this the other day, and last night on the way out to the lake with my father we discussed these issues that I've been having with the education system and parenting styles that we witness. He did make me realize something very important about parenting styles- they do not always effect children equally. My mother was the youngest of 4 children, one of which I never had the opportunity to know since he passed away 2 weeks before I turned 1. Although I never got to know my uncle, I've always heard that he and my mother were very similar in their personalities; very family-sentric. My mother was the most selfless person I know, everything she did was for the betterment of her family, friends, and especially through her work- complete strangers. Although they were all raised under the same roof, with the same expectations and disciplines, the differences between the four of those people could not be wider. Entitlement versus diligence, long term planning versus immediate gratification, strong family ties versus "fair weather friends" mentality. Its amazing that the similarities end so close to the top of the list of personal characteristics.

My parents worked for everything they received, even if others looked at them as being given handouts. Mowing my grandparents' lawn and doing work around their house to "pay" for all of their help. Its funny how much some of my mom's siblings thought that we were just given so much from my grandparents. I remember helping them out with gardening, cleaning, cooking, laundry, lawn work, etc... Thats what we did. It was never a chore to do it, thats how we were raised, to help other people out.  I may have never cleaned my room voluntarily (or even very well involuntarily) but I was always willing to help my friends out cleaning their rooms- I'm still this way.

As if the universe KNEW I was writing this blog tonight... I received an email on facebook tonight epitomizing said differences among siblings. Beyond the passive aggressiveness of the email I really cannot figure out the point. And can someone please explain "yeowww!" to me. This was the subject and I don't know if it is a "meow" or what.

Women in Combat

Disclaimer: The following posts may be offensive and I apologize if you feel that these statements are sexist or prejudice in anyway.



So I had a very interesting conversation with my brother and future sister in law last night at dinner. And before anyone even begins to think anything negative about him or say that he is being sexist; every point he made was actually from a very rational position rather than an emotional one.

I do not remember exactly where the conversation came from, but we ended up discussing wom in the military, moving into possible combat roles, and relating to that, other occupations that women really do not fit in well. My brother is a police officer in the area and even though many people have only seen one side to him, I have had the opportunity over the last year to really get to know him better.

Can you carry this man out of the line of fire?

Anyways, our discussion involved the double standard that many (like 99% of) jobs have for not only women but all minorities in one form or another, whether gender, race, sexual orientation, age, etc. This is an argument I have been making for years. I hate the fact that women are not held to the same standards as men in the military. "Equal rights" does not simply mean equal privileges but quite literally means there should be equal treatment, responsiblity, punishment, and rewards. This is not the case in our society. So many people want equal privileges without the responsibility.

What aspect of combat distinguishes between whether you have internal or external genitalia? I know that bombs does not blow up any slower simply because the people around it are women. So why are women given an additional three minutes to run three miles? Even given the exact nature of our physical fitness test, women are systematically being told that they are inferior to the men they work with. Men have to do pull ups, an exercise that is designed to simulate the ability to pull your own body weight up and out of a bad situation, like up off a ledge. Women are required to do the flexed arm hang. An "exercise" that has women simply hold their body weight long enough for help to arrive, but not to pull up their own body weight. Does this not blatantly state that women are not expected to take care of themselves?

Yes, I know that there are a few, and I do emphasize few women who can keep up with mid level men physically, BUT they are few and far between. In addition to the combat application of our physical fitness tests is the immediate distortion of promotion points. Our PFT has a possibility of 300 points towards ones promotion for non NCOs; Privates, Private First Class, and Lance Corporals. Crunches are the only aspect that are fair, 100 points for 100 crunches in 2 minutes regardless of gender. The part that I believe is the most unfair and biggest difference between genders is the pull ups versus flexed arm hang. For a man to pass, he must accopmlish a minimum of 3 dead hang pull ups, and 5 points per pull up- maxed out at 20. This is not the easiest task for the majority of men to accomplish. Women on the other hand, are only required to do a flexed arm hang for 15 seconds on the pull up bar. The best part about this (please note the bitter sarcasm) is that it is not even required for the woman to keep her chin above the bar, but that only "some degree of flexion at the elbow is maintained." Therefore as long as there is the slightest bend to your elbow you are still accumulating time. To get the maximum points for this evolution, a woman only needs to say up on the bar for 70 seconds. I can not comprehend how a person who has passed a military boot camp is unable to support their own body weight for a mere 15 seconds.

Look, so easy a child can do it.

I asked a friend of mine to contribute his take on the issue as a sergeant in the infantry. I feel extremely confident that I can generalize his responses to the majority of the male population of the military, especially those in combat units.

When asked how he feels about the "equality" between genders in the military he replied with that there is no equal treatment, none at all. Females meet lower standards across the board and generally receive special treatment in nearly all aspects of military life, from housing, to performance expectations, to interpersonal relationships.  I find that I am in complete agreement. I already explained one aspect of performance expectations, but as far as interpersonal relationships women tend to get away with more than men. It is easier for women to get away with talking to a superior in a more casual manner. I can personally attest to this, I know that I got away with having a big mouth more than most people I worked with. I talked back to people and yet never received official repremands while I know a lot of Marines who didn't say anything too different than I did get written counceling statements.

I asked his opinion on whether women should be permitted to attempt the training for actual combat MOS-s. He full heartedly agreed that the training is important. That we should be allowed to fullfill the same training requirements as the men, but not sent to combat units. Besides our 22 days of "combat training" after bootcamp, we never really do any training aside from going to the rifle range annually. But what happens when a support truck in Afghanistan is attacked and the women there are expected to defend it, themselves, and make it back to base? They end up like Jessica Lynch, a woman who never fired her weapon when her truck crashed, dropped to her knees and prayed instead of fighting, got captured and after putting the lives of additional soldiers and Marines in danger to rescue her, was awarded a Bronze Star.

This friend also described how on multiple occassions while deployed he had females that were unable to complete patrols and physically had to be carried back by other Marines. An occurrance that didn't occur with any males, even non infantry ones. Reactions are also a major aspect on where we differ. Through his experience with combat, he witnessed that most (but not all) women do not attempt to close with the enemy (get closer to and engage) and also tend to break down under the stress to the degree that it couldnt be shaken off. This is a major liability to other Marines and Soldiers because someone has to take care of them.

When asked what the most physically demanding aspect of being a grunt was, he replied with the combat patrols wearing over 130 pounds of equipment in 140 degree heat for 4-12 hours. I'm sorry, but I was in relatively good shape but I know there is no way in hell that I would be able to carry nearly my own body weight for 4 hours, let alone 12 and definitely not in 140 degree heat.

I have had a lot of time to think lately, and for some reason gun control has occupied quite a bit of that space. Arlington school district is looking into whether teachers should be allowed to carry on campus. Conservatives and student republicans are pushing for the legislation to allow consealed handgun license toting students to be allowed to carry on college campuses.

I am taking a ceramics class that releases at 9pm Mondays and Wednesdays at one of the Tarrant County College campuses and when I left after my first class I was painfully aware of the lack of proper lighting, the abundance of areas for a person to hide or be hidden in, and the small amount of people actually on campus at such a late hour. I immediately formed multiple scenarios of what an unfriendly perseon could accomplish should they choose to do so, and my first defensive thought was how I wished I could have my pistol with me.
I know I'm not exactly the ideal mugging victim, I'm tall, usually wearing a large coat making me appear larger/possibly stronger than I really am, and I actively pay attention to my surroundings rather than looking down/at my phone. Additionally I do not carry anything of real value with me to class I lock my valuables up and only have my wedding ring, phone, and car keys.
I do consider many scenarios for randomly, slightly improbable events that have no logical standard unless perhaps Mars, Venus, Pluto, and Staturn aline under the Second Star to the Right and Peter Pan was lost in Vegas, but I like having a plan. It makes it easier to deal with alternative, more realistic events.
I have decided that since when I blog at night when I cannot sleep I tend to jump all over the place, so I will just start writing my thoughts during the day as they occur then add them later when I can organize them better.