My beautiful baby

Here she is! Isn't this such a cute picture of Aspen? This was right around her birthday and Eric and I took her to Jungle Bungle (its a large playground type place, but indoors). She's such a ham for the camera, she always poses. I think this one is so cute because of the look on her angelic little face and the vibrant colors of the balls around her.

So, an Aspen update. She is learning so much. Right now she is really interested in math, so we've been doing a lot of these exercises: "If I have 3 apples, and I give you one, how many do I have left?" and "If I have 5 toys and you give me 2 more, how many do I have?". It's pretty cute. She's really good at it, too. She also likes to learn about geography. She likes to write, count, read and play. She's growing up so fast...I can't believe she will be in kindergarten next year. What's up with that?

She LOVES to talk on the phone (I thought I'd get a few years before that really started) and play with her dolls, watch TV, and read her books. Eric and I took her to feed the ducks last weekend and she had an AMAZING time. She had SO much fun, especially because after all the bread was gone, she got to play on the playground for about an hour. She loves the park.

She's such an amazing kid, I am so lucky to be her mom.

Jessica Simpson

I really hate Jessica Simpson. I think shes a bitch (not in the good way) and I think she is horribly dumb. I think there are places for people in this world, and the only place I can think would be good for her is asking me if I want fries.

I found this picture and wanted to share it with you all. I wanted it to make you all as happy as it made me. I'm so glad she is going to be just like the rest of us someday...in her million dollar home.

I hate her. Chicken or tuna...for god sake.

Love

**Warning: this will be so sweet and sappy that it will give you a cavity. You've been warned.**

This picture is of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, for those of you who don't know. This picture has always represented true and pure love. It seems to me that John is so in love with Yoko that he can't let her go. He's naked and he's opened himself totally to her. I've always said that I wanted to be loved like that.

I am finally with a man that makes me feel loved like that. I feel like no matter what I do, he will love me and stand by me. I feel that he is proud of what I do and who I am. I feel so loved every second of everyday. He makes me so happy but there is no way for me to convey just how much.

I got an email today from my really good friend, Megan. This is what it said:

"Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will stay awake just to watch you sleep. Wait for the guy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in your sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, Wait for the one who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares about you and how lucky he is to have you. Wait for the one who turns to his friends and says,".....that's her."

But what Megan didn't know is that I already found him.

No matter what, baby, I love you always and forever. You are what keeps me sane. You'll never know just how important to me you are. I love you, Eric.

Not feeling good

Hey all--

Not much to talk about today. Aspen woke up coughing and crying last night and ever since then I've been fighting a stomach ache and a horrible back ache. Went to the doctor today, Aspen may have either allergies or asthma, we aren't sure yet. As for me, he gave me stomach acid reducers, which I admit, I probably need (wouldn't suprise me if I had an ulcer). But the back ache is, at this point, torture. I think I will go to the chiro again tomorrow (just went on Tuesday) and get adjusted. I don't know though, this is completely muscular. I'm doing 2 loads of laundry right now and I am in agony.

But anyway, tomorrow my fabulous boyfriend and I are going to Comedy Sportz in downtown Rock Island for some improv hysterics. Then we will take a walk at VanderVeer to admire the fountian. There may be some tacos in this equasion somewhere also....he cant get enough Sancho's tacos. It helps that his cousin runs the place.

Then on Saturday, we are going to take Aspen bowling during the day and then Eric will be playing one of his last shows with his current band, The One Night Standards. Then he will be moving on to his own music, and let me tell you...its amazing. He's got so much musical talent that I'm still suprised he isn't famous composing soundtracks.

Well, as I am about to slit my wrists because of the rediculous pain in my back, I should close for now. I cant wait to see my Chiro!!

*Sorry about the spelling today, my spell check isn't working.*

The Hurricane

Someone asked me the other day how I felt about the response to the Hurricane. This is what I told them:

I think there are a few parts of Bush's response that could be discussed. First of all, he was on vacation (as usual) and doesn't read the paper or watch the news (he's stated that on numerous occasions). He may very well have had no idea what was going on outside his personal bubble. He's called bubble-boy for a reason.

Secondly, Bush had no vested interest to ensure the safety of the residents of New Orleans. These poor black Americans are not a part of his base. I honestly think that Bush has a 2nd grade attitude when it comes to helping people. The "you didn't help me get elected, so I'm not going to help you" mentality. He works on a ledger. The columns have to be even, and these poor people didn't do anything for him.

Thirdly, the 82nd Airborne can get anywhere in the world in 18 hours or less. There is no reason they couldn't have been in New Orleans that day. The United States dropped relief supplies on Bande Ache the day after the tsunami hit. People in New Orleans had to wait 4-7 days for WATER.

What is the reason? If its not race or class, what is it? A woefully unprepared government? A president who promised us a safer environment to live in after 9/11, and failed us...AGAIN? A president who hires the former director of the Arabian Horse Association because he was old chums with his first presidential campaign manager? A man who had absolutely NO qualifications to do the job?

The blame needs to be sprinkled around, the mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, should have had his city better prepared for this. The governors should have had a plan of action. However, the federal government has a duty to protect the citizens of this nation, whether it be from terrorists or activist storms, it is the duty of the President, the house, the senate and the supreme court to work in our best interest. Bush did not. Its become increasingly evident that Bush works first in self-interest (vacation time), second in the best interest of his friends (Mike Brown) and lastly for the people he was elected to serve and protect (the citizens of New Orleans and the gulf coast). It is no secret that while New Orleans is an amazing city, it is poorer than poor. A lot of these citizens had no car to leave the area, and no where to go once they were gone. Many of the elderly people were scared to leave the only home they have ever known to go...and end up somewhere. Many of us judge the victims of this hurricane. Well, they knew they were living below sea level, they should have done something about it. Ok...what? They are the poor people who can barely make it by, let alone pick up and move to another city. The school system in the poor areas of this country are not set up to support the foundations of a college education and these people are not afforded that opportunity. They didn't do this to themselves anymore that people in California do it to themselves by living on a fault line or the people of the northeast do it to themselves by living in the path of blizzards or people in the Midwest do it by living in tornado alley.

Our president and his administration failed us, again. What now?

Ode to Jenaleigh

Oh Jenaleigh,

You've become like a daughter to me
To our duo, you have the key.
You burned my bras in the street
A bigger feminist, I'd like to meet.
Busy busy as a bee
Its my friend, Miss Jenaleigh*

(Are you happy, Jena? He he.)

Monday...

So this is the first post of my new blog. How exciting. I cant wait for you all to read this, as I am not good at keeping up with most of my friends and family, so this way, you can at least read what is going on with me, and hopefully you will set up your own blog so I can keep up with you.

So right now, I am gearing up for speech to start the first weekend in October. This year I will be doing at least 4 events. The first is called ADS, which is short for After Dinner Speaking. It is basically a humorous persuasive speech. Mine is about the misconceptions of Desi/Hindu culture in America. Its still being developed, but let me tell you, I came up with the greatest Michael Jackson joke for it. Ha ha! It makes me laugh just thinking about it.

The second event I am doing is Duo, which obviously I have a partner for. Her name is Jenaleigh and is just awesome. I like her a lot. In the duo she plays my daughter and steals all my bras to burn at a feminist rally.

Third I am doing a POI, which is Program Oral Interp. It is a compilation event in which we can draw literature from many sources and surround one main theme or event. Mine is called "Reliving the Death of Emmett Till". The story of Emmett Till fascinates me and I want everyone to know all about it. It's the event that I really get to teach people something.

Last, I have been told to try Impromptu. AHHHHHH!!! I am not a limited prep kinda girl. In this event, you are given a quotation and you have 7 minutes to read it, analyze it, structure a speech making your argument and give the speech. Sorry, I like to go into a round knowing what I am going to say. Oh well. Its worth a try.

So, that's speech...Aspen is growing like a weed! I will be sure to post pictures of her on here as often as possible. Shes so damn smart. We've been doing addition and subtraction lately and she totally gets it. Good for her! We will have to just wait and see if our public school system can keep up with her!

My boyfriend and I went to a campaign event for the candidate I am working for here in Iowa's 1st district last weekend. That was a good time. Looks like Eric and I will be working pretty hard for Bruce. His website is www.brucebraley.com. You should go if your interested at all.

Well, I think that's all for today. I will try to keep up on this better than everything else I do!