Return to Ecuador

Anyone who really knows me knows that I'm a worrier. Most of my apprehension about returning to Ecuador stemmed from the fact that I was doing it alone. In my head, I was freaking out about actually getting to Quito, being able to carry all my luggage by myself, and getting to my hostel without a problem, especially so late at night. And as usual, all that worrying was pointless. I actually got to Quito in one piece, carried all my luggage like a trooper, and got to the hostel without a hitch. It helps that everyone is so amazingly nice and helpful here, and it definitely helps that I can speak Spanish. I honestly don't know how I would be able to function if I didn't. But, I digress. Then, once I got to Quito, I was worried about getting from the hostel back to the airport and then to my hostel in Cuenca. But, again, worrying was pointless. I pulled it all off without a hitch. I guess I can do things independently after all and succeed. But, the worrier in me doubts that I can.

Through all that worrying and apprehension, the minute I stepped off the plane in Quito and smelled that polluted Ecuadorian air, I knew I was where I belonged. I had a familiar feeling, a sense of being home, and I couldn't help but smile. That was true, too, when I landed in Cuenca the next day. Even more of a sense of familiarity and of being home, considering I lived here for two and a half months. But, since I haven't started teaching yet, who knows if this feeling will last. I'll be less of a pessimist in that regard and hope that it does.

So, now that I'm in Cuenca, the task at hand is to find an apartment. At the moment, I'm living in a hostel with two other women who will be teaching English with me. We are planning on finding an apartment together to split the cost, so that starts ASAP. I'm tired of living out of my suitcase.

Hillary in Delaware, Ohio!

Yes, I went to see Hillary. Again.

I freakin' love political rallies. I LIVE for them. Yes, the countless hours of standing in line and then waiting in a huge crowd of people for hours isn't always fun, but the end justifies the means. Plus, you get to meet cool people in line, which I of course did.

Her name was Susan. An out and proud lesbian who had just moved to Ohio from Tennessee. She absolutely loves Hillary and voted for her in the primary. Like me, though, she has moved over to supporting Obama, but could never pass up the opportunity to see Hillary.

Immediately we hit it off. We waited outside of the gym for about an hour and a half and then finally moved into the gym, only to wait about another hour.

Hillary came on at 3:45pm and spoke for about 20-25 minutes. She was fired up, and in turn, the crowd was fired up. Of course, I was standing on the floor, not too far from her, but not nearly as close as I was at OSU (front row). So, when the rally was finished, I maneuvered my way up to the front, and got to shake her hand! I was like a starstruck little girl not knowing what to say. So, I just said "Hi, Hillary!" She said hello, and that was it. Short and sweet, but something I'll never, ever forget.

Here are the pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2270677&l=6ed6e&id=12307806

Truly Amazing

Doubt

Chills! This is going to be BRILLIANT. Get ready for some Oscars.

December 12th in theatres everywhere.

My 1st Obama/Biden Rally

Yesterday I went to see Obama and Biden at a rally in Dublin, Ohio, and it was INCREDIBLE! They weren't expecting so many people, and neither was I! It was held in the Dublin Coffman High School football stadium in order to accommodate everyone. It was very warm, but bearable. Once the sun went down it was fine, although I did almost pass out a few times, but that's par for the course with me.

Obama gave a wonderful speech, very similar to his convention speech, but he was much more riled up. The crowd was loving it. This rally also reaffirmed for me how much I like Biden, who also gave a great speech before introducing Obama. The crowd broke into shouts of "Biden, Biden, Biden."

I was on the field rather than the bleachers because that's no fun. It was very hard to see because of all the tall people in front of me. But, lucky person that I am, there was a table where I was standing, so I just decided to get on the table and sit on my knees the whole time. I had a perfect view. And no one said a word to me. I guess they know not to mess with me. lol. I really had an amazing time. The only bad thing is that my knees hurt like hell, but you do what you gotta do.

Here are the pics: Click here!

That's My Girl

Hillary Clinton. Democratic National Convention. August 26, 2008.

The minute she walked out I couldn't contain myself. I was in TEARS. And that standing ovation went on forever! I loved it.

Hillary gave the BEST speech I have ever heard her give, and she gives some damn great speeches. When she launched into the Harriett Tubman quote, she was really on FIRE. That arena was going CRAZY. What I would've given to have been there, for it was truly an historic speech.

You could see in Bill's tear-filled eyes just how proud he is of her. But, even more than that, at the beginning of her speech he mouthed the words, "I love you. I love you forever and ever." Then, at the end, I saw him mouth the words, "THAT WAS GREAT! JUST GREAT!

I feel the same way. I'm so very proud of everything she's accomplished and has yet to accomplish, not to mention the way she has handled herself the past few months. I truly love her. She is a class act and one hell of a woman. She WILL be back.

Obama-Biden '08

Roll on November!

Meryl Streep

I am now officially OBSESSED with Meryl Streep. I've always loved her in everything I've seen of hers, but I've now taken it to the next level. Mamma Mia! was the culmination of it all. The singing (Meryl has an A-MAZING voice) and acting together were just too much for me to handle.

She is bloody brilliant (said in my best English accent).

We all know I go through these phases. I have since I was a little girl. Although, I wouldn't really call Barbra Streisand, Robert Redford, and Jane Fonda phases. These are full-blown OBSESSIONS that have been going on for a while now. Anyone who really knows me can vouch for that.

I'm very happy to be adding Meryl to the list. I don't know why it didn't happen sooner. The next few months I intend on devoting to her and every single movie she's ever made (those that I haven't seen, of course). That's how I did it with Streisand and Redford. I haven't gotten through all of Jane's yet, though. She's taking a backseat to Meryl. For now. Sorry, Jane.

So, off I go on my misson. And here's to you, Meryl. Thanks for being bloody brilliant and bringing me (and all of us) so much joy.

If you want the truth...

Look no further than Bob Cesca. Check out his blog here: http://www.bobcesca.com/

Here's his most recent. He is so right on.

Sorry, Mr. President, But Your Legacy Is More Awful Than You Think

Rest assured, Mr. President, that despite what you told the Times Online today you won't be remembered solely as a war mongering president.

"Look, I think that in retrospect, you know, I could have used a different tone."

Different tone? Ya think?

War mongering is a significant aspect of your legacy, but I think we can conclude, and without much debate, that your legacy will also be one of criminality, failure and a degree of incompetence rarely achieved by any American president, much less one whose deficit of character is rivaled only by his nearly unprecedented lack of humility in the face of his unprecedented roster of inadequacies.

Sorry.

As it turns out, you won't have much control over your legacy and the history of your administration anyway. You might have some cursory input, but no-one really takes you seriously anymore and anything you put forth will be taken as just another work of fiction; another bit of propaganda.

Your legacy will ultimately be written by those of us who have been actively documenting your presidency in real time -- millions of voices authoring the narrative of your awful regime and preserving it with digital clarity one trespass at a time.

And everywhere we look, we can plainly observe your smirking, affectless footprint.

Death, poverty, war, pain, ignorance, blind patriotism, joblessness, and abandoned homes. And guess what? We're writing it down on the Internets. Your history, Mr. President, is being written at this very moment by those of us who are watching our homes collapse in value and our friends and relatives sent to places like Ramadi and Fallujah and, in some cases, Walter Reed or worse. Your history, Mr. President, isn't going to be settled and published decades from now. It's being published immediately and without the fog of memory to obscure the ugly details.

These ugly details are exhaustively researched and easily accessible.

And as they congeal into a single eight-year narrative, it's my hunch that every tragedy experienced during this dark ride will be regarded as a means to a specific end: your election to a second term and the election of successors who will carry on with your sinister tradition. The centerpiece of this tradition -- the throughline of your presidential narrative -- has been, simply put, endless war for the sake of re-election.

In fact (and contrary to your present lamentation) you wanted war even before you took office. War, by your own definition, would all but guarantee a second presidential term. You told your pre-2000 autobiographer, Mickey Herskowitz:

"One of the keys to being seen as a great leader is to be seen as a commander-in-chief... My father had all this political capital built up when he drove the Iraqis out of Kuwait and he wasted it...If I have a chance to invade...if I had that much capital, I'm not going to waste it. I'm going to get everything passed that I want to get passed and I'm going to have a successful presidency."

Four years later, as you ramped up your re-election campaign, you told Tim Russert:

"I'm a war president. I make decisions here in the Oval Office in foreign policy matters with war on my mind."

You didn't sound ashamed of your tone back then -- when you were running for your second term. Everything you managed to accomplish during your presidency was directed towards maintaining this manufactured "war president" façade. Without it, you would have been either defeated in 2004 or impeached a long time ago.

So how did you do it? History will show that you bought off the American people with $300 checks and massive tax cuts for Paris Hilton and Dick Cheney. You ruthlessly exploited the deadliest foreign attack on American soil and, subsequently, terrorized this nation and its corporate media into giving you more latitude than you otherwise deserved. You attempted to dumb down our public schools because, in your view, an educated electorate is a dangerous electorate -- less susceptible to war mongering and propaganda, right? You ignored the destruction of an entire American city because the majority of its residents probably didn't vote for you or contribute to your campaign for war in the first place. And your entire foreign policy has been constructed around deliberately inciting anti-American sentiment, thus fueling more war.

It turns out, Mr. President, that your only success is something which you appear to be walking back: your war mongering -- your cynical, self-serving and bloody "bring 'em on" legacy -- and, with it, your re-election in 2004.

If you were half the man your dwindling supporters claim that you are, you would own this actual legacy of yours, Mr. President.

If you were a better man, you would own the horror you've created for yourself and generations of Americans to come. You would take responsibility for more than your pathetic "tone" and "rhetoric" -- you would take responsibility for all of it: the lies, the casualties, the mistakes, the crimes and the cover-ups. Instead you're presently flying around the world saying that you "wanted to solve this ... in a diplomatic fashion" when we all know, based on numerous reports from insiders ranging from Scott McClellan to Richard Clarke that this is simply not true.

The historical record of your presidency has unequivocally verified that, even now as you attempt to Windex the crap off your legacy, you're lying about the war. But what's worse is that your administration's objective of fostering endless American warfare continues in Iraq and elsewhere while being endorsed by Senator McCain who has hugged-out any conflicts he might have had with your policies. And, if you and Senator McCain are lucky, the corporate media will crack open its Election Year Mad Libs script and paint Senator Obama as somehow more dangerous to the future of America than you ever were.

Your legacy, Mr. President, isn't just about war mongering. We're going to see to it that your legacy is almost entirely about how you lied us into an unnecessary war as part of an almost unspeakably horrible strategy for re-election -- as a way to mask over your inadequacies as a leader and to somehow delude future Americans into believing that your two-term presidency deserves special renown.

So good luck with all of that "different tone" crap. It's not going to work. Sorry.

RIP Sydney Pollack

You will be missed.

My Streisand freakout in Ecuador

So, let me explain.

Ashley, Cristi, and I were at a DVD store looking for DVDs to buy, of course. These DVDs are bootlegs, but good quality, and cost a $1-$1.50. Bargain of the century.I was looking for Redford movies, obviously. What else would I be looking for? I actually wasn’t scouring for Streisand movies because, well, I have most of them.

First, I came across Africa Mía (Out of Africa) and ran over to Ashley to show her what I found. She thinks I’m a freak. Seriously. But, she loves me anyway. Well, it’s too bad I already have Out of Africa. So, then, I found Un Amor, Dos Destinos (An Unfinished Life). Don't really get that translation, but, whatever. Loooove that movie. I picked it up. What I really was looking for was Up Close and Personal, but since I don’t know the Spanish name for it, I couldn’t search effectively for it. Whatev.

So, I was standing next to Ashley checking out the DVDs when all of a sudden I heard, “Somewhere, somewhere…. Theeeeere’s aaaaa place for us.” I stopped dead in my tracks, closed my eyes, put my hand on Ashley’s shoulder, and calmly said, “Ashley, who’s singing?” By that time, I was hearing “whoa, whoa, whooooa, whoooooa” from the beginning of “Guilty” in One Voice, and already knew. I just needed someone to confirm it for me. She looked over at the TV, kind of “pfffed,” and said, “Barbra.” I looked over at the TV, saw the white sweater, and sure enough, it was Barbra in One Voice. OMG, I flipped out. I mean, flipped out. I started jumping up and down right in the middle of the store. Everyone, and I mean, everyone was staring at me like, “WTF is that girl’s problem?”

Ashley was embarrassed, but I didn’t care. It was Barbra, on the TV, in a random DVD store in Ecuador! What are the chances of that and me being there at that exact moment in time!? I honestly couldn’t breathe. I moved over in front of the TV and just stood there.

After my freak out, they turned it off. But, I continued to carry on, although in a less call-attention-to-myself fashion. Ashley told me she had never seen anything like that before, that I actually kind of scared her. That’s how much I flipped out.

But, for real, that was seriously one of the greatest moments ever in Ecuador. And it will go down in history.

Yes, I'm a freak. I'll admit it. But, it's fun.

Fun times

One week on the coast of Ecuador = Amazing. Check out the pics, y'all.

Part One

Part Two

Camping

Well, camping was certainly an interesting experience. El Cajas, a national park about 30 miles from Cuenca, is an absolutely beautiful place. That is when it's sunny and nice, although I did have a great time despite that, minus some trials and tribulations along the way.

It was raining, and cold, the entire day we went hiking. It was a really ugly, and muddy day. We had rubber boots, so we didn't have to worry about getting our shoes all nasty, but the boots had no traction whatsoever. That translates into a lot of slipping and falling, which many people did, including me, at least 3 times. My foot also got stuck in the mud all the way up to my knee. I did have one pretty nasty fall. I tried to catch myself in the process and ended up bending my knee, my bad surgery knee, all the way back until it couldn't go anymore. It was bad. I stood up, crying all the while, and didn't move for a few minutes to let it settle itself. At that point, I was saying to anyone who would listen, "Screw camping! I'm going home."

I was also saying that because I had to pee, and I was determined not to go in the woods. Well, I was sick and tired of waiting, after hours of holding it in, so for the first time in my life, I peed in the woods. That didn't happen until after a crash course from Katie in effectively peeing without getting anything on my pants. Indeed I was successful, and that has to be one of my biggest accomplishments ever. After that was completed, I obviously felt a lot better, so I was now telling everyone that since I finally peed in the woods, I could do anything. Meaning,I was going to stick it out and camp.

We ended up staying in cabins because it was really cold and rainy. We did all the usual camping stuff. Ya know, the smores, fishing (I was unsuccessful.), the kiddie games, slumber party stuff. We, 9 girls, called ourselves the giggly gringas because we did a lot of that.

Our sissy fire burnt out around 10pm, so we all decided to go to sleep. I wish I could have fallen asleep. We all slept on about 5 twin mattresses in sleeping bags in a tiny room in the cabin. Of course, I was on the crack of two mattresses. I was pissed. That's only one of the reasons I only got about 1 hour of sleep. First of all, we talked and talked and talked, like little kids way into the night. I don't even know what time it was when everyone, minus me, fell asleep. Secondly, I had to pee so bad and I didn't feel like getting up to go outside. (I finally did at about 5:30am.) Thirdly, my feet were frozen. Everything else was fine, except my feet, which I could have sworn were going to be frostbitten by the time I woke up. So, I was paranoid all night, and wanted to be awake to make sure that

I could feel my feet. Dude, I'm an idiot. So, basically, I laid with my eyes closed all night hoping that I would fall asleep, but never really did. I just wanted it to be morning so that we could get up and start moving again. Well, when we did get up, my thighs were so sore from the day before, I thought I wasn't going to be able to move at all, let alone walk or hike anymore. However, when we stepped outside, the sun was shining, and it was one of the most beautiful sights I think I've ever seen.

My thighs were really sore the next day, so I was not looking forward to more hiking, and as it turned out, we didn't really go hiking. We just walked around a lake and through the forest for a while before heading back to Cuenca. Thanks Gott. I was pooped.

So, all in all, camping was a very fun experience, and definitely something I will always remember. Especially the peeing in the woods. That will go down in history as one of the highlights of my life. For sure.

Examen de heces

So, I know everyone wants to read about my poop sample experience, but I'll save the details.

It turned out negative, which means that I don't have bugs in my stomach. It most likely was just an infection.

However, it makes me kind of upset that my friend, Ashley, who had the same thing I did, got drugs even though her sample turned out negative, too.

I want drugs. They help make things better.

Oh, well. Maybe next time. Or not. Another bout of illness is definitely not on my agenda.

Sick as a dog. Part Two.

I was up all night AGAIN throwing up. From about 2am until 4am. And I almost passed out. It was so terrible. I don't know what it was that I ate, but I'm afraid to eat anything anymore. I'm only eating bread and soup for the next few days. I cannot afford to be sick all the time. And my host mom looked at me, not to mention talked to me, like I was crazy.

Dude, I'm sorry I'm American and I can't eat your food, drink your water, and threw up in the trash can because I couldn’t make it to the toilet. You’re damn lucky I didn’t throw up all over the floor. I could’ve easily not put any effort into my throwing up skills and done just that, but I decided to use the trash can, and then run for dear life when I felt it coming on again, clogging up the toilet in the process. I guess my vomit is some powerful stuff.

Then when I asked her if she had some crackers, she looked at me like I was crazy again. Dude, that's what we eat when we're sick. I can't eat a damn watermelon that you have sitting in the kitchen for me, nor can I drink the damn orange juice. Sorry, I just can't.

Today I went to the doctor. #1. I waited for 5 minutes. If I were in the U.S., I would still be sitting there. #2. I got some drugs for my nausea. #3. I have to take an "Examen de heces" tomorrow. Translation: A poop sample. This is to determine whether or not I have amoebas in my stomach. Translation #2: bugs. Fantastic.

Update on the poop sample soon.

Home

The past couple days have been pretty rough. I’ve been crying a lot because I miss my friends and family at home so bad, more than I ever have. You know who you are.

I miss being able to call someone whenever I feel like it and just say hi, ask for advice, bitch, or just talk about whatever. I miss being able to get online and talk to my friends who I don’t call all that often and just talk about random things. I miss the everyday things that I used to do, too. I miss being able to get online and mess around when I’m bored. I miss being able to drive somewhere, whether it be back home from Athens, or just to the store. I miss being able to go to Ping and work out. I miss being able to watch normal TV, like CNN, and actually know what’s going on in the news.

I feel like I’m sequestered, like I’m not in the know about anything. I think I’ve come to the realization that living somewhere other than my own country will never happen for more than 2 weeks. Sure, I was able to do it in Spain. I never felt homesick, I never cried, I never missed anyone or anything as badly as I do now. But, Spain is a completely different country, and I was in a completely different place in my life. I hadn’t yet created a life for myself, or a life in which I was comfortable. I was a recent high school graduate just entering into the critical college years, and I didn’t know where I wanted to go. Well, I’ve grown up a lot in the last 3 years, and I know who I am. I know where I want to go. I know where I want to be. I just need to take that final step to get there. This experience is really testing me. I suppose that’s what’s supposed to happen, but I didn’t think it was going to be this hard.

It’s different from day to day. I have my ups and downs. But, I know in my heart where I belong, and this isn’t it. I hate to sound so pessimistic because I’ve only been here for a little over two weeks, and my feelings could change. At the moment, though, this is how I’m feeling. I’ve started to cross the days off my calendar. I know that’s terrible, but I’m just so eager to get on with my life in the real world, and to see everyone again. I keep telling myself to enjoy this experience and take everything in because I may never have another one like it. But, doesn’t everyone say that to themselves? It’s much easier to say than to do, but I’m doing the best I can.

Pictures. Finally.

Okay, kids. I finally uploaded some photos, so just click
on the links, and enjoy. Leave comments if you'd like.

Album One
Album Two

Oh, how I miss thee

Alright, some of this may sound pretty lame, but if you know me at all, you'll get it.

Aside from the obvious friends and family, there are other simple things that I miss.

1. The forum I visit with all my Barbra buddies, and the political talks we have, among other random things.

2. Redford. Although, he's been in the news as of late (Google it. There's some great pics, too!), his new DVD is coming out in less than a week, and I saw a poster of him the other day walking around town. In Ecuador. Yeah, he's cool here, too, people. Oh, and I had a dream about him last night, and I did hear a song on the radio that reminded me of him. So, I guess it's not all bad. He follows me everywhere I go, I swear, but it makes me smile. Can we say obsession? Slightly. I brought DVDs to tide me over.

3. Barb. I haven't listened to music in over a week because I rarely have the time. Plus, there's never any news on her front anyways (she's always working on that damn barn of hers), so I guess I'm not missing out on too much.

4. The internet in general. I hadn't had a chance to get on the internet for about a week, and I was going through withdrawal. Then, yesterday when I came to school to use the wireless, it was down. I was pissed. Why did I bring my laptop if the wireless is going to go down? Today, it's back up, but if it's going to be all wishy-washy on me, I may have a freak out.

5. CNN. I have no idear what is going on with Hillary. None. Well, I actually got an e-mail from her the other day, and Bill, too (Yes, we are acquaintances. I did meet her, after all.), that was talking about how people were calling for her to quit the race. HELL NO! She is not dropping out! She isn't that far behind in delegates, kids. Let this go until the convention.

6. My cats. My host family has this damn poodle named Pelusa. She is 5 months old and the most annoying dog I think I've ever encountered. I like dogs, but the big kind. Ya know, the ones who are older and wiser, and don't do much. This damn dog wakes me up at 4:30 in the morning with her constant barking. Honestly, what is there to bark at that early in the morning?

7. Being able to throw my toilet paper in the toilet. Yes, you read that right. The sewage system obviously isn't the greatest here in Ecuador, so everyone must throw their toilet paper in the trash. It sounds gross, although it's not really that bad. At least you never stop up the toilet and have to use a plunger, which I probably would have had to do quite often.

8. OU. Well, not really OU per say, but the people at OU, like my Front Room buddies. Plus, it's spring quarter, and there's nothing like spring quarter in Athens. Well, except maybe Ecuador, but you know what I mean.

9. Ping. I work out quite a lot. I go probably 5 or 6 days a week, and I haven't gone here once yet. There is a gym right around the corner from my house where I went yesterday to talk to this guy who works there (who kept calling me "mi amor." Weird.), and I plan on starting there today. It's $16 a month. That is insanely cheap compared to what I would pay in the U.S.

10. Being able to drink from the tap. We can't. Period. It wouldn't be a happy time.

11. Being able to walk around by myself. I'm pretty independent, most of the time. But here, we can't really walk around alone a lot. Especially at night. We have to walk in groups. It's going to start becoming inconvenient when I need to do something and my walking buddy needs to do something else. I guess we're going to have to go do both things together. We'll see how that works out.

12. A soft, bouncy bed. For some reason, my bed is hard, and it's kind of hurting my back. Or maybe it's supposed to be good for your back? I don't know. I don't know beds.

13. Frizz-free hair. Enough said.

14. My cell phone. How could I forget that? I miss being able to text someone when I think of something completely random to tell them, or just being able to freely call someone. We have to go to what are called "cabinas" here to call the States. It costs 8 cents a minute, which is really cheap, but it's nice to just be able to call someone whenever you feel like it. I'm choosing one day a week to call any and everyone I want to talk to. If you're not on that list, well, please don't feel bad. Your turn will come the next week.

Now, let me just say that those aren't complaints, in the least. I'm really loving it here, but there are times when I long for certain things.

Sick as a dog

Well, I have arrived in Ecuador, but I have had no access to a computer since last Wednesday. Hence, why I have not been posting at all.

I am in an internet cafe in Cuenca at the moment, and feeling a lot better than I have the last few days, to say the least.

It´s the second day of my two and a half month stay in Ecuador, and I´m sick. I´m talking almost passing out twice from dehydration, throwing up ridiculously all night, and diarrhea. Not cool. That lasted for two days, and it was literally one of the worst experiences ever. We still haven´t figured out what it was that made me so sick, but now I´m paranoid, so I´m very careful with anything that I eat or drink. I also felt like such a loser because I was the first and only one to get sick (go figure), but everyone was very helpful and caring, so that made everything a lot better.

Other than that, I really have no other news. I´m getting used to my host family and my house, and today we are going on a city tour of Cuenca. I´m glad because I have no clue where I am right now. We´re walking in a group back to our houses for lunch. Thankfully, one of the girls I´m going to school with lives right around the corner from me, so we´re going to walk to school together.

I´ve taken a ton of pictures, but haven´t yet uploaded them to my laptop, so as soon as I get that up and running, and the wireless going, I will post some. They are pretty awesome. One of our hotels, actually a hacienda, was outside of a town with a volcano, Tungurahua, and it was spewing ash. That was a sight to see.

Dialects

So, I've recently come to realize that if I hang around a person long enough, I start talking like them. It's not something I do purposely; it just happens. I have some kind of predisposition to picking up people's dialects.

I first realized it a couple years ago when I starting religiously watching The Nanny with Fran Drescher. At that time, I was simultaneously becoming a huge fan of Barbra Streisand. Of course I listened to her music, but more importantly watched her films, thus picking up on her manner of speaking. Two Jewish women, one from Queens, the other from Brooklyn. Oy. There was no turning back.

I also have noticed that when I say any word with an "o" in it, it always turns into an "oooo," like I'm from Chicago or Minnesota or somewhere up there. That, I believe, started with Christine Ebersole, who is from Winnetka, north of Chicago. I've seen her on Broadway and in concert 3 times, and also have watched her in interviews. It was inevitable that I'd pick up on that.

In the last couple months, I've been hanging out a lot with two of my friends from the Cleveland area. I think out of all the dialects I have picked up on, I use this one the most. Although, I do become a Jewish New Yorker quite often.

Everyone's always asking me, "Where the hell are you FROM, Meagan?" You'd never be able to tell by the way I speak. I find it quite hilarious actually. I guess I'm a Jewish girl from New York, a Chicagoan/Minnesotan, and a Clevelander all rolled in to one. I can't wait to see what else I'm going to add to that list. Maybe British. I've always wanted to be British.

And on that note, check out this video and this quiz

Where am I going?

This sums up my thoughts EXACTLY at this moment.

Sicko

I just finished watching this absolutely brilliant documentary by Michael Moore. It should be required viewing for every single American. It not only reinforces my belief in the need for universal health care in the United States, but also my belief that the only person that can and will accomplish it is Hillary Clinton.

Rent it.

The Fighter

She was counted out, but refused to be knocked out. She stumbled, but stood right back up. She worked hard and never gave up.

I'm so proud. Thank you Texas, Rhode Island, and my fellow Ohioans.

Never count her out. The fight isn't over.

Weaning Off Caffeine

Starting this Saturday, I'm cutting down on the caffeine and switching to decaf coffee. Here's the deal:

Step 1: The first week to 10 days, 3/4 regular coffee and 1/4 decaf coffee.

Step 2: The next 2 weeks, 1/2 regular coffee and 1/2 decaf coffee.

Step 3: The next 2 weeks, 1/4 regular coffee and 3/4 decaf coffee.

Step 4: DECAF 100%

Yes, I am aware that decaf does have a little bit of caffeine, but it's better than the hundreds of milligrams I was consuming daily.

I really hope this works. I've tried to go cold turkey, and the headaches are AWFUL. I lived for 20 years without coffee, and then picked it up thinking that it would be a good thing (I have my uncle Tom to thank for that. Yeah, thanks, dude!). I thought it'd give me a little boost in the morning and help with those long nights of studying (or NOT studying, which I've found to be common place with me). It IS my favorite part of the morning, but I figure I can still have it, just not caffeinated. It's not fun to be so dependent on something, and it makes me way too jittery. I can't take that feeling anymore. So, here goes nothing.

Gotta Move

The monotony is getting to me.
Bigger and better things await.
One month from today. Cuenca, Ecuador.
I'm ready.

Hillary

Well, I just got back from my first Hillary Clinton rally, actually my first Democratic rally (Thanks Gott I have switched sides!), and I was completely blown away. BLOWN AWAY.

First of all, I just found out about this yesterday, so I had to drop everything and get my ass to Columbus today. I was determined. And, yes, obviously I pulled it off, once again. I always do.

As soon as I found all this out, I immediately thought of my friend, Allison, and called her to see if she wanted to go. She called off work and said she'd be there. So, off we went today at 2:30pm.

Being the awesome driver that I am, we got there in record time, 4:15pm, and stood in line outside in the cold for about 45 minutes. The dork that Allison is didn't wear a coat, but luckily, we were towards the front of the line because as soon as we got there, it went clear across the street and beyond. It was crazy.

We got into OSU's French Field House around 5pm, made it to the front row (15 feet away from the platform), and stood there for 3 hours. We had been hearing the she was going to be speaking at 6pm, so we thought, eh, not too long to wait. Well, 6pm came and went, and still no Hill.

Everyone was getting antsy, and the choice for entertainment was less than stellar, to say the least.

So, 7pm rolls around and the place is going insane. Ted Strickland, John Glenn, and two other names that are not coming to mind, came out and introduced Hillary, and she gave the most insanely on FIRE speech I have ever heard. Her speeches are electric on TV, but in person, I can't even describe the feelings. She speaks from the heart, and I believe every single word she says.

She is amazingly gracious and stuck around long after her speech to sign autographs, shake hands, and pose for pictures. I was one of those lucky people to get to talk to her, get her autograph, and get a picture with her. The picture is ridiculously blurry thanks to Allison and her wonderful digital camera skills, but it's there in black and white, nonetheless.

Hillary is the real deal. She is the one who will take this nation to new heights and clean up the mess of the last 8 years. She knows what this country needs, and she knows how to get it done. You don't succeed in this business of politics by sitting on your ass, and THAT she knows firsthand. She talks the talk, and she walks the walk. I am behind her 100%. I was before tonight, but now, I really believe she is the ONLY ONE that bring about change. We need her.

FUCK

This is pretty much how I'm feeling right about now. I don't really know how to express it in actual words, so this seems to work. Thank you, Robin, for putting it so succinctly, and saying it so eloquently.

Now, let's all take a deep breath. 1...2...3... FUCK.

What You Give Is What You Get

Never did I think that I would be met with such intolerance. And not just that, but that it would come from within my own family.

As defined in the dictionary, intolerance means the "unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect contrary opinions or beliefs..." This is exactly what I have been met with over the last few months, although I thought that it had been somewhat tamed as of late. I guess I was wrong.

Last night, I received a forwarded e-mail entitled,"Social Security," from my third cousin (or her husband), whom I rarely, if ever, see or talk to. Not to mention that I NEVER correspond with these people through e-mail, so this was kind of a surprise.

Curious to see what this was, I opened it. I noticed that it was only sent to me. No one else. I glanced through it, came to the end, and surprise, surprise, it was basically letting me know that the Democrats in Congress are destroying our Social Security system, and the only ones who are able to save it are the Republicans.

No big deal. That was quickly deleted. (Actually, I archived it for evidence.) I don't believe that, and one little forwarded e-mail surely isn't something that's going to sway me.

What is a big deal, and what bothers me so much, is that this was a calculated move on her (his) part. They are hardcore conservative Catholic Republicans. And well, I'm far from that, to say the least. It's no secret that I'm very liberal and not at all religious. So what? Does that make me a bad person?

What also bothers me is that someone else in my family, I don't know exactly who, must have been talking about my recent political and religious awakening at a family Christmas party a few weeks ago (which I did not attend). Now, I don't mind that anyone talk about me; that's all fine. But, when it's to discredit me and bad mouth me, that's when I take issue with it. I have an idea of who this person may be, and she definitely hates that I have changed (for the worse in her eyes). I feel like I'm being treated like a savage behind my back. That may sound extreme, but that's how I feel.

So, back to the e-mail. After I read it, I decided that I'd take the bait and play the game. Politics, after all, is a game. I went to www.thetruthaboutgeorge.com (if you haven't been there, I highly recommend it!), copied and pasted a HUGE list of the lies that have been told about the war in Iraq and the human rights violations that have been committed by this administration, and hit send.

Did that accomplish anything? Probably not. But, I sure did feel better. Did sending me that e-mail accomplish anything? No. What I did was childish, but she (he) started it. (That sounds so childish!) I wonder how awkward it's going to be if I ever see them again... I hope I don't.

My point here is that it shouldn't matter what my beliefs or opinions are. They're MINE. No one has to agree. Just as I don't have to agree with your beliefs or opinions. They're YOURS. We're all entitled. All I ask is for respect. You give me respect, and it will be reciprocated. What you give is what you get. But, lately, I feel highly disrespected, and that e-mail was the last straw.

Let the games begin. It's going to be a long fight until November. And let the best woman win. (Yes, that means ME and HILLARY.)

Destiny

Robert Redford on January 17, 2008.

Me on December 25, 2007.

Who's stealing whose style here? Kinda weird. Not to mention HILARIOUS.

Oh, ignore my 3D glasses. Although, they kind of go along with the Harry Potter look that Bob's sporting.

Rants

Well, as we all know, I like to bitch and complain a lot. I've been told I act like a 65-year old woman, which isn't far off considering the woman I love and look up to the most is exactly that age. That would be Barbra Streisand for those of you who haven't yet figured that one out. So, let me put my age to good use.

1. What the hell is the deal with the constant bass coming from my apartment building at 8:30 IN THE MORNING!? First of all, who is ready for that "music" that early in the morning? Whatever it's called, rap, hip hop, crap, it's ridiculous. I don't appreciate my room literally shaking, feeling like I'm living in California on a fault line. And let me add, why oh why is it necessary to have your bass up so much that the windows of your car shake? Does that make you cool? I think it makes you look like an idiot.

2. Why must people run up and down the stairs like freakin' horses? Why gallop? Let's just walk up or down the stairs like human beings. Again, I don't need to feel like I'm experiencing an earthquake several times a day.

3. Are the words 'please' and 'thank you' ever used anymore? If so, I definitely don't hear them often enough. People are just rude.

4. When you're ordering at a coffee shop, fast-food restaurant, anywhere really, get off your cell phone. I work at a coffee shop, I know how this works. The person you're talking to can wait a few minutes. And so can you.

5. Guys on the bus... when it's "standing room only" and there is a woman standing, barely able to reach the bar, why are you still sitting? Yes, I know feminism is alive and well, and we can take care of ourselves, but come on, it's the least you could do, and it would put a smile on her face.

6. Sidewalk etiquette... Walk on the right side! It's as simple as that. And when there are three of you, don't walk side by side by side. Then, there's no room for the other person coming towards you, and let me tell ya, I will not move. I'll run straight into you, and I won't apologize. Is that rude? I don't think so. I think YOU'RE rude for hogging the sidewalk.


That wasn't too bad, was it? I think we all have some of these kinds of thoughts running through our heads, but we choose not to say them out loud. So, here I am choosing to do it for you and for myself. It's therapeutic.

I think that's all... for now. I'm sure in about 5 minutes I'll be bitching once again about something else.

As Barbra said so well in For Pete's Sake, "Go figyah, people."

Mark

I never thought I'd find someone who actually gets me. Truly gets me. Then, I met Mark.

We met in a not so normal way, and I'll save the details, but let's just say that Barbra Streisand had a lot to do with it. It's so much more than that, though, that's the thing. It started with Barbra, but it doesn't end there. We have a much stronger connection, a connection that is sometimes hard to identify and explain. One of my favorite quotes is "A hidden connection is stronger than an obvious one," and boy, does that ever ring true with us.

In the last year and a half, we've had so many great adventures together (New York City, Niagara Falls, his house for New Year's), had so many great conversations, made some wonderful memories, and the laughs have been endless. That year and a half has also been full of changes and realizations for the both of us, and we've really grown a lot together. I'm so lucky to have had such a great friend during that time to talk to, laugh with, cry with, and more importantly, to support me, and I'm sure he feels the same way. That's what best friends are for. And that's what he is to me.

I'm really looking forward to the next chapter in our lives. We're both taking a big leap, and I'm so glad we're doing it together.


"Wherever we go, whatever we do,
we're gonna go through it together.
We may not go far, but sure as a star,
wherever we are, it's together.

Wherever I go I know he goes.
Wherever I go I know she goes.
No fits, no fights, no feuds
and no egos, amigos, together!

Through thick and through thin,
all out or all in.
And whether it's win, place or show.
With you for me and me for you,
we'll muddle through whatever we do.
Together, wherever we go."

HILLARY WINS NH PRIMARY!!

READY FOR CHANGE. Let's keep it up, America!

Roommates

So, over the last year and a half, I've come to the conclusion that I hate roommates. Well, maybe not all roommates. Just the 6 that I've had, minus 1. Yes, I know hate is a strong word, but it's true.

Now, I know that I live in an apartment with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, so we all have our own space, except the kitchen, the living room/dining room, and the laundry room. The kitchen is where a lot of the problems start. Ya know, who's going to take out the trash, who's NOT going to recycle because they're too damn lazy (which PISSES me off), who's going to unload the dishwasher, and who's going to decide NOT to clean up their crumbs that they leave on the counter.

And then we have the biggest thing of all: the thermostat. I had problems with it last year, and I STILL have problems with it this year.

Last year, my 3 roommates were always HOT. Always. Even when it was -20 degrees, they were still hot. So, what do they decide to do? Oh, let's turn on the air conditioning. Yeah, I know. The AIR CONDITIONING! Who does that!? So, we went on and on, having thermostat wars, with me turning the heat up (and actually having to get a small heater for my room), them turning it down, and finally I just HAD to say something. Actually, I did quite a few times. And what was the result? Well, I was the bitch of the apartment because I was trying to control everything and I was selfish. Excuse me, you aren't the only people living here. Compromise, people, compromise.

So, this year, all 3 of my roommates are always COLD. Usually, I am the one who is always cold. Always. I bitch about it enough that people probably want to kill me. But, who could be cold when it's 76 degrees in the apartment?! Truly, 76 degrees. I walk into the apartment one night, feel that it's not normal, look at the thermostat, and it's set to 76 degrees. That is RIDICULOUS.

And today, which prompted this post, I get that same not normal feeling coming from the vent, look at the thermostat, and what does it say, but 80 degrees! Not 76. 80! Who does that!? Add to that the fact that it's 60 degrees outside today. So, we've again been having thermostat wars and I've spoken to the roommates about it. Nothing's changed. Oh, but it gets worse.

I guess people are afraid of me or something because Post-It notes began to appear on the thermostat last quarter from the roommate next door to me. No, she can't come over and knock on my door to talk to me. She has to be passive aggressive and talk to me through a note, telling me to close my vent because other people besides me live here and they're cold. Uh, please. So, being the person that I am, I said "What the hell, I'll put a Post-It note right back up there and tell her it's not going past 70 degrees." Needless to say that the thermostat stayed there. And it stayed there for 6 weeks over winter break because they weren't here.

But, they came back today, and wouldn't you know that everything was back to again. The war had begun, and I played the Post-It note game, saying that setting it on 80 is RIDICULOUS, and it will not be more than 70 degrees in here. A few minutes later, I go out to the kitchen and there's a note on my door. Oh, this ought to be good, I thought. Basically what it said was that I want to control everything in this apartment and that she won't fight with me because, thankfully, I will be gone next quarter. Truly, that's what it said. I just laughed.

I'm never going to see these people again after this quarter, so I could give two shits what they think about me. It can't come soon enough. Good riddance! Goodbye!

Starting Here, Starting Now

Well, a new year has arrived, and because of that I decided to start this blog. I always said that I would never, ever, write about myself and what's happening in my life and post it on the internet, but times have changed and so have I.

This year is going to be filled with new beginnings and many things to look forward to, and with that comes even more changes that I want to document for myself and for anyone else who cares to read this.

So, here's to 2008. Let's make it a good one.