I'm not saying that some government-funded programs don't get abused. However, we have a problem when we're wanting to discontinue ALL of them or greeting any proposed programs as being Socialist and/or Nazi. Should all those who really need the healthcare suffer for the portion who abuse it?
And, what about the other factors which contribute to those people "on their porches" waiting for a check? Where are their quality school systems; where are the programs that encourage socio-economic betterment, that help "at-risk" and lower socio-economic children actually learn (as opposed to meeting quotas and barely passing)? How are they to go to college? I have an issue with there not being enough grocery stores in poorer areas. A little off subject and dependent on free enterprise store CEOs, but how can people in these areas eat healthily without access to fresh fruit and vegetables? Many of these people only eat convenience store and fast food because that's what's around.
There's a disadvantage for these people, whether we chose to acknowledge it or not. We're fortunate to have grown up in suburbia. For so many others--which I see in New Orleans on a daily basis these days (I work for LSU testing preschoolers for early literacy)--their daily environment is quite different. And, it's not that their parents don't want to provide them a good education and a good upbringing (though arguably some don't care as much), but it's a lot harder when generation after generation, these families have lived without, have had to struggle to make ends meet, without sufficient education and resources that are civic necessities afforded to other living on the right side of the railroad tracks or the good part of town.
I believe that everyone should have healthcare. I believe that it's a human right. Maybe it's idealistic to have this belief in the US (though I know several European countries and Costa Rica definitely have it; whatever, those are those countries, and this is the US). Government is for the law and governance of all people, by our elected officials, yes. But, it's also for the well-being of all people. We pay taxes to share among all constituents in our jurisdiction, parish, city, state, or federal. Sorry that my reply was so long, but I feel pretty strongly about this.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
I'm in a classic movies-watching mood--thanks, Jess.
Well, I am due for an update, but for now, I'll just post this link for AFI's top 100 female and male acting personalities. I am going to run with Mahsa in about an hour and a half and then study for the GRE a bit. Around one, we're going to Lydia's new apartment. Yay Labor Day...
I'll try to update later because a lot's been going on and I just had a great weekend (with my mom, Mia and Jesse's parents--and Jesse, of course).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years..._100_Stars
I'll try to update later because a lot's been going on and I just had a great weekend (with my mom, Mia and Jesse's parents--and Jesse, of course).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI%27s_100_Years..._100_Stars
Monday, August 31, 2009
Omygod, I'm so glad I'm not in college anymore. Today's the first day of the fall semester at Loyola. I decided to go to the library to check my email among other things because I haven't gotten a new charger for my laptop yet (I have an old ibook and my charger decided to die recently). So I am sitting in the library, filling out my application for Country Day because they asked for it, and I hear these guys talking behind me...pretty loudly, just talking and then whining about a book one of them had to buy. Okay, understandable. 70usd for a paperback sucks. But, I must have heard 50 "fucks" or variations of the word. I was like, is that all you know how to say? There were other explicatives used as well, but it was just ridiculous. I wanted to turn around and ask him if he had to say f--- so many times or if he knew any other words.
If he's representative of our generation (or the one right under me), which I hope and pray he's not, we are "fucked." (for lack of a better word.) Ahh, rant, vent, whatever. Sorry about this, but it's bothers me!
If he's representative of our generation (or the one right under me), which I hope and pray he's not, we are "fucked." (for lack of a better word.) Ahh, rant, vent, whatever. Sorry about this, but it's bothers me!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
before I go to bed...
I'm about to go to bed, but I want to clip this recipe here before I do.
Tomorrow is both Jesse's and Mia's first day back at school. So I'll be cooking them two of their favor dishes.
Jesse's I won't write in case he reads this before he gets home and knows. (I'm hoping he doesn't go online to see this because he knows I'm blogging for the second time today).
Mia's will be brisket a la Paula Dean. Usually, her accent bothers me, but I imagine reading her recipe won't and she probably know how to make http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/texas-brisket-recipe/index.html. I'm going to use a crock pot though.
I will be studying for the GRE tomorrow, grocery shopping and preparing for Tuesday (LSU training and SLICE interview).
Tomorrow is both Jesse's and Mia's first day back at school. So I'll be cooking them two of their favor dishes.
Jesse's I won't write in case he reads this before he gets home and knows. (I'm hoping he doesn't go online to see this because he knows I'm blogging for the second time today).
Mia's will be brisket a la Paula Dean. Usually, her accent bothers me, but I imagine reading her recipe won't and she probably know how to make http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/texas-brisket-recipe/index.html. I'm going to use a crock pot though.
I will be studying for the GRE tomorrow, grocery shopping and preparing for Tuesday (LSU training and SLICE interview).
hiatus, hiatus, hiatus...when long entries happen
I was thinking today that I have had such a wonderful month-plus since returning from Guatemala (and needless--because you're an avid follower of my blog already--to say, my five weeks in Guatemala were indescribably exciting), but I haven't been writing so much about my time home, in New Orleans, with Jesse, my sister and my friends. I'm having all these wonderful times and I'm afraid if I don't write about them, someday I'll not remember how happy I was. So I'm going to try to capture some of the memories I've had recently. I just get so bogged down in doing things sometimes, that I feel like I don't have time to write. I guess that's a good thing. But still, in a way, as strange as this may seem, writing is almost honoring and a show of appreciation (in my head anyway) for all the good times I have been having. Maybe I'm weird, but...let me pay homage to my life (unfortunately, sounding egocentric).
Jesse and I have had a relaxing Sunday so far. (He's playing Oblivion while I type this). He surprised me by asking if I wanted to go to Parasol's, "the premier Irish Pub" with the best roast beef sandwich (according to Where Y'at magazine and I'd have to agree). It's "in the heart of the Irish channel," and I didn't know where that was until today. I had always thought that the Irish channel ran somewhere between Whole Foods and Tchop, but we were off Jackson, on Constance, in the lower Garden District. Nevertheless, it was delicious like so many hole-in-the-wall places in NOLA. With a name like Parasol's, I had expected umbrellas and pastel-colored houses so characteristic of New Orleans, but no, it was the other facade characteristic--fading and peeling paint. But, the inside was dive-y and the dining area had framed clippings of all the periodical coverage Parasols had received. Jesse also told me that the St. Patrick's Block Party is held there annually and though he hasn't been, it's supposed have a monstrous crowd. We then went to Walmart and Petco to get some things. We got a bunch of things for Saki, including a new sweater (that turns out to be too small) and a fur-menator (or some word like that) that seems to be pretty effective at taking off/brushing both her undercoat and uppercoat so she doesn't give our apartment a newly-shed carpet each day.
Yesterday was Drew's and my Habitat for Humanity adventure. It was a lot of fun, learning to put up siding, and by the end of the day, we were spent. It ended around 4, a little later than expected. We were sweaty, my head under my cap kept on itching, and Drew could feel the sand in between her toes. But, we went to Whole Foods to pick up nutritional drinks after, and then she treated us to Bee Sweet Cupcakes nearby. OMG, they were good. It was so fun to do everything with her that day though because I hadn't seen her in so long, and we caught up on a lot of things that have been going on in our lives, as well as were inspired to imagine some ideas for future careers (dessert restaurant, construction company, and some others haha). We got to our apartment, where Jes was locked in all day (oops) because I had his keys in my purse from the night before. I felt bad because he wanted to get a hair cut, but even worse, because Saki wasn't able to be taken out since I left around 7:30 that morning. So Jes and I took her out right away while Drew showered and got ready. We were going to meet the lady who works at Sucré, but we lost track of her so Drew may go meet her later. When Jeff got off from work, we decided to go to Kyoto. Jesse and I hadn't been before (though it's by Creole Creamery, La Thai, Crepe Nanou--and a lot of other places we've been, plus a few blocks from his old apartment). And, though I only saw one potentially-Japanese person in the restaurant (and an inordinately high number of children for a sushi place), it was pretty damn good! Plus, lychee sorbet that all four of us shared for dessert! We'll definitely be returning, and I hope we can bring Hillary and Michael there, once Hillary is able to eat sushi again (i.e., when Cadence is born?). I recommend it. Drew and I wanted either Indian or sushi, and with the dearth of Indian restaurants in the New Orleans metro area, we decided on sushi. I havne't been to many sushi places in New Orleans (in comparison to where I've been in BR). And, of the places I have been, I find half to be just okay. But, I should also sample some others. Gosh, I love food! Which is something else Drew and I were talking about. We both love baking, though she's more into pastries than I am (probably because I'm not so good at the presentation stuff). And, I just want to learn how to cook--all kinds of food! Vietnames, Thai, French (just watched Julie and Julia with Mia on Friday), and many others! Filipino and Indian, too! So I mentioned to Drew what Lydia told me about the place that has cooking lessons and wine tasting for like 15$! We're going to have to look into that--especially since Jesse Maxwell and I haven't been cooking. :( But, I need a job first. No money, no ingredients, no cooking. Speaking of which, I begin my part-time, temporary one this week (Tuesday training and field sites W-F). I have an interview on Tuesday as well for SLICE (my second one, but I think I'll really get it this time). Plus, it will be nice to get 50% off at Juan's and SLICE. And, I'll be asking both LSU and SLICE if there are any health insurance packages that I can participate in (even if I have to pay extra). Anyhow, so not to ramble and change the subject so much, but I'm excited about this week ahead too. Jesse and I will celebrate our one-and-a-half year anniversary at the end. We're supposed to go to Brennan's, but I don't know if that's definite. He has a gift card from Forman Perry from last Christmas.
Friday, Mahsa (our new neighbor), her friend Cristin (another 2L transfer to Tulane), Mia, Jes and I went to Santa Fe for dinner. Confusingly, the burger wasn't as good as usual, but the owner was just as nice as always. We met Lydia and her roommate, Jenny, afterwards at Swirl. I hadn't seen Lydia in so long either so it was good to see her. I had invited a few other people, but they were no shows and lame (not really), but it's too bad because after Swirl, Jenny decided that we should show Cristin and Mahsa around since they both moved here about a month ago. We were rejected from The Cure (a cool-looking, posh 21+ bar on Freret) because Mia was with us, but it was okay because then we went to Bruno's. Actually, being the old people Jes and I are, we hadn't been to The Cure, and I hadn't been to the new Bruno's until this night. I guess a lot of law students hang out there because that's what it seemed like, and Jesse's been before. Mia, Jesse and I called it an early night as there were plans to go down to Frenchmen, but I was waking up before 7 for Habitat and Mia was going to BR to see my mom.
Last week was Mia-filled and we did a lot of things (will say more later), including going to Pandora's for snoballs. Mia introduced me, and they were good! I like snoballs, but they're nothing special in my book usually, but geez, these were good. I got a small mango with condensed milk and Mia, Piña Colada con leche condensed. Serving hamburgers, hotdogs, and corndogs too, it's on Carrollton, past Jesuit towards Mid-City. I'm sure it was in that LA Times article of NOLA snoballs though!
So I'm trying to get my life together down here here. It's reassuring, albeit not so comforting to see and talk to my friends about this job-searching phase. Drew lives at home right now and while I do miss my family, I'm enjoying living with Jesse on our own in NOLA. Apparently, they think I'm abandoning them, but I'm not. I'm just trying to set myself up, in adulthood. Luckily, because of Jesse, I am able to do that. Mia went back this weekend, but I couldn't go with her so maybe I will next time she goes back. I hope that my mom visits NOLA soon--maybe when my dad returns from MO. Jes' parents are coming in for Labor Day, and I haven't seen them since my graduation, I believe, since I went to Guatemala soon thereafter. I don't know what we're doing yet.
I went to practice or start on the Third Movement of Moonlight today, but it seems as though I don't have it here. I'll have to remember to take it back next time I'm in BR. Well, this is a long post so I'll end here and write more later...
Adieu!
Oh, one more thing:
Places to take Mia:
Parasols, Bee Sweet, Sucre, and the Lake.
Jesse and I have had a relaxing Sunday so far. (He's playing Oblivion while I type this). He surprised me by asking if I wanted to go to Parasol's, "the premier Irish Pub" with the best roast beef sandwich (according to Where Y'at magazine and I'd have to agree). It's "in the heart of the Irish channel," and I didn't know where that was until today. I had always thought that the Irish channel ran somewhere between Whole Foods and Tchop, but we were off Jackson, on Constance, in the lower Garden District. Nevertheless, it was delicious like so many hole-in-the-wall places in NOLA. With a name like Parasol's, I had expected umbrellas and pastel-colored houses so characteristic of New Orleans, but no, it was the other facade characteristic--fading and peeling paint. But, the inside was dive-y and the dining area had framed clippings of all the periodical coverage Parasols had received. Jesse also told me that the St. Patrick's Block Party is held there annually and though he hasn't been, it's supposed have a monstrous crowd. We then went to Walmart and Petco to get some things. We got a bunch of things for Saki, including a new sweater (that turns out to be too small) and a fur-menator (or some word like that) that seems to be pretty effective at taking off/brushing both her undercoat and uppercoat so she doesn't give our apartment a newly-shed carpet each day.
Yesterday was Drew's and my Habitat for Humanity adventure. It was a lot of fun, learning to put up siding, and by the end of the day, we were spent. It ended around 4, a little later than expected. We were sweaty, my head under my cap kept on itching, and Drew could feel the sand in between her toes. But, we went to Whole Foods to pick up nutritional drinks after, and then she treated us to Bee Sweet Cupcakes nearby. OMG, they were good. It was so fun to do everything with her that day though because I hadn't seen her in so long, and we caught up on a lot of things that have been going on in our lives, as well as were inspired to imagine some ideas for future careers (dessert restaurant, construction company, and some others haha). We got to our apartment, where Jes was locked in all day (oops) because I had his keys in my purse from the night before. I felt bad because he wanted to get a hair cut, but even worse, because Saki wasn't able to be taken out since I left around 7:30 that morning. So Jes and I took her out right away while Drew showered and got ready. We were going to meet the lady who works at Sucré, but we lost track of her so Drew may go meet her later. When Jeff got off from work, we decided to go to Kyoto. Jesse and I hadn't been before (though it's by Creole Creamery, La Thai, Crepe Nanou--and a lot of other places we've been, plus a few blocks from his old apartment). And, though I only saw one potentially-Japanese person in the restaurant (and an inordinately high number of children for a sushi place), it was pretty damn good! Plus, lychee sorbet that all four of us shared for dessert! We'll definitely be returning, and I hope we can bring Hillary and Michael there, once Hillary is able to eat sushi again (i.e., when Cadence is born?). I recommend it. Drew and I wanted either Indian or sushi, and with the dearth of Indian restaurants in the New Orleans metro area, we decided on sushi. I havne't been to many sushi places in New Orleans (in comparison to where I've been in BR). And, of the places I have been, I find half to be just okay. But, I should also sample some others. Gosh, I love food! Which is something else Drew and I were talking about. We both love baking, though she's more into pastries than I am (probably because I'm not so good at the presentation stuff). And, I just want to learn how to cook--all kinds of food! Vietnames, Thai, French (just watched Julie and Julia with Mia on Friday), and many others! Filipino and Indian, too! So I mentioned to Drew what Lydia told me about the place that has cooking lessons and wine tasting for like 15$! We're going to have to look into that--especially since Jesse Maxwell and I haven't been cooking. :( But, I need a job first. No money, no ingredients, no cooking. Speaking of which, I begin my part-time, temporary one this week (Tuesday training and field sites W-F). I have an interview on Tuesday as well for SLICE (my second one, but I think I'll really get it this time). Plus, it will be nice to get 50% off at Juan's and SLICE. And, I'll be asking both LSU and SLICE if there are any health insurance packages that I can participate in (even if I have to pay extra). Anyhow, so not to ramble and change the subject so much, but I'm excited about this week ahead too. Jesse and I will celebrate our one-and-a-half year anniversary at the end. We're supposed to go to Brennan's, but I don't know if that's definite. He has a gift card from Forman Perry from last Christmas.
Friday, Mahsa (our new neighbor), her friend Cristin (another 2L transfer to Tulane), Mia, Jes and I went to Santa Fe for dinner. Confusingly, the burger wasn't as good as usual, but the owner was just as nice as always. We met Lydia and her roommate, Jenny, afterwards at Swirl. I hadn't seen Lydia in so long either so it was good to see her. I had invited a few other people, but they were no shows and lame (not really), but it's too bad because after Swirl, Jenny decided that we should show Cristin and Mahsa around since they both moved here about a month ago. We were rejected from The Cure (a cool-looking, posh 21+ bar on Freret) because Mia was with us, but it was okay because then we went to Bruno's. Actually, being the old people Jes and I are, we hadn't been to The Cure, and I hadn't been to the new Bruno's until this night. I guess a lot of law students hang out there because that's what it seemed like, and Jesse's been before. Mia, Jesse and I called it an early night as there were plans to go down to Frenchmen, but I was waking up before 7 for Habitat and Mia was going to BR to see my mom.
Last week was Mia-filled and we did a lot of things (will say more later), including going to Pandora's for snoballs. Mia introduced me, and they were good! I like snoballs, but they're nothing special in my book usually, but geez, these were good. I got a small mango with condensed milk and Mia, Piña Colada con leche condensed. Serving hamburgers, hotdogs, and corndogs too, it's on Carrollton, past Jesuit towards Mid-City. I'm sure it was in that LA Times article of NOLA snoballs though!
So I'm trying to get my life together down here here. It's reassuring, albeit not so comforting to see and talk to my friends about this job-searching phase. Drew lives at home right now and while I do miss my family, I'm enjoying living with Jesse on our own in NOLA. Apparently, they think I'm abandoning them, but I'm not. I'm just trying to set myself up, in adulthood. Luckily, because of Jesse, I am able to do that. Mia went back this weekend, but I couldn't go with her so maybe I will next time she goes back. I hope that my mom visits NOLA soon--maybe when my dad returns from MO. Jes' parents are coming in for Labor Day, and I haven't seen them since my graduation, I believe, since I went to Guatemala soon thereafter. I don't know what we're doing yet.
I went to practice or start on the Third Movement of Moonlight today, but it seems as though I don't have it here. I'll have to remember to take it back next time I'm in BR. Well, this is a long post so I'll end here and write more later...
Adieu!
Oh, one more thing:
Places to take Mia:
Parasols, Bee Sweet, Sucre, and the Lake.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
resolution
So I'm taking an online tutorial right now for a temporary part-time job I'll be taking with LSU. It's a Recovery Programs that deals with reading in NOLA preschools. Anyway, I was listening to Jesse's classical playlist on iTunes, and I resolve now to learn the third movement of Moonlight Sonata by this Christmas.
Jes was asking me the other day what I consider to be my hobbies and why I don't play the piano or violin on a regular basis. I mean, I've been relatively unoccupied, though I could be doing more reading or preparing for the GRE. I've been spending time with my friends, Mia and my family when I went to MO. But, aside from my relatively recent desire to cook, I should be playing more. And, when I hear beautiful piano pieces, I want to play more.
Anyway, I wonder when Jesse Maxwell's and my cooking club will resume, as well as our book-reading club. I have both our copies of One Hundred Years of Solitude. Cien Años de Solidad. And, I just got a new Real Academia de España Spanish dictionary from Borders, since I left my Larousse one in Guatemala. Well, I'll write more later. Must get back to that tutorial!
Jes was asking me the other day what I consider to be my hobbies and why I don't play the piano or violin on a regular basis. I mean, I've been relatively unoccupied, though I could be doing more reading or preparing for the GRE. I've been spending time with my friends, Mia and my family when I went to MO. But, aside from my relatively recent desire to cook, I should be playing more. And, when I hear beautiful piano pieces, I want to play more.
Anyway, I wonder when Jesse Maxwell's and my cooking club will resume, as well as our book-reading club. I have both our copies of One Hundred Years of Solitude. Cien Años de Solidad. And, I just got a new Real Academia de España Spanish dictionary from Borders, since I left my Larousse one in Guatemala. Well, I'll write more later. Must get back to that tutorial!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Now to real life...
I need to update, but I've been in MO. Lots of stuff going on--lots of drama too. Now, I'm going to run an then go to Walmart and the mall with Neill. Later, I'm meeting Jes at his office and then we're going to the mall so I can shop for a suit for my interview. Ack, I enjoyed being with my family, but this last day back home has been heavenly. hehe
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