La Vie en Curlsz Part One

(Egypt: $68.53, favorite foods is okra and mutton)

I stumbled upon some pictures on facebook, various families and what they eat. It also gave the breakdown of how much money they spend on an average week on their food. I was pretty fascinated. I really liked looking at the pictures and details and analyzing how some cultures lean towards more breads or some towards more vegetables. Though the American family in the south apparently leans towards all pre-made foods, shocker.

It's also fascinating to see how much or little they spend. I believe the photographer tried to do an average, obviously some families eat more or less, and differently than others but this is an average based on that culture.

(Germany: $500.07, favorite foods fried potatoes with onions, bacon and herring, fried noodles with eggs and cheese, pizza, vanilla pudding

Actually apparently "they" are trying to make it right now - and by right I mean weasel their way out of the mess they created and hiding it with an illusion of correcting the situation.

I can not believe how fast my Hyacinthia has grown. If you'll remember this is the plant Garland gave me for passing my insurance exam. My "success" plant.

I do hope my success grows as fast as this beauty - but not quite so crooked. I'm trying to rotate it so it will grow more upwards but so far eh. (Ps you should smell it, scratch and sniff technology unavailable at this moment)


Before (Jan 26th) and After (Feb 6)

You know what - let's not mince words. I'm pissed!!! I'm pissed at these ridiculous corporate banks and business crying that they need more money and frankly running their companies into the crapper and appealing to the government and American public for a bailout ONLY to then turn around and spend like it's 1985 all over again!

First of all they don't tell us what they use OUR money for - then they continue to keep interest rates at an all time high and now we find out that they are not only continuing to give huge bonuses to select people but they are spending money on things like corporate jets, Vegas luxury retreats and thank you CEO of Merrill Lynch for spending OVER a million dollars redecorating your office!!! I mean don't we all need a $1400 trash can?

This is beyond ridiculous, beyond eye rolling - this is insanity!!! This is like having your parents pay off your debt and then turning around and buying a sports car with who knows what money?! And come to think - there were actually some congressmen that predicted this behavior. I think these idiots should work for free for the next 5 years - and by free I mean NO salary, no bonuses, nada. And any luxury items they want comes out of their pocket. Sound drastic - let's be honest - they have assets you and I can not comprehend - they will be fine!

I worked for a small business through college - and when times were tough my boss didn't take a pay check home in order to keep the business going and pay his employees. That's how it works!

As much as I love this town - it's vibe for art, education, music and culture - it is shockingly lacking in great museums.

Even Midland has a planetarium - and as a former volunteer (dork alert) I have been itching to see the stars. But alas no stars to be had (pardon the melodrama, I've watched 2 hours of American Idol today)

Then I waltzed into Moltov last night to be greeted by the Austin Planetarium fundraiser!!! Yay - Austin, welcome to the show.

I LOVE this town!! We even made the Rachel Maddow show. Imagine my delight as I'm watching this show and Austin makes an appearance - for something completely unique and crazy!

Pardon the (boring) entry to the video - watch the full thing though.

I don't normally post email jokes - but this was way too good not to pass around!

And on this day I actually get to snuggle on the couch with my favorite blankie!

With a view of frosted windows and my new beautiful congratulatory plants.

I hate tests - the studying, the cramming all of it. Test anxiety doesn't even begin to describe it. I had to take another state licensing exam - this time for general life and health insurance (new side job), and it about did me in!! Prepping for it didn't drag out as much as the ol' real estate license did but still - state licensing exams are a pain in the arse no matter how much you prep for it.


By Sunday night I had had it - and was ready to throw the towel in. A lovely sharp pain behind my left eye told me I was literally giving myself a stress headache.

But like any other trial once the pain is over it's just a bad memory. I passed, thank God!!! And for my treat Garland showed up on my door last night with balloons, a potted Hyacinthia and all the fixins for mahi mahi & salmon with mango sauce!!!

Very sweet indeed - but minus the balloons each item had a meaning. Potted plant instead of flowers because cut flowers are basically dead flowers and will be in the trash in a matter of days. Plus he knows how much I love plants - and he figured we'd watch my success grow as we watched these beautiful flowers grow. On the other hand - I really hope my success doesn't wither and die if these plants don't make it! The dinner was because I love mahi mahi and salmon and I LOVE mango!!!

PS he's not so much smiling but laughing because I feel the odd need to photo log every event. I haven't told him my idea of Kodak eyes yet, wait till that technology come into play!!!

THIS is why I love this woman - and this is also why I fully support more speeches from Governor "F" word Blagojevich. He is so "F"ing entertaining - as he would say. When you start comparing yourself to a wronged cowboy - you have got MY attention.

Also, I have been wondering for a while now - how it is "right" that a governor (emphasis on the letter A) picks the next senator. Vote anyone?

Whether you are an Obama supporter or not - we all should take a moment to reflect in the fact that we are living out history. As a history major this really amazes me. Not that it's an inauguration - those come every 4 years. But 45 years after Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech we are inducting our first black/blackish President. Side note King hoped we would have a black President in 40 years from his speech, he optimistically hoped based on what was happening in 1964 that it could even be 25 years.

Think about it - one race, one sex of individual has held this office since George Washington. Other nationalities and women have successfully been elected and placed in various challenging positions in our government and industries, but not the Presidency till now

Seven of the Little Rock Nine - the 9 children that integrated the Little Rock School system, were able to attend this event. The surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen were also in attendance of our inauguration.

And it has spread globally. Did you know there is a large sect of black Iraqi's that are amongst the poorest of their nation. They hold no governmental office of any kind and are heavily discriminated against. And you thought discrimination was regulated to the United States? Because of our election and inauguration they have banded together to change their outcome, to begin to fight the poverty and discrimination handed down to them from the generations before them. Ancestrally slaves from Africa, transported to Iraq, they have now formed a group to seek public office to change their destiny.

See it's not just about us - this is a global manifestation and I truly hope we understand what we are seeing today is a reflection of change - whether he is a good President or not - he is still the first. And being the first carries a lot of weight.

(Mutt and Jeff is a reference to two friends of distinct disproportional size)

I want a dog, and I want an elephant, and a cat and a monkey. And I want them all to live happily ever after with me and my family...kind of like this

In my opinion Stephen Colbert and John Stewart have aced how to make a frustrated and dull part of life into a hilarity! Usually just by pointing out the ridiculousness of politicians and finance fat cats that take themselves way to seriously and expect us to as well.

This interview says it all! From intriguing suggestions on border control to discussing Utah's "diversity"...



My favorite line - "According to my research Utah's third district is one of the most diverse districts in the state, tell me about your black person is he nice, cause there are some very nice ones."

So far 2009 is proving to be a very big transition year for me. And it's not always easy to transition into a completely new world. At times I just want to chuck it all and curl in bed with my favorite soft blanket and watch old movies and read my books. But even if I had the luxury of that lifestyle I'd be bored and irritable by the end of the week. I'm a "do.er" and a do.er must do!

I ran across this blog today - it is a truly inspirational story - if being ambushed on a trail by a mountain lion can't keep you down - nothing will!

Some favorite quotes (courtesy of Anne Hjelle)

I have learned valuable lessons. By telling my story, I hope others can reap the benefits of the challenges I have endured, without having to experience the pain.

Throughout my recovery, I waged a mental battle against negativity; I was determined to live my life as an example—as a warrior.

With God’s help, I have learned to conquer fear in my life.

...determined to prove to myself that I was not held prisoner by the trauma I had suffered.

I realized that I determined how others reacted to me. Even on days when I lacked self-confidence, I chose to put on a smile. I acted strong when I didn’t feel strong—and before long, I was strong!

This is what happens when an only child grows up to be an adult...

So this was Garland's first facial. It started by me plucking his eye brows- to avoid the infamous uni brow. I then decided it was necessary to Nair his brows for better results - then light bulb, we need to do a facial!

Event went something like this.

G: I think my cucumbers are sliding.
M: No they are fine.

G: Baby i'm sliding, i'm slidin...
M: I promise you aren't sliding.

M: Quit scrunching your face.
G: I can't help it, it feels weird.

M: Stop acting like I am hurting you.
G: I can't help it, it's weird!!

I often like to play the game "where was I a year ago today". It's just a fun little reflection on a year - and not necessarily at New Years, it could be the middle of the year and I will reflect to the last 365 days.

Usually a year is made up of minor occurrence and a lot of daily life - occasionally life changing events will happen unexpectedly like babies, new jobs etc. But those are all events - and events are an easy way to mark time and life changes. At times reflections come through changes within ourselves - those aren't always given the recognition they deserve. You know, someone asks you what's going on, how are you - and you start rattling off events - and if there are no events you say "nothing much". But how often do we acknowledge with other people what is different within us - a change within ourselves?

So my year in review - it ended up being a life changing year - not so much because of any events but because of changes in me.

This time last year I was sitting on my couch sick as a dog - going through tissue like water. No biggie, winter flu was everywhere last year, most of you probably had it as well. Unfortunately, mine wouldn't go away, for months I flip flopped between sick and well. I started to wonder if there was something more going on with me than just the flu. A friend mentioned that often times mental health has a huge play in our physical health. I didn't scoff the idea - in fact a guilty "you got me" look must have crept up on my face because she paused and then sincerely said to me "that's it isn't it, something's wrong". I had to admit something was wrong, every year when my birthday rolls around I kind of loose it. That's how I mark my year to year - my birthday (September). And each year a fog of depression rolled in and settled in for a spell. Gradually it lifted, but not without leaving some damage behind. This time it wasn't lifting and I had no idea what to do about it.

I have been seeing a counselor for a while - it has been through her that I have identified several unhealthy patterns in my life - including my little birthday depression. She asked me why and naturally I looked for events to blame - lack of significant life events that should have happened by now was always my initial scapegoat. What it boiled down to was I didn't know why I was living under this gray cloud, I had no idea. And for me - having no idea and no answers is a tragedy in and of itself.

So I looked for answers. But none were to be found. I had all the symptoms of depression. Anti social behaivor, tired all the time, not able to shake a cold or flu, apathy over everything in my life, I wasn't working out, I had the most erratic sleeping and eating patterns and over all I just didn't care. I've been through this before, in fact this funk has come and gone the majority of my life - probably since I was a teenager. But what do you do - you just pray and hope it gets better. And you fake it - really well.

Some of you reading this were with me when I finally admitted to having a depression - years ago - but in my mind it came and went. That was a lie. It came and stayed, I just learned to live with it. Like an unwanted house guest that won't leave. It's like having a bum knee - you just learn to adjust, sometimes you compensate. And at times it feels better or worse, depends on the day.

March of this past year I had had enough - the breakdown came one night and I decided I couldn't go on like this. So step one admiting I had a problem - check. Step two, ask for help. (I think that's how it goes, if not humor me here) So I contacted my counselor then my doctor. Bloodwork showed no thyroid issue (runs on my mother's side) - which left me with one big decision - treat this issue for what it is, mental depression (clinical depression) whatever you want to call it, which means medication...or continue to ignore it and just hope it gets better one day.

This was a huge admission for me - taking medicine for this was admitting I couldn't fix it on my own. I literally broke down in my doctors office when she suggested we try out some medicine for three months. Her words really helped though - explaing to me it's an illness just like any other condition, arthritis etc. If I was sick or hurt I'd naturally take medicine - why would I deny taking medicine for this?

At first I didn't notice much of a change - but flash forward three months and it was like a fog had lifted over my head. It was literally as if I had woken up - I don't ever want to live in that fog again. The thought of it actually makes me cringe, it's like being locked up in a cage the majority of your life - and after being set free someone shows you that cage again as a reminder - the sight of the cage makes you sick, makes you cringe. Thus a little white pill everyday - small price to pay in my opinion.

The other side of this coin is it opened up a lot of my family history and conversation with my normally tight lipped mother. Come to find out, depression ran on both sides of my family. After all this happened my mother admitted she had suspected this since I was in high school but didn't really know how to approach me about it. That's understandable, I tend to think I can handle everything myself and don't need her advice.


So this New Years was much improved, sushi with friends followed by champagne and creme brulee with my dear sweet boyfriend, Garland.

I do not use him or any other event in my life as a measurement of happiness, I've always felt happiness comes within, everything else is just icing on the cake. So on to 2009 - happy new year!

PS be looking for the new website - pretty excited to have that in effect.

My mother informed me we had not one single picture together since time was formed - so operation mother daughter picture was in effect!

Why I look Latino I have no idea - maybe it was the camera, yeah that's it. We barely look related here - but if you were ever around us for 10 seconds you'd see the personality resemblances immediately. The woman has a quick whit and smart ass mouth to boot! We fight like old ladies but it's 98% in jest - except when she acts like I'm 4 years old and insists on telling me how to do everything!!

The other day she started questioning how I make my coffee - "are you putting hot water in that pot, do you clean out your filter...." No mom, I have only been living on my own since I was 18 and taking care of myself since I was 10 but I have no idea what I'm doing - thank you so much for coming down to Austin once a year to check up on me and see if I'm able to put my shoes on the correct feet!

The running joke when she is getting on my nerves is "keep on old lady - we'll be shopping for nursing homes by dinner". Whenever we are driving around sometimes I'll take the time to drive her by a shack or a nursing home and stop in front and ask her what she thinks of this place - I tell her I put in an application last week. This joke really got some mileage this weekend as we were delivering Christmas Bureau gifts in East Austin this week. The trashier the house the better - but it never works - it's bred into a mother to boss and nag her daughter till her daughter wants to strangle her self or her mother.

So Christmas was fun, fabulous and exhausting - but lots of funny memories. From discussions and jokes on sex to meeting the boyfriend, to her lecturing me on how I really should get some window coverings to help keep the house warmer, it was all fun.

My bed's too high, my couch is too low, my porch steps too steep and my house is too cold - but even if I fixed all that, she's still a mom and will find something else to gripe about later. Quote of the trip regarding the couch - "damn, why don't you just put some pillows on the floor and call that a couch" LOL!!!

So I'm a huge fan of fair trade - coffee etc. I just really like the fact that a local worker or artisan can actually make a living from their work and have a fighting chance against the large corporations which we can never get away from using.

So Shawna came home with a huge bottle of Palestinian Olive Oil (no olive is not restricted to Italy) from a fair trade organization - Trade As One - that was selling goods at church this morning. Gagaga!!! That's the mode my brain automatically went in - I must find out more about this organization!!!

So disclaimer I have very little exposure to this organization so we'll be learning about it together. But I can already tell you - the Hagar bag from Cambodia - yummy!