tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56816321802733046402024-03-21T09:19:21.322-04:00Singing GingerMy name is Claire and I am a redheaded vocalist who just has to get it all out! This is my blog, feel free to read around, and see whats going on. Also, feel free to question my beliefs (for what good are they if gone unchallenged?), rant about my dramatics (because then we can be dramatic together), and do pretty much anything you want (because life is too short to do otherwise.)Scarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-43194916411801896802011-04-04T09:34:00.002-04:002011-04-04T10:03:42.275-04:00New Blog/ Update!Hey all!<br /><br />So its been a while since I have updated and since then I have calmed down and started into my medical clearance process. That being said, I have a new blog!! Its going to be dedicated to all things Peace Corps and I would welcome anyone to come and check it out. Its at: http://peacecorpsginger.blogspot.com/ <br /><br />Moving on from this topic I would like to go into a discussion that I just had with my boss about how Christians conduct themselves in the public eye. I feel like as of late there has been a huge resurgence in the idea that Christians are in charge of changing the minds/ converting every atheist they see on the street. This can be accomplished in one of many ways: waving signs, preaching the end of days, showing pictures of aborted fetuses, chanting songs about how much God hates the world and just generally making a fool out of oneself. <br /><br />Here is my call to my fellow Christians: stop attempting to change what you view as the negative in the world and start being the positive light in the world that God has called you to be. Instead of holding signs and chanting at people outside of a Planned Parenthood, create a center that can support women that chose to keep their children and that can help them through this often judgmental and difficult challenge ahead. <br /><br />Instead of yelling at students you don't know and condemning them all to hell (and I would remind you that you have no say in ANYONES eternal salvation but your own) try creating a youth group, or maybe passing out literature that isn't accusatory and hateful. If I were a person that didn't believe in God and was maybe looking for a church or a religion to join, I wouldn't waste my time looking into a group of people that firmly believe in a vengeful, hate filled God. Not only does this paint God in a certain light but it also makes Him very far away from the standard person, and why would anyone pray to a God that they can not know on a personal level?<br /><br />Try being kind. It is so much easier to reach people when you are kind and through this you will be able to preach the word of God. People close their ears to hatred and violence and screaming, they don't have the time in their day to want to listen to that; but for kindness, of which some seem to be running on short supply, they have a moment for.<br /><br />So there you go, my thoughts for the day on how the church and Christians as a whole community could improve themselves. <br /><br />Much Love, <br />Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-2487400207665804242011-02-22T23:58:00.002-05:002011-02-23T00:08:30.013-05:00ScaredNo lie, I'm scared out of my pants about leaving. It is something that pops into my head at least once or twice a day and causes me anxiety and fear and cold sweats. The idea of leaving everything I know, to go do work I know next to nothing about, and all without the physical support of my family actually being there is horrifying. The real kicker is that I don't know if all of these feelings are normal or some internal indication that maybe this isn't the right thing for me to be doing right now. But I have to ask myself: if not now, when? And even though I may on some level not want to do this (and I'm not even really sure that's true) the person I want to be would do this, and I think that has to count for something. I also think it has to count for something that when I am not freaking out about this completely I am thinking about what an amazing adventure it is going to be, and how life changing as well. How often do people really have the nerve to do something life changing? Just thoughts.<br /><br />~Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-86862816146906534042011-02-08T10:59:00.002-05:002011-02-08T11:17:36.246-05:00Peace CorpsSo, long time no see, WAY long time, since he below post is all about how I took the GRE and that triangles really suck. Well, I'm still pretty bad at math, but in the mean time I have had a LOT of things going on in my life I feel the need to let all of you beautiful people know about. <br /><br />Firstly: the GRE is no longer a big deal since I decided that I will not be going to Grad School next year. I want to have this second semester to boost my GPA and I also think that the experience of having a summer internship will help my chance of getting into a school of my choice as opposed to settling for something that I may not really be into.<br /><br />Secondly: I had the thought to join the Peace Corps, then I applied and last week I interviewed and now I'm in. I know that sounds like a whole lot going on in a very short period of time, and you would be right int thinking that. I was told by everyone and their mother that I should be patient and be willing to wait since the whole thing takes so long, but I went from primary application to nomination in around a month. <br /><br />Secondly part A: I have been nominated to serve in sub-Saharan Africa withing the Health extension of the corps. Now this could change since at the end of last week I realized that the departure date I had given my recruiter was wrong and that I would need to bump things back a month. Now you could be having one of two reactions to this. The first we will call "My Dad" which would be something along the lines of: "Thats not that big a deal since they could just send you over a month late, if they really want you they will figure it out." OR you could have what we will call "knowing how the government works" which would be more along the lines of: "There is no way in hell they are going t do that, and in all likelihood this is going to change where I end up and when I go there."<br /><br />Here is the reasoning behind this train of thought: for a two year "deployment" with PC you have exactly 3 months of in country training before you are sent to your work site to work for the rest of your time. Another fact to note is that each individual country only gets sent out once a year. Meaning if you are going to Madagascar you will leaving on this certain day in this certain month and that is it until the next year. To delay my departure date and meet up with other volunteers for a month would not only be missing out on 1/3 of my training but also missing out on the critical social and mental adjustments that go on in the first month. <br /><br />So anyway, I am waiting to hear back from my recruiter as to what happens now, since I have the sinking feeling that the original nomination was for something in August, and I now can't leave until September. <br /><br />All of this is due to the fact that my residential college requires that I have a "Field Experience" aka internship before I can graduate. I assumed, since this requirement can also be filled with a one month study abroad, and because there is no specific timeline listed on their website, that this could be done in about 2 months. Of course I am the idiot that didn't ask about it until it was too late, but I found out last week that it actually has to be 14 weeks at 35hrs/ week. Anyway, I'm hoping I haven't just blown this whole thing, and I am also hoping that my recruiter doesn't think I'm doing this because I don't like my placement (because I really do!)<br /><br />Okay, more later, have to pay attention in class now. <br /><br />~The GingScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-48959882913381814392010-11-01T21:54:00.004-04:002010-11-01T22:42:53.013-04:00Why I Strongly Dislike TrianglesTook the GRE this morning, for sure bombed and am now a little bit bummed about the whole thing. Here is what bugs me: none of the words that were on the test where words that I have EVER encountered in my academic or professional life. I have not taken a math class since I was a freshman (which was 3 years ago) and why would I? I'm a comparative cultures and politics major!! The crazy liberal extremist/ conspiracy theorist in me would like to say that this is a ploy to get me to sign up for more classes that have nothing to do with my passions in life, which would make the college more money. Or so that companies like Kaplan (and I am not bashing this company but the system...especially since I use their products) can make a billion dollars off of me having to take their class in order to pass this stupid test. <br /><br />Let me write a "heartfelt" apology that I knew what my passions were the second I stepped out of my high school and that I have never once doubted the major I am currently fulfilling at my university. Let me then apologize for not taking unnecessary classes so that I can be a "well rounded individual" when I know what I want to do with my life. I am well rounded, but that doesn't mean that I can answer a question involving what would happen if you rotated figure A around point B and then flipped it on its plane.<br /><br />Here is what I can do: talk about Turkish politics, make a homemade veggie burger, live in a house with 27 other individuals, unclog a toilet, organize transportation for a group of individuals, get up every morning Monday-Saturday at 5:30am, back up an argument and then beat you over the head with it, communicate with non-english speakers, I can listen to hours to your heartbreaking story of how your boyfriend cheated on you with the girl next door, I can walk you home when you are drunk off your butt, I give a mean back rub, I write amazing love notes. I can laugh, I can cry, I can sing and dance and play on the swings like a two year old. <br /><br />All of these are more important to me than know how to calculate the square root of the train traveling to Alabama at 60 gigahertz per half second. And if you think I am wrong...I don't really give two hoots!<br /><br />With love always,<br />This Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-42300021232914755562010-10-18T22:58:00.002-04:002010-10-18T23:13:11.964-04:00Nightly PonderingI don't know why the evening brings such a weird feeling of loneliness. Especially when I see no logical reason to be lonely. I have had a pretty good day, it was even accented with some truly beautiful moments. My boyfriend made me soup today, and set it on my bed for when I got home because he knew I was feeling kinda crappy. I got some work done, I got a great grade back on a paper, I had a nice dinner, there is no possible reason for me to be feeling anything other than fabulous...and yet, I do not. <br /><br />Its odd, that emotion can be so illogical. That happiness could be prevented with something as trifling as hormones. I sitting here and watch "Last Tango in Paris" which I am sure does not help the situation, since the movie is essentially a cluster F#@* of emotions. Marlon Brando is fabulous though. It is such an odd thing. <br /><br />Okay I think that is going to be it for the night. Hope to see you all soon<br /><br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-78279732573609088242010-09-22T13:52:00.003-04:002010-09-22T13:59:24.076-04:00Last 72 EntryIf you want an explanation, read the post below this one. :)<br /><br /><br /><br />My last 72 hours would come in 3-24hour stages. It would mean dealing with the future that my family is facing without me, enjoying our shared current present, and reconciling my future without them. I really do believe I could leave this earth relatively content knowing that those three things had been accomplished. A good friend of mine, who died of cancer when I was a senior in high school, told me a few weeks before she passed: “My part is easy, all I have to do is die; the hard thing is being around after I am gone.”<br /><br />My first 24 hours would be leaving something to help my family and loved ones deal with the future they are facing without me. I have always loved to sing; since I was little music was something that has meant the world to me. Because of my passion, and because they don’t mind listening, big family gatherings are often marked with the talents of the younger generation. I sing, my brother plays cello, my sister dances and the cousins perform any number of talents. Though I was on a few tracks as a high schooler, I have never had any sort of solo recordings of my voice. I had always thought it would be nice to have at least one to listen to when I am old and can no longer produce sound the way I do now. Since I am not making it to “old” I would leave it for those that will.<br /><br />My first 24 hours would be spent attempting to round up as many friends and family members as I could and cutting a CD. There would be a track for my brother to play cello accompaniment on, one with my sister and I giggling some random song we love to dance to, my cousin accompanying me on the guitar, and my mother, grandmother and I doing a trio (we are the only 3 generational family that sing at our church.) I would also do the solo songs that I know each family member loves to hear, and dedicate them to those that aren’t exactly “musically inclined.” At the end I would put a hidden track with a message to my family and friends about how much they mean to me, and that my life, though now cut short, has never been anything less than full because of them.<br /><br />This disk would be my attempt to live on in a way I know they enjoy, as well as one they could remember me being passionate about.<br /><br />My second 24 hours would be dealing with the shared current present that I am living right now with the people I love. If I’m going out, I’m going out with a party. My friend was able to help plan her funeral, and though I would probably take out an hour of my last 72 to deal with that type of stuff, it isn’t something I would want to spend a lot of time doing. My Greek and Swedish heritage on my Father’s side as well as the general Irish Catholic nature of my Mother’s side would first dictate that there be immense amounts of food that have to be prepared over the course of the day.<br /><br />I would get once last chance to cook in the kitchen where I grew up with my mother and sister, one last chance to tell my brother to stop licking spoons, one last chance to blare music and tell my dad to get his butt into the kitchen and help out. There would be every kind of everything that I love to eat. My<br /><br />Mother makes AMAZING pesto sauce from basil in her garden, which would be matched up with my Farmour’s hand rolled (by myself and younger siblings of course) Swedish meatballs, and spinach pie made by my Papou’s wife. Dad would do something on the grill, my Grandy LaVonne has a recipe for cranberry fluff that my sister loves to make, my Aunt Beth does pie the way some people do religion, my Uncle Paul whips up a mean bread pudding, my Aunt Bridget always brings amazing cheese, and my Aunt Martha would do something she saw on the food network. Everyone would be responsible for bringing “their dish”, the one that they feel best represents what they have contributed to my culinary existence. Everyone (including friends) would be welcome, but all must bring something to the table.<br /><br />To be honest this party wouldn’t really be about the actual eating itself but everything that comes before it. The Holiday’s are not marked by the lifting of a fork to a mouth, but by what goes on in the kitchen, and the conversation that is had over the meal. My Uncle Paul argues politics around in circles unless he is talking to my Mom who knows how to debate him, my cousin Alex is slowly picking up the talent as well. My younger cousins attempt to stick around for “adult conversation” but peace out once their plates are clear only to magically reappear once dessert is served. My Grandpa Gayl has to sit next to my Grandmother and will take any opportunity to raise a very long toast in her name… and then again in the name of the family… and then again to the goodness of his life; they only get longer with each glass of wine. My boyfriend would sit quietly until someone brought up theoretical physics or skateboarding at which point he would jump into the conversation with much gusto. My Papou (grandfather in Greek) sits at the head of the table and asks how the education is going for each of his grandchildren in turn. My Uncle Peter and Aunt Dara don’t get along with Papou, but they would for me. In the meantime my Aunt Dara would ask about boys, and beer and parties. I would talk with everyone, until someone asked me to sing, probably right after dessert. Food, in my family, is really just an excuse.<br /><br />The last 24 hours of my life on this earth would be spent solely with my immediate family. I love my boyfriend, I love my best friends, but family is family and there is no getting around that. I’m not married, and I wouldn’t have a chance to start my own, so they are all that I have in the world that is important. This last bit would be squaring away my own future that no longer includes the world I now live in. I was born and raised Catholic and still consider myself to be one, but the spirituality of all creation has always been something that has brought me peace. I’m reading the Qu’ran, I have been to temple, and though my place of worship is in a church, I’ve worshipped in a mosque, and in the forest, and under the stars. My God’s church is the world and so where I am, there too He will be. I would like to receive last rites, I would like to spend a moment of time alone in the sanctuary. This is the same church my siblings and I were baptized in, the same one my Grandmother was married in, and the same one where my Father married my Mother.<br /><br />I would have a conversation with God, I would cry, and I would laugh, and I would square away all things that have been neglected or left undone between us. The conversation would end with an “Amen” and a “see you soon.”<br /><br />There wouldn’t be much alone time after that. Every moment would be spent telling my family everything that I’ve been telling them all my life. My family has never been short on I love you’s. I am confident that if I died today while writing this contest entry in the Library of Michigan State University<br /><br />that each and every family member I have would know that I loved them. Phone conversations, and good bye’s always end with those words, and so chances are, “I love you” would be the last words I had to any given family member. It would be more about telling them the WHY behind my love. Sure, my Mother is my Mother, and so therefore I love her in a certain way “just because”, but I’ve had 21 years of amazing life to build up the love for the four other individuals that make up my family beyond what their relationship to myself might mandate. On top of the conversations we would be having I would leave each of them a letter to open only after I had passed; something physical to look back on when they needed. The night would end on the couch, watching a movie, with my Mother rubbing my back and my dad peeling oranges for the rest of us.<br /><br />There it is; no big trips, no crazy reconciliations, no emotional confessions and no regrets about how I lived my life.Scarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-25125913030046088762010-09-22T13:48:00.002-04:002010-09-22T13:52:12.921-04:00Life as a SeniorAttempting to maybe get back into writing on this a bit more. Going to *copy/paste* two documents on here. One is the update I sent out to my family a week or so ago telling them about all the new news I have had during the beginning of the year. the other one is my submission to a writing competition called "Last 72 Contest." It involves writing about what you would do with your last 72 hours on earth and why. The top 13 get to be on a TV show, and the top 3 get cash prizes. I figure one is a good update on life and the other is the super personal side of things that I occasionally feel like sharing with anybody that cares to read. :) <br /><br />p.s. if you are reading this and have your own blog (Andrew K) post and let me know what it is so I can start reading it!!!<br /><br /><br />Merhaba Family!<br /><br />Now that I have gotten settled in with life and my last year of school I thought it might be high time to let you all know what is going on in life, because I know how all of you wait with baited breath for these e-mails. :)<br /><br />I successfully moved into the Phoenix Student Cooperative about two weeks ago and, for the most part have been enjoying the lifestyle. If ever there was a place to pretend like you are living in the 1960's this would be it. I came to the house to find a full color portrait of Bob Dylan painted on my door, which is part of a hallway that has a giant, trippy mural floor to ceiling. For those of you unfamiliar with the CoOp system, my house holds 29 people (including myself) in both single and double rooms. Each person in the house has weekly chores they must complete on pain of fining, and that is how the house is kept clean, and functioning. Each week I get 3 dinners provided by a team of student cooks that live in the house (students can sign up for a cook position as part of their duties to the house) and I also have access to the "House Pantry" which comes stocked with general food items: peanut butter, jelly, milk, cereal, pasta, sandwich meats, cheese, fruit, veggies and condiments. When I sign over my rent check it isn't to some crazy landlord or a reality company but to a group of students that run the system. I get all of these wonderful things for about $1,500 cheaper per year than I did last year, and would HIGHLY suggest to any college goers that you look into your local CoOp systems, it is a wonderful way to live, and you meet so many fabulous new and different people.<br /><br />Classes are far and away the most enjoyable ones I have had throughout my college career, it pays to be senior that is for sure. None of them start before 12pm (go ahead and call me lazy, I'm still waking up at 5:45am every day for rowing) and I have no Friday classes. My Senior Seminar is my most interesting course currently. A Senior Seminar is a James Madison capstone class that requires you to come up with original paper topic ideas with the semi-hope you might get published. I was originally signed up for a Sem about Cuba and Haiti but decided that, as wonderful as those two countries are, I have little to no interest in them. I asked my former Jews and Anti-Semitism Professor if there was anyway he would let me into his class and then tweak it a bit to fit my major (his Senior Seminar is for Social Relations and Policy people) and he agreed. I got the appropriate overrides and I'm now studying Social Relations within Nazi Concentration Camps. As bleak as it sounds, I find this topic terribly interesting and think it will serve me well if I am ever doing work with Humanitarian Aid or Genocide prevention groups. I also love my Professor and he has agreed to help me get published at the end of the year if I put a lot of work into it.<br /><br />My next most interesting class would be Turkish. Thats right folks, I took my insane love of Turkey one step farther and am now learning the language (in case you hadn't picked it up with the greeting this email starts out with.) At this point I know the alphabet, numbers 1-40, days of the week, months of the year, and a super basic greeting conversation. My graduate student teacher is from Istanbul and can be a little hard to understand at times but since the class is only 6 people large I don't have a problem getting questions answered. :)<br /><br />Next most important class would be my Islamic Empires class which is within the History Department and is teaching me the basis of Islam and the reigning empire from the 14th century through the 19th century. With my luck and some sort of divine providence my Professor is Turkish and would love nothing better than to hook me up with scholarships, and conversation groups in Turkish. She is a wonderful lady and I am looking forward to having a much better understanding of Islam at the end of the class. It is helpful that I am also reading the Qu'ran alongside the required course material. Fear not Grandma, I have no intention of converting anytime soon, but find that people are most scared of what they do not know, and I don't plan on being a cowardly person if I can help it.<br /><br />I am also taking a voice class on the side for fun, but probably wont write much about it since it is super basic and not really worth noting. Might mean some classic performances for people around New Year's and Christmas. :)<br /><br />The year is certainly starting off with a bang and I would have it no other way. I'm dealing with Graduate school applications as well as looking for a summer internship in a Human Rights group, or with the State Department (if anyone has any connections and wants to help me out, please let me know!) All in all the motto of the year is: productivity or die. Its going to be a good time :)<br /><br />Hoşçakal! (H-oh-sh-ch-ah-kal)<br /><br />Love, ClaireScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-29675966134720809402010-04-30T22:05:00.002-04:002010-04-30T22:08:21.636-04:00So I know its been forever, and this isn't going to be very long because I have to sleep, but I should be able to be on top of things better once I get done with school. In a nutshell:<br /><br />Might be working as a camp counselor this summer at...STAR WARS & HARRY POTTER CAMPS!!!<br />Signed up for a 24 hour bike challenge today which is exactly what you probably think it is...I am crazy<br />Going to nationals in two weekends, think I could do a really good job<br />Still dating Zach and very much enjoying myself in the process<br /><br />Beautiful dreams!<br />~Singing Ginger<br /><br />p.s. this blog will turn into a training log once I get going on the bike thing.Scarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-3711946769817825952010-02-22T13:42:00.002-05:002010-02-22T13:49:12.869-05:00ChangeI need change.<br /><br />I don't know if its the fact that I have been in school for too long, or having to work for around 16 hours a week all year, or that I am so sick of erging I could pull my hair out, but I need some change. The typical "I think I will pierce something" is not going to cut it this time around because I feel like too much of what I need to change is a settings thing. I don't want to be here, I want to be somewhere else. I don't want to be going to the classes I have (accept the Jewish one), my professor's are getting under my nails, and the team (though I love them with everything that I have, are driving me nuts. <br /><br />It is sad that in order to get through my Political Islam class I am having to map out possible road trips I can take this summer. I just don't want to be here any more. I want to get out and have an adventure, and not that I don't love the adventure's I have with my newly minted boyfriend (did I mention I am seeing someone?) but going to Meijer to buy Battle Ship is only going to keep me happy for so long. When I get feelings like this its how I know that International Relations was the place for me. I might be a homebody but I need to get the heck out of here!!!! <br /><br />Whats worse is that my political Islam class is now talking about Turkey and places that I have been, and history I already know about. I want to travel! I want to do something! The snow is making me go insane, not that i don't love snow but just because it is winter, and its cold and I can't just go outside and look up at the sky...because its cold and wet. Maybe I will go snowboarding this sunday, I don't know, I just need to get out. Not only my apartment, but this state and this school (if you can even call it that, since it is more like a business than anything else, but that is a rant for another day.)<br /><br />Oi...<br /><br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-2946068684485451592010-02-08T13:03:00.002-05:002010-02-08T13:41:16.695-05:00Life PhilosophySo things have been a bit hectic over the past few weeks. Meeting new people, creating new relationships and trying to maintain old ones. All of this while rowing, working and schooling, which seems to the be the constant trinity in my life. It has been a wee bit dramatic, which also seems to happen when I deal with slightly more emotional situations than normal. Here is what I have come to by way of reflection on myself. <br /><br />I am a highly passionate individual. I feel and experience the things in my world with much fervor and great depth. This in turn causes me what most would refer to as "drama" I don't cut people out of my life easily, I don't shut myself away to helping people with their issues or letting people, on the occasion, help me with mine. I don't keep things to myself and I am horrifically open. This blog would be a testament to that, I am writing out my thoughts are releasing them to the access of the entire world (accept maybe China :)) without reserve, for the most part. Because of all of these things, I have drama, and I am often around drama. Up until this point I truly thought that this was something I needed to work on and get rid of, but I think I might be changing my tune. <br /><br />In order to cut drama from my life, I would have to cut certain people out. Not going to happen. My friends are wonderful, even when they are dramatic, and I like the complexity and diversity that comes along with each and every one of them. I would have to stop letting people vent to me, which in turn gets me stressed about their problems. I like helping people and getting them through things and making them happy, which means saying "no" doesn't happen often. I would have to keep some things to myself. To be honest, at this point in my young life, keeping things to myself just isn't going to happen, I tell people things, I vent and bitch and whine, and that is part of how I deal with things. And finally i would have to shut myself off to being an open person. This would be the biggest issue because I like sharing myself with people, I like letting my passions be known to the world, I like painting with my own shade of color.<br /><br />I am a passionate individual and I would have it no other way. I feel and express and emote in big, loud, overbearing ways, and that is how I like it. <br /><br />Now, don't get me wrong, there are things I need to work on doing that are not going to change me as a person that have the ability to cut down the drama. And also understand, that there is good drama and bad drama and just because I accept that a byproduct of my personality is drama doesn't mean I like marinating in it forever and ever. <br /><br />So I will take on the drama. I will accept and welcome the beauty that comes with the depth and complexity of human emotion in all its forms. I will try and eliminate it where I can, but when it comes my way I will realize that in order to live my big passionate life, that this will be an effect, and I will welcome it with open arms.<br /><br />Hope everything is coming up roses!<br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-68870526944965173192010-02-03T13:41:00.002-05:002010-02-03T13:53:06.889-05:00What the Heck?So I thought I had everything figured out...and then I didn't. I guess the only thing I can ever be sure of is that I will never be sure of anything. I promise, within the next week I will let you know. It has something to do with my love life, and I think it is going to be a good thing. <br /><br />On another hand: started the weight loss supplement "Alli" yesterday. Going to try this out and thought i would be up front and honest with any readers and let you know how everything goes. That way you are left with some options a.) if it is something you were thinking about doing, I will try it out first and you can get some information on it. b.) you can laugh at any odd reactions I might have to it (and there are some possible side effects if I end up falling off the wagon) or c.) you can be jealous when my body turns into that of a super model over the course of a couple weeks. :)<br /><br />So far it has been fine, a little stomach upset but that is about it. For sure makes me think about what I am about to eat just because I have to pop a little blue pill before every meal. I have a little online account thingy too, my first check in will be on tuesday. I will also try and keep up with tracking my weight loss on here. <br /><br />Weight Lost to Date: 0lbs (though I guess it could be something since I haven't actually weighed myself today...but who knows)<br /><br />Hope everything is coming up roses!<br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-20865039579958126212010-01-31T20:55:00.002-05:002010-01-31T21:00:39.647-05:00Because I Will Always Rather FallLet myself do and think something stupid, I don't know if I am ever going to learn, but I wouldn't change myself ever. Promise this will be the last cryptic post for a while, sometimes I just have to vent to something other than my journal. <br /><br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-73943008278687236352010-01-26T01:12:00.003-05:002010-01-26T14:38:18.356-05:00Things That Make me HappyI thought it might be nice to share these with you, they make me happy, so I hope they do the same for you. <br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vupEpNjCuY<br /><br />http://vimeo.com/8400913<br /><br />Hugs<br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-84144940935593252892010-01-23T14:38:00.001-05:002010-01-23T14:39:57.278-05:00Sometimes you just gotta let it fly. Everything will work itself out. <br /><br />One a slightly less deep and cryptic note: Last Connan O'Brian Late Night Show, makes me sad. Here's to another fine ginger!<br /><br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-60878593650209306562010-01-20T16:16:00.005-05:002010-01-21T01:27:24.293-05:00Oh the PossibilitiesThings that Freak me Out:<br /><br />-Discovering bugs that are crawling on me that I didn't know were there (but not bugs in general, nor bugs I know about.)<br />-Losing friends<br />-The idea that with all this cooking I have been doing at some point I am going to have to know how to put out a kitchen fire<br />-Little kids being hurt<br />-Accidentally touching gum that has been put under a chair or desk I am at and has been there for Lord knows how long<br />-Failure, in all its shapes and forms<br />-The idea of Ginger's dying out as a race (yes, I said a race)<br />-And finally (though this is by no means a total list) feeling like I am going to let someone down, or fall short of who they think of me as a person. <br /><br />This last one is going to be the topic of today's posty thing. I have recently been getting to know this amazing and wonderful person who's name for the purpose of this post is going to be...Hoody. So Hoody and I have met a couple of times, but have only really started getting to know each other by talking though Skype. Hoody doesn't live where I do, and so this, texting and phone calls are the best means of communication. When I say "getting to know" what I mean is having wonderfully long conversations through our computers every night for the past week and a half that usually run between 2 and 4 hours. Hoody is a cool dude. <br /><br />Situation: Hoody and I would really like to see each other in person, since the last time that happened was quite a while ago and we haven't seen each other since this whole thing started. Problem: I am worried that I am not going to be nearly as impressive in person as I am over the computer. Now, don't get me wrong, I am totally confident that I am a cool person. I have done a lot of things that people my age...hell people not my age, have never done. I know I am interesting and have a lot of things to share. My issue is that sometimes that doesn't come out right away when I meet people for the first time, and sometimes I can be awkward and weird and fidgety and odd and I don't know, a million other kind of things that are anything but easy going, impressive and normal. I have already accepted the fact that I am going to end up putting my foot in my mouth at least a dozen times when we first meet, and since simply not opening my mouth to say anything has been ruled out (though I am still pondering about whether or not this would be feasible) I am, at this point, trying to do a preemptive damage control type thing. <br /><br />Shoot, okay need to go to practice. But i am going to finish this post when I have time and will post as is for now, so anyone with any advice can let me know. <br /><br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-40146441809793237122010-01-08T20:10:00.001-05:002010-01-08T20:11:55.094-05:00TroubleQuestion to the masses: when you are about to make a bad decision, and you see it coming and it is ENTIRELY within your power to change it, and keep yourself out of trouble...but you don't particularly want to; what do you do?<br /><br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-18479843545652654822010-01-05T16:47:00.002-05:002010-01-05T16:50:17.094-05:00Accidental Day OffMaking almond crusted chicken for my co-workers since I have been promising them a meal for a while. Just put it in the oven. I think I am going to start including the recipes for all these things because it will make the blog look more involved. Will let you know how it turned out in a little while. Will also add the recipe, later. <br /><br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-80880143943941610162010-01-01T15:50:00.002-05:002010-01-01T15:55:46.163-05:00First Post of 2010Just wanted to get on real quick and wish everyone a Happy New Year and that I hope every one's celebrations went well. I am currently in Canada with the family and trying to soak up every moment of what could very possibly be one of the last New Year's I send up here. Coming back to day and, time permitting, will be cooking Swedish meatballs for my friend Ski. I would post something about that here, but I can already tell you they are going to be amazing, and they aren't so hard to make that I worry about it all that much. <br /><br />On another culinary note: I made a key lime parfait thingy for a reunion I had with my high school accapella group. It turned out okay, the custard went very well actually but the recipe called for a layer of graham cracker crumbs between the custard and the whipped cream and I think it ended up making things a bit too dry. I might mix it with a bit of something to moisten it next time around, though everyone seemed to like it just fine. <br /><br />Alrighty, going to go have an early dinner. May the first few days of the new year be happy and restful and may the memories of the year past be learned from. <br /><br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-9281573085253334742009-12-27T13:16:00.005-05:002009-12-28T15:39:52.061-05:00I Am Martha Stewart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIL_coYuNK0nl3qeHje7rl91vAS11utlXu6IdZm8dyo9-RvY58nMn6vydge58v_7PLdWQyWrJUJddNzhEpGYptYOTHICYBqAlB_agFrzcJOzfAnw6rGi4j0pdRAeT_Rcjo1AnmvxWteED/s1600-h/Food-Safety.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIL_coYuNK0nl3qeHje7rl91vAS11utlXu6IdZm8dyo9-RvY58nMn6vydge58v_7PLdWQyWrJUJddNzhEpGYptYOTHICYBqAlB_agFrzcJOzfAnw6rGi4j0pdRAeT_Rcjo1AnmvxWteED/s200/Food-Safety.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420388707421528562" /></a><br />So...I have decided that I am going to keep track of major meals that I cook for friends and family and then report back on how they went afterwards, and if people would like the recipes they can post a comment; which would be cool since it isn't something that anyone seems to do any more. SO here is tonight's Post-Christmas meal for my family, Aunts, Uncle and cousins:<br /><br />-Sage rubbed Pork chops with cinnamon and brown sugar apples<br />-Sautéed green beans<br />-Garden salad<br />-English Trifle (my sister is making this part)<br /><br />Hope the season is going well, finally got my white Christmas after returning from the vacation in Florida. There is no doubt, I am a northern girl. <br /><br />~The Singing Ginger<br /><br />Afterward: So maybe this recipe would have been better to me if I liked pork...yeah. On the whole it was taken very well by my family. Did roasted asparagus with olive oil, salt and pepper instead of the beans, way awesome. The meat was slightly overdone and the apples kind of outdid the sage rub on the pork, but everyone said they liked it. I don't really think this is a accurate indicator of a good meal though. <br />My rating 5/10 Approximate Family rating: 7.5/10Scarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-79606582827618365892009-12-24T23:52:00.002-05:002009-12-24T23:53:20.088-05:00God JulMerry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!<br /><br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-78039150936579287322009-12-23T22:30:00.003-05:002009-12-23T23:20:19.781-05:00The Future Scares the Hell Out of MeSo I am sitting here and looking over things for the Peace Corps and Graduate school, and all of these other crazy life decisions, and all I can think about is how much this all scares the hell out of me. I am looking at schools in different states and I am applying for a program that is going to take me away from my country for two years. Why the hell am I doing this? I am tighter with my family than anything else in my entire life. Am I just holding on to some sort of nomadic dream or traveling the world and having adventures? Is this what I really want? Can someone want something that scares them so bad?<br /><br />This is the answer I have come up with. Yes, I can want something that scares the hell out of me. Yes, this is all life coming at me like mad, but...that is exciting as hell, and though i am scared out of my pants, I feel like I am on the brink of something truly amazing. I love my family and friends, and they are the most important parts of my life, but they wouldn't be the amazing set of friends nor the amazing relations that are family, if they weren't going to stay that way when I drop off the map for a little. Its going to be hard, and it is going to suck at times, because I am going to miss them so much, but if I don't go I am always going to wonder what my life would have been had I gone. <br /><br />I refuse to be the the grandmother (heaven willing) that is on her death bed wondering what she could have done. Pondering who she could have met had she had nerve to go out and explore everything there was to explore. I will be the old woman (again, heaven willing) that went everywhere, and talked to everyone and has pictures on her mantle of both her dogs (I am not a cat person) and every corner of the globe. I want to speak a little of every language and worship in every religious building and wear out every pair of shoes I will ever own. I want the sun burn of the dessert, I want the waves of the ocean, I want concrete of every city, and the canopy of every forest. I want it all and though I may not get it, I will be damned if I am not going to try. <br /><br />So I will put aside my fear, even if for a moment so I can catch my breath and refill my lungs. I will put one foot in front of another, and stop only when the pavement ends, and then go beyond that until the ground falls off, and sand is washed away. <br /><br />"Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,<br />And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,<br />For the children, they mark, and the children, they know<br />The place where the sidewalk ends."<br />~Shell Silverstein<br /><br />~The Singing Ginger<br />I would like to dedicate this entire post to Amelia Lynn Callam, who on this day in 2006, became my guardian angel. Love you forever Mo. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp5JrI3tfOY7ZrqhO-WB0zfdlOudwAzd6J3Bx21DbIZuvyWhNddFHuCYqdie8yzY4FRsjIrSeFoev32X7r-zQYxgWkPESKIY_b1ee4gscVB5uv86YF-GVHzcoRWrqUUt6-_6YPlv7mzJ-/s1600-h/23351688_1943a4ff04.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp5JrI3tfOY7ZrqhO-WB0zfdlOudwAzd6J3Bx21DbIZuvyWhNddFHuCYqdie8yzY4FRsjIrSeFoev32X7r-zQYxgWkPESKIY_b1ee4gscVB5uv86YF-GVHzcoRWrqUUt6-_6YPlv7mzJ-/s200/23351688_1943a4ff04.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418652689035533730" /></a>Scarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-62297805799043130292009-12-22T20:23:00.002-05:002009-12-22T20:46:22.994-05:00Resolution AverageSo, as promised about 30seconds ago, I am going to go over what I was able to accomplish last year in hopes I can do better next year!<br /><br />-Get to healthy weight<br />*Not there yet, but 15lbs lighter than when I wrote this the first time!<br /><br />-Learn patience and self reliance<br />*self reliance, hell yes. Patience, no way in hell.<br /><br />-Kiss someone who means something to me/ don't kiss anyone who doesn't mean anything to me<br />*I have kissed someone who has meant something to me this year (though not really under the right state of mind) but unfortunatly I have also locked lips with a few who are special, and mean something but not in the way they should to be kissing them.<br /><br />-Be more truthful<br />*Think I did better with this one, but there is still room for improvement. <br /><br />-Find something to love about myself everyday<br />*I love myself, I probably don't need to be in a therapy-like exercise of reassuring myself every single day in order to know this. <br /><br />-Get down to a 2:09 6k split time<br />*2:06:05 biatches :)<br /><br />-Make art<br />*Nope, haven't really done this, sad face<br /><br />-Sing more<br />*pretty much the same, which makes me sad, but more and more chances coming up<br /><br />-Take a chance and do something totally random<br />*His name is Ski and he pretty much assures that this is taken care of every day<br /><br />-Stop swearing as much<br />*I think I did pretty good on this one, but I also think this is me growing out of something I felt the need to do when I was a year younger. <br /><br />-Keep grades up<br />*Eh, bad, MUST do better!!<br /><br /><br />Okay, so the grand total (including half for the patience/ self reliance and half for truth) would be 5 out of 11...wow. I mean I guess that isn't horrible, but it isn't great. Will have to do better for next year. So, I know its early to be doing this, but consider this a Happy Winter Holiday whateverness, and a wonderful New Year as well!<br /><br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-60177311207870080102009-12-22T10:21:00.005-05:002009-12-22T21:04:49.142-05:00Ole Lang SineSo it's that time of year again folks! New Year's resolution time; the time of year when I promise myself to rededicate and refocus my energy toward achieving my goals. I could start in on how this never works and I always loose my dedication and focus about two weeks in, but I am going to opt to stay positive about it, since being pessimistic would be the easy way out. And since it is a million times easier to fail when you are expecting yourself to do so, I am going to try and stay positive. So here it is, this year's resolutions!<br /><br />Claire's New Year's Resolutions:<br /><br />-Get myself back into shape for nationals...like WAY IN SHAPE<br />-Work on being semi-female like<br />*****I am kind of a tomboy and though I love being like that, on the occasion I would like to know how to be a girl. <br />-Find more places to perform and sing<br />*****This does not include impromptu concerts for my family, which, though fun, are not all that challenging.<br />-Use Betty (my guitar) more often and get at least 6 more memorized guitar parts under my belt. <br />-Apply to Peace Corps, Graduate School, and Foreign Service<br />-Learn to be okay with just myself<br />*****Without getting too dramatic or wishy washy, after being single for two years plus, I need to learn to be okay with being that way and not be taking up too much of my time worrying about when Mr. Right is going to come along. Don't get me wrong, I am still looking, but there is more to life than finding someone to spend it with. <br />-Achieve at least an overall 3.5 for next semester's grade point<br />-Get into the Phoenix or David Bowie Co-Op.<br />-Achieve 1 of 3 options:<br />*****Get into the CLS program and study in Turkey<br />*****Get a summer internship<br />*****Work and then take an epic road trip before going back to school<br />-Start writing a book<br />*****Or at least get a good idea for one<br /><br />And that's pretty much it. My next post is going to PROBABLY be around which of last year's resolutions I actually stuck to. Actually, why wait? Going to post this under a new title and let you know how I did last year. <br />-Scarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-60177818339154032642009-12-07T11:33:00.007-05:002009-12-07T13:21:47.683-05:00Breathe in Breath Out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1il1e7g1eXurAyn_4D4pzNQV7p4Pix-mPeMyOwCg7IMvluWYBHjpqSq34-FI34b9BnW61ARqYxXFOoef6dNNeadWE2-O4cweb0NcfQTjQDrISbvoD_rDqFY83LB0_N6NnCPWhXNHkCMZ/s1600-h/2906962159_0de1fff004.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1il1e7g1eXurAyn_4D4pzNQV7p4Pix-mPeMyOwCg7IMvluWYBHjpqSq34-FI34b9BnW61ARqYxXFOoef6dNNeadWE2-O4cweb0NcfQTjQDrISbvoD_rDqFY83LB0_N6NnCPWhXNHkCMZ/s200/2906962159_0de1fff004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412559682908725266" /></a><br />I am getting a tattoo this weekend, and as much as I HATE to say it (because I know if my parents read this they are going to jump all over it and use it to their own advantage) I am getting nervous. This is easily the most permanent decision I have made up to this point in my life, that wasn't a no brainer (continuing my education, continuing certain relationships, sticking to my morals and/ or principals.) I am going to have something permanently ingrained in my SKIN! I've wanted this for a long time and now that it is finally coming all the weird little questioning midgets hanging out in my head are deciding to voice their opinion. I was talking to one of my best friends about it and he said something along the lines of me being worried about it being approved of, or if people thought it was any good. To be honest I think he was right, as much as I believe that this is MY tattoo and no one else's business, I would worry if I had people constantly telling me it looked like a piece of shit. I think this worry can be taken care of by the fact that I put a lot of research into this artist and I am confident in her capabilities to create a unique and wonderful piece of art (some of her previous work is displayed here.) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCUukexzj03dN7jqGiHdoiaUFBj6tvZt087LgKbYfoXUr2aUqMr8AxkcF3GZQGzSIuOQUtzWNN6_3oEJQNfVzvwN5ArW-SUfAtqmqXMLmjT-uK7lknypY3rwnlAAhkiuAY7ilQ33xun3V/s1600-h/tattoo-33bc8ffbd0cdb17b5b642ae611479075_m.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCUukexzj03dN7jqGiHdoiaUFBj6tvZt087LgKbYfoXUr2aUqMr8AxkcF3GZQGzSIuOQUtzWNN6_3oEJQNfVzvwN5ArW-SUfAtqmqXMLmjT-uK7lknypY3rwnlAAhkiuAY7ilQ33xun3V/s200/tattoo-33bc8ffbd0cdb17b5b642ae611479075_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412559067272475714" /></a> <br /><br />So what continues this sweaty palm reaction in myself even as I type about this momentous event this weekend? Some might suggest the pain factor in getting a tattoo, and though there is no doubt in my mind that this is going to be a "day of" worry, it is not so much right now. I have been through some very physically painful experiences in my life and if this is the worse one I am in pretty good shape. All-in-all a couple of hours of pain for a life long piece of art is a pretty good trade off. <br /><br />So here is what I have come up with: I am worried about my future. This is the stereotypical worry and doubt when it comes to getting tattoos and as special as I think I am I have been unable to escape this particular situation. I am worried about what the future me is going to think about this position, about what future husband, or children, or bosses are going to think. I am worried that when I am old and wrinkly and liver spotted that I will look back on this and wonder what the hell I was thinking. I guess the only consolation for myself that I can offer would be that this can be a beautiful reminder of my youth, or my changing ways and of the things that I love now. I will always love music, I can say this without doubt or worry or anything else. So I guess the real question would be whether or not I am always going to love tattoos, and this is not an answer I can provide with any kind of certainty.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKS2fzcGGe442wEUF3gkiSV_cvnZluRiOteqeS5ArcscxcoyrZatkg8ZI4HR0JC9yJ4ulC65-mT1_XHqdUbI9PSuG_o9XhR6DqtZqSdPliXOiFp0MKcswha8jyd_7EEjrvmw0t5jQ5MYD/s1600-h/2083720303_253ef50dd2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKS2fzcGGe442wEUF3gkiSV_cvnZluRiOteqeS5ArcscxcoyrZatkg8ZI4HR0JC9yJ4ulC65-mT1_XHqdUbI9PSuG_o9XhR6DqtZqSdPliXOiFp0MKcswha8jyd_7EEjrvmw0t5jQ5MYD/s200/2083720303_253ef50dd2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412558687444751522" /></a><br /><br />To those that might be reading that will be accompanying me this weekend, I ask only for support. I know you may not like this decision, I know you many not approve, but I would ask that you wouldn't take advantage of my worry to further your own hopes for a clean epidermal canvas. If you really can't do that just be neutral, get me through the day, stave off the jokes, or the personal opinions until I am all tattooed up. Thank you for your love, in any and all decisions that I make. <br /><br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5681632180273304640.post-22428969168893241472009-12-03T13:25:00.003-05:002009-12-03T13:49:16.540-05:00Rant Continued: Babies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7TEc5Ybo-LO-O8eJRHxUEfy0d-3Qej9mooljvueWZQD-lD_bSw0TThv5DtHyLqLx5cWo1kvtAeCqwtb0QvhVRGiFMdrqeHbMobe-_3RNCUbBPk9jUTRod5jORXxkAbEP2X_VBXFOLOFd/s1600-h/Linux-Babies-Angry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7TEc5Ybo-LO-O8eJRHxUEfy0d-3Qej9mooljvueWZQD-lD_bSw0TThv5DtHyLqLx5cWo1kvtAeCqwtb0QvhVRGiFMdrqeHbMobe-_3RNCUbBPk9jUTRod5jORXxkAbEP2X_VBXFOLOFd/s200/Linux-Babies-Angry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411083922328105026" /></a><br />As promised I have come back with a vengeance to continue my rant, starting, as all good rants do, with babies. <br /><br />Let me lay down the guidelines for this one, when I am ranting about babies I am not talking about accidental pregnancies. I am a liberal pro-lifer and I think that if a woman decides to keep her child, at any age, under any circumstance, that it is a courageous decision that should be applauded and supported. That being said, to all you 20 yr olds out there who made a conscious decision to have a child, and become parents...for lack of a better term...WTF? You are barely out of your own childhood years and you think you can handle the constant care and attention that is required to properly raise a child?!? Go to school! Get drunk at football games! Have children LATER. There is not a reason on earth that you should feel the need to have a kid right now. If you really think you do, offer to do a long term baby sitting job for a family member or friend. When I say "long term" I mean a week or more (and lets be honest, even that isn't really enough time.) <br /><br />Babies are crying, pooping, whining, time/ life sucks that are going to keep you up at all hours of the morning. Babies then turn into toddlers who will be running around with sharp objects, pulling things off of shelves, putting things in their mouths, and learning to potty train all over the house. Toddlers turn into preteens who suck more money and need braces, and doctor visits, and join sports teams. Then they turn into teenagers who will take out every drop of pent up anger they have out on you for being their parent. And after all is said and done you probably will have raised yet another 20 year old who decides, because they barely scraped by without permanent damage (and this really can't be accessed until they get a shrink in their 40s), that they too should have a kid at 20. <br /><br />I want children, I want to be a mother, I want to have babies and do all the things listed above. I think children are wonderful and life changing and can be the best part of someone's life. In the same breath I don't want one now, hell I don't want one for at least the next 6 years or so. I love my life of staying up late, not to breast feed, but to cook and watch Conan O'Brien and The Office with my friends. I like having the time to read, or work out, or do absolutely nothing if I so choose. Hell I can't keep my apartment clean, how the hell am I going to raise a kid? <br /><br />Its great that you have the physical capacity to have a child, that you can support them and that you have the want to have one. That isn't going to be enough to make you a good parent. That isn't going to be enough to make sure your child gets the best out of life and their up bringing. Wait, just give it some time, you aren't going anywhere and assuming something horrible doesn't happen your ovaries/ penis is going to continue to be able to have children for a long time coming. <br /><br />So yeah...<br /><br />~The Singing GingerScarecrowcphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17676413449304200958noreply@blogger.com0