Freedom of Religion?

With the anniversary of September 11 coming up this weekend, it seems like everyone is becoming a radical.

Why would one burn the Quran? What is so wrong with a mosque being built near Ground Zero? Why is our country blaming a RELIGION for the acts of MEN?

This theme seems to keep coming up around me and its taking all my willpower not to respond in a bitchy manner. I thought we lived in a country where we have the freedoms of speech and religion. It makes no sense to me why people are so against anyone of the Muslim faith because of what happened. To me, it seems like if this is the case, why aren't we persecuting all persons of the Christian faith for the crusades? But its so easy to forget that; it happened centuries ago. This wound is fresh.

Would we be so against everyone of the Christian faith if the attacks on September 11 had been caused by someone of, say, the Catholic faith? I highly doubt that. We've had bombings and shootings happen all over the country by Christians, Atheists, Muslims, and any other religious background you choose to look for. Look at the Virginia Tech shooting a couple years ago. It's been described as the deadliest shooting rampage in US history, and was done by a Christian. Did we blame the Christian faith for this? No. It was the act of one person.

If something described as the deadliest shooting in history doesn't blame a faith group, why does a terrorist attack? The attacks were caused by a few members of the Muslim faith, not the religion itself. There are bad, messed up people in every faith. Don't punish the whole group for the poor decisions and heinous acts of a few members.

Our country was built on the ideal of freedom from religious oppression. Are we going to return to those times where the only religion accepted is Christianity? If this is where my country is headed, I fear for the future of my children. I was brought up in a private Christian school where my classmates ranged from the obvious majority of Christians, to the nice little Jewish girl, to the Muslim girl who's family was from Pakistan (and who's aunt was Benazir Bhutto). If my close-minded Christian elementary school was open and accepting of these other religions, why is everyone so afraid?

I think if people took the time to understand what the other religions were about, we would be much better off. Stop being scared and accept people for who they are.

Just my two cents...

For the record

One day, boy, you're gonna wake up and realize all you lost the day you walked out of my life. You'll realize you had everything you ever wanted right in front of you and you'll hurt the way I've hurt every time you cross my mind. Trust me boy, there is no one better out there. I'm still here, waiting and wishing. But I won't be forever. Time is running out and I miss you a little less every day. Don't waste your time, boy, don't let me pass you by cause you know you'll never be happier than we were.

one.one. {11}

I just realized that within the next fourteen days I will be going to TWO amazing concerts. I have tickets to Goo Goo Dolls on the 14th and Maroon 5 on the 19th. Seems like August is going to be an eventful month.

Julie and Dennis keep reminding me that we're going CAMPING. Camping. Me. LOL. This is going to be quite an adventure. We're going to spend a day down at the Jersey Shore and my mommy told me I can bring a guido home with me as long as I promise to take care of it. I'm kind of excited. We're also going to Six Flags and this has me bouncing off the walls! I love vacations.

I applied for a Director position here at FIU, I didn't think I had any chance whatsoever based on what they wanted. Surprisingly, I passed the initial screening and my application is under review by the hiring committee. It's in the College of Arts and Sciences, so it would be weird to be working with the people I was a student under for all those years. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that I actually get a call for an interview. Jack's last day in our office is officially August 19th, so I'm going to be the only one here for a while. I think Boss Lady will kill me if I leave at the same time he does. Although she knows that I am underpaid for what I do and know. It really isn't fair; FIU promotes and hires as it sees fit, not based on knowledge or effort. Red tape. Ugh.

I'm still pretty upset about the behavior place lowering my pay rate. If I start making decent money from the passion parties, I think I'll leave there and get my hours elsewhere. There's plenty of time to make those decisions though.

I want to go out and do something fun tonight. I also want to check out Miami Spice, but none of the restaurant menus seemed appealing to me. I feel like the offerings last year were better than this year. Maybe I'm just more picky. I think we're probably going to settle on Mortons or Shula's for dinner tomorrow.

I never know how to end these rambles...

X. {Ninety-nine percent of the world’s lovers are not with their first choice. That’s what makes the jukebox play. - Willie Nelson}

I'm beginning to realize that I'm drawn to the wrong kind of person. The last two people I dated are the same person, generally. Ex-boyfriend number one defines them as being "in similar stages of growth, exploration, man-whorishness." Ain't that the damn truth?

Ex-boyfriend number one says I need someone noble. Who is noble anymore? It seems like all men want anymore is sex and someone to do their bidding. What the hell, I don't want to play wifey because it's expected of me. I want to do these things for someone because they DESERVE it.

All this came up because ex-boyfriend number one says I "...never go gaga over any guy," I act like they're all "eh, whatever." I don't completely agree, but I don't disagree either. Let's take a look at the past few men I've gone "gaga" over:

Ex-boyfriend number one: that was an amazing 3 years, when we weren't fighting. Things could have been better. I had an idea in my head of how things were and he had a different one. It ended badly.
Ex-boyfriend number two: I love his company, he makes me smile, he doesn't try to change me. When he wanted things to progress, I wasn't ready. When I was ready, he wasn't; he wanted to do the man-whore, single thing. C'est la vie.
The six-pack: I should have made my intentions clear. I should have said yes when I said no, should have been more assertive. He found someone else, they're very happy. I'm happy for them and totally jealous of their cuteness.
Mr. Blue Eyes: This, I think, was pure curiosity. It had been there in my mind for a while and I finally had the balls to act on it. Not sure how I felt about it afterward. It was more a mental thing.
Baby Daddy: He's too cute and too much fun, but the whole kid thing is kind of a turnoff. He's a great dad and his munchkin is too cute for words, but no me interesa.

I guess I just have to find the right person. Easier said than done though. I have a idea of what I want in my head and heart, but finding that person in real life is pretty damn difficult. How does one meet new people? I'm too scared of this online dating thing; I fear the psychos. Meeting a guy in a bar is kinda weird too.

Damn complexities. The universe just needs to deliver me someone.

Right, cause that really happens.

9.

Home sick. I have a sinus infection AND tonsillitis. Kill me now.

So to make myself feel better, I'm going to take a bubble bath, go grab a panino from SpecialTEA Lounge and go to therapy. I'm really looking forward to the mango chicken and a massage. Yum yum yum.

8.

Santana last night was freaking amazing. I could never have imagined that hearing some of those songs live would be so different from hearing the album version. WOW, incredible.

I was able to record a little bit of the concert; I have half of Black Magic Woman and all of Oye Como Va. I sent Oye Como Va to monkey after I recorded it, just so she could hear how it SHOULD sound, not the way our jazz band attempted it. I was totally jamming all night long. <3

We got home ridiculously late and I had to be to work at 8:00 this morning. I had such a hard time waking up and I think I'm getting sick. I have a sore throat, my neck hurts and my nose is running. Maybe I'll pass by the doctor at lunch and make sure nothing is seriously wrong.

I'm currently running on a shot of espresso, a tall white mocha and an iced green tea. I think I need a nap.

Siete.

I've been up since 7 AM. I watched Notting Hill, took a shower and read 4 chapters in my book. I think I'm just a little excited about the Santana concert tonight.

Apparently it's supposed to rain so I'm gonna go pick up some ponchos and figure out what to wear. I also need to talk to these people about what we're doing before and after the concert. I should probably pick up a bottle of something yummy and some mixers. Maybe a cooler too. I guess I should start running my errands now then.

Have a great day everyone! I hope yours is as exciting as mine is going to be :)

VI.

Lover messaged me this morning asking for a good burger place for her non-date tonight. I suggested Burger & Beer Joint and immediately began craving a thunder road. So I messaged favorite cousin and invited her on an adventure. As per our typical adventures, we got lost.

Lunch's deliciousness was followed by free Monster and a trip to our favorite Starbucks. No adventure is complete without a stop there on the way home.

We discussed going on an adventure with Sadaf and how her friends see me at Whole Foods all the time. I guess I have an addiction. We also discussed how classy our family is and how we come from a long line of rednecks lol.

I love following packages on FedEx and I'm always so happy when things come in the mail. Tonight will be all about me, unless if I find something more exciting to do.

Happy Saturday!!

Five.

Critical Mass stole all my friends. I want to go line dancing.

I made an absolutely delicious dinner for my lady loves - pork with mango-peach salsa, jasmine rice and cuban bread. All this deliciousness was served with tropical fruit chardonnay. Yum yum yum.

I learned today that I cannot post blogs from my iPhone. I think I need to find a new blogger app.

Four. {regarding music and memories}

Have you ever noticed that there are certain songs that take you back to certain memories? Like vividly. No matter how many times you hear it, what environment you're in, how you feel at that moment, who you're with... None of that matters. You remember what that song meant years ago. You remember the smell of the room, the way you felt at that moment. I think its crazy that the mind does that.

There are certain songs by Silverchair and whole albums by Coheed & Cambria that I can't even listen to. They take me back to a time I don't want to remember, feelings I've fought to forget.

Then there is Portishead and Massive Attack. Those are memories that I don't mind reliving over and over and over. I love that the sounds of those bands have nothing but amazing memories attached. I clearly remember the lack of sleep, the feel of nails, jiu jitsu (and its purpose in the bedroom), and coming down with a case of the feelings. I remember listening to the bands that would be at Ultra and talking about how amazing those two days were going to be. Sometimes I wonder what changed and how things would have been different had I made a move sooner. What would have happened if I admitted how I felt when I was asked the first time? The roommate says we wouldn't be together now, but I don't about that. His wifey is definitely a lucky girl.

I'm going to the Santana concert on Sunday (part of one of my goals; concert 2/3 for the year!) and I need to brush up on his music. I'm going to go let myself fall into the rhythm of a guitar while I try to finish up my work here for the day.

Find a song and feel it. I always do.

3.1

I forgot to mention that I'm considering becoming a Passion Party Consultant.

Talk about sex and make money for it? Yes, please!

3.

Last night I was faced with a moral dilemma. You can read all about in in my tumblr (). I am still indifferent and don't feel like keeping the wallet would have been a bad thing. C'est la vie.

The Santana concert is on Sunday and Lilly, Ivan and I still hadn't gotten tickets. I think we had pretty much decided on doing the 4-pack of tickets or just not going. Today I decided to check the LiveNation site and guess what concert was on the $10 ticket list! Ten dollar tickets make life so much better. I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend. Especially since tomorrow is my Friday and will be celebrated with $1.50 cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory. Yum!

I'm really not looking forward to tonight's session with my little one. This whole pay cut thing is turning me off to therapy in general. I need to find someone willing to supervise my hours so I can sit for the exam. Plus, her mom emailed me and told me that things have been terrible this week. I hate reintroducing skills and having to start over.

I feel like this blog isn't as cool as the things I used to post in my LiveJournal. I was such a great writer and had such beautiful things to say. What happened? Its only day 3, I have a whole year ahead of me to make things better.

two. {nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy - cynthia nelms}

The quote in the title is saving me from being a very angry person today.

Today was check pickup day at my behavior place and I was expecting a MUCH bigger check than what I received. I was told that it was based on new insurance contracts and that my BCBA supervisor was supposed to have told me about this back in MARCH. I was never told about these changes, and Mr. Director's response was pretty much "too bad, so sad." AND my contract still has my original pay rate in it. I'm looking in to all the details of Breach of Contract lawsuits. Hmmm...

On a happier note, I have an hour left of work and Pretty Little Liars AND Make It Or Break It are on tonight. I hope Jess and Kaleena have figured out what to make for dinner; I'm a hungry hippo today. I also watched an incredibly amazing episode of True Blood. This show always leaves me thinking the same thing: "OMG! WTF?!" Damn cliffhanger endings. THAT must be how they keep me coming back.

I got a reminder email from the airline today about my trip to see Julie next month. I'm super excited and can't wait to be in the air! I'm also looking forward to Philly Cheese Steaks, camping and roller coasters with my best friend. I just saw her a few months ago, but it seems like its been forever. We don't seem to be talking as much as we used to and that makes me sad. I don't know if its the distance or the fact that she has a boyfriend nearby that takes up her time, but there's definitely a problem.

I also did something completely out of character, just to see how it turns out. We'll see what happens with that.

The Amazing August Countdown begins:
August 1 - Santana (still a maybe)
August 6 - Back to a normal work schedule
August 19 - Maroon 5
August 26-31 - Philly
51 behavior hours = $$$ (but not as much as I used to make) = LONDON FUND!

There is only 40 minutes left of work, so I feel like I should go be productive and finish the things I have been putting off all day.

Remember, no one cares if you're miserable so be happy damnit!

uno.

desi posted this thing on her tumblr about 101 things you want to do in 1001 days. one of my 101 things is to blog daily for a year. i guess this counts as my first post.

i know that a few of the other things i put on my list are actually going to be completed within the next few months (go to 3 concerts a year, visit julie once a year, finish applying for grad school, retake the GRE, etc...) and some are in the works (a trip to see the shuttle launch, drink around the world in epcot, family vacations, planning london 2012). i guess this will be good for me and attempting to make and keep goals.

the other 100 things i want to do in the next 1000 days can be found here: http://dayzeroproject.com/user/stacitheblondie

what great things do you wanna do in the next 2.75 years?