Mary and Martha

Right now!

2012-02-13T12:07:00.001-05:00

I am so ready to get this baby out of me.

Back Home

2012-01-22T15:30:00.004-05:00

I'm finally out of North Carolina. I moved back home to Michigan around Christmas (take my word for it, never move around the holidays), EJ's back in NC waiting to deploy, and I'm just trying to reconnect with my old friends before I no longer have any time for myself. One of them hosts a weekly Yarn Group in her home, which I'm attending tonight. Seriously, I still have Christmas scarves that need to be finished. This'll be great. (^_^)

Despite being home for almost a month, I haven't had that many opportunities to attend the local Orthodox church in town. Today was only my second time and it was the first time I could actually stay and chat with people. The Presvytera was so funny. I didn't recognize her accent, I'm assuming Greek, and she latched onto me as soon as she saw a new face and began introducing me to people left and right. "This is Maria! This is Janie! This is Michelle! This is Janie's husband! North Carolina is too hot and humid, I prefer it here." (No argument there.) I had to chuckle after I left, because there's no way I'll remember more than a few people without further reintroductions, I can't even remember Presvytera's name. However, she also explained how to proceed with Jack's baptism after he's born ("You must pick Godmother! I recommend Michelle. Of course, there's Janie and Maria, but I prefer Michelle."), so I now have a slightly Greek-flavored to-do list in my head. Mmm, yummy.

The family dog is staring at me forlornly. It was strange at first, having a canine in the house who wasn't Max, especially another Brittany, but she's grown on me. Lucy has her own personality, of course, and slightly different physical characteristics: her feet turn out, whereas Max's always faced forward, her ears are ever so slightly lower, she's liver colored instead of red, and, obviously, isn't a boy dog, but I'm learning. I like her. It's a good start.

I suppose that's enough for now. Peace!

House Cleaning

2011-08-31T20:26:00.003-04:00

Whew! Cleaned up my profile as well as all the links in my sidebar. That was a chore, but worth it. I didn't realize how outdated everything was.

Been Away for So Long

2011-08-03T13:35:00.004-04:00

I've been trying to write more in my paper journal in order to train myself to not put so much out there on the internet (Facebook, mostly), plus, EJ bought me a wicked cool journal from Barnes&Noble and I want to hurry up and finish my current one so I can begin to use it!

Oh, hey, I'M PREGNANT. Finally! EJ and I have been trying for about 16 months and it finally happened! I'd actually had my first appointment with an infertility doctor about two weeks before I took the test. Funny how God works. (^_^)

I've been extremely fortunate to not experience any nausea so far. In fact, if I hadn't taken confirmed it with a doctor, I'd have a hard time even believing I was pregnant. I certainly don't feel so!

The Philosophy of Liberty

2011-04-26T20:38:00.000-04:00

Autobiography of Mark Twain

2010-11-16T10:08:00.005-05:00

The first volume of the Autobiography of Mark Twain was released yesterday, 100 years after the death of the author, as per his wishes. I'm only 39 pages into Clemens' actual writings (the first thirty or so are Introduction) and, so far, there hasn't been a page on which I've found nothing to be amazed at. Just the first-hand glimpses of historical matters makes it worth it. I also had no idea that Samuel Clemens became so close to the Grant family (as in General Ulysses S. Grant) and I'm finding his writings concerning the man, their friendship, and interactions fascinating. It's made me want to read Grant's memoirs, too.

I'm really looking forward to finishing this book. Clemen's prose is so nearly perfect (not necessarily dotting 'i's and crossing 't's, but how he says what needs to be said) that, in some places, I have to stop and marvel.

Here are some quotes I found to be oh so blissfully Twainian:

[Early Years in Florida, Missouri]
Most of the houses were of logs - all of them, indeed, except three or four; these latter were frame ones. There were none of brick, and none of stone. There was a log church, with a puncheon floor and slab benches. A puncheon floor is made of logs who upper surfaces have been chipped flat with the adze. The cracks between the logs were not filled; there was no carpet; consequently, if you dropped anything smaller than a peach, it was likely to go through. The church was perched upon short sections of logs, which elevated it two or three feet from the ground. Hogs slept under there, and whenever the dogs got after them during services, the minister had to wait till the disturbance was over. In winter there was always a refreshing breeze up through the puncheon floor; in summer there were fleas enough for all. (p. 64)

...

[About General Grant's Memoirs]
[The General] told what I have before related about the robberies perpetrated upon him and upon all the Grant connection by this man Ward [that story is just one of the fascinating vignettes in the book], whom he had so thoroughly trusted, but he never uttered a phrase concerning Ward which an outraged adult might not have uttered concerning an offending child. He spoke as a man speaks who has been deeply wronged and humiliated and betrayed; but he never used a venomous expression or one of a vengeful nature.

As for myself I was inwardly boiling all the time; I was scalping Ward, flaying him alive, breaking him on the wheel, pounding him to jelly, and cursing him with all the profanity known to the one language that I am acquainted with, and helping it out in times of difficulty and distress with odds and ends of profanity drawn from the two other languages of which I have a limited knowledge

[Grant] told his story with deep feeling in his voice, but with no betrayal upon his countenance of what was going on in his heart. He could depend upon that countenance of his in all emergencies. It always stood by him. It never betrayed him. (pp. 82-83)

...

[About His Relationship with the Sculptor Karl Gerhardt]
I may as well say here and be done with it that my connection with Gerhardt had very little sentiment in it, from my side of the house, and no romance. ... I told him in the first place that if the time should ever come when he could pay back to me the money expended upon him and pay it without inconvenience to himself, I should expect it at his hands, ... that that act would leave him free from any obligation to me. It was well all round that things had taken that shape in the beginning and had kept it, for, if the foundation had been sentiment, that sentiment would have grown sour when I saw that he did not want to work for a living in outside ways when art had no living to offer. It had saved me from applying in his case a maxim of mine that whenever a man preferred being fed by any other man to starving in independence he ought to be shot. (p. 87)

Oh, Sweet Rapture!

2010-11-15T10:49:00.003-05:00

My kitchen is actually clean...

I keep looking over at it disbelievingly. Is it real? Are the countertops really clear? The dishes all washed and put away? The floor really swept? Even my adjacent living room looks somewhat put together.

Which stars aligned to create this happiness?

Alas, EJ doesn't work today; it shall not last...

I Don't Envy Him

2010-11-03T08:06:00.004-04:00

Looks like that Canadian, socialist, idiotic piece of disaster called Granholm's 12-year reign of driving Michigan into the dirt is finally over - not that I know anything about the person replacing her, other than that he's a Republican and a man. It doesn't matter. This is the first time since turning 18 that I didn't vote. I missed the absentee deadline and, quite honestly, just didn't really care. Republicans are Democrat-lite (as a favorite blogger likes to say) and, though gaining some ground, the Libertarian and Constitution party candidates just don't have the sway right now to get into enough important offices, so it's not like any of my candidates would have won anything.

I'm just glad "The Most Important Election Evaar!" is finally behind us and we can get on with our lives.

He's a Big Softie =)

2010-11-01T09:40:00.001-04:00

I tried embedding the video directly into this post, but it only showed half the screen, so, I beg you, go watch this video of a teenage boy and his rescued baby hummingbird:

My Baby Hummingbird

First Ever Photograph of a Human Being

2010-10-31T08:53:00.003-04:00

A picture of a Parisian street which includes a man getting his shoes shined, circa 1838

An Early 50's Comedy

2010-10-28T12:46:00.003-04:00

Never Wave at a WAC (1953)

Totally cute movie about a vapid, devorcee who enlists in the Army thinking she was receiving a commission as an officer - and gets more than she bargained for!

Christa Taylor Dresses Review

2010-10-15T15:20:00.004-04:00

After being tipped off by Cam over at "A Woman's Place...", I purchased two dresses from Christa Taylor at ridiculously discounted prices. I've known about the store for years now, but the prices always kept me at "wistfully longing for" rather than "actually buying something", so I jumped at the chance to finally get the black Lucy Dress and the bright blue Best Friend Dress I've been eying for a while. They came in the mail today and I couldn't try them on fast enough.

At first, I was disappointed with the Lucy, because I thought they hadn't included the belt and, without anything to cinch in my waist, it rather hung on me like a sack. Honestly, the first thing I thought of upon seeing myself in the mirror was "airline stewardess" ... and not in a good way. Also, the V-neck plunges quite a bit lower than I thought it would and the button area tends to "poof" open, leaving little to the imagination; this means I'll have no choice but to wear a shirt underneath, to avoid exposing myself to all and sundry. However, once I found the belt (blending in with the whiteness of the packaging) it made all the difference in the world! I'll still have to wear an under shirt, and I wouldn't say the dress lives up to the website's claim of being "slimming", but, overall, I'm not disappointed with it's cutesy, retro feel.

After the few minutes of emotional turmoil I went through with the Lucy , the Best Friend was like a cool drink on a hot day. Right from the start it was such a cute, fun piece. It has a built in sash to cinch in that waist and it's so simple and refreshing. I feel like I could go anywhere in it; there's literally nothing I don't like about it. The big buttons are easier to handle that the tiny Lucy buttons and the side zipper makes slipping the dress over your head a breeze. And it's far more forgiving of my bodily flaws than the Lucy.

Here here to the first new non-work-related clothes I've bought in almost three years!! =D

Cutting Back

2010-10-12T10:52:00.002-04:00

I'm going to cut back. I'm not talking about money, or any of the usual suspects. I'm going to cut back on dishes. "You mean washing them?" You may ask. The answer to that is: yes and no. I've already described ad nauseum on this blog how I have a powerful case of The Lazy and that my housekeeping has suffered tremendously as a result. The only way I can think of to keep the pile of dirty dishes in my sink from mutating into a living being and taking over the kitchen is to cut back drastically on how many of them we keep out and available. Fewer dishes means less mess and washing. If we run out of dishes faster, we'll have to clean them more. Come tomorrow, I'm going to take some boxes home from work and pack up our excess cups, plates, and bowls, leaving behind only two or three of each. I'll keep the boxes in a relatively accessible place, in case we have company, but I'm just sick and tired of fighting with the never ending mountain of dishes that piles up between just me and my husband.

Onward!

Kill Your Children, Daddy Government Says It's for the Best

2010-10-07T19:04:00.004-04:00

China's Thirty Years War Against its own People Slated to Continue

...I was in China when the one-child policy began 30 years ago.

What I saw then, living in an agricultural commune in rural Guangdong, rivals anything that happened in Nazi Germany. One day in 1980 several hundred young mothers, all pregnancy with second or higher-order children, were ordered to attend population control meetings. There they were told that they would all have to abort their pregnancies. Those who refused were arrested for the "crime" of being pregnant and locked up until they, too, buckled under the pressure and submitted to an abortion.

...

Everything that I witnessed then, from the forced abortions of women in the third trimester of pregnancy to government-sanctioned infanticide, is still happening now.

Being told I'd have to kill my baby for the good of the state is something I can't even fathom. For all its loosening of its economics policy, people don't realize just how brutal China still is.

The language of Nebakanezer

2010-09-30T09:49:00.004-04:00

Ancient Babylonian poetry, recorded and available for listening, free.

This language is thousands of years old and hasn't been spoken for the majority of that time.

You know...

2010-08-22T21:24:00.003-04:00

...it gets really frustrating when I want to live more rusticly, but I can't do something as basic as grow a tomato plant or get ink out of EJ's uniform.

Geeking out!

2010-08-13T09:43:00.001-04:00

Geeking out!!

Captured: America in Color from 1939-1943

I can do this

2010-07-11T14:41:00.003-04:00

Practice makes permanent, so I'd better practice well:

For Children, the Four Bows

If we are honest with ourselves, we should lament our inattention to God, our weak and inconstant prayer, our false priorities, the time we waste on things that are not effectual for our salvation. We are weak creatures, driven by habit, and many of these habits are sinful and destructive. So many of our activities are thieves - they steal time from prayer.

...

Our hearts are like coal, which is cold, but may be lit with persistent effort. Coal lights very slowly, and much care must be taken to tend it, even when it is burning. Our prayer is like blowing on the coal, which gradually becomes warmer, and eventually a hot fire, but only after much persistence on our part. The key is persistence, and not to lose heart. Even a small effort is rewarded by God, if we are persistent.

...

The Four Bows

Upon arising in the morning, before anything else, direct your heart and mind towards God, and face your icons, or face East and with compunction, and without haste, make four bows, or better, four prostrations. Do this with hope in God, and the sure belief that He will receive your prayer, as He received the widow's two mites, and protect you during the day, even if you fall into inattention and these prayers are the last you will say for the entire day.

Making the sign of the cross, with a bow of prostration during each prayer say:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me a sinner.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Holy Saint ___________ (your patron saint), pray to God for me.
Holy Angel of God, my guardian, pray to God for me.

After these prayers, it is best to continue with your morning prayers, and then turn your attentions to the cares of the day.

Read on here...

Oh, Great

2010-06-19T09:11:00.004-04:00

FDA Panel Decision to OK New Abortion Drug Ella Panned by Pro-Life Groups

Exerpts:

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) - A unanimous decision Thursday by a Food and Drug Administration advisory committe to recommend for approval a new abortion drug called ells is not setting well with pro-life groups. They are also upset that mainstream media outlets are falsely presenting the drug as an improved morning after pill.

The advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs cast two 11-0 votes saying women could use the drug to prevent pregnancy when taken up to five days after intercourse.

The panel said the "investigational emergency contraceptive pill" known as ulipristal, that would potentially be sold under the name Ella in the United States, is safe and effective at preventing pregnancy.

Wendy Wright, the president of Concerned Women for America who testified before the committee yesterday, expanded on her initial comments to LifeNews.com.

She said members of the panel ignored the fact that the dug [sic] clearly works as an abortion pill by terminating the life of a newly-conceived human being.

...

Wright said the FDA panel wouldn't even go as far as considering publishing a warning label on the drug to inform women about potential problems or its abortifacient properties.

"Members voted for no negative info on the drug label because it would bias people against the drug. They even argued against doing studies on whether surviving babies have brith defects because, as one member said, negative outcomes are more likely to be reported than positive," she said.

...

At the same time, Erin Gainer, CEO of HRA Pharma, the maker of the Ulipristal abortion drug, applauded the decision.

"HRA Pharma is pleased with the outcome of the Advisory Committee's votes on the safety and effectiveness of ulipristal acetate," she said. "We look forward to working the the FDA to obtain approval for this new drug and offering a next-generation emergency contraceptive to women in the U.S."

...

But Wright said ella subjects women to problems after sexual assault as men obtain it in an attempt to cover their tracks by stopping the pregnancy.

...

Anna Glasier, of NHS Lothian in Edinburgh, led a study of more than 5,500 women in the UK published online in The Lanet medical journal. It found fewer pregnancies among those women given the ellaOne drug within five days of intervourse.

And for women who took the drug between 3-5 days after having sex, only women taking the traditional morning after pill became pregnant. They's [sic] because all of the women using ulipristal during that time period had abortions.

No 'Poo Update

2010-05-20T10:22:00.002-04:00

My hair feels amazing! I'm shocked at how quickly it returned to normal. It helps that I have wavy hair, but, seriously, I was so pessimistic.

I'm going to continue my twice weekly schedule through the end of May, then I'll cut it down to once weekly - probably on Sunday mornings. I may have to go through another period of adjustment, but it shouldn't be too bad.

After that, I'll just keep on keeping on until my shampoo runs out, then I'll start using baking soda. I'm still unsure if I want to give up commercial conditioner for apple cider vinegar, though. My hair tangles so easily when it's wet. I think that'll be my next experiment.

Peace

"Seven Samurai"

2010-05-05T08:31:00.010-04:00

There comes a time in one's movie-viewing existence when one knows one has seen greatness. While I watched "Seven Samurai" (directed by Akira Kurosawa) I knew I'd reached that point. Without giving away too much, there was very little about this movie I didn't like. The story is set in Japan in 1587/88 and begins with a poor peasant farmer accidentally overhearing a gang of bandits deciding whether to attack his village. Some of the bandits want to attack it right away, but the leader remembers that they had already stolen all these peasants' rice last year, so it would be more productive to wait until the barley is harvested and threshed before attacking it again. When the peasants learn of this, they are terrified and angry; some want to fight, others want to beg the bandits for mercy when they come. The village elder decides in favor of fighting, since losing their barley would almost certainly mean starvation. Thus, four of the peasants must go to the city to find "hungry samurai", who will put their pride away and defend them for nothing but food - a difficult task in an age when honor meant everything to the samurai. The story goes on from there to include them finding the warriors and defending the village.

The acting is impeccable. I found Kikuchiyo's (played by Toshiro Mifune) performance to be particularly stunning. The director spared no expense with the set, either. An entire mountain village was actually built in the mountains for authenticity's sake. The peasants have their dirty clothes and grovelling manners, while the samurai stand tall and proud. Like I said, there is very little I didn't love about this movie.

Points:

Be aware that the movie is three hours long. I didn't realize it was so lengthy and had to stop at intermission (oh yes, it has an intermission), while I went out to do laundry, or it wouldn't have gotten done.
There are also some cultural differences which audiences may find uncomfortable, such as the classic Japanese underwear - there were no boxer shorts anywhere in 1587 - which displays most of the buttocks. Kikuchiyo has many scenes in which the majority of his costume is only a breastplate and this underwear - as well as one in which he wears no breast plate. I would have to say, though, that it's entirely cultural, there was nothing gratuitous or distasteful about it, that just seemed to be part of their common dress. Parents, it's up to you to decide if you think it's appropriate for young children.
A few swear words, nothing major, may also have to be reviewed by parents. Either there were no movie censors in Japan equivalent to ours at the time, or the translators took liberties with the subtitles.
Near the end, it is implied that one of the village girls loses her virginity to the youngest samurai and her father makes a huge scene when he finds out, calling her names like "slut" and "tramp". On the flip side, the other samurai joke with their young comrade, telling him that "Last night, you became a real man". Another parental review point.
As for the violence, I found that to be the usual '50s style: no visible wounds, no blood, several people are shot with arrows, but, overall, entirely palatable.

Overall, this is a move about honor and integrity. I give it a full five stars, something I never do lightly.

The trailor:

A Japanese St. Michael

2010-05-04T22:24:00.003-04:00

I know iconography isn't about the art itself, but this has got to be one of the coolest renditions of St. Michael defeating the dragon ever. I love traditional Japanese art.

"Praying for the World"

2010-05-01T22:34:00.003-04:00

This post by Father Stephen is particularly appropriate for my current emotional and spiritual situation, my fear of dependence, and my fear and hatred of the corruption of power. I literally cannot pray (at least, with any sincerity) for certain people or groups right now because my hatred of them is so great. The most I can hope to achieve at this point is a lessening of that hatred and a growth in understanding and compassion.

A Hairy Decision

2010-04-25T21:46:00.010-04:00

I hate puns. It won't happen again...

Anyhoodle, I've been doing an experiment of sorts, essentially cutting my hair-washing schedule down to twice a week. I only began this a few weeks ago and, so far, have seen a dramatic improvement in the itchiness of my scalp - which is weird, because I thought the extra oil would make it worse. In fact, that fear is the sole reason I didn't do this sooner; I kept reading all the accounts which say your hair goes through a period of adjustment wherein it'll be extra-super oily and gross and I was afraid that, with my luck, that "adjustment period" would be around six months and that my dandruff would just explode. My hair will probably become much more oily once I stop using shampoo altogether, but, until then, my (admittedly limited) experience has bolstered my confidence enough to someday take that next step.

Aside: EJ just asked me what I was writing and, when I told him, wondered what was so blog-worthy about it. "I never use shampoo, ever," he said. "What's the big deal?"

Then again, EJ has the kind of luscious, dark-gold hair that Hesiod could write line after line about, so he doesn't really count...

The Bradford City Football Fires

2010-04-25T12:48:00.006-04:00

On May 11, 1985, the worst sports disaster in English history occurred. Gaby Logan was 12 years old that day and here she recounts her memories or the horrific event.

Gaby Logan: How Mum's Decision to Leave Early Saved us from Fatal Bradford FC Fire

By Antonia Hoyle

It was supposed to be a day of celebration. Bradford City Football Club were playing their last game of the season against mid-table Lincoln City.
It was a formality – Bradford were runaway leaders of the old-style Third Division and the trophy had been presented to the team before they had even set foot on the pitch.
The sun was shining, promotion was assured and the 11,076 supporters packed into the club’s Valley Parade ground were so jubilant that, as the first half progressed, they hardly noticed the billows of smoke that started to spiral up from beneath the seats in stand G.

Read Rest of Article Here

China's Gendercide

2010-04-11T16:47:00.008-04:00

I've often heard it said - and repeated it myself - that the government ruins everything it touches. Nowhere is this more apparent than China's attempt to control its population growth. We've all heard of China's looming gender imbalance, but this beautiful and well-written post from Peter Hitchens (who is, I believe, the brother (and polar opposite) of famed atheist Christopher Hitchens) puts a personal touch on the matter.

Gendercide: China's shameful massacre of unborn girls means there will soon be 30m more men than women
By Peter Hitchens

In the cruel old China, baby girls were often left to die in the gutters. In the cruel modern China, they are aborted by the tens of millions, using all the latest technology.

There is an ugly new word for this mass slaughter: gendercide.

Thanks to a state policy which has limited many families to one child since 1979, combined with an ancient and ruthless prejudice in favour of sons, the world's new superpower is beginning the century of its supremecy with an alarming surplus of males.

By the year 2020, there will be 30 million more men than women of marriageable age in this giant empire, so large and so different (its current population is 1,336,410,000) that it often feels more like a separate planet than just another country. Nothing like this has ever happened to any civilisation before.

The nearest we can come to it is the sad shortage of men after the First World War in Britain, France, Russia and Germany, and the many women denied the chance of family life and motherhood as a result.

It is possible that the effects of that imbalance are still with us, in the shape of the radical feminist movement which found ready recruits among the husbandless teachers and other professionals of the Twenties and Thirties.

But men without women are altogether more troublesome than women without men, especially when they are young.

Read entire article here...

This one child policy would only work if there were absolutely no differences between men and women. Though the article disparages the "perceived differences" between men and women in China, the facts of the matter are, the people choosing to abort their daughters in favor of sons are, to some extent, correct in their perception of who will better care for them in old age. Even in today's ultra-feminist paradise, women in general choose lower-paying careers than men, more often opt to stay home either part- or full-time with their children, and there's no guarantee the son-in-law won't choose his own parents over his wife's. So, in a society which still depends on children caring for parents once they can no longer care for themselves, boys really do make the most sense. Of course, all of this could have been avoided had China just decided not to institute this policy at all. Just goes to show you that, yet again, egalitarianism on paper mean nothing to reality.

Granted, other articles I've read have commented on the sorry state of parenting among one-child families in China, so it remains to be seen if many of these spoiled/neglected "little princes" will have been successful enough in life to provide for, or will want to so burden themselves with, elderly parents when the time comes. No matter what, it seems that China has really dropped the ball on this one. Yay, Communism! (/sarcasm)

"East Meets English"

2010-04-11T12:36:00.004-04:00

From the archives of Touchstone magazine, this article on English translations of the Divine Liturgy and Occasional Services both provides interesting background on the subject and showcases the oft frustrating, ever confusing mish-mash of styles, ideas, and opinions of those in charge of such matters. Unlike other Orthodox countries in the east, the U.S. (and, I believe, Australia) did not have the Faith brought by missionaries (Alaska being the exception), but by settlers. Those settlers came from everywhere and founded their own parishes connected to their own countries. Thus, in some places we have Russian, Antiochian, and Greek parishes side by side, overlapping in the same city, each with their own languages and "small-t" traditions. The article gives suggestions about what to focus on, what has helped, and what has hindered, and points out that, even if the clergy within each ethnicity were finally able to settle their differences and appoint one single translation, the people of each parish, having become accustomed to their own way of doing things, might very well revolt. Such obstacles can't be overcome in a night and there is simply no way to please everyone.

But, the faith has survived for over 2,000 years. It will survive this. Praise God now and ever and unto the ages of ages!

"One Night with King"

2010-03-30T14:15:00.005-04:00

"One Night with the King", a movie about the Biblical story of Esther, is a visually beautiful piece of work, but lacks talent among the actors, as well as its writers. The first thing I noticed (being me) was the lack of historical accuracy. Now, I don't mind some theatrical fudging as long as the plot and characters make me care about them more than historical exactness ("Braveheart", anyone?), but this was not such a movie. The excellent performances of the ever-awesome John Rhys-Davies, who played Mordecai, as well as Omar Sharif and John Noble (Princes Memucan and Admantha, respectively) failed to balance out the the other three main characters. Tiffany Dupont was the worst. While certainly pretty, she lent a very Americanized air to the character of Hadassah/Esther and I grew increasingly irritated by her jerky movements and less-than-smooth voice. Luke Goss was slightly better as King Xerxes, but his makeup was so distracting; he was so clearly a white man bronzed (and then laquered, I think), that I almost couldn't concentrate on his performance. Finally, James Callis, as Haman, did fairly well with what he'd been given, but had such a rough voice that I sometimes couldn't understanding him. And whoever wrote his part literally crafted him into a B.C. Nazi - giving his ancestry as the reason he wanted to kill the Jews, not his great pride.

So, all in all, I really wanted to like this movie, but the fly-in-your-face inaccuracies, as well as the writing and acting, kept me from fully doing so. Overall, I'd give it three out of five stars. Watchable, if for no other reason than to see Gimli and Denethor butt heads once more, (or if you like really pretty costumes =D ), but that's about it.

Leaving Country

2010-03-23T17:38:00.005-04:00

With the government take-over of health care, collapse is now inevitable. The U.S. is already spending hundreds of billions more than it makes per year, so spending yet more isn't going to do anything but hasten the end. Right now I'm looking at Chile as a viable option for expatriation: homeschooling is legal, their gun laws, despite being stricter than we're used to, aren't as bad as some places, and their economy is growing.

I'm not going to fight any more. The people have spoken. Despite cries of "They don't represent us!" from the conservative end of the spectrum, the majority of voters found these men and women worthy of their vote. Even if Republicans do route the Democrats in the next election, nothing will change. They spend just as profligately as their more "progressive" counterparts (who introduced the first bailout again?) and some are now saying they won't challenge the new law at all. The country has spoken. In a democracy full of people of these caliber, there's nothing left to do but not be here when the foundations finally crumble.

I was worried, for a time, about finding the freest country in the world to move to, but, honestly, the two freest are both mostly urban and the next freest is going to lose its freedom once the Lisbon treaty takes effect. Chile seems like a fairly good choice for our family, so that's what I'm concentrating on. I like what Vox Day has to say on the matter of leaving the country:

The point isn't to look for freedom. It doesn't exist. The point is not to be where the collapse is going to mark a descent into chaos. There is no one correct answer, there is only a series of probabilities that vary depending upon your personal circumstances. ...

The most important thing is to live around good people in a place where the government isn't particularly interested in controlling every aspect of people's lives. In general, the more openly corrupt the government, the better. But most Americans can't deal with that because they're all so accustomed to being good little statists and complaining to the authorities if a dog barks too loudly.

The fact that EJ isn't just dismissing this with an eye-roll is quite encouraging. Before he gets out of the Marines, I can get my teaching certificate, some experience, and be all set to teach English as a second language down there while EJ finds a job and we get on our feet.

Sweet, I'm liking this idea better and better. =D

Russia's Wooden Churches

2010-03-20T17:13:00.003-04:00

Here's a site with pictures of some of Russia's wooden churches. They're old (some of them very old) and weathered and yet still manage to be beautiful and haunting.

Shirt Folding Machine

2010-03-11T10:35:00.002-05:00

Have I posted a video of one of these things before? I think I'm going to ask to take home a big empty food box at work to make one of these. I tend to let the dirty laundry build up and build up (because I'm lazy and it's a pain having to walk to the apartment laundry facilities), so when I do do laundry, it's usually most of our clothes all at once. Those clothes then need folding and, even though I'm a fast, precise shirt folder as it is, EJ has so many t-shirts that if this handy-dandy little machine could shave a few seconds off of each one, it may cumulatively save me several minutes over-all.

Besides, it just looks fun. =)

Happy Happy Joy Joy

2010-03-03T09:38:00.004-05:00

I just got off the phone with my allergist and he said all of my labs for Hereditary Angioedema came back negative!! There's no way I could have the disease!!!!

I never thought I'd be so happy to have allergies - but I am, because it means that my angioedema is eminently more treatable now that we know they're caused by something external, rather than by my immune system.

And I think the family doctor I've been seeing needs to just stop practicing medicine or something, because this was such an easy fix. He not only read the labs ordered by the ER docs incorrectly, he was then willing to just let me "live with" the disease, with no help or treatment, for the rest of my life (remember, he actually tried to talk me out of seeking treatment, saying there was nothing they could do). Also, remember that I practically had to beg him to write me a referral to an immunologist/allergist for a second opinion. Usually, I'm totally on the doctor's side, having grown up with a doctor father and having worked in two hospitals, but this guy is just unbelievable. Clearly, he needs to rethink a few things about his place in the medical profession.

But, whatever, that's all behind us. Now, with the help of a specialist who actually took the time to do his job, we can focus on treating the problem. =D =D =D

Laziness

2010-03-02T13:15:00.003-05:00

I've noticed lately that I've become disturbingly lazy. I've always had a penchant for sitting on my rear, but in the past few weeks, I just haven't wanted to do anything. More convenience foods are being bought and the apartment is messier than ever. Why? I could blame my job, but, the truth is, I really don't know.

However, there's no real excuse for my laziness. It's unacceptable - both for myself and my husband. I can't be a good wife or mother if I don't do anything. Motivation and will power have always been issues with me, but I can't make excuses any longer. I need to do something, anything, to get myself going again.

*sigh* Now, how to begin?

The Thinking Housewife

2010-03-01T09:57:00.009-05:00

I've known about The Thinking Housewife for quite some time now, I may have even linked to some of her articles in the past. But, for some reason I can't explain, I never bookmarked her site or added to it to my regular reading list.

That is all about to change. A while ago I went back to the beginning of her archives and began reading - let me tell you, she is one of my new favorites. She speaks with the force, not just of conviction, but of truth on so many different matters related to femininity and masculinity through popular culture, history, etc. She is a human being and thus fallible, I do disagree with her on a very few points, but, for the most part, her pieces aren't just "Well, I think..." pieces, they are true.

She has now been added to my "Favorite Blogs" list (which I finally went through and cleaned up yesterday) and I look forward to more of her insights in the days to come.

P.S. I love her posts on Sarah Palin.

I needed to be reminded...

2010-02-24T20:20:00.001-05:00

The Slow Work of Grace by Father Stephen

Silliness

2010-02-21T15:25:00.005-05:00

Oh my gosh.

I want this.

I'd almost be willing to save up for it.

I'd have a baby just to get it. =P

(No, no, I'm not expecting.)

More of what we already knew. =)

2010-02-19T20:23:00.007-05:00

Women Really Want Abstinence Based Empowerment, not NOW and Casual Sex

Excerpt:

On the same day the Penn researcher's study came out, President Barack Obama released his 2011 budget proposal. It zeroes out funding for abstinence education while creating a $179 million comprehensive sex-ed program -- the very kind the Penn study show to be ineffective. Add that to more than $600 million a year already spent by the Department of Health and Human Services on pregnancy and STD prevention programs and "family planning" services for teens.

The Obama administration's plans not only fly in the face of the research, they ignore the real needs of young women. Teen girls say they want to hear the abstinence message. More and more young women who have braved the casual-sex culture say they still haven't found what they're looking for.

If we want to empower these women, let's teach abstinence.

IT SNOWED!!!!!!

2010-02-13T09:46:00.004-05:00

I know the good folks in Maryland and Washington D.C. might like for nothing better than to see the white stuff go, but down where I am, it never snows - and especially not 5 1/2" deep!!

When I saw the snow coming down last night, I almost cried, it reminded me so much of home. Not content to simply watch it out of the window, either, I put on my flimsy shoes and walked around the entire apartment complex just to experience it.

Ah, what a glorious night.

But we're probably going to have zero customers at the sub shop today. lol. I may very well be bored out of my mind. (>.<)

Great Lent

2010-02-11T17:40:00.009-05:00

Wow, Lent is coming up and coming up fast (no pun intended). To be honest, I'm not in the least ready. I tried too much too soon during the Nativity Fast and it ended up draining me of any motivation. So, in the wake of that disaster, I've decided to scale my fasting waaaaaay back for this, my first Great Lent alone with EJ. I'll be "Orthodox vegan" Wednesdays and Thursdays, as I already am, vegetarian for the other days of the week, except for Friday, when I'll allow myself some meat (because that's the day we always have people over, and, since I'm the only Christian in my little group of acquaintances, barring my friend Maria, it'll be less stressful this way).

Comparing this plan to what I did for the Nativity Fast and for Great Lent last year, while I was in school, I feel rather guilty. However, I have to remind myself that this will be entirely on me. EJ's not going to help me out at all (and during the Nativty Fast, that caused a lot of tension), there's no school meal plan to limit temptation, so I've got to use baby steps for awhile, while I figure out just how to make this work with my distinctly non-Orthodox life.

Most importantly of all, though I have to remember that this is not about punishing myself - it's not about me at all. Everything the Church does, it does to the glory of God. This is supposed to help me focus on our Savior and less on myself.

The abortionists at work

2010-02-05T17:55:00.003-05:00

I saw a commercial on the television at work today for the local abortion clinic. I only caught the end of it, so I don't know if it actually marketed itself as an abortion provider, or if it just emphasized its other services, but I felt shivers go down my spine seeing the name of the clinic and knowing that they were advertising their services. When I got home, I looked up the clinic online for a better understanding of what it was about and saw that they not only abort babies, but deliver them, as well as providing gynecological and other "family planning" services (such as birth control and sterilization). How those people are able to work with women and babies on a regular basis and still believe that the eight inches-or-so of birth canal is where a "fetus" magically becomes a "person" is beyond me. It defies all logic.

The owner of the clinic is a powerful man - he served on Hillary Clinton's "Health Task Force" in 1993 [1] - and holds a lot of power in our city. From what I understand, no one really dares cross him. It's been more than a pain for the local Right to Life group, which I joined a few months back, to find an area, either public or private, to protest outside the clinic, since no one is willing to cooperate, whether from fear or loyalty is unknown.

The reason I wrote this post, though, is because, through their website, I followed a link to the "Abortion Clinics OnLine", a website which provides information on thousands of "reputable abortion providers". Clicking through their "Choice Links", one sees all the organizations which have connected themselves in some way to the Pro-Choice cause: the CDC, the Guttmacher Institute (which actually has some fascinating statistics on abortions from around the world), the WHO, Population Connection (an organization promoting zero population growth), etc. Basically, if you're not sure if you should be working with or donating to an organization, check and see if they're linked to on this site.

[1] Source

Sad Panda

2010-02-05T09:28:00.002-05:00

Gen Y "embarrassed" by breastfeeding

The mums and dads of the future don't fully grasp the benefits of breastfeeding and are unlikely to do it in public because it's embarrassing, a new study says.

The survey of Generation Y adults, who are likely to have children in the next five to 10 years, has sparked calls for a new campaign to promote breastfeeding as culturally acceptable.

Saving yourself ... it really works

2010-02-03T12:43:00.005-05:00

"Mom and Dad Really Do Know Best: Abstinence only education: "Science has finally caught up with logic"

A quote from the article:

"What we should learn from this experience is that while science itself is objective, scientists themselves can be biased and can mislead the public and policy makers," Stevens said.

He said it's just logical that "equipping teens to abstain from sexual activity is an effective way to prevent teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Why, they look just like you and me!

2010-02-02T21:57:00.006-05:00

A fantastic video of London in 1927 - in color. The history nerd in me melts at the thought. Seeing it in color makes it seem that much closer. When one is so used to seeing pictures, videos, etc. from that era in black/sepia and white, one begins associating that era with those colors. It becomes something other and foreign. But this little glimpse through a color lens makes it that much more recognizable. It's just so freaking cool.

Another one bites the dust!

2010-01-29T19:51:00.002-05:00

I loved perusing Hope Chest Legacy every now and then just for fun, but, guess what, the CPSIA got that one , too. Good freaking job, legislators.

Holy Wow

2010-01-28T16:27:00.004-05:00

I just read this post over on Vox Day's blog: Even an atheist knows better.

Vox quotes this damning excerpt from an interview between Christopher Hitchens and "Unitarian Minister" Marilyn Sewell:

Sewell: The religion you cite in your book is generally the fundamentalist faith of various kinds. I'm a liberal Christian, and I don't take the stories from the scripture literally. I don't believe in the doctrine of atonement (that Jesus dies for our sins, for example). Do you make and [sic] distinction between fundamentalist faith and liberal religion?

Hitchens: I would say that if you don't believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you're really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.

When even one of the wildly popular "New Atheists" can tell the difference between a real Christian and a "liberal" Christian (and, seriously, if you read the entire article, you'll see just how intellectually dishonest Hitchens is), you know you're in trouble.

Warning: I haven't read all of the comments on Vox's post. Proceed at your own risk.

Yet another HAE adventure...or two

2010-01-28T11:29:00.003-05:00

So I went to my family doctor Tuesday to get a referral for an immunologist. To say he wasn't too happy to see me would be an understatement. Before he even came into the room, he stood right outside the door (or so it seemed) and complained about how I'd waited to make a follow-up appointment to my ER visit until almost a month afterward (if he'd bothered to ask, that was due to some confusion on my part). When he did come in, he listened to my request and then basically tried to talk me out of seeking more treatment for my disease. "There's nothing that can be done," he kept saying, "that's all the immunologist will tell you, too." When I mentioned that there were three drugs out there (well, one will be coming out, soon) to treat the symptoms, he then tried to talk me out of using them "because many drugs have side effects worse then the disease."

Umm, excuse me? This condition could kill me within the day and you're worried about side effects???

During my defense of why I wanted to see an immunologist, I made the mistake of mentioning that my father is a doctor and that made him even more uninterested in having anything else to do with me. He actually picked up my chart and said, "Well, then, your father can treat you," and continued talking about the potential side effects of many medications. I tried to explain that my dad doesn't live in this state, so, no, he can't treat me, but the doc just wouldn't stop talking; and as he was talking, he was walking right out the door. Clearly, this "consultation" was over.

I got my referral, though, so hopefully the immunologist will be more understanding and/or knowledgeable.

My second HAE adventure came yesterday when my top lip swelled up so badly that I looked like the offspring of a duck and an alien. Then, just when that swelling began to go down, my cheeks began puffing up, along with my lower lip. So now, I look like a chipmunk crossed with the offspring of a duck and Tim Robbins. Fun stuff. =P

Fallen Being

2010-01-26T19:40:00.003-05:00

What has been one of the hardest things for me to understand on my journey to Orthodoxy is the difference between being a fallen being and having a fallen nature. In my protestant incarnation, I was raised to believe that humans are essentially evil, our natures are corrupted, and we can never hope to approach perfection. Orthodoxy, on the other hand, rejects that belief. Instead of butchering things by explaining it myself (because this concept seems to still be eluding my me on a basic level), I'll let the ever-wise Father Stephen take it away:

A Nature that is Less than Obvious

Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, one day late

2010-01-23T10:13:00.007-05:00

Infanticide is nothing new. People have been killing their babies and children almost since the dawn of time. They sacrificed them to various gods and notions: wealth, honor, poverty, greed. Middle Easterners gave children (both their own and others') to appease Moloch's insatiable hunger, Aztecs used children as part of their human sacrifices, and the post-Homerian Spartans disposed of any baby that looked defective.

Killing babies in the womb also has a long and ignoble history. Women did it for many of the reasons listed above, and they still do it for those same reasons today. The only difference for them was that, before the advent of modern medicine, abortion was much more likely to end in the death of the mother as well as the child.

Human beings are no more or less charitable in contemporary society than they were centuries ago. If abortion were outlawed today, women would still find ways to kill their babies, albeit in smaller numbers, in or out of the womb. That is why the legal system can only do so much without changing people's hearts and minds (to use the old cliche). Outlawing abortion is one goal, but ending abortion is what we ultimately strive for.

Tattoo, and my first blog picture ever

2010-01-17T18:09:00.010-05:00

Well, I gone and done it; I got myself a tattoo.

A simple cross on my wrist.

I've been wanting a tattoo for years, but was never satisfied with the designs I thought up. A unicorn on my ankle might be temporarily adorable, but would I really want it for the rest of my life? If I was going to permanently ink a part of myself, I wanted it to mean something. I didn't want a tattoo just to have one, so it's kind of funny that the simplest design can have the most lasting and meaningful significance.

For the last year or so, the biggest thing holding me back was the fact that it would be an easily identifiable symbol on my body. In a world in which Christianity already is, or is quickly becoming, a hated minority, having something on me - anything - which would make it easier for the government or those in control to identify me could have dangerous, or even deadly ramifications. However, once I gave my fingerprint to the plasma center, I figured, what the heck, I sold my identity for $200 a month, why on earth shouldn't I do this?

Besides, this tattoo isn't merely for decoration, it's a physical reminder of the way I'm supposed to act. When others see that mark on my skin, they'll automatically judge my behavior based on what they observe. It forces me to stop and consider every action.

Changing my name

2010-01-16T12:54:00.003-05:00

When I joined the Church, in keeping with tradition, I took a new name: Monica. I've now changed my Blogger user name to reflect this.

I chose Monica after the mother of St. Augustine, whom I've felt close to since even before I began investigating Orthodoxy.

I probably shouldn't be admitting this, but...

2010-01-14T16:23:00.004-05:00

...I've been playing Super Mario Brothers from the original Nintendo since I was seven and have never beaten it. So, this kind of blew my mind:

5 MINUTES, people. Five! That just ... I can't .... I'd never even seen level 8-4 before watching this video!

Haiti Relief Links

2010-01-14T15:21:00.003-05:00

International Orthodox Christian Charities has some links on how to help:

Urgent Action Appeal

Health Kits

Emergency Clean-Up Kits

Prayers

"I must blog about this..."

2010-01-09T17:58:00.004-05:00

North Korea has its own website.

Seriously.

It's basically one big, collective grovel to Kim Jong Il and his father, just the way they like it, I'm sure. Here's a direct quote from the "News and Articles" section:

Chairman Kim Jong Il of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a broadminded statesman.

His politics mirrors his broadmindedness as it is. He administers the benevolent politics and all-embracing politics which make no discrimination among all members of society, irrespective of their origin, past career, political view and religious belief.

His politics rallied the popular masses from all walks of life including workers, peasants and intellectuals, into a socio-political force. Such wonderful reality as the single-minded unity of the whole society in the DPRK is wholly attributable to his all-embracing politics.

His broadmindedness is not confined only to the DPRK. Many Koreans in the south and abroad are admiring his generosity.

For real. You cannot make this stuff up.

EDIT: Awww, if you were planning on traveling there to celebrate the anniversary of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung, you can forget it if you have a U.S. Passport.

No longer a catechumen

2010-01-06T11:30:00.002-05:00

Last night I became an official member of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Finally, I don't feel like an outsider, anymore.

God be praised!

Not Always Right

2010-01-03T14:03:00.003-05:00

I love sites like this: www.notalwaysright.com

This is one of my favorites.

Christmas is all Pope & Circumstance

Me: "Good afternoon, thank you for calling [church's name]. How can I help you?"

Customer: "Yes, I'd like to know why the time of the Christmas Eve mass was changed."

Me: "There was a scheduling conflict with the Christmas Carol Concert. I'm sorry if it's caused an inconvenience for you."

Customer: "It has. Many of them."

Me: "I'm so sorry."

Customer: "You'll change it back, then?"

Me: "Um, no. See, there's still the scheduling conflict."

Customer: "But I have plans at the mass' new time! I need you to change it back!"

Me: "Ma'am, I'm really not in charge of that decision."

Customer: "I am not getting off the phone until you change it back."

Me: "There really isn't anything I can do for you. I'm sorry."

Customer: "Have you called the Pope and told him about this? Call the Pope and tell him that your priests have changed the mass time. He'll fix it."

Me: "I actually don't have his number on me."

Customer: "I'll hold."

And, sadly, this following "Customer" would have been me. EJ had to explain to me what an ISP was after I read this:

It's Going to be a Long Day

Me: "What type of internet do you have?"

Customer: "Internet Explorer."

Me: "No, sorry, I meant what type of internet, like your ISP?"

Customer: "Internet."

Me: "No, what type."

Customer: "Uh...modem?"

Me: "What kind of modem?"

Customer: "Black."

Me: "Is it plugged into a phone cable or a coaxial cable? Like a cable you'd plug into your TV."

Customer: "It's plugged in to ... the wall."

An Unexpected Twist

2010-01-01T17:54:00.009-05:00

Following up on my last post, EJ and I decided it would be best if I went to the ER rather than wait for the regular clinic to open. Amazingly, there was no wait and, when the nurse took me back to a bed, I was surprised to see an actual team waiting there: vitals, IV, the whole nine yards. I went in expecting them to be as unworried as my general practitioner, but when they began checking my airways and asking if I had any trouble swallowing or breathing, I realized it was probably a very good thing that I came to the ER.

Long story short, I spent the night in the ICU for observation because they believe I have adult onset hereditary angioedema. Neither I nor they know what triggered it - or even if I actually have it. The labs they sent out won't be back for about a week, after that, they'll be able to confirm or disprove it.

The prognosis for this disease, according to Google health, is basically that "Hereditary angioedema can be life threatening and treatment options are limited. How well a person does depends on the individual's specific symptoms." Awesome.

I know I ask for prayer here a lot, but I'm asking for it once more, prayer for strength, peace, and a different diagnosis; I do not want this disease. I'm scared. Hereditary angioedema can cause your airways to swell shut and doesn't respond to epi-pens, the only way to help a patient breathe is intubation and time.

Praise God, though, no matter what.

Skin Condition

2009-12-30T05:31:00.003-05:00

Did I tell you about my skin condition, yet? I forget. The doctor says it's not contagious and that it could just 'pop up' anywhere - even on my nose.

Well, it's not only been 'popping up', it's been 'popping up' everywhere simultaneously. It starts as a small, round, red splotch, which may or may not be itchy, but is usually tender. It then grows at an alarming rate, becoming swollen and painful. Usually, by the time it begins healing, it's huge. The first time it happened, the ER (cuz I was freaking out) diagnosed me with cellulitis and gave me a massive dose of steroids and it was gone in two days. The second time it happened, I went to my regular doctor, who diagnosed it as something completely different and said that it'll appear every now and then and I just have to live with it. But he did add that if it begins happening frequently, to come back and see him.

Well, it's happening frequently, doc. In the past week it's shown up on my left and right arm, my torso, my rear end, my leg, and now my face. My lip and cheeks are so swollen I can barely form a seal and I'm not even sure I can eat or drink anything, yet. It was definitely a God-send that I unexpectedly got today off work, because I don't think they'd want me in there looking and sounding as I do. =(

If you see this post, please say a little prayer that the doctor doesn't treat this flippantly, but tries to find a solution to the problem. Thanks and God bless. =)

Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-25T06:54:00.004-05:00

EJ woke me up Calvin early this morning, excited as a kid to open his presents. Turns out we both got each other the same thing! Thankfully, that wasn't the only thing we bought for each other. =P

Christ is born!

Happy Christmas Eve!!

2009-12-24T09:58:00.003-05:00

The other day at work we had an old, old man come in who looked just like Santa Claus. He had the long white beard and wore a bright red fleece (no clue if he was aware of his appearance or not ... I like to think he was). But he ordered his sub, then said strongly, "Merry Christmas, young ladies, and don't you ever say Happy Holidays to me! It's happy Holy Days! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!" I think he would have tried to beat us with his walker if we'd even thought of saying Happy Holidays.

I liked him.

Have a happy Christmas, all!

A little calmer than yesterday...

2009-12-22T17:40:00.005-05:00

Thankfully, with a good night's sleep, I'm thinking a little more levelheadedly than when I made my last post. I realize that this kind of stuff has to happen. Even if this isn't a harbinger of the end of the world, empires rise and fall - inevitably - and I, and every other American still breathing, just happened to be born at the end of our nation's life. Stinks, but that's the way things go.

Oh, and even if you do nothing else today, read the following article about how this is all leading up to a totalitarian global takeover. It is so spot on as to be frightening - in a good way.

From Meccania to Atlantis - Part 13 (2): Harpo, Gekko, Barko, Sarko

Oftentimes, it's so hard to remember that this is not our final home

2009-12-21T06:29:00.005-05:00

Senate Democrats Clear Hurdle on Health Care Bill

And we creep ever closer to insuring the 30 million uninsured Americans at the expense of the other 270,000,000...

CPSIA

2009-12-18T23:53:00.002-05:00

I emailed Glenn Beck tonight about the looming CPSIA deadline. I can't believe I actually did it. I dunno if he's already covered it (I don't watch all of his shows), but I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point. Way back when I first heard about the CPSIA, I emailed one of my congressmen, along with my representative, but, really, other than that, I feel totally impotent.

I'm in the midst of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged and I've been blown away by the similarities between her mid-century distopian United States and our bleak-futured, post-millenial one. I'd recommend the book to anyone, but be aware that Ayn Rand was not a Christian, and her worldview reflects this. Also, there is some surprising sexual content (including condoned adultery) which I was not expecting when I picked it up. Despite these two drawbacks, the book paints an excellent picture of where we are headed and what to expect along the way. Honestly, I was quite shocked at how much I myself have bought into the lies of our age, thinking they were promoting the good of the people, when, in reality, they were a detriment to all.

Uuuugh...

2009-12-17T14:52:00.003-05:00

Hillary pledges US will join $100 billion developing nations fund

Because it's not like WE'RE IN A RECESSION or anything, right? Where do they even get these numbers from? $100 billion? Clearly, money grows on trees for these people.

Yay! And the importance of tithing

2009-12-17T14:29:00.004-05:00

Oh my gosh, *whew* What a relief. I got the job. I'm so thankful to God.

This job is pretty much perfect for us. It comes at a time when we've been having some money issues above and beyond what I mentioned before. Both of our cars need parts replaced; EJ's car may be beyond repair and we might have to live as a single-car family for awhile. BUT, that's okay now, because this job is right across the street from our apartment. I can just walk there, rain or shine. God is so good and knows what we need.

Seriously, I just can't say enough how the Lord has been so faithful through this whole ordeal. No matter what's happened so far, Jesus has provided for us so we haven't gone a penny deeper into debt and we even have a little left over.

Sorry, I hope I don't sound like I'm bragging or showing off, I just can't keep in my gratefulness to the Lord.

~Bless!~

Gulf Petro-Powers to Launch Currency in Latest Threat to Dollar Hegemony

2009-12-17T11:17:00.004-05:00

And we have the second mass currency forming. I'm not so much interested in the "threat to dollar hegemony" (though that would certainly put this country into even more of a fiscal bind) as I am in the fact that, from what I've heard, this is a fulfilling a prophecy in Revelations.

I'm confused, though, (it's been a while since I've read Revelations) where does it actually say the world will move from many currencies, to a few currencies, to one global currency? Is it a more obscure passage, from which scholars have deduced the world will do so? Is it even in there at all?

~~

Job interview in a few hours. Please, please, please God, don't let me blow it.

Interview

2009-12-16T14:12:00.001-05:00

I have a job interview with a subway restaurant (not the Subway) tomorrow at 2. It would be a God-send if I get this job. Please say a little prayer that I don't make a fool of myself.

*crosses fingers*

Teh Grk

2009-12-16T00:50:00.013-05:00

Why is it necessary for the priest to give even the announcements in Greek and then English? Our parish is currently transitioning priests, and the new one is of the Greek tradition. I realize there's an ethnic flavor to every Orthodox Church currently in America and I don't think anyone minds a little ethnic spice here and there, but, really, even the announcements?

We have quite a few Russian/Ukrainian/Bulgarian members, as well. What about them? What about the lone Egyptian woman? Or those who speak no language but English? Why with all the Greek?

Should I not be questioning this? Is it disrespectful? I don't mean to be, but, honestly, I feel kind of disrespected, being relegated to the secondary church language in my own country...

EDIT: Then again, I could have been raised a Russian on Old Church Slavonic. Maybe I should consider myself lucky I can understand the Liturgy at all...

I HAVE FOUND MY WEBSITE!!!!!

2009-12-14T11:27:00.004-05:00

Oh, you thought this was my website? Au contraire, my fine friend. my website is now officially www.iamneurotic.com. That's right. IAmNeurotic.com

I suddenly don't feel alone in my desire to shuffle stacks of paper until every piece is perfectly aligned, or make sure whatever I'm reading on a website is perfectly within the top and bottom cutoffs, or silently thinking "B-E-A-UUUUTIFUL" whenever I'm spelling that word. When I was little, I also used to never touch the sides of the bathtub because I thought Guy Smiley - yes, the Sesame Street character - would materialize out of them. Now I know that I'm not the only one. *sniffle* This is such a beautiful day. =)

(Yes, I did think "b-e-a-uuutiful" as I typed it again. =P)

Prayers for Michelle

2009-12-13T09:59:00.004-05:00

Duggar Baby 19: Michelle Duggar Gives Birth to Daughter, Josie Brooklyn Duggar

Michelle Duggar, star of the TLC reality show "18 Kids and Counting", has given birth to her 19th child in an emergency C-Section.

New baby, Josie Brooklyn, born Thursday evening, weighs 1 pound 6 ounces and is in stable condition at the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Arkensas for Medical sciences, TLC reports. ...

Duggar's baby was not due until March, but TLC is reporting that Duggar went into the hospital early suffering pain from a gallstone. People magazine reported Monday that Duggar had been airlifted to a hospital in Little Rock because her gallbladder proeblems were causing contractions.

Dumplings

2009-12-10T18:29:00.003-05:00

I finally figured out how to make dumplings today, using this recipe from About.com. My last attempt at making dumplings failed so miserably that I didn't touch them again for five years, but tonight the curse has been broken, dumplings have been boiled, and husband has enjoyed them thoroughly.

For those who, like me, have had trouble in the past, or who have never tried it at all, here are several tips which I discovered are essential for making a decent dumpling.

1.) You do not want a sticky dough. I tried working with a sticky dough at first, only to find that, no matter what I did, my dumplings came out looking like a cross between a Shar-pei and an avocado. So, flour up that dough and make sure it sticks to nothing but itself.

2.) Don't roll the dough out too thinly. I finally found that about an eighth of an inch worked well. Thinner than that, and it might not have enough strength to support the filling.

3.) Don't use too much filling. About a teaspoon, or somewhat less, is perfect for the recipe above.

I also found that rolling out a slightly larger batch of dough all at once and cutting out circles with a biscuit/cookie cutter (or a Jif peanut butter jar lid, as the case may be), was much more expedient and led to much more uniform dumplings than rolling out individual dough balls, as the recipe suggests. Also, one of the comments to the recipe gave a tasty sauce for the dumplings.

So, have a try and keep experimenting until you find what you like!

Donate Plasma

2009-12-09T21:32:00.010-05:00

Hey, thought I'd jump on the ever-laudable frugality bandwagon with my own suggestion: If you're near a center and have about four free hours per week (or even just two), why not try donating plasma?

Sure, sure, we've all heard the jokes, the people who mock it as something redneck-y and hick-ish, but, seriously, it's honest money and, for what you have to do, it's pretty good money. Expect an average of $20 each time you go (it fluctuates between $15 and $30, but I don't have the payment schedule on-hand) and you can donate up to twice a week. If you participate in vaccine trials, you could get even more (for instance, volunteer for the anthrax vaccine and it's a $50 flat rate for the next several visits).

EJ bemoans the amount of time it takes up, but he's still happy that, just as well as earning money, we're not out there spending any, either, while we're in the chair.

So yeah, that's my contribution for the day. Enjoy! =)

EDIT: Oh, and expect it to take a bit longer the first time you go (it took me 5 hours, but that was because they forgot about me for 2); you have to get a mini-physical, answer so many questions, and your blood probably won't flow very quickly to begin with, but things move along much more quickly on your return visits.

"Always Rejoice"

2009-12-09T14:03:00.004-05:00

This article, posted by Father Stephen, has inspired me to modify my prayer to St. Sophia and her daughters, Faith, Love, and Hope. I normally ask that I not despair when I hear of all the stupid, illegal, and evil things our government does to its people (especially if it may impact my relationship with my future children), now I'm going to ask her to pray that I rejoice no matter what I hear or experience.

Always rejoice!

Now this is a happy story

2009-12-04T08:47:00.002-05:00

And it has some beautiful history in it, to boot.

Armenians Lay Cornerstone for New Church on Jordan River

Onions

2009-12-04T01:11:00.005-05:00

A neighbor of ours (an old woman with whom we never spoke) up and moved away a month or so back, leaving all of her container plants behind. These containers have been sitting outside ever since, their plants long dead.

I noticed that one of my grocery store onions sprouted a nice thick, green stalk yesterday.

Last night saw a storm such as we've not had since high summer - wind, torrents of rain, the works. It also happened to blow one of the smaller-ish containers right in front of our door.

We are broke.

You following?

Not being one to turn up my nose at random gifts of nature, said container is now sitting proudly on our other coffee table, onion planted firmly in some left-over potting soil EJ had bought to set his cactus in.

The only thing left now is to see how long it takes me to kill it. =(

1/6/2010 UPDATE: Zee onion, eet grows!!

Last College Class Ever

2009-12-02T21:01:00.007-05:00

Hopefully.

I finished the last class of what I hope will be my last college course ever. The only problem is that I've been down this road before, so, until Hillsdale excepts the transfer, I won't hold my breath.

Let me say, I'm much more appreciative of Hillsdale after taking this course. It has deepened my understanding of just how insidious the liberal academic mindset can be and how powerless students are to change things if they're dependent upon their teachers "liking them" to pass the class. Tonight was particularly hard, as my professor went on and on about feminism and imperialism and railed against western civilization for thinking they're better than everyone else. I just sat there and took it - and got heartburn in the process - while he extolled the work of Betty Frieden, calling the home a place of empty depression and heartache (sadly, I was the only one in the class who seemed to know anything about The Feminine Mystique). At least I didn't smile while he mocked 19th century missionaries for thinking Christianity was the "one true path". The truly amazing thing is that he was able to get away with this while Campbell University purports to have a Christian bent.

I seriously felt sick and almost ran out of the room after class was over. And now I feel sick because I was such a coward.

Damn colleges for giving professors the power to arbitrarily decide student's grades. Damn them for giving them tenure. Damn them for allowing this kind of filth to perpetuate.

OH MY GOSH!!!

2009-12-01T18:27:00.004-05:00

I just figured out how to clean my electric stove!!!

Okay, okay, bear with me. I've lived in this apartment for almost 8 months now and I've never cleaned under the electric coils of my stove. For serious. I thought it couldn't be done. I grew up with gas stoves and really thought that there was no good way to effectively clean under those darn coils; that the electric coil stove was the worse invention since ... well ... I don't even know.

So today, I finally grew a brain and decided to google it (only took me seven months, right?). Voila! Up pops this article and my world is suddenly so much cleaner! I hadn't a clue that the coils or the drip pans could be removed.

Hahaha. My stress level just went down another notch. =D

The Most Redonkulous Kitten Video EVAR

2009-11-29T18:08:00.004-05:00

Props to CuteOverload.com

One Year Anniversary

2009-11-26T14:56:00.002-05:00

As well as Thanksgiving, today is also EJ's and my one year anniversary!

Happy Early Thanksgiving, Everyone!!

2009-11-25T23:24:00.002-05:00

Yes, we're having the regularly scheduled Thanksgiving this year (with any luck, though, EJ will be Orthodox by next year, so we'll have it before the fast begins; mwahahah)

I'm so thankful for all the changes, both positive and negative, that have shaped me as a Christian and a person this past year. I'm thankful for my handy husband who, just today, fixed my coffeepot after I messed up the wiring. I'm thankful for my tiny apartment that has taught me what I can live in, as well as what I want to live in. I'm thankful for my church and for Father David, who is leading me through catechism (and who is deploying in January for a year; prayers are much appreciated) and for his wife, Maria, who I am proud to call my friend. I'm thankful for family who, though we live hundreds of miles apart, nevertheless keeps in touch and up-to-date with Michigan happenings.

But, of course, I'm most thankful for God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, for remaining unchanged, constant, and faithful through all our petty human whims.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Knitting Question

2009-11-24T13:20:00.006-05:00

I've already mentioned that I'm teaching myself to knit using this DVD and I finally finished my first scarf, but now I have a problem; I was going to try making this pattern next, since it seemed fairly straightforward, however, when I began knitting, it seemed like things weren't going so well. I think it's the way I'm doing the Knit1 Purl1 switcheroo. The DVD doesn't clarify how exactly you're supposed to bring the yarn from back to front, so I was just kind of guessing as I went along.

My question to you is this: Is there any video online that you know of that gives a demonstration of K1 P1? I googled and googled but found only one video with a super fast-paced demonstration that didn't really help.

(I knit English style, just for reference.)

Oh, and that DVD is great, don't get me wrong, it's just not the same as having someone sitting next to you helping you along.

EDIT: Thank you, Sarah. Now, if I could just overcome the fact that I can't count stitches to save my life - but I don't think there's an internet video for that. (>.<)

Nativity Fast Lunch Day 8

2009-11-22T13:41:00.003-05:00

For lunch today I had Black Bean Burritos cobbled together from this recipe and some of the veggies still hanging out in my fridge (I'm so glad I overestimated how much I'd need). I ate them cold, but they'd probably be just as good warm.

Next time, I think I'll go a little easier on the lime juice for the bean dressing - it was delicious, definitely, but a wee bit sour.

The whole dish was extremely filling, something I've been struggling with; I keep wanting to stuff myself - which is bad, obviously, and against the spirit of the Fast. And, too, I haven't been getting enough protein, so this is a good source for that, as well (I think, I hope).

Coupons

2009-11-21T15:51:00.004-05:00

I've just been investigating coupon sources. We don't have a working printer right now, so the 20c it takes to print one piece of paper at the library seems rather counter-productive. Still, once we do get our printer up and working, I want to have these on hand:

SmartSource Online Coupons

Money Saving Mom

Red Plum

Stormtroopers 365

2009-11-21T13:46:00.001-05:00

For you fans of the original Star Wars movies, here's a fun, funny series detailing the bits of Stormtrooper life you didn't get to see.

Stormtroopers 365

Nativity Fast Lunch Day 6

2009-11-20T13:59:00.004-05:00

Okay, so, hearkening back to my old parish in Michigan, I've decided to allow myself dairy products on Fridays. This is for two reasons:

1) I'm a sinner without much willpower and after several days of vegan munching, I begin to get twitchy and don't feel like myself. Pray that God eventually gives me more strength of will, but I'd rather openly acknowledge one day a week of indulgence, instead of secretly cheating throughout.

2) Fridays have always been "get together" days at our apartment. In fact, I've been fasting on Wednesdays and Thursdays for months now because Fridays were just terrible for me. And my old priest once said not to draw attention to your fasting if you're in the midst of non-orthodox at dinner time - eat the same meal they do - so I simply switched days and it's worked out fine.

That being said, I had quesadillas for lunch today. =)

Seasonal Foods

2009-11-19T19:57:00.003-05:00

For those out there who, like me, are trying to be more in sync with the seasons when planning their meals, I've found a pretty good resource which lists some winter fruits and veggies that could probably be found in your local grocery stores.

Winter Fruits

Winter Veggies

I haven't been too strict about it just yet (you may have noticed that my Fasting Lunches haven't been replete with seasonal goods), but, armed with more information, it's a goal to work towards.

Nativity Fast Lunch Day 4

2009-11-18T13:08:00.003-05:00

Okay, so I kind of cheated today: I microwaved my potato instead of actually baking it. Still, I topped it with salsa, salt, and pepper and it turned out just fine. =)

House-y Hum-drums

2009-11-17T21:02:00.006-05:00

I mentioned a few days ago that we went to the credit union to inquire about a mortgage. We weren't looking to secure one, just to learn a little more about the process. Well, they told us stuff, EJ's mom told us stuff, I've been reading a lot of stuff, and, basically, it just comes down to too much money.

Always with the money.

All I really care about in a house is acreage - and that's what's making it so hard. At first, I wanted 5-10 acres, on which to establish my "homestead", but seeing as how that's sadly unrealistic (in so many ways), I was willing to settle for 2, but that has also proven to be out of our reach. I simply won't go below half an acre, so I'm beginning to see that we're going to need a roommate. EJ and I haven't been saving up for a down payment (I know! I know!) and that just makes things royally difficult. However, I think I'd take a roommate and half an acre over apartment living any day.

I hate when reality interposes its ugly nose into my fantasies. Fairies and Unicorns have rights, too!! >=(

He was a boy, she was a girl ...

2009-11-17T12:17:00.002-05:00

As if there weren't already enough emotional reasons not to engage in sex outside of marriage, there's also this handy little reminder:

Sex Infections Still Growing in U.S., says CDC

Nativity Fast Lunch Day 3

2009-11-17T10:54:00.003-05:00

Okay, so it's technically "brunch" right now, but I didn't want another bowl of oatmeal.

*ahem*

Tomato, Onion, Avocado Pitas. Just add Italian salad dressing** and say yummy!

**I allow myself oil at all times during fasts.

Nativity Fast Lunch Day 2

2009-11-16T14:45:00.005-05:00

Dunno if I'll make this an irregular series or not. Basically, it's me throwing together whatever I have on hand and hoping it works, while still trying to get the nutrients I need.

Pita Pizza

Pita Bread
My homemade Pizza Sauce (tomato sauce, sugar, oregano, parsley, basil, garlic powder, onion powder)
chopped green peppers
chopped onions
chopped, cooked mushrooms
chopped black olives
chopped tomato
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Ground black pepper
Salt

Spread a thin layer of Pizza Sauce (less is more) over the pita bread and top with veggies, mushrooms, and spices as desired (again, less is more). Microwave for 1 minute and you're golden!

I actually left the tomato pieces off until after the pita was warmed. Call me weird, but I love the taste and texture of fresh, cool tomatoes on a hot dish. =)

A Reaffirmation

2009-11-15T01:15:00.003-05:00

Thank goodness the Orthodox Leaders aren't backing down on this - not saying they back down on things, but it just gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling not to see compromise around every corner. =)

Orthodox-Lutheran dialogue to be suspended

Wedding Pictures

2009-11-14T01:53:00.007-05:00

I found out yesterday that wedding photography trouble is a dominant gene passed down through the females of my mother's side of the family.

My wedding (2008): Both my courthouse wedding and my "formal" wedding had issues. First, EJ and I didn't bring a proper camera to our last-minute elopement, so we got only two camera-phone pictures of us actually tying the knot - one of which is now lost. Then, because our "formal" wedding was so rushed, no professional photographer could be found. A friend of an uncle said he'd do it, but then never showed. Of course, everyone brought their own cameras, but there were no beautiful professional ones such as those you see displayed all over photography websites.

My mother's wedding (1982): A little while before my mom walked down the isle, she and her photographer found an empty room in which to do the classic "beauty" shots of the bride. After snapping dozens of pictures, it came time for the ceremony to begin - and the photog realized he'd mistakenly left the cap over the lense for the entire shoot.

My grandmother's wedding (1950): My grandfather hired a friend whom he'd met during the war to take the pictures. Little did he know that this friend, in starting up his own business, was nearly destitute and could only afford eight frames. So, eight pictures is all they have of their entire day.

Nativity Fast

2009-11-14T01:19:00.002-05:00

I'm kind of looking forward to the Nativity Fast. =)

Weird, but in a good sort of way. I think it's the fact that it makes Christmas and the days following that much more special.

Really Awkward

2009-11-13T22:11:00.003-05:00

How do you tell someone who is a part of your family but with whom you're not really close that they're dressing like a streetwalker? And what if you've already brought it up discreetly to someone who is closer to them than you are, but that person seems to have no inclination to do anything about it?

It pains me to see this person, who seems to have no goals or aspirations but to "fit in," make themselves into a carbon copy of some of today's most questionable role models.

Clearly, some prayer is in order.

"It's beans and rice time!"

2009-11-13T15:54:00.004-05:00

...to quote the great Dave Ramsey

I could use some prayer right now. Things are pretty tight around here money-wise. EJ's car is dying, my van's windshield will need replacing within the next month or so, I just found out that the minimum payment on my student loans is $115 higher than I thought it'd be (yeah, I'll be calling Hillsdale about that), and there is simply no extra money. We can't cut any of our regular services (cable, cell phones, car insurance) because everything's under contract and the cancellation fees would be more than simply waiting until they expire - so, basically, we're hanging on and praying that we make it till February, when EJ gets a raise.

I'm looking into Child Care licensing. All my other great money-making schemes have pretty much gone the way of the Dodo and, though I don't usually like other people's kids, a need is a need so I'll make it work.

This Gives Me Hope...

2009-11-10T13:14:00.001-05:00

...that there are still some high profile leaders unwilling to kow-tow to political correctness. =)

Archbishop Hilarion Speaks Out Against Euthanasia

My First Place

2009-11-10T12:35:00.009-05:00

EJ and I are going to the bank today to inquire about a mortgage, which naturally gets me dreaming about all the plans I have for my future house: gardens, farm animals, crunchy living, etc. =P

I never get carried away, honest. ^_^

It's hard for me to remember that any home we buy will be a starter home and we may only be there for three years. That, and I, who tend who have a black thumb (seriously, every plant we've had in this house has died. Every. Single. One. I killed a bonsai tree!! How do you freaking kill a tree????) and absolutely no gardening experience, will not be able to have a Barefoot Contessa-style herb garden within the first few years of moving in. *sadpanda* Still, based on what we use the most around here, I think I've narrowed it down to a few things I want to try in the first year: green peppers (we go through those like candy), tomatoes, garlic, onions, potatoes, spinach, basil, and parsley. I don't know how they'll do, but it never hurts to try, right? =)

I FINISHED MY SCARF!!!

2009-11-07T23:49:00.002-05:00

Yay!!!!!!!!!! After how many months I'm finally ready to begin a new project. I think I'm going to try these. They look pretty easy and, if I make a few in different colors, I've got Christmas presents for female family and friends! =)

This is what we have to look forward to

2009-11-07T15:00:00.002-05:00

[British] Couple Flee to Save their Unborn Child from Social Workers after Girl, 17, is Told She is not Clever Enough to Look after her Child

I've begun asking for the prayers of St. Sophia and her three daughters, Faith, Hope, and Love for strength to face the inevitable fact I might lose my children to government forces and so this article doesn't upset me so much as it might once have done, praise God. Never lose faith.

The Most Random Blog Post in the World

2009-11-06T11:05:00.002-05:00

I love Disney's Mulan with a passion. Did you know Jackie Chan sang the Mandarin version of "I'll Make a Man Out of You"?

English version with intro for those who don't know the song: