Respecting Those Closest

Yesterday, my husband and I were talking, and I asked him, "What is the number one thing that I could change to make our relationship better?" He said, "Have a better attitude."

His response startled me. In my mind, I generally have a good attitude. I give people the benefit of the doubt, I’m careful not to snap at people who can’t control/didn’t cause my problem, and I work to let minor things go. I go so far as to think about what a stranger or acquaintance might be going through, and cut them slack.

But do I show the same consideration for my husband? Sadly, that answer is often a big “No.”

I come home from work most days tired, and either stressed or annoyed. Though I work hard not to take these feelings out on my husband, I do complain to him about them. What I didn’t realize is that to him, the two are often interchangeable.

Interestingly, I had read this post on BiblicalWomanhood.com on Thursday. Perhaps this loving Christian wife’s pitfall helped to me acknowledge my own, and be more open to the criticism of my husband than I might be otherwise. While it’s good to know that I’m not the only wife that falls into this pattern, it’s scary to think that women (or men) are habitually taking their frustrations from outside the home and planting them in the very place that, in my husband’s words, “is supposed to be safe.”

Benjamin & me on our honeymoon, August 2007

We have enough things to worry about at home without bringing in outside contamination. Home is supposed to be safe – and while “safe” to me may mean being able to voice my frustrations, “safe” to my husband is being able to enjoy his wife in a pleasant environment.

This is not to say that I should not share things that have a significant impact on our lives. I don’t think my husband would suggest that, either. But if I can strive to limit my venting to things that really matter, I will more thoroughly honor my husband. I want my life to revolve around home – not work, traffic, or trivial worries.

We should show the greatest respect and love to those closest to us. And though I had convinced myself that I was respecting him by being open, he only felt disrespected and dumped-on. I need to show his definition of respect, just as I want to be shown mine.

Stay-At-Home Moms in Perspective

Browsing Biblical Womanhood during lunch, I came across the following article. I am not a mom, of course, but this excerpt spoke to the purpose of stay-at-home moms that I know and respect, and the reasons behind my wanting to be one someday.

If I identify myself as the culture does, as a "stay at home Mom", one who has no intellectual contribution, gross-national product contribution or status symbol contribution, I become just that: a woman who sees herself as one who has grunted and groaned out another human being and now stays behind her four walls, in self-inposed seclusion. Not much of a vision there--it actually sounds strangely psychotic.

If I deem myself as a woman employed by the Creator of everything ever created, as on work assignment in a sacred domain for the sculpting of souls that will exist forever and forever without end, I have a burning passion of purpose. And a paycheck that is said to be beyond what eye or ear can even comprehend!

Read the full article here!

Picture Links!

I realized that I don't have very many pictures on here! And since I just went through & copied all of my wedding blog posts into this one, I thought I'd update other stuffs too!

These are all of the pictures that I have on Facebook.

~ WEDDING PICTURES ~
Engagement Pictures
Rehearsal
Getting Ready
Ceremony
Reception
Honeymoon

~ COLLEGE PICTURES ~
Fall 2005
Spring 2006
Dallas Formal 2006
Zahra's Birthday
Summer 2006
Fall 2006 (1)
Fall 2006 (2)
Snow Day 2006
Spring 2007

~ SPECIAL ALBUMS ~
Mommy
Monte
Feast 2006
High School

A Woman's Right to Choose: Beyond the Abortion Controversy

I have decided to post my paper, which attacks (based on philosophical & ethical grounds) the practice of requiring gynecological prodding in exchange for hormonal birth control. I've been hesitant, since I did turn the paper in for a class, but as I don't plan to adapt the paper for any future classes at this point, I don't mind posting it. Just for records' sake, though, in case professors look online, I turned in this paper for my Medical Ethics course in March 2008, and an adapted version for Advanced Composition in June 2008.

I was prompted to go ahead and post my essay after reading a very helpful post by another woman on her blog. Please visit http://crackerscentral.com/wordpress/?p=57 to read.

“A Woman's Right to Choose"

Beyond the Abortion Controversy

“Our body is a machine for living. It is organized for that, it is its nature. Let life go on in it unhindered and

let it defend itself, it will do more than if you paralyze it by encumbering it with remedies.”

(Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace)

Amid the fight for property, suffrage, and abortion, the right to medical options for women has somehow managed to escape the eyes of society. As a result, women remain almost powerless to determine the best method of gynecological care for them. Restrictions placed on oral contraceptives, widespread insistence on annual invasive examinations, and the enthusiastic following for the new HPV vaccine are socially accepted norms to which physicians rigidly adhere. Although research exists to maintain these standards for certain health reasons, equally strong evidence supports the bending or elimination of these stringent practices in favor of the patient's physical and mental wellbeing.

Most medical professionals recommend that women have an annual pelvic exam for one prevailing reason: The early detection of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. Prior to the 1950's when the pap test became a regular tool for detecting cancerous and pre-cancerous cells, cervical cancer was the number one cancer-caused death in women. Some studies have shown that use of the test has reduced deaths from the disease by 70% ₂. Other reasons include the detection of ovarian, endometrial, and breast cancers, sexual education, and the evaluation of irregular symptoms such as debilitating menstrual cramps, excessive bleeding, and missed periods. Women, according to gynecologists, should begin these annual exams soon after becoming sexually active, but no later than age 21 ₁.
Research also cites a correlation between long-term hormonal contraceptive use and HPV, with an increased risk of cervical cancer ₃. Doctors frequently deny contraceptive prescriptions to patients without a pelvic exam, referencing this medical mantra, as being for the "good of the patient."
However, ethicists are not so willing to accept this hardwired view of "good." Edmund D. Pellegrino, in his book The Internal Morality of Medicine, suggests four individual components to the patient's own good: the medical good, the patient's perception of the good, the good to humans, and the spiritual good. Not surprisingly, the component most frequently found in medical practice is "the medical good," focusing on what will keep the patient most physically healthy. However, Pellegrino writes, "What is medically 'good' simply on grounds of physiological effectiveness may not be 'good', if it violates higher levels of good, like the patient's good as he perceives that good" ₄. Physicians must be "concerned with the patient's personal preferences, choices, and values…the balance he strikes between the benefit and burdens of the proposed intervention" ₄. For some women, the burdens of mainstream gynecological examinations may include emotional distress, feelings of invasion, and betrayal of religious commitment. In many cases, the benefit of early cancer detection, for which most are not at risk, does not outweigh the harm done on a personal level.
Emergency contraception, which contains the highest doses of the hormones in birth control ₅, is not regulated nearly as severely as daily-dose contraception. In fact, adults can acquire the morning after pill as easily as they would Tylenol, simply by driving to a pharmacy and requesting it. Minors in some states require a prescription (given over the phone) or a parent's help to get the pills ₅. In Canada, Plan B has been lowered from "prescription only" to "Schedule II (behind the counter)" status, resulting in a greater in-store supply in many pharmacies" ₆.
Plan B, effective if taken up to five days after intercourse, can cause the disintegration of a developing embryo. Regardless of the morality of abortion, this is definitely more potent and potentially damaging than low-dose hormonal contraceptives.
Yet, "the American Medical Association and the Society for Adolescent Medicine…recently recommended that physicians provide their patients with emergency contraception before they need it" ₅. Advocates for Youth shouts, "Don't wait...go out and get emergency contraception before you need it!" ₅. Why isn't this encouragement and ease of access afforded to women who responsibly plan in advance?
Proponents of annual pelvic exams quote statistics of increased cervical cancer rates in users of birth control. Taken appropriately and in the lowest effective dose, however, oral contraceptives can actually improve a woman's health. Well-known benefits include the decrease in menstrual cramps and protection against anemia, ovarian cysts and symptoms of PMS ₉. Hormonal contraceptives have also been shown to reduce the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers by up to 80 percent, especially when taken for an extended period, regardless of the dosage ₈.
Cervical cancer, which many experts believe to increase in likelihood with the introduction of contraception, actually may reduce some risk as well. For young women, “evidence of significantly lower incidence of HPV infections in oral contraceptive users than in non-users has been reported” ₃. As a long-term benefit, “regularization of menstrual pattern with hormonal contraceptive use could improve mucosal immunity, and, therefore, immunity to HPV infection, and lower the risk of cervical cancer in later life” ₃.
In reality, cervical cancer is caused by a few specific factors, which many women do not have. According to the World Book Encyclopedia, the main causes include HPV, smoking or inhaling second-hand smoke, sex as a young teenager, and having sex with multiple partners or a man who has had many partners ₇. HIV is also serious indication ₂.
Still, the leading cause remains the human papillomavirus. HPV is less harmful than medical professionals readily explain, with 80 percent of people contracting the virus at some point during life. The majority of these cases disappear on their own, often without the carrier ever knowing they are infected. As the Women in Government organization stresses, “An HPV infection rarely leads to cervical cancer. In most women…the body’s immune system destroys the HPV infection” ₂.
Professionals stress the cancer’s deadliness due to its lack of symptoms. However, some early symptoms actually exist, among them unusual vaginal discharge, spotting, and pain during intercourse. Even these symptoms do not guarantee the disease, but merely suggest further testing, such as a pelvic exam ₂. HPV, though feared greatly as a result of the newly-popular “Will you be one less?” campaign for the innovative vaccine, is more benign than society knows.
In addition to the pap test, new methods of screening for cervical cancer are available, which have been shown to give results more accurately and quickly than the traditional technique. Using the same pelvic exam, a liquid-based pap test can be more accurate, and therefore administered biannually, because the cells are removed from other fluids for close examination. Though not recommended for all ages, an HPV test can be used simultaneously with a pap test for more accurate results ₂.
An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association provides shocking news for women hoping to avoid a traditional pelvic exam. Testing of a self-collected test has shown it to be “less specific than but as sensitive as Papanicolaou smears for detecting high-grade cervical disease” ₁₂. The rates of false positives are higher in the self-collected tests, which one could argue makes the test less helpful. However, the more sensitive the test, the greater a tool it can be for detecting a problem and suggesting further, more traditional, testing. To clear up any doubt, the new test was cross-checked for accuracy with four other cervical cancer screening tests, including the pap test ₁₁. “The availability of a noncytologic screening method not requiring a vaginal speculum examination,” suggests Dr. Thomas Wright and his fellow authors, “may reduce underscreening” ₁₂.
The self-collected test also appears to take less time to produce results, often available within two to six days of the sample. Alternatively, pap test results were not given to patients for about eight weeks. “A patient’s aversion to undergoing pelvic examinations may be difficult to overcome. Testing for HPV DNA by self-collected vaginal swabs at the time a woman provides a routine urine sample would eliminate the need for a speculum examination and would convert cervical cancer screening to a simple laboratory test” ₁₂. Doctors, for whatever reason, do not eagerly disclose these alternatives to their patients, providing cause for concern among patients that they are not being shown all of their options.
As a result, some agencies will delay the requirement for an exam for up to a year after contraception is started. Planned Parenthood, through a program called HOPE (Hormonal Options without Pelvic Exam), allows young women to start on any method of birth control after a medical history questionnaire and a blood pressure check. Though they recommend annual exams, this stereotyped organization actually recognizes the uneasiness experienced by women faced with such a procedure. However, Planned Parenthood will supply only one year’s worth of contraceptives through this program, eventually forcing women into the same standard of protocol to which most doctors subscribe ₁₀. Instead, this organization and others ought to recognize the long-term need for their temporary options. If a young woman can start taking a hormone without a diagnostic test to use as the control, there is no reason to insist upon the test if symptoms do not develop.
In the United States today, women have access to emergency contraception as frequently as they need it, they can obtain abortions with little or no counseling, and they can have long-lasting cosmetic surgery without second opinions. Doctors recommend that smokers quit and that heart disease patients diet and exercise, but they can not force their patients to follow their suggested regimens. Instead, they advise, and then work with the individual patient to develop a treatment or prevention plan that fits his or her personal needs. Gynecologists, to fulfill their calling to work for the patient’s good, need to focus on these individual needs more acutely than the ever-prevalent current standard.
Just as extensive cardiovascular tests are not widely recommended for young, active men with no family history of heart disease, we find no pressing need for women without risk factors for gynecological maladies to have tests for such. There is no reason to require a pap test unless the patient has disclosed something to warrant such a procedure.
In fact, a patient's lifestyle may even do the opposite. Married women with no previous sexual partners and a clear family history may be harmed more than helped. "This anxiety may be greater than the fear of pregnancy, and women might…prefer to switch…to condoms" ₃. This, however, severely limits a woman's options, when there is no critical medical reason to do so. Consider the abortion issue. Few today would suggest limiting a woman's options to adoption in an unwanted pregnancy. Though it can be argued that nine months of pregnancy and birth are more "inconvenient" than the potential discomfort of a condom, we should remember that the first may involve an individual's promiscuity, while the second may have the effect of punishment for harmless personal preference.
Other groups with deep-seated belief factors are happily accommodated, and rightly so, by the medical community. Some Jehovah's Witnesses will not submit to a blood transfusion for reasons of faith. These people carry cards marked "No Blood Transfusion!" with them, quoting the book of Leviticus. Though the Watchtower Blood Policy changed in 2006, many members of this faith still will not receive blood transfusions ₁₃. However, an injured Jehovah's Witness would be helped in any alternative way possible, with reverence for his personal choices. Women who object to invasive exams for similar reasons should be provided the same courtesy and respect.
Physicians have the right to refuse to provide treatment methods to which they have ethical objections, including denial of prescriptions to women who do not submit to tests. However, perhaps the growing fears associated with passing up routine exams in favor of personal choice would not be so prevalent if knowledge of opposing evidence was more common. Women have come so far in their quest for rights and autonomy, from the right to vote to the "pro-choice" movement. We have these rights, ethical or not, but in striving for them, we have overlooked other fundamental choices to which women should have access. Raising awareness, and fighting for these forgotten freedoms, will bring us one step closer to the indubitable right to choose.

Works Cited

1 “Your First Pelvic Exam: A Guide for Teens.” First Pelvic Exam. 2007. Young Women’s Health. 15 Feb. 2008 .

2 Women in Government. “Frequently Asked Questions About Cervical Cancer & Human Papillomavirus (HPV).” Challenge to Eliminate Cervical Cancer. 17 Feb. 2008 <http://www.womeningovernment.org/prevention/documents/03CervicalCancerHPV.CCFAQ1-26-07.pdf>.

3 Brabin, Loretta and Fiona Barr. “Oral contraceptives and cervical cancer.” The Lancet. 360 (2000): 409-410.

4 Pellegrino, Edmund D. The Internal Morality of Medicine. Pages 569-570.

5 “How to Get Emergency Contraception.” Advocates for Youth. 2008. Advocates for Youth. 18 Feb. 2008 .

6 Dunn, Sheila et al. “Availability of emergency contraception after its deregulation from prescription-only status: a survey of Ontario pharmacies.” Canadian Medical Association. (February 12, 2008): 423-424.

7 “Cervical Cancer.” World Book Encyclopedia. World Book, Inc. Volume 2. Chicago, 2003.

8 “Lowest-Dose Birth Control Pills Provide the Greatest Ovarian Cancer Protection.” International Family Planning Perspectives. 33.2 (June 2007): 89-90.

9 “Birth Control Pills.” Planned Parenthood. 2008. Planned Parenthood. 10 Feb. 2008 .

10 “HOPE: Pills Without an Exam.” Planned Parenthood of the Mid-Hudson Valley, Inc. 2008. Planned Parenthood. 10 Feb. 2008 .

11 “Science Blog.” Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. 2000. Science Blog. 17 Feb. 2008 .

12 Wright, Thomas C. et al. “HPV DNA Testing of Self-collected Vaginal Samples Compared With Cytologic Screening to Detect Cervical Cancer.” The Journal of American Medical Association. 283.1 (January 5, 2000): 81-86.

13 “Watchtower Blood Policy.” 2008. AJWRB. 17 Feb. 2008

The views and information represented above are intended for personal use only.

Any other use of the material must be cited completely.

Comments

It's been brought to my attention that I can limit comments on my blog to those registered with some sort of ID (though I don't claim to understand exactly what kind of ID...it's called "Open ID"). Since most public forums (and almost all private ones, like mine) require that users identify themselves, I'm going to follow that example. I didn't choose the "Google accounts" option, as I know that not everyone has or uses a Google account. Instead, it's the OpenID, which I believe accommodates AIM screen names and other similar usernames. This isn't a jab at anyone, nor is it an attempt to dissuade people from commenting. It's just my attempt to limit those commenting on my blog to serious people who take personal credit for their opinions, as I have.

List of the Goings On

I was reading Zahra's blog this morning, and she made a list because she was lazy. I am equally lazy right now, so I shall copy her.

1. My sister was supposed to go to Corpus Christi for orchestra. But it's the weekend of my recital. And she would miss a holy day, which no one knew until now. So she said she is coming to my recital instead, which makes me happy :) Plus, she has 2 doctors & a physical therapist saying she can't play because she hurt her shoulder. That doesn't make me happy :(

2. I'm still really upset about Perfume Girl making me ill. Just in case someone was wondering. I'm feeling somewhat better, but I'm staying home from church today because smelling exhaust or anything will make me relapse.

3. Benjamin took his acoustic guitar & an amp & some other music stuff to church today. The living room looks empty now.

4. Yesterday, Benjamin stole my laptop & took it to the store. He insisted that I needed more memory, and I insisted that I didn't. I now have more memory.

5. I learned last night that I can open files on my laptop that are really on the external hard drive plugged into the desktop. I'm told I can only do this at home, though.

6. Benjamin & I are reading "The 5 Love Languages" each night before we go to sleep. First, we read the first 3 chapters, which were annoying. The author seemed to be saying this:
"You got married because you thought you loved each other. But you didn't. You were really just 'in love' and after you've been married for a couple of years, you'll no longer be 'in love'. And you won't love each other either, cause you never really did. You just thought you did. Oh, and by the way, I know this sounds harsh, but I know you better than you do, cause I write books with the cool raised-letter covers."
We also read the 1st "love language" which is "Words of Affirmation." That chapter was less pessimistic.

7. We have a Victoria's Secret bag sitting on the coffee table that's been there for about a month. Benjamin needs to send it back. I wonder how long until one of us realizes it's there & send it back.

8. Chloe has been nicer lately. Yesterday Benjamin clipped her front claws with fingernail clippers. They're no longer sharp. When he was putting her in her kennel for bed, I heard cat-crying. He came in and said that he thinks she's mad that she can't scratch him anymore.

9. I packed Benjamin a lunch this morning for him to have between Men's Club and church. So the sandwich wouldn't get soggy, I put the bread in 1 bag and the lettuce, turkey & cheese in another bag. Then I put the mustard in a tupperware and the pickles & tomato in another container, with salt & pepper on the tomato. I also gave him a banana & some doritos (which I opened from the bottom of the bag right in front of him, muah-ha-ha!) and coke. And a napkin & a plastic knife. I packed all of this in my super-cute pink ice chest. He looks very manly.

10. Last night we went to Wal-Mart for dinner stuffs. I wanted straws and popsicle molder things. We looked everywhere & couldn't find either. Then a lady told Benjamin where to find straws, and they were out. She was shelving, so she & Benjamin started going through the boxes to find straws, but they were bendy straws so I said I'd just wait. I don't like bendy straws cause they get air in them in make you burp.

Countdowns
Recital: 20 days
Anniversary: 121 days
Graduation: 131 days

What's that?!? An update?!? Why, yes, I believe it is!

(Original post at www.abforever.blogspot.com)

Though I've been terribly busy, my laziness in regard to blogging was recently brought to my attention by dear 'ole Zahra. Indeed, this page is in desperate need of an update :)

As previously mentioned, the wedding date is Saturday, August 4. That's right at 7 1/2 weeks from now! Obviously, I'm quite excited, and I'm continuously counting the days.

We're still working on finishing up the invitations. They have been something of a project, and I'm thankful to have had a lot of help. I hope to have them mailed out early next week, but as with everything, I need to be flexible.

My parents have done a ton of work on the guest list, and making arrangements with the church at which the ceremony will be held. They've made calls and ordered my dress, and been more than supportive of mine and Benjamin's goals. Benjamin's mom and sister worked with us on the invitations well into the night a couple of weekends ago, helping us to put a huge dent in the amount of work. Nana is addressing envelopes this week, and I'm glad she's being patient with my ever-changing list of addresses. Megan has volunteered her expertise to design the jewelry for the wedding. Julie and Amanda have worked their schedules around mine, and taken time out to search for the perfect bridesmaid dresses. I can't wait to see how they look on all of the girls!

My fiance (whee!) has been nothing but helpful over the past couple of weeks. Along with putting in overtime at work, he has been making frequent trips to Houston on the weekends (we've gone 3 times in a month!), making plans for our honeymoon, gathering addresses, and cooperating with my sometimes-emotional nature. He's even been spending his evenings gluing bows and paper cakes onto invitations. He has had such a willing attitude, that I feel much more at ease and less worried that I'm going to forget something or run out of time to get things done. Benjamin has made it clear that he does not want to view the planning from the sidelines, and I can't thank him enough for all of his involvement.

Well, last night we (hopefully) finished our Target registry! We have a few more things to add at Macy's, but I think that's going to wait until the weekend. We have some pieces of furniture picked out, and I think we'll be very happy with our decisions. We're still excited about our ducky-themed bathroom!

Haha, I just realized that I keep typing "we"...I can't wait to be "Mr. and Mrs." <3

Yesterday I got a call from the bridal store saying that my dress & veil & petticoat and all that fun stuff have come in! I need to go in to get everything finalized, and then I'll get to bring my wedding dress home & hang it in the closet where I can look at it every day. I can just see myself walking around in athletic pants eating ice cream & staring at my dress. That reminds me of a conversation I had right after I moved to college in August 2005...

Zahra was reading me excerpts from "The Complete Handbook for College Women" & came across a section on eating disorders.
Me: *eats a peanut M&M*
Zahra: Accept & appreciate your body in its natural state
Me: *sits & thinks*
Me: *eats another M&M"
Zahra: Reward yourself for accomplishing tasks...
Zahra: ...For example, treat yourself to a night at the movies, a call to a friend, or a couple of your favorite jelly donuts
Zahra: "So then you can get fat & love your body in its natural state"

Tonight, Benjamin came over and I bought my first alcohol. Of course, given the hobbies of my company, it was beer =P I tried to drink it with a straw, but Benjamin put a stop to that. Apparently "you don't drink beer with a straw." Who knew? =P

I should probably get to bed...I'm blinking to stay awake lol. It's been a tough couple of weeks, and I think it's time for a pre-midnight bedtime :)

Juliane just called

(Original post at www.abforever.blogspot.com)

She's a rebel, calling me from athletics. Then, I contributed to her rebel attitude, calling her back & informing her that being the maid of honor requires her to entertain my blog habit by reading it.

I'm Engaged!

(Original post at www.abforever.blogspot.com)

I'm starting this blog because I'm entering what promises to be a very exciting time in my life. I know that one day, when all the planning is finished, all the hoping and waiting over, I will want to go back and remember everything that's happened, everything that I may not have experienced fully. Heh, now I'm crying lol.

Plus, if you ask Julie or Zahra or Mom, they'll tell you I've been a Blog Bum for the past 5 or 6 months, and that I "need to update!" And I like typing 'cause it gives me a nice view of my ring ;-)

I will start posting our engagement story and day-to-day happenings shortly. In the meantime, please visit our wedding website at www.mywedding.com/benjaminandadriane. Thanks!

Happy Mother's Day!

In the spirit of having a Grammar exam...

...here are some quotes!

Professor: We're starting with the big picture, and we'll get more specific, so the limits to fun are endless!

Discussing something about the use of the word "sir"...
Student: But if I were talking to the professor, I'd put "sir" at the end
Professor: And as soon as you said "sir" I'd stop paying attention

We were feeling worried about this grammar stuff we're supposed to know...
Professor: Are there any other exercises you're finding annoying?
Class: *silence*
Professor: ...or are you just generally annoyed as a class?

Public Service Announcement for Julie: I want YOU to not comment annonymously! *imagine pointed finger and unproportional patriotic top hat* <3

The Great Rebirth

So it's been almost 6 months since I updated, and the time apart has made me realize how much I miss those frequent scurryings to the computer, coupled with a shrill, "I'm blogging that!" I liked myself better as a blog-adict, and I believe there are some others who would agree. Perhaps my attitude in person is improved by my willingness to write bluntly.

Who knows. Anyway, here's a quick update:

I went to Houston several times, and spent Thanksgiving in Dallas

For the Feast, I went to Kerrville and got absolutely nothing done. It was more fun that I expected, because I hung out with several young adults I hadn't seen in a while. Benjamin went to Italy, and sent me this:

This picture is everywhere, I know, but I love it bunches :)

I got a chihuahua puppy in November. His birthday is October 11, and he's just over 3 months now. A couple of weeks ago, he was almost up to 2 pounds! Montezuma (Monte) knows his name, and how to use his potty-pad. However, he likes to be defiant and tinkle on his mat, but poo on the floor while I'm looking at him. Other than that, he's quite well behaved.

Wreck on 45 going home over winter break. Ouch. My darling came to take care of me <3

Finally, this semester my classes are:
~ Syntax & Mechanical Structure
~ Western Literary Tradition
~ Film Musicals
~ Prose Narratives
~ Educational Psychology
~ American Public School

PS- Don't forget to post comments. I know it's sad, but I have very little excitement in my life.

ATTENTION!

This blog has quit working...I'm not sure why.

New blog URL: www.dontsweat2.blogspot.com

Happy blogging!

Aaaaaaaah so long!!!!!!!!!

So, Zahra says it's time for an update...and I must say I agree. Much has happened since my last update, and though I shant elaborate on everything (it's been like 3 weeks!) I will give some highlights. In addition, I promise to relapse into my previous blog-aholic ways once I move & school commences.

~ July 22-25 --> went back to Dallas, stayed in the apartment with Jessica, hung out with Benjamin mucho, went to Studio Movie Grill with Zahra & Julie for Julie's birthday, had tons of fun
~ I'm dating darling Benjamin, and he makes me smile :D I can't wait until Saturday when I get to see him again after 3 weeks of being in Houston!
~ Quit my job at Ben & Jerry's quite impulsively. While being impulsive is not in my nature, neither is being verbally attacked by my coworkers. Nuff said.
~ I registered for another class! Something's gotta give...
~ I got permission from Julie to buy the frivolous pink chair for my room. She says it might cost me a fuzzy poster though.
~ Attended my cousin's bridal shower & rehearsal dinner & wedding. I've decided that unless my mommy will do "yardguard" throughout the area, I will be unable to have the outdoor wedding reception of my dreams because mosquitos have an evil plan to eat me at every opportunity. I could ask them to be nice since it's my wedding and everything, but I'm not sure they'd cooperate, being that they're mosquitos and all.
~ Met my cousin's boyfriend, whom I have never met but everyone else has.

Ok, another update is promised soon! Should be before I move...less than 3 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

" time for an updateeee. <33 "

Zahra says it's time for an update. Actually, Zahra said it's time for an update 4 days ago. So here 'tis. :)

~ Mom came home Friday! It was a day later than originally planned, but we're very pleased. Thanks to everyone for all of your continued prayers. She still has a long way to go in resuming normal life, but she's well on her way!

~ I'm quitting Barnes & Noble, effective tomorrow at midnight. That's right...if we're late closing, I'm walking out at midnight. Just kidding.

~ I'll be going back to Ben & Jerry's full-time starting Monday until I go back to school.

~ Moving in exactly 5 weeks! (Actually 4 weeks & 6 days, cause I guess it's past midnight on Tuesday already :-/)

~ I don't like working with people who are hung over. If you're hung over, don't come to work. And if you do come to work, don't tell me that you're hung over. And whether you're hung over or not, do not touch me. Do not poke my back. Do not grab my shoulder. Do not slap my hand in an oh-so-playful manner. I don't know you. I don't want to randomly flirt with you. Especially when you tell me about your theories on living with someone instead of getting married, just so you can switch partners when you tire of today's project. Do not tell me I can't judge actions. I'm going to judge actions. In fact, I'm going to be so bold as to judge your actions. I shall, however, not judge you. There's a difference. Judging actions is what the entire legal system is based upon, not to mention ethics. Get some. Find yours or borrow some from a willing donor. I'm sure that if you explain to them the urgency of your situation, they will understand. That's all I have to say about that.

~ Josh & I are going to practice the Vivaldi once more, and then play in Huntsville for special music on August 5th. Whee! It's coming along quite nicely :)

~ Going back to DFW on the 22nd...probably staying until the 25th. I don't know...now that I'm not going to be working Thursday thru at least Sunday, I could just take off a couple of days after that & make the trip this weekend. That would allow me to go to my cousin's baby shower :) However, I'm gonna want a break in a week, so maybe I should wait. Argh...decisions decisions...

~ Tonight I worked 4-close (midnight). I hate that shift. I feel like I'm being really taken advantage of because I'm closing so stinking much. That's a big reason I'm quitting so soon. Tonight I had a caramel frapp but I added 2 shots of espresso :) It was the grossest thing ever (because the espresso separated from the frapp, so I was drinking melted java juice) but it did the trick lol. I even skipped my last break, because I was on such a roll.

~ Tomorrow I'm working 4-close. Thursday I was scheduled to close. And twice next week. Anyone seeing how much this stinks? So yeah. I'm closing tomorrow. Then byebye. When I first started considering not giving 2 weeks notice, I felt really bad & irresponsible. Then I realized that on the day I got hired, my schedule was the following:
9-9:30 interview & hired
9:30-10 rush to Target to get collared shirts
10-4 work at Ben & Jerry's
4-12am training/work at Barnes & Noble
In short, I was working on the day I was interviewed. This means replacements are relatively easy to find.

Goodnight to all! Zahra, please let me know whether your phone has stopped being racist, as we need to discuss Julie's birthday. Let me know, por favor, if you're available this coming Sunday/Monday evenings (16 & 17) and whether you're available the following Sunday/Monday evenings (23 & 24). I'll be calling Julie too. We need to plan our JAZ Date!!! Since I now won't be working this weekend, I'm a little more flexible on which weekend to come up (provided Jessica is ok with it, as I've worked out to stay with her on the 22nd weekend). Wow...I need to shut up. It's 1:14 in the morning...I should not be this awake.

"Update!" says Zahra

I went to the post office yesterday to mail back my apartment keys. Line was too long. I left & went to to work.

I went to the post office today to mail back my apartment keys. Line was too long. I left & went to work.

Last night I stayed at the hospital with Mom. She's doing SOOOO much better mentally. On Wednesday she had a talk with Nana, Cameron & me, and I cried. She was so deep...and giving so much credit to God that I had never expected her to do at this point.

I got a new church bag from the Christian bookstore next to Ben & Jerry's today. I love it, so I got it as a Pentecost gift to myself :)

Myspace is creepy...
addicat123: zahra?? i just got asked out on myspace
addicat123: this thing has been infiltrated with losers
PRZNchika: eek!!! who asked you out?
addicat123: from "tony"...i thought it was cake boy, but...its not
addicat123: i realized that after reading the first sentence
addicat123: " Hey there, if there is one thing about you, it's you smile, you're sooo cute!! Couldn't resist :-) ADD ME AS YOUR FRIENDS IN MYSPACE, WILL YA? ;-) I sometimes go to some salsa places on fri nites. Free fri nite around 9pm? lets go hang/chill. cell .. to coordinate, if interested? "
PRZNchika: eek did he have a picture?
addicat123: its a pool lol
PRZNchika: you got asked out by a pool!
addicat123: ha! yes!
addicat123: twas my dream
addicat123: and a motorcycle...and a car
PRZNchika: well please do not agree to going out with tony-the-pool-and-not-the-cake-boy
PRZNchika: k?
addicat123: (after i clicked on "pics")
addicat123 (9:32:22 PM): addicat123: PRZNchika: ohhh
PRZNchika: a pool
PRZNchika: motorcycle
PRZNchika: AND car
PRZNchika: this tony is them all.
PRZNchika: he can change shape!!!
addicat123: this tony is a magician
PRZNchika: i don't know tony the magician
PRZNchika: tony the cake boy was a bit confused though.
addicat123: im sorry zahra
addicat123: we'll get quiktrip...that'll solve that problem
PRZNchika: yes, yes it will

Right before I was (supposed to) leave work today, there was a huge rush. One guy in line, as I was ringing up his order, asked "Do you get bothered here a lot?" Confused, I replied, "umm, no not really." He asked if people often prank call the story asking for Ben or Jerry, and said that he's the type of person to do that. I think I may have said that it would be funny if people did. He kept talking about it, but I was busy & got back to work, where I promptly forgot about it.

About 5 minutes later, Bryan handed me the phone & said, "umm, it's for you." He said he thought it was my dad. So I took the phone, and the voice on the other end said, "is Ben or Jerry there?" and started laughing. I sarcastically responded, "eh, funny...thanks goodbye" in my "you're being dumb but I'm humoring you to be nice" tone. However, as I hung up I couldn't help but laugh...I had to admit, it WAS funny.

Then I asked Bryan how they asked for me. He said they asked by name. But I didn't tell them my name. A few minutes later, after the issue had been dropped, Bryan came back out and said, "umm, yeah...that's a little creepy."

Sleeping at ze Hospital

I was off work yesterday, so I spent the day & last night at the hospital. I absolutely love TIRR. Mom has a private room, her nurses are consistent (same each day, 8-hour shifts), her nurses seem to actually care about people (as opposed to some being rather vindictive-ish), and the atmosphere is much more conducive to a peaceful recovery (rather than sounding like the beginning of Saving Private Ryan, which, by the way, I've never seen).

As previously discussed, I'm a complete non-fan of needles. Not only do they hurt like nothing else, but the sight of them (esp going into someone) makes me very dizzy. However, as I decided at Scott & White, if Mom can handle being in the hospital & getting poked & prodded constantly, I can handle holding her hand while they're taking blood from her finger. I mean, seriously...I need to suck it up & quit being a baby. So last night, I held her hand and watched as the nurse put in her IV. I've never done that before. Then her friend Christine came, and though Mom was asleep most of the time, Christine & I had a really nice visit.

There's a love seat sofa in the room that pulls out into a twin bed. I slept there all night, but they were taking her vitals every 2 hours so I got up a lot. Also, there were a few times she got aggitated, but in general she seemed to sleep peacefully.

This morning on the way home I finally got the wrist weights that I need for kickboxing. I've come to understand that kickboxing for an hour is much harder when you add 2 pounds. Laugh not...that's what they told me to use.

Well Zahra was supposed to Xanga this part so I could then be lazy & steal it from her, but now it seems as though I'm going to have to take on a temporary facade of self-sufficience.
Me: *in car after clocking in at work...calling Zahra* I just wanted to let you know that I'm totally talking on the phone at work
Zahra: *audibly shocked* What?! You're such a rebel!
Me: *explains that I'm actually in the car b/c I was asked to go pick up cake supplies*
Zahra: I'm so xanga-ing that!

When I got back, I noticed that the new icecream shipment had not been organized yet in the walk-in freezer. So, I started doing it. The owner told me I could turn off the fan, so I did (and I wore some jacket thing & my SHORTS). The highest temperature reached was 16-17*. It was freeeezing, especially when we consider that I'm cold-natured anyway. I timed it...58 minutes inside that thing, minus the 30 seconds or so that it took for me to get a sharpie from The Outside (aka normal people living environment with generally life-sustaining temperatures). After that hour, I washed my hands (boxes can be sticky) with COLD water & it felt hot. Yeah...it was cold in there.

I was afraid of getting locked in (by a malfunctioning electrical freezer issue or a maliciously funny co-worker) but was reassured that it can only be locked from the inside. Still, just to be safe, I keep my phone in my pocket just in case something "goes wrong" and I have to call 911.

Driving home, I looked down & saw that my "check engine" light had come on. I was so shocked that I ran a red light :( This is the first time I've ever run a red light.

Then I got home & did kickboxing & jogging. Now I'm really tired of doing stuff.

Has anyone noticed the quality of my posts slowly dying beneath our very eyes? I don't mean the content of the topics, but rather my less-than-clever presentation of them. I mean, think back to previous posts...those that weren't simply a listing of my day's activities. For the sake of being Hollywood-ish, let's reminisce, shall we?
Cinderella Man & the Guy who Wished to be Gay (Cinderella Man movie)
She'll be Coming Around the Mountain (ha! clever title, I do believe...Tetons)
Our Contribution (practical jokes over sushi)
Veronica's Viewpoints (on having a "transition guy" aka rebound)
Beeeeeeep! (short & sweet...smoke alarm)
And now I'm boring myself again...so just 1 more
Ding! (a post I'm VERY proud of, regarding The LSAT Timer)

Xanga is Down?!?!?!

What kind of world IS this, where I can't go, on a whim, to Zahra's xanga & learn about her life, the life I've recently left behind to journey southward, the life to which I shall once again return?!!?

WAIT!!! I just actually read the message that comes up when I attempt to locate Zahra's xanga...xanga.com is moving?!?!?!?!!?!

Behold the message:

Xanga will be down today from 7am - 2pm EST, what in the world does EST mean to me when I live in CST? as we move our servers to a new network facility (we ran out of room in our old one). You ran out of room?? We're loading a few hundred servers onto a truck, driving them across the Hudson River, and reassembling them in New Jersey. somehow I doubt that's what you're doing...but ok, I'll humor you. We'll get the site up and running again as soon as we can.
Thanks for your patience, I don't have patience, but thanks for the positive implication.
The Xanga Team Time for team pictures!

[emphasis added throughout...you can tell my thoughts from theirs by the obnoxious reddish hue of my rantings :)]

Ok, here's that nostalgic post we've all been waiting for!

Stop. Go no further. Start the song Closing Time. Have you started it? Ok good. Now you may proceed.

In about 12 hours (I’ve been working on this throughout the day), I'm going to be moving for the 2nd time in a year. I'm so unbelievably happy to get to go home, see my family, spend oodles of time with my Mom...it's been hard living so far away. By the same token, though, I'm going to be so sad to leave this place - this apartment that has become my home away from home, these friends, this environment of intellectual stimulation. So, in the style of Zahra's post (her's is more picture-inclusive than mine), I shall proceed to give a list of grievances. Ah, how this reminds me of a day about 8 months ago when I was doing this very same thing.

While I'm certainly going to miss many aspects of this life I'm leaving, most of it revolves around the lovely girls of apartment ****. These girls have turned into more than amiable roommates. They've made my freshman year experience one that I will always look back upon with fondness. They have attained the status of best friends. And for that, they hold a special, irreplaceable place in my heart. I will miss them the most.

Things I Love About Julie
* Her French accent which she "can't help"
* Her decision to marry Switchfoot...collectively
* The inertia which causes her arms to flail behind her torso upon walking
* The way I never dread the sound of "Aaa-dri-on" (now "A-shri-on") in the distance
* She is always ready to watch a Lifetime movie with me & Sparky
* Her insistence on consuming every last speck of...whatever (lick that bowl, Julie!)
* The way she confidently declares herself endearing...but that she doesn't fully comprehend the limitlessness of that statement
* Her daily updates on Erwin in my absence
* Finding her slippers tucked neatly under the table for her to come back to
* Her pretty paintings that make our living room sparkle

Things I Love About Zahra
* Her beastly willingness to protect us amid our Lifetime fears…and to fight
* The fact that she LIVES to "lock me out"
* The way she "moves in" every Sunday evening
* That she is "the world's official hugger"...and never fails to deliver on that
* That she designates and entire load of laundry to her panties
* Her offer to come all the way to Houston just to chaperone a date
* That we reached a consensus to take a nap under the warm pink UTD blanket after Hope Floats

Things I Love About Valene
* Her facial expression after muttering “huh?”
* Her disgust with spinach…and our taste for it
* That she gave me part of the vacuum fuzz after cleaning it out
* The unrecognized peer pressure which she exerts on the rest of us with her spiffy sayings

I’ll miss the Waterview network connection hating me, and kicking me off alllll the time. Zahra, thank you for not blocking me on AIM, even though you threatened to do so. Having a reliable internet connection will be saddening.

I’ll miss Julie grabbing Luke & Lorelai with her bare hands so that we can clean their filthy water. I’ll miss having 4 people around to feed them constantly. And I’ll miss making beta babies!

I’ll miss the free movies that Valene found as part of our cable package. Sleepless in Seattle, West Side Story, Funny Girl…all better when you have great girls to share them with. Oh what fun, moving the couch up to the TV…we’re tough girls!

I’ll miss naming the boys that come into our lives. More than that, I’ll miss having those boys around to do things for us. I wonder if my brother….

I’ll miss hearing Julie’s door open in the mornings, and jumping out of bed immediately. That was better than any alarm clock. What! Julie’s up before me?! Aaaah!

I’ll miss calling the maintenance men for everything that needs done in our apartment. I treasure all of those maintenance reports that we have laying around. We’re on a first-name basis with several of them now!

I’ll miss looking at Jackie Chan every time I go into Julie’s room. I have to say, he’s beginning to grow on me now. Of course, the same can’t be said of Julie’s attitude toward my fuzzy posters. It’s ok…I’ll also miss her systematically removing them from my walls in the hope that I won’t notice.

I’ll miss shouting “someone’s food is ready” because the impatient microwave keeps beeping once a minute.

I’ll miss Julie trying to make me get new PJs. You’ve tried everything, and I’m still wearing cheeky monkey! Perhaps, though, we can get matching ones in accordance with your bribe.

I’ll miss the interrogation chair, and the reign of WABB over our relationships with boys. I’ll miss the confused look on many guys’ faces as we actually carried out the interrogations we promised. Remember when Cake Boy (ok ok, Tony) brought us that HUGE cake as a peace offering? I’m glad we gave him another chance.

I’ll miss Julie’s singing on the way to the grocery store or the movies. You’ve made me love Moulin Rouge, hun! You’re so unbelievably cute.

I’ll miss Thursday lunches in the PUB. How I’ve looked forward to those each week, and hated missing them on occasion. Even when I would be working the lunch rush, it was cheering just to see you guys come in.

I’ll miss the PUB itself, and the good friends I have made working there. I’m so blessed to be able to have fun at my job.

I’ll miss Roommate Weekends, and broadcasting our mutual love to the masses. “Do you have roommates? You should get some.”

I’ll miss taking trips in our pajamas. Wal-Mart, the Meteor Theater, the mailbox…ah, the memories.

I’ll miss Julie singing “Bad Day” and playing it on her computer when I have one. I’ll miss being able to hear the song on her computer when she goes to Zahra’s xanga, since my computer hates me & won’t play it.

I’ll miss having a home to come back to when I feel weezy.

I’ll miss taking pictures of everything. It feels like everything we’ve done has been properly documented visually. I love our three best pictures.

I’ll miss the menopausal weather. Hot. Cold. Moderately warm. Freezing beyond comprehension. Yeah, it’s always a surprise. Sorry I’ve been slacking on delivering the weather report each morning!

I’ll miss having no room in the refrigerator for legitimate stuff (like milk) because it is so full of to-go boxes.

I’ll miss the yellow walls, and Julie’s paintings.

I’ll miss finding my panties in a bag on my doorknob. I’ll miss having girls around who understand how you can have an entire bag full of panties.

I’ll miss waking up to the shrill sound of smoke detectors…and laughing in the living room while they continue to shriek for half an hour in the middle of the night.

I’ll miss eating french fries from the PUB. But not before we’ve re-cooked them in the oven & showered them with Tony Chachere’s (sp??)

But more than all of that, I’ll miss having girls to call maintenance for me. I’ll miss hearing my name (with a French accent, of course) on a daily basis. I’ll miss the people with whom I take grocery store trips, and the girls that live to lock me out. I’ll miss having those awesome friends who are willing to ask weird questions to make sure that the guys I’m hanging out with are worth it. I’ll miss deep conversations that last until the wee hours of the morning, and buying lots of pillows with my new bedding, confident that we’ll use all of them.

The memories…

In the past 8 months and 19 days, we have accomplished so much. Much more than a group of skimpy college girls could be expected. We have:
(click the * for a picture!!)
* Gotten through a pregnancy & learned French insults
* Successfully sauntered Wal-Mart in PJs at midnight without getting raped
* Learned how to do normal body functions in a class that 1/3 of us don’t take
* Cured Julie of her brownie addiction
* Established ourselves as virgins
* Taken pictures with Abuelo
* Been through some hard times, and remained there for each other
* Experienced the awesomeness that is giant QuikTrip cups
* Considered skydiving together…nah!
* Had fun with balls (hehe)
* Shrunk our collective female fat zones
* Traded clothes & warned each other of possible death-by-weather
* Made it through Govt 2302. ‘Nuff said.
* Realized that our best dates are with each other
* Giggled about boy parts during Thursday lunch
* Put glucose tablets to a much more “creative” use
* Gotten married. Some of us more than others…
* Been totally awesome princesses
* Gotten gussied
* Turned on one another, but made it through in the end
* Been scarred by the sight of nakey boys & discussed nakey trees
* Ordered & eaten 3 medium 1-topping pizzas
* Handled the three-musty-Mexican-maintenance-men & called maintenance for EVERYthing! They must loooooove us!
* Discovered the tragedy of the female condom & hemorrhoids
* Prepared for a tornado
* Had a slumber party on the balcony
* Grown quite accustomed to talking on AIM & banging on walls
* Experienced the happiness of Julie & Zahra’s marriage
* Left Olive Garden with 10 to-go boxes
* Gleefully pounced upon each other
* Caught & detained the blog culprit…but she still commits her crimes!
* Become tenacious wildcats in Jujitsu
* Dedicated Zahra the confrontational-phone-call maker…for bills and the cable guy
* Named boys & done interrogations with WAAB
* Spoken out against modern sexuality
* Played some serious flag football
* Toasted our 1-month anniversary
* Disturbed an entire movie theater with our fashionable exit
* Learned where we come from…through the people upstairs
* Lived through fire
* Rewarded ourselves with a couple of our favorite jelly donuts
* Left our comfort zones & made new & lifelong friendships

Tonight we had our reminiscence session. We sat on the couch, in our PJs of course, and ate french fries. We talked about our time together. Zahra recalled “hating” me when I moved in, because I apparently gave her a weird look. How was I to know that she was supposed to be there?! We realized that we attended the same orientation last April. The 3 of us recalled our first eager telephone conversations and unleashed first impressions. Julie thought I was going to be a drunken popular girl…but when she came in & saw me “freaking out” over groceries, she knew she had nothing to fear. I thought she was going to be a really anal smart girl…which she is (without the anal part :-p). Zahra addressed how unfair I have been in taking up all of the communal kitchen & storage space…and Julie agreed. Apparently, I have too much crap…but I can’t live without it. Then Julie started to go into her room. I thought she was coming to my room to read this screen (a super no-no) so I ran to stop her. In the process I hurt my foot. She doesn’t care…she said I deserved it. Poo. :-)

I’m sitting here, now at 2:30 in the morning, after just having had a discussion with Julie. Mostly, we talked about how much I miss orchestra & what a big part of my life that was. I’ve often thought about where I would be in my musical pursuits if I had followed my original plan to go elsewhere.

But tonight, after our reminiscence session, I realized that Julie, Zahra & I ALL wanted to go elsewhere. I wanted to go to Sam Houston & major in music. Zahra wanted to go to Rice & made this known through her attitude at UTD orientation. Julie wanted to go to Baylor & got a new car instead. I remember fighting my parents about this school, telling them it was the last place I wanted to go. I even had all of my friends hating the idea with me.

Even after deciding that I did want to come here, I still catch myself wondering. I wonder what I might have kept if I hadn't abandoned my “first choice.” What’s ironic is that after 8 months, I now realize what I would have lost if I had.

Love Always,
Adriane

Skimming

Julie & I were discussing how to read our Bibles all the way through in a short period of time. She was asking if we're allowed to skim, and I explained that I didn't even know how to skim. She demonstrated:
Julie: ok, let's open to a random page...Chronicles!
Julie: *skims* ok so you skim...to see...if there's anything important...nooope
Adriane: *runs to computer to blog of Julie*

Fall 2006 Class Schedule

In the spirit of copying Zahra in everything blog-related, here is my schedule for next semester.

20th Century American Poetry [TR 12:30-1:45]
African-American Novel [MW 12:30-1:45]
Biological Basis of Health & Disease [MW 5:30-6:45]
Constitutional Law [MW 2:00-3:15]
Reading & Writing Texts [F 12:30-3:15]
Shakespeare [R 7:00-9:45]

The only people that I know I will know in my classes are Julie in Biological Basis & Christian in Con Law. Zahra claims to be taking Biological Basis with us, but she registered for the TR class. We'll need to figure this out.