Gotta love...

How no matter what, race is (and always will be) a factor:

"Bush’s Woodridge trip came in the middle of a tough midterm election campaign, and there was certainly some short-term political calculation in being photographed among smiling black faces. But this was more than a photo opportunity. The president had come to Woodridge to talk about the most ambitious piece of domestic legislation his administration had enacted after almost six years in office: No Child Left Behind."

NYT, What It Takes to Make a Student, 11/26/06

Day After...

I am SO thankful! And I have much to be thankful about...

Like a little kid...

I am literally soo happy right now!

I'm excited that my sister is coming to visit me. We'll have a time to bond and enjoy the holiday together. We'll even get to spend the holiday with extended family. (I really love that.)

Her visit has inspired me to clean up (not a light pick-up but a heavy duty job), wash clothes and dishes and make plans for her while she's here.

Ahhh....I feel like a little kid the night before Christmas! Countdown till I get to pick up my present from the airport tomorrow.

Sunday Paper

I got my hands on a Sunday Chicago Tribune. As a typical Sunday paper is, it was loaded with circulars and extras--the things I really like to see.

I slipped back into my old newpaper "reading" method as I pulled out the A-section and business section and selected my favorite store ads, tossing the rest of the giant heap aside. I always look at the circulars in order of least interested to most so I looked at the Target ad last.

With it being Christmas shopping season (already), I saw the latest toys that I knew little children across the country would look forward to opening on December 25. Ironically, looking at those toy ads brought me back to my childhood.

I'd peruse those ads, marking and tearing out the items I most wanted. I'd start weeks before making a list--keeping in mind the things that I could probably get and hoping for the things I'd love to get but likely wouldn't. Ahhh...It was such a sweet memory...As I held that ad in my hands, for a moment, I was that little kid again. I was anxious for Christmas and all the presents it would bring.

But now, as I bring myself back to reality, I am content with being with my family for the holidays. I don't spend any time figuring out what I want anymore.

Christmas means so much more.

Returns Strategy

So I realize there's a lot I want to do in life. In part, I'm accomplishing some of that now. While I can't focus on doing all I want to do, I can at least dream about it.

There will be more focus on now and less focus on things that don't really matter. I want to focus on things like reading, researching, learning (obviously) and less about drama, dysfunctional relationships and negative emotions.

After I'm done with this stage of my life, I plan to adopt an agressive growth strategy which will include going after some of things I'm currently dreaming of doing (extensive writing, traveling and exploring). After all, I do have lots to do.

Tailgater

To the woman in the white compact car tailgaiting me earlier this morning: THANK YOU!!

Your rudeness and stupidity saved me from getting a MUCH unwanted speeding ticket (in a construction zone). I tried to slow down once I saw the officer but you sped up to my bumper. I'm assuming you didn't see him and I guess you were also trying to run me off the road.

Well--not such a great plan, huh? Instead of the cop who intended to pull me over, not only did you cut him off to run up on my bumper, you distracted him from my error.

And I never thought I'd appreciate a jerk like you this much!

Three People

Last night, I met three people that I want to emulate. These people represent what I'm working towards becoming in two aspects of my life: now and a little bit later.

The first person: a helpful, charismatic group member. It's easier to slip into the negative, unhelpful role so for that reason, I want to be different. So last night's group meeting proved to be my first real challenge. Finding common ground and working efficiently was basically impossible so instead I tried to keep us focused and tried to help us not to be too serious. Yes, it's a huge group project and we're not getting anything done--so what get angry, shut down and stop talking. (If you've worked with a challenging group of people, you can relate.)

The next person: the complete nice perfect stranger. I was desperately lost trying to find some building on campus that I thought I should know how to find. I stopped the second person I saw (the first one was in a hurry). He gave the clearest directions and took the time to make sure I understood them. He even offered to let me follow him over there in our respective cars. I want to be able to be nice to people anytime--you never know when it can make their day (or their blog).

The third person: Nikki G. Honestly, I admit it wasn't all because of who she is (author, poet, professor) but because she can fill an auditorium and engage the audience by delivering a compelling and touching message through storytelling. I see myself commanding that level of attention one day. For now, it gives me something else tangible to aspire to.

Today's Quotable

"Don't chase me anymore...unless you're willing to catch me."

Liberal interpretation: Commitments are complicated and sometimes you just have to walk away.

Source: Greys Anatomy

I found my "Shero"

I have always believed that God brings people into your life for a reason. Many times, it's not obvious. But I am thankful for that.

The latest person in my life shares my love and passion for writing. She is accomplished, well-read and respected. She's been places that I've dreamed of. She handles huge responsibilities with grace. Her latest challenge, however, has come in the form of cancer. While I believe she will be a survivor, it does hit close to home. (Non-smoker, no family history...How does this happen?)

It certainly makes me want to do a lot of things: I've got to write more. I have to write my book(s). I have to dream big and accomplish my goals. And more importantly, I have to take care of my body even if it means giving up some personal comfort in the process. I can't afford to let myself get out of important tests because I'm scared. In many cases, early detection is KEY. Plus, I don't know how long God wants me to live.

Most important lesson of the day: Don't delay having any annual exams!

More on the Merc...(so sad)

"MediaNews wants to do away with minimum salaries at the Merc — now about $55,000 — so it can hire new employees at lower wages."

More layoffs, less pay...Aha! Here's to quality journalism. Cheers!

Please tell me that this an editorial...

Yikes! If my formerly favorite newspaper of all time is putting out "crap" like this and calling it a newstory--that is simply frightening. (In journalese, we call this editorializing and it's a big NO-NO!)

No, I don't want to take anything away from this tragedy but at the same time, I should be allowed to read and interpret the news for myself. I don't read the news to get the reporter's opinion--whether I agree with it or not. I do, however, expect objectivity and fairness in news coverage. No such luck reading this story.

Here are some disturbing excerpts:

If only someone had been a witness to Raijon Daniels' life.

If only someone -- a neighbor, a relative, a cop, a social worker -- had seen the 8-year-old boy's Richmond bedroom. The door that locked from the outside. The duct tape that bound him to his bed. The video system with which, police say, his mother spied on him from the next room...

Perhaps you wouldn't have to be reading this.

Raijon died Friday, apparently after swallowing household cleaner. His mother, Teresa Moses, was arrested on suspicion of murder, torture and child endangerment. One police officer told reporters it was the most disturbing crime scene he'd ever seen.

In the 15 years that I've covered child welfare, I've seen a lot of sad cases. But none like this one.

Apparently the abuse had been going on for a year or more....But it seems no one knew about Raijon's secret life of torture until it was too late to save him.

That's the part of this story that I just can't accept.

Note: After doing a little more digging, I discovered that this is a column--not a newstory. There is still one problem: It wasn't immediately evident upon initially reading the article.