Opinion Poll.

Now, everyone has an opinion about everything. It's true. There's more opinion in the world than fact. Except for the previous sentence, which is a fact, in my own opinion. See, there ya go.

I met this lady this weekend. A real southern lady. Like, I really wouldn't be surprised if I saw her again in a Scarlett O'Hara getup. I got to talk to her a lot and really get to know her. The woman is loaded with opinions. Some I agree with (like, how women are calling themselves independent for sleeping around and such. But, we won't get on that subject.) but some I think are way far off base.

She believes everything that our government does is some kind of conspiracy.

Well, normally, I like to listen to those sorts of things. Not that I necessarily believe them; I think a lot of evidence is coincidental, and that some people in history have just been down right idiots. Like, I'm on the fence about the whole cancer cure conspiracy. I think if there was a cure, even if covered up, someone else would find it in another part of the world.

As in all cases, opinions usually have little to no validity if not backed up with the proper facts and information.

This woman got all her information from some book. Wouldn't even tell me what book.

Now, she thinks Muslims are trying to establish a new World Order by bankrupting and destroying America. And that they are going to enslave and torture women.

Yup.

Granted, each group has it's extremists, but if you read up on Islam, they're a very peaceful bunch. They dont' believe in war, and although women are supposed to be covered up like you see on TV, modern Muslim women have that choice to dress that way, and they are treated as eequals to men. In fact, if I am not mistaken, the Qu'ran says that male and female are to be treated equally. They're big on tradition, so it makes them seem less civilized. Muslims even believe in Jesus Christ. (Not as an actual savior [though he is stated to save the world in their escatalogical myth] but as the Son of God just the same). Take a religion class if you don't believe me.

Yes, Obama's middle name is Hussein, a popular Islamic name.

Is he a Muslim?
I don't care. His father is from Africa, and that's a big religion there. So, probably.


Does it freak me out that he's not all that patriotic?
Yes.

Do I think he's making some choices for the nation that I dont' think are the best?
Yes.

Do I think he's going for a coup de'tat?
No.


I try to have a least a little faith in my president. Even if I'm less than satisfied with his preformance.


Have any opinion you want. But don't let it be an ignorant opinion! Inform yourself! All the knowledge you could ever want is at your fingertips. Use it.

A Requiem for a Beast.

Woo! Got a new laptop!

So, this year, I lost all battery power in my laptop, which is old as dirt. 2002. Windows XP. You get the picture.

I've been up and down with that stupid thing. It blue screened the first week I had it at college.

Piece. Of. Sh!+.

I've gotten porn adware. Voices that say "You've Won!". Increasingly slow speeds and pop up viruses.

Too old to get new virus protection when the old expires.

Freakin connects to the internet like it's dial-up.

The thing takes a good 20 minutes to just boot up. And I can't take it anywhere because it has no battery power.

And a week ago, it started turning off on its own without warning. FML.

I will give it that from the outside, it's virtually indestructable. It has been thrown, sat on, punched, and God only knows what it went through before me (bought it used.) Yet, you'd look at it and have no idea. Steel shell I tell ya. That's why I call it the Beast. Strong and indestructible, but painstakingly slow.

I freaked out and cried when it started turning off by itself, because that meant on top of the money I needed to make for school, I needed to buy a laptop.

But, turns out, my parents are really awesome people.

They came to visit here after dropping Megan off in Illinois for Bands of America camp. As I'm working on lining up golf carts, Dad says

"I have a present for you. But you'll have to arm wrestle me for it."

My dad is 6'5'' and 275lbs. I'm not going to beat him in arm wrestling.

So after work I told him how unfair that was, and he says "Okay, okay"..and disappears.

He returns with a huge HP box.

I start jumping up and down and saying "You didn't!!! You didn't!!!"

I'm pretty sure that my parents and my aunt and uncle had the looks on their faces as if I were five years old and it was Christmas morning.

Yes, the moment was just that magical.

Three years I put up with that stupid laptop. THREE. YEARS.

And this one is God's way of telling me that this school year is gonna be looking up.

:]

I told Dad he owns my soul until this machinery dies.

They must seriously love me.

This probably means I will not have a birthday or Christmas present again this year, but I'm okay with that. This is more money I can save to go to Disney World. I'm down with it.

I kind of love my life right now. It's a pleasant feeling when everything starts looking up.

I love my parents. <3 Some days they drive me crazy, but, I'm really glad I have them.


What's going to happen to the Beast? Well,I plan on wrapping up and putting a note on it, To: Megan. Love: Your sister.
>:]

Actually, that's cruel and unusual punishment.

I told Dad he can tinker with it and do whatever he likes.


I'm just so happy, I could squeal.

*squeal*.

These Are a Few of my Favorite Things ♪

Do you like my new layout? I do. :]
The Wifey did it :]
www.wifeydesigns.blogspot.com I do believe is her url for her templates. She did this in two hours. I think it's pretty fantastic.

Um, so my favorite TV show as a kid is getting redubbed.



Yup. Apparently, since the DragonballZ reform went so well (besides that flop of a live action movie), apparently the people who own Sailor Moon have decided to rerelease it. It's been redubbed in Italian, where it's on trial, currently. If it does well, they're going to redub all the seasons, possibly including the unreleased Sailor Moon Stars.

I am pumped.

Don't judge me. Ha. I still occasionally watch Sailor Moon when I hate life. Just like Disney movies. I had all kinds of Sailor Moon paraphenalia as a kid. I had a piggy bank, all the "action" dolls, a few of the big dolls, notebooks, folders, a backpack, pencils, movies, videogames, books...I have the first 5 of the original manga. I hope those get re-released too. I will spend 10 dollars out of every pay check to buy the rest of them. Just to have them. Of course, I have the first one in mint condition. Know how much it's worth? On Amazon...$200.

Wonder if my old Pokemon gel pens are worth anything. I'm sure I have them lying around somewhere....

Oh, and apparently,there's going to be a Michael Jackson videogame. I may buy a Wii for the soul purpose of having that game. (I hear Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will be on the Wii too...so, maybe not the "soul" purpose.) It basically works like RockBand. Of course, this was just posted today. (I only know because of Facebook...okay?)

Oh, and does anyone remember SkyDancers?



My cousin and I were talking about those the other day and I couldn't remember the names of them to save my life.

Until just now.

Oh well.

Well, I'm getting up early in the morning because my aunt has surgery and my it's my uncle's birthday, so I'm gonna have the house all uber clean for them when they get home :]

Toodle pip!

Sunburns and Maggie Moo's: A Weekend Overview

Let me just say that my cousin's kid Nathan is hilarious. He is probably my favorite 5-year-old on the planet. The kid plays SNES games with me. He's ecstatic about my Aladdin game. Plays it constantly. Last week, he was playing, and he stopped for a minute. He sat on my lap and kissed me, and said "I bet I've never done that to you before." I about peed my pants with laughter, and thanked him for the kiss. He said "It's cuz I like you. You're funny like Mommy."

We play Candy Land every so often, which is his favorite game. He really likes to watch me play Zelda on the Wii though. He asks tons of questions, and tells me what he wants me to do.

Yesterday, I was sitting on the couch watching Spongebob and he curled up right next to me. He laid his head on my chest and hugged me and watched a whole episode like that.

Krissy affectionately calls him her "snugglebug."

I think we should teach little boys to be a little more affectionate. It doesn't make him a pansy. He likes boy things and plays with boy toys. But I think he's going to grow up to really know how to treat a girl right. And he's pretty honest about his feelings, which, for a boy is pretty cool, I must admit. He's the kind of kid that makes me want to have kids.

Kylie is Nathan's age. And the complete opposite. This is the girliest girl I know. she constantly has on a leotard and a tutu. One of the first things I saw her do was flip her hair and giggle. She had on sticker nails this week and was totally enthralled. Yesterday, she sat next to Nathan and said, "Nathan, do you love me? Do you think I'm beauuutiful?"

Needless to say, Nathan ignored her.

The girl is adorable (she has the most gorgeous hair I have ever seen on a kid), but she really knows how to get under your skin. She has an obsession with my jewlery and sits on my lap every single day to examine what I have on, even if I wore the same thing yesterday. She will ask the same question 50 times, and will always ask for ice cream when her parents just told her no. She is going to be a handful as a teenager, I know that already.

Landon is 2. He is like a monkey-man. He has feet that he is still too large for, and trips over regularly. He confidently says my name is "Pia", and gives me a kiss every night before bed. He loves hummus, and to play a Hi-five game I know. When he wants to play, he climbs up on my lap, smiles, and says "Up high, down low?", which sounds more like "Pie dawn woe?" I barely understand a word he says, (besides Pia!) but, somehow I usually understand what he wants.

We played Mario Kart this weekend on the Wii. You will never find someone who is worse than I am. Seriously. I'm an awesome driver. But I try to drive a Mario Kart like a car...doesn't go too well. My uncle kicked my @$$.

I'm also becoming one of those History Channel/ Discovery Channel/ National Geographic Channel dorks. I like Deadliest Catch, and I looove to watch Pawn Stars. American Pickers is decent too. My aunt has warned me about Uncle Jerry's terrible TV shows, but most aren't too bad. Though I have gotten stuck watching several hours of Nick Jr., and I'd rather have diarrhea than watch the acid trip that is Yo Gabba Gabba again. I will probably be psychoanalyzing those children that watch that show in 20 years. But seriously. I love me some Pawn Stars. My new roommate (whoever they might be) may hate me.I know I hated watching Ghost Whisperer and TCM all the time. Or those real housewives things. If you like it, good for you. But I think it's crappy TV. Just my opinion.

Krissy and I sat out at the pool on Saturday. The Tennessee sunn is nothing like the Ohio sun. In the summers, I usually sit out all day long before I'm toasty. In 2 hours, I got the burn of my life, despite the SPF 50.

Now, you ask, why didn't I get out of the sun? Well, that's because I wasn't burned then. About four hours and some Chinese food later, we were shopping when I realized my stomach itched. I knew that I was probably developing a burn, but didn't check it for another hour until I was trying on clothes at "Gap's retarded cousin" (Old Navy).

Let's just say that it was a good thing I have Sundays off, because I couldn't move.

I'm pleasantly tan now, but my skin is still kind of painful and crunchy.

We then went to Maggie Moo's for some ice cream, and I'm fairly certain that it was the best I had ever tasted. Red velvet? Blueberry muffin? You bet. I sampled probably five flavors. I went with some dark chocolate with fudge brownies. It was fantastic. Got it on my white shorts (never fails...) but it was totally worth it. They have ice cream cupcakes. That is my next goal next time I'm in Jackson. (Besides the Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual sale of course!)

Tomorrow is housework day! Going to do a bazillion loads of laundry (by that, I probably mean three. Lights. Darks. Towels. Sha'zam.) Clean my room, my bathroom, and try to at least get the kitchen clean for my aunt.

Ahh, it felt good to blog about good things :]

Empowered, A Tribute

So, after seven long, grueling, tedious, tear filled months....

...*drumroll*

It's over.

I am over it.

I am over HIM.

I am over the drama, the cheating, and the lies.

Because I am better than that.

I made up with an old friend. I wouldn't say we're friends again, but we are once more on good terms. We've been buddies since the 3rd grade. We went to D.C. together, and BOA. (Bands of America, do not judge me). We've been with eachother through thick and thin. Through complete annoyance, bratty guard girls, dating eachother's crushes, and idiots who like to spread rumors. After a long, tedious guard season, we had our fights, and we had our wonderful moments.




"I wouldn't want to go through any of this bullcrap with anyone but you."

That's one of my favorite pictures in the world, by the way.

I was a tad bit ridiculous and overreacted about something she had said to me, and just stopped talking to her. It wasn't an uncommon reaction at that time in my life.

I opened up to her about what my life had been like for the past several months. and she sent me a quote:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
- Jeremiah 29:11

Not one for many Bible verses, but this one, spoke volumes to me. That small section meant worlds to me. And the fact that she knew exactly what to tell me blows me away. I hope that we become close again. She's fun, and a great person to have around. We are ridiculous and goofy together. For instance, there are very few pictures of us with a straight face.


------------

Next, my cousin Holly. I went back and read something she sent to me last September, that actually made me cry.

She told me how much she loved me. And how, she hopes, that one day, her three little girls would grow up to be just like me. She told me that any guy that had my heart was the luckiest man in the world.

Never has a simple little message meant so much to me. Going back and reading it, makes me realize that I am worth something. That those little cousins of mine look up to me, and I can't spend my time moping about. I need to show them that I'm strong, and can overcome anything. Because that's the kind of women I want them to grow up to be, because I love them.

----------

Oh Brie, what can I say about her?

Well, she has a habit of driving me -crazy-, as I'm sure she can tell you. I'm sure I drive her nuts too. Occassionally, we find eachother's problems trivial, and really don't care to give advise on the subject matter anymore. But we're honest about that.

"You're being a little ridiculous about this, don't you think? Is it really that big of a deal?"

Which, at the end of the day, is like a wake up call.

But we're honest about our advise too.

Brie would never tell me that everything is going to be okay if it's not. She knows I don't want to hear a lie. She'll tell me if she thinks I'm dating a dirt bag or a friend is treating me like old defecation. I do the same for her. We are not optimistic, nor pessimistic. We are real with eachother. And that's what she's been throughout this ordeal. We have our problems. We fight. Usually twice a year, once in the fall, and once in the spring without fail. I kid you not. It happens every single year. In fact, I get nervous when it hasn't happened yet. And even if we say "I'm never talking to that crazy bitch again," in a week, someone will call and said fight will be over. No apologies are usually thrown out. It's more like, "You're a bitch. But, I wouldn't have you any other way. How's life?"




Before college, marriage, and babies, we were just a couple goons graduating from high school with some tall dreams, but never wanting the present to end.


We've endured a lot through our friendship, and I'm glad to know that despite the 6,000 miles, she's still only a phone call away.
----------

So, what would my life be like without Katie and Julie?

Not too funny.

I had never laughed so much in my life as I did my freshman year of college.

Those two girls had done some of the nicest things for me that anyone has ever done, starting with the German Carnival that flooded my room for my 18th birthday. They've always stood up for me and been by my side. Though we haven't been as close lately, I guess that's my fault. They are truly two awesome, caring girls. I wouldn't have spent my days and my dinners with anyone else.

Oh, and someone is always laughing:



------------

And last, but not least, is Miss Amanda Sha-Ray Bannister.


This girl is my rock. It's hard for me to find words to express all this. And I can feel the tears flowing as I try to find the right words.

I feel like I've been a lousy best friend.

She's been there for me and done more for me than any other single person on this planet. (Besides my parental units of course. I'm pretty sure she didn't give birth to me or feed/clothe/love me for the 18 years in which I didn't know her.)

The way she has turned out is a miracle. She is the most caring, loving, and nuturing person I know. And she didn't have that kind of childhood.

She makes me realize how much I take for granted.

Yet, this year, I haven't done too much for her.

I would say that it'd be because I wasn't able to do anything for myself, and as true as that is, it doesn't matter.

But, she has stuck by me.

She has stuck by me through all my good and bad decisions, never once saying "I told you so." She hugged me when I cried, and always knew what to say or do to make me feel better.

I'm sorry that I had to put her through watching me be miserable day after day. Because if she were that way, I wouldn't be able to take it.

She was realistic. She knew she couldn't make me better, but dammit, she did everything she could.

And for that, I am forever thankful.

I have never had a best -best- friend. All of my friends had at least one more friend, male or female, who was just a little closer. It always upset me that I hadn't found anyone like that.

But...just as that Bible verse said, God had plans.

True, He made me wait for 18 years to find that friend...

But He gave me the best one anyone could ever ask for.







These are people who empower me. They do not put me down or try to belittle me, or cover my voice. They are people that are worth having in my life. I am so blessed to have met these wonderful people, and though I've had misfortunes, God has given me the most wonderful friends anyone could ever ask for.