Obama-- I hear ya!!!

have made no effort to try and hide my pride and support for Barack Obama. Today, I will share in my hope for change, a hope for a new direction, with fellow friends and family as we watch the coverage of the Presidential Election. I am ardently passionate that in this wonderful, beautiful and incredibly rich country that we are uniting together to restore those notions--those ideas that build us up, not break us down and tear us apart. The notions that can de-marginalize the marginalized and to connect the dots that have been so dismally broken in the past eight years.

Becoming a parent, being at the stages of life I am in, and the direction my informal and formal education has navigated me, I am concerned about this country's, my daughter's, my own self's, future and welfare. I can agree to disagree with those that do not favor the issues that Obama is in favor of, but I will continue to embrace and practice my constitutional right of being able to speak freely of my political views, that are no less an extention of identity.

And for me, this election is just that--the defining of an identity. Who are we as a country? What do we stand for? How do we display that to the world, to our local communities, our neighbors? I, for one, do not identify with the former administration's choices or ideas. I do not want others to identify me in that way, and so in this way, in my voice to speak and to vote, I share my identity as an individual who supports diplomacy, social welfare, and social justice for all, not just the select few that have privileged and profited off of the ideologies of exclusion and exploitation.

Happy voting day & Go OBAMA!

AESA

I had a wonderful time. Not only did I get to present, which btw, went great, but I also got to see a beautiful town with its own unique splendid culture. Like this picture... Check it out...

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Also, I was a stereotypical tourist who took snapshots that reminded me where I was...


I also got to see a bunch of palm trees. I never see those..

I got to travel with friends, get to know them better... Here's the crew that presented.

And my fabulous advisor who made it all possible... She certainly is one fun gal...

I got to see some wonderful presentations other than mine...
-These are the University of Alabama girls. Pretty awesome.
And, I also got to meet people I look up to and respect their writing and what they write about... for instance, Luis Urietta, Jr. who I cited in my paper! It was great to meet him...

I also made sure to partake in the night life... Being there on Halloween was certainly an interesting experience.
- Love the guy in the Depends.
I also enjoyed being silly!

And the fact that this was a vending machine blew me away... I had to take a picture of this...

I had a great time. Although I have the longest, saddest, cruelest flight to and from... My ass will be sleeping for awhile. Momma's tired!!! I loved the experience... I'm ready to go home though.
xoxo

August 26, 2008

Hello all. Update from the homefront!

I've moved to Pullman, WA and now am living in a more spacious, older duplex that is located in a great neighborhood. Halle has a park right across the street, and I can take the bus anytime I need to, which arrives twice an hour every hour. I don't have to drive my car, pay for parking, or worry about any of that. It's great, although the schedule does take a small adjustment.

My mom has moved up to watch Halle during the week. She helps a family friend with her business and watches Halle while I am at school and studying. On the weekend she goes back to Kooskia and spends her time with my dad. I feel extremely lucky to have her and we are all having a great time together.

Wes is still fighting fire, although that is now coming to a close, burning season has started. Halle and I miss him very much and we talk as much as we can, but his location and our schedules make it difficult, so we try to make the most we can while we're all together. Soon though, his schedule will subside and he will be home for a few months to be with us, which we are looking forward to.

Although I've only moved seven miles away it seems like a different world. I really enjoyed Moscow and had a great time while I was there. Pullman, however, I believe, is a better fit for me. There is tons of diversity on campus. People really get into the school and show their pride by wearing WSU anything. I've also been caught up in the fever and bought a few things and have been proud to show them off at school and around town. Downtown is all geared toward the students. It's Cougar everything. I have acclimated to the town much faster than I thought. Maybe because I also now work at the college and am meeting tons of people in my profession. The people in my specific area of interests are some pretty fabulous people; engaging, intelligent, thoughtful, and fun, I have nothing but rave reviews for my program so far. Although I give huge kudos to the UofI academics and faculty as well, which I am certainly proud to be a part of. I am attending my first football game this Friday, and am looking forward to the smoke-free clubs afterwards!!

A couple of weeks ago, Halle and I had our first ever girls-only road trip. I woke up one morning with a wild hair to stretch my legs. I asked Halle if she wanted to go somewhere and she was excited. So, a half an hour later, our bags were packed and we were off--to somewhere, anywhere! We ended up in Glacier, MT. We swam in the lake, played in the lodge, took the bus and tours through the forest, went shopping and eating in Missoula, stayed in Hungry Horse and Seely Lake. It was a fabulous trip and I can't wait to see what our next road trip will hold.

I have been having a wonderful time this summer and believe my fall is going to be a great one too. Again, I feel extremely lucky and blessed to have the experiences I have.
Miss you all of my friends and family, & can't wait to talk to you!

Mary