Road Trip

Now that I have the new car I am ready to go on a road trip! If only gas prices weren't so high.  

My husband and I bought a cable to plug our ipods into the car. We were testing it out - sitting in the new car listening to my ipod. The music makes me nostalgic. All the songs that played were making me want to go on a road trip. There is nothing like driving down a open, lonely highway at night; wind rippling your hair, listening to your favorite music.  I told my husband we can just sit in the garage, listening to our favorite song, pretending we were on a road trip.  We both laughed.

New Car

Ok, my husband and I did our part to stimulate the economy - we bought a new car. It is a Cobalt LS. Nothing fancy.  It is very nice and I hope will get good gas mileage. It certainly rides a lot better than my old car. I feel funny driving it; it is so new, so smooth, so nice. I am very anxious though; I want to keep it nice. I don't want anything bad to happen to it. No scratches or dings. Specially no big accidents...                                                           

Pay people to reproduce?

Interesting discussion about paying people to have kids...

 

http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/convictions/archive/2008/05/27/should-we-pay-people-more-to-reproduce.aspx

Cars

 

To buy or not to buy?

 

 My husband and I are looking at getting a new car. Our current car is 14 years old, has almost 200,000 miles on it, and is just getting tired. My husband thinks it is about to die. He is afraid it will die on us at the most inopportune time. I think it still has some life left in it, although I don't think it will last through another winter. I planned on driving it until it died. Truth to tell, I love my car. It may be an old clunker, but it has been a reliable ride, it is paid for, and insurance is cheap on it. Plus, once it gets going, it still runs pretty good. There is something freeing about driving an old clunker – you are not a slave to a car payment (and insurance payments) and you don't really have to worry about every little ding or dent – which is a good thing when you're driving around Flint or parking in the school parking lot (a lot of fender benders, yikes!). On the other hand, it would be nice to have a new ride that gets better gas mileage. My car is getting about 26 mpg. Not bad but it would be nice to get over 30 mpg. It would also be nice to have a smoother ride.

 

I guess I just worry abolut getting a new car. School is my priority right now and I don't want to be tied to making a lot of payments on things. Of course, having a reliable ride, that gets good gas mileage needs to be a priority too. Have to get to school and work somehow.

 

New V. Used

 

I wanted to wait and drive my car until it died, that way my husband and I could save up a sizeable down payment or just buy a newer, used car. I looked at the used cars out there a little bit but there is nothing I am interested in. Gas mileage sucks on a lot of cars. I think people have been buying up all the good, low-mpg, cars. My Dad works for General Motors, so we have the option of getting a Pep car. That inventory is looking pretty sorry. I actually think we decided on buying a new car, simply because there is not much out there and there are some good incentives on newer cars right now.

 

If we buy a new car, it would be a GM car, to support where my Dad works (and get a discount!). We looked at some new cars (inventory is low there too) and there is one car we are interested in. There were actually a few Chevy cars we liked but we finally settled on buying a Cobalt because it gets better gas mileage than the Impala or Malibu and it is also less expensive. I actually considered getting one of the little Aveo's (I call them bug cars) but they actually are almost as expensive as a Cobalt and the mpg is the same.

 

MPG

 

Let me vent about this. MPGs on American cars really do suck. I would think that we could be getting better gas mileage out of our cars by now; or there should be better options as far as hybrids or alternative fuel/power sources. That was another reason why I want to drive my car until it dies - to see what 2009 has to offer as far as hybrids, etc. We should be getting better MPG's or have more alternatives to gas power at this late date. This really pisses me off - that America is still in the position of relying on oil. I want 35+ miles per gallon, dammit! Of course, most American's haven't demanded this yet. Now a lot of people are hurting because gas keeps going up. Now a lot of people are unloading their trucks and SUVs and buying up all the little cars, although, I still see some people driving around in their Hummers and stuff. Still, even some of our cars do not get good gas mileage. I was looking at Impala's, Malibus, and some Saturns. I was dismayed to see that they do not even get 30 MPGs. That sucks. We need more options! We need better fuel economy!

 

Public Transportation

 

Here is another vent. I was really pissed off when gas hit $4 a gallon. I know it was coming but it still made me really angry. I almost want to stop driving altogether. This is BS. Gas is $4 a gallon and going up, we don't have great options as far as getting cars that have awesome fuel economy, etc., but in addition to our lack of options we are stuck because a lot of American's do not have access to public transportation. If you live outside of the city, you are stuck. Here in Michigan, there are not even a lot of options (if any) of taking a bus or train from city to city. I would use the bus to go to school (it would be awesome not to have to worry about parking) and my husband (who does not drive due to a vision impairment) would use the bus to go to work if there was a bus stop closer to home. Currently, we would have to drive into the city to get on the bus- that makes no sense. Shit, even a nice bike path along some major routes would be nice. I would like to do my part to cut down America's dependence on oil but I, and a lot of American's, simply lack options. It truly sucks. Maybe I should get a motorcycle or scooter.

Good news but scary ....

I was accepted at the University of Michigan - Flint! I went down to the campus today and spoke with an advisor and signed up for some classes. I am excited, but scared. It is going to be a lot of hard work. Sometimes I am not sure I am up for it. I hope to have my bachelors degree by 2010. I am going to need some strength.

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!

- Mary Frye

I love this poem. It is so comforting. I have had some friends/family lose loved ones recently so this has me thinking about death.

Interesting Articles

 Here are some links to some interesting articles I have read today. I kind of feel like writing today but I am so scatterbrained I can't seem to get it together.  Plus the space key on my computer is sticking and it is really getting on my nerves!

 

Cute article about a lost parrot who helped his rescuers find his home...

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24753683/?GT1=43001

 

See parents, you really aren't done raising your kids when they hit 18; or kids don't always leave 'the nest' at 18....

 

http://finance.comcast.net/www/news.html?WSJ=1&x=http://www.comcast.net/news/articles/finance/2008/05/21/SB121130668211207625/

 

Finally, an article about joint custody, and a movement in Michigan to make joint custody de riguer, so to speak, in Michigan family courts. This article really interests me. I will be write my opinion of this article and about issues regarding divorce/custody/CS/Father's Rights in subsequent blogs since it is an issue close to my heart. I have been wanting to write about these issues (and have a little) for a while now but I have not had the time to devote to it.

 

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080519/METRO/805190370/1005/LIFESTYLE

 

I was referred to this article from Atty.Terry Bankert's blog....

 

http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-05-20T16%3A38%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=1

Talking about Museum displays big and small family jewels - Science- msnbc.com

 hahahahahaha,  Icelandic Phallological Museum

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Museum displays big and small family jewels - Science- msnbc.com
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More about the Play - "Titus Andronicus"

I can't believe we are halfway through our performances! We have 3 more this week-end. I was nervous opening night but most everything went well and the performance was awesome. The first night one of the main characters ripped out the crotch of his pants.  Not to be mean but it was funny. He was laughing about it afterwards but I know he was stressed when it happened - he wasn't wearing any underwear! Luckily, the awesome costume lady was on hand to stitch up his pants. Then as my scene partner and I were going on for a scene where we have to tie some people up, my scene partner fell as he entered the stage. Yikes! But we just kept going and the scene (which had been troublesome for me before because I have to tie someone up and gag them, then drag them off stage) turned out great. Finally, in the last scene of the show, Titus, who only is supposed to have one hand at this point, forgot to put his stump on (which hides his hand) so he had to really hide his hand up in his sleeve. I don't think anyone noticed and the final scene was spectacular. The wife of one of the performers was taking pics of the play and they are awesome. I wish I had some to post. There was a cool party after the show. I didn't get home until 4am - these theatre people like to party!

 

My husband and stepson came to the second performance. I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure how they would like the play, specially my stepson. I wasn't sure how he would take to the Shakespearean dialogue but they both really liked the play. I was happy they enjoyed it. The guy who ripped out his pant’s crotch the night before actually did it again!  Hahaha. He was wearing underwear this time though. "SEMPRE UBI SUB UBI"

 

Saturday night’s performance went well also, although this time I fell. It was the same scene that my scene partner fell in, pretty much as we enter the stage. It was all I could do to keep from laughing and I can't imagine how the other performers kept a straight face. "Weebles wobble but they don't fall down" - yeah right! Hahaha. I am thinking next time he should fall and then I will run into him and fall over him.  The scene turned out all right though. I actually got to have beard for that performance. A fellow cast mate put one on me with make-up. It was funny. The guy who plays Aaron kept laughing at me the whole night. He said he wouldn’t have thought I could look like such a man – a pretty man, but still convincing. He said I looked like George Michael. I think another cast mate thought he was on crack but whatever – most cast members and the director liked my beard.

 

 

SO, is the economy stimulated yet?

My husband and I planned to stimulate the economy and use our stimulus check as part of a down payment on a new(er) car but my old car still has some life yet (knock wood) so we may just hold on to our money for a while. Methinks that George W's plan is not going to work all that well. It is going to take a whole lot more than just one check to stimulate our economy. The U.S. needs some good jobs for people! Something with some staying power and affordable healthcare. If we don't have good paying jobs we might as well go socialist and send out checks monthly and give everyone free healthcare.

Opening Night!

Opening night of the play was last night and it was awesome! The play did not go off without a hitch (very funny stuff - more later) but it was a great show - great performances. Now we have to do just 5 more times.   Here is a link to an article from the Flint Journal about the play...

http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/entertainment/index.ssf/2008/05/shakespearean_touches_lighten.html

Titus Andronicus

Well, it is hell week for the play. Everything is coming together but I am actually beginning to get nervous.  It has been almost 20 years since I have been in a play. Yikes! It is a lot more work than I remember. I have a non-speaking role as a Roman soldier. I got added through out the play as a servant, so I have a lot of stuff to do, a lot of cues to remember. All the running a round has been kicking my butt. I have been soooo tired. It is because I am out of shape and my chronic fatigue flaring up that is really kicking my butt - I have not been feeling good. I wanted to help out more with costume, props and stuff but it has been all I can do to make rehearsals.

 

Here is an article from mlive and the Davison Flagstaff about the play and a local actress that is in the play. She is really a good actor and the role she plays, Tamara, is a really meaty part. haha. There are a lot of good performers actually.  

 

http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/05/kristina_lakey_a_davison_high.html

 

Here is a link to the website for Flint City Theatre

 

http://www.flintcitytheatre.com/

 

Performance Dates are:

 

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8pm May 15th thru 24th.

I finally graduated!!

Here is an article about the MCC commencement on Saturday. I graduated too! Woohoo! 

 

http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/05/without_an_associates_degree_s.html

 

I can't believe it it is over. I was so emotional (so emotional lately) - I am such a dork. I almost lost it after I got my diploma. I like what the speakers had to say, especially Janice Costea. She graduated with top honors. She is an older student. Her basic message was you have to know failure in order to enjoy your successes. I guess she was fired from a job she had held for 13 years and that spurred her to go back to school to find out what she really wanted to do with her life. The keynote speaker, Michael Hanson (President, Michigan Community College Association), made a funny. He taught everyone some Latin - "SEMPRE UBI SUB UBI" which means..........................."Always wear underwear." Yeah, a message to carry with me through the ages, haha. He didn't say nothin' about them being clean.

 

We had a small party after commencement - pretty much just family. It was nice. My husband did a great job planning everything. We originally were going to have the party outside but it was rainy after graduation so we were all indoors. It was nice though. Toward evening there was a rainbow, which thrilled me. Everybody said that is a good sign and I believe it was. It also made me think of my Auntie Iris. She died many years ago. We were very close. Rainbows remind me of her because: for one, her name means rainbow  and on my birthday, within the year of her death, there was a rainbow. I always like to think it was a present from my Auntie. She wouldn't miss giving me a birthday present! It wouldn't seem so strange except that my birthday is in December; how many rainbows do you see in December? So whenever I see a rainbow on or around a special time in my life I feel like Aunt Iris is thinking of me. I know she has been with me throughout my struggles in school, well, she has been with me for life, really.

  

 

Now it is on th the next phase of my education. I need to decide where I am going and exactly what degree I want to pursue! That is my task for the summer. I need a new catchy slogan/mantra.

 

2008

halfway to my Bachelors degree

1/3 of the way towards a Masters degree in Psychology

and Lord knows how long until I get my doctorate!

4.0 times 3!!

 Yippee! School is done for now. I found out today that I got a 98% on my Algebra final. I have a 4.0 in that class. That is awesome; math is not my best subject. The teacher, Jo Stewart is a great teacher.

That means I have 3 classes that I have 4.0s in this semester. My cumulative GPA is now 3.871. Woohoo! I worked my butt off for my 4.0's.

One stinkin' class is messing up my dream of making it on the all 4.0 Dean's List - that "Reading Popular Culture" class. I have about a 2.5 in that class (which is a C/C+) and I worked my butt off in that class too. That is unacceptable to me. The professor is giving me the chance to improve some of my papers and finish up the coursework this summer. I think I am going to take him up on that because I want to do better and I need to work on my critical writing skills. If I don't have the stress of 3 other classes then maybe I can do some good work in that class. There really was a lot of work for this class. In addtition to required reading, we had to do about 2 discussion posts a week (at least 250 words) and respond to other classmates posts. We had to write 3 short papers (at least 3 to 4 pages) and 2 longer papers (about 5 to 7 pages +) with presetations of a summary of our paper. Yikes. I did well on my posts and one of the short papers but the rest of it ... it was just too much. I am going to try it again. It will be beneficial to me to really work my writing skills to gear up for the next phase of my education.

Tonight, my parents, my husband and I attended Graduate Honors Banquet. It was really nice. It was at the Sarvis Center in Flint. It wasn't a dinner but there were hors d'oeuvres, which were very good and filling. The MCC Jazz Combo played and they were awesome. All people graduating with GPA's of 3.5 or above received an Honors Pin. My Dad commented on how many of the Honors Graduates were older than the average graduate. I am glad actually. The 2 top award winners were in their 50s at least. It gives me hope because I am getting a late start. I am not the only one, heehee. I guess I sometimes feel bad because I wanted to be much further along at this point in my life but I am not going to worry about it anymore. You do what you got to do. I am proud of myself - I can't believe I made it this far. Graduation is this Saturday!! It has been a lot of work but I feel I am finally on the right track.

Another thing I have to work on is learning how to sell/promote myself. There were so many scholarships/awards I could have applied for but I didn't because I am a dork and sell myself short. I think about my age and that the awards are for younger students. I was talking to the head of the Psych Department at Mott and she was telling me about a Psych Award I could have applied for. She seemed kind of anxious that I had not heard about it. She said they try to get the word out but it is hard to reach everyone. I guess a lot of people are like me and don't apply for awards they might be eligible for. I am not going to make that mistake in the next phase of my education.

 Now for the best part of the day. When my husband and I got home he had a surprise for me - he gave me a pair of diamond earrings for a graduation present!  Aaaawwwww, he is so sweet and thoughtful. He shouldn't have done that - he has done so much already. I couldn't have made it through school without his support, and there is so much more school to go. My earrings are very pretty though. I am wearing them to graduation.