Blog For Free!
Archives
Home
2004 December
2004 November
2004 July
2004 June
2004 May
2004 April
My Links
Mrmetropolitan's Blog
tBlog
My Profile
Send tMail
My tFriends
My Images
Sponsored
Blog
Welcome to Beverly's Oasis for Random Thoughts.
Please take a look around often as I will be updating when you least expect it. I hope you enjoy all that you read and I whole-heartedly welcome any comment you have.
~Beverly
|
| Christmas and Other Stories |
| 12.25.04 (3:14 pm) [edit] |
Last year I could have never possibly conceived how busy I would be at this time this only a year later. I finished up school for this semester, but have yet to get my final grades. I think I did pretty well, though. It was very hard, but I feel that I have accomplished quite a bit towards my goals. I also finished up work for this semester at school. The last couple days were a total chaos of paperwork and questions. Through it all, I think we did very well getting everything done in time for the end of the semester.
Tuesday was our Holiday/Soltice Party at Oasis for Girls. It was quite a lot of fun as we had card making, origami, party sushi (build your own), egg nog, cookies, a raffle and a graduation for some very special, hard working girls. Along with one of my fellow Leadership Circle members, I MCed the event. It was a very new experience, but not nearly as hard as I thought it was going to be. We were well prepared and the crowd was mostly familiar. It also helped that I had received some training in public speaking at Oasis. I also led up the origami decorations table. I enjoyed it, but was tired from stresses earlier in the day. I showed a few little friends how to make a peace dove, and christmas stocking. We had some great paper, so I spent part of the evening with Josh, making some ornaments for my little tree at home.
Wednesday was my 21st birthday. No, I didn't go out and get sloshed. lol Josh gave me a birthday present that morning so I could use it that day. I was thrilled when I unwrapped an electric toothbrush! It's very nice and my favorite color: green. He knows me so well. That evening we went out to eat at an adorable little Thai resturaunt out towards the ocean. It was the first time we had Thai food and we loved it. It was a great place because they have a seperate vegetarian menu and great service, besides delicious food, of course. There was also a big window with a little garden in the back and it had a very comforting atmosphere. For desert we decided to try a fried banana with coconut ice cream. We both enjoyed it very much. This was surprising since we are both alergic to bananas. It amazingly didn't bother us this time, perhaps because it was cooked, and we were glad we gave into our curiousity and tried it.
For my birthday, I received one of the best presents! I found out that we were accepted for a wonderful apartment. I was so excited when I found out. I just burst out laughing. It's definitely an answer to a prayer. I can't stand the place we are living anymore, but more about that after we move. The new place is awesome, with hardwood floors, a murphy bed, claw foot tub, actual kitchen, and so much more space, light and a view. I can't wait to move, but will have to until mid January when I recieve my financial aid check from college. We are both so excited and will post pictures of it when we move in. My husband has a picture of the floor plan on his blog. The link is to the left. (MrMetropolitan's Blog)
This year we had to put off Christmas shopping untill Christmas Eve because that was the soonest we had time to spare. Unforunately, I was very sick yesterday and not up for much but eating and sleeping. We decided that it would be best if we just got one another a small gift and postponed more until I am better. I gave Josh a pair of comfy leather slippers and he gave me a beautiful and lovely smelling (so I've been told, my nose is so plugged) french vanilla bath set. Those have to be one of my favorite gifts to receive. Does he know what I like or what? ;) I gave Sweetie a croceted baby blue bandana to wear when we go out sometime. Even though we didn't do much, we're having a great Christmas. After all, the older I get, the more I truly realize that Christmas isn't about who got what and then going into debt because you had to get everyone the perfect, best gift, it's about being with those you love and taking the time to thankfully consider the greatest gift of all - God's love and plan for humanity. Personally, I like having a small amount of gifts: it makes you more greatful for what you have received. Sometimes that gratefulness can get lost in the pile of presents one receives and then their only thoughts are about what they didn't get.
I hope you all have had as good a Christmas as I have, but without the cold. :)
~Beverly
|
|
|
| |
| Is it wrong not to have children? |
| 11.09.04 (6:03 pm) [edit] |
Hello loyal readers. It has been quite some time since I posted last. I apologize if this made your lives unbearable. ;)
While doing some research for an extra credit paper I came across a very interesting newspaper article that I would like to share with you all. It is about a subject that means quite a bit to Josh and I.
CHILDLESS BY CHOICE
GROWING NUMBER OF COUPLES LIVING LIVES WITH 'NO COMPLICATIONS'
Author: Barbara Yost, The Arizona Republic
When Cathy Rhodes was about 12, she asked her mother what motherhood was like. The answer: rewarding but challenging.
"I don't think I want to do that," the girl replied. "Is that OK?"
Her mother said it was.
True to her word, Rhodes, now 39, elected not to have children. She and her husband of 12 years, Mike, 37, devote themselves to their careers.
"I like my life," says Rhodes, who works in marketing and lives in Scottsdale. "I love my career. I'm not willing to give that up."
Rhodes is part of the community of women who have opted out of motherhood, and their numbers are increasing.
In 2000, 19 percent of women 40 to 44 (considered the end of child-bearing years) never had a child, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That was nearly double the 10 percent who were child-free in 1980.
Although the numbers include women who are unable to have children, the rise represents what sociologists consider a little-acknowledged trend with wide implications both for individuals and for society. Although child-free couples report greater marital sati! sfaction and more freedom, the idea still is not completely accepted. And economists worry about what the trend might mean in terms of society's ability to support an aging population with fewer workers paying into such programs as Social Security.
Kristin Park, an associate professor of sociology at Westminster College near Pittsburgh, has done an extensive study of child-free couples and said it's primarily an Anglo phenomenon. Couples without children, she said, are more educated than average, have higher incomes, are more likely to have professional careers and are less religious. And they are not without stigma.
"Not having kids is odd at best," Park says. "There are still some negative images against people who deviate from a 'normal' family."
When Carol Wilcox, 49, and her husband, Paul, 53, married 24 years ago, neither wanted children.
"In the 1980s, it was a radical decision," Wilcox says.
People told them they were selfish or, a! ssuming they were infertile, urged them to adopt.
"The culture we came from was very traditional New England families," Wilcox says.
But the couple felt having children was no requirement for happiness. They spent long hours with their gourmet food and antiques business in Rhode Island.
"That was our baby," Wilcox says. "We got used to a life that was free."
When they needed a "baby fix," they played with their nieces.
"We like kids a lot," she says. "We're happy to play with them and spoil them and send them back to their parents."
Indeed, married couples who choose to remain child-free report the highest levels of marital satisfaction among all couples, says Mary Benin, associate professor of sociology at Arizona State University.
"In the research I've done and others have done, there's a huge transition to parenthood for married couples," Benin says. When couples have children, she says, the marital relationship often takes a back seat as parents try to balance work and family.
"People! who are married and don't have kids have less of those conflicts. These people are extremely happy. ... Childless by choice is an option that works well for some people."
When Rhodes became pregnant several years ago and then miscarried, it was a "wake-up call," she says. She and her husband had to make a decision whether she would have a hysterectomy to treat her severe endometriosis or try pregnancy again.
She had the surgery.
"I love children," says the former high school drama teacher. "I just don't want to bring them home and raise them."
Marielle Marne, 38, is frank about not loving children. She says with a laugh that they tend to be "sticky and needy."
As a little girl, she told her family she didn't intend to be a mother, and they believed her, never pressuring her to change her mind.
"I like animals," she says. She and husband Steven Moore, 47, have 11 pets at their Cave Creek home. "People say I'd be a great mom. I don't! believe it." She describes their life as "no complications."
S eparate from the social implications, the continuing trend toward childlessness does have broader implications, according to David Popenoe, co-director of the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J.
New generations are needed to support the pensions and retirement of the elderly. The Census Bureau recently issued a pessimistic report forecasting that the nation's population growth is slowing, worsening the financial status of the Social Security system. By 2050, the population will grow by 49 percent, down from the 87 percent gain in the previous 50 years.
Already social scientists have become alarmed about dropping birthrates in some European nations, Popenoe says, including Spain and Italy, where rates are well below replacement level.
In 2002, the birthrate in the United States was 13.9 per 1,000 people, the lowest rate since data have been available.
America's national character also would change if more couples! chose to remain child-free, Popenoe believes. We would lose our child-centeredness, he says. Children would be less valued and become a lower priority. Unsavory elements now held in check to protect children, like pornography, might explode, he believes. "It's good for a country to have children. It keeps morality in line," he said. "Children are what life is all about."
Cathy Rhodes, however, looks forward to the day when all choices are respected equally, when women don't have children just because it's the thing to do. She urges women to weigh the pros and cons of raising children and not be swayed by romantic notions of motherhood.
"We'd live in a much better world," she says. "Every child would be a wanted child."
------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- --------------
I completely and wholeheartedly agree with the last comment. Not to say that unplanned children don't end up being wanted and loved, but I think that a lot of people shouldn't, in fact, be parents. (I'm not thinking of anyone personally, so no one take offense, please) If every child was a well thought out choice, I believe children would be more appreciated as human beings and not so much as a way to go along with society or for personal renewal.
Don't get me wrong, I love children. I work with wonderful girls and young women at Oasis. I also especially love my little sisters and nieces and nephews. I just think that it is very wrong how society views the necessity of children. It should be up to the woman what she does with her body and life. If she does not think that it is in her best interest to have children, then isn't better that she doesn't? This also applies to men. If they do not feel comfortable being a father, they should not be pressured to do so. If someone realizes their inadequacies in that area, isn't it in the best interest of the future children that they are mature enough to see themselves as who they are and not who society wants them to be? Which is better, a person who contributes meaningfully to society in a new and creative way, or someone becoming a bad parent because their heart isn't in it?
I admire my relatives and friends as mothers; I do think that it can be a beautiful thing. I also think that a person's personal liberties free from societal pressure is a beautiful thing to be respected.
Do you think that children should be had just to sustain the economy and support everyone else? I don't. I see this as selfish and very wrong. If society changed dramatically in such a way that a low birth rate did interfere with this, I'm sure our country could adapt and work just as well, if not better.
I also don't think that just because less people were to have children that we would all turn into perverts and seek child porn. As Josh pointed out, this is a very weak argument on Mr. Popenoe’s part.
Sometimes I wonder why people think it is fine for not yet committed couples to start having children at that point in their relationship, but think it is so wrong when someone chooses not to bring another person into the world and their unstable life. Honestly, society is so backwards sometimes.
What do you think?
~Beverly
|
|
|
| |
| Sweet and Sour |
| 07.01.04 (9:16 am) [edit] |
I see that I haven't posted in quite some time, so I figured this morning was a good time to sit down and write something. I'm suffering from my first cold in a long time (for me) and so have nothing else to do right now. ;)
I have been pretty busy lately. I was chosen as the summer office intern at Oasis For Girls! They were only hiring one young woman and they had about ten applicants, but they felt that I was best suited for the job this year. I went through orientation earlier this week and it seems like it will be a great job and a terrific learning experience.
On Tuesday Josh and I went to City College San Francisco to turn in my financial aid papers and pick up some scholarship information. Because of exasperating experiences with Seattle Central Community College's financial aid office, I was not really looking forward to going. It was a much better experience, though. I was very relieved as an incompetent financial aid office is the only thing I hate about college. The workers there were very nice and took time to answer questions. I will be going back to CCSF next week to take placements tests and will be registering for classes soon as they start August 18. I'm really excited for that, but a little nervous as I've only taken online courses so far and it's been about five years since I was going to classes in High School. Josh said that he will help me find my classes ahead of time so that I know where to go. That is so sweet of him because I am very directionally challenged and do not want to get lost on my first day. :)
Yesterday I had an upsetting, but enlightening experience. I was walking towards home from Market street by myself and was stopped by a Spanish speaking man asking my what time it was and pointing at my watch. I was going to take off my watch so that I could show him without getting that close to a stranger, but thought better of it when I realized it would be way to easy for him to steal my watch that way. (My watch is only a Wal-Mart special that was on sale for two dollars, but since it is the only watch I have and I like it, I didn't want to lose it.) He came up and held my arm while he studied my watch. This made me a little uncomfortable, but he seemed nice and my watch is hard to read since it doesn't have numbers, so I gave him a couple moments. I started getting suspicious, though, when he was taking so long and sneaking small glances at my engagement/wedding ring. I tightened my fingers around it as I read to him what time it was and politely tried to take my arm back. He then proceeded to kiss my hand and so I smiled, but tried once again to take my hand away. As I did, he slid his hand over mine and quickly tried to snatch my ring off my finger. I was already suspicious of him, though and so had moved my thumb underneath it to hold onto it. This kept it on my finger when he tried to take it. After he tried to steal it he took off, so there was nothing else I could do. I was still about a block from the police station we live close by, so he would have been too far away once I got in there to tell anyone. I just came on home with the good feeling that I had outsmarted him, but still a little shaken over the whole experience.
This is the first time anything like this has every happened to me and it has made me more wary of strangers. I don't think, however, that I will assume that everyone is out to rob or hurt me. I don't think a person should let anything like this take away their trust in humanity. Everyone is different and not everyone is out to rip me off. I won't let this one poor, misguided person rob me of seeing the best in everyone I meet.
~Beverly
|
|
|
| |
| Today - A Poem by Beverly |
| 06.08.04 (10:26 pm) [edit] |
[b]Today[/b]
A Poem by Beverly Adams
A lot happened in the world today,
And although I did not see it all,
I did see life.
Today I saw what humanity can do when she applies her mind,
And when she doesn’t.
Today I saw what true friendship means,
And what love really is.
Today I saw [i]my[/i] world,
Just here.
But I saw the entire world,
In just this small corner called a city.
June 8, 2004
This poem popped into my head tonight when Josh and his Mom and Grandma were talking about a protest that went on here today. There are a lot of protests and public demonstrations that happen here in San Francisco. It seems that so much more happens here than anywhere I have ever lived. Just walking down the street presents me with so much to see and think about. When I walk somewhere, it may look like I am only concentrating on where I am going, but I am watching everything, drinking everything in. It does get tiring, though, I must confess. Sometimes all I want to do is go home where it is quiet and peaceful and I can sit back and just breathe. I enjoy getting out and experiencing new places and things, but I also enjoy having a sanctuary to retire to.
Here is a breakdown of the thoughts behind this poem:
[i]A lot happened in the world today,[/i] - Many things happen all over the world everyday. That can be seen on the evening news. (Although I haven’t watched the news in some time.)
[i]And although I did not see it all,[/i] I cannot be everywhere in the world at the same time to see everything.
[i]I did see life [/i]– I see what life really is just by stepping out my door everyday.
[i]Today I saw what humanity can do when she applies her mind,[/i] - I see the many successful business men and women walking among the beautiful works of art and exquisite buildings that people have created using their minds.
[i]And when she doesn’t.[/i] – I also see many people who have not applied themselves or have given up and are just wasting their lives away lying on the streets drowning in sorrows, drugs and alcohol.
[i]Today I saw what true friendship means,[/i] - Today my best friend and I stopped by Oasis for Girls to fax some important documents out. While we were there, we witnessed the familiar scene of three friends spending time together and happily doing a job that they believe in.
[i]And what love really is. [/i]– I see it everyday in Josh’s words and actions towards me. Today he cooked all meals, cleaned, made repairs to the apartment, and helped me with some homework: all with a loving and understanding attitude. Who could ask for more?
[i]Today I saw my world,[/i] - This is my world: what I participate in and experience everyday.
[i]Just here.[/i] – Where I go day to day.
[i]But I saw the entire world, [/i]- There are many different places and people in the world, but I think that generally, everywhere you go, people are basically the same. We are so similar, yet unique. This is forgotten much too frequently.
[i]In just this small corner called a city.[/i] – San Francisco is a large city, but in the whole scope of the world, it is really just a small peninsula that barely shows up on a globe.
I hope you enjoyed my poem. I enjoy writing, although I do not have the time to do that much lately. I hope to hone this skill and write more. The funny thing about poems, though, they can’t be forced. I have to just let them come to me. They come from deep down inside and yet it seems like someone whispers them in my ear when I least expect it.
|
|
|
| |
| Personality Test Results |
| 06.06.04 (11:17 pm) [edit] |
Earlier today, Josh found a link for a personality test on someone else's blog. It looked like a lot of fun when he did his, so I decided to give it a shot. I must say that I have done a lot of personality tests and usually there is only one or two traits that prove to be accurate. This one, however, was quite different. It was much more accurate. Here are my results:
"You are a Helper Who Finds Missing Children Over The Internet!
(Submissive Introverted Concrete Feeler)
You are a HELPER WHO FINDS MISSING CHILDREN OVER THE INTERNET (SICF). You are very tentative in the world and introverted with people— which means you are the shy and silent type (hence the Internet.) But behind your reserved exterior lies a dedicated person with a passion for the concrete truth who wants to, in her heart of hearts, help find missing children. God bless you."
There are a few things that I must clear up, though. I am pretty quiet and still a little shy, but I am much more outgoing than I was when I was younger. I go out and about all over the city by myself, whereas before, I was afraid to go places alone. I enjoy working with others and I can even start conversations with strangers when I feel the need. Before, I was very shy about talking to some people that I had known forever. I still consider myself introverted, though, but that is not a bad thing. I think it is healthy for everyone to have some time dedicated completely to spending time with themselves to discover and keep in contact with their inner person: who they are. I find that if I don't do that, I can completely lose sight of myself and my life, as a whole, suffers.
It also said that I am submissive. I find that is very true, although that is something that I am also working on. It is a fact of life that dominate people try to walk on submissive people, whether they do it intentionally or not. When this happens, the submissive person may end up resenting that person and/or themselves, and that can cause some problems. Thankfully, I am also a very forgiving person, so I don't really have a problem with that. :)
According to this test, I am concrete. I do enjoy many abstract things like poems, songs, stories, and meditation, but I am a very practical person. I enjoy getting all the practical stuff in life under control so that I have time to dream. I believe dreaming is very important, but one must also remember to act on their dream or it will never happen.
It also labeled me as a feeler and that is very true, also. I do tend to think analytically, but when it comes to people, I go with my feelings. Everyone I meet I automatically see as my friend. I don't stop and think of reasons why they shouldn't be. I think this is a good perspective to have, as it gives everyone a chance right from the beginning.
~Beverly
Random Thought: I really like New Age music that has Native American influence.
|
|
|
| |
| My Blog's New Look! |
| 06.06.04 (10:51 pm) [edit] |
Thanks to Josh, I have re-done the look of my blog. I have made it so that is a better representation of myself. On the banner up above, There are three pictures of some beautiful flowers that I took, a picture of me in Golden Gate Park, and a scene from the Palace of Fine Arts that we enjoy visiting and photographing from time to time. The background is a picture that we took of a trail at Walker Creek Ranch up north, in Marin County. We had a lot of fun that weekend and it was such a pretty place. I think it makes a great background. I will be changing it from time to time, though, as I have many pretty pictures.
~Beverly
|
|
|
| |
| Steps |
| 06.04.04 (10:18 pm) [edit] |
Steps lead down,
Steps lead up,
But where steps really lead,
Is where [i]you[/i] want to go.
~Beverly
|
|
|
| |
| Sweetie on the Beach |
| 06.04.04 (10:04 pm) [edit] |
![]() =http://img65.photobucket.com/...
|
|
|
| |
| Changes |
| 06.04.04 (9:53 pm) [edit] |
Things change. That is a fact of life. Sometimes it's good and other times it is something that you must overcome.
I finished the Movin' On Up Program at Oasis for Girls. Our graduation was on Thursday the 27th of May. It was very moving as we each had a moment to tell where we will be in five years, what we will be doing when we are fifty years old and what we want people to say about us when we die. It was very moving. I'm not going to repeat what was said, as it was all very private and special, but I will say that what most of the girls said they wanted people to say about them were things that I already thought about them. They are all very unique and fun people and I am glad that I got to meet them and particpate in the program.
One change in plans that is not so good is that our trip to Peru was canceled. Not for the whole group, but just for Josh and I. We were not able to raise enough money in time to get our passports. We are not going to let this stop us from traveling to new places. We want to go to Peru on our own sometime when we can get enough money together and have learned Spanish. Since our church will be affiliated with the church down there, maybe I will still be able to take them some dental supplies. I also heard about a program called "Doctors Without Borders" where doctors of different professions go to third world countries to help out. Also, the American Dental Association organizes trips for dentists to go on and provide badly needed oral health services. I will look into those soon so I can know how to go about doing it once I become licensed. It is quite disapointing that we were not able to go on the trip, but I know things like this happen and life must still go on. There must be a reason for it all.
Even the weather is chaning again. Today, my friend Yoriko was saying that you can tell it is summer now because it is getting cool. I guess the summer time is a colder part of the year here. I know that it gets pretty warm in the fall as we were here for it last year. I don't think I will miss it being hot this summer. I don't care for the heat as much anymore. I do like going swimming, but I can wait until September.
~Beverly
|
|
|
| |
| Left Out Information |
| 05.02.04 (9:29 pm) [edit] |
I forgot to mention that we will be leaving for our trip on June 1st and will be returning on the 15th. We are supposed to have our money turned in by May 10th, but will be collecting money until the day we leave. :)
~Beverly
|
|
|
| |
| Serving Those in Need |
| 05.02.04 (8:45 pm) [edit] |
There's nothing I like more than helping people out. Maybe it's because I've always been taught that, if I want to be, I can be God's hands and feet: letting Him work through me to help His children here on Earth.
When I heard about a mission trip to Peru that our new church was organizing, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to go. I've never done anything like that before and was a little intimidated. Plus, with my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I was afraid that I'd be more of a hindrance than a help. Nevertheless, Josh and I heard our names being called and signed up for the trip of a lifetime.
We are working with Maranatha to build a church for a group of people who need and want one in San Vicente de Canete, Peru. San Vicente is about 3 hours (driving time) south of Lima. It is in the desert area along the Pacific ocean. Besides building a church, we will be teaching Vacation Bible School and setting up a temporary medical/dental clinic. We will be learning and growing as Christians, making friends and hopefully a difference in their lives as they make a difference in ours.
Knelt in prayer, during a trip planning meeting, I was impressed to contribute in my own, unique way. I sincerely care about people's oral health, and even though I'm not yet a dental student, I decided to offer to teach proper oral care to the nationals who are interested. God is in the midst of fulfilling my request for toothbrushes and dental supplies. I have a good amount promised so far, but I think that I will need even more. Somewhere in my already busy schedule, I need to contact some companies to ask for more supplies. (If anyone who reads this has any ideas or suggestions, I wholeheartedly welcome them.)
I also need to do some more fundraising. Covering the cost of the trip is a daunting task. Josh and I both need to raise $1,100, each. Since missionaries need back up support, I am also trying to find that support in people who feel that they can help: whether in prayer or financially. Both are much appreciated. Since the donations are tax deductable, I am hoping that many people are impressed to help. (Again, if any readers have any helpful suggestions, I look forward to receiving them.)
Sometimes I worry that the money aspect will keep up from being able to go, but then I stop and think of all the things God has already done for us. We both truly believe that we are being called to service and have faith that God will provide a way for us to go and do His work for those in need.
~Beverly
|
|
|
| |
| Hard Work for a Good Cause |
| 05.02.04 (8:02 pm) [edit] |
Today was a very hard day of work. A very nice man in our church, David, has donated a bunch of stuff to sell at a garage sale that we will be helping out with next Sunday. All the money will go into the fund for our group's mission trip to Peru at the beginning of June. Today we had to sort through, dust and price soooo much stuff. There are all kinds of things. We went through furniture and antiques and even some typical garage sale stuff like clothes and a food processor. We got there at 9:00 this morning and got done a little after 5:00 this afternoon. We were all very tired, but our work will pay off. There is a lot of great stuff and I think it will sell well.
We have to go back Saturday night to set everything up to get it ready for Sunday morning. It won't be as tiring, though. But that will be another very full day. First with church in the morning and then back out to set up after sun down. We have a great group though, so it is a lot of fun even though it is a lot of work. Today, Josh put a frilly tutu around his head and chased after people with a pointed, spear-like curtain rod. I was laughing so hard it hurt. Everyone thought it was hilarious.
Next Sunday, Mother's Day, there is also another fundraiser that is going on for the group. They are puting on a barbeque in Golden Gate Park, I believe. It sounds like a lot of fun and great fellowship. If we weren't the garage sale crew, I'd be there in a heartbeat. ;)
Random Thought: How did I get a sunburn working in a dark garage all day?
~Beverly
|
|
|
| |
| My Life as of Today |
| 04.29.04 (11:13 pm) [edit] |
Well, I'm not actually going to post my entire life up until today. I think I will just mention a few little things.
Today I went to Oasis. (guess where I got the name for this blog) I go there quite a bit actually. Besides the Movin' on Up program that I am involved in, they have drop in hours where young women can go and use the computers for homework or just hang out. I often go there to fax out paperwork for college and the like. Today I had a counseling appointment and confused my counselor, Anita, with my family tree. There was time between my appointment and the class for today so I went online and applied for a scholarship for college. I think that I did a pretty good job on it and hope that I will get it. I will be applying for a lot in the days ahead, so I'm sure I'll get something. For those of you that haven't checked out the webiste for Oasis, here you go: http://www.sfoasis.org .
Yesterday, while I was at gone from home, a man from Comcast stopped by and told Josh that he forgot to disconnect the cable to this apartment when the last person moved out. Because of this, he said that he would bring us the box and set it up for us today and it wouldn't cost us anything. Also, he gave the impression that we wouldn't be charged anything for the first month of cable. Josh knows that I have some shows that I like on cable, so he figured we could get it for the first month and then see if we could continue to afford it.
Well, today another man showed up to install the cable and I was informed that it was going to be $19.99 for the first three months of service. I told him that we didn't have the money for that, so he left. He probably thought that we were really weird, but I think comcast is really weird for using strange marketing scams. Tonight we saw an ad on tv for comcast offering free installation for everyone, not just people who they "forgot to turn off the service" for.
Personally, I don't see the need for cable. There are a few shows on the basic channels that I like. Those include: Little House on the Prairie, Dr. Quinn- Medicine Woman, Star Trek and Star Gate SG1, but I'm not willing to pay $20 a month when I have more important things to do than sit around and watch tv all day and night. For some people that is fine, if that is what they enjoy. I am just way to busy at this point in my life. I doubt it will get any less busy for a really long time. ;)
Tomorrow, it's back to Oasis. Cynthia and Yuriko need help unloading and setting up new computers and desks for the computer lab and Josh has offered to help. (He's such a nice guy.) I'll be going to help however I can and also to fax out some more things. It should be fun.
~Beverly
|
|
|
| |
| Journal Entry - "What do you think about?" (edited for privacy) |
| 04.29.04 (11:10 pm) [edit] |
I decided to put a journal entry on here for people to get to know me better. All I ask is that you read it with an open mind and heart and please be sensitive towards my feelings.
"I think about everything. I think about my husband a lot. Where he is if he is away from me. What is he doing; What is he thinking? I know that he is thinking of me. :)
I also think a lot about my dreams and where I am going in life. I think about my classes and my assignments. I think of all the new things that I am learning and how they apply to my life. Do I accept the new concepts as new beliefs or do I leave them behind for others to pick up? I think about how different the world looks now. Three years ago I had this picture in my head of what the world was and what it looked like. My view of is has changed drastically and it is still changing every day. It all seems so different and I find myself trying to figure out how it has changed and what it is now.
I think about my family and how much I miss them and want to see them: now and more often. I try to think of ways to have enough time and money to go see them even though I have already figured that it will be a while: longer than I would like. When I think of my family, I think of my wonderful parents and how they are doing. I think of all the love we have for each other. I also think of all the little ones and how they are growing up so far from me. I wish I could be a part of their lives. I wish I could be there to see and help them grow. I think of my siblings and grandparents and how much I miss them and being a part of their lives.
I think about God and my relationship with Him. When I do, I realize just how great He is and how much I want to learn about Him and get to know Him better. I try to think of ways to use my life to help others in their lives and to see Him. When I think of God, I also think of my favorite Bible stories and gather courage from them. I wonder how my church friends are doing. I think of all the good things in my life and am continually thankful for them.
Sometimes I think of stories I've read or seen. Sometimes I think of my own stories that I may someday write, but for now are just for me because they are not complete, always changing, and mostly just the beginning of an idea.
I will often just think: I try to figure everything out. Everything from the most efficient way to store and stack food, to how we can end poverty and other struggles in people's lives. I don't get too far on the big stuff, but maybe, if I just keep thinking, I will finally figure it all out." - March 25, 2004
~Beverly
|
|
|
| |
|
|
