Husbands!

So I grew up with a next to perfect Father. Many people may say this about their parents, but with my Dad, ask anyone who knows the guy. He treats my Mom like gold. I've never seen him get in the car without opening her car door and letting her in first. EVERY. single. time. My Dad couldn't care any less about fashion. My Mom buys him stuff and he wears it. Case closed.

My husband? Oh no! He is a fashion guru. From the first day I met him, he was always telling me how to dress and when I buy him clothes, he usually doesn't wear them because he says they aren't his style. Who does that? I like his hair a bit longer. It has a slight curl to it and it lays nice on his head when its a little longer. But he says it looks unprofessional, which he may be right. So I've complied. But his hair cannot be styled short, because its curly and doesn't stay.

Also, I try to tell him what pants look good on him. He has several sets of work dress trousers. Some are nicer than others. I see him walk around in them every day. He absolutely hates this pair that I bought him from Target because he hates wearing clothes from places like that. When I first married him I couldn't understand why he wouldn't wear clothing from Old Navy, too cheap he says. He likes to wear designer brands because he says they are better quality. He is right. The only problem is that we have no money, so instead of buying more inexpensive clothes for now, he just continues to wear his old worn out clothing with holes! I don't understand the logic.

Anyway, these trousers look really nice on him, nicer than any other pair and he abhors them. Whenever he has had a job interview, he goes and gets a hair cut and wears what he thinks looks nice, no matter what I say. I've just let it slide because I want him to feel confident. But up until this point, nothing has come from several job interviews. I don't necessarily attribute it to his clothing, but now he has another interview and I'm finally putting my foot down! I told him the truth about what I think looks best on him and he still is freaking out! We shall see what happens.

I grew up with the most low maintenance father imaginable and assumed all guys were like him and ended up marrying a freaking Metro sexual! Lord help me!

Friday the 13th

My philosophy Prof has been talking about his obsession with the Saw films. I walked in from work one day and my roommate watching the 1st one many years ago and I only viewed the ending. Then on some whim, Michael and I went to Saw II when it came out in theaters. I haven't viewed any of the others. So I decided it would be hilarious to rent the first Saw and see the whole sheebang. FFriggity frackin HILARI-ASS! The acting is atrocious! I was rolling. Ridiculous.

I guess it was made as an indie film and shown at the Toronto Film Fest in 2004 and some studio picked it up for larger release. And thus the Saw franchise was born. It only took them 18 days to shoot it. Sometimes I wonder if I should make some really crappy movie and have it be picked up.

The reason hospitals scare the hell out of me...

*~How to avoid falling victim to a hospital mistake~*

I feel like writing...

about things that I want and/or look forward to.

- to buy another pair of Tom's shoes and wear them as hip as Zac Efron (damn him). Also, possibly figure out a girl version of his jeans situation.



- stick with the Lose It app, in order to fit into zac efron-esque girl jeans.
- get paid this week to down pay on my study abroad.
- pass my philosophy class.
- study for TBE crap for graduation.
- have my Minor sitch work out.
- someday own a working vehicle
- someday own a kick A computer
- someday own a fabulous camera
- I'm dreaming of Spain.

These are the things I think about when I can't sleep.

I will also admit that I'm kinda sorta pretty psyched for New Moon. The actors have progressively annoyed the crap out of me since a year ago, but I think it will be a decent girls night out. We watched Twilight on Sunday and I am tempted to read books 1 & 2 again before the 19th. Since I have all the effing time in the world right now.

On an unrelated note, I wanted to make sure to let you know that I've never liked Z.E. until I saw 17 Again. Funny stuff. His dreaminess refuses to be ignored.

Minor Confusion

Last semester I found out at the end of my Major that I am required to have a Minor to graduate. It would have been great information to receive on one of my four separate advising appointments in the English Dpt. Anyways, I have this strong desire to be fluent in Spanish for numerous reasons.

-I want to go into education, this would help me help my students. it would also open up the possibility of teaching numerous subjects.
-if not education than some community program that helps integrate immigrants into our society.
-basically anything benefiting the community, diversity, unity, blah blah blah.

I opted for declaring a Spanish minor. Then I got nervous. Its a ton of work and I'm struggling with concepts. I still want to be fluent, but this semester among others has made me question myself. I would take four classes next semester with a study abroad. Hardest course load, best outcome.

Then I found out about Latin American studies. Its a composite of History, Anthropology, Political Science, Geography, and Spanish. If its possible it has the least amount of classes. The only problem is that they offer only Anthro and Hist next semester before I want to graduate. The other problem is that I've emailed and called the adviser several times with no word back. I would take four classes next semester with a study abroad trip. Hard work, but light load. If this works out it would be the best scenario, but the chances are slim.

Other options are Child Development. Sounds interesting and would educate me for both school children and my own children. It would be good for motherhood and teacherhood. But will require two more classes in the summer. Largest course load.

Family Studies. Along the same lines as Child Development, but mostly focused on marriage and family diversity. I've already taken one of the requirements for it. Three of the classes are online in case I move. I would take five classes next semester, with possibly one more in the summer.

Mind you my eventual goal is to apply to the Masters of Education program at the U or other schools. So I have to get good grades.

Other minors I considered, but opted out due to no courses offered immediately, requiring more semesters of school, YUCK:
Political Science
History
Psychology
Philosophy
Photography
Art
Art History
Communication

First, I hope that if I stick with Spanish minor that I could survive and retain the information getting DECENT grades. At least B's. If I'm barely passing each class and ripping my hair out it isn't worth it to me. I need good grades for Grad school.

Second, if I can get Latin American studies to work, it would be the funnest because I would learn loads about the culture and be more educated to help them and our country. It may be minimally difficult, but I think I could handle it much better than all spanish classes.

I will try to meet with all the subsequent advisors and get this show on the road. Then I will update my decision. Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Things can only get better...

Today was the worst day in awhile. The worst realization is when you could have laid around and done nothing, stress free, instead of working your tail end off to get the exact same result. I'm hoping this is not the case, but I fear it is.

Also, my current situation continues to confuse me. I thought I could predict the maturity levels of all my friends, not true. Some can reach all new lows. It really confounds me and I have yet to find courage or strength to change things.

Dual post: Thoughts on Fort Hood and the Muslim Community

This might be kind of a long post. I'll try to keep it as short as I can while still expressing my current thoughts.

When I found out about the Fort Hood shootings yesterday, I was very sad for the victims of this tragedy. I read on sltrib.com today that two young men, one killed and one injured, were from Utah. One of them a University of Utah fan. My heart goes out to their families and I'm planning on writing them both letters of gratitude.

I also learned that the police officer who was able to stop the psychiatrist shooter was a woman. I was really inspired at how professional and level headed she was to perform such a duty for our country. She really inspires me!

My second thought was how badly I feel for the mainstream Muslim community in the U.S. that yet again, some radical not associated with them has committed another terrorist attack. I feel as if this community can't cut a break. I worry that people will further stereotype them and discriminate against them, making things even more difficult for them in this country and others since 9/11.

Since I've moved into my apartment complex this summer, I've had the opportunity to live near two separate Muslim families. I am so fascinated by their way of life and many others live in my complex. I don't know if I've just been oblivious to it prior, but this year at school I noticed so many more Muslim woman in Hijab (the head covering) on campus. I think its really refreshing to see these women getting an education and although I'm sure its been happening for years, I think it speaks measures of the support their husbands have in their success.

I've yearned so greatly to get to know my neighbors better. During Ramadan I researched as best I could online to find a kind way to acknowledge their spiritual observance and let them know that I care and support them. I read somewhere that its polite to give them a can of dates, which is a tradition in the Quran. During this time, I learned that they fast for about a month observing when Mohammad received the Quran revelation from Allah. They eat before the sun comes up and after the sun comes down, but not in between.

Because my neighbors have a young baby girl, I wondered if there are some exceptions allowing children under a certain age to eat or if they too are required to fast. I learned that it is polite to say to a Muslim during this time, "Ramadan Kareem" meaning generosity from Allah. I wanted to say it to them as I passed them coming or going to their car, but I was too afraid. I never said it and I never brought them the dates.

I saw a girl in Hijab reading the Quran in arabic at school and sat down next to her. I tried to ask her about Ramadan, politeness during the time and if it was hard to fast or read in Arabic, and although she was very polite and tried her best to answer my questions, I could tell she was shy and I didn't want to be rude.

The wives of the Muslims in my complex are rarely seen. None of the Muslims swam during the summer while I was here, although I did read an article once about Muslim women in the middle east who wear these neat swimsuits that cover the head, arms and legs, similar to a surf suit. I saw one woman exercising in our community gym in full Hijab, but her husband was with her the entire time making sure she was safe. Every time I see the men and their wives in their cars, the women always ride in the back seat. At first I thought this was because my neighbor has a baby and his wife rode in the back to be there for the little one, but I've also seen the married couples without children do this. Also, I've only seen the woman out at school. The ones in my complex are rarely outside.

And although I'm very curious, I'm afraid to ask them about any of these customs because I don't want to offend them. In fact, my desire is to let them know that we appreciate them living in our country and want them to feel welcome, not discriminated. I read that a good way to help them feel welcome and to get to know them is to ask them where their mosque is located and attend once or twice to see how they worship. I'd love to do this, but yet again my fear holds me back.

Concerning the Hijab, I've never worried about the care these woman receive or if they are oppressed. From my short experience here I have only seen the men treat their wives wonderfully. But I did wonder why the men don't wear head coverings everyday or their traditional garb. One husband wears his traditional long white garb from time to time, but on normal days wears a T-shirt, jeans and flip flops. His wife wears jeans, sneakers and a long sleeved shirt with her Hijab only on her head, shoulders and hair. In fact, most women on campus wear normal clothes with their Hijab. But occasionally I will see one or two that wear a long black dress like covering over their clothing along with the Hijab. I'm curious as to why one would be more strict than another.

Today, I was able to speak to my neighbor and his wife. Their little baby girl is gorgeous and has a full head of hair. She is under a year and does not wear the garb, nor do the younger children in my complex. I'm wondering at what appropriate age a young girl is required to wear it. I was so grateful to see them because I wanted to say hi, letting them know without coming out and saying it that I am grateful to get to know them and that I don't feel threatened by them after so many tragedies have occurred. I hope by being friendly, saying hi and being polite they know that I care about their well being. I've asked twice now what their baby's name is and its rather beautiful, but I cannot pronounce it because they say it with an Arabic accent.

This video, which has been broken down into 4 youtube clips, was both enlightening and informative. It helped me regard the Hijab as sacred and the goals behind observing it seem similar to the LDS belief in wearing sacred under-garments.









I don't want anyone to think that I am more concerned with the plight of the Muslims than I am of U.S. soldiers. I am equally concerned at how this modern cultural war is affecting everyone in the community. I feel that this conflict of cultures has morphed several times for Americans, just in the past 100 years. How we as Americans change our views about Germans and Japanese people post WWII, Russians and Communist associations during and after the Cold War and now our ideas and misconceptions with the Middle East after 9/11, are interesting. I'm hoping we can be more enlightened and positive in today's plight than in past years. I hope that prejudice can be negated and unity can strengthen us to solve this problem and prevent more conflict in the future.

Quran 3:103 And hold fast, all together, by the rope which
G-d (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude G-d's favour on you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, you became brothers; and you were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does G-d make His Signs clear to you: That you may be guided.