Picking My Brain

…so slowly….

Sitting in class again. Everyone is setting up their blogs. Obviously, I already have one and am proficient in using it. So I’m pretty tuned out right now.

Things are looking up with the car. The check from the trash company should be in the mail in a few days. The estimate came in just over $1200, so they’re cutting a check directly to us. Plus, the estimate said that it would take 3 days to fix, so when Ben talked to them after sending the estimate, he asked if they would pay for the rental as well. Apparently, the guy said that he would stick an extra couple hundred dollars in the check to cover the rental…no questions asked! We were really surprised at how nice and willing to give us over $1000, but then I realized that they were probably paying us off. In the long run, it’s probably cheaper for the company to just pay us off rather than deal with insurance companies. So what we’re going to do is, we’re going to attempt the work ourselves. We can get a replacement bumper from the junkyard no problem, as well as the brake light cover. We’ll replace them, and Ben says that he can get the dent out himself. Then we’ll take some of the money and have the car repainted, which apparently only costs $200-$300 dollars. Plus, I’m going to take some of the money and finally get the car into the shop and get the engine issues fixed.

As for school, I don’t know. Classes are going well. I’m still worried about the money issue. I haven’t paid at all yet, and my first payment was due Sept. 20. I did a FAFSA, but haven’t heard anything from Stockton about receiving financial aid. I do still have to actually go down to the offices and see if I can get my address changed back to Lakehurst and then see if I can be charged in-state tuition. Wawa will hopefully reimburse me, which will cover next semester, but that won’t be issued, if approved, until I successfully complete the classes.

I took the rest of my vacation time last week. We didn’t really do anything exciting. A day trip to Media, PA (which has a great unique shopping area, by the way) and another to New Hope, PA, which we actually found disappointing.

I did attend Teal’s bridal shower. Talk about killing me softly. It was so boring! We got there on time at 1, waiting around for appetizers, then waited for about another hour until lunch. It was co-ed, so there wasn’t anything girlie. Plus, Teal had decided that since she’s “older” she didn’t want to play any of the games you would usually play at these things. So after lunch, we waited around some more. Then Teal and Derick opened gifts. That wasn’t even exciting because it was mostly things off of her registries. She’s been checking her registries to see what’s been bought (yes, I actually heard her admit to this). So she knew what she was getting, and everything she opened was “oh, here’s our xxx. Thank you.” It just seemed fake to me.

Plus, my mother was at it again. We went over to say good-bye to my Uncle and other cousin Dylan. I was standing right next to my mom who looked at Dylan and said, “well, I wish I could say that you’re next to be married.” Dylan looked at her like she had three heads and laughed. He said that he wasn’t even dating anyone, though one of his summer roommates who he disliked said that she wanted to marry him. Then later, my grandmother said something about my wedding, and my mom made a audible scoff. I’m millingover in my head whether or not to send her an email, or maybe confront her in person, and tell her this is not what I agreed to. I agreed to wait to plan the wedding until after I graduated. I did not agree to my whole engagement and wedding being completely ignored and prentended like it isn’t happening. I wrote an email that next Monday (the shower was on Sunday) that exactly captured how angry I was and how I felt about it. But I ended up kinda breaking down at the computer, so Ben got me and talked to me about it. Since I was away from the computer for so long, the email logged me out and my email was lost. I’ve since calmed down, so I just might wait until the next incident. Because I know there will be one, and I’ll be just as angry then as I was that day.

Oh well, I guess that’s all for now. My professor just said that I don’t have to post assignments on my blog, so I may not bore you with posts that mean completely nothing to you. But wait, do any of my posts mean anything to you? Guess they’re more meaningful to me. Whatever.

Oh joy. I’m currently sitting in my Intro to New Media Studies class. The professor has finally set the syllabus for the semester. Guess what we’re learning how to do for about half of the semester….blogs! Gee, so glad I decided to take this class! I have no idea how to blog…..

So I guess I’ll have to start making use of my categories. I’ll just add to this blog and make changes as I need to to fit assignments. I don’t mean to bore everyone with my assignment postings, but I can’t see creating a whole new blog when I have a perfectly good (and one I rather like) right here. Besides, it’s not like anybody really reads my blog anyways, right?

My cousin Teal’s bridal shower is this weekend. It should be fun (said with much sarcasm, I assure you). Apparently she has mandated that she didn’t want to do any of the silly games and stuff that are usually done at these things. It seems that a lot of people have been invited, and it’s not a girls only thing either. It should be an experience, that’s for sure.

Hmm, there was something else I wanted to quickly mention, but during the course of my professor’s rather dry lecture I forgot. I’ll post it when (and if) I remember.

…for everyone. My best friend Liesle sent me this foward today:
I am sorry but after hearing they want to sing the National Anthem in Spanish - enough is enough. No where did they sing it in Italian, Polish, Irish (Celtic), German or any other language because of immigration. It was written by Francis Scott Key and should be sung word for word the way it was written. The news broadcasts even gave the translation — not even close. Sorry if this offends anyone but this is MY COUNTRY - IF IT IS YOUR COUNTRY SPEAK UP —- please pass this along.

I am not against immigration — just come through like everyone else. Get a sponsor; have a place to lay your head; have a job; pay your taxes, live by the rules AND LEARN THE LANGUAGE as all other immigrants have in the past — and GOD BLESS AMERICA!

PART OF THE PROBLEM
Think about this: If you don’t want to forward this for fear of offending someone—–YOU’RE PART OF THE PROBLEM !!!!

Will we still be the Country of choice and still be America if we continue to make the changes forced on us by the people from other countries that came to live in America because it is the Country of Choice??????

Think about it!

All we have to say is, when will they do something about MY RIGHTS? We’ve gone so far the other way, bent over backwards to not offend anyone, that I am now being offended. But it seems that no one has a problem with

that. This says it all! This is an editorial written by an American citizen, published in a Tampa newspaper. He

did quite a job; didn’t he? Read on, please!

IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT.

I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However…… the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the “politically correct! ” crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand. This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereigntyand our national identity.

As Americans…..we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!

“In God We Trust” is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women…….on Christian principles…………. founded this nation….. and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home…! ……because God is part of our culture.

If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don’t like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don’t care how you did things where you came from. This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so! But once you are done complaining……. whining…… and griping…….about our flag……our pledge……our national motto…….or our way of life…I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other Great American Freedom….

THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.

It is Time for America to Speak up If you agree — pass this along; if you don’t agree — delete it!

Ben found this for me to send in response to her:

British music producer Adam Kidron, who came up with the idea of the Spanish anthem, shared in a written statement that the Spanish anthem was not intended to discourage immigrants from learning English or embracing American culture.
Kidron continued to share, “We instead view `Nuestro Himno’ as a song that affords those immigrants that have not yet learned the English language the opportunity to fully understand the character of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ the American flag and the ideals of freedom that they represent.”
I received an email from a Canadian Reader who wanted to point out that the Canadian National Anthem, ‘O’ Canada,’ is sung in at least two languages (English and French) without anyone complaining.
America is a country made up of immigrants. We are a nation known as a ‘melting pot’ of cultures. We welcome everyone and state legislatures require our voting materials to be translated into other languages. America stands for diversity.
We often see books and movies translated into many languages so more people can share and enjoy the experience. We enjoy and share meals of various cultures. We worship in many different religions that often hold services in many different languages.
We enjoyed Whitney Houston’s rendition of the National Anthem and many thought Jimmy Hendrix’s rock rendition was excellent. Noone complains about the many variations and arrangements that have been done.
Would there be complaints if American Sign Language translators signed the national anthem in Spanish?
Can we share our pride in our national anthem by encouraging the expansion of sharing the message of the national anthem in more languages than English only?
So what is causing all the controversy over hearing a version sung in Spanish?
Could it be an underlying resentment over the problems that Spanish speaking immigrants represent?
We must remember however that the problem doesn’t lie with the illegal immigrant but instead lies with the employers who want to find cheap labor. Employers who want to increase their profits and not pay a living wage. Employers that don’t want to pay health insurance or pension benefits.
Don’t we all want a living wage and the right to have a voice in the decision-making process that governs our lives?
As Michael Sarmiento, Volunteer Coordinator, Pilipino Workers’ Center (PWC) and Multi-ethnic Immigrant Organizing Network (MIWON) shared, “If a worker is allowed to work here, they should be allowed the same rights as all workers.”

I so agree with that. Closed-minded, stupid emails like what Liesle sent make me so angry. America was founded by a bunch of immigrants looking to live their lives however they wanted, not how the Bristish government and people said they should live. Yes, immigrants need to follow the rules when they come to this country, but we also need to take a look at the rules and make some changes. We don’t care when people immigrate from any other country, so why is it so terrible that Mexicans come here looking for the prosperity and standard of living that we take for granted and that they don’t have in Mexico. Canada has a large population of English-speaking people, but a large population who also speak French. I have pictures of signs in both languages from when I was in Canada. Meagan has pictures of Egypt that are in multiple languages. Why is this offensive and a threat to American life?

I agree that if you want to live in America, you should be able to speak basic English. However, if I lost everything tomorrow and was working every waking moment to keep my family (and not just me, my fiance Ben and the cats, but my parents, his parents, his sister and any family she might have and my brother and any family he might have), and lived in the poverty that most Mexicans live in, I would leap at the opportunity to go to another country offering the promise of money and liesure and everything else that America offers. If I moved to say, Egypt tomorrow, my main language would be English. Sure, I would have to learn Arabic to be able to function in society, but at home and with my family, I would be speaking a different language than the official. I applaud people who are able to relocate to another country to make a better life for themselves and their family, but are still able to hold on to their home culture and way of life. And you partly hold on to that through language.

Most immigrants are not criminals or tax-evading cheapskates. They are honest people trying to make a life for themselves and their families. What right do we have to refuse them that?

…but when it pours, it pours! And unfortunatley, I don’t mean the literal rain that fell all weekend and today (Tuesday).

I swear, it’s never just one bad thing that happens to me. I know they say that bad things always happen in multiples, but give me a break!!

It started with the car. We’re basically down to one car, using the Beetle for play and necessity only. The Taurus was already having problems; the tailpipe had a loose weld so it’s been making ungodly vibrating noises. The engine seemed to need a tune up, but was still working fine. My rear brakes needed replacing, but were only squeaking, so we didn’t think it was a huge rush. Well, the brake pad completely broke off of the front driver’s side one day, and started grinding the rotor. So Ben did the work himself on replacing the pad and the rotor. He did good work, but it makes a really loud rubbing and squeaking noise. Then like two weeks ago the engine starting overheating. It’s not really bad, it’s just running really hot, which can’t be good. But we’re just making ends meet most weeks, so we’ve been putting off those repairs, which each seemed pretty minor by themselves. That was until last week. I usually park out of back of Wawa because we only have like 5 spaces and we aren’t supposed to take spots away from customers. So, the trash truck pulled in, and managed to hit my car! They pulled off half of my back bumper, shattered my brake light, and put a good-sized dent in the corner of my car. The damage is a lot less than you would expect from a moving trash truck hitting a parked car, but I didn’t have any money to begin with. Plus, they never asked anybody to move the car, they never said a car was in the way and if it wasn’t moved they wouldn’t pick up the trash, and after they hit it, they only made a half-assed attempt to find out whose car it was, then when they didn’t, drove off and left it without leaving a note or anything! A police report was filed, but those who have experience with car accidents that I’ve talked to think the insurance company is going to total the car. That would suck because the car is not worth enough for us to buy a new car.

So Ben’s on the phone with the trash company now to see what they say and what they’ll do to fix the car. We haven’t notified the insurance company yet, but a police report was filed so that may get sent to them. So basically, my car is falling apart around us, and we can’t afford to fix it.

I was really happy that I got back in to Stockton last week, and my first class is today. However, since I’m now listed as out of state, costs are three times as high. I’m being charged over $3500 for two classes! So now I have to figure out if I can convince them that I’m an in-state student by using Ben’s mom’s address (where I used to live). There’s no way we can afford that much out of pocket, even on a payment plan. Or at least, Ben thinks there’s no way. I think if we save everything we’ve got and spend the bare minimum from now until December, we just might make it. It’ll be tough, but me getting my degree is important. So we’re also going to look into financial aid to see if that could help. Our credit is so bad that I don’t think either one of us can even get a loan to help us out.

Yay, an update on the car situation. Ben called the company and the truck driver did report it. So they want us to get an independant estimate to get the car fixed. If it’s less than $1500 they’ll cut us a check. If it’s more, then it’ll go through the insurance company. But at least they are willing to admit it happened and are willing to take care of it, no questions asked.

Now, if we could only get some money for me to go back to school….