Below is my trip to England, Scotland and Wales, that will take place in just a few short days, as told by the smiley-dude.  Enjoy!

Jen



                    

I suppose I could do any of the following:

*write some thank you notes/letters

Hmmm...on Tuesday I went to the orthodontist to get a new retainer to straighten out this one stupid little tooth that kinda-sorta twisted.  I'm screaming now because my mouth hurts like woah.  And no, NOT from too much kissing, Robbie.

On Wednesday, I got ICE CREAM with Rich at Coyle's, where Kait works.  I was able to make an informed decision about what type of ice cream to get because Kait let me taste them.  I got pistachio cherry, which was very delicious.  It was good to see Rich , and it was fun to surprise Kait.

Now TODAY, I'm screaming because it's too damn hot outside.  Blargh.  Luckily, I don't have work, so I wrote some thank you notes, and then I'm going to go running (ahhh, thank goodness for treadmills and air conditioning), and then possibly start on my humanities essay.  I am NOT looking forward to doing homework.  Oooh, laundry.  That's another thing I need to do.

In other news, this Law and Order obsession really must stop.  Directv really feeds into it because there is almost ALWAYS an episode of one series or another on some channel.  It might be the death of me.

England:  July 6-August 4
RBD retreat:  August 6-8
RA training:  August 19

Wow.  Two months and one day until I go back.

Are you sure I'm going to be a junior?

Miss you all.

I had an amazing time at Nationals (WTG NEACURH!!!  Yay Blue Knights NRHH Chapter!!!!), an amazing time in Rochester (thanks, everyone!), and a FREAKIN amazing time this weekend.  I've never loved the beach so much.  :o)

Things not amazing:  people who don't understand the budget revote.  I don't think they understand that if this budget does not pass, the future of this town is in serious danger.  Everything extra that the school district provides for my little sisters, your little sisters, and every kid born tomorrow will be influenced by the lack of KINDERGARTEN, art club, math club, peer leadership club, every other club, newspapers and literary magazines, marching band, wind ensemble, all other music groups, gifted and talented, TEACHERS, para professionals (yeah, um, both EXTREMELY NECESSARY in EDUCATION), SPORTS (way to go, let's keep obesity on the rise, people!), and so many other things.  We have brand new auditoriums, kindergarten classrooms, and marching band uniforms.  Clearly they shouldn't be used to educate the 1600 kids in this town.

Give them a future.

And as for the numbers?  Voting no will only save you pennies as opposed to voting yes.  A majority of the money in our budget is going to pay the teachers, yes, but that was decided YEARS AGO.  You cannot do anything about it.

Things even less amazing:  people who don't educate themselves about the budget revote.  Don't understand how this will truly affect all of us?  Should have gone to the meeting tonight.  Your misunderstandings may take away my sisters' chances to explore music, art, science.  Kids are only young once; let them have an education. 

The worst part?  The people who truly need to read this probably don't even own computers.  Make up for the NO vote--get out there and vote yes on June 22.

But while you're at it, think about Bush's stance on the war in Iraq, stem cell research, and equality for all.

I leave in less than 15 hours for Buffalo, and less than 24 for St. Louis!!!

I've never really been excited for a conference.  Nervous-- yes (Ohhh, Minis 04), stressed-- yes (Ohhh, Minis 04), but never genuinely EXCITED.  Maybe it's the whole getting sworn in/roll call/awards ceremony (good luck, NRHH!!) thing.  I don't know, but I'm absolutely psyched.

16 hours on a bus with some of my favorite NCCs should be fun.  Transitioning, here we come! 

     Less than one week until NACURH in St. Louis...oh boy.  So many last minute things that need to be taken care of.  I got myself a nice "pine green" binder for my RCC stuff, and I can't wait to find my three-hole punch so I can punch holes in EVERYTHING!!!  Maybe I'll use that to keep me occupied during our 10000 hour bus ride...

::gets up on soapbox::


Gay Marriage...
1. Homosexuality is not natural, much like eyeglasses, polyester, and birth control.

2. Heterosexual marriages are valid becasue they produce children. Infertile couples and old people can't legally get married because the world needs more children.

3. Obviously, gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

4. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if Gay marriage is allowed, since Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage was meaningful.

5. Heterosexual marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.

6. Gay marriage should be decided by people, not the courts, because the majority-elected legislatures, not courts, have historically protected the rights of the minorities.

7. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire counrty. That's why we have only one religion in America.

8. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.

9. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.

10. Children can never suceed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why single parents are forbidden to raise children.

11. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society. Heterosexual marriage has been around for a long time, and we could never adapt to new social norms because we haven't adapted to things like cars or longer lifespans.

12. Civil unions, providing most of the same benefits as marriage with a different name are better, because a "seperate but equal" institution is always constitutional. Seperate schools for African-Americans worked just as well as seperate marriages for gays and lesbians will.


... and this is just a bit of sarcasm (in case you couldn't pick up on it).



::hops down from soapbox::

I've said my piece for today.      

Completely stolen from an unsuspecting Lauren, who stole it from an unsuspecting Nicole...


EXOTIC FOREIGNER ALIAS:(Favorite Spice + Last Foreign Vacation Spot) Garlic Hawaii

DIVA ALIAS: (Something Sweet Within Sight + Any Liquid in Kitchen) Sugar Syrup

GIRL DETECTIVE ALIAS: (Favorite Baby Animal + Where You Went to Middle School) Kitty Beachstreet

BARFLY ALIAS: (Last Snack Food You Ate + Your Favorite Drink) Graham Cracker Wild Cherry Pepsi

SOAP OPERA ALIAS: (Middle Name + Elementary School) Lynn Bellew

PORN STAR ALIAS: (First Pet's Name + Street You Grew Up On) Honey North

Oh, mine aren't so good...sad...oh well...

I just washed this floor!  Whose shoes are making these?!"  Ahhh, the sweet sounds of being home.

So, it's Monday night and I've been home for exactly 24 hours.  My friends graduated on Saturday, and it was a nice, yet wet, ceremony.  It was definitely tough watching so many people who had such a posit  ive impact on my life walk out of it, many of whom I'll never see again.  So sad...