Tea time!

This weekend, I read Three Cups of Tea, the story of Greg Mortenson’s epic mission to build schools in Pakistan and later Afghanistan. Perhaps it’s because I was raised by two urban public school teachers, or maybe it’s because I live with a teacher and seem to surround myself with educators everywhere I go, but I was floored by this novel. It’s well written, which I’m sure is in large part due to David Oliver Relin, but I think Sarah Palin* could have written this story and it still would have been compelling.

I admit I’m behind the curve on this one. This book has been out since 2006, but it’s better late than never, right? It’s just so inspiring to see children so eager to learn. And it’s so refreshing to see an informed, compassionate perspective on the Muslim world. I couldn’t agree more that the real way to effectively combat terrorism is through education. Why is that such a hard thing for our government to comprehend?

*[Side note: Palin just announced her replacement for former State Senator Kim Elton. Elton left Alaska to be part of Obama’s Dept. of the Interior, and the only name that Democrats submitted to Palin as a replacement was Rep. Beth Kerttula. Kerttula is awesome, but she publicly stated that she didn’t think Palin was qualified to be VP during her presidential bid last fall. Big surprise, Palin decided to reject Kerttula and has instead named Tim Grussendorf to fill the empty senate seat. Plus, she used up almost all of the 30 days she had to name a replacement, leaving Juneau without representation right in the middle of our legislative session. Vindictive much? Now there is the potential for the senate to reject this selection and the process would start all over again. This comes after Palin has created a big stink even with state Republicans by not accepting Obama’s stimulus money. The circus show continues…]

Okay, so that’s my political rant for the month…

Hello, Werewolves!

By now, I think I have made my Twilight obsession a bit too obvious on this blog. Aside from becoming yet another full-time Twilight blog, I don't think there is much more I could do to embarrass myself by admitting how much I like the series. I am sure that I have talked about it more than is healthy for anyone over 12. And yet, here I am once again posting about it. Just deal with it.

Anyway, I just found out that one of the actors in the next movie, New Moon, is in the PBS documentary I am promoting at work right now. We Shall Remain is a five part series that will start airing on PBS April 13. It's all about Native history and it's really well done. The Wounded Knee episode made me cry.

But let's not get off topic here. Alex Meraz is going to be the 'bad' werewolf, Paul in the New Moon movie. And he is super yummy. Possibly even more yummy than my future ex-husband, Robert Pattinson. I'm pretty sure that by the end of the movie, I'm going to be batting for Team Werewolf.

Sorry, Rob. But you are ice cold and a stalker. Two things that usually are a deal breaker for me. I was willing to overlook those minor flaws for you, but then Alex came along and what can I say? I just know he will imprint on me if he ever gets the chance. And frankly, I have a better chance at actually meeting him in real life some day. I mean, I've already met some of the other actors and producers in the We Shall Remain series. (Seriously, people, you need to watch it. I almost never talk about work here, so you know it's good if I'm actually blogging about it!)

So, anyway, I just wanted to give everyone a heads up and let you all know that yes, I will keep posting about Twilight and yes, I am slightly obsessed with hot actors that are just a little bit too young for me.

Shipping to Alaska

WTF? This is why it takes so damn long to get anything in the mail here:

March 16, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Arrival Scan in HEBRON, KY

March 17, 2009 at 7:29 PM
Arrival Scan in CINCINNATI,OH

March 18, 2009 at 3:38 AM
Arrival Scan in CINCINNATI, OH

March 20, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Arrival Scan in FEDERAL WAY, WA

March 20, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Arrival Scan in KENT, WA

March 21, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Arrival Scan in DENVER, CO

So, apparently my package decided to go out on the town in Cincinnati. I can't blame it. I mean, I went out for St. Paddy's Day too.

But I don't understand why you decided to detour back to Colorado after spending the day in Washington. I realize Denver is hella awesome, but you were so close. Why did you have to start traveling backwards?! And now it's the 23rd and you could be all that way back to Boston by now. Whatever I did to make you mad, I'm sorry. Please come back. Please?

Where is the most beautiful place in the world?

My roommate and I were watching Planet Earth this weekend and at one point she said, "Alaska is the most beautiful place in the world." I am not sure that I agree with that. I have been to some absolutely beautiful places. Alaska is majestic, I am not arguing that. Especially, in my opinion, Southeast Alaska. I love the diversity in this state. And I love having access to all the amazing nature. But how do you compare a temperate rainforest to Africa? Or the Mekong Delta? Or a Japanese garden filled with blooming cherry blossoms?
And yes, part of the reason for this post was just so I could show off some of my pictures.

Thank you, taxes!

Got my tax return last week - that's right, this year I didn't have to pay!!! And I spent it all on a fly rod. Yes, I should have saved it or paid off some more of my student loans. But I have never been practical, and my new Sage Launch is awesome and it will catch me some fish this summer. So I refuse to feel bad.

Gigantic zit, day #3

It can’t possibly get any bigger than it is right now. I can tell that it is tormenting me and enjoying it. I’m also convinced that it is trying to breed. Could stress have caused this monstrosity? I find that hard to believe considering I found time to watch seven episodes of The Office at work yesterday. That’s right, seven. I take solace in the fact that I don’t have any yearbook pictures coming up, but I do have a meeting later today and it’s hard to feel professional with a growth on your face. Thank God I don’t have a goiter; I’d never get anything done.

Because I complain. That's what I do.

I am 30-friggin’ years old and I am getting the biggest zit ever. Wasn’t that supposed to stop like, over a decade ago? I hate acne and now I have a planet growing on my chin. And I can’t stop touching it, which I am sure is really helping. It’s gross.

Know what is as bad as adult acne? Office politics. I absolutely loath when a coworker comes into my office and asks me for money for a band fundraiser or baby shower/going away/marriage present for someone in the office. I don’t like everyone in my office. And also, I don’t really have a lot of money. Nine months into living in Juneau and I still haven’t paid off all my moving expenses. I spent over a thousand dollars on gas to get up here. All those stupid gifts start to add up but I don’t want to be the one ornery bitch that refuses to chip in.

Fruitless

One of the most disappointing things in the world has got to be biting into a big, beautiful orange, or apple for that matter, and ended up with one of those tasteless, watery pieces of fruit. It’s a crapshoot everything you buy fruit in Alaska. Especially in winter.