Newsflash Houston - It's Winter!

As I glided in on my way to work this morning, it dawned on me that people here don't really own winter clothes. Folks may say that it's only cold 2 weeks out of the year in Houston, but for the past 6 years I've been here, we've had an actual winter. Personally, I own 3 winter coats, 1 suede jacket, 2 leather jackets, 1 down-filled ski jacket and a slew of thick sweaters. Contrary to popular belief, jackets are different from coats. A jacket is lightweight and meant for those breezy, not so warm days. A coat is made of wool and used on the nipple chiller days - you know, those "colder than a witche's tit" days.

So today on the land crab, I noticed folks in all manners of dress - mostly scrubs since I was heading to the medical center. People wear fleece and shiver, leather and shiver and nothing at all and shiver. Hello people, it's winter - it was probably 48 degrees by the time I got on the train. I only have on a long sleeve shirt and pants and frankly I needed a jacket! But these other folk - I don't know their excuses...wearing jackets and pulling on the sleeves because their hands are cold, women wearing men's hats - good lawd. Someone should take them all on a field trip to Burlington Coat Factory and show these yokels what winter clothes look like.

It's global warming - our temperatures have been changing for the past 10 years. Hello, it snowed here twice within 4 years - something's going on.

A piece of advice I offer to you...buy a COAT, a pair of gloves, a nice scarf, and if you must don a chapeau - make it stylish for your head - not mannish!

Merry Christmas

A girl can dream!!! Mele Kalikimaka!

Venting

College students are not as intelligent as we think they should be (use your own adjective) - that's a given...or maybe I'm just old...that's probably more the truth.

But today's vent is directed at, yet again, my Minorities Professor. Granted this course was to implore us to overcome our own prejudices held against minorities by gleaming a small, but informative, piece of their history and culture. In my opinion, that's a fair goal for the course. However, yesterday was it! Thank goodness it was the last official day of class.

The ignorance that comes out of this man's mouth just floors me. As a "professor", he is supposed to be full of knowledge based on his learning experience. But yet, he, himself, can not get past his own prejudices. To say that Tookie Williams was undeserving of the noble prize (yes, we are entitled to our opinions) is LUDICROUS!!!! A man who, unfortunately was the founder of the most heinous gang in LA, attempted to right the wrong from jail. He worked on decreasing jail violence and counseled gang members as they entered/existed the system.

To further imply that the genocide in Darfur did not get the "airplay" it deserved in the US news is another moronic statement. Even today, the NY Times has a section dedicated to each continent. If we want news from Sri Lanka, there are places on the web to get the news. I have been abreast of the events happening on the African continent as well as events happening right here in my town. Granted, our news is slanted, but it is still news.

It is pointless to argue with him since he his belief that women shouldn't be as educated as men. I know I intimidate him and that's ok with me. The semester is over. I only have to return to take the exam. Give me my "A" and we can move on peacefully - he in his ignorance, I in my satisifaction in knowing that I am not as ignorant as he.

Thankful

With the passing of Thanksgiving, it affords us time to reflect on what we are thankful for. In these harsh times of a devastating economy, an unjust war, increase in poverty and crime, being thankful is almost criminal in itself.

If so, then I will gladly commit the crime. I am thankful for my family - my natural and my absorbed. I call parts of my family absorbed since, technically, we are closer than friends but not family. They are sisters I can call on when I need to vent, cry, yell, laugh or when they need me to do the same.

I am thankful that even after Ike, I still have a solid roof over my head (no blue tarps) and that I can pay my mortgage on time.

I am thankful that this semester is almost over and that I will finally, after ______ years will have completed my undergrad degree.

I am thankful that it has taken me ______ years to complete my degree because this has allowed me to FINALLY realize what I want to do with the rest of my life and how I can make an impact upon the world.

I am thankful that it has taken me ____ years to complete my degree because the time has allowed me to experience events that I will take with me for a lifetime (almost all of them good experiences).

I am thankful that I have a wonderful man in my life. He brightens my days and warms my nights (except when it's 80 degrees at midnight, then there's no need for warmth). He talks with me and to me. He keeps me grounded, but allows me to dream.

I am thankful that I have the opportunity to voice my disgust, my joys, my aspirations, my fears without repercussions or detention.

I am simply thankful for this year, the year of the Rat, my year! I have tried to live within its full potential and experience all that I can.

I am hopeful that next year will be just as great, if not better, than this year.

Image courtesy of: http://sarahheidt.mennonite.net/.cWcustom/shop/products_new.php?page=3