I love a good book

I read a really good book this weekend: "If I Am Missing Or Dead," by first-time author Janine Latus. The book was a true story about sisters who grew up living in a Catholic family with a father who only thought a woman's only value was her appearance. He was always commenting on whether the girls were fat or dumpy looking and about the size of their breasts. As if that wasn't bad enough, he would frequently kiss his daughters on their mouths, hug them in a molester-like way and basically making the girls dread being around their father.

The book was well-written, but it was very sad. It told the story of these women who grew up with a father who was worthless, and then moved on to be in relationships with men who were verbally, emotionally and physically abusive. One daughter grew up very overweight, while the author grew up obsessed with weight and ended up marrying a man who was obsessed about her weight. He would frequently force his wife to dress short of a prostitute in public all in an effort to make people stare and make him feel important.

The author was so lacking in self esteem that she would, and did, do anything to please the man. She did the same for the man in her previous relationship; she eventually left him after he beat the crap out of her during a ski vacation.

I found myself in a constant state of sadness and disgust as I read the book. Disgust at how these women stayed with men who were so abusive, and sad because of the ending. The author's sister would eventually be killed by her live-in boyfriend. Sadly, she knew this would happen. She had left a note taped to her desk at work informing those who cared for her that if she ever became missing or dead, her boyfriend would be the person to suspect.

HELLO: RED FLAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You don't need to be in a relationship with a person if you have to leave such a letter for your family and friends to find.

I feel better now that I've gotten that off my chest.

I can't wait until winter break so I can read a few more good books.

Where am I?

I haven't written in such a long time that I have forgotten my blog address. How DUH is that?????

I feel kind of braindead, or brainfried. My poor brain has been on overload. I will be soooooo excited when this semester is over and I get a brief break from school. I enjoy school, but I need a little break.

Anyway, I'm very excited that Barack Obama is our next president. I hope and pray that no idiot assassinates him. Unfortunately, I don't have very much faith in people.

I am happy that I was able to be a part of what will go down in history as one of the most significant happenings of my lifetime.

History in the making

As I sit here, watching television, I can't believe that the United States has come this far. From a country that had slaves - and still has many racial hurdles to overcome - I'm watching a man with half of his making as black possibly become president.

I honestly never thought I would see this in my lifetime. Sure, slavery is illegal and all that. But race is still a huge factor in this country, both quiet and spoken.

I feel so proud to be able to be part of this history. I voted at 8 a.m. and was voter 116; I couldn't have been happier. I was so excited that I could not stand still as I waited in line. I was actually so excited that I messed up the first time and had to get a new ballot.

Do I think Barack Obama is going to save the world? No.
I do think that he will be such a breathe of fresh air, something new.

I'm just so excited about it all.

Where is that Candid Camera?

OK, so there are times when I see people and I wonder what the heck they were thinking when they left their house. I wonder if they own mirror. Some cases make me wonder if the Candid Camera show is filming in my town or something.

A recent trip to Walmart had me doing a double-take. I saw two females who appeared to be in their early 20's dressed in jeans that had to be painted on, and tank-top shirts that were just as tight. This would be tacky if the girls were size 2; they were more like size 22.

Let me just say that I am a big girl myself. However, I have enough sense to keep my bulges covered. I don't wear pants that are so tight that the cellulite on my legs show. GROSS.

I stood in line waiting to be checked out, all the while looking around to find out where the Candid Camera cameras could have been hidden.

I had no success.

The funniest part of the scene wasn't the audacity of the two females. Instead, I got a pretty good chuckle from the fact that they were in line to get giant pretzels.

I'm not against being fat; I am a good 60 pounds overweight myself. My goal for myself is to be healthy. In the meantime, I'll be covering by bulges. I know everybody isn't going to be a size 2. However, there is a such thing in covering your ass when you go out in public.
Seriously.

What is your purpose?

I thing God put everyone on Earth for a reason. We must be here for a good reason and not just to take up space, breathe some air, eat some food and scurry about.

Some people may live their entire lives without really knowing what that meaning is. I don't know if everyones purpose comes knocking at their front door. I think one must search for their meaning.

I think my meaning is helping children. I want to make sure children understand the importance of getting an education. It is heartbreaking to see children who have parents who don't make sure they go to school. It is a parent's job to look after their children, make sure they're doing their homework, really have a constant presence in their educational life, as well as all the other parts.

Being a child once, I know that running around and having a good time is the thing to do. But like other people I know, I wish I could take the knowledge I have now and start from the beginning. What a difference life's lessons would make.

Rather than wallowing in what can't be, I think I can help children of today. So my goal is to seek out those children and do my best to express the importance of education -- without sounding like an overbearing parent.

My body hurts

I don't think I've ever felt the type of physical pain that I do now. I finally dragged my big butt to the gym after months of not going, and after months of eating not-so-good food.

Going to the gym was not the bad part; taking direction from trainer Zack was the excruciating part. I'm pretty sure every part of my body is aching. From my thighs to my arms, shoulders, abs and parts of my back, my body is in some serious pain. The only encouraging thing about the workout was the fact that Zack was very nice to look at. Zack happens to be my sister's boyfriend. Man is she lucky because he is hot and so very nice, polite and well-spoken. Yummy. Like licking the bowl after making a batch of brownies.

I must go and stand in steaming-hot shower.

Another year has passed

I missed the Harvest Homecoming parade today. It is a tradition for me and my younger sister to walk hand-in-hand during New Albany's annual kick-off to the Harvest Homecoming festival. The parade isn't any big show or anything, but it's something that me and my sister did together. We especially loved the people-watching. Unfortunately, circumstances prevented us both from going to the parade. She insists that we'll go to the booth days, but it's just not the same.

I can't believe the hottest part of the summer is over and the fall is here. I guess the Harvest Homecoming has always been a mark that the seasons are changing, which is something I always enjoyed.