human-ness

So, my mind and my heart have recently been focused on how unkindly and unfairly some groups of people are treated.
1. I read The Help and although it's fiction, it's historical fiction and you can bet those stories really occurred between some white women and their "help." The segregation laws were very much real.
2.I recently watched an Oprah episode where she returned to a small town 20 years later after doing an episode about a young gay man with AIDS and the city's reaction to him jumping into a public pool. It was shocking to me to hear a man say "they should all be shipped to their own island so they can whittle down their own kind." Seriously?! What was almost more appalling was that views in that town hadn't changed much in 20 years.
3.I have heard bits and pieces of the debate over the Muslim center being built near Ground Zero...I listen until I get frustrated, which isn't too long.

I'm thankful to live in a time where people can drink out of whatever water fountain they want, people with AIDS (or cancer or even a prosthetic leg) can swim in a public pool without being ridiculed on national TV.

I'm sad and baffled that some people forget or don't want to remember that when we all lay down at night to go to bed, that we're someone's daughter, sister, father, uncle, or friend. We're human beings and we're way more alike than we are different. We all eat food, we all like to be comfortable, we all want to belong, to be valued, and to count.

Someone posted the Washington Post article below on Facebook and I think I read it about 4 times while simultaneously clapping. It made me think back to my graduate classes, and one in particular: Diversity. I loved this class. I loved how it pushed everyone's boundaries. I loved how it made me think and rethink and rethink again. I loved how it opened my eyes to other people's lives and struggles. I loved that it made me want to do better. The article inspired me to look back at my own "journal" entries from that class. We had readings each night and several guest speakers throughout the course of the class. Our assignment each night was to write a journal entry (for a grade) about the day's class discussions and readings. I have put one of my journal entries below the WP article.

Here's the Washington Post article:
Dear Muslims, let's all agree to reject hatred
By Kathleen Parker
Sunday, September 12, 2010

Dear Muslim World,

I am writing you today as an American citizen who is deeply embarrassed by current events in my country.

First, let me say that I am not representing anyone. I can't claim to speak for anyone but myself, though I am certain that many others feel as I do.

I want to address the current controversy over the proposed Islamic center and mosque near Ground Zero and the so-called "pastor" in Florida who had been threatening to burn a Koran.

I'll begin with the easier of the two: Please ignore Pastor Terry Jones. I wish we had. He may live in the United States. He may have a building with a cross on it and call it a church. And he may know 50 or so people who care what he says, but he's nobody. His threat to burn a Koran was a desperate attempt to get attention and nothing more.

Anyone can call himself a pastor, but there's a reason Jones leads such a tiny congregation. We have a long tradition in this country of letting people speak their thoughts in public, but we don't take many of them very seriously. We laugh at characters like Jones but figure it's better to let fools reveal themselves in the light of day than to let them fester in the dark.

I know this is hard to understand. We have trouble with it sometimes, too. Freedom is a messy affair, and sometimes people get their feelings hurt but we think the trade-off is worth the aggravation.

What we hope you understand is that most Americans were appalled by Jones's proposal, too. Many of us would like for him to crawl back under his rock and stay there, never to be heard from again. Alas, our laws do not forbid stupidity. A few decades ago, Jones would be standing on a fruit crate on a street corner, where children would point at him and be scolded by their parents: "It's not nice to make fun of crazy people." Today, thanks to the miracle of mass communication, he can command a broad, if undeserved, audience.

What our laws do not require, of course, is that we give him our attention, and that's where we have failed each other and ourselves. As a member of the news media, I am sorry that we handed him a megaphone, and I apologize. Please be patient. In a few days, he will be forgotten.

Of more pressing concern, and less easily resolved, is the controversy in this country about the proposed Islamic cultural center in Manhattan. I understand the sensitivity, as I'm sure many of you do. When we were attacked by terrorists nine years ago, our hearts were broken. They still are.

Nevertheless, we don't hold all Muslims responsible for what happened any more than all Christians should be held responsible for what Pastor Jones has been saying. Muslims also died when the World Trade Center towers collapsed. To say that an Islamic center can't be built near Ground Zero is to say that all Muslims are to blame. I don't think that most Americans believe this, even though a majority now say that they would prefer the center be built elsewhere.

This can't be explained rationally because this is purely an emotional response. Obviously, Muslims have the same right to worship when and where they please, just as any other group in America. The same rules of tolerance that allow a Florida pastor to preach his message also allow Muslims to preach theirs.

We may never be able to agree on some things. That is life. But let us all agree to some terms. Let's agree not to tolerate hatred -- toward Muslims, Jews, Christians, atheists or any others. Let's agree not to use inflammatory language. Let's agree to call out and condemn those who would incite riot, whether it's an imam who orders the death of a cartoonist or the preacher who wants to burn another man's holy book.

Let's agree that sometimes we will disagree but that none of this makes any sense if worshiping the creator means we must destroy each other in the process. Anyone who believes in God can't also believe that his divine plan included his creation's mutual destruction.

Peace be upon us all. Or as we say around here, God bless.

Sincerely,

An American

My journal entry
6.23.08

Well I am just eating up the information I’m learning about other religions, particularly the Muslim faith that I read about tonight. I knew a few bits of trivia about it, but feel so much more informed having read two different pieces about the faith. I did not know that Islam believed any parts of Christianity, let alone that the two religions share quite a bit of history. I can’t help but wonder how many Christians are aware of this…
In reading and reflecting, I thought a lot about the current state of politics and prejudices against Muslims. I find it sad, and honestly a bit ignorant, that people can hold an entire group of people accountable for something done by a handful of individuals who happened to be members of their faith…or claimed to be. There is no arguing that since 9/11 Muslim people have been the targets of profiling by officials and also citizens. The last time I was at the airport, I watched as an older couple, who I presumed to be Muslim, remove their shoes and had their bags searched. I remember feeling sorry for them…they were suffering the consequences of people’s actions they had never met.
I realize I’m coming at this journal entry with more of a racial/cultural discussion than a religious one. But as I read about the history and practice of Islam, no where did I read that followers were expected to fly planes into buildings, carry out suicide bombings, or plot to kill mass amounts of people-usually Americans. I don’t-but I do-understand why an entire religious culture is essentially punished for the crimes and malevolence of a small number of people. Is it just easier to place blame that way? Is it easier to make sense of tragedy when you can blame someone or a group of people that is still alive; that way you can fight the enemy? And is America really all that more protected by having all, although racial profiling “doesn’t exist”, Muslim-looking people go through intense scrutiny? Does anyone think to ask what religion they are affiliated with? I think a lot of religious assumptions are made, and are made based on looks. I am positive that there are white Americans who practice Islam, but are they made to go through extra security measures at airports? Who’s to say they are any less likely than the next Muslim to cause mass harm and panic to a group of people?
With all the disappointment behind those questions, there is hope after reading the article about Reza Aslan. As the author says, he is one of the “great hopes for Muslims to take back the faith…” This article brings about the question; can one person really change the world? Well, most likely, the answer is no. But, he can bring some awareness, advocacy, and education to people who are willing to listen. And he can encourage others like him to follow in his footsteps.
Do I think the Muslim faith will ever be fairly judged again? Not in my lifetime. But I can hope that when people allow their eyes to be opened a little bit, and their minds challenged even just slightly, that the followers of Islam may get a little bit more of a fair chance to practice their faith and be members of the human race.

must read

Read this book:
It just might change your life. Or at least make you think a little more about life and people and kindness and relationships and what you didn't learn in history classes. It will run you through the gamut of emotions, all for the better.

Best of luck putting it down once you start.

(more) lyrics i like

...I need more than a truth to believe
I need a truth that lives, moves, and breathes
To sweep me off my feet

Its gotta be
More like falling in love
Than something to believe in
More like losing my heart
Than giving my allegiance...

(Just a snippit of the song "More Like Falling In Love" by Jason Gray)

just in case you've been wondering

This house: Was even cuter and better in person. I know, I know...how is that even possible??? A-the living room set up was better and cozier than the pictures were able to show. B-the kitchen was way bigger (and has a huge pantry) than in the picture. C-the owners had lit a little candle on the porch for ambiance...cute! D-I got to go inside and dream.

must.make.now.

Thanks to the wonderful world of blog stalking, I can keep up with the lives of complete strangers as well as old friends from middle school. This recipe come from latter (here's her blog: http://immeasurablymoore.blogspot.com).

Now, let me tell you, for a girl who really doesn't like to eat things that come from a can, and for a girl who likes creamy white foods almost less, this recipe ROCKS! Definitely a good Sunday night, eat off of it all week keeper. Thanks, Sarah!

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
4-5 chicken breasts
1 can RoTel
2 cans cream soup (I use 1 mushroom & 1 chicken)
3 Cups grated cheese
1 tsp. ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder
salt & pepper
8 oz. sour cream
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1 Serrano pepper, seeded, de-veined and chopped (optional)
1/2 onion, chopped
12+ flour tortillas

1. Cook thawed chicken breasts in the crockpot with RoTel & seasonings on low for 4-6 hours. (or until cooked through & very tender.) Drain excess liquid and using 2 forks, shred chicken.
2. While chicken cooks, saute peppers & onion.
3. Mix shredded chicken with remaining ingredients, reserving 1 cup cheese.
4. Spoon mixture into tortillas, roll them up and place seam side down into a greased 9x13 pan. Spread remaining mixture over tortillas and top with cheese.
5. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

*Because Bobby's more adventurous than me, he wanted to add some of the RoTel "juice and tomatoes" from the Crock Pot to the shredded chicken/cream/cheese mixture. I stepped aside from my OCD, recipe-following self and let him. It was a good adventure.
*I used 4 chicken breasts and had plenty-our enchiladas were huge!

very superstitious

Yesterday was Friday the 13th. Never before have I believed in bad luck on this day or been the least bit superstitious...however, after yesterday I might be a bit swayed. Like they say about deaths, my bad luck came in threes.

1. My blow dryer died about 5 seconds after turning it on yesterday morning. It just so happened that I'd gotten my hair cut the day before, by a brand new person, and I had a lot of new layers that needed to be fiddled with and styled. Scratch that plan; my hair spent the day in a ponytail with bobbypins. Luckily it was a super casual day at work.

2. Once I got to work with my semi-wet, semi-dry hair, I realized I'd left my phone at home. Obviously I knew I'd survive just fine without it, but I couldn't help but feel a bit off until I got home. On the upside, I was way productive because I had no phone to play with.

3. We stopped by Target on the way to dinner so that I could replace my deceased blow dryer. While in the checkout line I realized my wallet was not in my purse and was instead at my house. Luckily my sugar daddy was there to pick up the tab.

I ended this less than stellar day with a highly tasty frozen margarita, which helped everything.

welcome mat

Yeah...I want to put one of those on this front porch reaaaaal bad. Like I look at this house everyday online bad. Like I tried to figure out how I could possibly live in it immediately bad. Like I drove by tonight(twice) and called Bobby to remind him how much I love it bad. Like we talked again 20 minutes later so I could reiterate my affection for it (and reiterate the cute neighborhood sightings I saw on my stalking trip: a group of little boys playing football outside, families at the park, men mowing their lawns) bad. Like I'm about as hyper as after I have a Mountain Dew bad. Like I told him I'm driving him by it tomorrow night so he can see for himself bad (that'd be 3 drive-bys in 24 hours...if you're counting). Like I'm counting on getting to see the inside on Wednesday night bad. Like my obsession with Adam Lambert bad.

How cute/darling/perfect/charming/lovely/warm/friendly/inviting is this house: Hello beautiful shade of purple, I'm in love with you and your chair railing. Oh and built-in white bar, I love you just as much.

Hello front living room where I would spend so much of my time watching jealous people drive by.

eye-opening

But when we can manage to get a picture with his eyes open, boy is he good looking.

(Add a spiffy white dinner jacket and my little Great Gatsby knocks my socks off.)

my favorite go-to

More Vegetable Than Egg Frittata (serves 4)

2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, sliced
4 C mixed vegetables (I've used sliced Swiss chard, cut-up asparagus, diced zucchini, and/or cut-up green beans)
*1 tsp salt
1/4 C fresh basil leaves (optional)
3 eggs
1/2 C freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

1. Put 1 tablespoon of the oil in 12" nonstick skillet over medium heat. When hot, add onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add vegetables and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Raise heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Adjust heat as necessary so vegetables brown a little without scorching.
2. Turn heat to low when vegetables are nearly done and add basil, if using. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pan is almost dry, up to 5 minutes longer for wetter ingredients such as mushrooms.
3. Beat eggs and cheese (if using) in bowl while vegetables cook. Season with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Pour in eggs, using a spoon if necessary to distribute them evenly. cook, undisturbed, until eggs are barely set, about 10 minutes. Run under the broiler for a minute or two to brown very slightly.
4. Cut into wedges and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

*I use my favorite Parmesan cheese from Central Market, which is already pretty salty (and SO good!!!!). I thought a teaspoon of salt made it waaaay too salty the first time I made it, so now I only use 1/4-1/2 teaspoon total.

If you're getting cheese (or really anything else delicious at Central Market), I would recommend grabbing a yummy loaf of bread there too. A slice of good bread, a salad, and a slice of frittata: delicious!!

I don't do bugs

If this sweet animal brings one more of these inside

she will be looking for a new home.

P.S.-The bug is a picture I found online; I did not take the time to snap a picture of any of them in the midst of trying to keep the cat away while I shoveled the giant things back outside.