Grades!!

So I know most of my grades so far this semester. I took 5 classes:

Math
Music
Art
Gender & Women's Studies
Biology

I know I got an A in Art & Biology. I got a B in Math and Music. It could go either way in Gender & Women's Studies. I don't like to get B's, but those math and music classes kicked my butt and I'm very happy with my B grades!

How did YOU do? (If you are in school)

Ellen Page & Michael Cera

(Image taken by: Jeff Lipsky)

Ellen Page

You know her from...
Juno (2007)
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

See her next in...
Smart People (released April 11, 2008)




Image Source

Michael Cera

You know him from...
Arrested Development (2003 - 2006)
Juno (2007)
Superbad (2007)

See him next in...
Year One (2009)

Juno

I had heard mixed reviews about this movie. Some people loved it, some people - not so much. So I didn't have really high expectations, I was just interested.

After having seen it, I understand both sides, but I fall on the side of loving it. And I have 2 reasons: Ellen Page and Michael Cera. I think with any other 2 people, the movie would have come off as trying too hard. BUT, because I really think that the two of them are effortlessly quirky in a very genuine way, I instead just thought it was wonderful. Very sweet.

Having had a couple of friends who got pregnant before they were planning on it, it was a situation I understood. I also think Diablo Cody (who wrote the screenplay) is adorable, has a very interesting story, and I want to see and read all of her stuff. I just think taking a situation like that and making it witty, funny, charming, sweet, relate-able and still moving really takes something that not everybody has. I commend all involved.

Overall, definitely worth seeing whether you end up loving it or not. And you may not. But it's okay I think. It's just one of those movies.

Celebrity Update...

Amy Poehler's eggo is preggo.
(I loved Juno, by the way.)

Uncle Jessie's wife is going to be the mom on the new 90210 spinoff!



Desperate Housewives is taking a cue from One Tree Hill and will possibly be jumping forward 5 years next season! And Edie may be out!!



I love Scarlett Johansson, but her new song and video are terrible.

Eeewwwwwwww!!!!!

This is so wrong.

This guy locked up his daughter in a secret room off of his basement on August 24, 1984! That was 5 days before I was born! This girl has lived in that room for the entire time I have been alive!! She had 7 children by him. 3 of them lived in the basement with her.

Insane.

Disturbing.

Free Coldplay Song!! One Week Only!!

The new Coldplay song is available to download for free at their site for one week only!

It began today at 7:15am Eastern time.

Go download it!!

Election 2008

Interesting. I'm pretty much just ready to be done and know who wins the nomination and who I'm voting for in the November elections. I'm registered Independent, so I can't vote in the primaries. I'll just be voting for the democrat in November because that's where I fall in the majority - although I don't believe anyone can really be strictly one or the other.

But seriously, Democrat or Republican, Obama, Clinton or McCain, just get educated and VOTE in November. Like I've said before, if you don't vote, you forfeit your right to have an opinion about anything that happens after that.

VOTE!!!!

Crazy Artwork

Image Source

Okay, I'm all about some interesting and unique artwork, BUT, this abortion girl, this crazy sex guy and this death as art guy really need to just go away. They make me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

That's not art. It's really messed up.

Grrrrr

Image Source

So it's been a long and crazy couple of weeks. I've been doing homework to the point where I just want to rip all the pages out of all my textbooks and burn them. Working full time and going to school full time is fine during the semester, but during finals week and the week right before, it's too much. But there's not really anything I can do about it. Unless you all want to give me money for entertaining you with my blog and then I can just go to school full time.

Any takers?

But I just typed in "Grrrr" into google because i like to see what images come up for stuff like that and the one above came up. And actually it made my day a little better.

How are all of your finals?

Lately,

PostSecret

My dad came over yesterday and helped me with my Zine which I have been telling you all about for a while now. We finished it about 9:30 last night. It is AWESOME. I think I possibly would have had an aneurysm if my dad hadn't come over because it was the final big project after a weekend of nothing but homework and I couldn't organize my thoughts into anything that made sense.

That's twice in one week that my dad and I have hung out together. He's pretty great. Sometimes I wonder if he knows how much I admire him. He has overcome a lot in his life and has an inner strength that I don't even think he fully understands. Anyway, we were making my Zine - cutting & pasting pictures from magazines - and there were just lots of things that made me realize that some of my best qualities came from him. It was a good day. And it reminded me of that PostSecret up there!

Oh, and also he bought me the BuffyBot doll - which is AWESOME!!!


My brother is a 12-year old hyper kid again which brings a lot of peace to my heart right now.

Lewis' sister is moving to Lexington which makes me very happy because I think we could be great friends.

I'm almost finished with school (for the semester) and I think I'm going to do okay - except for my Math class - ugh.

Lewis and I are going on a date on Thursday to Miyako & to see a movie. Yay!!

Oh, and Crystal has a blog.

Botox

Image Source

I don't really care one way or the other if people want to get Botox.
It's sort of just whatever for me.

BUT, if you are going to get it...read this.
You might change your mind.
[New studies prove that the "active agent in wrinkle fix-it Botox, botulinum toxin, can travel along neurons from the injection site and into the brain."]

Me & My Dad

Image Source

I had class tonight until 8 and then I went to my parent's house because in my class I had been painting that Abbey Road Beatles picture for my dad! I finished it tonight and I couldn't wait to bring it to him!!

Well, I ended up hanging out over there for a couple of hours. My dad & I burned cd's and talked about music. I even got to show him a couple of bands that he had never heard of!! (Which is SO rare if you know my dad...) I was supposed to do some math homework tonight, but I didn't. But you know, I think those couple of hours with my dad built up my life more than a couple of hours doing math homework. Maybe I'll get a B in math, but I got an A in Father/Daughter bonding!! haha. But seriously.

Online Dance Battle

So I kinda love this...

Online Dance War!!! Watch them all, it's awesome. I will post more if they do more.


The Challenge:



Miley & Mandy respond:

Let's have a little lesson...

For anyone who plans on having sex but isn't quite ready for a baby...

I am in a Gender and Women's Studies class right now and we recently had a big discussion of reproductive rights. Abortion tends to dominate all discussions of reproductive rights, but I am not interested in debating or even really discussing with any of you about your views on abortion (at least definitely not on my blog), but I do believe we should make a point that access to effective and affordable birth control is of the utmost importance at this point. If nothing else, EDUCATION about effective birth control is important. So, let's talk...

Option 1: Intrauterine Device (IUD)
Small piece of plastic with copper inside it that is inserted into the uterus. It prevents implantation of a fertilized egg. It lasts up to 10 years, can result in heavier periods, and may increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease among women with multiple sexual partners. IUDs do NOT protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
(Reportedly 99.9% effective)



Option 2: Hormone Regulation Methods
The pill
An Oral contraceptive that contains combinations of two hormones: progestin and estrogen. Side effects include nausea, weight gain, breast tenderness, and headaches. Usually work by preventing a woman's ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation). They also thicken the cervical mucus, which keeps sperm from joining with an egg.
(Reportedly typical use - 92% effective, but perfect (daily, same time) use - 99.7% effective)
The minipill
Contains no estrogen and a small dose of progestin and has fewer side effects than a regular pill, and it works by thickening cervical mucus and/or preventing ovulation.


Norplant
A contraceptive device that lasts 5 years. Six flexible capsules are inserted beneath the skin on the upper arm where they release progestin to suppress ovulation. Implants are continuous long-lasting birth control without sterilization and can be used by women who cannot take estrogen. The ability to become pregnant returns quickly when use is stopped. They implants can cause irregular bleeding and the possibility of pain and scarring upon removal.
(Reportedly 99.9% effective)


Depo-provera
An injection of synthetic hormones that suppress ovulation for 11 to 13 months. There are similar side effects as the pill, including depression and heavier, more frequent periods. The effects are not easily reversible and it may take up to a year before a woman is fertile again.
(Reportedly 97 - 99.7% effective)


NuvaRing
Flexible, transparent ring about 3 inches in diameter that is inserted vaginally once a month. It releases a continuous dose of estrogen and progestin. It remains inserted in the vagina for 21 days and then is removed and discarded and a new ring inserted.
(Reportedly 92 - 99.7% effective)




Option 3: Barrier Methods

Diaphragm, Cervical Cap, Shield
Barrier methods that are inserted into the vagina before intercourse. They fit over the cervix and prevent sperm from entering the uterus. They work in conjunction with spermicide jelly that is placed around the rim of the device.
(Reportedly 84 - 94% effective)


Spermicide
Jelly used with items above. Spermicidal foam is inserted into the vagina with a small plunger. Unlike many other methods, spermicides are available at any drugstore. These (and the items above) work best when used in conjunction with a condom. Much less effective when used alone.
(When used alone, reportedly 74 - 80% effective)

Condom
Male condom is a latex rubber tube that is unrolled on the penis. The female condom is a floppy polyurethane tube with an inner ring at the closed end that fits over the cervix and an outer ring at the open end that hangs outside the vagina. Condoms block sperm from entering the vagina. Condoms are the only form of contraception that offers prevention against sexually transmitted diseases generally and HIV/AIDS in particular. All health care providers emphasize that individuals not in a mutually monogamous sexual relationship should always use condoms.
(Reportedly 85 - 98% effective)




Option 4: Emergency Contraception Pills (ECPs)
Used after unprotected heterosexual intercourse. Commonly known as the "morning-after pill." ECPs are effective if taken up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse, although they are most effective if taken within 12 hours. They provide a high dose of the same hormones in birth control pills to prevent ovulation and fertilization. They DO NOT terminate a pregnancy, but rather PREVENT one from occurring. They are available by prescription only.
(Reportedly 74 - 89% effective, depending on how quickly they are taken)


Basically, for whatever reason, just get educated about birth control. The best way to prevent abortions is to use birth control to prevent unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. Although, not all unplanned pregnancies are unwanted! Just be safe!! Ask your gynecologist, your mother, your teacher, your friend. Ask!!


(I took some of the descriptions for these things word-for-word from my GWS book. It's is called Women's Voices Feminist Visions and it's by Susan M. Shawn and Janet Lee.)

Returning THIS WEEK!!!

Are you ready........

TONIGHT - Desperate Housewives returns at 9pm!



MONDAY - Bones returns at 8pm!



MONDAY - One Tree Hill returns at 9pm!



I am so pumped!!!

Jim Caviezel

Jim Caviezel is going to be at Southland Christian Church in Lexington April 26-27.

If you live anywhere close, come see him! He is promoting the Word of Promise New Testament on Audio.

PostSecret 4-13-2008

PostSecret

I've Been Recruited...

So my blog friend Jessica has recruited me to post some stuff for her blog! I pretty much will be posting about tv shows, movies, upcoming movie/dvd releases, AMERICAN IDOL, magazines, etc. And whatever other fun tidbits I may want to write about that I think applies to her blog.

Anyway, check it out!! I haven't posted anything yet because I'm having minor freak-outs trying to get my homework done, but I will!

Yay!!!

Friends With Blogs

Let's go through my list on the right.

A Daugherty
This is Mandy. I actually met her through blogging, although we know a lot of the same people, both having grown up in Jessamine County.

Adam Spradling
Adam is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet in your life. I met him at Crossroads and he spent a LOT of time helping Lewis' band when that was all still going on. Lewis and I are very blessed to call him a friend.

Clray
That's my mom. She never updates her blog, but she reads mine and a lot of my friend's blogs! She is a kindergarten teacher.

Come Walk Beside Me
This is my mom's friend Betty. Her son is Miles who I also link to and we will talk about later. Betty grew up with my mom and I have many many memories of going to visit the Barger's (wherever they were living at that point).

Diary of a Not-So-Dumb Blonde
Katie and I graduated high school together. We were never super-close, but she was always someone I considered a friend. She is very sweet and I'm happy we have reconnected through the blogging.

E Worsham Johnson
Emily is one of my oldest and best friends. We met through her brother, Fred, who was in my class in 6th grade. Emily and I really started hanging out in the summer after I was in 6th grade and she was in 4th grade at Equestrian Woods pool. She now lives in Vegas and I miss her, but am so happy for where God is taking her and her husband Nate together.

Gravy and Biscuits
I met Jessica exclusively through blogging. We have never met in person, but we are friends on our blogs, on Facebook and on Myspace. Just one example of how blogging can bring people together!!

Inspired By a True Story
Brooke is another one of my best friends. She is so funny and sweet and not sweet when she needs to be and talented and I could go on and on. She also takes fabulous pictures and loves to read even more than I do!

Jennifer Cochran
Another friend from high school and from Crossroads that I reconnected with through the blogging. I love it! She is a new aunt!!

M Worsham
Megan is E Worsham Johnson's cousin, so we met through her. I think Megan is hilarious and I love keeping in touch with her through her blog.

Miles Barger
Miles is Betty's son who I talked about earlier. Like I said, we pretty much grew up seeing each other a couple of times a year because our mothers have been friends forever!

Mimsy's Musings
This is Maria's best friend, Emily. (We both have a best friend, Emily - how cute is that?) Emily and I met through Maria and were also members of Crossroads.

More of the Same
Matt Jump. I just posted about him and why I have linked to his blog. Check it out below.

Ria's Rhetoric
Maria, Maria, Maria. We have been friends since high school. I have probably laughed more with Maria than with most people I know. We have lots of stories and I am happy to call her my friend!

Sara Jane
I met Sara Jane through blogging. She is friends with my friend Tina and we met through reading each other's blogs!

Step on Me (and Stephanie's World)
These are both Stephanie's blogs. She was one of Emily's roommates when she went to Indiana University. I think she is really funny and I love hearing what she has to say. Stephanie's World is documenting her trip to Spain last summer!!

Susan Toups
Susan is actually my boss at work now, but she is my friend, too. I met her through Emily. Emily worked with her for co-op during high school when Susan worked at Southland. Susan now works at Winterwood. Susan is one of the most colorful people I know. I don't know any other way to put that. I admire her a lot.

The Heart of a Janine
This is my friend Janine. We met because at one point she was dating the lead singer of a band and I was married to the lead singer of a band, so we had a lot in common! We are both super busy with school now, but I still consider her a good friend. But she never really updates her blog anymore.

TheVegas
This is Emily & her husband Nate in Vegas.

Tina M Howard
Tina and I graduated high school together. She never updates her blog anymore either, but I wish she would because I think she has lots of cool things to say!!

Travis Whalen
Travis is one of Emily's husband Nate's best friends. He started working at Winterwood about six months ago and then left us about a month ago to accept a position in ministry in Indiana. Travis is one of my favorite people ever and I am really sad I don't see him at work everyday anymore, but I'm so happy for his future plans (he's getting married in November!!) and I like to keep up with him on his blog....WHEN he posts.

Welcome to the Hellmouth
This is just because I have an overwhelming obsession with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I need an outlet for it. But with work, school, husband, friends, this blog, actually WATCHING Buffy and other tv shows, I find that I don't really have time to update that one. But I keep the url because in the future, I WILL post.

Wes Johnson
Wes is Emily's brother-in-law. He also works at Winterwood with me. He has a new baby Blake and loves to blog about him!

Yoli's Iron
This is Stephanie's sister's blog. She has a lot of interesting things to say! I started reading her blog because of some stuff she commented on Emily's blog, but I've never actually met her in person.


So, there you go! Those are all my blog links and why I linked to them as my personal friends.

Now, GO READ THEIR BLOGS!!

I Just Found Out...

Matt Jump has a blog!! Matt Jump and I have known each other since we were 5. His mom has been my mom's teaching assistant at school for pretty much my whole life I think. We lost touch when I was ripped from public school to go to private school (a decision which, I must admit, was the best one for me). But I'll always have a special place in my heart for the Jump clan.

I knew about his Haiti blog, which you all should read.

But I did NOT know about his other blog, which you also all should read.



(I wonder if it embarrasses people when I find out about their blogs and then make posts like this...??)
(I also wonder if those few of you who I didn't do this for when I found out about your blogs are going to be mad now...I need to make a new post about all my friends with blogs...)

MyBlogLog

I'm trying out something new on my blog. In the righthand column, I've added MyBlogLog. Join my community so I can see how this works and if we ALL like it, then I'll keep it! And if it's not as cool as it seems, then I'll delete it.

Give me feedback in the future!!

Thanks!!

YouTube videos

YouTube videos make me feel like I'm not alone in my dorkiness.


Buffy & Angel - With or Without You




Buffy & Angel - Wonderwall




Buffy & Spike - What Hurts the Most




Bones & Booth - Open Your Eyes

My Zine

So I've decided on the 12 women I am going to highlight in my Zine for my Gender & Women's Studies class. They are in no way an exhaustive list of those I think are most important, just a list of interesting women who have exhibited strength in their various areas of expertise. What do you think?

(In no particular order)


1. Angelina Jolie - celebrity & ambassador


2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer - fictional character


3. Ellen Degeneres - talk show host, celebrity & gay rights advocate


4. Hilary Clinton - politician


5. Jane Austen - author


6. Queen Elizabeth I - royalty


7. Madonna - musician


8. Frida Kahlo - artist


9. Coco Chanel - entrepreneur


10. Martha Graham - dancer


11. Rosa Parks - heroine & icon


12. Margaret Mead - anthropologist



The ones I didn't pick for my list, but would deserve to be on ANY list of strong, influential women in history (along with many others) are: Mary (Mother of Jesus), Cleopatra VII, Estee Lauder, Joan of Arc, Anne Frank, Hellen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt

Shoes Update!!

I bought the shoes today...

Yay!

Cameron thinks....

America got it wrong.

Torn

It's a strange sort of feeling I have today. But I know it well. I've been feeling a tugging on my heart for a while now, but didn't know where to place it. I wonder if there is room for me or if I even have anything left to offer after all the ways I've fallen short.

It is no worse, because I write of it. It would be no better, if I stopped my most unwilling hand. It is done. Nothing can undo it; nothing can make it otherwise than as it was.
-Charles Dickens

If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you're worshiped.
-Psalm 130:3
The Message

Shoes Shoes Shoes

I want these shoes really bad!!!

Kona!!!!!!

My best friend Diana has a wonderful husband, Tom and he is bringing Kona Ice to Kentucky!!!!

So if you see a Kona truck anywhere around, he owns it.

Buy Kona from it.
I just tried to Tiger's Blood flavor. (It's like Hawaiian Ice, but it's KONA Ice!)

It's so cheap and it's DELICIOUS!!! And if you buy a King Kona, you get a free lei!!
(Which you know I am ALL about.)

I will keep you updated on the other flavors I try. Look for Kona coming near you!!