My Take on the State of the Union

President Obama made his State of the Union speech tonight, and I have to say, I am quite energized. The man is a gifted public speaker, and I am proud to call him my President (I voted for him too)

The President made some very important announcements during his speech, and highlights that I approve of are as follows:

- stimulating small business is the best and only way to rebuild the economy in America. Tax credits for small business hiring new workers and who raise their salaries will be granted. Money returned to the government from the bank bailouts will be sent back into small businesses in the form of making it easier for these businesses to borrow money.

- NO TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY AND BIG BUSINESS. There is absolutely no reason why fat cats on Wall Street and big corporations should receive a tax cut. The President was adamant about this.

- Freezing federal spending starting in 2011. This may seem like a bad idea, but in practice it will help decrease the deficit.

- STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS- Thank you Jesus. The President is proposing that students who graduate from higher education will only be required to fork over 10% of their income to pay back their student loans, with loan forgiveness after 20 years, 10 years for people who go into public service. THAT MEANS TEACHERS, y'all.

- The government will reward businesses and citizens who utilize clean energy through clean energy incentives. The President also reminded us that clean energy creates jobs, and with a 10% unemployment rate, WE NEED JOBS.

- Healthcare reform. Enough said. It's time to put the bipartisan politicking and bickering aside and do what is right for the American people. The President asked that if anyone on either side of the aisle can come up with something different that lowers premiums and does not deny people insurance or destroy Medicare/Medicaid, then show him. He's all for new ideas.

- And lastly, a call to end bipartisan shenanigans. Shooting down a bill simply because you can is not governing, its cowardice. The President is calling for all members of government to hold themselves accountable, and to become more transparent. He wants the American people to start trusting government again, something the American people haven't been able to do in 8 years.


The President also reminds us that the problems that his administration are facing today were inherited, not created by him. The facts stand for themselves, he says. He owns up to his administrations mistakes and pledges to fix these problems and the larger ones like the deficit and the economy.

Overall, I thought it was a great speech, and I am looking forward to seeing the President walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

God bless America.

Politically yours,
Nay

Bicycle!

I hope I remember how to ride a bicycle, because I've entered a bike-a-thon against Multiple Sclerosis. This event is called the Tour de Vine and it is being held in the wine country of central Virginia, in Charlottesville.  That's right, your dear Nay is riding 25 miles a day over hill and dale to raise money to find a cure for MS.

But the best part is, I'm not alone. Me, my sister, and three of our dearest friends, are all doing this together. We are a hodge-podge of all body types and energy levels and we're gonna make it!

Our goal is to raise $250 as a team to help fund the combat against MS. In the next few weeks, I will begin fundraising. Help out if you can, if not, that's cool too, your emotional support will be just as greatly appreciated. And believe me, I'm going to need LOTS of support. Last time I rode a bike, I was about 15.

Here is more information about this great event. Bike Against MS

Gotta go, time to start training. Gag.

Bicycly yours,
Nay

Help.

I'm having trouble coming up with things to blog about. All the ideas I've had I've either already blogged about, or no one would care to read them.

Any suggestions? I'm floundering here. I've got Blogger's Block.

Nay

The Art of Speaking Frenchly

I have discovered recently that I miss French desperately.

I've been reading Julia Child's memoir "My Life in France" and I can't help but feel a little left out when she writes little asides in French or simple vocabulary en Francais. I hate that I can't remember simple verb conjugations and nouns. I was practically fluent! Now look at me.

Well, no more. I am resolved to learn French again, starting from scratch.

I'm well aware that the best way to learn a language is to immerse onself totally into the language by speaking it all day, hearing it all day- basically living in the area where the language is spoken.

That poses un problem. I do not live in France, I have no means to get to France, nor do I have the time to visit France. Hmmm.

I need suggestions for ways to help myself relearn this language that I love. I don't think Rosetta Stone is the answer. I'm looking for conversational French, not basic French. Besides, do you know any elementary school teachers with $400 just lying around for language software? Me neither, but if you meet one let me know.

I know, this probably seems silly to try and relearn something that I'll likely never use. But there is something so simple and poetic about French- it reminds me of clean laundry flapping in the lavendar and wine-scented breeze.

Now to go find and dust off my French/English dictionary.

Linguistically yours,

Nay

The List, Part One

Because I really don't have anything to post about, here is my teacher wish list.

1. Everything Crayola. SOOO useful.

2. Copy paper and LOTS of it.

3. Classroom set of pattern blocks

4. Overhead projector pattern block set

5. Fraction circles

6. Overhead projector fraction circles

7. Cuisenaire rods

8. Clorox wipes
9. Paper towels
10. Tissues
11. Hand sanitizer
12. White out
13. Boxes of pencils, unsharpened
14. Eraser tops
15. Scotch tape
16. Time, Fraction, Multiplication BINGO
17. Large blue pocket chart
18. Dry erase markers, blue, red or black ONLY
19. Marble composition notebooks in Green, Black, Red and Blue
20. Rocking chair

21. Large carpet or rug

22. Poster board in many colors

23. Anything from Lakeshore or Really Good Stuff.

That's all I can think of for now. Send donations to Heather N.... lol

No, that's not my classroom.

When There Is No "Plus One"...

Weddings. God knows we either love them or hate them. There really is no in between.

I happen to be of the party that loves weddings. I love the vows, the dress, the decked-out venues and the food (and booze, of course)

Tonight, one of my very dearest friends reaffirmed her vows to her husband. They married about three years ago in a justice of the peace ceremony, just before he was shipped back out to sea (he's in the Navy), so today was their official ceremony, with the vows, the lovely white dress and the whole shebang. It was lovely, and I had a wonderful time.

But as I was sitting there, nursing my 4th (or was it my 5th) glass of Merlot, I started thinking about weddings, and people, and how they effect people. I watched as the photographer snapped pictures of my mother and father (the whole family is close friends with the bride), and pictures of my sister and her boyfriend/almost fiance... but not me. And then I started thinking- why is it that our society only celebrates couples? What about the rest of us singletons, left out of wedding photos because we don't share the same space with someone else?

Is it wrong to be single? Is it a crime? Or worse, is it (gasp) unnatural?

I would say no, but I seem to be in the minority here, and truthfully, I say no because it's all that I know. I haven't been in a "relationship" since high school. And that was many moons ago. Does that make me an outcast? Well, sometimes it feels like it- in a world catering to two, what do you do without a "plus one"?

Oh sure, there are plenty of articles (thanks Cosmo) that say being single is the bomb dot com and that we single gals should have the time of our lives and not think about Mr. Right or even Mr. Right Now. But how is that possible, when single people are always an afterthought? Are there any tables for one? Why not just address my invites to Heather N instead of Heather N and Guest. There IS no "Guest", so why must you rub that in? (Oh shut up etiquette fiends, I'm well aware of "invitation etiquette")

It's a world gone mad for couples. Sometimes I'm glad I'm not part of an "Us." But it seems as if it would be frightfully easier if I was part of a "plus one". Then I wouldn't get weird looks when I say, "No, just one. It's just me. I'll sit at the bar, then."

Singly yours,
Nay

I'm Not Good At This Whole Dating Thing.

I got stood up tonight for a date.

I've always wondered what that would feel like, and now I know. And it does not feel good.

No, I'm not weepy or upset. I've never met the guy, to be honest. And to be fair, he did send a text message a few hours later saying he wasn't going to be able to make it.

But aren't you supposed to let someone know you aren't going to make it at least a few minutes BEFORE your scheduled time? I guess I'm just not well versed in dating etiquette.

Now don't get me wrong, I like men. But they are not as conscientious as women, by default. And that's ok, to a point. Don't tell someone you'd like to meet them for dinner at 5:30, and then send a text message at 7:05 saying you're not able to get away from work yet.

Oh well. Good thing I brought a book to read. And it's a good thing I had the best company for dinner. Myself.


Jiltedly yours,
Nay

The Art of Speaking Frankly

As I said in a previous post, I'm not a fan of resolutions. I never keep them so why bother, right?

Not this year.

This year is the year of "say what you need to say." There is a Dr. Seuss quote that I particularly like.

"Be who you are, and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."- Dr. Seuss

Sometimes I feel like we censor ourselves too much, even around our closest friends. Now, of course, censoring one's thoughts have a time and a place, but in general, why are we afraid of saying what we need to say? Are we afraid of what our friends are going to think? Are we afraid that they will like us less, or be angry and never get over it?

Get over yourself. Most people are dying for the truth, and the only thing that makes them mad is that they KNOW the truth was withheld from them! So instead of bottling everything up, just let it out as it comes. Be kind about it, but say what you have to say. A momentary flash of anger is a lot easier to deal with than a lifetime of regret or worse, a grudge.

Keep in mind, there is a difference between tactful and brutal honesty. It's up to you which one you'll practice.

Honestly yours,
Nay