The "Easy" Life

I think you can go either way on saying if men or women have an easier time in life. Obviously guys don't have to go through pregnancy or childbirth, so it would seem to be easiest to say that they automatically have it easier in life. But, it isn't like guys just have a cakewalk through life. While at first blush, you may come up with a so-called obvious answer, if you start thinking about it - there might not be one in reality.

In our society, guys have to always be strong. We say we're a progressive society and that it is OK for men to be emotional or ge scared, but as soon as they do, they get mocked for it. We also still consider them to be the breadwinner and protector of the house and family. It can't always be easy to have to carry all of that on your shoulders. Girls are allowed to break down and show emotion without having to worry about it, but guys have to keep a stiff upper lip and muddle through it.

On the other hand, girls are really hard on each other. Instead of building each other up, we tend to tear ourselves down. We fight over which idea is better. Guys, though, just joke around and don't seem to get caught up in the drama or care what other's decisions are. There are examples of this all over the place. Earlier this year, there was the big kerfuffle about breast feeding. Instead of jus agreeing to say that it should be up to the woman of what it is best for her and her situation, we vilify each other for not making the "status quo" choice - or the choice one group thinks we should make. We also frequently mock the sty-at-home moms because they aren't living a "fulfilling" life and aren't trying to pave a path in the world. But, when Bill Clinton was running for president, Hillary was a "horrible" mother because she didn't stay home with Chelsea. It seems to be a damned if you do, damned if you don't on any choice a woman has to make.

What's silly is that feminism wasn't really fighting for women to make the "girl power" decision; it was fighting for women to have the ability to choose. So, we shouldn't give each other a hard time for the decision that we make - just that we are able to make one.

Like anything in life, I don't think there is a clear-cut answer to this question. It is subjective like everything else, and there are several variables to that question. It depends on the situation of that person at that exact moment. It depends on the type of person they are. And it depends on society's reaction to that person - because sometimes that's what is really what determines who has it easier.

My Happiest Place on Earth

The excitement is palatable as you walk through the security lines and scan your card. You're almost trembling waiting to get in through the gates. Waiting to go past the station and the flower arrangement just takes too long. And there are too many people.

But then it happens.

You walk through the tunnel, and then it's there in all of its glory. Peeking up over the rest of the attractions and yet towering. It represents everything happy, everything good, and everything exciting.

You've made it back, so you stalk a photographer and get a picture to capture the moment in front of that magical castle.

When it comes to going to Disney World, I'm as bad as a little kid. I absolutely love it! I get insanely giddy tow months out, so by the time we finally get there, I could be mistaken for a five-year-old because I'm bouncing around in my seat, barely able to control myself. It's a magical place, and every minute is better than the next.

While I love everything about going there, the rides actually take a back seat to the food. It's a one-way ticket to Gluttonville for me. Appetizers, main courses, and desserts - I don't miss a course. I savor each bite and let the smell and taste linger as long as I can. I will judge a restaurant by its deserts alone (well, and maybe the quality of the crab cakes). So, if they have melt-in-your mouth chocolate cake (hello, Cap'n Jack's), your restaurant will quickly move to the top of my list. Sadly, The Brown Derby is lacking in the desert quality, but the rest of the food makes me go into a food coma immediately - so in the long run, it's still up at the top of the list.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love the rides, too. I do have to avoid some of them though because I get horrible motion sickness. As much as I used to love roller coasters, it's not worth stumbling around hoping you're not going to keel over in the bushes after getting off Space Mountain. Put me on the Rockin' Roller Coaster, though, and I'm giggling like a little girl. I don't understand why one ride (that's similar to the other) makes me want to die and the other gives me a shot of adrenaline. But, then again, I am frequently a walking paradox.

Even though I love Rockin' Roller Coaster, my favorite ride is probably Buzz Lightyear. It plays into my competitive spirit and makes me cackle with glee. I may have even made "pew pew" noises while shooting the evil aliens. The best part is that my husband has yet to beat my high score on it. Granted, I was greatly helped since we stopped moving, and I managed to zone in on a very high point target. But, hey, he was sitting right next to me so it was fair. He could have gotten it, too. I've obviously handled this title very maturely. See - just another example of me acting like a kid there!

I do get nostalgic at Magic Kingdom, too. I cannot miss riding Peter Pan any time we're at the park. Peter Pan has always been my favorite Disney character. He teaches us to make sure we never lose our childlike spirit, and that's exactly what Disney World and Disneyland try to show us. It's hard not to regain some of that child's excitement while "flying" over London.

This trip is going to be a little different. Now I get to run through the parks (well, Magic Kingdom and Epcot). And, even crazier is I'm going to be in costume. I don't like dressing up. I've never liked Halloween, because I just find it to be a pain in the rear. So, I was probably the most surprised when I realized I was shopping around for bits and pieces to look like Disney characters for the 5K and the half marathon. I figure if there's one place you can get away with looking like a sparkly fool  - it's Disney. Plus, it's going to help keeping me going for all 13.1 miles on that early, early Saturday morning (I will be getting up before most of you go to bed on Friday night).

Each little bit of Disney is magical. There's nothing not to like there - even if I do have favorites. There is one thing I don't like, though - leaving.

Because, even though I'm usually exhausted and half awake when we leave to go home, it's always bittersweet to leave Disney. There, I have no worries, cares or responsibilities  It's a week of pure fun and joy. I get to be a kid again. But, as soon as I step back on Mickey's magical Express, reality starts to sink in. In only a few more hours, it'll be time to take care of the crazy furballs, line up lesson plans and head back into the pit to teach. But, that dose of reality only makes Disney even more magical the next time you drive up and see the castle peeking out over the park - just inviting you in to your own imagination.

Flying free

Stomach's churning
No longer do I have nerves of steel
I'm scared
    - worried
    - fretty
    - nervous
I don't know if I can do this

But, I know that's the voices
camping out in my head
They worm their way iin
      - uninvited
      -unwelcomed
      - penetrating
I have to shut them out

The only way to fight it
is to just do it
It's time to hit the road
     - lace 'em up
     - take off
     - fly away
I know I can

Even though I know
and have done it
The voices are still there
      - niggling
      - worming
      - penetrating
      - WHINING
I'm not going to listen

I have a reason to succeed
Reasons pushing me to be better
Pushing me forward
      - faster
      - don't stop
      - slog on
      - cross the line
Those reasons will mute the voices

What's the disaster?

Here's the descriptive paragraph I wrote. Can you guess which of the four I wrote about?


Everywhere you looked, there were drifts of white. The tops of cars peeked up from under them. It was eerie as you tried to navigate the dunes because everything was quiet. Not even the hum of generators breeched the aire out here. The sky was clear as the hot sun beat down, and nothing provided relief. There wasn't even a break from the shadow of a passing bird - because there were no birds. As you scanned the horizon, there was nothing but damage to see in every direction. Sides of houses missing. Roofs peeled off. And in those houses you could peer into, there were already lines of mildew forming. There was that faint smell of "old" hanging in the air, like you had just walked into an old basement and were hit with a musty blast of air. But, in this case, you were standing in the open just listening to waves crash and cajole in beauty while faced with massive destruction.

Why I Won't Tell You Who I Voted For

Being a journalist changed how I talk about the election - I rarely voice my opinion on it. I still try to maintain an image of being unbiased. Yes, I have an opinion, and yes, I "state" it when I bubble in my ballot, but you'll rarely find me posting it anywhere.

There are certain issues I will speak out on. But, I also choose where I do that. I dont' necessarily think my classroom is the appropriate spot. Basically, this kind of boils down to that I want everyone to feel safe and welcome in my classroom. In today's heated and very divided political climate, I think that there could be a possibility that some would think that I wasn't being fair or they weren't welcome because our viewpoints differ. And, that's the last thing I would want for ANY of my students.

Just because I don't disclose who I like, I still get excited for Election Day. I clear my calendar so I can sit in front of the TV as the results come in. And, I still color in my map of the US every presidential election based on which way the state went. My mom started me doing that in 1984 so she didn't have to deal with the 5-year-old and could just watch the results. My map gets printed out the night before, and the blue and red colored pencils are sharpened, waiting to be used.

This is the one day I really miss being in the newsroom (and not just for the free pizza - I swear!). There was a feeling in that room on election night that truly was electrifying. It was entirely abuzz with energy and action and stress (don't even get me started on the stress of 2000), but nights like this are why many of us sat in a newsroom. Even though journalists put forth an unbiased front to the public, we all had our favorites. And, no, it wasn't just the most liberal candidates like the stereotype claims. Newsrooms have people on both sides of the aisle. We respected each other for it because we recognized and understood that we were well read on the issues and weren't just going by unfounded facts we got from an unreliable source. That's not to say we didn't get heated in some of our discussions, but there was still a mutual respect. That's something I think a lot of people miss now - they aren't as informed as they should be. You can't just go by propaganda or ads. You need to do your research and really learn what the candidates stand for as well as their past record - not just what they say they did on TV ads.

Despite this and the fact that we are far too divided politically right now (compromise is not a bad word), it is still pretty great that we live in a country where we get to fully pick our leaders. We don't have to worry about any backlash for our choices, and we get to decide whether we let others know who we voted for. We take this for granted because it is all we've ever known. We should revel in the fact that we are lucky enough to make choices.

Can't Be Perfect

Sometimes
      I try too hard
      Worry too much
All because
       I care too much


Sometimes
     I think I've lost my mind
     Have no idea what to do
All because
     I want to fix it all


Sometimes
      I stay up too late
      Trying to make it work
All because
      my crown keeps churning


Sometimes
      I realize I have to let it go
       It's not worth it
All because
     I can't do it all

Welcome to The Zou

There's a intensity in the air
It's quiet at first
but as the sea of gold grows,
the growl becomes louder

The speakers are pounding
Instruments are sparkling
helmets and pads start smashing
and the growl continues to grow

The wave of sound peaks
as the cannon BOOMS!
and as the smoke clears
the growl can be heard

The massive Titans line up
We clamor to our feet
Hands start a shimmer in the air
and the growl ROARS!

One side chants, the other responds
Friendliness leaves as oranges rain
Old habits die hard
as our gregarious growl proves

Voices become raw
as the noise clamors on
But none of us stop
because the growl won't die.