Pine Ridge

Hey guys!

I am thinking about going to Pine Ridge over the summer. I found a volunteer program that is trusted and actually listed on the official Oglala website. It is called Re-Member. They build bunk beds and fix up people's houses, and just do whatever service work is needed. You sleep in a dorm. Your meals and transportation on the reservation are included. The cost is $350 per week.

If you are interested in going this summer, let me know. A lot of dates are already filled up. August has some weeks still available. A $35 deposit per person is required at booking. Only children ages 13+ are permitted. They DO have family weeks where children ages 6-12 are allowed, but for 2009, they are all booked.

I will be checking on the price of airfare, Amtrak, and Greyhound. But if enough people want to go as a group, maybe we can pool resources and drive out. We could stop to see some of the great landmarks in the area. Maybe camp for a few days in the Black Hills?

I am totally committed to going regardless. Just thought I would ask if you were interested in going too.

Here are some websites you can check out for more info:

www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org (Awesome non-profit group that is 100% trustworthy. I have worked with them several times. PLEASE check them out!!!)

www.re-member.org

home.comcast.net/~zebrec/index (official Oglala website)

What is with these people?

I am shocked to see Obama going down in the polls now. I am really getting nervous. Does the American public REALLY think McCain/Palin can pull us out of the economic slump we are in? Do they REALLY think McCain/Palin will fix the healthcare and social security crisis facing the baby boomers and beyond? 

Seriously. I haven't heard McCain or Palin say one single thing that suggests they will bring change from the dreadful Bush administration. It will simply be more of the same. The same old mistakes. The same old selfishness.

According to CNN, Obama has dropped 2 points in the polls. That scares me. And Palin is over in Ohio preaching to the voters about Obama's lack of proven evidence that he is not Muslim, or affiliated with ACORN. I am not sure I could come up with proof that I am not muslim. What do non-muslims have to do, carry a non-membership card?

I read somewhere online this morning, that Europe's opinion of how close the election has become, is one of complete shock and awe. They cannot believe our country still lets abortion dominate the election. They can't believe how America is stupid enough to think another Republican can take office and create change.

You want change? You want things to get better? You want things to get done?

Then don't let the Republicans continue to have the presidency. We have already had 8 years of Bush. Do we really want 4 more years under someone who supports Bush's ideas and actions?

I know I don't. I know I want change to be real. Change the party that holds the office. Change the color of the man that has always held the office. Change the opinions of the Europeans that are laughing at us. CHANGE AMERICA for the better. Don't pull us down even further.

I voted absentee ballot when I was in Michigan last week. I did my part. 

I hope you will too!

The Grapes of Wrath, and other follies

I took four days to go visit my family in Michigan. I only missed one day of class, and it was Ceramics. I should NOT have fallen behind. But somehow, pumpkin patches, hay-rides, visits with my grandmother and her 90 year-old sister-in-law took up all of my time and I didn't do ANY homework. I was supposed to read The Grapes of Wrath. Instead, I watched the movie. (I still need to read the book. The movie was not at all like what I remember reading in high school.) I didn't write my art paper until 7:30pm last night. And the one paper that I did manage to prepare for while in Michigan, and get written as soon as I got home... only earned a 50%. OUCH! The paper was only worth 4 points, but just knowing I only got 2 hurts a lot!

To top it all off, my teacher dropped my cornucopia. Yes - the one I have been working on for 3 weeks! She broke it. And I cried crocodile tears. But to make matters worse, she had already graded it; I got a B+. I can't even get an A in ceramics anymore.

Hold up a minute. Before you stop and say, "Boy this girl sure complains a lot." I want to tell you that: 

A. I already know I complain too much. 

B. I have decided to suck it up and do what it takes to fix my mistakes and do better next time.

C. I will take antacids to school with me; possibly even some zanax.

D. I will try to find beauty in everything, even the broken things.

E. I will thank God for my husband everyday- because he lets me complain non-stop and still wraps his arms around me and tells me everything will be okay!

I knew school would only get harder. I learned my lesson last semester when I took human evolution, primatology, ice age america, linguistics, and archaeology all at one time. I also knew that my philosophy professor is a hard ass. So I should not be freaking out about this paper. But the guy actually sent me an email saying that unless I have a plan for improving and fixing my errors in this class, I should drop. WTF?!? If he thinks I am going to give up that easy, he's got another thing coming! I don't back down when the going gets tough! I lost 2 points out of the total 880 possible all semester and he thinks I should drop? He obviously doesn't know how stubborn I am and how NOBODY tells me what to do!

The second thing I want to comment about today is my response to some of my family members "being ashamed of me" for not supporting Gov. Palin. She is a woman. She is pursuing a career. She is a mother. She has the interests of all children and real women at heart. Blah, Blah, Blah. 

I think some of my family members seriously think that liberal morals equal poor mothering. 

I tend to disagree. 

I have taught my children that people are people no matter what color their skin in, what religion they practice (or not being religious at all), how much money they have in their bank account, what kind of car they drive, or who they vote for.

And unlike my family, I tell my kids that even Republicans deserve respect. We should consider their opinions. We should respect their choices. We should tolerate their differences. 

Now - show me a Republican who will teach their kids that all humans deserve equal treatment. Show me one who doesn't blame all their troubles on someone else. Show me one who respects people despite their difference in beliefs.

I am a liberal. I am a mother. I am a student at the age of 32. And heaven forbid - I let my children watch PG-13 movies! GASP!

I know that I have made mistakes as a parent. But everyday I take pride in watching my children socialize with a diverse group of friends. I watch them take pity on some of our communities less fortunate by giving the change in their pockets to pan handlers. I hear them comment on Global Warming, the economy, the effects of globalization to local 3rd world cultures, struggles at their school surrounding brands and status, etc...

I know for certain that I have set in place values that will carry my children to taking leadership roles someday that will change our world. I am not raising close-minded, selfish conservatives. 

So with that said: I think I will go watch the debates now!

New Twist

I have decided.

Loyola has a wealth of opportunities and research in the area of classical Roman studies. 

Loyola also has two really good archaeology professors.

Hey. Here's an idea: since I love art, anthropology, Europe, and lasagna - why not try to go to grad school for classical Roman archaeology????!!!!!

There are lots of grad programs in archaeology. And plenty of jobs in the field too, so I could work my way through a PhD. 

This is looking better everyday!

Thanks to everyone who has called me, texted me, emailed me, or even walked up my three flights of stairs and knocked on my door to tell me what they think I should do about grad school! I'll take all the advice I can get!

I thought I had the perfect idea: an applied anthropologist working for Disney. But then I did some research and found out that Disney doesn't really like anthropologists. And I don't want to turn my adoration for the happiest place on earth into a love-hate relationship. I'd much rather keep it a place my family can go to and just be happy, free, and full of laughter.

I feel a great sense of relief and comfort in having a plan for grad school finally. Now I think I can actually enjoy the rest of my time at Loyola instead of constantly worrying about what my next move will be. I never was a good strategist. More like a feather blowing in the wind.

Here's the big news: I have to get a part-time j-o-b! Yikes!

I need to find $5000 so I can go to field school this summer. And unlike fictional storybooks, money doesn't grow on trees. And $5000 is more cash than I have in my pocket at the moment. So a job is in order. I have gotten pretty good at juggling family and school in the past semester. But throw in 20 hours of work, and I might start to crack! So we will just have to take it slow and ease our way into the new lifestyle. It seems there aren't many scholarships for women in their 30's with three kids and a 3.2 GPA. And I am maxed out on student loans to pay for Loyola's ridiculously high tuition. So my only option seems to be to come up with the money myself.

This just reinforces my idea that only the fortunate people in the world are the ones with opportunities to study abroad. Tons of grad programs want the applicant to have the experience of living in a different country, or studying in a foreign institution, but only the wealthy seem to have the means to actually do it. I am by no means wealthy, but I plan to trump the whole system by finding a way to do it without winning the lotto, or robbing a bank.

So there it is. My master plan is in full swing. I even get to register for a bunch of Roman art and history classes next semester! And the best part is - if I work hard enough, I might have a chance to get into U of M's classical archaeology program for grad school! Archaeology and living in Ann Arbor again? It must be a dream!

Update on our life in Chicago

I have finally realized that as quickly as the first year in Chicago has gone by, we still have two years to go. I am terrible at being patient. I want to reach the light at the end of the tunnel without the back-breaking hike to get there. When I want something, I want it NOW! That is why Loyola has been so challenging. I have to work day-by-day, semester-by-semester to one day (hopefully) reach graduation. And I am growing increasingly impatient! I feel like a torpedo. I know I have the potential to soar, but have to wait for someone to release me!

I have also decided to stop stressing about grad school. I will just do my best to get the best grades possible, build my resume, and experience all I can in chicago. Then when the fall of 2009 comes around, I will begin my worrying until I land a spot in a grad program. Somewhere, Anywhere. 

The kids are doing fine. Andrew switched instruments in band; he is playing the French horn now. It is big. And loud. Sarah is trying to join the drama club at her school. She has a new aspiration in life to be an actress, dancer, and marine biologist - all wrapped into one Bohemian princess! Simon has a great teacher this year! She loves him and it shows! He is improving 10-fold! He likes to go to class and always does his homework as soon as he gets home!

We are still having fun and exploring the city. Tomorrow I am going to the Museum of Contemporary Art with a friend. I have a ceramics class this semester. I LOVE IT! It is my favorite class ever! I have to write a paper about a specific piece of artwork at the museum. I have never been to a contemporary art museum before. So I am excited to see what they have. I have renewed my love for art this semester. I remember my senior year in high school when I took painting and sculpture. I wanted to go to art school, move to Greenwich Village in New York, wear Doc Martins and black-rimmed glasses. I wanted to go to poetry readings, drink lattes in quaint coffee shoppes and browse for apartment furnishings in various loft studios in the city. Like Sarah, I had a Bohemian streak in me. And I think it's back.

I'll keep you posted with pictures of my ceramics. As soon as I can figure out how to upload pictures to a blog. Computers are not my forte.

more poems by my kids

Tonight I wait for a star to appear.

I am keeping a wish for the dream maker to hear.

Speak softly and speak kindly and he will grant your request.

I have a special wish; he may think it is the best.

I am waiting for the star to glow in the sky.

There it is!

"Dream maker, please don't let my grandpa die."

-Sarah

Here in the valley between two high mountains

lies a monster sleeping for 100 years.

A plane flies above.

The monster stirs.

Mountains rumble! Crash! Collapse!

A pebble hits the monster in his eye.

And he falls back asleep.

-Andrew

Something is red, Something is blue.

Something smells like a monkey.

I think it is you.

-Simon

Dolls and kitties; ribbons and lace.

Pink and purple make a pretty face.

Boxes of chocolate, and bottles of perfume

Girls and ladies like flowers in bloom.

Girls and ladies wait with an empty vase.

-Sarah

Swords clash and tempers fume.

Armour is brandished and flutes are in tune.

The war drum beats and the battle cries call.

Two sides of the story are both about to fall.

War is a game that nobody will win.

Everyone will hurt, and bleed in the end.

-Andrew

I am five and you are too.

When we grow up we will be twenty-two.

Then we will get married and buy our own shoes.

And instead of cartoons, we will watch the news.

-Simon

Bumpy Roads

Come look in my closet at all the pretty dresses and hats.

If you look in my brother's closet you might see some bats.

I have dolls and tea parties, and dances and shows.

My brothers just have boogers, bad breath, and old dirty clothes.

I have pink and purple bedding, with heats in bloom.

My brother's bed screams of lurking doom!

I have soft silky hair and rosey red cheeks.

I bet my brother hasn't showered in weeks.

I'm gentle and pretty. I'm graceful and cute as can be.

Not like my brother. He is covered in fleas.

-Sarah

Our sister has cooties; she looks like a bug.

When cleaning her room she sweeps it all under her rug.

She has snakes for hair and spiders for eyes.

And every word she speaks is nothing but lies.

She wears pink and yellow dresses, just like a girl.

When I think of her all I want to do is hurl.

She dances and sings and makes lots of drama.

No way that girl is related to our mama.

She reads Judy Blume and listens to Jonas Brothers.

She only thinks of herself and not about others.

Little sisters are gross. They are such a pain.

When I think about her it hurts my poor brain!

-Andrew (in response to the above poem by Sarah!)

My name is Simon. I am a boy.

I'm not a book or a silly little toy.

I have two hands, but only one head.

When I get scared, I hide under my bed.

My teeth are white but my eyes are brown.

When grown-ups talk to me they have to look down.

I like to play. I watch too much TV.

But just about everyone is in love with me!

-Simon