One of the most glorious yet sometimes stressful times of the year. Enjoy!
is it really December already? geesh, time waits for no one.
I know, another short post. Blame SLU SPH, starting December 9th back to my semi-normal grad student, with some type of social life- life!
check out the new playlist.
happy december
About Me
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
it's the little things
since i have a cruise liner ship load of work to do, this is short and sweet.
i received two compliments this week that totally served as a little "pick-me-up" right when I needed it.
"you are super awesome"
"...i was thinking to myself that she'd make a really good professor"
it's the little things- simple words.
thanks!
now back to work....argh!
i received two compliments this week that totally served as a little "pick-me-up" right when I needed it.
"you are super awesome"
"...i was thinking to myself that she'd make a really good professor"
it's the little things- simple words.
thanks!
now back to work....argh!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
the perpetuation of population disparities.... my role?
So this whole thought process came about after reading about America's healthiest grocery stores. Of course, the usual suspects are on the list- Whole Foods and another personal fav Trader Joe's, not too far after the #1 spot (WF).
After reading the list I immediately felt self-satisfaction, knowing that I am the proud customer of two of the healthiest grocery stores in America, or so they say. Then it hit me, there aren't too many folks browsing around in these grocery stores who look like me. Matter of fact, chances are you would never ride down St. Louis Avenue or N. Grand to find a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. I'm quite certain neither store's business plan includes the opening of a store in the middle of our forgotten corners of North St. Louis City.
Reality is that the grocery stores in such corners of US cities fail to offer food products that would allow one to adapt a healthy diet. If there is even a viable grocery store in these areas to begin with.
Various reports and studies have shown that in many inner city grocery stores little to no fresh produce is offered, items on the shelf are usually kept there past the expiration date, not to mention the severe higher price placed on food items.
Meanwhile, I travel 15 to 20 minutes just to gather up my pricey organic produce, non-rBGH fat free milk, and 365 spring water to place in my overpriced aluminum eco-friendly water bottle. Oh, and we can't forget the fair trade almond body wash.... am I really serious? Yeah, I am.
Isn't the mere fact that I travel outside of my neighborhood (which happens to be in walking distance to other grocery stores) to purchase these items perpetuating health related population disparities?
Why not save some funds, purchase "regular" food and advocate for those people who don't even have a grocery store to shop in?
Honestly, I felt kind of bad walking out of WF the other day- I fell victim to green capitalism!
So the work begins, Whole Foods is all about the community anyway right? I say we start a letter writing campaign- Whole Foods available and accessible to all!
Just a thought. Your thoughts & comments well appreciated!
Peace
After reading the list I immediately felt self-satisfaction, knowing that I am the proud customer of two of the healthiest grocery stores in America, or so they say. Then it hit me, there aren't too many folks browsing around in these grocery stores who look like me. Matter of fact, chances are you would never ride down St. Louis Avenue or N. Grand to find a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. I'm quite certain neither store's business plan includes the opening of a store in the middle of our forgotten corners of North St. Louis City.
Reality is that the grocery stores in such corners of US cities fail to offer food products that would allow one to adapt a healthy diet. If there is even a viable grocery store in these areas to begin with.
Various reports and studies have shown that in many inner city grocery stores little to no fresh produce is offered, items on the shelf are usually kept there past the expiration date, not to mention the severe higher price placed on food items.
Meanwhile, I travel 15 to 20 minutes just to gather up my pricey organic produce, non-rBGH fat free milk, and 365 spring water to place in my overpriced aluminum eco-friendly water bottle. Oh, and we can't forget the fair trade almond body wash.... am I really serious? Yeah, I am.
Isn't the mere fact that I travel outside of my neighborhood (which happens to be in walking distance to other grocery stores) to purchase these items perpetuating health related population disparities?
Why not save some funds, purchase "regular" food and advocate for those people who don't even have a grocery store to shop in?
Honestly, I felt kind of bad walking out of WF the other day- I fell victim to green capitalism!
So the work begins, Whole Foods is all about the community anyway right? I say we start a letter writing campaign- Whole Foods available and accessible to all!
Just a thought. Your thoughts & comments well appreciated!
Peace
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
speechless
a more insightful post coming soon
still basking in glory and realizing what a humbling experience this has been...
yes we can! & yes we did!
love
still basking in glory and realizing what a humbling experience this has been...
yes we can! & yes we did!
love
Monday, November 3, 2008
election eve... remembering where we came from
So it's a little past nine, I'm just getting in from another great night at campaign headquarters and I can't help but to reflect on how much I wish I could share this moment with family members who have passed on.
We learned today of the passing Senator Obama's grandmother, one of his biggest life supports and someone he deeply loved. My heart goes out to his family. As someone who was reared by those other than my biological parents for a significant part of my childhood, I understand the special bond that exists between a child and her non biological parent. Individuals who take up the responsibility of raising someone elses child, teaching some other persons child about life, taking the good and the bad. We love them not so much because of what they do but how they do it (i'll save this for another post, this topic is interesting).
Back to my point, I purposely chose not to send in an absentee ballot because I want to experience tomorrow first hand. I am going to stand in line no matter how long it is, no matter how bad my feet may start to ache, no matter how hungry I get. I am going to stand in line for all those who came before me, those who had to stand in a separate line, those who weren't allowed to stand in line, those who went without so I could be where I am today, those who paved the way.
How selfish it will be of us not to vote.
To those of you who argue that our forefathers fought and lost their lives so that we may merely have the choice to vote, really? Are we still that far behind in our thinking?
By choosing not to vote, have we helped anything? (yet again, I'm going to stray from this area- I feel my hypertension setting in)
I will cast my vote knowing that I am the product of dreams from generations far away, the child living out the dreams of a great- great grandfather who could only imagine what voting would be like, let alone casting a ballot for someone who looked like him.
By casting my vote tomorrow, I will grab that baton passed onto me by my great grandmother who spent her mornings cleaning houses to give her children a better life. By a grandmother who wasn't afraid to follow her dreams, by my aunt who could tell you everything you ever wanted to know about history but never had the opportunity of a college education, by my mother who spent endless hours at work but somehow manged to make it to every basketball game or art show- teaching me that women can have it all.
I will cast my vote tomorrow because I remember where I came from and those who cleared the path for me. I will cast my vote for my elephant loving nephew and the generations coming after him. But mostly, if not greatest I will cast my vote for the best applicant and do an extra little dance because he happens to be brown, just like me.
Let's vote!
We learned today of the passing Senator Obama's grandmother, one of his biggest life supports and someone he deeply loved. My heart goes out to his family. As someone who was reared by those other than my biological parents for a significant part of my childhood, I understand the special bond that exists between a child and her non biological parent. Individuals who take up the responsibility of raising someone elses child, teaching some other persons child about life, taking the good and the bad. We love them not so much because of what they do but how they do it (i'll save this for another post, this topic is interesting).
Back to my point, I purposely chose not to send in an absentee ballot because I want to experience tomorrow first hand. I am going to stand in line no matter how long it is, no matter how bad my feet may start to ache, no matter how hungry I get. I am going to stand in line for all those who came before me, those who had to stand in a separate line, those who weren't allowed to stand in line, those who went without so I could be where I am today, those who paved the way.
How selfish it will be of us not to vote.
To those of you who argue that our forefathers fought and lost their lives so that we may merely have the choice to vote, really? Are we still that far behind in our thinking?
By choosing not to vote, have we helped anything? (yet again, I'm going to stray from this area- I feel my hypertension setting in)
I will cast my vote knowing that I am the product of dreams from generations far away, the child living out the dreams of a great- great grandfather who could only imagine what voting would be like, let alone casting a ballot for someone who looked like him.
By casting my vote tomorrow, I will grab that baton passed onto me by my great grandmother who spent her mornings cleaning houses to give her children a better life. By a grandmother who wasn't afraid to follow her dreams, by my aunt who could tell you everything you ever wanted to know about history but never had the opportunity of a college education, by my mother who spent endless hours at work but somehow manged to make it to every basketball game or art show- teaching me that women can have it all.
I will cast my vote tomorrow because I remember where I came from and those who cleared the path for me. I will cast my vote for my elephant loving nephew and the generations coming after him. But mostly, if not greatest I will cast my vote for the best applicant and do an extra little dance because he happens to be brown, just like me.
Let's vote!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
There's something spiritual about silence
Being the introvert I am, you think I would have written about this a long time ago!
Nonetheless, it was a typical Sunday afternoon- volunteered a few hrs w/ the campaign then hopped on the bike in search of good eats and a place I could get some serious work done. Ended up in Panera I mean St. Louis Bread Co. (don't want the natives to catch a tude'), the place was packed! I waited at least 30mins just to get my Cesar salad. Since packed house usually means no free outlets to plug in my laptop, I opted for eating outside and diving into my latest read. Surprisingly I was the only one taking advantage of the 70 degree November weather, it was pure heaven.
Occasionally, I looked inside only to discover what seemed to be pure madness. Packed tables, children escaping their strollers and running around, 1st year med schoolers huddled around tables complaining about some unyielding professor and so on.
Meanwhile, I'm in total nirvana! Just me, my thoughts, and the remains of my french baguette. Despite living alone, I can't remember the last time I've had a conversation like this with myself. By this time, Mr. Camus is a little too deep for me to focus on; my thoughts are beginning to take over. I put the book down, finished up my baguette, closed my eyes and felt the crisp fall breeze sweep across my face and arms. In that moment I felt a calmness, something I haven't felt for a long while.
Except for the occasional person walking by or a car badly needing a tune up, I was totally undistracted. Ideas and questions just seemed to pour out my mind- had to grab my pen and paper!
Deciding to move to a bit more quieter spot, I hopped on the bike and headed to Forest Park. I stayed in the park for at least an hour, working through those thoughts I had earlier. I finally put the pen down and stretched out on the grass, and gazed up at the sky. A bit cliché, but I felt at one with nature. Like my mind and spirit were leaves meandering about in the breeze. There was really something spiritual, something different about that moment. No outside influences, no worrying about what someone thinks about you, no engaging in meaningless conversation- this moment was real. Yes, real! My spirit was experiencing realness. Real thoughts, real emotions, real being, real silence.
Silence, where have you been all my 22 years? Or is it, I can finally appreciate these moments more? Probably the latter.
"he who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words." - E. Hubbard
2 days!
Peace.
Nonetheless, it was a typical Sunday afternoon- volunteered a few hrs w/ the campaign then hopped on the bike in search of good eats and a place I could get some serious work done. Ended up in Panera I mean St. Louis Bread Co. (don't want the natives to catch a tude'), the place was packed! I waited at least 30mins just to get my Cesar salad. Since packed house usually means no free outlets to plug in my laptop, I opted for eating outside and diving into my latest read. Surprisingly I was the only one taking advantage of the 70 degree November weather, it was pure heaven.
Occasionally, I looked inside only to discover what seemed to be pure madness. Packed tables, children escaping their strollers and running around, 1st year med schoolers huddled around tables complaining about some unyielding professor and so on.
Meanwhile, I'm in total nirvana! Just me, my thoughts, and the remains of my french baguette. Despite living alone, I can't remember the last time I've had a conversation like this with myself. By this time, Mr. Camus is a little too deep for me to focus on; my thoughts are beginning to take over. I put the book down, finished up my baguette, closed my eyes and felt the crisp fall breeze sweep across my face and arms. In that moment I felt a calmness, something I haven't felt for a long while.
Except for the occasional person walking by or a car badly needing a tune up, I was totally undistracted. Ideas and questions just seemed to pour out my mind- had to grab my pen and paper!
Deciding to move to a bit more quieter spot, I hopped on the bike and headed to Forest Park. I stayed in the park for at least an hour, working through those thoughts I had earlier. I finally put the pen down and stretched out on the grass, and gazed up at the sky. A bit cliché, but I felt at one with nature. Like my mind and spirit were leaves meandering about in the breeze. There was really something spiritual, something different about that moment. No outside influences, no worrying about what someone thinks about you, no engaging in meaningless conversation- this moment was real. Yes, real! My spirit was experiencing realness. Real thoughts, real emotions, real being, real silence.
Silence, where have you been all my 22 years? Or is it, I can finally appreciate these moments more? Probably the latter.
"he who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words." - E. Hubbard
2 days!
Peace.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Still Alive!
hello wonderful people
I know, I've been MIA for the past few weeks. What can i say? life.
So much has happened since the last time I blogged- I finally narrowed down my list for potential doctoral programs, took the gre (for the first time), completed two books, found one of my favorite childhood books (sending to the nephew), registered to vote in MO, attended the record breaking STL rally (pictures attached), managed to put in a few hrs with the campaign, discovered my new favorite food at least for this season, and a host of others.
Anywho, I have no rant to go on for this post. Just a mere question.... when was the last time you said "i love you?" Or let someone know how much they mean to you?
I know what you're thinking, what has gotten into her? Lori? emotions? .... well yes, i have a soft side too.
Life seems to throw us curve balls from time to time that knock us to our knees. For example, when I lost a close family member this summer- totally unexpected (curve ball). Luckily i had the chance to be with her in her last days and hours but i can only hope that she knew how much i truly admired her. Sometimes hugs and kisses aren't enough. This family member was the glue that held us together and I loved her for that and her warm, loving "will always tell you the truth even if its not what you want to hear" spirit.
Everywhere I turn, especially in the past few weeks- people I know have been the target of a curve ball thrown by the almighty pitcher (God for me). One collision affected me to the point where I called my mom out of the blue, and immediately said " i love you ma" when she picked up. Of course, maternal instinct #543 kicked in and she immediately thought something was wrong. lol. I told her the news I heard earlier in the day and told her I couldn't imagine loosing her unexpectedly at this point in my life. (22 is hard!) Anywho, she started to tear-up, yet another curve ball- i totally wasn't expecting that. Although, in some way I felt some comfort in her tears, they enabled me to understand just how deep her love for me goes.
I know too mushy- so I'm going to end it here :)
Just be sure to let those special people know what they truly mean to you. What you get in return will be or shall I say hopefully be just as rewarding.
Countdown to November 4th!
btw, did you all catch Michelle on Leno? fantastic.
Peace.
I know, I've been MIA for the past few weeks. What can i say? life.
So much has happened since the last time I blogged- I finally narrowed down my list for potential doctoral programs, took the gre (for the first time), completed two books, found one of my favorite childhood books (sending to the nephew), registered to vote in MO, attended the record breaking STL rally (pictures attached), managed to put in a few hrs with the campaign, discovered my new favorite food at least for this season, and a host of others.
Anywho, I have no rant to go on for this post. Just a mere question.... when was the last time you said "i love you?" Or let someone know how much they mean to you?
I know what you're thinking, what has gotten into her? Lori? emotions? .... well yes, i have a soft side too.
Life seems to throw us curve balls from time to time that knock us to our knees. For example, when I lost a close family member this summer- totally unexpected (curve ball). Luckily i had the chance to be with her in her last days and hours but i can only hope that she knew how much i truly admired her. Sometimes hugs and kisses aren't enough. This family member was the glue that held us together and I loved her for that and her warm, loving "will always tell you the truth even if its not what you want to hear" spirit.
Everywhere I turn, especially in the past few weeks- people I know have been the target of a curve ball thrown by the almighty pitcher (God for me). One collision affected me to the point where I called my mom out of the blue, and immediately said " i love you ma" when she picked up. Of course, maternal instinct #543 kicked in and she immediately thought something was wrong. lol. I told her the news I heard earlier in the day and told her I couldn't imagine loosing her unexpectedly at this point in my life. (22 is hard!) Anywho, she started to tear-up, yet another curve ball- i totally wasn't expecting that. Although, in some way I felt some comfort in her tears, they enabled me to understand just how deep her love for me goes.
I know too mushy- so I'm going to end it here :)
Just be sure to let those special people know what they truly mean to you. What you get in return will be or shall I say hopefully be just as rewarding.
Countdown to November 4th!
btw, did you all catch Michelle on Leno? fantastic.
Peace.
Friday, October 3, 2008
I just wanna give a shout out...
Did Palin give a shout out during the veep debate Thursday night?
Something just doesn't sit well with me about that, well actually about her whole performance. I know, what your thinking "but we knew she wasn't going to do well anyway." Who cares!
People, get upset! Sarah Palin practically made up her own agenda of topics to discuss Thursday night. In essence, I think its fair to say she may have Gwen Ifill beat as moderator. Why are we just taking it? Sitting their so primp and polite because we already had low expectations.
Palin made it very clear Thursday night that she was going to "keep it real" with the American people. Really? Keep it real, is this what real is to you? Someone who is running for one of the highest offices in our government but fails to answer any question with facts and anything that resembles a critically thought out response. This can't be...why am I the only one that feels disrespected, keeping it real for me is answering the question at hand, not talking about your Alaskan experience or what a Maverick your old pal is. Address issues I care about- education, the lack of governmental funding for school, the high price of a college education, how I am going to have to pay for the bail-out and still manage to pay off student loans which helped me get a degree helping people obtain health care when I may not even be able to afford it myself.
So, I just wanna give a shout out to Sarah Palin...if you're out there. Sarah, as much as I don't agree with your policies, your "drill baby drill" song, or your beehive of a hair-do, just pay the American people some respect and learn your "shit" (as a wise senior once told me during my freshman year of undergrad).
I would have so much more respect for you if you just represented women well, you have totally dismantled the concept of feminism and used feminist methods to destroy the very concept itself (but that's a whole other post). Lets face it, we all know you are not ready to be vice-president but haven't you ever heard of the phrase "fake it until you make it"...Sarah you still can't fake it and that's just not good.
So is your mom black?
Okay, Okay, Okay... so I know this whole biracial thing is starting to get played out. I mean who isn't biracial, multiracial, mixed heritage or whatever other PC terms we use? The number of biracial race people in this country is on the steady incline...trust me, I do research ;)
But lately my race seems to be the subject of all first date, first meeting conversations. It usually goes a little something like this "so where are you from?"...I answer, knowing those three little words are on their way out, if the person is really nervous about asking I will usually get a "I'm not sure about asking this " type of question. Which will normally be something to the effect of "so where did you go to undergrad, what was your major?" Then it hits me, those three words I can practically predict, maybe I will make up something really exotic...I'm sure they would enjoy that!
"what's your ethnicity?" AHHHHH! For the umpteenth time in my 22 year biracial life, I take a deep pause, thinking about what deep political conversation will soon arise after I unveil that mysterious DNA double helix circulating within me. "I'm Mexican and black."... happy now?
Then comes the....oh okay, I get her now. So this scene is being played out yet again but this person continues to probe into my life! Now mind you, I just met this individual. "so is your mom black?" What the hell?! Does it matter? In some way, will me having been birthed by the great-granddaughter of sharecroppers put me in the "in" crowd? Does my mother being black therefore make me black enough for you?
In that moment, mean thoughts and witty comebacks are circulating in my head....instead I decline and simply say "yes"- on a good day I definitely would have given them a run for their money.
maybe next week I'll be Irish & West Indian!
But lately my race seems to be the subject of all first date, first meeting conversations. It usually goes a little something like this "so where are you from?"...I answer, knowing those three little words are on their way out, if the person is really nervous about asking I will usually get a "I'm not sure about asking this " type of question. Which will normally be something to the effect of "so where did you go to undergrad, what was your major?" Then it hits me, those three words I can practically predict, maybe I will make up something really exotic...I'm sure they would enjoy that!
"what's your ethnicity?" AHHHHH! For the umpteenth time in my 22 year biracial life, I take a deep pause, thinking about what deep political conversation will soon arise after I unveil that mysterious DNA double helix circulating within me. "I'm Mexican and black."... happy now?
Then comes the....oh okay, I get her now. So this scene is being played out yet again but this person continues to probe into my life! Now mind you, I just met this individual. "so is your mom black?" What the hell?! Does it matter? In some way, will me having been birthed by the great-granddaughter of sharecroppers put me in the "in" crowd? Does my mother being black therefore make me black enough for you?
In that moment, mean thoughts and witty comebacks are circulating in my head....instead I decline and simply say "yes"- on a good day I definitely would have given them a run for their money.
maybe next week I'll be Irish & West Indian!
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