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 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!