So yesterday I went out and bought myself another beetle because I need some transportation and we got our tax return. I decided to pick the ugliest thing I could find so I wouldn't have intentions of fixing it up. Funny thing is this bug runs better than any other bug I've had. I drove it from Logan to Orem without any problems. We also decided to stop off at Hill Airforce base on the way home to take some pictures
I'm almost to my midterms and it's been a rough semester so far. I've had trouble keeping focus. School is easy enough but life itself has been stressful of late. I sold my Russian motorcycle in order to keep up with rent so that is one less thing I have to worry about. Don't feel sorry. I'm glad I sold it. It's one less thing I have to worry about. I've decided that now is not the time in life to work on big projects even if they are cheap. Besides, I don't even have a garage lol. Lesson learned?
Mandi is doing her best to look for a job but with the recession she is having a hard time finding places that are hiring. We should be good for a couple of months. I was able to get in some extra work for the next 2 weeks at school and Mom has found more stores for us to merchandise. This has helped so much.
Mandi want's to go back to school in the fall and we are going to do all we can to make that happen. It's going to be rough because we are already struggling with money but we know we always make it. We've had help from Mom and Dad by letting us stay at home last year to get rid of some debt and I would like to thank them for their support.
I've been fortunate to receive a tax return that will allow me to purchase a really really cheap car for transportation when Mandi and I work separate jobs this summer. I'll probably go with a beetle again but I have no intentions of buying a fixer upper. I'm kind of sad I sold the white beetle because that car was pretty solid. It never broke down and it was a great commuter car. The best 1,000 dollars I ever spent!
Mandi and I started working out 3 weeks ago and we are still going strong. It works great when you have a good workout partner. We do all of the same workouts and we spot each other. We stopped eating seconds at every meal and it seams to have helped out quite a bit. We don't focus so much on our weight as we do our body fat percentage. We feel much healthier. I'm proud of what we've been able to achieve.
I just wanted to take some time to defend a man I respect very very much. Yusuf Islam (Formerly Cat Stevens) is a man about peace. He abandoned his musical career to focus on his conversion to the Muslim faith. There has been some controversy over rumors regarding ties with terrorist groups.
Immediately following the 11 September 2001, attacks on the United States, he gave the following statement:
"I wish to express my heartfelt horror at the indiscriminate terrorist attacks committed against innocent people of the United States yesterday. While it is still not clear who carried out the attack, it must be stated that no right-thinking follower of Islam could possibly condone such an action. The Qur'an equates the murder of one innocent person with the murder of the whole of humanity. We pray for the families of all those who lost their lives in this unthinkable act of violence as well as all those injured; I hope to reflect the feelings of all Muslims and people around the world whose sympathies go out to the victims of this sorrowful moment."
In 2004 he was detained by agents from the Department of Homeland Security. The following day, Yusuf was deported back to the United Kingdom. The Transportation Security Administration claimed there were "concerns of ties he may have to potential terrorist-related activities". Yusuf said in a statement "I have never knowingly supported or given money to Hamas," says Yusuf, who repeatedly has condemned terrorism and Islamic extremism. "At the time I was reported to have done it, I didn't know such a group existed. Some people give a political interpretation to charity. We were horrified at how people were suffering in the Holy Land."
Two years later, in December 2006, Yusuf was admitted without incident into the United States for several radio concert performances and interviews to promote his new record.
Here are just a few awards he has received for his promotion of peace.
* 2003 World Award also known as the "World Social Award" for "humanitarian relief work helping children and victims of war".
* 2004 Man for Peace Award presented by Mikhail Gorbachev for his "dedication to promote peace, the reconciliation of people and to condemn terrorism", the ceremony was held in Rome, Italy and attended by five Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
* (2005) Honorary Doctorate by the University of Gloucestershire for services to education and humanitarian relief.
* 4 January 2007, The Mediterranean Prize for Peace in Naples, Italy. The award was received "as a result of the work he has done to increase peace in the world."
* 10 July 2007, honorary doctorate (LLD) by the University of Exeter, in recognition of "his humanitarian work and improving understanding between Islamic and Western cultures." The ceremony was attended by esteemed personalities including Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and guitarist Brian May.
* 6 November 2009, Special Achievement Award of the German Sustainability Award.
When we left Earth is an amazing documentary showed on the Discovery channel about the history of NASA. If you are interested you can watch the whole thing on youtube split up into segments. Just click on the link I have provided below and segment one of each episode will play. There is a sidebar on the page that has the rest of the segments in order to watch the full episode.
Here is a slide show of our California trips I put together. The sound is a little off because Youtube is stupid but I'm sure you get the point. Enjoy.
I was thinking this morning about life styles and what I want mine to be like by the time I am in my mid to late 30's. Here is what I came up with but I am sure things may change a little if I were to discuss this with Mandi.
First and foremost I would like to live close to the coast. 50 miles or closer would do it. I love the vastness of the ocean. If fells like the world goes on forever when I'm standing on the beach.
I hope to have a job teaching at a university and writing articles for different publications.
The house I would like to live in doesn't have to be very big at all. Just comfortable and in a nice area with low crime and trees.
The perfect family car would be a Volkswagen Bus. A Volkswagen Beetle or Karmen Ghia would be great commuter cars. A motorcycle would help save on gas.
For pets I want two dogs so they can play together. Dogs help boost morale and provide a sense of security.
Kids will come. 1, 2, maybe 3. We will see.
To top it off I will need a couple of surfboards. Surfing will take care of much of my exercise and help me spend time with my family. Catching a wave gives me the feeling of freedom.
Everyone knows Haiti has been hit by a serious earth quake. One third of their population is either dead or seriously injured. I know times are tough but try to donate to your charity of choice. I know the LDS church joined together with a Muslim religious organization and is flying in two planes, both with 80,000 lbs of food each and other aid supplies. Continue to donate and be a part of the human cause. The Red Cross is also an organization that gives quick aid.
Masako52"A marriage shall be considered valid only if the wife is a virgin. If the wife is not a virgin, she shall be executed." -Deuteronomy 22:13-21 -Wow, Christian marriage sounds really nice
Someone posted this on CNN's discussion board for gay marriage.
