Merry Christmas!

      Today I watched the movie Chocolat. As I sat their staring at scene after scene filled with delightful chocolate (along with Johnny Depp) I knew for sure the story had to have been written by a woman. Joanne Harris to be exact. I don't think a man could have come up with a story where chocolate is central to the plot.  However, despite being caught up in the chocolate, there is a quote in the movie that stood out to me as worth remembering:

"I think we can't go around measuring our goodness by what we don't do, by what we deny ourselves, by what we resist or who we exclude. We have to measure our goodness by what we embrace, what we create and who we include" 

— Chocolat

What do you embrace?
What do you create?
Who do you include?


Don't  forget to just enjoy spending time with the people you love and don't forget the whole reason we celebrate Christmas. I wish you all a merry merry Christmas!!


We all remember when "Hey there Delilah" was on every single radio station 100 times a day... For awhile that was great until it was too much. Here's another Plain White T's song worth listening to:

Winter Reflection One

  

One

Life has a way of stealing our dreams.

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         When I was little I used to believe anything was possible. The only reason I didn't get an A in class would have everything to do with not trying hard enough. And then came the day where I really did try as hard as I could and I didn't make that A.  Depending on your childhood you find out that life isn't easy early on. One of the most honest portrayals of discovering life and it's hardships is listening to Taylor Swift's new cd, Speak Now. She's incredibly honest in her lyrics and it's heartbreaking! But we all go through the process of discovering life is painful in some way or another at some point. And sometimes we can pick ourselves up and move on easily but other times it takes longer.


It's easy to let life dictate how you live and what you do. Sometimes we can let our past experiences stop us from believing in what we perceive to be the impossible- or, we can step up and do something about it. One of my favorite quotes is:

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you will land among the stars.

We have to take chances and sometimes our destination isn't what we originally expected. And it's ok to make mistakes- we all do. It doesn't matter where you've been, the only thing that really matters is what you do today and tomorrow.


You can do or be anything you want- just depends only on how hard you're willing to work for your dreams. And no one else can decide what's important to you. So next time someone tells you that you can't do something- don't forget to believe in yourself.

***********

    Adjusting to life in a different country has been difficult-- and I go through my ups and downs. It's strange to think of how fast my first month's gone by though! And my host family is fantastic; they've definitely made me feel incredibly spoiled this Christmas season.  I am starting to go back to being myself and that is nice. So to kick start the new season I've decided to start posting my "Winter Reflections"-- similar to my Fall Confessions.      

Winter weather in Europe is causing a bit of a problem for a lot of people with travel plans! So if you're thinking of flying or taking the train you might be facing a few delays. It hasn't snowed for the last couple of days in Denmark but we still have quite the pile up from the last big snow storm.

I am thankful that my neighbors don't have a singing santa though- I love Christmas music but that would be over the top. So we can all tip our hats in sympathy for the N.J. residents who have to live with Christmas carols 13 hours a day. There really is only two things to do in a situation where someone won't turn off their Santa.

One: Steal it or destroy it in the middle of the night
Pro: No more music
Con: Not a very nice or Christmasy. There is a possibility Santa's owner might have camera's watching and then you're in trouble

Two: Get your own singing Santa and let the duets begin
Pro: Maybe the neighbor will turn their Santa off
Con: Can you imagine having to live with two Santa's that won't shut up?

One the positive side- it is almost Christmas and Santa's days are limited ;)

What to do with the money....

          The month of December can be crazy for the average family; parties to attend, people to see, gifts to buy, houses to decorate, cookies to make, and traditions to keep. It is supposed to be "the happiest time of the year" but a lot of people are relieved when January rolls around and life settle back to normal.

And we spend a lot of money on Christmas too! In the states Christmas shows up earlier and earlier every year. Right after the end of October stores pull out their Christmas decore, the trees go up, and the great season of commercialism begins.  For a different perspective on what we could be doing the Christmas season check this video out:




A friend posted that on her blog and it made me sad! It's terrible when you really see the numbers.

In NYC they are enacting a new tax called the Crash Tax. How the crash tax works depends on whether or not an emergency vehicle is called to the scene of your accident. If it is called to the scene and you are injured or your car catches fire in the accident you will owe the city almost $500 USD. If it is only a car fire and you are not injured, it will run you up $415 USD. If you get into a car accident but you aren't injured, you will have to pay $365.

Let's first think about how much we pay our firefighters. A lot, check. And now let's think of how much we pay them in retirement fees. A lot, check.  And now let's get more complicated and think of the difference between being fiscally responsible and fiscally irresponsible.  Ouch, check. Our national debt is in the trillions, which in my book, points towards fiscal irresponsibility. Perhaps an alternative to the crash tax would be to try being fiscally responsible and stop "punishing" people for getting into accidents.  It's a funny world  when our government spends our money liberally and then turns around and charges us for getting into car accidents.

So moral of the whole story, it's important to be fiscally responsible. Note to self, stop buying clothes. Oh and, just so you know, you will get your suitcase confiscated at the airport if you decide to bring elephant tails, dried hedgehogs and chicken blood into the states. Just saying.

Hot Chocoolate

          Stop.Listen has now entered the 21^st century!! This is good news! If you have facebook it is completely free to take a couple seconds and click “Like.” So please share the love! Thanks!

It’s still been snowing and snowing here lately and since I have not had to go anywhere, I love it! I've included a pic of the latest dumping. Right now it looks absolutely beautiful outside because the sun finally came up.

One of my favorite winter traditions back at home is hot cocoa. I have memories of sledding and playing outside for a couple hours and then coming inside for a cup of cocoa with marshmallows on top- more the better. I’ve tried different kinds of cocoa from the store but nothing beats my mom’s recipe. It’s easy to make and you can cut down or double the size depending on how many people you are entertaining. It's delicious!

Quick and Easy Hot Chocolate

4 c powdered milk
¼ c +1 T cocoa powder
1 ¼ c cane juice crystals
pinch of salt
10 cups water
2 cups milk, half n half, or cream

In a large stock pot combine everything except the milk. Stir with a wire whisk and heat on medium until all is very hot and dissolved being careful not to boil. Remove from heat and add the milk. Serve in mugs with a few mini-marshmallows on the side.

 

Christmas in Denmark    

In the United States usually the gift and stocking tradition is based on Santa coming down your chimney and bringing you your gifts, ho ho ho. It’s different in Denmark though. Starting the 1^st of December the Christmas stockings are put up and every morning the kids awake to see what “the Elves” have brought them. Kinda cute.

My previous TSA post was only talking about airports and such. It sounds like Big Sis wants scanners and TSA checkpoints at bus stations and other various public places. I think we have a bit of a problem... how is treating US citizens like criminals really helping? Obama did promise more jobs and such, so maybe this is his way of helping that one out.

And that's Emily reporting to you from Denmark

Denmark

    So it’s time I shared more about Denmark. December is crazy busy for the typical family because this is the Jule season! So it’s now time I started talking about Denmark’s uniqueness!

First, let’s go over the pate. During my first weekend in Denmark I asked what the dish was and everyone told me pate. It’s sometimes sold in a pan that looks bit like meatloaf, but a lot smaller. One usually puts it cold on toast- I did that a few times over the week. The taste wasn’t too bad yet I couldn’t quite place it. The actual Danish name of the dish is liverpostej, which is pronounced something like Loobastah. I never saw the spelling, just heard it spoken. At one point, I finally had a chance to ask my host mom what it was. Come to find out it is a pig liver dish. Next time it was served I tried it again but somehow I wasn’t able to eat it… I’ve never liked liver and now that I know what pate is, I will be eating a lot less of it. 

    One of my favorite songs by The Killers is Spaceman. As I was listening to their album this afternoon, I started paying attention to the lyrics. At one point the song goes like:

The song maker says, "It ain't so bad"
The dream maker's gonna make you mad

The spaceman says, "Everybody look down"
It's all in your head

Sometimes it makes no difference what is going in your life, often how you feel has everything to do with perspective. Adjusting to some of the Danish culture has been a bit challenging and having one of my favorite Holidays spent away from my family, while hearing about all the fun they had was difficult. As I was sitting there amongst strangers I felt a bit lost. But in a way, that was my choice. I think it’s easier to feel sorry for oneself than to step outside one’s comfort zone. We really are victims of our own perspective. 

Rice Pudding

 Is delicious! The pudding itself is not that sweet but it’s served with a cherry sauce on top- which is delicious. It’s usually a Jule Tradition to place a whole almond into the dish and stir it around. Then, the person who finds the whole almond in his/her bowl gets a present that is normally at the table. I participated in that last weekend and it was fun. I’ll share the recipe next post. It’s yummy! Usually it's made for the evening before Christmas. Interestingly enough, Christmas is celebrated on the 24th of December instead of the 25. 

And that’s Emily writing to you from Denmark. 

Gas is around $8 USD per gallon. Ouch.

One last note- it's been freeezing cold here these last few days and we have quite a bit of snow to show for it. Will be interesting to find out how much we do get before it stops!

The Fourth Amendment

I'm going to preface this post with the US Constitutional Amendment 4

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

I am all about safety and I don't want another Sept. 11. But how far is too far?

         I had to go through TSA security in order to fly to Denmark. A bit apprehensive because of all the negative issues I had been hearing previously on the news. I went through the usual- put everything on the conveyer and get it scanned, take off your shoes, jackets, and walk on through.  I  was leaving the  US though, not coming into it. It might have been different if that was the case. I didn't bother to just wear a bikini.

Are the whole body scanners actually beneficial?  They can find about as much as the previous usual detection machines. And if someone really wants to sneak something dangerous in- hello folks, this is the 21st century. If they want to, they will find a way. And it's fact that the body scanners can't detect everything. They cost over $100,000 US dollars too.

In addition, there's enough news stories circulating so I won't go into how the full body scanners are misused by those operating them...

So what are your options if you want to not subject yourself to walking through the "naked scanner?"

a. Accept a fine of a substantial amount of $$$$
b. Subject yourself to an intrusive pat down
 

Option A:
Well, not everyone has 10,000+ US dollars floating around, so that might be a problem.
 

Option B:
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has received more than 900 complaints over the "pat down" procedures used by the TSA. I think we should say TSA loosely because they are the ones performing the action. Our Government is in charge of the TSA though, so these procedures are accepted and 'required' by our Government. And on a side note, the government is supposed to be for the people. So in essence, the pat down procedures are something we the people have accepted as ok unless we all come together and say "no."

If you want to see excerpts of complaints and what the people think of their personal  "pat downs" check out this link. http://www.prisonplanet.com/tsa-tyranny-aclu-receives-over-900-complaints-in-one-month.html  It's disturbing. Prisonplanet is an excellent source of news.

One particular complaint that I find highly disturbing is a woman who complied with the body scanner and was then pulled aside because she was wearing a panty liner and they needed a female TSA agent to insure that's what it was. So from the age a young woman starts menstruating she's in danger of some perv sticking their hands down her pants to make sure it's really a panty liner when going through security. That is what I call an unreasonable search. And that is just one of the complaints. 

And we all know, that random 14 year old American girl is carrying a bomb in her pants.

And the TSA does not appear to sensor who they hire much- it doesn't matter if you have a record of stalking and harassment, you'll still find a job with the TSA. Ew.

Besides that, let's talk about the health aspects of these "pat downs." Apparently the TSA don't change their gloves. Germs love things like that. So from one person to the next, to the next, to the next, TSA is spreading all the love. How nice.

Newsflash: the government is supposed to work for us. Not us for them. We vote these people in office and we vote them out. Having an incredibly invasive pat down because the TSA agents ultimately want you to find the experience uncomfortable so you'll subject yourself to the humiliating body scanners really finds the bad guys. Yes, that 6 year old kid is a terrorist. Go ahead and feel him up.

When our persons are being unreasonably searched and we are supposed to sit back and say it's ok, it has gone too far.  And please don't forget, silence is a form of acceptance.

And that's Emily reporting to your from Denmark

Giving Thanks

     This last week has been spent adjusting to my new life in Denmark. In the spirit of Thanksgiving wich has passed- I am going to share a few things I am thankful for this Holiday Season. 

• My Mother

This Thanksgiving I had the pleasure of showing what Thanksgiving is like in the United States. I made the whole traditional meal from start to finish for 15 people in all. I now believe in myself. I will never do that again though- next time  Thanksgiving rolls around I'm going to go out and buy a pie and maybe a bottle of wine. Cheers!

I have no idea how people, in the past, prepared Thanksgiving dinner without Mother's or Google. I would have died. I was on skype regularly asking my mom about how to cook a turkey and all the little details like timing... So thank you Mother!!!

As for Google - I had to be converting recipes from cups to grams and MLs... and Farenheit to Celcius. Stressful? Slightly. Just glad I know how to cook!

And let's talk about Pumpkin. It has not come to Denmark yet.... and so 6 hours later and about 10 stores we managed to find 3 little decorating like pumpkins. I now appreciate pumpkin sold in a can.

•  My new family

I am in Denmark working as an au pair... and before I began my trip I wasn't sure what to expect with the people I would be staying with. They are all fantastic though. I feel comfortable and right at home, so that is nice! The kids are lovely and even though they don't speak much English, I am starting to learn danish words! I have a terrible memory so learning day to day danish words and practicing daily makes it easier to recall later.

• The freedom we have in America

I love my country. - Growing up in the US you don't always truly appreciate what you have because it's just normal! But it truly is uniqe! And other countries are not like the US. It is sad that we want to become more like other countries and lose what was fought so hard for... The US is kinda like the Ugly Duckling, right? One day we will wake up and realize the Swan that's been in front of us the whole time.

I could go on and on because once I start counting the things I'm thankful for, I find there is always more. And more.

So Happy Thanksgiving a day late- but remember, it's never to late to give thanks. :)

I have been to one hospital in Denmark and the thing I found the most interesting was the footware worn by the Dr's and Nurses. I'm a girl and I love shoes so it's not totally weird to pick that one out! They were sandals and crocs. With socks. Haven't seen that in the US! Sandals and socks are a fashion faux pas! Would you not agree??

Last - bathroom light switches are on the outside of the bathroom door.

And that's Emily reporting to you live from Denmark

in transit

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all the responses to my last post! They were insightful- so thanks for sharing your opinions! I'll get back to them as soon as I can!!

I'm in the process of moving to Europe, so the next time I post I'll be reporting to you live from Denmark! Packing and preparation have left me quite busy! Let's just say sleep sounds wonderful and people should not be allowed to leave packing to the last minute! Staying up late and leaving early in the morning is a lot of fun.

I also haven't been reading blogs lately but I am sure that will change when life settles a bit.

Stay warm and safe!

Reality is

             I didn’t major in economics I majored in accounting. I don’t really understand exactly how the economy works but I do know this, if you don’t work you don’t eat. I know that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. It’s as simple as that- unless it’s complicated. Complicated is when governments give handouts and people begin to feel as though they are entitled them. Complicated is when people begin to think that they should still eat even if they don’t work.  


I don’t think that welfare in general is very beneficial to society as a whole- it usually turns into a mooching system. And when you’re getting something for nothing, why would you want to work or want to better yourself? I won’t deny that people genuinely need help at times but I don’t think free government handouts without restrictions are the answer. I don’t even think free government handouts with restrictions are the answer.


Let’s talk about where the money is coming from- there’s nothing free so someone must be paying for it. Right? Let’s try a multiple choice for this one.


A.   It grows on trees behind the White House
B.   The government has their own private Genie that grants all money requests  
C.   um…. Money? It’s just there!
D.   It comes from the people out there working jobs.

If you answered A, B, or C you’re living in an alternate reality and I want in! If you answered D you might actually be doing alright.


Yes, the money that the government hands out is our money. In my last post I mentioned how the government funded the ghost billboard. I concluded that I liked beauty and if it weren’t for the governments in our world funding art projects, we would sadly be lacking in some beautiful landmarks. However, perhaps the government should work on the trillion dollar debt we have first???? Here’s a link to a the National Debt Counter


Let’s turn our attention to fixing a bit of the welfare problem. Let’s look at what the British Government is doing.

Cameron: "We're doing more than any other Government to help people get back to work. That's our part of the deal. Now those on benefit need to do their bit. The message is clear. If you can work, then a life of benefits will no longer be an option."

Should it ever have been an option?


Why would one ever let a system of handing out money get to the point where one is blindly handing out money to people who really don’t need it? If your sister asked you for money once you might oblige. Twice, well let’s see… what is she spending her money on? More than once or twice- depends on how much you like handing your money out. It might come to a point where it is uneconomical to keep handing out your money. Well governments are handing out your money. And they aren’t worried about economics. Perhaps they are becoming worried. The British Government is now implementing a new unemployment benefits system.


If you are unemployed and you refuse to apply for appropriate jobs or neglect to go to mandatory community work, you lose your job seekers allowance for

• Three months for a first offense
• Six months for a second offense
• Three Years for a third offense

Hello! And welcome to my world. If you don’t work you don’t eat. And if you’re sitting at home when you are perfectly capable of applying for a job somewhere- perhaps you need to wake up to choice D and stop living in your own alternate reality.


Cause at some point- someone’s going to ask where the money is and you won’t know. Truth: it’s not there.

My Secret

I have something amazing to share with you all. I am a coffee drinker and I drink a lot of coffee. But at some point, I think everyone who drinks coffee eventually comes to a point in their day where they have had enough coffee! It could be the caffeine, it could be the taste, it could be that you are just tired of it! 

A die-hard coffee drinking fan like me has a hard time admitting that. And sometimes you still want something to drink! Well- I usually will go for a chai tea drink! I love chai tea lattes, chai tea, and chai tea. At Starbucks a chai tea latte is about 4 US $ ++ if you order a grande. It almost makes you choke to have to hand that over. 

Enough of that- 

Go up to your barista

Ask for a chai tea (just a plain regular chai tea bag in hot water)

Ask for 4 pumps of Vanilla Syrup

Ask for 1/2 inch of soy milk

I spent $2.11 on my drink tonight. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was sweet, delicious, and warm! And not overly sweet either. The perfect comfort drink if you are out and about. 

Hope you enjoy! It's cheaper than a latte and only a bit more expensive than just ordering regular tea. <3 <3

I spent my weekend with friends in Seattle and had a fantastic time! Because I'm getting ready to head out on my European adventure, I think I held this event as extra special. Good friends are hard to come by. <3 <3

Please, Get Over Yourself

Happy November 

Just yesterday I was in Southern California swimming in the ocean and  now it’s time for the winter clothes, hot drinks, and boots! Lately, I’ve been feeling quite out of the news loop. I really do hate when that happens. That being said, there are some interesting things going on and I wanted to share a little bit.

#1. Boston’s own “Mary had a little lamb who followed her to school”

Dan brought his horse to school in honor of Spirit Week and even went so far as to dress up like a medieval character. Big mistake. Bringing ones horse to school is as bad as showing up to school with a gun. Maybe if he had concealed his horse he could have gotten not just suspended, but also arrested. We should be deathly afraid of horses. They may want to eat us, someone else could have gotten to them first causing them become zombie horses. Run.

#2. Bucket List item 1


The Ghost Billboard. It’s made out metal and nothing and it looks awesome. I do hope to see it one day and I’m thinking when I get back from Europe, it shall be one of my road trips. I would definitely try to see it in the Fall or Winter time. So yes, my tax dollars went there. That being said, I'm not too upset. If the government didn't commission some art projects, we would not have the Golden Gate Bridge.

#3. Oh please, get over yourself. 

Woman in Michigan advertised for a roommate at her church. She asked that the room mate be a Christian. One civil rights complaint later, I’m sure she wished she hadn’t put the “Christian” into her ad. Really?? Really?? A person is not allowed to specify what they want from a future roommate? All those non-Christians feeling left out, please, do get over yourself. If she had specified that she wanted a female would all the males be feeling left out? If I want an freakin’ Christian roommate I should be able to ask for one. That’s my right and if you can’t handle it, I’m sure there’s a bridge close by.

#4.  If you live in the US

Don’t forget to vote! We need your votes more than ever right now. I dreamed about  President Obama last night and I couldn’t decide if it was a nightmare or just a bad dream. And if you don’t have convictions to vote you don’t have license to complain. Again, get over yourself.

#5.  The Times

Life’s looking pretty bleak right now for a lot of people. Friend’s of mine are sending out application after application after application for your basic jobs and they aren’t having much luck. I’m thankful I don’t have to worry about jobs and job searching for the next year but I do sympathize! It is going to be an interesting next two years.

And that’s Emily reporting to you live from Sk- Washington.

Current Music Addiction: Slash: if you like Rock n’ Roll you’ll be right at home 

Fall Confession Four

Four

I am a Shopoholic

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I really connected with the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic. Clothing speaks to me! It tell me I can make an amazing outfit and sometimes I can. And other times… 

***********

I remember two years ago in the Fall, finding this brown dress for sale. I had to have it (partially because it was on sale...). I wore it once during Thanksgiving 2008 and ever since then it was dubbed “My Thanksgiving Dress” I think the idea was to wear it every Thanksgiving. Due to my  up and coming trip, I’ve been going through my closets and throwing away a lot. I pulled out the dress and tried it on. It’s hideous. No other words to describe it. And yet I couldn’t just throw it away. That would be ruining my thanksgiving tradition that I skipped 2009...

I threw it away. Hideous won. But that’s how I am with all my clothes and shoes. I have way too much and yet I never have enough. That was the case until I stopped working. No money to throw around really changes one’s perspective.

What I have found interesting is “clothing” stories in the news. Like, beach towns in Italy banning women from wearing clothes they deem inappropriate. Mini skirts are ok though... So I suppose that means the bikini is in trouble. I think that would be a buzz kill if someone went to Italy for sun and beaches and wonderful tans and got arrested or fined instead. And by the way, this is all for guarding against “anti social” behavior. Hmmm, ok. But I really dislike having other people dictate what I wear. 

The definition of Anti-Social used in this situation is basically someone who doesn't conform to the norms and laws of their society. I can see how that would be a problem but what I can't understand is why the people, who dress in ways that would attract unwanted attention, don't see the potential problem. However, that being said... I haven't heard anything in the news to make me think Italy had a big problem. They must if they're making such a deal about it. 

And those are my jumbled thoughts brought to you after a 10 hour day of school from Sk, Washington.   

Such is Life

Imagine a life where time meant nothing.

This is not an apology- I truly have had no opportunity to write a post OR check out everyone’s blogs! Time spent on something besides school/eating/and sleep has become a luxury. I decided that in order to take my 5 exams (3 midterms/2finals) and regular coursework by the end of October so I could graduate, I would have to make some changes. I  quit my job and I began studying.

Have you noticed how much our lives are subconsciously defined by the clock? What time one has to be at work/what time one eats/what time one sleeps. I stopped living by the clock and began waking up at 2am and going to sleep at 5-6pm. I drink an amazing amount of coffee but I accomplish mountains of homework. I am usually able to study till 4pm with minor breaks. Current thought on my mind “Live to die another day.”  I don’t believe I’ve ever experienced so much stress. My dreams are plagued with things like World War 3.

They say “ignorance is bliss” I disagree! Why? Because one’s mind is always active. And whenever you don’t know something that you think you should know… you’ll come up with all sorts of scenarios and what ifs. The push to get my school finished is due to leaving for Europe soon. I am super psyched about that.

All of the above is why I have not been visiting your blogs lately. I know that will change as soon as I am in Europe and settled. I’m thinking of starting up a Facebook page for my travels and life in a different country. Soon!

And it’s that time of year… where the weird and wacky becomes second nature and nobody thinks twice. Or actually maybe they do… In Florida one neighborhood awoke to headless animals all over the road. Ewwww. Waking up to sunshine, nice. Waking up to fresh coffee, REALLY NICE. Waking up to headless animals, not nice. What are you doing for Halloween?

My Halloween is probably going to come and go without my notice. Such is life I suppose. Next Halloween I’m going to host an epic party.

And that’s Emily reporting to you live form Sk-Washington.

Fall Confession Three

Three

I have control freak tendencies. 

***********

I think I fully realized it one night when driving home from some event. I stopped the car and ordered my sister out. I told her she could just walk home. In my defense, it would only really have taken her 12 minutes. There was absolute silence and she didn’t budge. I have no memory as to why I did it except that she made me mad. And I was the driver. 

I’m also a perfectionist. I sometimes think if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. I know there’s a correlation between perfectionism and control-ism. It’s not a good thing! I’m just thankful I have the next few years to work on improving that factor. 

***********

I was awarded two blog awards in the last couple days!!! Thank you Jess over at It's a big deal to me, for the Versatile blogger award! Thank you Steph over at Influence, for the One Lovely Blog award! 

My next post will include the awards and the recipients. Thank you Steph and Jess; I feel honored to have received not just one blog award, but two! 

Wilders

BTW, I’m pro Wilders. In America we have(had) freedom of speech. Which  is something that many people lost their lives over. Sadly, that is becoming a thing of the past. People are going into hiding on their own dime because they say(draw) something that offends extremist groups. That’s not right. Has tolerance gone too far if people are fearing for their lives? Should we be tolerant of people who won't accept us unless we conform to what they believe? Are they being tolerant of us? Excuse me if I do not understand.  I know Wilder’s is extreme in some ways but how do you really fight extremism? If you don’t at least equal the opposing sides passion, you are bound to failure. 

And that’s Emily reporting to you live from Sk- Washington