I got my Hep A&B combo shot and my tetanus shot on Wednesday. My Hep arm is fine, but my tetanus arm is very sore and I've been achy and grumpy. I'm sure it will go away soon, though. Better that than actually getting tetanus.
I randomly ordered three books from Amazon. I'm not sure why--it's very unlike me to make any purchase on a whim. An agent on a blog I follow said two of her clients were on the New York Times best seller list and I thought, "I need to read more," so I clicked over and bought them. I don't even know what they're about, but obviously someone likes them. Then I was only $5 away from free shipping, so I bought the latest Vladimir Tod book for $10 to save $5 shipping. Therefore the Vladimir Tod book was only $5, really. Right?
Anyway, this is what I ordered:
"Eleventh Grade Burns (the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod)" by Heather Brewer
"Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford
"Heist Socity" by Ally Carter
Anyone read them?
I also read "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson. I borrowed it from the library. Powerful book. It's written in the first person, present tense, which really works for the subject matter and makes it more intense. The subject matter is actually kept from the reader for quite a while. I figured it out early on, but I don't think a "young adult" reader would catch on until they were supposed to. Anyway, both good and disturbing, and probably good for teen girls to read. Good message.
My son is wondering what on earth we will do when we run out of Star Trek DVD's?? We only have the first season of Next Generation.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Applying for Passports
Yesterday we went to apply for our passports. An adult has to have proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A minor has to have proof of citizenship and some kind of certified proof of parental permission from BOTH parents.
Oddly, my daughter’s application was the easier of the two. We had her birth certificate for her proof of citizenship. For proof of parental permission my husband and I both let them take copies of our driver’s licenses (to prove we were really her parents—our names are the same on our ID as on her birth certificate) and signed the form in front of the clerk. Done. The form and the birth certificate and our driver’s license copies get sent off someplace and she’ll get a passport in 6-8 weeks.
If one parent isn’t present you have to have some kind of certified something in writing from them. It sounded easier for my husband to just take off work early and go with us. I’m sure they have that in case one parent lives in another state. I’m betting if one parent is dead you have to have a death certificate.
It was a no-go on me, however. I had my old passport (from 1988) for proof of citizenship and my license as proof of identity. The clerk said the names were different. Yes, I got married in 1989. Did I have my marriage license? No, not with me. They won’t give you a new passport without proof of name change. Did I have my birth certificate? No, I have no idea where it is, but my name on my birth certificate is the same as on my old passport. Well, that doesn’t matter. What??
What it boils down is that if I use my old passport as proof of citizenship I have to have proof of name change. If I use my birth certificate, I don’t. Weird.
So I have to come up with either a copy of my marriage license or a copy of my birth certificate. I’ve since realized that the copy I have of my marriage license is probably not a certified copy—it’s probably just a pretty copy for my picture book.
I poked around online and found out that it’s much easier to apply for a copy of my birth certificate from the state of Missouri than it is to apply for a copy of my marriage license from the state of Indiana. So I think I’ll go the birth certificate route. I’m tempted to try to get a copy of my marriage license, too, just in case I ever need it.
I guess I’m glad it’s so difficult to get a passport in the United States, for homeland security reasons or whatever. And at this point I have plenty of time.
Oddly, my daughter’s application was the easier of the two. We had her birth certificate for her proof of citizenship. For proof of parental permission my husband and I both let them take copies of our driver’s licenses (to prove we were really her parents—our names are the same on our ID as on her birth certificate) and signed the form in front of the clerk. Done. The form and the birth certificate and our driver’s license copies get sent off someplace and she’ll get a passport in 6-8 weeks.
If one parent isn’t present you have to have some kind of certified something in writing from them. It sounded easier for my husband to just take off work early and go with us. I’m sure they have that in case one parent lives in another state. I’m betting if one parent is dead you have to have a death certificate.
It was a no-go on me, however. I had my old passport (from 1988) for proof of citizenship and my license as proof of identity. The clerk said the names were different. Yes, I got married in 1989. Did I have my marriage license? No, not with me. They won’t give you a new passport without proof of name change. Did I have my birth certificate? No, I have no idea where it is, but my name on my birth certificate is the same as on my old passport. Well, that doesn’t matter. What??
What it boils down is that if I use my old passport as proof of citizenship I have to have proof of name change. If I use my birth certificate, I don’t. Weird.
So I have to come up with either a copy of my marriage license or a copy of my birth certificate. I’ve since realized that the copy I have of my marriage license is probably not a certified copy—it’s probably just a pretty copy for my picture book.
I poked around online and found out that it’s much easier to apply for a copy of my birth certificate from the state of Missouri than it is to apply for a copy of my marriage license from the state of Indiana. So I think I’ll go the birth certificate route. I’m tempted to try to get a copy of my marriage license, too, just in case I ever need it.
I guess I’m glad it’s so difficult to get a passport in the United States, for homeland security reasons or whatever. And at this point I have plenty of time.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Immunizations
My daughter and I leave on June 8th, so we have just under four months to prepare. Not enough time, as it turns out, to get the full Hepatitis A and B immunization series. At least my daughter has had them. I think. I have a call in to her doctor. As for me... well, I have time to get two, so hopefully that will be enough.
We also have to make sure our tetanus shots are current. I'm not sure about mine... maybe 1999? I'm trying to find out when I last had one, and it’s turning out to be an adventure of following my medical records around town. (Well, don’t envision any exciting car chases—so far I’ve just been using my phone.) I have a feeling I'll be getting a tetanus shot before we go.
We're also supposed to be getting immunized against typhoid. I'm pretty sure my daughter hasn't had that one. What on earth is typhoid, anyway?
Wikipedia's definition lost me after the first sentence. “The bacteria then perforate through the intestinal wall and are phagocytosed by macrophages.” I think I’ll endure the shot instead of risking perforating and phagocytosing.
I'm wondering if we should get flu shots, too. We've both had the Swine Flu, but I guess there are other types of flu floating around the world. But I wonder if the shots available now will prepare us for flu in June, or flu in the Dominican Republic?
Anyway, it looks like I’m going to feel more like a pincushion over the next four months than I did when I was pregnant. Of course, at the end of the pregnancy you have a wonderful baby (or babies, in my case) so you forget all about the ugly needles. Except I just remembered them.
I hate shots. But it’s for a good cause.
We also have to take malaria medicine while we’re there. I would like to go on the record as saying that I will combat malaria with “OFF” and mosquito netting as well as medicine! And calamine lotion, if necessary. (Well, that won’t help with malaria, only itching…)
We also have to make sure our tetanus shots are current. I'm not sure about mine... maybe 1999? I'm trying to find out when I last had one, and it’s turning out to be an adventure of following my medical records around town. (Well, don’t envision any exciting car chases—so far I’ve just been using my phone.) I have a feeling I'll be getting a tetanus shot before we go.
We're also supposed to be getting immunized against typhoid. I'm pretty sure my daughter hasn't had that one. What on earth is typhoid, anyway?
Wikipedia's definition lost me after the first sentence. “The bacteria then perforate through the intestinal wall and are phagocytosed by macrophages.” I think I’ll endure the shot instead of risking perforating and phagocytosing.
I'm wondering if we should get flu shots, too. We've both had the Swine Flu, but I guess there are other types of flu floating around the world. But I wonder if the shots available now will prepare us for flu in June, or flu in the Dominican Republic?
Anyway, it looks like I’m going to feel more like a pincushion over the next four months than I did when I was pregnant. Of course, at the end of the pregnancy you have a wonderful baby (or babies, in my case) so you forget all about the ugly needles. Except I just remembered them.
I hate shots. But it’s for a good cause.
We also have to take malaria medicine while we’re there. I would like to go on the record as saying that I will combat malaria with “OFF” and mosquito netting as well as medicine! And calamine lotion, if necessary. (Well, that won’t help with malaria, only itching…)
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Going Abroad
My 14-year-old daughter and I are going on a mission trip this summer to the Dominican Republic. After praying about it, talking about it, and thinking about it for two weeks, we made the decision and commitment this past Sunday.
I'm excited and anxious.
Excited because my daughter wants to stretch herself and try something way outside her comfort zone. My amazement of this hasn't worn off yet.
Excited because I'm starting to discover the fun in being open to God's leading and letting Him surprise me. Three weeks ago, if someone had told me we'd be going on this trip, I wouldn't have believed it.
Anxious because it's a third-world country with all its diseases and poverty. Should I feel guilty for exposing my child to such things, or should I feel guilty for being concerned about it? There are arguments for both.
At the moment, I mostly feel relief that we're no longer agonizing over the decision and that we can move forward with preparations.
And I'm certain it will turn out good.
Romans 8:28
I'm excited and anxious.
Excited because my daughter wants to stretch herself and try something way outside her comfort zone. My amazement of this hasn't worn off yet.
Excited because I'm starting to discover the fun in being open to God's leading and letting Him surprise me. Three weeks ago, if someone had told me we'd be going on this trip, I wouldn't have believed it.
Anxious because it's a third-world country with all its diseases and poverty. Should I feel guilty for exposing my child to such things, or should I feel guilty for being concerned about it? There are arguments for both.
At the moment, I mostly feel relief that we're no longer agonizing over the decision and that we can move forward with preparations.
And I'm certain it will turn out good.
Romans 8:28
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
My reaction to this book was very interesting. I was so repulsed by the subject matter I considered putting it down after a few chapters. But I kept reading because both my kids raved about it. This is significant from my son because he reads so much, and significant from my daughter because she almost never reads if she's not forced.
Anyway, the subject matter is 24 teenagers chosen by lottery who are all forced to fight to the death--only one wins. This annual event is sponsored by the government and all citizens (including families of the teenagers) are forced to watch--it's televised live. Yes, I'm a mother of teenagers, which probably didn't help my perception of it, but I think many (most?) people would be a little disturbed by the concept. I couldn't help being a little uncomfortable that my kids had read it, but then again, maybe it's good for them to read something like that and think about why it's so wrong? The story takes place in a future America, so in that way it sort of has a 1984 feel to it--that maybe the creation of a concept that is repulsive to us might help ensure it doesn't turn out to be a prophecy?
It's a YA novel, published by Scholastic, and despite the subject matter the author did a really good job of minimizing the gore without making it seem like it was glossed over. Even though the world the characters live in is so far removed from what American Teenagers are used to, the reader can easily relate to many typical teenage emotions, and can imagine the terror in the games.
In the end, I kept reading because of the characters. Every one of them has complexities that make them interesting. The main character, Katniss, evolves and learns and grows in her emotions, in some ways losing part of who she is and in some ways learning to think differently. And then, I HAD to see how the story would resolve itself. How could Katniss possibly keep her innocence and still win a game in which all other contestants have to die?
The Hunger Games is the first book in a trilogy. The second book (Catching Fire) is in the hands of my daughter and I can't read it until she's finished.
And I actually want to. The Hunger Games ends at the end of the games, but I'm hoping to see the government punished for it's brutal treatment of children (and families, actually).
You know, it's interesting how the Capitol citizens in the book are so completely narcissistic and so obsessed with their ultimate "reality show." It makes me uncomfortable how it may not be too far removed from today's United States. Again, 1984--maybe we won't go that far.
Anyway, the subject matter is 24 teenagers chosen by lottery who are all forced to fight to the death--only one wins. This annual event is sponsored by the government and all citizens (including families of the teenagers) are forced to watch--it's televised live. Yes, I'm a mother of teenagers, which probably didn't help my perception of it, but I think many (most?) people would be a little disturbed by the concept. I couldn't help being a little uncomfortable that my kids had read it, but then again, maybe it's good for them to read something like that and think about why it's so wrong? The story takes place in a future America, so in that way it sort of has a 1984 feel to it--that maybe the creation of a concept that is repulsive to us might help ensure it doesn't turn out to be a prophecy?
It's a YA novel, published by Scholastic, and despite the subject matter the author did a really good job of minimizing the gore without making it seem like it was glossed over. Even though the world the characters live in is so far removed from what American Teenagers are used to, the reader can easily relate to many typical teenage emotions, and can imagine the terror in the games.
In the end, I kept reading because of the characters. Every one of them has complexities that make them interesting. The main character, Katniss, evolves and learns and grows in her emotions, in some ways losing part of who she is and in some ways learning to think differently. And then, I HAD to see how the story would resolve itself. How could Katniss possibly keep her innocence and still win a game in which all other contestants have to die?
The Hunger Games is the first book in a trilogy. The second book (Catching Fire) is in the hands of my daughter and I can't read it until she's finished.
And I actually want to. The Hunger Games ends at the end of the games, but I'm hoping to see the government punished for it's brutal treatment of children (and families, actually).
You know, it's interesting how the Capitol citizens in the book are so completely narcissistic and so obsessed with their ultimate "reality show." It makes me uncomfortable how it may not be too far removed from today's United States. Again, 1984--maybe we won't go that far.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Thoughts on Writing vs Storytelling
I'm reading a book right now (I'm not going to say what) that I'm really enjoying for the most part. The story is very intriguing and at this point I really want to follow it through to the conclusion.
But.
Occasionally I run across some writing that pulls me out of the story and makes me think about the writing instead of the story. Has anyone else had this experience?
There are a few areas of dialog that didn't seem natural to me, and there have been a few parts that seemed "clunky." I'm not sure how else to describe it.
When I'm reading a book, I want to get absorbed in the story. I don't want to be trying to follow the story or thinking about how something doesn't make sense or doesn't seem plausible.
I've read two other books recently that I really enjoyed and got fully absorbed in the story without thinking about the writing. They were "Canticle" by R. A. Salvatore and "Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod)" by Heather Brewer. I enjoyed them enough that I immediately ordered the rest of the series in both cases.
Anyway, I guess my point is that I've been thinking about the concept that the goal of writing fiction is to convey the story, not to showcase your writing. To me, at least, writing, if truly flawless, will disappear and not be noticed. Which seems to be an oxymoron.
It's a bit intimidating. I don't want people to be thinking about my writing when they read my stuff. If I ever get published, I hope I have an excellent editor who cleans up all my "clunky" writing, and I hope I listen to him/her.
But.
Occasionally I run across some writing that pulls me out of the story and makes me think about the writing instead of the story. Has anyone else had this experience?
There are a few areas of dialog that didn't seem natural to me, and there have been a few parts that seemed "clunky." I'm not sure how else to describe it.
When I'm reading a book, I want to get absorbed in the story. I don't want to be trying to follow the story or thinking about how something doesn't make sense or doesn't seem plausible.
I've read two other books recently that I really enjoyed and got fully absorbed in the story without thinking about the writing. They were "Canticle" by R. A. Salvatore and "Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod)" by Heather Brewer. I enjoyed them enough that I immediately ordered the rest of the series in both cases.
Anyway, I guess my point is that I've been thinking about the concept that the goal of writing fiction is to convey the story, not to showcase your writing. To me, at least, writing, if truly flawless, will disappear and not be noticed. Which seems to be an oxymoron.
It's a bit intimidating. I don't want people to be thinking about my writing when they read my stuff. If I ever get published, I hope I have an excellent editor who cleans up all my "clunky" writing, and I hope I listen to him/her.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Camp
Well, I can't really say the subject of this post is camp, since I don't exactly know what camp will entail. I'm leaving today, there's over 100 teenagers going (maybe closer to 150), and I think I'm going to be the assistant nurse for the second year running. Maybe when I get back I'll post with a subject of "camp" and it will actually be about camp.
I've been in a remodelling haze and haven't been reading LJ much. I think my bedroom and bathroom are done (except I'm going to have to paint around the shower because I don't have enough wallpaper to patch it). When I get back from camp I have to finish the front bathroom, which means figuring out how to fix the ceiling, finishing the paint job, and replacing the vinyl on the floor. Then I can have the appraisal ordered, and hopefully close quickly on our refinance so we can pay for all this!
I never dreamed we would have our bedroom redone. It's always the last place in the house anyone looks--we keep it closed off when we have guests. We were forced into it because we had to replace the shower, and then the carpet, and I decided I might as well paint and replace the vinyl... Now that it's done, sitting here in my chair looking around makes me feel serene. The carpet and walls are just a neutral toupe, nothing exciting, and the furniture is basically in the same place, but it's nice. I guess it's nice to know it's new (and it doesn't have dog pee in it) and it's satisfying to know I did some of it myself (the painting and the vinyl).
I've been in a remodelling haze and haven't been reading LJ much. I think my bedroom and bathroom are done (except I'm going to have to paint around the shower because I don't have enough wallpaper to patch it). When I get back from camp I have to finish the front bathroom, which means figuring out how to fix the ceiling, finishing the paint job, and replacing the vinyl on the floor. Then I can have the appraisal ordered, and hopefully close quickly on our refinance so we can pay for all this!
I never dreamed we would have our bedroom redone. It's always the last place in the house anyone looks--we keep it closed off when we have guests. We were forced into it because we had to replace the shower, and then the carpet, and I decided I might as well paint and replace the vinyl... Now that it's done, sitting here in my chair looking around makes me feel serene. The carpet and walls are just a neutral toupe, nothing exciting, and the furniture is basically in the same place, but it's nice. I guess it's nice to know it's new (and it doesn't have dog pee in it) and it's satisfying to know I did some of it myself (the painting and the vinyl).
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