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F is for Fourth of July

… and other summer fun.

I have not updated in so long!  Lets see.

Fourth of July- Hung out with Cryssy and her new beau John.  It was great to see Cryssy again, its been along time.  It its always nice to come home to friends.  I promise not to be a stranger in the coming years.  Stephen and John got along wonderfully, so thats always good.  A little too wonderfully, it was sort of scary :).  We went to Carmelfest, watched fireworks, and of course ended the night the way all good nights end…. at Hooters with Beer and Wings!… “OMG Hooters”… Good times.

July- My aunt Jennie came to visit with cousin Erica.  Thats always fun.  She lives way out in Virginia so her arrival always means family get-togethers.  We took the kids to the Zoo and Conner Prairie.  They also went to the Children’s museum, but I skipped that one. There was a BBQ at our house with almost everyone.  Good times.

July 20- By donating blood Stephen and I were able to get free tickets to see Brooks and Dunn at Verizon.  That was a ton of fun.  We were the first people in line, and we were able to score the best lawn seats.  Things have really changed at Verizon, Free Parking, Bring your own food, and Bring your own lawn Chairs?  Wow, talk about easy going.  We signed up for the Designated Driver program, which gets you free soft-drinks.    It was an amazing concert and it didn’t cost us a single penny.  You can’t beat that!

July- Last weekend, we got to go to the Brickyard 400.  That was more fun then I thought it would be.  Stephen’s dad came as well, and was a royal pain in the ass the whole time… It would have been better with out him… but it was nice to spend some time out in the sun just hanging out with Stephen.  However I received the Sunburn from HELL!  Here it is Wednesday and it still hurts! ugh.  Those of you who know me know I can’t wear sun screen, and I forgot my hat…  It was just a bad combination all around.  This was the first time I have ever been to a race at the track.  It was fun to go.  The race sucked because of the bad tires, and all the cautions but what the hell.  We got those tickets for free too!  Can’t complain.  Thanks to Stephen’s brother Jon, and the Indiana National Guard for those tickets.  I know Stephen had a good time and that is really what matters.

Yesterday we hung out with Cryssy and John again.  Dinner at the HardRock Indy.  I miss that place… good memories.  The HardRock Boston sucks. We had fajitas… you can’t have a bad day when you have fajitas… just saying fajitas makes you smile.  Try it.. say fajitas and frown.  Can’t do it can ya?

Today, July 29th.  Stephen’s 23rd birthday.  He worked a double shift today.  Sucks doesn’t it?  I met him at work with a card and cake.  Made is day I hope.  I got him a card from The Office.  It was the perfect card.

I am going to try something new.  Here come Pictures::::::

From Brooks and Dunn  Below you see us First in Line!!!

 

 

 

 

 

This would be my Sunburn.  Its on my face too

 

Above: Stephen’s Birthday, 400, and Stephen Dressed for Work.

Where has all the creativity gone?

How come no one can be creative these days?  I have had to remove practically all my work from the Internet. Photography, Paintings, Designs you name it.  In the last 3 years I have caught 5 people plagiarising my work.  Those are the ones I know of.  Who knows how many more are out there.  I always do a goggle search when I am stuck on a project, or some sort of creativity starter.  Maybe I browse a friends page, or search Deviant Art, or browse sketchbooks of famous architects.  But I don’t COPY their ideas.  I may see a technique to use, or an interesting angle that brings new light to my design.  But my designs are all my own.  My paintings are all my own. My photography is all my own.  What the heck people!!!!

The thing is watermarks don’t do the trick.  With art especially.  People aren’t using my images as their own, rather using my images as a tracing to do their own work.  I wouldn’t mind if I got credit.  Imitation is the ultimate form of flattery.  At least that’s what they say.  If the caption read… “I saw painting x that a classmate Aliy did, and I decided to give that painting a shot myself” that would be one thing.  But instead it reads “saw this walking down the street the other day and just had to paint it”  BULLSHIT!!!!  Unfortunately with out a current copyright there isn’t really anything I can do about it.  And they are “technically” creating their own works of art, so it isn’t truly plagiarism in the strictest sense of the word… but none the less its dishonest, and I am sick of it.

I no longer have work on my website, I don’t have a smugmug account, and I will stop uploading things to deviant art.  Sorry for those of you who look forward to seeing what I am working on.  You will have to email me and let me know if you are interested in knowing what I am up to.   I will be happy to start an email newsletter if there is enough interest.

Sorry to be such a downer, but it sucks.

Later Ya’ll

E is for empathy

Empathy is defined as::::  

1. Identification with and understanding of another’s situation, feelings, and motives.
2. The attribution of one’s own feelings to an object.

I am just at a point where I don’t understand it anymore.  Empathy really isn’t the word, I am looking for but it was the closest thing that started with an E. So it is used here on out in the following way:::: “Empathy” is synonymous with sympathy, understanding, an attempt to relate to another individual and their actions.

There has been a total lack of empathy in the following ways::

1. Starting Arguments for the sake of being a bitch does not show empathy.
2. Making fun of something someone who is trying very hard to change does not show empathy.
3. Treating people differently does not show empathy.
4. With that, showing favoritism towards others and blatant distain for some does not show empathy.
5. Showing blatant distain for someone who is desperately seeking your approval does not show empathy.
6. Forcing someone to deal with constant put downs at a time when they need the rallied support of those close to them the most, does not show empathy.
7. Judging someone based on secondhand knowledge from a rumor mill does not show empathy.
8. Being two-faced and fake does not show empathy.
9. Lying does not show empathy.
10. Making everything a constant competition to prove your control over ones life does not show empathy.

God never gives us anything we can’t handle, I life full of un-empathetic people can be dealt with, but god gives us friends and family for the purposes of support, companionship, and unconditional love.  Support IS empathetic.  Companionship IS empathetic.  Unconditional love IS empathetic.  

You cannot pretend to be empathetic. Pretending to be empathetic IS NOT empathetic.  Mission Failed.

Life in the Fast Lane:::::

I realize I have neglected my blog for quite a while.  Well life has been completely hectic with the move and all.  I apologize.

Stephen and I are setled back into to life in Hometown, USA. (aka. Carmel).  Its nice to be back. There are so many things I miss about Boston, but you just can’t beat comming home.

I miss no children in church, I miss no mosquitos, I miss taking the T, I miss my Friends, I miss Comcast Cable, and I miss my View.  But I am slowly getting used to not having that. It will take some time to adjust, but I leave for Michigan soon.  I am just in this place right now where I don’t feel like there is a place I belong, sort of homeless.

School-

As I am sure you all know by now, I am going to Andrews University in Michigan to finish my schooling.  I have just a few classes left before starting my Masters.  It is located 2 1/2 hours north on US 31.  So it is closer… not close… but closer.  I have a roommate, Catie Wolfer (i think), won’t that be a blast! ha, I am not looking forward to it, but its the way life goes.  I do my best to make the most out of every situation. Thats all you can do.  They say ‘experience is what happens when things don’t go the way you want’.  Well I am one of the most experienced people I know.  But things are finally falling into place, I am happy with where life is headed and I can’t wait for what is next.

Carmel-

One of my best friends from High School is moving back really soon! I am super excited about that. And I finally have the time to see everyone I have missed for the last 3 years.  All my peeps from CHS, SLDM, 4H, ICC, CRC and the works… 

 

Stephen-

Stephen is doing well.  His transfer from Boston to Indianapolis feel through, he ended up with a really crappy deal.  Fortunately we have made the most of it and he recently secured an awesome new job.  He is back working as a Mechanic and loving it, Its great pay, a great commission, and a great group of guys.  He really enjoyed his first day and it was nice to see him happy with the way things are going, there for a few weeks he was working his crappy transfer job, and I really felt awful for him.

He is still planning on joining the Army in the next couple Months.  He continues to loose weight.  He isn’t getting a lot of support here at home, and it has taken its toll.  His weight loss rate has slowed substantially but any progress is progress.  I always celebrate the little victories in life, and this is no different.  If you get a chance to say a prayer for him he could really use it.  Life is a little difficult right now, but he is making the best of the situation he has been dealt.  Thats all anyone can ask for.  He knows I love and support him no matter what, and we will make it through this together like we always have.

He just joined the Knights of Columbus at church, and really enjoyed getting to know that group of guys, and is in the process of joining the Masonic lodge that his grandpa belonged to.  Its another goal he has had for a while that he can cross off of his list.  He loves getting out and socializing with people, and I am not that kind of person really.  So this is great for him, I can’t go (I don’t really want to) and he gets to network with other men from all over central Indiana.  He is really excited about it, and I love that it is working out.

Expect 2 more blogs from me right away… more specific.  I will re-join my Alphabet series as well.

Later Ya’ll-

Aliy

 

 

D is for Democrat

22 WAYS TO BE A GOOD DEMOCRAT
1. You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand.

2. You have to believe that businesses create depressions and governments create prosperity.

3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans are more of a threat than Nuclear weapons technology in the hands of Iranians and North Korean communists.

4. You have to believe that there was no art before Federal funding.

5. You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical documented changes in the earth’s climate and more affected by soccer moms driving SUV’s.

6. You have to believe that gender roles are artificial but being homosexual is natural.

7. You have to believe that the AIDS virus is spread by a

 

lack of federal funding.

8. You have to believe that the same teacher who can’t teach fourth graders how to read is somehow qualified to teach those same kids about sex.

9. You have to believe that hunters don’t care about nature, but loon activists who have never been outside of San Francisco or Portland do.

10. You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.

11. You have to believe that Mel Gibson spent $25 million of his own money to make “The Passion of the Christ” for financial gain only.

12. You have to believe the NRA is bad because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution.

13. You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.

14. You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, and A.G. Bell .

15. You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.

16. You have to believe that Hillary Clinton is normal and is a very nice person.

17. You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn’t worked anywhere it’s been tried is because the right people haven’t been in charge.

18. You have to believe conservatives telling the truth belong in jail, but a liar & a sex offender belonged in the White House.

19. You have to believe that homosexual parades displaying transvestites in drag & bestiality should be constitutionally protected,& manger scenes at Christmas should be illegal.

20. You have to believe that illegal Democrat Party funding by the Chinese Government is somehow in the best interest of the United States.

21. You have to believe that this message is a part of a vast, right wing conspiracy.

22. You have to believe that it’s Okay to give Federal workers the day off on Christmas Day but it’s not Okay to say “Merry Christmas.”

C is for Colleges

So I have made my decision.  I will be going to Andrews University.  They keep throwing money at me?!  It wasn’t my first choice, I heard back from The Illinois Institute of Technology finally!  The accepted me and offered me a smaller scholarship.  I was going to accept until I got to the part of the letter about class placement.  First Year, Second Semester.  WTF!  I know I won’t have a large amount of transfer credits, since the BAC is messed up, but 3 classes?  I have already spend 4 years in school.  I was not about to spend 5 and 1/2 more!  So I decided on Andrews.  Except for IIT I don’t really care where I end up.  Andrews is offering me the best program placement and the most amount of money.  That seals the deal.  I have yet to hear back from Ball State, but I doubt even they can match what Andrews is offering.  Between scholarships and Financial aid I am being given $8000 more than tuition costs.  Which means I can afford to take extra classes.  You all know I love that!

 

B is for Boston.

obviously.\

Ugh I am so going to miss Boston.  I love it here.  It is one of my favorite cities.  It hasn’t been able to top Chicago or New York, but its in there at a very close number 3.

But my time here has come to a close.  As I reflect on the last three years I wouldn’t change I thing.  My friends here are incredible. A, J, L, N, J, D, G, B, K, C, E, N, A, and countless others. You guys know who you are.  Big hugs all around.  I am really going to miss you guys.  And don’t forget to keep your eye out for wedding invitations!  You will not be forgotten.

But its time to start a new chapter in my life.  One with Stephen, the Army, A new School, and a whole lot of potential.

Tootles Boston.  You will be missed.

Happy Military Spouse Day!

To all of you I know, and the Nest girls!  You guys rock!

A is for the Army

So I am always at a loss as far as what to blog about.  Lets go through the alphabet and see how that works for us.

A is for the Army.

I am so excited for Stephen to join the Army.  Mostly because its nice to see him finally following through on something.  I love him to death, but he is kinda scatter brained when it comes to life.  He didn’t get much support as a kid pursuing multiple endeavors and items of interest.  So I have been more than willing to let him spend the last 5 years trying to figure out his life.  Exploring different careers, different hobbies, different places, different friends, things that i did my entire life, things that helped me realize who I was and where I wanted to go.  Stephen has always wanted to Join the Army, well the military that should read, but he was never sure it was the right path.  Everyone wrote him off as someone who would never accomplish anything and he wanted to be sure this is what he wanted to commit his life too.  Now he is and he is doing it.

I have been behind him 100% from the get go. And I am just as excited about this as he is.  Getting caught up in the excitement of it all the reality really hadn’t set in.  That is until last week.  I am going to get married go to college, while my husband leaves for basic training, and an Army life.  I will be lucky to see Stephen 5 times a year for the next 3 years. I have faith in us, and I know we will be just fine, but that’s a daunting task for a couple who hasn’t spent more than 3 or 4 days apart at a time in the last 7 years.  Maybe 23 days total??  Anyway I am not really worried about deployments, about him being safe, or any of those standard concerns.  I mean I am but I can deal with those.  I don’t know if I can deal with the separation.

Stephens looking good and planning on an August entry.  Say a little prayer for him if you get the chance he is a little frustrated right now.