My 29th Birthday Was Awesome…
…thanks to my fabulous husband, who took me out for a romantic dinner and gave me the two of the best presents ever invented: chocolate and the iPod video. Actually, when it comes to Clinton, every day could be my birthday. Who else would cook healthy meals for me all week and bring me coffee in bed every single morning?!
The “War Against Terror” Causes Terror
Okay, the war isn’t exactly a “highlight”, but a lot has happened in the past two weeks.
Bush and the GOP are really not doing so well these days. It seems that every type of scandal imaginable has emerged out of the Republican party in the past month. Today we received even more bad news about Bush’s war. This is from a Washington Post article today:
A team of American and Iraqi epidemiologists estimates that 655,000 more people have died in Iraq since coalition forces arrived in March 2003 than would have died if the invasion had not occurred.
All I have to say is ouch.
Imagine Living in Near Constant Fear – in the USA!
On October 5th, which was “The World Can’t Wait Day“, a hodgepodge group of 12 of us concerned citizens once again stood at the intersection of NC Hwy 55 and 54 during rush hour to wave signs. We consisted of a two students, a university professor, two public health workers, a mailman, a Web designer, an organic vegetable farmer, an accountant, an unemployed conspiracy theorist, an old folks’ home care worker and a retired military officer. Our signs were a delightfully mismatched collection of our various sentiments about the Bush Administration. As usual, we got a ton of honks and waves. Hundreds of folks on their way home from work, all with funny faces! If only people knew what silly expressions they wear while driving.
One of the best parts of the evening was when a man pulled over, parked his minivan at the gas station near us, got out of the car and walked over to us just to shake our hands and thank us for what we were doing. How cool!
But the best part of all was the man with the phone. For about twenty minutes, he stood on the grass at the nearby gas station looking at us nervously and jabbering intensely into his cel. His shifty eyes told us that we were the subject of his conversation. Fearing the worst, the retired military officer lady (also a fellow sign waver) beckoned him over to us. She thought he had been sent by the government to spy on us, and she was about to tell him that he’d better take a hike.
Contrary to all of our paranoid misconceptions, it turns out he is a Pakistani immigrant who is going through the naturalization process to become a U.S. citizen. He said that ever since moving to America, he has been appalled by the actions of our government. He said he’d wanted to speak out and protest against the war and civil rights violations but has been too afraid. He was on the phone with his brother, who was trying to convince him not to join our peaceful protest, for fear that he would be seized, detained and tortured indefinitely without reason and without right to a lawyer or trial. (In case you haven’t heard, they now do that to people in our country, thanks to the Military Commissions Act.)
We told him how sorry we were that he and his family have to live in constant fear. I asked him if he’d like to hold a sign and stand with us. He said that frankly, he was afraid, but he’d do it. I handed him one that said “Save America. Impeach Bush.”, and he stood there with us the whole time and held it bravely in trembling hands. He practically fainted when a helicopter flew overhead. Not sure if it was worth his risking indefinite detainment over, but I’m sure glad he was there with us.
An Inconvenient Truth
It’s true what they say: the Al Gore movie can change your life. At the very least, it will change the way you see the world. Clinton and I just saw the movie last week, and afterward we both decided that we’re not eating meat anymore. (Actually, Clinton’s already been a vegetarian for about one and half months now, but I decided to join him for my own reasons.)
Did you know that eating meat uses up more natural resources and contributes more to global warming than driving a big gas-guzzling car? It’s true. The higher up on the food chain you go, the more non-renewable resources are used up in food production. From the GoVeg.com Web site:
…about one-third of the raw materials used in America each year is consumed by the farmed animal industry.
Although I think that steaks and burgers are really tasty, it’s not enough for me to justify the waste and damage I’m helping to create by eating them.
Crystal’s Running Philosophy
Ran 6.2 miles (10 km) with my running group this past Saturday in the rain and cold for the “Tour de Carrboro” race. < 10-minute miles the whole way and felt very strong at the end. Still gearing up for my first half marathon, which is in less than four and a half weeks! Running isn't just a hobby or exercise routine for me; it's about nourishing my mental health and fueling my drive and ambition in life. It's a lifestyle and a continuous personal challenge.
Choir
Clinton and I started going to the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (ERUFF) about two months ago, and I joined the choir. The group numbers about 50 members now. We have an amazing music director who selects really good music, like Carmina Burana, a South African spiritual and a Native American prayer song. Sweet! We practice every Thursday evening and sing about two Sundays per month. I sing soprano, of course.
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Upcoming good stuff
North Carolina State Fair: Clinton and I are going this weekend to check out the racing pigs, lumberjack competition, “Doggies of the Wild West” show, bluegrass music, North Carolina cloggers and all the fireworks. I’m looking forward to a caramel apple and a roller coaster ride!
Nigeria, first class: I leave this coming Monday morning for Lagos. FHI sends its people in style. All international flights are first class, both ways. It’ll be my first time to travel in such luxury, and I plan to soak it all up. Got my iPod loaded and a stack of books recommended by friends. Sayonara, suckaz.
Anniversary: Very excited about our upcoming first wedding anniversary, November 5th. (“Remember, Remember, the Fifth of November!“) No huge plans, but we are commemorating the occasion by planting a tree at the Nixon Family Farm when we are there for Thanksgiving. A new tradition!
Half Marathon: Again, the Outer Banks (OBX) half marathon is only 4 1/2 weeks away! We have 16 people bunking at the 10-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom spectacular house we reserved that is right on the beach. (Check it out!) Beachfront, yeah!
Final note: Have a great week, everyone. Be sure to stay tuned for Crystal’s blog posts as she writes from one of the most dangerous countries on Earth…
