iTwanda: A day in the life

This is how we do it.

Originally uploaded by raleighwoman

Baker Dance Party night in full effect.
Yeah. We are *those* people.

UNC Homecoming ’10

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Start

Originally uploaded by raleighwoman

Twanda

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Fired up and ready to go!

Attending 2009 UNC Homecoming Stepshow

Originally uploaded by raleighwoman

Twanda

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Fired up and ready to go!

It has been a huge task to try to blog. I’m going to really work hard at doing better. No offense but I’m not doing it for you, the reader, as much as I’m doing it for me. Getting my thoughts out of my head is therapeutic.

Kids’ School
We got a “No Child Left Behind” progress report for the kids’ school. Less than 50 percent of the students are at grade level! OMG! I’ve got to get my children out fast! This school has more crime, less experienced teachers, and lower scores than the other schools in our district. We’ve got problems. We’ve applied for Magnet status but that’s like the lottery. I’m sure we’ll get the opportunity to opt out and I’ll do that even if it means my kids are going to school further away. On a positive note, my daughter is participating in a few extracurricular activities that have lessened the burden a little. She’ll be performing at Meymandi Hall in a couple of months and competing in a county wide elementary school fitness thing, called First in Fitness.

Gymnastics

The kids participated in a gymnastic meet this past weekend. It is awesome to watch them develop their skills. My girl is very competitive and my middle child has lots of natural talent and my “baby” is just excited to participate. I’m quite proud of them.

Bringing Sexy Back

I’m using Weight Watchers to help me lose 10 – 12 pounds in time for the summer. I don’t have a lot of time for exercise but the WW plans will help me use my diet and the little exercising I do to help me see a difference over time. I think I can expect to lose a pound a week if I take the laid back method. I’ll step it up so things won’t go that slowly but a pound a week is better than nothing. I want to actually keep it off so I’m learning how to eat right and in small proportions. That’s been really hard this first week. And wouldn’t you know it, the Girl Scout cookies I love sooo much came in this week too. I’ll post my progress.

What ticks me off

• The NY Post Editorial Cartoon
  It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last *sigh*
• Operation Slow Down
  Here’s a quote from the local news:
  “The purpose of the operation is to reduce speed-related collisions on North Carolina interstates,” Reuben Young, secretary of the state’s Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, said in a news release.

  I say BS! This should be called Operation Mo Money! This is nothing but fundraiser disguised as genuine concern for the people. I don’t have a source for this theory *yet* but I believe that in times of economic crisis more traffic tickets are handed out as a way to raise revenue. Just wait. I’ll find a source. AND YES I’M STILL BITTER OVER THE TICKET I GOT A FEW WEEKS AGO.

• Fat Tax
  On the news last night I heard that a bill will soon go to the Legislature that requires that smokers and overweight people pay more for their health benefits. Last night law makers spoke on camera to express their concern for the health of state employees. Again I say BS! They must think we’re stupid. We’re in an economic crisis and they need help paying the bill. Smoker and Overweight people will be encouraged to become healthier when they are overcharged for health care. Yeah, that will work.

• Amway Church of Christ: Fund Raising Ruse
  About a month ago, my church pulled an old Amway (network marketing) ploy. I know the networking tricks when I see one. I never did Amway but I have experience working with other network marketing companies. Seasoned network marketers know how to manipulate you into agreeing to things.

  Near the end of the Sunday service, a member of our Mortgage Burning Committee (not the real name, I don’t think) asked all the church members to stand. In front of the whole congregation, guests and all, he said that he figured out how the church can pay off the remaining $300,000 of the mortgage by October of this year. In addition to tithes and offerings, each adult member should pay $600 towards the church debt. He acknowledged the current economic crisis, but said that other churches are building and doing things and our church should be able to do those things too. He announced that he’s seen our nice houses, cars and clothes and feels like we should be able to commit to this plan and reach this goal. [Here's the kicker....] Then he said, if you are not on board with this plan you can sit down now.

  In my experience with network marketing tactics like these are common. I happen to know that the guy making this proposal has a network marketing background. So what do you do? Sit down in front of church members, guests and family? Look like the traitor, the one with little faith who doesn’t want the church to succeed? Who wants that scrutiny? Even if you didn’t agree with the plan, it would be quite uncomfortable to express that in public. So most people kept standing. Some felt angry and manipulated, I’m sure, but they kept standing. Can you blame them?

  DISCLAIMER: A month later the pastor announced that the Mortgage fund raising project was put on hold (or discontinued) due to the poor economic climate.

Watched Lost after a gratifying Carolina vs NC State basketball game.

So here are my questions this week:

•What/ who convinced Hurley and Sayid to get on the plane? Was it Ben? Who beat up Ben?
Was it Sayid?

If Hurley bought all the remaining tickets who were the other passengers on the plane (Like the lady with Sayid? Should I know them?

Jack can’t ask this but I can. What did Kate do to with Aaron? Why does this have to be a secret? Aaron is/was Jack’s biological nephew, why wouldn’t he press the issue?

Why does Jack’s grandfather appear so young? Does he know something about this time travel thing? Is Jack’s dad dead or back on the island with Claire?
She’s still alive and on the island right?

Was the flight number supposed to mean something to me?

Why didn’t all the flight passengers land together on the island? Where are they? What year are they in on the island? Why is Jin wearing a Dharma-issue suit driving that blue van (which look brand new)? Was that an old or new gun he was toting? Does Jin recognize Jack, Hurley & Kate?

During the previews for next week I think I saw a flash of Ben in a room with John just before he committs suicide. What did John tell Ben? Why is Ben such a liar?

What are the “windows” for time/island travel? Is it always a flash of light?

Did Daniel create that system for finding the island? How come we never noticed that the island was moving before?

Hat for Lydia

Originally uploaded by raleighwoman

Twanda

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Fired up and ready to go!

1. I love country music.
2. My daughter is named after a gift my husband bought me in college.
3. I think my locs might be too long now.
4. I’m addicted to LOST. I watch weekly due to the addiction not necessarily because I like it.
5. Bailey is my favorite character on Grey’s Anatomy.
6. I own at least one Grey’s Anatomy soundtrack.
7. I love my iPhone.
8. I love reading but I try hard not to. I listen to books all the time.
9. I knit and crochet stuff.
10. I hoard yarn. It’s stashed away all over my house.
11. I married the man of my dreams almost 13 years ago and today he’s still the man of my dreams.
12. For the first time in my life, there is an American flag in my house.
13. I take lots of pictures and store photos my life in public on flickr.
14. I want to be a researcher when I grow up.
15. I like statistics.
16. I used to do back handsprings and aerial cartwheels in college.
17. I want to start a Master’s Degree program next year.
18. I once wanted to start a non profit organization aimed at holding record companies and recording artists accountable for the negative content in Hip Hop music.
19. I love teaching computer workshops.
20. I wish I owned a cat.
21. Before I die, I want to learn to speak Spanish fluently, use sign language, earn a PhD.
22. I hope I can one day buy the house I grew up in.
23. I wish I still had a relationship with two girlfriends from college.
24. I am a Mac.
25. It took me 16 minutes to complete this list.

We’ve been trying to get out of the parking lot for a full hour. There is nothing but gridlock ahead. In NC we are facing snow and ice. The people on my bus are tired and frustrated. It will be a very long trip home.

I watched President Obama swear in, then speak to the nation. I was a bundle of tears. I couldn’t help it. It was a such an overwhelming moment. Everyone in the world was cheering. At least it seemed like the world was listening and in agreement at least for this moment.
I didn’t see it the way I wished I could but I saw it. I was there. I could see and hear the masses. So many people did all they could to be there. I saw some very old people braving the cold and walking the distance to be in the number. I remember seeing the people in South Africa come out in drooves to vote for Mandela. I got to be a part of something that feels as big.

Today was a great day.