soupy says

Mongolian language lesson: How Timmy from South Park says his name is how the Mongolian word for camel is pronounced.

And yes, I am long over due for a blog update. I do have Internet at site (I check my email at least once a week), but I have been lazy about posting. I have lots to say, and hopefully I will sort through everything soon.

And no, I have not ridden a camel...yet.


PS Due to s...l...o...w Internet in Hovd, I can only upload photos when I'm in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. And that's only once every few months. I had planned on uploading more photos this trip, but I discovered my flickr pro-account expired. I have a friend setting up a ftp server for me which I'll access in Dec when I'm back in the "big" city.

new blog

Blogger, I'm seeing someone else.

WordPress.

Its features blow yours out of the water, and it is still free.

currently listening to Matt Nathanson, "Somewhere to Hide"

Today, I went to the doctor (well, doctor's assistant) to get my Peace Corps physical. The nurse had a nephew currently serving in Africa, and she looked over the paperwork and commented how much there was ("a pap smear is required?"). The doctor's assistant that did the actual physical said she had just done one of these a short time ago, and that she knew "how much work it is!"

After the check-up, I was supposed to hang tight until everything was ready for my blood tests. A short time later, the doctor's assistant came in and told me that it would be a bit longer because the nurse was on the phone with the lab to see if they could consolidate some of the test tubes for multiple tests. "They want a lot of blood." When I sat down to get poked, the nurse said, "it's a good thing you've given blood before." And during the test, another nurse came by and saw all the tubes and said, "whoa." However, shortly after the nurse started to take blood, I realized I hadn't eaten since about 11:45 AM, and at that point, it was about 5 PM. Yes, I had given blood before, but the first time I gave, I almost passed out because I hadn't eaten right before. Uh oh. I was doing ok until the very last tube. I was feeling a little light headed, but I knew it was over soon.

The nurse said, "We should get you some orange juice."
"Yeah, I think that's a good idea."

As soon as she said, "We are all done." My head started swim. All of a sudden there were five people around me, and the nurse told me to put my head between my legs. Someone else got an orange juice box. I felt a lot better after sitting there for a minute, but the nurse led me into a room and had me lay down while she got my TB test. I even got peanut butter crackers as I was leaving. I have to go back Friday to get the results of my TB test, and then I get to go in Tuesday for the much loved pap smear.

So, for any potential Peace Corps applicants out there, eat before you go into your doctor's appointment. You are going to give "a lot of blood."

Thanks, Uncle Sam!

currently listening to Brothers Creeggan, "She Married a Cowboy"

Wow, 2005, what a year.

This time last year I was exactly where I was right now: at my Aunt's house in Allen, TX. If there is one thing I can count on, it is my family's Christmas holiday celebration schedule.

Let me see if I can sum up '05 at 8am in the morning...

Jan: I brought in the New Year with Katy, Elliot, DP and some of Katy's friends from high school. We ate at Bahama Breeze, and then took the party to a Marriott. I found out that the fact that Martha Stewart lost her door decorating contest in prison was common knowledge, and that I shouldn't spend a whole evening drinking Austrian potato vodka. The next day I bought Fast Food Nation and read during the drive home. I started my last semester of my senior year of college.

Feb: I went to classes, I guess. Hey, Feb is a short month.

March: Spring Break '05! My brother was living down in Tempe, AZ, and my parents and I met there and we went to Sedona, AZ. After my parents left, I flew to Las Vegas, NV to spend part of the week with three fabulous friends from high school. I then flew back to AZ to spend the rest of the week with Aaron in Tempe. (I timed it right so I spent my first 21+ St. Patrick's Day in two different states. Boo-ya.) After returning to school, I had my professor look me in the eye and tell me that I should go to Grad School. Talk about a confidence boost, but then I still managed to get caught up in Senioritis, Ah well.

April: I made new friends! I started spending time with the Army boys downstairs, and I got to see a different side of life in San Antonio. Plus, they fed me.

May: I graduated! I drove back to Colorado with my parents, and then got a job as soon as possible.

June: I went back to San Antonio for my very first college friends wedding. I submitted my Peace Corps application.

July: Katy and Elliot came to Colorado. I met them up in Snowmass and spent the Fourth of July with Elliot's family (and Katy). I then met Katy and Elliot up in Boulder to help Elliot look for an apartment. They then got to see the glory of Parker. :p Oh, my birthday was the 25th. I went to work.

Aug: Katy and Elliot come back to Colorado! This time to move Elliot in to his new place. We finally got to eat at the grilled cheese restaurant. It was good. Shay also moves back home, and Aaron and his sister Jen help him get his stuff back home. I think took Aaron and Jen to see CU and CSU for future grad school possibilities (for Jen). I had my Peace Corps interview and recieved a nomination.

Sept: I went to Montana to work for Project Vote Smart for a couple of weeks. Then I quit my job as soon as a got back.

Oct: I did my first big solo road trip. I drove down to Albuqurque, NM to hang out with Beth. I then went to San Antonio to spend time with Granny and to go to Alumni Weekend. I had my same professor as mentioned above tell me that I would be a good fit at University of Washington (he is an alum).

Nov: I went to three days of Matt Nathanson concerts. In a row. The Boulder show was the best. Oh, then flew to Korea, and then I flew to Taipei the day before Thanksgiving.

Dec: Rocked out in Taipei most of Dec. I then flew home the 19th, drove to Dallas on the 20th, and then San Antonio on the 22nd...then Houston on the 25th, back to San Antonio on the 28th, back to Dallas on the 30th, and then I will go back to Denver on the 2nd. Like I said, the usual family schedule.

I anticipate the beginning of 2006 to be less mobile than the end of 2005. As soon as I get back home, I want to get Dr appts done so maybe I can find out where I'm going for the Peace Corps. I'm also looking to take the GRE in March, and I keep going back and forth on taking a college course.

Anyway, Happy New Year!

Bill on Illegal-Immigrant Aid Draws Fire

Churches, social service agencies and immigration groups across the country are rallying against a provision in the recently passed House border-security bill that would make it a federal crime to offer services or assistance to illegal immigrants.

So, if someone came to a soup kitchen, you would have to ask to see their green card?

Oh look, here's another little gem.

The legislation would make it a federal crime to live in the United States illegally, which would turn millions of illegal immigrants into felons, ineligible to win any legal status

The article says that several Congressmen don't think the measure would pass.

One more thing

White House officials have emphasized in recent weeks, however, that Mr. Bush still believes that any immigration legislation should include a guest worker program that would grant millions of undocumented workers the right to work temporarily in this country.

The House bill does not include a guest worker program, but the Senate is expected to consider such a plan early next year. A guest worker plan would give legal status to millions of illegal immigrants. If that were to happen, the measure outlawing assistance to illegal immigrants might be removed or end up having little effect.

But advocates for immigration said they were still deeply disheartened that Mr. Bush and members of Congress had not spoken out against the House measure.

I have started a post about being a solo female traveler, but let's be honest, I'm not sure if I've ever finish it. So, I'll just sum up the message.

You, there, yeah, you, the female that is reading this. Have you ever thought about traveling by yourself (domestic or international)? Well, can you leave the house by yourself without constantly fearing for your life?

You do? Good. Then you have the ability to travel alone!

Abstinence Clearing House goes to Taiwan. (pdf)

Thousands of university students heard that only abstinence until marriage provides 100 percent protection against sexually transmitted diseases, unexpected pregnancy, and heartache.

That's right abstinence guarantees that you will not get your heart broken. ever.

I have discovered that it is important to spend time with your family because it reaffirms who you aren't.

Happy Holidays everyone.