Sunday, November 28, 2010
Cool thing about being us right now...
We have 7 nieces and 7 nephews and somehow didn't realize that until today. Based upon this, the fact that both Nita and Bonnie are pregnant, and that Nita needs to have a girl, I think Bonnie should have a boy. However, if it ends up Nita is having a boy, then I will change my mind and hope Bonnie is having a girl (yes, for my sheer enjoyment).
The End of Military Involvement in Iraq
I recently watched the video of President Obama announcing the end of most of the United States military involvement in Iraq (dated August 31, 2010). I think this event merits a post on our blog if for nothing else the significant moment in history that it is.
My feelings regarding this event are mixed. My feelings regarding almost anything political is mixed. In this area of life more than any other I remember the story of the 4 blind men that feel a different part of an elephant and all conclude something completely different about the physical properties of the animal.
I feel almost always when I consider candidates and issues of significance to the citizens of the city, state, nation, or planet in which I reside that I only have a few of the facts, too few in fact to form a solid opinion. I am content to learn enough to form an opinion and thus vote accordingly, but I am rarely staunchly entrenched in a certain mindset.
Anyways, regarding this event I do believe I agree that it was time to leave. I am still skeptical that this war was just at all; I doubt that it was ever right for United States to enter Iraq; however, I have heard encouraging stories of good healthy programs (e.g. schools, libraries, other social programs) established by Iraqis that were made possible by American involvement. I am still of the opinion that these same advancements could have been achieved through peaceful means.
I think China is a good example of peaceful influence shaping political thought. For example, couples are no longer limited to only one child, religious gatherings are permitted (albeit with strict stipulations) and domestic violence is being more and more publicly denounced (as opposed to be dismissed as the prerogative of the man in the home).
However, I was encouraged by an interview of George W. Bush recently in which he was asked the question had he known that there would be no weapons of mass destruction found would he have ordered the invasion of Iraq. I liked his response. He said that he can't say because he didn't have that luxury when it came time to make that decision.
So back to the topic of the end of most combat missions there in Iraq, I like what Ron Paul had to say about it. He stated that withdrawing would bring negative consequences for Iraqi people and in some ways for American people but these consequences would be experienced no matter when the withdrawal happened. I still support Ron Paul, he made the most sense of any other presidential candidate in the 2008 election (keeping in mind my earlier reference to the blind men and the elephant).
It seems that now is the time for American troops to leave, due to the international recession and many other problems that require full attention from our people and government if we are to recover from these problems. My heart goes out to these many soldiers who are now grappling with the reality of such struggles as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Acquired Brain Injury, and others. Also many of them are national guardsmen or reserve soldiers and are now trying to reintegrate into their communities and finding it difficult to transfer their skills learned in combat to civilian employment.
Ok, enough rambling for one day. Suffice it to say I am grateful to live in this world, grateful for my country, and grateful for our Canadian neighbors. I like Canada!
My feelings regarding this event are mixed. My feelings regarding almost anything political is mixed. In this area of life more than any other I remember the story of the 4 blind men that feel a different part of an elephant and all conclude something completely different about the physical properties of the animal.
I feel almost always when I consider candidates and issues of significance to the citizens of the city, state, nation, or planet in which I reside that I only have a few of the facts, too few in fact to form a solid opinion. I am content to learn enough to form an opinion and thus vote accordingly, but I am rarely staunchly entrenched in a certain mindset.
Anyways, regarding this event I do believe I agree that it was time to leave. I am still skeptical that this war was just at all; I doubt that it was ever right for United States to enter Iraq; however, I have heard encouraging stories of good healthy programs (e.g. schools, libraries, other social programs) established by Iraqis that were made possible by American involvement. I am still of the opinion that these same advancements could have been achieved through peaceful means.
I think China is a good example of peaceful influence shaping political thought. For example, couples are no longer limited to only one child, religious gatherings are permitted (albeit with strict stipulations) and domestic violence is being more and more publicly denounced (as opposed to be dismissed as the prerogative of the man in the home).
However, I was encouraged by an interview of George W. Bush recently in which he was asked the question had he known that there would be no weapons of mass destruction found would he have ordered the invasion of Iraq. I liked his response. He said that he can't say because he didn't have that luxury when it came time to make that decision.
So back to the topic of the end of most combat missions there in Iraq, I like what Ron Paul had to say about it. He stated that withdrawing would bring negative consequences for Iraqi people and in some ways for American people but these consequences would be experienced no matter when the withdrawal happened. I still support Ron Paul, he made the most sense of any other presidential candidate in the 2008 election (keeping in mind my earlier reference to the blind men and the elephant).
It seems that now is the time for American troops to leave, due to the international recession and many other problems that require full attention from our people and government if we are to recover from these problems. My heart goes out to these many soldiers who are now grappling with the reality of such struggles as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Acquired Brain Injury, and others. Also many of them are national guardsmen or reserve soldiers and are now trying to reintegrate into their communities and finding it difficult to transfer their skills learned in combat to civilian employment.
Ok, enough rambling for one day. Suffice it to say I am grateful to live in this world, grateful for my country, and grateful for our Canadian neighbors. I like Canada!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
We have often been the recipients of kindness
I would like to recount a recent experience we had . Recently (Tuesday November 27) Most of Utah saw a very intense snow storm. Melissa had heard that he storm was supposed to hit in the afternoon and was thus we were anxious to leave Provo as soon as possible to head up to her parent's house in North Ogden.
We left as soon as she had completed her last class had ended and she completed the assignment for that class (about 2:00 PM). It just so happened that Tuesday also was the most convenient day for us to visit her cousin Sara's salon to get our haircuts. Sara always does a great job and we enjoy visiting with her, so we always go to her.
When we arrived at her salon in Kearns (about halfway to the Mikhail house), the wind was really picking up and the skies looked dark. We received a call from both of Melissa's parents individually; both with reports of road closures and concerns for our safety. We considered them and talked to other people in the salon about the storm. One lady joked that in the event didn't make it, we would both look really good in our caskets. I actually thought that was pretty funny, but was still apprehensive.
When we got back in the car I told Melissa that I thought we should just go to her brother's house (about 10 miles away) instead of trying to make it to her parents house (still 40 miles or so away). She thought we could make it to her parent's house before the worst of the storm hit. So we prayed and felt ok about it and proceeded on.
When we were driving through North Bountiful the snow, the wind, and the fog all intensified so much that visibility was extremely limited and I told Melissa I didn't feel safe driving in this. So we exited the freeway hoping to find a business or a parking lot where we could wait out the storm. We drove around for awhile as driving conditions got even worse and decided to ask for help.
We stopped on the road and decided that I would knock on the door right there and ask for help. A middle-aged woman answered the door and I explained to her our predicament. She was understandably suspicious and asked me to wait so she could get her husband. Her husband came to the door and I asked him if he knew of a business or parking lot nearby and asked if perhaps we could park in their driveway to wait out the storm.
They invited us to come inside. Once they saw that Melissa was pregnant they felt much more at ease. They were very kind to us; they fed us Pizza, visited with us and we were privileged to have their home teachers come visit while we were there. After some time two of their sons came home from work and told us of the weather conditions on the roads. This kind woman told us if we felt uncomfortable driving that we were welcome to even sleep at their house if we wanted. We were most grateful.
They told us that visibility was good, wind was mild with lots of fresh snow. We decided to get back on the road in 4-wheel drive and drive slowly. We maintained and average speed of 35 miles hour the rest of the way and arrived safely. At one point three snow plows were behind us and prevented other cars from passing us, so we had the whole road to ourselves, it was great!
We are most grateful to this kind couple for extending their hospitality to two strangers.
We have often been the recipients of kindness throughout our lives. Let us not forget these acts of kindness.
We left as soon as she had completed her last class had ended and she completed the assignment for that class (about 2:00 PM). It just so happened that Tuesday also was the most convenient day for us to visit her cousin Sara's salon to get our haircuts. Sara always does a great job and we enjoy visiting with her, so we always go to her.
When we arrived at her salon in Kearns (about halfway to the Mikhail house), the wind was really picking up and the skies looked dark. We received a call from both of Melissa's parents individually; both with reports of road closures and concerns for our safety. We considered them and talked to other people in the salon about the storm. One lady joked that in the event didn't make it, we would both look really good in our caskets. I actually thought that was pretty funny, but was still apprehensive.
When we got back in the car I told Melissa that I thought we should just go to her brother's house (about 10 miles away) instead of trying to make it to her parents house (still 40 miles or so away). She thought we could make it to her parent's house before the worst of the storm hit. So we prayed and felt ok about it and proceeded on.
When we were driving through North Bountiful the snow, the wind, and the fog all intensified so much that visibility was extremely limited and I told Melissa I didn't feel safe driving in this. So we exited the freeway hoping to find a business or a parking lot where we could wait out the storm. We drove around for awhile as driving conditions got even worse and decided to ask for help.
We stopped on the road and decided that I would knock on the door right there and ask for help. A middle-aged woman answered the door and I explained to her our predicament. She was understandably suspicious and asked me to wait so she could get her husband. Her husband came to the door and I asked him if he knew of a business or parking lot nearby and asked if perhaps we could park in their driveway to wait out the storm.
They invited us to come inside. Once they saw that Melissa was pregnant they felt much more at ease. They were very kind to us; they fed us Pizza, visited with us and we were privileged to have their home teachers come visit while we were there. After some time two of their sons came home from work and told us of the weather conditions on the roads. This kind woman told us if we felt uncomfortable driving that we were welcome to even sleep at their house if we wanted. We were most grateful.
They told us that visibility was good, wind was mild with lots of fresh snow. We decided to get back on the road in 4-wheel drive and drive slowly. We maintained and average speed of 35 miles hour the rest of the way and arrived safely. At one point three snow plows were behind us and prevented other cars from passing us, so we had the whole road to ourselves, it was great!
We are most grateful to this kind couple for extending their hospitality to two strangers.
We have often been the recipients of kindness throughout our lives. Let us not forget these acts of kindness.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Today...
...we went to the doctor. Everything is fine. Baby is as big as I was when I was born, only, not ready to be born (which is fine), but means she might just be HUGE!.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Modern Medicine?
I'm not sure if this is real or not, but I'm completely completely fascinated by it!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Textbooks
Class today...
Teacher: This is actually very important. How many of you read this part of the textbook?
The teacher looks around. Nobody responds.
Teacher: I made this semester way too easy for you guys. Nobody even read the textbook.
A few disgruntled arguments about having read the textbook some.
Teacher: Don't lie to me. I never even opened a textbook before I taught this class!
Probably a few minutes of students disagreeing with the teacher about that (they do that a lot).
Teacher: You know why textbooks are so expensive don't you? Students aren't going to get anything out of them, so the publishers might as well.
Teacher: This is actually very important. How many of you read this part of the textbook?
The teacher looks around. Nobody responds.
Teacher: I made this semester way too easy for you guys. Nobody even read the textbook.
A few disgruntled arguments about having read the textbook some.
Teacher: Don't lie to me. I never even opened a textbook before I taught this class!
Probably a few minutes of students disagreeing with the teacher about that (they do that a lot).
Teacher: You know why textbooks are so expensive don't you? Students aren't going to get anything out of them, so the publishers might as well.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Ridiculous
I realized something today that I really think is ridiculous. In one of my classes over then next three weeks (this week, next week, and the two days before school is out for Thanksgiving) I will have done 7 homework assignments, 7 quizzes, and taken a test, but unfortunately not started the project due after Thanksgiving. Do you know what I have to say about that! Rude! That's what.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Upcoming Radio Show Featuring Recovery International
This post is to encourage all of you who are so inclined to tune in and listen to a radio show on Wednesday morning at 11am on 1400 AM Provo, Utah. Unfortunately we are not able to find a live stream.
Anyway, the presenter will be Ron, who is the Orem group leader for Recovery International. He will be presenting on the merits of this group and the benefits it provides for the community. We are very excited about it!
Shelly Wallwork Catton
This is the name of my cousin who recently passed away. She is one of my oldest cousins, almost thirty years older than I am. I never met her that I can recall, but I did meet each one of her children, including Julie, who was in our stake last year. I knew Shelly's parents well (Lorane and Lanny); they said that of all their seven children, Shelly was the most prepared to meet our Savior.
My mother, however, was closer to Shelly than she was many of her sisters (being only six years older). She told me, with great fondness, of duets that they would perform together as children. She reflected on the friendship she enjoyed with Shelly.
Well, this is the first of any of my cousins that have passed away and I am grateful for her example as she continues to bring honor to the Packer family!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Directions
Click here.
Then click get directions.
Type in from Japan (A) to China (B).
Look at #43.
I think it will be worth your time. :)
Then click get directions.
Type in from Japan (A) to China (B).
Look at #43.
I think it will be worth your time. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)