R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

So I’m forewarning you that even though I have stewed over this issue before venting my reactions, and tried to put together a well thought out, non-rant. I apologize if I step on the soapbox. I will try to come back and edit if necessary.

I generally try to avoid speaking in public concerning my personal views on politics nowadays simply because I find they cause fights. And I hate fights. I only speak when asked, and with people who I really believe can carry on a civilized discussion about our two opinions, differing or alike.

I am apalled at the lack of respect our new president is recieving from so many. I see facebook flooded with comments of “when will he get shot” to “Obama is already screwing the country up” and even some mentioning and questionning Christians dedication to Christ if they support Obama. To be honest, to see these comments from my friends, and especially those who take such a stand for Christ, scares me.

We follow Christ who said, “Give to Caeser what is Caeser’s and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21) I really don’t think that Jesus was speaking only about taxes and monetary things. He was telling them to respect their government and Caeser by giving the government the taxes they owed according to law. Granted, the law doesn’t say you must respect and lift up the president in America. I’m very glad it says the opposite almost, that we are allowed to say the things we do by law. (duh, I’m a journalism major. i love the first amendment.) BUT I think that because he was elected by the public, that he should be respected regardless of what he does.

We prayed for God to choose the right man and put him through. Maybe he is not the right man, but I know God has a plan like he always does. He will make the best out of every circumstance. So many Christians coated this election with prayers. Now it is time for us to pray for our country. Pray for our President Barack Obama–I don’t care what your opinion of him is. He is still a human who needs our prayers.

I may not agree that he is the best choice for president. But I do know that he is my president. And I will respect him.

I challenge you to do the same. At least give him more than a week to form an opinion on the man!

all packed and nowhere to go.

Saturday was when it started. The goodbyes, keep in touches, etc. And then Sunday came. The goodbyes continued of course, and the friends started to leave. KU, KState for rush, Emporia, etc.

At first the break was really nice. I got to hang out with my mom. Wednesday, the cabin fever started to set in. Now, I’m thinking the lack of things to do has me stressed almost, its kinda backwards

Now we’re here. Friday. The car is packed. Room cleaned. I have at least five hours before I can attempt sleep. Waiting sucks.
(plus there are rumors of a family game night. hmm.)

gymnastics venting. you were forewarned.

(In case you haven’t seen my previous sports ranting posts.. i rant. you have been forewarned.)

So eliminating the fact that there’s ridiculously strong evidence that China cheated by having a team of young’uns that are more flexible and..well that makes things easier!

Step One: Americans win silver in the team competition. Yes, Alicia Sacramone screwed things up. So that silver medal was a tad unsatifactory. But at least the fault was ours.

Step Two: Yes. Shawn and Nastia went one-two. INCREDIBLE. First time ever I think?

Step Three: Vault Finals. Um, knees mean eight tenths of a point deduction.. not being square..more deduction, uneven hands on vault MORE DEDUCTION. yet who won the bronze? Nope. Not Alicia, who had a hop. ONE HOP.

Step Four: Floor Finals: Shawn Johsnon takes lead. Keeps the lead. The very last gymnast swipes the gold.

Step Five: Uneven Bars Finals. Nastia’s a sure fire win correct? So the little Chinese girl went and got a great score. Then Nastia went and SHOULD HAVE blown the judges away. And got the same score. So then there’s this weird “tie breaker” thing right? I learned in elementary school that tie breaker means you redo, and then whoever wins that, wins. Apparently not. So Nastia walks away with silver. And got the same score as the gold medalist who looks like she’s twelve.

Step Six: Beam. Chung Fei gets a 15.9 something. What?! And then again, Shawn has sights on the gold, with one gymnast to go. But she WINS! And the Americans go one-two again.

I’m so glad it ended on a good note. Otherwise I was close to running out to KCI and hopping on a plane to Beijing to give the IOC a piece of my mind. If you hadn’t noticed, sports can get me going.

good enough to post twice.

truth.

sleeping through statistics.

i’m beginning to think i need to invest in sleeping pills. i’m turning into an insomniac. me. the girl who needs nine hours of sleep to properly function.

being awake until 2am on a school night doesn’t work.

add one pound of stress. a cup of apapthy.

you’ve got laura sleeping through statistics.

in limbo.

middle school.

it sucks right? it’s a rare occasion when you find someone who loved that period of time.

maybe its because you’re in between. adults won’t exactly recognize you as a teenager, yet you’re not “a child.”that’s how i feel right now.

in between being a child and being an adult. in between being under my parents’ house rules, and being pretty much completely responsible for myself (i know they still pay quite a few of the bills) 

one hundred eighty six days of in between. before i move in. (yikes)

i plan on enjoying them. remind me when i get too..er.. anxious?  

money.

“hey laura, don’t spend anything today”

“why?”

“well…there may be some tax problems.”

“what?”

“we’ll talk about it later”

great.

so. when i first got my job, originally, i thought “sweet i don’t get taxes taken out of my paycheck. and i don’t make enough, so this rocks.”

hah. funny.

apparently i’m “self-employed” and that means you pay 15%. nope. not just 7.5%. that’d be a whopping one-five. which adds up to 500 macaroos that laura doesn’t have in her pocket right now. lovely.

can mike huckabee and chuck norris get on that whole kicking the IRS to the curb deal? like…now?

how to look [somewhat] normal when you look like a chipmunk.

number one.    place hands over cheeks and act like you’re suprised. [note. this doesn't work when swelling is at the maximum.]number two.    puff out your cheeks like you’re holding your breath. no one will know the difference!note. these suggestions are only in the first stage of testing. we are not positive if they work in all situations yet.   

can i scream?

it’s pretty hard to make me mad (for most people) right?

i generally see myself as easy going, just let it roll off my back, however else you want to put it.

but the thing that irks me. really really gets under my skin is when.

1) people don’t respect me

or

2) treat me like i’m a little kid (which can kinda go under the respect issue)

for whatever reason it really peeves me when people do this.

I may be only seventeen. but if you ask me to take on the role of a wedding photographer for example.. i will do so. and i expect to be treated like any other wedding photographer. yes. in spite of the fact that they have more experience and that they are older than i.

or.. if i don’t need to know something. yes. i know i’m nosy sometimes, or curious, again however you wish to phrase it. if i don’t need to know something then tell me like an adult. not like i’m five! i know that i am younger than they are. and sometimes that affects why i don’t need to know things. but i think its still possible to tell someone without belittling them.

what are your pet peeves?