Team Jacob

I did not watch the 2013 Miss America pageant.  I happened to pass it on t.v. for a few minutes while channel surfing, however, it was not long enough to take in all the contestants.  So when I first heard an Indian-American won, I (sarcastically) wondered if the winner was Native American or actually Indian-American.  Turns out in this instance, she was actually of Indian (roots from the country India) descent.  Cheers to Nina Davuluri!

What does that have to do with the price of tea in France? You ask.  Well, all too often, I read or hear someone refer to an Indian or Indian-American when the person referred to is of Native American heritage.  When I attempt to recommend a change in the reference, I have been told, well "you know what I'm talking about."  No, actually, I don't.  I don't know.  If I hear Indian, I think of India.  Is there two Indias?  Why are we still perpetrating Christopher Columbus's mistake by using Indian to describe people who's heritage is native to America?  And I recognize that many Native American created websites, articles, books, and what not also use the Indian reference.  I am not saying the use is somehow insulting, in and of itself, but it seems archaic.

As for me, when referencing part of my heritage, I prefer Native American.

Tears Always Win

Agape deep love

Tugging at my heart

Filling up my mind

Because we are apart

Close in distance 

Distant in life

Something changed

Now pain and strife 

Agape deep love 

Pushing it away 

Wall of shallow

With each new day

Talking to the Moon

The Best Option I Don't Have

Quiet
Reserved
Understated
and Kind

A laugh that makes you smile
A smile that warms your heart
A heart that reflects love
A love that is

A Man's Requirements

I have had a few blog post ideas over the past couple of weeks.  However, when I go to write them, it just doesn't seem like what needs to be shared at the time.  So in lieu of an original piece from me, I am sharing a poem from one of my favorite poets, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Enjoy!

A Man's Requirements

I

Love me Sweet, with all thou art,
Feeling, thinking, seeing;
Love me in the lightest part,
Love me in full being.

II

Love me with thine open youth
In its frank surrender;
With the vowing of thy mouth,
With its silence tender.

III

Love me with thine azure eyes,
Made for earnest grantings;
Taking colour from the skies,
Can Heaven's truth be wanting?

IV

Love me with their lids, that fall
Snow-like at first meeting;
Love me with thine heart, that all
Neighbours then see beating.

V

Love me with thine hand stretched out
Freely -- open-minded:
Love me with thy loitering foot, --
Hearing one behind it.

VI

Love me with thy voice, that turns
Sudden faint above me;
Love me with thy blush that burns
When I murmur 'Love me!'

VII

Love me with thy thinking soul,
Break it to love-sighing;
Love me with thy thoughts that roll
On through living -- dying.

VIII

Love me in thy gorgeous airs,
When the world has crowned thee;
Love me, kneeling at thy prayers,
With the angels round thee.

IX

Love me pure, as muses do,
Up the woodlands shady:
Love me gaily, fast and true,
As a winsome lady.

X

Through all hopes that keep us brave,
Farther off or nigher,
Love me for the house and grave,
And for something higher.

XI

Thus, if thou wilt prove me, Dear,
Woman's love no fable,
I will love thee -- half a year --
As a man is able. 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

He Still Loves Me

Small, scared, confused
Him, child & a teddy bear
Salvation

Quirky, clear, spirit-lead
Him, teen & a pew
Obedience

Stoic, puzzled, hurt
Him, girl & a boy
Forgiveness

Willing, ready, excited
Him, her & a friend
Fellowship

Graduate, scared, anxious
Him, her & a song
Faith

Fallen, desired, sorry
Him, her & a dream
Humility

Loved, protected, forgiven
Him & her
Always

Rizzoli & Isles

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." At least, that's what people usually say. I say "Hell hath no fury like the FRIEND of a woman scorned." Now that's who is the real threat. My close friends and I have each others back. It's Girl Code, Girl/Guy Code, all the Codes. Rock it or die. (Joke)

A person can do a lot to me. I will forgive and make sure that the person is ok, more than myself. I never want anyone to feel bad in connection to something to do with me. I just feel too guilty if they do. I don't know why. I've just been that way my whole life. My friends even question my sanity time and time again for giving some people repeated chances. It just seems right. However, the "switch" is completely different if a person is malicious or hurtful to one of my friends. (Must be the attorney-advocate side of me.). I have no problem letting the perpetrator know just how wrong they are.

Of course I have a "for instance". I have multiple, but I won't include them all here. So one guy, we'll call him Naw (as in Naw dude, you suck!) had the audacity to speak very rudely to my friend. We'll call my friend Mel. Eventually Mel and I saw Naw after this rude encounter. He thought (for only a second) he could act like everything was cool. He especially thought he and I were cool. You know since I was not the one he was rude to. (What world is he living in?) I nipped that in the bud quickly. My message was received. (no details needed here) And he understood, if he were to speak to Mel at some point later, an apology was in order. The apology did come.

One more, just for kicks. (Although outside the boundaries of my time in Chicago) In college I was at a party with friends. We were in the usual spot (on the dance floor) doing our thing. I hear my friend's excited utterance as the guy she was dancing with (call him Dick) touched her inappropriately. Well, I have very quick reflexes. I grabbed Dick's wrist and pushed him off my friend with lightening speed. I dared him to try something and added a few other things. (Don't try this at home. I've always been a little too bold with the male species than recommended for safety. But hey, don't mess with my friends and I won't mess with you.). He was shocked, but got the message.

Likewise, my dear friends have my back. Male and female. I absolutely love them for it. I usually have to talk them out of going to extremes for me (when I can), but it makes for great friendship. Oh the stories I could tell. Another day, another blog maybe.

Today's message: The friend is mightier than the sword. :-)

Mean Girls

Scared
Wanting to escape
Can't stop the bullying
Can't stop the hate

Hold on
Be strong
It's not you
They are wrong

You are unique
You are different
You are special
Not a detriment

Keep your eyes up
Hold your head high
Don't let them take away
Don't say goodbye

This life is worth more
Than the harsh words you hear
There's much more to live
The future is near

There is love
There is light
Fight the pain
You'll be alright