Monday, June 30, 2008

a fallen world

So a few things to update:

Joel has been offered a pretty cool opportunity to work in an ROTC detatchment, namely the one he was a part of at UNCC. So what this means is that he would be a teacher for 4 years at a university. A few that we have discussed are UNNCharlotee, N.C. State, UNC Chapel Hill and UK. 
We have also pretty much decided we want to try really hard to get back home for our next base. Of course it is up to the military where they want us, but we are going to put mostly places near home.

Work has been crazy lately. Just recently I almost walked out. I was so frustrated because my boss didn't back me up when I kicked 2 boys out of the pool. The situation was a little more intense but that is sumation of the problem. Anyway, I had the hardest time reconciling my anger yesterday, and pretty much remained that way all day. I have never worked anywhere or been in any time of situation or environment as frustrating as my job right now. If I didn't just love what I do I would have quit a long time ago. I love my actual job, it is so rewarding and fun. But my boss and a few of my co-workers are just out of hand with control issues and it makes me miserable-so much so that I can't relax when I'm home. This leads me to my next thought-

Hawaii has a lot of catching up to do with the rest of the world! This is such a backwards place sometimes. I really feel like I am living in a time remniscant of the 30's in the south. People are racist and violent. And if they don't like you at work they make your life a living you know what. It is insane. If I hear about another "haole" who is beat up or killed by a local person I swear I will just scream. It is very sad to beleive that there is such ugliness in such a beautiful place. We truly live in a fallen world. I know that even though I am miserable right now, God has a plan for all of this. I have learned how to stand up for myself quite a bit when it comes to my job, I just wish my lesson hadn't had to come so rudely. 

ANYWAY. Read a good book, or am reading a good book to be correct. Merle's Door. Wonderful. Funny. Make's me look at my dog in a whole different way. Dog lover should read it, even dog haters should read it because it will make them understand dog's a little more. I think I might start doing book reviews on my little blog here....look for a full version of the Merle's door review soon. =)

Thursday, June 12, 2008

it ain't easy being green

well, joel left yesterday for a little over a week for home. i am so jealous. =) he will be spending the bulk of his time in hilton head island (pictures to come later). here's to hoping our next base is closer to home.

speaking of next base, june 20 was the date we in processed, so in a year and a month from now we will be getting ready to fly away from hawaii. there is so much to do in a year. this year we are hoping to get the rest of the family out here at some time, we need to sell our house (which is daunting already) and figure out how to save some gas in the mean time. gas prices just hit $4.25 here and with driving an old jeep comes great awareness of gas prices. i have to admit, driving the hybrid to work everyday i tend to forget a little bit about the gas prices, and haven't really paid much attention. but i have bee driving the jeep around a bit and have noticed how much gas it sucks. that things gets about 12 miles to the gallon, whereas the honda gets about 42......BIG huge difference. we need another hybrid, like now. 

and speaking of hybrids, for about the past year joel and i have been trying to "go green". we use reusable bags when we shop, we recycle, we are starting to compost, we are reducing our energy (not just because it's expensive) and we have been trying all sorts of organic and natural things. reducing our carbon footprint has been a little bit of work and a little more expensive up front, but in the long run it has been paying off. for instance, we switched to cfl's right after we moved in and it has saved us a little over $20 each year in electric. i am also trying to drag the green movement over into my job. another girl and i are trying to get everyone there to recycle and we are working on starting a compost bin for our landscaping. in the name of being green here are something i think are easy ways to go green without changing your lifestyle that much:

1. cfl's-they cost more than traditional lightbulbs, but they last longer and use less energy.
2. use nalgenes/coffee mugs-starbucks (and most coffee places) give $.10 off when you bring in a tumbler and it reduces paper waste. using a nalgenes reduces plastic bottle waste.
3. buy reusable bags-now that green is "in" these bags are at most grocery stores and wal-marts. they are bretty inexpensive (around $.60/bag) and reduces a ton of waste.
4. you know to turn off lights, but also unplug appliances and computers that aren't in use. they suck more electricity than you think.