It's been a while! I guess I haven't realized how busy I've been. Here are some major updates on my life.
1. may 18th--Sam & Maya's 9 month birthday
2. may 19th-- Murad and I celebrated our two year anniversary
3. may 21st--10 months until our wedding day
4. may 25th--Jennifer & Jason Cheng's wedding--so much fun
5. may 28th-- MSNBC runs an article about interracial families in the U.S. and my dad has a (small), but important quote on pg. 3 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24542138/
Well, I'll talk about the last two things. Jennifer & Jason's wedding was sunday. It was absolutely beautiful! She had such attention to detail, and the day couldn't have been more perfect. They had an outdoor ceremony at a country club in Wichita, with an indoor reception. They had wonderful pink, ivory and chocolate decor and delicious white and dark chocolate pretzels as favors..yummy! I'm also envious of Jennifer's three dresses! Count 'em three! Murad and I had a blast on the dance floor and there were many times when we were the only ones out there.
So, with all the Obamaness going on around the nation (Yay Obama!), MSNBC decided to run an article about multiracial families in America (bout time). I think it's great. There are so many of us out there, with so many unique experiences to share. I'm currently working on sort of a Chicken Soup for the Multiracial Soul book in which people from these families write about their experiences. Yay, Dad! Actually Yay, Mom and Dad for taking a risk and creating my brother and me, two multiracial individuals.
Well, my little mulitcolored dogs (black & white) are not so little anymore. They are growing up so fast. I just love them so much. Each day I'm so impressed by their unique personalities and how cuddly they are. I love waking up to them (most mornings, except when Sam claws at my face!) I just remember when they were puppies and now they are nine months. They are getting so big too. Sam has been limping around. At first, we were worried but then the vet assured us that it was just growing pains because he's growing so fast. Murad and I are thinking of buying a house again. We'll see....trying not to get my hopes up yet!
THE WEDDING. Everything with our wedding could not be more perfect except two things:
1. the guest list---how do I trim it?
2. my weight loss--- I need to lose 10 more lbs.
Other than that, I can't complain. My dress is going to be absolutely beautiful. The food, excellent. The flowers and decor will be great. The venue is perfect. I've already picked out some readings and vows and I can't wait to figure out how to incorporate them. Our engagement pictures will be awesome! I'm actually excited to make my save-the-dates and inviations! So, i have so many blessings with the wedding and just two major things on which to work. Not too bad, right?
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Revisit
Last night Murad and I ate dinner in front of the tube and what came on MSNBC, but "The Carr Brothers: The Terror of Wichita." I immediately told Murad to keep the channel on it so we could watch it. He had a hard time understanding why until I fully explained what happened. Then he remembered hearing about the story as he had been attending Barton at that time.
Well the terror of Wichita occured during my freshman year of college, right after the death of my beloved grandmother. Things in Wichita changed overnight. I remember my parents, who had just recently gotten accustomed to me not having a curfew, suddenly stayed up extra late to insure that I made it home. I never wanted to go anywhere by myself. I never wanted to be by myself.
Immediately after watching the program, I felt paralyzed with the fear I once felt again. I begged Murad not to workout that night and to stay home with me. I also stayed alert and frozen the entire time he went to the grocery store to get some juice.
Watching the program also brought back a lot of feelings of racial discomfort. Because the Carr Brothers were black and all the victims were white, it brought back a lot of racial issues into our community. Wounds were reopened and it took so long to repair and I hate the Carr brothers for doing that. I hate them for what they did to their victims, but I also hate how they hurt the black community and ultimately Wichita's spirit.
I could tell Murad felt moved while we watched it. Afterwards, he goes, "I don't usually say this because I do not support the death penalty, but they got what they deserved." Did they? It will be a while before the severe, life-ending punishment will be administered. Until then, they reside in a maximum security prison seperated from the prisoners who may wish them harm. The two surviving victims must live their lives in fear. They will never know if the next person they meet is like The Carr Brothers.
As a teacher, it also made me fearful. I do not generally fear my students, but I do see the struggles they go through and wonder how they will end up later in life. However, Murad reminded me that there are a million people who grow up in circumstances like the Carr Brothers (homes with cold, unloving mothers, absent fathers, abusive parents, molestation, poverty) and they do not go out and terrorize people like they did. I just pray that I can make a difference on the lives of my students. I pray that no one ends up like them. I pray that no one has to suffer as their victims did.
Lastly, this story made me sad for Wichita. Watching it made me wonder if people think of Wichita as this little town plagued by murder. Not only do we have the Carr Brothers, but we also have the infamous BTK, who if he ever read my blog would be happy to see me reporting on him. However, I am not going to mention anymore on this man, or lack thereof. I do want to say that Wichita, despite those two instances, is a great place. I lived there my entire life and never once felt unsafe until the Carr Brothers and the reemergence of BTK. I would love to return there to live, but I think Dallas (a much more crime-ridden community) is my new home.
I just wanted to revisit something on which I had thought I closed the door on a long time ago.
Well the terror of Wichita occured during my freshman year of college, right after the death of my beloved grandmother. Things in Wichita changed overnight. I remember my parents, who had just recently gotten accustomed to me not having a curfew, suddenly stayed up extra late to insure that I made it home. I never wanted to go anywhere by myself. I never wanted to be by myself.
Immediately after watching the program, I felt paralyzed with the fear I once felt again. I begged Murad not to workout that night and to stay home with me. I also stayed alert and frozen the entire time he went to the grocery store to get some juice.
Watching the program also brought back a lot of feelings of racial discomfort. Because the Carr Brothers were black and all the victims were white, it brought back a lot of racial issues into our community. Wounds were reopened and it took so long to repair and I hate the Carr brothers for doing that. I hate them for what they did to their victims, but I also hate how they hurt the black community and ultimately Wichita's spirit.
I could tell Murad felt moved while we watched it. Afterwards, he goes, "I don't usually say this because I do not support the death penalty, but they got what they deserved." Did they? It will be a while before the severe, life-ending punishment will be administered. Until then, they reside in a maximum security prison seperated from the prisoners who may wish them harm. The two surviving victims must live their lives in fear. They will never know if the next person they meet is like The Carr Brothers.
As a teacher, it also made me fearful. I do not generally fear my students, but I do see the struggles they go through and wonder how they will end up later in life. However, Murad reminded me that there are a million people who grow up in circumstances like the Carr Brothers (homes with cold, unloving mothers, absent fathers, abusive parents, molestation, poverty) and they do not go out and terrorize people like they did. I just pray that I can make a difference on the lives of my students. I pray that no one ends up like them. I pray that no one has to suffer as their victims did.
Lastly, this story made me sad for Wichita. Watching it made me wonder if people think of Wichita as this little town plagued by murder. Not only do we have the Carr Brothers, but we also have the infamous BTK, who if he ever read my blog would be happy to see me reporting on him. However, I am not going to mention anymore on this man, or lack thereof. I do want to say that Wichita, despite those two instances, is a great place. I lived there my entire life and never once felt unsafe until the Carr Brothers and the reemergence of BTK. I would love to return there to live, but I think Dallas (a much more crime-ridden community) is my new home.
I just wanted to revisit something on which I had thought I closed the door on a long time ago.
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