Year 2008 In Review

Wow, what a crazy year! Seriously, don't know how it just blew me away! Literally....

Family and Friends

• Josiah turned 6 on August 19th. We had a small party, with only a few of his friends. He's even funnier and smarter than last year. But also more hyper and bold against authority.
• Josiah finished Kindergarten at Ramsey, started 1st grade there, but couldn't handle 45 minute bus rides to their. So, I had to transfer him to another school. Whatever one was open which was Longfellow. Teachers there have told me, after asking me not to mention their names, that it was a bad school because problem children tended to go there and would adversely influence my child. Yet, Josiah is not able to handle himself on a bus - what makes him so much better?
• Leah Seelhoff moved to the Winona area with her daughters. Siah and I miss them. She's the only real person I used to talk to on a regular basis and not think I was crazy. :D
• On my birthday, I rescued a cat who was starving outside and was very friendly. Josiah wanted to call her "Candy Cane" but she is a Calico. She didn't look like a candy cane at all! So, I gave it some thought and a month later re-named her Kanika ( which sounds very similar to candy cane, but it sounds like a princess name). So, I rescued Kanika from starvation, got her shots, and fixed. And I won't de-claw her because that is just wrong. She is now very healthy and happy!
• My brother Tim moved in with me in January. He stayed until June. After moving to Duluth in October, he came out and SHE is now referred to as Natasa. So, you could say I was my brother's last room-mate. And that I no longer have a brother.
• I did go to my half-brother, Jerich's birthday, and still have the DVD we made of it. But my conservative father seems to have ex-communcated with me. Perhaps he feels we aren't to his liking.
• My Mother moved in with me in October. She found a new partner, Kathy, and will be trucking with her at some point in early 2009.

Financial / Emloyment

• On the last day of April, I was fired for being a political blogger. Yeah, quite illegal. But the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux believe they can trample on their employees Constitutional rights. And they like to be consistent about it. Many of my co-workers were fired this year without written reasons, and were able to get unemployment as well. ( If they applied, which most I have talked to have. ) I have nothing against Native rights. But you fired me because I am a member of the Green Party? Seriously, I think Glyn Crooks has something against Winona LaDuke.
• Took classes at the Minnesota Workforce Center, and improved my resume which improved my ability to get interviews.
• Worked temporarily through Cynthia Cook ( never trust these people ) for the John Roberts Company in Coon Rapids. They fired me because I gave them two weeks notice that I couldn't work on a specific Monday. I could work every day after that, but it didn't matter to them. ( I told them when they hired me of this date and they said it was okay!)
• Even though unemployment was okay, it was stressful filling out dozens of applications and faxing resumes ( occasionally hand delivering). Looking for a job is more than full-time work!
• I wanted my unemployment to last, so I actually took a job at Blockbuster. It was fun, chatting about mindless movies all day ( most of which I have no intention of seeing ). But the pay was pathetic. And residents of Edina are worse snobs than angry gamblers!
• I now work downtown, less than 15 minutes from LRT or bus. I am also a member of a unon: SEIU Local 26.

Education

• My career goal: dietitian. Will dietitians exist if our society collapses? Probably not, but any education will look good on a resume until then. :D
• I wanted to start college this fall at MCTC. Getting laid off had me post-pone it until January. I intend to go to college even if I have to pay for it myself and move to a smaller place to make it happen.
• I haven't taken any college classes yet owe over $35,000 in co-signed student loans. I was paying Megan Kyllonen's at $400 a month, until I was laid off. Worried I couldn't get another job if they checked my credit rating, I put $8500 of her loan onto my Discovercard. Bad decision, because now I can't pay any of Brandy Kyllonen's loans, which are in default. I will also not be able to pay on Megan's anymore after the payments catch up in February of 2010 ( I think ). What is most ironic about this situation is that I could have had my college paid for by the National Guard, but Brandy insisted that she go. She's 12 credits shy of graduating with an associates degree in culinary arts.

Health

• After being laid off, I lost my health insurance. So did Josiah.
• Within a week of being laid off, I was supposed to have surgery to get teeth removed and then get myself braces. My teeth are very genetically inferior. But without income, or insurance, there was no point in adding $200 a month to my expenses. I canceled my appointments and someday will be able to fix my teeth. ( I already paid for some plaster of my mouth to be made, photos of my teeth at all different angles, a couple consultation appointments. Wish they would have warned me that they would be firing people at random! )
• Been a vegetarian for seven years now ( in November ) !
• I did have a health assessment at Mystic Lake in March. I am very healthy! ( and now I don't work where there is second-hand smoke! )

I look forward to 2009 as a better year and one that I can build towards a better future.

Black Candle with Brandy

I went to see this with Brandy. It was excellent, and the first showing of anything at the Ritz Theater is years! Very fortunate to have been a part of such a momentous event! I loved this, though it is still very difficult to acknowledge how much women have to achieve in this world to gain equality.

Brandy and I really needed to get out more at this point. She had just spent several months in Costa Rica. We were moving to from Stevens Square/Whittier to East Phillips. It was a busy time! But I cannot miss out on events such as this.

Always eager to see more plays and dances!

Mandazi Sunday

Today was not quite busy, but a typical Sunday. Josiah and I spent the morning together. Had he been acting better we could have gone out to the park longer than we had. But I made him breakfast, but he tried getting into other things in the cupboards when I was in the bathroom.

But I did end up making mandazi. I still haven't been able to make it like it was made for me by Phanice! It isn't nearly as fluffy.....grrr. But Siah still loved them.

Carie Krogen dropped Kelly off today at around 2. Brandy is now unable to watch her Monday,Thursday, and Friday. She is barely getting by in school. And I rarely saw her this last week, apart from last night. I won't go into details, but Brandy is in very bad shape.

Kelly and Siah chomped down on more mandazi while I moved my computer to the first floor. I really didn't want it there, primarily because it was safer in the bedroom. But I "fixed" my external speakers with Gorilla tape, so it is more worthwhile. Besides, now I can listen to podcasts while doing dishes, folding clothes, and watching Siah!

Well, apart from that I got some paperwork done. Then I took the two rascals to the East Phillips Park. The weather is snow melting, so it was quite slushy. But they were able to exert some of their pent up energy on the dry playground equipment.

Then I finished making lentil soup and grilled cheese sandwhiches. I typically make some sort of soup on Sundays. Last week was potato-kidney bean with vegan-style corn bread. Though most of my meals are vegan.

Anywho, relaxing to music and catching up on blogs/computer work! At least I had today off! :)

Phanice!

I have been absent from the blogosphere for nearly a month. Barely keeping up with my life in "reality" for those outside.

Several months ago I met Phanice online. I have met dozens of people all over the world through various IMing, she being one of the first I met in Africa. Many of my co-worker's are from East Africa. Phanny seemed too good to be true last year, so I decided to meet her this year.

My nearly 3 week vacation to Kenya was amazing including this cities of Nakuru, Kisii, and of course Nairobi. I didn't make it to Mombasa, but that is for the future. I will be going back in time to share with everyone some clips from my times there, because I DID take photos as one can see here.

I amazed at how Phanice is as easy going as myself and even more stable - is that possible? I could go on for a long time about her, and so I will try to space it out over the next few years rather than now.

While Brandy and I are not staying together due to long-term difficulties, neither of us should be flouting our responsibilities towards Josiah. But Brandy and I have gone through the difficult discussions before letting everyone else in on whatsup. ( and we still don't know everything that will happen - we aren't psychic or anything)

The song by UB40 is one played a LOT in Kenya - heard it everywhere! And it's one of my favorites already.....

Who You Fighting For - Reasons Mp3

Music Codes by Mp3Raid.com

Merry Christmas!

While I normally have weekends ( sat/sun ) off at work, I switched schedules to hang out with Ruth this Wednesday and help out a co-worker. So, it has worked out well.

I have been listening to Buddhist podcasts after returning home from work. They have allowed me newer perspectives regarding everything. With Christians asking me if I celebrate Christmas or am even a Christian, it can be a little overwhelming.

I don't want to ruin anyone's holiday, but make it my own. There are wonderful things about Christmas one can take in without idolizing what appears a mythology. There is nothing wrong with the mythology either, Buddhism has its own stories. They teach us what is important about our faiths.

I have been meditating on what to do regarding my relationship with Brandy. And I have been recommended to see the relationship as it is, and see if certain aspects color my perspective including: desire, ill-will, stupidity, & fear. As the Buddha taught, all things are impermanent. But instead of looking at the situation with only two possible solutions, I must work to find the multiple solutions and the best within that. Hopefully Brandy can assist me, because she always says she is overwhelmed with everything.

Brandy's Birthday

Today was Brandy's birthday, but I did not take it off from work. She and I hadn't discussed it and she was adamant that I take Halloween off. I had to call in on Halloween because there were too many who got put in before my schedule changed.

I got her two books: John by Cynthia Lennon and It's my Pleasure by Maria and Maya Rodale.. She is already enjoying them! :)

I came home that night only to find Josiah and her gone. Siah at his Uncle's and Brandy out with friends. Shouldn't be surprised, because Brandy had wanted to go out and celebrate.

Personally, I do not like the parties she goes to: I drink little if any, and do no other drugs nor smoke. She called me "boring" and much worse on my birthday for such a consistent stance.

Anywho, I have been getting more upset with things at home lately. Perhaps I shouldn't because Brandy is so busy with schoolwork. But I get home and there is a can in the kitchen half the time that appears to have been used for smoking or something - with pieces of burnt substances on top. I always tell her my disapproval of smoking indoors, but she doesn't seem to care.

The porch is another issue. She leaves it a mess with papers, candy wrappers, and cigerette ashstrays overflowing. I have to clean it up, because our landlady Lynne wants it upkept nice. I don't disagree with her, but don't get as much help from Brandy as I hope for. So I must clean this each day, in addition to other household chores.

My main chore appears to be dishes. I can't complain about doing household chores - we all have to do them. But why do I have to do both laundry, dishes, and keeping all rooms/porch cleaned? Somehow I feel shorted, but perhaps Brandy does because she must watch Josiah and still get her college work done.

It's definetely not easy for her, and also why I feel I can't really complain. Once she is done, she will be working also. By then Josiah will also be in school, and we will also find childcare more affordable with two incomes.

Josiah at crisis nursery

Just days before the worst date of my life with Brandy, I came home to find him gone. She was stressed out by him. It wouldn't be until January 2009 that he could be diagnosed with ADHD ( until then doctors said he was too young to really tell ). Still, I had a few days of relative calm. But I wasn't calm. I did not like him being gone, and stayed at the Crisis Nursery for two days.

Brandy did not pick him up before I went to work that day. The counselor there was very nice, and gave me some information to give to Brandy to help her out.

As of March 2009, he has not gone back there. But I am thankful they exist for parents in a tough spot. I am thankful for this organization and to have family, friends, and neighbors who have helped me with Josiah in times of need.

The Streets Concert

I went to see The Streets at the Fine Line in downtown MPLS. They rock! Heard some tracks from his new album that I hadn't heard yet. Wish he'd come back here, don't know what I'll do until then. Listen to something put out by the Rhymesayer's crew! :D