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.

Unemployment Appeal Letter

At this point, I was several weeks into unemployment. I had received no income. I had to wait until I won my appeal case. There was no guarantee I would win an appeal.

Lawyers from the law firm Olson, Allen, & Rasmussen were actively searching my blog. What did they expect to find? They spent hours a day surfing my blogs. I hope they decided to send a check to the Green Party, go carfree, or stop supporting wars. I assumed they would misconstrue some of my blogs to "prove" I didn't deserve my unemployment. A very worrying time indeed, because the economy was just beginning to collapse. Little did I know, they decided it not worth defending their lies in court.

I received a letter about possible healthcare. COBRA would take up more than my entire take home after unemployment, so I declined healthcare coverage for myself and my son Josiah. I would just have to cross my fingers until a new job manifested itself. Of course, I was still hopeful someone at Shakopee Dakotah would come to their senses.

My 401K had also asked me what option I wanted to take. In May it was worth $13,000. About the same as the DOW Industrial Average. If I didn't cash out now, I never could until I retired. Why would I keep my money in a nation that doesn't value me or my rights as a worker? I was angry, and unsure if the economy could cope with $100+ a barrel oil, so I cashed out. In October my 401K would have been worth $8000. SO even with a 10% penalty tax, cashing out in May was well worth it. I sold high, not low. :D

Liam's pathetic biological parents

I did my taxes for 2004 earlier this year. Brandy never does her taxes, let alone mine. So when I deployed to Iraq for all of 2005 I could not do my taxes. I could have done them last year, but was missing some paperwork - primary about Liam. When I tracked it down and filled out the forms, I was disappointed.

It seems that since Liam is not biologically related to me, I cannot get anything back taxwise. From January until August of 2004, Brandy and I watched him. His mother, Karin Marie Bayer, decided to move to Germany to marry an ARMY soldier ( who was subsequently discharged for misuse of property ).

I lent Karin Bayer the money to fly there - over $1000. She was to return after marrying, but decided not to. She also never paid us for watching Liam - ever. Once we realized she was abandoning him, we applied for WIC and applied for medical care for him.

Liam was also in poor shape when he moved in with us. His legs were malformed because he was never let out of his crib. He was also very weak for his age ( one year ) and could not speak at all. He made no facial movements, appeared to have no emotions at all. Karin obviously did not want this child - but being a conservative didn't believe in birth-control, adoption, or any other forms she considered "abortions." Obviously, her ideology didn't include adquate childcare.

Karin got pregnant with her new husband, got divorced after he was discharged, and moved back to the US. Her daughter may or may not have been taken away from her by now. But if she is the same person she has always been, the child should be taken.

People like Karin Bayer should be sterilized, to prevent physical and genetic abuse to humanity.

Liam's father was an ardent drug addict, dying of a heroin overdose in 2006.

Liam Patrick Austad was taken into custody by the state of Minnesota. He was adopted by a lesbian couple living in the suburbs of Minneapolis. Even though Brandy and I care for the kid, we are never allowed to see or know where he is. Karin has this option, but most likely does not care.

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! :)

Holidazzle with Kelly and Siah

We stayed home most of the day. Carie Krogen needed someone to watch Kelly, so I had no problem helping out. Kelly and Josiah get along great!

They were able to play with many neighbor children outside as it was very warm! Then when everyone went inside, so did Siah and Kelly. Brandy returned home with faraway friends Ruth Sherman and Derrick. Josiah was acting awful with two visitors, so I was unable to stay chatting with them because I had to discipline.

I usually discipline Josiah by using time-outs. These can vary depending on the severity of what he has done. But most the time sitting/standing in the corner suffices. But in some cases I have to take him to his room and sit in front of the door or other times hold him in the corner until he settles down.

Eventually, when our visitors left, we left for downtown via Hiawatha LRT. Brandy opted to stay home and take a bath. Kelly had never seen the train before, and was quite excited. I never get bored of LRT, because it is the future of transportation in America. But with so many going downtown for the same purpose, the trains were all packed! Luckily I am only one person and have 2 little guys who can squeeze between anyone!

We went to the Holidazzle and found a spot by Target Corporate HQ. This was convenient because afterwards we went to Chipotle. Their outdoor sign was unlit, but it was obvious by the line that they were still open. Kelly said she had never been there, but enjoyed her burrito nonetheless.

We then went home and Josiah could not act decent with her on the train. So we had to get off early at Cedar/Riverside and walk home from there. Josiah was very upset we had to walk, but Kelly was just fine. So it was a very good lesson for Siah in having to listen/act decent on the train

After Josiah and Kelly went to sleep, I read Persopolis by Marjane Satrapi. I LOVED it! Quite an excellent manga about her childhood in Iran in the late 70's and early 80's.

I am SO fortunate to live in a land where I can express myself and not face authoritarian persecution to such severity. Yes, the corporate world check up on applicants ousing MySpace/Google. I wouldn't want to work for someone who fired me over these blogs. I am also harassed in South Minneapolis by missionaries, who tell me I will go to hell by being Buddhist. The so-called homeless batter me with ridiculous stories ( which usually contain a part about being saved by Jesus ) and then refuse free food. Yes, it's annoying at times - but it's a lot easier living here than in Iran.

Brandy came home and explained how she brough the remainder of my injera & red lentils to a party. She also gave an album by the Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars to the birthday girl: Anjelica. It seemed to be quite popular at the party, of course this is another band I have found through my various resources. ( Paste magazine and 89.3 the Current )


[ note: I would have more photos, but our Kodak camera is broken. Josiah most likely tried using it and broke it. Coincidentally, there is a sale on digital cameras this week. I can get a 7MP camera for a lower price than Brandy bought the 6MP camera for - same brand: Kodak.]

Rohatsu and Chuck-E-Cheese

1)Rohatsu

Josiah and I started out our day going to the Clouds in Water Zen Center. It was the final day of children's practice for the winter seshin.

Josiah made candles for the Rohatsu ceremony. Rohatsu is the Zen Buddhist holiday celebrating the enlightenment of the Buddha on Decmber 8th. It was a lovely celebration that included a discussion of what enlightenment is, chanting, then chanting while walking in a circle and tossing flowers. Josiah really enjoyed tossing the thin-paper flowers - and picking them up!

What I found most fascinating was that the myth-like stories of Buddha I had read about were just that - myths. Latest historical information regarding Siddhartha is that he was never a Prince. The time he had come from and family he was in was not royal at all, though fairly well off. Also the story of him sitting down under a Bodhi tree and finding enlightenment in a week also leaves out his 7 years of trying ascetic methods to attain truth. He found the Dharma though creating the Karmic conditions to do so, and the ascetic teachings had been of some value. But attaining enlightenment, the Buddha made the path much more attainable and am grateful that he has done so.

I am truly glad that there is a Sangha here in the Twin Cities! And Clouds in Water has surpassed my expectations already - and I have only gone there since October!

2) Chuck-E-Cheese

Afterwards Josiah and I stayed for a little bit. I was upset that he never listens to me and wants to leave. We had to catch an express bus from downtown Saint Paul to the Mall of America, and had to leave soon. I wanted to be early so I could buy some presents for the birthday party we would be attending. Josiah always wants to stay and play with his friends. If we weren't on a tight schedule I would have had no problem staying later.

We did leave, but already missed our bus. In fact, we had to wait around 25 minutes for the next one to arrive. But we hopped on the 54 and went to the MOA on a fairly packed bus. Josiah fell asleep. We got to the mall and went directly to Barnes and Nobles. I knew what books to get : Marsupial Sue and Kitten's First Full Moon. ( I do hate BN asking for an extra $25 to get a member card, when I shop Amazon a billion times more often. ) Then off to the 444, which would take us to the Burnsville Mall.

Growing up in Scott County, the only mall anyone ever went to was the Burnsville Mall. Prior to the MOA, it was the largest mall in Minnesota. It has been upgraded a bit since I was last in town, and think it has improved a bit. Though I think the southern suburbs could do with more efficient transit - our bus seemed to wind through the city in a chaotic fashion, yet where transit users hopped on and off. The culdesacs and stores of importance to transit users were of priority.

When we got to Burnsville Center, I found the food court and an empty table. While Josiah munched on some Cheezits, I wrapped the two books using the comics section of the Sunday Star Tribune. Perfect wrapping paper for lil kids! ( and cheaper) Then off to Chuck-E-Cheese!

My friend Shewalem ( Mekedes ) Tesema had invited me to the birthday party of her two daughters: Buruktawit [4] and Rebeka [2]. I thought it was for only one daughter, but luckily bought two books that would be quite age appropriate anyways. Shewalem had only told me the previous Thursday and I must have not heard it correctly.

I met Mekedes husband Asfine and many other relatives. My friend Likelesh was also there with her husband and daughter Yamrote. I Like's sister Tegest ( patience) , who works with Shewalem's sister, whose name escapes me. I wish I could remember names better than I do.

Anyways, it was fun. We enjoyed pizza and pop. Josiah enjoyed playing with the birthday girls. Chuck-E-Cheese came when the birthday cakes were to be lit for all the birthday celebrants, as there were 4 different parties occurring in our room. Josiah loved Chuch-E and talked to him, gave him hugs. Before Chuck-E left, he came over to give me a personal high-five - perhaps because he really liked Josiah! He does have a charismatic and outgoing personality, which everyone seems to love.

Asfine bought us all tokens and Siah went to play games. He collected tickets for me and went about playing games. He especially liked the racing games, though he couldn't reach the gas pedal or understand how to properly play them! He could enjoy them without actually inserting a token!

After the tokens were out we put the tickets in a machine to add our points and get a receipt. We took the receipt to a counter to get our winnings - toys of course. Josiah could only afford two things: a small wand and a grasshoppper ring. After he had finished he wanted a prize worth 10 times what we originally had - a plastic toy that he could hold on his hand and was a pirate hook! I said " Siah, we don't have enough tickets and we can't get it today" but cute Asian girl at the counter thought he should get one - so he did! I was so happy that he could get one, because after that he played pirate. :)

3) Skytubes ( and lost shoes )

Siah most enjoyed the sky-tubes, the hamster-like-plastic-tunnels attached to the ceilings. When we had to leave I collected all our things and went to a table near the playplace. That was when I couldn't find Siah's shoes. He claimed they were in the sky-tubes and kept going up to put them down the slide like I had asked. I eventually searched the entire place to find them and inquired in their lost-and-found.

Josiah also got into trouble in the sky-tubes. He was playing a tiger, but other kids thought him too aggressive. At some points I saw him crying from up above. Kind've upsetting because I felt helpless being underneath and the whole toy-thing was made for children. But after one parent went up to talk to him, and came back down I talked to her. Then Siah came down and we discussed how to act up there. He apologised to the boy he had called names and had pushed/hit. ( though Siah claimed he had hit him first, and was never apologised to. It is better he learn to take responsibility for his actions, irregardless others reciprocate.

Looking for his shoes again, and after searching every inch of Chuck-E-Cheese, I entered the sky-tubes. I hadn't been up there since being a little kid. It was fun, but don't think I could do this for long. Other parents were up there with lil guys, and commented on Josiah's speed up there, even after being up there for hours! I covered the entire tube system and could find no shoes. I assume some kid accidentally took them home thinking they were his shoes on his feet. Either way, Josiah had to only wear socks on the way home.

Two hours after our party had left for home, we were leaving Chuck-E-Cheese around 7 P.M. Our party had started at 2PM, and we had been there since quarter to.

Some other memorable events at the party were shooting basketball hoops, Likelesh's daughter scared of the rides - crying while riding them, and enjoying being in their company. I rarely get out and love it when I can with such friendly people who are understanding of children.

We took the last MVT bus home from Burnsville Center to the MOA. I talked to a woman while waiting who worked two full-time jobs: Bath & Bodyworks and Payless Shoes. 70 hours a week is too much for me, but for her she said it more than paid the bills. While talking to her and waiting for the bus, Josiah alternated between kiddie rides near the entrance. ( he doesn't need quarters to keep entertained on them, he has such an active imagination! )

Josiah fell asleep on the bus, again on the train, and stayed asleep until we got home. Either way it was a lovely day, though packed with busyness! And now I just need to get Siah new shoes - he can wear his snow boots or cowboy boots until then.

Watching Kelly - DVD archiving

1) Kelly Krogen (age 4 & 11/12)

I watched my friend's daugher Carie today. Kelly is a wonderful 4 year old and about to turn 5 soon. Mayhaps Josiah can go to her party! Carie is moving all of her possessions to her new Saint Louis Park apartment, and Kelly isn't exactly assisting. I was okay watching her because she is very calm and listens well - unlike Josiah. But they really enjoy playing with each other, so it works well.

Anywho, that is how the day went. I did some cleaning while they played. They didn't like the rice and stir-fry I cooked up. Of course I didn't like the Chinese Cheese preserved hot bean curd that my acquaintance Hang gave me! Ickiness! This vegetarian loves tofu - just not this particular Asian style! I plan to make tofu with berbere and eat it with Injera. That sounds yummilicious!


2) DVD copying

On a Mac, I am unfamiliar with how to copy DVDs or make MP4s. So I found awesome software that can do both.

Handbrake can make industry standard MP4s , H.264 , wonderfully!

And MacTheRipper will allow you to copy even copyrighted material to your hard-drive. The US Supreme Court has authorized the use of copying DVDs if they are already owned by you - so archiving is okay. Hopefully this isn't abused by Netflix and library users - though it probably is -I doubt Hollywood will go belly-up. But the music industry has been hurting lately. Or is it just the major labels?

Mindful Parenting

The Clouds in Water Zen Center has started a Mindful Parenting group. With many types of advice out there for parents, it is great there is some effort locally at the Zen center.

There are a few books out that help parents who are adherents of the Buddhist path.

Buddhism for Mothers, Everyday blessings, and Mindful Parenting. By far the first two are more popular. Jon and Myla Kabat-Zinn wrote Everday Blessings. Jon is well known for his books on mindfulness. In fact I read his "Wherever you go, there you are" prior to choosing the Buddhist path. A co-worker , Nate (my mentor when hired), told me the book changed his life.

While not writing a full-length review, I highly recommend parents read these books. I also invite all parents of any faith to join our mindful parenting group.

Incident with a few neighbors

I had an incident with some people at a town-home behind my residence. I do not know the details of how the town-home association resolves this situation, but I was assured that it would be resolved. But I am aware that they had some people living there that should not have been, and hope that the more responsible elements of the family were not punished for trying to help relatives out.

I am thankful that I do not have to leave my home in fear of some sort of physical attack. I have never felt that until this incident during my entire residency in Minneapolis. There are times when I may see an individual that I am wary of ( especially when I lived in Stevens Square ) but this rarely happens.

I think the best way to learn about an area that you live, especially one with a negative stigma like Phillips, you have to actually be engaged in it. You spend time outside at the park just sitting or reading a book. You go to neighborhood events, and you walk to the corner stores. You start to get a sense of "normal" in where you live and notice when something seems out of the ordinary.

I would like to thank the town-home association and the City of Lakes Community Land Trust for their work on this.

Josiah's lizard?

This morning Josiah woke up and immediately ran outside. I have no clue why, I got dressed and went downstairs. He came back inside bawling - his lizard had run away and buried himself in the mud. I think Josiah has an overactive imagination because we have no lizard.

He said he caught a lizard and that it then ran away later on. He was very upset that it had left him.

He also said that he found mice in our house, which there are, and that he was able to pet them. He said they were not wild mice but nice mice. Then he started searching for the mice, and found a hole underneath or sink. Behind our sink on the living room side is our bookshelf. The bottom of the bookshelf is our reference books, including yellow pages. Josiah though he would find the mice by moving these books out of the way. No such luck, but he was very sure he would find them back there.

Either way, Josiah has become more intelligent about many things, and has an imagination that is very humorous. Just have to teach him a few things, or perhaps just read him more stories and see what happens?

A good day overall. A bit chilly, but it could be worse.

Cloud in Water Zen

Josiah and I have been going to the Clouds in Water Zen Center in Saint Paul since mid October. We go every other weekend, as those are the days that the Children's Practice is.

Josiah is a very active boy, and I am always concerned about his behavior. The previous weekend I was asked what to do about him, as he was good until the last 15 minutes or so. He got rather rough with other kids, wanting to wrestle. ( he is very physically motivated, and I think should be in gymnastics and karate ) I gave the volunteers permission to put him in time-out if necessary.

But this weekend, I was stopped by 4 people telling me how wonderful Josiah was in class. They all love him, as he motivated other children and ensured they did things correct.

I stayed afterward for a discussion with other parents. We decided it would be good to meet once a month and discuss parenting skills and Buddhism. It was mentioned we could use a book about mindful parenting to assist in our talks. I hope much comes out of this idea.

Josiah was difficult to leave the center. He hid under tables and wouldn't listen to me or get dressed. I had to drag him out without his coat or shoes on - eventually outside where it was chilly. I gave him many chances and once outside he took less than 3 minutes to change his tune. He wanted to get dressed.

I wouldn't leave until we talked, and he said he didn't want to leave because the center had food and he was hungry. I had 2 bananas, and told him he would be able to eat them at the bus stop, which he did. I also said that when we go to his Sunday School at the Zen Center, I would pack more snacks for him to eat. He was satisfied with this solution, and I hope we can resolve his bad hehavior through this as well.

The rest of the day Josiah acted okay, but he was in time-out more than he usually is - three times! But the next few days he would act better.
-
Shellay called today. She still hasn't had her baby yet, and is a few days late now. But all of her children have been so far, so she isn't that worried. She will let everyone know when. We also had a fun chat. :)

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.

Schools for Josiah

I have been trying to decide what school to have Josiah go to next September, as he will start Kindergarten.

My friend Ruth Omete has told me about one: LoveWorks, a charter school in Golden Valley. Had I known about it last year, I would have tried to enroll already. They allow 4 year olds to attend! (if they pass certain tests, which I think Josiah can)

Either way, it seems very intelligent as I have seen her son Brat's homework. Quite a lot, but they focus on teaching many things at once. They also believe that arts should be taught to children, rather than passed up like in public schools. They believe in a postive mentality, and have a gifted students program.

At first I was concerned about Loveworks, because it was promoted by Christian organizations and publications ( and I believe Ruth mentioned it was once). I am always skeptical of religion in our schools, but feel morals are important also. But after viewing their website, my fears have been allayed. So far I like them the most.

Brandy has recommended the Community of Peace charter school in Saint Paul, and the Anne Sullivan Communication Center which I think is for deaf/hard of hearing students but I could be wrong.

I always was interested in a private school that just opened a charter: Southside Family School, over where we used to live in Whittier. They believe in creating both intelligent and socially conscious citizens. So civics and activism will be a part of his teaching, though I would like to do these things with what I already am involved with. He currently can't understand the peace marches and anti-torture protests.