This was my third election that I've had the privelege to participate in. I am 28, so the first election I voted in was Bush v. Kerry. You know, the infamous "hanging chad" election. Except I wasn't in Florida at the time-- I was living in the dorms at Moody as a junior. (Edit: Bestie Jr.'s husband reminded me that was the election BEFORE Bush v. Kerry. Oops. They all run together, apparently.)
I had an absentee ballot from my hometown of Midlothian, Illinois. I was voting for Bush (not that it mattered in Illinois anyway), and super excited to vote for the first time. I filled out everything on my ballot, put it in the "privacy sleeve" (what a joke) and envelope, signed and dated it, and put it in my bag to mail.
*****
In my whole life, I've only really had two things stolen from me: once, I left my small white purse in the band room in high school. My Christian high school. It was gone and I lost my favorite lip gloss and eye shadow. Waaaaah. And then I had my bag stolen from outside the SDR (student dining room) at Moody. The day I had my ballot inside.
Yeah... it just so happens that that was the beginning of a string of thefts at Moody, all from kids that Moody students would bring in from Cabrini Green (read: ghetto). The video surveillance showed a little kid stealing my bag from among dozens. Maybe she liked the pattern? Who knows.
All I know is I lost my dog-eared and marked-up copy of Jane Eyre, my class notes, my new cell phone (my first cell phone), my R.A. binder (later returned by a man who called himself "Prince Ali Ababua."),.... and my ballot.
I didn't really know what to do about that. I was pretty sure this theif wasn't going to mail my ballot for me. So on election day, I went down to the local voting location and voted in person.
Later I found out it didn't count. :(
Good thing it all turned out in the end... but man, what a bummer on your first election! Since then, I vote by mail and turn it in just a couple days before the actual election. Way less stressful, and I don't even have to pay for stamps.
And we all know we have to guard our stamp money, what with the economy taking a nosedive and all.... ;)
xoxo, A
Showing posts with label voting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label voting. Show all posts
11.06.2012
On Voting... Like Everyone Else
Everyone is writing about voting. Everyone. Everywhere. I swear, I heard my neice say "Obama." OK, maybe that was baby talk, but still. Everyone. Everywhere. My facebook, TV, blogs I follow-- everything is and has been about the election for about three months now.
Thank God it is over (hopefully) today.
I have deliberately stayed pretty silent on all things political, unlike the last election. Four years ago, I was involved in the Greater Pinellas Young Republicans, a group that has since dissolved into something else and I just sort of eased out of it. I voted for John McCain, and I didn't care who knew. I told everyone on facebook why they should do the same. This year, I think I "liked" Paul Ryan on facebook and that was the extent of my political voice to the masses this time around.
Why?
Because I don't know about you, but I have never, ever been swayed by anything anyone has posted on their facebook/twitter/blog. I have never, ever been swayed by a political ad. So those who rant and rave against one option and glorify another are essentially wasting their breath unless they also post informative, non-biased facts, statistics, etc. In fact, those are the only things I find helpful (and sometimes not even then). I understand why they do it-- we all want sounding boards while we're up on our soap boxes. Oh do I ever have soap boxes. But at this point, when everyone is so fed up with political ads and all the hooplah, I kind of figure that my soap box will be simply pushed away like everyone else's. So I don't waste my breath anymore. Instead, I discuss it with others in person, which is, I believe, the only way people are ever really swayed. And by "others," I don't mean strangers. I mean people I know. Because another annoyance is having strangers who know nothing of your life tell you who you should vote for.
I'm not at all apathetic. I have very strong convictions. I'm just sick of hearing everyone's all at once, and I know you are too. But I voted, and I'm very thankful for that opportunity. There was a time when women weren't allowed to; I'm very glad that has changed.
This election wasn't easy, however. Here come my convictions:
I have tremendous respect for President Obama. He has filled his role with dignity, and that is something I appreciate across party lines. However, I personally don't agree with what he thinks will improve our economy, I think he lacks experience, I think he hasn't fulfilled his promises, and I disagree with his stance on abortion. I'm not a huge fan of Mitt Romney as a person. I think he's hidden some potentially shady business deals, etc, and that doesn't smack of integrity to me. Yet, he isn't a believer in Jesus Christ, so I can't expect him to act like one. I do think he would have integrity in office, however, because it helps to have the accountability of a Cabinet. I think he can handle money well and will turn our economy around, and I believe he will do his best to try to preserve unborn lives. I'm not wild about either candidate, but not voting is the coward's way out. I voted for Mitt Romney, not because I love him; not because I think Obama is terrible, but because he aligns more with the idea of less governmental control over my life, and more importantly, he aligns with what I believe is one of the biggest issues of our time, that God will judge people for: abortion.
I cannot, in good conscience, vote for someone who doesn't have a problem with killing unborn babies. I will admit a problem though-- I don't understand how someone could be against abortion except in cases of rape and incest. In those cases, does the baby cease to be a baby? Certainly not. The fact of the matter is, yes, it is a woman's body, but not hers alone. It is also the body of a baby that cannot speak up for itself. Abortion is the largest case of genocide, and it is continuing, unchecked. Again, I simply cannot vote for a leader who would support the murder of unborn children.
So that's who I voted for, and why, and why I haven't been in your face about it. You can certainly disagree with me, as this is America. Ultimately, I know God is my King and in control-- no human leader will ever mess up his plans, and for that, I am truly thankful.
xoxo, A
Thank God it is over (hopefully) today.
I have deliberately stayed pretty silent on all things political, unlike the last election. Four years ago, I was involved in the Greater Pinellas Young Republicans, a group that has since dissolved into something else and I just sort of eased out of it. I voted for John McCain, and I didn't care who knew. I told everyone on facebook why they should do the same. This year, I think I "liked" Paul Ryan on facebook and that was the extent of my political voice to the masses this time around.
Why?
Because I don't know about you, but I have never, ever been swayed by anything anyone has posted on their facebook/twitter/blog. I have never, ever been swayed by a political ad. So those who rant and rave against one option and glorify another are essentially wasting their breath unless they also post informative, non-biased facts, statistics, etc. In fact, those are the only things I find helpful (and sometimes not even then). I understand why they do it-- we all want sounding boards while we're up on our soap boxes. Oh do I ever have soap boxes. But at this point, when everyone is so fed up with political ads and all the hooplah, I kind of figure that my soap box will be simply pushed away like everyone else's. So I don't waste my breath anymore. Instead, I discuss it with others in person, which is, I believe, the only way people are ever really swayed. And by "others," I don't mean strangers. I mean people I know. Because another annoyance is having strangers who know nothing of your life tell you who you should vote for.
I'm not at all apathetic. I have very strong convictions. I'm just sick of hearing everyone's all at once, and I know you are too. But I voted, and I'm very thankful for that opportunity. There was a time when women weren't allowed to; I'm very glad that has changed.
This election wasn't easy, however. Here come my convictions:
I have tremendous respect for President Obama. He has filled his role with dignity, and that is something I appreciate across party lines. However, I personally don't agree with what he thinks will improve our economy, I think he lacks experience, I think he hasn't fulfilled his promises, and I disagree with his stance on abortion. I'm not a huge fan of Mitt Romney as a person. I think he's hidden some potentially shady business deals, etc, and that doesn't smack of integrity to me. Yet, he isn't a believer in Jesus Christ, so I can't expect him to act like one. I do think he would have integrity in office, however, because it helps to have the accountability of a Cabinet. I think he can handle money well and will turn our economy around, and I believe he will do his best to try to preserve unborn lives. I'm not wild about either candidate, but not voting is the coward's way out. I voted for Mitt Romney, not because I love him; not because I think Obama is terrible, but because he aligns more with the idea of less governmental control over my life, and more importantly, he aligns with what I believe is one of the biggest issues of our time, that God will judge people for: abortion.
I cannot, in good conscience, vote for someone who doesn't have a problem with killing unborn babies. I will admit a problem though-- I don't understand how someone could be against abortion except in cases of rape and incest. In those cases, does the baby cease to be a baby? Certainly not. The fact of the matter is, yes, it is a woman's body, but not hers alone. It is also the body of a baby that cannot speak up for itself. Abortion is the largest case of genocide, and it is continuing, unchecked. Again, I simply cannot vote for a leader who would support the murder of unborn children.
So that's who I voted for, and why, and why I haven't been in your face about it. You can certainly disagree with me, as this is America. Ultimately, I know God is my King and in control-- no human leader will ever mess up his plans, and for that, I am truly thankful.
xoxo, A
5.27.2012
Fashion Fun!
Alright folks, the cruise is coming, and I'm in packing mode. Yes already. Today is all about outfit choices. I had to get some special new clothes just for the trip, of course. No really, I did. I didn't have many summer clothes, and what better time to get some than for our "honeymoon"? The good news is, I didn't spend any more than about $10 for most of these pieces. I do love a bargain. Anywho, I decided to put up some of the potential outfits for the cruise, and have you all tell me your favorites, or suggest other combos! Maybe that bores you, but I happen to love this kind of stuff.
Next will be packing tips! I'm going to try three different methods and see which works the best!
So be prepared for some travel-themed posts in the future... I know I'm looking forward to them!
1. top: Kohl's; shorts: JC Penney a few years ago; shoes: Kmart. 2. top: Kohl's; shorts: JC Penney a few years ago; shoes: Kmart; hat: JC Penney 3. top: Kohl's; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Old Navy; scarf: Italy-- a gift from my mother-in-law. 4. top: Ecko outlet; shorts: Ross; shoes: Kmart. 5. top: Kohl's; shorts: Ross; shoes: Kmart. 6. hat: JC Penney; top: Target; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Kohl's. 7. cardigan: Target a long time ago; top: Old Navy; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Old Navy. 8. cardigan: Kohl's; top: Old Navy; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Old Navy. 9. top: Kohl's; shorts: Kohl's; sandals: Kohl's.
1. cardigan: Old Navy, years ago; top: Target; shorts: Kohl's; shoes: Kmart. 2. dress: Target; cardigan: Target a long time ago; sandals: Old Navy. 3. dress: Target; shoes: Kmart. 4. dress: Charlotte Russe; 5. hat: JC Penney; dresses: Target; cardigan: I have no clue; sandals: Kohl's. 6. dress: Target; sandals: Kohl's.
xoxo, A
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