Patriotism

I am not patriotic. I am not proud to be American born. It is just not a source of pride for me. I respect my friends who feel proud of that because it is something that they embrace about themselves. Something that makes them who they are. That is just not a major part of my identity. I am also not pro war. I know that this may be a little controversial for some of my friends but I am not a big fan of the way that America does the whole war thing.


As a result of my lack of patriotism and my I guess anti-war stance I don't feel it is my personal responsibility to glorify veterans. That may have something to do with my personality as well. I realized yesterday however that its ok to be grateful to the people who rick their lives for us. Not all of them feel as though they are entitled to a pedestal and glory everywhere they go. I realized that they are normal people who choose for whatever reason to risk their lives so that I can be free to walk these streets and live the life that I do.

Ironically enough, I learned that yesterday when doing my job. You see, the office that I work in provides free documents to veterans. I am assuming that it is as a courtesy and as an act of gratitude. Yesterday a gentleman came in to request a document I prepared it for him and told him to have a wonderful day. He asked me how much it would be and I simply told him it was free because he was a veteran, he was genuinely surprised and grateful. I too felt good. I don't feel as though I normally stand on a high horse or behave standoffish towards veterans but whatever happened in that moment was a genuine exchange.

I realized that I don't have to be patriotic. I don't have to be proud that I was born in America. But I can be grateful to the men and women who protect this country.

The New Year

Well friends, its that time of year. We talk about what we accomplished last year. What we failed to accomplish. What we have yet to accomplish. I had some ups and some downs in 2011. I would say that is the case in all aspects of my life. I am looking forward to what this new year brings but I refuse to make a new years resolution. Last year, my plans where to read a book every month and sit down to dinner with my daughter. I'm not gonna lie to you, I probably read 5 books. Unless children's book count in which case I read a whopping 20. *I know you are jealous of the mother Juliana has* I also began to sit down to dinner with Juliana, we did it way more this year than last year and can I just tell you the first few times I did it I was so ancy I couldn't even take it! Now Juliana talks more and makes less messes, either that or I make her clean them up so sitting down with her is less of a drag. I actually enjoy hearing about her day when we sit and chat. I however did not keep my resolutions. Therefore I am not doing it in 2012. Who was I kidding I knew in the first place I wasn't going to be able to do it but I thought I would give it a shot.

This year I am just going to try to improve little by little. They say slow and steady wins the race. I am not going to make a goal of graduating from college in 2012 or having financial freedom in one year. What I will do is slowly accumulate my credits and not overwhelm myself with too many courses at once. The other thing I will do is slowly save money even if its $5 a pay period but I will have something. I am just going to try my best.

Some definite things that 2012 holds for us are a trip to the Dominican Republic. We are finally going to go so that Juliana can get a taste of her heritage first hand. I will continue my education and have at bare minimum my Associates degree by the time by baby girl enters kindergarten. And I will continue to work and develop deeper and more meaningful relationships with loved ones. I will also continue to work on forgiveness for God for "failing me" in 2011 and try to see the good in it. And I will work on talking to him again. I am just now starting to miss him...