Feminism

So, these are some thoughts on feminism. If you're looking for something light and humorous, click away! (Quickly, before you're sucked in!)

I occasionally read one of the feminist Mormon blogs. The problem is, every time I finish reading, I become much less of a feminist than I was before. (It's the whining. and the self-centeredness. And the looking at everything bass-ackwardness. And little things like that.)

I have realized that I believe a few key things differently than some of my feminist sisters. One, I believe that any understanding of women begins with the fact that we are different than men, and those differences are deep and eternal, and encompass not only the way that we look, but the way that we think and our own internal purpose. I believe that women throughout time have been strong and powerful in their chosen and necessary roles. I believe that we as women are communal, and when we cut ourselves off from our foremothers, by believing them to have been weak and powerless, we become weak and powerless. When we connect ourselves to their legacy and find the respect and the deep reverence that they are owed, we find that we ourselves are worthy of those things.

This is not to say that there has never been abuse, discrimination, or oppression. Certainly, there has. But when we focus on "the systematic oppression of a patriarchal system" we miss the matriarchy that is so essentially intertwined with that patriarchy. Destroying patriarchy as being devoid of anything positive and good quickly destroys its partner as well. So, I say, "Yay, Women!" " Yay, Men!" Love 'em both.

So, have you ever got one of those checks in the mail? They are written out to you, personally for $5000. Or maybe $10,000. Or something like that. And at first you get really excited and think, yes! And then you read the fine print that says if you cash this check--this amazing wonderful gift out of thin air that will solve all of your problems--you will owe the credit company 38% compounded interest for the rest of your life and your first child. Or your second.

So, I'm watching CNN's coverage of the tea party in Chicago, and the fabulous professional reporter lady is getting a little worked-up at one of the protesters, trying to help him understand that he has nothing to protest about because the government is going to send him a check for $400. And, all I can think is, does this woman never read her junk mail?

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday, my brother!

Today you would be 32 years old. If you were here, I would make you a carrot cake, of course. My children know you through my stories of a dark-haired mischievous boy with a wicked sense of humor and a love for the natural world. I sometimes see flashes of you in my children: Sarai has your love for the outdoors along with your "not-knowing-when-to-stop" issue. Brigham has your eyes. And almost all of my children are short.

It has been 13 years, and sometimes I worry. I worry that my memories of you will fade or be distorted since you can't correct me. Here are some few (that perhaps others will correct as needed). I remember when David drew your name for Christmas and gave you fish hooks. The look on your face was priceless--a sort of sad irony. I remember when you went out on the lake with Ray, and blistered the backs of your legs so badly you couldn't move for three days. I remember feeling smug when Helene was born and I got a sister instead of the brother that you and Luke were both cheering for. I remember playing in Grandma Sweetman's sawdust heap with you with all sorts of little bowls and cups--I think you must have played with little cars and trucks, though. I remember your first goatee--strawberry blond, which surprised us since your hair was so dark. I remember that you would come and steal little pinches of dough whenever I was cooking, and later you became something of a "master chef" in your own right. You were always so creative, so adventurous, so funny. You were also often frustrating, irritating, and sort of like a runaway train.

One thing I don't worry about: where you are now. My first memory is of the altar in the Idaho Falls temple. I remember seeing myself and a little blond boy (Luke) in the eternity mirrors. There must have been a round-bellied Mom in the mirror, too, since you were born a month later. ( I probably had to look up too far to see Mom and Dad. That's probably why I don't have their image in my memory. Maybe if I thought hard enough, I could remember their knees.) I have felt such a sense of peace since you passed on, knowing that you are a member of our eternal family, and that Heavenly Father loves you and knows better than I your worth and the work that you need to do. I have felt that you are at peace, and that you are working hard, sharing the gospel with those near and dear to us.

I love you and I miss you, dear boy.

More Olmsted

(This is cross-posted at the family website for anyone who has already read it.)

So, here's the update: Alan will be starting school at Charles University in September or October of 2010. In between then and now, we will have to finish remodeling the house and getting it ready to sell and do 47? weeks of language training in Czech. Czech is an Indo-European language, so it's sort of like a fifth cousin once removed of English (but a first cousin of Ukrainian and Russian.) None of us have any experience with Slavic languages, so this will be a new experience for us.

There are two main language schools for the military: one is in Monterrey, CA and the other is in Washington DC. It looks like we will probably head to school in Washington DC (Good-bye beautiful Pacific Ocean. Good-bye sea lions. Good-bye California sunshine, Monterrey Aquarium and walks on the beach at sunset. Sigh.) Nothing is set in stone, though. It's possible that we could do our language training in-country, however, and be in the Czech Republic in October of this year. Nothing is certain yet, other than we could really use an army to put our house together zippity-quick (Good-bye kitchen! 'Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all!)

Olmsted

We got the news today (via an Army staff sergeant) that we made the cut. Alan was selected to receive the Olmsted Foundation Scholarship, and hewill be assigned to study at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. Wow! I am overwhelmed!

Random Thoughts

I am currently without a kitchen sink. So we're washing dishes the pioneer way--or at least, how pioneers would have done dishes if they had running water and electricity. Maybe not so tough, after all.

My new kitchen is going to be awesome. I look at the cherry cabinets and they make me smile inside.

The powers-that-be will give us Official Word on Tuesday (supposedly) of whether or not Alan won the Olmsted. . . . .

Mirielle: Was Jesus married?
Me: Uh, what do you think?
Mirielle: I think he was married to Mary, the one that's not his mother.
Me: (thinking, "Where did that come from?") Why do you say that?
Mirielle: Because she was his friend.
. . . and then the conversation between my five-year old and I got even stranger. You can only imagine. I guess small people have a talent for metaphysics or something. It got to the point where I wouldn't have been surprised by the casual mention of Kant or Emerson or a desire to visit Walden Pond.

Other memorable quotes:
Analise: My mind is empty but my heart is full of love.
Briellen: (pushing up her nose) I look like a hippopotamus.

This week is science week again. I like science week--it's relaxing, interesting, and hands-0n. Remind me again why all of home school isn't this way? Oh that's right. There are just some things people have to learn to do that they don't like. Like writing legibly, darnit.

I know this is SO last week, but . . .

25 DVDs? Really? Next time that heads of state come to visit, might I suggest this little number instead? As a bonus, it's very cheap and kitschy and they can be made in bulk for all of our foreign policy needs.