Smile Like You Mean It

If you ride on public transportation every morning you slowly begin to realize how much gloom is in the air. No one is smiling. I think the problem is we don't celebrate life enough. Birthdays should always be like a Sweet Sixteen. Over the top and full of foolishness, live a little. And the birth of new babies isn't held in the same honor as a funeral. I'm sure for obvious reasons but I feel that TV, media and maybe ourselves are too afraid or intrigued by death. So this is my celebration of life. Congratulations Marc and Jennifer on the birth of your twins. I think it is a very beautiful thing. Maybe one day I too will be blessed with children.

Your health is important. I think that is what I am learning about the most on this stretch of the road. Two women in my life who I care greatly about are struggling with good health. One more then the other but I have felt helpless in both situations. I don't know what else to say about my sister's situation. I'm glad many of you ask me how my sister is doing. I've been doing my best to visit home on the weekends. She has been in and out of the hospital for days. My parents must be bone tired. She was getting sick and throwing up so they brought her in like every time not matter what time of day or night just to be safe. Turns out she has an infection in her intestines that you usually get from being in the hospital too long. How odd? They are giving her medicine and hopefully sending her home today. My grandmother is here to help. I'm trying to visit them tonight. Things could be worse, so I can't really complain.

But these days I find myself disconnected from everyone. It's been too long since I've posted and it's getting too hard to post anything on a regular basis. Things happen and I'm like I need to write about that, process it and swallow whole, but then I forget. Yet after last night's class about blogging I'm changing a few things: shorter posts and specific topics. So I will spread everything out and it will be my attempt to remember these past weeks and those things that make us human.

Cheers.

All Computers Go to Heaven

So my computer died. It doesn't turn on anymore! My beautiful Apple laptop nicked name Girlfriend #2 is gone! I'm crushed. I'm tired and my head hurts. Monday sucked. I got home and I couldn't play music or balance my checkbook. Wow, I didn't know I was that involved with my computer. I guess its time to crack up the PS2 and play some Dynasty Warriors 4. (Remember that game Leif?) Well if anyone knows of some great people who fix computers or salvage hard drives, please let me know. This is rehab.

If you are confused by all the blogging lately, let me break it down. I try to post on my main blog and on Facebook once a week about things that our bothering me or deep thoughts that haven't left my brain in the last week. I don't vlog so this is my outlet. I have a 2nd blog only for political topics which is my homework for my Internet Advocacy class this semester and I felt that I needed to link them onto Facebook too. So I'm sorry if it seems selfish, but its my homework. I'm trying to keep everything short and simple so its a quick read, cause I hate reading long things on the internet. So be patient with me.

I didn't get a chance to watch the Grammy's but like usual I looked up the winner's list and unlike last year's ass kissing which gave the awards to anyone who was Anti-Bush, this year we had the talented Amy Winehouse and flashy Kanye West winning most of the awards. I have actually listened to more the one song off their albums, better yet I own them and I agree with their victories. Solid performances and definitely deserved the top rewards. I still don't think the Dixie Chicks deserved it last year. If you haven't seen Kanye's performance on Youtube, here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL3AfWAnXV0

Handsome Boy Modeling School's music is so amazing. It's truth. http://www.myspace.com/handsomeboymodelingschoool

Homework sucks, period. My computer dies so all my online reading due this week is impossible to do at home. Also because I'm working and interning during daylight hours I cannot fit the short photo lab hours into my weekly schedule, which means all my photo lab homework must be done on the weekends. SUCKS SO MUCH! Here's an idea, since it takes a lot of time to develop photos why not have better lab hours? How about 2-10p during the week? I still believe AU is not for the working Grad Student.

On the better side of life, my sister seems to be doing well. In a lot of pain, which is normal but she should be going home sometime this week. Thank you for your kind words. I always pass them on to her. Family is important man. If you haven't called them this week. Pick up the phone and call them. It wouldn't hurt.

So Google the sexy Riyo Mori if you need a pick me up. God bless Japan for their crazy ninja anime and hot women. Cheers.


PS> I know its late but I've been busy. Besides something this good needs to be mentioned. Well it was the best Super Bowl ever!! Thank you Giants for winning! I so want to see the diner commercial where the Patriot guy brags about perfection. Ah yes. Boston is no longer the champ. As for Super Bowl commercials I feel that Pepsi had my favorites. The one with Justin Timberlake really got the loudest laugh.

I'm posting this from Mike Lewis's blog since I love it. --- Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth," were the words spoken by Mike Tyson. Probably the smartest thing he's ever said. As Wilbon pointed out on PTI, this is exactly how you describe Super Bowl 42. The Patriots had a great offensive plan until Tom Brady got punched in the mouth. The Giants defense played GREAT - sacking Brady 5 times and knocking him down 18 times - and Eli and Tyrees combined on the best scramble/catch ever in Super Bowl history to take the Pats down. I love that quote and i love that I won't have to hear about 19-0.

UPDATE: My Sister's Lung

First, I want to thank everyone who has prayed, sent kind words or even stopped by to visit my sister in these past months. It means a lot to all of us. Friends and family are important in times of difficulty that we all must face. You can't truly value life without the pain, the loss or confusion, but you don't have to live it alone. I hope that I can offer the same support that you have given me. Thank you.

The update to keep it simple is that my sister has been in the hospital for the past week. Her right long had collapsed and turns out their is a slight tear in the outer pocket that is leaking air so it won't stay up by itself. She is having surgery on Thursday to repair the damage and test some other things concerning the TS. My mother sent out this email, so I am posting it here.

Aliya has been doing very well and this is a minor set back in her recovery. She was supposed to be going back to work this week and I know she is tired of being bedridden. It's not something that she wants but it needs to be done. I'm learning more about true strength. Our bodies are wonderfully made but truly fragile, so we're in God's hands now. Thank you.

- Peace


_____________________________

Hello Everyone,

We met with the surgeon today and he is planning to do the surgery on Thursday morning. The plan is to close the hole that is leaking, possibly do a biopsy to check for disease, and depending on if there are more problem areas that may leak he will do a procedure to prevent future leaks. They will not have to open her up for the surgery; instead they will make three holes – front, side, and back. He said that for women especially chest surgery can be painful, and he wanted her to be aware of that. She will spend one day in ICU and then move to a regular room until the drainage from the chest tube clears up. Hopefully, that will be within five days. Lots of visitors is probably not good right now, but lots of prayer is definitely appreciated. Please pray specifically for the following things:

* Surgery is successful and they are able to find and close up the hole
* Good results from the biopsy; no LAM disease or other serious lung issues
* That there would be no need to perform the other procedure to prevent future leaks as it can pose problems in the future
* Quick recovery and not a lot of pain to endure
* Wisdom for the surgeon and operating staff
* Great nurses, doctors, hospital staff during the rest of her stay
* Peace for Aliya and the rest of the family
* Experience the love and joy of the Lord throughout this time
* Wisdom for how to proceed in seeking care for TS issues
* A complete healing and a return to normal life and work

Thank you for your time and prayers and we will send out updates as soon as we can. Thanks Marvin and Renee for your visits and stuffed animals – you helped to put a smile on Aliya’s face.

Love,
Ken & Sylvia