How to Become a Pariah

Well, I may or may not have become a social pariah today - time will tell. I wrote a letter this evening to protest the use of Christian holidays in our school classrooms. We live in a very multicultural community and it makes me a little ill to think of the children who are Muslim or Buddhist or [insert faith here] having to miss a day of school or sit in the hall just so that their school friends can have a holiday party without them. So depressing. My best friend growing up was Jehovah's Witness and I remember feeling horrible about how the holiday parties at school always excluded her. It just never seemed right.

I haven't gone to the extreme of advocating that all holiday themes be removed from the classrooms, though that would be nice. I did mention it as an option. As a compromise, however, I suggested that if the schools insist on incorporating Christian holidays that they at least try to balance it out by celebrating other holidays such as Kwanzaa, Ramadan, and Chinese New Year. I'd like to see it become more of a "share your culture" thing than a "hey let's make everyone feel like outcasts" thing on holidays.

At least this might make some of the kids feel better when all the teachers are promoting Santa and he won't arrive for at least 10% of the children in that classroom.

So, I've given it my best. I'm sealing the letter and sending it into the void. We'll see if it makes any difference.

Ash's Favorite Things #4

Chapters! I know it's the big bad chain store, but we live in a town with no local bookstore. Luckily, Chapters takes online orders and delivers to my door. I do try and get stuff from our local library too, obviously, but some of the stuff that I'm interested in is a bit esoteric. I feel bad using our collection budget to order stuff when I'm probably the lone person in town that will read it. So, hurrah for Chapters and online delivery!

PS Can't find an out-of-print book? AbeBooks is your best bet! Imagine the world's biggest Fair's Fair (chain of used book stores for the uninitiated) online. AbeBooks rocks too!

Ash's Favorite Things #3

One of my new favorites is Lays Sea Salt and Pepper Potato Chips. I tried them for the first time last winter and they are now my hands-down favorite potato chip. Very tasty.

Reader's Poll: What do you think is the best potato chip? Or are you one of the cheezy-bots?

Ash's Favorite Things #2

I am in love with Philosophy products. They have the best bath/shower gel ever! In scents like Pumpkin Pie, Cinnamon Buns, Candy Cane, Vanilla Birthday Cake...you literally want to eat it, it smells that good. I'm also a fan of their Kiss Me lip balm and their Hope in a Jar moisturizing cream. I put Hope in a Jar on my face after my shower and in less than a minute, it had sucked 90% of the redness out. This stuff rocks! Mmmm...Philosophy.

Coming Soon...Favorite #3.

Ash's Favorite Things #1

Yup, I got married. Hurrah! For those of you that did not attend, it was absolutely fabulous. Thammuz and I are still celebrating. :)

In the spirit of the upcoming holidays - I love winter solstice and the celebrations that surround it - and in the spirit of being happily married, I've got a two-layered post about joy.

First, I have dealt with a lot of stress recently, but it all gets pushed to the backburner when I really think about how lucky I am to have my life. My life is incredible. Here are some of my favorite blessings right now:

• my wonderful husband (I'm Married!)
  
• my wonderful kids (Beyond Cute)
  
• my home - it's a bit messy, but it's mine - no renting, baby!
  
• my job - I graduated with my master's in 2005 and I am already a head librarian for a rocking public library - how lucky am I?
  
• my fabulous family - my parents are incredibly supportive and I even like my in-laws!
  
• our friend group - always there whenever we need them, they all came out in foggy crap weather for our wedding. You guys are awesome!
  

If it's not obvious, I'm kind of bubbling over happy right now.

The second part of the joy post is to do with favorite things. If anybody watches Oprah - and come on, you've all seen her at least once - you might know that she creates a favorites list every year. This list usually creates a buying frenzy among her many fans. I have no delusions of grandeur here and do not expect the same. However, I have come across enough cool stuff recently, that I thought it might make a fun seasonal "greed post." So, item #1:

Viva Glam VI Lipstick by MAC Cosmetics

I bought some at the MAC counter in The Bay after seeing it on Dita Von Teese. If you want to know who Dita Von Teese is, she is a Burlesque star married to Marilyn Manson. Her website is filled with pin-up poses and should not be viewed while you are at work. That said, feel free to click here to visit said site.

Excluding husband, this might be the single best thing I have put on my lips. The colour is amazing and long lasting and it does not have that icky lipstick taste. It is awesome. The best part? All proceeds go to support finding a cure for AIDS. So, you get to feel good about splurging on yourself. And, if you are not fond of the Viva Glam VI colour, there are colours I through V to choose from as well. Viva Glam rocks!

Stay Tuned for Favorite #2!

One More Sleep...

I'm Getting Married Tomorrow!!