The Poisonwood Bible, Friendship, and Mr. Carl Lindstrom

Well, I finally finished this wonderfully written and emotional roller coaster of a book. Barbara Kingsolver is an amazing writer. This is the story of Southern Baptist faimly living in the Congo as missionaries during the late 1950s. It is told from the point of view of the mother and 4 daughters. It is a story of tragedy, loss of life, personal growth, and personal decline. It's about faith, hope, love and the absence of these three. I think this is one of my favorites. (I know I say that every time) I just bought Prodigal Summer written by Kingsolver, and I hear it is just as good. She weaves so many literary elements in The Poisonwood Bible, and I know she will do the same with Prodigal Summer.

My favorite character in the book is Adah because of her palindromes, cynical wit, and strong free will. Everyone would be lucky to have a friend like Adah. I'm starting a new book today before I read Prodigal Summer. It's called Water for Elephants. If anyone has read it, please let me know what you think.

As the day progresses, and my nap moves on, I realize some things. You can't make people do the right thing. The only thing you can do is leave them to God, and let them know you will be there for them through thick and thin. If a person chooses not to believe this or doesn't accept it, then there is nothing you can do. (I know that sounds weird coming from me because I am not that religious, however, I believe it none the less.) Until vital important questions can be answered, you can't move on to better things. All you can do is know in your heart you did the right thing despite the consequence. Keeping the good times rolling is not always the best thing at the time, and I have to stand up and fight for what is right. Friendship is thanksgiving. I am grateful for all of them, even the tough ones in my life. I don't and won't take them for granted or forsake them. I've learned a lot this week and frankly i'm exhausted.

For my friend who is fighting the good fight right now. I love you. Your family is going to be blessed once you crush those demons and I'm so proud of you for trying. There are so many people in your life that will benefit from the choices you are making now. Stick to the plan and know that blessings lie beyond the pile of crap you are feeling like now. (Remember ur dumb, and smiley is always watching you) hahahah :)

I'm sadly missing the good time at BT's and Claytor Lake right now. I hope that all my pals in the VA are having a blast! I got the BEST phone call from Mr. Carl Lindstrom today letting me know all of the ailments of my friends in the VA; I guess we are getting older now. Apparently, Greg Allen has some scrotum problem, Randy Jarrells has hemorrhoids, and poor Leslie Martin has a herpe on her lip! Gosh, who knew our old vice principal kept up on such things! Thanks Scotty! I laughed harder than I had in weeks, and I needed that!

Shout OUTS <3

Erin--I miss you already. Vesta--I always miss you. Jd--I hate the Raiders. Lora--Oh no! It wasn't me! It was the one armed man! Jodi--I was RUNNING! Tina--Take your 70 degree weather and shove it! Christina, Annette, Vanessa--I love your faces.

That's about it.

San Diego We The People aka "Constitutional Boot Camp!

This is my first attempt at a blog, so be kind to me. Other than missing my family, the trip was a great success.

The trip down-- I picked up Mike around 11, and we left out with good conversation anticipating the week and just talking about work, friends, and life in general. We both agreed to stop at Claim Jumper because any person from Bakersfield who drives past it on the way down must stop and eat the delicious yummyness! We made it down to San Diego around 3:30, which was excellent time. There was no traffic. I checked in and went to my room and got settled, and then headed over to the dinning hall and met a lot of really cool people and had a few glasses of wine courtesy of David Richmond and not the Center for Civic Education. Thanks David! We were briefed on what the week would be like and met with our mentor groups. I met Bob, Justin, Ryan, Laurel, and last but not least Vicky. I'm pretty sure Team Marshall built some serious connections and life long friendships during this week. Thank God for "judicial review." haha

Day 1--We woke up to a yummy breakfast and headed off to class. Mike and I decided to park the car in the garage and go to the dining hall to get some exercise before breakfast. Well yeah..that was the last time that happened for me. I didn't take the best shoes in the world and I was not at all in shape. There were lots of hills to walk on and I wished I was in better shape. :( Maybe something to consider? I think so. Anyway, after breakfast we went back to the IPJ and had class with Susan Leeson, who is a retired Justice, Oregon Supreme Court. We discussed the differences between classical republican government and natural rights theory. She sent my mind in a tizzy. I had never considered some of the nuances of classical republicanism and the implications of such a philosophy on modern day America. It was a great lecture. After break Scott Casper, a Professor of History at the University of Nevada, Reno, joined the conversation. He is a very lively speaker and really broke things down as to how Federalism played a part in the framing of the Constitution. After lunch we focused on pedagogy, and then broke up into groups with Scott and Sue and went over the Madison, Jersey, and Hamilton proposals for framing the Constitution. I found their approach very easy and I see how I can adapt it to the classroom. Then mentor groups, dinner and bed. It was a very full day.

Day 2-- At the IPJ, we picked up where we left off on the framing of the Constitution and looked at the Declaration of Independence, the Confederate States of America Constitution, and spent time with our mentor groups. This day was less exhausting because of the content. I wish we would have spent more time on the incorporation of the 14th Amendment, but what I got from the session was very useful. We had more mentor time and the day ended without fanfare.

Day 3--The day of cognitive dissidence!!! Dr. Mike Williams, Professor of Political Science at USD pretty much rocked my world. (No not like that) He spoke on the increasing power of the presidency and how there has been a gradual increase in presidential power since the turn of the 20th century. This reminded me of college where i'm sitting in the classroom and the professor literally destroys your whole world view for the better. I walked away from his lecture knowing more than I ever did (and I still feel like I know nothing), but at the same time he gave so much great food for thought, it will take me weeks to rummage through all the notes I took. That afternoon Milt, showed us some activities to take back to the classroom and use with students! I really appreciated this! I think I want to be Milt when I grow up! I am 100% sure his students love his class and learn a lot! Terry Richmond gave another pedagogy session as well and I really enjoy her line of thinking. She is a great teacher and VERY smart! I wish I knew half of what she does! She helped me so much with my congressional speech! :)

After this long and emotionally draining day, I decided to head to the pub with my new friends and enjoy some wine. It was nice. We even went to see Tio Leo that night! He now owes Mike some money I think? hahah

Day 4- My favorite... Unit 5--Civil Rights. The part of the book that makes me wish I would have went to law school. The part of the book that makes me want to be a better person. The part of the book that makes me want to help others. What I find ironic is this section of the book is all about individual rights yet it points to our own responsibility as citizens more than any other part of the book because in our own rights and responsibly, we have a responsibility to others. Professor Kevin den Dulk, a Frisian (haha) of Grand Valley State University gave a great discussion on the First Amendment and Freedom of Religion. He addressed both the establishment clause and the free exercise clause and discussed some of my favorite court cases regarding this. I found him engaging and very socratic in the way he lectures. I love his methods of teaching because he forces you to learn more on your own about the topics.

That night was "cultural exploration of San Diego" and Jason and Brenna picked me up around 3:30 and we stayed out till 11 or so brewery hopping and genuinely having a great time. I feel like I met a new sister with Brenna. We love the same books and the same nerdy stuff. Thank you Jason for introducing me to her! She is a wonderful lady. Ocean Beach was awesome and so eclectic! Right up my alley! There was great conversation about a million different topics and I can't wait to see them again at the end of July! Thank you Thank you!

Day 5--Citizenship day--Mike and Kevin gave a really good lecture about citizenship and the challenges we face as a nation. We sang songs (haha) and really got into the discussion. It was amazing. I'm still kind of spinning from this session. That afternoon Joey Biron gave us a pedagogy session and it was so fun! I am sure that students love the way he teaches as well. He gives a lot of autonomy in class and he reminds me a lot of me in the classroom. I got fired up and I think this day is what got me "in trouble" Day 6! LOL

Day 6--Congressional Hearing-- I wasn't nervous at all. Things like that rarely intimidate me. I think it's fun and it makes me super passionate. Unit 3 went well. I was hoping for more critical feedback from the judges but hey it's ok. I was the least prepared for this and to me it is the hardest Unit in the entire book. Now Unit 6 .... I was all over that. A little too much. I have a tendency to get very passionate about issues, and in that passion I sometimes exclude other people. It's something I have to work on for sure, but if this is something you understand about me, well you pretty much know me. The judge said I was too talkative and invaded others "person space" basically calling me rude. All I know is that I hope my group didn't think me rude. That is all that really matters to me. I honestly didn't mean to get so fired up... ok I did but I surely didn't mean to be rude or intrusive on anyone's argument. It kind of had been decided that I would take the opposite view of my colleagues and I think in doing that maybe it was my arguments that bothered the judge more than my "rudeness." Can't win them all right? I just hope a judge doesn't speak to my kids the way he spoke to me because if anyone would I would go off on them.

Bob, my mentor, almost made me cry. At the end, there was a presentation. He was a great mentor and challenged me in so many positive ways. He was the perfect mentor for me and filled in gaps where I needed them filled. I hope I get a chance to see him again. He was there for all of us.

My team--the best! We worked so well together. There was no ego there. We cut things out without complaining. We worked well on making sure everyone was heard---The best experience of the "boot camp" was them!

The Ride Home--it was quiet, Mike slept. It was like we were both tired from camp..haha. He was tired and so was I. He asked me if I wanted him to drive before we left, but I could see he was more tired than me, so I drove. We left about 1 or so and got home at 4:30. It was a great trip. I was thankful for someone to share the ride with and good conversation.

Great experience. Look forward to many more with the We the People family.