Travel! NOW!

So in honor of Mardi Gras, I've decided to write about traveling. I LOVE to travel. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Seeing new places and experiencing new things just makes me SUPER happy. If you know me at all, you know I've been many places. And as of June 2011, I added Europe to my list of adventures (best 3 weeks ever!). I know I'm not the most traveled person and I'm not the best traveler. I have a very hard time sleeping in other places (ask Tracie and Kristin about Europe) so I've started using sleep aids when I go places. But today I want to make a case about why you should stop making excuses and just go.

Probably the biggest reason people don't travel is money. And I totally get this. I made a little over $16,000 last year and I've got an astronomical amount of student loans to pay off. When I went to Europe, I had $200 to my name and no job. None! And when I got back I was unemployed for another 2 months before finding a seasonal job at a Halloween store (which ended in November). And I still had loans to pay. It wasn't a great time for me, I admit but I had people looking out for me. Looking back, financially I shouldn't have been going anywhere but I did. If I can travel broke, you can too. You don't come back with much in terms of souvenirs but as long as you have a camera and a notebook, memories are better than souvenirs anyway. Key is to also eat small, healthy and drink a lot of water. I drank more water in those three weeks than probably all my years prior. Italy has delicious water, btw. But seriously, you can travel cheap, it just takes research and patience. Camping... great way to save money. Nichole and I did it for Yellowstone and we didn't have to bring a tent. We stayed in a tipi, a little more expensive but you don't have to worry about set up or tear down. Don't like planes... Amtrak has become much more reliable in recent years and they go pretty much everywhere and we have buses, which go places Amtrak doesn't.

Does traveling require money? Yes. But it doesn't have to require a lot of money. And many cities have tourism bureaus, who are there to help you AND GUESS WHAT? They can tell you about FREE STUFF to do! Nichole and I rely on this heavily. We LOVE free stuff. And one of my favorite travel sites is Roadside America. Now granted it is generally for road trips BUT if you type in your destination, it will give you a list of fun (although some times cheesy) stuff to see. Plus, a lot of the stuff is free. And despite what you think, seeing the really cheesy stuff sometimes make the best memories.

This wonderful photo of my friend, Beth, was taken at Foamhenge. A totally free, totally cheesy tourism sight in Virginia. I found it on Roadside America and said we had to go. It was super fun! Another really good idea is to check out the local colleges, especially if you're heading to the east coast or south. The colleges are some times older than most of the city and have cool buildings you can walk around in for free!

So the money excuse isn't generally valid. I make less than a lot of you, pretty much owe enough money for halfway decent house and I still travel. All I'm saying here is you can owe money and still travel smart and cheap. I did some traveling as a kid but didn't really catch the "bug" until my aunt took Kristin and I to Washington D.C. in Spring 2001. Yes, I was in D.C. 6 months before 9/11 and since going back, I could definitely tell you the huge differences.

Another argument you might have is... "Well, I don't have anyone to go with." Uh... hello? Did you not hear the part where I LOVE to travel? Invite me, I'll come... your excuse is invalid.

Now here's one I've been trying to tackle for 4 years. My wonderful boyfriend is a bonafide homebody. He's not a big traveler and would rather spend time at home in a place he's comfortable. The comfort zone argument is by far the most challenging one because I can't force you to step out. I can't hold a gun to your head and say "TRAVEL OR ELSE!" For the last four years, I've been trying to get him to come with me on my adventures. Every time it's been no for some ridiculous reason. After year 2, I realized it's because he's a homebody. I think I've FINALLY gotten him to commit to a trip next year and I'm crossing my fingers he stays the course.

The year I went to Virginia, I forced Zack to go somewhere for spring break. If we get married, I didn't want to be the one with all the traveling stories. He needs some too. I told him alternative spring break was a great option because he could go somewhere for a week for $120, with everything paid for and do something useful. He went to Florida and helped with a Nature Conservancy project. He was really nervous at first but he came back and showed me ALL kinds of photos. He had stories to tell and had the BEST time! I think what really got him to commit was his best friend Patrick was leading the trip. I think I asked Patrick to help me convince him.

See? Even homebody's can have the time of their lives!

I think it's easier to travel with someone who's been around the block a couple of times because they've handled the really uncomfortable situations. If things so seriously wrong, they are more likely to have a level head when you're on the other side of the country. Patrick had been on alternative spring break before and knew what to expect, therefore able to help prepare my nervous boyfriend for the trip. So if you're really worried about traveling, take an experienced traveler with you (like me!). It will help. For our Europe trip, Kristin and I had NEVER been out of the country before. Tracie, who has been out of the country (Canada, Mexico and Jamaica still count), was the anchor of our trip. Kristin and I were fish out of water but Tracie really kept me calm (Kristin's a different story but we brought her home alive). It's scary traveling and everyone's nervous. I still get sweaty palms during take off and I HAVE to be looking out a window. I can't stress this enough, if you've never been overseas talk to people who have. They can give you good pointers and be a reference. My aunt Sandy is my go to person for traveling, she travels A LOT.

So travel... any excuse you can possibly come up with is probably invalid. I can and will find an argument to prove you wrong. Medical issues can be tricky but if you plan it right, you can still do it. My grandfather went to Texas to visit my aunt Sandy while he needed dialysis 3 days a week. I wear a fake leg and spent 3 weeks in Europe. My amazing grandmother travels quite frequently with my aunt. I get to be her travel buddy next month when we go to San Antonio to visit Aunt Sandy (super excited!).

I can't stress enough how much the memories will be worth it. The pictures and stories you'll be able to tell your family and kids are priceless. And international travel is great and pretty life changing, but don't forget what's in your own backyard. The U.S. has amazing cities and national parks. How can enjoy looking at the beauty of the mountains abroad, if you never seen the Rockies? I've seen the Alps and I know how amazing they are, simply because I saw the Rockies first. I feel you're able to enjoy the sites abroad better if you've seen the sites in your own country. So go travel, go places I've never been and may never see. Build your travel wishlist and go tackle it. We live in a country where we work too hard, don't get paid enough and take simple things for granted. Traveling allows us to step back, appreciate the small things and build memories that last longer than a ridiculous staff meeting you had last week.

You will never regret traveling. I spent 4 hours on a plane with the stomach flu and altitude sickness... And I don't regret that trip to Yellowstone at all. You get one shot on this earth so you might as well soak up as much of it as you can while you're here. Because you're not going to see any of this by looking out your window.

Yellowstone

 Ok... technically not Yellowstone but on the way there.

 Old Faithful

 Amazing views...

 Some of the world's best scenery.

Europe

 Dublin Castle

Leaning Tower of Pisa 

 Arno River- Florence, Italy

 A pretty canal- Venice, Italy

Chateau Chambord- Loire Valley, France

"Pemberley" a.ka. Lyme Park- Stockport, England

Buckingham Palace- London, England

Traveling is really up to you. You can either sit at home and watch the world pass you by... or you can go out and see it!

What I believe...

Lately, I've felt stuck between a rock and a hard place spiritually. I was raised in a Pentecostal church and I believe it's part of my core. If nothing else, it's definitely shaped who I am today. It's why I don't swear a lot or smoke (although smoking is just stupid period) or drink a lot. It's also why I don't enjoy gossiping and I hate lying because it seriously gives me the most icky feeling in the world. I read somewhere that if you don't stand for something, then you'll fall for anything so this me taking a stand.

I don't claim to have all the answers nor do I claim that I understand why God chooses to do some things. But I can tell you what God means to me. And I'm so not perfect... I swear when I get really angry, I've drank too much on occasion, and I lie... more often that I care to admit. I'm not going to throw my beliefs in your face and tell you to repent or you'll spend eternity in hell. I HATE scare tactics and scaring people into salvation, isn't salvation at all. I'm simply going to tell you what my story.

I found Jesus when I was 8. I say "found" because my philosophy is that Jesus is always there waiting for you, you have to be the one willing to find him. It was a Sunday night service and we had some Evangelist visiting that evening. I don't remember the particulars but there was a moment in his sermon when he spoke about a prodigal son (a different one than the biblical story) and his returning home to his family. Somewhere in the midst of all this, I had this strange feeling inside that the Evangelist was talking to me. He then mentioned something about sin and separating us from God (therefore sending us to hell). This is a very abbreviated version, I know, but I was 8 and I've an awful memory. But I was TERRIFIED because I knew that earlier that week I had lied to my parents about shampooing my hair (funny, I remember what the sin was but can barely remember that sermon) and the thought of hell just scared me. Hence, why I don't approve of scare tactics, one could argue I repented because of a scare tactic.

He did an altar call and I flew up to the front. I curled myself up into a ball and prayed, "Lord, please don't send me to hell. I lied and I'm sorry." I was SO ashamed of myself for lying that I couldn't even bring myself to tell my Sunday school teacher Mrs. Shumaker why I was up there. I remember her distinctly telling me that there was no sin too big that God couldn't wipe away even though I was still convinced my sin was the greatest sin ever committed. But she prayed for me anyway. If I ever see her again, I want to thank her for praying with me that day.

After that, I spent most of my time at church, I LOVED church. I didn't have a lot of friends at school so ALL of my friends were at church and that's the only time I ever got to see any of them. There was the social aspect but I also felt closer to God at church. I didn't fully grasp the concept of an omnipresent God until middle school.

But it wasn't until middle school and a new youth pastor who really brought me closer to God. As a kid, I knew that Jesus loved me and I was pretty sure I loved him too. But Pastor Dave and Kristen helped me build a relationship with Him without even realizing I was doing it. They showed me the true love of Christ and how to apply it in my own life. They are also the reasons I LOVE worship music and to this day it is my favorite part of service (but that's another story). It's why I don't swear or gossip about other people. After Jesus went to Heaven, we became His earthly examples. He passed his mission on to us, to show the world who Christ is and Pastor Dave taught me the best way to do that is through your actions. It's something I strive to do on a daily basis, even if I mess up all the time.

Here's a way to put it that I hope makes a little more sense... Everyone has lost someone important, right? A friend, a parent, a sibling... doesn't really matter who but after they passed, you tell yourself that you want to live a life to make them proud. You want them to look down on you and smile. And you do this because you built a loving relationship with them, making them important to you. Their good opinion of you matters to you. For me, that's how it works for my relationship with God.

Over my 24 short years, God provided for me. He has proven himself to me a bajillion times over and a long time ago, someone very important to me died. God sent himself in human form to die the most horrific way possible (have you read about crucifixion??? reading about it makes me sick to stomach) for me. He died so I could have a chance at life (which I'll get too in a minute), to live my life abundant and because he willingly did that, I chose to live a life of which he would be proud. His good opinion matters to me and I want him to smile when He thinks of Alison Burge.

How has be proven himself? Easy... Just look at me, I'm a walking miracle. After my parents discovered, I had a birth defect, my mom was offered an abortion. Instead of taking the easy way, instead of accepting the easiest solution... my mom tested God's promises and kept me. His promises of provision, blessing and favor. The doctors said I could be born with all sorts of medical issues because of my birth defect. If you research PFFD (the defect that caused my leg), it can get pretty ugly. It can with other physical deformities and has been linked to cognitive issues as well (don't you like my medical jargon?). But ta-da! I was a relatively healthy baby (I say relatively because I spent a couple in NICU because I was blue... something about oxygen or my blood but they didn't find anything. Tracie tells me I was a smurf). I was a very expensive child, PFFD does result in a LOT of dr's visits and surgeries... etc.

God showed his provision in introducing my parents to Shriner's Hospitals, which paid for all of my leg related medical costs that insurance didn't cover. They provided me with the best possible care growing up (SUPER ULTRA MEGA BLESSING!!!!!!!). They weren't sure how well I would walk and at first, there was probably some discussion about whether or not I'd be able to walk at all. Most people can't even tell I wear a fake leg... how is that for blessing? 98% of the time they think I've hurt my ankle. I have a limp but once I get my new leg in April (woot!) even that will be minimized. For having a limitation, I've lived a very normal life. Blessing! I was NEVER actually teased for not having a leg. BLESSING! (Although I was teased for wearing glasses in grade school by a girl named Latoya). I learned how to roller blade! Blessing! I haven't learned how to ride a bike yet but I will (the fact that I'll be able too... BLESSING!). And despite being born with a handicap, in May 2010, I graduated college with a 3.45 GPA (blessing.).  When I was 4, I had diagnosed with really BAD asthma (like have to take steroids to control it) and today? Very little asthma (only kicks in around dogs)! When I look back over my life, I don't know how you can tell me how God wasn't present. It's just not humanly possible. My whole life is a result of prayer, faith and God's awesome power. I believe God exists because everything that has happened to me proves it. And I choose to love him and make him proud because of what he's done for me. And if He hadn't died on that cross so many years ago, I might not even be alive today.

And here's something not even leg related. Two years ago, I took a job at a bank. On the scale of worst jobs, it must come close to the top. I felt like God wasn't hearing my pleas for help. My boss was awful and I was a mess mentally, physically, emotionally. I've been a skinny girl all my life and in those 9 months at the bank, I lost 30 lbs. I was demoted from my position and transferred to a different branch. My confidence was shot. Where was God in that situation? Why wasn't He helping me? I couldn't hear him or feel him so I almost gave up. But even in the middle of all this, he continued to provide for me. I had the world's greatest support system of family, friends and boyfriend. And in the year that followed after quitting, God provided the resources to pay my bills and not starve (my parents are saints!), he provided the Halloween store to return my confidence and restore my strength, and then He provided me with Potbelly. A good job, with decent pay, decent hours and workplace where I feel appreciated and valued. Even if I don't spend the rest of my life working for them, I'm eternally thankful that they gave me a shot. Even at my lowest point, when I stopped praying, stopped going to church, stopped even paying attention to him... He looked out of me and provided. That is a God who truly cares.

I don't claim to have all the answers. I can't answer all the questions of the Universe but I will tell what I know: I love God and he loves me. And I choose to believe He died for me.

2012: In Memoriam

Dear 2012,

I'll admit that I had my doubts about you the first couple of months. 2011 had a couple of really awesome moments (Europe... yay!) but otherwise it just kind of sucked. I had an awful job, I lost weight (which isn't good when you don't have any too lose) and I ended the year broke with no real job prospects. I was relieved that it ended and you arrived with the promise of better things. However, those first two months were not fun at all. Panic attacks and depression... Really? I had thought a new year meant new endeavors and new amazing opportunities but no... you gave me 2 months of the same old stuff I dealt with the last 12 months. You even gave me my first ticket for running a red light that I didn't run! We both know I made that light. I began to think nothing would change and I'd end 2012 in the same place as the previous year. But, I gotta hand it to you, you really pulled through for me. 

By the end of February, I had a job with decent pay and wonderful people. I even got health benefits and 2 weeks of paid vacation. I know 2012 was the year of the dragon but it became the year of the sandwich for myself. Everyday I began to feel more like myself again. The panic attacks ended, the depression turned into happiness and my confidence began to build up. 2012, you returned my self confidence. It was a rather long process and took most of the year but it's back and I feel like the Alison-tour-de-force again. That's something for which I cannot express my gratitude enough. 

I was financially stable enough to go my Nichole in S. Dakota. We went to Yellowstone and spent a crazy couple of days. It was cold and hot and we burned to a crisp. But also had crazy amounts of fun. It was good to see Old Faithful and know that real friendships endure no matter how far apart we are. Thank you for providing the Olympics so Nichole and I could share our Olympic love together. The gymnastics rocked! You picked a PHENOMENAL team, including Makayla Mahoney (vault girl), who was not impressed with her silver. Hopefully, in a year or two she'll realize that she completed BOMBED her second vault but was still great enough to land a silver. She was sitting down... SITTING DOWN and she still got silver. To me that says, "Hey, I'm so much better than everybody else that I don't even have to land my vaults to beat you." I bow to her talent. It was also fun watching Michael Phelps win his 19th medal and watching youngster Missy Franklin just take the world by storm. She's 17 and already won 7 medals!! I just wanted to be her best friend, she was so adorable. Oh and the beach volleyball was fun too. I think I bit off all my fingernails watching Kerri and Misty play. I would've cried if they didn't win. I have no words for the awesomeness of the London Olympics... massive kudos to you 2012. 

Not to say 2012 that you didn't have your issues. I mean you did break my foot... while I was at work. You did cause me to miss a week of work only to find out that my leg is falling apart. I knew it was old and probably in bad shape but I wasn't expecting the ticking time bomb on my knee. They couldn't even fix it or put a band aid solution on it. And then when I went to try and get a new one, I heard the stinging words of "pre-existing condition." Which is a bunch of crap... Why should I be blamed for something I had no control over???? I don't drink or smoke or do any really dangerous things.... I just want to be able to function and live like everyone else. Stupid insurance... ugh. But on the bright side of all this, you did at least enforce the 2010 healthcare reform. For the time being, it can't be repealed (thank you Supreme Court)! Blah, blah, blah... I'm Christian and I support it... so what? I'm also human and would like to make sure that all my health needs are met. I don't use my disability as a crutch, I don't have a woe is me attitude, I don't even have a friggin' handicapped sticker for my car!!!! All I ask is that I be able to use the insurance that I EARN and PAY FOR properly. So all you haters and sit down, shut up and take a number because I've been WITHOUT coverage for my leg for a long time and I'm done caring about stupidity. Maybe it's selfish, maybe it's wrong but I supported Obama's healthcare from the beginning and thank you 2012 for at least prolonging it's life. 

There were some political issues, 2012, but I won't get into that. Long story short, ALL of Congress needs to be fired. They can't even clean up their own mess.

Also thank you 2012 for 4 wonderful years with my man. It's not a perfect relationship but it's ours and he's proved more and more to be the man I always dreamed of. It's funny how God knows things you needed that you didn't. Like why would I ever have wanted to date a picky eater? Well, I get heart burn pretty easily and when I go out with Zack, he picks places that don't give me heartburn. You also provided him with a big boy job.. one that he seems to like a whole lot. It's entry level but he's happy just to be working. It's also funny to hear him complain about the same things I did when I first started working. No social life, meetings on your days off... I just tell him what he told me. "It's ok, hunny." 

Thanks for the continuing health of my family. And for letting my mom lose close to 40 lbs this year! WOOT!  It's truly a miracle and she's happier and healthier. Being around my mom at all, she's just overall happier. I think her optimism is even returning. You provided Kristin with a job at school and a seriously awesome internship in her field. And you provided another one for her at the end of the year. An even better one that is precisely what she wants to do and will grow her so much. Tracie got a full-time job and better health benefits! Holla! Her health has also improved and I know we're all thankful for the lack of seizures on her part now (especially Patrick). I only have one small, tiny bone to pick about this. I didn't become an aunt in 2012. I know patience is a virtue but they've been married 4 years now and she's almost 30. I love them both a great deal and they'll great parents. Is is so much to ask to be an aunt?

You've also provided for my friends too. Everyone got jobs (and I mean everyone). Nichole got a job at a daycare on base, Jen got salaried with benefits, Tristan ran off to Japan to teach English, and Megan had a teaching job before graduating. Megan got married, Nichole finished planning her wedding and Jen is dating a seemingly nice guy named Alex (I get to meet him today so I cannot yet pass judgement). Tristan is still missing from this group but I hear Japan is lacking in that department. And I forgot Susan... my favorite old boss whom I wish I lived closer too... she had a baby!!!!!!! The cutest most adorable baby girl named Addy. I'm so happy for her and Aaron! Yay! 

So overall 2012, you were a great year! I mean a seriously great year! The best I've had since graduating (although those years are still in their infancy). I just wanted to say thank you for being a great year, for providing new opportunities and letting us leave old days behind. Looking back, I wish there was some stuff that would've gone differently (my leg) but other than that, I wouldn't change it for the world. And if the Mayan calendar is correct, then we're starting a new era of something. I'm excited to see what 2013 has in store for me. I do know that it does at least hold a couple of wonderful things. A bunch of weddings (dear friends, please stop getting married in 2013... I will be broke), a car for myself, the college graduation of Kristin, AND most important to me... a BRAND NEW LEG! oh... 2013... i only have 1 resolution to which i have no control over... i would like to be an aunt, please. 

P.S. 2012, thank you for introducing me to a most wonderful creative endeavor... quilting! It rocks. 

Thanks to Love! Thankfulness blog, day 1.

Hello everyone!

It's been like 4 months since I last posted but life got busy... blah, blah, blah. It's now November, which I've recently decided is one of my favorite months. The weather, generally, is still pleasant and we're not thrown into the craziness of the holidays just yet. I think it may also be one of my favorite months because of Thanksgiving. When else can you pig out on a TON of food for no other reason than some pilgrims decided to invite their Indian neighbors to dinner?

As I've noticed a lot on Facebook, many people are doing a month of thankful statuses. I respect the effort of my fellow Facebookians but to be honest, I'm the most forgetful person on the planet. My boyfriend recently downgraded my memory span from a guppy to a category all by myself. There's NO way I could remember to post a thankful status everyday of November and then I'd just feel guilty the rest of the month for not feeling thankful enough.

Now I know to many of you, this seems like a no-brainer but shouldn't we be thankful every month of the year? You were given a gift of life, you have clothes on your back, a roof over your head and as many non profit organizations will remind in the next month, you make more than like 80% of the world. So why are we just now getting around to telling everyone what we're thankful for?

But I digress, the real point of this blog (or this week of blogs.. since I'm on vacation!) is to tell you all what I'm truly thankful for and to join the bandwagon.

Let's see. I'm thankful for Cookie Monster, chocolate, the color green, blue satin sashes, snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes, silver white winters that melt into spring... oh wait... sorry.

But today, what I'm truly thankful for is my ability to love. It sounds incredibly boastful but hopefully my explanation won't be so prideful.

For some unknown reason, God blessed me with the ability to love people. It doesn't matter what you do to me or how you treat me, I will still love you at the end of the day. I don't understand the capacity to hate each other. We're all human beings and our blood is all the same color. I don't care your skin color, religious affiliation, disability or  even your sexual orientation (yes, I said it.. get over it). If you're human, I love you.

I can honestly say that I've never truly hated anyone (this includes my ex-boss from the bank who was awful to everyone). I'm so thankful to have this God-given ability to love people and to just love on others. I'm frequently told I'm too nice or too generous... but for me, that's what love really means. It's how I express my love to other people. Yea, I might not complain when people cut me in line or I may have just donated a rather large portion of my paycheck to missions but love compels me to do it. And I'm happier for it.

Now understand that I still get angry (I've got an awful case of road rage) and I still get hurt. I also let a lot of stuff annoy me but I don't know if I just made a choice not to let this stuff bug me long term or if I'm somehow wired that it just can't. Zack will vouch for this but I really don't think I can stay mad for longer than 10 minutes. Is it possible that loving people opens me up to being used? Yes, but I don't really care.

People always told me to be careful how I say I love you because love is a powerful thing. And I truly believe it is but it's raw honesty when I tell you all that I love you. I can't begin to tell you each what you mean to me, how much being around you all has blessed my life immensely. So really I'm thankful for all of you guys and for allowing me to love you. For giving me the chance to learn from you, to speak with you, to laugh with you, or even to cry with you. And if nothing else, if everything else in your world is falling apart and you don't know what the heck you're supposed to do, just remember that somewhere in Illinois there is a girl named Alison Burge, who truly cares for you. When something makes you happy, I'm happy... when you suffer a tragedy in your life, I will probably be sitting there at my computer crying with you. I'm an emotional softie and if you hurt, I hurt too.

And I know I don't talk to many of you on a regular basis, if there is anything I can ever do to help... just let me know. Good heavens, even if I haven't talked to you in like 5 years, I'll do what I can simply because you are in my life (yes, if we are friends on Facebook, you are apart of my life) and I care for you.

So thank you for blessing me and letting me be apart of your lives. I'm sending you all HUGE hugs from Edwardsville! 

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!! (And I mean every word of it...).

P.S. I hope it wasn't too boastful, I just wanted you to know that I love you and why.

Legs Galore!

I've been thinking about what angle to use for this blog but I can't really think of anything creative. At this moment, I'm stuck somewhere between incredibly annoyed and amused by my situation. Right now, I'm leaning toward incredibly annoyed. As it sits right now, I'm down about 30 hours at work trying to get my leg fixed. I guess that's what I get for working in a sandwich shop where to perform my job I have to be able to move quickly between our stations.

Despite my annoyance of being down like 1/3 of my bi-weekly paycheck, I'm trying to keep my head up. On the bright side, I was able to spend the entire weekend with my older sister and my mother. I hadn't seen my mom since Father's Day so it was nice to spend time with her. I was also able to do some trip planning since I'm going to Yellowstone in 12 days (I booked our campground and finalized flight arrangements... I'm currently in the process of trying to find a cab company to take me to the airport).

So here's my long story fit into just a few sentences: Thursday morning I woke up and put my leg on like I normally do. As I walked around my house, I heard this odd clicking noise. Odd noises from my leg aren't really anything new because my knee squeaks. I didn't really think anything of it until I got to work and it just felt off. So I sat down and did the only thing I could think of wiggle my foot. Generally, feet can wiggle but when mine does, something is seriously wrong. No wiggling allowed. I tried not to move but it's SO difficult working as a manager at a sandwich shop. It got looser as the night when on and I could feel it. Then at about 7:30, I tried to go back to our "office" and I was stuck. Couldn't really move forward without falling, couldn't really move backwards without falling. The foot is still technically attached to my leg but barely. It's like when you were a kid and that pesky loose tooth was hanging out on by that last corner... that's how my foot is attached to my leg. If I wiggle it at all, it will fall off.

So Friday I called the leg people to get it fixed and I needed a prescription. I called the drs office and they told me to I needed an appointment and I couldn't be fit in until Monday at 3:30. So I automatically missed two days of work because I was supposed to close Saturday and Sunday. I called the leg people again this morning since I was pretty sure my doctor wasn't going to deny my plea to get a prescription and they said, "How about Friday?"

UHHHHHHH... no. So I told her I couldn't go back to work until it was fixed and the soonest they had was Wednesday at 3. I partly wish I had a job where I could go to work and not need the leg but oh well. So I get an unexpected week vacation and get to spend more time on my crutches than I have in the last 13 years.

So here are a couple thing they never tell you about crutches:

1. Ladies, don't ever try to wear a shoulder purse on crutches... not only is it inconvenient, it doesn't work.  Get an over the shoulder purse that will sit at your hips or better yet, carry a small backpack. Your armpits will thank you later.

2. If your going to be on crutches on an extended period of time, don't be afraid to ask for a handicap parking permit. There's no reason to strain your entire body hobbling across the parking lot (this is ESPECIALLY important in winter). Ice + crutches = back to the doctor very quickly.  It will make your life easier and your whole body will thank you.

3. You think you don't enough hands now... once crutches come your way, you have no hands. Enlarge your purse, carry a backpack, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Trust me, when you are on crutches people will be more than willing to help.

4. If you find yourself hungrier than usual, it's normal. Using crutches is great exercise (definitely for the arms) and expect to tire more quickly, and probably eat more. This will happen if you're incredibly active on your crutches or if your more of a couch potato.

5. Crutches aren't toys, don't treat them as such. This comes from first hand experience. Crutches are meant to keep you moving and on your feet. Don't swing on the crutches, don't attempt to run on them and DO NOT let your friends use them as weapons. As a kid, I used my crutches ALL the time. My leg never really fit good (or I was too lazy too use it) and one time in 3rd grade I was running out to the playground on my crutches and face planted. It was bad. We're talking emergency dental surgery, two black eyes, one very messed up lip and I wouldn't be surprised if I broke my nose... although at the time, the two teeth hanging on by threads were of more concern. I still have those two teeth and if you look closely, you can see the line where they cracked. So please take it from me and stay safe. If you're already hurt, don't make it worse.

And random side note: legs are very hard to transport, I didn't really have a bag big enough. This is a conundrum that I haven't solved. And does anyone know how much a foot costs these days? Yea, it worries me too. I couldn't sleep last night because of it.

Salut!

Since I wasn’t asked to do a toast at the wedding, I decided the best way to give the toast that will never happen is through my blog… that way it’s immortalized! HA! I also haven’t written anything in 5 months… ☹. Be that as it may, I figured why not give myself the opportunity to say a few words of love and encouragement and embarrass the crap out of one of my best friends. Plus this way, everyone not at the wedding gets to read it… hehehehe….

To be fair, it’s hard to embarrass Megan Reilly. She’s sassy, sweet and a one of the BUSIEST busybodies I’ve ever met. This is the girl, who at her own bridal shower totally cleared everyone else’s plates. While she was supposed to be relaxing and enjoying the moment, she was busy cleaning up after her guests and trying to help her aunt who was hosting the party. I kept insisting she sit down and stop doing things until Will’s mom told me “It really is pointless trying to get her to stop. She always has to be doing something. You might as well let her.” The great thing about Megan is she’s one of the first to arrive and one of the last people to leave. Even if I was the world’s greatest tap dancer, Megan would still be able to tap dance circles around me while doing the spinning-plates-on-sticks trick. Although she’d be the last to admit it, Megan Reilly Is very hard to outdo because she’s just that awesome.

When I first met Will, I was worried. Mostly for his sake because I wasn’t sure anyone male or female could handle the Megan ball of energy. I think I was impressed that Megan would even consider dating a guy who was 1. The fitting description of tall, dark and handsome and 2. The Joker asked it best when he said “Why so serious?” Not that I ever remotely believed that Will was bad looking but rather the tall, dark and handsome only seemed to make him more intimidating. All I could think was why would crazy little Megan date someone so stiff? Of course after getting to know Will, I know he’s wonderfully mellow, congenial sort of fellow with a great sense of humor. Of course, I believe that Megan brought out the best in him. And he in turn, mellow out our lovable ball of energy.

I wish I’d known that fateful fall semester of 2008 what I was getting myself into when I befriended Megan.  All the crazy moments we would share, all the nights we would lie awake talking about creative ways to get rid of annoying roommates, watching each other giggle evilly while playing Grand Theft Auto and all the weight I would gain from eating Megan’s cakes. P.S. Don’t forget my birthday is next month and I really like strawberry jello. However, I’m not sure I could have ever avoided becoming friends with Megan. I think our personalities are too similar, just two busybodies trying to make our way through life without killing anybody.

When Megan called me to say a year ago January that she was getting married, I was SUPER excited! I love her to pieces and as one of the sweetest, craziest people I’ve ever met she deserves the best. At the time, I figured the reason I was one her first friends she told was because she wanted me to in her wedding. Well, that didn’t happen during that phone call or the next two times I saw her. It wasn’t until almost 6 months later during a visit to Eastern, Megan looks at me and says, “So we’re getting married June 23, 2012 at TPC in Moline. I’m so excited about it, Alison! It looks like a castle and the bridesmaids are going to wear red. My mom is making the dresses so you’ll have to come out in the fall to be fitted for one.” In typical Megan-fashion, I wasn’t asked if I would be her bridesmaid, I was told (not that asking would’ve made a difference, I would’ve immediately squealed and said yes). So it honors me deeply to be standing by her side in a week watching her start a new journey with the tall, dark and handsome man of her dreams.

I think this is the part where I give some advice about life and love or whatever. However, I don’t claim to be an expert on either so I’ll pass out advice given to me by people who are.

A very wise aunt told me the day I graduated that life is really about two things: work and love and equally balancing the two. Give your work the time it requires but never forget that love is truly what makes the world go round.

A pastor’s wife several years ago at a convention said, “Any mediocre relationship can have good communication but at the basis of all GREAT relationships is the poop talk.” She went on to tell everyone about how her and her husband decided to talk about their habits going number two before getting married but I won’t gross you out with any details. She finished her seemingly gross story by saying, “If you can comfortably talk about poop, farting or other habits that may seem disgusting, then you won’t have issues tackling the truly uncomfortable problems together.”

My last blessing comes from the misty-eyed father at the wedding I attended only two weeks ago.  To Megan and Will, may God bless all the days to come and help you embrace the days that have passed. May he bless this road you’re embarking on together, lead you safely through the journey ahead and help you to live long and prosper.




P.S. I’m including this in here because Zack spent a whole day coming up with advice for you. So here is Zack’s “Platinum” Matrimonial Advice (a.k.a. Zackisms):
There isn’t such a thing as too much flattery… only too little flattery.

Buy a dog. That way when someone cooks a bad meal, you can smile and say “It’s great.” Then when the cook turns around, feed it to the dog.

Will, this is directly for you, wake up every morning look into your wife’s eyes and say, “Honey, I love you, please don’t kill me.”

Megan- Whenever Will does something stupid, and we both know he will, instead of thinking ‘I’m going to kill him’. Think ‘Because he did this… I’m going to get a new pair of shoes, or a new purse, or a new shotgun or better yet, a new RPG.”

House Republicans Want to Regulate Women's Health Issue by Talking to Men... Fail.

I've been kind of mum on the whole birth contol insurance issue because I don't like talking politics that often. Usually it leads to arguements that no one can ever win. I don't expect you to agree with my views and I don't plan on changing my opinion because yours differs. However, I think the whole topic presents an interesting problem for a Christian woman. What makes it an even bigger interesting problem, is that I'm a what you might call a liberal, uberly feminist Christian woman. My family tends to be more moderate Conservatives but for some reason my life experiences have put me toward the far left. I'm very anti-Republican, which isn't something you hear very often from born-again evangelicals, but then again, I'm incredibly untraditional.

Anyway, I was reading an article in the New York Times about the Birth Control debate on Capitol Hill. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, here's the read-it-in-a-minute version: Obama signed a bill requiring all insurance companies to cover birth control through employer insurance plans. Many religions organizations are upset because it requires them to offer insurance coverage for certain birth control options that they consider to cause abortions. 

One of the big arguements from religious organizations is by offering the insurance coverage for birth control, they are supporting abortion, and EVERY Christian organization is vehemently against it. So they feel like it's impeding on their religious freedom. I do understand this concern. It'd be like forcing a cattle rancher from Texas to drive a SMART car.

Even for those of us who see this arguement as slightly ridiculous, religious freedom is guaranteed in the Constitution. We are guaranteed to worship who or whatever we want without the government regulating that. As a Christian, I don't ever want the government telling me what I believe or stand for is wrong. If you forget your personal convictions and look at this from their standpoint, the point is valid. In essence, the government is telling religious organizations what they stand for is wrong and it has to be changed through offering birth control that might cause an abortion. Looking at the situation through a black and white lens, it's religious discrimination.

However, that's as far as my support of the issue goes. The main problem that should truly upset society is not so much the yelling coming from religious Conservatives but the Republicans trying to overthrow the whole bill. Instead of trying to alleviate concerns from religious organizations, they're trying to get rid of the whole bill. Now it is an election year and most Republicans are trying to pander to their voters but forgive me, most of the American public supported the bill, including probably some Republicans. I can understand trying to reach some compromise to help religious organizations but reversing the whole bill is probably only going to make the bipartisan divide even worse.

As an uber feminist, it bothers me that at these House hearings only 2 women (both of them oppose the bill) were interviewed. That's mean every other person who stepped up to testify was male. Sigh, I have lots of respect for the opposite sex but you can't regulate something you don't understand. It's easy for men because they can go to the store and spend $6 on condoms. Male contraception isn't regulated by the government and you don't need a prescription to buy it. And, the men in these house hearings are assuming women only use birth control for sex, which is wrong. Birth control isn't necessarily used to prevent pregnancy.

Personally, I see birth control as a way to stay competitive in the workplace. My periods are bad enough that I'm crazy, hormonal witch for a week and a half each month. I'm not nice when I start PMSing and when my cramps finally hit, I'm out for three days. I like to say that men can never understand what it's like to have your uterus cut out every month with rusty knives. It's painful and makes even the nicest girls mean. If I'm trying to stay competitive in a world where men have the advantage, I'm going to use every resource I have to my advantage, including birth control. If I can reduce or eliminate the whole crazy period thing, then by golly I'm going to do it. And, yea I think my insurance company should cover it.

Oh and to all my Christians out there, just because your teenage daughter goes on birth control doesn't mean she's going to go out and have sex. And just because I want to use it, doesn't mean I'm having sex. Birth control doesn't always equal sex. Look at it this way, birth control isn't even 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. As my older sister says (who uses birth control) "If God wants me to get pregnant, I'm going to get pregnant." You can still get pregnant using birth control. Not likely but it happens.

I'm not sure what to think of the birth control and abortion issue. I do believe abortion should be a women's choice. I don't see myself personally getting an abortion, unless maybe I got raped or my health was seriously at risk. Now, I'm very much against late-term abortions because at this point, you might at well carry the baby another few weeks and then let some loving family adopt them. My roommate Crystal had a funny point about this, "If you go out and choose to do something stupid, then you should be stuck with the consequences."

So to sum up my blog: 1. The religious organizations are right and just to bring up their concerns. 2. The House hearings were pointless because only 2 women talked about a women's health issue. If you want to regulate a women's health issue, then TALK TO WOMEN NOT MEN! 3. The House Republicans are stupid for trying to overturn the whole bill, but what else it new?

P.S. I will still love you if you vote Republican in the 2012 election and will not hold it against you, because that's even dumber.