<![CDATA[another chapter closes, but doesn’t bring much closure]]></h1> <article> <h1>another chapter closes, but doesn’t bring much closure</h1> <p>2009-11-11T04:55:35Z</p> <p>I don’t think much about the Fall of 2002. It’s hard to avoid the anniversary of September 11th, but that was just the beginning of the terror. A week later, the post office that handled all of my office mail was <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002/06/14/anthrax-brentwood.htm">closed because of anthrax</a>. People were getting sick (and dying) <em>from the mail</em>. We had to open envelopes wearing rubber gloves,* just to be safe. People were talking about dirty bombs, and I carried Cipro with me to work.</p> <p>I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt on edge for months after these two events. Honestly, I don’t know if I ever relaxed enough for things to feel “back to normal.” Then, just over a year later, the shootings began. They were completely random: gender, race and age didn’t seem to matter. I tried to tell myself not to feel paranoid, but the fact was that people were being hunted. It was awful. I thought twice about taking a walk during my lunch break. I was nervous about pumping gas. My husband picked me up at the train station so I didn’t have to make the long walk to my car in a parking lot surrounded by trees.</p> <p>Today that chapter is <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/10/AR2009111001396.html">scheduled to close</a>, but I don’t feel any closure. In fact, I don’t feel much of anything at all. </p> <p>I try not to think about those events. I am so damn tired of feeling terrorized. That whole mentality of “go on with your everyday life so the terrorists don’t win” is just crap. You go on with life because it’s life. The memories of fear and anger are always inside somewhere. </p> <p>I just choose to focus on happiness and optimism instead. </p> <p>*Comic relief: When my coworker bought gloves for opening the mail, she bought the powdered kind. How are we supposed to look for white powder in the mail if we’re wearing gloves covered with white powder? It was just what we needed to break the tension and stress. We laughed until we had tears in our eyes. Ok, maybe you had to be there.</p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=GDrubFML33w:MNw_w8Sl_6s:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=GDrubFML33w:MNw_w8Sl_6s:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=GDrubFML33w:MNw_w8Sl_6s:V_sGLiPBpWU"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=GDrubFML33w:MNw_w8Sl_6s:F7zBnMyn0Lo"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>halloween fun</h1> <p>2009-11-01T16:29:58Z</p> <p>October has been a really fun month for us. We’ve been getting ready for Halloween since the first week, starting with decorating pumpkins at the beach. T’s mom brought these little pumpkins with her and Bella and my mom decorated them together. There’s a Daddy, Mommy, Bella and Chloe (the cat) pumpkin.</p> <p></p> <p>After we got home from the beach, we started working on ghosts. Some have pink polka dots and others have Hello Kitty stickers. There are a few with the traditional black and orange, too.</p> <p></p> <p>October was a really rainy month! One rare sunny day we went outside and collected leaves. Our neighborhood trees are finally starting to get big and we’ve got some really brilliant red leaves this year.</p> <p></p> <p>The week before Halloween is Fall Break for the Lincoln school system, so Bella’s preschool celebrated Halloween the week before. She brought home all kinds of spooky art: a q-tip skeleton, paper plate monster, triangle witch and an itsy bitsy spider with its own water spout. Her favorite activity was face painting. (There’s a pumpkin on her other cheek.)</p> <p></p> <p>We also did quite a few collages. You can see some of them <a href="http://www.kundhi.com/blog/2009/10/23/glue-stick-collages/">over here</a>. After I got tired of cutting shapes out of magazines, I bought some fancy pumpkin foam stickers for her.</p> <p></p> <p>The most fun was Halloween itself. Bella was Abby Cadabby from Sesame Street. She wore her costume all day, visited with her friend Mason the Bat Man, handed out candy and trick or treated for the first time.</p> <p></p> <p>I can’t believe it’s November already. Time to put away the ghosts and bring out the turkeys!</p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=SRswrV_bb_Y:3_Jna8PYxyI:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=SRswrV_bb_Y:3_Jna8PYxyI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=SRswrV_bb_Y:3_Jna8PYxyI:V_sGLiPBpWU"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=SRswrV_bb_Y:3_Jna8PYxyI:F7zBnMyn0Lo"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>rehoboth beach</h1> <p>2009-10-21T19:44:19Z</p> <p>A few weeks ago, we went to Rehoboth Beach for my cousin Tony’s wedding. I’m slowly going through all of the pics and here are some from Bella’s first day at the beach. If you are interested, <a href="http://kundhicreative.com/lincolnblog/?page_id=1226">you can find wedding pics over here</a>.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=5nfRAebEp5I:50DB48TgID4:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=5nfRAebEp5I:50DB48TgID4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=5nfRAebEp5I:50DB48TgID4:V_sGLiPBpWU"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=5nfRAebEp5I:50DB48TgID4:F7zBnMyn0Lo"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>happy birthday to my best friend!</h1> <p>2009-10-08T02:48:44Z</p> <p><br /> <center>I love you, sweetheart!</center></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=EyprkE480fU:CB8jG72BHlM:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=EyprkE480fU:CB8jG72BHlM:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=EyprkE480fU:CB8jG72BHlM:V_sGLiPBpWU"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=EyprkE480fU:CB8jG72BHlM:F7zBnMyn0Lo"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>our late bloomers</h1> <p>2009-09-17T16:13:36Z</p> <p>For awhile I thought we were only going to get one tomato and one cucumber from our plants. Remember when I told you I was trying to <a href="http://kundhicreative.com/lincolnblog/?p=1190">manually pollinate them</a>? Well, we’ve got almost 20 tomatoes and 6-7 cucumbers now. Just in time for the cold weather! </p> <p>I was hoping we could harvest some more before the first frost, but the weatherman said next week we’ll have winter-like temperatures. Whaa? Cross your fingers for us! In the meantime, look at the yummies we got to eat. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>. . . . .</p> <p>what’s new on julie-k:<br /> <a href="http://www.kundhi.com/blog/2009/09/01/easy-backpack-with-bias-tape-straps/">backpacks</a>, <a href="http://www.kundhi.com/blog/2009/09/03/chromium-star-blanket-finished/">stars</a>, <a href="http://www.kundhi.com/blog/2009/09/05/pretty-plastic-granny-squares/">plastic granny squares</a>, and <a href="http://www.kundhi.com/blog/2009/09/08/quick-and-easy-birthday-shirt/">birthday shirts</a>. </p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=e8CPAzaeyY4:-430NGOTij0:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=e8CPAzaeyY4:-430NGOTij0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=e8CPAzaeyY4:-430NGOTij0:V_sGLiPBpWU"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=e8CPAzaeyY4:-430NGOTij0:F7zBnMyn0Lo"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>my new hero: fighting with books, not bombs</h1> <p>2009-09-11T19:42:42Z</p> <p>I know today is the day that we are supposed to talk about the heros of September of 11th. Last month I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143038257?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwkundhi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0143038257">Three Cups of Tea</a> and discovered another hero. He wasn’t in America on that day. He was in Pakistan building schools to educate children, especially girls, in the remote villages of that country.</p> <blockquote><p>From CNN’s website:</p> <p>Since 1996, [Greg] Mortenson has helped build 78 schools for children in Pakistan and Afghanistan through the nonprofit group, the Central Asia Institute. The group’s premise: books, not bombs, are the best weapons against extremist groups like the Taliban.</p> <p>“The real enemy is ignorance and ignorance breeds hatred,” he said.</p> <p>The schools encourage girls to enroll. The ultimate goal: produce educated girls who, when they become mothers, will teach tolerance to their sons.</p> <p>“You can drop bombs, you can build roads, but if you don’t educate girls, the society is not going to change.”</p></blockquote> <p>I’ve been thinking a lot about America just after the attacks. We were one country. We put partisanship aside and worked for the greater good. </p> <p>Eight years later I feel like we’ve hit an all time low. People yell in town hall meetings instead of discussing. Politicians attempt to mislead the pubic to further their own agendas. They also feel it is ok to disrespect the President. Citizens let news personalities, whose goals are increased ratings, shape their thinking instead of seeking out the facts. </p> <p>I think about the people in Mortenson’s book. The villagers who carried wood and cement on their backs for 18 miles to build a school in their village. The children who use the walls of bombed out buildings to block the wind so they can write their school lessons in the dirt. The men who rode for two days on horseback from Afghanistan to Pakistan to find “Dr. Greg” and ask him to build a school for their children.</p> <p>Then I turn on the television and watch nighttime cable shows sling mud at each other and wonder: </p> <p><strong>Can’t we find a better use for Glenn Beck’s chalkboard?</strong></p> <p>Sites that inspire me right now:</p> <p><a href="http://www.girleffect.org/#/video/">girleffect.org</a> — flash movie with music. you can turn the music off.<br /> <a href="http://www.threecupsoftea.com/">threecupsoftea.com</a> — website about the book<br /> <a href="https://www.ikat.org/">ikat.org</a> — Central Asia Institute<br /> <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/03/03/three.cups/index.html">cnn article</a> — American mountaineer fights Taliban with books, not bombs<br /> </p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=_0BHY_QvZAs:Bw29SGNOrX8:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=_0BHY_QvZAs:Bw29SGNOrX8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=_0BHY_QvZAs:Bw29SGNOrX8:V_sGLiPBpWU"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=_0BHY_QvZAs:Bw29SGNOrX8:F7zBnMyn0Lo"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>first day of preschool</h1> <p>2009-09-10T16:13:56Z</p> <p></p> <p>Well, sort of. This was right before we went to the preschool open house. Basically, it was an hour for parents and kids to become acquainted with the teachers and each other. </p> <p>On her actual first day I made the mistake of trying to take her picture outside. As soon as I opened the door, all she wanted to do was run around the yard. So much excitement and energy! </p> <p>Also, she refuses to wear <a href="http://www.kundhi.com/blog/2009/09/01/easy-backpack-with-bias-tape-straps/">the backpack I made for her</a>. Oh, well. She had tons of fun on her first day and came home exhausted. I hope she has just as much fun today!</p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=zjRSGj75iU0:CoW5NLHq0SE:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=zjRSGj75iU0:CoW5NLHq0SE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=zjRSGj75iU0:CoW5NLHq0SE:V_sGLiPBpWU"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=zjRSGj75iU0:CoW5NLHq0SE:F7zBnMyn0Lo"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>bella’s birthday</h1> <p>2009-09-05T16:51:37Z</p> <p></p> <p>Last Sunday was so incredibly fun. There were lots of treats, wrapping paper and bows, and squeals of excitement! <a href="http://kundhicreative.com/singapore/index.php?gallery=./mirabella_2008&image=66-bdaybreakfast.jpg">I’ve uploaded pics to the gallery here.</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=_ecH0cBUXig:6GTI54o3_vY:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=_ecH0cBUXig:6GTI54o3_vY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=_ecH0cBUXig:6GTI54o3_vY:V_sGLiPBpWU"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=_ecH0cBUXig:6GTI54o3_vY:F7zBnMyn0Lo"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>lincoln safari: peterson park</h1> <p>2009-08-29T03:47:35Z</p> <p>It’s been awhile since we’ve done any of the <a href="http://kundhicreative.com/lincolnblog/?p=789">Lincoln Safari</a>. Bella <del datetime="2009-08-29T03:36:17+00:00">is obsessed</del> really likes Mickey’s Clubhouse, and there is a lot of detective work on that show. Her favorite is The Case of the Missing Muffins. She’s loves looking for clues, so I thought it would be fun to start up again with the safari.</p> <p>This park’s clue was southwest of the pond, under the tree that has a branch that almost touches the ground. She was so excited when we saw that branch! I have a feeling we’ll be doing these more often in the coming months.</p> <p>We spent the rest of the morning at the playground. I’m paying for it this evening, though. I think all around the pond was ragweed. Yikes!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>. . . . .</p> <p>new on julie-k: <a href="http://www.kundhi.com/blog/2009/08/25/how-to-refashion-a-dress-into-a-skirt-in-five-easy-steps/">how to refashion a dress into a skirt in five easy steps</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=hOK2SwniQzk:dPNzVgHymNw:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=hOK2SwniQzk:dPNzVgHymNw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=hOK2SwniQzk:dPNzVgHymNw:V_sGLiPBpWU"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=hOK2SwniQzk:dPNzVgHymNw:F7zBnMyn0Lo"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>how does our garden grow?</h1> <p>2009-08-23T02:58:32Z</p> <p>I took these pictures last week, but I’m so behind with my blogging! The tomato looks about the same. We’re just waiting for that bad boy to turn red.</p> <p></p> <p>Our cucumber is almost ready to harvest. We’ve also got a few more growing.</p> <p></p> <p>The cilantro in our big pot didn’t make it, but these little guys that Bella planted are going strong. </p> <p></p> <p>I think the problem with our tomatoes and cucumbers is that they are on our screened-in porch. There are no bees/bugs/birds to pollinate them! I’m having good luck manually pollinating the cucumbers, but I’m not getting any blossoms on the tomato plant. Oh, well. We’ll at least get something from our efforts this year. We’ll know more for next year.</p> <p>. . . . .</p> <p>new on julie-k: <a href="http://www.kundhi.com/blog/2009/08/13/handmade-baby-shower-gift/">handmade baby shower gift</a>, <a href="http://www.kundhi.com/blog/2009/08/18/mixing-bread-bags-and-wool-with-crochet/">mixing bread bags and wool with crochet</a>, and <a href="http://www.kundhi.com/blog/2009/08/22/wardrobe-refashion-crochet-top-to-tote-bag/">wardrobe refashion: crochet top to tote bag</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=xvRvm1bBSfI:x9Y2TTMQqJM:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=xvRvm1bBSfI:x9Y2TTMQqJM:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=xvRvm1bBSfI:x9Y2TTMQqJM:V_sGLiPBpWU"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/julie-bird?a=xvRvm1bBSfI:x9Y2TTMQqJM:F7zBnMyn0Lo"></img></a> </div> </article> </main></body></html>