Journey of the Jihadist and a little extra....

An instructor explained to me in a past humanities class while we were studying myth and culture that everyone in the world views themselves and others through sunglasses with special prescriptions. As an example my prescription would be….


American/women/military/Christian/semi-liberal/Academic

Ryan’s might be

American/male/family-based/Christian/semi-conservative/professional

These are in no order and by all means don’t include our whole “prescription”

The teacher went on to say that view anyone besides ourselves especially other cultures you have to slowly, because it is difficult and never fully effective, remove our “prescriptions” and look at them with completely clear eyes. Even that doesn’t always give the most effective view sometimes adding some of their “prescription” to your glasses helps you understand their thoughts and beliefs better.

(Disclaimer removing the sunglasses is not removing your beliefs rather looking at a situation with the understanding that everyone doesn’t have the same understanding/knowledge/beliefs you do. Hope this makes sense)

Wow that was a long description to led to my thoughts on the book that let me borrow a different pair of sunglasses for a little while...



JOURNEY OF THE JIHADIST by FAWAZ A. GERGES

If you want a book that allows you do look at the rise and progression of the jihadist movements through the Muslim world this book is it. Rather dry at times and it was hard to keep everything straight because of my lack of knowledge of the various Islamic movements that have occurred over the past 60 years. The author a Christian Lebanese/ American shows the movement from not only his view but also that of Muslim men from many countries that in one way or another had ties to the Jihadist movement. He speaks with Hezbollah, Taliban, Al Qaida ETC… I think he showed other views without being overly sympathetic keeping the writing fairly academic on a subject that its full of emotion for everyone involved.

Book of the .........

Week...... Month or somewhere in between!

I read a LOT of books

I like some and some I don't..

I relate with some and some I don't

I agree with some and some I don't

After having a couple friends read the same books

 and enjoyed their opinions on the subject/book/whatever

I decided to put the ones i read on here

 but remember i choose randomly and usually by no rhyme or reason 

                                                          

read them if you want or don't

comment if you want or don't

I picked up this book for free at a garage sale the spine had never been cracked. I just started it today....I don't know what to think yet......

Mothers Milk

When I nursed Millie I also pumped, it was rewarding to me. I loved watching the freezer fill up with the milk that would one day be Millie’s but it never was she never took a bottle, nursed until she was ready to be done and was done. Well I threw over 100 ounces of milk in the trash.I decided that was not happening again. I want to donate it next time. (If I am blessed with extra) So I am researching International Breast Milk Donation. I am super excited and hope that this is an option for our family.


http://www.breastmilkproject.org/


Here is a beautiful story about a woman donating her milk after a tragedy

http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Milk-Banks-Donating-Breast-Milk-to-Save-Babies/1



Where it is not possible for the biological mother to breastfeed, the first alternative, if available, should be the use of human breast milk from other sources. Human milk banks should be made available in appropriate situations."



World Health Organization/United Nations Children's Fund

Nothing

Today I have accomplished absolutely nothing.
I've..........

Laid on the sofa
laid on the ground
Eaten
Laid on the sofa
Laid on the ground
called my school
got given the run around
Laid on the sofa
Laid on the ground

Not my best day.....

Mulan and Romona

Summer is going through an awkward phase, one that reminds me of Romona the pest and Mulan.

She relates more to the boys but has been rejected from that group because she is a girl and rejected by the girls for being Summer. I don't even know how to describe it but she lacks the Summer "glow" now. She seems serious and will crumble into tears and not talk to us if we push her on the subject. She does regain her Summer Glow in karate class where she is not mocked or rejected for her abilities. I thank God that her teacher is a women and I can see Summer watching her trying to figure out how she is a girl and a natural athlete that can take almost any boy. Ryan and I have been trying to help by paying more attention to her holding her more and kissing her more. I really am clueless on what else to do..

This song reminds me what I see when I look into Summers eyes....

Reflection

Who is that girl I see?

Staring straight,

Back at me.

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside?

I am now,

In a world

Where I have to hide in my heart,

and what I believe in.

But somehow,

I will show the world what's inside my heart,

And be loved for who I am.

Who is that girl I see,

staring straight

back at me?

Why is my reflection someone I don't know?

I love you Summer for who you are and the girl you are growing to. We are so proud of you and hope you continue to Glow for us!!!

New Years!!!!

I decided to set a few goals for the New Year Last year I did this and it worked out well so I am excited to do it again.

500 mile year- this includes elliptical workouts while pregnant but not after. (2 down already)

Finish school- I wanted to be lazy and take a semester off or 2 but it was just me being lazy.

Become active in a ministry at church- Its time beyond time, praying and can't wait to see were this leads.

Expand our family!

What are yours???