Let's Make it 4 Posts Today. :-)

What color is your soul painted? Blue Your soul is painted the color blue, which embodies the characteristics of peace, patience, understanding, health, tranquility, protection, spiritual awareness, unity, harmony, calmness, coolness, confidence, dependability, loyalty, idealism, tackiness, and wisdom. Blue is the color of the element Water, and is symbolic of the ocean, sleep, twilight, and the sky. Click Here to Take This Quiz

Quizzes and Personality Tests

Mingle² - Portland Singles

*interesting…last week it was rated PG or something like that. According to this, since the last time, they have found the following words:
Hurt (7x)
Hell (3x)
Dead (2x)
Kill (1x)
Ass (4x)
You know I’m going to check out my last few posts, because I don’t remember where I would have written “dead” or “kill” let alone saying “dead” twice (silly me, I’ve just added the words a few more times – hehe). Like I really care.

*Update - I found that the words "hell" "dead" and "kill" were all in my July 4 post regarding H's families escape from Laos after the VietNam war. I can see that, but to rate my blog "R" for that...sheesh! At least take it all in context.

Your Score: Longcat

54% Affectionate, 39% Excitable, 48% Hungry

Protector of truth.

Slayer of darkness.

Loooooong.

Longcat may seem like just a regular lengthy cat, but he is, in fact, looong. For proof, observe the longpic.

It is prophesized that Longcat and his archnemesis Tacgnol will battle for supremacy on Caturday. The outcome will change the face of the world, and indeed the very fabric of lolcatdom, forever.

Be grateful that the test has chosen you, and only you, to have this title.

To see all possible results, checka dis.

Link: The Which Lolcat Are You? Test written by on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

http://www.okcupid.com/tests/6348388576689378978/Which-Lolcat-Are-You-

Finally...

I have been wanting to update the links on the right for quite some time. I finally took the time tonight to go through each blog. As you can see, I've whittled the list down quite a bit. These are currently my favorites and blogs that are pretty current (except for "My Piece of Mind" - the most recent post is about a soldier that was killed in Iraq and I knew him, so I'm keeping that link).

In the next few days, I hope to add a few more. I have some I check out at work and others that I check out at home, but still need to add to my blogroll. That will happen eventually, but I'm not promising a time frame 'cause...I'm lazy. :-) Sometimes I just don't feel like going through everything or even typing. I feel pretty psyched that I've actually blogged 3 times today. WooHoo!

So...enjoy the updated links and look for a few more to be added in (hopefully) the near future.

Until later...

Stupidity and Laughter Rules my World

Yes, it's true! Stupidity rules my world because of an injury I currently have. I have been having a problem with my right shoulder since Friday night (yes, I'm right handed, so that is really tough). I've been trying to figure out what has caused this. I can barely move my shoulder. I've been moving my arm to mimick movements I've been doing the last few days and I have figured out what has caused me so much pain....Mint chocolate chip ice cream. Yep! That's the culprit. H bought a gallon of it on Wednesday or Thursday and I've been having some each day. My shoulder hurts the most when I am mimicking the movement needed to scoop out frickin' ice cream. DAMN IT!!!

Laughter rules my world because H has done nothing but look at me and laugh for the past hour (when I figured out the cause). Son.of.a.Bitch!!

Hope you're all having a better night than I am...sadly, I will not be eating ice cream tonight unless I can talk H into scooping it for me. :-) Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Until later...

Random Musings...

I found it interesting that in Middle Tennessee, “mounted police” is actually a police officer in a pickup truck. I kid you not. I saw it the other day and laughed my ass off. Only in TN!

Why is it when a city decides to prune trees hanging in the road or growing over power lines that they have to decimate the poor tree? On one road I travel EVERY week day, there is a line of trees that have been hacked apart. One doesn’t even look like a tree. It looks like a tall stump with a few leaf-less branches sticking out of it. It’s terrible. There is a whole line of them. Trees that have been hacked off in the middle or carved out in the middle just because of what they are growing into. If you’re going to make the tree look that ugly and no longer resemble a tree, take the damn thing out of the ground. I would rather see trees pulled up and replaced with shrubs of some sort than look at the ugly monstrosity that is left behind. The saddest part of all – to me, anyway – is that people get paid to do this. Take a little pride in what you’re doing, damn it! Take a look at the tree before you start and picture it without the part you’re getting ready to hack off. If you think it will make the tree look less than a tree, DON’T DO IT!

I haven’t been keeping up with the Presidential candidates yet. I’ve read a little on all of them, but I have pretty much decided to wait until after the primaries to see who’s actually in the running before I really delve into it (yeah…I’m not going to vote in the primaries – I never have). Anyway, I do read the news websites each day including CNN and USA Today along with the four local papers/news stations. Anyway, I read on one today that religion is a big topic during this election. In a way, I understand this because people will act they way they feel/think/believe is right, whatever they feel is the best course of action; and a lot of times, it all comes down to a morality call. I’m not really interested in the religion of each of the candidates. I’m more interested in the character of the candidates. Show me how they have reacted to things in the past (it’s the best predictor of how they are going to react under the same pressure/similar situation the next time). Show me someone who lives by the morals they profess instead of just spouting a bunch of words they think we want to hear that they won’t live by once they are elected anyway. I do not vote along partisan lines. I couldn’t even tell you which party I belong to (my voter card says Republican). I am more complex than that. I vote more on who I think will do the best job in the office, the one that will represent America to the world in the best way possible, the person that isn’t afraid to make hard decisions because of how others will think. I also want someone that will not let the power go to his/her head. Honestly, I really don’t think we’re ready for a female President and there’s just something about Hilary that I just don’t trust and feel comfortable with. I don’t know that the world is ready for the most powerful leader in the world to be a woman. Maybe that’s just me, but I would think we’d be in for many more attacks because the world would see a female as a pushover or an easy target – someone who would let emotion control them more than intellect.

Things have been kind of tight financially for me and H lately. Actually, it isn’t lately. It’s been this way for the past six years as we’ve both been in college (and both finished in three years). It seems that we should be able to breathe financially now that we are both out of school, both have degrees, both have full-time jobs, and both are pulling in a paycheck. H considers my paycheck to be half a paycheck since I bring home in a whole month what he brings home in one paycheck (I get paid once a month, he gets paid twice a month). Whatever! Just because my pay is less does not make it less of a paycheck. It’s more money than we would have if I were to stay home. Anyway, we have two credit cards that we are trying to pay off and two student loans we are paying off. We made the mistake when H started school of putting his tuition and books on a credit card instead of taking out a student loan (we didn’t know about student loans when he started). Needless to say, we have been chipping away at them slowly. We have decided to limit what we put on the credit cards each month to give us a little breather because by the end of the month, we are taking money out of savings to get to the end of the month where we both get paid. We have decided to continue putting $400 extra to the credit card with the highest APR and continue to put about $140 to the card with the lowest APR. That way, we’re still putting extra to both cards without draining the finances by the end of the month.

Anyway…that’s all for now. Until later….

Frustrations

Why is it that some people you just can’t help? I had an issue today with SUB regarding this. What happened to the notion of “helping your fellow man”?

Excuse the heck out of me because I took the time to actually do research that would be a help to you. Instead you bite my head off and say, “I’ll research it. Don’t worry about it.”

I guess that’ll teach me to help lift her load in any way. Actually, the sad part is that it probably won’t in all honesty. That’s just part of what makes me the person I am. Sadly, I just get my feelings hurt and frustrated; and for what! This was all just because I was trying to help. Whatever!!!

Until later...

Hurt Feelings...

I’m hoping that the new person we’re getting in our office is someone that I’ll get along well with. I hope they’re someone that I can do lunch with once in a while (I go to lunch around 12:30 because I have to wait for the other secretary to come back before I can go). Everyone else goes extremely early and there are times (like today) that I just feel left out. I wasn’t even asked to go – of course, they know that I couldn’t have gone; but they could have waited 15-20 minutes for me (yes, that’s how close to the time I go to lunch that the remaining 3 women went to lunch today) or at least told me where they were going so I could have met them. Whatever!

Maybe I’m just off today. Maybe my DAM isn’t working today. Maybe the DAM is working but I would have been so much worse without it today. I don’t know. There are conversations going on all around me that are not including me today. I don’t want to be “nosey” or anything, but I’m really feeling left out today. Maybe the DAM is working. Had I not been on the meds, I think I probably would have just been hurt and not realized that it is my depression/anxiety kicking in. Anyway…that’s what’s going on at 3:10 Tuesday afternoon.

Until later…

Oh that Funky Feeling

Yep, it's back. Which reminds me...I haven't taken my DAM yet today. Be right back. Okay, I'm back and that is taken care of.

I've been feeling extremely "off" the past four days. As a matter of fact, I have stayed home from work both days this week so far. I'm feeling a little better today than I did yesterday, but I am not 100% either. I'm feeling about 80-85% today. I really don't want to be at work feeling this way when I have to be "on" and in my best mood for 7.5 hours around people that don't know, understand, or realize I battle depression on a massive scale. I just can't do that today. I have the sick time, and I will make myself go to work tomorrow; but today, I just need it to be about me. Is that bad? I have also noticed that when I'm feeling 'off', I don't want to blog or talk about it. I'm sorry I haven't written in a while. I think I've actually been feeling 'off' a LOT more (and longer) than even I realized.

Since I am feeling a little better today, but still not up to par, I'm going to do some things that make me "feel good" in hopes that it will shock my system out of this funk. I probably should have thought about this yesterday, but I wasn't thinking straight and none of this even came into my mind yesterday.

So... to help me get back in the positive side of life:

1. I am going to spend some time in my hammock in my backyard today (either morning or late afternoon - I do not want to be out there between 11-3).
2. I am also going to join H for lunch (maybe go see K - we want him to know he's still loved).
3. I'm going to get my allergy shots today (this will help me get rid of my headaches and the sinus pressure I've been dealing with on top of everything else).
4. I also need to go to Toys 'R' Us and get W a gift card and a birthday card for his birthday (it's Saturday).
5. I need to stop at the grocery store and pick up some hamburger meat. (I'm thinking about making spaghetti for dinner tonight - it's one of H's favorites and I haven't been cooking much since last week)
6. I might even give myself a facial today

Mentioning K made me think of this past weekend. We went shopping with him and his dad on Sunday. As we were walking out the door, he started crying because he wanted his baby sister to go with us and he realized that we weren't taking her. It was so cute. We had to tell him that she's too small to take outside right now (she was just one week old), but we'll take her out in a few months. He did not want to go without her. His dad had to carry him to the car. It was adorable. I wasn't sure how he was going to feel about sharing the attention in the house with his sister, but he seems to be doing well and loving her. :-) He still doesn't want to hold her (even with us sitting right next to him). I'll get him to do it one of these days. :-)

Until later...

Hooray! It's Friday the 13th

I know it's strange, but I've always kind of enjoyed Friday the 13th. I couldn't tell you why. I just do. I usually have a good day. Today was no exception.

I hope you all had a great Friday the 13th.

I took more online quizzes. Enjoy the results. :-)

Your Toes Should Be Red

You pretend to be an old fashioned girly girl, but you're secretly a naughty girl deep down. Your ideal guy: Tall, strong, and handsome - with a devilish twinkle in his eye. Stay away from: Nice, safe men. They won't really give you what you want!

What Color Should Your Toenails Be?

Your Body Image is 12% Unhealthy, 88% Healthy

You have a great body image. You know that no one looks perfect, and you're happy the way you are. Also, you don't judge other people on their looks... and it helps them feel better about their own bodies!

How's Your Body Image?

You Probably Look Younger Than Your Age

You live a healthy lifestyle and know how to take care of yourself. You'll probably have a youthful glow for many years.

Do You Look Your Age?

You Are An Attention Seeker

You're only human, so you can't help but want a little attention every now and then. You love the spotlight, but only when it's well deserved. You'd hate to be known for the wrong thing. And you also don't mind sharing the spotlight. You can easily give someone else credit or a complement. You know there's enough attention to go around, and it makes you happy when your friends shine. You come across as: Friendly and interesting People may wrongly think you're: A little more modest than you actually are!

Are You An Attention Whore?

*Interesting.

You Are 20% California

You are a bogus Californian. Go back to the East Coast.

How California Are You?

*That explains why I never felt comfortable or “at home” when I lived in California. Sadly, I lived there for the first 24 years of my life. Funny how these results are not really a shock to me.

What Your Hands Say About You

You are logical, analytical, and rational. You have good verbal skills. Bold and daring, you're not afraid to change your life if you think it needs an overhaul. Consistent and reliable, you like to count on structure and routine in your life. Your emotions tend to be nervous and potent. Your energy - both positive and negative - deeply impacts your life.

What Do Your Hands Say About You?

What Your Bathroom Habits Say About You

You are a giving soul. Way too giving in fact. You often get stuck doing the dirty work that no one else will do. Your idea of fashion is jeans and a t-shirt. Clean, if you're lucky. You are a very outgoing person. You are true to yourself, and you never hold back. In relationships, you tend to be very romantic and demanding. You'll treat your partner like gold, but you expect a lot in return.

What Do Your Bathroom Habits Say About You?

*All this by my bathroom habits. It’s interesting just how close this comes to identifying me.

Your Inner Eye Color Is Brown

You're smart, thoughtful, and the ideal woman for most men You are kind and easy to trust. Men open up to you like no one else. It's this inner warmness that attracts guys - and makes you an instant soulmate.

What Color Eyed Woman Are You Really?

*Funny, I’ve always wanted/loved brown eyes. I do enjoy bringing out the green in my hazel eyes, though.

My Niece is HERE!

So...we had the baby shower last Saturday and found out that the baby should be here within the next 2 weeks. We got a call last night at 9:13. We did not make it to the hospital in time for the birth. Hell! They barely made it to the hospital for the birth. She almost gave birth in the elevator getting to the delivery room. Then she almost gave birth in the hallway outside the delivery room. From first contraction to delivery was only 2 1/2 hours! With K, it was about 4 1/2 hours. The doctor was with her for 2 1/2 MINUTES before Kaitlyn arrived. Poor mommy had no opportunity for drugs, but all went well and both mom and daughter are doing great.

We spent the day at the hospital. I held K2 for the majority of the day (I tried to give her up, but everyone wanted me to hold her). I love my in-laws. They understand that it is still hard for me sometimes that H and I cannot have children. They know that I will love K and K2 as though they were mine. I was the first person to change both of their diapers (not the best job in the world, but I was first). They both (K and K2) felt/feel most comfortable with me in comparison to everyone else. I guess they realize that I'm not afraid of them (as babies) or afraid I'm going to hurt them. Everyone else is skiddish. I love that the first song they heard was me humming Brahm's Lullaby.

I also gave K2 her middle name just as I did with K when he was born. Again, I am the white girl in the bunch and I gave both children a Laotian middle name to go with their American first names. K2's middle name is her grandmother's name (it's one of the few Laotian female names I know, plus it sounds good with her first name). I didn't even realize this, but K and K2 have the exact same three initials. :-) I'm so good, I didn't even know it.

Anyway...that's the update. I thought you'd all like to know.

Until later...

Great Post by Fellow Blogger

If you ever wanted to know/remember what July 4th really signifies or means to an American (or what it SHOULD be about), please read this post by Rob. Thanks so much for the post, Rob. I appreciated reading it.

Sick of Ignorant People (2 examples)...

"I applaud Kroger for taking a stand, and for refusing to allow a group like GLBT dictate policy. There's just a limit on how much the rest of us should have to tolerate being forced on us. PLEASE go somewhere else to shop! Surely you don't think that this store is hurting that much for your alleged total. I don't believe the receipts either, and I think that to insinuate that they're a legitimate show of hurt on this store says even more than just their whining and complaining. Just drop it! You pride yourselves on being "out", take a hint: you're now really out of the store. Just please STAY OUT!"

This was seen on a local paper's website after Kroger banned the free publication Out and About from its news stands. I am so tired of the ignorance of people. Good gosh! Get a life. People are people. However they choose to live their lives is no one's business but theirs. I love how this gentleman talks about how there's a "limit on how much the rest of us should have to tolerate being forced on us" when in reality, he's trying to force his choices and religious beliefs on others himself. Of course, he doesn't see it that way, but that's what he's really doing. Get real! And who says I'm in his part of "the rest of us"; did he not stop to think that he may just be in the minority? The publication was FREE! No one has to pick it up. It's your choice. Kroger took it out of its stands because it "pushes" an agenda. What about all the other publications that are at Kroger free for the taking? They each have their own agendas as well. The kicker in this whole thing is that Out and About has no graphic materials in it and does not let sex sites or anything like that even advertise in its magazine. No condom ads. Nothing like that. So what if it tells you when the next Gay Pride Parade is or where it's to be located. Don't people realize this is a genetic trait? They are not going to "catch" the gay gene. Just as some people cannot imagine being anything but heterosexual because that's the way they are and were born; others cannot imagine being anything but homosexual because that's the way they are and were born. Get a life, People! Grow up and Chill Out!

"Apparently, the GLBT have proved that they do not want to assimilate; they want to dominate policy. I never noticed any members of the GLBT shopping at Kroger or any other place for that matter. If they choose to shop elsewhere, it is fine with me because I now shop exclusively at Kroger stores."

This guy acts as though the members of the GLBT look different from every other human on the face of the planet. "I never noticed any members of the GLBT shoppign at Kroger or any other place for that matter." WTF? Um...they do have to shop somewhere. Maybe they're walking next to you and you don't even know it. Careful, you don't know who's behiind you in line. "Assimilate"...what does he think humanity is...the Borg? Whatever!

As far as I'm concerned, Kroger should not have pulled the publication if it isn't going to pull every other publication with any sort of "agenda" since that is the reasoning they gave. Stupid ass ignorant people. Can you tell this whole situation gets on my nerves? :-)

As long as there are people on this earth, there are going to be stupid ass people that are ignorant and intolerant of others. I don't get it. I get so frustrated with people. They want everyone to give them the benefit of the doubt; let them believe the way they want; push their thoughts, philosophies and beliefs on others with no consideration or thought that some people may not think or feel the same way they do; but in their minds, others don't deserve the freedom of having their own thoughts and beliefs. It's ridiculous!

*By the way, I've been wanting to post this for a few weeks now, but just haven't for one reason or another. Sorry about that. I was debating on whether to put this on this blog or my Quest 4 Enlightenment blog which I haven't updated since the original 3 entries. This post could go over there just as easily since it is dealing with my thoughts on philosophy and living in general. Anyway, I put it here.
**For some reason, blogger wouldn't let me publish my title in the title bar, so I improvised and made it my first sentence. :-)

Relaxation for a change...

I’ve got lots to catch you up on. H and I had 5 days off around the 4th. We both took off Monday and Tuesday. He has been stressing, so we thought it would be good for him to take time off and relax. I thought it was because our house is kind of turned upside down right now (we’re in the process of switching some of our rooms around – haven’t actually done it yet even though we’ve been planning this for months and have the boxes in the room to prove it). We were going to use those days to put the house in order. Come to find out, it had NOTHING to do with the house. He’s just stressing due to work again (remember his bald patches?).

So…here is a run down on our 5 days off. By the way, Tuesday was H’s 33rd birthday, so I thought it would be fun to go to a wine tasting at a winery that’s not too far away sometime during those days off.

Saturday we woke up, sat around the house, went to Target to buy things for NN, went to a baby shower for NN (the name is still going to be Kaitlyn as far as I know), and stayed up really late (early morning actually) playing WoW with H. By the way, this shower was for both men and women and lots of cards were played. It’s a Laotian thing, trust me. It was lots of fun and we saw 3 cousins of H’s that we haven’t seen in quite a while (two had new babies that we knew nothing about).

Sunday we did pretty much the same thing as Saturday except without Target and the baby shower. Each day we spent time with K so if I don’t mention that, we did see him EVERY day. It was great!

Monday same as Sunday.

Tuesday H had an uncle and cousin come down from New York (he has another cousin that’s been out here for a month or so). We went to see TRANSFORMERS. Awesome movie. We want to see it again this weekend. That’s how much we loved it. Everything that we did Sunday, we also did today. This was H's birthday. Did he receive a phone call from my parents? NO! Did his card get here on time? NO! Would my parents have been upset at me if I didn't call them on their birthday? Hell YES! Would they have been hurt if their card from me was late? Of course! I'm kind of upset with them right now. I haven't heard from them all week (you know I didn't call them - I always call them). I'm interested to find out how long it will take them to pick up their phone and hit the speed dial number that will connect them to me for a change instead of the other way around. :-) I'm terrible, I know. Oh well.

Wednesday we went to H’s parent’s house. Had a cookout (in doors – read in the oven) because it was too hot outside. Played cards. Spent time with Uncle and cousins (who will be leaving Friday). Sister-in-law (pregnant remember) had to work but she gets Friday off instead (how messed up is that!?). Played more WoW, but went to bed at a decent hour. I was unable to sleep for some reason (maybe it was all the fireworks going off until 2 in the morning). Our poor dog was scared all night. He sat next to me on the porch and jumped into bed with us not five minutes after we went to bed. He normally waits until around 2 to get in bed with us, but the noise scared him. Poor thing.

Thursday after work, we went to H’s parents again so we could spend time with the Uncle and cousins that will be leaving around 4 Friday morning.

As you can see…we didn’t do squat all weekend. We didn’t even do the wine tasting. It felt pretty good, though; but now I’ve got to find (okay, make) the time to get the house in order. Before H decided to take off work, I was going to use Monday and Tuesday to do that. Oh well, spending time with family is more important to us that having our house in perfect order (okay…any order – Whatever!).

On another note, I’ve been on DAM for almost a month now. H says he can tell a difference. I’m hoping that’s a good thing. He said it was, so I’m going to believe him. I have noticed that I’m not having funky thoughts anymore. Last night, I drove down a road that I’ve been avoiding for some time. There is a pretty big drop off on the right side and I catch myself picturing my car rolling down the hill and wondering just how hurt I would be if that were to happen. I realized last night as I was lying in bed that I didn’t have those thoughts while driving down the road tonight. The DAM must be working. I ALWAYS have that thought driving down that road. That’s why I choose to stay off that road when I’m driving. Last night, it didn’t even enter my mind. WooHoo!

Anyway, so that’s what’s been happening this week. I have a whole other post regarding the fact that I tend to attract all the crazy ass drivers to drive around me for some reason. I’ve seen the worst drivers these past two weeks.

Until later…

July 4th!!

Tomorrow we celebrate our Independence. Our independence from tyranny. Our independence from persecution. Our independence from having to live under the rule of someone else. Tomorrow we celebrate our freedom.

With all that being said, it seems to me that we really haven't gotten as far as our forefounders would have liked, expected, or wanted us to get. We came here because we felt persecuted for our beliefs. We wanted the freedom to believe any way we wanted without feeling like we had to follow someone else's religious beliefs. Have we really accomplished that? I don't think so. We have taken away the "right to pursue happiness" from the gay community by not allowing them the rights/responsibilities of marriage. Our country is still under the false belief that "if you don't believe the same way I do, you're wrong and you're going to hell."

We have all these freedoms that we have now come to expect and we take for granted every day; yet there are those that have come to our country in the last 40-50 years because they were under persecution from their countries (some of which were communist countries). This weekend, I have come to appreciate our country and my freedoms more because I have been listening to my in-laws and some of the things they had to go through in order to come to America.

My father-in-law worked with the U.S. during the Viet Nam war. Once we pulled out, the United States was unable to help anyone left in Laos. We were however able to help those Laotians that crossed into Thailand. My father-in-law, his wife, two boys, and younger brother were planning to cross the Mekong River in the dead of night. His brother asked his girlfriend to come with him and since her parents didn't want her to leave, they alerted the police and they came and arrested him. This was still the communist regime, so they could do whatever they wanted. They kept him in jail for a year. During that year, he was in a small bamboo cage with very little food and water. He also had to sit in his own bodily excrements and didn't have enough room to stand or sit up completely. He was somewhere around 18 years old at this time.

My father-in-law took his wife and two boys across the Mekong River in the dead of night. Since his boys were so young (probably around 3 and 4), they were carried on the backs of others that were also crossing into Thailand. They lived in a refugee camp for over a year. Once my father-in-law heard about his brother's release, he risked his life for the second time to go get his brother and risked it a third time to cross back into Thailand with his brother to join his family.

They changed their names in order to get out of Thailand alive (the communists were looking for those that helped the Americans to kill them and every member of their family). Of course, they have since changed their names back and they are all US citizens and have been for over 20 years. H and his brother have both served in our U.S. military (Army all the way!).

Hearing these stories this weekend has made me realize just how blessed I have been to be born in the U.S.A. It has also made me realize just how much I take for granted on a daily basis. I am going to try to do better in realizing just how blessed I have been and that even though things may not be the best they can, even though this country hasn't progressed as far as the forefounders would have liked, and even though this country hasn't progressed as far as I would like; I still need to realize that I am better off here than I would be had I been born in H's homeland.

I am never going to be okay with our country taking away freedoms and rights of its citizens. I am never going to be okay with the religious beliefs of this country. I will always be thankful for our military and the sacrifices they (and their families) have made to ensure the freedoms I enjoy and take for granted.

Happy Independence Day, America! Be thankful for what we have, but NEVER forget where we came from and why we are here in the first place.