Typical Friday Night

Am I getting old or what????? I feel like my head is spinning as to what to do. Much like the lovely confusion of this sign I took a picture of at the Science Center.

Was debating going to Borders to just sit, enjoy the ambiance, have some coffee and watch the cuties while reading a book but man...after being up since 4am, working, getting my car fixed and then renewing my Missouri driver's license I am pooped. Watching St. Elmo's Fire and it harkens me back to the 80's when I was a kid and then joined the army. Is it me or did kids seem more innocent back then?? I know every generation thinks theirs was the most naive.

Tomorrow I am off to global food market: http://www.globalfoodsmarket.com/ to buy my ingredients for my rice entree regarding next week's potluck. I want to take a picture of it but cannot find my %$#@ camera software to upload the pictures.

You know when it is time to buy a new computer when your old ancient degenerate hand me down takes more than ten minutes to post a simple blog.............ay caramba!

Now my daughter is home from a shopping extravaganza at the mall with a friend who is spending the night. They were taking pictures of each other in dress up. Now, if I can find that software I will be able to upload all these cute photos of my kid. (Here is one taken some time ago)...too cute:

Working for Uncle Sam

I admit working for good ol' Uncle Sam has its advantages. I do receive approx 10 federal holidays a year which can equate to many 3 day weekends. Job stability at NARA is priceless. I can take off whenever I want as long as I have the leave. I receive 4 hours of sick leave every pay period and 6 hours of annual leave for the same. I find it hard to see receiving such benefits so quickly anywhere else. For 2007 alone we have the following paid holidays:

Monday, January 1
New Year's Day
Monday, January 15
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, February 19*
Washington’s Birthday
Monday, May 28
Memorial Day
Wednesday, July 4
Independence Day
Monday, September 3
Labor Day
Monday, October 8
Columbus Day
Monday, November 12**
Veterans Day
Thursday, November 22
Thanksgiving Day
Tuesday, December 25
Christmas Day

The only downside is the pay. Government worker salaries are really not reknown for their generosity in pay. What we do here in the public sector a private sector employee can be paid double or triple that amount.

Yet, there are still some who think we civil servants have cash coming out of our a$$. HAH...do not think so. I pay quite a bit for my health insurance and taxed. Ironic in some aspects because those taxes also pay my salary.

It depends on where you fall on the GS pay scale. Of course GS9's and higher do have a nicer salary and we have our steps. Check out this website for those curious as to how we US federal employees are paid: http://www.opm.gov/oca/07tables/html/RUS.asp (mind you this is for the St. Louis region and certain areas of the USA.)

All in all, I do love the job security and hope that in time I can move up to a higher level position if not in NARA then another government agency where I can retire in peace.

The death of the mighty USA Dollar(?) against the Euro

Seems to me Americans need to take more responsibility regarding their own credit and quit trying to back out of their responsibilities. According to the current US market rates, the U.S. dollar has hit a new all-time low against the euro on Thursday, with the euro trading above $1.40 for the first time since the common European currency was introduced.

The euro was trading above $1.40 for the first time since the common European currency was introduced.

The euro bought $1.4023 in early European trading, up from its previous high of $1.3987, hit in New York late Wednesday.

The dramatic half-point cut in U.S. interest rates announced this week, aimed at shoring up U.S. credit markets, also had the effect of further weakening the dollar by reducing its cash yield.

The euro has benefited from healthy economic news in the euro zone and the European Central Bank's campaign of gradual interest rate increases.

However, its current strength is widely seen primarily as a result of problems afflicting the dollar.

The dollar also fell against other currencies, reaching parity with the Canadian dollar for the first time since November 1976.

It dipped against the British pound to $2.0082 compared with $2.0025 late Wednesday, after UK retail sales in August rose by 0.6 percent from July.

The dollar slipped against the Japanese currency to 114.96 yen from 116.09 late Wednesday.

In Washington, Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress that the credit crisis had created "significant market stress" and he offered fresh assurances that regulators would take steps to curb fallout related to the mortgage mess.

I think as Americans we need to empower our citizenry and take responsibility for our own actions. If we have a credit card, pay it off, don't have two or three. If you have a house, get a good rate and pay it on time, same as with a car. Quit spending more than what you have. Remember that our actions will fall upon future generations that are innocent. The children of today will be reaping our sins of tomorrow.

My work desktop

Decided to take a snapshot of it :)

Bringing culture closer to home

I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES....RAISED IN 2 CULTURES=AMERICAN AND PUERTO RICAN. Of course growing up in the midwest-the middle of corn country--the kids in school tried to make feel ashamed of being mixed and for a while I was...until I realized as I grew older that I should be and am proud to be from such a rich culture. I have two countries to be proud of and two languages I have mastered.

Since I live in the midwest it is pretty homogenous as far as ethnic diveristy. When I attended college I wanted to surround myself with people from all over the world. I was lucky to help co-found the International Student Organization at Indiana State University. (Picture included of some of us at a friend's apartment. The couple were originally from the Caucus)We had people from all over and man, what fun we had. I was the MC for an international fashion show, we had students create delicious dishes of their favorite home cooked meals, a dj to play songs from around the globe, just a simple communal gathering celebrating life.

Now that as I grow older I find myself missing these things and need to get out more, to explore my Midwestern roots, my world...to once again find people who entrance me so, motivate me...I want to bring a piece of the world back into my heart as I did so long ago. I think it is important for children to learn about the world out there---technology has brought everyone closer...we can scan for unlimited resources on the 'net...computers, planes, anything that involves the advancement of human beings in science and the medical realm have brought our countries together---almost blurring borders--almost I say because we still retain our ethnic pride and culture identities....I believe that as human beings we should all try and understand people who believe differently than we do and celebrate life in other ways than our own.

http://www.indstate.edu/IAC/Student%20Scholar%20Service/ISO.htm

What is UP with the news latley???????????

IS IT JUST ME OR HAS CNN AND OTHER BROADCASTING NETWORKS "DUMBED" THEMSELVES DOWN??????? God forgive me but WHO CARES about Brittney Spears, Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, or even OJ. There are more important noteworthy news stories out there and I would like to see a greater focus on improving primary education for kids here, better health care for the elderly and more innovations in the medical field especially for women...............

One example of scare tactics to keep us Americans firmly rooted in fear is what is going on overseas:

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- Osama bin Laden will release a new message soon declaring war on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, al Qaeda announced Thursday.

Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's second-in-command, is seen on a tape released Thursday.

The announcement of the upcoming message came as al Qaeda released a new video in which bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, boasted that the United States was being defeated in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places.
Officials in Pakistan confirmed Thursday that Musharraf, who also is Pakistan's military chief, would seek a second five-year term as president.
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- Osama bin Laden will release a new message soon declaring war on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, al Qaeda announced Thursday.

Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's second-in-command, is seen on a tape released Thursday.

The announcement of the upcoming message came as al Qaeda released a new video in which bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, boasted that the United States was being defeated in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places.
Officials in Pakistan confirmed Thursday that Musharraf, who also is Pakistan's military chief, would seek a second five-year term as president.

Ahhhh....sometimes I also am afraid of watching or reading the news in regards to Iraq and Iran. Everyone has their own personal opinion regarding the current administration but I for one will be quite happy once Bush and his cronies leave. Seems to me that the heart of America has been ripped to pieces on so many levels. I keep wondering if we will go to war with Iran and if we do I assure you that it will be WWIII. Invading that country will just ensure every fanatic will grab arms and destroy everything & anything remotely related to the West.

I have plenty of friends who come from all walks of life...religion, creeds etc....and it hurts me to no end to always see negative coverage on Muslims. I also hope that Muslims can stand in a united voice and ring true the peace that Islam is. Just seems that those fanatics who think bombing and killing innocents is the only voice to be heard. I think NOT!

To exercise or not to exercise

I just found out that my gym at work with the National Archives no longer has those anal supervisors that you had to beg and plead to join. Well, they wanted all these letters from my doc saying it was okay to join and all this red tape, blah blah blah....now I am going to go twice a week and then starting November take up Tae Kwon Do so I can be in better shape.



The thing is...just STARTING this and not wavering. I hate to exercise but as I get older and I DO see some changes occurring on my muscle tone etc...if I want to look good as I creep into middle age I need to be pro-active. I see the positive correlation to working out and keeping fit but should this be done because of vanity or for health?? I know I am vain and is a curse but I also know I am tired of being tired.............so I will keep my blog posted to my illicit progress and HOPEFULLY my energy will return and I will look good to boot! ;-)