February 28, 2003

Klara is a Buckeye

Yay my sister Klara got into Ohio State Wooooooo! She's been nervous about that one for a while, especially since her friend (who has a 3.5 GPA) didn't make it, but she got her acceptance letter in the mail today. And I got some good news in the mail too:

Dear Drina,

We are very pleased to tell you that your superior academic work at Baldwin-Wallace has earned you a membership in the Dayton C. Miller Honor Society. Only about 4% of the undergraduate student body are chosen for membership in the Society. Therefore, we are especially pleased to honor you in this way and extend to you our congratulations.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

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February 27, 2003

Thanks, Mr. Rogers

I think this article has it right: Mr. Rogers was exactly what a tv preacher ought to be. A lot of people don't know that he was an ordained Presbyterian minister. But he was not a loud, agitated televangelist who guaranteed healings in exchange for donations. He didn't rant about this politician or that gay group. He simply gave kids a tv refuge from all that crap, and walked his talk with love and grace. Each episode of his show was a dose of peace for those living a frenzied life. I loved him as a kid, and he showed me that people can be caring and kind. I think it's accurate to say that a light has gone out of the world. I'm kinda sad about it, but there are so many folks out there whose lives he made better, and they'll take that and pass it on. What manner of man was this? A kind-hearted and faithful one. I love Mr. Rogers!

New layout plug.

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Rest in peace, Mr. Rogers.

Rest in peace, Mr. Rogers.

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February 24, 2003

I've been vindicated

My brother and I had another AIM conversation this morning (our preferred method of communication these days) in which he assured me that I did NOT kill our beloved rabbit ten years ago. For the last decade, I've been carrying around the guilt of committing involuntary bunnyslaughter by spraying weed killer on the lawn (bunnies don't digest such poisons very well). Turns out our little guy died from other reasons. Why couldn't have someone told me this before, instead of letting me believe that I'm cursed with horrible animal skills? Sheesh.

Tomorrow I have to hand in the introduction of my paper on phantom limbs. It's not done yet. Actually, it's not started yet. I'm getting there, but I feel the need to procrastinate a little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

A little longer.

Maybe I'll start now.

Or in a while.

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February 23, 2003

Another (late) installment of the Friday Five

Another (late) installment of the Friday Five:

1. What is your most prized material possession?
I'm not really attached to most of my possessions, but I guess my computer would have to be my prize. As a web geek, my addiction to the internet has to be fed on a regular basis, and my computer is my partner in crime.

2. What item, that you currently own, have you had the longest?
Probably my elephant hand-puppet. I've had that thing since I was about five years old. There are some other things I own that I've had since I was a baby, but I consider them my parent's stuff, not mine.

3. Are you a packrat?
I'm the opposite of a packrat. I can't get rid of stuff fast enough. My biggest enemy isn't a lack of stuff, it's CLUTTER! I can't stand having my precious space taken up by a bunch of dust-loving meaningless crap, really.

4. Do you prefer a spic-and-span clean house? Or is some clutter necessary to avoid the appearance of a museum?
Again, clutter is my enemy, but that's just because I want space, not because I'm a clean freak who has to have aeverything spic-and-span. Lord knows I hate cleaning.

5. Do the rooms in your house have a theme? Or is it a mixture of knick-knacks here and there?
The rooms of my house do have a theme, although I don't think it was necessarily planned. My mom has a Catholic-shrine theme going on, which has been a work in progress for the last ten years. My room and the bathrooms are the only ones without it.

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February 22, 2003

My rat-bitten finger

My rat-bitten finger is kinda purple today. At least around the bite part. But, since I'm fierce, I went in today and did the health check the way I usually do --gloveless. And #24 (the one that went a little crazy on me yesterday) was back to his docile self. I still love those guys, no matter how many craziness-induced tooth-or-claw wounds they give me.

Since I'm couped up in the computer lab all day today, I've been doing some homework on and off. I took a break and created a wish list from Amazon.com (my birthday is coming up, you know). All of my materialistic desires are now accounted for on one convenient list. Will I get anything from this list? Probably not. Maybe it's better that I don't.

Anyway, as I was perusing the virtual merchandise, I came upon a few wish lists that other folks out in webland have created (they must have been bored at work like myself). Some of them were cool, some of them were weird, and some of them were downright disturbing. I found a lot of those evil liberals are responsible for everything that is wrong with the world kinda books. Browsing the right wing literature was kind of surreal. It's amazing that there really are folks out there who think all bad things can be traced back to one group of people.

There is no such thing as a moral political party, because every group out there is doing something (or supporting something) that is selfish, immoral, or destructive. We're not perfect, folks, and nobody has the right to boast. Whether we're talking about racism, violence, greed, power, destruction, hatred, slander, etc., every political party is guilty of something.

Maybe it's the peace-and-love nerd in me at work, but I found these to be no less than discouraging. The h o s t i l i t y is incredible, especially here. Why do people love to hate women so much, that anything feminine is seen as a danger to a "great nation?"

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February 21, 2003

I've got a hole in my finger

Youch. Today in the lab I was weighing our little guys (doing the normal health check) when one of them spazzed out and bit me. He probably freaked out because I almost dropped him (my bad) but he got me pretty good on my left index finger. Even though the rats we take care of are really clean animals, I decided to go to the death cen... er, health center and get a tetanus shot. It's been over a decade since my last one, so I figure I might as well get that booster now.

About half an hour ago some man started shouting at me outside the school's library. He approched me and asked if I wanted to join his Bible club, and muttered a few things (which I couldn't completely understand) about staying away from motorcycles because they'll mess you up. Normally, I would say, "Thanks for asking me, but I'm not interested right now. God bless!" After all, I attend a church now and am active in a few things. But I kinda blew this guy off with a "no thanks" because to be completely honest, I was a little freaked out. It's not everyday someone shouts at me and mumbles about motorcycles. Am I being judgemental? I dunno.

Right now I'm at work (in the computer lab, not the animal lab) bored outta my mind. My roomie went home for the weekend, so I have the place all to myself (what to do?) I want to go see a movie, but I'll probably end up watching one of Steph's movies in the room. Maybe I'll grab someone and go to the coffee shop down the street.

This is too funny.

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February 19, 2003

Pets.

WE HAVE A NEW ADDITION TO THE VURBIC FAMILY. That's the message my brother IMed me with this morning. Of course, I knew I wan't going to become an aunt... he would have called me if Sarah was pregnant. I thought maybe he got a new guitar. Turns out they bought themselves a couple of fish --black tetras (I think).

Bro said that if they don't die within a year maybe they'll start talking about kids :) Of course, that will mean that I have to stay far, far away from them. I don't have the best track record with pets. All of the fish I've ever owned have died within three weeks, I accidentally killed my bunny when I was 11, and at the tender age of five I let one of our parakeets go because I wanted him to be free.

Sometimes I wonder whether or not I should be working in an animal laboratory... I'm sure the higher-ups wouldn't be happy if I let happen to the rats what has happened to my pets. I'm being very, very careful.

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February 17, 2003

Random thoughts (what else?)

Sometimes I sit down to blog and I have to stop and think for a while about what I want to write. My life is boring like that. But I figure I should at least record the day's event or my thoughts of the moment so that later I can come back and remember what a dork I am. My blog today is so random.

My complaint for the night (or one of them, actually) is that it bothers me when my words are twisted around to mean something they don't. If I blog about the importance of love, it gets turned around on me by those who believe that love should be nothing more than a whoopin' switch. I hate that.

I've been working on the website for the lab I work for here at school, and two of my subpages were rejected by the school's web director. Even though she's a notorious nit-picker I can't for the life of me figure out what problem she had with the site. One of the pages was my personal profile page. Does she not like me, or something?

Stephanie, I hope you feel better soon. I know we all feel bummed sometimes (and believe me I get more than my share of bummage) but I don't like seeing you not happy. It stinks.

Brina is getting a digital camera, and I have to say I'm somewhat jealous. A digicam is something I've always wanted, but my sorry paycheck will never be able to afford one. Maybe I shouldn't want things like that so badly --they are just material objects I could do without, and it's not like God isn't taking (really) good care of me. But I keep thinking, I'd really love one of those.... Stop it, Drina.

There are only a few more weeks to graduation, and it's making my heart beat a little faster. I'm happy and nervous at the same time. Five years of grad school are just around the corner, and I wonder whether or not I can hack it. I'm hoping when I get that big fat PhD I'll look back on my anxious dorkiness and laugh.

Yesterday's good things list is missing a few things. A couple little items should be in there (Kazaa, Olive Garden, snow angels, digital cameras), along with some not-so-little items (um, God). How I forgot these, I don't know. Perhaps it's the stress-induced degeneration of my brain cells, but I can't say for sure.

I got a parking ticket this morning. Shucks.

Yes, I really did say shucks.

For a class of mine, I have to answer (in research paper form) a couple questions. One of them is about how different animals are from humans. I though that one would be easy. After all, animals don't have all the higher cognitive processes that humans do, they do not have complex human emotions, and aren't capable of understanding our differences anyway. But one thing that stops me from writing that: how the heck do I know that? I don't, really.

And those are my thoughts for the day.

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February 16, 2003

Good things in life

I think I'm done being melodramatic for a while. My attitude starts bumming people out, and I don't want to be the kind of person that always brings people's spirits down. So today I'm going to make an effort to be happy in spite of the bad things going on. There may be an impending war and I may be stressed more than I'd like to be, but there are good things out there, such as:

childhood friends
high school friends
college friends
online friends
making crappy artwork
going to the museum
growing a bonsai tree
hanging out on the weekends
the Goonies
web design
caramel apples at school carnivals
playing with photoshop
hot chocolate after a walk in the cold
finishing a good book
getting a card in the mail
getting anything in the mail
C.S. Lewis
a fresh box of Crayola crayons
sleeping in until 11:00
warm socks out of the dryer
road trips
graduating from anything
black t-shirts
seeing an old friend after several years
having siblings
great white sharks
Chinese food from Speed Wok
forgiveness
understanding family members
grandmas that spoil you
getting a new show at the art gallery
Broadway
late-night phone calls with friends
knowing you're loved
having an awesome pastor
loving somebody else
hostees
seeing pictures of yourself as a kid
MxPx
Malley's chocolate VW Beetles
being in college
getting along with your roommate
A's on your report card
Seventh Heaven
et al

I swear, I am going to try not to use the word discouraging in my vocabulary for at least another 30 days. After all, with all the good things I have, it would be shameful to spend so much time feeling so down. Instead of being discouraged about the state of affairs today, it would be a good idea to counteract that stuff with a big fat worldwide love-fest. Where to start?

Concerning more mundane matters, I've been wondering if there are any other fans of the long-defunct animated show Donwtown out there? It only lasted for a few episodes, but it was my favorite show at the time. Anyone, anyone? If only it could have lasted as long as the Simpsons.

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February 15, 2003

We love violence

The
world
is
hostile.

The
church
is
hostile.

If
not
for
God,

love
would
be
dead.

This
week
was
discouraging.

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February 14, 2003

The shame of nationalism

This is one of the most disturbing e-mails I've gotten in a long time:

IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand. This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!

"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.

If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every! citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.

My question is, do American citizens have the right to disagree with the way that this country is run? And if one does disagree and speak up about it, is he or she no longer considered an American citizen? It is not "foreigners" who are "complaining, whining, griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, our way of life." More often than not they are Americans, and they have just the same rights that you do.

This is sad. Just... sad.

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February 13, 2003

Love defined (not by the dictionary)

I have nothing interesting or witty to say today, so if you're looking to be entertained stop reading now. My brain is just one big jumbled mess at the moment, and my thoughts are really disorganized (and pointless).

I hate Valentine's Day. For that 24-hour period, Hallmark controls the universe. Every year around this time I get nightmares about cheesy heart-shaped boxes that come alive and devour me.

Valentine chocolate always gets thrown away half eaten (does anybody really eat the orange coconut butter creams?) Do our hunny-bunnies really care for that crap? I would rather have someone tell me, "Drina, I appreciate your love and friendship," than hand me a Whitman's Sampler.

Of course, many people are into those kinds of things. They are probably the same people who have wooden teddy-bear cutouts on their living room walls that say Home Sweet Home on them.

Someday I'm going to start my own holiday. Maybe I'll call it, "Let's Help an Unemployed Single Mom Find a Job Day." Everyone can go out, help an unemployed single mom find a job, then give her a box of chocolates. Unless that would be too cheesy.

Tomorrow I'm going to get a card from my friend, Sarah, and probably a lolly-pop from my floor's RA. And I'll most likely spend the rest of the night making fun of couples who give each other heart-shaped boxes of orange coconut butter creams. I'm mean like that.

This holiday is getting me down. Modern love is nothing more than sugar and lingerie. Real love is another story entirely... We're told to love our neighbors and our enemies. It's not happening.

Will it ever?

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February 11, 2003

The ungrateful bastard I am

I don't know why it is that some days I have only the most mundane things on my mind, and other days I'm obsessed with thoughts about the meaning of life (and other such things). Yesterday, someone else's tragedy and sorrow made me re-examine faith and life, and today I can only think of how annoying it is that I've been sick for a week now. What is wrong with me?

I've become a brat these last few days (yeah, I know I was bratty before, but I've graduated to new heights of brattiness this week) because all I think about is my sore throught, my poor little nose, and the fact that I have trouble breathing when I go to sleep at night. Sleeping has become a problem... I wish I could bring my astronomy teacher back here to lecture me to sleep. That would be great.

But to counter my irrelevent concerns, my "big" thought of the day is about the death-fest my country is about to inaugurate across the pond. I can not begin to express how much I hate this --the fact that innocent people are about to die and there's nothing I can do about it (as a pacifist my opinion doesn't really count). It is frustrating, scary, and discouraging. Sorrow already.

Tonight --right now-- are people who are working, sleeping, worrying, just like me. And they're probably taking care of their kids, or looking for work, or wondering about the future. They are no different than my neighbors, my parents, myself. But for them these are the last days, and although they are scared that this war might kill them, they still think it won't be them. And then the bomb hits.

Why, in order to be a freedom-loving patriotic person, do I have to cheer this on? For the people over yonder, this is their post-911, where they know that at any moment something can fall from the sky and end their world. But why does these people, who right now are breathing, thinking, and being human (just like any of us) have to die, and why are their lives so worthless in our eyes? I want to know why. Will I ever get that answer?

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February 10, 2003

:(

I find it no less than incredible when people can recognize their blessings in the midst of personal tragedy and sorrow. Julia's dad passed away two days ago... but even now she put that event into perspective: He left in grace and I believe lept into Heaven with exuberance and excitement.

Wow.

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February 07, 2003

How the web can heal

Lately I've been fishing around quite a bit for God sites... blogs and domains of everyday web nerds fixated on a higher power. When I started blogging, I became friends with quite a few of those nerds, and they put faith in perspective for me every time someone got on my case for some reason (good Christians don't pierce themselves, black t-shirts are evil, chicks are only good for cleaning socks, etc.) It was so cool reading the ramblings of other ragamuffins who weren't afraid to admit the problems they have. That kind of honesty is hard to find even in church. And every time I asked myself how I could possibly stay in this game --this religious monster that could destroy anyone as easily as a nuclear bomb-- they reminded me that it has nothing to do with religion, and everything to do with God. Love. Humility. Forgiveness. Acceptance. Sacrifice. All those good things. And lately I've been having some more of those issues that make me wonder. So I surf. And I find. And I see in someone else's story what God is all about. And it all makes sense again. The wonders of web nerds...

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Friday Fivin'

Friday Fivin'

1. What did you have for breakfast this morning?

I had a bagel with cream cheese, which is what I usually eat on Fridays. The dining hall only has bagels and these egg mcmuffin type things on Friday, and I'm really really sick of those breakfast sandwiches. Of course, I'll probably be sick of bagels soon, but by that time I'm hoping there will be other things on the morning menu (yeah right).

2. What's your favorite cereal?

Gotta have the Frosted Mini Wheats. They're good with milk, but they're even better to snack on right out of the box. A close second would probably Count Chocula. Who didn't love that when they were a kid?

3. How often do you eat out? Do you want that to change?

Every Weekend, since the dining hall closest to me is closed (yeah I'm not hiking across campus for mediocre cafeteria surprise). I'd actally like to eat out less. I miss home cooked food. And eating at home is free, while eating out is not. And I have no money.

4. What do you plan on having for dinner tonight? Got a recipe for that?

Microwaved Ramen noodle soup. No, I don't have the recipe.

5. What's your favorite restaurant? Why?

My favorite place is probably Olive Garden. Italian food is my favorite, and Olive Garden makes a mean fetuccini alfredo. I get that every time, no joke. I also like Dino's, which is a little place back home. Again Italian, offering a great fetuccini alfredo dish. I think I was Italian in a past life.

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February 03, 2003

Starting the week

Another start to the weekly grind... I had badminton this morning with my crazy football coach teacher. Usually I have only bad things to say about that class, but today went pretty well. No birdies smacking into my forehead; no crazy football boys making me run in circles trying to catch up with them; no embarrassment. Actually won a game (yay) if you can believe that. Now if I can only become a super-fast athlete in the next two weeks before tournaments begin, I'll be all set (please recognize the sarcasm).

Afterward I headed to the psych lab where we were supposed to start experimenting. One thing after another was going wrong in there. There has to be some kind of bad karma or something. I mean, I don't really believe in karma, but whatever. Bad karma. We didn't experiment, and we won't be for another few days.

Right now I'm trying to nurse my little tongue which I accidentally bit really hard about five minutes ago. It's one of those bites that shocks you into making these weird faces for about 60 seconds. At that point you realize you've drawn blood (which is really nasty). Biting your tongue hurts more than getting punched in the shoulder. Mine is pretty wicked. I hate that.

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February 01, 2003

The shuttle explosion

What has happened in the sky above Texas? I turned on the tv only to see that a shuttle explosion took seven more lives. I remember in 1986 when the Challenger exploded, now the Columbia. Seven more families who are missing their loved ones right now... devastating.

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