Basic Manners 101

Alright.  I am a fairly nice girl.  I do not generally like to cause a scene in public.  However, as a recent immigrant to these great United States, I feel like I should say something to my fellow immigrants.

* Remember, we are guests in this country.  Living here is our privilege, not our right.  Respect the traditions, respect the people, and respect the flag.  There is no room for argument on this point.

*Social Assistance Systems exist in this country.  If you are a taxpayer, and you are having a difficult time making ends meet, by all means use them to get back on your feet.  If you are NOT a taxpayer, you are not entitled to them.  They are a courtesy extended to taxpayers by other taxpayers.  I don't care if you have 12 children that you can't feed because you foolishly over-bred. That is not my concern, it is yours.

*The language of this country is English.  It is a beautiful language.  We use it for business, pleasure, and services.  What you speak in your own homes, is entirely up to you.  I am sure you, also, have a beautiful language.  However, when conducting transactions with Americans, it is a common courtesy to do so in the language of this country.  Learn this language.  Others are not expected to provide you with goods and services in your language.  If this occurs, it is a courtesy and not an entitlement.

*It is entirely possible the the rules of operating a motor vehicle are different here than in your home country.  Please take a moment to review the differences before getting behind the wheel.

Do not operate said vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.  Buy proper insurance for the vehicle.  Respect other drivers.

*Do not commit crimes in this country.  That makes it difficult for others to come here.  If you commit a crime, and are subsequently detained, I assure you it is not because you are being discriminated against. Take a moment, and review the laws of the United States.  Ignorance of said laws is a weak excuse.

*America is a country with high standards.  You may notice that some things that you are used to doing may not be acceptable here.  Please make a note of these and make the appropriate changes.  

Welcome to America.  She is a proud and strong country, and we are lucky to be here.  Let's show Americans that immigrants can make this country stronger.  Respect America and her people, and she will most certainly show you that within her arms, most anything is possible.

  

They make me happy.

Cheese sauce, green tea, red curtains, flannel sheets, piano music, bergamot candles, sunshine in a kitchen, smell of coffee, hooks on which to hang things, curiously shaped rooms, photographs, bamboo, wine glasses arranged in a row, tiger lilies, scarves, sound of the dishwasher, miso soup, cold dog noses, scratchy cat tongues, smell of salt water, smell of snow to come, kicking up dead leaves, eating snow, christmas trees, christmas carols, cellos, sound of a lawnmower, wagging tails, potato chips, waffle makers, thunderstorms, howling winds, oranges, candy-canes, dandylions, falling asleep, folding clean laundry, polaroid pictures, spaghetti, reading with coffee, walking long distances, towels, watching 'Jeopardy', non-stick cookware, road trips, painted toenails, fresh sheets, IMAX, mangoes, a lovers' snores, sweet kisses...

http://www.phillytalkradioonline.com/comment/10-great-things.html 

BECAUSE AMERICA IS A BLOODY GREAT PLACE!

"If you can do a half-assed job of anything, you're a one-eyed man in a kingdom of the blind."

Kurt Vonnegut

"Here is a lesson in creative writing. First rule: Do not use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you've been to college"

Kurt Vonnegut

I wish Mr. Vonnegut were alive to write more books.  I am looking for something to read today, and everything seems so mundane.

Another cold, foggy, overcast, windy day in Monterey!  REAAALLLLY?  Was I expecting anything different?  Once, just once...I want to wake up to sunshine.  

Ok, I take that back.  More than once.  Every day would be nice, but I don't want to get greedy.

I sense a conundrum here...I am not at all an optimist.  In fact, I am shamelessly the opposite.  And yet, people who whine annoy me.  Sometimes I fear that I'm one of those whiners...I catch myself every once and a while.

So in the interest of optimism, cloudy days should not matter.  DO not matter.

While my life isn't turning out exactly how I'd planned it at the wise age of 12, it is showing promise.   I am getting ready to do things for me, for my life, instead of worrying about the lives of others at the expense of my own.  

I can do this.  I am much stronger and braver than I've been assuming. 

I swear to god.....if that asshole Michael Vick is allowed to make shit tonnes of money again, 

I will lose what's left of my faith in mankind.

I don't see why his dogs shouldn't be allowed to enjoy his tender bits for a late lunch.

What an extraordinarily nice sleep.  There is something about waking up to a purring cat face that makes mornings infinitely more pleasant.  Even if said cat is only purring because she wants to go outside and kill things.

I've been two months here in Monterey.  People say to enjoy it because it's the nicest place we'll ever be posted.  I think the weather is rubbish, but I'm rather a pessimist.  Today looks nice and sunny.  I will try to be optimistic today.  Sounds like a small goal?  Trust me, it's not.

So this is the equivalent of keeping a diary these days?

Have I gotten that old?  

Perhaps the gray hairs should have clued me in.

I have only just learned how to text with both hands.

I already whine about the state of youth today.

I've only used a cell phone for a year.

I enjoy cereal made with bran.

I am only 27.