Three things I hate, not just dislike

1. Traffic
2. Commuting for more then an hour
3. Job Hunting

Attention, attention! Read all about it!

The Cubs swept the White Sox! Friday game: 4-3 Saturday game: 11-7 Sunday 7-1

This weekend's another showdown Cubs versus Whtie Sox in Comiskey Park (home of the Sox) aka U.S. Cellular Field. (They changed the name to Cellular for money. Sellouts.)

Go Cubs Go!

this weekend is huge. probably the most important weekend of the year. it's the much anticipated rival teams of the summer White Sox versus Chicago Cubs going at it. Chicago looks forward to this series every year. sale prices for tickets soar and the city goes crazy for three days. no one really cares about anything and focuses their entire attention on this one question: Who's going to win the best out of three?

i'm, naturally, a Cubs fan. the roots run deep. for years and years and years my family have always cheered for the Cubs. we've been with them through it all. the ups and downs. set backs and near triumphs. and this year just might be the year. never have the Cubs done this good this far into the season. well, not since 1908, 100 years ago, the last time they won the World Series. before they had an awful curse put on them, due to some stinky goat and a cantankorous old man who owned a restuarant called, "Billy Goats" that sells really greasy, but good burgers and charges you a pretty penny for it. but i just learned that the letter "C" is the Roman numeral for 100. so there you go. it's their year.

Lou Pinella is an amazing manager and has everything organized and planned to a tee. despite one of our best hitters Soriano breaking his hand last week, due to a bad pitch from a Braves pitcher, we're still good. we have the best pitching and batting line-up in both leagues, i believe. i think Ryan Dempster is an amazing picher. and despite Derek Lee not batting as well as he has in the past, i'm still his #1 fan. Fukudome is the cutest, best player on the team.

Click on the link, press play, and then dance, sing, and cheer along with Chicago Cubs fans everywhere. http://youtube.com/watch?v=DrlLmTh32KI. Go Cubs Go!

The number one thing that rocks my world at the present time

I'm in love with GPS systems!

I'm currently looking a for a job in the field of PR in the Chicagoland area. The majority of PR jobs are located in downtown Chicago. So, for the past several weeks, three to four times a week, I have been driving to the closest train station, jumping on a train and during the 45 minutes that follow, I enjoy a nice leisurely commute downtown. I listen to my iPod, read the newspaper or a book, take a nap, and/or people watch. There are ALWAYS interesting people going downtown. I'm sure I'll have a post on that someday soon. When my train arrives into the city I get off and walk a couple blocks or catch a cab to wherever I need to be. It is so nice and efficient time, gas and everything wise.

But on Wednesday, I had an interview at a food packaging company called, Topco. Located in Skokie, Illinois. I had never been to Skokie before in my life. I took a look at the map freaked out a little from all the tolls, highways and traffic I'd be going through. Lot's and lot's of traffic. I had also decided to have lunch with my friend in the city Marta. So, I Google mapped my home to Skokie, Skokie to downtown (another mess) and then from downtown back home. I ended up having a massive headache from the thought of it all. The worst part, was I wouldn't be able to nap during the commute!

That night I hung out with my two good girlfriends from high school, Ruth and Lauren. And Lauren proceeded to save my life and change my world. I mentioned over a game of Scrabble what I had to do tomorrow and she said something to the effect of, "Girl, use my GPS, Marcia (note: some people, I have found, name their GPS's because they become such trustworthy, loyal, necessary companions.) I don't try finding any place without it."

So the next morning I headed off to Skokie with Marcia. Marcia was fantastic. All I had to do was input my address and where I wanted to go. Marcia calculated the route. She took me down the fastest route and bypassed the tolls and traffic. After the interview she took me all the way downtown for lunch, through all the secret roads (well they weren't on Google) in record time. She even told me where the closest library and McDonald's were from Marta's place. Marcia is my new BF and I was sad to have to return her to Lauren. I will have one soon though, I promise myself.

Here is my piece of advice. And if you never listen or remember anything else I say, remember this: If you ever plan a trip to Chicago, don't attempt it without the assistance of a good friend, GPS (you can personally name her later.)

I believe in change. Do you?

I'm finding there's some problems with the way our political voting system works. Okay, finding is a huge understatement. Better said, I'm becoming increasingly concerned. Here a few of my major concerns:

1. Americans don't feel like they are true participants in the voting process
a. They don't feel like their vote matters
b. They don't like any of the candidates

2. Americans don't vote
a. American Idol has more voters then the presidential elections (never mind that the voters are 13-year old girls with nothing better to do then swoon over one of the Davids.)

3. The typical American is not aware of the issues, problems and concerns that threaten the nation. Thus they don't know how or why to vote for a particular political candidate.

The other day I had an epiphany. What if the voting process became a cross between American Idol and The Apprentice? I believe the above issues and then some would be avoided and even nullified.

Now, I'm not sure on the specifics, but it could be something like you start with a large poll of contestants. Anyone who wanted to run could. Somehow they get narrowed down to a Top 50. And this is where Americans can begin tuning in on ABC or NBC or whatever network. Every week it gets narrowed down even more, as the presidential candidates are given tasks, present speeches and debate. Bloopers will be included. Americans can voice concerns, comments and questions on some kind of Web site. The involvement process begins here. Then finally there will be a Top 12 and this is when American citizens can begin the voting process. Every week they can vote for their favorite candidates using their Social Security number and password. And then eventually it will be narrowed down the Final 2. Think of it, if American Idol could turn singing into a boxing match, think how creative the Final Round of this kind of election would be?

I believe if the presidential elections were structured more in this fashion, Americans would be more involved. Because they would a) be entertained b) be participants and c) be immersed in the voting process. The President of the United States of America really would be elected by the people and for the people.

Sure there are a lot of details to iron out. This is just a rough draft a thought. But, I believe it's time for a change and what better way to begin change then facilitate a process that is working best now in society. Even if it is piggybacking of a current entertainment TV shows.

yep. i'm unofficially a hippie

today i made an official decision. i am going to unofficially be a hippie. i'll still shower. promise. and no drugs. double promise. but, i have this new desire for my life...chill. peace. love. happiness. that's what it's all about. i decided for my theme i would take something kenny chesney said, 'cept i'm going to alter it a bit. a shirt? no shoes? no problems. chill out. do your best. love all. let life happen.

a few months ago i began pondering about how the happiest times of my life were those when i was most carefree. when i didn't worry. when i had a list of goals, worked hard, but just didn't stress about what went wrong or right or up or down, just loved everyone and everything.

the most important thing we can learn in this life is to love. love everyone, love all, even yourself. Christ demonstrated this example over and over again. He was repeatedly telling His disciples, "Love thy neighbor as thyself." He healed the sick, both mentally and physically, raised the dead. He also raised the the living from their sad and lonely states of life and frames of mind. Everywhere He went He just showed and showered love. He helped all men to look towards the future of bigger and better things that were to come. and most importantly, He just chilled out. He told all men to chill out. one of my favorite things He ever said was, "why take ye thought for rainment? consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.....wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you." (Matt. 6: 28, 29)

it really is the ultimate way to live. we will always have stress and worries, but the most important thing to do is love and do your best. that's it.

and now to put hippie life into practice.....

One false prophet down

This is post is slightly timely. It's in regards to Barrack Obama winning the Democratic nomination. Last night, I was taken back to a memory as I was talking with my good friend Katie Packer. It was a political/religious conversation that took place in June 2007. I was walking down a street of Humble, Texas. It was in the middle of a neighborhood called the Colony aka the Ghetto. Possibly one of the most dangerous areas of Humble. Police were often there. Shootings were plentiful. It was an excellent place to preach the gospel. Everyone was interested in free copies of the Book of Mormon and Together Forever videos. My companion, Sister Packer and I were still within the first year of our mission, and had very high hopes for this area. This particular day, was a great Texas day. Warm and humid. Everyone was out and we were able to talk to lot's of people. I will never forget one particular man we were able to converse with. He was walking rapidly down the sidewalk. As a rapidly as a 6'4," 250 pound man in his 50s can. Sweating profusely, in a white-yellowish wife beater and short red shorts, we told him we had a message to share with him. That there was a prophet of God on the earth and that the truth and knowledge necessary to obtain ultimate happiness in this life and the next had been restored in its fullness. He looked at us and then sheepishly looked down at the ground. He got really quiet and said, "I want to tell you something." I perked up my ears and looked at him intently. "Um...I am a prophet. I saw God in a dream and he prophecied to me that Hillary Clinton would be the next president and that she was the anti-Christ."

I've often thought about this man. I wanted to take him completely seriously, because I think all people, even crazy people deserve a chance to once in a while to have high ideals and dreams. But, in case anyone is slightly confused, this man is not a prophet. Tuesday proved his prophesy wrong. And as of Tuesday, there should be no more confusion at the Colony in Humble, Texas.