Election '08

So, election time is here, and I am eager for it to end. Not because of all the media, or that I'm sick of hearing the candidates talk, or that I'm tired of negative add campaigns. The reason that I can't wait for this election to end is because my co-workers are making this time very difficult. Now, to preface this whole blog post. . .I am not a liberal. In fact I think that it is dangerous for the government to control a lot of things. My personal beliefs on many moral issues "line up" with the Republican platform. However, I do believe in changes from the current presidency such as more government assistance for education and more emphasis on diplomacy with issues of foreign policy. After weighing out the pros and cons of both candidates and attempting to disregard accusations that are mean-spirited and untrue, I will for the first time be voting for the democratic candidate for president. As an American citizen (and a tax-paying one at that) I have the right to my own opinions and beliefs and can choose to vote as I wish. Because I am thankful for that right, I try to respect the rights of others to disagree with me.

The last week, the exact opposite has been happening at my workplace. I work with 6 other male physical therapists. All of them are very right-wing in their political views and have been very vocal in that respect. This has played out in the following ways. First, one co-worker has proceeded to vocally attack another of my co-workers for holding a different political view, using such examples as Obama is like Hitler. Then, today, knowing my opinions, two of them proceeded to talk around me (not directly addressing me) saying that anyone who votes for Obama must be insane, brainwashed or stupid. Not exactly flattering comments to be making around someone who works her ass off for their company, sacrificing a lot to pad their retirement accounts. They used such arguments as Obama is more Muslim than he is black. These guys also love to bring out "evidence" such as e-mails sent from friends or reports taken from biased sources to show how right they are. I disagree with their opinions and their choice of sources, but because I believe they have a right to that opinion so I have not tried to convince them otherwise. They have not extended the same courtesy to me, stating things like: How can you as a Christian vote for someone who is pro-abortion? Again, I know it's not worth arguing with them, and I don't even want to get into a discussion about how they have no right to judge my level of faith. It is sad to me, not that they are McCain supporters, but that they stoop to such untrue and unintelligent ways to promote their view.

So, that leaves me, a little Independent voter who happens to have made her choice. I do not ask that everyone agree with me, only that they respect me as a person and my right to my own thoughts and convictions. I encourage everyone to exercise their right as a U.S. citizen on Nov. 4, and please, respect all others as they exercise their right to do so as well.

I Love the Fall!

OK, so once again I'm attempting to resurrect my blog. So much has happened over the summer, so I'm glad to finally be settling into normal life again with a regular schedule. After pretty much hating the way my job was going, I got the chance to talk about things with my bosses at my yearly evaluation in July. I tried to explain to them how being in charge of all of the hospital and home health scheduling/contacts and trying to keep a normal clinic schedule was too much for one person to handle. After much discussion, they decided to switch things up a bit. Now I spend my mornings in the outpatient clinic seeing patients. Then, in the afternoon, I go out to people's homes to see them for therapy. I am now only in charge of the home health aspect of our clinic, so my overall stress level is much more managable. The catch is that every six months there will be a switch among the therapists that I have deemed to "sit at the little kid's table" if you know what I mean :) So, in six months I will either switch back to the schedule I had before, or I will spend half day in one outpatient clinic and another half day in our other outpatient clinic. Still not exactly what I had in mind for my dream job, but at least I don't feel so stressed out and run down.

The summer was full of trips and visitors. In June Raoul and I went to San Diego for a 5 day vacation. We got to catch up with Erika and Matt and enjoy the sites. It was great to catch up with friends. . .and it left Erika and I wondering how Matt and Raoul were never really friends in college because they have an astonishing number of similar interests :) Over the 4th of July weekend we flew to KC to see family and friends. Raoul and I also drove out to Hays to visit my Grandma in her new home and shot off fireworks with my little cousins. It was a trip that was way to short, but fun nonetheless. At the end of July my parents came out for a visit and we finally got to take advantage of the amazing rivers in the area. We went whitewater rafting in Riggins, ID for a day and drove up to show them the Seven Devils Mountains lookout. They also got to meet Nelson--they've met all three of their granddogs now :) In August and September I worked several weekends and Raoul was busy preparing for his preliminary exams. We did take a weekend to see our friends Chet and Adrienne get married up north of Spokane and have a date night in the "big city".

Raoul studied very hard for his exams, and after a very stressful summer came out in one piece having passed all four exams. I am extremely proud of him and all of his hard work! Now he gets to experience a "normal" semester without crazy cramming, but he's trying to work things through to be able to propose his dissertation topic early next semester. A couple of weeks ago we went to Seattle to celebrate Raoul's success, Matt's birthday, and Doug and Dave coming into town. It was fun to catch up with people we hadn't seen in awhile, and good to get away for a couple of days.

This month is Physical Therapy month, so Nelson and I get to participate in a walk on Saturday to raise money for a free clinic in the area. Raoul and I will also be working with our church's mission team to build a wheelchair ramp Saturday too. . .can't you just see me with a power drill? :) Plus Sunday is Raoul's 29th birthday--don't forget to wish him a happy birthday!!!!