Integrity

Who can say that they are person of integrity?

It turns out that not everyone has the same idea of what integrity is, so I would like to share my views of this, if I may...

in·teg·ri·ty

   /ɪnˈtɛgrɪti/ Show Spelled[in-teg-ri-tee]

noun

1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.

 

2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.

 

3. a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship's hull.

Integrity simply means that you hold yourself to a moral standard.  ADHERENCE to it.  Lets check to see what that means, shall we?

ad·her·ence

   /ædˈhɪərəns, -ˈhɛr-/  Show Spelled[ad-heer-uhns, -her-] 

noun

1. the quality of adhering; steady devotion, support, allegiance, or attachment: adherence to a party; rigid adherence to rules.

If you're devoted to something, that means that no one is forcing you to do it.  Devotion is an act of selflessness, you can be devoted to your husband or wife, your kids, your job, your God, your boyfriend or girlfriend.  You could be devoted to your love of cooking!  All this means is that if you are devoted to something, you would put that thing first.  In this case, if adhering to something is a matter or devotion or selfless giving, and integrity is an adherence to a moral code and honesty, that means that if you were to be a person of integrity, that you would willingly devote yourself to a moral code and stick with it (that's why it's called ADHE-sive - it sticks ;)  (OH how I love languages....sometimes).

Integrity, it seems, is then an act of self.  Integrity is keeping yourself in check.  Integrity is knowing the wrong thing, and not doing it - or even REALIZING that you're doing the wrong thing, and ending your actions of it.  Integrity is - lets say - not underage drinking because you know it's wrong.  It doesn't matter if you get caught or not - because Integrity is KNOWING the wrong thing - and not doing it, regardless of if you are going to be rewarded or not.

I'm not saying that I am a virtuous, pious, or perfect human being that is worth of worship and praise.  I am, however, saying that I try as often as I can, to have Integrity, ESPECIALLY where it counts.  If it is LITERALLY against the law, do not expect to find me doing it.  If it means that someone is going to get hurt, emotionally or physically, because of actions that I do or don't take, I will try my damnedest to keep someone from suffering.  I've come to a better realization of what this means since I've joined the Air Force, and the longer I stay at DLI, the more I come to appreciate what Integrity is, and how I now portray that image.  I don't drink and drive, I don't do drugs, I don't buy for people underage, because doing one, or all, of those things will end up hurting someone, if not me, then my family, or my friends.

That's what Integrity means to me.  I hold MYSELF to a standard.  My Integrity is not dependent on others, what others do or how much better I am than them.  There have been times in my life when I have been without Integrity, and I'm sure in the future there will be times when it slips.  But in the end....

It takes 20 years to build a reputation, and 5 minutes to tear it to pieces.

Chew on that thought for a bit....

 

 

Cute Couples Make Me Sick

OK, I myself am guilty of being a "cute couple".  When my boyfriend and I are together, we are adorable enough to make people want to puke.  We talk in Dinosaur to eachother, we cuddle and kiss, we have pet names, we say "I Love You" all the time - we're nearly as perfect as a couple can be.  We next to never fight, and if we argue then it lasts about 20 min before we come apologizing to eachother.  We are the epitome of "cute".

Well, being in the military is a bitch, and my boyfriend isn't here anymore.

This presents a problem.  Although I will see him sometime within the next 6 months...I will not see him whenever the hell I want.  I wont get to text him when I want or go out to dinner when I want, or blah blah blah.  On top of that, I QUIT SMOKING - which is making me pissy sometimes!!!  I haven't told my parents yet b/c every day sucks when I'm bored and have nothing to do and just wanna go out and have one - and I can't tell them and end up failing at it.  Boyfriend and I quit together tho - which means by going back on my word, i'm not only disappointing myself, but also him - which is also making me more accountable to NOT doing it.  I know the guilt that I would have for even smoking one and either...

[[a) having to lie about it so he doesn't give up
or
b) having to tell him b/c I sucked at life and couldn't say no to tobacco]]

...would consume me - so therefore, knowing how bad the guild would be - even if I wanted one so bad I could club baby seals - I just can't start smoking again.  Today is Day 5.  *sigh*

It's also Day 5 w/o my boyfriend.  Altho, I was plesantly surprised when he called me this morning and woke me up to talk to me while he was driving - it made me super happy b/c I was kinda feeling like I was the only one that wanted to call him and talk to eachother. (Having had issues with long distance relationships in the past - through no fault of my own - you could understand why I would be worried if my "other 1/2" seems to be faultering on the "lines of communication")  But he has surprised me several times in the last few days - reminding me that even tho he's far away, he still cares A LOT about me and loves me just as much :)

So to all the cute couples out there - who I am jealous of b/c you are so cute and my boyfriend and I aren't together right now to ONE UP YOUR ASSES!!! - please be mindful that I miss "boyfriend" like crazy and can't wait to see him again.  RAWR ON YOU ALL!!!!

A Woman for President?...

As of recent times, in the last 10 years, we have seen a change in our society.  Women's roles in positions that require strong leadership qualities have increased more and more, not only in business, but also in national and international politics.  Strong women have shown the world what we as females can be, what we can do, and how our input into society can strengthen us as a whole.

Condolezza Rice, Hillary Clinton, Angelina Jolie, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Nancy Reagan - all strong women that represent a variety of difficult positions that women have filled - UN Ambassadors, First Lady, Secretary of State.  These are women that not only hold their homes together, take care of children AND handle major roles that not only aid in the welfare of our country (or even the world), but also push the glass ceiling a little higher.  There's that LAST frontier for American women tho - the Vice/Presidency.

Several women have attempted and dropped out early on, but the question remains, when will a woman occupy one of the top 2 positions in the country?  My answer - when a deserving candidate can stand up and earn the spot.

I felt that in the last election the only reason that Sarah Palin was chosen for the Vice President candidacy was that the Republican party was trying to pick up the "Women's Vote" - ie. - the people that were only going to be voting for Hillary because she was a woman.  Since Hillary was knocked out of the race by Obama, the then most deserving, endearing woman that they could find was Mrs. Palin - the mother of a handicapped son, pregnant daughter and who ran the state of Alaska.  (This is in NO WAY slamming on her family, but the facts are the facts)  Not only is she endearing - being a mother, wife and strong female figure in government, but she does it with flare and a style all her own.  It was obvious that she would be a front lines activist for the rights of handicapped people, against abortion, pro-sex education, and support strong family values, as well as gun rights because these are all things that have made a personal impact in her life.



However, I would like to make the point that

"Law is reason free from passion" - Aristotle

That does not mean that you can should not have a passion for law, that it should be only the boring and mundane people of the world that practice law.  You should have a passion for the work that you do, the people that you work for, the lives that you change.  However, your passion should not have an effect on the outcome of the legal process.  If it is written in stone, it is written in stone.  No amount of tantrum throwing should change the outcome.

At times, I feel like that is what Sarah Palin is doing.  Personally, I would call her "Tea Party" nothing more than a radical form of Republican. Whereas a traditional Republican represents conservative values - a "Tea Party Activist" displays Republican values in a radical way.  We're not talking book burnings or violent rallies, but a theoretical "table flipping" - making a scene with words instead of actions - pointing out flaws in a manner that attempts to correct an individual publicly, at times using degrading words in an unprofessional quality. 

I personally wouldn't vote for Sarah Palin because I'm not interested in "getting a woman to the White House."  I want a competent individual with a strong AND sensible head on their shoulders, but not a person that appears to just want to walk in and turn the government upside-down.  I want a person in office that is willing to work across party lines in order to accomplish the goals of everyone, not just the ruling party.  I want flexibility in people stances, and the realization that an individuals emotional preferences should not be held as the main influencing factor to development of policy.  People who want to outlaw abortion because it's against their religious values, or people that want to outlaw gay marriage because they aren't comfortable with it - need to stand on the other side of the fence and consider what that means for the people who's lives they are affecting.  This is the type of passion that should NOT influence the law.  Women more than men have an issue with this concept.

Until I see a woman run for office that is obviously able to put aside emotions and focus on the law and how it affects Americans as a whole, not just a group of them, I will vote for a man every time.  I do not vote along party lines and I don't vote for people based on sex, religion, race, etc.  I vote for someone because I see them as a representative of American values as a whole and an open minded person.  When I see a woman that can be open minded, seperate emotions from politics, and not mudsling their way to the top - I'll vote for them.

2 years & counting...

As of yesterday, I have been at my job for 2 years.  Time flies by but I still can't seem to get anywhere.  Not that this is a dead end job, just feels like I'm getting nowhere quick.

And on a similar note - has anyone ever had one of those "shut up and let me get on with my day" type of moments in your meetings at work?  It seems that during meetings with my colleages, one of my bosses will get off on a tangent at the end of the meeting for about 10 min about NOTHING pertaining to my job.  If I didn't have things to do, then I would be OK with that, but seriously.  I don't care about how your favorite hockey team did.  Not in the slightest bit.  If you're done with everything that you have to say, please, lets just end the meeting and let me get on with my work.  I have deadlines.  I have things to do unlike you apparently...and you wonder why "morale" is low...?  WASTED TIME and pointless meetings.  *sigh*.  I love my job, but SERIOUSLY.  Time well wasted.

Well, I thought that my boyfriend and I were going to go out and celebrate my 2 year Anniversary at my job... but he suggested drinking with friends.  EH.  I'll go.  He said we'll see a movie tonight too - I assume that will probably depend on how drunk he is tho.  I'm not going to drink, just don't feel like it - and where we're going isn't really the atmosphere that I like to drink in.  I like the "lets kick back and have a few beers" environment.  Usually - the place that we're going has the "LETS GET WASTED!!" environment.  I'll pass on the beer, thanx.

Other than that - I have an event that I'm going to on Saturday, and then Sunday is free.  Wonder what I'm gonna get into this weekend...?

What's In a Name?

Lemme just say that I love my parents.

I decided recently that I want my old name back.  I feel like it's really my final step away from the terrible memories that belong to my past, my hellacious marriage, loss of friends, and the whole reason I'm here today.  I want to start living for me again, me and my family - and I don't want to hear his name ever again.

That being said.... I'm going to have to cough up $395....
WTF.

Turns out a name change isn't as cheap as I thought...
Although I'm filing for a waiver from the fees, it's not "for sure" getting approved.

So as I was filling out my paperwork, I was forced to have to call my mother (who holds a bank account for me) to find out the amount in that account - to which I was greeted with questions about my court papers [mom is naturally curious].  I told her that I had wanted to surprise them, but I was filing for my name change and was trying to get the $400 fee waived.  Long story short, she talked to my dad [tho I DID NOT CALL to ask for their help, or their money - and I made this very clear] and Dad offered to buy my car from me for $500 - giving me a little money left over to pay some bills :)

I had to tell my boyfriend - I was so happy I decided that I needed to tell him in person so I could hug him when I told him :)  Divorced for a year - and I'm FINALLY getting my name back :)

Congrats Mavericks!!! ---- Lebron "King" James- Try again!

I need to say this. Quit talking smack about how Lebron James is the new Michael Jordon. Until Lebron can win 7 championships & still keep his head on straight and not act a fool - then I'll say he's the best. Until he can beat out the #2 Athlete of the 20th century, (#1 being Babe Ruth, #2 being of course, MJ).... lets just not make Lebrons head bigger.  

Aside from numberous steal & scoring titles - MJ played on 2 Olympic Basketball teams that won Gold Medals and was awarded more MVP's than I can count on 2 hands - AND never forsoke the team that gave him his chance at the pros - leaving th...em only after his SECOND retirement. In my book - Lebron may be a pretty good basketball player - but he's a lousy person. He has great abilities, but no tact on the court. Although I applaud him for making a "business decision" - when you're making multi-million dollars - why not BUILD the team that gave you the chance, rather than leaving them for a might-as-well-be AllStar team thinking you're going to win a championship. Poor taste if you ask me.

Personally, I think that anyone that nicknames themselves after a version of the Bible is a little more than arrogant.

So in conclusion, congratulation to the Dallas Mavericks for a truly outstanding season.  You deserve the title, you fought hard - through injuries, illness and personal trials, and you proved that you have what it takes.  You didn't expect a hand out, but you wanted it, not just as a showcase of a one particular persons talents, but as a whole team.  I will admit that, being a Cavs fan, I was originally just rooting for the Mavs in hopes that "King James" would go down in smoke.  But watching you play, with the heart that I've always admired in professional sports, I can now say that I am a Mavs fan too :)  So congrats again - you fought hard, and you won!

Birthday Surprises?!?

I think I might have a birthday surprise coming up from my boyfriend! - maybe....

I don't want to get my hopes up too high tho, even tho I know that he would do everything in his power to make this one of the most memorable birthdays I have ever had.  I can think of a million things that he would consider doing.... but!  I will say that I kinda hope we do another weekend away, maybe in San Fran?!?!  I haven't gotten to "tour" SF, just the "touristy" things - like Pier 39 and the Golden Gate Bridge.  But!  I will say that it doesn't matter what we do, as long as I"m with him, then I'll be happy :)

I'll keep updates on whether I get updates or not :)


Update: Boyfriend and I ate lunch together - and I was trying to pry about what he may do for my birthday....with no results.  He apparently has several ideas and is planning almost the entire July 4th weekend... I just wont get my hopes up tho, b/c IDK if he'll still be in the area by then... gotta go where the job tells you to go I guess...  ANYWAY!  Hoping everything goes according to his plans!