Jogging

I don't like to run, or so I thought until last spring. Right around a year ago I started going to Lake Patsy. The nice thing about going there is that the path is marked off in quarter mile increments so I could figure out distances. I started by walking a quarter mile and jogging a quarter mile, and when I say jog I mean pick up my feet differently than when I walk, not faster than when I walk. There were definitely people who could walk faster than I could jog, but I was out there huffing and puffing. It is really is harder to jog than it is to walk even if you go the same speed. I'm not entirely sure why. Anyways, I worked my way up to jogging a mile and then two miles. Let me tell you, for someone who never ran except when chased before, jogging a mile was a milestone (yeah, I just said that). Jogging two miles was even more amazing. Soon, I started to miss the days when I didn't jog. Summer came and I moved to New Orleans for a couple of months. I still worked out and did cardio, but I didn't do much jogging. I went on the treadmill every once in a while, but I kind of fell out of the habit. When I got back to Oxford I virtually stopped. I claimed I could run a mile, but I don't know if I actually could.

Flash forward to March 2008, I rediscovered running. Jogging, whatever. It's something I really enjoy. My biggest mistake comes when I start my jog too quickly. I get tired and want to stop almost immediately. I then remember to slow down and move into my stride. Jogging I've discovered is a competition with myself. I'm sure runners know this, but I never said I was runner. Anyways, I see how far I can push myself. Jog to that next stop sign. Until the end of this song. After I reach my goal, I walk for a song or so and start again to see how far I can go. It really is therapeutic.

A Slip and a Fall

It iced in Oxford Friday night. When I was at work, a bunch of firemen came in around six to get some food and told us all the bridges iced over already. I told everyone I saw to be careful. After work I drove apprehensively to Nelson's, over a bridge, for his birthday cake and ice cream festivities. I never had any problems driving. (I did leave after only a short time before the temperature dropped even more in case there was more ice on the bridge.) I made it out to meet McCann even though I was tired from work and it was already late when I left Nelson's. Everything was fine until I walked outside of McCann's house. Splat! I fell forward on her concrete steps and caught myself not on my hands mind you, but on my shins. It hurt. It still hurts. My big toe is swollen because somehow I jammed it, and I have huge bruises on both shins and one of my knees.

I talked to (Dr.) Kate last night and she said icing my shins would help, but wrapping an ace bandage around ice packs on my legs would be even better.

I don't have an ice maker. So, as I write this, I have a bag of frozen edamame wrapped around each leg. I am so cool.

Have You Been There?

"Who are you," I ask him. He gives me a puzzled look.

"I'm Lee," he replies, telling me his name again.

"Yeah, thanks. I got that part, but that doesn't tell me anything."

"Well," he starts, "I'm a huge Democrat."

"That's not a bad thing," I interrupt.

"And I'm finishing my last year in law school after spending the last two years in Iraq with the Army."

There are thousands of young men and women fighting a war in Iraq right now. It's rare, at least for me, to put a face with the label "soldier." Looking at Lee I never would have guessed that he spent 18 months in Iraq. Later in the night he asks, "Have you ever seen Batman or James Bond? That's what I did." I'm not entirely sure if he was serious or not, but I did hear about some of his experiences. As the result of close exposure to a few bombs, Lee suffers from migraines. He's also scared to shower with the shower curtain closed all the way because he was trained to always be on alert even though living in the middle of nowhere Mississippi doesn't exactly scream crime and terror. (At least not this year in this town in the middle of nowhere.)

Lee does not think that Americans should be fighting in Iraq. I agree with him, but his reasoning resonates more. "I hate all the conservatives who say we should be over there," he says. "My response to them is 'Have you been there? No, then shut up.'"

In Other News

In Other News . . .

I deactivated my facebook account because I realized I care too much about the lives of people I don't care about and do it all via facebook. No one tells you this, but when you deactivate your account they ask you why you're deactivating. After picking a reason out of a list, facebook suggests alternatives to deactivating the account such as limiting your "friends" or unsubscribing from e-mails. You even have to opt out of receiving e-mails about events people may still invite you to or photos they tag of you. It's a vicious ploy to keep you, but I persevered.

Let's see other news of the day, hmm. Powerpoint crashed every time I tried to look up some clip art. Grrrr.

What else, what else. I hate that I make time for people who don't make time for me. It drives me up the wall.

I'm supposed to read 100 pages in Playing the Race Card, but that's gonna have to happen tomorrow.

I found a new blog that I find entertaining. It's one guys adventures, or lack thereof, waiting tables in Manhattan. You should check it out, especially if you 're in the hospitality industry. (Waiter Rant)

The Plan Ends Here

During the last week, I started to worry. Worry about school (only a little). Worry about jobs (more so than school). Worry about where I will be in six months (a lot). In case you don't know already, I worry about the future, the unknown. Next week starts my last semester of school. At this point in my life, it's the last, last semester that I planned. As of right now, there's now PhD in my future. I'm not ruling it out, but it's not part of my plan at the moment. In fact, my plan since high school effectively ends in May of this year.

Graduate High School - Check
Graduate College - Check
Go to Grad School within two years of graduating college - Check
Graduate from Grad School - Check

There's never been a plan for after grad school. Sure part of it is get a job. Duh. But where will I go, what will I do? Ok, so part of this is somewhat thought out. I want to be a Museum Educator and work in a U.S. history museum, preferably one with an emphasis on the South. Does that exist, you ask. Good question. The only place I know of is the New South Museum in Charlotte. I could move to Charlotte, but I'm not really sure I want to. In fact, I'm not sure where I want to go. A wise man once told me that you can either pick the place you want to live or you can pick your job, but you can't usually pick both. (Ok, that wise man is my dad, but he's still wise and it's still good advice.) I used to think Charleston was the place for me. It's old and historic, southern, on the water, beautiful, etc. However, after talking to an old friend over Christmas, he pointed out that I've lived in South Carolina. Maybe I should try something else. Now, I'm thinking I just might want to try someplace else.

But where, what? Older people keep telling me this should be the most exciting time of my life, and you know what, I can see that. I understand that outlook. But at the same time, it's terrifying. Starting new in a brand new place is scary. I definitely need a brand new place too. Living in Oxford is an experience, but I'm glad it's almost over. The pros just don't outweigh the cons. They might for some people but not for me. (I swear I don't hate Oxford. I just don't like it very much.)

The next 5 months will be treacherous, full of stomach turning stress, but I will make it out the other side. I always do. Maybe not without restless nights and frantic phone calls to friends and family, but I'll make it.

So anyone that wants to give me a job, feel free to contact me. If it's in a fun city, even better. I have no shame in asking. You'll never know if you don't ask.

How to be a Good Syrian Daughter (Part 1)

Roll Grape Leaves

Step 1 - Mix ground lamb (raw) with rice (uncooked) and spices.
Step 2 - Rinse and gently unpack grape leaves.
Step 3 - Lay out a single leaf on kitchen table.
Step 4 - Take a small amount of lamb and rice mixture-about 1/2 tsp-and push it out to a long thin piece (think playdough snake).


Step 5 - Place lamb and rice at base of leaf.
Step 6 - Roll leaf once from bottom.
Step 7 - Fold in sides of leaves.
Step 8 - Continue rolling leaf tightly. (End product should be the size of a woman's pinky or ring finger.)
Step 9 - Repeat steps 3-8 until all leaves are rolled. Pack rolled grape leaves in a pressure cooker.
Step 10 - Cook for approximately 7 minutes with water and lemon juice.
Step 11 - Eat most wonderful food on earth.

Christmas Traditions

Can I just say . . .

Brunswick Stew on Christmas Eve - mmmmmmmm.
Ham and pecan pie on Christmas - mmmmmmm.
Pork tenderloin on Boxing Day - mmmmmmm. (Ok, Boxing Day is really tomorrow, but I'm anticipating the goodness.)

I'm glad there are twelve days of Christmas, because we get to keep on celebrating.

I didn't get a partridge in a pear tree today, but maybe tomorrow I'll get two turtledoves.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Done for the Semester!

Done for the semester - woohoo!

Headed home on December 20. Christmas in Columbia. I fear no Boxing Day for the second year in a row. Jacksonville post-Christmas, pre-New Years for Situ's 80th birthday/family portrait extravaganza where we will all look fat in khakis and white shirts. New Years in ???? Hopefully hanging out with friends somewhere on January 5.

Those are the plans. I'll keep you updated.

It's Christmas time in Oxford

It's Christmas time in Oxford. Actually, it's been Christmas time for some time now. The city decorated the main street in town (Lamar) before Thanksgiving and a full week before Thanksgiving at that.

It's Christmas time in Oxford, not any other holiday. No Hannukah (there's not even a synagogue in town). No Kwanzaa, season's greetings, or happy holidays. It's Christmas. After working for Tulane where there were little to no decorations during the holiday season, it's weird to be in a place Christmas celebrations are so obvious and blatant. Don't get me wrong, I like Christmas decorations. They're pretty and they make me think it's more wintery than the 70 degree weather suggests. I just wonder what the Christmas decorations do to the people who don't celebrate the holiday. What do the people in Oxford who aren't Christian (what there are people who aren't Christians in Oxford? amazing, I know) or (gasp) are atheist think of the Christmas tree found on every other corner?

What does the prevalence of Christianity in the South mean to a town like Oxford? It means that come hell or high water there will be Christmas decorations on the square and the University of Mississippi will unapologetically decorate for the holiday without a second thought. Really, I'm not against the decorations. I just wish that a place so concerned with its image of exclusion might want to rethink its practice of blatantly doing so.

Dixie Continued

Wasn't I surprised when I got a copy of the Daily Mississippian and found an article about my blog. Well maybe, it's more about Dixie but whatever.

Dixie

Can I tell you how nice it is to go to a college football game where there a) is a mascot and b) its allowed on the field? I don't care what school it is, if there's a mascot, it's great.

On Saturday, I went to the Carolina-Clemson Game in Columbia with my mom. We had a mini picnic at Kate's apartment which is about as far away from the stadium as the width of the stadium.

Let me stop right here and discuss something: Williams-Brice Stadium is a little odd in comparison to other SEC stadiums. I don't mean the shape or capacity or anything like that. I mean its location. As far as I know, all other SEC football stadiums are on campus. Williams-Brice is not, which leads to unique tailgating. Every school brags about its tailgating and traditions; I am not doing that here. The placement of Williams-Brice caused numerous open areas to transform into massive parking lots, and not just any parking lots, but premiere parking lots. A sign across the street proclaims "Condos available. Gameday parking beginning at $20,000." $20,000 for a parking space!!! That a concrete rectangle is for sale for a minimum of $20,000 baffles me, and those aren't even the most expensive ones. There are fenced in parking lots with a pavilion or stage where bands play before the game. The crazy thing is (besides the fact that people pay 7 figures for a parking spot) that the owner also has to pay a property tax on the concrete rectangle. I do understand that at other SEC schools people pay high sums to park on campus next to the stadium as well, but here is the difference: on a college campus there is only so much space designated to parking and only so much space a school is willing to give up for parking. Because the stadium isn't on USC's campus, there's no limit to how many parking lots and game condos can be built. They just keep moving further and further out. Anways, I just needed to declare my bafflement with the idea. (I must admit that the Cockabooses are pretty awesome though.)

Ok, now that I got that out of my head . . . As my mom and I left Kate's apartment, we noticed a plane with banner flying around the stadium. It took me about a minute to figure out what was on the banner: a Confederate flag and the words "LET THE BAND PLAY DIXIE." My mom and I stopped in our tracks. Let me get one thing clear--I go to a school where the band plays Dixie in the stadium (technically is From Dixie with Love which combines Dixie with the Battle Hymn of the Republic). I understand the importance of tradition, which is why I tolerate it when I go to games at Ole Miss; I know the University of Georgia plays it, and I'm sure other schools as well. However, I don't think that a school that has no tradition of playing the song really ought to play it especially in connection with the Confederate flag as the person who sponsored the banner thought it should be. Let's face it, Dixie (the song) and the Confederate flag brig up connotations of the Civil War. And what does the Civil War bring up? That's right, slavery. You can argue all you want about states rights and what have you, but it boils down to slaves as property and southern whites wanting to take their "property" wherever they wanted. Anyways, in my humble and unasked opinion it is in poor taste for the University of South Carolina band to play Dixie in the stadium. There's no precedent - why start now and tarnish the school's image?

Two things, completely unrelated, just real quick.

1) I've realized over the last few years that I hate large crowds of people. Inside, outside, wherever: I am not a fan. I've been on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras twice in my life. The second time, I cried. Standing on a balcony yelling at the people below was fine, but when I actually had to go down to the street it wasn't nearly as exciting. Not that I thought it would be. Pushing my way through screaming fans to be at the front row of a concert is not my idea of fun, and there is no way in hell you will find me at Times Square on New Year's Eve ever. EVER. I don't have social anxiety. In fact, I love going out. I just despise being crammed with belligerent people somewhere. Ok, enough on that subject.

2) I am a proponent of talking things out with someone no matter what the circumstances. Things might not go according to your plan, or the outcome might not be what you expect, but it's always the best course of action. It's also the adult thing to do. Uncomfortable situations do not just become comfortable without discussion. Granted, I do not always follow my own advice, but I try. I also suggest it to others - the sooner the better. Is there ever a good time to tell a loved something that will hurt? Of course not, but the sooner he or she knows the sooner he or she can make steps to move forward. Then again, maybe it's something good. Do you really want to wait until it's too late to tell someone you love them? Doubtful. Does it hurt when the reaction you receive isn't what you wanted? Sure, but you'll get over it sooner or later and at least you'll know. Whatever it is. You'll know.

Geaux Gamecocks?

So blah, blah, blah lots has happened since I left New Orleans at the end of the summer, but this is not a recap. Wedding (not mine), move (mine), new job, classes - yada, yada, yada - if you want to know more call me, now onto the topic at hand.

The 2007 football season began last weekend for college and Thursday night for NFL. Be forewarned, I am not a football fanatic. I do not know NFL or college trivia. I cannot tell you who won the championship game five years ago or even who won all the games in a single week. I do, however, follow two particular teams: the South Carolina Gamecocks and the New Orleans Saints. In the grand scheme of things these two particular teams are awfully difficult to support, but alas, I do.

Growing up in Columbia, I was inundated with everything Carolina - just not by my family mind you. I was in high school when the the gamecocks were 0-11. That's right, zero wins. I really cared little about what went on, but then I moved away. Not only that, but then they actually won a few games. Anyways, I am now a Carolina fan. Don't hate me; it's not like I jumped on the other USC's bandwagon. I still do not know trivia about the team, but I do my best to follow them from week to week. It helps that my sister is a student athletic trainer, diligently working day in and day out with the team. (I get to the hear the random little stories about which player did that and who said what - you know, the funny stuff.) From what I am told, this season looks to be an exciting one for the Gamecocks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We're 2-0 at the moment, and today's win is pretty exciting. I must admit that I was really looking forward to today's game. I worked all day until 5 and so missed any chance of groving (that's Ole Miss speak for tailgating). I wasn't really in the mood for a massive crowd anyway, so I went to a bar to watch the game since I don't have tv (I know it's sad, but that's another story). I searched my phone for people who might be watching the game somewhere, but no such luck. Instead, I watched the game with the bartenders and the five other people that happened to be at City Grocery at the time. Amazingly, I was content at the bar with only myself and football. I'm not sure if today's adventure proves that I'm a Gamecock fan or that I have a drinking problem, but I'm hoping it's the former. Besides, I only had four beers and walked away with a $9 tab so that's not bad. Oh, did I mention I made friends with the newest bartender there? Thanks, Peyton. Back to football. So congratulations Carolina - you boys made me watch through my fingers for the last five minutes of the game, but I'm glad you won. I was hoping this year was the year of the Rooster in the Chinese calendar, but no such luck. Y'all are going to have to pull off a winning season without Chinese astrology. I have faith.

Speaking of faith . . . oh, those New Orleans Saints. They really do drag their fans through the mud. Again, I'm not a lifelong Saints fan. I don't know who played on the 1982 team, but I do know that Drew Brees is hot. Just kidding (sort of). Last season was amazing. Really, it was. This season has started off not so hot. In fact, it was pretty brutal. I suppose losing to the previous season's Superbowl champs is ok, but it could have been at least more of a fight. It was still fun to go and watch it. I watched the Saints game at a bar too, but at least I was with other people for that one. In two weeks I'll be in the Superdome, cheering the Saints on to victory. I'm excited, and I have faith. That'll be fantastic football frenzy weekend - Ole Miss/Florida game here in Oxford then down to New Orleans for the Saints/Titans game. I'm super excited. Good games, good people, good times.

Here's to hoping USC will keep the momentum they have and keep moving in the right direction and the Saints will find their stride again this season. Do I see a Sugar Bowl and Superbowl win for these teams? Eh, let's not get too ahead of ourselves.

A bit of perspective

Riding back from Tennessee in a charter bus, I noticed something outside my window. Help. It was on the roof of an apartment building next to I-10 in New Orleans East. Help. Tears fell.

Some of you already know this, but sometimes I fear that I talk about Katrina too much. For a while I was afraid I would end up like a war veteran who does nothing but talk about his experience while everyone else calmly placates him. Maybe I still will some day, but for now I'm ok with it, because I figured out why. Everyone in New Orleans has a storm story. Everyone still deals with it daily. "We just got our Road Home money," a friend excitedly told me the other day at work. In New Orleans, it is impossible not to talk about Katrina daily. We even have different names for it - Hurricane Katrina, the Hurricane, the Storm, Katrina. It's also a reference in time, pre- and post-Katrina. "Dammit, why is Blockbuster closed? It's only 10 o'clock." It's because of the Storm.

There's still a lot of damage in this city that I haven't even seen. The only time I tried to go to the 9th Ward I made Erich go with me. I'm not sure we ever got there, but honestly it's probably better that way. I don't think I could handle it. Adam and Becca wanted to see the 9th Ward a couple of weekends ago, and I wanted to show them, but I couldn't. I still don't want to see. I showed them Lakeview instead. At least there's progress in Lakeview.

I know now that I don't talk about it any more than any other person living in the city. It's just that when I leave go to wherever, no one else talks about it. I am the lone voice. But I hope that my experience helps others understand and gives them a bit of perspective.

You Gotta Have Faith

You Gotta Have Faith" - at least that's what New Orleans Saints fans say. The problem is, I'm not sure I have any, and I'm not talking about faith in the Saints. I would venture to say most people question their faith and belief in God at some point in their lives. Even if it's to ultimately decide that they don't believe in God. And you know what? That's fine. You have to find what works for you. I have a different sort of connundrum.

I am what some call a cradle Episcopalian, baptized at the ripe old age of "not even able to walk yet." Growing up, I went to church every Sunday with my family, attended Sunday school, sang in the choir, acolyted, joined youth group, and even did the Wednesday night church service thing, not to mention went to an Episcopal school with chapel once a week. Looking back, I was very involved with church, however, I never had a strong faith in God. In fact, I'm not sure I even believed the words I learned and said at the services. I simply went through the motions. My guess is that a lot of people go through the motions at church, but here's the difference - My dad's going to be a priest.

During my freshman year of college, my dad told me he was thing about it. I knew he was unhappy at work, but I thought a change in career would be software sales to business consulting or even teaching. Becoming a priest was not in my realm of thought. Before Thanksgiving my senior year in college, my dad left his job where he made more money than I will ever make. (I'm not dissing my abilities, I'm just not going into a money maiking field - I'm southern studies, remember?) When I started working, my dad started school. In May 2007, he graduated with a Master of Divinity from General Theological Seminary in New York. A week later, he was ordained a deacon (think priest intern). After he works at a church for six months to a year, he will be ordained a priest.

That's all fine and dandy for my dad, and I really am happy and excited for him, but it leaves me in a weird spot. All of a sudden, more eyes are on me. During the ordination, my dad was charged with being an "example" and making his family an "example" too. I realize that being an adult changes things for me than if I was younger, but it's still different now. And uh, hate to break to to everyone but I'm not a very good example. I'm not even very sure of the status of my faith and beliefs. I believe there is a GOd, but I'm not sure of much beyond that. I know what I'm supposed to believe but that just makes things harder. Basically, I'm just very confused, and I don't know.

Discombobulated Thoughts

Be forewarned: there's a religion blog coming soon. Don't worry. It's not this one, but it's coming. My thoughts just aren't in order yet.

After flying around for a few weeks, I finally landed in New Orleans where I will be working for the next two months. The internship I wanted for the summer fell through (bleh). I suppose it's not the end of the world, but I'm definitely going with my gut when it comes to ominous feelings at least for the next little bit. I'm three for three in 2007 - maybe even four.

Anyways, I suppose not having an internship works better financially because now I will be working five days a week instead of four. (Yay for money!) I'm back at Reily for the summer (I know, I know - don't say it). Notice I said Reily, not Ripples. Even though I was explicitly told I would only do camp while I am here, and even though my coworkers were told I would only do camp while I am here, I think we all knew that wouldn't be the case. (Like I said, I just need to follow my instincts.) It took 2 1/2 days, which is more than I though it would, before my first Reily, i.e. non-camp, assignment came across my desk. Whatever. I knew it would happen. It only took ten minutes anyway. The assignment itself, however, was the interesting part. Well, insightful part.

So it's hurricane season - duh. My boss wanted me to incorporate part of our departmental Hurricane Plan into the Student Affairs spreadsheet - you don't care about this part, I know. Just bear with me for a second. The departmental plan outlines who is supposed to a) check-in students boarding buses for evacuation, b) prepare Reily for the impending storm - put stuff inside, take down windscreens, etc., and c) return first after the storm passes to get everything back to normal. Most full time staff members are either B or C with some doing A and B. Guess whose name is on the top of the list. Yup, that's right. Mine! What the Hell?! I'm just supposed to do camp this summer. My hurricane plan was to run like the wind, not check in students and prep Reily (yeah, I got A and B). I'm not working full time anymore either. Sure, I'm working a full time work week, but I'm still a part time employee. Bleh.

In other news of Thursday (it was a long day - I was there 12 hours) . . . I saw an old friend that will be working Ripples again this summer. When I say old friend with regard to this person, I mean old as in used to be but no longer my friend. Long story short, we were good friends, very good friends a few years ago. There was a disagreement, and then I was not talked to again. Not even looked at. Completely ignored for 2 1/2 months. Finally we talked, but we never recovered. My senior year in college I asked, "Will you still be my friend when I'm poor and working at Reily?" The original answer of yes eventually defaulted to no. It doesn't hurt anymore, but it did. Now we only talk when we see each other during camp about camp. It's sad. FYI - the easiest way to hurt me is to not talk to me. I don't mean fall out of touch, because that happens. I mean not talk.

Anyways, I'm staying with Ardyn this summer, so that will be fun. A few friends are coming to town later in June - one who used to live here and others who I get to tour around. I'm excited. I'm forming a list of where I should take them. Suggestions are welcome.

Good job if you stuck around to the end. I just need to get some discombobulated thoughts out of my head.

One down, one to go

A little over a week ago I finished my first year of grad school - yay, go me! It's really not all that impressive, but it means I've continued with my life plan. By the way, my life plan ends in May of 2008. I don't mean my life will end in May 2008, just what's planned out thus far. May 2008 will be a smack in the face of reality for the most part. We'll see how that goes. Anyways, back to me (hehehe, it is my blog after all) and my first year of grad school.

Well, I survived living in the middle of nowhere. When I finally got adjusted, it was time to leave again. I'm working in New Orleans for the summer. I've already received tons of flack for going back, so please don't comment on it. Just know it's definitely a good thing. I need to get away for a bit, and for the summer, New Orleans is away. Yeah, I'll be underappreciated and underpaid, but at least I'll be somewhere instead of an hour from somewhere being underappreciated and underpaid. Don't worry, I'll be back in the middle of nowhere soon enough and up to the same antics. I just really need a Target (mall, Whole Foods, etc) within 10 minutes for a couple months. Ooh, and bars that don't close at midnight and gas stations that sell cold beer and liquor. (I promise I'm not an alcoholic.)

Back to grad school again. (I don't have to worry about papers right now, so I'm writing without focus.) I ended the year with a solid 3.5. The first semester was a little rocky after being out of the game for two years. During the second semester, I had the worst professor in my entire academic career. Seriously. I learned a lot. I talked a lot. I listened a lot. I grew a lot. I'd like to say I changed a lot, but I don't think I did. I have become more self-aware though which I think is the beginning of change. I definitely need to change a few things about myself. I'm working on them, but it's not easy and I am not a patient person - Maybe that's something I should work on ;-)

I don't think I've really written anything here today. Whatever. My dad graduated from General Theological Seminary on Wednesday and will be ordained a deacon in Columbia next Saturday. More on that later - there's all kinds of discussions there.

And then . . .

And then to add to the excitement of the week . . .

Storm season began early.

Andrea

Experiences i n the Middle of Nowhere

Over the past several months, I have tried to embrace my surroundings. Sometimes I am not successful and succumb to the boredom of life in a small town. I am still transitioning to life in small town Mississippi but having found a great group of friends has definitely helped. Anyways, back to embracing my surroundings . . .I have been trying to find things in and around the middle of nowhere that I have never had the opportunity to experience. A few months ago I attended the Miss Ole Miss Pageant. (Technically, it's called Miss University, but I like Miss Ole Miss better.) Never having been to a pageant, it was definitely an experience. The place was packed, and Miss Mississippi who had just finished in the top 5 at Miss America was there to help crown Miss Ole Miss. It was definitely an experience I had not had the pleasure of knowing prior to living in the middle of nowhere.This past weekend was another one of those experiences. I traveled with some friends to the Mississippi Delta. For those who don't know much about the Delta, let me give you an idea: flat farmland, extremely rural, generally poor, and historically racially segregated (think Emmet Till for all you who know your civil rights history). Pretty much, when the average person thinks Mississippi, they probably are thinking of the Delta. It is beautiful and sad place all at the same time.

This trip to the Delta did have a specific purpose and destination in mind: Belzoni - the catfish capitol of the world and self proclaimed "Heart of the Delta." You're probably asking yourself why a group of grad students would travel to the Delta, and you'd be partially be right if you guessed it was to see where all the history we'd been reading about actually took place. However, this particular weekend it was also to enjoy the Catfish Festival. It was definitely a good time. We got to eat some catfish, see the crowning of Miss Catfish 2007 (Miss Catfish 2006 was prettier though), and get our picture taken with Captain Catfish. Unlike the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival which is one of my all time favorite festivals, there was not any catfish (or strawberry) beer or jam, but I did get boiled peanuts. Delicious. After we'd gotten our fill of the Catfish Festival, our trek continued on into the Delta.

From Belzoni, Cleveland was the next stop: home to Delta State University and the Fighting Okra. I really wanted a Fighting Okra t-shirt, but alas the bookstore was closed. While I could find an Ole Miss t-shirt at the local sporting good store, I could not find a Fighting Okra shirt there nor at Wal-Mart. Damn.Next stop on the whirlwind tour of the Delta: Clarksdale. Although the Juke Joint Festival was going on, we decided to save that for next year and just get some of President Clinton's favorite tamales. Little known fact - the Delta is known for it's tamales. I know I never knew that before moving to Mississippi. There's even a Tamale Trail. Crazy, I know.

And so ended my Mississippi Delta day, but not the adventures for the weekend. The Student Programming Board sponsored a step contest, wing-eating contest, and a performance by Nappy Roots on Sunday night. Does anyone else see the irony in all that? While I didn't stay for the wing-eating contest or the concert, the stepping was pretty fun to watch. It was probably the whitest step show ever considering it had Ole Miss sororities doing choreographed booty dances, but the fraternities and sororities that actually knew what they were doing were awesome.

And thus ended my weekend. Did I mention it was my birthday? Pretty good birthday weekend, dontcha think? Check out picasa for pictures.