tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22723544293588058412024-03-13T07:47:39.526-07:00HER NAME WAS TRUTHkelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-13508961615586761702011-03-24T11:00:00.000-07:002011-03-28T12:44:09.970-07:00I just can't keep my mouth shut<div align="left">Oh hi there. Remember me? I know it has been awhile (understatement). I think for awhile there my job was pretty intense and didn't always leave a lot of emotional space for me to reflect on all the madness in the world and angst in myself. However, today is your lucky day! I am doing a job that has very little signifigance in the world which has given me PLENTY of time and space to read the news and get angry. <br /><br />I am going to write about something kind of intense here (I know that probably doesn't surprise many of you. . . if there are any of 'you' left that read this little gem). <br /><br />Recently South Dakota passed a law that requires a woman seeking an abortion to wait three days between the time that she seeks abortion services and the time that the actual procedure is performed. In addition to the waiting period she must also seek support services at a crisis pregnancy center. This on the heels of the US House of Representatives cutting funding for Planned Parenthood. <br /><br />Just in case you weren't sure where this is going I am just gonna let the cat out of the bag. This decision deeply concerns me and makes me quite scared. <br /><br />Here is a link to the article. It is fairly short and an important read. If you don't want to read my thoughts feel free to click away now, I won't even know. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/us/23sdakota.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=South%20Dakota&st=cse">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/us/23sdakota.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=South%20Dakota&st=cse</a> <br /><br />I would like to start off by answering the question posed by Leslee Unruh, "What are they so afraid of? That women might change their minds?" <br /><br />I believe the 'they' she is referring to is pro-choice people. As a pro-choice person I am happy to answer that question and can assure you that a changed mind is not what I am afraid of. <br /><br />I believe that is a woman's <em>choice</em> to have an abortion or not have an abortion. Taking time to make that decision is not what I am afraid of, as long as it is not being forced. I highly doubt that anyone in the pro-choice camp would be upset if a woman decided to not get an abortion. We do not advocate for abortions, but for a woman's choice for what is best for her and family (current or future). <br /><br />I sat with someone in a Planned Parenthood after they had a positive pregnancy test. The medical practicioner's words were "<em>We are not all about abortions here</em>. We are about people not having regrets, about making a decision that is right for them." <br /><br />The problem with the three day wait period is not that we would discourage someone from gathering all of the <em>facts </em>(crisis pregnancy centers do not necessarily give women facts about abortions, just scare tactics) to make an informed decision. The problem with a three day wait period is that women come to the decision to get an abortion for a myriad of reasons. For some waiting three days with a pregnancy that you are know you are about to terminate can be torterous. The three day wait period is only waived in the case of the mother's health, not in the case of rape or incest. <br /><br />In South Dakota there is only one clinic that will provide non-emergency abortions. If you are a woman who seeks abortion services in SD you may have to drive hours for the appointment and then have to make the same trip three days later. For many women this will result in lost wages at work. An abortion can cost up to $600 if your insurance does not cover it. <br /><br />Let me address the issue of requiring women to seek support at a Crisis Pregnancy Center. Apparently Leslee Unruh says that counseling sessions at the clinic will be "carried out by medical professionals and would ensure that women were not being pressured by a boyfriend, husband, or parents." I am glad that Leslee adresses this because Reproductive abuse is a frightening and growing trend in domestic violence relationships.<br /><br /> Do you know another place that ensures that women are not being coerced to make this decision? Planned Parenthood. <br /><br />In every gynecological apppointment I have had (at Planned Parenthood and private practices) I am asked if anyone at home is hurting me and if I am being forced to have sex in any way. I have heard from many people that when they have visited Planned Parenthood for abortion services that they have to go into the doctor's office by themselves. While they are there they are asked a series of questions to ensure that this a decisions the woman is making on her own. <br /><br />The concern with making women visit crisis pregnancy centers is that most of them are faith based and have zero medical oversight. As the article says, their only qualification is that they are anti abortion. Maybe this will change with the new law. Even if it does change the information being given to these women is still incerdibly biased and expects that every woman should hold the same moral views about abortion. <br /><br />Here is the fact. Abortion is legal. These anti abortion laws are seeking to criminalize something that our highest courts have said is legal. <br /><br />Here is another fact. You can never know what decision you would make about an unplanned pregnancy until you walk in those shoes. Until Gov. Daugaard and the many male republican senatore behind this bill have the capability of becoming pregnant I suggest they stay out of the business of determining what a 'good decision' is for these women.</div>kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-21707709826157569022009-09-18T00:06:00.000-07:002009-09-18T00:21:54.376-07:00Here's a thing. . .I am so so so sorry that I have not blogged in 4 months (!). Really there is no excuse. <br /><br />I am hoping that there are still some of you out there who still check this little peek into my vida. Maybe by some chance I am still on your little RSS feed or blogger subscriber, or whatever these space age programs are.<br /><br />I can assure you that there have been many, many, many times that I have wanted to share with you all here. The truth is that the past couple (x2) of months has been filled with some things that just give you heavy boots. I might share a bit of it here. If you don't want to read it because it is depressing there will be no judgment from me.<br /><br />I temped a job for a bit that just showed some really sad parts of humanity. I will spare you all of the details, but I was a victim advocate and I spent a lot of time in court listening to people make excuses for really awful choices that harmed other people. I felt sad and frustrated that we are in a state of things where violence is normalized and excused.<br /><br />It is also a bit hopeless to know that these men (usually men) are going to go in to a system that does not have any productive ways to rehabilitate them so they will be released and then hurt someone else (or the same person again).<br /><br />A really beautiful part of that experience was watching women really find their voice and strength again. I had a woman say to me at a sentencing this morning that she was feeling really bad about this whole thing and blaming herself and then she realized 'wait, I didn't hit me, he did'. Love it.<br /><br />I had the advocate who I was filling in for tell me that she spoke to a Victim who I had worked with. The Victim told the advocate that she really appreciated talking with me and then she paused in the conversation and said "I love her". <br /><br />That makes it all worth it.kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-12875840126505646302009-05-05T23:28:00.000-07:002009-05-05T23:30:59.845-07:00oh heyyyy . . .i'm going to Cal-i-for-ni-a tomorrow biotches. <br /><br />I will be soaking up the sun and NOT working. It will be glorious. <br /><br />I will be doing lots, but mostly getting sunburned hoping it will turn in to a tan.kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-34661606890812750272009-04-26T13:23:00.000-07:002009-04-26T13:35:37.946-07:00Get the move onLast night I was watching TV and this commercial came on for something (obviously ineffective because I do not remember the product) . It was talking about how when we travel or move to a new place we are more inclined to be adventurous, try new foods, go new places, talk to different people etc. <br /><br />I was having that exact thought at dinner earlier on in the evening. I was at a restaurant/bar that I had never been to before. I thought to myself 'I have lived in this city for 5 years and I have never been here'. I just realized that we kind of get into a life routine. Even though Seattle is a big city, I am young, I don't have a whole lot of responsibilities, I still just get in a rut. <br /><br />I always feel like I don't 'get out' enough. But the truth is, I really don't want to. I would rather drink a glass of wine (or three) at home with my roommates and watch a movie. I think I need a bit of a kick start. I am craving an adventure, but for some reason life keeps getting in the way.<br /><br />I am constantly battling the feeling that I am too young to be so boring and then feeling like I am almost 25 (!) and there is a lot I wanted to accomplish at this point in my life and I better get on it.<br /><br />Sidenote: One of those things would be having a family. I think that this adventure or getting out would make that a bit more possible. Let's just say that my current pool of men does not exactly include anyone that ideal (cops) .<br /><br />Sometimes I think that I should take a year and travel, get fresh perspective. <br /><br />How would I pay for that? That takes a year out of any sort of career track. Would I just miss my Seattle life the whole time? <br /><br />Alas, I arrive at the rut again and settle in.kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-53397901863897657282009-04-06T21:21:00.000-07:002009-04-06T22:34:23.148-07:00Let's call it what it isFirst read this news story<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008992628_webpiercekillings06m.html">Father's deadly rage ignited by breakup</a><br /></span><br /><br />This is our response in 200 words to the editor of the Seattle Times<br /><br />Seattle Times reported the homicide of five children by their father in Graham without naming the abusive behavior patterns this family experienced as domestic violence. While the report outlines classic signs of abuse, such as the abuse of pets, children’s fear, murderous jealousy, and tracking one’s partner through GPS, it calls James Harrison’s behavior expressions of “rage.”<br /><br />Until we start recognizing and naming domestic violence, we as a community will continue to sensationalize these horrific domestic violence homicides every time they make headlines. Sensationalizing these stories does not help us hold abusers accountable for their behavior – not just for murderous behavior, but for the systematic abuse and control that usually precedes a homicide.<br /><br />The 2008 WSCADV Fatality Review states that since January 1997, “430 people were killed by domestic violence abusers in Washington State,” and, alarmingly, between 1/3 and ½ of women murdered in WA state “are killed by their current or former intimate partners” (7). We challenge media to report these incidents for what they are: cases of domestic violence. Naming domestic violence allows readers to identify patterns of abuse in their own lives and to recognize the real, fatal, danger it poses to our community.kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-61065402840231598812009-04-03T20:45:00.000-07:002009-04-03T20:55:15.321-07:00An ExplanationSo I knew when I made my new habits that this would probably not be one that I was going to keep. I just don't want to write about shallow shit. It is boring and then I am afraid I will loose all of you, my loyal readers. I will, however blog a couple times a week with something of semi depth.<br /><br />Day 3: successful in the sleep and work out<br /><br />Day 4: successful in the sleep<br /><br />Day 5: Today. I really don't want to work out because basically my uterus is making me want to put a fork in my eye. My roommate told me that I should walk and I would feel better. bitch.<br /><br />I am working a LOT this weekend so I will probs have some good things to share about that. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"></span>kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-43589285766739051352009-03-31T22:51:00.000-07:002009-03-31T22:54:32.831-07:00TonightI almost failed.<br /><br />It was late and I just got home and didn't want to exercise, but I did. I got my pretty little behind in gear and grabbed a roommate and went on a walk . . . and then I wanted french fries.<br /><br /><br />Tonight I had dinner with the family I babysit for. I literally watched a baby move inside of the mom's stomach.<br /><br />Some days I wish that having a baby was closer in the future.<br /><br /><br />Day 2: Successfulkelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-85989603001845281982009-03-30T22:21:00.000-07:002009-03-30T22:26:39.626-07:00Here's the dealI am starting some new habits.<br /><br />Habit #1<br /><br />Go to bed by midnight every night<br />(I tried this last night and then woke up multiple times in the middle of the night with sharp pains in the abdomen. When I am half awake this pain makes me think that I might be dying when really it is just gas. I am hoping tonight goes better).<br /><br />Habit #2<br /><br />Work out for at least 20 min everyday<br />(I have a very loose definition of 'working out'. Tonight it meant eat three cookies and do 20 min of very non-strenuous pilates).<br /><br />Habit #3<br /><br />Blog once a day<br />(I know, I know you are about to hyperventilate because you are so excited, but please calm down. There probably won't be much depth in these parts because let's be real you can't be this beautiful and be deep all the time).<br /><br /><br />I'll let you know how it goes.<br /><br />Day 1: successfulkelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-44327994495605192942009-03-25T12:01:00.001-07:002009-03-25T12:01:51.199-07:00It's noonAnd I just brushed my teeth.<div><br /></div><div>I should never have a job where I work from home</div>kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-25720626369784461332009-03-22T23:05:00.000-07:002009-03-23T21:44:17.472-07:00The grass is greenerEvery couple of months I get this strong feeling that the grass is greener on the other side. With that comes a sleu of 'I should be' and 'I want' s. Here is a little list for a sneak peek.<div><br /></div><div>I should be more patient</div><div>I should talk about myself less</div><div>I should work out more</div><div>I should spend less money</div><div>I should call my friends more</div><div>I should go out more</div><div>I should read more</div><div><br /></div><div>I want to be closer to my family</div><div>I want to be in the sunshine<br />I want to be more adventurous<br />I want to be better at being a Christian<br /></div><div>I want to have a better idea about my career path</div><div>I want to not be overwhelmed so easily<br />I want to have my own family in the next 6 years<br />I want to be better at living the things I say I care about<br /><br /><br />I heard a woman say once that if we are at a place in our life or our work where we need something external to change to make it better then that is a good sign that something deeper is going on, a deeper dissatisfaction. I know that if all of my wants turned into things that I have and if all my shoulds turned into things that I do I would likely still be unsatisfied at some point.<br /><br />I think that this is just real life. Part of the human condition (whatever that means). Maybe we really are not meant for this place and that is why there will always be a part of me that feels like there is 'more'. Maybe it is because I am antsy and in my 20's and feel overwhelmed by all of the paths before me. I want to take the road less traveled, but the road of comfort and familiarity allows me to just take a deep breath. There must be a balance between the two and maybe that is where the list above begins to shrink.<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div>kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-25928644394009561632009-03-13T12:47:00.001-07:002009-03-13T12:50:52.030-07:00Does he have a brother?Ok, if you know me you have probably already seen this on facebook or I sent you an e-mail. This is the President's recent speech on creating an Executive Council on Women and Girls. I cannot begin to explain how refreshing it is to read headlines and speeches from an administration that seems to really get that we are all connected.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MT9lffdauK8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MT9lffdauK8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />P.S. This does mean that Obama is a feminist. Just in case there was any question on what a feminist looks like :)kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-38117676529013160852009-03-09T23:02:00.000-07:002009-03-09T23:15:28.881-07:00At PeaceToday was a good day. I am not really sure what to say right now. I don't think this will be very eloquent.<br /><br />I presented at the Women Studies class at SPU today. I had the opportunity to talk about the work that I do. I think it was the first time in a long time that I was really moved by the beauty of the experiences I get to have. <br /><br />I get to meet women in their deep places of suffering and see their strength in a way that gives me hope. Hope that in our core we are created to live with one another in a way where violence is not the answer. <br /><br />I get to tell them that they aren't crazy, it is not their fault, and no it is not ok, as they look at me through tear filled eyes grasping for some sense of normalcy. <br /><br />Today I felt a deeper sense of hope that we are not created to live in a world where we hurt each other. I feel like I understand what it means to worship a resurrected Messiah, maybe more than I have in a long time.<br /><br />Today I feel at peace.<br /><br /><br />"If we have no peace it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other"<br />- Mother Theressakelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-51847416477174526452009-03-09T22:58:00.000-07:002009-03-09T23:01:12.091-07:00AdditionDear Girl in the red hat on the #26<br /><br />Just because you can speak French does not make it ok to talk louder than everyone else on the bus.<br /><br /><br />Also, when no one else is talking on the bus, it would be best to observe cell phone etiquette and shut the hell up.<br /><br />Have a nice evening :)<br /><br />Kelseykelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-35186816511315108772009-03-04T21:11:00.000-08:002009-03-04T21:26:45.539-08:00Public TransportationReasons I don't love taking the bus<br /><br />1. Sometimes it smells like one big fart<br />2. There typically are very attractive men, but they are ALL married<br />3. The bus only comes every half an hour and I typically read the schedule wrong so I always miss it.<br />4. Sometimes bus drivers make me fear for my life when they drive like a bat out of hell<br />5. I still have not figured out the secret rules about when to make eye contact to let someone know 'hell no don't sit next to me' or 'please pick me to sit next to so creeper McCreeperson behind you doesn't try to sit here'.<br /><br />Reasons I love taking the bus<br /><br />1. I get to drive through parts of the city that I would otherwise avoid<br />2. I get to make up stories about people's lives on the bus<br />3. I can listen to my i pod and space out before I get home<br />4. Sometimes (and by that I mean twice) I smile at people and they smile back<br />5. I watch people get so awkward when the bus driver asks them if they are ready for the weekend (on Tuesday) and if they are ready to go fishing. yeah, you aren't special, he says that to everyone.kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-7168568797439032222009-02-10T22:39:00.000-08:002009-02-10T22:40:16.049-08:00Philip has been released !!!!That is allkelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-82230276458352727472009-02-09T14:45:00.000-08:002009-02-09T14:56:09.212-08:00Do what you canHey,<br /> I am posting this kind of late so if you get it in time please please please do something.<br /><br />My roommates just recently told me about a man named Philip Rizk that they met in Egypt. He is a journalist and has worked to bring attention to the many injustices happening in Gaza. On Saturday he was arrested by the Egyptian security forces and is being detained without any real charges. Here is the article that describes what is going on.<br /><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7878067.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7878067.stm</a><br /><br /><br />Please do one or all of these things to bring media attention to what is going on.<br /><br /><p><strong>Write to Amnesty International</strong></p><p>iar@amnesty.org.uk</p><p><strong>Call the Egyptian Consulate in San Fransisco</strong></p><p>(415) 346-9700</p><p><strong>E-mail the Egyptian Consulate in San Fransisco</strong></p><p>dr.heshamnakib@yahoo.com</p><p><strong>Join the Facebook group "Support and Prayer for the Safe Release of Philip Rizk"</strong><strong> for updates</strong>.</p><p> </p><p>Here is a sample letter:</p><p>Dear Amnesty International,</p><p>I am writing to inform your organization about the abduction of Egyptian-German peace and humanitarian activist, Philip Rizk, in Egypt.Philip was simply leading a peaceful protest, about 50 km north of Cairo, to show solidarity to the Gazans and Palestinians and to spread awareness to the world about Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.</p><p>The Egyptian authorities detained 15 of the marchers and then released them all, except Philip, who they took for ‘questioning’. The authorities have not yet given any information about his welfare or reasons for his detention.For more information, please see this Reuters article:<a onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE51617J20090207" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE51617J20090207</a>Amnesty, please do what you can to spread the news and to help free Philip Rizk, who is an innocent victim.</p><p>Yours sincerely,</p><p> </p>kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-82281145640445788742009-01-20T21:20:00.000-08:002009-01-20T21:27:33.877-08:00Preach<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VYsRwHexkpE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VYsRwHexkpE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />what he saidkelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-42428699717503335382008-12-22T20:04:00.000-08:002008-12-22T21:15:24.632-08:00Things I have accomplished since the 'DEAR GOD TAKE ME NOW snow storm 2008'1. Made Curtains for my kitchen<br /><br />2. Made two batches of cookies. One was successful, the other will be ice cream topping crumble (read, cookies that spread all over the pan I don't want to throw them away).<br /><br />3. I am currently making little apple tarts<br /><br />4. I ventured out in my car after it had been snowing ALL DAY and we made it. My car is a brick.<br /><br />5. I checked the news every 20 min to see if it would tell me the answers about life. It didn't.<br /><br />6. I lived in hypothetical land a lot wondering if my flight would get canceled, how I would get home, wondering if Lindsey and I would get STUCK in the house with no power, etc.<br /><br />7. Sometimes when I was bitching a LOT Linds would remind me that there are people who are homeless who are sleeping outside and then it didn't seem so bad.<br /><br />8. I went to work today because the Mayor REFUSES to close the city. I think when people are waiting three hours for a bus it is time to admit defeat or GET MORE EFFING SNOW PLOWS.<br /><br />9. I went sledding<br /><br />10. I drank wine and watched a lot of movies.<br /><br />Here are some pictures from the 'KILL ME NOW snow storm 2008'<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/SVBuZ5BGF0I/AAAAAAAAACg/qWDwLpzLgho/s1600-h/DSCF1049.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/SVBuZ5BGF0I/AAAAAAAAACg/qWDwLpzLgho/s320/DSCF1049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282843753986791234" border="0" /></a><br />Linds and I sledding. My pants were SO wet and ALL of me was cold<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/SVBvQ8SlVxI/AAAAAAAAACo/HzL7vFU92c8/s1600-h/DSCF1036.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/SVBvQ8SlVxI/AAAAAAAAACo/HzL7vFU92c8/s320/DSCF1036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282844699758253842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Snow on Saturday 12/13<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/SVBvy5_cEOI/AAAAAAAAACw/n7cBQBqL8bU/s1600-h/DSCF1050.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/SVBvy5_cEOI/AAAAAAAAACw/n7cBQBqL8bU/s320/DSCF1050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282845283256635618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/SVBzget-gvI/AAAAAAAAAC4/ZYJDG7c_m8A/s1600-h/DSCF1043.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/SVBzget-gvI/AAAAAAAAAC4/ZYJDG7c_m8A/s320/DSCF1043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282849364744504050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Snow on 12/21 after everything had defrosted and started again on Wed.kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-46771300321127015692008-12-09T21:26:00.001-08:002008-12-09T21:26:24.814-08:00Damn Girl<div>I would reproduce if this was the result<br /></div><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/4910a35a51f5d056/493f52ffed727ff9/4939a1a1b33e79df/62965764/widget.js"></script>kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-72943941919092431472008-12-02T17:52:00.000-08:002008-12-02T18:10:46.920-08:00Open letter to Seattle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/STXp9UK8zZI/AAAAAAAAACA/z-BNvCUd2Rw/s1600-h/LU-039-2T.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/STXp9UK8zZI/AAAAAAAAACA/z-BNvCUd2Rw/s320/LU-039-2T.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275379778130333074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Dear Seattle,<br />I know that it rains a lot here. We all try to act like its no big deal and it doesn't make us depressed and we can handle it because people are dying from poverty (and we are all working in non-profits to try and fix it).<br />Let me ask you a question Seattle, why the hell do we not use umbrellas. I know that using them would be admitting some sort of defeat, like the rain actually does hit our heads and it is actually annoying. Let me suggest that we get over our smug attitudes toward umbrellas. I just think that a little gem like the umbrella above would make it ok that it gets dark at 3:30 pm every freakin night.<br /><br />Please reconsider.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /> Kelsey<br /><br />P.S. My Birthday is in a week and the umbrellas are under $40 and they can be found here<br /><br />http://www.umbrellas.net/less_than_40_s/56.htmkelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-9088114236856672082008-11-05T00:03:00.001-08:002008-11-05T00:06:10.973-08:00This is why it matters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/SRFTczBmLGI/AAAAAAAAABw/ee0bzy-du-E/s1600-h/Sweet+boys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/SRFTczBmLGI/AAAAAAAAABw/ee0bzy-du-E/s400/Sweet+boys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265081193571167330" border="0" /></a>These two boys waited as a long line of adults greeted Senator Obama before a rally on Martin Luther King Day in Columbia, S.C. They never took their eyes off of him. Their grandmother told me, "Our young men have waited a long time to have someone to look up to, to make them believe Dr. King's words can be true for them." Jan. 21, 2008.<br /><br />From Here: http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0810/callie-bp.htmlkelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-67868417902581064092008-11-02T22:40:00.000-08:002008-11-02T22:43:57.045-08:00Beauty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/SQ6dDEktRVI/AAAAAAAAABo/ANJVl2TIMdE/s1600-h/Stand+in+your+Truth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0jYnwewIEzo/SQ6dDEktRVI/AAAAAAAAABo/ANJVl2TIMdE/s320/Stand+in+your+Truth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264317690535560530" border="0" /></a>I found this gem right here<br /><br />http://anahata.typepad.com/my_weblogkelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-78834451414854785382008-11-02T17:09:00.000-08:002008-11-02T17:33:04.903-08:00In the middleAs you may know (I've probably mentioned it at least 10 times on this blog and at least once each day) I was in a few weddings this summer. It has been wonderful and fun (I may have actually enjoyed dancing), but at times really awkward. There are a series of questions I get asked at events like this that make me wish I could orchestrate great stories so the real answers feel less painful.<br /><br />Here are some examples:<br /><br />"So do you have a boyfriend?"<br />What I am thinking: "none of your damn business "<br />What I say: "no not right now"<br /><br />"So when is it your turn?"<br />What I am thinking: "I wasn't aware that there was a line. Maybe I just forgot to hop in the 'please marry me' line"<br />What I say: "Oh I don't know (insert awkward smile trying to make that question less painful)."<br /><br />"Are you just not into dating right now?"<br />What I am thinking: "No, I have not been 'into dating' for 23 years'. Of course I am into dating, but it just hasn't been that easy and how the hell do you expect me to answer that question without being inappropriately vulnerable"<br />What I say: "Well, I am open to it, its just not the most important thing to me"<br /><br />This all feels like a complicated dance to not be too vulnerable, too sad, or appear to have desperate written across all of my face. <br /><br />I was talking to my therapist about this awkward line to walk. I don't want to appear like I need to be married for my life to be whole but I also don't want to pretend like I don't want to be with someone right now. My therapist asked me why I can't be somewhere in the middle? I feel like I am in the middle, but I don't know how to express that and I don't think I have had a lot of examples of how to comfortably be in between both of those places. <br /><br />So, here I am, trying to live in the middle. I have a job that feels important, I am working on figuring out what it means for me to be a Christian, on most days I feel pretty whole and I think these are things I would like to share with someone in the near future.kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-24767045388749590562008-10-20T17:28:00.000-07:002008-10-20T17:39:02.456-07:00I couldn't resistI know it is no shock to anyone that I am not a huge Palin fan. I thought that this video was rather poignant. I will just say that just because Sarah Palin is a woman does not mean that she is a feminist. Having a woman in power does not necessarily mean that she doesn't buy into patriarchal ideas.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KKj4tq0kC_I&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KKj4tq0kC_I&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272354429358805841.post-50096271003717130672008-10-20T17:10:00.001-07:002008-10-20T17:23:56.252-07:00# 10Yes my friends, it is true, wedding #10 of me being a bridesmaid has come and gone. It was wonderful for a lot of reasons, but I may just start with one of them. This reason may also explain my blogging absence.<br /><br />I have wonderful friends. They know how to listen, how to ask questions, how to lovingly tell me that I am taking myself way too seriously. I feel known when I am with these women. It has been a joy to see them make commitments to loving partners and to see some of them leave Seattle and others leave the country. <br /><br />All of this change has left me feeling a bit lonely. I haven't blogged in a while because I don't want this to be a place where I am awkwardly vulnerable. I sort of have this idea that that should happen with people before I write it on the internet. <br /><br />At this last wedding I had the chance to reconnect with a group of women that I love dearly. They have watched me go through many different stages of becoming who I am and they have always been loving and faithful. I needed to share the sadness of not being with them as much as I want before I could share it here. <br /><br />This weekend was rejuvenating and reminded me that sometimes we just have to say how we are feeling before we can expect people to care for us in the ways we need to be cared for. This doesn't mean things are instantly perfect. I am still sad occasionally and I am working on adjusting to big kid life. I might be better at sharing those things (and maybe some useless funny things) here, but not before I first share with those who care for me.kelsreneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15192391685490674910noreply@blogger.com2