Part of my absence is job-hunting, looking for gigs and full-time work. Still searching, though I’ve got temp work at the end of March.

Another reason is more medical. No, it’s not cancer nor some serious stuff like heart disease or something exotic that the Mayo Clinic would analyze. Prior to February, I dread a certain time every month. (ACHTUNG: Womanly matters are mentioned.) The first few days, I cramped hard that I find myself confined to bed. After my time at Ivy Tech, I realized that these times will affect my job search and my career if I do not treat it. I asked my doctor about some options I have, and figured that some procedures will help me. After thoughtful consideration and theological consultation from my Prediger, I decided to undergo the Novasure ablation plus a tubal ligation. Actually, it was not a problem regarding the Novasure; it’s the finality of the ligation that I was concerned. Since pregnancy after the ablation is very dangerous to the woman, plus the complication will mean a definite peril to the child’s life, I said to myself: The Principle of Double Effect can be invoked. I prayed, I thought, and ultimately, I placed things in God’s hands.

I figured that this would be a short procedure, in the hospital by morning, out in the afternoon. It turned out to be a more serious matter. Bluntly, the doctor found two benign dermoid cysts, one in each ovary. One was so big that they removed my left ovary. The average size of an adult ovary is about the size of those green olives– 3cm by 1.5cm by 1.5cm. The left ovary was about 9cm by 8cm by 6cm, like a clenched fist. The right was saved, though they removed a sizable cyst. The doctor told the Prediger and my pastor that I would be in great pain later down the road if I have not been treated.

After recovery, my parents and my pastor visited me and I felt better than expected. The month came and went, without pain. It was the first time ever that I do not have such pain. I’m really looking forward to busy activities and job hunts without getting held back.

As for my sterility: I’ve made peace about it and knew that God has something in store, a role in life just for me. No kids of my own, but it is filled with days of devotion to my husband…lots of doggie kisses from “Teh Sarah”…tinkering around with Linux…and spending more time with the Church. Best of all, I’ll be the aunt who will spoil the niecelings and nephlings silly– and at the end of the day, return them to their parents. :)

So now, that’s my absence in under 500 words. Now it’s time to resume my antics.

Now…to the main course. Learned about how to pull off the smok(e)y eye, and realized that I needed make-up remover, especially after using the Urban Decay eyeshadow primer. That stuff stays on good! After dinner, Wayne wanted me to procure some butter pecan ice cream. And I did, at WalMart. I was looking for makeup wipes when I found the Hard Candy section, replacing the Max Factor line. I did heard from Nouveau Cheap that WalMart will carry the brand, but I figured that it might only be available in select big cities like Los Angeles or New York.

A bit of nostalgia: I remember going to Bloomingdale’s in Sherman Oaks and seeing the colorful nail polish, each with a plastic ring. I prefer MAC or Urban Decay, so I passed on by. And now, it’s there where I don’t have to order stuff from out of town. Yes, the plastic rings are still on the nail polish. So, I bought two things: a lipstick and a liquid eyeliner. I’m wondering whether this stuff will hold up as good as the products at Bloomie’s.

The lipstick is a sheer matte dark purple called “Night Out” and the eyeliner is in Sugar Plum. Here are the makeup, against my skin and on my lips:

Lipstick is creamy and goes well, and I think the liner is decent but will require a second application to make a even line. Will try them on this week and write a review.

Got Ubuntu installed with wireless and sound cards working, thanks to an Ubuntu forum. Yay!

Ohio LinuxFest is coming along, and been writing an article on why it’s important for students to attend this conference. It will be published shortly on the OLF website. Also, you can follow us at Twitter: @ohiolinux.

1) V for Vendetta (Guy Fawkes lives!)
2) 1776 (A musical on the Declaration of Independence)
3) Fight Club
4) South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
5) Persepolis (Tatsuma recommended this very much)
6) Arabian Nights
7) Lawrence of Arabia
8 ) Revolution
9) Red Badge of Courage
10) Glory
11) The Patriot
12) Braveheart
13) Henry V
14) Puccini’s Tosca
15) The Longest Day
16) Sands of Iwo Jima (just turn it off after the flag is raised)
17) The ORIGINAL Star Wars Trilogy (ANH, ESB, ROTJ)
18) Brazil
19) Battlestar Galactica (the series and TV movies)
20) Enemy at the Gate
21) Pump Up the Volume

Read Tatsuma’s summary at:
https://sites.google.com/site/tatsumairanupdate/

“You aren’t making Christianity any better, you’re just making rock and roll worse!”– Hank Hill

And now, my first experience with CCM, in 1984: Steve Taylor’s Meltdown (at Madame Tussaud’s). Flipping through the UHF channel, past the scrambled SelecTV, past the foreign language channels…it’s TBN, channel 40! It was one of my earliest brushes with Protestantism.

Some things of note:

Saw a bunch of conservatives of various types: Fair Tax proponents, Birchers, McCain fanboys, Palin admirers, the Ron Paul/Campaign for Liberty group, several Libertarians…and pretty much everyone who’s disgusted with the two party system and the taxes.

Alan Keyes did well, and he spoke without notes nor teleprompter. Mind you, I disagree on his stance on foreign policy and his treatment towards his daughter…but that’s another story.

It was a peaceful protest, with families in attendance. One couple from the RP group gave away pocket-sized Constitutions. Another gave JBS literature.

BTW: To future protesters…PLEASE USE SPELL CHECK. Nothing says slack-jawed yokel like a misspelled sign.

And here is the part where I advise you that the following part is crude and full of juvenile behavior, so do not click after the jump:

To the media, especially to Mr Cooper, and Ms Garofalo:

You assume that we are ignorant rednecks who are squares…without access to the Internet and its culture. We know what you are talking and this is what we are doing to you when we protest:

The Prediger and I returned from Arizona for the season. The neighbors at the over-55 resort assisted us in “summer-proofing” our home. That involved putting out open jugs of water inside various locations, stuffing newspaper inside an empty and clean fridge, placing baggies of water over sink drains, and shutting down everything.

The parents came by to visit us for the weekend after the dust settled. Wayne was especially glad to see them. They were so happy to see us after 4 years. I took Mother to Von Maur, where there are great sales on decent stuff. She actually got a thin cardigan for 5 dollars. I got a nice nightshirt for 11. It has a print of various sushi, with Japanese-style writing. I will have to send a pic of it to Hanzi Smatter so Tian can laugh at the jumble.

Finally, here is a Spongebob cartoon that is perfect for today.