The Mosque

Obviously, a big thing in the news right now is the debate over the construction of a mosque on Ground Zero. I first saw it in the news just a few days ago, actually. It's a very hot topic right now - for political, moral, and religious reasons. I've seen an increasing number of posts on Facebook where people are stating their opinions, which of course opens up to a WIDE debate as everyone has an opinion. Opinions are good - here in America you aren't persecuted for your opinions...at least not by the government or a militia.

Being the nerd I am, what with my background in history and political science, I am so intrigued by this debate and have some very strong opinions myself. THIS is the type of situation I want to write about. Since I don't have many outlets, I thought I'd use the blog since well, at least I can write down what I want and save it. Maybe one day I'll write a book or some ground-breaking research paper on an important issue and can add this to it. :)

This issue can be broken down into either a political, moral, or religious debate. Depending on your background, more than likely your opinion has been formed based on one of these principles. Politically, it is turning into a debate over the 1st Amendment. Freedom of religion! Freedom to assemble! Well, yeah. Our country was FOUNDED on the basis of freedom from religious persecution. Our forefathers came to this country with the intent of allowing people to practice religion, free speech, their right to assemble. It is a very important part of our American history. I think it is what still makes this country great - you can practice Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, or be an atheist. You will not be persecuted for your beliefs by our government.

I don't think this is a political issue. I think this is a moral issue based on religion. I am not upset by the fact that a mosque may be constructed. What upsets me is the location. What upsets me is the blatant insensitivity to what occured nearly 9 years ago. I do believe Muslims have the right to have a place to worship. I do not believe that all Muslims are terrorists. I do believe their faith is being insensitive to the many, many, many lives that were innocently lost due to extremists of their religion. I do believe there is a very strategic reason they want to place a mosque there. Do they have a right to build a mosque on Ground Zero? They do. On the basis of the 1st Amendment, they do. Should they build a mosque on Ground Zero? Hell no.

Time and again, Americans have to be careful about what they do/say/think regarding hot issues. If opinions are voiced or actions are taken that other groups of people or religions feel are insensitive, it becomes an issue. Americans are intolerant. I think that Americans are incredibly tolerant people. We are the melting pot. People want to come here from all over the world to escape persecution from their own people. Then they come here and complain. That's another issue. I won't get into that now. But we welcome these people, we help them, we live in relative harmony with them. Yet they can act in a very insensitive manner toward us and it's okay. First Amendment. It's alright.

Stop hiding behind the First Amendment and do what is morally right. Why is it so important to have the mosque on Ground Zero? It's not. Choose a different location. Having a mosque there will upset not only New Yorkers, but a great many other Americans because of the insensitivity of what was done in the name of that religion. It's a calculated, strategic move to try and open this massive debate - which as worked. Here the country is debating it. What it boils down to is just plain ol' insensitivity to other Americans. Insensitivity to one of the worst acts of terrorism on American soil. Insensitivity to the many, many lives that were tragically lost due to jihad. Tolerance is a two-way street. Muslims should also be tolerant of the ideas and wishes of others. Ground Zero is not the place for a mosque - for moral reasons, not political.

The Eventful Uneventful Pregnancy

On Valentine's Day, I will reach my second trimester! Hooray! So why the eventful uneventful pregnancy? By the time I reach my second trimester, I'll have had two ultrasounds and seen Dr. Hill twice. That's a lot for the first trimester!! That's the only way my pregnancy has been eventful so far. The first week of January I had my bloodwork, the second an ultrasound, the third week I had off, the fourth week I had an appointment with Dr. Hill, this week I had an ultrasound and next week I have an appointment with Dr. Hill.

Shew. A lot of appointments, but the fun part is getting to see the baby so often. The difference in the first and second ultrasound pictures are just amazing. In the first, Achoo is just this little itty bitty peanut. In the second, we can see Achoo's legs and profile. I saw Achoo move while they were doing the ultrasound - which was incredibly amazing to see movement this early on!

My guess is that at the end of February/beginning of March I will have yet another ultrasound. I'll know for sure after my visit with Dr. Hill next Wednesday. Everything is great - they are just monitoring a situation to make sure things move where they are supposed to. I kind of thought Dr. Hill was being crazy making me have ANOTHER ultrasound, but after talking with the tech I was really glad he has a proactive stance. Next week, we will be able to hear the heartbeat on the doppler!

Achoo's fetal heartbeat on ultrasound #1 was 188bpm and yesterday it was 182bpm. I remember Lauren's being high, so as of now I think Achoo might be a girl. Troy (and others) think Achoo will be a boy. Either way, as long as we have a healthy baby, we will be happy.

I have still had just very minor morning sickness, which is usually the worst at night after dinner (go figure!). I've been really tired and I'm fortunate that Troy has been both helpful and understanding, so I'm getting enough sleep. Plus, he's been really busy with school and work, that he probably welcomes the quiet at 9:15 when I scoot off to bed. I know this is just a temporary thing and that soon I will get my energy back!

We have been very blessed with this pregnancy and I am fortunate to have a doctor who is taking such good care of our little Achoo.

Achoo

Eight weeks into this pregnancy, I can already tell it's going to be so much more different than it was with Lauren! First of all, with Lauren coming immediately following a miscarriage, I freaked out until I could feel her move. And while I had my moments, I have pretty much been at ease with this pregnancy for a few weeks. I was anxious for the ultrasound last Thursday, but really thought I did well not freaking out too much that something was wrong. Since Thursday, I haven't even really thought about it - which is a relief. I didn't want to be super-paranoid this time around. Not saying I won't have my moments, but for now all is well.

The question I immediately got from people when they found out was, "how are you feeling?" Well, compared to my pregnancy with Lauren, GREAT! Yeah, I'm tired - working full-time, taking care of a 2-year old, and making a baby takes its toll. I think some of that is even starting to go away. Last night I stayed up until 9:30! (haha) I probably could've pushed it, but I didn't want to be exhausted today. Morning sickness? Nothing I can't handle. It comes and goes. Mainly, it's in the evenings but I think that is because I try and eat consistently throughout the day and it's harder when I get home...especially when I am trying to stop Lauren from snacking so that she'll actually eat dinner. I can't set a bad example for her. And it's no use trying to tell her it's because there's a baby in my belly...she's told her teachers at school that she also has a baby in her belly. She'd just use that as justification for snacking. :) Sour candy helps me A LOT, which I learned with my pregnancy with Lauren. So, here at work I keep a stash of sour Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, and Shocktarts. They do the trick, especially early in the morning before I've eaten and start feeling a little shaky.

With Lauren, I was able to wear scrubs at work and can't really pinpoint when I started "showing." I do know that I really popped during my Residency Week in Vermont - June 2007. I was about 5 months along then. With Achoo, yeah...I'm already wearing that expander thing. It's not that you can tell I'm pregnant unless you know me and know I'm pregnant, but I think that I'll definitely show within a month or two...definitely won't wait until 5 months. It's probably more noticeable since I *unfortunately* can't wear scrubs, but it's definitely there. I need to start taking weekly pictures to keep on my ipregnancy app :)

I had a dream right after we found out we were pregnant that I had twins. We made sure to double check at the ultrasound that there was just one baby - and the tech confirmed. I just read a story on thebump.com about a couple who had an ultrasound at 8 weeks and saw the heartbeat, everything was great. At their 12-week appointment, another ultrasound was done and it showed TWINS! And the couple went to Virginia Tech. HAHA. I told Troy this and he told me to stop reading. :) I don't think we are having twins, because I trust the ultrasound tech to catch something like that, but it amused me. Maybe then Troy could have two boys named Tyler and Nixon instead of Tyler Nixon...

January

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

I'm not the most spiritual person, but I do believe and pray. This prayer is one I love and repeat to myself often. I have it displayed in the house. I like being in control and being able to determine my own outcomes. Some situations in life, however, are impossible to control. When these situations arise and I find myself becoming anxious/nervous/scared because I can't control the situation, I turn to this prayer.

January, for me, could set a tone for the year. No matter what happens, I know this is going to be an awesome year because I'm blessed with a job, a supportive husband, and a beautiful daughter. This month, I am leaning on this prayer to help me to be at peace with situations that aren't in my control. Hope for the best, stay positive. This prayer is my mantra for the month.