Racism Is Everywhere–Even When All The Same “Race”

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 3 Comments

I just read an interesting information pieceby the University of Washington about the tribal roots of both of my children. Minnow and Peepers are both of Oromo descent.  Sadly, my son and daughter would have been second class citizens with no political autonomy in their own country because of their Oromo heritage.  I had no idea that there was such a system of overt oppression in place and it reminds me a great deal of our white society’s own systematic oppression of blacks.  I am sad that this “racism” or tribalism is part of my children’t heritage and that part of the reason there are so many poor Oromo in Ethiopia is because they are discriminated against.  Did Minnow and Peepers moms’ feel they had no choice but to give up their children because they would be doomed to a life of living at the bottom of the social hierarchy?  I will sadly never know their reasons.  I can only hope to teach my children that “racism” is real and painful and something we must work to change–something we must never accept as okay.  We must speak up and work to change the relegation of whole populations of people to the lower strata based on their skin color or heritage. 

I am glad that Obama is the Democratic Nominee for President and I accept and realize what an important step it is.  We cannot become complacent in our fight for equality because a black man has achieved what was once deemed impossible.  There is racism lurking in every corner of our society.  We must work to bring it to an end and arm our children with the tools and intellect to be able to bring about change. 

Two Weeks From Today

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 5 Comments

I will be cruising at 30,000 feet on my way to Addis Ababa via Washington DC.  I am brimming with anxiety and excitement.  We received an update on our little Peepers yesterday and she is still a tiny little thing–even at 6 1/2 months old–11.4lbs and 24 inches.  Tiny.  I think most of the clothes I have will fit her–barely as she is so skinny.  I am going to go through Minnow’s baby clothes for some newborn clothes–she certainly won’t need them very long.  Minnow gained 3lbs in nearly 2 weeks when we first brought him home.  I have to keep reminding myself how little she is–as I see her pictures and she looks much bigger–pictures have a way of making objects in them appear larger.  That is my excuse and I am sticking to it. 

Peepers seems to be developing well.  She can lift herself up when she is on her belly and can sit with support.  I just can’t wait to get my hands on her.  This time is so very different than the last.  I am certainly nervous but not nearly as nervous as I was when we were preparing to bring Minnow home.  I know so much more this time and I know that there are things that can go wrong and when they do–our agency will help figure it all out.  They rock. 

Well, I am off to pick through some baby clothes and see what I can come up with.  I am lucky that most of the dresses, etc that I bought to take are 3mos size–but those might still be a little big on our peanut.  Happy Weekend. 

Friday Weigh In

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 2 Comments

Well, this marks my first full week on WW.  I used my home scale to record my weight this morning as opposed to the scale at the gym–and weighed in first thing in the am instead of in the afternoon.  So lot’s of differences.  The numbers say a loss of 6lbs but I know that is not right and it is more like a loss of 1lb.  I am totally happy with a loss of 1lb.  I have changed a lot this week–new exercise routine, new eating.  Learning how WW works for me as there are lots of different theories out there–eat you APs eat your WPAs-don’t eat them, eat half of them, etc. 

I certainly have a goal–I want to hit the 130 mark by April 1, 2010 (I know it’s a long term goal).  I certainly have short term goals as well.  I am going to St. Marteen for a week at the end of September and I want to be 25lbs lighter at least and we want to start IVF in January and I would like to be about 60lbs lighter by then as well. 

This is a journey and I am committed to the long haul.  This is a lifetime change and I am all in. 

September Goal–25 lbs by September 27th– 1lb gone so far. 

It Doesn’t Matter How You Got Lost…

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 8 Comments

It only matters how you find your way. 

I am profound aren’t I?  That’s a rhetorical question in case you were wondering.  I have reached a REAL breaking point in my life.  I know, for those of you who have been reading me for any amount of time, I have said this before, but this is so very real and I feel it in every ounce of my being.  I have gotten to the point where I don’t recognize myself in the mirror anymore–especially in a wall of mirrors while doing fusion yoga (a cross between yoga/mat Pilates).  I was in class on Monday and I looked in the mirror and wondered who the hell that fat chick was?  When it hit me.  That. Fat. Chick. Was. ME! 

I know this shouldn’t be a surprise t0 me, as I have watched the numbers on the scale rise slowly since Minnow came home and as I quickly ingested enough food to feed an NFL linebacker.  I know part of my eating issues is that I eat when I am bored and I am bored at home.  Sorry Minnow, but it is true.  I am bored and unfulfilled.  This will hopefully be fixed by getting a job, but if not, I will have to find ways to not be bored. 

I have been playing around with losing weight without really committing to anything, because then if it doesn’t work then oh well.  Well, I have blogworld and realworld buddies out there who have shed big chunks of themselves using Weight Watchers.  I have been hesitant to join WW–I tried it shortly after Minnow came home–but sadly I wasn’t ready to take control.  But I finally did last Friday and so far so good.  I still have some issues and some trigger foods that cause me to eat too much–ICE CREAM.  But I am committed and I even got hubby on board too–he’s not exactly committed to his own need to drop a few pounds but he is supportive of me and counting points for himself too. 

This isn’t going to become a weight loss blog by any means–but it is my blog and it is about being imperfect and I am admitting my imperfection.  I weigh in on Fridays and will be tracking my progress here on Fridays.  Any and all encouraging words are welcomed. 

Thanks. 

Quietly Waiting On Job News***Edited

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 3 Comments

I had an interview at a local high school last week.  There were still quite a few people to interview after me before decisions were made.  There are three openings. Today is the day the decisions are made.  I know the department chair has to turn in her choices today to HR and from there HR will take care of the rest.  I might hear today but I would expect that  maybe tomorrow.  I have made peace with whatever happens one way or the other.  There certainly are benefits to both situations.  I would of course like to know one way or the other and the sooner the better.  I will have to start seriously looking into daycare if I get the job and that doesn’t really give me much time, especailly since I am leaving in two and a half weeks for Ethiopia. 

 ***I did not get the job and I have to say that I am relieved.  I miss working but am still lucky enough to get to teach part-time at the community college and I am working on my doctorate.  I was just tired of being a little poor (not totally poor) just a little poor.  I truly believe that thing work out the way they are suppose to and not getting the job I interviewed for feel like the right thing.  I am happy and now I get to watch my new baby grow up.  I am certainly going to look to putting Minnow into a Mom’s day out or part-time day care–mornings two days a week. I think he would love it.