I can't bring myself to say it...

Ok there are definitely differences in things in Ireland than in the states, most of which I think nothing of, but some things make me laugh and will always make me turn around.

#1 I can not bring myself to say I'm going outside for a fag (meaning cigarette). Seriously it's crazy please someone tell me where this nickname for cigarettes came from!

#2 A vacuum cleaner is a Hoover.

#3 Restrooms are toilets (not too weird, but I have yet to figure out why each one has two doors to open).

#4 Drinks are pints or glasses (this one I like- I'm all about the cider beer here, but I hear it's better in Austria).

#5 Ok and back to the door thing I know your going to think I'm an idiot, but for some reason I want to push when it's a pull door and pull when it's a push door. I would also like to know if anyone else has noticed this problem or if I'm really crazy. I've asked my trainees and they simply laugh at me. Maybe I've been spoiled by all the signs that I typically make fun of because they seem self-explanatory. I don't know. I'm definitely concerned.

Intelligent Design...I think not

When I first read this article regarding Bush's support of a new scientific theory I had no idea what it was, so I did some research. I found that Intelligent Design Theory supports an idea that the complexities of the universe are too complicated to be attributed to evolution. I also learned that "Despite ID sometimes being called Intelligent Design Theory, the National Academy of Sciences has said, intelligent design "and other claims of supernatural intervention in the origin of life" are not science because their claims cannot be tested by experiment and propose no new hypotheses of their own, instead they find gaps within current evolutionary theory and fill them in with speculative beliefs (Wikipedia Encyclopedia Online). " So our president is supporting a "scientific" theory that science dismisses because it lacks the basic requirements of possible experimentation and information to support the theory.

Now that I've got a background and basic understanding of this theory I have two things:

1. Once thing I noticed in the blogs I read is the argument that evolution should not be the only way that the "where did we come from" question is answered in Science class. In every Science class I remember the theory of evolution was taught in conjunction with scientific theories about how the universe was created such as the Big Bang Theory (please correct me if this has changed). These are theories based on scientific research not on supernatural intervention. If we were to talk about Intelligent Design would we continue to philosophize about the ideas of the Native Americans or Greek Mythology and what their beliefs were regarding how we came to be.

2. One last thing to consider. Bush does not decide what is taught in our schools. Despite the recent hideous movement of "No Child Left Behind" each state still writes their own standards and benchmarks which gives a basis for what is taught. It will eventually be up to the courts to decide whether or not teaching ID is something that it is required in your state. Unfortunately the courts have already submitted in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

It is a sad day when we are teaching philosophy in our Science classrooms. Maybe we should create an elective in High Schools that simply covers religion and philosophy...oh wait...there's no religion in public schools, but there can be Intelligent Design????

All I ask if for is a Little Common Sense

Are we supposed to feel bad because these young women have no common sense? If a man has a 5 year lapse in his job history he would have some of the same issues that a woman in that same situation is faced with. Why would a corporation treat her special because her reason for not working is valid and important for her child's development. The man's reason can be just as valid and rewarding. That was a choice that woman made when she chose to stay home and raise her children. She is still five years behind a person who has been working and learning. Technology has created an environment where changes happen at a faster pace. Think of what PayPal or eBay would have been like five years ago. Would a person who worked there five years ago as a manager be able to step up to the massive growth and change those companies have incurred? Trust me it's impossible. Please understand that I think it's a terrific opportunity for a mother or father to have the chance to stay at home and raise their children, but when you re-enter workplace you need more than a degree from a reputable college and the knowledge "I am very smart".

As a woman I ask the rest of you to quit playing pity party and have some common sense!

Mi Madre

Thanks mom for making me laugh so hard I cried this morning. Although it was a bit embarrassing when everyone at the office thought that I had finally lost it. I'm not sure if others will find it quite as humorous as I did, but just in case here's what started my day laughing.

Its time for my safety meeting, and no one is getting up for it, and I feel very unsafe all day if everyone forgets it, scared...do you think the manager knows it's time for my safety meeting? Did he get the pop up box? What's he doing that is more important than my safety meeting? Should I tell him its time? This could be a very bad day..........Mom

In any case it's going to be a long day I arrived here at about 8am and just found out I won't be leaving until 8pm. This could be a very long boring day..........

Astronomers say they’ve found the 10th planet

Seriously we have no definition for a planet? Ok it's still cool every time we find something new.

Busy Day in Dublin

I did a lot of wandering in Dublin today. I got a little lost because there are no street signs anywhere and a map is completely worthless if you don't know where you are or where you have been. I finally decided it was best to get on a tour bus that stops at 21 different places letting you off near main attractions. I managed to make it to St. Stephens Green (this is where I decided I was officially lost and decided to take the bus), the Dublin Writers Museum, Gallery of Modern Art (big disappointment), and the Guinness factory which is where this photo was taken. Ok so I've looked better, but I'm short and the webcam was pretty high :-). Overall it was a productive day of sight-seeing and I'm not looking forward to going into work in the morning.

Two things I've decided you should never travel without.
1. Something to play music. I'm thinking it's time to invest in a MP3 player of some sort. I was extremely bored during the half hour wait for the train and I wanted nothing more than a good song to keep my mind off the child that was playing with his toy motorcycle and wanted me to get involved. I've wanted one for a while now and I have been contemplating an ipod, but I'm not sure what I want just yet. There is still a lot of research to do-I like to keep my tech toys simple.

2. It's officially time to invest in a small digital camera. Don't get me wrong I love my 35mm camera, but during the panic in the Guinness Factory because I thought I had lost all of my film (ok so I forgot it was in my pocket). I decided it's time to invest in a small camera that fits in my purse. Then I can get instant gratification of knowing that I got the shot that I wanted. Then again it's kind of fun to get home and get all of your pictures developed and see what you've got.