Miss America Lied to Us

Miss America said that it did a brand image change. THEY LIED. It's the same old crap. The winner was not talented. The winner had this Las Vegas showgirl style evening dress, and she looked exactly like last years winner.

If they really want to change, they should change the name to Ms. America and have a winner such as this years contestant from Washington State.

This was a big error on the part of the pagent. They lost all credibility with audiences. You blew it. Or maybe I just really wanted it to change.

The Mod Squad

Obama, Hillary and (Edwards.) But let's be real, it's about Harvard and Yale. Hillary's the kind of leader who is involved with every little detail. Obama is solely about inspirational leadership. It's pretty indicative of who I used to hire as interns. Those who were smart and liked to work and those who cruised by on smarts and charm. I haven't seen any charm from Hillary. I haven't seen the little details from Obama. Who this country needs - I do not know. Who the world needs - both will be good for different things. I don't think Hillary will take up Women's causes around the world. She's too political for that. Obama won't either. We are going to have to wait for that. Maybe someone in Gen Y or Z will surprise us.

Paulo has two girl Gen Y relatives who are very into Women's issues around the world. They problem is they don't know what to do with it. Both will probably vote for Hillary.

Back to the election - Who will be better for me personally?
Probably Bloomberg - I hope he decides to run.

200 People Who Control the World

I once read that there are 200 people in the world who really control the financial markets. It's one of those things that you know is true, but as long as you get your needs filled you will tow the line. On the flip side is that 24% of the world population live in extreme poverty. And it's going to get worse before it gets better. I assume that most are women and children.
We have to start changing the attitudes and behaviors of countries that do not give equal opportunities for women. Any government that has different, and yes, even different religious rules for women than men must be made to change. Once this happens, we will see a change in proverty levels. We will have less of it because fewer children will be born.

On that note, I finished Almost Single, http://www.indiaclub.com/Shop/SearchResults.asp?ProdStock=23120

India is not there yet, but it's on the right track. It's good to spend too much money on shoes you don't need. It keeps the economy going. It also make people want things so they will want to work. Good paying jobs require education.

It reminds me of what I wrote in my journal during my trip to India in the early 1990's. As soon as I find it, I will transcribe.

The Princess and Miss America

Cutie is all over the princess thing. She tells stories with princesses, castles, and princes. It's not from me as I tried to instill the tomboy qualities I find most useful in this world. It's definitely something in the air. So much so that last month she started liking hearts. A few days later I noticed Valentine stuff in the atmosphere. They somehow pick-up on things.

Miss America is changing it's brand image. It's so cool to watch. They are following Gen Y desire for authenticity in it's stars. Following teen SC pageant screw-up (pretty blond girl who managed to show the world how stupid the pageant contestants are) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww, it's not surprising that are changing there brand image to portray real girls who are spunky and can hold a conversation. Sort of the girl next door who needs a scholarship.It's gone the way of reality TV with the audience selecting the winner. Will people vote for their state? Who loses - all those pageant consultants now have to change their methods. This should be fun to watch the shift.

Due Dilligence

So I started researching the education testing crap.
The test is annoying. What ever happened to numbers? In grade 3 we had to know multiplication tables and long division (by hand.)
Why do I need to explain in words how you do something. Just do it and move on.
They ask for rules. I challenge every elected offical to answer the rules questions.
This is very annoying.
Viva la private school.

Picture Perfect

Cutie is doing some incredible drawing. This is an old one from last month.
Since St. Lucia we now see castles with windows and window frames.

Those Who Can't Legislate

I was reading some of cutie's cousins math homework - 4th grade. It wasn't math as I remembered it. It was the explanation of math. Leading me to believe - Those who can do, those who can't legislate silly rules. I must look into this. Most private schools don't teach to the silly tests. They teach the love of learning.
Once again there is a divide of the haves and the have nots.

Be Happy

"Be Happy". Those are the words constantly uttered by cutie. She seems to sense discontentment.
Cutie loved St. Lucia. She got quality cousin time. Went on a Jet Ski, paddleboat, wears a life jacket in the ocean and swims with the proper stroke for a breast stroke. Went on a sailboat - it rained and we saw a rainbow. Had her hair braided and woke up the second to last day crying "I don't want to go home".
Grandpa's 90th birthday was everything he wanted. He's happy with his family and says he's tired of traveling.
The next time we will all be together will be at a wedding in six months. That is, of course, if we're invited. I don't believe in tipping a lot if service is delivered with "you are a stupid tourist" attitude. There's no reason to perpetuate bad service - anywhere. And yes, I was a waitress, summer camp counselor and depended on tips. I was happy doing what I did and got rewarded for it. People who tip well for bad service have low self worth. It's that simple.

It's a gen Y (14-29ish) thing. They have to be part of a group and have or do whatever the group has or does. The less they have the more they care about brand names because it gives them confidence. The best was a conversation regarding Paris Hilton. It confirmed all the research I've seen at work. They love Paris because she's rich and not afraid to be anything else. They want to pretend to be rich and the easiest way is through brands. The poor Boomers where so confused and just didn't get it.

I'm dying to know what will happen to the next generation. I guess gen Z. Cutie is in it. All the little girls are starting with princesses and all things pretty. As a boomer, I'm trying to fight it - but at 3yo they have a mind of there own.

Note to self. i have to look into this no child left behind thing.

Family Business

We are here in St Lucia with 23 or so family members on my husband's side. We are all sharing a house with a staff, pool and all the personalities of his youth and some new ones. At night we gather and drink rum punch and listen to voices and guitar playing. During the day it's the sounds of children at the pool. Sometimes when everyone's out exploring, I'm finally relaxing. And Sometimes it's just us waiting for the staff to advise us that lunch is served.
Cutie is not eating much. Paulo thinks it's because she doesn't think it's kosher. So now I have to inform her what is kosher and what isn't. I'm sort of proud of this. She also asks if it's healthy.
Cutie prefers to swim with floaties (her word). I forgot her crocs and butterfly sun visor. It's good that her cousins can loan her a swim shirt and stuff. Cutie is getting along famously with the 7yo. We set up a lemonade stand yesterday and they made $11 St Lucian.
Such is life.
On the house front there seem to be some issues.

Peter And the Wolf

On our way home from school today, Cutie was very excited to tell me they had music and listened to Peter and the Wolf. She told me all the characters. We stopped by the library to pick up a copy of the CD and the book.

I don't do the whole mom thing well. I don't enjoy the library. They won't let me use the children's room computers because I'm over 16. So I have to sit and wait for her to finish playing her game. It's one thing if there were people in the children's room, but we were the only people. In fact, the library is usually empty. It's good to see where our taxes go. I could make a stink, but at what cost to Cutie.

Yesterday we did the playground thing. Finally Cutie made a friend. She was so happy. She liked him but didn't like his name - Colin. She was surprised that boys have blond hair. Unfortunately, the mom was not my type. She was a professional mom and I find them souless. They are probably very nice, but they never have any interest in anything that's not child related.

Pink Is Magic

Pink is Magic. That's what Cutie said when we were in the yarn store. I think she has a career in advertising. She's also great with naming Webkinz and other items that need names.

If you've been reading the blog since "totheburbs", you will know that we didn't take photo's during Cutie's Birthday Party. But my sister-in-law took some photos. Here's my little performer.


BTW Someone just bought the totheburbs.com. I didn't bother because it didn't know I was really going to keep this up.

Dogsitting

This week we've been dog sitting for an Irish Spinger Spaniel. I'm glad we did it. Paulo always wanted a dog. I don't think he keen on the idea anymore. Phew - I knew I didn't want a dog. I'm very busy and don't need a smelly pet. In fact, I'm the kind of person who's quite happy being alone with my projects.

The dog is nice an all. But you have to take it out and feed it all the time. Just when you think you have a moment to sit on the toliet and read - you remember you have to take out the dog. And the dog smell and dog hair - I just don't get it.

Change

There must be a rule at schools that if you need to make a change in teaching staff, it's best to do it in Dec. before everyone goes on a school break.

Cutie has two teachers. One she calls the nice teacher and the other she refers to as the mean teacher. The teacher she prefers is moving to another classroom. In exchange they are sending an inexperienced teacher to work with the disciplinarian teacher.

At her Sunday school, the principal is leaving.

Cutie can now write all the letters of the alphabet with help. She's not a fan of crayons and prefers color pencils. Her people and flower drawings are adorable. They look like Noggin characters.as are her flowers. She even makes aliens (who are nice). I've been playing with her a lot. Favorite toys - Polly Pockets - she even got the cruise ship from grandma. Barbie, anything that builds houses. Anything with sparkles or glitter or looks like a princess. Yes - I have a girly girl.