WIC

I heard an interesting piece on the radio yesterday. American Public Media's Marketplace did a story on the changes in WIC. The Women, Infants and Children program expanded to allow mothers in the program to purchase bread, soymilk, and other food in addition to the food allowed by traditional vouchers (milk, formula, eggs, etc). Apparently food manufacturers are producing new "WIC certified" products that meet the requirements for WIC.

That is interesting in and of itself. What struck me, though, was a sentence at the end of the program, saying that more than half of the babies born each year are enrolled in a WIC program. Really?! More than half the children in the USA? I knew WIC was important, but had no idea how widely used it was.

Note to self: research WIC. I'd like to know more about it. It seems less stigmatized than other welfare programs. It seems to also be well known and used. I wonder what the program eligibility requirements are. How it started. What problems the program has faced. If the benefits are being measured and accounted for.

End thought: Hooray WIC! Hooray babies! :-)

Weekly Goals

Jennifer writes down weekly goals for five areas of her life. 1.) Personal, 2.) Career, 3.) Health, 4.) Relationships, and 5.) Financial.

I think I will do the same. But this week only lasts till Sunday, so I'll start my second week in a few days.

1.) Personal. For real pray at least twice this week.
2.) Career. Set up at least one "advice interview" appointment.
3.) Health. Take my vitamins every day.
4.) Relationships. Mail those CD's to Radhika.
5.) Financial. Gather information about student loan payments.

Dream: Losing the kid

I've had a series of interesting dreams lately. This latest one, I believe, speaks to fears of growing up?

I dreamt I was going on a trip. I was on a cruise ship, or maybe a train. Anyways, I was sitting down, my friends were in seats around me, and across from me a little boy was sitting. I was his caretaker. His babysitter. He didn't look familiar to me then, but I knew I was supposed to be watching him. He was about 8 years old or so. Blondish maybe. Just generic kid look.

We stopped at some destination and got off the boat. I was walking around a castle-looking muesum type place, I remember bright colors, but not much else. The little boy was with me, but I wasn't really interacting with him. I definately was aware he was there, though.

I went back on the boat. I was only going to go and get something -- don't know if I forgot something or wanted to get something new. I planned on going back to shore, but when I got on the boat, it started sailing away. I remember looking out the window and seeing the shoreline move away, and being suprised, thinking "we can't be leaving yet!"

I ran around the boat, looking for my friends to see if they had the little boy. They didn't have him. He was left on the shore. I felt panicky -- I couldn't leave him! I wanted to go back, but I couldn't find who to ask to let me. I don't think the boat captians spoke English. Either that, or they wouldn't turn around or let me leave. He was left behind.

I'm really excited to be getting married. But I do feel a little bit of anxiety. I guess I have considered myself an "adult" for awhile now, but it seems that this getting married step makes it official.