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.

Third Annual Documenting Justice Screening

The third annual Documenting Justice screening will be held at the Bama Theatre next Tuesday, April 28th at 7:00. The screening will feature six ten-minute films. Admission is free and two of the films were made by Alabama law students - Starr Turner and Mitchell Reid, A preview of the films can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtj62bBKu3M.

I'm so excited about this!

SNOW

It SNOWED today.

Heck yes.

Foster's Auditorium

I pass by this place every morning on my way to work. Its the location where Gov. Wallace, in 1963, made his infamous stand on the schoolhouse steps in order to bar Vivian Malone and James Hood's entry into the school because they were black. This stand didn't exactly come as a surprise, he was making good on his governorship campaign promise "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever". John F. Kennedy, in anticipation of George Wallace's stand, deployed the national gaurd.

Wallace may have been many things, but he certainly wasn't a visoinary. While people are still segregated and racism still lingers, the stated policies of the University have changed to be inclusive. With a changed policy, now, it seems to me that the University of Alabama is not sure what to do about this place that represents an old policy. Although the outside of the building looks respectable, unlike other buildings, it hasn't been renovated on the inside. I've gone inside to use the restroom once, and I felt like I was stepping back into the 60s. As far as I could tell, the building was empty. I started to go upstairs, and I found some ripped caution tape hanging from the railing and old newspapers scattered on the floor. It was pretty eerie... all the lights were on but it looked as if no one had used the building in awhile.

I can see why the University is not sure what to do with this place. To celebrate the building is a constant reminder of what role the University had in the civil rights era. But you do want to celebrate the role of Malone and Hood and countless others who took the opposite stand. And you don't want to forget -- many people can't forget. But it seems that the University if anything, is erring on the side of forgetting. There is a plaque on front of the auditorium remembering the schoolhouse stand -- but this was placed on the building until 2006. The building is not being remodeled to keep up with the rest of the school. Maybe one day it will, but right now it looks rather lonely and forgotten. The UA Website says that women's athletics used to be in Fosters until 1980, and then the Department of Kinesology was in Fosters until 2006. Did the Kinesology department leave the building when the plaque went up? What is the University planning on doing with this place? I don't think they can tear the building down because it is on the historic registry. But if they could, should they? Shouldn't they use the building as more than storage? It seems that remembering, while painful, is necessary. But how to remember is beyond me and my understanding.

My Tuscaloosa area to-do list

Oftentimes I complain with others about how there isn't much to do in Tuscaloosa. But -- maybe I just like to complain. Because in actuality, I am never bored (other than when I'm at work or in class, but that unescapable -- I'm sure students from Paris to Las Vegas experience classroom boredom). Here is my current 'to do' list of the fun variety. This list doesn't include things that I have done already -- only things I'm still wanting to do. Some of these things have been on my list for awhile now -- waiting for me to find the time to go!

• Moundville Archeological Museum. Apparently, back in the day Moundville used to be one of the largest cities in North America. I've done some research on Moundville for my job and want to see what it is all about.
• 8 minute speed dating at Capture coffee shop. I think that this would be excellent practice for interviews. I think Craig only pretends to roll his eyes at me.
• Birmingham Civil Rights Museum. I've lived here how long and still haven't seen this?
• Tuscaloosa contradancers. They meet monthly or so for do-si-dos and whatnot. I somehow got on their facebook group and get updates. Seems like fun.
• Spirits Wine Shop wine tasting. Thursdays - aparently 5 bucks lets you try a bunch of wine and get 5 dollars off a bottle.