It is a tough time to be a brown person in America

Alabama passes tough illegal-immigration law
http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_6775/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=nqehetEc

After the Arizona law passed, my Hispanic family joked that we all better carry our (U.S.) passports so we don't get deported. I am starting to wonder if it is going to be necessary soon. Ay-carumba!

What happened to "give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free?" (The Statue of Liberty inscription)

Apparently we should change that to "get out and stay out!"

just Sheri, standing on the side of freedom

I am a "come here"

I now live on the East Coast. In a State that doesn't even like to be called a State - it is "the Commonwealth," thank you very much.

Virginia is one of the first places people resided when coming to the United States. I have posted about some of the historic sites we've been visiting:

• Colonial Williamsburg
• old town Alexandria
• Gary Melchers home
• a trolley tour of slave places in historic Fredericksburg

What does all this mean? There is a group of people who have lived in this part of the country for a long time. They are quite proud of this fact. As a person from the western part of the US it is a bit of culture shock, as we don't give the same value to geneology and where one is born.

When traveling the globe I was often called names like "Mezungu." Because of my light skin it was obvious by looking at me that I was from some where else. The title pointed that out.

I recently learned there is a name for people like me who came to Virginia from some other place - a "come here." A native Virginia told me that is what we are called.

just Sheri, still a foreigner in my "homeland"

Quotable Quotes: Condoleezza

I've always felt that I've gotten where I am because I follow what interests me instead of worrying about the job market or what I ought to do. I'm also a very religious person and believe it's God's will to do certain things. You can't be rigid about your life. You can't have it all planned out far ahead of time. ~ Condoleezza Rice

homelessness

Since posting about people living in the woods I have become increasingly interested in the homeless issue in our community. I've been asking around to see what I can learn.

In a recent conversation with a doctor (who also sits on our Board of Directors) I learned that the hospital system doesn't do a good job of tracking those without a place of residence. It had been decided by someone in hospital registration that everyone must have an address to put in to their computer system. If it is a required field in their software program, there are ways around this - such as creating a code for those without a place of residence (e.g. 9999). This would be helpful because one could later run a report for all the 9999 addresses and know how many individuals were admitted and/or discharged without a place of residence.

This doctor told me that she currently had three of 30 patients in her wound care center who are homeless. That is a large percentage! One man who is living in his car was forced to enter an address upon registration. His solution - four digits from his drivers license and the word Ford. Why Ford? Because that is the make of car he drives.

More and more I admire the compassion of those who want to help this population in their time of medical need - which is simply an added complication to an already desperate situation.

just Sheri, saddened that this is happening in America

Busch Gardens

While on our weekend getaway, I told Kenyon I want to go to Busch Gardens. You should have seen his face. He was trying to figure out how to get out of it. I couldn't understand (at first) why he was so reluctant. Then it dawned on me...gardens...flowers...he is probably thinking I am going to take him to look at flowers.

Now, this could be an easy assumption as I am obsessed with flowers. I did make him take me to the flower market in Amsterdam. One of our weddings was at a Botanical Garden. It is plausible that I would ask him to take me to look at flowers. But, that was not my ask...not this time anyway.

Busch Gardens is known for it's beauty. Notice their claim to fame, "The World's Most Beautiful Theme Park." But, that isn't why one goes to this destination. Oh no...I give you one word. Rollercoasters!

This is a shot I took that shows just three of the options available. We did these and more.

In our nearly four years of marriage, Kenyon and I have never been to an amusement park together before. It was a first for us. Apparently my husband did not know I have an affinity for beautiful flowers AND thrill rides.

just Sheri, lovin' the loop-de-loop