Snowden: revealing my inconsistencies

Recently I've engaged in numerous conversations on the topic of Snowden: hero or villain?

That really isn't the point of this post.

The media reports about the man who leaked top secret information has me thinking about the issue of privacy...

We live in interesting times where we use social media to announce to the world where we are (Facebook check-in) and what we are doing at any given moment (Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook status posts). I (obviously) have a blog and share portions of my life on the blog. I have user IDs for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and post status updates periodically on all of these.

In addition to these, I have a smart phone and subscribed to the Google app which I find amazing. If there is a flight itinerary in my inbox, the app will automatically give me the flight status. The app has memorized my schedule and frequently visited locations and will give me updates on how long it will take to get home from work or to a regular destination on Monday nights or Wednesday mornings. When I travel, because of GPS tracking on my phone, the app creates a listing (unsolicited)of activities or restaurants near me. Every weekend it gives me a list of events in my area. I like the convenience of these functions. I find them helpful and useful. I sacrificed privacy to get these features and apparently I am okay with that.

I am not, however, okay with the government tracking and cataloguing these things without a reasonable cause. I don't care if it is in the name of national security. While I have nothing to hide, it feels to me a violation of trust that they capture this information without my permission.

I have been thinking about this inconsistency in my stance. I willingly give up privacy for the sake of personal convenience, but I feel it a violation when those concessions in privacy are being monitored on a grand scale.

Is my expectation of privacy reasonable?

just Sheri, trying to reconcile my inconsistencies

Lessons from my father

I could write a whole book about all I have learned from the man I consider my father. He has taught me about car maintenance, cooking, how to be a person of character, how to serve others, and so much more. Much of this was by demonstration rather than lecture. What is really amazing is that he is not my birth father - but he has been just like a father should be.

Most recently I have been grateful to him for the lessons he taught me on financial responsibility. He has a terrible distaste for debt and while his job as a manual laborer never earned him a high salary, nor paid benefits, he always had savings and was generous with others.

Today, there are two primary things I do with the money I earn: 1) I save and 2) I give.

Because that is what he taught me to do.

I haven't had a credit card balance in over 15 years. I have a credit card and I use my credit card, but I never carry a balance. In fact, in all those years I have not paid a single dollar in fees or interest to any credit card provider because I pay off the balance before the bill is due.

Other than our mortgage, I have no debt. We bought both of our cars used and with cash.

I consider myself frugal, but not cheap. What's the difference? I will still splurge on a nice evening out with the Hubs. At least once a year I take a vacation that includes exotic destinations. But frugality is a lifestyle. The majority of the furniture in our home is used, with a few newer pieces purchased from discount stores/vendors. When we take a cruise vacation I opt for an inside cabin rather than paying hundreds more for a balcony room. Travel destinations often include visiting friends, which means we can save money by staying with them rather than paying for a hotel (granted, I am lucky enough to have friends who live in places like Australia, China, Dubai, and South Africa).

My father taught me to be prudent with my hard earned dollars. To live within my means. To save for the future and things I want. I am grateful to him, because putting these lessons in to practice has brought financial freedom, regardless of the salary I receive.

Last year when the Hubs was unemployed for a series of months, we were fine because we had savings. I am now facing the very real possibility of unemployment by fall. I was talking to my father about this reality and discussing options for the future. During the conversation I thanked him for teaching me how to manage money, it is a gift that has served me well in life.

Because he is my dad and he loves me, he also said, "if things get too rough, you always have a home with me."

just Sheri, daddy's girl

quotable quotes: somebody do something

create your future

I have heard people say, "I will wait and see what happens." You have probably heard the same thing. Maybe you've said it yourself. Lately I've noticed I have a strong reaction to this sentiment - I am almost completely intolerant of it. How about influencing what happens?!

I think we have a lot more power to create our future than we give ourselves credit for. We can be people of intention. We can be change-makers. Those whom we admire most made a difference, because they waited for made something happen.

I am not sure who said it, but I like this quote:

"The future is not a result of choices among alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created - created first in the mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating."

just Sheri, working on the future 

catch up

It has been nearly two months since my last post, not for lack of stories to tell, but more because I have been enjoying life...offline. Here is sample of what has happened in recent months...

I traveled to San Francisco for work, but the highlight of the trip was spending the weekend with my college roommate Samantha, her husband Chris, and their two kids. The last time we were in the same place was my wedding reception; at the time she was pregnant with her daughter (the oldest). While emails and Christmas cards keep us updated, there is nothing like sitting across the table from someone and sharing a meal or conversation. I credit  Samantha with teaching me what it means to be a good friend; because she is exceptional at it. We have shared a lot of great memories through the years. I LOVED seeing her as a mom!

Speaking of moms...my mom came to the DMV for a visit. It was her first time in this part of the U.S. She came to experience the beauty of the cherry blossoms - instead it snowed three times in March; including a few days before her visit. Sadly, she only saw bare trees. We did make time to visit the national monuments, but her travel wish list consisted of every day experiences; so, we had a couple take-my-mom-to-work activities, meals with friends, and even spent an afternoon at my favorite grocery. Activities only a mother would love...or perhaps only my mother.

There were also some celebrations of life events with friends, family, and friends who have become family.

We celebrated Joyce's birthday and on a separate occasion (not pictured) Naomi's dedication.

My friend Angela was recognized at a celebration event for her service to the community.

'Tis the season for graduations!

Phim graduated with her MBA.

My brother graduated from Law School.

Now that she is a high school grad, my goddaughter is off to college.

I also participated in a family trip to celebrate my brother's BIG accomplishment. Here is a photo of me enjoying fresh coco(nut) juice from a street vendor in Puerto Rico. I get nostalgic when drinking one of these. It takes me back to villages in India, Cambodia and Mozambique. My heart still resides with those I met in those places.

My sister-friend Theresa drove to Oklahoma City for a quick visit while I was there for the weekend. Have I mentioned I am blessed with a wealth of great relationships? Because I am. I count Theresa among those blessings.

I also got to live a dream when the Hubs and I were chauffeured to a wonderful evening at the Kennedy Center. I've wanted to attend an event at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts since we moved here. This iconic building has hosted many performances I've watched from afar (on TV) for a lifetime. It would have been a shame to live this close and not attend an event at this venue. I can now cross this off the list. Done! Though I wouldn't turn down an opportunity to attend another event at the Kennedy Center...if such an opportunity were to present itself.

just Sheri, living in the present