Open Season Addiction

My family & I are a.d.d.i.c.t.e.d to the cartoon movie series called "Open Season". It is basically about some forest animals who collide with domestic animals and they have these really silly adventures. We do not pay too much attention to the movies themselves but to the characters. Each of my brothers & sisters is like an animal from the movie. Each of us have our "OS" nickname and it goes as follows:

Brianna as "Mr. Weenie". A German wiener dog who seeks adventure but likes steady ground. He is Elliot's good friend and once lived as a "vild" but decided to rejoin the domestics with "mama and bob", his owners.




Kyle-lee as "Roger". A highly awkward but lovable cat who is known for rambling off random phrases. He is not the smartest kitty in the bunch but he loves ice-cream and girlfriends.







Victoria as "Fifi". This poodle may look delicate but fifi is far from being a backseat rider. As a main character in the OS story, fifi was against Mr. Weenie being a "vild" and set out in the 2nd film to set him straight. Screaming repetitive phrases also seems to be a quirk of his.








Konner as "Buddy". This adorable little guy is Buddy and he doesn't say much but he warms your heart from the beginning. He has a tendency to always get lost. Nonetheless, he adds cuteness factor to the series and is an easy favorite.





Mackenzie & Brooke-lynne as "Rosie and Maria". Skunks have never smelled so good! These two are Giselle's bestest girl pals and they happen to speak spanish! Maria tends to be a little too emotional while Rosie shows her love for the boys. You never see one without the other and they are a spicy addition to the movie.




Our mom as "Misses Shlapiano". Misses Shlapiano is no where near a main character but just saying her name is the best part! She appears in the 2nd film where buddy, elliot and weenie are sneaking into pet paradiso. The guard (who is blind) gets misses Shlapiano and the boys mixed up. The scene only lasts for moments but our mom can easily relate.



Iaian as "Ian". Now, most bucks of the wild kind are manly and tough. While Ian completely supports this niche, he also adds on charming, sarcastic, and dull-witted. Throughout the whole 2nd film, Ian plays the ladies man but he only wants Giselle. A softy at heart, Ian is pushy but we love him!















Nickolas as "Rufus". As a buddy to Fifi, Rufus is the basset hound who is a fan of food and being lazy. In the relationship, Fifi is the boss and Rufus tags along. As much as Rufus drives Fifi crazy, they are forever friends. He has some pretty cute (and clueless) one line phrases throughout the 2nd movie and he supports the "domestics" side of the battle.

Pawpaw

Most girls have that one man in their life that they call daddy. They are daddy's little girl and he is always there for them. Well, I don't. My mom married my birth father and had me and my older brother Brandon. They split before I was even born. Even though I was born on his birthday, my "dad" was never in the picture. Now, some people may think it bothers me or that I am the lonely girl without a father but they are dead wrong. My mom met Johnny when I was about 13 months old. Growing up, I thought he was my dad. I even called him daddy like he had helped create me himself. As I got older, he fell further and further from "daddy" for me. I am not so sure what happened but it did and that is just how it is. I am not sad or upset. I do not cry when I see my friends with their dads. I take this whole thing as it is, nothing to worry about! I am independent and very dedicated. Not having a father may of added to this or not. I have my mom and my brothers & sisters and they are the family that keeps me going. All I know is that I have this one man in my life that makes everything I do easy, even if its the hardest thing I have had to do. Who is this special, one-of-a-kind man? MY PAWPAW. This man has been there for me since DAY ONE. My grandfather Vernon has gone above and beyond the rule of grandpa for me. I remember every trip together, every car ride and conversation. He recently moved back to our home town in Mississippi and I miss him everyday. Some days, he is all I can think about. I worry about his health and if he is happy. I wonder if he will be there for my wedding to walk me down the isle. I also wonder if he will be there when Stephen and I have our first baby. Most of all, I hope he is there for when I walk across the stage for medical school. Everything I have tried for in life involves my pawpaw. I try so hard and I do it all for him. He always has good advice and he always tells me to try hard. My favorite part is how proud of me he is. I am proud to call him my pawpaw. He may not be my dad but he is the best male figure any girl could ask for. I hope that one day I can give back to my grandfather as he has given to me. Thank you pawpaw, I love you!

Ethics?

Is it wrong to pull the ventilator on an elderly man who's family says no? Do doctors have the right to go above your own wishes? Should Gay communities be allowed to marry? Is population control humane? Heck, I don't know! I mean, I have my own personal views but they have so far never involved me to the point where I have had to use my ethical decision making. Even if I had to choose right now, how do I know if yes is the right answer or if no is the right answer? I don't & I think that is the point of Ethics.

To me, there is no wrong or right answer. It simply means that in those situations, we choose what makes us more comfortably sound in our decision. I am excited to take an ethics course (plus it is required for a common study) but at the same time I think: "How do I write a paper on which is the right choice?". Say I was the doctor overseeing a preemie born at 25 weeks & the family decided that they wanted to pull the ventilator and assign the infant as DNR. Depending on the consequences or pro' & con's of each scenario, I most likely could not be the one to make that decision. And at that point, I probably would just have to shut my mouth and let the family decide. But what if my ethics collided with theirs. Who is right, who is wrong? and would that family be making a decision they could live with forever? All I can say is WHO KNOWS!?

This assignment will be tough for me because I do not think my opinions alone will carry me. I think it always just depends. As with the infant, it would depend on whether or not they would be in a long term coma or if they would be blind, etc. Is quality of life better than quantity? I believe there is no answer that will solve world peace or make these types of ethical issues easier to handle. To me, there is no answer above all answers. Ethics is more than any one can handle and I hope my values, and morals stay put.

"A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true."
Socrates

It is here and moving fast!

Why is it so impossible to stay dedicated to anything for very long? I am in week three of this program and because of school and classes, I already have not been able to work out like I want too. I have missed 4 days of the program but today I plan on getting back on track. I can see this is going to be a real challenge when classes are in full swing. Fitness classes start next week so that might help. They have Yoga/Pilates, Step, and Zumba.

Also this week, my LAST semester of college started. Let me just say that it feel amazing to know that I will have a degree in less than five months. So far, classes are great and I am pumped about my schedule. I am taking Microbiology, Child Development & Behavior, Ethics in Social Science, and Physics II. This is the laziest semester I have ever had. I have never had the chance to take so few credit hours and hopefully that will keep me sane. I am not so sure about one of my professors because she seems to be random in thought and I am so used to structured classes but we will see how it goes.

Stephen has a game series in Memphis, Tenn. this February and Devin & I are going with her mom so I am excited about that. This will be my third trip to the south in the past two years but I have not yet been as far as Alabama or Mississippi. Hopefully in March when I head home for Tristan's baptism, I will get to go to Mississippi also and see my grandparents and other family.

Last night was great! I made spaghetti dinner & garlic bread for the roomies while we watched "Vampire's Suck" and gabbed about how things here at school are whacked up and ridiculous. Today should be fun also; Rachel and I are going to the barn to see her horse Jolie and give her a little TLC. I have some course work to get finished up and I need to get my "To Do List" wound down because it is slowly but surely turning into a monster but I guess that is how life is when you are as busy as I am. Peace & Blessings!

"I miss everything about you, I cant believe that I still want you, After all the things we have been through, I miss everything about you, without you"-Colbie Caillat

Still Motivated

Overview of week one:

Well, Week one is OVER!! It may not sound like much but in this first week I have eaten a lot healthier, I have increased the amount of water I drink and I have worked out every day. I feel happier and more energized throughout the whole day. I would say the hardest part is avoiding temptations. Last night, my favorite loaded baked potato with bacon, cheese, and onion was made. I have to admit I did eat half of one but its the first mistake I have made all week so its OK (for now). I am looking forward to seeing some results and really toning up. It may not result in abs but a woman can try right?! :P

Outlook for week two:

I started on week two today and I am still pretty motivated. I finally purchased my very own yoga mat and it helps out quite a bit. I just need to keep following the workout program and that is about it. I am still keeping up with the food journal & it honestly helps.

Happy New Year!

A new year is finally here and I am more excited about it than ever before.

Fresh starts are always nice. So far I have stuck to my resolutions, but a 7 day head start helps out quite a bit.

Stephen and I got all dressed up last night and headed to a friends house. We tried going downtown first but nothing was too exciting there and IT WAS BEYOND FREEZING. We hung out for a while and had a little champagne. Mostly watched friends make fools of themselves as I took pictures and danced around. When the clock struck midnight on the big screen, I gave my honey a kiss and we said happy new year. It is our 6th NYE together and I can't believe it has flown by this fast. Happy New Year to all of our family & friends, may all your dreams for 2011 come true!

Love,

Brianna & Stephen