Corrie and Justin in front of the water wall.
The water wall
a closer look at the water wall
Corrie and me
sculpture at the Menil Collection
everything looks better in black and white
funny sign
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
HOUSTON PICTURES
Corrie and Justin in front of the water wall.The water wallsculpture at the Menil Collectioneverything looks better in black and whitefunny sign
Monday, July 03, 2006
DSL woes
Had to give up fast access service. Sitting in the library at MC posting. I hate doing this with people looking over my shoulder. GRRRRRRR.
Richard
Richard
Friday, June 30, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Richard is a Fieldmarshal
So Richard took the quiz below and he is an ENTJ. I am not sure if this is completely him...let us know what you think! This is what D. Keirsey had to say about being an ENTJ:
The Portrait of the FieldMarshal Rational (ENTJ)
Copyrighted © 1996-2005 Prometheus Nemesis Book Company
Of the four aspects of strategic analysis and definition, it is marshalling or situational organizing role that reaches the highest development in Fieldmarshals. As this kind of role is practiced some contingency organizing is necessary, so that the second suit of the Fieldmarshal's intellect is devising contingency plans.
As the organizing capabilities the Fieldmarshal increase so does their desire to let others know about whatever has come of their organizational efforts. So they tend to take up a directive role in their social exchanges. On the other hand they have less and less desire, if they ever had any, to inform others.
Hardly more than two percent of the total population, the Fieldmarshals are bound to lead others, and from an early age they can be observed taking command of groups. In some cases, Fieldmarshals simply find themselves in charge of groups, and are mystified as to how this happened. But the reason is that Fieldmarshals have a strong natural urge to give structure and direction wherever they are -- to harness people in the field and to direct them to achieve distant goals. They resemble Supervisors in their tendency to establish plans for a task, enterprise, or organization, but Fieldmarshals search more for policy and goals than for regulations and procedures.
Fieldmarshals will usually rise to positions of responsibility and enjoy being executives. They are tireless in their devotion to their jobs and can easily block out other areas of life for the sake of their work. Superb administrators in any field -- medicine, law, business, education, government, the military -- Fieldmarshals organize their units into smooth-functioning systems, planning in advance, keeping both short-term and long-range objectives well in mind. For the Fieldmarshals, there must always be a goal-directed reason for doing anything, and people's feelings usually are not sufficient reason. They prefer decisions to be based on impersonal data, want to work from well thought-out plans, like to use engineered operations -- and they expect others to follow suit. They are ever intent on reducing bureaucratic red tape, task redundancy, and aimless confusion in the workplace, and they are willing to dismiss employees who cannot get with the program and increase their efficiency. Although Fieldmarshals are tolerant of established procedures, they can and will abandon any procedure when it can be shown to be ineffective in accomplishing its goal. Fieldmarshals root out and reject ineffectiveness and inefficiency, and are impatient with repetition of error.
The Portrait of the FieldMarshal Rational (ENTJ)
Copyrighted © 1996-2005 Prometheus Nemesis Book Company
Of the four aspects of strategic analysis and definition, it is marshalling or situational organizing role that reaches the highest development in Fieldmarshals. As this kind of role is practiced some contingency organizing is necessary, so that the second suit of the Fieldmarshal's intellect is devising contingency plans.
As the organizing capabilities the Fieldmarshal increase so does their desire to let others know about whatever has come of their organizational efforts. So they tend to take up a directive role in their social exchanges. On the other hand they have less and less desire, if they ever had any, to inform others.
Hardly more than two percent of the total population, the Fieldmarshals are bound to lead others, and from an early age they can be observed taking command of groups. In some cases, Fieldmarshals simply find themselves in charge of groups, and are mystified as to how this happened. But the reason is that Fieldmarshals have a strong natural urge to give structure and direction wherever they are -- to harness people in the field and to direct them to achieve distant goals. They resemble Supervisors in their tendency to establish plans for a task, enterprise, or organization, but Fieldmarshals search more for policy and goals than for regulations and procedures.
Fieldmarshals will usually rise to positions of responsibility and enjoy being executives. They are tireless in their devotion to their jobs and can easily block out other areas of life for the sake of their work. Superb administrators in any field -- medicine, law, business, education, government, the military -- Fieldmarshals organize their units into smooth-functioning systems, planning in advance, keeping both short-term and long-range objectives well in mind. For the Fieldmarshals, there must always be a goal-directed reason for doing anything, and people's feelings usually are not sufficient reason. They prefer decisions to be based on impersonal data, want to work from well thought-out plans, like to use engineered operations -- and they expect others to follow suit. They are ever intent on reducing bureaucratic red tape, task redundancy, and aimless confusion in the workplace, and they are willing to dismiss employees who cannot get with the program and increase their efficiency. Although Fieldmarshals are tolerant of established procedures, they can and will abandon any procedure when it can be shown to be ineffective in accomplishing its goal. Fieldmarshals root out and reject ineffectiveness and inefficiency, and are impatient with repetition of error.
Jung Typology Test
Thanks to Trey, the following quiz is being submitted for your enjoyment:
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
Let me know what you find out!
To give you a little insight into the world of Emily (and probably baby Sydney), here is what D. Keirsey has to say about my being an ENFJ:
The Portrait of the Teacher Idealist (ENFJ)
Copyrighted © 1996-2005 Prometheus Nemesis Book Company
The Idealists called Teachers are abstract in their thought and speech, cooperative in their style of achieving goals, and directive and extraverted in their interpersonal relations. Learning in the young has to be beckoned forth, teased out from its hiding place, or, as suggested by the word "education," it has to be "educed." by an individual with educative capabilities. Such a one is the ENFJ, thus rightly called the educative mentor or Teacher for short. The Teacher is especially capable of educing or calling forth those inner potentials each learner possesses. Even as children the Teachers may attract a gathering of other children ready to follow their lead in play or work. And they lead without seeming to do so.
Teachers expect the very best of those around them, and this expectation, usually expressed as enthusiastic encouragement, motivates action in others and the desire to live up to their expectations. Teachers have the charming characteristic of taking for granted that their expectations will be met, their implicit commands obeyed, never doubting that people will want to do what they suggest. And, more often than not, people do, because this type has extraordinary charisma.
The Teachers are found in no more than 2 or 3 percent of the population. They like to have things settled and arranged. They prefer to plan both work and social engagements ahead of time and tend to be absolutely reliable in honoring these commitments. At the same time, Teachers are very much at home in complex situations which require the juggling of much data with little pre-planning. An experienced Teacher group leader can dream up, effortlessly, and almost endlessly, activities for groups to engage in, and stimulating roles for members of the group to play. In some Teachers, inspired by the responsiveness of their students or followers, this can amount to genius which other types find hard to emulate. Such ability to preside without planning reminds us somewhat of an Provider, but the latter acts more as a master of ceremonies than as a leader of groups. Providers are natural hosts and hostesses, making sure that each guest is well looked after at social gatherings, or that the right things are expressed on traditional occasions, such as weddings, funerals, graduations, and the like. In much the same way, Teachers value harmonious human relations about all else, can handle people with charm and concern, and are usually popular wherever they are. But Teachers are not so much social as educational leaders, interested primarily in the personal growth and development of others, and less in attending to their social needs.
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
Let me know what you find out!
To give you a little insight into the world of Emily (and probably baby Sydney), here is what D. Keirsey has to say about my being an ENFJ:
The Portrait of the Teacher Idealist (ENFJ)
Copyrighted © 1996-2005 Prometheus Nemesis Book Company
The Idealists called Teachers are abstract in their thought and speech, cooperative in their style of achieving goals, and directive and extraverted in their interpersonal relations. Learning in the young has to be beckoned forth, teased out from its hiding place, or, as suggested by the word "education," it has to be "educed." by an individual with educative capabilities. Such a one is the ENFJ, thus rightly called the educative mentor or Teacher for short. The Teacher is especially capable of educing or calling forth those inner potentials each learner possesses. Even as children the Teachers may attract a gathering of other children ready to follow their lead in play or work. And they lead without seeming to do so.
Teachers expect the very best of those around them, and this expectation, usually expressed as enthusiastic encouragement, motivates action in others and the desire to live up to their expectations. Teachers have the charming characteristic of taking for granted that their expectations will be met, their implicit commands obeyed, never doubting that people will want to do what they suggest. And, more often than not, people do, because this type has extraordinary charisma.
The Teachers are found in no more than 2 or 3 percent of the population. They like to have things settled and arranged. They prefer to plan both work and social engagements ahead of time and tend to be absolutely reliable in honoring these commitments. At the same time, Teachers are very much at home in complex situations which require the juggling of much data with little pre-planning. An experienced Teacher group leader can dream up, effortlessly, and almost endlessly, activities for groups to engage in, and stimulating roles for members of the group to play. In some Teachers, inspired by the responsiveness of their students or followers, this can amount to genius which other types find hard to emulate. Such ability to preside without planning reminds us somewhat of an Provider, but the latter acts more as a master of ceremonies than as a leader of groups. Providers are natural hosts and hostesses, making sure that each guest is well looked after at social gatherings, or that the right things are expressed on traditional occasions, such as weddings, funerals, graduations, and the like. In much the same way, Teachers value harmonious human relations about all else, can handle people with charm and concern, and are usually popular wherever they are. But Teachers are not so much social as educational leaders, interested primarily in the personal growth and development of others, and less in attending to their social needs.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
1st our due date was wrong and now this...
We have changed our daughter's name. Thank goodness she hasn't arrived yet! My mother "accidently" called her by this name yesterday (Saturday) and it has stuck! So our daughter's name will be Sydney Elizabeth Swayze. We will call her Sydney. Our families have really taken a liking to her name, especially my dad. "Sydney is SO much better than Sophia." (3rd person qoute from my dad through my sister.) Anyway, just thought everyone would like to know.
Em
Em
Friday, June 16, 2006
Thursday, June 15, 2006
the fountains at the bellagio have nothing on these guys. (hope the link works)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1498735521253677636
richard
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1498735521253677636
richard
Monday, June 05, 2006
Thursday, June 01, 2006
The Evolution of Dance
I must give props to this guy. Everyone needs to watch his dance routine. You might just feel nostalgic. I know I did.
-Emily
-Emily
Monday, May 29, 2006
Thank heaven for little....
GIRLS!!!!! (just one girl) Sophia Elizabeth Swayze. We now have a name to attach to 'it'. pretty soon she'll start kicking emily. that'll be fun.....for sophia.
We're really excited about the new house we are renting in clinton. bye bye apartment life!!!! we move june 24 so if you wanna help that would be great. but don't expect anything except a 'thank you' in return!!!!! so come on down!!!!
richard
We're really excited about the new house we are renting in clinton. bye bye apartment life!!!! we move june 24 so if you wanna help that would be great. but don't expect anything except a 'thank you' in return!!!!! so come on down!!!!
richard
Thursday, May 25, 2006
HOW DO I TELL MY MOTHER?!
So we FINALLY find out what we are having tomorrow morning at 9:30 am. I would love to update our blog with a new post, but I don't know how big of a fan my mother is of our blog. Just to keep her in suspense a little longer, Richard and I are not telling my parents until we get to their house tomorrow night. So that means that the rest of you will have to wait until the screaming and hugging stops and Richard and/I can get to the computer.
Now the big question is how we go about telling my parents. For some reason, there seems to be a need to make a big deal about it with them. This is not their idea, but a scheme that Erin and I have decided needs to take place. My cousins Angela (w/Blake and baby Baylee) and Peggy will also be at my parents’ house tomorrow night, adding to the anticipation.
Erin and I thought that wrapping-up a Cabbage Patch Kid for my mom’s birthday present would be funny. Erin suggested that I find the doll that has the name we have chosen, but I think that’s too much trouble. So we would just wrap up the doll with the same gender. It’s a good idea and our child will already have one toy. I don’t know though. What do you think?
Now the big question is how we go about telling my parents. For some reason, there seems to be a need to make a big deal about it with them. This is not their idea, but a scheme that Erin and I have decided needs to take place. My cousins Angela (w/Blake and baby Baylee) and Peggy will also be at my parents’ house tomorrow night, adding to the anticipation.
Erin and I thought that wrapping-up a Cabbage Patch Kid for my mom’s birthday present would be funny. Erin suggested that I find the doll that has the name we have chosen, but I think that’s too much trouble. So we would just wrap up the doll with the same gender. It’s a good idea and our child will already have one toy. I don’t know though. What do you think?
Friday, May 19, 2006
NO MORE PINK!
As some of you may know, I have been an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay for about 7 months. While struggling to walk pass my bookcase in the den with all of my MK products displayed and collecting dust, I began to wonder if I had made the best decision in getting involved with this company.
I think that I am truly destined to be one of those people that actually goes to work and earns a paycheck. I do not see myself dressing up in a suit and trying to convince women that they need my products. Even though I was “working for myself,” I still had to conduct my business under the guidelines of Mary Kay. Among other things, this meant no advertising. Sure, I could put up flyers and announce my phone number to everyone, but do I really need people stalking my cell phone for unrelated issues?
Since deciding to close my business and return my products to the company, I have had a sense of freedom come over me. I emailed my director (who is trying to talk me into staying) to inform her that I was finished. Did you know that once you return your products to MK, you can never return to the MK Consultant life? This is pretty drastic for a Godly company. Being excommunicated isn’t as bad as I thought though. All I had to do is call the MK repurchasing department (had to find the phone number on a website other than MK’s website) and request a form. I will have to box up all my stuff that I’m not keeping and return it for a 90% refund. Too easy.
Even though I am feeling free, I began to wonder if I was alone in my questioning the MK way of like. then I stumbled upon the best online support group a former MK consultant could ever have. I encourage everyone to visit this website. It does not bash MK; it only informs the public of the truth behind the pink. Here is the address: www.thepinkingshears.org
So I am ending my career as a beauty consultant. I am not sad about my decision. I am excited about the return of my money. :)
I think that I am truly destined to be one of those people that actually goes to work and earns a paycheck. I do not see myself dressing up in a suit and trying to convince women that they need my products. Even though I was “working for myself,” I still had to conduct my business under the guidelines of Mary Kay. Among other things, this meant no advertising. Sure, I could put up flyers and announce my phone number to everyone, but do I really need people stalking my cell phone for unrelated issues?
Since deciding to close my business and return my products to the company, I have had a sense of freedom come over me. I emailed my director (who is trying to talk me into staying) to inform her that I was finished. Did you know that once you return your products to MK, you can never return to the MK Consultant life? This is pretty drastic for a Godly company. Being excommunicated isn’t as bad as I thought though. All I had to do is call the MK repurchasing department (had to find the phone number on a website other than MK’s website) and request a form. I will have to box up all my stuff that I’m not keeping and return it for a 90% refund. Too easy.
Even though I am feeling free, I began to wonder if I was alone in my questioning the MK way of like. then I stumbled upon the best online support group a former MK consultant could ever have. I encourage everyone to visit this website. It does not bash MK; it only informs the public of the truth behind the pink. Here is the address: www.thepinkingshears.org
So I am ending my career as a beauty consultant. I am not sad about my decision. I am excited about the return of my money. :)
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Schooooool's out for summer!
Ok maybe only 3 weeks, but you rock alice cooper!! we just finished another semester of school. we are tired and the house is a mess. it's a good thing our friend trey is coming to visit so he can clean our house. he said he had a wedding to go to but i don't think he'll have enough time for that.
as soon as i take some pictures of my work from this semester i'll post them. anyway, i'm tired and kathy griffin is on TV making em laugh so i'm gonna go laugh too.
richard
as soon as i take some pictures of my work from this semester i'll post them. anyway, i'm tired and kathy griffin is on TV making em laugh so i'm gonna go laugh too.
richard
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
13 weeks and counting...
I am now entering my 2nd trimester. I would like to think by now that I would have realized that I am actually having a baby. Unfortunately, that "ah-ha" moment hasn't happened yet. I keep hearing that when I see the next sonogram, it will hit me. So I guess I'll get hit in 2 months. Boo to that!
Richard is being the best expecting father ever! He is taking such good care of me! I just wish that I would get off my lazy butt and take care of myself! If only I could only pass the couch and go straight to the treadmill.
Oh! I almost forgot! The baby's heartbeat was 144. "They" say that if it is over 140, it's a girl. I think that 4 bpm is just too close to call. So I'm thinking that either we are having a metrosexual or sporty spice. :) I wouldn't expect anything else though.
- Emily
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
What Makes Me Sad
So I got depressed a couple of days ago when I heard some disturbing news. It seems that when President Bush signed the revamped version of the Patriot Act into law earlier this year that he issued another one of his signing statements, basically saying how he interprets the law and how he will apply it. The signing statement for this law basically said that Bush will ignore the Congressional oversights that the law requires to protect the rights of citizens whenever he chooses. Which is basically Bush flipping the bird to some of his fellow Republicans and many Democrats in Congress because the Patriot Act was in danger of not being renewed because of concerns that there were no Congressional oversights in place. After those oversights were put in the law passed. And now we get Bush saying the law doesn't apply to him. He's done the same thing over and over again since he took office. The other notorious time was when the McCain bill banning torture got passed. Bush fought tooth and nail to block it but he failed. Seeming to concede defeat, he invited McCain to the signing ceremony, said what a good bill it was (now who's the flip-flopper?), and signed away. Then when no one was around, he issued a signing statement that said he could ignore the law if he chose to. This is friggin' ridiculous. People keep saying how long Bush has gone without vetoing a bill, but he doesn't have to veto it if he can sign it and issue a statement that says it doesn't apply to him. He has done this some 500 times, using the signing statement more forcefully than any president before him. What happened to the Rule of Law? That great indicator of democracy that says everyone is equal under the law and no one, not even our leaders, are above the law.
Speaking of democracy. It seems over the past week or so a man in Afghanistan who had converted to Christianity some 16 years ago is about to go under trial for doing just that, converting to Christianity. Under the Afghani constitution that was put in after the ousting of the Taliban, Sharia (which I'm assuming is some kind of religious law) law is the supreme law of the land and converting to Christianity is punishable by death. Since when is that democracy? Since when is that the "freedom that is on the march" that Bush always talks about in Iraq? What has actually changed in Afghanistan? Ok, so they can vote, but it seems they just get to elect who will persecute them next. That ain't no democracy! Well, you'll be glad to know the man was released and has taken asylum in Italy. But still, the very fact that this actually happened is appalling. And that is the reason of my discontent.
Richard
Speaking of democracy. It seems over the past week or so a man in Afghanistan who had converted to Christianity some 16 years ago is about to go under trial for doing just that, converting to Christianity. Under the Afghani constitution that was put in after the ousting of the Taliban, Sharia (which I'm assuming is some kind of religious law) law is the supreme law of the land and converting to Christianity is punishable by death. Since when is that democracy? Since when is that the "freedom that is on the march" that Bush always talks about in Iraq? What has actually changed in Afghanistan? Ok, so they can vote, but it seems they just get to elect who will persecute them next. That ain't no democracy! Well, you'll be glad to know the man was released and has taken asylum in Italy. But still, the very fact that this actually happened is appalling. And that is the reason of my discontent.
Richard
Sunday, March 19, 2006
new due date
We obviously cannot count, so we were a little off on the due date. Since having the sonogram, we have been informed that I am now due October 24th. This is 6 days after Richard's birthday and 8 days before
Saturday, March 18, 2006
First Baby Pic
Here is the first picture of our baby!! S/He looks more like a butterbean or a peanut than a person right now. We go back for another sonogram in 4 weeks and we should know if its a boy or a girl in about 9-12 weeks.
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