Momsrising.org

I walked out into the garage today to check on my husband and he'd left the radio on. Broadcasting for just me to hear was a story about a so-called "motherhood manifsto"... the woman was confident and articulate and it caught my attention immediately, particularly because I'm pregnant. Turns out there's this great grassroots movement called Moms Rising that has a website at: www.momsrising.org and they're fighting to change the policies regarding maternity and paternity leave in this country. I didn't realize that the united states is one of only 4 countries in the world that don't offer a paid leave for new moms... there's lots more that they're trying to change and it's a bandwagon I'm eager to jump up on! Given my own discontent with maternity leave at my place of employment, I'm all for trying to help change things for anyone else who comes along and wants to have a child and who will ultimately be faced with the incredible challenge of not having paid time off to recover and bond with their little one. Check out their website, they've got great things to say and lots of ways you educate yourself and get involved!

Car shopping

Today I bought my second used vehicle. I was successful at getting exactly what I wanted. I got the lower interest rate, the 48 months instead of the 60, got all the quirks fixed free of charge, got way more money for my trade-in than they originally were willing to give me, got my new car payment lower than my old one...got the car I was hoping to get at exactly the price I wanted. I wheeled and dealed and fought a good fight. I'm proud of myself today for sticking to my guns and making those car salesmen make the numbers work time and time again until I was satisfied. This car buying thing isn't so bad if you're willing to keep walking away until they're begging you to come back. It might have been just a small victory, but it was a cost effective one, one I'm going to be able to carry with me for the entire time I own this vehicle. Yeah, I'm feeling like today was a good day!

Using my voice...

Since returning to college full-time as a non-traditional student, I've realized that I have a lot to say, a lot to learn and am forever seeking to satiate a thirst for more out of life. I've decided that I'm worth fighting for, that there's a reason I'm a human being and not an ant. Living in this country, I have the opportunity to fight for my rights, to stand up for what I believe in and to self-advocate. So, I'm doing just that, one battle at a time, one quality victory at a time. I'm not an egotist by any means, just someone who's stumbled upon a serious case of self-awareness. I'm eager to share my stories with you, my adventures, my humble opinion and perhaps advice. I'm hoping you join me on your own parallel journey of self-advocacy, because if you don't stand up for yourself, who will?