Author Archives: penaugural

Jan29

Trust vs. Gullibility 

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There are days that by the second it seems I have been torn to shreds by something or someone.  It has made me lose my trust in people almost completely.  The only thing I have going for myself is some silly thought that people can’t be that horrible.  So when I see something and feel I should follow it. For what I understood it to be is for the good of all, basically society as a whole.  I trust it hesitant maybe but still give it a go, why because even if I am gullible and fall for some dirty trick again at least in the process I didn’t go against what I stood for in the first place, community of peace and togetherness.

-Jennie Nawrocki 

Jan22

Ma mere

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People often wonder why I’m not closer with my mother.  Why isn’t she my best friend.  I have spent much of my social media life trying to not talk about it, didn’t want to air family dirty laundry in public but there is this rumor that I don’t love her or want to be around her.  I have to tell you people who believe that then you don’t understand I have spent my whole life trying to have relationships that don’t involve her regardless of all the love I have for her.  Why?  I will explain.

When young I didn’t have many friends and the ones I did were great.  Though all that time never did I hear the words “Why don’t you invite ________ to dinner, movie, or camping?”  I had one birthday party with peers my own age.  In high school I was 18  and at my first job, of course in a pizza parlor but that is beside the point.  I was invited to be with all my work people for a late night snack at one of those all day diners.  Called my mom if I could go she said “be home in 20 mins” it took 20 minutes to drive home.  I didn’t go and was never asked again.  In college she was across the country and I wasn’t.  I was able to see and go places with no problems.  I learned then what having friends was like, for instance someone who would climb into a trunk of a car with you so I wouldn’t have to be alone and we could all go have dinner together. There are more, like staying up all night together because the other one had too.  These things I remember.  Before I finished my masters my mom was within a short driving distance.  Slowly we visited more and more went lots of places together and then it started again.  We got into a big argument because I went into town to talk with a friend during a extended week family reunion, I got back and she threatened to disown me if I left again my brother smiling at our conversation, enjoyed every minute of it.  Then last year I called and she asked if I had “made any friends where I am” and I told her “no” and she giggled slightly as she said “good” as if she had something to do with it and was very excited about it. So what did I do during this time growing up with pretty much only my mother I lived in what I termed sometime since that last phone call Lala Land, I know it was just a coincidence that movie came out with the same title.  Though somehow I will probably never make it because coincidencly also the movie No Rules Apply occurred not that my life was or is in movies because then I would be crazy.  So to my family possibly expecting me home, I will be home in 20 minutes as soon as I figure how.  Don’t worry mom I still haven’t made any friends for I know I am not allowed.

-Jennie Nawrocki 

Jan15

A Letter

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Dear Mr. President-Elect Trump,

I write this letter to you not as a Democrat or Republican or even a Libertarian or Tea Party Representative, I am writing to you as a concerned American Citizen and how you govern the United States Of America will determine who I vote for in the next election.  I know in 4 years you want people like me who wonder what type of president you will be to vote for you, support you and say we are proud you are our American President.  Here are some ways of how to gain my support and respect, beyond the obligatory duty as a citizen towards its leader.

First and foremost I will bring you back to two books that changed the course of American history, Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe and The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.  Both books showed how the conditions of American people were so divided, sickening cease pool death traps.  We ended slavery, created the Food and Drug Administration and started thinking about forming unions all from the conditions people were enduring under the downward spiral of inhumanity described in these books. I want you to remember these books as you look at your buildings and the number of immigrants and those living in poverty who most likely manufactured their materials, built their rooms, clean and maintain them and their grounds along with working in those kitchens that serve you and your guests dinner.

These people deserve to have a home that isn’t going to fall apart or have numerous violations because of some slumlord collecting outrageous rent.  In addition to immigrants and those living in poverty, all Americans deserve to know their jobs aren’t going to be lost because they couldn’t afford preventative care due to a major disease.  Americans deserve not to save money to have the possible emergency surgery as the result of some stupid drunk driver hit their car so they could live.  All Americans deserve the same standard care whether rich or poor that doctors took under the hypocratic oath.  We deserve to spend time with our family like you do instead of traveling several hours just to make minimum or a working wage.  In fact, we deserve to be able to afford a home in the same city we work within.  We deserve as Americans that we are apart of making America great again and receive credit for it.

Mr. President-Elect what I am most afraid of is another book will need to be written, this one being about hate crimes.  While we Americans deserve that same right of speech that elected you president, we Americans also know hate and racism are not justified but a difference of opinion on why you like something is tolerated.  I am not a steak or coffee woman but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t make or serve it for a guest. You as a renowned host, know how to cater to your guests.  So I ask you Mr. President-Elect imagine inviting all the blue, red,  green, young, old or both rich and poor voters to your party how are you going to treat us the American Citizen as the host.  Will you bring us together without fear of safety, sickness or the feeling of insuperiority so your soirée will be the success you are saying it will be. I ask because we are Americans just like you and deserve the same alienable rights as you do that is provided in the constitution for we including you are the people of the United States of America.

-Jennie Nawrocki 

Jan8

Man-Splaining

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Guys and gals we have all heard of man-splaining, well if you haven’t it is that posture of man while sitting.  Legs ever so spread as if squeezing man parts is the equivalent of being kicked in the balls.  Now stay with me gentleman, I understand it I completely do, whenever I sit I always find myself sitting crisscross applesauce if I am able.  

Though this is not about that type of man-splaining.  This is about another type of man-splaining.  Have you ever seen two men if given the opportunity they will not sit in seats directly next to each other.  I went on the train and found a seat available between two men, they weren’t talking and didn’t seem associated with one another.  Though as we started towards the next stop they started talking over me or through me or whatever way you want to say it.  I as a kind gesture started to to ask would one of them like to switch seats.  I received such anger back.  I didn’t understand, the only thing I could think of was they needed to man-splain.  After a few exchanges of conversations back and forth I think one gentleman got it, I was truly just trying to be friendly and curtious.  So for those of you who still think man-splaining is necessary to keep your testosterone, I give you this photo of two well respected men who only scream masculinity even when they are sitting side by side.

-Jennie Nawrocki 

Jan1

Reflection 

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A new year brings time for reflection.  Today, I thought of the seven deadly sins, don’t ask me why these topics get in my head. Though I had to look because I could name some but not the others.  I guess some people have the same problem naming the 8 reindeer or the seven dwarfs.  Well in case you haven’t tried already they are envy, gluttony, greedy or avarice, lust, pride, sloth and wrath.  As I looked at that list completely for the first time I realized I focused on some but not all because I may work towards not being envious or full of wrath but my pride, lust, and sloth behavior seem to skyrocketed.  Here I am talking about caring for others and I have these bad habits how hypocritical can I be?  Ugh!  Well it is time for me in my new year reflection is to find the difference between lust and love, dispel the hopelessness that has contributed to my laziness and stop to think I have some faults that are diminishing.  Can it be done? The part of me that doesn’t believe in hope says “no”, however I am sure now that I read them more thoroughly I can honestly say to that person who asks what do you want to achieve in the next year, five years, ten years?  For the entire world to realize that the power of positivity along with kindness will solve any dispute.  Secretly though I would like to add maybe have a secure future for many years with a husband.  Side note if anyone thinks this is too preachy or gushy foolishness and want to say no you can’t have it than might I ask why are you being such a fuddy duddy and where’s your temperance, diligence, humility, self-control, kindness, and love.  Again this is the reflection of myself for the new year, what is your reflection?

-Jennie Nawrocki 

Dec18

Rebooting 

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Sometimes there are no words to describe the experiences you have with others.  Friends are always there giving suggestions.  My goodness, is what I think of as half robotic body for none of my relationships live without the internet, am reprogramming. All I have to ask of this systems upload, seriously fix the bugs that make me seemingly separate from reality. Until then figure me downloading into myself.

-Jennie Nawrocki 

Dec11

Roll Out Of Bed

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I sleep to end the tiredness, though it never seems to disappear only small moments of energy bring smiles temporarily.  Is it the longer days with darkness outside? The weighed down comfort food of the holiday season?  Our body shutting down to keep the chill from our bones? Or the sadness that the kindness from the phrase “Its the holidays!” doesn’t last all year? Whatever the reason or maybe some I didn’t even mention, tell that tired person inside roll out of bed we got things to accomplish. 

-Jennie Nawrocki 

Dec11

Care

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I know I have written a lot about things many people would say “Huh, why do you care?” My only answer to that is “Why not care!”  You care about yourself enough to get dressed, keep clean and find away to live in the warmth of the home you created.  So again, I ask, why not care?  Care about the people around you, the neighborhood you live in, the city you work within, the country you pay taxes for, and the world that continues to give us oxygen to breathe.  Caring is not just personal, it is a mandatory universal. We all contribute either way so make it something you don’t have to complain about.  Make the world complaint free, or at least above a level of smog and dust because we all want to know what made the worlds oldest person live so long. I bet it was because they let the insignificant things go and cared about the important items.  So what are you going to add to your list of what to care about?

-Jennie Nawrocki 

Dec4

Real World vs. School Environment 

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I work in schools, I used to be a teacher full time and as a teacher we had expectations we were bound to follow by state and federal standards.  Classes had to be safe zones, free of bullying and all other types of criminal behavior.  We do this as teachers because we are required to not only to educationally enhance students intellectually but also emotionally and socially.  We teachers build wisdom of individuals to create professional members of society.  There is even a book about it “Everything I needed to know I learned in Kindergarten.” Habits like standing in line, don’t call people names, share, walk with your scissors pointed down, don’t interrupt while other people are talking, don’t lie, cheat or steal and especially be kind to your elders. All of these are basic rules of society or so I thought.  Some of the jobs I have had all I hear that is not the real world.  Instead, I am learning that the real world consists of the exact opposite?  Careful watch your money, don’t trust people they will take advantage of you if they can.  Someone the other day was proud to announce he was a hustler, can you believe it? I am in shock!  I can’t and don’t want to believe it.  

I don’t understand why we have to be so careful because someone is going to steal the deal, the idea, the land, the client, the customer, etc. I have been in certain stores and I continue to shop there because they ask was anyone working with you on this? Why does this matter, it does because the company has a policy to make sure none of its employees steal another’s workers commission.  They created a safe work environment allowing the right person to get compensated for the work they put into their customer service.  Which is why I as a customer feels good about going back to those stores, I feel I won’t be hammered into something I don’t want or fought over because I know the next customer will get the same care and attention I did, they created a safe environment.  Those other places feel like old used car lots trying to sell you bad cars.  It was so bad we had to make so called “lemon laws”.  

So I go back to the school environment and it is a whole different world.  I read a book to some students and they got all riled up because I read that the character in the story was being called ” dumb”, it was as if I did the worst thing possible and was going to be sent to the principal to write the biggest reflection paper ever and my parents would be called too all for reading the word dumb from a book.  However in the real world I have heard songs say much worse about people.  In fact in the real world this word is so common it could be thought of used as often as the word “store”.  So I ask my fellow educators, parents, and adults with no children, why are we creating safe environments in schools if in the real world it is perfectly ok to lie, cheat and steal or bully someone to get to the top?  I don’t know about you but I would rather disassemble the hunger games society in order to create a safe country. 

-Jennie Nawrocki