Montserrat erupted? Sounds like I've missed some other excitement here over the last week too.

Rave: the beautiful Oregon coast.
Rant: just back from the beautiful Oregon coast. It's nice to be home but...

Hello Italy.

I too have an affinity for the home of Roman strength and I'll concede my focus has turned sour. But please remember I declared myself as a new friend but snowrooster and the rest of her/his split-personalities made me feel very much unwelcome.

I want to learn but not if I'm made to feel like a fool. My dear mother warned me not to be another person's whipping girl. Sorry if I'm hurt you. You seem sweet.

I guess I don't fit in with the 'travel elete'.

Lonesome

Bye,

Lonesome

Rant: My dear, sweet, 91 year old dad isn't doing so well. After amazing doctors for years (up until 4 years ago) with his perfect health, he has spiraled downward in health.

Rave: My dad has lived a wonderful life, more than most could ask for. Up until recently, he visited casinos weekly, went to the movies with his "younger' girlfriend (80), cooked for himself, and used a snow blower. He made me laugh on many occaisions. Loved to tell stories about being caught stealing apples with Isador Demsky, who went to Hebrew school with him.

Rant/Rave: I'll be in Upstate NY next week seeing my dear dad.

Rave: Poor Lonesome has joined our ranks. It's been quite amusing reading her posts today. Thank you for making me laugh.

I took the afternoon off today to attend the citizenship ceremony for my friend. I'm just now home from the party and checking the R&Rs.

I see that several of our R&R crowd are dealing with ongoing health issues or a new diagnosis for themselves or loved ones. Special prayers and hugs to all.

OK, now for a Friday night rave about the citizenship ceremony I mentioned in my earlier rave. I attended the ceremony today at the LBJ Auditorium here in Austin where 354 new citizens were sworn in. When we first arrived, I immediately felt the excitement in the air. So many people came together to celebrate America by taking an oath or watching loved ones take the oath. I'm sure every ceremony is a little different, but this ceremony was definitely one of the highlights of this year for me. Granted, I've had a crummy year, but this would be a highlight even in a good year.

After the ceremony we all met outside the auditorium. When I saw my new American friend coming toward us, I noticed how red his face was. I soon realized why--the tears were still streaming down his face. He told us later he had been crying off and on all day, as this was such an important day.

After that we went to the party at his house. There was champagne, good food, and of course lots of flags and American stuff. We were all given 3 x 5 cards and asked to write what is the best thing about being an American. There were a variety of answers, but the most common was the acceptance of cultural diversity.

That was my day, and what an exciting day it was!! God bless America, and let us never take that citizenship for granted.

(If any non-Americans are reading this, God bless your country as well)

Hello lonesome, your mother gave you good advise. But do know (and heaven knows I fall into the trap) of arguing with someone here on Fodors that has a complete different thought process as you do is just a waste of time. And making nasty comments about another poster does not add to the enjoyment of Fodors. I hope that you can start over so to speak and enjoy Fodors. You can make a lot of wonderful friends and learn so much.

Snowrooster is not a troll, let me assure you of that. Just because someone thinks differently then you do does make them a troll. I imagine you will pick up on who the trolls are as time goes by. Best wishes to you and I hope you will enjoy your Fodors connection.

rave
the 2006 Untours catalogue came this week. Now it's decision making time for our June trip to Switzerland. I like Lungern in the heartland and DW is leaning toward Kandersteg in oberland.

For what it's worth -- here's why Fodor's is missing a bet by pulling a thread like the "Yurt-Teepee" one today: I had emailed it to several friends and relatives. At least three of them wrote me back to say the link didn't work for them, which means at least three people didn't find their way into Fodorland and begin to discover what it might have to offer for them. And they are even less likely to visit again having had trouble pulling up what they expected to find. Dumb.

Hello P_M, thank you for sharing your day and your friends citizenship day. You took me back to when I was about 22 years old and signed as a sponser for a young lady who had come to the US when we were both about 12 years old. Back then (gads I am aging myself, LOL) it was so much simplier then now. But I too remember the joy, the tears, the emotions when the ceremony in a SF courtroom was over. We all went back to another friends house in SF to celebrate and what a beautiful day it was. I had rather forgotten about it...thanks for bringing back beautiful memories.

You're most welcome, LoveItaly.

Oh P_M, what a lovely story. Thank you!

P M, I have been with many new citizens either right after or at their parties.

I cry every time they tell me their stories. One 23 year old from Poland got her RN just days before. I bought her some new contact lens as a present well deserved and very much needed.

We just recently had a ceremony in my town that was televised. There were about 26 home countries from which the new U.S. citizens had emigrated. They were all just glowing and MANY of the men were crying- more than the women.

aaaahhhh it's not a big deal for the kudos! I guess I'm more afraid as I hear it's painful. But it's a "possible" match, not for sure. And my boss is very supportive, so kudos to him.

I have a new rave: It's the Moon Festival in China! So the owner and managers of Hong Kong Harbor View (here in Aloha Tower Marketplace) brought over a huge box of moon cakes today. The cakes were still warm. For most of you, not being Chinese, this probably doesn't mean anything. But having fresh, warm moon cakes was probably one of the most wonderful things for me to experience. AND....not to mention.....the crust and fillings were exceptionally moist, which is unheard of when you get store-bought moon cakes. I'm sure they were full of butter, ha ha! But those were the best darn moon cakes I've ever had in my life.

I remember when a friend's husband became a citizen. He was given aa "Abraham Lincoln" rose bush as a gift. What a great idea.

I've come back to catch up on all of the rants and raves...

Rant: Bonnie's news of her dear brother. Your family will be in my prayers, Bonnie.

Rant: Tiff's insomnia - that's rough. You aren't drinking that Earl grey tea too close to bedtime, are you?

Rant: Health care. If I say more LoveItaly, it will get ugly. Peace to your dear friend.

Rave: MelissaHI. Imagine what a gift that would be!

Rave: Statia's other half

Austin: Hugs to you and your dear dad.

AHaugeto: Happy Anniversary to you

Jacqueline: I am sorry for your diagnosis. One of my girlfriends had the Mohs surgery and she is still the most beautiful women I know - and you will be too.

CAPH: BIG HUGS, always.

Eeva: I hear ya honey I hate my alarm clock - it's evil,lol.

PM: What a beautiful experience for you all. Thank you for sharing it.

RAVE: My dinner last night with Mr. Seetheworld and apricot roses - he stills remembers they are my favorite .

Peace to all who are dealing with difficult times.

Wishing everyone a very, very safe travel weekend

Almost forgot...thanks for the kind anniversary wishes

Rave: STW's anniversary. What's your secret???

Rant: Too many people with or w/loved ones w/cancer. Seems every day we hear of someone else who is stricken. I send hugs and prayers to Jacqueline, CAPH's FIL and DH, Bonnie's brother, LoveItaly's friend and anyone else who needs 'em!! And those insurance companies like LI's friends...errrr!

Rave: People like MelissaHI who are on the bone marrow registry. Both my husband and I are on it but we've never been called.

PM--Great story!

Jorr--have fun w/your dad and the rodeo...I went up to visit family in Calgary and went to the Stampede. It was fun!

Rave: Friends and family--I have both and how lucky I am.

Rave: Atlanta GTG is this afternoon! Gators play TN tonight--might have to make a wager w/my sweet iceeu2 before the day's out!

Rant: Appointment schedulers at doctor's offices who mess up appointments and the office staff lets patient (me!)sit waiting and waiting to be seen only to find out I can't have done what I went there for......I'm ticked...

Rave: I told them about my displeasure w/o going postal. (It was hard!)

Rave: Heard from meethare this AM. They are making it across Canada fine. Soon they will be in British Columbia set up house and getting ready for houseguests

Have a good weekend, everyone!
OWJ

I apologize for my many typos. Appalling that I, a teacher, didn't proofread or preview. Can I use the excuse that it's the weekend and I'm off duty or do I get a failing grade?

OWJ, you deserve a huge pat on the back for the way you handled your situation with the doctor's office! As you said, it's hard. Given the fact that you don't go to them unless you're having problems, it'd be nice if they would go out of their way to make things as easy for you as possible. But, obviously, it doesn't work that way. Instead they seem to be trying to stress you out even more. Besides the fact that it's not easy for teachers to have to make doctor appointments during the school year. I hope you're able to put all of this behind you as quickly as possible.

We went to the Rodeo last night. What a flash back to the past. I hadn't been to one since I was a kid. It is truly a great part of America's tradition and a bit behind the beat at the same time! But maybe its just me. Lots of pomp and ceremony, and a prayer direct from the pulpit (I could have gotten that at church). And stuff like "this is the way the Indians used to ride when they fought the cowboys" blasting through the loud speakers. I thought the guy with a microphone dressed up like a nerd and trying to get little girls to come out and dance with him so he could go the beer garden/dance after the Rodeo was a little weird. Thought he could be looking for some Women (lots there!) But I really liked the Rodeo as a whole. Bull riding, bare back, saddle bronk, steer wrestling, barrel racing, riding stunts. I didn't like the calf roping much, for personal reasons. I would recommend the Rodeo to anyone who wants to see something that is so American which has not changed much. I imagine that many of you fodorite women would enjoy the cowboys! At the end of the day the most important part is that I went with my Dad.