There's a Reason for Everything!

Not that it bothered me or anything, but I always wondered why men and women had separate restrooms. I understand that it may be more comfortable for both genders, as it is for me. But what prompted institutions, restaurants, schools and all the other places with separate restrooms to segregate?

From what I've read online and my general working knowledge being a woman, I'm assuming it is because our society holds steady on the idea that nudity, sex, doing the 'duty', or whatever are personal affairs, and should be handled as personably as possible. Same goes for the idea that boys and girls shouldn't share beds, or there is no such thing as boy/girl slumber parties. Honestly, I have never been to one or known any person to have a slumber party for their child with boys and girls sleeping over. That was a sideline comment...Conglomerating women together in restrooms allows for less discomfort. At one point I was always afraid to open sanitary napkins or tampons while other women were in the same restroom as me, afraid that they'd hear me and know what I was up to. Now, I have no issues with that. I understand that everyone coming into that restroom has either 'been there, done that' or will soon 'be there and do that'. As the same for men!

Imagine walking into a public restroom and seeing a man standing at a urinal with a woman squatting on the toilet right next to him. Or what about those times when you're on a date and you need to go powder your nose? Wouldn't it be awkward for your date to walk in the restroom while you're getting pretty?

But recently I've come to appreciate separate restrooms even more. At my job there is a staff lounge, outside of our office right down the hall. In that lounge are two single restrooms, no gender designation. After drinking an 18oz cup of sweet tea, I immediately needed a potty break. Well, as I'm walking into one of the singles, the director of our office (male) is walking out. Surprisingly, the other restroom was occupied. So I was forced to use the bathroom that our director had just exited. I immediately wanted to barf after seeing the way that he left the restroom for the next person. Soapy sink knobs, toilet seat raised with drops of urine all over the toilet! I guess he thought that by him smiling and speaking before leaving that I'd forgive him. And I did... it wasn't until he repeated the action two days later, when my best friend walked into the same bathroom that he just left out of. She too noticed the same exact thing that I did, making him a habitual toilet-seat-leaver-upper-pee-stained-toilet-wetter!

And he's married... now this may not be the case for all men, but he is one nasty guy for that. His wife has to be crazy to accept that.

Starbucks Update

I don't personally get paid for advertising appealing information about Starbucks on my blog, but I enjoy a nice frappucino every now and again. I'm sure some of my lovely readers do as well... some more indulgent than others. I ran across this ad on my Facebook page; you can visit any participating Starbucks during Happy Hour (3-5pm) Friday, May 7th- Sunday, May 16th and create your own frappucino or purchase one of the menu fraps for half the price... YES, HALF-OFF FRAPPUCINOS! For most, that's about $1.75 a pop! Can't beat it :-)

Feeling Inspired!

Today I was able to witness history, or whatever you want to call it. For the first time ever, I was present for a speech by President Barack Obama. Now for some of you, this may not be monumental if you've heard him speak publicly. But I was definitely grounded for about 20 minutes or so.

At 8:13a, I walked into the Big House or the University of Michigan graduation ceremony to watch my best friend in the entire world graduate. I must say, she chose the perfect time to graduate and the ceremony was so inspirational and moving. It was surreal.

Imagine sitting in a stadium filled with 80,000+ people, most there celebrating a treacherous yet joyous journey for their children/family/friends... others there for the love of Obama. There are helicopters flying overhead. Secret Service employees on the roof. State police at every entrance. 8,000+ graduates from every avenue of learning. This was surreal. I almost felt like I was in a movie. But it wasn't the size of the crowd, or the fact that the President was there. It was his words that moved me, his charisma and charm, his demeanor, his knowledge and understanding of a functioning society.

He spoke of civility, being open to opposing views and gaining news from resources aside from our norm. In particular, he told the graduates (I'd like to include myself since I graduate in less than 24 hours) to understand the naysayers... to put yourself in their shoes. Only then are we able to view the full picture. Knowledge is the best defense. He spoke of the political quarrels that are circling our media, and how we can not allow them to cloud our perception of how things are.

Obviously we didn't have the best seats, but it was perfect!

I've been compelled to do great things, I've always had the mindset that I can do anything. But seeing Obama, listening to him and knowing that he's a man that has been through so many obstacles and hoops to be where he is... that speaks volumes to the people. That shows us graduates, as cliche as it may be, that YES WE CAN!

Word of wisdom... You can do anything that you want to do, but you can not do everything!