second draft, still a work in progress i think.

Nichole Jackson
September 29, 2009
Mrs. Aiken – English 1101
Cats: Love, Laziness, and Learning
Having cats has been an enriching experience for me. It seems as though people either love cats or hate them; there is not much in between. I am definitely on the ‘love’ side of the argument, as many know I have three cats and adore them. The experience of having cats is a unique one that many have not experienced, and teaches one a lot about responsibility and love. Karen Brademeyer once said: “Who among us hasn't envied a cat's ability to ignore the cares of daily life and to relax completely?” This is very true, and I feel that having cats has definitely taught me to take a break and enjoy just lying around and doing what they do sometimes: a whole lot of nothing.
My personal experience with cats has been a good one. Sure, they have their downfalls every now and again. I know I’ve had my share of frustrations stemming from my furry friends lying across my laptop and schoolbooks while I’m trying to finish important homework. I’ve had the lovely surprise of waking up to spot cat vomit on the newly vacuumed carpet. I have also been perpetually adorned with cat scratches fairly consistently for the past few years. Still, my cats are a great source of joy in my life and I would not trade their company for anything… even a clean carpet and finished homework.
Each cat has their own personality, much like humans. All of my three cats are definitely very different. I love each of them dearly, for all of their different personalities. Each cat has their own reactions to daily life, to one another, and to me. In fact, I find that it is the things that make them so different are the things that make them so special to me. I appreciate their different personalities, and could barely imagine my life without them. The interactions between two different cats are priceless, thus there is never a dull moment (at least, when everyone’s awake!)
Rummy Cat is definitely our little buddy. He is the first one to run to the door when I come home, and he is the cat most often cuddled up in my bed. He is my faithful escort through my morning routine: he follows me into the bathroom, eats breakfast with me, and as I leave he stands by the door as if to say “Mom, do you really have to go to school today?” He is a shorthair, but his fur is thick and dense and soft. His eyes are bright and green and full of expression; he is definitely the most charismatic of all my cats. When someone comes to visit, he immediately runs to them and tries to impress them with his sweetness and playfulness, forcing his head under their hand and purring. He is only a year old, but big for his age and very rotund and stocky.
Bollie is his twin sister, but you wouldn’t know it simply by looking at them. They share the same grey fur and green eyes, but the similarities end there. She is tiny, smaller than any cat I’ve ever had, and just as shy as her brother is friendly. She’s very vocal, but rarely uses the typical ‘meow’, instead making a strange little “brrrrt” noise that sounds a lot like a pigeon. She eats as much as any other cat, but in a much different way. She dips her paw into the top of the auto-feeder, and scoops out a few kibbles to eat on the counter. She is a good eater, but remains lanky and has a certain awkward cuteness that grows on you. Although she is quite shy, she is sweeter even than her brother and she loves attention from those she is comfortable with. Bollie loves being held, and has an affinity for curling up on your chest with her head on your shoulder.
Last is China, who we more often affectionately refer to as “Chi” or “Chi-bear”. She is the only longhair in the house; her fluffy white fur seems to be her defining feature. When people first see her, their reaction is usually “Wow… that’s a beautiful cat.” Her feet are large and although she is not a polydactyl, they remind me of snowshoes. Her legs, face, ears, and tail are all grayish and striped, and in her age her fur has taken on a brownish tint. She was adopted from Petsmart, and because of this she seems to have an appreciative personality. I can sometimes see the gratitude for being rescued in her big blue eyes when she looks up at me.
I took the time to describe my cats to accurately show exactly how I feel about them. They are not simply furry live ornaments in my home. They are very special to me, and they brighten my life in a multitude of ways. They are a source of humor; I can recall many a good laugh over them chasing one another through the house, galloping like furry little horses. They are also a great comfort, coming to my rescue when they see I am sad to curl up with me and make me smile. I couldn’t imagine going without the company of my cats, as they have become such a fixture in my life.
The funny stories about my cats are endless. If I had the time, I would have a twenty-page paper about just how silly they can be. Chi-bear gets embarrassed easily, and I remember once she lost her footing and slipped right into the mop bucket full of soapy water. In her shock and horror, she tore through the house with her head low, soaked and embarrassed. I also remember putting Bollie in a little shirt meant for a tiny dog. She responded by slouching down, awkwardly (and with a strange speed for how low she was) propelling herself backwards, and making my best friend and I hyperventilate and cry tears of laughter. There are so many more stories, but I believe I have made my point. Cats are, in short, the best comedic relief one could hope for in a home.
Cats are definitely a learning experience. Having cats teaches you forgiveness, and to show love despite anger. A cat is a huge responsibility, as you have to change their litter and feed/water then consistently. They make messes and knock things over quite a lot, so there is a lot of cleaning up after them to be done. A cat depends on you for its quality of life, and as a pet-owner you learn to be determined to make that life the best you can. It is akin to being a parent in many ways (although quite different I am sure), as you have a duty to care for them and a joy from raising them.
I know I personally have learned a lot from having cats. I feel that I have become a better, more responsible, more loving person, and I have my fur-babies to thank for it. I know that not everyone loves cats (and many, in fact, hate them), but I know I love mine and that I want them to remain as happy as possible for as long as possible. They have shaped me so much, and changed my life in a positive way. I am, in conclusion, very thankful for the experience that is being a cat owner.

Thursday is like Friday, except it's not Friday.

I always see Thursday as being 'like Friday' since it's my last day of class for the week, but it isn't Friday at all. But there is no TGITH, so I guess I have to explain myself every time I express how happy I am about it being Thursday.
I am inexplicably tired today, maybe since I woke up at 6:25 am? But I am usually not quite as exhausted as I am today, maybe it's the culmination of a week's worth of waking up too early and staying up too late.
I have to fix up my essay completely, and I think the most difficult thing about it is trying to make it appeal to non cat-lovers. I have trouble relating to that, since I have always been a cat person and I don't know how non-cat-people think. I guess that is my goal for the day, because I need an A in this class, and having a crappy essay is just something that eats away at me.
High point of my day so far: Getting to sit outside and read Pygmy by Chuck Palahniuk for almost an hour, waiting on class to start. ...AWESOME.

cats, and hey... a book review!

Since I just posted my essay, which is about my cats, I decided to supplement it with photos of the aforementioned cats. Also, I have nothing worthwhile to blog about. So, there you go. Cat pictures. Because if you all didn't think I was a crazy cat lady before this, now you have no doubt.

This is Rummy Cat, my fat boy. You can't tell how fat he is, but he is really, really, really fat. We don't over feed him specifically and he is healthy, but he is a chunky little fella.

He takes good pictures because he knows how handsome he is, and he likes having everyone know. I think he could be a cat-food-bag model, but I guess every crazy cat lady thinks their cat is model material.





This is Bollie, who I tend to call 'Mommy's Little Monster'. She is skinny and has big ears, and she kind of looks like a mouse or a bat (without wings). She is generally pretty ugly and awkward, but I love her. She had a really bad bout with some Dermatitis, and her fur is just now growing back right. For a while there, people would just look at her and go "What the hell is wrong with your cat?"

This is China, who we usually call 'Chi' or 'Cheese'. She is fluffy and she used to be kind of mean, but she has gotten nicer as time passes. You can kind of see her big foot at the bottom. She has seriously huge feet for a cat, which I love, cause I have size 10 feet myself and maybe I can relate to her a little, or something. Also, they look like snow shoes. What is not to like about THAT?


Hi, Chi.









P.S., since I am trying to make a habit of posting short little snippet 'book reviews' on here, since it is literary-based and I feel the need to prove I CAN READ.

I just read 'Better' by Atul Gawande, and it was awesome. I haven't read any nonfiction in a shamefully long time, but this has hooked me back on the wagon and man, it is a good read. Basically, the author presents three key virtues that he believes are integral to the foundation of a successful doctor : diligence, doing right, and ingenuity. I do feel that it carries over into all health professions, such as nursing, therefore I felt this book was relevant to me.
Instead of just describing how these three virtues can be implemented, he brings to the table a plethora of (often heartfelt) real-life examples, from both patients and doctors. It covers a wide range of issues in medicine one on the 'other side' (meaning, one who is not a doctor) wouldn't ever think of themselves. The book comes across as genuine, well-meaning, and informative. I can safely say I enjoyed it!

My Essay

Having cats has been an enriching experience for me. It seems as though people either love cats or hate them; there is not much in between. I am definitely on the ‘love’ side of the argument, as many know I have three cats and adore them. The experience of having cats is a unique one, and teaches one a lot about responsibility and love. Cats are lethargic beings, and I feel that having cats has definitely taught me to take a break and enjoy just laying around and doing what they do sometimes: a whole lot of nothing.

My personal experience with cats has been a good one. Sure, they have their downfalls every now and again. I know I’ve had my share of frustrations stemming from my furry friends lying across my laptop and schoolbooks while I’m trying to finish important homework. I’ve had the lovely surprise of waking up to spot cat vomit on the newly vacuumed carpet. I have also been perpetually adorned with cat scratches fairly consistently for the past few years. Still, my cats are a great source of joy in my life and I would not trade their company for anything… even a clean carpet.

Each cat has their own personality, much like humans. I personally have three cats, and they are all vastly different. I love each of them dearly, for all of their different personalities. Each cat has their own reactions to daily life, to one another, and to me. I find that it is the things that make them so different are the things that make them so special. I appreciate their different personalities, and could barely imagine my life without them.

Rummy Cat is our little buddy. He is the first one to run to the door when I come home, and he is the cat most often cuddled up in my bed. He is a shorthair, but his fur is thick and dense and soft. His eyes are bright and green and full of expression; he is definitely the most charismatic of all my cats. When someone comes to visit, he immediately runs to them and tries to impress them with his sweetness and playfulness. He is only a year old, but big for his age and very rotund and stocky.

Bollie is his twin sister, but you wouldn’t know it simply by looking at them. They share the same grey fur and green eyes, but the similarities end there. She is tiny, smaller than any cat I’ve ever had, and just as shy as her brother is friendly. She’s very vocal, but rarely uses the typical ‘meow’, instead making a strange little “brrrrt” noise that sounds a lot like a pigeon. She eats as much as any other cat, but in a much different way. She dips her paw into the top of the auto-feeder, and scoops out a few kibbles to eat on the counter. She is a good eater, but remains lanky and has a certain awkward cuteness that grows on you. Although she is quite shy, she is sweeter even than her brother and she loves attention from those she is comfortable with. Bollie loves being held, and has an affinity for curling up on your chest with her head on your shoulder.

Last is China, who we more often affectionately refer to as “Chi” or “Chi-bear”. She is the only longhair in the house; her fluffy white fur seems to be her defining feature. Her feet are large and although she is not a polydactyl they remind me of snowshoes. Her legs, face, ears, and tail are all grayish and striped, and in her age her fur has taken on a brownish tint. She was adopted from Petsmart, and because of this she seems to have a appreciative personality. I can see the gratitude for being rescued in her big blue eyes when she looks up at me.

I took the time to describe my cats to accurately show exactly how I feel about them. They are very special to me, and they brighten my life in a multitude of ways. They are a source of humor; I can recall many a good laugh over them chasing one another through the house, galloping like furry little horses. They are also a great comfort, coming to my rescue when they see I am sad to curl up with me and make me smile. I couldn’t imagine going without the company of my cats, as they have become such a fixture in my life.

The funny stories about my cats are endless. If I had the time, I would have a twenty-page paper about just how silly they can be. Chi-bear gets embarrassed easily, and I remember once she lost her footing and slipped right into the mop bucket full of soapy water. In her shock and horror, she tore through the house with her head low, soaked and embarrassed. I also remember putting Bollie in a little shirt meant for a tiny dog. She responded by slouching down, awkwardly (and with a strange speed for how low she was) creeping backwards, and making my best friend and I hyperventilate and cry tears of laughter. There are so many more stories, but I believe I have made my point. Cats are, in short, the best comedic relief one could hope for in a home.

Cats are definitely a learning experience. Having cats teaches you forgiveness, and to show love despite anger. A cat is a huge responsibility, as you have to change their litter and feed/water then consistently. They make messes and knock things over quite a lot, so there is a lot of cleaning up after them to be done. A cat depends on you for its quality of life, and as a pet-owner you learn to be determined to make that life the best you can. It is akin to being a parent in many ways, as you have a duty to care for them and a joy from raising them.

I know I personally have learned a lot from having cats. I feel that I have become a better, more responsible, more loving person, and I have my fur-babies to thank for it. I know that not everyone loves cats, but I know I love mine and that I want them to remain as happy as possible for as long as possible. They have shaped me so much, and changed my life in a positive way. I am, in conclusion, thankful for the experience of having cats.

of cars and iPhones.

I was going to say I didn't have anything to blog about, but I most certainly do. Since Thursday after class, I've had a lot go on! Bullets are my favorite way to express emotion, so... here we go!
Since Thursday after class I:

• got a car
• got an iPhone

I guess that isn't very much, quantity wise, but quality-wise we are talking serious stuff.


Okay, here is a photo of a car that is just like mine, but is not my car specifically. It is a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier. It only has two doors! The angle makes it look terrible, but really it is a nice little old car. It only has 70,000 or so miles on it, and it has a sunroof that I will never ever use! Also it came with a broken Kid Rock cd, which I thought was a really nice touch. But seriously, my car is boss. I am thrilled. I have already dubbed it the 'Cadavalier', since it is a Cavalier and I thought that was kind of clever. It isn't. I think my favorite thing about this car is the fact that it has keyless entry. I am not yet over the novelty of having a remote for my CAR on my key ring.

In other 'I got new stuff' news, I also FINALLY jumped on the wagon and got an iPhone. I would post a picture of an iPhone, but don't you know everyone already has one and knows what they look like. So, in lieu of posting a real photo of an iPhone, like mine (I did not opt to purchase the crochet model, as seen in the photo) I decided to go with posting instead this lovely internet gem. If you want an iPhone, but don't feel like switching service providers, or paying a lot of money for a phone (oh but it's so much more...), you can MAKE YOUR OWN! You can thank me later. Unfortunately, this model doesn't seem to be compatible with apps and your cat might gnaw on it and tear it apart, but HEY!


Anyway, enough blogging for today. Tune in next time for... well, the same boring crap.

thursday thursday thursday!

Today is the best day of the week for me, being that it is Thursday and this marks the end of my school week. Not that I don't have homework, because I do, but I can do that in my pajamas at midnight if I want (which is probably what's going to happen.) I can say that school is definitely burning me out; waking up early is my least favorite thing to do and I have to do it too often. It's not school itself, it's the getting out of my warm awesome bed and getting up and braving the day. Just not something I enjoy.
Anyway, this is going to be REALLY short since I have to start working on my essay. I realize nobody reads this regularly and it's not important, so I'd rather just get to what I need to do as opposed to writing about my mundane existence. Booooring.