Joy’s Weblog

Last week Wall Street took the greatest hit in history. Some political analysts say we are in the deepest down turn in the economy since the Great Depression, all thanks to the greedy executives and the consuming American populous. For many years families were told at highly respected banking institutions that they were approved for housing loans that were far extending their means. If this was not a sinister plot against the poor it sure did make Wall St. executives fabulously rich. This was labeled as creative financing. Let’s put everyone in a house even if they can’t afford it. All this purchasing power once helped boost the economy drastically. Fannie Mae and Fannie Mac two of the biggest lending companies in the nation gave out hundreds of millions of dollars in loans that consisted of balloon payments, adjustable rates and simply over extended rates. These agreements pleased most for a short period of time until the banks began raising mortgages. These loans were bundled giving banking institutions a cut of 1%. of the profit while Wall Street bought 3% of the shares. Let’s all remember these were bundles of millions of home loans. So that gave the banks and Wall St. a bundle although this type of corruption seemed to do no harm, it did merely dropped the bottom out of the nations pocket. Leaving Congress in the position of using a third of the deficit to bail out Wall Street. 700 billion dollars of the tax payers money was supposed to do just that, but what good did it really do? Many economist like Suzie Orman say “We’ll be in this Depression for many years to come.”

I also agree, cash will soon rule leaving those with liquid assets the ability to have greater purchasing power when credit shrinks to the minimum. Let’s pray for a speedy recovery of the once great American economy.

Last Friday, my eleven year old baby brother fell at school and began walking with a terrible limp. On one thought this was a serious injury maybe a bruise or sprain, since he already had a cast on his right arm from a previous skateboard injury. We didn’t expect the worse ( I mean how many bones could one kid break?) especially since he continued to play with his friends and requested to ride his skateboard so he could show off some new tricks. Then at the height of him agony my mother took him to the hospital were they took x-rays and delivered the shocking news! Jahan had broken his growth bone located in his hip and managed to break his femur. This is one hardcore eleven year old who  has a high tolerance for pain despite his injuries he still cannot wait  to ride his skateboard. With six weeks of bed rest and physical therapy he should have a successful recovery.

I’ve written a little poem for my dear brother who would definitely be too embarrassed to ever listen to it, but I hope you like it.  

            “My baby brother”

                 It sounds too good to be true. I remember when I could only dream of you.  Somehow I know you would be strong, tender and dear to me giving love without compromise. Even when you were a seed, my feelings grew, yes indeed! Knowing one day you would be a man. My world would turn upside down if anything were to happen to you. My grief would be beyond belief if you change or surrender your smile for a cloudy disposition. Before I fail to mention all your kind intentions and loving ways that embrace me these days. I want to thank God for protecting you and that’s for sure. He even touched your precious heart and made it pure. My brother Jahan the universe is yours with a twirl and always remember your dreams. Little one this world can be harsh but what ever you go through even when you grow just keep joking, laughing even at my expense because I know it’s not what you meant. You always open my heart real wide and fill every part of me with pride especially the sweet way you say I love you too, after I tell you brother I love you.

My oldest sister was stationed in Germany while serving her tour of duty in the United States Army. She traveled all abroad; and brought back the most beautiful stories and pictures about Zurich, Switzerland. My sister Julunda showed us photos of friends, castles, and rose gardens that were shaped like animals completely made from exotic flowers and plants. She also told me that the lakes were especially eye catching with blue and green hues due to the mineral deposits that were present. The mountain tops were snow caped, looking just like a backdrop in a postcard. I didn’t even know that the elevation in Zurich is so high that after a few days of being there most people begin to feel invigorated, it’s called champagne climate. On Mountain Bern there are snow lifts that carry about six to seven people and the cool thing is it was enclosed in glass. She also said that although the lift to the top of the mountain was still a little scary the exquisite meal at the top was well worth it. There was a restaurant in the mist of this gorgeous scene. One of her favorite dishes was goulash and cheese fondue, and for desert sweet chocolates which she enjoyed with a glass of wine. There were also beautiful pictures of a chapel built centuries ago and fourteen karat gold water fountain statues.

One day if I’m lucky with careful financial planning I too could have great memories and stories I could pass down to my family.  So these are some of the reasons why I would love to visit Zurich, Switzerland.