Fellow Bloggers,
I`m sure you`ve all experienced the person who sucks your very soul out through a straw. I`m taking about the person who makes you wish you had stayed in bed, didn`t answer the door, remained in a coma...etc.
Now imagine being trapped on an island with them - there is no escape for an undetermined amount of time. Do you feel your blood boiling yet...(apparently my question mark sign is doing this èÈ now).
Anyways, I am currently dealing with this. A person for some reason drew a parrallel to the trip I am going on in December to help animals with her friends trip to a developing country to build shelters. The rational beind this was...it seemed like volunteers were going down to help but the locals didnt really need the help or it was a different sort of help they needed.
Sure, that can be the case...some groups are bad for that - some people are bad for that. But instead of leaving it as a question of how do we combat this or is there is issue with this - she draws attention to ME going to Guatemala. Wow - thanks for being rude, arrogant and putting my dream down. Seriously, you bloody well made my day.
1) This person does not know me at all...they may think they does (I sometimes wonder if he or she thinks they knows a lot more than they actually does) but that would be a mistake. They doesnt know the name of the group Im with, the work Im doing or who runs it (and that would be a group of Guatemalian locals...not an American group). So thank you for drawing negative attention (and is a boldface bunch of hooey) to my very personal to me, cause.
2) The basis of the argument (if I can call it that) was that this is what they felt another person experienced. Right... look up some groups, do some research but dont throw out ideas abotu another persons experience (especially if you didnt bother saying what that person answered - and for the love of all that is good, do NOT make the assumption that my trip will be the same way).
3) He or she proceeds to explain about someone going over alone to Africa and getting murdered in just a couple of days (right after that story). I get it...it can be dangerous. There are times I will probably miss home and not be entirely safe. I could die. Im okay with that. I dont expect to die or get hurt but things happen. You know what else happens...heart attacks, getting hit by a car, falling down stairs and breaking your neck...life is dangerous if you think too hard. But thank you for that wondeful story...it was appreciated.
4) When I inform someone of what I am doing, I would expect them to listen and perhaps apologize for being an insulting jackass. Do not assume that you are right because you have used me as an example to make connections to the problem of ethnocentricity. Again you do NOT know me so stop making random assumptions.
5) Do NOT use me as an example. Just dont. Its obviously too easy for that person to be taken as condesending and can easily be taken as being rude and ignorant (both of which, I will admit to having felt about that person).
Heres the thing: I want to make a difference...and if I help one animal down there, Ive made a difference. I am working to help animals - not people. Yes, people will benefit but this group that Im going with chose me to come down, work in Spanish under their guidance. I have already accepted that things will be different and I will have problems with that sometimes - but I also understand its a developing country that needs some hands to get dirty and make a difference. It also needs people to take the message back that they need supplies, money, etc.
So the reason for my title...I feel rather radioactive after dealing with that person today.
Thankfully, a true friend is my anti-radioactive spraydown. She simply said that this woman must be jealous or have read a really stupid Cracked article. She also said how people are quick to jump to negativity. Im seriously guilty of this. So to end my blog....Im going to list 5 things I am thankful for...
1) Laura - just because shes amazing and one of my heros in life! She fights every semister through pain and even when she seems totally down, she is the first person to have an encouraging word, a smile. Shes got the most giving heart, is so nonjudmental and shes my guardian angel some days!
2) Dana - because she will rant with me, curse like a sailor, laugh until we are both in pain, talk about poop and give suggestions like hang a dead squirrel up to make the animals go away.
3) Being healthy again - Oh my gosh! I cannot be greatful enough for this one. I have never felt better since...for a long time! Im not achy or sick anymore, no bloating or pain! I cannot believe how good i feel!
4) Coconut chocolate almond macaroon squares - its my new go-to chocolate fix. Mix coconut and honey together until it sorta sticks. Press it in a greased pan. Add bittersweet chocolate with honey overtop. Eat sparingly or a spare tire will emerge. Also, homemade iced tea and spaghetti squash - not together. Anything gluten-free is awesome!
5) Warm weather. Im from canada. 4C is a heatwave!
Cheers everyone!
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Sunday, April 1, 2012
No homo? No common sense!
I have a huge issue with people who use phrases and don't think about what they're saying. For example, "Oh my God"...if you're at the bar, you probably won't offend anyone, however, if you say it in a Baptist church, it's a little rude as it's seen as taking the Lord's name in vain.
There are some day to day ones though that make me question what kind of society we are. I'd like to think we care about treating everyone fairly but here's the thing - words are a very easy way to ostracize a group of people. People kill themselves over words. People stay silent because of other people's words creating fear. Words have clout.
Example? When's the last time you used the word 'nigger' as a white person? Personally, I think it's offensive. Why? Because for me to say it as a white person is saying "I am okay with this word devaluing you because of your skin colour"...nah, I'm really not so that word is not even in my vocabulary when I stub my toe.
How about 'That's retarded'? So you'd like to compare a situation you find stupid or irritating to someone who has a mental disability? That's not equality at all, is it? So we're teaching other people that we feel retardation is a good insult for a situation. Nope, I'm not okay with that either.
So here's my new favorite and reason for my Sammy-rant. 'No homo' is the most recent one I've seen. In context?
Guy 1 to Guy 2 - I like your shirt...no homo.
Are you really that afraid that because you say you like a shirt, a haircut or even a song that you're going to be perceived as queer? Heaven forbid someone question your sexuality. How about you walk around in a shirt that say's "I'm really really not gay"
In a generation when queer teens are killing themselves because they're being bullied so badly, we're going to start saying "no homo" because some ass started using it because "he's most certainly not gay and his sexuality won't be questioned..." Give me a break.
Your sexuality is not called into question because you say 'no homo' but your common sense definitely is.
In an ideal society, which is what I want to work towards, your sexuality might just be determined by, oh I don't know, who you're sexually attracted to? Who you're sleeping with?
What a weird thought, eh? Sexuality determined based on who we are attracted to? Who would have thought of that one.
Words do have power and do change the world - so maybe we could actually start to use our power, our freedom of expression to start doing some good and not verbally ostracize people.
There are some day to day ones though that make me question what kind of society we are. I'd like to think we care about treating everyone fairly but here's the thing - words are a very easy way to ostracize a group of people. People kill themselves over words. People stay silent because of other people's words creating fear. Words have clout.
Example? When's the last time you used the word 'nigger' as a white person? Personally, I think it's offensive. Why? Because for me to say it as a white person is saying "I am okay with this word devaluing you because of your skin colour"...nah, I'm really not so that word is not even in my vocabulary when I stub my toe.
How about 'That's retarded'? So you'd like to compare a situation you find stupid or irritating to someone who has a mental disability? That's not equality at all, is it? So we're teaching other people that we feel retardation is a good insult for a situation. Nope, I'm not okay with that either.
So here's my new favorite and reason for my Sammy-rant. 'No homo' is the most recent one I've seen. In context?
Guy 1 to Guy 2 - I like your shirt...no homo.
Are you really that afraid that because you say you like a shirt, a haircut or even a song that you're going to be perceived as queer? Heaven forbid someone question your sexuality. How about you walk around in a shirt that say's "I'm really really not gay"
In a generation when queer teens are killing themselves because they're being bullied so badly, we're going to start saying "no homo" because some ass started using it because "he's most certainly not gay and his sexuality won't be questioned..." Give me a break.
Your sexuality is not called into question because you say 'no homo' but your common sense definitely is.
In an ideal society, which is what I want to work towards, your sexuality might just be determined by, oh I don't know, who you're sexually attracted to? Who you're sleeping with?
What a weird thought, eh? Sexuality determined based on who we are attracted to? Who would have thought of that one.
Words do have power and do change the world - so maybe we could actually start to use our power, our freedom of expression to start doing some good and not verbally ostracize people.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Tips to Keeping a new years resolution
As my friend D. says, I like lists. I really do. It brings out my sarcastic nature, my crazy personality and...they're quick! So before I dash off to class with Professor Toner (not the Science one though), I'm writing my ideas on how to keep that New Years Resolution.
1) Tell people- If you want to lose 20lbs or run a marathon, tell people. You'll be more likely to keep yourself accountable if other people ask how you're doing with that goal.
2) Get a buddy- For me, Ashley is a doll because he wants to do a half-marathon as well. Hello running buddy! Get someone that has a similar goal and work together!
3) Be specific- From quitting smoking to losing weight, be specific. If your goal is to not procrastinate, figure out when you do it and why and then figure out safeguards so you can change your habits. For me, it's going to bed at a decent hour so I've started setting my alarm for 7:20am. I know if I stay up for that new episode of "Toddlers and Tiara's" (Aka: Legal Child Abuse), I'll feel like crap in the a.m. and might miss the gym.
4) Don't overhaul your life in one day- Kudos to you for trying to give up smoking/drinking/overeating AND deciding that you'll go to the gym every day this year. Want to bet it doesn't happen? I may as well take your money now. Start little and work your way up. Have mini goals. For me, it's losing 10lbs and going to the gym Monday-Friday for this month. February might be busier and I'm not setting myself up to fail. I'll reevaluate every month and go from there. For this goal, I need to be up in the morning...no more sleeping in. I will learn to love mornings or at least, tolerate them.
5) Don't be afraid to ask for help- I'm no weight loss expert so I ask people what they've done, what works for them and why. For some, it's diet and very little exercise. For me, I get an adrenaline high out of working out. I'm also vegetarian (vegan doesn't fit my lifestyle in the school year) so I can cut out so much processed food instantly!
6) Don't be afraid to fail- I was told by my friend A. (not asked, mind you but a direct statement) that I was afraid I'd lose at something because he saw I was hesitant to do it. I have great ideas and really feel I'd be good at the job but I'm terrified that I won't get it. You know, he was right. I'm scared that I'm not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, eloquent enough...and I'm scared to fail. Failure happens. We don't always get everything we want but failure mean's I tried. That's a hell of a lot better than sitting on my ass wishing "what if..."
Well, I have class and after 8 cups of coffee, really need to pee. I can't blog as much as I have been because of class but I'm going to attempt one a day.
1) Tell people- If you want to lose 20lbs or run a marathon, tell people. You'll be more likely to keep yourself accountable if other people ask how you're doing with that goal.
2) Get a buddy- For me, Ashley is a doll because he wants to do a half-marathon as well. Hello running buddy! Get someone that has a similar goal and work together!
3) Be specific- From quitting smoking to losing weight, be specific. If your goal is to not procrastinate, figure out when you do it and why and then figure out safeguards so you can change your habits. For me, it's going to bed at a decent hour so I've started setting my alarm for 7:20am. I know if I stay up for that new episode of "Toddlers and Tiara's" (Aka: Legal Child Abuse), I'll feel like crap in the a.m. and might miss the gym.
4) Don't overhaul your life in one day- Kudos to you for trying to give up smoking/drinking/overeating AND deciding that you'll go to the gym every day this year. Want to bet it doesn't happen? I may as well take your money now. Start little and work your way up. Have mini goals. For me, it's losing 10lbs and going to the gym Monday-Friday for this month. February might be busier and I'm not setting myself up to fail. I'll reevaluate every month and go from there. For this goal, I need to be up in the morning...no more sleeping in. I will learn to love mornings or at least, tolerate them.
5) Don't be afraid to ask for help- I'm no weight loss expert so I ask people what they've done, what works for them and why. For some, it's diet and very little exercise. For me, I get an adrenaline high out of working out. I'm also vegetarian (vegan doesn't fit my lifestyle in the school year) so I can cut out so much processed food instantly!
6) Don't be afraid to fail- I was told by my friend A. (not asked, mind you but a direct statement) that I was afraid I'd lose at something because he saw I was hesitant to do it. I have great ideas and really feel I'd be good at the job but I'm terrified that I won't get it. You know, he was right. I'm scared that I'm not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, eloquent enough...and I'm scared to fail. Failure happens. We don't always get everything we want but failure mean's I tried. That's a hell of a lot better than sitting on my ass wishing "what if..."
Well, I have class and after 8 cups of coffee, really need to pee. I can't blog as much as I have been because of class but I'm going to attempt one a day.
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