This week two events happened that made me do a double take! I've been following and supporting animal rights for years now in many different capacities (I was vegan for almost an entire year!), but these are headlines I didn't see coming.
PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is looking to add porn to it's list of activities. You read correctly. While many companies are buying up their .xxx names so others won't be able to use their likeness in ways that might not flow with their mission statements, Peta is looking to use this opportunity to get you think about saving the bunnies while you rub one out. According to announcements I've read, Peta will give you a small taste of fun before showing you more graphic images of animal slaughter. It's great to raise awareness, but at what cost? The people who might be willing to visit a site like this may have other concerns on their mind than reducing animal harm. As much as I'm ok watching porn and fighting for animal rights, these are not two venues I would combine to cut down on time. Frankly, I think Peta is going to attract more unscrupulous types than real activist.
In cool but probably not going to change the world news, the West Hollywood, CA city council has just voted to be the first fur-free city. That means the sale of furs will be illegal within this city limits which is comprised of less than 3 miles. This only includes sales for clothing and not for furniture or leather, also a huge impact toward animal deaths. Fur will still be sold in the next town over, Beverly Hills, so some activist aren't ready to cross the fur industry off their list. Nevertheless, CA and Hollywood specifically likes to be the driving force behind a lot of issues; this one may just be their next big hit.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Finding Church Without God
For the past 4 or 5 weeks I have been attending the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City. I found them the same way I locate most of the things I need/want in my life, through the internet. I had been looking for something familiar to believe in, without the familiar judgement I grew up with. Needless to say, a church without God was exactly what I was looking for.
The first time I attended a service, I made someone go with me. My best friend and husband worked well for this. We all took turns after the service talking about what we liked and didn't like. We each have very different worship and religious backgrounds that finding an outlet we could all appreciate seemed strange at first. The BFF is a devoted Lutheran, the husband a stanch atheist from the Catholic community. I was baptized Southern Baptist but had also walked away from the church. So what was so moving of a sermon on this day? It was nothing special, just the background and thoughts of the new interim minister. There wasn't even a moral to the story. The music was quite ordinary for church, a little Mozart and two non-descript hymnals. It was a comfortable atmosphere to partake in.
So I went back the next week. It was a little different and I didn't have a huge entourage with me. I only had the baby and she was asleep. I wasn't so moved the second week and thought my lack of friends was the problem. I was ready to through in the towel. However, my lovely BFF reminded me that not every week was going to be amazing and that I shouldn't give up so easy. I was looking to make friends and become a part of a community. One mediocre time was acceptable. And I went back the next week.
More people started to recognize or chat with me before services. I started learning the words to songs they sang every week. But every week was completely different. One week all the transitional music was instrumental Joni Mitchell. Sermons were given by church members, both young and old a
Non-church member with a very strange background talked about how Hula and the Hawaiian culture saved his life, and all the music that day was Hawaiian. The diversity is why I went looking for a church home like this.
I am not big on churches or worship or God. I don't even like to use those terms to describe anything I am planing to participate in. At first, I referred to it as "the-place-that-shall-not-be-named," making for some giggles from the hubby. More recently, a friend I have acquired through the church community told me to call it BYOG (Bring your own God). So here is why I keep going back.
Unitarians love everyone and only want world peace and social justice for all. No really, they do. What connects these people to each other is not what they believe, but in their actions for humanity. They are accepting of LGBT issues and Atheists are welcomed. God is never mentioned, but many people believe in one (or many or non). Readings have come from spiritual and non-spiritual works and the hymnals have songs about saving the planet. I didn't think it was possible, but this is the kind of worship I want. The loving, open, all-are-invited kind.
My past made me yearn for a church home; my intentions gave me peace of mind.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The first time I attended a service, I made someone go with me. My best friend and husband worked well for this. We all took turns after the service talking about what we liked and didn't like. We each have very different worship and religious backgrounds that finding an outlet we could all appreciate seemed strange at first. The BFF is a devoted Lutheran, the husband a stanch atheist from the Catholic community. I was baptized Southern Baptist but had also walked away from the church. So what was so moving of a sermon on this day? It was nothing special, just the background and thoughts of the new interim minister. There wasn't even a moral to the story. The music was quite ordinary for church, a little Mozart and two non-descript hymnals. It was a comfortable atmosphere to partake in.
So I went back the next week. It was a little different and I didn't have a huge entourage with me. I only had the baby and she was asleep. I wasn't so moved the second week and thought my lack of friends was the problem. I was ready to through in the towel. However, my lovely BFF reminded me that not every week was going to be amazing and that I shouldn't give up so easy. I was looking to make friends and become a part of a community. One mediocre time was acceptable. And I went back the next week.
More people started to recognize or chat with me before services. I started learning the words to songs they sang every week. But every week was completely different. One week all the transitional music was instrumental Joni Mitchell. Sermons were given by church members, both young and old a
Non-church member with a very strange background talked about how Hula and the Hawaiian culture saved his life, and all the music that day was Hawaiian. The diversity is why I went looking for a church home like this.
I am not big on churches or worship or God. I don't even like to use those terms to describe anything I am planing to participate in. At first, I referred to it as "the-place-that-shall-not-be-named," making for some giggles from the hubby. More recently, a friend I have acquired through the church community told me to call it BYOG (Bring your own God). So here is why I keep going back.
Unitarians love everyone and only want world peace and social justice for all. No really, they do. What connects these people to each other is not what they believe, but in their actions for humanity. They are accepting of LGBT issues and Atheists are welcomed. God is never mentioned, but many people believe in one (or many or non). Readings have come from spiritual and non-spiritual works and the hymnals have songs about saving the planet. I didn't think it was possible, but this is the kind of worship I want. The loving, open, all-are-invited kind.
My past made me yearn for a church home; my intentions gave me peace of mind.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day Revelations
There are two points of view you can have on Mother's day: as your mother's child and/or as a mother. Today, I realized, that I had achieved both perspectives.
I have been gone from the blogging world because I have been busy being pregnant. I am actually in my 9th month and my due date is just two weeks away (which means I could go into labor at any moment). So no, I am not getting hand written cards from little ones or presents brought by my husband with my child's name written on them. I am not recounting all the joys of motherhood with other mom friends of mine. I did not have a fun filled day of mommy pampering. However, I am now a part of a group that has or will care for a child. My husband and I decided we wanted to have a baby; not every woman is so lucky.
Today I woke up like it was any other normal Sunday. I laughed with my husband in bed while we procrastinated getting started on a day in which we had no plans to accomplish. I even made breakfast. All this while ignoring the pesky texts messages I had been receiving since 6 am (from people on the East coast during their breakfast time, me being on the West) that said "Happy Mother's Day." You see, people had actually been saying that to me all week, and I have just smiled and said a polite thank you. I have never been a mother before and until last Sunday, I really didn't think I was one now. But, no matter what happens, I will have a child and I will have to fit "mommy" into my daily life. But when do you really become a mom? And Is it anymore who has given birth or is taking care of children? Was I a mom when I conceived or at least when I hit 23 weeks, the point in which the fetus inside me could live potentially live outside of my womb (with the help of science of course)? Or what about now, two weeks from "due", my baby being addressed by the name we have decided to give her?
Maybe that day started today, at least for me. To see the admiration people have for their mothers (something I have for my mother) and to have that same pride bestowed upon me was sort of surreal. Have I even been able to prove that I deserve admiration? Some must think so. Enough people took time out of their day to send me text and Facebook messages for me to see maybe I should take another look at how I see myself. All this Mother's Day attention helped me step into my next big role.
Right now, all I can do is plan to be the best mother I can be, something I learned from my mom. And after today, even though I have never done some of the amazing things people thank their mothers for, I know that I will. Being a good or great mom is a state of mind, living for your children and teaching them to love themselves as much as you love them (or more in some cases)! Thank you mom for all your love, something I have been transferring to my new daughter, even before she knows what a "mom" is.
I have been gone from the blogging world because I have been busy being pregnant. I am actually in my 9th month and my due date is just two weeks away (which means I could go into labor at any moment). So no, I am not getting hand written cards from little ones or presents brought by my husband with my child's name written on them. I am not recounting all the joys of motherhood with other mom friends of mine. I did not have a fun filled day of mommy pampering. However, I am now a part of a group that has or will care for a child. My husband and I decided we wanted to have a baby; not every woman is so lucky.
Today I woke up like it was any other normal Sunday. I laughed with my husband in bed while we procrastinated getting started on a day in which we had no plans to accomplish. I even made breakfast. All this while ignoring the pesky texts messages I had been receiving since 6 am (from people on the East coast during their breakfast time, me being on the West) that said "Happy Mother's Day." You see, people had actually been saying that to me all week, and I have just smiled and said a polite thank you. I have never been a mother before and until last Sunday, I really didn't think I was one now. But, no matter what happens, I will have a child and I will have to fit "mommy" into my daily life. But when do you really become a mom? And Is it anymore who has given birth or is taking care of children? Was I a mom when I conceived or at least when I hit 23 weeks, the point in which the fetus inside me could live potentially live outside of my womb (with the help of science of course)? Or what about now, two weeks from "due", my baby being addressed by the name we have decided to give her?
Maybe that day started today, at least for me. To see the admiration people have for their mothers (something I have for my mother) and to have that same pride bestowed upon me was sort of surreal. Have I even been able to prove that I deserve admiration? Some must think so. Enough people took time out of their day to send me text and Facebook messages for me to see maybe I should take another look at how I see myself. All this Mother's Day attention helped me step into my next big role.
Right now, all I can do is plan to be the best mother I can be, something I learned from my mom. And after today, even though I have never done some of the amazing things people thank their mothers for, I know that I will. Being a good or great mom is a state of mind, living for your children and teaching them to love themselves as much as you love them (or more in some cases)! Thank you mom for all your love, something I have been transferring to my new daughter, even before she knows what a "mom" is.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Book Review: The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
I read this book because I was told it would change my life and how I looked the world around me. Pretty much exactly what the book said. However, I was not completely changed even though I thought some of the ideas of the book were on the right track. I didn't like the fact that this author made up an idea and started selling it as enlightenment. It felt forced and overplayed. I couldn't feel connected with the main character (he was a bit too full of himself) and about half way through the book I had to force myself to keep reading. The writing was not that good and the "coincidences" make the story feel almost incomplete, like written on a whim. I latched onto the energy of the universe concept and even that we all have that energy within us. The rest of the story needs some work to be a bit more believable.
The idea of just walking into enlightenment is not an easy one to grasp. So I just show up and take it? I don't think so. Real knowledge should take years, and the main character of this book can do it in days? Very Neo from the Matrix of you Redfield. And why is he come off a misogynistic and over-barring? Anyway, I can't really recommend this book because I don't think it will change your life. I think it might open you up for wanting to change, but when the book ends, it does not lead you on a greater path (there is a sequel and maybe you have to read them both to get the real effect). Somehow, it made me want to shy away from this idea, not embrace it. It is suppose to bring greater meaning to the lives we all lead, empowering all of us to make better decisions about the world around us. If you want enlightenment, take a yoga class. Leave this book on the shelf.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
I'm not the woman in the pin-striped suit
As I returned home yesterday from the grocery store, arms full of bags, I realized that the title of cook was never something I felt would define the adult I would become. I also never thought I would be able to work in peasant skirts and flip flops, but I'm getting ahead of myself. I came into my shared apartment, placed my things on the floor and thought, wow, this is not where I saw myself ten years ago. This is not where I saw myself three years ago. The funny thing is, I'm happy.
I was a child of great independence and never really felt hindered by my gender or race. I say really because people tried to tell me all the time how my gender or race was keeping me from doing something, but I always did what I wanted. I went to the schools I wanted, I learned the skills and fleshed out the talents I wanted, because I wanted to. My mother had her hand in the pot occasionally, but what mother doesn't? All-in-all, no one ever told me who or what to be, never told me that I couldn't do something, and when they did, I did it anyway. I don't blame people for my mistakes and I rarely ask for forgiveness. I hate to ask others for help, but I'm not too pompous to do so. Point is, I thought I would be in a different place now.
I thought I would be that businesswoman with the pin-stripe suit/skirt set and that I would have an office in a building that had more floors than years I have seen. This vision has always been apart of my future, even if I didn't have a good reason for it, except that when you hear of women like that, they all started out like me. Yet, I took a different road- the one more traveled.
I got married and moved as far from my family as I could. When I was young, that was all I wanted- not the marriage part but the moving part. But the older I got, the more comfortable I became with living and breathing twenty minutes from my birthplace. Now that I can't drive by that hospital or my parent's house everyday, I miss it. But I'm starting to get off topic.
The point is, I am not the woman I envisioned I would be. I became the nightly cook, a role I hated to see my mother in because she worked just as hard as anyone else in the house outside of the house. I'm been wanting a baby since I said "I do", but was the kind of person just three years ago that would have worked until the day she died without a man or a child. For a while I was a house-wife, and during that time, I felt nothing but shame. But I leaned latter that my perception was the wrong way to go about it. What's the big deal? Many women all over America would kill to have the life I do- work part-time, husband can afford to pay all the bills and I can afford to shop, do anything I want because I am held to no one's standards but my own. But I did not know how to handle it.
I am a stanch Feminist, and I worked really hard for that to be the first thing people see me as. And living so far away from anything I had ever known before 2009 has opened my mind to a new world of possibilities.
I am not oppressed- neither by my gender or race. I am not wanting of a different situation, I love my husband and our plans to have a family. I am not a failure at being a feminist, especially because I have come to these conclusions. Sometimes, the choices we make for ourselves just aren't choices for others; but that doesn't mean that for us they are bad or oppressive choices. I didn't become that head executive with a corporate bank account like I thought I would- I became a part-time elementary school librarian, a full-time wife and looking to become a full-time mother. And I'm happy.
My path didn't take me in the direction I was expecting, and it doesn't for most. Many of us have regrets of things that we wish we could have done differently. You shouldn't. Regrets are of no use to you. They have been no use to me. I guess this post was just a reassurance to you that you are probably on the right path- you can't be on any other. And if you are on the wrong path, you took a wrong turn somewhere, back up, and try again. Life holds all these possibilities, we can't get hung up on not being the person our 15-year-old self wrote wrote about in their diary. I use to be and all it did was make me upset.
Even though we may think we have no power, I believe we all have the power to be influential. We can change the world, no matter if it's by an expense account or a good deed for someone you don't know. I wanted to be that influence and thought I could only have it with power, I was wrong. Find your passion. Find your love. Become an activist. Do something for free, because only so many people can make six-figure incomes. :-)
I was a child of great independence and never really felt hindered by my gender or race. I say really because people tried to tell me all the time how my gender or race was keeping me from doing something, but I always did what I wanted. I went to the schools I wanted, I learned the skills and fleshed out the talents I wanted, because I wanted to. My mother had her hand in the pot occasionally, but what mother doesn't? All-in-all, no one ever told me who or what to be, never told me that I couldn't do something, and when they did, I did it anyway. I don't blame people for my mistakes and I rarely ask for forgiveness. I hate to ask others for help, but I'm not too pompous to do so. Point is, I thought I would be in a different place now.
I thought I would be that businesswoman with the pin-stripe suit/skirt set and that I would have an office in a building that had more floors than years I have seen. This vision has always been apart of my future, even if I didn't have a good reason for it, except that when you hear of women like that, they all started out like me. Yet, I took a different road- the one more traveled.
I got married and moved as far from my family as I could. When I was young, that was all I wanted- not the marriage part but the moving part. But the older I got, the more comfortable I became with living and breathing twenty minutes from my birthplace. Now that I can't drive by that hospital or my parent's house everyday, I miss it. But I'm starting to get off topic.
The point is, I am not the woman I envisioned I would be. I became the nightly cook, a role I hated to see my mother in because she worked just as hard as anyone else in the house outside of the house. I'm been wanting a baby since I said "I do", but was the kind of person just three years ago that would have worked until the day she died without a man or a child. For a while I was a house-wife, and during that time, I felt nothing but shame. But I leaned latter that my perception was the wrong way to go about it. What's the big deal? Many women all over America would kill to have the life I do- work part-time, husband can afford to pay all the bills and I can afford to shop, do anything I want because I am held to no one's standards but my own. But I did not know how to handle it.
I am a stanch Feminist, and I worked really hard for that to be the first thing people see me as. And living so far away from anything I had ever known before 2009 has opened my mind to a new world of possibilities.
I am not oppressed- neither by my gender or race. I am not wanting of a different situation, I love my husband and our plans to have a family. I am not a failure at being a feminist, especially because I have come to these conclusions. Sometimes, the choices we make for ourselves just aren't choices for others; but that doesn't mean that for us they are bad or oppressive choices. I didn't become that head executive with a corporate bank account like I thought I would- I became a part-time elementary school librarian, a full-time wife and looking to become a full-time mother. And I'm happy.
My path didn't take me in the direction I was expecting, and it doesn't for most. Many of us have regrets of things that we wish we could have done differently. You shouldn't. Regrets are of no use to you. They have been no use to me. I guess this post was just a reassurance to you that you are probably on the right path- you can't be on any other. And if you are on the wrong path, you took a wrong turn somewhere, back up, and try again. Life holds all these possibilities, we can't get hung up on not being the person our 15-year-old self wrote wrote about in their diary. I use to be and all it did was make me upset.
Even though we may think we have no power, I believe we all have the power to be influential. We can change the world, no matter if it's by an expense account or a good deed for someone you don't know. I wanted to be that influence and thought I could only have it with power, I was wrong. Find your passion. Find your love. Become an activist. Do something for free, because only so many people can make six-figure incomes. :-)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Book Review: The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. Flake
I saw this book a number of times, looking back at me. After a while, I wanted to know what all the staring is about. The synopsis on the back was minimal: a girl gets picked on about her skin color; then, a teacher with an actual skin problem comes to teach at the school. That is not what keeps you reading and that's not what moves you. Maleeka and her pain moves you. What keeps you reading is the heartache she has to want be different and proud, but can't because she is a follower and ashamed of her talents. It's a coming of age story, mixed with strong ideals on women and gender issues, subtle thoughts on racism and a little bit of teen awkwardness. It isn't a long book, only 171 pages and it's written for Young Adults. It is a winner of the prestigious Coretta Scott King award and is one of the ALA's Best Books for Young Adults. Nevertheless, that is not why you should read it. The story brings about joy, as well as sadness, and reminds us that we all have the strength, if we just believe in ourselves.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
2010 Call For A Little Change
I've been going about this all wrong. I have been trying to compartmentalize my life as, well as my thoughts, and I'm not feeling too good about it. I'm not doing too well either. This blog was suppose to be more about the issues I want to talk about and less about me. However, as a good friend reminded me, the issues I fight for are not in-and-of-themselves kind of issues. They are topics I want to talk about because I find them to be personal in some way. What this all means is that when I have something to say, I should write about it and not feel that it is too personal for this specific outlet. I am personal. I have ideas. Some of my ideas can be deemed political. I have political thoughts. I just have to allow myself and my audience to cope with these ideas and my concerns. I guess it would be better to say this blog is both personal and not personal. Sometimes it's me and sometimes it just is. That is the best way I can describe it.
I also want to take a page from another friend's book and set goals for myself. I am a walking and talking organizer and love my many to-do list. This, though, should be bigger than a list of errands. So here are the few goals I have for the year, keeping in mind that I may have to come back and revise my list, or check it to make sure I am sticking to my plans. Hopefully I can make 2010 a year of accomplishments.
1. Read Like I Use To
Sometime around the age of 16 or 17, I stopped reading as passionately as I had when I was a child. I don't know if it is because reading for school became daunting or if I just never made the time. Whatever it was, I'm changing it. If that means that I watch less tv and buy more books, then I am ok with that. I got into the Non-Fiction when I started college because of my majors; nevertheless, with my new connections and the awesomeness of a site called Librarything.com, I have been reintroduced to the love of books I had as a child, which was mostly Fiction. Really, I never stopped reading and I never stopped loving to read. Now, I plan to make the time for it. So far I don't have a goal of the number of books I want to read, but like I said, check back for updates.
2. Really Get In Shape
I jog. I do yoga. I eat better than I ever have before. I just want to keep it up and be fit. Some of it is my issue with weight but it shouldn't be. Which leads me to my next goal.
3. Be Happy With My Size, Shape and Color
Very self-explanatory. Just to be happy with me. I have to overcome some issues I don't really want to admit I have but if I want to be happy, I have to live me. (So does everyone else.)
4. Stay Informed With What Is Going On In The World
For a while, I was really good about reading web journals and watching the news everyday. Somehow, I got away from that. It may also be why I haven't written a blog in a while because I don't know what is happening around me. That needs to change. I can't live in a box (sorry Jeca) and I can't talk about things I know nothing about.
5. Really Learn Spanish
I want to teach in L.A. I took Spanish in high school and college and STILL CAN'T SPEAK IT. Well not anymore. I have the background to really be good at it and I need it here.
6. Pick Up My Instrument
I don't remember being this stressed out about life when I played violin and I remember how much it was a part of my life. I lost a little bit of myself when I stopped playing. I know there are only so many hours in a day, but one of them should go to something as important as my music.
6. Continue To Be A Voice For Change
Why have a blog if you don't use it for good? The same with Twitter or Facebook or MySpace? Why do anything if not to better the community around you and in turn the world? That is what this blog is for, to be a voice. By the end of the year, I should have my Masters and my teaching credential, which is just a springboard for a lot of the work I really want to do.
I also want to take a page from another friend's book and set goals for myself. I am a walking and talking organizer and love my many to-do list. This, though, should be bigger than a list of errands. So here are the few goals I have for the year, keeping in mind that I may have to come back and revise my list, or check it to make sure I am sticking to my plans. Hopefully I can make 2010 a year of accomplishments.
1. Read Like I Use To
Sometime around the age of 16 or 17, I stopped reading as passionately as I had when I was a child. I don't know if it is because reading for school became daunting or if I just never made the time. Whatever it was, I'm changing it. If that means that I watch less tv and buy more books, then I am ok with that. I got into the Non-Fiction when I started college because of my majors; nevertheless, with my new connections and the awesomeness of a site called Librarything.com, I have been reintroduced to the love of books I had as a child, which was mostly Fiction. Really, I never stopped reading and I never stopped loving to read. Now, I plan to make the time for it. So far I don't have a goal of the number of books I want to read, but like I said, check back for updates.
2. Really Get In Shape
I jog. I do yoga. I eat better than I ever have before. I just want to keep it up and be fit. Some of it is my issue with weight but it shouldn't be. Which leads me to my next goal.
3. Be Happy With My Size, Shape and Color
Very self-explanatory. Just to be happy with me. I have to overcome some issues I don't really want to admit I have but if I want to be happy, I have to live me. (So does everyone else.)
4. Stay Informed With What Is Going On In The World
For a while, I was really good about reading web journals and watching the news everyday. Somehow, I got away from that. It may also be why I haven't written a blog in a while because I don't know what is happening around me. That needs to change. I can't live in a box (sorry Jeca) and I can't talk about things I know nothing about.
5. Really Learn Spanish
I want to teach in L.A. I took Spanish in high school and college and STILL CAN'T SPEAK IT. Well not anymore. I have the background to really be good at it and I need it here.
6. Pick Up My Instrument
I don't remember being this stressed out about life when I played violin and I remember how much it was a part of my life. I lost a little bit of myself when I stopped playing. I know there are only so many hours in a day, but one of them should go to something as important as my music.
6. Continue To Be A Voice For Change
Why have a blog if you don't use it for good? The same with Twitter or Facebook or MySpace? Why do anything if not to better the community around you and in turn the world? That is what this blog is for, to be a voice. By the end of the year, I should have my Masters and my teaching credential, which is just a springboard for a lot of the work I really want to do.
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