Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was exciting, filling and that everyone reflected on what they were grateful for. :)
For me, I came up with a list:
I am thankful for Shakira's new CD which kicks ass and allows me to feel alive again.
I am thankful for having a working car to get me around.
I am thankful for having the amount of money I have.
I am thankful for all the grants I receive for financial aid.
I am thankful for the Government paying my interest until I graduate.
I am thankful for all four of my kitties.
I am thankful for my wonderful Momma who loves me very much.
I am thankful for my Dad who enjoys spending time with me.
I am so unimaginably grateful for my parents spending their first Thanksgiving dinner together for the first time in my 20 years of life.
I am thankful for my very cool boyfriend who I just dig. I really like him. He's a babe.
I am thankful for having my own apartment, of which I can pay the rent for each month.
I am thankful for Scrubs and the laughs it has granted Joey and I during this past semester.
I am thankful for Netflix's awesomeness.
I am thankful for my sister, Kylie, who I respect and love very much.
I am thankful for my very best friends Prudence and Jessica. Both of you save me everyday from the darkness.
I am thankful for my students and watching how they have succeeded through this past semester.
I am thankful for my hair. It's long and I heart it.
I am thankful that my boyfriend is taking me to Costa Rica for three weeks.
I am thankful for the freedom I have to watch movies like "Religulous" and "This Movie Is Not Yet Rated."
I am grateful for Mother Earth and Father Sun. You teach me everyday.
I am thankful for the air I breathe.
I am thankful for the water I drink.
I am thankful for the clothes on my back.
I am thankful for the warmth of my bed.
More to come later. Only 1 week and 5 days until Costa Rica! WOOO!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
T-Minus 26.5 hours!
This past weekend, my Dad and and sister Kylie came to visit me for the first time. They only were here for 2 full days but we did so much and had such a blast. I was able to show off my amazing campus and where I live and all the beauty that is surrounding me. Kylie is considering moving down here because she has always loved the beach and she really needs to get out of Tahoe. She wants to move down in winter of next year if she does so. Joey and I are going to try and get a 2 bedroom apartment so we can accommodate for her.
There are a couple things I realized about myself this past weekend:
1) I found a new appreciation for Isla Vista. The past few months, I have been stuck in this bitter bubble and wallow in how much I hate living in IV. I can't find one thing good about it except for the things Joey enjoys. I like the beach, but you know what? I haven't even been to the beach ONCE the entire semester. I hardly ever sit out in the sun anymore, whereas last year I did it religiously. I longboarded all over the place teaching Kylie the ropes and that's something I haven't done in a while. I have just become lazy and depressed and I realized that it was my own fault! I've become ungrateful for what I have. Kylie, who is still in Tahoe with the cold and snow was so grateful to be where I live, at the beach just a few blocks away from me and here I am bitching about it. What is wrong with me? So from now on, I am going to use this to stop being such a lame-ass poo-poo head.
2) I smiled and laughed harder than I have in a LONG time. I have friends down here in SB, but I don't have that one "best friend." That's hard. I have wonderful people who are sweet and will hang out with me, but we aren't that close. Basically, my best friend is Joey and that's okay. Nothing is wrong with that. It's just that when I have had a hard day or I am becoming frustrated, instead of having a best friend to vent to, I bottle it all up and then just take it out on Joey. It's not fair on him and it's not fair on me. And I don't necessarily want a new best friend! I have Prudence who I could never replace, Jessica who is such a sweetheart and my sisters who I love more than anything! I don't want to replace anyone! I just wish we were all somewhat closer...you see my dilemma?
But in the end, I realized that if Kylie moved down here, I'd be able to have her. I'd laugh and smile and be happy again. I missed my family so much and if it weren't for Thanksgiving in just a few days, I think I might just crawl into under a rock and sleep for 100 years.
I leave tonight on Amtrak and should be arriving in Tahoe around noon tomorrow. Yeah, long ass trip but it's worth it when you're going where I am going. I am so homesick and I won't be home for all of December, including my twenty-first birthday. I cannot wait to hold my furry cats, kiss their wiskered faces, and hear them purr so loud. I cannot wait to smell the fresh air and the pine trees. I cannot wait to have a legitimate excuse to wear scarves, turtle-necks, sweaters, and Ugg boots. I cannot wait to hug my mommy, smell her spicy perfume, and have her yell at me for being too skinny. I miss the smell of her cooking, of the couch, of the pillow, of the house! I want to drink tasty water from the tap! I miss it so much and it's so close, yet so far!
T-minus 26.5 hours!!!!
There are a couple things I realized about myself this past weekend:
1) I found a new appreciation for Isla Vista. The past few months, I have been stuck in this bitter bubble and wallow in how much I hate living in IV. I can't find one thing good about it except for the things Joey enjoys. I like the beach, but you know what? I haven't even been to the beach ONCE the entire semester. I hardly ever sit out in the sun anymore, whereas last year I did it religiously. I longboarded all over the place teaching Kylie the ropes and that's something I haven't done in a while. I have just become lazy and depressed and I realized that it was my own fault! I've become ungrateful for what I have. Kylie, who is still in Tahoe with the cold and snow was so grateful to be where I live, at the beach just a few blocks away from me and here I am bitching about it. What is wrong with me? So from now on, I am going to use this to stop being such a lame-ass poo-poo head.
2) I smiled and laughed harder than I have in a LONG time. I have friends down here in SB, but I don't have that one "best friend." That's hard. I have wonderful people who are sweet and will hang out with me, but we aren't that close. Basically, my best friend is Joey and that's okay. Nothing is wrong with that. It's just that when I have had a hard day or I am becoming frustrated, instead of having a best friend to vent to, I bottle it all up and then just take it out on Joey. It's not fair on him and it's not fair on me. And I don't necessarily want a new best friend! I have Prudence who I could never replace, Jessica who is such a sweetheart and my sisters who I love more than anything! I don't want to replace anyone! I just wish we were all somewhat closer...you see my dilemma?
But in the end, I realized that if Kylie moved down here, I'd be able to have her. I'd laugh and smile and be happy again. I missed my family so much and if it weren't for Thanksgiving in just a few days, I think I might just crawl into under a rock and sleep for 100 years.
I leave tonight on Amtrak and should be arriving in Tahoe around noon tomorrow. Yeah, long ass trip but it's worth it when you're going where I am going. I am so homesick and I won't be home for all of December, including my twenty-first birthday. I cannot wait to hold my furry cats, kiss their wiskered faces, and hear them purr so loud. I cannot wait to smell the fresh air and the pine trees. I cannot wait to have a legitimate excuse to wear scarves, turtle-necks, sweaters, and Ugg boots. I cannot wait to hug my mommy, smell her spicy perfume, and have her yell at me for being too skinny. I miss the smell of her cooking, of the couch, of the pillow, of the house! I want to drink tasty water from the tap! I miss it so much and it's so close, yet so far!
T-minus 26.5 hours!!!!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
She Wolf
It's official. I am obsessed with Shakira. Again.
Can you really blame me? SHE IS FREAKING AMAZING.
It all started with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aEW_Z5Va5s
P.S. My mom is gonna do my hair Shakira-style when I got home for Thanksgiving next week! :D
Can you really blame me? SHE IS FREAKING AMAZING.
It all started with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aEW_Z5Va5s
P.S. My mom is gonna do my hair Shakira-style when I got home for Thanksgiving next week! :D
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Heart Of It All (Reprise)
So I did it! I took that idea and ran with it and it came out to be this brilliant and genius, perfect thing! Here is part of the presentation, tell me what you think?
FYI: This particular part had to be one page, so hence some lack of detail!
The Heart of It All
For my project, I chose to use the Circulatory System in reference to my tutoring process and my tutoring persona. When I was first brainstorming, I had this really great idea to use the Digestive System. The body was the student, the tutor was the food and the knowledge was the nutrients the student absorbed from the food! I had all these great ideas but as I was getting further into the process, it became apparent that eventually, the student would expel the tutor via fecal matter. I then realized that it was a horrible analogy. So that is when I went with the circulatory system and hey, everything worked out perfectly. The Circulatory System is made up of the heart, blood, blood vessels, lungs, and any part of the body that needs oxygen. The heart pumps the blood throughout the vessels to the lungs, then back to the heart and through more vessels to the rest of the body and back again. The cycle is in constant motion.
As an analogy, the heart symbolized the tutor, and the blood with its contents is the knowledge or information that is being learned. Therefore, the body and its other systems is the student. As the tutor, the heart does not make blood (or information) but does know where the blood must go and what it must do. The heart is the pump to move the blood along the vessels. But the heart cannot do the pumping alone. Voluntary skeletal movements also help the blood move along, so although the heart helps a lot, it simply can’t do is by itself. Like this, the tutor cannot do all the work for the student. The student must help contribute to the learning process (voluntary skeletal movement).
In the lungs, the oxygen that is inhaled into the blood is the vital knowledge used for learning. The carbon dioxide (a natural occurring waste from the body) is exhaled into the air and is synonymous with bad habits, procrastination and confusion. The heart helps get the information there, but it is up to the student to decipher what is needed and what isn’t. An exchange occurs, but before the oxygen rich blood is sent to the rest of the body, it must first come back to the heart (tutor) for reassurance.
Once the oxygen-rich blood is back in the heart, I as the tutor give the student the confidence knowing that the information (blood) is correct. The final pump I give the information is so the student can be pushed to get out there and apply that knowledge or information learned to the rest of the body (or say, a test, homework assignment, etc.). For example, I have shown the blood reaching the arm. The blood breaks down like it did in the lungs and another exchange occurs. The oxygen is applied to the tissues (assignment) and any waste is then brought into circulation to be eventually exhaled through the recycled blood. A good student will use this process every time, but an excellent student will use their personal experiences as well. The personal experiences can be demonstrated by the bones in the body that create new blood cells. Bone marrow is constantly making new blood cells and adding them to the circulation process. A truly excellent, “A” student will not only use the recycled information, but contribute their own personal experiences to further their learning. Eventually, the blood comes back to the heart and the cycle continues again. The process is repetitive, but it works.
This class taught me a lot about invisible and visible forces that act against successful learning. I have a Learning Disability and understanding that has helped me with my students that may have one too. Anatomically speaking, I have a VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect) that allows for blood “confusion” in my heart. Particularly in math, I have information confusion, like that in my heart. Understanding that has helped me adapt to my students as a tutor. As the heart does, I can change my beat, pressure and force to accommodate the student’s needs. Also, like the body, a student will make up for the weakness. In the body, if a sense is lost, the other senses become stronger; similar to if a student has a weakness, they most likely have a very obvious strength.
In the future, I plan on tutoring for a very long time. It’s something I am passionate about. I am very enthusiastic about the human body and it’s functions and I try to convey that to my students. I believe that if a student can recognize their own passion or drive for something, whether it be anatomy or not, that the student becomes a better learner. I notice that a student who has not found their drive yet tends to be non-active and it is important that a tutor can help encourage that passion. This is what I try to do.
My career goal is to one day become a Nurse. Anatomy is a prerequisite for Nursing so it has opened up to me this whole new world for my passion. My faculty sponsor believes that I have an innate talent to teach and wishes me to become a teacher instead of a Nurse. For now, we’ll see where that goes, but tutoring is definitely something I greatly enjoy and plan on doing for some time. It’s really fascinating to convey information about what each human possesses. Each of you has this process going through your body as we speak and you may not even know it. Understanding this, I believe, can help a student understand themselves and their potential to learn.
FYI: This particular part had to be one page, so hence some lack of detail!
The Heart of It All
For my project, I chose to use the Circulatory System in reference to my tutoring process and my tutoring persona. When I was first brainstorming, I had this really great idea to use the Digestive System. The body was the student, the tutor was the food and the knowledge was the nutrients the student absorbed from the food! I had all these great ideas but as I was getting further into the process, it became apparent that eventually, the student would expel the tutor via fecal matter. I then realized that it was a horrible analogy. So that is when I went with the circulatory system and hey, everything worked out perfectly. The Circulatory System is made up of the heart, blood, blood vessels, lungs, and any part of the body that needs oxygen. The heart pumps the blood throughout the vessels to the lungs, then back to the heart and through more vessels to the rest of the body and back again. The cycle is in constant motion.
As an analogy, the heart symbolized the tutor, and the blood with its contents is the knowledge or information that is being learned. Therefore, the body and its other systems is the student. As the tutor, the heart does not make blood (or information) but does know where the blood must go and what it must do. The heart is the pump to move the blood along the vessels. But the heart cannot do the pumping alone. Voluntary skeletal movements also help the blood move along, so although the heart helps a lot, it simply can’t do is by itself. Like this, the tutor cannot do all the work for the student. The student must help contribute to the learning process (voluntary skeletal movement).
In the lungs, the oxygen that is inhaled into the blood is the vital knowledge used for learning. The carbon dioxide (a natural occurring waste from the body) is exhaled into the air and is synonymous with bad habits, procrastination and confusion. The heart helps get the information there, but it is up to the student to decipher what is needed and what isn’t. An exchange occurs, but before the oxygen rich blood is sent to the rest of the body, it must first come back to the heart (tutor) for reassurance.
Once the oxygen-rich blood is back in the heart, I as the tutor give the student the confidence knowing that the information (blood) is correct. The final pump I give the information is so the student can be pushed to get out there and apply that knowledge or information learned to the rest of the body (or say, a test, homework assignment, etc.). For example, I have shown the blood reaching the arm. The blood breaks down like it did in the lungs and another exchange occurs. The oxygen is applied to the tissues (assignment) and any waste is then brought into circulation to be eventually exhaled through the recycled blood. A good student will use this process every time, but an excellent student will use their personal experiences as well. The personal experiences can be demonstrated by the bones in the body that create new blood cells. Bone marrow is constantly making new blood cells and adding them to the circulation process. A truly excellent, “A” student will not only use the recycled information, but contribute their own personal experiences to further their learning. Eventually, the blood comes back to the heart and the cycle continues again. The process is repetitive, but it works.
This class taught me a lot about invisible and visible forces that act against successful learning. I have a Learning Disability and understanding that has helped me with my students that may have one too. Anatomically speaking, I have a VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect) that allows for blood “confusion” in my heart. Particularly in math, I have information confusion, like that in my heart. Understanding that has helped me adapt to my students as a tutor. As the heart does, I can change my beat, pressure and force to accommodate the student’s needs. Also, like the body, a student will make up for the weakness. In the body, if a sense is lost, the other senses become stronger; similar to if a student has a weakness, they most likely have a very obvious strength.
In the future, I plan on tutoring for a very long time. It’s something I am passionate about. I am very enthusiastic about the human body and it’s functions and I try to convey that to my students. I believe that if a student can recognize their own passion or drive for something, whether it be anatomy or not, that the student becomes a better learner. I notice that a student who has not found their drive yet tends to be non-active and it is important that a tutor can help encourage that passion. This is what I try to do.
My career goal is to one day become a Nurse. Anatomy is a prerequisite for Nursing so it has opened up to me this whole new world for my passion. My faculty sponsor believes that I have an innate talent to teach and wishes me to become a teacher instead of a Nurse. For now, we’ll see where that goes, but tutoring is definitely something I greatly enjoy and plan on doing for some time. It’s really fascinating to convey information about what each human possesses. Each of you has this process going through your body as we speak and you may not even know it. Understanding this, I believe, can help a student understand themselves and their potential to learn.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Heart Of It All
So I had a rough weekend. Took one of those Olympic dives into the dark pool of negativity. Good thing I can swim, otherwise I would have been a goner. And also due to the fact that my Life Preserve boyfriend was around.
Anyway, I didn't eat or sleep for two days. But I am back and worked some thoughts out for myself.
I got angry last night and when my boyfriend suggested I turn to my Tarot cards for support, I screamed, "They don't even work!" BIIIIIG mistake. Of course, I was just yelling out of pure confrontation. I didn't even mean it. Today, after I started to feel better, I turned to them about a subject I have been worrying about for some time. They were not happy with me. Here is how the quarrel went down:
Q: Should I bring one of my cats to SB?
A: Reversed Six of Wands ("indefinite delay, fear, apprehension, disloyalty, superficial benefit, inconclusive gain")
Q: I have a hard time understanding, could you elaborate?
A: Reversed Seven of Swords ("arguments, quarrels, incertain counsel or advice, circumspection, slanders, babbling.")
Q: Is it fair to bring one of my 4 cats to SB?
A: Ten of Swords ("ruin, pain, affliction, sadness, mental anguish, desolation, tears, misfortune, trouble, disappointment")
Q: Should I get a new kitten?
A: Reversed King of Pentacles ("corruption, using means to achieve the desire end, vice, avarice, unfaithfulness, and old and vicious man, peril, danger, thriftlessness")
Q: Are you (Tarot Deck) mad at me?
A: Reversed Two of Wands ("sadness, trouble, restraint caused by others, loss of faith, unexpected surprise")
So at this point, I apologized and ran my Rose Quartz around and around the deck. I patted them, rubbed them, and sent all my apologetic energy toward them. I then asked if they accepted my apology and I was granted a card that meant "affection."
So, again, I asked the question:
Q: Okay, so would it be best if I bring a cat into the apartment, whether it be a new kitten or one of my cats from Tahoe?"
A: XX Rejuvenation ("atonement, judgment, the need to repent and forgive, the moment to account for the manner in which we have used our opportunities, rejuvenation, rebirth, improvement, development, promotion, effort that ends in just reward, the desire for immortality, legal judgment, one should carefully consider the effects of present actions on other persons.")
I am still mulling over the meaning of that particular card.
In other news, I've been trying to brainstorm a creative idea to use for my tutoring project. I have to answer three major questions in a creative presentation. An example we were told was a Geology tutor who used the analogy of a stone in a river (being a student) and the current (being the tutor). The current had to be just right to get the stone down to the delta and become a polished gem.
So I am trying to come up with an analogy that pertains to Anatomy. At first, I wanted to use the digestive system; the tutor being the food, and student being the body and only taking the essential nutrients or "knowledge" out of the food and using them to grow. But then it turned out that eventually, the student would shit me out and I decided that was a horrible analogy.
So now I am going to try and use the circulatory system and see where that goes. At least that way, I end up being the "heart" or passion-pusher and not the fecal matter. ;)
Anyway, I didn't eat or sleep for two days. But I am back and worked some thoughts out for myself.
I got angry last night and when my boyfriend suggested I turn to my Tarot cards for support, I screamed, "They don't even work!" BIIIIIG mistake. Of course, I was just yelling out of pure confrontation. I didn't even mean it. Today, after I started to feel better, I turned to them about a subject I have been worrying about for some time. They were not happy with me. Here is how the quarrel went down:
Q: Should I bring one of my cats to SB?
A: Reversed Six of Wands ("indefinite delay, fear, apprehension, disloyalty, superficial benefit, inconclusive gain")
Q: I have a hard time understanding, could you elaborate?
A: Reversed Seven of Swords ("arguments, quarrels, incertain counsel or advice, circumspection, slanders, babbling.")
Q: Is it fair to bring one of my 4 cats to SB?
A: Ten of Swords ("ruin, pain, affliction, sadness, mental anguish, desolation, tears, misfortune, trouble, disappointment")
Q: Should I get a new kitten?
A: Reversed King of Pentacles ("corruption, using means to achieve the desire end, vice, avarice, unfaithfulness, and old and vicious man, peril, danger, thriftlessness")
Q: Are you (Tarot Deck) mad at me?
A: Reversed Two of Wands ("sadness, trouble, restraint caused by others, loss of faith, unexpected surprise")
So at this point, I apologized and ran my Rose Quartz around and around the deck. I patted them, rubbed them, and sent all my apologetic energy toward them. I then asked if they accepted my apology and I was granted a card that meant "affection."
So, again, I asked the question:
Q: Okay, so would it be best if I bring a cat into the apartment, whether it be a new kitten or one of my cats from Tahoe?"
A: XX Rejuvenation ("atonement, judgment, the need to repent and forgive, the moment to account for the manner in which we have used our opportunities, rejuvenation, rebirth, improvement, development, promotion, effort that ends in just reward, the desire for immortality, legal judgment, one should carefully consider the effects of present actions on other persons.")
I am still mulling over the meaning of that particular card.
In other news, I've been trying to brainstorm a creative idea to use for my tutoring project. I have to answer three major questions in a creative presentation. An example we were told was a Geology tutor who used the analogy of a stone in a river (being a student) and the current (being the tutor). The current had to be just right to get the stone down to the delta and become a polished gem.
So I am trying to come up with an analogy that pertains to Anatomy. At first, I wanted to use the digestive system; the tutor being the food, and student being the body and only taking the essential nutrients or "knowledge" out of the food and using them to grow. But then it turned out that eventually, the student would shit me out and I decided that was a horrible analogy.
So now I am going to try and use the circulatory system and see where that goes. At least that way, I end up being the "heart" or passion-pusher and not the fecal matter. ;)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Hypocrisy.
I have some thoughts swirling around in my head. If I don't get them out into the world somehow, I am going to explode.
ABORTION:
First of all, talking about legal issues in accordance to abortion, gay rights and the death penalty shouldn't have ANYTHING to do with belief. Everyone sits here and says, "Well, I believe this" or "I believe that" but everyone's belief is different. And we're all taught that belief is something that cannot really be proved or disproved. Just don't mess with it. It's hoity-toity bullshit.
I'm not going to give you a piece of what I believe because what I believe has nothing to do with what should be the way that it's done. With regards to abortion, President Obama stated, "I don't think I have ever met anyone who is Pro-Abortion." He's right and although that I am in favor of choosing abortion, I don't call myself "Pro-Abortion" because it's not what I agree with. The American legal right should be to let women have the choice to undergo an abortion or not. There are too many situations that cannot be categorized under a tiny umbrella that restricts a woman to have an abortion.
The idea of abortion is solely based on religious belief. I have heard no other argument that deals with the scientific argument being just as important as the religious one. America is a country with the freedom of religion, the freedom of choice. If the government takes that choice away from us, then it will be a sad day in which the United States has spun in a dramatic 180.
GAY MARRIAGE:
This goes along with the same idea: KEEP YOUR BELIEFS TO YOURSELF. When Memorial Day, Labor Day or Veteran's Day comes around, what do people usually think about? Their freedoms and the fact that people died for those freedoms. The legality of Gay Marriage is on a state-by-state basis and any state which bans Gay Marriage is being supported by the Federal Government. In my home, California, the Government is choosing not to act on this issue and I demand WHY? By denying homosexuals the right to marry, you are denying freedoms; that for which Americans have died for. Every state who bans Gay Marriage is essentially slapping every American Veteran in the face. Freedom is freedom and you can't just take it away based on the majority of religious belief.
I can understand how Christians get really upset when homosexuals want to get married and it's clearly stated in the Bible as being between a man and a woman only. I understand that, but that choice is not up the Government or the state. When straight couples marry, they sign two pieces of paper: one is a marriage license for the government and one is established through the church. They are separate documents. The church has the authority to make a decision to marry a gay couple or not, NOT THE GOVERNMENT. If it were the case then only Christian couples should technically be allowed to marry in the United States because the Bible sure as hell doesn't support Wiccans, Athiests, Muslims, Jews, or Satanists. As a Wiccan, I find it interesting why there hasn't been a law tried against the use of the term "marriage" against us Pagans. We're hassled in the Bible WAAAAAAY more than homosexuals. Anyone recognize this passage from Leviticus?
Leviticus 20:27
"A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads."
See, according to the Bible, I should be brutally murdered. So why not take away my freedoms and instead victimize us? I just don't understand. In the eyes of a Christian, I think Pagans come off waaaay more frightening than homosexuals do, so you think they'd come after us? But no, they are targetting these innocent gay people who are even part of their own KIND!
And so the argument is based simply off belief. The Government should not use belief as a factor to contribute laws. Even though a majority of people are Christian, many, many people aren't and do not share the same opinion. The narrow-minded thoughts of some of the evangelistic propositions are so vile that it turns my blood to acid. I'M NOT EVEN GAY and this hurts me to see our country taking two steps back. Banning our fellow Americans from experiencing the legal rights for happiness and marriage is like going and taking back all the civil rights of African-Americans. It's so primitive.
DEATH PENALTY:
I just find it funny how the people who sit here and advocate for the death penalty tend to also be Pro-Life. Ironic?
HEALTH CARE:
Basically, this is what the Government says, "So as soon as you become a fertilized egg, we will do everything we can to keep you alive and well! We'll pass laws to prevent your mother from tossing you out or trashing her body. But, as soon as you part the lips of the vagina, you're on your own, buddy! We can only get ya so far. The contract ends at birth. If your parents are poor and you get sick, there's not really much we can do for ya. Sorry 'bout that, but it's just the way the system works..."
I'll end with this Bob Marley quote:
Before you go pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean.
ABORTION:
First of all, talking about legal issues in accordance to abortion, gay rights and the death penalty shouldn't have ANYTHING to do with belief. Everyone sits here and says, "Well, I believe this" or "I believe that" but everyone's belief is different. And we're all taught that belief is something that cannot really be proved or disproved. Just don't mess with it. It's hoity-toity bullshit.
I'm not going to give you a piece of what I believe because what I believe has nothing to do with what should be the way that it's done. With regards to abortion, President Obama stated, "I don't think I have ever met anyone who is Pro-Abortion." He's right and although that I am in favor of choosing abortion, I don't call myself "Pro-Abortion" because it's not what I agree with. The American legal right should be to let women have the choice to undergo an abortion or not. There are too many situations that cannot be categorized under a tiny umbrella that restricts a woman to have an abortion.
The idea of abortion is solely based on religious belief. I have heard no other argument that deals with the scientific argument being just as important as the religious one. America is a country with the freedom of religion, the freedom of choice. If the government takes that choice away from us, then it will be a sad day in which the United States has spun in a dramatic 180.
GAY MARRIAGE:
This goes along with the same idea: KEEP YOUR BELIEFS TO YOURSELF. When Memorial Day, Labor Day or Veteran's Day comes around, what do people usually think about? Their freedoms and the fact that people died for those freedoms. The legality of Gay Marriage is on a state-by-state basis and any state which bans Gay Marriage is being supported by the Federal Government. In my home, California, the Government is choosing not to act on this issue and I demand WHY? By denying homosexuals the right to marry, you are denying freedoms; that for which Americans have died for. Every state who bans Gay Marriage is essentially slapping every American Veteran in the face. Freedom is freedom and you can't just take it away based on the majority of religious belief.
I can understand how Christians get really upset when homosexuals want to get married and it's clearly stated in the Bible as being between a man and a woman only. I understand that, but that choice is not up the Government or the state. When straight couples marry, they sign two pieces of paper: one is a marriage license for the government and one is established through the church. They are separate documents. The church has the authority to make a decision to marry a gay couple or not, NOT THE GOVERNMENT. If it were the case then only Christian couples should technically be allowed to marry in the United States because the Bible sure as hell doesn't support Wiccans, Athiests, Muslims, Jews, or Satanists. As a Wiccan, I find it interesting why there hasn't been a law tried against the use of the term "marriage" against us Pagans. We're hassled in the Bible WAAAAAAY more than homosexuals. Anyone recognize this passage from Leviticus?
Leviticus 20:27
"A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads."
See, according to the Bible, I should be brutally murdered. So why not take away my freedoms and instead victimize us? I just don't understand. In the eyes of a Christian, I think Pagans come off waaaay more frightening than homosexuals do, so you think they'd come after us? But no, they are targetting these innocent gay people who are even part of their own KIND!
And so the argument is based simply off belief. The Government should not use belief as a factor to contribute laws. Even though a majority of people are Christian, many, many people aren't and do not share the same opinion. The narrow-minded thoughts of some of the evangelistic propositions are so vile that it turns my blood to acid. I'M NOT EVEN GAY and this hurts me to see our country taking two steps back. Banning our fellow Americans from experiencing the legal rights for happiness and marriage is like going and taking back all the civil rights of African-Americans. It's so primitive.
DEATH PENALTY:
I just find it funny how the people who sit here and advocate for the death penalty tend to also be Pro-Life. Ironic?
HEALTH CARE:
Basically, this is what the Government says, "So as soon as you become a fertilized egg, we will do everything we can to keep you alive and well! We'll pass laws to prevent your mother from tossing you out or trashing her body. But, as soon as you part the lips of the vagina, you're on your own, buddy! We can only get ya so far. The contract ends at birth. If your parents are poor and you get sick, there's not really much we can do for ya. Sorry 'bout that, but it's just the way the system works..."
I'll end with this Bob Marley quote:
Before you go pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
My Natal Chart
So as I mentioned in my last post, I consider myself to be a Neo-Pagan. I technically fall under the "Eclectic Wiccan" umbrella. Since moving to Santa Barbara, it has been hard for me to really connect with that part of myself. Up in Tahoe, I lived in the forest and it was ever prevalent that Mother Nature was staring me in the face. I am very fortunate to have grown up with that but now I am living in a place that has a lot smaller animal community and untouched nature reserves.
Back home, I also used to have a group that I celebrated the Sabbats with. My best friend, who also has Neo-Pagan parents, was a someone who I found a lot of strength in. We performed many rituals together and had a very successful ouigi board experience during Samhain of 2007. It was all so real for me back home and I never thought I would fall out of it.
Of course, last year, I moved in with two complete strangers and I couldn't just go spurting off spells because I'd scare the crapola out of them. So I tamed it down a bit. I also got so wrapped up in this new world and my new school and learning to be in the same town as my boyfriend that it all just seemed to have washed away. When I finally recognized it this year, it saddened me a great deal. Now that I am living with my boyfriend who is very accepting, I have much more freedom to do what I want and have a public alter.
So lately I have been searching for Pagan groups in the Santa Barbara area. I found one who meets quite frequently and they celebrate every Sabbat. Last night, I didn't have class because it was Veteran's Day, so I took the initiative and drove myself all the way out there by myself. For all I knew, these could have been crazies trying to kill me, but that feeling wasn't in my gut. I was excited and anxious, but in a good way!
Teal and Tariah are very nice people. We met up, conversed over the Path and Teal made me a natal chart. A natal chart is an astrological chart that is based on the exact location, time and date of your birth. They look like this:
It was incredibly accurate! I am still learning how to read it (its very confusing and has so many different layers, as you can tell) but it's quite incredible. Teal is very gifted in reading natal charts so it was nice to hear his input. He could say so many things about me by looking at this chart and he didn't even know me! If you could ever get a natal chart done, I highly recommend it. It's fascinating!
Teal has given me an assignment that within the next two weeks, I must bring to "class" one magical experience I have had, whether it be an observation or a spell working. I think I am going to try doing a spell because it has been so long. Or maybe a New Moon ritual. The one coming this Monday is very powerful for transformation and change because it sits in Scorpio.
Last night, all of us also lit an intent candle. Mine was "My intent is to suppress my stubbornness." I'll let you know how that goes. ;)
Alrighty, I think I am going to go whip out a Tarot reading before I head off to dissection. I will write more on my transformation as I recognize it. Thanks for tuning in!
Back home, I also used to have a group that I celebrated the Sabbats with. My best friend, who also has Neo-Pagan parents, was a someone who I found a lot of strength in. We performed many rituals together and had a very successful ouigi board experience during Samhain of 2007. It was all so real for me back home and I never thought I would fall out of it.
Of course, last year, I moved in with two complete strangers and I couldn't just go spurting off spells because I'd scare the crapola out of them. So I tamed it down a bit. I also got so wrapped up in this new world and my new school and learning to be in the same town as my boyfriend that it all just seemed to have washed away. When I finally recognized it this year, it saddened me a great deal. Now that I am living with my boyfriend who is very accepting, I have much more freedom to do what I want and have a public alter.
So lately I have been searching for Pagan groups in the Santa Barbara area. I found one who meets quite frequently and they celebrate every Sabbat. Last night, I didn't have class because it was Veteran's Day, so I took the initiative and drove myself all the way out there by myself. For all I knew, these could have been crazies trying to kill me, but that feeling wasn't in my gut. I was excited and anxious, but in a good way!
Teal and Tariah are very nice people. We met up, conversed over the Path and Teal made me a natal chart. A natal chart is an astrological chart that is based on the exact location, time and date of your birth. They look like this:
It was incredibly accurate! I am still learning how to read it (its very confusing and has so many different layers, as you can tell) but it's quite incredible. Teal is very gifted in reading natal charts so it was nice to hear his input. He could say so many things about me by looking at this chart and he didn't even know me! If you could ever get a natal chart done, I highly recommend it. It's fascinating!
Teal has given me an assignment that within the next two weeks, I must bring to "class" one magical experience I have had, whether it be an observation or a spell working. I think I am going to try doing a spell because it has been so long. Or maybe a New Moon ritual. The one coming this Monday is very powerful for transformation and change because it sits in Scorpio.
Last night, all of us also lit an intent candle. Mine was "My intent is to suppress my stubbornness." I'll let you know how that goes. ;)
Alrighty, I think I am going to go whip out a Tarot reading before I head off to dissection. I will write more on my transformation as I recognize it. Thanks for tuning in!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Welcome to me. :)
Well, you have converted me blogspot. I have been an active LiveJournal user since 2005 but I use it for my private *stuff*. You wont find me on there so don't even try. ;)
This is my first blog on here and it's for all those distant family and friends who are bored and/or procrastinating and Facebook just isn't creepy enough for them. KIDDING. Sort of.
What can I write about myself and my background that will take less than 15 minutes? Well, there is the generic blah blah where I am from, how old I am, who my family members are, what school I went to but how does that actually interpret who I really am? It simply doesn't.
I am an old soul lost in a tiny college town filled with people whom I less than enjoy. I see myself in all of nature and follow her path to wherever she wants to take me. I am bold, I am shy, I am stubborn, I am proud, I am insecure, I am basically so complex that it will drive you to insanity just trying to figure me out. But hey, I am a woman, and none of us know exactly what he want, right?
Following the path of least resistance is definitely something that I don't do. My stubbornness has destroyed many parts of my life that I am not proud of. I hope one day that I can be the type of person to let insignificant things go and be kind. I don't consider myself a bad person, but I am not without sin. Metaphorically speaking of course since I technically don't believe in sin. Bah...I just try not to be a hypocrite but we all make mistakes.
Anyway, I am constantly changing myself so for all you know this might change tomorrow. To make you feel better, here is some generic blah blah:
I am 20 years old and a full-time student at SBCC. I tutor for Anatomy and am part of the human dissection team (weird, I know). I used to be a professional belly dancer (for like a year...) and now I currently model for some Brook's students. I live in IV and hate it so. I recently earned my Certified Nursing Assistant certificate so goo me! Woot! I am Wiccan and like to share my beliefs with those curious. I have a very complicated family situation that usually needs to be explained in flow-charts but I love them regardless. I have a wonderful boyfriend whom I live with and have been dating for about two and a half years and he is awesome to the core! Scrubs is basically my favorite show ever. I am currently in school to become a kick-ass Nurse who makes cancer my bitch.
Well, that should do it for now. I have to get. Hope ya'll enjoyed my intro. :)
This is my first blog on here and it's for all those distant family and friends who are bored and/or procrastinating and Facebook just isn't creepy enough for them. KIDDING. Sort of.
What can I write about myself and my background that will take less than 15 minutes? Well, there is the generic blah blah where I am from, how old I am, who my family members are, what school I went to but how does that actually interpret who I really am? It simply doesn't.
I am an old soul lost in a tiny college town filled with people whom I less than enjoy. I see myself in all of nature and follow her path to wherever she wants to take me. I am bold, I am shy, I am stubborn, I am proud, I am insecure, I am basically so complex that it will drive you to insanity just trying to figure me out. But hey, I am a woman, and none of us know exactly what he want, right?
Following the path of least resistance is definitely something that I don't do. My stubbornness has destroyed many parts of my life that I am not proud of. I hope one day that I can be the type of person to let insignificant things go and be kind. I don't consider myself a bad person, but I am not without sin. Metaphorically speaking of course since I technically don't believe in sin. Bah...I just try not to be a hypocrite but we all make mistakes.
Anyway, I am constantly changing myself so for all you know this might change tomorrow. To make you feel better, here is some generic blah blah:
I am 20 years old and a full-time student at SBCC. I tutor for Anatomy and am part of the human dissection team (weird, I know). I used to be a professional belly dancer (for like a year...) and now I currently model for some Brook's students. I live in IV and hate it so. I recently earned my Certified Nursing Assistant certificate so goo me! Woot! I am Wiccan and like to share my beliefs with those curious. I have a very complicated family situation that usually needs to be explained in flow-charts but I love them regardless. I have a wonderful boyfriend whom I live with and have been dating for about two and a half years and he is awesome to the core! Scrubs is basically my favorite show ever. I am currently in school to become a kick-ass Nurse who makes cancer my bitch.
Well, that should do it for now. I have to get. Hope ya'll enjoyed my intro. :)
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