Currently Listening Black Holes and Revelations By Muse Knights Of Cydonia see related

My last post was 6 months ago. Crazy, huh?

My life is boring. Also, school is kicking my ass.

If you give me a post idea, I'll go with it. I need to do something with this blog.

Love, Sam

Currently Listening The Beatles (The White Album) By The Beatles Dear Prudence see related

My friend Sarah posted a lengthy reflection on modern-day feminism and whether or not it can advance any further. Her answer was no, because of things that women do to themselves to keep themselves down. I have to agree with her. And here's why!

1) Sarah commented on how women disrespect other women both in public and in the workplace. Women still do not get equal pay compared to male couterparts, and are willing to backstab other women to get ahead. My thoughts on this is that it just really sucks. I remember doing a history fair project in middle school on the 1970's feminist movement and the Equal Rights Amendment (which has still not been passed in over 30 years of trying. What does that say to you?) I was initially prompted to do this project upon learning that I share a birthday with Gloria Steinem, who was one of the biggest supporters in the 1970's movement. I learned that all those women really wanted was respect and equal treatment. They worked together as sisters of the revolution. And now? Women don't behave like comrades when in the workplace, but as enemies. It's really fucking depressing. Even in a place such as the public school system, where women outnumber men in the field, there is backstabbing and disrespect. I learned in an education class recently of a story in which an art teacher was fired when a student found nude art photography of her on the Internet. The teacher did not tell any of her students about the photos. A student randomly found it while doing research. The sad part of the story is that the student told another art teacher about this incident. The other teacher had an issue with the fact that the art teacher with the photos was more popular with students. So, the other teacher showed the nude pictures to ALL of her students. And she didn't get into any trouble, but the other teacher was fired. Granted, teachers should know better than to let any nudity, even if artistic, on the internet, but it makes you wonder what happened to women in society to be able to do something like that without getting any reprimand.

2) Sarah also noted upon how women in the workplace look down on stay-at-home moms. This is an issue near and dear to my heart. One of the biggest issues with the 1970's feminist movement was being able to work without being looked down upon society. But, oh, how the tides have changed. My mother chose to be a stay-at-home mom because, quote, "If I'm going to have kids, I have to do my damnedest to make sure they turn out okay." Which is what she did. When I was a sophomore in high school (my sister was in middle school), she began working part-time, because I was old enough to take care of my own resposibilities and had my own ideas and beliefs. She began working full-time just this year, now that my sister has a driver's license. This was all her choice that was made not because my father wanted it, not because she felt society deemed it right, but because she wanted to make sure her children were valuable members of society. Because of my mother's prodding and careful eye, I did well enough in school to be a first generation college student. I'd say because of that, she was a successful woman. But most of her peers do not see this, but just see a lazy woman who spent almost 20 years eating bon-bons while her husband did all the work. How fucked up is that? Being a good parent completely trumps being a CEO, because it's so much harder to mold a human being into a good, caring, intelligent person than it is to sit in an office all day doing paperwork. I know I get a lot of flack because of my decision, once I have kids, to stay at home with them until the youngest is able to go to school. I myself am going to be a teacher, so I figure I can also take care of my kids once they go to school by being there at school, or at least nearby. It just really sucks how one of the more important jobs in the world is also looked down upon. But hey, if you want the nanny to raise your kids, go right ahead. Just don't be surprised when they would rather be with the nanny than with you.

3) Another issue I personally have that Sarah did not mention is the objectification of women in the media. This is an area where I feel that men disrespect women. There are so many music videos for all musical genres that show women in ridiculously small amounts of clothing shaking body parts and being groped by men. When did this become normal? Sexual assault rates are the highest ever in American society. I in 5 women will be sexually assaulted. I've been groped and worse from men when I didn't want that kind of attention. It's absolutely disgusting that people treat other people this way and see no wrong in it. I've felt objectified since I was 11. I developed very early, and had C cups when I was 11. The boys in my class, without realizing the pschological harm they were doing, did not refer to me by name that entire year. I was just "Girl With Big Boobs." Being treated like that makes you feel so low that you forget sometimes what it's like to see sunshine. It got to the point where I began wearing skimpy clothing and objectifying myself so that I could feel somewhat in control of the situation. This is what a lot of women in society do. Then there are the girls who dress scantily because Britney/Paris/Lindsey are doing it, and they want to seem cool. All it does is perpetuate the idea of women as sexual objects and not free-thinking intelligent people with feelings. Women even objectify other women. The ones picking up women to be in the "Girls Gone Wild" videos are other women. It's just disgusting. The feminists burned their bras as a symbol of not being restrained by men. Now women forgo them because they are restrained.

I have more thoughts and such, but I need to nap. Message me if you want to add your opinions.

Love, Sam

Currently Listening Speak for Yourself By Imogen Heap Hide and Seek see related

So, I'm not dead. I'm just apathetic about posting.

Let's see..... my last post was the end of June.... so I'll update on what's happened since then.

Robert visited during the 4th of July. I got a job the week after. I worked a bunch the rest of the summer. I bought some cute new clothes, like a knee-length black trench (no belt). I went back to school. Robert and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary. He got me Heroes Season 1 on DVD. We saw Superbad and 3:10 to Yuma, which were both great. We hung out with our friends a lot (like poor Danielle, who is a  first-year middle school science teacher.) I bought the Imogen Heap CD. Robert got a difference check, and we bought stuff. I got new Bath and Body Works stuff and a stuffed polar bear holding a stuffed penguin and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (which I haven't started, because classes are draining, especially when you take 18 hours.) I'm still Anime Club librarian. Robert had his 22nd birthday. Amelie had her 20th birthday. Robert went to drag races with his family, and I spent the night at Sarah and Allyson's watching anime until 5 AM after picking up Nicole and kidnapping her minion. This weekend is a make-over party at Heather's house. I really want the Across the Universe soundtrack. Robert and I are going to Ren. Fest on Oct. 12? (I'm not sure.)

My life is boring to some, but I love it. Except for the 5 research papers I have due in the next 3 weeks.

Love, Sam

Currently Listening Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) By Duncan Sheik, Steven Sater, Skylar Astin, Lilli Cooper, John Gallagher Jr., Gideon Glick, Jonathan Groff, Brian Johnson, Lea Michele, Lauren Pritchard The Mirror-Blue Night see related

It's thundering outside. Not a loud thunder, but a slow rumble. I'm reading Annotated Lolita and drinking hot green tea with honey. And I've decided that life can't get much better than this. Why? Well, let me tell you.

My entire life, I've always had to be around people to be truly happy. I was always depressed when alone. At the same time, I never had anyone I could turn to when I had a problem. Now, I have a group of great friends and a man who is so incredibly patient and understanding and who loves me regardless of my flaws. And since this has happened, I've become more comfortable by myself and with myself. It's as if I've finally discovered who I am and who I want to be. All in all, it's a great feeling.