Writing With Lipstick

Boobies for Capitalism

2012-02-01T15:16:00.001-05:00

UPDATE: Susan G Komen Foundation revises policy that barred Planned Parenthood funding
I'm sorry, but the damage is already done. Maybe you should think before you speak.

The feminist blogs, and pretty much everyone else who is pro-choice, are writing about the Susan G Komen Foundation's decision to cut funding to Planned Parenthood. The organization who is know around the world with their pink ribbon emblem and races around the country is cutting their funding of almost $1,000,000. People have been blaming it on anti-choice pressure in congress and a new president at the helm.

While these might have been the instigators in the decision it really comes down to image. Koman didn't want to tarnish their "female empowerment" image by being associated with a pro-choice organization in fear that they might not be receiving those nice donations from their right-wing supporters. Again politics and money jeopardize my body and other females' bodies for the bottom line.

Local Charlotte weekly newspaper, Creative Loafing, gives a good summary of the whole decision, topped with their trademark sassy flare. Click the link below.

Http://clclt.com/theclog/archives/2012/02/01/susan-g-komen-for-the-cure-foundation-turns-evil

American Delusion

2012-01-30T15:43:00.000-05:00

Now that I have been in Charlotte for over 2 months, the culture shock is really starting to set in. I was getting my nails done today and Animal Planet was on the television. Don't worry, it will make sense in a second. The show that was on was called "Animal Cops" or something to that effect. The nail tech and a friend were making comments about how the SPCA investigators and the vets on the show were attractive. The purpose for them watching the show was to "find her a husband." I know they were probably joking a bit, but the fact that women are actively seeking "husbands" is a phenomenon that I had never run across before. Actively "looking for a date" I'd heard of before, but the hunt for a husband was new to me. At first I just figured that it was because I was in the "South" now. The stereotype of the region was my first reaction. And maybe it is true, but check out this Infograph from GOOD.

It seems that while the "American Dream," once defined as money and a family, has changed. People of my generation are more focused on personal achievements, rather than the stereotypical milestones associated with achievement in America. When asked "Is it possible to achieve the American Dream without...being married" 71% said yes. And on top of that, 55% of my generation said that the redefined "American Dream" was very important to them, as opposed to my parents' generation at 33%.

So what does it all mean? In my opinion, everyone is allowed to define what success is to them. If that means getting married, a family with a white picket fence, I say more power to you. If it means being happy with yourself and enjoying your life, I'm in the boat with you. Our culture demands that we make achievement black and white, as to go along with my post yesterday, all of these demands on us will just make us cynical. Let us be our own judges and define our lives, rather than doing it for us. With that college education that was shoved down our throats, I think we are smart enough to do so.

Generation Y do I not have a job

2012-01-29T20:02:00.001-05:00

I feel fortunate to have been born in the decade that I was. The standard of living in America was comfortable, technological advances we taking off and opportunities were abound. We were told by parents, teachers and other adults that we could do anything we wanted to, if we graduated college. Graduating college was drilled into our brains from pre-k to 12th grade. Our parents started saving when we were little multi-celled beings because, as with everything else, college education was getting more and more expensive. We were told to aspire to follow our dreams, be passionate, and work hard. We graduated high school being active in clubs and sports and then went off to college where we dove into books, late hour cram sessions, and lecture halls with hundreds of others just like us.

After 4, sometimes 5, grueling years of honing our craft of choice we had a college education, the key to what adults had told us was a higher paying job and opportunity. I would like to say that the key fit, but the sad fact is that a lot of generation Yers have low to minimum wage jobs and a mountain of frustration. Where 20 years ago when we were told a college education was a path to a brighter future, for the many of us, the American spirit of capitalism and competition has beaten us down. We can't get entry level jobs in the fields we busted our butts in during college and are too broke to pay for an advance degree. Employers want experience, but how can we get experience if you won't hire us? Passion and dedication don't matter as much, and between the rejections after non-responsive employers we are downtrodden, cynical and hurt.

You might be saying that I am whining and complaining, "poor little college educated girl can't get a job." Yes, I am fortunate to have a job, but I feel conflicted about promises of a brighter future that were made to me when I was younger and the reality that I am facing now. It doesn't mean I am going to stop trying to follow my dreams, which is one of the best things us Generation Yers have going for us. Maybe it is life hitting me in the face, but it seems like corporate and event non-profit America has lost its core foundation, nurturing the next generation of excited and hard worker young adults. All I'm asking is give us a chance, because we will surprise you.

What's news?

2011-12-12T20:15:00.001-05:00

I have always turned to the Cincinnati Enquirer website and comment section what I need a good laugh. It is always reliable for great one liners, questionable material and general amusement. Now that I am living in Charlotte, I now have the Charlotte Observer to amuse me. While this newspaper has won four Pulitzer prizes, including one for breaking the story about the misue of funds of Jim and Tammy Fae Baker and PTL, don't let the accolades fool you. Check out this gem on the front page, I repeat front page:

Shoplifter takes $3K worth of bras at Victoria's Secret

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said a Victoria's Secret was robbed of $3,000 worth of bras over the weekend.

The Victoria's Secret at SouthPark Mall was robbed of 59 fur bras with a value of $3,245 over the weekend, according to the police report.
Police said they were taken from the front of the store between late Friday evening to early Saturday afternoon.
If anyone has information on this crime they are asked to call Charlotte-Mecklenburg police at 704-336-7600.

I guess you could consider this news worthy, it is quite a feat that someone could somehow sneak 59 bras out of a store without being noticed, or the fact that they are fur.

Packing up my lipstick, again...

2011-12-07T09:41:00.002-05:00

Well it is official, I now am a North Carolinian. Even changed my ID. I've made the move again to North Carolina. You might be asking, "Why would you ever want to leave New York?" Well, sometimes you have to face facts and realize that just because we love something and want it to work out, it just isn't meant to be. I've been in Charlotte a little over 3 weeks and already love it. You can always find me at Park Road Books or, more recently, the Smelly Cat. Yes, a coffee shop called the Smelly Cat.

But enough about me, I really want to revamp my writing and focus more on what this blog started out as, a mishmash of social commentary and feminist soliloquies. To get a little introduction to my new city, I found this interesting, albeit lengthy, quality of life study that breaks down the neighborhoods of Charlotte and examines everything from crime to economics. To me, "quality of life" is determined by more that just physical or numerical data, but this is how the study sees it:

The Charlotte neighborhood quality of life research model defines neighborhood quality of life as a nexus where social well being, physical characteristics, crime, and economic vitality are all considered.

Given this definition, the results are pretty straightforward. I do have to commend the writers of this report for including an appendix (see page 179) that defines the elements they are measuring as recent look at the middle class did not. However, with many of these types of studies, the thing that I would like to see is some sort of conclusion, rather than just stating their statistical data. Basically this says, great, we can do math and make pretty graphs.

My first question from looking at this data would be, why is the largest concentration of low "quality of life" spreading out in the northwest corner of the city? Maybe it would be useful to look at why this is a pattern, rather that just saying look at all the red!

PDW

2011-09-20T16:04:00.004-04:00

Whenever negative or hurtful times happen in my life, I always turn back to writing to find comfort. Writing helps me sort out my feelings and thoughts into something tangible that I can read aloud to help myself understand what is going on. I really do not want to specifically talk about the events that have been going on in my life because, one, I’m not emotionally ready (unless I want to short my keyboard out with tears), and two, I do not think the details are pertinent to the topic of this specific blog post. The purpose of this post is to remind myself, and any one else who might read it, the importance of writing and the power that it has.

While I haven’t been the best blogger lately, that doesn’t mean my writing stops. Sometimes I choose to use a different outlet rather than public displaces of writing (PDW). I have journals and notebooks all over my house and in every single bag I carry. That way, if something pops into my head, an idea, a feeling, or just something completely random, I have pen and paper there to write it down. With my blog, it feels more like word vomit sometimes rather than therapeutic. I usually don’t go back and read my blogs, but with journals, I read them like books. I have a feeling I don’t re-read my blogs because I would be saying to myself, “Why the hell did I write this for the whole blogosphere to see?!”

Now that I have spent some time away from my blog, I feel that I am ready to come back. I am craving some outside input into what I write. I want to include others into the conversation and I hope that you will join me. In the upcoming post, expect to find tidbits about my life, making ends meet, new activism adventures, cultural and social commentary, looking towards the future and general craziness that happens in NYC. I hope that both myself and others find this new revamping in my writing as a welcomed sight.

A Stroll Down the Street

2011-04-25T20:01:00.003-04:00

Now that Spring has sprung (finally!) in the big apple, people have started hanging out more on the streets. It's great to see people out and about socializing, running errands and enjoying the beautiful weather. However, this does mean a rise in street harassment, every young woman's favorite thing (note the sarcasm). As I was entering and exiting the subway, I got some comments. As I was taking my break from work, I got some more. Once work was over, I was walking to go get my evening espresso and catch up on some stuff (like writing this blog), when I had to pass a group of about 4-5 men. As I passed in front of them, I got the obligatory whistles and terms of endearment ("hey good lookin'" and "mmm...lookin fine girl!"). However, after the amounting number of catcalls I was getting, I was done, I had enough for today. I turned around, looked at them and said "Seriously guys?! Do you have nothing better to do than to gawk at women today?" Let's just say they didn't take it that well.

So why is it that men can pretty much say anything they want to a woman, but the second a woman shows any sort of self-esteem and says something back, they are immediately offended. Are those snide sexual remarks they make really supposed to be flattery and are women really supposed to just accept them? It's seriously getting on my last nerve. I say, if you have something to say, it invites me to say something back, isn't that the polite thing to do and aren't we as women supposed to be polite? Stand up and say something back. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, let it be known.

Frayed Edges

2011-04-12T19:20:00.002-04:00

The world doesn't give us anything we can't handle. That is what I say to myself when forces in my life seem too hard to bear. The loneliness of winter, the coldness of the city's reinforced steel structures, the wandering of my own thoughts. I recently read a line from one of my favorite authors, Joan Didion:

It is often said that New York is a city for only the very rich and the very poor. It is less often said that New York is also, at least for those of us who came there from somewhere else, a city only for the very young.

~ Joan Didion, Slouching Towards Bethlehem, "Goodbye to All That"

In the vast labyrinth that is my soul and mind, I understand this. To say that I have been happy this latest season of my life would be a lie. I haven't been unhappy either. I have felt lost. While I am only 22, I feel like I have lived way beyond those years. I've had to deal with myself and learn to navigate who I am long before moving to this city. I can't have it both ways, being young and going through what I have in my life. I have a sunny outlook on life, but that doesn't mean that I am young. I'm rough around the edges and what these last few months have taught me is that instead of trying to appear clean and put together, I need to wear my frayed ends with pride. So I don't have my life sorted out right now, it's okay, what 22 year old does? Why not enjoy my youth, in numbers that is, and take the knowledge from having an older soul to live those years to the best. I need to stop rushing, no one is pushing me but myself. We might say that it is societal pressures, but when have I ever listed to what society has told me? Why start now?

10 Things to a Happy Sarah

2011-02-11T20:04:00.003-05:00

I would be lying if I said things have been easy lately (hence, why there probably haven't been very many blog posts recently). It's been a little over a month since I've moved back and adjusting to making a new life and dealing with the depressing Winter months have made an emotional roller coaster for me. Work is long, days are short, and the temperature is low. Staying afloat has been hard. Depression, loneliness and frustration have set in and was getting to be a bit much. However, I have a wonderful friend who gave me some really good advice. She was in a similar spot as me 6 months ago, and something that helped her was to write down 10 things that she needed in her life to have a full and happy life. Here is the list that I created:

A coffee shop that is warm and welcoming that I can go to frequently to read and write.
Yoga once a week.
Writing every day.
Running at least 4 times a week.
Creativity and art. I've done cross stitches for a while, but I'm thinking of starting jewelry making. Any help getting started would be greatly appreciated!
Volunteering at least once a week.
Nestle. Duh.
Reading every day.
A sense of community. This is something that several other numbers helps to create.
Number 10 is a big one - A job that if fulfilling and means more that just paying the rent.

Just writing this list is helpful. It gives me a plan of action and helps me see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know things will turn up, these things just take time. But I have the strength in myself to know that I can do it.

Making it Work

2011-01-23T21:56:00.002-05:00

I forgot how much time can pass living in NYC. And being a working girl again, makes the time go by even faster. It seems like the past 2 weeks have just flown by. Thankful, I have a wonderful job, so being at work everyday isn't too bad. (Shameless plus: if you're in the NYC area, come over to the Village and stop by O Cafe, 482 6th Ave. @ 12th St.)

There is a big difference between when I lived her this Summer and permanently living here now. This Summer, all I had to worry about was work. It was pretty simple and easy. Working and have a life is another thing. I really enjoy my sleep at night and having enough energy to get through the day is essential. I'm still perfecting it, i.e. I've already gotten sick once since being here. Some days are not as rough as others. One day I can leisurely enjoy a coffee and a book at a cafe and the next I slip on ice running to the subway station (true story, I have the bruised tailbone to prove it). But I wouldn't trade it for anything. I haven't even been here a month and these things just take time to get a grip on.

Well it is past my bed time, luckily, I don't have to work tomorrow. Don't expect me to be awake before 10am.

No Words

2011-01-10T21:24:00.004-05:00

The horrific event that happened this past weekend in Tuscon has really affected me in ways that are I find surprising. The fact that someone has attempted assassination on another human being really shakes me. During my time interning for the Feminist Majority Foundation, I was part of the effort to raise money to protect abortion doctors after the assassination of Dr. Tiller. Being involved and connected to that event affected me in a similar way. Both of these people were shot at in public places, a grocery store and a church, respectively, scares me. The calculated and sinister nature in which each of these people's lives were targeted is a type of thinking that I cannot comprehend. It saddens, angers and motivates me to do something, what I do not know. I just think that events like these are a real reflection on society and something has to be done in our social consciousness to prevent events like these from happening in the future. Some people use the term "domestic terrorism," but I don't like using the word "terrorism" in any case. I hope that this horrific event does not pass us by without action to fix the current state of affairs.

Kids on a Train

2011-01-07T21:21:00.003-05:00

Being a New Yorker (I can officially say that now, crazy!), I ride the subway...a lot. Usually I read when traveling to wherever I need to go. (Currently I'm reading Changing My Mind: Occasional Essays by Zadie Smith) However, the subway is a great place to people watch, which I do often. An interesting trend that I've seen people watching on the subway are the way kids talk to each other and act on the subway. In a city full of people, kids on the subway act as if they are the only ones there. The switch cars, horseplay in the aisle, yell and laugh.

I'm not saying it is an annoying or bad thing, I think it is wonderful actually. There is something very endearing to see these youth act like kids in a city that ages you very quickly. Even when these kids talk to each other, it is almost like they are talking in another language. It's fast, loud and high pitched, full of new slang that I don't even know. They are so full of life and are blind to the somewhat harsh environment they life in. When these kids are with their friends, nothing else exists. Maybe adults should take a cue from them and live life a little more fully.

Violence on the Platform

2011-01-02T19:04:00.002-05:00

2011 is starting off to be a great year. Living in the city of my dreams, wonderful friends and family, new job, great roommate and pretty much loving life. However, there is something that happened New Year's eve that really disturbed me and I need to talk about.

We were riding back to Brooklyn from Manhattan New Year's eve about 2 am. As we were walking down the platform, we saw a man verbally attacking and shaking a woman violently, who appeared to be his girlfriend or some intimate partner. Seeing this really upset myself and the people I was with. Walking down the platform, we were muttering our disgust at this act of intimate partner violence. When we reached the end of the platform where the MTA booth was, one of the people I was with told the attendant about what we had seen downstairs. All she was concerned about was a description of the man so she could tell the police. Regrettably, the description was very generic. Male, black, about 6'1'', wearing a black coat.

We left the station feeling pretty empty inside. We had done what we could. We told the authorities what the situation was. We wanted to jump the guy and tell him to stop, but we knew that he would just direct his violence towards us and there was no way we could take him. It is just utterly aggravating to see something like that and feel helpless. The system to respond to intimate partner violence is filled with red tape that who knows that happened or if the police showed up. As someone who volunteered for 2 years at a sexual violence hotline, no matter how much training I've had, in this situation, I still feel helpless. How do we respond? How do we help? How do we stop this sort of senselessness?

I'm Cold

2011-01-01T19:25:00.002-05:00

I had my first frustrating living in NYC experience today. Our building doesn't have heat or hot water. Our super isn't picking up his phone, no matter how many times we call. It's New Years day, so no one is at the landlord's office or the leasing office. We filed a complaint with 311, but if we get heat back within the next 72 hours (which we better), the complaint is dropped. The beauty of this system astounds me. The fact that we don't have heat or hot water in the middle of winter, after just we got 20 inches of snow, is a crime. I'm cold, frustrated, and did I mention cold?

Your job as a super is to maintain the building you work at. Just do your job. Answer your phone, it is that simple. We know you have it on because it rings several times before it goes to voicemail. How hard is it to answer a phone call? Apparently pretty difficult seeing as we've called you at least 4 or 5 times today.

Then as I was on the phone with my best friend, the power goes out and then one of the cats starts to throw up. Now it just became funny. 2011 is getting off to a great start. Luckily we got the power back on, but still no heat. If you don't hear from me within 24 hours, I've become an ice cube while sleeping in my bed.

New Directions

2010-12-31T11:56:00.002-05:00

My blog has always been constantly evolving. As my life changes, the topics of my writings change as well. As I enter this new chapter of my life, post-college and living in Brooklyn, my blog will also be entering a new chapter. I will still of course write about feminist issues, being young and female in the world today, pop culture and my life in general. However, since my venue has changed to the neighborhood of Crown Heights, Brooklyn and I have entered a new stage in my life, I will be talking more about what it is like living in an ethnically diverse neighborhood in Brooklyn and what it is like starting off in the world today. Cincinnati will always be my home, so expect to still see occasional musings about my hometown because there is plenty to comment on it. I hope that you continue to read and if you are new to reading this, I hope you come back to enjoy more! Thanks to everyone for their support in my life and in my writing. Happy New Year and to peace, love and happiness!

11216

2010-12-30T21:13:00.004-05:00

The above title would be the zip code of my new home, Brooklyn, NY. Yes, I've finally made it. Not even 20 inches of snow could stop me from getting here. My last post was a few days before Christmas and since then it has been all sorts of crazy with celebrating the holiday, spending time with friends and family, doing last minute packing and all the wonderful logistical stuff that comes with moving long distance. I've had some pretty wild adventures the past couple of days, so let me organize the past few days event as best I can. Let's just say that I'm going to sleep well tonight.

Monday - Day before the move

Monday was a day chock full of seeing people before leaving the following day. In the morning we loaded up the van so we could leave extra early in the morning. After we were all packed up, I went and had one last coffee from the good ole' Coffee Emporium with a good friend and fellow ex co-worker of the Emporium. Later that afternoon and early evening, I went to my high school marching band's 4 year reunion at a friend's house. It was really get to see all of the people from back in my marching band days. It seems like forever ago that that was a part of my life and watching the band videos was definitely a blast from the past. Then I ended the evening having dinner at a special friend's house. Saying good-bye at the end of the night was one of the harder things I have had to do in my life, but I know it is not good-bye, more of I'll see you later.

Tuesday - The day of the big move

We left the house around 8:30 and made our way to NYC. About half way there we hit an accident and had to make a 2 hour detour. Those 2 extra hours were not a welcomed addition. If you had turned on a TV in the previous 2 days, you would have known that the previous weekend, much of the east coast was hit will mounds of snow, NYC getting anywhere from 20-25 inches. Everything was fine until we hit Brooklyn. And snow in a cargo van is no easy feat. As we were making our way to my apartment, we found ourselves stuck in the snow. Luckily, in front of us, a semi was also stuck and there were lots of people trying to get him stuck out of the snow. When they saw that we were also stuck, they came over to help us. To make a long story short, we wound up being dug out of the snow by a handful of friendly Chinese men. Now that we were unstuck from the snow, we continued to my apartment. Unfortunately, plows had not gotten to my street yet (and have yet to, really) so we couldn't drive down it to unload the van. To remedy this situation, we (illegally) parked on the corner of my street and the main street that runs through my neighborhood and hired a few guys off the street to help carry boxes up the 4 flights of stairs. So after 12 hours driving, getting stuck in the snow, and moving too many boxes up 4 flights of stairs, I was finally to my new home. Sleep felt really good that night.

Wednesday - The day after

We woke up hoping that the roads would be better today. We were wrong. As soon as we started to try and move the van, we were stuck in the snow again. This time it was a group of Black men and a cop that helped us get out. We were such a spectacle that we attracted a crowd of onlookers who clapped when we were finally free. Now that we had the car going, we made a trip to the wonderful IKEA to get a few thing. What we were planning for a 2 hour trip turned into more like a 4 hour one. By the time we got back home, I had to change to get ready for my interviews. I had 2 barista interviews that day and hopefully by tomorrow I will know if I am gainfully employed. After the interviews, that took almost 3 hours, we finally sat down for dinner. Again, sleep felt really good that night too.

I can already tell that I am going to love my new home. Great neighborhood, great roommate, great apartment, great life. I see only good things from here.

It's been another long day, I can bet good money that sleep is going to feel really good tonight too. (Pictures to come, not finished unpacking yet)

Jesus Ultrasound

2010-12-21T16:44:00.004-05:00

A number of these billboards have been seen around Cincinnati depicting Jesus in an ultrasound. I have mixed feelings about the campaign. While everyone is entitled to have their own opinion and express themselves how they feel, I just find something distasteful about it.

Census data is neat

2010-12-21T14:15:00.004-05:00

I know that my urban studies/planning education has brainwashed me when I get excited about 2010 Census data being released. The group of data that was released today was about population change. Here are some interesting facts for you nerds like me:

Total population: 308, 745, 538 - that's a 9.7% change from 2000
Michigan was the only state to decline in population (-.6 %), guess people can't handle the cold
Nevada had the largest increase in population (35.1%), all of those retired baby boomers moving out to the warm weather
Ohio's resident population: 11, 536, 504 (11, 353, 140 in 2000), 7th most populated in the country (both 2000 and 2010)
Ohio lost 2 seats in the house, down to 16

You can check out lots of neat graphs and charts at the Census's recap of the news conference announcing the data.

4 things you might want to read about

2010-12-19T16:57:00.004-05:00

Since I've started running and training for running a marathon (well, starting with a half marathon, baby steps), I've been watching a lot more CNN. I run at the UC rec center and the machine that I like to run on it stuck right in front of the TV that they show CNN on. I don't know if it is because I am watching more national news or if it is just the times we are in right now, but a lot of important things are happening in our country and beyond. The thing is, I don't hear a lot of people talking about these status changing events and pieces of legislation. Let's do a quick wrap up because I can't get them off my mind.

1. The Dream Act - What is it? The Dream Act is a bill that would provide certain illegal alien students who graduate from a US high school the opportunity to earn permanent residency if they serve 2 years in the military or 2 years at a college. There is a lot more that goes into the bill, but I could spend a really long time explaining it, but the purpose of me writing this is in the hopes that you look into it for your own knowledge. Anyways, the Dream Act was reintroduced in 2009 and has gone through many revisions in hopes of being passed. To make a long story short, the latest status of the Dream Act is that it was passed in the House, but failed in the Senate. Children who were illegally brought to this country didn't have a choice in that matter and why should they be punished for a choice they didn't make? I think this really gives children who didn't have a say in their illegal status the chance to use their voice, make a life for themselves and participate in American society legally.

2. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" - Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 15 years, you've heard of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." After years and years of work to get is repealed, it finally passed earlier this month. This is a landmark victory for years of activist work to lift the ban on gays serving openly in the military. Sexual orientation should not get in the way of either a gay or straight person doing their job in the military. Though I have never served in the military and don't know what it is really like, if someone is going to let another person's sexual preferences get in of servicing their country, that is their problem, not the other person's.

3. 9/11 Responders Bill - For those of us who don't live in NYC or who weren't directly affected by someone who was a 9/11 responder, I have to admit, I just recently learned about this bill. This proposed bill would provide care for 911 first responders suffering health conditions as a result of their work during 9/11. Why hasn't this passed? I mean, seriously, this seems like an easy one. I found an article that sheds some light on this issue, but also seriously made me mad. In the article, several senators give their reasoning for not passing the bill. A Republican senator from Nevada said he voted against it because Republicans had threatened to vote against everything until tax cuts for the rich were extended and a measure to fund the government was passed. Another Republican senator from Kansas said he opposed it because he wanted to get to tax cuts and the budget first. Okay, seriously, we are going to use the health of 9/11 heroes as a pawn in some partisan political game? I guess I have different priorities.

4. Koreas near war - This story really scares me. From what is being said in the news, tensions between North and South Korea are reaching a climax. The U.N. even felt it necessary t hold an emergency session to discuss the tensions in Korea. South Korea is saying that they will move forward with a planned live-fire military exercise. North Korea is saying that the drill could ignite a war. We already have enough war in this world, we don't need another one breaking out. And of course the US will feel the need to get our hands in the matter. It seems there is a lot of finger pointing about the reasons behind these tension, which doesn't help the matter very much. I just feel that something like this could really turn the world more upside down.

Much of these summaries are made up of my own opinion and information that I have heard or read in the news. I'd love to hear what others think of these issues and hope that you go out and learn about them for yourself.

Get ready for some sappy stuff

2010-12-16T12:49:00.002-05:00

In less than 2 weeks, I'll be making the big move to NYC. While I cannot wait to get there and start this new chapter of my life, I am starting to realize the things that I am going to miss from Cincinnati. I think it's all finally becoming real to me. You can have a dream for such a long time, but until it comes to fruition, you don't really realize how it is going to affect you. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, it is time for a change of environment, but that doesn't mean I am not going to miss certain things.

First off, just living in Cincinnati, it is a unique place that you can only really understand if you were raised here. As much as I gripe about it, Cincinnati will always be home to me. I'll miss all of my favorite place to eat, shop and hang out. I'll miss the uniqueness of all the neighborhoods. I'll miss all of the quirky festivals Cincinnati has for no reason. I'll miss the hills, beautiful parks, and little hideaways I've found when I need to get away. I think I might even miss how bad Cincinnatians drive. Thankfully no more car for me.

Along with missing the physical place, I'm going to miss the people that make up my Cincinnati family. I've never been one for having a quantity of friends, but I definitely have quality. The good friends that I have here have each taught me something about myself and for that I thank each and every one of them. Some have taught me to love myself more, some have taught me how to have a stronger voice, some have taught me how to cut loose and have fun. Most of all, they have provided me support and friendship that makes living in Cincinnati all worth it. It's going to be hard not having them in the same city, but that is why Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone and why Mark Zuckerberg invented Facebook.

Lastly I'm going to miss my parents. This is really the final step in "cutting the umbilical cord." We've never lived more that 1 or 2 hours away from each other and have always been within arms reach. But I feel that they have really equipped me with the tools and knowledge to really make this next step. As much as it might make us all sad to leave each other, we are all excited at the possibilities this next chapter brings. I am lucky enough to have a special relationship with my parents and know that we will always be close. Not only are they my parents, but they are my friends, mentors, and confidants.

I'm really going to make these last 2 weeks count. Spend time with people I love and enjoy the holiday season. While I might be moving far away, Cincinnati and the people here will always be home.

When does "no" mean "no"?

2010-12-09T12:50:00.002-05:00

If you have turned on the TV in the past week, read a newspaper, or even watched SNL, you're aware of the Wikileaks scandal with founder Julian Assage. Assage was arrested in Sweden on rape charges. Sweden has always been thought of as an uber-feminist-friendly country that takes rape very seriously. I found this article on Salon that had some really surprising information about U.S. rape law in comparison to Sweden.

What I found most interesting was Sweden's "withdrawal of consent" law. According to this, a person can withdrawal consent in the middle of the act and if the act keeps going, it is considered rape. While I could see this being a sort of messy law in some people's eyes with many questions, the author of the Salon article makes this good analogy that I think helps explain it.

Two amateur boxers got in a ring together and started fighting. It would usually be assault if someone hit you, but if you both agreed to spar in a boxing ring that's another story. If at some point one of the boxers gets bloodied and says, "Hey, I'm not a professional, let's stop this right now," and the other guy keeps going, then I think it's assault. Why should it be any different for sexual intercourse? If "no" really means "no," then why shouldn't it be "no" at any point in time?

Unfortunately in the U.S. only one state, Illinois, specifically has a "withdrawal of consent" law. There are both pros and cons to this type of law. Proving rape in the U.S. is hard enough as it is and you have to jump through so many hoops. A law like this makes discerning who is and isn't a victim even harder, but I have a feeling that a lot of people have withdrawn consent before, but just keep going even though they don't want to. So is this rape or is it something else? I'm not a judge so I can't decide. Just something to think about as a young woman.

Romance and Feminism: a match made in heaven?

2010-12-08T12:47:00.003-05:00

I found this really interesting article on feministing.com that is a popular topic that me and my feminist cohorts often talk about. The article is a reaction to a NYTimes piece about romance and empowered women. To sum up the NYTimes piece, the writer was basically saying that if you're an empowered, independent woman, you'll die alone. "Men don't want successful women, men want to be admired." Excuse me? Do men really need that constant ego boost from subordinate women? This statement is more of a slam to men than it is to women. I think we have to give men a little credit that they have some semblance of self-esteem. And it is almost impossible to be in any sort of romantic relationship if you don't have confidence in yourself. A romantic partner is not going to give that to you.

In the Feministing response to the NYTimes piece, there was a really great point that the author made. She said that this type of fear-mongering about empowered women dying alone if they don't tone it down "won't lead to happier romantic relationships. What leads to happier relationships is being empowered, being honest, intentional and clear about what you want...feminism actually makes your love life better."

The proof is in the pudding. Some of the best relationships I have had are where both the other individual and myself are confident and empowered people. When both people are positive and comfortable in who they are, they are better communicators, which is one of the most important parts of creating and maintaining a good relationship. I think that sometimes we run into trouble because we are attracted to people that either make us feel better or who we can make feel better. We are either the fixer or the fixee. In order to have a balanced relationship, there needs to be teamwork to make each other better people and work in harmony. Relationships aren't about a hierarchy, it's about companionship and building something together.

The Hard Facts

2010-12-06T00:32:00.003-05:00

As I am officially a college grad (as of this Saturday), it's time for me and others graduating this Winter to enter the big bad world of employment. One of my favorite sites, Sociological Images, has some interesting and scary graphs and stories about the state of me and my college grads as we leave the safety of academia.

Gender, Change, and Starting Salaries of College Graduates

Number of College Students Owing $40,000+ in Loans, 1996-2008

Unemployment and Education-Level

For Today's College Grads, Economic Recession Will Last a Lifetime

And this one pretty much sums it up...Happy Graduation

Which Door to Choose?

2010-11-30T20:56:00.002-05:00

I've been MIA for the last couple of weeks. It has been crunch time here as the quarter draws to a close and gearing up for the holidays. I can't believe that in basically a week, I'll be done with college, forever. Tomorrow is my thesis presentation and I cannot wait to have that over and done with. A year's worth of work comes to a close. It's been extremely nerve racking preparing for this, but at this point I have the mindset that I have done all that I can do, I like my work and that is all that counts.

On top of thesis crap, I've been diligently searching for a job in NYC so I can move over the week between Christmas and New Years. I've had a few rejections, a few interviews, but nothing permanent yet. I am so hopeful that I will find the place that I am supposed to be and that within the next month I will be gainfully employed. The worst part is the waiting around to hear back once you have submitted your resume. I hate waiting and am very impatient, especially when it comes to be getting back to NYC.

One thing that I have had to consider is, what if I don't get a job before the New Year? Do I move to NYC anyways, find a barista job or something and continue the search there? Or do I stay in Cincinnati and keep looking for a job in NYC until I find one and then move? There are so many pros and cons to each option. For moving to NYC without a job: pro, it is easier to find a job in NYC if you already live there, con, I would be eating ramen noodles and living in a box until I could find a better paying job. For staying in Cincinnati: pro, have more money, con, it would be harder to find a job in NYC and I would be unhappy, in all honesty. So what to do, what to do?

To Flirt or Not to Flirt

2010-11-08T21:45:00.004-05:00

As someone who is single, the issue of flirting is something that me and other single women have to deal with. When to do it? How to do it? How to tell if someone is flirting with you? Ahh!! It can be overwhelming if you are constantly consumed with this whole "flirting" thing.

I saw this article on Jezebel with the title "What Does Flirting Have to Do With It?" which is a question I find myself asking quite a lot. The article begins by talking about how American women are the least flirtatious, per a study done on badoo.com, on online dating site. But the writer makes a point that I truly agree with about the whole concept of flirting. She says:

"Fellow non-flirter, take heart; nine times out of ten, just paying attention to someone is as effective as flirting."

At least in my experience, when I am not trying to "flirt" aka show that I am interested in someone, I get a 50% reaction. But if I just act myself and be natural, there is almost a 99% guarantee that I'll get a reaction, maybe even a date out of it. Flirting can be fun and great for those who are good at it and enjoy it. But I know for me and probably others, we enjoy just talking and seeing where it goes from there. So, anyone interested in having a chat?

Pocket Guide to "Whisker Biscuit" Euphemisms

2010-11-02T19:53:00.003-04:00

I found this awesome "pocket guide" of vagina euphemisms, courtesy of feministing.com. I thought that the categories of names was interesting and decided to take a tally to see which category was most popular.

Your vagina is food - 14
Your vagina is gross - 17
Your vagina is just a place to put a penis - 22
Your vagina is a strange animal - 15
Your vagina is scary - 22
Your vagina is a geographical location - 11
Your vagina is a mode of transportation - 2
Your vagina is a Victorian lady - 4
I made up this word because I can't bring myself to say "vagina" - 12
Your vagina is awesome! - 6

My analysis on the results:

The two most popular categories were that your vagina is scary and that your vagina is just a place to put a penis tying with 22 counts each. Men aren't too smart if they are putting their beloved penises in a place that is also described as "scary." If you thought it was scary, why would you put your penis in it? You don't put your penis in other "scary" places like an alligator's mouth.

The fact that scary ranked number one isn't that surprising. A lot of people are afraid of vaginas, whether it is the actual, anatomical body part or the word. I know a lot of women who are afraid of their vaginas.

But why are there only 6 counts for positive vagina euphemism? I mean we can make up more words for vaginas that we can that are positive. Maybe we need a counseling session with our vaginas to work on our relationship.

What do you think?

Voting 101

2010-11-01T13:40:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow is the big day...election day! The midterm elections are notorious for getting a low voter turn out because they think that these elections "aren't important." For example, in 2006, only 47% of voters voted in Ohio. Less than half?! Seriously? And in 2002, only 38%. But these midterm elections ARE important. They help to shape how the next 2 years are going to be. It's not electing the president, but it is electing a lot of important people who would make decisions that will affect your life.

Another common excuse for not voting is that they don't know anything about the candidates or the issues on the ballot. Fortunately, this excuse won't hold up any longer. By visiting this site voters can read about, select, and then print out their ballot. All you have to do now is go to your polling place with the pre-selected ballot and fill out the official one. Simple enough for you? I've already done mine. Hope to see you at the polls tomorrow!

Protect Cincinnati from what?

2010-10-28T12:57:00.000-04:00

I was driving in West Price Hill this weekend and I kept on seeing these peculiar signs in many people's lawns. These weren't the traditional campaign signs that have been plastered every where since the mid-term elections are upon us in a week. Blazed across the red stop sign symbol on the signs, it read "Save our Children! Stop Planned Parenthood!" and below that it listed this website www.protectcincinnati.org

Stunned and curious about what these signs meant, I went to the website listen on the signs. You have to check out the site for yourself, but it is astounding the kinds of claims and information this group is putting out there. It's not like I haven't seen anti-choice propaganda before, but the fact that this effort was centralized in Cincinnati made me more curious about the workings of their campaign even more.

First I wanted to know where they were getting their funding. They have a donation link on the page, but it also refers you to Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati as well. It is hard to find out where these organizations get their funding because Right to Life, and other organizations like them, are both 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 organizations. Because they are a 501(c)4 organization, they are not required to disclose their donors. I'm not claiming to be an expert on how that whole (c)3/(c)4 thing works, and honestly it is pretty confusing. I'm just saying it is suspicious. Many of the links and people that are mentioned by ProtectCincinnati and Right to Life are of a religious, mainly Catholic denomination. Is this a link?

The tab on the ProtectCincinnati's site that worries me the most is the "Get the Facts" tab. This lists several websites where you can get "more information." I randomly clicked on the most peculiar named one, chastity.com. Just poking around the site, it was obvious that this was an abstinence-only, religiously centered site, just by the images and Bible quotes plastered all over. In their FAQ section of the site, they list common questions one might have about homosexuality. I could say a million things about this site, but I would like to point out one thing. Under the question "How can people say that homosexuality isn't natural?" This was part of their answer:

"Since their [homosexual people] bodies cannot express the vows of a married couple, they cannot get married. Because of this, some argue that the Church is 'discriminating against gays.' But realize that the Church also does not allow impotent couples to marry...impotency is where a person is incapable of having intercourse. Ever since the beginning sex has been an integral part of marriage."

Where to even start dissecting this answer? A ring of organizations that promote abstinence and chastity, but also say that sex is an "integral part of marriage?" I smell a contradiction here. Get your point of view and values straight.

Bad Move Schmidt

2010-10-27T12:45:00.003-04:00

If you are someone who lives in Ohio's 2nd district, like I do, then you are familiar with Jean Schmidt. How can we not know about this bow-clad U.S. Representative? Her conservative stance is something that is widely known about, from her strong position against abortion to her questioning of President Obama's status as a citizen.

That is why I was stunned when I saw this article yesterday. You can read it for yourself, but this is what you get when you try and force your position without thinking first.

(Reposted from wlwt.com)

Schmidt Under Fire For Discussing Abortion With Kids
School Apologizes In Letter To Parents

CINCINNATI -- Parents of Cincinnati elementary school students are upset over remarks made by U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt. She reportedly brought up the abortion issue in front of children as young as 6.
The Catholic school asked not to be identified because it doesn't want to be drawn into political controversy. The school's principal told WLWT that the congresswoman was invited to be a guest speaker at an assembly in which students from first through eighth grade were present, and that most of Schmidt's remarks were not political.

The school's principal sent a letter home to parents on that same day informing them that the topic of abortion came up during Schmidt’s appearance. An excerpt of the letter read:
"Unexpectedly, towards the end of her address, Congresswoman Schmidt brought up the topic of abortion, and I am writing you to make you aware of this. Your children may come home with questions, especially if this is a topic that has not been broached in your home. I do not recall the exact words she used, but she paused towards the end of her speech and stated that this would be the only time when she would be ‘political’ in her address. She defined abortion as the taking of a child’s life in the mother’s womb. She indicated that abortion involves the killing of a child before it is born. She was not graphic or any more detailed in this regard. Later, when a child asked about it, she indicated that an abortion is something that a doctor does when a mother requests this. It was not a particularly long segment of her address (1½ minutes or so), and these words may not match the exact words she used, but this description does, I believe, express what your child heard. Her point was to address the increase of governmental activity in the abortion issue and her political resolve to fight against this."

The principal said that while Schmidt's views "are consistent with how the Catholic Church views abortion," the topic is not something the school presents to elementary students. His letter also noted that, "In general, Congresswoman Schmidt's presentation was lively, interesting, and engaging for the students.”
WLWT spoke with Bruce Pfaff from Schmidt's office, who said the abortion issue was not part of her talk to the kids and it came up in questioning afterward. Pfaff said once the issue came up a second time, Schmidt told the kids it was an issue to talk about with their parents.
Pfaff said he didn't know if the question came from a student. Pfaff said Schmidt did not have time to submit to an interview with WLWT about the speech.
The principal apologized to parents in the letter and said, "I apologize for any confusion or fear that this may elicit on the part of your child, and for the awkward position this may put you in of introducing a difficult issue at a time that may be premature for you. ... Rep. Schmidt was invited because she holds an honorable position as a U.S. Congresswoman. She was not invited to further any political agenda."
The school's principal asked that parents keep the incident within the parent community to avoid the school becoming "embroiled in any sort of political controversy during an election season."

Choice is Our Own

2010-10-20T19:40:00.002-04:00

I was on the elliptical machine at UC's recreation center, listening to Passion Pit and glancing at the news that was on the TVs in front of the room. Luckily they had closed captions on so I could understand what was on the screen. I almost stopped dead in my tracks when I saw this story:

Man tried to force girlfriend at gunpoint to have abortion, police say
While I am pro-choice, that does not mean that I am pro-abortion. Abortion is a sad but sometimes necessary procedure that women should have the option to access safely. No one should be able to tell a woman that they shouldn't or should get an abortion. Just because the father of a child is the "man" in the situation, his opinion does not trump all because he has a penis. He, nor the government, should be able to tell a woman what to do with her body. Our bodies, our choice. This story just makes me sad.

What Color am I?

2010-10-18T21:21:00.002-04:00

In my feminist theory class today, we were discussing radical lesbian feminism, black feminism, and standpoint theory. All of these lines of theory revolve around the issue of identity politics and experiential knowledge. When we were discussing black feminism, we were centering our discussion in reference to three article: the Combahee River Collective's "A Black Feminist Statement," bell hooks' "Black Women Shaping Feminist Theory," and Pat Hill Collins' "Defining Black Feminist Thought."

Whenever the discussion of race experience and race identity come into the conversation, I always feel very conflicted inside. Usually when we talk about race, especially in a feminist context, the topic of white privilege comes into the conversation as well. I recognize that I am white, and therefore have white privilege and all that comes along with that. (Which is another thing I am uncomfortable with, but that is a discussion for another time.) However, I do not connect to my "whiteness." It's be a lifelong struggle I've had in identifying with white culture. I have always been drawn to other ethnic and racial cultures. This struggle has left me with the question, what does this feeling mean?

I'm not denying that I am white, by racial definitions. But I don't "feel" white. And that is not to say that I feel "black" or another racial label. I sort of feel like a rainbow if you want to put a label on it. I see the uniqueness and specialness of each racial and ethnic classification. I don't feel a certain belonging to any of them. But because I look white, I'm automatically put into that box and assumptions about who I am are put on me. And that is something I am not comfortable with.

Talking about this uncertainty within myself seems to be what helps me sort out these feelings the most. But still I am left with unanswered questions. In terms of feminism, and particularly the black feminists I referenced, it is because of my whiteness that I cannot relate to black women or black feminists. While I will never know what the experience of a black woman or black feminist really feels like, I can learn and we can share our experiences and find commonalities, rather than focusing on negatives of difference. All I can offer is what I know, just like everyone else.

Time Flies By

2010-10-17T20:46:00.004-04:00

As I mentioned in my last post, Saturday was my mom's birthday. The occasion of a birthday got me thinking about aging and what it means to me. The last birthday that I had a breakdown was my 20th. It hit me all of the sudden that I was 2 decades old. Being a woman and dealing with aging is something that I really hadn't given much consideration to until now. I'm not talking about the physical process of aging. I know that most women are concerned about getting wrinkles and grey hairs in regards to aging, but that is not what gets to me. It is the fact that as I have gotten older, time seems to go by quicker and quicker.

Especially since I graduated high school, the years seem to fly by. It worries me that the older I get, the faster and faster time will seem to go by. I want to do so much in my life and experience so many things. I don't want to run out of time to do it. I don't want to miss out on anything. Does this make me sound crazy? I have to believe that some people would agree with me.

Aren't there instances where you wish time would just slow down so you could soak it all in? I try and live my life in a very peaceful and calm state, but it still seems to be whipping by. It feels like I just got back from NYC, but in all actuality, I've been home for 2 months and only have 7 weeks of college left. That is crazy fast.

While I can't wait to move on to the next part of my life (hopefully back in NYC), I want to be able to enjoy the time that I have in this part of my life. I feel that so many people are so quick to move on in their lives. We live in a fast paced society, and I love that, but at the same time, I want to slow down to enjoy the life that I love.

I know that it seems silly saying all this at 22, but those 22 years have gone by so fast. Soon as I know it, I'll be 44.

Sweet-less Day

2010-10-14T13:24:00.004-04:00

I was shopping at Bigg's (now Remke, but who cares) yesterday and saw something that actually had me bursting out laughing. As the great capitalist, hallmark machine that runs our society would remind you, Saturday is Sweetest Day. There was a sign as you entered the grocery store that said, and I quote, "You can just be another guy, or you can be THE ONE" (and yes, the "the one" was capitalized and bolded).

Really? You think that getting something for your significant other on this made-up holiday is going to make or break your relationship? I find it sad that we put so much emphasis on material signs of affection rather than on what one says and does. Anyone can go out and buy flowers or candy, but relationship are built on communication and understanding. If you don't have that, no amount of flowers or candy can save a relationship.

And like most other "holidays" that are centered around giving presents as a sign of love, it is always heteronormative and male to female directed. I actually think it is kind of silly of companies to only advertise to men, they are missing out on a huge market to sell to. Women have so much more buying power than men. But that is besides the point.

So, instead of "celebrating" Sweetest Day this Saturday, I'll be celebrating my mom's birthday. I think a much better reason to celebrate on the 16th.

Letting the Good In

2010-09-21T12:55:00.002-04:00

Last day of freedom before classes start again. While I have been not too excited to get back to school, I know that in just 10 short weeks it will be all over. Then it's on to the big bad world outside. In preparing for the last 10 weeks of my undergraduate career, I've really been thinking about what I want out of my life. And it is fairly simple: happiness and fullness.

I know those probably sound like pretty broad and general things to want, but I think they are the two hardest to maintain throughout life. Happiness for me is not waking up every day in sunshine and butterflies. It is going through life being able to hold your head up, smile, and find the best in what you have. It is surrounding yourself with positivity and light. It's getting the fog out of your way so you can see your way and not get bogged down by the negativity that circulates around up.

Fullness is about letting all of the joys of living enter your life and not wanting something you don't have. It's that "complete" feeling. I don't like to use the word "content" because to some that sounds like settling, but for me fullness is feeling content in your life. It's like having a big warm blanket wrapped around you.

I feel that for women, these two things are especially hard to maintain. We have so many pressures and forces pushing down on us: media, family, partners, ourselves. For me as a woman, I know that sometimes I loose focus on the happiness and fullness that I want because of certain aspects of being a woman, and being a young woman at that. And coming up to the end of this certain chapter in my life, I've been reevaluating certain things that I feel are unnecessary and just causing more pressure in my life. Some of them are easy to change or let go, others not so much. But like with everything, when something ends, it gives the opportunity for something else to begin.

I Don't...

2010-08-31T11:29:00.002-04:00

I went to a good friend from high school's wedding this past weekend and it was a wonderful, beautiful time. I was so happy for her and her now husband and their families. But it got me thinking about my own feelings about marriage.

I've never really thought marriage was for me. People tell me that this feeling is just a phase that I will grow out of once I meet the "right person." (They also tell me this about me not wanting to have my own natural children.) There has only been once where I thought I could marry a person I was in a relationship with and it turns out I was wrong about that. (That's why I'm single now.) Even when I had those feelings that this might be the "right person," I still wasn't sold on getting married.

I think marriage is a great for those who feel that is the right choice for them. However, I don't feel like it is my end-all, be-all of a relationship. The fact that marriage in this country is a strictly heteronormative union does not really play into my feelings about marriage. I think it is outrageous that two people who want to get married who are of the same gender can't is abhorrent and denies basic rights to people. My views are based on my own feelings about what "marriage" has become and what it stands for. I feel that some people use marriage as an answer to issues in their relationship or because they feel like they have to. That just doesn't seem right to me.

I stumbled upon this organization called The Alternatives to Marriage Project that's mission follows along my line of thinking about the whole marriage issue. I think their mission statement pretty much sums in up for me.

The Alternatives to Marriage Project advocates for equality and fairness for unmarried people, including people who are single, choose not to marry, cannot marry, or live together before marriage. We provide support and information for this fast-growing constituency, fight discrimination on the basis of marital status, and educate the public and policymakers about relevant social and economic issues. We believe that marriage is only one of many acceptable family forms, and that society should recognize and support healthy relationships in all their diversity.

I'm not saying that I am completely closed off to the idea of marriage. I may or may not go down that road, I really can't say right now. However, I feel that the alternatives to marriage follow more in line with my lifestyle, ideology, and what I want out of my life. There are so many options out there that I just want to see where my life takes me and where the relationships I have in my life go. I've never been much for planning.

Lend a Helping Hand

2010-08-26T12:32:00.004-04:00

I had a conversation with a friend a few days ago (and if that person reads this I am probably going to hear about it) about capitalism and the government, two of my favorite discussion topics. To make a long story short, we landed on the topic of what merits aid and where that aid should come from. We were specifically using the examples of how the division of aid was handled during Katrina versus the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

I found this article that I think my friend was referencing during our conversation. The writer compares the aftermath and response of people during the two events to put Katrina in a new perspective. While this article is interesting, let me get back to my point.

So what merits aid in times of natural disaster? I think everyone is entitled to aid, especially if the cause of them needing that aid is out of their control, like a natural disaster. However, I don't believe that the aid should come from the government. Why? Because it seems like every time the government gives aid, two things happen. One, it is not the aid that the people actually need and acts as more of a band-aid than rebuilding what is lost. And two, there are strings attached. The government doesn't give aid in a altruistic, "out of the the goodness of their hearts" kind of way. Therefor, there always seems to be a price to pay.

My answer. NGOs and non-profit aid organizations and people/groups that do volunteer aid out of the kindness of their hearts. I know several people who have gone down to New Orleans to help rebuild homes, not because they felt obligated or because they had ties down there, but because they saw people in need and wanted to help. I believe in the kindness and goodness of people and when someone is in trouble, people will band together to help their neighbor. Call it idealistic if you will, but if I didn't believe in that, getting up in the morning would be really hard.

While you might call it naive, why can't it be true? Wouldn't you hope that if you needed help that your neighbor would lend a hand? Think about it in a smaller context. You are baking a cake, but you realize that you are a cup short on sugar. You go over to your neighbor's, knock on their door, and ask to borrow a cup of sugar. Your neighbor gives you the cup of sugar and you are back to baking. This is just a smaller example of the power and goodness of humanity that I believe in. I think there is more evidence of this than there is of people turning a blind eye.

peace.love.bake

2010-08-24T16:49:00.003-04:00

For those of you who don't know me, I love baking. So to merge two of my loves, baking and blogging, I've decided to create a new blog to chronicle my adventures in baking called peace.love.bake. I invite you to check it out. This week I'm making Blueberry Zucchini Bread. Yum!

Beyond Bread

2010-08-23T15:02:00.000-04:00

I just got an e-mail from Sadie Nash about a Friday field trip I went on with some of the Nashers. The topic of that Friday's field trips was women's entrepreneurship. The group that I was with went to Hot Bread Kitchen, which is another amazing organization that is a non-profit social enterprise that enables low-income and immigrant women to create better opportunities for themselves. Hot Bread Kitchen hires these women and pays them while they learn skills to launch their own food-based businesses and achieve positions in food production. During their time at Hot Bread Kitchen, they bake bread that is then sold at local farmer's markets to help offset the cost of the training. These breads are inspired by the women's ethnic backgrounds that are a part of Hot Bread Kitchen. Plus the bread is super yummy, wish they mailed it.

"The reason I got this e-mail is because the women at Hot Bread Kitchen wrote a great article about our visit to their office. Plus there is a super cute picture, makes me miss my Nashers!

More Than Black and White

2010-08-22T18:27:00.003-04:00

I have officially been back in Cincinnati for a week. It seems a lot longer than that for some reason. One thing that has really made me miss NYC is the diversity. I would hear languages that I had never heard before, smell and taste ethnic food that I had smelled or eaten before, I would see newspapers and books written in an alphabet and language that was completely new to me. This rush of new cultures excited me so much and I'm really missing that here in Cincinnati.

Now you might be saying "well Cincinnati is diverse." Cincinnati might be diverse if you define "diverse" as having a mix of African Americans and whites. If we define it like that, then yes, Cincinnati is diverse. As of the 2000 Census, the racial makeup of the city was 53% white and 43% African American. That equals 96%. Meaning that there is only 4% of the rest of the population of Cincinnati for all the other races/ethnicities. I don't call that diversity, I call that black and white.

My question is why is our city this way? This lack of other racial and ethnic groups being represented in Cincinnati I feel is a huge loss for the city. The vibrancy different people from different background bring is so special and I think helps to open people's minds. We can learn so much from each other, but if we don't interact, how can we even being to learn and understand each other.

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus

2010-08-18T15:02:00.000-04:00

For the last 9 weeks, from basically 9-6 Monday through Friday I have been in a loving, supportive, safe, all-women community. Maybe this overload of estrogen around me has made me salty at the opposite gender, or maybe my experience has made me view men a little differently.

I have to admit, as a women, I love men. But at the same time, communicating with them can be frustrating. After being in a place where healthy communication skills are at the forefront of our thinking process, it's been hard adjusting when talking to people, especially men, that are outside of this mindset. I've learned to be hyper aware of the language I am using, tone, even body language when I am speaking. Also I've learned how much listening is an important part of speaking. That is one thing I don't think the male gender has mastered, listening.

I've learned that men and women are very different, biologically, socially, pretty much every way possible. But I don't find that to be an excuse as to why we can't have healthy communication and relationships. Male and female brains just don't work the same, but how come for thousands of years the two genders have been able to create a workable society through healthy communication and I am finding so many roadblocks?

Half the time I don't know if they are joking around or what the intentions are behind what they are saying since they don't seem to express what and how they are feeling very well. Sometimes I wonder what head they are using to think, or if they are using a head at all. I think at this point I am just ranting and I'm not saying that this applies to all men, but thanks for listening. I'm just feeling frustrated.

Back in the Buckeye State

2010-08-17T14:58:00.003-04:00

I've been back in Ohio for less than 48 hours and the pain of adjusting back has set in. Also, my immune system has caught up with me after 9 weeks of intense, amazing work. I knew that transitioning back home was going to be hard, but I didn't realize just how much I would miss my NYC community. I'm not saying being back home is bad, both are great environments, it's just different.

First let's start off with just the look. For a city that is often thought of as lacking nature and being an urban black hole, I feel like I saw more trees in NYC than I do here. Everything is grass or pavement. Along with that, just how spread out everything is, I now understand sprawl in a whole new way. And because of this massive sprawl that has infected Cincinnati, driving is a must. I'm seriously thinking of becoming dependent on the bus (even though it is less than a desirable system), but driving is already making me crazy. I miss being able to hop on a subway, pop in my headphones and read a book.

Last but not least, the people. I miss the crazy, diverse, in-your-face people. People in Cincinnati are great, but I just feel more comfortable and jive more with the energy of people in NYC. I don't know what it is. Maybe I feel like people in the Midwest judge more. I felt more free to let go in NYC without fear of anyone saying anything. It's a weird feeling that I can't explain quite right.

And of course, I miss my job, my Nashers, and my deans more than anything else. I think from my previous posts you know how much this job and these people have meant to me. I know that they are only a phone call or an e-mail away, but waking up Monday and realizing that I wasn't going to see them made my heart sad.

I know it sounds like I am complaining and not happy. I am very happy to be back home, it's just taking time to get back into the Ohio mentality. It's a completely different lifestyle than what I fell in love with in NYC. I feel like this is a test. 6 more months here and then I'm back in NYC. This is a test of my flexibility and comfort. I'm keeping my eye on the prize and not letting my pining for NYC affect me here. I'm so happy to be able to spend time with my friends and family, but I have to be honest with myself and there is a part of me that is seriously missing NYC.

NYC: 4 days left

2010-08-12T20:51:00.002-04:00

Well its the last day of program. Was it just me or did that fly by? I can't believe this is coming to a close. Final celebration tomorrow. I've already packed my travel case of tissues in my purse for tomorrow. Prepairing for the waterworks.

So you are probably wondering what happened to my blogging. I've been wanting to update on the goings on at Sadie Nash and around NYC, but every time I go to the computer to start typing, I just can't express what this expreience has been like. This community that I have been a part of for the last 9 weeks is something that I could have only wished for. I feel so blessed and grateful that I was able to be a part of something like this. When I try and explain what it is I actual do every day at my job, I just can't find the right words because in order to understand it, you have to have experienced it. It has been unlike anything else I have ever done.

I think another reason I haven't been able to blog about my experience as much as I had probably initially intended is because I think there is a part of Sadie Nash that should stay between the Nashers, Deans, and staff of the community. While I wish everyone could experience something like Sadie Nash, this specific experience is something very special and private to me. I can honestly say that Sadie Nash has changed my life.

Thinking back on my time in NYC (which I still have 3 days left of), each Nasher, Dean and staff member that I have been able to meet and get to know has helped me grow in some way or another. We say that this summer is for the Nashers, which it is, but it is for all of us at its core. We come to Sadie Nash every day and do the things we do for the Nashers because we love it. We love the Nashers, we love youth work, we love being a part of something greater than ourselves.

I've been scared that I'll never get this feeling and experience again. But after thinking about that train of thought, I've changed my mind. I might get a similar feeling and experience in another job I might do. If I do wonderful, if I don't, I will be able to live a happy, fulfilling life after having this experience. Just because my time at Sadie Nash might be over (for now at least), I will carry the memories, growth, conversations, feelings, and relationships I have from Sadie Nash with me the rest of my life.

This is what I call family.

NYC: Day 32-40

2010-07-22T19:50:00.005-04:00

Now that the Summer Institute has started, time if just flying by. It's going by so fast that I haven't updated in forever! And unfortunately, due to my horrible memory as those of you who know me personally know I have, I now have to piece back together what has been going on for the past almost two weeks. I will try my best!

As far back as I can remember is Wednesday (Day 32). It sticks in my mind because it was one of my favorite days of the week, Leader Wednesday! I like it so much because the whole Nasher community gets to stay together for the majority day, starting with community breakfast, then the speaker, and then leader reflection. The speaker today was an 18 year old environmental activist from California named Jordan Howard. The Nashers really seemed to like her because she was so close to their age that they could relate to her more. Other than that, that is all I remember of Wednesday. Told you my memory is bad, I can't even remember what I did the couple days prior.

Thursday (Day 33) - CAMPING TRIP! Yes, Thursday marked the day of the infamous 1st year Nasher's camping trip. We all met at the New School space and then headed out to the far reaches of Brooklyn to Ecology Village at Floyd Bennett Field. When we first got there, we all met our guide for the trip, Ranger Carol. Then Ranger Carol did some activities with the Nashers including a owl pellet dissection! Let's just say the Nashers weren't too crazy about that.

After getting their hands in some "owl throw-up" we headed to our campsite. We started playing games and keeping ourselves entertained as it grew close to dinner time. I was sort of in a weird mood, so I mostly stuck to helping build up the fires for cooking and then proceeded to helping to make dinner. Cooking always eases my mind, and after dinner I was feeling much better. We of course enjoyed the staple of any camping trip, s'mores, and talked and talked and talked. It was nice to be with the Nashers outside of our space. It felt freer and I think both the Deans and Nashers found it easier to talk with one another.

Coincidence enough, the night of the camping trip was the night before my birthday! So at midnight, the Nashers in my tent surprised me with a special rendition of "Happy Birthday" to start my birthday off right. Can you believe how sweet?

Friday (Day 33) - MY BIRTHDAY!! After a less than peaceful night sleep, we awoke to a rainstorm. Luckily it was one of those short showers that I have come NYC to be quite known for. After a light breakfast, I was serenaded by all the Nashers to another rendition of "Happy Birthday." Then we met back up with Ranger Carol where she weighed our trash, compost, and recycling. The Ecology Village is big about recycling and compost and keeps track of all the groups that come through. As we had been working for, we beat our last year's numbers! Ranger Carol led the Nashers in one final activity where they got to look at compost up close with microscopes, another activity that some of the Nashers weren't too thrilled with.

Finally it was time to go home. I crashed as soon as I got home, in much need of a nap and shower before my mom got here! The stupid plane wound up being delayed about 1 1/2 hours, but she made it. As soon as she got here, we went out to dinner to celebrate. Luckily, my birthday fell on part of NYC's Restaurant Week. Following in our love of Italian food, we dined at Savore in Soho. Food was decent, but the wine was amazing! I'm trying to expand my wine pallet from the usually Rieslings, so we tried a Falanghina, which turned out to be delicious. We talked and dined until late and the headed back for a good night's sleep because the next two days were going to be jam packed!

Saturday (Day 34) - We started out the day by heading to Fort Greene to get breakfast at the Smooch Cafe. Breakfast was delicious and afterwards we headed to my ever-favorite Brooklyn Flea. Found this very cute dress supposedly made by the vendor owner back in the 70's out of scarves. Don't know if it is true but the dress is beautiful and it makes for a good story. After shopping for a little, we then trekked it to Manhattan and down to Soho to do of all other things, more shopping!

In our frenzy of shopping down in Soho, we also we trying to get to Magnolia Bakery for a celebratory cupcake for my birthday. After getting extremely turned around, we finally made it. Delicious lemon cupcake is just want a birthday girl needs!

After our delicious cupcakes, we then went on to part 2 of celebratory events for my birthday, the purchase of my new computer! We went to the big Apple store of 5th avenue where you have to go underground to the store. Purchased my brand new, shiny and light weight (thank you!!) MacBook Pro. Instead of hauling all of our purchases all over Manhattan, we headed back home to drop off bags, recharge our batteries, and get ready for dinner and a night out.

For our evening we headed to a little wine bar called Oak Wine Bar in Williamsburg. This is my new Brooklyn find!! We absolutely loved this place. Great little outdoor back patio, delicious food, and plenty of wine. After several hours of eating, drinking, and talking, we were feelings very happy. Great end to our Saturday night.

Sunday (Day 35) - The morning started out by getting brunch with my cousin and his wife at Flatbush Farm. Decent food, but better company. After a leisurely brunch, my mom took me to something I hadn't done yet, walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. It was another hot day, but the breeze walking over the water made it nice. Our goal, to walk over the bridge to get sangria at this place my mom went to several years ago. She had built this sangria up so much I was expecting wine magic. Good sangria was had and then we walked all the way up through the South Seaport, Chinatown, Little Italy, to Union Square. Quite a hike.

Knowing that both my mom had to catch and early plane and I had to work the next day, we searched for dinner and after long contemplation ended at S'Mac, the place that only has mac and cheese. Good and filling, it was nice to have a more casual evening. We ended the night with a drink at my local favorite Vox Pop.

Monday-Thursday (Day 36-39) - Again, my short term memory fails me. Here are some highlights I can remember.

Wednesday - Our leader for leader Wednesday was Liliana Reyes, an amazing trans-activist and trans-woman.
Thursday - Put together a workshop on organics in only 4 hours, go me!

Friday (Day 40) - Our field trip for the day was NEWARK!! That means we got to meet more Nashers and see our long lost sisters, the Newark deans! We were supposed to have a field day, but it was not a field friendly-day (aka rain). After what seemed like the longest train commute ever, we finally got to Newark where we met up with the Newark Nashers, ate lunch, and met new people and played games for a little bit. It was so interesting to see the 2 groups of Nashers interact. They are both so different, but so amazing. I really wished we could have had more time together because I think both groups could have really learned from each other.

Another long commute back and then it was happy hour with the deans! We headed to the newly open Vapiano (brings back memories of DC). Getting to talk with all of us there and just spend some time together was just the recharge of my batteries that I needed. Getting us all back together was something really special. I know I sound all sappy, but there is just something about having us all together that is magical. We just gel perfectly.

I was beat by then and headed home for a relaxing evening.

FINALLY done with this post. I'm not letting that happen again. Only took me 2 days to write this thing.

NYC: Day 24-27 (First Week of Summer Institute!!)

2010-07-10T11:00:00.006-04:00

First week of the summer institute is over! Only 5 weeks left :( Are you serious?! This is going by way too fast.

Day 24 (Tuesday - First day of program) - The last 3 weeks have been leading up to this, the start of the summer institute! When you say 50 Nashers you have a picture in your head of what that is going to look like, but having them all together in one room was daunting, but so magical! That first day seems like such a whirlwind. First I helped to movie supplies from the office in Brooklyn to our space at the New School in Manhattan, at 8am in 90 degree heat! What a way to start off the day. Then we jumped right into dean groups. My first dean group went as well as I could had hoped for. We did this activity where you pair up and interview your partner about how they got their name. Then you introduce your partner and their story to the whole group. The Nashers seemed to like it and a lot of them found connections based on their stories.

Next on the agenda were core classes, which I am not a dean for, so I spent that time doing behind-the-scenes stuff. Lunch, another core class session which I spent in copy-land hell where I was using the slower copy machine in the world! The last session of the day was creative class. I had my first visual storytelling class and helping facilitate for the first time was so exhilarating! It helps that I really like the topic and have a great teacher with me, but seeing how the Nashers responded to the activities and topics we were talking about was so special.

The day flew by and after a staff meeting all I wanted to do was sit in a big comfy chair. So after work, I headed to another coffee shop on my list of places to check out. This time the place was in Manhattan in the East Village, decided to switch it up a little bit. I headed across to the B-Cup Cafe (love the name). Had a beautiful walk through Tompkins Square Park.

I have to say that this is one of my favorites on my list! The space is great, they are open late, nice selection of things to munch and sip on, although the service is a little lacking, but I can deal. I had a delicious blueberry scone (my first scone in NYC, they don't seem to be big on those) and ginger ice tea.

Day 25 (Wednesday) - Wednesdays are Leader Wednesdays at SNLP. We started off the morning with a community breakfast where we get a bunch of bagels, muffins, fruit and juice and all have breakfast together. Loved that! Got to mix and mingle with the Nashers which gave me an opportunity to talk to some Nashers I hadn't gotten to yet. Only bad part is that Wednesdays mean to dean group.

Our leader for this week was Brooklyn Poet Laureate Tina Chang. I think the Nashers really responded to her well and really liked her story. Her message about going after your passions no matter what others say is what resonated with me the most. It was so amazing to just sit back and watch the Nashers talk to her and ask her questions. It amazes me how curious they are.

Lunch, then leader reflection where we did a group poetry activity. The group I had kind of got off topic, but we wound up having a great conversation about what it means to be a woman and how femininity is represented in the media. We almost didn't finish our poem, but the conversation that we had instead was worth it in my mind. They were really concerned about how the media portrays women in only one way. A hyper sexual, idealized, unattainable form. Right on Nashers! Told you they were smart. One of the Nashers said something though that really connected for me. She said that she didn't consider herself a woman yet because that word has so much weight and she felt that she hadn't reached that level yet. I also believe that calling yourself a woman is something so power and comes with experience and life.

Last section of the day was our first academic class. I am the dean for a class that looks at the garment industry. The Nashers blew me away with how much they knew already about the industry and how much they wanted to know about workers' rights and where their clothes come from. We did a cool exercise where the Nashers would look at the tags on their clothes and map where they came from. Really put things into perceptive for them.

Again, after this day, all I wanted to do was curl up in a chair and read. It's a great way for me to just unwind for an hour or two before heading home. I decided to try another place in Brooklyn (Williamsburg to be exact) called El Beit. The space was small, but they did have a nice backyard. Baristas weren't really friendly, but the delicious carrot blueberry apricot muffin did brighten my experience. Sorry, no pictures.

Day 26 (Thursday) - Thursday was just a weird day in general. At program, it was another core class day so I was busy doing behind-the-scene stuff, including making a sweaty run to K-Mart to pick up Rubbermaid bins and then had to lug them 4 avenues and 3 blocks.

The last part of the day was our first round of dean-lead workshops. I sat in on the LGBTQ Issues and Language workshop and the energy in the room was not conducive to learning. The workshop on paper was great, but the Nashers were distracted by an incident that happened at the start of the session and that weird vibe went away. I really felt bad for the dean that was leading it and I tried to help her as much as I could because I knew how much work she had put into it, but neither of us could bring the energy up. Sometimes you win some, sometimes you loose. Maybe it was too early in program to talk about LGBTQ issues, I don't know. But some of the Nashers I talked to afterwards did say that it made them want to learn more and hoped that we would talk about these issues more. At least some Nashers were reached so it wasn't a complete loss. After that I just wanted to go home and sleep. Weird day, weird mood. At least I had Friday to look forward too!

Day 27 (Friday) - Friday was our first day for field trips! This Friday's field trip was "Fantastic Friday." Nashers had the option of 5 trips: PS1, Brookyln Botanical Gardens, Hudson River Sailing, East NY Farms, or Highline Park. I was the dean for the East NY Farms field trip, as well as the dean responsible for handling permissions slips and medical forms, ahh!!

After we got everything straightened out and figured out where everyone was going, me and my crew of Nashers headed out to the farm. It was quite a long train ride away, about an hour. We were the second to last stop on the 3 train, way out there. But the long train ride gave me and all the Nashers some much needed bonding time. It was so great to see Nashers who were more the loner type talk to new people and everyone jive together. After we got off the train, we headed over to the farm. We got the tour from 2 of the youth interns and learned all about compost, how to grow certain types of produce, how the farm cycle works, and we even got to taste some of the produce (the strawberries we had were especially delicious!). The Nashers seemed to be very curious about the farm and what and why they grow the things they do, I was equally as interested.

After the farm, we headed out for lunch. Some of the Nashers needed to buy their lunch and we wound up stopping at this little window outlet that said "Grand Opening." Not knowing what they had, the Nashers kept on asking "what's that" and pointing at things in the window. The woman who ran it was so nice that she gave us free samples of just about everything. Little did I know, what we were eating was Jamaican food, and it was delicious! Now I know I like Jamaican food. After wandering around trying to find a park to eat, we all decided to just eat on the train since we had a long train ride back. More great talks and bonding was had on the way back.

Nashers dispersed, but one Nasher and myself were headed back on the Q train together. We had a really special conversation, actually about the LGBTQ workshop from the previous day. It gave me such a warm feeling that she felt like she could open up to me about those issues and that I had created a safe space for her to talk about. I'm still smiling thinking about it today. It makes me feel like I am really doing my job. I can do this!

I really didn't know what I wanted to do for my evening, so I tried to find some music or something to go listen too. Low and behold, one of the coffee shops on my list was having music and poetry that night, so I headed out to Park Slope to a place called Tea Lounge. Tea Lounge was a nice place, lots of couches, nice selections of bites and sips, music was really good (a little loud thought). While my experience there was good, I had a few run ins with some snotty Park Slope people. Just left a bad taste in my mouth.

Overall, this first week flew by! But I'm ready to start up again next week. Really taking this weekend to reorganize, hang with some friends, and chill before the whirlwind starts up again Monday.

NYC: Day 20-23 (and a half)

2010-07-05T14:13:00.005-04:00

Wow! With the holiday weekend, I haven't updated in forever it seems like. Time just is getting away from met with gearing up for the start of program TOMORROW (eek!)

So let's see what have I been up to (if my short term memory can kick in)...

Day 20 (Thursday) - Another busy work day prepping for the start of program. Luckily, we got a few extra hours of sleep because we didn't have to come into work until noon that day. Got my arts and crafts on making adorable mailboxes for the Nashers and everyone. At 4, we had our second round of faculty training where we really got to sit down and talk with the teachers about their classes, syllabi (is that the plural of "syllabus?"), and the direction they wanted to take the class. Both of the teachers I am going to be working with are fantastic! So motivated and inspiring. The classes they are teaching are not only in fields that I am interested in, but also know something about. I'll be interested to see how the Nashers are going to take these two classes (one, an academic class about the garment industry, and two, a creative class dealing with visual storytelling about their communities). Something can work and look good on paper but once you implement it, it can turn into something completely different.

We wound up staying there until 7:30, late night, so it was back home for me. Dinner and bed.

Day 21 (Friday) - A whole day of nothing but prepping for program! Finished the mailboxes, made decorations for my dean group, packed up everything we would need to move to the space, had many conversations with my fellow deans, good day!

After work, I ran home really quick to take a nap (much needed), freshen up, change and then meet my fellow deans for a birthday celebration! July is the month of dean birthdays (3 in total, one of them is mine!). We went to this really neat bar called Habana Outpost in Fort Greene. Delicious margaritas, mojitos, and sangria (which was my drink of choice that night). Much laughing was had, that was one strong sangria. After the celebration, I made my first un-sober subway ride back home. Not as much fun as the previous hours, but I made it home in one piece so I guess that's all that counts.

Day 22 (Saturday) - The first in the line of the heat wave we are experiencing in NYC. But the heat didn't stop me from going out. I headed to the Brooklyn Flea, also in Fort Greene. I have found the most fabulous place on Earth! At least for vintage clothes and jewelry. If the heat hadn't been so sweltering I would have stayed and browsed longer, but I did manage to get away with this cute '70s vintage dress.

The rest of the day was a mishmash of just traveling around, stopping in random places, staying hydrated and reading. Kind of a lazy, but relaxing Saturday.

Day 23 (Sunday) - 4th of JULY!! The 4th is pretty strange in NYC. A lot of people head to the beach (either the Hamptons or the Jersey Shore) but there is still plenty to do around the city. My plans included a picnic with my fellow deans and watching the fireworks on the Hudson River. Seems pretty straight forward right? You know those apocalypse movies where everyone is trying to get off Manhattan before the world ends? That's what the 4th is like in NYC. We decided to have our picnic and watch the fireworks from 12th Ave which they shut down! Picnic was delicious, but it was just a sea of people and as the day got closer and closer to fireworks time, more and more people came. It was insane. And I'm good with crowds.

The fireworks were good, but I get spoiled coming from Cincinnati where there is a certain standard of fireworks. After they were over, we joined everyone else in the mad exodus back home. Surprisingly, it didn't take me the several hours I thought it was going to take to get home. Thanks MTA!

And that half of a day I mentioned. Right now I am trying to avoid the oppressive heat (97 degrees and rising) outside by siting in my local coffee shop Vox Pop (which I love, by the way) and prep for tomorrow. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous for tomorrow. It's a big day, but I feel ready and am optimistic, energized, and so so psyched! Wish me luck!

NYC: Day 18-19

2010-06-30T22:14:00.002-04:00

Busy, busy, busy is the motto in my life. Less than a week away until the Summer Institute starts so we have been consumed with prepping for the first day this week.

Day 18 (Tuesday) - The morning/early afternoon at work centered around a tough conversation that we had about race. It brought up some issues that I am dealing with around my own racial identity and the privilege that it comes with. I've always felt uncomfortable in my "whiteness" and the preconceived notions that come with that. It's had to explain in words, but identifying with the "white" community is something I struggle with.

After that hard talk, we got to meet with the faculty that we will be helping for the core, academic and creative classes. Most of the time was spent talking about what Sadie Nash is, safe space, community guidelines, a lot of repeat stuff. But 20+ women in a small un-air-conditioned room for 3 hours can get to you after a while. I was ready to get home and lay in my bed after that.

Day 19 (Wednesday) - This morning we had a community talk about feminism and how we all view and identify with that idea and term. It was a really great way to start the morning because we all got to share a little bit more about ourselves and learn about each other. Always in talking about feminism itself, you never really come to a "conclusion." Feminism, at least for me, is such a personal thing and is a part of my life in a very intimate way, far removed from academia.

The rest of the day was spent busily getting ready for 1st year orientation! Craziness ensued, logistical roadblocks popped up, but it was great to work as a team and the Nashers always make it worth it!

Beautiful day here, by the way. Finally not so hot that I want to jump in a bucket of ice.

NYC: Day 16-17

2010-06-28T22:34:00.011-04:00

The last 2 days have been more or less uneventful.

Day 16 (Sunday): After the emotional hell hole that was Saturday, I really just needed Sunday to recoop. My host family took me to the local farmers market up on Cortelyou Rd. but after that I was just not motivated to face the day. And in all honestly, I think I deserved to have a day where I could lay in bed and watch Sex and the City episodes and just melt away.

I did make it out for an hour to Fulton St. where they were having a street jam.

Day 17 (Monday): Being back to work gave me a much needed boost after the weekend. Today was primarily a work day. Finished my workshop of alternatives to OTC meds. Making all natural 1st aid kits! Plus I met another Nasher who I have a feeling I am really going to click with. They are all just so amazing.

Then I treated myself to a much needed almond croissant and coffee at Variety Cafe in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn. Although pastry was delicious, barista had a serious attitude problem. Major no-no. Plus the chairs were uncomfortable.

Now I am ending the day with a little roomie bonding time. Night everyone.

NYC: Day 13-15

2010-06-27T09:08:00.009-04:00

Haven't really been in a bloggy mood lately. Reasons that will be explained later. But I didn't want to get too far behind on chronicling my days here in NYC. I will apologize now for the lack in quality my posts usually have.

Day 13 (Thursday) - My horrible short term memory is kicking in. Definitely training on Thursday. Oh wait! I got to meet 2 of my Nashers for my dean group. They are both absolutely amazing. So precocious and talkative at 14. It stunned me. I can't wait to meet the rest of them!

I also had another coffee house contestant in my tour of Brooklyn coffee houses. This time it was the Outpost Cafe in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn. I had a sampling of their herbal ice tea, blood orange something, and a whole wheat bagel, both were very good!

The space was really great too and they had a beautiful outside patio, wish I had gotten a picture of that. They also had some music that night which was surprisingly good. Definitely think I'll be back to this place.

Day 14 (Friday) - More training, and 2nd year orientation! Got to meet another one of my Nashers and a whole bunch of other Nashers. After meeting a few one on one, it was so cool to see them act in a group. We played "The Big Wind Blows," talked about safe space, brainstormed for the 2nd years' trip while the 1st years are going camping, and got to mingle and meet each other. What a great diverse group of 2nd years! So excited for the program to get started already!

Day 15 (Saturday) - To but it bluntly, the day from hell. But I have such a supportive and loving family with the SNLP deans that it helped to get me out of the house for a little bit and my mind off of things. A trip to MoMA is always a welcomed pick me up. Plus getting to see great works of art up close and personal is always amazing to me. Here are some of my favorites:

White Noise by Jackson Pollock

The Dream by Henri Rousseau

It's pride week here in NYC, so after a quick trip to the museum, we headed down to the Dyke March. Nothing lifts a girl's spirit like marching down 5th Ave. chanting "We're here, we're queer, we're fabulous, don't fuck with us."

Then after having a very emotionally taxing day, I thought I lost my host family's cat after I had gotten home and went on a desperate search for it and it wound up being inside the house the whole damn time. The world has a funny sense of humor sometimes.

Today, Sunday, Day 16 is a new day though! Nasher meetings, work, and maybe a special treat from Magnolia Bakery.

NYC: Day 11-12

2010-06-23T22:31:00.005-04:00

I've been so busy that it seems like I barely have time to check my computer any more. Luckily, I'm awake enough today to give a quick recap of the past two days. I promise, it will be brief, I'm sleepy!

Day 11 (Tuesday) was another long training day. We did get to pick 3 of the 5 workshops that we will design and run this year. So far, I am in charge of running a workshop on community organizing, alternatives to OTC medicine, and virginity. Interesting mix, hu? We had some time to work on our workshops and I was able to crank out basically one entire workshop on community organizing with one of my fellow deans with whom I am co-facilitating the workshop with.

I finally had my voice back on Tuesday so I got to start calling my Nashers to set up our Nasher meetings! Unfortunately, everyone was out busy having lives and I only got to schedule 1 Nasher meeting. After working some more, I desperately needed a pick me up, so I headed over to another contestant in the "let's find a good coffee shop" game. This time it was Second Stop Cafe in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn.

As I sipped on more delicious Stumptown Coffee and munched on a good everything bagel, I intensely read How to Be Alone by Johnathan Franzen. I loved Franzen's work of fiction The Corrections and am finding How to Be Alone really resonating where I am right now in my life, especially in regards to my time spent in NYC. All of this postmodern reading is really getting my head thinking and creating a lot of introspection as to where I want to be in my life and what kind of path I want to take. Deep, let me tell you. It was a rather rainy Tuesday night so I wound up closing the place down at 9pm.

Day 12 (Wednesday) was a little bit of a different day. We started with a really good team building exercise where we created a kind of dean tool belt. It was a way for us to know who is good at what so we can support each other better. It was a great way to start of the morning too! After that we did some personal goal setting for the summer, which was also rather introspective. Been thinking a lot the past 24 hours.

Then we all took a trip into Manhattan to meet with one of the SNLP board members. This person happened to turn out to be amazing feminist author and activism Amy Richards who co-wrote Manifesta and co-founded the Third Wave Foundation. We actually all met in her house and had a little chat about feminism. It was so surreal to be sitting in this amazing woman's house just chit chatting about feminism and young women. A truly special moment.

After we departed, I worked more on calling my Nashers (got 4 more meetings) and working on lesson plans. Again, my "short" recap turned into a rather long post. I should stop making promises I can't keep.

NYC: Day 9-10

2010-06-21T22:31:00.005-04:00

Quick wrap up of the past 2 days...

Day 9 (Sunday) - Picked up more books at the Strand (amazing fabulous bookstore). Summer reading so far:

I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley
Eating the Dinosaur by Chuck Klosterman
Women as Lovers by Elfriede Jelinek
(Currently Reading) How to Be Alone by Johnathan Franzen

Walked down Broadway...

...on my way to the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, but it turned out to be a dud and plus rain was imminent. So instead I trucked it over to another coffee shop for the great coffee taste of Summer 2010. Sunday's selection: Roots Cafe in Park Slope.

Cup of coffee was pretty good here, best so far. They get their beans from Stumptown Coffee, a local coffee roaster on Manhattan. And the bagel, delicious and full of poppy seeds (my mother would hate me). I forgot how good NYC bagels can be, chewy and huge! Roots Cafe gets theirs from LaBagel Delight, a Brooklyn bagel bakery.

That pretty much wraps up Sunday, nothing special.

Day 10 (Monday) - First day of training for the week and of course it is hotter than hell and our building doesn't have air conditioning, lovely. Training was a little different today. We started with a quick overview of how to be an effective listener and a few role plays. Then the afternoon was reserved for a conversation with DayOne (an NYC teen dating violence organization) about teen dating violence. Very intense and there really wasn't enough time to process it all.

The most exciting news of the day was that we got our dean responsibilities for the summer and our dean groups (the group of Nashers we will be having our morning dean groups with). My summer duties include:

Co-facilitating "Representing Ourselves - Image based storytelling" (Creative class) - Nashers will explore the stores of their community and their own experience through photo-narratives. Nashers will be encouraged to think critically about the stories created around neighborhoods and young women in NYC. Nashers will use the images of their everyday lives to tell their real stories. (So psyched!)
Co-facilitating "Behind the Label" (Academic class) - Introduces students to the social and environmental issues behind the global garment industry. From tracing the fashion supply chain and the discussing the cultivation of materials, sweatshops and related issues of global capitalism. (Awesome!)
Creating our "Beastie" - basically documentation of everything that goes on this summer
Creating 2 after-program social activities for the Nashers
Leader packets for woman leader #6 (yet to be announced)
In charge of "Freak Friday! 3 trips!" for the Friday field trip

As soon as I have my voice back, I also have to call my Nashers to set up "Nasher meetings" so we can start to get to know each other. As you can tell, I'm busy as a bee, but super pumped!

I thought this was going to be a short wrap up, guess I was wrong :)

To My Dad on Father's Day

2010-06-20T21:54:00.004-04:00

Dear Dad,

In reflecting on Father's Day, there is something special that I've always felt but never really put into the right words. We just "get" each other. It's that cool, calm, collected energy that we both have that just jives with each other. It's been an unspoken bond that we have, but I think it is something special. I love that aspect about my personality and it makes it even more special that I get it from you.

Thinking about other things I am thankful for that you have given me throughout my life is you undivided interest and support in my life. While I know that you probably don't always understand the kooky crazy things I do, but you are always curious about what is going on and always are in support of what makes me happy. It is that kind of persistent interest in my life that always reminds me that you love me. It's the kind of support that really helps me and keeps me going.

Thank you are not strong enough words. I'm sorry I can't be there for Father's Day but know that I love you very much and hope you have had a wonderful day. I'm so glad that you're my dad.

Love,

Sarah

NYC: Day 7-8

2010-06-19T22:20:00.010-04:00

Busy Friday and Saturday, and yes, my voice is completely gone. Got this sultry raspy quality to it now, just lovely. Plus it hurts like a mother.

Anyways, Friday (Day 7) was our last day of training for the week and we were talking all about boundaries. Boundaries are probably one of the most important things for us in Sadie Nash because it helps establish healthy relationships with the Nashers and is vital to our self-care, so I understand why we are spending so much time on it. Plus there were plenty of role plays which I absolutely love!

After training, a few of the other Deans and I headed back to Union Sq. to visit their farmers market.

There was this stand that had absolutely amazing snap peas, as big as my thumb! Delicious. After a quick trip to the farmer's market, we headed over to another 2 of the dean's apartment on the upper west side. That's right, the "upper west side." I don't know how they lucked into getting this place (thank you Sadie Nash) but it was amazing with gorgeous views of both NYC and Central Park. Our original plan was to cook but I think a mixture of laziness and no money led us to decide to go to Shake Shack. I had an absolutely delicious 'shroom burger. It was portabello mushrooms with muenster and cheddar cheese fried and then put on a hamburger bun. It was like an explosion of cheesy goodness in my mouth. Too bad I don't have a picture of it. It was freaking awesome.

The rest of the evening consisted of a lot of talking, sharing, bonding, and drinking, which is probably why my voice is not better. It was a great way to end our week. Many of us were feeling stressed, mentally and emotionally, and it was a great way to unwind and just chill like women do.

Today (Saturday, Day 8), I was hoping that my voice would feel better, but sadly no. I laid in bed for a while and finally decided to start my day. I met another Dean at PS1, a contemporary arts museum in Queens. My first trip to Queens gave me a new look at NYC (plus a very long subway ride). The museum had really interesting art, some that I got and some that was way over my head. Unfortunately no photography, but I did get a picture of the outside of the building.

Then across the street was the graffiti museum. Unfortunately, it is by appointment only, but there was tons of graffiti outside. So vibrant and alive, we even saw some people painting while we walked around the building.

Then in search of adventure, we took a little trip to Jackson Heights and visited Little India. That was definitely a new experience. It was grocery store, after sari shop, after restaurant. Probably a good place for lunch!

To end my day out, it was time for another coffee shop trial! This time I went to Clover's Coffee in Boerum Hill.

Again, space was cool, coffee just so so. Croissant was really good though, plus I needed a snack. After a pick me up, I went exploring in the area. I have hit gold! The area around Boerum Hill is shopping, restaurant, Sarah-happy central! But after about an hour, my throat was killing me so I decided to head home. Did get a cute dress though. Can definitely promise I will visit that area more.

Now back home, lazy Saturday night. Hopefully one more good night's rest will cure my throat. Fingers crossed!

NYC: Day 6

2010-06-17T21:48:00.003-04:00

I don't know what it was about today, but it was an especially tiring day so this is going to be a rather quick wrap-up. Today, Thursday, was another day of training. It was a particularly hard day for me, not emotionally or anything like that, but we were practicing making lesson plans for workshops that we will lead during the 6 week program. Making lesson plans is something that I have never done before and really made me think about the objectives I was these young women to learn from my specific topic and how I was going to try and achieve that. Its a totally new way of thinking for me that really made me take a step back and truly examine how to put what I know and what I've learned into practice and to make it fun for the Nashers.

After our extensive lesson planning session, we had a really helpful panel of other youth workers who have been involved in Sadie Nash. They gave us examples of their philosophies for doing youth work, best practice, helpful hints, and how to do self-care in this line of work. It was just chock full of good ideas and made me really think about how this summer is going to challenge me in many ways. The four women on the panel were also deeply inspiring hearing their histories of working with youth. Its so vitally important to be able to get to hear and talk to others who have worked in the field, as all of us Deans are coming in green. It was somewhat comforting and reassuring that yes, we will make mistakes, we will have issues, but you will get through them.

Told you this would be short. Only 10pm but I'm crawling into bed.

A New York Morning

2010-06-17T09:39:00.001-04:00

There us something about the mornings in NYC that are special. Everyone is up bustling around, the subways are packed and you can just feel the life in the air. It's an energy that gets inside of you and you feed off of. The cacophany of sounds you hear is like music to me. The different languages being spoken, the sirens, screeching tires, the wind blowing through the trees. And the dogs in this city! I have seen the most unusual dogs I have ever seen. Where do they find these dogs?

While there is nothing "special" happening this morning, every morning has a certain shine of possibility in it. Let's see what happens today.

Live blogging from Union Sq. park.

Location:Union Square W,New York,United States

New York: Day 4-5

2010-06-16T22:17:00.013-04:00

I don't know what happened with the formatting of my last post, but hopefully I've worked out the kinks for this one. I had so much to cover in just the first 3 days, but these last 2 have been chock full of goodies!

Tuesday (Day 4) we had training in Manhattan at the Mertz Gilmore Foundation. Got to have my first coffee from a cart too!

We learned all about what our role would be as deans and a little bit more about the structure of Sadie Nash. It was so exciting to understand more how our roles as deans fit into how Sadie Nash runs. I am really looking forward to getting to design workshop for the Nashers that we are "experts" in. I'm not sure at this point what I want to do, but just all the possibilities I can think of all sound like I could really do something with them. Most of the day was logistical stuff, but after all the work we did Monday, it was kind of a nice change to be able to have a less frantic day. Where we were having our training that day was off of the Union Square Station, so after training I had a nice relaxing early evening in the park. Finally got to talk to Mom and my bestest and update them on my time in NYC. I also had some park entertainment from a sidewalk chalk artist.

Today (Wednesday: Day 5) was an absolutely amazing day. It is so hard to put into words the magic that happened during out training today, but there was so much love in the room. After a day of "working across difference training," we bought dinner and did an exercise called "where do I come from?" We were asked to visual represent the journey we have been on to discovering either identity, boundaries, or conflict. Without giving a lot away because what happened in that room was so special and intimate between all of the deans, it was one of the realist experiences I have ever been a part of. Everyone was so open to the process and supportive. It's only been 3 days, but I feel such a sisterly bond with this group of women. I honestly am not doing it justice by describing it here, but today was really what I needed right now. It motivates, inspires, and gives me all sorts of warm feelings. I'm smiling right now as I type this.

After that emotional evening, a group of us headed down to the Brooklyn Promenade that overlooks the river and on to Manhattan. We took many many pictures (unfortunately I still don't have my actual camera) and just got really really silly. It was a great was to decompress after a somewhat intense, but amazing afternoon.

After the Promenade, we all went our separate ways, after hugs and more laughing. This experience really helps to affirm that despite all differences, people can get along, connect, and love one another. As different as all of the deans are, there is certainly much love among us.

NYC: Days 1-3

2010-06-15T20:32:00.021-04:00

Finally I have some time to chronicle the whirlwind of a time I have had the past 3 days! Even though I just got here, it feels like I've been here for a while. I've had a pretty easy time adjusting to the pace of life here. So much different than back in Cincinnati. Definitely appreciate a good night's rest every night and my cup of coffee in the morning. Since I have to cover so much, I'll try and be quick with the more boring parts.

So since my last update, all the way back in Cleveland, I landed in NYC.

Took a cab ride to my new home, Flatbush - Brooklyn, NYC!

Some pictures of the neighborhood.

I can't believe I almost forgot to mention one of the best parts of my homestead in NYC, my host family! I am living with an amazing couple and their collective of cats (Desi and Lucy) including a new baby kitten (which is called Cashew right now).

After spending a busy night and morning Saturday and Sunday unpacking, I finally got to venture out. Bought my ($89, ugh) metro card, hopped on my first Q train and went to have my first cup of coffee in NYC. Like when I was in DC last summer, I am on the hunt for my perfect cup of Java. First try: Flying Saucer Cafe on Atlantic Ave. Test sample: Cappuccino and a croissant.

Beverage was just okay, but I really liked the space. Nice and cosy. Later that night, I met up with 3 other deans in a little pre-training meet and greet at Last Exit Bar where they were screening episodes of Freaks and Geeks. I forgot how many people were in that show! Seth Rogan, James Franco, etc. It was so great to get to meet a few people pre-training to sort of break the ice.

That was just Sunday! Monday was the first day of training, although Sadie Nash was having their annual garden party that day so it was less training and more manual labor. Our big task was to transform this dull space into a beautiful garden.

The special guest of the night was famous civil rights leader Diane Nash. The highlight was seeing the 2 Nashers interviewing her and the 2 generations of women coming together to have a discussion about oppression. The air in the garden that night was so warm. It really helped the slight homesickness I had been feeling melt away. I am really starting to feel a part of a family. The task of creating that beautiful space with the rest of the deans also helped to create that community feeling that makes me feel at home. It was an inspiring night getting to talk to so many people, and even the rain stayed away!

That was a lot to cover, so I think I'll leave today's events for a wrap up tomorrow. I need my beauty rest. NYC takes it out of you!

The Pinky Show

2010-06-13T13:51:00.004-04:00

A week or so ago, I found something amazing. It was like someone took a look inside my head and created the most perfect organization in the world. What is this holy grail of non-profit goodness you might be asking? It's called "The Pinky Show." Their tag line, "A non-profit educational project by cats." It's the social activism equivalent of mint and chocolate or strawberries and whipped cream, taking two things that by themselves are amazing and putting them together and making them incredible. Using food analogies, think I might be hungry.

They describe themselves as

a original super lo-tech hand-drawn education TV show...focus on information & ideas that have been misrepresented, suppressed, ignored, or otherwise excluded from the mainstream discussion

The mission of the Pinky Show really is what I am behind, but the cats are pretty darn awesome too. They state that their mission is to

presents marginalized perspectives as a means of challenging the individuals to consider realities that lie beyond their own lived experiences. We believe that positive social change becomes real when human beings learn how to critically engage 'the Other' with openness, honesty, and compassion

Their mission reminds me a lot of what I learned about during my time in RAPP, to question the otherness in the world and truly try to understand difference in order to cross bridges. It's an approach that I find to be very effective, and the fact that there are cute, humorous, animated cats doesn't hurt.

I think so many times in social justice and social change work, people get caught up in the seriousness of it all, which I feel doesn't make for very productive social change work. Seriousness can intimidate people and makes them resistant to listening. People shut down because the mountain of social justice and change seems so hard and far to climb. The average person doesn't want to work that hard.

What the Pinky Show really scores with is it's ability to create an approachable space in order to address issues like globalism, war, health care, and other such topics, without making it so life and death. You think you are just watching a cute show with cats, but really they present hard hitting topics that leave you at the end of every episode thinking about what you just saw.

It's even a good way to get younger generations interested. I think it is such a shame that at least in my elementary school education, the idea of social change was not talking about more because that would be the time to first introduce it right? All you learn about are the mistakes people made in the past through history books, but we never talk about how to make sure they don't happen again or how to create change for the better. Haven't they ever heard of the expression "learn from your mistakes?"

The site is chock full of great stuff. I've just barley scratched the surface of their blogs, videos, art, and other project components. If I had to check out one thing on their site, I would definitely check out their video on How to Solve Illegal Immigration since it is such a hot topic right now with all the shit going down in Arizona.

Let me know if you love this as much as I do. I wish I could find out if they are looking for potential interns or even better yet employees. And by the way, my birthday is coming up (July 16), who wants to buy me this or this as a present? Sorry for the shameless plug :)

P.S. Look for an update on how time in Brooklyn is going later tonight!

Live Blogging from the Road

2010-06-12T17:37:00.001-04:00

Greetings from Cleveland! Right now I'm on my way to NYC, waiting patiently during my lay over in Cleveland. It seemed like this day was going to take forever to get to when I found out that I had gotten the internship with Sadie Nash and now that day is today. Excited, nervous and hopeful, this is an adventure that I have long dreamed would come true and now it is!

I thought I would take this opportunity to explain a little bit about the direction my writing is going to take for the next 9 weeks. Over the years that I've been blogging, I have used my blog to chronicle different stages and events in my life, as well as express my opinion, share interesting news and other things. This time will be no different. I'm planning on using my blog as a sort of diary to record my time in NYC and my experiences during my internship. Never fear, my posts will be chock full of feminist goodness and more ranting and social commentary. You can also expect a few video posts as well as last summer I found that video posts were somewhat easier to do after a long day of work.

So dear readers, expect many stories, adventures, as well as my regular feminist musing. I hope you continue to read and enjoy and I would love your feedback and comments as well!

Location:Brook Park,United States

World Cup and Violence

2010-06-11T12:48:00.002-04:00

Today marks the excitement of the kick-off of the World Cup. This international athletic competition has many people that I know all fired up. As I was clicking through my Google Reader this afternoon, I stumbled upon a headline from Salon that really caught my eye. The title was "The World Cup of domestic abuse." Say what?!

The article brought up some starling statistics from the last World Cup in 2006. Apparently, in reports from England during the World Cup there was

"a 25% average increase in domestic violence reports when England had matches; and the day England was eliminated, that number rose to 30%."

Seriously? What is it about sports that makes people go crazy? Well, the experts chock the rise up to

" the high emotion and drinking associated with the World Cup is ultimately to blame, although a direct link hasn't been established."

When did drinking and high emotions become a reason to hit women more? Efforts have been made to lessen the effects of highly excited soccer fans. A campaign has been started in England called "Don't let the World Cup leave its mark on you." While I am in support of anti-violence campaigns, this one I think might do more harm than good. First, the wording of the campaign. No one lets domestic violence happen to them. Who would want that? This campaign sends a message that is more victim blaming than deterring perpetrators from overindulging and getting violent. Secondly, the posters that are being used to promote this campaign are very graphic, depicting a woman with wounds and bruises on her back, which is something that I don't think is necessarily appropriate.

Again, I'm glad that efforts are being made and people are trying to take responsibility for not letting certain behaviors happen, but I think some more care and attention needs to be given the real catalysts behind domestic violence. It's not the World Cup, or drinking, or even high emotions. It's about control.

I know this post was kind of a downer, but I'm still super pumped!

Enjoy the Ride

2010-06-10T07:35:00.001-04:00

It is sort of surreal for me to think that in just two short days I will be headed to live and work in NYC. This is something that has been a dream of mine for a very long time. Not only have I always wanted to live in NYC, but I am gettig the opportunity to do something that I absolutly love and find so meaningful. The last week or so has been somewhat of a roller coaster and the ups and downs of these past days had gotten to me. It wasn't until a few days ago when I finally snapped out of it and decided that instead of getting worked up about the roller coaster to just enjoy the ride and have fun.

In reflecting on this, it makes me so thankful that in my life I have been blessed with another wonderful opportunity like the one I am about to embark on. Last summer's internship was something that was another wonderful opportunity and really help shape me and I am looking forward to the new adventures this summer will bring. I'm ready to get on that roller coaster, put my arms up in the air, and scream at the top of my lungs in excitement.

"I Love Google Reader" Thursday, well actually Friday

2010-06-04T12:34:00.002-04:00

It's June! Happy Pride Month! With the craziness that is my life right now, "I Love Google Reader" Thursday is "I Love Google Reader" Friday this week.

The sadness of the Gore split - Salon - Big news for this week.

Can Genetically Modified Foods Modify Your Fertility? - Ms. blog - New selling point to eat organic?

Meat is for what now? Marketing veganism the wrong way - Bitch - Tagline: "A how-to guide for dudes who want to get fit, kick ass and take names." Sounds like we are playing Duke Nukem. Bad move John Joseph, do you have to make such a low ball point that even though you don't eat meat that doesn't make you a girl?

All The Way - fbomb - Can't wait for the whole documentary to come out!

Cervical Cancer, Relationships and Divorce - RHRealityCheck - Having recently been confronted with something surround issues in this article, I found this article important to post.

GirlUp Inspires Young Americans to Be Advocates for Girls Around the World - Akimbo - In love with this!

Click: When We Knew We Were Feminists - fbomb - Adding this to my summer reading list.

And of course, a little cute cat humor.

Feeling Human

2010-06-03T09:24:00.004-04:00

It's been a sort of weird week for me, apparent from the lack of posts. Being a feminist who cares and keeps up on reproductive issues, when you have issues like that in your real life you think that you will be knowledgeable about them and not freak out. However, that is not the case for me. When I was faced with a certain issue in my own life, my irrational side came out, despite everything I knew about what was going on. I freaked out like everyone else probably does.

While no one likes to freak out, I'm kind of glad I did. Sometimes my feminist side makes me feel disconnected from other people. Freaking out reminded me that my feminism is just one part of me and that at the end of the day, I am still a young woman who is multi-dimensional and will still react just like other people. It's kind of a humanizing feeling.

I know it probably sounds weird, like being a feminist makes me a robot or something, but it's sort of like that. My feminism seeps into so many parts of my life that sometimes I feel like it is all I am. But my reaction to this certain news was reassuring that I still have normal human reactions. I'm not just Sarah the feminist, but Sarah the woman who gets concerned and freaks out sometimes.

As far as what had been going on, it is nothing life-threatening and I plan to share more on it later. I just wanted to end this by saying thank you to those who were there this past week to help me get through my freak out. I'm so blessed to have such wonderful, caring people in my life. I really appreciate all of you and feel so loved.

"I Love Google Reader" Thursday

2010-05-27T19:29:00.005-04:00

Anyone have some good blogs I can add to my Google Reader? I don't think I have enough. But here are my favorites for the week!

actual headlines from the cincinnati enquirer - get in mah belly - People who read the Cincinnati Enquirer for laughs like I do will appreciate this

The Bra Turns 100 - Feminists for Choice - Thanks for keeping the girls supported

Cat Survives Spin Cycle In Washing Machine - Jezebel - Fluffy cycle

In Memory of Dr. Tiller: Reflections on the Death of An American Hero One Year Later - RH Reality Check - It's already been a year...and the danger for other doctors is still present

Abortion ad roils Britain - Salon - This would never air in America, why so different here?

Looks like 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is done - Feministing - It's about damn time

And here is a great trailer for an upcoming documentary on virginity, "How To Lose Your Virgitity." Reminiscent of Jessica Valenti's excellent book "The Purity Myth." Can't wait to see the whole film!

Our new trailer! "How To Lose Your Virginity" from Trixie Films on Vimeo.

I'll Take the Tap

2010-05-27T11:11:00.004-04:00

It's been hot in Cincinnati, let's not lie. When the thermometer reaches 90, I would say that it's hot outside. Driving around Clifton on Wednesday, I noticed these people standing on street corners selling bottles of water out of large coolers. It looked like they had just bought those large packs of bottled water from the grocery store and were re-selling them. I didn't stop to see how much they were charging, but I can imagine that they were trying to turn a profit. Otherwise, why would they be doing it? I don't think they were giving the water away for free out of the kindness of their hearts to quench thirsty people on a hot day. Seeing this got me thinking, of course.

First off, I believe that on many bottles of water it specifically says "Not for resale." So say an bottled water company representative was driving by and saw this, would he or she call them out? Aren't they breaking some law?

Second, is this really a lucrative way to earn some money? Say you buy 24 bottles of water for $20, so less than a dollar a bottle. Then you turn around and sell that bottle of water for $2 a pop. I don't know about most people but I would not buy a something from someone selling something out of coolers on the side of the road. Even if you sell all your water, you only make $20 profit and who knows how long it would take you to sell those bottles. Doesn't make much sense to me. Seems like you could use your time in a more constructive way to make money.

Lastly, people can get water for practically nothing out of that funny look things at their homes called a tap. Water is becoming an increasing issue as far as privatization and wastefulness of water. People are becoming for environmentally conscious so if I had to choose between a pre-packaged bottle of water for sale on the side of the road and getting water out of my tap, I pick the tap. Cincinnati water is pretty good. Here is an interesting site about the wastefulness of bottled water.

I understand that we live in a capitalistic society and people are always looking for ways to make money, but this just doesn't make sense to me. If you see them on the side of the road, I guess you can make up your mind for yourself.

Practical Wendy

2010-05-26T13:25:00.002-04:00

as i was walking,

left in front of right,

i caught a glimpse of my shadow

cascading down onto the asphalt.

long, disfigured, dark grey pattern of my body,

my mind wardered to that part in peter pan,

you know the one where he tries to stick his shadow on with a bar of soap.

that's ridiculous.

but so are so many other things.

we automatically assume that the bar of soap is a stupid answer to his problem.

soap isn't sticky.

that will never work.

why even bother.

then practical wendy,

practically sews it onto peter.

it practically works.

i don't like this lesson.

it teaches that the practical solution is the one that works.

i'm of the mind

that if peter wants to reattach his shadow

with soap,

let him.

i want to be like peter,

the ability to fly would be awesome, but not that part.

i want to think outside the box,

not worrying about being practical.

practically never created anything good.

look at all the trouble wendy got in for being practical.

stupid wendy.

RAPP XXV Reflection

2010-05-24T11:42:00.000-04:00

Over the last 9 months, I have been a part of an "experiential learning program" that has really helped to shape me this past year. This amazing process that I have been a part of was RAPPXXV. RAPP stands for Racial Awareness (Pilot) Program, but it's more than just about race.

During this 9 month process, we met for 3 overnight retreats and 12 3-hour meetings. Topics ranged from race to gender to class to sexuality. While I learned a lot about the topics individual, the bigger thing that I learned about was myself and the world around me. I learned how to articulate my thoughts and feelings on how I view oppression. I learned how to have safe, productive discussions about these topics. I learned how different everyone's experiences are. I learned how maybe everyone's different experiences might not be so different. I learned to be more vulnerable. I learned it's okay the way I feel about certain things. I learned about things and people I didn't know about.

I feel as though I can see the world much differently now. Not good different or bad different, just different. And it wasn't like I was jaded or naive before. I feel like I appreciate the world more instead of bitching about it all the time. People are fascinating creatures. They can do a lot of harm to each other and the world, but at the same time, can give so much love. Dynamic, isn't it?

I've grown, we've grown together. Love ya, RAPPers.

Rainy Day Blues

2010-05-21T10:40:00.009-04:00

Do you ever notice that when it's crummy outside you just don't feel as happy and energized? Or that when it's sunny and warm you are in a good mood? I know I definitely do and with this wacky changes in the weather Cincinnati has been having this Spring, it is putting me through the ringer. One day it will be sunny, in the 80's and I'll be feeling great. The next day it will be overcast, 60 degrees and I'll feel down in the dumps. I hate it. And today it's one of those overcast, 60 degrees days, so I thought this might cheer me up.

Many studies have been done on what this weird correlation. SAD (appropriate acronym) or seasonal affective disorder is laymans terms is when someone has normal moods throughout most of the year but experience depressive symptoms during certain times of the year in accordance with the season. Some of the symptoms include decreased levels of energy, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, increased desire to be alone, and increased need for sleep. Yep, that sounds about right.

Here's a video that might explain it a little better than me.

As far as how to make things better, some people turn to light therapy. The decrease in sunlight that can occur on colder, cloudier days can lead to drops in serotonin which affects mood. Using light therapy is thought to keep serotonin levels up and increase mood. Other people with more serious SAD turn to anti-depressants.

But for me, I like Dr. Ani Kalajian's advice the best, "do things that make you feel good, like listening to uplifting music or reading a good novel. Look at pictures from a vacation—and if you can, take a vacation to a warm place." All of the tried-and-true methods of mood improvement and stress management apply as well, including getting regular exercise, moderating alcohol intake and meditating."

So to take the Dr.'s advice, who wants to help cheer me up? I'm tired of these cloudy day blues. Hugs anyone?

"I Love Google Reader" Thursday

2010-05-20T19:57:00.003-04:00

Google Reader reached 347 unread posts by 6:30 today. Ouch. But here are the best for the week!

Sm{art}: Does it matter if your vibrator is sexy? - Bitch Magazine - Never really thought about this one. Curious, very curious...

Beer For The Lipstick-Wearing Girl Who's Just One of the Guys - Jezebel - For a certain beer-brewing German I know

If you want to know the best places to eat in New York... - Feministe - Not what you think it is...will come in handy when I move to Brooklyn in 3 weeks!

You might NOT be a feminist if... - Feminists For Choice - Sarah Palin and feminism. A topic that never gets old.

Why Are Insured Women Paying for Abortions? - Sociological Images - Good question.

The Young and the Feckless: What Comes from Questioning the Value of College? - Bitch Magazine - Something I have been contemplating recently.

I wanted to end with a great quote from Rachel Maddow that she gave at Smith College's graduation.

I do feel that the core of the feminist experience is that women are expected to be full people independent of their gender, and that it really is about having the same high expectations of everybody in this kind of an environment. I think the idea that nobody gets cut any slack because of who they are is just as liberal and feminist as the idea that everybody needs special dispensation. You better be a badass no matter what you're doing.

Originally posted on feministing.

National Women's Health Week

2010-05-18T20:59:00.003-04:00

Now on a more feminist note, last week was National Women's Health Week! I missed it, due to the general lack of press for women-based holidays. So don't miss out and celebrate this week. Here are some great links and tips on how to stay healthy!

Tips from womenshealth.gov:

Get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity, or a combination of both each week.
Eat a nutritious diet.
Visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventative screenings.
Avoid risky behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seat belt.
Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.

Health Tips from the Safety Godmother - Ms. blog

Presidential Proclamation of National Women's Health Week

Combat Gender Bias on national Women's Health Week - change.org

Sleigh Bells, not the Christmas Ones

2010-05-18T20:37:00.002-04:00

New favorite band alert! I've always been a sucker for some good girl-driven rock and I have found a band that has really stolen my heart, Sleigh Bells! I stumbled upon them a month or so ago while listening to my favorite radio station on my satellite radio, Sirius XMU. The first song I heard was "Ring Ring" (now called "Rill Rill," post album drop). I instantly fell in love and wanted more. Finally I've gotten my wish! Their debut album "Treats" dropped last week and I can't get enough. Their electronic driven rock vibe concocted by producer Derek Miller mixed with some hip-hop and pop rhythms are paired perfectly with singer Alexis Krauss' chameleon like voice. I insist you check them out. My ipod is set on repeat for this entire album. I just hope that I get the chance to see them live this summer.

Here are some other people that really like them too. See, I'm not alone:

Sleigh Bells at last.fm

Stereogum "Bands to Watch" article

Coverage of their 2010 SXSW performance

Reviews of "Treats" album:

Consequence of Sound review

Jezebel Music review

Paste Magazine review

Mr. Cond

2010-05-17T10:28:00.004-04:00

I have to admit that like 95% of Americans, I love my iPhone. The only thing it can't do it make me dinner, or play Flash videos, but that's besides the point. Usually every couple of days I check out the App Store to see what new and hot free apps there are. I checked the store yesterday and found this very peculiar game app called "Mr. Cond." Mr. Cond would be short for, of course, Mr. Condom. Just seeing the name, I had to download it and see what this think was like, I mean I had nothing to loose, it's free!

In the "Mr. Cond" game, you are a little floating condom that shoots condoms to catch certain "opponents." Your "opponents" include sperm of course, pills, little yellow and blue guys with cilia that I have yet to identify (I'm guessing that they are some sort of STD), double helixes (must be DNA), and these rotating gold squares. The more things you catch, the more points you get. Seems like the more pills and gold squares you get the better, must represent further forms of "protection." And I am being serious about all this, this is the actual game!

After playing this ridiculous game, I had to check out more about it. At the designer's website, they describe the game as:

It's an exciting game! Various opponents, unique gameplay, nice graphics. You can play with accelerometer. Everybody must think of their health. Your uncare about health and safety is results in death.

Talk about scare tactics, and nice English by the way (your uncare about health and safety is results in death?). Luckily, the reviews on this game at the App Store follow my trend of disgust and dumbfoundedness. The average rating (of 30558 raters) is only 2 stars out of 5. This is what some of the raters said:

Subject: This app is pathetic
Pathetic! ... Really stupid and disgusting terrible app...

Subject: Wow lame
This game is so stupid like it makes no sense at all and you catch something it's over if you don't it's over too really stupid and pointless immature and lame people really are board in my opinion it should be taken off due to immaturity and stupidity who would pay for that?

It sometimes astounds me what people use their time and technology to invent. Maybe spend that time and energy towards something a little more useful. This game neither teaches how to use condoms properly or sends a message about have safe sex. If that was the developer's aim, they seriously missed the mark.

Set Your TiVo

2010-05-14T22:05:00.004-04:00

Got a great e-mail from my local favorite organization PPSWO (Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio) about this upcoming documentary that covers the struggle for reproductive choice. Here's is the contents of the e-mail:

OSCAR-nominated, EMMY-winning, abortion rights trilogy airing on PBS stations in Cincinnati area.

CHOICE: Then and Now, documents the struggle for choice in the USA from the back-alleys to the Supreme Court and beyond.

Cincinnati PBS stations will broadcast this trilogy of films at varying times from

May 12th through May 23rd, including several 6 PM and 10 PM Prime Time screenings.

Click on the following link to check your local broadcast schedule and channel information.

A description of the films follows, plus links to several articles that give more details.

The full series is available to view or download free online. Also, all three award-winning films can be purchased on one DVD.

Please share this information with others who might be interested in learning more about the history and current state of abortion rights, presented through first person stories.

Thank you for supporting our outreach efforts and helping us raise awareness about women's reproductive rights.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHOICE: Then and Now

OSCAR-nominated, EMMY-winning documentaries explore the history of a woman’s right to choose.

“WHEN ABORTION WAS ILLEGAL: Untold Stories” features first person accounts, revealing the physical, legal and emotional consequences during the era when abortion was a criminal act. When Abortion Was Illegal weaves together the stories of women who experienced illegal abortions, doctors who risked imprisonment and activists who broke the law in order to help women find safe care. (30 min.)

“From DANGER to DIGNITY: The Fight for Safe Abortion” combines rare archival footage with interviews of physicians, legislators, clergy and early women's rights advocates. This tapestry of voices documents the efforts of people who broke the silence, challenged the laws and laid the groundwork for legalizing abortion. (60 min.)

“The FRAGILE PROMISE of CHOICE: Abortion in the USA Today” traces the current climate of legislative restrictions, shortage of trained providers and ongoing violence aimed at doctors and clinics ~ factors which work together to reduce access to safe abortions.

Updated in 2010, this film also covers the current social and political landscape, including the 2009 murder of an abortion provider in Kansas. (60 min.)

CHOICE: Then and Now – Selected Awards
· The Emmy
· Academy Award Nomination – Best Documentary Short
· Gold Medal – Corporation for Public Broadcasting – Best Documentary Short
· Gold Hugo – Chicago International Film Festival
· Gold Apple – National Educational Film/Video Festival
· Best Documentary – Atlanta International Film Festival
· Best Television Documentary – The EMMA, National Women’s Political Caucus
· Humanitarian Award of Excellence – Sinking Creek Film Festival
· Exemplary Leadership Award – Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

Statement from the filmmaker: "My motivation for this work was personal,” states Filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman. “In 1961, there were no safe choices; contraception was not a legal option for unmarried women, and safe legal abortions were not available. I became unintentionally pregnant. As a result of these conditions, I almost died from a back-alley abortion. In recent years, I’ve observed the impact as those opposed to reproductive choice continue their campaign. In January, 2010 anti-abortion activists (35,000 is their estimate) rallied in San Francisco, CA. Every year, state laws create new restrictions, making safe legal abortions increasingly difficult to obtain. The rage continues to simmer, keeping the subject in the news. I felt it was my responsibility to bring these informative documentaries back to public television."

CHOICE: Then and Now – Online Articles
http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/Review_Choice_Then_and_Now_7953.html
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Filmmaker-Dorothy-Fadiman-by-Joan-Brunwasser-100323-695.html

For more information or to purchase these films, visit http://www.concentric.org/trilogy

So set those DVRs, TiVos, and please send me money so I can buy a DVR or TiVo.

"I Love Google Reader" Thrusday

2010-05-13T20:50:00.003-04:00

I was going through my Google Readers long list of starred items and found a few from the last week or so that I thought were worth sharing. Yes, I am addicted to my Google Reader.

The 10 Commandments of Pop Culture Feminism - Jezebel - Feminist wit at its best.

Trust Women - Feministing - This post is about a documentary in the works about two of the last late term abortion providers. The clip has excerpts from a 2009 NOW segment that was done soon after the murder of Dr. Tiller back in June 2009. I thought the excerpts that the clip has were so moving that I would also post the video from the NOW segment "Abortion Providers Under Siege."

I hate it, but I want to have sex with it. Confusing. - Feministing - Good follow up to my recent post about a New Zealand beer ad.

'Cook To Bang': The Way To A Woman's Vagina is Through Her Stomach - Jezebel - Oh geez.

The Census and the Social Construction of Race - Sociological Images - Good post, plain and simple.

Kissing Cousins - Sociological Images - An oldie, but I really thought it was funny.

Hair Trumps Oil

2010-05-13T11:35:00.003-04:00

I was getting my hair done on Tuesday and as my stylist was blow drying my hair, I noticed a cute little otter on a flyer that was attached to her mirror. Upon making "aww" sounds at the cuteness of the otter and asking her what that was for, she told me that it was making clients aware that their salon would be donating hair trimmings to Matter of Trust in order to help clean up the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Hair to clean up oil? That's right!

Matter of Trust has started an International Natural Fiber Recycling Movement in order to collect pounds of "absorbent, natural, renewable fiber." Apparently, hair is great at absorbing oil, that's why we shampoo it! Here is a great video put up by Matter of Trust to help explain their efforts and how the whole hair cleaning up oil spills work.

Here is another great video that explains the process that I couldn't embed here.

To donate your hair, find a participating salon, like mine (Tuscany Salon and Spa in Montgomery) and go get a hair cut. Or if you want to donate directly, go to Matter of Trust's donation page and they will give you directions on how to do so.

Get a hair cut, save the world, or at least an cute otter.

Hello Modern Lady

2010-05-12T10:07:00.002-04:00

For all of you who were a fan of Sarah Haskins' segment on Current TV, "Target Women," I know you were probably wondering like me, where did she go?! Well never fear, there is a new lady to take over the resident feminist's seat on Current. Here she is, Erin Gibson aka "Modern Lady!"

As for Sarah Haskins herself, her long anticipated film short is now online! It is called "DILF" and I'm pretty sure you can decipher that acronym for yourself. While I'm sad to see Haskins leave her seat at Current, I still love watching their weekly InfoMania (especially Viral Video Film School and the White Hot Top 5) and Rotten Tomatoes segments. I'm looking forward to seeing Gibson's take on advertisement and media from a feminist perspective. Glad to see a lady back on Current!

By the way, if you have never checked out Current TV, its a great news alternative to the regular line up. Journalism at its best.

Cincy Modern Women

2010-05-11T20:37:00.005-04:00

Leaving Bigg's today after getting a few groceries, I noticed the cover of this week's CityBeat magazine. Their issue's cover story for this week is "Thoroughly Modern Women's Issue." This got me thinking, "what does CityBeat think today's 'modern women' cares about?"

After picking up the issue, I noticed the subtitle, "Cincinnati's modern women on sex, family, health care, the arts, and more." Intriguing. I usually read Cincinnati journalism when I need a good laugh (i.e. the comment section of the Enquire's site), but CityBeat did a really good job of covering the gamut of what I have to agree, modern women would be interested in reading about.

The paper covered 6 main stories for their modern women's issue:

"Coaching Courage" - The Survive Institute teaches family defense for the 21st century
"Otto-matic for the People" - Chef de Cuisine Molly Thompson find her way at Otto's in Covington
"'10 Rules" - A dating and sex guide for the modern women (which I found to be spot on)
"Reform or Retreat? "- Is the new health care bill a step back for women's rights?
"She Said, She Said" - Conversations with three women in the Cincinnati arts scene

But the article that I found the most refreshing was "Ordinary Girl." This article is a look into the life of Jessica Dimon, a transgender drag queen. I was glad that the writer didn't focus on the drag queen aspect or that Dimon is transgender, the article looked at Dimon as a whole person, highlighting different parts of her life and her journey. The timing of this article is also another poignant message as to how far the trans-community has come. April 1 marked the second annual Transgender Day of Visibility, and this article definitely celebrates this landmark. While the trans-community has come far, I know that many people are still not understanding or accepting. I hope that reading Dimon's story and being able to look past one aspect of who she is and others like her will make the world a safer, more accepting place for trans people to live in.

So pick up a copy of CityBeat before this issue goes away. You have no excuse since its free!

...and on a lighter note, this made me smile today:

Buffy Take 2

2010-05-10T11:16:00.002-04:00

At our wonderful Mother's Day dinner last night at my parents' house, there was of course lots of discussion about a plethora of different topics. The night ended on my lovely boyfriend Tom saying that Buffy the Vampire Slayer was so sexist. I all the sudden just stared at him, mouth open, saying that he couldn't be serious. I told him later in the car that there would most likely be a blog post about this in the morning, so here ya go!

I give you exhibit A: a previous blog post that I did on Buffy the Vampire Slayer's show creator and writer Joss Whedon. I highlighted a speech Whedon gave at an Equality Now banquet where he was honored for his excellence in writing promoting equality among men and women.

Exhibit B: the scholarly analysis. Even scholars agree that Buffy represents a positive, strong female representation for women. Here are 3 examples:

Staking her claim: Buffy the Vampire Slayer as transgressive woman warrior - Frances Early, Journal of Popular Culture
'Bite Me': Buffy and the penetration of the gendered warrior-hero - Sara Buttsworth, Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies
What Women Want: 'Buffy,' the Pope, and the New Feminists - Cathleen Kaveny, Commonweal (I couldn't find the article, but I linked to a blog where the writer reviews the article)

Exhibit C: honestly, I think the actual show speaks for itself. Yes, she is an attractive blond girl, but attractive blond girls do exist. But Buffy girls women and girls a female representation on TV who goes through similar situations that they go through, juggling school and a social life, dealing with family, accepting responsibilities.

The vampires and villains she fights are metaphors for other things that women go though. For example, her relationship with Angel. Most people would say that this is Buffy's "fall from feminist grace," but I disagree. I would say that the majority of women can relate for falling for the wrong guy, thinking he is wonderful when all of your friends say that he is not the one for you. You are blinded by love, you get hurt, but in the end you make the right decision and break up with him. In Buffy's case, this is her having to kill Angel after she has seen him for the true demon he is, Angelous.

We are all up to our own interpretation of film and media, this is just mine. I just wanted to make my point. This is not written out of anger or directed towards that one person who brough it up. I just wanted to express my view in a more comprehensive way. I really do enjoy Buffy for its entertainment quality, pure and simple. Being able to stimulating my feminist lens is just a bonus.

An Ode to Mommy

2010-05-09T10:59:00.004-04:00

With it being Mother's Day, I thought I would take the time to write a little bit about what this day and my mother means to me. I'll try not to get all sappy, but it's hard when you are talking about half of the dynamic duo that are my wonderful parents.

While some people don't like to admit that they love there mom or that they are a lot like them, I love my mom and I think we are a lot alike, at least when she was my age. I love hearing the stories about her life during the 70's. I really see a lot of myself in her during that time. Since then, we are still a lot alike, just maybe not in as many or the same ways. We disagree about lots of things, but I like that we can have good debates while understanding where each other is coming from. And I like that I am a lot like my mom. If I am a lot like her 40 years ago, I'd be happy to be like her today.

My mom might not like to admit it, but she has influenced my development as a feminist a lot and I have to thank her for that. I don't know if she identifies as a feminist, her way of raising me has really helped me to develop my feminist lens. She let me express myself through lots of different avenues. She put up with my awkward "punk" phase, never pressured me to be more "girly," drove me back and forth from multiple music rehearsals for 8 years, and never told me how to look. She also didn't put up a filter to the world. I got to experience a lot that I don't think other kids my age were. And it makes sense, why would you want to shelter your children when in the end they are going to have to face it? I know that my mom doesn't agree with a lot of the feminist issues that I believe in, she lets me believe them, challenges me, but doesn't try to get me to change.

I'm not saying our relationship has been perfect. I know that I have definitely put her through the ringer dealing with different issues and times in my life, but in the end, I think we grew closer and as better, stronger women in the end. As much as I know my mom is proud of me, I am proud of her. Her life has had its up and downs and from what she has told me, I am very proud of how she got through it. It is really inspiring to hear these stories, it makes me a stronger and prouder woman to know where I come from, such a great woman. Having such a strong female figure as your mother really inspires you to do your best.

My mom has always told me one thing, no matter what you do, just be happy. It's a motto that I really try to live every day to. I could go on and on with this post, but I really just wanted to say thank you mom, for everything. I love you and thank you for making the beautiful, strong, feminist woman I am today.

Here are some other posts from around the feminist blogosphere that tip their hats to moms:

Mother's Day is for Feminists - Bitch Blogs

Mother's Day gift suggestions, with a feminist twist - Spare Candy

The activist roots of Mother's Day - Salon

Baristette?

2010-05-08T08:08:00.003-04:00

Last night, some friends and I went to UC's GenderBloc GenderF*ck Drag Show which is always amazing and last night was no disappointment. A drag show in general is about blurring the lines between gender. GenderBloc uses this drag show not only to entertain, but to make statements about how we look at gender. One thing that got me thinking was how we give gender to words and objects. Like for example, we have waiters (male) and waitresses (female), bachelor (male) and bachelorette (female), and so on.

So what does this all mean? By generdizing words, we create hidden meanings associated with those words. For example, with bachelor and bachelorette, the suffix we add to bachelor, -ette, has several meanings. It's etymology is from the French -ette, the feminine form of the diminutive (small) suffix -et. In English, the suffix -ette can be used to mean 3 different things:

Used to form nouns meaning a smaller form of something.
Used to form nouns meaning the female equivalent of.
Used to form nouns meaning an imitation or substitute of something.

Using each of these interpretations, there is a negative connotation behind all of them. #1 is saying something is smaller, of less importance, negative. #3 is saying something is a substitute for something else, no one wants a substitute when they can have the real thing, negative. And #2 is saying something is feminine, which carries a whole host of negativity in our culture. Whenever someone says something is "feminine" it's usually to say it's fragile, emotional, weak, or less than.

Why do we have to genderize some words and not others? Thinking about this, I was trying to think of words that we don't genderize whether we are talking about men or women. The first example that popped into my head was a barista, since it's my occupation of choice at the moment. I found some very interesting information on the history of the word. According to dictionay .com, barista "bartender in a coffee shop," as a purely English word in use by1992, but is of Italian origin. The word is of generic gender and may be applied with equal accuracy to women and men (it is said that the typical barista in Italy is a man). Score one for the English language! I don't think I'll find an answer for why we genderize some words and not others. It obviously doesn't have anything to do with etmology, given my examples. If any linguistcs out there know the answer, I'd love to know.

Tui Beer Ad: An Analysis

2010-05-06T14:30:00.004-04:00

My lovely boyfriend has a certain, let's just call it a "hobbie," although he is a little obsessed (and by a little, I mean a lot). He is a very dedicated homebrewer of some delicious beers and he is gotten me into his favorite activity. As he has been influencing and teaching me about better beer, I have been introducing him into the world of feminism. Last week, he posted this on my Facebook:

Wow, right? I did a little research into the Tui Beer company and there website says it all. First off, their slogan is "Distracting the boys from the task at hand since 1889." Can we say sexual innuendo? I'm guessing by "task at hand" they are talking about making women happy, in bed that is. So one strike for heteronomitivity. The next thing that flashes before your eyes on their site is a banner announcing the 2010 Miss Tui contest. Objectify women much? And of course all the women are over-sexualized, barely legal, and unrealistically proportioned (meaning stick thin waste and giant boobs).

But let's get back to this video. It starts off by explaining the story of how Tui started. Of course men were in charge because that's what men do, reign over all. But the "temptation was too great." So instead, Tui is brewed by women, and they make the point to say "gorgeous women." Then they start in with the clip montage in slow moving of wet, sexy women in revealing outfits brewing beer with close ups on asses, cleavage, and legs. I'll admit, these women are gorgeous and we live in a world where "sex sells," but this is over the top pushing it. Then they try to add "humor" by showing two men in drag who are stealing beer and showering with the women. The video ends with the tag line "Tui - Irresistible to men since 1889." Now, not only are they objectifying women, but now they are commodifying women.

The ad makes no comment on to whether the beer is good or not and my boyfriend has really taught me to appreciate good beer. Maybe try that as a selling point rather than unrealistic females making beer. And by the way, from my experience, beer is much more involved and is nothing like how they make it look. Good job, Tui!

A Balancing Act

2010-04-05T13:17:00.003-04:00

I know that for many young women like myself, the hardest thing in life at this juncture in the life cycle is finding balance. As a woman on the verge of graduation, tackling mountains of school work, having a job, being in a loving relationship, taking care of a home/apartment/pets, and spending time with friends, that's a lot to have on one person's plate. Not only that, but you feel pulled and pushed in so many directions: find a job, go to grad school, settle down, travel, etc...it can make a person go crazy. I know that balance is something that I am constantly working on. It will never be perfect and will always need to be adjusted.

For those of you who are finding yourself in a balancing act, here are some tips that I know I could use reminding about right now.

Remember to not just do the things you have to do. Do things that you want to do.
Know when to ask for help. Asking for help doesn't make you weak. It takes a strong person to ask for help when she/he needs it.
Take care of your body. It's your temple. You've only got one. It's hard to do anything else if your body is not well taken care of.
It's okay to take a night off. It's not going to kill you.
The worst thing that could happen mostly likely won't happen, so stop worrying that it will happen.
You are not the only one who feels like you are feeling. You are not alone.

Even just writing those out is helping me. I really needed this little reminder. Thanks self.

Vaginas!

2010-02-26T09:46:00.001-05:00

V-Day University of Cincinnati 2010 proudly presents

EVE ENSLER’S

THE

VAGINA

MONOLOGUES

Join us as we raise awareness to stop violence against women and girls!

Monday March 1 at 7pm

Engineering Research Center

(ERC) Room 427

Proceeds from the production will benefit the

Hamilton County-YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter

FREE for UC Students with ID,

donations welcome!

$10.00 for General Public

RSVP to ucwomenscenter@yahoo.com to reserve tickets.

V-Day University of Cincinnati 2010 is a part of the V-Day College Campaign, a global

movement to end violence against women and girls. The “V” stands for valentine, vagina, and victory

over violence. For more information about V-Day and its other campaigns to end violence against

women and girls worldwide, please visit www.vday.org.

All proceeds from this event benefit the Hamilton County– YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter.

V-Day University of Cincinnati is sponsored locally by the

UC Women’s Center.

For more information contact

the UC Women’s Center at 513.556.4401

What's Next?

2010-02-15T15:51:00.002-05:00

Another snowy day in Cincinnati means another opportunity to do some much needed blogging!

I was having a conversation this afternoon as I was eating lunch (btw, thanks for cooking again) about applying for grad schools and jobs. Usually this question doesn't freak me out, but today I was almost at a loss as to what to say. I really thought that I had this figured out, but now it is starting to hit me that, damn, I have to figure out what the hell I'm going to do next.

Option 1 is grad school. I love learning and being in school. But honestly, I really don't know if I want to take this option. With the interests and career aspirations that I have, is going that next step going to be beneficial? Jobs that I have been looking at are looking for more experience in the field rather than a master's degree. Going for more school would improve my writing skills more and that degree would give me that little extra edge, but is that what I really want? The frustrating part is that if I do choose this option, I need to make up my mind now and start applying.

Option 2 is finding a job. This has always kind of been my plan to do after undergrad. I wanted to get some experience and then maybe after a few years go back to grad school. I'm ready to start working and being out there interacting with people, but the hard part is actually finding a job. Surprisingly, the last time I looked, jobs were fairly plentiful. I don't really know what the competition looks like, but I feel that I have a strong background and track record. Another issue with this is where I would be looking for jobs. I don't really want to stay here and my ideal would be on the east coast, but moving and an increase in living expense present a whole other set of problems.

Thinking about this is really giving me a headache and bumming me out. Does everyone feel like this when they get to this point? Maybe I should take this snowy day to start figuring this out.

V-Day

2010-02-10T23:09:00.002-05:00

Since the majority of the eastern half of the United States has been inundated with a snow storm during the last few days, I actually have found time to blog in between the million of other things I have on my plate right now.

As everyone knows, February is upon us which means Valentine's Day is coming soon (which by the way I have a very wonderful person to spend it with this year) While I could talk on and on about how the capitalist industry has cornered the market on this hallmark holiday, I would much rather talk about a subject that is often misunderstood by critics of feminists: feminists and love.

I think that for the majority of people who have the stereotypical idea of what a feminist is believe that feminists do not believe in love. They think that we are cold, unfeeling man haters and would never buy into the idea of love. While I can't speak for all feminists, I know that this and many of my feminist friends would completely disagree with this. For myself, I am somewhat of a hopeless romantic. Love is amazing. It drives you crazy, makes you feel incredibly happy, and is something that is so special between people. Love is a wonderful emotion that you can share with another person that bring so many things into your life.

Sometimes I doubt the magic and power of love when I see people hurt each other, but at the end of the day, love still prevails. I know it sounds cliche and corny, but love gives people something to believe in. Since I'm not a religious person, love is something that I truly believe in and gives me hope about life. And I'm not just talking about romantic love, there are many forms of love that people can share. I think that many times people get stuck focusing only on romantic love and don't open their eyes to the other ways to have love. There is family love, friendly love, love for a cause, love of music, the list goes on and on.

If I lived in a world without love, I don't think there would be much life to live for. Love is what keeps our hearts beating. I am very grateful to have so much love in my life and I want to open myself up to receiving and giving more. February sure does make me sappy.

A Woman's Place

2009-12-18T14:22:00.002-05:00

With the holiday's upon us, many people will be busily cooking and baking yummy and delicious treats for their friends and family. Question, who is probably doing most of this? Right, women.

I have to say for myself, yes, I do buy into this trend and spend a good 2-3 days baking cookies every Christmas with my mother to give to our friends as holiday gifts. For my mom and I, we don't feel obligated to because we are women and feel like we have the duty to. These couple of days that we spend busily baking gives us some much needed bonding and quality time together as we don't get much of it throughout the year with me having left the nest. While sometimes, the 10pm final batch may make us irritated and groggy because we have been covered in head to toe in flour since noon, but at the end of the day, it doesn't matter. We have a great time and the cookies are always delicious, of course.

However, while we might not think that we do it because we are women, there is the underlying theme of a woman's place being in the kitchen. The Onion presents a satirical look at this in their article Woman Domesticated. While I would hope that women are seen as more than just wily creatures that had to be tamed by men, it does go along with the patriarchal system that the whole foundation of humanity is based on and continue to evolves along the lines with.

The article suggests that men had to "domesticate" women because of their wild and untamed ways, but I think that is just what women want men to believe. By submitting to men and being able to enter their homes and become an integral part of the home and family, are wily ways have not been tamed. Our "domestication" is merely a ruse. We now have access to man's most personal parts of his life: finances, food, clothes, shelter, offspring. I think it is quite an ingenious plan.

Season of Giving

2009-12-16T22:46:00.003-05:00

The holiday season seems make everyone get out their charity cape and run to the aid of every food bank and needy family there is. I used to give these people a lot of flack, because I felt that they were just doing it because it's the "holiday season" and "it's what Jesus would do." And while this might be the reason for the influx in the number of volunteer during this time of the year, I have had somewhat of a change of heart.

Seeing the desperate need that so many organization need for volunteers the rest of the year, the fact that these organizations' greatest needs are around this time of the year anyways, I figure its a win-win for all. Many times when parents get this "charity" itch, they bring along their children. Not only are these parents performing a good deed for the needy masses, but they are also exposing their children to volunteering and charity work, the earlier the better.

Another plus is that this can bring out people who wouldn't normally volunteer and shows them that volunteering is fun and really worth it. Getting new people into volunteering will hopefully make them repeat volunteers, not only during the holidays but also during the rest on the year.

So to all you might-be volunteers, I say go out there at volunteer! I don't care if you are doing it for Jesus, yourself, any other deity, or hopefully, for the great good. The fact that you are getting out there and donating your time to people and causes that really need it is the important factor here. It takes so little effort to affect so many lives.

Happy Holidays!

Education is for Squares

2009-12-15T22:31:00.006-05:00

FYI, this post is more about life than feminism. But life is something everyone can relate too, so hope you get something out of it.

As you can tell, I haven't written anything on here in a while. A mixture of school and life have kind of gotten in the way of it. But, now it is break and the quarter from hell is over. Coming back from D.C., I was so fired up to get back to school. However, come to terms of reality, this was something that was quickly extinguished. I don't know if it was me or not, but stepping into the classroom was less than exciting. I didn't feel motivated to learn by my professors and discussions were rather lackluster. As it got further and further into the quarter, I found myself trying less and less. I love school, what's up with that?

I found my attentions drifting farther away from school work and I found myself focusing more on life. Being active in my community and having people around me who care is what I was more interested. Even though I took fewer classes than usual and found myself being less dedicated to school work, I feel like I learned so much more by focusing on what was happening, rather than reading if from a book or being told what to focus on.

I have always been one to say that I could go to school forever, be a professional student. Now I don't think so much. I feel so suffocated sitting in a classroom, being fed what I am supposed to know, being censored about what I can and cannot say, and not being able to make mistakes without being penalized. Life is about learning from mistakes and learning from them and using your voice to state what you believe. The classroom is just not the arena for me.

So what now? Almost done with undergrad, but then what's next? I miss talking to being outside academia. There is so much to experience out there that focusing on organized education "institutional-style" can draw away from actually experiencing life. Maybe I'm just bitter that my classes generally sucked this quarter. I just feel like my head is about to explode. Any help here?

Are you Serious Science?

2009-10-07T20:30:00.005-04:00

Here's a good new tag-line for oral contraception: "it makes you want to have babies." Have a good time selling that. I'm sure every parent is now going to want their daughter to go on BC now. In my opinion, I find this to be very far-fetched. How can you measure something like that? That's like blaming nicotine patches on getting you addicted to smoking.

The Pill makes women pick ‘dad’ over the ‘cad’

Oral contraceptives may also dampen your sex appeal, study suggests

	The pill might have a far-reaching impact on what women want. View related photos
Barr Laboratories / Getty Images file

By Linda Carroll

msnbc.com contributor

updated 12:44 p.m. ET, Wed., Oct . 7, 2009

The birth control pill may have done more than just help liberate women, it may also have changed “the laws of attraction” between the sexes, according to a new study.

Suspecting that the Pill, which contains synthetic versions of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, might have a far-reaching impact on what modern women want, two British anthropologists went hunting for information on how big an effect a little tweak to our hormones might make. Their findings were published Wednesday in Trends in Ecology and Evolution.

Women who have their hormone levels smoothed out by the Pill tend to seek men who look like good long-term prospects, says the new report’s lead author, Alexandra Alvergne, an evolutionary anthropologist at the University of Sheffield. On the contrary, a woman on a normal menstrual cycle will have a burst of hormones around the time of ovulation that will drive her to lust after the hottest, sexiest guy in the room.

Read the rest of the story here...

Cincinnati is for Fall

2009-09-23T00:05:00.004-04:00

Maybe Cincinnati isn't so bad after all, at lease acording to MSN Travel.

The 14 Best Destinations for Fall 2009
Cincinnati: How many places can you see fall foliage by boat? Not many, but in Cincinnati — where airfares are down a whopping 40 percent from a year ago — the city’s beloved BB Riverboat fleet has special fall color cruises on the Ohio River all season. If Halloween’s more your thing, the riverboats also offer a waterborne twist on the traditional haunted house through the end of October.