THANKSGIVING
This Thanksgiving I am very happy.
My life is just good.
In the fall I was so worried about whether or not I would be happy at school, or if I would get the blues.
And guess who's happy?
I really suprised actually.
Getting involved in theater has really helped me to be excited about things again, not just involving theater.
I am so thankful for being happy, and that all my family drama from the summer has simmered down.
I am so thankful to be surrounded by loving and interesting people.
I am so thankful to have amazing family, pets, and friends.
I am so thankful to be moving soon.
I am so thankful for my grandparents who have let me stay with them.
I am so thankful that I can attend school.
I am so thankful that I have food.
I am so thankful to live in the United States.
I am so thankful for thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
The Beginning of School/Fall
Dear World,
The beginning of school/fall area of my life is, by FAR, my least favorite time of the year.
Most kids pretend that they hate getting back to school, but in all honestly love to return because of friends/boys/ etc despite their dislike for school work. I don't share their feelings. In fact, I feel almost the exact opposite way.
School work is easy, I love to learn and just do what I do best. I like getting new teachers. I like learning new subjects. I like it all, except the social aspect, which in truth is the most important part of school.
Some people (more specifically adults) pretend like all that matters in school is that you get good grades, but it's not. When you think about high school you remember the people, the experiences, and how you felt about it all; not the lesson on imagery.
When I think about the impending year, I can't breathe. I literally feel like a weight is sitting on my chest. Who am I going to hang out with? I can't stand so many of the people I go to school with.What the hell am I going to do? The person I spent the most time with last year probably won't want to this year. It just floats around my mind and then I just want to stay in my house forever and never leave. If my sophomore year is as awful as my freshman year I think I WILL have to stay under my sheets forever.
But then again, I'm in a negative mindset today. Maybe tomorrow I'll wake up and be glad to have another year surrounded by strangers who think I'm weird.
Sincerely,
Another good ol' fashioned dramatic teen who hates high school
The beginning of school/fall area of my life is, by FAR, my least favorite time of the year.
Most kids pretend that they hate getting back to school, but in all honestly love to return because of friends/boys/ etc despite their dislike for school work. I don't share their feelings. In fact, I feel almost the exact opposite way.
School work is easy, I love to learn and just do what I do best. I like getting new teachers. I like learning new subjects. I like it all, except the social aspect, which in truth is the most important part of school.
Some people (more specifically adults) pretend like all that matters in school is that you get good grades, but it's not. When you think about high school you remember the people, the experiences, and how you felt about it all; not the lesson on imagery.
When I think about the impending year, I can't breathe. I literally feel like a weight is sitting on my chest. Who am I going to hang out with? I can't stand so many of the people I go to school with.What the hell am I going to do? The person I spent the most time with last year probably won't want to this year. It just floats around my mind and then I just want to stay in my house forever and never leave. If my sophomore year is as awful as my freshman year I think I WILL have to stay under my sheets forever.
But then again, I'm in a negative mindset today. Maybe tomorrow I'll wake up and be glad to have another year surrounded by strangers who think I'm weird.
Sincerely,
Another good ol' fashioned dramatic teen who hates high school
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Why are you a Vegetarian?
My Why a Vegetarian? Story
When I first became a vegetarian, I almost felt ashamed to say it. It was surprisingly hard for me to "come-out" as one. I didn't like the strange faces, and arguments from my family that I would die because of an iron-deficiency and all my hair would fall out. Everyone seemed skeptical of my decision, causing me to feel unsure of what I was doing (though I do not feel this way anymore), so I decided to write this to explain why I feel so strongly about it.
In late February/early March I decided to make a switch to Vegetarianism. I had always considered, attempting to try vegetarianism, being an animal lover and all, but after a failed try I figured it wasn't for me. I thought that because most of the meat I ate was from the farmers market, and was humanely treated in my eyes, that I was doing my part.
It all began when I read Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. After I finished the book I felt kind of in a daze. I began to question so many things that I had never even considered.
I thought that because I was eating "humanely treated meat" most of the time, that I was doing the right thing, but at times I ate at Wendy's. Eating "humanely treated meat" cannot be practiced all the time, the thought is idealistic. A person who says they only eat humane meat will still occasionally eat from a fast food joint every once in a while.
I also began to look at the idea of "humanely treated meat". What is humane? Animals that roam a farm or a big plot of land is what comes to mind. But the truth is, these animals will still die because I want to eat them. This isn't a win-win situation. This is a situation where an animal will live for an amount of time then killed for my pleasure.
Why would it be wrong for me to eat my cat but not a pig? Is my life more important and special than any other creature on Earth? Why do humans feel like we are the better species and therefore have the right to kill animals and treat them however we feel?
I acknowledge that animals do not comprehend things like we do and are not as complex beings; but that doesn't mean that they don't have emotions or feel pain. Daily I see humans emotions in my animals. My cat shows jealousy when I am giving attention to another cat. My dog displays excitement when it is time for a walk. And most importantly, my animals give me love, which I see every time my cats and dogs cuddle close to me.
Yesterday, I attempted to watch the documentary Earthlings which promotes veganism and shows videos of animals in factory farms, circuses, on the streets, and many other animals. The key word is ATTEMPTED. Twenty minutes into the show I had to turn it off because it was so disturbing and violent. I sobbed and sobbed for half an hour after I turned it off. We try to distance our self from the reality of what is happening on factory farms, in the fur industry, on the streets where stray animals live, at the circuses, in the dairy and egg industries, in the leather industry, but the truth is is that it's real. 97-99% of animals eaten in America are from factory farms.
Chickens are debeaked, crowded into cages or tightly compacted next to each other. Many are injected with hormones in order for them to grow quicker, and spend their whole life in a cage. Male chickens are sometimes destroyed because their is no use for them.
Cows are branded, have their horns removed, are tightly compacted, injected with hormones, artificially inseminated painfully, and are kept constantly pregnant so they can produce milk.
Unspeakable horrors happen to other animals who spend their days on a factory farm.
These animals never have the chance to live.
As I have become a vegetarian, I have become more aware of the importance of the earth and how our decisions can effect it. Farmed animals, are thought to be responsible for up to a quarter of "man-made" methane emissions worldwide. Many acres of land in the rain forest are cleared away each year in order to have more room for farms. People who switch to Veganism have a better effect on the environment then a person who changes from a conventional to a hybrid car.
Becoming a vegetarian wasn't only for the animals or the environment, it's for me too. It makes me feel more at peace with myself and causes me to be a stronger person because I am standing up for something I truly believe in. This decision has caused me to look at things more analytically and think deeper about why I do what I do. I have been trying, slowly, to adapt more vegan food habits, so that hopefully one day I can be a healthy vegan. My heart aches for the pain and suffering of millions of animals, who in my eyes have lives just as valuable as mine.
When I first became a vegetarian, I almost felt ashamed to say it. It was surprisingly hard for me to "come-out" as one. I didn't like the strange faces, and arguments from my family that I would die because of an iron-deficiency and all my hair would fall out. Everyone seemed skeptical of my decision, causing me to feel unsure of what I was doing (though I do not feel this way anymore), so I decided to write this to explain why I feel so strongly about it.
In late February/early March I decided to make a switch to Vegetarianism. I had always considered, attempting to try vegetarianism, being an animal lover and all, but after a failed try I figured it wasn't for me. I thought that because most of the meat I ate was from the farmers market, and was humanely treated in my eyes, that I was doing my part.
It all began when I read Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. After I finished the book I felt kind of in a daze. I began to question so many things that I had never even considered.
I thought that because I was eating "humanely treated meat" most of the time, that I was doing the right thing, but at times I ate at Wendy's. Eating "humanely treated meat" cannot be practiced all the time, the thought is idealistic. A person who says they only eat humane meat will still occasionally eat from a fast food joint every once in a while.
I also began to look at the idea of "humanely treated meat". What is humane? Animals that roam a farm or a big plot of land is what comes to mind. But the truth is, these animals will still die because I want to eat them. This isn't a win-win situation. This is a situation where an animal will live for an amount of time then killed for my pleasure.
Why would it be wrong for me to eat my cat but not a pig? Is my life more important and special than any other creature on Earth? Why do humans feel like we are the better species and therefore have the right to kill animals and treat them however we feel?
I acknowledge that animals do not comprehend things like we do and are not as complex beings; but that doesn't mean that they don't have emotions or feel pain. Daily I see humans emotions in my animals. My cat shows jealousy when I am giving attention to another cat. My dog displays excitement when it is time for a walk. And most importantly, my animals give me love, which I see every time my cats and dogs cuddle close to me.
Yesterday, I attempted to watch the documentary Earthlings which promotes veganism and shows videos of animals in factory farms, circuses, on the streets, and many other animals. The key word is ATTEMPTED. Twenty minutes into the show I had to turn it off because it was so disturbing and violent. I sobbed and sobbed for half an hour after I turned it off. We try to distance our self from the reality of what is happening on factory farms, in the fur industry, on the streets where stray animals live, at the circuses, in the dairy and egg industries, in the leather industry, but the truth is is that it's real. 97-99% of animals eaten in America are from factory farms.
Chickens are debeaked, crowded into cages or tightly compacted next to each other. Many are injected with hormones in order for them to grow quicker, and spend their whole life in a cage. Male chickens are sometimes destroyed because their is no use for them.
Cows are branded, have their horns removed, are tightly compacted, injected with hormones, artificially inseminated painfully, and are kept constantly pregnant so they can produce milk.
Unspeakable horrors happen to other animals who spend their days on a factory farm.
These animals never have the chance to live.
As I have become a vegetarian, I have become more aware of the importance of the earth and how our decisions can effect it. Farmed animals, are thought to be responsible for up to a quarter of "man-made" methane emissions worldwide. Many acres of land in the rain forest are cleared away each year in order to have more room for farms. People who switch to Veganism have a better effect on the environment then a person who changes from a conventional to a hybrid car.
Becoming a vegetarian wasn't only for the animals or the environment, it's for me too. It makes me feel more at peace with myself and causes me to be a stronger person because I am standing up for something I truly believe in. This decision has caused me to look at things more analytically and think deeper about why I do what I do. I have been trying, slowly, to adapt more vegan food habits, so that hopefully one day I can be a healthy vegan. My heart aches for the pain and suffering of millions of animals, who in my eyes have lives just as valuable as mine.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
My Brain Gunk
My new blog/journal/my thoughts spewed everywhere beginning with a random list.
The Things/People I Love List (Not in any Particular Order)
1. My family: Most teenagers complain and complain about their parents and blah blah, but I'll be the first to be honest. My family ROCKS. My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all live in Austin. I can see them wheneva! I love having a close family.
2. LOTR, Harry Potter, Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Anastasia, Shawshank Redemption, Twelve Monkeys, Any Pixar Movie: Basically the best movies ever.
3. The Once soundtrack, Corinne Bailey Rae, Iron & Wine, Regina Spektor, Dido, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Weezer, Nirvana: A rule that seems to apply to all my music picks is that they are either slow, really old and jazzy, or I've heard it so much that I have to like it.
4. My best friend Lili and my other AMAZING best friends: We've had our rough moments, like the time she bit me when we were 3, but being the giver I am, I forgave her. We laugh, we cry, then we laugh again. Appearance wise we are opposites and are personalities differ, but we get along perfectly, yin and yang? Oh, and by the way, the Mazacs rock, especially Emily Mazac.
5. Singing LALALLALLALA: If you're around me often you have already picked up on this.
6. Reading: I read like crazy. Give me a 700 page book? BOOM, done in a day. Not only does this show I have too much free time on my hands, it also shows my nerdiness if you haven't already picked up on it. I have an immense love for autobiographies, which is kind of random, but you can deal with it.
7. Gay People: Some of my favorite people are gay. When someone is anti-gay I think, "you obviously don't know enough gay people."
8. My youth group: Being the daughter of a minister I'm pegged as either Lindsey Lohan or the Jesus groupee, which I am neither. I'm not a super religious person but I love the people in my youth group. I've known them since before the dinosaurs (yes, there were dinosaurs). They're the brothers and sisters that happen to have different parents than me.
9. The 50's fashion: I mean seriously people, big skirts, red lipstick, what isn't there to like?
10. My Cat, Batty: I'll just put this out there, I LOVE LOVE LOVE cats...except Magnificat. Future crazy cat lady right hurr. There is nothing like being able to have a fuzzy companion to snuggle next to every night. Cats don't need constant attention like dogs do, and cats kill roaches! Well, when they aren't severely obese which sadly my cat is. My cat is ppurrrrrrfect.
Anyways, thanks for letting me put random thoughts onto a page!
The Things/People I Love List (Not in any Particular Order)
1. My family: Most teenagers complain and complain about their parents and blah blah, but I'll be the first to be honest. My family ROCKS. My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all live in Austin. I can see them wheneva! I love having a close family.
2. LOTR, Harry Potter, Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Anastasia, Shawshank Redemption, Twelve Monkeys, Any Pixar Movie: Basically the best movies ever.
3. The Once soundtrack, Corinne Bailey Rae, Iron & Wine, Regina Spektor, Dido, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Weezer, Nirvana: A rule that seems to apply to all my music picks is that they are either slow, really old and jazzy, or I've heard it so much that I have to like it.
4. My best friend Lili and my other AMAZING best friends: We've had our rough moments, like the time she bit me when we were 3, but being the giver I am, I forgave her. We laugh, we cry, then we laugh again. Appearance wise we are opposites and are personalities differ, but we get along perfectly, yin and yang? Oh, and by the way, the Mazacs rock, especially Emily Mazac.
We aren't goofy at all.
5. Singing LALALLALLALA: If you're around me often you have already picked up on this.
6. Reading: I read like crazy. Give me a 700 page book? BOOM, done in a day. Not only does this show I have too much free time on my hands, it also shows my nerdiness if you haven't already picked up on it. I have an immense love for autobiographies, which is kind of random, but you can deal with it.
7. Gay People: Some of my favorite people are gay. When someone is anti-gay I think, "you obviously don't know enough gay people."
8. My youth group: Being the daughter of a minister I'm pegged as either Lindsey Lohan or the Jesus groupee, which I am neither. I'm not a super religious person but I love the people in my youth group. I've known them since before the dinosaurs (yes, there were dinosaurs). They're the brothers and sisters that happen to have different parents than me.
9. The 50's fashion: I mean seriously people, big skirts, red lipstick, what isn't there to like?
(50's fashion + Frank Sinatra = Happy me!)
10. My Cat, Batty: I'll just put this out there, I LOVE LOVE LOVE cats...except Magnificat. Future crazy cat lady right hurr. There is nothing like being able to have a fuzzy companion to snuggle next to every night. Cats don't need constant attention like dogs do, and cats kill roaches! Well, when they aren't severely obese which sadly my cat is. My cat is ppurrrrrrfect.
Anyways, thanks for letting me put random thoughts onto a page!
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