Think the thoughts, feel the feels...write it down

I'm a  vegetarian  and I really like being one.  I'm considering becoming a different type of vegetarian and have been thinking about it for the past couple weeks.  It wouldn't be a huge change for me but it would be a change and would restrict my eating even more.  A couple days ago I was talking to a friend about my considering this change and she said "Oh, you're considering becoming a legit vegetarian."  There are many people who are in this camp with her, who believe that vegetarians who eat fish (pescetarians) aren't legitimate vegetarians.  This comment insulted me because 1) I'm in the camp who believes vegetarians who eat fish are every bit as vegetarians as vegans (people who eat no animal products like honey/milk/eggs) and 2) people who aren't vegetarian have a lot of misconceptions about vegetarianism, even when close with vegetarians, that often cause them to inadvertently insult vegetarians.  Anyway, I'm consider...

There are some things in life I cheer for, silently.  I may give a solid, mental "YESSSS!" or give a mental high five, but when I really like seeing something, I affirm it even when alone, even silently. 1)  Interracial Couples.   I grew up with race being a big deal and point of contention between my parents and me.  I didn't see what the big deal having majority White or Indian or Latina friends was, but my parents showed concern.  When I was finally allowed to date in high school, I was told I could only date black guys.  That didn't jive well with me, because I didn't want to limit myself on who I was to love based on something so surface as physical features.  So when I see interracial couples I see progress.  I see love and understanding and respect; I do not see traitors or sell outs.  I will likely never understand my parents' thinking because interracial friendships and marriages are literally how we exist today.  My da...

I woke up on my Teacher Soapbox this morning.  I was in bed reading an article  a fellow educator, and a former teacher of mine, posted on Facebook.  As I read this article, I felt understood.  I felt like I wasn't alone.  Then I had the audacity to watch a movie about children/school/teacher that makes me bawl the entire time.  So all that got me thinking about my favorite, inspirational, teacher movies.  Here they are. 1) Mr. Hollands Opus.   I can't tell you how many times I've seen this movie.  It is the quintessential music class movie.  Holland goes from teaching music simply to pay the bills/support his family to becoming invested in his students lives.  He and his wife have a son who is deaf and their struggle to love and understand each other are is another storyline.  Love this movie.  Also, they've made it into a wonderful  foundation . 2) Freedom Writers.   This is the movie I watc...

Since today is Valentine's Day, also known as February 14th, I decided to write a love themed blog post.  Love is on my mind a lot; not really the romantic, eros, kind of love, more of the humanity, agape kind of love. I just feel like there's not enough love in this world.  I've always felt this way.  When I was in kindergarten, we had a school wide project/contest in which we answered a question.  The question was something like: what would you do to help the world with all it's problems?  Pretty heavy question for elementary students, but I ended up winning the contest with my answer.  I said I would sing the world a song that'd end all hunger, pain, and hate so everyone could live a life full of love and void of need.  I know we are naturally selfish creatures and I know that we, at least, in the US often adopt this mentality of 'I have to do whatever I can to get ahead in life, because I  have to look out for myself', but I don't agree with...

First, watch this. Here's my response to the above video: Dear Men,           I get it, I get it, you find us (women) to be intoxicatingly delightful.  And, honestly, I can see why: what with our intellect, strength, integrity, charm, wit, compassion, passion, mystery, and love...oh yea, and our squishy lady-parts.  But, even with all that interior excellence wrapped up in external excellence, we are not  the masters or owners of your (mens') brain.  And I get that y'all are 'wired' to be more visually minded; and I get that y'all have/keep a mental Rolodex of women/collection of lady body parts you find to be attractive; and I get that it's a constant struggle to keep your minds from going "there".  I get it (to the extent my little-lady brain can), I read the book .  But I'm not buying it. I've grown up with modesty; I was never taught it, but it was always enforced.  Enforced from fami...

I'm feeling pretty great about this week.  It hasn't been perfect, but I'm still in high spirits.  So here's a list of things I like (extra) this week. 1) Mexican Food.   For the record, this will never not be on the list.  Yesterday I went to eat lunch with someone and we went to a Mexican restaurant in Salisbury.  It was delicious and so were it's leftovers.  So freaking delicious. 2) Nelson Mandela.   I'm reading his autobiography, and am growing in respect and amazement of this man.  He talks about his transformation from walking barefoot and wearing traditional tribal wear as a child to living and working in Johannesburg, the big city.  Reading of his transformation of identity, is very inspiring.  I read the book every time I go to the gym and babysit (after the children go to bed). 3) The Gym.   I've been to the gym a couple times this week.  As I've said before, I enjoy working out, but this week I've been b...