#YesAllWomen

Now I normally don't jump on twitter bandwagons but this one is different. This one is raising a HUGE issue that many women face every single day. There have been other ways of trying to get this across to the general public (mainly the male populace), but it hasn't yet completely worked- I personally loved the french video that switched gender roles to show exactly what happens in day to day life, see that gem here (Oppressed Majority). heads up you do need to be over 18 to view that one. But the fact remains that women are still paid less than men, women are still expected to 'be there' for men, that dress codes are pointed out to women, that we are taught to expect crude comments and get told to 'take them as compliments', that if we do complain we are hysterical, that saying this makes me a feminist and 'why don't I just go and sleep with women if men offend me so much.' (yes, that is a quote). The fact remains that women are taught how to not get raped, yet boys and men are not taught to not rape. The fact remains that I have to be careful about how I dress and where (some of this is valid- I'm not gonna rock up to a job interview in sweats, but it also doesn't mean I should have to show the little cleavage I have to simply get the job.) And I have to be careful about what exactly I say when I'm out having fun. A guy grabs my ass and says I should feel good about myself? Yeah, think again. You grab my ass and I want to deck you (but I can't do that cause it's not lady like). Every woman I know has stories of being objectified daily. Yes daily. And for the men out there who don't believe me, who sit there reading this (if they've even gotten this far anyway, thank you to those who have) and say that I'm whining, take note of how often you personally say 'I wish I could do this or that (insert your own crude message in there) to that babe', 'I'm not gonna be happy if I don't get some tonight, I'm gonna make sure I get some tonight'... or others of the sort. Now imagine you being on the receiving end of that. We live in a culture where a guy not getting what he wants is more important than a women having control over her body. We live in a culture where if someone gets raped, they have to question if it had happened cause 'was I asking for it?' 'is it okay to say no at any time?' 'can I change my mind?' 'it was only sort of rape'. THIS NEEDS TO STOP. Lets get one thing straight guys if a girl says no- at any point- it means no. it means stop. it means fuck off (excuse the language).
This gets to me cause I have been in those situations. I have said no and a guy has kept going, I have been scared for my life walking down a street at night, I have been in a relationship where a guy can ask for anything he wants but as soon as I voice one opinion about what I want, I'm being clingy and needy and 'a girl'. I'm not saying this to get sympathy, I'm saying it to show that, guess what, it happens everyday to every woman.
so yes, this discussion needs to be had. have that discussion with your children, sons, brothers, dads, mums, parents, sisters, nieces, nephews, cause its not on and I'm no longer gonna sit back and let it happen. #yesallwomen are strong

It's not cute.

I saw a Facebook post before showing a video in which a spider was supposedly being cute. Let me get one thing straight. Spiders are not cute. They are not cute. Or lovely. Or gorgeous. Or wonderfully incredible. They are horrid and scary and gross and shudder inducing. And horrid. They all need to die (and while yes I get that is that actually happened then the world would collapse as we know it. However, they can just stay the hell away from me. Cause they are not cute. They're horrid. 

Let it Go (no, really, let it go)

I have a bone to pick. Actually I have a bone to pick with wellbehavedmormanwoman (who we find out isn't so well behaved after all- remember how Jesus said to love everyone and not slander nor discriminate, and yes I believe that is in The Book of Morman- the actual book not the musical...). So I read a blog post she wrote on the movie Frozen in which she claimed the whole film was a pro-gay movie and while it was naively enjoyable any self respecting person who actually truly cared about their children will not go and see it, let alone endorse anything from it. (Read her full post here) Okay, I understand the whole wanting kids to be kids debate and the over-sexualisation of our society (that's a post for a different time). I'm all with you on that- not that she actually says anything about it in this post. But to accuse a children's movie of corrupting kids due to a possible understanding of the actual story... I think you've gone a bit too far. Does this mean you won't show your children Cinderella because of the possible relationships between the mice? Who knows what was happening there!? Or what about The Princess and the Frog? The fact the the crocodile in that was not only living in the birth place of Mardi Gras but played Jazz- the devils music of the 40's and 50's- must make you want to gag! Or lets look at Snow White... Guess where I'm going with that one. My point is if you want to find something- you will find it. And fine, if you don't want your children or grandchildren watching the movie/s that is entirely your prerogative. However, let me let you in on a few things.

The 'Gay Agenda'.
Everyone is equal and deserves to be equal- whether you like it or not. Just because you put yourself on a pedestal above others does not mean others want to be up there with you, nor does it mean you're entitled to be up there. You are no better or worse than those around you- gay or not. Also notice how if things were turned around how upset you would be- if anyone who doesn't 'believe' in gay marriage and relationships (I put that in quotation marks due to the absurdity that the union and love between two people should have to be believed by anyone else. It also pains me to write gay marriage simply because I don't see it as gay marriage or relationships- I see it as marriage and relationships.) were told they couldn't marry or be with the person they love due to someone else's opinion of who they are, there would be so much controversy! oh wait... *Insert extremely sarcastic look here*.

Bible View... (she pulls it out several times being of the LDS (Mormon) faith.
I know what it says in Leviticus 18:22 (yes I actually know what I'm talking about) but check out John 13:34-35 for me. For those who don't own or can't be bothered picking up their bible, this is what it says (and its all in red meaning Jesus is the one saying it) "A new commandment I give you, Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another." I'm pretty sure that's saying since Jesus loved you no matter what 'sin' you committed, you are love everyone in the same matter. And if you look all through out the bible, there are so many references to Jesus actually going up to the people who were ostracised, outcast, rejected and shunned by humanity and loving them the way they were meant to be loved. Helping them they way they needed and deserved to be helped. Accepting them the way they deserved to be accepted. Did he agree with everything they were doing? No. But did he protest and regulate them? Did he discriminate and slander them? Again, a resounding No.

Okay, back to Frozen.
Movies and art are created to evoke a response. So congratulations, you did exactly what the filmmakers wanted in the first place. Not the response they were hoping for, but a response nonetheless (and yes, I am well aware I am doing the same thing, now let me finish). I'm pretty sure you will find the themes and messages behind Frozen are far more kosher than what you want to believe. Instead of portraying messages of homosexual propaganda I'm 150% sure the writers were trying to create a new Disney world in which true love was not between someone you just met and had to leave your family for, but rather that family is the most important thing in anyone's life.
Elsa questions and declines Anna's decision to marry someone she just met because she cares for her and knows a little more about the world than her innocent sister. I believe this shows people who love you will do  things for your own good even when you believe they are not- parents and grown kids, does this sound familiar? (and we all know Hans was the major douche of the entire movie. Proving that people aren't always what you expect them to be. I read a great perspective on this from Idena Menzel who actually voices Elsa, She said she loved what the movie did with Hans. She was trying to teach her son that some people aren't who they say they are, but it was quite difficult due to most cartoons the 'bad guy' is quite recognisable and easy to spot. Watching Frozen with him it helped that conversation in ways she couldn't have don on her own and gave him a point of reference for what she was talking about). It also contradicts pretty much all of Disney's other movies, and there is a lot to be said in that.
The actual song 'Let it Go' is another point of contention among a lot of religious groups, the best response I've heard so far is from Seth Adam Smith who so eloquently said Gasp! There ARE Hidden Messages in Disney's Frozen! This is the link to the post and brings up the rest of my points on this song and why those say there is only ever one meaning behind things are being ridiculous.

Besides, you wouldn't get AMAZING covers of the beautiful wonderful song, like this! (This is my all time favourite cover of this song!)

Anyway, I've probably badgered on about this long enough now. Enjoy The Piano Guys!
K
xo

NYE revelations.

So a bit of a back story- on NYE I got very sick, turns out it was a flu that turned into tonsillitis. Not fun, but I'm coming out the other end which is always good. So! 

Being left without a voice for almost 3 days has been one of the most amazing accidents. Possibly ever. 2014- you are doing well so far. It has given me time to stop listening to the sound of my own voice ramble on and actually take in more as to what I'm thinking. They say that thinking is where our lives start. Our thoughts becomes words, our words become actions, actions become habits, habit becomes character. Character is what people see. I knew all of this and I thought that I knew what I was thinking- boy was I wrong. I caught myself judging soooo many people for the stupidest things. I caught myself doubting and pressuring and sabotaging myself. Me! I caught myself lying to myself. I caught myself being ungrateful, being selfish, being temperamental, being arrogant. I caught myself brushing others off, being too busy, losing sight of what's important. That those you love are safe and happy and healthy. Why? Because I let my voice take over. Anyone who knows me knows I can talk until the cows come home, until the fat lady sings, until your ear falls off, pick your metaphors. But there wasn't much of a time lately where I sat down and actually listened to myself. 

I was reminded of when I was younger and I would just sit and listen. To anything, everything. Conversations, nature, noises. Tell me, what sound does a thimble make when it gets dropped into a creek? I wouldn't talk often, I would just sit and listen. I found it fascinating!! I would hear so much. And I'm not talking about reading in between the lines. I would hear unintentional inflections in people voices as well as those we control. I would hear the small ticks or habits they had when speaking- have you ever found yourself pronouncing a word the way your mother or father does or did and you have no idea how in the world it happened? How many of you know that most of the time there is at least one word that someone will repeat for no apparent reason? Some people have different volumes depending on who they're talking to, where as others it's all the same for everyone. Essentially basic sociopsychology. But what it meant was when I talked to people I could talk to them. 

Or how about you stop hearing the talking. What else is happening? Can you hear the wind? Can you hear the fly? Which ear is picking it up? Can you audibly hear the beat of a butterfly's wings, or are you imagining a sounds because you can see it? Now tune out the sounds. Watch a tree when a breeze blows through it. Can you see where the breeze starts? Stops? Splits? Turns? Trace it with your eyes. See it. How far can you follow one grain of wood along a fence or a banister or a table. Look at how it turns and bends and knots. How about instead of talking we discover things again. 

I loved doing this years ago, but I was taught to talk. And not just as a toddler, mummy, daddy, that business. But in a crowd. People aren't used to someone simply observing so they ask you questions, get you engaged not knowing you're probably the only one who is absolutely, completely engaged. You learn to ask questions. At first they're questions you've wanted to ask based on what you've seen. But that's too much for people, so you take a step back and ask more general questions. And soon enough you're just like everyone else in the room. Talking, talking, talking and never listening. Have you noticed those people that suddenly 'appear out of nowhere' but say something so profound and simple that they're remembered for weeks after. Yet you can't remember the name of the person who had most of your 'undivided' attention for most of the conversation. And they were trying to make an impression. You don't have to literally be the loudest to be remembered. 

Word have power. They have power. Power even the best linguist doesn't completely understand. Never forget that. Words can evoke such a response, and all they are are different combinations of 26 letters. Not being about to use then for almost 3 days (pretty much 2 and a half of very short, painful communication) reminded me of that. 

Don't take your voice (another whole spiel about being given the chance to sing again through this too- and past prayers being answers!! But that's for another time) for granted and don't let talking with it words rule your life. What exactly are you saying? Is it what you want to say? No? Then say it exactly how you want to say it. There is no point in wasting words. 

Ever since this became clear to me in have been happier, and so much more free!! I didn't realise how trapped one can become because of thoughts and words and the voice. It's changed my life already!!! 

Love you all! xxx

The Book Thief. Markus Zusak

I started reading this thinking I would be reading a book before seeing the movie. The movie looked good. I very much am fascinated by that era in our history- WW2 and the Nazi invasion of the world (I know it's not literally the world, but we all know about it and the atrocities, so it really is in the psyche of the world). What I wasn't prepared for was the sheer love for a book that would soon become a well loved favourite. Although I have only read it once at this moment, I know that I will read it again and again with any hesitation.
The Book Thief follows a young girl by the name of Liesel (one of my favourite name for a girl. I hope to name a daughter of my own that one day). After loosing her younger brother and her mother abandoning her- leaving her with another family, she is sure her world couldn't get worse. The only problem with that, the year is 1939 in Germany. The very beginning of the reign of terror imposed on the country by the man who changed the world, Adolf Hitler. Two precious lives collide when Liesel's foster family hide a Jewish man in their basement. Everyone is put at risk but despite the danger a friendship blooms. more than that, a love of words bloom. Liesel couldn't read when she stole her first book, but through the persistent love of her foster father and her continued thieving of books , Liesel, the young book thief learns not only how to read but exactly what the power of words can do. she begins to understand so much more than any young girl should when she grows to love and hate the written word. What makes this book so unique is it is written from the perspective of Death. the all-seeing, but not necessarily all-knowing bidder of the afterlife. It's through Deaths eyes (Death is quite rightly not given a gender, and I think that is definitely for the best). and Liesel's words that the story is brought to life. The highlights and lowlights of a small town stuck in the middle of Nazi Germany. The lives loved and lost (It's not a spoiler- its WWII, thousands of people died on a daily basis), the triumphs and tragedies that plagued a nation for years.
As I said before I didn't expect this book to be anything life changing, but good golly miss dolly was I proven wrong. If nothing else this book says appreciate life and what you have cause you never know when it will be taken away from you. Or in some cases ripped away from you. Life isn't fair and sometimes you have to take whatever opportunities you have in front of you, even if they're not the ones you would usually go for. It says be strong in the face of adversity and you can make it through anything, you will be scarred and hurt and angry but you will be alive and that is more than a lot of people can say. Be thankful for what you have and above all remember that family- blood related or otherwise is everything. As long as they're safe, happy, healthy and above you should be rejoicing to the heavens. There is a reason this book is a New York Times best seller. A very very good reason. Do yourself a favour, pick it up and just start reading. Admire the words and realise- just as Liesel did- how much of an impact they really can have.

the human brain 2.0

i have 1000 words to write to finish my essay... an essay that may be a little bit over due... 1000 measly words. is my brain thinking about those words? no, of course not! it is thinking about everything single possible thing other than those 1000 words. and i mean everything. i have considered what it would be like to be a chicken ( i am cooking chicken for dinner tonight) i have asked myself about Christmas this year i have wondered whats going to happen on the next episode of The Vampire Diaries.its so annoying. i have even said to myself, nope, im gonna sit down and finish this essay. not think about anything else and just sit down and finish it. the end result. all my research papers looked as if they were written in Greek, i couldn't concentrate and started thinking about how i could use the feta cheese in my dinner tonight (side note- feta cheese and sweet potato- the best thing you will ever taste!). i then got wondering how and why do our brains actually do that. those moments where nothing just wants to work. no matter how hard we try and get our brains to function they just say no. is it expert procrastination and i just have to be harder on myself about when i study or is there actually a legit reason behind our brains just 'turning off'. im thinking this is something i will have to explore at a later date. right now- essay time. take 158...

the truth about lies part 2

okay, so as i said  before there are countless websites proclaiming themselves as the next big thing in weight lose supplements. lets look at that for a moment, weight lose supplements- its a supplement, its not supposed to do the job for you, its supposed to help get the job done. so sure, take an appetite suppressant before a meal, but that alone isn't going to make you look like a Victoria Secret model (though lets be honest who wants to look like that anyway- far to skinny!). go for a run, do a bit of exercise along with it and you will a step closer than you were before.

anyway, the websites. first step is first, you get to the website through however you find it- facebook, email, web pages, they are anywhere and everywhere these days. try clicking on the heading at the top of the page. the website that they're claiming to be a part of... if you get taken to the websites actual homepage (and by this i mean, you can access other tabs and articles through that homepage)- congratulations you have actually come across one that is possibly legit. if not and it simply takes you back to the same page it was on. click the little x up the top immediately. next step, actually check what they are selling and saying they're selling. i went on one page out of curiosity (okay, i was contemplating giving them another go), anyway, the page said something about a green tea based  pill, i clicked on the 'free trail' bottle and it took me to a page about some African fruit pill. red alert lights went off big time. i went back to the page to see if there was anything about this African pill on the page- nothing, nada, zilch. okay, lets not do that again.
make sure 'free' is actually 'free'. this was the next one i came across on this same page (and i came across it in my acai one too). they say that the product is free so you think- okay sure, what have i got to lose? im not paying nothing for it, so why not. what the hell? then you get to the page and it goes- the bottle is free but you have to pay to have it shipped to you! surprise! now normally people just put in their card details and away they go, thinking they've got the next great thing on the market. but think about it- on the original page, it said nothing- absolutely nothing about having to pay for shipping for anything. now some of these pages do, giving you a little heads up into the fact that you might actually have to pay for something, but most of them- its that nasty little surprise on the end. and it should be red alert lights numero 2! why? you start the 'free' trial- that you've technically paid something for, and instead of calling and asking if you want another bottle when the trail ends- they just charge your card and send you another bottle- regardless of whether you want to or not. now you can call to cancel, but it only says that in the fine print and that you have to call them to cancel otherwise they will just go on charging your card to their hearts content. and when you do call, they will pull every trick in the book to try and get you to stay. 'are you sure it didn't work, maybe you just need another month to try.' 'really!? it worked for me, thats such a bummer maybe you should try again' 'i really think it would be a mistake to back out now' 'how about i do this for you, two bottles for the price of one! how amazing is that! wow!' 'okay, i dont normally do this, but two bottles for the price of half of one...' and so on and so fourth. they're only trying to keep you on their books so that they can say that its one more person they have living off their pills. you know the adds they say- 3000 people have changed their life... try 3000 people are on their books because they got convinced to stay by some sales person over the phone- kudos to the sales people though, they're definitely earning their money.
okay point number 3, try highlighting and copying one of the 'testimonies' from the side of the page- or the bottom sometimes they're located down there, and plugging it into Google. then see how many different websites that particular testimony turns up on- and even more fun, up the stakes a little, how many different names get put under that exact, word for word testimony. it can get interesting how many people use the same 'words' for an amazing amount of different products.
so now you are a little bit more savy about these websites- dont be stupid and just get up an do something, go for a walk, a run, dance up a storm, start yoga or zumba- raise your heart rate. dont be lazy and expect a little pill to do the trick.

lots of love
k
xo

the truth about lies

okay, so we have all seen those adds on facebook, emails, web pages what not about those amazing diet pills that do what 8 months in the gym does but in 1-3 months... i've been skeptical from the start. a) something that good shouldn't happen that fast and b) it sounds far far far to good to be true. i mean come on, you can't get the 'body you've always dreamed of' by taking a couple of pills a day and doing nothing else.
well, let me tell you it doesn't actually work. i have tried a few of these fads in an effort to help along my own weight problems and nothing works quite as well as going for a run or getting into a gym or simply drinking more water. the basics are the best.
I have tried, Acai pills (along with a colon cleanse) and that did absolutely nothing for me. it got my friend addicted to the acai pills cause they were giving her endless amounts of energy and she could do more stuff on them but thats about it.  i have also tried the tea one (not skinny me tea, but one very similar to it) and same thing, although i was drinking the recommended dose every day, it wouldn't have made a difference if i was drinking that amount of tea or if i was drinking an extra bottle of water every day. while herbal tea is good for you, anything claiming to help with weigh lose strictly because of something is a lie. and think about it, if you can be strict enough on yourself and disciplined enough to take pills or tea everyday, then im pretty sure you can work up the courage to put on a pair of runners and walk out the door to either a gym or a park or a running track somewhere. stop trying to take the shortcut and actually do something you're gonna be proud of in a few months. :)

btw, when looking at those websites that say 'get you're free trial here' actually properly look at them... next post to come about that! :D

lots of love
K
xo  

I'm poor. Feed me.

The life of a poor uni student. Oh we all know the despair of eating noodles as it's all you can afford for the week. Fingers crossed that a week goes by fast and my next paycheck is amazing! 

In other news, Fugi apples are on sale at Coles for $2 a kilo! Hashtag win! (See what I did there- uni students these days..) 

My One True Love

This is my Mango. my kitty cat. She is my girl. A pain in the arse but my baby nonetheless. She's the one who comes and snuggles with me when I'm sick. But I won't let her sleep on my bed (she's only restricted at night cause she scares the bajeezus out of me when she jumps up on the bed.) 

She's the one who makes me sneeze when she cuddles up too much and rubs her face against mine. The one who always needs a brush but as soon as you try she tries and eats the bristles. 

I love her to pieces and she drives me insane but I don't know what I'd do without her. ❤️😘