31 March 2011
30 March 2011
UN?
How cool would working as a UN intern be?
Should I apply even though I only know one language?
Probably...
Should I apply even though I only know one language?
Probably...
28 March 2011
Nachos and Cheese are from God.
I just want to start by saying that Jager and Ginger Ale along with whole grain nachos covered in old cheddar is definitely a solution to a lot of life's problems. What a nice evening. What a nice buzz. If there is a loving God, these must be some of his gifts. Please don't proofread this post... my typing abilities are going.... shoot.
Now that that's settled, I have a few stories.
First, a light-hearted story from my mother. She called me the other night when I was halfway through my first beer after having taken a few shots (so my mind was going a bit funny, and I was getting giggly, and also paranoid like I often do) and was telling me about her plans for the next day. She mentioned she was going to get a pregnancy test done. As 21-year old who has just heard this from her mother would, I freaked out. Not cool. Once she explained that it is standard procedure and there's nothing to worry about, I calmed down a little. Later (because I study sexuality and talk about these things often) I asked why she wasn't on birth control. Her answer: "I don't think God would do that to me." .....Good answer, mom. But I'm not sure you can bet on that. God gave a baby to a 70-year old recently, for kicks. I'm pretty sure people who have lost loved ones (including me, before losing dad) have said or thought "I don't think God would do that to me" at some point or another. It was kind of a funny conversation. Anyway, if I'm complaining anytime soon that I've got a 10th sibling on the way, we all know why-- and at that point, shoot me? I don't need a baby sibling, thanks.
First, a light-hearted story from my mother. She called me the other night when I was halfway through my first beer after having taken a few shots (so my mind was going a bit funny, and I was getting giggly, and also paranoid like I often do) and was telling me about her plans for the next day. She mentioned she was going to get a pregnancy test done. As 21-year old who has just heard this from her mother would, I freaked out. Not cool. Once she explained that it is standard procedure and there's nothing to worry about, I calmed down a little. Later (because I study sexuality and talk about these things often) I asked why she wasn't on birth control. Her answer: "I don't think God would do that to me." .....Good answer, mom. But I'm not sure you can bet on that. God gave a baby to a 70-year old recently, for kicks. I'm pretty sure people who have lost loved ones (including me, before losing dad) have said or thought "I don't think God would do that to me" at some point or another. It was kind of a funny conversation. Anyway, if I'm complaining anytime soon that I've got a 10th sibling on the way, we all know why-- and at that point, shoot me? I don't need a baby sibling, thanks.
In other news, I'd like to share the story of the conversation that I heard recently in the cafeteria at school:
I was sitting on the other side of the caf, and I heard someone start discussing whether or not dinosaurs and people lived together. They were claiming that the Bible says they did, so it must be true. As someone who studies both dinosaurs and the Bible just to make my level of conversational value higher, I was shocked at this claim. He continued, of course, arguing that the Bible is infallible, and cited a verse in Job about a "behemoth," claiming this creature was a dinosaur as his proof. He also stated that the guy who discovered carbon dating "made it up" and other scientists go along with it because "all scientists are evolutionists" and are pushing their evolutionists fairy tales. Lets ignore how wrong this is (there are a lot of different dating techniques, and that's not how science works), and continue a few minutes into the future of the story. As he was talking, other people at the table were offering questions and skepticsm. These were pretty radical ideas to be presenting, and he really had no proof for any of the claims, and instead was preaching at them, without letting them get much in edge-wise (from my viewpoint). But, they remained skeptical, save for one or two people who seemed to agree with him. After the conversation died down, the guy in question, and one of the people agreeing with him walked past where I was sitting. I heard the following, which is the aggravating part of this story:
Preaching Guy: "See? This is why I don't normally get into these conversations. Those people already have their minds so made up about what they believe."
Needless to say, I was disgusted. He wouldn't let them get a word in-- he wouldn't let them correct his blatently false claims, or come at the situation from viewpoints different from his. He then claimed that they had their minds made up, when he was probably more guilty of such. I wanted to kick his ass, cry, or yell. Instead, I'm blogging about it, and trying to pay close attention. Where are the situations in my life when I am this blatently wrong and/or hypocritical. I hope that I may get called out on them. I hope some day someone tells this guy all about the cool things science can do, whether or not God created the way the world works. Because I think the discoveries we have made, are way cooler than what we would know if we stuck strictly to the experiences laid out for us in just one book.
UPDATE: I just heard the word behemoth used to describe a duck's penis. I think that's my new definition of the word.
I was sitting on the other side of the caf, and I heard someone start discussing whether or not dinosaurs and people lived together. They were claiming that the Bible says they did, so it must be true. As someone who studies both dinosaurs and the Bible just to make my level of conversational value higher, I was shocked at this claim. He continued, of course, arguing that the Bible is infallible, and cited a verse in Job about a "behemoth," claiming this creature was a dinosaur as his proof. He also stated that the guy who discovered carbon dating "made it up" and other scientists go along with it because "all scientists are evolutionists" and are pushing their evolutionists fairy tales. Lets ignore how wrong this is (there are a lot of different dating techniques, and that's not how science works), and continue a few minutes into the future of the story. As he was talking, other people at the table were offering questions and skepticsm. These were pretty radical ideas to be presenting, and he really had no proof for any of the claims, and instead was preaching at them, without letting them get much in edge-wise (from my viewpoint). But, they remained skeptical, save for one or two people who seemed to agree with him. After the conversation died down, the guy in question, and one of the people agreeing with him walked past where I was sitting. I heard the following, which is the aggravating part of this story:
Preaching Guy: "See? This is why I don't normally get into these conversations. Those people already have their minds so made up about what they believe."
Needless to say, I was disgusted. He wouldn't let them get a word in-- he wouldn't let them correct his blatently false claims, or come at the situation from viewpoints different from his. He then claimed that they had their minds made up, when he was probably more guilty of such. I wanted to kick his ass, cry, or yell. Instead, I'm blogging about it, and trying to pay close attention. Where are the situations in my life when I am this blatently wrong and/or hypocritical. I hope that I may get called out on them. I hope some day someone tells this guy all about the cool things science can do, whether or not God created the way the world works. Because I think the discoveries we have made, are way cooler than what we would know if we stuck strictly to the experiences laid out for us in just one book.
UPDATE: I just heard the word behemoth used to describe a duck's penis. I think that's my new definition of the word.
24 March 2011
Missed Connection
So I have some complaints today:
This afternoon, I was at a group meeting finishing off an assignment, with a group of people, putting up with their homophobic, anti-woman jokes. The one group member and I got into a bit of an argument regarding the church stance on gay marriage. She was convinced that its not fair to ask priests/pastors/ministers to perform a marriage for a gay couple, because their religion is against it. She likened this to asking Muslim women to take off their hijabs. I tried to explain though that this church discrimination is against the way someone is born, and therefore plain and simply wrong, but the group was convinced that homosexuality is a choice. Due to the fact that we were working on an assignment for later that afternoon, the discussion had to be dropped, but I wanted to ask them when they chose to be straight. I wanted to ask why on earth they think anyone would ever EVER choose to put themself into a marginalized group? Why would anyone choose that for themself unless its who they are? I never chose it. I realized it. Being in relationships involve choice, but who you fall for does not. It doesn't in heterosexual relationships, so why would it in homosexual relationships. This makes no sense.
I don't know what to make of this. I wish I could have argued. I wish I could fight each one of these battles. And it feels like I've failed when I miss one. Shoot.
Thoughts?
I don't know what to make of this. I wish I could have argued. I wish I could fight each one of these battles. And it feels like I've failed when I miss one. Shoot.
Thoughts?
23 March 2011
This is a First Post and FAQ Section
So um.
I don't know how to do this whole first actual post thingy.
Plus, blog posting is getting in the way of my Neopets (which I play with the most awesome Neofriend ever, imabitechoo), so maybe I'll just go back to that.
No! I must power through!
Hmm. Maybe here is a good place to introduce myself, and explain my blog's mission statement (baha) or something.
Alright, let’s go (via Biebs):
I'm a social development studies major, peace and conflict studies minor at the University of Waterloo (whom I also work for, part time). I call the colleges my home, and love the small, community atmosphere.
While the colleges are church affiliated, I am not. Well, I am, but also not. I'm a baptized member of my home congregation, but an open atheist/agnostic/post-Christian. (My term for having gone from borderline evangelical to skeptical... we'll explore this as we go.)
I'm recently out to some as bi-sexual, and would love to spend my life fighting for gay rights. Not for my sake, but for everyone else's.
I love my family, though we've had our issues, which I'm sure at some point we'll get into.
I'm intent upon one day saving the world. Or something. One day I might decide that’s really naive, but I haven’t given up yet.
So, now we’re entering the FAQ section. Except I’ve had no FAQs so I’m actually going to make up some questions and then answer them for you. You’re welcome.
Q. Why did you title your blog “Praise Where Praise is Due”?
A. Because it seemed vague enough to allow me to talk about all the things that may be on my mind. I do envision this blog being somewhat a part of my faith journey, so I like the implications of the term ‘praise’ in terms of that. I want to explore if praise is due to this God guy. I also think it will allow every day complaints or positive acclamations from daily life. Plus, its part of a lyric from the song The Fox, The Crow, and the Cookie by mewithoutYou, a band that helps me figure out where I stand with my faith or whatever. It was introduced to me by a sketchtard in a cardigan, who also so happens to be the object of my unending and passionate love (this may or may not be related to the introduction to the above-mentioned band). ...Guess who was in the room when I wrote this paragraph.....
Q. Why does your blog text look stupid?
A. Because the wifi died halfway through writing this post and I had to transfer it to Microsoft Word, which forever has a vicious vendetta against me. (Update: I think I fixed it.)
Q. You’ve mentioned Neopets a few times. What’s your favourite game?
A. Uhh. That’s a tough question. Probably either Pyramids or Destruct-O-Match. Its a toss-up.
Q. Are you going to get struck down by God for making this blog?
A. I wonder on a daily basis if God is going to strike me down. He hasn’t yet. Although, I think snow might be my punishment.
Q. What's your favourite colour?
A. Pink. Though I also really love Green, Purple, and Yellow.
Q. You mentioned your cell phone in your first post, and always seem to have it with you. Why is this?
A. Her name is Milicent. I'm kind of convinced her and I are in a relationship. We fight. We bicker. We both have attitudes, and bad days, which often clash. But at the end of the day, we love each other, and I wake up to her voice every morning.
Alright. Enough shenanigans for now. I haven't done homework all week.
I don't know how to do this whole first actual post thingy.
Plus, blog posting is getting in the way of my Neopets (which I play with the most awesome Neofriend ever, imabitechoo), so maybe I'll just go back to that.
No! I must power through!
Hmm. Maybe here is a good place to introduce myself, and explain my blog's mission statement (baha) or something.
Alright, let’s go (via Biebs):
I'm a social development studies major, peace and conflict studies minor at the University of Waterloo (whom I also work for, part time). I call the colleges my home, and love the small, community atmosphere.
While the colleges are church affiliated, I am not. Well, I am, but also not. I'm a baptized member of my home congregation, but an open atheist/agnostic/post-Christian. (My term for having gone from borderline evangelical to skeptical... we'll explore this as we go.)
I'm recently out to some as bi-sexual, and would love to spend my life fighting for gay rights. Not for my sake, but for everyone else's.
I love my family, though we've had our issues, which I'm sure at some point we'll get into.
I'm intent upon one day saving the world. Or something. One day I might decide that’s really naive, but I haven’t given up yet.
So, now we’re entering the FAQ section. Except I’ve had no FAQs so I’m actually going to make up some questions and then answer them for you. You’re welcome.
Q. Why did you title your blog “Praise Where Praise is Due”?
A. Because it seemed vague enough to allow me to talk about all the things that may be on my mind. I do envision this blog being somewhat a part of my faith journey, so I like the implications of the term ‘praise’ in terms of that. I want to explore if praise is due to this God guy. I also think it will allow every day complaints or positive acclamations from daily life. Plus, its part of a lyric from the song The Fox, The Crow, and the Cookie by mewithoutYou, a band that helps me figure out where I stand with my faith or whatever. It was introduced to me by a sketchtard in a cardigan, who also so happens to be the object of my unending and passionate love (this may or may not be related to the introduction to the above-mentioned band). ...Guess who was in the room when I wrote this paragraph.....
Q. Why does your blog text look stupid?
A. Because the wifi died halfway through writing this post and I had to transfer it to Microsoft Word, which forever has a vicious vendetta against me. (Update: I think I fixed it.)
Q. You’ve mentioned Neopets a few times. What’s your favourite game?
A. Uhh. That’s a tough question. Probably either Pyramids or Destruct-O-Match. Its a toss-up.
Q. Are you going to get struck down by God for making this blog?
A. I wonder on a daily basis if God is going to strike me down. He hasn’t yet. Although, I think snow might be my punishment.
Q. What's your favourite colour?
A. Pink. Though I also really love Green, Purple, and Yellow.
Q. You mentioned your cell phone in your first post, and always seem to have it with you. Why is this?
A. Her name is Milicent. I'm kind of convinced her and I are in a relationship. We fight. We bicker. We both have attitudes, and bad days, which often clash. But at the end of the day, we love each other, and I wake up to her voice every morning.
Q. What exactly are you going to talk about on this blog?
A. I imagine I will at points discuss every day life, frustrations and celebrations from school and/or work, exciting news, etc. In addition, I'd like to use this place to explore my faith, as I do this better through writing. This will appear in many forms. I may show my poetry here, if I'm ever comfortable showing it. I will discuss family life, queer issues, and probably joke around about random things that come across my mind, or write articles just for fun, once I'm done serving on the school paper and no longer have an outlet. :)
Please note, that because this is a place of exploration for me, I may have times where I am unsure of, or change, my opinion. People do that from time to time. ;)
Please note, that because this is a place of exploration for me, I may have times where I am unsure of, or change, my opinion. People do that from time to time. ;)
Q. Are you a hipster? You sound like a hipster.
A. Well, it is common knowledge that the first requirement for being a hipster is not recognizing that one is a hipster. So, if I were to say yes, then, no, I would not be a hipster. I cannot be a hipster if I recognize my hipster-like tendencies, no matter how much I pretend to love the lifestyle.
A. Well, it is common knowledge that the first requirement for being a hipster is not recognizing that one is a hipster. So, if I were to say yes, then, no, I would not be a hipster. I cannot be a hipster if I recognize my hipster-like tendencies, no matter how much I pretend to love the lifestyle.
Feel free to post more questions in the comments. I'll definitely answer them.
Alright. Enough shenanigans for now. I haven't done homework all week.
Welcome!
I have finally managed to make myself a blog.
After picking a layout and a name, I am exhausted.
That might not bode well for this project as a whole.
That said, I have this baby hooked up to my cell phone, so maybe I'll update.
But alas, its bed for tonight, so you can expect me saying a real hello sometime tomorrow, oh world of the interwebs. I look forward to when we meet again.
:)
After picking a layout and a name, I am exhausted.
That might not bode well for this project as a whole.
That said, I have this baby hooked up to my cell phone, so maybe I'll update.
But alas, its bed for tonight, so you can expect me saying a real hello sometime tomorrow, oh world of the interwebs. I look forward to when we meet again.
:)
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