Just a quick thought for you all today.
The past few weeks have been hard for me for many different reasons and last night I had a moment when I thought I was going to lose my baby. But something told me not to jump to the worse case scenario. After that one thought, I stopped and thought. I thought about my first pregnancy and what I had been told and had read. The only think I could think of at the time was to rest and wait an hour. If things got worse, I would go to the hospital. If things got better, I wouldn't bother and just take things easy for the rest of the night. Had I jumped to conclusions and went to the hospital like my first thoughts were, I would have wasted so many people's time and would have been charged money that I don't have. Instead, I rested at home where I was most comfortable and everything got better.
This made me think about how many times people just jump to conclusions and/or action when they really should stop and think before reacting. There are some instances where immediately jumping to action is better than hesitating, but as I was thinking about some of the experiences I've had lately, I (or others) could have handled the situations better if we had just stopped and thought about what was going on before reacting and potentially causing more problems.
So, word of advice: when in doubt, stop and think. It could make things so much better.
July 6, 2016
June 21, 2016
Utopia: Is It Even Possible?
***WARNING: There are spoiler alerts about The Giver in this blog post.***
*BACK STORY* About a year and a half ago (maybe even more), FATMAN! and I read The Giver by Lois Lowry; he for the second time, me for the first. And I absolutely loved it! Shortly after finishing The Giver, I discovered that it wasn't a stand alone book. It's part of a quartet series. So I immediately sought after the rest of the books and read them all. (I highly recommend all four books, especially if you want to find out what happens to Jonas.) FATMAN! on the other hand read other books. He is now reading the second book, Gathering Blue, and he and I had an interesting conversation. So interesting that I am going to share what we discovered together.
First, what is utopia? According to what popped up when I googled "utopia definition," it is "an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect." So basically, a perfect place where nothing bad or negative happens. Sounds wonderful, right? No illnesses, no accidents, nothing harmful would ever happen, no one would fight, nothing negative would ever be said (or even thought), etc.
In a good story, you have to have a conflict or problem of some kind, even in a utopia. In The Giver, the conflict is a secret. The government body of "the Elders" genetically manipulate everything in their community to create the utopia that they oversee. But the secret and the manipulation are negative things that are happening. So doesn't this override the Utopian concept? Doesn't it automatically turn the community into a tyranny? But the residents are unaware about the secrets and manipulation (or at least they are unaware of all of the secrets and manipulation) and believe in the utopia. So FATMAN! and I concluded that no matter what, secrets are needed in any kind of utopia to hide even the harsh truths from the residents, but because secrets are considered to be a negative thing, and utopia can't have any negativity, utopia is a paradox. You can't have utopia, a perfect world, without some secrecy.
Thus turning the utopia in The Giver into a dystopia, but no one knows any better. A dystopia is "an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one." Or in other words, a place and people that is under extreme control, even by fear, but the leaders are trying to make life perfect. For example Hunger Games and the Empire in Star Wars. The main difference between a utopia and a dystopia is that the residents in a utopia society are happy and the residents in a dystopia are angry and powerless. I'm sure that if Lois Lowry had gone back to the community after Jonas leaves, there would be proof of the dystopia. (For those who have not read it, I will not describe anymore and let you read for yourself.) But the community in Gathering Blue is definitely a dystopia. All of the people are miserable and scared of any unknown territory because the Elders have spread lies about horrible beasts. What's worse is the truth that the lie is covering for. (Again, for those who haven't read the book yet, I won't spoil it for you.) The people in Gathering Blue are told what to do and when their entire lives. And because they know that if they were to stray from the rules, they will be in danger from whatever lives beyond the boundaries of the village. They don't know any better so they give in to the fear that has been created for them without much proof.
If you were to ask me, I would say that dystopia is possible. It's also called tyranny. Throughout history there have been many people who believe they can use fear to make others do their will and become obedient and submissive. But what about a utopia? Is it possible to achieve a true utopia? I say not in this world. To achieve a true utopia there can't be any secrets or cover-ups. There can't be any fear and no negativity of any kind at all. There has to be perfection. And for this to happen, there can't be any humans. Humanity and the nature of man will always prevent us from having any kind of perfection in this life. But I believe that whatever waits for us after death will be perfect, will be a utopia.
So I guess we will have to keep reading about utopian situations in books until we reach the day when we actually get to experience it. Just imagine living in a perfect world with no fear, no harm, no lies, no doubts, no sorrow, nothing negative whatsoever. That would be heaven. That would be utopia.
*BACK STORY* About a year and a half ago (maybe even more), FATMAN! and I read The Giver by Lois Lowry; he for the second time, me for the first. And I absolutely loved it! Shortly after finishing The Giver, I discovered that it wasn't a stand alone book. It's part of a quartet series. So I immediately sought after the rest of the books and read them all. (I highly recommend all four books, especially if you want to find out what happens to Jonas.) FATMAN! on the other hand read other books. He is now reading the second book, Gathering Blue, and he and I had an interesting conversation. So interesting that I am going to share what we discovered together.
First, what is utopia? According to what popped up when I googled "utopia definition," it is "an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect." So basically, a perfect place where nothing bad or negative happens. Sounds wonderful, right? No illnesses, no accidents, nothing harmful would ever happen, no one would fight, nothing negative would ever be said (or even thought), etc.
In a good story, you have to have a conflict or problem of some kind, even in a utopia. In The Giver, the conflict is a secret. The government body of "the Elders" genetically manipulate everything in their community to create the utopia that they oversee. But the secret and the manipulation are negative things that are happening. So doesn't this override the Utopian concept? Doesn't it automatically turn the community into a tyranny? But the residents are unaware about the secrets and manipulation (or at least they are unaware of all of the secrets and manipulation) and believe in the utopia. So FATMAN! and I concluded that no matter what, secrets are needed in any kind of utopia to hide even the harsh truths from the residents, but because secrets are considered to be a negative thing, and utopia can't have any negativity, utopia is a paradox. You can't have utopia, a perfect world, without some secrecy.
Thus turning the utopia in The Giver into a dystopia, but no one knows any better. A dystopia is "an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one." Or in other words, a place and people that is under extreme control, even by fear, but the leaders are trying to make life perfect. For example Hunger Games and the Empire in Star Wars. The main difference between a utopia and a dystopia is that the residents in a utopia society are happy and the residents in a dystopia are angry and powerless. I'm sure that if Lois Lowry had gone back to the community after Jonas leaves, there would be proof of the dystopia. (For those who have not read it, I will not describe anymore and let you read for yourself.) But the community in Gathering Blue is definitely a dystopia. All of the people are miserable and scared of any unknown territory because the Elders have spread lies about horrible beasts. What's worse is the truth that the lie is covering for. (Again, for those who haven't read the book yet, I won't spoil it for you.) The people in Gathering Blue are told what to do and when their entire lives. And because they know that if they were to stray from the rules, they will be in danger from whatever lives beyond the boundaries of the village. They don't know any better so they give in to the fear that has been created for them without much proof.
If you were to ask me, I would say that dystopia is possible. It's also called tyranny. Throughout history there have been many people who believe they can use fear to make others do their will and become obedient and submissive. But what about a utopia? Is it possible to achieve a true utopia? I say not in this world. To achieve a true utopia there can't be any secrets or cover-ups. There can't be any fear and no negativity of any kind at all. There has to be perfection. And for this to happen, there can't be any humans. Humanity and the nature of man will always prevent us from having any kind of perfection in this life. But I believe that whatever waits for us after death will be perfect, will be a utopia.
So I guess we will have to keep reading about utopian situations in books until we reach the day when we actually get to experience it. Just imagine living in a perfect world with no fear, no harm, no lies, no doubts, no sorrow, nothing negative whatsoever. That would be heaven. That would be utopia.
May 16, 2016
Sharing is Caring, Except When It's Rude
Before I get into this post, let me just say that I am not a mysophobic, a clean freak, or an over protective mom.
I'm sure the majority (if not all of us) have heard the phrase "Sharing is caring." But sometimes sharing is just plain rude and inconsiderate.
Twice in the past two months my family and I have been exposed to germs, illness, and misery. And all because parents don't have the common sense to keep their sick kids at home! Has common sense really died so much that if we are miserable with illnesses that we have to go out into public and share with others? Has it really come to that?
I understand that we have been commanded to attend church, but what people forget is that we are commanded to attend church when we are able. If you are sick, that means you can stay home. In my opinion, it means you should stay home. And not just from church. Stay home from everything: school, stores, parks, libraries, etc. If you and/or your kids are sick, be considerate and STAY HOME!
If you must get out of the house, at least try to lessen the spread of the germs. Cough and sneeze into your elbow (to give it a cool name the "vampire" maneuver). Wash your hands as often as you can and ALWAYS after using the bathroom. Use anti-bacterial wipes on public items you have touched (i.e. shopping carts). But most important of all: teach your children to cover their mouths and noses! You actually can teach your young child to cover up. I know I am trying to teach the Squid, who is 20 months old. It's a matter of time, patience, and persistence.
Please do everyone a favor and stay home when you are sick. Please do everyone a favor and keep your child(ren) home when they are sick. Have some common sense and courtesy! It just may save lives, like your own because the next time I'm sneezed on and chewed food goes into my hair, I'm going over to the person's house and going to sneeze, cough, and hack up a lung all over everything. Stop being gross and take care of yourself or your kid at home until you all are better and then go out into public and among other people.
I'm sure the majority (if not all of us) have heard the phrase "Sharing is caring." But sometimes sharing is just plain rude and inconsiderate.
Twice in the past two months my family and I have been exposed to germs, illness, and misery. And all because parents don't have the common sense to keep their sick kids at home! Has common sense really died so much that if we are miserable with illnesses that we have to go out into public and share with others? Has it really come to that?
I understand that we have been commanded to attend church, but what people forget is that we are commanded to attend church when we are able. If you are sick, that means you can stay home. In my opinion, it means you should stay home. And not just from church. Stay home from everything: school, stores, parks, libraries, etc. If you and/or your kids are sick, be considerate and STAY HOME!
If you must get out of the house, at least try to lessen the spread of the germs. Cough and sneeze into your elbow (to give it a cool name the "vampire" maneuver). Wash your hands as often as you can and ALWAYS after using the bathroom. Use anti-bacterial wipes on public items you have touched (i.e. shopping carts). But most important of all: teach your children to cover their mouths and noses! You actually can teach your young child to cover up. I know I am trying to teach the Squid, who is 20 months old. It's a matter of time, patience, and persistence.
Please do everyone a favor and stay home when you are sick. Please do everyone a favor and keep your child(ren) home when they are sick. Have some common sense and courtesy! It just may save lives, like your own because the next time I'm sneezed on and chewed food goes into my hair, I'm going over to the person's house and going to sneeze, cough, and hack up a lung all over everything. Stop being gross and take care of yourself or your kid at home until you all are better and then go out into public and among other people.
May 12, 2016
I'm Living One of My Nightmares
I am once again pregnant. I am currently 20 weeks and 6 days along. Tomorrow I (hopefully) find out for sure if this baby is a girl or another boy. But being pregnant isn't my nightmare.
It's EVERYTHING ELSE!
When I was pregnant with the Squid, I had a very easy pregnancy. No morning sickness, hardly any cramping, no round ligament pain, very little leg cramps, etc. I didn't really look pregnant until I was about 25-ish weeks pregnant. (Until that point I just looked like I was gaining weight.) And my active labor was only 11 hours. (I was in labor for a week, but Squid took his time coming.) The only complaint I had was that I was huge during summer, which made me twice as uncomfortable as I normally am during summer.
This pregnancy is completely different. I had morning sickness, I'm cramping like crazy, round ligament pain is becoming more common, I feel huge even though I'm not, and I'm extremely aggressive. Oh! AND I have pregnancy brain like crazy! If I don't write something down (specifically on my calendar), I will forget completely. Sometimes I can't even remember what I did 10 minutes ago. And on top of all of that, I have a toddler and a puppy. I must be crazy for thinking that I could handle all of this at the same time. I know for sure that I am going crazy from trying to juggle everything at the same time.
The nightmare part of all of this is that I am a completely different person. I'm constantly loosing my cool and getting mad at the tiniest thing. I'm more sarcastic (not in a good or funny way) with those whom I talk to most. I have had to refrain from making certain comments in person and on social media because as much as I would rather just say it, I know it's not my character to be so mean and/or rude. I am having a hard time seeing the positive in everything; in fact, I don't even try anymore. As much as I have tried, I can't seem to let go of any frustrations, angers, or offenses. I haven't even posted on here more recently because I couldn't think of anything to talk about that would really be worth reading.
In other words, I have done a 180 and become a person I never wanted to be. And I do blame most of it on hormones and exhaustion. I know it's not a good excuse, but I have no other to replace it with. It's not my intention to be mean, rude, or hurtful (even if I don't actually say the words I'm thinking aloud). It's hardly ever been my intention to be anything but kind and the best person I can be. But some of the time, it can't be prevented. And that's why I'm currently living a nightmare.
It's EVERYTHING ELSE!
When I was pregnant with the Squid, I had a very easy pregnancy. No morning sickness, hardly any cramping, no round ligament pain, very little leg cramps, etc. I didn't really look pregnant until I was about 25-ish weeks pregnant. (Until that point I just looked like I was gaining weight.) And my active labor was only 11 hours. (I was in labor for a week, but Squid took his time coming.) The only complaint I had was that I was huge during summer, which made me twice as uncomfortable as I normally am during summer.
This pregnancy is completely different. I had morning sickness, I'm cramping like crazy, round ligament pain is becoming more common, I feel huge even though I'm not, and I'm extremely aggressive. Oh! AND I have pregnancy brain like crazy! If I don't write something down (specifically on my calendar), I will forget completely. Sometimes I can't even remember what I did 10 minutes ago. And on top of all of that, I have a toddler and a puppy. I must be crazy for thinking that I could handle all of this at the same time. I know for sure that I am going crazy from trying to juggle everything at the same time.
The nightmare part of all of this is that I am a completely different person. I'm constantly loosing my cool and getting mad at the tiniest thing. I'm more sarcastic (not in a good or funny way) with those whom I talk to most. I have had to refrain from making certain comments in person and on social media because as much as I would rather just say it, I know it's not my character to be so mean and/or rude. I am having a hard time seeing the positive in everything; in fact, I don't even try anymore. As much as I have tried, I can't seem to let go of any frustrations, angers, or offenses. I haven't even posted on here more recently because I couldn't think of anything to talk about that would really be worth reading.
In other words, I have done a 180 and become a person I never wanted to be. And I do blame most of it on hormones and exhaustion. I know it's not a good excuse, but I have no other to replace it with. It's not my intention to be mean, rude, or hurtful (even if I don't actually say the words I'm thinking aloud). It's hardly ever been my intention to be anything but kind and the best person I can be. But some of the time, it can't be prevented. And that's why I'm currently living a nightmare.
April 22, 2016
My Two Bits
I simply want to get my opinion out there where I know most of you will read and that's it. (And I control whose comments get published and whose doesn't.)
Target, the store, is a monster for changing the policy to favor "transgenders." If you live under a rock and haven't heard, Target has come out and said that everyone can now go into the bathrooms and dressing rooms that they "associate with." Meaning that those men who fall under the category of "transgender" can now go into the women's bathroom and dressing room. Even though this may help and support "transgenders" and the LGBT community, it has become a threat to the rest of us, especially women and children.
Now men can claim to be "transgender" (whether they are or not) and go into the women's bathroom and spy on them. Horrible, cruel men can now go into women's bathrooms at Target and easily get victims. By saying that "transgenders" can go into whatever bathroom they want, Target has basically said that women don't have any rights at all and has thrown all safety for their women patrons out the window.
I honestly don't care what other people do with their lives. That is, I don't care until it effects me or my children and/or puts one of us in danger. I don't want to have to worry about going into bathroom in public because I could be raped by a man who shouldn't be in there. I don't want to be afraid of public restrooms because I could be photographed. I don't want to be afraid because I could become a victim. And I definitely don't want to be afraid because my children could get hurt, kidnapped, humiliated, etc. all because people can choose whatever bathroom they wish.
Target has been one of my favorite stores for a long time. It did not bother me when they started their "transgender" wedding campaign. It did not bother me when they stopped splitting up toys into gender-ized sections. It does bother me that "transgenders" can now going into whatever bathroom or dressing room they wish. It bothers me because it is now a threat to me and my children. My children or I could get seriously hurt just for walking into a bathroom in Target.
So now I say "So long, Target. You have gone too far." I will never step foot into another Target store of my own free will ever again.
Target, the store, is a monster for changing the policy to favor "transgenders." If you live under a rock and haven't heard, Target has come out and said that everyone can now go into the bathrooms and dressing rooms that they "associate with." Meaning that those men who fall under the category of "transgender" can now go into the women's bathroom and dressing room. Even though this may help and support "transgenders" and the LGBT community, it has become a threat to the rest of us, especially women and children.
Now men can claim to be "transgender" (whether they are or not) and go into the women's bathroom and spy on them. Horrible, cruel men can now go into women's bathrooms at Target and easily get victims. By saying that "transgenders" can go into whatever bathroom they want, Target has basically said that women don't have any rights at all and has thrown all safety for their women patrons out the window.
I honestly don't care what other people do with their lives. That is, I don't care until it effects me or my children and/or puts one of us in danger. I don't want to have to worry about going into bathroom in public because I could be raped by a man who shouldn't be in there. I don't want to be afraid of public restrooms because I could be photographed. I don't want to be afraid because I could become a victim. And I definitely don't want to be afraid because my children could get hurt, kidnapped, humiliated, etc. all because people can choose whatever bathroom they wish.
Target has been one of my favorite stores for a long time. It did not bother me when they started their "transgender" wedding campaign. It did not bother me when they stopped splitting up toys into gender-ized sections. It does bother me that "transgenders" can now going into whatever bathroom or dressing room they wish. It bothers me because it is now a threat to me and my children. My children or I could get seriously hurt just for walking into a bathroom in Target.
So now I say "So long, Target. You have gone too far." I will never step foot into another Target store of my own free will ever again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)