me, my doctors, & the scale.

When we lose twenty pounds... we may be losing the twenty best pounds we have! We may be losing the pounds that contain our genius, our humanity, our love and honesty.
~Woody Allen


For much of my life I've been told by one doctor or another that I am in some way, shape, or form unhealthy and I'm at risk for one thing or another.

It's been about nine years since that's has all began, and the doctors are still wrong.

Their biggest complaint is that they believe me to be overweight and by societal standards and the number that's on the scale technically they are right. However, at the same time they could not be further from the truth.

and this is why...

Health care is extremely impersonal. Therefore, it's hard for me to buy that every female who stands at 5'7'' should weigh no more than 140 lbs. The issue is this, I feel as though no one takes into account the lifestyle of a young adult. Important factors are often ignored such as physical activity, medical history, age etc. It's often a height to weight ratio, which in my opinion is silly and useless.

We all know that muscle weighs more than fat, and as many times that I have gone to the doctors they've never measured my muscle composition.

All I'm saying is that health is so much more than the number on the scale, and it's truly a shame that we as a society put so much emphasis on that number. And I find that the emphasis gets put on at the worst of times, like during our teenage years when we're all already so insecure.

Now, let's get just one thing straight. By no means am I condoning over eating, not exercising or anything of that nature. I'm just saying there are many factors that doctors should take into consideration before they deem a young man or woman overweight which in turn can foster for that child a long road of self esteem issues.

I guess you could say I'm on the luckier side. Sure I've had my rough patches of self esteem and what not, but who hasn't? You see, I always knew that I was and still am a healthy individual. I also realize that, probably for the rest of my life my doctors will tell me I'm overweight, but these doctors don't ask me what I do in my spare time. Up until college I was a year round athlete, and now in college the gym is basically my home. The way that my body is, I realize I will never be at the recommended weight that I should be at. But that certainly doesn't mean that I or I'm sure dozens of other young adults unhealthy.

Death of a Dream...or not.

"Let go of the past and go for the future. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined."
-Henry David Thoreau

I'm changing my major. Which makes me wonder if I ever truly loved journalism as much as I claim.

Soon, I'll be an English major.

But I also wonder if me even writing this blog doesn't speak volumes for my love and passion for the art of writing. I may not always have the comma or hyphen in the right place but I know that I hold a certain talent for it.

I don't think my want to change my major compromises everything I have and will continue to work for. I realize now more than ever before that strong judgments will be made about my ability but at the same time I cannot let the opinion of a few people end my dream. There will be many more down the line and I believe it in my best interest to listen and learn but never take harsh words to heart.

With that being said, I'm back =]
and to all those who have read my blog in the past, thank you & I hope you continue to read and bring others along on my journey of observations and opinions.

I'm in for one hell of a ride.

Conveniently Lazy

"So much attention is paid to the aggressive sins, such as violence and cruelty and greed with all their tragic effects, that too little attention is paid to the passive sins, such as apathy and laziness, which in the long run can have a more devastating effect."
-Eleanor Roosevelt

Thus far, I've been in college for four months, and academically the demands have not been so high where I'm overwhelmed all the time. But then again I am just starting out. However I recently had to turn in a portfolio for my English class each paper had to be the standard 4-6 pages, and the final fourth paper had to be 6-8. Not so bad, right? No, not at all...minus the fact that I had to write on topics that are less then desirable. Even though only four papers were asked of me, the topics showed themselves to be difficult.

I had to write on the following things:
Narcissism
Power of Context
Intensive Farming
Processed foods.

After doing some extensive research online and only finding sources that were less then credible, I gave up on the forces that are the Internet and went to the library. In about half the time I found books upon books that helped me build a strong argument for each paper. That's when I realized the convenience of the Internet was, and still does make me and the rest of my generation continuously lazy. For each topic I thought the solution would be to just go to google and call it a day. I mean we've made it the answer to every problem..."just google it" we say. Except the only problem is most of the time anything that actually may have helped came from wiki, and though I love wikipedia dearly, the world of academia does not deem them credible. Leaving me in the dust with no sources. These search engines so often demand for you to be so specific that the amount of time spent on thinking of the specifics and browsing results equates to or equals more than going to the library and saying, "hey you have any books on processed foods or environmental behavior [that's what the power of context is. It states environment dictates behavior, not inherent characteristics]?"


Sure the Internet has offered us quick easy answers, but sometimes those quick easy answers really aren't what we need, but we accept them because they offer instant gratification. That's all fine and well but what I really discovered is after actually picking up a book on a specific topic you form an interest that wasn't there in the beginning. For so long I complained in some form or another about how these topics suck an who cares? Then I realized I do. Doing mini research papers allows you to broaden your mind and in essence makes you cultured.


I'm not saying dismiss the Internet completely, that would just be silly...I love google, and facebook, and everything else the Internet has offered me. All I'm suggesting is that we begin to incorporate the old with the new. Internet and good ol' print, because print has been around for so much longer then the amazing invention of the Internet. Thus, information in print exceeds what the Internet can offer, and that should always be taken advantage of.

Tale of a Fem-Nazi

The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says, "It's a girl."

-Shirley Chisholm

OK, so in a past blog I slightly touched upon the world of sexism with "My Life as a Double Standard" but it wasn't that in depth.

So, here goes. You see, I have this friend who in her own self right would consider herself a feminist [however not so extreme where she has a buzz cut and burns her bras]. She hates it when women succumb to a guys every beck & call. Make excuses for men as to why they, the woman, should cook and clean. As if men did not have the same hands to do it themselves. For her its a question of dignity and self worth. She doesn't believe that doing these things for the opposite gender are wrong, more like there should be an equal share in work at home and the coorprate world. She should not have to stay home and tend to the children all day, while he comes home and sits on the couch. Once again, she doesn't think there is anything wrong with staying home but that should not be a woman's only option. She, like her male counter part should have available to her the same business oportunities. Gender shouldn't matter. Talent is talent and no one can deny that.

As Chisholm says, the sterotyping of a female begins at birth. At that moment we are instantly thought of, subconsciously or not as lesser and weaker by society. Furthermore, society tells us that when we grow up we should strive to have 2.5 kids with a white picket fence and a home for us to care for.

For so long, women got gyped out of one thing or another, and for some reason we are told that we cannot think on our own or for ourselves. Males automatically get the role of dominance and power, and because of that rules and laws such as "the rule of thumb" were created. The saying which is said to be derived from an old law that said it is legal for men to beat their wives so long as the object in which they beat them with was no thicker then their thumb, or the ever popular "glass ceiling."

No one denies that men and women are different, and physically speaking there are just certain things that women really cannot do. But, that isn't to say that we are all damsels in distress looking for our prince charming. We too have dreams and aspirations that go further then a family and a home which should be recognized.

unreal beauty

"No wonder our perception of beauty is so distorted."

-Dove campaign

I, am NOT beautiful. I mean sure my mom tells me sometimes that I am...but she's my mom you know? Now this girl...to the right. SHE is beautiful, not me. I, am NOT sexy, or pretty or cute. I am none of those things. I mean I'm too tall but yet too short. My hair is never the right length. I'm too fat, I'm too dark but not dark enough. I don't have the correct smile, my head isn't shaped correctly, and there's just something off about my nose. But it's not just me who isn't beautiful, lets face it. None of my friends are either. Oh, and I can't forget to mention that even though now my younger cousins think they're beautiful; When they grow up, they too will realize that they aren't beautiful either. NONE of us are, and no matter what we do, we will NEVER be beautiful. Well at least that's what my television, and magazines and movies are telling me anyway.

For so long the media has been given us a distorted image of what is and is not beautiful, and for so long we've approved and accepted that the media is right. We accept the fact that no one looks like that, and yet we all strive to be that way. Something just isn't right here. Why are we doing this to ourselves, and our self esteem? We are letting an unrealistic image of beauty run our lives. Causing us to feel inferior. Yearning to accomplish an unreachable goal.

Why can't we just simply accept ourselves for who we are and acknowledge that we all are in fact beautiful. Created by something or someone bigger then ourselves whatever you may believe. Weather that be God, Allah, or even your parents. Made the way we are for a specific reason and no one should be able to tell you otherwise. But, if my blog still doesn't have you convinced then maybe this will. Watch it, you won't regret it: http://www.dove.us/#/features/videos/default.aspx[cp-documentid=7049579]/

absence makes the heart grow fonder...

Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.
-Richard Bach

As the title suggest absence makes the heart grow fonder [beware the sappiness].

Today, I went to my [old] high school football game where I saw many classmates from just a few months prior. The excitement of everyone was evident but then for some, things almost felt forced as though I had an obligation to say hello, just because they were a part of the last four years of my life.

However, with others [to my amazement] things felt as if things had never changed. Almost as though it was just a weekend and there we were back together on Monday morning. For the most part I thought things wouldn't be that way. Even though we all say the words that "we'll be friends forever!" and "OMG, we have to hang out when you come home!"...& my personal favorite "you're not that far we'll always chill!" We say these words because it's the norm. It's just what you say. I don't think people would really like it if everyone was honest with each other and said "hey, you know it's been a good few years but I doubt I'll ever really see you again...but maybe at a reunion." Now, words like that would be the truth.

However, there are the few where you swear those words will always remain true. Because there are just certain friends in your life who were sent to you for a reason [sorry if i'm getting cheesy] and you just can't imagine your life without them. For the most part we don't really know who they are, or appreciate them as much as we should until they're gone. Until you're friendship is really challenged, especially with distance, and even though we are the technology generation it's still hard to keep in touch. But you know things will always be how they are when after months of not seeing each other, and hardly really talking, like they way you did back in high school [i'm talking like i've been out of high school for years!], and for a few hours you hang out, and it's like nothing has even changed.

There's a certain comfort in that, to know regardless of what life throws at you you'll always have the one's who've never steered your wrong. Who've put up with your strange mannerisms. Have told you time & time again that he's not good enough for you. Ran all those warm up miles. Stolen your food. Told me I was right. And have laughed at all of my horrible jokes. No matter where life has taken me, or where it has yet to lead me. There are the few that will always be not too far behind.

in defense of tabloids

"If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees."

-Kahlil Gibran, Sand and Foam

OK, let's all admit it, it's something like a guilty pleasure for us all. Secretly [or not so secretly], we all are curious about the lives of celebrities behind closed doors. Why? Who knows, that question for now is entirely irrelevant.

Until recently I was like many others of this world believing that tabloids were just made up gossip and all of its contents were just a fallacy.

However after a [almost] full semester of a journalism class, I realize why that just can't be. First of all, tabloid refers to a format, not content [oh George, you taught us so well] second, if you purposely fabricate your facts to the masses, you'll pay [that's libel, it's more complicated then that.. but just go with it]. Chances are, with your pocket, and a hefty amount at that. third of all, if found out, you risk the chance of losing all credibility. And fourth, perhaps we should all just simply accept the fact that information provided by these tabloids is in fact legitimate [I wouldn't lie].

Let's take the Enquirer for example. Several times they have broken political stories BEFORE mainstream media [like the John Edwards love child scandal]. Hey, we can even go as far as to say that it is journalism in it's purest form. What we all should be doing is, rather than condemning these papers praise them for their efforts. I mean, they too are journalist who work just as hard, if not harder [which from what I could tell is the case] then any journalist out there. There is but only one things these journalist won't do for a story, and that's break the law. These journalist go through the same process as all others when it comes to fact checking, and sources, and law suits. The Enquirer never publishes a story they aren't 100% on, and as I'm told 1/3 of the stories written/pitched are shot down because they aren't concrete enough. Now if that ain't darn good journalism, I don't know what is.

OK, you might all be wondering why I've seen the light and have been converted into a [open]of tabloids, well I must say it's in part to Barry Levine. Editor of the Enquirer, he gave my journalism class a little visit the other day, and what can I say, I am now a believer.

HAHAHA not.