Gender Roles

Julianne and I were talking about this last week and I feel compelled to begin a commentary about it. I'm the type that really needs to stew and talk and talk and stew for a while to really come to a confident conclusion of how I feel about something. My tendency is to lazily rely on arguments that others have come to, rather than truly taking the time and effort to know how *I* feel independent of the contributing parties/studies/etc. That being said, I reserve the right to change my mind about anything I say on here. As I study and experience new information that probably will change my ultimate conclusions. Not that I really believe in "ultimate" conclusions. Einstein once said, "The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know." Socrates said something similar, the basic interpretation being, "The only thing I know, is that I know nothing." Learning isn't necessarily linear. Maybe in math, but life isn't calculated. Life is extremely interconnected and that's what I love about it.

So. There's a video I saw a while back that I re-watched with some friends last night and I think it might be a good place to start to get the ball rolling.

Part one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPF1FhCMPuQ
Part two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8B1nKGIAeg&feature=related

I guess it's possible to think that speech is really a tangent from the discussion of gender roles, but I think her speech is ultimately more of a commentary of her belief in God and how that relates to gender roles and then how *that* relates to the issue of abortion. I've got to run, but I'll continue on this later.

Sleep is for Pansies.

Okay, not really. I need my sleep. It's been a long, busy day which I may or may not blog about later. In the meantime I thought I might post a few pictures of Alysa's 17th birthday.. :]

We went to the DeYoung museum in SF and saw part two of the Impressionist exhibit they had going there. Really quite amazing- the art displayed there usually resides in Europe so it was really a wonderful opportunity.

Here's a picture of the view from the top floor of the museum. San Francisco is a beautiful city.

My parents. :]

♥

Birthday girl!

Making walrus cupcakes!

The final product! =]=]

YESSSSSSSSSS

I think I'm doing quite an excellent job of starting off this year right, if I do say so myself. =]=]

New Years Eve we had a karaoke/game night shindig at our house and it was SO MUCH FUN. The night ended with Julianne and Sarah & Joel sharing their singing/guitar talents and it was awesome. And then of course Stephanie and I exchanged new years smooches. hehehe on each others cheeks, of course. And Sarah & Joel ambushed me with a smooch sandwich.

New Years Day we hiked at Rancho San Antonio park, I re-organized my mom's pantry, and had myself a diaper stripping/boiling partayy. Ah, gotta love fresh starts.

Sunday I listened to the Mozart CD my dad got Jamie for Christmas and I credit my whomping him at Speed Scrabble with words like "druids" to the brain stimulation that the music provided. :]

Today I visited a school that I think I'm going to attend to earn a Medical Assistant degree. I'd graduate in September and be able to start working at a hospital right away. YAY IMMA GOING TO WEAR SCRUBS. so hott right now. No, but seriously, I know I'd really love it and would be really good at it to boot. It's in the field I want to end up in and I'll be able to get a better hands-on idea of what *exactly* I want to continue in. Endocrinologist, ultrasound tech, dietitian, respiratory therapist... they all appeal to me in one way or another at this point. I just don't really have the time to just dapple in this and that anymore. Medical Assistant sounds like such a perfect fit!

Anddddd I started and finished a project today that I've been wanting to do for quite some time now.

BEFORE: ugly fold-up table which had a knack for attracting clutter

My solution? An "organizational mattress satchel" (thanks alysa for naming it)





AFTER: I feel so accomplished!! I made it all by myself!! With custom pouches for my phone and other necessities. ♥

Goodbye 2010! Goodbye clutter!
Hello 2011! Hello school! Hello sweet, sweet organization. ♥

2011!

This is my new theme song. Period. :] Thank you Michael Buble!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AJmKkU5POA

Reflection

"I wonder sometimes how many of us don't face ourselves because we are convinced that we're worthy of only a certain level of happiness. We are limited by our imaginations and thoughts of worthiness and joy. We become comfortable in our misery because it is all we know. Or maybe it's just that we don't look for the 'real' us because we're afraid there isn't any real us to find."