This is a really long entry...I needed to vent about my frustrations
First off, let me say I am eating a cold grilled cheese sandwich from our wonderful D-Hall. Their food can be kinda crappy sometimes, but when you're poor, and need to go grocery shopping...it's the best place to go. I'm serious. My roommates and I made industrious use of tupperware and huge ziplock bags. Dreyfuss caught us, BUT the old lady who kept pacing past us couldn't figure it out.
So, I'm taking two summer courses here at JMU and loving living in an apartment. I have been thinking so much lately. Ever been in a introspective mood? That's been me lately.
So, you Harrisonburgites may have heard of the Valley Family Forum. Such an OPEN MINDED group of old white (and wrinkly) rich geezers, plus a few young politicians who are affiliated. This group gives such a bad impression about politically active Christians. I took Nicole wtih me and as we left, she denounced her affiliation with Christianity. I mean, these are the type of people (at least hte ones I was arguing with) who will read the Bible literally when they want to and ignore stuff that promotes that God loves all. I mean, I really know ZERO about religion. But I had always thought that Christianity was about morals, and that God loved all beings, etc. I thought the Christian "morality" included reaching out to those in need, regardless of their personal belief system, but to help a fellow human. Put the brakes on, I was wrong. Apparently tolerance has its limits. And gays shouldn't marry. And, it should be legal to discriminate them. And hate crimes against them shouldn't be illegal. And FORGET gay marriage. And family has a strict definition. Because you know, we all fit that exact family model. Bull shit. This group was about religious freedom, but it seemed one sided. They seemed to promote religious freedom in order for htem to use it as a tool to battle (not confront) their ill based fears about those who are different. I argued with Walt Barbee, the founder of the National Family Forum. And I greatly greatly dislike him. He'll be hearing from me in the form of letters quite soon. I'm so angry. But, kinda of jealous. Those leaders got up on their soap boxes and told all those geezers to VOTE VOTE VOTE. To write to the politicians, to be involved. I can't complain the way things are. Because I haven't done enough to get my view across. If the views presented to politicians are one sided, maybe they are doing not such a bad job of voting on legislation. Really. They may be just misguided, and they haven't heard from me yet. Yet being the key word.
***disclaimer, I'm not criticizing Christianity, just the buffoons that shoved it in my face at this meeting. And used it in negative ways. I hope that really didn't offend anyone
On another note, I got a 7am phone call this morning from my buddy Julianna who has some form of mental retardation, (I can't remember it). She called me from school and needs a ride to the hospital. I don't know why her father or dead beat brother couldn't do it...but that's not really what I'm worried about. She said she hasn't eaten for two weeks. Damn. Something's gotta be up, and she didn't mention it when I talked to her a week ago. So, I have a huge SPED200 test tonight, and couldn't take her. And I also have a midterm tomorrow morning. So I'll prolly be in the hospital tomorrow afternoon, twiddling my thumbs in a waiting room. I think her family disregards her fears, her dreams, her thoughts, just because she has been labeled wtih a disability. She's one of the best people to just talk to. I don't have to be continuing this Best Buddy program over the summer. I'm not spending time with her for altruistic reasons. She improves my mood and my outlook.
Also, I think I've started to decide against the Peace Corps. Two years away...I can't put my life aside for that long. I wouldn't be necessarily be putting my life aside, since it's something that I really want to do, but I'd have to postpone things about my life that involve other people. I don't want to miss out on all the exciting stuff. And also not so exciting moments, but meaningful ones like having my grandma tell her life story to me. So I'm looking to find alternative programs that I can go overseas--preferably Russia. PC didn't have a program in Russia and was too long. So, I found a program that went to Russia for a couple months (perfect!)...downfall...cost ME money. I can't afford that. So I'm on a search now in case I want to do it for a semester while I'm in college, etc. I'm taking extra classes now so I can get sort of ahead to account for a possible semester abroad. I have no clue.
I've been realizing that my views about humanity are mcuh more empassioned than I had ever realized. Because of my new interest in activism and the PC, I'm not so sure what I want to do with my life. I still want to do Special education, especially since my time with Julianna, but that's not all I want to do. I want my sister to be able to be legally married if she wants, and to adopt a kid, etc without a social worker giving her a second glance. I want the crap that surrounds her and so many others' lives to stop. Because it pisses me the hell off.
Most of July and August I will be back home. Except for a trip to Santa Fe and HOPEFULLY to Boston to visit my friend Blair. And when I'm not working, I'm gonna be learning how to do finances and budgets as well as trying to make a website that doesn't look pathetic. Also, if anyone wants to visit JMU or get away from home, you can stay with me =)
So, I'm taking two summer courses here at JMU and loving living in an apartment. I have been thinking so much lately. Ever been in a introspective mood? That's been me lately.
So, you Harrisonburgites may have heard of the Valley Family Forum. Such an OPEN MINDED group of old white (and wrinkly) rich geezers, plus a few young politicians who are affiliated. This group gives such a bad impression about politically active Christians. I took Nicole wtih me and as we left, she denounced her affiliation with Christianity. I mean, these are the type of people (at least hte ones I was arguing with) who will read the Bible literally when they want to and ignore stuff that promotes that God loves all. I mean, I really know ZERO about religion. But I had always thought that Christianity was about morals, and that God loved all beings, etc. I thought the Christian "morality" included reaching out to those in need, regardless of their personal belief system, but to help a fellow human. Put the brakes on, I was wrong. Apparently tolerance has its limits. And gays shouldn't marry. And, it should be legal to discriminate them. And hate crimes against them shouldn't be illegal. And FORGET gay marriage. And family has a strict definition. Because you know, we all fit that exact family model. Bull shit. This group was about religious freedom, but it seemed one sided. They seemed to promote religious freedom in order for htem to use it as a tool to battle (not confront) their ill based fears about those who are different. I argued with Walt Barbee, the founder of the National Family Forum. And I greatly greatly dislike him. He'll be hearing from me in the form of letters quite soon. I'm so angry. But, kinda of jealous. Those leaders got up on their soap boxes and told all those geezers to VOTE VOTE VOTE. To write to the politicians, to be involved. I can't complain the way things are. Because I haven't done enough to get my view across. If the views presented to politicians are one sided, maybe they are doing not such a bad job of voting on legislation. Really. They may be just misguided, and they haven't heard from me yet. Yet being the key word.
***disclaimer, I'm not criticizing Christianity, just the buffoons that shoved it in my face at this meeting. And used it in negative ways. I hope that really didn't offend anyone
On another note, I got a 7am phone call this morning from my buddy Julianna who has some form of mental retardation, (I can't remember it). She called me from school and needs a ride to the hospital. I don't know why her father or dead beat brother couldn't do it...but that's not really what I'm worried about. She said she hasn't eaten for two weeks. Damn. Something's gotta be up, and she didn't mention it when I talked to her a week ago. So, I have a huge SPED200 test tonight, and couldn't take her. And I also have a midterm tomorrow morning. So I'll prolly be in the hospital tomorrow afternoon, twiddling my thumbs in a waiting room. I think her family disregards her fears, her dreams, her thoughts, just because she has been labeled wtih a disability. She's one of the best people to just talk to. I don't have to be continuing this Best Buddy program over the summer. I'm not spending time with her for altruistic reasons. She improves my mood and my outlook.
Also, I think I've started to decide against the Peace Corps. Two years away...I can't put my life aside for that long. I wouldn't be necessarily be putting my life aside, since it's something that I really want to do, but I'd have to postpone things about my life that involve other people. I don't want to miss out on all the exciting stuff. And also not so exciting moments, but meaningful ones like having my grandma tell her life story to me. So I'm looking to find alternative programs that I can go overseas--preferably Russia. PC didn't have a program in Russia and was too long. So, I found a program that went to Russia for a couple months (perfect!)...downfall...cost ME money. I can't afford that. So I'm on a search now in case I want to do it for a semester while I'm in college, etc. I'm taking extra classes now so I can get sort of ahead to account for a possible semester abroad. I have no clue.
I've been realizing that my views about humanity are mcuh more empassioned than I had ever realized. Because of my new interest in activism and the PC, I'm not so sure what I want to do with my life. I still want to do Special education, especially since my time with Julianna, but that's not all I want to do. I want my sister to be able to be legally married if she wants, and to adopt a kid, etc without a social worker giving her a second glance. I want the crap that surrounds her and so many others' lives to stop. Because it pisses me the hell off.
Most of July and August I will be back home. Except for a trip to Santa Fe and HOPEFULLY to Boston to visit my friend Blair. And when I'm not working, I'm gonna be learning how to do finances and budgets as well as trying to make a website that doesn't look pathetic. Also, if anyone wants to visit JMU or get away from home, you can stay with me =)