Judge, Jury and Executioner

You know, I have been watching a couple of videos this morning. Most of them are old news and some of them do, in fact, impact a lot of us directly. There is a similar patter that I seem to be seeing in all of them and before I move on to happier topics, I feel the serious need to address them. The theme for today is prejudice.

Fact is, we have all been prejudiced at one point in our lives. You have thought that, oh, this kind of person is always like this or that gender, that race, that religion of person always has and always will act like this, that or the other. Sometimes it's ugly, sometimes it comes in unfounded compliments and other times it's just wrong.

I will begin with gender violence. It is wrong and it needs to stop. Last year, in Kenya, people went up in arms (finally) over women being stripped. "My Dress, My Choice" has been a running theme for years now and it only comes up when FINALLY there is some proof to the rumour. Not only do some people justify this with horrible statements like "Men are visual creatures" and "She should have dressed properly" but people have sort of accepted this for fact. Here are the facts I have to give on the matter:

1. Men ARE visual creatures but they also have brains and an entire history of experiences that should teach them otherwise.

2. Stripping is wrong. Full stop.

This tirade is a little late, but hey, better late than never.

I want to now continue with another video I saw about a man who was arrested for waiting for his children in a public area. He was consequently yelled at by two cops, even as his children rushed over, confirming his story, and the cops would not let down. Another is of a man who has been arrested over and over again for going to work. Cops have apparently been arresting him multiple times the moment he steps into the store to work and while he works too. This has been so upsetting that his boss is actually filing a suit against the cops in question. I haven't followed up on either of these stories yet, but it's really getting my goat.

Finally, I want to talk a bit about sexuality. It has come up, and I've been asked, as a Psychologist, imagine you have a homosexual client. What would you do? This has also been asked in the context of me being a Christian but my answer is the same.

Yes I am a Christian and I don't like the whole idea of homosexuality. The truth, however, is that it is there and if my client is one of them, there is nothing I can do about it. I have to be professional and treat the problem that the client has come with, not the problem I think they have. What they have decided to do with their life is up to them. I can only go so far with my message, even as a Christian, and this is not one of those times or places.

My major problem with this aspect is believing that one can become judge, jury and executioner all in one, despite the fact that you are JUST human. If a woman has dressed inappropriately, it is NOT reason enough to then divest her of all her clothing in the name of moral vengeance. If a man is standing outside a premises, he probably has every right to be there and he should be asked before he is arrested unnecessarily. If a person needs help, no matter what their religion, sexual preference, race, gender etc, who are you to pronounce judgement of them INSTEAD of giving help?

There are a lot of aspects to this, I know. There is a lot behind these incidents, I get it. Still, I believe, the only one who has the right to play judge, jury and executioner is God, not because He is the only one allowed to be prejudiced. No. It is because He knows ALL of His children. What He chooses to do with them is up to Him and not me.

Even if you don't believe in God and religion, there is the basic principle of "Innocent until proven guilty." It still applies. Here's what I think; I think many of us lose a precious opportunity to get to know someone that will impact our lives in a great way. I think prejudice closes all the doors on opportunity to impact the world. I believe that if we set aside those prejudiced beliefs for just one moment, all of us would have something to be proud of in the end.

Think about it.

Bunny Out (:3

Brave Kitty :3

Hey everyone.

So I got some sad news last week. Our cat, Teddy, had come home in really bad shape. Then when he was taken to the vet, we were given the even worse news that he may have to be put down. I can't put into words how I felt when I heard.

Teddy is three years old and has been friend and playmate to all of us since he came home as a cute and feisty kitten. It wasn't the happiest of moments for any of us really. Despite the sombreness of the situation, somehow asking my friends to help us in prayer for our dear beloved kitty made them laugh. Not. Cool. :(

What gives me a lot of hope is the fact that he is still alive today and he pulled through quite well. His face is deformed and his jaw was broken and so had to be put back in place, but he's going to be fine as long as his infection gets under control.

We went to see him today and, dirty as he was, he was still happy to see us. He even purred (something he saves for special occasions) to say how happy he was to see us.

It's touching to think that although he went missing for a few days before he came back, he actually came back!!!

None of our pets, when they go missing, have ever really pulled such a stunt and I'm proud of him. He fought for life and he came back home so he could get help and now he's doing just fine. There's still that pesky infection to get rid of. It keeps recurring and there is still a chance that it might kill him but dear teddy is still alive and kicking and that's something.

I dedicate this blog therefore, to my brave little kitty (below) and I hope that you will join me in wishing him a quick recovery so he can come back home.

Bunny Out! (:3

Babies!

I just watched this really awesome documentary depicting the lives of four vastly different babies from extremely different backgrounds.
Being the wannabe mum I am, I was squealing through most of it because the babies are just so very cute!

The documentary shows the kids'lives from birth to their first steps and so shows not only the differences that we as human beings have, but our similarities too. It was a little exciting for me to hear each of the babies say "mama" or learn to stand on unsteady feet and then fall again....

There is something undeniably heart-warming about babies. Sure they require work and dedication and 24 hour love and attention, but there seems to be so much more joy in motherhood and knowing that this tiny little person is all mine and I will help them make something of themselves.

It was amazing that though these kids are all in so very different environments with extremely (almost) varying cultures, they still went through the exact same stages at around the same time. They all began to crawl, to speak, to eat solids and even to stand at around the same time. Amazing, isn't it, how we're wired just right to suit our purpose in life.

No matter where we are, where we come from, who our families are or what our society looks like, all mothers (who do love their kids) love their children with the same kind of love and are fully devoted to the cause of motherhood. We all took that first step and now the marathons we run, the essays (or blogs) we write, the messages we send, the conversations we share and the knowledge we hold dear, we take more or less for granted.

Even more so are the people around us. We are separated by such trivial things as country boundaries or continental location or skin or hair colour. Beyond that, beyond the cultures, the societal norms, the physical features, the geographical boundaries and so on, we are all simply just human and we should appreciate each and every one of us for that fact. It's the differences that make us such a wonderful world, no?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all see the world as babies do? They are so innocent and sweet. If they meet another baby, they don't care if it is black or white, male or female, comes from a rich or poor family. They just found a playmate! Wouldn't that be so epic?

For me, this documentary has just made me appreciate my parents all the more for raising me and I am actually looking forward to having a little one of my own one day *wistful sigh*

Bunny Out (:3

The Folks

How do you know that your parents love you?
I mean, really. I have fights with mine all the time and let's face it, they drive me up seven walls sometimes. But somehow, I still know that all those fights will get better in the end so, how do you really know?
I think, number one is the fact that if you steal a little of their change for your own selfish gains (not that I've ever done this but my siblings do a lot) and your parents still keep their money in the very same place. They might tell you off for it, because hey, the economy is a hell-rider on a black stallion and baying for blood so they kinda need it.
Second is the fact that no matter what you do, if they see you in trouble, they want to help you out of it. You know those stupid things you do that your parents don't know about (a secret boyfriend perhaps?) and then everything goes wrong and your poor mum and/or dad have to bail you out emotionally, physically etc. Boy have I had my fair share of these. Yet still they're willing to either teach me a lesson or help me out anyway because they care that much.
Another way is by the little things they do. It seems like they have to (and in cases like mine, by law they must!) but really they don't. Your dad didn't have to get you that expensive tablet or x-box. Your mum didn't have to slave over a hot stove for your dinner. Your parents didn't have to buy you nice things for your birthday or for Christmas. By just providing the bare essentials, they could have saved a lot of money and time and probably have been much richer than they are now.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that they're better off without you, God knows they wouldn't be. What I mean is that by giving you nice things and standing up for you when the whole world is looking down on you is not a necessary thing. There are so many kids out there who want that love of a parent and yet, I'm busily hating mine and scheming against them - not that I do.
Next time dad needs a cup of tea, why not get up and do it? Next time mum comes home tired, how about letting her sit while you get dinner ready?
It may not seem like very much, but you have no idea how happy it makes them.
So kids, go easy on your folks, huh?
Bunny out! (:3

Back to School

Well, it was my birthday yesterday and I feel a little older, but I'm glad I got to celebrate it with my friends. I'm a university student but I board a little far from home so I couldn't celebrate it with them, but I got their messages and I feel the love. It's nice to have someone remember you, you know? I'm in a pretty good mood :)
More on that later.
I have just had to sit through a three hour class that was thankfully cut short by our merciful lecturer. I finally fell asleep at 2.45 in the morning and had to wake up almost exactly five hours later. Five hours sleep plus three hours in class do not a good combination make, I'll tell you that.
It was my fault, I'll admit. I ruined my biological clock over the holidays and stayed up the whole night then slept in the morning. I forgot to reset my clock for school I guess, but I should be fine in a week or so. Still, I'm diving head first into school activities. In the first week, not much should happen, but already I have a group assignment and a partner and I have a two and a half hour meeting I have to attend (yikes!) this evening. At least it won't be boring... I hope.
Still, after a very long holiday (3 months of holiday per year, and all at once, is a dream for me) I am glad to be back in school. It gives me a purpose and a reason to be lazy. When you're lazy without work, you're just plain lazy. When you're lazy but have work to do, it's called resting :D
My friends are also pretty cool so I can't wait to see the drama and the laughs that we'll share this semester. I don't even feel like I'm in school (of course this is if we omit the three hour classes)!
Back to school and in a good mood... best combo ever! I will miss home eventually since being lazy there is more comfortable, but I think I'll do just fine. Anyone else have a back-to-school experience or maybe about to have one? I left my little brother on his holiday but with the end of my birthday month comes the beginning of a new school term.
So far, mine rocks and I hope yours does too!
Bunny Out! (:3

The Big Question!

As long as the human race has known, there has been a need to find a mate for life. I personally think this is a very big step in one's life. I can only imagine what it's like when you get to the point in your marriage where one word becomes a whole entire joke that has the two of you laughing in fits while your kids, and possibly grand kids, wonder if you're getting senile. (Kudos to the couple that's been married for 62 years!)

What brought on this blog, you may ask?

Well, I was browsing through some Youtube videos and I decided to click on this one that read "25 Awesome Wedding Proposals." I will admit that it was pretty epic. I don't know about you, but being the emotional female that I sometimes am, I actually started tearing by the time the proposals had counted down to the first one.

I don't think I've ever thought about it before, the whole proposal thing. I always skip ahead to picking up my husband's socks and having to deal with a veritable army of hellions who will give me a splitting headache every ten minutes...

But that first part is pretty epic, you know?

The part where this one guy has decided that you are the one he has been looking for all his life and gets down on one knee to ask you that one question. I'm not a guy so I don't know, but I'm pretty sure that when it gets to that point in life, the guy is really determined to have you. It warms the heart, you know? It really feels good to be loved.

I have no clue what will happen on that day and I can pretty much tell that my time is almost coming. I'm now in my twenties and in the next ten years or so, most if not all my friends and peers will start taking that step forward. It's a bit scary when you get to this part of growing up, right? I mean, is this person right for me? What if I make a mistake and end up pulling a Britney Spears type divorce (55 hours - yikes! Not judging, but seriously now...)

It's normal I guess. Everyone has to go through that phase at least one time in their lives.

I will say this for my fears. My mother told me that if I wait to get everything "in order" before I get married, I will never take that step. I hope that by the time I get to that point, I will be ready... and I hope the lucky guy I do say yes to is ready. I'm a feisty one! ;)

Now, if I can just find myself a nice boyfriend >:) [evil laugh - I kid though... mostly]

Bunny Out! (:3

Styling it up!

I will probably get hate mail for this post, but hey, whatever rocks your boat :3

Okay, so I do watch the style network but this is a recent turn of events. Dad got us DSTV last year for Christmas and we've had a lot more variety in our viewing choices. One show I like is "How do I look" which is hosted by the very lovely Jeanie Mai.

I like this show especially because unlike the others, it doesn't just deal with one's outer look. It seeks to solve the inner problems leading up to that outer look and since that's up my alley, I have been learning a lot in line with my fashion choices and stuff.

I'll tell you now, I'm no size zero but people seem to have the inane need to keep pointing that out. Of course I didn't look in a mirror this last decade and I have no idea how big I am. Please tell me as insensitively as possible how my bum is so big it could crush a forklift (-.-)

I know there are jerks in this world and there are nice people too, but I'll tell you now, weight is ALWAYS a sore subject and it should not be brought up where possible. I'm not as big as all that but when you're made to feel like an elephant all the time, it does get to a certain level where you're not sure whether to hit the person talking upside the head or strip and let them get used to it...

Well, this show as well as Jeanie's advice on fashion has given me a new perspective on the way that I dress. Fashion does not belong only to the skinny and no more will I suffer under the plight of frumpy clothes and way too big dresses. I don't entirely understand why after you pass a certain size of body, the clothing options stand somewhere between tent and bed sheet. It;s rather insensitive to think we don't want to look good because we're not small. Well, the weight isn't just going to magically disappear so what do I wear until then? I mean, really...

Another site I like is the Girls With Curves website. Their tag line is "Sexy is not a Size."

I understand where they're coming from and the accompanying images will show you that indeed, sexy is not a size. I do believe that now and anyone who mentions my weight in a derogatory way (who is not my doctor or physical trainer - the latter of who I do not have anyway) is gonna get an earful from me!

Well, enough about my ranting. The point is that I'm more confident about myself and I can see how I can get more comfortable with who I am and what I have. I'm gonna show it off too! Look out world, I'm a big woman and I take up space so you'd better move aside! I'm coming to get ya!

Bunny Out (:3