It is a joke.
This standard of beauty: to be tall(ish at the very least), thin (actually, emaciated), over-processed hair, whiter than paper teeth that are perfectly straight, with at least 20 botox treatments under their belt (okay, I may exaggerate just a tad...). Regardless, this is a basic overview of what the Hollywood standard of beauty is and it is shown in most Hollywood stars.
This standard is absolutely unhealthy, not to mention unobtainable to those who have no money for trainers, nutritionists, and stylists. Yet... why do we, as a society, continue to play into this notion of beauty?!
First off, it must be said. I personally find this notion of beauty butt-ugly. Now that that has been said...
Over the past few weeks there has been a bru-ha-ha over Jessica Simpson gaining weight. The first picture of her with this weight gain appeared weeks ago and yet, it is still somehow relevant? I was watching CNN this morning and the outgoing Miss America, Kristin Haglund, appeared on the show. She was the first Miss America to make eating disorders her platform and appeared on the show to discuss eating disorders and Jessica Simpson - well, as much as she can discuss in the all of seven minutes they gave her (just to note, she was quite well-spoken, I was most impressed), which simply ticked me off all over again about the issue. I haven't bought a trash mag since this nuttiness because I was so annoyed by such negative coverage.
When I look at these pictures of Jessica Simpson, I still see a healthy woman. She's, what, a size 4? 6? Oh wow, obesity clinics around the country should be calling her. I mean, what is this?! She's the epitome of a normal, healthy woman - hell, even "skinny" based on the national average of 12-14 (don't quote me, it's been a while since I looked up that statistic). So how is it that she is fat? And why is it that we all play into this disgusting standard of beauty that is not reasonable or healthy? We should be taking pride in what the body can do and pushing to be as healthy as possible for your lifestyle and interests, not judging or being overly critical.
Upshot is? My new thesis will involve this bs standard of beauty. How? You'll be finding out when the sucker is written - guess you'll just have to wait and see!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A Trip Home
I took a weekend trip home. A weekend trip that turned into 6 days, including travel days (i.e. part day on the trip to CA and a full day on the trip back to DC - don't you love how that works out?!).
I took this random trip home because I had a random moment of homesickness. About two days after booking the flight (two weeks before the weekend might I add), I lost that homesickness and was wondering why in the world I'm still taking this trip. Maybe I should just just cancel the flight and save the $220 for a future flight (can you believe it was that cheap?! I spent near enough to that just getting to Nor-Cal back in the day). But... I went home.
And loved every minute of it. I reconnected with a ton of people and was reminded of what I like about LA (don't get me wrong... there's still much of LA that can just finish going to the rats). I enjoyed it enough that I will most likely be applying to UCLA this year.
I flew in Thursday and got picked up by Sena. We went and picked out what shoes I'll be wearing for her wedding, then had lunch. It was great getting the chance to catch up in person and see how things are going. I then got to go shopping with Dad for his renewal of vows shirt. Him being male means that it really didn't take us all that long, so we managed to have a drink and an artichoke while waiting for mom for dinner.
Friday held a real exciting day - I had a doctor's appointment! Whoo! Or not? One thing DC has done for me is taught me to get off my lazy ass. Back in the day I parked in the lot and just paid for parking. Not anymore. I found street parking and hoofed it in. I'll have to keep this up in the future. But Friday night was a very enjoyable evening out. Lauren and I ended up at Hennessy's with Shelley, Lynn, Dan, and Eric joining the party. Shells and I got the brilliant idea that the next time I come home we're going to have an 80's prom - the pictures alone (and the boys dressing like dorks) will be totally worth it.
Saturday was another incredibly full day, more full than I had anticipated, but super fun. I saw my godmother for breakfast, hung with Mikey for a good chunk of the day, then came the evening.
Yes, the evening gets its own paragraph. A crew of us went to Daikokuya (if I spelled that right, then I'm a Goddess... just sayin'). I picked up Shelley, Beverly, and Nick and we set off on our adventure. Yes, adventure. As Nick and I had a bit of trouble navigating (are we surprised?!), we were off and on freeways and turning around more than once or twice. Whoops. Dinner was quite fun and yummy (thanks for the tip Adam!) and then... the salami experience. Adam and Joanne walk to Adam's car -- the plan is that I'll follow them to drop off Joanne, then go see Rocky Horror at midnight in Pasadena with Adam. I get in the car. I look down at the passenger seat and see on the floor of the passenger side a roll of dry salami. That's right. This big ol' hunk of meat that was soooooo not there before. I immediately twist around to see if there's somebody hiding in my backseat -- about two seconds away from diving bombing out of my car and running helter skelter. I lock the doors, pull out after determining that some crazy person isn't out to kill me, then start following Adam (no, they have no clue what's going on). I call Nick, who has no clue what I'm talking about when I ask him if it's his salami (yes, start the dirty jokes now). Then I call home.
It was my dad's salami. No joke.
Rocky Horror was a treat. I got to hang out in the lighting section! I got to hang with Adam... wait... does this deserve an exclamation point too? I kid, I kid! I've seen the midnight showing of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, but not The Rocky Horror Picture Show, so it was definitely an experience. Getting to drive fast in LA was also definitely an experience. If you go 20 mph over the limit here, you risk getting arrested and for sure a misdemeanor. Clearly, I've learned how to get my dang foot off the gas. But not if I don't have to!!!
Sunday proved to be a day for the ages. I took my folks to the airport (yes, I took THEM to the airport, not the other way around... mama's a little confused these days apparently and forgot what weekend they were going to Vegas... dad was right... which is infrequent at best, so he was quite pleased with himself on this one). I hung with Lauren, did the grocery shopping for my dinner party that night and then home to get some stuff done.
More people showed up than I expected. People stayed way later than I expected - the last leaving around 1:30am. Christina made amazing porkchops and I made crack sangria (Eric's name for it as it was... strong... to say the least). It was an enjoyable evening with random moments of, "what just happened there?!" and other moments of, "when do we start asking questions?" Upshot was: I wasn't going to be making my flight in the morning. So I changed my flight at 3:30am and slept in. Dinner with Christina was yummy (Mama D's tortellini in pink sauce... mmmm... I want more!). Leaving dinner, there's this middle-aged couple that looks vaguely familiar. I figure I must be nuts, but the guy stops me. I'm thinking he'll tell me who he is... not so much. He said that I looked very pretty that night, very classy and his wife just smiled and nodded. I decided not to try to figure out what was going on and just said thanks and ran. No make-up and my hair in a sloppy bun and I look CLASSY? Since when? Geeez.
I caught my flight Tuesday. I missed one class of each of my classes. Guess I can't be sick for the rest of the semester!
I'm working a double shift today and seven shifts over the next two weeks (as opposed to four).
Why did I come back?!
I took this random trip home because I had a random moment of homesickness. About two days after booking the flight (two weeks before the weekend might I add), I lost that homesickness and was wondering why in the world I'm still taking this trip. Maybe I should just just cancel the flight and save the $220 for a future flight (can you believe it was that cheap?! I spent near enough to that just getting to Nor-Cal back in the day). But... I went home.
And loved every minute of it. I reconnected with a ton of people and was reminded of what I like about LA (don't get me wrong... there's still much of LA that can just finish going to the rats). I enjoyed it enough that I will most likely be applying to UCLA this year.
I flew in Thursday and got picked up by Sena. We went and picked out what shoes I'll be wearing for her wedding, then had lunch. It was great getting the chance to catch up in person and see how things are going. I then got to go shopping with Dad for his renewal of vows shirt. Him being male means that it really didn't take us all that long, so we managed to have a drink and an artichoke while waiting for mom for dinner.
Friday held a real exciting day - I had a doctor's appointment! Whoo! Or not? One thing DC has done for me is taught me to get off my lazy ass. Back in the day I parked in the lot and just paid for parking. Not anymore. I found street parking and hoofed it in. I'll have to keep this up in the future. But Friday night was a very enjoyable evening out. Lauren and I ended up at Hennessy's with Shelley, Lynn, Dan, and Eric joining the party. Shells and I got the brilliant idea that the next time I come home we're going to have an 80's prom - the pictures alone (and the boys dressing like dorks) will be totally worth it.
Saturday was another incredibly full day, more full than I had anticipated, but super fun. I saw my godmother for breakfast, hung with Mikey for a good chunk of the day, then came the evening.
Yes, the evening gets its own paragraph. A crew of us went to Daikokuya (if I spelled that right, then I'm a Goddess... just sayin'). I picked up Shelley, Beverly, and Nick and we set off on our adventure. Yes, adventure. As Nick and I had a bit of trouble navigating (are we surprised?!), we were off and on freeways and turning around more than once or twice. Whoops. Dinner was quite fun and yummy (thanks for the tip Adam!) and then... the salami experience. Adam and Joanne walk to Adam's car -- the plan is that I'll follow them to drop off Joanne, then go see Rocky Horror at midnight in Pasadena with Adam. I get in the car. I look down at the passenger seat and see on the floor of the passenger side a roll of dry salami. That's right. This big ol' hunk of meat that was soooooo not there before. I immediately twist around to see if there's somebody hiding in my backseat -- about two seconds away from diving bombing out of my car and running helter skelter. I lock the doors, pull out after determining that some crazy person isn't out to kill me, then start following Adam (no, they have no clue what's going on). I call Nick, who has no clue what I'm talking about when I ask him if it's his salami (yes, start the dirty jokes now). Then I call home.
It was my dad's salami. No joke.
Rocky Horror was a treat. I got to hang out in the lighting section! I got to hang with Adam... wait... does this deserve an exclamation point too? I kid, I kid! I've seen the midnight showing of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, but not The Rocky Horror Picture Show, so it was definitely an experience. Getting to drive fast in LA was also definitely an experience. If you go 20 mph over the limit here, you risk getting arrested and for sure a misdemeanor. Clearly, I've learned how to get my dang foot off the gas. But not if I don't have to!!!
Sunday proved to be a day for the ages. I took my folks to the airport (yes, I took THEM to the airport, not the other way around... mama's a little confused these days apparently and forgot what weekend they were going to Vegas... dad was right... which is infrequent at best, so he was quite pleased with himself on this one). I hung with Lauren, did the grocery shopping for my dinner party that night and then home to get some stuff done.
More people showed up than I expected. People stayed way later than I expected - the last leaving around 1:30am. Christina made amazing porkchops and I made crack sangria (Eric's name for it as it was... strong... to say the least). It was an enjoyable evening with random moments of, "what just happened there?!" and other moments of, "when do we start asking questions?" Upshot was: I wasn't going to be making my flight in the morning. So I changed my flight at 3:30am and slept in. Dinner with Christina was yummy (Mama D's tortellini in pink sauce... mmmm... I want more!). Leaving dinner, there's this middle-aged couple that looks vaguely familiar. I figure I must be nuts, but the guy stops me. I'm thinking he'll tell me who he is... not so much. He said that I looked very pretty that night, very classy and his wife just smiled and nodded. I decided not to try to figure out what was going on and just said thanks and ran. No make-up and my hair in a sloppy bun and I look CLASSY? Since when? Geeez.
I caught my flight Tuesday. I missed one class of each of my classes. Guess I can't be sick for the rest of the semester!
I'm working a double shift today and seven shifts over the next two weeks (as opposed to four).
Why did I come back?!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
High School Friendships
I was watching this show this morning while munching on my bagel and fruit that was centered around three gals who were high school best friends, but who lost touch almost immediately after graduation. All three noted that losing touch was one of the greatest regrets of their lives.
This, of course, made me think about my own friendships and where they have come from, how they developed, and where they are at today. I have made many new wonderful friends in my post-collegiate career/schooling, as well as some interesting friendships during my collegiate career. But it was in middle school that I was first introduced to some of the women that I still call my best friends. And no, we're not talking "facebook friends" from high school that can be stalked through their pages and you pretend like you have a clue as to what they're up to, we're talking the real deal.
I suppose I do not often think how lucky I am that these people and I have remained friends, much less very good ones. I often see these wonderful people on trips home, and will always look forward to future times that I get to spend with them. The fact that we have remained friends for quite so many years is a feat in and of itself, seeing as how many of us went very different directions for college and then I ended up out here in the boonies (I kid!).
I'd like to take a moment to recognize these ladies, even if for a brief moment, only because I do realize how lucky I am and I don't want to take the friendships they have given me for granted. I have a very large personality and each of these people have accepted it, dealt with it, and made fun of it to their own liking. I'm going to do this reverse alphabetical, just to be funky.
Sena - We have incredibly different personalities, but have always found a way to appreciate the differences in each other and love them anyways. A constant support to me, it is an incredible honor to me to be able to serve as her Maid of Honor in her wedding this coming June.
Lauren - We have incredibly similar personalities, but have always found a way to fight and then make-up. It was at Lauren's house that I spent the day of my father's first kidney surgery (not the last of the surgeries certainly) and to this day, there is nowhere else I'd want to be if I couldn't be with my folks.
Christina - Christina and I ended up at middle school together, became very good friends in high school, ended up at Cal together, and now just may end up in DC together. I think she's following me around! Our appreciation for each others humor and hearts make for a fun and supportive friendship.
Now there are two people who may read this and think, "what about me?!" And those two people are Lynn and Shells - the wonder twins of MB. I purposefully did not include them in the list above because we have not been friends since middle school. We've been friends since Kindergarten. How insane is that?! I can even remember going to parties at their childhood home (which their parents still reside in). And if you all know me, you know I don't remember much! Both of these girls have their own strengths that they use to be supportive, cheerful, and a constant joy in people's lives. They have an incredible bond and when you get one, you get the other - a two for the price of one deal that can't be passed up! Although, I can't imagine why anybody would want to...
I am of the opinion that part of the reason why some of these friendships have remained so strong regardless of distance and time is that I have great role models. Both of my parents best friends they have had since 5 or 6 years old. I see my godmother (mom's best friend from Iowa) everytime I go home and I see my dad's best friend (Gary) and his fabulous wife (Sharon)... probably twice everytime I go home. Both of my folks have taken the time to cherish and nurture these friendships through good and bad - Gary always being at the hospital when my dad is there, being a support to my mom even moreso than my dad.
Such good friends that literally last a lifetime are hard to find and I hope to look back to this blog at 60 years old and still call the ladies mentioned here my friends.
This, of course, made me think about my own friendships and where they have come from, how they developed, and where they are at today. I have made many new wonderful friends in my post-collegiate career/schooling, as well as some interesting friendships during my collegiate career. But it was in middle school that I was first introduced to some of the women that I still call my best friends. And no, we're not talking "facebook friends" from high school that can be stalked through their pages and you pretend like you have a clue as to what they're up to, we're talking the real deal.
I suppose I do not often think how lucky I am that these people and I have remained friends, much less very good ones. I often see these wonderful people on trips home, and will always look forward to future times that I get to spend with them. The fact that we have remained friends for quite so many years is a feat in and of itself, seeing as how many of us went very different directions for college and then I ended up out here in the boonies (I kid!).
I'd like to take a moment to recognize these ladies, even if for a brief moment, only because I do realize how lucky I am and I don't want to take the friendships they have given me for granted. I have a very large personality and each of these people have accepted it, dealt with it, and made fun of it to their own liking. I'm going to do this reverse alphabetical, just to be funky.
Sena - We have incredibly different personalities, but have always found a way to appreciate the differences in each other and love them anyways. A constant support to me, it is an incredible honor to me to be able to serve as her Maid of Honor in her wedding this coming June.
Lauren - We have incredibly similar personalities, but have always found a way to fight and then make-up. It was at Lauren's house that I spent the day of my father's first kidney surgery (not the last of the surgeries certainly) and to this day, there is nowhere else I'd want to be if I couldn't be with my folks.
Christina - Christina and I ended up at middle school together, became very good friends in high school, ended up at Cal together, and now just may end up in DC together. I think she's following me around! Our appreciation for each others humor and hearts make for a fun and supportive friendship.
Now there are two people who may read this and think, "what about me?!" And those two people are Lynn and Shells - the wonder twins of MB. I purposefully did not include them in the list above because we have not been friends since middle school. We've been friends since Kindergarten. How insane is that?! I can even remember going to parties at their childhood home (which their parents still reside in). And if you all know me, you know I don't remember much! Both of these girls have their own strengths that they use to be supportive, cheerful, and a constant joy in people's lives. They have an incredible bond and when you get one, you get the other - a two for the price of one deal that can't be passed up! Although, I can't imagine why anybody would want to...
I am of the opinion that part of the reason why some of these friendships have remained so strong regardless of distance and time is that I have great role models. Both of my parents best friends they have had since 5 or 6 years old. I see my godmother (mom's best friend from Iowa) everytime I go home and I see my dad's best friend (Gary) and his fabulous wife (Sharon)... probably twice everytime I go home. Both of my folks have taken the time to cherish and nurture these friendships through good and bad - Gary always being at the hospital when my dad is there, being a support to my mom even moreso than my dad.
Such good friends that literally last a lifetime are hard to find and I hope to look back to this blog at 60 years old and still call the ladies mentioned here my friends.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
25 Things About Me That I'm Sure You Were Dying to Know
Facebook is a social networking site. There has been a posting going around requesting people to write 25 things about themselves. It's a fun little way to get to know your friends (or acquaintances) a little bit better. I figured you all would enjoy to get to know me a little bit better.
1. I'm an excellent swimmer and could swim all day if I were so inclined (although little things like eating and the need to pee get in the way of that)
2. I have been pierced a total of 10 times. I currently have 7. I hate needles. Go figure.
3. I really dislike math. I'm taking stats this semester. This is my new lover as I'm about to get screwed.
4. My favorite inanimate object is a bed. Take that as you wish.
5. On that note, I've had mono four times. The first when I was 9. Gives wild child a whole new meaning. (I actually got it from swimming)
6. I love to read. I will read over watching tv or movies any day of the week. Well, reading of my choice, not required reading.
7. I have this weird habit of buying workout tapes... and then not working out to them.
8. My favorite art piece of all time is a print of the American flag with the First Amendment written into it. I'm big on free speech. Clearly. If you hadn’t noticed. If you really hadn’t noticed, then you haven’t spoken to me for any length of time. You might want to get on top of that.
9. I try to be positive at most times, yet I am the most cynical person I know. Such contradictions in myself make life fun.
10. I hit a second puberty when I was around 22. My feet grew a half size, I grew two inches, and I got gray hair.
11. I do not know the meaning of tan. If I'm in the sun for longer than five minutes, I go a lovely shade of lobster red. Stop trying to convince me there are ways around this. There are not.
12. I'm training to be a personal trainer. Proof is in the pudding - I've already lost 20 pounds on my own.
13. My hair is curly. It's insanely curly. It takes me hours to do it on my own. Therefore, I get it done.
14. I own thousands of dollars worth of make-up and I do love to play with it.
15. Speaking of thousands of dollars… my shoes ain’t cheap. I do love them, treasure them, and thoroughly dislike those who steal them. Yes, two pairs were once upon a time stolen, she never apologized, therefore we don’t speak.
16. I love tulips – preferable over roses any day of the week. Not that I’d bitch if I got roses or anything.
17. I love my organized chaos. It works for me. I know exactly where everything is, even if it doesn’t have an official place.
18. My closet is anally organized – once I actually get my clothes hung up after doing 10 loads of laundry at one time. It’s organized by ROYGBIV – yes, the order of the rainbow. Black, white, gray, and brown go on one end, then the rainbow, then prints/patterns if there is no dominant color.
19. I’m a list-making machine. It’s a compulsive habit. I NEVER follow the list, but I must make them. I’ll make the same list, but different, many times over.
20. I have an addiction to iced tea. Two packets of Equal stirred in, no lemon. If there’s lemon in it, I’m not happy.
21. Slow drivers on open roads annoy me. Get out of my way. It’s not tough. If I want to drive fast, and potentially get a ticket, that’s my business. If I want to drive fast and you slow me down, I don’t promise to not flip you off.
22. I used to never take pictures. I always had a camera, but never used it. Now I use it for the most inane pictures that are goofy, dorky, and downright scary. Luckily, I have friends that are said adjectives when taking pictures.
23. I am dying to go to Greece. I can’t lay out on a boat all day long due to that lobster problem, but I’d still love to try. Oh, and doing the touristy thing sounds fun too.
24. I collect magnets. I haven’t received one in a while, so if you’re so inclined to get me an “I love you Morgan” present, feel free to give me a magnet. Dirty, nice, funny, whatever.
25. I love the fact that I went to Cal. I hated living in Berkeley. But… GO BEARS! One of the requirements of the men I date is that they didn’t go to the farm and that they can deal with watching football (preferably enjoy it) – that makes two requirements, doesn’t it? You get the gist. If you don’t, then... I can't really help you.
1. I'm an excellent swimmer and could swim all day if I were so inclined (although little things like eating and the need to pee get in the way of that)
2. I have been pierced a total of 10 times. I currently have 7. I hate needles. Go figure.
3. I really dislike math. I'm taking stats this semester. This is my new lover as I'm about to get screwed.
4. My favorite inanimate object is a bed. Take that as you wish.
5. On that note, I've had mono four times. The first when I was 9. Gives wild child a whole new meaning. (I actually got it from swimming)
6. I love to read. I will read over watching tv or movies any day of the week. Well, reading of my choice, not required reading.
7. I have this weird habit of buying workout tapes... and then not working out to them.
8. My favorite art piece of all time is a print of the American flag with the First Amendment written into it. I'm big on free speech. Clearly. If you hadn’t noticed. If you really hadn’t noticed, then you haven’t spoken to me for any length of time. You might want to get on top of that.
9. I try to be positive at most times, yet I am the most cynical person I know. Such contradictions in myself make life fun.
10. I hit a second puberty when I was around 22. My feet grew a half size, I grew two inches, and I got gray hair.
11. I do not know the meaning of tan. If I'm in the sun for longer than five minutes, I go a lovely shade of lobster red. Stop trying to convince me there are ways around this. There are not.
12. I'm training to be a personal trainer. Proof is in the pudding - I've already lost 20 pounds on my own.
13. My hair is curly. It's insanely curly. It takes me hours to do it on my own. Therefore, I get it done.
14. I own thousands of dollars worth of make-up and I do love to play with it.
15. Speaking of thousands of dollars… my shoes ain’t cheap. I do love them, treasure them, and thoroughly dislike those who steal them. Yes, two pairs were once upon a time stolen, she never apologized, therefore we don’t speak.
16. I love tulips – preferable over roses any day of the week. Not that I’d bitch if I got roses or anything.
17. I love my organized chaos. It works for me. I know exactly where everything is, even if it doesn’t have an official place.
18. My closet is anally organized – once I actually get my clothes hung up after doing 10 loads of laundry at one time. It’s organized by ROYGBIV – yes, the order of the rainbow. Black, white, gray, and brown go on one end, then the rainbow, then prints/patterns if there is no dominant color.
19. I’m a list-making machine. It’s a compulsive habit. I NEVER follow the list, but I must make them. I’ll make the same list, but different, many times over.
20. I have an addiction to iced tea. Two packets of Equal stirred in, no lemon. If there’s lemon in it, I’m not happy.
21. Slow drivers on open roads annoy me. Get out of my way. It’s not tough. If I want to drive fast, and potentially get a ticket, that’s my business. If I want to drive fast and you slow me down, I don’t promise to not flip you off.
22. I used to never take pictures. I always had a camera, but never used it. Now I use it for the most inane pictures that are goofy, dorky, and downright scary. Luckily, I have friends that are said adjectives when taking pictures.
23. I am dying to go to Greece. I can’t lay out on a boat all day long due to that lobster problem, but I’d still love to try. Oh, and doing the touristy thing sounds fun too.
24. I collect magnets. I haven’t received one in a while, so if you’re so inclined to get me an “I love you Morgan” present, feel free to give me a magnet. Dirty, nice, funny, whatever.
25. I love the fact that I went to Cal. I hated living in Berkeley. But… GO BEARS! One of the requirements of the men I date is that they didn’t go to the farm and that they can deal with watching football (preferably enjoy it) – that makes two requirements, doesn’t it? You get the gist. If you don’t, then... I can't really help you.
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