I loved school. I've always valued education and believe that it can have a great impact on peoples' lives. As I've grown older I still value education only my perspective on what education is has shifted a bit. I believe education is the pursuit of knowledge both spiritual and temporal, whether in a formal setting or not. I also believe that there is power in knowledge, which is why I continually try to educate myself. Knowledge can bring enlightenment to a hope-less situation. Knowledge can bring guidance to the lost. Knowledge can empower someone to change and make a difference in the world around them. I have experienced the power of knowledge and have found that it really has made all the difference in my life. Because of knowledge I can understand and have peace about challenges in my life. Knowledge has given me a foundation on which to build myself.
I have been amazed recently with some people I've met how they don't take advantage of the knowledge around, but rather sit confused and in a stupor, figuring that it'll all just work out magically somehow. And they are right, it will. But where I see the difference is in the quality of life they have in the interim. My life is much happier and much more peaceful when I have an understanding about what is going on. For me that means I am going to research and use the resources I have been given. Knowledge may not always fix my life but it makes the quality of my life better.
We live in a world now where knowledge is all around us. We are blessed to have more knowledge at our fingertips than most scholars had access to 'back in the day'. That's not to say that acquiring knowledge these days is easy. In fact I think it is just as difficult as it used to be. Because there is so much information available to us, through the internet and all the research that is currently being done, it is difficult to sift through it all and decide what is really true and what just sounds good. It's easy to go to someone's blog and read about, oh I don't know.... the oats controversy in a gluten free diet, but just because it's there doesn't mean it's true.
** On a side note, I do try to only write about information that I have researched and believe for myself. It's up to my readers to do their research too and decide for themselves if what I say is true.
Just because it's difficult though doesn't mean it isn't worth it. For me taking the easy way out and just letting life work itself out isn't an option. I want the power that knowledge brings with it. I want the peace and understanding. I want to use the knowledge I obtain to make my life better than it could have been. So I'll keep researching and sifting through information. I may make mistakes, I may get frustrated, but to me it's worth it.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
How do you make a video go viral?
Because I'm pretty sure this one needs to...
Oh, and bonus points to anyone who can tell me what movie scene this reminds me of. :)
Oh, and bonus points to anyone who can tell me what movie scene this reminds me of. :)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Curly Hair
I figured since I eluded to the fact that I would explain my new curly hair I should probably live up to it.
I mentioned a while ago, as in when I first started this blog, that I lost a lot of hair when I was really sick. This was pretty traumatic (that might be a bit of an exaggeration) for me. I loved me hair. It was thick, shiny, rich colored, silky soft, and I didn't need to do anything to it. I would just wash it, let it dry, and it would be movie start straight with just the right amount of volume (that might be a bit of an exaggeration too, it wasn't always perfect). I always got compliments on my hair, and I liked that.Well I guess we all need a bit of humbling. When I got sick I lost over half of my hair. It turned a funny rusty-dull color, was dry and brittle, and flat as a board.
Since I've gotten better my hair has come back to me, only different. It's not quite as thick anymore, or as soft, but my rich color has come back and on most days it's shiny and healthy looking. Oh and it's curly now... which isn't too much of a surprise because my mom and brother have curly hair and when I was really little my hair was curly too.
By request of Em T here's a picture:
My hair is so curly in fact that it's a pain to straighten it anymore (although I'll admit straight hair is more flattering to my face. Hmmm.... I'm sensing some more humbling needed). Since I'm not really the kind of person who enjoys spending loads of time getting ready I have been trying to figure out what to do. While I do straighten it once a week (which lasts about 3 days) I don't like to do it too often because of the damaging heat.
Here are some things that I have been using lately.
Kinky Curly Come Clean Shampoo and Knot Today Conditioner
On days I know I am going to keep my hair curly I use these. They are all natural products, they smell great, and they are great for naturally curly hair.
Kinky Curly Curling Custard
During the winter months this is a great styling product to use. It only takes a little bit, but it does a good job keeping the frizz down. It also leaves your hair feeling soft and natural, not like you have a stiff gel or other product in it like most other curly hair products. During the summer however, it doesn't do so good because it will actually draw water to your hair making it frizzier.
Herbal Essence Tousle Me Softly Mousse
I use this in the summer months. It controls frizz and holds the curl, but without any stiffness or crunch. It just leaves natural, soft feeling hair. This is what I used the day I took the picture.
I've enjoyed playing with my 'new' hair. I don't know if it will last or what I'll think of it years down the road. Right now I'm just glad it grew back at all.
I mentioned a while ago, as in when I first started this blog, that I lost a lot of hair when I was really sick. This was pretty traumatic (that might be a bit of an exaggeration) for me. I loved me hair. It was thick, shiny, rich colored, silky soft, and I didn't need to do anything to it. I would just wash it, let it dry, and it would be movie start straight with just the right amount of volume (that might be a bit of an exaggeration too, it wasn't always perfect). I always got compliments on my hair, and I liked that.Well I guess we all need a bit of humbling. When I got sick I lost over half of my hair. It turned a funny rusty-dull color, was dry and brittle, and flat as a board.
Since I've gotten better my hair has come back to me, only different. It's not quite as thick anymore, or as soft, but my rich color has come back and on most days it's shiny and healthy looking. Oh and it's curly now... which isn't too much of a surprise because my mom and brother have curly hair and when I was really little my hair was curly too.
By request of Em T here's a picture:
My hair is so curly in fact that it's a pain to straighten it anymore (although I'll admit straight hair is more flattering to my face. Hmmm.... I'm sensing some more humbling needed). Since I'm not really the kind of person who enjoys spending loads of time getting ready I have been trying to figure out what to do. While I do straighten it once a week (which lasts about 3 days) I don't like to do it too often because of the damaging heat.
Here are some things that I have been using lately.
Kinky Curly Come Clean Shampoo and Knot Today Conditioner
On days I know I am going to keep my hair curly I use these. They are all natural products, they smell great, and they are great for naturally curly hair.
Kinky Curly Curling Custard
During the winter months this is a great styling product to use. It only takes a little bit, but it does a good job keeping the frizz down. It also leaves your hair feeling soft and natural, not like you have a stiff gel or other product in it like most other curly hair products. During the summer however, it doesn't do so good because it will actually draw water to your hair making it frizzier.
Herbal Essence Tousle Me Softly Mousse
I use this in the summer months. It controls frizz and holds the curl, but without any stiffness or crunch. It just leaves natural, soft feeling hair. This is what I used the day I took the picture.
I've enjoyed playing with my 'new' hair. I don't know if it will last or what I'll think of it years down the road. Right now I'm just glad it grew back at all.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Apparently I'm just really sensitive.
I don't mean emotionally, although a few my contest that point.
I mean my sensitivity to gluten. I try my hardest to live my life 100% gluten-free. I take measures that most would say are extreme. And yet I am healthier and happier for it so I am not going to change. However, because I have been so strict from the very beginning it has not allowed me to see how sensitive I really am. Recently however I have had a couple experiences that have made me realize how sensitive to gluten I truly am.
The first one really blew my mind. For Christmas my younger brother got me some salon-grade shampoo and conditioner I like. I had already been using the conditioner for a while, but hadn't splurged on the shampoo yet. I started using them right away, and loved them! After the Christmas holidays I started to noticed that my bowels were off. I would have minor cramps and bowel inconsistency. After several weeks of this I went over everything I was eating trying to figure out what was contaminating me. But I couldn't find anything, so I just let it go. A couple weeks later I was out at the store looking for hair products, trying to find something to tame my newly curly hair (more on that later). As I was looking at products I noticed that a lot of them had gluten in them. I decided not to get them, just in case. (At the time I remember questioning myself about whether that was just too extreme.) But then I had a thought. Had I checked the shampoo and conditioner I got for Christmas for gluten? I went home and checked. The conditioner was clean, but lo and behold the shampoo had gluten. So I stopped using them and within a few days my symptoms stopped.
Now let me first say that just using something with gluten in it topically does not induce a gluten reaction. The gluten has to be ingested. I was somehow ingesting enough of it through cross-contamination that it was giving me grief. I don't know how, but it did. That was my first clue that I was WAY sensitive to gluten.
The second one didn't surprise me as much, but it still gave me a clue to my sensitivity level and how I need to live me life going forward. While I was visiting my brothers at college I attended the schools Celiac Club dinner. A group of people with Celiac Disease meet once a week and share dinner. This was the first time in two years that I went to an event and ate freely. Bad move on my part. I still got sick from it. My guess is (and I am pretty confident in this) that the food got contaminated in preparation. Students made the dinner. They all live with roommates who eat gluten and who don't have any clue about cross-contamination issues. This made me realize that my resolve to have my home gluten-free is a good one. It would be so easy to get contaminated with sticky, crumby kids running around. I want to be a healthy, symptom-free mom when that time comes.
As I am becoming more aware of my sensitivity to gluten I am also becoming more aware that many other people with Celiac Disease aren't as sensitive. And actually science is beginning to back this up. It was first thought that anyone with Celiac disease would have the same reaction to the same amount of gluten. It was also believed that Gluten Intolerance, Gluten Sensitivity, and Celiac Disease were completely different things. While it's true that the reactions and severity differ, science is beginning to think that maybe they are not so different after all. The thought is slowly coming out that maybe all of these things fit together on a continuum with Gluten Intolerance being the least sensitive and Celiac Disease being the most sensitive, with different levels of sensitivity in each defined group.
There is still a lot of research to be done to fully connect all of them and there is actually a lot of controversy in the matter. Some people believe that it's unfair to those who have Celiac Disease to link Gluten Intolerance and Gluten Sensitivity into the same category because those who have Celiac Disease have certain genes, whereas those who are intolerant or sensitive don't necessarily need to have those genes. Also, the reaction in Celiac Disease has been proven to be an autoimmune response resulting in villus atrophy, whereas in intolerance and sensitivity that's not the case.
I don't know the answer to this, but I think the information is interesting. I do believe that there is varying sensitivity levels in those with Celiac Disease and I think that science is beginning to realize this as well. It's good for me to know how sensitive I truly I am so that I can live my life in the way I need to, even though some people may think me a bit extreme....
I mean my sensitivity to gluten. I try my hardest to live my life 100% gluten-free. I take measures that most would say are extreme. And yet I am healthier and happier for it so I am not going to change. However, because I have been so strict from the very beginning it has not allowed me to see how sensitive I really am. Recently however I have had a couple experiences that have made me realize how sensitive to gluten I truly am.
The first one really blew my mind. For Christmas my younger brother got me some salon-grade shampoo and conditioner I like. I had already been using the conditioner for a while, but hadn't splurged on the shampoo yet. I started using them right away, and loved them! After the Christmas holidays I started to noticed that my bowels were off. I would have minor cramps and bowel inconsistency. After several weeks of this I went over everything I was eating trying to figure out what was contaminating me. But I couldn't find anything, so I just let it go. A couple weeks later I was out at the store looking for hair products, trying to find something to tame my newly curly hair (more on that later). As I was looking at products I noticed that a lot of them had gluten in them. I decided not to get them, just in case. (At the time I remember questioning myself about whether that was just too extreme.) But then I had a thought. Had I checked the shampoo and conditioner I got for Christmas for gluten? I went home and checked. The conditioner was clean, but lo and behold the shampoo had gluten. So I stopped using them and within a few days my symptoms stopped.
Now let me first say that just using something with gluten in it topically does not induce a gluten reaction. The gluten has to be ingested. I was somehow ingesting enough of it through cross-contamination that it was giving me grief. I don't know how, but it did. That was my first clue that I was WAY sensitive to gluten.
The second one didn't surprise me as much, but it still gave me a clue to my sensitivity level and how I need to live me life going forward. While I was visiting my brothers at college I attended the schools Celiac Club dinner. A group of people with Celiac Disease meet once a week and share dinner. This was the first time in two years that I went to an event and ate freely. Bad move on my part. I still got sick from it. My guess is (and I am pretty confident in this) that the food got contaminated in preparation. Students made the dinner. They all live with roommates who eat gluten and who don't have any clue about cross-contamination issues. This made me realize that my resolve to have my home gluten-free is a good one. It would be so easy to get contaminated with sticky, crumby kids running around. I want to be a healthy, symptom-free mom when that time comes.
As I am becoming more aware of my sensitivity to gluten I am also becoming more aware that many other people with Celiac Disease aren't as sensitive. And actually science is beginning to back this up. It was first thought that anyone with Celiac disease would have the same reaction to the same amount of gluten. It was also believed that Gluten Intolerance, Gluten Sensitivity, and Celiac Disease were completely different things. While it's true that the reactions and severity differ, science is beginning to think that maybe they are not so different after all. The thought is slowly coming out that maybe all of these things fit together on a continuum with Gluten Intolerance being the least sensitive and Celiac Disease being the most sensitive, with different levels of sensitivity in each defined group.
There is still a lot of research to be done to fully connect all of them and there is actually a lot of controversy in the matter. Some people believe that it's unfair to those who have Celiac Disease to link Gluten Intolerance and Gluten Sensitivity into the same category because those who have Celiac Disease have certain genes, whereas those who are intolerant or sensitive don't necessarily need to have those genes. Also, the reaction in Celiac Disease has been proven to be an autoimmune response resulting in villus atrophy, whereas in intolerance and sensitivity that's not the case.
I don't know the answer to this, but I think the information is interesting. I do believe that there is varying sensitivity levels in those with Celiac Disease and I think that science is beginning to realize this as well. It's good for me to know how sensitive I truly I am so that I can live my life in the way I need to, even though some people may think me a bit extreme....
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Me + Technology = Not so much....
Is it just me or is this blog getting a bit too serious? Time to lighten things up....
I am going to confess something (I do that a lot on here). But it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. The fact is I'm not so good at technology type things. You know computers, gadgets, etc. Using them doesn't come naturally, I don't have the patience to learn it, and I'm not all that interested in it. It's usually not that big of a deal for me. I know the basics of things like using common software, research on the internet, and how to keep my stuff working... some what.
One moment that I was really proud of was when I figured out how to implement the tags on this blog! I wanted to do it since the moment I started this thing about a year and a half ago. I finally figured it out about a month ago. Of course it turns out you just had to find the right button to push, so I realize I shouldn't celebrate too much.
I've also had some not-so-proud moments. For example my last computer's hard drive crashed last year. I lost everything. Granted my computer had been through a lot. All of college, and a pretty vicious virus. But in the end I still believe I caused the crash. You see, a week or so before it crashed I had been cleaning the files on my computer, deleting the ones I didn't need anymore. Well, there was this odd looking file in one of my folders. I didn't know what it was, I thought it was some software thing I never used or something, so I deleted it. I'm pretty sure that was a bad thing to do. But who knows maybe that was just a coincidence. Either way, I don't delete random files from my computer anymore.
All that speaks to my actual ability. But what about my interest? I think this will give you a good picture...
Around Thanksgiving I got an iTouch (my iPod's battery was dead). I didn't get any apps for it until February. As in 3 full months. Even then I only got 3 in a two week period (all of which were free and to this day are the only 3 I have). The second one I got was Solitaire. The third one I got was the LDS Gospel Library. So what was the first one you ask? Despicable Me iMoo. If you don't have it, get it! Only the hardest of hearts won't get a smile out of this. For those of you who don't have an app type device check out the video below. The iMoo app is basically just a video of the first half of this trailer.
Like I said, just trying to lighten things up. I play my iMoo when I need a happy moment in my day. :)
In the end I don't think it's a problem that I'm not a techy or a computer wiz. Inevitably someone around me can always help me and I can get around pretty well myself. I just have to watch which buttons I push. But at least this might explain to my few readers why this blog is so plain and basic. Even if I wanted a fun background or gadget or something (which I don't) I wouldn't know how to find/get/implement it.
Of course I don't mind, if you don't mind.
I am going to confess something (I do that a lot on here). But it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. The fact is I'm not so good at technology type things. You know computers, gadgets, etc. Using them doesn't come naturally, I don't have the patience to learn it, and I'm not all that interested in it. It's usually not that big of a deal for me. I know the basics of things like using common software, research on the internet, and how to keep my stuff working... some what.
One moment that I was really proud of was when I figured out how to implement the tags on this blog! I wanted to do it since the moment I started this thing about a year and a half ago. I finally figured it out about a month ago. Of course it turns out you just had to find the right button to push, so I realize I shouldn't celebrate too much.
I've also had some not-so-proud moments. For example my last computer's hard drive crashed last year. I lost everything. Granted my computer had been through a lot. All of college, and a pretty vicious virus. But in the end I still believe I caused the crash. You see, a week or so before it crashed I had been cleaning the files on my computer, deleting the ones I didn't need anymore. Well, there was this odd looking file in one of my folders. I didn't know what it was, I thought it was some software thing I never used or something, so I deleted it. I'm pretty sure that was a bad thing to do. But who knows maybe that was just a coincidence. Either way, I don't delete random files from my computer anymore.
All that speaks to my actual ability. But what about my interest? I think this will give you a good picture...
Around Thanksgiving I got an iTouch (my iPod's battery was dead). I didn't get any apps for it until February. As in 3 full months. Even then I only got 3 in a two week period (all of which were free and to this day are the only 3 I have). The second one I got was Solitaire. The third one I got was the LDS Gospel Library. So what was the first one you ask? Despicable Me iMoo. If you don't have it, get it! Only the hardest of hearts won't get a smile out of this. For those of you who don't have an app type device check out the video below. The iMoo app is basically just a video of the first half of this trailer.
Like I said, just trying to lighten things up. I play my iMoo when I need a happy moment in my day. :)
In the end I don't think it's a problem that I'm not a techy or a computer wiz. Inevitably someone around me can always help me and I can get around pretty well myself. I just have to watch which buttons I push. But at least this might explain to my few readers why this blog is so plain and basic. Even if I wanted a fun background or gadget or something (which I don't) I wouldn't know how to find/get/implement it.
Of course I don't mind, if you don't mind.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Redo
How many times in your life have you said something like this... "If only I could go back and do it again knowing what I know now." I've said it, you've said it, but how many times do any of us actually get to do it. From my knowledge not many.
However I like to think I'm an exception to that. Let me explain... I was able to move off and make my own life during my college years. I was young, naive, and I made a lot of mistakes, as we all do. Looking back I don't have many regrets. I was able to learn from all my mistakes, even though they were painful. I grew from the experiences I had and they shaped me as a person. I learned a lot about myself, mostly about what I don't want to do, or be.
There are two points which I regret though. First, I was so busy pushing through school and getting it done that I feel I missed it. While I did do some exploration and I did overall enjoy my college years I feel like I didn't take the time to truly live them. You know, explore, have fun, take random classes just because you can. By the time I graduated I was left feeling like I missed it all. It just kind of passed me by without me realizing it. In the end I didn't really feel like I accomplished anything great.
The second point is more of a life lesson. There were many times during my college years that I allowed the influence and peer-pressure of other people to change me. I found myself giving up things that meant a lot to me. I let my high standards slack a bit. I didn't stand up for myself. No one around me would have noticed the changes, they were so small. But those small changes had a great impact on me personally. It wasn't other people's fault. They had no idea the kind of influence they were having on me. I wasn't strong enough or confident enough in myself to stand firm. I wanted to be liked and accepted. I wanted to have friends and fit in. And so I conformed. This caused me a lot of pain and sorrow in my life because I wasn't being true to who I was. In the middle of college I realized this and made a few changes. I wasn't perfect but I was better. I still struggled with it though all the way until the end though.
So that brings me back to me redo. After college I came home, was really sick, blah, blah, blah, you know the story. Now that I am looking to venture out into the world again it's almost like I am doing it again, only now I know better. The question is what do I do with my redo? How do I use it so that I don't waste this gift?
I have been applying for jobs and graduate programs in the field that I have been working towards for years. A few weeks ago I even interviewed for a few jobs. While I have been given opportunities to move forward in this area I haven't taken them. They haven't seemed right. To be honest it seems like every time I get close to doing something in this area a wall comes up. It's frustrating. It makes me question if I am headed in the right direction. After my job interviews a few weeks ago didn't turn out the way I expected I found myself at another turning point. What do I do now? Do I just get a random job, because that seems like the productive thing to do? Do I push forward with the graduate program even though it doesn't feel like the right thing to do right now? I'll admit, I got a bit down. I was confused, frustrated, and felt trapped.
And then I realized I was doing it again. I was doing exactly what I had done in college. I was trying to push through with what seemed like the most logical plan and in doing so I was missing my opportunity to fully use my redo. Instead of being frustrated about my circumstances, maybe I should look at it as a blessing. I have the opportunity to explore. To decide if I still really want to do what I have been planning on doing this whole time, or it I want to do something completely different. Something that is true to who I am and who I want to become. Who says I need to get a job right now or start graduate school? Maybe I just need to take an exploration vacation! I know some people will say, "she's been home for two years doing nothing, and she wants to take time for herself?" But let's be honest being home sick for two years isn't exactly what I wanted to be doing, so yes, maybe I do need to take time for myself to do things I enjoy doing and to learn more about myself and what I want my life to be.
I don't know exactly what my redo will look like, or where I'll end up. I do know that I am going to be true to myself. I am not going to let others change me or push me into anything. I am going to be confident in who I am and love myself. I am going to find people to be friends with who accept that. I am going to find a path (job, school) that fits me, that makes me happy, and that I enjoy doing. I might end up right where I started, but at least this time I won't regret missing the opportunity.
This week I am going to learn about Organic Farming. Saturday I am taking an all-day class at a local farm to learn about organic farming and gardening practices. Next week I am going to volunteer at an Organic Farm and see what the work is actually like. I am excited about it! I am excited to learn more about something I have been interested in.
Welcome to my redo. Welcome to the new, empowered me!!
However I like to think I'm an exception to that. Let me explain... I was able to move off and make my own life during my college years. I was young, naive, and I made a lot of mistakes, as we all do. Looking back I don't have many regrets. I was able to learn from all my mistakes, even though they were painful. I grew from the experiences I had and they shaped me as a person. I learned a lot about myself, mostly about what I don't want to do, or be.
There are two points which I regret though. First, I was so busy pushing through school and getting it done that I feel I missed it. While I did do some exploration and I did overall enjoy my college years I feel like I didn't take the time to truly live them. You know, explore, have fun, take random classes just because you can. By the time I graduated I was left feeling like I missed it all. It just kind of passed me by without me realizing it. In the end I didn't really feel like I accomplished anything great.
The second point is more of a life lesson. There were many times during my college years that I allowed the influence and peer-pressure of other people to change me. I found myself giving up things that meant a lot to me. I let my high standards slack a bit. I didn't stand up for myself. No one around me would have noticed the changes, they were so small. But those small changes had a great impact on me personally. It wasn't other people's fault. They had no idea the kind of influence they were having on me. I wasn't strong enough or confident enough in myself to stand firm. I wanted to be liked and accepted. I wanted to have friends and fit in. And so I conformed. This caused me a lot of pain and sorrow in my life because I wasn't being true to who I was. In the middle of college I realized this and made a few changes. I wasn't perfect but I was better. I still struggled with it though all the way until the end though.
So that brings me back to me redo. After college I came home, was really sick, blah, blah, blah, you know the story. Now that I am looking to venture out into the world again it's almost like I am doing it again, only now I know better. The question is what do I do with my redo? How do I use it so that I don't waste this gift?
I have been applying for jobs and graduate programs in the field that I have been working towards for years. A few weeks ago I even interviewed for a few jobs. While I have been given opportunities to move forward in this area I haven't taken them. They haven't seemed right. To be honest it seems like every time I get close to doing something in this area a wall comes up. It's frustrating. It makes me question if I am headed in the right direction. After my job interviews a few weeks ago didn't turn out the way I expected I found myself at another turning point. What do I do now? Do I just get a random job, because that seems like the productive thing to do? Do I push forward with the graduate program even though it doesn't feel like the right thing to do right now? I'll admit, I got a bit down. I was confused, frustrated, and felt trapped.
And then I realized I was doing it again. I was doing exactly what I had done in college. I was trying to push through with what seemed like the most logical plan and in doing so I was missing my opportunity to fully use my redo. Instead of being frustrated about my circumstances, maybe I should look at it as a blessing. I have the opportunity to explore. To decide if I still really want to do what I have been planning on doing this whole time, or it I want to do something completely different. Something that is true to who I am and who I want to become. Who says I need to get a job right now or start graduate school? Maybe I just need to take an exploration vacation! I know some people will say, "she's been home for two years doing nothing, and she wants to take time for herself?" But let's be honest being home sick for two years isn't exactly what I wanted to be doing, so yes, maybe I do need to take time for myself to do things I enjoy doing and to learn more about myself and what I want my life to be.
I don't know exactly what my redo will look like, or where I'll end up. I do know that I am going to be true to myself. I am not going to let others change me or push me into anything. I am going to be confident in who I am and love myself. I am going to find people to be friends with who accept that. I am going to find a path (job, school) that fits me, that makes me happy, and that I enjoy doing. I might end up right where I started, but at least this time I won't regret missing the opportunity.
This week I am going to learn about Organic Farming. Saturday I am taking an all-day class at a local farm to learn about organic farming and gardening practices. Next week I am going to volunteer at an Organic Farm and see what the work is actually like. I am excited about it! I am excited to learn more about something I have been interested in.
Welcome to my redo. Welcome to the new, empowered me!!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Blogosphere Etiquette
Since there's not a rule book out there on this topic I am asking for your feedback. I guess I should set up the situation before I ask my question....
First let me say that I know that some people mean for their blogs to be read by the whole world. Mine is one of those, which is why I try to keep the personal information on my blog limited. I also know some people who have truly personal blogs that they mean for everyone to read (why they invite the world to have a seat in their living room I'll never know. I try to be a little more judicious with what I put out there than some people.) I also know that some people just have personal blogs that they keep public so that their friends and families can come and go as they please, but they don't necessarily intend for the world to be viewing.
I sometimes "blog hop". You know, I look at one friend's blog then off to the side, or in the comments I see the name of another friend so I check out their blog, and so on and so on. Well, here's where things get sticky. I always end up finding someone's blog whom I know of, but I know they probably don't know, or care about, or remember me. And yet sometimes I occasionally go back and check their blogs again. (Come on, I know some of you out there do this too. I can't be the only one!)
Now I know I do this innocently, but it does beg the question, is this appropriate? I mean well. I'm interested in their lives and happy to see their accomplishments and blessings in their lives. But in the end is this really just voyeurism?
I decided for me that I needed to make my judgments based on whether I would be happy to hear they are reading my blog and if I thought they would mind if I was reading their blog. Making my decision based on that, some blogs I look at regularly and some I don't go back to.
But what are your opinions? What do you think about blogosphere voyeurism?
(I know many people read this blog. Don't feel shy about giving your opinion. Remember, I'm okay with anyone and everyone reading my blog and I would love the variety of opinions.)
First let me say that I know that some people mean for their blogs to be read by the whole world. Mine is one of those, which is why I try to keep the personal information on my blog limited. I also know some people who have truly personal blogs that they mean for everyone to read (why they invite the world to have a seat in their living room I'll never know. I try to be a little more judicious with what I put out there than some people.) I also know that some people just have personal blogs that they keep public so that their friends and families can come and go as they please, but they don't necessarily intend for the world to be viewing.
I sometimes "blog hop". You know, I look at one friend's blog then off to the side, or in the comments I see the name of another friend so I check out their blog, and so on and so on. Well, here's where things get sticky. I always end up finding someone's blog whom I know of, but I know they probably don't know, or care about, or remember me. And yet sometimes I occasionally go back and check their blogs again. (Come on, I know some of you out there do this too. I can't be the only one!)
Now I know I do this innocently, but it does beg the question, is this appropriate? I mean well. I'm interested in their lives and happy to see their accomplishments and blessings in their lives. But in the end is this really just voyeurism?
I decided for me that I needed to make my judgments based on whether I would be happy to hear they are reading my blog and if I thought they would mind if I was reading their blog. Making my decision based on that, some blogs I look at regularly and some I don't go back to.
But what are your opinions? What do you think about blogosphere voyeurism?
(I know many people read this blog. Don't feel shy about giving your opinion. Remember, I'm okay with anyone and everyone reading my blog and I would love the variety of opinions.)
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