Enjoying Life

Five years ago I made a promise to myself that I will try my best to visit at least one new place every year. I have so far managed to successfully keep this promise. This past week, however, I really outdid myself by visiting three new locations during one 10-day trip. I absolutely enjoyed each one of them and vouched to go back one day. 

The reason I mention my passion for traveling is not to simply brag about my exciting trip (although I can't hide that it was fantastic!:). I am more amazed by the reaction some people give me when I tell them about the trip. There are certain personalities who place the emphasis on the fact that I am so lucky to be able to do it. All I want to tell them is that it has nothing to do with luck, or money, or time. I am a strong believer that if a person wants to do something, then s/he finds a way to accomplish it. And in the big scheme of life, there is really nothing more important than leading a meaningful and enjoyable life. I am certainly no follower of the belief in reincarnation and having the chance to do it all over again so I encourage all to enjoy life now while they have it and while they can. 

It is just sad that so many young people feel bored, anemic, annoyed, dissatisfied and empty. They go through life as if it is a chore. Or worse, they go through current situations dismissing them as an annoyance and convincing themselves that one day, luck will strike and they will enjoy what they think they want, or need. Such a waste of precious time! Didn’t someone famous state that there is no time as the present? The best part is each individual has the power to make it whatever they want it to be.  No one has to wait for the ideal job, or for the ideal family, or for the ideal lifestyle to start living and enjoying life. Seriously, waiting is just a waste of time. 

Anyway, I am certainly not waiting and I try to do what I enjoy as often as I can. And if anyone else is interested in traveling and spending time in the outdoors, below are the places I visited during my trip. I guarantee you’ll find them absolutely phenomenal!

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

 

 Zion National Park, Utah

 

Red Rocks Canyon, Nevada

 

   

   

                     - Krasi

Charge!

Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an unstoppable manner.

- Les Brown

If that doesn't get you motivated, maybe this will

I don't know about you but eye candy definitely gets me motivated ;)

Happy Monday! Go out there and take charge of your dreams!

- A

The Help

If you haven't read The Help yet, I highly recommend you do! While watching Oprah's last show (*tear) I saw a preview and was *literally* squealing with delight (don't judge). While I know that it will not be as good as the book (when are they ever?) I am looking forward to it! August 12 has been earmarked in my Blackberry (again, don't judge).

The Help follows three courageous women and some not so nice *bleep bleep bleeps* in pre-Civil Rights Mississippi. Skeeter, a young unmarried *oh the horror* woman decides she wants to write a book on the experiences of the African American house maids. Two brave maids choose to participate even though it is extremely dangerous to talk about. Events in the book illustrate what happens when good people stand by and do nothing and the inevitability of good to win (not without some casualties though). The book made me cry, made me violently angry, and made me hopeful that we can all affect change individually. It may seem like 'those times' are behind us but look around: there is always injustice in the world. Opportunities to stand up for what is right are abundant. What are you going to do about it?

Have you read the book? What did you think? Will you be watching the movie?

- A

Stagnant Revolution

Have you guys seen Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution? The documentary series, which airs on ABC, follows British chef and food activist/reformist Jamie Oliver as he attempts to bring change to America's food system. Last season he was in Huntington, West Virginia and this year he is in L.A. One would think L.A., home of the celebrities, Hollywood and all around pretty people would be completely on board with change but so far (I've watched only one episode) the L.A. school district is being more difficult than Huntington!

Why is it so hard for people or rather institutions to be willing and ready for change (easy answer: money. Read Food Politics if you want an in depth answer)? It is one thing to put inappropriate things in our own bodies but if we can't protect and guide the children in our care then what is wrong with us?! I once had a 'debate' (more like an argument) with a high school teacher who vehemently opposed the removal of vending machines in schools here in Texas. His logic? They're adults, they can make that decision. Since when are 15-18 year olds adults? We won't talk straight to them about matters like sex because we're afraid that they don't have the maturity to handle it but they amazingly have the capability to make decisions that impact their health in a significant way, leading to obesity, diabetes, not to mention concentration issues that directly affect the purpose of education.

Let's also talk about what it takes to be an adult. Children are *supposed* to be taught right from wrong along the way to adulthood. When sugar and fats are being shoved down their throats starting from pre-K, do they really have the right skills or worldview from which to make the appropriate decision?

I'm all for personal responsibility and individualism (which I think are key arguments for people who believe that obesity is a personal problem) but both these concepts apply to the food problem in the U.S. as well. It is our personal responsibility to teach children good eating habits. Is it really individualistic to feed children mass produced unhealthy food?

Once again, the agencies that are supposed to protect us (USDA, I'm talkin to you) are failing us. You may feel like a small voice against a strong loud arsenal of government agencies and large corporations but we can't let the revolution go stagnant. Significant changes have been made worldwide (for example, flavored milk is no longer offered in any school in Europe) so what the heck are we waiting for? I strongly believe in Jamie's message; I wish I could say that change will start at the top but in this case, its not going to. We all have to band together, us 'little' folk, and make change happen. It starts with us and it needs.to.start.now.

What do you guys think? Should we regulate what children are fed or should we keep the system as it is? Will you get involved?

Get involved:

Sign the petition

Local Initiatives




- A

A Place Called a Library

A public library is the most enduring of memorials, the trustiest monument for the preservation of an event or a name or an affection; for it, and it only, is respected by wars and revolutions, and survives them. – Mark Twain

Mr. Twain is certainly a genius whose wit and humor have proven to be to the point and permeated with true meaning. This is the reason I chose one of his quotes (so many of them are great!) to praise this one place that I believe anyone should acquaint themselves with. You might ask, why am I so fond of libraries and cannot wait to promote them to all? My simple answer would be how could I not? 

First, as those who have been in a library might have noticed, it generally is overtaken by cascades of books: old and new, short and long, in English and in some language you don't speak:). And books, as static and boring as they might look, could not be more alive and full of interesting and educational stories that teach us about the world we live in, about the people surrounding us, and most importantly, about who we really are. 

Second, borrowing a book instead of buying it actually contributes to the agenda of being green. I am by no means opposed to buying books; however, with the latest craze of everyone writing a book and pushing to sell as many copies as possible for a profit, it is hard not to notice that quality is many times sacrificed at the expense of quantity.

So do not be afraid to open a window to knowledge, and save some paper (a.k.a. trees you know...) while you are at it, by visiting the local library. You might be surprised and intrigued by what you find there. And no, I don’t  mean the homeless lady talking to herself. Although, she might teach you something cool too:).

Oh baby!

I read an article today on MSNBC about home births increasing. There is a natural birth trend that has been growing for the past few years. Have you seen Ricki Lake's documentary The Business of Being Born? The film follows several pregnant women, Ricki Lake included, who have home births with midwives and *gulp* no pain medication.

It's quite an interesting movie (yes of course I've seen it!) as it goes beyond anecdotal evidence of how natural births are amazing (and painful) to the science of the human body, pregnancy and bonding.

While I can't say how I will choose to give birth (when that happens long down the road), I do have to agree with a point in the movie about the natural being taken out of childbirth by health care. Doctors are 1: concerned about lawsuits maybe a bit too much to think holistically and 2: OB/GYNs want a 9-5 schedule so hey let's endorse C-sections. Then there is the systemic disqualification of midwives and their competencies. I knew a nurse midwife who shared with me stories of being escorted out of a hospital because doctors would not give her privileges there and doctors refusing to work with her or her peers.

What do you guys think? Would you have a home birth? Do you think midwives should be recognized as professionals who can assist in birth?

For the record, I think this would be me without pain medication:

Have you seen the movie? It was cute but I loved this whole scene especially Jada Pinkett Smith's character, while sobbing, 'I did it! I did it!' Hahahaha

If only birth were like this:

Resources:

Natural Childbirth

Midwives Alliance of North America

American College of Nurse-Midwives



- A

The Power of Beauty Obsessions

As I have already mentioned in a previous post about Toddlers in Tiaras, I am most certainly not a fan of the so-called beauty pageants, especially the ones for young children. Imagine my frustration, then, when while watching the news one morning last week, I hear about a case on Good Morning America about a mother who uses Botox on her eight-year-old daughter. The case outraged many, including me, and I decided to put down a few thoughts on it. 

The case is by all means the perfect example of the extreme heights to which appearance obsession has taken many. What’s worse is that the mother stated that she is not endangering the child’s life and that her daughter asked her for the Botox. Ok, I am sorry, but since when are eight-year-olds in charge of what they can have? Isn’t the parent supposed to be the mature adult that should be making the decisions? Watching the video, one can discern who truly makes that decision as when asked by the interviewer why she does it, the young girl’s simple answer is, “I don’t know.” 

Most of the reports on the case focus on the physical aspect of the harm incurred. I am not very familiar with the chemical structure of Botox, but I am sure it does have an impact on one’s body. However, I am more concerned about the psychological impact this ordeal will have on the young girl. If this child grows up believing wrinkles don’t look good on young girls (What wrinkles are they referring to anyway? She is an eight-year-old!), how will she accept herself as she matures and becomes an adult with actual wrinkles?

Are people so bored nowadays that we have to focus on so much that does not matter (appearance) and forget to pay attention to what makes us unique and special (character)? Every time I read or hear about a case, similar to the above-mentioned one, I recoil in disgust and feel disappointed by the human race. What such actions teach young children is that what they are is not good enough and that somehow, they need to use outside agents to make themselves look prettier. Then we wonder why the younger generation feels their lives are empty and meaningless...

 - Krasi