I know exactly what I want to do with my life. I want to get married, and live here in the Valley on a hobby farm and bake and cook and raise oodles of amazing kids. And read to them and love them to bits. That is what I want, that is all I have ever wanted. But society has put so much pressure on me. Society says I have to go make something of myself. Society says I can't "just" be a mom, that I have to go to school and work and be this great woman. But I can do all these things raising my kids. Being "just" a mom is like a curse in society today. I feel like I am letting down the entire planet because I'm not going to be the next Hilary Clinton or Condoleezza Rice. Because that is what society has told me I have to be, because I like history and politics I need to do that. They say that anything and everything I do will be a waste of my brain. But society doesn't take into account that maybe all I want to do is have 3-8 children, bake and maybe write a cook book. But me making this choice at the meagre age of 19 doesn't make me worthless, that my decision to stay home and raise kids doesn't undo everything feminists have fought for, for so long. The fact that I dropped out of school because I know I can't get a job when I'm done doesn't make me stupid. Sure if I had the money I would go and finish my degree in history and poli sci, but I simply don't have the money. Feminism should be accepting of this, the fact that they look down on women who make this choice is un-feminist. Believing in equality is the only qualification of being a feminist. But it's not even feminism, it's equality, it's human rights.
Some of the most amazing and strong women I know are, "just" moms. "Just" moms change the world every single day. I don't know why are society doesn't put as much faith in "just" moms.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Puffed Sleeves
When I was about 7 or 8 I called garbage, rubbish.
My entire vocabulary when I was a kid was shaped by Road to Avonlea, The Little House books, Anne of Green Gables and when I was slightly older the Narnia series (which sadly I have never finished this series, I have read The Horse and His Boy far too many times however)
My aunt often comments that I have been an adult since I was a baby. This is true, my mom started reading the Little House series to me when I was three. Anne of Green Gables is one of my earliest movie memories. My TV diet when I was a kid was a steady supply of taped from TV, Road to Avonlea and the Waltons.
When I played with Barbies as a kid I always had this revolving story of them being pioneers. Come on, I pretended my Barbies were pioneers!
I was one of those kids that could sit still and be read to for hours on end. My mom and I spent a day when I was 5 or 6 reading A Christmas Carol, no kid that age knows any original interpretation of that tale, but I did. We also read an entire Little House book in a day, it was one of the fake ones about Laura's great-grandmother (also I can remember what book it was)
I took up Nancy Drew, being a stickler for the old hardcovers, I don't think I have ever read a soft cover Nancy Drew. The smell just wouldn't be the same. And I read the Bobbsey Twins, the Bobbsey twins. I can almost guarantee that no one under the age of 45, and that is pushing it, has read the Bobbsey Twins, but I have. Funny story I think I still owe late fees on a Bobbsey twins book because I was using it to construct some piece of furniture for my pioneer barbies.
My mom also read me The BFG more times that I can count.
When I was 9 I took up Harry Potter and it was like finding a new nook of home. It was a world where garbage was called rubbish and sweaters were jumpers. ( Harry Potter is set in the 90's, wrapping up in '98 I believe)
I knew the synopsis of Romeo and Juliet when I was 4. ( I use the word Synopsis for goodness sake!)
In this long convoluted post I am not trying to show off my vast knowledge but trying to justify the reason that sometimes I call garbage, rubbish, or why I still mix cornbread by hand or why I am drawn to calico and know that the Kings only had sheep for one episode (it's the one when Aunt Eliza comes to live with them) Why I shipped Felix and Izzy and Gilbert and Anne before I knew what a date was. I should be embarrassed of this post because it shows how truly dorky I am. Can I blame my dorkiness on my parents? Aren't I as a child of this generation allowed to blame whatever I want on my parents?
(also major dork confession, there was this cooking show hosted by an old man with a beard that would come on before Road to Avonlea and I watched it like crazy when I was 5… it's the reason I know that most commercial breaks are 2 minutes. I can't make it any worse but, we had a collection of gardening VHSs when I was a kid and I think I watched them every 2 weeks, 3 years old watching gardening tapes..)
Sunday, July 1, 2012
With Glowing Hearts
Today is Canada Day.
I love Canada Day, I love that Canada became a country on this day because together is stronger. I love that we're a county because of fish, fur and a railway.
My feelings for Canada sometimes overwhelm me. This week's edition of McLean's had a piece on When people felt the most Canadian, as I was reading the stories I began to cry. The stories were absolutely amazing, showcasing the kind hospitality of Canadians, the hope Canada offers to immigrants.
Canada is not a country that wears is patriotism on its sleeve, we are not a flag waving country, Canada has a quiet reserved patriotism. As I drove through the small towns in the Valley today I couldn't help but notice the abundance of Canadian flags. Canadians do undoubtably love their country but we don't scream it. Our love is always present, always there but today, Canada Day, the day out nation became one, is the day that we freak out, the day we allow our red and white heart to show. (and the day of the Olympic mens gold medal game)
I on the other hand am a Canadian that does not fit the mould, I am a bear my red and white heart every single day Canadian. An Obnoxious Canadian that thinks Canada is the best country int he world. A Canadian that cries over Zellers flyers, and Olympic Hockey, and stories about Canadian soldiers. A person that would buy a t-shirt with the words of our anthem on it (not saying I did...)
Some people may say that my patriotism is only because of my unhealthy obsession with hockey. This is partially true, my love of hockey only makes my love of this country stronger. The 2002 Olympics really did change my life, the double hockey gold after 50 years was a moment I will never forget. I would love this country even if I wasn't an insane hockey fan. It's more than hockey it's a feeling and undeniable feeling that reaches into the very inside part of me, and feeling that I part of something so big. I can't find words I cannot put how I feel about this country into words. I can't find the words to describe the feeling in my stomach, in my heart, that buzz that goes through my whole body when I think of this country.
I love every nook and cranny of his Country, I love that we have nearly any climate you can imagine. I love the Canada shield and the prairies and the rainforest and our kilometres and kilometres of coast line. I love our 6 time zones and that Newfoundland is a half hour ahead.
I love the CBC and their never ending Canadian content and HNIC and Don Cherry and their horrible mini series and Road to Avonlea and Rick Mercer and Peter Mansbridge, and Rex Murphy.
I love Molson and their commercials that make me feel so incredibly Canadian that it hurts.
I love that we spell words differently, like centre, metre, favourite, and neighbour and who can forget colour. I love that we say zed.
I know some people are so cynical about Canada, saying it's not that great of a place saying our government could be better. I really don't know what to say to these people, in comparison to so many other countries Canada is amazing. This country has captivated me with its freedom and beauty and I can't combat with cynicism. But people will always complain.
Should I mention that we have the best part of the Rockies and Niagara Falls?
Sometimes I sit and think how glad I am that my long ago hodgepodge of ancestors somehow ended up on the coast of Canada. That they by chance or choice decided to live in Canada to stay in Canada.
On Canada Day I also think of all the men and women who's love for this country led them to fight for its freedom, for the freedom of the citizens of this earth.
I live in the True North Strong and Free and I wouldn't have it any other way.
p.s With Glowing Hearts makes my heart burst because it was the motto for the 2010 Olympics.
Shane Koyczan is able to put everything I have ever felt about this country into one incredibly beautiful spoken word piece.
I love Canada Day, I love that Canada became a country on this day because together is stronger. I love that we're a county because of fish, fur and a railway.
My feelings for Canada sometimes overwhelm me. This week's edition of McLean's had a piece on When people felt the most Canadian, as I was reading the stories I began to cry. The stories were absolutely amazing, showcasing the kind hospitality of Canadians, the hope Canada offers to immigrants.
Canada is not a country that wears is patriotism on its sleeve, we are not a flag waving country, Canada has a quiet reserved patriotism. As I drove through the small towns in the Valley today I couldn't help but notice the abundance of Canadian flags. Canadians do undoubtably love their country but we don't scream it. Our love is always present, always there but today, Canada Day, the day out nation became one, is the day that we freak out, the day we allow our red and white heart to show. (and the day of the Olympic mens gold medal game)
I on the other hand am a Canadian that does not fit the mould, I am a bear my red and white heart every single day Canadian. An Obnoxious Canadian that thinks Canada is the best country int he world. A Canadian that cries over Zellers flyers, and Olympic Hockey, and stories about Canadian soldiers. A person that would buy a t-shirt with the words of our anthem on it (not saying I did...)
Some people may say that my patriotism is only because of my unhealthy obsession with hockey. This is partially true, my love of hockey only makes my love of this country stronger. The 2002 Olympics really did change my life, the double hockey gold after 50 years was a moment I will never forget. I would love this country even if I wasn't an insane hockey fan. It's more than hockey it's a feeling and undeniable feeling that reaches into the very inside part of me, and feeling that I part of something so big. I can't find words I cannot put how I feel about this country into words. I can't find the words to describe the feeling in my stomach, in my heart, that buzz that goes through my whole body when I think of this country.
I love every nook and cranny of his Country, I love that we have nearly any climate you can imagine. I love the Canada shield and the prairies and the rainforest and our kilometres and kilometres of coast line. I love our 6 time zones and that Newfoundland is a half hour ahead.
I love the CBC and their never ending Canadian content and HNIC and Don Cherry and their horrible mini series and Road to Avonlea and Rick Mercer and Peter Mansbridge, and Rex Murphy.
I love Molson and their commercials that make me feel so incredibly Canadian that it hurts.
I love that we spell words differently, like centre, metre, favourite, and neighbour and who can forget colour. I love that we say zed.
I know some people are so cynical about Canada, saying it's not that great of a place saying our government could be better. I really don't know what to say to these people, in comparison to so many other countries Canada is amazing. This country has captivated me with its freedom and beauty and I can't combat with cynicism. But people will always complain.
Should I mention that we have the best part of the Rockies and Niagara Falls?
Sometimes I sit and think how glad I am that my long ago hodgepodge of ancestors somehow ended up on the coast of Canada. That they by chance or choice decided to live in Canada to stay in Canada.
On Canada Day I also think of all the men and women who's love for this country led them to fight for its freedom, for the freedom of the citizens of this earth.
I live in the True North Strong and Free and I wouldn't have it any other way.
p.s With Glowing Hearts makes my heart burst because it was the motto for the 2010 Olympics.
Shane Koyczan is able to put everything I have ever felt about this country into one incredibly beautiful spoken word piece.
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