Marriage?

Does it offend people when others (including myself) use the term “gay marriage” instead of just “marriage” or “equal marriage?”

Because at the end, shouldn't all marriages be equal marriages.

I mean, unless you are the crazy man that married a pillow in China or something..
What term do you use/like and why?

Love = Equality

Taking a stand against the inequality of same-sex marriages is an issue I have a very strong opinion on as I personally have family and friends currently fighting for their civil right to be married! The definition of marriage in regards to the government is different than how the church defines it; however marriage is about a legal status expressing a relationship between two people (Moody, 2004). In regards to marriage being about a legal status, that means there should be separation of church and state with this particular debate. Unfortunately, that is not the case when people bring religious aspects into the government regarding sexuality and personal choice. The future generation of the United States needs equality because supporting same-sex marriage gives parents an opportunity to teach their children about love and accepting people no matter their differences. (Murphy, 2011)

My stand for equality derives from the Golden Rule: one should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself. A person living by this rule treats all people with consideration, the key word being “all.” From a Christian aspect the Holy Bible states we should love one another. And yet, good Christian people have a really difficult time loving people that are different from themselves. The Holy Bible does not state love everyone but the queers, but to love and accept all. According to Judaism scripture, people should “examine the contents, not the bottle.” When people are put into one category such as queer it disables an individual’s relationship. Personally knowing people that are in queer relationships and seeing a love so pure is real. Heterosexual couples are not the only ones that love. Through history people have preached love as a basis for all happiness, and never with mandates with a list of unlovable actions (Pearce, 2011). What does love have to do with same-sex equality? Everything, because love is about accepting people.

When people accept other people’s differences the world becomes a little better place to live. The next generation should be better than us. For no one wants to raise children in a society that does not support differences, especially when that society is the United States, a country that was birthed from diverse cultures and people. Supporting equality now is fundamental in bettering the future generations. Law professor Margaret Somerville has advocated her belief that same-sex marriage is harmful to children, with little documentation that supports her belief other than hearsay (Murphy, 2011). Same-sex marriage is not a threat to children, putting mandates on who others can and cannot love is harming to children. When parents tell children they will always love them, but if they turn gay all bets are off is hindering to a child psyche. Children are taught from a young age that they should be nice to people and to play fair, and yet parents forget to lead by example when they make a comment towards a queer couple that might be holding hands or kiss in front of a child. As adults, we should be taking that opportunity to teach children acceptance by explaining to children that love is love. It is a really easy concept for children to grasp, it is historically proven.

Love is not about applying mandates to people. History has proven that before with interracial marriage. After showing a picture of a loving interracial couple to an elementary student and explaining that a couple such as this picture probably could not marry 50 years ago, the student was dumbfounded with confusion. A question the student asked was why it took so long for the government to allow them to get married. The vote for same-sex marriage has gone on for long enough; I do not want the future generation to look down on this generation because it took so long for a couple that loves one another to get married.

Supporting same-sex marriage is fundamental for the future generation, and by doing so provides an opportunity to reinforce to children that love is love. Equality is about the Golden Rule, because at the end of the day we all want to be surrounded by people that accept us for whom we are as people and not despise us for whom we love. Children do not mandate love by color or sex, and if a pure soul such as a child does not mandate love, the question is; why do grown adults?


References Moody, H. (2004). Sacred Rite or Civil Right? (Cover story). Nation, 279(1), 28-31.

Murphy, T. F. (2011). Same-Sex Marriage: Not a Threat to Marriage or Children. Journal Of Social Philosophy, 42(3), 288-304. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9833.2011.01534.x

Pearce, D. (2011, November 14). I’m Christian, unless you’re gay [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.danoah.com/2011/11/im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html/2/

Deaf Muslim

How does sign language and facial expressions work when a Deaf woman is hearing a Niqab?
I've never met a Deaf Muslim to ask.

Learning Disability

Do you have a parent/guardian with a Learning Disability?

Have you realized there is little to no information about PARENTS WITH SLD, but numerous amount of information can be found for PARENTS OF A CHILD WITH SLD.

From one child of a parent with SLD to another, my questions to you are:

1. How old are you?

2. What parent/guardian has a Learning Disability?

3. Do you have a Learning Disability as well?

4. Is the parent/guardian with the Learning Disability the only “adult” in the house?

5. Do you find communicating with said parent difficult at times?

6. What do you think are your biggest issues/concerns regarding said parent- disability wise.

Life of a Child with a Parent with SLD

SLD- Specific Learning Disability

Did you know when you search “SLD Parents,” the only sites listed are for PARENTS that have SLD children. I am a child of an SLD mother. Only those that live with an SLD guardian can understand what that life entitles. The only way I can explain it is that it means having a parent that can act really cool. They are the ones that let you get away with everything. The ones you go to talk about the drama of your life. All your friends want them to be their parents because everyone knows them and likes hanging out at your house. But when your in an argument, their actions are extremely immature.

The thing is, its not their fault, and that is the hardest thing for the child of the SLD parent to understand. Their decisions are irrational. The words they use tend to hurt others, because they say before their mind can process what they are thinking. This leaves the child alone, because they often walk way during the argument and hurting because of what said guardian said.

The worst thing, is knowing they don’t necessarily mean what they said, but at the same time it still hurt. Knowing nothing is going to change and this is how it will always be.

Argument- hurtful words- leaving- alone- repeat.

When looking up Social Skills on a SLD adult certain things stick out. Mood swings, overreaction and focusing on details too much. Then there is the weak memory, and the misreading of information. At least those are the issues that my mother has. As any literature on SLD will tell you, no persons disability is alike Which makes that much harder to find someone that can understand the life of a child of a SLD parent.

Charter For Compassion

Understanding the importance of letting go of one’s ego to show compassion to everyone, no matter the religion or nationality is what Charter For Compassion wishes to teach the world. It’s not about pointing fingers on what religion is right and what one is wrong.  

The principle of Charter For Compassion is to include all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, to support and apply the “Golden Rule.” I honestly believe, treating others as we wish to be treated ourselves, no matter the religion (or non-religion) others may practice, could change the outcome of so many of the world’s tribulations.

The website for Charter For Compassion includes a video that explains what a charter is and how the idea of the “Golden Rule,” is the core for all religious believes. For example Islam’s perspective on the “Golden Rule,” is “Love for your brother what you love for yourself.” It doesn’t matter what religion someone may be, the core believe of the “Golden Rule,” seems to always be implied.

“Treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect,” is beautifully worded and if the people of the world would apply it to world we could have a utopia of people helping people.

“We therefore call upon all men and women, to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion.” I would love one day see a world filled with compassion with less hatred and war, however we cannot the change the world ourselves. It takes the rest of the world to stand up and realize the importance of compassion and actually demonstrate compassion to others to really make a difference.

Imagine if everyone that signed the Charter For Compassion, all 71,419 showed compassion to just one individual a day, how that could change the world.

Signing the charter does not have to be the first and last step you take in your journey to “change the world,” declaring and demonstrating  compassion, should be ones life’s work. As a people, we cannot say we want something and expect to get it. If we want compassion in our schools, government and playgrounds, we need to first give it.

I declare that showing compassion is important and much needed in today’s society. I personally take responsibility for myself to show the world more compassion, no matter religion, ethnic or sexual background one may have.

Hawai`i, Akua and the `Ulu Tree

Hawai`i continues to thrive with its rich traditions, stunning landscapes and delicious food. The Hawai`i traditions derive from the indigenous religion that originated from other Pacific islanders who landed in Hawai`i between 500 and 1300 CE. As time progressed so did the Hawaiian religion that consisted of as many as 40,000 gods, Hawaiians were diligent and disciplined in praying to all Akua to give thanks and other purposes. Even today, as one visits Hawai`i the evidence that the religion is still in practice and held sacred is evident.

The individual Gods/Goddesses were sought out by the people at different times in their lives for different reasons. The word “Akua” is the general name for the Hawaiian Gods/Goddesses, and are often used in prayers and chants to envelop many Gods/Goddesses at once. No matter what Akua the people of Hawai`i were worshiping they were always in tune with nature, plants, trees, animals and each other. They respected all things and took care of all things. A tree that is found throughout Hawai`i is the `ulu, breadfruit, tree, which is appreciated for its fruit and wood. It reaches 85 ft. tall, and often has a trunk 2 to 6 ft in diameter. The wood is yellow-gray with dark speckles of orange, light weight; not very hard, but strong, elastic and termite resistant. It is often used for making furniture as well as surfboard. Throughout the Hawai`i religion the `ulu tree is held sacred and used in many of their story telling.

The `ulu legend can be traced to its origin to a time of famine when Ku, the god of building and war, buried himself in the earth near his home. He later turned into an `ulu tree so that his wife and children would not starve. Ku had told his wife that a fruit shaped like a man’s head would spring from his body. “My body will be the trunk and the braches; my hands will be the leaves; the heart, core, inside the fruit will be my tongue. Roast the fruit, soak it, beat of the skin, eat some yourself, and feed the children.” This legend explains how the `ulu tree became to be on the Islands, while the story of Haumea explains how the fish became so plentiful.

The Hawai`i Goddess Haumea was the daughter to Papa, fertility goddess, and mother to Pele, female goddess for volcanoes, and Hi`aika, goddess of dance; specifically the hula. Besides teaching women how to give birth properly Haumea was considered a very wise woman, and very brave. The story goes on how she “rescued her husband from kidnappers and to escape, leaped, with her husband, into an `ulu tree. When the kidnappers tried to capture them by cutting into the tree with their machetes the splinters of wood and poisonous sap from the tree killed the axmen.” Another set of stories involve Haumea’s magic stick/tree made from an `ulu tree. The wand could create fruit on the tree, or fish. One day she was startled by one of her daughters and as she turns around to rebuke her daughter, Haumea twisted her wrist so that the fish she was invoking were scattered into the surrounding waters, giving them a tree of never-failing food supply. This is the creative story that explains why Hawai`i has so many fish in its waters. These two religious stories explain how Hawai`i not only came to be, but how it thrived with the `ulu tree.

The Hawaiian’s indigenous religion focused on not only how nature can help the people, but how people must also help nature thrive. The `ulu tree not only produced oxygen, fruit, and wood for the people of Hawai`i but it gave them a set of spiritual principles, and that is nature about the aloha. To the Hawaiian’s aloha represents love. All of live was founded on this love, the love of the sea, the love of the sky and the love of the land. The `ulu tree is of great significance to the Hawaiian religion based on their stories it had the importance of protection and nutrition. The `ulu is close to Hawaiian’s hearts. `Ulu’s mythical origins, its fame in history, and its immense usefulness to islanders have made the tree an immortal symbol of Hawai`i Nei (Beloved Hawai`i).

Female Genital Mutilation

The traditional practice of female genital mutilation, which marginalizes women, is a controversial practice that the people of East Africa and Middle Eastern countries still partake in today. This painful practice is continuous there because of male domination that has embedded in the social and cultural structures. This procedure is a clear violation of women’s’ rights to their own bodies, nevertheless due to the social expectations of women in East African and the Middle Eastern countries, women are to be submissive and uncomplaining as young women are ‘operated’ in a demeaning and horrifying procedure called female genital mutilation. However, through educational programs female genital mutilation can be eliminated.

The term female genital mutilation (FGM) describes the cultural practice of cutting and/or stitching genitalia. The minor form of female genital mutilation, clitordectomy, is when the clitoris is removed. Excision, is when the clitoris and libia are removed. The most severe form of female genital mutilation is inflibuation, when all external genitalia are removed and the vaginal opening is stitched nearly closed, leaving only a small opening left for urine and menstrual blood. “The partial stitching of the labia is to prevent intercourse (Fisher 54).” There are several other forms of female genital mutilation such as “pricking, piercing and scraping that are also used throughout the world in symbolic rituals (WHO | Female Genital Mutilation para. 4).” These symbolic rituals are violations against children’s rights as they are often done at infancy to 15 years old. These procedures are conducted when children are powerless to their cultures rituals, leaving them vulnerable to their cultural uneducated traditions.

Female genital mutilation is practiced in 28 countries and performed on 2,000,000 women, out of which 600,000 are in Africa (Kaiev 339). “Female genital mutilation was even performed as late as 1945 in the United States and England, as a ‘cure’ for masturbation, promiscuity and nymphomania (Many Muslim Girls Endure Female Circumcision 347)”. Since the 1990’s several states have made laws stating that female genital mutilation is an act against women and children (348). Female genital mutilation may be culturally based in East Africa and the Middle Eastern countries, but with more and more people migrating to the west, so will female genital mutilation. Unless people are educated on the effects that female genital mutilation can cause before they get to the west, the traditions of other cultures can generate into the American population again as well, leaving children everywhere vulnerable to female genital mutilation.

Female genital mutilation is considered to be an essential part of the social expectations of appropriate parental behavior in preparing girls for adulthood and marriage that not practicing it is perceived as bringing more harm than benefit to a family (Community-based education programme on abandoning FGM 309). Social isolation and difficulty in finding marriage partners for uncut daughters are powerful reasons for families to continue to conform to this practice. Social isolation could become obsolete if neighboring villages also abandoned this archaic method of preparing their daughters for womanhood. “Mothers who have their daughters operated on seem to share a loving belief that the operation is beneficial and even necessary, just as do western mothers who have their infant sons circumcised (Fisher 54).” This commonality is often the subject of debate as religion can be a barrier between a son and daughter. In Holy Scripture it is viewed as unclean to not have a son circumcised, which is a debatable issue in itself. Female genital mutilation has no benefits, plain and simple.

The surgery is typically performed by a ‘midwife’ often in unsanitary conditions with no anesthetic. (Kaiev 339) In Kurdistan, Iraqi midwives often perform the operation with unsterilized instruments or even broken glass on girls ages four to twelve. The extent of the mutilation will depend on the experience of the midwife and the luck of the girl. The wound is then treated with ash or mud, forcing them to sit in a bucket of ice water afterwards. With a procedure that is conducted in such unsanitary conditions risks are sure to follow. Female genital mutilation can cause short term effects such as pain, bleeding, infections, and hemorrhages. These short term effects are extensive enough without adding the long term effects such as the spread of AIDS, infertility, loss of sexual feeling, psychological trauma, prenatal death, cysts, and a later need for multiple surgeries. Operations are often conducted with the infibulations procedure because it must be cut open later to allow sexual intercourse and childbirth, and then stitched for a second time after childbirth (“Many Muslim Girls Endure Female Circumcision” par. 11, 2). With short and long term effects such as these, the question that could be ask is why would parents put their daughters though this. The answer is simple, control.

In these countries, women have little rights to their own bodies. For the majority of women who live in these areas, live as minors all their lives, under their fathers, their husbands, their brothers or whatever male that is in their lives, but never having the right to their own body. In spite of “eighteen African countries enacting laws criminalizing” female genital mutilation. With “penalties ranging from a minimum of three months to a maximum of life in prison (Kaiev 339).” These laws are a wonderful start to the end of female genital mutilation, however, with these law, there are little law enforcement involvement, therefore, leaving females vulnerable to the uneducated control of men who view women as inferior. Furthermore, with the practice of female genital mutilation men are able to continue on with these ideals.

A common belief is that by participating in this practice it is controlling sexuality by removing one of the main sources of the women sexual pleasures which is “believed to reduce a women’s libido linking it to premarital virginity and fidelity which enhances their chances of marriage. This would also enhance their beauty, as genitalia is viewed as ugly and considered too ‘male’(WHO | Female Genital Mutilation par. 11).” Sexuality and genitalia being too male for females, is a recurring ideal in many cultures female genital mutilation are sacred in. The Nandi people of East Africa regard female genital mutilation as a sacred initiation into womanhood. It is believed that if a girl is not initiated her clitoris will grow long and have branches. The Nandi people believe that unless a person has been through the ceremony she technically still is a ‘child.’ “Some even go as far to say that the initiation prepares women to bear the pain of childbirth, as the inflicted pain on children will toughen them (Fisher 54).” With superstitions behind reasoning’s why mothers regard mutilating their daughters as an initiation into womanhood, an acceptable occurrence, it is hard to overcome such ideals without educating not only the women but the men, as it is often the men that have the final and only say on what happens in their families.

Educating the people on basic human rights such as the Tostan Program, which was developed by the Senegalese’s non-governmental organization, consisted of three, two hour classes per week for six months. Through the Tostan Program, 30 women and 10 men from several different villages learned negative aspects of female genital mutilation as part of a broader curriculum that covered human rights, women health, and basic hygiene (Ball par. 2). “As the study concluded, the Tostan program changed attitudes about female genital mutilation and helped reduce the practice in participating villages (par. 9).” In the course of the Tostan Program, “the daughters aged five to ten, who had not been cut increased from 21% to 49% and the proportion of women who approved of female genital cutting declined from 72% to 16% (par. 1).” These results show that through education, a culture can still be preserved without rituals that harm their people are actually producing a change in ideals and culture.

As a result of programs such as Tostan families in some Kenyan villages have replaced female genital surgeries with verbal ceremonies called ‘cutting through words’ since 1996. These ceremonies often last a week, where girls are given lessons about roles as women, hygiene, health, reproduction, self esteem and communication skills. At the end of the week, the village celebrates the girls graduation into womanhood (Fisher 55). Education is changing opinions on century old traditional rituals but until other villages pledge not to carry out the operations as well, it will always be a challenge for parents to not partake in the cutting of their daughters. As Mary Fisher stated in Women in Religion, “only when groups of neighboring villages pledge not to carry out the operations can families be confident that there will be a sufficient pool of men willing to marry their daughters (Fisher 55)” will the challenge be obsolete. The violence against women is rooted in global culture of discrimination which denies women the equal rights with men and which legitimizes the “appropriation of women’s bodies for individual gratification (Thomas par. 1).”

Female genital mutilation is a procedure that intentionally alters or injures female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This procedure takes away human rights from girls and women, as it discriminates against them. It is a “violation of rights of children and a person’s right to health, security and physical integrity.” As this practice is often done at such an age a little girl could not fight for her right as a child, and with no one to speak for her rights, the act of mutilation will continue to thrive without education. A violation against health with a long list of short and long term effects are reasons enough to find a secondary option like the families of Kenya provided.

As equal human beings we have the right to be “free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments (WHO | Female Genital Mutilation par. 3)” After the Female genital mutilation ‘operation’ the pain does not end there, the torment that is afflicted is continuous throughout their lives. “Living free from violence is a human right, yet millions of women and girls suffer from violence both in peace and in war, at the hands of the state, home and community. Across the globe, women are beaten, raped and mutilated (Thomas par. 2). ” The pain suffered by the girl by female genital mutilation is marginalized as she learns that her body does not belong to her but to cruel traditions.

Women and Religion

It might have been just recently women have been able to be at the forefront of religion, however, women have always and will continue to weave themselves through religion and the culture that fits in that religious conviction. The importance of women is apparent throughout the history of religion not only for the reproduction of people, but the new beliefs those people may bring. Since the beginning of time women have been partaking in religious activities, and as time has progressed so did their involvement. In more recent times, women have started to fight for their own religious freedoms and have taken hold of their religious traditions that were once seen as a man’s characteristic for their own.

In the last seven decades women have been more involved than men in churches (Women More Religious Than Men). Possibly because, women do not see it as an oppressive thing today, as in the past women were traditionally subservient. Now, we have a growing number of female pastors and high priestesses currently serving their God(s)/Goddess. With more women affiliated with a religion than men, we as women should be able to make some of the biggest impacts on religion. Nonetheless, women are still fighting for religious equality, as are the women of the Catholic faith that wishes to be ordained (The Ordination of Women in the Roman Catholic Church). The struggle for the women [and men] that wish to make lasting impacts on their religion can depend on cultural norms and traditions existing in a country or region.

 The Abrahamic religions would be hard to conceive without Eve to reproduce future generations, that later divided into three separate religions. Just as women have impacted religion, religion has impacted women. Religious rituals such as female genital mutilation have effected women for ages. The traditional and religious practice of female genital mutilation, which marginalizes women, is a controversial practice that some people of East Africa and Middle Eastern countries still partake in today. “Mothers who have their daughters operated on seem to share a loving belief that the operation is beneficial and even necessary, just as do western mothers who have their infant sons circumcised (Fisher 54).” This commonality is often the subject of debate between religions, and can be a barrier between a son and daughter. In Holy Scripture it is viewed as unclean to not have a son circumcised, which is a debatable issue in itself. Female genital mutilation has no benefits, plain and simple. The pain suffered by the girl by female genital mutilation is marginalized as she learns that her body does not belong to her but to cruel religious traditions.

 Being raised in a Christian home we attended the traditional church on Easter and Christmas and learned morals of right and wrong. But, we never really had a deep connection with the church during our childhood. My upbringing was not focused on religion but more the understanding of morals and the beliefs of the Christian faith. While some kids went to Sunday school and partook in a religious activity, I would be volunteering with my mom at different organizations helping people. At the time, I didn’t understand that my mom was teaching me what being a Christian was truly about. I just knew that my mom had this obsession with helping people and volunteering our family for different activities. But truly, she was laying down the foundation of the idea that serving others before yourself is a much greater thing to do. In 2008, I was actually baptized into the Christian faith. While growing up I learned the fundamentals but now I was acknowledging my commitment and understanding of the faith.

 Since identifying myself as a Christian in 2008, I have started to gradually step back and really look at different religions. I have learned how diverse religion and the people in those religions are from one another, but at the same time the core believes of good and evil, love and goodness are all the same. But, with those similarities came differences in interpretations. It is worrisome that people’s interpretations can be so misguided that they would truly kill another human being, in the name of religion. The problem with interpretations are how all religions, including Christianity misinterpret their Holy Scripture, and take it to the extremes at time. The label “Christian,” has started to leave a bitter taste on my tongue, because while I love God, I do not wish to be associated with the “crazy Christians.” Those people that are highly judgmental and constantly throw verses at each other, and uses the Bible as a source to condemn other people, I am not one. I choose to believe God is about love and peace, and that is where my religion thrives from.

 As a woman, I believe we [women] should make a lasting impact on religion. A women’s primarily role in a religion should not be to reproduce, but to make changes! As an American Minister, Harry Fosdick said “Christians [women] are supposed to not merely to endure change, nor even profit by it, but to cause it.” Every religion has negative aspects, and if anyone is going to make those changes, why can’t it be a women?

Big Foot and Babies

You might remember these two from their wedding post. Brittany secretly laid out Big Foot out during the family get together last month with this little note. Grandma was of course the first one to notice it, screaming making all of us aware of it. We are so excited for both of them, and happy Big Foot was a part of the celebration once again.

What Is Cancer?

You ask me what is cancer? Listen to me. Here I am emotionally drained, shaking with fear, and with tears in my eyes. I will tell you. Listen to me, without pity. Listen with understanding. Put yourself in my exhausted, emotionally drained body, and hear me.   

Cancer is that moment when a loved one is diagnosed. It’s the questioning of doctors, God, and all those ‘are you okay’s?’ that people ask, when it’s obvious that you’re not. It’s the sacrifice that everyone has to make to keep her immune system level. It’s the hope, that today won’t be her last. It’s the hope that you will be strong enough for another day. It’s the aloha (love) that can fill a room, when you are given good news. At the end, cancer can easily become a rushed “aloha” (good-bye).

Cancer is fear. When that phone rings to tell you the news, and all you can do is hold the phone and silently cry. It’s knowing the statistic for that particular cancer, and already having a hard time grasping onto hope. Knowing that marriage, babies, and that “happy ending” she always dreamed about, is slowly slipping through her youthful fingers. It’s the fear of saying those last good-byes. It’s the understanding that she won’t be here for the next birthdays and Christmases. The fear of knowing that she won’t be there to pick up the phone when I just want to talk. Cancer is not only the fear of the unknown, but the dread of knowing my life has to continue without her.

It’s the questioning of the doctors. The feeling of need to have them be wrong. Even when you know deep down, the cancer is starting to take over. Cancer is asking God, “Why?” Spending months, praying to God, asking Him to please heal her. Asking how could He allow this cancer to form in a person with so much love and only wanting to share it with the world.

Cancer is sacrificing. It’s having to sanitize the whole house, so when her immune system shut down, she would at least have a safe place to stay without fear. Spending any extra time you have with her, acting as a caregiver. When she becomes too weak to get out of bed without guidance, leaving you to dress, bath, feed and entertain while her mom hides in another room to grieve. It’s the sacrifice of not only time, but the sacrifice of losing yourself in all those fake smiles you keep putting on for her sake. The hardest thing to do is put on a smile, when all you want to do is curl up in a ball and sob over every memory you have created together and the thought that you have so little time to continue creating more.

Cancer is learning how to enjoy those small moments, because you never know how many new moments you will be granted with. When she becomes too weak to form sentences, each breath becomes a struggle. But, finding a way to laugh together as we made our own version of sign language, and just being the true dorks we were. At the end of the day, those small moments are the ones I remember most. Cancer is about hope. Without hope, it is too easy to just give up.  It’s that moments when she finds enough strength to pull herself up and take a couple steps forward after weeks of being in a wheelchair. The aloha (love) that surrounded the room when we realized she was getting stronger was amazing.

Cancer is saying that final “aloha.” The whispering of “love you,” will forever be burned into the back of my mind as will the moment her fingers turn cold, bright black eyes became a dull gray. And knowing at that moment she was not really with us anymore. I tell you this, cancer is about the “aloha,” for the reason that at the end the only thing that matters is love and acceptance.

The Story of My Life

A young women stumbles as she walks,
It seems that she’s clumsy as she talks.
At times she mumbles,
Quotes, poems, book titles, and on she rambles.

She is as independent as a burning flame,
Needing only a starting frame.
At times she seems so focused,
Much like a lingering locust.
She is kind and tender to those in need,
More willing then most to take the lead.

Glasses magnify her beautiful brown eyes,
Her clothes are dress-code complied.
With dark hair that seems to have no end,
Flows down in waves and transcends.

A family she has,
So strange, so crazy so filled with piazzas.
With a mother who teaches and a contractor for a father,
Thank goodness they are no longer together!
A sister who seems to be lost in the world,
but slowly coming into her own.

She lives by faith, with the symbol of her sins,
It is easy to find, as it lays under her chin.
She lifts her hands to speak,
It seems to be classes are twice a week.
Her hands so agile, so ready to sign; To speak to those that have no voice.
She wants you to know that everyone has a choice.


Okay, so I wrote that my senior year of High School for my English class.

All Is Not Lost

One must look inside of who they really are
to understand what they are capable of.
Some might be leaders,
followers or maybe the teachers.


As long as you always remember
who you truly are.
And stick to your morals,
anything (even your deepest desire),
is possible.
Because nothing is impossible.

As long as you really want it,
you will fight for it,
and as long as you fight,
all is not lost.

Love & Hate

Love can be found in the darkest alley,
As hate can be found in the brightess alley.
Not everything is black and white.
It is not always as you see it.
Eyes tend to play tricks on our hearts,
As our hearts play tricks on our minds.

Poetry is...

Poetry is a story, at times you have to read between the lines to appreciate it. It’s when there is emotion, anywhere from sad, discouraging or happy and wise, when poetry is at its best. The significance of poetry is not the thing being said, but the way it is being said.

I suppose people have a love/hate relationship with poetry, for the reason that at times it’s hard to write a poem with rhythm. Every so often you come across a poem that is hard to comprehend what is actually happening. Nevertheless, there is a lot of people that are passionate about poetry, and that can understand it word-for-word.

Personally, I love free verse poetry, when there is no right or wrong. My logic for that is,it's not fun to write, when you can’t put what you really want - because it doesn’t rhyme or have the current line count. Poetry to me is an outlet. For the reason that poetry can signify so much to one person, but the person beside you, will have no idea what your truly reading or writing.

Keep Breathing

There are these rare moments in life that are true glimpses of a perfect world. Maybe that perfection lies on a mountain under falling stars in the night sky with the person you love. Maybe that perfection lies in one last sunrise over the ocean with your family before one sun set.

Maybe that perfection lies in every little moment that makes all the other moments worth living. They are the moments that stay with us. Even if the people who were with us in those moments move on, change or leave us for some reason, they are always with us too. And neither life (as we all live and move on) nor death (as we all will die) can take that from us, for the moments may be fleeting, but the feeling is forever.

Goodnight world. Keep us all safe tonight wrapped up in those wonderful moments with the ones we’ve loved and lost. They are forever a part of our hearts no matter how painful losing them may have been.

All we can do is keep breathing.

                          [Ingrid Michaelson]

Oh My God: Akua Ke Aloha (God Is Love)

Peter Rodger, who is the film maker of Oh My God, is a very courageous man that traveled the globe to ask a question that many have died over- Who is God? This film is packed with facts and beliefs of a large diverse of people.

As a believer of God, I feel like I learned a little about my own faith; by watching how people all over the globe, worship God. Peter Rodger did a marvelous job on capturing people’s cultures and diverse religions in a beautiful and in a significant way that actually draws in an audience.

Father Michael Collins of Italy stated that Catholics believe that everything is beautiful, even things that are made by man are in God’s image, therefore are also beautiful. I found this statement comparable to the Buddhist statement on the beauty of nature and their surroundings.

In between part of the film one man declared that, “All the wars of the world are about religion and land.” I truly believe this man’s statement is one-hundred percent true, with the addition of oil. There would be no other reason for people to die other than fighting for their religion and/or land.

Peter goes on to declare that there are four reasons why people believe in God. One, we have no idea how we got here; therefore God must be the creator. Two, doing good deeds will get you into heaven, so god is a policeman. Three, the fear of death. Only knowing that our bodies wrapped, the rest is speculation, so God gives eternal life. Four, everything is God’s will, therefore God is the scapegoat.

In Kenya, East Africa, a tribe will sacrifice lambs to God. They will eat from the flesh and use the sheep pelt as part of the worship ceremony. One man went on to say that it will often rain after they conclude a sacrificing ceremony. Trying not to be judgmental, I honestly have to say I am thankful that I do not practice a religion that requires sacrificing an animal or another human. For example in Guatemala the Mayas used to participate in human sacrificing. The Mayas would use alters to cut off the heads of willing members of the tribe to be sacrificed. They believed that it was the fast track to the underworld.

The man from the undisclosed location honestly frightened me. Knowing that he had weapons with him during the interview is a little nerve-wracking. When he stated with such seriousness that, the Christians and Jews shall forever go to the hell of fire from the Koran, it is worrisome that people’s interpretations can be so misguided that they would truly kill another human being. The problem of interpretations, and lack of teachings of the Koran is truly terrifying, however it reminded me on how Christians can also misinterpret the Bible and take it to the extremes at time.

The Princess Michael of Kent, in London proclaimed that, “God is goodness, and all goodness comes from God.” I found her testimonial honest and properly the simplest out of many of the people in the film. Her proclamation reminded me of something that is said in my family, “Akua Ke Aloha,” which translates into “God is love.”

One Israeli man proclaimed, “How can you love your neighbor, if you don’t know him? You build walls that only wars can break down by not listening to your neighbors.” This proclamation reminded me on the reason I took World Religions, to learn and understand diverse religions. I want to be able to have a civil conversation with people of a different religion not debating but just the understanding on what their religion consist of.

I really cherished the conclusion where people said “God is love” in various diverse languages. Other than the man from the undisclosed location, almost everyone else stated that God is peace, happiness, goodness, beautiful and love.

  God may be different religions but the love is universal.

Dare to Believe

So forget about who was wrong,

Cause I've never been more ready

to turn this page.
          
If you swear you believe in life,

Embrace forgiveness.

Cause it's all that I'm asking,

Or keep holding out...

                                 - Dare to Believe

Boyce Avenue wrote “Dare to Believe,” and I have totally fallen in love with it. I have been a fan of Boyce Avenue on youtube.com for awhile now, but when they posted that song…. I needed those words more at that time then any before.

A couple years ago I went on this fantastic vacation, all paid between my grandmother and dad. Went to D.C., visited Gallaudet University (one of my dreams to attend there), Gettysburg and spent time in North Carolina with family. Unfortunately, with miscommunication and anger, my grandmothers and I’s relationship deteriorated on that trip. We’ve both said things we wished we didn’t, and because we are both so stubborn, we let that manifest into something bigger than what it should have ever been.  

And then Boyce Avenue posted a new song called “Daring to Believe.” I remember listening to it once, and thinking it was a nice song. And then I actually paid attention to the lyrics and was wowed!

We been in the dark for way too long,
But when we turn around we see light shine through the haze,
So forget about who was wrong,
'Cause I've never been more ready to turn this page.

If you swear you believe in life,
Embrace forgiveness 'cause it’s all that I’m askin',
Or keep holding out while the innocent die.

 After a couple years of stubbornness on “who was wrong,” and the want for an apology, I became “ready to turn this page.” So I called her. After months of no communication, I just jumped in and started talking about what I’ve been doing since we last spoke. It was awkward, and I never really received an apology, but I forgave her. Will I ever forget what she said to me? No. But forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting.  Our relationship will never be what it once was, but at the end of the day, forgiveness was embraced.

Schools Out...for the Summer!

Passed my COM263 (Intercultural Communications) class today.

But even better news:  I will be legible to graduate May of 2012 with my AA (Associates in Arts) ! Pretty stoked about that little piece of news.

After that I can transfer to ASU (Arizona State) for a Communications Major. Then Phoenix College for Deaf Studies/Interpreters Licence. Maybe one day even Gallaudet University (D.C.), which is the only Deaf university in the United States. :)

So now that summer has officially started for myself I plan to enjoy the summer.

Tomorrow, I am heading up to Payson, AZ for my first summer adventure. My family has this amazing cabin up in the area, and a bunch of my cousins, siblings and I are heading up for the weekend to party it up.


On a side note I turn 21 on the 13th. Not really sure if I'm excited about that or not.

The Sister

Cory (asleep), Me, and cousin Bobbie

I have a sister. Cory. I know, it’s spelled like the boy version.

I tried to talk my parents into naming her Ariel, from the Little Mermaid, but they wouldn’t do it. The lack of red hair did not change the fact I continued to call her Ariel for several months after she was born was beside the point.

She is two years and nine months younger than I am, making me the all knowing and powerful older sister.

She's something. I don't think "special" or "wonderful," is the right word for her. More like a pain in my butt.

Dad, Me, and Cory on a flight back to AZ

We argue constantly, over anything and everything. Sometimes, more than most, I feel like I want to strangle her, but at the same point hold her close and tell her I love her.

Sure we have our bad days. Ok, we have a lot of bad days. But we do have some really great memories. The fonder ones are of course of me bossing her around.

I wish I had a scanner around to show you some of the pictures from the “good ol’ days.” But because I do not, I shall shower you with more recent pictures.

May 2010

Cory and I when she was a baby

Senior year Homecoming dance

December 2011

Cory's 18th birthday gift: Hot Air Balloon ride

 

         Just Sisters.....

"I'm smiling because your my sister, I'm laughing because there is nothing you can do about it! :)"