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whoagifs: this deserves a lot of notes.

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:39:11 -0400

this deserves a lot of notes.

brain-food: The Everyday Sexism Project started out as a simple...

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:50:23 -0400

The Everyday Sexism Project started out as a simple website where women (and men) could record their daily experiences of sexism, from the ‘minor’, niggling incidents like wolf whistles, to sexual assault and even rape. In a world in which 1 in 3 women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime and only around 13% of countries have female leaders, sexism is nonetheless frequently dismissed as something that is ‘no longer an issue’. The Everyday Sexism Project aims to change that through consciousness raising, making the sheer scale of the problem clear for all to see and igniting cultural change to end it.

Since its launch in April 2012, the project has amassed more than 30,000 women’s stories From all over the world and expanded to 16 countries worldwide. Women of all ages, races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations have added their voices - disabled and non-disabled, religious and non-religious, employed and unemployed. A 5-year old girl asked to be turned into a boy so she could go into space. A 7-year old disabled girl in a wheelchair and a 74-year old woman in a mobility scooter recorded almost identical experiences of shouted abuse about ‘female drivers.’

And again and again, over and over, when women try to speak out about what is happening, they are told that they are ‘overreacting’, or ‘uptight’ - that they need to learn to ‘take a compliment’.

But something extraordinary started to happen. As word of the project spread and hit the national press around the world, from the Times of India to French Glamour to Grazia South Africa, women started writing in to say it have given them strength. Strength to realise they no longer had to accept harassment. That they had the right to say no. That they could report assault and demand that the police take it seriously. That they could talk to their families for the first time about having been raped.

Alias: Lenore: Go Gently About Your Love

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:23:16 -0400

Alias: Lenore: Go Gently About Your Love:

five—a—day:

There are days you are impossible
to comfort. The days I find you kissing
your knees, I know to distance myself
from you however much it turns
my heart to orange pulp.

On these days, I use my indoor voice.
I draw you baths of lavender,
leave you letters in the steam of mirrors,
tell…

aseaofquotes: Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love Submitted...

Sun, 19 May 2013 12:15:39 -0400

aseaofquotes:

Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Submitted by theforestofvarricschest.

Does anyone say these words and truly mean them, though?

shaayad

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:15:00 -0400

The past few days have been some of the most painful for me. The depression is back, full force. I wake up wondering why I’m still alive. If I’m not forcing myself to be in class or lab, I’m sleeping to try to forget how miserable I am, or crying so hard I feel sharp, acute pains in my chest. Worse, I’m isolated, alone. And all I want, the only thing I feel like could possibly comfort me, is to have S in my life again. It’s kind of pathetic that I haven’t been able to move on, especially when I’m the one who wanted to in the first place. But he’s the only one who has seen me at my absolute lowest points, reached down still to pull me up into his arms, and let me drench his shirt with tears and snot until I could stand again. I don’t know how he put up with me for so long. I wonder if he knows how much of my thoughts are still about him, how much I miss him — though I am, of course, remembering and missing the best parts of our relationship in my feeble attempt to stave off this emotional emptiness inside. But in my weak state, I would gladly take the hurt, the arguments, the fundamental disagreements if I could feel his strong, comforting hand again in mine. I suppose it’s good that he doesn’t know, it’s good that we don’t talk, because I might be interfering in his life, which, from a rare few words exchanged, seems to be going well. He’s traveling this summer — which I thought I would be, too, but probably won’t be anymore. It sounds like he made friends in his program — which I haven’t. Though that may have changed as of last night. I had it all planned out, you know? Once I failed myself, once it was confirmed in a couple weeks, I had a plan. A sad, miserable, but quiet ending. I wasn’t smiling anymore and the things that used to cheer me up no longer held any positive power over me. But by chance I went to L’s apartment and met her cute little son, her young husband, and her menagerie of pets. Though a bit chaotic, I saw it again, just a snippet — of what I used to yearn for so constantly: a family of my own. Mixed species, mixed cultures, in a household full of crazy yet undeniably a household full of love. I’m still mentally ready to go. That whole existential bit of me has mostly taken over. People will forgive and forget me. But maybe I’ll wait a little longer and give myself another painful chance to heal. Maybe Sam asked me that dreaded question — what’s wrong? — at just the right time. The worst time for me, but she made me feel better in a way and to an extent that I did not expect. Maybe my heart hasn’t completely necrosed after all. Maybe it’s still open to good things. Maybe I’ll live to see another year.

Lip Sync-Off with John Krasinski and Jimmy Fallon

Sun, 12 May 2013 23:44:32 -0400

Lip Sync-Off with John Krasinski and Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Kimmel vs. Ellen DeGeneres: Nice-Off

Sun, 12 May 2013 23:43:00 -0400

Jimmy Kimmel vs. Ellen DeGeneres: Nice-Off

imbalance

Thu, 09 May 2013 22:21:00 -0400

i’ve been depressed, i guess severely. making up really sad haikus in my head about how broken, pathetic, and empty i am. burned out, sure. but it’s more than that, i think. so i hold too tightly and desperately onto the little hopes and little good things that i manage to grab in my frozen but sometimes oddly frenzied state. like that the new place i move into might actually be warm. that i might not have to clean up after my roommate every single day like i’m her mom but not have the guts to say anything because sometimes i am just like my mom — utterly spineless when it comes to issues of blame. that though i don’t have real friends here, at least some middle-aged administrative staff are looking out for me, for whatever reason. that my bosses seem to really like me and think i’m doing a good job. that although i am unfortunately becoming increasingly intolerant of being in lectures, i am a good worker in the “real” world…? i can’t ever seem to have enough true faith in myself. this is kind of stupid, but one of the movies that makes me smile and feel motivated is legally blonde (and hercules). no one thought she was smart enough, but she never gave up on herself. wish i could say the same. it’s not that i just feel like i’ve let everyone down — it’s that i definitely have let everyone down, including myself. it’s been another low month/semester/year for me, for a multitude of reasons. maybe it was all too much all at once. all that optimism and hope that i started out with… it’s funny to think of the contrast now. but here i am, not just alone but lonely, very sad but sometimes unfeeling,.. too depressed to function properly. and to think, a year ago precisely, how happy i was (i really need to focus less on the past; it’s a huge problem.). where will i be a year from now? heck, where will i be in a couple weeks / how many doors of opportunities will i have shut with my own betraying hand? how brave i foolishly thought i was, being the only person at orientation to stand on the side of the line indicating i wasn’t “afraid to fail.” i suppose it was and is true; i’m not afraid to fail. i’m not afraid of a lot of things people expect me to be fearful of (ugh, preposition). but it seems i had forgotten how much failure hurts. for someone who on the surface seems so conservative and quiet, i sure do take big risks. maybe too many.

Truthdigger of the Week: Stephane Hessel

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:22:00 -0400

Truthdigger of the Week: Stephane Hessel:

Stephane Hessel, the French-German author of “Indignez-vous” who died in February at age 95, is a towering figure of 20th-century resistance and an example to those who hope to create the future. - 2013/04/14

“Take it Slow” Aww… Too cute! :3 The last time...

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 01:29:10 -0400

“Take it Slow”

Aww… Too cute! :3 The last time I slow danced was… five years ago? :\

to hear

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:34:00 -0400

I’ve been hearing the honking of wild geese more frequently these days and it is decidedly one of the loveliest sounds I’ve ever heard. Some other favorite melodies of mine and the harmony that accompanies them…

- Little Ram calling me “akka.” — August 2011, Madurai. Spending the day with Dr. S, on call and at his warm and wonderful home. Playing with Ram and his animal toys in the evening. Him asking me how I drink water. Falling so deeply in love with his family and his life.

- Someone calling me by my almost-never-used middle name. — Reminds me of my childhood, and distant family. Time, too brief, spent in Korea. Also, more recently, N likes to call me this, and it makes my heart a little softer every time.

- J meowing at me or scratching at my door. — Severance Street. The best last two years of college and the sweetest, most forgiving, and humbling friendship I could ask for.

- Tobias’ unique whistling. — Though not as in touch as before, still my favorite little brother. I will never stop admiring you.

- Justin playing songs on his cheek with the flicking of his fingers. — The King of Puns, and one of the cleverest, most trivia-filled, amusing and terribly smart friends I know.

- A sleepy, snoring dog — especially if it’s a pug. — CPE this past weekend. What a lovebug.

- A cat’s happy purr. — Missing Fishbone, the sweetest, most perfect cat to grace my life.

- Chet Baker, Ramsey Lewis, or any of my other favorite and soothing jazz artists. — Jazz ensembles. Sleeping in the music practice rooms.

- The cluck-cluck-clucking of chickens. — Thinking of Gracie, forever my inspiration, in so many ways.

- Birds chirping in the early morning. — Reminding me that there’s more to life than my own little world filled currently with exams and student loans. Here’s to the rare mornings I wake up actually feeling refreshed and energetic…!

- Even the silence of gently falling snow. — Moving and adjusting to New England.

To be able to hear is such a gift!

Also, Happy Holi!

aseaofquotes: Lydia Millet, Oh Pure and Radiant Heart

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 23:04:59 -0400

aseaofquotes:

Lydia Millet, Oh Pure and Radiant Heart

withlovemeganelizabeth: halorocker: pinguinmitbrille: rotfuenf...

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 14:41:33 -0400

withlovemeganelizabeth:

halorocker:

pinguinmitbrille:

rotfuenf:

A random ball pit is set up in the middle of a city
And this is what happens as people approach it.

The video is so precious and cute <3

This is SO sweet!! Please watch the video. <3

oops i cried.

like puzzle pieces

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:14:30 -0500

Kind of like these awesome puzzle piece earrings/studs I got yesterday, things in my life are piecing together again — slowly, yes, but I can see some progress. Today was a good end to the week. Big physio test done with (the proctor messed up big time but kept her cool and got us the other half of the questions by the last hour). Somehow managed to attend all my classes (and pay attention?? on a Friday? what!) until 4 even after the exam (the temptation to go home was strong, but I didn’t succumb!), and go into lab for an hour and a half after that. Though, the first half hour was me and D listening to Dr. H talk about 1) how grades don’t matter (A students go into research, B students make for great clinicians, and C students make the big buck$, ha! There’s hope for me yet~)… 2) how you need to be compassionate not only to animals and clients but to yourself and not drive yourself crazy studying only to look back after 4 years to see you’ve changed into someone you don’t even like… 3) how exams and boards don’t prepare you for real clinical work… and 4) how the whole experience is like an extended initiation process that you just have to get through and survive. It was a good talk. Add to that a 귀여운 남자 and the prospect of a weekend with no work obligations (work work, not schoolwork; there’s always schoolwork)… Though I did sign up yesterday for a different kind of work and am excited about helping out with the CPE again this spring and meeting the new spay lab dogs (and int’l vets, of course!) in a few weeks. A recently re-stocked refrigerator, a clean and tidy room, spring break quickly approaching (though not quickly enough!) with the prospect of seeing my family again… Life is good. Now to do some school stuff, eat, catch up on emails, and maybe mess around on my new ukulele~! Good day indeed.

So precious!!

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:28:49 -0500

So precious!!

aseaofquotes: Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:55:54 -0500

aseaofquotes:

Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita

High Debt and Falling Demand Trap New Veterinarians

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 18:25:27 -0500

High Debt and Falling Demand Trap New Veterinarians:

Depressing article. Maybe public health is my way out?

aseaofquotes: — Arundhati Roy

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 09:45:15 -0500

aseaofquotes:

— Arundhati Roy

Dispatches From Cairo: Bragging About Gang Rape

Sat, 16 Feb 2013 21:42:26 -0500

Dispatches From Cairo: Bragging About Gang Rape:

“…

He couldn’t have been more than 19. His clothes were cheap and his sparse yet unshaven facial hair was indistinguishable from the dirt on his cheeks. He was with another kid on the other side of a kiosk and couldn’t see that I was listening.

He was telling his friend that the women who go to Tahrir Square are hoping to get raped because they want sex. He had heard that sentiment from the popular Salafi TV preacher and ex-presidential candidate Abou Ismail. He said Ismail explained that most of these women are anti-Islam crusaders, and the rest are widows who are looking for sex. They are all devils, he pronounced.

“It is their fault; they are making us do it,” he said laughing, boasting that he was in a group that seized one such devil. He got his fingers inside her, he claimed, and made sure he got her good.

“We are doing a job,” he crowed. “This will keep them from coming to Tahrir. These are not good girls; they are coming for sex. They are rubbing against the men. It is what they want, so we show them what they get.”

His friend asked, “What if your sister goes to Tahrir?”

“She won’t go. She is 11 years old,” he responded. “Anyway, I would beat her if she tried.”

He did not say anything about receiving money for his behavior. Rumors have been circulating that thugs are being paid to rape women to discredit the revolution.

…”

Cannot comprehend…

Katie Makkai — Pretty

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 23:15:12 -0500

Katie Makkai — Pretty