Half Way Through At The End Of The Year

I like Capitalizing the first letter of all the words in my headings, I don't know why.
Ok let me get

I am writing a fictional novel. It's a supernatural thriller, for young adults or grown ups not sure yet. It's more work than I thought it would be, and it's funny how the book grows as I grow as a person. I don't think it will be my best work, but I am pouring my heart and mind into this. I feel like i am writing it in a rush, because i gave myself a deadline, but because of Teacher Training, holidays, and my new boost for getting back in shape, I have fallen behind. I do hope to make hedgeway as I thought it was called, but then Ryan corrected me, and I know it is headway. It's going to be a fun book to read, creative and imaginative.

This book takes me places in my mind, and makes me people I am not! Can't wait to share it with you all eventually! Writing this blog, makes me feel like I've finally come clean, in regards to my absence from blogging. I mean I have blogged, but its not as incessant as it was. In fact am proud to say last year I published 137 blogs posts. My blogger stats tell me the most number of views were in July and Nov 2013. USA rules with most readership, followed by Russia! India follows in at third, and European countries including UK follow after that. I just have to say thanks for reading to all my readers! I hope you all will like my book!

Most people view it from a Windows computer; 28% from a Mac. Oooh! 48% view from firefox, and only 20% from Chrome, (chrome is personally my preferred browser. It's fast and better all round). 15% of readers still use IE, whyyy!!!! There's so much other info from the stats, but this was supposed to be about the book I'm writing, how I got carried away!

I'm half way through writing this book. YA(young adult books are usually 55k to 60k long, and I am (a grandmother figure in my life, told me to never measure/ count progress but to get through it), 26k in. Which is half way for the 50k goal, ok plus there will be more added. However for sci-fi fantasy "they" say a 6 figure range is better... really?

Trudging along then!
I can do this!


Breathe!

Utterly Honest: My Fat Body

Have you ever had that feeling, when your putting on your favorite pair of slacks and suddenly your ass is in the way, and you're like "What! Where did this globulous-blobness come from?" And suddenly life is different and the wake up call to make a change has rung loudly in your ear.

Struggling with weight... ever since my hormones and ovaries went wacko, my life style changed, and my body changed. Since I fell off the "workout" wagon it was hard to get back on. Finally I've gotten back to the gym, and oh my, it's been tough!

Everyone is always like it doesn't matter what size you are, you must love yourself. Heck ya, I do love myself, my curves, my multiple spare tires, the love handles bla bla bla... but really, I have standards for myself. I rather not buy a new wardrobe with larger clothes sides. I know that my body type, my bone structure and I know there is only so much my bones can carry. There are things I want to do, I must lose the adipose tissue, the fat.

What happened? As I said I had health problems, and after a while I just had a hard time going back to the gym, my hormones were off, I was depressed, and it just kept layering on, the fat that is. Until I felt bad going to social events with friends, but still had to, but I was still to ashamed and embarrassed that it had come to this, pushing me into more depression. Thus the vicious cycle, so someone had to help me break it and that was me. People told me while I went through extreme self loathing, and mental/ emotional pain and agony of being unable to love my "curves" that I should accept myself and love myself, and we all come in all shapes and sizes. I get that! I won't be Kritsten Dunst skinny, or like Jessica Alba... those are not my body types. I can accept my body type and hold myself to standards... So I will work towards it in a healthy way.

So yes I love my body, I know I can be better, and no not cause I want to look like a skinny catwalk model, (although it might be nice), I just want to be healthy for me. I want to be attracted to me, I want to do child's pose again and not have my tummy come in the way. I want to look "athletic" to me again. I want to be athletic again. I have goals! Yes I am pretty hard on my self, let alone, family and loved ones telling me I am chubby, need to lose weight etc. I am so hard on myself, to the point it was scary to see myself naked. Now after 4 or 5 weeks of hard work outs, hours at the gym, I feel and see the difference, oh and some muscular injuries too... but results are really in the inches and not the number on the scale.

It's been pretty painful emotionally, mentally, and physically. Next time you see an obese person, think twice about making a rude comment. We don't know their story. Age, medical condition, genes, food availability, access to exercise, information and so many more issues can be the reason for obesity. Yes, sometimes there's pure gluttony, and laziness, but there is also depression, binging on comfort foods, so on and so forth. Sometimes sadness is something that can consume us to the point that we lose ourselves... to eating and sitting. So chubby people need help, kindness and encouragement.

Emotionally, I've had to motivate myself, overcome how I look in shorts and a t-shirt, overcome exercising in public and knowing that my jelly is bouncing around... dealing with my body unable to do what I could once do. It hurts and demotivates, but it takes a lot to just keep going, as Dory in Finding Nemo would say "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming swimming swimming".

Mentally, I've had to just make myself go, shut of my mind, tell it to shut up. I had to shut up my internal critique, my self loathing, my self doubt... and just go through the exercise like I am a robot. However, in the end all the blood is in my muscles, so there is less thinking, and the endorphins just keep pumping out, making me feel better. So hush mind hush, this is a meditative practice.

Socially, I've had to turn down everything, just so I have 4-6 days of work out a week, 2-2.5 hours each day. Yeah at 30 more time is required to burrrrnnn the fat, and get tht metabolism going, unless you're one of those hyper metabolism people, who are magically thin no matter what they eat. Oh my! Anyway the good thing is, it's fall / winter so there aren't too much stuff going on, and it's perfect time to train for summer outdoor activities. Also winter is the time we tend to eat and sit around more, due to lack of stuff to do outside due to cold, snow and whatever inclement weather Ohio throws our way, so gym is great.

Physically, soreness, aches and pains, and initial injuries before the muscles get stronger. Stretch before exercising, warm up its easier on the muscles- basic important rules. Sometimes forgotten, but stretching is so important and yoga helps me so much too. So I go from being tight from working out, to stretchy in yoga... it's a tough body change to deal with. I love both though, eventually though one could almost only need yoga. Balance is always important though even in the yogic world. Listening to my body, not pushing myself too much, or not under-doing it was a challenge, and of course not even being able to do it, and finding modifications was another obstacle to overcome.

Diet: Eating healthy is another big lifestyle change one has to make initially to lose fat. Later we may reintroduce the unhealthy stuff in small amounts, however with thanksgiving it was kind of tough, yes Cheese was consumed. Recently a vegetarian, gave up all meat except fish, how do I get my protein? Oh fish, lentils, beans, chick peas!!!! Yeah so much more. I gave up dairy due to lactose issues, but good cheese in small amounts is ok, gluten gives me instant heart burn, and other problems the next day, so that is to a minimum too. Lots of grains, nuts, and veggies for me, let's not forget fruit. I eat an apple everyday. Caffeine is ZERO! Yes because it slows down metabolism although hypes you up, its the sugar, and whatever. I drink herbal teas like tulsi, and rose. Alcohol is the tough one, but since its mostly gluten I am left with ciders, and I am bored of apples, so wine it is. But it is only on weekends, as a result I am a lightweight! Processed foods and sugars are of course out of the question, especially soft drinks, etc. OUT! So although I have been eating healthy for about a year, exercise is key to inch-loss.

Why do we call it weight loss when muscle actually weighs more than fat, and fat is actually all inches! We should call it Inch Loss! This entire thing has been such a mind job, and I have to keep going. I have goals that I want to reach, ie. running a race with my bestie next year, running a lot, biking alot, climbing alot, yoga-assana-ing alot, and who knows what else! Most of it is looking at my bi-weekly semi-naked selfie which Ryan helps me with, and saying I love you, and hey we can get through this!

Ok now that I'm done being utterly honest... I can get the rest my body needs.

Breathe!

The Two Towers

Remembering...

As my heart breaks,
I feel the pain of thousands again.
Remembering the fear, the shock, the pain,
The anger, and all the emotion this day takes.

Remembering the lives lost,
The war it cost,
More lives were taken,
The whole world shaken.

Remembering the strenght of the masses,
Even though the two towers lay in ashes,
The city lived, and lives on,
The spirit will shine on forever, on and on.

I Have A Dream...

A long long tiem ago, when i was just a child, I went to this amazing school, The School- KFI, a school founded and based on J. Krishnamurti's philosophy. At this school we had something called The Drama Festival. Different schools would come over and perform plays, for the enrichment and education of the children. There were themes, and different types of plays. Some were abstract, some were entirely original, others were old plays done before. We had much fun at these drama festivals. It was not a competition but a learning experience, and we would write summaries on the plays, what it meant to us etc. The 11th and 12th grades would perform the plays.

One year, a guy who I was dating, my first ever boyfriend actually, was in one of the plays for the Drama Festival. He was to recite a speech. He told me I'm giving the "I have a dream" speech. I was young and history was never my strong subject.
Me - What?
He- the "I have a dream" speech, its from your America, only.
Me- never heard of it.
He- come on it's Martin Luther King! you should know this, you're American.
Me- Martin Lou the King?? I didn't know America had Kings!
He- I give up! You know nothing Priyanka

At least that's how I remember the conversation going.
It took me a while to learn who Martin Lou the King was... wow I had been ignorant! Or just in the wrong country? I only heard the speech years later when we were learning to unlearn hate, stereotypes, discrimination at an orientation. I didn't know the whole history of the civil war, until recently; My friend Jala encouraging me to attend an African music and dance festival, which happened to be about the emancipation of slaves, watching movies like Django Unchained, and Lincoln have educated me about the history of African Slaves in the Americas, about discrimination, abuse and human rights. Recent events such as the Trayvon Martin murder, have shed light on how much discrimination still prevails today and how this country works. How the world works.

So when and how will this dream come true?
When will we REALLY start educating our children, our people? When will we stop teaching hate, and teaching love?
When will we learn to share?

Breathe

You Are What You Eat

I have been studying Yoga for the past 7 months, and there have been a lot of things I've learned and changed in my life. I have changed too: increased patience, calm, understanding... Sometimes I do lapse into old self, but I am working hard to get to my "Ideal Self". That "Ideal Self" keeps changing, and the challenges increase, but I am growing, getting better, and it is full filling.

One of the things which has resurfaced through out my life is: to stop consuming my friends,(a reference from the original Doctor Dolittle musical with Rex Harrison), what most people would call vegetarianism. I was successful for a few years, during my childhood, after watching the butchering of a chicken. It didn't last though. I just don't want to be a part of that cycle of cruelty, and now a days it is the very heart of obesity and other diseases.

As intrigued and curious as I was as a child, I was very aware and in about 6th grade I was headstrong about studying Factory Farming. We are talking about 1995; and the information was very limited to child without internet and the resources available these days. However as I grew and information was available as the industry was slowly exposed, my suspicions were confirmed. How we treat our or other animals defines us as a culture as a species. We are monsters.

Today I stumbled upon this video. It's only 6 minutes long. I don't want to brainwash anyone, eat whatever you want, but be AWARE. I was sitting on the fence for a long time now, and with my whole plan to be more active, healthy and eat healthy, my decision has been made. I will be vegetarian until and unless the event comes to pass, that there is no more vegetarian food and I must scavenge and hunt (ie. a survivalist scenario) for food, I shall. For instance if I go back country backpacking with Ryan, and we get so lost, and don't have food, I will eat and do what needs be done for survival. For now, I quit.

I have always been a lover of animals, being such an empath, as it is how could it be avoided. I was so fond of the original Doctor Dolittle with Rex Harrison, where he spoke to animals and rationalized, do we eat our friends? The book was written in the times when people were becoming aware of Animal Cruelty, same as Black Beauty. I wanted to grow up and work on the Rainbow Warrior, joining Green Peace, PETA etc. And then they went and did some extremist things, and I had to evaluate how I felt about the entire thing. I love animals, but I did not condone their actions. I had to weave my own path. My compassion extended to humans too, so I had to see an all encompassing view of animals and humans. I felt geography and planning was a good option, sadly it's hard to find a job in urban planning where I am. Plus building, planning often is not approached with the perspective of animals and their habitats, but more so politics, economic gain etc. No wonder the PETA people go batty!

That's my decision. I am sorry if the video is shocking, but it is eye opening, and goes full circle. Also in light of the obesity and health care issues in USA, and ALL over the world, we must be even more vigilant, active, aware, and mindful. Next time you order your food think about where it came from. Factory farming... makes me want to go to the farmer's market, but oh the prices. Sometimes it's so hard living in Ohio, the options of places to eat are not enough, especially for vegetarians... but THESE are all excuses for not living healthy, eating healthy, and being mindful and aware. We need to unlearn, unwork and undo these unhealthy lifestyles we've created. Let's make the change!

Like Animals - Doctor Dolittle -1967 - click for more information about the movie
I do not understand the human race.
It has so little love for creatures with a different face.
Treating animals like people is no madness or disgrace.
I do not understand the human race.

I wonder why do we treat animals like animals?
Animals treat us so very well.
The devoted ways they serve us and protect us when we’re nervous –
Oh, they really don’t deserve us, all we give them is hell!

Tell me how else man repays them, do we ever think to praise them?
No we don’t, and this dismays them, you can tell.
They're riddled with ingratitude, we give no love or latitude,
In every way our attitude is, well, like animals.

Why do we treat animals like animals?
How can people be so inhumane?
Cows and chickens work to feed us, dog and horses show they need us
And though cats don’t always heed us, their affection is plain.

What do we do?
We neglect them; we do nothing to protect them;
We reject them, don’t expect them to complain.
We ignore them or we beat them; when we’re hungry, then we eat them.
It’s appalling how we treat them, it’s insane!
Like animals!

We humiliate and murder and confine them.
We create their wretched status, then we use it to malign them.
I mean, why should we say, “preening like a dog”?
Why should we say, “working like a horse”?
Why should we say, “eating like a hog,”
When what we mean is “eating like a man”?!
Don’t we? Of course!

A man of ill repute is called a “weasel” or a “rat,”
A woman you dislike becomes a “vixen” or a “cat.”
A family that is blessed with healthy reproductive habits
Occasions the remark, “Well you know them, they breed like rabbits”!

“He’s as stubborn as a mule!”
“He’s as stupid as an ox”
“He’s as slimy as a snake!”
“He’s as crafty as a fox!”
Remarks like that really get my goat!

Why don’t we say, “noble as a frog”?
Or, why can’t we say, “wealthy as a hen”?
True, we say, “devoted as a dog.”
What we should say is: “chic as a giraffe,” “pretty as a pig, eh?”
That’ll be the big day, won’t it?
But when? But when?!

When will we stop treating them like animals?
Is the human race entirely mad?
Women see a baby goatskin, or a lambskin, or a stoatskin!
And to them it’s just a coatskin –
Oh, it’s terribly sad!

When you dress in suede or leather, or some fancy fur or feather,
Do you stop and wonder whether, for a fad, you have killed some beast or other?
And you’re wearing someone’s brother,
Or perhaps it’s someone’s mother in which you’re clad!

Like animals, like animals, like … animals.
Well, it’s true, we do not live in a zoo.
But man is an animal too.
So why can’t you, like me,
Like animals … animals.



The Vegetarian - Doctor Dolittle -1967   - click for more information about the book

The day that I became a veterinarian
I had a sudden overwhelming wish,
To be a pure and simple vegetarian
And give up eating all that meat and fish.

So now I live on healthy food instead
Like apples cores,
And Parsnip juice
And chunks of plain brown bread.

When I see my fellow men
Consuming sirloin steak,
And I find myself enjoying tea and dundee cake,
There is really only one conclusion I can make
I'm a devoted vegetarian.

When my host at dinner offers
Succulent roast beef,
Proudly I refuse it. People stare in disbelief,
Lost in admiration as I nibble on a leaf,
A very noted vegetarian.

I don't even eat horseradish, in case I upset the horses.

I stay away from deviled ham on principle,
I wouldn't eat roast duckling if I could,
Will power has made me invincible!...
My word, those sausages do look good.

Turnip pie and peanuts-
That's the sort of filth I eat,
Any sort of rubbish
That is wholesome and discrete
Why don't I admit that my hypocrisy's complete?!
If I should live to be a centenarian,
Become our most adored humanitarian?
I'll never make a decent vegetarian-
I'm a cheat
I love meat,
I'm a cheat
Yes I am!
I love red bloodied juicy chunks of meat
Legs of lamb!
Sides of beef 'n' chops 'n' steak 'n' veal
And pork of course - my favorite meal!

And then I hear poor Gubgub squeal!
Oh me, Oh my,
A reluctant, but sincere vegetarian,
Am I.





Breathe

Be Aware

Live And Let Live.

Siblings

Animals are beautiful people too

Action shot! We love to play too! and take jump shots! (thanks to the people who share these lovely pictures online)

We can be friends!

No words for this one... the cuteness has stunned me!

Even cuter... how can I ever think of...

Ahimsa yawl Ahimsa!

Mommy turkey and baby turkey!

turkeys are cute too!

Baby cows cast spell with their big innocent eyes! How can we...?!

The egg came first I tell you!

We are friends, why can't you be my friend too?

Yep they definitely want to be friends and not food!

LOVE and Happiness

cuteness... siblings...

good grief adorable

Children and parents

my childhood friend...

Thank you to...

... All my readers in USA, India, Germany, Russia, UK, England, Canada, Italy, France, Brazil, Australia, Sweden, Ukraine, Mexico... Did I miss out any countries? Apparently Romania, Nepal and Switzerland just joined the list of readers! (Updated Feb 2nd 2013)

Every time I see my stats page (Google has an awesome stats page for blogger), I am thrilled to see the places where people are reading my blog from. I hope people from more places read it! I would totally love more feedback! What would you like to read about? :-P

Hello friends from all over the world!

Love this picture of the earth. It always fascinated me...

Imagining an Immigrant

I'm a third generation American, of Indian origin.
My maternal grandparents came here years ago. My grandfather began the immigration process... he was rather like the "Bilbo" of the family. Actually, very much like Bilbo indeed.
My father came here to pursue his PhD at Case Western Reserve University, and he was super successful, married my mom, and they consequently had me and my sister... (for more of my family's story please go HERE).

I didn't really know what it was like to immigrate to America, although we did immigrate to India. So we sort of "went back to where we belong", and it was nice, but we did not belong because our passports said "Born in USA", we had different accents, and we were just "different". I always wonder though what it would be like to go to the USA for the first time as an adult. I wonder what it was like for my grandfather, my father, other friends of mine who have immigrated from India and other countries... what was it like for them? Here's what I think it was like for a couple from rural India, who got a job in USA, and have to move there.





"This is a life changing opportunity", he thought to himself. "I'm so nervous and excited! Anxious and thrilled! is it possible to feel this all at the same time?" Hareesh thought this as he stared at the computer screen in the cyber cafe. He had just received an email from his new employer that they had secured an apartment for him, and his tickets would be booked from the closest international airport. He would have to book his and his wife's train tickets from Erode, Tamil Nadu to Chennai, then a plane to Mumbai. This would be his first time traveling to a different country. A whole new world. A whole new life. What would it be like? The only things he knew was from the media - books, television, news, and some words from friends who had moved there. Hareesh set off to tell his wife that the date of the move had been settled.

He got on his mo-ped (scooter) and drove the dusty road about a kilometer to his home. He excitedly told his wife the good news, his parents were there too. They were happy but they cried, tears of joy, and tears of nervousness of the future. His parents would be left alone, with his sister living nearby with her in-laws, he would be earning less than he was earning now in Rupees. Why? Why risk lower pay and travel far away? This was a dream come true though. A step up - the land of opportunity. They all took a second to go pray to the lord Ganesha.
"It's only two and a half weekends away! We have to pack and be ready!" Hareesh told his wife and family. "I will go immediately and book the train tickets now, the office will just be opening. Will you come with me too, Rohini?" She agreed, and they both set out.

Once they had the tickets, they decided to go shopping for some new clothes, maybe even western wear. It would be cold there, as the president of the company had told them. So they set out to find a place to buy sweaters in this tropical climate city. They each bought 2 sweaters and a jacket. They would be traveling to Cleveland, Ohio. They had no idea what was in store for them.

They were packed and read a week before the trip, just adding small things to the suitcase. They had two check in suitcases, two hand small hand luggage each. The took clothes, books, hair oils, etc. Apparently everything could be bought in USA, but what about medications etc. So all of the essentials were packed. They waited eagerly for the day of the trip. They stayed at home and spent time with the family as they would be missed most. Plus no knowing when they would return to visit. The future was full of unknowns... exciting but scary. Great opportunities lay ahead, however of course the great disasters also came to mind, but no one spoke of it. They prayed and talked about the best, focused on the positive side of such an experience.

The day came, and they said their goodbyes, tearful for Rohini, but Hareesh maintained a strong frame, though his heart quivered in sadness of leaving his parents and excitement of this new adventure. Going to Chennai was not such a big deal, for he had been to Bangalore, and passed through Delhi previously, but going to USA, was the true adventure. A tear escaped his eye, he wiped it away quickly before anyone could see. This was his dream come true, everything he worked so hard for: it was finally happening.

He took his parents blessings and got into the rental ambassador car to the train station. There they found their coach, and put their suitcases in with the hired help of a Coolie. They settled into their seats. Their journey to the "new world" had begun.

In Chennai they took a taxi-cab to the airport. They had to wait 6 hours before their flight to Mumbai. The company had booked the flight with an airline company that flew only out of Mumbai. This was his wife's first time flying and she was not so keen on it. Hareesh told her she had the 2 hour flight to Mumbai to get used to it, because after that it would be a 14 hour flight to Newark Airport, and then another hour long flight to Ohio. This was a tedious long and tiring, but the only way to get to their dreams, a better life, success!

Hareesh and Rohini went through the check-in process, security check etc. and found themselves on the plane learning how to fasten their seat-belts. Hareesh turned of his Nokia phone of 8 years. He would use it one more time in Mumbai to call his parents. Rohini began crying as the plane lifted off, and Hareesh consoled her saying "Silly girl, we are still in India. You should cry when we leave Mumbai!" Some food was served and they soon reached Mumbai. They stayed in a hotel near the airport until their flight the next evening. They dared not go far for they didn't want to miss the flight. They kept all their tickets, passports, and other papers ready for the trip as it grew towards evening the next day. They both had a little tummy problems due to the nerves as the time grew nearer, but dared not admit it.

They checked-in again, the line was very long, and many foreigners were there too. Rohini stared. She asked Hareesh "Which one of them is a movie star? I always hear that people see movie stars in the airport." Hareesh laughed and said, "These are all common people like you and I. Just because they are flyign doesn't mean they are movie stars." He realized his wife was so simple, and cute. He hugged her with his free arm. When they were finally on their seats in the plane, an Indian stewardess came and gave them blankets and asked them if they would have vegetarian or non-vegetarian food for their dinner. They were vegetarians. After the flight took off, Rohini cried looking out the window and the lights of Mumbai, and India vanish into the darkness. Dinner was soon served, and the inflight programs began. They watched a few Hindi movies, and slept.

The flight was long, and soon they were awoken with bright lights. There was an hour to landing, and they had to fill out some forms. Hareesh began filling the forms. They were customs and immigration forms. A stewardess who was American - Caucasian, asked them if they would like breakfast. She offered them Sausages or Bacon. Hareesh looked at Rohini, and he said "We are vegetarian. Is Bacon vegetarian?" The stewardess beckoned for the Indian stewardess, after trying to explain that bacon and sausage were the only options, and both were made of pork, but failed at being clear. The Indian stewardess explained this to them and said they should not eat the meat, but eat the bread, and yogurt instead.

They soon saw the city of New York below them. It looked different from most of the movies, since the twin towers were there no more, however seeing Statue of Liberty and the Empire state building was just as exciting to them. This was the first sight of USA! They soon landed in Newark airport. Their flight to Cleveland, was in an hour and a half. They rushed through customs and immigrations, and looked for their next departure gate in this huge airport, filled with so many people, rushing past them. Everyone seemed so tall. All dressed in long warm woolen coats, as this was January and cold.

The couple happened upon a window, and looked out, it was WHITE! This was their first time seeing snow in real life. They were exhausted but looked at the snow in wonder for a few minutes, then had to go to find their gate. It was at the end of Terminal A, which was a long walk from Terminal C, where they had landed. By this time they were about ready to crash, they didn't have any dollars on him, because the company said they would pick him up from the airport in Cleveland. They couldn't or wouldn't dare to even buy a coffee, or some food. They waited, boarded, and flew up. This plane offered them juice and some crackers, which they ate up quickly.

They landed in Cleveland, and an employee from the company who was also visually Indian, picked them up and drove them to their apartment. The person was named Shawn, he had a strong American accent. He explained to them, he would let them drop of their luggage, and they would go with him to buy furniture and such for their apartment. The apartment had nothing in it. Rohini fell asleep in the back seat, Hareesh talked with Shawn. "What kind of name is Shawn for an Indian guy?" He thought, but he realized there was a lot to be done rather than think about such silly things. As Shawn explained to him, he needed to get furniture, and he would have to slowly pay the company back. They would have to open a bank account for him, driver's license, social security number, lots of paper work, and then eventually put the apartment lease into his name. Hareesh was exhausted by just the thought, plus the travel, jet-lag, and all this overwhelmed him. But this is what he had wanted! "One day at a time", he told himself. "Slow but steady, wins the race. And this is not even a race!"

"You're lucky this is Friday, and you have the whole weekend to work through this. After the furniture store, we will stop by at the office, and you can meet the president. He wants to talk to you and see that you are settled in. A few of us will help you through the weekend. Someone will carpool with you to work till you get your car. Bad news is you have to be at work on Monday at 8am!" Said Shawn in his American accent. Hareesh just thought it was weird that an Indian man spoke like this, but he got used to it.

"I will work, this is what I came here for!" Said Hareesh. Then he thought to himself, "actually maybe work will be the only familiar thing in this unfamiliar land. Chemistry is the same everywhere in the world!"

How far we all have come...

Breathe!

The Rape of Shakti

A sister passed away today. She was a survivor of a more than brutal crime against her body, her womanhood, her femininity, her shakti. She was assaulted, and raped, she eventually died from her injuries. This is not the first case. This is just the first outright case of violence against women.

If you do not know what happened, Google Delhi Gang Rape, for more details. The gist: A 23 year old medical student was leaving the movies with her male friend at around 9pm. She was brutally raped by seven men, and it included an iron rod, on a moving bus. He was beaten, and also tried to defend her. They were stripped of their clothes and thrown out of the bus. She survived for 10 days, with so many injuries, and only 5% of her intestines left...

Before I go on, a few women have ruined the case of rape/sexual harassment for the rest of us, by making false claims. Now this has become a common excuse now for the rapists/harassers. Every rape is now questioned for validity, legitimacy... This case was legitimate beyond a doubt, although politicians and such never seize to make outrageous comments.

I always find it strange that in a land that worships Durga, Kali, Laxshmi, Saraswathi, just a few of the powerful Goddesses worshiped in Hinduism, that so many women can be raped. What is it that makes a man do this despite, laws, police, government? I have known for ages, and only recently my eyes have realized that it was the society, the culture. It is not only in India, but in many countries, cultures, and societies.

As a teenager, in India, I was never seen as a "good girl", I always lived on the edge, sought out danger, adventure and never listened to my parents, typical rebellious teenager ... a guy I was dating, his mom forbid me to date him for I was not Indian enough. Another guy's mom said I was too modern. The fact that I dated openly and had guy friends was bad as it is. I got in trouble once with the vice principal for "boys" being an unsuitable hobby (apparently, if I remember correctly, I was caught talking in chapel to my best guy friend, who also got in trouble a lot for being a smart ass with everyone). So she called my mom to come in. My mom obliged, and the vice principal told her "what do you think of your daughter having "boys" as her extracurricular activity?" My mom replied "P has many guy friends, and she is old enough to know what's good for her." Yes I wore jeans and other western clothes, liked hanging out with guys, I dated a few guys too, and liked going out a lot. There were rumours about me, as there maybe about any girl who is seen publicly holding a guy's hand.

I enjoyed dating guys, getting attention, the romance of it all, the fluttery feeling of "falling in love", heck! I was a youngen. I loved the magic I could share with a guy, I don't even know how to describe it, infatuation perhaps? I loved the feeling of being loved... So many reasons why young love is so lovely. However, it did come with many a heartbreak.

Somewhere along the line I began hanging out with some college girls, who introduced me to some of their male friends. We went to the disco many times. Most of the girls my age went to discos (Kids were allowed in on weekends). One night one of the older guys, who I had gotten close to, took advantage of me, while I was under the influence. My naivete got the better of me, and I had no idea what constituted rape, at the time. I thought rape was only when a man beat the women, and he was unknown to her. After a few months I finally told someone that I thought I had been raped by this man. I was blamed for it... I shouldn't have gone to the club. I shouldn't have been drinking (although I had no idea there was alcohol in the "Pepsi"). In the end, we did press charges, I don't think the case went anywhere because someone paid someone else off to have the charges dropped. So was it rape? Not according to the law. It was on me. Yes I shouldn't have done a lot of things. I was to blame.

I was a minor, I knew I did not want to have sex, but he raped me while I was drunk and I had no strength to defend myself, and saying "no" many times, obviously meant nothing or meant "yes" to him. He wasn't brutal, but it was still forceful. I may have liked him as a person, but it didn't mean I wanted to have sex. It did turn out that I wasn't his first or last victim. There were many girls, younger than me, older than me. He never got into trouble for he was rich and married. No rich, married business man can ever do any wrong. My virginity was taken from me that night. Will I ever get it back? No! My first time ever having sex, was very awful, I will never be able to undo those memories. At least I have my life, and health and body. It could have been worse. I feel deeply for that dear girl, it could have been me; but we have survived.

I went through major therapy, psychologists, counselors, and a lot of growing up really quickly. However, the general attitude always was- don't drink, don't go to clubs/discos, and stay away from guys. I was a modern / western girl living in India. I felt like I was such a scar to my family. Even "friends" would kind of say, that I pretty much did it to myself. These friends told friends, and I am sure there were awful rumours about me! I know they did. I shaved my hair off in 12th grade. I didn't want to be pretty anymore. I thought it would make me invisible; I remember girls being nasty to me before, maybe they would stop. They all thought I was a "slut", and they didn't have the best intentions I thought, for I heard rumours of what they talked about me. Now they all thought "wow she really is damaged. Something is wrong with her." Every now and then someone would reach out a "friendly" hand, but it was always hard to know if it was genuine, or a ploy to get information. I don't think the closest of my friends knew, and if they did, they doubted me. I doubted me. I was 16!

I traveled to USA to start college and a new life! I went to a conservative christian college, instead of going to one in New York, because my family decided it would be safer. In New York, I risked getting into drugs, pregnancy etc. The Midwest would be safer. So here I am... everything was going well, and then one night at a party on campus, I got drunk (maybe New York wasn't such a bad idea after all). My friend let me pass out on his couch. When I came to, a guy was on top of me. I was so drunk off of tequila shots, I could not even protect myself. Finally I got strength to push him off, and I ran away. My memories are still fuzzy from that night. I kept it all to myself, once again I did not know if this was rape! No one tells us young girls WHAT IS RAPE. It is such a difficult subject to talk about to young women. All of us think, it will never happen to me. It festered in me for a long time, and I messed up. Again it was my fault for going to the party. It was my fault for drinking too much. It was my fault.

The dean called me, since it affected my studies and my behavior, and asked me what was wrong. I kind of told him since I knew I was wrong for having been drinking on campus. I was more scared of being punished for that. I did what any good Christian would do, forgive the "rapist", it felt more appropriate than having him expelled. Besides it was my own folly. Although it did turn out he was an obsessive, stalker, and creep. It was still my fault. I didn't learn from the first time. I shouldn't have been drinking, I shouldn't have gone to a friend's party. These things are just not safe for anyone. Although I have been to parties where my female friends do get drunk, there are boys around, and we take care of each other. My friend took care of me, but had no idea what his room mate was. Anyway my young self got me in such a mess, and I landed up having to see a therapist again, doing community service, and going to a class for being on academic probation. I just couldn't tell the authorities his name for I thought it WAS indeed MY FAULT, and he didn't need his whole life ruined by me having him expelled. I look back, and realize I wouldn't be here writing this if all this didn't happen the way it did. I was 19, and now I am almost 30... if I knew what I know now about being a woman, things would be different. I am not the only one, there are so many other girls, sisters, survivors like me, who just did not know what to do, and for years they blamed themselves.

My own sister was raped, here in the US, brutally, with a gun to her head. When appearing in court, everyone advised my sister to dress modestly. She would dress formally in a suite, but she did have "high lights" in her hair. Some people thought this would reflect badly on her. Why should she undo her high lights, you ask... because girls who have blonde high lights are usually more partying type I suppose? Anyway he got off not guilty, because he did not take the stand, and therefor his priors were not brought up. My sister lost the case not solely due to her appearance, but for other reasons too. However the defense brought up her appearance as a reason why she was likely raped, as if tempting men, lying to parents, smoking weed all means you deserve to be raped, or that you could be lying about being raped. Luckily because this guy tried to kill one of his baby mamma's baby while it was still in her, he is now on death row. Justice however was not served in the case of my sister, not directly at least.

My sister's case was more brutal than mine, but rape is rape. The med student raped in Delhi, India, was more than brutally raped, it is still rape. She survived, and fought till her last breath. We are survivors, not victims. Did we deserve it? NO! Was a crime committed against us? Yes. Will we get justice- Maybe. But we are survivors. We grew stronger and now we know what we can do to help change things. 

I grew up with the ideas and these are the thoughts WE NEED to change:

- if you are dress skanky/slutty you probably deserve something bad happening to you

- it is usually your fault for leading him on

- drinking is bad, if you are drunk and something bad happens to you it is your fault

- pretty girls are more likely to be raped

- rape is only when the person is unknown, and there is tearing of clothes and utter brutality

- sexual harassment is only when things get physical

- if a girl hits or wrongs a guy she deserves to be raped

- if she was a bad person she deserves to be raped

- its ok to rape a girl who sleeps around with guys

- its ok to rape a stripper, prostitute because they sell it anyway right?

- a girl who is raped is damaged goods

- a girl who is raped is outcast

- girls should not go out late at night

- cleavage = rape

- shorts = rape

- one can rape a cousin, neice because they are related

- if a girl is passed out from alcohol, drugs/ fainted/unconscious it is ok to have sex with her

- if you are a wife or girlfriend of a person he may force himself on you

- when a women says no, she actually means yes

- if girls dress provocatively they probably want to have sex and be raped

- its ok to rape people of a certain race/ nationality/ religion

- its ok to rape lesbians / gay men

- its ok to rape a girl who has already had sex

- it is ok to rape a girl who has been raped

- sinners deserve to be raped

- if you are raped God probably is making it happen

- rape and other bad things happen because of karma

- forcing oral sex, or other things is not rape

- rape is only when the women is beaten

- it is not legitimate rape when the women gets pregnant

- women can not get pregnant from rape

- women mostly lie about rape

- its ok rape women when we are at war with their country

...

It goes ON!

Is it really our fault? Is brutal rape more "real" of a rape than party rape? Is molestation less of a crime than brutal rape? Really why do we accept ANY of these? In India getting felt up in a bus, or while shopping at New Market was tolerated, put up with... it was just what happened. Why should we, as respectable women, no matter what our life story, no matter if we are a princess, nun or a stripper, have to put up with this abuse? It's not just in India. It's not that one country's laws is better than another... its the attitude we all have in general toward women. The worst is women judging women.

We need to change the way we think, our attitudes, our beliefs, our laws, our standards for human rights. We need to reverse these ideas, for they are all archaic.
How: Just starting from "Oh my, Leanne is dressed in such a short skirt! What a slut!" We can stop that thought right there! Because that's the thinking, the judging of who deserves what that's the birth right there. If Leanne did get raped, would you think? "Oh that's not surprising, she shouldn't have dressed like that! She was asking for it." The thought should have been "She didn't deserve it."

Instead of thinking: Yeah girls who go clubbing and dress in those skimpy clothes , are sure asking for trouble. 

Think: Wow I am glad she has the confidence to go out in public like that!

Instead of: What did she expect she was getting drunk at a bar...

Think: Maybe if some real men stood up for her and helped her home.

So many such instances occur. We make comments. We have these ideas, and its not just us, but the law makers, the police, the rapists themselves... they use the same thoughts we do. We can not prevent every single rape, we can not change everyone, but we, as individuals, can be more mindful, conscious, and create awareness; tell your daughters, sisters, nieces... and help educate your sons, grandsons, nephews, brothers of how women should be treated equally, respected. Truly, ask yourselves what you believe/think and feel. It starts with you, You and I are society, are the culture, are the attitude. As we change, slowly but surely our policies and laws, on rape and other crimes against women/children, will change.

During this past election we heard some outrageous comments by members of the GOP on rape, and women. This archaic ideology and thinking exists here in the USA, today, and among many many people, not the majority luckily. The fact that it does exist though, is scary enough. Can we really blame India for being like this though? When so many people in this very great nation think the same way as many Indian men, think/behave? If your read a few blogs back, my sister shares her story, her very methodical analysis of how even four years ago we knew there was something wrong with this nations approach to women.

I am trying to figure out how to start this process of changing how we think. I think through Conscious Culture, and other means I can help. I also want to point out abuse and rape does not start and end there, molesting, groping women and children are also as bad. We need to definitley educate children from a young age so they can be aware and know. A child can not tell if they are just being adored by their uncle, or being molested. Also out of fear or respect they may never say anything. We have to start somewhere. I know I will start somehow and somewhere and I welcome ideas, and helping hands who would like to join. Although I feel my rape case was not legitimized by the law of the various lands, I still feel like my words, my story counts. I can help, I can make a difference. We need to keep passing the torch.

Ok I need to let this rest for tonight.

Until then...

Shakti in all her forms elegant, powerfule and terrible... none of them deserve this rape.

So let Shakti rise, and awaken, and her light shine on all to see... heal the survivors, and heal those who attack her. For this rape and rampage has to come to an end.

Breathe.

I finally feel okay sharing my story, and I am not looking for sympathy, but instead help everyone realize that we are all survivors, and more women should help share their stories to help spread awareness. So that we all realize that society, culture, policies and attitudes have to change.

Let's do this!

PS:

So apparently my story is not unusual... college girls get drunk at parties and get taken advantage of... should it be accepted? Should we just not go to clubbing, because it is just putting yourself out there at risk? Should we even go to the movies? Once we stop doing things because of safety, and accept that certain things aren't safe for women? Should we live in a bubble? She we never go out, not work, not go to college, not be near men? It's not just at clubs, it could be family, classmates or coworkers...

Or should we work on making this world a place where every place is safe for everyone except criminals? Of course not everyone will change, that would be too idealistic, however if majority changes, that would be enough. Respect; stricter laws on harassment, rape, abuse; we don't want to take advantage of the system we just want to protect our bodies; education; more research on rape victims, on why rape happens; teaching our children early...



I just found this amazing article. do check it out.

... On My Mind - By Piyali Banerjie

This was written by my sister on October 30th 2008 a few days before Obama was elected. She canvased for him back then and faced so many rude people... I love her so much!

Racism & Other issues in the United States of American, 2008

I moved back to the United States of America in 2002. I had been waiting for that moment all my life spent in India. I was anxiously waiting to come back to MY country finally. The country I was born in. The country I was so proud of. Through reading magazines, newspapers, watching Hollywood movies, listening to the variety of music made in America, and watching the news & media people in other countries learn that ANYTHING and everything is possible in America! Everyone’s dreams can come true in America! Francis Scott key included the phrase “the land of the free, and the home of the brave…” in the national anthem, that we sing with such pride and joy, which grants our citizens freedom.
I was so proud to be apart of a nation that made room for EVERYONE. People from all walks of life: race, ethnic origin, religion, and sexual orientation. To grant these people equal rights and freedom is something that other countries may lack. Living in India exposed me to the lack of freedom and rights given to people who had different beliefs and values than that of society. It was so wrong for a Hindu to marry a Muslim. Woman did not have the kind of support to stand up to an abusive husband, or their rapist. People don’t have too many divorces, and continue to live in their dysfunctional marriages. People are ostracized in their own homes if they ‘come out of the closet’, or police authorities can go to the point of punishing persons for being homosexual. These are a few examples of the lack of freedom that I talk about.
When I moved to the United States, I was happy to see how accepting people are towards other people (externally, they seem to leave others alone and mind their own business). I was happy to see that single mothers have the opportunity to make something of themselves, and give their children equal opportunities that a woman with a husband could. I was happy to see that people care for one another. I was happy to see that a homosexual couple could be seen in public holding hands. I was happy to see people of different colors, nationalities and religions live in harmony.

I witnessed a few different instances of racism, but didn’t think too much of it. But I think I clearly see a miniscule slice of racism in America now that we have a Black man running for President. I did not expect ‘race’ to be an issue, although the last two weeks before Election Day has shown otherwise.
Working for the Obama campaign in medina OH has been really hard, since I hear the ‘N’ word a few times each day. I have often gotten this response: “I am not racist, but I don’t know how good I feel about a BLACK person being our president, he was okay as a Senator though”. Also, the assumption that he is Muslim, or an Arab, or has a “Muslim”/”Arab” name, is both idiotic and sad at the same time. I have many Catholic and other Christian friends from Middle Eastern countries that have “Muslim” first and last names, who are Christian. Never have been MUSLIM, and neither have their Grandparents, or great grandparents or great great grandparents. What does a name mean? Hold? What is in a name?
Also, what if he was a Muslim? So what? What’s wrong with being an Arab? A Muslim? Lets address the Muslim aspect of this first. What about the American-Muslim child who aspires to be the President someday?? Is that not possible, in a country where they preach freedom and equality? On the account of being Arab…people seem to believe that Arabs look a certain way, and are most probably Muslim. Do anti-Muslim Americans know that there are Arab people who are Christian? There are Arabs who look like Caucasians? Also, that not ALL Arab Muslims are religious extremists and follow the words of Syyid Qutb (the man whose ideas would shape Al Qaeda. Please read his book ‘Milestones’ to learn more), or the Al Qaeda doctrines?? (With all due respect to Christians)I often wonder how these people who dislike anything arab would react if their lord’s son Jesus Christ were to descend from the heavens. Would they believe he were the son of god? Would they believe anything he says? Or would they condemn him for looking like an “arab”/”jew”/”israelite”? Because for sure, Jesus Christ was not a white skinned ‘Aryan’, with thin light brown hair. The chances of him having light eyes, let alone blue are quite slim (http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/basic/christ/physical_appearance.htm, http://www.thenazareneway.com/likeness_of_our_saviour.htm, http://www.jesuscentral.com/ji/questions/how/describe_the_physical_appearance_and_generally_how_174.php ) That reminds me, the Ku Klux Klan (the circle clan, founded in TN, 1865), was an all protestant, white cult which had a few leaders who were previously Reverends, who used the lords name to execute hatred, suffering and even death upon anyone who was catholic, black, Jewish and other foreigners. When members of the Klan would burn crosses they would play ‘amazing grace’. What a shame. Now, are these people ignorant? Uneducated? Or correct in what they believe?

The term ‘nigger’ was historically used to describe people of African origin, but also means “an unlearned person”. If these people mentioned above were not ‘unlearned’, then what were they? I do not think that word should be a part of anyone’s vocabulary whether they are white or black. I am very sad to see that people have started using this word again as the election nears (in hatred). I do not think it is right under ANY circumstances. I was called an “N***** lover” last week for supporting Obama by two individuals who claimed that I was too ‘hot’ to support him. They went on to justify how it was okay for them to use the word so loosely. I may not be of African decent, but it does offend me. I do not take racism lightly. When my mother was a little child living in England she was spat on by Skinheads. They told her “Paki, go home!” As a child she didn’t understand, and when she learnt why she was afraid and felt less fortunate for not being ‘white’. That was not the only story that led me to my disappointment.
Isn’t there enough hatred in this world, why hate someone for being another color? Darker people have extra melanin in their skin that ensures protection from the sun as they live closer to the equator. Is that so bad? Can that not be understood?
I would be more understanding of this sort of hatred if racist people were from a third world or a less fortunate country. This is America!! This is a first world country!! This county grants citizen with free or affordable education!! How can educated people think like this?
I am also distraught on how there is a double standard in society. Talking “black” or in ‘Ebonics’ is looked down upon by middle class America. I think that most minorities have to work so hard to gain respect in society. Some examples of these double standards are: Laura Bush talking with a southern accent vs. (if) the Obama’s were to use Black Vernacular or have a “black” accent. Somehow people believe that having a southern accent is more acceptable than speaking in a “black” fashion. Therefore, “ya’ll” and Palin’s famous “you betcha’ (Wink)” is still okay!
Palin’s large family is looked at as “normal” or “average”. Most ‘average Americans’ are NOT known to have five children. Maybe a few years ago, but not today. I wonder if Obama would be considered to be a “typical Black person” had he had five children (?).
Also, if he had a 17year old daughter who was pregnant, would that have been seen as “typically black”? But people seem to be very accepting of Palin’s daughter Bristol’s pregnancy.
How about Cindy McCain’s drug addiction for three years? She lied to doctors, made up fake medical needs for prescriptions to attain pain killers to use it HERSLEF. Where is her penalty? We know that celebrities get lenient sentences,… what if Michelle Obama were to have tricked doctors to get drugs for her own drug addiction, what would middle class America think of that?

I cannot relate to this double standard. I cannot relate to “average Joe” or the “Joe six-pack” talk given by Gov. Sarah Palin. Why are we lowering our standard, the idea of conservativeness & the idea of an average American??? Do most average Americans have pregnant daughters? Do Average Americans believe that an eighteen year old is ready to be a mommy and a wife? Do Average Americans believe that it’s okay for an individual’s grandchild and child be a little over a year apart? Do Average Americans believe that they MUST buy designer clothes to LOOK GOOD?? Do they think that JC penny’s is not good enough? Really???

I’ll tell you what, the day I was informed that Palin made rape victims’ in the state of Alaska pay for their own rape kits, sent a cold chill down my spine. Who would support that?
I will now state why I am supporting Obama, and why I shall NEVER elect neither McCain nor Sarah Palin to office. A VP is a step away from being president, and if anything were to happen to McCain…Sarah Palin is not fit to be president. Also, McCain’s lapse of judgment caused me to question what other decisions he may make to satisfy certain requirements. She could not name ONE newspaper/magazine she reads. She was wrong at stating the JOB DESCRIPTION of the VP position (Chris Matthews, Hardball CNN). She cannot name ONE Supreme Court ruling she disagrees with. What about Plessey v. Fergusson!?!?!? That’s one we all learn in American High school. I went to American high school for a year and a half and learnt at least that much! Running for VP of the country? Sad !! How can we rely on her? It also does not help to know that their partnership in this race is not working out very well, considering that their aides have been having a hard time getting along with one another.

I have felt strongly about Sarah Palin, since she spoke of rape victims and how they must not be able to have an abortion, also they must pay for their own rape kits (about approx. $200). I do not think she shows ANY sort of support to victims, or to their suffering.

I am a rape victim. This had happened to me in 2003, shortly after I had moved back to the US (moved here Nov. 2002). I was a virgin. I was not dating the guy who had taken my virginity against my will. I was too small to fight back (I am 5’2”, and at the time less than 100 lbs). I was brutally raped, beaten, with a gun held to my head, later drugged (after I begged for my life). I was also threatened not to tell anyone. I came home that night thankful to be alive, having the opportunity to see my loved ones maybe for the last time, and to bid them farewell before possibly ending my life, before HE came back. I did not know how to tell my culturally conservative Indian family about what had just happened to me. Also, such incidents are not really heard of in the Indian community. “Sex” is not casually talked about in our culture. I did not know what to do. The many fears in my heart, one of which was possibly getting pregnant urged me to attempt suicide. So I did. The blow dryer gave out, it didn’t work. I lived. The next day, due to my sickened, sad, scared, disturbed state of my mind, I told two friends, which later led to telling higher authorities in the school. My mother was informed. I was taken to the Nord center, Lorain OH (rape crisis center), where the rape kit was performed and I had moral support too. That was a blessing to me. I had hope to live. I was given the day after pill. The evidence was gathered, and I had a victim’s advocate who was there for emotional support.

Now, what would have happened had my parents never found out? I would have probably killed myself, since I did not know about ‘planned parenthood’, the rape crisis center, or anything about the justice system or emergency rooms services, since I hadn’t lived in the United States for that long. I am not ashamed to tell my story. I would never want any woman, or anyone’s wife, mother or child to go through what I have been through. I also speak for many Indian, Arab, Muslim,…,woman from culturally conservative backgrounds. I know of some who have been raped by family members whose parents STILL know nothing about it. Fortunately they have not had to bear the burden of pregnancy since they were raped before puberty. Still that DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT OR OKAY.
I don’t think that a rape victim should have to bear the burden of being a mother to a child, if they had not intended to consent to sex. If sex had been enforced on them, there is no need for the victim to give up goals in life to be a mother. I believe that they must have the right to choose. This is one of the most compelling reasons why Republican Sarah Palin, the hockey MOM will not get my vote. Senator McCain has taken a ‘cheap decision” in choosing Sarah Palin without a detailed due diligence and that is certainly WRONG JUDGEMENT. Hence, he will not be getting my vote for President of this great nation. I respect Senator McCain for all the great things he has done in the past, but from the RNC – convention – he has demonstrated wrong judgment in more than one occasions.

I am currently an agnostic. I lost faith, and was an atheist shortly after the incident mentioned above. Sometimes to the point to where it may have reached blasphemy (not in the literal sense, but I hated ‘god’ for not being there for me). I am trying to give the bible a chance since I am dating a lovely boy who has strong faith. Of course, I would ideally like to share the same faith or even a little close. Even if I were to be a Christian someday, I would always leave room for people of other religions. I don’t think it’s all about ME, and what I believe in. I’m sure there are other people who believe that the Koran or the Gita,…etc is the word of god. I am also sure that those people do not seek to be ‘saved’. Therefore, I disagree with the Christian fundamentalists who try to control the governance of this great country. I do understand how these people (with all due respect to Christianity—since not all religious people are the same) can support a war in a foreign country. Defense is different than WAR. Killing living people yet trying to save ‘unborn’ children? Makes no sense. (In no way do I support abortions to be used as a form of contraception; in fact I believe that it is an awful form of concealment, to cover up a mishap. Although I still feel that just because I FEEL it is wrong doesn’t mean that other woman who think different can’t make the choice to support it or have an abortion).

After much research I have come to the conclusion that racism exists, but it is a miniscule population. Even though it is disturbing and disappointing to be still present, I am thankful we have moved forward. More Americans are accepting of different racial, ethnic and religious citizens. I find myself grateful for the movement away from the past of emerging neo-Nazism and KKK groups. (44% of white voters are currently supporting Obama).

Just an observation: the crowd gathered to hear Barack Obama is beautiful, colorful, and full of character. THAT I BELIEVE is AMERICA. Blacks, whites, Hispanics, Indians, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Europeans, Christians, Jews, Jains, Buddhists,…….Sikhs(with turbans), Muslims, homosexuals, the rich, poor, labor unions, celebrities,…. Yes, that’s the AMERICA I want to live in. That’s the America id like to see. That’s the America that has room for EVERYBODY.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

I am not trying to tell anyone that this is the right way to vote. These are just my thoughts on issues lingering on my mind. I just thought I would share them with people, especially since I have voiced my strong opinions on this election on facebook. I respect how people feel, but these are my reasons for voting in this direction.

LONG LIVE – THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA