Every so often, when I least expect it I look at my life and say to myself “wow, everything is going just as I wanted it” and than I think to myself “oh god, is it going too good?” and just as the words leave my head… yes, something terrible happens.  Well this is what happened about a month ago now, I was driving on 75N when out of no where this huge truck runs me practically off the road, which gives me time to spin out of control and strike the median.  Yes, luckily I am fine but my new car not so fine. As I call my father all I can think about is “Great my insurance is going to go up” weird maybe, but my insurance is crazy high already. 

So over the past month all of my focus has been trying to fight with the insurance company practically every other day.  Because lets face it in my oppinion insurance people are just as bad as lawyers (no offence to the lawyers out there).  I’m not going to go on about details, and I am not writing this to get sympathy, that’s for sure, basically I needed to get some pent up anger off my chest.  The thing that really bothers me the most is this happenes in a time where my main focus should be on my final paper.  This past week I have seen the light, as in a better outlook of all of this and I just want to kick ass on my final paper (hopefully) and finish the summer with a better bang than it started with. 

This final assignment has had me frustrated, confused etc. for the longest now.  This is my first semester here at Wayne State and English classes have never been my strongest subject which creates this extra pressure for me to do this last assignment very carefully.  I have thought about a few and narrowed it down to one that I feel I can give my all to. 

I have chosen to do A Catholic’s Discourse.  My main text that I will be using is going to be The Di Vinci Code and I have chosen to use my own experiences as a Catholic girl to the Catholic woman that I am today, a movie, other texts, and a song to fulfill the point that I will be trying to get across.  I am going to use this as a type of life as a Catholic and all of the emotions that come with it such as curiosity, faith, doubt, trustworthness, choice and hope.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

***********************************************************************

   But we are assembled to protest against a form of government

  existing without the consent of the governed -- to declare

  our right to be free as man is free, to be represented in

  the government which we are taxed to support, to have such

  disgraceful laws as give man the power to chastise and

  imprison his wife, to take the wages which she earns, the

  property which she inherits, and, in case of separation, the

  children of her love; laws which make her the mere dependent

  on his bounty. 

 ***********************************************************************

As I look back on those days, it’s just like a dream. The only thing that bothered me was that we waited so long to make this protest and to let it be known wherever we go that all of us should be free and equal and have all opportunities that others should have.

***********************************************************************

We are building a consensus to face life’s realities. The affirmation of women’s sexual rights is an important and bold step forward.

************************************************************************

 Now that you’re out of my life
I’m so much better
You thought that I’d be weak without you
But I’m stronger
You thought that I’d be broke without you
But I’m richer
You thought that I’d be sad without you
I laugh harder
You thought I wouldn’t grow without you
Now I’m wiser
Though that I’d be helpless without you
But I’m smarter
You thought that I’d be stressed without you
But I’m chillin’

************************************************************************ 

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

************************************************************************

  We have met to uplift woman's fallen divinity

  upon an even pedestal with man's.

  And, strange as it may seem to many, we now demand our right

  to vote according to the declaration of the government under

    which we live. This right no one pretends to deny.

************************************************************************

I think the American Dream should be to have a good life, and to live well, and to be a good citizen. I think that should apply to all of us. That it is the land of the free and the home of the brave, and I believe it should be just that for all people. They can think of themselves as human beings and they’ll enjoy the blessings of the freedom of this country.
************************************************************************

We are affirming human rights for all women and girls, acknowledging the full range of diversity that exists and detailing actions to prevent violence.

************************************************************************ 

Thought I couldn’t breathe without you
I’m inhaling
You thought I couldn’t see without you
Perfect vision
You thought I couldn’t last without you
But I’m lastin’
You thought that I would die without you
But I’m livin’
Thought that I would fail without you
But I’m on top
Thought it would be over by now
But it won’t stop
Thought that I would self destruct
But I’m still here
Even in my years to come
I’m still goin’ be here

************************************************************************

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

************************************************************************

  We have no objection to discuss the question of equality, for we feel

  that the weight of argument lies wholly with us, but we wish

  the question of equality kept distinct from the question of

  rights, for the proof of the one does not determine the

  truth of the other

 ************************************************************************ 

I think it’s important to believe in yourself and when you feel like you have the right idea, to stay with it. And of course, it all depends upon the cooperation of the people around.  

***********************************************************************

We are strengthening all families by supporting their economic and social needs. We are fashioning new ways to involve women at all stages of negotiation and decision-making. From kitchen tables to peace tables women propose to turn the tables on the status quo.

***********************************************************************

I’m wishin’ you the best
Pray that you are blessed
Bring much success, no stress, and lots of happiness
(I’m better than that)
I’m not goin’ blast you on the radio
(I’m better than that)
 I’m not goin’ hate on you in the magazines
(‘m better than that)
I’m not goin’ compromise my Christianity
(I’m better than that)
You know I’m not goin’ diss you on the internet
Cause my mama taught me better than that
After of all of the darkness and sadness
Soon comes happiness
If I surround my self with positive things
I’ll gain prosperity

************************************************************************

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.   

************************************************************************

The right is ours. Have it, we must.  Use it, we will.  The pens, the tongues, the fortunes, the indomitable wills of many women are already pledged to secure this right. 

 ********************************************************************** 

 I would have to take longer than a minute to give my whole synopsis of my life, but I want to let you know that all of us should be free and have equal opportunity and that is what I’m trying to instill and encourage and inspire young people to reach their highest potential.

************************************************************************

In the face of so much pain, I remain an incurable optimist. I am fuelled by the passion of the women I have been privileged to meet and work with, buoyed by their hope for peace, justice and democracy. I am strengthened by each of them. I wish each of you well and sustainable optimism for the days ahead. Never underestimate the importance of what we are doing here. Never hesitate to tell the truth. And never, ever give in or give up.

************************************************************************ 

  We do not expect our path will be strewn with the flowers of popular

  applause, but over the thorns of bigotry and prejudice will

  be our way, and on our banners will beat the dark storm

  clouds of opposition from those who have entrenched

  themselves behind the stormy bulwarks of custom and

  authority, and who have fortified their position by every

  means, holy and unholy. 

I have read the handout that depicted “Tarnation”, and I can say that I actually look forward to watching this movie.  I am studying Social Work with hopes to get into Psychology and this seems very fascinating.  I think that a lot of people may have thought at one time in there life that there was a moment that they could have recorded, being either good or bad.  Especially in our society today how reality t.v is so huge, not that the sounds of this is close to how these kind of shows are presented, and the fact that the majority of these people, in reality t.v, are acting because they know that America is watching.  I am most curious about how the movie is put together, hopefully the editing creates the movie that the handout seemed to explain.  It is not too often we can see the real true side of a person let alone their family and the problems and triumphs a family have throughout generations.

           Us Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, and most famous The National Enquirer are just some of many gossip magazines here in the United States and Canada.  I for one am a person who looks at these magazines, why? because there are everywhere and because it seems as if celebrities these days are inferior.  Celebrities, first of all does not consist of only the famous actors and actresses that we see in our favorite movies, they are the children of older celebrites who basically live off of being exactly that. Also this is an age of reality television which means these “average” people who participate in a numerous different type of shows. Some reality television test one’s ability or endurance and the majority of the other shows are basically people who are set up to be made a fool of and we, as an audience of the general public, watch these shows, and on a regular basis. 

           This is an issue that until recently I did not have a problem with.  I always thought if I was in that position I would be doing the same, however today I was on the internet and saw something that scared me not only scared but not surprised me, that is that socialite Paris Hilton is not serving her jail time.  The thought that came to my head is what crime will it take for a celebrity to get a rightful punishment, and for it to stick?  The drinking and driving, the drugs, these young, and underage (a lot of them) people are doing as they please, why? because they can.  From what I see in the past years this is a problem that is not going away but is snowballing. 

Since I wrote last week about why I chose to come here to WayneState, I decided to resist writing about the readings we did and talk about the advantages and disadvantages on coming to an American school.  The advantages to me are obvious, this is the best school for the Social Work program.  There are also a lot of little things such as the class sizes are a lot smaller than in the Universities in Ontario’s Social Work programs, especially Windsor.  It is beneficial for me also because on a lot of the days I can stay with my boyfriend who lives in somewhat of the area of her.  As far as the disadvantages the main thing is the difference in language. I know Canada and the United States both read and write English however there are certain words that are spelled differently (colour-color, behaviour-behavior), not too big of a deal since spell check is my best friend.  I have for the past month have been thinking about these and what I have come to the conclusion that the main thing has nothing to do with me being Canadian but the fact that this is indeed my first year in University, College back in Windsor for me was similar to high school smaller, easier, and a lot of the same people.  This to me was the best decision that I have made as far as for my career, my relationships, and future.  I like the new experience with the new people, different cultures, way different views, as far as politics, and environment.  I sit here and think about how this is only my first semester and how fast this is going to fly by.  I anticipate for my future and I just hope WSU is everything I hope it is.

I thought I should use our blog time to tell this class a little about who I am and what I am doing here at WSU. This is my first semester at Wayne State and thus far, I love it, hate to sound too fanatical but I have wanted to go to WSU since my high school years way back when.  I graduated last year from St. Clair College in
Windsor, Ontario, by the way where I am from.  I graduated with my CYW (Child and Youth Work) diploma. I took a year off with all intention to apply to WSU after a year or so.  I worked at a group home in
Windsor which was very hands on and taught me, and showed me things that will stick with me through my whole life.  This was the type of job that consumes your life and shows you how difficult teenage lives are if they do not have parents or family to help support them behaviorally and emotionally.  This experience made my anticipation much greater than even before because I saw how the children’s system sometimes works and I would want to be one of the people who educate themselves to try to better it and not just use what is there, which I unfortunately saw a lot.  This school is the best for that, in my opinion, considering this is the best school in the
USA for Social Work.   If all goes as planned I will fast track so that I can graduate in fall 2010 with my MSW.  I have never liked school as far as high school however growing and maturing I have come to realize that happiness comes with your determination for it and I hope I have the strength to keep going as I am today.

The internet today is something that children, as young as 3, know what to do once they are placed if front of it.  I know this because of  the fact that my nephew who is this age plays games, “Thomas the Train” on the internet.  I was in shock when I went to visit my sister and her husband and my sister tells my nephew “show Auntie your new game”, me thinking of a puzzle or “normal” childhood game, my nephew runs to the computer, turns it on and goes to the website (in the history).  When I left that day I could not decide what bothered me more that my 3 year old nephew knew how to work the internet or the fact that I did not even have an email address until I had to once I started college 4 years back.  Than I started thinking “was is this normal”???  “Was this safe”???? I know technology is booming but HOLY S*%T!  My nephew is only 3 turning 4 in 2 weeks and he is only interested in “Thomas the Train”, not so worried, but what happens when he is 11 or 12 years old??? When other things start to interest him, by that time he could be a hacker…joking…but serious?  I know there are “Net Nanny” and programs to that sort but how safe are they? It is not as if you can tell a child not to play on the internet because of its GREAT advantages, it just makes me think of how our world will be at that time???…