What Happens
This is what happens, you realize how interconnected we all are. It's so weird that I go from Colleen's blog (who i expect to mention my name) to Lyndsey's (and it's not weird to show up on her's either) to Chris' (where I was once referred to as T) and then Katie Myer comments on MY BLOG (which I think Lyndsey would agree is awesome). Also while reading Lyndsey's and I saw that Catherine was honered that Lyndsey read Catherine's and that makes me smile too. I think that this could be a new community! Community is everywhere... you can't deny it! I hope Catherine reads mine too... I hope to be accepted into the secretly cool circle!
Some of you understand what's going on in that first paragraph. Jessica does I am sure. We once talked about trying to be cool with Chris, Lyndsey, Bryony and other characters.
Lyndsey is right, I am on fire. Why won't you join me?
Colleen, I'm sorry about all of the sweatshop talk, but this is what is going on in my life right now. It's what's important.
Wouldn't it be cool if Jessi D. read my blog, yeah that would be an honor too.
Sorry about this babble, soon I will reconnect to my head and talk to you more about important things, if that is what I am doing.
I miss you Lyndsey, do you think that you could call me?
How to work when evil is working against you
Here's the thing. You HAVE to comment. If we don't figure it out what God wants in these areas, we will be left hopeless. That is not the God we serve. We are here to help the poor, freaking talk to me so that I can figure out how!
Also, some crusade bible studies are resisting my coming and talking to them about sweatshops. This feels horrible. I am going to continue to push though. I am going to send them a more detailed outline of what I want to say and offer to present in front of leaders first.
Talk about sweatshops. Talk about the persecuted church. Talk about the homeless. Talk about developing a stronger economy in impoverished countries. Let's talk about it all so that we can develop a better idea of what it means to "do something."
Reply Here Because I am a Coward
Ok. So Chris pointed me to another blog that was talking about sweatshops, aka Jessi's Social Justice Blog. Props to her for informing and encourgaing others in social justice work. I would like to have conversation about this though.
So just so you know this is meant to be a discussion not a debate.
Ok. What she said was that we should not boycott, rather encourage companies to be better. Also that when they take steps, we should say "job well done." She makes a good point about how when we boycott, the corporation starts shutting down factories that are some countries or locations only economy base. Guys I don't know about economy stuff, but it all seems legite. Ok here's what I think. We can't do everything, but we can do something, and rely on others to do the other somethings. So when we boycott companies, we say "Clean it up, and until you do, I will not support you." Then, we hope, our fellow brothers and sisters are in that country, picking up the pieces. They are showing these people how to use their land, how to create and sustain jobs, and how to organize so as to protect themselves.
The reason I still say boycott, because if we don't, they will move like turtles. Starbucks for instance (fair trade stuff not so much sweatshop), they commit to one thing, and keep pushing back the deadline.
Every change is slow. It doesn't have to be that slow though!
Definitely give gold stars to companies that are changing! Tell them that you will moderately shop their but not be a loyal comapany until they are completely pure! It does happen. There are companies that are good. Check out responsibleshopper.org.
What if we don't boycott? What if you tell people to write letters and they say they will and never do? Companies will never know what we want! They know they still have hold on us. Let's tell them where our treasure is!
Please respond guys! Someone may even tell Jessi that I need to be informed further on her thoughts too. Whatever. Let's just get this idea rolling, and figure out what a good solution is!
Apologies
While looking back at the past blogs, I feel dirty. I have come right out and indulged in my lack of humility, all my self-righteousness blazing. I read this devotional today about humility, one part says this:
"It begins by humbling myself to the reality of my depravity: I have sinned and fallen short. Then I must humble myself before my creator and repent of my arrogance: He is the potter, I am the lump of clay. And only then can I humble myself before others, for their sake and mine: If I try to save my life I'll lose it..."
So in attempt to confess and repent, I give you this blog. Please forgive me if you have ever felt hurt or uncomfortable when reading it. I know that I can't just go through the actions of humility and then be called humble, but at this point, it's all I have. Right?
Thanks to Lydia, who likes to be fearless in her confrontations with me, and the devotional... I have come to this conclusion.
Maybe the rest of you could hold me accountable when I step out of line too?
On another topic, I watched Kill Bill and Hotel Rwanda this weekend. They don't really compare, but they were both really good. Surprise surprise I liked Kill Bill. Hotel Rwanda should be an eye opener for even those who have seen pictures or read stories about this genocide. You can't always imagine this stuff, or even read for two hours straight. I hope to go see it again next weekend with Christopher. I don't want to forget how I felt during the movie. You should go see the movie. It may be what motivates you to take action against these atrocities.
Go Here Because The Young Will Lead
united/'>http://www.usasnet.org">United Students Against Sweatshops
Disappointment
An article ran in the post about the book club. It was on the 4th page and was really small.
Another article ran in the post about feminism and it was all wrong. I thought we were progressing.
I don't understand my homework but I totally understood our activity in class. I asked my teacher to explain the homework and she was a bit short about it.
The past two nights I slept for about 8 hours and I am feeling totally exhausted.
It's been really hard to talk to friends lately because they do not share the same feelings as me about things that I am really passionate about.
Every day I am more and more frustrated with my teachers and co-workers.
On the up-swing, I am doing really well with the reading of the holiness and praying. Maybe this explains everything else.
I'm Tired and I Need to Pee!
Dumb-(from the last blog) just means that I don't want to be too arrogant to think that everyone is so eager to comment about my thoughts...that's all.
Do you ever wonder what busy looks like to other people? I mean, when I am not busy and I see other people thinking they are busy but are only as busy as me, I suddenly think that I am better than them. Hmm. Then when I see people being too busy, like crazy busy, I again think that I am better than them because I know how to relax. I hope that admitting these things won't make you hate me, but rather understand because you think you are better than others all the time too. The truth is that we are not. It's true that we all suck really bad but are precious jewels. So. Be a better person and know that you are loved (if by nobody else than by God and probably me too but I can't make any guarantees about me because remember I suck and think I am better than you).
Update= I had a great Valentines weekend! My dad is coming next weekend! I have so much work to do that I am going crazy thinking about it! I love brewing coffee but not as much as I have to! Krispy Kreme kind of sucks at being a good business or understanding anything that you say to them. I still date Christopher. I like my bible study.
What are you giving up for Lent? I mean ... for Christ?
Go On Ahead
THANKS LYNDSEY (JOHNSON) TETER! Now all of you may comment even if you are not a blogger (dumb).
Here's the Thing
Colleen recently wrote about me commenting on other blogs but not posting on my own. Here's the thing... I like it when people comment so I comment. So comment damnit... and tell me how to let others who aren't blogspotters comment on mine... I haven't been able to turn that around.
Emily Blair likes greeting cards and packages... I like commenting!
Crunching
Ok.
Stop being pissed off at me because I am curious. I know you want to leave class early and you find my wanting to learn a bit more, pretty f-ing annoying, but either leave the room or stay calm... I don't appreciate the rudeness.
It's crunch time y'all. After a lovely vacation all my deadlines are speeding towards me very very fast like. I haven't started my thesis. I have started my project for next week or started the one that is supposed to come before it. I haven't been workshop(p)ed.
Scary.
So. Next year. I will be staying in Athens. My father has recently informed me that summer school isn't really an option so I should just wait and do a full time kind of thing. I also want to pursue working at the Donkey. I don't know if this is realistic or not.
I assume all of you are well.
Back and Black
I'm not so much black as I am just tan. I'm Back! I know you missed me, or at least I will tell myself that. I spent a great, wonderful, and perfect week with Christopher and company in the sunny St. John down by way of the Virgin Islands. It's boring to sit here and write about it, but if you want to hear about it call me and say:
-tell me about the theft
-how was the open ocean water skiing
-was it ok sleeping in the same room as the 'rents
-what about that 20 page paper
-do you itch
all of these will give way to some stupid story that is not worth your internet time.
ok so you know call me
