| My facebook note |
[Oct. 5th, 2006|10:17 pm] |
Am I the only one who has noticed that women are (and have been) typecast, as the sum equals of all their reproductive parts-their wombs, their breasts, and their vaginas? Why in many instances are our wombs treated as wounds?
Why does popular culture, the academe and organized religions speak of women in the dialectal terms of the whore and virgin (again the sum of our reproductive parts) when our person-hood exceeds and trumps this binary? Why is virtuosity equated with virginity? Why is the conventional argument in favor of abstinence for us ‘to have something to offer’ to our husbands (since we don't legally recognize 'partnerships' in this country)? Is not the devotion and lasting commitment of a woman’s mind, spirit, and body to that person not sufficient?
While we can all agree that sex has many emotional, and spiritual implications, not to mention the REAL potential outcomes of STI’s and pregnancy…Why is it considered morally wrong to become intimately familiar with your sexual self (alone or with partner(s)) prior to marriage? Surely no one would insist that a person 'abstain' from developing his or her mental, spiritual, emotional, physical (sans sex) prowess prior to marriage for the sake of offering ‘pure’ thoughts and feelings. Somehow it seems to make sexuality in marriage about ownership of a person’s body instead of the 'sharing' or blending of the bodies. After all, even after marriage isn’t a person’s body not their spouses, but God's and God’s alone?
Why is it that western theology honors Mary as a virgin and not as obedient to God's will? While the Immaculate Conception itself is significant (it testifies to the awesomeness of God) Mary's virginity is decidedly less significant when compared to her bravery and her obedience. Isn’t it somewhat ironic that the Son of God was brought into the world by means of ‘wedlock’ (which now and then) is classified as ‘sinful’?
I am not a theologian and I am not really trying to make a point here. I personally am in favor of women making informed decision that they choose in terms of their sexuality. I just want to start a discussion... a little controversy is good for the soul!:) So sound of ladies, what do YOU think? Are virtue and abstinence synonymous?
PS Yes, I am aware this post assumes the person reading it is a Christian or ‘spiritual’ at all to some extent…its all for the sake of argument! |
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| Well I'll be dammmed |
[Oct. 4th, 2006|03:05 pm] |
Gotta loves puns. Apparently...I was wrong...read below......
We understand your concern regarding the post-dated check. Please note
that if a check dated in the future, otherwise known as a post-dated
check, is presented for payment, we may pay the check and charge it to
your account even if it is presented for payment before its date.
Please be advised that the date on a check is for your reference. The
payee of a check is not required to hold the item until after the date
on the check. When you sign the check, you agree to pay the amount
written on the check. However, if you do write a post-dated check, it
is only an agreement between you and the payee. By federal law, banks
within the United States may process post-dated checks once they are
presented for payment.
If you do not want us to pay a post-dated check, we recommend placing a
stop payment order on the check in question.
Our records do not indicate any overdraft fee assessed to your account.
However, please be advised that funds must be in the account before
items are presented in order to avoid overdraft fees. Unfortunately,
making a deposit or transfer after items have overdrawn your account
will not prevent the items from being returned or fees being assessed.
Items pending due to insufficient funds are either paid, creating an
overdraft on the account, or returned. In either case, an overdraft fee
is charged.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If we may be
of further assistance, please contact us again by e-mail.
Sincerely,
Bank Rep
LESSON LEARNED! |
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| AGHHHHHH |
[Oct. 4th, 2006|09:30 am] |
This is how I feel. UGHHHHH. This is how I have felt since Sunday when I had my traumatic experience with the car accidents....
Then I am spotting and not on my period which is freaking me out...even though number of precautions were taken.
Then I miss talking to my significant other who has been too tired to talk to me.... its nothing to complain about because when you are tired you are tired, but at the same time I miss him.
Then I have this enclosed feeling because I do not know anyone outside of my office… and I am not really trying to get 'that close' with anyone I work with, but don't really have the transportation to do something major extracurricular, because of transportation issues...I don't want to be coming home late and in the dark, but on weekends the bus runs HELLA slow.
Then today...I check my bank account (as usual) and am shocked to see that I have a negative balance because my landlords cashed my check that is post-dated for Friday! I didn't know you could do that! So I am going to get charged a fee that is NOT in my budget…RRRGGGH!!!!! |
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| Spoiled |
[Sep. 29th, 2006|01:58 pm] |
Dear Michelle,
After I get off of work this evening. I am going to get my hair done...I feel so fortunate to have found a black hairstylist who does natural hair here! Priase Jehovah! Its soooo soothing to be having my hair styled and washed...reading Essence...etc.
This particluar visit is being financed by Marc, who understands and appreciates my assigned significance to grooming... His generousity will certainly take some getting used to on my part. I would never want him to feel that I expect or require such actions..... between the way my family has taught me to feel about my desires/wants (shame and greed) and the way the media and society has labeled me as a black woman-as a goldigger...and then me internally battling the independence that has been my ticket to success so to speak I find it diffcult to accept.
Long story short. I know that Marc does all of the things he does sincerely and because he loves and respects me....its just sad that I have to adjust to him treating me the way that I deserve and have always wanted to be treated because it has not been a part of my reality for so long in my most intimate relations.....
You know what I appreciate most? The fact that he is a loving Christian I enjoy talking and listening to him and sharing my thoughts spiritual in nature. That is a part of me too that is little shared with anyone.
He is very considerate and attentibve with regards to my feelings and my thoughts. And committed to compromise, solutions and decisions that are for the best of us.
I know that he is honored to be a part of life and to consider me as a lifemate because of who I have consciously and prayerfully decided to be, but I am just amazed...absolutely stunned that the sacrifices I have made have brought me sweet rewards beyond even my expectations.
This awareness also feels me with saddness when I consider women who may never know the love of a MAN or woman (depending on preference) because they have never been fortunate enough to learn or be exposed or hone self-love.....
Everything I do Michelle is out of love for myself and my people, my God, my country, my world...and I pray it stays that way |
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| (no subject) |
[Sep. 28th, 2006|09:33 am] |
I finally feel settled into my apartment. It's not glamorous, but it is neat and functional...It kinda pretty here. The weather has taken an ugly turn towards Fall! Its been rainy and yucky and all of those things.
I just realized that I need to purchase a home kit for things to have on hand in case of emergency and I would encourage you to do the same... it is a unique feeling that I am soley responsible for my own personal welfare...not ASC to protect or account for me.
Speaking of ASC I finally ordered a picture of me from graduation....what can I say you know I am sentimental. There is a really nice one of you, your aunts, Martin and your mom. I am not sure if you have already purchased a copy of it or not.
My job is still going well. I am not feeling this in front of a computer thing all day though. I feel like I am plugged into the Matrix in that regard....a drone of sorts.
Did I tell you Marc and I went to see bell hooks speak here in the 'Lou and she said she remembered me from ATlanta! I was blown away. I mean she had made eye contact with me earlier and smiled at me....big time, but I was like soooo honored. I saw here speak in the ATL in lil' 5. It was so crowded people had to sit on stage and you KNOW I was one of those people. Up front, up close and center.
I purchased one of her books about black people and self-esteem....it basically is supposed to be illuminating about how we can be whole epeople despite the daily assaults on our souls by this capitailistc, racist, imperialist, patriarchical society we live in.
I have been reading a book call casting stones. Its about the Asian sex trade. It talks about the sexual norms and mores of Japan...including its pornography, prositution and cultural underpinnings for both. I would love to get your opinion and observations.....I am admittedly less familiar with Japanese culture.... |
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| Compassion |
[Sep. 11th, 2006|01:38 pm] |
I was on the bus this morning...like every morning for the past few weeks. And I am really moved. People in louisville are actually curteous to one another. The bus driver stops when people chase the bus (usually)....people are patient with people coming on...they give up their seats to the elderly and such, but what is perhaps most fascinating is the way that they touch each other. There was a little girl on the bus..her mother was trying to put their fair in and the little girl was walking down the aisles...as soon as the bus took off two people grabbed the girl to make sure she didn't fall and the mother was appreciative...this is like the third of fourth time I have seen something like this happen...and it moved me.
I have been reading a lot of bell hooks lately, okay well two books and she'll be here next week. I am going to go and hear her speak, but what she ahs me thinking about a lot is the way that i interact with capitalism, the way that I view my class interactions.
She said quote, it is to the point now wherea black woman might choose to spend her remaining dollars on a relaxer rather than on the condoms which could save her life...and I am like damn, because i know that there is sorrowful truth in this statement....i just think about how much we as a culture have things that speak for us, define and represent us....and the unerdylign yearnings for respect and visability that underpins this mentaliity. I am just praying that I'll be able to call a spade a spade.... Love you |
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| Humility |
[Sep. 6th, 2006|04:37 pm] |
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SOOOOoo I knew that I was scheduled to have an appointment with one of the reps from the washington office today...and late this afternoon, but I did not know for sure what time...long story short...here I am in a big unattractive grey fleece over my decent work attire because it is FREEZIng in here and like I said I am getting over a cold, so I am not sure if I have boogers in my nose or anything, I have a nasty cough, and ...well I am just totally unprepared...my office looks ramsacked....tissues and she appears/comes in looking perfectly coiffed... I was embarrased...nonetheless I did manage to ask her a series of intelligent questions and we had a good meeting...but the scales of professionality were HEAVILY weighed against me.... oh well...life goes on and the lessons in humility continue |
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| Time |
[Aug. 30th, 2006|05:19 pm] |
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So Aziza has joined facebook...she's doing big things...I am always amazed at the caliber of women at ASC and that I know....I look back over my life and I see so many things that truly the Lord had His hand in...you know all of my life I have dreamed of being a dyanmite woman with class, grace, dignity, and soul...I got a message from Twanda telling me congrats on everything and that I was her idol....talk about shocking...almost as shocking as my afternoon chat with errrah rahhh rahhh rahhh (think first year). Anyhow , I guess you never know how the lord will use you to touch others lives... |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 28th, 2006|09:42 am] |
I am especially grateful to be alive...in light of the plane crash yesterday... I have had an attitude of graditutde these past weeks...I have much to be thankful for.
I did end up talking to your mom and she told me why my brown rice has not been turning it right...go figure.
i called all the wee ones to wish them luck this year....
Yesterday I chased a bus...with a shopping cart in the heat to no avail, but what I did learn was patience and a way to get to the mall
My apartment is coming along slowly but surely ...marc asked me yesderday is i was ocd...I thought you would find that amusing...I cannot wait to have a couch!
I got these cool Japenese charcters for summer and winter...that are framed and mounted...they remind me of you! |
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| Wow |
[Aug. 24th, 2006|06:09 pm] |
Its kinda petty and kind of sad, but one thing about being on facebook is that it is a chance to check in on the people that you know , but do not necessarily 'care about.' You know...'whatever happened to so and so.' Nonetheless, it is a real reminder that time is steadily maarchign forward and either you are n'sync with the progression or you are not.
I like my apartment a lot...in terms of how it looks (its in a historic home, go figure), and I am trying not to be too distressed because I do not have any other furniture than a couch and airmattress (although a nice one) serving as my bed....I have books all over the floor. But I am about to head to an intern closet which is a storage unit that houses furniture for interns like myself to borrow for the year...praise GOD!
I am meeting a lot of wonderful people here at work and work the udual 9-5. It just really makes me wonder how people handle families and a spouse after logging in so many hours for bread.
I am really happy with marc...you won't believe it I had a contact go down the drain my first night in my apartment and marc could almost hear the tears in my voice...anyhow...he tld me he would take care of it and he did. Yesterday, I had a replaced right contact and a back up set. I was uberly impressed by his generousity and concern. sorry, but I had to share that with you
i'll probably call your mother tonight. she has requested that i stay in touch with her and i hvae not let her know that i made it to louisville.
I miss you friend. |
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