The Danger of a Single Story
I just watched this video for my “Contemporary African Politics” class and had to share it. I think we are all guilty of telling or knowing a “single story.”
“The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” – Chimamanda Adichie
I love the idea that one story is never, ever enough to describe a place, an individual, or a group.
Five Things I LOVE This Week
1. Yogi Bedtime Tea – I have been drinking this tea a lot before bed and it helps me fall asleep in no time!
2. The Silver Linings Playbook. I just saw this movie and loved it. Jennifer Lawrence can do no wrong.
3. Seven seasons of Liz Lemon eating. Oh how I will miss her.
4. Need a pep talk? Here’s one.
5. Peanut Butter Granola Balls. These look so so good. I must make them soon!
Goodbye 30 Rock!
Tonight is the series finale of 30 Rock, one of my favorite TV shows of all time. Ever since her impersonation of Sarah Palin, I have been a huge Tina Fey fan and I am really going to miss her work on 30 Rock! This article is an excellent tribute to Tina and all she has done for women in television. I can’t say that I agree entirely, though, with the way the author characterizes Fey’s character, Liz Lemon. Liz Lemon is probably my favorite TV character ever and I am going to miss her so much! She is an inspiration…
I can’t wait to see Tina Fey will do next!
Five Things I LOVE This Week.
1. This blog post about body image and fat acceptance.
2. The Joy the Baker Podcast. Hosted by Joy and Tracy of Shutterbean, this podcast is hilarious and informative!
3. The most recent episode of Modern Family. I love this show!
4. Dear Frozen Yogurt, I love you even it is zero degrees outside. Love, me
5. Dear Earl Grey, You are still my number one.
I hope everyone had a great week!
Forward
I was basically glued to the television yesterday. I am so proud of our President. I was very moved by his words and the deep meaning and symbolism of the day.
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I was also kind of blown away by Beyonce. I am already a huge fan of Queen B, but, I mean seriously, she is amazing.
Her performance was just beautiful! And don’t even get me started on her hair…. or her very dapper hubby..
Those two. I mean c’mon…
Anyway.. I loved every minute of the inauguration from the official ceremony to the adorable antics of Sasha and Malia,
Gah, just so cute! Mostly though, I am just happy to have Bo in the White House for four more years.
SO. MUCH. LOVE.
Okay, that is enough gushing, back to real life.
Wait! First watch this video of Michelle Obama rolling her eyes at John Boehner. Could I love that women anymore? Yes, yes is the answer.
Book Review: “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green
I know I am a little late on the train here, but, guys, this book is incredible. I read it in about two days. It was one of those books that when I finished I seriously considered flipping to the first page and reading it all over. First of all, John Green’s writing is breathtaking. The novel, which tells the story of two young cancer patients who meet in a support group broke my heart in exactly the way I expected it to, but it was so much more than that. This book is completely life-affirming and tackles the questions that we all must at some time ask. Furthermore, it was one of the most compelling and honest love stories I have ever encountered. Green gracefully and thoughtfully describes what it feels like to fall in love for the first time. Though I am a big fan of YA fiction, I hesitate to put this book in that category. I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever lost, or worried about losing, someone they love.
Some Memorable Quotes:
“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”
“My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations.”
“That’s the thing about pain…it demands to be felt.”
“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.”
“I’m in love with you,” he said quietly.
“Augustus,” I said.
“I am,” he said. He was staring at me, and I could see the corners of his eyes crinkling. “I’m in love with you, and I’m not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I’m in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we’re all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we’ll ever have, and I am in love with you.”
This was the first book I have read by John Green and I am dying to get my hands on more of his work. If you don’t know anything about him I highly suggest you follow him on twitter (@realjohngreen) and check out his youtube channel (vlog brothers) on which he and his brother Hank communicate through their video blog. Also, this is an interesting article about how Green has used social media to build a community of readers and fans.
Quiet, Happy Days
The past few days have been low-key, relaxing, and peaceful. I have been eating yummy food’ reading good books, and spending time with my family. Here are a few snapshots from the last few days:
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It’s a good life.
“The Power of Vulnerability”
I can’t stop thinking about this video. Brown’s research is incredible. Everything she says makes complete sense and takes my breath away. For me, her explanation of the connection between”whole-hearted living” and “excruciating vulnerability” is a complete game-changer. Watch this video and then listen to Brown’s interview with Krista Tippett on the poscast On Being (http://www.onbeing.org/program/brene-brown-on-vulnerability/4928). We need this. Remember, you are enough. I am enough. We are enough.
Our Imaginary Weight Problem
“How did we get into this absurd situation? That is a long and complex story. Over the past century, Americans have become increasingly obsessed with the supposed desirability of thinness, as thinness has become both a marker for upper-class status and a reflection of beauty ideals that bring a kind of privilege.
In addition, baselessly categorizing at least 130 million Americans — and hundreds of millions in the rest of the world — as people in need of “treatment” for their “condition” serves the economic interests of, among others, the multibillion-dollar weight-loss industry and large pharmaceutical companies, which have invested a great deal of money in winning the good will of those who will determine the regulatory fate of the next generation of diet drugs.” – Paul Campos.
This is an interesting article. It is important to be aware of the power that the “weight-loss industry” wields in this country. Essentially this “industry” makes millions by reinforcing superficial ideals of thinness and beauty meant to make us all feel inadequate. Remember, the goal is to be your best, healthiest self, which means something different for everyone. It is time we stop measuring ourselves against some arbitrary, unrealistic standard.
Off To A Good Start
Happy New Year!!
I hope that everyone is enjoying the first day of 2013. This morning, my mom and I ran a 5k and it was the perfect way to start the new year. The weather was perfect and it felt so good to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. I love running with my Mom because we talk the whole time and my Dad cheered us on as we crossed the finish line!
Afterwards, we headed to Whole Foods for a delicious lunch.
Plus an incredible smoothie.
After an awesome run and a yummy lunch, I am one happy girl.
wadswords 