#itooamharvard OR Haven't You Ever Been Misjudged?

Wanted to share with you all a link I saw on my Facebook newsfeed:

http://bzfd.it/1n4xc3Q

And, of course, the reaction I had.

This is the article that sparked the absolute, utter fabulousness that is #itooamharvard:

http://www.thecrimson.com/column/the-snollygoster/article/2012/11/2/Siskind-affirmative-action/

Here's what I had to say upon sharing #itooamharvard:

"Oh good grief.  It's funny, and mind-boggling, and disgusting all at the same time.

And looking back... I've gotten so many of these, and it's not just from non-black people. Most common one is "What ARE you?" You mean, other than annoyed at that question?

It's also funny, looking at how much stuff I've gotten away with. I mean, I don't relax my hair to look white. I do it because it makes my hair easier to manage. But when my hair doesn't get done for a long time? Because of demographics I can get away with just brushing my hair back and going about my business. Most people will say it looks fine... Probably partly out of not knowing better. LOL... Oi...

OH! And before I forget... My first college roommate. When we first met face-to-face she said she was surprised to have seen my Facebook profile, because on the phone I "sounded like a redhead".

I'm still trying to figure out what the hell a redhead sounds like.

And the parting shot... I love that the girl who was told "Don't get any tanner" clarified it was her EX-boyfriend who said that."

I like to be optimistic and think that things work so much better than this in the real world. But unfortunately that isn't the case.

Now, you might notice that the link on there only gives you the first 21 photos. That means there are 42 more photos to see.

(To the exceptionally ignorant/rude out there... Surprise surprise! I can do math! 42+21=63)

...

Sorry, just had to add that in there.

Math isn't my best subject. It's not because I'm black. It's because I haven't really practiced it in years, and pre-algebra all the way up through calculus I struggled with it.

BUT I do have a M.S. in counseling, as well as my PLMHP and some other credentials I won't bore you all with. That's gotta count for something, right? ;)

Isn't it interesting how the target audience/population involved impact how such statements are taken? I mean, I HATE the "What are you?" question like you don't even underSTAND. I remember the first time I heard it, too. I was in... 6th grade, I believe. A black girl said it to me, along with "Why do you talk so proper?" And questions about the hair, the skin...

Just because I typically don't use Black American English Vernacular / African American Vernacular English / Ebonics / whatever the proper term for it is today... Doesn't mean I am less than. Although if anything, I could stand to learn it (BAEV/AAVE/etc.) a bit better.

Just because I don't use AAVE doesn't mean I am MORE than, either.

Wouldn't it surprise you to learn that BAEV/AAVE/Ebonics is actually recognized as its own language?

Have a little Wikipedia :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American_Vernacular_English

ANYWAY! The purpose of this post wasn't for me to get on my little soapbox. I just wanted to talk about my own experience and share an article that really his home for me.

That said...

Haven't you ever been misjudged?

(The preview of the #itooamharvard video that will be shared on Friday:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uAMTSPGZRiI 

I'm kind of excited for this!)

Food Porn, and Boston

I'm sure I'm living vicariously through someone at Red Robin right now. Ever since I got my wisdom teeth out on Wednesday, I've wanted a burger. Or chicken. But definitely a burger. And of course, they told me to stay away from ground beef... So I'm assuming a burger is out of the question (especially the fabulously spicy Burnin' Love Burger at Red Robin, fried jalapenos and all!)

...

Still trying to figure out how to get proper nutrition for running until my mouth completely heals. It's hard enough (and sad enough) when I get GI issues from running anyway...

On that note, here's a picture for you. Because I can ;)

Red Robin's Burnin' Love Burger, at your service.

(Also, I'm totally baking some sweet potatoes/yams right now. Got some mashed ones I'm hoping come out like sweet potato pie (yum!!), and some sweet potato pieces that I'm hoping come out like fries/wedges/what-have-you, but, you know, sweet) ;)

That said, with everything that's been going on in Boston, what with the explosions at the 117th Boston Marathon on Monday (15 April 2013)... Facebook, Twitter, the news... Everything and everyone has been talking about it. And I don't don't blame them. It's a pretty major event, scary and life-changing for so many - in positive and negative ways.

Negative ways... I shouldn't even have to specify how. Three dead, a large number injured (100+), and even more affected in other ways.

Positive ways, well... It's amazing to see people joining together to provide one another with support. From the slowest runner to the fastest runner, those in between, those are aren't runners, etc., etc., etc. - I've seen nothing but support, and it really does make a person feel good about some of the goings-on in the world, realizing (or having it reaffirmed) that there are wonderful people out there.

Today (within the last few hours, in fact) they caught the (still living) suspect. Boston was on lockdown this morning while they searched.

The other suspect (his brother) is dead.

That said - and please don't try to burn me at the stake or through the computer for this - I truly hope they have the right people. Looking online, seeing that people have been sending the suspects death threats in some way, shape, or form (and the threats sent to the person they initially thought was a suspect, but actually wasn't)... It stings.

Maybe it's just me and I'm overly sensitive (or not sensitive enough), but I can't imagine wishing someone dead. Maybe hoping they stub their toe or something, I guess, but not actually wishing someone dead.

I know some people will say "You run, why don't you get it?" or "Well, they shouldn't have done this!" or "That's what they get!" but... It's not up to me to decide "what they get". Such a concept has always made me rather uncomfortable.

I don't believe it's up to me to decide if someone lives or dies.

Take that how you will. Agree, disagree, hate me, love me, whatever you will.

I stick by that.

On that note: I hope those in Boston, as well as friends, families, runners, those who were at the Boston Marathon, etc... I hope they can breathe better and rest easier tonight. And that the right people are held accountable.

♥

Running to live

I'm kind of ashamed to admit this but... I haven't been running in two weeks. Two weeks today, actually.

Yes, you read that right: I have a half marathon in 28 days (well, about 27.25 days, give or days), and I haven't been running in two days.
Thanks to the Liebster Award nomination, I've been checking out the blogs of other people and, because I follow a couple running blogs, I've found some more running blogs to follow. The word I saw used on one of them (if only I could remember which blog!) was... "Lethargic".
Maybe it's just this time of the year, and the fact that the Midwest doesn't have the greatest weather this time of year, but I certainly feel no motivation to get on my running shorts and freeze my butt off outside to trudge through the cold to a treadmill.

Heck, I'm having a hard enough time writing this blog, but I think that's because Sex and the City 2 is on right now, and I haven't seen it in well over a year.

Anyway, back to the running bit... It's funny saying that basically I've been having one heck of a time running lately, because I've been thinking more seriously about deferring my Disneyland Half registration (see also: not the Dumbo registration) to part of the Goofy's Race and a Half. I would absolutely love it, too.

It's amazing to think of how much I have gotten from running. Greater confidence, on top of everything else. Excitement, opportunities - hello, I am doing FOUR Disney races this year (5K and Princess Half at Disney World, and the Dumbo Double Dare at Disneyland)... Even though I don't do it near as often as I'd like.

What can I say? Life gets in the way.
I know, I know, I'm over here typing a blog post, so I've got time to run, right? I just haven't felt the... Inspiration. And to make it even more... Ironic... Yes, ironic is the word I'm looking for! Diabetes runs in my family. So does obesity, apparently. A bit of high blood pressure (although mine is really good), probably some high cholesterol (again, mine is quite good).
But one of the things I've been discussing with DH is that even though we have no intention of having kids any time soon - and unless my IUD magically fails, there's no way I'm going through the hell to get it taken out any time soon! But I have no intention of raising my kid(s) in an unhealthy environment. That's not to say that they won't be allowed to have sweets or watch TV/movies or anything like that. But I want my kid(s) to grow up knowing physical activity and the importance of taking care of one's self. And I think that running, or at least modeling the physical activity I plan to encourage, will help to encourage that. Maybe break down some barriers, some of the limitations we impose on ourselves - like I mentioned in my Liebster Award post, and probably a different one, I never thought that I would ever be a runner. Or even vaguely close to it. Walking, I can do. Shopping til I drop, I can handle - in heels, strangely enough. But running? I never saw that happen, and I guess I never thought I would get support for it, although in retrospect I guess I should've known better. When I mentioned it to my dad a year ago, he was all for it, encouraging me and telling me training was important if I planned to run the Runway Run, and that since I wasn't trained for it last year, it's definitely something I can work toward this year.

(if only I could find a link to the race... I hope they have it again this year)

I'm not saying I felt like I wasn't living before. But I was living under the limitations I imposed on myself. Full-time graduate student. No running outside of running laps in marching band. Don't like sweating. Can't do it. Afraid of looking silly. Don't want to do it alone - granted I think that last one was more along the lines of wanting support.

But still, you get where I'm coming from. Now I'm just afraid of freezing ;)

The Liebster Award

I was going through my emails last night, and it appears that the lovely Liz over at 2 Love Birds Building Their Nest nominated me for the Liebster award.

Now I'm sure you're asking yourself, "What on Earth is this Liebster award thingy?" Well, I copied the answer for you, direct from Liz's page! (Hi, Liz!):

"So what is the Liebster Award?

The Liebster Award nomination goes to those bloggers who have a following of less than 200 to promote other bloggers to comment and share - even get to know each other!  I think this is great, because it gives you the potential to gather a larger following!  If you get nominated, you cannot nominate the person who nominated you (No tagbacks!).

The point of the Liebster Award is to answer questions, tell 11 secrets about yourself, and nominate 11 other bloggers who fit the criteria.  Here it goes!"

It's very flattering to be nominated. Really, it is. Sometimes I wonder how many blogs just... Don't get noticed. Not like "I'm seeking attention" getting noticed, but just how many times they get passed up in favor of one that's obviously more popular. You've gotta wonder, because there are so many blogs out there. It's like Aladdin:

He had to become a prince just to be noticed for more than being a, uh, nuisance. And then they thought he was amazing. Hello, he had a song about him!.
When I think about that, I remember reading something on Pinterest (probably their FAQ page, for all I know) that says that if you want to attract more followers, the best thing you can do? Is be yourself ☺

Now on with the questions!

11 Questions (posted by Liz for those she nominated)

1. What is your favorite color and why?
   I don't really have a favorite color. I used to say it was pink. Before that it was probably red and black. I'm rather partial to royal blue and bright orange, because those are the colors the hubs and I used in our wedding. I like a lot of colors, especially bright, fun ones!
2. So, you have a blog.  Why?
   I believe I started it as one of those "fitting in" type deals. I was part of a forum with a crowd of women that I grew to become very fond of, despite being from all over the US and various other countries. I kept it because it was fun to have something that I'd worked hard to personalize, and that I put some thought into.
3. What is your goal for this year?
   I have a few different goals.
   1) get all of the stuff with my mother's estate settled
   2) finish my first half marathon
   3) hopefully get accepted into a PhD program
   4) ... Buy a house. We'll see how that one goes.
   5) graduate with my M.S.
   6) get a "big girl" job. depends on how #3 goes
4. What is the best song to describe your mood today?
   That's a really good question. Sometimes I have songs stuck in my head that really have nothing to do with how I feel - and I don't really even like them! If you'd asked me on Tuesday it would've been "Stay Home" by Self, from the movie Shrek.
   Maybe "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey, although I own it on the Rock of Ages soundtrack. Or maybe "Titanium" by David Guetta and Sia. I'm sure if I think long enough, something will stand out. I'm just not feeling it just yet, that's all.
5. Who are the 3 most important people in your life and why?
   Three most important people in my life? Let's see...
   There's my husband. Does that really need explanation?
   There's my dad. I've always been a daddy's girl. If I'm not feeling well, I call my dad. I love my husband, but sometimes I just need to talk to my dad. Our phone calls average about 1:30 long (and by that I mean about a minute and a half), but I wouldn't trade them for the world.
   Third person? Um... Maybe my sister. I'm sure she thinks I'm quirky as can be (that's what big sisters do, right?), but sometimes she just gets me.
6. How did you meet your significant other? (if single, what do you look for in a significant other?)
   My husband and I started dating right after junior year of high school. He actually looked me up on Facebook (mutual friends, all that fun stuff), and I avoided him as much as possible for MONTHS. I mean, seriously, here's this 16-year-old guy talking to me on Facebook. We had art together in 8th grade, but I didn't know him. I didn't talk to him. And we ended up going to rival high schools, although he came to my school for one class a day because his school didn't offer it. But he was persistent about talking to a girl he'd only had one class with nearly 4 years before...
7. If there was a $100 bill laying on the ground, would you take it?  If so, what would you buy with it?  If not, why?
   ... I honestly don't know... I know I'd be likely to pick it up, stare at it for a bit, and look around to see if anyone was looking worried about having lost something. If I was in a store I'd turn it in. I don't know what the person planned to do with that money, or whether or not $100 is something they'd even miss!
   If I were to spend it... I'd probably buy books. Or stuff for my internship... Valentine's Day is coming up, maybe I'd get something for my husband.
8. Compare yourself to your 15 year old self.  What would you tell him/her?
   Oh, good grief. Probably something along these lines:
   "You're in marching band. Enjoy it, and make sure you do it again next year - that's your wonderful director's last year.
   You're going to get braces... As fun as the glow-in-the-dark colors on the retainers are, the plastic Invisalign-style is better suited to your life at this time - band, French class, choir, lunch... And for the love of Pete, WEAR YOUR RETAINER! You don't want to get your retainers back on when you're 21 - right before your first Valentine's Day as a married person, but you do...
   Right now you're in the best physical shape you're ever going to be in. Take care of your body.
   In nearly 8 years you'll be running a half marathon - actually, TWO! Don't let anybody tell you that you can't.
   Your lovely first boyfriend? Yes, the suspenders are hot. When you find the urge to dump him, do it. Listen to your gut - on more than just that boyfriend. He's not right for you. It's not a big deal. The time after the break-up with really suck, but remember it's not a big deal.
   This (sophomore) year you and your best friend will get the chance to attend something that freshmen and sophomores at your school don't usually get to do. When you attend the little conference, SPEAK UP!
   Speaking of friends... That friend you've been wanting to dump? Do it. You fall out of touch anyway, and she's no good for you. She's never going to pay you back, and she's kind of a leech. Can you say toxic? She's known for being a negative, well... you know what the word is. And your best friend? You're going to fall out of touch... Don't let her get away, because she's amazing and you know it. Tell her you appreciate her, and that she's wonderful.
   Also, make sure you say those things to yourself. You're wonderful, but you don't say it enough. You're self-conscious, and you've been dealing with your skin for the last five years (and will be in the future), but that doesn't make you any less of a person. A lot of your papers, and your passion in college, has to do with people, specifically females, and body image.
   Continue sticking up for people, especially those who can't stick up for themselves, because sometimes nobody else will.
   Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Your dad was right when he said that the most you can give someone is your word. Speaking of which, when he asks you what you think of his girlfriend, tell him you hate her. Don't lie to be nice. It'll save you years of grief.
   And tell your mother you love her every day, because you have less than five years left with her, and not telling her as often as you can, even when you're mad and yelling at each other, is the one regret you truly have - the day you fly out to go to that family reunion in 5 years, make sure you're on time to your internship! It's a lot of pressure, but it's important. It's been 2.5 years, you're almost a professional counselor, you've been to counseling yourself (we call it "avoiding countertransference"), but that's the thing that really gets you. P.S. You're going to hate your birthday after all of this, so enjoy it.
   Oh, and music education? You're more suited to psychology. Trust me on this.
   Take care of yourself. Mentally, physically, and emotionally. Don't be afraid to take time to learn who you are, and don't hold on to the people who hold you back or use you without being willing to give."
9. What is your worst vice?
   I hate admitting this, but I've been battling with not-so-hot skin for the last 12 years... When I get upset/nervous/anxious... I scratch. I pick. It's horrible, and a lot of the time it's unconscious. And a huge (horrible) habit...
10. Take your age and double it.  Where do you see yourself at that age?
    Well, I'd be 45 (22.5 currently). I really don't know where I'll be. I have dreams of doing things, like being a counseling who (maybe) has her own (well, JOINT) counseling practice. And/or being a photographer. A really nice photographer ☺ And hopefully the hubs and I will have kids. But where I see myself? I don't really have that image just yet.
11. What is the best life advice you can give your followers?
    The thing I heard my dad tell my mom, the thing I've told my family, friends, classmates, clients, the consumers at my internship... Is that you can't take care of anybody else until you take care of yourself. That means physically, that means mentally, that means emotionally. If you're not taking care of yourself but you're taking care of someone else, you may resent it.
    The thing I often told a person who, unfortunately, just didn't seem to get it, is that you need to love yourself, have a good relationship with yourself, before you start looking for someone else to love you. I believe that a healthy relationship with yourself is important.
    
    Also, as I told my relatives at the family reunion because someone was worried about the already-cooked spiral-cut ham that got cooked (again - and therefore ruined. they tried to decorate it to make it cute - nobody ate it), and because they were stressed that nothing would be done in time: Not breathing is for dead people. 'Nuff said, right?

And before I forget, 11 fun facts about me!

1. I. Love. Disney movies.
2. I also love musicals. Rock of Ages is in my head more often than not. I love it!
3. The Nanny and Friends are my favorite TV shows. My husband watches them with me, and he enjoys them, but I just know that at times he thinks I'm completely off the wall.
4. I'm interning at a mental health agency. It was a shaky start for me, but I love it. I started off in the Homeless Services department but, due to a lack of hours, got moved over to the second facility in the Day Rehab Services program.
5. I despise doing the dishes. Seriously.
6. I'm super excited because I finally got a DSLR. DH gave the ok, and now those photography books I've been buying finally hold some more meaning to me because I can explore more with camera settings. My beautiful point-and-shoot left a bit to be desired due to the limited range of settings.
7. I'll be running a half marathon with one of my college roommates next month. And I'm making tutus for us! It'll be awesome, and you can bet I'll be taking TONS of pictures when we're at Disney World, and that I'll definitely be posting pictures.
8. I am a Moon Jogger. I am one of many many many MANY people signed up to run/walk/jog 1,000 miles this year... Although I'm doing the Ultimate Moon Jogger challenge and am working toward 2,013 miles.
9. I'd already paid for my race registration for the Disneyland Half Marathon. Since I decided to register to run for/with a charity, I now need to defer my race registration to another race... I'm trying to decide if I want to do the 2014 Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge at Walt Disney World and begin training for a full marathon, or if I want to do the 2014 Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland or the 2014 Princess Half Marathon at Disney World (the link takes you to the 2013 race, as that one hasn't happened yet). Or even the 2013 Wine and Dine Half Marathon, but that's cutting it pretty close to the Disneyland Half weekend...
10. If you couldn't tell, I'm really excited about running. I don't it near as often as I should for someone who is signed up for two half marathons and plans on signing up for more races, but I do it. It really makes me feel good because... Maybe it wasn't so much other people telling me I wouldn't be able to do things like that, as it is feeling that I don't want to hold myself back, that I can do more. That I can BE more.
11. I'm graduating with my M.S. in May (knock on wood that I pass both of my comprehensive exams needed to graduate!). Sometimes it makes me proud to say that I'm the youngest person who is about to graduate from the program at this point. When I started it was kinda scary, being barely-21 in the program. I had someone (who is now a friend) say "You're a baby!" (mind you, she's in her 50s, and I'm about the same age as one of her sons. Just a few weeks younger, I think. LOL).
    Even better, I have a husband who SUPPORTS me doing the best I can in school, supports me joining professional organizations and furthering my career, and hopes that I'll get accepted into a doctoral program. It makes him proud (I think he brags on me more than he lets on. haha), and he also knows just how much education means to me, to my family.

Now the 11 questions for those I've nominated:

1. What was your favorite TV show growing up?
2. What is it that you "get" out of blogging?
3. What is your favorite book? Why?
4. What made you decide to repost this and nominate others?
5. What is your favorite memory?
6. What do you do when nobody's watching?
7. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money, and why?
8. If you could donate to any charity (any specific charity, or a general cause), what would it be?
9. If you could do any job in the world, what would it be?
10. What do you love most about yourself? List five reasons why.
11. Chocolate or vanilla?

And then because I couldn't resist adding this particular question (and couldn't pick a question from above to NOT ask):

Let's see... My 11 nominees are (drum roll please!):

1. Amanda at A Whole Lotta Somethin'
2. Amy at EIGHT is GR8
3. Erin at For the love of Disney running...
4. FrozenOJ's Concentrated Life (no name given ☺)
5. Indeah and Ravi at Girls Rolling 20s
6. Amanda at Laughing in a Beautiful World
7. Maze at Learning by Burning
8. Sarah at Life isn't always a fairytale
9. Dee at My Paradise
10. Jaime at The Unlikely Competitor
11. And finally, Ashley at ....Every Little Beautiful Pieces (I can't see how many followers you have, Ashley, but in the event that it's under 200, I definitely didn't want to miss out on nominating you!)

Have at, everyone!