KONY 2012

Ok, so it's been a while I'll admit.
I'm a busy person though and doing this in the summer was a lot easier!
Despite the lengthy absence, I would like to get back into blogging again. So please enjoy!

Today's post will mainly surround KONY.
You should all know what I'm talking about, it's everywhere.
He's everywhere.
If you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about then please take 30 minutes out of your day to watch this phenomenal film below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc

Now there are two sides to this, well actually multiple sides but I'm going to stick with just two. There's the side that supports Invisible Children's Campaign and see this as a positive thing and there is the side that think that Invisible Children's money is not going where it should and that Kony should be dealt with in a different way whether that be peacefully (not using military) or by other means.
You are entitled to your opinion of course but I, being the completely biased individual that I am, am going to tell you what I think.
I think that Invisible Children's Campaign is awesome. I really do. There are so many positive's along with this campaign. For example, look at all the people who are involved with this! Look at all the people who would normally never participate in this sort of thing getting involved! It excites me.
Getting Kony's name out there is great too. I mean, who knew he even existed since a couple of days ago?! I sure didn't. And arresting Kony isn't going to end all the conflict, but it's a start. And a good one I think. What if Invisible Children hadn't done this? The world would be oblivious to Kony and the horrors in Uganda. This campaign is making people think, making people question and getting people involved. I've been researching Uganda, the LRA, Kony and arguments supporting both sides just because I want to be a part of what's going on and I want to have an opinion on it. Shout out to Ms. Araki! Thanks for teaching me the importance of having an opinion :)
With regards to the money issue, I think that if you want donate to the bettering of children in Uganda then donate to another organization other than Invisible Children. The money that Invisible Children gets it used towards KONY 2012 posters, stickers, banners, and to pay for the documentary. In no way does Invisible Children advertise that the money donated goes to Ugandan children, when purchasing their action kit or donating it clearly states that the money goes towards the campaign.
There are other issues with this too. For one, Invisible Children is supporting the military. They speak of peace and yet are working to keep the American and Ugandan army present in Uganda to arrest Kony. Some people agree with the military presence there but others do not, what I want to know is what other ways can we arrest him? How else can Kony be convicted for his horrendous crimes? I know there must be another way but I don't have the answer and I seek to find it.
Another issue people have is that the Ugandan army also abducts children and participates in many of the things Kony does. They just don't do it nearly as much as him. This is obviously hypocritical and I certainly don't agree with it. Both the Ugandan army and the LRA should be investigated and put to a trial.
And finally, the issue with the child soldiers protecting Kony. He is protected by child soldiers and if the American and Ugandan armies are going to get him they'll have to go through the children first. This would likely involve the killing of many children.
It's a difficult thing, the KONY 2012 campaign.
Here's where I currently stand:
I think that the campaign is a good thing, the way it gets people involved, etc. as I said before. Getting Kony's name out there is important and an easy way for people to contribute even though the issue is much bigger than that.
I also think that there must be another way to go about arresting Kony. There must be! A way without the military, a way without harming children, a way without supporting an army that abducts, rapes and pillages.
You may disagree with me, you may not.
Wherever you stand, I hope that you are informed and stay strong in your opinion. Stand firm and let people know how you feel about it, don't try to convert them! Have a discussion, maybe someone will learn something that they didn't know before :)
Isn't that the goal?
To learn?
To grow?
To educate?

Bing Crosby

Bing.
Bing Crosby.
He's the Michael to my Buble.
He's the Christmas to my season.
Bing Crosby was a wonderful human being.
His voice like butter, his laid back attitude and ability to make himself appear like the guy next door.
Bing, this blog post is my tribute to you this Christmas season.
I love you and your indescribable music.
If you care to hear the best of Bing's Christmas tunes then allow me to assist you!
--> Jingle Bells (classic!)
--> Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth - Duet with David Bowie
--> White Christmas (an obvious choice)
--> Christmas is a Comin' (my absolute FAVOURITE Bing song!!!)

Merry Christmas friends, enjoy! :)

Freedom

Freedom comes in many ways.
Freedom is the sound of silence when you're the only one left in the house.
Freedom is the feeling of the cool breeze on your face when you're riding your bicycle.
Freedom is...
Well enough of this poetic stuff, let's face it. Freedom is the school bell ringing for Christmas break.
That bell symbolizes the freedom to do what we want and not have to worry about homework or extra-curriculars. That bell is the sounds of freedom ringing throughout the school yelling "Be free! Be free! I release you from your student bonds!"!
It really is a beautiful sound.
It reminds me of all the christmas cards I'm going to make, all the carols I will sing, and all the time I will have to watch Christmas movies, drink tea, eat cookies and read.
Oh to read! To spend an entire day just reading, soaking up the words one page at a time. To fill your mind with knowledge or lose yourself in another world.
With Christmas comes Christmas break which is pure and wonderful freedom.
Thanks Christmas break, thanks Freedom, I need this.

Dreams, Life and Money

You know that house?
The house that you've always dreamed of having.
Of looking upon after a hard day's work.
The house that you own, that you can proudly say is yours.
This house is your dream house, it's THE house.
I've always loved architecture and interior design so to pick just one perfect alcove placement, or one perfect porch stain would be nearly an impossible task.
The wrap around porch complete with a swing, or the vaulted ceilings and the hardwood floors, how can one choose?!
I love Pride and Prejudice mansions with an old and historic feel to them, I love pale yellow cottages with white picket fences, I love modern lofts with bold colours and to blend my eclectic taste would be both an exciting challenge and a nightmare.
But perhaps the dream home isn't so hard to reach for you, perhaps you know exactly what you want and how you want it done. Perhaps you've chosen a log cabin, or a beach house, maybe even a yurt but there is always one thing that seems to stop every dreamer dead in its tracks.
Money.
That dumb, ridiculous currency used to make the world go 'round.
And that's why it's called a "dream" house, because it will only happen in our dreams.
But what if I want it to be real. What if I don't want life to be full of dreams, I want it to be full of dream-like realities.
I'm sick of what if's and saving money and never getting the thing you really want because it's not in your budget. Why not get the sea-foam toaster? Or the better razors for goodness sake!? If that's what is important to you and what will give you just that much more joy then live a little and do it!

Busier than a Bee

Why is the time right before Christmas so gosh darn busy?
Schoolwork increases and it seems like everything I have to do triples!
I love Christmas, the spirit of it, the festiveness.
But it seems that until school is out for the holidays, they just push you harder and harder until there's nothing left of you by Christmas!
I guess I'm just going to have to deal with it.
Christmas holidays could not come sooner.

Pride and Prejudice Dramatic Monologue

We have recently finished our poetry unit in English and we had to write a dramatic momlogue. I wrote an incredibly long one that covers most of the plot in Pride and Prejudice (I know, shocking!). I just thought I'd share that with you so enjoy!

The love between us

It ran deeper than we knew

How could we fuss?

We both felt like new

It began at a ball

A small little gathering

Her mother did call

And oh how she loved blathering

Elizabeth Bennett was her name

A Bennett through and through

She did not care about my fame

Of those people there were few

Her sister Jane fell in love with my best friend

I regret what I did, it was wrong on my part

Thinking that would be the end

I ripped them apart

Then I could take it no longer

I had to tell Elizabeth that

My love was growing stronger

It was then I attempted to “chat”

This ended quite abruptly

When after pouring out my heart

She had pointed out directly

That I was the last man she could of ever been a part

So I made up my mind

To make up for what I did

I had to show her I could be kind

That I wasn't so stupid

Tossing away my family's expectations

Not caring what Lady Catherine would say

Her lack of wealth had no foundation

On the love I had been fighting till that very day

From there I did as I had said I would before

I apologized to my dear friend

And told him to pursue Jane Bennett once more

Bingley accepted my apology and set off to make amends

After many “surprising” meetings

A stronger feeling grew

I welcomed it with greetings

How I hoped she felt it too

What happened next was unexpected

For Lydia Bennett had run away

With Mr. Wickham undetected

Elizabeth was crushed and everyone felt betrayed

I then saw to it that Lydia and Wickham were married

For what a scandal they would be

Their family name would be buried

How then could I marry thee?

Bingley purposed to Jane not long after

They were happy as the Meadowlarks

I loved the sound of their laughter

But how it made me ache, I felt alone and in the dark

Then I made up my mind once more

To express for the last time my love and desire

For her to hear my hearty roar

My love for her was like a wild fire

As I walked toward her my pulse was racing

This was my last chance

I knew what I was facing

Why hadn't I worn other pants?

My beloved approached me as if nothing was wrong

Her eyes so big and clear

My whole body longed

For I was so nervous and so full of fear

It was then I expressed my deepest desire

Exposing my soul for only her to see

It is she whom I admire!

And then I got on one knee

To my utter surprise

Ms. Bennet accepted

We then watched the sunrise

I most certainly did not feel rejected

A double wedding was held

With Jane, Bingley, Lizzie and I

It was a huge celebration and I felt compelled

To cry

Though I could never cry in public

My emotions you will not see

I would not be the subject

Of cruel inhumanity

Now that we've tied the knot

My Lizzie is always there

She is no robot

And that is why she is my air

Today we are just peachy

Walking about the countryside

Lizzie loves to walk and teach me

In our love we do abide

Forever and ever

Our love will stand the test of time

To be apart never

Together and sublime

How strange...

Have you ever experienced something, and no one else really understands unless they experienced it too. 

Like if you go on a trip and then come back and instead of everything being changed, like you, it's the same as you left it.

Recently I went on a trip to Ottawa with Forum for Young Canadians, a program where grades 10-12 students from across the country gather to Ottawa to learn about our government and politics in general.

It was the most amazing thing I've ever experienced in my entire life. 

But when I came home, I felt different and to my utter surprise no one else did.

I wish everyone could experience Forum, so that they'd know how amazing it is and so that they could talk about it with me because they're genuinely interested. 

Unfortunately reality doesn't work like that. Until it does I'll just have to keep in contact with my new buds and avoid conversations about Forum around people who haven't been. 

It's a little disheartening but that's life and it's worth it for what I experienced. A week full of memories to last a lifetime.