Life, gotta love it!

I'll begin this story in the middle, then with the beginning, and end with none other than the end.

*Note to reader: this is a lot funnier if read in a dramatic voice. (Just saying)
In walks a girl, heading straight towards the water fountain. There stands a boy, poised and ready to shoot his next basket. Their timing is so right, that it's so wrong. Just as the ball leaves Gus's hands its trajectory so far off from the hoop that it's on a straight and narrow path directly to her FACE!
* You can now stop reading in a dramatic voice.

That my friends, is the middle of the tale of how my glasses were broken, and the very reason why my face is currently in pain. I will now tell the beginning...

There I was sitting in Mrs. Joneses' gym class completely and utterly unaware of what was to come. I was all suited up for the mile run, and so psyched to play ultimate [Frisbee]. Gus and I were so bored waiting for the Joneses to finish up their little heart to heart over the phone, that we actually talked to each other, and about the only thing we have in common, which would be swimming. Unfortunately that topic didn't really last long, it was more of me talking to a stone column that could only answer my questions with a yes or no. I told him about what I swam, and my first swim meet, that kind of ran out of the swimming stuff. I talked to him about the my dogs' strange habits (hey, don't judge I ran out of things to say), and he told me about his pets. So this conversation continued on for quite some time (it was a VERY long phone call), by "conversation" I mean me talking to an unresponsive creature. I told him about my terrible eyesight, and how I can't see a thing without my glasses (foreshadowing anyone?). Then, came the end of a terribly long phone conversation, and a very painful face to face conversation. Off we went our separate ways, and I was so glad to not have to talk to him anymore (and I hope you don't think that I'm mean because of this) that I hoped we didn't have to see each other again.

Here is where my bad luck begins. I was doing so great; our team was winning, when out of the blue a girl side tackles me. Is it even legal to tackle in Frisbee? I think this is how I got hurt- we were both going for the Frisbee, and then I was on the ground bleeding. Yup, my hand was all bloody, and yucky. She'd somehow managed to get her hand under the Frisbee, (and my hand was already there) and her nails happened to be really long, so they slashed my hand. I got over it though, even if it hurt a ton. We ran the mile and all was well, but then it was time to go in.

I'd finished the mile at a good time, not too slow, not too fast (so you don't have to try as hard to improve), and I'd already gone back into the school, but chose to go back outside because it was hot! For some reason the district turns on all of the schools' heaters, when it's already hot, so it makes it even worse! I also went back outside, because I didn't want to play basketball or go stand by the women's locker room. The Mrs. Jones told me I should go inside, so I did, and she made fun of me for getting hurt during Frisbee, then WHAM!

Gus, tried to pretend he didn't miss the hoop by like 5 yard, and tried to play it on the down low that he'd just hurt someone. Then he noticed it was me, and came to apologize, and see if I was okay. I told him I would be fine, and not to worry about it, when inside I was crying. I mean of course I'm not okay, I just got hit in the face with a basketball, and got cut because my glasses broke on me, I can't see so everything is messed up, and I'm feeling kind of dizzy. I was sent off the locker room to "clean up", way to be sensitive Mrs. Jones I'm bleeding, and you're telling me I look like crap. Everyone told me I'd be fine, and that it didn't look that bad. Guess what they were all lying. As soon as I got home my mom said "What the crap happened to you?", oh yes nothing like a mother's touch to make you feel better.

After that I've been running into random things, having to squint to see anything, having to avoid my favorite past time of reading cause it hurts my eyes, yes all because a silly boy doesn't have good aim. I could have shot better than that(when I had my glasses), and that my friends is saying something. Five yard? Dang boy, really it's not that hard to shoot a basket!

Well, I'm very sorry to have bored you with this, but the world must know the importance of teaching every child how to shoot a basket, because (read in a serious voice) it could save a life.

Drop of water.

Ummmmm........... Yeah, I don't have a name for this one yet, so until then it will be............... UNTITLED

* I know my past few posts have really been different, and straight to the point, but I'd now like to write/type one on a lighter note.

The other day, my lovely friend and I were simply bored and decided that we would go on a quest to none other than...."drum roll please"...... THE MALL. Yes, I know this may come as a surprise to some, but I do indeed indulge in going to the mall like every other teenage girl. Although I do think that it's highly over rated, and that to many of the people I know are there, by that I mean it's too main stream. But yet I go. This trip to the mall wasn't like any other trip, I had one goal in mind, and that happened to be... earrings! But don't get all excited, because that's not what this post is about.

So, off we went I found a pair of earrings I liked, and I was so happy and content, and giddy, and girly, and smiley after I bought my earrings. Okay I hope that you now understand that I liked them earrings real good, and would never part with them. Yes, okay; moving on.

We were kind of getting bored, when "lovely friend"(we'll call her that for now) remembered that there was a makeup store that she wanted to check out. I'm kind of opposed to make up; I personally think that everyone looks the was they look for a reason, and that their face is what makes them unique. The contours of a persons' face, the slope of their nose, the color they make when they blush, how thick their eyelashes are, and so on and so forth. I mean really, no ones eye lids are blue or orange or any unnatural color for that matter, they are the color of there skin, simple as that. Any way, so we just wanted to check the place out, because it was suppose to be really nice, but it was also really expensive. I wasn't really looking forward to it, but hey what's the worst that could happen.Well, let me tell you this, what I thought was bad was nothing compared to what actually happened.

So, I was kind of looking sloppy, and feeling pretty lazy, for reasons that I may or may not write/type about later. As I said before I don't really approve of makeup, but still I was in a makeup store, and wasn't too happy about it, but decided to make the best of it. So, I just looked around and tried to be interested. Then up comes a women, and it's one of those annoying sales ladies that follow you around, and pretend that they aren't watching you.

Yup, these women are EXTREMELY annoying, with their continuous gaze following you, and their " how can we help you young ladies", and my stupid questions that I already know the answers to, but that I still ask to make them think that I'm interested. I know it may sound like I'm stooping pretty low, but I know I'm not the only one that is bothered by these women, because if I was one of them I'd even hate myself! So basically one of those women followed us around for a good, say 20 minutes. And I really hate it when people watch me for too long, or when they talk to me about stuff that I don't care about, and that is exactly what the women kept doing. I mean couldn't she tell by my tone of voice, and the rolling of my eyes, that I couldn't care less!

Well you're probably getting bored by may continuous ramblings, and it just so happens that I haven't anything else to contribute the world for today, so until a latter day...

Drop of Water.

Rascism and Stereotyping

*Note: Yes, I realize that the title of my last post is incorrect ( I already went back and fixed it). I only wrote about ignorance in the last one, but today I'm going to correct that!

Stereotype:

1. A simplified and standardized conception or image of a person, group, etc., held in common by menbers of a group.
2. Fixed or settled in form; lacking freshness or originality

Webster's Dictionary defines racism as:

1.       1. A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievements, usu. involving the idea that one’s own race is superior.

2.       2. A policy, system of government, etc., based on such doctrine.

3.       3. Hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

 As I said/ wrote before, “I’m proud to say that I am a strong, hardworking, intelligent Latina girl, but I am sad to say that I have had moments in which I simply wish I was an American girl with blonde hair, and blue eyes. It may sound like a pretty dumb thing to say, but I sometimes come to think that people hold so much resentment for the Mexican people, and stereotype all of us as one thing without giving me a chance to prove myself as the complete polar opposite of that stereotype. In the next posts I would like to write about the very important topics of, racism, and ignorance; two topics that often go together.”

 I've had plenty of experiences in which people have stereotyped or been racist towards me, my friends, and my family. I know that this is a very delicate subject, and in no way mean to portray any certain group in a bad way.

 As a little girl I always took after my dad; I wanted to do everything he did, and basically be him. So by default I followed him everywhere, just so I could copy him. Once when we were walking down a grocery store isle we saw a cute little old women, once she saw us (by us I mean my dad) she stopped dead in her tracks; reached for her purse which was in her cart, and ran away. I mean literally ran in the opposite direction, as to get further away from us. At the time I guess I did realize, what the women was thinking, but I think I do now.

 What she saw was a strong, tall, dark skinned, Mexican man, who she automatically thought was going to steal her money. What she didn’t see was that that man, was holding the hand of a five year old girl, and that he was just reaching for the gummy bears that the little girl had asked him for. This woman didn’t see the full picture of everything around her; she simply saw what she feared most. She didn’t even know my dad; she did know that he’s a hard worker, that when he got home he’d let me stand on his feet, and dance around the living room with me, she did know him at all. Yet, she thought that she knew his intention, but she couldn’t have been further off base.

 I guess that what I’m trying to say through all the stories I’ve shared with you through the past few weeks is that we all are human beings. Some of us may be tall or short, some darker or lighter, we may speak different tongues, but we all deserve the privilege to not be judged by what we look like, or what we sound like. Each and every one on this earth has someone who loves them, and who is affected by what is said to that one person. Because, saying one bad thing about a certain race, or even just one human being can fuel a hate that can never be diminished, that will continue to be fueled each and every time someone opens their mouth to say some racial slur or something that includes a group as a whole. I hate to say it, but I guess I just have to face the reality of it; some fires simply can't be put out.

Drop of Water

Ignorance

Ignorance:

1. the state of fact of being ignorant; lack of knowledge or learning. 

Ignorant:

3. Uniformed; unaware 

Syn.

Ignorant, Illiterate, Uneducated mean lacking in knowledge. Ignorant may mean knowing little or nothing, or it may mean uninformed about a particular subject. 

-As defined by Webster's Dictionary

I'm  proud to say that I am a strong, hardworking, intelligent Latina girl, but I am sad to say that I have had moments in which I simply wish I was an American girl with blonde hair, and blue eyes. It may sound like a pretty dumb thing to say, but I sometimes come to think that people hold so much resentment for the Mexican people, and stereotype all of us as one thing without giving me a chance to prove myself as the complete polar opposite of that stereotype. In the next posts  I would like to write about the very important topics of, racism, and ignorance; two topics that often go together.

When  you’re little you kind of think that the world is a happy place full of kind, nice, good people who would never think to hurt anyone, but as I’ve grown older I’ve come to find that that’s not entirely true. There are those few who try to see the good in everyone, and accept people as they are, and don’t hold any kind of resentment towards any one race, but yet again I’m sorry to say that those people are a dying breed. Almost every day I see some kind of hatred towards people, I realize that some don’t notice that what they are saying is derogatory, and ignorant, but others do it with the full intent to hurt another.

The other day I was in my sewing class, when I heard a remark that really pushed my buttons. A girl had told the boy sitting next to her that  she was going the steal his scissors real quick (which she probably meant as borrowing) when the girl sitting next to me said “(Insert girl’s name here) you’re not in Mexico anymore, you don’t have to steal stuff .” I highly doubt that the girl who said that actually know what she had said meant, and that she was probably just joking. But I think that bothered me the most was the ignorance of her remark.
  
Not  all people in Mexico are poor, as a matter of fact many are simply middle class; like most Americans. They don’t steal to get things, they work hard for the things that they want, just like most Americans do. There are a few more situations I would like to let you know about (let’s hope I can do it in 500 words).

In  another one of my class periods, we were working on a science experiment, when the topic of how we spent our summer came along. The boy next to me said that he had spent the summer starting up a lawn mowing company, and doing some landscaping. Quickly the boy to my left said “Way to live up to Mexican regulation”, yet again IGNORANT. I being a strong believer that people can have any kind of job they want as long as they work for it, quickly fired back “A Mexican person can have any kind of job they want, even if it isn’t up to “Mexican regulations” or sometimes they can have an even better job than that” The boy continued by saying “But, yeah isn’t it just easier to go with whatever people expects from you? And why do you care what I say about Mexicans you’re not even one!” I hated to break it to the kid (actually I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the confusion on his face), but I quickly informed him that I am after all a daughter of two Mexican immigrants, who quickly became U.S citizens after their arrival in the U.S. I continued by telling the boy my dreams of one day becoming a pediatrician, and my plans on how I was going to do that. I told him that he should consider what he wanted to do with his life, and think of the ways he was going to get there. He quickly informed me that I was not a “Real Mexican”. Silly right, after I had just told him my heritage! I later asked him why he thought I wasn’t a “real Mexican”, he said with a happy look on his face that I was too smart to be a Mexican, and also too pale to be a Mexican.  Oh, how I love ignorant people. This yet again really bothered me, but I had done my best to prove my point to him, and he obviously wasn’t going to listen to a word I said to him, but I do hope that he caught a few things that might help him change the way he thinks about people.

There are many more things I would love to write/type to you about but it seems that I have written far beyond my 500 words for the week, I hope what I’ve written has made you think a little bit more about what you say, and your action towards people of a different race.

Write more soon, 

Drop of water 

Chasing Chicks

No, I was not chasing girls; that would just be strange, and icky. What I was doing was chasing chickens! Yup, that's right you're jealous, in your face! Just kidding, but I was indeed chasing some chickens around. This is now a new chore, or unofficial chore since my parents', don't like to call them that, because as they see it we all have a responsibility to help around the house (but I'm going to continue calling it a chore anyways).

This is now something I must do every time I spot a stray chicken running around my yard, because those things sure do poop EVERYWHERE, and boy is it hard to clean it off the drive way, and sidewalk. It's fun don't get me wrong, I get to run around yelling at the things , see them run into each other or into the fence ,have them squawk at me and I get to squawk back at them ;yes I know it's a very immature thing to do, but it's entertaining.  Yet I can't help thinking if it weren't for my dumb neighbor I wouldn't have to waste my time, getting rid of the dang things.

My neighbor doesn't really like to listen to us when we talk to him; the topic normally being complaints or concerns.  Yes, I know what it sounds like, but we really aren't that picky about stuff. It's just that he isn't a very good neighbor! 

The man has a GIGANTIC tree that grew over onto our property, and over the winter a huge branch basically broke off and is currently hovering over our garage, even when my mom told him that we would pay half of the cost to get the tree cut down, he told her to get a life and stop complaining! Rude, right?! Then there was a baby raccoon stuck between two rocks in the creek that runs through both of our yards, but it was closer to his property. So, off we went to tell them about it, and the old man told us that we should stop caring about things that happen around his house and get a life. So, that poor little raccoon drowned.  There have been countless other times, but those are just a few to give you a taste of this man's attitude.

For now I assume I will continue with my chicken chasing career, until I get a new job around the house.

Until I have something to write about,

Drop of water!

Embaracing "Motherhood"

 Note to reader: This is simply a follow up on the rant from last week. Just so you know, I am in NO way an actual mom. This is just…….. You know what if you care you will just read the previous post, and then you will understand, okay. I will now continue. 

 As I told you last week, I am now and forever scarred with the nickname of "Mother", "Mom", "Mommy", and just about every other variation of the name! Many of my so called "children" were complaining because I wasn't playing along with this new game of ours, and so now because of my undying love for them I am going along with the game. That's actually a lie, I just got annoyed with them bugging me about it, but this just seemed like a less painful alternative to them saying “Mommy? MOM!!!! Why won't you talk to me”! Yeah, that gets really annoying .I'd just like to say that I deeply regret ever making my own mom ever feel that way.

Although I have decided that I don't love some of my "kids" as much as I do others, so I have disowned three of them;just so you know I started out with nine. YES, that means three less mouths to metaphorically feed. 

Well, that's just about everything to say about my new experience being a mother. I really do hope I don't have to write any more about this topic, because I do realize that it's not a very fun one.