Not Knowing How to Help

Posted on September 5, 2005 by Heather

There have been many disasters around the world since I started writing this blog–Iraq, Beslan, the Indonesian Tsunami, Katrina, the three large hurricanes of 2004, the bombings in London and elsewhere, etc., etc. I’ve written very little about these events, mostly because I don’t know what to say. I feel like any words I write, sitting in the comfort of my home, are all but pointless and maybe even a little offensive. I mean, what do I know about surviving a disaster? I’ve never lost my home to flood waters or fire and I’ve never lost a loved one to war.

I do my best in my own small way to help, though. I donate money to the Red Cross and I donate blood to Canadian Blood Services. I think sometimes that I should donate my time, maybe go somewhere to help some people, but I know that I’m not strong enough (emotionally and physically) to be of any good. Beyond that, all I can do is remember the affected people, and all of humanity, in my prayers to the Lord and Lady.

1 Comment | Posted in The Outside World |

What is Rich?

Posted on September 4, 2005 by Heather

My quanta has just posted an entry that has made me re-evaluate him a little bit (For Richer or Poorer). We grew up in very different socioeconomic groups, and sometimes we have a little trouble relating.

I lived in Hamilton, a very blue collar city, and my family had just enough money to get by. We managed get our luxuries by use of credit card. My parents are wonderful people and they did their very best, but eventually the money situation just got away from them. (They are doing just fine now, though.) And even though quanta and I make more money then they do now, they still do everything in their power to help us.

quanta grew up in Unionville, in a rather well-off neighbourhood. His parents always had lots of money, and even sent quanta and his sister to private school. But even though they had money, they rarely spent any. It was always to be saved and spent only on necessities. I wonder sometimes if I didn’t have more luxuries then quanta.

quanta and I clash when it comes to the idea of spending money on little luxuries. I see it as harmless, but to him every dollar must be saved for a rainy day. All in all, I think we manage to balance each other out nicely, but I often wish he had a little better idea of what it is like to not have enough money. His recent blog entry (see above) makes me realize that he is a little more aware then I thought. And I think that the recent events in the southern U.S., especially New Orleans, is making us all aware what it could be like to really have no money and nothing at all.

1 Comment | Posted in My Life |

One More Month of Freedom

Posted on August 28, 2005 by Heather

In one month quanta and I will be getting married. One more short month and I become Mrs. quanta. I am excited and nervous. Even though we have been living together for four years, I still see this as a new beginning. I have decided to change my name, so, in some respects, it will also be a new me in one month too.

I’m also feeling much better about the whole family thing too. quanta parent’s are definitely not attending our wedding, nor have they given us their blessing. But, thankfully, his mother’s family seems very happy for us. Last Sunday fourteen of them (including quanta’s grandmother!) descended on our little apartment and helped us celebrate our upcoming wedding. We were given a beautiful Chinese-style picture painted by one aunt, a lovely picture frame from another, and a jade bracelet for me from the third aunt. We then all went out for dinner, and I felt like part of the family.

Truth be told, I will actually be very glad when all this wedding stuff is over. It costs so much money and takes so much time. Of course, all that will mean nothing when our wedding day finally comes.

1 Comment | Posted in Wedding |

I’m Rubenesque

Posted on August 23, 2005 by Heather

I know I’ve mentioned my weight a few times in the past. I’ve described myself as curvy, Rubenesque, and even a little chubby. Lately I’ve been catching glimpses of myself in the mirror and I’m very surprised by what I am seeing. I am now well within the realm of chubby and still gaining. I feel tired and yucky.

Normally if you asked me if I was content with my body and weight I would say yes, more or less. But I’ve come to realize that the image I hold in my head doesn’t match the reality of the number on the scale.

I’ve said so many times before that I am going to make changes, so I’m not really sure how to make this time different. Something has to change though. I think sometimes of the Rede, and I know that continuing the way I am is and will cause harm to me.

Comments Off on I’m Rubenesque | Posted in My Life |

More Subway Trouble

Posted on August 16, 2005 by Heather

It was another fabulous day here in Toronto. The TTC was closed down again while I was on my way to work. Apparently, some asshat threw some luggage on the track and every freaked out thinking it was a bomb. Better safe then sorry, of course, but I just wish it would stop happening when I am on my way to work. At least this time I didn’t have to walk over 3km to get to work. There is always a silver lining. 😛

And in honour of Overheard in New York I’d like to share a little tidbit I heard as we were all rushing from the Bloor/Yonge station to catch shuttle buses.

Woman: I’m telling you, all these people running, it’s like the Amazing Race.

Comments Off on More Subway Trouble | Posted in The Outside World |

Fountain Dream

Posted on August 15, 2005 by Heather

Sometimes I hate staring at a blank page. All those neatly ruled lines just waiting for me to fill them with words. I feel like everything coming out of my pen must be meaningful and profound. What a lot of pressure!

I’ll share another couple of secrets with you. First, my handwriting must always be as neat as possible. Second, I expect my first draft to be perfect. It is amazing I get anything written, isn’t it?

Ultimately, I would love to do all my writing with a fountain pen filled with purple ink on lovely, heavy, cream-coloured paper. Each word would be perfect and each sentence a masterpiece. But until I reach this totally unrealistic goal, I will keep writing away with my ballpoint pen on inexpensive lined paper, making mistakes as I go along. I figure the best way to learn about writing is to write, and the tools I use are unimportant.

Comments Off on Fountain Dream | Posted in Me, the Writer |

Real Beauty

Posted on August 14, 2005 by Heather

On Thursday quanta and I went to see the Dove Real Beauty Photo Exhibit. I enjoyed it very much, but I have mixed feelings about it.

First, the idea is quite a good one. It is nice to see photos of ordinary women (excepting a few famous people like Dixie Evans and Gwyneth Paltrow) who are all beautiful in their own way. I found the two pictures of the same Japanese woman (photo 20 on the website) very telling. In each picture she is wearing a different outfit with a different expression; and it is truly amazing how different she looks.

The exhibit is also very encouraging, because it shows that even regular women in everyday situations are beautiful. Not a surprise really, if you’ve ever stopped to look at your female friends and relatives going about their daily lives.

But I can’t quiet my cynical side. It keeps reminding me that Dove is doing this to make money. It’s a marketing campaign, pure (99 44/100%) and simple. As you leave the exhibit you are given a small package with samples of three Dove products, as well as chance to buy a t-shirt or a catalog of the exhibit. Admittedly the money goes towards the Dove Self-Esteem Fund, but I still found the merchandising odd.

I really want to believe that Dove’s motives are altruistic, but I’m not so sure that they are. It is lovely that they are celebrating “real beauty”, but isn’t it a bit hypocritical that they also sell anti-aging creams and vitamins?

Comments Off on Real Beauty | Posted in Media & Politics |