is disgusting, to say the least. I'm sure most people are aware of the unfairness of this concept. Hey, I mean, I'm not judging you if you aren't. So what sparked my interest in this? Mainly watching too many hours of YouTube. It IS a source of education, and don't you dare speak against that. However uncontrolled it may be, there are people with worthy opinions on there.
I'm no feminist and never will be due to my short attention span and lack of motivation to stay on one subject for more time than it takes for a squirrel to cross the road, but, I believe in it. Not the burn-all-typically-feminine-products kinda thing, but the access to information and dismembering of taboos.
I read an article on mothers breastfeeding in public. I heard about the Texas senate banning all feminine hygiene products. God knows I've heard most everything on the rape case in the United States where the boys were let off as "victims". It disgusts me that this damn country gets away with shaming women like this!
The not so newly sparked rape-culture concept has been hot on many sites such as Tumblr for months, and even years, but is now making it to the popular blogs. The users of Tumblr are mainly people between the ages of 15-25 ish, meaning that we make up a big part of the online community. The fact that there are some people that still disregard the existence of the debate, and even politicians and media broadcasters, shows pure ignorance. It's time for a change...
The taboos around sex, menstruation, breastfeeding, abortion, and the list goes on and on, are purely ridiculous. How a spokesperson dares to humiliate half of the worlds population is beyond me. The propaganda that is shoved down children's throats called "abstinence" as an only choice.. Are we too far gone to save the next generation from making the same chauvinist society we live on today? Can we change society's values when our children aren't educated in the right of all no matter the romantic attraction to another human being? *sight*
I wish we had an answer right now. As it is though, we don't.
There needs to be less biased information available through education. There needs to be a more diverse set of representatives in boards and media. Can this change today? No. Will it change tomorrow, or even in the coming years? No.
All we can do is hope that taboos are lifted, and justice can be served in the future. I, for one, can't wait for the small things to change. If we turn the pyramid of power around, and there will be no going back to personal intrusion and ignorance of the masses.
By yours truly,
ETBlogsHome 2013-07-28
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
I'm constantly asking myself....
How my life situation reflects on my surroundings.
We all have times when we feel a need to be in control. (Or at least I do quite often). Everyone has their way of dealing with stress. Some common things that people do to relieve this is;
- Eat
- Cry
- Exercise
- Eat
- Talk
- Publicly humiliate the item or person that is the source of the stress
- Eat
I've developed a bit of a tweaked way of ... "dealing".
It's not compulsive, as much as it is needed! So don't you dare judge me, you, ....butt-scratcher! (warning nsfw)
I organize my bookshelf. A lot. I'm not talking like okay, I feel stressed, tear down all books, put them back up. We are talking majorly changing the appearance and organization. It makes me feel.. in control.
Here's what I'm going to do! Below are some of today's and yesterday's organizations. I feel as if when I confess this to no one in particular, I'll be able to at least stop a little.
Yours truly,
ETBlogsHome 2013-07-14
ETBlogsHome 2013-07-14
Saturday, July 13, 2013
*silent sight* Here's the deal,,,
One of the hardest questions but also most interesting questions I find myself faced with in recent times is one that many others are asked everyday too. It may be asked of a friend, family, companion (thank God not animals), or anyone close enough to speak to you. It's not a personal question, but it is a private one.
It's a question I HATE to the deep depths of my so-called-soul and all the way into middle earth, hell or whatever lies beyond.
If you've been reading some of my recent posts, I have mentioned where I am in life; just after high school.
So here's the question I dread:
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
*shivers down spine* Ugh. Where do I begin. I want to be successful, have an amazing progressive career, with opportunities in many countries, have a partner, and at some point (maybe) "offspring". I will not settle with being a housewife. Mostly because of television shows such as "Desperate Housewives" and its ever-present stream of new editions.
I want to be a scientist. Now the actual question is how do I get from here, to there?
The constant "from point A to point B" approach seems to be as old fashioned as toothpaste in a jar. Whatever happened to trial and error experiments in basements that won Nobel prizes?! Oh that's right, there never was such a thing.
What I have in mind is a simple, old-fashioned approach. The educational system however has another thing in mind. First you have to compete for a place to get an education. Then once you get in, the things in university are basically the exact same things you learnt in high school. So you become in debt, and lazy, and then you are free to move on. Next step is finding a job. Oh wait, you can't get a job without five years of work experience!
Great. I love when the government and companies get to screw with my life, but touch my fluffy little clouds of dreams, and things will get messy.
*sight* Now what? Complaining certainly won't get you anywhere! Better get back to bending over backwards to please the system.
Thought by yours truly,
ETBlogsHome 2013-07-13
It's a question I HATE to the deep depths of my so-called-soul and all the way into middle earth, hell or whatever lies beyond.
If you've been reading some of my recent posts, I have mentioned where I am in life; just after high school.
So here's the question I dread:
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
*shivers down spine* Ugh. Where do I begin. I want to be successful, have an amazing progressive career, with opportunities in many countries, have a partner, and at some point (maybe) "offspring". I will not settle with being a housewife. Mostly because of television shows such as "Desperate Housewives" and its ever-present stream of new editions.
I want to be a scientist. Now the actual question is how do I get from here, to there?
The constant "from point A to point B" approach seems to be as old fashioned as toothpaste in a jar. Whatever happened to trial and error experiments in basements that won Nobel prizes?! Oh that's right, there never was such a thing.
What I have in mind is a simple, old-fashioned approach. The educational system however has another thing in mind. First you have to compete for a place to get an education. Then once you get in, the things in university are basically the exact same things you learnt in high school. So you become in debt, and lazy, and then you are free to move on. Next step is finding a job. Oh wait, you can't get a job without five years of work experience!
Great. I love when the government and companies get to screw with my life, but touch my fluffy little clouds of dreams, and things will get messy.
*sight* Now what? Complaining certainly won't get you anywhere! Better get back to bending over backwards to please the system.
Thought by yours truly,
ETBlogsHome 2013-07-13
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Something I've come to realize...
Is that internet stalking is VERY easy. I'm sure most of the people on the "inter-webs" have Facebook accounts, and if not, you know what it is unless you've lived as an eremite for the last 5 years.
It's not only Facebook though. With a phone number, you can basically find out all there i to know about a person. You can find basically every ounce of information this person has ever used on this magical platform of hopes and shattered dreams. Now, I'm no tech-geek/freak, but I could still dig up a lot of information on any given person.
Today there are so many databases accessible to anyone who has an internet connection. Phone numbers, names, addresses, birth dates, relatives an family trees, hobbies, photos, and what music we listen to.
I'm not saying this is all bad, I mean how else would you know what to get your second cousins great aunt as a Christmas present? But do we really have the need for all of this; that's the question.
In my work at a call-center there comes a time when you accidentally miss out on taking, let's say, their e-mail address. Even without asking the client anything, I can see their caller ID, and punch in these numbers in our own database, and see every order they've made for years. With this information I then get their name. With their name I can easily find their address. And of course their Facebook if they have one. Linked to this is often an accessible e-mail address, and if not that some people link their workplace info, and that website usually has a website, and sometimes if the person is important enough their work-email is ready to find.
Scary? Reality. I would never dream of abusing this, but there sure are people who would.
In an age when "cat-fishing" becomes more and more common and insecure people take to the internet to create fake identities, we need to be careful what we put out there. This is of even greater concern as a younger audience than ever before is entering the world-wide-web. Countless 12 year old's have iPhones, iPads and laptops, and they haven't realized just how small the world is. It might feel huge, but with the developments in connectivity and a trait of always being accessible we are closer together than ever.
So my thoughts? Maybe we should stick to sending birthday gift cards to our far-off relatives, and let go of our need-to-know-everything-despair. Yours truly,
ETBlogsHome 2013-07-11
It's not only Facebook though. With a phone number, you can basically find out all there i to know about a person. You can find basically every ounce of information this person has ever used on this magical platform of hopes and shattered dreams. Now, I'm no tech-geek/freak, but I could still dig up a lot of information on any given person.
Today there are so many databases accessible to anyone who has an internet connection. Phone numbers, names, addresses, birth dates, relatives an family trees, hobbies, photos, and what music we listen to.
I'm not saying this is all bad, I mean how else would you know what to get your second cousins great aunt as a Christmas present? But do we really have the need for all of this; that's the question.
In my work at a call-center there comes a time when you accidentally miss out on taking, let's say, their e-mail address. Even without asking the client anything, I can see their caller ID, and punch in these numbers in our own database, and see every order they've made for years. With this information I then get their name. With their name I can easily find their address. And of course their Facebook if they have one. Linked to this is often an accessible e-mail address, and if not that some people link their workplace info, and that website usually has a website, and sometimes if the person is important enough their work-email is ready to find.
Scary? Reality. I would never dream of abusing this, but there sure are people who would.
In an age when "cat-fishing" becomes more and more common and insecure people take to the internet to create fake identities, we need to be careful what we put out there. This is of even greater concern as a younger audience than ever before is entering the world-wide-web. Countless 12 year old's have iPhones, iPads and laptops, and they haven't realized just how small the world is. It might feel huge, but with the developments in connectivity and a trait of always being accessible we are closer together than ever.
So my thoughts? Maybe we should stick to sending birthday gift cards to our far-off relatives, and let go of our need-to-know-everything-despair. Yours truly,
ETBlogsHome 2013-07-11
Saturday, July 6, 2013
So life isn't always easy....
Today I got the results for my high school examinations and the International Baccalaureate program.
A few days back I posted a little list of options for me depending on how I scored. Where I landed in this list was "below expected" or "huge disappointment". I ended up getting a total of 29.. (and I got a three in chemistry and a two in maths.) So to say the least, I now have a whole year to look forward to keep studying the exact same thing, and hopefully score better.
The thing is, the Swedish system is somewhat changeable - I get to "transform" my points into the Swedish scoring system, and the results aren't half bad. A 29 on a scale to 42, tranforms to a 17,73 out of 20. Huh, who would have known this would all pay off? Thing is, I don't have access to courses that require Maths above C, or Chem that reqrires passing.
This means I might get into my second choice! (depending on how tough the competition for places is this year..)
I also have the option to send off the papers I did badly on to regrading. In best case scenario this could get me up one grade, so maths is screwed........ But chemistry! I could possibly pass.
So I'm going to keep my fingers crossed when the component grades come out that there is some small chance to pass.
Keep your fingers and toes crossed for yours truly,
ETBlogsHome 2013-07-06
A few days back I posted a little list of options for me depending on how I scored. Where I landed in this list was "below expected" or "huge disappointment". I ended up getting a total of 29.. (and I got a three in chemistry and a two in maths.) So to say the least, I now have a whole year to look forward to keep studying the exact same thing, and hopefully score better.
The thing is, the Swedish system is somewhat changeable - I get to "transform" my points into the Swedish scoring system, and the results aren't half bad. A 29 on a scale to 42, tranforms to a 17,73 out of 20. Huh, who would have known this would all pay off? Thing is, I don't have access to courses that require Maths above C, or Chem that reqrires passing.
This means I might get into my second choice! (depending on how tough the competition for places is this year..)
I also have the option to send off the papers I did badly on to regrading. In best case scenario this could get me up one grade, so maths is screwed........ But chemistry! I could possibly pass.
So I'm going to keep my fingers crossed when the component grades come out that there is some small chance to pass.
Keep your fingers and toes crossed for yours truly,
ETBlogsHome 2013-07-06
Friday, July 5, 2013
On a completely different point..
I love reading!
So what I've prepared for today is a one-hundred-percent spoiler filled review of the first book in The Hunger Games Trilogy. Here it goes;
So what I've prepared for today is a one-hundred-percent spoiler filled review of the first book in The Hunger Games Trilogy. Here it goes;
Now, Suzanne Collins is a genius. She employs a brave female lead
character, an ever fathomable dystopian setting, and the constant force of evil
of a metaphorical and illusive prison. What struck me most in book numero uno
was Katniss Everdeen. And no, not her snarky sex appeal and glistening pride.
The humanity Collins manages to give this character, what with the annual
reaping for the 74th Hunger Games that brings the Capitol to its
knees. Suppressing 12 separated districts, making them unbelievably reliant on
each other and all the while keeping a well-fed, luxurious state in the center turns all the focus on the collective outsider-ness. As in any good teen story
these days, we have the impossible love. Aah – the love triangle.. Where hath
thou been, since Twilight escaped the internet poets wrath? As our protagonist
struggles with keeping a family alive, Gale, our now unreachable, impalpable,
eye smothering beast, develops into a hunk in the eyes of our beloved female
lead. What could possibly go wrong, what with the world literally crawling in
the dust of deception?
There we go, little sister selected to die, big
sister volunteers instead (which the movie if you’ve seen it clearly misrepresents),
Peeta Mellark is chosen (ooh another boy crush maybe? Cause I totally did not
already spoil the triangle details) and off they go into the city hall.
Basically, we have made it through 50 out of 450 pages. Here, we see the mayor’s
daughter Madge give Katniss the come-to-be-important Mockingjay pin. Enough of
that, time to visit the heart of terror and evil; The Capitol awaits our fellow
warriors. Now, during the time of the training, we are also more introduced to Haymitch
the drunkard, booze soaked, liquid ball of hope and joy. All the while, Katniss
thinks “Oh no, is Peeta going to try to kill me?” and gets no reassurance from
anyone. The Hunger Games start, and off they go!
Both District 12 fighters survive the initial
killing spree and Peeta joins the Careers from Dist 1 and 2. Forest fires burn,
and we see mutts, or mutations as tracker jackers. All the while Katniss teams
up with little Rue from District 8, and plans to blow up the others food
supply. Then oh no, she is half deaf and little miss Primrose look-alike dies. Peeta
is injured, sad kisses in the caves and praise from the coach. Now all we need
is a little Capitol involvement and we are all set to go for the grand finale!
Surely, when Collins planned this part, she was in a
rush. The book is literally almost at its end, and now it’s time for the plot
twist: two victors from the same District can be crowned. Aaw what jolly good
news for our star-crossed lovers. Yea. Right. Peeta and Katniss struggle to the
Cornucopia, or the-big-thing-in-the-middle-of-the-arena, and kill Cato, the
last of the Careers. All is over and well! No. Did you really think so? The
Head Gamemaker and President Snow have other plans. Either way, with some
poisonous nightlock berries the two will off themselves in protest to the
Games. The Capitol intervenes and it turns out that someone (Snow) is a bit of
a cranky-pant who holds a grudge like a fat lady holds a note. Peeta loses his
legs, and Katniss one eardrum. As a sort of punch line, the two winners are
forced to return as lovers to their homes, and live sadly ever after. Or until
book number two picks up literally hours after the first ends.
So stay tuned for that, I bet you’ll feel equally
spoiled with tough constructive criticism from yours truly
ETBlogsHome 2013-07-05
Thursday, July 4, 2013
National Pride....
Is mostly frowned upon in Sweden. Which is why we often have a hard time understanding for example the fellow Americans that circle the internet. Now don't get me wrong, I don't disrespect you or anything, it is just so... different from how I've been raised!
In Sweden for example, the national anthem is not taught in school. And if a school does, it is mostly as a joke, or maybe we know the chorus. It is not sung at graduation really, not at the end of the year, and definitely not at assemblies. Sure, the somewhat older generation knows it, and sings it on let's say 1st of May celebrations. But not in the same way.
Pride. With it comes so many complex issues, issues that we can't, or won't deal with. There have been instances where Swedes have been called out as demeaning against non native citizens for singing it at church, Hell, we aren't even allowed to go to church with primary school anymore. Now I know that some people use the anthem as a tool, and misuse it, but to not even teach us it?
We are widely known as "skippers". "Passive". "Kinda there, kinda not there". Any of these ring a bell? As our beloved country Switzerland, we remain non-hostile. That is until you start bickering about sports I'd say! Apparently, (and I say that because I know nothing what so ever about sports), we were once pretty good. Or are, what do I know. This brings on a sort of "pride", or how some would take it "joy". It's not the collective-ness of it that Americans on TV show.
I wouldn't go as far as saying that we as a country are losing our identity, but how long will it be until being Swedish can only be identified as having a piece of cardboard and paper stamped with our name and a birth date with a European flag on it? Can't we at least try to export more potatoes? Throw some IKEA into the world! Assemble, minions! Or how about that car you've got? Bet that three-point seat belt that saved your life last month doesn't feel that bad, huh? And ABBA.. Let's stop that ship right there, maybe we should invest in exporting earplugs. Let's all take pride in our countries, and not stuff it in others faces! (see the intended irony of this point right here? Good, good, you got it)
Yours truly,
ETBlogsHome 2013-07-04
In Sweden for example, the national anthem is not taught in school. And if a school does, it is mostly as a joke, or maybe we know the chorus. It is not sung at graduation really, not at the end of the year, and definitely not at assemblies. Sure, the somewhat older generation knows it, and sings it on let's say 1st of May celebrations. But not in the same way.
Pride. With it comes so many complex issues, issues that we can't, or won't deal with. There have been instances where Swedes have been called out as demeaning against non native citizens for singing it at church, Hell, we aren't even allowed to go to church with primary school anymore. Now I know that some people use the anthem as a tool, and misuse it, but to not even teach us it?
We are widely known as "skippers". "Passive". "Kinda there, kinda not there". Any of these ring a bell? As our beloved country Switzerland, we remain non-hostile. That is until you start bickering about sports I'd say! Apparently, (and I say that because I know nothing what so ever about sports), we were once pretty good. Or are, what do I know. This brings on a sort of "pride", or how some would take it "joy". It's not the collective-ness of it that Americans on TV show.
I wouldn't go as far as saying that we as a country are losing our identity, but how long will it be until being Swedish can only be identified as having a piece of cardboard and paper stamped with our name and a birth date with a European flag on it? Can't we at least try to export more potatoes? Throw some IKEA into the world! Assemble, minions! Or how about that car you've got? Bet that three-point seat belt that saved your life last month doesn't feel that bad, huh? And ABBA.. Let's stop that ship right there, maybe we should invest in exporting earplugs. Let's all take pride in our countries, and not stuff it in others faces! (see the intended irony of this point right here? Good, good, you got it)
Yours truly,
ETBlogsHome 2013-07-04
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
As D day is approaching,,,
I can't help but wonder what it all is going to mean.
Now you see, I am an International Baccalaureate (not sure if former yet) student who was in the May 2013 exam session. That means, that during two weeks of exams, basically my whole grades for every subject were determined. Yea, sucks, I know. So we are LITERALLY the ONLY high school graduates in Sweden who do not know if they passed yet.
Jesus Christ, my nerves are killing me. I just went on an all-out rampage trying to locate my log in information to even access this life-determining thing. I found them, thank you very much for wondering!
So what's in my future? I have NO clue.
Basically I need to score REALLY well all-in-all to get into the universities that I applied to. I need to get at least a 31/42... And that's not even my first pick, where I estimate I'll need a 36!
So, if I get a 36 or above: UNI in Lund. Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology. Great, I love this option.
And if I get between a 31 and 35: Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in Borås. Idk, I can live with it, but would much rather do something else.
Below 31: .... This is considered a massive failure. 24 is passing dang it. I know I can do better! IF this happens, I will spend a year studying Physics, because then I can apply to dentistry maybe or other courses in Sweden.
The thing is, what I didn't know when I picked IB, is that since we can only select two out of Bio, Chem, and Phys, we are not eligible for ANY formal university program in Sweden. Just wonderful. I have to study physics for a year, even though it might not be any part in the program I am interested in.
My biggest wish though, is to get to continue working at IKEA for another year or so. I know, you risk getting all comfy in earning money, but if I get an extended contract, I can study physics, (retake Maths or Chem if needed) and even try applying to the US and the UK! God, I hope this happens, and if not, I'm going to try to get a job at another sector in IKEA.
There you have it. My die hard plan, structured by yours truly.
//ETBlogsHome 2013-07-03
Now you see, I am an International Baccalaureate (not sure if former yet) student who was in the May 2013 exam session. That means, that during two weeks of exams, basically my whole grades for every subject were determined. Yea, sucks, I know. So we are LITERALLY the ONLY high school graduates in Sweden who do not know if they passed yet.
Jesus Christ, my nerves are killing me. I just went on an all-out rampage trying to locate my log in information to even access this life-determining thing. I found them, thank you very much for wondering!
So what's in my future? I have NO clue.
Basically I need to score REALLY well all-in-all to get into the universities that I applied to. I need to get at least a 31/42... And that's not even my first pick, where I estimate I'll need a 36!
So, if I get a 36 or above: UNI in Lund. Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology. Great, I love this option.
And if I get between a 31 and 35: Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in Borås. Idk, I can live with it, but would much rather do something else.
Below 31: .... This is considered a massive failure. 24 is passing dang it. I know I can do better! IF this happens, I will spend a year studying Physics, because then I can apply to dentistry maybe or other courses in Sweden.
The thing is, what I didn't know when I picked IB, is that since we can only select two out of Bio, Chem, and Phys, we are not eligible for ANY formal university program in Sweden. Just wonderful. I have to study physics for a year, even though it might not be any part in the program I am interested in.
My biggest wish though, is to get to continue working at IKEA for another year or so. I know, you risk getting all comfy in earning money, but if I get an extended contract, I can study physics, (retake Maths or Chem if needed) and even try applying to the US and the UK! God, I hope this happens, and if not, I'm going to try to get a job at another sector in IKEA.
There you have it. My die hard plan, structured by yours truly.
//ETBlogsHome 2013-07-03
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Well. I'm back!
Hey I know the internet has missed me, so glad to say I am here again! Or even if you haven't necessarily missed me I sure have missed inflicting my unwanted voice and opinion to anything and everything.
See, the point of this post-y thing right here was not just to inform you that I am back.
Recently I joined what some refer to as "adult life". I don't know, I guess having a job implies responsibility, and care, and some other grown up things. I am not really ready for that I think! I love getting to ask how, or why, a MILLION times! (decision making has never been my strong point) Nevermind that, here's what I'm getting at;
I am going to write.
.... Wow, isn't that great, inspiring, and jeez all the enthusiasm! (I am definitely excited about this, but whenever I do write, it mostly comes out in a sarcastic tone, at least in my own head so never mind that if you hear it too. shhhhh it will go away.)
Soooo.. Write what? As much as I absolutely love writing, I have a hard time completing big projects. I've tried writing a lot of times before. And I mean A LOT. We are talking more times than most people have fingers and toes, together (let's not get all exclusive to 20 finger toed people, other numbers are people too).
Nowhere easier to start than going back to the basics of writing. Reviews. Since I have a love for books, there will be a lot of ground for me to build off of.
Until next time;
.... I'll figure out a signature punchline later... //ETBlogsHome 2013-07-02
See, the point of this post-y thing right here was not just to inform you that I am back.
Recently I joined what some refer to as "adult life". I don't know, I guess having a job implies responsibility, and care, and some other grown up things. I am not really ready for that I think! I love getting to ask how, or why, a MILLION times! (decision making has never been my strong point) Nevermind that, here's what I'm getting at;
I am going to write.
.... Wow, isn't that great, inspiring, and jeez all the enthusiasm! (I am definitely excited about this, but whenever I do write, it mostly comes out in a sarcastic tone, at least in my own head so never mind that if you hear it too. shhhhh it will go away.)
Soooo.. Write what? As much as I absolutely love writing, I have a hard time completing big projects. I've tried writing a lot of times before. And I mean A LOT. We are talking more times than most people have fingers and toes, together (let's not get all exclusive to 20 finger toed people, other numbers are people too).
Nowhere easier to start than going back to the basics of writing. Reviews. Since I have a love for books, there will be a lot of ground for me to build off of.
Until next time;
.... I'll figure out a signature punchline later... //ETBlogsHome 2013-07-02
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