It's happened... I think I am finally an adult. Shocking really.I've been married for over 10 years, have 2 kids and a house and NOW IT FINALLY HAPPENS. In the last few months or so I have started to notice certain thought patterns changing and my taste buds too. Things I have despised for over 30 years I suddenly like.
In my 20's I married and had kids. I sat around boardroom tables with people old enough to be my parents and felt the need to fight to be on those boards. I faced being judged based on my age and appearance and felt like a little kid all the time. I'm still the youngest at most meetings and events but now I feel like I have earned the right to be there.
Now I wonder are my thought patterns changing because of my age? Or perhaps that my pre teen daughter has driven me to the point of near insanity since starting middle school? The drama has been unreal and I do sympathize with my daughter that what she faces everyday at school is a lot harder than what I faced in school. But seriously, I have grey hair coming in by the dozens and have found wrinkles ....can you believe it WRINKLES!!!
This past weekend I attended a scrap booking retreat south of Delburne with a bunch of ladies I was introduced to by my ant....(and yes that is the correct spelling for my fathers' sister). So in the group you have "The Young and the Restless" and "The Blood Sisters" . Both groups are made up of mostly 45+ year old women (some closer to 60 ) . About 10 % of us still get periods. You get the picture. They are a wonderful group of ladies. It's very interesting to sit and listen to them chat about their lives and the lives of their families. Not in a gossipy type of way but more of a sharing, learning and confiding kind of way.
There really is so much to learn from an older generation. That is not one of my new "adult" thoughts. I firmly believe that if you want to appreciate what have now, you need to hear about the past and the kinds of challenges and hardships our grandparents and great aunts and uncles had to endure.
Back to my new found "adulthood". So to give you some examples of my crossing over.... For the last several years I have always drank coffee and Bailey's on Saturday mornings. A great ritual I think.. sadly, I could really care less about the Bailey's anymore. Oh, and my favourite coffee of all time (Hylander Grogg).... ya, not so much. It's OK for a treat but I have 3 bags of it in my closet and haven't touched it since the hubby has been working. I now more prefer my Pike Place Roast from Starbucks.
Another example? Well, I now LOVE sauerkraut. Never used to, but whenever I have a smokey (which isn't very often) it is now mandatory along with lots of mustard.
And those "adult" thoughts well....I've learned that if getting older means growing up... then perhaps I'm not interested. Although I will always force healthy food on my kids and refuse to buy them video games, I still think that my tattoos are pretty cool and nothing is better than hanging out with a bunch of teenagers. They keep me young. Oh, and even though my mother said that someday I would grow up and have better taste in music, I still love all the music that our local "Kraze" station has to offer. Sorry mom.
Until next time..... the newest adult on the block.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
She Has a Name
I have just got home from a reading of local author and play write Andrew Kooman's play "She Has a Name". (http://www.andrewkooman.com/)
As I sat through the first act of the play that was read by 4 individuals, trying to choke back the tears that came with the realization that human life is not sacred and that our "civilized society" has a dirty secret as big or bigger than the drug trade. It's called Human Trafficking.
*There are 27 million slaves worldwide. Experts estimate nearly 1 million people are trafficked in the sex trade every year. Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal trade second only to the illegal sale of drugs with an estimated annual profit of 31 billion US dollars.
I sit in my seat thinking about my own kids who are around 10 years old, I am hearing these actors speak of children who's parents sell them to make a few bucks. They go from vibrant, smart kids who love school and have great dreams to living in brothels having sex with dozens of men every day. Many have not even hit puberty yet. As a mother, this rips my heart out. I understand why people don't like to talk about these things. So gruesome and horrid...(it makes me sick to my stomach).
We live in our cities in Canada, enjoying a great life and yet right under our noses (even in Red Deer) there are girls who are working... night after night.. day after day.... with no rights, no identity .... Don't kid yourself and think it's not happening. It is. There are 2 if not more brothels in Red Deer... the ladies that work there didn't apply for a job.
I get up to leave the reading and there's a lump in my throat.. I can't speak for fear of crying.. The mood after is sobering... A friend of mine has painted a picture for this play. It has a young girls face and beside it.. a bar code ... she is nothing more than "number 18". No name, no family to identify with.... just a piece of property.
I am grateful to know that there are local agencies that are dedicated to raising awareness and helping victims of trafficking. The Alberta Coalition on Human Trafficking (http://www.actalberta.org/) operates a safe house for victims of human trafficking and Raise Their Voice (http://www.raisetheirvoice.com/) is raising awareness in central Alberta. I challenge you to check out their websites and just ponder for a few minutes what is really going on in our world. I sit in my chair in front of my computer and wonder what to do with this information I now have. I'm so glad I went tonight but also wish I hadn't..... I just want to hug my kids a little tighter and thank God for them.
More needs to be done. I found out this evening at the reading that The Body Shop is collecting signatures to petition the Canadian Government in implementing strict anti trafficking policies and legislation and dedicate more resources to victims of human trafficking. You can sign their petition at www.thebodyshop.com/_en/_ww/values-campaigns/trafficking.aspx . So far they have 500,000 signatures and have a goal of 1 million before they present the petition to the government of Canada.
She Has a Name is looking for some financial assistance to bring this urgent and important message to the stage. If you are able to contribute in any way visit http://www.raisetheirvoice.com/
The World Premiere and Tour of "She Has a Name" starts the end of February in Calgary and early March in Red Deer.
This is one play you won't want to miss. Although a hard pill to swallow, you will truly be touched and amazed at the talent and message that has gone into this script.
Thank You Andrew for giving a voice to those with no name.
(* Taken from She Has a Name promo material)
As I sat through the first act of the play that was read by 4 individuals, trying to choke back the tears that came with the realization that human life is not sacred and that our "civilized society" has a dirty secret as big or bigger than the drug trade. It's called Human Trafficking.
*There are 27 million slaves worldwide. Experts estimate nearly 1 million people are trafficked in the sex trade every year. Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal trade second only to the illegal sale of drugs with an estimated annual profit of 31 billion US dollars.
I sit in my seat thinking about my own kids who are around 10 years old, I am hearing these actors speak of children who's parents sell them to make a few bucks. They go from vibrant, smart kids who love school and have great dreams to living in brothels having sex with dozens of men every day. Many have not even hit puberty yet. As a mother, this rips my heart out. I understand why people don't like to talk about these things. So gruesome and horrid...(it makes me sick to my stomach).
We live in our cities in Canada, enjoying a great life and yet right under our noses (even in Red Deer) there are girls who are working... night after night.. day after day.... with no rights, no identity .... Don't kid yourself and think it's not happening. It is. There are 2 if not more brothels in Red Deer... the ladies that work there didn't apply for a job.
I get up to leave the reading and there's a lump in my throat.. I can't speak for fear of crying.. The mood after is sobering... A friend of mine has painted a picture for this play. It has a young girls face and beside it.. a bar code ... she is nothing more than "number 18". No name, no family to identify with.... just a piece of property.
I am grateful to know that there are local agencies that are dedicated to raising awareness and helping victims of trafficking. The Alberta Coalition on Human Trafficking (http://www.actalberta.org/) operates a safe house for victims of human trafficking and Raise Their Voice (http://www.raisetheirvoice.com/) is raising awareness in central Alberta. I challenge you to check out their websites and just ponder for a few minutes what is really going on in our world. I sit in my chair in front of my computer and wonder what to do with this information I now have. I'm so glad I went tonight but also wish I hadn't..... I just want to hug my kids a little tighter and thank God for them.
More needs to be done. I found out this evening at the reading that The Body Shop is collecting signatures to petition the Canadian Government in implementing strict anti trafficking policies and legislation and dedicate more resources to victims of human trafficking. You can sign their petition at www.thebodyshop.com/_en/_ww/values-campaigns/trafficking.aspx . So far they have 500,000 signatures and have a goal of 1 million before they present the petition to the government of Canada.
She Has a Name is looking for some financial assistance to bring this urgent and important message to the stage. If you are able to contribute in any way visit http://www.raisetheirvoice.com/
The World Premiere and Tour of "She Has a Name" starts the end of February in Calgary and early March in Red Deer.
This is one play you won't want to miss. Although a hard pill to swallow, you will truly be touched and amazed at the talent and message that has gone into this script.
Thank You Andrew for giving a voice to those with no name.
(* Taken from She Has a Name promo material)
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Elections Around Alberta
Things are really heating up on the election front...and not just in Red Deer. Last night I was the moderator for the Election Forum in Penhold. (Footage from the event can be found at www.rdtv.ca and on You tube. Search Pehold Forum )
For those of you readers NOT from central Alberta, Penhold is 14 km south west of Red Deer. As I look at the issues facing Penhold I draw a comparison with some if the same issues that voters in Wood Buffalo are facing. Both have recently finished major building projects. Penhold got a new multiplex and Fort McMurray a new recreation facility (MacDonald Island Park). Both facilities are huge assets to their communities and both brought some debt with with them.
I love politics. I love seeing passionate people wanting to make a difference in their communities. I believe that regardless of platform, candidates want to make things better for themselves and others. This round of elections are bitter sweet for me. Several years ago I had made the decision to run in Wood Buffalo in this election. We had planned on staying in Wood Buffalo for 5 more years.
Plans changed and we relocated to Red Deer. Although I am not running in this election, I still keep tabs on what is going on back home (Fort McMurray) and am excited to see the new faces vying for a place on council. I am still a big supporter of current mayor Melissa Blake (my kids and I helped with her last campaign) and am excited to see if my dear friend Russell Thomas is going to be elected..
Back in Red Deer things are getting interesting. There are 18 candidates running for 8 spots on council. Personally I think a big shake up is needed. Red Deer is at a critical point in it's growth and if not managed properly could be disastrous for our well being in the long term. Sure there are a couple of existing councillors that I am voting for, the ones that are forward thinking visionaries, but I am also voting for quite a few newbies too. Being new isn't bad. Being new means you have great ideas, energy, new ways of doing things and an untainted perspective on how things can and should be done. Good Luck with your campaigns!
I would like to dedicate this blog entry to a couple of different groups. First to all the new candidates that have put their names forward both in Central Alberta and Wood Buffalo and the second to two of my faithful readers.... My father in law Harry Anthony and friend Marlene Lane. Both residents of Fort McMurray.
Now get out there and VOTE!!!
For those of you readers NOT from central Alberta, Penhold is 14 km south west of Red Deer. As I look at the issues facing Penhold I draw a comparison with some if the same issues that voters in Wood Buffalo are facing. Both have recently finished major building projects. Penhold got a new multiplex and Fort McMurray a new recreation facility (MacDonald Island Park). Both facilities are huge assets to their communities and both brought some debt with with them.
I love politics. I love seeing passionate people wanting to make a difference in their communities. I believe that regardless of platform, candidates want to make things better for themselves and others. This round of elections are bitter sweet for me. Several years ago I had made the decision to run in Wood Buffalo in this election. We had planned on staying in Wood Buffalo for 5 more years.
Plans changed and we relocated to Red Deer. Although I am not running in this election, I still keep tabs on what is going on back home (Fort McMurray) and am excited to see the new faces vying for a place on council. I am still a big supporter of current mayor Melissa Blake (my kids and I helped with her last campaign) and am excited to see if my dear friend Russell Thomas is going to be elected..
Back in Red Deer things are getting interesting. There are 18 candidates running for 8 spots on council. Personally I think a big shake up is needed. Red Deer is at a critical point in it's growth and if not managed properly could be disastrous for our well being in the long term. Sure there are a couple of existing councillors that I am voting for, the ones that are forward thinking visionaries, but I am also voting for quite a few newbies too. Being new isn't bad. Being new means you have great ideas, energy, new ways of doing things and an untainted perspective on how things can and should be done. Good Luck with your campaigns!
I would like to dedicate this blog entry to a couple of different groups. First to all the new candidates that have put their names forward both in Central Alberta and Wood Buffalo and the second to two of my faithful readers.... My father in law Harry Anthony and friend Marlene Lane. Both residents of Fort McMurray.
Now get out there and VOTE!!!
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