tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18847737208904567432024-02-20T07:55:46.397-08:00That Girl Rikaerica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-85662303396647642852015-03-07T18:34:00.002-08:002015-03-11T18:59:40.454-07:00Branded- The Event<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are times in life where we as humans are presented with the chance to make a difference. February 28th was one of those days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At the start of this quarter I enrolled in Seattle Pacific University's Social Venture Plan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The team I worked with consist of four other members besides my self. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Together we have built the basics of business plan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That day,I spent 12 hours in a classroom with over 30 other individuals, each of us separated into are distinct groups. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My team, worked diligently with 4 members of Seattle Pacific University's art center to build our Brand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This event is called Branded.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/342313092637769" target="_blank">SPU Branded Event</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> As a team, we built our Brand Logo, created our mission and vision statements, our slogan, and renamed our company. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Over the 12 hours we spent together, we became not only friends, but gained a better understanding of how both Business elements and Creative/Visual design plays a part in how the world sees a company.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our team, we call our self's Bis, </span><br />
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<span class="me" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 50px;">bis</span></h2>
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<span class="pronset" style="box-sizing: border-box;">/<span class="dbox-pron" style="box-sizing: border-box;">bɪs</span>/</span></div>
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<span class="def-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; float: left; padding-right: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">twice;</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">for</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">second</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">time</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">(used</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">in</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">musical</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">scores</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">to</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">indicate</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">part</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">to </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">be</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">repeated)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">sentence</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">substitute</span> </span></div>
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<span class="def-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; float: left; padding-right: 5px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">encore!</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">again!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">C19:</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">via</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Italian</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">from</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Latin,</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">from</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Old</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Latin</span> </span><span class="dbox-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-style: italic;">duis</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our Slogan:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Empowering a community through creative reuse"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We plan to employ adults with special needs to create Home Decor Products out of up-cycled goods. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We plan to start with books, but not just any books. Books that can't be recycled due to the glue in the bindings...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How you ask are we going to turn these ugly and simple hardbound books in to class art deco home decor..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well just take a gander at the photos below. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHt2aF7UEVU/VPJdp9ToEKI/AAAAAAAAnYQ/Gm_R3-JU1i8/s1600/DSC_0677_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHt2aF7UEVU/VPJdp9ToEKI/AAAAAAAAnYQ/Gm_R3-JU1i8/s1600/DSC_0677_1.jpg" height="140" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Rika</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJOCIYCKpwA/VPJgmxI0awI/AAAAAAAAnZI/RHZCwINGiF8/s1600/DSC_0676_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJOCIYCKpwA/VPJgmxI0awI/AAAAAAAAnZI/RHZCwINGiF8/s1600/DSC_0676_1.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Rika</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s9WL_lcJjeE/VPJgxbYPn1I/AAAAAAAAnZQ/459hsGIYXR0/s1600/DSC_0674_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s9WL_lcJjeE/VPJgxbYPn1I/AAAAAAAAnZQ/459hsGIYXR0/s1600/DSC_0674_1.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Rika</td></tr>
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All photos of the actual Product were taken by <i><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 30px; text-align: start;"><a href="http://shaeleerae.com/" target="_blank">ShaeLee Haglund</a>.</span></i><br />
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erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-20299907698360125902015-02-13T13:34:00.003-08:002015-02-13T17:48:35.409-08:00Call to Action: Why Islamophobia and Racism needs to stop<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.manikmag.com/mag/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/RACISM-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.manikmag.com/mag/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/RACISM-2.png" height="479" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I cannot express in words alone my outrage at the lack of coverage of the events that are happening here on American soil. First three young Muslims were murdered in their home in Chapel Hill, NC. These lives were taken over a parking dispute??? I call bull shit…. this man, (I won’t mention his name because I don’t believe in glorifying killers. ) took the lives of innocent people due to his views towards religion, his disgust for colored people, and his deep seeded hatred of Islam and it’s followers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now I see that an Islamic institution was set on fire in Huston.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Why??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Why, Is hatred so deeply instilled in these people that they have to lash out against anything that differs from their point of view.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">How can I tell you all that all lives matter and make you understand that the god that someone prays to and the color of their skin is no reason to hate? We as humans are infinitely diverse. If we were to be all the same wouldn't nature had made it so? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we were all the same, I can almost guarantee that hate would still exist. People would find the most absurd reasons to hate others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you think for even a second that racism doesn't exist, than you are either willfully ignorant or just plain naive. Hate Crimes exist, people die every day because of the color of their skin. Sadly it is almost always at the hands of white man. This needs to stop, we need to start educating children that being different is not something to be feared, but rather something to hold in high esteem. Being different makes you special for all the right reasons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We do not all need to follow the same god, to be good. We do not need the same shade of skin to be considered worthy of respect. Are differences is what makes the world an amazing place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of the biggest issues though with overcoming this issues is that it is not just American's, Its happening every where. Countless people are being killed for racist and religious reasons. In every city in every country someone is being taught to hate that which is different, and it needs to stop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We need to stop supporting movies like <i>American Sniper,</i> that promote Nazi propaganda, <i>White Dog</i> that promoted killing of black people through the use of an attack dog. <i>American History X</i>, promotes white supremacy and the neo-nazi movement. Don't even get me started on the hidden racism in Disney movies, such as Fantasia. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is a call to action: If you believe that we are equal regardless of skin color, religious preference, gender, etc. Then educate your friends, start talking about the issues. When you see someone being racist towards someone don't just stand there and let it happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We are not born knowing how to hate, we are taught how to hate. We have the ability to undo that hate, but it requires more than sharing news stories, it requires action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Stop watching the propaganda new shows like FOX and ABC. Stop being brainwashed by media. Open your eyes see the world for what it is. You want to know what is really going in the world, watch Al Jazeera, or some other news broadcast that is not American Based, if you really want to know something other than what Kim Kardashian is doing, or how Iggy is being pushed out by the rap community.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So let me be the first to say this, and i absolutely mean it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you are even in the slightest a racist, a bigot or just plain naive to the world we live in. Please Un-follow me. I will not be a friend to someone who feels it is right to put another person down for any reason.</span></div>
erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-70111052889512866692015-02-11T17:55:00.001-08:002015-02-11T21:01:08.798-08:00 Through Indigeous Eyes<div class="vk_ans" style="margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span data-dobid="hdw">in·dig·e·nous</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="lr_dct_ph"> inˈdijənəs/</span><span class="lr_dct_spkr lr_dct_spkr_off" data-log-string="pronunciation-icon-click" style="display: inline-block;" title="Listen"><input height="14" type="image" width="14" /></span></div>
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<i> adjective</i></div>
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<i>My name is Nashoba Tohbi, it's Choctaw for White Wolf.</i></div>
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<i>Most of you know my by my given name, Erica. </i></div>
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<i>or my Handle Rika..</i></div>
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<i>But I only consider one of those to be my real name... </i></div>
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<i>A few years back, after my father passed, I made the choice to give my self a native name. </i></div>
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<i>Traditionally, you would receive your native name at birth. The only exception to this is if you are not born on the reservation. When you feel that you are ready you can pick your own name, but you must pick one that accurately describes you completely. </i></div>
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<i>I took me almost three years to decide on the name that I wanted to describe and sum up who I am as a person, the life I have lived and my view towards the world around me. It was a hard choice because when I began this journey, I barely knew who I was, let alone who I want to be. </i></div>
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<i>I am an extrovert, and in being so I like to socialize, but not with everyone. Just like a wild wolf, gaining my trust is hard task. One in which takes years to build and seconds to destroy. Once you burn a bridge with me, there is no going back.</i></div>
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<i>I observe my surroundings before taking action and I will defend my beliefs and the people I love till my very last breath. I am true to myself, some might see it as selfish, but my happiness only exist by the choices I make.</i><br />
<i>So I made a choice, </i><br />
<i>I went to the ocean many times, I traveled around the state, went on a few road trips.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I picked my name by</i></div>
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<i>Taking in the world around me in the way it was meant to be...</i></div>
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<i>At least for me...</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Through my hazel and indigenous eyes...</i><br />
<i>Through experiences, with out judgement..</i></div>
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<i>Through life seen in technicolor,</i></div>
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<i>where everyone is my brother, sister, mother, father, etc</i></div>
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<i>and in a world where the words </i></div>
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<i>Race, Ethnicity, Color </i></div>
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<i>do not exist, </i></div>
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<i>at least not in the way where they describe a person based on traits.</i></div>
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<i>People are people, </i></div>
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<i>and as Kaskade once said,</i></div>
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<i>" We're just all red inside, that's all to see here, </i></div>
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<i>Yeah, we're red inside, we're all red inside" </i></div>
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<i>Cut us and we all the bleed the same..</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>The world Through my Indigenous Eyes...</i></div>
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<i>All photos taken by me..</i></div>
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erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-51288733607256489212015-02-07T10:38:00.004-08:002015-02-07T11:40:50.166-08:00Tent City 3: Homelessness At Our Door<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I first heard the name Tent City 3.. a lot of different things ran through my mind. What is tent city, why are they coming to my school, and how will this impact me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All of these thoughts we a bit selfish and now that I know more about Tent city and the people who live there I have to say it has been one of the best experiences in my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you have read my previous post on my personal life, then you know that I too have been homeless and know the struggle of getting back on ones feet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tent City 3 is a self managed homeless shelter where the rules are created by Share and Enforced by the members/residents of Tent City. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now before I get into what I have come to learn about Tent City let me give you a bit of background on who they are and why they are here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Tent city is a transitional encampment that moves every three months to a new location, mostly hosted by church's or on private property. Tent City 3 was facing one of the most difficult dilemmas a shelter could face, they had no where to go and faced being disbanded for the next three months while they tired to find a place to host them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When Seattle Pacific University heard about this dilemma, We graciously open not only our arms but also our front door. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tent City 3 now resides on the main lawn on the north side of Tiffany Loop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />During the few months before Tent City moved on to our front door, there had been a lot controversy over the location of where Tent City 3 would reside. Many people in the Fremont and Queen Ann area were against hosting the housing community that caters to the homeless. Sadly most people where against because they were naive and closed minded to what Tent City really is and how it can truly benefit the community. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tent City is a branch of the Seattle Housing And Resource Effort, more commonly known as SHARE and is also a partner of WHEEL: Women's Housing Equality and Enhancement League.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Which are organizations of Homeless and formerly homeless members. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">SHARE/WHEEL is King County's largest shelter network, hosting 15 indoor shelters and 2 Tent Cities. In addition to the shelters and tent cities they also facilitate Storage locker program and Housing for work program. Tent city currently caters to about 100 homeless people and provides them with shelter for as long as need, as long as they commit to the rules laid out by SHARE. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kHSEDo266-I/VNZhPDhRlRI/AAAAAAAAmYI/g2wrzrZsAVI/s1600/2015-01-09-IMGP3236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kHSEDo266-I/VNZhPDhRlRI/AAAAAAAAmYI/g2wrzrZsAVI/s1600/2015-01-09-IMGP3236.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />So now you know who and what Tent City is, but if you haven't seen it for your self you are missing out. SPU's Motto/Mantra is Engaging the Culture and Changing the World and it has never been more true than now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Hosting Tent City is more than just giving a 100 people a place to lay their heads at night. It is a learning opportunity, a way to serve the community and way to learn about how bad homelessness really is in Seattle. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">During my visit to Tent City I learned that they live by strict guide lines,The Tent City Code of Conduct prohibits </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">alcohol, drugs, weapons, fighting, abuse of any kind, littering or disturbing neighbors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><all abide="" agreement="" an="" and="" by="" code="" failure="" must="" nbsp="" residents="" sign="" span="" this="" to="">All residents must sign an agreement to abide by this code and failure to do so can be cause for immediate expulsion. </all></span>Residents form an Executive Committee that is responsible for site security, resident identification and donations management. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One member of the Executive Committee is on duty, awake and available 24 hours per day. Police are contacted immediately if warranted by a situation.
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Tent City application states that Tent City residents are required to have valid picture identification with all prospective residents checked for warrants and sex offender status by the King County Sheriff’s Department. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tent City states that people with active warrants are not allowed to stay at Tent City. Tent City also reports that Police will be notified immediately of anyone rejected due to warrant status or that has registered sex offender status.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These rules are strictly enforced by the self governed residents, if anyone fails to follow the code of conduct they are kicked out and not allowed to return. However they can find shelter in any of the other SHARE programs, if they haven't been kicked out those shelters previously. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now you may be a bit confused on how Tent city is putting and end to homelessness, and honestly so was I. Which why I went in for a tour, this is what I learned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First off let me rid your mind of the fact that all homeless people are homeless due to drug or alcohol abuse. Every single resident of Tent city is completely clean and sober. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some of the residents of tent city are there because they were laid off and lost their house when they couldn't make ends meet. Some are there because they fell on hard times, or they were sick and couldn't work and ended up losing everything. These people are choosing to get out of the endless cycle of being homeless. Many of the formerly homeless return to tent city, not as residents, but as volunteers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All the people who reside in Tent city have the option to work for tent city, they are paid minimum wage to preform duties such as, being on night patrol, being a security guard, cooking meals, vehicle maintenance, grant writing.. and many other things. Other residents are able to find work outside of tent city. Since Tent City gives them a valid address they can apply for jobs and other things like ID Cards aiding in the process of finding a job. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Residents of Tent city eat One hot meal a day, provided by volunteers throughout the community. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Other meals are prepared by residents, with food that is provided by donations of local grocery stores. Currently Tent city only has a coffee pot and microwave. They have no refrigerator but have a few coolers to store food in. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tent City needs your help, If you can donate anything at all that would be amazing, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Follow this link to see what <a href="http://www.sharewheel.org/tent-city-3" target="_blank">Tent City 3 </a> is in need of!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tent city is a much needed but temporary resource in the battle to end Homelessness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Each year people come together and volunteer to count the Homeless. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Its called <a href="http://homelessinfo.org/what_we_do/one_night_count/" target="_blank">One Night Count</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: -webkit-left;">The One Night Count sets in motion a full year of education, engagement, and action for Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness ("the Coalition"). We work throughout the year to make sure that every person who is homeless counts."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last years Count:</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57suXW_UEBw/VNZQBZsW64I/AAAAAAAAmX4/RSukR7qp5_I/s1600/ONC14-graphic-800.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57suXW_UEBw/VNZQBZsW64I/AAAAAAAAmX4/RSukR7qp5_I/s1600/ONC14-graphic-800.png" height="624" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now in 2015 these numbers have risen by 21% with an average 3772 people going to sleep each night on the streets of Seattle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If You would like to know how you can get Involved to End Homelessness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Visit these links</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.spu.edu/events/tent-city/get-involved.asp" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.spu.edu/events/tent-city/get-involved.asp" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">SPU- Get Involved</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://homelessinfo.org/what_we_do/one_night_count/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One Night Count</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sharewheel.org/tent-city-3" target="_blank">Tent City 3 </a></span></div>
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erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-64528114096386059242015-01-31T10:14:00.002-08:002015-01-31T11:25:10.681-08:00American TV, Does it Capture the Diversity of America Yet?<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63pX9NStLa8/VM0atlkfCkI/AAAAAAAAmKA/Hl47pbbz8mg/s1600/appletv.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63pX9NStLa8/VM0atlkfCkI/AAAAAAAAmKA/Hl47pbbz8mg/s1600/appletv.png" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">As humans, we are addicted to
stories and the Hollywood entertainment industry caters to our thirst for these
stories by providing us with an endless stream of them. Whether it be
theatrical films or Television shows, we live vicariously through the pain
and pleasure of the multitude of characters presented in these productions. We
in a sense try on their predicaments for size and in the process of doing
so we reflect on who we are, who we are not, and who we hope to
be. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Historically
speaking there has been a dearth of gender, racial and ethnic diversity in film
and television, both in front and behind the camera. This reality has meant
limited access to employment for women and minorities and to a
truncating of the domain of media images available for circulation in
contemporary society. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">After many
years of watching television change, I had to ask my self, does American TV
capture the diversity in America? Sadly the answer at least in my opinion
is a resounding no. We are however making changes that could lead to it finally
becoming a Yes. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Take for example Saturday Night Live, which has been on air since 1975 has in
its life time only hired on three black women and had only featured one other
black women, Yvonne Hudson in 1980, this says more about the show than about
the talent pool. All three women casted over the four decades only lasted for a
season or less.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In this context its no wonder that a prime cast member Kenan Thompson launched
a debate in early November of 2013 explaining that the show is dearth of black
women. Most people know that Saturday Night Live was built on the premise that
the actor weren't quite ready for Prime Time TV, but this doesn't mean that the
show’s executive producer is racist or is discriminating, just that he doesn't
see the value in having a diverse cast. <u1:p></u1:p>It begs the question,
is television to white? </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wM-UsuTX2o/VM0bcUGLd0I/AAAAAAAAmKQ/EJyH2H2q6p4/s1600/writer-diversity-on-selected-shows-in-the-2011-2012-tv-season-women-minorities_chartbuilder.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wM-UsuTX2o/VM0bcUGLd0I/AAAAAAAAmKQ/EJyH2H2q6p4/s1600/writer-diversity-on-selected-shows-in-the-2011-2012-tv-season-women-minorities_chartbuilder.png" height="528" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">In contrast Jay Pharoah, who predominately plays President Obama on the
show does see the value in having a more diverse cast. He has reach out and
argued with "SNL" that they should hire Darmirra Brunson a comedian
on Tyler Perry's sitcom "Love Thy Neighbor.” When Pharoah was asked why
they should hire her, his pointedly response was " Because she's black,
First of all," but he also went on to praise her talent.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><u2:p></u2:p><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">The majority
of Prime Time television fails in truly representing the country that the
majority of its stories are based in. When marginalized groups in society are
excluded from the stories a nation tells about it self, or when those images in
the media are rooted so deep in stereotypes, inequality is normalized and is
more likely to be reinforced over time through our practices and prejudices. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m6urKW3td_c/VM0badHalGI/AAAAAAAAmKI/M2dqbDf1X9s/s1600/the-cosby-show.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m6urKW3td_c/VM0badHalGI/AAAAAAAAmKI/M2dqbDf1X9s/s1600/the-cosby-show.png" height="273" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Recently ABC
has taken a stand and Paul Lee the networks entertainment programming head
states "We really do think ABC reflects the new face of
America", "America has changed. It's the right thing to do.".
The new 2014-2015 line up host 10 new shows featuring non-white
characters and/or show creators, numbers that have not been seen since the days
of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Cosby show<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and the flux of people trying to
clone it. Don't think that this change is about fairness or altruism;
over looking the fact the America has been a largely diverse country for a
while now. Can the network keep its agreement to make diversity a
priority?, or will they screw this up?</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Nothing and I mean nothing can reverse the efforts of trying to make television more diverse
then epic failure. But let us not focus on their
potential failure and take a look at the ground breaking new season.
ABC came in strong by handing off their Thursday night spot to
Shonda Rhimes, creator of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Grey's
Anatomy</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Scandal.</i> Then they
scheduled Rhimes newest show<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>How
to Get Away with Murder<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>to
air right after her two hits. Giving the most powerful black woman in scripted
television her own night in primetime, with two shows starring black women.
Which has never ever happened before in the history of television. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYlIgQgd46s/VM0ZSwLr0MI/AAAAAAAAmJo/JQCLdrhl83o/s1600/61369440-376c-11e4-95f5-57be4f7abfe8_Cristela-FB-Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYlIgQgd46s/VM0ZSwLr0MI/AAAAAAAAmJo/JQCLdrhl83o/s1600/61369440-376c-11e4-95f5-57be4f7abfe8_Cristela-FB-Cover.jpg" height="147" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">ABC network
has a whole slew of new shows that are ethnically and racially
diverse,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Black-ish, Cristela,
Fresh Off the Boat, American Crime,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>casting
more black, latino, and Asian people than any other network for the 2014-2015
season. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7v3hcYVGMEY/VM0ZKadhG4I/AAAAAAAAmIs/MuD23coq9CQ/s1600/American-Crime-ABC-TV-Series-logo-key-art-320x180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7v3hcYVGMEY/VM0ZKadhG4I/AAAAAAAAmIs/MuD23coq9CQ/s1600/American-Crime-ABC-TV-Series-logo-key-art-320x180.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-co2tD-V0QIY/VM0ZUIJFAWI/AAAAAAAAmJg/IhiuqY42DsI/s1600/fresh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-co2tD-V0QIY/VM0ZUIJFAWI/AAAAAAAAmJg/IhiuqY42DsI/s1600/fresh.jpg" height="147" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Fox has also
stepped up by casting more non-white character in shows like<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Red Band Society, Bordertown,
Empire, State of Affairs,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and CBS is hosting<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Extant<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>which features Hally Berry. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j6JIxzGL2nk/VM0ZLHZMWiI/AAAAAAAAmI8/Bc1TR9jTHuc/s1600/redbandsociety-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j6JIxzGL2nk/VM0ZLHZMWiI/AAAAAAAAmI8/Bc1TR9jTHuc/s1600/redbandsociety-poster.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JzkfjKYQcuE/VM0ZUpaG5RI/AAAAAAAAmJw/N8TMDPT8anE/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JzkfjKYQcuE/VM0ZUpaG5RI/AAAAAAAAmJw/N8TMDPT8anE/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojGTN8ZZ3uw/VM0ZS_lpU0I/AAAAAAAAmJM/AxdxXuTemN8/s1600/empire_slider_21-e1415902903319-870x320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojGTN8ZZ3uw/VM0ZS_lpU0I/AAAAAAAAmJM/AxdxXuTemN8/s1600/empire_slider_21-e1415902903319-870x320.jpg" height="146" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWf1aL1XjHI/VM0ZT9vV8ZI/AAAAAAAAmJY/bxzzVoMzKL0/s1600/extant-header-1024x341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWf1aL1XjHI/VM0ZT9vV8ZI/AAAAAAAAmJY/bxzzVoMzKL0/s1600/extant-header-1024x341.jpg" height="132" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Could television really be changing it tune about diversity of the roles
it casts? Is this change going to last after the 2014-2015 season? </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">What are your thoughts? Does American TV capture the diversity of
America yet?</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
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erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-55850244008609001312015-01-28T17:40:00.000-08:002015-01-28T17:40:41.928-08:00Seattle is heading to the Super Bowl- Oasap Edition<div style="text-align: center;">
Most likely you already know, that the Seattle Seahawks are heading to the Superbowl once again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That game was by far the most heart wrenching game ever.... I never lost faith in my Hawks though, I knew if they played right in the last few minutes they could at least get into overtime. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In Honor of their victorious win over the Green Bay packers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I suited up in full on Seahawks Gear, with some of my own touches thanks to <a href="http://oasap.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oasap.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am super impatient with waiting for the Superbowl. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have no doubt that we will take the win, and be Super Bowl Champions once Again!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So fellow Hawk Lover and Seattleites Get your Game Day Gear Ready... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and prepare for the most epic game of the year!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lastly but most definitely not least. Thanks Oasap for sending me the lovely Infinity Scarf, Helping me complete my game day look!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NtuhgvVjfJQ/VMmNYgnEfNI/AAAAAAAAmDk/fhzofo5pwDs/s1600/DSC_0445_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NtuhgvVjfJQ/VMmNYgnEfNI/AAAAAAAAmDk/fhzofo5pwDs/s1600/DSC_0445_1.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oasap.com/scarves/47362-loop-knit-infinity-scarf.html/?fuid=6147" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt=" Loop Knit Infinity Scarf " border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lLApKDxzvZY/VMmNxHdZciI/AAAAAAAAmDs/S3SKSaFCxF8/s1600/loop-knit-infinity-scarf.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loop Knit Infinity Scarf- Oasap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-28244412662731032562014-12-22T10:12:00.001-08:002014-12-22T10:12:24.772-08:00Why We Fail at Relationships<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://freedwallpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/breakup-quotes-hd-wallpaper-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://freedwallpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/breakup-quotes-hd-wallpaper-18.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">We all have read or heard countless
reasons to why relationships fail, and while some of the reasons are valid,
such as lack of trust, or our lives become routine and we stop caring as
much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Truth of the matter is <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> Relationships don't fail;<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>we do.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">We live in the age of technology; where social
media, text messages and Internet porn are consuming almost every free second
we have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">We constantly compare one another to other
men, to other women, and then we start comparing ourselves to people. We
compare each other to TV stars, to models, to porn stars, etc. Then we start to
wonder why we never measure up and we fill ourselves with self-doubt, and we
forget how to love ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">If we cant love ourselves how can we expect
anyone else to love us, or for <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that
matter for ourselves to love anyone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The answer:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>We cannot.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The problem stems from many things; but
mostly from Internet and cellphone apps. Take for example Snapchat, where the
illusion of the idea that photos will be instantly deleted once seen, unless
the receiver is smart enough to know how to use screenshot. How about
Instagram, where we post half nude selfies in order to get likes, where we post
photos of our lives in order to see how many people like the way we live, or
Hot or not where we set ourselves up to be rated by our peers, and then we
wonder why people have eating disorders or body image issues. We constantly
look for approval everywhere, except where it matter the most. The approval to
live our lives how we want without caring what others think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; word-spacing: 0px;"> Lastly but not least of all in the
list of things that tearing us from what a true relationship is the unlimited
dating sites at our fingertips, in which we can flip through thousands of
people, find one we think is attractive and in a sense order them up to our
door like you would order pizza. If you didn't like that particular slice you
have the option of sending it back and looking for a new slice to order up.
Sometimes you might even order up more than one person to your door at a time. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">We start treating each other like we are options on an endless buffet, we constantly claim that if our relationship fails, that its not a big deal because there are more fish in the sea. Yet we are never ever truly satisfied. </span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Yet we still wonder why people are afraid to
commit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto;">
<o:p><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We parade our relationship around on social media, portraying that we have a perfect one. Where its all love and not a single fight. We post our couple photos up on facebook and Instagram to get the </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">satisfaction</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> that others see how perfect our truly imperfect relationship is. Other couple compare </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">themselves to these photos and question why they don't have photos like that with their partner. We constantly try to one up each other in our relationships by posting every outing and every single event to our timelines. Constantly we look to the approval of others in our everyday lives, never satisfied just living life for ourselves. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">We walk down the street with our
significant other and know that every woman that passes by gets the sideway
glances from our man, and that we as women are just as guilty of looking at
men. Society tells us that its okay to look as long as we don't touch, its okay
to lust after someone when you are already in a relationship, and that above
all its okay to cheat as long as you don't get caught. We live in a society
that openly accepts and promotes infidelity. With T.V. shows like Mistresses,
Satisfaction, The Affair and Married that showing us just how easily we could
get away with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">We get lost in our phones, whether it be
games, Facebook, tumblr or any other site for that matter. We use text
messaging as a means to communicate our thoughts and feelings, but words no
matter how well written, it can not convey the context in your voice or the
true emotion behind your emojis. We consider "Good morning" or
"Good night" texts to be a good effort in our relationships. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Is there any reason to wonder why thing
don't work out? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Romance has been so watered down that we
what we think is romantic is in fact not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">We think Romance is doing something new or
spontaneous for our partner, like wearing lingerie to entice the man we are
seeing or spending absurd amounts of money on jewelry to buy that persons
love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Romance is more than that, its not
manufactured in a store, you can not buy it, it is completely individual. What
one person thinks is romantic may not be for someone else, but I can tell you
what I think is romantic at least for the majority of people. Romance; it comes
from holding hands while going on a long walk, sitting at the beach while
watching the sunset or rise. Its having dinner alone where cellphones are
turned off, and for once all your attention is given to the person sitting
directly in front of you and not to the glowing blue light of your phone. It
the conversations about nothing in particular, its the enjoyment of the company
before you, it is an always will be more than chocolate cover fruit and roses,
its about quality time spent together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Relationships, like many things take time
to grow and mature, most people jump in head first without building a solid
foundation to land on. We rush in with our hearts full of lust, but when the
initial feelings start to fade we snap back to reality, we start to second
guess our choices, and that is when doubt set in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">So maybe just maybe you are the reason
things are not working out for you the way you would like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Lets try an experiment, regardless if you
are in a relationship now, or looking for someone, when you are with that
person, give them your attention. If you just went on a date with someone you
met online, delete the dating app if it went well. If you're on a date set
everything else aside as if it doesn't matter and talk to the person. Ask them
about their day, their goals, and their dreams. </span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Stop comparing them to other people, stop comparing yourself. </span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Stop acting like people are options, because eventually they will choose to leave you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Stop acting like social media is more important than the rough day your partner had.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Nothing and I mean nothing is more important that what is happening right before </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">your</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> eyes. </span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: center; widows: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Stop having </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">unrealistic expectations about your partner, they are not perfect and neither are you. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
XOXO- That Girl Rika</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-71583930856585498712014-12-03T20:20:00.000-08:002014-12-03T20:20:04.777-08:00Baby its Cold Outside<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>School has been keeping me busy, but here is a little update, I have been super stoked about all the snow, winter is one of my favorite times of year, I absolutely love the scenery when its covered in snow. </i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As you can see Winter has certainly come at full force these past week. We had an insane freak snow storm here in Washington state. I am just grateful the Jacket I order from </span><a href="http://oasap.com/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Oasap.com</a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> came just in time. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Here are a few photos from that day....</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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Want to get these Item for yourself, just click on the photos below.</div>
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<a href="http://www.oasap.com/coats-jackets/20280-oversized-lapels-tweed-coat.html/?fuid=6147" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYMbRilBN8O3El0cDpmE_2_9HSBJowhCuemIoL7GupOeo0-gt0z0WGM4TqE2hWe1DVbjbK8PLgXWs0LeYPdqwzvs0YVy6PCaqGLQ_V9i0Yp6Kktk-RlyW3Ugr_Trvu9vA9na6DeGny4od/s1600/Oversized-Lapels-Tweed-Coat.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a><a href="http://www.oasap.com/trousers-leggings/3814-chic-stripes-with-snowflake-leggings.html/?fuid=6147" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXrsW9WwWB_KMpfT8mIqzPtZvNu7OrMMWSvzVFDKvlhTWpNCSykN8g9ZdYR02dMFmMy58_-9MvvvfdYVan1wJzT8nJnW6Zg7gIMzhhc3jywtR5RZUo-S1Ai6HNGqs5UdWWLokT_zkims8/s1600/chic-stripes-with-snowflake-leggings.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a><a href="http://www.oasap.com/rings/4016-retro-cute-cat-ears-ring.html/?fuid=6147" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEynbKNZYp2O5bfr5jgjcWrmaJWdVa_kT-JErSHl6Pkw0Gb0v1RfBCIRKwD7ZGHMGk_OzpqoBNRLFqHoxYb5E6fSm5rg6Wv7L4e_2VSdnotKcZAK5dvFPQKbVvDvCTF7WJc-gLFDNpOFTa/s1600/retro-cute-cat-ears-ring.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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<br />erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-92116253999282526882014-11-03T17:58:00.001-08:002014-11-08T19:50:24.464-08:00Shadow Play- Lost in the Digital World<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PD9tRj7TKX0/VFg08oshv-I/AAAAAAAAiyw/d3IeNx2AbYE/s1600/5-important-tips-for-better-eye-health-in-a-digital-world-f904cba18a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PD9tRj7TKX0/VFg08oshv-I/AAAAAAAAiyw/d3IeNx2AbYE/s1600/5-important-tips-for-better-eye-health-in-a-digital-world-f904cba18a.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have so much to say to you all, but how can I get what I have to say across to you, how can I get you to understand the importance behind what I have to say. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess this will have to do, so this post is a call to action to all of you who will read this.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't take what I say lightly, for if you listen closely and truly read and try to understand my point, you will be a better person for it. </div>
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You are selfish, you might not even know it, but by nature you do what it takes it insure your survival and yours alone. </div>
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This needs to change, we as a society are consumed with ourselves, I too am guilty of this, but at least I can admit it, and I am doing something to change it. </div>
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I have already lived through a school shooting in which I lost a dear friend, and what bothered me most was not the fact that it happened, but that we as a community only came together in the wake of the travesty. It is the same for all community who has suffered a loss as great as this, they come together to stand in solidarity with other schools who have also shared this experience, but why cant we just support each other always. Why does it take such extreme violence to ignite the spark of comradery between people. </div>
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In the wake of the recent shootings to hit Seattle and many other cities around the country, has anyone, any single person thought, what can I do to make this stop?. I doubt that anyone has thought this, but rather you have all been thinking WHY? why did this happen, why did they do it, why, why, why. </div>
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Well here is my opinion on why the youth of today is going a bit insane, and my answer to the allusive WHY.</div>
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I am much older than most college students, I am a non-traditional student, entering in way after graduating from high school. I have observed over the last 4 years of my college education as well as my earlier education years, the way my peers interact with each other. </div>
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We spend countless hours attached to our phones, our computers, our televisions. </div>
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What are we really gaining from these things? </div>
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Not much... I can tell you at least a dozen things we are losing, and the biggest of them all is our ability to think critically, to analyze situations, and to communicate effectively.</div>
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Why is it that no matter what school you attend people tend to flock into predefined clicks. Why is it that the jocks only hangout with jocks and cheerleaders. The nerds only with each other. and so on for each labeled group there is. </div>
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It is because we allow ourselves to be defined but what we do and not who we are. </div>
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I am not just a Business student, a worker, a friend, a girlfriend, a daughter, a mentor...</div>
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I am all of this and more, and I refuse to let anyone define me any other way. </div>
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You are not just one thing , you are many things, and those things are what make you special. </div>
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So don't be afraid to befriend people from a different place, venture outside your comfort zone. </div>
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I mean life is only a sum of your experience so why not try to experience it all. </div>
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To be quite frank, people don't actually interact anymore, or at least the majority no longer do. How can you listen to someone while your face is practically glued to your phone. How can you comprehend what is being asked of you if you're busy reading, typing or watching something else while someone is talking to you. </div>
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The answer is you can't, and chances are what you are reading or listening to is just mindless time filler crap anyways, that has no value to your life. </div>
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How do you think the Kardashian's got famous, I can tell you its not because they actually do anything worth knowing about, but because the sell themselves off to be mindless filler in your Friday night line up. </div>
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We are so self consumed about the daily lives of others that we forget to live our own. We are losing our means of effective communication, and when someone does something to make us upset, instead of talking it out with them, we either bottle it up, or react in an unsettling way. </div>
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This needs to stop, if someone makes you mad, tell them, how can we learn what hurts and doesn't hurt if no one tells you. </div>
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Think about it ...</div>
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how did you learn that fire was hot... </div>
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someone told you, and if they didn't tell you then well you probably got burned. </div>
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We are no longer disciplined for our actions, we are sent into time out, where we don't fully understand the consequence of our actions. So we repeat them, until its too late to learn the right way to deal with our issues. </div>
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I am not saying that a timeout doesn't work, but if all you are doing is isolating someone what have they really learned from their actions. That they can leave others for a while, then return as if nothing happened, and repeat or continue to do whatever it was they were doing in the first place. </div>
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Children, Teens, Adults, I call you to action. Stop isolating your peers, stop judging people based on what they wear, where they are from, who they know, how they talk, or anything else for that matter. No one is perfect, no one is above anyone else, we all live on this planet together, so why not do it peacefully. You are the future of this world, and if you make it a dark place to live in all you will ever get in return is shadow play. People hiding in the dark waiting for you to be vulnerable, and alone. Not because this is how they want to be, but because society as a whole has made them this way. </div>
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So before you talk behind someones back, or gossip, or make fun of somebody, think about the impact it will have not only on them, but also how your peers will see you. Do you want to be known as a bully, a bitch, a whore, any of these things.. probably not, so why call someone else these things. </div>
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Parents I call you to action, if your child does something that is unethical, harmful, hurtful or just plain rude, EXPLAIN to them why it is. DO NOT just reprimand them for the actions, all that teaches them is that punishment equals nothing. They need to understand why they are in trouble, and that certain actions equate to the loss of certain rights and freedoms. </div>
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Our youth of today does not know how to effectively communicate their issues, troubles, fears, dreams, hopes, goals. We need to better equip them for the real world, not the fantasy one you would like them to believe is out there. </div>
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If you send your child in to the world, without the right tools how can you expect them to succeed. </div>
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Failure, yes is an important part of the learning process, but how they deal with failure will determine how they deal with other things in their lives. Failure does not have to be bad, it can be a learning experience in which they see the good in the bad, and not just the bad. </div>
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Stop letting your self and the people around you stay naive and closed minded to the harsh reality of the world. </div>
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Lastly, Mental Disabilities and Mental disorders and issues are real, and we need to take care of the people who have these issues. We need to stop condemning them as if they had a choice in the matter. Being of sound mind is not a choice, some people are born a particular way, and we need to invest the time to research how to help them overcome this. </div>
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WE SHOULD NOT BELITTLE ANYONE FOR ANY REASON</div>
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Many people suffer and end up on the streets because no one wanted to help them, or people are frighten of them. We need to take a stand as a country, we need to focus on the needs of our people and save the lives of the people here. before stretching out our hands to other countries. Charity is great, it does wonders, but if we can't help the people in our own backyard, what makes us think we can help others. </div>
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Finally the answer to the WHY: is simple...</div>
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These people who commit acts of violence against their peers do it for many reason, but above all they do it because they want to be heard. They are making a statement, which more often than not is that they no longer wish to be ignored. </div>
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So I urge you all to listen closely when someone speaks to you, and to take what they have to say seriously. Put down your phone, in fact turn it off, nothing that is on facebook, or twitter or instagram is more important than hearing someone hopes and dreams, fears and regrets.</div>
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They might be troubled by something, hurt or even feel lost. </div>
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If you fail to do this, and decide not to hear them out all they will ever learn is that they do not matter and how they feel is not important. What they do is irrelevant in the eyes of others, and that their actions have no consequences. </div>
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So stop playing in the shadows of life, and enter in to light. Be a beacon for the people around you, and set examples for your peers. <br />
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I am not saying that Technology is the reason to why shootings occur, but it is the reason we have lost the ability to communicate in person effectively. Why we have trouble talking about our feelings, because its easier to hide behind the screen and pretend all is okay. We allow the false sense of Internet friendships/relationships to over run our real life ones.<br />
Take a break from technology to explore and learn in the real world, you would be surprised by what you find.<br />
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XOXO- Rika</div>
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erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-39121132334642126922014-10-13T00:00:00.000-07:002015-10-13T12:59:13.599-07:00Behind Blue Eyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Happy Birthday</b></div>
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to the Greatest Man I have ever known. </div>
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Randall Joe Graham (Orbit) aka Randy</div>
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Oct 13th, 1961- Jan 12th, 2011 </div>
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It has been almost 4 years since my Father passed away, and not a single moment in time goes by where he is not on my mind. My father taught me a lot of things in life, but the strongest lesson he ever taught me was that life is too short to live in the past and to regret things. </div>
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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote </div>
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" <i>we are all architects of fate,
so look not mournfully into the past, it comes not back again</i>." </div>
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Some memories will stay forever etched into our minds, and the moment I learned my father had passed is still just as vivid in my mind as it was then. They say with time, all things are healed, but I believe that statement to be false. Time does not heal, it covers, it allows you to learn how to live with out some one. It is simply a band aid we put over our wounds, in hopes that they will heal, but once they do we are left with a scar, a constant reminder of the past, the tragedy and the pain. </div>
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My father was only 49 when he passed away, and it completely and utterly devastated me. You see, I share a special bond that not many people are able to share with the parent. The day my father turn 25, I was born into this world, and ever since I have shared that special bond with my father. </div>
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My Father was an extraordinary soul, he grace my life with his presence for as long as he could. He taught me in many ways, the type of person I should become. I can not say my father was the best role model in my life, but I can say with much love and adoration, that he did the best he could to do right by me and my siblings. </div>
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My father was the first man in my life, and in being so, he taught me how to love, how to fall, and how to pick my self up. He taught me how to ride a bike,</div>
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but not just any bike, a dirt bike. My father made every effort to be in my life, he attended every school
event I had, especially if it was a sport event. He was my coach in
baseball, and pushed me to be a fair and team player. He inspired me to love animals the same way he did. I can remember from some of my earliest memories that we always had a dog. I can name at least 5-10 dogs we had while growing up. He taught me that no matter where you are in life, if you try your best that is all that matters. </div>
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Some of you may know the life my father lead wasn't always the best. He made poor choices in his life that ultimately lead to his death. Although my father was not all ways present in my life, he did make and effort to remind me of the fact that he loved me very much. My father had a rough life, his father walked out on his mom and left my dad and uncle with no explanation. He was just gone, this is the start of what lead my father down a troubled path, and the last song he sang to me was<br />
" Behind Blue Eyes." by the Who- This song sums up how my dad felt about his life, his struggles, and his addiction. <br />
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The last memory I have of my father was just after my 24th birthday, he and his wife joined me for dinner at La Palmera in Everett. It was the first time in many years that I saw my father completely sober. It was amazing to see, the changes he had made, and devastating that a short four months later he would leave this world for good. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5XBPXS030MQ/VDcQiOwW8lI/AAAAAAAAg58/0hUgeuffMOc/s1600/326439_2408866188306_553911802_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5XBPXS030MQ/VDcQiOwW8lI/AAAAAAAAg58/0hUgeuffMOc/s1600/326439_2408866188306_553911802_o.jpg" width="640" /></a>My fathers body may no longer walk this earth, but his soul remains forever, broken in to piece and lodged in every heart he ever touched. At his core my Father was and is a loving and gentle soul. </div>
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'<i>Change comes like a little wind that ruffles
the curtains at dawn, and it comes like a stealthy perfume of
wildflowers hidden in the grass</i>.' -John Steinbeck </div>
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Here is to you Dad, </div>
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I am grateful for all that you are and all that you were. </div>
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I love you and miss you. </div>
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Celebrate in Heaven</div>
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For today you turn 53 Dad, </div>
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and I turn 28.</div>
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Thank you for sharing 24 wonderful years of life with me Dad. </div>
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I am who I am because of you.</div>
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erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-69780859026414447222014-10-12T15:04:00.005-07:002014-10-12T15:29:44.998-07:00Say What? My 28th Birthday! With Tribute to Jourdan Bradley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year my birthday landed on Monday, so I decided to celebrate over the weekend before my birthday. </div>
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I didn't do anything extravagant, just celebrated with those who I consider near and dear to my heart.</div>
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I want to say a special thank you to those who took the time out of their lives to spend time with me. I had an amazing time with you all. </div>
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I also want to dedicate this post to a young life that was lost on Friday afternoon. </div>
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Jourdan Bradley</div>
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<span class="_50f4">October 25, 1989</span></div>
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<span class="_50f4">October 10, 2014</span><br />
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<dt><img align="BOTTOM" border="0" src="http://www.poetry-archive.com/r_pic.gif" height="24" width="26" />EMEMBER me when I am gone away,
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<dt>Gone far away into the silent land;
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<dt>When you can no more hold me by the hand,
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<dt>Remember me when no more day by day
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<dt>Only remember me; you understand
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<dt>A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
</dt>
<dt>Better by far you should forget and smile
</dt>
<dt>Than that you should remember and be sad</dt>
<dt>-<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Christina Rossetti
(1830-1894)</span></i></b> </dt>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ly-Lqjd7Jc/VDr3XSQwYTI/AAAAAAAAhGs/0DSvlC4MNX8/s1600/10495373_10203576488428939_1778988443189432962_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ly-Lqjd7Jc/VDr3XSQwYTI/AAAAAAAAhGs/0DSvlC4MNX8/s1600/10495373_10203576488428939_1778988443189432962_o.jpg" height="490" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did not know Jourdan personally, but my younger sister was very good friends with her. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Despite what the the media has reported, I wholeheartedly believe that she was not racing, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and that this tragedy was indeed a matter of poor circumstances and an accident. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As for the other car involved, I urge you to come forward with your side of the story. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please put the rumors to rest, and show the world that you are indeed the loving, caring and compassionate soul that I assume that you are.<br />
<br />
Phil Chumley, I know you will make it through, Jourdan is watching over you, and she will see that you make a full recovery. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Hold a Moment of Silence tonight for Jourdan.<br />
Rest easy, Beautiful<br />
<br />
XOxo: That Girl Rika</div>
erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-82315303975388335812014-09-30T22:47:00.000-07:002014-09-30T22:48:58.050-07:00Dance For Paul- The Movement<div style="text-align: center;">
If you have not read my past post, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I suggest you read it before divulging yourself into this post. As it will give you insight on what this post means, not only to me, but to the community that Paul Lee belonged to.<br />
Read it <a href="http://thatgirlrika.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-day-my-world-fell-apart-remembering.html" target="_blank">Here</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-95PtEZDfRp0/U9_2oaNy_fI/AAAAAAAAbBo/Onrl8Bxvsxo/s1600/20140719_163241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-95PtEZDfRp0/U9_2oaNy_fI/AAAAAAAAbBo/Onrl8Bxvsxo/s1600/20140719_163241.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="fsl"> <a class="_5f0v" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=133679826676121" href="https://www.facebook.com/UWHHSA" id="js_27" tabindex="0">UW Hip Hop Student Association</a></span><br />
<span class="fsl"> and I, along with some friends decided to put together a music video to pay tribute to Paul Lee. </span><br />
<span class="fsl">His passion for dance was evident, and he naturally shared his love through it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="fsl">We decided to share in his love of dance, and Give back to his family. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Sb7hox6Ms2c" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4BKsNWbchwg/U9_1vQrrdPI/AAAAAAAAbBc/o2-s46CS5ug/s1600/20140719_163138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4BKsNWbchwg/U9_1vQrrdPI/AAAAAAAAbBc/o2-s46CS5ug/s1600/20140719_163138.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-80239529400874257082014-08-27T03:53:00.002-07:002014-08-27T04:35:54.488-07:00The Steel Beast<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>For a very long time I use to write short stories inspired by all the things I have never done. It is far to late for me to share this experience in real life with my Father, but; if he were still here, still alive, this is how I would Imagine my first train ride.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i> </i> </b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7E36NGEONh4/U_256wkB5sI/AAAAAAAAftE/0iJ4N8p_4J4/s1600/_DSC0009-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7E36NGEONh4/U_256wkB5sI/AAAAAAAAftE/0iJ4N8p_4J4/s1600/_DSC0009-1.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The
Steel Beast</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
I stood at the edge of the run down and shabby looking train station,
I could start to feel the ground quake beneath me. I could hear the
high pitched wail of the whistle blowing through the air as it
released the built up steam. It was barreling down the line like race
dogs at the track; it was headed straight towards me. </span></span></i>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
steel beast was making its way towards the platform, the gears
switched and the breaks pushed down
trying to stop the massive steel wheels from turning. It finally
halted only feet from where I was standing. The doors slowly opened
and a flood of people poured out like a dam that just gave way. I
could still feel the heat of the engine as the steel beast lay still,
only letting out whispers of steam from the still burning coals. </span></span></i>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
was my first time, being so close to a steel beast, I was truly
amazed at how massive it truly was. I looked over to my right, there
was my father, with the same look of amazement plastered on his face.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Dad…..Are
you sure you want to get on?” I asked, with a bit of hesitation
lingering on my voice. </span></span></i>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">I’m
not worried about me……are you sure that you want to?” he
softly replied.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
took my first step up the three step staircase; I could barely make
out the interior of the cabin when my father jumped behind me.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Who
said you could go first?” as he chuckled. He walked down the
corridor as he looked for a place to sit. I followed closely behind
him unsure of what to say to him. Finally, I got enough courage to
ask the one thing that had been lingering on my mind for the last few
weeks. </span></span></i>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Dad……Why
are we leaving?” My heart was racing as I waited for the answer. My
father took a seat at the last row near the back of the corridor, and
ushered me to sit down across from him. His face crippled with
sadness and regret, he parted his lips and spoke something I thought
I would never hear him say. </span></span></i>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Well…kid,
we are leaving because we don’t belong, this town just isn’t for
us, we need something better than this, you deserve better than
this.” He spoke with his head in his hands. I had known for some
time that things were not going well at home and me being daddy’s
little girl, I was ready to leave it all behind. </span></span></i>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
slouched back into my seat, looked out my window and let out a sigh
of relief. I could hear the ticket man outside my window.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">All
aboard” He yelled, as the steel beast began to spring in to life.
The engine started to roar as if it were a lion. The ticket man
slowly made his way through the corridor punching tickets, As he can
closer I could make out that he was a tall and lean man, with an ash
grey beard and a weathered face that almost looked like leather. </span></span></i>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Are
you ready for an adventure?” He asked me as he took our tickets.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Of
course” My face lighted up as I replied. “This is my first train
ride”</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Oh
is see, I have something special just for you then” he said as he
pulled a bucket filled with suckers out from behind the last seat.
As I reached my hand in a grabbed one for myself, my father spoke up.
</span></span></i>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Aren’t
you going to get me one too? This is my first train ride too you
know.” He said with a smirk. </span></span></i>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
ticket man turned and walked back down the corridor, he disappeared
for quite some time. When he finally returned he had a Motorman hat
and jumpsuit. He handed the hat to me and the suit to my father; we
looked up at him and wondered what the items were for. </span></span></i>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Alright,
now put this on, and follow me” said the ticket man, </span></span></i>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">What
is this for?” I quickly replied.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">This
is to protect you in the engine room.” He replied.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">We
get to see the engine room?” My father and I said in unison.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">It
is your lucky day; we normally don’t let people see how trains
work, but the Motorman made a special exception for you two.” The
ticket man said.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
followed him down the corridor of the train and into the engine room.
There were so many levers, pulleys, switches and buttons. I never
imagined it would look like this, my father and I stood in sheer awe
of the engine room.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Are
you ready to learn how to drive this train?” questioned the Motorman </span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">You
can teach me?” I replied</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“
<span style="font-size: small;">I sure can,
First you need to push the Johnson bar forward, grip the very large
lever that rises from near the floor in front of you,…. squeeze the
release handle and shove it all the way forward, and let go of the
release handle to lock it into place.” The Motorman instructed.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Okay,
what is next?” I eagerly replied.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Open
the cylinder cocks - find a medium size valve in front of you on the
boiler, Turn the valve all the way clockwise.” He replied.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Dad,
it’s your turn to do it” I said in an over excited voice.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My
dad began to follow all of the Motorman’s instructions, carefully
listing to what he was saying. He made sure to follow each and every
step exactly as told.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Turn
the front headlight on - above you on the ceiling, there will be a
large, flat, half-round box. Slide the knob on the round side of the
box all the way to front. Blow the about-to-move-forward whistle.
Pull down on the cable twice to make the steam whistle sound out two
short blasts. Release the engine brakes, the two brass horizontal
levers on your left. The top one must be moved from right to left to
release the brakes. That very long lever in front of your face is the
throttle. Open the throttle; this will make the train move. Grip it
firmly and give it a pull it toward you.” The Motorman instructed.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The train
pulled forward and out of the station, it slowly built up speed like
an avalanche coming down a steep mountain side, before we knew it,
the Steel Beast was going full speed and we had started our journey
to a new home.</span></span></i><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOQvARq1Zzs/U_25Z6Gse0I/AAAAAAAAfs8/BqUE9pvz-CA/s1600/CG_UP2_Coast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOQvARq1Zzs/U_25Z6Gse0I/AAAAAAAAfs8/BqUE9pvz-CA/s1600/CG_UP2_Coast.jpg" height="316" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-25846222416464193452014-08-24T20:00:00.001-07:002014-08-24T20:02:06.570-07:00Midnight Rendezvous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4VLnmP9TPTU/U_qiFqAQPvI/AAAAAAAAfkY/19WweF2TSKo/s1600/20140823_225334_LLS-EFFECTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4VLnmP9TPTU/U_qiFqAQPvI/AAAAAAAAfkY/19WweF2TSKo/s1600/20140823_225334_LLS-EFFECTS.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last night was absolutely amazing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Every day this man gives me one more reason to love him. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have never felt so loved and cherished in my life. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A simple walk, hand in hand through my neighborhood, brought me closer to him. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nights like last night, remind me why love is so precious, and when you finally find the right person, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there is nothing at all that can tear you apart. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Taking in my surroundings, I saw just how beautiful life is, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and how blessed I am to be able to spend my life with someone who see it too. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
During our midnight rendezvous we came across a curious cat.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This lovely creature followed us on our walk.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wTHD2S3ZeF4/U_qiFptt9wI/AAAAAAAAfkY/G7njf1NAk-U/s1600/20140823_230945_LLS_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wTHD2S3ZeF4/U_qiFptt9wI/AAAAAAAAfkY/G7njf1NAk-U/s1600/20140823_230945_LLS_1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-umzCd5TBp8s/U_qiFruL1BI/AAAAAAAAfkY/XDWXT7stb1g/s1600/20140823_230359_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-umzCd5TBp8s/U_qiFruL1BI/AAAAAAAAfkY/XDWXT7stb1g/s1600/20140823_230359_LLS.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChZhoa2U05I/U_qiFkqT-VI/AAAAAAAAfkY/GW9gjbNOjOU/s1600/20140823_230330_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ChZhoa2U05I/U_qiFkqT-VI/AAAAAAAAfkY/GW9gjbNOjOU/s1600/20140823_230330_LLS.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aj2ciEG_qXI/U_qiFmqGqJI/AAAAAAAAfkY/OLXnlOE0Tmw/s1600/20140823_230338_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aj2ciEG_qXI/U_qiFmqGqJI/AAAAAAAAfkY/OLXnlOE0Tmw/s1600/20140823_230338_LLS.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s7Pg7UhvxPk/U_qiFoUd0II/AAAAAAAAfkY/XdrHhGACxcM/s1600/20140823_230133_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s7Pg7UhvxPk/U_qiFoUd0II/AAAAAAAAfkY/XdrHhGACxcM/s1600/20140823_230133_LLS.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
There was surprisingly a lot of interesting things in my neighborhood,</div>
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I have lived here for over a year and haven't really walked around. </div>
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It was great to talk about life, love, </div>
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but even more great to stand in pure silence and just take in the world around us. </div>
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I would never trade a night like this for anything in the world.</div>
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<br />erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-37448749045905227092014-08-20T01:23:00.000-07:002014-08-20T01:23:00.578-07:00You Painted Black upon the Whitest Lies.....<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Play the First song on the Sound Cloud Player...</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Listen and Read! </b></i></div>
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Have you ever been in a relationship or even friendship with a liar?</div>
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It can be painfully deceptive, and honestly just down right confusing. </div>
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I know I am not alone, in this feeling, the utter disgust and feelings of complete betrayal. </div>
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For so long, I have simply let people tell me what ever they wanted, </div>
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white lies, small lies, big lies. </div>
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Where has it gotten me?? </div>
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No where..</div>
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It has left me with nothing...why do I allow people to lie to me?</div>
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I am left feeling like a boat with no anchor, not rooted to anything anywhere.</div>
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<br /></div>
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These are the Hard Truths I have learned through out my years of letting people lie to me...</div>
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Maybe just maybe...</div>
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this post will stop you from wasting time on someone who constantly lie to you. </div>
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TRUTH: is a steady force, it is heavy and hard to carry. It is the anchor that keeps us in the present, here in reality, and it is completely irreplaceable.</div>
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Once you lie to someone, no matter how many times you tell the truth after..</div>
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they will never believe you. </div>
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Now let me make something clear, there is a difference between people who lie and liars. </div>
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Everyone at some point or another will lie to you. WHITE LIES are a huge thing in our culture.</div>
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Most people are not even aware that they are lying until some one else points it out. </div>
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Excuses are often masked as White Lies, or half truths, either way they are still a lie. </div>
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Telling the truth is hard, its humbling and more times than not, embarrassing. </div>
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Being strong enough to admit you were wrong, and apologize to those you hurt takes courage.</div>
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Courage most people cant seem to find with in them self's, </div>
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so they let their lies fester until it comes back and bits them in the ass. </div>
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The only thing worse than lying, is being caught in a lie. </div>
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Opposite of White liars, are Habitual Liars. </div>
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Habitual Liars have made a life out of lying. There whole life style is built on deceit, </div>
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they live in a false reality. They are so deep in their own lies, they actually believe them themselves. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But why do people lie, what is it that motivates them to lie?</div>
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Well there are 3 things for sure that I know of. </div>
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1. Liars are in Love with Themselves:</div>
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Liars make every situation about themselves, they don't think about how their words or actions will impact others. They don't want to look stupid in front of others and they don't want to admit that they are wrong. Liars are short sighted and only look for the easy way out. </div>
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2.Liars are Cowards:</div>
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That's right, I said it.. they are Cowards. Anyone who lacks the mental strength and courage to tell the truth is a coward. Coward are hard to love, they will constantly frustrate you. Instead of admitting that they are human and made a mistake, they will lie to cover it up. </div>
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3. Liars have Nothing to fall back on. </div>
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At the end of the day, once someone finds out someone is a liar,</div>
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that is pretty much it for what ever type of relationship they were in. I mean, what do you have at the end of the day, at the end of ones life if not your reputation and good name?</div>
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Liars essentially cut out the legs beneath them, falling on to nothing. By lying constantly they burn the bridges with their family and friends. Their lives become a meaningless wasteland, easily forgotten and dismissed. </div>
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I have met many people who are habitual liars, and it took me quite some time to figure it out. </div>
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I have had 10+ year long friendships end because I could no longer take being lied to. </div>
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If you have ever met some one who constantly lied to you, what did you do about it?</div>
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Did you call them out? or did you keep your mouth shut and let them lie to you even though you knew the truth?</div>
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<br /></div>
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I once stayed in a relationship for over 2 years because I though I loved this person, </div>
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but the whole time he cheated on me.</div>
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I knew about it, but I never called him out on it. </div>
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When I finally did point out.. that I knew what was happening he lied to my face about it. </div>
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At that point I just didn't care if I though I loved him or not. I only cared about our relationship being built on trust, and it no longer was. </div>
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So I let that "ship" set sail...</div>
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I vowed that if I ever suspected that someone was lying to me, I would call them out on the spot.</div>
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I would never allow some one to abuse my trust towards them...</div>
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Once you burn the bridge.. its gone..</div>
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tell them.....</div>
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<br /></div>
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you painted black over the whitest lies.</div>
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erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-56862614687052452362014-08-11T15:27:00.003-07:002014-08-12T18:03:40.957-07:00A Time Traveller's Delight- Renaissance Faire<div style="text-align: center;">
I am sure that there are times when you wish you could just get away from it all, </div>
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even if it is only for a short time. </div>
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Sometimes I find myself wishing that I could just travel back in time, visit places before they became the places that they are now.<br />
I want to see the world through the eyes of those who came before us.<br />
<br />
Finding an escape from reality isn't necessarily a bad thing.. Just remember that eventually you must return to real life...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You just need a bit of imagination, </div>
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that alone can take you places you have never even thought of.<br />
A time traveller's delight...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G642YQhykTg/U-kyAs0uBHI/AAAAAAAAbno/8vFAsauHp54/s1600/20140809_122400_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G642YQhykTg/U-kyAs0uBHI/AAAAAAAAbno/8vFAsauHp54/s1600/20140809_122400_1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Beyond the seas of emerald green, <br />the ebb and tide of diamond waves slosh in the most serene celerity<br />I lay upon the seas, and become a grain of sand<br />I am a pearl born of pain,<br />my timbre plays melodies on your heart strings,<br />my beauty shadowboxes with your soul..</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d4141; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"> wind blows through the</span><span style="color: #3d4141; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">warped cold forest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Endless echoes of sea mist </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">hits the black shore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Only this is caused by dark morning, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">summers end knocks on the door, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">only hidden by light nights. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Cold dark shadows pass down </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">the twisted roads </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Once again black mornings </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">and light nights; </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">follow me to the endless ocean of life.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The Washington State Midsummer Renaissance Faire</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can You Guess what I am?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Wings...FireBird</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just hanging out with woodland creatures!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Necromancer and the Dragon Queen...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fallen Faerie Indeed</td></tr>
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I had a truly amazing time, from the moment we got there life outside of this place did not matter, </div>
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I was in the company of good friends, new and old. </div>
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I would not trade a moment of this adventure for anything in the world..</div>
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Finding a place to escape to is hard, but finding one where your friends will follow is even harder..</div>
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Thank you Ren Faire for being that escape for me...</div>
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erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-23420690204817394692014-08-06T23:43:00.003-07:002014-08-07T05:42:24.177-07:00All That Glitters is not Gold.....<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
Have you ever been fooled by someone or something, regardless of who or what it was, but by the simple fact that it was new, it was able to cast an illusion over you? I have met many people like this, who first impression is so good, it makes you question their motives.<br />
Sometimes you are proven wrong, your assumptions unfounded, but what about the times your are right? What do you do then?<br />
<br />
Just a little over three months ago I met someone who "I" thought was my friend. However, in this case I was gravely mistaken. Like most of my posts, I will leave this person unnamed. I'm not about calling people out, but I am about the lessons that can be learned.<br />
<br />
So let's start at the beginning....<br />
<br />
I have a pretty long commute most days of the week when school is in. So sometimes I stay with friends in Capital Hill. While perusing the Internet.."Facebook" I saw that I had a few friends in common with someone I had not met, but lived fairly close to another good friend of mine. I added this person and we chatted on FB for while before deciding to meet up at LA Cocina in Capital Hill. <br />
I met this person.. Lets call them "A".. no not the A from pretty little liars... but I guess they are both as devious. <br />
<br />
We started to hang out daily, we watched the World Cup at local bars around Capital Hill, we out to eat or just walked around. I told A that I wasn't interested in anything more than friendship, that things between us would never progress past the point they were at. A agreed and stated that he also didn't want anything serious and that being friends worked for him.<br />
<br />
During this time I was still hanging out with my other friends, and started to put mine and A's friendship on the back burner. I really didn't want to lead him on by constantly being around, so I started hanging out with other friends again. About a week later I met up with A again and he told me that if I ever need a place to stay when I have early morning class or work, that I could stay in his spare room.<br />
<br />
I took advantage of the offer, and stay about two times over the course of 2 1/2 months.<br />
The Third time is stayed however things went a lot different than before. I worked that whole weekend so I decided to stay the night at his place. After I got off work we met up at the local animal shelter over by my school, to look at puppies because it had only been about 3 weeks since the shooting at my school, and when my puppy died. I was hurting still and really just wanted to hang out with some puppies and maybe even adopt a new one. However there were no dogs available for adoption, weird I know.<br />
<br />
So since that feel through we had a lot of time on our hands. We decided to head back to Capital Hill and grab some stuff at QFC to eat for dinner. Later that night A got a hold of his friend who had a dog and lived closed by. He agreed to let us take his dog on walk, from what I was told by A, this dog is kept kenneled all day, and is never really taken out side. So the dog is super anxious and nervous around other people and other dogs.<br />
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We walked the Dog for about an hour, then return him home to his owner. A and I decided to head back to his place. We started watching the Lego movie, but I was getting tired so I decided to go lay down in the spare room. Before I fell asleep I got a message from Marco, he told me he had a battle to attend that night, and I replied back saying that I was taking a nap and that I would come down there to watch. Marco wrote back that he would message me when he got to Seattle. I sat my phone down to charge, and passed out around 8:30ish.<br />
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When I woke up it was almost 10:30, I was late for the battle Marco told me about. So I started to get ready and pack my things. I walked towards the door which I had left slightly cracked. I could hear A talking on Skype to his League of Legends friends. I listen for a quick second not really thinking much of it. I figured they were just talking about a character in game. I listened even more intently, and It dawned on me that he was talking about me, about my body, about sexual things that had never happened between us.<br />
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He degraded my worth over the Internet, he belittled me to nothing more than a prostitute. He talked about how he thought parts of my body were fake, but he couldn't actually know, but he elude to the fact that he had touched me, and had sex with me. Even though none of that was true.<br />
I sat behind that door, in shock, tears ran down my face. This man who claimed to care about me as a friend, who helped me deal with some of the most immeasurable loss. Stabbed me in the back. I heard movement in the living room, so I jumped back into the bed. As I did I hear A state " I better check and see what she is doing, I don't want her to hear this." I laid in the bed and pretend to sleep.<br />
Inside I was furious, I wanted to get up and destroy everything with in my reach.<br />
I heard him approach the guest bedroom, the opened the door looked at me, even though my eyes were closed I could feel his stare fall upon my body.<br />
<br />
Every atom in my body was screaming with hatred towards that man who stood just feet from where I laid. He slowly turned away and shut the door.<br />
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I waited 5 minutes, slowly got up. Grabbed my things, and walked to the door. I listen for him again, he had resumed talking about me to his friends. I slowly turned the knob on the spare room, and open it. I walked across the hall and dumped his keys on the table by the front door. I proceed to open the front door the same as I did for the other door. Once out side, I ran; I ran as fast as I could to my car. I hoped that he wouldn't notice that I was gone until I had reached my car.<br />
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I got inside my car, put all my things in my back seat and cried for an hour straight. How could I have not seen the type of person he was. He had told me that he use to be selfish and had a hard time keeping friends, but that he had changed and was trying to be a better person. I believed Him, I let him fool me into thinking he was a decent human being.<br />
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Once I calmed down, and could finally breath I headed into downtown. I sent a text to Marco, telling him that I was just going to head home. He asked me why I didn't show up, I said that I fell asleep and woke up to late.However Marco knew something was wrong, he questioned me some more, until I finally gave in and told him everything that had happened.<br />
<br />
While I was talking to Marco, A messaged me.." WTF... you left?"...<br />
I responded " Yes, I left, I left your keys on the table by the door."<br />
A: "Why didn't you say anything? You went to sleep and I decided to do some work and play league for bit."<br />
ME: I don't care about that. I just decided to go home.<br />
A: "Rika, Tell me whats wrong? are you mad at me or something?"<br />
ME: "No, I just wanted to go home, I forgot I had something planned."<br />
A: "Tell me whats wrong"<br />
ME: "A, you are smart, I am sure you can figure out why I left."<br />
No Message from A for about 45 minutes.<br />
<br />
A: " Oh Shit, is it about what I was saying to my friends on league? I was just fucking around. I didn't mean any of it."<br />
A: " They were bragging about how they made it to platinum, and I got irritated and bragged about how I got to spend all day with you."<br />
ME: " I heard everything you said, everything about my body."<br />
A: " I was just trying to make them jealous, that I got to hang out with a Hot girl. I didn't mean to disrespect you."<br />
ME: "A we are no longer friends, please do not message me anymore. I don't care about what ever reasons you think you have for justifying your actions. You are just like every other asshole I have met."<br />
<br />
"A" continued to message me through out the night, and into the next day, But I never responded.<br />
<br />
Sometimes you have to learn to cut people out. Even when you wish you didn't have to. The things that seem so important can change to be so insignificant in just a moments time. Like the flicker of a flame, thoughts and emotions could change from a slow burning fire into all consuming inferno.<br />
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What we hold dear to our hearts today may not be the same thing we hold dear tomorrow,</div>
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With each day, we must decide what is important and what <span class="text_exposed_show">is not.</span></div>
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If we are careless or forgetful things will change with out us noticing.</div>
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If we don't say what weighs on our hearts how will we ever know the truth.</div>
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Speak clearly the thoughts that run through your mind.</div>
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For only you can decided what path you will take and if you shall travel it as one.</div>
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I know that most people believe its hard to just be friends with the opposite sex. I however wholeheartedly disagree. I have many guy friends who have been just my friend for well over 8+ years. Who are in relationships with other people and genuinely are just my friends. It is possible, if both people actually mean to just be friends. <br />
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Be careful who you let walk into your life. Trust people, but never completely, Believe in people, just never fully. Don't let the newness of the friendship cover up the red flags. Be thoughtful and aware.<br />
"People trust their eyes above all else - but most people see what they
wish to see, or what they believe they should see; not what is really
there" -
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1025280.Zo_Marriott">Zoë Marriott</a></div>
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Trust your Heart and your Gut above all else.</div>
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It will never steer you wrong.</div>
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And remember</div>
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All that Glitters is not Gold....</div>
erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-83710519794946266692014-08-06T17:31:00.000-07:002014-08-06T21:51:17.383-07:00Where I learned to speak in silence....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Disclosure</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">( this post contains cuss words and contains violent content) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have you ever woken up and just thought to your self, how the fuck did I end up here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well if you haven't... then your life must be either very boring, or you haven't really lived yet. When I look back at My life I wonder sometimes, How the fuck did I end up in that situation. Most people love to blame others, but I know that through out this story, these things happened to me because I did not always make the best choice either. I am not writing this to put anyone on blast.. or to call anyone else out. I am simply sharing my story with the world. Take it or leave it... I will be fine either way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I was about 15 or 16 years old.. hard to remember exactly because most of these memories I have tried to purge from mind...I lived in central point Oregon. By this time in my life my parents had already divorced. I lived with my mother and two of my sisters and my baby brother( who is special needs) and things there generally were good. That is until the no longer were.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When my younger sister was about 10 years old, (She is about 4-5 years younger than me.) she started getting into a lot of trouble. Most kids this age, at least in central point didn't really have much to do, school only fills up so much of your day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> My sister and I use to fight all the time, mostly because I would get mad at her for stealing things from me. I know it probably wasn't the best way to go about these types of things, but when you are young you don't tend to think things through. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One day I had a bunch of friends over at my house, we were all in the living room hanging out. I can't quite remember what sparked this particular fight between me and my sister, but it was a full blown fist fight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My mom stepped in and tried to stop us but, it only escalated in a fight between my mother and I. We moved from the living room into the kitchen, and that is were things took a serious turn. My friends sat in shock and awe as my Mom continued to hit me, even after I had stopped fighting back. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Things had gotten really out of hand, my friends stepped in and pulled me out of the house. They rushed me to their car and we drove away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When we finally had stopped, we reached Vancouver, Washington. This was my first time ever in Washington. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I stayed there for a few days, and let the events of that day settle in my mind. I watched as the black and blue bruises covering my right side of my body turn grey and green. I had a black eye, a fat lip, I had bruised ribs, and a cracked collar bone. I didn't go to the hospital, I was afraid. I thought to my self, my mom has never beaten me before, damn she has only even spanked me like 3 times in my whole life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was in complete shock the whole time I was in Vancouver. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I finally decided to go home, I told my friends that I would probably move to live with my dad. Just to give my Mom space during this time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Little did I know, that while I was gone, my little sister had gotten her self arrested and was currently in Juvenile Hall for theft. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This had made things tense at home, and when I return, and told my mother I planned on moving out, she completely lost it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I started packing my things, even while she was yelling at me to stop. I told my Mom that i was leaving and there was nothing she could do to stop me. Like most people, she got caught up in the moment and yelled at me " You are not leaving here, the only way you will leave is if your dead.". I know now that she didn't mean that she wanted me to die. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was young, I was scared, I did what I though was to most rational and easiest way to get out. I took a glass cup and shattered it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I grabbed a piece of broken glass and I slit my arm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> A good 3" inches across, it was deep but not deep enough to bleed out. My mother freaked out and called the police on me. My friends were still out in the living room, waiting, wondering what had happened. My mom stormed out and they had rushed in, they all stopped at the door when they saw the blood dripping from my arm. My friend/cousin Meagan started crying, I was too in shock from my own actions that I stood there frozen in time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The police and ambulance arrived, I was handcuffed and placed in the back of the squad car. Before they shut the door they but a temporary bandage on my arm. We drove off to the Hospital, where I was placed in the room with the white padded walls. You know the ones reserved for people who have tried to commit suicide. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I sat in that room, alone for 2 hours, and then finally someone came in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They questioned me, asked my about why I slit my arm, and about the bruises on my body. I confessed to cutting my arm, because well why would I lie. I didn't want to die, I wasn't trying to kill my self, I was trying to escape my mom. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">They asked if I had given my self the bruises and cracked collar bone, and I told them no. That my mother had done it, and that I had witness to back up my story. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The lady took some photos of the markings on my body, and told me that she would send in someone else to talk to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After a few more interviews, they asked me if I wanted to press charges. I declined, because if I had done so, it could have meant that my sisters and brother might end up in foster care, or they would all be shipped to my Dad. Instead I told them I just didn't want to go home with my mom. So they arranged for me to live in a group home for a while. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I stayed in the group home for a little over 2 weeks, and when I was released I went back to my mothers. When I arrived I told her that I didn't want to stay, that I wanted to live with my dad. She agreed to let me go this time, so I packed my things and set out to live with my dad in Portland Oregon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I arrived at my Fathers everything was great, his new wife greeted me with open arms, and introduced me to here children. Living with my dad was awesome, I didn't enroll in school while I was there, because I stayed home, and helped to babysit my step siblings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> After a about a year of living there, which puts me at about 17- going on 18, my Step mom took a turn for the worse. She became more and more aggressive towards me, we would constantly fight about how I disciplined her kids, which all I ever did was put them in time out. She however thought her kids were perfect and didn't need time out. I agreed to no longer put them in time out if it was that big of an issue. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Things calmed down for a bit but not for very long. About two weeks before my 18th birthday, my step mother and I got into an argument. You would not believe the reason why either, it was because I gave her stupid fucking spoiled little demon children some fucking ice cream. Why did I give it to them, well I couldn't put them in timeout for not listening, so i bribed their good behavior with some ice cream. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When she got home and saw that, she lost it, she yelled at my dad and at me, and then she did something no one ever thought she would do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That bitch.. told my Dad to choose her, or to choose me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sadly, my dad choose her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Why? Not even to this day.. I don't know the answer to that. Maybe it was because my Dad was reliant on her support, my Father was until the day he died an Alcoholic,Druggie. Maybe he knew he wouldn't be able to take care of me with out her. Either way he kicked me out, and I at the young age of 17 became homeless in Portland. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Like most people who are thrown into situations out side of their control I did what i could. I got a job working for the National Democratic party, as a canvasser, they paid me pretty good, but not good enough to get a place to stay every night. Basically I made just enough money to eat and that was it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had one friend during this whole time.. Jesse DeBra.. I didn't tell him at first that my Dad had kicked me out. Or that ever night since that night, I had ridden the Max from Gresham to Hillsoboro which is about 33 miles each way every night because I was to afraid to sleep at night. Portland is not the safest place at night, they have one of the largest homeless populations, and the crime rate is high at night. More people go missing along the max line, then anywhere else in Portland. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had ever reason to fear for my life while I was homeless... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One night while riding the max, something happen and the train had to be emptied, so it could be worked. It dropped me and a few other stragglers in a pretty shady part of town. I was just a few stops from downtown Portland, over by Skidmore Fountain. I was headed back from Hillsboro when the max stopped, and I decided to continue on my way back to Gresham. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I was walking along under the bridge, where they normally hold the Sat/Sun market. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I though I was alone, but I wasn't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I saw two men, who saw me from a far and instantly started yelling cat calls at me. They approached me, and asked me if I wanted to spend some time with them. I decline.. I started walking backwards, looking for a place to escape, a place I could run to, in order to get away. These men did not accept my answer, and continued to harass me. One of them noticed that I was searching for a way out, and he made his move. He grabbed me, and shoved me to ground. I screamed, I kicked.. I did everything I could do. I can remember now that while this was happening I only thought to my self, please just don't kill me. I knew that they were going to rape me... and I knew that they were going to kill me. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZSmhwESzLI/U-LDrLlZ7ZI/AAAAAAAAbEM/kM2cN4Pi-3E/s1600/Portland_Saturday_Market-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZSmhwESzLI/U-LDrLlZ7ZI/AAAAAAAAbEM/kM2cN4Pi-3E/s1600/Portland_Saturday_Market-1.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just as the second man started to rip my clothing off, a group of local street kids, about my age turned the corner. I watched them come around the corner, and I locked eyes with one of them, a Boy named Charlie. He immediately ran towards the guys who had me pinned down. Just as quickly the remainder of his friends jumped in, they started beating on the two men who had me held down. A girl name Sarah, helped me put my clothing back on, and asked me if I was okay. I replied that I was fine, that I would be fine. If those kids would have came even 30 seconds later, that man would have raped me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Charlie and Sarah and their friends, scared off the guys who attacked me, the offered to walk to over to the bus stop that would take me back up to Gresham. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I thanked them, and told them that I owed them my life... they simply smiled and said that they don't allow that on their streets. That they knew If I had been the one to find someone else in that position that I would have done the same. I agreed, we parted ways, and I never saw them again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have never told anyone about this night in Portland. Not a single person knows besides those who were involved, not even my best friend at the time knew about this... this is a secret I have kept locked behind velvet lips. Never allowing it to slip from my mind, and be heard by ears who either don't care to hear it, or wouldn't understand it. </span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Bus finally stopped at the QFC just by my Father house. I was to shaken to go to him, because I figured he would just turn me away. I went to the pay phone and used the last of my money to call my friend. I went to his house and told him everything, well almost everything....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I remain homeless in Portland for just under 8 months... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> where I learned to speak in silence...</span><br />
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erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-87394655765886655982014-08-02T13:02:00.001-07:002014-08-02T14:32:19.736-07:00The day my world fell apart: Remembering Paul Lee<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been almost two months now since that day, the day my world fell apart. Thinking back on it now I realized that I was delusional in my thoughts that it would never happen to me, or to my friends. </div>
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When you wake up and turn on the News and hear about a shooting at some far off school, you feel bad for them ...yes, you hurt for them... yes, but when it happens to your school, your friends, its different. </div>
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I was lucky in the fact that I was not on campus that day, June 5th to be exact. I was supposed to be in class just like every other Thursday. Except this week was different a small and horribly sad event kept me from attending class that day. </div>
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My little puppy only a year and half old, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away just two short days before the shooting on campus. I am by no means a religious person, although I attend a private Christian University. I however believe that some higher being, or some entity was looking out for me and somehow knew that this unspeakable event would take place. </div>
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I believe wholeheartedly that my dog died that day to insure that I would be safe. You are welcome to disagree but nothing in this world, no words, no thoughts can change my mind on this. </div>
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To this day my heart still aches for my friend, I cannot get over how quickly he was ripped away from me, from my life. I had just started to really get to know Paul, and in a single moment in time, some one stole him away from me. I will not post or mention the shooters name, because he deserves no fame and his name should be forgotten.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='640' height='420' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/AWRvlnOoJSU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I still struggle everyday with the loss of my friend, death is not something I am unaccustomed to. I have lost many people in my life, but never has it been friend. </div>
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I wrote this for Paul, just a few days after the shooting....</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDro2xMUqLI/U90-6f-0HWI/AAAAAAAAa3s/Pz9Qdp5X8pY/s1600/1604678_3964842096653_1698055201_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDro2xMUqLI/U90-6f-0HWI/AAAAAAAAa3s/Pz9Qdp5X8pY/s1600/1604678_3964842096653_1698055201_n.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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For Paul:<br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/btGJW_iLvqY/0.jpg" height="420" width="640"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/btGJW_iLvqY?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="640" height="420" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/btGJW_iLvqY?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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"Ante Up has become more than a simple dance club, it has become a home, a family, but most importantly a safe haven for us to go in times of need and travesty. Destruction and chaos have waded through our doors this last week. We as a family have stood strong in the wake of losing one of our precious members.</div>
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Paul Lee was more than a friend, more than a dancer. He was a mentor, a guidance, and a shining light in the dark. Paul was and will forever be, part of the Family we have learned to become. I cannot express enough the impact that Paul had on my life. Many who knew him, know very well that he would always listen with an open ear and respond with encouraging words. When I needed someone to lean on, There was Paul, a stranger to me at the time, but still he took the time to hear me out. </div>
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I have never in my life met someone who moved through the world with as much grace as Paul did, and I don't think I ever will again. Ante Up is my Home, and my family and through them I will move on and forward. A piece of my Heart will always belong to Paul.</div>
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May you dance with the Angels."<br />
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Our Love for Paul remains strong in our Hearts and Minds.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u># DANCEFORPAUL</u></i></b></span></div>
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erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-63741917936466370012014-07-30T21:57:00.000-07:002014-07-30T22:16:38.627-07:00A MOMENT IN TIME- PARADISO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EoOLF_1iCbw/U9nRF4tD7jI/AAAAAAAAazI/RZy95Xis-Co/s1600/20140703_112538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EoOLF_1iCbw/U9nRF4tD7jI/AAAAAAAAazI/RZy95Xis-Co/s1600/20140703_112538.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">| A MOMENT IN TIME |</span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">| PARADISO | </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8ruAYuiyJY/U9lvSVUzysI/AAAAAAAAavw/_eQ47To-pQQ/s1600/1782142_10203791191287497_4904414718697874199_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8ruAYuiyJY/U9lvSVUzysI/AAAAAAAAavw/_eQ47To-pQQ/s1600/1782142_10203791191287497_4904414718697874199_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="userContent">Sitting t<span class="text_exposed_show">op
the field of the main stage over looking the gorge was epic and surreal.
In that moment I sat on the grass and leaned back and took in the world
around me. I have never felt so alive, and I didn't believe people
when I was told that this event would forever change my life, but it did.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> I
made amazing new friends, built stronger bonds with the friends I
already knew. I have never been in a place where I felt loved by every stranger.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">There are people who walk in and out of your life, sometimes they change it for it the better and sometimes not. After eight long years in a loveless and mentally damaging relationship I met someone who change my view on the world, and on love. A single moment in Time forever etched into my mind, lost in a sea of people, I only saw him, and he saw only me. </span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">Paradiso, was a whirlwind of events, thousand of souls converged in one place, over looking the most breath taking view I have ever witnessed. Together in harmony our bodies moved to the sounds that echoed through out the Gorge. I was completely and utterly happy, living fully in the moment. For once I was not concerned about what was happening out side of this place.</span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}"><br /></span></span>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">I was truly living.....feeling the life in every breathe I took. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYJr67CdYXc/U9lvRycWQuI/AAAAAAAAavo/6vrl5I9ilas/s1600/10543631_10203907332030943_3014350316111686777_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYJr67CdYXc/U9lvRycWQuI/AAAAAAAAavo/6vrl5I9ilas/s1600/10543631_10203907332030943_3014350316111686777_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}">In this moment, I gazed upon the man I now call my Boyfriend and I had
an Epiphany, this single and Beautiful soul, by a chance of fate,
walked into my life and forever changed my world. He took my hand and
carried me to places I have never been. Opened my eyes to the world
around me. For so long, I was confined to a world filled with other peoples wants and needs. Consuming my soul as each day passed.</span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}"> Marco, set me free, freed my mind, my soul and my heart. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDmwITHyav0/U9nKs3MDDwI/AAAAAAAAayw/QLAzEQKtdL4/s1600/20140628_143520-EFFECTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDmwITHyav0/U9nKs3MDDwI/AAAAAAAAayw/QLAzEQKtdL4/s1600/20140628_143520-EFFECTS.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}"><br /> This picture captures that moment, as we sat atop the gorge across from the vineyard. This tiny Oasis in a vast sea of dry land, shows that even in the most arid and barren of places life continues to thrive.</span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption" data-gt="{"timeline_og_unit_click":"1","app_id":"124024574287414","action_type_id":"282366618453208","object_type":"instapp:photo","unit_id":"447280888645770","og_ref":"ogexp","is_intentional":"1"}"> We lo<span class="text_exposed_show">oked
out upon nature and let the beauty of this life consume us. Paradiso
built a incredible bond between this Man and my self. I am forever
grateful to have the chance to spend my life in his presence. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBTpunURbqI/U9nKs4eArLI/AAAAAAAAayw/fi8Tv0J4wkM/s1600/20140627_140538-EFFECTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBTpunURbqI/U9nKs4eArLI/AAAAAAAAayw/fi8Tv0J4wkM/s1600/20140627_140538-EFFECTS.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some people say, that there are souls bound to living a life in
constant motion, all ways moving, changing, exploring, learning. He is
most definitely one of the souls, and I wouldn't have any other way. </span></span></span></div>
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It has been a very long time since I have written anything personal about my self. Almost ten years to be exact.You all may be wondering why now, why have I decided to spill the beans to all of you on what has been happening in my life. Well a lot has changed for me, in more ways than I could have ever imagined. </div>
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This is the first step in me Finding out who I really am. </div>
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Please be kind, as this post contains my personal life and experience. If you have something negative to say. Keep it to your self. </div>
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Have you ever felt that you were alone in this world, even when you are surrounded by people who claim to love and care about you? I have, on many occasions felt as if I was just a ghost drudging through this endless ocean of life. Invisible to the people around me, I got tired of life and the life I was living in. </div>
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I don't want to go into full details on
exactly what happened, or what exactly was said because Honestly.... I haven't healed those
wounds inflicted on my heart just yet. </div>
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However I will share a little with you.... </div>
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Over the last eight years I have completely lost who I thought I was, and allowed others to place their idea's of my worth upon me. I allowed others to belittle, breakdown and destroy all that I was. </div>
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I gave up everything I once had held dear to my heart, my friends, my family, my love of dance, school, work. If your mind can think of it, I probably gave it up, and for what you may ask. </div>
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Well... for Love, at least what I thought was love. </div>
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Like all Love Stories they have to start some where, Mine starts at a place called Tabella's. </div>
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Almost 9 years ago, I met a man, (I will leave his name out..well.. because it simply doesn't matter.)</div>
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At first I was hesitant to give him my number, but he assured me that he was not like the other guys I had dated, and for some reason I believed him. Maybe it was his rich accent, or his dark skin and chiseled features, or the tone of his voice and the way he approached me. Either way I caved in and gave him my number. </div>
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Our relationship was just like any other, we were young, careless and free. I was just 19 at the time, and he (quite a bit older) 30. I thought to my self, finally I have found a "MAN" some one who is done with the petty games boys play, and I need not worry about much. He had his life together, he had a job, a few cars, his own place, not that these things really mattered to me, (for those who know me on a personal level, and know where I came from and how my life was before this point... I will leave all that for another post.) I was just happy to be with someone who truly cared for me. After a year into our relationship I helped him open his own business, I had absolutely no business experience, no idea how to run, manage, pay, book-keep anything. Up until this point I had only ever worked retail, so I did research and helped him set everything up. It was a learning process for us both. </div>
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Together we ran this business for a little over 7 years, but now I am getting ahead of my story....</div>
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There is a reason why they say not to go into business with your loved ones, its hard and put unneeded stress on the relationship...</div>
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Don't get me wrong, as a person my significant other during this time, wasn't the only one who made the relationship hard. However our cultural differences made it difficult to see eye to eye on things. Our relationship was one filled with resentment, mistrust, and dishonor. I can not say that I was a saint in this relationship, but the amount of mental abuse I took from him, regardless if he was aware of the hurt he was doing pushed me to the edge. </div>
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I recently came across an old journal of mine, from the beginning of my relationship with him. I guess at some point fooled myself into thinking that things were fine between us. However when I read over what I had written just two years into my relationship I was ashamed that I stayed as long as I did. I was ashamed that I had allowed some one to take over every faucet of my life.<br />
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I spent seven long years believing I loved this man, but in reality I was just so far in, so comfortable, that I just let it all slide. </div>
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Starting about a three years ago, at age 25, I decided to change that, I enrolled my self in community college, I started engaging in my community at school. I made new friends, and a glimpse of true happiness began to shine through. Then the most unimaginable things happen to me, to my family.</div>
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My Father passed away, I was completely heartbroken, the man who had raised me, cherished me, was gone. It had been three months since I had last seen my father, the news of his death stripped every thing I had just built up away from me, and I was tossed back down in the pit of darkness and depression once more. </div>
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I know that it seems insane to most, but during this time, I seriously contemplated killing my self. I wanted to escape all of my pain, all of my worry, all of my sorrow. I knew that if I had gone through with it, I would have only hurt my family more. </div>
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My relationship at the time did not help either, all though at first my ex supported me in my time of need, he slowly began to tell me that I needed to move on, and get over it. This coming from a Man who had also lost his own father, destroyed me. One can not easily forget or move on from a parent dying, that pain lingers in the heart for eternity. </div>
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This is when things started to get really bad for my relationship. The trust issues came once I returned to school, mind you while enrolled at Edmonds Community College I was taking 25 credits a quarter and didn't have much time for anything. I took hybrid classes, if I wasn't on campus, I would be on my computer. That alone caused most of the issues, "Me" being on my laptop all the time working on home work. Which is what I was doing, but "He" thought I was on Facebook, or something else talking to other people. No matter how many times I reassured him that I was faithful, and guilt free of talking to other behind his back, it made no difference to Him. </div>
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Anytime we were invited to a friends get together or outing, he would decline, stating that he was too tired to attend. He would tell me that I could go if I wanted, but that if I went he might go out and do something on his own. It put me in the position where I had to choose Him, or my friends. </div>
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Many people might think I made the wrong choice, but I choose my friends. They have been here for me long before he was, and they are still here now. Things progressively got worse for us, our relationship was hitting rock bottom. He constantly threaten to leave me, stating that if I didn't change that he would leave. He had done this a number of time, but only once had I actually packed my things and prepared to leave. He begged me not to go, saying we could work it out and that we shouldn't waste the 6 years we had been together. I agreed to stay, but I had warned him that if he continued to threaten me by saying he would leave that he would have to be prepared to do so. </div>
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Even our intimate relationship started to suffer, and to be plainly and painfully honest, I just didn't want to be intimate with someone who didn't trust me. I felt that his jealousy, was a cover up for his own wrong doing, and I didn't want to take the chance of getting something, since it was impossible to know if he had been with anyone else. </div>
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He started going out more to the clubs, and would be gone all night, no phone call, no nothing. He would walk back in smelling like booze and hard liquor. Claiming that he had left his phone in his friends car all night. I didn't want to argue so I let it go, and just went to sleep. We grew further and further apart, and he started doing more and more things on his own. Then it happened, he started accusing me of cheating on him, every time I went anywhere. </div>
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Things continued on like this for the next two years, I finally graduated from EDCC in 2013 with three degrees in Business Management. During all of this we still had the business running, I originally enrolled in school, so I could help make sure everything at the business was legal and on par with Washington state operations laws.</div>
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Shortly after graduation I applied to University of Washington and Seattle Pacific University. I was accepted to SPU and I decided that I would enroll during the Fall to work on my BA in International Business. My relationship started to break even more, now that I was commuting to Seattle from Renton, every day for school, I worked full time at the Business we ran and attended school full time. Towards the end of the first quarter at SPU, Ante Up was formed, and I joined and became a founding member. </div>
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I was super excited about joining and going to practice every Friday night, however my significant other was not so thrilled. He claimed that I was building a new life with out him, and that I had all these new friends he knew nothing about. He told me I joined as an excuse not to be home with him. </div>
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Which was not true, We worked together, car pooled together, and did everything together, I just wanted one small thing to my self. </div>
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This single decision, is what set me on the path to planning my escape from my relationship. It sounds horrible I know, Plotting an escape.. you might be asking why didn't I just up and leave. Well if you scroll back up to the top of this post, you would see that I had nothing, Everything I had, my house, my income, my car, my life, revolved around this single man. I had to start setting stone for me walk across to be on my own. </div>
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I moved both of us into a family members house, because I knew if things ended I would have at least a place to stay, I applied for a job on campus, and luckily got one fairly soon. Due to Business and legal issues one of my significant other cars was under my name, I legal possessed the car. </div>
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Then one night it all came crashing down, a small little argument pushed into a full blown attack on each other. </div>
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Then those words came out of his mouth " Why don't we just end it then!"</div>
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I agreed.</div>
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He stood there dumbfounded that for once I actually meant it. I told him to take his things and to leave. I was done, done with all the belittling and mental abuse he put me through. </div>
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I finally found the courage to stand up for my self and no longer allow a person to dictated my life and happiness. </div>
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It was by far one of the hardest things I had ever done, but I could no longer lie to him, or my self. I just didn't love him any more. </div>
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I watched him pack his things, and leave. </div>
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That night I went to sleep no longer afraid, no longer ashamed.</div>
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That night.. is night which held all the lessons I learned in the years I lost. </div>
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-That Girl Rika</div>
erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1884773720890456743.post-43775258132137303722014-07-30T10:15:00.003-07:002014-07-30T12:14:09.626-07:00Feature Post: The day I was told my worth... By Kaylie Renee Wilson<br />
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The day I was told my worth..</h1>
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on <a href="http://undaunteddarling.com/?p=240" rel="bookmark" title="2:08 pm"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2012-11-09T23:15:57+00:00">July 30, 2014</time></a>
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“I will pay, mai bpen rai ka” I said, as to confirm that I would be
more than content to cover the cost to take our friend to see a movie
with us that night…</div>
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As a dancer myself and being blessed with teaching dance here in
Thailand, I love the ideology of taking something that others can twist
to have a negative connotation for those trafficked and turning it into a
healthy release or coping mechanism. Therefore, when our team had heard
that the new Step Up movie was actually being shown here in Pattaya,
there was not a question of what our family night would entail.</div>
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We began our venture by heading down one of the dirt roads that would
lead us to our destination. Lined with bars and brothels, we heard
faintly, that one of our names was being called out as we passed a
specific establishment. A familiar voice, we turned to be greeted with
the sweetest smile. For protection purposes, we will call her Hope. Due
to unfortunate past events that are only hers to tell, Hope was stuck
working within these walls, day and night. As it was still early and
costumers were scarce, she asked us to come in. So excited to catch up
with our friend, we bought her a sprite and began to paint some of the
girls’ nails as they painted memories in our hearts. As the conversation
and laughs continued, Hope began to move to one of the songs playing in
the background, exclaiming how much she loved to dance. Seeing my happy
heart, my friend Pu explained to her that I was a dance teacher and
that we were going to see a dance movie, in which her eyes immediately
lit up. We all looked at each other with butterflies, waited for the
okay, and asked Hope is she could join us.</div>
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Working within the bars, brothels or strip clubs is obviously,
unique. Two days off of a month is what the individuals get and if they
dare get sick or need personal time off, they must pay. This is on top
of compensation needed for their food and rent, which is also usually
just above their own work place (Very normal for trafficked or exploited
victims). Knowing this, we had two options- to allow her to continue to
work for the night or…to buy her…so she could innocently hang out with
her friends and see a movie.</div>
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<i>(Now, I first want to caution that with all the stories being
told, we have been trained and competently educated on how to handle and
respond to these situations. It is so important that through this work,
we are able to showcase to these people that we do not believe they
have a price tag, that they know we do not agree with the barcode of
their bodies and that with us, they do not need to be in work mode. That
we are <b>not</b> there to take their stories and pictures so that we
can unintentionally exploit them more in the hopes of bringing
“awareness”. This coincides with making sure they understand that
although we have built these friendships which can include hugs and
cliché things like skipping while linking arms, that they never <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and I mean never</span>…have to hold our hand or hug us if they do not want to. We will never…buy their friendship.)</i></div>
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<i>Proverbs 3:15 “</i><i>She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”</i></div>
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After bringing this to her attention once again, I instantaneously
told Pu that I was more than happy to cover the brothel cost (as my
other friends happily agreed to help with the other costs as well). A
breath later, I had a diminutive worldly panic, hoping that I would have
enough bhat in my wallet as I started to argue within my mind at what
the price could be… “Obviously she is priceless but what was the dollar
sign that they nefariously branded her with? Maybe a couple hundred…hmmm
well I mean they say Pattaya is known for cheap prostitution (stomach
turning)…okay maybe like one hundred…if I need to borrow from some
people I can its fine…okay..okay…”</div>
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I smiled and nodded at Hope to ask her mama-san (in charge of all the
girls for the pimp) how much I owed her. She looked at me and stated
calmly with normalcy, “Sam Roi baht ka”</div>
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Sam Roi Baht…Sam Roi…</div>
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three hundred baht…nine…</div>
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nine dollars…</div>
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<b><i>$9</i></b></div>
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Nine dollars for this beautiful precious ruby in which other individuals pay to do whatever they would like with her…..</div>
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The mama-san basically told me that my sweet Hope was worth less than a movie ticket back home…</div>
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<i>Matthew 10:30-31″But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. “So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows</i>.”</div>
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I swallowed my judgment immediately and handed her the money. We then
bowed, said our goodbyes and journeyed to the theater. My heart
fluttered to watch as she giddily engaged in the whole experience,
slowly but surely figuring out that she could be herself and turn off
the individual she had prepared herself to be that night. As we headed
in the theater, I casually asked her if she would like something from
the snack bar. She shyly nodded, smiled and as I upgraded her orange
fanta to a large, she did a little shoulder dance of excitement. We
continued, proceeding carefully but happily through the night and as she
grabbed my hand to squeeze in approval of a difficult dance move
completed on the screen, my heart began to hurt…literally…</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+4%3A24&version=ESV">Mark 4:24</a> “And
he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you
use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.”</i></div>
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I tried to focus but I was immediately drawn to my hand in which my
sweet friend hand hers in its grasp. As if the Lord’s whisper traveled
from my heart to my finger tips… I once again was struck by the reality
that dinner and a movie may be something she is use to…just with a very
different ending. That it truly was necessary to remind her every so
often that she owed us nothing…no hand holding…no pretending to act like
a girlfriend or piece of meat…that the only thing expected from her was
to hopefully enjoy the company and movie and get to go home after
without any obligation or bargaining (or lack of) for sex.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am so blessed that Hope had become a close friend and we are
continually and prayerfully working on showing her, her true worth and
getting her out of the brothel.</div>
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<sub>Sadly though…her situation is not a rare one…..</sub></div>
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“no no no too much,” he sternly stated to the two girls.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were bringing food to a girl on beach road (a strip of the beach
less than a mile long, where more than 400 girls are watched by pimps
and stand, waiting for a costumer to approach), when I noticed a man
pointing to his watch and bargaining with two Thai girls. They had
rebutted his price and he was not having it.</div>
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“I will not pay that, my watch is worth more than you two”</div>
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I could not believe my ears but also knew that it was not just these Thai girls that were being belittled daily.</div>
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In my earlier blogs I had explicated that many Russian and Indian
girls were now being introduced in the bars and strip clubs as
“available” and new “talents.” That each girl in this city whether a
tourist or a worker, are looked at as if the individual viewing, had
already done the deed in his mind 50 times and 50 ways without their
consent. I myself as well as my friends, have been approached, grabbed,
and tried to be bargained for. I have been told where I apparently stand
in this world…what I am “good for”, and have been whistled and hollered
after with prices ranging from $10 to $100 in which I kindly…declined.</div>
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“why are you wearing a one piece sexy lady” he asked</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
“ Because I like to and I feel more comfortable covered,” I responded nonchalantly</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
“ Oh well, you are pretty but how are you going to get a husband in a one piece?”</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+12%3A10&version=ESV">2 Corinthians 12:10</a> “For
the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am
strong.”</i></div>
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And we have only gotten a taste of what these women, men and children whom are for <sup>grabs</sup>, go through every…single..day…</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have had many days here where I was told what my worldly worth was
and I have witnessed as many men have stripped a women or boy of all
worth and dignity with a single sentence, even before the purchasing and
physical stripping could occur.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
People have asked me if I have questioned my worth here. I can say
that the Lord has definitely protected our minds and hearts in this
manner but that we are not desensitized to the reality that these jewels
go through daily and even more so, have had conversations about how we
so many times, in different forms, had let others define and price us,
even back at home.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I so badly want those enslaved, both men and women, both pimp and
prostitute, to see their true value but in order to do that, I must know
and believe in mine.</div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+33%3A11&version=ESV">Ezekiel 33:11</a>
“Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in
the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live”</i></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You see, someone wise once told me that…free people…free people.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A29&version=ESV">Ephesians 5:29</a> “For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,”</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How many times have I let a guy lead me on, only to blame myself and
let my perception of my worth be damaged when I find out I am one of a
hundred that this is occurring with. How many times in my past have I
then continued to talk with this person, hoping I would one day be good
enough for them to change. How many times have I accepted, been silent
or even have apologized for being cheated on or treated
incorrectly…figuring that I must have done something wrong…that I was
not good enough or that I was not worth being respected and protected.
How many times have I verbally or non-verbally showed these individuals
that what they were doing was not only okay but a distorted true
definition of my very being? How many times have I belittled myself?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is easy to blame the abuser, the user, the manipulator but there
comes a point where we ourselves become the problem because we set
ourselves and now them (because we do not correct their behavior or walk
away) up for failure. We deprive ourselves and them of a necessary
reality check which could help ourselves and save others from enduring
the same… and on a more vital note…how many times have we ourselves been
the person to belittle somebody’s worth and try to justify it?</div>
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How many times have we believed this lie but then loudly preached to others not to…</div>
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Telling others that they do not need make up to make them beautiful</div>
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That you do not have to show skin, have abs, a tiny waste, big boobs, etc…to find a companion</div>
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That choosing at any point no matter your past, to now wait till
marriage to have sex, is not weird or something to be silent about in
fear of judgment.</div>
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That you are not for sale physically…mentally..or emotionally…</div>
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While us ourselves then cover our blemishes so that they will think
we are pretty…While we fear summer because we do not have the ideal
bikini body…While not getting another purity ring because of your past.</div>
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<i>While allowing cheap compliments leaving the lips of a manipulator
to put a metaphorical price tag on you that states your worth and
dignity can be shaped by their false depiction of love and the need for
affirmation….</i></div>
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I have had barcodes pressed upon my flesh in too many ways and I will
no longer allow that temporary tattoo to stay there when the Lord has
already washed it white as snow. I will no longer let myself see that a
guy asking to pursue me and not holding my hand out of protection for my
heart and respect, as rejection…due to the world telling me physical
touch and compliments of outward beauty means love and acceptance. I
will no longer let someone state that flesh is worth nine dollars…</div>
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I want to be free so that I can free others and allow them to know that my words to them are <sup>true</sup>.</div>
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The day I was told my worth was the day it was written <i>“For you
formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I
praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your
works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the
earth.”</i></div>
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The day you see your true worth is the day you take off the lenses of
societal defined yet disfigured regulations and look upon the one whom
states you are priceless…</div>
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Jesus already paid the price so why are we allowing the world to bargain for flesh…</div>
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<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+7%3A23&version=ESV">1 Corinthians 7:23</a> “You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”</i></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+5%3A9&version=ESV">Revelation 5:9</a> “And
they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to
open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed
people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,”</i></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/worlddayagainsttraffickinginpersons?source=feed_text&story_id=10202617332615671">#WorldDayAgainstTraffickingInPersons</a></div>
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<a href="http://undaunteddarling.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/marina2.png"><img alt="marina2" class="aligncenter" src="http://undaunteddarling.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/marina2-300x199.png" height="199" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
www.thriverescuehome.org</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
www.gofundme.com/kaylierne</div>
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Instagram- Kaylierne</div>
erica grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09351461221791393172noreply@blogger.com0