READ THIS.
This is probably one of the coolest things I've heard of when it comes to writing.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Why You Should Boycott WAL-MART.
Listen, I love[d] Wal-Mart. Kevin and I would go in on a Friday night after or before a movie and look at everything and get cheap snacks and it was awesome BUT I will never create those kinds of memories again because Wal-Mart sucks.
Why all of a sudden? Because of this video. You don't have to watch it all but the first thirty minutes or so will change your life if you give it the chance.
The movie starts off with the owners of a small hardware store in middle-America, whose small town has been taken over by a Wal-Mart. Pre-Wal-Mart, this store was thriving and it was a little family business that involved everyone, there were many stores just like it of different variety in this small town until, WAL-MART. Small businesses simply cannot compete with what this massive store has to offer and tons of the stores end up closing down because they aren't doing the business they need to be to survive. It's really sad.
That's not all though...
Wal-Mart is basically a fascist state. For real. They guilt their workers into staying longer, without pay. For instance, in the video they show a single mother of two who had a job at Wal-Mart. Because she needed the money, Wal-Mart was a big deal for her, she need the job so, when she was about to get off managers would come up to her and say things like, "you know, we really need all those clothes put away before you leave," and because she needed the job she would have to stay longer but without pay. An ex-manager for Wal-Mart is interviewed in the movie and he says that they were told not to pay extra, and one even says that they would skim hours off their paycheques so if I person worked for 41 or 42 hours that week, they would only pay the worker 40 hours. Because these people needed the jobs, they weren't able to stand up for themselves or else they'd be fired.
The managers are also very sexist. There are over 1000 claims of sexism from Wal-Mart employees across America. At one point there's a woman on and she tells the story of when she was trying to move up the manager ladder, and she had done everything her manager told her to and he had promised her a higher position but, once she finished her tasks he decided not to. She says, "so what is it? Is it because I'm black or because I'm a woman?" and he says, "two out of two ain't bad."
ALSO, this huge company that makes billions every year, doesn't even offer their employees good health care. They actually give their employees the information of where they can apply for help through the government like, food stamps and welfare. Can you believe it? This company doesn't even care enough about their "associates," as they call them in the film, to give them a decent health care plan and because they can't afford health care, they just get sicker and sicker. Not to mention, that means that you, me, everyone is paying for their welfare and their healthcare through OUR TAX DOLLARS. Wal-mart is strategically using the country's tax dollars to pay for their employees health!
Wal-mart is just a bunch of rich, white men who don't care about anything other than making money. Don't bother giving your money to people who don't even have even respect to pay their own employees overtime.
Why all of a sudden? Because of this video. You don't have to watch it all but the first thirty minutes or so will change your life if you give it the chance.
The movie starts off with the owners of a small hardware store in middle-America, whose small town has been taken over by a Wal-Mart. Pre-Wal-Mart, this store was thriving and it was a little family business that involved everyone, there were many stores just like it of different variety in this small town until, WAL-MART. Small businesses simply cannot compete with what this massive store has to offer and tons of the stores end up closing down because they aren't doing the business they need to be to survive. It's really sad.
That's not all though...
Wal-Mart is basically a fascist state. For real. They guilt their workers into staying longer, without pay. For instance, in the video they show a single mother of two who had a job at Wal-Mart. Because she needed the money, Wal-Mart was a big deal for her, she need the job so, when she was about to get off managers would come up to her and say things like, "you know, we really need all those clothes put away before you leave," and because she needed the job she would have to stay longer but without pay. An ex-manager for Wal-Mart is interviewed in the movie and he says that they were told not to pay extra, and one even says that they would skim hours off their paycheques so if I person worked for 41 or 42 hours that week, they would only pay the worker 40 hours. Because these people needed the jobs, they weren't able to stand up for themselves or else they'd be fired.
The managers are also very sexist. There are over 1000 claims of sexism from Wal-Mart employees across America. At one point there's a woman on and she tells the story of when she was trying to move up the manager ladder, and she had done everything her manager told her to and he had promised her a higher position but, once she finished her tasks he decided not to. She says, "so what is it? Is it because I'm black or because I'm a woman?" and he says, "two out of two ain't bad."
ALSO, this huge company that makes billions every year, doesn't even offer their employees good health care. They actually give their employees the information of where they can apply for help through the government like, food stamps and welfare. Can you believe it? This company doesn't even care enough about their "associates," as they call them in the film, to give them a decent health care plan and because they can't afford health care, they just get sicker and sicker. Not to mention, that means that you, me, everyone is paying for their welfare and their healthcare through OUR TAX DOLLARS. Wal-mart is strategically using the country's tax dollars to pay for their employees health!
Wal-mart is just a bunch of rich, white men who don't care about anything other than making money. Don't bother giving your money to people who don't even have even respect to pay their own employees overtime.
Mercante Cucina Italiana
The other night Kevin, Sam and I went to check out this new little cafe that opened recently at the Ponderosa building here at UBC.
Now, I've been to Italy and I've tried the pizza and nothing has ever compared but, the pizza at Mercante wasn't too bad. It was yummy actually, especially for UBC.
They cook their pizza in one of those big stone-fire ovens, you know the one I'm talking about? They used to have them at Earl's. It makes for a very authentic taste and good crust. I'd go back but next time I'll try the lasagne.
The one thing they could probably change is the over-all atmosphere of the place. It's very bare and I guess they're kind of trying to go for a modern kind of look, but it's doesn't work for the building. They need some art work or better lighting or something. Plants perhaps.
This is a picture of Sam taking a picture of his pizza while I take a picture of my pizza.
Late at Night Everyone Becomes A Philosopher
If we're being completely honest, all I've ever really wanted in life is to feel worthy of both, love and myself. For some reason I've never been able to reach that but, I'm also not sure why. It's an impossible feat of myself, a peak I'm too unfit to reach but then also, perhaps it doesn't even exist because I find that once I reach my goals, I don't feel proud anyway. I'm more cynical about myself than I am of other people or other people are of me. Is this what it is to be human? And if it is, what does that even mean? Who am I trying to be?
Los Angeles
These are long overdue, I know. In August I visited my aunt and uncle in LA and this is just a bunch of picture of me because I'm obviously very obsessed with myself.
Late Night Musings
In my life, I have combatted a lot of insults, whether they came from complete strangers or even people close to me and I've never been able to understand why people even bother.
But then I reflect.
And I realize that when I feel bad about myself, I throw insults out because I'm angry and I don't like who I am. I wonder then, if that's the motivation for other people's insults. If it is, then I feel especially sorry for the individuals who constantly insult others because their lives must suck.
I'll tell you what, I've been in some pretty upsetting situations because of insults and it's just not worth it. Criticizing other people is not worth it if you think it's going to make you feel good. It doesn't. I know it doesn't.
Life is really difficult so why do you bother to make it even more difficult for other people?
But then I reflect.
And I realize that when I feel bad about myself, I throw insults out because I'm angry and I don't like who I am. I wonder then, if that's the motivation for other people's insults. If it is, then I feel especially sorry for the individuals who constantly insult others because their lives must suck.
I'll tell you what, I've been in some pretty upsetting situations because of insults and it's just not worth it. Criticizing other people is not worth it if you think it's going to make you feel good. It doesn't. I know it doesn't.
Life is really difficult so why do you bother to make it even more difficult for other people?
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Male Survivors
I don't even really know what to blog about right now because I feel so dead and sick so, I'll just leave you with this thing I found on Reddit that I think means a lot to a lot of people and perhaps even breaks stereotypes for some. Check it out here.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Vanier Olympics
Every year Vanier puts on the VANIER OLYMPICS, where all of the houses join up and compete against each other! My house combines with Mawdsley to make MAWDER or HAMSLEY. We rock. Our color is yellow and we cheer and stuff and it's pretty cute. I think every one had a lot of fun and it was smiles pretty much the whole day.
This is a picture of the girls on my floor that went to the even and our resident advisor, Gabe, who dress up as Pikachu! Because it's yellow, get it?
Each team has an entrance, it's kind of like the olympics. Some of the teams do choreographed cheers and dances, others do marches. One of the teams walked in to the Imperial March that one of the residents played on the trombone! My favourite entrance was TweedSL's, they marched in army-like lines and had a smoke bomb that followed them, which made them look pretty gosh darn cool. They did an army cheer, it went something like, "TWEEDSLS, ARE YOU SEXY?" "YES, WE ARE SEXY." Probably not exactly that but you get the idea.
Imagine this picture but 1000 times cooler in real life.
There was trampoline volleyball. You play with a water balloon and have to catapult it to the other team without letting it go out of the boundaries! A few people got pretty wet.
TUG OF WAR! Mawder won all three of our tug of war games!
There was also Human Fooseball. It literally just like fooseball but you hold onto ropes and you're a human.
Me with my awesome RA! Mawder didn't win the olympics but we came in 3rd and won an award for the amount of people that dressed up! YAY US!
Mawder superhero
"WHO'S GONNA BRING THAT BLOOD AND PAIN?"
"MAWDER'S GONNA BRING THAT BLOOD AND PAIN..... and peace and love."
Friday, September 20, 2013
Food + Drink
A) I SUCCESSFULLY MADE RICE AND IT WAS DELICIOUS! I am seriously so proud of myself, you don't even understand.
B) I found my new favourite drink at Starbucks. For those who know me, you may or may not know that I really love green tea and therefore, my new favourite drink is their ICED GREEN TEA LATTE. It's so yummy and refreshing.
C) I brought a french press with me and I've been brewing (can I use that word?) coffee and every now and then I actually make it properly and it tastes good. Tonight was one of those times so go me! If anyone has any idea where I can get some decent coffee beans that are good for a french press! Mine is just some super market brand right now.
Kevin
Well, we all knew it would one day happen but last night Kevin finally took the plunge. He shaved his beard, red hairs and all. It's a sad day for beards everywhere but a very very happy day for moustaches. I'd give this bad boy at least a 9/10. Very impressive Mr. Misumi.
Speaking of Mr. Misumi, doesn't he look exactly like his father?
this is probably one of my most favourite pictures of him ever. it makes me sooo happy.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Happy Stuff
Because today was Truth and Reconciliation day, UBC decided to cancel almost all classes so that students could take part in events to do with the day.
Instead Kevin and I went downtown and had a nice day hanging around. It was one of the best days I've had here.
Here's Kevin waiting for the bus
Instead Kevin and I went downtown and had a nice day hanging around. It was one of the best days I've had here.
Here's Kevin waiting for the bus
Here's Kevin waiting for the sea bus while drinking a Vanilla Bean Frappe from Starbucks
Here's me also waiting for the sea bus with a Cinnamon Dulce Latte also from Starbucks
Here's us on the sea bus but we're unhappy because it smells.
Here's me waiting for a donair.
For some reason, pictures of me not smiling and actually frowning or grimacing tend be my favourite pictures of myself.
Here's my yummy donair.
This is Kevin being so super happy because he got a donair too.
My favourite part about the Lonsdale Quay is definitely all the dead fish they have laying out on the ice. They used to have a big octopus but I suspect it was getting pretty old and disgusting.
Aren't we the cutest?
We had to ride on the escalators that make you feel like you're not even ascending but just moving.
Kevin finally earned his wings! Such a proud day.
We went to Zefferelli's Spaghetti Joint for dinner, which is like my favourite spaghetti joint in the world and it was probably the best experience I've had there yet. If you love spaghetti or pasta of any kind, go there and you WILL NOT be disappointed.
Today also marked Kevin and I's 365th day together so, that made it all the better. I loved today.
iOS 7
I am stoked. At first I was like, meh, whatever, I don't really care about this update or anything like, it's not a big deal.
But NOW I'M LIKE, this is really sweet.
I mostly just like the cool, bright icons and how pretty my phone looks. It's just really nice to use. Look how pretty my phone is now:
But NOW I'M LIKE, this is really sweet.
I mostly just like the cool, bright icons and how pretty my phone looks. It's just really nice to use. Look how pretty my phone is now:
YAY!!!!!!!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Triple O's
Here at UBC, just a few minutes away from Vanier there stands a Triple O's. On Tuesdays, this fine establishment markets burgers for just $3.33 and they call this event Triple O Tuesdays. These people are geniuses.
I know that the UBC Triple O's isn't the only one that does this, but it's probably the most profitable one. University students seriously love them some cheap burgers. Luckily, Kevin and I went a good time and the line up wasn't very long but when we left it was actually out the door. They actually have about 20 burgers pre-made at all times for swiftness. They have it down to an art.
This is seriously the most interesting thing I have to report right now. Sorry readers.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Hamber House Council + Rain
For the past week I've been running to become Floor Rep for my floor. There were four people running and two of us got the positions and I was one of the two so that is a pretty nice feeling.
Tonight we had our first meeting with our sister house, Mawdsley. Together we are Mawder. We planned an event and talked about the year, meeting times and other events. I'm really happy I get to be apart of it.
I've always been used to taking on this kind of leadership role in almost everything, even in group situations so, being with almost 20 or so other people who are also used to being in that position is quite strange and perhaps overwhelming. I also really like the feeling too though because it feels more like an alliance of sorts.
Right now it's raining here for the first time that I can really remember. It looks really pretty and I realy like the feeling. It's dark and gloomy but comforting because this feeling is how I define home.
Tonight we had our first meeting with our sister house, Mawdsley. Together we are Mawder. We planned an event and talked about the year, meeting times and other events. I'm really happy I get to be apart of it.
I've always been used to taking on this kind of leadership role in almost everything, even in group situations so, being with almost 20 or so other people who are also used to being in that position is quite strange and perhaps overwhelming. I also really like the feeling too though because it feels more like an alliance of sorts.
Right now it's raining here for the first time that I can really remember. It looks really pretty and I realy like the feeling. It's dark and gloomy but comforting because this feeling is how I define home.
Family Time
I also got to see Brody, Lincoln, Mom and Dad this weekend because it was Dad's birthday!!! Hooray!
We went for dinner too at the Boathouse is Richmond and you know, not very impressed but it was nice to be with the family. Valentina and Kenny also came and so, it was a family affair. It was really great to be with everyone.
Kevin, Brody and I went to the Richmond Night Market for a little bit after dinner too.
Firstly, I'd like to point out that Brody has lost both of his front teeth in the last week or so! The best part about it is that HIS SCHOOL PORTRAITS ARE ON FRIDAY!! l o l.
We also had some deep-fried reeses peanut butter cup cheesecake. It was pretty overwhelming.
This is satisfaction.
Dad ended up winning a lot of money at the casino too so that was a nice little birthday present for him. He, or should I say Mom, bought me a new pair of lulu pants and one of their new sportsbras and it made me very happy.
All in all, it was a great weekend and I'm so happy I got to see all the family. Two more weeks until I see them again.
Color Run Vancouver
On September 14th, Kevin, Sam, McKenzie and I participated in the Color Run in Vancouver! Here is a photo diary account of the day:
I am happily surprised by how fun much we had.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)