Don't Be Such a Snob

Since I have graduated from college and entered the field of Psychology, I have learned that judging people is something that I just should not do. I have worked with individuals who have mental health issues, mental retardation, and addiction. In each of these jobs it was my duty to be neutral, not to judge, to listen, and to be empathetic. I believe that this is how people should be all the time--not just with those who are challenged in some capacity.

My friend is getting married in August and my honey and I have been invited to the wedding as well as her Bridal Tea, which is next week. I have never been to a bridal tea and have been asking questions as to what is expected of me in the way of attire and whether or not I should be bringing a gift. Now recently I discovered that I can access GoogleTalk from my work computer and I like to chat with friends. I was chatting with an older friend of mine (she's not old, just older lol) and happened to mention that I was going to said friend's bridal tea (we both know her because we all go to school together). We giggled about how I will probably stand out like a sore thumb with my locks and brown skin and probably being the youngest in attendance. My friend said back to me "You probably won't be the only non-White person there I'm pretty sure her fiance is Puerto Rican." Since I have hung out with my friend and her fiance before I knew that he was definitely not hispanic. Curious as to why she would think that I asked why and her response was: "He seems pretty trashy so I just assumed he was..." GASP!

Seriously? That's racist on one level and extremely judgmental on another. My friend's fiance is a very nice guy and while he may have made some poor choices, that does not make him trash--it makes him human. Let me give you a brief background. Fiance has 2 young boys by 2 different women. He was married to one of these women and in a committed relationship with the other. He is since divorced and engaged to my friend but is a very good father and pays child support for both children as well as spends quality time with them. Does this make him trash? To me, it makes him a man who is taking responsibility for his actions. Not to mention my friend who called him trash has never met him and doesn't know anything about him other than he has 2 children.

Maybe I expect too much from people. But in my defense, she has every intent on becoming a counselor one day. I would think that she would be more tolerant and less judgmental of people. Then again this was the same person who said she couldn't tolerate people who abused drugs because she thought they were just being stupid and selfish. She recently reneged on that statement and said she had the opportunity to sit in on a meeting and has a new found respect for individuals struggling with addiction.

I just don't get it. Why is it that the people whose lives are the least together are the ones spit poison from their mouths? Well, I'm lying, I do get it. It's because they are insecure and it makes them feel better to talk badly about other people. Let me give you the rundown on Little Miss Snobby: she's 33 and single (not by choice), completely neurotic, has panic attacks over nothing, is so desperate to find a husband (i guess she just wants to skip the boyfriend phase), takes advice from a 23 year old, and sees a shrink on a weekly basis. I'm not saying that these things are bad things but if she would look at herself for just a moment she would see that she has no place coming down on someone else.

Sorry guys, I'm just venting...it really bothered me. Take time to get to know people before you decide you don't like them. Don't dislike someone on the basis of the choices that they have made rather how they are handling and taking responsibility for those choices! That's it, I'm done now lol.

Its easy!

This made my day...my coworker got it for me!

OMG!

It has been 7 weeks since my last retightening! This is the longest I've gone in 8 months. Look how thick my locks are. They just look bad at this point lol. My appointment with my new consultant is Saturday and I CAN'T WAIT!

Sealing?

I have these weird little balls on the end of my locks that come out sometimes when I run my hands through my hair. Does this mean the ends of my locks are starting to seal? Don't mind my gross liney hand lol.

Current hair products

This is my current hair product line up...I just bought the JASON shampoo and the Avalon clarifying shampoo so I have no opinion on them yet. The juices and berries from oyin handmade is fabulous...it moisturizes and smells great too. The Carols Daughter Tui leave in is good too. Jamaican mango and lime's no more itch spray is WAY too medicated smelling for my taste so I've only used it once. The little bottle on the end is Hairobics scalp rejuvenator...I use it after I wash to prevent dandruff...it gets a C lol. And there you have it!

Pip or Binky?

I was thinking of naming him Pip...short for pipsqueak. Apparently he was the baby of the bunch. My friend Ellen thinks he looks like a Binky...what do you think? They're not home yet...I get them next week after they're neutered yay!

Socks

This is Socks...my friend picked the name because his white paws make him look like he has socks on lol.

My furry babies

Meet Socks and Pip! They're not home just yet. The girl fostering sent me these. I pick them up next week after they have been neutered! Can't wait!

Been busy!

I apologize for not updating in a while but it is the end of the semester and school has hit HARD! i've had so many paper's due it's not even funny. I'm down to the last 2, which are due next week, yes!!! I have 2 weeks off and then the summer semester begins...ugh! This school thing is seriously never-ending. I still haven't found another consultant that can accommodate me for evening or weekend hours...anyone in the Philadelphia or South Jersey area have any suggestions?

I also started a new job and moved to a new place all in the same week! The new job is going very well...I am enjoying getting to work closely with my clients and see them on a regular basis. In case you're wondering, I am now a methadone maintenance counselor. Methadone is an opiate blocker--it helps people who are addicted to heroin begin to ween themselves off of the heroin so that they can get their lives back in order. I do individual and group sessions, which I love! My clients are really great people who got sidetracked a bit and are ready to begin to get back on the right track.

The apartment is also good...it's got some really annoying quirks but everything is a work in progress. Our door is a mission and a half to open because the carpet padding makes the carpet near the door too high so you have to push like you're giving birth to get the damn thing open. Some of the windows also don't have screens but I think that was done purposely because it will force us to use our air conditioner, instead of the windows and cause our electric bill to sky rocket. My boyfriend thought it would be harmless to open a window anyway and now we have gnats that hang around the light in the living room that i have been killing for a couple days now.

What else? Oh! I'm getting a kitten!! I'm adopting a kitten from a girl who has been fostering them for the SPCA. I am going to meet them tomorrow and pick one out! I'm so excited...I've never had a pet that didn't have to live in a cage before haha. This is like my dream come true because I wasn't allowed to have a cat or dog as a kid because my mother doesn't really like animals. Go figure though because now she wants a dog to keep her company. She would prefer a man but I'm thinking she will settle for a pup lol!

That's all from me...pictures of some sort soon to come!

No one will stop me...

From being able to become a runner like I want to. After I got out of class today I saw the La Salle was having a track meet and I noticed that a friend of mine was watching the meet so I walked down to join her. There wasn't much left but I got really into the 4x4 relay! I was absolutely amazed by their physique and the way that effected how fast or slow or hard they were running. I could see each muscle working hard to propel the runner forward past the person in front of them. I even admired the people who were in the back and struggling because despite the fact that they weren't winning they were still pushing to the finish line. THAT WILL BE ME!

I haven't been running my whole life so, no, I won't be Marian Jones (in more ways than one lol) but I want to be the strongest version of me that I can be. I want to run without pain, I want to run without feeling like I'm taking my last breath with every step, I want to run and be proud of myself. Having said that, I am in the process of healing my body (shin splints) so that I can begin training to run the LiveStrong 5K in August. My time last year was 45 minutes. I would like to cut that down to 35 minutes, which if I stay consistent is totally possible. I'll keep you posted on my progress...I'm not going to start running again until next month so you'll have to wait until then to hear about my progress!