Tag Archives: Politics

Help! Gaining Weight Sucks

Posted on May 10, 2011 by | Leave a comment

I moved to Arizona aka The Grand Canyon State in September 2007. While I was there, I reached my goal weight of 115 lbs. and clothing size 2; I’m 5 ft. 8 in. Living in Arizona meant I was able to purchase organic fruits and vegetables (not costly), and of course, hike the beautiful mountains. When you hike 7-days a week in 80+ degrees, you’re bound to lose weight. Fast forward to July 2010, and I had to move back to Ohio from Arizona. This was devastating for me because I took everything I had (financially) to move to Arizona. I absolutely loved being in the state because of the weather, the parks, people, proximity to California, Mexico, and Nevada, the Arizona Humane Society, bookstores, and much more. I thoroughly enjoyed living in Arizona.

I slowly gained weight since late 2009 because I had fearful thoughts (relatives contributed to this) of having to move back to cold, rainy, and snowy Ohio. And, certain family members kept ‘bugging’ me about “how and why I could live over 2,000 miles” away from my family. Guilt slowly crept into my mind and moving back to Ohio became a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Since Ohio weather is not ideal for me, I’ve slacked off with my workouts. It’s May, and I still have the electric heater on (it’s on right now) along with my electric blanket. I also redeveloped some bad eating habits since living with my mom like eating dark chocolate, cookies, candy, potato chips, and ice cream now and again (I since stopped this). When I lived in Arizona, I used to treat myself to Gelato, but I never bought a container of it to keep in my freezer. I would get a small bag of Baked Lays to go with my Veggie Sub from Subway. The only time I bought a regular sized bag is when I had a coupon and a craving for the chips.

I’m highly disappointed and ashamed of myself. How could I let this happen? Why did it happen? Why am I gaining belly fat? What can I do to stop it? Why didn’t moving to Arizona work out? How do I get back to the state I love so much? I felt and still feel a deep connection to the Southwest. I’ve also developed a connection to the South. I’m a Leo, maybe it’s the fire sign in me that’s drawn to warm and sunny areas of the U.S.

I worked very hard to reach my desired weight. Some people (my mom) thought I was too thin but that’s not my problem. I loved the way I looked! Right now, not so much.

Today, I was supposed to participate in lobbying for Ohio’s animals (I may as well do something good while I’m here), but none of my ‘professional’ clothes fit me! My clothing sizes range from 2, 4, and 6; there’s no way I could get into my size 2. I couldn’t get into my size 4 skirt or 6 dress pants; I can get into my size 6 khakis! I’m very, very upset about this. I refuse to purchase new clothes in a bigger size when I have a wardrobe box filled with perfectly good clothing. I will get back into my old clothes.

It seems like my body has changed; I know it changes every seven years. It seems like I have more belly fat than usual. I know stress (I’m super stressed) causes belly fat. But, I don’t understand how I could gain 40 lbs. in a short amount of time. I even became a vegetarian! I could understand if I ate chips, fast foods, chocolate, candy, cookies, cakes, etc. every day, but I don’t. What has happened? Am I so stressed out that the weight won’t budge?

I’m doing my best to ‘psyche’ myself up to work out but it’s so frickin’ cold outside that I have no desire to. When lived in Arizona, I used to ‘bounce’ outside the door and walk to the post office or the park that was close to me; this was in 80+ degree weather. I loved being a dog walker for AHS and hiking South Mountain Park. I was highly active and loved being outside; I love nature! It’s no wonder the weight fell off of me. I wasn’t stressed at the time, and I was in a place that really felt like home.

Sigh…

Rebecca

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Posted in All Animals, Healthy and Well, Just Think, Life, Politics and Social Issues

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Warning: The Environment is about to Self-Destruct

Posted on June 7, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Okay, I haven’t posted anything on MisticCafe.com in a long time. I’ve been busy with my other websites and life. This is the first blog I ever created and it’s like my baby. Unfortunately, like most parents sometimes you neglect your child because you become self-absorbed in your life. That’s about to end. I’m committed to posting at least once a week on this blog. So here it goes…

Is the environment about to self-destruct at the hands of humans? Year after year, it’s the same old story. Some corporation somewhere has contributed to the destruction of planet Earth. Most of the humans on this planet sit back and have a “whatever” attitude about it. They figure someone else will take care of the problem. What happens when there’s no one left to clean up the planet? What happens where there isn’t a planet to clean up? That’s right, our environment could self-destruct at the hands of the humans who walk and live upon it.

The Gulf of Mexico 2010 oil spill has really gotten to me and other citizens. It’s the 21st century and we still haven’t figured out that nothing lasts forever. Why does it take a catastrophe to happen to make us realize that nothing lasts forever? Wouldn’t it make more sense to ensure our infrastructures and structures are solid and secure? Wouldn’t it make more sense to ensure a crisis plan is in place in case something happens? How about having technologies ready and available to stop a crisis if it occurs? Perhaps this is asking too much.

The damage from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is horrifying. Experts say it’s worse than the Exxon Mobil oil spill of 1989. Innocent animal and plant life are once again killed because of human stupidity. Once again peoples’ livelihoods are in jeopardy because “big corporations” couldn’t think ahead. Maybe this tragedy will wake up the people of the U.S. It’s about time citizens become angry and demand change from corporations and the government. The life of planet and its inhabitants deserve justice.

What’s taking so long to fix Gulf of Mexico oil problem? Seriously, a five-year-old probably could have figured out how to solve the problem. Quit the “blame game” and fix the problem. Maybe it’s the lack of technology. It’s the 21st century and the U.S. is still lagging behind in technology when compared to other countries. This problem could have been fixed a long time ago if the proper technology was available.

It’s amazing how U.S. citizens have to bail out corporations like AIG, banks, and other institutions for their major screw-ups. In the meantime, Americans are getting screwed left and right. Their houses are being foreclosed, jobs are being eliminated, and credit card debt increases while these companies roll in the money. Where’s the justice in this? Why aren’t people speaking out? Nothing will change if your voice isn’t heard. It’s up to you to make it known how ticked off you are and that you won’t take it anymore.

If you love the environment, recycle (where you can), buy organic foods that are locally grown, make sure you put your trash in trash cans, pickup litter, and be the best you can be. The Earth won’t last forever if everyone doesn’t do their part to respect and protect the environment.

Rebecca

What do you think of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico? Who’s responsible? How mad are you that “big” corporations and governments keep screwing up the planet? Share your thoughts.

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Posted in Green Corner, Just Think, Life, Politics and Social Issues

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Where Were People before Haiti’s Earthquake?

Posted on February 17, 2010 by | Leave a comment

What do you know about Haiti? Millions of dollars were raised to help the country and its people recover from the earthquake that hit it many weeks ago. Where were these people before the earthquake struck Haiti? What were they doing to get the tariffs lifted from the country? What do they know about the history of Haiti? How will Haiti rebuild? How will they survive if they aren’t allowed to export more goods? These are questions that you may want to ask yourself before you jump on the bandwagon to help Haiti in a onetime deal.

It’s amazing how people come together when a disaster occurs, but they forget about people and their country throughout the year. It’s like people who go to church at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. They pack the church three times a year but are non-existent throughout the year.

Helping others when disaster strikes is generous, but what are you doing throughout the year? Haitians could use help restoring the country in more ways than one. They could use a hand to create a thriving economy.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t donate to Haiti or other countries that suffer from a disaster. I’m asking you to make sure you understand the circumstances that a country faces and what you can do to help on a permanent basis. It may not be a one time deal.

Rebecca

What do you know about Haiti? What have you done to help? Share your thoughts.

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Selective Hiring or Discrimination at New York and Company

Posted on August 22, 2009 by | Leave a comment

I recently met someone at a Meetup who applied for a job with New York and Company at the Tempe Marketplace in Tempe, AZ. They blatantly told her that she would fit in better at the Chandler Fashion Mall on Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. Was this selective hiring or discrimination? Whoever told her this wasn’t too bright because I’m writing a blog about it. I wonder what the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) would say about this.

How does New York and Company know that she wouldn’t fit in? Believe me; the people in Arizona don’t dress like the people from New York, London, Chicago, Boston, or any other trendy place. They wear khakis, tank tops, flip flops, shorts, T-shirts, and any other casual wear all year long. This hardly constitutes as New York fashion even though fashion designers will feature these items, they’re not the same in AZ.

It’s interesting that they judged her because New York and Company does offer some “preppy” looks. It’s not like shopping at Prada or a boutique in New York. It’s Tempe, AZ and a Marketplace that’s minutes away from ASU — you get the picture. Since when do college kids really care about how they look? Most of them roll out of bed and are good to go.

I felt compelled to write this blog because it’s interesting how we “judge” others. What they don’t know about this woman is that she’s in marketing and could have helped New York and Company market their brand at the store level. They’ll never know how many extra sales she would have brought into the store. They’ll never know how much she could have helped increased the bottom line which is important in business and retail sales. As my law professor would say, “….too bad, so sad.” Just some food for though.

Rebecca

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Posted in All Business, Just Think, Politics and Social Issues

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Non-Americans Take Jobs away from Americans

Posted on April 8, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Recently, many Americans have lost their jobs for one reason or another. Is it fair that non-Americans, who cannot stand Americans or our culture, continue to stay in this country with their job? Not only are these people in our workforce, but they take advantage of our college and universities.

When you spend time with non-Americans and they bad mouth the way Americans dress or speak, it takes a lot to be polite to them. You may choose to swallow your pride just to get through dinner. These people may say to you, “sorry, I don’t mean to offend you.” Are they kidding? They’re sitting pretty in technical jobs while Americans, born and raised are losing their jobs.

Americans constantly receive backlash from other countries for being rude and ignorant. What’s that saying about “the pot calling the kettle black?”

If you’re a non-American who cannot stand America, why are you here? America is not the only industrialized nation in the world! There’s Canada, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ireland and other countries. You can pick up and leave the U.S. at anytime.

It would behoove companies such as Intel to make sure that they hire Americans before non-Americans. It does not reflect well on the company that they hire or hired non-Americans who have nothing but ugly comments about the U.S.

If you’re a non-American with a green card living in the U.S., hopefully you appreciate the U.S. We may not be a perfect country or have resolved our issues, but at least we provide people with freedom of speech, the right to vote (men and women), and many other freedoms. If you do not like the U.S., get out and give your job to an American that can use it!

Do you work with non-Americans that bad mouth the U.S.? How do you feel about it?

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Posted in Politics and Social Issues

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