HERStory... or Lack Thereof

Today's class left me with a sort of emptiness that's hard to explain... We were talking about Virginia Wolf, and how in the 16th century it was highly frowned upon for women to do anything except get married. If you were a female poet in this time period, you were thought to have an unhappy life, using writing to fill a void created by a patriarcal society. To write as a woman was deemed crazy, and if they did, they would hide their writtings and do it in secret. If they hoped to be published they would have to use male pen names or publish anonymously.

They used a Freudian idea to explain how poetry evolved. Essentially the popular poet of the time could be viewed as the "father figure" that all the up and coming poets were jealous of (as Freud said little boys were envious of the father's relationship with the mother). The poets managed the feelings by taking the current writing style and incorporating their own little twist. However, this borrowed theory did not hold for the female poets that existed, few though they were. It was said that those poets had been inspired to write by their mothers, and the examples they set, because they had no female writers to look up to or learn from. It was unsettling to me, because if they were around today, they would have had ample female writers to look up to. They wouldn't have to hide behind a pen name!

As this was being discussed, I found myself pondering who I looked up to , not just as an aspiring journalist/writer, but also as a person with a disability. I thought of people like Terry Fox, Jesse Davidson, Stephen Hawking, and Rick Hansen instantly. Hawking was the only one to fit umder both circumstances. I was shocked when my mind could not come up with any women with disabilities. I was deeply ashamed to think that I would have to Google "inspiring disabled women" to find one from the past, or even presnt...

The history of women has been so poorly documented that it makes me quite litterally sick! The accounts that ARE recorded are tainted by years upon YEARS of patriachy. The history of the disabled women, is tainted with missunderstanding and most likely misdiagnosis... How many women voices went unheard because to write was frowned upon? How many brillant minds were snuffed because disabilities and illnesses weren't understood? Now, it's FACINATING that women are finally filling male occupations, they can finally do equal levels of work! NO! we can't finally do it; we were able to do it all along, but just never given a fair chance... Maybe there has been progression, but to look at MY present and still be able to see clear as day, issues that existed in the 1600s, tells me that there is still much to be done. I'm sure that goes for every woman, disabled or not... but after this class, I know I want to play a role in discovering the unknown. I want to make sure no story goes untold... and it looks like I've got some research to do!`


It's been HIStory for too long... Time to make some HERStoy!

Karli

WoMan's Best Friend

This week my blogs will be a little less school related, due to being on break.

For as long as long as I can remember, dogs have played an important role in my life. If you think about it, they never judge you and don't care where you came from or who you are, just as long as you return the love they give to you! Dogs have been a source of comfort for me in everthing from recovering from surgery to just being the listening ear when no one else is around to hear. To me, they are very theraputic, and there are none more loyal. So it was fitting that my break started with my friend Jess brought her  new puppy Osie for a litte visit. Everytime my friends bring over their dogs, it's like a vacation from stress. The fluffy golden furball helped everything be forgotten, with just a cuddle on my lap.

I love dogs so much, that ever since childhood I've fantasized about having a service dog to help me. It always fascinated me that dogs could be trained to be even more helpful than they are in the most basic sense. It would save me so much trouble to have one; opening doors, picking up fallen items, getting help I was stuck, and possibly helping with transfers (though I don't know if that would work because I have difficultly weight bearing). I have always thought it would be beneficial to have one in the school setting; however the training is very time consuming, and it's important to keep as consistent as possible to ensure they maintain the commands and procedures taught. As my own routine as a university student is far from consistent, and the dogs cost upwards of $15,000, I would rather wait until things settle down before I look into one. For now, I'm content with visits from friends and their pets, but I look forward to the day when I can finally have my very own WoMan's best friend

A Much Needed Break!

I'm sure I speak for many when I say I 'm looking forward to the break! I can't wait for a week of endless choices. I've been so stressed with so many litttle things like healing from my fall and keeping on top of assignments. I've been trying to re-book an exam that was supposed to be on the Friday after my fall; it's difucult 'cause I usually have to book it 2 weeks ahead to make sure I've a quiet place to work. No such luck with re-booking before the break, but I shall return refreshed and ready to write next week! It will be nice not to be bothered by the little things, like whether the buttons around the school will work on a given day, or whether your bus will be on time on top of the books and many other things. Imagine having to plan a bus pickup three days in advance, setting a time and them being as early or late as they please (so it quite often seems). It is not impossible to be be forgotten either; which hasn't happened to me at King's yet,but the paranoia is still present.I cant just hop on the next one within ten minutes later. If you miss a bus/ are forgotten, you could be waiting an hour +


This coming week will be a rejuvenation period, filled with friends, fun, and pj days (and maybe some reading for once?) I'm looking forward to writing my blog at decent hours of the day, instead of getting "brilliant ideas" while lying in bed at 11pm, and perhaps pay more attention to the autocorrect feature on my iPhone, since I've noticed my late night brilliance leaves behind silly mistakes! I hope everyone enjoys the well deserved break, and spends time rejuvenating, because ALL students need a break sooner or later…

Karli

10 Year Old Tricks

On Thursday I had an unexpected accident. I was cleaning my couch off so my friend Amber could sit comfortably when she came to visit. So I won't in my room to put away laundry that was on the couch, and as I was coming out of my room my chair got stuck in push mode! I though my workers would clue in that there was trouble, but no such luck!

I called for help for a long time until my voice was gone. In retrospect it was pointless because the walls are pretty much soundproof. So I spent another while convincing myself to slide out of my chair using my childhood tricks.. This was a huge risk for me because my 21 year old body is significantly less active and my mind much less brave than my 10 year old self once was. Once I collected myself and was sure I wouldn't throw up all my innards, I wormed my way to a phone jack and pulled the phone off my bed. I finally got help, and I am
Lucky to only have gotten a few scratches and a bruised tailbone; which I hope is quick to mend.

I'm glad I remembered my ten year old tricks, because not only did they save me, but they showed me I still have a sliver of strength that I thought was forever gone…

Karli

Shortcuts

Today was an interesting start. I seemed to baffle my classmates standing outside the class who were whining that they never bough the Children's Lit books and never knew what was going on. So I pipped up and said that I listened to audiobooks to save me time and money.

I have come to know that not reading books can be a deadly choice in the long run, but I also understand that if you juggle 5 courses, you have to learn some shortcuts to keep your sanity. Audiobooks have been my hero in children's lit because we cover a book per week. Some people skim chapters or readings, which is better than not reading at all! I don't know what I'd do if I didn't take shortcuts!

I'd rather take shortcuts than cut books out entirely,

Karli

"Brain Tired"

Today I was bombarded with advice on what I should do to enhance my chances of getting into journalism. I was advised to take two majors, and attempt to push for honours as well. So I reconfirmed my original English major, and added a major in Women's Studies.

Coming to that decision was actually quite confusing though. I felt like I was dealing with a car salesperson, except they were trying to up sell my degree to a specialization which forces you into 9 certain courses and doesn't leave any room for electives. It was lucky enough I was convinced to take on another major! The only reason I'm giving honours a go is because if my grades don't make the cut, I can be transferred into a basic major.

Once that was over, I had 2 hours of poetry analysis. Today's class was relatively interesting, in the sense that I didn't feel drowsy after the first hour . But I have to admit, after the earlier information overload I wasn't all there. It was one of those days you wish everybody would speak simple words.

It's much easier to be simply tired than "brain tired",

Karli

Everything but Football

I don't think I've ever had more informative conversations than the ones I had last night. I felt like I was in the VIP seating, because I was surrounded by a great group of people. I met Adam Fearnall a USC presidential candidate, who even when he had every right to enjoy the game, took the time to help me understand his platform. Facebook has been bombarding us with countless videos and posters, and it was nice of Adam to help me make sense of it all.

I have been really nervous since I applied for the Soph team, but after talking with Adam I won't feel doomed if I don't make it (though I still have everything crossed that I do). I don't have to be among the council or the Soph team to make a difference. I just have to be myself, and keep fighting for what I believe in. So that means I will keep fighting for disability awareness and rights like I have for many years already. I gather from this weekend that I will have many friends willing to help me do so…

I really did have fun last night discussing everything BUT football,

Karli

Cookies + Craziness

Today I spent time with my friends Dominique and Terralyn! It was much needed, and we talked about school and everything under the sun. Sometimes you don't realize how much you need time with friends until you make time for them. Life gets so busy and stressful that you forget you're not alone, It was nice to forget about my troubles for a while, and I'm so greatful that my friends are so willing to listen and help me when I need it!

We made Angel cookies and let the spring-like sunshine and air come though my balcony door, which also refreshed me. I'm really appreciative that pretty much winter never came! There's nothing like baking cookies with friends and good weather to lift your spirits, and there's no combination like cookies and craziness!

Another great day with two great friends!

Karli

The Awkward Moment When…

Today was just a plain weird day, and a few awkward things went down. I started my day off in the library stapling an assignment together. I got into the first library door, but then the second is supposedly automatic, (it lies) and then I foolishly wait for someone to help and I look like an idiot! You know, usually I rarely get bothered by the little things, but these silly little things are very simple and easy to fix, and it seems like no one will take notice…

So then I get to class, and the prof is 15 minutes late. The class understands be cause we know his mom is very sick with cancer. Well, the socially awkward person in the class (there's always one right?) pipes up and asks why he's late… and the whole room was dead quiet! I literally cringed, the prof shouldn't have to explain his troubles to anyone… awkward person or not!

I hate feeling awkward and I seem to be a magnet to it…

Karli

The Lone Ranger

I live on my own in a small apartment. Until today I never really considered myself to be alone cause I had my kitty Aaron. Well, I had to bring him back to the shelter today because as a student I wasn't home enough for his liking.

He was from the shelter, and had some deep rooted separation anxiety issues that I couldn't fix. I felt so bad, almost like a failed parent because I had to give him up. I know he will find a home soon, but I wish I could do more. I guess I did the best I could for him by giving him a chance for a better life with a another family. Maybe one day, when my life slows down i'll give it another try with a kitten.

Gotta get used to being the lone ranger Again,

Karli