Wednesday: Catch Up

So yes, I did not get to write my post for yesterday, but today I'm going to play catch up. There are a couple things in politics that I wanted to talk about. First up, I am giving kudos to the state of Washington, because they just legalized same-sex marriage! This is just an awesome thing to hear, especially months after New York did the same. Like I've said before, it is a step in the right direction. The bill passed with a 55-43 vote in the House and that made Washington the seventh state to legalize gay marriage. I am really looking forward to seeing who else will take this step in 2012.

On a similar note, in California a federal appeals panel has voted that the ban on same-sex marriage is a violation of the constitutional right to equal protection. So right now, the next step is that opponents can try to appeal this decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals, or take it to the Supreme Court. I am really hoping that if it does get taken to appeals again, that this doesn't get put back into action. Proposition 8 has no place in our government. It would be amazing to see the state of California legalize same-sex marriage eventually, and this is how it will happen. As long as the opponents don't get their way again, and it would be interesting to see how the Supreme Court rules it, seeing as they've never ruled on this topic in the past. My prediction though: the Supreme Court would rule Proposition 8 unconstitutional.

I wanted to speak a little about the Susan G. Komen foundation. Obviously now the big news is that the Vice President has resigned. I just still cannot wrap my head around the whole thing. A foundation dedicated to breast cancer, stops giving funds to Planned Parenthood to give breast exams, because they're being "investigated"? It was an utterly stupid move on their part. Planned Parenthood is often the only place people can go for health care. Women's health is a huge area that needs all the support it can get. To see the internet and people come together and have this decision reversed in only a few days, was incredible. It makes me really optimistic that people really can make the difference.

I was also really happy to hear about Obama's new regulation about birth control. Of course, the religious groups and Republicans are up in arms, but I say screw 'em. The regulation requires almost all employers to cover birth control, which means no co-pay for women we get it. So many women are using birth control, and the reasons why are endless. Some are using it for family planning yes, but others use it for other purposes. Here's a graphic with information that is on President Obama's website:

Click graphic to enlarge :)

A New Year

     So it is another year and I want to continue my blogging. I'm trying out different blog sites right now, so that's why there has been so much switching going on. Just bare with me, I think I'm actually going to like this one though. 

     I know I'm a little late to the party on this one, but I have been thinking about what I want to do for the new year, in terms of personal goals. I have a few that I can think of and I want to share them so I can feel like it is official and I will more likely hold myself to them. My first goal is to blog/write more. Whether it is private writing I do on paper, blogging here, or blogging on Awkward Politics (my other blog). I really love using words and just forming ideas and seeing where they take me; and I know I could be a lot more consistent with it. 

     Another goal, is just to simply stay on top of my school work. I'm so close to being done at this point and I just want to do the best that I can. I have 4 classes this semester and then possibly a class or two over the Summer, and finally the Fall semester. I think in total I only have 8 classes left for the Summer and Fall. 

     Next up, I want to eat better and get into yoga officially. There are a few roadblocks that may come up with this one, but I am determined. As far as eating goes, that is just pure willpower at this point. I need to make the effort to pick things I want to eat that are good for me. I especially want to try and get away from packaged foods, and stay more along the lines of fresh food. Now does that mean if I want pasta and sauce I can't do it? No. I'll buy a jar of sauce, I'm not going to kill myself making it from scratch, unless I want to try it who knows! I just know there are a lot of things I don't need to be eating. The yoga thing may just come down to money, I've always been better in a class than on my own. I like being in a studio with a teacher and other people. I feel awkward doing yoga in my bedroom alone, but if that is what it takes, I'll do it. I just need to get my shoulder in order first!

     Though physically, I have enough issues to deal with: fibromyalgia, my recent shoulder surgery, and the fact that I get sick all the time; I really want to focus on getting mentally healthy. I've dealt with depression and anxiety for a lot of years now, and I pretty much have that under control. I would love to be able to get off the meds though. Not only that, I want to be more positive. I've had more rough patches than some can imagine in my life, but I want to be able to feel more positive about my life and what I go through. I feel like it'll help so many aspects of who I am. I actually believe I've really done some good work in getting this way too. I've been dealing with a big demon from my childhood, and it has affected some of my relationships with people. But I'm getting through and every day it hurts a little less. 

     So that is it for now, they are four pretty big goals for the year so I better get started!