So I have some things to get off my chest.

First, I don't know how many of you watched the VMAs this year, but they sucked. Royally. First off, Britney Spears was so stoned and drunk, that she gave up on lip-synching half-way through. You only got to see snippits of some preformances, and there was nothing astonishing about the stage or preformances that really made the viewer think, "Holy Shit that was awesome!" The only good thing was Chris Brown's preformance, but he is young and wasn't trying to fake it that he wasn't really singing (unlike the trainwreck at the beginning.) And what was with the censorship? Everyother word was bleeped out, so why bother having so many rap artists preform if you can't hear any of the song?

Then, I must point out (on a nicer note) that I was in the Herald Tribune yesterday. My picture is on their website. Check me out! Go to: www.heraldtribune.com/sarasota and on the right hand side of the screen, there is a search box. Enter "Teens Step Out For Gala", and it should come up. I am in the blue dress with the black trim. I hae the actual article from the paper in my room, and it's pretty cool to see yourself in the local news. I hope that the SCENE magazine article next month will be a bit more...in depth.

Love and PR,
Mimi

Ring With an Amythest

I am truly sorry but I am going to have to brag a little. I promise I'll keep it to a minimum.

Love that is truly love is the feeling that you get when you do things for another person, that you would never in a million years do for anyone else, and you do them without thinking about it. Love is knowing that the entire planet could explode into a bajillion little meteors, and you would not regret a single day spent with that person. Love is something that many search for, and few are given. Love is not something that is found. It is grown and cared for by two individuals that need one another for reasons that are unknown.

Stefan and I are very much in love. Before we met, I had dated a guy who was a really nice guy, but just not right for me. After I broke things off with him (which I did in a very cruel way, and I am deeply sorry for), I looked within myself and thought very long and very hard about what I wanted in the perfect boyfriend.

Stefan met all the criteria and then some.

Actually, he's perfect for me. The other night, he gave me a sort of pre-engagement ring, just to say that he promises to one day pop the question. Until then, we plan on enjoying one another's company very much. We have a lot of fun together and he's my best friend. Some days we just talk so much that I am surprised that we still can speak. Then, there are some days that we don't have to say anything at all. Nothing is forced, nothing is awkward.

So I just want to say that I am very madly in love with the greatest guy the Universe could ever give me.

Rethinking Feminism

Ok, ok. I get it. You probably are thinking to yourself, I really don't think you have anything to say about feminism that hasn't been said before. Well, perhaps. But let me share with you my own feminist thoughts.

There have been many people who say that the Feminist Movement caused many problems, such as the conception that women must not only hold down a job that makes as much as her male counterpart, but ALSO raise a well-adjusted clan. This my friends was not an intended point of the Feminist Movement, but rather, an unforeseen side-effect that had more to do with society's influence. True, women are expected (culturally) to do all things and be all things to all people, but I think that it is wrong to sum up the Feminist Theory as all bad.

Feminist are not all about abortion. In fact, feminists really don't want to focus on abortion. I for one, (and I think a lot of other neo-feminists would agree) that we would rather see a wholly accepted reproductive rights format, that gives the message to girls and boys that their bodies are theirs to decide upon, and that services, such as Planned Parenthood, are available to them. I don't think feminists want to have more abortions, but rather more protective measures be readily accessible to those who need it most. Abortions should not be a form of birth control, but rather an in-case-of-emergency type of procedure. Not only do we need more open communication with teens about sex, but also about self-empowerment. Because I was able to talk to my mom and dad about sex openly, I was able to realize my own sexuality and what I needed to be safe and healthy.

Open-mindedness is very important in the feminist theory. It is so very important that women see themselves as who they are, not for the labels that they and others impose on them. It is about being honest with yourself and being unafraid of it. Stefan and i have many different strengths and weaknesses. If he and I both decided to become body builders, Stefan would have a much easier time gaining muscle than I would. It is basic biology. But the point is, that he and I should both be able to become body builders if that's what we decide to do, and no one should have to be told that they cannot do something because of their gender. I love Stefan very much, and i know that he loves me very much, and our relationship is a very good example of how a good, healthy relationship should be. We respect each other equally and are open to one another's viewpoints. I don't think feminism is about women being a dictator in the relationship, but rather, an equal partner. I know this may sound anti-feminist to you, but I believe that if my husband wants to move to the other side of the planet, that it is my responsibility to support him. You see, if I felt that we had to make a drastic move because of my own interests, that he would need to be as supportive. However, in both instances, I would expect that large decisions such as those above, would need to be weighed and deeply thought about before focusing on taking action.

Feminism is not just some silly theory or a big group of man-bashers. It's a mindset that women are a vital part of the worldly balance, and that equality is something that is a family and community value. I don't go out and burn my bras, (quite frankly, I love mine) and I don't go around and tell men that I think I am better than them. The point is that we are all different and that's okay. Live and let live.