A Tribute to my Mother

Here is another speech I wrote for speech class!

She is my best friend who’s always got my back, she is the shield that protects me from harm, she is the motivational speaker who fills me with inspiration, when I need someone to lean on, she is a shoulder to cry on, she is all these things and more, she is my mother. Life wouldn’t be the same without Sandy standing by, and no one deserves more praise than my mom. It’s not what she does for me that makes her so special, but it’s what she teaches me that makes her one of a kind. She has taught me to be a forgiving, kind and loving person. So today, I am going to tell you about my mom and how she embodies a forgiving, kind and loving character.
I am a major klutz. And unfortunately, it never fails that when my mom goes out of town that I will break or trash something of hers by accident. I have broken my mom’s brand new cups, collector items, tea pots, TV, wedding pictures and the list goes on. I always panic and rush to try and mend what I have destroyed before she can make the disastrous discovery, but in the end she always seems to find out. I can remember one time, my mom had this collector’s tea light holder sitting on the living room table, and of course, I had to knock it off the table and break it. I rushed to Home Hardware and bought ceramic glue to patch it all up. I thought I was in the clear because time went by and there was no mention of a broken collector’s item. But then, three years later my mom asked me about my dirty little secret. My mom was neither upset nor mad, and I was shocked, because it was something I had kept from her, she just told me it wasn’t the end of the world, and that it’s just “stuff.” This has taught me so much about forgiveness, because no matter how big or small what I have done is, my mom will forgive me and not hold a grudge. She has taught me that holding grudges is not worth the energy because in the end, by holding a grudge, you may be losing out on something more valuable, like a great friendship, than what was actually broken.
My mother is not just forgiving; she is the kindest person I know. She will go the extra mile for you and put your needs before hers, and whenever I am feeling distressed or miserable, Sandy will go out of her way to make me feel better. Have you ever experienced that nauseating, overwhelming and exhausting feeling you get when you can’t cry anymore because you’ve cried so much that there are no tears left. Well sadly, this has happened to me, and it is so horrible, but actually that feeling is not what I remember most about that day, what I remember most about that day is the kind things my mom had done to make me feel better. I dragged myself out of my dark room into the kitchen where I was met with the aroma of my mom cooking my favourite dinner for me. She had even bought me a bouquet of the most stunning stargazer pink and white lilies that I had ever seen. My mom rushed over to me and gave me a big hug and told me that it was going to be ok. That’s all I needed to feel better, it was these small little acts of kindness that changed the way I felt. My mom has a unique gift in that she is always able to make me feel better no matter what, her positive attitude and fun-loving personality is a contagious disease; you just can’t help but smile and feel better.
My mother’s contagious personality is accompanied by her never ending supply of love. There are no limits to a mother’s love and my mother is no exception to this. Even the modest things my mom does, illustrates just how much she loves me. Whenever I go and visit her in Lethbridge, she has bags and bags full of healthy groceries for me. When I tell her that it’s too much, she always tells me she would never want me to go without. And maybe this may seem simple and silly to some, but it always makes me feel loved and cared for. I know my mother would drive until the end of the earth to make sure that I was okay, swim across the ocean to be there when I needed her, or climb the highest mountain just to visit with me because she loves me.
My mom is the ice cream to my cake and the cement to my foundation. She is a person who has not only taught me about forgiveness, kindness and love, but also a person who represent’s these very characteristics. She is an exceptional mother and a dedicated and amazing best friend and quite the babe. I have learned so much from her, and as long as I have her, I know I’ll never be alone. My only hope is that I could grow up to be just like her.

Litter

In my final semester of 2010 I took a speech class. Here is the speech I gave on litter!

Imagine yourself driving through the mountains on a hot summer day, the green trees are whipping past you in your bright red convertible and the sun is shining in your face. You can hear the sounds of running water close by and you’re enjoying the sights of nature and the smell of the mountain fresh air. And suddenly, some one’s nasty, old chip bag smacks you right in the face. Isn’t that just a thing of beauty? Litter is the act of carelessly discarding trash in Canada’s parks, beaches, rivers, forests, streets and other natural environments. According to Stats Canada, it was estimated that each one of us Canadians generates 383 kg of waste, or 30 green garbage bags per year. That is why today I will be talking about the personal litter we contribute to this unsightly and damaging mess, and why it’s a habit we need to trash. I have always had a thing for litter. It all started when I was little, my mom and dad would pay me a whole shiny dollar to go around the neighbourhood and pick up all the litter that laid in the gutters and bushes. Ever since then, I have been the litter police, enforcing the litter laws. This matters to you because we all are lucky enough to share the beautiful and natural sights that our earth has to offer us, and nothing is worse than seeing a beer can floating in one of our many lakes and rivers. Littering is a safety and health issue for humans, harmful to our animal and marine life friends, and wastes away the earth’s natural beauty; these are all reasons why we need to stash the trash to ensure a clean and healthy future.


Littering is trashing our earth; it’s not only wasting away the natural beauty that we enjoy every day, but it is also creating harmful effects for humans. The Prague Post, a Czech Republic newspaper, suggests the following concerns of litter: If a child was to step on a discarded syringe, or even touch or ingest hazardous materials, they could be exposed to life changing diseases, infections or ailments. Litter also becomes a magnet for rodents and pests that can transmit diseases to humans. Rodents will make litter piles their homes and mating grounds, which increases vermin and pest populations, which increases the risk of humans contracting diseases. Not only does litter pose these health hazards, there are safety issues to consider. Cigarette butts create fire risks. The butts can be blown into brush, dry grass and other litter which could catch fire and leave people homeless; animals injured, and even leave permanent damage and scorching to natural landscapes.

When litter is not busy posing health and safety risks to humans, it’s having a harmful impact on animals and marine life. I can remember as a kid being told to cut up my dad’s six pack holders, so that small animals and fish won’t get tangled in them and suffocate. At the time, I didn’t understand why the six-pack holders would end up in the ocean if we were throwing them in the garbage. But according to David Osborne, coordinator of the United Nations global programme of action for the protection of the marine environment or the UNEP, as much as 80% of the pollution load in coastal waters originates from land-based activities. The UNEP Regional Seas Coordinating office states that plastic debris causes over one million seabird, and 100,000 marine mammal deaths every year due to suffocation or entanglement. Everything from toothbrushes, syringes and lighters have been found in these mammals stomachs. And if that isn’t unhealthy enough, litter causes toxicity to water supplies. Toxins from hazardous materials and cigarette butts seep into natural waterways. The water than becomes polluted, and according to Cathy Ives, the creator of Green Eco Services, an informational website that supports and inspires the green movement, toxins from cigarettes can persist in the environment for as long as some types of plastic, contaminating the very water we and our animal friends share. Litter is becoming part of our natural scenery and because of this; it has become a contributor to the depredation of natural environments, that’s why it’s important to understand the causes of litter.

And let’s just say there is a heaping pile of causes. I am going to discuss 3 common ones. According to the Prague Post, the first common cause is motorists and pedestrians using roadways instead of finding and using garbage cans. A second cause is illegal dumping or uncovered truckloads. Overloading or improperly secured loads can lead to objects being blown out of truck beds and personal trailers, also the unloading and disposing of these loads improperly, or in areas not meant for garbage collection becomes a source of trash. The third common cause is litter left at events like concerts or festivals. Large events draw large crowds, and these large crowds generate a large amount of trash that may be difficult to manage. Once the event is over and the crowds have left, the litter is usually carried into surrounding areas which is a problem for everyone. It’s crucial to understand what causes litter so that we can prevent this issue not just on a global scale, but on a local one as well.

These global and local impacts are leaving a stinky imprint on the earth and our communities. Some litter is not easily broken down, which is a source of many interconnected impacts on Mother Nature. According to Eco Services, it takes 450 years for a plastic bottle to decompose, this seems like a lifetime, and is a major contributor to the issue of plastics filling the oceans. According to a press release written by Nick Nuttall, spokesperson for the UNEP, over 46,000 pieces of plastic litter are floating on every square mile of ocean today, this stresses the connection of plastic to the endangerment of animal and marine life alike. The press release suggests that 19 of 21 albatross species are endangered as well as several populations of fish and marine animals like tuna, ducks and the list goes on. These charming and innocent animals cannot protect themselves, that is why we need to be aware of where and what our waste really does, so we can take steps to ensure the existence of animal survival. Which brings me to the next consequence, you may not know it, but in fact litter is impacting Calgarians every day; Calgary is said to be one of the world’s worst polluters. According to journalist Shawn Logan for the Quebec Media Inc. Agency, in a report arranged for the United Nations, Calgary ranked in the top 50 global cities of worst polluters. This is giving our fair town a stinky rep and distorted image. It is obvious that we need to evaluate and take into consideration our own personal views of littering in order to give Calgary a clean rep and healthy future.

Clearly litter is a serious issue, but there are some easy steps we can take to prevent personal littering, and it starts with you! One person can make a big difference. If everyone was to recycle rather than trash recyclables litter would decrease tremendously, according to Eco Green Services, between 40-60% of litter are plastic bottles. Simply just using trash cans properly is an easy solution, make sure all trash makes it into the bins and that the bin lid is securely in place to avoid wind or animal interference. Be a re-user and not a user, use reusable containers instead of plastic wraps to make your lunch, use cloth grocery bags instead of plastic, and buy a reusable and safe water bottle instead of buying individual plastic ones. Another step to prevention is to just encourage others to be litter free! Get a group of friends together and take part in litter pick-up programs like Pitch-in week or the Alberta Annual Highway Clean up. And finally be a source of education. Share with friends and family the impacts and effects that litter has on our environment. These simple and easy steps can decrease the amount of trash laying around, allowing us to enjoy a more beautiful landscape, and a healthier environment for our future generations to live.

Now that we have gotten a dose of reality, I want you guys to get back in your red convertibles. You’re driving through the mountains; the sun is shining in your face. You can hear the sounds of a large water fall to the left of you, it’s clear, refreshing and you wish you could stop to dip your toes in, and as you speed by you notice a family of deer frolicking in a meadow and chewing on long, thick grass. You’re enjoying the sights of nature and the smell of the mountain fresh air, this time, no nasty old chip bag smacks you in the face. Now that is truly a thing of beauty!!

Let’s make this a reality; let’s not let litter become a part of earth’s natural landscape. So today I have shared with you why litter is a bad habit that we need to trash. Litter is a safety and health hazard for humans, harmful to our animal and marine life friends, and is wasting away the natural beauty of the earth, a place we call home. By getting involved, being aware, and using the trash, we can all make a difference. So let’s stash the trash and give Mother Nature her beauty back.

Rediscovering Reading

When I think of reading, I think of the hundreds of dollars I have spent on text books for school. And believe me, there is no enjoyment there!

However, recently I have taken up reading novels and have found that love that I had lost in all the clutter of text books, mp3 players, Facebook and TV. But so far this summer I have read 4 books, and they all have been great!

1. The Suicide Collectors by David Oppegaard- Think I am Legend with a cult twist.
2.Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith- Love and Zombies, what more can you ask for.
3. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith- Your sequel to the above book. Classic literature with a gory take. Who says English literature has to be boring?
4. The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan- These aren't your pretty "Twilight" vampires.

The Strain actually is a trilogy, but the second book isn't available til September and I am already waiting for it! It was a page turner. I an not certain, but I think my next purchase may be Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan, or I was even thinking Dracula by Bram Stoker or Alice in Wonderland!

Be whoever you want to be, go wherever you want to go, and do whatever you want to do!
-B

Fighting Cancer

If you read my blog entitled "The C word," you would've found out that my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

On July 9, 2010, I waited in the hospital from 6:45 am to 7:00pm for my mother to have surgery. They were going to take out lymph nodes and breast tissue to test them for more cancer, and to see if it had spread.

The surgeons took out 2 lymph nodes, not because they were necessarily cancerous, but they just wanted a good sample to test to make sure.

As soon as my mother came out of the anesthesia, she immediately started crying because A. she had woken up and B. because the surgery was over and she felt good.

But just today, July 20.2010, my mother called me and told me she has to undergo chemo and also get a mastectomy (hopefully my spelling is correct). A mastectomy is where all her breast tissue be taken out to rid her of the abnormal cells that still plagues her breasts.

This news made me even sadder, I feel devastated that my mother has to go through this, she has even decided to go through a double mastectomy, just to ensure she never has to experience this, in her other breast,again!

I am not sure how to deal with this, my mother is in Lethbridge and I am all the way in Calgary, and when you are dealing with something like Cancer, the distance between us seems even further.

I feel alone and helpless, and I don't have anyone who can relate to this situation to talk to. When I tell people my mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer, they just seem to think that it is so easy to fix, but I don't think that they realize what a life changing journey it is.

I am praying for my mom everyday. She is trying to stay positive and so I must to.

Lord, please watch over my mommy.

-B

A royal fail....

I love Mount Royal University! I love the people I have met and the facilities it has to offer me!

However, this summer I have become disappointed with the recreation centre!

I decided to get a membership there over the summer because it was going to cost me only 79.00, which is a great deal!

But it's just the small little things that made me think I should have got a membership at the World Health club, who was offering a student summer membership!

For example, the parking issue, they should offer students a gym parking pass that maybe costs 20 dollars for two months or even 20 dollars a month! Because paying 4 dollars every time gets costly. But if there was a special, cheaper parking pass for students, who are using the recreation facility during the summer, this wouldn't be a problem!

Also, one day I forgot my lock for my locker, so I went to the front and asked if they had a lock I could use. It was a dollar for the lock. Upon returning the lock, I didn't get my dollar back. I think that they should take the money as a deposit, but return the money once you have returned the lock!!! Why keep my dollar?! I returned your lock!

A few more things that could make the gym just a little bit more luxurious would be the addition of fans, when I am working out and all sweaty, I sure do love a good fan! And as for the upstairs, a few times I have forgotten my iPod at home and had the most boring work out because they do not play any music upstairs!

Don't get me wrong I love Mount Royal, it's a great school, and their recreation centre is great, but everything has it's flaws, and the recreation is no exception to this!!

Kick it up a notch!!

-B

Not Flattered

** Bertha is a made up name that has been created for privacy issues, Bertha is very fitting....

Bertha was a friend. I thought I was a good friend to Bertha, I came up for her birthday first year of college and since then have been her only friend to come to her birthdays, I lent her money so that she could pay for half of her spring semester, lent her money to pay for half her security deposit and have been nothing but a good friend!

However, Bertha has not been that great of a friend. I have been told that she spoke of me ill behind my back calling me a "goody, goody bitch." She gets mad at the drop of a hat, and the worst trait of all is that she is a major copy cat.

Not trying to toot my horn and make me seem like I am amazing and all that, but she copies everything that I do!

For example: One evening I mentioned that I was going to the mall the next day to buy blue eye shadow. Bertha asked me if it was possible if she could tag along, and I happily said sure. But while we were at the mall the next day all of the sudden Bertha says to me "My boyfriend wants me to get blue eyeshadow." All I could say was
ok....

Another example: I desperately wanted a crock pot... Bertha said in response "Why would you need a crock pot?" I replied "To make delicious soups!" Two days later Bertha says to me..."I told my mom I needed a crock pot for when I move into a new place." I asked her why SHE now needed a crock pot... her reply was simply "To make delicious soups!" I wanted to slap her!

I could go on forever about many of Bertha's copy attempts, people have told me that copying is one of the highest forms of flattery, but I am not flattered, I am annoyed to the max!

You be you and I'll be me. Why would you want to be me when I wouldn't want to be you.

-B