High standards

I got another one today. One of those emails that say: 'you aren't good enough.' Well they attempt to put it nicely, but that really is exactly what they mean.
By 'they' I don't mean bullies, teachers, politicians, doctors or even a potential boss - I am talking about someone that I have asked advice from.

Let me explain...

I am coming to the end of my current University degree and therefore asking career counsellors, lecturers and really anyone that I can, to lend some advice on what my next move should be. (I actually have some great ideas in my head, but I'm not telling anyone, especially going by the way my own academic institution views me...) and all I keep hearing is either 'you need high marks,' 'try to volunteer more,' 'you need to have a great resume' or 'you aren't based in this area, so you can't work there.'

Excuse me?

First of all, I need to point out that these 'advice givers' are well meaning, I mean, they took the time to respond to my messages and gave me answers to the questions that I'd asked, but not one person has said - 'there is always another way to get where you want to be.'

Now I really only expect generic advice from my academic institution, because if I have learnt anything about higher level tertiary education - it is certainly that 'grades matter.' This is fine, I don't expect them not to, but does anyone consider the alternatives, outside of grades?

- disabilities
- how well someone can physically do something (not just mentally)
- grief
- depression/anxiety
- distractions
- hard home life
- 'disadvantaged' living
- work/family/life [imbalance]
- rural living
- 'disadvantaged' upbringing
- LIFE...

The irony of these alternatives, is that there are postgraduate degrees that allow students with an undergraduate degree to learn to 'help' these 'disadvantaged' people, but to get into that course one needs very high grades.... "insert eye roll emoji."

I'm not angry. I'm really not. If anything I am determined. I have more than one of the above 'issues' in my life and, well so does every other human being. I don't blame people for praising the highly academic minded people, after all, they seem to have given up a lot to get where they are.

But I too have given up a lot to be where I am, I have also gained so much more than I thought I ever could. This leaves me to pity those that make these rules of needing to meet certain standards. I mean, I know the world is competitive and this somehow justifies needing standards to do certain things in life, but that's okay... I'll find another way around.

As the song goes,

I've always found my way somehow, by taking the long way...

The long way around - Dixie Chicks

Happy freakin' new year

And the negativity begins....

I am honestly starting to believe that a new year means nothing in this (Australian, caucasian) society. We "celebrate" for one night by getting drunk and waking up the next morning with supposed resolutions, which seem to change within a week or so and then we complain about EVERYTHING!

I try to keep this blog positive and passionate, but this post is more freakin' pissed off and passionate.

It really got to me, that just about the first week into the new year, a lot of people in my life just started complaining about everything under the sun. Now this can't be everyone right? This can't be human nature, to be so negative all of the time, can it?


Well now it is late February and not much has changed.Since the start of the year I have refused to let a lot of negativity in, for the most part that has been fine, but I also haven't done a whole lot for myself yet either... So who is in the wrong here?

My word of the year is 'Self' - see the post 'my word of the year 2016' and in some respects I have been very slf inclined (in a good way) but not to the extent that I would like to.

*sigh*

Hopefully things get freakin' better,

KK

Pleasing everybody... at Christmas

Now, I'm not talking presents or food requirements, things that people want, no. I am talking about the selfish act that happens every year, the act of seeing the family.

Who's hosting this year?

Who's not coming so we can bitch about them?

Where are we having it this year?

Does it have to be Christmas day or can it be the weekend before?

Well I have to see other members of the family so I am seeing them separately to you....

Shall I go on? This is really ridiculous, I mean isn't Christmas about family, friends and giving? Well this isn't really giving. I would rather a loving family base than a thousand presents. All that really needs to be given is time. I wish everyone just stopped with the drama and did that.

Just a little rant....

KK

Why is television the center of the house?

Sometimes I just wish that people would shut the damn tv off and chat like old times as a family... heck turn all the power off and light a fire in the backyard and toast marshmellows. These days you try to have a conversation but its interupted by the bloody tv!!!

'Shhh, the news is on,' 'hang on I want to watch this part,' gees life comes to a crashing bloody halt when the idiot box is on.

We complain about smart phones and pads, being indoors and computers, but tv is just as bad!

Rant 'never' over,

KK

Just do.

People are weird. The things we worry about have become so artistic and complicated. Why do we insist on making life so hard? Life is so so simple. I assume that we just enjoy the drama (duh, we are human beings) but why?

Life, in its simplest form is difficult. I am so sorry if I am getting confusing here, but all of the things I blab on about - nature, humanity, books, photography - are made complicated by us! Only us! I think that we need to ignore our curiosities every now and then. I mean, stop thinking so scientifically, so ethically and just stop pondering. Just do, or watch, be. Don't think. I see you thinking. Stop.

If you want to search for a butterfly, don't research it first. Go for a drive and sit for a while. If it comes it comes. If it doesn't. You can research tomorrow.

I normally don't like to note the events that cause me to spill my guts on here, because I don't like to make anyone feel guilty, but this new year (2014) I really want to interact more, meet more people, improve friendships, etc. And I am noticing the reasons why I haven't before - we ponder love, we ponder friendship. Is it chemicals, do I really want to see them today... STOP. DO.

I am so scared to go out and meet people in my generation, because they just don't seem to see the simplicity of things, no one sees beauty. This is the most troubling thing about Gen Y. Why? I'll stop right there and just DO!

KK

Charity

So I speak my mind in many ways, this is my blog and everything I say is true to me, and in my words again, I'd like to say hey to - CHARITY!!

So I have recently heard so much about the - R U ok day campaign for suicidal awareness. If you haven't heard about all of the celebrities backing it, you can check out their youtube channel or hear this man here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwKOYR65RN0

The thing about charities such as R U Okay Day is that:
- Day - it is only one day, soon it will all be over
- R U Okay? Are people really going to answer that question honestly? I know I didn't when my mum asked me after watching the TV ad.
- Suicide. The point of R U Okay Day is to prevent suicide, but preventing suicide doesn't make the problem go away, it isn't even an excuse to build a charity around. there are people out there who have never had the thought of killing themselves, but that doesn't mean that they're ok. These are people who could do far worse things, maybe these people are bullies, control freaks or murderers.

I think that this is just a case of the cure rather then the prevention.

I could go on for ages about R U Okay Day, but its charities in general that I don't understand. Breast cancer, cervical cancer, poverty, RSPCA, the list just goes on and on and on. I understand that people tend to donate to charities or support charities that have influenced or affected them in some way, but what I don't get is, that there is so much that is wrong with the world. Now trying to fix it has got to be doing something good, but how much? I just think that it is better to do one act of kindness at a time - any act.

KK

I'm sorry that I don't reach your high standards.

Ah sarcasm, the way we tell how stupid someone is - where common sense is concerned. But this post isn't about sarcasm, its about standards and the likeliness of reaching these standards that makes me want to be nothing but sarcastic.

Everybody bases their opinion on a first impression, that's just how it works. We are human and I'm pretty sure animals do it too, that or they just don't care - which is what we should do more of (only in this context...)

I'll be the first to admit that I judge people. I comment on random aspects of a person's being like a reality television show, but so do monkeys guys. We are all animals... The point in telling you that I judge people is to point out that I treat others how i want to be treated. I don't judge out loud, to the persons face. Maybe that makes it worse - frankly, I don't think it does, only I know what I think and that's all that matters. I also write on here what I think about - well 'idiots,' but have I ever mentioned names?

So now that I have been a hypocrite, I will announce that I am so so sorry. Truly. That I judge others, it really just slips into my head sometimes... um duh. I am even more sorry, though, that I do not reach the standards of others who judge me. I am insecure - what are you going to do about it? It is absolutely upsetting when people notice (a quite noticeable) aspect of my being. My disability - yes, one that I cannot control. A high standard would be to assume that I can do things that I just, can't! So I completely understand why anyone places standards, but I also understand why we hate measuring up to them.

After all - this is all a huge part of nature.

KK

Some freaking nights!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQkBeOisNM0

Every time I think about my life - which is constantly.... this song comes to mind and it is so spot on.

I spend the majority of my time thinking. All I ever do is think, My mind is constantly running a million kilometres an hour, but in true kkspassion fashion (rhyme intended) I don't care!

I love my mindset and I am constantly telling myself to never let anyone change my mind. I know that I always ramble on about these things, but our minds are powerful things. We are all unique and what we don't say are probably the best parts of us.

Lately I have been so confused on where my future stands, but isn't that the point? Everyone says that we should live in the present, but I think its okay to embrace the past, present and future. No one should tell you how to live your life, but isn't that also what we constantly do to each other?

I am not afraid to seek help and lately I have done just that. I have, however, found that these sources just make things worse! I am sick of people telling me what I should be doing, how I should be doing it and then asking me why I am doing it!!

Some nights I just don't know myself! As I have said before - it's all in the journey, who cares where the destination is?

KK

As scientists we don't observe much.

The black and white of being a scientist is to observe our surroundings and report on it. But I can't think of a single scientist - including students, doctors, vets, that really observe. Yes they observe one thing, focus on the material they need to concentrate on, but its as if we don't have surroundings, air, the sun, the room we are in.

All I'm saying is that a lot of people interested in science are different from the rest. I can't say - as I grow older - where I stand on the scientific mind, but up until today, I feel that it is a lost profession. Most, certainly not all, scientists are so lost and unobservant, but the people that I have dealt with before, honestly don't seem like they are really living to me.

Look, I am not going to get into the right and left brain debate - because personally I don't believe it, a blog for another time perhaps... - but the real analytical thinkers, the science people, Sheldon Cooper, you guys just don't seem to interpret, well... life!

KK

Look after our own first

Poverty. The poor, the sick, the hungry, we know its out there. Africa is just one of many Underdeveloped countries with this problem and frankly I am sick of people posting quotes and pictures just like this, to embrace an opportunity to raise controversy though something that has absolutely nothing to do with the problem:

The reason that I have underlined Underdeveloped and bolded it, is because the point is that these countries are underdeveloped - meaning they haven't developed the way developed countries such as Australia, the UK and the USA have. HELLO - there isn't a whole lot we can do and what we are doing IS helping! 

Getting into the political side of this, not only do the Royals do their best to help the needy, but how much can we do to help the bloody needy?? Our own developed countries have their own problems and lets face it, not all of them will ever be fixed. We will never have world peace, so why can't we just enjoy the life we've got, do what we can to help others, but also admire what others have done without inhibiting guilt onto it.

KK

Why the hell would you diet?

So I got myself started,. I know I said on my last post not to get me started on dieting, but hey this is a blog about my passion and NOT dieting is a very strong part of that. But I still stick to a diet, confused? Let me explain.

I eat - that is my diet, only I eat tremendously slow. Unbelievably so. Food is there to eat, so I believe that we should eat it. Now don't get me wrong, I still eat within reason because I just feel sick if I eat too much junk, but I don't eat organic, vegan or vegetarian either. I just eat what I want - if I can afford it.

We are what we eat. I can't stand people who say they have the same opinion as me, but eat nothing but junk. We still have to eat healthy within reason. We were put on this planet to eat what is around us, not what comes in a bag, although it is usually yummy!

KK

Adamant = Ignorance

Whether they are an Atheist, a scientist or a Personal trainer, they are adamant about something and in my opinion this just makes them ignorant. Each of these says a lot about the person and I believe that there are very, very few exceptions.

Pet Peeve alert!

Atheists are the last people to be open minded and scientists come quite close where fiction is concerned. Personal trainers on the other hand make everyone else feel inadequate. Personally I believe each to their own and if you are adament about something, chances are you are just stubborn or ignorant.

To make this post realistic, I myself am adamant about some things (as above) but I still try, try so hard to be open minded. Go ahead and tell me your view, maybe I'll respect it and move on or maybe you will convince me that ignorance is bliss....

KK

Why do we need to push ourselves until we burst?

I recently just joined the gym. I know, that sentence will haunt me forever, because I have always believed in getting naturally beautiful just by doing the everyday. However, I joined because I also recently moved and there is no where to get fit naturally in this area. (Actually, that's a lie, I'm sure there is, I'm just exaggerating to justify my gym joining reasons...)

But my problem with the gym is that its kind of a cult. Telling us we aren't beautiful unless we are our fittest selves. Well in a sense this is true, but it does send the wrong message. Although where I'm concerned I do prefer fit people to be with so that they can keep up with me!

On another note, some phrases that I can't stand where fitness is concerned are as follows:

Feel the burn? - Um... we don't touch fire for a reason.

Train through the pain??

Attitude is a little thing between fitness success and fitness failure.... I have a strong attitude towards fitness and I'm fit????

We don't need to push ourselves to , well isn't the goal to impress others? Doing a little exercise feels good, but ultimately we do go to gyms to make others see us better.... think about that.

Don't get me started on dieting or personal trainers,

KK

Don't tell me how to write!

One of the hardest things about being at uni, is that I have to write in the forms that university expects me to, well that's fine. But when it comes to a creative piece that I am being marked on, I think I do pretty well considering. My grammar and spelling in general is pretty good, and I am not going to be modest about it. I don't care how long my sentences are, or if my sentences make sense, that is a different story. I have been shunned by one of my lecturers on how I write my part in a class blog and if you can't tell already - its bloody ticked me off!

I am a writer (duh) and there is no rule on how one writes in the personal writing world. If you run, you are a runner, if you sleep you are a friggen sleeper, gees. I should be able to write how I want, I don't care about the grammar, I care about the content and it just irks me when people get all caught up on presentation and professionalism, rather than the actual work that's been put into a piece.

I'm sure it has been proven that some of the smartest people in the world can't spell! I know that some PHD students can't. Look, all I am saying is - appreciate the passion! We should focus on who an individual is and how much effort they put in, (Where their work is concerned...) rather than the nitty gritty - (I'm going to write it) - SHIT!

The main irk about the whole issue, to me, is that I never said I wouldn't go back and fix the nitty, gritty, shitty - quit focusing on that and read what was meant to be read. We don't criticise strokes on a painting before the painter has finished!

From someone who hasn't published my stories yet, I'd like to say, give me a chance to perfect them - to my needs - before you have a crack. When I'm published - then by all means, shoot!

KK

Some pet peeves of mine...

So I can't finish a conversation without saying goodbye. It is one of my pet peeves when someone just logs off of facebook in the middle of a conversation or when someone is trying to avoid someone else and just walks off. It all comes down to etiquette, but I just think its rude not to finish a convo on good terms. I mean I don't care if your tired or upset, I think we should always be polite regardless of mood or interest in the party.

Now I don't always follow etiquette. It is actually another one of my pet peeves. I mean why should people have to apply to certain rules and have certain manners. Yes, please and thank you is good, but crossing your legs a certain way and using the right fork for a salad is just... wrong. If you know me, you know that there are some things I can't do due to a physical disability, however general (not even strict) etiquette rules prevent me from being a proper young lady. Things like using a straw in certain cups or drinks - um I have no choice in that sometimes and don't get me started on the proper way to eat, carrying food and drink, sipping, wine tasting, etc.

All I am saying is that although society could do with a few rules, it could also benefit from restricting a few rules, that when put down to it, discriminate some people.

Rant over,

KK

The real you.

Why do we watch 'reality' television shows, when the real, reality is far more (for lack of a better word) interesting? There are people out there with dramatic diseases and health problems - mysteries of nature, who can't live a normal life. Yet, we watch people who have normal lives and exaggerate on television in usually ridicoulus ways.

Everyday, people do amazing things and beat the odds. These are the people that deserve to be seen and heard on television.

I also understand that 'normal' people want to be intersting and have their '15 minutes of fame' and thats fine. I'm just repeating the cliche phrase: 'Be yourself!' I really don't think that a lot of reality television stars act like themselves, but I do understand the adrenalin, as you might say, that comes from making your mark. I can imagine that anyone would want to be heard for one reason or another, but I'm just saying that I favour those who stay true and show off for something I'd consider worthwhile. Saying that though, by worthwhile I mean anything that represeant who you are, but also paying respect to others and considering others feelings.

Here are a few stories from news shows, so that you can see what I mean:

http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8528679

http://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/features/article/-/14263911/sleeping-beauty/


I will also make a post telling you what I think about these people and their lives,

I hope that each and every one of you out there appreciates just how lucky you are, remember to be yourself, but give a thought to those who struggle with that everyday,

KK.

Friends

Non generic friends

I have never been a huge fan of generic friends. By this I mean having heaps of friends that you just hang with, but don't really know. I prefer to have close friends that resemble a part of me. I love having positive people around me that I can relate to and who have a good outlook on life. Who wouldn't?

Throughout my life I haven't known too many people like this and I have just enjoyed being alone and discovering myself through my writing. To this day I still do that and will continue to do so, but now I know that there are more 'true friends' out there waiting for me, rather than generic ones. The generic ones have their own loves and lives to worry about. I care about my friends, but I hate to admit that they aren't everything to me either.

Those few 'true friends' are worth holding onto and giving them my all. Just the little things like being encouraging, really getting to know them, trying something new for/with them and showing all of your kindness and thoughts about them when it comes to their birthdays, Christmas and moments in their life that are important to them - regardless on whether or not its important to me.

I believe I have made a few true friends lately, thank you universe!

KK

Uninspiring people.

*Miley Cyrus
*Bindi Irwin

So as I have said in previous posts, I don't like to hate on people, but there will always be those, that bug me something shocking and these two ladies are prime examples. I think that I have mentioned this on facebook, but the reason why I am not so keen on these people, I think, is because they try too hard to be someone they just aren't - such as their fathers. There is also much more about uninspiring people that just gets to me.

I also believe that they are very smart and use this to their advantage - they are in no way ignorant or stupid. These girls have common sense and perhaps its their 'I don't give a s**t' (about being in the media,) attitude that irks me as well.

My main problem with Miley is that I always believed she thought that she was better than everyone, including her co-stars, siblings and general fans.

My main problem with Bindi is that she is a bit of a 'know it all.' The thing about working with animals is that you don't have to dumb the facts about them down to get people to understand. I just think that she is always over-the-top about protecting animals. It should be about the passion - not the need to show off.

How can one be inspiring if one copies another?

Now, many people disagreed with me on this 'facebook post' so I am writing here to make myself heard and not piss people and their news feeds off. Even as these two ladies have grown, I have always been suspicious of them and I get this with a lot of people on the first impression. I hate to pick on these two people, but every time I see them in the media I have to switch off.

I can't say with absolute knowing what it is about some people that makes my blood boil, but it is something I dislike about myself. There are a lot of uninspiring people out there for me and some of them, I am quite close to, but I have learnt to shut my mouth and let them be, that and I am very feelings orientated - I wouldn't hurt anyone deliberately - except perhaps in this post because these people are famous and I will most likely never see them face to face... hopefully..

But these things have just got to be said sometimes,

A little ashamed,

KK

Don't advertise it.

The thing with social media is that we are getting into the habit of giving 'too much information.' We don't need to tell the world what we eat for breakfast, (you know unless its health related etc.) but I don't understand what the pull of 'facebook' is about. Please don't get me wrong, I have been a fan of facebook since day one, but now that it is out in the media and nearly everyone I know has it, what is the real attraction.

Personally I think that it is just about advertising oneself. Showing the world who they are and lets face it - everyone loves showing off themselves - even in the smallest, visual ways.

So as this is a 'can of worms' post, I should spill what annoys me about social media.

Don't advertise it. Don't advertise that you killed a protected species of snake on your property. Don't advertise that you hate blacks. Please, please don't advertise that you stole some money. Just don't advertise anything you wouldn't tell anyone - and I mean anyone, to their face. That means, RSPCA, Barrack Obama and the police. This has got to be one of my biggest pet peeves ever!

I, myself, hate putting anyone down. This is a part of the reason why I am such a quiet soul. I try, (because sometimes I do fail...) to never speak a bad word about any one person. A lot can offend a person these days and social media is really just demeaning people. When people post these things I am talking about, they offend someone and that just causes a debate.

Another thing I hate is competition. In this case, I think that everyone should have their opinion, but when it gets to facebook, it just seems so pointless. Too many chefs spoiling the broth. So I let my pent up anger out on blogger!

KK.

Give us a break!

We all do things we think we don't. Sometimes we slip up, fall, stumble and make mistakes. We are hypocrites, liars, and manipulators - so what! I think that every now and then we need to give ourselves a break. The idea of a perfect person is just stupid!

 

Many of us have our moments - a slip of the tongue, foot in mouth, but a lot of people or organisations, tend to place unreasonable limits to everyday situations. The most hypocritical part of this is that often, the person or organisation in charge may be privy to making the same, if not similar mistakes that they shun others for.

 

I think that our society is much too strict. All it would take is to smell the roses and appreciate what we have already got. Placing impossible standards won't help anyone and personally I think that there is absolutely no need for it, but then again, I mean is that only human?

 

I try to overcome this by ignoring it and being thankful for the times I am treated nicely, with respect, or even just acknowledged. Just try to give yourself a break. If you find yourself making mistakes, feeling down, disappointing others, manipulating others, etc. Just remember the saying that my beautiful mum taught me: ‘Treat others how you’d want to be treated’ regardless of how they treat you!

 

If you have someone being cruel to you, stay strong, if there is one thing I have learnt from being stood over, it’s to never stand over anyone yourself, just step back and think twice.

 

xoxo.

 

KK.