Holiday Debates
Posted by: nnk1 on: December 24, 2009
DISCLAIMER: This post is for pure fun. I do not mean to cause trouble or create a debate. My post is an unorganized, non-transitioned quip. 
Every December, I see Facebook updates boasting either the love of gift giving (and receiving), thanking Jesus for his birth or an irate status trying to educate people the origin of the gift exchange thus provoking the question is Christmas Pagan?
I do care about everyone’s beliefs and I do appreciate individuality, spirituality and a big thing called love so with that, for those of you (Christian, atheist, spiritual, whatever you choose to practice) who enjoy to debating with your friends and family whether Christmas is pagan, the date of Christ’s birth, and/or if Jesus was black, can you debate kindly please? And trust me, I need to take my own advice. Actually, who am I giving out advice? I am going to hell. You are probably too if you listen to Lady GaGa!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
NK
Moving Forward
Posted by: nnk1 on: December 15, 2009
DISCLAIMER:
The following post does not have a clear and cohesive structure. My format is purposefully jumbled to evoke all sorts of emotions and thoughts to leave you thinking about how much the world has changed and hopefully to give you motivation to become an equal rights activist.
In middle school, I got excited and nervous when I heard the word “gay.” It was such taboo. It awakened my curiosity. I wanted to talk more about the ‘hush-hush’ issue.
My life and my surroundings were more conservative a decade ago due to my environment but also due to general society. Wasn’t yours?
October 7, 1998. Anyone know the significance of that date? Seems like so long ago Matthew Shepard was brutally taken away from this world. What did you think of that? 11 years ago in my hometown we talked about the horrendous crime of murder but left out one important aspect of it all: it was a hate crime.
Just a year before Shepard was killed, Ellen DeGeneres publicly came out on her show; declaring herself a lesbian. What did you think of that?
A decade ago, it seemed like the topic of homosexuality was emerging. It was controversial. It was exciting. Homosexuality was categorized (still is) but moreover, homosexual portrayal was often stereotypical (IE Jack from Will & Grace being flamboyant).
What about now? What does a gay man look like according to TV? Why the hell do people think bisexuals are whores like Tila Tequila? (I ask these questions rhetorically).
Okay, let’s stop talking about images and discuss our families, our love, our future. How many of you actually thought we would live in a world where politicians and activists would lobby for votes taking away the right for same sex couples to marry?
It sucks. It truly sucks. Progressive and equality achievements have been like a roller coaster. Bravo, Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected in California public office in 1977 but damn, his assassination a year later provided motivation for equal rights to make a drastic push but it also instilled fear into thousands of homosexuals; probably putting them back into the Closet.
And who can forget this past November’s disappointment in Maine? The Associated Press reported: “Five other states have legalized gay marriage — starting with Massachusetts in 2004, and followed by Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Iowa — but all did so through legislation or court rulings, not by popular vote. In contrast, constitutional amendments banning gay marriage have been approved in all 30 states where they have been on the ballot.”
Like I said, emotional roller coaster. Right now, those of us pushing for equal rights can celebrate in Annise Parker for being elected Houston’s first openly lesbian mayor. Let’s hope this ride just keeps going up and America can move towards being a more equal and United state.
Hope I gave you all something to think about.
Peace,
NK
University Cancellation Policy
Posted by: nnk1 on: December 8, 2009
If you’re a student living in a snowy state and have seen massive snowfall accumulate on a frigid night, chances are you have experienced an anxious and hopeful feeling for the next day’s classes to be canceled.
Often times, us college kids get up early the next day to log onto BlackBoard to see if our professors have threw in the towel to the fight against Mother Nature. Or, if you’re lazy like me, we wait for our class friends to shoot us a text as to whether we’ve got a snow day on our hands for at least one class. Either way, while we all sit in our comfy homes and watch in awe as the snow piles up, we all hope for a break from our academic lives…especially when finals week is just around the corner.
So what does it take for a university to cancel class due to weather? Stay tuned!! After watching tonight’s crazy snowstorm, I have successfully pitched an idea to my boss on investigating what the policies are for Grand Valley State University to give us a snow day.
Stay warm, West Michigan!
-NK
Editorial Controversy!
Posted by: nnk1 on: December 7, 2009
If you have been following my blog, you might remember awhile ago I posted that I would write a review on “get thin quick” miracle dieting fads. While I did not post the review on my personal blog, the paper I work for (GV Lanthorn) published it last Wednesday.
Please read my review before continuing on with this post.
Done? Okay, what did you think? Fair? Unfair?
Well, yesterday afternoon Mrs. Purcey gave me a phone call to tell me how disgusted she was of my write-up. During her two-and-a-half minute rant, I put my cell on speaker cause my friend Paul was hanging out w/me and I wanted him to listen in. We were both shocked. “What if the president of the company sees this write up? Did you even read what you wrote?!,” she yelled. We both had to hold in laughter. “You’re well on your way to being a deceitful..deceit..journalism!,” she stammered with anger. I apologized that her product did not work and even told her I had hoped to receive better results. Before she hung up she shouted ”GOD BLESS YOU!”….
Paul said I handled the situation with patience and professionalism which, I give credit to my fear for holding my words back.
Purcey also called the Lanthorn’s editor-in-chief. The two might meet this week and if they do, I am certain all my boss will say is “feel free to write a Letter To The Editor” as well as re-iterate that body wraps are under investigation by the National Council Against Health Fraud which, I mentioned in my article.
Any thoughts, readers?
restore me.
Posted by: nnk1 on: December 1, 2009
reaching up past the clouds
down into the depths of my soul
it’s a search to be made new
a search to be made whole.
i dont want another self help title
and you can keep your two cents
i’m looking for real change
something dramatic and intense.
Holiday Pain
Posted by: nnk1 on: November 29, 2009
Today’s sermon at Crossroads Wesleyan Church in Rockford gave me perspective and challenged me to take a closer look at my faith. Part two of the three week series titled “Christmas is the time for giving Forgiving” discussed the pain and baggage that is often uprooted during the holiday season.
We’re supposed to be especially merry and cheery this time of year. We go back home during break to run into old but familiar faces and sometimes, for one reason or another when we see that certain individual who did us wrong, bitter feelings come back to life. Whether our harbored anger is against friends, co-workers, ex-friends, or family members, Christ says we need to get rid of it and forgive them.
Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:31-32 to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Yeah, OK, Paul. Forgiveness is easy as pie. Thanks, bud…
Maybe forgiveness is so hard cause we don’t realize how many times Christ has forgiven us and what He went through to save us. Maybe its hard because if we do forgive the one who hurt us, then we don’t have an excuse as to “why we are the way we are” which means we can’t act like jerks and get away with it any more.
I know I have issues regarding forgiveness and frankly, for lack of better term, it sucks. After today’s message though, I have realized the work cut out for me and how much I actually do need Christ’s help.
I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving break.
Peace be with you,
NK
Christian living & Christian careers
Posted by: nnk1 on: November 18, 2009
Last night, my good friend Paul and I got into a great conversation about Christ and what it means to live and love like Him.
Paul had the privilege to hear Shane Claiborne speak at Hope College this past Sunday. Claiborne, author of The Irresistible Revolution, shared some viewpoints on how to show the world that you are a Christ seeker. Does that mean each and every one of us need to give away our possessions and share the love of Christ with the oppressed in a third-world country? Does it mean my college education will “go to waste”? Not necessarily. What he said was profound. In regards to deciding between missions and the life in Corporate America, Claiborne said “it is not, “am I going to be a doctor? Lawyer? (In my case: news reporter?) But what kind of doctor, lawyer or reporter are you going to be?” If we’re not meant to be missionaries in a foreign field, we could all very well be professionals in this world without Christianity emitting onto others. Or, we could be diligent in our faith and serve others while maintaining professional careers. Let’s take the latter, no? Wouldn’t it be greater if we worked as missionaries and still helped and loved on people in our particular fields?
On the same topic of how can we tell people of our faith: “Jesus used fascination to bring people in. He said “come and see, come and hear”. When someone asks if I am a Christian, I should be able to say, “What do you see? What do you hear?,” Claiborne said.
I want to be able to say that…
Peace be with you,
NK
Classic Line #1
Posted by: nnk1 on: November 17, 2009
I’m not slamming men in this post. I am simply addressing an infamous, over-used line most men (and some women) use.
A good friend shared with me details of her latest boy drama. It appalled me; this particular individual thought he could mask his fear of commitment by using the line “I’m just afraid of getting close to you”.
The ridiculous line combined with the fact that this guy was mackin’ on other girls (with her there), receiving a lap dance (she was a foot away) and ignoring my friend all in one night screams this translation: I do not want to commit to you or any girl.
Here’s the sad thing: my friend is a helluva catch. Attractive, spiritual, hard-working, intelligent, out-going, the list honestly goes on. I hang with a good crowd. I mean, if I were a guy, I’d date her.
Well, there’s my short quip on translating a classic line. Don’t buy into it!!
Oh, and one more thing! I’ve been listening and helping out several of my friends with their love lives (or lack thereof), so if you need anything, drop a line. Advice from a half-gay girl gives you insight from the best of both worlds.
-NK
Gaga for GaGa
Posted by: nnk1 on: November 15, 2009
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta really outdid herself this time.
Her song and more so her music video for Bad Romance is epic.
Amazing story line? Check.
Incredible costume? Check plus.
Sick dance moves? Check plus.
110% entertaining, scary and addictive? Check, check, check!!
Kudos to you Lady GaGa. You’re a world-class entertainer. I love you.
reify.
Posted by: nnk1 on: November 15, 2009
stumbling.
wandering.
wavering.
strengthening.
recovering.
discovering.
amazing.
redemption.
forgiveness.
fulfillment.
peace.
love.
happiness.
rinse. repeat.
Search
- tarryn: These are some pretty heavy things that you are talking about and I commend you on the how they are written in this post. I also grew up in a conserv
- Levi: The only thing I have qualms with is the phrase, “fear of commitment.” People who do not want to commit are not necessarily afraid of commitment.
- Craig: I'm not a man for poetry, but this is great stuff.
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