awkward silences to obvious questions

Written on 7 May, 12 • 1 Comment »

My friend and I are doing our AP Statistics project on whether or not the average American can past the current immigration test. This isn’t necessarily a new idea, but sometimes I can’t believe that people actually fail to answer certain questions. There are somethings I expect every US citizen to know. I would expect an American to know what race was brought to the United States and placed in slavery, wouldn’t you? Well, today I experienced several awkward moments when people simply did not know the answer to questions like these. How can you not know Africans were brought to the U.S. and forced into slavery? I also did not think the question what day Independence Day is on would be met with “I don’t know”. July Fourth is probably the most well known date in American history. I actually expect more people to be able to tell me what day Independence Day is on than Thanksgiving or even Christmas. There were several people that had a good understanding of U.S. History and Government, but for the most part, I think some people should work on reeducating themselves. There is no reason that someone should not know that Africans were put into slavery. Truly baffled.

 

eating disorders 101: my life with ed

Written on 30 Apr, 12 • 2 Comments »

I try not to spill that much into this blog about my eating disorder because (1) I barely think I have a problem, the only reason I acknowledge that I have a problem is because I have about four different doctors that all tell me I do. (2) I don’t want to be a burden to the readers of American Vintage. Usually if my posts are a rant/cynical it’s a good laugh so it’s okay. Recently though, I’ve felt a little isolated, as if I can’t always say what I want to anyone around me. I’m already a burden to my friends and boyfriend and I feel like sharing doesn’t really help. So, where better than my blog to put it out there! Gotta love logic. Lets start with the mini rant because, believe it or not, there are certain things you should never say to someone with an eating disorder:

01. You have the easiest problem in the world, just eat something.
If it was that simple IT WOULD NOT BE A DISORDER and I am perfectly aware of the tragedies of the world, I’ve made my life goal to help people in need abroad.

02. It’s not like you don’t have an appetite, you just don’t eat.
Way to state the obvious, do they pay you for that?

03. I’m sorry I don’t starve myself like you do.
I won’t even touch this one.

Recently I have been reading, Life Without ED which is all about one woman’s struggle to divorce her overbearing eating disorder. It’s a very impressive book and I highly recommend anyone read it, with or without a disorder because it made realize that maybe I’m not loosing it, maybe other people have these exact same thoughts! Maybe (no but really they do). Well, I’m going to acknowledge mine with a personal letter.

Dear ED,
I am beyond a little annoyed with your presence in my life, but I would like you to know that because of the effect you’re having on my relationship we’re officially at war. To be honest, you’re an embarrassment and manipulative. The amount of lies and secrecy I’ve had to manage to ensure that you stay safe is astonishing and I hate when you put me in a mood to the point where I can’t even function. I have coddled your strange tendencies for long enough and I am tired of your taunting side notes after everything I do. This is me telling you that your challenge has been accepted and I will be doing everything in my power to severe our relationship.

Yours Truly,
Lynn