When Happy Holidays is Offensive, and When it's Not

Who would have thought that a time as happy as Christmas could be so controversial?  It's supposed to be the happiest time of the year people!  Along with the stress of all the preparations, there is that pesky little phrase nobody likes:  Happy Holidays.  Quite a blah phrase.  It's like we are not sure what we are supposed to be happy for so this phrase will do.  However, this phrase should not always be taken in offense.  Now, before you write me nasty letters, let me explain.

When somebody who does not know us says Happy Holidays, it is not a problem.  The poor soul is probably so afraid of offending us that they are playing it safe.  I will also point out that there are many people who celebrate other holidays like Hannakah and Kwanza.  Retailers are just trying to reach all of their customers regardless of their beliefs.  The best response to this is just to say thanks.  I am very strong in my beliefs so I have no problem saying Happy Holidays back.

Happy Holidays only becomes offensive when it is specifically used to exclude somebody's beliefs.  Calling a menorah candle a holiday light or a Christmas tree a holiday tree is offensive because these are specific symbols for these holidays.  Also, trying to force out a display of a Nativity scene when other religions are equally represented is wrong too.  If the only thing an Atheist can contribute to a holiday display is a banner bashing all the other religions there, it should not be admitted.  They should stick with a something like a Winter Solstice display.

The big question is, are you really that uncomfortable with the fact that you are different from me?  If that is the case, then in Oklahoma we should ban all saying of "Boomer Sooner" or "Ride "Em Cowboy" because that could be offensive to the other fans.  I also find LSU fans screaming "Tiger Bait" in my face offensive so let's ban that too.  Do you see the silliness in this?

So let's all lighten up!  If you like saying "Merry Christmas," say it with pride.  But if somebody says, "Happy Hannakah," smile and say, "Happy Hannakah to you too."

To everybody just lightening up and having an egg nog,

Culture Girl

Visting v. Residing, Don't Sell Your House Just Yet

There is a show on HGTV called House Hunters International.  While I find this show very fascinating, at times it can be painful to watch.  Some people have very legitimate reasons to move to another country (jobs, family, etc.).  But when I see people with comfortable lives and have absolutely no reason to move look for houses in some "island paradise," I bury my face in my hands.  "You don't have enough money!" "That country is dangerous!"  "You are going to get so bored!"  These are just a few thoughts that go through my mind as I watch.  Then I started thinking about how many times I have seen people look bewildered when they meet somebody who has moved from Hawaii or California.  It's like people think that living in these places is an endless vacation.  Let me help those who may not understand why I think staying put may be your best option.

Al places will lose their. novelty.  Think of going on vacation as being on a honeymoon.  It is fun and exciting for a week or so.  But living there is like being married.  While you may love the place, the beaches, shops, and sights will turn ordinary after awhile.  And while I do like warm weather, seeing the same season year round would get boring.

Do you really want to be trapped on an island?  Most Americans love their roadtrips.  You can kiss those goodbye if you move to an island.  You are cut off from the rest of the world.You will see those same sights over and over.  On top of that, everything has to be shipped in and will cost you a fortune.  If you need proof of this, just check out the gas prices in Hawaii.

Do you really want to blow your life savings?  I think people really underestimate just how expensive it is to relocate.  People also forget they will not have the same income they had back home.  I see this on HHI all the time.  People have a budget and then are disappointed with what they can afford.  My word of advice?  Leave your 401k intact.

Do you really want to lose your rights?  I have booked car reservations for four years now.  I continue to be amazed at how many people think the US has jurisdiction over the whole world.  Once you leave the US, all those awesome rights that our troops fought for you to have go bye bye.  You move to England?  Get ready to pay 20% VAT on almost everything.  You move to China?  Don't say anything bad about the Communists unless you want jailtime.  Move to Singapore?  Kiss your car goodbye (along with your chewing gum) because the government makes cars darn near impossible to afford.

I have traveled enough to know that I love where I live.  I have freedom, cost of living is low, people are friendly, and the government, while not perfect, is for the most part fair.  I don't live in a tourist haven and that is perfectly okay with me.  I am perfectly content knowing that somewhere different and exciting is just a plane ride (or drive) away.

Here is to Home Sweet home,

Culture Girl

INSANITY: The New Addition to My Workout

I try my hardest to keep a regular workout routine. But somedays, I'm just not feeling it. That is when I know it is time for a change. I previously had been doing P90x. I will note, P90x is an amazing workout. I got some great muscletone built and the variety was
great. But I could tell I was getting bored with it. I rolled my eyes every time I heard Tony Horton say, "Look at those teeth, they're off the charts, like Chiclets." I also had this annoying layer of fat on my stomach and legs that was not going anywhere no matter how much P90x I was doing. Nothing is more annoying than being able to feel your muscles but not being able to see them because of flab.

So I decided to go for a workout that focused more on cardio. Enter Insanity. I can tell already this is going to be a challenge, but one I am glad to take on. I have never done a workout where I spent more time keeled over and gasping for air. I feel really silly and unathletic right now because plyometrics has never been my strong point (Hence, the humiliating end to my basketball days my freshman year of high school). But I am not giving up. I have seen people have great success with this program and I intend to push through. Ripped body, here I come!

To grunting and sweating,

Culture Girl

TLC's All American Muslim: My Review

When I saw the previews for this show, I was very interested.  I like to see a different perspective of Muslims than what the news media likes to portray; angry people who threaten to blow you up if you do anything that may threaten their beliefs.  I have known some good Muslims in my lifetime and I was curious to see how this show would portray them.

When this show first aired, I'll admit, I was a little disappointed.  Seeing ladies not in their hijab and saying the way they look does not make them any less of a Muslim made me cringe.  The show does confirm one thing I already knew.  That is, there are different levels of devotion in Islam just like there is in any other religion.  For me, it is still hard to see people lukewarm about their faith.  I believe that if you are going to go through the trouble of following a religion, you should do it wholeheartedly.  If you are going to be a bad representative of your faith, then what is the point?

But despite this, I do find the different lifestyles interesting.  I enjoyed seeing how the football team practiced at night to avoid breaking their Ramadan fast (although for a religious guy, that coach sure had a potty mouth).  I like to see the clashes between the old school parents and the younger kids.  I found it disturbing that there has to be such a huge police presence at the mosque just because people were going to worship during Ramadan.  I also really liked how they discussed the challenges of fasting.

There were a couple of things from last night's episode (Episode 2) that really bugged me, though.  I admire the one lady for wanting to wear the hijab again, but I question her motives.  I got the impression she was putting on the hijab because she was trying to score points with God so she could get pregnant.  But looking at the shape she and her husband were in, I think her woes were more health related than faith related.  The other thing that has REALLY bugged me from the beginning is the "conversion" of Jeff.  This guy was allegedly an Irish Catholic and decided to "convert" so he could marry his Muslim girlfriend.  I knew immediately this guy was not serious about his current faith or Islam.  He just wanted to follow the rules so he could get married.  And seeing how their wedding did not even remotely resemble a true Islamic wedding was very telling.  He acted like a spoiled brat when he tried to fast for Ramadan.  He was so disrespectful to the family when they tried to explain why they fast.  I hate to say it, but I don't see that marriage lasting very long if he does not get his act together.

Despite my gripes, I still will continue watching this show because, like my blog title implies, I love to observe other cultures.  We can learn so much from other people's beliefs and in return, reflect on our own beliefs.  Come Lent, I will not be whining about fasting, that is for sure.

To open religious discussion,

Culture Girl

Why is Confrontation So Tough for me?

I have a confession to make.  I HATE confrontation.  I would rather give birth without drugs than have a conflict with someone (and yes, I have given birth without drugs).  I just want everybody to be happy.  But there is one thing demand and that is respect.  The second somebody chooses to disrespect me, I have no choice but to get in their face.  But it is not easy for me.  Everytime I have to deal with a disrespectful person, my heart starts racing and my voice shakes.  When it comes to fight or flight, flight is definitely my preference.  But letting a bully think they are in the right is not cool with me.

My husband sometimes tries to handle my conflicts for me.  I admit, I am a little jealous at times how easily he can lecture somebody without losing his cool and still get his point across.  But I know it is not fair to him or myself to let him do all the work.  Which leaves me with only one option.  Learn how to stand up for myself.

So how on earth do I learn how to do this?  Do I just ask people to randomly call me and chew me out so I can practice responding?  Do I run for a political office so I can see my character smeared by an opponent?  All I know is that I usually don't have problems with words.  I know exactly what I want to say.  It is just getting over that physiological reaction of my heart pounding and my voice shaking.  I'm really hoping I can figure this out because this is really annoying me.

Still living life despite this,

Culture Girl

How I Found My Athletic Prowess

For those of you who knew me in my younger years, you are probably rolling your eyes right now.  Me athletic?  I know, tough prospect considering I had a junior high basketball coach tell me to shoot free throws underhanded.  But I am proud to say that things have changed for the better.  It was a very long road however.

Back in my school days, I loved sports.  I remember watching the Olympics on TV and reading about our girls' basketball team going to the state basketball tournament.  I always wanted to be one of those people.  I didn't realize at the time how much the odds were against me.  My family lived a very TV centered lifestyle.  You could say we were coach potatoes.  This is not good when all of your classmates are in youth leagues and building their skills.  When I started team sports, I was hopelessly behind.  I was the laughing stock of every sport I tried.  And being the competitive town it was, nobody stopped to help me.

Therefore, my desire for sports plummetted.  I got very discouraged.  My self esteem was in the toilet.  Even if I had developed some skills, I probably would not have gone any farther because sports are as much a mental game as they are a physical game.  My confidence was gone.  So I did what any other sane person would do.  I ran to the arts.  Choir geek, band nerd, forensics, you name it.  Maybe not the coolest thing to do, but in the arts I had some success and I actually enjoyed it.

But deep down, I still wanted to be an athlete.  I joined the cheer squad just so I could be close to the game.  I clashed big time with the other girls though.  Let's face it, I'm not girly and I wanted to work hard.  Those were two things that were very foreign to our cheer squad.  I eventually ditched cheer and went full force into the arts by being a music major in college.

Years later, after my teaching career fell apart and I had fat rolls everywhere, I finally got fed up.  I joined the gym.  But my previous demons still followed me.  I didn't know how to use any machines and I got tired really easily.  I remember smashing the weights a few times and storming off the floor.  "Here we go again," I thought.  But then I saw him.  There was this early twenty something guy that looked like your stereo typical California boy.  He was working with a client and they were smiling and having fun.  Fun and sports were never in the same sentence for me.  Call me a stalker, but I wanted him.  Professionally, that is.  I waited until he was finished with a client and started asking questions about training.  I signed up that day.  Training with Zac was the push I needed in the right direction.  He was positive and encouraging.  Anytime I said I couldn't do anything He would always reply, "Why not?"  and then make me do it.  My confidence soared and my body changed.  I'll never forget the day when he said, "You have gone from timid to bad ass!"  I even had the confidence to flirt with the hottest guy on the gym floor.  Of course, I then had to remind myself that I am married and to cut it out.  Whoops!

I would not call myself a stellar athlete by any means, but I have something now that I never had before.  I believe in myself.  That has been more rewarding than the muscles.  I push myself to run faster, lift more, and go further.  The athlete mindset is a great thing to have.  Work hard, no excuses, keep going.  I truly believe that is what pushed me to give birth to my daughter without an epidural, which can slow labor down.  I have also lost all of my baby weight and people have told me I am an inspiration.  You can't put a pricetag on that.

Live life to the fullest,

Culture Girl

The Lockout is over! Why am I not more excited?

Today I was on Yahoo and saw a video clip from an Australian rules football game.  The guy makes an absolutely amazing catch by jumping on the other guy's shoulders.  I was reallly impressed.  But then I went and read the comments.  The comments were mostly rude and ignorant people saying that these guys would never make it in the NFL and who gives a flip about Australian football.  This got me thinking.  Yes, I love football as much as the next American.  Yes, I pay way too much for channels so I can zone out on Saturdays, Sundays, and some Thursdays.  But one thing I do not tolerate well in intolerance and closed mindedness.  As much as I love football, I do not limit my interests to just football.  I was watching the women's World Cup long before Abby Wambach made the miracle score against Brazil.  I even go to ESPN3 and watch sports that most Americans don't even know exist, like rugby and lacrosse.  Do I know the rules very well?  Not really, but I enjoy seeing the athleticism and the heart that these athletes put into their sport.  I do, however, know how to explain offsides in soccer, thank you very much.

My problem with football is that it is so ingrained into American culture that people put on their blinders and think it is the only sport that is worth watching.  And what is even sadder, a lot of these same people can't even explain why the ball is normally punted on fourth down.  But yet these people think they can leave comments on an article about how their sport is superior to every other sport in the world.  Pathetic.

So now that the lockout is over, by all means, go out and support your favorite team.  But don't be limited to just football.  Remember, everybody else in the world thinks football is a sport where you kick the ball into a net.  Be adventurous.  You may find it's a whole other world out there.

Here's to telling that idiot in the bar that Ohio State will not win a title this year.

Live life to the fullest,

Culture Girl