Monday 30 April 2012

Eating my words!

Something wonderful happened to me recently whilst living in Wroclaw
(question; can I still write 'whilst?' because I sincerely love that word!)
Anyway I heard about a relatively new English newspaper made in Wroclaw. The Wroclaw International.
 This is not only amazing for knowing the great, cool things that happen here but, of course, I really wanted to have the opportunity to write for them!
I begged in emails, attended a monthly party, and then I was invited to a meeting.
Yes, I was in !


My first piece has been submitted, shockingly I am writing about animal things (as well as anything else I can think of submitting along the way).  I am very grateful for this opportunity.
I have just interviewed a wonderful woman who spends her days rescuing animals and she, and her organisation, will be the focus of my next piece. But until then here is my small article on Vegan ice cream, now selling in the middle of my awesome city!


The natural taste of Italy
The dark skies are lifting from over Wroclaw and people are coming out from hibernation, it is the start of the summer time. Clothes are getting lighter, smiles are getting wider, and the demand for refreshments is rising.  Although the majority of people in Poland, and the world, do not yet follow a ‘meat free’ lifestyle it is safe to say that the masses are now demanding healthier products on the market. Chowing down on a chocolate bar is a temporary satisfaction and many, especially us women, feel guilty about what was an extremely short lived pleasure.  But alas, a genius has been born, Giuseppe Lamardini, the creator of an all natural ice cream.  The Vegans are rubbing their hands together in glee as yet another completely cruelty-free product emerges, defying all skepticism. 
Giuseppe uses, not only, 100% natural ingredients to make his gelato taste unique but seemingly defies the laws of ‘ice cream’ physics by using: carrot, beet, tomato, pumpkin, and even Spirulina.  Spirulina, in some circles, is known as a superfood with it’s richness in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It has even been placed as number one on a list of the five foods that can add years to your life (by the AARP). It seems Lamardini knows what he is doing; rejuvenating a classic.  At the age of 20, Lamardini moved to Italy where he learned how to produce Gelato (Italian for Ice cream). He and his Polish wife’s dream was to create an ice cream that does not exploit animals. He created the “Gelati Giuseppe” and began to sell it from a quaint little shop in Sopot, Poland. 
Luckily for Wroclaw, the considerate people at VEGA have brought the ice cream to the Rynek for 4 zloty a scoop!
VEGA, an establishment set picturesquely on Sukiennice street next to the city hall, has been serving health conscience people for 25 years. Of course, in 1987 Poland, it was a little more difficult to start a business selling salads instead of vodka and sausages but it has survived and every year Rafal Patkowski (Manager of VEGA) has witnessed a consistent rise in the vegetarian ideals of both young and old. Everything served at VEGA is homemade and this ice cream is no exception.
Out of 38 of Giuseppe’s ice creams VEGA provides 8, and the flavors will vary over the course of the summer. In an interview, Patkowski announced boldly that his favorite flavor was grapefruit and I couldn’t help but grimace because grapefruit, in it’s natural form, is incredibly sour and the ice cream is a perfect replica. Luckily for me Patkowski allowed me to sample the other, less sour, flavors such as chocolate, mango, pineapple, and I will say that I may return for Lemon with spirulina more than a few times, it is light, fresh, healthy and perfect for a sunny day walking around the beautiful city of Wroclaw.
Can ice cream be dairy-free and still be delicious? It seems so.

Monday 23 April 2012

The second beating


So, after my last blog, about bullying, Colin told me that maybe I should try and be more clear in my message. I deviate very easily from the topic but that is just how I write. 

I wrote this piece about 6 months ago and I think it sums up what I was trying to say in my last post..
I was a victim of bullying but I, in no way believe that gives me any excuse to bully others. Whether it be to physically hurt another living creature, say mean words to a friend, or to even gossip.

Of course, what girl hasn't gossiped in her life? Age will mature me and hopefully eliminate the need to do this in my future.

Buddhism:

It has always been a challenge for me to discipline myself to do any kind of research on anything. It is an even greater challenge for me to discipline myself to do research on the major religions of this world. I believe this is because of fear and ignorance but most of all because of loyalty, Loyalty to the religion that I have known since I was a child. A religion that cradled me when my dear Grampa left, a religion that gave me friendship when I lacked that in school
However, if I am ever going to find the best course for me, discover the 'answer' to what life is All about .. then surely this IS the only way to do it! 
I read 'the essence of Buddhism' on my plane ride between Kuala Lumpar and London. A 13 hour journey thats boredom screamed the need to be annihilated. I slept a lot so I tried to find my enlightenment there but, after a serious ache in my knees and a realization that if I keep sleeping then jet lag is gonna really rear its ugly head, I decided to pull myself together and pass the time another way…Religious study ! 
I am pleasantly surprised by Buddhist study , geeez my mother would pull out her hair (then mine) if she heard me! But yep, buddhism or the 'essence' of it, at least, is pretty beautiful!
It deals more with ones self than the requirement to please another (such as a god) I am not sure about the golden fat buddha and how he relates to the 'story' but once I gain internet connection on solid ground I will find that out.
The self and it's connection to suffering, addressing the fact that the world is essentially evil because of human choices. Suffering is inevitable but if one leads a life of that fully accepts the idea that they will suffer at one stage or another than one can live in a peaceful existence. 
For example. John loves his rich lifestyle. He loves to entertain his friends and prepares huge dinners whenever they come over.
John avoids knowledge of  the suffering of the world. He enjoys expensive vacations, he has a great health plan, he is ignorant to the misery of the poor.
John will encounter suffering at one time or another, it is unavoidable, yet John has worked so tirelessly to ignore it, that when it comes it is like an earthquake, an electric current through his entire body. He cannot handle it and begins to fall apart. His attachment to the ego has caused his mind to be shut off from the reality of the world. If he had prepared himself, if he had listened to those that suffer everyday from the animals to the children to the adults and lived a life that, in no way, causes unnecessary pain to others he would be able to concentrate on life's simple pleasures. Instead, in hard times, he cries out 'why me?' rather than 'why not me? Which question has a more positive answer?
In some ways I should be thankful that I do not have riches like John, it is actually a great starting block. It gives me the ability that John does not have, the ability to suffer and to slowly adapt to it. If I gain riches I hope that I am prepared to facilitate them in ways that can end some suffering.
My favourite aspect of buddhism lies in the devotion to living a life that is morally 'right.'
Channel ones mind on the reality of the world rather than being distracted by temptations or the mind's interpretation of what is real. 
Do nothing that will cause suffering to others. Use actions and speech that are not used for sexual gratification, used to be malicious or are driven by hate.
In other words, live a life that leaves the smallest negative imprint on others.

Thursday 19 April 2012

Big bad Bullies

I am writing a completely outrageous blog post, and because no one seems to really read my blog other than my future (if Colin gets his finger out) mother-in-law and Colin himself, I can write what I want and not care for consequences..hoorah!

First issue of the day
* Bullying *
I have been talking and thinking about this subject all my life and recently it seems to have come up a lot in blogs and the news.
This week I have even been doing it with one of my adult classes (ok, I mentioned it and they queried on the spelling...I hold that up as a thorough discussion)

Earlier this year I sent two emails out to two fb friends to apologise for the way I treated them in school. I was jealous of them, their individualism and their lack of need to hurt others. Bullying makes one 'think' they are at an advantage and that they are superior..
*bullshit*
These two beautiful women are successful in that they have happiness now, I didn't contribute to this happiness and that's not how I want to live.

I bullied them because I was in agony inside.

I don't believe in Karma. No paths I choose will directly effect the next stage in my life.
Bullies very rarely get what's coming to them, especially if they are the every day verbal, mocking bullies who don't really understand the consequences or the pain they cause.

Let me give you some examples;

*Everyday the girl, that is the most popular and everyone wants to be, takes another, significantly less popular, girl's blackcurrant juice and the the latter girl is somewhat fearful of ever saying no.

Is that bullying? Does the popular girl ever realise how inferior she makes the other girl?

*A geeky girl, not yet reaching her attractive peak, wears her heart on her sleeve and allows a boy to know she likes him his response is;
"I would rather *&%@ a dead dog that is 6 feet under"

Is that bullying? Or did the boy have a right to say that to rid himself of any possible advances by the undesirable?

*Sitting on a bus to go home from school, a girl sits next to her best friend and shares her headphones, a boy from the back of the bus tells the latter that it is 'disgusting' to allow the former to share the headphones.

Is that bullying? Is that wrong when it actually brings me to tears right now to remember my memories of school?

These, of course, are my stories and they stay with me for life. I have many more, of my house being egged, of vile verbal words thrown at me in the street and yet no one would really consider me as being a victim of bullying because these stories, individually, are not that horrific.
And those involved in these memories are all successful, happy people.
They do not and will not ever know that they stay in my mind forever. I will never 'get over it' in an attempt to be a better person, I can't, I am human after all.
Again, I don't believe in karma, consequences for bullying will only happen if the person happens to want a clear conscience, has an open mind and a good heart.

I was once a somewhat religious person. My mother is a Born again Christian. I was raised by her and she is the most wonderful person in the world. Now I have met the second most wonderful person in the world, he is my future and he is an Atheist.
My mind has become a battlefield, I adore two people who both have such strong faith in what they believe and 'know' that it is the truth.
I have started to lean towards the belief that there is no god, that we are not as spiritual, as impressive and as wonderful as we think we are.

We are actually nothing

I have a cat and she is too beautiful for words (except that she is biting my toe in bed as I write this) . We got her as a kitten and there is nothing , bar size, that would lead one to believe she is a baby. She is independent, she learned to walk, play, jump, run all alone. She is a miracle. Humans are not. We need our parents until we are 18 years old (beyond that for some).
We come out of the womb and would perish without other humans, we are a race of dependants.
The only thing we have that is superior is our language and the fact that we have domesticated animals to control as we want.

Is it cruel that I keep my cat indoors, so that if she ever was called to the wild (her rightful home) she would not be able to survive?
Is it cruel that we take chimps from their mothers and put them in labs so that we can decide if they are smart?
Is it cruel that beagle dogs are put into cages, for life, so that we know if our mascara will be water proof or not?

If there is no god, then there is no consequences to what we do to another race. Animals (dinosaurs) were here before us, they belong more than we. We are supposed to live with the earth, not control it. We were born naked, fragile and as guests on Earth. Our egos have destroyed the balance.

In school I knew nothing but school. I couldn't see past the gates, I couldn't understand that in a few years I would never have to see those people again and that I could, if I wanted, defriend them from fb !!!
Children see school as everything and it saddens me that some are so miserable and involved that they resort to taking their own life.
These 'victims' are the people we need in order for the Earth to survive, these children with good hearts that know what it feels like to be trapped, attacked, inferior.

I believe I was born because I am just part of another race, I am nothing special. I work, eat and love but that won't help me when I am dead. It's just the cycle, but while I am here I tend to leave the smallest footprint.
My cat will be adored because she is far greater than I am.
I will try and make those around me happy.
I will love rather than hate.

Bullying isn't just the big things it is in everything.





Sunday 15 April 2012

The Kimchi Field Museum in Seoul has documented 187 historic and current varieties of kimchi

Is Korea a racist society?

This is probably one of the largest debatable questions among visitors to Korea.

What is racism anyway?

Is it the hatred of another race or is it the ignorance of another race?


When I worked in Perth, Australia I kept the money rolling in by working at a bar and getting my dollars ‘under the table’ I loved it. I wasn’t an impressive barmaid and I certainly could not throw together a cocktail and blow up a sambuca but I was able to pour a pint of beer and flash the older male customers a flirtatious smile to keep them happily desiring more alcohol. I worked for a South Korean, his name was Dan and he was gorgeous!


Yellow fever
The best infliction to have ever hit caucasians. Signs of having contracted yellow fever includes extreme attraction and affection towards Asians of the opposite sex. urban dic.


Although seemingly a politically incorrect term, people use, ‘yellow fever’ today to describe the attraction many foreigners have towards those of asian decent. Foreign men adore Korean women.

It is not hard to understand why, they are beautiful, have fabulous shiny hair (put down to the lack of need to continually color) slim and because of the confucian ideals that never seem to completely disappear, they are far more submissive and seemingly dependent than western women! (more on this later)


Dan was the first Korean I had ever spent time with and I liked him immediately. Every night, when the bar got quiet and being a bar that attracted more old, widowed men than Thursday night student parties we had a lot of down time, we would sit down on a table and talk. He was married and had a baby son living with him in Australia and so my chances of a Korean marriage were out of the window (blast) but nevertheless we talked and I enjoyed learning about a place I knew much too little about.


“May I ask you a question Ruth?”
“Of course Dan” (All too eager to please the handsome boss)
“Why don’t western people know the differences between Korean, Chinese and Japanese people?”


In Australia it was hard for me to spread my cultural wings, I had come from a predominantly white country to another and although I would say I am neither racist nor ignorant of other races I had never immersed myself in anything but white and this question took me by surprise. I was suddenly, for the first time, being faced with how the world is, a patch work quilt of numerous shapes and colors and it is no longer acceptable to have a blanket of one tone stitching.


I was not equipped to answer the question and explained in my inadequate vocabulary that it is ignorance NOT arrogance that has people confused. This, although a pretty accurate explanation if I do say so myself, had no evidential backing, I had absolutely no reason for making this statement and thanked the Lord that Dan nodded his head and dismissed me instead of continuing to probe.
I was just out of University when I made my big trip to Australia and it seems school does not teach you much more than how to get a job. It teaches you about work not about life, nothing you need to understand, appreciate or know about the big, bad world will be learnt in a classroom. I enrolled to be a student of life when I turned 27, I will probably be studying forever!


Dan, by posing this question, seemed to be suggesting that a westerners inability to determine the nationality of an asian, merely by appearance, is nothing less than a derogatory slur on another culture. I do not believe this is the case. What is the difference between this and a Korean unable to identify a European from a Canadian?

The difference is the reaction.


White people have never known discriminated against because they/we are the powerful elite (according to history and according to them/ourselves)

Racism is the result of power trips and minority groups do not have the numbers to achieve this, it is only through time and [somewhat] civilized morals that the powerful have loosened their grip on the elite positions (although not entirely)

White people have no issues with the ‘mistaken’ identity of themselves with another white race because their confidence is unrivaled, especially in comparison to those races that have faced and still do face discrimination.


Dan had a pretty successful position. He was manager of a bar and run a bottle shop, which was located in a side room within the bar. He wore a suit every day and I have no doubt led a relatively comfortable lifestyle. With his expertise in ‘taekwon Do’ the Korean martial art that all children, especially boys, practice regularly as they grow up, Dan was the guy to call if there was any trouble in the bar. There was only one bar maid on duty at a time and this could be rather intimidating even if the regulars were over 60! When a person drinks there is no telling what the result can be. I had the power to ‘cut people off’ but some people just didn’t want to get ‘cut off.’ I remember a time when a male Aborigine came in, he was a hard worker and came in for well deserved pint every so often, this one time he had quite a few, well deserved pints. He became obnoxious and I called Dan for assistance. The topic became racist and my comfort zone was well and truly blown apart. Dan was receiving a lot of unfair abuse about coming to Australia and not belonging but luckily this guy was no match for ‘Taekwan Do’ Dan who removed his abusive ass onto the streets of Perth.


A minority attacking a minority, does this happen? Why does this happen? I should be the one attacked, I was working for cash, I was spending my spare time drinking at bars and getting up to wild and wonderful things with other like-minded backpackers. I was definitely not thinking about how I could contribute to Australia, let alone the world. I do forgive myself, I was having a ‘time’ and now I have packed away my party shoes and put on some slippers, but why was Dan being attacked?

He was the hard worker, paying his Australian taxes, legally working and not at all deserving to be abused.
Racism is a topic, I am more than happy to say, I do not understand!