Today's Rant

Good afternoon to my fellow and faithful readers of this random blog here on the westcoast... I am so exhuasted. I spent last night at my school, sleeping in the gymnasium and not eating anything for 30 hours and possibly more to raise awareness in ourselves that there are people out there who are less fortunate than us and do not have the luxury of opening a fridge and pulling something out to eat the way we do... please be mindful of that and don't waste food! Trust me.. it was quite the experience. Pulling an all nighter, not eating regularly at all for 30+ hours and watching 'Horrible Bosses' on my friend's iPad... t'was an excellent night <3

Okay. So. My rant for today.

I'm sure anyone with internet and anyone who lives in the area I live in is aware of the Amanda Todd story.

I watched this a couple days ago. It was so painful to watch. It's Amanda's story, written out on pieces of paper. There is no voice at all, just the words on the paper telling the story of the never ending hell that she had to go through all because of one jerk and one misstep.

Many people say that she had it coming for her because she did something so stupid. They called her stupid because of the mistake that she made.

Tell me, do you not make mistakes? Are you this high and mighty person who is invincible and immune to not making mistakes?

I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but we are all human. Humans make mistakes. I make a lot of mistakes, let me tell you. There is not one day that goes by that I make at least one small mistake that will impact me for the rest of the day, week, or life. There is also not one day that goes by that I wish that some of the things that I have done I could rewind, go back in time and take back what I did or said.

Amanda Todd is a beautiful girl who could've had a beautiful life if there weren't such things as bullies in the world. Why do we bully? Why do we try to make people's lives miserable? Why are we so blind to things that hurt people?

Do we really realize what we have done only after the person has taken their own life?

Why do we have to wait until that time?

I asked that on my Twitter page a couple days ago, and you've all responded greatly via email or Tumblr or Twitter. It was interesting to read: some were from victims of bullies. Some were bystanders who stood up and some who chose to walk away, thinking that it was none of their business. Some of the people that answered me were the bullies, some remorseful and some still quite angry. Here's what you all had to say.. I tried to put down as many as I could, especially the meaningful ones:

"I used to bullied because I was an immigrant. I was born in Iran and I moved to the Seattle area with my family when I was 10. When I was about 12 people in my class started bullying me, calling me things like 'terrorist' and telling me that 'my type of people' were the ones that were killing the American soldiers in the war. It is terrible. I had to switch schools many times until I found a place that would stop harassing me and would take me the way I was."

"Bullying is so stupid, and I just wish that it would stop. My cousin took his own life when he was 15 because he was being called things like' fag' and 'queer', just because he was the only guy in show choir at my school. He liked girls, he was never gay, and he never had a problem with gay people. The limits that people go to and the lines that people cross.. it's disgusting."

"There is this girl that gets bullied because of her religion. She wears a head wrap because it is part of her religion. People make fun of her and say that it is ugly. I wish that I could do something to stop it. She has moved schools now, but I always feel guilty because I didn't do anything to stop this unacceptable behaviour."

"I used to bully people. I always thought that I was right, and I prided myself on being the more powerful guy in the class. Honestly, I didn't realize how badly I had hurt some people. I didn't care about getting suspended, or detention or getting some PE class rights away. After a while, I had gotten expelled from my high school for bullying and beating up a kid. Trying to get into another school with that kind of past behind you is extremely difficult. I get it now that I messed up. Now I'm in my senior year, and even though I am the quarterback of the football team at my new school, many of the college scouts for scholarships know that I have been expelled and suspended for bullying and misconduct, because it is required that they know. This ruins my future, and I have ruined other peoples' futures as well. To all the people that I have ever teased, bullied, beat up or made fun of: I AM SO SORRY. I apologize from the depths of my hearts...I wished that I could turn things around and make it better."

"Standing up to a bully was probably the scariest thing that I have ever done in my life here in middle school. I didn't even know if I would get any support from other bystanders or if doing this would make me the next victim of the bully. I was afraid of that. But standing up to that bully made me strong, and to my surprise, many people got behind me. All of a sudden the bully was being taken down by the bystanders, and like you said before, that doesn't happen very often. That bully never made comment at anyone again! She switched schools."

"My family situation was pretty bad: my mom was cheated on by my dad and my mom had a drinking problem, so it was rough growing up. I guess since I was feeling insignificant at school made me want to feel more superior at school. That was my power trip, which led me to bullying other guys. I've been in counselling for the longest time after realizing that I have no friends because I was being such a bad person. I want to sincerely apologize to any boy and girl that I have bullied. I understand if you can't forgive me."

I just want everyone to remember this: YOU ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL, UNIQUE, AMAZING, AND WONDERFUL INDIVIDUALS. It doesn't matter what you have done in the past. I don't care if you have been the bully and you are confessing now or if you are the victim that is thinking up ways to take down the person that made your life hell everyday, or the bystander that chose not to say anything. WE ARE ALL IMPERFECT, but what can make us closer to the perfect side of things is the things that we choose to say, do, or type on the worldwide web. Take care that you make the right choices to be the best possible person that you could possibly be in this life. Take all these testimonies as a sign that any person, no matter if you are the bully or the bullied, all has been touched in different ways by bullying.

Let's work together to make this world a better place!

Please also go to my Tumblr page and read my testimony there about when I was bullied and my talk about Amanda Todd here. If you are on Tumblr yourself, please like or reblog to your followers. We need to spread the word around!  

Well, that's it for me on my front. I still have French homework to do! It's going to be a very busy weekend.. hope the rain isn't making too many people feel down. :) I promise to attack your questions again the next time I get the chance!

To sign off, here is my adorable music pal (I wish!) Josh Groban in his song "Higher Window" from his most recent album "Illmuniations". I have recently developed a major liking to his music and his CDs... his voice, his falsetto, his songs, his lyrics.... <3

STAY OUT OF TROUBLE AND DON'T FORGET TO SMILE! Stop the bullying, because no one deserves to live in hell on earth.

love from your anti-bullying blogger,

rachelrae xx

Mentally Exhausted...

Listening to a song called "Drift Away" by Magnetic North. I've never heard of them, and literally, I was introduced to them a couple minutes ago by a really close friend of mine. I miss him so :( ...

So, how is everyone's summer going so far? I know we've only barely scratched the surface, since its only July, but still. I've already had such an adventurous week. Strenuous and annoying, but fun and rewarding altogether. Spent a week at a camp, helping out little children with performing arts. Greeeat...

LOL So I have some questions here, let's tackle them one by one. I can only get through three, so let's see who the lucky ones are...

Q: There is this girl that I have been friends with forever, and I'm starting to have feelings for her. I don't know what I should do... should I tell her how I feel, or should I keep my mouth shut just so that we can stay such good friends? - Don't Wanna Be FriendZoned, via Tumblr

JAAG: Oh my goodness, its like you have been stalking me :) Firstly, I've been in your situation before, so let me just say that it has its pros and cons. On one hand, you know everything about this girl, what she likes, dislikes, and stuff like that. On the other hand, you hit the nail on the head: if anything happens, what happens to your friendship? After going through something like that twice, I feel like anything can change and you can get back to where you were after waiting it out a bit.
I was exploring on Youtube before I began this post, and I found this song that can totally relate to your situation... and honestly, I'm falling in love with this guy, right here <3 Jason Chen, Chinese cutie <3 Enjoy, and good luck! It's called "Best Friend" by Jason Chen

Q: All my boyfriend can talk to me about is sex. He won't talk to me about anything else, but I'm not ready for sex. What can I do? - via Twitter

JAAG: Sweetheart, he is totally not worth your time. LEAVE HIM! LOL Okay, so I shouldn't tell you how to live your relationships... but at the same time, take this as a warning flag. The only reason he isn't leaving you yet is that he really really wants you to have sex with him. Turn the tables and take off on him first. This guy isn't worth your time.. find someone that will treaet you and your virginity as a gift.

Q: Gift ideas for my parents' 20th wedding anniversary?? - via Twitter

JAAG: Good for your parents, making it at 20 years already! And good for you for going to get them a gift! :) Honestly, you will probably know your parents way way better than I do... but a really good gift idea is a scrapboo/photo album to showcase all the wonderful memories that you as a family have shared. That's my personal favourite :) Good luck on finding a gift for them!

WOW. New boyfriend up there ^^ Jason Chen <3

LOL In my dreams.

Life is going pretty well, so it seems. Someone is going to Florida in August... someone named MEEEE <3 Also, love life seems t be going pretty spectacular, someone asked me about that the other day. It's going great! The best time is always to be in love with someone,  I guess, that time before you're in a relationship and just crushing on them :) Makes you dream more...

oh well. STAY OUT OF TROUBLE AND DON'T FORGET TO SMILE! Also, enjoy some randomness here... www.mariachelle-annaclare.tumblr.com :)

summer loving,

rachelrae xx

Bullet for My Valentine, Anyone?

Hello everyone, summer just started and its looking pretty optimistic as of now. I think that the weather is supposed to change, but hopefully the meteorologists in my area are wrong..

Anyhow, this is interesting. I didn't know that girls are so good at getting into fights over nothing and the big reason why is because of misunderstanding. I honestly don't get why we are so good at it, but I guess I should know, because recently I got tied into such a debacle... anyways, wish me luck while I try to sort this mess out... :P

Questions, here we go, let them roll...

Q: Hi JAAG, I was wondering, there is a guy that I really like, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't like me back. What can I do to get over him? - via Email

JAAG: Whoa girl, I don't like that negative attitude you have going on there. What do you mean "I'm pretty sure he doesn't like me back"? No one, not even you, know that until you a) have given it a try or b) he has made it public to you and everyone else that he doesn't like you. If he hasn't done that yet, I say, what have you got to lose? I currently am in the same boat as you, my dear, although I hope that your boy isn't graduated and leaving the school like mine...
Anyways, I say try your luck. The worst that can happen is that he doesn't like you back and that he is completely immature about it. I hope for you that this boy that you have fallen for is one that will take it as a sentiment and flattery as oppsed to getting scared and running in the opposite direction. Keep it light, keep it real. I know it will be difficult to tell him how you feel, but trust me, if you do it in person, you can make sure that you get what you want across, see his reaction, and he will definitely dig your honesty :) Best of Luck!

Q: I recently got a new boyfriend, and he is really into the partying scene. I'm scared that I might get drugged or something, and he isn't too thrilled. He keeps telling me that if I really did love him, I would say yes to the party. - via Tumblr

JAAG: And I say, if he really did love you, he wouldn't think twice about taking you to any party in the near future.
Just reading that made me sick, because honey, you deserve so much better. I'm not even joking. A guy who doesn't respect your morals and boundaries is just not grown up enough for you, and I'm sorry that this may seem blunt, but you have to move on from him. Get out of this relationship stat before things escalate and you find yourself in a situation that you don't want to be in. If he persists that you are breaking his heart, pulls the guilt trip card on you or pursues you after the break up with violence or bullying, tell your parents, teachers, administration, counsellors or a friend that you can trust. Build up a support network before, during, and post break up to prevent anything from happening to you. The last thing you want is to get hurt because you broke up with a guy for the betterment of your life.

Q: What is your biggest fear in life? -via Twitter

JAAG: That's a new one. Well, I'm afraid of bugs. Yes, I said it. I hate spiders and bugs and anything that has more than 4 legs. Its so undesirable.
Aside from that, I'm afraid of getting my heart broken again. Just like any other person, I've been there. The funny thing people tell me is, "oh, you have a relationship advice blog, you must be a relationship guru!" ... In reality, I'm totally not. I'm just an ordinary girl who is looking for her Prince Charming. The only thing I'm remotely close to being a guru on is listening. I enjoy talking with friends and listening if they feel like they have no one that they can talk to. That's why I'm here for you guys. But back to your question, that is probably the biggest thing that I fear, and that is a boy breaking my heart.

So, summer has finally begun! Things are starting to look up.

Someone recently asked me what type of music I listen to.. while I like the pop/Top 40 type of stuff, I;'m kinda leaning over to the metal/emo rock stuff too... :)

STAY OUT OF TROUBLE AND DON'T FORGET TO SMILE!! Summer 2012 only happens once in your life, so live it up! This is my mantra this summer, and I hope that you will make it yours too :)

Take care,

rachelrae xx