Women's Rights.

Q: Why does every man need a woman?

A: Because the dishes would get piled up without one.

Q: Why don't women wear watches?

A: There's a clock on the stove.

Q: Why do women have short feet?

A: So they can stand closer to the stove.

If it's one thing that infuriates me, it's these sexist jokes. In no way AT ALL are these jokes the least bit funny. I can't count how many times I've uncomfortably sat, fuming inside, amongst a group of guys roaring over these jokes. I expressed my concern with someone recently who said one of these jokes. He replied, "it's funny." I said, "in no way is it funny at all. It's a serious issue." And he said, "it has nothing to do with you." I replied, "it has EVERYTHING to do with me."

Most people who tell these jokes are men, and men who are COMPLETELY uneducated on the struggles that women and feminist movements have had to go through. The battle is nowhere near over and gender equality is a serious issue that still exists worldwide.

It's really hurtful when I hear jokes like this... because there's nothing at all funny about them. And the fact that a serious issue has been twisted around into a laugh is absolutely disgusting. Some people may swear at me to lighten up and to learn to take a joke. But the fact of the matter is that these "jokes" shouldn't even be told at all. Why should women be expected to "lighten up" and "take a joke" when it's directed at them?

Women's rights are in no way a laughing matter. End of story.

Toronto

I had a lengthy discussion with Dan, one of my Fine Arts professors who convinced me 100% that going to Toronto would be the best decision I could make. After weighing the pros and cons I really asked myself, "why wouldn't I go?" Even if I absolutely hate it, it's only thirteen weeks. This could be a life changing experience. This opportunity could open up doors for me. Dan said if I decided not to go, it could be a decision I'd come to regret. I don't want to look back on my life wondering, "what if?"

I told Dan I was stressed about the cost of the program, the cost of rent, finding a place to live, total cost to live there, cost of food, cost of art materials, etc. He looked at me, smiled and said, "All you have to do is make the decision to go; Once you make that decision, everything else will work itself out."

I think that's the best advice I've ever heard. Think about it. All you have to do is make the decision... and everything else will indeed fall into place. So, the stress has been released and the excitement is kicking in.

I booked my flight. I fly to Toronto on May 1st, stay in a hostel the night of the 1st and 2nd (because the residence I'm staying in doesn't open until the 3rd) and then I'll be renting a room from the University of Toronto residence for three months.

I've never been to Toronto so I'm definitely going to make a "While in Toronto" bucket list to tackle for the thirteen weeks I'm there. I am a little bummed to miss graduation - mostly because I was looking forward to spending the last weekend with my BFA friends before we part ways. However, the unofficial opening of the BFA grad art exhibition is in April (which I had initially planned on skipping to move home) but since I'm missing convocation weekend, I think I just might have to stay.

So, I'm off... to go google things I can do in Toronto.

Take care until next time!