An Atheist, a Christian and a Marriage

May 7, 2013 in Dating, Friendship, Lifestyle, Marriage, People, Relationships, Religion, Self

I go to church sometimes. Voluntarily. And I don’t mind (much). But I’m not a signed-up member of any religion, and I don’t plan on joining. When I met my husband, Jelly, three and a half years ago, I hardly knew anyone my age who was serious about religion. Other than the compulsory Christianity most of us get in Anglo Australia (weddings, funerals, scripture classes), my childhood had been pretty secular. My attitude was that church was all a bit silly and anachronistic. Where I did have a Christian friend I avoided discussing it or whispered about it (‘they’re churchy, [...]

Working The Midnight Shift

April 5, 2013 in Anecdotes, Health, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Nutrition, Society, Stories, Work

This post is a true story and contains some swearing and drug use. I slouch into work, clutching a pack of cigarettes in one hand, and a bag of takeaway Chinese in the other. The receptionist I am taking over from grins at me altogether too cheerfully, and I grunt at him. “Aww, don’t be like that!” he smirks. “It’s all very well for you,” I snap back. “It’s Friday night and you’re probably off to get totally hammered before crawling back here tomorrow.” He grins even more cheerfully. “I sure am!” “Yeah, yeah, fuck you,” I mutter, shoulder barging [...]

This Week: Breakfast & Cleaning

March 30, 2013 in Food & Recipes, Home, Lifestyle, Meta, Pets, Self, Sexuality, Society

In the past week I’ve spent more than the recommended amount of time cleaning. The up side being my house is all spotless in time for Easter and we finally unpacked the boxes in the hallway that have been there for, oh, a while (3 years). I also cleaned all the windows which haven’t been cleaned for a long time. This was my week in pics: Breakfast for Good Friday: Porridge! Note how my one is the child size version? Hilarious.  Night at the Chapel last Friday night. Church has changed quite a bit since I was last there. Lionel [...]

Marriage: I’m Just Not That Into You

March 27, 2013 in Lifestyle, Marriage, People, Relationships, Religion, Self, Sexuality, Society

Like many other girls, when I was young I would picture my wedding. There was the white dress, the flowers, the bridesmaids, and sometimes even the groom. The thing is; I never thought I would actually get married. I always assumed I would feel different when I was older. It’s never happened. In fact, I’ve become almost adamant that I never want to get married. I would like to preface this piece by saying that I love weddings. Seriously. I LOVE them! Seeing a couple stand up and affirm their love for one another is a beautiful thing. And there [...]

Sharing Your Beliefs in the Workplace

March 22, 2013 in Lifestyle, People, Religion, Self, Society, Work

I’m a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian. I’m also a high school teacher in the state system, where religion is not openly discussed. (Except for in scripture class, once a week, which is optional.) As a teacher, I can’t initiate a conversation with students on religious beliefs, because this could be seen as me trying to ‘convert’ them. If a student chooses to ask me what I personally believe, I am entitled to answer honestly and explain the basics of my belief system. I’m a product of private Christian education. Even my tertiary education was undertaken at a private Christian institution. So [...]

Why I’m Vegetarian (and I don’t need meat)

February 18, 2013 in Food & Recipes, Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition

I’ve been vegetarian for a long time. Not because it’s ‘hip’ or trendy. I was born and raised one, I didn’t eat meat until I succumbed at Maccas while wagging school: that chicken burger was SO good. When I moved out of home at 18, I started to incorporate more meat into my diet, but not red meat. It grossed me out, unless it was a cheeseburger (which I figured probably wasn’t really a whole lot of genuine meat) or mince in a bolognaise sauce. I never ate steak.  Due to religious constraints, (I am Seventh-Day Adventist) I still haven’t [...]

Double Standards A-Plenty

February 12, 2013 in Children, Fathers, Gender, Marriage, Mothers, People, Sex

It amazes me that in this day and age, double standards are still such an issue. With things like Gay rights, and Women’s rights, and equality being fought for the world over, there are still some unbeliveable double standards, which are completely mind boggling! Men are Studs, Women are Sluts This one really rubs me up the wrong way. Basically, men can sleep with whoever they want, and they are considered studs, whereas women get categorised as sluts. So to even up the score, I’ve taken to calling one of my guys a man whore. It’s only fair. Men and [...]

Abortion: I’m Pro-Choice And Pro-Life

February 11, 2013 in Current Affairs, Gender, Health, Human Rights, Lifestyle, Parenting, People, Pregnancy & Birth, Religion, Self, Sexuality, Society

I’m glad to see that there’s been some new discussions around the antiquated abortion laws in New South Wales and Queensland – about time! Whenever I see articles about abortion, it always makes me wonder what I would do if a sexual partner of mine became pregnant. Given my age, sex, and relationship status (middle-aged, male, and in a 20 year committed relationship) it’s unlikely that I will ever be confronted with this situation. But when people ask me if I am pro-choice or pro-life, I always reply “both”. “How can that be?” they will ask. Well, it all depends [...]

We Need More Discussion On Euthanasia

January 22, 2013 in Current Affairs, Health, Human Rights, News, People, Self

You may have seen in the news last week the story of the 45-year-old Belgian twins who decided to end their lives via voluntary euthanasia. Mark and Eddy Verbessem had been deaf since birth and upon hearing they would soon go blind decided they could not live without being able to see each other.   Euthanasia has been legal in Belgium since 2002, but what makes the story of these twins different is that they were not terminally ill. Unlike most people who have ended their life via euthanasia, Mark and Eddy were not considered to be in unbearable physical [...]

Who am I?

December 13, 2012 in People, Religion, Self, Society

I have been meaning to join KiKi & Tea as a contributor since the website was founded but one thing stopped me: share a little biographical information. I just sat there, staring at the blank field as if it was a semi-trailer hurtling toward me and I the deer; about to be squished. Who am I? It should be the easiest question to answer; all it requires if for me to know myself. And I know myself better than anyone else. And yet I can’t write a twenty word bio of myself that I am satisfied with. Every time I [...]