Tag: Feminist

Blog + Dog

Working From Home

RaeAnna

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Beau staring down the mean camera! | Pajamas (I live in them) | The Nutcracker | Quilt | Throw | One Day in December | Alaskan Holiday | Christmas Camp | A Christmas Revelation | Mug 

I’m a freelance literary translator, editor, and writer. People think it’s a glamorous job. It’s not, but I’m ok with that perception! In reality, it’s not even as pretty as the pictures, but they’re pretty accurate.

Beau is the best assistant and partner I could possibly ask for. When she came into my life, I was in pretty bad shape. My health wasn’t great, so working outside of my home was impossible. Even working from home was impossible some days. It became a blessing when Beau came home. She needed round the clock attention because she was in a rough spot emotionally, physically, and health wise. I was freelancing enough to get by.

After almost a year of being home with Beau, I started looking for more employment because money. I was lucky enough to find a consistent freelance project, which has allowed me to stay home with Beau. I am absolutely floored. I love being at home. I love spending my whole day with her. I love not wearing pants. I love not having to be up early in the morning or go to bed at a responsible time.

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Protecting me from the demon camera! We set up the tripod and used a remote, so it was “acting of its own accord” in her eyes. 

My office is my home. I work a ton. I mean a shit ton. Beau and I have a schedule, which we stick to it aggressively. We wake up whenever she wakes up. Around 9:30. Then we go outside, take a walk, make coffee, have breakfast, and settle into the couch. We work until dinner time, which is any time between 7:00 and 10:00. Beau goes has a run around fest around 11:30. She’s a night owl like her mom. Then the energy monster gives up, and the snoring ensues. I then work solo until 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning depending on when I pass out.

Usually, we work from the couch. In May, we invested in a king sized bed. I’m living in the lap of luxury, I’m aware. Now with a big enough bed to spread out, we work from there a lot more often. Especially when we’re feeling lazy or under the weather. I’m one of those people who actually makes the bed every day. I may not shower every day, but the bed is made with pillows and throws.

Beau is always by my side. Her face usually nestled into my thigh. When she gets antsy, she’ll paw my hand away from the laptop keys, so I can better pet her. Every few hours, we head out to our little dog park to run around and stretch our legs. She likes to run around and throw toys at me. I’m not kidding. She will literally throw toys at my computer. She’s even closed it once or twice. Most of the time. We just snuggle as I work. She likes to be as close to me as possible. Sometimes in my lap. Even if the whole couch is open, she wants to be squished in next to me. I love it.

I would get lonely at home all alone without her. I’ve always, always, always been a dog person. Honestly, being a stay-at-home dog mom is the best thing ever.

XOXO,
Beau + RaeAnna

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She is the most precious thing in the whole world! Happy Wednesday!!!
Style

Books, Coffee, Dogs & Social Justice

RaeAnna

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Graphic Tee (it’s perfect) || Jeans (the best) || OTK Boots (a winter must) || Blazer (a staple) || Houndstooth Silk Scarf (who doesn’t love these)

I love fashion. I have always loved looking my best. When I was in 2nd grade, I was frequently called into the front office because my outfit was “adorable” and needed to be seen. I always dressed up in middle school, high school, college, and the corporate world. Now I work from home, so I don’t get dressed unless I have a pressing reason to go out into the world. As a blogger, I have a reason to look nice when I’m content creating.

I’m also a tall girl. I’m 5’10”, and that comes with its own shopping and dressing complications. Cute shirt… if I were four inches shorter. Awesome pants! Where’s the flood? Pretty dress: DO. NOT. BEND. OVER. The list goes on. Every once in awhile, I’ll be sharing my favorite outfits, which are tall girl friendly.

Since I started this blog (and long before in my personal life) people have been complimenting and asking where I get my clothes. I figure, I might as well start writing about! Maybe make a little money. Even when I’m not writing about fashion, I will be linking my outfits in all of my posts! 

I’ve never been much of a t-shirt girl, but when I found this one on Amazon, I knew I needed it. It is very, very me! Books, Coffee, Dogs & Social Justice??? I mean how much more me can a piece of clothing get?!? You can buy it here. It’s less than $16!!! You probably need it too if you’re following along.

I love over-the-knee boots. I never owned a pair until last year. These black otk boots are so cute. They literally go with everything from jeans to skirts to dresses; you could probably pull an Ariana Grande and wear them with shorts. I’m not that confident. I got these on JustFab, and they are definitely worth it.

I love Express because their clothes range from classic to trendy, and they’re more likely to fit me than other retailers. I bought this great blazer there. I love pairing them with jeans, but it would also work great to the office or really any occasion. The jeans are from Abercrombie & Fitch. They’re high waisted and super skinny; more importantly, they’re super comfortable. I have worn them a ton and washed them almost just as many times. (Really, who washes jeans EVERY time?) They have held up so well!!! The houndstooth silk scarf in my hair is from Forever 21. It’s a fun little accent.

The highlight of this outfit is for sure the graphic tee. I loved strutting my stuff in this outfit. I was really comfortable, but felt like the bad-ass boss babe I am trying to be!

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Graphic Tee from Amazon.com
Jeans from Abercrombie & Fitch
Blazer from Express
Over-the-Knee Boots from JustFab.com
Houndstooth Silk Scarf from Forever 21

Books, NonFiction

I Should Have Honor by Khalida Brohi

RaeAnna

Read Yes
Length 224
Quick Review As a little girl, her father wanted her to be a doctor, but she grew up to heal what doctor’s cannot: a healer of souls. A tragedy that began in love lead Khalida Brohi down a road that would help her change her family, change her country, change the world, and bring her love.

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I Should Have Honor by Khalida Brohi

I Should Have Honor is Khalida Brohi’s memoir. Through her story, she also tells the story of her people. Before the age of 30, she has already accomplished so much good in her community and the world at large. She is the creator of the Sughar Foundation. With her husband, they founded the Chai Spot. Her life, from a very young age, has been dedicated to lifting women up and bringing an end to honor killings. Through her work, she has faced adversity, hostility, threats, and survived a bombing. Her resiliency allowed her to look passed these people’s actions, which stemmed from fear and ignorance, to continue her work helping women across Pakistan and the world.   

Brohi grew up in tribal Pakistan. Her father had been lucky to have an education and believed his daughters should have one too. This was not common; it was hardly condoned. The combination of a progressive father, an education, a strong will, and a caring heart launched her on a mission to end honor killings in Pakistan and everywhere else. Her cousin was murdered in the name of honor at a very young age because she fell in love with someone she had not been betrothed to. This revelation rocked Brohi’s world setting her on the trajectory that led to her activism and social entrepreneurism.

This book came into my life as I renamed my blog. In my teen years, my life was irreversibly changed by a man taking what he thought he deserved. Brohi fights against honor killings in Pakistan. I have been speaking out against sexual and domestic violence in the United States for several years now. I don’t have the stage she does, but I want to start using my platform to advocate for women in my country struggling against a different kind of adversity. I found a kindred spirit in Khalida Brohi and I Should Have Honor.  

Pakistan is drastically different than the United States and the Western world in many ways. I have had an interest in Southwestern Asia for several years now, so many things were not new to me. For those that have not read extensively about the region, Brohi does an incredible job providing background information on the politics, culture, religion, history, and even the clothes to help the reader understand and empathize with her people.

On of the things I admire so much about I Should Have Honor is her honesty in her early faults. In the beginning, she believed happiness and freedom looked a certain way for women. Through meeting and talking with and being challenged by women she was close to, she learned to accept women’s choices, and there is no one path to happiness or even equality. Change can be made through many routes. When she first began her advocacy journey, Brohi didn’t realize the need to change women’s minds about traditional practices as much if not more than she needed to change the men’s.

I Should Have Honor is not a very long book. The chapters are short, which makes it perfect for anyone who wants to read it, but can’t sit down for long sittings. There are so many personal touches and stories; it’s not a book you’ll want to speed read. I took my time with this one. Enjoying every word because this book, Khalida Brohi’s origin story, matters. It will continue to matter for many, many years to come.  

Buy on Amazon.com || Buy on BookDepository.com

Memorable Quotes
“Two children, two stories, were becoming one.”
“I slowly learned that “honor” killings – a custom not ordained by religion, caste, or tradition but done solely to restore men’s egos – weren’t just my tribe’s issue but took place all across Pakistan and all over the world.”
“They couldn’t see the wrongs in the cultural restrictions that I was trying to describe, or the physical and emotional harm some traditional inflicted on women.”
“Women’s mind-sets were also part of the problem.”

Title: I Should Have Honor; A Memoir of Hope and Pride in Pakistan
Author: Khalida Brohi
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 9780399588013

Experiences, Travel

Hot Air Balloon Rodeo

RaeAnna

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I was very sad because I thought I had missed the Hot Air Balloon Rodeo. With the help of Google, I did a little researching to find out I had, in fact, not missed it because it was being held on both Saturday and Sunday. I guarantee you this is one of two reasons I will get excited about getting up at 4:30 in the morning. Hot air balloons or travel. In this case, I was getting up for both, technically.

I set my alarm for 4:30 on a Sunday morning. Somehow, I managed to get out of bed, put my hair in a messy bun, throw clothes on my body, wake up my Partner-in-Crime, and convince him to get out of bed. I did it. We, in various degrees of sleepy-grumpiness, found our way down the mountain to the shuttle. Everyone was shuttled to the launch site on Steamboat Springs’ buses. They were all very lovely and almost too chipper for a Sunday morning at the butt-crack of dawn. It was a five-ish minute bus ride to the lake, where the hot air balloons would be launched.

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I can’t really describe how amazing the view was. At the bottom of a mountain is the lake. On one side of the lake, all the balloons and vendor tents were set up. It was cold. Well, not cold. It was chilly for a mid-July morning. I was in jeans and flannel. I found coffee and donuts because I needed sustenance and something to keep my hands warm. The grass was wet. My feet were a bit numb after a whole thirty seconds.

We trudged around to the far side of the lake. It was less crowded, and I could watch the balloons from a distance. The lake was so perfectly still. The sky, clouds, mountains, and balloons reflected off the lake’s surface. It was absolutely amazing. I took so many pictures. Well over a thousand. I can’t really describe how amazing it truly is.

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The Hot Air Balloon Rodeo is an annual tradition in Steamboat. People come from all over to participate and watch the spectacle. The hot air balloons launch between 6:00 and 9:00 in the morning. If you get there early, you can chat with the captains, pilots, I don’t know what they’re called. One of the local organizations sets up a stand with donuts, coffee, and breakfast burritos. When the balloons launch, they try to dip their baskets into the water. It’s fun and, I’m sure, harder than it looks. Unfortunately, it creates ripples in the water causing the reflections to be less crisp. Oh well. There are tons and tons of balloons of all colors and sizes. There’s a “tiny” balloon, and the pilot(?) doesn’t even have a basket; he just straps himself into a chair dangling from the balloon. I love the colorful ones. Remax had a balloon present. There were even some balloons with murals including clowns, creepy, and a western motif.

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I love balloons. As a little girl visiting my grandparents’ condo in Colorado, the balloons would come over the mountains sometimes. They were incredible. I have always, always loved them. I get giddy about balloons. This was an absolute wonderful experience. I would love to keep going back for it.     

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Books

No One Tells You This by Glynnis MacNicol

RaeAnna

Read Yes
Length 304
Overview A fabulous memoir about a newly 40, childless, single woman in New York learning to struggle, be proud of, regret, love, question, and live the life she has.

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No One Tells You This by Glynnis MacNicol is a new release having hit bookstore shelves barely a month ago. I jumped at the opportunity to read this, and I absolutely love it.

I’m single, childless, and getting older every day. As a woman of a certain age, I hear “when are you getting married?” “when are you going to have babies?” and “you’ve still got time.” more than often. I’m not searching these things out. We live in a time where I am not forced into a one-way path of female adulthood; I can choose, support, and live almost anyway I desire. This is revolutionary even though it’s not completely unusual. There is a serious lack of variation in female role models. Every path is beautiful and fulfilling and difficult as long as we are able to choose the path we live.

Glynnis MacNicol shares her fortieth year story as she figures out if she’s happy with the life she’s accidentally, purposely chosen. No kids. Single. Her mother’s health is failing from Parkinson’s. Her friends are getting married and having babies. She hasn’t found anyone. Does she even want babies? She spends the year she turned 40 figuring out if she wants to keep going down that path.

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I don’t want to tell you too much, but the book is amazing. MacNicol is incredibly honest with the good and the bad. She taps in to her inner voice in an incredibly sincere way. She can be sad and funny in the same moment. There are incredibly touching moments, which will resonate deeply for women of all backgrounds and lives about finding happiness and being true to oneself.

The group of friends MacNicol describes is amazing. I hope to have a support group as deep, loyal, and wonderful as the one she describes. I also love how she often goes off on tangents describing her life in terms of “if my life were a rom-com.” She has no fear in tapping into the hilariously ludicrous inner voice we all have but would probably not want thousands of people knowing.        

I highly suggest you add this book to the top of your reading list. It’s perfect for any woman and should be read by men too.

Memorable Quotes
“Women alone always seemed to be seen as an advertisement: open space, please fill.”
“What cultural markers were there for women other than weddings and babies?”
“Women my age were always being accused of getting tell serious too quickly, but in my experience, men were just as guilty of it, maybe even more so.”
“People leave, but they also come back.”

Title: No One Tells You This
Author: Glynnis Macnicol
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 9781501163135
Books

My Life on the Road

RaeAnna

Read Yes
Length 276
Quick Review Steinem is a feminist icon having dedicated her life to activism, which kept her on the road. She finally put pen to paper to document her journey.

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This book was an adventure in and of itself because my dog took a bite out of the middle. After the ingestion of ten pages, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Gloria Steinem’s My Life on the Road.

As a woman who spends a great deal of time traveling, I enjoyed Steinem’s stories immensely because I identify with her narrative on so many levels. A lone woman on the road, wariness is a familiar companion. Steinem repeatedly found herself in uneasy scenarios only to be pleasantly surprised by the kindness and complexity of humanity. This has become one of my favorite parts of traveling.

Steinem’s nomadic life began with her father’s wandering ways. As a child without four walls to call her own, she lusted after a normal life only to realize the road was her normal. After college, she decided to go to India for two years where her love of traveling and being apart of the people began shaping her future. She talks about her stories with people, shared experiences, feeling of isolation, and how people would recross her path in the most unusual ways.

Steinem is known for her fierce activism for women’s rights, and one of the most powerful moments in the book is when she stated simply: “When humans are ranked instead of linked, everyone loses.” Her entire life on the road was for the purpose of leveling the playing field for all people regardless of gender, orientation, or ethnicity. As a traveler, she often dealt with feelings of isolation, which parallels the isolation many feminists deal with, “those of us, women and men, who identify with feminism are still made to feel isolated, wrong, out of step.” One of the most enlightening parts of My Life on the Road is when she discusses the Houston Women’s Convention in 1977. I never knew it existed, and she was there a leader and part of the movement.

A constant traveler herself, Steinem often found comrades in those who traveled for a living. She learned about the community cross-country truckers have, and the dangers and obstacles female drivers face. She learned of the struggle and marginalization of “stewardesses” in airlines as they fought for rights and equality to be known as flight attendants. Steinem could connect with people because she was always with people.

Steinem isn’t only serious, she’s incredibly funny with gems like: “It was like riding in a placenta with Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, or Chaka Khan.” She is funny, smart, and in touch. I can’t recommend it enough.

Memorable Quotes
“Perhaps our need to escape into media is a misplaced desire for the journey.”
“Also I’d, never thought about the racist reasons for controlling women’s bodies.”
“We might have known sooner that the most reliable predictor of whether a country is violent within itself – or will use military violence against another country – is not poverty, natural resources, religion, or even degree of democracy; it’s violence against females. It normalizes all other violence.”
“Altogether, I can’t imagine technology replacing bookstores completely…”
“If you travel long enough, every story becomes a novel.”
“… the presence of any woman devalued the masculine domain.”
“the power to make people laugh is also a power, so women have been kept out of comedy.”

Title: My Life on the Road
Author: Gloria Steinem
Publisher: Random House (Penguin Random House)
Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 9780679456209