Everytime I think about the number of youth activists around me, and the amount of commitment they give to the issues they care about, I get this happy feeling inside. It's awesome, it's great, it's just stupendous!!

But you know what the problem is? It's intimidating. I find that we're lacking in a "middle-class" when it comes to activism. We've got those people who are REALLY active, who go out to all the marches, who do a ton of research, and know a ton of people on a certain issue. Then there are those who don't really know....who've picked a "cool" issue and maybe dabbled a little in it to complete their 40hrs of community service that's mandatory in Ontario high schools. But what about those who've had some volunteer experience? But while they may know a decent bit about animal testing, don't know anything about ableism? Or those who want to do something, but don't know what? Or dont' know where to start?

I myself am one of those "middle-class" activists. Less than a year ago, I thought social action was me tutoring a newly immigrated student from Pakistan. Now EVERYDAY, I'm learning so many new things and hearing about so many new issues. And I've learned that there are unlimited ways you can take action against inequality or whatnot.

But it's intimidating. So many people who've been activists for a LONG time often scoff at you if you ask, "what's a union?" or "what does ableism mean?" And it's understandable. When we're caught up in what we're doing, when we're so passionate about something, we often feel that everyone should and DOES know about that thing, too! But that's not true. And that sort of thinking can be really intimidating to newcomers or those who just want to do what they can. I feel that we often lose our greatest allies because we unintentionally close ourselves to them.

So after all my rambling (did that even make sense?), I just want to say simply.....don't forget to open yourself to newbies. Don't forget that people aren't born knowing everything. Knowledge is acquired. And to further a cause, don't shut people out because of their lack of knowledge. Teach them what you know. Then let them make up their mind and decide what to do, if anything at all.

I want to participate in a Habitat For Humanity's Global Village trips. In particular, the group going to Mongolia for two weeks. The problem is, it will cost $3000-$4000US ($4500-$6000CDN+). How does one go about funding such trips?

1. Ask for a mug instead of disposable cup at the coffee shop.
2. When buying just a burger + drinks (or something equally easy to hold), forgo the paper bag.
3. Buy a pair of spiffy chopsticks, fork, or spoon for eating out at places with disposable ones.
4. Pat hands dry with one piece of napkin instead of rubbing with a bunch.
5. Recycle your cans and bottles.
6. Resuse your bottles.
7. Reuse plastic bags.

Voila. Next time you eat out, shop out, get into the habit of doing SOMETHING environmentally friendly. The more you do, the easier it becomes...like a habit. One can't spend their lives as hermits or wannabe superheros, too afraid that somewhere in the world, someone is suffering. We achieve nothing by wanting too much. Each step counts. When we look back in 5 days, 5 weeks, or 5 years....our mark will be there.

My second update...

I hate all this work. World Issues assignment on Food & Agriculture due tomorrow. Only thing I like about this assignment is having found TakingITGlobal by mistake when I typed in foa.org instead of FAO.org for the Food & Agri. Organization of the UN. On Wednesday, Law test and art project presentation. On Thursday, English conference for which I should've been keeping a log, written a thesis, and read two books for. Have not even found those books yet. I know I procrastinate. And I know most of it is my fault. But really, it IS stressful even if I do everything on time.

And what for? So I can get into a good university? People with lesser grades than me get in. I can't wait until April/May when university decisions come out. Then I can finally relax. Oh, I know. University will be stressful. But there's a certain freedom to it. You can do well if you want. You can not go to classes if you want. People understand when you want things to go deeper than Q&A homework assignments and periodic tests. They know when you travel to a foreign country to research for your senior thesis or roll around naked in red paint in the middle of the football field as your conceptual art piece for Contemporary Abstract Art 101.

I want a greater sense of accomplishment than over 80 or 85 on a test. I want stress that's worth it. I want to worry about the things that will affect more than just me. More than just my future.

Perhaps that is why I am getting into this whole activism thingy-a-bob. I'm tired of just ME.

I'm currently taking a World Issues course and needed to visit the FAO.org site to work on my assignment. Instead, I typed in FOA.org and stumbled upon TIG. First thought: "Wow." Second thought: "Wow. Wow. Wow. This is MAJOR." I'm still in shock. This site is AMAZING. I don't care if I sound like a cheesy 80's advertisement, but this sight is so huge and resourceful and I'm wondering why the heck I've never heard of it before now??

I guess I should give anyone who's reading this a little background about myself. This is my first day (or should I say...hour?) at TIG. I'm 18 and currently attending school and boarding in Toronto on the weekdays. Yes, I go to boarding school (judge now! or not...). On the weekends, I come back home to Markham. My family immigrated to Canada about 12 year ago. We started off in a rented guestroom in a house and now we own our own house and I board at school (although with a little help from aid) All I can say is....we've come a long long way. And yes, I have more luxuries now, but I've learned to appreciate things. I don't regret not being born into a rich family. Maybe ignorance is bliss for some....but what if you eventually realize you've been living in a bubble, but it's too late to do anything about it? I'm trying not to let that happen. This sight is great, in that sense. There's so much to become aware of.

Whew. That's it for now. It's now exactly 2AM on my computer's clock. Time for bed. So much to do tomorrow.

-Start on university applications
-Start/finish Conceptual Art project
-Start/finish World Issues' Food Production assignment
-Study for Law's Human Rights test
-Write letter to Becky
-Give Mom To-Buy list for China
-Return to school.....boo.