The past four months have been quite the learning experience for me. I've held two jobs, was laid off the former and left the latter to return to school. I've experience workplace politics, the inhumane side of business, have made new friends and left some old ones behind, I've been discriminated against as a Quebecer in my own province, I've fallen in love, I've pursued my passion for writing (with this blog and several Editorial positions), I've gained perspective into myself and have observed my reactions to situations in a way I haven't before. I've learnt how hard it is to make money, and how hard it is to save it. I've learnt that iced capps are addictive and that speeding and parking where you're not supposed to are expenses I can easily avoid by simply being responsible.
I spent the summer driving around my dad's Intrepid that eats and farts gas like a chubby me used to gobble down chocolate cake as a kid (and still do, but to a lesser extent) and being fed by my mom and grams who cook all-day to satisfy my palate. I also learnt about the harsh realities of the value of a buck and how expensive life really is. I think I can finally say I empathize with my aunt whom I always thought was stingy beyond belief. Turns out, I've gained a bit of that stinginess, or how I like to call it, being thrift.
Being a die-hard feminist, optimist, activist, and someone who believes in the power of small gestures of kindness and save the world mentality, I found out that money plays a big part of the world we currently live in and that there isn't much money in the field of development. I've also realized that money runs our world.
Quite literally.
Morals and ethics are stomped by cash. And so is our humanity.
The truth is, at the end of the day, you are more likely to line your own pocket than to step out and make a change. And despite the crap I'm going to undoubtedly recieve for putting out such a blunt statement is because I've experienced it and it is the truth. It is much easier to give money to someone to do it for you than to do it yourself.
And let's be honest, we all want to live a comfortable life. And how much are we willing to compromise for that?
Nothing.
The rich want more, the average Joe works harder to become the rich man, and the ones living below the poverty line will work their whole lives just to stay alive.
And the ones with nothing?
Well, we all know the answer to that one.
Most of them die. Some cash in their karma points and receive aid from NGO's.
***
Growing up, my mother had instilled in me the idea of medicine and had brought me up in the hopes that I would follow that path. Until my 2nd year of CEGEP, that was an option for me. Until I discovered the wonderful, but not really, world of development that I instantly felt a great affinity to. After my trip to Senegal, I realized that I had a greater purpose. I didn't want to help 20-30 people a day as a medical doctor, I wanted to do more.
So I pursued International Development Studies at the University of Toronto in Scarborough and knew, rather thought, that my path was undoubtedly in development.
Until this summer.
I realized there was no money in development. And I wanted to live a comfortable life. This was enough to mindf*ck me, over and over again. I was like a lost puppy dog in a maze.
I asked around. Spoke to some people. I always go to my inner self but, I had lost touch with myself this summer. So I decided to go to my mom.
Over the years, the relationship between my mom and I has gotten much better. I seldom listen to her but turns out, she's right more times than I'd like to admit. She always remarks, "you do what you want but you always come back and say I was right!".
So I figured, this was the universe telling me to go ahead and listen to my mumster considering mama knows best. So I did.
And the Medicine peptalk began.
She began with the fortune-teller's prediction upon my birth that I was going to become a "women's doctor", followed by another, and another. And how bright I am. And how much she knows I can accomplish. And blah blah blah.
I considered it. Quite seriously. Again. And again. But in the back of my mind, I knew this would partially settle my dilemma. The only issue being that I wanted to impact more people than I could in a full work day in a small office.
So how could I do that?
***
I had my first class today and it was International Health Policy. I have been waiting for this class since last year. So much so that I bought the textbook at the beginning of last year in anticipation.
I knew that if I were to pursue Medicine, I should pay full attention in this class. I also knew that I was a die hard feminist. And wanted to make it work somehow with the Health aspect.
And in she walked the answer to my dilemma. Professor Suzanna Sicchia, with more degrees to her name than anyone I had ever met was the answer I was so desperately looking for. She worked in Public Health with a focus on Women's Health.
THAT'S IT!
The pieces finally started to fit together.
She went on and on about her work with women and the politics of health and health care.
***
As a second-year co-op student, we were given an assignment to do over the summer. Much to my dismay after my post on defeating procrastination, I was still a victim to it. And in my defense, I cannot write unless I am inspired or have anything of value to say. Our mission was to research three organizations in international development that work within our areas of interest/focus. My current focus is on Gender/Health and Environmental Science. And the deeper I dive into development, the more I can add to that list. And for the assignment, we had to choose one.
Great.
So I started writing about the three I mentioned.
Until my first class.
***
So now I was inspired. But there was still something missing.
I got home and was exhausted from the day. I changed into my PJ's, washed my face, had a Kit-Kat and watched the Season 1 finale of Suits. And then stumbled upon Beyonce's I was here.
And that changed everything.
It reinstilled in me the drive to make a change. I realized that I couldn't allow my experiences to alter my path despite it be the easier road. I did not want to conform to the rules of society (except when driving). I break the rules within my own home and found a way to work within the confines. So how could I have let those meaningful experiences alter my path?
I had to let those experiences make me stronger as a person, with thicker skin, and a cautious eye.
I am who I am.
The experiences and the dark moments of my life have always made me stronger and have made me into who I am today. I have never let any dark moment bring me down. And this is no exception.
The realities of life may revolve around having enough cash to stay afloat, but someone once told me to "do what you love and the money will come".
And as much as capitalism has hurt me, it also provides me with shelter and food. I will not allow the one thing that I kind-of, but not really, despise keep me from fulfilling my personal legacy.
I am Ganya. I am a tree-hugger. I am a feminist. I believe that a smile is enough to heal the world and that laughter will kindle the spirit. I will fight for the causes I hold close to heart. I believe in the children.
I am Ganya.
And I was here.
I spent the summer driving around my dad's Intrepid that eats and farts gas like a chubby me used to gobble down chocolate cake as a kid (and still do, but to a lesser extent) and being fed by my mom and grams who cook all-day to satisfy my palate. I also learnt about the harsh realities of the value of a buck and how expensive life really is. I think I can finally say I empathize with my aunt whom I always thought was stingy beyond belief. Turns out, I've gained a bit of that stinginess, or how I like to call it, being thrift.
Being a die-hard feminist, optimist, activist, and someone who believes in the power of small gestures of kindness and save the world mentality, I found out that money plays a big part of the world we currently live in and that there isn't much money in the field of development. I've also realized that money runs our world.
Quite literally.
Morals and ethics are stomped by cash. And so is our humanity.
The truth is, at the end of the day, you are more likely to line your own pocket than to step out and make a change. And despite the crap I'm going to undoubtedly recieve for putting out such a blunt statement is because I've experienced it and it is the truth. It is much easier to give money to someone to do it for you than to do it yourself.
And let's be honest, we all want to live a comfortable life. And how much are we willing to compromise for that?
Nothing.
The rich want more, the average Joe works harder to become the rich man, and the ones living below the poverty line will work their whole lives just to stay alive.
And the ones with nothing?
Well, we all know the answer to that one.
Most of them die. Some cash in their karma points and receive aid from NGO's.
***
Growing up, my mother had instilled in me the idea of medicine and had brought me up in the hopes that I would follow that path. Until my 2nd year of CEGEP, that was an option for me. Until I discovered the wonderful, but not really, world of development that I instantly felt a great affinity to. After my trip to Senegal, I realized that I had a greater purpose. I didn't want to help 20-30 people a day as a medical doctor, I wanted to do more.
So I pursued International Development Studies at the University of Toronto in Scarborough and knew, rather thought, that my path was undoubtedly in development.
Until this summer.
I realized there was no money in development. And I wanted to live a comfortable life. This was enough to mindf*ck me, over and over again. I was like a lost puppy dog in a maze.
I asked around. Spoke to some people. I always go to my inner self but, I had lost touch with myself this summer. So I decided to go to my mom.
Over the years, the relationship between my mom and I has gotten much better. I seldom listen to her but turns out, she's right more times than I'd like to admit. She always remarks, "you do what you want but you always come back and say I was right!".
So I figured, this was the universe telling me to go ahead and listen to my mumster considering mama knows best. So I did.
And the Medicine peptalk began.
She began with the fortune-teller's prediction upon my birth that I was going to become a "women's doctor", followed by another, and another. And how bright I am. And how much she knows I can accomplish. And blah blah blah.
I considered it. Quite seriously. Again. And again. But in the back of my mind, I knew this would partially settle my dilemma. The only issue being that I wanted to impact more people than I could in a full work day in a small office.
So how could I do that?
***
I had my first class today and it was International Health Policy. I have been waiting for this class since last year. So much so that I bought the textbook at the beginning of last year in anticipation.
I knew that if I were to pursue Medicine, I should pay full attention in this class. I also knew that I was a die hard feminist. And wanted to make it work somehow with the Health aspect.
And in she walked the answer to my dilemma. Professor Suzanna Sicchia, with more degrees to her name than anyone I had ever met was the answer I was so desperately looking for. She worked in Public Health with a focus on Women's Health.
THAT'S IT!
The pieces finally started to fit together.
She went on and on about her work with women and the politics of health and health care.
***
As a second-year co-op student, we were given an assignment to do over the summer. Much to my dismay after my post on defeating procrastination, I was still a victim to it. And in my defense, I cannot write unless I am inspired or have anything of value to say. Our mission was to research three organizations in international development that work within our areas of interest/focus. My current focus is on Gender/Health and Environmental Science. And the deeper I dive into development, the more I can add to that list. And for the assignment, we had to choose one.
Great.
So I started writing about the three I mentioned.
Until my first class.
***
So now I was inspired. But there was still something missing.
I got home and was exhausted from the day. I changed into my PJ's, washed my face, had a Kit-Kat and watched the Season 1 finale of Suits. And then stumbled upon Beyonce's I was here.
And that changed everything.
It reinstilled in me the drive to make a change. I realized that I couldn't allow my experiences to alter my path despite it be the easier road. I did not want to conform to the rules of society (except when driving). I break the rules within my own home and found a way to work within the confines. So how could I have let those meaningful experiences alter my path?
I had to let those experiences make me stronger as a person, with thicker skin, and a cautious eye.
I am who I am.
The experiences and the dark moments of my life have always made me stronger and have made me into who I am today. I have never let any dark moment bring me down. And this is no exception.
The realities of life may revolve around having enough cash to stay afloat, but someone once told me to "do what you love and the money will come".
And as much as capitalism has hurt me, it also provides me with shelter and food. I will not allow the one thing that I kind-of, but not really, despise keep me from fulfilling my personal legacy.
I am Ganya. I am a tree-hugger. I am a feminist. I believe that a smile is enough to heal the world and that laughter will kindle the spirit. I will fight for the causes I hold close to heart. I believe in the children.
I am Ganya.
And I was here.