tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462832360617892797.post349831252840012056..comments2024-03-22T20:22:44.017-04:00Comments on Life in Quotations: Free For All FridayBarryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04641761671561288846noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462832360617892797.post-60891951672773897682010-04-25T14:31:24.660-04:002010-04-25T14:31:24.660-04:00Lots of countries can give you a happier life. Peo...Lots of countries can give you a happier life. People in the forties are "worth" just as much as anyone. In a western country you are free to be who you want, practice your beliefs, write as you feel a need to and to express your feelings. I hope you can make a decision that will make you happy. Please keep us informedTonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15962464518956106665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462832360617892797.post-71182628685900560902010-04-24T16:54:03.524-04:002010-04-24T16:54:03.524-04:00Thank you everyone, who cared to write and encoura...Thank you everyone, who cared to write and encourage me. <br />I so much needed it. it really made a huge difference to me, to know that I could be accepted somewhere- just anywhere.<br />I am looking for a job, to be able to move. as said anywhere, where i can just live.<br /><br />that was really very kind of all of you, to accept a complete stranger, for no other reason than her just be a human being.<br />this is what i wished to find here, in my homecountry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462832360617892797.post-11484137809659806182010-04-24T11:40:21.749-04:002010-04-24T11:40:21.749-04:00I know that the Arab world has a different culture...I know that the Arab world has a different culture... and I know that this is not the best place to be for an educated woman like you.<br /><br />There is hope elsewhere... don't stop looking. Age is not an issue here... what you are and what you can become are the most important things. <br /><br />I guess that I'm lucky that even if I live in a third world country, women can exercise their rights, we have a voice. <br /><br />Don't scrap the Philippines from your plans... not only US and Canada can give you a better life. <br /><br />Although the electric power rates here are too high. Hahaha! (Just want to make this comment light.) <br /><br />To Barry: thanks for doing this series. You are awesome. And my socks are brown. Hahaha!Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12180073176308698115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462832360617892797.post-59936801129932962272010-04-23T15:04:43.663-04:002010-04-23T15:04:43.663-04:00I really don't want to say that coz I wouldn&#...I really don't want to say that coz I wouldn't like to hear it but I feel really bad for her that she must going through things like that. <br />My answer to your question is YES! Of course you have a right to be loved and love! You are surrounded by people who don't understand your needs, your feelings and your approach to many things. <br /><br />Maybe you should try to find a job in some charities who help Arabic women. Maybe that would be a temporary solution.<br /><br />I want to ask you for one thing - don't stop believing, you have a right to be happy no matter what color you are, what religion you believe in or what age you are. Love yourself for who you are and make you disadvantages your advantages. Miracles happen every day. Tomorrow it can happen to you.<br /><br />p.s. Barry! I am in!!!Mademoiselle Devahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05360748867528649921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462832360617892797.post-8574824002592179222010-04-23T13:09:52.989-04:002010-04-23T13:09:52.989-04:00Unfortunately in some countries women are virtuall...Unfortunately in some countries women are virtually prevented from seeking counselling for rape due to cultural/religious reasons. Many are reluctant to come forward for fear of being permanently cast out by family or society. It's a traumatic experience regardless, but I'm extremely thankful that women in Canada and the US have access to these services. It breaks my heart to know that others don't.Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04641761671561288846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462832360617892797.post-26538709572158781132010-04-23T11:53:32.698-04:002010-04-23T11:53:32.698-04:00Wow. That was an incredible post and so very brav...Wow. That was an incredible post and so very brave.<br /><br />I'll answer the second part. You can still get counseling for being raped. You can do that at any time. And it sounds like something that still plays in your mind, as I'm sure it does for anyone who has ever had something like that happen to them.<br /><br />But yes... you of course still have the right to find someone who loves you and who you can spend your life with. Everyone has that right. What happened to you is not your fault and you shouldn't be condemned for the rest of your life for that.Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07290616156300143483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462832360617892797.post-76649413883148697612010-04-23T11:04:17.990-04:002010-04-23T11:04:17.990-04:00Wow. What a wonderfully honest post! I wish I cou...Wow. What a wonderfully honest post! I wish I could give you a hug.<br /><br />Yes, you could definitely find a job and acceptance in another part of the world. You're intelegent and experienced. Age doesn't care near as much weight in western cultures as it does where you are.<br /><br />Also, while you couldn't get help right after you were raped, you can still get help now. There are counselors and other professionals that you can talk to to get help.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462832360617892797.post-76762426997077151892010-04-23T09:37:35.727-04:002010-04-23T09:37:35.727-04:00What I'll write here is the way I believe most...What I'll write here is the way I believe most people view women in North American culture. There are of course exeptions in society in general or within certain relationships in particular, so please keep this in mind as you read.<br /><br />Socially, women are given about as much freedom as men. They don't have to cover themselves or walk behind their husbands. They're not expected to be subservient and are treated more as equals than 'property'. At the same time, people who observe certain religious practices are free to keep that part of their culture. This is very prevalent in Canada.<br /><br />In our society women can come and go as they please. They're allowed anywhere men are. They have freedom to dress as they please, express their femininity, personality and sexuality without serious repercussion. <br /><br />It's generally not frowned upon for a woman to take on a younger partner. In fact there's a growing trend for older women to develop relationships with (much) younger men, often as a purely physical experience, and is considered quite empowering. It's becoming more accepted that 'older' women are every bit as loving and vital as younger women.<br /><br />Marriage is not expected. Some never marry by choice, others marry later. Even the definition of marriage is sometimes grayed, with arrangements such as polyamorous/open relationships becoming more common. This is a whole other topic of discussion, but my point is that there is a lot of opportunity here for people to live a life that suits them. Same-sex relationships are also becoming more socially acceptable (finally) although I think few can argue that there's still a long way to go in this area.<br /><br /> These are truths that we in North America tend to take forgranted, as many people in other parts of the world will never know this kind of life.<br /><br />Socio-economically, women are free to pursue careers in the same way men are. They head major corporations and are found at the top levels in business and government. It's generally accepted that women's opinions are as valuable as men's and they have as much to contribute to society as men do. Many people (myself included) realize that there isn't full equality yet between the sexes, but I believe it's safe to say the gap has been steadily closing. Many of us don't take gender into consideration when it comes to a person's abilities.<br /><br />Sexually, our society is very liberal. Women aren't expected to be virginal when they marry. They're not expected to 'repair' the physiological effects that come with loss of virginity, as if a woman is somehow 'damaged'. Female genital mutilation is outlawed here (thank God); women are free to enjoy the physical pleasures that accompany sex as much as men are. <br /><br />Sex before or outside of marriage is not punishable, and many people actually prefer more sexualy-experienced partners.<br /><br />Your story of rape is heart-breaking. I've spoken privately with far too many women who have experienced some form of rape and/or abuse; it's overwhelmingly common in North America. However survivors of abuse are not usually frowned upon or cast out. There are many opportunities here to seek physical and psychological treatment. It's a subject that has come out of the closet and is being talked about more, so there is certainly hope in this area.<br /><br />Again, I want to thank you so much for contributing your story here. It's been a memorable experience for me, and I hope somewhat liberating for you.<br /><br />BarryBarryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04641761671561288846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462832360617892797.post-18818602425016468872010-04-23T03:59:07.975-04:002010-04-23T03:59:07.975-04:00This is a very honest post. And yes judgement is p...This is a very honest post. And yes judgement is part of life. I'm 30 years old and I don't have children yet. I get judged on that a lot. The people tell me negative things like the older I get the harder it will be to have children so you better start now, otherwise. I know what you're going througn. Sometimes it's best to not look at what people think of you but what your maker (God) is thinking of you. He has the last say in your life!! People will judge people all the time. <br /><br />I wish you the best of luck. Just hang on there!!Bernadinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17946682013150350542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462832360617892797.post-90761436558831032972010-04-23T01:29:01.904-04:002010-04-23T01:29:01.904-04:00Goodness what an honest and great post. All I can ...Goodness what an honest and great post. All I can say is that judgement will follow you anywhere you go. You can not escape it, but really at the end of the day you decide whether you let those stereotypes hold you back or not. You said it yourself you want to be free to live as you wish. Then do so. Live the way you want. Let go of what other think, religion thinks, whatever. You will never finish with the barriers that can hold you back. As long as you believe in what you are doing and you are happy LIVE ON WOMAN! Live on. Marry when you are ready, marry whom you choose to marry. You are not "expired" until you die. As long as you have life you have the opportunities to do whatever your heart desires. I wish you well in all your future en-devours, may you find your way and your inner peace.angel6033https://www.blogger.com/profile/08021557227371246549noreply@blogger.com