well, it's definitely been a hot second...
lo siento (sorry).
i suppose i'll blame it on senior year, senioritis is a thing okay!
And yet as excited and ansty as I am it's also insanely terrifying and overwhelming to fathom life post grad.
Mixed feelings are an understatement.
Anywho, this semester has flown by in every sense of the word. Fifteen credits sure know how to take over one's life. And can I just say, online classes? no me gusta, not quite sure where all this espanol is coming from
iARRIBA!
That's beside the point. It's November 11th with no sign of snow in the valley yet. This makes this Arizona native mighty happy. There are those who were made for 30 degrees, and then there is me. I grew up in shorts and flip flops 365 days a year.
But this post is not about the weather. Dear god have I really resorted to
small talk via blog posts?
..eeek.
Maybe I'm avoiding getting down to the nitty gritty, maybe I'm insecure about all the Feels that have been buzzing around for me this past month. Maybe I'm scared to speak my truth because it's not the popular thing to do or may be seen as controversial. Well that hasn't stopped me before and it sure as hell won't stop me now.
A few weeks ago I had an incredible, terrifying, "imagine everyone in the audience is in their birthday suit" kind of experience.
As most know, I am a
vegetarian, currently transitioning to
veganism. Recently the Universe has been pretty rad by guiding me to some fantastic humans within the vegan community in Salt Lake. I'd been longing to take my activism to a whole new level. For me it was no longer enough to live my truth and refuse to consume the dead carcass of a fellow sentient being. I needed to take action. I needed to use my voice. I needed a network to go to when
the world was much too cruel and I had had enough feeling like the only person who gave a shit about animal rights.
Cue my introduction to
Ching Farms and
Direct Action Everywhere. (And lovely humans who were the introducers)
Direct Action Everywhere's goal is for those invested in animal rights realize the impact we can have.
"The Greatest liberation movement in history starts with you".
I was invited to an open discussion and panel about how to be an activist for animals,
and to be
Productive in this endeavor.
I met some incredible people that I thoroughly look up to for their confidence and bravery. They informed me of the demonstration scheduled for thursday of that week.
I was intrigued.
Our plan was to choose at least one location in the Salt Lake area where meat was sold and hold a memorial service for all the lives that were lost in order to fill the butcher cases.
We wore black, and decided on a few words to say as we lifted the violated bodies of what once was a conscious being capable of emotions, feeling pain and fought until their very last breath.
To say that this demonstration was emotional is an understatment. The topic matter alone breaks my heart but add the anxiety of parading oneself in front of curious strangers in your local Whole Foods and it becomes a whole bucket of discomfort.
I needed this.
I needed to be shoved out of my comfort zone.
My dietary choice has nothing to do with my personal desires or convenience and has everything to do with my disgust of the horrific genocide and speciesism that our societal norms have deemed as acceptable.
I stand with the animals.
Okay onto a lighter ( sort of ) side of things.
Ching Farms.
How I was unaware of this magical place being just 30 minutes from where I live is beyond me. But boy am I thankful to have knowledge of its existence now.
Ching Farms is a sanctuary and safe haven for all types of animals. Many of whom were originally destined for slaughter.
You will find pigs, goats, sheep, lamas, emus, calves (omg so presh) chickens, cats, dogs, turkeys and humans.
All of which are living in harmony, thankful to be alive. These animals crave love and attention, they prefer certain volunteers and get excited when they see said volunteers. I saw the house cat rub up against a goat and a chicken and a pig boop noses.
COEXISTENCE
I spent much of my morning volunteering, with the pigs. I attempted at learning the names and to start building trust.
The last two belly rub recipients were Miss Piggy and Bella. I stared into those deep brown eyes and never have I felt more connected with my higher power or self. I then rubbed their furry, freckled bellies for 45 minutes as I attempted to apologize in a way for the horrors and torture my fellow man has inflicted on their species.
For what it's worth.
We have much to learn from these peaceful beings. I thank god/Buddha/Mohummed/Mother Earth & Father Sky for people like Faith Ching, the owner and operator at Ching Farms.
I challenge you to boop noses with a pig and convince me you do not feel things.
To all the beings imprisoned in factory farms, cages, circus cars, zoos, laboratories, chains, puppy mills and kill shelters:
I am so sorry.
You deserve so much more than this cruel world.
Rest easy beautiful souls.
Gone but NEVER Forgotten
Namate,
The 20-something old soul
