Installment three in my "Home for the Holidays" journals. I figure that's what I ought to call these posts since it looks like there's going to be a lot of them.

I felt I should start off with some excellent news: the King of Saudi Arabia pardoned a woman who was gang-raped; she will not be charged for being alone with a man who was not a relative or husband. How magnanimous of him. Women of Saudi Arabia and all over the world feel this is a giant step forward for women's rights, but some are still skeptical. I feel this is an excellent example that the world is not all peaches and cream as my students would like to believe. I wish I could say I was surprised.

On another note apparently women over 40 are becoming the newest clientele for plastic surgery. Many women are interested in their pre-pregnancy bodies, specifically, breasts. You can read about it here: http://www.newsweek.com/id/78042?GT1=10645 Isn't that just wonderful? Where does one start with that anyway? I have many problems with breast implants--I think the technology is fantastic for survivors of breast cancer or victims of anything that results in the maiming of their body, but just because you don't look "as good" as you once did? To spend money, an exorbitant amount of money, on a procedure that doesn't actually do anything for you--it baffles me. I understand teeth. We need teeth and there is a certain amount of self-confidence that is harder to hide with teeth than breasts. With breasts a good bra can cover most all of the sagging issues under cover of clothes. And out of clothes...why is the older body so disgusting? Why can't a woman, or man, be allowed to age gracefully and appreciated for how their body is?

I suppose it all goes back to loving one's body completely. And I suppose it isn't a surprise that so many of us don't. But yes, it does still disturb me the lengths to which people will go to change their body in search of a more physically appealing form. It isn't about "health" at that point; it's about looks.

But what's my point anyway? It isn't like this is anything new, and frankly, I'm not full of much anger right now. The Saudi Arabia thing--to go into any detail on that will do nothing but make me feel powerless and hopeless, and the breast thing too. I don't think I need to expound on either issue for their horror to be recognized. I have, unfortunately, discovered once I started this that I have nothing of any particular substance to bring to you. How sad is that? Instead I return to my tv for a little more Beauty and the Beast and admit shamelessly that I have worked through my bestiality issues and have come down firmly on the side of Vincent being hot. I'm glad you could see me through this trying time--it hasn't been easy for any of us.

But we can totally work around the hairy hands and claws. Cause he would totally love me enough to find a way. And that is so hot.