Whee. All manner of stuff to think about.

It’s one of those ungodly mornings where I haven’t had a wink of sleep all night, anything I think about inevitably ends up completely incohesive, my father’s snoring increases exponentially in volume even though he’s a floor up (my friend rang at 2 in the morning and, after hearing his snores in the distance, asked me “when the fuck did you get a dog?”), the rich-text editor on here takes an age to load, and there’s no tea in the house. So I sought out the company of Firefox for a while, surfed around for a bit (read: nine hours), and came across a TIME article on gay teens a half-hour ago. And we all know that makes for a fine read at quarter to six in the morning.

Part of the article’s first page (third paragraph) popped out at me when I was skimming it. Makes me wonder how different countries in the whole Western culture/society kind of thing accept homosexuality. For one, I haven’t heard of any schools in Australia establishing Gay-Straight Alliances (it’d make the news, I think, considering how much coverage local and educational news gets these days) - but it’s not like schools don’t accept it. If I were given the option of raising the issue in my school, I’d hesitate to do so, purely because it seems unnecessarily innovative and forceful in the kind of atmosphere that an Australian school possesses. And also partly because Australia isn’t as liberal as America - gay rights are more restricted down under, and homosexuality isn’t as directly represented in media such as movies and whatnot.

I can’t speak for all high schoolers around the country, but it sort of feels as though while many people still do need to learn the finer print of what homosexuality is about, we’re already quite accepting, both in terms of within general Aussie society and the sub-fields…sub-cultures…sub-somethings such as schools. Whereas in places like America (and Canada, probably? Not sure on this) - from the article - “nearly 1 in 10 high schools has one”.

I do realise that things such as GSAs do essentially create a consistent impression (i.e. serving to both provide a friendly group for gay kids and gay-friendly ones, as well as serving to possibly alienate anyone who joins, depending on how accepting or tolerant the school is as a whole), but maybe it’s because the idea doesn’t seem as fitting in Australian society? I don’t know, I s’pose it’s food for thought. Remember: 6:36 AM with no sleep. A question for any readers, though - how accepting are people around your area? Not just regarding homosexuality, but other things too.

On a more “festive” note, my Christmas was uneventful. I didn’t get anything (unless you count the crapload of gift money that my extended family plan on giving me around New Year’s Eve, claiming they would’ve given it to me earlier if they’d found the time), although I did wish several people a Merreh Christmas, Happeh Holidays, hugs and kisses and kilometres of tinsel, etc. etc. Even if it’s a little belated, I’ll probably make use of a book voucher I got with a bunch of awards from my school a few weeks ago, and end up swimming in new fiction for the New Year …

I can’t really recall when it happened, but at some stage in my life, the whole festive side of things just lost itself on me; I haven’t enjoyed Christmas for more years than I can count on the fingers of one hand, although if you count throwing tinsel at random people while walking along the street, then hey, I’m all for festivity. So here’s to hoping my New Year’s Eve/Day will compensate.

In the festive cheer of this season, ladies and gents, I am: cheerfully and desperately trying to find a job - difficult, considering the Christmas casuals are all filled up (yes, even McDonalds); cheerfully saving up for a trip down to Hobart in Tasmania for the National Championships next October (perhaps stopping in Melbourne en route, if I feel like it/can afford it - yes, the info on that site is outdated) without the aid of said job; and cheerfully being very bloody indecisive and anxious about university courses. A degree in Arts (Psychology), or Journalism? Being able to self-diagnose insanity and counsel school kids to reminisce about the old days when I used to sit in that school counsellor’s office bawling my eyes out at every little fucking thing, or being able to write and publish a newspaper article about said insanity, the benefits of school counsellors, and the possibly harrowing experiences of Australian high school?

I have until next Friday to decide - preferences close on the 4th of January, and universities send out offers on the 17th. Argh! So much to decide on, so little time! *rips hair out* OH WAIT! Can’t forget that lovely Asian parent attitude that I bring out in my father; I make one mention of an Arts degree - or anything that doesn’t result in a high-paying, secure career, really - and it’s just “NO! Go and do Medicine! Even if your marks aren’t high enough and you can’t get in!” Cue 100% heart and conviction behind my words, and … “No! Go and do Medicine! Even if your marks aren’t high enough and you can’t get in!”

… I gave up on him years ago. But he still never fails to disappoint me on a several-times-per-day basis. *sigh* I get kind of queasy looking at blood ‘n’ guts anyway, even if it’s a documentary that looks scarily (if not morbidly) fascinating … I think I’m overdue for sleep. Must be off.

P.S. It’s that time of the month again … I’m thinking about creating another theme for this place; I’m getting kind of nauseous from this one (although then again, I haven’t eaten in 18 hours), and I never got around to finishing it. Ehh … let’s see how I feel when I wake up in the afternoon/early evening.

Posted on December 29th, 2007   |   Filed under Family & Friends, General, Life, Opinions   |