Hey everyone!

Ok so this week I will be talking to you about a habit I had that originated from a ‘truth’ that was drilled into me, which turned out to be false. But to tell this story so that you all will understand I will have to back track so bear with me (and my story) and I promise it will all make sense eventually.   

Bundaberg Christian College (BCC) has an agricultural farm connected to the school. On that Ag farm are crops and cattle. The cattle belong to a stud named Oakwood Limousins (no not limousines; the long cars) that is owned and run by a man named Nev. The students from BCC can participate in a cattle program called Hoof ‘n’ Hook. In this program the students learn to wash, groom, clip, feed, handle, show and judge cattle. And the students that are talented at these things become part of the ‘show team’. I was one of those lucky students that became part of the show team (the biggest show I went to and showed cattle in was Beef week in Rockhampton in 2009). But I won’t be talking about the showing side of this story, instead I will talk about the training the cattle to get them to show standard. Before we go any further I just want to show you some of the cattle I got to work with.

This is Oakwood Native Teerz and her calf, Supreme Champion in four different shows and Champions of Champions in the interbreed tricolour event at Gympie (2011).

This is Oakwood Rukas, Reserve Champion and Champion Bull as well as one of my favourite boys.

And finally Oakwood Premier without her calf (I am NOT in this picture). There are a 100 or so animals on this stud but these are just the ones I have photos of.

When an animal is first broken in it can be an extremely wild ride. There are a few golden rules that you stick to no matter how wild they get.

1.      Always be aware of the animal.

2.      Always have contact with the animal so that they are aware of where you are.

3.      Stand as close to the animal as possible so that in the event that they kick you, no serious injury will occur.

4.      Don’t yell or wave your arms around in any way (as it would give the animal a reason to take fright).

5.      Hold onto the lead rope and don’t let go even if you get dragged.

*There are a few more rules but they don’t matter in this story.

All of those rules were habits of mine, taught to me by a senior who was taught by a senior when she first started. So I guess it was also a bit of tradition too. Anyway, anytime I was around cattle (rank or calm) I would do these things. But let’s focus on number three ‘stand as close to the animal as possible so that in the event that they kick you, no serious injury will occur’. We had all seen people who had gotten some pretty bad injuries from being kicked when they weren’t close to the cattle so it made sense that the closer you were the less it would hurt (less distance for them to get momentum) we all accepted the rule was true.

Of course I had to be the one to prove how incorrect the rule actually was. I was pushing up (a term used when you walk behind an animal to keep it walking) a Black Angus heifer (not a breed we had a lot of) for a friend who was struggling to keep her walking.  I did what I had been doing for three years, I lent against the heifer getting ready to lift her tale (doing so gets them to walk, either that or hitting them on the rump). Then the ‘insert swear word here’ double barrelled (a term used when the animal kicks out with both hind legs at the same time) me, impacting right underneath my left boob.

 It felt like my chest had been flattened onto my heart and my lungs lost all their air in an instant. I couldn’t breathe and everyone had thought I had died or something. I was rushed to hospital where I had a million and ten tests and x-rays. I was diagnosed with severe internal swelling and bruising and had to stay in hospital for a while. This happened right after I was selected to go to Beef week and for a while there were debates as to whether I had recovered enough to perform at such a large event but luckily I was able to go.

I got seriously injured while operating under a ‘truth’ that had grown from tradition and discipline that had become part of my daily practise that had no evidence base for the practise. I had gotten seriously injured while staying as close to the animal like I was taught from the senior and repetitively reminded to by Nev, which had become part of what I did every day. This rule had never been tested until I got injured therefore there was no evidence prove the rule.

After my injury the rule was still drilled into students but the wording changed. Now it was ‘standing as close to the animal as possible will reduce the risk of serious injury’, as he could no longer say that ‘no’ serious injury would occur. I proved that one wrong.

And what happened to the heifer you ask? Well she tasted great as a steak sandwich we had at the end of year break up for Hook ‘n’ Hook. Nev made sure I had the first bite her.     

Amanda :)

Hey again! First I will say sorry that this blog post is late. I was in Brisbane visiting my two best friends, one who I have been friends with for going on eight years now and the other who has recently moved down there to study at UQ, St Lucia.

But now for this week's post. I have decided to talk to you about the intense negative body image pressure that is put on teenagers by mass media. In society today, the pressure to be thin is unrealistic and dangerous to young people's health, both mentally and physically. Before you read on you should know that TeensHealth (2012) says that body image refers to the way in which a person feels about their physical or outwards appearance. So what is mass media? Beresin and Derenne (2006 p:257) explain that the term mass media covers the television, internet, magazines and movie facets of entertainment.

I am a strong believer that these four media outlets produce, sometimes, extremely false representations of reality. With modern technology like Photoshop, special effects and many more, it is easy to create a 'beautiful' or anatomically correct human figure. In real life very few people can live up to the standards set by the media. These unrealistic standards produce a problem. Yep you guessed it...negative body image issues. The issues associated with negative body image can be as mild as dissatisfaction or as extreme as depression, anxiety and suicidal thinking (Science Daily, 2006). Oh, and of course body dissatisfaction can also cause eating based disorders such as bulimia, anorexia or over-eating.

When you think of the internet, television, movies and magazines do you think of only Australia? No of course you don’t, you know that they are everywhere. That is also where negative body image issues are being found…everywhere. America, Brittan, Asia; you name it and chances are teenagers are feeling the same way there. Do you know what the scariest thing about the negative mass media is? It is inescapable. Teenagers can be confronted in their own bedrooms, out on the streets with friends, relaxing with the family; the possibilities are endless.  

Traditionally negative body image issues were thought to only target females. But it is not only the girls being affected anymore. Grogan and Richards (2002 p:319) conducted tests finding that teenage males strongly identified with concerns over physical appearance. The pressure to appear lean and muscled is overwhelming young males today, just as females feel pressured to be lean and big busted.

The natural question is then why isn’t mass media forced to adapt its portrayals to ease the pressure that is placed on teens. The answer is simple (and infuriating) we have gotten so used to seeing thin, muscled, tanned, ‘beautiful’ people, that the slightest imperfection stands out and make us think ‘hey wait a minute, why couldn’t they find someone better than that’. Think about it honesty, have you ever watched a movie and thought ‘wow that actor is a little large at the moment’. I know I have, even though that actor would still be lighter than me. If you have ever seen ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, a movie with Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep, you might recall a scene where a man asks Anne for her dress size. When she states she is a size 6, he tells her that the size 6 is now the equivalent to a size 14. This is a prime example of how society demands perfection. That even a thin person is made to feel fat so that they aspire to become better looking.

Just imagine for a minute what would happen if this pressure was lifted. People would be seen for whom they are not what they looked like, there wouldn’t be an indicator for who was more attractive and there would less (or even no) eating based disorders. If the mass media portrayed real, untouched images of the human figure, I believe that it might be possible for the future generations to escape this warped belief of the ideal person.

There have been some attempts to alter teenage perception. Youth Central (2012) states that the Victorian government introduced a media code of conduct on body image encouraging change of enhanced and altered images, diversity in shapes, modelling health and fair placement. However this code is strictly voluntary and the guidelines are not set in stone.

Shortly after this guideline was introduced the popular Australian magazine Girlfriend, targeting teenage female audiences, launched a ‘Do.Think.Be Positive’ campaign that aimed to alter the teens perception of beauty and normal figures.

The magazine began shooting fashion models of all races, shapes and sizes as well as labelling all photos that were not altered as ‘retouch free zones’. They also introduced articles that encouraged self-respect and believing in beauty in all shapes and sizes. This campaign brought the magazine endless praise. In December 2008, Australian model Miranda Kerr wrote; “Congratulations Girlfriend for embarking on an initiative that has the ability to inspire and create changes in teenagers’ lives. I applaud this campaign in every way”.

Once more, just for me, imagine what it could be like if all media outlets embraced a new way of thinking.

Amanda :)

References:

Beresin, E., & Derenne, J. (2006, May). Body Image, Media and Eating Disorders. Retrieved March 17, 2012, from <http://www.ap.psychiatryonline.org>.

Girlfriend Magazine Online. (2008, December). Do.Think.Be Positive. Retrieved March 18, 2012, from <http://www.yahoo.com/girlfriend>.

Grogan, S., & Richards, H. (2002). Men and Masculinites. Mens Health, pg 319.

Science Daily. (2006, June 6). Negative Body Image Related to Depression, Anxiety and Suicidality. Retrieved March 18, 2012, from <http://www.sciencedaily.com>.

Teenshealth. (2012). Body Image and Self Esteen. Retrieved March 18, 2012, from <http://www.kidshealth.org>.

Youth Central. (2012). helping Media Make Changes. Retrieved March 18, 2012, from <http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au>.

Pictures found:

http://www.youthcentral.vic.go.au
http://www.yahoo.com/girlfriend

As promiced here are some of my drawings (the ones I actually have pictures of)

This I did late 2012 for a married couple's 10th wedding aniversiry

This was selected to be part of an art gallery display

This was the first person I ever drew

The second attempt at drawing a person

This was a rushed drawing for a 13 year old's b'day...wasn't too happy with this one

And finally this was just a muck around drawing I did while observing a mare and her newborn foal on a windy day in the paddock.

Hi everyone, my name is Amanda and I am studing a Bachelor of Accident Forensics. I am an avid artist and horse enthusiast. (I also love African animals) Later I will include some photos of drawing I have done, even though some of you won't like them, I hope you will enjoy seeing them.

For now I will be addressing the first blog entry requirement. So the topic I chose to observe is a very controversial one, which I am sure many people will have different opinions on. That topic is gay or lesbian marriage. (yes everyone can role their eyes and judge me now). From my understanding, same sex marriage in Australia is in the process of being approved. My contextual lens is tinted by both, my Christian beliefs and a lesbian family member.

I come from a Christian family that has put me through Christian schools and the ideas on same sex marriages are very clear cut. That idea is that same sex marriages AND same sex relationships are wrong and go against the scripture (the bible). If I were to solely agree with the beliefs that I have been taught from a young age, I would say that same sex relationships were the devils work and the acceptance of same sex marriage is an indicator the the world is coming to an end (as God is ready to wipe the Earth clear again and as he did with Noah and the floods).

However, my aunty is as I stated before a lesbian, which has given me a totally different perspective to the one the chruch gave me. Through her I learnt that she was only happy when she was with another lady. She told me that the idea of same sex marriage was awesome as it meant that she could finally marry the lady she has lived with for 18+ years. Hearing about her happiness certianly altered my perspective.

I am lucky to have representations from the two sides of the argument as I can see both the positive and negative ideas sourrounding the topic. The strong Christians who have no affiliations with the gay or lesbian community would precieve the same sex marriage grant as an abomination or a serious downfall to society. Although, the gay and lesbian community would see the same sex marriage grant as a, for lack of a better term, God send. People that they loved would finally be allowed to marry them legally.

I am aware of one Christian based group pushing strongly for the dismissal of this pending law. While there are a large number of Christians who would do almost anything to stop this law, ultimatley I believe the influence from the people who believe in equal rights (as well as the gay and lesbian community) will get this law passed.

Personally, I am still alittle confused as to where I stand on this debate. This will sound weird but I have been able to accept same sex relationships (even though I don't really like the idea), but I have to say that I side with the Christians when it comes to marriage. I think marriage should only be between a man and a woman, the way God designed marriage to be. If I had grown up without Christian beliefs I would probably be a lot less bothered by the law. And I would like to not care, but unfortunatly I can't. So I am very sorry if I offended you (I'm sure there's at least one) as it was not my intention.

Until next time,
Amanda :)