Orlando Pulse Shooting | | Worst Mass Shooting in U.S. History

Worst Mass Shooting in U.S. History

Pulse Night Club Shooting Death Victims. Source here.

Good day Friends, 
I hope all is well and that you and your loved ones are safe. 

Recently everyone's boat has been rocked in one way or another by the shooting that took place in Orlando. 
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If not, here's a quick recap:

Shooting picture source here.

On June 12th, 2016, mayhem broke out as a shooter opened fire into a nightclub named "Pulse", killing 49 picture above) and wounding 53 others. He was able to make it into a hostage situation in the bathrooms and have a stand off with police. He was thankfully shot and killed by police, possibly saving 30 more lives. This has been the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.

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Mateen picture source here.

The shooter's name is Omar Mateen. Honestly, I hate saying his name because I do not want to give him the time of day after the senseless and cruel act he has done to innocent people who only wanted to party and enjoy themselves. His father told the press that it may have all started when Mateen saw who men kissing each other in the mall in front of his children and was subsequently triggered. Updates are even being given by U.S. news sites that he may have been a member of ISIS and a closeted homosexual, frequenting Pulse nightclub. Either way if I can be blunt about it, I still can care less about him.

Knowing more about his life doesn't bring those innocent lives back.
Knowing more about his life doesn't make me feel more sympathy.
Knowing more about his life doesn't take away the hurt and pain many have to go through because of his actions.

I can care less about him.

 

Mateen and child picture source here.

How would a FATHER ever fathom doing something like this to innocent people?
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If you did not know, I am actually Bahamian. Although I have never been to Pulse nightclub, I (and a lot of my family) do frequent Orlando and Florida in general for vacation. I have friends who live in Orlando. To hear such a large shooting to occur in a club where people are supposed to have fun, knowing that I could have family members or friends in the mix/area, made my heart sink a bit. 

Worrying picture source here.

The worse part about it all is that many people (not only in my country) are celebrating the shooting. To see so many fellow human beings revel in others' misfortune is disgusting. 

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I hesitated on writing anything about the shooting for so long because I'd rather hear more updates and learn more about what has happened before writing my opinion. 

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What is the REAL problem we have in society?

Too much religion and not enough rationality? Too much cognitive dissonance from basic human empathy? Too much greed?

Playground gif source here.

We have a problem in the world when people think it's okay just to shoot up schools, bomb airports, bomb playgrounds, shoot up nightclubs, shoot up churches, and just hurt people in places they are supposed to feel safe in. I don't know exactly what it is, but it needs to be stopped regardless. To stop something you need a solution, but what solution can we give when we can't even pin point the problem?

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My favorite Facebook page is run by Frank Sommerville of KTVU News. He always posts the most personal and heart warming messages on Facebook, so it's almost speaking to a friend. His recent post sums up how I feel completely. 
A snippet:

"Sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in.
 Especially in light of what just happened in Orlando.
 So I want to take a moment to say something that is very important to me.
  I support gay people 150%.
  Gay people are just like anyone else.
  There are no different.
  There is nothing wrong with them.
  They aren’t perverted.
  They aren't sick.
  They are human beings.
  And they deserve to be treated as human beings.
  Period."

Mother Monster picture source here.

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Unity picture source here.

 All those who have lost a loved one or is helping your loved one recover from this shooting, I want to send my love and support to each and every one of you.

 

Rainbow gif source here.

Love,

Gabby.XoXo

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P.S. A friend of mine (also Bahamian) has an article to sum up how someone may feel in a situation like this. When you are perplexed with feelings of grief and outrage because when you grew up in a "Christian nation" and your friends are possibly in this dangerous situation, how you feel can not be summed up in a mere sentence or two.

Link: "'Proud to be gay; less proud to be Bahamian'" http://www.thenassauguardian.com/news/65549

Does Size Truly Matter? Here Is The Answer!

The Importance Of Size

Mirror picture source here.

It's summertime and it's time to bathe in the sun and catch a few rays. Only problem is, you're stuck with this idea that you need a "summer body". It perplexes you because you want to be the best person you can, but you also want to enjoy yourself as you are.So you're stuck with the age old question: Does Size Truly Matter?

From A Health Stand Point, Yes.

Homer picture source here.

It's common knowledge that the more fat you have, the higher your chances are of acquiring certain diseases and conditions. One way to make sure you are in a healthy range is by checking your BMI (Body Mass Index). Although there is some controversy in how accurate it is, it gives you a good indicator on whether or not you are in a relatively healthy weight percentage. 

From A Confidence Stand Point, No. 

Model picture source here.

Look, you don't need to be a size 2 to SLAY. Acknowledge that there is only one YOU and only You can show the world your beauty. 
















Moral of the story: just learn to love yourself and everything else will fall into place. 

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Hot Question Of The Day: What tips can you give to help others build confidence in themselves? 

Prince source here.

For me, learning to love myself did not come overnight. It take a bit of "soul searching" (a.k.a. modeling in the mirror and loving my morning bedhead). 

Love,
Gabby. XoXo




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P.S. I used to get bullied about my lips when I was younger (coined "duck lips"). To this day I love the song "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga.

Mother Monster picture source here.

5 Simple Life Hacks To Transition Into Veganism/ Vegetarianism (And Stick With It!)

How to Become a Vegan/Vegetarian

Market source here.

Ever sat down at your computer surfing the internet and somehow you stumble on an article or video that shows the cruelty of animals for consumerism? Or maybe you have just seen reasons as to why you should slow down on the animal products? It's times like these that remind me of how I became a vegetarian. Transitioning was not hard for me because I used these 5 simple life hacks to get started:

Hack #1 -Understand Why You Want To Make Transition

Picture source here.

It sounds like a "duh" moment but you would be surprised by how many people who "fell off the wagon" because their intentions for this change was not clear. This is the second time I am vegetarian but this time it is for a lifestyle change (first was mostly dietary reasons). By that I mean that I have changed for life, not only to achieve temporary goals (like weight loss, or to clear acne). Lifestyle changes tend to occur when you make the connection between the food/products and the animals involved. 
Side Note: To sum it up, I put this in simple mathematical terms:
 (Ethical reasons + Dietary reasons) > (Dietary reasons)

Hack #2 - Research Alternatives To The Foods You Love

Whether it's your favorite pulled  pork sandwich, or the best omelet recipe you have perfected over the years, there are vegan/vegetarian alternatives. Examples:

Jackfruit- tastes like pork, hence a substitute
Bananas - substitutes eggs in baking
Vegetable Margarine - substitutes butter 
Almond/ Cashew/ Soy/ Rice/ etc. Milk - substitutes animal milk

 

And the list can go on and on. There are many YouTubers who have vegan cooking channels like The Vegan Zombie, Edgy Veg, and CookingWithPlants. (There are many more I watch but if you have favorites leave them in the comments section.)  
You NEVER have to feel deprived or unsatisfied if you  are realistic and try to eat foods you like! 
Side Note: I'm not a big fan of veggies alone.

Hack #3 - Research Alternatives To Your Favorite Products

Vegan Makeup source here.

As a lover of makeup, when I found out many of my favorite products were tested on animals I was pretty distraught. Instead of tossing them out, you can simply give them to a friend or family member to avoid waste. If you are not sure whether or not your product is cruelty free, check if they have the bunny symbol or google if they do test on animals. 


Side Note: One site I absolutely love for my foundation is Everyday Minerals. (They have this thing where you can Buy 2 get 1 FREE on your bases. 100% vegan and animal cruelty free. Not Sponsored.)
 

Hack #4 - Stay Creative

Veggie burger source here.

This is a combination of Hacks #2 and #3. You need to  acknowledge how much you can experiment with your resources. 






Examples: 

                  -Can't find Vegan concealer/ foundation? I use my Matte base from Everyday Minerals and add shea butter and coconut oil to make a cream foundation. 
                   -Was a big lover of Steak? Morning Star has a vegetarian mushroom patty that tastes like steak when cooked and added to dishes. (They have a bunch of yummy vegan and vegetarian alternatives too, don't stop there. Not sponsored, just a life saver.)

Don't place yourself in a bubble of only eating a stereotypical vegan/ vegetarian dish, or avoid using a certain product for this reason.


 Hack #5 - Keep Up The Positivity 


There will be people close to you in life who will criticize your lifestyle change and say things like it's "unhealthy" or "unnatural". Just know what you are doing is helping to improve your body, inspiring others to do the same which will subsequently help the planet.  If you research well enough you will find that the little choices we make everyday do have a big impact on others. Maybe find others who are interested in the same things as you are. And if that is too much trouble, just enjoy the fact that you ave have such an awesome lifestyle.

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Thank you so much for reading this post. 
Hot Question of the day: Are you a vegan/vegetarian? What additional tips would you suggest to help those transitioning? 

Mother Monster picture source here.

Personally I love being a vegetarian because I know I don't have to eat meat. I'm considering going vegan because I want to help more animals affected by these industries. See you all tomorrow!
Love,
Gabby. XoXo


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Freelee picture source here.

 P.S. I'm a fan of Freelee the Bananagirl. She may be harsh in her delivery but she does speak the truth.

The 7 Secrets to Acheving a 4.0 GPA In College/ University

The 7 Steps to Success 

College picture source here.

It's summertime and the fall semester is fast approaching again. As you register for your courses you sit down and think about how you can achieve the best grade possible. No matter your workload, these 7 steps will help you achieve the highest grades you can possibly get. 

Disclaimer: Although these are great steps to get you started, they are merely ideas to help drive you to the best direction. Success does not happen overnight. Success truly starts with you and your motivation to be a better person academically, and subsequently in the the work place.

Step1: Set Your Schedules and Create Discipline.

College planning picture source here.

As soon as you get your course schedule, you need to make a life schedule. Planning lunch times, possible club meetings, study times and anything that will help you keep track of time will definitely help you.

Step 2: Acknowledge Your Circles.

College friendships picture source here.

One thing that always affects how people perform in school is the type of people they hang around. When I say "birds of a feather flock together", I am not over exaggerating. You need to recognize who is taking school seriously and who isn't (although those who aren't serious maybe fun for partying and having a good time). If they don't help you, they will hurt you and (this maybe harsh but) in cases like this it's better to be alone.

Step 3: Build Relationships with Classmates, Lecturers and Clubs.

College work picture source here.

A fatal mistake people make is not having enough connections in school to help with tests, grades, awards, achievements, or even just homework. I have been guilty of this in my first university where I wanted to be a "fly on the wall". Building relationships with classmates and group members help create potential study groups, homework circles (telling each other what homework has been assigned), and possible productive friends outside of class. Having a friendship with a lecturer might benefit not only your grading and understanding of the work, but could give references, especially for awards and achievements.

Step 4: Get Physically Active.

Woman jogging picture source here.

Exercising and staying active not only relieves stress, but produces endorphins, in turn keeping you more energetic and happy. A hidden positive note is that as you learn to push through a workout, it builds diligence and perseverance, which is beneficial in your college life.

Step 5: Study Smarter, Not Harder.

College stressed picture source here.

When studying for your classes, try studying in the most efficient way possible depending on your personality. Try focusing mainly on what is important and was emphasized by the lecturer during lecturers. In the same breath, try to avoid missing out small important details you might've ignored. A good rule of thumb is to do every exercise in the textbook or homework relevant to the topic once, then go over it again to acknowledge if the way you worked through them stuck or not. Study groups are always a good idea on a topic everyone might be stuck on, just make sure you all stay on track!

Step 6: Take Advantage of Your Resources.

College resources picture source here.

There are many lecture videos on YouTube. You can google many course notes, How To's, and homework help sites to  aid you in your work. Try tracking your grades and going to office hours to also get a good idea of how your school year is going. There are usually help or tutoring centers that can help you on campus as well.

Step 7: No Pain, No Gain.

College graduate picture source here.

Finally, you need to accept the fact that in order to get better in something, pain is necessary. You will have headaches, all nighters (try to avoid by the way), stress and loneliness at points. It is all necessary and it will all be worth it.

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College graduates picture source here.

I hope this was a helpful article and if anything mentioned here helps you, you can comment below to start a discussion. I hope everyone has a very successful school year, in fall or summer classes right now. We will make it!
Love,
Gabby. XoXo
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Fashion gif source here.

P.S. What school related topic should I talk about next? I'm leaning on 'What to Wear in College on a Budget'. 

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P.P.S. Enjoy this picture of Pusheen eating the unofficial college food:

Pusheen source here.

4-year old Falls In Exhibit And Gorilla Shot Dead In Cincinnati Zoo | Controversy or Hypocrisy?

 A Sad Situation

Unless you have lived under a rock, you must have known about the death of Harambe. 

Source

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To give a brief overview, Harambe was a 17 year old, 400lb silver back gorilla, who was recently moved to the Cincinnati Zoo in an attempt to help save his species.  A 4 year-old boy got separated from his mother and able to slip through the railings into the gorilla pit, which is about a 10 foot drop. He fell into a moat and Harambe pulled him out, yet park officials shot him in defense of the boy. There has been a lot of public outcry since then, clearly for the death of possible contributor of his species. 

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A few sites you can gain further insight and updates from are: NBC, The Dailymail, CNN, etc.
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The Controversy:

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-Park officials shot and killed Harambe for the protection of the child, despite the fact that he is an endangered species.


-Many are blaming the parents of the 4 year old for this happening.

-Harmabe seemed to be in a defensive stance of the child, suggesting that he was trying to protect him opposed to being potentially offensive.

-Many are suggesting that the park should've used tranquilizers rather than excessive force to take down Harambe.
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The Hypocrisy?:

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-Many are in an uproar due to silver backs being endangered, yet not everyone in that group take that extra step to research whether or not they support companies and industries that are destroying their environments in the first place. 

-Many blame the mother, yet it is common knowledge that children will always find a way to get in trouble. This sadly had horrible consequences. The child could've died from the fall alone, so for a silver lining it's good both did not die.

-Many who might turn a blind eye to issues presented in acknowledged police brutality, war, and world wide discrimination, hatred and sadness, find pain in the lose of a vital part of the silver back gorilla species' restoration. 
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 Rationality:

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Things happen and in reality the park seems to have done what they thought was the best possible for the child. Despite human beings being animals, we tend to place ourselves on higher pedestals from other animals (mainly due to our intelligence). We in turn tend to feel sadness and compassion when it is for animals we wouldn't "normally" eat, or animals we love to see for our viewing pleasure. 
 

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It would be silly to assume everyone who feels sorrow for Harambe's death has thoroughly investigated every product/service they have had to know if it contributes to the deforestation and poaching of animals we love to see.
As for those sending death wishes and saying the mother/son should be charged/killed, I would think being publicly blacklisted would be bad enough. The mother has to live the rest of her life with this guilt that those few seconds produced.
Her son almost died, and now has to also live forever as the "reason Harambe died". 
Cincinnati Zoo also has to face the backlash for an unprecedented and preventable situation from how they handled it the best way possible.
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All I see is a sad situation and I feel like there is so much we can learn from this situation. What do you think we can learn?

Love,
Gabby. XoXo

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P.S. I found this adorable picture of Harambe as a baby growing up in Gladys Park: 

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The Cycle of Violence - New Orleans News Report Interview Turned Violent

It's about 12 am and I am scrolling through Facebook only to stumble upon a graphic video. 
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What it looks like is a few young men (and a child) are giving an interview for a news station when things turn deadly. Link to the video:

Within such a split second, what looked like a fist-to-fist fight could've ended with gun shots and at least one person being wheeled into an ambulance. For children to witness so much crime is unimaginable for some, and a normality for others. 
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I know one thing, I applaud those who not only speak out against violence in our communities, but who also help to build better foundations. Giving back to their communities. Helping young children break out of their cycles. Creating centers where people can be safe and comfortable to turn towards a better life. 

Gif Source

 Will there ever be a day we will have only peace and not violence? Rationality over temporary emotions? 
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Like my favorite artist Paul Van Havar, a.k.a. Stromae has sung in his song "Peace or Violence" (translated version):

"I've seen people stretch out their arm and raise two fingers

Their middle fingers and forefingers always in a "V" shape

So then I asked what this symbol could mean

Well no one, not a soul could explain to me

Could it be a peace sign ?

Or the "V" for Violence

Does somebody know what they declare

or what they do ?"

 This makes me think on how people can be hypocritical in the sneakiest of ways. By this I mean in the way that they claim to want change yet only perpetuate what is wrong in society. This is just my opinion though, what's yours?

Love, 

Gabby. XoXo

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 P.S. Give someone you love a hug today. 

Gif Source

My Very First Post! ♥

Hello everyone! 

This is my first post on this blog and I am very happy about it. My name is Gabby and I am a college student at the moment. I have two channels on YouTube. One is LoveGabbyXoXo and the other is It's RicePie.
My interests include cooking, science,  nature and games. I am going to transfer soon to another university so I would love to share that experience with everyone. I hope we can all connect together and share in my life as it moves forward. 

Love,
Gabby. XoXo~

 P.S. Enjoy these gifs I've been loving lately.♥

 Sources: Gif 1, Gif 2, Gif 3