Healthy eating: An individual choice or government responsibility?

People think that the U.S. government is this huge powerful group of people, why? Because everyone is use to all the rules and regulations created by the government since the 18th century. Just because the government can tax goods, tell people how fast to drive and that drugs are illegal doesn't mean they can tell you how to eat.  Eating healthy is an individual choice. Sure, the United States houses most of the obese humans, but is it really the government's fault?

Well in a way it is. You have the choice of what you put in your body, but with all these new subjects being taught at schools nationwide the government should add the subject of eating healthy and having a healthy lifestyle. There are health classes taught in schools around the nation, but they need to focus less on sex and drugs and more toward healthy food choice.

I know there are those of you reading this thinking, "what about the people out of high school already? " I think the government should come up with materials for the public to encourage smart eating choices. Doctor's offices already provide this information to the public, but not everyone goes to the doctor or reads the materials in the offices to know about healthy eating choices. If the government came out with more information about eating healthy, then maybe more people would treat it as a law, even when it's not.

Even if the government did step in to help promote healthy eating, the choice is still up to individuals. You have the right to consume whatever you want, but most people still know the consequences of their eating habits. There are exceptions though, such as a child. They have their rights to say yes' or no' I don't want/like this to whomever their caretaker is, but when it comes down to it, that child will eat what is given to them just because it's food and they are hungry. Children are smart enough to know that if they want to eat they have to eat what's given to them. 5-year-olds don’t have the power to go out and purchase their own food. The child's caretaker is responsible to help promote healthy eating for them. And if the caretaker cannot practice a healthy diet, how is the child going to?

Personally, I think when people talk about what is right or wrong for how a caretaker cares for a person they ask way too many questions. Like, "Why does the caretaker give the child this or that? How do caretakers let them eat this or that? Who made that child overweight? They should be accountable for their actions on their children." That is just asking too many questions which lead to unreasonable answers in an individual's head. If you think that it is an individual's right to choose what they eat, why ask such questions? You are just contemplating your entire argument.

The government does, however, have control over the food stamp program, which allows citizens to purchase any type of food. And for sake of my argument that it is an individual's right to choose what they consume, it wouldn't be relevant to vent on this topic. However, if the government were giving food stamps to for the sake of providing nutrition, you'd think they would want it to be healthy food, which they can change to promote a healthy lifestyle for citizens.

I believe the government doesn't have the right to be held responsible for an individual's well-being, because if you 

look at all the crime and drugs still on the streets today, even with government enforcement, obviously it just goes 

right on past citizens' heads. Plus most of the time people think that the government is wrong with their actions. So 

putting the blame on a government for an individual's food choice would be a joke.

It’s a tangled web we weave

It’s a tangled web we weave this life.

Every moment is filled with emotions unreal.

Well it’s fall again; colors filling up the trees.

Another year has come and gone.

I wasn’t asking to be anyone, and here I am someone.

I’ve never been one for running from emotions

Now here they are colliding in at once.

Let me feel, feel those emotions so real.

Let me fall, I don’t care if I crash into a brick wall.

I’m always headed down the path of a breakdown.

If I cry just a little, die just a little, at least I’ll know I lived.

I’ve become too good at being invincible

I’m an expert at play it safe and keep it cool.

I swear this isn’t who I’m meant to be

I refuse to let my life roll all over me.

The small town eats me alive inside

I have to pack my things and go where the railroad leads me.

The whistle keeps blowing and the train keeps on rolling.

The air is thick on the concrete isle.

Where will I be the day after tomorrow?

Grasp me please in your arms

Whisk me away

That soft stare creates moments unreal

Baby take me away, away, away from here.

Through my veins

If I don’t live to see tomorrow, I'd know all the feelings that were rushing through your spine as your farewell came.

Five years have come and gone. Goodbye my first true love.

I see your sun shinning down today. I know everything is okay.

Goodbye long years of laughter. I’d give just to hear you say ‘I love you’ one last time.

I can picture your smile in my mind as the tears build up on my face. Where are you now? 

You’re swimming through my veins so innocently. I miss those long talks that seemed to last a lifetime.

Some days I wouldn’t make it through if it wasn’t for you.

Goodbye my favorite. Goodbye love. Goodnight breakfast at night.

I know you watch me from above. I can feel you just want the best of me. These crazy days corrupt my gentle soul.

I see your face written in the clouds. I feel your warmth all around me. I’ll forever remember that day you called just to say ‘I love you’ and that I was your angel here on earth.

The days I feel like giving up, I think of everything you called me, every moment you saved me. Where are you now? I swear I feel you swimming through every emotion.

I tremble screaming out your name. Can you hear me?

You've continued to inspire me more each day. I will never settle for anything less than I deserve. You've given me something so wonderful to hold onto forever.

5.20.05*

Best Friends

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I have lots of moments I know that will live on forever, as everyone does. However, I remember this one time my best friend at that point in my life had a birthday party. We were so young, yet grown up enough to want to watch a scary movie. There were probably about 7 or 8 of us cuddled up under her uniquely awesome bed her dad made for her, screaming, crying, hiding, laughing and just being young girls. We went to the bathroom in pairs because her house had a bathroom mirror that look like the one in the movie.

Well that movie was Candy man! I recently watched it again with my nephew who is 13, and when I saw his eyes light up and close tightly I could only recall how I felt the first time I saw it. I told him he didn’t have to finish watching, nearly for my own safety for fear of the candy man. It’s funny how watching a scary movie could unmask an old ‘image’ of life.

I get emotional some days thinking about how rich with love my life growing up was. I often wonder why best friends grow apart; as I ponder that thought I know I have no one but myself to blame. Always to caught up in boys and cheer practices. I let life pass by me and as I grow and miss my friends and appreciate their characters. People aren’t as kind as they use to be and great girl friends are hard to come by.

You cannot run away from a weakness; you must sometimes fight it out or perish, and if that be so, why not now? I since then decided to become brave and face the beautiful people I’ve missed dearly. 

We may not be best friends anymore and we may not have, as much in common as we did then, but that doesn’t mean we cant still be friends. 

Life-altering events

Have you ever wondered how long it takes to change your life? What measures the time to make it life changing? Is it high school or collage? How about testing our body by running a marathon? Does it consist of keeping a journal? Can your life change in a matter of a day, week, month or even years? What is a valid life-changing event?

I think about my life day to day and how it seems like everyone is always in a hurry to grow up, get head of the game, and travel the world. But really, who are we kidding, when you’re young an hour can change your life.

Major life changing invents of my life as a young adult happened in 2008. The first was finally standing up for myself and walking way from my home with my mother and father. There comes a point in your life when you decide enough is enough and mine came in June. I had enough of the ‘you better do this and that’. The ‘you’re not good enough, smart enough, grown up enough.’ I moved in with a good friend of mine and it was great. I was making money, finishing school and finally at peace.

July 2008 I was in a car accident. Waiting at a red light with a green arrow to go and LG/JG stuck and hit me with their s10 truck. I went to the ER with my friend Steffie, who was in the car with me to get check out. We both have back problems now, but cannot afford to fix them. The LG/JG family took me to court to say I was at fault and tried to sue me for 100K. Ridiculous right? The judge thought so too and I won the case. Last week I get a summons for court, the LG/JG family is suing me again for the same thing! In shock I took the information to my lawyer and he took care of it. They’re getting a settlement from the insurance company!!! Yes, I’m still currently paralyzed from that thought. The G family makes me want to vomit. This changes my life because I am now learning of the scum in this world other than creepy ‘photographers.’

Scum in the world of photographers...

It started with a shoot for a radio station & ended with the police calling my work, family & friends. Recently I posted a warning to all models on FACEBOOK not to work with this photographer. One model got extremely frisky and claimed it was bullshit & cried to the photographer & got him to send this message:

Ashley requested a shoot for a 97Rock gallery. Ashley was photographed on 4/15/09. Her boyfriend accompanied her to the shoot. The shoot ended at approximately 10 p.m. A shoot was scheduled for the following morning and for the first and only time my camera equipment was left in the studio overnight in preparation for that morning shoot. Ashley, her boyfriend and myself left the studio together. The following morning it was discovered that the studio had been robbed and approximately $35,000 in camera gear had been stolen. The Buffalo police were immediately notified. They requested a list of all persons that had knowledge of the camera gear or that had access to that floor of the building. The list included Ashley and her boyfriend as well as the building landlord and others. The police as part of their investigation questioned several people including Ashley and her boyfriend. The police, solely at their discretion, decided who to question. I filed charges against Ashley and her boyfriend. There were no court proceedings. To my knowledge the police never identified the person(s) responsible for the theft and no arrests were ever made. I had no insurance on the equipment and had to purchase replacement equipment. Upon leaving the studio I had taken the memory cards with me so that I could review the photos and send some to 97Rock, therefore, the memory cards were not at the studio at the time of the theft. I emailed seven photos to Jickster from 97Rock at 12:32 a.m. that night. It wasn't until the next morning the theft was discovered. 97Rock posted these photos. Photos were never sold or otherwise provided by me to any other parties. Ashley, your comments are completely untrue and defamatory. Please remove them at once.

Regards,

Bxxxx Gxxxxx

So if this is the truth, Bxxxx, why haven't you even thought about returning my phone calls or apologizing. How about the release that never existed & the statements on the police report stating all my photos were missing? How come when I left a message stating I was coming to your studio to speak with you I got there & the building land lord stated you just left? If you have nothing to hide from you wouldn't keep running from something that happened APRIL 18th 2009! (yeah, you also have the wrong date.)

Courage to face it all

Sometimes it's easy to feel like you're the only one in the world who's struggling, who's frustrated, or unsatisfied at barely getting by. But, that feeling is a lie and if you just hold on; just find the courage to face it all for another day, someone or something will find the way and make it all okay. Because we all need a little help sometimes, someone to help us hear the music in the world. To remind us that it won’t always be this way. That someone is out there, and that someone will find you.

Lyrics & Music

A theory I've come to...


There are two types of people in the world. Lyric people & music people. The lyric people tend to be analytical. They want to know the meaning of a song. They buy a CD & take the insert out just to read & know the lyrics to a tee. Then there's the music people. The ones who could care less about the lyrics of a song & love it just as long as it carries a great beat & you can dance to it. Some days I think it would be easier to be a music girl rather than a lyric girl. Its easier just get in your undies and dance around your room. 

The truth speaks in silence

“We don’t see the things the way they are. We see things the way WE are.”

- Talmund

People are going to disappoint you, I understand that. I expect it most days, but what happens when you wake up and realize you're the disappointment?

I've pondered the thought of being selfish and speaking every emotion & thought that crosses my head to get him to say. Then I realized my mouth was moving & he said "Don't you want me to succeed and be someone?" 

This statement plays in my head like a record. How could I be so selfish? I shouldn't hold him back from something even knowing its not his passion, dream & the fact is only reason for doing it is the money? When you're let down in life you expect it. He's always been there for me and my dreams & sure he's let me down & made a lot of mistakes my dream man wouldn't have.

The quote at the top of the page 'We don't see the things the way they are. We see things the way WE are.' I've realized that more as I grow. The way I am & the way i think is different from the way he is & thinks.  So our opinions on the way things are, are mis-matched puzzle pieces. I know he'll do great. I know I can handle the move on my own. It will be stressful, but it will be worth the end result of our happy ever after.

Craziness is like heaven

Dream by night fall; life carries on. Expect the unexpected; wonderful things do come. Don't live in the past for it doesn't matter today. You'll find everything you're looking for in moments when your world feels so empty and cold.

When I was young my dad always told me to dream as big as the moon. I did, and now that I am old enough to know better, yet young enough to dream even bigger. People still try to tear me down as the days turn new.

I have bigger plans for this world. So be ready to meet the wrath of Ashley Nicole Victoria. I am one person, but one person who has and will continue to take on anything and everything to make it up to all of those faces who will never be forgotten. My best friend wanted to be a doctor, it was his dream. He may never get to be his doctor, and I sure as hell will never be one, but my dreams are just as big as his one. Watch me world as I fall. Beacause I have and I will, but I will succeed so gloriously.

I meet people daily. It's a great thing, I love meeting people, and hope not to change them, but to move them in some way no other has.

...and my beat goes on...

The first thing written for him

Have you ever been so afraid to catch something you feel like you've been chasing your entire life? Lately I have.

 My biggest failures in life are caring too much and pushing people away as they get too close. Those can also the best part about me, well caring too much can be away. I'll keep pushing you away until you make me feel invincible standing next to you. You can ask me why all you want, but the truth is pain. I hate that feeling of an emotional rollercoaster, that feeling of being letdown, and I figure if I push people away before they get to close I'll never have to wonder what it's like to be letdown.

You have wonderful glass eyes. Very unique to the color, shape and piercing stare. I'm an eye kind of girl. It is very rare for me to say something nice about person's eyes unless I really feel they have magnificent eyes. And you share the best stories in your eyes.

 When you're not around I miss your lips, and everything attached to them. Lips so soft, true story; I've kissed many lips in my day, and I must say your lips are like an oasis of fresh almond milk creme. They also house your brilliant smile. It truly is to die for.

 You mean more to me than you may think, and I'm sorry if there is ever a moment of doubt. I don't dream to cast that upon you. If you really want me to speak the truth...the truth is you're warming up to me more, and my fear of getting to close is starting to subside. I've let you in this far, and I do a little more each day. Maybe I am crazy. Maybe I do talk too much some days, or not enough others. You make me say and do things in this world I wouldn't normally. You bring out the good, bad, sad, ugly in me. I love that rush, that new feeling of happiness I've found. Don't take me for granted my wrath may be unbearable.

Thank you for believing in me, for giving me something to hold onto. I believe in your every dream. Your love, has already changed the world, and you are destined for greatness. Everyone in your path of life is more than lucky to have known such a beautiful face. I am one of the luckiest. I feel the sea is changing as I tell you I want all of who you are and dream to be.

June 14, 2008

I write. Its what I do.

She opens her eyes as they are glazed over.

She said her final goodbye.

Picking up the rolled twenty,

saying a few simple words of wisdom.

One line down, three to go,

She's out of control.

Losing all emotions.

Free to linger about,

for just this little while.

Little girl got game; little girl not sane.

Her hands tremble

She trippin; Alice is out of her wonderland.

Corrupting thoughts boggle her mind.

She's trapped about these four walls.

The chopping block begins again.

Another life will find its end; tonight.

Some days won't get better,

some dreams are limed inside a lost soul; forever.

Wonderland...

The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had...


Can you feel that sense of rush while you are awake? When you fall in your sleep and your whole body trembles down? That craziness that just gives you so much force you ache for more, but you know that it won't happen again until you are in the force field of dreamland. It's like that Alice in Wonderland effect where you are tumbling down a hole of madness and everything that once made sense loses its way to you. It's that feeling you get as if you left your body behind somewhere and you are invincible. Nothing could ever happen, because in your dreams you are dying, living; being someone you wouldn't even recognize in a mirror. 


I believe those moments; dreams are glimpses of a parallel universe so far out of reach that occasional dreams can only connect us. Because when you wake you have that daze and confused thought in your head, but you know that everything you felt while you were dreaming was real. Just because you think it doesn't mean someone else isn't. Everyone is too afraid to speak up. So I still believe the dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had.

The Villanelle

Dimmed eyes in the heart of the fearful light

All these days I felt so limed

Corrupting every thought of beauty in your sight

Everything seemed so thoughtful that night

But yet there wasn't anything to fined

Dimmed eyes in the heart of the fearful light

I continue to walk though the night

As I walked by and watched them as they all cried

Some days still like the worst thing dreamt

I feel like I've drifted

Just thinking that you've died

Dimmed eyes in the heart of the fearful light

One day driving in a car will feel like flying a kite

You were laid to rest and derived away

Corrupting every thought of beauty in your sight

The greatness of everything so wonderers

Given always more than you had wished

No one ever minded

Corrupting every thought of beauty in your sight

Sonnet: Crash

Those tire tracks zigzag your torso like a devils self portrait.
The car accident; a surreal dream come true, only she knew.

You bid her farewell then got in the car,
That's the last you recall.

Lights- Camera- Action the film began to play.
The review mirror makes you seem so far yet in distance; safe,
knowing this curse wouldn't come.

Exploding moment filled with horror; on the side, then in front.
The barer crunches; heels over head, tossing and turning,
wake me from this nightmare!

Rhymes with pity now, rhymes with sympathy now.
Today you gave your burden a name.
Today you gave your burden a face,
as you grief of a lost material.

Magnificent Creation

It all started with a quote by Alfred D'sousa

"Dance as though no one is watching

Love as though you've never been hurt

Sing as though no one can hear you

Live as though heaven in on earth"

This quote had me thinking about a lot of things in life & all in a short period of time. I'm talking about seconds. I'm in love with the idea of having nature all around me. Being in my own content happy ever after. The perfect life right? Too bad not everything or everyone is ever perfect, but we learn to adjust to the imperfections that may eventually make or break who we become.

I've fallen "In LOVE" before, but now I realize it was never really REAL love. It was the idea of being adored by someone. That feeling of "I LOVE YOU" and it meaning something.

Somewhere along my path in life I met this boy. Not the cutest berry on the bush, but cute enough to catch my eye.  The more I knew the more I fell down that black hole of crazy emotions. I thought I was heartless and it wouldn't amount to much. Maybe a good friendship out of the deal.

Now here I am three years later and in love with a beautiful stranger. I've never felt so many emotions of one kind about one person all at once. I get crazy butterflies in my stomach every time our lips touch. I  find myself missing his lips when he's gone. I could just stare for hours on end. He is the most magnificent creation to catch my eye. I can look into his eyes and feel forever. Get all warm inside when we lay under the covers. It's a new feeling added to so many others each day, and I want all the world to know who it is I love so clearly.

I love you not for who you are, but for who you make me. You make my dreams come true & every bad thing good in some way. You're, you and I am me. I shall love you forever Jon Ryan.

I live to dance ballet in my underwear across my living room floor and I don't care if I miss a beat, because every missed beat is caught up with my love for the dance. I'll sing you songs of happiness loud and out of key. I've trusted you with my heart and life until the end of time. You've brought a whole new paradise to my world.

<3

Milkshake

You can be anywhere when your life begins. When the future opens up in front of you. And you may not even realize it at first, but it's already happening. You meet that one somebody and suddenly your life that you thought made perfect sense turns into a milkshake, and you're opened up to a whole new world. I only want to be perfect for you. I want you to get into the deep beautiful melancholy of everything that's happened. And look me in my eyes and realize I am that one soul you've been wanting; aching for. I want to hold you forever.