Everyone's got them (at least I'd like to think so): those awkward, early adolescent photos capturing an era you'd rather forget. Think acne, bad glasses, and braces. But instead of hosting a yearbook bonfire, one woman is bravely flashing her geek picture to the world.
According to an article in Today Moms, Salt Lake City graphic designer Merilee Allred is the first to admit she was “queen of the nerds” back in the day, but now she's showing kids the pictorial proof, to prove that "it really does get better."
“I was bullied and teased over how I looked,” said 35-year-old Allred. “I was probably one of the tallest in my class so I stuck out like a sore thumb. I was clumsy, and because I was shy and very quiet, I couldn’t stand up for myself so I think I was just an easy target.”
When a friend demanded proof that Allred had been bullied because of her looks, she decided to start the Awkward Years Project. The blog welcomes users to share their growing pains via a 'before' and 'after' photo which in many cases clearly shows that the dorkiest ducklings can indeed turn into graceful, confident swans.
But it's not about gloating. Allred claims the retrospective allows people to take "pride in who they are and how they survived those years."
Already teens have taken heed from the site's affirmation. Even adults experiencing a blip in self-esteem could do with asking themselves this very simple question.
Were you an awkward teenager? What would you tell your younger self if you could?
Quebec is one swift step away from preventing workers in the public sector from wearing religious symbols. While most people support secularism in government, many say the proposed ban would be unethical, even unconstitutional.
According to an article in the Huffington Post, the Charter of Quebec Values would prevent people from donning religious items—such as turbans, hijabs, kippas, crucifixes—while at work in the public sector.
Though I'm not religious, I appreciate that such 'symbols' aren't fashion statements; they exist as an integral part of a person's belief system. By saying they cannot wear such items at work, are we not in fact denying a part of a person's identity? Pinch me, Quebec. Are we not still living in multicultural Canada...
Some have suggested the ban would be tantamount to a human rights violation, much like Russia's anti-gay Olympics stance.
Let's hope that the Parti Québécois goes back to basics and recalls the core values that make its country great: equality and diversity.
While religious symbols could impact public perception, do you think wearing such items impacts how a person does this or her job?
First there was the Lego school—and this woman's incredible construction—now a U.S. high school has taken the building blocks to new heights. Imagine telling your kids that you helped build the tallest Lego tower, ever. Well, that fate awaits kids from John Dickinson High School in Delaware, who secured the title for their 112 feet, 11.75 inch construction.
According to an article in the Huffington Post, the 11-storey Lego tower posted by Reddit user jut754 was made up of more than 500,000 toy blocks and took months to assemble by students across the Red Clay Consolidated School District.
Then sure enough, the Guinness World Records rep turned up and declared the record had been won. Not a bad way to inspire your budding engineer...
Worthy community project or utter waste of time and money?
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