15 years young – still going strong!

The 31st of October is by many associated with Halloween, but the date has so much more to offer! Today it’s 15 years since the Security Council (UN), adopted resolution (S/RES/1325) on women and peace and security. «The resolution reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security» (un.org).

War was earlier a thing for, with and against men, with women on the side line. These days we see how bought women and men are a part of conflicts, not only as soldiers, but also as civilian targets. As Lady Eowyn puts it: «The women of this country learned long ago, those without swardes can still die upon them» (The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien). I see and hear about how women are being used in wars. In some countries women are being raped as a part of the warfare. They have no way of defending them selves towards these horrendous crimes. IT HAS TO STOP! BUT HOW?

Lady Eowyn wants to take and active role in protecting her self and others. What she fears the most is not death or pain, but being in a cage: «To live behind bars until all chances of valor and bravery have fallen beyond possibility and want» (The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien). Bought in war and in peace processes men have the leading role. I’m not saying that the goal is to get as many women as possible to become soldiers. What I want is for women to take part in the process of preventing war, or the peace-building, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction. Women should not have to stay behind «bars» until these processes are over. Women and men have to come together and make a united effort prevent war and facilitate a just Peace.

This is where the resolution 1325 comes in. «Resolution 1325 urges all actors to increase the participation of women and incorporate gender perspectives in all United Nations peace and security efforts. It also calls on all parties to conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, in situations of armed conflict. The resolution provides a number of important operational mandates, with implications for Member States and the entities of the United Nations system» (un.org).

Let us rejoice in the fact that the UN adopted 1325. But we still have a long way to go! We have to make sure that the resolution is reflected in action in all countries all over the world.

Bloody Marie and the school massacre

I have a friend who is studying to become a teacher. She recently told me about a young pupil who had written a horror story. The story was not long, but described in detail how the evil and bloody Marie decided to kill everyone at her school. She killed both teachers and pupils and thought it was fun. The pupil wrote: «after Bloody Marie had killed the principal, she tried to kill you and me!» Finally the story described a clown who loved blood and who followed the pupil home, and sat outside her door and waited for her to go outside.

It's amazing what imaginative child can be, but I also believe that children are influenced by what they see on TV. I’m not thinking about violent games etc, but news. In the past there has been a dreadful school massacre in Sweden. It’s important that parents and other adults are aware of how children are easily exposed to these terrible events. Obviously it’s important to be aware that not all people are kind and have good intentions. At the same time I can not help thinking about the little girl who wrote the horror story. There are certainly many other children together with her who are afraid that something will happen to them both when they’re at school and at home. To express themselves through writing can be of help to process fear.

It is not easy to know what one should and should not show and tell children. I do not have kids myself but can imagine the various challenges parents meet. When I was about six years old I saw pictures of the Black Death and was told horrific stories of how people suffered. After this I was so afraid of the dark that I did not dare to be alone at home. Luckily I'm not as afraid of the Clack Death now, but it’s still unpleasant to go out in the dark by my self sometimes.

Children (and adults) can be afraid of both death and darkness. They are exposed to more than we might think, and it's not always easy for them to understand. Dumbledore formulates it nicely to Harry Potter in The Half-Blood Prince: «It is not darkness and death we fear, but the unknown».

Pretending to be pregnant!

What is this new thing where you’re willing to do almost anything to be the first one to board a train, bus or tram?! Maybe it’s not a new thing at all, I don’t know? But it’s just the last years that I’ve really experienced it. Today for instance, I was waiting for a train, and when it came this suit clad man he just pushed his way past me. It’s so rood! What’s wrong with this guy? Where did the good manners go?

The funny thing is that the train was almost empty, so everyone got a seat by them selves (Btw. Norwegians hate sitting next to people they don’t know). Actually I got a seat, but it was reserved for elderly and pregnant people. I get so anxious sitting in these kind of seats. I’m afraid that someone will shout out: Hi, you’re not pregnant!!! So I sat there and tried to make my coat look bulky so that I could go for a pregnant woman. J I don’t know if it worked, but the three other people sitting next to me was definitely not pregnant or very old.

I’d like to think that if an old person came by I would stand up and give them my seat. The problem here is that some people gets really offended if you do. This women I met a wile back got almost angry when I offered her my seat. She was not OLD!!! But I guess it’s better to be polite and give up your seat, to be on the safe side. One of my friends was pregnant in her ninth month, but no one offered her a seat on the bus. The bus driver even made her use the back exit even though she was seated at the very front, because “You’re not allowed to use the front entrance as an exit”. How crazy is that!!

One time I witnessed this really bizarre scene where a bus driver refused to let a mother and her young daughter use the front entrance of the bus. The argument was that only people who was buying tickets on the bus, was supposed to be allowed to use it. CRAZY if you ask me. This little girl was really frightened and the bus driver ended up with allowing them to enter “this one time”.

To all bus drivers and train conductors! Please be a bit kinder and more understanding!

To all the people who just care about getting the best seat. Please try to behave and practice your manners!

And to me and all the others who pretend to be pregnant (if there are any) J Give your seat up if someone needs it more then you!

Balayage or ombré

There are many ways to color your hair. My favorites are balayage and ombré.

Ombré

«Ombré hair is the gradual lightening of the hair strand, usually fading from a darker color near the roots to a lighter one at the ends». The word ombré is French and means shadow or “as two-toned”. Ombré can be very subtle or very striking. This look is very popular these days. Normally you color your hair in a way that makes the roots darker or stays your original color, and then your hair gets lighter and lighter down to the ends. It’s really beautiful.

Balayage

Balayage is also French and means "to sweep." «The balayage technique was developed in France in 1970’s and is called a freehand technique as the hairdresser applies color with hands rather than foiling». The point is to make your hair lighter by ”sweeping” the color into the hair. The hairdresser uses a brush and apply color only to the front of the hair. It looks amazing and reminds you of a summer day, because it creates sun kissed highlights. Today balayage is the most requested coloring technique in salons, and lots of celebrities are doing their hair in this fashion.

I went to a salon yesterday to highlight my hair. Originally I wanted to do a ombré style, but I think I ended up with something in between ombré and balayage. To be honest I don’t think the hairdresser knew the original technique. Anyway, she used four or five different shades of lighter colors in my hair, while also keeping some of my natural hair color. I’m not sure the result is what I really wanted, but I think I’ll get used to it J

Noting is better than some highlights in the darkening autumn.