Friday, November 26, 2010

Empowering Women through Sports

& The Development of Women’s Football





Early generations gave men the authority to be the superior half of our race. From careers, to travelling as well as sports, they were given the opportunity to conquer it all, while women were asked to sit at home and tend to their children. Since those preliminary days the world has shown a lot of change, woman’s involvement in almost every aspect of life has brought on further development in the world.

In India, the empowerment of women has been a great achievement, whether in politics, medicine or media. There are many respected figures to look up to who have bought on change in gender discrimination and shown that women are equally, if not more talented, than men, they range from political figures like Indira Gandhi, to sportswomen like Sania Mirza.

Although laws have been passed to help bring empowerment to women, there is still a lacking in opportunities when compared to men. Women, have to struggle to make a name for themselves because through it all they tend to be scrutinized and criticized. In the field of sports, some states in India consider it taboo to talk about female participation. A very famous movie that showed this stereotypical belief in communities was “Bend It Like Beckham.” The movie showed that it was accepted for men to look up to a sports legend like David Beckham, unacceptable for a woman to do the same.
It is because of this that women do not have many opportunities and grounds for training when it comes to sports and athletics.

It is acknowledged that India is coming to terms with women in sports, with the rise of sports women like Sania Mirza and teams like the women’s hockey team but these women had to get where they are with much difficulty. They have had to face lack of interest from the government, gender discrimination from the public and severe discouragement from envious and narrow minded people in order to get to where they are today.

If a boy was interested in football, a parent could buy him a kit and take him to a soccer academy to build on his skill, but if a girl were to show interest in the sport, she wouldn’t be taken seriously causing a lack of women’s sports academy’s, training centres and clubs.

Countries in Europe and the Middle East have built numerous amounts of women’s academies, given their national team supportive training and special sports club to increase talent. Having given these opportunities not only encourages but teaches a lesson in equality between classes and genders.

Parents who try to convince their children that women’s football or cricket has not many prospects are not fully incorrect, but only in relation to India. India’s support system for women in sports is less than mediocre when compared to other countries.

Everyone watches the Premier League in India, but how many people know that Arsenal’s Women’s Team is more successful than the famous men’s team? How many people pay attention to the Women’s World Cup? If they did they would know that players like Mia Hamm and Martha are as talented, popular and rich as male favourites like Zidane and Ronaldo.

The story behind women and sports isn’t a complete dead end in India. There is no doubt that places like Calcutta, Goa and Kerala are taking interest in Women’s football. Calcutta has its own Women’s Football League, a major accomplishment in the area of Women’s Sports.

Even though India does have a national women’s football team, the performance internationally is very unsatisfactory due to the lacking in facilities available. No proper training grounds, camps, clubs prevent women from taking interest in sports like Football or Cricket.
Whilst travelling to Germany, it was said that Germany’s football federation took better care of our national team than India did itself. Such statements lead to disappointment and discouragement. It also makes a mockery of our government and our football associations.

In order for women to excel in sports, proper training, physiotherapy, regime and knowledge of the sport should have to be developed. There is no doubt that India is a host to many talented women but without proper guidance, the talent will be all but useless.

Although all other sports are opening the door for women athletes, for example, Sania Mirza in Tennis, Saina Nehwal in Badminton, Mary Kom in boxing, when it comes to football India is far behind.

Football or Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. The world cup hosts, not thousands, but millions of supporters every four years. The Premier league is watched all over the world, which is why women need to be given the opportunity to branch out into the sport. Some say football is not a sport, it’s life... There’s a lot to learn from it, like integrity, team work, passion and dedication. Only with correct training and awareness will women know the sheer beauty of a green field, the feeling of thousand spectators chanting your name and the exhilaration felt when the ball hits the back of the net...

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Strength Of A Woman

When she is young, she will be daddy’s little girl and love him with all her heart. She will obey and respect and tell him how much she loves him. Through teen years, she will have crushes, first loves, heart breaks, tears, fears and worries. She will fight, but care; she will be filled with envy but not greed.

As she matures, she will fall in love and learn to be committed. She will dedicate her life to him, and when he fails to do so in return she will cry, hold her head up and continue to build her perfect relationship. She will forgive his every mistake, but do her best to make none of her own. She will care for him more than she cares for her own life. She will take care of him better than herself, while also tending to her parents and education. She will do as asked by her family, her teachers and her love. But she will still be a girl, she will cry on bad hair days and laugh at silly jokes. She will always be a good friend but always be cautious of who to trust.

And one day, she will leave her parents with tears in her eyes for the arms of the man she loves. She will build a house with a strong foundation, earn money and respect. She will own her pets and treat them like her children while making her husband feel like he is the only man in her life. Soon, she will start planning to start a family. She will take care of the house, work, cook and dream of a future with children.

As her wishes come true she will go through the pains of child birth like it is the easiest thing in the world and look at the wonder in her arms as if it was more than worth it. She will stay up all night listening to the cries of her baby break her heart, whilst making sure it doesn’t keep up her man. She will hardly sleep at night because of the tiny child holding on to her and she will hardly sleep during the day because she has a house and a husband to nurture.

She will shed tears on the first day of school and walk into office, healthy and ready to go. She will handle insults with calm and think only of her child. When she reaches home, she’ll hold her child tight as if she were to never let him go. She will face the crisis of who’s more important, but place her husband and her child equally. She will teach them to love unconditionally.

As her son grows older, he will learn respect, love, understanding and love from his mother. He will be the perfect man. Watching his mother make sacrifices for him, he will learn to make sacrifices for those he cares, and he’ll know that one day he will have to leave her. She will watch her husband one day leave her, his body cold and eyes shut... she will muffle her screams and hold in her tears. She will need to be strong for her son. She will tell him it’s alright, that daddy’s watching in heaven. And all this she’ll tell him knowing that one day she will be alone too.
Through her sons college years she will stay strong, bearing tantrums and fights. As her son matures she worries about being alone. She knows one day he will leave and as that day comes she will watch him go silently. After years of nurturing and care, looking around her empty home so alone and quiet. She will bear through it all and call him once in a while, with silent tears down her face, longing for her child
And on she’ll go on till death will call, she’ll stay strong and hold her head up high. .. because no matter what life throws her way she will always be strong.
Yes, she’ll always be strong.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Try being different…

Fitting in is difficult. I walk in a world full of look a-likes trying to be cool, trying to be popular. Standing out is the most difficult thing. What clothes you wear, or how cool your accent is doesn’t define who you are in life. It will not make you one to be remembered. Why try to be like someone else, someone who will fade away as days go by? Someone who is just a grain in a world full of sand…

It was people Bob Marley, Lady Diana, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi who stood out through decades.

Bob Marley’s way of life, his music, it all wasn’t conventional yet had a message. He knew what he wanted the world to know and he let them know it in his own extraordinary way.

Lady Diana exemplified beauty in all aspects. Not just physically pretty, she was gorgeous in her manners and behaviour. Everyone fell in love with her simplicity and kindness. Kindness in a world full of greedy rich people, Unique

Today, these people are remembered as if they are still amongst the living.

Why do we live in a world where everyone strives to be popular, but only popular in the moment? Why do we feel the need to be accepted? Is acceptance what life is about? Were we sent on earth to receive approval from others who are looking to do the same?

You don’t live a million lives, so why not make the most of what you have? It is not a rock that looks like one of the millions around that stands out but the rare diamond that holds most value.

Going through life trying to live in the moment only leads to a future full of regret.

Ambitions, determination, the need to make something of yourself are qualities that every person must strive to achieve but in today’s world I see no one like that. No one knows what they want in life except to be rich and good looking, but how far can that take you?

Why don’t people want to be different anymore? Is it that scary, to think that you might actually be one of the few people who are remembered?

I personally think the greatest thing in the world is when you’re remembered for something you did. Whether it’s a simple act of kindness or just being there for someone, but who does that anymore?

Compassion is dying along with our planet.

What’s the world come to? Seriously.

Mariane Pearl ~ How ?

As the sun sets on the world and a new day begins , things move on. The earth turns, people change, things are different. What do you do when to others the news is old , but still fresh in your heart? What if it’s put your life on hold and you can think of a future anymore. What if like Mariane Pearl, you lose someone who has meant the world to you?

When the constant reminder of your husband in your son doesn’t only make you long for the past of a better future, but reminds you of him dying a death unworth of your worst enemy can you really move on?

If you at a young age lose your husband to a death far from natural causes but rooted by terrorism, if from being the reporter you get thrown into the spotlight as the subject, if suddenly your blinded by a future of uncertainty, where do you go?

Does the pain, does the grief ever go away?

What if the criminals are convicted, maybe there will be closure. Daniel Pearls murderer , even though convicted, 8 years later is still alive. Where is the justice in this ?

Danny didn’t see his son, because he was beheaded before his son’s birth. Doesn’t his son deserve to know that the person responsible was punished?

What gives a person the strength to be courageous through the most difficult moments of her life? What gave Mariane the power to move ahead, to demand justice, to bring up her son into a world where everything was wrong?

What gave her the will to live? Through all the interviews that made her a walking spectacle, how did she not once break down and cry in public?

Even thinking about losing the person I love hurts me so bad, how is it to go through the worst, to look at pictures just before his death and still be strong?

How must it have felt to hear of his kidnapping, not know whether she would see the person she loved more than her life alive again? How must it have been to think that somewhere Danny was alive and if only she had found him in time she would still have him today…

How did Mariane get the strength to live through all this and still hold her head up high?

If only I knew… maybe I’d learn to be as brave as her too.

Happy Michelle Angry Michelle. The dice is in your hands

Questions, so many questions...

Why is it that things stop going your way just as soon as it starts? Life is not fair most of the times, but it hurts most when you think everything is perfect and in a split second its not anymore..

Things hurt, hearts break, thoughts drive you insane when you are thinking what if… what if?

Like love, what if he was the one for me? What if he’s not? What if there’s no one out there for me, maybe I’m meant to be alone?

Is he cheating on me? Did he lie to me…? So many questions life can bring… So many questions, answers to which you don’t really want to know because even though the truth could comfort you, there is a possibility it could just break you down.

What about life? The term life itself brings on so many questions. Like does a high power exist? What is the purpose of living? Why is life so cruel? How come at times things are so beautiful ? If there was a higher power how come the world isn’t perfect…

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Film Wars! A Battle to the Heart of my Top 10

Why do people watch movies?




Movies give you something to think about, they toy with your mind and drag you into another world. Some movies seem to be based on your life, some movies just make you go "Thank God that's not me!" and some are a mixture of both. Movies are the other world, the one you can visit but can't stay... it's the outcome of dreams put to reality, nightmares bought to life and of what you want to be but can't.

I don't remember ever not watching movies, I must have watched thousands by now but only few are worthy of remembering. Only few have an impact on your life, only few are ones that I'd like to watch over and over again.

Here's a list of those few movies that will never get old, my Top Ten Favourite Movies


10) The Notebook


"I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough"



I'm not one for romantic movies, they're okay to watch when I'm bored but usually I don't consider them memorable. Most of them are too cheesy and too girly for my liking. The Notebook is one of the only movie of it's kind to stand out from the rest. It's innocence and honesty is almost beautiful to watch, the cast is perfect and the story line draws you in, making you part of every moment in the movie..
I watched The Notebook because I loved the novel, I can't say I cried a bucket of tears, but I will admit that it was a great movie!

9) Sin City


" The night's as hot as hell. It's a lousy room in a lousy part of a lousy town - I'm staring at a goddess. She's telling me she wants me. I'm not going to waste one more minute wondering how I've gotten this lucky. She smells like angels ought to smell, the perfect woman... the Goddess. Goldie. She says her name is Goldie."



Not a movie to watch with the family but a great choice for a movie night with friends or on your own! I'm not a huge comic book fan, but this movie is one to turn heads whether you're into all that geeky stuff or not because the last thing it would be classified as is geeky. Stylish, clever, violent and even funny would be perfect words to describe this movie and although I wasn't convinced at first, loved it once I gave it a chance!
The imagery and creativity, followed by all the movies other elements made it captivating, there wasn't a moment I was bored and I get bored quite easily!


8) Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind


"Sometimes I think people don't understand how lonely it is to be a kid, like you don't matter. So, I'm eight, and I have these toys, these dolls. My favorite is this ugly girl doll who I call Clementine, and I keep yelling at her, "You can't be ugly! Be pretty!" It's weird, like if I can transform her, I would magically change, too."



This movie is bizzare, yet brilliant, interesting and touchy... it's one of those that makes you stop to think, what if it was possible? What if you could erase a certain memory or the memory of a person? Would you do it?
I was honestly really impressed by Jim Carey in this movie, it wasn't his usual wacky, crazy, goofy character choice. He was more realistic, more mature...completely alien from the Jim we seen in his other movies yet so believable! This isn't one of those movies you can watch just once... I understood it better after watching it the second time, and thats when I realised that it was one of the best movies I had ever seen!


7) Green Street


"Pete Dunham's life taught me there's a time to stand your ground, and his death taught me there's a time to walk away."



I spend a good number of years considering this the best movie ever. I don't know how many times I've watched it till date, but I'm sure it's well into the double digits! For all those who don't know, I'm a huge football fan and so far no movie about football has lived up to its name, except this one. Pub brawls, football hooliganism, fights and the gorgeous Charlie Hunnam , what more could I ask for! Hunnam was fantastic, the movie is believable and highly entertaining! Definitely a must watch on my list!



6) Lion King


" Oh, where have I seen this before? Hm, let me think. Oh, yes, I remember! This is exactly the way your father looked before he died. And now here's *my* little secret... I killed Mufasa "



A movie list could not go without an animated film, so I picked the best of the lot. Lion King isn't a movie just for kids, I know my parents loved it as much as I did and I know a lot of older folks who think it's just brilliant! This has to be Disney's best movie ever, and the best animated movie to ever grace our screens. I remember loving it when I was a kid and I still love it today. I'm sure I'll still love it no matter what age I watch it at !


5) Gladiator


"Five thousand of my men are out there in the freezing mud. Three thousand of them are bloodied and cleaved. Two thousand will never leave this place. I will not believe they fought and died for nothing."



This movie is a classic. You have to be completely crazy or stupid not to like it! Brilliant acting, writing and direction can only give you a movie like Gladiator. There are many memorable scenes in the movie and it's not one of those you'd just watch once and forget it. It's more of a watch twice, go out and buy DVD then watch a million more times, movie. I must have been 10 or 11 when I first saw it but even back then I knew this was a brilliant movie. I loved every minute, every battle, every dialogue.

4) Saving Private Ryan


"what if by some miracle we stay, then actually make it out of here. Someday we might look back on this and decide that saving Private Ryan was the one decent thing we were able to pull out of this whole godawful, shitty mess. Like you said, Captain, maybe we do that, we all earn the right to go home."



I've always been a sucker for two things. War movies and Matt Damon. So why should this movie be in my top 5? This is one of the greatest movies ever made, and Spielberg's best by a mile. It's realistic, honest, brutal and makes you wonder about the value that life holds. Saving Private Ryan perfectly potrays the horrors of war and the fantastic acting of the cast helps us grow a liking to each of the characters. The perfect words to describe this movie are Powerful and Touching, because in it's its brutality and honesty, thats exactly what it is.


3) Blood Diamond


" Sometimes I wonder... will God ever forgive us for what we've done to each other? Then I look around and I realize... God left this place a long time ago"





When I first sat down to watch this movie, I wasn't expecting much. One because when I hear about movie's about Africa, it's so over done and just a failing attempt to make you cry. Secondly I'm not a huge Di Caprio fan. Not that he's bad, no he's an good actor... but I always thought him to be over rated mainly because of his looks. After watching this movie, I realised how wrong I was. Di Caprio is a great, great actor. Djimon Hounsou too was brilliant in this movie and everything about it was nearly perfect. It wasn't over done, yet it was moving.. the characters and the script was compelling. A true take on reality and has amazing depth. This movie is worth a watch, more than just one maybe.


2) Good Will Hunting


"Sometimes I wish I had never met you. Because then I could go to sleep at night not knowing there was someone like you out there. "



One of the most powerful scripts I have ever seen in a movie. This is one of those movie's that remain within you long after watching it. I sat for hours after this one, just thinking about what I had just learned. What impressed me is that MY favourite actor, Matt Damon helped with the writing in the movie. What stands out the most about it is exactly that. The writing was hilarious, witty, clever and meaningful. Good Will Hunting leaft me asking for more, I never wanted to end... I loved the cast and the acting. I could go on and on for hours about this movie, but the only thing you can do is get out there and watch it. If you haven't already, that is.



&

1) Fight Club


" All the ways you wish you could be, that's me. I look like you wanna look, I fuck like you wanna fuck, I am smart, capable, and most importantly, I am free in all the ways that you are not"



If you know me, then you've already guessed this by now. If you don't, well then NOW you know my best movie ever. Since I first saw it, I've watched it more than 20 times, bought the novel and learned most of the quotes by heart. This is Brad Pitt's best acting ever and Fight Club made me learn of how brilliant Edward Norton is. A dark, twisted movie with one of the best and most unexpected endings ever, every minute is captivating. I sat through this movie with my jaw touching the ground and couldn't look away no matter how much I tried and after that I kept watching it over and over, each time noticing how brilliant each scene, each line was. I can still watch it on repeat for the whole day and not get bored! I started off thinking it was just a bunch of guys in a fight and ended up with an unbelievably unique story. I can't say more other than how amazing this movie is. It is THE best movie I have ever watched, and I know it'll remain the best for quite a while ...


•Stay tuned•

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Love




The most meaningful words ever written can be found in song lyrics. Every song holds an emotion, a feeling... a thought. It's a way to speak out how you feel, What your thinking, what you want to say but just can't.

Each song is a feeling put in words and music. From l ove, to hate to a broken heart, there's always something that holds the melody together.
A cheesy soundtrack or a depressing rock medley, it's always there to help you find your way around... what is life without music?

Our sense of smell is a wonderful gift, fragrance can hold a lot of beauty. The smell of rain, the ocean or freshly baked cookies can send you off into another world. Remembering what the person you love smelt like when your lonely can comfort you a lot and make you realise that no matter what, you're never alone.
Inexperienced at dwelling on such emotions, yet it's irresistible because it's there, it's in the moment and it makes you feel great. Can you describe love?
There are many words that explains it, but even that isn't enough.

You can call it comfort, happiness, security but all that alone isn't love. It's the small things amongst the large; from the butterflies in your stomach, to that infinite trust. It could be the tiny moments like the memory of the first dance, to the feeling at the thought of the first kiss... It's knowing that after years of being together , it's not going to fade away because more than anything, what you've found in this person is a best friend.




People come and go, everyone has their share of failed relationships and everyone believes they're in love but within them they'll know, even much before a break up, that somethings not right... thing's aren't going the way it should. Maybe it's when you realise you can't really talk to that person, or when it feels like no thing's right... and it's time to move on.
When your with the right person, I assume it's different... you know thing's are always right and even when you fight you know, somehow you'll get over it because what you have is bigger than any argument could ever be.

Special is an over-used word. Everyone in your life cannot be special , usually it's reserved to one person who means more to you than anyone else. Someone who makes you smile when you're angry, or laugh when your upset. Someone who you spend nights worrying about even if what's wrong with them is just a common flu. Special is the person, who when you think of you know you can't live in a world where that person doesn't exist.
Special is what's more important to you than your life. It's that person who breaks the fear you have, the fear of loving, or trusting and of being vulnerable because you know that you will be loved for who you are and you will be taken care of in all the right ways no matter what!

&& When you find that special someone... will you know? You will because suddenly everything will feel right and you'll know that you were meant to be there, exactly where you were at the exact same time, to meet that exact same person...because it was fate, destiny... something that's not in your hands because it wasn't planned, it's just how the World works it's magic on you !


Ciao x


Tuesday, March 9, 2010

The football Story - Liverpool FC And The Rest




At 8 years old I remember asking what would probably be one of the most difficult questions to ever answer when speaking to a girl.
What is an offside?

What is an offside, really? I'd tell you, but if you don't already know I'm betting I'll lose you 30 seconds into the description. I don't remember not being the football hooligan that I am. I've always had something to say when it came to defending my team, no matter what age I was or what age the person I was fighting with was.
I'll admit that my first love was Arsenal but it didn't stick... being a Red was in my blood. I come from a family of Liverpool supporters and it was bound to rub off. In all honesty no one had an influence on the club I picked to support, it was of my own will that I turned to this mad crazy rollercoaster of a team!




Liverpool had such a flair about them and so much history to go with it, How could I not love them!
I've always disliked Manchester United and hell, at first I didn't even know why. My dislike for the team changed to outright hatred when Ronaldo joined them. I had never seen a whinier, more annoying, pathetic excuse of a player ever! He was horrible, he oozed smugness and I wanted nothing more than to just knock his head off and stick it in the mud.
I could go on and on about my "love" for Cristiano Ronaldo, but I'll spare everyone, If you still want to hear about what I think of him then go ahead and read this
Why The World Hates Cristiano Ronaldo

Liverpool have been my addiction, from watching their wins from decades ago to sitting in front of the telly an hour in advance anticipating the prematch analysis and waiting for the game to start! There hasn't been anything more important to me than football and Liverpool FC.



What I truly hate are google football fans. You know, girls who are desperate to know their football to impress men! They google their information and strut around pretending to be knowledgeable about the subject then start defying the true fans with their version of what happened which is obviously stolen from a comment somewhere on the Internet !Some of us stay up till all hours of the night waiting to watch matches while they sleep in their pretty beds, and google what we stayed up to know!
What's worse is that such girls make the rare ones who actually know their stuff look like them. Like we're just doing it for attention from the opposite sex.
Well no thank you, but they have nothing to do with why we watch football! In case the lazy ones didn't actually know, football is a lot of fun and for those who think girls can't comprehend the subject of football...think again! We might actually know more than YOU!



OK, no more rant. So Liverpool. How awesome are they...?

Right, I should stop typing now, but I'll be back!

Until then it's buhbye!

YnWa

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Who am I?

The thing about me is that I don't believe in conformity. I am only influenced by myself, after all why would you want to blend in and be plastic like most girls nowadays?

You might accidently catch me doing silly things like watching American Idol or dancing around in my underwear ... but when the time comes I can be mature and speak my mind, and most importantly I can stand up for what I believe in.

I'm not going to fall into the stereotype that follows every girl around, because that's not true.
I can head bang, I can get dirty on a football ground and I'm not really bothered about my nails or clothes.
I've been running around ever since I could... run, making it known that I'm NOT who you assume I am, and even if you think you know me... you're wrong.


Rawr