Equal rights, Equal Opportunities

  The theme for International Women's Day this year: "Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all" re-emphasizes that equal rights and opportunities lead to improved health outcomes for women and girls.

  Discrimination towards women and girls, or what is known as gender-based discrimination, is one of the most pervasive human rights violations. It severely limits the ability of women, girls and the communities they live in to protect and promote their health.

  Gender-based discrimination is irrevocably connected to negative health outcomes for women and girls. Its associated poor health outcomes are often compounded by other forms of inequality related to socioeconomic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation or geographical location. While these challenges are imposing, and often encoded in "normalized" ways of living, International Women's Day renews our commitment to denounce violations in human rights and to challenge unequal systems, structures and practices that perpetuate health inequalities across the world.

New Year New Me

New Year has always seemed to me a beginning of a new cycle, or a new path of self-development, but I never write detailed resolutions, having only abstractive understanding of my plans for future. But this year will end with a following resolution.

First of all, I would like to become more assertive and self-confident. I need thus some more courage in my daily affairs. In addition, I need some courage to esteem my faults and failures and put them on the path of improvement: it seems like I'm becoming dependant upon the opinions of my surrounding (friends, relatives and classmates), so I would like to manage some situations on my own, without relying upon the others' advice or imposition. I want to become more independent in my attitudes and viewpoints and to get the ability to separate my judgments from those of others.

Then, I would like to become more honest with myself. Sometimes I seem too benevolent and justify inappropriate behaviors of my friends, yet there couldn't be any justification. I also use this technique to justify my own mistakes, yet I should simply accept myself as a human being who has an inclination to making mistakes, because this is the most trustworthy way of gaining experience and knowledge.

Thirdly, I would like to slow down my life, because it seems too busy, so I have almost no time for self-reflection, introspection and communication with my family. Sometimes it seems like my nearest and dearest people receive too little attention and care from me, so this gap will be filled and I will spend more time with my parents.

To sum up, I would like to say that I will not keep waiting for New Year and will realize my plan in the nearest future... It is not necessary to wait for new cycle in order to change your life, because some alterations can and must be done immediately. 

Essence of Christmas

   To me Christmas means a time of happiness towards everyone. It is a time when families and close friends come home from all over the world to be with the people they love. To most people family and friends come first in their lives, so this is obviously a very favored holiday. 

   When it’s Christmas time, people exchange gifts often and take it for granted. This holiday is usually associated with receiving gifts. Personally, I think giving a gift is just as great as receiving one. Most of the time giving can be even more enjoyable. The whole idea of finding that perfect gift, making someone smile, and him or her realizing that you put that much thought into just one gift is just one way which Christmas brings happiness to everyone. 

   They imagine seeing snow-covered houses lit up all along the street with their bright lights one trying to outdo another, and a large, fresh pine tree in their living room window covered with lights and bulbs with an angel perched onto the very top. When they come in the kitchen they smell the contagious aroma of their mother’s cookies baking. That is an example of a typical outlook on a normal Christmas. To me it’s not Christmas without the decorations or festive Christmas treats. 

   Christmas time is my favorite time of year. I love when it’s time to shop for all those Christmas gifts for everyone. I love the red and green decorations, and my beautifully decorated Christmas tree sitting in my living room. I love the snow, when my grandma makes her gingerbread cookies, and the great music. But most of all, I love this time of year because I get the chance to be with my family and friends while I enjoy everyone’s Christmas cheer during this wonderful time of year.