Hiya! I'm Emily Maria, a teenage girl currently attending high school in the northeast U.S. I'm sarcastic, supportive, a little too caring, and just a little odd. I speak and sometimes act like an adult, though in my mind I'm far from being one. I can certainly be immature, and I have my melodramatic moments. First and foremost, for all intents and purposes, I like to help. That's why I made this blog - to help those who want help and support in this cutthroat world we teens live in today. Just some general info so you can understand my background and where I come from:
I was born into a lower-middle class family, financially. I understand financial woes without really "getting" the whys and wherefores. I've gone clothes-shopping at Wal-Mart and at Aeropostale. I still do, in fact. I generate whatever little income I can at this point, so I'm firmly working class, I suppose. I (my family, at least) has been on Food Stamps and Medicaid and has lived in rent-controlled government apartments. I've lived with extended family, with my mother, and with my siblings. I can understand a lot of different perspectives as far as money and work goes.
I've lived in both the northeastern and southeastern U.S., as well as somewhat Midwestern (if you consider Michigan "western", that is!). I've experienced different racial and economic dynamics in my communities - the practically all-white middle-upper class suburbs, the Hispanic communities, the black communities, the heavily mixed communities (meaning many different races in one area, not so much many different races in each person, that is). I've lived in rural and suburban areas. I've lived in places with high crime rates, and I've lived in places where everyone knows your business. Conservative and liberal, accepting and ostracizing, I've been there.
I, personally, identify as a politically liberal Democrat (not yet old enough to register, but self-representing). I also respect (and respectfully disagree with some) Republican ideals and have many friends with views completely opposite mine. I was raised in a family pretty firmly Independent, with a nicely equal number of Republicans and Democrats as well. I live in a Conservative community, and have many times before. I'm used to having dissenting opinions, although I'll admit the majority of my friends (though not as politically invested) share a liberal viewpoint.
As far as sexuality goes (and I'm not afraid to discuss my sexuality), I personally am bisexual. I've dated boys and girls before, and I'm a gigantic supporter of the LGBTQU (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer/Questioning, Undecided) community, commonly shortened to the LGBT community (although sexuality encompasses many more identities than those listed). Free to be you and me, and all that jazz, you know?
Religiously (and I'm probably screwing myself sideways by including religion in this lineup, but it's a major component of anyone's everyday life, so I might as well include it), I'm atheist with a Secular Humanism philosophical system in place. In other words, my person beliefs are that there is no heavenly creator, and that (wo)mankind does not need a god or gods to dictate their morals and behavior. However, I don't assume my beliefs to be correct, nor do I expect everyone else to live by them. I respect any and all religions, whether they be Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Wicca, or whathaveyou. I also respect a lack of religion or a questioning of it. I'm personally spiritual without being religious; I'm very nature oriented and I believe that one's morals and personal "vibes", for lack of a better word, do have an impact on others and the world around us. I believe in self-calming/meditation and "being at one with the universe" or whatever. Feeling safe in your own beliefs is a big thing of mine, so please, don't feel like there's any tension here.
Basically, I'm open-minded and I'm here for everyone. Everyone is invited to this blog - it is an open community, after all - but your own conduct here determines whether you're welcomed. ;) Just have fun and be nice, and everyone will turn out alright.
