Counting my blessings - again

The past decade or so has brought us what is called car crash TV and C4’s My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding most definitely fits that category. A previous documentary last year and now the series have left me absolutely flabbergasted and always at the end got me wanting to break something big made of glass over my head. It is hard to believe we live in UK and that the year is 2011 when watching this programme. *shaking my head*

My friends and I have often had conversations regarding how lucky we were to have been born at the particular time we did, to which country and especially to which culture. My mum and I have never had a close or warm relationship, but the one thing she drummed to my head from early on is that girls can do what ever they want and make their own way in this seemingly mad world of men.

This is why it is so incredible for me to see these young traveller girls spouting their insane sounding drivel about their age old traditions. There are rules of how they have to behave, how they have to stay pure, even how the somewhat violent courting happens, how they are brought up to be home makers and ultimately baby makers. Only thing they are allowed to do is dress very daringly which is total double standards in my book, but I am glad they got at least something to call freedom. Education is frowned upon and they don't see any need for it in their lives.

Most religious groups have the same kind of rules, the Muslims, the orthodox Jews, various Christian sects including the Amish. But out of all the mentioned religious groups the Amish actually give their kids a choice to go and see how the others live, something called rumspringa which means literally "running around", and then give them the decision of to stay with the flock or join the rest of the "English" world. But should you choose the rest of the world, you will be shunned. At least get to choose your life but you must give up either your independence or your family. How fundamentally sad is that?

I will not commit/or by this age I have gotten rid of any kind of undesirable commitment to religion, a man, a "friend" or any other kind of partnership for that matter. It is just me myself and I, and as long as I don’t kill or break any other laws knowingly and I continue to pay my taxes, I alone will take responsibility for my actions. There, sanctimonius rant over.

Hip hip hurray for the freedom to be able to be different and I can actually honestly say; Life is good :)