Welcome to official adulthood where it is perfectly legal to stay young at heart! And happy belated birthday.
And Aliana-dear, you must vote!


Ivy:: That's a great list and many of the things are easy to change. I think you should post it in Your Life too, perhaps like a thread where people can share eco-friendly tips and advice. It concerns our future!!

I always bring my own shopping bags when I go grocery shopping.

I use public transportation (don't have a car, don't need a car since I live in the city)

I seperate my garbage (glass, paper etc.)

I turn off lights and eletronic devices when i don't need them

I generally try not to waste too much or over-consume when it isn't necessary

And that's my small contribution to a greener planet.

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I use mainly natural liquid/soft soap for any kind of cleaning (whether kitchen or bathroom). I just pour some into one of those plastic spray bottles, add water - shake to mix and it's ready to go. Cleans way better than any chemical stuff would too.

My parents have been using cloth shopping bags for an eternity, so I grew up on that. I think they still have the same ones from 15 years ago. I don't have any of my own [yet] so I tend to re-use the plastic shopping bags I already have. Supermarkets in Sweden always go for the sturdier kind of plastic bags that last longer so you know you can re-use them for months and months.

I separate my garbage (clear glass, colored glass, soft plastic, hard plastic, paper, cardboard, metal, batteries, lightbulbs etc).

I use energy-efficient light bulbs.


That's what I can think of at the moment.

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.*+I'VE MET ANTIGONE, MONTANABOHEMIAN, RAIVYNN PHOENIX, BERIADANWEN & PIRATEOFTHERINGS+*.

(¯`•¸·´¯`·._.·[TRUE VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE]·._.·´¯`·¸•´¯)

Hey, I never noticed this group until now, I'd love to join I'll be 20 this year (which I still can't believe!).

As for the topic at hand, my mother is very environmentally conscious which has definitely had an effect on me. Most of the food in our house is organic, and we're gradually switching from plastic containers to glass and other less harmful materials. Unfortunately, due to the cost I won't be able to keep this up on my own as a broke university student.

Things I personally do: I try to never take a bag at any store and in the past couple years I have reduced how much I consume: in terms of new clothing, school supplies, and lots of other things. Part of it is the environmental factor (reduce, reduce, reduce!), another aspect is the exploitation that is involved in a lot of manufacturing, and the 3rd factor is realizing that consuming does not equal happiness.

When it comes to cleaning, all natural is the best along with using cloths/mops etc. instead of some of the more convenient products on the market. Honestly, it's all I've ever known in my home. Once I move out, I don't see myself changing my habits. It's what you get used to. And when you know all the benefits of being more green, the bit of extra effort is worth it. Especially when it means saving $.

This is an old topic, but I wanted to respond to it:



I've talked about this a bit with my friends and I have mixed feelings about it. I would never go back to high school. It wasn't an all-bad experience, but not something I'd like to repeat. At the same time, looking back, it was easier. Less responsibility, less significant problems. However, I know I didn't feel that way when I was actually there. At the time, all those petty issues seemed serious, and I just wanted to get out. I only wish that I could have appreciated the simplicity of high school.

I guess in high school you feel like you have no freedom because of your parents. After high school, you create your own boundaries. You can do whatever you want, but you probably won't. It seems easier to just conform to what's expected of you. Being in high school has a lot of similarities with being an adult - with the responsibilities, social dynamics and the oppression of freedom just on a bigger scale.

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Proud Member of the The Evilishy Nazgûl Alliance for World Domination
{Beri}

A question for you guys who use the organic, eco-friendly soap for cleaning the house. I really want to switch to something natural but I'm not sure what to choose and whether it's effective. Should I look for something special? I know that some of the products contain lime or something instead of evil chlorine-fighting chemicals, but does it actually work against say chlorine?

In response to the "was high school a simpler time"-topic. Yes and no. Yes, it was a simpler time but only when you look back at it now. Like you said Beri, it seemed easier but I don't think it necessarily was. I remember having a good time in high school and my life was structured around going to school, working a couple of hours a week, doing sports, doing my home work and hanging out with my friends. Relatively simple but it was a lot at that time and I wouldn't have time to do much more back then - and I didn't care to do other things either. Like what other things would a hight school student want to do...
I wasn't ready to do more really - or do other things, not the way I am now at least. It's all a part of the development of the self, of growing up, maturing and all that becoming an adult-stuff.

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As for organic soaps, I use all natural cleaning products most of the time.... because, I work at an organic/all natural store and I get a discount. As well, I have very sensitive skin, so any commercial cleaning product makes me have an allergic reaction. Anyway, I've found that organic/all natural products work quite well, I've found they're quite effective. So, I highly suggest the switch, they're better for the environment and youuuu!

As for high school, I found it sort of harder than Uni, possibly because the classes I'm taking in Uni, I'm really interested in. Many of the classes I took in high school were definitely more difficult and time consuming...however, I have to admit, the papers at Uni are definitely much longer.

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^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*

Sida:: But when they don't contain chemicals what do they contain to fight the dirt and grease? Excuse me for being raised in a chemical-infected environment where my mind is so narrow so I can't possibly imagine how you can clean without Cillit Bang.

And when and where are you going to tell us about your exotic adventures in the land far, far away?


Gimli:: But what you do is still wonderful. I think people need to be environmentally conscious but they should do it from they own free will and because they can see the point in doing it. There sure are lot of theories and an equal amount of myths about the climate, it's hard to know what to believe but I follow my own heart and logic. I re-cycle when I can because it makes sense, I try not to waste too much because it makes sense, I try to buy organic because I want to avoid pesticides and chemicals and for the sake of the animals etc.

About a year ago I started to develop some rash that was very annoying and I tried to avoid parfum in soap, body lotion and shampoo to see if it got better. Hmmm... actually, I ought to go to the doctor.. oh, well, I keep telling myself it'll be better when the summer comes.. in fact, it does get better when I can wear lighter clothes...

But my point is that you should do what you feel makes sense to you. Like I might do all of the above but I still happily fly around the globe and back, emitting tons of CO2 and killing the environment that way.. ba-ad Eä, bad!

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Ea, I developed the same sort of rash! I stopped using all the soaps and lotions that have chemicals and perfumes in them and sadly most of the rash still remained, but then I switched laundry detergents to something more eco-friendly and all-natural, and the rash went away (And then, my mom started brewing her own all-natural Laundry soap, but I think that's a story for another time....). So, I've come to realize that I and synthetic chemicals don't mix. Anyway, as for your question about the soaps and cleanliness of it all. I've found that the all-natural-eco-friendly stuff works just as well as the other stuff. It may take a little more scrubbing but, I've found the results about the same as commercial brands. All lot of the cleaning ingredients are plant based or mineral based which are found within the environment and have less harmful adverse of effects on the environment when used. In fact, I grew up with a lot of brand-name cleaners and when my parents switched from using them I was sick less....or maybe my immune system just made itself stronger or something....

Anyway, I don't think anyone should feel guilty if they think they're not "doing enough for the environment". Everyone should do what feels comfortable for them. I do what feels comfortable for myself and it happens to be avoiding chemicals and stuff because those things make me sick. And, I know I'm not the best environmentally friendly person because I just flew back from Africa...oh geez, all that CO2. But, it was the best CO2 emitted into the environment ever.

Anyway, any little tiny bit helps the environment, even if it's just reusing shopping bags or walking to school.

As for my exciting exotic adventure, I'm going to take the lazy way out and invite you to visit my blog! Because so much happened and I don't know if I can explain it all! I'm currently posting all the emails I sent out when I was abroad detailing all of our adventures. The most recent is the recollection of camping in the Sahara after riding camels to the campsite.

http://lizhiggins.blogspot.com/

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^Actually Sida, the only thing I need to switch now is my laundry detergent and I think you're right. My clothes is what's closest to my skin so it makes sense that this causes the rash. I was just hoping the other changes would help. I live in a student building and we have a common washing room. It's a lot easier to use the detergent that's already in the washing machine...


Ohh, interesting blog. I'm happy you got to see so many places, and umm.. Toto you say...? I bless the rains down in Africaaaaa, lol, I have very odd pictures in my head now... including a desert, a dancing Sida and a camel...

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^^ I left a comment on your blog.


So I know I've mentioned this in several threads now but work and study do occupy much time in my life right now. Serioudly, I just realised that I spend more time at work than I do with friends or other people I choose to be with!! And not that I don't like my co-workers, they are nice people (except for my boss, unfortunately, but that's another story!) but it's a lot of time to spend with people you haven't chosen.

Well, anyway, I wanted to hear about your jobs/student jobs, what do you do, what are your experiences? Do you like what you do, what was your best job and what would you like to work with in the future? How do you get along with your co-workers?

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Jobs, jobs, jobs. I've worked an interesting variety of jobs from Arabic Summer camps to Stable work to Grocery stores.

The last job I held I worked at an All-Natural Grocery Store making pizza/pasta for the "Grab and Go" section. I worked there for 5 years while going to school, I had to quit when I went to Morocco. But, they've been kind to me and "hired" me back to work as a sub while I go to school. So, I get to pick and chose my work schedule there, it's really awesome! At times, I would say it has been the best job and worst job I've ever held. The best job in the sense that I got to meet tons of people from every walk of life and have made the best of friends and mentors from working there. While at the same time, the worst job because I've had soo many health problems since working there....like my lower back is all messed up and I've developed Arthritis in my hip from standing and lifting heavy things there constantly!

This summer I'll be working at the Arabic Summer Camp again, which makes me happy, I love working with Highschool students and teaching them Arabic! It's so much fun!

In the future, like, when I grow up...I want to work for an NGO that's focused on Rural issues in the Middle East and North Africa...I'll probably also get my TEFL certificate or something...However, my English isn't that excellent..so who knows....

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Hello all! I turned 18 waaahay back in December, and I've really been meaning to post here for all that time. But I've been a bas AU-er and have gotten busy with real life...

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And all will turn to silver glass...



By Goldstrike

Hahah, that's adult life for you!!

Nah, busy is alright as long as it's fun.

Happy birthday in December and welcome to da club!

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Definitely fun. Well... At times Being busy is always fun. Its the school that I could do without.

Thank you, dearest Ea

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And all will turn to silver glass...



By Goldstrike

You're welcome!

So now that all the pleasant welcoming is over the hard work starts; you must contribute to the club!

Usually, we *coughIcough* force new members to introduce themselves, like tell what they are doing, hobbies, how they spent their 18th b-day or anything you want to share.

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And all will turn to silver glass...



By Goldstrike