Sophie Mei

Is it unfashionable to be feminist?

Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Director for her film The Hurt Locker. She along with Sandra Bullock, another strong female figure who won her first Oscar for best actress, demonstrated true girl power, skill and glamour at this year’s Oscars.
Most of all, the day it was announced March 8th, marks International Women’s Day which this year’s theme is ‘Women in Action’ of which Sandra and Kathryn showed in true Hollywood style.

What did you do, if anything, to mark the day? Were you even aware?

I never used to know or even celebrate it as I’ve always shied away from feminism as I used to believe that feminists were men-hating, doc Martin wearing, anti-make-up and angry women. Where as I have always been happy-go-lucky, loved make up and dresses, loved men and heels even more. However, I too have argued strongly for equal rights for women, men and transgender alike.
I now realize that i am a feminist just not as extreme as others. Personally, I feel it’s important to celebrate International Women’s Day as women are still not treated equally across the world. There are varying levels of inequality depending on the country but I am yet to go anywhere for a period of time and feel that women are treated equally.

In the UK today we still don’t batter an eyelid as we glance at a topless woman on Page 3 or strip clubs opening across the country. Even in Italy, known for it’s devout religious values still broadcast women in sexily cut short skirts dumbly reading the news next to a more ‘intelligent-looking’ man.

So from Germaine Greer to Jordan – from fake nailed WAG wannabees to men-hating doc Martin wearers – we seem to be a society of extremes, however, whatever turns you on, the one thing that we as women should do is join together in the fight for universal equality for women.

So vote, be proud to be a feminist and become part of the sisterhood …
who by the way like men and make up!

Read this fabulous article from The Independent

The Hills maybe a popular American reality TV series but closer to home things have been getting active and interesting in Sheffield’s hills – after all we are the city of seven hills. Last weekend, we held a sold-out half marathon in aid of many charities one of which was Mind.

I set myself a new year’s resolution to start to run in order to improve my fitness and allow me to have a healthier diet. My friend Ruth and I booked onto the Sheffield Half Marathon, which we decided to run for my main charity that is Mind. We were inspired to do so after I helped launch Mind’s get moving and dance week last September in London’s Regent’s Park.

So the training began and it was hard at times but we kept each other going and the running greatly increased our holistic health. Having the half marathon in the distance was a great aim and spurred us on.

The big day finally came on Sunday 25^th April. We wore matching outfits (proper running ones as Ruth wouldn’t allow me to dress up as a fairy) and of course our Mind blue and green vest tops. It was a fabulous and sunny day with a really buzzing atmosphere as people lined the streets to cheer us on.

Nonetheless, it was tiring and the sun was hot but all our focus was on the finish line at Don Valley stadium where our friends were waiting. The surplus of drinks along the way really helped (especially the army men who threw water on us to cool us down).

The last 3 miles were the worst as it was really quiet and Ruth’s knees started to go and my feet were absolutely burning but we held hands and made it across the line in 2hrs36m… next year we’re aiming for 2hrs 10m as things will start getting serious! And we will be in fancy dress!

To finish off our fantabulous day of sunshine and running we held a little house party to thank people for their support for Mind and us.

You can still sponsor me for my runs in aid of Mind on my Just Giving page

You can see a couple of photos from the  run and our party here:

Courtesy of Serendipity Photography

Don’t you just hate ‘depressed’ people? Well actually the problemlies with our use of the term ‘ depressed’ in this country. We seem to coin the term depression with feeling low or moody or as we say up ‘ere mardy.

You wouldn’t be too far from the truth but there is a huge difference between having an ‘off’ day and having ‘depression.’ Depression is a serious mental health condition which 1 in 4 of us will suffer from in our lifetimes. Yes, it maybe not be physical but no, it is not just an empty turn of phrase it is an illness that can mentally cripple people and control their lives.

Ok let’s give an example, I myself was diagnosed with depression a few years back. Before that I had ‘mardy’ days where I’d storm around my room trying to tidy up but that was me being mardy and I hate to say it hormonal.

When I had depression, I would sit in my room staring into a mirror crying or some days I’d find any excuse not to go out – at one point I put on a lot of weight as I used food to comfort me and at another point I went skeletally thin. My biggest memory of a ‘depressed’ day was sat at the table at Christmas (which I normally my favourite time of year) and all I could hear was my family’s voices and I felt so alone sat in a glass bubble – I then retired to my room and spent the rest of the day under my covers.

Reight, well that anecdote wasn’t to have a ‘poor me’ effect or ‘get the violins out’ but I wanted to demonstrate the huge difference between a bad day and having depression in the hope that when you or someone you know is diagnosed with depression – to have a little more understanding of the condition – as depression is scientifically proven.

However, there are big differences with depressed people between the ‘survivors’ and the ‘victims’. Personally, I think victims are those people who won’t even attempt to challenge themselves and their behaviour.

So how do we beat depression?

Well there are charities such as, Mind – the national mental health charity (who I ran the half marathon in aid of) they also set up great initiatives like; Mind’s Get Moving and dance week – as exercise is proven to be just as effective as anti-depressants when combating depression.

How do we help depressed people? – in my opinion (and I’m no doctor)

The 3 S’

Structure (daily routines, activities, social outings/meetings)

Strategies (exercise, medical/psychological assistance, positive affirmations)

Support (Doctors/counsellors, friends/buddies, groups/clubs, family)

Held every year in April, Depression Awareness Weekâ„¢ is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness, vital funds for Depression Alliance and try to end the stigma associated with depression. You can help us by raising awareness, holding a fundraiser, donating or joining Depression Alliance.

http://www.depressionalliance.org/how-we-can-help/depression-awareness-week.php

Seneca: “There is no great genius without a tincture of madness.”

22^nd April marked my business ‘Sophie Mei’ now trading as ‘Sophie Mei Schools’ first birthday – so what did we do to celebrate? We made a DVD so those of you who don’t currently attend one of our schools can learn th art of bellydance at home.

Our first DVD is on ‘Bellydance Basics’ as our current classes are bellydance ones but eventually we hope to provide interactive culture and language learning

It’s killing me as I’m not allowed to say much about the DVD but… It will be out this Summer and will be a great opportunity for beginners to get a taster of the Art of Bellydance.

Sophie Mei Schools

http://sophie-mei.net/schools

BellyBar: Tuesdays @ Bar 360, West One, Sheffield – 18.30-19.30

BellyBasics: Saturdays @ Greens Gym, Sheffield – 9am-10am

BellyJam: Sundays @ Polish Club, Ecclesall Rd, Sheffield – 14.30 –15.30

I’ve never wanted to step foot in it … I’ve always thought the other grass was greener but now the grass is apparently a little greener at Bramall Lane as it is the new home of the Sheffield Eagles who took on Super League Wigan last weekend.

Steve Braithwaite photo

It was my first ever rugby game, well asides from the one before Christmas when I broke my Scaphoid, it was my first game as a spectator and I was a little unsure as to what to expect. Well one thing’s for sure, I wasn’t expecting a 3-course meal and a talk about the triumphant ’98 game when the Eagles beat Wigan, it was lovely though and a nice starter to my first game.

I could not get over it, not only were we sat outside in the sun ( I had tried to opt inside but apparently it’s not the thing to do) but the atmosphere between the stand of mixed supporters was so polite and tame – I almost wanted to spruce things up a little – but then I think that is because I lived in Naples and supported their team in Italy last year.

Unfortunately, Wigan charged on and beat the Eagles needless to say, for at least 20 minutes the Eagles were in control. The final score was Eagles 34 and Wigan 50, which means Wigan will go into the final 16 of the Challenge Cup.

After a fantastic match I couldn’t believe that the Eagle Players only train part-time as they’d done so well against Wigan Warriors.

I’m a true League fan now as it’s like the old school football when things weren’t so commercial. So lads and ladies get yourself there!

You can see clips of the game on MEI International’s YouTube