So I had a little time this morning to talk about two of my friends who have a Thursday night ritual called Jersday. If you live on this planet we call Earth you probably already know about the "epic-ness" that is Jersey Shore, which I have been guilty of watching from time to time. My friends usually switch every week who's house they watch the show at and are very set on not missing a single minute of it. Like I said I can not blame them entirely for wasting an hour of their time every week because I have joined in on this ritual a couple of times. However, I have to catch myself every so often and ask "What is the frieken significance of this mindless show?" Sure it's a lot of fun to dress up like them, have a good laugh at them, and fist pump just like them at parties... but is it really worth wasting that precious hour every week watching them get crazy drunk and beat each other up because a guy in a club had the audacity to look in their direction?
At my age, I know right from wrong so watching a tv show like this probably wouldn't influence me to add a smush room to my apt. But can you just imagine what this show is doing to those youngin's who are viewing this show, striving to hook up with their own "Italian Stallion?" Maybe I'm just more upset because I work with children. The things that come out of their mouths and their deliquent behaviors are without a doubt, directly correlated with watching this show when their parents are not aroundlor worse, they're parents don't mind them watching it. I wish the tv had a scanner that did not allow kids of a certain age to watch shows like this, but until then I'm just going to be the nerd at the party who decided to speak out against crappy television for the 30 seconds it takes you to read this post. Sorry I'm not sorry.
Be courageous.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Gahhhh!!!
So the title of this post is really all I can say at the moment because there are no words to make up for how many days I have gone without writing. Between 2 jobs, planning a wedding that will happily end my long distance relationship once and for all, and searching for insanely inspiring grad schools, blogging has unfortunately gone to the bottom of my to-do list. If you haven't given up on me yet hang in there! I have so many "friends" to catch you up on! Don't worry I'm making a list. I promise, if you give me just a few more weeks, things will slow down and I will have checked off a highly anticipated life changing event to my list of things to be thankful for: )
In the meantime, I have a friend who has the most interesting book collection. She has a crazy passion for improving the lives and well-being of all children and even rivals my personal drive to help the less fortunate little ones. She let me borrow one of her books called "Jesus Land" and although it is very sad, it is very eye-opening. It is a true story based on the accounts of one girl who endured a very abusive childhood and was brave enough to share it with the rest of the world. This book only reinforces my passion to help children who grow up not knowing right from wrong or even what true happiness is. If the book does not interest you my feelings won't be hurt. I only ask that you find another book to become inspired by as an assignment while I get my ducks in a row and finally marry the love of my life!
In the meantime, I have a friend who has the most interesting book collection. She has a crazy passion for improving the lives and well-being of all children and even rivals my personal drive to help the less fortunate little ones. She let me borrow one of her books called "Jesus Land" and although it is very sad, it is very eye-opening. It is a true story based on the accounts of one girl who endured a very abusive childhood and was brave enough to share it with the rest of the world. This book only reinforces my passion to help children who grow up not knowing right from wrong or even what true happiness is. If the book does not interest you my feelings won't be hurt. I only ask that you find another book to become inspired by as an assignment while I get my ducks in a row and finally marry the love of my life!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Reduce the use!
I have a friend who hates his job. More specifically, hates the machines who make his job needlessly difficult. What does he do you ask? He works in a mass production factory that produces canned meat. He is only doing this job for the summer to make money for college but I highly doubt he will going back, regardless of how much they are willing to pay him.
The thing he hates most about it is the inefficiency of mass production and how much the company wastes everyday, which is a contributing factor to why food prices are so high. There is no work incentive to do a good job because the line is so huge that that he does not see the end product nor will he get credit or blame for the finished product. So why should he care how much he throws away if the company is still going to charge their high prices for cheap products?
I apologize for this turning into a "debby downer" sort of blog but I feel this kind of topic needs to be shared because of how much not only big companies, but we as Americans waste products everyday. I try my darndest to take my recyclable bags to the grocery story and I'm proud to say my apartment complex has a recycling program, but I know it is still not enough.
Another friend of mine told me about a grocery store in Texas that recently opened and is changing the face of grocery shopping. Every shopper that comes into the store brings their own food storage containers because the food coming into the store is not sold in pre-packaged portions. That way you can take how much you need instead of wasting what you don't want. This bright idea also decreases the price of their food because consumers are not paying for the high price of packaging. Hopefull it catches on!
The thing he hates most about it is the inefficiency of mass production and how much the company wastes everyday, which is a contributing factor to why food prices are so high. There is no work incentive to do a good job because the line is so huge that that he does not see the end product nor will he get credit or blame for the finished product. So why should he care how much he throws away if the company is still going to charge their high prices for cheap products?
I apologize for this turning into a "debby downer" sort of blog but I feel this kind of topic needs to be shared because of how much not only big companies, but we as Americans waste products everyday. I try my darndest to take my recyclable bags to the grocery story and I'm proud to say my apartment complex has a recycling program, but I know it is still not enough.
Another friend of mine told me about a grocery store in Texas that recently opened and is changing the face of grocery shopping. Every shopper that comes into the store brings their own food storage containers because the food coming into the store is not sold in pre-packaged portions. That way you can take how much you need instead of wasting what you don't want. This bright idea also decreases the price of their food because consumers are not paying for the high price of packaging. Hopefull it catches on!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Apology...
So obviously I'm not very good at this at 12 am so I made a few corrections in my last post. Still not perfection but I think its tolerable. Sorry!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
I'm sorry I'm white?
I have a friend who I just met today at my new, very intense job. I am very excited to get to know him more as well as the other members of the staff and can't wait to learn and grow from them!
Upon meeting this one particular friend for the first time, we had a conversation about something that I love to discuss but it is very controversial and I am still on the fence about it myself. This discussion started when I asked my friend where he was from, how long he has worked here, ya da ya da. He said that he has worked at this non-profit (that shall remain anonymous) for 3 years and is planning to become a police officer in the very near future. He has tried to become a West Des Moines Police Officer and was 9 months into the process and they cut him. They said he wasn't the "right" fit. He has also tried to become a State Trooper and again, still not the "right" fit for the job. He explained to me that the reason he is not the right fit is because he is a male Caucasian who comes from a very nice suburb and the academy is required to have a variety of ethnicities and backgrounds in their ranks that have experienced urban communities and have also experienced prejudice themselves. But isn't that prejudice against him as an "ordinary" citizen?
I was immediately intrigued by his views because I have learned through many class discussions how Affirmative Action can work greatly in your favor as well as how terribly it can work against you. Before these class discussions, I thought Affirmative Action was perfect and awesome because it helped those less fortunate, especially minorities, earn an opportunity that they may not have had growing up in their community or environment because of a lack of funds or resources.
Post-class discussions, I have learned that many lawsuits have actually occurred over the years because Caucasians are now experiencing "reverse discrimination" in which they are denied enrollments or careers because their institution of choice only allows a certain percentage of a race or background and have filled their quota, even if the next minority they allow in had a lower GPA or less experience than him/her.
I may not have explained this in the best way possible but here is an excerpt from an article I used in a paper, giving an example of the misfortunes of Affirmative Action...
Oh and p.s.- if you are reading this blog, share your info by creating a blogger account or connect my blog to your gmail and start following me so I don't feel like I am talking to the air. If you have questions just e-mail me.Thanks!
Upon meeting this one particular friend for the first time, we had a conversation about something that I love to discuss but it is very controversial and I am still on the fence about it myself. This discussion started when I asked my friend where he was from, how long he has worked here, ya da ya da. He said that he has worked at this non-profit (that shall remain anonymous) for 3 years and is planning to become a police officer in the very near future. He has tried to become a West Des Moines Police Officer and was 9 months into the process and they cut him. They said he wasn't the "right" fit. He has also tried to become a State Trooper and again, still not the "right" fit for the job. He explained to me that the reason he is not the right fit is because he is a male Caucasian who comes from a very nice suburb and the academy is required to have a variety of ethnicities and backgrounds in their ranks that have experienced urban communities and have also experienced prejudice themselves. But isn't that prejudice against him as an "ordinary" citizen?
I was immediately intrigued by his views because I have learned through many class discussions how Affirmative Action can work greatly in your favor as well as how terribly it can work against you. Before these class discussions, I thought Affirmative Action was perfect and awesome because it helped those less fortunate, especially minorities, earn an opportunity that they may not have had growing up in their community or environment because of a lack of funds or resources.
Post-class discussions, I have learned that many lawsuits have actually occurred over the years because Caucasians are now experiencing "reverse discrimination" in which they are denied enrollments or careers because their institution of choice only allows a certain percentage of a race or background and have filled their quota, even if the next minority they allow in had a lower GPA or less experience than him/her.
I may not have explained this in the best way possible but here is an excerpt from an article I used in a paper, giving an example of the misfortunes of Affirmative Action...
1. City of Richmond v. Croson
This case involved affirmative action programs at the state and local levels—a Richmond program setting aside 30% of city construction funds for black-owned firms was challenged. For the first time, affirmative action was judged as a "highly suspect tool." The Supreme Court ruled that an "amorphous claim that there has been past discrimination in a particular industry cannot justify the use of an unyielding racial quota.(Meaning they can’t establish this quota without reasonable cause that there has been discrimination) It maintained that affirmative action must be subject to "strict scrutiny" and is unconstitutional unless racial discrimination can be proven to be "widespread throughout a particular industry." The Court maintained that "the purpose of strict scrutiny is to `smoke out' illegitimate uses of race by assuring that the legislative body is pursuing a goal important enough to warrant use of a highly suspect tool. The test also ensures that the means chosen `fit' this compelling goal so closely that there is little or no possibility that the motive for the classification was illegitimate racial prejudice or stereotype."
This case involved affirmative action programs at the state and local levels—a Richmond program setting aside 30% of city construction funds for black-owned firms was challenged. For the first time, affirmative action was judged as a "highly suspect tool." The Supreme Court ruled that an "amorphous claim that there has been past discrimination in a particular industry cannot justify the use of an unyielding racial quota.(Meaning they can’t establish this quota without reasonable cause that there has been discrimination) It maintained that affirmative action must be subject to "strict scrutiny" and is unconstitutional unless racial discrimination can be proven to be "widespread throughout a particular industry." The Court maintained that "the purpose of strict scrutiny is to `smoke out' illegitimate uses of race by assuring that the legislative body is pursuing a goal important enough to warrant use of a highly suspect tool. The test also ensures that the means chosen `fit' this compelling goal so closely that there is little or no possibility that the motive for the classification was illegitimate racial prejudice or stereotype."
Oh and p.s.- if you are reading this blog, share your info by creating a blogger account or connect my blog to your gmail and start following me so I don't feel like I am talking to the air. If you have questions just e-mail me.Thanks!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Welcome Home
Sorry folks about the inconsistency in my blogging these past couple of weeks. Lots of things on my to do list including introducing another friend I would like to share with you. I decided I am going to make it a habit to blog Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday of every week so let's see if I can hold myself to it. Although it is 1:15 am on Wednesday I am counting this as my Tuesday blog since I have not begun my Tuesday night slumber. Enough said, let's move on.
I have a friend who just came home from serving our country in a year long deployment to Afghanistan. I have known several people who have served overseas to defend our freedom but this was my first time witnessing the coming home ceremony. I anticipated a lot of emotions and happy reunions between families but what I did not realize was the amount of intense emotions I surprisingly felt that day. Don't get me wrong, I was very excited for my friend to come home and if you're reading this post, "friend-who-I'm-talking-about," you are probably making some very sarcastic yet humorous remarks right about how I am now back down to #2 in the family (inside joke ;)), but I haven't been able to get to know this soon to be brother-in-law as well as the rest of the family and I'm hoping that now he is home that will change. So, yes I was excited but I was willing to wait my turn in the line of hugs from wifey, parents, daughter, and siblings.
So, as the bag pipes played and the Freedom Riders rolled in, I was instantly overcome with a multitude of emotions: pride, happiness, love, joy, excitement. Maybe I was surprised because I have never been a big fan of war but that was completely washed out of my mind when I saw these brave men and women marching into the UNI-Dome and I almost shed a few tears when I saw two little boys (in their own little soldier outfits-so cute!) in front of me jumping up and down, frantically searching for their dad in the crowd of soldiers.
I am still not a big fan of war and I hope for better strategies than sacrificing human lives someday, but it is an absolute necessity to defend our country from foreign enemies and I know I would never have the strength or courage to do what I am proud to say that my fiance and all 3 of my future sibling-in-laws are/will be doing to keep our country safe.
I have a friend who just came home from serving our country in a year long deployment to Afghanistan. I have known several people who have served overseas to defend our freedom but this was my first time witnessing the coming home ceremony. I anticipated a lot of emotions and happy reunions between families but what I did not realize was the amount of intense emotions I surprisingly felt that day. Don't get me wrong, I was very excited for my friend to come home and if you're reading this post, "friend-who-I'm-talking-about," you are probably making some very sarcastic yet humorous remarks right about how I am now back down to #2 in the family (inside joke ;)), but I haven't been able to get to know this soon to be brother-in-law as well as the rest of the family and I'm hoping that now he is home that will change. So, yes I was excited but I was willing to wait my turn in the line of hugs from wifey, parents, daughter, and siblings.
So, as the bag pipes played and the Freedom Riders rolled in, I was instantly overcome with a multitude of emotions: pride, happiness, love, joy, excitement. Maybe I was surprised because I have never been a big fan of war but that was completely washed out of my mind when I saw these brave men and women marching into the UNI-Dome and I almost shed a few tears when I saw two little boys (in their own little soldier outfits-so cute!) in front of me jumping up and down, frantically searching for their dad in the crowd of soldiers.
I am still not a big fan of war and I hope for better strategies than sacrificing human lives someday, but it is an absolute necessity to defend our country from foreign enemies and I know I would never have the strength or courage to do what I am proud to say that my fiance and all 3 of my future sibling-in-laws are/will be doing to keep our country safe.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Take that!
So I have a friend who looovesss soccer. Absolutely obsessed with it. He has more soccer jerseys than actual shirts. This friend has tried to get me as interested in soccer as he is but I just haven't been able to sit through an entire match while waiting for only a few goals to be scored. Until....
I have to be honest and say I have not been watching very much of the women's world cup, mainly because I can't sit for that long without changing the channel and the friend who loves soccer hates it when I do that ;)
But I decided to be nice on Sunday and as he turned on the tv I didn't complain about what we were watching because atleast we were watching girls kick butt. I knew USA has been pretty good at soccer for quite some time but this game was not looking so hot for them and even I knew the referee made a poor call on the first penalty shot. I was about to ask my friend if we could change the channel, because the game was in extra time and Brazil looked like they were going to win. Side note: For those of you who didn't watch it and know as little as I do about the sport, Brazil was HORRIBLE towards the end of the game, wasting time and even faked an injury to run down the clock so USA couldn't score(the clock doesn't stop in soccer)But...
the above video was taken 1 minute before the game ended and tied up the score and USA went on to win in penalty kicks!
Again, I am still not that big of a soccer fan but there are a lot of messages you can translate to everyday life from this game:
1. Playing dirty won't get you very far
2. Don't give up Hope (I capatilized Hope because my new favorite player in my "amateur" soccer book is Hope Solo, USA's amazing goalie :))
3. It's hard to win all by your lonesome.
I was also inspired to write this post because I recently watched a really great movie with my newly adopted life soundtrack in it and I think it is very fitting for this post. Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)