COMMENT TO LITTLECOE4'S BLOG ON "WHERE TO GO"

I commented on Littlecoe4's blog on her post titled "Where to Go"...Here is my comment in case you cannot find it.

I agree with LittleCoe4 about how scary it is to envision myself outside college. My parents remind me every single day about how poor the economy is, and that I have to take advantage of every single opportunity around me, because you never know what can happen. I have just figured out what I want to major in, but I have absolutely no idea what it is that i really want to do. In these times, is it necessary to have a clear idea of what you want to do at such a young age? It certainly seems like it. I feel like I should start pursuing internship and job opportunities pertaining to my major already. This really scares me. Today we live in such a fast paced world and it actually rather frightening. We have hardly any time to enjoy just being college kids and taking interesting courses. It is all about looking ahead as to what our future holds and how we can advance ourselves. I wish society would just slow down and people could breathe and not have to worry so much about what will happen to them 6 years from now. Maybe if we did all relax a bit, the economy and pressure to succeed would not be so horrible and we could possibly even be more successful in life.

Drugs?

While I am very opposed to drugs, and have never actually seen them, I hear a lot of talk about drugs on the SMU campus. To me, this is very disappointing and says a lot about our school. SMU are has a negative stereotype when it comes to money. Some even call it "Southern Millionaires University". It makes us look even worse when drugs are so prevalent on our campus. In no way am I associated with these drugs, however I just hear about people using them and having access to them all the time. It makes SMU look so bad that kids with so much money don't know what else to do with all their time. They are so bored that use their father's money to go buy a horrible, addictive drug to appease them for the time being. It could just be rumors, and I certainly hope so, but I just hear about it so much that I presume it is actually serious. 

Before college, I was never exposed or even heard about drugs ever, so it is simply shocking that people talk about it so much here and act like it is no big deal. Was I extremely sheltered in high school? I am not sure. I am sure though, that it is not normal to talk about drugs as if they are not illegal and as if it is okay to do them. I firmly agree that all SMU students have been raised well enough to know better than to turn to drugs in time of boredom, stress, or whatever the reason may be. It is unfortunate that so many college students with such great potential and access to an amazing education turn to drugs as a way out. I certainly hope that some day, drugs will not be a topic of conversation around me, or anyone at this school. Even if it is all rumors, I would hope that drugs are not something funny enough to joke about.

Twilight

I feel like it is important to address a very popular book in today's world, and that book is Twilight. While I do believe that all reading can be beneficial, I simply do not think that Twilight is a good as everyone makes it out to be. I have read two of the books, and I have tried extremely hard to be obsessed with them. For some reason, I simply do not understand what all the craze is about. It is a nice love story sure, but it is nothing out of the ordinary. The story unravels really easily and I feel like it is weird that the main reason the vampire likes the human so much is because of her scent. To me, that is not true love. Shouldn't he love her for her heart and character? I do not think there is anything genuine about Edward's love for Bella. Additionally, Bella is initially attracted to him because of his face. I think this book is just promoting love for the wrong reasons. They do get to know each other and like one another's personalities, but it is strange to me that everything in the beginning is so superficial and fake. I just wish there would be more hype over a romance novel with more development, sincerity, and reality.

COMMENT TO STANG

COMMENT TO MS. CHANNELL'S BLOG

I commented a few days ago on Ms. Channell's post "Who Cares if Johnny Can't Read?"

FP 3 Reason and Draft

I believe it is necessary to consider all the distractions that are going on around us in the world when discussing today's decline in literacy levels and recreational reading. Now, more than ever, there are ways to go online or see in movies the answers to many things that people use to find in books. If the answer is presented right in front of you, why take an extremely long time to read it in a book? Research is showing that this lack of research and true focus we are holding when reading on something easier, like the internet, is effecting us in very malevolent ways. For one thing, students become less able to focus in long readings, and results show there has been a significant decline in scores on standardized tests. Little effects like this can damage someone's ability to sit down and focus for the rest of his or her life!

Claim: Literacy and Recreational reading is declining in today’s world because of distractions like the internet, news, and movies which promotes conformity amoung the young generation, and discourages individuality.

Reason: Internet allows for quick simple reading and makes us less urged to focus on long pieces of reading, such as a book, causing an overall decrease in education.

Evidence:  “As teenagers’ scores on standardized reading tests have declined or stagnated, some argue that the hours spent prowling the Internet are the enemy of reading — diminishing literacy, wrecking attention spans and destroying a precious common culture that exists only through the reading of books.” (Motoko)

COMMENT

I made a comment on Ms. Channell's blog.

Accepted

Getting accepted to college these days is nearly impossible. I remember less than four years ago, students were accepted into SMU with test scores and GPA's significantly lower than mine and other people who here. SMU's GPA and test score expectations have risen impressively in just a few short years. What used to be a main "backup" college for students at my high school, is now a "first choice" or "stretch" school. While that makes me happy, because it means my degree will have greater value, it scares me for the next generation of kids wanted to go to college. What is this continually greater challenge to get into a good school? Is it because more and more students are expected and want to go to college now? I really do not understand. More importantly, the types of students getting accepted is changing rapidly. No longer are the generic caucasian students getting accepted into Ivy league, or any other top tier universities. I have a best friend from high school who was involved in every activity at school from prom committee to campus republics. She played three varsity sports, had a 4.0 GPA, played the guitar at school functions, and took every AP possible. There was nothing more this friend could have to stand out in the eyes of a prestigous university. However, it seems that because she has blonde hair, pale skin, and her name may be as simple as Alex Smith, she is seen as boring and lacking diversity. If you are caucasian with no connections or legacies at a school, it is apparent that you are the most unwanted type of student these days. I am truly not trying to be rude or stereotypical, this is really just how it is. Another girl from my high school with less than half of what Alex had on her resume and both test scores and GPA significantly lower than Alex's was accepted to every single Ivy League, perhaps because she had moved to the U.S. from China only years ago. Shouldn't diversity be defined by the activities and personalities we stand for instead of our skin color? I feel like colleges' obsession with diversity is so stereotypical and can only make division between races worse in our country. Lastly, even worse than the diversity factor, is the need to have a connection to a university. I'll even admit, if my Father had not gone to SMU and had a very close relationship with his diving coach here, I probably would not have gotten in. It is just ridiculous that students with no legacies or any family friends who work at a college have practically no shot to getting in a certain school. Sometimes the perfect grades, test scores, interviews, essays, and full reseumes are not enough to get you where you want to go if you don't have anyone pulling for you in admissions. I hope that in the future the college process becomes less political and more about looking at what a student has to offer.

The Allure of Facebook

The other night I looked at the time on my computer, and it surprisingly said 2:45 AM. What was I doing? Homework, no. Research, no. Online shopping, no. The answer is that I was looking on facebook. I had been on it for a whopping two hours, for absolutely no reason. I was upset with myself, but then I was reminded that almost every teenager, even people in their twenties, use facebook as a way to pass time. And I mean LOTS of time. What is the allure? No one really can answer that. Yes, its night to be able to communicate with friends that I wouldn’t normally call, just to check up and see how they’re doing. But really, other than that, is looking at other people’s pictures and profiles all that interesting? NO.
I really do not understand why I am falling to the trend of the facebook obsession. I think my generation is so obsessed with appearance, and facebook is the best, most gossip-girl like way to present ourselves. People put up photos of them and their friends having a lot of fun, dressing up and looking cute just so people have a certain perspective of them. I’ll admit I am a victim of the album making club as well. I have put up pictures, not just so the people in them can see them, but also others. While facebook can be useful as sometimes, I believe it is our duty it rid of this nasty habit. In the long run, putting up silly pictures and looking at others profiles is not going to get us anywhere, except for gossiping about others. I am hoping that one day, the allure of facebook will be no more.

He's Just Not That Into You

He's Just Not That Into You
This past weekend I saw the long-awaited premiere of the movie “He’s Just Not That Into You”. The movie, based on a best selling book, is rumored to be a phenomenon for all the young women in the world and their constant struggle to read the minds of men. I sat through the whole film while everyone around me laughed and sighed as they pictured themselves doing similar pathetic strategies to get a man’s attention. I however, did not feel that this movie pertained to me, my life, and most importantly helping me realize what I am doing wrong with the opposite sex. The main character was so exaggerated as a love crazed, pathetic, working woman, so desperate to fall in love that I could not even identify with her. Never in my life have I waited for hours upon hours for a guy to call, or drove by a restaurant because I knew he would be there. This movie not only made me feel enraged in the fact that some women are actually like this, but also it is embarrassing for our gender overall. Any male who sees this will assume that all girls are psycho over analysts, and even worse, expect commitment after just one date. I know for a fact, I have never acted for thought like the main character in this movie, nor has any girl I have talked to. He’s Just Not That Into You is an embarrassment for the female sex and should be taken as a complete joke, because I personally do not revolve my life around men and what they think of me. I would like to think that most women around the world do things for themselves and do not try to fit the role that men want us to be.

After watching the movie, Slumdog Millionaire, I was amazed. I was even more amazed after watching “Slumdog” win 8 out of 10 nominations at the oscars. It is truly amazing that a movie full of never before seen actors can go from nothing to the best actors out there this year. What I enjoyed most about this film was that it is so versatile. It does not matter who you are or where you come from, everyone was drawn in and in the end, adored the film. I have yet to here one bad remark about it. It is one of those films that makes me feel so fortunate for living in America, and so fortunate to be brought up in such a stable life, never having to worry about strange attacks or prostitution or anything of that calibur. It was so exciting to see this film take home best picture. It is obvious that these new found actors are so down to earth and extremely talented, which Is the most exciting thing to see when their little film with a big heart triumphs over all. I think the most important thing about the movie is that it did not seem like they were acting. The characters put so much heart into everything, it did not feel scripted or like they were acting at all. I firmly believe that anyone anywhere can connect with this film and find themselves shedding a tear at the end.

I commented on theblogger2's post called "The Milennials"

The Medias Influence on Body Image

The Media’s Influence on Body Image

It is hard these days to turn on the TV and not see a ridiculously skinny actress or model, and consequently feel bad about ourselves. Considering that most of the population is not extremely skinny and made up all the time, it is wrong for the media to broadcast that women should strive to look like this. While I do promote a healthy lifestyle and that women should be active and eat nutritiously for their own happiness, the celebrities on TV are not the type of people that we should aspire to be for many reasons.

The majority of women in the United States cannot afford a personal trainer five times a week and an in house chef to prepare all of our meals organically. The media boasts these freakishly skinny women all the time, and thus sends horrible messages to the young population of teenage girls and even younger. The media should illustrate what it means to live a healthy lifestyle, not one full of eating disorders. If I were ten years old right now, growing up watching 5 foot 11, 105 pound women all the time, my understanding of beautiful would be slightly distorted too. The fact is that, genetically not many women are extremely tall and weigh a little more than 100 pounds. And to me, it is not beautiful to see these lanky, tall creatures parading fashion runways while their bodies swim in their clothes. Why is this look so sought after? I really do not understand.

There have been shocking results to studies proving that the urge to be thin is starting at an increasingly young age. According to mediafamily.com, “In a survey of girls 9 and 10 years old, 40% have tried to lose weight”. This is greatly disturbing news. I cannot even fathom thinking about my body image at such a young age. As a matter of fact, I don’t recall judging my looks until late high school or even college. Mediafamily.com also provides that, “Teen-age girls who viewed commercials depicting women who modeled the unrealistically thin-ideal type of beauty caused adolescent girls to feel less confident, more angry and more dissatisfied with their weight and appearance”. I find this appalling and depressing. This makes me never want to even have children. I would never want anyone to be born into a generation full of girls who are miserable about their body image because they compare themselves with the 0.00005% of the population. The issue concerning girls and their body image is something that needs to change. I’m not sure how it can be done, but the media definitely has the power. I pray to God that eventually it will be “cool” to love your body because its one of a kind. We are given one body and one life and its important to realize how fortunate we are to have that, and that we should take advantage of living a healthy lifestyle for ourselves, not for someone else’s image. 

Text Messaging and Driving

Texting and Driving

I think one of the biggest issues in the world today is text messaging while driving. Even though the media tries to imply that it is mostly teens and the younger generation who are text messaging when operating a vehicle, I firmly know and believe that people of all ages are a victim of this growing problem. I even admit that sometimes I am guilty of texting when in my car. Even though all people do it, according to a recent survey on momlogic.com, “46% of 16- and 17-year-olds admit to text messaging while driving”.This is a problem for many reasons.

            To begin, momlogic.com also points out that if you text while drive, “the risk for a car accident increases by 50%”. This is an extremely frightening statistic,that all teens and drivers should be aware of. Due to this statistic, its evident that text messaging while driving has caused numerous accidents in the past years. There have been so many cases of a texting driver instantly killing themselves and others. It is simply impossible to be completely focused on the road and type a message on a cell phone at the same time.

I wanted to blog about texting while driving because I feel it is very relevant to both my life and many SMU students. I sometimes find myself texting and driving. Even though I have the letters on my phone memorized and can pretty much text without looking down, it is still extremely dangerous to text. My eyes may be on the phone, but my mind is focused on what I am typing to someone, therefore I am not fully alert to everything going on around me, which could cause me to easily make a very fatal mistake. With many students on the SMU campus owning an I-phone, this issue is made even more dangerous. The keys on an I phone are so touch sensitive, it is nearly impossible to type a text without glancing down after every other letter. I think this is an issue that SMU might want to address. Considering the students here are right in the ages of the core people who are causing this problem, it is important for everyone to be aware of the risks. It would be extremely beneficial if there were more signs and messages about how treacherous text messaging and driving can be. I hope to get involved and maybe make the campus more involved in preventing students from doing this, as well keeping them updated on new statistics about the issue, so that it frightens people about the reality of this phenomenon. It is absolutely essential that we stop texting when operating a vehicle, and the first step in ending it, is to stop myself from doing it.

Spring Break

I really do not understand the point of all the SMU kids going to Mexico for spring break. Isn't the point of a break mean to get away from regular life and relax for some down time? At least, that is what I thought it was. Most everyone I know went to Puerto Vallarta, and while I am sure it was very fun, both my parents and I had extreme hesitation in me going there. I ended up not going there obviously. First of all, with the drug war going on in Mexico, it seems quite odd that hundreds of students would want to go to one of the most dangerous cities in the world, where they will be engaging in bar activities, which is not safe in the first place. I am personally just surprised that so many families let their college kids go to this place, will all the crime around it. Also, in addition to Mexico being so dangerous, is it really necessary to basically take SMU students and stick them in a foreign country? We go to school together all the time, and I did not think it was exactly smart to spend my only break of the spring semester with all the same people. I am truly just shocked that people would take the risk in going to Mexico just for a fun time, when someone could easily have been kidnapped or even killed. I hope that next year for spring break, people are a little smarter and take better precautions. 

Greek Life at SMU

After having gone through Rush in January at SMU, there is a lot on my mind concerning the Greek System at SMU. I am definitely happy I did it, however I do have quite a few complaints with how it works, and the outcome of it all. I chose a sorority based on my morals and how I felt when in the house, and because I really looked up and respected all the girls in that house. Although most of my friends went to a different house, I felt that the one I chose was the most me. Little did I know, people did not expect me to stay close with my friends who chose a different sorority. I was shocked by this assumption. Never have I ever let a social group define me as a person, or the people I associate myself with. SMU has a very single minded view of how sororities work; girls are to be friends with their sorority sisters, and are to always be representing their sorority at all times. Not that I don’t love my sorority, but I really do not find it necessary to parade around in merchandise of my sorority letters everyday, or wear pins to show off which one I am. Maybe, if the school didn’t stereotype girls by what sorority they are in, I would, but that is not the case here.  

Its like immediately someone sees my sorority letters on my shirt, they size me up as preppy, snobby, rich, and thinks I am better than everyone else. This reputation is so far off, and so unbelievably untrue that I never even want to tell people the sorority I am in. I choose to not talk about it a lot, because I would never want to limit my friend group to just members of my sorority.  I know I am not the only one that feels this way, but I wish it would be more accepted around campus to be friends with whoever, and not immediately ask what sorority I am in. I find it humorous when if I do not know who someone is, a person will reply “Oh she is a sophomore Theta”, as if because she is a theta that will give me more direction of how to think of her. The Greek System is spinning out of control if you ask me. Sororities are supposed to be a group of young women with the same morals and goals in life, working together to support a cause and help women grow and get to know one another. It should not be a gossipy, exclusive group of people, that are single minded and believe their sorority is better than other ones.

I think SMU thrives solely on the Greek System because our football teams and other sports are not supported so much here. Its like Greek life is all we have to cheer about and support. If we had this much pride for our sports teams and other important groups, we would all be less competitive with one another, and most united. I hope to see SMU more unified in the future, supporting our teams and leadership groups, and even our Greek life as a whole.

The Allure of Facebook

 

The other night I looked at the time on my computer, and it surprisingly said 2:45 AM. What was I doing? Homework, no. Research, no. Online shopping, no. The answer is that I was looking on facebook. I had been on it for a whopping two hours, for absolutely no reason. I was upset with myself, but then I was reminded that almost every teenager, even people in their twenties, use facebook as a way to pass time. And I mean LOTS of time. What is the allure? No one really can answer that. Yes, its night to be able to communicate with friends that I wouldn’t normally call, just to check up and see how they’re doing. But really, other than that, is looking at other people’s pictures and profiles all that interesting? NO.

 I really do not understand why I am falling to the trend of the facebook obsession. I think my generation is so obsessed with appearance, and facebook is the best, most gossip-girl like way to present ourselves. People put up photos of them and their friends having a lot of fun, dressing up and looking cute just so people have a certain perspective of them. I’ll admit I am a victim of the album making club as well. I have put up pictures, not just so the people in them can see them, but also others. While facebook can be useful as sometimes, I believe it is our duty it rid of this nasty habit. In the long run, putting up silly pictures and looking at others profiles is not going to get us anywhere, except for gossiping about others. I am hoping that one day, the allure of facebook will be no more.

Slumdog Millionaire

After watching the movie, Slumdog Millionaire, I was amazed. I was even more amazed after watching “Slumdog” win 8 out of 10 nominations at the oscars. It is truly amazing that a movie full of never before seen actors can go from nothing to the best actors out there this year. What I enjoyed most about this film was that it is so versatile. It does not matter who you are or where you come from, everyone was drawn in and in the end, adored the film. I have yet to here one bad remark about it. It is one of those films that makes me feel so fortunate for living in America, and so fortunate to be brought up in such a stable life, never having to worry about strange attacks or prostitution or anything of that calibur. It was so exciting to see this film take home best picture. It is obvious that these new found actors are so down to earth and extremely talented, which Is the most exciting thing to see when their little film with a big heart triumphs over all. I think the most important thing about the movie is that it did not seem like they were acting. The characters put so much heart into everything, it did not feel scripted or like they were acting at all. I firmly believe that anyone anywhere can connect with this film and find themselves shedding a tear at the end.

He's Just Not That Into You

This past weekend I saw the long-awaited premiere of the movie “He’s Just Not That Into You”. The movie, based on a best selling book, is rumored to be a phenomenon for all the young women in the world and their constant struggle to read the minds of men. I sat through the whole film while everyone around me laughed and sighed as they pictured themselves doing similar pathetic strategies to get a man’s attention. I however, did not feel that this movie pertained to me, my life, and most importantly helping me realize what I am doing wrong with the opposite sex. The main character was so exaggerated as a love crazed, pathetic, working woman, so desperate to fall in love that I could not even identify with her. Never in my life have I waited for hours upon hours for a guy to call, or drove by a restaurant because I knew he would be there. This movie not only made me feel enraged in the fact that some women are actually like this, but also it is embarrassing for our gender overall. Any male who sees this will assume that all girls are psycho over analysts, and even worse, expect commitment after just one date. I know for a fact, I have never acted for thought like the main character in this movie, nor has any girl I have talked to. He’s Just Not That Into You is an embarrassment for the female sex and should be taken as a complete joke, because I personally do not revolve my life around men and what they think of me. I would like to think that most women around the world do things for themselves and do not try to fit the role that men want us to be. 

After reading Siegel’s piece “Being There” from Against the Machine, I feel more confused than ever. I do not really understand what he is trying to get at in this part of his writing. The whole time he is criticizing people for not writing critically anymore, but just satirically and sarcastically. He says “Mockery and sarcasm, though, merely take information, crumble it up into a ball, and throw it back whence it came.” (3) I have no idea what this means, because I personally think that satire is just another form of criticism. People like Sacha Barron Cohen who criticize for a living just simply happen to do it in another way. Its not like they don’t understand and comprehend the issues they are criticizing, like Siegel seems to think. I mean haven’t some of the most powerful, famous novels been purely satirical? Those have never been criticized as people with information and no knowledge. People are constantly going to mock and ridicule things that are written or shown on TV, so I do not understand what Siegel is complaining about. This is nothing new, it has been happening forever.