Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Can't write a sentence... come on America....
Has instant messaging and text messaging killed grammar and spelling? It sure does seem that it has. Shirley English, the art of writing was forced upon me at the young age of nine but I guess for some it never stuck. Spelling bees and spelling test also seemed to have failed at teaching the correct spelling of simple words such as you, and, in, be, and so on. This phenomenon has hit my generation as well at corporate America. Not only has grammar and spelling gone out the window but so has the art of formal writing. Formal writing was something people would have died for one hundred years ago. The art of writing in general was limited to only a select educated few. Why have we all of the sudden made writing so lazy? Is it really that difficult to type out the words you instead of u, or in instead of in, or be instead of be. Try adding a few commas and periods and lose the exclamation points. Writing is so important to our society, computers crash and things get lost in cyberspace but books and actual writing last forever, just think about it.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Anyone know where shoppers anonymous meets?
“Hi, I am here because I have a problem, and my problem is shopping.” What it is about shopping that is so fulfilling. There is just something about buying new shoes, or a new purse, or new anything that just makes me so happy. I honestly cannot go to the mall without wanting to buy something or buying something. I cannot tell you how many times I have gone up to Northpark to get shampoo or something little like that and have come home with shoes and dresses and everything imaginable. Don’t get me wrong it doesn’t matter where I shop and if I couldn’t shop at Northpark I would probably be wondering the bins of a Target or a thrift shop somewhere.
I have fallen under the spell of materialism but in the sense that I just love clothes. Maybe it’s because they don’t fight with me, or break up with me, or lie to me, or ditch me and they always listen and they are always there. Whenever I buy something new I can’t help but revel in it for days. It is like meeting someone new but better! There is almost a sense of security when you shop, for the most part what you buy is for you and your enjoyment and it is not about anyone else.
Sure I have run into some issues with my habit, most of them including my mom just lecturing about stuff. I like to think that it is okay though because I could be spending money on stuff I really shouldn’t like drugs and alcohol. Everyone has that one thing in their lives that keeps them running, that gives them a reason to get up in the morning, it just so happens that mine is shopping.
I have fallen under the spell of materialism but in the sense that I just love clothes. Maybe it’s because they don’t fight with me, or break up with me, or lie to me, or ditch me and they always listen and they are always there. Whenever I buy something new I can’t help but revel in it for days. It is like meeting someone new but better! There is almost a sense of security when you shop, for the most part what you buy is for you and your enjoyment and it is not about anyone else.
Sure I have run into some issues with my habit, most of them including my mom just lecturing about stuff. I like to think that it is okay though because I could be spending money on stuff I really shouldn’t like drugs and alcohol. Everyone has that one thing in their lives that keeps them running, that gives them a reason to get up in the morning, it just so happens that mine is shopping.
Boys.... who needs em
A lot of girls seem to define themselves by their boyfriends. They lose their own identity when they are dating someone. For example when they go to introduce themselves to someone that MIGHT know that boy they say something like, “Hi I’m _______, __________’s girlfriend.” I just think it is getting so sad that girls are doing this. I am probably the biggest hypocrite on this subject because I know I have done the same thing but now I am seeing everything in a whole different light.
Not only are girls defining themselves by their boyfriends they are blind to everything that they are doing behind their backs. Trust me when I tell you that they are not as sweet and trustworthy as we like to think. I don’t know if it is just the frat scene or if all SMU boys think they are entitled to everything. They do whatever they want no matter how much they hurt the third party. My ex, a member of a certain frat that I wont mention, used to tell me numerous times a week how these boys would be cheating on their girlfriends and their girlfriends had no idea. I have never known so many boys that do that, sure in high school there were a few (A VERY SMALL FEW) but the amount now is just sad. If you are in a relationship with someone even just for a short period of time be faithful or don’t be in the relationship. Isn’t pointless for a boy to be in it if he is going to cheat on you? Sure he likes you… but he wants her and he is going to have her even if he is with you!
This is just my warning girls. Don’t fall for their lies and don’t get me wrong there has to be some good ones out their but, considering that every single guy I know in a certain frat I wont name cheated on their girlfriends the likelihood of it happening to one of it is concerning. All I have to say is, keep your own identity, NEVER define yourself by who your boyfriend is because in the end being you and not “Michael’s girlfriend” is going to pay off a lot more.
Not only are girls defining themselves by their boyfriends they are blind to everything that they are doing behind their backs. Trust me when I tell you that they are not as sweet and trustworthy as we like to think. I don’t know if it is just the frat scene or if all SMU boys think they are entitled to everything. They do whatever they want no matter how much they hurt the third party. My ex, a member of a certain frat that I wont mention, used to tell me numerous times a week how these boys would be cheating on their girlfriends and their girlfriends had no idea. I have never known so many boys that do that, sure in high school there were a few (A VERY SMALL FEW) but the amount now is just sad. If you are in a relationship with someone even just for a short period of time be faithful or don’t be in the relationship. Isn’t pointless for a boy to be in it if he is going to cheat on you? Sure he likes you… but he wants her and he is going to have her even if he is with you!
This is just my warning girls. Don’t fall for their lies and don’t get me wrong there has to be some good ones out their but, considering that every single guy I know in a certain frat I wont name cheated on their girlfriends the likelihood of it happening to one of it is concerning. All I have to say is, keep your own identity, NEVER define yourself by who your boyfriend is because in the end being you and not “Michael’s girlfriend” is going to pay off a lot more.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Paper Argument
A lot of families these days seem to be missing something in their relationships with one another. The strong family ties seem to have been lost somewhere way in the past. Relationships between each member of the family are very weak and most families do not even know each other anymore. This is a huge reason why the divorce rate has sky rocketed.
It seems as though many families only think providing material goods (including food, clothes, and shelter) is the only thing that parents need to do. In reality there is another HUGE aspect in parenting and that is providing your children with love and respect and not only with children but between spouses. With that aspect gone families no longer seem to take interest in one another goals and do not really participate in challenging activities together that can create flow.
Csikszentmahalyi says, “it takes more than food in the fridge and two cars in the garage to keep a family going” (110). Today’s society has made materialism such an important part of life that we have all seem to have forgotten to basics to life. “The most widespread attitude seems to be that as long as material needs are provided for, a family will take care of itself; it will be a warm, harmonious, permanent refuge in a cold and dangerous world” (110). Sadly, we have seen that this is not true. Families that lack the strong bonds that tie a family together fall apart in the end if it is by divorce or just growing so far apart that there is no longer than comfort there between family members.
Csikszentmahayli goes as far to point out that in the past marriages lasted forever because the wife and husband needed each other to life. For example; a farmer takes care of his field and the wife takes care of the house. Therefore, they are both working together for the single goal for supporting their family and being able to live and eat. Nowadays man and woman do not need each other to survive economically. A woman can now go and get a job and support her just like a man can. “When marriage was supposed to be forever, it did not need constant effort to maintain” (111).
It seems as though many families only think providing material goods (including food, clothes, and shelter) is the only thing that parents need to do. In reality there is another HUGE aspect in parenting and that is providing your children with love and respect and not only with children but between spouses. With that aspect gone families no longer seem to take interest in one another goals and do not really participate in challenging activities together that can create flow.
Csikszentmahalyi says, “it takes more than food in the fridge and two cars in the garage to keep a family going” (110). Today’s society has made materialism such an important part of life that we have all seem to have forgotten to basics to life. “The most widespread attitude seems to be that as long as material needs are provided for, a family will take care of itself; it will be a warm, harmonious, permanent refuge in a cold and dangerous world” (110). Sadly, we have seen that this is not true. Families that lack the strong bonds that tie a family together fall apart in the end if it is by divorce or just growing so far apart that there is no longer than comfort there between family members.
Csikszentmahayli goes as far to point out that in the past marriages lasted forever because the wife and husband needed each other to life. For example; a farmer takes care of his field and the wife takes care of the house. Therefore, they are both working together for the single goal for supporting their family and being able to live and eat. Nowadays man and woman do not need each other to survive economically. A woman can now go and get a job and support her just like a man can. “When marriage was supposed to be forever, it did not need constant effort to maintain” (111).
Friday, February 29, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
....
Why are certain words offensive when members of a different group, race, or religion use them but not when a member of the same group uses them? If they are going to be offensive shouldn’t they be off limits to everyone? For example; girls walk around calling each other sluts or whores but as soon as guys say it, ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE. If we don’t like it when they say it shouldn’t we set the example ourselves and just avoid using those words to describe someone? Same with the word nigger, I find it so offensive when it is used by anyone. It is incredibly demeaning and the fact that rappers go throwing that word around in almost every song it gives the younger kids the idea that it is okay to say that, and it is not!
Friday, February 22, 2008
A Soldier's Homecoming
My cousin, Leslie, is married to a soldier who has been in Iraq for three years and during that time only coming home a few days. They have two children, Gracie a three year old and Christian a six year old. Gracie just started day care and Christian has finally gotten adjusted to the first grade. A few days ago, Leslie received news that her husband would be returning to the states and after three months at the Army base in Kansas he would be home for good. He has requested Leslie to pick up and move from their comfy home in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they are just a five minute drive from their grandparents, to Kansas for those months.
In my opinion, her husband is being extremely selfish. I understand that he wants to see his children, but it is not fair of him to ask them to put their lives on hold for him. The whole family agrees with this, they also have tried to talk Leslie into bringing the kids down every other weekend or so. Once these months are over, he has all the time in the world to spend with the children, in their home. My cousin, of course, is obeying is wishing despite the arguments being raised by all extended family members. Are we wrong about him being selfish? What would you do if you were in Leslie’s position?
In my opinion, her husband is being extremely selfish. I understand that he wants to see his children, but it is not fair of him to ask them to put their lives on hold for him. The whole family agrees with this, they also have tried to talk Leslie into bringing the kids down every other weekend or so. Once these months are over, he has all the time in the world to spend with the children, in their home. My cousin, of course, is obeying is wishing despite the arguments being raised by all extended family members. Are we wrong about him being selfish? What would you do if you were in Leslie’s position?
Friday, February 1, 2008
Insight.
What is the world coming to if everything we do must be done in excess? I’ve started to notice that slowly all trends go from having a few of these or doing a little bit of these and then all of the sudden it turns into, we have to have all of this and do this ALL the time. From shoes to drugs, our country is slowly turning into a world of overindulgence.
It starts with the kids who abuse drugs to a point of killing their minds or even worse themselves. Why did they even start up to begin with? I know they consider addiction a disease now, but I really wonder if it really is a disease of if it is another one of our excuses. Having an older brother who has been in and out of rehab and jail since I was 12(he was 16) I have little sympathy for those who can do something so stupid and completely rip a family apart and still sit there and do the same thing. It completely baffles me. The doctors insist that it is his addiction doing this, but I just don’t buy it. Especailly now a days where doctors have basically made up a diagnosis for everything from boredom in class (or what they like to call ADD) to depression because people just aren't ALWAYS happy.
Drug addiction most often happens to the people who cannot deal with real life. They use drugs because they cannot handle real emotions, whatever they might be. They use and abuse until there is nothing left. They rip threw every relationship, family and friends, until they get what they need, but then there is no stopping it. It is a circle that never ends. I understand that life sucks sometimes, but seriously deal with it like everyone else by shopping, exercising, or screaming and crying, just stop with the stupid stuff that can kill you.
It starts with the kids who abuse drugs to a point of killing their minds or even worse themselves. Why did they even start up to begin with? I know they consider addiction a disease now, but I really wonder if it really is a disease of if it is another one of our excuses. Having an older brother who has been in and out of rehab and jail since I was 12(he was 16) I have little sympathy for those who can do something so stupid and completely rip a family apart and still sit there and do the same thing. It completely baffles me. The doctors insist that it is his addiction doing this, but I just don’t buy it. Especailly now a days where doctors have basically made up a diagnosis for everything from boredom in class (or what they like to call ADD) to depression because people just aren't ALWAYS happy.
Drug addiction most often happens to the people who cannot deal with real life. They use drugs because they cannot handle real emotions, whatever they might be. They use and abuse until there is nothing left. They rip threw every relationship, family and friends, until they get what they need, but then there is no stopping it. It is a circle that never ends. I understand that life sucks sometimes, but seriously deal with it like everyone else by shopping, exercising, or screaming and crying, just stop with the stupid stuff that can kill you.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Blogging!
As a student, I can attest to sometimes finding it difficult to fully speak my mind and get my thoughts out clearly on a piece of paper. For some reason when a topic, paper, pencil and a due date are set before me, my mind immediately draws a blank. Any other time I could chat up a storm about anything but as soon as it’s official and is going to be graded, writing becomes extremely challenging.
Blogging breaks down the walls that many students, me included, face when it comes to writing papers. It allows us to speak our minds about anything that we want, not just the topics professors ask us write about. It makes writing seem less like an assignment and more like something we choose to do.
Not only can we write what we want more easily but also we can speak our minds about what other people have said on their own blogs. As a part of the more technologically advanced generation, we have learned to speak out, or in our case type out, our feelings rather than deal with face-to-face confrontation. To clarify, the Internet is a lot like our generations permanent safety blanket. It has opened doors for even the shyest of kids to speak their minds without actually have to speak.
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