Here Comes Santa Claus!

Everyone at this point in their lives have figured out that there is no big man that lives in the North Pole, travels around the world with his sleigh led by flying reindeer, goes down people's chimneys, leaves presents under the tree and eats the cookies and milk left out for him. When does this stop being reality for little kids?

I was talking with my 6 year old cousin who still believes in Santa Clause and he was making a list to send to him of all the toys he wanted. Drake couldn't be more excited and I wondered when all this excitement would end for him. When would he realize that the thing that used to get him most excited when he was little was just a fabrication? When does a child lose their innocence? Some people say its good to grow up and experience life, but what is better, being older and knowing the truth about things, or being little and believing what makes you happy, even if it isn't real?

is there such thing as supernatural?

I'm sure by now you all have heard of the movie Twilight or the Series of Book including Twlight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer. When describing what the books are about most people look at me like its stupid. They are about a girl named Bella who falls in love with a boy named Edward Cullen, a vampire. His condition limits their ability to be together and also brings many obstacles and hardships their way. The books are all about Edward and Bella's life together and apart. After reading the first book in two days, I was ready for more. I finished the second and am currently reading the third. The book presents so many ideas about how humans do not know about the immortals of the world and they will never know because it is the job of the immortals to keep it from them. This really makes me wonder about supernatural in the world... does it exist? Is everything purely based on science? Does everything have an explanation? I'm not saying that I believe there are really people out there whose skin is ice cold, undamageable, turns to diamonds in the sun, and run at impossibly fast speeds. But I can't help but wonder, what truely is out there that is beyond our imagination?

Thanksgiving or Food and Football?

Thanksgiving has been a traditional holiday that has been celebrated in the United States for decades. The meaning of Thanksgiving is for families to get together and give thanks for eachother and all that they have. I dont know about everyone else, but I feel like the meaning of Thanksgiving is getting lost. My extended family got together at my house on Thanksgiving. Turkey, gravvy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie were served like many other American families, but I dont think i heard one person say what they are thankful for. My cousins and uncles went to the basement and ate there with the television so they could watch football, and I was upstairs with my sister eating and catching up about school and friends while the women sat in the living room talking about recipies for Thanksgiving food. I realized as the night came to an end that I had got to see my family, but it wasn't really different than any other family reunion. I wonder if other families, like mine, seemed to be forgetting the whole jist of THANKSgiving. I can't help but wonder, what will happen in the future, like with the changes of Halloween over the years, will the values of Thanksgiving change as years pass? Will it just be another day of the year where families eat a big dinner? What will this day be like twenty years from now? Today, not many people talk about the pilgrims and indians, and they were the ones who originated this holiday. What else will change about our society as time goes on?

CAN THIS SERIOUSLY WORK??

Today I was having a conversation with my parents and my sister. My sister is in college and having a hard time deciding what she wants her major to be. My mom suggested that she take a personality test called the Myers- Briggs test and another one that she knew of that informed the test-taker what career they would be best in. Personally, I have taken a few personality tests to tell me what kind of a person I am (introvert or extrovert, what kind of a learner, etc.) and I thought they were kind of interesting. Then I started thinking about the fact that there was supposedly a test you could take that would tell you what your career should be. Can a test of only a hundred questions truely be able to grasp one's strengths and weaknesses well enough in order to tell them what they should be doing for the rest of their life? I dont think something like this would honestly be able to decide what career a person would be best and most satisfied with for their entire life. What do you think? Do you know someone who has based life decisions from results of something like these kinds of tests?

Take a personality test and see if it is right about you.

is it partriotic?

I had a conversation with my friends dad the other day and I thought what he had to say was very interesting. We got into a discussion about the election. We were speaking about how some people are not happy that Obama was elected and how they think he will not be capable of leading this country. My friend's dad told me openly that he voted for McCain and thought he would have been a better leader. I asked him if he was upset about the outcome. He responded by saying "So what. So I wanted McCain to win and he didn't, but now I've got to be a patriotic American. I have to support our president even if it isnt the man i voted for. He is our leader." I thought this was very interesting considering the fact that many people who don't support certain politicians campaign against them. Sure, many people out there who voted for McCain may be upset that he was not ellected, but does that give people the right to not support Obama? Is it unpatriotic to express negative thoughts towards our new president? Should the people who did not vote him into office silence their negative voices and support him even if they dont believe in some of the things he does?

What ever happened to the old-fashion newspaper?

In class today, we went on a small tangent talking about the Chicago Sun Times, and then we started talking about newspapers in general. The newspaper industry is quickly declining as a result of the advances in technology. When I looked for information pertaining to the election, I'd open up a browser window on my computer and look at articles posted on Google or Yahoo or Comcast. I may have glanced at the articles on the front page of the paper, however I never opened it up and sat down to read the content. My grandpa always came over and would read our newspaper front to back because in past decades, the radio and newspaper were the only source of news they had. Today, we have the internet, cell phones, and television channels with news on at just about every hour of the day. The demand for papers have gone down an incredible amount and this just really got me thinking about what will happen in the next few decades with technology. In the past few years, Apple came out with new technology that is sensitive to touch and can hold tons of music as well as act as a cell phone and a camera. Today we have Bluetooth technology, where not only is there no cord to your phone, but you dont even need to hold your phone to your ear in order to talk to someone. Cars can now be electrically powered, televisions and desktop computers can be as thin as a stack of a few papers. Our world is technologically advancing before our eyes. What next? What will they come up with from here? Will the things people thought were absurdly impossible years ago be accessible in the next few decades?

what America EXPECTS from Obama

"Change has come to America" Barack Obama stated in his victory speech. Obama represents change in the white house. He is young, past presidents are usually older. He has reform plans the change the country. The most obvious one, he is African American. All over the news is the word EXPECTATIONS. Obama has made the nation believe that his new ideas are right for the country, even though they may be somewhat "out there", his confidence has made us believe that they will bring a bright future to our country and we have trusted him to do so. Obama made many promises in his campaign speeches to bring the country out of the economic crisis, pull out of the war in Iraq, better health care programs, tax cuts and we are EXPECTING him to deliver. Obama says he is prepared to provide our country with the changes and reforms necessary. However, we do need to understand that we are still in perilous times and just because Obama is a new face in the white house doesn't mean the country's future will be bright. I am very curious to see what Obama does in the white house and the effects his actions on the country.



What do you think Obama will be able to accomplish as our president?
Do you he will fulfill the EXPECTATIONS or fall short?

Halloween or All Hallows Eve????

After seeing everyone at school dressed up in their costumes and then watching little kids running around my neighborhood trick or treating, I wondered, what is Halloween? I mean i understand that it is a day for people to dress up in scary costumes and go trick or treating for candy, but why do we do this? I went online and read a little bit about the history of Halloween and how this somewhat absurd holiday came to be. October 31st is the last day of the Celtic calendar and it honors the dead. Halloween was called All Hallows Eve years back and has been celebrated for over 2000 years! the Celtic culture had a feast on October 31st called the feast of Samhain which honors the dead. This feast ended the past year and began a new one. Back in this time, it was believed that the dead souls would roam the streets of the village at night. Those souls that were thought to be evil were offered treats that were left out on doorsteps so they would pass and guarentee that the next seasonal harvest would be abundant. The custom of leaving the treats on doorsteps eventually turned into what we now call trick or treating! After reading more about this I realized that there were many myths and legends about the celebration of All Hallows Eve and at one point this was a very serious holiday whereas today it just seems to be one for the joy of little children.

The evolution of All Hallows Eve into what we celebrate today as Halloween reminded me of the discussions we have been having in class about the Puritans and their religion. Today, as we read about the Puritans and their beliefs in witchcraft and the way they found a person guilty for participation in the "works of the devil", we are amazed at their absurd beliefs and trials. This is very similar to our views of All Hallows Eve. We no longer believe in the existence of dead souls walking the streets at night and warding them off with gifts and treats. The views of these two common occurences in the past are thought of in such different ways today.

This makes me question what people will think of us in a few hundred years? Will they call some of the things we do absurd?

taxes, taxes, more taxes, taxes...

About a week ago, we had a discussion about taxes. We talked about our opinions on the taxing of high income and low income. Some said that the taxes should be equal for both and others said that people should be taxed based on the amount of their income. I think there are two ways of looking at it:

1. The taxes should be the same for both incomes. The people who have a higher income have worked their way there and earn their money and it should not be taken away from them because they are successful.

2. People who are at the high income level may have inherited their money. Also, the low income people are trying to better themselves and by making money and having it taken away from they, they cannot do that.

These two different views have caused a lot of controversy over they years because neither is right or wrong.

What are your views on this topic and why?

How do you think this issue affects ones political stance?

CROP WALK

Everyone has had an experience that made you think about how fortunate you are. Whether it be walking through the city and seeing a homeless person begging you for money, or maybe just looking outside your window and seeing nice cars in a happy neighborhood with kids playing with all their toys out in the front yards. Well, anyways, today I had one of those experiences. Through my church, I found out about a fundraiser that was going on in my community. I decided to try it out and see what it was all about and figured it would be for a good cause. I recieved an envelope that instructed me how to recieve and record donations. After talking to some people in the church, I learned that CROP stood for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. Wow, what a great cause. This morning, I arrived at the gathering place, turned in the donations I recieved, and walked around to collect more information about the organization. I heard someone speak about how he saw first-hand how beneficial the organization is to people all around the world, and his story really touched me. He spoke of the malnourishment he witnessed which got me thinking how much we waste and how little others have. The people who were involved with the organization expressed so genuinely how thankful they were that we were walking with them. It just seemed to me how incredibly simple my action was, but how greatly it affected others.

http://www.cropwalk.org/ see for yourself!!!

Here's a story on the website that i thought was INCREDIBLE:

Walking for water
"Recently, long-time CROP Walker Henry Jones left his home in Fullerton, California, on a trip to Kenya. Jones recalls his visit to a drought-stricken Maasai community in the Narok District where he “visited a new deep well bringing clean water to a village. Before, some women carried water for over 10 miles, and the water was making them and their families sick.”
As is the common practice throughout the region, the women use 20-liter plastic jugs, which they strap onto their head for the trek to and from the water source. This so impressed Jones that he decided to bring one of these jugs home to show his fellow CROP Walkers, so they too could imagine the time, effort, and physical toll so many people must endure in their pursuit of water. On Walk day, he filled the jug with water and had everyone guess the weight. People gathered around and tugged and grunted as they tried to lift the heavy jug off the ground. There were a wide variety of guesses, but only one winner, who guessed 50.1 pounds (actual weight was 50.3 pounds). This year, the Fullerton CROP Hunger Walk raised more than $60,000, surpassing all prior efforts in its 26-year history."

HOOSIERS

This weekend i went a visited my sister at college. She's a freshman at Indiana University. I stayed with her in her dorm for four days. After living with her, I really got a feel for what her life was like. I also met her roommate who is from Minnesota. Kim was one person at home when she was living with the family, and I noticed she was a completely different person away at college. Going out and buying groceries for her and Sara, alotting time each day to study at the Union, doing her laundry, she was out on her own. The dorm was insanely messy, because neither of them had time to set aside to clean it. They stayed up all night, either going out with friends or studying for classes. The food in their room was minimal and incredibly healthy (both of them are health freaks and only eat weird organic stuff). I basically lived their lifestyle for the four days, which is incredibly exhausting. When i got home, I slept the entire day and feasted on normal food. I love being home and appreciated a mother to do laundry once in a while and cook dinner every night, however I LOVED having days and nights to do with what I please. College is the transition into adulthood and I was exited to experience that. It scared me because I realized I would have to be all on my own doing things for myself without anyone else pushing or helping me, but it was also exciting realizing there's life beyond high school.

Has it gone too far?

So far, i have noticed that everywhere i turn there is something related to politics. I have to say, I'm finding it somewhat interesting how consumed people are with the election. Whether it is making fun of Sarah Palin or commenting on the color tie John McCain or Barak Obama is wearing, everyone has voiced their opinions. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to commentary in american studies or outside of class because i have followed this election. However, I have started to find myself feeling sympathetic for the candidates. With all of the things being said about them on the radio, tv, websites, etc. I find it sad how exploited their lives are now. I found myself thinking the other day, what if my mom or dad brought our family into the spotlight as other political figures have. What would my life be like? I don't think i would be able to handle all the trash that would come my way. I wonder, since they are running for president, is every aspect of their lives our business because we have the right to know everything about the people who are representing us, or is this exploitation unnecessary?

democrat, republican, or both??

Earlier this weekend, I was at one of my friends houses watching the debate with her mom. I'm really great friends with her, and i asked her if she was a democrat or republican and I recieved a very interesting response. She replied, "I don't believe in that stuff... whatever candidate is best equipped for the job. We have a great deal of economic issues along with other issues right now, and whoever i think is best for the job gets my vote." This election has gotten very interesting considering the fact that McCain and Obama are such opposites. old, young. black, white. And the most obvious democrat, rebublican. I was at another friends house where they are very single minded. "The democrat always gets my vote," the mom of my other friend says. What happens if the democrat is unfit for the job? Do you still vote for him?

This brings me to my question, how important is the party of the candidate?

dirrrrty politics

My sister came home and visited from college this weekend, so we sat down and had dinner as a family. She began talking about the presidential election and the buzz around campus about voting. My family got into this intense discussion about the right to vote. The right to vote is also in some way an obligation. As a citizen of the United States of America, why wouldn't you want a say in your leader? Many choose not to vote because they don't have time to register. Some register but can't find the time to go to the polls to actually vote. And some just don't take the time to pay attention to politics at all. Statistics show that only 22% of 18-25 year olds say they actually vote. Is this a disgrace to the country, the fact that people died for us to have this right and it is taken for granted?

american factbook?

In class, we were talking about different history textbooks that were supposedly based off of fact. After pointing out the amount of words dedicated to certain historical events, we were allowed to see how the historians weighed out the importance of the events. It is significant to realize that not telling all the facts may not be telling the truth about history.
We also mentioned in class about how Christopher Colombus is told to be a great explorer through textbooks. The man was a great explorer, however what was failed to mention was that his actions were violent and cruel. Without telling the whole story about him, is the truth really spoken? If a textbook is picking and choosing facts to put in the book, is the story of American history ever truely told?

9/11 anniversary

I thought i would pose a question that seemed to cause some contraversy following the terrorist act that tramatized our nation. After the September eleven attacks occurred, a few years later some movies came out telling stories of the horrifying day. One in particular was United 93. The movie was said to be based on a true story of one of the hijacked planes on 9/11. The movie was very powerful, as it showed the hijack of united 93. Many viewers who were personally effected by the attacks said the facts were incorrect and it was offensive to attempt to mimic what occurred on that flight and profit from it. Some people I know refused to see the movie saying that they will not contribute to the false exploitation of the heroes of our country. Do you think the making of this movie was a bad idea? Do you find it offensive?

did he get what he deserved??

Timothy Treadwell was a man of great courage, however too much courage can be a bad thing. The man used every bit of strength he had to contribute to a matter that he thought was important, which I think is very strong of him. After watching the documentary, seeing Treadwell laugh into the camera, cry into the camera, and yell into the camera, the point came across to me that the man was passionate about his work.
One thing i thought was interesting was during class when i believe it was Mr. Bolos that said, some people say that we frown upon a life that is spent taking no risks and "playing it safe" even if the man lives till he is 100, yet is unhappy with his life. Whereas you have someone like Treadwell on the other hand where he could have possibly taken too many risks, and ended up in a bad situation. I believe that Timothy did what made him happy and repeated numerous times in the documentary that the only way he would die is out there with the bears. I believe that Timothy got what he wanted in the end, and his death brought attention to the cause, which is what he wanted to do in the first place.

consumed with the bad rather than good?

The media is all around us. We are consumed with the latest gossip about Hollywood stars in tabloit magazines. By watching television and reading the newspaper we are able to better educate ourselves on important matters around the world.

Many people in the United States tune in their favorite news channels for the ten o'clock news and think they are learning what is going on around the nation, however, i must ask, would everyone watch the news if it did not have compelling stories about contraversies or horrible tragedies? How often do you hear reports on the news that make you have a warm feeling inside? How many hard-hitting stories talk about something that is positive instead of negative? Is it because we thrive off of knowing what is going wrong in the world and pay more attention to the bad than the good?
I just watched a news story the other night informing me that by going outside into my own front yard, I am exposing myself to viruses in the air which could later on put me at a higher risk for lung cancer. The reporter recommended I purchase an air purifier for my house to rid it of the "bad air". Does that mean that I should live in a bubble for the rest of my life with an air purifier inside so I don't develop cancer? Is that really necessary? I was just astounded that instead of talking about something good in the world, the news reporters had to cook up this insane story about something such as cancer being developed from breathing the air outside. If a person walked past the television and heard "breaking new story about the dangers outside your own home" i bet they'd sit down and listen out of curiosity. So, do the television companies really want to boost their ratings by catching peoples attention with that kind of news? Is this what our world has come to?

testbloggg

i ask questions about everything, and i look at the world in different ways, and on this blog, i hope to get you looking at the world in a different way as well.