I commented on Kelevra's post on burglary and two twins who got away with a big crime.

Fondren, a pleasant surprise

 With deadlines for five finals and a final paper vastly approaching Fondren Library has become my second home.  First semester I would never really leave my room when I wanted to study, but this semester I'm required to have a certain amount of hours logged in for my sorority that I have become a frequent visitor.  And while I try my hardest not to get distracted it is so hard with all of the people around.  It's so easy to watch, and occasionally eaves drop on conversations that go on around me.  When I was growing up I always pictured the library as a silent sanctuary where people went to do work.  But, Fondren is more of a social place than anything else.  It has been my experience that people find a floor or place in the library where they feel comfortable, and thats where they go every time they come back.  I have made numerous friends this semester with people who feel my pain during the nights that turn into mornings.  It's a nice place to go not only to get out of my room, but to get a true sense of community.  Which is kind of ironic because when most people picture the library they picture endless shelves of books.  But for me, the library is place of reassurance.  It is nice to know that I'm not the only one staying in on a Thursday night while the rest of my friends are out having a good time.  I'm sort of bummed that I didn't use Fondren more during my first year.  But, now that I know what really goes on it has been and will continue to be one of my common stomping grounds.

Argument for Final

College students of our generation have forgotten to apply the things they learn in school to their real lives.  We are so caught up in our social networks and popularity contests that we have forgotten the big picture.  Everyone wants to be accepted so no one has tried to make intellectual conversations the "cool" thing to do.  But, eventually our generation is going to have to learn how to break out of our intellectual ghetto and fight back against the "Millenial" stereotype.  That way we can put an end to the alienation that comes from past generations, and finally appreciate reading and learning for all that it has to offer.

I commented on Leah Mitchell's blog about Rhianna's CoverGirl contract and recent altercation with her boyfriend, Chris Brown.  Leah has an interesting take on the argument that I completely agree with.

I commented on Chris' blog Open Your Eyes Uncle Sam! His post was about the terrible drug wars that are taking place in Mexico, and included a very graphic picture to go along with his article.

I commented on Paris Hilton's blog about titled On or off campus? Which is better?  This blog was interesting and definitely relatable as I'm currently struggling with this question, and the solution.

Leave the "Millennials" Alone

While reading chapter three of “The Dumbest Generation” by Mark Bauerlein titled “Screen Time” I couldn’t help but wonder what the big deal was?   The chapter was just was equally jammed with facts and figures from studies that I tried to interpret and understand.  While the facts he included about media access in the homes of 8-18 year olds weren’t surprising (99% of people had televisions in their home and 68% had it in their bedroom) I couldn’t help but get upset at his determination to put down my generation.         His opening few paragraphs about the Apple store and how it gets busy on Saturday afternoons was something that I had experienced first hand.  It doesn’t seem to me to be a big deal?  Children need something to do on the weekends and I think that their desire to learn about and possibly buy the next best thing in technology is a good thing rather than a bad one.  He refers to these people as “The Millennials”(Bauerline 73).   He says that this group is responsible for “not merely [being] passive consumers [but] ‘content creators’ making their own Web pages or posting their artwork, photos, stories, or videos online” (Bauerline 73).  He sees a problem with the sensationalism and technological fixation that the “Millennials” have but I personally think it is because of these children sharing ideas that we have come so far in so little time in the world of technology.  Going back to the way he opened the book, with Alexandra Robbins’ trip to the local high school and their stories of not being able to enjoy school because the drive to be perfect was so overbearing, I think that the best becomes even better when your successes are easy to share.  Especially when sharing can happen so easily, through the Internet makes people want to learn more about the Internet and perfect their blogs, photos, or other things they put online.           I think that Bauerline is denying the “Millennials” the credit they deserve.  I think that times have changed from when he was growing up.  Back then technology was developing and television wasn’t as predominant but today it is.  I started thinking about whether or not Bauerline has a TV in his room, or if he ever frequents the Apple store just for pure entertainment and I think that he definitely does.  I think that he needs to stop looking at all of the hours spent in front of the TV or computer as a bad thing and accept that these hours are spent to help the developmental process that occurs.  Without people’s desire to learn about the Internet or Video Games we wouldn’t be where we are now.  I like where we are now, I like having pretty much everything I need to stay in touch with family and friends or research important topics within an arms length.  I think that as long as people continue to go to school and learn something they shouldn’t be condoned.  Times have changed, reading and writing and arithmetic are still important, but now some people learn it from a television show or computer game.  Either way, knowledge is obtained and our world, I think is VERY well off.

Let the MADNESS begin!

 

          

  For some people, especially sports enthusiasts March is the most exciting time of the year.  This is because the biggest college basketball tournament and championship take place.  While some people feel that all of the hype surrounding the tournament is needless and irrelevant I personally like the way it gets people involved.  I feel closer to any other sporting event or program when I choose them to win my bracket than anything else.  It’s also special because anyone and everyone can choose to fill out a March Madness bracket and share their predictions.  In my family we all choose to pay $5 in a pot and whoever of the 25 of us who usually participate gets to keep the prize if their bracket is correct. 

            I think that March Madness is very important because it allows people to come together and be entertained which was the initial point of sports.  ESPN is now one of the most highly regarded news services because they strive to produce shows and entertainment for everyone.  With March Madness people get so involved and passionate about a sport and teams that it really is something I cherish.  While the girls I know tend to choose teams based on one attractive player they know, color of the jersey, or whether or not they’ve heard of the school; others of us put thought and effort into following the teams throughout the entire season and then predicting and hoping for the best. 

            March Madness is a time to get together with family and friends to compare favorite teams, and hope that an upset doesn’t occur.  In the end it’s just a fun time to appreciate the players and coaches who dedicate so much time and effort to the sport. It’s one of my favorite past times and traditions.  It’s a time for everyone to feel the same feelings of anticipation and hope for a result that no one can really predict. Who do you think will win?

DADDY by 13?

In class we have been exploring the Internet and its uses. Some people argue that it is good while others argue it is bad.  I personally love the Internet and all of the tools and services it supplies me.  While I don’t think that it is necessarily acceptable for people to use it to exploit others I do admire how fast and easily news gets out.  My favorite thing about the Internet is you never know what you’re going to get.  I was extremely shocked to find a story about a British boy who recently fathered a child at the age of 13.  THIRTEEN years old?  How is that even possible?  I’m pretty sure that at the age of thirteen I still thought that the stork was in charge of getting babies to where they’re supposed to go.  I couldn’t imagine my little thirteen year old brother even coming close to putting himself in that position.   I checked and re-check to make sure that I was reading this story off of a reliable source, to my demise I was.  The Sun, a real life news source in Britain reported it (here’s a link to check it out). 

After I got over my initial shock of the story, I began thinking about the privacy of families verses the sensationalism of journalism reporting.  I asked myself whether or not it was fair for this story to be out into the public, whether or not the family or the new father wanted to be labeled a certain way.  I think that we can attribute this die-hard, absolutely have to get the story mentality to the Internet.  Writers obviously want to get paid more and assigned better stories, but if we didn’t have the Internet would people read or know about as farfetched stories as these?  Would gossip and intrusion of people’s private lives be so acceptable?  While I love the Internet and all of its ins and outs; I’m not sure I’d want my personal life to be a click away from anyone.  Would you?

are YOU good enough?

During the whole first semester my friends and I found ourselves being conscious of our actions when we went out because “sorority girls” were watching.  Facebook friends were deleted, pictures and recommendations we’re all sent in to the sororities of our choice. But was it really our choice?  Rush week was easily one of the most hectic and hellish weeks I’ve even been put through.  I had no idea that I would be put in as many awkward situations as I was during that week.  I dreaded going into houses that I didn’t want, and I knew didn’t want me.  Every day when we showed up to rush trying to look better than the girl next to us, I felt uncomfortable.  I asked myself who would invent such a tedious and oftentimes disheartening process?  It doesn’t seem fair or realistic for people to judge us based on rumors or just what they read on paper.  What makes those girls who are already in houses better than me?  It’s a vicious process that is supposed to have everyone end up “where they’re supposed to be”.  I guess I can attest to that, but can’t help but wonder if the process can ever come less vicious and unethical? Or will the cycle continue to go on? I know what I would do in my perfect world…

A Rugged & Real Experience

College has proved to be a whirlwind of decisions, events, and friendships. The party scene has been everything I expected, and more. But, I can’t help but feel that the “college experience” is overrated. After all, my college voyage has only been going for three months and my friends and I have already run out of ideas. The fraternity house parties were fun for a while, but you can only pee in the same bathroom as guys so many times before you lose interest. The bar scene is fun, but it’s impossible to meet people and a showcase for people to make fools of themselves. All of the gossip and hook ups that happen and are talked about on this small campus were proving to get the best of us. That was, until we were invited to go to Hamilton Texas for a weekend get away at a friend of my friend’s ranch.
My friends and I had never been to a ranch before. Vacations for us usually consist of a pool, beach, and sun tanning. But, we were excited for a new experience. We drove for three hours to the Garrett Ranch. As the black rod iron fence opened and showed us the fifteen hundred acre ranch, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “it’s cool we’re being rugged.” The overwhelming feeling of being rugged hunters only lasted for a few minutes as we finally made it to the destination; a ranch house with enough bedrooms for all ten of its guests to sleep alone.
Through out the weekend we participated in activities such as driving around a Polaris, which is used to hunt because it’s smaller and quieter than a truck. We each took turns learning how to safely handle a gun and shoot it. We ate raw pecans from the ground that had fallen off pecan trees a short walk away from the house. And, we took a trip into the barren town. To put things into perspective, Hamilton has a population of 2,977 people. That day there happened to be a championship game in the neighboring town of Glen Rose. Shops and restaurants were closed down just like in old-fashioned movies so that the people who owned them could go to the game. So, instead of meeting people nearby our newest favorite place, we took in the scenery. Everything was old-fashioned and rugged. It felt like we were walking in a scene of an old country western movie.
The trip to Hamilton was one of my favorite things that I’ve done so far in college. It not only made it easy to get my mind off of the stresses of college. It put college into perspective for me. The drama and the parties are fun, but they won’t last forever. I know that I have just begun my partying days and will meet plenty of new people as time goes by here at SMU. But, I think it’s important to be adventurous. When you have a chance to do something outside of your comfort zone, try it because you never know what new hobbies you’ll acquire along the way.

Please Don't Stop the Music.

What is it about music that makes everything ok?  No matter what I’m feeling – I could be overwhelmed, recently find out bad news, or just soul searching- and I can always find the perfect song to make everything in the world seem irrelevant.  I never used to listen to music until I needed some sort of safe haven at college. Sharing a bedroom, bathroom, and bedtime were things that I never experienced at home and were things that I was struggling with. It’s weird to have to ask if I can change the channel on the TV, or worry about eating my roommate’s chips instead of mine.  It’s even weirder to be so far away from my family and friends.  I used to struggle to find places to study that were quiet and comfortable enough that I could still focus.  My roommate always had her headphones in and so one day I decided to try it.  I haven’t looked back.

I’ve found that it’s so much easier to concentrate when you have your books, or computer, and music and that is all.  Over the past few months I have developed different iTunes play lists for my different feelings or types of work I had to get accomplished. When I need to write a paper I usually go for Colbie Callait or Natasha Bedingfield.  When I’m just researching or wandering on the web I tend to listen to more intense music; such as Dashboard Confessional, or Jimmy Eat World.  When I miss home I listen to oldies and classics that remind me of fond memories that I experienced with my family.

Recently, I’ve found myself missing my family and old routine more than ever.  The transition from high school to college was easy for me – how couldn’t it be with all of the distractions and new friendships.  But, these past weeks have been extremely hard for me to get through.  I don’t think that I’d be here and focused if it wasn’t for music.  It’s such an overrated gift that we’re all given.  Not appreciating things to their full potential seems to be a common theme in my life lately.  But, now I can honestly say I’m thankful for the world of music and how it applies and helps my world of academia and life in general.