Comment

I commented on Meghan's blog "drugs?" on April 26th, about the drug use here at SMU.

Where does my money go?

As I am finishing up my second semester as a freshman here at SMU I find myself worn out and broke. I wonder to myself where all of my money has gone considering I don’t shop, I spend very little on gas, and I have 2 jobs. With all that in consideration you would think I was a cheap freak and was saving up plenty of money. But instead I am left with a negative amount in my bank account?
I figured it was time to look back at my credit card history and see where my moneys going. I had it made up in my mind that someone had gotten a hold of my account information and was using it to buy things. As I logged on to my account and started looking back at what all I had bought and hadn’t bought, to my surprise there wasn’t a thief to blame other than my stomach.
I had spent over 300$ on FOOD in the past month! I mean that is pretty ridiculous. From groceries, to eating out for lunch and dinner, that is exactly where all my money had gone. I had even talked to my bank and reported suspicious activity and yet, o wait, I was the one who had being using it! To my embarrassment I had to call the bank and my family and tell them that I was indeed the one who had spent all the money. There was no thief involved at all. So where is the limit we place on ourselves to say it’s ok to spend money on. I had thought all along that I was being very safe and cautious with my money because I wasn’t doing anything ridiculous like shopping all the time. But who’s to say it’s ok to spend money on food but not clothes and you’ll still be in the clear? Little did I know I ended up outta luck and broke by the end.

Comment

I commented on CEC's blog Who Cares if Johnny Can't Read?. I discussed the idea that new fantasy novels are of less importance to our minds development. I argue that this is not true because I believe reading is the same no matter what form it comes in.

Argument

Is all reading valuable? I will argue that all types of reading are beneficial. No matter the label of classical or fictional fun, reading engages our minds in exploration and adventure. Enabling us to learn and advance in grammar, vocabulary, and much more. I will also argue who has the right to say whether what we are reading is valuable. Some of the most prestigious works of literature were once regarded as pointless scribble, however today such works from Fitzgerald are masterpieces. Therefore the devaluing pressure placed on more eccentric novels such as Twilight is biased.

Claim: All reading is valuable, whether it is classic literature or a light fictional read; the knowledge obtained from reading makes us smarter.

Reason: The stimulation our brain receives from reading enhances our vocabulary and grammar.

Evidence: Studies show that people of all ages are more likely to succeed and prosper from life if they read more. People who read are more likely to make more money and obtain more knowledge applied to different aspects of life

Comment

I posted a comment on Kee's blog about the online music download scandal. I think it's a very interesting topic and was well worth discussion.

Comment

I posted a comment to Margaritaville's Passport post.

Road Rage

The other day I was driving to pick up the kids I babysit for. I was running a little late so I was in a bit of a hurry and was speeding through the lanes. Of course to my surprise, there was a car in my blind spot that I cut off as I switched into the left land to make a turn. The small black Mercedes laid on its horn and its brakes as we swerved to miss each other. To my surprise, knowing that I was in the wrong, I still threw my hands in the air and yelled “What?” as if I wasn’t in the wrong. My reaction was that of pure guilt. I didn’t think I was in the wrong because I needed to be speeding in order to pick someone up. (Selfish I know). But if you think about it, I know you’ve done it too.

So yesterday I was driving and some prick cuts me off right in front of a stop light. Before nearly slamming my car into the back of his, my quick reflexes enabled my foot to pump the break nearly in time to save myself from a wreck. I was FURIOUS. Who did this person think they were cutting me off? And yet they looked at my like, why are you honking at me? I’ve done nothing wrong. So point to the story is, when do we draw the line in justifying a reason to speed or drive inappropriately? And if so why can’t we get our own self-conscience to obey it.

Where to go?

So it’s already March and my year as a freshman college student is coming to an end. It’s so scary to think that the time here has flown by so fast. Without any hesitation on my part to explore my options in college, I feel left behind on a year of great memories. Yet nothing can compare to that of a senior in college. I have a sister who is graduating in May and is sitting around thinking what the hell am I supposed to do with my life now?

A topic of issue that interests me is the pressure these students are feeling now that they are about to graduate from college. With the economy in such a downfall there is a panic need for jobs across the nation. These kids, being at the top of that list, are struggling to find out where they are supposed to go with their lives. Interviews and applications are taking over these students’ lives. The need to find out where to live: do you go home, or stay in the city of your college? Also what position are the parents in now to be aiding their children in such a desperate time. I wanted to see what opinions there were on the idea of becoming so independent in such a short time. Seeing as how fast this year went by, I’m sure ill be asking myself this question in the blink of an eye.

Comment

I posted a comment on Margaritaville's blog discussing the risks and dangers of Mexico right now, and our need to pay attention to the news.

Comment

I made a comment on Paris Hilton's blog. It wouldn't let me enter the URL but if you are looking for somewhere to live next year go to Rogers Healy. They are really great there and specialize in helping SMU students with something affordable.

Sickkk

I’m not trying to complain here but I am SICK of getting Sick. This entire semester I have gone from one illness to another. At the beginning of this year I started out with the flu. Not only was I confused how I had gotten it considering I received my flu shot, but when I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with it they told me that the vaccine doesn’t always work. Hmm, that was when I began to worry about what was being done to keep the students healthy.

SMU of all places I would have to say is very responsible for maintaining a healthy atmosphere for us. However when it got to the point that state law regulated the school to shut down if 15 more people were diagnosed with influenza, I knew it was bad.

More than just the flu I have heard people with Mononucleosis, strep throat, pneumonia, and many other serious illness’. Anyways the question that comes to mind is what are we doing wrong that can lead us to such serious wear and tear on our bodies? Is it our study habits, the late nights, or the living environment? It has gotten to the point where I have realized it’s not what we forget to do that makes us sick, i.e. not drink enough water, not take our medicine, not sleep, it’s what we do that leads us to our “death bed”. By partying, staying up late, and convincing ourselves that we are ok, we drain our bodies of everything we have.

So why do we feel the need to beat our bodies down? Like I said I’m Sick of being Sick. So I’m protesting my normal ways and getting myself healthy again. You should consider it yourself too.

Why do people cheat?

I was reading an article the other day in a magazine about couple's and the percent that are faithful to each other over a long period of time. The statistics were ridiculous, less than 40% of couples are true to each other over lengthy intervals. I wondered how one could live with themselves once they had done such a thing. This exploration soon became a reality.

In the past week I’ve been hearing stories of couples and ex couples hooking up with other people and cheating. Never personally having experienced such an instance I sat back and looked at what it has done to people. It tears relationships apart; it damages friendships, love, and trust. So why cheat? I can’t bring myself to understand the concept. Why is the idea of being with someone else so fascinating? If you are happy with the person you are with, why hurt them? And if you're not happy with someone then you shouldn't be in that relationship. You break up with someone before you become unfaithful.

Three friends of mine have recently been cheated on or done the act of cheating. Nothing good has come out of it. They’ve lost the people they truly love and made enemies with the people who they never did. They have become alone and they can only blame themselves. So it brings me back to my question, as I sit and watch my friends cry themselves to sleep at night, what does cheating justify? What do you prove by such an act, and what good comes from it?