New site

So I just came across this site tonight- http://likealittle.com/bridgew.  It makes me laugh at all the flirtatious people posting about strangers they see on campus.  I think it is somewhat creepy and stupid but I like to laugh at it and would not hate it if a guy wrote about me on there.  Check it out, I think the idea is fun for college kids and people the anonymity of the site is great.  Will this be a popular networking site?  Time shall tell...check it out!

Post Secret

If you have never heard or seen Post Secret I suggest you go to the website post secret.
The secrets alone are inspiring and filled with sad, hopeful, and funny things that people hide inside themselves.  If you do not know what it is basically this guy named Frank Warren started collecting anonymous postcards from strangers which had their secrets on them.  After a couple years he had so many that he got contacted by the All American Rejects and the secrets from their music video "dirty little secrets" are all from Post Secret.  He has also made 5 books with many of the secrets he has collected which are fun to look at every now and then.  I think the concept is amazing and he came here last night and his presentation was amazing.  Just the thought and story behind his journey and imagination to create such a project opened up my eyes to what I personally can do to help myself and others.  I got the opportunity to meet Frank and he was so humble and kind.  I really hope everyone who reads this checks out the website and the books because it is something that will turn your life around. 

propaganda

Today in my Comm 222 theory class we watched a video about war and the propoganda that not only our government but the media feeds American citizens.  The film looked at our past presidents and clips showed that many of them used the same type of speeches including their want for peace in this country but their actions being towards war.  I understand propaganda but I was shocked at how powerful our government can be through the media.  Restrictions were placed with where journalists were allowed to go and what they could cover of the war.  The reporters and news programs always boasted about the pentagon and their technology which was all used to kill people.  I think an interesting statistic was that during World War I 10% of casualties were civilians, in WWII that number increased making those who were killed were occupied by 50% being civilians and the most shocking to me is in Iraq that number went to 90%.  Although many news programs present themselves as being liberal or anything else they are being controlled by the government and hold pro-war ideas and ways to persuade their viewers to feed into the thoughts and secrets that the war is being shown as.  I also find it interesting that the highest ranking program on MSNBC was cancelled when the main reporter expressed his anti-war opinions.  I believe that we as Americans need to not always shape our opinions and ideas by what the media presents to us but from our own investigations.The film was very interesting and if you would like the name of it ask me and I will find out the information.

fainting goats

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CC_9aFuEkA

I just saw the saddest video on YouTube about kittens who have the fainting goat syndrome.  Out of nowhere the kittens just stiffen up and fall over ending up in a paralysis.  It is most common in goats but these kittens also have this problem.  They cannot run or jump but other than that appear to be normal cats.  One of the cats featured in the video passed away from respiratory failure.  This is not a happy post but I saw the video and almost teared up and thought it was an interesting story that I have never heard of before.

Halloween!

I am so happy that Halloween is such a great holiday and so big in this country or at least between me and my friends and everyone I know.  I love the excuse to dress up crazy and funny, I never go the "slutty" route so no worries.  I do no think this celebration is about dressing like a gross or sexual disney character or a woman on the job.  I always try to get very creative and go where noone will go or that will get me a laugh or two.  Last year I was gum under a shoe, a biker chick, and a eskimo girl.  I think accesories are really great and can make any costume.  This year I decided to be a monkey when I found a really creepy mask for $3.99 at the party store.  My accesories make the costume which are gold plates to replicate cymbals and a red hat like the playing toy cymbal monkey.  I hope everyone has a safe holiday and has so much fun!

Stop the power!

Today in my Comm 222 theory class we had a guest speaker who spoke about the power plant that was passed to be put up in Brockton that was 1600 feet from an elementary school.  The talk really made me more aware of the environmental and issues that would affect the citizens and especially those who live extremely close.  The people of Brockton protested and eventually the plant was denied to be put up but now it people are being sued who allowed that to be passed to be put up in the first place.  I think it is horrible how toxic waste and fossil fuel type industries are being put up in low income and high minority areas because of the unnoticed and uncared for problems that happen in such places.  I just think it was very interesting to learn about this issue because we as students are the future and we are the ones who determine what we want our families and children being exposed to.  Visit the website to learn more info. http://www.stopthepower.net/

la bella vita!

This Spring I am studying abroad in Florence, Italy and I can not be more excited!  I have been holding my excitement until I have been accepted and my paperwork has gone through and it finally has!  One of my friends who also attends BSU and lives ten minutes from my hometown is coming on this journey with me so I am even more ecstatic to be sharing these memories and this journey with a good friend.  I am nervous about the culture and the fact that I am an American in Europe.  I love becoming one with a culture and blending in so I do not appear to be a tourist but I am worried that I will have to accept the fact that I am.  This Spring will be a time to experience new things and I expect it to be a semester that I will never forget and keep parts of the Italian culture and European traveling in my heart forever.