PR

I WANA LEAVE PR.

YO SOY HOMBREEEE

I <3 HOLLAND

"How to Lose Your Job Via Facebook"

Facebook posting can cause more trouble than we think. The concept of being fired or expelled from school because of social networking is ridiculous. I think it is such a relevant topic, considering today's generation and how much it has truly become a part of our daily lives, and I feel as though most people my age are just as unaware as I was. However, besides the negative aspect of Facebook being completely addicting, I feel as though student's, including myself, are also becoming a bit to comfortable with what they are saying online. The line between what's appropriate vs. inappropriate is slowly but surely fusing and can be as detrimental as to deprive us of our careers, or keep us from getting one.
After learning about how employers and bosses check profiles, I couldn't help but feel a little bit nervous. I wasn't nervous because I had provocative inappropriate things on my profile(which is a problem for most people my age) but I was more nervous for the fact that I might not even know what I'm saying or posting is unfavorable in someone else's eyes until something bad happens. Being a student athlete makes me particularly nervous about what I do, say or post online; you never know when coach is watching. I did a little research about social networking and job loss, and even more shocking found examples of students not getting into certain schools due to college administrators online access.
Of all the examples I have heard and read the most shocking was an account about a girl discussing her job to one of her friends online, who clearly forgot she was friends with her boss, which resulted in her immediate termination from her job.
Although our Social Networks are supposed to be fun and a break from the rest of the world, especially work and school, some things are better kept to ourselves. Hopefully it doesn't take something bad happening for people of my generation to realize it.

Social Networking or Social Climbing?

What is the difference between "Social Networking" and "Social Climbing.” Meeting friends through people, or using people to meet friends? There's a fine line between the two. When I came to SMU, I was so happy to make friends and meet new people, and especially glad that I have made a best friend. But now that groups are being set and you are figuring out who you hang out with the most, it’s hard to understand whether you are having friends because of who you know or what kind of person you are. When people “steal” your friends, it’s hard to tell whether they are expanding their social network and love meeting and making new friends, or if they are using you as a step stool to expand their network for self gain. Do you feel like your friendships are being exploited by needy, social climbing friends or are they simply trying to make more friends for good reasons?

Ridiculous-ness at Mac's

Everyone is familiar with the ever popular "Mac's Place" at SMU, but lately I am not too impressed. If you go to SMU you understand the standards on swipes and how you can "double swipe" if you have more food than is allotted for one meal, but just recently they have put an end to the double swipes that many kids use almost every day; along with the new 2 hour limit of eating after you have eaten at the cafeteria at Umphrey. Personally, I think that these restrictions are unnecessary. First off, it might be a little bit more understandable had they established these rules at the beginning of the school year, but they have just recently (now that it is 6 months into the school year) decided that they are "losing money." First off, I'm not sure why it would take 6 months to realize something like that, especially at somewhere like SMU. Second of all, do we not pay enough for our meal tickets to be able to have a little extra food and to come and go with snacks and drinks as we please? I think we do.
With all do respect to SMU, the food we eat is mediocre enough, so putting restrictions on our meals just makes it that much less enjoyable in my opinion. In addition, no one eats the same amount the same number of times everyday, so the flexibility was convenient as well as necessary. They need to bring it back.

Criminals of the Net Generation

There are man academics, journalists, and pundits quoted Dan Tapscott's book, "grown up digital" that suggest very pessimistic views about our generation; "The Net Generation." It states that we are constantly stealing from others, such as with music and pictures. Our constant exchange of things over the internet through online socializing networks, such as Facebook and Myspace, shows our unlawful and disrespectful attitude towards the makers and originators. When we log onto the internet and downloads songs without paying money, it should be equivalent to that of a criminal offense. Record industries often become so infuriated that they would often consider it acceptable to sue us. We also use the internet with such simplicity that we have become professionals at plagiarizing as well. This paragraph also suggests that our constant exchange of things over the internet through online socializing networks, such as Facebook and Myspace, shows our unlawful and disrespectful attitude towards the makers and originators of the products. When we log onto the internet and downloads songs without paying money, it should be equivalent to that of a criminal offense. Record industries often become so infuriated that they would often consider it acceptable to sue us. We also use the internet with such simplicity that we have become professionals at plagiarizing as well.

In response to this paragraph, I would have to say something along the lines of over dramatic. Not to mention unfair. Not only is it overdramatic in the sense that adults in the music-downloading and computer industries are willing to go to measures such as suing young people, but it is unfair to the large percentage of us who participate in harmless Net surfing. I will indeed admit that illegally downloading music is wrong and there should be punishment, but taking it to levels along the lines of criminal offense is completely over the top. It is safe to say that the computer capability and internet skills that we have equipped ourselves with defiantly have a more positive effect than that of a negative one. The internet is just like every other place, and every other industry in the world; there are going to be criminals stealing, pirating, and figuring out ways to steal. But that does not make the concept of “stealers” applicable to my generation. We use the internet to our advantage because we can. And we will continue to do forever.

"The Dark Side"

Dan Tapscott's Grown Up Digital is a section simply devoted to the characteristics of my generation in relation to the internet, and we have been evaluating it from my different angles in English class for some time now.
The “Dark Side” section of this book makes a few valid points about our generation. However there are many areas in which they make untrue and false accusations about the generation as well. Being a part of the generation helps me to make these assumptions, but I feel as though even if I were a part of the “older generation” I would feel the same way. Perhaps in some ways it reflects a bit of jealousy, or intimidation from the older generation. Not so much jealousy in the sense that they are jealous of our skills, more so jealous of the fact that they feel they had to work much harder at our age than we do; which is understandable. However it is not the "Net Generation's" fault. We were simply born and have grown up in a more technologically advanced society. Just as there were certain skills and technologies that their parents did not posses when they were children. People invent, discover, and find short cuts and new ways of doing things and communicating almost EVERY day. It's part of history, and life. It is not a bad thing, and it certainly does not make our generation "shallow, distracted, or ignorant" by any means. It's simply different and certainly easier, that doesn't mean we don't work. We think, learn, and work differently. But in the end if we are right with God, get a degree, a good job, and a roof over our families head, I can't help but ask, WHO CARES?

Haiti Efforts

Being a student, I don't exactly have time to sit down and watch the nightly news, but when something like the earthquake in Haiti

occurs, one can't help but hear. Many people may be aware, just as I am, but it was not until further research that one discovered

the true meaning of devistation. It is a well known fact that "many people" have died, but with a death toll sitting at around 200,000

and counting, it is hard for us Americans to fathom this sort of tragedy. The catastrophic events of 9-11 sit with a death toll at about

3,000; and that was nearly 9 years ago.

What I admire most about Americans during times like this is how much we actually do care. There are many Americans

involved with the search and rescue missions in Haiti who are not willing to give up until all people are accounted for. Although there are many people willing to give up, there are just as man that refuse

to as well. A 24 year old man named Jean-Pierre was pulled from the rubble on Saturday after 11 days of being trapped. He was

dehydrated but without injury. These sort of stories have sparked hope amongst many families of the missing, but the emotional

devistation seemed to really unfold when the Haiti government announced the switch from "rescue to recovery" mission. A family

of Americans with friends in Haiti has even started an online petition against the Haiti governments decision to turn from a

"rescue mission" to a "recovery mission." The effort does not go unnoticed by any means, but as much as we do it is only temporary

relief. It is hard to tell just how far our efforts as Americans may go.

Online Shopping

When I read my professors blog about how we should go about choosing a topic for our paper I chose the topic of online shopping. It's a good topic simply because not only can I relate well to the subject, but I'm sure many other people can as well; especially my peers. Although this is directed more towards my female peers who when they are bored in class look at shoes online, I'm sure a good percentage of my male peers and regular men are guilty as well. Although not always in school, I think it is safe to say that everyone has shopped online at some point in their life. I came about the topic when just recently I was shopping online and became frusterated with myself. I realized that I don't have the time nor money to be doing this, yet I still continue to do so. The question though was Why? It had become an impulsive habit that I wanted to ride myself from. I have read in several areas about the risk of fraud through online shopping and banking. Then, there is always the possibilty of it "looking better online than in the store." People might argue that it saves time and money, but in this situation purchasing in the store is safer and more beneficial in almost every area.

Obesity Is Taking Over

For English class we are writing about Obesity. Of all the topics we narrowed our selection down to such as health care, the war in iraq, the rising cost of college etc, this one stood out the most; I'm glad we chose it. Why? Well because it is such a HUGE problem in todays society. Although I can't really relate to the situation, I still find myself asking the question. I wonder how people can let themselves get that way, and what exactly is causing it. Maybe certain people have medical reasons as to why they gain massive amounts of weight, of maybe it is the stressfull On-the-go lifestyle of people in America today. Or perhaps it really is what all of the articles and resources tell me, and that is FOOD. I recently learned that America is the fattest and most Obese country in the world. Not only do we have the most money, power, and technology, we also have this life-threatening problem. It seems like a bit of a contradiction to me. As huge of a problem as it may be, the more I learn about this epidemic, the more interested I become. The facts are mind-boggling. Facts such as the death toll having taken the lives of more than 300,000 Americans this year alone; that's only second to the number tobacco related deaths. That's crazy! We abuse this resource used to sustain life so much that it seems almost as though food is just almost just as bad for you as tobacce. It makes me stop and think. Are Americans not smarter than this and where exactly is our sense of self control? I understand the delicous and moutherwatering taste of a Big Mac, but weighing so much that you start to threaten your life is not okay. Maybe I am a bit to harsh, and it is not that simple; but with the exception of a few health conditions, I think it is. People are faced with temptation everyday, and food is one that people cannot resist. Is it ever going to stop, Or is it going to continue to take over.

Still Feeling Like a New Blogger

Although I have posted a few times, blogging still feels completely new for me. I often feel as though I am going about it the wrong way. But when I watch videos like this last one I often wonder if there is a “wrong way” to blog. This video taught me how to blog a little better, or gave me some techniques to help me. More than anything it talked about what exactly blogging is and why people do it. I also thought to myself that I can watch the video and get tips, but the only thing that will truly help me to become a good blogger, is just like anything in life; to try. The only way to learn is to actually do it. For me it feels a little uncomfortable for some reason, but the more I blog the more comfortable I get with my writing. Writing can actually help you to think, and therefore learn, about yourself and about others. The one thing that is different about blogging as oppose to other forms of writing is that blogs aren’t typically drafted and you usually post them immediately after you write. Blogging is more writing for yourself rather than an audience; but at the same time you are still aware of what little bit of audience you do have and that can often make a person think more clearly. This video was very informing and makes me want to consider blogging more often because of what you can learn about yourself through the process. I learned that it can help to improve your confidence and overall skill as a writer. Maybe I should blog more often.

Parents, Trust, and Cell Phones.

Everybody in Texas loves a good snow day. It was January and the weather was getting worse by the hour and the whole school was being sent home early. As we exited they cautioned us on the road and how dangerous the ice was getting. Although I was listening to what they are saying, I didn’t really take it in to consideration. I had driven my boyfriend Nick to school that day and thought it would be okay for him to come back to my house. When we got home the snow had fallen quite heavily and gathered a good couple of inches. We played in the snow for a good forty five minutes and returned back into the house. We sat down on the couch with a bowl of popcorn when he looked down at his phone. He had seven missed calls and three voicemails from his mother. Our stomachs both turned as we looked at one another in complete shock. Apparently she heard about the early release from school and wanted him to come directly home. We listened to the voicemails holding the phone three inches away from our ears. “Nickolas Alexander Klika if you don’t get home right now, you’re grounded for an entire month! No television, computer or cell phone! How dare you not call me when you get out of school early, especially with the weather the way it is!” She rambled on at the top of her lungs a good three minutes, but we got the memo after about ten seconds. I wondered how and why she over reacted to such an extreme degree. She was fuming and we both felt more nervous than ever. Although he may have been wrong by not calling and she had a little bit of reason for being so infuriated, but she took it to an extreme degree, one that I did not feel was necessary.
With my parents gone and Mrs. Klika livid at her son, we both felt no other option but to hop in my car and take him home. My goodness the roads had gotten horrible! I figured I made it to his house so I could easily make it home. I pulled out onto the small two lane highway that ran right through the middle of our town and began driving. Listening to the radio checking out the scenery, you would have thought the road was dry by the way I was driving. Two miles down the road I lost control of my car and began spinning in circles; my nonchalant attitude about driving was coming back to bite me in the butt. I veered to the right and my car began to roll to the right into a steep ditch outside of my new high school. The car rolled three times and on the fourth time around I felt a sudden stop. My shirt was soaked from the tears that streamed down my face. My life literally flashed before my eyes. I looked out the window and I was being held up by a barbed wire fence. That fence saved my life. I made it out safely, but I can’t say the same thing for my car. That experience often makes me wonder about the pressure parents apply to children about their cell phones. They harp on us for our obsession and constant need for our cell phone at our side, yet they just as obsessed about keeping in contact with us. I find it a bit hypocritical. If Nick’s mother had not called him so many times and over reacted about his where-abouts, I would have never been in that situation, and would have never had an accident. Over reaction is common amongst parents now days. Although they are just concerned for the safety of us, kids have been getting along just fine for years without calling their mother or father every hour for a report of where they are and who they are with.

Bad Driving.

Sixteen with a brand new car with a brand new license; probably one of the best feelings ever. It was a snow day in January and the weather was getting really bad so the whole school was sent home early. As we exited they cautioned us on the road and how dangerous the ice was getting. Although I always listen to what they are saying, I never really took it into consideration. I had driven my boyfriend to school that day and thought it would be okay for him to come back to my house. Driving home was just a little bit scary because I thought that I could handle the road. I slipped a couple of times on the way home, and I lived right down the street. I could only imagine what it would be like driving on the actual highway. When we got home the snow had fallen heavily and gathered a good couple of inches. We played in the snow for a good forty five minutes and returned back into the house. We sat down on the couch with a bowl of popcorn when he looked down at his phone. He had seven missed calls and three voicemails from his mother. The same sick feeling overcomes both of us and we look at each other in complete horror. Apparently she heard about the early release from school and wanted him to come directly home. Obviously we missed the memo. We listened to the voicemails with the phone held three inches away from our ears. She screamed at the top of his lungs for him to get home immediately or else he was grounded for two weeks with no phone, computer, or television. At the age of 16, that was like being put in prison. The weather had gotten even worse and I had no choice but to hop in my car and take him home. The roads had gotten so bad that no one should have been driving over 20 miles an hour. I was speeding towards his house frantically sliding from side to side trying not to crash. We were a few miles down the road and I was sweating because I was so nervous, and they weren’t even my parents. I could only imagine how he was feeling. I was at an age of invincibility and I thought that I could do anything, even if it meant speeding on ice.
Surprisingly we arrive safely at his house; he jumps out the door and frantically runs inside. I felt at ease on the way home. I figured I made it to his house so I could easily make it home. I pulled out onto the small two lane highway that ran right through the middle of our town and began driving. Listening to the radio checking out the scenery, you would have thought the road was dry by the way I was driving. Two miles down the road I lost control of my car and began spinning in circles; my nonchalant attitude about driving was coming back to bite me in the butt. I veered to the right and my car began to roll to the right into a steep ditch outside of my new high school. The car rolled three times and on the fourth time around I felt a sudden stop. My shirt was soaked from the tears that streamed down my face. My life literally flashed before my eyes. I looked out the window and I was being held up by a barbed wire fence. That fence saved my life. Before that day I often took simple privileges in life, like driving, for granted. I thought that I was invincible and didn’t feel the need to listen to my parents and teachers warnings; little had I known, they were saying those things for a reason. I still notice and occasional sense of invincibility in my attitude that needs to change, but for the most part I am doing well with it. God gave me a second chance and I try not to take it for granted; but I will NEVER drive in the snow again.