school blog

blog on blogging

2008-12-03T11:31:00.000-08:00

There are a few significant pros to blogging. For me it acts as a source in which I am free to journal on thoughts and ideas of any topic. Whether people read it it or not it gives me a place in which express my opinion and feelings. It can serve as a big outlet and an extra opportunity to write. Blogging gives me the ability to have a public voice and have my ideas read by other people that may be interested in the subjects that I address. Blogger gives me a connection to other online communities that share similar or differentiating thoughts and interests. Having a blog for school introduced me to a new dimension of making my voice heard. It's exciting to get an unexpected comment from a new person and see what they think about what I wrote.
The biggest con for blogging is having material available that accessible to the public. It gives me a sense of vulnerability that I am not very comfortable with. There is pressure on the writing and ideas that I present to be accurate. I don't want to sound misinformed on any issues that could be more controversial. It is hard for me to blog on demand. I feel stress expressing my opinions on specific topics and I have to be in the mood to write.

Technology

2008-11-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't say that technology has transformed my life specifically in any way, but I certainly use many aspects of it in my daily life. I created a My Space page a very long time ago and wasn't motivated or intrigued by it enough to keep it up. I don't even remember the login or password. So I'm not a part of any online community. I use the internet almost everyday to check my e-mail. Usually they only relate to school, family, or bills. Now that I have to blog for school I certainly feel a sense of public voice, whether it is read or not, even though it makes me uncomfortably vulnerable. Sometimes I hope that someone will look over it, but overall it serves as a personal journal in which I express my ideas. I do not pay any bills other than online. I would say that this is the biggest way that I utilize computer technology, next to having a computer simply for essay writing.
At work I apply ultrasound treatments to many patients. This product of technology helps decrease inflammation and allows access to tissues via heat and sound waves. No it's not an ultrasound like they use to see babies in utero. ( everyone always asks where the picture is at). It is a simple but highly effective option for treatment for various indications.
Baby toys have certainly progressed over the years. My daughter has very high tech toys available for her age. Now technology is used to create books that sing and read themselves. Computer systems for toddlers that are extremely interactive that entertain while they teach. Basically technology has brought about more ways for children to independently learn while they are encouraged to physically interact with mentally stimulating toys.
These are the most predominant ways that technology is present in my life. The internet and computer are my means of paying bills and writing. The cool baby toys give me new ways in which to teach and interact with my daughter. Ultrasound machines at work allow me to provide pain relief and healing for my patients. Very important, but not necessary for the most part.

Winning the Lottery

2008-11-12T14:24:00.000-08:00

If I won the lottery, the first thing I would do is buy a house for me and my daughter. To have a space of our own that is strictly ours would be a dream come true. I would be able to quit my job and continue with school and have the rest of my time to spend with the love of my life, my daughter. We're girls of course and girls love to shop, so we would defenitely have a big mother/ daughter shopping event. Winning the lottery would give me the time with my daughter that I always wished I could have. It would allow me to focus more of my attention and energy on being a better parent, because that it extremely important to me.
The second thing I would devote my winnings to would be my mom, dad and brothers.
My mom has Addisons disease. It is an autoimmune disease. Her adrenal glands are compromised and her health lies within the balance of stress and activity. She is a cardiac nurse at St Josephs Hospital and gives 150% to work each shift. As much as she loves her job I would give her enough money to quit. Then she would have the energy to participate and enjoy other aspects of life. She would not be run down from stressful days at work that make her disease worse and exacerbate physical pain. I would give my parents a vacation fund so that they could take as many trips to Monterey, CA as the please. This would make them very happy!
I would give my little brother enough money to get a place of his own and continue on his path to fame as a hip/hop artist. Money to help him support his only daughter and his dream.
I would buy my older brother the motorcycle of his choice and top DJ equipment to further his career. I would also pay for his tuition to attend MMI.
So ya, that's what I would spend my money on if I won the lottery. Hopefully it will be enough!!

2nd Lesson

2008-11-09T11:30:00.000-08:00

I was privileged to have my second Feldenkrais lesson yesterday. After a grueling day of work it was refreshing to settle down into self-care activity and learning. This lesson focused on opposition of movement. We started with three different pilates excercises that were to be repeated again at the end in order to compare and contrast any changes we might experience. Revisiting the five lines was a much more vivid experience then the first time I attempted to connect them. This time my spine line was green and I found it very difficult to draw my arm and leg lines from distal to proximal. They just seemed to black out. It was much easier for me to visualize them extending from the center with energy flowing outwards. We only did the movements with the right side, so my left side seemed to sit in frustration for a little while until the connection was neurologically made as I began to revisit this second lesson in thought. The teacher focused on helping us learn how to move skeletally. Very different then the approach that is used for pilates or yoga. She said, "the bones move us, the muscles move the bones, and the brain is the computer that gives the commands. The biggest change that I noticed from last lesson was my ability to separate what I initially visualize a movement to be and how I actually carry it out. I wasn't stuck in the idea of restriction of certain movements. I was able to explore more possibilities for my own capacity of movement. We worked with moving our arm, leg, and neck in flexion both lying down and standing. It was amazing to see how it facilitated extension and affected my posture when resting my attention. I felt very relaxed and balanced. I always feel more thoracic mobility and awareness of breath. Can't wait for the next opportunity to learn more!!!

Vaccination

2008-11-02T10:25:00.000-08:00

When I was about six months pregnant I was reading a magazine at work that had an article about the link between mercury and autism. It had never really crossed my mind that there was any danger in vaccinations. I simply knew that they were to given to help build immunities at certain times and ages. Many in a series that need to be given before children turn a specific age. I'm not the type to run out and vaccinate myself with a flu shot every year, but what about my baby? What were the risks behind vaccinating her as an infant. Vaccinations are a very controversial issue. Most parents follow the guidelines and most of the population is vaccinated. I have asked certain people about their thoughts on this issue and many say that it is doing a favor for the children that will be around your child and that it is a courtesy that should be reciprocated. I researched some of the conflicting issues surrounding vaccines. There have been instances in which vaccines such as the DpT presented with devastating effects or even death. In the 1980's vaccines were mixed with mercury and thimersol. Today they are still mixed with elements that can be extremely dangerous. Affects including increased respiratory distress for up to a week, screaming syndrome in which the child screams with a shrill shrieking due to immediate neurological damage, and also a link to SIDS. The government denies all claims linking vaccines to autism and death, but I had a first hand experience with a family affected by the Pertussis vaccine. I became very skeptical and scared about the idea of vaccinating my daughter, but I'm ok. My brothers are fine. So the benefits outweigh the risk right? That's what I was beginning to believe until one day I started to work with a client that was given a shot from a "hot " batch in the 1980's and has severe brain damage and has already had three eye surgery's. She will never be independent and able to function on her own. All of her symptoms presented immediately following her Pertussis vaccination. She was one of eleven baby's from the same clinic that were damaged and received a settlement from the government. I know this is decades later, but still an infant is given the same amount of vaccine that would be administered to a child that is four or five year old. There are studies that show that in Asia vaccinations are administered after two years of age. Instead of pumping babies full of vaccine and its potentially harmful base, they wait until they are old enough to intake the substances with better ability to process them through their systems. There still is no proof that some vaccines are even effective for protection after five to seven years. So why should I subject my daughter to the possibility of life changing damages inflicted by a simple vaccination. I have a doctor that fully supports my decision to wait and vaccinate her when she is older. Only the ones that will be absolutely neccessary. She is already past the age where some infections like whooping cough would be fatal. She is not in daycare and not exposed to many other children, so this makes it easier to uphold my decision. Many people scorn me for choosing to wait, but vacccines can and have been shown to be dangerous. I will use my own discretion over recommended guidlines to ensure my baby's safety and health as she grows. I encourage any new parent to get the facts before deciding to vaccinate or not vaccinate their child. There is a significant link between mercury and Autism. There is a risk for devastating adverse effects. Think about it, Hep B was introduced and encouraged to be administered when I was about 14 years old. Now it is recommended in a series of three within the first year. Hep B is not particular to infants in any way. My parents grew up without it, as did generations before. Unecessary I'd say. Just one of about ten to twelve vaccines that could be pumped into your child within the first year. The chances of injury could be one out of thousands, but I won't risk that possibly being my child. Vaccines are actually mandated in a few states and I hope that America never fully succumbs to that. It is an important topic that should not be ignored. The opinions are endless but there are stories that are real. They will leave you cringing at the idea of a baby throwing their head back immediately following injection and shrieking for hours. Death by SIDS within four hours and up to five days later due to respiratory distress and adverse reactions. Autism settling upon a once bouncing and bright six month old infant following their last injection of the DpT series. We do have a natural process in which we build immunities as a child. Since my daughter is bright and healthy, I choose to allow her to build immunities on her own and spare the risks of vaccines. There are doctors who support holistic health.

music appreciation

2008-10-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

Growing up as a classical dancer, I was continuously exposed to many different composers and pieces of classical music. There was a live accompanist that played for each class. Each rehearsal echoed over and over the music whether classical or contemporary, the piece which I was to excute and interpret movement. Since I heard music for at least three hours everyday, I did not listen to anything outside of class and rehearsal time. Not even the radio on the drive to and from the studio. Needless to say at sixteen years old I was quite the music virgin when it came to rap/hip-hop, rock, punk, or any other type of music that was "in " at that time. Once I quit dancing I started to associate with many people of varying music preferences. I finally started to listen and appreciate other forms of music. I began to be exposed to artists like Maynard James Keenan, the lead singer of Tool and A Perfect Circle, as well as Trent Resner of NIN, and Dave Matthews Band. I found with each phase I experienced in my life I began to understand how different types of music related to different areas of my life and how they offered emotional support and inspiration in many ways. As relationships with people came and went so changed my exposure and taste for varying types of music. I was a big fan of Radiohead, Sublime, and Dave Matthews Band for a long time, and still to this day love to reminisce with my favorite songs from that point in my life. One friend of mine had a boyfriend that was a DJ. I had a up close and personal demonstration of how to mix vinyl on turntables. I was ecstatic. I had to learn how to DJ as I was drawn more and more towards the electronica/techno genre. I appreciated it for the skill and creativity that went into finding vinyl that expressed me as a person and organizing it into a clean and energetic set. Intimidating considering consistency was key, but with much practice I began to find my niche for spinning trance and break beats. I practiced just about everyday for three years as I evolved and developed my taste further for drum n bass, and jungle. Practice does make perfect. Alot of practice!! I found myself surrounded by many other Dj's that encouraged me to continue and were influential in helping me create my own style.
For me those are days are far gone. But my appreciation for music continues to grow.
My younger brother ( AKA GM) is a hip hop artist. He has been working on releasing his first mix tape and will have his first performance this Thursday night at the Brickhouse in Arvada. He is represented by 88 productions, which is led by his best friend from high school D'Andre the Nu Mixtape Messiah. Togther they have created amazing tracks. It is going to be an amazing performance. Before I listened to my brothers renditions of hip-hop, I was never much impressed by what I had heard on the radio. I liked a few of the "clubthumpers" but otherwise would prefer to listen to alternative music instead. I felt like when I listened to rap on the radio I was hearing the beat, missing the words. I just didn't seem to have the ear to catch anymore than the obvious words at the end of each rhyme. Not much of a listening experience for me. After hearing my brother's tracks, I became completely enthralled with his portrayal of that type of music. I was able to relate and understand the message he was conveying through each song. His pace and tone was the perfect speed for me to catch the words and excitedly sing along. Just from listening to his tracks it has opened me up to another dimension of what hip-hop can portray. Not just violence, veangence, money, weed, or gettin "bitches" at the club. There is hip-hop out there that expessses raw feelings and can be just as moving as other music I was listening to. I'm certainly a slacker when it comes to organizing my Ipod, but typically when I'm in the mood to listen to music I know exactly what I want to hear at that moment. Providing stress relief as well as mood enhancement, I have come to appreciate most types of music except country. My horizons have much expanded since my sweet sixteen( or maybe not so sweet), but having many people close to me involved in creating their own label and working their booty's off to get there has definitely furthered my appreciation and respect for many artists that before I would not haved payed much mind to.

Tone and voice

2008-10-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

I read an essay that was written by a natural childbirth instructor. She brings up her own ambitions to follow in the traditions which she teaches to others for her own childbearing experience. She believes in natural birth without interference of doctors and medications, but an awe inspiring at home experience. Not to say that there is no unbearable pain involved, but that women are created with mental strength and physiological effects that allow women to cope with labor pains. She writes with an assertiveness that insists that women are not educated enough about the idea that childbirth is natural and that women are fully equipped to bring forth life in a completely natural way. There is alot of fear involved with the process of labor and some women are overtaken by it without proper education and understanding of how women's bodies are created to conceive without the help of outside forces. The author brings a tone of empowerment throughout the essay demanding respect for the women who have experienced childbirth or are presently pregnant. Her main points state that childbirth is not to be feared but to allow the body to enter the natural state of labor and trust innate instincts of mother and baby to rhythmically find their way through the process of childbirth. She states that women should have the freedom to choose when and where their comfort zone is for this process to take place. She expresses her beliefs on how natural childbirth brings connection to many generations of women who feel strongly about this issue. In the end the writer tells of her success in adhering to her belief in creating the experience that she so desired, and the determination that enabled her to beat the odds and give birth in the way she had planned. Strength and empowerment in voice as well as relatable thoughts and ideas are conveyed. http://thisibelieve.org/dsp_ShowEssay.php?uid=15236&themelist=birth&yval=0&start=0

movie review

2008-10-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

I sat down with my brother a few days ago and watched Step Up for the first time. The storyline presents with circumstances that combine the lives of two people, Tyler and Nora. Tyler is a streetdancer, a foster child living in a dysfunctional home with a wreckless lifestyle. His days consist of hanging out with his two friends, partying, and causing trouble. One night after a party as Tyler and his friends are causing mischief, they end up breaking a window and tresspassing into the Maryland School of the Arts. The boys ruthlessly destroy the theatre along with props and costumes. Tyler gets caught and is sentenced to two hundred hours of community service there.
Nora, a student at the school, is a classical dancer in her senior year tediously preparing for her senior recital. This performance will serve as her gateway to the proffessional world as long as she catches the eye of a recruiter. Otherwise, her mom has destined her for college and dance as a career is lost. Her partner for her piece gets injured just as Tyler begins his community service at the school.
Through her search for replacement Tyler and Nora's relationship begins to build as they find their common ground and connect through hours and hours of rehearsal. They are tested and test one another in many ways. In the end the both figure out that life is about pursuing your dreams and that odds can be beat.
I really liked how the movie was based around the story of the school. When I was in high school our theatre and costumes got destroyed and painted without ever knowing who had done it. There was an emotional connection for me as I watched that particular scene in the movie. Also I was a classical dancer for ten years as I was growing up, and appreciate the recognition and respect that this movie brought for the fine arts in this way. There were many scenes in which they demonstrate the similarities between hip hop/streetdancing and classical movements. I think making this connection bridges a gap for many that sterotype either forms of dance. Dance is dance. It takes ambition and heart. It is a talent that some possess very strongly.

Reason and Purpose

2008-10-13T12:53:00.001-07:00

I believe that everything happens for a reason and that there is a lesson behind each experience. I believe that we choose the path that we are to follow, but the experiences created from those decisions are meaningful and are the means by which we develop or exist in life. Whether we take notice of them or live life obliviously, it is our duty to recognize an opportunity to grow and change for the better for ourselves. The people that move in and through our lives and the relationship that is held between each friend, family member, aquaintance, and simply the influences around us shape who we are and our personalities. We share experiences from different perspsectives, but find common ground on the lessons to be learned. I try to live optimistically and within that comes my responsibility to realize, accept, and appreciate most information and insight that will help me develop intutively and become more constructively knowledgeable. There have been many times in my life in which I clung to a specific group of people or a single person, very afraid to change and move forward from them as if I felt I would never be able to again establish this comfort zone with anyone else. They were it and that was what I had to hold on to. As the relationships and that time of my life and who I was at that time melted away with one another, I then realized that as things are destroyed new things are always created. It is my free will to move forward and accept change and challenges that occur. My perception guides me through these choices in hopes that I am making conscious decisions that will be to benefit my life and those I associate with. Humbling myself and accepting the lessons from bad choices and negative experiences allow me to keep hope and attain knowledge amd motivation to keep me on a positive track in life. Each person I meet always have something to offer if not be a symbol of traits and character in which I would then know that I wouldn't want to be involved with. Difficulties in life are definitely disparaging, but there is a reason for every good and bad happening in my life. Many parts of my character have been challenged with each setback I have encountered. My experiences have brought me to where I am today and be who I am today. I try to erase regret and replace it with this idea that I am not a victim and that everything happens for a reason as much as each decision will pave my way through life.

The Studio

2008-10-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

I spent ten years of my life within the walls of Colorado Ballet downtown on Lincoln and 13th. Every day sweat and tears were poured into the grueling classsical russian ballet training known as Vaganova method. To this day I remember specific music and piano pieces that were played by the accompanist for each exercise. I was homeschooled. Homeschooled at the studio even. My life was solely focused upon what I was to become and who I conveyed within each step and lesson at the barre, on the center floor, with each class and rehearsal. My life was being decided by the progress that was to befall with each moment and the hard work with the instructors in the studios there. When I ponder memories of my childhood my thoughts run high with emotion as this place had impacted so many years of my life and the technical and interpersonal growth that took place, or lack there of.
I was a classical dancer. Aiming for the highest quality of artistry and technique. Without these my destiny was doomed to fail. I had to keep up mentally and physically with the challenges that came with shaping and molding myself into what I had come to expect of myself due to the perfectionism that was constantly in display around me. Expectations always high from the teachers striving to produce the highest quality students.
Now as I pass by the building memories flood my mind. Some good. Some bad. I do not relate Colorado Ballet to myself the same way that I used to. Such a big part of my life with such big impact on who I am today. Yet it lingers into a foggier space in my mind as it filters the memories which I would like to hold onto, and the ones I wish to never be reminded of.
When I was a dancer that space, that building and its context was what defined me as a person. Now I approach this place with an attitude of injustness. Almost like that place took over me as if I was trapped for so many years. Blocked from outside influence that could have helped me develop as a person in many different ways so much more quickly. My identity was perhaps stolen in this place and not released to be my own until this time of my life would come to pass. I do not physically revisit this space and don't intend to ever. It was my life for then, but this is now. I do not place myself there to conjure up my past. As much as it was positive and I miss dancing with a passion, the building itself does not bring upon optimism as a whole. So choose not to subject myself to even learning of any changes that have taken place there. I have not seen a performance since I quit dancing. A bittersweet feeling turns inside when I drive or pass by this building. Once symbolizing greatness and future, I do not allow myself to relate this building to anything of representation anymore. It simply is.

Lesson

2008-10-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I had an inservice at my work at which a lady came to teach some methods of rehabilitation. Her name was Sheila. She is currently still a ballet dancer, Physical Therapist, and teaches pilates based rehabilitation. She is in her third year of studying the Feldenkrais method. Truly an amazing woman with grace and ease about her that is so kind and so knowledgeable you can't help but accept every piece of information she had to offer. She gave us each pilates excercises to start. Than she gave us a Feldenkrais lesson. Feldenkrais is deeply rooted in the concepts of self care and non-judgmental treatment. It is re-education of the neuorological system. She talked us slowly through gentle movement and awareness excercises. We focused on our spine and extremities, noticing movement patterns when moving joints in isolation. Or do we freely allow movement of other areas of the body to assist us? We then repeated the pilates excersises with the Feldenkrais concepts we had learned. An amazing realization of different capacities in which we can tell our bodies to move and how. By the end of the lesson I felt in touch with my breath and I definitely felt a decrease in tension as well as a new found awareness and way of looking at and approaching the body. A very decompressed sensation throughout my spine, freeness through my ribcage, and an overall sense of well being set in as I fluttered back to my car. Each month I will be priveleged to return for another lesson. I hope to be able to effectively infuse these concepts when applying neuromuscular bodywork for my patients. I am blessed to work side by side with these other healthcare professionals. My desire to learn from them never ceases. I hope to one day be an educator of such fine conceptual work and information.

yummy

2008-09-28T19:25:00.000-07:00

Here is an easy recipe for a fantastic dish, chicken and cream cheese crescents. They are simple and do not take much time. My cooking skills are limited, so these work out very well for me. Ingredients are few and inexspensive. Give these a try!
First boil 2 lbs of boneless chicken till tender. Then shred. Take 1 package of plain philadelphia cream cheese and half a stick (1/4 cup) of butter and soften in the microwave. Add to shredded chicken and mix thoroughly. Take 3 rolls of original, butter flavored, refrigerated pillsbury crescents and as you unroll them, pinch 2 triangles together to make a square. Then place them on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Place 1 1/2 tablespoons of chicken mixture in the middle of each square and bring the corners of the square together. Pinch to seal. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake at 350 for 12-15 min. or until tops of crescents are golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cool. Enjoy!

Description

2008-09-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

As I sit outside observing my view many senses are stimulated as I ideate ways to describe the atmosphere. A mild breeze brushes against my skin as it whisks through the air causing the flags to wave and ripple as they clink and clang against the flagpole. I hear the annoying sound of a lawn mower as it weaves its way through the soft, patchy grass. The rank smell of cigarettes burning and second hand smoke linger with each exhalation from the students nearby. Hundreds of lime colored helicopter leaves spin and flutter to the ground in whirlwind of chaos. The trees tremble with the wind as they sway back and forth as if dancing. The pathway leading up to the school is lined with flowers elegantly placed to attract my eyes to their intensity and depth of color. The temperature is comfortable. Almost optimal for creating an environment in which to think and observe. Warm and cozy, it helps me relax and quiet my thoughts. There is conversation around me that filter like whispers through my head as students interact and opinionate with one another in various tones.

NMT

2008-09-21T13:49:00.000-07:00

As a Neuromuscular Therapist it is my job to be of service to people suffering from injuries, disabilities, and diseases. It is my duty to facilitate healing by creating a comfortable environment that allows for an existential experience for each patient, as well as inspire a sense of hope and well being by helping improve their quality of life. It is my goal to eliminate pain cycles and restore homeostasis between the musculoskeletal and nervous systems through technique and touch. I am honored to be of service as a massage therapist, and acquiring the tools and knowledge that I needed to be successful in my field has brought life changing experiences. The people that I treat have become inspirations to many different areas of my life.
There is an high percentage of the population that suffer chronic pain each day. Eighty to ninety percent of all pain is neuromuscular or soft tissue related. Pain can be onset by physical trauma or biomechanical dysfuntion that in turn create hypertonicity and holding patterns within a muscle or group of muscles. Auto - immune diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus causes pain by attacking nerves and different organ systems of the body. Posture can play a big role in pain patterns as well. The way we move from day to day and the shape in which our body develops as it functions is an important component in analyzing sources of chronic pain.
So there you have it. My blog for the week. Didn't really want to blog about what my acceptance speech would be if I were elected president. This will have to suffice.

Piercing

2008-09-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

Growing up I was not in an environment that exposed me much to people with tattoos or body piercings. When I did see them I was taken back at the idea of how people could possibly withstand the process of using needles to create their body art or piercings. I am needlephobic. As belly button piercings seemed to stand out to me more and more when I would see them on women wearing swimsuits or someone flaunting their new belly button piercings, I felt an admiration and desire to have this decoration as well. I thought it was beautiful. I loved some the jewelry that was available for belly button piercings.
Finally one day I got up the courage to decide and tolerate the pain, observing others as their navals were pierced smoothly,quickly, and seemingly painless. If millions of people around the world could do it, I could do it. I found the pain to be oddly different from any other I had experienced. Now my navel piercing represents overcoming a fear with the reward of having attained the ability to display jewelery of my choice, whether it is only to me or people who happen to get a glimpse of my tummy. My tummy feels beautiful. I am comfortable in knowing that I am included in a large population that have a tattoo and piercing. Not so much for acceptance but for my personal acknowledgement and understanding for why people choose to get them.

Blessed

2008-09-11T08:11:00.001-07:00

Becoming a mother has definitely changed my life. It has become a large part of my identity. My actions and decisions are much different in having to consider the way the outcomes will affect me and my daughter as a whole. My daughter Selene is nine months old. Since pregnancy I feel that my maternal instincts began to develop, and continue to grow with each passing day. The way I perceive life and my purpose for existence is very much focused on how I can create a better life for Selene and I. She is my every reason and motivation to wake up every morning and pursue my passions and continue to achieve goals that will benefit us as a family.
Being a single mother brings many different challenges to my plate. I must provide financially not only for the bare necessities but also for things like healthcare and education funds which are essential for now and her future. It has been very important for me to learn how to distribute my time and energy efficiently between school, work, and being a present mother when I am home. This has not been a simple task considering my daughter is at an age that demands all of my time and energy when she is in my care. I try and utlilize our time together to teach her things and be productive within our interactions as much as possible. It has been a life changing experience becoming mother and father to Selene trying to give her the greatest sense of security and love in an atmosphere that will be nurturing and allow her to flourish. She is my everything and I am blessed to witness this miracle of life that grows and learns as she becomes more beautiful everyday.

media image blog

2008-09-08T12:55:00.001-07:00

Men and boys are influenced differently by the media on body images than females. There are fewer magazines and television shows that target young boys than girls. The body images usually displayed are more forgiving and suggest more of a fit look than emaciation. Beauty for women is defined differently than what is handsome for men. Media is more typical to display a muscular or toned body as the stereotypical "attractive" male, while females are more commonly displayed through images of models that are tall and exceptionally slim. There is more of a lure set out for young women than men. Perhaps simply because women are more likely to invest in the purchase of a magazine, or more apt to watch a show on fashion.
Not to say that young men are not targeted or affected by the media and its false portrayal of it's celebrity bodies. Young men are struggling with their image whether it be their weight, acne prone skin, or just general appearance and how that impacts the way that they feel people view them. Business men in suits, buff athletes, sensual male models, male celebrities, all are highlighted in light to their physical appearance and how it pertains or even contributes directly to their success in the world. There is not much media I am familiar with that is directed towards the preteen boy. Girls however, despite their age, are viewing movies and magazines far beyond their years and comparing themselves to idealistic views of appearance and how they should age. This sets expectations for how they think they should look before it is even possible for their bodies to portray that image.

McCain blog

2008-09-07T07:43:00.000-07:00

Watching McCains speech at the RNC was slightly moving. Boring overall. The republican crowd however, seemed to give off a scary patriotic diehard vibe, chanting "USA" constantly in disturbance of the speech. Much different from the democratic crowd who cheered when appropriate and otherwise watched Obama's speech in awe. McCain opened with a drawn out introduction of his family and VP. Stressing Sarah Palin's commitment to find energy independence, cut taxes, and that she's taken on special interests as well as being a mother of five. McCain expressed that America has fallen into "dark times" since the attack on September 11 and that it is Washington that needs to change and stop leaving problems to be fixed by future generations. He feels that he has "the strength and the backbone to bring change." McCain spoke of a government that doesn't make choices for you but works to provide more choices for individuals to decide for themselves. Personally I don't know if either of the candidates really have the ability to bring us out of our economic depression and resolve the war within the next term, or even two. Either way here's hoping. It will take longer for America to recover than it did for us to get into our current condition.
McCain took a very different approach in addressing the crowd. He used his backround to support topics and explain his way of relating and understanding certain situations that everyday American families face. He went into detail about his military history in expession of empathy to our soldiers and their loved ones. McCain stated that lives should matter to people elected into office and that "they matter to me." He talked about America in which everyone has something to contribute and everyone should have the opportunity to reach its fullest potential. I felt there was a big difference between the way Obama and McCain presented their ideas on reform. Obama had a more surrealistic in a perfect world approach, while McCain's overall wishes were more down to earth in simply helping bring America to its utmost potential within reason of changes that are possible for him to make. They both present reward for hard work.
McCain did not call Obama and his party out in challenge, but instead showed respect for both sides and their indifferences hoping for an America affected by the "best ideas from both sides." He concluded with his expression of love for his country and duty as a servant, encouraging America to stand up and fight with him for a better America.
Not the strongest speech. Certainly not as charasmatic as Obamas. Indefinitely held a humble, respectable sincerity and hope.

Obama blog

2008-08-31T10:22:00.000-07:00

"Americas Promise" were the words resounding from Obama's lips every ten minutes or less in his speech Thursday night at the DNC. The idea of achievement for anyone in America willing to work hard and sacrifice. Equal opportunity for success among the social classes. Meanwhile each family preparing and paving the way for their future generations.
For all to find a sense of common purpose among the issues of dispute and find a grey area upon which any person or party can agree. America finding a renewed sense of responsibility, moral and intellectual strength.. "New ideas, new politics."
Obama talked about reform and change of our education system, healthcare, and economy. Education and higher education being affordable and accessible to anyone. More government funding to help people pay for school. He spoke of healthcare that would be available as a benefit to everyone equally. Obama stated that our economic decline and struggle is the fault of the government and George W Bush's failure to respond. Poverty and debt being a direct result of this neglect over the past eight years.
Through all of the topics Obama discussed he made sure to address specific populations such as families, workers, veterans, soldiers, seniors, teachers, small business owners, and more. relating each issue in direct application. His tone varied as he challenged McCain and his ability to lead America out of recession; confident and hopeful in winning the election and the reality of these changes taking place in the future.
Inspirational indeed. Idealistic as well.

Texts: educational?

2008-08-27T13:37:00.000-07:00

Texts are primarily educational in some shape or form. Most forms of text are used to describe, display, or implement certain information or ideas whether it be multiple subjects and thoughts, or to a single point. Billboards, commercials, and magazines, are more focused on educating consumers about specific products or ideas and to bring general awareness of them. They expose products, items, businesses, or even ideas on making good and bad choices as they provoke thought and opinion within the public specifically geared towards their topic or item of subject. They vary in their degree of being educational versus informational.Texts such as books, art, and music have a completely different educational quality to them. Paintings, lyrics, and textbooks can have very deep or superficial suggestions of meaning behind them. They are educational in the sense that there is something that can be pondered and learned as we ideate thoughts and feelings that arise as we perceive them with the most appropriate of our five senses. Perception and the depth of which we intake certain texts determine whether many texts are, or become educational.