Did your mom or dad ever make you wear something you hated?

My answer to this question is a definite yes. As a kid, I was a tomboy—a hardcore one at that (which is really quite embarrassing looking back on how ridiculous I looked in many pictures). And when it came time to dress up for Christmas, church, or my piano recitals, I had to wear a dress. Being the genuine tomboy that I was, I always refused. Somehow or another, my mom would get the dress on me, but with much resistance played on my part. On several occasions, I remember hiding my dresses all over the house so that I could just say "Oops, I lost it!" Of course no one ever believed me, and my sister would always weasel out of me the hiding place in which I had stuffed the dress...I've certainly changed a lot from back then and now thoroughly enjoy wearing dresses—which is definitely a good thing! :D 

What do you think is the most important invention in history?

I think the most important invention in history would have to be the sewage system/water treatment plant. Everyone has to use the bathroom, wash dishes, take a shower etc....that is why these systems are vital, especially in our modern-day living. Just think what it would be like today if sewage systems were not around...we would still have to use an outhouse!!! Or worse, we might just have raw sewage lying around in city streets (in some ancient civilizations that's what happened--the people living in a city would just dump their sewage onto the streets).Yuck. Also, look at Africa and other prevalently underdeveloped places--they don't have sewage systems, and as a result, they usually have raw sewage contaminating their fresh water. This then leads to disease and lack of water resources which in turn causes dehydration...definitely not good. And on top of that, the people living in these places can't even really take a decent bath!  Just think how fortunate we are to simply be able to turn on a faucet and have crystal clear water come out. I don't know about you, but it never ceases to amaze me! I am so thankful that I live in America where raw sewage is not floating about in all the available water sources around! And I am glad that sewage systems/water treatment systems are in effect all over this country and many other countries. These systems are ever so important!!!

Making a Difference

How could you make a difference in the world? How can you make a difference in one person's life? How have you done that? 

I could make a difference in the world by doing something that positively affects those around me. Many ordinary people think that they don't have what it takes to make a difference in the world today. They think that only Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Bill Gates, and others on the same level are the only ones capable of making a difference. But that is 100% untrue...it all starts with you (the individual)! You just need to do something with the intent to ‘do good’ and you've got it. 

          I can make a difference in one person's life by simply making them smile or just have a better day. Additionally, befriending that person makes a huge difference also...friends are so indispensable in this life we have; so, be there for and care for those around you. 

I have made a difference by being a positive person and choosing positivity even when I don’t feel like it. I know I’ve made some people's days brighter. For example, at school I’ve made people smile back at me when I smile.  I know their day was made brighter because people have said that I make their day because I smile (it’s especially good that I smile because just two years ago I didn’t! I’m glad I’m a totally changed person! :D). Anyway, I’ve made people’s days better. Therefore, I’ve made a difference in the world! 

How would your life be different if you had been born in Niger?

If I had been born in Niger, I imagine my life would be pretty tough (my life presently is pretty nice…so huge change there). First of all, Niger has the lowest Human Development Index (HDI) on earth, so I would most likely be impoverished. The HDI is a comparative measure of life expectancy, literacy, education, and standards of living worldwide.  It's a standard means of measuring well-being, especially child welfare. It's used to distinguish whether the country is a developed, developing, or an underdeveloped country. The HDI also measures the quality of life. When Niger has the LOWEST HDI on earth, well things can't be too good; thus, my life would probably be not too good either. I would most likely not have an education. This would in turn mean I wouldn't be able to read and write! That's depressing...those are two things I really enjoy.  Secondly, I would be very poor...so I might not even be wearing shoes! Crazy. I can’t imagine not owning one pair of shoes; this is just totally recondite to me.  In addition to everything else, the religion of Islam dominates 97% of Niger's population....so I would probably be a Muslim! Wow, what a difference from what I believe (I'm a radical follower of Christ NOT Muhammad)! And if Niger is predominantly Islamic, then I would probably be treated like crap because I'm a girl! I am thanking God right now that I was born in Nebraska to my parents; what a wonderful life I have, especially if I compare it to anyone in Niger or if I compare it to anyone in all of Africa for that matter (maybe minus South Africa...)! And on top of everything else, there is a good chance I might have had a kid by now…whoa. And most likely out of marriage (and it’s likely it was out of rape, which is sad). Oh, and the common diet consists of milk, millet, and dates. No meat! That’s just crazy again; meat is a staple in my diet. So pretty much, if I had been born in Niger, I would be a totally different person. TOTALLY. 

Goals

In careers class, we have been talking about SMART goals and how important it is to set goals. The acronym SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-based goals. My first reaction to making goals was negative. I'm a self-starter and I didn't see the point of listing goals. I get things that need to be done done just because it drives me crazy if they don't get done! For instance, I'm the one that cleans my house. If I didn't, it would be a mess (no one at home seems to mind except me), and I would be going crazy (if you don't believe me, just ask my mom or sister how crazy I can be when it comes to cleaning—I'm pretty much a cleaning Nazi)! I cannot even begin to convey the frustration that comes to me when something is not done...I have literally screamed at my mom for trying to finish the dishes because she does them wrong (and that was maybe a week ago...). Anyway, back to goal setting. We talked about how goals provide a way to focus and concentrate time and energy into specific targets chosen in your life; this is designed to make significant positive impacts in your life. Also, research shows that many people who take just five to ten minutes each month to set goals are more likely to succeed and achieve greater than those who don’t set goals at all. A lot of the time goals are used for motivation…which I don’t get at all; I think it works in the opposite way for me. When I set goals, I just feel like I don’t want to reach the goals anymore; but, when I don’t set goals I feel free to go above and beyond everyone else. I like the feeling of freedom. It’s just like in school; if I feel pressured to get all A’s, then I probably will end up with a B or two. But, if I feel like I can fail a class and I feel like it doesn’t matter, that in itself drives me to really learn…as weird and as opposite as that sounds. I have realized how beneficial goal setting can be though careers class...but for the most part, I think I'll stick to my innate tendencies to just get things done. 

Grades: How important should they be?

It seems like all that matters in school these days is getting a good grade; I think it's extremely ridiculous. When you have to cheat to achieve that highly desired A that mom and dad are pushing you to get, what's the point? Life is not just about memorizing and getting answers...life is about accumulating knowledge and applying it. What good is there in knowing all the answers in the world if you don’t understand the answers themselves or even understand why you’re getting the answer you’re getting? I think it’s worthless to just get answers. Understanding is key! Furthermore, the value placed in getting straight A’s by parents today is outrageous. They seem to have difficulty accepting less than A's on their children's report cards (when looking back they probably got B’s or C’s…which is pretty ironic). What are we teaching kids today?! Are we teaching that appearance is the thing that really matters most in life?! I don’t know, but I would surely hope not! We need to be building character in the kids of today so that we will have a good future; you know why? Kids are the future! If you just tell them what to do and pressure them so much that they have to cheat, well, that’s not building character! Besides, many of today’s recognized geniuses were awful at school and received poor grades. My point: grades aren’t everything (there's nothing wrong with getting good grades, though); chase the knowledge and the grade will take care of itself. Also, be passionate about learning and pass that passion on to others…especially your kids! 

Why Marijuana Should NOT be Legal

        When I was watching the news yesterday, the topic of possibly legalizing marijuana came up. It was ridiculous to see people that were for such a thing! I am wholly against the legalization of marijuana. First of all, there are many harmful short term effects from the usage of marijuana that include memory problems, difficulty thinking, distorted perception, a decline in problem-solving skills, feelings of panic, fear, and anxiety. Marijuana can also be addictive, and may weaken the immune system--definitely something I wouldn't want for my body! Secondly, marijuana is a gateway drug. Once a person starts with marijuana, chances are they will advance to other drugs such as cocaine or heroin. Research conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that in over three hundred sets of twins where one twin had used marijuana and one twin had not, the twin who had used marijuana was more likely to use other types of drugs (www.edubook.com). Lastly, legalizing marijuana would indubitably increase the usage of it. Often times people who want to try substances like marijuana don't know where to find it. Legalizing it would make it readily available to those curious people who want to try it...so they would most likely indulge themselves if marijuana was legal. I don't know about you, but for me there are just too many pros involved with marijuana to ever consider legalizing it!

Where Did All the Honey Bees Go?

One of the most alarming things I can think of presently is the fact that honey bees are disappearing quite rapidly. This is just terrible! Bees pollinate many crops for farmers as well as produce nutritious and delicious honey! Honey bees are indispensable for many many things. Did you know that if honey is stored properly, it will last pretty much forever? For example, archaeologists that dug up an ancient city from about 2000 B.C. found containers of honey...and guess what! The honey was still good! Also, honey kills bacteria...I always eat some when I get a sore throat- I think it really does help! (That’s probably why it can last forever- it kills everything that would break it down) Though the cause of the disappearance in honey bees is still unknown, many believe that the increasing use of herbicides and pesticides (which honeybees ingest daily during their pollination rounds) are the culprit. The US Agriculture Department has also found that parasites have been causing general weakness among bee colonies. Whatever it is I sure hope they get it straightened out, because I cannot begin to imagine my life without honey! AHHH! 

The Benefits of Buying Local

     Buying local from farms around Ashland (or wherever you live) is an excellent way to live healthfully. The benefit of buying local is not only seen in our pocketbook, it's seen in our overall well-being.  As processed food becomes more and more the choice of our busy lifestyles, we see more sicknesses, disease, and most prevalent in America, obesity. Junk food is a staple in the average Americans’ life, especially as it is cheaper than natural and organic food. We don’t have to wonder why diabetes, Celiac disease, cancer and many other nutritional disorders are running rampant; our bodies naturally function best with whole, natural, unprocessed food. The refined sugars, flours, and everything else in between are just too much for our bodies. Local farms, however, give us an opportunity to eat fresh and make healthy choices. Scenic and cultural landscapes, recreational opportunities, farmers’ markets, local jobs and communities businesses all play an important role in the qualities of American life. So support your local farmer by buying local today! 

21 years of age is a good minimum

      I think the legal alcohol age limit at 21 is fine. Despite others opinions about wanting the age limit lowered, I think it is good that people wait until they are mature enough to handle alcohol. Kids my age have complained about the legal age and have said that there was no doubt that they were mature enough to handle alcohol. That in itself shows they are not mature. Handling alcohol responsively is big and I really doubt kids my age are ready for responsible handling. The only reason kids my age want to drink in the first place is to party and get drunk! That is not a good reason to drink; I think it is alright if you enjoy yourself and drink alcohol for pleasure...but getting wasted should definitely be frowned upon.

Another point to back up why underage drinking is not good: The HealthDay News reports:

"Having that first drink before age 15 puts the imbiber at a higher risk for developing an alcohol problem later in life, a new report suggests."

That is not good! People in my family have had drinking problems in the past (none that I had to deal first hand with) and it has really been impressed upon me not to abuse alcohol. Therefore, I think it's wisest to leave the alcohol age limit at 21, for the betterment of everyone everywhere. 

Montessori Method

As of late, I have really been interested in Montessori schools. I had no idea what the heck that even was until my sister (who happens to be majoring in Elementary Education) told me about it. The Montessori Method is an approach to educating children based on the research and experience of Italian physician and educator Marie Montessori. She was an advocate of the multiple intelligences theory which posits that children learn by a process of discovery rather than being taught rote. It's basically an approach to education wherein an environment is designed to stimulate the child's interest and to promote self-directed learning.

The Montessori environment is designed to inspire children to learn by themselves. Instead of lecturing, a teacher directs each child into a certain activity, ensures that the child is introduced to and progresses in all learning areas, demonstrates the use of materials, clinically observes and records the child's progress and upholds the Montessori environment. Montessori classrooms are bright, warm, and inviting. They are filled with plants, animals, art, music, books, and interest centers replete with intriguing learning materials. There are no huge blackboards or stiffly arranged desk where children sit all day.  Children have the freedom to move around and be free to be themselves... it's a whole different perspective on learning and I think it's great! 

By allowing children to develop a meaningful degree of self-discipline and independence, Montessori sets a pattern for a lifetime of good work habits and a sense of responsibility. Students are taught to take pride in doing things for themselves carefully and well. Isn’t that just what the world needs?! Americans need to take pride in themselves once again! I think introducing Montessori into America’s public schools is one of the most magnanimous possibilities for securing our future generations.   

Mosque Controversy

 

There’s no question that the controversy going around about building a mosque at ground zero is big. There are so many feelings about it…but most of the people I know are NOT for it, including me. I think it is absolutely idiotic of President Obama to be for it. During a visit to the Gulf Coast, Obama said that while he believes Muslims have the right to build the mosque and community center so close to ground zero where terrorists killed 3,000 people, he is not sure it's a good idea. He is not sure this is a good idea?! Come on! That in itself is ridiculous! In the first place, I don't think that ANYONE should have even entertained the idea of it, because that in itself is just flat out disrespectful to those who died on 9/11. 

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg asked: “Should government attempt to deny private citizens the right to build a house of worship on private property based on their particular religion? That may happen in other countries, but we should never allow it to happen here.”  

I wholeheartedly disagree! Our founding fathers came to America for their religious freedom, TO PRACTICE FREELY CHRSITIANITY. NOT Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and all the other different religions! If America went over to Iran and asked them if we could build a Christian church, they would without a doubt kill us! Also, in the Koran, the book Muslims follow meticulously, it says that Muslims will ETERNALLY be at war with Judaism…which is pretty much Christianity. So despite what Muslims say about wanting to be friends and make peace, according to what they follow this is NEVER going to happen. They just want to take over everywhere and convert everything into Islam. If this is really all about tolerance and sensitivity, shouldn't mosque organizers allow the sensitivity they demand of others and accept an alternate location? 

Volunteering

Yes, I do think volunteering is important. It's not only important to the community or organization you volunteer for, it's an important factor in building character...and it also helps that it looks good on your resume when looking for a job or going to college. It's a great way to get things accomplished and I think a lot more volunteer work should be done. So many things would go undone without volunteers. Think about it: the world with no volunteers would definitely be a different place than it is right now. So many kind and selfless people put huge amounts of their lives into work that goes unpaid. I am thankful that so many people like this exist!

I have indeed volunteered before with church related activities and 4-H.Volunteering may sometimes sound boring, but I've found that it can be quite fun along with making you feel accomplished and good about yourself. It's also a great way to get involved with your community! So, go out and volunteer!

Success Quote Thoughts

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover.  -- Mark Twain

I really really like this quote. So often we keep our 'seat belts' on every second of every day. We guard ourselves and our actions...sometimes that's a good thing, but we lose out on all kinds of adventures we could have! I'm not saying we should be reckless and careless, but I think we need to get out of routine. Repetition dulls the mind! Creativity sharpens.  Let yourself be free and experience life to its fullest...why settle for less?